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Manchester United have been boosted by the news that striker Michael Owen's groin injury is not as bad as feared.
Owen, 29, limped out of Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League win over Wolfsburg after 20 minutes and was thought to be facing three weeks on the sidelines.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We expect him to be available for the game against Bolton (on 17 October), he certainly won't be out for three weeks.
"It is understandable we wanted to take precautions given his past history."
Ferguson revealed Owen had complained about the problem in training earlier in the week but the striker had insisted he was fit to play.
606: DEBATE
Have your say on Owen's fitness
"We are quite pleased and are quite comfortable with the situation," Ferguson added.
"He did miss training earlier this week so maybe we should have left him out. But he wanted to play and I wanted him to play. Thankfully it is not a big problem for us."
Owen, who signed for United on a free transfer from Newcastle in the summer, has been desperate to prove he can stay fit after injuries have hampered recent seasons.
And he was granted a rare start to prove himself in Wednesday's match at Old Trafford.
However, his contribution was minimal before he limped off to be replaced by Dimitar Berbatov.
Meanwhile, Ferguson has revealed that keeper Edwin van der Sar (broken finger) and right-back Rafael Da Silva (shoulder surgery) are both nudging towards full fitness.
But neither man is in contention to face Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Owen, 29, limped out of Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League win over Wolfsburg after 20 minutes and was thought to be facing three weeks on the sidelines.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We expect him to be available for the game against Bolton (on 17 October), he certainly won't be out for three weeks.
"It is understandable we wanted to take precautions given his past history."
Ferguson revealed Owen had complained about the problem in training earlier in the week but the striker had insisted he was fit to play.
606: DEBATE
Have your say on Owen's fitness
"We are quite pleased and are quite comfortable with the situation," Ferguson added.
"He did miss training earlier this week so maybe we should have left him out. But he wanted to play and I wanted him to play. Thankfully it is not a big problem for us."
Owen, who signed for United on a free transfer from Newcastle in the summer, has been desperate to prove he can stay fit after injuries have hampered recent seasons.
And he was granted a rare start to prove himself in Wednesday's match at Old Trafford.
However, his contribution was minimal before he limped off to be replaced by Dimitar Berbatov.
Meanwhile, Ferguson has revealed that keeper Edwin van der Sar (broken finger) and right-back Rafael Da Silva (shoulder surgery) are both nudging towards full fitness.
But neither man is in contention to face Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Shanked
U been Shanked
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this is a good read
Foster's testing future
Ben Foster
Foster's errors have been highlighted this season
Jonathan Pearce
By Jonathan Pearce
BBC football commentator
Ben Foster is a very good goalkeeper but he's fast approaching a crossroads in his career.
He can go on to become the long term number one for club and country or he can let a brightly-coloured future turn into the cold black-and-white of failure.
The choice is that stark. It's up to him. There is no point in wrapping him in cotton wool or giving him the comfort blanket of a dressing room cuddle.
No-one else can do it for him. It's not down to the manager or coaches - it's up to Foster now.
This season threw up a great opportunity for him on two fronts.
606: DEBATE
Is Foster the weak link?
With Edwin van der Sar sidelined he had the chance to stamp his authority on the Manchester United first team and with England lacking a dominant keeper, he could also have buttoned down a place in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.
He's let the opportunities slip through his grasp and he's beginning to find out what it means to be a Manchester United player. Old Trafford's 'Theatre of Dreams' can become a nightmarish graveyard for men who aren't big enough to cope with its expectation levels.
It simply hasn't been a good start to the season for the 26-year-old who, at that age, should be reaching his peak.
United report that a chest injury prevented him training late last week. It might have been a factor in his poor performance against Sunderland but the image will still linger in the minds of most people of a 6ft 2in, 12st 8lb goalkeeper being outjumped and outmuscled by Kenwyne Jones for the visitors' second goal.
A confident keeper, having decided to come out for the ball, would have cleared out leather, bone and sinew - anything in his way - to get it away.
