Aug 19
All Quiet on the Berba Front and Nothing Else…
Yes. It’s gone all quiet. There is deafening silence. For all of Dimitar Berbatov’s reported pleading to be allowed to follow his dreams, there is really nothing happening at all. Instead the papers have decided to lazily speculate that we’re interested in the likes of Huntelaar, although there has been little, by way of credible evidence, to suggest such an interest recently.
Whilst it would be tempting for someone to pursue alternative targets, there is very little world class talent available to us to fill that void of a target man who can stay fit for a certain period of time. So while we continue to do, what seems like, a rather accurate version of Waiting for Godot — with regard to our striker situation — let’s cover some other nuggets of Manchester United news.
Owen Hargreaves says he’ll be 100% fit when he returns. Apparently he was only 60% for most of the games he played in last season. If he devoured Man City at Eastlands, and Roma at home by playing at 60%, then at 100%, he’ll be a monster. Let’s hope it all falls into place for him.
There are reports of a new 10m deal with a Saudi Teleom giant. But other than that, this has been a rather boring day of nothingness.
So I will leave you all to dwell on the beauty that is the nothingness.
Cheerio!
Related items from Red Rants:- Today’s Tosh: Rossi to Parma | Berbatov
- Fergie’s Wind Up Act, Levy and Not Much Else
- United are on the ‘Brink of a Signing’
- Man Utd v Bolton: Preview
- Transfer Rumours: Bardsley to Everton/Ibrahimovic
Tags: Site News
August 19th, 2008 at 10:18
We all just have to accept that this is one of the worst summers in a long while. No Euro’s for England, the entire long drawn out Ronaldo saga, and now one of the most boring long winded transfer saga, well since our last long winded transfer saga on record.
We either try to broker a deal with Spurs, which I have heard we have only made one bid of £20.5m, or we don’t. We do need a striker and with no disrespect to Campbell, Manucho, Wellbeck ect, we need a top draw forward it is obvious. We have two choices negotiate with Spurs or move on to another target, Huntelaar or Santa Cruz, but get on with it. We have a week before the next game and it would be good to give a player as much time as posible to settle in. If we don’t get anyone in and with our injury list, I am not looking forward to our journey down to the South coast one bit!
August 19th, 2008 at 10:25
Yep, Stephen. That’s about the size of it.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:28
The only striker we should be signing is Falcao,at 22,Deadly with both feet and head!With lightning pace to boot!!We should be signing him,not overated Berba,who’s a medium sized fish in a small pond!!
August 19th, 2008 at 10:54
Links for Argentina v Brazil:
http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=16876&part=sports
August 19th, 2008 at 10:56
I agree with Ferguson. We do not need anybdy else.
Our failure to win Sunday was not because of the lack of goalscoring prowess provided by Rooney and Campbell. It was because of our midfield’s inability to create enought chances for the two. As a result, Rooney had to drop too far back and now everyone thinks he has a shit game.
A striker will not solve our problems. Carrick will; Agrentina beating Brazil today will and some more injections will.
To be fair on Campbell, he did have the team’s most promising goal scoring chances (apart from the goal itself). I think we (and Fergie) should give him time to develop in the team (a month or two, not more) and then make a judgement on his contribution.
As for the shit summer. Cheer up! At least we had some trophies to look at and we all got excited when Ronaldo said he was staying, when the da Silva twins showed up and when we saw Possebon for the first time (if he was French, he should be called Passe-bonne… anyway).
August 19th, 2008 at 10:58
@magno: you can actually watch the game wherever you are from in high quality. Just go to the site of the TV station that has the rights to the Olympics in your country. They should be broadcasting it online.
BTW Grognard, CBC.com/olympics is showing it in Canada (thought I’d share).
August 19th, 2008 at 11:06
@Andrei: I admire your optimism matey, but don’t share it I am afraid. We do need another striker and Fergie is only saying we don’t for the benefit of Spurs and the process of getting Berbatov.
I agree, I love the twins and Possebon and think long term they will be great for us but still resent Ronaldo though! for his summer antics, and I do agree that our midfield lacked creativity, but if you really think we don’t need a top striker then sorry I don’t agree, to me it is so blindingly obvious its untrue, but will try to keep the faith.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:20
@Andrei:
They don’t show any of the football matches from the Olympics where I live
August 19th, 2008 at 11:40
I like Hargo, his performances were quality last year, but I still feel he needs to do some walking and less talking. He is missing at a very crucial time, and babbling on about how he’s going to be great this year - all very good mate, but you barely played last year, aren’t available today so with all due respect, less interviews and more physio please
Berba is off with Bulgaria so we won’t have any traction on that til he gets back. I doubt very much we’ll get him before Pompey away. Bigger concern is Rooney coming through tomorrow night’s friendly unscathed. If we lose him, we’re in trouble.
At present formation for Portsmouth will presumably be:
———–vds————
-wes—rio——vidic—evra-
–Fletcher–Scholes-O’Shea—
—Rooney——-Tevez—–
——–Campbell———
August 19th, 2008 at 11:44
@Beachryan: Thats a comforting first eleven
August 19th, 2008 at 11:50
I think we should get Arshavin… and leave spurs with unhappy berba to ruin their season…
I guess we can get Arshvain in 20m…
August 19th, 2008 at 11:54
well mates, i think berba’s move to trafford will have to come to a screeeeching halt. nothings going on, i mean, if fergie wants to land this lad, he shouldv already gave totenham atleast 28 mil… for campbell, well let’s give the lad a chance and if he fails to impress, ship him off to hull during the january market.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:57
I hvae no idea why everyone’s banging on about Arshavin. I thought Pavlichenko was much better. That said I wouldn’t buy either of them.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:58
the problem is with fat wayne.yes i said it.somebody had to say it.he has failed to progress and he is a red card waiting to happen.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:59
@John Freakin O’shea: The only worry in giving Campbell a chance is if he is not good enough and we are in October we have no option of bringing in a new international striker. We need to bring one in soon, and then matbe bring the likes of Campbell on if we are winning with 15 mins to go, it does not pet too much reponsbility on a young player and it gives them a chance to blend in to see what his potential could be. Imagaine if he is not scoring and missing chances, the crowd would start to moan and groan and that could destroy him as many have at OT.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:04
@donibrasco: If by “problem” and “red card waiting to happen” you mean that he was the only player who looked like he wanted to win the game on Sunday, then yes I agree with you.
It doesn’t seem like you possess the football mind to analyse what actually happened on Sunday, so you come out with scouserish comments like “fat Wayne” and blame it all on him. Do yourself a favour and have a think before posting such tripe.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:05
If I’m not wrong i think Pavlichenko has said he would like to play for Chelsea or Arsenal only. He is not that bad either.
Just to tease Levy u know… 
I think Arshavin / Pavlichenko are both, for sure, better than nothing… And I would want us to get Arshavin because spurs are trying to get him…
August 19th, 2008 at 12:08
@benjd: In his defense Rooney does look like a red card waiting to happen and his swipe a at Guttirez as plain stupid, but calling him Fat Wayne was not on at all!
August 19th, 2008 at 12:11
@Stephen: True I do hide behind my hands at times when he’s running around like a bull, but I just try to call it “Passion”
August 19th, 2008 at 12:40
@Everyone! (Hehehe)
Am I the only person on this forum who believes the following:
Dimitar Berbatov will not fit in to the Manchester United system
Dimitar Berbatov is 27 years old and he is no way worth £30 million
A similar player to Thierry Henry or Nicolas Anelka is required at Old Trafford.
Now I know that last comment will open up a can of worms but it is true!
August 19th, 2008 at 12:51
@AlphaRS: Berbatov will easily fit into our system, he can drop and pick the ball up as well as ply as more of a target, personally I belief he would fit into any system. He is certainly not worth £30m, but we are United and pay over the top for players.
Anelka and Henry are not simalar players? Henry likes to spin out wide and dribble the ball inside, and Anelka simply plays on the shoulder of the last defender, do you mean with regards to their pace?, then maybe but we already have Ronaldo, Tevez, Campbell and Rooney is no slouch.
August 19th, 2008 at 13:10
. New England captain is John Terry…
August 19th, 2008 at 13:29
Terry? Well so long as he is not named England’s penalty taker I could care less. Hopefully this means that Rio can be pulled from the occasional friendly.
Hargreaves is beginning to sound very much like Saha. I love the guy and if he really has been playing at 60% then if he does get back to 100% then he’d be the first name on my teamsheet. But what makes him so sure he can get rid of this tendonitis which is known to be a chronic problem which can flare up at any time? And how did the medical staff not spot this when we signed him?
