A year to the day since Roy Keane went on MUTV to "nail certain players", Sir Alex Ferguson has said the club have come a long way since Keane's tirade, but Ferguson still craves a midfielder to replace his former captain, and he confirmed for the first time that he planned to resurrect a deal for Owen Hargreaves.
Ferguson had to choose his words carefully given Bayern Munich's threats to report him for making clandestine approaches, but the manager must be confident of finally getting his man considering that his normal modus operandi is to deflect any questions about potential transfer business.
"We are interested," he declared, in what may have been a deliberate attempt to lift Hargreaves's spirits as he recovers from a broken leg. United are aware that the England international has pinned his hopes on a move during the January transfer window and Ferguson made it clear the club would try to succeed where they failed in August. Pressed further, he said: "I can't give you anything more in terms of an update because we haven't spoken to Bayern."
zocoss
The obvious question would then be how Ferguson, if successful, plans to fit three into two in the centre of midfield. Paul Scholes, arguably, is playing as well as at any stage of his career, an amazing feat given that Ferguson revealed that the player, who will be 32 this month, still had "slight haziness" affecting his vision after 10 months of eye problems. Carrick, the £18m acquisition now wearing Keane's No16 shirt, had an ordinary start after joining from Tottenham, but his form has improved and there were words of encouragement from his manager.
"He's a fantastic passer of the ball and he will excel for this club, particularly in Europe when it's so vital to keep the ball," said Ferguson. "His performances have been good but Scholes has been absolutely superb and, because of that, Carrick has had a cameo role. All the focus has been on Scholes and maybe that's been good for Carrick. It's enabled him to settle at the club, take his time and he's producing some good football for us now."
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Carrick is seen by Ferguson as the long-term replacement for Scholes, with Hargreaves playing a more defensive role. At present, however, Scholes looks as though he could play for another five years and United's prime deal-maker, the chief executive David Gill, will not need to point out to Ferguson that Bayern may provide challenging opposition when it comes to thrashing out Hargreaves's future.
Far less complicated, on the list of Gill's jobs for the new year, will be tieing Ryan Giggs to a new contract. United are to offer their longest-serving player a one- or two-year extension in January when, theoretically, he would be free to speak to other clubs. Giggs, who will be 33 this month, has been outstanding so far this season and has already indicated he wants to stay at Old Trafford for the remainder of his career.
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Bayern warn United off Owen
Bayern Munich have warned Manchester United they will not sell Owen Hargreaves in January.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed earlier this week that he was still tracking Hargreaves after failing to land him in the summer.
Ferguson has made Hargreaves his top transfer target and is determined to bring him to Old Trafford.
Hargreaves, who is currently recovering from injury, has admitted himself he would be keen on a move to United, but Bayern blocked any deal happening last August.
Bayern have resisted all of United's advances so far and they remain adamant the England international will not be allowed to leave.
Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has told United not to waste their time in trying to sign Hargreaves when the transfer window reopens in January.
"All United's efforts to sign Owen Hargreaves are utterly futile," Hoeness told the Mirror.
"We will not release Owen Hargreaves in January under any circumstances."
iceFatboy
heard that BM will sell if they get Brown or Shea. anyone heard similiar?
btw, anyone knows the progress of OwenH's injury??
used
Originally posted by iceFatboy:
heard that BM will sell if they get Brown or Shea. anyone heard similiar?
btw, anyone knows the progress of OwenH's injury??
huih?! i heard BM will sell if they get emre
iceFatboy
http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=17251 <- it seems a change in their approach.
I do hope that we can get Owen. And then we will get a quality DM.
Cause I think seriously Carrick is Scholes' replacement.