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1245: Sir Alex Ferguson looks pretty chirpy right now, because the Manchester United Foundation Choir are singing ‘happy birthday’ to him. He responds by giving them a round of applause.
1243: Right then. We are almost good to go at Old Trafford – give this page a manual refresh to get that 5 live commentary. Win or draw, and Manchester United will end the year on the top of the Premier League. Lose, and Blackburn will end 2011 at the bottom. In fact, Rovers could win today and still end up going into 2012 in 20th place… but I think the three points would be some consolation, wouldn’t they?
Martin Keown on Football Focus, speaking about Thierry Henry’s return to Arsenal: “This is a wily move by Arsene Wenger. There is never any room for sentiment from the boss. I was watching Henry in training and they could hardly take the ball off him. I think they are trying to take the pressure off him, but he is one of the best athletes I have ever played with and him being there can only be positive.”
Blackburn boss Steve Kean on his line-up against Manchester United: “We’re missing experience. We’ve got a very young side, much like the side that played against Liverpool. But we come here with a bit of confidence, on the back of the performance at Anfield. The experience of playing at Old Trafford today will help. It can be the making of the young guys.”
It must be. Nobody who saw that game – and it was live on ITV on New Year’s Day 1992 so quite a few people did – will ever forget it.
Mark Lawrenson on Football Focus, again on Sir Alex’s future: “There will be massive media speculation over the next manager and in that way I am slightly surprised he has announced it is three years.”
Martin Keown on Football Focus, on Sir Alex Ferguson’s pledge to spend three more years as Manchester United boss: “You have to respect his decision, but I suppose now it is all about who will be next at Old Trafford. Martin O’Neill, who has just started at Sunderland, is doing a good job, could it be him? Who knows.”
Man Utd v Blackburn line-ups
Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Jones, Carrick, Evra, Nani, Valencia, Park, Welbeck, Hernandez, Berbatov. Subs: Lindegaard, Anderson, Diouf, Pogba, Will Keane, Fryers, Cole.
Blackburn: Bunn, Lowe, Samba, Hanley, Pedersen, Henley, Nzonzi, Petrovic, Rochina, Formica, Yakubu. Subs: Kean, Slew, Blackman, Goodwillie, Vukcevic, Morris, Linganzi.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
1216: Our first game of what promises to be a memorable end to 2011 has just started too. Leicester versus Portsmouth has kicked off at the King Power Stadium.
Saj Chowdhury reports: Injuries in defence have left Manchester United with very few options, so Michael Carrick and Phil Jones fill in at centre-back. Full-back Rafael also returns from injury to take his place in the starting line-up, while Anderson is on the bench. Striker Wayne Rooney does not feature at all, with Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez paired in attack. Blackburn are without influential midfield pair David Dunn and Junior Hoilett, who are both injured.
1213: Right folks, give this page a manual refresh and if you’re in the UK, you can watch Football Focus. Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is the guest today. Will Martin Keown be there to do star jumps in his face during his interview though?
1209: Here’s a cracking stat from Infostrada to whet the appetite for Man Utd-Blackburn, which is fast approaching. Did you know that United have never lost a Premier League home match at Old Trafford over the Christmas period (from 25 December to 6 January, over the 12 days of Christmas). They have managed 24 wins and 5 draws since 1992. Are there any Rovers fans out there confident of ending that remarkable run today?
1206: … I’m pretty sure that makes him your signing of the year, though.
Saj Chowdhury reports: “Few things in football perplex Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but it appears this still does. “For anyone to sack Sam Allardyce, you would think they were off their head,” he said of his friend who was dumped by Blackburn last December. The man who, surprisingly, took over, Steve Kean, is still in his job despite feverish protests from fans. The Scot says he wants to strengthen the Rovers squad in January – although he won’t be letting the world know about it. Ronaldinho and Raul? “This time, with the benefit of hindsight, we will not mention anyone,” said Kean.”
1200: Ah, I’m told there are already plans in place for a Sir Alex Ferguson statue, to be in place for August 2012. Definitely a good idea, that.
