MU: Krisis Keuangan? Siapa Takut!

MANCHESTER, KAMIS - Manchester United menegaskan, mereka tidak akan terpengaruh oleh krisis keuangan yang melanda dunia saat ini. Malcolm Glazer dan keluarganya selaku pemilik MU mengaku timnya tetap kuat meski ada guncangan ekonomi.

Pekan ini dunia sepak bola ikut gempar akibat krisis finansial yang melanda dunia perbankan dan lembaga keuangan di dunia. Pemilik-pemilik klub yang memiliki banyak utang mulai membuat khawatir karena perusahaan yang dimilikinya ikut bangkrut.

Beberapa pengamat sempat meragukan kemampuan finansial MU karena klub tersebut masih memiliki utang sebesar 660 juta poundsterling atau lebih dari sebelas triliun rupiah ketika Glazer dan anak-anaknya membelinya pada 2005. Meski demikian, keluarga asal Amerika Serikat ini yakin bahwa pendapatan "Setan Merah" dapat menutup utang-utang tersebut. Apalagi, keluarga ini sudah membantu menyusun ulang paket finansial klub pada 2006 dan hal tersebut berhasil memperbaiki keuangan klub.

"Kredit macet tidak menjadi penghalang bagi United. Kami terus mendapat keuntungan melalui penjualan di Old Trafford dan pertumbuhan aktivitas komersial. Kami merombak struktur keuangan pada 2006 dan ini bakal stabil dalam jangka waktu lama. Utang tersebut dapat diatasi oleh pertumbuhan aliran dana yang kuat dari klub," sebut pernyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh pemilik MU.

AIG selaku sponsor kuat juara Liga Champions tersebut kini sedang mengalami pukulan dalam finansial mereka. Itu menyebabkan beberapa orang meragukan eksistensi sponsor tersebut dalam tubuh MU.

MU mengatakan, kalaupun AIG menarik kerja sama sponsor, hal tersebut tidak akan berpengaruh banyak bagi klub. Pasalnya, selama ini AIG "hanya" memberi suntikan dana sebesar 14 juta poundsterling per tahun dan itu hanya sebagian kecil dalam neraca keuangan "Setan Merah". Lagi pula, Saudi Telecom dan Budweiser sudah antre di belakang AIG untuk menjadi calon sponsor baru. (SPL)

Sumber : Kompas.com

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Rio Jadi kapten Timnas

Akhirnya mimpi Rio Ferdinand mengenakan ban kapten The Three Lions menjadi kenyataan saat tim nasional Inggris tak diperkuat John Terry saat mereka melakoni laga kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 melawan Kazakhstan. namun ini bukan yang pertama kalinya buat Rio karena diapun pernah melakoni tugas yang sama saat Inggris berlaga melawan Prancis.
tapi kali ini sensasinya sungguh berbeda karena laga melawan Prancis merupakan laga pemanasan alias persahabatan. kali ini Ferdinan akan memimpin rekan-rekannya dalam laga resmi.
Namun Ferdinand mengakui sangat kehilangan Terry. tapi dia siap menggantikan peran bek Chelsea tersebut. dia merasa yakin Inggris akan meraih poin penuh saat melawan Kazakhstan
ya kita semua berharap Rio mampu mengemban tugas pertamanya dengan sukses.

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The Winning Team

Inilah Team terbaik yang saya susun

Van der Saar : Usianya memang sudah tidak muda lagi namun jangan tanyakan kualitasnya, merupakan salah satu kiper terbaik eropa, dialah yang paling berjasa dalam memenangi piala Champions 2008.
G. Neville : Sang Kapten. salah satu calon legenda MU ini sudah bertahun-tahun mengawal sisi kanan pertahanan MU
Evra : Bek kiri eksplisive, jago dalam bertahan dan juga sering merepotkan lawan dikala menyerang
Vidic : Keras dan tak kenal kompromi.Duetnya bersama Rio Ferdinand menjadi duet paling dihindari striker lawan
Ferdinand : Jangan tanyakan kemampuan Bek termahal ini dalam menjaga striker lawan.
CR7 : Mungkin satu halaman ini tidak cukup untuk menggambarkan kehebatannya. 42 golnya dalam satu musim mungkin sudah dapat menjelaskan siapa dia.
Scholes : Tenang dan pandai mengatur tempo. Jendral lapangan tengah yang sampai saat ini bikin kepala Sir Alex pusing untuk mencari penggantinya.
Carrick : Gelandang elegan
Nani : Sering disebut sebagai The Next Cristiano Ronaldo. pergerakannya sering membuat bek lawan kewalahan
Rooney : Si bengal yang fenomenal
Berbatov : salah satu striker paling disegani di Liga Inggris.

