RBSC

**Dunny** · May 9, 2013, 10:28 AM

Rooney faces fan backlash as request for transfer puts Chelsea, Bayern and PSG on alert... but will Ronaldo's return persuade him to stay?

By Ian Ladyman, Neil Ashton and Chris Wheeler
PUBLISHED:08:43, 9 May 2013| UPDATED:14:54, 9 May 2013

Wayne Rooney faces a backlash from Manchester United fans after it emerged he asked outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson for a transfer two weeks ago.
Fans took to Twitter and message boards to urge the club to sell the England striker after Sportsmail exclusively revealed that Rooney is seeking a fresh start elsewhere.
The news will interest Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, who are favourites to sign the £25m-rated frontman.
Rooney also recently removed the words 'Manchester United player' from his Twitter profile, replacing them with 'Nike Athlete'.

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Doom and gloom: Wayne Rooney drives out of Manchester United's Carrington training ground on the morning it was revealed he asked outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson for a transfer this summer

Change of scenery: Wayne Rooney asked Sir Alex Ferguson for a transfer this summer at the end of last month after growing increasingly frustrated with his role in the United team

All in blue: How Rooney would look in Chelsea colours as imagined by Sportsmail. The London club have been put on alert by news that Rooney wants a move away from Old Trafford, with Bayern Munich and PSG also interested

Happier times: Rooney and Ferguson lark around before a Champions League semi-final with Schalke in 2011. But the striker has grown increasingly disillusioned with his role at the club

Change: Rooney altered his Twitter blurb from Manchester United player to Nike Athlete recently

David Moyes, Rooney's first manager in professional football, will be confirmed as Ferguson's replacement today and one of his first challenges will be to persuade the England striker to stay.
But many fans urged him not to bother.

Reaction to Rooney's latest transfer request on Twitter was not favourable to the player.

One fan wrote: 'Truth be told, Rooney has looked uninterested most of the season, he didn't even acknowledge his fans half the time.'
Another compared the England striker unfavourably to Cristiano Ronaldo: 'Rooney's been stealing a wage for too long. Someone with his ability and salary should be doing what Ronaldo does every week.'
Another added: 'Funny how Rooney wanted to leave in 2010 cos we lacked "ambition." We go on to sign RVP and he's become irrelevant and now wants to leave.'
'I would sell Rooney if it meant getting a younger and hungrier player. He hasn't been motivated for months now,' said another fan.

Many others added that Rooney was not bigger than the club and that if he remained, many supporters would turn against him next season.

The forward looked downcast as he left training at Carrington on Thursday morning, as he and his team-mates contemplated life after Ferguson at the club.

Morning after: Rio Ferdinand leaves training this morning

New era: Michael Carrick drives away from Carrington the day after Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement

Gloomy: Ryan Giggs leaves training this morning

Behind the wheel: Robin van Persie at training today

Rooney, 27, asked Ferguson for a transfer late last month and was told in no uncertain terms that he would not be sold this summer.
He has grown increasingly frustrated with life in and out of the team at Old Trafford, with the developments putting Chelsea, Bayern and PSG on alert.
The forward may reconsider his stance now that Moyes is taking over, particularly amid rumours Ronaldo could be in line for a sensational return to Old Trafford after four years at Real Madrid.
However, Rooney and Moyes have had their differences in the past and the player knows Chelsea would be keen to have him as Jose Mourinho returns as manager.

New boss: David Moyes, the incoming United manager, was Rooney's first professional boss at Everton

Partnership: Rooney and Ronaldo were devastating when playing in tandem at United, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League

Off colour: Rooney has sometimes looked uncomfortable in his newly-adopted midfield role this season

Newly appointed: Moyes smiling yesterday after leaving Everton chairman Bill Kenwright's offices in London

Ferguson reacted angrily in February to suggestions Rooney would be sold, stating unequivocally that the Liverpudlian would be at the club next season.
Last night, a United spokesman insisted: 'Wayne Rooney is not for sale.'
The money United could get for Rooney could be reinvested to sign Robert Lewandowski or Radamel Falcao to partner Robin van Persie in attack next season.
Rooney has grown increasingly frustrated after spending most of the season playing a deeper role in midfield, a position he has not always appeared comfortable with.

Overshadowed: 25-goal Robin van Persie has stolen the limelight from Rooney this season

Refreshment: Rooney enjoys a pint of beer at Chester racecourse yesterday

Van Persie, meanwhile, has taken most of the plaudits for powering United to a 13th Premier League title after scoring 25 goals in 36 matches.
The return of Ronaldo, who spent six years at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009 before leaving for Real in an £80m deal, would be intriguing.
He and Rooney forged a devastating partnership and won three League titles and the Champions League together.
Despite an emotional morning meeting in which Ferguson explained the reasons for his departure at the end of this season, Rooney and his United team-mates looked relaxed and in good spirits as they spent the afternoon at Chester racecourse.