August 19th, 2008 at 13:32
IMO this whole doom and gloom thing that is been protrayed by the media(and indeed some utd fans) about the team being in trouble already is a load of cock! Yes we mite need another proven striker but the fact of the matter is on sunday last we lacked cover both in midfield and up front because of injuries not because we dont have the talent or the money to buy talent. Look at the game carefully. Campell up front with rooney was askin a bit to much of the young lad on the first day of the league. Carraick got injured and was replaced by John O’Shea who totally lost Martins for his goal and to top it all of Shay Given made two or three top class saves which if the shots had of gone in whould have changed the whole game in our favour. Listen we all know the lads have always been slow starters at the start of the season and imo we have no need in the wide world to start pushing th panic botton yet
August 19th, 2008 at 13:37
he’s a fucking thug terry is, capello just dropped out my good books
August 19th, 2008 at 13:39
RR says, “this has been a rather boring day of nothingness”, what just like our football games of late you mean - nothingness is a good word for it. And nothingness is a good word for our transfer activity. Fergie says in regards to this, talking to Key 103, “I have confidence in my squad, last seasons squad is good enough.” Yea Fergie, if last seasons squad was available, but sadly they are not. And by the time they are, we MAY likely as not be out of the running. O well not so happy days eh?.
August 19th, 2008 at 13:45
England’s Brave John Terry? What an absolute crock of shit. Ferdinand has consistently triumphed where EBJT has failed. All Capello needs to do now to convince me England will never progress is pick Gerrard and Lampard in midfield. Twunt.
August 19th, 2008 at 13:45
DRed, “the lads are always slow starters at the beginning of the season” has to change mate. Why are they slow to get off the mark. We were lucky last season, Arsenal got injuries and Chelsea at important times. Even then they almost caught us in the league!. Maybe some of us are just more honest than doom and gloomy mate.
August 19th, 2008 at 13:45
12 days of transfer window openness…. lets get a wriggle on.
i know theirs the now infamous.. you can’t win anything with kids.. so i do want to have faith in the youngesters we have, especially after a few more games they should get used to the premiership… but with this mass of away games we’ve been scheduled(totally unfair btw) we need someone that is experienced. surely bringing in berbatov can only be a good thing.. i
thinkknow that it’s mearly a question of how much mular spurs want, but it will go right to the wire… it’s gonna be all quiet at the moment cos of stupid nation to nation friendlies… i mean.. we’ve just had how many weeks of no football… suddenly the premierleague starts and whats that fifa? friendlies? pointless time wasting insignificant friendlies? …. also what a bollocks decision that ferdinand didn’t get captain, i’ve gone right of the english national team.. and this means i’ll care even less with that penalty fluffing thug of a chelski scum leading out the team.August 19th, 2008 at 13:50
if capello starts lampaard and gerrard in midfield tomorrow, i will say that FA made the wrong choice in picking capello.
August 19th, 2008 at 13:51
@Stephen:
I just think Berbatov is a lazy git! I would prefer Henry and Anelka because of their pace but also I think they are better finishers.
I would only pay £30 million for Karim Benzema at a push. I believe he has 5 years on Berbatov.
I also must say that Rooney has failed to live up to his potential. Pele said it all when made his comments regarding Rooney. He has got so much potential but just needs to channel it in the right way. Don’t get me wrong that guy is a work horse and he is me favourite United player but he is just missing something.
I don’t think United are in a crises but as I mentioned yesterday I think with all the injuries and suspensions and what not we could be nearly out of the title race if we draw the next game and lose the next 2 after that.
The papers are making so much out of this apparent capitulation but it’s just London based papers supporting London based clubs. Media Terrorism I believe!
Even Skysports were more interested showing John Terry crying like a girl rather than United celebrating winning the ECL. It was ridiculous!
August 19th, 2008 at 13:57
anderson starting for brazil.
August 19th, 2008 at 14:02
@benjd: Arshavin’s in a different league from pavlyuchenko. Much better. There are similarities to berbatov, though arshavin is more pacy and explosive. He is a classy player, and is a natural second choice if fergie belives berbatov is the best option for united.
@donibrasco: It doesn’t matter if he hasn’t progressed or if he doesn’t progress at all from here on, he’ll still be one of our most important players and will always be a first team regular. You’ll just have to deal with it.
@AlphaRS: Berbatov will be brilliant, and henry is closer to berbatov than anelka. Henry reminds me of berba with his element of class.
August 19th, 2008 at 14:08
@RedRanter: woah… flashbacks to A level english lit studying that nonsense of Waiting For Godot! Good analogy though! and like others have said I like to see Hargo play at 100% and be fit and do less of the chat. its a dangerous line to be walking so early in season.
@Andrei: I aggree and dissagree. I think we def do need a striker, and badly. But I do think that our draw on sunday was not down to that fact and as you pointed out it was cos of the lack of midfield production. Rooney droppped back cos he had too and cos he is prepared to do anything to help us win. I wish, and im sure he does to, that he didnt have to do that at all.
@AndyCR7: I think that arseshaving is worth about 10mil and he would be lucky to get on for us. not good enough.
@John Freakin O’shea: I agree bout Campbell, lets give him a chance and if it doesnt work out then he can go to hull.
@donibrasco: he is not fat. and i agree with benjd, yes he might pick up a yellow card or two, but id rather see that determination to win than watch people step past our midfield with relative ease!
And as for terry, well im not english so i dont give a rats ass who is captain, but I detest JT. If it means Rio can get out of a few needless friendlies then thats good news I spose.
August 19th, 2008 at 14:19
It makes sense when you think about it to pick EBJT to captain England. Rio is used to lifting trophies, while that cockney prick just cries and fails. Perfect to lead England.
August 19th, 2008 at 14:30
@Traverse: so true, so true.
August 19th, 2008 at 14:31
every should watch this match, the skill involved is breath-taking, i love it.
August 19th, 2008 at 14:35
While Arshavin would have made sense if Ronaldo left, he is still here and he isn’t what United need. We wanted to bring in someone who can get up for the head ball, hold up the ball when we need to play direct football, and a target man for Rooney and Tevez to run off of is what we need. While it might be silly optimism I really hope (no matter how small the hope is) Saha can stay free from injury :???:. If he does this he will score, as he has done even at 80-90%. Even with his injury riddled career he has managed to score. He is exactly the kind of player we need, someone who can stretch the defense, hold up the ball, and be a target man in the middle. While I realize how obtimisitic I am beind, I think at this point we are bout to spend a huge amount of money for a player who can only help in the long run, and we need someone to help now. Which United can’t get in the transfer market.
Manucho might be able to do the same things, and I would rather give them both the chance to sign. No one we bring in now will help United now. United needed help before Sunday, not in 3 weeks when Nani, Anderson, Tevez, Carrick, Hargreaves, and possible Saha are fit. We needed help before, and since we failed to bring someone in, it doesn’t make sense to just throw money at the problem.
Arshavin is quality but I don’t want to pay that much for someone who has been in one league his whole life and now, @ 28 (or 27), wants to go abroad. Seems silly to pay that large sum of money for anyone over 27. Berba is more of what we need at United and I disagree he will “mess up” our season. He is the qualities we lack going forward, but I am apprehensive due to the ridiculous fee.
@ Benjd - while I agree that Rooney can not be blamed on his own for the loss, he did have a horrible game. (Don’t get me wrong every United player should be disappointed except maybe Giggs until he was injured.) He does look like a red card waiting to happen and I was surprised he wasn’t booked earlier. Rooney has been arguing and losing his mind all pre-season (to the point Pele realized) and has now continued it into the season. I hope once the quality around him returns and he isn’t left with everything on his shoulders he might calm down, but his “passion” is costing him more than its helping him at this point. He is to important of a player for us to be flying off the handle because the ref got in the way, or a throw in didn’t go our way. Just shut up and play, it really bother me because it is such a waste of focus and his form as of late has not been impressive. Besides flashes of brilliance he has struggled this pre-season (granted he got sick) and Fergie must calm him down as he did 2 years ago.
August 19th, 2008 at 14:48
More than likely, we wont be gettin Berbatov. It seems like the situation has deteriorated back to square one. Plus Berbatov hasn’t even put in a transfer request. I don’t know how common dealings like this are, but I think SAF needs to look in a different direction for a striker.
August 19th, 2008 at 15:25
whatever happened to ferguson going after aguero? 2 goals in this game today..
August 19th, 2008 at 15:52
My Dear Disenchanted MUFC peeps,
All is not lost at (y)our club if we get not a striker, it does however, terribly pain me to see Capello has installed Terry as fixed captain? Bloody Phool.. I refuse to follow England, as a result of this Italiain buffoon’s stupid decision. Cunt. Cunt. Cunt.
