Profile
* BiRtHdAy * 12 OcToBeR 1983
* SiGn * LiBrA BaBy
* sChOoL * Temasek Polytechnic: School of Business
blogs/links
** mY oLd bLoG **
** tRaCy cHeRiE DiYaNa **
** yCaRt & n3uHs **
** DiYaNa **
** DiYaNa's OtHeR CooL bLoG **
** criel **
** sisters forever **
** shadowmist **
** RaBia **
** mArDy **
** YaN jInG **
** SoNg BoOn **
** sOo cHiN **
** ReNdY **
** DoRoThY **
** MeLoDy **
** NaNi **
** JuLiEt **
** aLiCiA **
** SaMaNtHa **
** gLaDyS **
** gRaCe/sArA **
** sHeRiNa/MaRiE **
** hAn YeW **
** RiChIe **
.:: Blogger ::.
.:: BlogSkin ::.
.:: Tag-Board ::.
.:: Flooble ::.
.:: J Records ::.
.:: MySpace ::.
.:: Friendster ::.
.:: hi5 ::.
.:: Zorpia ::.
.:: Photobucket ::.
.:: Tripod ::.
.:: Quizilla ::.
.:: Orisinal ::.
.:: Golden Village ::.
.:: Cathay Cineplexes ::.
.:: Samsung Fun Club ::.
.:: SingTel SMS ::.
.:: Real Madrid Official Website ::.
.:: Man Utd Official Website ::.
.:: Man Utd SEA Supporters Club ::.
.:: Man Utd Official Pics Website ::.
.:: Jonny Wilkinson ::.
.:: The Sun ::.
.:: Mirror Sports ::.
.:: Soccernet ::.
.:: Sky Sports ::.
.:: Temasek Polytechnic ::.
.:: VBUS ::.
.:: OLE ::.
Tagboard
Archives
April 2004
May 2004
June 2004
July 2004
August 2004
September 2004
October 2004
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Fergie lauds 'strongest squad I've had'
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted he has a group of players to be proud of now Wayne Rooney is not only up and running but scoring goals for fun.
The 18-year-old England striker marked his debut by scoring an astonishing hat-trick in the 6-2 defeat of Fenerbache in the Champions League.
Rooney's arrival following his 27million move from Everton gave United a lift and they went on to record a thumping victory.
Ferguson said: 'I think this is probably the strongest squad I have had.
'We have managed to combine the team of the past with younger players who are going to get better. This team can develop over the next three years.
'You can tell with the players we have we will always score goals. But whether we have more attacking flair than 1999 (the year United won the European Cup) is difficult to say.
'We have had good attacking players the last five years.'
Rooney showed that the bigger the stage the better he performs and it took him only 17 minutes to get going . Ryan Giggs had already put the hosts in front when he rose to glide Kleberson's excellent cross into the corner when Ruud van Nistelrooy delivered a killer ball right into the heart of the Fenerbahce defence.
There, 25 yards out, completely unmarked was Rooney.
In front of 67,000 expectant fans and millions at home on TV, this Liverpool lad showed great maturity, striding onto the pass before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Rustu Recber.
The Turkish goalkeeper had been so dismissive of United's chances before the game but he obviously had not seen much of Rooney.
He did not see much of the England star's next shot either as it flew low to his left to put the hosts 3-0 up.
If Rooney had been able to divert a shot from Gary Neville's low cross on target, he might have had a match ball to accompany his half-time tea.
As it was he had to wait until seven minutes after the restart when he scored with a free-kick that David Beckham would have been proud of.
Marcio Nobre and Tuncay Sanli scored after Rooney's second and third efforts but just as it looked like United would suffer an astonishing change in fortune, van Nistelrooy popped up to net his customary European goal before David Bellion added a sixth.
It was Dutch striker van Nistelrooy's 31st Champions League goal for United in just 33 starts and he linked up well with Rooney.
Ferguson said: 'Given that Wayne and Ruud played together for the first time the future holds great promise.
'With Ruud and Wayne as a partnership it was excellent.'
Ferguson has tipped Rooney, who broke his foot in Euro 2004, to get better and stronger.
'It's a great start for him. That's why we signed him as he's got great potential,' said the Scot.
'But I would rather talk about the game to be honest. He is only 18 and a young boy, don't forget.
'He obviously tired in the last 20 minutes but given that it was his first game since the European Championships you could expect that. I think he can only get stronger.
'The important thing, for me as a coach, is to allow the boy to develop naturally without too much public attention. I want him to be as ordinary as he can.'
Fenerbahce coach Christoph Daum took time out to pay tribute to Rooney.
'It was an outstanding debut,' he said. 'It is something you dream of as a manager for a player to play in this way and to score in this way in his first game.
'If he does that, it makes you very happy and you're a very lucky manager.
'Rooney is still very young and maybe he will become the player of the century. He is at the beginning now though.'
Fenerbahce kept plugging away though and there were a few worrying moments for United and Ferguson said: 'Their set-pieces kept us under pressure and on edge, particularly in the second half.
'You have to give them credit for the quality of service into the box and the way they won a lot of the second balls.
'One of the reasons we managed to score so many goals was that Fenerbahce went for it.'
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted he has a group of players to be proud of now Wayne Rooney is not only up and running but scoring goals for fun.
The 18-year-old England striker marked his debut by scoring an astonishing hat-trick in the 6-2 defeat of Fenerbache in the Champions League.
Rooney's arrival following his 27million move from Everton gave United a lift and they went on to record a thumping victory.
Ferguson said: 'I think this is probably the strongest squad I have had.
'We have managed to combine the team of the past with younger players who are going to get better. This team can develop over the next three years.
'You can tell with the players we have we will always score goals. But whether we have more attacking flair than 1999 (the year United won the European Cup) is difficult to say.
'We have had good attacking players the last five years.'
Rooney showed that the bigger the stage the better he performs and it took him only 17 minutes to get going . Ryan Giggs had already put the hosts in front when he rose to glide Kleberson's excellent cross into the corner when Ruud van Nistelrooy delivered a killer ball right into the heart of the Fenerbahce defence.
There, 25 yards out, completely unmarked was Rooney.
In front of 67,000 expectant fans and millions at home on TV, this Liverpool lad showed great maturity, striding onto the pass before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Rustu Recber.
The Turkish goalkeeper had been so dismissive of United's chances before the game but he obviously had not seen much of Rooney.
He did not see much of the England star's next shot either as it flew low to his left to put the hosts 3-0 up.
If Rooney had been able to divert a shot from Gary Neville's low cross on target, he might have had a match ball to accompany his half-time tea.
As it was he had to wait until seven minutes after the restart when he scored with a free-kick that David Beckham would have been proud of.
Marcio Nobre and Tuncay Sanli scored after Rooney's second and third efforts but just as it looked like United would suffer an astonishing change in fortune, van Nistelrooy popped up to net his customary European goal before David Bellion added a sixth.
It was Dutch striker van Nistelrooy's 31st Champions League goal for United in just 33 starts and he linked up well with Rooney.
Ferguson said: 'Given that Wayne and Ruud played together for the first time the future holds great promise.
'With Ruud and Wayne as a partnership it was excellent.'
Ferguson has tipped Rooney, who broke his foot in Euro 2004, to get better and stronger.
'It's a great start for him. That's why we signed him as he's got great potential,' said the Scot.
'But I would rather talk about the game to be honest. He is only 18 and a young boy, don't forget.
'He obviously tired in the last 20 minutes but given that it was his first game since the European Championships you could expect that. I think he can only get stronger.
'The important thing, for me as a coach, is to allow the boy to develop naturally without too much public attention. I want him to be as ordinary as he can.'
Fenerbahce coach Christoph Daum took time out to pay tribute to Rooney.
'It was an outstanding debut,' he said. 'It is something you dream of as a manager for a player to play in this way and to score in this way in his first game.
'If he does that, it makes you very happy and you're a very lucky manager.
'Rooney is still very young and maybe he will become the player of the century. He is at the beginning now though.'
Fenerbahce kept plugging away though and there were a few worrying moments for United and Ferguson said: 'Their set-pieces kept us under pressure and on edge, particularly in the second half.
'You have to give them credit for the quality of service into the box and the way they won a lot of the second balls.
'One of the reasons we managed to score so many goals was that Fenerbahce went for it.'
Rooney can break my records - Ruud
LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Wayne Rooney has the potential to break every Manchester United goal-scoring record, said fellow striker Ruud van Nistelrooy after Rooney's hat-trick on his debut.
The teenager scored three goals in the 6-2 Champions League rout of Fenerbahce at Old Trafford on Tuesday, his first game since a 27 million ($48.9 million) move from Everton.
'It was fantastic,' said van Nistelrooy on Wednesday. 'He is 18 and has such a bright future ahead of him.
'If he keeps on doing the same thing like this he can beat my records. I wish him all the best and hope and believe he can break every single record there is for Manchester United.'
The Dutchman scored once on Wednesday, taking his European tally for United to 31. He beat Denis Law's record of 28 goals earlier in the month in a 2-2 draw at Olympique Lyon.
Bobby Charlton holds United's league goal-scoring record with 199.
'Everyone congratulated him after the game on a fantastic performance which he totally deserved. It is all good for United and it is great to have him here because he is quality,' Van Nistelrooy told the London Evening Standard.
'He showed amazing character. If I were to praise one thing, it was his attitude. To do that at his young age is fantastic.'
LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Wayne Rooney has the potential to break every Manchester United goal-scoring record, said fellow striker Ruud van Nistelrooy after Rooney's hat-trick on his debut.
The teenager scored three goals in the 6-2 Champions League rout of Fenerbahce at Old Trafford on Tuesday, his first game since a 27 million ($48.9 million) move from Everton.
'It was fantastic,' said van Nistelrooy on Wednesday. 'He is 18 and has such a bright future ahead of him.
'If he keeps on doing the same thing like this he can beat my records. I wish him all the best and hope and believe he can break every single record there is for Manchester United.'
The Dutchman scored once on Wednesday, taking his European tally for United to 31. He beat Denis Law's record of 28 goals earlier in the month in a 2-2 draw at Olympique Lyon.
Bobby Charlton holds United's league goal-scoring record with 199.
'Everyone congratulated him after the game on a fantastic performance which he totally deserved. It is all good for United and it is great to have him here because he is quality,' Van Nistelrooy told the London Evening Standard.
'He showed amazing character. If I were to praise one thing, it was his attitude. To do that at his young age is fantastic.'
| Tuesday, September 28, 2004 | |||
| Ferguson hails 'magnificent' Rooney | |||
Sir Alex Ferguson tonight hailed Wayne Rooney's Manchester United debut as 'magnificent' after the England striker's hat-trick against Fenerbahce.
|
Real Madrid 4-2 Roma: FT Report
MADRID, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Real Madrid proved there is still life at the Bernabeu as captain Raul scored twice to lead a heroic fightback and earn the home side a 4-2 victory over AS Roma in Champions League Group B on Tuesday.
Real, in crisis after three defeats in four games and the shock departure of coach Jose Antonio Camacho, were in even deeper trouble when Daniele De Rossi put the Italians ahead in the third minute and Antonio Cassano doubled the lead in the 22nd.
Roma went into the game in equally bad shape, however, and the Italians, playing under Ezio Sella following coach Rudi Voeller's weekend resignation, never looked like having the nerve to hold on to their lead.
Raul chipped in from the edge of the box to get the home side back into the game six minutes before the break, Luis Figo scored from the penalty spot and then set up Raul for his second and Roberto Carlos blasted in the fourth 10 minutes from time.
Raul's double took his goal tally in the Champions League to 47, two short of Alfredo di Stefano's all-time record in the European Cup.
Victory for Real, playing their first European game under Mariano Garcia Remon, gave them their first points in Group B, after a 3-0 defeat away to Bayer Leverkusen in their opening match.
Defeat leaves Roma facing a desperate fight to make it through to the knock-out phase, after they were consigned to a 3-0 defeat when their opening match at home to Dynamo Kiev had to be stopped when the referee was hit by a missile from the crowd.
Kiev top the group with a maximum six points after beating Leverkusen 4-2 on Tuesday.
SQUANDERED LEAD
The Roma players only had themselves to blame this time after squandering the two-goal lead handed to them by a Real side who were looking a nervous wreck.
The first came in the third minute, when Real failed to clear a corner and let in De Rossi to take a lofted through ball from Traianos Dellas and clip it past Iker Casillas.
Real, their pride stung, started to attack with a bit of purpose but with Zinedine Zidane playing at half pace on his return from a shoulder injury, they lacked the finesse to unlock Roma's defence.
Roma were going forward only half heartedly themselves but Francesco Totti's astute pass wrong-footed the home defence in the 22nd minute, Simone Perrotta touched the ball back and Cassano shot in off the post.
Crucially, Real managed to claim a goal back before the break, when Raul swept the ball over Ivan Pelizzoli from the edge of the box.
Roma should have restored the two-goal lead when Cassano jinked inside the box and crossed for Christian Panucci to head wide at the far post.
The Italians paid for that when Panucci pushed Raul in the box in the 72nd minute and Figo slotted in the penalty.
Real were the only serious candidates for the win by that stage. Raul flicked the ball in from Figo's drilled cross at the near post and Roberto Carlos made certain of victory with his trademark effort from outside the area.
Remon draws optimism from comeback
Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon believes his side can look forward to the rest of the season with genuine optimism after finding a combination of good football and unflagging spirit to come from two goals down to beat AS Roma 4-2.
'This victory will really lift our spirits,' Garcia Remon told a news conference after Tuesday's game.
'To beat an Italian team when you are 2-0 down and after they got eight men behind the ball is a very big achievement.
'We didn't just win because we showed great heart, but because we played great football and that is the most important thing.'
'I never doubted the attitude of the players,' said the Real coach. 'I knew they would show character, but what I was most pleased about was they we played good football.
'What's more this is the perfect way to win back the support of the fans. They got behind us when we went 2-0 down and without them we couldn't have fought back to win the game.
England midfielder David Beckham meanwhile told Sky Sports News: 'It was an important match for us. We showed the unity which people want to see. They want to see the players together and see us fighting and I think they got that tonight.
'It's been a difficult couple of weeks for us leading up to this game. It showed the togetherness of the team.
'For the first 20 minutes we were maybe nervous but for 70 minutes after that we pushed. At 2-0 down it was make-or-break and we had to win this game. We were playing our football but we needed to relax a bit more.
'The majority of the team are used to managers coming in and out. It's new for me. I'm not used to it but I have got to get used to it. Once you get out on the pitch it doesn't matter who the manager is.'
Roma coach Ezio Sella, who took charge of the club on a caretaker basis after Rudi Voeller threw in the towel at the weekend, said that despite the defeat he could still take some positives from the game.
'It was a decent performance in some ways. If we had managed to go into the break 2-0 up then I think it would have been a different story.
'The penalty at the start of the second half upset our plans and gave them the confidence to take control. With the great players they have it was very difficult to stop them after that.'
Roma now face an uphill task in making it through to the knockout stages after Dynamo Kiev were awarded a 3-0 victory in their opening game when the match was abandoned after the referee was hit by an object thrown from the crowd in Rome.
They have to play their next two home games behind closed doors.
MADRID, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Real Madrid proved there is still life at the Bernabeu as captain Raul scored twice to lead a heroic fightback and earn the home side a 4-2 victory over AS Roma in Champions League Group B on Tuesday.
Real, in crisis after three defeats in four games and the shock departure of coach Jose Antonio Camacho, were in even deeper trouble when Daniele De Rossi put the Italians ahead in the third minute and Antonio Cassano doubled the lead in the 22nd.
Roma went into the game in equally bad shape, however, and the Italians, playing under Ezio Sella following coach Rudi Voeller's weekend resignation, never looked like having the nerve to hold on to their lead.
Raul chipped in from the edge of the box to get the home side back into the game six minutes before the break, Luis Figo scored from the penalty spot and then set up Raul for his second and Roberto Carlos blasted in the fourth 10 minutes from time.
Raul's double took his goal tally in the Champions League to 47, two short of Alfredo di Stefano's all-time record in the European Cup.
Victory for Real, playing their first European game under Mariano Garcia Remon, gave them their first points in Group B, after a 3-0 defeat away to Bayer Leverkusen in their opening match.
Defeat leaves Roma facing a desperate fight to make it through to the knock-out phase, after they were consigned to a 3-0 defeat when their opening match at home to Dynamo Kiev had to be stopped when the referee was hit by a missile from the crowd.
Kiev top the group with a maximum six points after beating Leverkusen 4-2 on Tuesday.
SQUANDERED LEAD
The Roma players only had themselves to blame this time after squandering the two-goal lead handed to them by a Real side who were looking a nervous wreck.
The first came in the third minute, when Real failed to clear a corner and let in De Rossi to take a lofted through ball from Traianos Dellas and clip it past Iker Casillas.
Real, their pride stung, started to attack with a bit of purpose but with Zinedine Zidane playing at half pace on his return from a shoulder injury, they lacked the finesse to unlock Roma's defence.
Roma were going forward only half heartedly themselves but Francesco Totti's astute pass wrong-footed the home defence in the 22nd minute, Simone Perrotta touched the ball back and Cassano shot in off the post.
Crucially, Real managed to claim a goal back before the break, when Raul swept the ball over Ivan Pelizzoli from the edge of the box.
Roma should have restored the two-goal lead when Cassano jinked inside the box and crossed for Christian Panucci to head wide at the far post.
The Italians paid for that when Panucci pushed Raul in the box in the 72nd minute and Figo slotted in the penalty.
Real were the only serious candidates for the win by that stage. Raul flicked the ball in from Figo's drilled cross at the near post and Roberto Carlos made certain of victory with his trademark effort from outside the area.
Remon draws optimism from comeback
Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon believes his side can look forward to the rest of the season with genuine optimism after finding a combination of good football and unflagging spirit to come from two goals down to beat AS Roma 4-2.
'This victory will really lift our spirits,' Garcia Remon told a news conference after Tuesday's game.
'To beat an Italian team when you are 2-0 down and after they got eight men behind the ball is a very big achievement.
'We didn't just win because we showed great heart, but because we played great football and that is the most important thing.'
'I never doubted the attitude of the players,' said the Real coach. 'I knew they would show character, but what I was most pleased about was they we played good football.
'What's more this is the perfect way to win back the support of the fans. They got behind us when we went 2-0 down and without them we couldn't have fought back to win the game.
England midfielder David Beckham meanwhile told Sky Sports News: 'It was an important match for us. We showed the unity which people want to see. They want to see the players together and see us fighting and I think they got that tonight.
'It's been a difficult couple of weeks for us leading up to this game. It showed the togetherness of the team.
'For the first 20 minutes we were maybe nervous but for 70 minutes after that we pushed. At 2-0 down it was make-or-break and we had to win this game. We were playing our football but we needed to relax a bit more.
'The majority of the team are used to managers coming in and out. It's new for me. I'm not used to it but I have got to get used to it. Once you get out on the pitch it doesn't matter who the manager is.'
Roma coach Ezio Sella, who took charge of the club on a caretaker basis after Rudi Voeller threw in the towel at the weekend, said that despite the defeat he could still take some positives from the game.
'It was a decent performance in some ways. If we had managed to go into the break 2-0 up then I think it would have been a different story.
'The penalty at the start of the second half upset our plans and gave them the confidence to take control. With the great players they have it was very difficult to stop them after that.'
Roma now face an uphill task in making it through to the knockout stages after Dynamo Kiev were awarded a 3-0 victory in their opening game when the match was abandoned after the referee was hit by an object thrown from the crowd in Rome.
They have to play their next two home games behind closed doors.
Becks back in frame
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP
ROBERTO CARLOS defended his playboy lifestyle - but admits hanging out with David Beckham can be a real nightmare.
Madrid's superstar left-back revealed: "The problem with going out with Beckham is the paparazzi. Since he arrived it's much harder to get rid of them."
Brazilian Carlos, 31, has earned a reputation for enjoying the Spanish nightlife after being caught on camera in clubs surrounded by gorgeous women.
But he insists his football does not suffer thanks to a strict set of Samba guidelines.
He revealed: "I never drink much, I never go home drunk and I keep an eye on the time.
"If you have a game on Sunday and you are out on Friday, you can't stay out late."
Carlos also revealed his frustration at being used by women to make money out of kiss-and-tell stories.
He added: "Spanish women are too pretty and they're hot - just like Brazilians and Italians. But I prefer to be single.
"Sometimes when you go out with a woman afterwards they want to make a scene.
"They go on a TV show to tell about how they went out with me so they can make some money out of it. It's disappointing."
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP
ROBERTO CARLOS defended his playboy lifestyle - but admits hanging out with David Beckham can be a real nightmare.
Madrid's superstar left-back revealed: "The problem with going out with Beckham is the paparazzi. Since he arrived it's much harder to get rid of them."
Brazilian Carlos, 31, has earned a reputation for enjoying the Spanish nightlife after being caught on camera in clubs surrounded by gorgeous women.
But he insists his football does not suffer thanks to a strict set of Samba guidelines.
He revealed: "I never drink much, I never go home drunk and I keep an eye on the time.
"If you have a game on Sunday and you are out on Friday, you can't stay out late."
Carlos also revealed his frustration at being used by women to make money out of kiss-and-tell stories.
He added: "Spanish women are too pretty and they're hot - just like Brazilians and Italians. But I prefer to be single.
"Sometimes when you go out with a woman afterwards they want to make a scene.
"They go on a TV show to tell about how they went out with me so they can make some money out of it. It's disappointing."
You can do it, Michael
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP
Real Madrid 4 Roma 2
DAVID BECKHAM last night urged Michael Owen to stay strong as he fights for a Real Madrid place.
Owen, 24, was left to watch from the bench again as Raul, his main rival, scored twice to help Madrid battle back from 2-0 down.
Luis Figo's penalty and a Roberto Carlos left-foot special completed the fightback and gave Real a Champions League lifeline when they looked in danger of crashing out of Group B.
Raul's return to form as he finally broke his NINE-MONTH scoring duck at the Bernabeu has dented Owen's chances of claiming a starting spot.
But Becks, 29, said: "It's the same for any player who comes here. It's not easy to break into this team.
"Michael will get his chance because everybody knows what a great player he is.
"It's never nice to sit on the bench but he is a strong personality."
The win eased the pressure on Real's stop-gap boss Mariano Garcia Remon.
Madrid looked dead and buried after just 21 minutes with Roma leading after goals from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Cassano.
But Raul dragged Real back into the game with a 39th-minute shot that took a touch off Roma defender Traianos Dellas before looping in.
Becks almost equalised when he let fly with his right foot only for Ivan Pelizzoli to produce a superb save.
Russian ref Valentin Ivanov sparked fury among Roma players by awarding a penalty against ex-Madrid right-back Christian Panucci for a push on Raul.
Figo lashed in the spot-kick for 2-2 after 53 minutes. Raul slid in to convert Figo's cross on 72 minutes and Roberto Carlos unleashed a bullet into the top corner to complete a memorable win in the 79th minute.
Becks added: "This was the best we have played all season."
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP
Real Madrid 4 Roma 2
DAVID BECKHAM last night urged Michael Owen to stay strong as he fights for a Real Madrid place.
Owen, 24, was left to watch from the bench again as Raul, his main rival, scored twice to help Madrid battle back from 2-0 down.
Luis Figo's penalty and a Roberto Carlos left-foot special completed the fightback and gave Real a Champions League lifeline when they looked in danger of crashing out of Group B.
Raul's return to form as he finally broke his NINE-MONTH scoring duck at the Bernabeu has dented Owen's chances of claiming a starting spot.
But Becks, 29, said: "It's the same for any player who comes here. It's not easy to break into this team.
"Michael will get his chance because everybody knows what a great player he is.
"It's never nice to sit on the bench but he is a strong personality."
The win eased the pressure on Real's stop-gap boss Mariano Garcia Remon.
Madrid looked dead and buried after just 21 minutes with Roma leading after goals from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Cassano.
But Raul dragged Real back into the game with a 39th-minute shot that took a touch off Roma defender Traianos Dellas before looping in.
Becks almost equalised when he let fly with his right foot only for Ivan Pelizzoli to produce a superb save.
Russian ref Valentin Ivanov sparked fury among Roma players by awarding a penalty against ex-Madrid right-back Christian Panucci for a push on Raul.
Figo lashed in the spot-kick for 2-2 after 53 minutes. Raul slid in to convert Figo's cross on 72 minutes and Roberto Carlos unleashed a bullet into the top corner to complete a memorable win in the 79th minute.
Becks added: "This was the best we have played all season."
