Jan 08
A Return to Daily Updates
Hello everyone. There has been a lack of the usual daily roundups here so let’s get on with it.
But before moving on though, a little clarification on the rumours doing the rounds on this site. I am not married, nor have I ever been married in my lifetime. I also don’t intend on getting married anytime soon. Sorry to disappoint. Of course, thanks to Ahmed — our own resident rumour monger — people have actually begun believing things. Don’t fret, I will get back at Ahmed soon enough. 
He would have to be afraid. Very afraid! I do thank the good wishes though. The intent is appreciated.
And one more thing: The reason for the slackness witnessed in this site’s posting frequency is also due to the fact that I have been on vacation for a month. It is a long vacation indeed; since mid-December and it will go on till mid-January. And during this vacation there are short jaunts between places that would make it impossible to update the site. Hence the irregularity. Inconveniences are regretted, deeply. Although, I guess, Scott’s blog, during this period has gone on overdrive, with some really good articles, so your daily dose of United news and opinion is never lost. I would hope.
Anyway, back to United related stuff.
Lot has happened in the days I was away so let’s see where we can pick things up.
Yes, EVDS has become fit and also started the Villa game. He also extended his contract by another year and seems happy with life at OT.
The FA Cup game was played against Villa and won. The match report was posted by Ahmed as I was away. I did catch the highlights and from reports I heard it wasn’t exactly outstanding from our lads. Nonetheless, we continue to beat the Villans, while the ‘Dippers and the Blues continue to get easy draws. We get our second premiership draw in the competition, where we play either Reading or Spurs.
On our loanees, Darron Gibson and Frazier Campbell have extended their loan deals at Wolves and Hull City respectively till the end of the season. Campbell has scored 6 goals in 13 starts. Jonny Evans has made a move to Roy Keane’s Sunderland till the end of the season. His performances, from now on, will be of particular interest to us.
Manucho has recently scored for Angola in their warm-up game, leading to the African Cup of Nations. They will however face a big test on Thursday when they play Egypt at Lisbon. He will be of interest to all United fans as we’ve now got a reason to look forward to the ACN.
Meanwhile, the Glazers are on the lookout for which market they would seek to exploit next after having reported a staggering 245 million pound revenue for last year. Apparently the race is not just for the title of the better footballing club, it is also for the bigger money making machine. There is no arguing how money hungry the Glazers can be, but after borrowing a fortune to buy the club, they would certainly have to do something to make their ‘business plan’ work. So there you have it. Asia and America will be their obvious targets.
The Manchester Evening News reports that the Glazers will be prepared to give SAF 30 million pounds in order to prise Berbatov from Tottenham. Personally I don’t quite believe it. For one, it’s January and it usually isn’t the time for such transfer activity. Two, he’s already 27 and that money is ridiculous, if you ask me, and it would certainly unbalance our strike force. We don’t have to buy Berbatov just because Chelsea might sign him. And I don’t think Tottenham would sell him in January.
When they do sell Berbatov, which will be in the summer, United wouldn’t buy him for that sort of fee.
And lastly, Ronaldo was voted the player of the month (December) in Manutd.com’s poll. I don’t disagree with that. Do you?
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Tags: Daily Roundup
January 8th, 2008 at 11:14
Well since he scored 7 goals in 6 matches it’s hard to disagree… he was phenomenal in December.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:49
I’d sooner have Benzema though. Kid’s top scorer in the French league and scored a hattrick in his last game. If he performs well against us in the CL, he’ll be at OT in the summer, mark my words.
January 8th, 2008 at 12:00
first things first… this is january but does that mean we shouldn’t strengthen our squad?? as far as i can see we are short on two sides … saha aint clicking and good old gazza is taking his own sweet time… in my opinion the Gaffer must get the strike force right… we have appeared wanting when rooney is not there and that is truly disappointing for a club of our size… there are four names i suggest , Karim Benzema aka the next Cantona as some say or Klaas Jan Huntelaar… and Lahm or Hutton… Given the profit situ we should get them asssoon as possible.. On Ronaldo …that boy is Phenomenal… and Tevez and Anderson too have been a delight… wish anderson gets his first soon… Hope something happens…. till then tc…
January 8th, 2008 at 12:03
Berbatov would likely unsettle our dressing room, which seems superb even with the size of Ronaldo’s ego in it… I personally think our strike force is enough. And i still rate Saha. He has been shit this year but atleast he doesn’t complain about being a first choice striker. Go United!
