Gaitan set for Old Trafford as United 'agree' £29.3m deal for Benfica star
[size=1.2em]Sir Alex Ferguson looks to have found a solution to his midfield worries with a £29.3million deal to sign Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan.
[size=1.2em]However, Sir Alex will have to wait until next summer to complete the deal for the Argentina international, leaving him with a decision over whether to enter the transfer market in January.
[size=1.2em]The Portuguese club had been holding out for the player's full £38m release clause, but it is understood the two clubs have come to a reduced-price agreement, according to reports in the Sunday Telegraph.
Waiting game: Gaitan (left) could solve United's midfield woes... but he won't arrive before next summer
[size=1.2em]Gaitan is a versatile midfielder who can fill attacking and left-sided duties and at 23-years-old fits in with Fergie's current policy of buying young talent.
[size=1.2em]United have been beset by injury worries this season. Darren Fletcher’s chronic stomach illness means he joins Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Anderson as midfield absentees.
[size=1.2em]And captain Nemanja Vidic’s knee injury -which will sideline the defender for the rest of the season – means the United boss may have to make interim signings in the coming transfer window.
Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen admits Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen is a player the club are keeping an eye on.
The Red Devils have seen their numbers depleted over recent weeks by a spate of injuries and the forced withdrawal from the fold of Darren Fletcher.
It has been suggested that Sir Alex Ferguson will attempt to counter that loss by dipping into the January transfer market.
A creative playmaker is believed to be a priority, with United missing Paul Scholes' influence in the middle of the park.
Eriksen is considered to be a contender, with the 19-year-old Denmark international billed as a hot prospect for the future.
"This is a player that is on our radar," Meulensteen told Voetbal International.
"But that is to be expected. If people weren't looking, no-one would ever have an opinion on these players.
"It is true that a player like Eriksen would fit our transfer policy. He is being strongly linked with us, but to suggest that we are about to make a move is not true."
Eriksen's agent has also attempted to play down the mounting speculation regarding his client's future.
"Christian must weigh up every step he takes in his career," said Martin Schoots.
"He gave a lot of thought to joining Ajax. Last summer he could have gone to England, and a German club was very keen, but he passed the opportunity up.
"He has signed a contract at Ajax and a transfer is not an issue at the moment."
Bintang England dan Manchester United, Wayne Rooney dikhabarkan telah membeli seekor kuda lumba dan akan menceburi minat baru dalam kariernya. Ianya dikatakan sebagai hadiah untuk Hari Krismas buat isterinya Coleen.
Kuda tersebut bakal dilatih oleh Tom Dascombe yang merupakan jurulatih bagi kuda rakan sepasukan Rooney, Micheal Owen. Selain Rooney dan Owen, pemain bola sepak seperti Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt dan juga Jonathan Woodgate turut mempunyai kuda lumba yang dilatih di tempat yang sama.
While the Fulham goalkeeper was not at fault for any of the United goals he can't be happy at conceding three goals in one half no matter who he is playing against.
Baird (Off 74') - 4
The full-back was poor throughout and United totally dominated over him whether it was Nani or Young down the flank.
Hangeland - 6.5
Fulham's best defender on the night - at times he must have thought he was trying to stop United on his own.
Senderos - 5.5
Lucky to not have conceded a first half penalty after he tripped Welbeck in the box. He never really settled down in the game and was caught out of position on more than a few occasions.
Riise - 4.5
The former Liverpool man will not have enjoyed this game against the old enemy Manchester United. The full-back was exposed time and time again - especially when Valencia was shifted to right back. Riise just couldn't track the Ecuadorian's runs from deep.
Ruiz - 5
He spent most of the first half defending and he did a pretty poor job of tracking the runs of Evra - his defensive clearances when in possession of the ball weren't great either. However, he did redeem himself slightly in the second half.
Murphy - 6
His passing game was a little off against United but like most of his team-mates showed some improvement in the second half. It's a shame Zamora wasn't played from the beginning though as he might've done a better job linking up with Murphy.
Dembele - 6
Not an easy opponent to mark but Dembele looked slightly out of his depth against United.
Etuhu - 6
Failed to get to grips with the central midfield battle.
Dempsey (Off 85') - 6.5
A quality player in attack for Fulham and can be a handful in and around the box.
Johnson - 5
Missed some sitters. Jol got it wrong not playing Zamora.
Subs
Kelly (On 74') - 6
Came on for the poor Baird but the damaged had been done.
Zamora (On 85') - 6
Little time to do anything but from the four or five minutes we did see of him it was clear his physicality would've tested United's backline more than Jol's original forward pairing.
Manchester United
Lindegaard - 7
Didn't have much to do all game but his distribution was very impressive against Fulham. The Cottagers are strong down the middle and Lindegaard kept finding United's wide men.
Smalling - 7
It was interesting to see United line-up with Smalling at centre-back and Jones at right-back but both men looked comfortable in the positions.
Jones (Off 19') - 7
So often English players are overhyped after a couple of good performances at a young age but Jones is the real deal. Unfortunately, he had to come off after 20 minutes but in that time he was influencing the game at both ends of the pitch. Jones was elbowed hard in the side of the face by Dempsey and despite his best efforts could not shake off the injury.
Evans - 7
His closing down and winning of the ball in the United half was excellent and help keep Fulham under enormous pressure. The home side hardly got out of their own half.
Evra - 7.5
He was handed the captain's armband against Fulham and he did not disappoint. Evra hasn't been at his best this season so far but against Fulham he had plenty of space to exploit which he did.
Valencia - 7.5
Right midfielder or right-back? It didn't matter as Valencia was a constant thorn in Fulham's side down the right flank.
Giggs - 8
Vintage Giggs without the pace. At 38 years of age the Welshman can still dance around his opponents and leave them dazed. He created so many chances for United but it was his goal which will be the talking point. Giggs has now scored in every Barclays Premier League season - yet another record for him.
Carrick - 7.5
While Giggs put on a master class in central midfield, Carrick wasn't too shabby either. Both United players absolutely bossed the game - especially in the first half.
Nani - 9
A five goal performance from Manchester United and a five star performance from that man again Nani. He was on fire against Fulham and burnt holes through the opposition defence with his runs - the Portuguese finished the match with a goal and some assists as well.
Rooney - 8
What a goal from Rooney. It's amazing to see what difference a goal does for a striker in terms of confidence and the England striker had plenty to spare as he cut across the ball from outside the box to send it past the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net.
Welbeck (Off 75') - 8
The young striker put in an all-around solid shift for United against Fulham. He scored , passed the ball around excellently and made plenty of intelligent runs for his team-mates to exploit. His finish for the goal should also be noted for how calmly he slotted the ball under the goalkeeper.
Subs
Young (On 19') (Off 58') - 6.5
A strange game for Young as he came on for the injured Jones in the first half but then was subbed himself after picking up a knock after the interval. On a more positive note - Young looked very encouraging when he came on and is a livewire defenders hate to play against.
Park (On 58') - 6
Didn't play great; didn't play bad. An average day at the office for Park but to be fair to the midfielder the match was over as a contest by the time he made it onto the pitch.
Berbatov (on 75') - 7
Why does Fergie not want to sell Berbatov? The Bulgarian is always capable of producing a bit of magic and that's what he did against Fulham in the 90th minute when he back-heeled the ball into the back of the net for his goal.
Post time 19-12-2011 06:03 PM
ahal nak mampos dohh
Author
