Jun 07
All Smoke, Little Fire on the Transfer Front
The cynical among us have come to accept this. The optimistic claim this is a smokescreen.
Either which way you look at it, at the moment there is no transfer activity to report. There’s little one can update the blog with, other than “Nothing new to report on the transfer front.”
Of course, if one considers the non-football aspect of the club, then there’s plenty to talk about.
Today, Panorama will air (on BBC for UK viewers) a documentary on the Glazer family, their ownership, the financial situation at the club. Some feelers are already all over the media with BBC prominently giving us bullet points on what to expect today. The Guardian, led by David Conn, also has a couple of lead stories on the amount of debt the Glazer family have saddled themselves with — not just the club, but also their own family in their other business ventures in America; most notably, their failing strip mall business.
From one depressing thought back to another, albeit far less, depressing thought: our transfer business this season has included Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling, but it’s debatable what role they will play this season.
Of immediate concern is the midfield which badly needs work. We have been linked with Joe Cole, Rafael van der Vaart, and today, with Lassanna Diarra. I would rule Joe Cole out simply because I doubt we’d ever pay £120,000/week for an injury-afflicted 28-year old. While he would just be an excellent addition to the starting XI, the wages just don’t justify the signing, given our current financial situation (and despite this being a free transfer).
Rafael van der Vaart, on the other hand, is a player I like. Career blighted by injuries, he could be a quality addition to our midfield, and given a longer run than afforded at Real Madrid he would be a wonderful signing.
Lassanna Diarra is also a much better defensive midfielder than what we have at the moment; assuming Hargreaves’ continues to have a stop-start season. His attitude problems have dogged him in the past. The rumours doing the rounds involves his past clashes with Mourinho and lack of playing time that saw him transferred out of Chelsea.
This would appear cliched to say that we must wait and watch, but really we can’t do much. My suggestion: watch the World Cup, enjoy it to the fullest, and treat any positive activity on the club’s transfer front a bonus. It’s a good thing the World Cup is around to take our mind off all things Manchester United. In the coming days, I’ll probably share a few links to sites you must follow during the World Cup.
Related items from Red Rants:- It’s Still All About Ronaldo, Love
- No Smoke Without Fire at Old Trafford?
- Poyet Rubbishes Move – Giggsy’s College Degree – No Berbatov Yet – South Africa
- Smith To Toon? | Jones’ Tribute to United
- Links of the Day
Tags: Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours
June 7th, 2010 at 17:32
Is being reported now that the BBC Panorama programme on the Glazers is cancelled, because of the maniac shootings in Cumbria. They will let us know the new scheduale date ASAP. Anybody else see this as being confirmed yet?
June 7th, 2010 at 18:21
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk/10237268.stm
United in 1.1 Billion debt!!!! The Glazers loan against the club for their own shopping mall business.
ANYONE talking about success under Glazer Regime is f••••• up now! END GLAZERS REGIME NOW!!!!
June 7th, 2010 at 18:23
@CraigMc: According to Sky TV listings it’s on this Friday at 12:25am.
June 7th, 2010 at 18:36
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I know mate, pathetic isnt it, and the worst bit is when the banks chase them up for the £1.1bn the money they will use will be coming from us, of that i have no doubt.
And i agree mate, under the glazers i see us having to endure some lean years. I posted a few weeks ago i have a fear we could do a liverpool and have a decade of barren years. And it could have been so so different too had we not been bought by the glazers.
Just think what the money wasted by them could have gone on. Stadium redevelopment, youth development and going after the best players around.
I decided to boycott united last season, even though i live in london now i am originally from manchester and had planned to visit alot more frequently, however not anymore. I already never buy united merchandise and i really do encourage all you lads in manchester to boycott.
I know its hard and its rich coming from me when im down south but it needs to be done. Need to say well done to stephen here as i know he did not renew his ST, seriously well done mate you did the right thing even though i can only imagine how hard it must have been.
It really does need to be done on a large scale though, i would take 2 years of mediocrity so that we are geared up for the next 50 years with no doubts.
June 7th, 2010 at 18:45
@Annie: It isn’t saying that now though, if you have cable TV on the flash panel it is stating that it is the Cumbria shootings being shown. So I guess we will find out, but I think it has been changed!
June 7th, 2010 at 18:49
@Annie: Oops I’m sorry Annie I misread your post – right that time you give must be the new time schedule then. It should have been tonights panorama shouldn’t it? Also 12.25 AM – I mean are they trying to hide the show now, showing it at that time
.
June 7th, 2010 at 19:22
The Glazers have NET ASSETS of £1.2 billion. Could we all now relax a little bit and focus on football?
June 7th, 2010 at 20:09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zd_khk6zXo
I dont get it…
June 7th, 2010 at 21:23
I miss Jay Jay Okocha… He and Roy Keane were my favorite players during their time, always wanted us to buy him. Aaaah, how I miss him.
The world needs more Jay Jays.
June 7th, 2010 at 21:25
@NicoQB: What the fuck was that?
June 8th, 2010 at 2:17
@Pete: Oh yeah, sorry everything is fine. Here’s the football. Man City are buying James Milner and David Silva because we aren’t interested in them, not because we can’t afford them. Chelsea are going to spend £60mil on Torres. Barcelona have already bought David Villa. Real Madrid are going to buy Ribery/Gerrard whoever they want, money being no worry.
We are failing miserably to convince a guy not in the French squad who has been a bench warmer all year and failed to hit double figures to come to us.
There’s your football. And we take in more money a year than any of them.
We made the biggest sale in the HISTORY of world football, sold the best player in the world, and signed a Michael Owen 5 years past his best on a free. If there’s one thing that pisses me off almost as much as the BLATANT raping and pillaging of MY club, is people telling me it isn’t happening and everything is fine.
June 8th, 2010 at 2:27
@Traverse: Well said mate.
June 8th, 2010 at 4:36
@Traverse: I remember you being there once upon a time, mate.
Anyway It’s good to see you’ve seen the light, and taking aim at the right targets!!
June 8th, 2010 at 6:45
@Traverse: I could kiss you for that mate. Well said.
June 8th, 2010 at 6:49
@Redrich: I remember a year ago I was crying bloody murder and speaking the ills of club and what the Glazer’s were doing and going to do to us and I was 98.5% right. Well, this isn’t an attempt to pat myself on the shoulder, although I will do it anyway. It’s actually a cry of hallelujah that so many have finally seen the light and come over to my way of thinking. I no longer sound like the shit disturber and anti United protestor that I was being billed as so long ago. And yet it so saddens me that I am right because it only confirms my worst fears. People may find this hard to believe but in times like this, I really wished I was full of shite. Many probably still think I am but I know differently. At times it sucks to be right. GLAZERS SUCK!
June 8th, 2010 at 6:52
@[OPTI]Madschester United: What gets me is this clown that goes and kills innocent people for no reason in Cumbria when my real fantasy is for somebody to do that very thing to the Glazers. And I’m dead serious. These fuckers should get clipped. I don’t care if that’s not pc.
June 8th, 2010 at 7:41
Okay – IF there is anybody reading this board who can tell me what has happened to the millions of the BOND money, which we were told was to PAY OFF the PIK loans with the massive interest repayments – then please TELL US all where is this money???? Where the fuck is it?
June 8th, 2010 at 8:56
CRASH HELMET GUYS!!! CRASH HELMETS!!! Am not even going to bother arguing about this GLAZERS SHIT. The way I see it there is no way out. The damage has already been done. The way forward is to frustrate them the fuck out of the GLAZERS. Believe me we are worse than Liverpool only we still have fighting chances. And if we go trophyless this season we’ll probably do a Pompey
June 8th, 2010 at 12:00
I cant care what anyone says about the Glazers.Bad as they seem,the club was put up for sale and no one came up with an alternative.The glazers bought and are doing their business.Bad or good,the club should hae done better but they did not that’s why i don’t believe this Red Knights business.I think theirs is a PR thing and it has nothing to do with the love for this club otherwise where were they when the club was getting into wrong hands? It defeats all business sense to think the glazers should do what the fans want with their money.
Talking about the investment in players,i think they have been tremendous and its only our policy of buying too mant unproven players who have zero to one chances of ever making it at this club that has been the problem.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:00
Guys……..
I read somewhere (Goal) that Mourinho has an escape clause in his contract with Real Madrid. An escape clause to Old Trafford. Something like the one he has in Inter? Which is why he could leave with no hassle?
June 8th, 2010 at 12:40
@donibrasco: You need to get wise mate – the Glazers have just come out and said themselves that THEIR policy even with their USA team the Buccaneers is not to buy star players but young undeveloped players and make them stars. Same policy with United, which was NEVER a Man United policy in the past
. As for the Glazer’s not worrying about what the fans think ofwhat they do with their money, you don’t need to worry on that score, because they couldn’t give a rats arse about Man United faithful fans. They have put absolutely ZERO funds into our club, and taken millions out until they Bankrupt us. As for the Red KNights – don’t talk so much uninformed rubbish mate. The Red Rights don’t need PR from Man United, they are all loyal Man UNited fans and their desire to buy the club is genuine. They will however shelve their bid until the Glazer’s are forced to sell, because being wise businessmen why should they pay way over the odds. You are right about only one thing mate – the club management definately utterly messed up when they did business with the Glazer’s. Gill in particular should be ashamed. As for the Red Knights not coming in before the Glazer’s took over, how the feck did anybody but the odd few know what was going on in the United boardroom eh? When have Man United board ever been anything but secretive GITS? If you Donibrasco have Man United football clubs interests at heart, it certainly doesn’t show!
June 8th, 2010 at 13:38
@Redrich: I don’t ever think I was head in the sand, I think I was in the ‘lets wait for tangible evidence and the comment of financial experts’, as up until our financial reports were published, it wasn’t really more than hearsay and circumstantial evidence. I don’t like basing arguments outside of facts.
Now it’s there in black and white, the worlds most renowned experts in the field are saying it is undeniable, our business model is not viable and that we are going to be run into the ground for a big fat and dirty dollar.
The Glazers are vampires, the is no other word for them. They’ve got their filthy fangs in our neck, and are bleeding us dry.
