Southampton Vs Manchester United

MATCH REPORT: SOUTHAMPTON 0 UNITED 0

17 May 2017 | Premier League | St Mary’s | Attendance: 31,425

Manchester United played out a goalless draw against Southampton in the Reds' final Premier League away game of the 2016/17 season.

Sergio Romero proved to be the hero in goal with several brilliant saves, including a fine stop to deny Manolo Gabbiadini from the penalty spot early on.   

Anthony Martial hit a post in the second half for the Reds, who are now winless in five league games but, with hopes of finishing in the top four already over, the main focus remains on the Europa League final in order to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.  

With next Wednesday's showpiece against Ajax in Stockholm firmly in mind, Jose Mourinho rotated his squad again with four changes from Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, as Sergio Romero, Matteo Darmian, Marouane Fellaini and Henrikh Mkhitaryan came into the side.

After starting the season at Bournemouth, United's final away trip of the league campaign was also on the South Coast to take on the Saints for the first time since the thrilling win in the EFL Cup final at Wembley in February.

Backed by a strong support from 5,000 vocal fans on a wet evening at St Mary's, the Reds were given an early let-off when the hosts were awarded a penalty after just five minutes when Eric Bailly was adjudged to have handled a crossfield pass inside the box by referee Mike Dean.

But Romero, making only his second Premier League appearance of the season, got down to his right to tip Gabbiadini's low effort around the post superbly.

The Ivorian almost made amends immediately when he seized on a loose pass from Matt Targett and charged towards the Southampton penalty area, making room for a shot from the edge of the box which was beaten away by Fraser Forster.

Martial, who was lively at White Hart Lane last weekend, then fired a shot wide after being played in by captain Wayne Rooney before Mkhitaryan, operating in the no.10 role, saw his low effort from 25 yards tipped behind by Forster.  

As the Reds continued to grow into the game, Axel Tuanzebe, starting for the third successive Premier League match for the Reds, thundered in a shot which cannoned behind for a corner off Maya Yoshida.

At the other end, James Ward-Prowse threatened for the hosts with a free-kick which curled wide from 20 yards before Nathan Redmond tested Romero with a drilled shot from distance as neither side could make the breakthrough in a closely-contested first half.

HALF-TIME MATCH STATS
Possession: Southampton 51% United 49%
Shots: Southampton 7 United 7
Shots on target: Southampton 3 United 1
Corners: Southampton 3 United 3

Southampton started the second half with the same urgency as they begun the first and Romero almost single-handedly kept the Reds level with a series of impressive saves.  

The Argentine beat away a fierce 20-yard effort from Dusan Tadic, tipped behind Oriol Romeu's shot inside the box behind and acrobatically clawed away a curler from Ward-Prowse before the hour mark as United were forced to withstand heavy pressure from the energetic hosts.

When the Reds finally gained some respite, Rooney tried his luck with an ambitious shot from distance but did not trouble his England team-mate Forster in the Saints goal before the onrushing Juan Mata curled off target from Rooney's lay-off at the end of a swift move.  

Seeing the need for additional experience in midfield, Mourinho introduced Michael Carrick, who made his 700th club career appearance, in place of Tuanzebe before injecting extra pace in the shape of Marcus Rashford as Mata was withdrawn.

Soon after, the Reds were agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Martial carried the ball forward before unleashing a fine curling shot which was unfortunate to come back off the inside of the right-hand post before Mkhitaryan blazed the rebound over the crossbar.

Rodriguez fired wide and substitute Sofiane Boufal rifled off target for the Saints late on as United held on resiliently for a point, with the chance to sign off the league campaign with three points against Crystal Palace to come on Sunday at Old Trafford.

FULL-TIME MATCH STATS
Possession: Southampton 53% United 47%
Shots: Southampton 17 United 11
Shots on target: Southampton 6 United 1
Corners: Southampton 7 United 3

THE TEAMS:

Southampton: Forster; Cedric (Pied 69), Stephens, Yoshida, Targett; Romeu, Davis (c), Ward-Prowse (Boufal 77); Tadic, Gabbiadini (Rodriguez 62), Redmond.

Subs not used: Hassen, Caceres, Clasie, Austin.

Booked: Romeu, Cedric.

Manchester United: Romero; Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Darmian; Tuanzebe (Carrick 64), Fellaini (Herrera 75); Mata (Rashford 69), Rooney (c), Mkhitaryan; Martial.

