SportsKeeda » Ambuj Gupta

Video: Tevez falls on the stairs at Wembley

Ambuj Gupta — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:45:44 +0000

To add salt to wound, Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez slipped while climbing down the stairs at Wembley after the FA Cup final against Wigan.

Video: Zaha swears while Ian Holloway shakes his leg on camera

Ambuj Gupta — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:49:18 +0000

Following Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win over Brighton, their outspoken manager Ian Holloway danced merrily around in the dressing room while Manchester United bound youngster seems to have taken cue from Wayne Rooney and could be seen swearing at the camera.

Zaha scored both the goals as hide side progressed to the finals of the playoffs. Watch his goals here:

RVP’s tribute to Sir Alex

Ambuj Gupta — Sat, 11 May 2013 11:04:55 +0000

Robin van Persie has become the latest player to pay a glowing tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson who has decided to retire from management after the end of this season.

The Dutch international joined Manchester United last summer after spending eight years with rivals Arsenal and has won the premier league trophy in his first season itself. He is currently the leading goalscorer in the league with 25 goals in 35 appearances for the club. Van Persie said:

“I’m sad to hear that the manager is retiring. But I’m really happy I’ve had the opportunity and the honour to work with him.

“He’s a great manager and, above all, an even greater person. I have to thank him for an amazing year and for making my dream come true by winning the league.

“I wish him and his family the very best.”

United will take on Swansea this Sunday in Ferguson’s last home game of an illustrious 26-years stay at the club and Swansea defender Ashley Williams, who was rather funnily accused by Sir Alex of ‘attempted murder’ after an incident involving Robin Van Persie when the sides last met, added his own words of admiration for the 71-year-old.

“He is the top dog in football. He is the Godfather of the British game and every player and manager has respect for him. We’ve all heard the stories about him and got our favourites – Tatey (Alan Tate) has told a few good ones here.

“And it’s fair to say he’s a legend and probably the best manager ever. I would loved to have played under him as most players would, just to see what it was like and how he motivates his teams and works day to day. It’s top-notch.

“Because he just has that character. If he said ‘Jump’, you’d ask, ‘How high?’ He carries an aura about him and he has backed it up with the trophies he has won.”

No health issues with Fergie, says son Darron Ferguson

Ambuj Gupta — Sat, 11 May 2013 11:04:14 +0000

Darren Ferguson has rubbished reports claiming that his father took a sudden decision to retire owing to some health problems.

Sir Alex Ferguson is scheduled to undergo a hip operation in the off season but Ferguson Jr insists it is not the reason of his father retiring, adding that it was all down to timing.

“There’s no problem with his health, contrary to what some people are saying. He’s got a small hip operation but there’s no difference to most 71-year-olds. It’s not a health decision.

“Basically he feels he’s gone out at the right time, he’s left the club in a fantastic position and they’ve hired a very good manager to replace him.

“He spoke to us, he felt it was the right time. We all sort of abided by that, there were no issues.”

Sir Alex will take up the role of club director and ambassador from the next season and Everton manager David Moyes will take over the reins at the club from July 1. And Darren believes his father won’t interfere with Moyes in operating the club. He added:

“He’ll not be in the dressing room with David Moyes, he’ll keep well away from that situation. He’s had enough impact on who the manager will be, I think. But listen, it’s Man United, they’ll be fine.”

Speaking about Fergie’s post retirement plans, Darren said:

“He’s got a lot of outside things. If he didn’t, there’d be worries because when people retire that’s when you can have ill-health – when you don’t keep yourself occupied.”

Another Ferguson follows Sir Alex to retirement

Ambuj Gupta — Sat, 11 May 2013 06:01:49 +0000

Manchester United chief scout Martin Ferguson has decided to retire later this year. Martin is Sir Alex’s younger brother and has been in the United setup since 1997.

Announcing his retirement, Martin added that the decision had nothing to do with his brother also deciding to quit management at the end of the season.

