22/09/05
Miller determined to make his mark at United
By Simon Stone
http://www.irishexaminer.com/pport/w...q-nXlDAyFE.asp
FORGOTTEN man Liam Miller is itching for the chance to prove he is capable of making his Manchester United breakthrough.
The Irish international moved from Celtic with high hopes last summer but has failed to make a major impact at Old Trafford.
So far he has made just three Premiership starts and his only appearance this season was as a substitute in the Champions League qualifying triumph over Debrecen in Budapest last month.
There have been suggestions Miller might be allowed to leave during the January transfer window, with struggling Sunderland among those believed to be interested in the 24-year-old midfielder.
However, Miller is still intent on carving out a career for himself at United, and with captain Roy Keane now absent for two months with a broken foot, opportunities may be about to present themselves, particularly when the Red Devils begin their Carling Cup campaign next month.
The Cork-born star proved he is hitting form with a well-taken double on reserve team duty against Stockport on Monday and when his first-team chance does come, he is determined to seize it.
“There will be so many games this year, hopefully I will get an opportunity and then I have to take it,” Miller said.
Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney will not be seen in Champions League action until November after the Manchester United striker decided to accept his surprise two-match ban.
The England international was expecting to serve a one-game suspension after being red-carded in last week’s draw with Villarreal for sarcastically clapping referee Kim Milton Nielsen right under the Danish official’s nose. But Rooney learned on Tuesday that UEFA had doubled the punishment in response to four-letter tirade before he left the pitch.
Although no fan of Nielsen, Alex Ferguson had already admitted Rooney left the referee with little option. It means Rooney will miss the Old Trafford dates with Benfica on September 27 and Lille three weeks later and will not return to European combat until the return encounter with the French side on November 2.
