Published: 22 Feb 2012 – 11:46:58

Wayne Rooney was the only significant absentee from the open portion of training ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League last-32 decider against Ajax at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

There has been no suggestion of an injury to Rooney, although with an important Barclays Premier League trip to Norwich looming on Sunday, manager Sir Alex Ferguson will not want to take any chances with his star man.

The remainder of United’s first-team squad were present, including midfielder Anderson, who has been missing recently.

On a windy day during which temporary fences erected to shield building work at United’s Carrington training complex blew down, long-time absentee Michael Owen was spotted doing some jogging on his own as he tries to battle back from injury.

Owen has not featured for United since suffering a thigh muscle problem in a Champions League group phase match against Otelul Galati in November.

United would appear to be in little danger of early elimination following their 2-0 first-leg win in Amsterdam last week.

Victory would secure a last-16 meeting with either Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao next month.

Related Manchester United News

• Pogba in line for United start against Ajax
• Dublin backs Scholes for England
• Football agents are threat to Phil Gartside…
  
• Boilesen Misses Europa 2nd Leg.

Published: 22 Feb 2012 – 11:17:02

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to hand a first start to Paul Pogba as the Manchester United manager prepares to ring the changes for their Europa League return leg with Ajax.

The Premier League Champions hold a comfortable two-goal lead from the first meeting with the Dutch club, and with Sunday’s difficult trip to Norwich City on the horizon, Ferguson will rest several of his senior players while remaining fully confident of sealing progression to the last 16.

Among those set to come in is Pogba, whose future at Old Trafford remains in doubt after the breakdown of negotiations over a contract extension for the teenage Frenchman.

The highly-rated midfielder, signed from Le Havre in 2009, has made just four substitute appearances this season since his elevation from the youth ranks at Old Trafford.

Three of those arrived in the League Cup, and one, in the 2-0 victory against Stoke City in January, in the Premier League.

Despite his so far infrequent use of the the 18-year-old, Ferguson remains keen for Pogba, part of Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup winning side last season, to stay at the club long-term.

The player is of the same mind, but will first seek assurances he will be given a regular run in the side before committing himself.

Pogba is likely to be afforded a chance to impress in the home leg against Ajax, with the experienced trio of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick all set to be rested.

It means Pogba is likely to form a central midfield partnership with Tom Cleverley, the England Under-21 international who returned from a four-month injury lay-off to figure in the first leg victory in Amsterdam, which was secured with goals from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez.

The winners will face either Athletic Bilbao or Lokomotiv Moscow for a place in the last eight as Ferguson’s side acclimatise to competing in Europe’s second tier competition for the first time since 1995.

The manager refuses to look too far ahead, however, and the Scot insisted: \”We’re not taking anything for granted of course, but being at home in the second leg, the opportunity to go through is a big one. We were very ordinary at times in the first leg, but we have to be delighted with the scoreline.\”

Luis Suarez, the Liverpool forward, is unlikely to be at Old Trafford to cheer on his former Ajax team-mates, despite suggestions he planned to attend the game.

Suarez caused controversy after earning an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra earlier this season, before refusing to shake the Frenchman’s hand prior to a game at Old Trafford this month.

The Uruguay international, who later issued an apology for his actions, has been advised to stay away.

Related Manchester United News

• Dublin backs Scholes for England
• Football agents are threat to Phil Gartside…
  
• Boilesen Misses Europa 2nd Leg.
• Kuszczak Goes On A Watford Loan

Published: 22 Feb 2012 – 08:17:00

Former Manchester United star Dion Dublin is convinced Paul Scholes would be welcomed back into the England fold with open arms.

Interim boss Stuart Pearce is set to unveil the Three Lions squad for this month’s friendly with Holland on Thursday. Prior to Fabio Capello’s shock departure, there had been some speculation that Scholes was again on the Italian’s radar following his sensational retirement U-turn.

Dublin can see the merits of Scholes starring for his country again at the ripe old age of 37, and he said: \”I can see that. I imagine if you took a poll of players, there wouldn’t be many who didn’t want Paul Scholes in their side. He defies age.\”

He added: \”He hasn’t lost any passion for the game. He has an aura about him that makes you think he can do anything.

\”He is a very special player.\”

Capello had already made one failed attempt to get Scholes back in an England shirt for the first time since Euro 2004 ahead of the 2010 World Cup. Now Pearce must decide whether to turn the clock back.

The ease with which Scholes has returned to the highest levels of the game after seven months out has been staggering. Dublin is not surprised though.

