Manchester United Images from Otelul Galati match and training session. #mufc

It is international games this weekend so no United match for me to watch.  It should give me a chance to get myself sorted for the Swansea game.  I expect it will be a tough match for us; Swansea fans will be very noisy for this and I expect their players to be really up for it.  We still have a large list of injuries in the squad so who knows what the lineup will be.  I hope some of our lads get a rest this week; I know Fabio has made the Brazil squad so I hope he doesn't pick up an injury whilst away.

Here are a bunch of photos from the Otelul Pre match training session and the UEFA Champions League group game itself. 

Training

The match:

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Glazers ownership is a financial blessing according to some. #mufc

Well what a long day Saturday was,  I was in the pub for around 8am ready for the trip to Everton.  Things got a little blurry by the time kick-off arrived!  From what I recall, I haven't watched the full game again yet,  we were fairly comfortable in possesion and I never really doubted the the Three points were gonna be gained.  I have to say it was a bit more low-key than I expected and I only saw one argument between fans as we left the ground.  Some old scouser telling my 18 stone pal how hard he was; it was funny actually.  Tonight we play Otelul at home and we need to win really so it should be a good game.  I am hoping to see Tom Cleverley again as I feel he really gives our midfield something different with his energy and short passing.  Tom likes to shoot from range too and can turn his man- something I feel only Anderson can do from our remaining midfielders.

Here's the latest finance story from the world press:

Glazers labelled as faultless.

Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has told Manchester United fans to lay off the Glazers and start thanking them for the success they have delivered since their takeover.

Malcom Glazer and his family, who also own NFL club the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have been criticised for the way that they have financed their purchase of United with loans partly secured against the club's assets. Ticket prices at Old Trafford have soared since the Americans took over.

Kroenke, who maintains he has no plans to secure loans against Arsenal in the way that Glazer has done at United, said: "Since they took over they have won and they have increased revenues by a huge amount.

"If I was a fan of that club, I would go there and go 'Wow!' because how could you do it any better?

He added: "We have a whole different philosophy I think in the States, maybe, but I think it's time maybe for everybody to think a little bit. I think they ought to think about who invests in these clubs.

"He (Glazer) took money out of the club. So what? (LA Lakers owner) Jerry Buss takes money out of his club. A lot of owners in the US do. No-one ever says anything about it.

"Did the Lakers win anything? Well, yeah. They did. How big's their revenue? Pretty darn good."

Before leaving a media briefing, Kroenke was keen to make one more point clear - his unwavering support for manager Arsene Wenger - a man whose future was called in to doubt after the club's shaky start to the season.

"Arsene Wenger is an unbelievable manager. I think he's a tremendous person. He is as good as there is," Kroenke added.

"You lose some games, you have some tough losses. It happens. You can't judge a manager on one game or on one stretch of games.

"You judge him over time. That's how the really good ones are judged."

Ticket prices at Old Trafford have soared since the Americans took over - a move which has caused the birth of a widespread protest movement against the family, who they want to see out of the club.

In Kroenke, however, the Glazers have a big fan. The American businessman, who became Arsenal's majority shareholder in May this year, thinks there is a big difference in how sports clubs are run either side of the Atlantic.

The 64-year-old maintains he has no plans to secure loans against Arsenal in the way that Glazer has done at United, but admits he is baffled at the way United fans have taken a severe dislike towards his compatriot given that United have lifted four league titles since they took over six years ago while also boosting revenue at the club.

The Glazer family have confirmed their commitment to Manchester United and insist they have no interest in selling the club.

United's owners made a short statement to accompany the release of second quarter financial results, in response to growing speculation about a massive offer for the club from the Qatar Royal Family.

It has always been stressed the Glazers view their United status as long-term, a point they are keen to emphasise.

"The board notes recent press speculation regarding a possible bid for Manchester United," said the statement.

"The owners remain fully committed to their long-term ownership of the club.

"No discussions have taken place, Manchester United is not for sale and the owners will not entertain any offers."

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UEFA Champions League group standings matchday 3 2011/12 #mufc

After matchday 3 and 4 here are the UEFA Champions League 2011/12 group standings for all 8 groups.

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10/17 Latest Stories, Video, and Commentary about Manchester United | BBC