Bagaimana komentar anda???

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Treble Winners '99

The treble had been called 'the impossible dream'. It was considered that the demands of English football made it almost impossible for an English club to achieve 'the treble'. Perhaps history will judge that Manchester United were destined to be the first club to achieve it. Certainly some of the events in the final matches of the season suggested a sense of destiny. And if any further evidence of destiny is needed, the record books also show that only once before had any team been within reach of the treble. Twenty two years previously, Liverpool needed to win the F.A.Cup Final to claim the second of the three trophies that comprise the treble. Liverpool lost, and in doing so confirmed the belief that the elusive treble was beyond realistic expectation. It was Manchester United who beat them that day. When United finally clinched the treble, fate also decreed that their final match should be played on the day marking the 90th anniversary of Sir Matt Busby's birth, and against a club from Munich; both Sir Matt and Munich forever linked with the history of Manchester United. The treble meant firstly winning the English Premier League - one of the most demanding football leagues in the world in which every team was capable, on their day, of beating any other team. The Premiership was a massive test of consistency and endurance. Next was the F.A.Cup - the oldest, most famous, and most competitively contested domestic club competition in football. To win the F.A.Cup at Wembley is for many players the ultimate ambition. A domestic knockout competition, the F.A.Cup offers no second chances - one defeat and the team is out. Finally, and hardest of all, the European Club Champions Cup. The most prestigious club competition in world football. The cream of Europe's teams, the best from their respective countries, contest the Cup that bestows the honour of European Champions. This was also a personal quest for both Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. It was United under the legendary Sir Matt Busby who had paved the way for English Clubs to enter the European Cup. In 1958, Sir Matt's young prodigies, the Busby Babes were all but wiped out in the Munich air crash while returning from a European game. It took Busby 10 more years to rebuild a team capable of winning the European Cup which he finally did with his team built around Best, Law, and Charlton. Alex Ferguson had made it his personal Holy Grail for United to be the champions of Europe again. To win any one of these competitions would be a success. To win all three was unthinkable. Then, in the 1998-1999 season, Alex Ferguson, later Sir Alex, assembled a squad and a team which swept all before them. As the season reached its climax in May 1999, with the team within reach of all three trophies, the dramatic events in those final matches will live in the memories of all football fans who saw them. The Premier League was eventually won, by one point, on the last day of the season. If Arsenal won their last game of the season, then only by also winning their final match against Tottenham were United assured of winning the League. In what had become characteristic of United, they promptly went one-nil down before coming back to beat Tottenham 2-1. United's place in the F.A.Cup Final had only been possible after two titanic Semi-Final battles, also against Arsenal. After a drawn first match in which a United goal was harshly ruled off-side, there was a thrilling replay in which United played the latter stages of the game with 10 men against the 11 of Arsenal. With the full 90 minutes played and the score at 1-1, Arsenal were awarded a penalty to take them through to the Final. United's Peter Schmeichel saved the penalty and kept United in the competition. Then in extra time, there was "that goal". Ryan Giggs received the ball in his own half, ran over half the length of the pitch evading five Arsenal tackles on the way, before scoring what was heralded as one of the great individual goals of all time. On the day, the F.A. Cup Final itself proved to be the easiest of the treble winning matches and United outplayed Newcastle United to win 2-0. Then there was the European Champions Cup. Throughout the season in all competitions United had driven both Manager and fans to despair by conceding one or even two goals and seemingly heading for defeat before staging thrilling fight backs. The habit became such that it was accepted by both the press and the Manager that they always seemed to make it difficult for themselves. This hallmark of the treble team was most evident during their campaign to win the European Champions Cup. They had reached the Final in sensational style, but nothing could compare with the drama of the Final itself played against Bayern Munich in Barcelona. With the full 90 minutes played, United were losing 1-0 and the Bayern Munich colours had already been tied on the trophy. The UEFA officials, on their way to make the presentation passed by the watching Sir Bobby Charlton and commiserated with him on United's loss. The UEFA officials then went inside the Stadium to prepare for the presentation while the referee allowed just 3 minutes of extra stoppage time to be played. When UEFA's officials emerged from inside the Stadium for the presentation they could not understand why the winners looked distraught while the losers were celebrating. Their astonishment was shared by all who had seen what had happened. The answer of course was that in those three incredible minutes, Manchester United had made history. From www.manutdtreble.com

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The darkest day: Feb 6th 1958

February 6th will forever be circled on the calendars of everyone connected with Manchester United.

