The Premier League runners up, Manchester United are looking to start their pre-season tour with victory when they take on SPL runners up Celtic in Toronto.

Form

Manchester United who although were expected do rubbish in the 2009/10 season held Chelsea to the final day of the season to win the title and finished strongly. Celtic who had a terrible start to the last domestic season have improved since the employment of Neil Lennon

Team News

The reds are without their players who participated in the world cup for the 2010 tour as well as players injured during last season but United’s side still looks strong. The 11 million January signing Chris Smalling could deputise for the Carling Cup Champions also. Sir Alex is likely to toy around with side for todays game with a mixture of youth and experience and have no real problems.

Celtic however has one big problem their goalkeeper. Number one goalkeeper Artur Boruc who left the club only days before Neil Lennon’s side were going to set off for their North America tour, has gave Lennon a big problem for who goes between the posts. Zaluscak looks to be the favourite to take up the role but Cervito could pose a problem to him.

Man To Watch

Name: Josh Thompson

Age: 19

Team: Celtic

Number: 38

Transfer Fee: £ ?

Position: Defender

Likely United Team

Man Utd: Van Der Sar, O’Shea, Evans, Brown, Fabio, Nani, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs, Macheda, Berbatov

Predictions

Scoreline: Man Utd 3-1 Celtic

Odds: Man Utd 4/7 Draw 7/2 Celtic 3/1

With all the success of a club of Manchester United’s stature, a new kit release is big news in the football world and the time of the year when the red devils release their kit has came around once again. The reds new kit, designed by Nike has gone back to the retro style of the 1970s. With a flared collar for the first time since Nike took over manufacturing their kits in 2002, Nike has created a retro shirt with a modern twist. United have used state of the art Dri-Fit technology along with recycled polyester to give the shirt a modern feel.

Also with the use of engineered mesh patterns, which featured last season, is used to create a V-shape on the back of the shirt. To finish the shirt off, United have incorporated the white strips on the arms of the shirt featured in so many previous kits.

The new sponsor Aon also gives excitement and optimism towards the future of United.

As part of Manchester United’s preseason preparations and their tour of the US, I will be covering Manchester United’s six preseason friendlies and all the new kit launches and any major news during the tour.



    What a difference a year makes.  Last year injuries were not a big problem for Manchester United.  At the beginning of last season both Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were in the stands as the season started, but Tevez and new arrival Berbatov were able to keep things moving on the pitch.  Sir Alex even toyed with the idea of unleashing his four horseman of the apocalypse(Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov,) loose on the Premier League, but that never happened.  Sir Alex had the luxury of a full stable situation in which playing time became hard to come by.  We all know  how last season ended.  Cristiano Ronaldo finally fulfilled his childhood dream of moving to Real Madrid;  And Carlos Tevez, knowing that he would not be the biggest star at Old Trafford, signed qith Manchester City.  The point is last season injuries did not cause much turmoil.  When Ronaldo was out, following his ankle surgery, Tevez stepped in.  The squad was deep with established talent.  Lets move to this year.

     In an interview before Manchester United and Bayern Munich met in their Champions League match in Germany Franck Ribery characterized the Red Devils as a one star club.  I personally was offended.  How dare the ugly Frenchman say that.  With the way that Manchester United struggled in the second half of the second meeting at Old Trafford  credence was given to Ribery’s statement.  Evidence of further suffering occurred that weekend as a Rooneyless Manchester United could only muster a draw against mediocre club Blackburn.  Rooney was not at his best against Manchester City, but the Red Devils did pull out three points during stopage time thanks to Paul Scholes.  A sloppy Tottenham fell prey to a better organized Manchester United squad (without Rooney) along with the voodoo in the air at The Theatre of Dreams.  an Injured Rooney will sit out the remainder of the season, as the title race with Chelsea becomes a dead on sprint.  The question is what about next season?

     Enter hit man  Javier “Chicharito”  Hernandez Balcazar of Guadalajara Mexico.  Javier is the young star from Mexico’s most storried club  Club Deportivo Guadalajara, or simply put Chivas.  If there is a club on equal stature with Manchester United in the Primera Division de Mexico; it would have to be Chivas.  Founded in 1906 by Belgian; Edgar Everaert, an amateur Chivas was comprised of  Mexican, French,Belgian, and English players.  By the time Chivas joined the professional Liga Mayor in 1943 they were an all Mexican squad, and have remained Mexican since.  Chivas has the distinction of being the only club in the Mexican Premier division to never be relegated.  Year after year; Chivas finishes in the top three, if not at the top, every season.  While the quality may not be on par with the English Premier League,  there is no question about Hernandez abilities.  Hernandez has proven himself on both Mexico’s, and the world’s stage.  Most importantly, the young striker wants to play for Manchester United.  No boyhood dreams about running out on the pitch at Satiago Bernabeu.  He is at the proper age- experienced enough to be lethal, but not so set in his ways that he can’t be flexible enough to new ideas.