June 8th, 2010 at 13:39
@CraigMc: Bad news my friend, Nani is out of the World Cup.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/793730/ce/uk/?cc=5739&ver=global
June 8th, 2010 at 14:01
To all of you who might be interested – most of you I should think, the Panorama programme about Man Utd and Glazer finances report is on BBC1 at 10.35 tonight!
June 8th, 2010 at 14:02
And good injury news, Rio’s injury is being called a freak occurrence, and is not connected to the back injury that has plagued him this season. Should have both of them for pre-season then.
June 8th, 2010 at 14:07
NANI OUT OF WORLD CUP!!
Feel sorry for the lad, fucks sake what is happening? What’s next?!
Ronaldo and Messi out?
June 8th, 2010 at 14:08
@Traverse: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
What bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad NEWS – fucking shame on you for it Trav!
I mean come on you guys – like Rio said – we are CURSED!
June 8th, 2010 at 14:09
@EduardoDaVinci4: Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Lil Man Nani – so sorry mate, you didn’t deserve the shit that happens in life mate!
June 8th, 2010 at 14:38
Feck – the Missus has just IM’d me taking the piss that our man Nani is out of the world cup
. She said “don’t worry babe, I have phoned all your mates to come round when Portugal are playing, and insisted on them wearing all black tracksuits, black hats and black armbands to grienve the loss of the Lil Man.” In return she has promised them all the free booze they can drink, because she is celebrating watching me suffer 
. Seeing as she feels she has to suffer watching footie for the next several weeks. I mean how nasty are the female sex guys – vindictive little hussies!
June 8th, 2010 at 15:58
@Traverse: What’s worse is that Glazers are going to milk ignorant Americans and Canadians of $135 per ticket for their North American Tour… MUFC Canada and MUFC USA should boycott those games – it’s money into Glazer’s shopping mall pockets!
Chicharito and Smallings are nice side bargains, but I want a main entree, I want meat: Give me Milner, Silva, Toure, ¡SOMEONE! that is worth his sh•t!!!!!
@Pete: United is in 1.1 billion debt and you tell me that since the Glazers have 2 billion in assets, I should be fine/happy and relax??? Where do you think these mofos got their assets from? They bled United and Tampa Bay dry, loaned against 63 of 64 of their shopping malls and now will soon be paying 16.5% interest on 500 million on PIK debt…
They are in deep sh*t and the only way out is by
1) Sell United for AT LEAST 1.2 billion – no one has that kind of money (no even Red “wannabe” Knights)
2) Sell naming rights of OT and/or sell Carrington and/or players
June 8th, 2010 at 17:06
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Mate you are wrong – the Red knights do have that kind of money, but like the Glazers they know that after the fucking mess the Glazers have made of our club, we are not worth 1.2 billion. Let the Glazers FRY that’s what i SAY, AND David fucking Gill with them! As for Pete – who the feck is he? Never posted on this blog before – unless RR knows something different – do you RR?
June 8th, 2010 at 17:09
Latest media news, is that tonights BBC1 Panorama is the greatest anticipated programme in the history of Panorama – I wonder why
. The whole fucking world will be tuning into this – so check it out guys – 10.35pm tonight!
June 8th, 2010 at 17:24
So apparently the glazers turned down a bid for 1.5b from the middle east, yet they are up to their eyeballs in debt… Yeah fucking right. I knew that story sounded fishy. The red knights should have made a bid they thought was fair and then left the glazers to sweat it out. If their economic position is truly this dire then they will have no choice but to sell.
June 8th, 2010 at 17:28
@CraigMc: Whoops, my bad. It is on today at 10:35pm.
June 8th, 2010 at 17:33
@CraigMc: Cute
Not cruelty, just regular cute love if you ask me. Love that kind of banter, what makes the sex so energetic.
June 8th, 2010 at 17:51
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1284882/Manchester-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-vows-snatch-title-Chelsea.html
everyone we can relax now, fergie has spoken about next season. Somehow our squad, which wasn’t good enough this year will be better than a strengthened Chelsea side…
Come on fergie, give the supporters a little credit. I know his hands are tied right now, but that doesn’t mean he has to lie. He should just remain silent until the glazers are out or give him a real transfer kitty.
The funny thing is that fergie going silent would prolly be more effective than the well intentioned green and gold campaign.
June 8th, 2010 at 18:10
@Annie: Yeah I know Annie – I posted that in earlier comment
.
June 8th, 2010 at 18:13
@Johnsom33: Mate how do you know the Red Knights didn’t make an offer eh? Someone is giving the Red KNights inside information, and they will bid when they know the Glazers are ripe to be undone – come on mate, you know that!
June 8th, 2010 at 18:17
@EduardoDaVinci4: Mate how did I know you would be defending the Missus – seeing you are girls mad???
.
June 8th, 2010 at 18:30
@CraigMc: Ill definitely tune in, thanks for the heads up mate.
Oh and also my conodolences to you in this hard time, what with nani being out injured lol, no seriously though im pissed off at that, it seems player after player is getting injured, i blame it on the long seasons. Will be a big miss for portugal as from what i saw nani was their best player in the qualifiers, i was looking forward to seeing him play this tournament as i really do believe next season he will shine.
June 8th, 2010 at 18:37
@CraigMc: Your right I don’t know if they made an offer, I just got the impression they the have walked away from doing any sort of deal.
June 8th, 2010 at 18:44
@Johnsom33: Yeah i know mate i was reading that and i just thought WTF. I think for alot of the fans, and seemingly fergie, we were very unlucky last season. However i would say the opposite, we had alot of luck, in truth finishing 1 point behind chelsea was alot more than we deserved.
The more educated football fans could see this and did not continut to wear their red tinted glasses, we realised we were lucky to finish so close to chelsea and needed to add improvements this season.
So what do we hear, everything is fine, we will definitely win the title next season. What are you basing that on fergie, because you say so?
If anything we will alot worse next season. People can say all they like we lost the title because of the defensive injuries and that may be true, but the reason we lost the title in my opinion was more down to the over reliance on rooney, losses to burnley, chelsea both games, liverpool away, and the likes of fulham who we should be beating. Add to that losing at home to villa and managing a last minute draw to sunderland i think we can say we were lucky to finish where we did.
Seems though everything we are hearing now from united is just said to try and convince fans things are better than they actually are.
In my whole life as a fan of this club i never seen morale amongst the fans so low everything that comes out of the club these days seems to make morale fall further.
June 8th, 2010 at 18:55
@EduardoDaVinci4: I personally think managers are driving players too hard, players themselves do not know how to tune it down when in training or exhibition games and fatigue after a long season leaves these guys knackered and susceptible to injuries. They aren’t machines and yet they are being used like machines. Finally, the way managers have been overusing and risking their top stars in the friendlies is a total crime. I think that after 50+ games played they are all in condition to go at the most 7 more games. No need to be risking Rooney on a Wembley pitch. Now Nani’s gone and that’s one moire United player who will be behibnd everybody else when the season starts in form and fitness. Oh Joy!
June 8th, 2010 at 18:58
@d’game: We are way worse off than Liverpool but the reason many cannot see it is our position in the standings and that is because we are lucky to have Fergie and Rooney running the show on the pitch. Liverpool had Rafa and Gerrard and that’s why they appear to be more up Shit Creek without a paddle.
June 8th, 2010 at 19:04
@CraigMc: Mate, my girl does the same to me! And I do it to her, maybe not exactly the same thing that your missus did to you but in that category. I find it cute, not taking sides but you can’t help but see the positives there. I don’t know how long you have been together, but my experience tells me flirting gets colder and rarer as time goes on. As long as she does those things to you, it means she still cares for you. Teasing is flirting, and probably the most effective.
But maybe that’s just me!
June 8th, 2010 at 19:04
I hope some of youg uys will be providing streams for the Panorama tonight, really looking forward to it!
June 8th, 2010 at 19:10
@Johnsom33: The Glazer’s are not concerned with any of their 1.2 billion in debt because they are personally on the line for only a small percentage of it. It’s the same thing when you incorporate a company. You do so to protect yourself from the banks and others who come calling for their money after the business has crashed and burned.
The glazer’s know that as far as paying back the enormous debt they have five years to do so and until then they can syphon off millions in personal payouts and dividends and then sell united for 1.2 billion at the last second and further pad their pockets. Very little of their personal money ever shows up in any American bank as it can be gobbled up by debters and the authorities. Instead, they secure their personal wealth in offshore accounts to protect themselves. They secure the kind of promotional investment that ensures they continue the money stream growing for both United and Tampa Bay and sit back and wait for Judgement Day. Worse case scenario for them is they lose all their business assets but come out of the whole things with many hundreds of millions in their offshore accounts to take care of the personal lifestyle and pockets. Basically, I’d call the purchase of United as something close to taking hostages in a restaurant and forcing them to empty their pockets and then leaving from the back door just before you set the building on fire with all inside except the Glazer’s
June 8th, 2010 at 19:14
@Johnsom33: Honestly, the more I think about it, I think he doesn’t say the truth and he instead offers up all this bullshit not for the benefit of the fans (who he doesn’t give a rats ass for) but for his players who are in a fragile state having been dethroned. He needs to say these things to keep them believing and to motivate them or risk the chance of losing them and their passion. Most footballers are pretty thick but even United players except for Anderson are smarter than the average bear and will not buy into Fergie’s BS this time around knowing more and more about what the Glazer’s are all about and also witnessing their manager doing nothing to improve the club in the off season.
As for Fergie and his constant lying to all of us, all I can say is fooled me once shame on you, fooled me twice, shame on me. Enough BS already old man.
June 8th, 2010 at 19:23
@tonymontanna4united: Based on the past decade, Chelsea was the worst team to win the championship during that p-eriod and perhaps through the Prems short life. And if that isn’t bad enough, there is no doubt in my mind that last season’s united team is the worst team to ever finish second since 1992.
