Premier League marks 30 years since the Bradford fire disaster

(Manchester United News)

This weekend, the Premier League and its member clubs will commemorate all those who were affected by the fire disaster at Bradford City FC on 11 May 1985.

Fifty-six people did not return home from a football match that day. Two of the casualties were supporters of Lincoln City - Bradford’s opponents for the last game of the 1984/85 season - and eleven were children. Hundreds more spectators were injured.

In solidarity with Bradford City as they prepare to play their last home game of the season on Saturday 25 April, all Barclays Premier League fixtures across the weekend of 25/26 April will be preceded with a minute’s silence.

Peter McCormick, the Premier League's acting chairman, said: “The Bradford fire was one of the most terrible tragedies ever to strike English football. It will be forever remembered by all football fans not only for the loss of the life but also for the many acts of bravery by the emergency services and the fans themselves.”

At this time, the Premier League is also restating its commitment to the safety of fans, who should never again be exposed to the kind of risks that led to the Bradford tragedy.

The Premier League is also fundraising for Bradford City FC’s chosen charity, the Bradford University Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU). In January, the Premier League made a donation of £25,000 to the PSBRU and continues to support Bradford’s fundraising efforts throughout April. The Premier League will match the donations raised through bucket collections at the grounds of its member clubs across this commemorative April weekend.

The existence of the PSBRU – known also as ‘the Bradford Burns Unit’ – stands as a lasting memorial, and a living legacy, of the fire disaster. It depends entirely on public donations for its continued survival.

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Van Gaal: Everton game will be special for Fellaini

(Manchester United News)

Marouane Fellaini may be unmoved by the prospect of returning to Everton, but Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes it will be a “special game” for the Belgian midfielder on Sunday.

In-form Fellaini, who played for the Toffees for five years, is set to line up for United against his former club at Goodison Park for the first time, having been an unused substitute when the Reds visited last season.

“I asked him today and he said ‘it’s a game’, but I think he doesn’t want to admit it,” van Gaal told MUTV. “He is very dry in his answers but I believe it shall be a special game.

“I hope that the fans receive him like the Chelsea fans received Juan Mata, because I like that very much. It was fantastic to see and I hope it is like that this weekend.”

Fellaini has been one of United’s outstanding players in recent weeks and van Gaal believes he’s now getting the best out of his 6ft 4in midfielder.

“I am always communicating with my players about philosophy, about performance, about attitude, about behaviour,” the boss said.

“Every player who is playing for Manchester United has qualities. I believe Marouane Fellaini has qualities and we want to the qualities of Fellaini to dominate in a team. 

"I believe that we are doing that and that's why his performances are better now.”

Mid-table Everton are also in form going into this weekend’s clash, with four wins and a draw from their last five league games, and van Gaal had words of praise for his opposite number Roberto Martinez.

“Everton are playing much better and I think that’s because of the manager having a philosophy,” van Gaal said. “When the players believe in that, they can improve.

“That is very important. He sticks to the same philosophy and I believe his players are believing in him and also that philosophy. At the end, you can see it.”

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Van Gaal provides injury update on Blind, Jones, Rojo, Carrick, Rafael and Januzaj

(Manchester United News)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed to MUTV that Daley Blind could return from injury to face Everton in Sunday’s Barclays Premier League match at Goodison Park.

Blind suffered an injury during the Manchester derby victory and missed the following match at Chelsea. Unfortunately, the boss also explained Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Michael Carrick have not recovered in time for the difficult trip to Merseyside.

Rafael is out for the rest of the season after suffering a rib injury in Monday’s Under-21s match against Leicester City. Adnan Januzaj was also substituted in the second half of that fixture as a precaution, though van Gaal feels his injury is not serious.

When asked if Carrick, Blind, Jones or Rojo might return on Sunday, van Gaal confirmed: "Maybe only one, but there is still a question mark. For you, I shall say it is Daley Blind, but there is a question mark."

Pressed further on Rafael and Januzaj, the boss continued: "Rafael, it is unbelievable. He has broken his ribs so he shall not play anymore this season for Manchester United very unfortunately. Januzaj is not such a heavy injury."

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Rafael ruled out for the season

(Manchester United News)

Rafael has been ruled out for the rest of the season as Louis van Gaal confirmed to MUTV that the full-back has broken his ribs.

The Brazilian was hurt towards the end of the first half of the Under-21s' 1-1 draw at Leicester City on Monday night and was clearly in some discomfort when being helped off the pitch.

His last first-team appearance came as a substitute against Tottenham, his 10th Barclays Premier League outing of 2014/15, but he has been a regular in the matchday squad since the FA Cup tie with Arsenal.

