Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Steven Gerrard scored two penalties as Liverpool beat Manchester United at Old Trafford to close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to four points.

The Liverpool skipper confidently converted spot-kicks either side of half-time after a handball from Rafael and a foul on Joe Allen by Phil Jones.

Liverpool were awarded a third when Nemanja Vidic was sent off for a foul on Daniel Sturridge but Gerrard missed.

However, Luis Suarez made amends late on when he poked home from close range.

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Liverpool closed to within four points of Premier League leaders Chelsea after captain Steven Gerrard scored two penalties in a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Gerrard converted from the spot in each half before missing a third penalty after Nemanja Vidic was sent off before Luis Suarez scored a late third to keep Liverpool, who have a game in hand on Chelsea, firmly in the title hunt.

Best of the Match:

Man of the Match: Steven Gerrard was everywhere and even his missed penalty could not take the gloss of his performance
Save of the Match: David De Gea showed great reflexes to keep a Luis Suarez volley out
Moment of the match: So many that you lose count. But how or why Rafael was not shown a second yellow card for his handball in the first half is baffling
Talking point: You start to think that Manchester United can't get any worse but this was woeful. They looked clueless and you wonder how much time David Moyes is realistically going to get

Though chances were scarce during the first half, Liverpool played with a far greater intensity and tempo, and took the lead on 34 minutes.

Rafael was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card in as many minutes after handling the ball following Suarez's clever touch and Gerrard sent David de Gea the wrong way from the penalty spot.

United briefly woke from their slumber as Wayne Rooney tested Simon Mignolet just before half-time, but Liverpool were awarded another penalty in the opening minute of the second half.

Phil Jones was penalised for a nudge on Joe Allen and, though De Gea guessed correctly on this occasion, Gerrard's precise penalty was beyond the United keeper's reach.

The Red Devils saw two penalty appeals waved away in the ensuing 10 minutes before Liverpool were awarded a third spot-kick when Daniel Sturridge went down under Vidic's challenge which resulted in a second yellow card for the United captain.

Gerrard stepped up for his hat-trick, only to strike the post, while Liverpool could have had a fourth penalty moments later when Sturridge appeared to be tripped by Michael Carrick.

Suarez was thwarted by a brilliant save by De Gea before the Uruguayan did beat the United keeper on 84 minutes with a neat finish after controlling Sturridge's mis-hit shot.

The manner of the defeat against their arch-rivals will be even more galling for United, who now have to lift themselves for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie at home to Olympiakos on Wednesday.

This time last year United were 29 points ahead of Liverpool. They are now 14 behind their bitter rivals with nine matches of the season left and the 11-point gap to fourth place looks insurmountable.

United were given an early warning sign after just two minutes when Sturridge sprinted past Vidic but shot wide.

Suarez then latched onto Jon Flanagan's cutting pass and sprinted into the United box but he did not go down when Marouane Fellaini pulled his shorts.

Sturridge again got the better of Vidic and Jones with a burst of pace, but he fluffed his shot, and De Gea made his first save from Allen.

Flanagan was booked for his third foul of the game and Rafael soon joined him for a pointless sliding tackle on Gerrard.

Moments later and Rafael handed the Reds the lead when the ball struck the Brazilian's outstretched right hand as Suarez tried to guide the ball past him.

Gerrard made no mistake from the spot, tucking the ball inside De Gea's left-hand post.

United had a strong five-minute spell before the break which involved Rooney drawing a top save from Mignolet, but just 30 seconds after the restart they imploded.

Jones clattered into the back of Allen and the referee pointed to the spot and Gerrard placed the ball to De Gea's left again.

United thought they should have had two penalties for a handball by Glen Johnson and a foul on Rooney by Martin Skrtel but referee Mark Clattenburg disagreed.

Robin van Persie, the man who won United the title last year, glanced a free header feebly wide from six yards.

A nightmare afternoon plumbed new depths when Vidic was given a second yellow card for bringing down Sturridge, although replays suggested the England striker had dived.

The only crumb of comfort for United was that Gerrard missed his hat-trick opportunity by hitting De Gea's right-hand post.

De Gea saved well from Suarez with eight minutes left but the Uruguayan did not miss moments later to complete a miserable day for United.

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Liverpool closed to within four points of Premier League leaders Chelsea after captain Steven Gerrard scored two penalties in a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Gerrard converted from the spot in each half before missing a third penalty after Nemanja Vidic was sent off before Luis Suarez scored a late third to keep Liverpool, who have a game in hand on Chelsea, firmly in the title hunt.