Real didn't want Owen
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP in Madrid
MICHAEL OWEN and Jonathan Woodgate were never Real Madrid's transfer priorities before joining in the summer.
The Spanish side paid 8million to Liverpool for striker Owen and 13.4million to Newcastle for crocked defender Woodgate.
But Real's ex-sporting director Jorge Valdano, who was in charge of targeting new players, revealed Madrid did not want the English duo as they went all out to land Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira.
He said: "We juggled various names between Walter Samuel and Vieira but Owen wasn't one of our options at the time and Woodgate was not a priority."
Valdano quit at the end of last season when he accepted part- responsibility for a disastrous season after he head-hunted coach Carlos Queiroz, who failed to win a trophy.
Real only moved for Owen, 24, when they realised they were on the brink of failing to sign Vieira and needed a big name to appease the Bernabeu fans.
But the England hitman has struggled to make an impact and has yet to play a full 90 minutes or score a goal for his new club.
And he admitted he was shocked to be caught up in the Madrid crisis following boss Jose Camacho's decision to quit two days after giving Owen his first start in the 1-0 defeat at Espanyol.
Real president Florentino Perez blasted critics of Owen's arrival and insisted the striker will prove his worth in Real's star-studded side.
But Perez admitted he would never have sanctioned the shock move for Woodgate, 24, if Vieira, or back-up midfield option Emerson of Roma, had moved to the Bernabeu.
Perez said: "The new players were a bit confused when the coach left after only three games but they have to remain calm and little by little they will get over the set-backs.
"Owen unnecessary? I think the best players in the world are never unnecessary.
"Woodgate was injured but so was Ronaldo when we signed him. And look at the seasons he has had with Real Madrid.
"We tried to get Vieira and we couldn't get Emerson because he had an arrangement with Juventus.
"If we had signed Vieira we wouldn't have signed Woodgate."
Woodgate is still recovering after six months out with a thigh injury but has been earmarked to train with the first-team squad within two weeks.
Perez has assured stop-gap boss Mariano Garcia Remon he will not rush into replacing him with a big name after being linked with England chief Sven Goran Eriksson and Bobby Robson.
Remon's Real edged past Osasuna 1-0 and then lost 2-1 to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
That left the Spanish giants in eighth after five rounds of games in La Liga and they take on Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
But supremo Perez insisted: "Mariano has all the time he wants.
"Here we know how to wait because that's how we have amassed triumphs.
"We appreciated Mariano's work last year. He's a Real Madrid man, he has the experience of more than 300 matches and he has said he feels able to bring out the talent of the players."
Perez reckons Real's critics place unrealistic demands on players like David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Raul to give world-beating performances in every match on the domestic and European scene.
He said: "Perhaps we have created a monster which is devouring itself. If we win 1-0, we have played badly. If we lose it's a disaster.
"What's clear is that Madrid can't always play well against teams who save their best performances of the season for their games against us."
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP in Madrid
MICHAEL OWEN and Jonathan Woodgate were never Real Madrid's transfer priorities before joining in the summer.
The Spanish side paid 8million to Liverpool for striker Owen and 13.4million to Newcastle for crocked defender Woodgate.
But Real's ex-sporting director Jorge Valdano, who was in charge of targeting new players, revealed Madrid did not want the English duo as they went all out to land Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira.
He said: "We juggled various names between Walter Samuel and Vieira but Owen wasn't one of our options at the time and Woodgate was not a priority."
Valdano quit at the end of last season when he accepted part- responsibility for a disastrous season after he head-hunted coach Carlos Queiroz, who failed to win a trophy.
Real only moved for Owen, 24, when they realised they were on the brink of failing to sign Vieira and needed a big name to appease the Bernabeu fans.
But the England hitman has struggled to make an impact and has yet to play a full 90 minutes or score a goal for his new club.
And he admitted he was shocked to be caught up in the Madrid crisis following boss Jose Camacho's decision to quit two days after giving Owen his first start in the 1-0 defeat at Espanyol.
Real president Florentino Perez blasted critics of Owen's arrival and insisted the striker will prove his worth in Real's star-studded side.
But Perez admitted he would never have sanctioned the shock move for Woodgate, 24, if Vieira, or back-up midfield option Emerson of Roma, had moved to the Bernabeu.
Perez said: "The new players were a bit confused when the coach left after only three games but they have to remain calm and little by little they will get over the set-backs.
"Owen unnecessary? I think the best players in the world are never unnecessary.
"Woodgate was injured but so was Ronaldo when we signed him. And look at the seasons he has had with Real Madrid.
"We tried to get Vieira and we couldn't get Emerson because he had an arrangement with Juventus.
"If we had signed Vieira we wouldn't have signed Woodgate."
Woodgate is still recovering after six months out with a thigh injury but has been earmarked to train with the first-team squad within two weeks.
Perez has assured stop-gap boss Mariano Garcia Remon he will not rush into replacing him with a big name after being linked with England chief Sven Goran Eriksson and Bobby Robson.
Remon's Real edged past Osasuna 1-0 and then lost 2-1 to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
That left the Spanish giants in eighth after five rounds of games in La Liga and they take on Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
But supremo Perez insisted: "Mariano has all the time he wants.
"Here we know how to wait because that's how we have amassed triumphs.
"We appreciated Mariano's work last year. He's a Real Madrid man, he has the experience of more than 300 matches and he has said he feels able to bring out the talent of the players."
Perez reckons Real's critics place unrealistic demands on players like David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Raul to give world-beating performances in every match on the domestic and European scene.
He said: "Perhaps we have created a monster which is devouring itself. If we win 1-0, we have played badly. If we lose it's a disaster.
"What's clear is that Madrid can't always play well against teams who save their best performances of the season for their games against us."
Friday, September 24, 2004
Injury forces Owen out of Real squad
MADRID, Sept 24 (Reuters) - England striker Michael Owen has been left out of the Real Madrid squad to play Athletic Bilbao this weekend because of a minor leg strain.
The 24-year-old played the last 10 minutes of his side's 1-0 victory against Osasuna last Tuesday but was only able to jog around the pitch in Friday's training session and will not travel to Bilbao with the rest of his team mates.
Owen has made just one start for Real in the league since joining the club from Liverpool for 12 million euros ($14.76 million) in the close season.
With Raul likely to fill in on the left in the absence of injured midfielders Zinedine Zidane and Santiago Solari, Guti and Fernando Morientes are favourites to join Ronaldo in the Real attack for Saturday's match.
MADRID, Sept 24 (Reuters) - England striker Michael Owen has been left out of the Real Madrid squad to play Athletic Bilbao this weekend because of a minor leg strain.
The 24-year-old played the last 10 minutes of his side's 1-0 victory against Osasuna last Tuesday but was only able to jog around the pitch in Friday's training session and will not travel to Bilbao with the rest of his team mates.
Owen has made just one start for Real in the league since joining the club from Liverpool for 12 million euros ($14.76 million) in the close season.
With Raul likely to fill in on the left in the absence of injured midfielders Zinedine Zidane and Santiago Solari, Guti and Fernando Morientes are favourites to join Ronaldo in the Real attack for Saturday's match.
Woodgate sets Real return date
MADRID, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate has successfully recovered from a long-term thigh injury and should be ready to train with the rest of the team in a maximum of two weeks, according to club medical staff.
Doctor Juan Carlos Hernandez said that the England international, who signed for Real for 20 million in August, was being subjected to a pre-season training regime in order to recover his fitness after a five-month injury layoff.
'He's working really hard,' Hernandez told the club's website. 'In two weeks he should be able to train together with the rest of the team and soon after that he should be ready to play.
'He may even surprise us and be ready to train with the others next week but we have to take it one step at a time.'
The 24-year-old England international has not played a competitive match since he tore a thigh muscle in a league match against Chelsea in April.
MADRID, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate has successfully recovered from a long-term thigh injury and should be ready to train with the rest of the team in a maximum of two weeks, according to club medical staff.
Doctor Juan Carlos Hernandez said that the England international, who signed for Real for 20 million in August, was being subjected to a pre-season training regime in order to recover his fitness after a five-month injury layoff.
'He's working really hard,' Hernandez told the club's website. 'In two weeks he should be able to train together with the rest of the team and soon after that he should be ready to play.
'He may even surprise us and be ready to train with the others next week but we have to take it one step at a time.'
The 24-year-old England international has not played a competitive match since he tore a thigh muscle in a league match against Chelsea in April.
| Becks no longer a sponsor's dream | |||
Wayne Rooney has overtaken David Beckham to become the English player who is most attractive to potential sponsors.
|
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Becks: Don't rush Stevie
By ERIC BEAUCHAMP
DAVID BECKHAM has warned Steven Gerrard not to risk his career by rushing back from injury.
Gerrard, 24, faces three months out with a broken left foot after cracking a metatarsal.
Becks almost missed the World Cup finals two years ago with the same problem - and best pal Gary Neville's World Cup dream was KO'd by an identical injury.
Manchester United star Neville suffered complications by returning too early and Beckham insists Gerrard must not make that mistake.
Becks said: "Steven Gerrard is an important England and Liverpool player so he must resist the temptation to hurry back into action.
"Gary Neville came back too quickly and ended up having to take more time off."
Gerrard's injury is the latest setback to the midfield star's career after a series of lay-offs in the treatment room.
Beckham added: "Unfortunately, Stevie seems to be one of those players who picks up bad injuries.
"But he's shown in the past that he's strong enough to bounce back and I'm sure he'll do that again."
By ERIC BEAUCHAMP
DAVID BECKHAM has warned Steven Gerrard not to risk his career by rushing back from injury.
Gerrard, 24, faces three months out with a broken left foot after cracking a metatarsal.
Becks almost missed the World Cup finals two years ago with the same problem - and best pal Gary Neville's World Cup dream was KO'd by an identical injury.
Manchester United star Neville suffered complications by returning too early and Beckham insists Gerrard must not make that mistake.
Becks said: "Steven Gerrard is an important England and Liverpool player so he must resist the temptation to hurry back into action.
"Gary Neville came back too quickly and ended up having to take more time off."
Gerrard's injury is the latest setback to the midfield star's career after a series of lay-offs in the treatment room.
Beckham added: "Unfortunately, Stevie seems to be one of those players who picks up bad injuries.
"But he's shown in the past that he's strong enough to bounce back and I'm sure he'll do that again."
Owen: I'm stunned
By ERIC BEAUCHAMP
MICHAEL OWEN has revealed his shock at being caught up in the Real Madrid crisis.
Boss Jose Camacho quit after his decision to pick Owen ahead of skipper Raul sparked a player revolt against him and his hardline managerial style.
Owen, 24, admits Camacho's exit is a huge setback in his bid to establish himself at the Bernabeu after believing he was winning over the former Spain boss.
He said: "There's no doubt this has come as a shock. It's strange but everyone has assured me it is not the norm for this to happen so soon.
"But you just have to get on with it. I seemed to be playing more and more under Camacho even though I know it was only three games.
"It's disappointing, not least for him. I'm sure he wanted to be successful.
"Unfortunately, it's part of football. Players come and go, as do managers, but you just have to get on with it, there's nothing else you can do."
Now he has to start all over again under new coach Mariano Garcia Remon, who has made it clear Owen is back to fourth-choice striker - behind Raul, Ronaldo and Fernando Morientes.
Remon won his first game in charge - 1-0 against Osasuna on Tuesday - thanks to a stunning David Beckham free-kick, with Owen coming on as a sub only in the last 10 minutes.
But the team's display did nothing to convince angry fans or Real president Florentino Perez.
Owen could yet find himself with a third boss unless stop-gap Remon inspires a big improvement.
The England ace admits his lack of Spanish is a problem. Remon, like Camacho, does not speak English.
So the arrival of an English-speaking boss would be a massive boost to the former Liverpool king.
In the meantime, Owen is adamant he is not being cold-shouldered in the dressing room following his 8million summer arrival.
He said: "I don't know all their conversations because of the language problem.
"But from what I've seen I've been surprised how united the players are. When you have so many big stars that can sometimes not be the case.”
Owen insists he will prove he is worthy of his place among the galacticos if he is given a run in the side.
He said: "I'd love to get the first goal under my belt. There's no pressure then.
"There are four strikers here and any one of us can perform with each other.
"I'm new to the country and new to the club but I'll show some good form soon - if I get the chance."
Perez is already chasing a big-name boss to command the respect of Madrid's disgruntled millionaire stars.
But England coach Sven Goran Eriksson and former Real chief Vicente Del Bosque are non-starters, while snatching Arsene Wenger from Arsenal is pure fantasy.
Ex-Bayern Munich boss Otmar Hitzfeld and former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa tempt Perez but Bobby Robson seems to be his No 1 choice to mind the store for the rest of the season. The one-time England gaffer is a legend in Europe after successful spells at PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona.
And Sir Bobby would love a crack at another European giant to bring an amazing end to his illustrious career.
Becks, meanwhile, insists it is good news for England that Eriksson has denied any contact with Madrid.
The midfielder said: "He has shown his commitment to the country and that's what people want.
"It's what the players want and I'm sure it's what 90 per cent of the supporters want." Becks' confidence has been boosted by the glory of winning Real's last two home games with his trademark free-kicks.
But he says even that will probably not silence calls for him to be dropped by his country.
He admitted: "I doubt I've put that behind me.
"If I have a bad game I'm sure it will come back.
"But as long as I can look at myself in the morning and I'm happy that I've worked hard, that is enough for me."
It seems Owen is the one who will be more worried about his England future unless Madrid get a boss who believes in him.
By ERIC BEAUCHAMP
MICHAEL OWEN has revealed his shock at being caught up in the Real Madrid crisis.
Boss Jose Camacho quit after his decision to pick Owen ahead of skipper Raul sparked a player revolt against him and his hardline managerial style.
Owen, 24, admits Camacho's exit is a huge setback in his bid to establish himself at the Bernabeu after believing he was winning over the former Spain boss.
He said: "There's no doubt this has come as a shock. It's strange but everyone has assured me it is not the norm for this to happen so soon.
"But you just have to get on with it. I seemed to be playing more and more under Camacho even though I know it was only three games.
"It's disappointing, not least for him. I'm sure he wanted to be successful.
"Unfortunately, it's part of football. Players come and go, as do managers, but you just have to get on with it, there's nothing else you can do."
Now he has to start all over again under new coach Mariano Garcia Remon, who has made it clear Owen is back to fourth-choice striker - behind Raul, Ronaldo and Fernando Morientes.
Remon won his first game in charge - 1-0 against Osasuna on Tuesday - thanks to a stunning David Beckham free-kick, with Owen coming on as a sub only in the last 10 minutes.
But the team's display did nothing to convince angry fans or Real president Florentino Perez.
Owen could yet find himself with a third boss unless stop-gap Remon inspires a big improvement.
The England ace admits his lack of Spanish is a problem. Remon, like Camacho, does not speak English.
So the arrival of an English-speaking boss would be a massive boost to the former Liverpool king.
In the meantime, Owen is adamant he is not being cold-shouldered in the dressing room following his 8million summer arrival.
He said: "I don't know all their conversations because of the language problem.
"But from what I've seen I've been surprised how united the players are. When you have so many big stars that can sometimes not be the case.”
Owen insists he will prove he is worthy of his place among the galacticos if he is given a run in the side.
He said: "I'd love to get the first goal under my belt. There's no pressure then.
"There are four strikers here and any one of us can perform with each other.
"I'm new to the country and new to the club but I'll show some good form soon - if I get the chance."
Perez is already chasing a big-name boss to command the respect of Madrid's disgruntled millionaire stars.
But England coach Sven Goran Eriksson and former Real chief Vicente Del Bosque are non-starters, while snatching Arsene Wenger from Arsenal is pure fantasy.
Ex-Bayern Munich boss Otmar Hitzfeld and former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa tempt Perez but Bobby Robson seems to be his No 1 choice to mind the store for the rest of the season. The one-time England gaffer is a legend in Europe after successful spells at PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona.
And Sir Bobby would love a crack at another European giant to bring an amazing end to his illustrious career.
Becks, meanwhile, insists it is good news for England that Eriksson has denied any contact with Madrid.
The midfielder said: "He has shown his commitment to the country and that's what people want.
"It's what the players want and I'm sure it's what 90 per cent of the supporters want." Becks' confidence has been boosted by the glory of winning Real's last two home games with his trademark free-kicks.
But he says even that will probably not silence calls for him to be dropped by his country.
He admitted: "I doubt I've put that behind me.
"If I have a bad game I'm sure it will come back.
"But as long as I can look at myself in the morning and I'm happy that I've worked hard, that is enough for me."
It seems Owen is the one who will be more worried about his England future unless Madrid get a boss who believes in him.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool: FT Report
Rio Ferdinand saw his return to Manchester United colours overshadowed by defensive colleague Mikael Silvestre who powered home the goals that beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford.
After eight months as a frustrated spectator, Ferdinand's comeback dominated the build-up to one the traditionally fiery north-west encounter.
The England man's presence definitely appeared to instil greater backbone into a United defence that has crumbled too often for Sir Alex Ferguson's liking, but neither player nor manager expected the post-match chatter to centre around another member of the hosts rearguard.
Yet that is exactly what happened as Silvestre powered home identical headers either side of the break to give United a deserved victory, end a run of four successive draws and close the gap on champions Arsenal to seven points.
Rafael Benitez has made a positive impression since replacing Gerard Houllier during the summer but the Spaniard will have to sort out the slack marking that allowed Silvestre to rise unchallenged deep inside the area first to meet a Ryan Giggs free-kick, then the Welshman's corner.
The second effort will be hotly disputed by Liverpool, as the Giggs appeared to be the last person to touch the ball as he challenged Sami Hyypia.
But there was no doubting the conviction with which Silvestre met the ball, ensuring John O'Shea was not left lamenting the one blot on an otherwise superb central midfield performance.
It was pure bad luck that O'Shea happened to be standing almost on top of Roy Carroll when the Northern Irishman, predictably given his chance after a catalogue of recent blunders from Tim Howard, palmed away a Steve Finnan header.
Neither United man could react fast enough to do anything but turn in horror as the ball rolled slowly over the line but, thanks to Silvestre, it did not prove to be the pivotal moment of the game.
Ferdinand's return had been widely predicted as a obvious solution to the defensive problems that have consigned United to an unusual mid-table berth even at this early stage of the season.
Yet anyone observing the breathtaking first 45 minutes who had not seen the Red Devils in action already would have wondered what the fuss was all about.
Djibril Cisse did have one early chance to put Liverpool in front but aside from that the visitors were metaphorically, and literally on a sodden Manchester evening, swamped.
On the night he became only the third United player to make 600 appearances for the club, Giggs can be delighted with his personal contribution but yet again his wing twin Cristiano Ronaldo produced all the trickery, leaving the Liverpool defence floundering.
Once the young Portuguese star gains the vision to match his skill, few defenders in the world will be able to live with him. As it is, there is still some work for Ferguson to do, although not as much as the beleaguered Liverpool defence were faced with trying to stop him.
Wary of making a rash challenge, the Reds defenders stood off Ronaldo in the early stages and by the time they changed their tactics, the winger was unstoppable.
He would have put United in front had his superb 30-yard drive not come crashing back off a post with Jerzy Dudek well beaten.
Dudek was one of the few Liverpool players who performed to their potential in the opening period, which was just as well otherwise United would have been out of sight.
Van Nistelrooy, Gabriel Heinze and O'Shea all might have beaten the Pole but did not and United also had what appeared to be a certain penalty claim turned down when Sami Hyypia dragged van Nistelrooy back by the collar as the Dutchman attempted to reach Wes Brown's lay-off.
The succession of spurned chances meant Liverpool went into the interval with a vestige of hope, although that was tempered by the loss of Steven Gerrard with what appeared to be a nasty-looking foot injury.
Benitez clearly expressed some choice words at the break given the extra determination his side started the second period with.
Even so, it scarcely deserved the good fortune that brought Liverpool an equaliser that will surely go down in the record books as an O'Shea own goal.
Briefly, with Gerrard's replacement Dietmar Hamann winning his midfield battle with Roy Keane, Liverpool seized control and it was then Ferdinand came into his own, shoring up a United back four that might otherwise have crumbled.
Having switched wings with Ronaldo, Giggs set about emulating his young team-mate and it was one of his darts down the right flank that earned the disputed corner off Hyypia from which Silvestre powered home the winner.
Fergie applauds 'fantastic' Rio
After the match Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the performance of the returning Rio Ferdinand - then predicted the appearance of Wayne Rooney in Manchester United's next Old Trafford outing against Middlesbrough in a fortnight.
Ferdinand's return from his eight-month suspension coincided with one of the most convincing defensive displays United have produced so far this season.
Only an unfortunate John O'Shea own goal breached their rearguard tonight and thankfully for the hosts, two bullet-like Mikael Silvestre headers ensured Ferdinand could celebrate his comeback with a much-needed win.
'I thought Rio was absolutely superb and I don't expect there will be many people disagreeing with that,' said Ferguson.
'He has been out for eight months, yet he comes into a game against Liverpool and plays like that.
'He brings balance, composure and surety to our defence. He is just a fantastic player.
'I didn't think it was a risk to put him straight in the side because I have seen him train every day, which is a good measure of how he will go.'
With Ferdinand available again, Ruud van Nistelrooy reaching full match sharpness after his third outing of the season and Cristiano Ronaldo showing no ill-effects from his arduous summer, the United squad is starting to show its strength again.
Ferguson still has a few players to come back, notably Rooney, who has yet to make his debut since completing a £27million move from Everton at the end of last month.
The 18-year-old had a further scan today on the foot he broke in England's Euro 2004 defeat to Portugal this summer and the results were encouraging enough to allow the United boss to pencil in a debut date against Middlesbrough on October 3.
'It's going to be about two more weeks,' said Ferguson.
'Wayne will go back to see the specialist on Thursday but I think we are looking at the Middlesbrough game.
'By that time we should have Gary Neville and Louis Saha back and then you will start to see the strength of Manchester United.'
Even with the players he currently has available, Ferguson's men were too good for Liverpool, who were too timid in the opening half and were unable to capitalise on their fortunate leveller.
The visitors might complain that United were lucky to get the free-kick which Ryan Giggs swung over for Silvestre's first and that they should have had a goal-kick rather than concede a corner when Sami Hyypia was incorrectly ruled to have knocked the ball out of play in the build-up to the Frenchman's winner.
That would be to deny the superiority of United's play though, and Ferguson was accurate in his assessment that the hosts were deserved winners.
'Our first-half performance in particular was excellent,' said the Scot.
'We could have been three or four up at half-time and the only worry was that we hadn't capitalised on our chances.
'Their goal was a bit lucky but we didn't handle the situation well. Fortunately, we galvanised ourselves after that, got some tackles in and ended up with the win.'
Ferdinand's performance will have boosted England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson who is likely to be without Steven Gerrard for the next two World Cup games if a foot injury sustained in the first half at Old Trafford proves as serious as first feared.
Ferdinand described his delight after returning from his eight-month ban.
He said: 'It was just good to get back out there and playing after so long out. It was never going to be easy for me, physically and mentally it is all new again.
'But once I had got into it it was just a nice feeling to be back out on the pitch with the lads.
'But I needed some energy bars, maybe I was using up too much nervous energy, I needed some sugar intake and the physio brought round a little bar for me to chew on.
'It is something I have done before but especially in this game. But I enjoyed it, it was just fantastic to be back and the lads put their hearts and soul into winning this one.'
He added on Sky Sports: 'I am not looking back now, only forward and the future to make sure I just continue playing football now, which is what I love doing ever since I was a kid.
'I have never ever said that I did not accept responsibility for what happened when I missed the drugs test.
'I have held my hand up right from the start. I do not know where people have got the impression that I had done anything else.
'I have always said I am responsible for that, but the stuff that happened afterwards means that the next person this happens to, there will be no grey area. It will be black and white and he will get a ban straight away.
'I was punished by the FA, but that does not change my desire to play for England, that's a stupid question. I love playing for United and I love playing for England as well.
'But at the moment I am only thinking about playing for United, what comes afterwards is a bonus.'
Rio Ferdinand saw his return to Manchester United colours overshadowed by defensive colleague Mikael Silvestre who powered home the goals that beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford.
After eight months as a frustrated spectator, Ferdinand's comeback dominated the build-up to one the traditionally fiery north-west encounter.
The England man's presence definitely appeared to instil greater backbone into a United defence that has crumbled too often for Sir Alex Ferguson's liking, but neither player nor manager expected the post-match chatter to centre around another member of the hosts rearguard.