Subs not used: Pereira, Mitchell, Lingard, McTominay.

Booked: Jones.

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Manchester City VS Manchester United

MANCHESTER CITY 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 0

Premier League | 27 April 2017 | Etihad Stadium | Attendance: 54,176

It was honours even in Thursday night’s Manchester derby as United held firm to claim a vital point against City at the Etihad Stadium, despite being reduced to 10 men late on.

The Blues dominated what was, at times, a fiery game and the Reds were forced to play the final 10 minutes of normal and added time after Marouane Fellaini was dismissed for a clash with Sergio Aguero.

The result leaves the Manchester rivals still well-placed in the race for a top-four finish, with both sides hot on the heels of Liverpool having played a game less than the Merseysiders.

Mourinho made four changes to the side which won so comfortably away at Burnley four days earlier with Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford coming in for Ashley Young, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Wayne Rooney.

United were on the attack from the off with the front three of Mkhitaryan, Rashford and Anthony Martial interchanging nicely, but it was City who had the first clear-cut chance when Kevin De Bruyne got in down the right on nine minutes. His low cross found the menacing Sergio Aguero who struck the outside of the post with his shot.

At the other end, the pace of Rashford and Martial kept the City defenders on their toes and a cross from Martial on 25 minutes almost led to the opener for the Reds. Claudio Bravo could only palm the centre into the path of Mkhitaryan, but the City goalkeeper recovered to block the Armenian’s shot.

Despite Eric Bailly being in imperious form at the heart of United’s backline, David De Gea was the busier of the two keepers in the first period and he dealt well with long-range efforts from Aguero and Aleksandar Kolarov as half-time drew closer.

Arguably the best opportunity of the half fell to the lively Ander Herrera when he rose unmarked to meet a Rashford free-kick at the back post, but the Spaniard found the wrong side of the post with his header.

HALF-TIME STATSPossession: City 63% United 37%
Shots: City 10 United 2
Shots on target: City 3 United 1
Corners: City 3 United 3

City were the brighter side after the break with Aguero and Sterling both having early sighters. The Blues’ possession count and shots from distance increased as the clock ticked towards the hour-mark, but the Reds held firm at the back.

A Nicolas Otamendi header from a corner deflected off Bailly and just over the bar as City continued to put United under pressure.

An injury to Bravo resulted in a change in goal for City as Willy Cabellero came on in the 79th minute. Jesus Navas also entered the fray and the Reds followed suit with a switch as Martial made way for Lingard.

There was another change to the on-pitch personnel five minutes from time, but it was of an unwanted kind for the Reds as Fellaini, a minute after being booked for a foul on Aguero, received his marching orders after squaring up to the same player.

Mkhitaryan was sacrificed from the attack as Mourinho’s men looked to shore up for a point by bringing on young defender Tim Fosu-Mensah. Six minutes of injury time followed as did a disallowed goal from Gabriel Jesus who headed home from an offside position much to United's relief.

The draw leaves the two sides a point apart in the table – City in fourth place and United in fifth - after playing the same number of matches. Both have a game in hand on third-placed Liverpool who lie a point above the Blues. It remains all to play for in the race for a top-four spot in the Premier League.

FULL-TIME STATS
Possession: City 69% United 31%
Shots: City 19 United 3
Shots on target: City 6 United 1
Corners: City 7 United 4

TEAMS

Manchester City: Bravo (Caballero 79), Zabaleta, Kompany (c), Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Sterling (Jesus 86), De Bruyne, Sane (Navas 80), Aguero.

Subs not used: Sagna, Fernando, Clichy, A. Garcia.

Booked: Jesus

United: De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Darmian; Carrick (c), Fellaini, Herrera; Mkhitaryan (Fosu-Mensah 85), Rashford (Young 90+3), Martial (Lingard 80).

Subs not used: Romero, Shaw, Tuanzebe, Rooney.

Sent off: Fellaini

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Carrick Extends his Contract

MICHAEL CARRICK TO EXTEND
CONTRACT

Manchester United is delighted to announce that
Michael Carrick has agreed terms to extend his
contract for a further year to June 2017.

Carrick, 34, signed for United in July 2006. During
his time at the club, he has won five Premier
League titles, an FA Cup, one League Cup, a FIFA
Club World Cup, and a UEFA Champions League.