Best of the Match:

Man of the Match: Steven Gerrard was everywhere and even his missed penalty could not take the gloss of his performance
Save of the Match: David De Gea showed great reflexes to keep a Luis Suarez volley out
Moment of the match: So many that you lose count. But how or why Rafael was not shown a second yellow card for his handball in the first half is baffling
Talking point: You start to think that Manchester United can't get any worse but this was woeful. They looked clueless and you wonder how much time David Moyes is realistically going to get

Though chances were scarce during the first half, Liverpool played with a far greater intensity and tempo, and took the lead on 34 minutes.

Rafael was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card in as many minutes after handling the ball following Suarez's clever touch and Gerrard sent David de Gea the wrong way from the penalty spot.

United briefly woke from their slumber as Wayne Rooney tested Simon Mignolet just before half-time, but Liverpool were awarded another penalty in the opening minute of the second half.

Phil Jones was penalised for a nudge on Joe Allen and, though De Gea guessed correctly on this occasion, Gerrard's precise penalty was beyond the United keeper's reach.

The Red Devils saw two penalty appeals waved away in the ensuing 10 minutes before Liverpool were awarded a third spot-kick when Daniel Sturridge went down under Vidic's challenge which resulted in a second yellow card for the United captain.

Gerrard stepped up for his hat-trick, only to strike the post, while Liverpool could have had a fourth penalty moments later when Sturridge appeared to be tripped by Michael Carrick.

Suarez was thwarted by a brilliant save by De Gea before the Uruguayan did beat the United keeper on 84 minutes with a neat finish after controlling Sturridge's mis-hit shot.

The manner of the defeat against their arch-rivals will be even more galling for United, who now have to lift themselves for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie at home to Olympiakos on Wednesday.

This time last year United were 29 points ahead of Liverpool. They are now 14 behind their bitter rivals with nine matches of the season left and the 11-point gap to fourth place looks insurmountable.

United were given an early warning sign after just two minutes when Sturridge sprinted past Vidic but shot wide.

Suarez then latched onto Jon Flanagan's cutting pass and sprinted into the United box but he did not go down when Marouane Fellaini pulled his shorts.

Sturridge again got the better of Vidic and Jones with a burst of pace, but he fluffed his shot, and De Gea made his first save from Allen.

Flanagan was booked for his third foul of the game and Rafael soon joined him for a pointless sliding tackle on Gerrard.

Moments later and Rafael handed the Reds the lead when the ball struck the Brazilian's outstretched right hand as Suarez tried to guide the ball past him.

Gerrard made no mistake from the spot, tucking the ball inside De Gea's left-hand post.

United had a strong five-minute spell before the break which involved Rooney drawing a top save from Mignolet, but just 30 seconds after the restart they imploded.

Jones clattered into the back of Allen and the referee pointed to the spot and Gerrard placed the ball to De Gea's left again.

United thought they should have had two penalties for a handball by Glen Johnson and a foul on Rooney by Martin Skrtel but referee Mark Clattenburg disagreed.

Robin van Persie, the man who won United the title last year, glanced a free header feebly wide from six yards.

A nightmare afternoon plumbed new depths when Vidic was given a second yellow card for bringing down Sturridge, although replays suggested the England striker had dived.

The only crumb of comfort for United was that Gerrard missed his hat-trick opportunity by hitting De Gea's right-hand post.

De Gea saved well from Suarez with eight minutes left but the Uruguayan did not miss moments later to complete a miserable day for United.

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Arsenal kept themselves in strong contention for the Premier League title as Tomas Rosicky's early goal secured victory at rivals Tottenham.

Rosicky rifled in a sublime angled drive just minutes into the game after leading a swift break for the visitors.

Tottenham's Emmanuel Adebayor flicked a shot just wide in the first half, and they dominated after the break.

Nacer Chadli's low shot was blocked on the line and Adebayor headed narrowly off target, but Arsenal held on.

The win means Arsenal are third in the standings but crucially now just four points off leaders Chelsea, who lost 1-0 to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Arsenal, who head to Chelsea next Saturday in manager Arsene Wenger's 1,000th game in charge, have a game in hand on the table toppers.

Tottenham remain in fifth but the defeat dented their chances of finishing in the top four this season. They trail fourth-placed Manchester City by seven points.

