The Nation Newspaper

Tag: united

  • United outclass City 4 – 2

    United outclass City 4 – 2

    City was bidding for a fifth successive derby win and took the lead in the eighth minute as Sergio Aguero tapped in David Silva’s cross.

    But United responded well, levelling in the 14th minute through Ashley Young before going ahead just before the half-hour mark when Marouane Fellaini headed home.

    Juan Mata made it 3-1 midway through the second half and Chris Smalling extended the advantage further not long afterwards.

    Aguero pulled a late goal back for City but it was nothing more than a consolation as United recorded their sixth consecutive Premier League win and moved four points ahead of their rivals in the table.

    For City, it is their sixth defeat in their last eight matches in all competitions and puts an emphatic end to their dominance over United in recent years.

    The visitors actually made the better start in wet conditions at Old Trafford and could have taken the lead in the sixth minute had Jesus Navas converted a one-on-one chance against David de Gea.

    But the deadlock was broken shortly afterwards as James Milner played a clever reverse pass through for David Silva and he crossed for Aguero to tap in.

    It was no more than City deserved after a positive opening but their lead did not last long as Gael Clichy was unable to clear Ander Herrera’s cross and the ball bounced up kindly for Young to finish from close range.

    The fast-paced start to the match continued but it was United who were finding their rhythm and starting to take control of the contest.

    They went ahead for the first time in the 27th minute when Young curled in a cross from the left for Fellaini to head home at the back post.

    City struggled to create any clear-cut openings and were perhaps fortunate not to have captain Vincent Kompany sent off as he was only shown yellow for a studs-up tackle on Daley Blind.

  • UBA Capital changes name to United Capital

    UBA Capital changes name to United Capital

    •NSE reviews market indices amidst decline

    Shareholders of UBA Capital Plc yesterday approve the change in the name of the company to United Capital Plc, paving the way for the investment banking and capital markets group to conclude the process of name change.

    At an extraordinary general meeting held in Lagos, directors and shareholders of the company approved the change in the name.

    Speaking at the meeting, chairman, UBA Capital, Mr. Chika Mordi said UBA Capital has a proud heritage as one of Africa’s leading financial services companies.

    According to him, the group would build on its heritage and use its new brand identity as a catalyst to create greater values.

    “The new name reflects our shared determination to transform the continent’s financial sector, delivering exceptional value to both our shareholders and customers,” Mordi said.

    UBA Capital was until recently a member of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group. It was spun off and its shares distributed to existing shareholders of UBA in compliance with the new banking regime that requires banks to form holding company structure to hold non-core commercial banking subsidiaries or divest from such businesses. It was subsequently listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

    UBA Capital offers four services including investment banking, asset management, trusteeship and securities. In 2013, it was named the Best African Investment Bank at the Africa Investor Awards.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is rounding off year-end review of its key group and sectoral indices. These included the NSE 30 Index, NSE 50 Index and the five sectoral indices- the NSE Banking Index, the NSE Consumer Goods Index, the NSE Oil & Gas Index, NSE Industrial Goods Index and the NSE Insurance Index. The composition of these indices after the review will be effective on January 1, 2015. The review will witness the entry of some major companies and exit of others.

    Major highlights of the review included the replacement of five companies in the NSE 30 Index. Fidelity Bank, FCMB Group, Total Nigeria Plc, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria and Ashaka Cement Plc are being replaced by Seven-Up Bottling Company, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Unity Bank, Sterling Bank and Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc. The NSE 30 Index tracks the 30 most capitalised companies on the NSE and largely controls the overall market situation.

    The NSE-30, NSE-50 and NSE Industrial Indices are modified market capitalization index with the numbers of included stocks fixed at 30, 50 and 10, respectively. The numbers of included stocks in the NSE-Consumer Goods, Banking, Insurance and Oil/Gas Indices are 15, 10, 15 and 7, respectively.

  • Jones: Bad time for United

    United have endured a winless start to the season under new manager Louis van Gaal and were held to a 0-0 draw by promoted Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.

    Jones, who made four cup appearances for United before leaving in 2007, came close to giving Burnley a shock early lead when he curled a free-kick against the crossbar.

    The 29-year-old sensed an edginess in the United ranks and was pleased with Burnley’s approach as Sean Dyche’s side claimed a first point since returning to the top flight.

    “There were a lot of top players on the pitch,” said Jones. “We knew it was going to be difficult.

    “But they’re going through a bit of a bad time and under pressure after three games.

    “That’s the baggage you get as a United player. We wanted to get at them and put them under pressure and we did that.

    “If you look at the previous games they’ve been edgy and we wanted to take advantage of that.