Speaking to promote Disney XD’s hit football series Goalmouth, which premieres on Thursday, the ex-England international only has to recall the work he has done on behind the scenes jobs in football for a new segment called \”Gendle’s Footy Jobs\” to know the effort that goes into getting a Premier League player on the pitch.

Even a straightforward character like Scholes has the back-up of nutritionists, dieticians, fitness coaches, physios, kit men and countless other vital members of the United back-up team.

\”I am not surprised how easily he has adapted back to the game,\” said Dublin. \”It is the same for anyone. I am sure I could go out there now and do exactly the same things if my body would hold up.\”

Related Manchester United News

• Football agents are threat to Phil Gartside…
  
• Boilesen Misses Europa 2nd Leg.
• Kuszczak Goes On A Watford Loan
• Manchester United reveal big revenue increa…
  

Published: 22 Feb 2012 – 00:08:18

FA board member Phil Gartside has become a target for disgruntled football agents, who are making serious allegations about their dealings with the Bolton chairman.
Middle man Peter Harrison, who has continually promised to lift the lid on football corruption since quitting the business, regularly attacks Gartside on Twitter with streams of unproven accusations.
The latest of Harrison’s tweets about the powerbroker reads, ‘Phil Gartside is f****** FA member embarrassing’.
Twitter battle: Gartside has been accused by a number of football agents

