Sir Alex to break his BBC boycott to pay tribute to David Beckham

Each one of us is familiar with Sir Alex's resolve to not to speak on BBC after a documentary by the BBC put his son Jason, then a football manager, in bad light.

Since then, he has spoken to the BBC just once, to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Robson. And now, he is set to break his resolve once more, this time to pay tribute to David Beckham.

Sir Alex and Beckham have enjoyed a healthy relation over the years with Becks going on the record to describe Ferguson as a "fatherly figure".

Beckham is set to receive the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Sports Personality of the Year, tomorrow and Sir Alex has recorded a special tribute for him.

Beckham played for United from 1992-2003, appearing in 265 matches and scoring 62 goals in his glorious career. He was then sold to Real Madrid. Now, Beckham plays for MLS club Los Angeles Galaxy. He has also played for England, at U-18, U-21 and international level. In his illustrious career, the player has won almost everything a person could dream of. He also participates actively in charity work and enjoys a healthy relation with his wife Victoria and three kids.

A true Red Devil, set to be paid a tribute by the BOSS!!

I feel sad for Michael Owen for the way he's been treated at Manchester United

I don't know why Michael Owen hasn't been played in the last 3-4 games which included a 1-0 shocking defeat to ex-derby team - Leeds United.

I will be shocked to know if the reason is politics since Fergie supports the cause of sending this brilliant England Striker who has been neglected since March 2008 by the Italian manager - Fabio Capello.

On the other hand, Dimitar Berbatov has been incorporated in the team a bit too many times. He doesn't deserve to be in United starting eleven for the 3 consecutive teams. I'm not saying he's a waste of a player but because there are better players than him (eg Owen) who must be given a chance often.

Berbatov has been shown the red flag too many times and it seems he has improved on his game a little (if nothing at all). He scores easy goals and celebrates as if he's scored a mind-boggling one! He has nothing more than 5 months to prove his value at United. Now is it intelligent to play him instead of Owen (who is a proven gem).

I really ponder why Owen is neglected by both Fergie and Capalo. Michael has been recommended Feng Shui by former England Cricketer and famous commentator - Geoffrey Boycott. Boycott wrote to Michael that he should try the Chinese remedy to help him give a little edge to spark up his game and attract the likes of critics and hopefully ruthless Fabio Capello too.

Hope Michael scores more hat-tricks and brings more glory to Manchester United.

Hail Michael! Hail Jersery number 7!!!

Besiktas win at Old Trafford, ending United's 23 match winning (or drawing) streak in UCL at home.

MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 BESIKTAS

That's the summary of the game. Besiktas kept on holding United for the whole of 90 minutes. United dominated but couldn't convert into goals.

Micahel Owen reacting after missing a strike on goal

Vidic reacting after losing shockingly to Besiktas!

Besiktas have done it! The loudest fans in the world must be roaring and raving.

It was a bad night for United. Bad decisions, bad times, goal-keeper wasting time, bad that Besiktas got it all right! I must credit their goalie for 1) being intelligent and wasting time... He got a yellow card for it but I think he would rather prefer getting yellow than not playing in the knockout stages at all! 2) because he made 2 excellent saves (first one from Macheda - a header and a second one came from Wes Brown). Both were brilliant and on-target headers and Goalie did no mistakes there!

Besiktas ended United's 23 match streak at Old Trafford by denying them two wonderful headers (and wasting some time in the extra minutes of the game). United have lost a game after EIGHT LONG years since their last defeat in 2001 in UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.

The Final Score was United 0-1 Besiktas which could have easily been 2-1 or 3-1 as we had predicted earlier. Besiktas have come back with a strong reply having the same final score as United had in Turkey. Paul Scholes was the one to score at that time.

Can You believe it? United had the possesion for the 66% of the game and yet they were unable to score...

Match Review (followed by Player Review)

United started off brilliantly. They were passing the ball around rather magnificently and in full-force attack mode. Thanks to some lovely display from Park Ji Sung who moved the ball efficiently in the midfield. United fully dominated the game until Tello scored a lovely 30 meter goal which was deflected off Rafael. It fell to the right of Foster who was rather unlucky to concede such an avoidable goal. United carried on their vigorous attack on Besiktas and had some solid plans to demolish the side. Park did a good job by shooting the ball on target many times but it was frustrating to see him and Obertan not finding the net. Obertan was very sharp and athletic in the field tonight. His dribbling skills were remarkable and commendable.

All United lacked in the first half was accuracy. They were fully trampling the Besiktas defence but unable to convert the amazing runs and tackles into a goal. This is something the youngsters must be living up too. There was a great display from Darren Gibson, who took the midfield very responsibly.

United half repeated the same old story for United. They had some good chances but failed to convert into a goal unfortunately. Park, who ran like a bullet and passed like a charm today, was replaced by Michael Owen. No. 7 replaced No. 13, so everyone thought Owen must have brought some luck in his 4th UCL appearance but sadly, he hardly got the ball.. Hold on a minute, I can remember once he passed to Neville and Obertan and that is really about it!

Neville gave some amazing passes today. Amongst the list included the one to Gabriel Obertan which was perfect in pace and location but unfortunately the Frenchman failed to convert it.

Blunt Gibson was replaced my Carrick who tried his luck with a few long range shots as well as medium-ish shots but they were right in the gloves of the excellent goalie.