Spurs manager Tim Sherwood struggled to contain his emotions on the sidelines at times, as the result added to what has been a testing week.

They lost 4-0 to Chelsea last weekend, prompting Sherwood to accuse his players of "lacking guts and character" before suffering a damaging 3-1 loss at home to Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday.

Arsenal, though, were not without their own troubles heading into the game. They were looking to avoid back-to-back Premier League defeats and are also having to deal with a lengthy injury list, which was added to by Mesut Ozil's hamstring injury in the 1-1 Champions League draw at Bayern Munich in midweek.

With midfielders Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey on the sidelines along with forward Theo Walcott, Arsenal fans might have been concerned about where their creativity would come from, but those fears were allayed just two minutes into this game.

Laurent Koscielny, Laurent Koscielny made a block on the line from Nacer Chadli's shot after Wojciech Szczesny's error

The Gunners broke down the right, Rosicky found Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and, although the England international mis-controlled the ball just inside the area, it squirmed out to Rosicky, whose sweetly struck first-time effort flew into the far corner.

A decent spell of Tottenham possession ensued, but their high defensive line left them exposed to Arsenal counter attacks.

That proved the case midway through the half when Oxlade-Chamberlain skipped away from Nabil Bentaleb's attempted challenge on the halfway line but he flicked his shot wide with just Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris to beat.

Arsenal pile on the pressure
•Tottenham have lost three of their last four matches in the Premier League, scoring just once in the process

Former Gunner Adebayor was largely isolated in the first half but his first sight of goal almost resulted in the equaliser when Andros Townsend and Kyle Naughton combined on the right and the latter crossed for the striker inside the area, but his first-time shot flew just wide of the far post.

The home side were presented a golden chance to equalise soon after the restart when Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny pawed at a cross, pushing it on to Chadli, who was unable to find a way past defender Laurent Koscielny, who had positioned himself on the line.

It was a chance that should have been finished but it sparked another spell of dominance for the home side.

A Chadli shot flew wide of goal as Tottenham pressed, before Adebayor headed wide and then saw a long-range strike held by Szczesny as Arsenal defended well to take the three points.

Win down to resilience - Wenger

"Tottenham played very well. We had an early lead and we were juggling between protecting the lead and finishing the game off. We absorbed a lot of pressure from Tottenham, they gave everything and we needed a special resilience and good defensive performance.

"It was an unbelievable start with Tomas Rosicky's goal coming from nowhere. Tottenham put the effort in and had the quality to go forward but I don't feel they had a lot of clear-cut chances.

"It was a must-win game. We maintained the focus to not make the mistake that would cost us."

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers remained keen to play down his side's title chances despite their impressive 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Two Steven Gerrard penalties and a late finish from Luis Suarez secured the three points for the visitors, but it could have been worse for United, who had Nemanja Vidic sent off, if Liverpool's captain had not missed his third spot-kick of the afternoon.

Liverpool are now up to second in the Premier League with a game in hand over leaders Chelsea who they trail by four points and are still to play at Anfield.

Rodgers has previously claimed that the Reds were not in the title race this season and, although he was more positive after the Old Trafford victory, he opted to stay cautious when talking about silverware.

"It's exactly the same," he told Sky Sports. "I think we're a developing side. We're probably a year ahead of where we've been but that's testament to the players and how quickly they're adapting to the methods.

"I think we're a developing side. We're probably a year ahead of where we've been but that's testament to the players and how quickly they're adapting to the methods. The biggest difference is that we're believing all the time. You come here, you win 3-0 playing like we did today and it's another statement in terms of where the team is going."

"The biggest difference is that we're believing all the time. You come here, you win 3-0 playing like we did today and it's another statement in terms of where the team is going.

"I repeat (what I said) before, we could win the next nine games and still not win it but certainly our focus now will be to get ready.

"We've got a tough game against Cardiff next week away and it's five games on the spin now. Terrific results against tough opponents and we've just got to keep it going.

"I think that we're coming into a real strong stage of the season. We did the same last year and we're doing the same this year.

"I think as the players work together, the personalities connect, they understand how we want to work. They're improving all the time.

"The beauty of this team is we have a lot of young players that are improving. We remain humble as a team and as a group and we'll manage the expectations.

"The only expectation is to win the next game and that's what we'll look to do. Everyone's got tough games.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says his side were dominant from start to finish in their 3-0 win at Old Trafford.