  More from Charles Sale… Charles Sale: GB rift with Daley over media circus20/02/12 Charles Sale: Three jobs Pearce really hits the road17/02/12 Charles Sale: Routed Gunners now worth a mammoth ?1bn after share sale16/02/12 Charles Sale: Premier League left bemused by Regan tweets over Suarez row15/02/12 Charles Sale: Terry is a closed book… for now14/02/12 Charles Sale: Ayre the force behind shift in attitude at Anfield13/02/12 Charles Sale: ‘Uncle Tom’ jibe at Kop star Johnson10/02/12 Charles Sale: Harry shakes FA plan to cut wages following Capello’s ?6m a year09/02/12 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEAnother agent, Tony McGill, has complained to the FA and Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson about Gartside allegedly cutting him out of a Bolton transfer deal.
The FA took no action but McGill reports on a Bolton football blog that Robertson wrote back saying he has given the FA until February 29 to ‘completely reshuffle the place and clean their act up or he’s going to legislate’.
The upcoming Government deadline makes any such accusations against Gartside, one of the Premier League’s representatives on the FA board, particularly sensitive.
A spokesperson for Robertson said the reply to McGill was a generic one and had not come from the minister. The FA would not comment and Gartside was unavailable to respond.
Haye exited fracas with RosenthalDisgraced boxer David Haye made his escape from the Olympiahalle in a minibus taking the BoxNation television team back to their Munich hotel after the Chisora-Klitschko fight.
Jim Rosenthal, John Rawling and Steve Bunce were waiting in their transport for pundit Haye, unaware of his involvement in a brawl at the press conference.
Presenter Rosenthal, who had described Haye on air as a ‘credit to British sport’ before the carnage, was woken at 3.30am in his hotel room by police looking for the fugitive, who was sitting next to Rosenthal on an early morning flight back to Heathrow.
PKF take Pompey roleThe appointment of PKF as administrators of troubled Portsmouth FC comes despite the ongoing police inquiry into the top accountancy firm’s due diligence of West Ham on behalf of Tottenham during the battle for the Olympic Stadium.
Four people are on bail, including former PKF partner Howard Hill, who was arrested on suspicion of fraud after West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady’s phone records were unlawfully obtained.
Since then, PKF’s Manchester-based business intelligence unit, which used to be run by Hill, has closed.
Administration: Portsmouth are once again in serious financial light
Yellow peril for BeebIf BBC online sports editor Ben Gallop really took account of the hugely negative feedback about the relaunched website – as he says he does – then the Corporation would have aborted the flawed project and started again.
Instead, Gallop states there are ‘no instant changes to announce right now’, despite almost everything being wrong with the site, notably its lack of news judgment.
Even on the easy fix of cutting back the garish yellow branding, Gallop says only he is ‘considering potentially reducing the use of yellow on particular pages’.
Fergie bills gallop up Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson gave a pointer to the size of his horseracing hobby when he jokingly said during his 5 Live interview with DJ Spoony that he had to hide the cost of his stabling fees from wife Cathy.
The number of horses Fergie owns, either in partnerships or syndicates, is understood to be in double figures and they cost around ?2,000 a month each to keep in training.
Fergie’s racing spend would be a sensitive subject at home following his seismic row with Irish racing tsars John Magnier and JP McManus over the breeding rights to Rock Of Gibraltar.
No horsing about: Fergie hinted just how much his racing bills come to
Bernstein backs FA reformFA chairman David Bernstein is due to brief councillors on Thursday on the joint football authority response to Government recommendations for wholesale FA reforms.
Yet Whitehall’s signature wish for the FA board reducing from 14 members to 10 is not going to happen.
Football League chairman Greg Clarke, with the unanimous backing of his 72 clubs, will not accept the FL representation shrinking from two to one seat.
MOST READ NEWSPrevious1234NextFast food CEO on ‘Undercover Boss’ so horrified by abusive…Now the French say holidaymakers have to carry a…A traffic accident, men in masks and a naked woman: The…Care home orders grieving daughter to pay ?3,000…Group of 11 men ‘plied girls of 13 with drink and drugs to…Two rapists jailed for just 40 months each because a judge…Oops, I said the C-word! Moment BBC weather forecaster…Mother who spent ?10,000 hiding ginger afro falls victim to…I found a sea monster… in a tin of tuna! Mother’s shock…Toddler, 2, died in agony when he mistook plant food for a…Drug dealers, backstreet abortionists and a deadly femme…Zara who? Red faces at hunt foul-up, as volunteer fails to… Share this article: FacebookTwitterGoogle+MessengerLinkedInDigg itNewsvineFarkNowpublicRedditPrint articleEmail article Add your commentsComments (0)No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,or debate this issue live on our message boards.