January 8th, 2008 at 12:28
I think one player we should get is benzema he’ll cost a lot but he’s young he’s been in good form and him coming would mean we wouldn’t have to get anyone new til saha goes!!
January 8th, 2008 at 12:31
I see Defoe is able to leave Tottenham…could be an intersting 3rd or 4th choice striker to have. Thoughts?
January 8th, 2008 at 13:28
Rumour:Apparently united have a 20 million bid rejected.
Source:Controcampo
January 8th, 2008 at 13:33
Nice article on footballer’s mentality:
http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2008/01/who-are-you-tal.html
January 8th, 2008 at 15:34
I saw that too, Julio. Honestly hope it happens, the kid is everything we need in a striker.
January 8th, 2008 at 21:43
United should bid for Defoe. It think Berbatov is much better, but Spurs have put a too high transfer price on him. Would hate to see him play for Chelsea or City though. Dont know how much Defoe would cost, but since told to leave, maybe not to much. My favorite for United to buy is, and always will be, David Villa. Amazing striker that can score in every way. Either it is a tap in or a goal from the half-way line, he does it look so great. Can take set pieces, experienced, great header, exellent finishing, fast, plays with passion, not too selfish and great control. Would be the best striker United could buy. I know he is too expensive, but I am just tellin you which player that would fit in perfectly in this United team.
January 8th, 2008 at 22:03
Agreed RedDevil David Villa would add that extra dimension to our team, although you’re also right in saying that he is too expensive, I’d put him in the same price range as Berbatov. I used to like Defoe, and I do think he would score goals for us, but I doubt he’s move from one club to another just to sit on the bench, since he’s said he is getting sick of being 3rd or 4th choice. A 20 million bid rejected for who?
January 8th, 2008 at 22:13
Karim Benzema, the Lyon striker.
January 8th, 2008 at 23:18
REJECTED?!?!? DAMMIT
That said he would be cup tied which would be a pain in the ass.
January 8th, 2008 at 23:33
That’s pretty hard to belive since as Nukeleus said he’s cup tied, so I doubt we would bid that much on him. He’s good but not worth 20 million yet!
January 8th, 2008 at 23:40
I would prefer Benzema over Villa and Defoe. Younger and has a better aerial presence. But I would say he is only 15 million max. I also like Huntelaar, but rumors connecting him and United have been dead since summer..
January 8th, 2008 at 23:47
I noticed that too about the lack of huntelaar rumours as well Kurt, but there have been wuite a few players we have signed out of the blue, like Larsson last year and a few others. But you don’t really think Benzema is better than Villa? the only reason I’d be cautious about buying Villa is because of the way some spanish players fail to adapt to the premiership well, whereas French adapt to the premiership better.
January 9th, 2008 at 0:30
I think Villa would adapt to the Prem quickly. He is strong and kind of way like Torres, then i mean tecnique, up front. Can be used as target man, behind striker or (best position) main striker. Kurt- I agree on your comment about Benzema and Villa, except that Villa is one of the best headers in spain! He is better than Berbatov and Benzema in the air, finishing skills and with positioning himself right. If I had to pick one striker (except from Ruud) that I would want to have 1 on 1 with the keeper every time, I would pick Villa.
January 9th, 2008 at 0:43
Sorry, I was unaware about Villa being a great header of the ball. I don’t follow La Liga really, so I did some research and I didn’t think he would be a terrific header at 5′9”. I shouldn’t have just made the assumption, I guess height doesn’t really matter. In that case, I would definitely take Villa over Benzema even with the age difference. I definitely agree he has great finishing skills. I’m not a big fan of Berbs and I doubt Villa would cost more then 30 million hehe.
Conor, I hope that we do sign the Hunter out of the blue! I’m a big fan of his and would love to see him at OT!
January 9th, 2008 at 8:17
Huntlear reminds me too much of ruud in some ways,my fear is going
back to the dark old days when we rely on one paper as when now we
rely on rooney,ronaldo and very soon tevez for all our goals.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:01
I think Viulla is a great player, but then with United already having Tevez and Rooney + SAF also willing to play up 1 up top with 1 floating Midfeilder, i think its better to have some youngster who is a good future prospect. Benzema: great, Huntelaar:Great, Santa Cruz anyone?? They would willingly be on the bench as well. In all this, where does it leave Saha??