"We've had a tough game today, we've done our job and that's all we can concentrate on. If we continue to do that, let's see where it takes us."

The result ensured that Liverpool secured a league double over their bitter rivals and Rodgers was full of praise for his side's display.

"I thought we were outstanding, the dominance in the game was very apparent from the beginning right the way through," he said.

"We obviously created lots of chances, we scored three goals, missed a penalty unfortunately, but we could have had three or four more, so I think we were clearly the dominant team.

"I think as a team, first and foremost, we controlled the ball. I thought in particular in the second half we were better with the ball, combined greater and obviously we're a very aggressive team going forward.

Steven Gerrard says Liverpool dominated the game at Old Trafford from start to finish.

"We set up to defend well and obviously we attack in numbers as well and I think that aggression and confidence in our game is clear to see.

"To come here and to get a result like that and a performance like that is very good. I thought our focus and composure today was very good.

"We've had a terrific season and for 14 or 15 months we've been excellent so to come here, I remember coming here last season and playing okay but Man United were the better team.

"But I think the development in our side was clear today and you could see the players' confidence."

Asked if Daniel Sturridge had dived for the third penalty, Rodgers replied: "I think he's anticipating the contact. I think it's one where he's gone over expecting it but he certainly hasn't dived."

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Jornada 30

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Brendan Rodgers insists he is happy at Liverpool and cannot see himself managing another club.

Captain Steven Gerrard called on the Anfield club's American owners to tie Rodgers down to a new long-term contract earlier this week.

The Northern Irishman's current deal runs out at the end of next season and he admitted he did not see his future away from Merseyside's red half.

He said: "As a manager, you aim to earn the respect of the players; you don't necessarily need to be liked, just so long as you are respected.

"The focus is purely on Cardiff City. We had a wonderful result and performance at Old Trafford, like you say, but there hasn't been any talk of any title."

"I feel really at home here, I can't really think of being anywhere else. This is a wonderful football club and hopefully as time goes on and the philosophy becomes second nature, we continue to do better and advance."

"It (Gerrard's plea) makes me very happy. He's the captain, who has been an iconic figure at this club for many years and has worked with so many great managers, so it's very nice for someone with such status to say those words."

The Reds climbed to second after the 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and travel to the relegation-threatened Bluebirds on Saturday.

But Rodgers refused to be drawn on his club's Premier League title hopes in the Cardiff pre-match news conference, with the fixture being the first of nine remaining games for the Anfield outfit.

He said: "The focus is purely on Cardiff City. We had a wonderful result and performance at Old Trafford, like you say, but there hasn't been any talk of any title.

"The run-in for us is the next game, we've got tough games all the way through. We've got a very tough game against Cardiff.

"We've had some good results at home this season against some of the top teams but we know it's going to be a tough game and we'll speak about the run-in at the end of the season."

When pressed on his opinion over what points haul he thought would be required to secure Liverpool's first league crown since 1990, Rodgers added: "You probably think about it (points total) a lot more than I do, to be honest.

"It's obviously your guys' job to assess and analyse. For me it has always been about the next game.

"That might sound a bit boring, I maybe answer it in different ways, but it's the reality of where we're at.

"We can't talk about Sunderland next Wednesday when we've got a massive game on Saturday at three o'clock.

"It is fairly straightforward. I think it is great for the supporters to dream and I think they have great pride in what they are seeing.

"We have had a very good season, are second in the league, and our level of play is improving all the time but we haven't done anything yet."

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Arsene Wenger insists he is still learning his trade even though he is on the verge of completing 1,000 games in charge of Arsenal.

The 64-year-old Frenchman, appointed in late September 1996, reaches the personal landmark at Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime, when the Gunners will be out to close to within a point of the Premier League-leading Blues

Wenger, even after 17 seasons in charge of the north London club, claimed his desire to better himself burns as fierce as ever and told Arsenal Player: "You learn from every game.

"You learn more from the lost games than the games won.

"Certainly because you go into deeper analysis, you question yourself more, you question the players more and you learn basically the most from the higher the level goes up, the more you see the limitations of your team and your players.

"You learn the most in the biggest games when the pressure is there, when the talent is against you and when the pace of the game is at the top, top level. This is where you learn."

A special presentation is understood to be planned for training on Friday as Wenger aims to keep Arsenal in the title hunt.

And with an FA Cup semi-final against Wigan also on the horizon, the Gunners and Wenger could even end their nine-year trophy drought in style by acquiring the domestic double.