Wayne Rooney gives nothing away as he arrives at the races

Rooney was photographed enjoying a pint of beer as the players let off steam ahead of the two final fixtures of the season.
Ferguson will take his place in the Old Trafford dug-out for the last time this Sunday, as United host Swansea City, and will bow out at West Bromwich Albion next weekend in his 1,500th match in charge.
The club released a statement at 9.20am on Wednesday morning confirming speculation that Ferguson was to call time on his magnificent career at the club.
It read: 'The quality of this league-winning squad, and the balance if ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level, while the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.'
WAYNE ROONEY'S COMBINED PREMIER LEAGUE AND CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAMES AND GOALS RECORD

Prolific: Wayne Rooney has an excellent scoring record for United but has been below his usual standards this season

2004-05
GOALS: 14 GAMES: 35
GOALS PER GAME: 0.40
2005-06
GOALS: 17 GAMES: 41
GOALS PER GAME: 0.414
2006-07
GOALS: 18 GAMES: 47
GOALS PER GAME: 0.38
2007-08
GOALS: 16 GAMES: 38
GOALS PER GAME: 0.42
2008-09
GOALS: 16 GAMES: 43
GOALS PER GAME: 0.37
2009-10
GOALS: 31 GAMES: 39
GOALS PER GAME: 0.79
2010-11
GOALS: 16 GAMES: 37
GOALS PER GAME: 0.43
2011-12
GOALS: 31 GAMES: 38
GOALS PER GAME: 0.82
2012-13 (to date)
GOALS: 13 GAMES: 33
GOALS PER GAME: 0.46

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**Dunny** · May 9, 2013, 10:30 AM

EXCLUSIVE: Man United line up Ronaldo return after chief Gill flies to Spain to talk to Madrid star's super-agent

CEO David Gill in talks with Ronaldo's agent about Old Trafford return
Madrid star hailed Sir Alex Ferguson on Twitter after his retirement
Ronaldo's return could persuade Wayne Rooney to stay at United

By Neil Ashton , Ian Ladyman and Chris Wheeler
PUBLISHED:22:30, 8 May 2013| UPDATED:14:22, 9 May 2013

An astonishing day at Manchester United took an incredible twist on Wednesday night when it emerged the club are close to securing the return of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sportsmail can reveal that outgoing United chief executive David Gill has been in Madrid to meet Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese super-agent who represents the megastar.
Sources on Wednesday night insisted the Barclays Premier League champions are confident of securing the return of the player they sold to Real Madrid for a world record £80million in 2009.
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Homecoming? Cristiano Ronaldo is close to a return to Manchester United

News of Ronaldo's return might help David Moyes, who will be the next manager of the club, to persuade the wantaway Wayne Rooney to stay.

Outgoing boss Sir Alex Ferguson made no secret of wanting to see former World Player of the Year Ronaldo come back to Old Trafford.

When United met Madrid in the Champions League earlier this season, Ferguson said: ‘Was I tempted to bring him back? Yes. He’s still in the hamper.’

On Wednesday, in reaction to Ferguson's decision to retire, Ronaldo tweeted: ‘Thanks for everything, Boss.'
He has a great relationship with Ferguson and sees him as a father figure.

'When I arrived, even though I did not want it, he [Ferguson] insisted I have No 7 on my shirt,' Ronaldo had said.

Happy days: Ronaldo developed immensely as a player under Ferguson at United and enjoyed great success

Tears and a crown: Ronaldo celebrates winning the Champions League

'I was adamant that I did not want it. Then, he sat me down and told me about the history of the No 7.

He said, "Do you understand what I am trying to say to you? I think you will be worthy of wearing this shirt". With that, I understood how much confidence he had in me.'
Ronaldo scored his 200th goal for Madrid in a 6-2 win at home to nine-man Malaga on Wednesday.

The match turned in the 21st minute when Malaga defender Sergio Sanchez was shown a straight red card for bringing Ronaldo down in the area.

Although the Portuguese had his spot kick saved by Willy Caballero, who injured himself in the process and had to be replaced by Carlos Kameni, Ronaldo netted with an indirect free kick close to goal in the 26th minute.

Take that: Ronaldo lashes in a free-kick to score his 200th Real Madrid goal

Rooney is about to be reunited with Moyes - his first manager in professional football - who will be confirmed on Thursday as the new United boss after meeting Everton chairman Bill Kenwright in London on Wednesday.