On the striker situation, just analyse the credentials of Manucho, being in Campbell and we#ve got a season in which Tev and Roo get maximum quality of minutes, simultaneously it will permit Manucho and Campbell to get some playing time as impact substitutes.
6ft3, quick as hell, strong as an ox, and can put the ball in the net. Do we need Berbatov (permitting Manucho is a hit of course)? Me thinks not..
August 19th, 2008 at 16:08
@Alpha_RS(MCRx3): If you prefer the has been poser or the choker twat Anelka over the class of Berbatov, then I am not sure about your footballing knowledge mate!
Benzema is class but not intersted at the moment and to sat Rooney has not lived up to his potential, well mate he is fucking 22, not 32 give him a chance toplay in his best position, not wide left or right, through the middle as a number 10 off a main striker, then we will get the best out of him.
August 19th, 2008 at 16:25
Didn’t Ferguson say something will be happening in 48hours. When did he say that. Where’s the action?
August 19th, 2008 at 16:27
@TinManUnited: He said it would be a surprise, and that was Campbell starting, I think.
Brazil got hammered by Argentina 3-0, for those who didnt watch the game, it was great.
August 19th, 2008 at 16:41
@ Bouncerboy - Amen! I agree that this idea of bringing in a new striker won’t help. Not now at least, maybe if they had more time to gel with the team, but we tied against Newcastle because we had little to no choices on the bench. We also got hit hard in midfield with the Carrick injury. I also think Manucho could be a great EPL striker and is exactly what we need. I also am not giving up (maybe to my own peril) on Saha.
I hope Hargreaves has a good year. I have always been impressed and I hope he can bounce back. Where are those Fergie surprises we where promised? Makes you wonder what they could possible be and if its not Berba, what is it?
I hope Anderson can have a better performance when he returns for United, he was sup-par today against Argentina, but the entire team was sup-par.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:07
@Kevin: Manucho, Campbell are not the answers, we need Berbatov, and why would he need time to gel? he is a world class striker with premiership experience and would take to United like a duck to water. Rooney and Tevez are great but link strikers or number 10’s, we need a classic number 9, who will win things in the air and the what is marvellous about the Bularian he can get scrappy goals and link play also, we need him simple!
August 19th, 2008 at 17:14
@Andrei: I see where you are coming from mate but it’s just more blind optimism I’m afraid. I’m going to be bold and just say it. FERGIE IS WRONG. There, I said it. Yes he is. One would have to be from Mars to not understand our need for a tall in the box striker. Yes our midfielders need to offer more but lets remember, Hargo, Ronaldo and Anderson who are all first team players are all away now. Scholes did make some attempts but clearly it was our lack of width and lack of presence in the box that hurt us.
Giggs offered som good balls into the box on Sunday. Fletcher scored on one and Campbell failed on two of them. Huntelaar or Berbatov would have scored in my opinion. And that’s the difference between one point and three and that will be the difference until Fergie and the team wake up to the reality. It’s not just about a striker needing proper service. They do, but the really great strikers are also goal poachers. They score off of rebounds, deflections, defensive mix ups etc. We presently have nobody on our roster that is capable of scoring a poachers goal. a garbage goal counts as much as a beauty but don’t make the mistake that it is just luck. It’s instinct and positioning that makes those goals. Ronaldo is actually the only one that even has that instinct on the team and Tevez to a small extent. Berbatov and Huntelaar have it in spades. Even with our deplete midfield either one could help us steal some games that our team play doesn’t deserve to win outright. If Fergie doesn’t get that, then I feel sorry for him. The problem is he does get it, he just seems handcuffed by Spurs and by his team’s own financial limitations it seems.
Enough with Berbatov already. If he’s not going to come because Spurs won’t budge, go out and get Huntelaar. And if Huntelaar is not your choice or never was, then go out and get Santa Cruz for all I care. I would consider him a waste of money but then again, right now beggars can’t be choosers. It’s clear as day we need a striker and we need him bad.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:24
@Beachryan: The lad is captain material mate. He talks because he feels a part of the team and because he loves the team. Don’t deny him that and don’t criticize him for giving a damn or contributing as best as he physically can right now. Unlike Saha, he’s involving himself even if it’s just in a psychological way. His personality and his leadership is evident and for me he is the best man for captain. Unfortunately for him he hasn’t got the tenure with the team that Rio and a few others possess.
Also, you make it sound like he isn’t doing everything in his power to get back. You are wrong, he is and he’s apparently recovering fully this time rather than the 60% recovery he had last year. You’re not bitching about the great performances he put in last year while at 60% and in a lot of pain. Where’s the gratitude and appreciation mate. From what I’ve read, they seem to have finally figured out the cause of his tendinitis and they feel confident that it will be a thing of the past. Too bad they can’t say that about Saha, but then Saha doesn’t have the same heart or courage as Hargo and lets face it, he never plays or risks himself if he’s only 60%. I’m obviously not a Saha supporter while being a major Hargreaves supporter so I may come across as sounding bias, but believe me, that is not my intention. My intention is to prove to you that you are overreacting towards one of our true lions and a player that wears the red with incredible pride and satisfaction. From you he deserves more respect than that what you are presently offering I’m afraid. Come on mate, be fair and reasonable.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:26
Just reading rumours that we’d sell Silly for 750k to sunderland? Talk about bargain for Keano! Established, double CL winning LB/CB for less than a mill? Mr. Gill, are you still sane?
Re: needing a striker - Grognard is 100% correct IMO. A poacher/striker on the last man type player is precisely what we need. If for no other reason than it forces the defense to be honest. It’s just ridiculous watching the number of times we get to a good crossing position and you look up at the box, and wham, no one in there in red. Tevez or Rooney are making their way, but not there yet. Further, it forces the defense back and doesn’t allow them to clutter the midfield, which gives more space to Scholes/Carrick/dropping off Roon or Tevez. It’s all clearly in Fergie’s head, just give him time
August 19th, 2008 at 17:29
what makes alan smith,joe barton..thugs makes fat wayne a superstar?you call it passion?if what he does is enough,dont complain about results.did he have a shot on goal?hoe was he supposed to score?
alot of fans find it easy to slate ronaldo,abuse fletcher,saha,silvestre etc but not the boy wonder.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:30
Fergie is only saying he is happy with the current squad to provide a smoke screen to Spurs, Blackburn, Ajax(I wish) so they start to feel uncomfortable about their valuation of their respective players, jeez.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:36
@donibrasco: Thats rubbish mate and you know it!
Alan smith is firstly not a thug, Rooney works his arse off for United plays when injured, has great ability and is loyal. Saha won’t play if he split a nail, Silvestre is a poor player and lacks consentration, Fletcher works hard but has no quality and Ronaldo well I think we all know about him.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:41
@benjd: I guess you would base that on a few games you watched in the EUROS huh? Perhaps if you watched more of the player with Russia and Zenit you may have a different opinion. Sorry but he is an incredible talent and he can play a striker role well but he is mostly exceptional as an attacking midfielder or winger. Incredibly versatile with great speed, vision and skill. I’d love to have him on United if we never had Ronaldo. I would prefer Pavlyuchenko if we are only looking for a striker but there are three or four above him that I still would prefer.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:44
@donibrasco: Be fair mate. The lad is coming off two terrible traumas in the off season. First he is still probably recovering from a terrible virus strain from a tropical climate which can kill people, and secondly the poor sod went and got himself married. That will kill him in time. So have some bloody sympathy and understanding for his poor play on Sunday. That’s a lot of baggage to carry around.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:46
@benjd: Come on mate, he may be wrong but he is entitled to say what he wants. He’s not insulting any of us. Players are fair game. Even if it upsets us a bit.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:50
@AndyCR7: Unfortunately United’s buying policy isn’t based on trying to screw over an opponent for revenge. If that was the case, I think Fergie’s venom would be better served towards Real Madrid by trying to sign Huntelaar, who is also more of a perfect fit for us. As long as we have Ronaldo and Nani, we really don’t need Arshavin. I was all for signing him up if Ronaldo was going to Spain. A she isn’t I could only see him playing Rooney’s role or Scholes role in a more advanced attacking position. And neither is going to happen.
August 19th, 2008 at 17:55
@colver: Because doctors have assured him because they feel they have finally found the cause of the problem. And apparently it will not require surgery. What it is I have no idea but even Fergie came out and talked about the encouraging news last week. Saha, I can only see curing himself by going to a new team and a new team of doctors and therapists. It’s clear a new plan or tactic is needed to see if his career can be saved because the present wait it out and see plan being used by United has not worked. He also has been very timid and scared to give the extra effort to test his knee out and it has shown.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:02
Lets be fair for a second. I hate John Terry as much as any of you but for my books, the captain of England should also be captain of his club team. Fergie should have taken the captaincy from away from the injured Neville who was gone a lifetime and handed permanently to Rio instead of giving it to Giggs who will also be gone soon. Had Rio been given that captaincy permanently, I think Capello would have had more to think of. Terry is a cunt but nobody can deny the player’s heart and commitment. We can question his sanity, class and ethics, but not his heart. And I think Capello was looking at his heart alone. Rio is fantastic but more reserved. That may also have led to his decision.. Anyway, I’m glad because it will mean fewer games to commit to for England. Captains have to be there always unless injured. Better for United in the long run.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:06
Brazil lost 3-0 to Argentina
so..we will have our Anderson against Portsmouth…
cheers!