We were incredibly lucky and we were fortunate to have career years form Rooney and Fletcher as well as a second half resurgence from Nani that kept us from being in Liverpool’s current shoes. And as much as I think he is a lying SOB, Fergie must get a lot of credit for keeping the ship afloat through rough seas and a lesser crew. He will not get that fortunate a second year in a row. Unless some substantial signings are made I predict this will be the year that we risk getting out of the top four or at least out of the top three. I just do not see it with our team especially since Chelsea and Arsenal plan on retooling and buying some players. And even if Arsenal lose Fabregas, I think they will go out and buy a Gourcuff or somebody good enough to replace him unlike what we did when we sold Ronaldo.
June 8th, 2010 at 19:26
The ONLY thing keeping me from going down to Florida and smacking some Glazer-ass is that Premiership spending is spiraling out of control. The cumulative wage bill of EPL teams went up 11% this year… I assume our wage bill decreased when we sold Ronaldo and Tevez.
Don’t be surprised to see more club in administration in coming years…
PS: Is saying EPL instead of Premier League or Premiership frowned upon by brits?
June 8th, 2010 at 19:30
@Grognard: True but those conversations with the players can be done personally not thru the media. When I played in college I typically stayed away from reading the papers or fan message boards, because 95% of it was off base. It was only when friends showed me quotes from my coach that I actually heard the BS he was spouting off. But usually a face to face conversation was all I needed to hear. Now I had a horrible coach who was even worse at man management, fergie is a legend who’s strongest attribute is his man management skills.
I think he says this stuff to feed the fans hot air that everything is on the up and up. I know you have been saying this all year, but it’s only to the benefit of his employers. It’s just puzzling that a man if his stature, would go along with this. Other than 1 more title, he doesn’t need anything from the game anymore. Not even money. At this rate I fear the price he is paying for 1 more title sadly isn’t worth it.
June 8th, 2010 at 19:48
@Grognard: Theres a good possibility that this is the year when things really go tits up for us like you said. As far as i see liverpool face one of their biggest decisions in decades, if they get their manager wrong this time i think they will just fall and fall and fall. However do i consider them contenders right now and in the short term, hell no they are miles off being a serious contender.
Arsenal i think are team that are a lot better than people give them credit for. Apart from in central defnce and in goal (almunia is possibly the worst keeper i have seen) their team isnt all bad. I was saying to a friend of mine whose a gooner i think if fabgreas leaves instead of having a negative effect on them it will make them a better team.
Get a top quality DM in there like yaya toure, a goalkeeper and a CB and there team looks quality. Put it this way anyway i see alot less holes in their team than ours.
Chelsea i agree with were one of the worst teams ive seen win the league in my life. They may have an old team but they have money to spend and if reports are to be believed they are seriously interested in torres who would be a big plus to any team.
However the team that most concerns me is city. Yeah i know little shitty, but all they are missing is champions league football, once they get that i see them as serious contenders. In this world now when it seems money is all that matters to players i think once they get champions league football i think they will be able to attract most of the top footballers.
What does that mean then, all our rivals are strengthening while we keep up with the “no value” and “we like to develop young kids” tone.
This is all down to the glazers, as craig posted earlier they are bringing in similar guidelines at tampa, a coincidence i think not.
I said a few weeks ago i can see us turning into a liverpool and i stand by that. Basically as long as the glazers are in charge i do not see us competing with the others and that is a sad state of affairs. Sounds like they are in until the long term (2017 is when the money is owed) so i see 7 years of hurt ahead unless we can get them out and the only way i see us doing that is by boycotting games.
Unfortunately i dont see enough fans going ahead with this so looks like were gonna be in the crapper for the future. Unless of course someone decides to clip them, any takers.
June 8th, 2010 at 20:14
@Johnsom33: No mate, they didn’t walk away, just refused to pay over that our club is worth in order to fill the Glazer unacceptable greedy coffers! The bid is shelved until the Glazers have to sell – different to their being no option of a deal mate!
June 8th, 2010 at 20:16
@tonymontanna4united: Yeah mate, I went onto the Portugal sites, and they were all mourning Nani’s loss and agreeing with you that he was their best player in the qualifiers, and more so in their recent friendlies.
June 8th, 2010 at 20:26
Truly I am so bored and fed up talking about United that I have decided to give my long but hopefully interesting World Cup preview and overall predictions. I’ll start by giving my predictions for the groups. So here goes;
Group A:
France
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
A decent group but seriously, none of the teams should cause France problems. The only thing that will cause the French problems are the french and their Manager “Ray the Dominator”. Too much talent that is selfish and can’t play well together but like in 2006, they will find a way to get it done. They will go through as group winners
South Africa is not as good a team as either Mexico or Uruguay but they will finish second in the group thanks in part to the home support and the use of the vuvuzuela. That support and noise will garner them 4 points and they will go through.
Mexico and Uruguay? Who cares? Chicharito will have an early vacation which will help him get ready for a full season with the United reserves before he is loaned out to some Spanish team in 2011.
Group B;
Argentina
Greece
South Korea
Nigeria
I don’t think much about this group but Argentina should win despite Maradona and know quality attacking midfielders. I predict Messi will be a royal disappointment in the World Cup. He has never shown me that he can play as well for his nation as he does for Barca. Until he can prove that to me, I will bet against him. Still, Argy have a lot of attacking talent but are old and suspect in their back four. They are better however than the rest of the group. Nigeria is not the team they used to be and the South Koreans no longer have that Guus magic to carry them. I am greek but that is not the reason I am picking them to finish second in the group. Rehagel is the reason I pick them for second. He will make sure that they are tight in the back and that they will find those few goals to help get them through. Then again, who cares who comes out of this group as none of the teams, not even Argentina have a chance of winning the cup in my opinion.
Group C;
England
Slovenia
USA
Algeria
England should come through this group with relative ease. That first game will; be the tough one for them as the US will be a tough and very motivated opponent. As long as terrorists do not disrupt this game, I expect England to edge out the US and then the US will fall apart the rest of the way. Slovenia isn’t great but they are better than Algeria and they will fight it out for second with the US and get it based on goal difference.
Group D;
Serbia
Germany
Ghana
Australia
Avery strong group and I predict that Serbia will win this group with 3 straight wins. I think their attack and back four are outstanding and I just see them being an early power who will fade in the knockout stage. Germany will struggle to beat Australia, will lose to Serbia and struggle but beat Ghana to get through in second. The Germans will look like crap but their game will improve as the tournament goes forward much the way France did in 2006. Serbia will score a lot of goals but will get smoked by a team either in the quarters or round of 16. They just do not have the experience or pedigree to go far despite their talent. Germany will win ugly and go to the quarters or even the semis. Ghana would have done better had Essien
been healthy but as I see it, his shoes are impossible to fill and although they will play with some flair and passion, I think they lack the quality to get past the top two in this group. Butt you never know about any African team on African soil. As for the Aussies, heart and grit but little talent. They will give teams a fight but that’s about it.
Group E;
Netherlands
Cameroon
Denmark
Japan
Netherlands in a walk from this group. Even without Robben they will smoke their group opposition before a team scores 3 or 4 against them in a knockout stage to eliminate them due to their pedestrian and useless back four and keeper. van Bronkhorst, Oojier and company do not scare me. Cameroon have nothing special other than Eto’o but they do have a weak group and African support and this will get them to the knockout stage. Denmark has a decent team but i just don’t see them doing anything substantial and Japan, for me is one of the worst teams in this tournament. They will be bitches for three other teams.
Group F;
Italy
Paraguay
Slavakia
New Zealand
Italy usually starts slow and they will again do so. This is a three team race and Italy will win the group on goal difference thanks to their tight defence. Paraguay have some talent as do the Slovaks and they will fight it out for second. New Zealand will have to call on Peter Jackson and his Weta special effects house to conjure up some kind of visual mirage in order to prevent getting hammered in three games. This is not rugby and these are not the All Blacks. Second worse team in the finals.
Group G;
Brazil
Ivory Coast
Portugal
North Korea
Brazil will have a hard time winning this group but they will do it. Ivory Coast apparently will have Drogba playing with a cast and will have million of Africans backing them. I expect them to do well enough to advance. Portugal will be a massive disappointment for three reasons. Queiroz is an idiot who has not in two years figured out how to unleash an attack with this talented bunch. Secondly, he doesn’T seem to know how to get the most out of Ronaldo and finally, no Nani means no go for Portugal. Crash and burn for the Portuguese. And north Korea are officially the worst team in the World Cup and will lose three games in terrible fashion forcing Kim Jong-il to unleash nuclear weapons against his enemies.
Group H;
Spain
Switzerland
Chile
Honduras
Spain will walk in this group as they have the easiest group in the World Cup to contend with. So easy that they will hardly break a sweat and this will leave them cocky, overconfident and perfectly prepared to get upset in the knockout stages. I refuse to believe this band of thespians and soft tossers is going to win the World Cup. Not until they find a pair of bollocks amongst them and not until they develop speaking without a lisp (thorry little thon of bithceth). I personally think their midfield is soft defensively and lacks toughness and grit to win the World Cup. Yes they won the EUROS because everybody was waiting and expecting them to fold like they always have. So they surprised us all. This time nobody is going to be surprised by them and this time they were too stupid to not bring along a Marco Senna to give them that grit. Trust me, Fabregas playigg a deeper role is not the answer. I pick Switzwerland to just edge out Chile based on one thing only. I have a lot of respect for Ottmar Hitzfeld. Somehow he will get them to the round of 16 where they will bow out. Chile may be without their goal scorer Suazo and this could be fatal for them. Honduras? Who cares? Can you say waste of time minnow?
Now as far as the knockout stages go, it will depend on momentum, luck and above all key players staying healthy and key players avoiding multiple yellow cards and red cards. I will predict Brazil to win the World Cup as they will play either Germany or France in the final. A couple of weeks ago I felt the Germans would crash because of all their injuries but then again I should no better than to bet against any German team not reaching the final four in a major tournament. They are warriors and they will find a way to get to the final dance in an ugly but efficient way. I think England may surprise many and actually make it to the final 4. Capello knows his craft and I expect him to guide the good ship Britannia farther than anyone since Sir Bobby has. In the end penalty kicks vs the Germans will doom England to yet another four years of what ifs and we got robbed crying.