But Moyes will walk straight into a scrap to keep Rooney after the England striker asked Ferguson for a transfer late last month.

Frustrated with life in and out of the team at Old Trafford, Rooney suggested during a meeting in Ferguson’s office that he be allowed to leave this summer. Ferguson, it is understood, told him in no uncertain terms that he would not be sold.
Chelsea are leading the race for the striker and value him at £25m.

The way they were: Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo shone together for Manchester United

Once a Blue: Chelsea are confident of luring the £25m England striker to Stamford Bridge in the summer... and we've imagined what he'll look like in a blue shirt

Rooney may now reconsider his stance in the wake of Moyes’s arrival, even though the two men have had their own differences in the past.

It remains to be seen if Rooney follows up his informal plea to Ferguson with a formal transfer request.

Rooney knows that Chelsea would be keen to take him to Stamford Bridge and incoming boss Mourinho has identified him as one of his principal targets. The Portuguese wants a striker to play in the role once occupied by Didier Drogba and believes he can rejuvenate Rooney’s career.
Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested but PSG, Sportsmail understands, will lose manager Carlo Ancelotti to Madrid as Mourinho’s replacement this summer.
Ferguson himself reacted angrily in February to suggestions Rooney would be sold, stating unequivocally that the Liverpudlian would be at the club next season. On Wednesday night, a United spokesman insisted: ‘Wayne Rooney is not for sale.’

Mentor: Rooney with Sir Alex Ferguson on the day he signed for United in 2004

Day at the races: The England forward was out with his United team-mates on Wednesday

Ferguson, meanwhile, brought down the curtain on his incredible career by effectively choosing Moyes as his successor.
Ferguson’s remarkable 27-year reign as United manager will end in 10 days. On a momentous day for English football, his imminent departure was confirmed at 9.20am on Wednesday.

United will announce Moyes’s appointment later on Thursday, after thrashing out the details of a contract worth in the region of £5m a year.

Now it can be revealed that not only was 71-year-old Ferguson closely involved in discussions about his replacement, he was actually the key man in picking Moyes. Ferguson has always been a fan of the manager he once considered for a coaching role when his fellow Glaswegian was in charge at Preston in the 1990s.
Having told the Glazer family, United’s owners, back in March that he intended to stand down, Ferguson implored them to hire the Everton boss.

Beer we go: Rooney enjoys a pint at the races on Wednesday

Loyal servant: Rooney has spent nine seasons at Old Trafford

Other key influences, such as Sir Bobby Charlton and Gill, share Ferguson’s view that the 50-year-old will bring United the same ideals of longevity and continuity that are integral to the club, as well as placing an enormous emphasis on the youth system at Old Trafford.

On Wednesday night, Moyes was locked in talks with Kenwright about the best way to arrange his departure. Moyes’s contract at Goodison Park expires at the end of the season and he is entitled to walk away.
After meeting with Moyes on Wednesday night, Kenwright conceded he had little say in the matter, though he said he knew nothing of an agreement already being in place.

He told Sky Sports News: 'I don't know about a deal being done. David had a meeting scheduled with me and we've just had a good meeting.

'At the end of the day David's contract is up in six weeks' time and he has a right to make his own decisions. He's served this club wonderfully well and he has a right to make his own decisions.'
Asked if Moyes would still be in charge for Sunday's game against West Ham, Kenwright added: 'Yes, of course he is.'

Stars such as Rooney and Ryan Giggs were sitting having breakfast at United’s training ground at 9am when they were summoned to a meeting in the dressing room, where Ferguson told them of his intentions.

The much-decorated manager then moved on to two other meetings, where he informed his coaches and administrative staff that Sunday’s match against Swansea would be his last in charge at Old Trafford. The players were told not to tweet about their manager’s departure.

Stepping aside: Ferguson spoke to his players first on Wednesday morning

Fans around the globe react to Ferguson retirement news

Ferguson said in a statement: ‘The quality of this league-winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level, while the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.’
Ferguson will lift the Premier League trophy on Sunday, take charge for the final match of the season at West Bromwich Albion and then retire to pursue other interests and take up a position on the club’s board.
In his role as non-executive director and honorary president, Ferguson’s input to club affairs will be limited. The board only meets once every two months and on Wednesday he told his players he would be going ‘nowhere near the dressing room’.
Mourinho was another name constantly linked with the United job. It is understood, though, that he was never a realistic candidate, with United’s owners feeling his penchant for controversy would be too much for a club soon to be deprived of the authoritative figure of Gill.

Waiting in line: Moyes is expected to take over from Ferguson

Out of the running: Mourinho was never a realistic candidate

FERGUSON BY NUMBERS

894 games Ferguson has won as United boss. He has drawn 337 and lost 267.