Yet that is exactly what happened as Silvestre powered home identical headers either side of the break to give United a deserved victory, end a run of four successive draws and close the gap on champions Arsenal to seven points.
Rafael Benitez has made a positive impression since replacing Gerard Houllier during the summer but the Spaniard will have to sort out the slack marking that allowed Silvestre to rise unchallenged deep inside the area first to meet a Ryan Giggs free-kick, then the Welshman's corner.
The second effort will be hotly disputed by Liverpool, as the Giggs appeared to be the last person to touch the ball as he challenged Sami Hyypia.
But there was no doubting the conviction with which Silvestre met the ball, ensuring John O'Shea was not left lamenting the one blot on an otherwise superb central midfield performance.
It was pure bad luck that O'Shea happened to be standing almost on top of Roy Carroll when the Northern Irishman, predictably given his chance after a catalogue of recent blunders from Tim Howard, palmed away a Steve Finnan header.
Neither United man could react fast enough to do anything but turn in horror as the ball rolled slowly over the line but, thanks to Silvestre, it did not prove to be the pivotal moment of the game.
Ferdinand's return had been widely predicted as a obvious solution to the defensive problems that have consigned United to an unusual mid-table berth even at this early stage of the season.
Yet anyone observing the breathtaking first 45 minutes who had not seen the Red Devils in action already would have wondered what the fuss was all about.
Djibril Cisse did have one early chance to put Liverpool in front but aside from that the visitors were metaphorically, and literally on a sodden Manchester evening, swamped.
On the night he became only the third United player to make 600 appearances for the club, Giggs can be delighted with his personal contribution but yet again his wing twin Cristiano Ronaldo produced all the trickery, leaving the Liverpool defence floundering.
Once the young Portuguese star gains the vision to match his skill, few defenders in the world will be able to live with him. As it is, there is still some work for Ferguson to do, although not as much as the beleaguered Liverpool defence were faced with trying to stop him.
Wary of making a rash challenge, the Reds defenders stood off Ronaldo in the early stages and by the time they changed their tactics, the winger was unstoppable.
He would have put United in front had his superb 30-yard drive not come crashing back off a post with Jerzy Dudek well beaten.
Dudek was one of the few Liverpool players who performed to their potential in the opening period, which was just as well otherwise United would have been out of sight.
Van Nistelrooy, Gabriel Heinze and O'Shea all might have beaten the Pole but did not and United also had what appeared to be a certain penalty claim turned down when Sami Hyypia dragged van Nistelrooy back by the collar as the Dutchman attempted to reach Wes Brown's lay-off.
The succession of spurned chances meant Liverpool went into the interval with a vestige of hope, although that was tempered by the loss of Steven Gerrard with what appeared to be a nasty-looking foot injury.
Benitez clearly expressed some choice words at the break given the extra determination his side started the second period with.
Even so, it scarcely deserved the good fortune that brought Liverpool an equaliser that will surely go down in the record books as an O'Shea own goal.
Briefly, with Gerrard's replacement Dietmar Hamann winning his midfield battle with Roy Keane, Liverpool seized control and it was then Ferdinand came into his own, shoring up a United back four that might otherwise have crumbled.
Having switched wings with Ronaldo, Giggs set about emulating his young team-mate and it was one of his darts down the right flank that earned the disputed corner off Hyypia from which Silvestre powered home the winner.
Fergie applauds 'fantastic' Rio
After the match Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the performance of the returning Rio Ferdinand - then predicted the appearance of Wayne Rooney in Manchester United's next Old Trafford outing against Middlesbrough in a fortnight.
Ferdinand's return from his eight-month suspension coincided with one of the most convincing defensive displays United have produced so far this season.
Only an unfortunate John O'Shea own goal breached their rearguard tonight and thankfully for the hosts, two bullet-like Mikael Silvestre headers ensured Ferdinand could celebrate his comeback with a much-needed win.
'I thought Rio was absolutely superb and I don't expect there will be many people disagreeing with that,' said Ferguson.
'He has been out for eight months, yet he comes into a game against Liverpool and plays like that.
'He brings balance, composure and surety to our defence. He is just a fantastic player.
'I didn't think it was a risk to put him straight in the side because I have seen him train every day, which is a good measure of how he will go.'
With Ferdinand available again, Ruud van Nistelrooy reaching full match sharpness after his third outing of the season and Cristiano Ronaldo showing no ill-effects from his arduous summer, the United squad is starting to show its strength again.
Ferguson still has a few players to come back, notably Rooney, who has yet to make his debut since completing a £27million move from Everton at the end of last month.
The 18-year-old had a further scan today on the foot he broke in England's Euro 2004 defeat to Portugal this summer and the results were encouraging enough to allow the United boss to pencil in a debut date against Middlesbrough on October 3.
'It's going to be about two more weeks,' said Ferguson.
'Wayne will go back to see the specialist on Thursday but I think we are looking at the Middlesbrough game.
'By that time we should have Gary Neville and Louis Saha back and then you will start to see the strength of Manchester United.'
Even with the players he currently has available, Ferguson's men were too good for Liverpool, who were too timid in the opening half and were unable to capitalise on their fortunate leveller.
The visitors might complain that United were lucky to get the free-kick which Ryan Giggs swung over for Silvestre's first and that they should have had a goal-kick rather than concede a corner when Sami Hyypia was incorrectly ruled to have knocked the ball out of play in the build-up to the Frenchman's winner.
That would be to deny the superiority of United's play though, and Ferguson was accurate in his assessment that the hosts were deserved winners.
'Our first-half performance in particular was excellent,' said the Scot.
'We could have been three or four up at half-time and the only worry was that we hadn't capitalised on our chances.
'Their goal was a bit lucky but we didn't handle the situation well. Fortunately, we galvanised ourselves after that, got some tackles in and ended up with the win.'
Ferdinand's performance will have boosted England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson who is likely to be without Steven Gerrard for the next two World Cup games if a foot injury sustained in the first half at Old Trafford proves as serious as first feared.
Ferdinand described his delight after returning from his eight-month ban.
He said: 'It was just good to get back out there and playing after so long out. It was never going to be easy for me, physically and mentally it is all new again.
'But once I had got into it it was just a nice feeling to be back out on the pitch with the lads.
'But I needed some energy bars, maybe I was using up too much nervous energy, I needed some sugar intake and the physio brought round a little bar for me to chew on.
'It is something I have done before but especially in this game. But I enjoyed it, it was just fantastic to be back and the lads put their hearts and soul into winning this one.'
He added on Sky Sports: 'I am not looking back now, only forward and the future to make sure I just continue playing football now, which is what I love doing ever since I was a kid.
'I have never ever said that I did not accept responsibility for what happened when I missed the drugs test.
'I have held my hand up right from the start. I do not know where people have got the impression that I had done anything else.
'I have always said I am responsible for that, but the stuff that happened afterwards means that the next person this happens to, there will be no grey area. It will be black and white and he will get a ban straight away.
'I was punished by the FA, but that does not change my desire to play for England, that's a stupid question. I love playing for United and I love playing for England as well.
'But at the moment I am only thinking about playing for United, what comes afterwards is a bonus.'
Benitez rocked by Gerrard injury
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could lose captain Steven Gerrard for up to two months after the England man was forced off with a foot injury during the defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Liverpool chief saw his side overpowered physically but his skipper limped out of the 2-1 defeat in the first half after injuring himself with no opponent near him.
Benitez said: 'Steven will have an X-ray but we are sure he has broken the metatarsal in the fifth bone of his left foot.
'It is very disappointing, it happened when he jarred his foot and there was no opponent near him. It is a blow to us because of the big games in Europe that we have coming up, but we have a good squad and we will have to cope without him.'
He added: 'We expect Steven to be out for between six to eight weeks.'
If the break is confirmed, Gerrard will be able to call on international team-mates David Beckham and Wayne Rooney for advice on how long to expect on the sidelines.
Both Beckham and Rooney have suffered similar injuries.
Gerrard confirmed the injury was not caused by an opponent.
He said: 'I just caught my foot in the turf, and don't know what happened really but I was all on my own.
'It will be disappointing if it is a break, but we will know more in the morning after the X-ray.
'I will try to remain positive whatever happens. It will be devastating if I am out for too long.
'As for the match, yes we are disappointed. We were a lot better second half but in the first half we were poor. And we have conceded two goals from set-pieces which is very annoying considering we have been working hard on that.
'They were both identical. The manager was not happy and the players too, we will have to do more work on that.'
He added: 'We have a few new lads but our last two performances had been very good. United played very well, this is a difficult place to come and we knew what to expect. But we cannot be too down because we have Norwich on Saturday and then another trip in Europe.'
Liverpool boss Benitez said he had not had chance to review the two incidents which led to United's goals - a debatable first-half free-kick and a corner which Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia insisted should have been a goal kick off Ryan Giggs.
Benitez said: 'I have not seen the incidents yet, if that is the case it is even more disappointing.
'We played well for only 15 minutes of the first half, even though we were much better after the break.
'But we conceded two goals from set-pieces and that is a problem we must work on. We zonal mark at corners and we have been using the system through all our games, pre-season as well, and it has worked well and we have not conceded from set-pieces.
'We knew how they would start the game, very physically. But it is a problem we must control, we must keep the ball better and not lose the battles we did.'
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could lose captain Steven Gerrard for up to two months after the England man was forced off with a foot injury during the defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Liverpool chief saw his side overpowered physically but his skipper limped out of the 2-1 defeat in the first half after injuring himself with no opponent near him.
Benitez said: 'Steven will have an X-ray but we are sure he has broken the metatarsal in the fifth bone of his left foot.
'It is very disappointing, it happened when he jarred his foot and there was no opponent near him. It is a blow to us because of the big games in Europe that we have coming up, but we have a good squad and we will have to cope without him.'
He added: 'We expect Steven to be out for between six to eight weeks.'
If the break is confirmed, Gerrard will be able to call on international team-mates David Beckham and Wayne Rooney for advice on how long to expect on the sidelines.
Both Beckham and Rooney have suffered similar injuries.
Gerrard confirmed the injury was not caused by an opponent.
He said: 'I just caught my foot in the turf, and don't know what happened really but I was all on my own.
'It will be disappointing if it is a break, but we will know more in the morning after the X-ray.
'I will try to remain positive whatever happens. It will be devastating if I am out for too long.
'As for the match, yes we are disappointed. We were a lot better second half but in the first half we were poor. And we have conceded two goals from set-pieces which is very annoying considering we have been working hard on that.
'They were both identical. The manager was not happy and the players too, we will have to do more work on that.'
He added: 'We have a few new lads but our last two performances had been very good. United played very well, this is a difficult place to come and we knew what to expect. But we cannot be too down because we have Norwich on Saturday and then another trip in Europe.'
Liverpool boss Benitez said he had not had chance to review the two incidents which led to United's goals - a debatable first-half free-kick and a corner which Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia insisted should have been a goal kick off Ryan Giggs.
Benitez said: 'I have not seen the incidents yet, if that is the case it is even more disappointing.
'We played well for only 15 minutes of the first half, even though we were much better after the break.
'But we conceded two goals from set-pieces and that is a problem we must work on. We zonal mark at corners and we have been using the system through all our games, pre-season as well, and it has worked well and we have not conceded from set-pieces.
'We knew how they would start the game, very physically. But it is a problem we must control, we must keep the ball better and not lose the battles we did.'
Perez stands firm on Galactico policy
MADRID, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the resignation of Jose Antonio Camacho will not make him rethink his Galactico recruitment policy.
'We have tried to put together a team that wins, that entertains and that is admired by hundreds of millions of people all over the world and that is what we are going to continue to do,' Perez told Radio Marca on Monday.
Camacho quit his post earlier in the day, saying he felt incapable of getting the most out of the club's expensively assembled squad.
Perez said that coaching a team that included some of the most high-profile players in world football such as David Beckham, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane was a tricky task, but said that the players were not to blame for the team's poor early-season form.
'A squad as talented as Real Madrid's is always very difficult to manage,' he said. 'For that reason the job of a coach is to get the maximum out of the players, who are excellent professionals and not the spoilt children that some people claim.
'I'm going to talk to them to encourage them and to tell them that are millions of people around the world who follow what they do and that's why they need to push themselves to the limit. But it would be wrong to lay the blame at the door of the players.'
Perez claimed that Real had a duty to entertain their fans, whom he claimed would not accept a more pragmatic approach to the game.
'With all due respect to a team like Bayer Leverkusen, if Real played the way they did then no one would turn up at the ground,' he said.'
Leverkusen produced a stylish performance to crush Real 3-0 in their opening Champions League game last week.
MADRID, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the resignation of Jose Antonio Camacho will not make him rethink his Galactico recruitment policy.
'We have tried to put together a team that wins, that entertains and that is admired by hundreds of millions of people all over the world and that is what we are going to continue to do,' Perez told Radio Marca on Monday.
Camacho quit his post earlier in the day, saying he felt incapable of getting the most out of the club's expensively assembled squad.
Perez said that coaching a team that included some of the most high-profile players in world football such as David Beckham, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane was a tricky task, but said that the players were not to blame for the team's poor early-season form.
'A squad as talented as Real Madrid's is always very difficult to manage,' he said. 'For that reason the job of a coach is to get the maximum out of the players, who are excellent professionals and not the spoilt children that some people claim.
'I'm going to talk to them to encourage them and to tell them that are millions of people around the world who follow what they do and that's why they need to push themselves to the limit. But it would be wrong to lay the blame at the door of the players.'
Perez claimed that Real had a duty to entertain their fans, whom he claimed would not accept a more pragmatic approach to the game.
'With all due respect to a team like Bayer Leverkusen, if Real played the way they did then no one would turn up at the ground,' he said.'
Leverkusen produced a stylish performance to crush Real 3-0 in their opening Champions League game last week.
New Real coach confident of backing from players
MADRID, Sept 20 (Reuters) - New Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon is confident he will have the support of the players in his attempt to help the side recover from their disappointing start to the season.
"The players are hurt and their morale isn't high," Garcia Remon told a news conference after taking his first training session following Jose Antonio Camacho's decision to quit as coach earlier on Monday.
"I need the players' help and respect to turn this round and I'm sure I'll get it," Camacho's former assistant said.
Real Madrid players were greeted by a chorus of insults from some of the 50 or so fans that had gathered outside the Bernabeu as they arrived for the training session.
But Garcia Remon, a former goalkeeper at the club, appealed to the fans to lend their support to the team for his first match in charge of the side against Osasuna on Tuesday.
"I hope the fans just let the players express themselves on the pitch," he said. "I am worried that there might be signs of rejection towards the team against Osasuna and that would be a worrying sign.
"The players are ordinary people and are suffering because they know they are being criticised. It has nothing to do with how much they earn, what they've won or anything like that."
"Obviously I have to earn the confidence of the players, but I don't have a magic wand. It is the players who are the leading artists in this show," said Garcia Remon.
MADRID, Sept 20 (Reuters) - New Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon is confident he will have the support of the players in his attempt to help the side recover from their disappointing start to the season.
"The players are hurt and their morale isn't high," Garcia Remon told a news conference after taking his first training session following Jose Antonio Camacho's decision to quit as coach earlier on Monday.
"I need the players' help and respect to turn this round and I'm sure I'll get it," Camacho's former assistant said.
Real Madrid players were greeted by a chorus of insults from some of the 50 or so fans that had gathered outside the Bernabeu as they arrived for the training session.
But Garcia Remon, a former goalkeeper at the club, appealed to the fans to lend their support to the team for his first match in charge of the side against Osasuna on Tuesday.
"I hope the fans just let the players express themselves on the pitch," he said. "I am worried that there might be signs of rejection towards the team against Osasuna and that would be a worrying sign.
"The players are ordinary people and are suffering because they know they are being criticised. It has nothing to do with how much they earn, what they've won or anything like that."
"Obviously I have to earn the confidence of the players, but I don't have a magic wand. It is the players who are the leading artists in this show," said Garcia Remon.
UPDATE 4-Camacho quits as Real Madrid coach
(Updates with Perez comments on new coach paras 6 and 7)
By Simon Baskett
MADRID, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Jose Antonio Camacho resigned as Real Madrid coach on Monday four months after taking up the post saying that he felt incapable of getting the most out of the club's expensively assembled squad.
"I believe that the team has not lived up to expectations and that as long as I remain as coach it will not improve and that's why I've decided to step down," Camacho told a news conference at the Bernabeu.
"I've got my own way of behaving and of coaching. I did not see it reflected on the pitch and I could not see the situation improving.
"The president asked me if I thought I could turn things around in the short term and I told him that I did not, so we reached an agreement that in order to prevent the club entering into an even bigger crisis I would give up the post."
Club president Florentino Perez said that Camacho's former assistant Mariano Garcia Remon would take charge of the first team.
"Garcia Remon will be here the whole season and we hope for many more," Perez told Radio Marca. "It is not a temporary measure, because he fits perfectly into the culture of this club.
"With his appointment we have found a rapid solution to a situation that should not affect the aims of Real Madrid, because the institution is always the most important thing."
Garcia Remon, an ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper who won six league titles during his 14 seasons at the club between 1971 and 1985, is a former boss of Sporting Gijon and Numancia. He will be Real's fourth coach since June 2003.
Garcia Remon stressed that he had accepted the job only after Camacho had urged him to do so.
"It may seem odd, but for me today is a very sad day," he said. "It is a day that sees that the end of the work of someone who has done a very good job that just wasn't reflected on the pitch.
"It wasn't the way I dreamed of being here to train Real Madrid."
LOW PROFILE
Garcia Remon is very much in the mould of Vicente del Bosque, the man who led Real to two European Cups and two league titles in four seasons before being discarded at the end of the 2002-2003 season.
Camacho was appointed as coach in place of Carlos Queiroz after the failure of Real - with players like Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham - to win a trophy last season.
It is the second time he has made a premature exit from the club he served so loyally as a player.
He managed only 23 days in the post in 1998, quitting before the season had even started after a row with then president Lorenzo Sanz about a contract for fitness trainer Carlos Lorenzana.
Real ended last season with a worst-ever five-match losing streak. This season they successfully got through the qualifying round of the Champions League, then scraped two disappointing 1-0 wins in their first two Primera Liga games.
They suffered a stinging 3-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday and then turned in an appalling performance to lose 1-0 at Espanyol on Saturday.
Camacho offered his resignation to Perez following the defeat at Espanyol, saying he felt incapable of carrying on because he did not enjoy the support of the players, a number of whom are reported to have resented his disciplinarian approach.
"I can't take anymore," was Spanish sports daily Marca's reported version of the conversation that took place between Camacho and Perez.
"I can see that there is no rapport with the squad. I had great hopes about this job but they haven't been realised."
(Updates with Perez comments on new coach paras 6 and 7)
By Simon Baskett
MADRID, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Jose Antonio Camacho resigned as Real Madrid coach on Monday four months after taking up the post saying that he felt incapable of getting the most out of the club's expensively assembled squad.
"I believe that the team has not lived up to expectations and that as long as I remain as coach it will not improve and that's why I've decided to step down," Camacho told a news conference at the Bernabeu.
"I've got my own way of behaving and of coaching. I did not see it reflected on the pitch and I could not see the situation improving.
"The president asked me if I thought I could turn things around in the short term and I told him that I did not, so we reached an agreement that in order to prevent the club entering into an even bigger crisis I would give up the post."
Club president Florentino Perez said that Camacho's former assistant Mariano Garcia Remon would take charge of the first team.
"Garcia Remon will be here the whole season and we hope for many more," Perez told Radio Marca. "It is not a temporary measure, because he fits perfectly into the culture of this club.
"With his appointment we have found a rapid solution to a situation that should not affect the aims of Real Madrid, because the institution is always the most important thing."
Garcia Remon, an ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper who won six league titles during his 14 seasons at the club between 1971 and 1985, is a former boss of Sporting Gijon and Numancia. He will be Real's fourth coach since June 2003.
Garcia Remon stressed that he had accepted the job only after Camacho had urged him to do so.
"It may seem odd, but for me today is a very sad day," he said. "It is a day that sees that the end of the work of someone who has done a very good job that just wasn't reflected on the pitch.
"It wasn't the way I dreamed of being here to train Real Madrid."
LOW PROFILE
Garcia Remon is very much in the mould of Vicente del Bosque, the man who led Real to two European Cups and two league titles in four seasons before being discarded at the end of the 2002-2003 season.
Camacho was appointed as coach in place of Carlos Queiroz after the failure of Real - with players like Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham - to win a trophy last season.
It is the second time he has made a premature exit from the club he served so loyally as a player.
He managed only 23 days in the post in 1998, quitting before the season had even started after a row with then president Lorenzo Sanz about a contract for fitness trainer Carlos Lorenzana.
Real ended last season with a worst-ever five-match losing streak. This season they successfully got through the qualifying round of the Champions League, then scraped two disappointing 1-0 wins in their first two Primera Liga games.
They suffered a stinging 3-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday and then turned in an appalling performance to lose 1-0 at Espanyol on Saturday.
Camacho offered his resignation to Perez following the defeat at Espanyol, saying he felt incapable of carrying on because he did not enjoy the support of the players, a number of whom are reported to have resented his disciplinarian approach.
"I can't take anymore," was Spanish sports daily Marca's reported version of the conversation that took place between Camacho and Perez.
"I can see that there is no rapport with the squad. I had great hopes about this job but they haven't been realised."
Man Utd v Liverpool: Preview
John O'Shea has warned Manchester United supporters not to expect miracles from returning hero Rio Ferdinand against Liverpool.
Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to waste little time in restoring his record 29million defender to the Red Devils starting line-up following the end of his eight-month ban.
With six points from five Premiership games and a 10-point gap to close on champions Arsenal, the long-serving United boss knows victory is essential in Monday night's Old Trafford crunch.
Given the only defender Ferguson included among the three men who matched his lofty expectations in Lyon on Wednesday was Gabriel Heinze, it would be a major surprise if the Scot didn't turn to Ferdinand to bale him out of a crisis.
O'Shea is expected to be alongside Ferdinand in the United rearguard as Rafael Benitez arrives for his first experience of the fierce north-west rivalry and while the young Irishman believes the surge of adrenalin his team-mate is bound to feel should get him through the 90 minutes, he has cautioned against expectations being raised too high.
"I am sure the adrenalin rush will get Rio through the game without a problem but we shouldn't expect miracles from him," he said.
"He has done a lot of fitness work but that isn't the same as playing matches and while I don't think it will be long before he gets his form back, it is bound to take a little bit of time.
"I think this has probably been the longest week of his life because he is so close now.
"He can see the games in front of us at United and the World Cup matches for England and that probably reminds him what he missed out on. Hopefully he will get rid of that frustration by playing out of his skin."
Ferguson must also make a major decision over his goalkeeper after Tim Howard followed up his mistake against Bolton with a similar blunder in France.
Liverpool, of course, will be without their lucky charm this time around.
Danny Murphy, who has scored the winner in three of the last four Liverpool trips to Old Trafford, has been sold to Charlton.
Chris Kirkland will be sitting on the bench - at last able to put pressure on unconvincing keeper Jerzy Dudek.
Kirkland came through a reserve game unscathed last week and boss Rafael Benitez says it is "too early" for him to return to the first team.
But any repeats of Dudek's shaky form against Monaco last week or another of his gaffs against Manchester United, and the youngster could be back in the side.
Benitez has no major injury problems although young striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle has picked up an ankle problem.
John O'Shea has warned Manchester United supporters not to expect miracles from returning hero Rio Ferdinand against Liverpool.
Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to waste little time in restoring his record 29million defender to the Red Devils starting line-up following the end of his eight-month ban.
With six points from five Premiership games and a 10-point gap to close on champions Arsenal, the long-serving United boss knows victory is essential in Monday night's Old Trafford crunch.
Given the only defender Ferguson included among the three men who matched his lofty expectations in Lyon on Wednesday was Gabriel Heinze, it would be a major surprise if the Scot didn't turn to Ferdinand to bale him out of a crisis.
O'Shea is expected to be alongside Ferdinand in the United rearguard as Rafael Benitez arrives for his first experience of the fierce north-west rivalry and while the young Irishman believes the surge of adrenalin his team-mate is bound to feel should get him through the 90 minutes, he has cautioned against expectations being raised too high.
"I am sure the adrenalin rush will get Rio through the game without a problem but we shouldn't expect miracles from him," he said.
"He has done a lot of fitness work but that isn't the same as playing matches and while I don't think it will be long before he gets his form back, it is bound to take a little bit of time.
"I think this has probably been the longest week of his life because he is so close now.
"He can see the games in front of us at United and the World Cup matches for England and that probably reminds him what he missed out on. Hopefully he will get rid of that frustration by playing out of his skin."