But Foster is clearly not buoyed by confidence. It wasn't his first mistake this season. There have been other high profile errors against Chelsea in the Community Shield and Manchester City in the derby. It isn't his first injury either. He missed England's August friendly with a knee problem.
It has to be a growing concern for Sir Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello that he hasn't played enough football. Since signing professional for Stoke seven years ago, he's only managed 124 first team games. Knee, ankle and hand injuries have blighted him.
He was sent to Watford for two seasons to toughen up and gain more experience. He excelled there. United seemed to have made the right choice over a long-term replacement for Van der Sar. He has all the attributes to prove them right except one - Foster needs to grow into his United shirt.
The club's history is littered with fine players who simply couldn't cope with life under the Stretford End microscope.
Garry Birtles had a league scoring ratio of one every 2.7 games at Nottingham Forest before moving to United where he only netted every five games.
Carlos Tevez and Ben Foster
Foster has all the talent he needs and it would be a crying shame to see it go to waste
Peter Davenport scored 16 goals in his first season, but then faded. Kleberson won a World Cup with Brazil but couldn't cope with two years at United for whom he played just 30 games. The club took a reported £4m loss on him.
Eric Djemba Djemba was a £3.5m misfit and at £28.1m, Juan Sebastian Veron came with a massive global reputation but did not live up to it.
Goalkeepers? They've had a few, but then again too few to mention in glowing terms.
Fabien Barthez had a good title-winning year in 2001 before the cracks appeared against Deportivo La Coruna and Arsenal the following season.
For every great save like the one against Liverpool's Didi Hamann, a comic caper followed. Massimo Taibi's calamitous display in the 5-0 defeat at Chelsea was one of the worst I've seen from any keeper, anywhere.
To understand how they could have possibly failed at a club of such great tradition with such magnificent players around them, the exhausting burden of that tradition has to be taken into consideration along with the suffocating experience of having to play every game like a cup final under the glare of a worldwide audience.
It was interesting to read Michael Owen's comments last week explaining that at United you are expected to play at the top of your game in every match.
No other club in this modern age has enjoyed United's success. No other club's players are expected to repeat that success again and again and again. The pressure must be mind-rattling. The demands laid down by Sir Alex Ferguson must be daunting. But that's why he's a winner. Losers fall by the wayside.
However, others in the current squad have managed it.
Darren Fletcher had to withstand dog's abuse from his own fans in the early days, Rio Ferdinand had uncomfortable days after his move from Leeds, and Cristiano Ronaldo's first season was underwhelming. Strength of character and positive thinking got them through. These are the qualities Foster now needs, and quickly.
With Van der Sar expected back in the coming weeks, the Leamington Spa-born keeper will probably find himself understudy again. He has no chance of playing in the World Cup finals unless he's a first team regular. He and United will have big choices to make.
Reports suggest that Old Trafford keeper's coach Eric Steele has been "hard" on the player. He has to be.
Foster has all the talent he needs and it would be a crying shame to see it go to waste.
He can go on to become the long-term number one for club and country, but the club may not be Manchester United.
Foster's testing future
Ben Foster
Foster's errors have been highlighted this season
Jonathan Pearce
By Jonathan Pearce
BBC football commentator
Ben Foster is a very good goalkeeper but he's fast approaching a crossroads in his career.
He can go on to become the long term number one for club and country or he can let a brightly-coloured future turn into the cold black-and-white of failure.
The choice is that stark. It's up to him. There is no point in wrapping him in cotton wool or giving him the comfort blanket of a dressing room cuddle.
No-one else can do it for him. It's not down to the manager or coaches - it's up to Foster now.
This season threw up a great opportunity for him on two fronts.
606: DEBATE
Is Foster the weak link?
With Edwin van der Sar sidelined he had the chance to stamp his authority on the Manchester United first team and with England lacking a dominant keeper, he could also have buttoned down a place in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.