Michael Carrick said:
"This great club has been a part of my life for the
past 10 years, so I am delighted that this incredible
journey is continuing. It’s great to have the
opportunity to work under José Mourinho, who has
achieved so much during his managerial career. I
would like to thank the fans for their unwavering
support. Winning the FA Cup was a special moment
and, hopefully, we can go on to win more trophies
in the future."

José Mourinho said:
"Michael is a very intelligent midfielder and a great
reader of the game. I am pleased that he will be
extending his contract. His form this year shows
his ability and his enjoyment of the game are as
strong as ever. Michael has a wealth of experience
from his many years at the club and that
knowledge will be invaluable to me. I am really
looking forward to working with him."

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United Sign Bailly

MANCHESTER UNITED SIGN ERIC
BAILLY

Manchester United is delighted to announce that
Eric Bertrand Bailly has completed his transfer
from Villarreal CF, subject to successfully
obtaining a work permit. Eric joins on a four-year
contract with the option to extend for a further two
years.

Bailly, 22, made 47 appearances for Villarreal since
joining on 29 January 2015. The Ivory Coast central
defender has made 15 appearances for his country
and was part of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations-
winning team, having appeared in all six matches
during the competition.

Bailly said: "It is a dream come true to be joining
Manchester United. To play football at the highest
level is all I have ever wanted to do.
"I want to progress to be the best that I can be
and I believe working with Jose Mourinho will help
me develop in the right way and at the right club. I
am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates
and to starting this new chapter of my life."

Mourinho said: "Eric is a young central defender
with great natural talent. He has progressed well to
date and has the potential to become one of the
best around.
"We look forward to working with him to help
nurture that raw talent and fulfil his potential. Eric
is at the right club to continue his development."
More: Look out for an exclusive interview with Eric
on MUTV and ManUtd.com from 14:00 BST. You can
view further photos in the gallery above.

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Young Duo Sign New Deal

RASHFORD SIGNS NEW DEAL

Marcus Rashford has signed a new contract at
Manchester United which keeps him at the club
until at least June 2020 with an option to extend
for a further year.

Rashford,18, came through the ranks of our
academy and was handed a first-team debut for
the Europa League game against Midtjylland. He
grabbed his opportunity with both hands by scoring
twice, a feat he remarkably repeated three days
later on his first league appearance against
Arsenal. Marcus has made 17 appearances and
scored 8 goals.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said:
"Marcus is a naturally talented footballer with great
potential. He has taken his chances well and has
integrated into the first team very quickly. I am
delighted that Marcus has signed a new contract,
he is at the right club to continue his development.
He is still very young and we need to be patient
but he is developing in the right way and we
believe he has a great future ahead of him."

Marcus Rashford said:
"I am delighted to have signed a new contract. I
have always been a Manchester United fan, so to
be playing in the first team really is a dream come
true. I am grateful for having the chance to prove
myself. To be able to play football at the biggest
club in the world means everything to me and my
family."

BORTHWICK-JACKSON SIGNS NEW
DEAL

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has signed a new
contract at Manchester United which keeps him at
the club until at least June 2020 with an option to
extend for a further year.

Borthwick-Jackson,19, came through the ranks of
our academy and was handed a first-team debut in
our Premier League game against West Bromwich
Albion in November. Cameron continued to make
progress and went on to make 14 appearances for
the first team. He also picked up the U21 Player of
the Year award at the Manchester United Player of
the Year awards, voted for by the Manchester
United fans.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said:
"Cameron is one of a number of young players to
come through our academy to make their first
team debut last season. This is something that our
club has always done and promoting the academy
and U21 players is something that makes
everybody associated with the club very proud. I’m
delighted that Cameron has signed his new
contract and look forward to seeing him in the
squad for many years to come."

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson said:
"I have grown up at United and have enjoyed every
minute of being here. Last season was an
incredible experience to make my first team debut
and a dream come true for myself and my family. I
feel it stands me in good stead for continuing my
development as a Manchester United player. I will
continue to work hard and take advice from the
manager and his coaching team to improve with
every training session."

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Welcome Our New Manager

Welcome To United Jose

• Portuguese coach has won 22 trophies since 2003
José Mourinho will take over as manager of
Manchester United from the 2016/17 season,
signing a three-year contract with an option to stay
at the club until at least 2020.

