United: Adapting To Adversity

When Manchester United are at their fluent attacking best Sir Alex Ferguson's players delight in confounding opponents by frequently, if temporarily, interchanging roles. Invariably wonderful to watch, such positional rotation is something only very good teams dare indulge in. Moreover their managers tend to ensure that these fluid interludes of movement are firmly underpinned by the reassuring presence of tactical safety nets.

Under enemy fire, leading sides usually revert to default starting formations with defenders deployed conventionally and even free spirits in the Wayne Rooney or Dimitar Berbatov moulds detailed to perform specific marking tasks. Yet as Ferguson prepares to celebrate his 70th birthday on Saturday he knows that so many pieces of United's basic framework have recently required patching up with ill‑fitting parts that he has little option but to improvise for entire 90-minute stretches.
With 11 senior players – including the long‑term absentees Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher – occupying the Old Trafford treatment room the phrase "positional rotation" has assumed a whole new meaning as United's fit squad members are asked to pretend they are Ajax-type "total footballers".
If Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra cannot be described as exactly "ersatz" centre‑halves, the fact that Ferguson's team played much of their 5-0 Boxing Day thrashing of Wigan Athletic with the midfielder and the left-back paired at the heart of defence can only have warmed Roberto Mancini's heart. Even so, Manchester City's manager knows that a wounded United represents a most dangerous enemy. Since his side humiliated Ferguson's men 6-1 at Old Trafford in October, their neighbours have proceeded to win eight of the subsequent nine Premier League games, the last two 5-0.
Yet if fielding a talented winger such as Antonio Valenica at right-back and again promoting the hitherto unwanted Darron Gibson from the reserves to central midfield, clearly did not cramp United's style against Wigan, greater challenges await. The prospect of being without a cadre of key performers during a January programme featuring tricky league trips to Newcastle and Arsenal could conceivably cost United the title.
Pointing out that they now stand level on points with City at the top of the table, Evra takes a rather less gloomy view. Although Chris Smalling and Phil Jones may well recover in time to man the centre-half stations against Blackburn on Saturday, the France international is confident he and Carrick could, once again, prove able deputies.
"At United, the team is the star," says Evra. "That's why you can put me and Michael Carrick at centre-back and we're still going to win. It's about the team effort and the team spirit and that's why I'm confident. The United spirit is that you can play everywhere, in any position. No other side has United's spirit. That's why I'm so proud to play here."
There have been blips along the way but Evra now regards the Champions League exit to Basel as a disguised blessing. "It was a big disappointment when we went out early," he says. "But it was a wake-up call; maybe everyone looked at themselves in the mirror and said 'we can do much better'. What the fans expect of every player, we're all doing now. We're working hard. Nothing is easy but we have to keep our momentum going and trust each other."
If such endeavour is thrilling Ferguson, his side surely cannot keep on exceeding the sum of their currently out of position parts. "The injuries start to be annoying," acknowledges Evra. "We want everyone fit if we want to win the league." The fear inside Old Trafford is that history could be in recycling mode. With the manager's room for January transfer market manoeuvre presumably restricted by the gargantuan debt imposed on the club by the Glazer family, memories have been rewinding almost 14 years.
Despite at one stage enjoying an 11-point lead over Arsenal, a rash of injuries variously afflicting Peter Schmeichel, Gary Pallister, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt in March 1998 saw Ferguson forced to ultimately concede the title to Arsène Wenger.
Coming second to Mancini would hurt more but the Glaswegian is often at his most innovative when backed into corners. "United can adapt to adversity," argues Roberto Martínez, Wigan's manager. "They have the mentality every other team wants. Anyone wanting to win the league has to better United's mentality."
Louise Taylor
@Guardian

A Rampant Comeback

This was a classic comeback by Manchester United...Hard game to watch.
Berba ,Giggs,Chicharito,Scholes...well done !

Berba : Artful Merit

As a keen artist in his spare time, Dimitar Berbatov recognises the power of imagery. So the Bulgarian will fully appreciate how two contrasting scenes illustrate his evolution into one of the stars of United’s 2010/11 campaign.

