Manchester United boss Ferguson tells Ferdinand he will have to play less games

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told centre-back Rio Ferdinand that he will have to play less games for the sake of his career, according to the Daily Mail. England captain Ferdinand is injured again with his troublesome back injury and there is little indication of when he will be fit, although Ferguson hopes it will be only a short spell out.

The Manchester United defender will miss the Carling Cup final on Sunday and having been a regular performer for the past few seasons has only made eleven appearances for United this season. Only twice has he played in two consecutive matches.

Ferguson is now likely to use Ferdinand sparingly, following the World Cup, in the same way that he does with Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs . The Welshman's career has undoubtedly been prolonged by his carefully selected performances which have helped deal with his back and hamstring problems.

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United 's medical team have analyzed every aspect of Ferdinand's routine to help alleviate his back problem, but are resigned to the idea that it will never be fully cured.

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United and Villa up for Cup

Manchester United: NO complaints over the result against Everton at the weekend -- we deserved to come away with nothing. To see us go ahead early on and then still lose was an unusual sight, but we were masters of our own downfall defensively and in other ways. It's hard to know why we waited so long to get Michael Owen off the bench and that is a bit of a recurring theme this season.

The Carling Cup final is coming up this week and it's going to take our first win of the season again Villa to win the trophy. I'd say they will be confident that they can win it, but at the end of the day ours is the team packed with players used to winning trophies, not theirs. Liverpool: I DON'T think the draw against Man City on Sunday was the worst result we could have had.

A point away from home against one of your rivals for that fourth spot is probably a point gained in the grand scheme of things. The return of Fernando Torres -- if only for 20 minutes -- is also another big thing for the club. The win in the Europa League last week was quite underwhelming, I just wonder how much the players are really motivated by it. Steven Bickerstaff (Belfast)

Chelsea: GREAT to get back to winning ways in the league again against Wolves after the FA Cup match last week and the previous defeat to Everton. Drogba just continues to go from strength to strength and must be the main rival for Wayne Rooney in the Player of the Year stakes this season.

Tomorrow night will be an interesting match-up with Jose Mourinho facing his former employers and Ancelotti returning to the venue he played and managed at. A tricky encounter over two legs, but would settle for a repeat of our last game at the San Siro when Denis Wise popped up with a late equaliser. Dave Watson (Bangor)

Arsenal: A LOT of people were very quick to write us out of the title race when we lost to Manchester United and Chelsea. Six points off the lead is not a massive amount of ground to catch up, but it will come down to the age old question of consistency of our young players.

The Porto match was crazy on a lot of levels, not least because of the circumstances of their winner. Other referees have said the official on the night was within the law to let them take the free- kick quickly, but for him to do that inside the box and block off our only defender was laughable.Andy Moore (Belfast)Man City: THINK we would have to admit that the game against Liverpool wasn't the most exciting match we've ever seen.

In some ways it was good to see though, because you need to be able to slug it out in games like this and show you won't be beaten. We are still in the best position of all the clubs challenging for the top four, but it's not going to be decided this month or next, it will most likely go to the final week of the season.

It's interesting to hear all this talk of bust-ups and rows in the changing room, you can't help if certain people want to stir it up a bit. Mancini has handled it all really well in my opinion and it's what you would expect of a manager who has managed at the highest level.

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Manchester United finally bow to David Moyes’s Everton as champions are defeated

Just hours before Manchester United, Everton’s great tormentors, arrived for their annual parade-ground drill at Goodison Park, David Moyes gathered his players together and informed them the time had come to throw off the shackles of 18 years of oppression. By 2.35pm on Saturday, the champions’ regime had been rocked to its foundations.

Few sides had acquiesced to United’s rule quite as obligingly as Everton. Just twice in the Premier League era had Sir Alex Ferguson come unstuck against sides managed by Moyes and his predecessors. A third defeat in 30 games is hardly a source of shame, but there will be plenty of concern in its nature.

The Gwladys Street uprising was no dogs-of-war affair, no cunning ambush. Everton were simply better equipped, better trained. What will worry Ferguson most of all is that Moyes and his side knew it. The night before the game we had a meeting with the players at the hotel and told them we were going after Manchester United to try and win the game,” said Moyes.

“We always go into games like that but there was an emphasis this time. We were without Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill, but we had to give the others a feeling that we were going to get about them. It was not about what Manchester United were doing, it was because of where we are mentally. It was the right time for us.”

That Moyes should be so diplomatic is no surprise. He shared a glass of wine with his fellow countryman after the game, revealing the United manager had been fulsome in his praise of his conquerors. But such tact cannot mask a shift in attitude to United, that they are no longer the fearsome force of last year.

In truth, necessity may have been the mother of United’s destruction. Without Cahill and Fellaini, and with Phil Neville at right-back, Moyes had little choice but to try to outflank his guests. Why Everton should have taken such an approach hardly matters, though. It is that they did, and with such success, that is significant.