He joked:

“I told him I knew what he was up to, trying to steal my thunder ahead of my retirement. I told him that I had all the press and television lined up for me making my own announcement but now he’s gone and spoiled it.

“He burst out laughing, of course. We didn’t make any pact and we didn’t discuss it at all. It just seems that the time was right for both of us. For God’s sakes, we’re both old enough. I hope we manage to see more of each other and the families spend more time together because he is a great family man and he looks after his family extremely well.

“He absolutely dotes on his grandchildren and I think having more time with them is something that he will appreciate.”

Martin was United’s chief scout in Europe and has been credited with bringing players like Diego Forlan, Anderson and Ruud van Nistelrooy to the club.

F1 racer Mark Webber pays tribute to Sir Alex

Ambuj Gupta — Sat, 11 May 2013 05:58:41 +0000

Formula One hotshot Mark Webber has paid his tribute to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who has decided to retire from management following a trophy laden 26-year-long spell at the helm.

In his blog on Red Bull’s official website, the self-confessed United supporter praised the Scotsman’s longevity in the game and wrote:

“A genuine sporting legend retired this week – Sir Alex Ferguson. I’ve been to Old Trafford many times. I’ve watched Sir Alex’s team play and I’ve admired everything about him.

“His longevity has been impressive; his desire and ambition has been infectious and the team will miss him very much.”

The Australian racer also backed newly appointed David Moyes to do well at the club. The current Everton manager has signed a six-year deal at Manchester United and will officially take charge at the club on July 1. Webber added:

“I’m sure David Moyes will do a great job, but there’s no doubt that Sir Alex will be missed. One day I’d like to meet him and shake his hand because what he’s achieved has been phenomenal.”

Webber had earlier expressed his desire to be Formula One’s Ryan Giggs after agreeing to sign a one-year contract extension with Red Bull at the age of 36. He is currently the oldest driver in the grid following the retirement of Michael Schumacher, and recently participated in his 200th race.

“Ryan Giggs is a professional. What he has achieved shows discipline and work-rate. Sir Alex Ferguson has done incredibly well for those players like Giggs and Paul Scholes.

“They never wasted energy and worked out that retiring from international football was the thing to do. They are very selfish in terms of the consumption of energy. Those guys are brilliant. You see Fergie brining on Giggsy to add a cool head or a little bit of control.

“It is all about knowing when to turn it on. Am absolutely as fast and raw and feeling as I did when I was 22? Probably not.

“But am I more calculated and composed? Yes. Definitely. For example, I was able to close it out at Monaco last year. It is a tough race but I closed it out and was in control.”

Moyes gets Mourinho’s nod

Ambuj Gupta — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:45:54 +0000

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has backed newly appointed Manchester United manager David Moyes to be a success at Old Trafford. Mourinho also admitted that he felt honored after Ferguson personally rang him up to tell him about his decision to retire.

Moyes has signed a six year deal at United and will take over the club on July 1 when Sir Alex will step down following 26 trophy laden years at the club. And Jose Mourinho, who was also rumored to be in contention for the post said:

“When Sir Alex called me to give me the honour of knowing from him his decision, I was surprised and sad. At the same time, I was happy to feel his emotion, and pride for such an amazing career.

“I think David is a great choice. I like him as a person, I like his character as a manager. I believe Manchester United will support him, I think he has the qualities to do a good job.

“I wish Sir Alex a happy life, and I wish David a successful career at Old Trafford.”

Ferguson and Mourinho share a healthy competitive relationship and the duo are famous for their post match wine routine. Mourinho added that he will miss Ferguson’s presence in the dugout.

“It will be difficult for me, and I think all managers, to go to Old Trafford and play against Manchester United, without this mythical figure waiting for us.

“We are good friends, and my good friends know which club I would like to manage when I finish my work at Real Madrid.”

Mourinho added that he would not watch Ferguson’s last match at Old Trafford on television on Sunday.

