UNITED TODAY - MANUTD.COMS LIVE ROLLING BLOG FROM OLD TRAFFORD RELATED LINKS LATEST VIDEO NEWS > ROONEY NAMED NEW REDS CAPTAIN > VAN GAAL CONFIDENT AHEAD OF OPENER > UNITED 2 VALENCIA 1 > TWITTER > FACEBOOK > GOOGLE+ > INSTAGRAM > Before we bring you those updates, fancy winning a United shirt signed by Robin van Persie? The Reds striker is giving one away on his Facebook page, and you can enter the competition here. Sean Mullan, 15:42 BST Mark is in place at Louis van Gaals press conference. Look out for updates from 15:00 BST. Gemma Thompson, 15:24 BST This afternoon’s press conference will be held in the newly built Jimmy Murphy Centre at the Aon Training Complex. It is of course named after Sir Matt Busby’s legendary assistant who was widely credited with the development of stars like Duncan Edwards and Sir Bobby Charlton. Stay with this blog for the latest news and views from van Gaal. Mark Froggatt, 14:12 BST United are unbeaten at home on the opening day of the league season since Ipswich Town upset Frank O’Farrell’s Reds, featuring George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, 2-1 at Old Trafford in August 1972. I hope I’ve not cursed us with that little fact… James Tuck, 14:04 BST You might not believe it, but tomorrow is the 11th anniversary of Cristiano Ronaldos now famous debut during Uniteds 4-0 win over Bolton at Old Trafford. Where does the time go? Its mad! Mark Froggatt, 13:12 BST Swansea City are making something of a habit of facing United in significant managerial games for us. They were the visitors for Sir Alex Ferguson’s final home match in charge in May 2012, then welcomed the Reds for David Moyes’ opening league game at the helm three months later, and now they’re the opponents in Louis van Gaal’s first competitive encounter. Let’s hope for a third straight win. James Tuck, 13:09 BST I caught up with both Darren Fletcher and Chris Smalling yesterday and both are very much looking forward to getting the campaign up and running against Swansea. And kicking things off at Old Trafford on Saturday has added to the excitement. Read more here. Gemma Thompson, 12:48 BST Like Fletcher, former United striker Dion Dublin is tipping the Reds to challenge for the title this season. Dublin was one of two BBC Sport pundits who backed Louis van Gaals men to top the table alongside John Motson, while the general consensus among the remaining analysts was a fourth-place finish. Sean Mullan, 11:41 BST Uniteds primary aim for the 2014/15 season is to bring the Premier League title back to Old Trafford, Darren Fletcher has told matchday programme United Review. Full story. Mark Froggatt, 11:20 BST I think were all eagerly anticipating Louis van Gaals press conference this afternoon. Im really hoping for a positive injury update as Rafael, Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck were all missing in midweek. We know Shaw is definitely out while we hope Robin van Persie is getting closer to full fitness after the World Cup. Adam Marshall, 10:41 BST As you may have deduced from Danny Higginbothams tweet, Uniteds Under-21s begin their own Premier League campaign tonight against Norwich City at Leigh Sports Village. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 BST and you can watch all of the action live on MUTV. Mark Froggatt, 10:30 BST VIA DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM @HIGGINBOTHAM05 Looking forward to co comms this evening on @ManUtd u21s first league game of the season v @NorwichCityFC live on Mutv from 630. #MUTV 10:26 BST FRIDAY 15 AUGUST Good morning and welcome back to United Today, where were building up to tomorrow afternoon’s Barclays Premier League opener with Swansea City. The first game of the season is always a special occasion and there’s sure to be a fantastic atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams. Ahead of kick-off, check out our in-depth match preview. Mark Froggatt, 10:12 BST Thats it from us after a busy day around the club. Look out for interviews on the website with Fletcher, Smalling and Rooney tomorrow, and, of course, the managers thoughts on the opening match of the season. Gemma Thompson, 19:19 BST Louis van Gaal also took time out to chat to James who is suffering from a cancerous tumour and presented him with a signed a United shirt. Find out more about James and his Foundation here. Gemma Thompson, 18:55 BST Youve probably seen some of your friends and a number of famous people get involved in the Ice Bucket Challenge which helps raise money and awareness for those affected by cancer. Darren Fletcher got involved earlier with United fan James McCarthy. Gemma Thompson, 18:53 BST Louis van Gaal will address the press tomorrow ahead of his first competitive game as United manager. Well be there and fully across what he has to say. Adam Marshall, 18:15 BST On Twitter, we’re asking for your favourite memories of opening day matches at Old Trafford. Read what the ManUtd team thinks here, check out some entries below and get involved via #TakeMeHome… Ben Hibbs, 18:06 BST It has to be 2006s 5-1 win over Fulham. After losing Keane and van Nistelrooy without bringing in big-name replacements, and amid the