“You would look at the game and ask whether we got it right tactically against Manchester United,” said Moyes. “We should be given a bit of credit, not just because of our spirit, but because of our tactics and the ability of the players. We played in a way to try and give us a foothold, to play in a different way, to give us something different.”

Ferguson can only hope that his side’s failings were a temporary blip, a hangover from their Milanese bacchanalia after their midweek Champions League triumph. “Maybe we left something in Milan,” he said. “We looked tired in the second half. Milan could have had an impact. It is difficult to think that when you go through all the emotions, the pace, intensity and atmosphere, you do not lose something. It was just too much today.”

More worrying for the Scot was Patrice Evra’s revelation that United had lost belief in themselves. “We lost the game mentally,” said the French left-back. ''We did not have the spirit of winners today. We did not believe enough.”

That may not have been the only problem. United, with Wes Brown and Jonny Evans, appeared vulnerable in defence. Their central midfield lacked authority; Dimitar Berbatov, despite his stunning opener, was peripatetic. Even Wayne Rooney was easily tamed, the devil which Goodison’s hostility usually inspires in the England striker easily exorcised, perhaps a legacy of the recent rapprochement between player and former club.

Ferguson will have not failed to notice that it was Jack Rodwell, a player he hopes will soon follow Rooney’s path, who slalomed past Evans to seal Everton’s victory after Dan Gosling had fired the hosts ahead. United will soon return to Goodison, seeking in Rodwell, an even bigger prize than three points. Moyes, though, is unconcerned. “We are a good enough team now to keep bigger suitors away,” he said.

On the pitch and off it, United now know Goodison is not such a happy hunting ground.

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United ready to swoop for Joe Cole

Both Cole and Chelsea have made the right noises in recent times - saying they do not want to part company. However, it has been reported that negotiations have stalled over the midfielder's salary demands of £120,000 a week.

Cole's contract is due to expire this summer and if both parties fail to come to an agreement, the creative midfielder is certain to attract the attention of some high profile clubs.

According to the Daily Express, the biggest of them all - Manchester United - are looking to swoop. With Ryan Giggs in the twilight of his career, it is claimed that Sir Slex Ferguson is looking for a suitable replacement and that the wily Scot is an admirer of the mercurial Cole. Cole has also been linked with a move to Italy.

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Champions League - AC Milan 2 Manchester United 3

THE past met the present last night as David Beckham's Champions League future was left looking like history. Wayne Rooney swaggered around the San Siro before delivering a second-half two-goal show that sent Manchester United to the brink of the last eight. Milan will feel they can stun Sir Alex Ferguson's side on their own patch in three weeks' time. Of course they will.

But not even Clarence Seedorf's exquisite flick five minutes from time will have dented Fergie's belief. Not after Rooney had flattened the Italian giants to ground Siro. Fergie's pride was taken to a new level and the United boss said: "Wayne is in absolutely devastating form.

"They could not handle him. They just could not handle him in the second half. I thought he was marvellous. I always said all he has to do is improve his goal scoring. That is what he is doing now." In the build-up Beckham was the name on everyone's lips. Everyone, that is, apart from Fergie. The Scot was too busy talking up Rooney. As if he had to.

And while Becks' weary legs were starting to stiffen as quickly as Cheryl Cole at the sound of a text message from Ashley's mobile, Rooney was just coming alive. He sent United - who had been trailing to Ronaldinho's third-minute opener before they levelled through Paul Scholes' jammy sclaff -into the lead in the 66th minute before heading home again eight minutes later.

Beckham had been hooked by then. England's footballing god had already been reduced to a mere mortal. Again. On the right side of midfield he had been up against the hyperactiveDarrenFletcher,who musthave made him feel every one of his 34 years. Epicentre But Beckham's night wasn't a complete write-o as he created Milan's opener and neither, he claims, is the tie.

The mid elder said: "Our second goal has made it possible. We have made it a bit better for ourselves. United are a very good team, though, and Rooney is a very good player." Just three minutes in Beckham was at the epicentre of an eruption.

When Patrice Evra took down Pato, it was Beckham who curled the free-kick into the United box. Evra's acrobatic attempt to clear only resulted in him teeing up Ronaldinho, who let fly with a shot Edwin van der Sar looked to have covered before it flicked o Michael Carrick and flew into the far corner. And it so nearly got a whole lot worse for the visitors. Klaas Jan Huntelaar, a player Ferguson is said to be interested in signing, saw his volley fly wide off Evra.

Then, after Massimo Ambrosini had split United's defence, the Dutchman was only just o target with a first-time effort that had van der Sar in trouble. It took an amazing piece of luck to bring United level, although the passing that led to Fletcher's cross was pretty impressive.