“No, certainly not – no, I don’t want to cry!”

Sylvain Distin and Tim Cahill back Moyes to shine at Manchester United

Ambuj Gupta — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:59:53 +0000

Everton defender Sylvain Distin believes manager David Moyes will have no trouble settling in at Old Trafford because of his work ethic. Meanwhile, former Everton forward Tim Cahill has claimed that only Moyes has the requisite capabilities to take over the job at United.

Distin, who has spent four years working under Moyes at Goodison Park, compared him to Sir Alex and told L’Equipe:

“He has many character traits in common with Alex Ferguson – the same drive, the same determination. Moyes is involved at a club 200 per cent. He does everything – training sessions, fitness sessions and even video sessions. At other clubs I have known, that has been the job of an assistant.

“He is always here. He puts you under pressure from the first to the last encounter. Even if there is nothing at stake, you know you will have to give your all.”

Former Everton forward Tim Cahill, who made more than 200 appearances for the Toffees after being bought by Moyes from Milwall in 2004, praised his former boss and said:

“Do you want that manager that’s been at the top level and bounced around all the European clubs, bringing in all his own staff in, changing the footprint of what Manchester United‘s all about, breaking wage structures even more, signing the big superstars? Or do you want somebody that respects the club, respects the production of what they’re doing and understands the budget?

“You look at any other manager in the world I think, other than Pep Guardiola, there’s only David Moyes that would suit a club like Manchester United.

“He’s done so much for the game, and to have the opportunity to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world and continue their level of success is a remarkable measure of the man he is and how much they respect him as a football manager.”

Mancini: “It’s been a great honour to compete against Sir Alex”

Ambuj Gupta — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:10:30 +0000

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that it has been a great honour for him to compete against Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 71-year-old Scotsman announced his retirement from management after a trophy-laden 26 years at Manchester United and Mancini described him as ‘one of a kind’. Revealing that he sent Ferguson a message following his announcement, Mancini said:

“It is his decision. For me, it has been a great honour and pleasure to compete against Sir Alex for three years. It was a great honour to beat him in Old Trafford and I wish him good luck for his future. I don’t know for which reasons (he is retiring). He’s a top manager but he took this decision and we should respect it.

“It is difficult to say who is the best manager. Everyone can have his opinion but one manager who stays for 27 years in the same club and won every trophy for 27 years is an incredible situation. I don’t think there will be another manager like him, In Europe, there are other good managers. I don’t know if you can say Sir Alex is the best (ever) but he is the best in the last 27 years.”

Everton manager David Moyes has been selected as the new manager of the club but Mancini believes United will not slow down and will still be a major force to reckon with come next season. He added:

“I don’t think United will stop growing. A top club, a big club like United, you can change the manager. Sir Alex built this team but it is a big club with a big history and I don’t think it will change something.”

Wenger hails ‘exceptional’ Sir Alex

Ambuj Gupta — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:57:16 +0000

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed the impact Sir Alex Ferguson has had on Manchester United and on football in general in his 26-year tenure as the manager of the Red Devils.

Ferguson and Wenger are representatives of the golden era of the rivalry between the two clubs in late 1990s and early 2000s, when Arsenal challenged United’s supremacy and the likes of Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane only added fuel to fire. Paying his tribute to the Scotsman on Arsenal’s official website, Wenger said:

“I would just like to pay tribute to an unbelievable achievement and a fantastic career. Basically the achievement is immaculate, when you look at the whole structure and consistency of the achievement. It is, of course, something exceptional.

“It is difficult to imagine English football without him, but it’s now a reality and a fact. Of course the next manager has to fill in and show he has the dimension to do that. It is a big task for the guy who comes in.”

David Moyes has been confirmed as the man to take United forward from next season after the Everton manager signed a six-year long deal at Old Trafford but Wenger believes he will face a tough task ahead, adding that replacing a person of Ferguson’s stature is never easy:

“What you can say still is that Manchester United are commercially and financially one of the strongest two or three clubs in the world, and that is still a good basis to start when you come in because you know the players are there, the team is there, and the potential is there.