supposed World Cup dust-up between Rooney and Ronaldo, expectations were low. To then be four goals up inside the first 20 minutes of the season set the tone for a wonderful campaign. - Steve Bartram 18:05 BST Seeing Ronaldo make his debut against Bolton in August 2003 was as good as it gets. The sun was beating down, the champions were kicking off at home and our new no.7 was on the bench, itching to get on. The match ended 4-0, and a shell-shocked Wanderers defence wondered Who. Is. This. Kid? The Stretford End knew – Theres only one Ronaldo. - Ian McLeish 18:04 BST I’m still fond of David Beckham’s late leveller in the 2-2 draw against Leicester that kick-started 1998/99. Becks’ sublime free-kick was a stick-it-to-‘em moment after the gleeful booing masses turned on him following England’s 1998 World Cup exit. It might not have been a victory but it displayed grit, determination and never-quit qualities that characterised the campaign. - Ben Hibbs 18:04 BST Uniteds Capital One Cup second round match against MK Dons will be played on Tuesday 26 August, kick-off 20:00 BST. Its live on Sky for viewers in the UK. Ben Hibbs, 17:58 BST You can now watch MUTVs latest video bulletin, as Mark Sullivan rounds up the news from a busy 24 hours at Old Trafford. James Tuck, 17:11 BST Juan Mata has revealed his birthday gift to Ander Herrera, as he took up the role of personal chauffeur to his fellow Spaniard. Im his driver, it is his day. Enjoy! Mata tweeted. Alright for some! Sean Mullan, 16:51 BST I was lucky enough to be at most of Louis van Gaals press conferences during the summer tour of the US and the journalists who will meet him for the first time at tomorrows Aon Training Complex briefing are in for a treat. Hes colourful, quotable and refreshingly honest - and pulls no punches. James Tuck, 15:51 BST As the new season gets under way, MUTV are taking a look back at the best bits from last seasons Thursday Focus. Subscibers can watch that at 18:30 BST tonight, followed by highlights of the 2014 Player of the Year Awards at 20:00. Giuliana Giacomini, MUTV, 15:46 BST I had a walk down to the pitch earlier today and, as is always the case, it looks absolutely immaculate. Head groundsman Tony Sinclair is something of a perfectionist when it comes to the surface and everything is in place for Saturdays big kick-off. Mark Froggatt, 14:55 BST Chevrolet are the match sponsors for Saturdays Swansea match and theyre flying 11 excited youngsters to Old Trafford from all over the world for the game to lead the players out of the tunnel before kick-off. Find out more about the lucky mascots here. (GT) Gemma Thompson, 14:52 BST Mike Dean is the referee for Saturdays game against Swansea. The Wirral official also took charge of the Reds 1-1 draw with Southampton on the final day of last season. When was the last time we had the same ref for consecutive games? Ive no idea, sorry... James Tuck, 13:14 BST With just two days to go until the start of the Premier League season, my attention has turned to the team that Louis van Gaal will field on Saturday. We have several injuries, particularly at the back, so I reckon a host of youngsters will continue to deputise. Therefore, this is the XI that I think will start: De Gea; Smalling, Jones, Blackett; Young, Fletcher, Herrera, Mata, James; Rooney, Welbeck. Mark Froggatt, 12:25 BST Its interesting that Herrera was a fan of Scholes and Butt because, from what Ive seen of him so far in a red shirt, his game is modelled on both of those midfield greats - a mixture of silk and steel. Hopefully one day he will emulate some of their achievements here. James Tuck, 11:32 BST Herrera on Scholes and Butt: They not only played well with the ball, they did great work off the ball too and worked hard to defend when they needed to. They were big role models for me.” Full story. Mark Froggatt, 11:05 BST Happy birthday to Ander Herrera, who is 25 years old today. The Spaniard should make his competitive debut on Saturday and, as he recently told us, he is keen to emulate the careers of Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt at Old Trafford. Mark Froggatt, 10:54 BST Before the big kick-off on Saturday, Uniteds Under-21s begin their league campaign with a home match against Norwich City. The clash at Leigh Sports Village, on Friday night at 19:00 BST, is exclusively live on MUTV. Adam Marshall, 10:49 BST THURSDAY 14 AUGUST So its an away tie for the Reds in the Capital One Cup against Milton Keynes Dons as Uniteds ball was the last one out of the hat. Its a first visit to stadium:mk for the club and Dons boss Karl Robinson enthused in the Milton Keynes Citizen: We’re ecstatic, it’s a dream tie for us. Adam Marshall, 10:35 BST Dont forget, well be announcing Uniteds Capital One Cup second round opponents after tonights batch of games. Check back from 21:45 BST for our draw story on ManUtd. Ben Hibbs, 19:25 BST We can confirm that Luke Shaw has suffered a hamstring injury and will be out for up to four weeks. Full story. Ben Hibbs, 19:02 BST VIA PHIL NEVILLE @FIZZER18 Januzaj given the number 11 shirt - massive act to follow but one Im convinced he can handle. He is going to be a great player! 