On that day in 1958, the darkest day in United's history, 23 people - including eight players and three members of the club's staff - suffered fatal injuries in the Munich air crash.

Flying back from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade, the team plane stopped in Germany to refuel. The first two attempts to take off from Munich airport were aborted; following a third attempt, the plane crashed.

Twenty-two of the people on board died instantly, while Duncan Edwards - one of the eight victims from the team - died 15 days later as a result of the injuries he sustained.

The tragedy is an indelible part of United's history, as is Sir Matt Busby overcoming his injuries to build another great team which won the European Cup 10 years later.

Roger Byrne (28), Eddie Colman (21), Mark Jones (24), David Pegg (22), Tommy Taylor (26), Geoff Bent (25), Liam Whelan (22) and Duncan Edwards (21) all died, along with club secretary Walter Crickmer, trainer Tom Curry and coach Bert Whalley.

Eight journalists died - Alf Clarke, Tom Jackson, Don Davies, George Fellows, Archie Ledbrook, Eric Thompson, Henry Rose, and Frank Swift who was a former Manchester City player. Plane captain Ken Rayment perished, as did Sir Matt's friend Willie Sanitof. Travel agent Bela Miklos and passenger Tom Cable also died.

We will never forget.

from www.manutd.com

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The Next Star

Rafael was born in Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, and is very much a modern full-back; he loves to get forward down the right flank - but he's not all just Brazilian flair, he's made of tough stuff.

For some time fans have been aware of the "Brazilian Nevilles" as some have dubbed them, but it wasn't until 4 August 2008 that United supporters could experience the shining potential that these boys possess.

Rafael, who like his twin brother is a Brazilian youth international, was a somewhat surprise inclusion in the Reds' starting line-up against Peterborough in Barry Fry's testimonialmatch at Posh's London Road ground. Talk about taking your chance when it comes. Sir Alex described the 18-year-old's performance as "a sensation".

Finally, it was the end of one long journey from his former Brazilian club Fluminense, and the start of a new one with United.

What made Rafael's debut all the more startling was that he hadn't played for over a year. The Reds had been waiting for international clearance on the pair's transfer from Brazil, so they had been unable to play for United during that time and, in fact, didn't play any regular competitive football.You would never have guessed it. Rafael was tearing up and down the right touchline - perhaps exerting 12 months of frustration - throwing himself into tackles and getting forward to aid United's attacks in equal measure.

"It was a real eye opener for us," said a beaming Sir Alex. "He hadn't played for a year but he's played a full 90 minutes today. You know what football is like. Sometimes it turns up some star, a little nugget maybe. On the evidence of tonight I think we've got a good player here."

Both brothers were spotted by Les Kershaw, then Academy Manager, in the summer of2005 while playing for Fluminense in a Hong Kong youth tournament.

The patience shown to wait for this chance with United suggests that Rafael will be undaunted by the challenges ahead, and his ten-minute cameo on his competitive debut on 17 August 2008 against Newcastle appeared to back up that claim. He looks set to be a squad regular during the 2008/09 campaign.

From www.manutd.com

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Brazilian Star

He arrived with the billing: the ‘new Ronaldinho’. But upon his arrival at Old Trafford from FC Porto in summer 2007 most Reds were left asking: ‘Anderson who?’

After a wondrous debut season the Brazilian's talents are well known not just in Manchester, but around the world. The Ronaldinho comparisons are inevitable given both players began their careers at Brazilian side Gremio, who Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira (to give his full name) joined at the age of just five.

But that’s really where the similarities end. Where Ronaldinho is all flicks and flamboyance, Anderson is bustling with energyand possesses an eye for a defence-splitting pass. He has skill and technical ability in abundance, but his preference for midfield combat could bring you to question his Brazilian roots (more so if you spotted his dancing after lifting the Champions League trophy in May 2008!)

