United’s Chliean forward is doing the business at the DW
It’s been a good week for United’s loanees with the youngsters over at London Road impressing in particular.
Wootton equalised for Peterborough on his second debut for the club, following his stint at London Road last term, during a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest. The defender netted from close range but Alex McLeish’s side emerged victorious in front of the watching Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davide Petrucci made his first senior appearance for Posh and had a couple of shots wide, whilst also picking up a booking, as he looks to make his mark with Darren Ferguson’s outfit, who are in the bottom three and fighting relegation from The Championship.
Darren Ferguson told the Peterborough Evening Telegraph: “Davide was trying too hard to get involved in the first half and was dropping back too deep as a result. He was better when we moved him back and he got on the ball a bit more, but it’s obvious he needs games.
“We knew Scott was a very good defender so his performance didn’t surprise me. He played very well and I thought he had won us a point with his goal.”
Last weekend, Darren Ferguson asked for patience to be shown to Davide Petrucci after the Italian midfielder and Scott Wootton both featured in a 1-1 draw with Hull City. Grant McCann replaced a forlorn Petrucci in the second half and fired the equaliser from the penalty spot.
“Davide got very frustrated with himself in the second half, which is why I took him off, but we have to bear in mind that he has never been out on loan before,” explained Ferguson to the Peterborough Evening Telegraph.
“He is, by definition of where he came from, a very good footballer and he loves being at this club. We only have him for a month at first, but I will definitely try and extend the loan.”
Luke Giverin continues to impress with Royal Antwerp in Belgium. The midfielder scored the only goal of the game at Lommel United in the 55th minute to earn three important points. However, Antwerp saw their game with Heist postponed due to the terrible weather in Belgium.
Michael Keane put in a confident performance and led from the back as his side won three valuable points against Middlesbrough on Friday night. Keane could’ve got on the score sheet had his header not come off the bar and was also booked for a careless challenge in the snowy conditions. It was his second clean sheet in a row as Leicester thrashed Bristol City 4-0 last week. The Foxes were far superior in what proved to be home boss Derek McInnes’ final match in charge with Chris Wood bagging a hat-trick. Former Red Matty James notched the other goal. Keane will be hoping the change of management won’t lead to a spell on the sidelines as he’s been enjoying his time there so far.
Speaking to the Leicester Mercury, Keane said there are some similarities between United and life at City, and he is backing City to be competing with his club in the near future.
“There is not much difference in the training between here and United. It is just minor things that make a difference at this level.
“I have been impressed with the quality in this squad and the division. There is no weak link in this team. Everyone is talented.
“There are some really good midfielders and some great players going forward but, at the same time, there are some really experienced players at the back, great defenders.
“We have an all-round team who can do really well together, and I think it is only a matter of time before City are in the Premier League.”
Although Keane would like to see out the current campaign at City, his ultimate goal is to follow in the footsteps of his heroes, Ferdinand and Vidic, and become a United regular.
“I have always admired Rio Ferdinand, he is good on the ball,” said Keane.
“Vidic as well for his defensive qualities. The perfect defender would be a bit of them both.
“In the short term, my ambition is to stay here and get promotion with Leicester. In the long term, I want to go back to United next year and become a first-team regular, and win everything I can with them.
“I would love to play for the England senior team as well. I have caps at under-19 level and I really enjoying playing for England.
“This is a completely different experience for me. It is good to be around first-team players and get first-team treatment off everyone, and play in big games. That is all I want to do when I am older.
“I am getting used to that. There is always pressure playing in league games but it is something you have to get used to.
“If you want to achieve things then you have to play in big-pressure games.”
In the Premier League, Fabio was again a star performer during another impressive clean sheet for relegation-haunted QPR. The Brazilian, who helped shut out Chelsea at Stamford Bridge recently, caught the eye at left-back during a goalless stalemate with high-flying Tottenham. He handled the threat of Aaron Lennon well and showed composure on the ball in what was a valuable point for the Rs. The Brazilian performed impressively in a 1-1 draw at West Ham, clearing a late Joe Cole attempt off the line to help preserve a precious point for Harry Redknapp’s men.
The Red’s other top-flight loanee, Angelo Henriquez, was an unused substitute for Wigan as Roberto Martinez’s team drew 1-1 at Fulham. The Chilean started in the midweek FA Cup replay at in-form Bournemouth and proved to be a handful with Bournemouth ‘keeper Jalal denying him from close range. Wigan looked dangerous on the break and Jalal was forced into a fine low save from Boselli with Henriquez’s follow-up superbly blocked by Tommy Elphick. Henriquez marked his Premier League debut with a goal after coming on as a substitute in the 3-2 loss to Sunderland. His header showed his knack of being in the right place at the time and manager Roberto Martinez was delighted with the Chilean’s impact.
“Whether he is scoring or not, Angelo has the profile of a goalscorer,” he told Sky Sports. “His movement off the last man is fantastic and he has that knack of being in the right place.
“Scoring on his Premier League debut is going to do a world of good for his confidence but I don’t think it will change his way of playing or the high esteem he holds himself in.”
While in Portugal, Bebe played all but six minutes of Rio Ave’s 1-0 away triumph at Gil Vicente. Brazilian Marcelo netted the game’s only goal for the fifth-placed side in the Primeira Liga. He also played the full 90 minutes of Rio Ave’s 3-1 home reverse to Vitoria Guimaraes but failed find the net with his three shots at goal.
Sean McGinty wasn’t involved in Carlisle’s 1-0 win over Coventry last week and has been recalled to United.