Ferguson challenges Carrick, backs Giggs

Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Michael Carrick to become the main man at Manchester United, and confirmed that Ryan Giggs will be asked to extend his stay at Old Trafford into an incredible 23rd season.

Giggs extended his record of scoring in every Premier League campaign with his goal in Wednesday's 5-0 win at Fulham. He subsequently revealed he was due to speak with Ferguson about his future plans.

Now 38, Giggs has been on a rolling one-year contract since he hit the 30 mark. Though long-time team-mates Paul Scholes and Gary Neville have both retired in the past 12 months, Giggs seems to go on and on.

And, providing the veteran Welshman wants to, Ferguson cannot see any reason why he should not stay for yet another campaign. "I think Ryan can play another year," the Scot said. "There is no evidence at this moment in time that his energy, stamina or speed are decreasing. In fact, it's exactly the same as it was the last two or three years. It's amazing.

"I know it's mid-season now and it all depends on what Ryan thinks about his future, too. He knows he can't go on forever, we know he can't go on forever, but he can play for another year."

Whilst Giggs has helped himself by maintaining a strict training regime, including regular yoga sessions to maintain suppleness in previously dodgy hamstrings, and has been fortunate to avoid major injuries, Ferguson also deserves plenty of credit for the manner in which he has made maximum use of Giggs' talents.

So, although he will continue to be an integral figure at United, it is to Carrick Ferguson is looking to fill the void left by Scholes' exit. The 30-year-old boasts a remarkable record, winning four Premier League titles in his five seasons at Old Trafford, in addition to featuring in three UEFA Champions League finals. On most of United's better days, Carrick has been a central component.

Yet he remains a divisive figure among the Red Devils support - a large section of whom would have backed the Geordie's sale in the wake of last season's Champions League defeat to Barcelona at Wembley. Carrick has become an increasingly influential member of the United squad this term, though, as injuries have ripped the heart out of Ferguson's midfield.

He scored his first goal in 70 games with a stunning solo run at QPR last weekend and followed up with a typically stylish display at Fulham. And though he has not featured for England since failing to make an appearance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, Ferguson feels it is time Carrick fulfilled his potential.

"Michael's been one of our best players over the past few weeks," Ferguson said. "He's been instrumental in what's happening to the team at the moment. He's grabbed the nettle. In some ways, he's maybe seen the departure of Paul Scholes as his opportunity to be the main man in midfield."

And not before time, according to Carrick's manager. "It's time Michael became the pivotal player of our team," Ferguson said. "We've always known he's got that in him. He's a laid-back character - quiet and unassuming - but in different periods during his time here he's shown his quality. Now is the time for him to start a long period of dominating the centre of midfield like he has in the last few weeks."

With Nemanja Vidic, Darren Fletcher and Ashley Young joining Anderson, Tom Cleverley and Michael Owen on the sidelines, Ferguson does not have that many options for change ahead of tomorrow's meeting with a Wigan Athletic side who have lost all 13 meetings with their north-west neighbours, conceding 16 goals in their last four alone.

Recent draws against Chelsea and Liverpool suggest the Latics may be more durable opponents on this occasion. And Ferguson is a confirmed fan of manager Roberto Martinez.

"If you're given time then you can lay down your philosophy and have a vision for the future," the United boss said. "Of course it's got them a few bad results when maybe other clubs would have played differently. But full credit to Roberto. He's stuck by his guns and he'll get his rewards for that because he'll be recognised as a football man."

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Alves relishing derby, Xavi backs Messi

Barcelona and Real Madrid may have collided seven times last year, but that frequency has not quenched Dani Alves’s thirst to partake 2012's first instalment of the fixture.

The Spanish superpowers will encounter in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow.

"We really enjoy playing against Real Madrid,” the 28-year-old wingback told Barça TV. “I have already featured in plenty of games like this.

"Now we meet again and that's only normal. Big teams that fight for the same trophies will meet more than once per season.

“There is always a certain balance between the two teams when we meet, regardless of the form in previous weeks. We will be well prepared and will see what happens.”

Barça won three, drew three and lost one of their seven matches against Real in 2011. However, the one they lost was in the Copa del Rey final, when Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal in extra time to clinch Los Merengues the trophy for the 18th time - only Barcelona (25) and Athletic Bilbao (23) have won the competition on more occasions.

In the latest El Cl?sico on 10 December, the Lionel Messi-inspired Catalans recovered an early deficit to emerge 3-1 victors in the Spanish capital. And Xavi believes the little Argentinian will prove decisive again this time round.

“Leo will make the difference,” the Spain midfielder said. “He's usually decisive, but he grows in these games and relishes playing in them.”

Real Madrid & Barcelona legends
Click this Classic Players link to read about the superb careers of former Barcelona and Real Madrid players including Johan Cruyff, Alfredo Di Stefano, Sandor Kocsis, Raymond Kopa, Michael Laudrup, Ferenc Puskas, Romario, Ricardo Zamora & Zinedine Zidane.

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Former Capital Steckel backs Bradley's comments about Semin

Matt Bradley's recent critique of Alexander Semin and his previous employer is being backed by another former Capital.

New Jersey Devils forward David Steckel, who spent the majority of last season with the Capitals before being traded in February, defended the comments of his former teammate.

Speaking to the Washington media, the 29-year-old did not dispute Bradley's statements, which described a lack of effort from Semin and a lack of discipline from the team on the ice and in the playoffs.

"It's not like he went out and told lies," Steckel told reporters. "(He) didn't really say anything bad about anybody. He just stated what he felt."

Bradley, who signed with the Florida Panthers after six seasons in Washington, caused a stir with comments that he made in an interview with the Team 1200 radio station in Ottawa.

Among the targets of Bradley's words were Semin's effort level and the team's lack of discipline.

"I don't mind saying Alexander Semin's name because he's one guy who has so much talent, he could easily be the best player in the league, and for whatever reason just doesn't care," said Bradley at the time. "When you've got a guy like that you need him to be your best player, or one of your best players, and when he doesn't show up, you almost get the sense that he wants to be back in Russia." 

Steckel believes that Bradley's experience in the league gives him the right to speak his mind on the topic.

"First reaction was like, 'Brads, what did you do?'" said Steckel. "Then I read the transcript and, I mean, it's Brads. It's not like he's somebody breaking into the league telling things that nobody knows about already. He's an elder statesman in the league; he's been around and he's in a different organization now."

Bradley wasn't all negative when he spoke about his former squad. He also shared some praise for the team's superstar, Alexander Ovechkin.

"I never worry about Ovi," said Bradley. "He's an all-in guy. He's young; he makes his mistakes the same as anyone would. I often try to put myself in his position. And you've got to remember, he's 25 years old, he's got a guaranteed $120 million, he's on top of the world, and he still for the most part makes the right decisions.

While not willing to respond himself, Steckel once again agreed with Bradley's assessment of the situation.

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