The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Moyes to wait on Rooney for Spurs match Posted: 31 Dec 2013 03:33 PM PST England striker Rooney missed the 1-0 win at Norwich on Saturday due to a groin injury but remains doubtful for the meeting with Tim Sherwood's side at Old Trafford. Rooney did not train with the squad yesterday and Moyes, who is still without Robin van Persie due to a thigh injury, will make a decision on his attack in the hours before the match. He said: "We'll need to wait and see. He didn't train today (Tuesday) so we'll assess it tomorrow (Wednesday) and see how he is." On Van Persie, Moyes added: "He's not quite ready yet we don't think but hopefully he won't be too far away." Moyes is hoping to add new players in the January transfer window but acknowledges it is still a difficult time to make signings. Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini was United's only summer signing and despite picking up six consecutive victories, Moyes is still on the look-out for new players. But he has warned that supporters should not expect widespread additions. He added: "We're always looking to add players if we can but I'm not sure that January is a brilliant month to do business. We'll be out there looking like I'm sure everyone else will be." After half a season in the job, Moyes believes his team could be better placed in the Premier League but is content with their performance in the cups. He also believes he and his staff know the squad far better than his early weeks in charge. Moyes said: "If you were only assessing the Premier League I'd like it to be better but if you're assessing things like cup games and things like that then I think we've done okay. "We'd like to be in a better league position and we'll keep trying to do that. "I think we've got a better idea than the opening months we were here but that comes with time and experience and the more we work with the players the more we get to know them and hopefully the better we understand them but certainly we're much closer to that. "I don't think anyone's jumping up and down because we've won six games in a row. It's what's expected here." With Rooney and Van Persie both potentially absent from the game against Sherwood's team, Danny Welbeck will probably be United's main goal threat. The England forward, 23, has scored four goals in his last five appearances and Moyes has been pleased with his progress. He also maintains that Welbeck's role will not be diminished once Rooney and Van Persie are playing regularly again. "Danny's always been in and around the team. He played a lot of games last season and was an important player. "He came through the academy system here so we're always delighted to keep promoting and pushing our own boys. He's stepped up again. "He's got a big season ahead because he'll be hoping to go to the World Cup with England and play a part. I think (England manager) Roy (Hodgson) sees him as an important part to his team and we see him as a big part here at Manchester United. "If he keeps producing the goals that'll be great. "Danny plays quite a lot on the left for us so he can play through the middle or on the left so he's a versatile player as well as a very good player so we can use him in several positions and there have been games where we've played all three of them." - AFP, January 1, 2014. |
| Ramsey out for three weeks as Arsenal worries increase Posted: 31 Dec 2013 02:38 PM PST Welsh midfielder Ramsey is on the sidelines with a thigh problem suffered in the 3-1 win at West Ham United on Boxing Day, but he is not the only player missing for the New Year's Day clash against Cardiff City. Striker Olivier Giroud will definitely miss the game because of an ankle problem, while German playmaker Mesut Ozil is also sidelined, with the club awaiting results of a visit to a shoulder specialist. Full-back Kieran Gibbs definitely misses out because of a calf strain, and fellow defenders Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen have both been laid low by illness. In addition, midfielders Tomas Rosicky (calf) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) were both due to face fitness tests later on Tuesday, as was England forward Theo Walcott, who picked up a shoulder problem in the 1-0 win at Newcastle. The situation has removed the focus away from the fact that Arsenal head into 2014 on top of the table, a point clear of Manchester City. "You need a good memory because we have plenty of problems," said Wenger. "Ramsey and Ozil are out. Ramsey (for) three weeks and Ozil has seen a specialist last night (Monday), I haven't got a report yet. "We lost Gibbs at Newcastle with a calf strain. We have as well Monreal and Vermaelen, who are not sure to be ready because they come just back from illness, then we have uncertainty about Rosicky, Wilshere and Walcott." However, Wenger insisted that France striker Giroud, who scored the winning goal at Newcastle, should be back in time for the weekend FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur. "Olivier is a strong structure and he recovers quite quickly," said Wenger. "He thinks he will be alright for Saturday, but the medical people think he will be a bit short. He is quite optimistic about it." In Giroud's absence, Wenger must decide whether to start Lukas Podolski, who scored on his return from a four-month injury lay-off at Upton Park, or Nicklas Bendtner in attack against the Bluebirds. - AFP, January 1, 2014. |
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