104 players Ferguson has signed as United manager.

263 top-flight managers who have worked during Ferguson’s reign.

14 players in the current squad who weren’t born when Ferguson first took over at United.

It emerged on Wednesday night that Gill’s decision to resign in February was done in the knowledge that this season could also be Ferguson’s last.
Moyes will now be left to form his own relationship with incoming chief executive Ed Woodward. Everton and England defender Leighton Baines is likely to be an early target.
It is not yet known what will happen to Ferguson’s current coaching staff. Moyes works closely at Goodison with Steve Round and Chris Woods and may want to integrate his own people into what is already a successful United system.

It is possible that former United defender Phil Neville, who is also leaving Everton this summer, will return to Old Trafford with Moyes as a coach, while United veterans Paul Scholes and Giggs are also being considered for coaching roles.

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**Dunny** · May 9, 2013, 10:32 AM

His genius lay in his ability to mine the hunger in garlanded millionaires. Truly, there will never be another Sir Alex Ferguson

By Martin Samuel
PUBLISHED:23:10, 8 May 2013| UPDATED:14:06, 9 May 2013

He was in at 6.50am. That’s all you need to know, really. The title won, his 13th with Manchester United, the cup competitions done, yet Sir Alex Ferguson’s white Chevrolet Captiva sped past photographers at the narrow lane leading to the Carrington training ground at an hour when much of the nation still wrestles with the duvet.

He would have known the impending announcement and would have wanted to avoid a circus, of course. Equally, he could have stayed at home, secure behind gates, and avoided the fuss that way.

It is typical of the man that he was still at his desk, still going through his daily routine. First in, last out. The puritan work ethic never deserted him, no matter his success. And he instilled it in all he met, players who shared his drive and ambition or were abandoned to their inferior fate.

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End of an era: Sir Alex Ferguson retired from his job as manager of Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson retires: End of an Era

That was his genius. The ability to mine the hunger in garlanded millionaires, young men at the top of their game, who could easily have been sated by United’s domination of English football.

There are football men who have served comparably, Guy Roux at Auxerre, from 1961 to 2005, or Valeriy Lobanovskyi’s 20 years at Dynamo Kiev in three spells of nine, six and five years, but no manager is a match for Ferguson’s 27 years at Old Trafford, in terms of sustained achievement under the fiercest pressure.

When Ferguson arrived in 1986, Manchester United had been relegated from the top division more recently than they had won it.

They trailed in the wake of the Merseyside clubs and behind George Graham’s Arsenal, too, and lost his first match in charge at Oxford United.
He leaves them close to impregnable. Ferguson did not build a team, he built team after team after team after team — only this month predicting that one of the current number, Phil Jones, would go on to be among United’s greatest players. He would ferociously tear down one group as fast as he constructed the next, always alert to the first glimpse of weakness and the first glint of brilliance in the junior ranks, too.

Team building: Ferguson was able to re-mould his United side on a regular basis throughout his career

His teams were youthful and inventive, a joy to watch and at their most exhilarating when behind.

‘The finest sight in football is Manchester United chasing a game,’ said Teddy Sheringham. The comebacks are legendary. The Champions League final in 1999, won with two goals in injury time against Bayern Munich; 3-0 down away to Tottenham Hotspur at half time, 5-3 up by the final whistle; Federico Macheda scoring in the 93rd minute against Aston Villa to knock top-of- the-table Liverpool off their perch one last time.

Yet, more than a team, Ferguson built a club. The modern Manchester United, its stadium and global renown, are testament to his singular vision.

In 1986, the northern branch of the Football Writers’ Association held a welcoming lunch for the new manager of Manchester United, freshly arrived from Aberdeen. It took place at the Portland Hotel in the city centre and the chef decided to lay on a local speciality. First a piece of lamb arrived and sat in the diners’ bowls uninvitingly. After a long interval, some stone-cold vegetables were placed on top.

Finally, the whole sorry mess cooled and congealed, the harassed staff appeared in a rush to ladle over hot stock. Posh hotels really shouldn’t attempt peasant cooking. After dinner, Ferguson rose to speak. ‘I’d just like to say,’ he began, ‘if that’s Lancashire hotpot, no wonder you haven’t won a f****** title in 19 years.’

Crowning glory: Ferguson led United to the Champions League in 1999 with a stunning win over Bayern Munich

And that was Ferguson’s triumph, too, this perfect hotpot he cooked up, this club that crossed continents, yet somehow retained their sense of locality. There were always home-produced players in Manchester United squads and often dyed red Mancunians, all attitude and over-enunciated vowels.

Even halfway around the world, chasing the Asian or American market, United never lost their sense of identity and that is down to him, his faith in youth, in soul, in moulding a group that was more than just an accumulation of marquee names and galactico egos.