Add your commentName:Town & Country:Your name and location will appear next to your comment.You have 1000 characters left.Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.I agree to the House RulesRemember me – this will save you having to type out your name and location when you next leave a comment.For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.TermsClearSubmit ContentBingSiteWebEnter search term:Search  TOP SPORT STORIESNapoli 3 Chelsea 1An Ezequiel Lavezzi double and Edinson Cavani’s strike leaves Andre Villas-Boas fighting for his job after defeat in NaplesAt last! After five months Tevez finally apologisesCarlos Tevez has finally backed down in his five-month row with Manchester CityUEFA set Porto disciplinary date over City claims of racismUEFA have responded to Manchester City’s claims that two of their players were racially abusedKP the hero as England complete whitewash with win over Pakistan Kevin Pietersen’s second successive one-day international hundred carried England to gloryBlackpool 1 West Ham 4Goalkeeper Rob Green was sent off early in the second half, but the Hammers held on to hit top spotFerdinand leads Old Trafford lobby to persuade Pogba to stayPaul Pogba could make his European debut for Manchester United on Thursday against AjaxTax payers face ?2m bill to upgrade Olympic Stadium pitch after 2012The pitch inside the Olympic Stadium is not up to Premier League standardsWales World Cup trio together again for England showdownFour months after their adventures in New Zealand, Wales’ back row will be reunited at HQCech admits Chelsea stars must do more to help Andre Villas-BoasGoalkeeper Petr Cech acknowledged mistakes on the pitch are not helping their bossCity ponder summer move for Chelsea target Higuain as Real Madrid eye AgueroManchester City want France-born Argentina striker Gonzalo HiguainZola swots up on Guardiola’s technique as Italian looks for return to managementGianfranco Zola has been studying Pep Guardiola’s coachingCleverly vows to avoid any repeat of Haye-Chisora debacleNathan Cleverly says he will be the model professional ahead of the defence of his crownVettel’s Red Bull is fastest yet again on first day of second test session in BarcelonaReigning world champion Sebastian Vettel set the ball rollingAdebayor gunning for Arsenal as knee injury improvesSpurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor is confident he will be fit for the north London derby Sport Headlines Most Read A sorry state: Police still hunting Haye and he can’t even bring himself to offer apology EXCLUSIVE: Rafa in frame to replace Villas-Boas if Chelsea’s season goes from bad to worse Sturridge target of sickening racist chants as Chelsea arrive in Naples Suffering in silence: Chelsea boss squirming as Abramovich holds his tongue Three more years! Ferguson rubbishes quit talk and vows to keep fighting at United A footballer is gay..? So what, say the FA in new initiative We tried to get Torres from Chelsea, admits West Ham chief Sullivan More woe for Wigan as bottom club posts net loss despite better TV deal West Ham chief Sullivan expects Ba to leave Toon in the summer New Leeds manager Warnock to snap up free agent Webber Levein stands firm on exile for Fletcher after naming latest Scotland squad Money for nothing: Whyte used ?24m Ticketus deal to pay off bank Norwegian starlet’s Old Trafford arrival delayed after ankle op A true icon! O’Neill pays fitting tribute to vision and drive of departing Quinn Sunderland to cash in on Richardson as O’Neill plans summer clear-out Former Gunner Cruise teams up with MLS side New England Revolution I’m so Gladd to be here! British diver books Olympic spot 12 months after head injury Setback for former skipper Rees forces Wales to summon rookie Owens Barritt vows to use trusty South African moto to help bring down the Welsh heavies Olympic rivals Powell and Bolt to go head to head in Rome in May PCB recall Kaneria to demands answers after court claims over spot fixing United striker Owen sells half share in Brown to Black Kauto Star’s Cheltenham bid not to be sneezed at as Nicholls allays fears MORE HEADLINES Money for nothing: Whyte used ?24m season ticket deal to pay off bank EXCLUSIVE: Rafa in frame to replace Villas-Boas if Chelsea’s season goes from bad to worse A footballer is gay..? So what, say the FA in new initiative against homophobia Henry to rebuild ?6m London mansion to make va-va-room for 5,000 gallon fish tank We tried to get Torres from Chelsea, admits West Ham chief Sullivan I’m too old for the hairdryer! Ferguson insists he is a mellow manager Sunderland to cash in on Richardson as O’Neill plans summer clear-out A sorry state: Police still hunting Haye and he can’t even bring himself to offer apology New Leeds manager Warnock to snap up free agent Webber Arsenal desperate to hold talks with Van Persie over whopping new deal Forget the fighting… it’s PARTY TIME! Haye heads for Vegas after Chisora brawl shame Sturridge target of sickening racist chants as Chelsea arrive in Naples Torres hasn’t lost his flavour with Pepsi as flop keeps place alongside A-listers You’ve let us down! Liverpool condemned by anti-racism groups over Suarez support Martin Samuel: Is Villas-Boas the man for a decade or just a ?30m write-off? Jeff Powell: Manny’s inner battle is key to $100m Mayweather showdown CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE: Napoli 3 Chelsea 1 – the action from the San Paolo as it happened Haye has no interest in fighting Chisora in the ring, claims trainer Booth EXCLUSIVE: Terry out of Napoli clash… and AVB rocked as fears grow that Chelsea skipper will miss TWO MONTHS Arsenal fans demand answers from Kroenke as club head for another barren season Barritt vows to use trusty South African motto to help bring down the Welsh heavies Norwegian starlet’s Old Trafford arrival delayed after ankle op Suffering in silence: Chelsea boss squirming as Abramovich holds his tongue Ex-Premier League striker McKenzie jailed over fake letters to police in bid to dodge speeding convictionsMOST READ IN DETAIL Back to topHomeNewsU.S.SportTV&ShowbizFemailHealthScienceMoneyRightMindsCoffee BreakTravelColumnistsSitemapNewslettersRSSArchiveText-based siteReader PrintsTop of pageDaily MailMail onSundayWidgetsThis is NetworkThis is LondonThis is MoneyMetroLootJobsiteDatingFind a propertyMotorsPrime locationVilla HolidaysPublished by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
© Associated Newspapers LtdContact usTermsPrivacy policy & cookiesAdvertise with us      