Latest Stories, Video, and Commentary about Manchester United | BBC SC Otelul Galati v Man Utd October 17, 2011 at 10:58 AM Preview followed by live coverage of Tuesday's game between SC Otelul Galati and Man Utd in the Champions League. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that striker Wayne Rooney will play in Tuesday's Champions League game against Otelul Galati. Rooney was a substitute for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool. "When he came on against Liverpool he was quite bubbly. He was full of energy and enthusiasm. He was desperate to get on, which is good," said Ferguson. Rio Ferdinand has been rested for the game in Romania, but fellow defender Nemanja Vidic (calf) returns. Ferguson's decision to leave Rooney on the bench at Anfield came after the 25-year-old was given a three-match ban by Uefa that rules him out of England's group games at Euro 2012. WHO ARE OTELUL GALATI? Usually adopt a 4-2-3-1 counter attacking formation. They are strong defensively, having conceded just 25 goals in 34 league games last season, and going unbeaten at home "When the news of his ban in the European Championship came through it was a definite blow for him. He didn't expect that. None of us did," added Ferguson. "Wayne will be playing [on Tuesday]." Returning skipper Vidic is expected to partner either Jonny Evans or Phil Jones at centre-back, with Patrice Evra also likely to figure in a strong-looking defence as United look for their first group win of this season's campaign. Striker Dimitar Berbatov, who missed the Liverpool game, has travelled, but midfielder Tom Cleverley (foot) and full-back Rafael (shoulder) are out. Otelul Galati, nicknamed the Steelworkers, were the surprise winners of the Romanian championship last season - their first title - and will meet United at Bucharest's National Arena as their ground does not meet Uefa standards. United drew 1-1 against Benfica in Lisbon and shared six goals with Basel at Old Trafford in their first two games in Group C. Otelul Galati defender Sergiu Costin The Romanian side lost their two opening matches to FC Basel and Benfica, and defender Sergiu Costin is well aware that their toughest challenge lies ahead of them. "I just hope we do not make a laughing stock of ourselves. Football is not mathematics. We are hoping for a big result. It's a big team." Manchester United squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Nani, Park, Young, Valencia, Berbatov, Diouf, Hernandez, Owen, Rooney, Welbeck. For the latest updates and reaction to this story read Sportsday Live. Have your say on Twitter via the hashtag #bbcsportsday. Liverpool's Luis Suarez 'upset' by Patrice Evra's racism claim October 16, 2011 at 3:59 PM Luis Suarez says he is "upset" about being accused of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during Saturday's Premier League match. Luis Suarez says he is "upset" about being accused of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during Saturday's Premier League match. The Liverpool striker wrote on Twitter: "I can only say that I have always respected and respect everybody. PFA's Gordon Taylor ready to mediate in Suarez-Evra race row "We are all the same. I go to the field with the maximum illusion of a little child who enjoys what he does, not to create conflicts." The Football Association has said that it will investigate Evra's claims. The United defender alleges the incident took place during the 1-1 draw at Anfield. A Liverpool spokesman earlier told the Press Association that Suarez "categorically denied" the allegation. An FA statement read: "Referee Andre Marriner was made aware of an allegation at the end of the fixture and has reported this to the FA. "The FA will now begin making enquiries into the matter." Evra was quoted as telling French TV station Canal Plus: "There are cameras, you can see him [Suarez] say a certain word to me at least 10 times." Paul Gascoigne on Rooney, Tevez and watching Bournemouth October 16, 2011 at 1:47 PM Paul Gascoigne talks to Sportsweek's Garry Richardson about controversies involving Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, and his own battles to "enjoy life without a drink". Paul Gascoigne talks to Sportsweek's Garry Richardson about controversies involving Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, and his own battles to "enjoy life without a drink" - and explains how he occasionally goes to watch League One side Bournemouth. Wayne Rooney England place in doubt - Sir Geoff Hurst October 16, 2011 at 12:04 PM Sir Geoff Hurst says Wayne Rooney should not be guaranteed a return to the England team if they make it to the Euro 2012 knockout stages. Sir Geoff Hurst says Wayne Rooney should not be guaranteed a return to England's starting team if they make it to the Euro 2012 knockout rounds. The striker will miss the entire group stage after his red card in Montenegro. Hurst told BBC Radio 5 live he would "without question" take Rooney to the finals but believes others can overtake him in the pecking order. "If they did well, I think the strong argument would be not to bring Wayne back [into the starting XI]," he said. Hurst kept his place in the England team that won the World Cup in 1966 after being given a chance following an injury to fellow striker Jimmy Greaves. ROONEY'S REPLACEMENTS Name Caps Goals Gabriel Agbonlahor 3 0 Darren Bent 11 4 Andy Carroll 3 1 Peter Crouch 42 22 Jermain Defoe 46 15 Daniel Sturridge 0 0 Danny Welbeck 2 0 Bobby Zamora 1 0 And he sees similarities in the current situation, stating that the Manchester United forward's suspension means there is an opening for one of England's other strikers to follow suit. Speaking on the Sportsweek programme, Hurst, 69, said: "There is the opportunity, without Wayne, for the individual strikers to perform and ensure they play well in the first three games. "If the strikers played well and scored goals, it would be a huge decision for him [Fabio Capello] to make. "Alf Ramsey made that brave decision and many criticised him for it before the [1966 World Cup] final but it all turned out fairly well in the end." Rooney's absence is a big blow for England but Hurst expects them to reach the last eight despite being without the 25-year-old for the group stage. "We should have a good enough squad of 22 players which, with injuries and suspensions, can compete in the early rounds of a European Championship," he added. "I would be very disappointed if, even without Wayne playing, we did not qualify." The Football Association may appeal against the severity of Uefa's punishment following Rooney's red card.

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