Two snapshots of Berbatov, taken five months apart, lay bare a United career dramatically rerouted from enigmatic to integral. Following a missed opportunity at Ewood Park last April, he cut a frustrated figure – prostrate, blinded by his own palms, his disappointment all too evident. Then, during September’s victory over Liverpool, having just scored his stunning overhead kick, he was a beaming hub of jubilance swamped by ecstatic colleagues.
Top scorer both for club and division, the striker's form has made him a mainstay of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. A five-star show against Blackburn was only the third quintuple in United's history, he took his place in club folklore with the Reds' first hat-trick against Liverpool in 64 years and Saturday’s repeat against Birmingham made the striker only the seventh United player to reach three hat-tricks in the same season.
Those three goal-laden displays account for over half the striker’s total, but he has also popped up with vital solitary strikes to keep United’s points total clicking along apace. He’s looking entirely at home with the Reds’ quick-fire style of play, and his performances have had the effect of galvanising the rest of the team.
“Every club has a blueprint, an identity, and United’s is very strong,” says first-team coach Rene Meulensteen. “United stands for attacking, attractive football played at high speed, with one-touch passing combinations, individual skill and unpredictability. That’s all conducted at pace, with intent.”

It’s an approach which takes some getting used to, but Berbatov has found a way to suffuse his own unique talents with United’s well-established approach. Meulensteen is delighted with the huge impact made by the Bulgarian this season.
“Berba sees the art and beauty of bringing a ball down from 30 yards, then flicking it through for a team-mate with a back-heel,” says the Dutchman. “It’s an artistic approach which gives colour to the game and makes him colourful. He’s a vital ingredient to what the team is trying to achieve.
“I said to him once in training to think of himself as the best musician in the world, and as a team that we’re the best orchestra in the world. Everyone is playing the same tune – and Berba is elevating the whole performance. That’s why you are seeing beautiful things.”
The Bulgarian’s first two seasons after his switch from Spurs brought steady dividends (21 goals and 27 assists in 86 appearances) but Sir Alex Ferguson’s penchant for fielding Wayne Rooney as a lone striker ahead of a midfield trio meant he was often relegated to the substitutes’ bench for United’s bigger games – especially in the Champions League, where he started just three of the Reds’ 11 knockout ties in 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Late last term, United’s inability to pick up valuable domestic points in the injury-enforced absence of Rooney fanned the flames of transfer speculation. Given the sheer volume of big name, big money strikers linked, many media outlets suggested that Berbatov would be the unfortunate one to make room in the squad. Sir Alex’s riposte was brisk and blunt. Blue and white tickertape was still blustering around Stamford Bridge when the manager succinctly confirmed: “Dimitar will be staying here. I trust him.”

What the boss saw in his no.9 was incomparable control, vision and finesse – a skill set unlike that of any other player in the Premier League. The striker’s own response to the rumour mill was similarly unambiguous. Over the summer he maintained his fitness with regular running, and upon his return, increased his work with United’s strength and conditioning coaches. Self-belief has also been key to his move up to the next level of performance.
“You need to stay strong, believe in yourself and know what you can do,” the Bulgarian told Inside United in October. “There will be periods when you don’t feel so great, but you have your team-mates and manager who are always behind you. They always pat you on the back and say: ‘Don’t worry.’ It’s the same for every player, not just strikers.”
An impressive pre-season prompted further praise from Sir Alex, who said after the first warm-up game, against Celtic, “We know we have the right player.” After Berbatov’s Community Shield lob against Chelsea, the boss was even more effusive, labelling the striker “a genius”. And similar encouragement was forthcoming from within the dressing room. “We all know how good Dimitar is,” said Nemanja Vidic, while Darren Fletcher echoed: “He’s an important part of the team.”
According to Meulensteen, United’s inherent culture of rallying round one another for the greater good has played a huge part in Berbatov’s upsurge in confidence. “The good thing about this club is that, with the manager and the staff, there’s a massive loyalty to all the players,” says the Dutchman. “We bring them to the club because we know they can perform for us. So if they do have a difficult spell, they can fall back on us. That’s where we need to work harder to get them back to where they should be. That works and players feel that.

“You can rely on the people here, the people you’re training with, the staff, the manager and you all aim for the one thing: the best possible performance and results, and ultimately silverware.”
Berbatov’s treble in a five-star romp over Birmingham, allied to Manchester City’s defeat at Aston Villa, has given United marginally more breathing room in an enthralling Premier League title race - and Meulensteen says all United’s rivals should beware the Bulgarian as the season enters its nitty-gritty stage.
“Berba has been hugely important so far this season, and he’ll be key for the run-in,” says the Reds coach. “He wants to be key for the team, and he understands what he needs to do to be key for the team. And that’s clear in his performances and the goals that he’s scored. I want to see him with a medal around his neck and the biggest grin on his face at the end of the season, so he can look back and know that he’s really contributed so much to such a massive achievement.”
Should he end the current season a champion, Berbatov’s renaissance will be utterly complete – a triumph of heart for art’s sake.
@manutd.com