He could have turned Manchester United into Real Madrid or modern Manchester City, he could have tried to take the fast track. The path he chose instead was tougher, longer, more painstaking. It required tremendous attention to detail, a knowledge of every player, from the star of the first team to the schoolboy getting off the bus with his homework still in a rucksack on his back.

He would drive to Edinburgh to woo the parents of a teenage Darren Fletcher, he sent 14-year-old Joe Cole a replica shirt with his name and No 10 on the back.

‘This is what you will look like when you play for Manchester United,’ read the note. So he didn’t always get his man, but it was never for want of trying.

Constant reminder: A statue of Ferguson outside Old Trafford marks the Scot's achievements

No manager of an elite club put as much energy into youth as Ferguson. When he is described as an impossible act to follow, it is this minutiae, as much as any roll of honour, that sets the standard.
Indeed, it is the breadth and range of Ferguson’s tenure that sets him apart.

Arsene Wenger has built a modern club, but in recent years without success. David Moyes has won admiration for his time at Everton, but no trophies. Jose Mourinho is acclaimed for his achievements, but critics ask where is his legacy?

Only Ferguson combines relentless accumulation with the longevity that transforms a sporting institution. United were always a big club, but they were not the club, against which all others must be judged.

Ferguson’s employers deserve credit, too, for giving him the time to build, for indulging his mistakes and early failings, and for setting aside their egos in acknowledgement that football was best left to a football man. To the football man, in fact.

With this announcement will come the usual hoary anecdotes. Tales of rows and fury, the hairdryer, the bans, the outbursts. He was a ferocious character, quick to temper and not always fair.
We had an argument once that lasted the perimeter of the Maracana Stadium. Any journalist that didn’t get on the wrong side of him at least once wasn’t doing his job. Yet that isn’t the half of it.

His relationship with the media isn’t relevant, really. The press conferences were the sideshow. The football field was where Ferguson was most compelling.

More than a club: Ferguson has helped build United into a worldwide force

In the right mood, he was fascinating to talk to and some regretted never being let closer, but everything Ferguson felt, everything he knew, was there in his teams. They were his grand statement and he changed football in this country, opening it up, creating the Premier League style that has been sold around the world.

Despite the success of Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Europe, few spoke of England as having the best — or at least the most entertaining — club football until Ferguson came along.

Before his first title win at Manchester United in 1992-93, the champions were not always the most exciting or cavalier team. Liverpool could be a dour presence away from home, while Graham’s Arsenal had the most efficiently drilled defence and an offside trap that could crush the life out of a contest.

Ferguson’s Manchester United teams arrived like a whirlwind. They were on the edge and rarely played safe, home or away. The most surprising aspect of this season is the absence of drama in Ferguson’s 13th title win. The reason his United got into so many historic scrapes was their daring style of play. The manager certainly had the money to play a tight, efficient, buttoned-down version of winning football, but chose instead to pursue creativity and chance: Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Andrei Kanchelskis, Eric Cantona.

The talent was costly, of course, but high ambition and an attacking style carries no guarantee.

His most expensive defender, Rio Ferdinand, was an equally exquisite passer. He nurtured the unique English footballer of the Premier League age in Paul Scholes and its most enduring creative presence in Ryan Giggs.

These are achievements that stretch beyond the selfish acquisition of baubles. These are contributions to football, to shaping the way it is and the way it will be.

Taking over? David Moyes is set to replace Ferguson

Whoever succeeds Ferguson at Old Trafford, the hardest principle to continue will be that panache, that bravery, to play game after game without taking a backward step, to make the match, not just at Old Trafford, but on the road, too.

Wherever United went they took the initiative and, by winning, proved there was no excuse for caution.

Last week, before Chelsea visited Manchester United, Rafael Benitez was asked about Ferguson’s record for consistently delivering trophies.
‘In England,’ he interrupted. It was a churlish remark and false, too. Among the eulogies this morning there will be barbs, sniping that Ferguson could have won more in Europe and continental competition, given the number of opportunities, but his record still shows eight trophies — Benitez has four, by the way — including one of the greatest achievements in British football history.

Winning the European Cup- winners’ Cup with Aberdeen in 1983 and beating Real Madrid in the final ranks alongside any subsequent victory with United.

Whatever advantages Ferguson may have possessed as manager at Old Trafford — and they were many and growing — his record at Aberdeen reveals the raw talent there, long before he could use corporate wealth to supplement his native wit.

He took over a drinking club with a recent history of under- achievement and turned it into the epitome of elite modern football. He redefined a way of winning in the English league, he built great teams and made great players; in the age of player power he was the master man-manager; in the age of the super coach, his is the record against which all are judged.