"It makes you feel 'where did the time go?'. It looks to me like I started yesterday, I can't believe it is such a long time," Wenger added.

"Why? Because you're always focused on looking forward to the next game and when you look back you think 'I made quite a distance there'.

"Despite that, your only interest is the next game, our drug is the next game, the hope for the next game, the desire to win the next one. You go step by step and finally when you look back it's a long time.

"I would just like to say for me it's an honour to manage a club of this dimension for such a long time, and I would like to thank everybody who is involved in the club for giving me such a confidence for such a long time."

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Wojciech Szczesny has revealed he would be happy to pledge himself to Arsenal for the rest of his career.

The Poland goalkeeper signed a new long-term deal at the Emirates last November and is firmly established as the No.1 in Arsene Wenger's side.

Arsenal have been linked with moves for the likes of Real Madrid's Iker Casillas and Barcelona's Victor Valdes this summer, but Szczesny says he would be happy to battle anyone for a starting spot at Arsenal.

"If they give me a contract to the end of my career, I'd sign it without any hesitation," Szczesny told Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy.

"I feel attached to the club and the coach who has given me a chance.

"There are not many who would do that but I must have been good. I see the future here.

"I'll play at Arsenal as long as am wanted here. I am not afraid to fight for number one with anyone: Fabianski or Casillas.

"I hope I won't make the boss think, 'Wojciech's not number one'. It's all in my hands. I am in the best form of my life."

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has rejected reports that Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign defender Seamus Coleman.

The Republic of Ireland defender has enjoyed an eye-catching season, with seven goals from right-back, and has a contract at Goodison Park which runs until June 2018.

However, United manager David Moyes is reportedly interested in bringing the 25-year-old to Old Trafford in the summer but Spaniard Martinez was adamant no-one had been in touch to discuss the player's future.

He said: "It must be a different Seamus Coleman because we've never had any discussions with anyone.

"I think the truth is that Seamus has been having a very good season and we want that to continue and hopefully in the next 10 games he can continue with the levels he's shown and developing.

Roberto Martinez refutes suggestions that Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign Seamus Coleman.

"He's becoming a very, very important player at Everton, a very important player for his national team and obviously we want Seamus here for a long, long time. So it's nothing to comment on.

"We've got a clear strategy of how we want to keep this group together, we've got a new generation coming through (and) we're going to keep the senior players for as long as we can.

"Obviously that's something we work on and it's not going to change because of media speculation."

Martinez went on to say the whole club were boosted by a new shirt sponsorship agreement with Thai beer company Chang, which is worth more than £16million over the next three years.

The deal puts Everton around eighth in terms of the annual income it generates, just behind Newcastle and on a par with Aston Villa, Fulham and Sunderland.

However, Martinez said the club's league finish - and whether they can secure European qualification - will have more of a bearing on his transfer plans.

"Obviously the sponsorship deal with Chang is a relationship which has been over 10 years and you don't get these relationships in Premier League clubs and we value that," he said.

"It must be a different Seamus Coleman because we've never had any discussions with anyone."

"To be able to sign a new three-year deal is exciting for both parties but it doesn't change anything (on transfers).

"We are in that key moment of the campaign with 30 points to play for and every player is desperate to have a big say and that is the only thing that matters.

"Whatever happens in the summer will be the next step but many of the decisions will depend on how we do in the next 10 games so you can imagine the focus goes into those games."

Martinez's men are sixth in the league, one place outside the automatic Europa League qualification position, but have two games in hand to make up the two points to fifth-placed Tottenham who have 53 points from 30 games.

And with Capital One Cup winners Manchester City set to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, there is very chance that sixth could be enough to secure a Europa League berth next season.

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Lineker: Soldado makes me realise I wasn’t that shit

Former Barcelona and Tottenham striker, Gary Lineker felt the wrath of social media after making a light-hearted joke about Roberto Soldado’s poor form in his first season at Tottenham.

Last weekend, Lineker made a quip about Barcelona’s Leo Messi’s skill in their 7-0 win over Osasuna, forcing Lineker to tweet: “Messi makes make realise how shit I was!”

Lineker then followed it up with; “I feel shittier by the minute,” and finally, “In all seriousness, Messi produces more pieces of exceptional skill in single game than I managed in an entire career.”