August 19th, 2008 at 18:08
@dan(u-ol): And a lot of good it did them. I am overjoyed that Riquelme and Argentina brushed off that crap bunch of Dunga’s overrated. Argentina play the game with skill and class. Brazil under Dunga are a disgrace and play the game like Pompey. Good riddance to bad rubbish and welcome back Mr. Andersonson.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:11
@Traverse: Terry and England fit like a perfect glove. LOSERS with a capital L. They deserve each other.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:16
@Kevin: How many years of Saha being injured and basically useless must you have to finally forget him? That’s like all the people who stupidly wish a paraplegic will just miraculously lift himself up from his wheelchair and start to walk. It’ blind optimism and it;’s very highly unlikely. This player hasn’t missed one season due to injury. He has missed the better part of three. God I get so frustrated with naive optimism. All the power to you mate but Saha’s resurrection just ain’t happening. Not in this lifetime anyway.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:19
@Kevin: I said this last year. Rooney needs to be scolded by Fergie and benched a few games to make him realize that his antics are hurting the team. Only by taking something away from a brainless twit, can you hope to get the message across to him. He needs the scouse exorcised from his system me thinks.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:21
@TinManUnited: 102 hours ago is when Fergie said that. I think he lied.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:24
We won’t have Anderson as bronze medal game on Friday
August 19th, 2008 at 18:25
@Beachryan: And based on that analogy it further verifies my point that although Berbatov is great, Huntelaar is and has always been the perfect striker and fit for this team. I for the life of me can’t believe Fergie has not signed this guy from Ajax. Totally flabbergasted. Sorry for getting on my soap box again. I just can’t let the dream die until it is officially dead. Sorry about that folks.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:29
I watched Anderson today He was shite like the rest of the Brazilian players..
August 19th, 2008 at 18:33
@Grognard: i know, god, out of all the players in barcas youth system, that big clubs(including us) tapped us, how the hell did we(and others) let messi go by? imagine messi on the left for us, we would dominate the world.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:49
Berbatov is not coming. Lets all put it in our heads and let it sink. I have a strong feeling Saha is gonna bounce back. And honestly coming up with statements that he is less committed than say Hargreaves with no evidence is just plain rubbish. Just because he talks less dont mean we should question his heart. For all we know he is under strict orders not to play till he gets full fitness. And for crying out loud what is going on with Manucho’s permit? What a rubbish off-season we have had. Judas07,then the whole midfield is unavailable,the Berba Show and no news on Manucho. In fact no news on anything. Utter rubbish.
August 19th, 2008 at 18:53
@Jay wire: Saha is EXACTLY what we need. But unfortunately 51 weeks off a year is what he needs…..
August 19th, 2008 at 18:56
@maroon 14: Brazil seemed to be playing him really really deep. He barely went over the halfway line, and he was playing the midfield sweeper role. Shame they didn’t start with Pato, Dunga is a real clart.
August 19th, 2008 at 19:04
@Jay wire: No evidence. Are you serious?
Hargreave [played 30 games last year at 60%. Saha sat down as soon as a stiff breeze hit him. He’s a wimp and he lacks the guts one needs to play with pain. He has 1/10th the heart and desire to play as Hargreaves has. Give me a break! 
Sorry mate but you are way off on that one.
August 19th, 2008 at 19:19
@Jay wire: I agree with you mate on Saha. Whenever he has been fit he has been a very dangerous player for the opposing team. He loves United and gives his all when healthy. Anyone who states that they know exactly how much heart and desire Saha has is living in a land of make believe, especially if it has a negative tone…just pure ignorance from those who love the sound of their own thoughts being typed away on a blog.
August 19th, 2008 at 19:23
@Jay wire: Manucho has broken a metatarsal…
August 19th, 2008 at 19:40
@RedDevil: by now that has healed.
August 19th, 2008 at 19:41
sup guys, any links for the under21 matches?
August 19th, 2008 at 19:45
you never know… manucho might turn out to be an eto’o in disguise.
you know your desparate for a striker when you make outlandish remarks like that.
role on pompey, if a bunch of over the hill wannabe champions led by the man with the dodgest ‘tache in the world can thrash them 4 nill.. imagine what happens when a on song rooney and a 20% hargreaves come at them like spidermonkeys!
August 19th, 2008 at 20:41
@ Grognand - Your right mate Rooney does need some classic Fergie treatment to get the point across.
Your also right about me being optimistic about Saha. I don’t think his equal to the parapeligics attempting to recover. But I do think that Saha has had a good full summer of getting fit, he is working on a new program (which might help), and if he can stay free from injury we are golden. Once again, we need another striker, but now that its so close to the season I don’t see him instantly making a big impact. He would have solved this whole early season injury crises but with all the players returning in the next 2-3 weeks, except Ronaldo, why spend a ridiculous fee? If we can get him for 25 mil, I can accept it, but 30+, its hard for me to accept that.
August 19th, 2008 at 20:45
@jstar7: rooney is 2 pies away from being fat
August 19th, 2008 at 20:45
Just watched the match and here’s my first-ever player ratings:
Van der Sar (6) Not much to do in way of actual saves, but was pressured into an untimely punch when catching the ball may have been best. This lead to the corner that Martins capitalized on. Nothing he could do about the goal however.
Brown (6) No major mistakes but no major contributions either. Was booked and must raise his game to keep Neville out of the team. I’m betting Brown knows this.
Vidic (8) Once again the central defense was United’s best. Made an impressive tackle on Gutierrez in the box that was sublime and got forward as usual on a set piece to hit the bar. One of the few United players who made a threat on goal.
Ferdinand (8) Not much to do in terms of saving tackles but calm and composed as usual. The shouting match with Giggs symbolized United’s frustration on the day.
Evra (7) Bonus points here for getting forward and playing the last twenty minutes with some competence as a winger. Got a shot on goal and was steady at the back. Not his best though.
Fletcher (7) Was lax in marking Martins in the box (but why was he marking him anyway?) but made an impressive run to get the crucial goal. If United had won we all would have pointed to his goal as the turning point that ended Newcastle’s momentum.
Carrick (NR) Not on the pitch enough unfortunately. Looked tidy in midfield but did nothing of note in 25 minutes. Hopefully won’t be out too long.
Scholes (6) Was stuck playing too far back in almost a defensive midfield role in the diamond. Distributed the ball well as we would expect but never a threat to score. One shot was so wayward in hit Rooney and almost deflected in.
Giggs (7) Played in some menacing balls including the one that Fletcher ran on to. Was the creative force in midfield but appeared to tweak his hamstring in the second half.
Rooney (7) Wasn’t as awful as some would proclaim. The one player who had the creativity to create and it just didn’t come off today. Had good energy but the yellow cards could add up.
Campbell (7) Again actually one of United’s better players. Had the best two scoring chances of the match and had lots of energy. On another day would have scored. The key for young Frazier is to see the same effort and consistency day in and day out. Would like to see him in the team more.
SUBS
O’Shea (6) Did the job in central midfield and at left back. Not a world beating performance by any means but what did you expect? He will be a key player for United this season.
Possebon (6) Solid debut. Needs to work on getting forward but looked calm on the ball. Never a threat to score from midfield.
Rafael (NR) Came on too late to rate. Almost won a penalty though and actually had some verve going forward when he got the ball.
August 19th, 2008 at 20:58
@Grognard: I dont care the FUCK who the striker is! Berbatov, Huntelaar, Santi!
JUST Sign the Goddamn PLAYER Fergie!!!!
Sugar Rush!
Needed to get that out!
August 19th, 2008 at 21:59
@Red Diablo: I agree Red Diablo. And what the f*****g hell does capello think he is doing? we cant have our captain crying like a newborn baby when we get beat! I admire you Mr Capello, but that was a wrong move!
August 19th, 2008 at 22:11
@edi: Mate! Even though Terry is not even the foot of Ferdinand!
He is an immoral brat specially concerning referees!
But he only got the armband cause he was a club captain unlike Ferdinand!
But now I think that Ferdinand will be a demon possessed! He is a winner and a true determined professional! He will GET what he wants!
Lets bring out the true John (missed by this much) Terry by beating them!