“They have developed very well and they are in a very, very strong position to deal with the problem they face. But of course it’s a great void to fill for Manchester United, because the charisma and personality disappears suddenly in a club which has been dominated by it for such a long time. It’s not an easy task to replace a person like that.”

United duo welcome Moyes

Ambuj Gupta — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:13:21 +0000

Manchester United players Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick have welcomed the appointment of David Moyes as the manager at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement from management yesterday and today the club officially announced the arrival of David Moyes on a six year deal. Moyes will see out his contract at Everton and join United on July 1. Ferdinand praised Moyes management of Everton and said:

“It was important the club made a decision quickly and got it all sorted before people could start making rumours. The club have acted impeccably in that respect.

“It’s great to see the new manager coming in, we’ve never had a problem with him here at United, he’s a very honest man from the players you speak to and he’s done a fantastic job at his previous club Everton.

“I’m sure he’ll be very, very open and sympathetic to the traditions of the club and try and continue that and not come in and try and make crazy changes in terms of the whole characteristics of the club.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Michael Carrick revealed that he cannot wait to start working under the new manager. He too praised Moyes’ work at Everton and added:

“He’s done a terrific job at Everton. He’s been there a long time and has had great success with the resources he’s had. It’s obviously a big change because this club’s been run for so long by one person.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting him and getting good training in pre-season and looking forward to a good future. He’s honest and fair to his players as far as I’m aware. He sets high standards just as he expects high standards of ourselves.”

Sir Alex soon to be Lord Alex?

Ambuj Gupta — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:57:38 +0000

MPs have asked for Sir Alex Ferguson to be ennobled and elevated to the House of Lords following his retirement from management after serving for 26 years as Manchester United manager.

Greater Manchester area MPs Graham Stringer and Paul Goggins have hailed Sir Alex’s “unparalleled success” in management at United and Aberdeen and in an Early Day Motion, the duo asked for the Scotsman to be ‘immediately ennobled and elevated to the House of Lords’. Mr Stringer said:

“While we have got a House of Lords, it’s for people who have distinguished themselves in their own profession and nobody has distinguished themselves more than Sir Alex Ferguson in the world of football.

“If you’re a great medic or an ex-cabinet minister you can get in to the Lords, and on that basis Sir Alex should get in.

“It is also the case, as far as I am aware, that there has never been anybody from the world of football appointed to the House of Lords. That’s a national disgrace that somebody from the world of football has not been appointed to the House of Lords.

“It’s an area which is the most popular sport in the UK and the only global sport. It would benefit from his experience of running a major institution and managing what are often very difficult, multi-millionaire footballers.

“My guess is that if he were to get in to the Lords, he would behave in the considered way that they behave but it would be fun to see the hairdryer treatment.”

Meanwhile Respect MP George Galloway also suggested Sir Alex to Lordship and told the Press Association:

“He is the greatest living Scotsman in my opinion – I would defy anyone to come up with greater. His achievements are an Everest, in sporting terms. He’s also a very great man.

“He used to help get me elected in Glasgow, as a Labour MP. I think he is a shoo-in for the Lords. He’s a strong Labour man, in the finest Labour tradition, a rock hard union man – he was the union man of the League Managers’ Association. He has a lot to say and do yet in British public life.”

Frank Lampard hopes to stay at Chelsea and would welcome Mourinho

Ambuj Gupta — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:48:05 +0000

Frank Lampard dubbed Jose Mourinho’s probable return to Chelsea as ‘a great thing for the club’.

Mourinho is expected to leave Real Madrid in the summer this year after spending three years at the club. And reports suggest that the Portuguese might return to Chelsea for his second stint at the club after patching things up with owner Roman Abramovich. Lampard, who was an integral part of the Chelsea side during Mourinho’s first stint, said:

“I think it would be a great thing for the club. He is a successful manager and he would be a great thing for any club. It’s hard to comment with the season still ongoing and with the manager not here or chosen yet. It would be easy to speculate.