Pentatov

United Smashed Blackburn Rovers with sublime performance of under-fire striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Berbatov dazzlingly ended the 13-hour drought with 5 goals in an bulgarian afternoon at Old Trafford

مقاله ای از آرش حقیقی

1-" کالین تو را بخشید ولی ما نمی بخشیم. " این مهمترین شعار هواداران یونایتد بود در شب بازی با بورسا اسپور؛ شعاری که کل اولد ترافورد را پر کرده بود. کالین ,همسر وین رونی, خیانتش را بخشید اما یونایتدی ها هنوز نه و شاید هرگز.

2-فینال جام حذفی سال 2005 برای آرسنالی ها خیلی مهم است. این آخرین جامی بود که توپچیهای لندن بردند, فینالی که یونایتد همه بازی حمله کرد و گل نزد و دست آخر آرسنال با پنالتی بازی را برد. ترکیب خط حمله یونایتد در آن بازی معروف تشکیل شده بود از مثلث نیستلروی در نوک و کریس رونالدو و وین رونی دو ورش. دارن فلچر هم کنار روی کین در مرکز بازی می کرد. دوره, دوره ای بود که همه می گفتند کار سر الکس تمام است و نسل طلایی یونایتد به پایان رسیده و با بچه هایی مثل رونی و رونالدو و فلچر این تیم قدرت فتح جام های داخلی و اروپایی را ندارد. هر روزنامه ای که باز می کردی همین بود داستان. تیمی که مدام حمله می کند و گل نمی زند لیاقت قهرمانی ندارد. " فلچر خیلی معمولی است, رونالدو فقط برای خودش بازی می کند و بی خود پا عوض می کند, رونی هم سطحش در حد همان اورتون است. "

3-دو سال گذشت. منچستر یونایتد در حالی که هنوز نیمکتش تخت سلطنت سر الکس بود سه سال پیاپی قهرمان لیگ برتر شد و در این سه سال به نیمه نهایی چمپیونز لیگ هم رسید, دو بار به فینال رفت و یک بار قهرمان شد. حالا چه کسی بود که می توانست قدرت یونایتد را انکار کند؟ اما مهره های کلیدی یونایتد در این سالها همان بچه هایی بودند که بیشترین انتقادها را جذب کرده بودند. انگار تاریخ تکرار می شد و جمله به یاد ماندنی آلن هنسن در سال 95 که " با این بچه ها ( گیگز, بکام, اسکولز, نویل ) نمیشه هیچی برد " معنی ای دوباره می گرفت و باز نفس می کشید بعد از 10 سال. فلچر بدل شد به یکی از بهترین هافبک های دفاعی اروپا و زوج رونی و رونالدو خطرناک ترین خط حمله. رونالدو بهترین تمام کننده بود و رونی بهترین مکمل وهمه این ها بار دیگر نسخه ای جادویی بود از مردی که تخصص خودش را می داند: " سال 2005 بود که یکی از بازیکنای تیم اومد پیش من و گفت این رونی و رونالدو اصلا خوب نیستند و من نیمتونم بیش تر از این صبر کنم که با اینا جام بگیریم. خب می دانید مشکل همه همین است. آدمها پتانسیل را درک نمی کنند و نمی بینند. ولی من می بینم, من همه عمرم را صرف دیدن و کشف این استعدادها کردم. من استعداد را پیدا می کنم و خوب بلدم چطور آن را به بالاترین سطح ممکن برسانم. "

سر الکس مثل همیشه به راهش ایمان دارد و می داند این بار هم منتقدین هستند که باید حرفشان را پس بگیرند: " به این راه ایمان کامل دارم. فلسفه یونایتد همین است. می دونید اینها تیمی را می بینند که 14 بازیکن زیر 22 سال دارد و نمی توانند درک کنند که سال آینده این تیم کجاست. "