Ferguson must also make a major decision over his goalkeeper after Tim Howard followed up his mistake against Bolton with a similar blunder in France.
Liverpool, of course, will be without their lucky charm this time around.
Danny Murphy, who has scored the winner in three of the last four Liverpool trips to Old Trafford, has been sold to Charlton.
Chris Kirkland will be sitting on the bench - at last able to put pressure on unconvincing keeper Jerzy Dudek.
Kirkland came through a reserve game unscathed last week and boss Rafael Benitez says it is "too early" for him to return to the first team.
But any repeats of Dudek's shaky form against Monaco last week or another of his gaffs against Manchester United, and the youngster could be back in the side.
Benitez has no major injury problems although young striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle has picked up an ankle problem.
Ferdinand returns for United
Rio Ferdinand returned to the Manchester United starting line-up for the first time in eight months tonight.
Ferdinand's last appearance in a United shirt was against Wolves at Molineux last January; 32 games, an FA Cup final and a European Championship ago.
Given the Red Devils' disappointing defensive displays so far this season, the return of the world's costliest defender was virtually automatic, especially as the 29million Londoner has excelled during recent training sessions.
'Some people might think I should have given Rio a warm-up game, perhaps with the reserves, but I had not the slightest hesitation throwing him in at the deep end and nor would you if you had the advantage of seeing him in training during his long absence on the sidelines,' said Sir Alex Ferguson in his programme notes this evening.
'If you could have watched his focus, you would know, like me, that the man is geared to come straight back into the side, even for a match as big as this fixture.'
Ferdinand's return meant John O'Shea moved into midfield with Wes Brown switching to right-back from centre-half, leaving Mikael Silvestre to partner the newcomer.
There was no sign of Wayne Rooney among the substitutes even though it is believed he was given the all-clear to step up his training following a check-up on his long-standing foot injury today.
And neither was Tim Howard among the substitutes either as Ferguson axed the American completely with Roy Carroll taking the starting slot.
Man Utd: Carroll, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Keane, Giggs, Scholes, van Nistelrooy. Subs: Phil Neville, Smith, Kleberson, Fletcher, Ricardo.
Liverpool: Dudek, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Finnan, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Luis Garcia, Cisse. Subs: Baros, Diao, Hamann, Traore, Kirkland.
Rio Ferdinand returned to the Manchester United starting line-up for the first time in eight months tonight.
Ferdinand's last appearance in a United shirt was against Wolves at Molineux last January; 32 games, an FA Cup final and a European Championship ago.
Given the Red Devils' disappointing defensive displays so far this season, the return of the world's costliest defender was virtually automatic, especially as the 29million Londoner has excelled during recent training sessions.
'Some people might think I should have given Rio a warm-up game, perhaps with the reserves, but I had not the slightest hesitation throwing him in at the deep end and nor would you if you had the advantage of seeing him in training during his long absence on the sidelines,' said Sir Alex Ferguson in his programme notes this evening.
'If you could have watched his focus, you would know, like me, that the man is geared to come straight back into the side, even for a match as big as this fixture.'
Ferdinand's return meant John O'Shea moved into midfield with Wes Brown switching to right-back from centre-half, leaving Mikael Silvestre to partner the newcomer.
There was no sign of Wayne Rooney among the substitutes even though it is believed he was given the all-clear to step up his training following a check-up on his long-standing foot injury today.
And neither was Tim Howard among the substitutes either as Ferguson axed the American completely with Roy Carroll taking the starting slot.
Man Utd: Carroll, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Keane, Giggs, Scholes, van Nistelrooy. Subs: Phil Neville, Smith, Kleberson, Fletcher, Ricardo.
Liverpool: Dudek, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Finnan, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Luis Garcia, Cisse. Subs: Baros, Diao, Hamann, Traore, Kirkland.
600-UP FOR GIGGS
RYAN GIGGS will become the third player in Manchester United history to make 600 appearances when he lines up against Liverpool tonight.
Giggs made his league debut during the 1990/91 season and follows Bobby Charlton (759 games) and Bill Foulkes (688) in the club's roll of honour.
"It's a marvellous achievement. He's had almost 15 years in the first team, which is a lot. It's amazing," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "He's a fantastic person who has never given me a bit of bother. He's an example to all the players here."
Wales international Giggs, 30, has won 14 major honours during his time as a United player, including a Champions League winners' medal in 1999 and eight Premiership titles.
RYAN GIGGS will become the third player in Manchester United history to make 600 appearances when he lines up against Liverpool tonight.
Giggs made his league debut during the 1990/91 season and follows Bobby Charlton (759 games) and Bill Foulkes (688) in the club's roll of honour.
"It's a marvellous achievement. He's had almost 15 years in the first team, which is a lot. It's amazing," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "He's a fantastic person who has never given me a bit of bother. He's an example to all the players here."
Wales international Giggs, 30, has won 14 major honours during his time as a United player, including a Champions League winners' medal in 1999 and eight Premiership titles.
REAL CONFIRM CAMACHO EXIT
Real Madrid today confirmed they had accepted coach Jose Antonio Camacho's offer of resignation.
The under-fire boss offered to step down yesterday evening following the Spanish giant's poor start to the season.
Real president Florentino Perez announced the news that the club had accepted the 49-year-old's decision at a press conference this afternoon.
Assistant coach Mariano Garcia Remon is to take temporary charge of first-team affairs until the club decides upon a permanent successor.
The final straw for Camacho came after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Espanyol on Saturday, which followed on from a midweek 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
The former Benfica and Sapin coach's reign comes to an end after just four months in the Bernabeu hotseat.
It was the Camacho's second spell as Madrid boss, following an even shorter 22-day spell in 1998, which ended after a bust-up with the club's board.
Real Madrid have three English players on their books - David Beckham, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate.
Real Madrid today confirmed they had accepted coach Jose Antonio Camacho's offer of resignation.
The under-fire boss offered to step down yesterday evening following the Spanish giant's poor start to the season.
Real president Florentino Perez announced the news that the club had accepted the 49-year-old's decision at a press conference this afternoon.
Assistant coach Mariano Garcia Remon is to take temporary charge of first-team affairs until the club decides upon a permanent successor.
The final straw for Camacho came after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Espanyol on Saturday, which followed on from a midweek 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
The former Benfica and Sapin coach's reign comes to an end after just four months in the Bernabeu hotseat.
It was the Camacho's second spell as Madrid boss, following an even shorter 22-day spell in 1998, which ended after a bust-up with the club's board.
Real Madrid have three English players on their books - David Beckham, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Ferguson praises record-breaking Ruud
Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to record-breaking striker Ruud van Nistelrooy after the brilliant Dutchman rescued a Champions League point for Manchester United in Lyon.
Ferguson claimed only three of his players performed to the standard required at the Stade Garland and fortunately one of them was van Nistelrooy, who, on only his second outing since a hernia operation, scored the second-half brace which levelled up Lyon's two-goal interval lead.
The double saw the former PSV striker surpass Denis Law as the most prolific European marksman in United history and Ferguson is expecting his star forward to add many more to his current 30-goal tally.
'We all know Ruud is a fantastic goalscorer,' said Ferguson.
'He has broken records already and will continue to do so.
'But his greatest achievement tonight was to play almost a full game, take a number of challenges, some of which were really unfair, and also score two goals.
'Having not played any real football in almost four months, that was a remarkable feat in itself.'
Ferguson admitted van Nistelrooy's efforts left him a relieved man after a particularly inept opening period left United on the brink of defeat.
Only van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze will be exempt from criticism when the Scot begins the post-mortem and changes for Monday's key Premiership clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford seem inevitable.
Rio Ferdinand is certain to return to shore up a defence which looked ill at ease throughout the game, while another major blunder by Tim Howard is likely to condemn him to a stint on the bench as deputy to Roy Carroll.
'You cannot ignore what happened in the first-half,' said Ferguson. 'I wouldn't be doing my job properly if I did that.
'I was terribly disappointed at half-time with some elements of our game. We had to change and in fairness to the team, they did play with more intent.
'Our defenders also started to go and win the ball much earlier and didn't allow their strikers to dominate.
'Overall, my feeling is one of relief because when you are 2-0 down at half-time in Europe you know you have a difficult task to get something out of it.'
Howard's error, just four days after his previous mistake at Bolton, gifted Lyon their opener.
The American spilled Juninho's long-range free-kick straight into the path of Cris, who wasted no time in tapping home from close range.
When Pierre Frau finished off a lightning counter to double Lyon's lead shortly before the interval, the three-times French champions must have thought their job was done.
They reckoned without United's famous fighting spirit, although, as coach Paul le Guen pointed out, the comeback should have come as no surprise.
'That is the nature of Manchester United,' he said. 'Against them, you know you are never really safe.
'It is frustrating because it was probably our best performance during my time at the club.
'But clearly, van Nistelrooy is one of the best strikers in the world - his statistics prove it.
'Even though it was only his second match back, he was a permanent danger tonight.'
Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to record-breaking striker Ruud van Nistelrooy after the brilliant Dutchman rescued a Champions League point for Manchester United in Lyon.
Ferguson claimed only three of his players performed to the standard required at the Stade Garland and fortunately one of them was van Nistelrooy, who, on only his second outing since a hernia operation, scored the second-half brace which levelled up Lyon's two-goal interval lead.
The double saw the former PSV striker surpass Denis Law as the most prolific European marksman in United history and Ferguson is expecting his star forward to add many more to his current 30-goal tally.
'We all know Ruud is a fantastic goalscorer,' said Ferguson.
'He has broken records already and will continue to do so.
'But his greatest achievement tonight was to play almost a full game, take a number of challenges, some of which were really unfair, and also score two goals.
'Having not played any real football in almost four months, that was a remarkable feat in itself.'
Ferguson admitted van Nistelrooy's efforts left him a relieved man after a particularly inept opening period left United on the brink of defeat.
Only van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze will be exempt from criticism when the Scot begins the post-mortem and changes for Monday's key Premiership clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford seem inevitable.
Rio Ferdinand is certain to return to shore up a defence which looked ill at ease throughout the game, while another major blunder by Tim Howard is likely to condemn him to a stint on the bench as deputy to Roy Carroll.
'You cannot ignore what happened in the first-half,' said Ferguson. 'I wouldn't be doing my job properly if I did that.
'I was terribly disappointed at half-time with some elements of our game. We had to change and in fairness to the team, they did play with more intent.
'Our defenders also started to go and win the ball much earlier and didn't allow their strikers to dominate.
'Overall, my feeling is one of relief because when you are 2-0 down at half-time in Europe you know you have a difficult task to get something out of it.'
Howard's error, just four days after his previous mistake at Bolton, gifted Lyon their opener.
The American spilled Juninho's long-range free-kick straight into the path of Cris, who wasted no time in tapping home from close range.
When Pierre Frau finished off a lightning counter to double Lyon's lead shortly before the interval, the three-times French champions must have thought their job was done.
They reckoned without United's famous fighting spirit, although, as coach Paul le Guen pointed out, the comeback should have come as no surprise.
'That is the nature of Manchester United,' he said. 'Against them, you know you are never really safe.
'It is frustrating because it was probably our best performance during my time at the club.
'But clearly, van Nistelrooy is one of the best strikers in the world - his statistics prove it.
'Even though it was only his second match back, he was a permanent danger tonight.'
Zidane ruled out for three weeks
LEVERKUSEN, Germany, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane will be sidelined for around three weeks after dislocating his right shoulder during his side's 3-0 Champions League defeat at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
Zidane sustained the injury when he jumped to challenge Leverkusen defender Roque Junior for the ball in the final minutes of the first half, Real said on their website.
The Frenchman, who was replaced by striker Fernando Morientes at halftime, is almost certain miss Real's next Champions League game at home to AS Roma on September 28.
LEVERKUSEN, Germany, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane will be sidelined for around three weeks after dislocating his right shoulder during his side's 3-0 Champions League defeat at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
Zidane sustained the injury when he jumped to challenge Leverkusen defender Roque Junior for the ball in the final minutes of the first half, Real said on their website.
The Frenchman, who was replaced by striker Fernando Morientes at halftime, is almost certain miss Real's next Champions League game at home to AS Roma on September 28.
Leverkusen 3-0 Real Madrid
LEVERKUSEN, September 15 (Champions League) - Real Madrid's defensive frailties
resurfaced in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night as they were comprehensively beaten by Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena.
New Madrid coach Jose Antonio Camacho's priority when taking over in the summer was to strengthen the back four and Argentinian international Walter Samuel was handed his debut in Germany.
But it mattered little as the visitors were repeatedly opened up by a Leverkusen side whose ambition and creativity seemed to surprise Madrid.
Jacek Krzynowek opened the scoring in the 39th minute and goals early in the second half from Franca and Dimitar Berbatov settled the issue.
Leverkusen started in determined fashion and Bulgarian striker Berbatov almost gave Klaus Augenthaler's men an early lead with an effort which crashed back off the post with Madrid keeper Iker Casillas well beaten.
Brazilian striker Franca, Krzynowek and Carsten Ramelow were all allowed time and space to get in shots in the opening stages although they failed to trouble the over-exposed Casillas.
Madrid had to wait 14 minutes for an effort on goal and, even then, Luis Figo's low drive flew wide of Hans-Jorg Butt's upright.
At least Figo's foray forward provided evidence that the visitors had stepped up a gear.
And that was confirmed when Ronaldo crashed a shot against the bar in the 26th minute after making a late burst into the box to connect with a Michel Salgado cross from the right.
Leverkusen were still a threat, however, and Franca, who scored a hat-trick in the home leg of the third qualifying round tie against Banik Ostrava, should have done better than fire over the bar when well placed.
Krzynowek also missed the target with a far post header as Leverkusen re-asserted their superiority.
It came as no real surprise when the home side took the lead six minutes before the break.
The Madrid defence only managed to clear a corner as far as the edge of the box and the impressive Krzynowek hammered it back with interest, giving Casillas no chance.
Berbatov almost made it two in two minutes with a towering header from a Robson Ponte cross which was deflected just wide as Madrid lost their composure at the back.
Krzynowek tested Casillas again as the interval approached with another long-range drive which the Spain international did well to tip over the bar.
Needing a goal and lacking inspiration, the last thing Madrid needed was an injury to talisman Zinedine Zidane but the former French international had to be replaced at half-time through injury.
Fernando Morientes, last season's top scorer in the Champions League, came on but was a mere spectator as Madrid collapsed at the other end.
Leverkusen moved 2-0 ahead after 50 minutes - Franca firing home from the edge of the area after David Beckham had allowed him space to get in a shot.
The goal seemed to deflate Madrid and the Bundesliga side took full advantage five minutes later.
Franca whipped in a cross which Francisco Pavon could only head up into the air, deceiving the unfortunate Casillas, leaving Berbatov to tap into the empty net.
At 3-0 down, Camacho obviously decided enough was enough and decided to withdraw two of his most creative players - Figo and Ronaldo - in an act which seemed to demonstrate he had accepted defeat.
Leverkusen were happy to sit on their lead and with Madrid lacking purpose and desire, the game petered out.
Beckham tested Butt in the closing stages but it was a night to forget for the England captain and his team-mates.
Camacho takes responsibility
Real Madrid coach Jose Antonio Camacho said he was to blame after his team started their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
"I take responsibility for this because I was obviously not able to make sure my players approached this game with the right attitude," said Camacho.
He was hired by Real to help them bounce back from a disappointing season featuring a quarter-final exit from the Champions League.
Real, who beat Leverkusen 2-1 in the 2002 final in Glasgow, were never in contention on Wednesday and looked ordinary despite the presence on the pitch of all their top players.
"We were outplayed for 60 minutes," said Camacho, whose men started the Spanish league season with two unconvincing 1-0 wins.
"Only in the last 30 minutes did we manage to put them under pressure. Leverkusen played with plenty of enthusiasm. They were clearly the better team."
ZIDANE INJURED
The defeat was not the only bad news for Camacho, who had to substitute playmaker Zinedine Zidane at halftime because of a dislocated shoulder that could leave the inspirational French midfielder sidelined for three weeks.
Leverkusen, who have never won a German title and had warmed up for the game with a 2-0 defeat at promoted Mainz in the Bundesliga on Saturday, delighted their fans with a stylish performance.
"I hope my players are now convinced that they can play good football," said coach Klaus Augenthaler.
Leverkusen captain Carsten Ramelow said facing such prestigious opponents had helped Leverkusen raise their game.
"Just the name Real Madrid was a motivation," said Ramelow, who played in the 2002 final. "Our victory is well deserved and so is the winning margin," he added.
Germany midfielder Bernd Schneider, who has been given a new role as right-back by Augenthaler, promised Leverkusen would not get carried away.
"We are not the new Galacticos," he said. "If we were we would have beaten Mainz."
LEVERKUSEN, September 15 (Champions League) - Real Madrid's defensive frailties
resurfaced in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night as they were comprehensively beaten by Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena.
New Madrid coach Jose Antonio Camacho's priority when taking over in the summer was to strengthen the back four and Argentinian international Walter Samuel was handed his debut in Germany.
But it mattered little as the visitors were repeatedly opened up by a Leverkusen side whose ambition and creativity seemed to surprise Madrid.
Jacek Krzynowek opened the scoring in the 39th minute and goals early in the second half from Franca and Dimitar Berbatov settled the issue.
Leverkusen started in determined fashion and Bulgarian striker Berbatov almost gave Klaus Augenthaler's men an early lead with an effort which crashed back off the post with Madrid keeper Iker Casillas well beaten.
Brazilian striker Franca, Krzynowek and Carsten Ramelow were all allowed time and space to get in shots in the opening stages although they failed to trouble the over-exposed Casillas.
Madrid had to wait 14 minutes for an effort on goal and, even then, Luis Figo's low drive flew wide of Hans-Jorg Butt's upright.
At least Figo's foray forward provided evidence that the visitors had stepped up a gear.
And that was confirmed when Ronaldo crashed a shot against the bar in the 26th minute after making a late burst into the box to connect with a Michel Salgado cross from the right.
Leverkusen were still a threat, however, and Franca, who scored a hat-trick in the home leg of the third qualifying round tie against Banik Ostrava, should have done better than fire over the bar when well placed.
Krzynowek also missed the target with a far post header as Leverkusen re-asserted their superiority.
It came as no real surprise when the home side took the lead six minutes before the break.
The Madrid defence only managed to clear a corner as far as the edge of the box and the impressive Krzynowek hammered it back with interest, giving Casillas no chance.
Berbatov almost made it two in two minutes with a towering header from a Robson Ponte cross which was deflected just wide as Madrid lost their composure at the back.
Krzynowek tested Casillas again as the interval approached with another long-range drive which the Spain international did well to tip over the bar.
Needing a goal and lacking inspiration, the last thing Madrid needed was an injury to talisman Zinedine Zidane but the former French international had to be replaced at half-time through injury.
Fernando Morientes, last season's top scorer in the Champions League, came on but was a mere spectator as Madrid collapsed at the other end.
Leverkusen moved 2-0 ahead after 50 minutes - Franca firing home from the edge of the area after David Beckham had allowed him space to get in a shot.
The goal seemed to deflate Madrid and the Bundesliga side took full advantage five minutes later.
Franca whipped in a cross which Francisco Pavon could only head up into the air, deceiving the unfortunate Casillas, leaving Berbatov to tap into the empty net.
At 3-0 down, Camacho obviously decided enough was enough and decided to withdraw two of his most creative players - Figo and Ronaldo - in an act which seemed to demonstrate he had accepted defeat.
Leverkusen were happy to sit on their lead and with Madrid lacking purpose and desire, the game petered out.
Beckham tested Butt in the closing stages but it was a night to forget for the England captain and his team-mates.
Camacho takes responsibility
Real Madrid coach Jose Antonio Camacho said he was to blame after his team started their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
"I take responsibility for this because I was obviously not able to make sure my players approached this game with the right attitude," said Camacho.
He was hired by Real to help them bounce back from a disappointing season featuring a quarter-final exit from the Champions League.
Real, who beat Leverkusen 2-1 in the 2002 final in Glasgow, were never in contention on Wednesday and looked ordinary despite the presence on the pitch of all their top players.
"We were outplayed for 60 minutes," said Camacho, whose men started the Spanish league season with two unconvincing 1-0 wins.
"Only in the last 30 minutes did we manage to put them under pressure. Leverkusen played with plenty of enthusiasm. They were clearly the better team."
ZIDANE INJURED
The defeat was not the only bad news for Camacho, who had to substitute playmaker Zinedine Zidane at halftime because of a dislocated shoulder that could leave the inspirational French midfielder sidelined for three weeks.
Leverkusen, who have never won a German title and had warmed up for the game with a 2-0 defeat at promoted Mainz in the Bundesliga on Saturday, delighted their fans with a stylish performance.
"I hope my players are now convinced that they can play good football," said coach Klaus Augenthaler.
Leverkusen captain Carsten Ramelow said facing such prestigious opponents had helped Leverkusen raise their game.
"Just the name Real Madrid was a motivation," said Ramelow, who played in the 2002 final. "Our victory is well deserved and so is the winning margin," he added.
Germany midfielder Bernd Schneider, who has been given a new role as right-back by Augenthaler, promised Leverkusen would not get carried away.
"We are not the new Galacticos," he said. "If we were we would have beaten Mainz."
Lyon 2-2 Man Utd: FT Report
Record-breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy dragged Manchester United back from the brink of a Champions League disaster as they grabbed a 2-2 draw in Lyon.
In only his second appearance of the season, the brilliant Dutchman established himself above Denis Law as the most prolific European goalscorer in United history with a two-goal salvo that rescued a Red Devils side that seemed to be spinning to certain defeat.
Trailing to first-half efforts from Cris and Pierre Frau, van Nistelrooy, ably assisted by dazzling Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, dragged his team back into the game in five stunning minutes after the interval.
First Ronaldo dug out a cross that allowed van Nistelrooy to steer a low header past Gregory Coupet, his 29th European goal, one more than the legendary Law.
There were no celebrations from the former PSV man just then. Instead, he waited until Ronaldo's attempted shot had deflected into his path off Anthony Reveillere, offering the time and space to beat Coupet for a second time.
It was not quite `Barcelona 99' but for a side badly lacking in confidence after a wretched start to the season, it was still a significant achievement and one Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt hope can be carried into his side's Premiership campaign, where they have already fallen nine points adrift of Arsenal.
Loyalty has been always been one of the fundamental traits of Ferguson's managerial career and the Scot has steadfastly refused to betray the men who have consistently let him down over the past 12 months.
Tim Howard was taken out of the firing line following the monumental last-minute error against Porto that cost United their place in last season's competition but the American was back in the side long before United lifted the FA Cup in Cardiff last May.
Ferguson's faith also endured his goalkeeper's blunder at Bolton on Saturday, with the Scot quick to confirm the former Major League Soccer star would be part of his starting line-up.
When Howard bravely rushed out to block Florent Malouda's attempt to steer Wiltord's through-ball into the net midway through the opening period, Ferguson's selection policy looked to be a wise one. Nine minutes from the interval, it was exposed as pure folly.
Howard could justifiably point to the number of bodies in a crowded penalty area as a partial excuse for his failure to collect Juninho's long-range free-kick but, given he got a clean hold on the ball before he dropped it straight into Cris' path, the blame was still firmly his.
It was a goal which would probably have come much earlier had Lyon not continually over-elaborated when they got anywhere near the United box.
Rio Ferdinand would have been suspended from this game anyway without the eight-month ban which runs out in time for him to face Liverpool on Monday but how Ferguson must lament the England defender's lengthy absence.
United's creaky rearguard was rocking from the opening minutes, with only Gabriel Heinze looking the part and even he was treading on thin ice after incurring a ninth-minute booking for his clattering foul on Sidney Govou.
In addition to Malouda's saved effort, Cacapa headed narrowly wide from Juninho's corner and Frau came close to netting Wiltord's low cross.
Badly outgunned in midfield, United mustered little in response. A poor Ryan Giggs effort from a Roy Keane cross was the best they could manage as van Nistelrooy's chronic lack of match fitness was highlighted by his failure to latch onto an excellent Paul Scholes through-ball.
The second goal was therefore in no way flattering to a Lyon side, although Ferguson might wonder why three of his players stopped immediately in front of the dugout from which he watched unhappily, appealing in vain for a free-kick in favour of Ronaldo as Frau finished off a lightning counter-attack by smashing Wiltord's square pass beyond a stranded Howard.
