Captain Rio Speaks

Rio Ferdinand has welcomed the news that Wayne Rooney has signed a new five-year contract with United.

The England captain praised Rooney’s dramatic change of heart as well as the way the club dealt with the situation, bringing an end to a week of intense transfer speculation.
“Everybody at the club is delighted that Wayne has signed, it has been an awkward couple of days for all concerned but the club have done a fantastic job in putting it to bed as quickly as they have," Ferdinand told MUTV.
“I think deep down, Wazza knows he is a Man United player and this is where he is best. We have seen great players leave this club and always talk about regretting it and how they want to be back here. Wayne has probably put all of that into his thoughts and come out with the true way of thinking - that this is the best place for him.  He obviously asked some questions and he has got the right answers, which is good for everyone concerned including us as players, the fans and the club.”
Ferdinand also applauded the efforts of Sir Alex Ferguson for his role in persuading the want-away striker to remain at Old Trafford and has reiterated the squad's complete backing of the boss.
“At the end of the day the manager has been here for over 20 years, he has been the most successful manager there has ever been and ever will be.” said Rio.
“We trust him in regards to the players he brings in and also the players who he looks to groom from the youth team, we trust his judgement. He has never ever seen us wrong in the past so there is no reason to doubt him in any way shape or form.

“This is where we need to come together as a team and make sure we use this as a catalyst to kick on this season."
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Rio makes a lot of sense here.  And with his words we can see a glimmer of what went on behind the scenes.  I think the players were blindsided by this as well and didn't understand his motives.  Maybe he has his head in order now and will once again be a part of the team.

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Up Front for United...Javi and Roo?

from soccernet.com

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Javier Hernandez could form part of a front two with Wayne Rooney this season.
Rooney excelled as a lone frontman last year and it had been expected that Manchester United would operate with a similar formation for the coming campaign.
However, with Hernandez joining Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Federico Macheda at Old Trafford, Ferguson is set to revert to a 4-4-2 formation when he deems it appropriate.
"We have not tried anything like it yet but we have played two strikers in the past," he said. "It doesn't mean it will happen every week but it will happen on some occasions.
He added: "We are pleased with the young strikers we have. [Danny] Welbeck and [Mame Biram] Diouf will go on loan, which leaves us with five: Berbatov, Rooney and Owen along with Macheda and Hernandez. That is sufficient."

"Hernandez has had a good start. He is an intelligent player with tremendous pace and penetration. The Mexican league is tough, so bringing players to England from there is not going to be a problem."

Ferguson reiterated that he has no plans to go into the market this summer despite chief executive David Gill having said that funds are available.
"I don't see the value in adding to our squad," he said. "I am happy with what we already have and I don't see any reason to add to that just because people want me to buy someone.

"Supporters want you to buy players. They like to see a big signing every year. Sometimes the players like to see a big signing, but we have to be sensible about it. We look at our own squad and ask what do we need? I look at the players everyone says are available and they don't excite me."