Brazil will win the World Cup. I personally do not think much of them but one thing they have besides a lot of world class players is grit thanks to their manager and a rough and tough central midfield and defence. Their goalkeeping and back four is the best in the World Cup and that is why they will win. I am not won nor am I fan of Fabiano and especially Robinho but they will do enough to get the job done. The other three teams in the final four are a toss up but let me just say that without using the FIFA system to predict match ups, I just feel Germany, England and Ivory Coast or France will be their at the end.
Italy without Pirlo and the class of a Totti will not do it this time. Neither will Holland with a suspect back four and ordinary keeper, nor will Argentina with a makeshift back four, inexperienced keeper, a pedestrian midfield and a drug taking criminal as their manager who only deserves bad things happening to him.
Too many injured stars and too many African teams not playing well and missing key players will make this a less than attractive World Cup. The funny ball may bring more goals but then again the high altitude could gas many great players and force low scoring games. Still, it will be Brazil defending their title in Brazil in four years time. I expect and actually hope Spain crashes and burns and I hope England exceeds my personal expectations and goes the whole way. My German team will be there at the end if they survive their tough group. Nothing is a given. My dark horse team will be SERBIA. Top goal scorer in the World Cup will be…………………………………..WAYNE ROONEY and the player of the tournament will be KAKA. Just a feeling I have.
June 8th, 2010 at 20:29
@Johnsom33: It’s a classic case of selling your soul to the devil for that one moment in the sun. I think the man fears retiring to be honest and he will go along with anything just to prevent having to go home and veg out on his rocking chair where he has only dying to look forward to.
June 8th, 2010 at 20:41
@Grognard: Very interesting article and i would agree with virtually all of it except for portugal going out in the group stage. I know theyre nothing great and the loss of nani will be huge because as i said what i saw of them in the qualifiers he was their main player (and correct me if im wrong but ronnie didnt even score in the qualifiers), however i do not see ivory coast finishing above them.
Maybe 2 weeks ago i would have agreed with you but if drogba is injured i dont think they will do it.
Other than that i agree with the rest, a very well thought out intelligent article. Ive heard you saying people dont appreciate your writing, especially your longer posts, but i for one thoroughly enjoy them so keep them up mate.
June 8th, 2010 at 20:44
@Grognard: Nice to see aswell you have put your dark horses down as serbia, i really like the look of their team.
A top quality defense and some very good attacking players in krasic (who i personally am a massive fan of), tosic, zigic. They really have assembled a top quality team in such a short space of time as 4 years ago they were a joke at the world cup. However they were without vidic in that tournament if i remember rightly and in qualifying for the 2006 WC i think im correct in thinking they only conceeded 1 goal in qualifying. Thats a pretty amazing record, i think they will do very well this tournament.
June 8th, 2010 at 20:51
@tonymontanna4united: We rarely rightly buy established players, Toure simply isn’t a typical Fergie signing as I say rightly or wrongly.
We buy and has been our policy of over paying for potentail or over paying for British talent. I still say £18.6m for Carrick, £30m for Berba both at the time were silly money, £18.6m for Anderson, £17.6m for Nani even £12.6m for Ronaldo at the time was a lot.
We only once have gone out and bought an established World class player that was Veron and Fergie misused him.
At the moment we fritter money away on punts, Diouf, Obertan, Tosic, Smalling, Hernandez, Manucho ect was a classic case of throwing enough mud at it some will stick, rather going out and purchasing a genuine established player or players.
We have a large squad but a squad that lacks quality, Diouf, Obertan regardless what some say will never make it at United that already is £6m wasted £8m for Tosic a total waste why not play him? We have no natural left sided player bar Giggs, that in total is £14m the same Inter paid for Sneijer and £10m for Smalling again Inter paid £6m for Lucio you could get Hangeland for that money.
If you have lttle money then don’t fucking waste it is my message.
June 8th, 2010 at 20:52
@Grognard: The most interesting thing is that if some how Brazil finishes 2nd in their group,then they will have to face Spain in the Pre quarters.If Ronaldo will be on fire,then there is a lot of chance that Brazil will have to clash with Spain in Round of 16.
June 8th, 2010 at 21:40
@Stephen: When we missed out on sneijder for £14m i was absolutely livid. The man is absolutely top notch, exactly what we needed and we never bid for him. Worse than that we even had the chance to get in some kind of swap with ronaldo, however we decided to pass that up.
Then now when we constantly hear “i am looking for value” i always feel pissed off at that statement. You look for value and yet you missed out on such a good player who went for half of his value, pathetic excuse.
You right though, we have spent money, the majority of which on youngsters but it does all add up. So yes fair enough add it all up weve spent money but not the scale we should be.
I do not like nor do i want us to throw money around like madrid do, but i expect us to be spending alot more than we currently do. A club like ours should expect to be given £35m+ a season. In a situation like this year when i feel we need 3/4 top quality players we need more cash.
Yet here we are ignoring that and expecting everything will sort itself out if we buy a few kids. Like you say i think the idea with it is to buy alot of them and pray one of them turns out to be class.
Seems a stupid strategy to me and even if we do unearth a gem they usually take 3/4 years to mature. Will fergie even be around then, i doubt it.
I am just sick and tired of the “looking for value” “bringing throgh the kids” excuses. It is nothing like that, it all comes down to the glazers. Ferguson sadly has sided with them and whilst he does i stand by me words that this club is just going to decline and decline until we have new owners. To do that though we need mass boycotting and think whilst some fans are boycotting (i know you did, well done mate btw), i dont think enough will.
It really is sad how bad things have become though.
June 8th, 2010 at 21:50
@Grognard: I can’t really disagree with too much of your world cup preview, my only question mark is the US team. We simply have too many question marks for my liking. Our strength is our athleticism and work rate, but I fear we lack a quality scorer/ match winner. Donovan is a quality playmaker who seemingly found some balls this past year(beckham might have had a little something to do with that.”) but it’s hard to make plays without having players around you. Altidore is a typical American player, physically imposing and fast but lacks skill and finesse. I also question how much he sees the game. I also think we are gonna miss the blistering pace of Davies. Pretty much our only other weapons are Dempsey and Michael Bradley.
Our progression to the knockout round depends on how we play the first game. A hard fought draw or close loss to England, will give them the belief to scrap out results with Algeria and Slovenia. But a blowout I fear, will see them implode.
Speaking of Bradley, what did you make of his first season in the bundesliga? Were you able to watch any of his games? From what I’ve seen of him, he would do well in England.
June 8th, 2010 at 22:03
STREAMS?!
June 8th, 2010 at 22:06
@tonymontanna4united: Thanks mate. I personally want to see Portugal go far but I’m sorry Queiroz has them playing like scared chickens when the butcher comes a calling. Ronaldo needs to up his game for his country. So far this past year he has done nothing for country much like Messi. No Nani means no knockout round. I think Ivory Coast is the best of all the African nations and my God, they have Sven managing them.
I have heard that Drogba is going to play and that is why I am picking them to advance. If Drogba doesn’t play then I give Portugal that second spot. For me the World Cup this time around comes down to managers more than players. Too many stars missing and too many great players tired after a long season. Managers are going to win this with tactics and proper lineup selections and match ups. Dunga, Lowe, Capello, Lippi and even Sven are the best of the good teams. I expect the World Cup to come out of that group of managers. I fully expect Argentina, Spain and the Netherlands to crash for that reason among others. My one wild card in managers is Domenich and France. He is an idiot but that team has so much raw talent that I can see them going far despite him. They are strong in goal, defence, midfield and attack.
June 8th, 2010 at 22:09
@tonymontanna4united: I am hoping that Krasic has a breakout tournament. I think he is the difference for Serbia. As he goes so go the Serbs. Pantelic and Zigic are OK but they will get lots of service from great wingers and midfielders. Central defence for them is very strong as well. I don’t know about their fullbacks and keeper though.
June 8th, 2010 at 22:12
@Owen: I don’t think Brazil will finish second and I am fairly sure that portugal will not beat them Ronaldo or no Ronaldo. Portugal is an enigma. Brazil will want to avoid Spain at all costs and will go all out in their three group games to avoid them.
June 8th, 2010 at 22:16
@tonymontanna4united: The reason we are missing out on great players is simple mate. First we hav eno money, simple as that. The second reason is that many great players, Schneijder among them didn’t or don’t want to play for us. Not everybody likes Fergie and many see the problems with the club and it’s owners and want to stay away from a club that looks to be in certain decline. Right now the actions of the owners and manager are turning off many from ever wanting to sign for us. A perfect example of this are players like Rodwell and Arteta who would rather sign extension deals rather than be linked to us. We have hit the skids mate and we are now seen as a minnow by many because of our lack of ambition thanks to our ownership, or lack of.
June 8th, 2010 at 22:19
@Johnsom33: I still have more faith in England because of Capello. England play like Italy now which is not attractive but effective. US is a good team but Bradley for me is not a world class manager and that will be their undoing.
June 8th, 2010 at 23:17
Just watched Panorama which highlights everything we already know and suspected. One thing it did show is where those pig looking bastards live. I say we should scrape together and hire LEON aka Jean Reno to wipe out those mother fuckers and then take out that fucking Muppet Gill on his way back in time for the world cup.
June 8th, 2010 at 23:32
@aron84: Your right, it did tell us most what we already now. However, it amazes me to think that the Glazers live that kind of palatial lifestyle when they actually have no money! It is all borrowed money
. The guy was basically saying on the programme though, that the Glazers have made Man United fans MUPPETS by abusing the fans passion for the club, and banking on that passion that the fans won’t desert.
Can anybody tell me who understands please – are we total DUPES to be paying continuous increasing finance for a product that is diminishing in value? I mean I thought you payed for advanced and increasing quality product, not diminishing shite quality of product which we are seeing too increasingly at OT. No investment in stars at all, yet still being fleeced – what a bloody joke! How do we truly get rid of the fuckers and David Gill – surely there has to be a way!
June 8th, 2010 at 23:50
@CraigMc: You can still be a great supporter by watching on TV, down the pub, etc. You’ll be able to follow your favorite players, cheer for great plays or goals, groan at Berbatov
, and generally behave as great United fan usually does.
But the minute you buy a ticket or some United merchandise, you have stopped supporting United and started to support Malcolm Glazer and his parasitical family.