He's let the opportunities slip through his grasp and he's beginning to find out what it means to be a Manchester United player. Old Trafford's 'Theatre of Dreams' can become a nightmarish graveyard for men who aren't big enough to cope with its expectation levels.
It simply hasn't been a good start to the season for the 26-year-old who, at that age, should be reaching his peak.
United report that a chest injury prevented him training late last week. It might have been a factor in his poor performance against Sunderland but the image will still linger in the minds of most people of a 6ft 2in, 12st 8lb goalkeeper being outjumped and outmuscled by Kenwyne Jones for the visitors' second goal.
A confident keeper, having decided to come out for the ball, would have cleared out leather, bone and sinew - anything in his way - to get it away.
But Foster is clearly not buoyed by confidence. It wasn't his first mistake this season. There have been other high profile errors against Chelsea in the Community Shield and Manchester City in the derby. It isn't his first injury either. He missed England's August friendly with a knee problem.
It has to be a growing concern for Sir Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello that he hasn't played enough football. Since signing professional for Stoke seven years ago, he's only managed 124 first team games. Knee, ankle and hand injuries have blighted him.
He was sent to Watford for two seasons to toughen up and gain more experience. He excelled there. United seemed to have made the right choice over a long-term replacement for Van der Sar. He has all the attributes to prove them right except one - Foster needs to grow into his United shirt.
The club's history is littered with fine players who simply couldn't cope with life under the Stretford End microscope.
Garry Birtles had a league scoring ratio of one every 2.7 games at Nottingham Forest before moving to United where he only netted every five games.
Carlos Tevez and Ben Foster
Foster has all the talent he needs and it would be a crying shame to see it go to waste
Peter Davenport scored 16 goals in his first season, but then faded. Kleberson won a World Cup with Brazil but couldn't cope with two years at United for whom he played just 30 games. The club took a reported £4m loss on him.
Eric Djemba Djemba was a £3.5m misfit and at £28.1m, Juan Sebastian Veron came with a massive global reputation but did not live up to it.
Goalkeepers? They've had a few, but then again too few to mention in glowing terms.
Fabien Barthez had a good title-winning year in 2001 before the cracks appeared against Deportivo La Coruna and Arsenal the following season.
For every great save like the one against Liverpool's Didi Hamann, a comic caper followed. Massimo Taibi's calamitous display in the 5-0 defeat at Chelsea was one of the worst I've seen from any keeper, anywhere.
To understand how they could have possibly failed at a club of such great tradition with such magnificent players around them, the exhausting burden of that tradition has to be taken into consideration along with the suffocating experience of having to play every game like a cup final under the glare of a worldwide audience.
It was interesting to read Michael Owen's comments last week explaining that at United you are expected to play at the top of your game in every match.
No other club in this modern age has enjoyed United's success. No other club's players are expected to repeat that success again and again and again. The pressure must be mind-rattling. The demands laid down by Sir Alex Ferguson must be daunting. But that's why he's a winner. Losers fall by the wayside.
However, others in the current squad have managed it.
Darren Fletcher had to withstand dog's abuse from his own fans in the early days, Rio Ferdinand had uncomfortable days after his move from Leeds, and Cristiano Ronaldo's first season was underwhelming. Strength of character and positive thinking got them through. These are the qualities Foster now needs, and quickly.
With Van der Sar expected back in the coming weeks, the Leamington Spa-born keeper will probably find himself understudy again. He has no chance of playing in the World Cup finals unless he's a first team regular. He and United will have big choices to make.
Reports suggest that Old Trafford keeper's coach Eric Steele has been "hard" on the player. He has to be.
Foster has all the talent he needs and it would be a crying shame to see it go to waste.
He can go on to become the long-term number one for club and country, but the club may not be Manchester United.
Doga
Father Figure
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- Aug 26, 2009
- Messages
- 4,737
- Reaction score
- 147
Sky Sports | Football News | Premier League | Manchester United | United trail Brazilian Maicon
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan right-back Maicon.