As United trooped back down the tunnel with their heads bowed, it seemed another sorry European evening was in store. Instead, through van Nistelrooy, they produced one of those rousing comebacks for which they are so famous.
Even so, there should have been a sting in the tail for the visitors as Nilmar contrived to volley wide from barely a yard with the goal at his mercy before Juninho struck the base of a post with the last kick of the game.
But given the character they had showed to launch their second half fightback, United deserved that bit of luck.
Record-breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy dragged Manchester United back from the brink of a Champions League disaster as they grabbed a 2-2 draw in Lyon.
In only his second appearance of the season, the brilliant Dutchman established himself above Denis Law as the most prolific European goalscorer in United history with a two-goal salvo that rescued a Red Devils side that seemed to be spinning to certain defeat.
Trailing to first-half efforts from Cris and Pierre Frau, van Nistelrooy, ably assisted by dazzling Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, dragged his team back into the game in five stunning minutes after the interval.
First Ronaldo dug out a cross that allowed van Nistelrooy to steer a low header past Gregory Coupet, his 29th European goal, one more than the legendary Law.
There were no celebrations from the former PSV man just then. Instead, he waited until Ronaldo's attempted shot had deflected into his path off Anthony Reveillere, offering the time and space to beat Coupet for a second time.
It was not quite `Barcelona 99' but for a side badly lacking in confidence after a wretched start to the season, it was still a significant achievement and one Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt hope can be carried into his side's Premiership campaign, where they have already fallen nine points adrift of Arsenal.
Loyalty has been always been one of the fundamental traits of Ferguson's managerial career and the Scot has steadfastly refused to betray the men who have consistently let him down over the past 12 months.
Tim Howard was taken out of the firing line following the monumental last-minute error against Porto that cost United their place in last season's competition but the American was back in the side long before United lifted the FA Cup in Cardiff last May.
Ferguson's faith also endured his goalkeeper's blunder at Bolton on Saturday, with the Scot quick to confirm the former Major League Soccer star would be part of his starting line-up.
When Howard bravely rushed out to block Florent Malouda's attempt to steer Wiltord's through-ball into the net midway through the opening period, Ferguson's selection policy looked to be a wise one. Nine minutes from the interval, it was exposed as pure folly.
Howard could justifiably point to the number of bodies in a crowded penalty area as a partial excuse for his failure to collect Juninho's long-range free-kick but, given he got a clean hold on the ball before he dropped it straight into Cris' path, the blame was still firmly his.
It was a goal which would probably have come much earlier had Lyon not continually over-elaborated when they got anywhere near the United box.
Rio Ferdinand would have been suspended from this game anyway without the eight-month ban which runs out in time for him to face Liverpool on Monday but how Ferguson must lament the England defender's lengthy absence.
United's creaky rearguard was rocking from the opening minutes, with only Gabriel Heinze looking the part and even he was treading on thin ice after incurring a ninth-minute booking for his clattering foul on Sidney Govou.
In addition to Malouda's saved effort, Cacapa headed narrowly wide from Juninho's corner and Frau came close to netting Wiltord's low cross.
Badly outgunned in midfield, United mustered little in response. A poor Ryan Giggs effort from a Roy Keane cross was the best they could manage as van Nistelrooy's chronic lack of match fitness was highlighted by his failure to latch onto an excellent Paul Scholes through-ball.
The second goal was therefore in no way flattering to a Lyon side, although Ferguson might wonder why three of his players stopped immediately in front of the dugout from which he watched unhappily, appealing in vain for a free-kick in favour of Ronaldo as Frau finished off a lightning counter-attack by smashing Wiltord's square pass beyond a stranded Howard.
As United trooped back down the tunnel with their heads bowed, it seemed another sorry European evening was in store. Instead, through van Nistelrooy, they produced one of those rousing comebacks for which they are so famous.
Even so, there should have been a sting in the tail for the visitors as Nilmar contrived to volley wide from barely a yard with the goal at his mercy before Juninho struck the base of a post with the last kick of the game.
But given the character they had showed to launch their second half fightback, United deserved that bit of luck.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
DRY YOUR EYES, DAD
Becks' tears on Brooklyn's first day at Madrid school
By Gerard Couzens
THERE were plenty of tears as Brooklyn Beckham arrived for the first day at his new school yesterday... and many of them were shed by his daddy.
The five-year-old started crying as David took his boy's rucksack and carried him into the exclusive school in Madrid.
And, just like his eldest son, the England skipper couldn't control his emotions, wiping away tears as he waved Brooklyn goodbye.
But it was an entirely different story just a few hours later when Victoria took younger brother Romeo along to collect Brooklyn, who emerged beaming after his first day.
Earlier in the morning, a crowd of parents and onlookers had watched the tense-looking Beckhams arrive with Brooklyn.
One said: "Everyone at the school knew Brooklyn was starting, but it was still a sight. Three cars carrying the Beckhams and their minders turned into the road just before 9am.
"David put Brooklyn's satchel on his back and walked hand-in-hand with him towards the school gates surrounded by bodyguards. It was all too much for the youngster and as he turned round to say goodbye to his mum who had stayed in one of the cars, he burst into tears.
"David carried him in his arms through the gates, but the emotion must have got to him too. He had tears in his eyes as he left and put a hand to his face to stop himself from crying."
When his parents finally left, two bodyguards stayed at the school to guard Brooklyn. Posh and Becks live in fear of him being kidnapped and ordered the minders to stay on the premises all day to keep a close eye on their son.
AN insider said: "The headmaster has talked with David and Victoria and they've decided that as much as possible they'll stay away and let the bodyguards take Brooklyn to and from school so the fuss is kept to a minimum.
"But they couldn't resist taking Brooklyn to school on his first day."
At 1,300pounds-a-term for pupils of Brooklyn's age, the college is the most expensive English language school in Madrid and just a short drive from the Beckhams' new 3.5million home.
They pay another 1,000pounds a year so Brooklyn can have lunch there. Security at the school - including CCTV cameras - has been substantially beefed up within the last year.
Most British children who attend the college are the sons and daughters of diplomats and executives for multinationals. Former pupils include Rebecca Loos, who claimed to have had an affair with the England captain.
Brooklyn is in a mixed class of 20 children. The 300 pupils - aged five to 18 - follow the UK curriculum and take GCSEs and A-levels.
Posh's decision to send Brooklyn to the school is a clear sign she is making good on her promise to move to the Spanish capital.
It follows fresh reports that the Beckhams' marriage is in crisis. On Sunday, they talked for nearly four hours over a late lunch in a private room at the Ritz Hotel in Madrid.
At least yesterday the tears ended in smiles
Becks' tears on Brooklyn's first day at Madrid school
By Gerard Couzens
THERE were plenty of tears as Brooklyn Beckham arrived for the first day at his new school yesterday... and many of them were shed by his daddy.
The five-year-old started crying as David took his boy's rucksack and carried him into the exclusive school in Madrid.
And, just like his eldest son, the England skipper couldn't control his emotions, wiping away tears as he waved Brooklyn goodbye.
But it was an entirely different story just a few hours later when Victoria took younger brother Romeo along to collect Brooklyn, who emerged beaming after his first day.
Earlier in the morning, a crowd of parents and onlookers had watched the tense-looking Beckhams arrive with Brooklyn.
One said: "Everyone at the school knew Brooklyn was starting, but it was still a sight. Three cars carrying the Beckhams and their minders turned into the road just before 9am.
"David put Brooklyn's satchel on his back and walked hand-in-hand with him towards the school gates surrounded by bodyguards. It was all too much for the youngster and as he turned round to say goodbye to his mum who had stayed in one of the cars, he burst into tears.
"David carried him in his arms through the gates, but the emotion must have got to him too. He had tears in his eyes as he left and put a hand to his face to stop himself from crying."
When his parents finally left, two bodyguards stayed at the school to guard Brooklyn. Posh and Becks live in fear of him being kidnapped and ordered the minders to stay on the premises all day to keep a close eye on their son.
AN insider said: "The headmaster has talked with David and Victoria and they've decided that as much as possible they'll stay away and let the bodyguards take Brooklyn to and from school so the fuss is kept to a minimum.
"But they couldn't resist taking Brooklyn to school on his first day."
At 1,300pounds-a-term for pupils of Brooklyn's age, the college is the most expensive English language school in Madrid and just a short drive from the Beckhams' new 3.5million home.
They pay another 1,000pounds a year so Brooklyn can have lunch there. Security at the school - including CCTV cameras - has been substantially beefed up within the last year.
Most British children who attend the college are the sons and daughters of diplomats and executives for multinationals. Former pupils include Rebecca Loos, who claimed to have had an affair with the England captain.
Brooklyn is in a mixed class of 20 children. The 300 pupils - aged five to 18 - follow the UK curriculum and take GCSEs and A-levels.
Posh's decision to send Brooklyn to the school is a clear sign she is making good on her promise to move to the Spanish capital.
It follows fresh reports that the Beckhams' marriage is in crisis. On Sunday, they talked for nearly four hours over a late lunch in a private room at the Ritz Hotel in Madrid.
At least yesterday the tears ended in smiles
Saturday, September 04, 2004
England still a world power - Eriksson
Sven-Goran Eriksson has insisted England are still a power in world football despite failing to live up to expectations at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.
But he admitted they lack the mentality to be able to emulate the disciplined style of play employed by Greece to earn them European Championship glory in Portugal this summer.
The belief in the England squad that it was their time to add to the success of 1966 proved unfounded with heart-breaking quarter-final exits in the last two major tournaments.
Now all eyes will be on Eriksson to justify that faith when England launch another World Cup campaign with away qualifiers in Austria on Saturday and Poland next Wednesday.
Anything less than two comprehensive victories is unlikely to be looked upon kindly by a footballing public which had barely recovered from the disappointment of Euro 2004 before Eriksson's private life dominated the headlines.
But Eriksson's own confidence in his squad is unwavering as they begin the countdown to the 2006 finals in Germany via what should be a comfortable ride through the qualifiers.
He said: 'Are we a world football power still? If you talk about England in other countries, I am sure the respect is huge for England, much more than it is in England especially in the media.
'The days of being a big football nation are not over. Absolutely not. We are a big football nation. We reached the quarter-finals twice in two big tournaments.
'We lost by nothing more or less. We lost two quarter-finals in Japan and Portugal. We were almost there.
'We lost 2-1 to Brazil in Japan and then a penalty shoot-out in Portugal so the difference between us and the best teams in Europe and the world is very little.
'Before that we had beaten teams like Argentina and Germany over the past two or three years and got a crucial draw in Turkey.
'If you look at those results, and then people still say we are not a big footballing country. then I can't agree to that.
'During the serious games, the real games, we have done a lot of good results - although some bad ones as well unfortunately.'
Eriksson is refusing to discuss the scenario which would face him if England slip up in either of these opening two matches as he stressed his hunger for the job was as strong as ever despite coming under the FA spotlight for his off the field behaviour.
He said: 'I still have the same passion and determination for the job. I am looking forward to Saturday and Wednesday when we start serious football games.
'Friendlies are always serious but now it is more serious to count the points and to qualify for the World Cup. My dream is to play in a big final in a big tournament and hopefully win it.
'People ask what will be the situation if we lose tomorrow. I never understood why the day before a game they should talk about losing and playing badly. I can't put that into my head.
'If something like that should happen, you have to decide what to say and what to do after the game. But talking about `if we lose, if we play badly' now is something I refuse to do it.
'My attitude is to `take the problems when they come up - and don't try to resolve problems which might never happen'.
As for winning over the fans and playing with style, Eriksson said: 'If we win football games, that's the only answer I can have and hopefully we can do that.
'Every football manager in the world I know is working to try and win games and to try to play good football.
'Sometimes you don't win, sometimes you don't play good football but it's not like I say to the players `Let's go and play bad football and have the three points'.
'Of course, we try to play as good football as is possible - defending well, attacking well but the biggest problem in football is that there are 11 men on the other side!
'We will never use the organisation that Greece used because we are not used to it and it is not in the English mentality so we can never do that. Hopefully we can do the same result.'
Sven-Goran Eriksson has insisted England are still a power in world football despite failing to live up to expectations at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.
But he admitted they lack the mentality to be able to emulate the disciplined style of play employed by Greece to earn them European Championship glory in Portugal this summer.
The belief in the England squad that it was their time to add to the success of 1966 proved unfounded with heart-breaking quarter-final exits in the last two major tournaments.
Now all eyes will be on Eriksson to justify that faith when England launch another World Cup campaign with away qualifiers in Austria on Saturday and Poland next Wednesday.
Anything less than two comprehensive victories is unlikely to be looked upon kindly by a footballing public which had barely recovered from the disappointment of Euro 2004 before Eriksson's private life dominated the headlines.
But Eriksson's own confidence in his squad is unwavering as they begin the countdown to the 2006 finals in Germany via what should be a comfortable ride through the qualifiers.
He said: 'Are we a world football power still? If you talk about England in other countries, I am sure the respect is huge for England, much more than it is in England especially in the media.
'The days of being a big football nation are not over. Absolutely not. We are a big football nation. We reached the quarter-finals twice in two big tournaments.
'We lost by nothing more or less. We lost two quarter-finals in Japan and Portugal. We were almost there.
'We lost 2-1 to Brazil in Japan and then a penalty shoot-out in Portugal so the difference between us and the best teams in Europe and the world is very little.
'Before that we had beaten teams like Argentina and Germany over the past two or three years and got a crucial draw in Turkey.
'If you look at those results, and then people still say we are not a big footballing country. then I can't agree to that.
'During the serious games, the real games, we have done a lot of good results - although some bad ones as well unfortunately.'
Eriksson is refusing to discuss the scenario which would face him if England slip up in either of these opening two matches as he stressed his hunger for the job was as strong as ever despite coming under the FA spotlight for his off the field behaviour.
He said: 'I still have the same passion and determination for the job. I am looking forward to Saturday and Wednesday when we start serious football games.
'Friendlies are always serious but now it is more serious to count the points and to qualify for the World Cup. My dream is to play in a big final in a big tournament and hopefully win it.
'People ask what will be the situation if we lose tomorrow. I never understood why the day before a game they should talk about losing and playing badly. I can't put that into my head.
'If something like that should happen, you have to decide what to say and what to do after the game. But talking about `if we lose, if we play badly' now is something I refuse to do it.
'My attitude is to `take the problems when they come up - and don't try to resolve problems which might never happen'.
As for winning over the fans and playing with style, Eriksson said: 'If we win football games, that's the only answer I can have and hopefully we can do that.
'Every football manager in the world I know is working to try and win games and to try to play good football.
'Sometimes you don't win, sometimes you don't play good football but it's not like I say to the players `Let's go and play bad football and have the three points'.
'Of course, we try to play as good football as is possible - defending well, attacking well but the biggest problem in football is that there are 11 men on the other side!
'We will never use the organisation that Greece used because we are not used to it and it is not in the English mentality so we can never do that. Hopefully we can do the same result.'
Beckham out to prove he's a hard centre
David Beckham has vowed to emulate his idol Bryan Robson in leading by example as England captain if he is asked to replace Steven Gerrard at the heart of Sven-Goran Eriksson's midfield tomorrow.
Gerrard has been rated at 50-50 to start the opening World Cup qualifier in Austria because of a groin injury.
While the Liverpool midfielder has not yet given up all hope of playing in Vienna, Eriksson has promised not to take any risks, especially with another qualifier in Poland next Wednesday.
Gerrard was walking gingerly as he arrived to watch this afternoon's training session before being led away for further treatment.
In his absence, Beckham was duly moved into central midfield alongside Frank Lampard, with Shaun Wright-Phillips on standby for his first senior start on the right flank.
And in what would be an adventurous new-look line-up, Wayne Bridge is in pole position to start on the left side of midfield for the first time in almost two years.
Beckham said: 'Obviously we hope Steve is fit, but I do play in that central role for Real Madrid and I feel comfortable there.
'I want to lead by example as captain, like Bryan Robson in fighting for every ball. Even if I'm not playing well or scoring free-kicks, I still work hard.'
Eriksson will see how Gerrard responds to treatment before making a final decision on his fitness at lunchtime tomorrow, although the initial signs are not too encouraging.
'I'm a little bit concerned about Steven as it's 50-50 whether he plays or not,' revealed Eriksson.
'If we think the injury could get worse by him playing, then he will not play. It wouldn't be fair on him, England or Liverpool.
'Whatever happens, we are quite sure he will be ready for Wednesday's game.'
While Michael Owen has recently admitted covering up the scale of his injury problems ahead of England's 2002 World Cup quarter-final against Brazil, Eriksson will trust in Gerrard's judgement.
'If you are playing a World Cup quarter-final, it's different as you have a lot of time to recover after the tournament,' he said.
The England coach is still keen to have Gerrard available, just like his other key players - Owen and Beckham - admitting that even at 90% 'I can't find anyone better than them'.
However, if the Liverpool captain is ruled out, then he will ask Beckham to assume his normal club position in the centre instead of turning to Owen Hargreaves.
'David likes it in the middle and he looks more and more natural. If you can play there for Real Madrid, I have no doubts you can do it for England,' he observed.
Beckham is ready for the increased responsibility, especially in a side requiring his leadership skills if Gerrard joins Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes on the sidelines.
'I've always said I like having responsibility and since I've been given the captaincy, I feel I've handled it pretty well,' he said.
'Sometimes the extra responsibility actually makes you play better and I feel that happens for me. Hopefully I can do that in this game if there's more on me.'
The pressure would also be on Wright-Phillips, 22, who made his England debut as a substitute in the friendly against Ukraine but scored a superb solo goal.
However, Eriksson insisted: 'I believe he's ready to play for England in a qualification game. If I didn't think that, he wouldn't be in the squad.'
Up front Alan Smith is expected to partner Michael Owen in the absence of Wayne Rooney, while John Terry and Ledley King form a relatively inexperienced central defensive partnership.
However, Beckham will take centre stage if Gerrard is ruled out - just a couple of months after being criticised for his lack of impact at the Euro 2004 finals.
'If you're a high-profile player in a competition, you get criticised when you drop just a bit below your high standards,' he said.
'You can either go into your shell and not perform again or fight back. My mentality is to fight back and to prove to people I can still play good football.'
David Beckham has vowed to emulate his idol Bryan Robson in leading by example as England captain if he is asked to replace Steven Gerrard at the heart of Sven-Goran Eriksson's midfield tomorrow.
Gerrard has been rated at 50-50 to start the opening World Cup qualifier in Austria because of a groin injury.
While the Liverpool midfielder has not yet given up all hope of playing in Vienna, Eriksson has promised not to take any risks, especially with another qualifier in Poland next Wednesday.
Gerrard was walking gingerly as he arrived to watch this afternoon's training session before being led away for further treatment.
In his absence, Beckham was duly moved into central midfield alongside Frank Lampard, with Shaun Wright-Phillips on standby for his first senior start on the right flank.
And in what would be an adventurous new-look line-up, Wayne Bridge is in pole position to start on the left side of midfield for the first time in almost two years.
Beckham said: 'Obviously we hope Steve is fit, but I do play in that central role for Real Madrid and I feel comfortable there.
'I want to lead by example as captain, like Bryan Robson in fighting for every ball. Even if I'm not playing well or scoring free-kicks, I still work hard.'
Eriksson will see how Gerrard responds to treatment before making a final decision on his fitness at lunchtime tomorrow, although the initial signs are not too encouraging.
'I'm a little bit concerned about Steven as it's 50-50 whether he plays or not,' revealed Eriksson.
'If we think the injury could get worse by him playing, then he will not play. It wouldn't be fair on him, England or Liverpool.
'Whatever happens, we are quite sure he will be ready for Wednesday's game.'
While Michael Owen has recently admitted covering up the scale of his injury problems ahead of England's 2002 World Cup quarter-final against Brazil, Eriksson will trust in Gerrard's judgement.
'If you are playing a World Cup quarter-final, it's different as you have a lot of time to recover after the tournament,' he said.
The England coach is still keen to have Gerrard available, just like his other key players - Owen and Beckham - admitting that even at 90% 'I can't find anyone better than them'.
However, if the Liverpool captain is ruled out, then he will ask Beckham to assume his normal club position in the centre instead of turning to Owen Hargreaves.
'David likes it in the middle and he looks more and more natural. If you can play there for Real Madrid, I have no doubts you can do it for England,' he observed.
Beckham is ready for the increased responsibility, especially in a side requiring his leadership skills if Gerrard joins Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes on the sidelines.
'I've always said I like having responsibility and since I've been given the captaincy, I feel I've handled it pretty well,' he said.
'Sometimes the extra responsibility actually makes you play better and I feel that happens for me. Hopefully I can do that in this game if there's more on me.'
The pressure would also be on Wright-Phillips, 22, who made his England debut as a substitute in the friendly against Ukraine but scored a superb solo goal.
However, Eriksson insisted: 'I believe he's ready to play for England in a qualification game. If I didn't think that, he wouldn't be in the squad.'
Up front Alan Smith is expected to partner Michael Owen in the absence of Wayne Rooney, while John Terry and Ledley King form a relatively inexperienced central defensive partnership.
However, Beckham will take centre stage if Gerrard is ruled out - just a couple of months after being criticised for his lack of impact at the Euro 2004 finals.
'If you're a high-profile player in a competition, you get criticised when you drop just a bit below your high standards,' he said.
'You can either go into your shell and not perform again or fight back. My mentality is to fight back and to prove to people I can still play good football.'
Beckham still believes
David Beckham insisted his belief in his ability to win a major trophy with England remains as strong as ever despite their quarter-final exits at the past two tournaments.
Beckham, 29, accepts this is likely to be his final chance to lift the World Cup as he will be 35 by the time of the tournament in 2010.
However, despite admitting England had not lived up to expectations this summer, he has still kept faith in their ability to triumph in Germany in two years' time.
'Maybe my legs will keep going for a few years more, but maybe this will be my last World Cup and the last chance to win something at a competition as big as that,' accepted Beckham.
'I'd still like to believe that I can win something with my country. Of course if I get to the end of my career and I haven't, I'd be disappointed.
'I wouldn't see it as a failure as I've done so much and won so much in my career. But it would be one thing missing.'
England have reached the quarter-finals in Japan and Portugal only to lose to a side managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari on each occasion.
Ahead of tomorrow's start of the World Cup qualifying campaign in Austria, that has evidently raised question marks as to whether this squad are good enough to get past the last-eight stage.
'I suppose it's a fair question as we haven't gone as far in the past two competitions as we were expected to or had said we could,' observed Beckham.
'With the talent we've got in the team, we should get further in competitions but hopefully it will be our year in 2006. We go into this competition believing that we can do it.'
Asked if past experiences had shaken his belief, Beckham insisted: 'Not at all. I'm not lying when I sit here and say that I believe we can win a competition.
'I believe we can and that we have the squad to. We haven't yet, but I hope the World Cup will be the time.
'We can make it different this time. Hopefully we can go all the way in this one.
'We don't like making excuses as, if you get knocked out of a competition, then you're going to get criticised and we understand that.
'You do need a certain amount of luck, but the strength of the squad is very good and it's a very young squad and it's an exciting time.'
David Beckham insisted his belief in his ability to win a major trophy with England remains as strong as ever despite their quarter-final exits at the past two tournaments.
Beckham, 29, accepts this is likely to be his final chance to lift the World Cup as he will be 35 by the time of the tournament in 2010.
However, despite admitting England had not lived up to expectations this summer, he has still kept faith in their ability to triumph in Germany in two years' time.
'Maybe my legs will keep going for a few years more, but maybe this will be my last World Cup and the last chance to win something at a competition as big as that,' accepted Beckham.
'I'd still like to believe that I can win something with my country. Of course if I get to the end of my career and I haven't, I'd be disappointed.
'I wouldn't see it as a failure as I've done so much and won so much in my career. But it would be one thing missing.'
England have reached the quarter-finals in Japan and Portugal only to lose to a side managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari on each occasion.
Ahead of tomorrow's start of the World Cup qualifying campaign in Austria, that has evidently raised question marks as to whether this squad are good enough to get past the last-eight stage.
'I suppose it's a fair question as we haven't gone as far in the past two competitions as we were expected to or had said we could,' observed Beckham.
'With the talent we've got in the team, we should get further in competitions but hopefully it will be our year in 2006. We go into this competition believing that we can do it.'
Asked if past experiences had shaken his belief, Beckham insisted: 'Not at all. I'm not lying when I sit here and say that I believe we can win a competition.
'I believe we can and that we have the squad to. We haven't yet, but I hope the World Cup will be the time.
'We can make it different this time. Hopefully we can go all the way in this one.
