RedsUnite: a man utd blog

Scholes Set To Return Sunday

What an embarrassment of riches. Winners of 8 of our last 9, Manchester United are set to welcome the return of 15-year veteran Paul Scholes on Sunday. The veteran midfielder is recovered from knee ligament damage that saw him miss three months of action. With the new acquisitions of Anderson and Hargreaves last summer, Manchester United was better equipped to deal with Scholes absence than they were in the 2005-2006 season. When Scholes’ blurred vision caused him to miss the second half of that season, many pointed to his absence as a primary reason for the Reds difficulties that year. Considered one of the best midfielders of his generation, not to mention one of my favorite Reds, his return on Sunday only strengthens a Manchester United side that is in top form.

Upon his return, Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Scholes and fellow veteran Ryan Giggs to outlast him with Manchester. Ferguson said about two of his favorites:

“What I’ve come to realise with Paul and Ryan is that I can no longer see an end to their careers. In fact, I don’t expect to see an end. There must come a day when it will end, but the way it’s looking now, I can’t see that end coming. In fact, I think I’ll be away from the club before them!”

Hargreaves Is Healthy and Quotable

Owen Hargreaves is healthy(cross your fingers) and has found his way into the papers quite often this week. The Bayern Munich import claimed to be over his adjustment to Manchester United and looking forward to the next 3 or 4 months of the season. “The game against Reading was the best and strongest I have felt in weeks,” Hargreaves said. “It was good to be back. I feel positive and optimistic now. I’m looking forward to the next three of four months because I think Manchester United can have a fabulous season. I want to play every game.”

Seemingly uncertain as to why his body had such a difficult time adjusting to play in England, Hargreaves pointed to such factors as the climate, different pitches, intensity of league play, different services and different staff as possibilities for his struggle to maintain fitness. However, he feels that he is over the hump now and should be serviceable for the remainder of the season.

Hargreaves then sought to join Michael Carrick and Park Ji-Sung as midfielder’s with dubious contributions to the season whom have publicly set lofty goals for the club. Hargreaves believes that United have been given a difficult path to Wembley Stadium, having to face Tottenham following Aston Villa, but that it is a dream of his to play in the FA Cup final under Wembley’s lights. In all fairness the lad has said nothing he shouldn’t have said, but I always laugh a little when players who have all they can do to stay fit for consecutive matches are quoted about what the clubs future should bring. How about you stay healthy for a week, then we’ll discuss what you plan on doing next month?

Not stopping there, Hargreaves may have been the first to say what everyone already knows: Liverpool is finished. He told The Sun: “That is a massive gap(14 points) for them to close. So it looks to me as though it’s going to be a three-horse race between United, Arsenal and Chelsea.” Someone had to say it.

(For those of you who love to have a good laugh at the plight of Liverpool, somebody at Sportingo has written an article, “Manchester United fans hate Liverpool? No need - they’re no longer rivals,” for your reading pleasure.)

Anderson Gets Call-up

Anderson’s performances this season have earned the 19-year old a call-up to the Brazilian national team. The call-up is not without its consequences. If Anderson is named a part of Brazil’s Olympic side the midfielder would miss the beginning of next seasons campaign, as the Olympics run from August 6-23. This, however, seems a small price to pay for a transfer acquisition that has exceeded even Ferguson’s expectations. Following a suspect first couple months with the side, the absence of Paul Scholes saw Anderson grow exponentially over the last few months. His fantastic form has seen him become Ferguson’s preferred midfielder, chosen over the more experienced Hargreaves and Michael Carrick. While I’m sure Fergie will be frustrated to lose the young Brazilian for any amount of time, he can only be pleased with the rapid growth of the youngster and all the recognition it brings him.

Albiston Pegs Welbeck for Greatness (or at least a place in the side)

Former Scotland International and Manchester United defender Arthur Albiston thinks quite highly of United reserve striker Danny Welbeck. Impressed by Welbeck’s performance in Saudi Arabia, Albiston had this to say:

“He has the ability to drag the ball past defenders. He has a languid style and you might think, at first look, that he is not quick. But, believe me, he is. He’s very easy on the eye. Often big tall players don’t look comfortable on the ball and their control doesn’t appear great. But Danny is a really smooth mover, is confident on the ball and has great control. He can beat defenders using either foot and has a very nice unflustered temperament. He gets knocked about a lot but he just gets up and gets on with it. United have the likes of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez who are low centre of gravity, powerful players. Danny Welbeck can eventually, if he progresses as he should, offer another option.”

About Yesterday

It turns out that Roy Carroll’s move to Derby County isn’t going as smoothly as first reported.

Blog Report

• Has The Sun Baked Ferguson’s Head? (A Kick In The Grass)
• Liverpool - You Know It’s Going Bad When…. (Republik of Mancunia)
• Scholesy’s Return and Manucho (RedRants)

What’s your take on the day’s news? Leave a comment!