    “No player at the best of times wants another player in their face, working hard to stop them playing and they definitely wouldn’t have wanted that. It showed early on that they were under pressure.

    “There have been significant changes at United over the last 12 months. It’s only three games into this season in the league. I expect them to pick up and be where they usually are.”

     

  • United line up Di Maria bid

    Following their false start to the new season, Manchester United are reportedly preparing to make a massive splash in the transfer market.

    The Red Devils are apparently lining up a £50m bid for Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria, who has fallen down the midfield pecking order since the arrival of James Rodriguez from Monaco.

    According to the Daily Mail, United have put together a deal worth £100m in total, including a five-year contract for the 26-year-old Argentine.

    Paris Saint-Germain had been leading the race for Di Maria, but pulled out citing the costs of securing the player as their reason for the decision.

  • No quick fix for United´s problems, says Meulensteen

    Ex-Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen does not expect Louis van Gaal to wave a magic wand and quickly fix the club’s problems.

    After fresh optimism at Old Trafford during the close-season, United were brought back to earth on Saturday as Swansea City recorded a surprise 2-1 win.

    Van Gaal’s side began that game in a new 3-4-1-2 formation but the Dutchman was forced to revert to a more traditional 4-4-1-1 after the break, which saw United improve but ultimately fall short.

    For Meulensteen, the manager’s indecision on the opening weekend of the Premier League season shows United are still some way off the finished article and he called for the club’s fans to be patient as Van Gaal embarks on a rebuilding process.

    “This is not going to be a quick fix,” Meulensteen – first-team coach under the legendary Alex Ferguson at the club – told Talksport.

    “They have still got two weeks to go in this transfer window.

  • Ronaldo coy over United return

    Cristiano Ronaldo admits he could one day make a return to Manchester United.

    Ronaldo became a cult hero at United after enjoying six successful years under Sir Alex Ferguson.

    The Portuguese winger moved to Real Madrid for £80million in 2009, but he still remembers his time at Old Trafford fondly.

    Although he says he is happy at the Bernabeu, Ronaldo appears open to the possibility of going back to United in the future.

    When asked about the possibility of playing for United again, Ronaldo told MUTV: “I love Manchester and you never know in football. Of course I’m happy at Real Madrid; it’s my home, it’s my club, but United treated me unbelievably, so you never know.

    “I am still in contact with some people there because I had a good relationship with everybody – it was like my second family.”

    Under Ferguson, Ronaldo won three Premier League titles and one Champions League before departing for Real Madrid for a then world-record fee.

    United flopped spectacularly under Ferguson’s successor David Moyes, who led the team to seventh – their worst-ever finish in the Premier League era.

    But Ronaldo thinks United are now destined for success under their new manager Louis van Gaal.

    “I think Van Gaal is going to do a fantastic job,” Ronaldo said in the interview, which was broadcast on the eve of United’s friendly against Real Madrid in Ann Arbor, near Detroit.

  • Enyimba are Manchester United of Nigeria—Udi

    Enyimba are Manchester United of Nigeria—Udi

    GIWA FC head coach has said that his side lost to a better side in yesterday Federation Cup semi-final clash against Enyimba FC at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

    The God’s Elephants hope of reaching their first final were dashed when they lost 1-0 to People’s Elephants on Thursday.

    Rapheal Boumsong scored the only goal that decided the match.

    The ex international in a chat with SportingLife admitted that he was not disappointed with the outcome of the match as he described Enyimba as the Manchester United of Nigeria.

    “We are still learning and I’m not disappointed with the result. I praised my boys for their efforts so far in this competition. Enyimba are big team and losing to a club like that is not a disappointment rather than learn from it. Enyimba is a Manchester United of Nigeria,” Udi told SportingLife.

    Udi also admitted that it was a different scenario when you are a player and a coach.

    “It was not the same thing when you are a player and now as a coach. When you played as a player their is no tension but as a coach their are lot of pressures to deliver,” he added.

  • Ferdinand:I would still be at United with Giggs in charge

    Rio Ferdinand believes he would have stayed at Manchester United with Ryan Giggs in charge – but he has no regrets over his move to QPR.

    The veteran centre-back brought an end to his trophy-laden 12-year stay at Old Trafford when his contract expired last season.

    Subsequently, Ferdinand was reunited with QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who he worked under at his first club West Ham.

    The 35-year-old is thrilled to be staying in the Premier League, but admitted that the deal may not have happened if Giggs had been named permanent manager at United instead of Louis van Gaal.

    “Giggsy is one of my mates, I played with him for years,” Ferdinand said. “We had that chat when he got the job, he had to look at it as if he would still be there and he did tell me I would have stayed and been a part of his plans.

    “But things change quickly, the new manager came in and wanted a new direction. I dusted myself down and moved on.

