Manchester United
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Manchester United were handed a double boost yesterday when Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo escaped disciplinary action from Uefa and the FA respectively.
Rooney was cleared by European football’s governing body over an alleged stamp on Kasper Risgard, the Aalborg midfield player, during United’s 2-2 Champions League draw at Old Trafford last Wednesday. The England forward could have been banned for one or both legs of United’s first knockout round tie in February and March had Uefa decided to take action. Risgard had accused Rooney of deliberately “jumping” on his chest. “Uefa will not open any disciplinary proceedings against Wayne Rooney,” a spokesman said.
Ronaldo escaped censure after appearing to kick out at Michael Dawson, the Tottenham Hotspur defender, during the team’s goalless draw at White Hart Lane in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.
The incident was missed by Mike Dean, the referee, but after watching video footage, the official decided it was not serious enough to warrant action. A spokesman for the FA said: “We contacted the referee, who confirmed he didn’t see the incident at the time and, having reviewed footage, he has also confirmed he would not have sent the player off for violent conduct had he seen it. On that basis, no further action will be taken.”
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United are still undecided whether to appeal against the FA’s decision to ban Patrice Evra for four matches after the defender was found guilty of striking a Chelsea groundsman after his team’s 2-1 league defeat at Stamford Bridge in April. Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, was outraged by the decision, although the club are thought to have doubts about whether they would succeed with an appeal.
David Gill, the United chief executive, is convinced that the Club World Cup will blossom into a leading event in the football calendar after the squad arrived in Japan yesterday for the much-maligned tournament. Some have questioned the wisdom of United travelling to the other side of the world in the middle of the English season but Gill expects it to increase in profile. United face Gamba Osaka in their semi-final on Thursday.
“You have to start somewhere,” he said. “Who is to say what this tournament will look like in 40 years? Over time, I am sure it will be recognised as a competition of major significance.”
Do you notice that Tottenham don’t lose to the bigger teams? They drew with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, drew again with Arsenal at Emirates and beat Liverpool at home last month. Mind you, Liverpool are currently leading the Premiership.
Tottenham thrive under Harry Redknapp. The team is capable of raising their game when they play against the Big Four.
Man United had the chance to gain the three points at White Hart Lane but Heurelho Gomes’ individual performance saved Tottenham from losing.
He even earned praise from Sir Alex Ferguson after the match.
It was an exciting match, but a pity that there wasn’t any goal. Man United finished strongly. But Gomes turned things around for Tottenham.
How is Tottenham different under Redknapp?
REDKNAPP has changed a few positions. Darren Bent is a good striker and has been given more chances to score.
Didier Zokora has been moved back to midfield, which is his best position. David Bentley, too, gets to play regularly under the new boss.
Redknapp is an experienced manager in the Premiership and manages without the help of a technical director, as some clubs do.
When he took over Tottenham from Juande Ramos, the team were right at the bottom of the table.
They are moving up now. To be in the top 10 of the table is achievable for Redknapp. People don’t call him Harry Houdini for nothing.
He is a miracle worker.
Tottenham’s goalkeeper Gomes surprised everyone with his saves. Is he going to be the new hero for Tottenham this season?
GOMES’ saves were indeed the highlights of the match.
He was a good player with PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league and Champions League.
But he needed to adapt to the Premiership where the games are played at a faster pace and more aerial balls are played.
Gomes probably had problems communicating with the defenders when he first joined the team. He made a lot of blunders. And under Ramos, he couldn’t handle crosses.
But things are turning around for him. Look how he denied Dimitar Berbatov and company from scoring.
If he didn’t have full concentration, Man United would have gotten their late goal. But Gomes saved Tottenham single-handedly.
To be able to handle the kind of firepower from Man United, Gomes has certainly raised his game.
He has performed better under Redknapp who gave him the trust and confidence that he needed.
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