“I have seen speculation before and a completely different manager walks through the door so you never know on that front. But he is certainly one of the greatest, if not the greatest, manager in world football.

“Of course Jose Mourinho would be a great manager for any club to have but I don’t think it is right to talk about him while he is still Real Madrid manager.”

Lampard will be out of contract this summer and Jose Mourinho’s return will definitely motivate him to sign a new deal with the club that he joined in 2001 at the age of 23. The England international has been linked with a move to the MLS in United States, but the 34-year-old hopes to resolve his future at Chelsea and earn a new contract. He added:

“I’ve always said that I wanted to spend all my career here and I think everyone knows that. I’ve been pretty pleased with my form this season. I just want to contribute and I want to keep doing that for the last three games.

“I honestly don’t know whether Mourinho’s return would help my cause. We have got two weeks that will decide whether our season has been a successful one or not. That is the main focus.”

Frank Lampard pays tribute to Sir Alex

Ambuj Gupta — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:44:20 +0000

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has paid tribute to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who will retire from management at the end of the season.

Ferguson had just days before revealed his admiration for the England international and admitted that he tried signing the player from West Ham in his early days. Lampard praised Ferguson’s longevity and said:

“I have nothing but admiration for him. I think he was, in terms of the period of time he has done it, he has been the greatest for me. A lot of managers – the Jose Mourinhos of the world – are making their play for it, but they need to do it for as long as Fergie has.

“He has been incredible. As a man who ran the club, his desire to get the best out of players and keep evolving the team like he has done he is a complete one-off.

“We are competitve with Manchester United and we want to beat them and the fans don’t like them, but with Alex Ferguson you have to look up and say what a great man and what a great manager.”

Lampard’s teammate Branislav Ivanovic also had words of praise for the retiring manager and added that he expects Manchester United to still be a fierce rival despite the departure of Sir Alex.

“I think he is one of best coaches ever. I think for all the world it was a surprise and it was a surprise for us, but I don’t it will change a lot as I still think they will be one of the top clubs in England.”

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Raul Albiol: I am better than Ramos, at FIFA13

Ambuj Gupta — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:11:14 +0000

Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol has revealed that he is a big fan of video games and is better than his teammates Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Ramos at FIFA. The 27-year-old however added that family commitments have reduced his playing time.”I was a really good player before, but what with my daughters and family, I only get to play about an hour a day now. I have to say, my game’s not what it was.

“I’ve been a passionate video-game player for as long as I can remember. I used to play Kick Off as a boy and other non-sports games. These days I always play FIFA 13 because it’s the most realistic of the lot.”

Speaking in Madrid where the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2013 Grand Final is being held, Ramos dwelled into details regarding his team selection in the game and named Jesus Navas as the best player he has played against. A winner of FIFA World Cup and two Euro Cups with the Spanish national side, Albiol added:”We play a lot in the Spain team because we’re cooped up for a long time in training camps and we share rooms. We organise a few tournaments amongst ourselves.

“I always put myself in the side. If I don’t pick myself, then who else am I going to put? Sometimes I even send myself up front if my team’s chasing. I wish I were a bit faster in the game. I’m going to see if I can find a way of improving my performance levels in every area.”

Albiol revealed that his Real Madrid teammates Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Ramos are also avid fans of video games.”Sergio plays FIFA13 but he’s not better than me at it. We used to play war games before but I got bored of him trying to be the hero all the time. He’d end up with all the ammunition and weapons and would just shoot at everyone. I told him I’d just sit back and applaud him if that was what he wanted. Gonzalo is the funniest of the lot, but he never beats me.”

Redknapp: Cesar will leave but I hope Samba stays

Ambuj Gupta — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:09:53 +0000

QPR manager Harry Redknapp admitted that goalkeeper Julio Cesar will leave in the summer following the club’s relegation. The manager is however expecting January signing Christopher Samba to stay and fight for promotion next season.