The 28-year-old Brazil international joined the Nerazzurri from Monaco in 2006 and has been a key player at the Giuseppe Meazza since Jose Mourinho's arrival.
Maicon's agent Antonio Caliendo says the player is set to remain in Italy for the time being, although he admits United have stepped up their interest.
"United's interest in my client is not something new," he told Tuttopremier.it.
"They have been following him for a while. Now it seems to me that they are pressing for him, but I don't think there have been any concrete offers yet."
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan right-back Maicon.
The 28-year-old Brazil international joined the Nerazzurri from Monaco in 2006 and has been a key player at the Giuseppe Meazza since Jose Mourinho's arrival.
Maicon's agent Antonio Caliendo says the player is set to remain in Italy for the time being, although he admits United have stepped up their interest.
"United's interest in my client is not something new," he told Tuttopremier.it.
"They have been following him for a while. Now it seems to me that they are pressing for him, but I don't think there have been any concrete offers yet."
Book
Kennel Legend
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He'd cost a fortune. Why would they want to spend a heap of money on him with Rafael coming through, Gary Neville still at the club and a more plausible possibility of signing a good, but not superstar, right back from somewhere else for a cheaper more realistic fee. Oh...it's Sky Sports.
Doga
Father Figure
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I agree with you actually. I don;t think RB is a position we need to strengthen at all.
Book
Kennel Legend
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- Nov 26, 2006
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Yeah, more likely a central defender because they look a bit short there, outside of Evans, Ferdinand and Vidic there is noone really at their level to step in.
Book
Kennel Legend
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As if he'd want to warm the bench. Im thinking more along the lines of say Michael Turner or someone like that. Not a superstar.
Book
Kennel Legend
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Haven't seen much of him apart from him FA cup appearnace last season. He is a defensive midfielder/central defender isn't he?
astroboy
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He is a defensive midfielder kinda like Hargreaves. I think he could be develop into a good Centre Back. Fergie was chasing him but we will see in the next transfer window.
But it I think we need a Goalie that can replace Van Der Sar. David Silva I really love to have.
But it I think we need a Goalie that can replace Van Der Sar. David Silva I really love to have.
Doga
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Knee specialist shocked by Hargreaves' injuries
Owen Hargreaves was told by the surgeon Dr Richard Steadman that the damage to his tendons in both knees is worse than anything else he had seen in 35 years of work in his profession. Hargreaves has described how his condition was worsened by his desire to play quickly after his acrimonious departure from Bayern Munich, with whom he had suffered a broken leg. "Part of the problem for me was my competitiveness," he said. "I was new to Manchester United and they had spent a lot of time, energy and money in getting me from Bayern Munich. I wanted to do well obviously. I came with symptoms [of tendinitis] but everyone said 'don't worry it will go' and so I always tried to be available. But playing on it made it worse. I wanted to play, though, so I played through it.
"After I broke my leg at Bayern they put me in a cast. The muscle deteriorates being in that and when I came out of it after six weeks and started to play again I don't think my muscle was strong enough." Hargreaves felt he had overcome the problem in the last four weeks of the 2007-08 season and his game for England against the US on 25 May 2008 was the best he had felt. But his left knee began hurting again in preparation for the new campaign and the right knee was also troubling the midfielder. After appearing against Liverpool, Villarreal and Chelsea in September 2008, Hargreaves knew he needed surgery. Only match time will tell him if he has resolved the problem but he believes so. "It is not about getting back for one game or for one day, I want to come back and be back for another six or eight years," he said.
Owen Hargreaves was told by the surgeon Dr Richard Steadman that the damage to his tendons in both knees is worse than anything else he had seen in 35 years of work in his profession. Hargreaves has described how his condition was worsened by his desire to play quickly after his acrimonious departure from Bayern Munich, with whom he had suffered a broken leg. "Part of the problem for me was my competitiveness," he said. "I was new to Manchester United and they had spent a lot of time, energy and money in getting me from Bayern Munich. I wanted to do well obviously. I came with symptoms [of tendinitis] but everyone said 'don't worry it will go' and so I always tried to be available. But playing on it made it worse. I wanted to play, though, so I played through it.