18:52 BST United’s squad numbers for 2014/15 have been submitted to the Premier League. Adnan Januzaj takes Ryan Giggs’ famous no.11 shirt. Full list here. Any new squad additions will be added to the list. Ben Hibbs, 18:30 BST On this day in 2000, Fabien Barthez made his United debut during a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Charity Shield. The French goalkeeper went on to make 139 Reds appearances over three seasons, winning two Premier League titles along the way. Mark Froggatt, 17:59 BST I honestly thought Id come to terms with Ryan Giggs’ retirement, but his absence from last night’s playing squad has hit me hard. Well never see him in the red of United again and that feels incredibly strange. At least he looked good in that tracksuit though... Mark Froggatt, 17:09 BST Earlier this month, we asked fans who was Uniteds greatest club captain in the Premier League era. Your response was incredible and, having received thousands of votes, these were the results: 1st: Roy Keane, 48% 2nd: Eric Cantona, 21% 3rd: Nemanja Vidic, 14% Mark Froggatt, 16:45 BST Former United striker Michael Owen believes the Reds will finish in the top-three this season. With Louis Van Gaal settling in quickly and confidence flowing again following a solid pre-season, I expect United to be fighting it out with the big boys at the business end of the season. Things could get very interesting should they sign a top class defender before the transfer window closes. Mark Froggatt, 15:54 BST John O’Shea has endorsed Louis van Gaal’s decision to make Wayne Rooney club captain at United. “Obviously the new manager has come in and had a look at all of them but opted for Wayne,” the ex-Red told the BBC. “There will have been lads in that dressing room who already looked up to him an unbelievable amount for the goals he scored and things he has done. He has reached that point where he is a leader and has plenty of experience.” Mark Froggatt, 15:07 BST Check out the latest United Today news bulletin, which features interviews with Wayne Rooney and Darren Fletcher on their new leadership roles at the club. Nick Coppack, 14:54 BST If, like me, you had no idea who United could be pitted against in the Capital One Cup second round, check out our draw article for more details. A trip to Oxford United, perhaps? James Tuck, 14:01 BST If you missed the game against Valencia last night, you can now log in to watch highlights on ManUtd. James Tuck, 13:59 BST I spoke to Ander Herrera last week and he seems to be settling in well. We paid close attention to his Old Trafford debut for the Reds against Valencia last night - check out our analysis. Adam Marshall, 12:15 BST Fletcher has given over a decades service to United. Looking back through the archives, we ran a feature on the ten-year anniversary of his debut against Basel on 12 March 2003. Here are ten of his finest performances for United. Ben Hibbs, 12:12 BST I want to thank Sir Alex for handing me this trophy, Ronaldo said. He helped me a lot when I was just 18 in Manchester and I want to say I respect him and thank him so much for everything he did in my career. Sean Mullan, 12:09 BST Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson helped pick out ex-Reds forward Cristiano Ronaldo as man of the match in last nights UEFA Super Cup, as the Portuguese star scored both goals for Real Madrid in a 2-0 win over Sevilla. Sean Mullan, 12:07 BST Darren Fletcher as vice-captain is fantastic news for him and marks an incredible comeback from illness. His pre-season displays and this appointment as stand-in skipper show - not that it needed it - that hes not there based on some kind of sentiment of service. Hes got experience, respect of his team-mates and he has plenty to offer the team. Ben Hibbs, 11:32 BST Louis van Gaal says Rooney is a great inspiration to the younger members of the squad and that seems as good a reason as any to give him the armband. Im also delighted for Darren Fletcher, whose return to fitness has been capped with the vice-captaincy. James Tuck, 11:01 BST You can watch an exclusive interview with Rooney on the captaincy, as well as browing a gallery of images from his Reds career so far. James Tuck, 10:53 BST WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST Morning all! If you havent yet seen the news, which we broke just before wrapping up our post-match coverage of Uniteds win over Valencia last night, Wayne Rooney is the Reds new captain. James Tuck, 10:51 BST Thats all from us for today. Join us again on Wednesday morning as we begin the build-up to the season opener against Swansea. James Tuck, 23:27 BST Read more of van Gaals reaction and our match report. James Tuck, 23:24 BST United made it six wins from six under Louis van Gaal by beating Valencia 2-1 tonight, though the boss wasnt overly pleased. I think it was our worst match to date, he said. There were a lot of wrong passes, wrong choices and we didnt press so well. James Tuck, 23:20 BST Kick-off is imminent. Head over to our live match blog for minute-by-minute coverage. Come on Reds! James Tuck, 20:30 BST The Reds are finishing their warm-up on the pitch. Van Gaal is keeping a