Manutd.com have unveiled the new kit, but we already had it here.

The players will don the kit for the first time during their pre-season tour of Asia next month. The squad fly out to the Far East on 16 July – the day the kit goes on sale and on which pre-orders will be delivered.

Rio Ferdinand says the players are always excited to see the new kit and insists the historical aspect acts as an inspiration to everyone.

“Maintaining the traditions of the club is very important,” he told ManUtd.com.

“Last season we had the blue kit to remember the European Cup winners of 1968 and this one dates back to the 1900s to celebrate 100 years of Old Trafford.

“This club has always taken pride in its history – it acts as an inspiration to all of us and it’s great to see it represented in the new kit.”

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In the statement released by Europe‘s governing body it stated “All three players are therefore suspended for one UEFA club competition match and will serve their suspensions when Barcelona FC meet Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on 27 May”

Honestly, I am more than happy to give up Fletcher for both Abidal and Daniel Alves. Both of them are much more important to Barca than Fletcher is to United.

If Fletcher doesn’t play we have Scholes, Anderson, Giggs, even Carrick who could play in the middle. While Barca would rather drop Yaya Toure, their best holding midfielder, to play center back and play with the absolutely horrid Sergio Busquets in the center of midfield.

Pep didn’t have enough confidence in Caceres to play him a single minute and now he may be forced to start in the final. While the very weak Sylvinho will most likely play left back for Abidal.

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Selections like these always bring up the debate on whether it shows a lack of respect to the opposition. Alex Ferguson did play a lot of the young lads, but I think if any manager has the right to make that decision then it’s him.

This is because they have been so successful over the years and with their record we can’t doubt that he sets out to win every competition they play in.

I think playing a team such as Everton, who are a strong side physically and have some good players, that maybe with hindsight he should have picked a stronger team as they are now out of the competition.

However, over the 90 minutes and extra time I thought that United were the stronger team and were quite unlucky to lose the game. I really don’t think Ferguson was showing a lack of respect, it was just a time in the season when he thought it was ok to give some of his bigger names – who have been playing a lot – a rest, and it backfired.

Had they won on penalties I don’t think there would be such media hype about him playing so many young players, but because they lost it has all been dramatized. If they now go on to win the Premier League and the Champions League I don’t think many people who follow the club will mind.

Personally, if I was one of the big-name players he left out I would have been disappointed. Especially as it was a big game at Wembley, the semi-finals and the chance to win the Cup.

But I would also understand that with the amount of fixtures and the number of competitions that United are in, they are playing big games every week. When you play for big clubs like United then most of the players realize they won’t be able to play in every single game.
Danny Murphy / Eurosport

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It didn’t take long for Porto to figure out that United had absolutely no defense. First Hulk in the 3rd minute then the goal in the 4th. We all know Evans “clear” if we can even call it that, was something like that of a little school girl. But it was Ronaldo, who lost the ball at half which led to the goal. Not only did he lose it but he never once turned to win the ball back. Instead he pranced with his head down for about 10 meters before ever looking back. I don’t care if he is Ronaldo, if you lose the ball you need to win it back!

My other issue with Ronaldo is a true footballer knows when its “your” night, when every touch is crisp, every pass is accurate, every trap is exceptional. Tuesday was not Ronaldo’s night, when that happens you need to play simple one, two, or maybe three touches max. So why did Ronaldo insist on trying to take players on.

Personally I think having an extra player in the midfield was useless! Why use three players when two could do the job. Any combination would have done: Carrick/Fletcher, Fletcher/Scholes, Scholes/Carrick and United should have started the match how they ended it. With only two players in the center and an extra striker.

We have seen how Tevez and Rooney produce magic on several occasions so why not give them more time on the pitch together! Tevez has more than proven himself, so I don’t understand why he receives the treatment he does from the coaching staff. Tevez is too good to be just a “super sub”

Porto played very well and deserved the draw if not more. United can not afford to slip up anymore!

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I hope these are not the real kits, they are hideous, Nike could do so much more with this concept  and make an amazing looking kit.

6/3/09 Update: Check out the link below for the latest images of the 2010 shirt. AIG is still the sponsor.

http://www.manutdblog.com/manchesterunited/breaking-news/manchester-united-2009-2010-jersey

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“It wasn’t a result anybody at Manchester United could be proud of, but you have to say Liverpool played really well and deserved to win.”

Sir Bobby is right Liverpool played well, but United played absolutely horrendous football. Especially defensively, They committed errors I didn’t believe United professionals could make. All Liverpool did was capitalize on United’s mistakes .

Sir Bobby told BBC Radio: “I think there was just a little bit of stress, because we kept on winning matches.”

“It helps to maybe turn the gas down a little bit, and a lot of pressure’s maybe eased. I’m hoping we’re going to do better because of this result.”

But like Sir Bobby Charlton I think this could be a blessing in disguise.

And as far as the Liverpool fans go, United is still on top, with a game in hand. And you guys are still in third.