     There are rumors floating around about David Villa and Karim Benzema joining Manchester United during the summer, but let’s consider Sir Alex.  There is debate of whether the funds from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo were really made available to Sir Alex.  Regardless, Sir Alex stated that he would not pay inflated prices.  I suspect that the same will hold true this summer as well.  If we think about Sir Alex Ferguson rarely overpays.  If we think about, no amount of cash will keep Fergie from spending if that is prudent.  When we think about the covert operation that saw Javier Hernandez signed with no previous notice; I say look for more of the same.  Let Real Madrid overpay for seconds that see more quality time on the operating table, and the tabloids then they do on the pitch.

Form

Burnley, who have recently employed Brian Laws as their new manager, will be attempting to repeat their shock 1-0 win in August but that won’t be easy. Form away from Turf Moor has been their Achilles heel – they’ve not won on their travels in the league all season. And having not won anywhere, home or away, in the last nine league games, they look to be heading in the wrong direction at the moment. United however, will be looking to increase the pressure on title leaders Chelsea, after failing to capture the full three points last week at St Andrew’s.

Team News

Manchester United’s uphill injury battle is nearing its end with key players within touching distance of return. Edwin Van Der Sar and Rio Ferdinand could both be in contention for a possible return after returning to training this week. In addition to Rio and Edwin, Ben Foster, Nemanja Vidic and Nani could also be in contention again recovering from their various injuries. Dimitar Berbatov however could face a lengthy spell out with his persistent knee problem. The Bulgarian captain, who has recently been named The Bulgarian player of the year, has been told he could be forced to a have surgery on his troublesome knee. The Clarets, meanwhile, are an almost fully fit side with only one player defiantly out- the skipper Steven Caldwell. Martin Paterson could be in contention for a return but is only likely to make the bench after recovering from a knee problem. Likewise, Stephen Jordan is set to appear after serving his one match ban for dissent.

Star Man

Name: Graham Alexander                                                                                                        Age: 38                                                                                                                                                 Height: 5 ft 11 in                                                                                                                        Team: Burnley F.C.                                                                                                                      Number: 2                                                                                                                                      Transfer Fee: £ 200,000                                                                                         International Appearances: (Scotland) 40                                                        Position: Right Back and Central Defensive Midfielder 

Officials

Lee Probert will have his first opportunity to referee a United game on Saturday. The 37 year-old from Gloucestershire has made 32 bookings in the Premier League and has brandished two red cards, both coming in Everton’s game against Aston Villa in October.

Likely Line Ups

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Park, Carrick, Anderson, Valencia, Rooney, Owen.

Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Duff, Carlisle, Jordan, Eagles, Alexander, Elliot, Gudjonsson, Fletcher, Nugent.

Predictions

Score line: Man Utd 3-0 Burnley

Odds: Man Utd 1/6 Draw 6/1 Burnley 16/1

Man to watch: Mame Biram Diouf

Form

The reds travel to St Andrews knowing that McLeish’s men are not only top of the form table but also unbeaten in twelve games. The blues’ run also includes draws against: Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool and their home record is even more impressive as they are unbeaten since September.

The reds, meanwhile, have been plagued by an inconsistent run in recent weeks. Last Sunday Sir Alex’s men went out of the FA Cup at the hands of Leeds United: less than a week earlier, United put five past Wigan and, on Boxing Day, three past Hull City.

Team News

Although United’s injury crisis has eased in recent weeks Rio Ferdinand (back), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and John O’Shea (thigh) are still out with their respective injuries but Ferdinand is only two weeks away from a possible return. Owen Hargreaves has recently also returned to training with the reserves. Sir Alex had another blow after the defeat against Leeds United when Nemanja Vidic (leg) was told he’d been out for ten to twelve days. Edwin Van Der Sar is also still on Compassionate leave but his wife has successfully recovered from her condition so the Dutch goalie will be back soon. Likewise, Birmingham have also got severe injury concerns with Lee Carsley (ankle),Stuart Parnaby (back), Gary O’Connor (hip) and long-term lay-offs Teemu Tianio (knee) and David Murphy (knee) all out.

