Three Longers Later

Steve Bruce has some words on Giggs today, and as he says, "The superlatives have all been said about him and they’re all true." Perhaps this is the reason I feel so jaded reading all the continued praise about him: everything's been said. Of course it's also a sign of his greatness. So let's see what he has to say, he tells the old Viv Anderson story again, but also some other things:

“For him to do what he’s done since he was a boy is nothing short of ­remarkable, really.

“And do you know what? He is still as good now as he was back then.

“He’s still blessed with all that wonderful ability which gets ­people off their backsides.

“The superlatives have all been said about him and they’re all true. To still be playing left-hand side for Manchester United against the German champions at the age of 35 is just unbelievable.”

Bruce, however, insists that for all of Giggs’ natural athleticism, there is an inner steel which has made him the most successful ­footballer of modern times.

He said: “He’s super fit because the one area of the pitch where you have to cover long distances and play with a high intensity is playing where he is at the moment.

“And when you look at what he’s won – 11 league titles and the rest – it’s amazing he still has the ­hunger and energy.

“But the way he’s conducted ­himself and his desire to be the best player at his age is quite ­incredible.

“What’s more, he’s not big-time one little bit. We have seen different players struggle to come to terms with the game and what goes with it but he handles it so well.”

Michael Carrick has some words, denies any falling out with Sir Alex - it's a squad game you know:

"It's been a little bit frustrating for me personally at the start of the season but you trust in the manager," said Carrick.

"But just because you sit out one or two games it doesn't mean he's fallen out with you or anything like that.

"It's just a case of him looking at the long haul all the time and the fact that everyone has to be fresh. That's how it is here and you have to understand that.

"The manager knows exactly what to do and what team to pick and who needs to play. He has to do that all season.

"I'm aware of that and of course I want to play every game, but you have to be patient.

"You look around the squad and the quality we have, and you have to realise that nobody is going to play every week.

"It was never a case of 'what have I done wrong?'. I've been here long enough now to know how things work.

Rooney on the possibility of missing a trip to Moscow:

"The baby's due the day we play Liverpool," said Rooney. "If Coleen goes in to have it before then, then I won't go to Moscow because I want to be there at the birth.

"If anything happens around that time then I'm sure I'll stay back. But if everything goes to plan then I'll be playing because that's my job and what I'm paid to do.

"I haven't spoken to the manager about it yet, but I want to be there for the birth of my child."

Rooney on Owen for England:

"Obviously the final decision is down to Capello," said Rooney. "But for me Michael's a great player and a great goalscorer, so it wouldn't be a risk to take him to the World Cup.

"You see the great positions he gets in, particularly when it's tight and the defence is sat back. He creates space in the box and makes sure he takes his chances.

"Michael hasn't played many games from the start since joining us, but when he's come on he's scored some vital goals.

"That's what he is, a goalscorer. He'll always be a threat and he showed that by coming off the bench to score the winner against City in the derby."

Rooney advertising Betfair... sorry, giving an interview...
The Times has some quotes from Rooney on Berba and some quotes from Berba on Berba:

“I think he [Berbatov] has had some unfair criticism. Sometimes in his body language it doesn’t look like he is working hard, but he is. He is a fantastic player and showed some great touches [against Wolfsburg] and is doing great things for us.”

Berbatov, himself, says that he was “disappointed” with his first season at Old Trafford and admits that the worry gave him sleepless nights. “It was a big pressure for me and maybe I failed myself,” the Bulgaria striker said. “I think I wanted to prove myself to the supporters. They are used to Best, Charlton, Cantona. I am just Dimitar.

“I got a number of assists but not enough goals. At nights I have stayed awake thinking, ‘You should have done this instead.’ My nerves were too much and that is my responsibility.”

Berbatov believes that he is contributing more now and said: “I am much stronger, much fitter — but I still wish I could score more.”

On the possibility of Rooney missing the Liverpool game The Telegraph says this:

The Anfield clash is likely to pose United's toughest test of the campaign so far...

Whatever...