Reds vow to avoid Derby repeat

United's 1-0 defeat to Derby in January's Carling Cup semi-final first leg was the only blot on an undefeated copybook stretching all the way back to November.

It was a below-par display from the Reds against an inspired Rams side, although a 4-2 win in the second leg at Old Trafford secured United's safe passage to the final.

Neverthless United will be determined to avoid a repeat performance at Pride Park in this weekend's FA Cup tie with Nigel Clough's men.

Reds assistant manager Mick Phelan told ManUtd.com: "We went into that game with a few players who'd had a small break, and we didn't perform to our capabilities on the day. I think the result showed that – they deserved the victory.

"But it was one of those cup competitions where you get two bites of the cherry. In a one-off FA Cup tie we can't afford to play like that."

United are set to field a near full-strength side for Sunday's fifth-round clash, providing those players on international duty in midweek return unscathed, and Phelan is looking forward to the encounter.

"All being well, we'll have a full squad available this weekend," he added. "I expect it to be as passionate and hard a game as it was in January, but I think we'll be in a better frame of mind to play in this one."

source - www.manutd.com

Giggs pens new deal

Ryan Giggs has agreed a new one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until June 2010.

The new deal extends the 35-year-old midfielder's United career to just a few months short of his 37th birthday, 19 years after making his Reds debut against Everton in the old First Division on 2 March 1991.

Giggs told ManUtd.com he is "delighted to be offered a new contract", adding: "I feel fit and I'm enjoying my football more than ever.

"This is an exciting young team and the spirit is great in the dressing room. I want to be a part of that and achieve even more success."

Sir Alex Ferguson praised the Welshman's longevity and appetite for the game. He told us: "Ryan is a true professional of the game; his lifestyle, the way he looks after himself, and his desire to always want to win is a credit to him and an inspiration to any young kid who wants to become a footballer.

"He is like a young boy in the way that he plays and, although he wants to be involved in every game, he understands that by using his experience when it matters is a benefit to him and the team.

"It would be easy for him to be complacent after all he has achieved but he isn't and that speaks volumes of his character and explains why we wanted to extend his services and use that experience."

source - www.manutd.com

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Papers: Boss' Euro ambition

I would give up everything just to win one more European Cup
Sir Alex Ferguson admits he would sacrifice the Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup this season if it meant getting his hands on the European Cup for a third time. Manchester United are on course for an unprecedented clean sweep of every major trophy - but Fergie's eyes are focused on the main prize. He has long bemoaned United's relative lack of success in Europe's elite club competition, only winning it on three occasions despite their illustrious history, and is determined to improve that record before he retires. Asked if there was one trophy he wanted to win above all others this season, Fergie stated: "The European Cup." He was triumphant in the competition in 1999 and 2008, and explained: "There's an opportunity maybe to draw level with Liverpool's 18 championship wins, but that's not my motivation. When you look at our record in Europe, it should have been better. And nobody has defended the Champions League since the new format. So that's a great challenge for us and hopefully we can do it."
David McDonnell, The Mirror

Elsewhere the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and The Independent  report that United are set to announce a revenue increase of £45million on the previous season. However the Reds still trail Spanish giants Real Madrid on the football rich list.

Round up by Joshua Evans

source - www.manutd.com