Anderson eyes long-term Fiorentina stay

Anderson is hoping that he can make his loan move to Fiorentina from Manchester United permanent at the end of the season.

The Brazilian agreed a short-term stay with the Serie A outfit during the January transfer window but has already made three appearances for the Viola.

Given the 25-year-old midfielder struggled for a lack of game time under United boss David Moyes, Anderson feels the move to Italy is exactly what he needs to reignite his career.

Familiar foes await Reds in US

 

Manchester United will be put to the test during pre-season following confirmation the Reds will take part in a football extravaganza during Tour 2014, presented by Aon.
David Moyes’ side is one of eight world-renowned teams to be involved in the 2014 International Champions Cup, which will take place in a number of cities across the United States from 26 July to 4 August. Also involved are AC Milan, AS Roma, Internazionale, Liverpool, Manchester City, Olympiacos and Real Madrid.*

Januzaj: I want to be Manchester United's best player

The 18-year-old only made his first-team debut at the start of the current campaign but has gone on to make 17 appearances in the Premier League, cementing his status as a key member of David Moyes' squad in the process.

After such an impressive start to his United career, Januzaj insists he wants to become the club's most important player.

"I am quite pleased with my year, I have done a lot of work and have been integrating into the first team," he told the club's official website.

United Chooses USA for Pre-season Tour

  

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson is joining the next leg of the Reds’ worldwide Trophy Tour, delivered by DHL, as it visits the USA this month.
On Tuesday, United announced that this summer's pre-season tour will be in the States, with full details of the destinations and dates to follow.
But before then, fans in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York can meet ex-Reds skipper Robson and have their photo taken with the Barclays Premier League trophy.
And in all four cities, the club will be displaying items of historic United memorabilia from Old Trafford in the tour’s travelling museum. Bulova is the associate partner on this leg.
Here are the details of where you can see the silverware and meet Robson:

Giggs: Mata can be great

 

During his days at Valencia, Mata expressed his admiration for Giggs and the feeling is clearly mutual after the latter saw the Spaniard's skills in training for the first time.
In an exclusive interview with MUTV, United's no.11 was asked if the Reds' record signing could become one of the club's all-time greats. "I think he could be," replied Giggs. "He's obviously got the talent.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on him but I don't see why not. I think that coming here will help him with regards to playing for Spain as well, if he is playing week in and week out [for us]. Spain have got a great side so if we have a regular Spanish player within Manchester United, it will be great because they are such a good team at the moment.
"The players are just like the fans," Giggs continued. "When they see a quality player come through the door, it gives them that excitement and you feel it around training. It gives everybody a lift.
"He has fitted in well. Obviously, we've played against him for the last three years and know the quality he has got. He's fitted in straight away and speaks really good English - better English than most of the lads!"

Anderson sets record straight

Manchester United midfielder Anderson wishes to make it clear he has not said that "lots of players" want to leave the club.

The Brazilian was quoted in today's newspapers after speaking at a press conference to mark his arrival at loan club Fiorentina in Italy. But Anderson was talking only about his own situation and not about his Old Trafford team-mates when he said: "Sometimes a footballer wants to leave just to experience a different way to play football and to learn something as well."
Anderson posted a message on his own Instagram page and asked ManUtd.com to help convey this to United supporters around the world.
The post read: "I'm shocked and surprised [by] a supposed interview that never existed. I never gave any interview [and did not] say bad things about a club that I love, a club where I [grew] up and that gave me so much. I'm like [a] fan [of the] club, [I] love the club."

Solskjaer praises debutants Zaha & Jones after Cardiff win

Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for debutants Wilfred Zaha and Kenwyne Jonesafter Saturday's 2-1 win over Norwich City

The pair were heavily influential in sealing Cardiff's first Premier League win under Solskjaer, with Manchester United loanee Zaha coming off the bench to set up Craig Bellamy for the equalising goal, a minute before Jones hooked in the winner.

And Solskjaer reserved special praise for Zaha, who was introduced in the 38th minute as a tactical substitution to replace Peter Whittingham.

"Sometimes you've just got to make the decision, what you think is right," the Norwegian told reporters.