While Lineker’s comments were self deprecating, he chose to use Soldado to show the other side of that coin, as the Spanish international continued to struggle in front of goal in their Europa League match against Benfica.

“Soldado makes me realise I wasn’t that shit.”

However, Lineker’s comments caused an uproar with already disappointed Spurs fans, but the English legend didn’t apologise, he simply put things into context.

“May I say, for those who missed the Messi tweet last week, that the Soldado tweet was just a joke.”

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Robin van Persie: Man Utd striker ruled out for four-six weeks

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie will miss between four and six weeks with a sprained knee.

The Dutch international, 30, was taken off on a stretcher after scoring a hat-trick in Wednesday's 3-0 win against Champions League opponents Olympiakos.

"With Sam Allardyce, West Ham have shown how to run a football club. If you're struggling, you back your manager. Fair play to the owners and they'll get their reward, which is staying in the division."

Manager David Moyes said an initial scan was "inconclusive" but a second look revealed the extent of the damage.

Van Persie will now miss both legs of United's Champions League quarter-final against holders Bayern Munich.

Van Persie has scored 17 goals in 25 appearances for United this season despite suffering a thigh problem against Shakhtar Donetsk which meant he missed the majority of December and January.

The former Arsenal player was absent as United exited both the FA Cup and Capital One up, losing four times in five matches.

Van Persie won the Golden Boot for the second season running last year, scoring 26 goals in the Premier League.

Seventh-placed United face West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday and, reflecting on the victory against Olympiakos, Moyes said he felt he could "look in the face" of home supporters again after reaching the Champions League last eight.

Domestically the Red Devils are 12 points adrift of the top four - and Champions League qualification - after last weekend's 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at Old Trafford.

"We had given them something to shout about. There was nothing to be ashamed of about our performance," said the ex-Everton boss, who replaced the retired Sir Alex Ferguson last summer.

"In some of the games I have felt ashamed because we haven't played well enough and I have not got a team out that has got a good enough result."

The reigning Premier League champions have lost five of their 14 top-flight matches at Old Trafford under Moyes, winning six and drawing three.

But the 50-year-old Scot, who signed a six-year contract at Old Trafford, is confident United will produce winning performances given time.

"Our form and our performances have not been consistent enough," he said.

"We have shown some really top performances and some really low performances. We have to get better at that, but it is going to take time. We are not going to be able to do everything immediately.

"Because of the period we are in, that is happening a little bit; a very good one and maybe a bad one at times. My job over the coming years is to make sure we get rid of that."

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

jornada 31

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

¿Pozuelo está lesionado?. Hoy, contra el Arsenal no iba ni convocado. Cañas en el banquillo, no ha jugado nada.

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Chelsea: Vitesse Arnhem links investigated by Dutch FA

Chelsea's links with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem are being investigated by the Dutch Football Federation.

It follows the claim in a newspaper from a former Vitesse owner that Chelsea did not want the side to qualify for the Champions League.

Chelsea have forged a close playing relationship with the Dutch club in recent years and sent players on loan.

Uefa rules say two clubs under the same ownership cannot play in the same competition.

The Dutch Football Federation has contacted Vitesse to seek further information and will also look into the ownership of the side.

Merab Jordania, the former major shareholder at Vitesse, told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that Chelsea had discouraged Vitesse from winning the Eredivisie title to avoid qualifying for the Champions League.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has links with Vitesse Arnhem's Alexander Chigrinsky

Vitesse's current owner, Alexander Chigrinsky, is an associate of Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich.

Lucas Piazon, Bertrand Traore, Patrick van Aanholt and Christian Atsu are currently on loan at Vitesse as Chelsea aim to give experience to a number of their young players.

Forward Gael Kakuta, 22, spent last season and the first half of the current campaign at Vitesse before being recalled in January and loaned to Lazio.

Defender Sam Hutchinson, 24, was also recalled from his loan spell there in January and is now on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.

Vitesse are currently third in the Dutch league, having won just three of their last 10 games.

Chelsea forward Gael Kakuta Gael Kakuta spent the first half of the season at Vitesse

Last July, Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars said his club had been denied the opportunity to speak to Vitesse midfielder Marco van Ginkel about a possible move because of Chelsea's "co-operation agreement" with Vitesse.

Van Ginkel signed for Chelsea on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee, but has made only four senior appearances so far this season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury last September.

The 21-year-old recently returned to action in Chelsea's under-21 side.

Chelsea have not commented publicly on the matter.