You choose!!
June 9th, 2010 at 0:02
@aron84: I would never advocate murder but for that inbred family i bloody well would.
I watched the program and tbh it didnt tell us anything we didnt know already. What it did tell us though is that their businesses to put it mildly, are in the shits.
I think the program said 63 of their 64 malls are making losses, totalling something like $500m debt. Their tampa team has a debt of something like $100m and we have debts as we all know of £700m+.
So all their businesses are in debt, however we are their only business that is making them any sort of money. So their overall debt is about £1.1bn, anyone who thinks we will not be liable for that are stupid, who are they going to get that money from. You guesses it us.
I truly just want them wiped off the face of the earth, the nasty bastads. Were then shown their lovely mansion and private beach, a house im sure our money was used for. The man and his family live the life of luxury and its coming from our pockets.
I know i am not a season ticket holder and it easy for me to say it but please everyone who has one, do not renew.
The G&G simply is not doing anything, boycotting is the only option. They even interviewed glazers former lawyer and he said he is increidbly hard skinned and the protests will not hurt him a bit because all he cares about is cold hard cash, and he certainly makes enough of that from us.
On a side note i thought dave whelan spoke some sense. He basically said at wigan he makes sure whatever they make goes back into the club. He seems a nice guy and a good owner, to think he could have bought us 20 years ago for £11m.
June 9th, 2010 at 0:08
@Redrich: Totally agree with you mate I consider myself as a loyal supporter despite living in London. I follow all the games on tv/internet/foreign satellite. I have had Manchester united merchandise as far back as I can remember hell I even found my old sharp kits from back in the day, bringing back so many fond memories. I refuse to buy the new kits because of those fucking cunt faced spineless wankers. However unfortunately they have got this club by the balls and are raping this club left right and center. Truth is there is little we can do about it.
June 9th, 2010 at 0:12
@tonymontanna4united: All I know is that the Glazers are buying Man United with the clubs OWN fucking money. What kind of fucked up mentality is that?
June 9th, 2010 at 0:16
@Redrich: I know mate, but it will mean a great suffering of loss of banter and comrade-ship on the terraces. After tonight though, watching that heart sickening program, I think I as you say, have decided to take the suffering and stay away. It is not without a heavy heart though Rich!
June 9th, 2010 at 0:18
@aron84: A boycott is the fans only weapon. If enough choose to spend their money elsewhere, the Glazers ultimate endgame, the resale of the club at a monstrous profit, will be in jeopardy.
With not enough revenue to service debts and for them to ATM the club for their own profits, a sale, sooner rather than later, will become a better option.
June 9th, 2010 at 0:23
@CraigMc: I know that’s a massive sacrifice for you, Craig. I commend you for that.
With little else to do, a boycott will help the club in the long-term.
It’s tough-love time, men!!
June 9th, 2010 at 0:57
@CraigMc: Seriously mate anyone who decides to boycott i truly admire.
It is very very easy for me to say lets boycott, because as i say i have never been priviledged enough to own a season ticket as i moved from manchester to london 11 years ago.
If you do decide to give up going then all i can say to you mate is you have my respect, i can only imagine how hard it must be. But like i think stephen did boycotting is the only option we have. This program just further confirmed our fears, and basically confirms under a glazer ownership we are not going to go any further.
Forget gill and the rest of their cronies who sat back and let this happen, their time will come, but right now we need to band together and get this scum out.
I think the G&G protests were admirable but as i said we need mass boycotts to get them out. I think we need a leader to encourage these protests, and the man i can think of is cantona. He has expressed his anger at the glazers and i think MUST and all the united organisations need to see if he is willing to join up.
Its going to be hard, but as i always say short term pain for long term gain. This club has stood for over 100 years, we all want it to stand for another 100. But with these buggers in charge i see nothing but pain and suffering for the club and their supporters. LUHG.
June 9th, 2010 at 1:29
How many of you think J. Cole & M. Ballack would make better sense than R. Giggs and M. Carrick.
With no new players on the horizon, this would seem like a good short-term upgrade to our midfield issues!!
June 9th, 2010 at 1:55
@Redrich: I would take anyone over carrick right now, and i dont want to sound ungrateful but i hate seeing giggs on the wing. I think he is really showing his age but by putting him on the wing like we did a number of times last season i think we are just looking desperate.
I would take joe cole and michael ballack in a heartbeat, which is sad in itself becuase it shows just how bad our midfield is right now doesnt it.
June 9th, 2010 at 2:02
@tonymontanna4united: It’s not just tickets.
I got my very good Chinese fake shirts off the internet instead of giving the Glazers any money this season.
I got rid of MUTV.
I normally go to a pre season friendly because I can’t get matchday tickets easily and it’s the only opportunity I get to see our team live. This season, I went to the Sport relief game instead, knowing United get none of my ticket money. I sure as hell didn’t spend a penny in the stadium either.
Outside the stadium on the way in, however there was a lovely man selling Green and Gold scarves…..
That alone, from me this season is £200 (2 shirts, years MUTV, 1 ticket) less in their pockets. If everyone on the MUST website didn’t buy the shirts and cancelled MUTV that’s nearly £32million.
Anyone who says doing these small things doesn’t help is wrong. If everyone does them they aren’t small things. The Glazers business model cannot abide those sorts of sudden drops, and it is the only way to force them out.
I also know there are alot of people down on the Red Knights. While they are not a 100% perfect ideal, what’s the alternative? At least they are United fans who care enough to hate what the Glazers are doing to their club, try and stop it, and want to sell the club to the fans Barcelona style.
I’d rather be in that frying pan than this fire.
June 9th, 2010 at 2:04
@Redrich: Fergie wouldn’t touch Ballack because he was set to go to us and then jumped on Chelsea for more money when he left Bayern. I could see him ending up at Liverpool maybe, when Gerrard leaves for Madrid.
June 9th, 2010 at 2:16
@tonymontanna4united: I know, it’s a massive lowering of the expectations, mate, but honestly the fucking midfield needs a make over.
If we go into a new season sporting the same usual suspects through the middle, it wouldn’t matter if we bought a good striker or a WC replacement for Edwin, we would be knackered from the get-go!!
June 9th, 2010 at 2:29
@Traverse: Desperate times call for desperate measures. If Ferguson is serious about getting the title back, he really has to upgrade his midfield. If he can’t afford to, then picking up a couple of freebies with high wages (but on short term contracts) wouldn’t be a bad bit of biz.
His Scottish pride may well be put to the test this off-season and I wouldn’t be surprised by a move like this. He cannot, for ever, urge us all toward the promised land, without the proof that we have the players to carry us there!!
June 9th, 2010 at 2:31
@Redrich: Ballack is going to Madrid and Cole will be probably at Arsenal next season.
We will probably get David James,Heskey,Govou…
June 9th, 2010 at 2:35
@Traverse: This is a good way to think about it, mate.
A pound out of the Glazer’s pockets adds another year on the life of Manchester United Football Club!!
June 9th, 2010 at 2:38
@Owen: Really, what a fucking bummer.
I, however, will live in hope
June 9th, 2010 at 3:33
@Traverse: Yeah your right mate, i see alot of fans joining the protests wearing the green and gold scarfs, yet they still go and buy united shirts and memorabilia from the store. Kind of defeats the purpose.
You are right though we all need to do what we can, in your case thats the MUTV subscription and shirts, and i have to say well done to you mate. It might be £200 they dont get which might not sound alot but if everyone does this it will hurt them significantly.
I myself have not purchased anything that i know goes into their pockets. I attended the final game against stoke this season but that was because family in manchester had tickets and knew how badly i wanted to see united, as it was to be my first time watching the team live at old trafford.
My uncle who gave me the ticket and has been a season ticket holder for 30 odd years has decided not to renew his season ticket and never purchased anything in the megastore or inside the stadium.
I really do feel for him because he has been a ST holder longer than i have been around and now he cannot even go to watch his beloved team.
The game has changed fair enough, it is no longer a working mans game but i think its pathetic a man like my uncle who is a lifelong fan now feels he can no longer attend matches because someone thousands of miles away is raping our club.
Make no mistake your sacrifices will add up. Whatever Gill says there are alot of fans who are not renewing next season and it will all add up. Will enough fans boycott to hurt the glazers, we have to wait and see.
But i applaud you mate for your tough stance and decision not to line the glazers pockets. You, craig, stephen and me and others on here im sure have all taken a tough stance and decided to line their pockets, there will be others too. Hopefully those sacrifices will not be in vain and we can all join forces and force the glazers out.
As for the red knights, i agree i would much rather them in charge than the glazers. I know fan opinion of the RK is split. I hear alot of them say “they couldnt run this club, so i would rather stick with what we have, better the devil you know”.
Truth is we dont know much about the RKs but can they possibly be any worse than the glazers. As you say atleast they are fans of our club and will have our best interests at heart. Are they going to want to make money out of us, of course they will they are business men afterall. However will they rape our club the way the glazers do, i doubt it they are fans after all. MUST have personally been involved in all negotiations between the RKs and i can hardly see them getting behind a group of people who are going to be bad for the club.
Sounds like they have drawn out right now and tbh i can see why. Why should they have to overpay for us and give the glazers massive profits when they havent even put in a penny of their own money.
I think they should have put in a formal bid though, announced it to the world and waited to see what the fans felt, especially after the panarama program today.
If the glazers rejected the bid i really think we could have seen mass boycotting, however i can see why the RKs pulled out.
June 9th, 2010 at 3:39
@Redrich: I know mate, its sad how standards have slipped at this club. However your right, we cannot enter another season with the same old team. The midfield is the area that needs the most work.
Fans can go on about needing another striker but for me the midfield is the priority and i think we need 1/2 good players in there.
Are joe cole and michael ballack world class. No, not really.
Would they add anything to our team, i would say yes.
Is joe cole an improvement on an ageing giggs, a park, obertan? Yes he is, so on a free he would make sense.
As for ballack it is a clever suggestion, i was thinking about him myself a few weeks ago but forgot about him.
I would put him ahead of a gibson, carrick and possibly scholes anyday.
Again on a free i think he would be worth a punt, he still looks a good player on his day.