4-تابستان سال گذشته کریس رونالدو و کارلوس تبس اولدترافورد را ترک کردند و این شد آغاز یک ماجراجویی جدید برای پیر فرزانه اسکاتلندی که تا آخرین نفس زندگیش پای قمار می ماند. آنتونی والنسیا و نانی باید می ساختند و رونی باید گل می زد, بربا هم که کلا از برنامه های تیم خارج بود. اینجا دگردیسی بزرگ زندگی ورزشی رونی شروع شد. فرگوسن نقش رونی را عوض کرد. مدتی طول کشید تا رونی به این نقش جدید عادت کند, اما وقتی شماره 10 شیاطین سرخ خودش را به عنوان تک مهاجم پذیرفت طوفان یونایتد بار دیگر انگلیس و اروپا را در بر گرفت و قربانیان بزرگی چون میلان و آرسنال داد. پرچمدار این موج نو خود رونی بود که حساس ترین گل ها را می زد و البته نانی و والنسیا هم آرام آرام پتانسیل بالایشان را نشان می دادند. همه چیز همانطور که باید پیش می رفت تا بالاخره شبی در مونیخ شوم ترین حادثه ممکن برای یونایتد رخ داد. پای رونی پیچ خورد و امید اول انگلیس در جام جهانی در حالی که ایدئال ترین فرم ممکن را داشت مصدوم شد. همین مصدومیت به علاوه اتفاقات عجیب و غریب بازی برگشت یونایتد و بایرن نتیجه اش شد حذف آنها از اروپا و از دست دادن مقام قهرمانی لیگ برتر.

حرف زدن از آینده ای در گذشته که هرگز اتفاق نیافتاده کاری عبث است اما واقعا اگر رونی در حساس ترین مقطع فصل مصدوم نمی شد و داور رافائل دا سیلوا را به آن شکل مضحک با دو کارت زرد جریمه نمی کرد, دور از خیال بود که یونایتد برای سومین سال پیاپی به فینال چمپیونز لیگ برسد؟

5-" برای من فقط یک چیز اهمیت دارد و آن هم بردن جام است. یونایتد با سر الکس همیشه اینطور بوده. ولی من حرفم را زدم و احساس می کنم این یونایتد جاه طلبی و قدرت فتح جام را ندارد. " این را رونی گفت؛ حرفهایی که بدجور سر الکس را متعجب کرد. اما  فکتی جالب اینجاست : رونی بعد از مصدومیت بازی مقابل بایرن کلا دو گل زده است, یکی از روی نقطه پنالتی برای یونایتد و یکی در بازی مقابل سوئیس برای انگلیس. رونی احساس می کند این تیم یونایتد به اندازه کافی نمی جنگد و روحیه قهرمانی ندارد. ولی هرگز به این فکر نمی کند که یکی از دلایل اصلی آن خودش است. فرافکنی ستاره 24 ساله انگلیس این جا رخ می نماید. یونایتد این فصل در فاز حمله بسیار بهتر از یونایتد سال گذشته شده. بربا 6 گل تا همین جای فصل زده و بهترین فوتبال ممکن را بازی میکند. چیچاریتو هم هر وقت به بازی آمده تاثیر گذار بوده و نانی هم که کم کم دارد شمایلی رونالدو-وار به خود می گیرد. اگر رونی همان رونی فصل پیش بود مسلما یونایتد تا اینجای فصل خیلی راحت تر گل می زد. پس مشکل بیشتر مشکل رونی است تا یونایتد. رونی بدترین فوتبال عمرش را بازی می کند و بعد از بازیکنان دیگر ایراد می گیرد. انگار همان داستان سال 2005 دارد تکرار می شود و این بار نقش ها عوض شده و رونی در نقش ستاره ای ظاهر می شود که به جوان ها اعتماد ندارد. شاید بد نباشد رونی یاد دورانی بیافتد که بقیه همین حرفها را راجع به خودش و هم تیمی هایش می زدند و به یاد بیاورد سرانجام آن نسل چه شد. یونایتد این فصل هنوز شکست نخورده است, در اروپا صدر جدول گروهش هست و در انگلیس هم طبق سنت همیشگی نیم فصل اول را در رده های دوم و سوم می گذراند. رونی باید در خلوت خودش کمی بیشتر به این حقایق فکر کند. باید به این فکر کند که آیا افت یونایتد باعث افت او شده یا برعکس؟ آیا این سر الکس نبود که بعد از جام جهانی کابوس وار همه جوره پشت مهاجمش ایستاد و تنهایش نگذاشت؟