BREAKING MAN UTD TEAM NEWS
Phil Jones is back from that jaw injury he sustained against Fulham before Christmas, and will play at centre-back against his former club, alongside Michael Carrick. Wayne Rooney is not in the starting XI. I’ll bring you Blackburn news in just a tick.
From Matt in Luton, via text: “Rotten tomato #4 should be “worst miss”. Torres’ open goal howler against United in front of Stretford End, every time – no other contender!”
1148: Sir Alex just goes on and on, doesn’t he. Surely there will be a statue of him at Old Trafford (to go with the stand named after him) by the time he does retire? Mind you, Arsene Wenger will probably try to sign him when that happens…
1145: Some breaking news from Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson, who turns 70 today, has pledged to carry on as United boss for three more years. He told MUTV: “I think I’ve got three years at the club,” Ferguson said. “As long as my health stays up, and as long as I’m still enjoying it and still getting the satisfaction of the team doing its best.”
1136: I’m tempted to introduce a ‘rotten tomato’ type award for 2011 too – so, worst player, worst signing, worst manager and so on… At £35m, Andy Carroll has made a big push for 2), hasn’t he? But would you hand it to £50m Fernando Torres instead? Or somebody else… I’m guessing who Blackburn fans are going to vote for 3).
From Gaz in Darlington, via text: “Man Utd to win 5-0 today and top of the league for Fergie’s 70th. Happy birthday and New Year to the master.”
So, Steve Kean does get a vote after all… will he get a vote of confidence from the Venky’s though?
Saj Chowdhury reports: “So it’s ‘Happy Birthday’ to the new member of the septuagenarian club, Sir Alex Ferguson. And what better way for the manager of champions to celebrate, then with a home fixture against the Premier League’s basement club. Victory for United would move them back on top, for at least a day. What about Blackburn? They’re only five points from the safe-zone, so it’s not like they’re gone without hope. The revival does not start today, though.”
FOOTBALL LEAGUE UPDATE: Lots of early kick-offs in the Football League as the year comes to an end. The pick of the Championship games sees Leicester entertain Portsmouth and a feisty Yorkshire derby where Barnsley face Leeds and Derby play second-placed West Ham. In League One, Preston host Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United are against Hartlepool and bottom club Chesterfield are at Scunthorpe. In League Two, Plymouth can move off the root of the table with a win at Aldershot, Morecambe host Burton Albion and Oxford United travel to Torquay.
From Max H in Worthing, via text: “1) Robin Van Persie 2) Demba Ba 3) Harry Redknapp 4) Wayne Rooney vs Man City 5) Cesc Fabregas finally leaving Arsenal.”
1110: There’s a definite theme emerging with Mario Balotelli, who is has provided a lot of favourite moments by the looks of things. No surprise, seeing as he’s been pure gold in the entertainment stakes – I’m hoping for a big year from him in 2012. Good luck trying to predict what he will do next, though.
1100: Hmmm, plenty of support for Harry Redknapp but I’m yet to see anyone nominate Blackburn boss Steve Kean as manager of the year… maybe if the category had the prefix ‘least-liked by his own fans’…
From Rob in Waltham, via text: “1.) Robin van Persie 2.) Demba Ba 3.) Harry Redknapp 4.) Rooney vs Man City 5.) Thierry Henry crying at his statue.”
From Chris in London, via text: “1) David Silva. 2) Demba Ba. 3) Paul Lambert. 4) Rooney vs Man City. 5) United 8-2 Arsenal (Rooney was my Fantasy Football captain that day!).”
1048: Here’s mine, anyway: 1) Robin van Persie 2) Luis Suarez 3) Roberto Mancini 4) Wayne Rooney vs Man City 5) Anything that Mario Balotelli did, ever. I really want to hear yours, though…
1046: Plenty to talk about this morning, then. As well as transfer gossip and the usual pre-match chat, I want to know who is on your New Year’s Football Honours List for 2011? (If the Queen can have one, then so can I).
1035: Yep, your very own New Year’s Eve Football Extravaganza begins right here. Time to reflect on the last 12 months, and look forward to 2012 too. Oh, and hopefully enjoy an avalanche of thrills, spills and goals in the next few hours. I’m not asking for too much, am I? Or am I?