His character and determination inspired a football club and sent their message around the world.

And, yesterday, despite the fact that all he has left to do now is bid farewell, he was in at 6.50am to make the preparation for that moment just right. There are two games left, so take a good look.

Truly, there will never be another.

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**Karl** · May 9, 2013, 10:34 AM

All it would take to make the next EPL season super intriguing is for Cesc Fabregas and Aiex Song to return to the GUNNERS with the addition of top of world center-back, right-back and forward.

**Lazie** · May 9, 2013, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by Karl View Post

All it would take to make the next EPL season super intriguing is for Cesc Fabregas and Aiex Song to return to the GUNNERS with the addition of top of world center-back, right-back and forward.

Yuh cyaan read? All things Manchester United.

**Karl** · May 9, 2013, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by Lazie View Post

Yuh cyaan read? All things Manchester United.

Oooh yes, we always contributed in making you great!
You had to have great competitors to test and to make you great.

GUNNERS was one such...and the King is dead, Long Live the King!!!

**Lazie** · May 9, 2013, 10:51 AM

I noticed a change in Rooney's attitude in the later part of the season. Anyways, I respect him as a footballer. He is capable (not saying willing) of playing in any position. I don't see why he should be sulking if RvP got all the spotlight ... the team won the league.

Next season if he starts off on a scoring run, any coach would gladly leave him as the main striker. Talking bout any coach, how would he and Moyes work together?

**Karl** · May 9, 2013, 10:57 AM

Rooney's greatness is his enemy.
He plays great upfront or in midfield...and therein was the problem for him. With your midfield needing shoring up in key matches and RVP and the other super-sub more than enough on getting the goals, Rooney at times best served TEAM playing away from goal - i.e. in midfield as the ultimate supply-line man and to complement his attacking role, as top midfield defender.

...but his first love is scoring goals and at times he was denied maximum opportunity/opportunities so to do.

**Lazie** · May 9, 2013, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by Karl View Post

Rooney's greatness is his enemy.
He plays great upfront or in midfield...and therein was the problem for him. With your midfield needing shoring up in key matches and RVP and the other super-sub more than enough on getting the goals, Rooney at times best served TEAM playing away from goal - i.e. in midfield as the ultimate supply-line man and to complement his attacking role, as top midfield defender.

...but his first love is scoring goals and at times he was denied maximum opportunity/opportunities so to do.

... and that is the reason I don't see a need for his sulking. I think he was very effect this season. Leads the team in assists, when RvP was in a scoring drought, he started scoring etc.

**Dunny** · May 9, 2013, 11:08 AM

Breaking news:- David Moyes will start work at Manchester United on
July1st on a whopping 6 years deal!! Wow that is what you call confidence!

**Lazie** · May 9, 2013, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by Dunny View Post

Breaking news:- David Moyes will start work at Manchester United on
July1st on a whopping 6 years deal!! Wow that is what you call confidence!

Well, we'll have to sit back and see. The side full a winners already so like Rafa, he got a winning side. Let's see if him f?ock it up like Rafa did with Inter.

**Dunny** · May 9, 2013, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by Dunny View Post

Breaking news:- David Moyes will start work at Manchester United on
July1st on a whopping 6 years deal!! Wow that is what you call confidence!

My great honour: Dawning of a new era at Old Trafford as Moyes is confirmed as successor to retiring boss Sir Alex on SIX-YEAR deal

By Tom Bellwood
PUBLISHED:16:01, 9 May 2013| UPDATED:16:15, 9 May 2013

MANAGER OF THE MOMENT

MOYES TO LEAVE EVERTON

MOYES CUT FROM FERGIE CLOTH
HOW MOYES WILL FARE...
MARTIN SAMUEL ON FERGIE

Manchester United have confirmed that David Moyes will become their new manager when Sir Alex Ferguson steps down after 27 years in charge at Old Trafford.

Moyes, who agreed a six-year deal at Old Trafford, said: It’s a great honour to be asked to be the next Manager of Manchester United. I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done and for the Football Club.

'I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever, but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn’t something that comes around very often and I’m really looking forward to taking up the post next season.
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United front: Moyes was in London yesterday to speak with Everton owner Bill Kenwright

EVERTON STATEMENT

'Everton can confirm that David Moyes will leave the club at the end of the season.
'The manager met chairman Bill Kenwright early yesterday evening (Wednesday May 8) and confirmed his desire to join Manchester United.
'The chairman, on behalf of the Club, would like to place on record his thanks to David for the massive contribution he has made to Everton since his arrival in March 2002. He has been an outstanding manager.
'During his tenure at Goodison Park, David has taken charge of the team on over 500 occasions including four European campaigns.
'His final two games as Everton manager will be the remaining Premier League matches against West Ham United and Chelsea.
'Everton officials will start the search for a replacement manager immediately.'

