Manchester United

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Crerand, that's him

Is that the fella that gave an interview saying he knew Fergie was staying on the day before he retired

[Alex]

You only have to assume he isnt looking at any easy runs they have. We had a hard start last season too if I remember. Played Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd in the first 5 games.

Probably because its fixed.

[fah-q]

Some of the comments on that BBC article are hilarious

You can why Fergie "hand picked" him!

Go easy on moyes it's not easy speaking you're own mind sat on fergies lap with his hand up your a#se.....

Wow....I know Moyes wants to emulate Ferguson....

...but I assumed he wanted to do it on the pitch... not in the press.

What does he expect? The guy who used to make the fixture list is no longer at his previous position.

[rodo]

And so it begins

[greenbloodred]

Another absolute cunt of an ex manc is that Clayton ****ing Blackmore. I'd love to slap that ****er

[Fivex]

Is this not questioning the integrity of the PL?

[RichC]

Moyes

[ric.williams]

thats it david. get the excuses in early

[Assassin]

bunny moyesy preparing the scum supportors for what is to come, in true bodgson fashion

"this is Manchester United's hardest start to a season for 20 years"

[Sarb]

Balls? The PL fixtures are computer generated? I think he's getting confused with the CL, when he blamed 'hot balls' for getting Everton knocked out of the CL qualifiers

[elrichio86]

bunny moyesy preparing the scum supportors for what is to come, in true bodgson fashion

"this is Manchester United's hardest start to a season for 20 years"

The fixtures aren't the reason its going to be their hardest season

[baitman]

Balls? The PL fixtures are computer generated? I think he's getting confused with the CL, when he blamed 'hot balls' for getting Everton knocked out of the CL qualifiers

from beeb; http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23710359

He added: "I find it hard to believe that's the way the balls came out of the bag, that's for sure."

his face looks like a ballbag, thats for sure.

[badpiggy]

Premiership manager in failure to understand probability shocker!

Don't you mean "Man Utd manager in failure to influence probability shocker"?

[Liverpel]

Manchester United are prepared to offer up to €47m (£40m) for Cesc Fabregas in the final week of the transfer window as manager David Moyes refuses to concede defeat.


United appeared to have abandoned their pursuit of the Barcelona midfielder last week after the 26-year-old suggested he had no intention of leaving the Nou Camp, two years after returning to his hometown club from Arsenal.

Fabregas claimed in Malaysia during the Spanish champions' Far East tour last Friday that he was "very happy at Barcelona", and United responded by issuing a statement insisting they "completely respect everything Cesc has said".

However, senior figures at Old Trafford remain convinced that Fabregas continues to doubt his first-team prospects at the Nou Camp and that the next two weeks will be pivotal in their attempts to sign the player.

It is also understood that Barcelona have indicated to United a figure which would prompt them to consider selling him, but Moyes is keen to assess the situation before sanctioning another offer following Barca's rejection of bids worth £26m and £30m.

With Fabregas facing time on the sidelines with sprained ankle ligaments – an injury which ruled him out of Spain's friendly in Ecuador last night – Moyes will monitor the player's involvement with Barcelona in their fixtures leading up to the September 2 transfer deadline.

Fabregas could return for Barcelona's La Liga opener against Levante on Sunday and should be fit to return for the first leg of the Super Cup encounter with Atletico Madrid next Wednesday.

Following the Atletico tie, Barca face Malaga and Valencia in the league, either side of the second leg of the Super Cup, and United believe that Fabregas' contribution in those games will decide his future with the Spanish champions.

While talking of his happiness in the Spanish Catalan capital and stating that "triumphing in Barcelona is what I have been hoping for all my life," Fabregas also admitted in Malaysia to being "flattered" by United's interest and that his priority was to play first-team football.

Comments by Barcelona manager Tata Martino that Fabregas (below) would be a key player in his future plans have been welcomed by the midfielder, but there is also a concern that the £53m signing of Brazil international Neymar could lead to Fabregas losing his place in the team.

With Spain due to defend the World Cup in Brazil next summer, Fabregas is known to be determined to ensure that he plays regular first-team football in order to avoid dropping out of Vicente del Bosque's team.

United are aware, however, that prising Fabregas from Barcelona remains a difficult challenge and that there is no guarantee that a third bid will prove successful.

United chief executive Ed Woodward, having made it clear that Wayne Rooney will not be sold this summer, is also keen to deliver a statement of intent in his first season at the helm by securing the services of a player in the Fabregas bracket.

Moyes is expected to return to former club Everton with bids for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini in the coming days, but there remains a desire at the highest level at United to secure a marquee signing before the transfer window closes.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez yesterday played down the prospects of a United bid for Baines, saying one club had put in a "final offer" which was way below their valuation before his squad flew to Austria to complete their preparations for the big kick-off to the new season. (© Daily Telegraph, London)

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/united-preparing-lastditch-47m-bid-for-fabregas-29501015.html

[Neil Young]

The fixtures aren't the reason its going to be their hardest season