FERGIE! SIGN that goddamn No.9!!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 22:48
@Red Diablo: wow i just had deja vu, reading red diablos comment, which brings me to a personal subject i would like talk about. Right short storey is, in my family, this happens alot(deja vu) just that we remember it, and couple of months ago( a few weeks before the pool home game to be more specific) my mother said she saw united beating liverpool 4-0, i want somebody to hold me to this, it will be interesting to see if this happens. please dont think me and my family are crazy lol, we’re really not, just that being Jamaican, my mother is a very spiritual person.
August 19th, 2008 at 22:52
@Kevin: Saha has had how long to get healthy and fit for this season? It’s been 5 months since he played and actually contributed and since then he has had more than enough time to get fir and ready for the season. Instead he is still out and didn’t even play a minute in pre season. We all should just give up on the fantasy. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, Saha is a forlorn hope. He’s hopeless. Forget about him, he’s yesterday’s news. United need to move forward and stop dreaming of a miracle when it comes to Balsa Boy.
And if 30 million doesn’t come out of my pocket I really don’t get to upset and concerned about it. I don’t bleed for the accounting problems of millionaires. Spend the few million more and get us a striker.
August 19th, 2008 at 22:53
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1047102/Gunners-shock-steal-Uniteds-Silvestre-noses-Sunderland.html
this couldnt be true, could it?
August 19th, 2008 at 22:55
@Grognard: those are my views exactly about him, and a certain other united striker.
Good night, im off to bed, see you in about 9 hours lol.
August 19th, 2008 at 22:55
@Red Diablo: I hear you mate, I hear you. Get a bloody striker already and end our frakken misery.
August 19th, 2008 at 22:59
@dan(u-ol): It’s total bollocks mate. The day Fergie sells a player to Arsenal is the day I will reassess my loyalties. It’s not going to happen. He would be better served to sell him to Keano and not have him come back and haunt us with the Gooners. Now way would that happen. It doesn’t matter if Silvestre and Wenger is interested, Fergie is not obligated to do it. Nor will he.
August 19th, 2008 at 23:00
@dan(u-ol): See Dan, we can agree once in while. Good night mate. Maybe there will be some good news to talk about when you wake up.
August 20th, 2008 at 0:06
@Grognard: Yup! Thats what I’m sayin!
@Grognard: I’m off to Bed too! And about the Good news when dan wakes up!! I’ve been saying that for a week now!
Well hopefully! Tommorow is the day!
August 20th, 2008 at 0:16
@Stephen: My thoughts exactly, Fergie has stated three times his desire to sign another striker, i doubt the Newcastle game suddenly changed his mind to now see less of a need for a striker, its just him putting on a brave face, he knows the team need a striker. I am however disappointed that it seems Fergie never had a second option and put all his time into Berbatov, foresight should have told him that after Levy’s comments and the sale of Keane to Liverpool, this transfer wasn’t gonna be an easy one. 12 more days, i hope something happens, Manucho getting a work permit would provide some hope.
@dan(u-ol): Doubt it, he didn’t sell Heinze to Liverpool, i doubt he’ll sell Silvestre to Arsenal instead, unless he’s trying to piss off Keane after his comments on Ronaldo and the title race. I don’t even see him selling Silvestre cus i think he still has a role to play, he’ll still make a decent back-up
August 20th, 2008 at 1:23
@RD unless he has that much faith in the Brazilians.
August 20th, 2008 at 1:50
Yeah there is no need to sell Silvestre. Besides I thought he was angling for a testimonial so would want to stay another year. I know people do not rate him but he gives us cover at left back and centre back and has a lot of experience that makes up for the occasional silly mistake. Im not going to risk Evans or Fabio in a big European game. But if need be id play silvestre.
Fergie should give up on Berbatov. The player has requested a transfer, we’ve made a substantial bid and if the club still won’t sell him what else can you do? If Tottenham want Berbatov to sulk for them all season so be it.
I admire Ferguson for identifying targets who can improve our team and invariably succeeding in getting them. But it is only 12 days to the window and we’ve tried all summer to get Berbatov and are no closer. It is time to move on.
All Ferguson has to do is sign someone with more experience and skill than Campbell. There must be hundreds of strikers in Europe who fit that description and I refuse to believe none of them are unavaliable at a fair price.
August 20th, 2008 at 1:50
Stupid Canadian television. They had the stupidity to show the second half of the Brazil vs Argentina semi-final. Man that crowd was comatose. I thought they were playing in an empty stadium. It’s amazing how Olympic crowds can go nuts for a bunch of guys running hurdles but they are dead when the greatest team rivalry in sports is played in front of them. And they call it the world game.
Argentina won comfortably today but honestly, I have never seen a worse Brazilian team with a lack of discipline, style and polish. No flair, just a bunch of muckers and grinders. Anderson was invisible and hardly touched the ball in that half. Messi was good and Aguerro scored tow gift goals but as usual, I thought Riquelme controlled the flow and tempo of the game. As captain he really looks like a leader as he directs his teammates out there similar to the manner of Beckenbauer and Cruyff. Pointing here and there and then making perfect passes. Man how I love that player. It was sweet revenge for that Brazilian upset victory in the Copa final. Argentina will beat Nigeria on Saturday and my prediction will be 3-1. They are just too good.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:01
@colver: I agree with you about United giving up the Berbatov chase. I think it is beneath the team to play this stupid game with Spurs. Go out and get a player who is available. Huntelaar, Santa Cruz, Pavlyuchenko or even Villa. Villa is not tall but if he’s available, get him. He’d still fit our system even though he wouldn’t give us that added dimension. What he would give us is the quality up front and depth we need. Huntelaar is waiting for a call. Pavlyuchenko would be an interesting buy and experiment as I think he has great potential for the EPL. His style suits the English game. Sant Cruz is not one of my favorites but he seems to have really grown and developed since leaving Bayern. I just can’t forget what total shite he was in Germany, but even I’m sort of impressed with his finishing and first touch in the EPL. Just get somebody already and forget this bloody hopeless endeavor. Clearly Spurs are making a point like United made a point with Ronaldo. Although the situations are different, I cannot really and honestly hold that against them. Players have got to get this greedy mercenary element out of their minds. I don’t really care what their dreams are or their need to play in the Champions League. I wish I was a millionaire with two yachts and a harem of super models. We all have dreams too.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:20
How exactly would Silvestre come back to haunt us? He is a 31 year old accident waiting to happen so he can only help us.
I seriously think we should look elsewhere for a striker. Aguero would be a dream. He is able to play the lone striker despite not being the tallest guy in the world. It won’t happen though. Berbatov scores once every 2 and a half games which is something that we don’t need right now. I’ve got a soft spot for Villa and Eto’o but Fergie seems to have his sights set on Berba. Every gut instinct in my body tells me that Berba is a bad choice
August 20th, 2008 at 6:27
Did Anderson get a haircut?
August 20th, 2008 at 6:31
@Grognard: I really cant stand Riquelme, I think he is one of the most over-rated players of his time. I am not saying he is rubbish, because he is far from that. He is no doubt World Class, but I get frustrated when people say he was in the same class as Zidane.
I also think it speaks volumes about his character that european teams wont touch him with a ten foot pole. He must be a complete asshole, for people to pass on him and his talent.
August 20th, 2008 at 6:40
berba is not coming end of story.
Levy is a ***t and being too hard on us.
well, berbie will be a sulk in north london.
any news on manucho?
August 20th, 2008 at 7:44
@johnsom33: Yes he has.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:37
any many think Di Maria from Benfica (palyed in Olympics for Argentina) is good replacement for Giggs. He was outstanding at Olympics. Scored few goals..key player of Argentine.
Anyone?
August 20th, 2008 at 10:18
@Liam: silvestre is a liability to any team…he’d only worsen arsenal’s defence.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:18
@johnsom33: I’ve heard all this so many times it’s old hat by now. If that’s designed to get a rise out of me, it’s not. Why? Because your wrong and I know it mate. Simple as that. Riquelme is a gift from the Gods. Yes he has had his attitude problems because he has been mishandled at Barcelona and betrayed at Villarreal. Like a true artist he is eccentric and that has gotten him into trouble. He beats to his own drummer but the coaches who know how to handle him have had no problems with him and he has showed all his skill and much more desire and hunger for them at Boca and Argentina. It’s about respect. He’s getting it now and so he gives it back. He has been a revelation for Argentina and Boca for over a year now. Some people like Riquelme just don’t conform to certain types of regimes and negative stimuli. That doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with his character because he doesn’t hop around like a trained seal when a manager brandishes the whip. He has high self esteem and he is a non conformist.