Related Manchester United News

• Boilesen Misses Europa 2nd Leg.
• Kuszczak Goes On A Watford Loan
• Manchester United reveal big revenue increa…
  
• Premier League Stars Attend FIFA Interactiv…
  

Published: 21 Feb 2012 – 14:56:10

Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has joined Watford on a loan deal that will last until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old Poland international has made 61 appearances for United since he was signed in 2006. This season he has been unable to get a game in the first team, David De Gea and Anders Lindegaard have done well in that position.

Both clubs confirmed the deal this morning, with Watford adding that he will wear the number 35 shirt and was taking part in his first training session this afternoon.

Related Manchester United News

• Boilesen Misses Europa 2nd Leg.
• Manchester United reveal big revenue increa…
  
• Premier League Stars Attend FIFA Interactiv…
  
• No more hairdryer treatment: Fergie

Published: 21 Feb 2012 – 14:16:59

Manchester United’s revenue increased to £175million in the last six months of 2011, the Barclays Premier League club has announced.

United, who are second in the table behind neighbours and bitter rivals Manchester City, released their financial report for the fourth quarter of 2011.

The figures showed that the club’s total revenue at the end of 2011 stood at £175million, an increase of £18.5million on the figure of £156.5million, which United declared at the end of 2010.

The club have experienced increases in matchday revenue – up from £52.4million to £54.5million, media revenue – up from £53.7million to £60.9million, and commercial revenue, which has risen to £58.6million from £50.4million.

The club, who were taken over by the Glazer family in 2005, have a debt of £439million as of the end of last year, down from £508 million the previous year.

The reason behind the decrease in the club’s debt is because United have bought back some of the bonds that were sold as part of a £500million refinancing exercise at the start of 2010.

United also reported that total operating costs rose sharply from £96.9million to £110.8million.

Net player capital expenditure jumped from £11.7million £47.9million due to the summer signings of David de Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones and general capital expenditure rose by £10.4million, thanks partly due to the cost of refurbishment of the club’s hospitality boxes at Old Trafford.

The figures show the Red Devils currently have a bank balance of £50.9million.

The club are expected to experience a decline in income over the next six months after dropping down to the Europa League from the Champions League.

Related Manchester United News

• Premier League Stars Attend FIFA Interactiv…
  
• No more hairdryer treatment: Fergie
• Ferguson wants final flourish
• Giggs: We’ve been there

Published: 21 Feb 2012 – 11:08:21

Some of the UK’s finest football gaming talent battled it out in London last night in the latest leg of live qualification for the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC). In the race to be crowned FIWC 12 Champion, 18 contestants from all over the UK were in London’s bustling Oxford Street, with Premier League footballers Jay Bothroyd, Queens Park Rangers and Dickson Etuhu, Fulham FC among the spectators.

The FIWC is the world’s largest online gaming tournament, organised by FIFA in association with Presenting Partners EA SPORTS ™ and PlayStation®. The event gives football fans the chance to live out their passion for football by competing against each other at FIFA ‘12. With over 800,000 players already registered around the world, the FIWC is a fiercely contested tournament, with the FIFA ’12 game boasting Wayne Rooney, Gerard Piqué and Nemanja Vidic among its fans.

Birmingham resident and 2011 Grand Finalist Ty Walton emerged victorious last night, securing his place in May’s Grand Final, where prestigious prizes of an invite to the FIFA Ballon d’Or and a coveted $20,000 prize will go to the eventual World Champion.

In an unusual match-up, Ty Walton’s Real Madrid met Adam Johnson’s Real Madrid in last night’s Final of the UK Qualifiers. Walton, a 2011 Grand Finalist, endured a tough night but claimed his place at the Grand Final after beating Irishman Adam Johnson 2-1 in last night’s final. In a tense affair, Walton took the lead in the 18th minute with a fantastic effort from Cristiano Ronaldo. Walton pulled off a signature move as he bypassed two players in the penalty area with a 360 spin before striking low and hard. The post intervened but Walton made sure by following up on the rebound and putting the ball into the net.

After failing to convert a penalty in the 25th minute, Walton doubled his advantage with a cracking header from Benzema taking a comfortable two goal cushion into the second half. However, Johnson cranked up the pressure in the second half and pulled a goal back in 56th minute. Although this was not enough as Walton held off the fight back and stayed calm under pressure to claim a spot in the 2012 Grand Final.

Walton commented, “I was delighted to be back again challenging for the Qualifier event here in London, so knowing that I’ve secured a place at the Grand Final is a dream come true. My experience at the 2011 Grand Final in Los Angeles was unbelievable so hopefully I can go back and win the tournament outright this year. The competition tonight was really strong as expected but I managed to pull a few tricks out of the bag to clinch a victory in the Final.”

QPR striker Bothroyd said: “The FIWC is a fantastic way for football fans from all walks of life to come together and showcase their FIFA 12 skills. The competition was fierce and the some of the goals scored were incredible, I played against one lad who told me I should stick to my day job! Congratulations to Ty Walton, I’ll be making sure I stay away from him online!\”

Contestants can still participate in this year’s FIWC through an online tournament played on the PLAYSTATION®Network, by registering ‘in-game’ in FIFA ’12 on their PS3. For more information on the FIWC, go to: www.fifa.com/fiwc

Related Manchester United News

• No more hairdryer treatment: Fergie
• Ferguson wants final flourish
• Giggs: We’ve been there
• Ferguson eyes post-managerial role at Man U…
  

Published: 21 Feb 2012 – 07:46:56

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists the days of doling out his infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’ to under-performing players are long gone.