'We don't like making excuses as, if you get knocked out of a competition, then you're going to get criticised and we understand that.
'You do need a certain amount of luck, but the strength of the squad is very good and it's a very young squad and it's an exciting time.'
Austria v England: Preview
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is putting his faith in an England side peppered with reserves when their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign opens in Austria on Saturday.
The game at the Ernst Happel stadium is the start of a double-header which takes England to Chorzow, Poland next Wednesday as they bid to rack up two quick wins in Group Six.
Top of the list of absentees is teenage striker Wayne Rooney, who has just completed a 27 million pound ($48.40 million) move from Everton to Manchester United despite still being sidelined after breaking a bone in his foot at Euro 2004.
The 18-year-old's four goals propelled England to the quarter-finals, while his injury during their defeat by Portugal was probably the biggest reason for their exit.
Rooney's place alongside Michael Owen up front should go to Alan Smith, who is blossoming in his debut season at Manchester United, scoring five goals in his first seven games.
Eriksson also has problems in midfield, where the retirement of Smith's club team mate Paul Scholes from international football has deprived Eriksson of his most inspired playmaker.
Nicky Butt, expected to return to the base of a midfield diamond after missing out at Euro 2004, is unavailable for Saturday, while Steven Gerrard pulled up in Thursday's training session with an apparently minor groin problem.
If he shrugs off the setback, Gerrard will partner Frank Lampard in central midfield, with skipper David Beckham on the right and a vacant slot on the left that could well go to Joe Cole ahead of Wayne Bridge or Kieron Dyer.
MISSING TRIO
A scare over Gerrard was the last thing Eriksson needed before flying to Austria as he is already missing three central defenders - Sol Campbell, Jonathan Woodgate and Rio Ferdinand - through either injury or suspension.
John Terry and youngster Ledley King, who impressed in England's 2-1 defeat by France at Euro 2004, should cope with the frontal assault, flanked by Ashley Cole and Gary Neville.
Judging by Austria's 3-1 defeat to a modest Germany side in Vienna last month, that assault should not give Terry and King nightmares.
Ranked 90th in the world when fully fit, Austria will be missing two first-choice midfielders in Martin Amerhauser, who scored against Germany, and Markus Schopp.
Striker Eduard Glieder will be the one to watch up front, with Eriksson's men needing to be more attentive to dead-ball situations than they were at Euro 2004.
On paper, England clearly have the strength in depth to see off an Austria side whose aim over the next year is more realistically to try and beat Wales to the runners-up slot, thereby booking themselves into the playoffs.
Probable teams:
Austria: Thomas Mandl; Joachim Standfest, Martin Stranzl, Martin Hiden, Emanuel Pogatetz; Gernot Sick, Dietmar Kuehbauer, Rene Aufhauser, Andreas Ivanschitz; Eduard Glieder, Roland Kollmann
England: David James; Gary Neville, John Terry, Ledley King, Ashley Cole; David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole; Alan Smith, Michael Owen.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is putting his faith in an England side peppered with reserves when their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign opens in Austria on Saturday.
The game at the Ernst Happel stadium is the start of a double-header which takes England to Chorzow, Poland next Wednesday as they bid to rack up two quick wins in Group Six.
Top of the list of absentees is teenage striker Wayne Rooney, who has just completed a 27 million pound ($48.40 million) move from Everton to Manchester United despite still being sidelined after breaking a bone in his foot at Euro 2004.
The 18-year-old's four goals propelled England to the quarter-finals, while his injury during their defeat by Portugal was probably the biggest reason for their exit.
Rooney's place alongside Michael Owen up front should go to Alan Smith, who is blossoming in his debut season at Manchester United, scoring five goals in his first seven games.
Eriksson also has problems in midfield, where the retirement of Smith's club team mate Paul Scholes from international football has deprived Eriksson of his most inspired playmaker.
Nicky Butt, expected to return to the base of a midfield diamond after missing out at Euro 2004, is unavailable for Saturday, while Steven Gerrard pulled up in Thursday's training session with an apparently minor groin problem.
If he shrugs off the setback, Gerrard will partner Frank Lampard in central midfield, with skipper David Beckham on the right and a vacant slot on the left that could well go to Joe Cole ahead of Wayne Bridge or Kieron Dyer.
MISSING TRIO
A scare over Gerrard was the last thing Eriksson needed before flying to Austria as he is already missing three central defenders - Sol Campbell, Jonathan Woodgate and Rio Ferdinand - through either injury or suspension.
John Terry and youngster Ledley King, who impressed in England's 2-1 defeat by France at Euro 2004, should cope with the frontal assault, flanked by Ashley Cole and Gary Neville.
Judging by Austria's 3-1 defeat to a modest Germany side in Vienna last month, that assault should not give Terry and King nightmares.
Ranked 90th in the world when fully fit, Austria will be missing two first-choice midfielders in Martin Amerhauser, who scored against Germany, and Markus Schopp.
Striker Eduard Glieder will be the one to watch up front, with Eriksson's men needing to be more attentive to dead-ball situations than they were at Euro 2004.
On paper, England clearly have the strength in depth to see off an Austria side whose aim over the next year is more realistically to try and beat Wales to the runners-up slot, thereby booking themselves into the playoffs.
Probable teams:
Austria: Thomas Mandl; Joachim Standfest, Martin Stranzl, Martin Hiden, Emanuel Pogatetz; Gernot Sick, Dietmar Kuehbauer, Rene Aufhauser, Andreas Ivanschitz; Eduard Glieder, Roland Kollmann
England: David James; Gary Neville, John Terry, Ledley King, Ashley Cole; David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole; Alan Smith, Michael Owen.
UNITED SIDE HARDER TO GET INTO THAN ENGLAND SAYS WAYNE ROONEY
By David Mcdonnell
WAYNE ROONEY believes it will be harder to hold down a place with new club Manchester United than with England.
Since making his international debut 18 months ago, Rooney has established himself as an automatic choice up front for England and was the country's star player at Euro 2004.
But the 30million teenage striker admitted he faces an even bigger challenge to hold down a place at United with competition from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith and Louis Saha.
"This will be the biggest battle I have ever faced," said Rooney. "It's going to be tough because Ruud, Alan and Louis are all top players.
"It will be difficult to get in and difficult to keep your place as well. If you have one bad game you could be out. You have to be on top of your game.
"I think it will be more difficult holding on to your place possibly than for England.
"With England you are only playing once a month, if that, but here at United it will be non-stop. You can't afford to let your form slip.
"With four international strikers here fighting for two places you have to take your chance when it comes along.
"I know the United fans are going to be expecting a lot from me. But I believe I am capable of giving them what they want.
"I don't have any fears about the challenge. Playing for England has helped me to cope with all this. The pressures are similar."
Rooney's new strike partners all started their United careers with debut goals in competitive matches and the 18-year-old former Everton star hopes he can do the same.
A scan on Rooney's broken foot yesterday revealed the fracture has healed, leaving him on course to make his United debut against Liverpool at Old Trafford on September 20, the same day as van Nistelrooy is scheduled to return from injury and Rio Ferdinand is free of suspension.
"If I could score a goal in my first few games then I think that would help me settle a lot," said Rooney.
"Once you get your first goal it takes a little bit of the pressure off you. I experienced that with Everton and England. My confidence built up and you want to score every day after that.
"I know everyone will judge me on my goals, but I like to link up, bring players into the game and set them up.
"There is a lot to my game other than scoring goals but I want to get as many as I can."
Rooney has been welcomed to United by fellow teenager Cristiano Ronaldo, who has forgiven his new team-mate for a tackle which could have broken the Portuguese winger's leg. Rooney was lucky to stay on the pitch during Everton's trip to Old Trafford on Boxing Day last year after launching himself at Ronaldo with a wild lunge that earned him a booking.
But Ronaldo, 19, insisted there were no hard feelings and looked forward to linking up with Rooney.
"I remember that tackle very well," said Ronaldo. "But these things happen in football and I have no negative feelings towards Wayne.
"He is a great player and I can't wait to start playing with him."
By David Mcdonnell
WAYNE ROONEY believes it will be harder to hold down a place with new club Manchester United than with England.
Since making his international debut 18 months ago, Rooney has established himself as an automatic choice up front for England and was the country's star player at Euro 2004.
But the 30million teenage striker admitted he faces an even bigger challenge to hold down a place at United with competition from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith and Louis Saha.
"This will be the biggest battle I have ever faced," said Rooney. "It's going to be tough because Ruud, Alan and Louis are all top players.
"It will be difficult to get in and difficult to keep your place as well. If you have one bad game you could be out. You have to be on top of your game.
"I think it will be more difficult holding on to your place possibly than for England.
"With England you are only playing once a month, if that, but here at United it will be non-stop. You can't afford to let your form slip.
"With four international strikers here fighting for two places you have to take your chance when it comes along.
"I know the United fans are going to be expecting a lot from me. But I believe I am capable of giving them what they want.
"I don't have any fears about the challenge. Playing for England has helped me to cope with all this. The pressures are similar."
Rooney's new strike partners all started their United careers with debut goals in competitive matches and the 18-year-old former Everton star hopes he can do the same.
A scan on Rooney's broken foot yesterday revealed the fracture has healed, leaving him on course to make his United debut against Liverpool at Old Trafford on September 20, the same day as van Nistelrooy is scheduled to return from injury and Rio Ferdinand is free of suspension.
"If I could score a goal in my first few games then I think that would help me settle a lot," said Rooney.
"Once you get your first goal it takes a little bit of the pressure off you. I experienced that with Everton and England. My confidence built up and you want to score every day after that.
"I know everyone will judge me on my goals, but I like to link up, bring players into the game and set them up.
"There is a lot to my game other than scoring goals but I want to get as many as I can."
Rooney has been welcomed to United by fellow teenager Cristiano Ronaldo, who has forgiven his new team-mate for a tackle which could have broken the Portuguese winger's leg. Rooney was lucky to stay on the pitch during Everton's trip to Old Trafford on Boxing Day last year after launching himself at Ronaldo with a wild lunge that earned him a booking.
But Ronaldo, 19, insisted there were no hard feelings and looked forward to linking up with Rooney.
"I remember that tackle very well," said Ronaldo. "But these things happen in football and I have no negative feelings towards Wayne.
"He is a great player and I can't wait to start playing with him."
Henry almost retired after Euro flop
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has admitted he considered retiring from international football after France's disappointing exit from Euro 2004.
The holders were beaten by eventual winners Greece at the quarter-final stage in Portugal.
Zinedine Zidane, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and Lilian Thuram all called time on their international careers afterwards.
And Henry, who won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 1998, admitted it was something which also crossed his mind.
'I thought about leaving after our disappointing performance at the European Championship, but it didn't last long and I brushed aside the idea,' he said.
France open their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign against Israel in Paris tomorrow.
And Henry, 27, is looking forward to leading a new generation of French stars under coach Raymond Domenech.
'I don't feel tired. There is a new generation coming up and there is a new squad to build up. I want to be part of this story,' added Henry.
'France need to get back to winning ways and the sooner the better. We badly need a string of wins now.'
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has admitted he considered retiring from international football after France's disappointing exit from Euro 2004.
The holders were beaten by eventual winners Greece at the quarter-final stage in Portugal.
Zinedine Zidane, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and Lilian Thuram all called time on their international careers afterwards.
And Henry, who won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 1998, admitted it was something which also crossed his mind.
'I thought about leaving after our disappointing performance at the European Championship, but it didn't last long and I brushed aside the idea,' he said.
France open their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign against Israel in Paris tomorrow.
And Henry, 27, is looking forward to leading a new generation of French stars under coach Raymond Domenech.
'I don't feel tired. There is a new generation coming up and there is a new squad to build up. I want to be part of this story,' added Henry.
'France need to get back to winning ways and the sooner the better. We badly need a string of wins now.'
Rugby-Woodward's resignation as England coach accepted
LONDON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Clive Woodward has handed in his resignation as England coach and it has been accepted by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), an RFU statement said on Thursday.
Andy Robinson, Woodward's former assistant, takes over as acting head coach of the world champions.
"I have today handed in a letter to RFU chief executive Francis Baron informing him that I am resigning my post as England Head Coach," Woodward said in a statement.
"This has been accepted. I informed Francis yesterday that I was happy to stay for the test matches in the autumn but in discussion with him it was agreed that it would make for a smoother transition of coaching and management responsibility if I withdrew from the Head Coach position with immediate effect."
Woodward, who led England to victory in the World Cup final against Australia last November, will explain his reasons for quitting in a news conference at Twickenham at 0800 GMT on Friday.
Woodward, a former England and British Lions centre, had a meeting with the RFU on Wednesday following newspaper speculation that he wanted to move into soccer coaching. He left the meeting saying he was going to resign but, following a second meeting, he said he was still England coach.
The situation has now been resolved and Woodward continues to be linked with Premier League soccer club Southampton, who are without a manager. Their chairman Rupert Lowe has not denied he may be looking to involve Woodward in the club's coaching set-up.
Woodward signed a contract last year to lead England to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He has also been appointed coach for next year's British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.
Robinson has been placed in charge for an interim period, which will include the November tests against Canada, South Africa and Australia.
"I made it very clear to the RFU and Clive that my wish was for him stay on as Head Coach," Robinson said.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Clive over the last four years with England and would personally like to congratulate him on the success he has achieved in leading England to the World Cup and as the number one team in the world," Robinson added.
"However, I have now been offered an opportunity which I have accepted and I'm looking forward to England's first training session on September 20."
LONDON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Clive Woodward has handed in his resignation as England coach and it has been accepted by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), an RFU statement said on Thursday.
Andy Robinson, Woodward's former assistant, takes over as acting head coach of the world champions.
"I have today handed in a letter to RFU chief executive Francis Baron informing him that I am resigning my post as England Head Coach," Woodward said in a statement.
"This has been accepted. I informed Francis yesterday that I was happy to stay for the test matches in the autumn but in discussion with him it was agreed that it would make for a smoother transition of coaching and management responsibility if I withdrew from the Head Coach position with immediate effect."
Woodward, who led England to victory in the World Cup final against Australia last November, will explain his reasons for quitting in a news conference at Twickenham at 0800 GMT on Friday.
Woodward, a former England and British Lions centre, had a meeting with the RFU on Wednesday following newspaper speculation that he wanted to move into soccer coaching. He left the meeting saying he was going to resign but, following a second meeting, he said he was still England coach.
The situation has now been resolved and Woodward continues to be linked with Premier League soccer club Southampton, who are without a manager. Their chairman Rupert Lowe has not denied he may be looking to involve Woodward in the club's coaching set-up.
Woodward signed a contract last year to lead England to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He has also been appointed coach for next year's British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.
Robinson has been placed in charge for an interim period, which will include the November tests against Canada, South Africa and Australia.
"I made it very clear to the RFU and Clive that my wish was for him stay on as Head Coach," Robinson said.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Clive over the last four years with England and would personally like to congratulate him on the success he has achieved in leading England to the World Cup and as the number one team in the world," Robinson added.
"However, I have now been offered an opportunity which I have accepted and I'm looking forward to England's first training session on September 20."
Guti gives Owen a Raul warning
Real Madrid midfielder Guti believes Michael Owen still has a lot to prove if he wants to dislodge Raul from the team on a permanent basis.
Raul's regular spot in Madrid's starting line-up has come under question following his recent poor performances for club and country.
And Owen's arrival in the Spanish capital has opened up a debate on whether coach Jose Antonio Camacho should use the former Liverpool striker instead of the Spanish international.
'Owen is a player who has just arrived at the club, who still has to adapt, and we still have to see if he will score the same goals he did for Liverpool at Madrid,' said Guti.
'He (Owen) is a great player but he still has a lot to prove at Real Madrid if he wants to play and place Raul on the bench.'
Guti cannot understand the criticism currently directed at the Real Madrid skipper.
'Raul is the captain, the soul of this team,' said Guti.
'When he netted 20 goals and was the highest scorer no-one said anything, now that he is going through a bad patch, people criticise him.'
Real Madrid midfielder Guti believes Michael Owen still has a lot to prove if he wants to dislodge Raul from the team on a permanent basis.
Raul's regular spot in Madrid's starting line-up has come under question following his recent poor performances for club and country.
And Owen's arrival in the Spanish capital has opened up a debate on whether coach Jose Antonio Camacho should use the former Liverpool striker instead of the Spanish international.
'Owen is a player who has just arrived at the club, who still has to adapt, and we still have to see if he will score the same goals he did for Liverpool at Madrid,' said Guti.
'He (Owen) is a great player but he still has a lot to prove at Real Madrid if he wants to play and place Raul on the bench.'
Guti cannot understand the criticism currently directed at the Real Madrid skipper.
'Raul is the captain, the soul of this team,' said Guti.
'When he netted 20 goals and was the highest scorer no-one said anything, now that he is going through a bad patch, people criticise him.'
Beckham ready to fill Gerrard's England boots
By Trevor Huggins
VIENNA, Sept 3 (Reuters) - England captain David Beckham is ready to step into Steven Gerrard's central midfield role for the World Cup Group Six qualifier in Austria on Saturday.
Gerrard is doubtful with a groin injury but Beckham told a news conference on Friday he would be happy to tuck in from his usual England role on the right to fill the gap.
"I usually play in centre midfield for my club Real Madrid and it's a position I'm confident and comfortable in," he said.
Beckham said England could also cover for striker Wayne Rooney, one of their best performers at Euro 2004 but sidelined since the tournament with a foot injury.
"We have Jermain Defoe and Alan Smith who can do that job too. It's great to see young talent coming in," added Beckham, who set England a minimum target of four points from the Austria game and one against Poland in Chorzow on Wednesday.
"Qualifying for the finals is the most important thing now, hopefully the summer is out of the way and in the past," he said of the team's Euro 2004 campaign.
"In the last couple of competitions we haven't gone as far as we expected," Beckham said. "With the talent we've got in the team we should get further and hopefully in Germany it's going to be our year.
"I don't lie when I sit here and say I do believe we can win a competition."
Beckham was on the same wavelength as manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
GETTING SERIOUS
Though the Swede said last month's 3-0 friendly win over Ukraine was serious, Eriksson told a news conference on Friday: "Now it's more serious. It's about getting points and qualifying for the World Cup. My dream is the same as yours, to play the final of a big tournament and hopefully win it."
England face an Austria side who are ranked 90th in the world and lost 3-1 to 2006 hosts Germany in a friendly last month but Eriksson is not under-estimating them.
"It's going to be a real challenge. As long as I've been in charge of England, we've never had an easy qualification game. We thought maybe it would be easy against Albania, who are not a hugely famous football nation, but it wasn't.
"We had to fight and we were a little bit lucky as well," he said of the World Cup qualifier in 2001. England eventually won 3-1 but could easily have drawn 2-2 after the hosts had a stoppage-time equaliser disallowed.
"I expect a very difficult game. We are maybe the favourites, but Austria have nothing to lose," Eriksson said.
Criticised by the British media in the wake of Euro 2004, Eriksson did not want to discuss his future if the next two games ended in disappointment.
"I've never thought my destiny be written in Austria and Poland," he said.
By Trevor Huggins
VIENNA, Sept 3 (Reuters) - England captain David Beckham is ready to step into Steven Gerrard's central midfield role for the World Cup Group Six qualifier in Austria on Saturday.
Gerrard is doubtful with a groin injury but Beckham told a news conference on Friday he would be happy to tuck in from his usual England role on the right to fill the gap.
"I usually play in centre midfield for my club Real Madrid and it's a position I'm confident and comfortable in," he said.
Beckham said England could also cover for striker Wayne Rooney, one of their best performers at Euro 2004 but sidelined since the tournament with a foot injury.
"We have Jermain Defoe and Alan Smith who can do that job too. It's great to see young talent coming in," added Beckham, who set England a minimum target of four points from the Austria game and one against Poland in Chorzow on Wednesday.
"Qualifying for the finals is the most important thing now, hopefully the summer is out of the way and in the past," he said of the team's Euro 2004 campaign.
"In the last couple of competitions we haven't gone as far as we expected," Beckham said. "With the talent we've got in the team we should get further and hopefully in Germany it's going to be our year.
"I don't lie when I sit here and say I do believe we can win a competition."
Beckham was on the same wavelength as manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
GETTING SERIOUS
Though the Swede said last month's 3-0 friendly win over Ukraine was serious, Eriksson told a news conference on Friday: "Now it's more serious. It's about getting points and qualifying for the World Cup. My dream is the same as yours, to play the final of a big tournament and hopefully win it."
England face an Austria side who are ranked 90th in the world and lost 3-1 to 2006 hosts Germany in a friendly last month but Eriksson is not under-estimating them.
"It's going to be a real challenge. As long as I've been in charge of England, we've never had an easy qualification game. We thought maybe it would be easy against Albania, who are not a hugely famous football nation, but it wasn't.
"We had to fight and we were a little bit lucky as well," he said of the World Cup qualifier in 2001. England eventually won 3-1 but could easily have drawn 2-2 after the hosts had a stoppage-time equaliser disallowed.
"I expect a very difficult game. We are maybe the favourites, but Austria have nothing to lose," Eriksson said.
Criticised by the British media in the wake of Euro 2004, Eriksson did not want to discuss his future if the next two games ended in disappointment.
"I've never thought my destiny be written in Austria and Poland," he said.
Woodward attacks rugby chiefs
By Mark Meadows
LONDON (Reuters) - Departing England coach Clive Woodward has blamed the powerbrokers of English rugby for his decision to resign but committed himself to the British and Irish Lions before any possible move into soccer.
Woodward's resignation was accepted by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) late on Thursday after two days of talks and he used a news conference at Twickenham on Friday to vent his anger over his lack of access to the England team since the World Cup win last November.
"Before the World Cup I felt totally in control but virtually from the moment I touched down in the aircraft I felt out of control," Woodward said on Friday.
"The England team overdelivered in what I think were difficult circumstances. I was not prepared to compromise and I was staggered by the meetings that were taking place.
"The structure is wrong. It is madness," he added, referring to the fact he had less time to prepare for games after the World Cup than he did beforehand.
"We started the Six Nations with no preparation. I am amazed the clubs and the RFU have taken us down this road," he said as RFU chief executive Francis Baron and Graeme Cattermole, Chairman of the RFU Management Board, who were sitting next to him, appeared uncomfortable.
At times the banter between the three became heated and Cattermole said: "Clive has some very strong views. He has spoken a lot of truth. We accept that."
Woodward also backed new acting head coach Andy Robinson to take the England job full time.
"Andy Robinson believes he can work with it (the system). He should be appointed head coach. he has been groomed for four years," he added.
ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT
Woodward confirmed he would take charge of the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 despite his England resignation.
"My commitment to the Lions is absolute," he said. "Now with what has happened from the Lions point of view, it is better. I will not be taking up any job from anyone before the Lions tour."
Woodward said he hoped retired former England captains Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Johnson would make themselves available for the tour.
"You have to ask why Lawrence Dallaglio retired when he is playing for his club, he should be playing for England in the autumn (against Canada, Australia and South Africa)," he said.
"Just maybe Martin Johnson could be playing for England. I am hoping they will make themselves available for the Lions."
He said he had held talks with Rupert Lowe, chairman of Premier League soccer side Southampton, but added any future involvement there would be a long way from the first team.
"I have been talking to Rupert Lowe for a long time", Woodward said. "I think I have got a tremendous amount to learn from football (soccer) but I have got to start at the bottom and I don't know where I will end up.
"I have applied to do a grade two coaching badge with the FA," he added. "There has been no role offered to me (at Southampton). If I go down there eventually I am looking forward to it. I may just end up coaching the under nines."
By Mark Meadows
LONDON (Reuters) - Departing England coach Clive Woodward has blamed the powerbrokers of English rugby for his decision to resign but committed himself to the British and Irish Lions before any possible move into soccer.
Woodward's resignation was accepted by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) late on Thursday after two days of talks and he used a news conference at Twickenham on Friday to vent his anger over his lack of access to the England team since the World Cup win last November.
"Before the World Cup I felt totally in control but virtually from the moment I touched down in the aircraft I felt out of control," Woodward said on Friday.
"The England team overdelivered in what I think were difficult circumstances. I was not prepared to compromise and I was staggered by the meetings that were taking place.
"The structure is wrong. It is madness," he added, referring to the fact he had less time to prepare for games after the World Cup than he did beforehand.
"We started the Six Nations with no preparation. I am amazed the clubs and the RFU have taken us down this road," he said as RFU chief executive Francis Baron and Graeme Cattermole, Chairman of the RFU Management Board, who were sitting next to him, appeared uncomfortable.