    “I said at the time that Man United would have to tell me they didn’t want me for me to leave the club. That’s what happened they said ‘thank you and goodbye’.

    “It has to be that way. The club is bigger than any player. I’m here now and I’m glad that Harry and [QPR chairman] Tony Fernandes gave me the chance to come here.”

    Ferdinand also confirmed he had other offers but the lure of moving back to London helped twist his arm.

    He added: “I play to win whether that’s a match or in training. We have to put points on the board. That’s what we did at Man United that’s what we’ll do here. A successful season is staying in the Premier League.

  • Akwa United vow to compound Sharks’ woes

    Akwa United’s technical adviser Patrick Udoh has said his side will compound the woes of Sharks after their Federation Cup quarter final ouster at the hands of holders Enyimba.

    The Promise Keepers will host the Garden City landlords in the restart of Glo Premier League match day 20 tie on Sunday at the Uyo Township Stadium.

    Udoh said his wards will go for the maximum points against Sharks to quicken their return to the league summit.

    “We’re poised to compound Sharks’ woes when we clash on Sunday in Uyo. Sharks won’t leave Uyo unscathed and untouched no matter how much they try, we need the maximum three points badly to help our quest to return to the top.

    “We can’t do anything contrary to help Sharks as three points in the game is the surest way to position ourselves to climb to the top spot.

    “We took three points off Sharks in Port Harcourt and we’re determined to make it a double. That’s six points, we can’t be blamed for choosing the path,” said Udoh to supersport.com.

    Udoh said the switch of his prolific striker Ubong Ekpai to Nigerian champions Kano Pillars will not hurt his side’s fortunes in the league.

    “We have many Ubong Ekpais in Akwa United though as a person I’ll miss his services, but our job as coaches is to develop talents.

    “We have several of such talents from the academy and grassroots who are currently making waves, I’m sure they’ll perfectly fit into the vacant shoes of Ekpai.

    “There are scores of such players so I don’t think Ekpai’s exit will hurt our fortunes badly,” said Udoh.

    The Uyo-based side will restart the season on the strength of their eighth finish on 28 points, six points behind leaders Kano Pillars.

  • Man United to launch new €54m Vidal bid

    Manchester United are ready to launch a new €54 million bid for Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal this week.

    The Old Trafford club are increasingly confident of landing the Chilean World Cup star and are looking to make progress in their move for the 27-year-old in the coming days.

    Louis van Gaal, who officially took charge at United on Wednesday, is a big fan of Vidal, having tried to sign him while in charge of Bayern Munich in 2011, and has approved a move for the midfielder.

    “In Italy, there’s the feeling that Vidal may be the marquee player to leave Juventus during this transfer window.

    “After the shock of Conte’s departure, Juventus have pushed ahead with a move for Argentinean Roberto Pereyra from Udinese, who could be seen as a reasonable replacement for Vidal in a starting XI that new coach Massimiliano Allegri will switch from 3-5-2 to 4-3-1-2.”

    The Dutchman encouraged the pursuit of Vidal earlier in July, despite the club being told that a move could cost them €56m plus Nani.

    United have monitored the situation regarding Vidal closely during a turbulent summer at Juventus, which has seen Antonio Conte leave the Serie A champions amid talk of unhappiness regarding the club’s transfer policy.

    Juventus have signed forward Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid and are set to complete a move for Roberto Pereyra, while suggestions that Vidal could be sold grow louder in Italy.

    Vidal, who is currently resting in Chile following the World Cup, has recently conceded that his future in Turin looks uncertain.

    “I don’t feel like my time at Juventus is over, although I can’t say more right now,” he told a Chilean radio station. “When I’m back from Chile, I’ll talk to my executives and we’ll see what will happen.”

    Juve director Pavel Nedved, meanwhile, says that the club are reluctant to sell both Vidal and Paul Pogba but admits that a big-money bid could force them to part ways with the Chilean.

    “Our strategy is clear; we want to keep all our best players, including Vidal and Pogba,” he told Tuttosport. “We don’t want to sell anyone, especially Vidal.

    “Certainly, if there were a high bid for them, we’d have to think about it but we don’t want to sell our champions.

    “We want to be competitive in the Champions League and the only sales to be players who are not part of our plans.”

    Publicly, United have aimed to manage expectations regarding signings but Vidal has emerged as their No.1 target and chief executive Ed Wooward has confirmed that the club are still in the market for players this summer.

    “We’ve been working with Louis over several weeks with regards to targets and we’re continuing to move forward on some of those targets,” Woodward told MUTV.

    He added: “We are willing to invest. There is no fixed budget. Financially we are extremely strong and funds are available. Louis is assessing what’s going on and there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, so watch this space.”