The 70-year-old Scot, who believes he has another two or three years before retirement, said age and experience had mellowed him and he no longer went in for dressing room bust-ups.

Ferguson told Radio Five Live: \”I don’t have any confrontations really, not nowadays, although maybe when I was younger I would have. If a player answered me back I would head straight for them, this is where the hairdryer treatment comes in. I didn’t allow a player to beat me in an argument.\”

He added: \”Now I am older and more experienced and because of that and my time at the club the players have more respect.\”

That is not to say Ferguson has gone soft in his approach to the players, however, and he accepts he is prone to the odd outburst of frustration.

\”There is nothing wrong with losing your temper if it is for the right reasons – sometimes you are better getting it out of your system,\” he added.

\”My normal pattern of management is to get it out of your system. I tell players after the game and that’s it finished – the next day to me is a new world.\”

Ferguson insists stress remains an alien concept to him, although he accepts his love of horse racing affords him a valuable release from life at Old Trafford.

\”I don’t feel stress, I must admit. I was more anxious watching Man City playing (Aston) Villa (earlier this month) than on my own game against Liverpool,\” he said.

\”I was getting to a point at United where I was obsessed with the thing (the club). \”It is a great club but you still need to release yourself from it and it (horse racing) has helped.\”

Related Manchester United News

• Ferguson wants final flourish
• Giggs: We’ve been there
• Ferguson eyes post-managerial role at Man U…
  
• Sir Alex Ferguson wants to stay at Manchest…
  

Published: 20 Feb 2012 – 16:16:59

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels he has another two or three years left in the job but would only retire on the back of a success.

The 70-year-old Scot had been due to step down a decade ago but has justified his change of heart by winning five more Premier League titles to complement the seven he already had and adding a second Champions League triumph. He has also won the FA Cup and three League Cups during that time.

Ferguson said: \”I think you always want to go out on a winning note. Hopefully we can do that. I don’t know how long I can last now but if my health stays up I don’t think another two or three years would harm me any.\”

And, while he insists there is no other role for him directly involved in football after he leaves his Old Trafford post, he has no plans to fade into the background.

\”I would definitely finish – but I would remain active,\” he added.

\”I think there would be a role at United after I finish.\”

In a lengthy interview with Radio 5, extracts of which have been published on the BBC Sport website, Ferguson reflects on many aspects of his life and career.

The United boss revealed he missed out on the chance to sign Joe Hart, leading the way in clean sheets this season for title rivals and near-neighbours Manchester City and now England’s first-choice goalkeeper.

And he believes the 24-year-old is set to enjoy a lengthy spell as the national team’s number one.

\”I could have bought Joe Hart for £100,000 so we all make mistakes,\” he admitted. \”I’ve no doubt [Hart will be England goalkeeper for the next 10 years]. If you look at the England goalkeeper situation for the last 20 years, I would think he’s easily the best.\”

Related Manchester United News

• Giggs: We’ve been there
• Ferguson eyes post-managerial role at Man U…
  
• Sir Alex Ferguson wants to stay at Manchest…
  
• Nani hopes to win Europa League

Published: 20 Feb 2012 – 12:16:49

Veteran Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs believes they hold the upper hand in the title race because of their experience in getting the job done.

Rivals Manchester City are currently two points clear at the top of the table but they have not won the top-flight championship since 1968.

\”I think the experience of doing it before with the manager [is key],\” said Giggs. \”We’ve got older players who’ve been there, and younger players who haven’t and really want to win things, so hopefully that’s in our favour.\”

United have been the dominant force under Sir Alex Ferguson since the Premier League era began in 1992 with 12 titles, taking their overall tally to a record 19.

And while City are in pole position Giggs thinks United’s know-how could be pivotal during the run-in.

\”I think in most people’s eyes they’re favourites because they’re top of the league, and because of the quality they’ve got, and the football they played early-season,\” the 38-year-old told manutd.com.

\”You can’t ignore the money and the quality they’ve got, and their strength in depth.

\”They’re obviously trying to lay the foundations for 10, 20, 30 years. Whether it happens or not we’ll have to wait and see.

\”It’s just down to which team handles it (pressure) best.

\”They’ve got a lot of experience, they’ve got players who’ve won things, but we like to think we’ve got a good mix of experience and hunger.\”

Related Manchester United News

• Ferguson eyes post-managerial role at Man U…
  
• Sir Alex Ferguson wants to stay at Manchest…
  
• Nani hopes to win Europa League
• We can overcome Valencia loss – Rio