At times the banter between the three became heated and Cattermole said: "Clive has some very strong views. He has spoken a lot of truth. We accept that."
Woodward also backed new acting head coach Andy Robinson to take the England job full time.
"Andy Robinson believes he can work with it (the system). He should be appointed head coach. he has been groomed for four years," he added.
ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT
Woodward confirmed he would take charge of the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 despite his England resignation.
"My commitment to the Lions is absolute," he said. "Now with what has happened from the Lions point of view, it is better. I will not be taking up any job from anyone before the Lions tour."
Woodward said he hoped retired former England captains Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Johnson would make themselves available for the tour.
"You have to ask why Lawrence Dallaglio retired when he is playing for his club, he should be playing for England in the autumn (against Canada, Australia and South Africa)," he said.
"Just maybe Martin Johnson could be playing for England. I am hoping they will make themselves available for the Lions."
He said he had held talks with Rupert Lowe, chairman of Premier League soccer side Southampton, but added any future involvement there would be a long way from the first team.
"I have been talking to Rupert Lowe for a long time", Woodward said. "I think I have got a tremendous amount to learn from football (soccer) but I have got to start at the bottom and I don't know where I will end up.
"I have applied to do a grade two coaching badge with the FA," he added. "There has been no role offered to me (at Southampton). If I go down there eventually I am looking forward to it. I may just end up coaching the under nines."
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Real Madrid duo train with England
David Beckham and Michael Owen were back in training with England today ahead of their World Cup double-header with Austria and Poland.
Beckham and Owen flew into England late last night to join up with the squad after playing the opening 45 minutes of Real Madrid's friendly match with Pumas de Mexico.
Alan Smith, Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves also participated for the first time.
Smith and Neville had not trained on Tuesday after playing the previous day for Manchester United against Everton while Bayern Munich midfielder Hargreaves flew in yesterday from Germany and only took part in a training warm-down.
The only new casualty was Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, who suffered an ankle injury towards the end of yesterday's session but he is expected to be available tomorrow.
Meanwhile it is unlikely that former Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson will be involved in some capacity with the Football Association in the foreseeable future.
There have been reports linking Robson with a move in some capacity to Soho Square after he was sacked by Newcastle on Monday.
David Beckham and Michael Owen were back in training with England today ahead of their World Cup double-header with Austria and Poland.
Beckham and Owen flew into England late last night to join up with the squad after playing the opening 45 minutes of Real Madrid's friendly match with Pumas de Mexico.
Alan Smith, Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves also participated for the first time.
Smith and Neville had not trained on Tuesday after playing the previous day for Manchester United against Everton while Bayern Munich midfielder Hargreaves flew in yesterday from Germany and only took part in a training warm-down.
The only new casualty was Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, who suffered an ankle injury towards the end of yesterday's session but he is expected to be available tomorrow.
Meanwhile it is unlikely that former Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson will be involved in some capacity with the Football Association in the foreseeable future.
There have been reports linking Robson with a move in some capacity to Soho Square after he was sacked by Newcastle on Monday.
LOADSAROONEY TOLD TO CLEAN UP HIS ACT BY FERGIE
By Paul Gallagher and Clinton Manning
WAYNE Rooney was told to clean up his act yesterday as he signed for Manchester United - looking forward to becoming the world's richest teenage footballer.
United manager Alex Ferguson, who got the England striker from Everton in a 30million deal, told 18-year-old Rooney he must move away from Liverpool and the friends who have led him astray.
No-nonsense Ferguson has grown increasingly concerned at stories about the young star's seedy romps with hookers. He is also keen to distance him from any backlash by Everton fans.
A United source said: "Wayne is obviously a terrific signing and will make headlines. What Fergie wants to ensure is that those headlines are on the back pages, not on the front pages.
"He wants Wayne to move closer to Manchester so he can be nearer his team-mates and further away from temptation in Liverpool."
Ferguson described Rooney as "the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years".
His new signing added: "I'm excited to be joining a club as big as Manchester United."
Rooney, who was brought up in the tough Liverpool district of Croxteth, was transferred from Everton for 27million. Another 2.85million was added in agents fees and Premiership levies.
Rooney has signed a six-year contract, which will earn him 50,000 a week to start with. That will soar to 75,000 a week from next year.
But his pay packet will be dwarfed by his marketing potential and a cut of his image rights.
Experts predict he could even eclipse England skipper David Beckham and become the first British footballer worth 100million.
Rooney already has a 5million contract to wear Nike boots and during Euro 2004 was paid £1million to appear in TV adverts for Coca-Cola.
He is also sponsored by Ford for around 1.5million a year.
Other deals have been struck with Mastercard and Chinese phone company Kejian.
Publicist Max Clifford said: "He's the hottest thing in football, the new golden boy.
"Let's forget about wages and transfers for the moment, he could be earning huge sums of money through sponsorship."
"It would be easy to pick up 5million in the first year, 10million in the second.
"After that, he could be making about 20million a year if he keeps going the way he has been."
Another expert said: "The fact that he's hit the big time so young means he could be coining it for years provided he stays fit.
"He's also lucky to be starting his career in what is a golden era for footballers.
"Not only are they paid sky-high wages but the big names are in huge demand from advertisers."
But Rooney will have to knuckle down to Ferguson's demands if he wants to secure a golden future.
United are expected to arrange a "mentor" for their new superstar, who could make his debut against old rivals Liverpool on Monday September 20.
Defender Gary Neville, who was with Rooney during the Euro 2004 championship, is among those likely to be asked to help Rooney settle in at Old Trafford.
Another recent signing, Alan Smith, who had a reputation as a party-goer when he was at Leeds United, has moved away from his home city and relocated closer to Manchester.
United and Everton fans suffered hours of tension yesterday as they waited for news that the transfer had gone through.
Although Rooney was spotted being given a tour of Old Trafford by Ferguson around midday, no formal announcement was made by the 5pm transfer deadline.
As the hours dragged on, around 200 United fans, waiting eagerly for a glimpse of their new hero, were left disappointed.
Instead the young star was whisked out the back door for his medical at Cheadle Hospital.
While United fans were ecstatic when news of the transfer broke, Everton supporters were furious.
Steve Jones, editor of the fans' favourite website, bluekipper.com, said the club would get only 10million of the transfer fee this year, another 10million next year and the balance later.
Jones said: "We have been sold down the river and United must be rubbing their hands.
"It is disgusting what has happened. We have just let go of the best player in the world.
"We have called an emergency general meeting for September 9 and chairman Bill Kenwright is in for a rough ride.
"He has bent over backwards to help United when not so long ago he said no money in the world could prise Rooney from our hands.
"He was even talking about the lad being worth 50million and now we have sold him for 10million this year, 10million next and a load of ifs and buts over the other 7million.
"It doesn't look good business. In fact it is disgraceful and we should have sold him to Newcastle for cash. We also rushed in to buy three players last year on the transfer deadline and the club promised it would never happen again.
"They were right, this time we haven't got anybody."
Slamming Rooney's decision to go, Jones added: "David Beckham gave United around 10 years of his football, Michael Owen stayed with Liverpool for seven but Rooney has given us two.
"He should have stayed with us longer. He's still young and he has a long career in front of him."
But over at Old Trafford the fans were jubilant.
Sean Bones, vice-chairman of Shareholders United, which has some of the club's richest and most die-hard fans, said: "We are over the moon.
"Rooney is a genius - as he demonstrated at Euro 2004.
"We are delighted that the board has delivered a player that the manager wanted.
"It is a lot of money but when you are buying the best it does cost a lot.
"We have come to expect the best at Old Trafford and it will be a perfect arena for Wayne to display his talents."
Liam Fitzgerald, 24, from Wilmslow, said: "I think Rooney's a great buy and a fantastic investment for the future.
"We now have the best strike force in the league to try and win the title back from Arsenal."
Gavin O'Connor, 27, from Manchester, added: "He's had his share of problems off the pitch.
"But now he's moved hopefully he'll leave his scoring to on the pitch at Old Trafford and we can pick up some serious silverware this season."
Before the player signed, four-year-old Jessica Collins was already the proud owner of a United football shirt with Rooney on the back.
Dad Michael, 45, said: "I actually bought the shirt yesterday as Jessica insisted on wanting one as Rooney is her favourite.
"We'd have looked a bit silly if it had all fallen through but he's finally here now and we'll be looking forward to seeing him in action."
Sean Salji, 25, from London, added: "Rooney's an awesome player.
"With him on board we've a great opportunity at winning the Champions League."
Megasoccer, the world's only specialist football search engine, has now put Rooney in the top spot, knocking Beckham, Pavel Nedved, Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane down the list.
Rooney's four goals in Euro 2004 helped raise that profile and sent his currency soaring. His move to United will send it sky-rocketing again.
Ferguson is no stranger to tackling troublesome stars. When he first arrived at Old Trafford he was confronted with a rampant drinking culture.
He solved the problem by showing experienced players the door.
Once he stormed around to the home of young star Lee Sharpe after he was tipped off that the player and winger Ryan Giggs had been spotted in Blackpool when they were supposed to be preparing for a game.
When he arrived he found a party in full swing.
The Scot quickly brought the festivities to an end, giving each of the red-faced party-goers a cuff on the back of the head as they fled home.
By Paul Gallagher and Clinton Manning
WAYNE Rooney was told to clean up his act yesterday as he signed for Manchester United - looking forward to becoming the world's richest teenage footballer.
United manager Alex Ferguson, who got the England striker from Everton in a 30million deal, told 18-year-old Rooney he must move away from Liverpool and the friends who have led him astray.
No-nonsense Ferguson has grown increasingly concerned at stories about the young star's seedy romps with hookers. He is also keen to distance him from any backlash by Everton fans.
A United source said: "Wayne is obviously a terrific signing and will make headlines. What Fergie wants to ensure is that those headlines are on the back pages, not on the front pages.
"He wants Wayne to move closer to Manchester so he can be nearer his team-mates and further away from temptation in Liverpool."
Ferguson described Rooney as "the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years".
His new signing added: "I'm excited to be joining a club as big as Manchester United."
Rooney, who was brought up in the tough Liverpool district of Croxteth, was transferred from Everton for 27million. Another 2.85million was added in agents fees and Premiership levies.
Rooney has signed a six-year contract, which will earn him 50,000 a week to start with. That will soar to 75,000 a week from next year.
But his pay packet will be dwarfed by his marketing potential and a cut of his image rights.
Experts predict he could even eclipse England skipper David Beckham and become the first British footballer worth 100million.
Rooney already has a 5million contract to wear Nike boots and during Euro 2004 was paid £1million to appear in TV adverts for Coca-Cola.
He is also sponsored by Ford for around 1.5million a year.
Other deals have been struck with Mastercard and Chinese phone company Kejian.
Publicist Max Clifford said: "He's the hottest thing in football, the new golden boy.
"Let's forget about wages and transfers for the moment, he could be earning huge sums of money through sponsorship."
"It would be easy to pick up 5million in the first year, 10million in the second.
"After that, he could be making about 20million a year if he keeps going the way he has been."
Another expert said: "The fact that he's hit the big time so young means he could be coining it for years provided he stays fit.
"He's also lucky to be starting his career in what is a golden era for footballers.
"Not only are they paid sky-high wages but the big names are in huge demand from advertisers."
But Rooney will have to knuckle down to Ferguson's demands if he wants to secure a golden future.
United are expected to arrange a "mentor" for their new superstar, who could make his debut against old rivals Liverpool on Monday September 20.
Defender Gary Neville, who was with Rooney during the Euro 2004 championship, is among those likely to be asked to help Rooney settle in at Old Trafford.
Another recent signing, Alan Smith, who had a reputation as a party-goer when he was at Leeds United, has moved away from his home city and relocated closer to Manchester.
United and Everton fans suffered hours of tension yesterday as they waited for news that the transfer had gone through.
Although Rooney was spotted being given a tour of Old Trafford by Ferguson around midday, no formal announcement was made by the 5pm transfer deadline.
As the hours dragged on, around 200 United fans, waiting eagerly for a glimpse of their new hero, were left disappointed.
Instead the young star was whisked out the back door for his medical at Cheadle Hospital.
While United fans were ecstatic when news of the transfer broke, Everton supporters were furious.
Steve Jones, editor of the fans' favourite website, bluekipper.com, said the club would get only 10million of the transfer fee this year, another 10million next year and the balance later.
Jones said: "We have been sold down the river and United must be rubbing their hands.
"It is disgusting what has happened. We have just let go of the best player in the world.
"We have called an emergency general meeting for September 9 and chairman Bill Kenwright is in for a rough ride.
"He has bent over backwards to help United when not so long ago he said no money in the world could prise Rooney from our hands.
"He was even talking about the lad being worth 50million and now we have sold him for 10million this year, 10million next and a load of ifs and buts over the other 7million.
"It doesn't look good business. In fact it is disgraceful and we should have sold him to Newcastle for cash. We also rushed in to buy three players last year on the transfer deadline and the club promised it would never happen again.
"They were right, this time we haven't got anybody."
Slamming Rooney's decision to go, Jones added: "David Beckham gave United around 10 years of his football, Michael Owen stayed with Liverpool for seven but Rooney has given us two.
"He should have stayed with us longer. He's still young and he has a long career in front of him."
But over at Old Trafford the fans were jubilant.
Sean Bones, vice-chairman of Shareholders United, which has some of the club's richest and most die-hard fans, said: "We are over the moon.
"Rooney is a genius - as he demonstrated at Euro 2004.
"We are delighted that the board has delivered a player that the manager wanted.
"It is a lot of money but when you are buying the best it does cost a lot.
"We have come to expect the best at Old Trafford and it will be a perfect arena for Wayne to display his talents."
Liam Fitzgerald, 24, from Wilmslow, said: "I think Rooney's a great buy and a fantastic investment for the future.
"We now have the best strike force in the league to try and win the title back from Arsenal."
Gavin O'Connor, 27, from Manchester, added: "He's had his share of problems off the pitch.
"But now he's moved hopefully he'll leave his scoring to on the pitch at Old Trafford and we can pick up some serious silverware this season."
Before the player signed, four-year-old Jessica Collins was already the proud owner of a United football shirt with Rooney on the back.
Dad Michael, 45, said: "I actually bought the shirt yesterday as Jessica insisted on wanting one as Rooney is her favourite.
"We'd have looked a bit silly if it had all fallen through but he's finally here now and we'll be looking forward to seeing him in action."
Sean Salji, 25, from London, added: "Rooney's an awesome player.
"With him on board we've a great opportunity at winning the Champions League."
Megasoccer, the world's only specialist football search engine, has now put Rooney in the top spot, knocking Beckham, Pavel Nedved, Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane down the list.
Rooney's four goals in Euro 2004 helped raise that profile and sent his currency soaring. His move to United will send it sky-rocketing again.
Ferguson is no stranger to tackling troublesome stars. When he first arrived at Old Trafford he was confronted with a rampant drinking culture.
He solved the problem by showing experienced players the door.
Once he stormed around to the home of young star Lee Sharpe after he was tipped off that the player and winger Ryan Giggs had been spotted in Blackpool when they were supposed to be preparing for a game.
When he arrived he found a party in full swing.
The Scot quickly brought the festivities to an end, giving each of the red-faced party-goers a cuff on the back of the head as they fled home.
RUUD: I CAN'T WAIT TO PLAY WITH ROO
Striking partnership will help United rule for years
By David McDonnell
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY admitted he cannot wait to form a formidable striking partnership with Manchester United's new 30million signing Wayne Rooney.
Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded van Nistelrooy to sign a new contract last season on the undertaking the United boss would bring Europe's finest young players to Old Trafford
Fergie was true to his word with the captures of Louis Saha, Alan Smith, Gabriel Heinze and Liam Miller.
Now the United boss has provided the final piece of the jigsaw in England striker Rooney, who is set to form the club's first-choice strike partnership with prolific goal-scorer van Nistelrooy.
The Dutch star believes Rooney's arrival will have a galvanising effect on United and give the club a much-needed boost after their unconvincing start to the season.
And in a wicked twist of fate, Rooney is set to make his United debut against Liverpool, bitter Merseyside rivals of his former club Everton, on September 20 at Old Trafford.
"Everyone knows Wayne is an amazing talent and the thought of him pulling on a United shirt is frightening," said van Nistelrooy.
"He proved himself at Euro 2004 and I don't know many clubs who wouldn't want him in their side.
"He is an incredible player who has a huge future ahead of him.
"To do what he has already done at just 18-years-old is incredible.
"Anyone who has seen him play knows what a talent he is.
"Nothing seems to worry him when he is out there playing.
"It really excites me to think he will be playing at United. He will be a great asset to the club and to play with him will be fantastic."
Fergie had his sights set on Rooney long before the talented teenager announced his arrival with that wonder strike for Everton against Arsenal in October 2002.
Back then, Rooney was a raw 16-year-old barely out of school, but in two years the striker with the nightclub bouncer's build has developed into the most exciting young striker in Europe.
And now, after securing Rooney's signature, Fergie believes he has a squad capable of wrestling back the Premiership title from Arsenal and reclaiming the Champions League.
The dramatic capture of Rooney, within hours of the transfer deadline, may have used up virtually all of Fergie's budget for signing new players next summer.
But the Scot was so determined to land the Everton striker he persuaded the Old Trafford board they had to act straight away or risk losing out.
In the past 12 months, the United boss has lowered the average age of his squad from 26 to 24 as he looks to build to the future.
And van Nistelrooy praised Fergie's policy of signing a new generation of young players to make United a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
"Arsenal and Chelsea have bigger squads and more star players than us," van Nistelrooy added.
"But our manager has started to rebuild our team. And he has chosen to do that with players who are young and talented, instead of superstars. There have been a few changes, but our manager knows exactly what to do and has brought in some great young players. We are building a team which can win the Champions League again."
Meanwhile, Walter Smith, the former Everton boss who watched Rooney develop through the club's ranks, believes the move had come ahead of schedule. Smith, who was No.2 at United last season, said: "Like everything else in Wayne's career this has come ahead of schedule, but it has always been like that.
"You always knew that at one stage or another he would move away from Everton, but this has come a little quicker than I expected. But if he was going to leave then Manchester United is the right club for him. Everything is right for him to go there.
"Alex Ferguson is the perfect man to get the most out of his talent."
Rooney has still to recover from the foot injury he picked up at Euro 2004 before he can even kick a ball at Old Trafford.
Rooney has been the focal point of everything at Goodison Park over the last couple of seasons.
And lurid revelations about his private life over the last month have further propelled the player into the public eye.
Smith, though, believes just being one of a number of stars at Old Trafford will help the player get on with his football. The former Rangers boss added: "He is a young boy and he has been exposed to a lot at an early stage of his career.
"The spotlight was always on him, but at Manchester United that will not be the case."
Striking partnership will help United rule for years
By David McDonnell
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY admitted he cannot wait to form a formidable striking partnership with Manchester United's new 30million signing Wayne Rooney.
Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded van Nistelrooy to sign a new contract last season on the undertaking the United boss would bring Europe's finest young players to Old Trafford
Fergie was true to his word with the captures of Louis Saha, Alan Smith, Gabriel Heinze and Liam Miller.
Now the United boss has provided the final piece of the jigsaw in England striker Rooney, who is set to form the club's first-choice strike partnership with prolific goal-scorer van Nistelrooy.
The Dutch star believes Rooney's arrival will have a galvanising effect on United and give the club a much-needed boost after their unconvincing start to the season.
And in a wicked twist of fate, Rooney is set to make his United debut against Liverpool, bitter Merseyside rivals of his former club Everton, on September 20 at Old Trafford.
"Everyone knows Wayne is an amazing talent and the thought of him pulling on a United shirt is frightening," said van Nistelrooy.
"He proved himself at Euro 2004 and I don't know many clubs who wouldn't want him in their side.
"He is an incredible player who has a huge future ahead of him.
"To do what he has already done at just 18-years-old is incredible.
"Anyone who has seen him play knows what a talent he is.
"Nothing seems to worry him when he is out there playing.
"It really excites me to think he will be playing at United. He will be a great asset to the club and to play with him will be fantastic."
Fergie had his sights set on Rooney long before the talented teenager announced his arrival with that wonder strike for Everton against Arsenal in October 2002.
Back then, Rooney was a raw 16-year-old barely out of school, but in two years the striker with the nightclub bouncer's build has developed into the most exciting young striker in Europe.
And now, after securing Rooney's signature, Fergie believes he has a squad capable of wrestling back the Premiership title from Arsenal and reclaiming the Champions League.
The dramatic capture of Rooney, within hours of the transfer deadline, may have used up virtually all of Fergie's budget for signing new players next summer.
But the Scot was so determined to land the Everton striker he persuaded the Old Trafford board they had to act straight away or risk losing out.
In the past 12 months, the United boss has lowered the average age of his squad from 26 to 24 as he looks to build to the future.
And van Nistelrooy praised Fergie's policy of signing a new generation of young players to make United a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
"Arsenal and Chelsea have bigger squads and more star players than us," van Nistelrooy added.
"But our manager has started to rebuild our team. And he has chosen to do that with players who are young and talented, instead of superstars. There have been a few changes, but our manager knows exactly what to do and has brought in some great young players. We are building a team which can win the Champions League again."
Meanwhile, Walter Smith, the former Everton boss who watched Rooney develop through the club's ranks, believes the move had come ahead of schedule. Smith, who was No.2 at United last season, said: "Like everything else in Wayne's career this has come ahead of schedule, but it has always been like that.
"You always knew that at one stage or another he would move away from Everton, but this has come a little quicker than I expected. But if he was going to leave then Manchester United is the right club for him. Everything is right for him to go there.
"Alex Ferguson is the perfect man to get the most out of his talent."
Rooney has still to recover from the foot injury he picked up at Euro 2004 before he can even kick a ball at Old Trafford.
Rooney has been the focal point of everything at Goodison Park over the last couple of seasons.
And lurid revelations about his private life over the last month have further propelled the player into the public eye.
Smith, though, believes just being one of a number of stars at Old Trafford will help the player get on with his football. The former Rangers boss added: "He is a young boy and he has been exposed to a lot at an early stage of his career.
"The spotlight was always on him, but at Manchester United that will not be the case."
Rooney on Reds alert
By ALASTAIR TAYLOR, DEREK BROWN and CHARLES RAE
WONDERKID Wayne Rooney signed a 30million deal with Manchester United yesterday - amid an astonishing security blitz.
Rooney, 18, was whisked from United's training ground to a secret address after becoming the most expensive player in British soccer.
A jubilant Rooney said last night: "It was a tough decision to leave Everton - the club I've supported and played for all my life - but I'm excited to be joining a club as big as Manchester United."
And Red Devils' boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I think we've got the best young player this country has seen in 30 years."
But United chiefs are so worried about threats from furious Everton fans that they have thrown a huge security screen around Rooney.
From now on he will have two SAS-trained minders watching his back at all times as well as his own personal bodyguard.
He and fiancee Coleen McLoughlin will be moved out of their home a few miles from Everton's ground to a "safe house" near Manchester.
United bosses are even taking out special insurance in case their 50,000pounds-a-week ace is kidnapped.
A United insider said: "Most big players who come here can expect some kind of security - but it has been upped massively for Rooney.
"He won't be staying in his house for fear of attack and the club has assigned two highly-trained guards to him. He also has his own guard so he will have three heavies watching his back.
"There is also a clause in his insurance that will cover kidnapping. It sounds far-fetched but we are covering all the bases."
Rooney has become the victim of a vicious hate campaign over his decision to quit Everton.
As he and Coleen visited her parents' home in Toxteth at the weekend they were confronted with the words "Rooney Scum" on a wall.
Elsewhere in his native Liverpool, fans painted slogans like "Rooney Judas," and "Rooney Die."
Coleen was back at her mum's yesterday - driving there in the 27,500pounds Mercedes SLK 200 Rooney recently bought for her.
The striker's agent Paul Stretford last night revealed he has received death threats for masterminding the transfer.
A spokesman for his firm Proactive Sports Management said: "Paul Stretford and his family have recently received a number of threats from misguided people purporting to be football fans. Details have been passed to police."
Rooney is recovering from a broken bone in his right foot - and the scandal of his trips to 45pounds-an-hour hooker Patricia Tiernan, a 48-year-old grandma nicknamed the Auld Slapper.
But that didn't stop Man United fans giving him a jubilant welcome yesterday.
Last summer they saw their idol David Beckham move to Real Madrid for 25million, but yesterday supporters gathered at Old Trafford to welcome their new hero with chants of: "Rooney, Rooney."
The transfer was a foregone conclusion after Rooney phoned United chief executive David Gill, to tell him: "I only want to do one thing for my career and that is play for Man United."