He has had a very harsh upbringing and was raised in a crime filled environment which made him much more withdrawn and private. I am also a non conformist so naturally I love this guy and I will go to my grave defending him against those who feel that everybody should beat to the same drum like they are in some kind of army.
Sorry mate but I really respectfully disagree with you. Like many others, you just don’t see what I do, and that’s fine. But it’s also sad because you rob yourself of really enjoying a true genius at work because you can’t wrap your head around the fact that not everybody is a conformist. Be a little more fair and open minded. The player has changed his ways drastically this past 18 months.
As for Zidane, a great player but personally, he never did much for me. He always seemed very static and dull but he did have a great skill set and so I am not about to downgrade him like you have Riquleme. One thing about Riquelme though. At least he cannot be blamed for head butting a player and costing his team the World Cup final.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:23
Jeez, why is it always the crap sites that are reporting that Fergie has decided to go after Huntelaar. Now if only the main sites would report that, I would then be a very happy camper. I think those bastards are doing it to piss me off exclusively. After all, it’s all about what the Grognard wants.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:24
@Grognard: Thats harsh matey about Zidane, he was absolute class. I was at OT when we played Real and he ran the game completely, he does move more than you think he does. His touch was out of this world and he was one of the only players I have seen who actually do a trick to get him somewhere rather than, a la Ronaldo to look good. He did also win France the World cup too.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:24
@abood89: Silvestre can sod off. O’Shea can cover there if necessary but I want Fabio to get his chance sooner than later. As long as Silvestre is there, it will be later. Fergie is always loyal to his vets.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:33
@Grognard: The only thing Silvestre can also provide is cover at centre back, we do look thin there if he goes.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:35
Sign Forlan or Diego Milito!!!!
August 20th, 2008 at 11:24
BREAKING NEWS (well, not really but still interesting)
‘According to Marca, Manchester United have made an offer for Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as an alternative to Dimitar Berbatov. Real Madrid have shown an interest in the Dutch ace and Marca claim United have bid for Huntelaar as a minor act of revenge for the Spanish champions’ pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.’
google translate this: http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/real_madrid/es/desarrollo/1156731.html
August 20th, 2008 at 11:24
#1 Re: berbatov. I think this actually happened with Teddy Sheringham didn’t it? Spurs refused to let him leave at a very reasonable price, we brought in someone else, Sheringham ran his contract down (also 2 football yrs like berbs) and came to us on a free.. Cue 2008: We get El Hunter now and in 2yrs (or 1 yr if he buys his contract out.. hehe) we get Berbs as well.. so in the end we’ll have 5 great strikers (this is on the assumption that Manucho is a big hit as well).
so fastforward 2 yrs and could we have a famous five? ROo Tev Hunter Berbs and Manucho
#2 re: De Maria. He wants games, and he wont get many here other than at second tier level. Benfica is good for him he plays regularly in hot portugal. We’ll get Bunnanotte anyway
#3 haha @ “minor act of revenge”. Dumb Marca
August 20th, 2008 at 11:47
@abood89: well i want a signing, and who knows, maybe he will be the bargain of the summer (if true) but im concerned, we would have to change our style of play to play him.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:05
@dan(u-ol): We won’t have to mate, he will at worst be another option, or dynamic to our play. We sometimes need a plan B, and he could be it.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:07
ever heard of the calm before the storm? im confident we will get berba!
August 20th, 2008 at 12:09
@Stephen: i think you mean at best…
August 20th, 2008 at 12:15
@dan(u-ol): A bit of both really mate, Depending on your views with regards to him, in my view the best, in some peoples the worst!!!
August 20th, 2008 at 13:30
Hey Grognard! Looks like youre getting your wish!
GO HUNTELAAR
Just sign the Goddamn player Fergie! PLS!
Anything right now for me!
August 20th, 2008 at 13:55
@colver:
There isn’t that many proven strikers available at a good price though. Ajax want 20mill for Huntelaar and he is unproven at a good level (and by all accounts they want a 25mill min release in his new contract), Aquino is a potential star but is pretty young and would be more likely a signing for the future (And Real Madrid have an option on him I believe), Aguerro is veing valued at £35mill,Villa is being talked about in the 25-32mill range and imho his attributes are such that he would be inferior when it comes to adapting to the EPL than Torres and Torres took 6months to really settle, Henry is being talked about in the 20mill range and is too old and wouldnt fit in imho, Owen would cost 7mill but we already have a balsa wood striker we dont need another.
The David Silva offer does suggest to me that Fergie ideally wants a proven EPL striker and then a young star full of potential. Santa Cruz might be an option for the proven EPL striker birth as apparently Ince wants 15mill for him but I’m not sure he brings as much as Berba but the other strikers that could take the second spot really do have their clubs asking too much for what they offer.
@Grognard:
The Canadian TV clearly screwed the sound up because it was anything but comatosed. UK TV presenter Adrian Chiles was on the touchline during the game filming a segment which they showed this morning and it was noisy as pretty much the whole stadium was cheering both sides. Ok it wasn’t a patch on the atmosphere of seen in the games involving China but that’s understandable
August 20th, 2008 at 14:18
Just been reading the official forums heres what i found
http://community.manutd.com/forums/t/19515.aspx
I dont think it is true but i hope so
August 20th, 2008 at 14:19
I think its a fake
sorry guys
August 20th, 2008 at 14:23
On a more serious and accurate note, ramos has said that he is looking forward to spending the money from the berbatov transfer. it could be going through as we speak.
It could be though. dont crucify me for assuming.
or for the crap link
August 20th, 2008 at 14:50
I noticed that in the Reserves match against Chelsea the twins were playing in winger roles. At least that is how it looked on paper. Indicative of the roles they will need to fill this weekend? We don’t really have any options at this point. My guess is Evra will be pushed up and Silly slotted in at LB. If Silly is sold, Big John. I’d prefer to leave Evra at LB and give FDS a chance to announce himself as bad, bad man/boy. Does anyone honestly think he could hurt our chances? The same goes for RDS. What other options do we have on the right? Have Gary play RM/RW? HA! I think this would be our most potent offensive lineup
VDS
Brown Rio Vid Evra
Scholes Fletcher
RDS FDS
Roo Tevez
Subs:
TK
G Nev
Evans
O’Shea
Possebon
Campbell
??? Gibson, Silly, ???
It would surely be interesting to watch. I have to go with Fletcher over Possebon because he is our best heading option. Obviously OH or Park go in if they are clear, but I’ve yet to hear anything definitive. I’m not going to bother speculating about the a transfer in.
August 20th, 2008 at 14:54
The idea that United are in danger b/c we don’t have a striker is ridiculous. We needed a striker during the summer and should have done something about it, but we do have some young strikers who will, now, get very little chance to showcase there skills, and will end up being surplus and sent out. For me we tied Newcastle because we lost Carrick and Giggs during the match, had no Tevez (which is our best striker I am convinced), a sup-par (recovering?) Rooney, no Nani, no Anderson, no Saha, no Hargreaves, and we had a midfield made up of role players and youngsters making debuts.
On that note if we can sign Huntelaar, who I thought was the right man for the job due to his age, he would be cheaper than Berba, and could sign for a long time and have a lengthy United career. I try not to get to excited because Marca is just a toilet of a newspaper and often prints whatever it can to sell papers. I think they wrote that Ronaldo would return to Old Trafford and demand to be allowed to join Madrid, so I don’t put to much stock in any Spanish newspapers.
August 20th, 2008 at 15:14
Fergie hasn’t got a feckin chance of getting another striker now, with such little time left to end of transfer window. I mean selling clubs wouldn’t really have time to find a replacement. Unless United finds a team that have more good strikers than they need, and I don’t think there are too many of them. We are stuffing up big time.
August 20th, 2008 at 15:33
@edi: link?
August 20th, 2008 at 15:38
A striker that i think not one person has mentioned is Miroslav Klose at Bayern Munich. I don’t know what the situation is exactly like over there but i have a mate who watches German football all the time and knows alot about what is happening over there and he says that he thoight that there is a chance he could be available as Klinsmann wants to partner Luca Toni and Podolski up top. I am not saying that just because my mate says this it is true, but if we put in a bid of £10-15 million i think they would accept it.
Another choice of striker i am thinking about would be fairly controversial and a big big risk and that man is Ronaldo. Not our one, but the brazilian one. I think he is available on a free and whilst it is a big risk could be a masterstrike. I know that he is very unfit at the minute but if anybody can get someones hunger back (no pun intended) then it is fergie. And considering he wouldn’t cost anything what is there to loose.
August 20th, 2008 at 15:44
@Matthew: i would rather have henry, actually thats a lie, i would rather we have no striker then those strikers, im an ageist. Im not even completely sold on berbatov let alone klose.