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Ok, Its time for me to mention the Quintuple. I haven’t wanted to mention it mainly because … it’s a QUINTUPLE!

Two weeks ago United had just tied Inter and had the Carling Cup final that Sunday. As buzz about the  Quintuple began, Sir Alex said he would field the team that got him to the Carling Cup final, which included the likes of Welbeck, Gibson, and Foster. Then Sir Alex made it clear that his priority was the Champions League.

At that point the Quintuple still remained an illusive, unattainable accomplishment. It didn’t help that United would field a group of inexperienced second team players for a final, but much to my surprise the youngsters pulled it off.

United then thrashed Fulham at Craven Cottage 4-0 to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup.

On Wednesday United outplayed Inter and got a much deserved win over the Italian side sending them through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Now, I believe, Its safe to realistically mention the Quintuple! An accomplishment like this would immortalize this generation of players!

The Premier League is United’s, having climbed to 7 points ahead of the competition and a game in hand. This weekend will definitely be a crucial one as United take on Liverpool and Chelsea take on Manchester City.

And in both the FA Cup and Champions League, there isn’t a team left with the pace, depth, and attacking power to beat Manchester United

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Therefore Fulham will come out with everything they have and without any real injuries, are likely to field the same team that lost at home to Hull during the week.

While United on the other hand have to concentrate on next weeks match against Inter in the Champions League, a tournament which Sir Alex considers a priority. Therefore United will likely field a makeshift lineup with the likes of Evans, Gibson and Carling Cup hero Ben Foster all expected to start.

We will see if United’s unprecedented Quintuple dreams are still alive after Saturdays FA Cup match.

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In the 16th minute, Nani forced Davis into a fine save when the Southampton goalkeeper had to dive low to his right to deny the United striker.
Davis again kept Southampton on level terms two minutes later when he tipped a shot from Anderson over the crossbar.

But the goal United had been threatening finally arrived in the 20th minute through Welbeck.
Nani’s corner was headed against the crossbar by John O’Shea and Welbeck had the simple task of nodding home the rebound from point blank range.

Moments later a brilliant ball from O’Shea almost put Berbatov through for a second goal but his shot was deflected wide.

Southampton’s plight worsened in the 37th minute when Paterson was sent off.
The Southampton player, who had already been warned about a number of heavy challenges, was dismissed for violent conduct after a lunge on United defender Nemanja Vidic.

Moments later, Rudi Skacel was booked for a foul on Nani and Riley felt the full fury of the disenchanted home fans. The yellow card count increased in the 40th minute when O’Shea was booked after a foul on Davis.

Southampton’s cause was well and truly lost three minutes after the restart though when Riley awarded United a penalty for handball against David McGoldrick.
Oliver Lancashire brought down Welbeck on the edge of the penalty area and when Nani tried to get the ball over the defensive wall, Riley adjudged that McGoldrick had blocked its path with his arm.
The decision clearly a poor one as TV replays showed the ball hitting McGoldrick’s head as he turned away.
Nani took full advantage though when he converted the spot-kick – sending Davis the wrong way.

Davis then denied Welbeck a second goal when he tipped his shot over the crossbar in the 49th minute.
United’s dominance was such that they replaced Giggs and Carrick with Gibson and Rodrigo Possebon in the 55th minute.

In the 62nd minute, Welbeck made way for Wayne Rooney as United looked to set the seal a comfortable afternoon with a third goal.

More Football News from TEAMtalk

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The result means Arsenal will have a chance to leapfrog the league leaders with a win away to Everton this evening.

Former Hammer Carlos Tevez was given an affectionate welcome by the Upton Park faithful after his heroics at the end of last season for Alan Curbishley’s side.

The Argentinean swapped a relegation dogfight for a title battle over the summer but it was the home side who should have been ahead after eight minutes.

Hayden Mullins crashed a close-range change into the woodwork before England under-21 international Mark Noble slashed the subsequent rebound well wide.

United pulled themselves together after the early scare and Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable scoring run continued as they went ahead after 14 minutes.

The Portuguese winger nodded in his 13th league goal from Ryan Giggs’ cross to put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side into an early lead.

West Ham refused to be bowed by falling behind however and their harrying and harassing kept them in the game as United were forced into a scrap for superiority.

The hosts could easily have been level at the break as Carlton Cole’s header cleared the bar when it should have demanded at least a save from Tomasz Kuszczak.

A handball from United old boy Jonathan Spector seemed to signal an end to the Hammers’ resistance, but Ronaldo’s confident penalty skimmed wide of the post to maintain the tension.

An enthralling match was given a remarkable climax as West Ham repeated their victory in the fixture last season with a pair of late goals.

Anton Ferdinand climbed to head home a corner and restore parity with ten minutes remaining, before his defensive partner Matthew Upson followed suit four minutes later.

Noble’s inviting free-kick caught the United rearguard on its heels and the former Arsenal player planted his header into the top corner to cue pandemonium in the stands

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