The ace's value rocketed during Euro 2004 as he netted for England four times.
Rooney will give evidence in a blackmail trial involving ex-agent John Hyland later this month
Hyland is accused of trying to extort money from Paul Stretford.
By ALASTAIR TAYLOR, DEREK BROWN and CHARLES RAE
WONDERKID Wayne Rooney signed a 30million deal with Manchester United yesterday - amid an astonishing security blitz.
Rooney, 18, was whisked from United's training ground to a secret address after becoming the most expensive player in British soccer.
A jubilant Rooney said last night: "It was a tough decision to leave Everton - the club I've supported and played for all my life - but I'm excited to be joining a club as big as Manchester United."
And Red Devils' boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I think we've got the best young player this country has seen in 30 years."
But United chiefs are so worried about threats from furious Everton fans that they have thrown a huge security screen around Rooney.
From now on he will have two SAS-trained minders watching his back at all times as well as his own personal bodyguard.
He and fiancee Coleen McLoughlin will be moved out of their home a few miles from Everton's ground to a "safe house" near Manchester.
United bosses are even taking out special insurance in case their 50,000pounds-a-week ace is kidnapped.
A United insider said: "Most big players who come here can expect some kind of security - but it has been upped massively for Rooney.
"He won't be staying in his house for fear of attack and the club has assigned two highly-trained guards to him. He also has his own guard so he will have three heavies watching his back.
"There is also a clause in his insurance that will cover kidnapping. It sounds far-fetched but we are covering all the bases."
Rooney has become the victim of a vicious hate campaign over his decision to quit Everton.
As he and Coleen visited her parents' home in Toxteth at the weekend they were confronted with the words "Rooney Scum" on a wall.
Elsewhere in his native Liverpool, fans painted slogans like "Rooney Judas," and "Rooney Die."
Coleen was back at her mum's yesterday - driving there in the 27,500pounds Mercedes SLK 200 Rooney recently bought for her.
The striker's agent Paul Stretford last night revealed he has received death threats for masterminding the transfer.
A spokesman for his firm Proactive Sports Management said: "Paul Stretford and his family have recently received a number of threats from misguided people purporting to be football fans. Details have been passed to police."
Rooney is recovering from a broken bone in his right foot - and the scandal of his trips to 45pounds-an-hour hooker Patricia Tiernan, a 48-year-old grandma nicknamed the Auld Slapper.
But that didn't stop Man United fans giving him a jubilant welcome yesterday.
Last summer they saw their idol David Beckham move to Real Madrid for 25million, but yesterday supporters gathered at Old Trafford to welcome their new hero with chants of: "Rooney, Rooney."
The transfer was a foregone conclusion after Rooney phoned United chief executive David Gill, to tell him: "I only want to do one thing for my career and that is play for Man United."
The ace's value rocketed during Euro 2004 as he netted for England four times.
Rooney will give evidence in a blackmail trial involving ex-agent John Hyland later this month
Hyland is accused of trying to extort money from Paul Stretford.
Neville's title alarm
GARY NEVILLE last night admitted Manchester United already face a massive fight to stay in the Premiership title race.
Alex Ferguson's side trail champions Arsenal and Chelsea by seven points with four games gone.
United have picked up only five points while the London giants have both collected maximums.
And England defender Neville said: "That's a massive gap and means we have a long haul to try and peg it back. We must do something about it and put together a winning run soon."
United are not back in action because of the international break until a week on Saturday when they are away to Bolton.
By then Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wes Brown should be closer to full fitness.
But Neville warned: "We have to make sure the players we have got now go out and perform.
We are not scoring goals and not creating enough chances."
GARY NEVILLE last night admitted Manchester United already face a massive fight to stay in the Premiership title race.
Alex Ferguson's side trail champions Arsenal and Chelsea by seven points with four games gone.
United have picked up only five points while the London giants have both collected maximums.
And England defender Neville said: "That's a massive gap and means we have a long haul to try and peg it back. We must do something about it and put together a winning run soon."
United are not back in action because of the international break until a week on Saturday when they are away to Bolton.
By then Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wes Brown should be closer to full fitness.
But Neville warned: "We have to make sure the players we have got now go out and perform.
We are not scoring goals and not creating enough chances."
He'll be market force
MANCHESTER UNITED are sitting on a marketing goldmine following the signing of Wayne Rooney.
Experts predict Rooney's arrival will send shirt and merchandise sales soaring to David Beckham levels.
Greg Jones of Shine Marketing in London said: "Beckham was big - but who knows what can happen with Rooney.
"Clearly, from a football point of view, Alex Ferguson is delighted but I bet the PLC are licking their lips.
"Rooney may not have done a great deal in domestic football yet but he is already an international star and that is where it counts. Asian countries are aware of Rooney and, now he is at United, shirt sales will rocket.
"He has had some indiscretions off the field - but as soon as he starts scoring everything will be forgotten."
MANCHESTER UNITED are sitting on a marketing goldmine following the signing of Wayne Rooney.
Experts predict Rooney's arrival will send shirt and merchandise sales soaring to David Beckham levels.
Greg Jones of Shine Marketing in London said: "Beckham was big - but who knows what can happen with Rooney.
"Clearly, from a football point of view, Alex Ferguson is delighted but I bet the PLC are licking their lips.
"Rooney may not have done a great deal in domestic football yet but he is already an international star and that is where it counts. Asian countries are aware of Rooney and, now he is at United, shirt sales will rocket.
"He has had some indiscretions off the field - but as soon as he starts scoring everything will be forgotten."
30million Roo best for 30 years
By NEIL CUSTIS
MANCHESTER UNITED finally landed Wayne Rooney last night after agreeing an amazing 30million deal for the 18-year-old.
And boss Alex Ferguson said: "I think we have got the best young player this country has seen in the last 30 years."
Rooney signed a six-year contract worth 50,000pounds a week at 7.40pm - just over four hours before the transfer deadline.
The striker said: "It was a difficult decision to leave Everton, the club I have supported for all my life and always played for.
"But I am now excited to be playing at a club as big as United.
"This can only improve my career, playing with top players in top competitions like the Champions League.
"I just cannot wait to meet up with the rest of the team."
United's money men haggled all day with Everton over the final payments.
They are paying Everton 20million with 10million now and another 10million on August 1 next year.
The Goodison club will receive a further 7million based on length of service and honours.
His agents ProActive will receive a maximum of 1.5million.
United will also have to pay a transfer levy to the Premier League up to a maximum of 1.35million.
There is a sell-on clause with Everton receiving 25 per cent of any profit.
Rooney, who has been given Nicky Butt's old No 8 shirt at Old Trafford, is currently out of action after breaking his foot against Portugal during Euro 2004.
England boss Sven Goran Eriksson is convinced that United are getting a real superstar.
He said: "If Wayne plays like he did at Euro 2004 you would have to say he is world class, No 1, absolutely the best.
"No manager in the world would say no to having him in their squad and I am sure he will have a fantastic career with United.
"I was recently asked what makes Wayne so good and I said it is the fact that he is so very cold. I have never seen him nervous or worried about anything.
"I had Roberto Baggio at Fiorentina when he was 18 and he was always very confident. But Wayne is even more cool about his own skill."
By NEIL CUSTIS
MANCHESTER UNITED finally landed Wayne Rooney last night after agreeing an amazing 30million deal for the 18-year-old.
And boss Alex Ferguson said: "I think we have got the best young player this country has seen in the last 30 years."
Rooney signed a six-year contract worth 50,000pounds a week at 7.40pm - just over four hours before the transfer deadline.
The striker said: "It was a difficult decision to leave Everton, the club I have supported for all my life and always played for.
"But I am now excited to be playing at a club as big as United.
"This can only improve my career, playing with top players in top competitions like the Champions League.
"I just cannot wait to meet up with the rest of the team."
United's money men haggled all day with Everton over the final payments.
They are paying Everton 20million with 10million now and another 10million on August 1 next year.
The Goodison club will receive a further 7million based on length of service and honours.
His agents ProActive will receive a maximum of 1.5million.
United will also have to pay a transfer levy to the Premier League up to a maximum of 1.35million.
There is a sell-on clause with Everton receiving 25 per cent of any profit.
Rooney, who has been given Nicky Butt's old No 8 shirt at Old Trafford, is currently out of action after breaking his foot against Portugal during Euro 2004.
England boss Sven Goran Eriksson is convinced that United are getting a real superstar.
He said: "If Wayne plays like he did at Euro 2004 you would have to say he is world class, No 1, absolutely the best.
"No manager in the world would say no to having him in their squad and I am sure he will have a fantastic career with United.
"I was recently asked what makes Wayne so good and I said it is the fact that he is so very cold. I have never seen him nervous or worried about anything.
"I had Roberto Baggio at Fiorentina when he was 18 and he was always very confident. But Wayne is even more cool about his own skill."
Rooney is Mr Cool
By MARK IRWIN and NEIL CUSTIS
SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON last night hailed Wayne Rooney as the coolest kid on the planet.
Strike whizkid Rooney completed his 30million move from Everton to Manchester United yesterday - and England boss Eriksson is convinced they are getting a genuine superstar.
Eriksson said: "If Wayne plays like he did at Euro 2004, you would have to say he is world-class, No 1. Absolutely the best.
"No manager in the world would say no to having him in their squad and I’m sure he'll have a fantastic career.
"He showed in Portugal what an absolutely fantastic talent he is - but he is still only 18 and I'm sure he will be much better in the future.
"I was asked what makes Wayne so good and I said it is the fact he is so very cold. I have never seen him nervous or worried about anything.
"I had Roberto Baggio at Fiorentina when he was 18 and he was always very confident. But Wayne is even more cool about his own skill.
"I realised that the first time he started a game in the European Championship qualifier at home to Turkey.
"I told him on the morning of the game he would be starting. Anyone else would have been scared. But not him - he just said 'OK'. That was it.
"That is why I think he is a guy who will always keep his feet on the ground. But give him a ball and things will happen."
Rooney is out of Saturday's opening World Cup qualifier in Austria and next Wednesday's game in Poland as he is still recovering from the broken bone in his foot suffered during the Euro 2004 defeat by Portugal in June.
Eriksson admitted: "I am sorry for Wayne and for England that he is not available because we don't have another Rooney."
United's collection of stars are also in the grip of Roo Mania.
And Paul Scholes can see the teen hitman bagging a load of goals and becoming a legend - at both international and club level.
Former England midfielder Scholes, 29, said: "To see a lad of his age doing what he can do is unbelievable.
"When he's fit again he'll come back and score a lot of goals this season.
"He'll be a lot more confident after the way things went for him in Portugal. He's going to be a legend for England."
Keeper Tim Howard is just as thrilled at his arrival. The Yank, 25, said: "Wayne will give everyone a buzz.
""We all know what a great player he is. We know he'll fit in no problem and could go on to be a United great."
The question is WHERE Rooney is going to fit in now boss Alex Ferguson has four top strikers.
Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith and Louis Saha have come at a combined cost of just under 69million.
And Ferguson will be hoping for a quick return from that massive investment as United are already playing catch-up in the league.
The chances are Rooney will be eased into the side and could find himself spending time on the bench.
Van Nistelrooy will be straight back in when he is fit again in three weeks.
And Smith's performances of late - six goals in seven games - warrant a first-team place. But with United firing on all fronts again this season, Ferguson will be happy to rotate all four to keep them fresh.
Saha does not feel threatened by Rooney's arrival - but is excited at how the England man will strengthen the squad and create healthy competition.
The Frenchman, 26, added: "If United buy big players like Rooney it can only be very good for the team. It is not a problem for me. We all know he is a good player. We already have a great team and a great spirit but, when you bring in an ability like that, it can only be great for the club.
"The players are certainly excited about the prospect of his arrival."
United legend Paddy Crerand is delighted at the prospect of seeing Rooney in a red shirt.
The former midfielder, 65, said: "The first time I saw him, when he was 16, I thought, 'This lad is going to be a star'.
"His arrival means the competition for places now is going to be extreme.
"Alex Ferguson has a proven track record of bringing on young players.
"He guides them, he looks after them - and also takes no nonsense. Wayne could not be in better hands."
Former Old Trafford defender Paul Parker agrees - and reckons Rooney will help United regain their vice-like grip on English football. The 1990 England World Cup star, 40, said: "It's a massive signing for United. Rooney will add the bit of guile that has been missing lately.
"And Wayne's signing will restore some of the fear factor which has been missing. The rest of the Premiership won't fancy facing United now.
"With Saha, Smith, Van Nistelrooy and Rooney, Fergie now has four top-class strikers. And the last time they had that they did the Treble.
"A lot has been said about Rooney and what has happened off the field and he will have to live with that.
"But I am positive Fergie will put him right. He will get him totally focused and make sure nothing gets in the way of his football. Rooney couldn't be in better hands - Ferguson's track record with youngsters speaks for itself. The lad will be told what is expected of him and I'm sure he'll deliver.
"Of course he is so young - but at United he will just get better."
Massive things will be expected of the boy wonder. But Parker warned the United faithful not to put too much pressure on the star.
He said: "At his age, he will be inconsistent. He is not going to be amazing every week but it was a similar story with Ryan Giggs. When he was 17 the potential was obvious but he did go off the boil sometimes.
"Everyone must be patient and in time they will know what a great player the lad is. Giggs has gone on to become one of the all-time greats and Wayne can follow his lead."
By MARK IRWIN and NEIL CUSTIS
SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON last night hailed Wayne Rooney as the coolest kid on the planet.
Strike whizkid Rooney completed his 30million move from Everton to Manchester United yesterday - and England boss Eriksson is convinced they are getting a genuine superstar.
Eriksson said: "If Wayne plays like he did at Euro 2004, you would have to say he is world-class, No 1. Absolutely the best.
"No manager in the world would say no to having him in their squad and I’m sure he'll have a fantastic career.
"He showed in Portugal what an absolutely fantastic talent he is - but he is still only 18 and I'm sure he will be much better in the future.
"I was asked what makes Wayne so good and I said it is the fact he is so very cold. I have never seen him nervous or worried about anything.
"I had Roberto Baggio at Fiorentina when he was 18 and he was always very confident. But Wayne is even more cool about his own skill.
"I realised that the first time he started a game in the European Championship qualifier at home to Turkey.
"I told him on the morning of the game he would be starting. Anyone else would have been scared. But not him - he just said 'OK'. That was it.
"That is why I think he is a guy who will always keep his feet on the ground. But give him a ball and things will happen."
Rooney is out of Saturday's opening World Cup qualifier in Austria and next Wednesday's game in Poland as he is still recovering from the broken bone in his foot suffered during the Euro 2004 defeat by Portugal in June.
Eriksson admitted: "I am sorry for Wayne and for England that he is not available because we don't have another Rooney."
United's collection of stars are also in the grip of Roo Mania.
And Paul Scholes can see the teen hitman bagging a load of goals and becoming a legend - at both international and club level.
Former England midfielder Scholes, 29, said: "To see a lad of his age doing what he can do is unbelievable.
"When he's fit again he'll come back and score a lot of goals this season.
"He'll be a lot more confident after the way things went for him in Portugal. He's going to be a legend for England."
Keeper Tim Howard is just as thrilled at his arrival. The Yank, 25, said: "Wayne will give everyone a buzz.
""We all know what a great player he is. We know he'll fit in no problem and could go on to be a United great."
The question is WHERE Rooney is going to fit in now boss Alex Ferguson has four top strikers.
Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith and Louis Saha have come at a combined cost of just under 69million.
And Ferguson will be hoping for a quick return from that massive investment as United are already playing catch-up in the league.
The chances are Rooney will be eased into the side and could find himself spending time on the bench.
Van Nistelrooy will be straight back in when he is fit again in three weeks.
And Smith's performances of late - six goals in seven games - warrant a first-team place. But with United firing on all fronts again this season, Ferguson will be happy to rotate all four to keep them fresh.
Saha does not feel threatened by Rooney's arrival - but is excited at how the England man will strengthen the squad and create healthy competition.
The Frenchman, 26, added: "If United buy big players like Rooney it can only be very good for the team. It is not a problem for me. We all know he is a good player. We already have a great team and a great spirit but, when you bring in an ability like that, it can only be great for the club.
"The players are certainly excited about the prospect of his arrival."
United legend Paddy Crerand is delighted at the prospect of seeing Rooney in a red shirt.
The former midfielder, 65, said: "The first time I saw him, when he was 16, I thought, 'This lad is going to be a star'.
"His arrival means the competition for places now is going to be extreme.
"Alex Ferguson has a proven track record of bringing on young players.
"He guides them, he looks after them - and also takes no nonsense. Wayne could not be in better hands."
Former Old Trafford defender Paul Parker agrees - and reckons Rooney will help United regain their vice-like grip on English football. The 1990 England World Cup star, 40, said: "It's a massive signing for United. Rooney will add the bit of guile that has been missing lately.
"And Wayne's signing will restore some of the fear factor which has been missing. The rest of the Premiership won't fancy facing United now.
"With Saha, Smith, Van Nistelrooy and Rooney, Fergie now has four top-class strikers. And the last time they had that they did the Treble.
"A lot has been said about Rooney and what has happened off the field and he will have to live with that.
"But I am positive Fergie will put him right. He will get him totally focused and make sure nothing gets in the way of his football. Rooney couldn't be in better hands - Ferguson's track record with youngsters speaks for itself. The lad will be told what is expected of him and I'm sure he'll deliver.
"Of course he is so young - but at United he will just get better."
Massive things will be expected of the boy wonder. But Parker warned the United faithful not to put too much pressure on the star.
He said: "At his age, he will be inconsistent. He is not going to be amazing every week but it was a similar story with Ryan Giggs. When he was 17 the potential was obvious but he did go off the boil sometimes.
"Everyone must be patient and in time they will know what a great player the lad is. Giggs has gone on to become one of the all-time greats and Wayne can follow his lead."
Eriksson to go with Smith
England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes Alan Smith has channelled his aggression in the right way as he considers whether to hand the Manchester United striker a start in the World Cup qualifying double-header.
Smith's aggressive approach has landed him in trouble in the past and he was sent off in his last competitive match for England - the Euro 2004 qualifier against Macedonia.
But the Swedish coach believes Smith's move across the Pennines from Leeds to Manchester United has done him the world of good.
He could even be in the starting line-up for the qualifying match against Austria on Saturday, with Michael Owen's first-choice strike partner Wayne Rooney still out with a foot injury.
'It's his nature to be aggressive in football and that is good if you don't do it too much,' observed Eriksson.
'He has been playing very well this season for us and Manchester United so I'm not worried that he is too aggressive.
'Experience is something you must earn, he is a young player and maybe he did some stupid things in the past. But now he's older, he's playing for Manchester United and playing for England.'
Eriksson also insisted he has not given up hope of securing either a winter break or a four-week gap between the end of the 2005-06 season and that summer's World Cup finals in Germany.
'I should like to have a winter break or four weeks before World Cup starts. Whether we can achieve it or not I don't know,' he added on Sky Sports News.
'I addressed it again after Portugal. We must try to find a solution to it.
'There's a UEFA meeting in Stockholm and I want to address it there. I think it should be like that for every country, not just England.'
Asked whether he was concerned that clubs might abuse the winter break by arranging
lucrative friendlies, Eriksson said: 'No club can play without the FA's permission. If you have a winter break you should use it in the proper way, and I'm still fighting for it. It was very close to becoming reality (last season) but there was some contrast between the broadcasters and the FA.'
England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes Alan Smith has channelled his aggression in the right way as he considers whether to hand the Manchester United striker a start in the World Cup qualifying double-header.
Smith's aggressive approach has landed him in trouble in the past and he was sent off in his last competitive match for England - the Euro 2004 qualifier against Macedonia.
But the Swedish coach believes Smith's move across the Pennines from Leeds to Manchester United has done him the world of good.
He could even be in the starting line-up for the qualifying match against Austria on Saturday, with Michael Owen's first-choice strike partner Wayne Rooney still out with a foot injury.
'It's his nature to be aggressive in football and that is good if you don't do it too much,' observed Eriksson.
'He has been playing very well this season for us and Manchester United so I'm not worried that he is too aggressive.
'Experience is something you must earn, he is a young player and maybe he did some stupid things in the past. But now he's older, he's playing for Manchester United and playing for England.'
Eriksson also insisted he has not given up hope of securing either a winter break or a four-week gap between the end of the 2005-06 season and that summer's World Cup finals in Germany.
'I should like to have a winter break or four weeks before World Cup starts. Whether we can achieve it or not I don't know,' he added on Sky Sports News.
'I addressed it again after Portugal. We must try to find a solution to it.
'There's a UEFA meeting in Stockholm and I want to address it there. I think it should be like that for every country, not just England.'
Asked whether he was concerned that clubs might abuse the winter break by arranging
lucrative friendlies, Eriksson said: 'No club can play without the FA's permission. If you have a winter break you should use it in the proper way, and I'm still fighting for it. It was very close to becoming reality (last season) but there was some contrast between the broadcasters and the FA.'
United finally complete Rooney deal
Manchester United have completed the signing of England striker Wayne Rooney from Everton.
The 18-year-old is now registered as a United player after he passed a medical with the club earlier today and all the details were finally agreed.
The clubs reached 'outline agreement' earlier today and the deal was completed with four and a half hours to go before the closure of the transfer window.
United released a statement to announce they had finalised an agreement with Everton for Rooney.
It read: 'Wayne has signed a six-year contract until June 30 2010.
'The fee payable to Everton is 20million. Half is due now, with half due on August 1 2005.
'In addition there are contingent payments to Everton over the next five years up to a maximum of 7million, dependent on club success, the player renewing his contract and his appearances at international level.
'Of this sum, 3million will be due to Everton provided Rooney remains registered to MU until June 30 2007.'
United also revealed that Rooney's representatives would receive 1.5million.
'Agents' fees payable to Proactive Sports Management Limited in relation to both the acquisition of the player and negotiation of his personal terms totalled 1.5million.
'Of this sum, 1million is guaranteed, of which 0.5million is payable immediately and the balance over the following five years in equal instalments.
'The remaining 0.5million will be paid in five equal instalments over the duration of Rooney's contract provided he remains registered to MU at the due dates for payment.'
Rooney will be unveiled at a 1pm press conference tomorrow.
He said: 'It was a tough decision to leave Everton, the club I've supported and played for all my life, but I'm excited to be joining a club as big as Manchester United.
'I feel this can only improve my career, playing with top players in top competitions like the Champions League and I can't wait to meet up with the team.'
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is thrilled to have Rooney on board after competition for his signature from Newcastle.
'I am very excited, I think we have got the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years. Everyone is delighted by this signing,' he said.
Chief executive David Gill added: 'We are delighted to have reached an agreement for Wayne.
'He will be a tremendous asset to Manchester United and undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him.'
Manchester United have completed the signing of England striker Wayne Rooney from Everton.
The 18-year-old is now registered as a United player after he passed a medical with the club earlier today and all the details were finally agreed.
The clubs reached 'outline agreement' earlier today and the deal was completed with four and a half hours to go before the closure of the transfer window.
United released a statement to announce they had finalised an agreement with Everton for Rooney.
It read: 'Wayne has signed a six-year contract until June 30 2010.
'The fee payable to Everton is 20million. Half is due now, with half due on August 1 2005.
'In addition there are contingent payments to Everton over the next five years up to a maximum of 7million, dependent on club success, the player renewing his contract and his appearances at international level.
'Of this sum, 3million will be due to Everton provided Rooney remains registered to MU until June 30 2007.'
United also revealed that Rooney's representatives would receive 1.5million.
'Agents' fees payable to Proactive Sports Management Limited in relation to both the acquisition of the player and negotiation of his personal terms totalled 1.5million.
'Of this sum, 1million is guaranteed, of which 0.5million is payable immediately and the balance over the following five years in equal instalments.
'The remaining 0.5million will be paid in five equal instalments over the duration of Rooney's contract provided he remains registered to MU at the due dates for payment.'
Rooney will be unveiled at a 1pm press conference tomorrow.
He said: 'It was a tough decision to leave Everton, the club I've supported and played for all my life, but I'm excited to be joining a club as big as Manchester United.
'I feel this can only improve my career, playing with top players in top competitions like the Champions League and I can't wait to meet up with the team.'
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is thrilled to have Rooney on board after competition for his signature from Newcastle.
'I am very excited, I think we have got the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years. Everyone is delighted by this signing,' he said.
Chief executive David Gill added: 'We are delighted to have reached an agreement for Wayne.
'He will be a tremendous asset to Manchester United and undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him.'