August 20th, 2008 at 15:50
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/manchester-united-look-elsewhere-as-berbatov-deal-stalls-903573.html
huntelaar news slowly gathering momentum eh?
christ we really are clutching at straws now aren’t we.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:03
Klose would be awesome, but he’s not coming so not worth our time considering. I’m actually becoming less worried the longer this goes on. Fergie and co know what the deal is, and I trust em. While it’s not ideal that the new player won’t be able to gel with the team for long (or play against Pompey!) it doesn’t really matter in the long term whether they come today or next Sunday night at 11:59. I’m sure we’re getting someone.
I wonder what the surprise was supposed to be. I kinda figured it was Manucho’s work permit, I mean honestly how hard can that be boys? Either he qualifies or he doesn’t ffs.
I watched Campbell come on in the second half of the England U21s - he was only on about 20 mins but had 3 decent efforts on goal. He’s not a world beater, but for a 20 year old he’s not half bad either! In the interim I think he’s actually a reasonable 4th choice, and gives us devestating speed if we face a slow (read European) defense.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hunter joined, which would probably mean he’d be 3rd choice/used tactically. Roo, Tevez, Hunter, Saha, Campbell and Manucho? If they’re all healthy we’ll have some serious options!
August 20th, 2008 at 16:04
I wouldn’t mind the hunter joining us, i feel he is what we need. Some people say they do not want him as he is too similar to ruud but then moan when we don’t put certain chances away against lower level teams. The strikers they want do not exist. They want a striker who can put the ball in the net but is not a goal hanger, can interchange positions, has pace, is tall and fits in with the age bracket we have (20 to 25). I am sorry to say there is no striker in world football who fits all these categories. Ruud gets a lot of negative press on here but in my mind the guy is a legend and the best finisher i have ever seen. When he played and we were doing crap it wasn’t just down to ruud but down to the team. We were playing smith as defensive mid, silvestre and o’shea every game, fletcher too. The entire team was not as good as today so i have no problem putting in a player who is very similar to ruud in todays team. Last season despite our success i was most frustrated in games where we dropped points agains city, west ham and bolton, where we had all the chances but couldn’t put them away. Huntelaar would put half of them away and would be more prepared to be a bench player more than berbs.
Huntelaar would be a great signing. I also wish we could have got dos santos in a trade for pique earlier as he can play on the wing as well as up top.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:17
New post up lads.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:20
@Stephen: He was a great player if standing and doing a lot of tricks is the measure of a great player. Yes he was very very talented with great vision but he also moved like his size. He wasn’t slow per say but he just was too economical in that area for my liking. Riquleme is also slow footed but he occasionally makes the odd sprint or move. Zidane is just not one of my faves. I do realize his greatness but still, we all have our faves and there are plenty out there who hate Riquelme for his character and for his attitude but how many can fault his play? Zidane has won everything and he has been instrumental in his team’s triumphs. But he just bores me to death. He plays an attacking midfield spot the way Beckenbauer used to play on the ball late in his career. He looked effortless in his many skills but he also looked lazy. In fact Riquelme is a little like that too. It’s just down to individual preferences. I loved Beckenbauer and Riquelme and hate France so Zidane gets nothing from me except respect. No admiration there, sorry. Frenchmen are not my favorite footballers except for one. Check my avatar for a clue. Now that was a Frenchman with a Brazilian heart and soul. I also like Evra and Ribery but I wouldn’t really care about them if they weren’t United or Bayern players. Cantona I would have like anywhere because he had that aura of royalty about him. Fortunately he played for us. That basically sucked the French out of him and ever since he has had nothing good to say about French football, their leagues and their national team.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:21
@Stephen: Once again we have O’Shea for that and I’d rather go with Johnny Evans personally. Silvestre’s time has run out. I don’t hate him but he gave me very little to like about him.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:23
@Kienu: Are you kidding mate?
Don’t sign Forlan or Milito I say.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:23
Grognard can you confirm if we were ever interested in riquelme. I swear i can remember him saying that we wanted to sign him but he turned us down as he wanted to stay at villareal.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:26
@Grognard: O’Shea is poor mate, and Evans unproven, don’t get me Silvestre(AKA Easter Island Head) is warrant for a better word shit, but selling him does leave us short.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:31
@abood89: I predicted this a week ago and in fact I posted that. I don’t believe a word that Marca or Tribal Football write as they are both Ass Clown organizations of the media, but this would be sweet from both perspectives of getting the player and also sticking it to Real big time. And if there is a smidgen of truth to it, I can see United bidding high just to beat Real because they want to prove to them that if need be, they have the financial wares to do so. Yeah right?! And I’m marrying supermodel Giselle Bundchen next Thursday.
Bottom line is Fergie waited far too long to get Berbatov and Huntelaar and now he will lose both. There, I said it. When you wait so long until a big player comes in and usurps you, you are using antiquated and useless tactics in acquiring players. Have they learned nothing from their Ronaldinho, Torres failures in the past few years?
August 20th, 2008 at 16:32
Oh, and for those who missed my blink-and-you-miss-it comment above, new post up.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:32
@Grognard: Riquelme is a great player when he wants to be, he was superb at Villarreal and @ that time instrumental for Argentina, but he was poor @ Barca but if I remember didn;t get on with Van Gaal, and played him out wide but barca were poor then, and if you wern’t Dutch you didn’t play!!
August 20th, 2008 at 16:40
@Red Diablo: Don’t believe Marca or Tribal Football mate. They are a disgrace to journalistic integrity. Marca especially, as they are a true Spanish media giant. Tribal is just that little slug like fish that latches onto a shark and travels along with it. They will jump on any bandwagon as long as it serves their purpose of feeding lies and sensationalist rumors to the masses.
I’m afraid Huntelaar is not coming and if it’s true that Fergie has inquired about his price and availability with Ajax, he is doing so to stir up Spurs and Berbatov so that Dimitar really lets Levy have it and demands his sale to United. Fergie is a major procrastinator but he is a wily old bird. Old school tactics and if I was Levy I wouldn’t pay attention. I’d let Fergie bluff himself into nothing by September 1st. A loss at Pompey won’t get Fergie to panic, and that’s what will happen on the weekend. We will lose to them with our depleted ranks and Pompey’s desire to wake up and finally play in front of their home town crowd. We also play like shit when we travel to Portsmouth.
August 20th, 2008 at 16:56
@Kevin: Why insult toilets by comparing them to Marca mate?
Huntelaar is a better buy for many reasons. Here are 10.
1. He’s a true and prolific goal poacher who can score with his head and both feet, as well as being a classic linkup player who has also been known do score a half dozen goals from outside the box per season.
2. He’s only 24 as opposed to Berbatov being 28. If you are going to dish out 30 million, how much return for your money are you going to get from a 28 year old. I say 2 years and then a lot of decent play that won’t be up to our standards.
3. He doesn’t come with emotional baggage and a reputation for being a sulking twit and he won’t question sitting on the bench every so often in Fergie’s rotational scheme.
4. Even with Real Madrid competing for his signature, he wants to play for us most of all and that should give us an advantage in doing a deal.
5. If he doesn’t work out, we can sell him and get a good portion of our investment back. With Berbatov we are stuck as we will probably be the last team he plays for.
6. If it’s goals we all want, there is nobody in Europe more skilled and qualified to offer us that than KJH. Berbatov is not nearly as prolific although he is an artist and he sets up a lot of goals. But don’t we already have enough players like that? Even Cantona wasn’t a goal machine, but we had Cole or Yorke or Hughes for him to set up.
7. He has a much larger and more forceful presence in the box. He will score beautiful goals but he will latch on to rebounds, deflections and mistakes too. We need a garbage man like Gerd Mueller. For all our creativity, we are shite without Ronaldo. We need that other component that will help us most in a tight game where teams place ten men behind the ball.
8. Ajax will sell for the right price and they are not carrying a grudge towards us.
9. If Huntelaar succeeds with us, I can see him staying at least for 5 years if not longer. Berbatov will be collecting his pension in five years.
10. Simply, better bang for your bucks. More mojo for your money.
Grognard wants Huntelaar and he wants him right frakken now!
August 20th, 2008 at 17:07
@Craig Mc: You really hit the nail on the head Craig. I said this a few days ago. When you wait until the last second, you better hope the team you are dealing with have replacement or replacements in place before they will willingly let a player go. Fortunately Ajax purchased Huntelaar’s replacement just after the Euros ended. So there is a chance there but still, I agree with you. It is the height of arrogance and ignorance to assume that all teams want is money when you don’t give them the time to spend it. What is Blackburn supposed to do at Zero Hour if they let us have Santa Cruz? Sometimes I wonder if blokes like you and I are not more suited for this work than the men in place. No I am not saying I’m Fergie but certainly Gill is not doing his job in a satisfactory way. These tactics are so archaic. They don’t work today. And they should not get high on themselves if they happen to fluke this one off. It’s just a poor way of doing business and maintaining respect in the game.