At Gremio, Anderson made his first appearance aged just 16. He is most fondly remembered for a wonder goal against Nautico in November 2005, which earned a 1-0 win and promotion back to the top flight. He also earned a reputation internationally, shining shone with Brazil at the 2005 U17 World Cup, where he won the Adidas Golden Ball for mostvaluable player.

Porto soon came knocking in January 2006, where he won the Portuguese Championship in 2005/06 and 2006/07, although his progress was hampered by a broken leg causing him to miss much of the 06/07 campaign.

Sir Alex couldn’t quite believe the reports coming back from his scouts, who rated the teenager as among the best prospects in the world. Upon further investigation, the Reds realised this was a player not to miss out on, and moved quickly to stave off interest from Barcelona in reported £18million deal.

Anderson wasn’t involved in the earlymatches of United's 2007/08 campaign, but he soon made up for it. His competitive debut at Sunderland caught the eye before another fine display against Wigan (he claimed to be the best player on the pitch) highlighted his true potential.

Most exciting is his penchant for the big games – commanding performances against Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas point to an influential future - and if he can add goals to his game he could be the successor to Paul Scholes' throne. He’s set a standard and big things are expected of him, but it’s safe to say ‘Anderson’ and ‘who?’ will not come packaged in the same sentence again.

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Striker

Carlos Tevez

Wayne Rooney

Dimitar Berbatov

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The Winners

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Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has just about exhausted all superlatives, except to say that having developed and matured from a young and inexperienced winger when he joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, he's now among the best and most dynamic attacking forces in the world.

Signed as a largely unknown 18-year-old for £12.24m, the story goes that Sir Alex was persuaded to sign him by his players on the plane home from a pre-season friendly against Sporting that summer. In truth, the boss had long been aware of his ability. The urgency to sign him stemmed from interest from other top European clubs. This was a target Sir Alex simplycouldn’t let slip through the net.

Ronaldo wasted little time in showing off his sublime skills with a stunning 30-minute debut against Bolton at Old Trafford in August 2003. After 39 appearances and eight goals – including the opener in the FA Cup final win over Millwall – he was named the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for 2003/04. His second season never quite lived up to his first. But some late season form saw him end the 2004/05 campaign with nine goals in 50 appearances. In 2005/06 Ronny again reserved his best form for the latter half of the season. Then came the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, a trulydefining moment. In the quarter finals against England, Cristiano was blamed for Wayne Rooney’s sending off, the scapegoat for England’s exit. Some wondered if he would even return to Manchester. But Sir Alex’s calming words assured him. After all, it’d happened before with Eric Cantona in 1995 and David Beckham in 1998. The best players respond to adversity, and he did just that.

United’s title success in 2006/2007 was undoubtedly a team effort, but one player was central to almost every major plotline. It began with the barnstorming 5-1 win over Fulham – Ronaldo and Rooney running the show and very publicly rubbishingclaims the two were at odds. Dazzling wing-play was backed with regular assists and crucial goals, including seven in five games over Christmas.

His form in the 2006/2007 season brought Ronaldo 14 individual awards and, despite interest from other clubs, he extended his contract until 2012. The winger's performances also earned him third place in the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year. Ronaldo somehow continues to improve and in 2007/2008, he scored his first United hat-trick and his 50th league goal for the club in a 6-0 romp over Newcastle on the way to netting a staggering 42 goals.

From www.manutd.com

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Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in British football history – winning 20 major trophies during his time in charge of the Reds. Yet despite almost two decades at the Old Trafford helm he remains focused on increasing that tally, bringing yet more silverware to Manchester United.

The Reds boss enjoyed a playing career north of the border that saw him take in spells with Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Glasgow Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United. But it is not for his playing of the game that Sir Alex was to become a success.

Following a spell out of the game he movedinto coaching, taking up the role of manager of East Stirlingshire, St Mirren then Aberdeen. It was his time at Pittodrie where he earned his reputation as a top coach. He broke the Glasgow dominance of Scottish football to lead Aberdeen to three Scottish titles, four Scottish cups, one League Cup and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Following the sacking of Ron Atkinson as manager of Manchester United, the Old Trafford hierarchy moved quickly for his services. They got their man on 6 November 1986.

Ferguson inherited a dispirited team of underachievers who had consistently, to their supporters discontent, failed to break Liverpool’s domination. Stuck in the bottom four of the Division One table, Ferguson immediately set about attempting to stave off the very real threat of relegation. Without resorting to the transfer market, he guided United up the table to and eleventh place finish.