Does it make us desperate signing all these kids and free signings, yes. However if it means us going into this season with gibson or carrick, or going into the season with a ballack, i would pick the german all day long.
Ive said though i really dont see us signing anyone. Weve signed smalling and hernandez and that will be it i think.
So so depressing when the best we can manage is kids and all we are linked with are free signings, sign of the times though i guess.
June 9th, 2010 at 3:54
@tonymontanna4united: The RK bid was always a little under valued! The timing was going to have to be perfect for it to be excepted.
The timing was not right, and so they declined to make a bid. Times might change, mate, and the RK’s might re-emerge as a future ownership group, but until then, it’s up to us to put pressure on the Vampires to go back to their dark coffins of debt.
A co-ordinated response WILL make a difference, they WILL become despondent with a hostile foreign rebellion, and they WILL retreat to a safer position.
Gutless and useless, they just don’t have the fight to put up with us!!
June 9th, 2010 at 4:03
@Redrich: I hope they do re-emerge mate because despite alot of fans having question marks over them i think they had the clubs intentions at heart which is what we want to see.
As for the glazers all we can do is boycott, alot of fans are doing this already. As i wrote to traverse my uncle a ST holder for 30 years has not renewed his ST, stephen didnt, craig said today hes not spending anything anymore, and from what i hear from my family in manchester, the majority are staying away as theyve had enough.
I think the fans have taken all the shit they can and now theyre fighting back.
Will we ever see half empty stadiums, no. But even if there are 10,000 empty seats it will make a difference. Whatever gill says, there is not a large waiting list. Tickets were available on general sale for alot of the games, the first time in years.
June 9th, 2010 at 4:23
@tonymontanna4united: Yes, the signs are that people are beginning to understand the cataclysmic consequences of continuing to financially support the Glazers.
The fact that Stephen, Traverse and now Craig are willing to make very hard sacrifices, makes it obvious that the direction that are club is going in, will eventually make it hit a wall.
It would be good to hear from other Manc’s who have made the very tough decision to turn their financial backs on these bastards. A revitalized flurry of dissent will stir us all make for a better United future!!
June 9th, 2010 at 4:53
@aron84: Leon? No mate, we send Anrie there as a Terminator and let him got up to Malcolm Glazer, smack him up right his head and then say, “I’ll be back”.
June 9th, 2010 at 4:59
@Redrich: Oh yes mate lets get Michael Ballack here now after every Man Utd fan including myself has learned to hate his guts. That boat sailed five years ago. A 34 year old player is not what United need even though he would still be damned good if played properly in his central attacking role, and not as a DMF like Chelsea used him. You want United fans to finally revolt, then sign Ballack. Also, if you think Cole’s wage demands would be ridiculous, then Ballack’s would be out of this world. Good to see him finally out of Stamford Bridge.
June 9th, 2010 at 5:04
@Grognard: I hated Sherringham before he came to OT. He was an upgrade for us, and I eventually ended up loving the guy.
Ballack would look good in red!!
June 9th, 2010 at 5:30
@Grognard: Wow, I missed that, you hate Ballack now?
I actually thought he was your Alpha player, the epitome of German footy, the aryan Viera, the second coming of Beckenbauer.
Long in the tooth now, he would still sit Carrick’s arse permanently on the bench.
June 9th, 2010 at 6:21
@Redrich: Wow!
How times have changed? NO fucking way to Ballack, pls! Too old, and to say he’s better than Carrick !!!?!!! My neighbours cat, who is getting on in years, is better than Carrick. 
There’s much better options out there, lets just hope Fergie has something/someone in mind 
June 9th, 2010 at 6:40
@Traverse: Gerrard isn’t going anywhere mate. Liverpool would be daft to let him go as getting rid of Rafa was an attempt by them to sway Gerrard into staying. I’ll be shocked if he goes to Madrid.
June 9th, 2010 at 6:43
@Owen: If Ballack goes to Madrid I will come over to your house and be you personal bitch for a month. It’s very well known by everyone but you that Mourinho is not a Ballack fan. He hardly played him and fought his purchase when he arrived at Chelsea as he felt Chelsea never needed him. Ballack is 33 going on 50 and that isn’t the kind of player Madrid is looking for.
June 9th, 2010 at 6:49
@Redrich: Mate, Ballack is my favourite player. Do you honestly think I wouldn’t want to see him in red? But that ship sailed long ago. He is at the end of his career and he would never come here knowing just how much United fans despise him. It doesn’t help knowing that the manager is also very anti German with his “typical Germans” line as well as his past history of buying no German players. These things matter. Ballack I am pretty sure will be going back to the Bundesliga and probably to Schalke who are interested in signing him. I’d love to see him go back home to Bayern but I think that club is going with a younger players movement and rightfully so.
June 9th, 2010 at 6:52
@Redrich: I hated him as a Chelsea player. Just felt so betrayed by him and his childish unGerman and previously unBallack like behaviour. I love the guy but only as a player for Germany or a player playing for a Bundesliga club I can tolerate. If he went to Liverpool I would completely disown him. Christ mate, if I can turn on Fergie who I loved like a favourite uncle, do you think I can’t turn on a player who has disappointed me at every turn playing for a hated enemy?
June 9th, 2010 at 6:56
@Phoenix Red: I watched some penguins playing football on tv the other night as the Japanese will think of the most ridiculous things in order to entertain themselves. Anyway, I noticed about three of the penguins were quicker and more agile and had better pace than Carrick. And as an American newscaster put it, “they bet it like BEAKham.
OK, I’m sorry for that last bit. 
June 9th, 2010 at 8:06
@Grognard: very funny Bro! Sad but true!
June 9th, 2010 at 8:22
@Phoenix Red: Of course I meant it they bent it like Beakham, not bet it.
I also forgot to mention that they struck the ball with more accuracy and velocity than Anderson.
June 9th, 2010 at 9:07
@tonymontanna4united: Mate as far as I know you are dead wrong about LOCAL BASED Man United faithful buying green and gold and then buying other stuff from the United Mega Store! It is foreign TOURIST visitors (not necessarily United fans) who buy from both, and I don’t know IF that is an area where MUST can get into contact with our foreign based fan clubs – maybe they already have. I am not sure on that score. But I am over the moon that David Gill is SICKENED as he looks out of his office window and sees local tradesmen selling green and gold items and the money they are making! At least these merchants items are a steal for the fans, instead of being ripped off in our Glazer Mega store! I wonder why the said merchants aren’t selling green and gold United shirts – or are they ? Anybody???
Well I will not be on the terraces this next season, and that fills me with sadness, but I am not going to be a dupe for those Glazer bastards any longer.
June 9th, 2010 at 9:18
@Traverse: Mate I don’t understand some of the United fans attitude to the Red Knights! It is not like they just one day suddenly decided, you know what guys lets get together and pool our money to buy Man UNited. From what I understand they were approached by MUST to help support the cause and find a possible buyer/buyers! Somebody please tell me if I have misunderstood the MUST approach in the whole Red Knights thing!
June 9th, 2010 at 13:11
@Grognard:
According to Daily Mail:
Jose Mourinho is contemplating a shock move to take Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack to Real Madrid.
The Germany captain, out of the World Cup after being injured in the FA Cup final, is considering several lucrative offers from the Middle East as he braces himself for the end of his Chelsea career.
Though contact has yet to be made with Ballack or his advisers, Mourinho believes the 33-year old can make an impact at the Bernabeu along with Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard.
Though Dubai teams such as Al Wasl and Al Shabab could tempt him with more lucrative personal terms, Ballack has always made it clear he wants to continue playing at the highest level for as long as he can
June 9th, 2010 at 14:49
@Grognard: I know that one was coming!
June 9th, 2010 at 15:44
So, is anyone playing fantasy football for the World Cup?
June 9th, 2010 at 16:49
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Everyone says that they bled the bucks when they only started bleedign the bucks after the purchase of united.
before the purchase of united they built a new stadium and spent buckets of cash “re-branding the team” and building a Superbowl winning team.(the bucks before glazer were rarely in the playoffs. I am a longtime fan.
June 9th, 2010 at 16:52
@CraigMc: the fucked up part is… who are the buying it from? the people who sold out are SELLOUTS. that is the worst a human can be a sellout.
June 9th, 2010 at 17:18
@gator: mmmmmmmm I think you’re glossing over a few things Bro. As a PLC, which is what we were BG (before Glazer),the major shareholders, John Magnier and JP Mc Manus, two very wealthy and sucessfull businessmen enjoyed a friendly relationship with Fergie and shared his penchant for racehorses. This was all fine for awhile, until the stud rights for a certain champion horse called “Rock of Gibraltar” changed the dynamics between the three protaginists. Fergie had shares in the horse and expected stud money, this was never going to happen, the resultant fallout led to very frosty times between the 3, which eventually led to the Irish businessmen selling out to the Glazers. These 2 men (Magnier and Mc Manus) were purely businessmen who had no interest in football nevermind United. So who do we blame???
June 9th, 2010 at 17:31
@CraigMc: Sorry mate i didnt mean it was local based fans who were going in and buying things from the megastore, just meant ive seen alot of fans who attend games and have the g&g scarfs, yet still purchase items in the store.
I am sure the vast majority of those fans are just daytrippers, foreigners, and not your average mancs like you and me who would never go and put a penny in their pocket.
Its great to protest and show your support to the g&g movement but if your there buying the scarfs and then at the same time going in to the megastore putting money into the glazers pockets, it kind of defeats the whole purpose doesnt it.
I went to the stoke game at the end of the season when there was all that trouble with the smoke bombs in the megastore and all i saw was g&g. I went bought one of my own but before the bomb went off i still saw a number of people purchasing the scarfs and then right after going into the megastore and coming out with bags of merchandise.
I do think it needs saying though that all those people looked foreign, a number of them japanses, chinese and the rest from other asian countries. Maybe they dont fully understand the protests and just go along with it idk, but i fully agree with you we need to somehow make the protest more global so as foreign fans fully understand the protests.
As for your question about the g&g shirts, yes there are a few people who sell them. I believe they sell them on the MUFC website somewhere, i saw a few people at the game wearing them, although i dont think they have enough of the shirts to sell them on a large scale. Who knows though, could be a good idea to start producing more of them and the fans wearing them as well as the scarfs.
