United signed Valencia, but their intent to go blitzkrieg on the transfer market suffered a blow when Benzema opted to go to Real Madrid. Reports say they were willing to pay £6m more than us. This can mean either of two things: one, we were trying to play hardball with them while staying firm in our [new found] commitment towards not getting fleeced. Two, we didn’t really expect Madrid to act so quickly so as to have gazumped us to this bid.

If it was the second it’s a shame. If it was the former, I’m not sure how to react to it; I am torn between lauding them for not paying £32m for a largely unproven, albeit talented, 21 year old and expressing bafflement over their refusal to budge on £6m when we have £90m lying around. [Correct me if I'm wrong, but Fraizer Campbell's this close towards completing a £6m move to Hull.]

Continue reading “Time to move on after Benzema snub”

Welcome. Today we tell you the story of a player who not too long ago wore the famous red shirt of our club. We must warn you that the story is grim, in a Dickensian sort of way; for a start the protagonist is allegedly a dick who alleges that others may also be dicks — hence the Dickensian theme.

This is a story of a man, sorry boy (manchild?), who wishes to remain anonymous; let us call him Charles.

Continue reading “Exclusive: The sorry life of a former United player”

The Mirror carries the story today according to which, Antonio Valencia flew in last night for a medical to sign for United. It’s only the Mirror that’s running the story, sans quotes, but considering the Ronaldo transfer was confirmed at the end of last week, it was only a matter of time this happened.

The sum quoted is £16m which is what I have a problem with. Personally, any sum over £12-14m is too much for a winger who’s been consistent, but not outstanding. True, he’s an out and out winger and does give us some width.

Continue reading “United to overpay for Valencia this week?”

Chris Toy (Studs Up) recently interviewed David Prosperi, Vice President (Global Public Relations) at Aon. It’s an interesting read and it’s nice to see how Manchester United is viewed from outside football i.e. once you take away football partisanship.

For those of us who have supported the club from before 99 or even before the Premier League started (I got in at ‘94), it’s quite amazing to see United completely dominate English football for the best part of two decades and as a result become the most popular and most valuable sports team in the world.

It’s good to focus on the here and now and we’ve seen with Liverpool how ‘past glories’ get you nowhere, but once in a while it’s good to step back and get some perspective on what United, and to a great extent, what the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and (Sir) Ryan Giggs have achieved.

In any case, here’s the interview with David Prosperi (Aon).

Manchester United’s 09-10 home kit (the last one to bear the AIG logo) is now available for pre-order.

From initial images it seems to be a plain red top with the white shorts bearing a red stripe down the sides. The white V-neck collar that some leaked images showed earlier this summer is missing, but there does seem to be a ‘V’ across the shirt, either in a darker shade of red or in white (with the color blacked out for the promotional images).

The kit will be revealed on 1st July and launched on 16th July.

Continue reading “Pre-Order the new Manchester United home kit”

This will be a short one, and I can’t help but point out the overwhelming twisting of quotes to fit headlines.

First of all there is a quote from Bernard Lacombe, the advisor to Lyon’s president, who talked about clubs being flush with cash. And that it would be difficult to resist a big bid if it came: “If United want to buy Karim then what can you do?”

Continue reading “Benzema, Benzema and more Benzema. But it’s only talk.”

“Manchester United is my home. Even when I say my heart is here people still make things up. But this is where I want to play.” - May 24, 2009

Question asked yesterday: “When did you know you would be going to Real Madrid?”

“After we won the European Cup I thought there is no more I can achieve here. And when you have done all you can, you know it is time for a new challenge.

The News of the world article says it all really.

Note: Comments closed on this one. Enough discussed about Ronaldo already. For any discussions, please head to the previous post.

So it has come to pass. Manchester United have announced that Carlos Tevez has decided to reject United’s offer to make his loan move permanent. Here’s the statement:

Continue reading “Breaking down the United-Tevez-Kia tug of war”

Jean Michael Aulas, Lyon’s chairman, who’s allegedly charismatic according to reports has revealed that whilst Karim Benzema will most likely stay with Lyon for another year, if he decides to depart, it would be for Madrid.

Don’t trust me? Well, here’s the quote:

“No-one is intransferable, but knowing Karim, if he did leave, it would be to Real Madrid. For the moment, we are not talking about transferring Karim.”

Continue reading “Benzema ‘Prefers’ Madrid but United better sporting brand than Madrid”

The 2009/2010 Barclays Premier League fixtures were announced at 10am today, with Manchester United playing their first game against newly promoted Birmingham at Old Trafford.

An away trip to Burnley follows before an expected cracker of a game at Old Trafford on 29 August against Arsenal, followed by the international break and then a trip to White Hart Lane to play Tottenham Hotspurs.

A look at United’s fixtures against the top four sides:

Continue reading “Manchester United start title defence with Birmingham, Burnley, Arsenal and Tottenham”