'I have had a terrific job at Everton, with a tremendous chairman and Board of Directors and a great set of players. Between now and the end of the season, I will do everything in my power to make sure we finish as high as possible in the table.
'Everton’s fantastic fans have played a big part in making my years at Goodison so enjoyable and I thank them wholeheartedly for the support they have given me and the players. Everton will be close to me for the rest of my life.'
Ferguson, who is a great admirer of his countryman, admitted that he approached Moyes as far back as 1998 too see whether he would take an assistant role at the club.
Announcing his successor, the 71-year-old said: 'When we discussed the candidates that we felt had the right attributes we unanimously agreed on David Moyes. David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic.

'I've admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to discuss the position of assistant manager here.

'He was a young man then at the start of his career and has since gone on to do a magnificent job at Everton. There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this Club.'
United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who had a hand in the selection process, expressed his delight that Moyes will take up the mantle.
He added: 'I have always said that we wanted the next manager to be a genuine Manchester United man. In David Moyes, we have someone who understands the things that make this such a special club.

'We have secured a man who is committed to the long-term and will build teams for the future as well as now. Stability breeds success.
'David has tremendous strength of character and recognises the importance of bringing young players through and developing them alongside world class talent. At United, I think David will be able to express himself.'

Much to contemplate: But Moyes has always appeared a sensible man

New era: Moyes is set to come under greater scrutiny than ever

Departing: Moyes left Kenwright's offices, appearing positive, at the end of their meeting
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Is David Moyes the right man to replace Sir Alex Ferguson?It looks increasingly likely that Everton manager David Moyes will be named as the next manager of Manchester United, following the retirement of Alex Ferguson.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

The Everton boss leaves Goodison Park after 11 years and will be at the helm when United begin the defence of the Barclays Premier League crown they won under Ferguson this year.

Everton announced that he was leaving the club on their website on Thursday afternoon and effectively said he was the new United manager. His arrival at Old Trafford was confirmed later.
Moyes's move across the North West will see the dawning of a new era at the 20-time champions of England.
But the news comes in the middle of a momentous 24 hours for the champions, who will part company with their manager of after the final match of the season at West Bromwich Albion on May 19.

Moyes will find a number of pressing issues in his in-tray when he arrives, striker Wayne Rooney has asked for a transfer for a second time and there is the possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo could make a stunning return to Manchester.

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini tweeted: 'Many Thanks Coach...'
And former Everton striker Gary Lineker added: 'He did a wonderful job and he too will be a tough act to follow.'

Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright looked emotionally distraught on Thursday morning after a late-night meeting with Moyes and now begins the task of finding a new boss to take over at the Merseyside club.
Roberto Martinez is the red-hot favourite to take over at Everton when Moyes heads off to Old Trafford, but Sportsmail understands Phil Neville is a serious rival for the role.
Popular Spaniard Martinez has led unfashionable Wigan to Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City and has somehow kept the Latics in the Premier League in recent seasons as they pulled off a series of great escapes.

Strangely, he could well pull off the unlikely double of FA Cup glory and relegation this season.

Much to contemplate: Moyes's profile is set to grow even further

Athletic? The Scot's certainly a better mover than Sir Alex Ferguson

Positive: And he has reason to be, although one job may be persuading Wayne Rooney (below) to stay at Old Trafford

DAVID MOYES AT EVERTON

P W D L Win%
Everton 516 217 139 160 42.05
Record away against Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal

Played 45, Won 0, Drawn 18, Lost 27,
Points 18 (out of 135)

If the Martinez deal falls through, Neville is a candidate to replace Moyes. Everton’s club captain is set to leave Goodison at the end of the season when his contract expires but he has made no secret of his ambition to step into management, and Moyes would be sure to give him a glowing recommendation.
Last night Gary Neville led a chorus of praise to Fergie as the unrivalled scale of his influence was illustrated by the breadth and standing of those who voiced their reaction to his retirement.
The United manager received tributes from legions of former players, current managers and famous fans.
David Beckham called Ferguson his ‘father figure’, Cristiano Ronaldo offered his gratitude to a man he calls ‘Boss’, while Paul Ince insisted his successor would need ‘massive character’.

It was Neville, once a Fergie Fledgling and now a respected television pundit, Mail on Sunday columnist and England coach, who offered the deepest insight into the magnitude of his former manager’s achievements and how his departure from the dug-out will be felt both at Old Trafford and within football.
‘I speak in three different guises,’ Neville told Sky Sports News. ‘As a fan I’m sad and gutted for the club because it’s a day no Manchester United fan ever wanted to come. As a player who played for him I’m grateful and feel privileged to have worked with the greatest manager of all time.