Going to be a bit uncomfortable after all wearing scarfs in the middle of august isnt it lol.
And as for you deciding to boycott united games, all i can say is you have my respect mate. As ive said its very easy for me to say boycott as i live in london now, but at the end of the day i was born a manc, my family are mancs and i have the clubs interests at heart, and the best thing we can do now is boycott.
My own uncle who lives in manchester still has had to not renew his ST this year, and he has been a ST holder since the 1980s. From what he tells me alot of fans in manchester are boycotting so its looking good. Already just from this blog theres you, me, traverse, stephen and im sure others who either have given up buying tickets or merchandise or whatever simply becuase they no longer will support the glazers.
Ok all of us 4 collectively might not make a huge difference to the glazers but there will be others who do what we have done, i really do believe the fans have had enough and change may be near.
June 9th, 2010 at 17:32
@CraigMc: “All I know is that the Glazers are buying Man United with the clubs OWN fucking money. What kind of fucked up mentality is that?”
welcome to the American way of buisness, where the smart people never spend their own money. The rich get richer and when things go belly up the rich gets bailed out by the government. So ultimately gets left with the tab? The tax payer.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my country and would even fight for it. But there are alot of things here that I just won’t stand behind.
June 9th, 2010 at 17:39
@CraigMc:
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Glazers-shocked-as-Manchester-United-season-ticket-renewals-plummet-amid-talk-of-boycott-article453961.html
See mate, sounds like alot of fans are following your stance and have had enough. According to that only 1/3 of the STs have been sold with only 4 days left to renew. I think this will open the door to alot of fans who are maybe not local but i do not see them selling another 40,000 tickets in a few days.
As i said i think change may be near. LUHG.
June 9th, 2010 at 18:25
@CraigMc: You didnt misunderstand mate you are 100% correct. MUST were obviously against the glazer takeover from day 1, however i think there was not alot of support for boycotting like there is now.
I think the general feeling was lets wait and see. MUST however knew from day 1 of their plans and wanted as many people as possible to support them. I think it is only since last season when the large majority of fans had enough after the ronaldo money was taken, and thus 100s of thousands of new members signed up for MUST.
It was only then that i think the majority of fans realised the fears from day 1 were coming true and that is why i believe MUST approached Keith Harris (apologies if ive given the wrong name) who as a life long united fan decided he could use his contacts to buy the club.
So yes in answer to your question MUST were entirely behind the red knights, they approached them and offered their support behind them.
This is why i cannot understand why a large number of united fans are against. Would MUST really offer their support to a consortium they felt would be bad like the glazers. Of course not.
From everything i have heard there were supposedly going to 50/60 red knight. MUST apparently met with each and every one of them and were also allowed in on the red knights meetings.
They would have known immediately if they were backing a bad egg and would have pulled out.
The fact is although the RKs werent perfect they atleast were fans and had the clubs intentions at heart and long term their plan was for there to be a supporters ownership like with barca. It might not have been for a few years but i think long term their ideas were good.
Sadly alot of the fans had a “better the devil you know” mentality which i think meant they never enough support. Also becuase the glazers put an unrealistic price on the club which meant they had to pull out.
I hope we see them again though, i do hope that one day they take over because as far as i could see they were the best option we had seen in years.
June 9th, 2010 at 18:40
@Owen: Well that is truly a shocking development and I for one do not believe it. I am not doubting you, I just don’t believe it. Mourinho is a smart man and he is not going to spend on a 33 year old midfielder he hardly wanted while managing Chelsea. And as far as going to the Middle East to play, that would be sad as I am sure several German clubs would welcome Ballack with open arms and still keep his chances for the national team alive.
June 9th, 2010 at 18:41
@EduardoDaVinci4: I couldn’t resist mate. It was the evil in me.
June 9th, 2010 at 18:47
@Johnsom33: As much as it’s easy to blame the Glazer’s for that, it’s not their fault. The fault lies with government and with the banks for creating a set of rules and a climate that is conducive to that kind of business. It’s sleazy and disgusting but it’s being done all the time. Remember the old business adage that has been used for decades now that goes like this, “Never ever use your own money. Use other people’s money”. It’s the system that allows this kind of stuff that is to blame and it is the reason why so many businesses and banks have failed of late and why the entire world is in debt over their ears.
June 9th, 2010 at 18:51
@Johnsom33: So what are you saying then mate? Are you saying that IF Man Utd collapse and go into administration, and the Buccaneers in USA, and their Mall real estate businesses, that your government will bail the Glazers out by giving them MUCH DOSH. If so, no wonder USA themselves are close to bankruptsy – well deserved if you ask me!
June 9th, 2010 at 18:52
I say to all who are giving up or planning to give up their season tickets to make sure they keep all documentation of proof that they were season ticket holders. The day will come when new ownership is in place and they will want to do right by the old fans as well as attempt to return season tickets to all those who sacrificed them in order for a takeover to take place. So I urge any more people who are reluctant to give them up that it should not and i feel will not mean that they will have to fall to the back of the line and waiting list for season tickets when the new regime finally takes over. New owners understand and respect loyalty and tenure. They will want to do right by all of you. I firmly believe that.
June 9th, 2010 at 19:01
@Phoenix Red: Mate we were NEVER in the torrential kind of sinking debt levels we are in now before the Glazers came in and stuffed us all – you know that Phoenix, I know it, and the whole fucking world knows it mate. The Americans can play hardball all they like, but not with my money as a contribution anymore!
June 9th, 2010 at 19:06
My mate rang to say he has just cancelled his subscription to MUTV, and the TV sales staff he spoke too said quite a few had rang in to cancel their subscriptions. Keep it up United fans
.
June 9th, 2010 at 19:11
Apologies to all you Americans on here – no offence meant, but why oh why are American football fans paying like 80 to 90 British pound equivelant to go watch UNited’s reserve team play in the States. It is the kids for goodness sake, hardly none of our star players will be there, so you would think prices would have been reduced for this – but NO the Glazers triumph again!
.
June 9th, 2010 at 20:39
@Grognard: That is a great and romantic view but the Glazers will not relinquish their personal cash cow which is United.
The fact of the matter that that judas Gill has admitted that our business model is based on Champions League football and nothing else, which basically means they will be around for years to come. We are not fans that simply aspire to be play in the Champions league we want to win it, and bringing in players like Diouf, Obertan, Hernandez ect are not the players who will win you leagues and European Cups.
I am settled with my decision but deep down I know that some other mug will pick up my season ticket, but I can’t stuff any more wads into the Glazers back bin and then wear a green and gold scarf, I would be a hypocrite.
The only people who could afford to purchase United would be a rich Arab, and if that was going to happen I feel that would have happpened by now. The only reason that they would sell is if we plummeted down the table which would be awful. But I can see that they will feed our club just enoughof a rashon to keep us there or there abouts and under Fergie we will do that, we all know that for us is simply not good enough.
LUHG
June 9th, 2010 at 20:42
@CraigMc: Because they be stupid
I was set to go to Toronto to watch Giggs and Scholes for the last time ever, but at $135/ticket and with Glazers pocketing it all, I said no thanks! As long as Glazers are in control, I will get all my jerseys from Chinese copy-cats. I got this sweet and well-made copy from eBay not too long ago – $30 for a copy that my brother could not tell apart from the real thing.
June 9th, 2010 at 20:48
@CraigMc: Because they don’t get to watch United play in the flesh. That said, I think United are set to play in Houston on July 28 (which means a lot of first team regulars might feature) The stadium will be about a 2hour drive from my home, but with all this Glazer disenchantment, I’ve vowed not to attend the match. As hard it is for me to miss the chance to watch United players in the flesh. There is just too much temptation to attend it, but I’m hoping I can reign it in.
June 9th, 2010 at 21:03
@Red Ranter:
awwww I know just how you will be feeling RR. The 1st time in years for you to see United in the flesh, and you are wrestling with your conscience mate. Still you should content yourself with the thought that it really won’t be Manchester United proper you will be missing. As for others joining them, I don’t think so RR, because Fergie has said straight out none of them in the WC will be there because they are all given a months leave. Also Rio and Nani have to have their injuries sorted and then take their one months leave!
June 9th, 2010 at 21:05
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Well good for you mate – I respect you for that. Keep your money in your pocket and starve, starve, starve the Glazers!
June 9th, 2010 at 21:11
@Stephen: Thing isw though Stephen, IF United fans don’t buy merchandise or anything else that lines Glazer pockets, and do it in their thousands, then FIFA rules will not allow us to play CL football IF our books don’t balance. So it does make a big difference mate! Do you think sponsors will want to continue to sponsor our club when we have half empty stadium? That should be our aim. We have to understand what the business model is built on and a lot is to do with Merchandising mate!
June 9th, 2010 at 22:02
@Stephen: Champions League football? Christ mate the Glazer’s can desire that all they want but unless they put money back into the team the team will continue to decline until it resembles Liverpool or worse. And then there will be no CL football or profits for them. Trust me, their house of cards is about to crash down upon them because the fans boycott will be loud and clear. Advertisers will pull out because they don’t want to hitch themselves to a dead horse and the “brand” that they are so proud of milking will go sour and stop making them the money they so desperately need in order to take on the challenge of holding on to the club. Two years of boycotts and rebellion and they will be gone. Hell it could be sooner. And any mugs that pick up season tickets after others have given them up should be treated like scabs are during strikes. Whack them all and dump them at the City of Manchester Stadium.
June 9th, 2010 at 23:14
@Grognard: I’m afraid i definitely dont agree with you on this Grog, it is not a strike situation, and i for one will not fight fellow Reds. There has been enough disharmony between us since the days of FCUM, now is the time to unite not to exacerbate further divisions.
June 10th, 2010 at 0:19
@Grognard: Um, attacking fellow fans for renewing season tickets is missing the point entirely. There’s a fine-line between requesting people to help and terrorizing them for not subscribing to our views. It’s as bad as thought-policing.