By now it was clear to Ferguson that he faced a major job in turning the club around. United were an entertaining side but one that seemed unable to cope with the more physical aspects of League football. In his second season the Reds fared better finishing second behind Liverpool, but the position painted a false picture. Theturning point came in the 1989/90 season.

Following a run of games in which the Reds were drawn away in every round, United picked up their first silverware of the Ferguson era. Lee Martin scoring the only goal in a final replay against Crystal Palace to in the FA Cup.

This first trophy opened the flood gates. The European Cup Winners’ Cup was won the following season in Rotterdam, Barcelona defeated 2-1 thanks to a brace from Mark Hughes. Then in 1991/02 the League Cup was added to United’s list of honours.

from www.manutd.com

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Berbatov

Inilah pembelian paling ditunggu-tunggu dan sangat diharapkan para penggila MU. ya Dimitar Berbatov namanya, striker kelahiran Bulgaria 30 Jnuari 1981 . tak tanggung-tanggung uang senilai 30,75 juta pounsterling digelontorkan klub yang bermarkas di kota manchester ini untuk meminang salah satu striker paling disegani di Liga Inggris.

"Ini mungkin merupakan klub terakhir selama karierku dan klub terbesar di dunia. Saya rasa, di sini saya bisa berkembang dengan cara yang saya inginkan dan cara yang selalu diinginkan. Itulah hal yang paling penting," itulah janjinya saat pertama kali diperkenalkan pada publik

Setumpuk harapanpun sudah mulai dibebankan kepadanya, seperti yang dikatakan rekan barunya

"Berbatov adalah striker fantastis. Dua gol yang diciptakannya melawan Aalborg sudah membuktikan jika ia memang berkualitas. Musim ini saya rasa ia akan mencetak 25 gol," jelas Park Ji-sung seperti disitat Sky Sports, Senin (6/10/2008).

Bahkan dia sudah disamakan dengan salah satu legenda MU Eric Cantona.

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Sejarah

Manchester United F.C. (biasa disingkat Man Utd, Man United atau hanya MU ) adalah sebuah klub sepak bola Inggris yang berbasis di Old Trafford, Manchester.

Dibentuk sebagai Newton Heath LYR F.C. pada 1878 sebagai tim sepak bola depot Perusahaan Kereta Api Lancashire dan Yorkshire Railway di Newton Heath, namanya berganti menjadi Manchester United pada 1902.

Meski sejak dulu telah termasuk salah satu tim terkuat di Inggris, barulah sejak 1993 Manchester United meraih dominasi yang besar di kejuaraan domestik di bawah arahan Sir Alex Ferguson - dominasi dengan skala yang tidak terlihat sejak berakhirnya era Liverpool F.C. pada pertengahan 1970-an dan awal 1980-an. Sejak bergulirnya era Premiership di tahun 1992, Manchester United adalah tim yang paling sukses dengan delapan kali merebut tropi juara.

Meskipun sukses di kompetisi domestik, kesuksesan tersebut masih sulit diulangi di kejuaraan Eropa; mereka hanya pernah meraih juara di Liga Champions tiga kali sepanjang sejarahnya (1968, 1999, 2008).

MU menjadi salah satu klub paling sukses di Inggris; sejak musim 86-87, mereka telah meraih 20 trofi besar - jumlah ini merupakan yang terbanyak di antara klub-klub Liga Utama Inggris. Mereka telah memenangi 17 trofi juara Liga Utama Inggris. Pada tahun 1968, mereka menjadi tim Inggris pertama yang berhasil memenangi Liga Champions Eropa, setelah mengalahkan S.L. Benfica 4–1, dan mereka memenangi Liga Champions Eropa untuk kedua kalinya pada tahun 1999 dan sekali lagi pada tahun 2008 setelah mengalahkan Chelsea F.C. di final. Mereka juga memegang rekor memenangi Piala FA sebanyak 11 kali.^[1]

Pada 12 Mei 2005, pengusaha Amerika Serikat Malcolm Glazer menjadi pemilik klub dengan membeli mayoritas saham yang bernilai £800 juta (US$1,47 milyar) seiring dengan banyaknya protes dari para pendukung fanatik.

dikutip dari : Wikipedia

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