Once Park Ji-sung invited the Scot to pull a ball back from the bye-line, Scholes charged towardsgoal.Hehadreachedthesix-yardbox when he took aim, missing the ball with his right foot, only for it to hit his standing left and y in o a post. Rooneywasbookedfordissent shortlybeforethebreakalthoughhis frustration was soon forgotten. In 66 minutes he broke his Euro duck for the season when he steered a header over Dida from Antonio Valencia's cross.

Now all that age difference between the sides began to tell. Father Time was clearing his throat. And Milan didn't like what he had to say. Static Fletcher had chipped the ball to Rooney. Striding between static defenders, he rose again, and found the net once more.

In 85 minutes, though, Seedorf brought the hosts back into the contest when he cleverly flicked home from close range. There was still time for Carrick to get himself sent o for a second yellow card. But Fergie won'tbetoobothered.Afterall,he'djustshown Beckham who's boss again.

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AC Milan v Manchester United - Sir Alex Ferguson banking on Wayne Rooney

Sir Alex Ferguson was at his gloriously dismissive best when his San Siro press conference began with a question about 'Golden Balls'. "That was three seconds, ------ hell,'' said Ferguson. United's manager knew what was coming.

Beckham against his side for the first time is a good plotline, although probably not the key story of Tuesday evening's drama. That could be Rooney versus Alessandro Nesta, Darren Fletcher versus Andrea Pirlo, even Patrice Evra against Pato.

Ferguson is too canny to venture any observation that could be construed as being critical of Beckham, even eulogising the 34 year-old's "big experience'', but it was interesting to hear him lavishing praise on another of his former No 7s, Cristiano Ronaldo, and lauding Rooney.

"Manchester United build up heroes very quickly and players like Rooney will be that kind of player,'' said Ferguson. "I know he came to us as a young player but United fans will always look upon Rooney as one of their own, developed at their own club. We are a peculiar club in that sense. When players come through they will always be regarded more than anyone you buy.''

Rooney cost £27 million in 2004, was developed through Everton's excellent academy and then under David Moyes in the first team. He was an England star with a major tournament (Euro 2004) under his belt before signing for Ferguson. But Ferguson's argument makes sense in that the striker has undoubtedly matured magnificently, his recent displays promoting an avalanche of superlatives.

"The way you write about him, he must be God,'' observed Ferguson, mocking the media's deification of England's leading light. "His form has brought it to the high point of his career in the last few months, he's really improving. World class is a misused phrase but you have to consider Rooney to be one of the best players in the world.''

Some pundits would place Rooney on a pedestal on his own. Ferguson had a certain Real Madrid attacker up there.

"Ronaldo is the best player in the world but then again I'm biased,'' said Ferguson. "When you lose a great player there's a loss but you have to recover from that and look at your team differently. You can't sit and complain about not having him. We have too much importance about our club. He was a marvellous player, marvellous player.''

But what about Becks?! Ferguson relented. "David left some years ago and we move on in life. Different team, different players, that's what happens.''

But what about Becks saying he wouldn't celebrate if he scored. He loves United. He has three season tickets still. "We hope he's not celebrating anyway. I think David has great experience. He has 100 and something caps for England.''

Ferguson preferred to focus on present players, rather than past. He needs Rooney, Fletcher and company to show their new "maturity'', to demonstrate that they are a more cohesive force than the team embarrassed by Milan last time out in 2007. United have a shocking record against Milan, having bowed out of Europe after four out of four meetings with them (1958, 1969, 2005 and 2007).

Fletcher was particularly poor in 2007, a wallflower at Kaka's party.

The Scot has been increasingly impressive, particularly now that Ferguson has formed a three-man containing and raiding party in midfield. Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes all complement each other.

"We see the improvement in Fletcher,'' said Ferguson. "We should be satisfied that he has improved each year and it's wonderful to see young players coming through into their mid-twenties and still improving.''

On Tuesday night, Fletcher will be hoping for more tolerance and better eyesight from the Portuguese referee, Olegario Benquerenca, who controversially denied the Scot a penalty against CSKA Moscow in November when he was clearly brought down by Alexei Berezutski. Adding insult to iniquity, Fletcher was booked for simulation.

Fletcher will need to be on his game, closing down Pirlo, so stopping Milan's most fluid supply line to a forward line of Pato, Kaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ronaldinho that, if it clicks, could cause problems. United should have Rio Ferdinand restored and will hope he has put his back problem behind him. "There's nothing wrong with him mentally but he has had his injury,'' added Ferguson.

"Our expectations are high. They always are with our good players and good team. Milan have excellent footballers, five or six have maybe won the European Cup twice, but we have experience too.'' Experience and fresh legs, aiming to time their run well to the major honours.

"It's maybe the nature of them that the second half of the season tends to lighten up the team,'' said Ferguson. "They accept there's a big challenge. They know the league's at stake. We had to improve our position behind Chelsea and then Europe starts. I think I'm right when I say they are big-game players.''

He will find out tonight, particularly if they eclipse a big-name player in David Beckham.

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