Star Man

Birmingham’s recent good form has been based on a very successful back five which all starts from goalkeeper Joe Hart. The on loan Manchester City stopper has been very consistent in recent weeks but Hart will have to be on top form if he’s to keep the red’s forward line from scoring.

Likely Line Ups

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Owen.

Birmingham City: Hart, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson, Bowyer, Ferguson, Jerome, Benitiez

Officials

Mark Clattenburg. The Tyneside official has taken charge of United twice already this season, both times at Old Trafford. In those games – v Tottenham in the Carling Cup and v Bolton in the league – he’s not issued a single caution. Let’s hope there’s no need to reach for the cards on Saturday, either.

Form

The Peacocks and the reds may be two leagues apart but the two sides are amongst the same position in the table as each other. Simon Grayson’s men are six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand and are unbeaten in fifteen games in all competitions stretching back to October, when they suffered their only league defeat of the season so far at Millwall. Likewise, United go into the cup tie knowing that thanks to their last league game they have closed Chelsea’s gap to two points. These two sides last met in the FA Cup at Old Trafford in 1995 when Ferguson’s men beat the whites 3-1.

Team News

Leeds United have no fresh injury concerns with Ben Parker the only long-term absence but The Peacocks are without Defender Leigh Bromby after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign. Rui Marques will also not feature on Sunday as he is part of Angola’s African Nation Cup squad. However, United are still an injury stricken side with John O’Shea, Nani, Owen Hargreaves still out. Rio Ferdinand will also be unable to feature on Sunday despite restarting training on Tuesday. On the other hand, Sir Alex Ferguson will have both Jonny Evans and Captain Gary Neville back after returning to fitness. The Reds summer signing Mame Biram Diouf, who was loaned back to Molde till January, is illegible to play after only recently obtaining a work permit.

Star Man

Jermaine Beckford

Jermaine Beckford began his professional career as a Chelsea trainee, but was released at 19 and only rejoined the pro ranks with Leeds after a prolific spell with non-league Wealdstone. The pacy 26-year-old hit 27 goals in Leeds’ run to the League One play-offs last season and has 19 to his name already this term so he is likely to put up a stern attacking display against the Premier League champions.

Officials

Chris Foy has taken charge of two games involving United this season – the Community Shield encounter against Chelsea and October’s League Cup win at Barnsley, in which he issued five yellow cards and also sent off Gary Neville.

Likely Line Ups

Man Utd: Foster, Neville, Evans, De laet/Brown, Fabio, Park, Gibson, Anderson, Obertan, Macheda, Owen

Leeds:

After returning to winning ways against Wigan, Arsenal and Tottenham, United looked to continue their winning ways as they went into the Manchester derby in second in the table. After ninety minutes of end to end football the two sides were level by three goals but with five minutes of added time Sir Alex still thought there was time to claw back a win and sent on Micheal Owen to try find it. After four minutes had passed, a sensational goal was in the reckoning as Ryan Giggs set up Owen for his first and probably most important United goal. United carried their unbeaten streak to October after a two goal win at Stoke.

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October

After a draw and a win against Sunderland and Bolton, Ferguson’s side took on their biggest challenge yet as they took on Merseysiders Liverpool.  United travelled to Liverpool knowing that if they were to win at Anfield they would increase their lead at the top of the table to four points but if they were to lose the blues could take them over. After a terrible start to the season Liverpool needed to take revenge on someone and it was United the scousers choose. Liverpool put two goals past keeper on the day Van Der Sar forcing United to second place. United’s final game of the month was against Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford of which they won by two goals to nil.

November

United started the month with another tricky fixture when they took on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Despite looking the stronger side, a second half controversial free kick gave the blues the first and only goal of the game courtesy of England skipper John Terry. The reds returned to winning ways shortly after their defeat at the bridge with wins over Everton and Portsmouth finishing off a successful but frustrating month in the dawn of Ferguson’s defensive crisis.

December

December was the dawning of United’s injury crisis and month of frustrating fixtures starting at Upton Park against West Ham. United started the game with Darren Fletcher in the right back defensive position (although a midfielder) and right back Gary Neville starting in a central defensive position with Wes Brown due to Nemanja Vidic being struck down with flu. Only twenty minutes into the game, Skipper Gary Neville was forced to hobble off with a groin injury and yet another Midfielder was drafted on (Carrick) to replace him. Four goals and an hour later, Ferguson’s injury concerns were increased as Wes Brown also was forced off with a calf injury. With United’s defensive frailties continuing it was inevitable that it was going to affect their results.