José, 53, has managed at the top level of European
football for over a decade and in that time has won
league titles and cups in four countries (Portugal,
England, Italy and Spain), as well as winning the
UEFA Champions League twice – in 2004 with FC
Porto and in 2010 with Inter Milan.
Announcing the appointment, Ed Woodward said:
"José is quite simply the best manager in the
game today. He has won trophies and inspired
players in countries across Europe and, of course,
he knows the Premier League very well, having
won three titles here.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him to
Manchester United. His track record of success is
ideal to take the club forward."

José Mourinho said: "To become Manchester
United manager is a special honour in the game. It
is a club known and admired throughout the world.
There is a mystique and a romance about it which
no other club can match.

"I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it
has hosted some important memories for me in my
career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with
the United fans. I’m looking forward to being their
manager and enjoying their magnificent support in
the coming years."

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Van Gaal Leaves Man Utd

Van Gaal Leaves United

(NYSE: MANU) Louis van Gaal is to leave
Manchester United, with immediate effect.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said: "I
would like to thank Louis and his staff for their
excellent work in the past two years culminating in
winning a record-equalling 12th FA Cup for the club
(and securing him a title in four different
countries). He has behaved with great
professionalism and dignity throughout his time
here. He leaves us with a legacy of having given
several young players the confidence to show their
ability on the highest stage. Everyone at the club
wishes him all the best in the future."

A decision on a successor as manager will be
announced soon.

LOUIS VAN GAAL STATEMENT

It has been an honour to manage such a
magnificent club as Manchester United FC, and in
doing so, I have fulfilled a long-held ambition.

I am immensely proud to have helped United win
the FA Cup for the 12th time in the club's history. I
have been privileged during my management career
to have won 20 trophies but winning the FA Cup,
which is steeped in so much history, will always be
one of the most special achievements of my
career.

I am very disappointed to be unable to complete
our intended three-year plan. I believe that the
foundations are firmly in place to enable the club
to move forward and achieve even greater
success.

I hope that winning the FA Cup will give the club a
platform to build upon next season to restore the
success that this passionate set of fans desire.

Having managed in Holland, Spain and Germany, I
had always hoped for the opportunity to manage in
English football and be part of English culture. Both
of these experiences have lived up to expectations
and been fantastic.

I thank my players and wish them well for next
season. It has been a pleasure to work with them
and it has been particularly rewarding to see so
many young players take their chance to break into
the first team and excel. I look forward to watching
the continued development of these young players
next season.

Thank you to the owners and board of Manchester
United for giving me the opportunity to manage this
great club.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the
amazing United supporters. They are truly the best
fans in the world.

I am indebted to my support and coaching staff,
who have given me their all during their time at the
club.

I am deeply grateful to each and every member of
the club’s staff - the sports science team, the
medical team, the kit and laundry department, club
administration, the press office, the manager's
team, the Academy team, ground staff and the
catering team, both at Old Trafford stadium and
Carrington training ground, all of whom have given
me their unwavering support in my time at United.
Never in my 25 years as a manager have I been so
well supported in my role.

Finally, my special thanks go to Sir Alex Ferguson
and Sir Bobby Charlton for always making me and
my family feel so welcome throughout my time as
Manchester United manager.

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C. Palace vs Man Utd FA Cup Final

CRYSTAL PALACE 1 MANCHESTER
UNITED 2

FA Cup final | Wembley Stadium | Attendance: 88,610
| Scorers: Puncheon 78', Mata 81', Lingard 110

Manchester United’s 12-year wait to win the FA
Cup is over after Louis van Gaal’s men came from
behind to secure a dramatic and exhilarating extra-
time victory over Crystal Palace.

Jason Puncheon opened the scoring late in the
second half, but the Reds mustered a display of
fighting spirit and drew level three minutes later
through Juan Mata. After Chris Smalling was sent
off in extra time, Academy graduate Jesse Lingard
hit a stunning winner that will be remembered for
years to come.

Although it has been a disappointing season in the
Barclays Premier League, after finishing fifth and
missing out on Champions League qualification,
success in the FA Cup has provided genuine cause
for celebration among everybody associated with
United. Particularly for the fans, who have craved
this trophy in the dozen years since the club’s last
success in 2004 when Millwall were beaten in
Cardiff.

