Evra Wary of Birmingham City

Patrice Evra is preparing for "one of the most dangerous and important games of the season" ahead of United's visit to Birmingham on Tuesday night.

The Reds fought to win a point during last season's corresponding fixture in what the Frenchman described as the coldest game of his life.
Evra is expecting similar conditions this time round both in terms of the temperature and the opposition and says the Reds must be ready for a battle.
"It's one of the most dangerous and important games of the season," he told MUTV.
"I remember last year's game well - I've never felt so cold in my life! I've played in Moscow, but I never felt that cold. Honestly, in the warm-up I couldn't breathe. It was so difficult.
"We drew there last season, but it was so difficult and the pitch was hard. That's why we must make sure we recover very well [from the Sunderland match] and make sure we are ready for this game because it will be very tough."
Team-mate Ryan Giggs echoed those sentiments, adding: "Birmingham isn't an easy place to go. We've found it tough there in the last couple of years and the fact that they didn't have a game [on Boxing Day] means they'll be fresh."

Man United tops Sunderland 2-0

United’s hectic festive schedule began with a comfortable victory over Sunderland, as Dimitar Berbatov struck a goal in either half at Old Trafford to keep the Premier League leaders motoring along.
Restricted to only two matches in December prior to the Black Cats’ visit, United’s appetite for action was quickly apparent. Berbatov headed home the opener inside five minutes, then he and Anderson both struck the woodwork and several other chances were spurned inside the opening 20 minutes, and it took a deflected strike early in the second half to make the game safe for the Reds.
Injury-hit Sunderland scarcely threatened throughout the afternoon, and Sir Alex Ferguson was able to replace the effective Ryan Giggs and Anderson midway through the second period as he looked ahead to Tuesday’s trip to Birmingham.
Deprived of Nani and Darren Fletcher through injury and illness, Sir Alex made two enforced changes to the side which overcame Arsenal earlier this month. Ryan Giggs replaced the Portuguese winger on the left flank, while the inclusion of Berbatov prompted a reprisal of his strike partnership with Wayne Rooney.
Within five minutes the duo had combined to devastating effect. Exploiting poor positioning from the visitors, Giggs latched onto Anderson’s pass, meandered towards goal and fed Rooney, whose measured chip was emphatically nodded home at the back post by Berbatov.

Bale Tempted by 40m Pounds United Bid?

Manchester United have singled out Gareth Bale and Leighton Baines as the two players they will target to replace current left back Patrice Evra, according to The Metro.
Evra is nearing the end of his current contract at Old Trafford and is yet to sign a new deal, which has led to speculation that the Frenchman will seek his football elsewhere come the end of the season.
However, it is believed that Sir Alex Ferguson is already making plans if Evra does decide to leave Old Trafford, with Baines and Bale top of his list.
Baines has been in terrific form for Everton this season, but some fear that the promising left-back might have to be sold to raise funds for manager David Moyes at Goodison Park.
But United could face competition from German club Bayern Munich, who are also interested in the highly-rated 26-year-old.
Meanwhile, despite Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp stating that Wales starlet Bale is not for sale on numerous occasions this season, it would seem that this hasn’t put off Ferguson making a bid for the former Southampton man.
Sources close to Bale have indicated that Bale could be tempted with a move to Old Trafford, as he looks to follow in the footsteps of his boyhood hero Ryan Giggs and make a name on the left wing of United’s midfield. (Goal.com)
So there you have it. This source believes that Gareth Bale is in fact very interested in joining Man United, which would go against a mountain of evidence to the contrary. The young Welshman has made it clear in recent interviews just how much he has Tottenham to thank for and the idea that he would want to move to Old Trafford just so that he could follow in the footsteps of his boyhood idol is a more than a little flimsy.
If the argument was that the former Southampton man wanted to win things that he felt that Tottenham couldn’t then perhaps this story may have had some mileage. It seems that regardless of how clear the north London club make their stance, speculation will continue to spin wildly.
Less than 24 hours ago White Hart Lane chairman Daniel Levy stated that he would not sell the talented wide man and he is unlikely to then make a fool of himself by going against his word. Clearly a lot would depend on what the player wants but right now he seems very happy as as Spurs player under the guidance of Harry Redknapp, a manager who has learned exactly how to get the most out of a player who has a great deal to offer.
A move for Leighton Baines on the face of it would look far more likely but Ferguson may not be convinced the England international is a consistent enough performer to sign.

New Whales Manager Gary Speed oepn to Ryan Giggs Return for International Duty

New Wales manager Gary Speed says he is hoping to coax Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs out of international retirement.
Speed was appointed as the country's new boss on Tuesday and has already been contacted by Robbie Savage, who is keen to end his international exile and return to the Wales first team.
Though Speed is yet to contact Giggs, 37, he would be open to the return of the winger who has won 62 caps and scored 12 goals for his country.
"I am sure I will be ringing around," Speed said. "There are a couple who have already rung me to be honest. Sav rang me. I'm not sure about Ryan yet, but who wouldn't want him in a team? I'm sure others will be in touch."
Savage, 36, has not represented Wales since falling out with John Toshack in 2005 but hopes to earn recognition under his former international team-mate.
"I'm available to play for Wales again and if Gary Speed thinks it's the right thing for me to come back then I will do," Savage said in the Daily Mirror. "I think I'm playing well enough to be part of Wales again. But I know Gary and he won't pick people for the sake of giving his old mates a last hurrah.
"If he says, 'Sav, it's over' then I'll respect that and I'll still be a big advocate of him. The advantage I've got with Gary is that he's seen me play for the past two years. Gary is a man who commands respect, for what he's done on the pitch and for his massive football knowledge."