"After I broke my leg at Bayern they put me in a cast. The muscle deteriorates being in that and when I came out of it after six weeks and started to play again I don't think my muscle was strong enough." Hargreaves felt he had overcome the problem in the last four weeks of the 2007-08 season and his game for England against the US on 25 May 2008 was the best he had felt. But his left knee began hurting again in preparation for the new campaign and the right knee was also troubling the midfielder. After appearing against Liverpool, Villarreal and Chelsea in September 2008, Hargreaves knew he needed surgery. Only match time will tell him if he has resolved the problem but he believes so. "It is not about getting back for one game or for one day, I want to come back and be back for another six or eight years," he said.
Doga
Father Figure
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Manchester United clear to sign tug-of war youngster Paul Pogba
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:38 AM on 08th October 2009
Manchester United have been given FIFA clearance to sign Paul Pogba after a bitter tussle with Le Havre.
The furious French club claimed inducements had been offered to break a contract. But a judge, appointed by FIFA to decide the case, ruled that because of his age, Le Havre could not have reached an agreement for Pogba (right) to sign a professional contract.
The 16-year-old midfielder's case appeared to have similarities with the one that has seen Chelsea banned from signing players for the next two transfer windows.
Fiorentina's protests over United's alleged poaching of teenage defender Michele Fornasier have been quashed after FIFA gave the 16-year-old official clearance to play for their Under 18s at the weekend.
United want to sign Inter Milan's defender Maicon, according to the 28-year-old Brazilian's agent.
Read more: Manchester United clear to sign tug-of war youngster Paul Pogba | Mail Online
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:38 AM on 08th October 2009
Manchester United have been given FIFA clearance to sign Paul Pogba after a bitter tussle with Le Havre.
The furious French club claimed inducements had been offered to break a contract. But a judge, appointed by FIFA to decide the case, ruled that because of his age, Le Havre could not have reached an agreement for Pogba (right) to sign a professional contract.
The 16-year-old midfielder's case appeared to have similarities with the one that has seen Chelsea banned from signing players for the next two transfer windows.
Fiorentina's protests over United's alleged poaching of teenage defender Michele Fornasier have been quashed after FIFA gave the 16-year-old official clearance to play for their Under 18s at the weekend.
United want to sign Inter Milan's defender Maicon, according to the 28-year-old Brazilian's agent.
Read more: Manchester United clear to sign tug-of war youngster Paul Pogba | Mail Online
Last edited by a moderator:
Doga
Father Figure
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Paul Pogba's former club Le Havre claim FIFA has not validated the player's move to Manchester United.
A statement on United's official website said the 16-year-old midfielder had been authorised by FIFA to register as a player at Old Trafford, but the French club have refuted the decision as a non-event.
Le Havre accused United of unlawfully approaching the teenager in the aftermath of the Gael Kakuta affair which saw Chelsea banned from signing players in the next two transfer windows.
Despite United saying that the player has been cleared to move by FIFA, the French outfit say the matter is still to be resolved.
A Le Havre statement read: "As opposed to what Manchester United specifies on its official site, FIFA did not validate the transfer of Paul Pogba but has, like it systematically does in this type of case, issued a provisional international certificate.
"The decision of the international authority is a non event and normal procedure. This procedure has been the same for the previous cases of Charles N'Zogbia, Laure Lepilleur and Gael Kakuta and we know today the result of each one of these cases.
"Like FIFA specifies in its decision, the delivery of the provisional international certificate does not prejudge anything resulting from the case file."
However, the provision of the certificate means Pogba is able to join the United Under 18 side for the time being. Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News | Pogba decision a 'non event'
A statement on United's official website said the 16-year-old midfielder had been authorised by FIFA to register as a player at Old Trafford, but the French club have refuted the decision as a non-event.