close eye on things - hes made no bones about how seriously hes taking Uniteds final pre-season friendly. James Tuck, 20:14 BST Heres a shot of fans outside Old Trafford a short while ago, waiting to catch a first glimpse of the arriving United players. James Tuck, 20:04 BST But it just goes to show that watching a game at Old Trafford is a big event for many Reds, even those who are regulars here. I envy those fans who are here for the very first time tonight - its a magical place. James Tuck, 19:51 BST I popped into the nearby Trafford Centre before coming in for the match and was amazed to see so many United shirts. So many fans make a day of it in Manchester by combining shopping with football. James Tuck, 19:50 BST Summer signing Ander Herrera makes his Old Trafford debut tonight. I bet hes desperate to get out there for the first time as a Red. James Tuck, 19:44 BST Heres the United team for tonights game: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Blackett, Young, Fletcher, Herrera, James, Mata, Rooney, Hernandez. Subs: Amos, M. Keane, Cleverley, Fellaini, Kagawa, Januzaj, Kingard. James Tuck, 19:36 BST Louis van Gaal and his United team have arrived at Old Trafford. (GT) 19:17 BST This was the scene at Old Trafford earlier today. It feels like an eternity since we last played here and everyone connected to the club has been looking forward to tonights REUNITED 14 game. James Tuck, 19:46 BST I’m conscious of not getting carried away by what I saw during the pre-season tour of the States, but United’s displays in those five friendlies really invigorated me. I’m now impatient to see van Gaal’s tactical masterplan in action when the meaningful football begins. Before that, it’s the new dawn at Old Trafford that everyone has been anticipating all summer – and I expect our new manager will be wowed by the reception he receives tonight. (James Tuck) 17:37 BST It might look like just a seat with a bag over it - in fact that is exactly what is - but this is also where Louis van Gaal will sit tonight during his first match as United manager at Old Trafford. (MF) 17:17 BST I think Valencia could provide a good test for the Reds this evening, but theres already a real feel-good factor around Old Trafford which was sometimes missing in the build up to games last season. Juan Mata and Ander Herrera know exactly what to expect against Nuno Santos side, and Id love to see them link up in midfield. While the true challenge begins on Saturday, Im hoping United will put on a show tonight. (Ryan Grant) 16:31 BST Preparations for tonights REUNITED14 match with Valencia are well underway inside Old Trafford. (MF) 16:26 BST A number of activities and competitions will be going on in the Fanzone area in N1 car park - including freestyle football demonstrations, Thai dancing and interviews with United legends Norman Whiteside, Sammy McIlroy and Gary Pallister. (GT) 15:31 BST There’s an interesting titbit from Javier Hernandez in the latest 12th Man newsletter, a publication sent to Old Trafford season ticket holders. Asked about his most prized opposition shirt, Chicha says: “I’m a very sentimental person, it’s hard for me to pick just one. But I remember, after joining United, the first European player who asked for my shirt was Juan Mata when he was at Valencia. That was a very special moment for me.” (Nick Coppack) 14:34 BST I’m going to relish every single game this term as we won’t have as many matches due to a lack of European participation. I appreciate some fans actually did not want us to qualify for the Europa League but I feel the gaps in the calendar will end up frustrating us supporters. With international breaks to be factored in, I hope, more than ever, that we can have long runs in both domestic cup competitions. (AM) 14:32 BST Tonight will be a special occasion for former Valencia star Juan Mata. See what the Spaniard had to say about the game here. (GT) 13:14 BST It will be fascinating to see how the manager’s tactical system evolves at United and where the pieces will fit into place. Personally speaking, I’d love to see a couple of youngsters force their way into his plans. I’ve already been impressed by both Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera, our new signings, so it will be intriguing to see them at Old Trafford as United players for the first time. (Adam Marshall) 12:52 BST Were counting down to kick-off against Valencia (19:30 BST) and its certainly going to be a special occasion for manager Louis van Gaal as he takes charge of his first match at Old Trafford. He spoke to MUTV yesterday and gave an update on team news - see what he had to say here. (Gemma Thompson) 12:21 BST Exactly 98 days have passed since United last played at Old Trafford and much has changed in that time. We have a new manager, two new players and a dugout full of new coaches. There are also three shiny new kits and referees wielding cans of shaving foam! But one thing that remains is the traditional sense of excitement for what lies ahead. Personally, I can’t wait for tonights match
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 13:46:13 +0000
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