Brazilian international and Champions League winner with Inter Milan, Cesar joined QPR in the summer last year and put in some decent performances for the club. He however missed the match against Arsenal last week due to a back injury and Redknapp believes he will look to move to continue playing at the highest level ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“He’s had a little bit of back injury. But it is a difficult one because I don’t see him playing here next season, so I want to play Rob Green.

“I think Julio is a player for a top club, a top Italian team, a top Spanish team or a top Premier League team. He is good enough to play anywhere.

“Rob has come in and done well. Rob will probably be my goalkeeper next season. Julio is in the Brazil team. He is not a player for the Championship. He has got a World Cup coming up. He needs to be playing in the Premier League or a big league abroad.”

Redknapp expects former Blackburn Rovers defender Christopher Samba to stay. Samba joined Russian side Anzhi in February 2012 after it was clear that Blackburn will get relegated. QPR provided him a chance to return to England when the Hoops bought him for a club record fee of £12.5m. Redknapp added:

“I’d like to keep him, he’d be the best centre-half in the Championship. He had one bad day at Fulham and everyone got on his case. He’s a good player and we need him back playing. But I don’t know what will happen.”

Villas-Boas: Lampard never supported me

Ambuj Gupta — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:55:15 +0000

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that midfielder Frank Lampard never supported him during his time at Chelsea.

Villas-Boas will take his ambitious Tottenham side to Stamford Bridge for the first time since getting sacked later tonight in a match that will heavily affect the top end of the premier league table. And remembering his time as a manager at the Bridge, the Portuguese said:

“There was a lack of support from Frank Lampard but his ability and quality were never in doubt. Whether the Chelsea players supported me does not matter right now. And probably being sacked made me a better manager.”

Villas-Boas joined Chelsea following a successful spell at FC Porto where he managed to lead his team to a Europa League treble. Tottenham currently trail Chelsea by two points and must win this game to keep their hopes of a top four finish alive. Villas-Boas played down the hype surrounding his return to the Bridge and added:

“Going back is not very special for me. We have beaten all the big teams apart from Chelsea. Now we have the opportunity to put destiny in our hands.”

He went on to criticise Chelsea’s style of play in the recent years and added that the frequent change of managers will impact the club’s progress.

“If you don’t have a style, it makes you invisible in football. Only teams with style succeed, but in the end, success normally is what matters in modern Europe.

“Obviously what is attractive to me is maybe different to the style of football you might find attractive. There are various types of teams, teams built along great creative players and these Chelsea teams have the ingredient to be able to play this type of football.

“If you remember the team of 2004 was an absolutely deadly machine of football, but in a different way, a great, great counter-attacking football and one of the great teams in the country.”

Steve Bruce hails ‘humble’ Ferguson

Ambuj Gupta — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:22:36 +0000

Hull City manager and former Manchester United club captain Steve Bruce has paid his tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson’s humility following the Scotsman’s announcement of retirement at the end of the season.

Bruce joined Manchester United from Norwich City in 1987 and went on to make more than 400 appearances for the club over nine years before leaving for Birmingham City at the age of 36. During his time at Old Trafford Bruce won three premier league titles along with three FA Cups. Bruce has enjoyed a healthy relation with Sir Alex since embarking on his own journey as a manager and speaking to SkySportsNews, said:

“Whoever has gone to play for him, this winning mentality that he’s got rubs off on you. People ask over the years what he’s like and he’s so driven and so determined and he works so hard at the job.

“When you finish and you hang up your boots it’s no surprise that a few of us have gone into coaching. He sets such high standards that he’s very difficult to follow. It’s impossible to copy somebody like him.

“He wants to beat you for certain and he does that constantly with us, but he offers you a bit of encouragement. He’s always there if you pick up the telephone and he’ll always come back to you.

