Man Utd Blog

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Giggsy Until 2010?

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Ryan Giggs can continue playing for Manchester United for at least another two or three seasons, according to assistant manager Carlos Queiroz.

Saturday’s trip to Liverpool will mark his 700th appearance in a United shirt and his 16th year in the top flight.

Giggs, 33, says he does not know if he can play on beyond the end of his contract in 2008.

But Queiroz said: “We expect his contribution to be another two or three years without any problems.”

“He’s still got lots in the locker now,” said the Birmingham City manager, also talking exclusively to the BBC.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes on and does 20 years at the top because he’s got all the attributes to carry on – and make no mistake, he’ll still have that same hunger in his stomach that epitomises a top player.”

Queiroz said Giggs’s longevity was “a fantastic, outstanding achievement”.

“It is very rare to find a player who is able to complete 16 years in one club playing at the level of Giggsy,” the Portuguese added.

“It is an outstanding, amazing career. To be not only on top of, but one step ahead of the demands and goals Manchester United have is really something fantastic.

“And that tells us something about his personality, the way he is committed to and his passion for the club and the game, his motivation and concentration at training sessions.

“If you lose that desire, that fifth gear in your stomach, you just can’t do it.”

Queiroz added: “After 16 years, Giggs is Manchester United. The way he plays, with so much fantasy, creativity and entertainment – but also outside the pitch as a professional – he is really a role model for the game.

Scholesy: Ronaldo is Numero Uno

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Paul Scholes says his Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world on current form.

Ronaldo has scored 12 goals as United have opened up a six point gap at the top of the Premiership table.

“The amount of goals and the amount of assists he’s had has been frightening,” Scholes told Football Focus.

“I haven’t seen anybody take players on, score goals and make goals like he has in this first half of the season, so he rightfully deserves that tag.”

Scholes added: “We just hope that for the second half of the season he can have the same effect on the team that he’s had in the first half. We’re sure he can do that.”

Scholes himself has been in top form despite missing much of last season with blurred vision.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson recently tipped the 32-year-old as an early contender for the Footballer of the Year award, but Scholes insists there is room for improvement.

He said: “I still think I can play better and I still think the team can play better so for the second half of the season we hope we can do that. I know over the years I’ve played better than I am doing now. I want to get back to those sorts of levels and hopefully I can do that.”

Player of the Month

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saha2

Player Review:

Louis Saha

A rich run of form recently including a run of goals and assists, suggesting that Fergie leaving RVN on the bench is not some personal vendetta, but a decision based on genuine form.

Stats:
Appearances: 21

Breakdown:

Premiership: 10

Europe: 2

FA Cup: 4

League Cup: 5

Goals: 11

Cards:

1: yellow

0: red

Goalscoring – 9

The Daily Telegraph amongst others suggested that playing Saha ahead of RVN in the League Cup Final was a political decision, but the truth is that Saha had scored in every round and his goal in the final jutified the selection. He has had a hard road to recovery from a series of injuries, but is finally beginning to justify the price tag that came with his transfer from Fulham. Creating an excellent understanding with Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park – Saha is a power house in the air and chases down everything. Perhaps still not as clinical as he might be.

Attacking Play – 8

Strong on and off the ball- an excellent “front man”. His downside is perhaps his lack of versatility in crossing the ball from teh wings.

Defensive Qualities – 7

Obviously not Saha’s strongest attribute. Nevertheless, he is making more effort these days to track back and help out.

Passing & Link up play – 8

Ji-Sung Park and Saha are developing an excellent understanding- which bodes well for the future.

Fitness and Attitude – 8

Seemingly getting back to full fitness which is good news for the squad.

Overall Score– 9

With all the ups and downs and his reputation as being so injury prone, it is a welcome site to see Louis Saha getting back to his best. Manchester United Blog is happy to announce that Louis Saha is our:

Player of the Month.

Player of the Month.

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rond

Player Review:

Cristiano Ronaldo

A rich run of form recently including a run of goals and assists, showing that he truly is a class act and late season bloomer.

Stats:
Appearances: 33 (9 as sub)

Breakdown:

Premiership: 21 (5)

Europe: 8 (6)

FA Cup: 1 (6)

League Cup: 3

Goals: 9

Cards:

7: yellow

1: red

Goalscoring – 8

Ronaldo’s scoring talents have not been demonstrated thus far- as recently pointed out by the King, Eric Cantona, in The Daily Telegraph. Often accused of being selfish and a show-off, when a simple pass would have done the trick- at least Ronaldo isn’t afraid to have a go. And with Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park on the other flank, Manchester United are looking dangerous in terms of goalscoring threats from all sides. Ronaldo also has an excellent head and can be a real danger at corners. Needs to test the goalkeeper more from free kicks, though.

Attacking Play – 9

One of the best. Silky, smooth and genuine pace. Perhaps goes down too easily and overdoes the theatrics, but Cristiano and Park are securing this part of Sir Alex‘s dream of his “third great team“.

Defensive Qualities – 6

Obviously not Ronaldo’s strongest attribute. Nevertheless, he is making more effort these days to track back and help Gary Neville out.

Passing & Link up play – 8

Ji-Sung Park could teach Ronaldo a thing or two about this department of play! Again, there is improvement, but he needs more faith in the ability of his teamates.

Fitness and Attitude – 7

Seemingly has the occasional emotional or psychological breakdown- but he is young still. His fitness throughout a particular game seems pretty good- but match-on-match, there is a lack of consistency that must question his mental as well as physical fitness- not seeming “up” for the task in certain games.

Overall Score– 9

With all the ups and downs, and the love-hate relationship we all, as Man United supporters- seem to have- the jury is still out on Cristiano Ronaldo. But at least for this month Manchester United Blog is happy to announce that Cristiano Ronaldo is our:

Player of the Month.

Player of the Month

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roo

Despite our positive review of Ji Sung-Park earlier in the month, where Park scored an excellent 8 out of 10,
Man United Blog’s Player of the Month has, by a close call, been awarded to:

Wayne Rooney.

Rooney, who also won the Barclays Player of the Month Award for December (and it’s not often that we agree with those politicised panels!) has simply been our most consistent and dynamic player, week on week- always leaving the field with credit even when the team has played poorly or even he has been having an “off” day.

The 20-year-old claimed the Barclays award after scoring five goals in seven league matches last month, doubing his haul in the Premiership to 10. His scoring streak included a double against Wigan, as well as goals against Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Birmingham. It is the second time Rooney has been honoured, having first received the accolade in February 2005.

The England international’s goals see him sitting joint fourth in the Barclays Race for the Golden Boot. His partnership with fellow striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is also the highest scoring pairing in the league with 25 goals.

Other players who came into serious consideration were, as mentioned before- Ji Sung-Park, Darren Fletcher, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Edwin Van der Sar and Paul Scholes. But in the end, Rooney just shone through in all areas of the game. Nic Gault, from the Barclays Awards Panel, said:

“Fingers crossed Rooney can carry this sort of form into the summer. He’s the hottest property in the league, if not the world, at the moment.“

One has to wonder at the Actim Stats format that the powers that be uses, especially when it comes to defenders who play well for teams that lose for other reasons- but one can’t deny that the panel got it right this time and believe that Man United Blog has as well!