WAYNE TARGETS RETURN TO THE TOP
Wayne Rooney is seeking a winning comeback with Manchester United against Queens Park Rangers after missing two consecutive defeats in the last seven days.
The Reds striker missed last Saturday's trip to Norwich City with tonsillitis and while he might have been rested from Tuesday's game against Galatasaray anyway, with Champions League progress already assured, he admits the second loss was also hard to take.
"We were still disappointed to lose the game, even though we’d already qualified in the Champions League as group winners," Wayne said on Friday. "Obviously last week [at Norwich] was a massive disappointment for us. After losing that one, this QPR game couldn’t have come quickly enough. We’re looking to get back out there in the league and try and get the three points."
Rooney acknowledges the extra incentive provided by this weekend's order of fixtures, with current league leaders Manchester City not playing until Sunday when they meet Chelsea.
"If we can get the three points, that will take us to the top again. It might only be for 24 hours but it’s always great to be there," he contemplated, before reminding the fans it's far from a formality.
"QPR last season made it difficult for us. They went down to ten men early on and got players behind the ball and made it difficult. I’m sure it will be the same this season.
"They haven’t got a manager at the moment but I’m sure whoever does take over from Mark Hughes will get them organised to play that way. We just have to work on what we think is the best way to win the game and concentrate on ourselves. I’m sure if we do that and we do that right, we’ll be okay to get the three points."
More - Team news for QPR match | Hughes sacked by QPR | Sir Alex: Still a three-horse race
EXCITEMENT AS
VAN PERSIE ARRIVES Wayne Rooney is seeking a winning comeback with Manchester United against Queens Park Rangers after missing two consecutive defeats in the last seven days.
The Reds striker missed last Saturday's trip to Norwich City with tonsillitis and while he might have been rested from Tuesday's game against Galatasaray anyway, with Champions League progress already assured, he admits the second loss was also hard to take.
"We were still disappointed to lose the game, even though we’d already qualified in the Champions League as group winners," Wayne said on Friday. "Obviously last week [at Norwich] was a massive disappointment for us. After losing that one, this QPR game couldn’t have come quickly enough. We’re looking to get back out there in the league and try and get the three points."
Rooney acknowledges the extra incentive provided by this weekend's order of fixtures, with current league leaders Manchester City not playing until Sunday when they meet Chelsea.
"If we can get the three points, that will take us to the top again. It might only be for 24 hours but it’s always great to be there," he contemplated, before reminding the fans it's far from a formality.
"QPR last season made it difficult for us. They went down to ten men early on and got players behind the ball and made it difficult. I’m sure it will be the same this season.
"They haven’t got a manager at the moment but I’m sure whoever does take over from Mark Hughes will get them organised to play that way. We just have to work on what we think is the best way to win the game and concentrate on ourselves. I’m sure if we do that and we do that right, we’ll be okay to get the three points."
More - Team news for QPR match | Hughes sacked by QPR | Sir Alex: Still a three-horse race
Both Robin van Persie and Sir Alex Ferguson are thrilled by the prospect of the Dutch striker pulling on the famous red shirt for Manchester United.
At a press conference to officially unveil the star signing, the former Arsenal captain explained the motivation for his switch to Old Trafford despite interest from other clubs.
"Manchester United breathes football," admitted van Persie. "Every aspect. For me, I made the decision quite soon. It was based on a lot of things and all these things went for United. When I have to make a hard decision, I always listen to the little boy inside me and what does he want? That little boy was screaming for Manchester United."
Sir Alex believes his latest recruit is ready made, just as Eric Cantona was when he arrived from Leeds in 1992. "He's a finished player," said the boss. "You've got to remember Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are coming to an end and we need top mature players to replace them. The young players will come on but they won't be able to replace Scholes and Giggs now.
"We've had several players like that, starting with Cantona of course. Robin brings a certainty to us for the future. He's a different physical specimen to the players we already have at the club."
More - Red Voices podcast: Van Persie reaction | Robin proud to be Red | RvP only wanted United
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BOSS: CITY THE TEAM
TO BEAT Sir Alex Ferguson admits he views Manchester City as the biggest threat in the Barclays Premier League in 2012/13.
Ahead of Monday's season opener at Everton, the manager disagrees with Roberto Mancini's view that United are favourites, as do the bookmakers. Sir Alex says the reigning champions are clearly the team to beat again after ending a 44-year title drought.
"Neighbours are neighbours," explained Sir Alex. "The derby games never change. The defeat at Old Trafford was where we lost the league with the goal difference and, if you ask me, who are the biggest threat this season, then it's Manchester City - without question. Roberto Mancini says we're favourites every week. Is he not going to realise he's got a decent team himself?
"I think with the experience we've had last year, it was a different type of year and the first time anyone has beaten us on goal difference. That was a change and it won't happen again. Trust me on that.
"I'm almost certain Chelsea will be challenging as well - they won the European Cup, the trophy Roman Abramovich has been after and now he's excited again so they've signed a few players. But I still look at City as our biggest threat."
More: Fletcher doing well | Sir Alex: Maybe one more signing still to come | 2012/13 squad numbers
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