Following Sunday's clash at Everton, the Reds have four games in May to wrap up the campaign but the South American will be unavailable as he recovers from the injury setback.

"It's unbelievable," the boss told MUTV. "He has broken his ribs so he shall not play any more this season for Manchester United. It's very unfortunate."

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Blomqvist: This is our time

(Manchester United News)

Former Manchester United and Everton midfielder Jesper Blomqvist believes Manchester United are primed to complete the double over the Toffees on Sunday.

The Reds secured a narrow 2-1 win at Old Trafford in October when David De Gea produced a stellar performance, including a penalty save to deny Leighton Baines, and are out to avenge the results of 2013/14 when Roberto Martinez's team came out on top on both occasions.

"I’m sure Everton are looking forward to playing United," the Swede told ManUtd.com at a Foundation event in Ordsall to promote the Red Heart United Legends game. "Obviously, it’s at home for them and Louis van Gaal understands it can be harder in these games. He said it was more difficult to play Aston Villa than some of the big games as the players have the right motivation already for them.

"Sometimes, when you play teams below you, it is easier to think you can be a bit more relaxed. This is an aspect to be aware of but they’ll know Everton away is a tough game. I think all the players know that. I realise United lost twice to Everton last year but that was a special season after Sir Alex left and I think this year is our time."

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Young targets five-star finish with United

(Manchester United News)

"We will take the positives out of the Chelsea defeat, when we don’t think we should have been beaten. We'll go into the Everton game full of confidence and if we play as well as we have done this season then we will get the win."

Winning at Goodison Park is never easy, but Ashley Young is confident that Manchester United can glean three points against Everton - the first of five remaining games in the Barclays Premier League.

The Reds are looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, where Louis van Gaal’s men dominated the game in terms of possession and chances created but left Stamford Bridge with nothing. While that result was disappointing and ended United's six-match winning streak, Young was encouraged by the display and is optimistic about facing Everton on Sunday.

"We will take the positives out of the Chelsea defeat, when we didn't think we should have been beaten, " Young told MUTV's Thursday Focus

. "We had all of the possession and the chances. We felt Chelsea just sat there and obviously they got the goal, but on another day we could have scored two or three goals. 

"It's another tough game now - we always have tough games when we play Everton away. The fans are close to the pitch and there's a good atmosphere whenever we play there. We have got to be right. We want to get back to winning ways and we're going there to win."

United are third in the Barclays Premier League table and hope to climb at least one more place to finish above Arsenal, who are one point ahead and face leaders Chelsea this weekend. 

“Everybody is confident in the team that we can finish as high as we can,” says Young. “Second place is still there for us to take and we just have to win every game now. Every game is a cup final, we have to go out and win. We are going into Sunday's game full of confidence and I'm sure if we play as well as we have done recently, then we will get the win."

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Who will start for United against Everton?

(Manchester United News)

Louis van Gaal has some big decisions to make ahead of Manchester United's trip to Everton on Sunday, after several Reds stars improved their form and fitness over the last seven days.

Luke Shaw excelled on his return against Chelsea and was arguably United's best player, showing little sign of ring rust during a combative, lung-busting display along the left flank. His marauding runs past Branislav Ivanovic created several chances - most notably when Wayne Rooney shot wide early on - and the 19-year-old now hopes to retain his place at Goodison Park.

"It was his best performance in a United shirt," claims former Reds full-back Phil Neville. "You saw a glimpse on Saturday of what Luke Shaw is about with the way he went forward, got to the by-line and overlapped with pace and power. He could be the left-back for the next 10 or 15 years."

Shaw's competition comes from Daley Blind, if the Dutchman is available after missing the Chelsea trip due to injury. Van Gaal's compatriot has impressed at left-back in recent weeks, providing a steady and dependable outlet, and he can also be deployed as a defensive midfielder if, for example, Michael Carrick isn't fit again. There could be an update in Friday's press conference.

Paddy McNair also earned praise for his display at Stamford Bridge, where he started in place of Phil Jones, another player who was declared unable to play after the Manchester derby. Jonny Evans could provide another option, having served his six-match suspension and registered 90 minutes for the Under-21s at Leicester City on Monday, but Rafael and Adnan Januzaj are both doubts after exiting that match with injuries.

Looking at the forwards, Wayne Rooney played in midfield last time out but could return to his regular role up front if Blind or Carrick are deemed fit by the manager. Radamel Falcao will be determined to retain his starting berth, however, while Robin van Persie will also hope to feature in some capacity after his cameo appearance for the Under-21s.

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