 هر تیم بزرگی حداقل نیاز به یک ستاره بزرگ هم دارد که در لحظاتی که همه چیز گره می خورد و همه راه ها بسته است راهی پیدا کند و دری بگشاید. کاری که کانتونا می کرد, کاری که بکام می کرد, کاری که رونالدو می کرد. نقش این ستاره را رونی باید بازی کند  که نمی کند و به جایش دیگران را زیر سوال می برد. مثل اینکه بازیگر نقش اول فیلم بد بازی کند و انرژی نگذارد و تمرکز نداشته باشد و بعد بگوید این فیلم در نمی آید و من دیگر بازی نمی کنم. روی کین هم در تمام دوران کاپیتانیش در اولدترافورد مدام داخل و خارج از زمین سر بقیه داد می کشید و از آنها می خواست بهتر باشند, اما خودش هم هرگز از حرکت باز نمی ایستاد. کین جانش را برای تیم می داد و از هم بازیهایش هم چنین انتظاری داشت. اینکه بایستی و سر بقیه داد بکشی کار یک فوتبالیست حرفه ای نیست. آنچه رونی می بیند در واقع انعکاس نقش خودش است در آینه تیمش که غرور و تکبر زیادی مانع از درکش می شود. نقش رونی در بازی های امسال یونایتد چه بوده و باید چه می بود؟ آیا چیزی جز نام او در زمین دیده شده؟ اگر برباتوف همان بازیکن دو فصل گذشته بود حالا یونایتد کجای جدول قرار داشت؟ اینها سوالهایی است که رونی پیش از هر چیز باید دنبال جوابش باشد. گاهی نقش ها که عوض می شوند بازیگران جوری رفتار می کنند که انگار هرگز نقشی قبلی نداشته اند و از اول همین بوده اند که هستند. نقش رونی عوض شده و نقش سابقش به چیچاریتو, به به , گیبسون و اندرسون و رافائل رسیده. اما این وسط یک نقش ثابت مانده؛ سر الکس عوض نشده. سر الکس همیشه همین بوده و همیشه همین خواهد ماند و این رمز جاودانگیش است: " به این راه ایمان کامل دارم. "

6-" کالین تو را بخشید ولی ما نمی بخشیم. "

Berbalove

september 19 2010
Pic : Manutd.com

Charity Shield,Ozil Saga,Rooney and Scholes Phenomenon

Sir Alex Ferguson refused to confirm or deny his interest in signing Germany star Mesut Ozil following Manchester United's Community Shield victory.

United boss Ferguson was at Craven Cottage on Saturday, when Ozil's Werder Bremen side were playing Fulham in a pre-season friendly.

Ferguson hinted he was an admirer of the 21-year-old midfielder - one of the best players at this summer's World Cup - but asked if he was interested in bringing the playmaker to Old Trafford, he replied cryptically: "I don't know."

He added: "I think a lot of clubs would be interested in Ozil.

"At the moment, I think we've got a great squad. I don't need to add to it - that's my opinion. I trust them.

"But, as I said, there are a lot of clubs interested in him."

Ferguson was happy with United's performance against Chelsea this afternoon, which saw them run out 3-1 winners at Wembley.

But he was even more pleased with being able to give a number of his players a much-needed run-out, including Wayne Rooney.

The England striker put his World Cup misery behind him to impressive in a 45-minute cameo that saw him lay on United's opener with an inch-perfect cross for Antonio Valencia.

Ferguson said: "The making of the goal, marvellous run and first-time ball; I don't think Antonio could've missed it. It was a magnificent ball in."

The United boss was also effusive about Rooney's half-time replacement, Javier Hernandez, who marked his debut with a bizarre goal.

The Mexico striker slipped trying to turn in Valencia's cross and ended up kicking the ball against his own face and into the net.

Salomon Kalou pulled a goal back for double-winners Chelsea, who also went close to levelling before substitute Dimitar Berbatov sealed the win in stoppage time.

Ferguson hit out at the critics who have questioned whether the Bulgarian has lived up to his £32million price tag since joining United.

But the United boss saved the biggest plaudits to the evergreen Paul Scholes, who gave a midfield masterclass to earn the man-of-the-match award.

Ferguson had to talk Scholes out of retirement at the end of last season, but admitted he had also considered putting the midfielder out to pasture.

"This time last season, he's saying to himself, 'This is my last season' - and a lot of people thought that," Ferguson said.

"It came across my mind also, simply because he's had a lot of injuries in his career. He keeps coming back; it's not easy to do that.

"It's a phenomenon that he goes out there, becomes man of the match, approaching his 36th birthday.

"He's just an incredible footballer."

Scholes was partnered by Michael Carrick, who was a shock starter two days after Ferguson had ruled him out for two weeks with an ankle injury.

"On Friday, I was certain he was out for two weeks," Ferguson said.

"He came in yesterday, says he was fit, wanted to train, trained, and wanted to play.

"The minute he says he's fit, we had to play him, simply because he needs game time."