Le Havre accused United of unlawfully approaching the teenager in the aftermath of the Gael Kakuta affair which saw Chelsea banned from signing players in the next two transfer windows.
Despite United saying that the player has been cleared to move by FIFA, the French outfit say the matter is still to be resolved.
A Le Havre statement read: "As opposed to what Manchester United specifies on its official site, FIFA did not validate the transfer of Paul Pogba but has, like it systematically does in this type of case, issued a provisional international certificate.
"The decision of the international authority is a non event and normal procedure. This procedure has been the same for the previous cases of Charles N'Zogbia, Laure Lepilleur and Gael Kakuta and we know today the result of each one of these cases.
"Like FIFA specifies in its decision, the delivery of the provisional international certificate does not prejudge anything resulting from the case file."
However, the provision of the certificate means Pogba is able to join the United Under 18 side for the time being. Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News | Pogba decision a 'non event'
MeskBrah
Kennel Enthusiast
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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...ase-10m-Russian-goalkeeper-article184611.html
Manchester United chase £10m Russian goalkeeper
Manchester United have been given the green light to step up their interest in Russian No 1 Igor Akinfeev.
CSKA Moscow are prepared to let United speak to the £10million-rated goalkeeper in the January transfer window.
Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to recruit a world-class keeper with Edwin van der Sar set to retire in May and growing doubts over Ben Foster.
Akinfeev, 23, who has also been watched by Arsenal, made his Russia debut five years ago is one of Guus Hiddink's emerging stars.
It is understood he would jump at the chance of moving to Old Trafford and has told CSKA he wants to speak to United in January.
Manchester United chase £10m Russian goalkeeper
Manchester United have been given the green light to step up their interest in Russian No 1 Igor Akinfeev.
CSKA Moscow are prepared to let United speak to the £10million-rated goalkeeper in the January transfer window.
Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to recruit a world-class keeper with Edwin van der Sar set to retire in May and growing doubts over Ben Foster.
Akinfeev, 23, who has also been watched by Arsenal, made his Russia debut five years ago is one of Guus Hiddink's emerging stars.
It is understood he would jump at the chance of moving to Old Trafford and has told CSKA he wants to speak to United in January.
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MeskBrah
Kennel Enthusiast
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UNITED AND CHELSEA SPY ON SANTOS
UNITED AND CHELSEA SPY ON SANTOS | Rival duo scouting at Under-20 World Cup | News Of The World
By Aidan Magee, 10/10/2009
MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea have sent spies to the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt to check on Brazilian teenager Alex Teixeira Santos.
The Vasco da Gama midfielder is considered the star of the team and is valued at around £8million. He could even make the full squad in South Africa next summer.
Teixeira, 19, scored twice in the second round against Uruguay and is noted for his pace, creativity and dribbling.
At the end of last season the Brazilian club said they didn't want to sell the player for another two years.
They now have serious financial problems and a deal could even be possible in January.
"I am aware that some English clubs are enjoying my work,'' said Teixeira.
"My dream is to play in Europe and I am convinced that this will soon be a reality.''
UNITED AND CHELSEA SPY ON SANTOS | Rival duo scouting at Under-20 World Cup | News Of The World
By Aidan Magee, 10/10/2009
MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea have sent spies to the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt to check on Brazilian teenager Alex Teixeira Santos.
The Vasco da Gama midfielder is considered the star of the team and is valued at around £8million. He could even make the full squad in South Africa next summer.
Teixeira, 19, scored twice in the second round against Uruguay and is noted for his pace, creativity and dribbling.
At the end of last season the Brazilian club said they didn't want to sell the player for another two years.
They now have serious financial problems and a deal could even be possible in January.
"I am aware that some English clubs are enjoying my work,'' said Teixeira.
"My dream is to play in Europe and I am convinced that this will soon be a reality.''