Fans around the globe react to Ferguson retirement news

Welcomed: Neville (right) told Geoff Shreeves he would like to see David Moyes at Old Trafford

‘From our side of things (the media), the game’s become a little less interesting because we’ve lost an incredible character, somebody who always played magnificent football. So it’s just a loss all round.’

Neville highlighted Ferguson’s inspirational qualities as a major factor behind his phenomenal success.

‘He made you feel passionate about the football club,’ Neville said. ‘He changed the mentality of every single individual. It’s an incredible thing balancing the traditional aspects of life, his upbringing, with being open enough to move forward to be modern and change with the modern game. He’s the last of a kind.
‘He was very simple in terms of his instruction but you knew full well you were playing at a football club that demanded performance.

‘I grew up as a fan in the Seventies and Eighties when the club were a laughing stock, proclaiming themselves the greatest club in the world but not winning a league championship. Now he’s taken them to a point of dominance over 20 years in the right style and bringing through young players.

‘There was time to celebrate but pretty quickly he would shift on from victory. That’s where the longevity has come from. The job is never complete.’
Neville reflected on his own memories of Ferguson and how his dominant personality could be replaced.

‘It’s the personal things,’ he said. ‘The fact he’d stand in the dressing room before every game and say, “Good luck, son”. It may have been the only words he spoke to you but they were important.

Moving on: Moyes met with Kenwright yesterday and looks set to replace Fergie today

‘Manchester United is a massive football club. It moved on from the Munich air disaster, it moved on from Sir Matt Busby, it will move on from Sir Alex Ferguson. People say how will the new manager be able to replace him? It’s simple: play attractive football, bring young players through and win a championship. Then the fans and club will support them.’
Beckham hailed Ferguson as the greatest manager in football and described how he had been vital in his early career.

‘The Boss wasn’t just the greatest and best manager I ever played under, he was also a father figure to me from the moment I arrived at the club at the age of 11 until the day I left,’ the former England captain said on his Facebook page.
‘Without him I would never have achieved what I have. After 98 (World Cup) without the manager I would have found it virtually impossible to cope with the attention I was getting on and off the field and for this I will always be grateful to him for his support and protection. Thank you Boss and enjoy the rest!’
Ronaldo, whom Ferguson calls the best player in the world, tweeted a message which read, ‘Thanks for everything, Boss’, and included a photograph of the pair the day the Portuguese signed for United.

Blackpool manager Ince told Sky Sports News that the game would ‘never see anyone of his kind again’.

He said: ‘To play under that man was so demanding, his standards were so high. Replacing Alex Ferguson is such a massive, massive job. Whoever goes in will need the help of Alex Ferguson.’

Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who won 15 trophies under Ferguson after signing from Brondby for £750,000 in 1991, described the meticulous detail the Scot took in transfers.
‘The thing about Sir Alex is that 95 per cent of players brought in he’s been scouting them for a long time,’ the Dane said. ‘My move didn’t happen first time, it happened 12 months later. That’s the kind of guy he is.’
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said Ferguson would be ‘the toughest act to follow’.

He added: ‘The game of football will be a lot poorer place without him. He has been quite simply the best.’

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who gave Ferguson a lifetime achievement award last year, said on Twitter: ‘His achievements in the game place him without doubt as one of the “greats”.’

Former United keeper Edwin van der Sar wrote: ‘Was coming for some time now but still a shock that hasn’t sunk in yet!! Great manager and remarkable person!’

Compatriot Ruud Gullit posted: ‘Thanks Sir Alex Ferguson for the beautiful years in football. You have been so important for the game and will be remembered as an innovator and winner.’

United fan and multiple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt tweeted, ‘A major iconic football figure’, while golfer Rory McIlroy said, ‘An end of an era today!’
VIDEO: Sir Bobby Charlton pays tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Bobby Charlton talks about how great Sir Alex Ferguson's...

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**Karl** · May 9, 2013, 11:19 AM

Lazie: Please look at your performances against the top 5 TEAMS in the EPL. Maybe you will see there is not much between them and BoyU regardless of that huge points difference?

**Lazie** · May 9, 2013, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by Karl View Post

Lazie: Please look at your performances against the top 5 TEAMS in the EPL. Maybe you will see there is not much between them and BoyU regardless of that huge points difference?

Spurs beat MU. MU beat Chelsea, City and Arsenal. After MU basically won the title, City and Chelsea beat MU and Arsenal drew with a hungover MU.

Now, what you want me to look at?

RBSC

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