Young: Poor finishing cost Manchester United at Stoke

Manchester United winger Ashley Young has blamed the Red Devils' poor finishing for Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Stoke City

David Moyes was able to field Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata in the same side for the first time at the Britannia Stadium but two goals from Charlie Adam secured the narrow victory for the hosts.

The result leaves United in seventh place in the table, six points behind Liverpool in fourth, and Young was frustrated with the failure to convert despite the team's 19 attempts on goal.

He told MUTV: "Adam's goal was a tremendous strike but, even after that, we always knew we were going to be in the game. We played until the final whistle but we're disappointed we could not get the second goal.

Report: Stoke 2 United 1

Manchester United slipped to defeat at Stoke as two goals from Charlie Adam either side of Robin van Persie’s equaliser gave the home side all three points.

Both sides struggled to deal with the blustery conditions early on, and United were forced into a change after just 10 minutes when Rafael replaced the limping Jonny Evans. United, with the wind at their backs in the first half, had the majority of possession but rarely threatened the Stoke goal, while the hosts were reduced to long-range shots that failed to hit the target.
But just as the Reds looked to be gaining control, they fell behind in unlucky circumstances when Adam’s long-range free kick took a deflection off Michael Carrick’s right knee to send the ball to David De Gea’s right when the keeper looked to have it covered.
To make matters worse, the back four was rejigged again before the break when Phil Jones was carried off on a stretcher following a blow to the head, but after a welcome respite at half-time, United were soon back on level terms. Juan Mata’s deft touch gave van Persie the time and space to place the ball past Asmir Begovic for the equaliser, but Adam’s fierce half-volley five minutes later put the home side back into the lead.
United struggled to force their way back against their fired-up hosts until the closing stages, with their best chance a Wayne Rooney free-kick that Begovic brilliantly turned onto the post. Tom Cleverley blazed the ball over following the ensuing melee, before the final whistle ensured the Reds were beaten at Britannia Stadium for the first time.

Moyes bemoans misfortune

David Moyes bemoaned his side's lack of fortune and missed chances at the Britannia Stadium after Stoke City ran out 2-1 winners against the Reds.

A deflected Charlie Adam free-kick put the home side in front on 38 minutes, with the Reds also losing both Jonny Evans and Phil Jones to injury by half-time.
Robin van Persie's goal soon after the restart restored parity, but an unstoppable effort from Adam and some goalkeeping heroics from Asmir Begovic right at the death secured the victory for Stoke.
"We played well today," Moyes told MUTV. "We’re definitely not getting a lot of good fortune going our way, but we’ve got ourselves to blame for the opportunities we missed. I thought we played some good football, we got to the byline, but just couldn’t pick anyone out in the box.
"I think it [the deflected free-kick] summed it up. That went in after we’d controlled the majority of the game. I think it was going wide, but it took a wicked deflection and went in. That’s when you know that your luck isn’t in. It’s just not going for us.
"It was a difficult day, the conditions were tough," added the manager. "We had opportunities to get at least a draw and they scored a world-class second goal which was hard to defend against."

Injury blow for Phil JOnes and Jonny Evans

 
David Moyes has confirmed that Phil Jones suffered concussion during the 2-1 defeat at Stoke and Jonny Evans was forced off with a calf problem.

Evans was replaced by Rafael on 11 minutes, while Jones fell awkwardly after a clash with Jon Walters and had to be carried off just before the break. The injury forced a major reshuffle in the United ranks with Michael Carrick switching to centre-back and Wayne Rooney dropping into midfield as Danny Welbeck came on in place of Jones and into Rooney's spot in attack.
"It looks like Jonny Evans has a calf strain and Phil Jones has a concussion," Moyes told MUTV after the game.
"Phil is okay. He was unconscious for a period during the game, but he’s had a head scan and the hospital has checked him and there were no problems. The medical team did everything right and we got him off the pitch as quickly as possible."
These latest knocks were the latest in a long line of injuries in the squad this season. Moyes is still without Rio Ferdinand, although the defender is expected to be available soon, while Marouane Fellaini has only just recovered from a wrist operation. Meanwhile, Moyes confirmed on Friday that a "bad hamstring injury" could keep Nani out for another month.