“He’s got a humility about him from his working class background where he’ll treat the groundsman just as well as he’ll treat his star centre-forward. He’s got a fantastic humility about him for all he’s achieved.

“I spoke to him a couple of days ago and there was no hint of anything about retirement. There was a simple text message and a short conversation wishing me good luck for the weekend and afterwards a text to say well done.

“He’ll do that not just with his players who’ve gone into management, but he’ll do that for most managers, especially the young ones. He’ll always give you the encouragement that every young manager needs.”

Hull City recently got promoted to the Premier League and Sir Alex did his bit by loaning and eventually selling promising midfielder Robbie Brady to the club.

Either of David Moyes or Jose Mourinho is tipped to take over the reins at Old Trafford but Bruce believes it will be difficult for any manager to fill Fergie’s boots. He added:

“Whether it’s Jose Mourinho or David Moyes or whoever, I know one thing, it’s going to be some act to follow. When you look over 27 years at the trophies he has won it doesn’t seem quite right that Fergie won’t be in charge of Man United any more.

“He has gone on and on and on and 27 years is quite remarkable – and I can assure you I don’t think the next manager will do 27 years. It’s quite incredible that Sir Alex has been in charge all that time and it’s an unbelievable achievement. To have 1500 games in charge of Manchester United is, in itself, a record I don’t think will ever be broken.

“It’ll be not quite the same and it’ll be difficult for whoever goes in because he’s such a big act to follow.”

Sir Bobby Charlton salutes Sir Alex

Ambuj Gupta — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:30:06 +0000

Sir Bobby Charlton has paid his tribute to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who announced his retirement earlier today.

Charlton, who played a vital role in rebuilding Manchester United following the disastrous Munich plane crash, led the club to the European Cup success in 1968. The stylish midfielder currently serves the club at the capacity of Director and club ambassador and was one of the men who took the decision to appoint Ferguson as the manager in 1987. Speaking at the launch of Royal Mail’s Football Heroes Special Stamps, Charlton said:

“He is such a fantastic manager. Everything he has done has been fantastic. He is a sensational person in every form and I am really delighted for him.

“I am a director but I hardly do anything because we are winning all the time and it is all down to Sir Alex Ferguson.

“He would get up in the middle of the night and travel 300 miles if he thought there was a school boy that he could sign. He loves the game and we at the club have had nothing to do really.”

Many reasons have been speculated for Sir Alex’s sudden retirement and Sir Bobby thinks the hip operation that Ferguson is expected to go through in the summer is one of them. He added:”He has made his decision on various grounds like (because of) his family and because of the hip operation he will have this summer.”

Ferdinand: “PFA voting system flawed”

Ambuj Gupta — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:59:12 +0000

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand claimed that the PFA Player of the Year voting system is flawed, adding that it is not a true reflection of the season.

Gareth Bale swept aside all competition to grab the Player of the Year award along with the Young Player of the Year award before being named for the Football Writers’ honor as well.

For the Football Writers’ Award, members could vote up to the last result being confirmed, but for the PFA prize, players had to vote much earlier in the season.

Bale faced stiff competition from this season’s leading goalscorer Robin van Persie and Liverpool‘s Luis Suarez for the Player of the year prize. And 34-year-old Rio said that Robin van Persie failed to grab the prize because of the goal drought he suffered in the middle of the season.

“The problem with the PFA awards is that the voting system is flawed. There’s so much technology at hand that you could do it over an iPad and just say ‘bang, bang, bang’ at the end of the season.

“I am not just being biased but if it was voted for today Robin van Persie would win it by a country mile. But it was voted for by the players in late February or March.

“Gareth Bale is a worthy winner, but for me it isn’t a true reflection of the season.”

Meanwhile, the former West Ham and Leeds United defender expressed his desire via twitter to get into coaching after calling it a day on his playing career. Ferdinand tweeted:

“Trained with the u18′s today….nice little workout! Coaching youngsters could be a bit of me, who knows!”