August 20th, 2008 at 17:13
@Matthew: You are talking about my favorite striker in all football. But he is 30 years old and he has never wanted to move abroad. He’s and old school player who has all the skills one would want but he also suffers from long slumps and times where he just doesn’t get down and dirty. I love him as he is a lethal finisher and the second best header of the ball in the world in my opinion behind Ballack. Germans have always been good in the air. Last year he scored 8 times in his first 7 games but then scored 2 or 3 times the rest of the way. Yes he struggled with injuries but his form dipped noticeably. One other thing that i love about him is he has great technique and like Berbatov is a very adept passer of the ball, so he does get his share of assists. It’s funny though that he is a titan for Germany but has often struggled for his club sides. Too old and too inconsistent but I do love him.
August 20th, 2008 at 17:19
@Beachryan: I personally don’t understand England’s anal approach to work permits for footballers. For crying out loud they are fucking entertainers and products of multi-million pound football clubs. What is the big fuss and fear about. You would think the English government would not put up such ridiculous obstacles in the way of teams buying players to display. I know the only real criteria for not getting a work visa in Canada or the US to play a pro sport is a criminal record. And that’s all it should be. Just a total joke. You would think that Tony Blair, a big footy fan would have abolished such medielval practices when he was in power.
August 20th, 2008 at 17:21
@Matthew: Exactly. Like Ruud was a bad thing scoring over 30 goals every year. Some people are incredibly hard to please or figure out.
August 20th, 2008 at 17:27
@Matthew: Yes Fergie was interested in him three years ago but he turned us down for family reasons. At the time he was happy in Spain and although he claimed to be very flattered by United’s interest, he was not prepared to go. For Riquleme it is a language thing and a comfort zone. Brought up in poverty with little education, the last thing he wanted to worry about is culture shock and learning a new language with his limited educational skills. But man, what a player he would have been for us. If there is one player on the planet that can find ways to penetrate an EPL defense with ten men behind the ball or to offer balls that would lead players on fantastic counter attacks, Riquleme is the man. And sorry Ronaldo fans, no man on this planet is better at free kicks than Riquelme. Just a God from the free kick spot. My only other regret regarding this player is I wished he was German.
August 20th, 2008 at 17:32
@Grognard:
1) Prolific in a weak league.
2) He is 25 and Berba is 27. In reality you will get roughly the same amount of seasons out of both players as Berbas style is less likely to diminish as sharply with age.
3) Ask Martin Jol if he is a sulking git. He may have a moody demenor about him but Jol has said he just puts his head down and gets on with it. TBH just look at the way he handled the desire to move to us over the last few seasons. He has acted professionally and continued playing well for spurs, unlike Robbie Keane or Gareth Barry who did sulk and ran to the media
5) So you think we will get a good chunk back on 20-25mill if he fails in a top league. We didnt even get our money back on Ruud who was successful and certainly not on Veron, Kleberson, Forlan and Djemba
6) Skilled maybe, qualified no way. He is all potential and no real substance yet. To be qualified he would need to have proven ability to perform to a high level in a top league, not whats become a two bit feeder and retirement league. Its like saying we should sign Scott McDonald because he has been pretty impressive in the SPL.
9) See point 2
10) 20-25mill is hardly much less than we want to pay for berba. And Huntelaar is untried
August 20th, 2008 at 17:32
@Stephen: Barca played him wide left. What a totla bunch of idiots and what an enormously stupid way to waste a play maker of incredible talent but lack of pace. Barca is the real reason his attitude and career took a turn for the worst. They flat out mishandled him and made his life a living hell. Its too bad for them because if they hadn’t burned their bridges with him, he would be just what they need now since they sold Deco and because he has an ESP understanding with Lio Messi. A player like that needs to be inserted in the attacking midfield slot and allowed to do whatever he wants. Then sit back and watch the man create magic and dissect the opposition like a brain surgeon.
August 20th, 2008 at 17:36
@Grognard: Reminds us when we played Veron wide right and off the main striker!
August 20th, 2008 at 17:56
I remember when linked we were linked with riquelme and i was over the moon. The top scorers list for a midfielder was being dominated by lampard and gerrard and i wanted a united player to be up there with them. I have no doubts in my mind that had riquelme joined he would score at least as many as those 2 maybe more. If he had joined i wouldn’t have given a crap if ronaldo had left as we would have had another great to take over from him. Sadly his form seems to have dropped in the last few years. Great player though.
August 20th, 2008 at 17:57
@Craig Mc:
I don’t agree tbh. Alot of transfers are in the balance atm and are waiting for just one to go through before the rest fall into place. Just look last year where ultimately us signing Tevez, resulted in Liverpool signing Torres (Tevez replaced Rossi who Replaced Forlan who Replaced Torres). Even if it ends up being the last day of the Transfer window then each team will no doubt have an idea who they want to replace anyone who leaves and how to get them (See Benjani and Defoe in January)
August 20th, 2008 at 18:13
@Matthew: Riquelme would have scored around 15 goals in the EPL alone and 7 to 10 free kick goals. But he would have had over 20 assists. I kid you not. His through balls and chips are sublime and his crosses and corner kicks are lethal. My God he would have been immense. But would he have been able to handle Fergie and the hairdryer treatment on those odd games where he played poorly? Well Cantona and others like that have so who knows really?
August 20th, 2008 at 18:18
@Stephen: Yes Veron was misused a lot but he was one of those that suffered from the language and cultural differences. He just never took roots in Manchester. Many South Americans really belong in only Spain, Portugal or Italy. They are not much for world cultural experimentation. It has a lot to do with cultural bias and lack of education as well, they are from cultures that like to be with their own exclusively. It’s a comfort zone thing. English players are not that different as you don’t see to many of them going to play anywhere else in Europe. They feel more comfortable with the British style of football, food, pubs, attractions and language. This is why I have been crying for Fergie to turn his scouting emphasis more towards open minded and liberal thinking European countries where players would love to play in England and who also feel comfortable with the weather, culture and language.
August 20th, 2008 at 19:02
If you didnt know already, there has been alot of activity over carrington, helicopters have been flying over for a short while, some radio stations are saying that we are about to make an announcement tonight. If it doesnt happen, please dont crucify me, ive been looking everywhere for news like this.
August 20th, 2008 at 19:07
@edi: Mate, if you don’t want to be crucified you’ll have to link to your sources.
August 20th, 2008 at 19:18
I know, looking desperately as usual
August 20th, 2008 at 19:21
@edi: Ok, but you still haven’t given me your sources, unless you’re just taking the piss
August 20th, 2008 at 19:26
Please tell me you are telling the truth and not pissing about. Where did you hear this? Link?
August 20th, 2008 at 19:30
Okay. I got this info off the official forums of our great club, but the person who submitted the info didnt have a link, and neither do i.
Here´s my proof, look at the very first post.
http://community.manutd.com/forums/t/19554.aspx
August 20th, 2008 at 19:37
I think this is rubbish. The first post was at 3pm today. Something would have been picked up by now.
August 20th, 2008 at 19:37
Oh and there is this too
http://community.manutd.com/forums/t/19524.aspx
Again please look at the very first post.
August 20th, 2008 at 19:44
@Matthew: Id like to believe it too, although i agree it looks like rubbish. Just wanted to see if anyone else knew anything about this
August 20th, 2008 at 19:46
Arshavin aint goin anywhere here is a link
http://www.skysports.com/football/transfer_clockwatch/0,23710,14896,00.html?reloaded
This COULD (not definate)lead to hunter coming to us, opinions please?
August 20th, 2008 at 19:48
Berba scores against Bosnia.
Apparently it was a good un
August 20th, 2008 at 19:59
@edi: Just because it’s on the forums of the official site doesn’t mean anything.
Don’t believe in forum talk. That’s just desperation settling in tbh.
August 20th, 2008 at 20:02
I know that RR just wanted to know if anybody else had heard or seen something else like this m8
August 20th, 2008 at 20:42
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/7573520.stm
fucking sold silly to le arse
August 20th, 2008 at 21:03
@Traverse: No shit grog. I have no feckin Idea why we would sell him to the arse. He was a good backup dammit! Why havent they published the fee? Im sure others have offered more.
Hes getting booed. and im looking forward to it
August 20th, 2008 at 21:10
Sorry traverse i just called you grog. no offense to either of you meant, apologies all round
August 20th, 2008 at 21:11
So I guess that couldve been the Big Announcement.Damn
August 20th, 2008 at 21:18
Oh well. Thatll give some space to Rafael and Fabio.