Their first slip up was against Aston Villa when Gabriel Agbonlahor headed home the only goal of the night to put the Villains fourth. After Ferguson’s men overcame Mick McCarthy’s Wolves side in mid-week the reds looked to continue their winning ways as they travelled to Craven Cottage to face Fulham but like last season the reds lost to the cottagers once again but this time lost by three goals to nil.

sorry for going way over its just when i start writing i can’t stop lol

After wins against Sunderland, Portsmouth, Tottenham, Middlesbrough and Manchester rivals Man City, United took on Wigan knowing that they were in touching distance of their eighteenth league title. After second half strikes from Micheal Carrick and Carlos Teves sealed the victory for the reds, United knew that only a draw against their next opponents Arsenal could give United their second piece of silverware of the season. Ferguson’s men when into this test with real confidence as they had previously beaten the Gunners in the semi final of the Champions League earlier that month but they knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Despite both sides coming close to hitting the back of the net, the game ended as a goalless draw giving Ferguson his third piece of Premier League silverware in as many years.

Fergusons next test was the Champions League final. After resting his first team squad for the last league game of the season, Ferguson and Co travelled to Rome in confidence and were preparing to face Spanish giants Barcelona. After a pretty poor performance United’s dreams of becoming the first ever club to maintain the Champions League title were dashed as goals from Samuel Eto and Lionel Messi put the game out of United’s grasp.

June

With United failing to retain the Champions League title, rumours started to circulate in the world’s media that Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at the club was in doubt and surely enough on the eleventh of June it was announced that Manchester United had accepted a record eighty million pound bid for the Portuguese star from Real Madrid. Despite no new signings for over two weeks, it was announced at eight o’clock on the thirtieth of June that the red devils had signed Wigan winger Antonio Valencia for a reported fee of eighteen million.

July

While the news of Cristiano Ronaldo’s future was in the news, there were reports stating that Carlos Teves could also be on his way out of the club as he didn’t achieve as much playing time as he wanted and these later became true. Although Carlos was offered a five year contract with the reds, he publicly came out saying that he would not be taking the offer of continuing his playing career at either Old Trafford or Anfield prompting the decision for him to move to United rivals Manchester City. With two major goal scorer on the way out of Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson was forced into dipping into the transfer market once more. After the very public bidding war for French forward Karim Benzema was lost, Ferguson picked up the former Liverpool star and freelancer Micheal Owen on a two year deal after his contract expired at relegated Newcastle United. Just days later, it was announced that United had signed their third player of the transfer window Gabriel Obertan. Obertan, who is another winger, came to the club from French giants Bordeaux.

Shortly after their third signing, Ferguson’s men started to prepare for the next season and travelled to their preseason tour destination in Asia. The reds preseason tour consisted of four teams in four different countries the first of which was in Malaysia against Malaysia XI which ended two three to United with Micheal Owen Scoring the winner his first United goal on his debut. After three successful wins in their Asia tour, United finished the campaign with an amazing eight two win over Chinese team Hangzhou Greentown. Despite starting on the bench, Ryan Giggs came on in the sixtieth minute and still managed to score a hat trick for the reds.

August

With United winning the league, for the third consecutive year United featured in the FA Community Shield against rivals Chelsea who won the FA Cup. Despite scoring the first goal, United were soon down two one but a late goal from on form Wayne Rooney gave the Champions the chance to once again win the Shield on Penalties like last season but the blues beat them three one on penalties. With the season just a week away, Sir Alex was informed that both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were injured as well as Edwin Van Der Sar who got injured in Preseason. United’s first two fixtures were against the newly promoted teams Birmingham and Burnley who looked to be easy fixtures but boy were they wrong. The first game of the season against Birmingham wasn’t an easy one as the blues looked very dangerous on the attack but a thirty four minute strike from Rooney was all that separated the two sides. United travelled to newly promoted Burnley knowing that the promoted teams aren’t easy to beat as they thought and this point was proved in the nineteenth minute of the game when Burnley number ten Blake put the ball into the net way past fosters head. Despite a penalty for the reds just before half time, Micheal Carrick missed the chance for his team to equalise and the game ended one goal to nil.

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Sorry about the language