There was an injury in the 65th minute when Obertan unpurposefully hit his elbow on Toraman's eye region. He was bleeding badly and had to be substituted.

There were two more substitutions from Evra replaced Rafael.

In the dying minutes of the game, Bobo was replaced by Batahum who (according to me) created a new world record by getting booked within 14 SECONDS of his arrival at the pitch by purposefully shooting the ball at Foster after he was judged off-side by the linesman.

The real talking point of the match would be Evra being denied the penalty. It was a clear-cut penalty! The defender was no where around the ball and clearly had his arm in front of Evra to stop him in his tracks. The referee couldn't have been more annoying that that.

It was a good game though. United should have got 2 if not 3 goals and proved us right here at theredevilspot.blogspot.com

However, the kids certainly rocked... GLORY GLORY till the Pompey's game.

Keep rocking!

Player reviews

1) Foster- 5.5

2) Rafael/ Evra - 5/6

3) Brown- 7

4) Vidic - 7

5) Neville - 6.5

6) Park/ Owen- 7/5.5

7) Anderson - 7

8) Gibson/ Carrick- 6/6

9) Obertan - 7

10) Welbeck- 7

11) Macheda- 7

Fergie not willing to spend "too much" at the Winter transfer Window

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated that he does not plan to spend massive amounts of cash on new players in the January transfer window.

The Scot maintains value for money is difficult to find in the winter market, when the short time available to deal means clubs demand ridiculous prices for players.

United have been linked with a swoop for versatile Everton youngster Jack Rodwell, with prices as high as £20 million being quoted in some reports.

But Ferguson insists that he has no intention to spend big.

"I'm in the same position as I was in the summer," said Ferguson, according to skysports.com.

"There are a lot of players out there, all valued by their current clubs at £50million. Given the prices being asked, I just do not see the value."

United must win every Premier League game to stay in the contest!

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes his side must win every game if they are to dethrone Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

The Red Devils' gaffer also had a kind word for Darren Fletcher, who put in a good performance that was capped with a spectacular goal in a 3-0 win against Everton on Saturday.

"We have to look at all the games as must-win now," Ferguson is quoted in The Sun as saying.

"We need to get on a run and be somewhere near the top of the league by New Year's Day. Then, in the second half of the season we can have a real go and give ourselves a chance."

Fletcher has been gaining plaudits for his stellar performances in recent weeks, and the Scot echoed a similar sentiment.

He added, "Darren is an improving player.

"Each year we have seen his performance level go up and up and it is still doing so.

"But I have to admit I did not expect that goal [against Everton]. It was really well taken."

Fergie allowed to be in the dugout for the United-Everton game this Saturday at Old Trafford

He will surely be cautious on Saturday!

Sir Alex Ferguson will be in the Old Trafford dugout on Saturday when his Manchester United side host Everton in the Premier League, as his two-game touchline ban will not start until 14 days after the disciplinary hearing which handed him the suspension.

That hearing took place last week, and, as such, the Scotsman is free to take up his usual position on the sidelines.

He will be in the stands for the game against Portsmouth on November 28 and the League Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur, according to BBC Sport.

Ferguson was handed a four-match ban (two of which were suspended until the end of the 2010-11 season) and a £20,000 fine for remarks he made in the wake of Sunderland's 2-2 draw at United last month.

The Red Devils manager publicly questioned the physical fitness of referee Alan Wiley after the game, comments which were deemed to be inappropriate and offensive by the game's authorities.

Jose Mourinho will come back for Manchester United job

JOSE MOURINHO: The next United manager?

JOSE MOURINHO has targeted Manchester United as the ideal venue for a return to English football, and is optimistic that Sir Alex Ferguson will recommend him as his successor when he retires. Mourinho is in his second season at Internazionale, but does not see his long-term future in Italy, where the sport’s hierarchy has proved unreceptive to methods that have brought him five league titles in the past seven seasons.

Mourinho recently signalled his intention to return to English football given the right opportunity, stating that the Premier League is the place best suited to his style. “I am thinking about the future in terms of youth development and the age structure of my first team,” he said of his work with Inter, “but Italy is not the country for this. England is the country. And my football is English football.”

His prime target is the United job. Mourinho developed a strong personal relationship with Ferguson and has been given reason to believe the Scot will play a significant role in appointing his successor. While Ferguson, 67, has set no firm date for his departure, there have been indications that he will go after winning one more European Cup. He has said he will not be doing the job after the age of 70.

The only thing stopping from joining United for Jose is that his contract runs until 2012.

Mourinho’s interest in taking over United has affected his thinking on managing Manchester’s other club. He was asked twice last season if he would be prepared to replace Mark Hughes as the Manchester City manager, but declined both times!

The other strong contenders of the post are

1) Roy Keane- A strong push for promotion in his first year as manager with Sunderland the respect he commands in the Manchester United dressing room gives Roy Keane a good chance.

He lacks the experience though – should that count against such a distinguished and capable individual?

2) Carlos Queiroz- He is Ferguson’s right-hand man at Manchester United and the closest in terms to the players. He has the necessary experience (the Real Madrid experience shouldn’t count against him) but do the fans trust him, and does the board want stability instead of the chance to bring in a manager who will improve as time goes by at Manchester United?

Do make your opionion heard via the Poll created on the right gadgets panel and post your lovely comments as always :)