United and Palace famously met in the 1990 FA
Cup final and the two managers from that time, Sir
Alex Ferguson and Steve Coppell, carried the
trophy onto the pitch ahead of what was eventually
a delayed kick-off at Wembley. That was due to a
lavish and eclectic pre-match ceremony in which
Tinie Tempah performed alongside a full brass
band and choir, with members of the British
military around them, while a huge firework display
sent clouds of smoke billowing around the stadium.

Many pundits had predicted United would dominate
the possession with Palace being happy to sit back,
and that was exactly how the match began as the
Reds controlled the opening exchanges, forging
shots at target through Marcus Rashford, the
recalled Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney.
Palace also displayed their counter-attacking threat
when Connor Wickham thought he had scored on
18 minutes, after rounding Chris Smalling and Daley
Blind to finish past David De Gea.

However, the
Eagles frontman was visibly angry upon his
realisation that referee Mark Clattenburg had
already whistled for a foul on the edge of the
penalty area, in what was a moment of fortune for
United.

Juan Mata forced a good save from Wayne
Hennessey and Fellaini went close with another
deflected header as the first half settled into an
even contest. Rashford, so effective in the semi-
final, also bamboozled Pape Souare with a series
of brilliant stepovers to find Anthony Martial at the
back post, but the Frenchman was thwarted when
his drilled effort was brilliantly cleared off the line
by Joel Ward.

STATS AT HALF-TIME
POSSESSION: Palace 32% United 68%
SHOTS AT TARGET: Palace 3 United 10
SHOTS ON TARGET: Palace 2 United 1
CORNERS: Palace 3 United 9

The deadlock was almost broken on 53 minutes,
when Fellaini wriggled past his marker to cannon a
powerful shot off the post, as the Belgian
continued to justify his recall following a three-
match ban. That near-miss prompted gasps of
frustration from United’s fans behind the goal and
they rued their luck again seconds later, when
Martial struck the other post with a well-timed
header.

Saturday’s final became increasingly physical as
the clock passed the hour mark and Marcos Rojo
was first to pay the price, after the left-back
suffered an injury from a collision with Damien
Delaney. The Argentinian was replaced by Matteo
Darmian and he was quickly joined on the bench by
Rashford, who was forced off after Johan Cabaye’s
studs landed awkwardly on the inside of the
striker’s knee.

Disaster struck on 78 minutes as Palace took a
shock lead when substitute Puncheon latched onto
Delaney’s punt to produce a back-post finish past
De Gea. The goal ironically bore some resemblance
to Lee Martin’s winner in the 1990 replay, but it
wasn't as important as United thankfully drew level
just three minutes later. The talismanic Rooney
provided the inspiration, surging through the area
to plant the ball on Fellaini's chest ahead of Mata
striking low through the legs of Ward.

Extra time was required and, after a brief team talk
on the pitch, Rooney continued his cross-country
performance by executing a superb sliding
challenge to deny Wilfried Zaha in defence before
quickly reappearing at the other end to curl a 25-
yard effort wide. Yannick Bolasie also went close
with a long-range effort and it was the Congolese
forward who was later brought down by Smalling,
which earned the centre-back his second yellow
card and an unwanted red card.

Palace ramped up the pressure in the second half
of extra time, going close through Dwight Gayle,
but it was United who found a breakthrough from
the right boot of substitute Jesse Lingard as the
Academy graduate thumped a bouncing ball into
the top corner. It was a goal that clinched the FA
Cup and secured the 23-year-old's place in Reds
history, wrapping up a mesmerising and enthralling
final at Wembley.

STATS AT FULL-TIME
POSSESSION: Palace 33% United 67%
SHOTS AT TARGET: Palace 14 United 24
SHOTS ON TARGET: Palace 6 United 3
CORNERS: Palace 8 United 12

THE TEAMS
United: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Rojo
(Darmian 66'), Carrick, Fellaini, Mata (Lingard 90'),
Rooney, Martial, Rashford (Young 72').
Subs not used: Romero, Jones, Schneiderlin,
Herrera.
Booked: Smalling (sent off), Rojo, Mata, Fellaini,
Lingard

Palace: Hennessey; Ward, Dann (Mariappa 90+3),
Delaney, Souare; Zaha, Cabaye (Puncheon 72'),
McArthur, Jedinak, Bolasie; Wickham (Gayle 86').
Subs not used: Speroni, Kelly, Sako, Adebayor.
Booked: Dann, Delaney, McArthur

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