June 10th, 2010 at 0:21
@Phoenix Red: Fine then don’t fight them but do fight the Glazer’s by making your stand. I don’t buy anything that goes into the pockets of the Glazer’s and I have donated money to MUCH so I am doing all I can do. Everyone who cares about the future of this club needs to step up now and take a hit for the good of the team.
June 10th, 2010 at 1:01
@Grognard: I agree with that. It pains me, but I am not going to attend the friendly in Houston on 28 July.
June 10th, 2010 at 1:13
@Grognard: The end result of any boycott will depend on how wide spread it becomes!
However, this must be a personal decision based, as Stephen and you have said, on a total intolerance for their method of ownership. We can only make the point to others, that sustainability is not possible and that the likely outcome will be disastrous for our club. They then must decide for themselves.
If this movement was to become successful, it will be because the overwhelming evidence of the Glazer mismanagement can no longer be denied by the majority of the United faithful.
Twisting arms is an unattractive approach – pointing out indisputable facts to the skeptics can only raise their level of awareness to the perils ahead!
June 10th, 2010 at 1:57
@Redrich: The fact that there have been 38,000 less season ticket renewals with a couple of days to go is going to hit them hard. What’s an average season ticket? £800? That’s £30.5mil less already in their pockets this season. If when the new shirt comes out people boycott it, they will have to start thinking seriously about taking the Red Knights money and running.
June 10th, 2010 at 1:58
Also, I CANNOT stress this enough :
‘The Red Knights have promised that every season-ticket holder who joins the boycott will get the opportunity to buy their usual seat in the ground back once the Glazers have been forced out. ‘
June 10th, 2010 at 2:08
@Traverse: I’ve been hoping that these reports are true – it would undoubtedly make a difference if there was that many absconders.
It’s also encouraging for those still perched on the fence – they may now be ready to join the party!
June 10th, 2010 at 3:48
@Traverse: Now, this is a MAJOR gamble by RK, if you ask me. They are asking the fans to give up their season tickets on the basis than IF (not when) the RK buy United from Glazers greedy hands, they will get their tickets back… can they even do that if they end up owning United?
June 10th, 2010 at 3:58
@[OPTI]Madschester United: It’s actually a major gamble by the ticket holders.
The chance of regaining season ticket propriety would depend mostly on the new ownership.
One must gauge the possibility that “all bets could well be off” with a new regime in place.
Another reason why those who have already sacrificed, are true heroes, and ones to be haloed in the future annuls of this club!!
June 10th, 2010 at 4:02
@Red Ranter: Perhaps but if they are not with the rest then they are part of the problem. Fans that support the Glazer’s by knowingly going against the majority are nothing more than scabs in my book. Sorry but I just don’t see how jumping in and taking somebody’s season tickets because he had the courage to make a stand makes them anyone I have to respect or admire. They are scabs. All fans should be banding together to destroy the Glazer’s.
June 10th, 2010 at 4:04
@Red Ranter: You have to remember that we are fighting for the future and for the survival of our team and an institution in football history. For those who are not aboard and who cannot see the problem, well, fuck them, I really don’t care. And terrorizing is a strong word to use. I’m not igniting any bombs under their asses. I just want them to get a good tongue lashing and a lesson in true loyalty.
June 10th, 2010 at 4:19
@Redrich: Twisting arms may not work but never underestimate the stupidity of people who despite common sense and a common cause find ways to justify bad behaviour and greedy selfishness. Anybody who’s not on board with the movement to force the Glazer’s out should be shot (a slight exaggeration).
June 10th, 2010 at 4:20
@Redrich: You’re right. I meant it was a Major Public Relations gamble by RK. Do we even know they will bid more than 1 billion? They are putting the onus on United fans to take the risk, while they sit in the dark cave and plot how they can make a bid while keeping us in the dark with short hopeful emails but no real actions…
June 10th, 2010 at 4:21
@Grognard: I click my heels in submission!!
June 10th, 2010 at 4:21
@Traverse: I had a feeling that would be the case. Thanks for confirming it. All the more reason why everyone should give up their seats and sacrifice a bit for the overall good an future of the club and do so with little worry of getting their seats back when it’s all over with.
June 10th, 2010 at 4:22
@Redrich: Sieg Heil!
June 10th, 2010 at 4:29
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I honestly don’t have much faith in them at this point in time. They do represent a threat to the Glazers, and in that, they offer hope to us all!
I do think, though, that their time will come. The Glazer position is as fluid as the American markets. The time will come for them, and the RK’s will seem to ride in on a big white stallion!
June 10th, 2010 at 4:29
OK, considering the source this is probably BS but on the chance it isn’t, Fergie should be strung up by the balls. And I’m not even a supporter of England. How far right is the old man willing to go to support the Glazer’s and all things Yank? No disrespect to my American friends on here but this action coming from a manager in the EPL just smells of treason.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/139180/Ferguson-backs-Yanks/?
June 10th, 2010 at 4:32
@Grognard: Grog, you are a scary man, mate!!
June 10th, 2010 at 4:38
@Grognard: Did you actually read this BS?
June 10th, 2010 at 5:26
@Grognard: Even if it’s true, I think the footballing rivalry between Scotland and England is fierce. I seriously doubt he’d have given pointers if it were Scotland instead of England.
June 10th, 2010 at 7:49
@Redrich: Wait until you hear my plans for world domination.
June 10th, 2010 at 7:50
@Redrich: Yes I did. I have such a dislike for the Boss these days that I am apt to believe anything negative about him.
June 10th, 2010 at 7:52
@Red Ranter: Still, he has players who play for England that he expects to be loyal to him and Man Utd. I think that should go both ways. It’d probably BS but still, I put nothing past that man these days. He’s shown his true colours to me with his allegiance to the Glazer’s. Lets just consider him forever in my doghouse.
June 10th, 2010 at 9:17
@Grognard: Fergie’s on record in the past that that he’ll be glad if his players do well for their countries, but he would love it if England don’t do well so that he can always give his England players a hard time. He’s been pretty open about it in the past. I don’t think it’s treason.
I just don’t see the link between this and player loyalty.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:23
The Glazers will only pull out once we drop out of the Champions League and cease to be a money-making outfit. Once their debts exceed the value of the club they will be only too happy to sell.
But unfortunately at the moment we seem in a limbo where we aren’t forced to sell but don’t have any money to buy either. As long as we hold on to players like Rooney, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Nani, Valencia….then I cannot see us dropping out of the top four and our revenue stream will continue.
June 10th, 2010 at 13:44
Cummon, the only England player of ours who will play any part in the World Cup is Rooney. And to be honest Id rather England go out early so Rooney doesnt burn himself out or get injured.
We are an international football team so if anything Fergie should be a neutral. But as a Scot I fully understand he wants England to do badly!
June 10th, 2010 at 14:34
I like England
June 10th, 2010 at 14:46
Well, all our so called summer targets seem to be disappearing or heavily linked to other clubs! Milner, Silva, Krasic, Toure, Cole.
I think the old man is going to give the same VALUE and NO ADDITIONS REQUIRED bullshit this year and we will have more or less the same team as last year trying to survive on the shoulders or Rooney, Fletch, Giggs and Scholes.
The glazers seem like the mafioso, fucking leaches
June 10th, 2010 at 14:56
@godzilla: I think if we spent £28m for Milner we would certainly not be getting value, and with Krasic don’t we have enough right sided players?
Cole is certinly not a done deal either way, Toure though would be a super signing.
June 10th, 2010 at 15:27
@godzilla: Krasic has already agreed to join Juventus.
June 10th, 2010 at 16:25
@EduardoDaVinci4: And speaking of Juventus, it appears one of Fergie’s favourites, Diego is anxious and willing to come to the Prem. Fergie loves this guy as he has been quoted saying this yet just watch, not even a glimmer of interest. I fucking hate the old codger and everything he presently believes in.
June 10th, 2010 at 16:28
@Red Ranter: If i played for him mate, I’d want him to be supportive of me and my nation. Of course all bets are off if my team played Scotland but other than that, he should never ever turn or show such malice towards the country that employs him and the players who play for him who expect the same respect he demands of them. Sorry mate but he is dead wrong and a fucking traitor if he has done this. This is nothing more than a malicious intent to scupper the dreams of England as well as the hand full of players who play under him and wear the Union Jack. It’s an incredible low blow in my opinion. I’ll tell you this, if he was coaching a bunch of American kids in the US and he pulled something like this in the opposite direction, he’d be spending the rest of his life at Guantanamo Bay.
June 10th, 2010 at 16:33
@colver: BS. He is employed by an English club in England and he owes that country everything for his fortune and his stature. Let’s not forget he has also been knighted by the Queen and for this he stabs the Queen’s team in the back. Very classy. Why am I the only person that sees this? All you English born blokes should bloody well be pissed off beyond belief. Do you all hate your national team that much, because of past failures or what?
June 10th, 2010 at 16:37
@Stephen: Vidic’s agent is saying Vidic will make his mind up where he will be next season after the world cup. He says Real Madrid haven’t yet come back with an official offer, but they will know after the WC – so what does that tell you! You will soon see the rats jumping overboard once they smell a ship might be sinking! The said agent goes on to say that they have asked Man Utd for time to look at things before making a decision presumably – Tevez anyone???? Same thing with his agent last season.
June 10th, 2010 at 16:39
@Grognard: I’m sorry mate, people have done worse. It’s not the army where people lose their lives. So let’s not get dramatic and call this treason and elevate football to some high ideal it is not. Sports is a glorified reality show, like it or not. And if people string him up for that then we live in a sad world.
June 10th, 2010 at 16:42
@godzilla: I want the Glazer’s gone more than anything but believe me when I say this, I cannot wait for the day Fergie is gone too. I know I am in the minority on this one but I am so fucking sick and tired of his song and dance routine the past few years as well as his allegiance to the owners that the man is literally dead to me. He is a traitor of the first order whether any of you want to believe that or not. He has not only turned on the team and it’s heritage, but has broken the hearts and expectations of the supporters who fully trusted him and believed in him. For me it’s far more than a case of winning and getting points and trophies.
What this team stands for, what this team is all about both on the pitch and off has been seriously compromised and he has allowed it to happen without a peep of negativity directed to his employers. He has sat back and allowed Rome to burn because his palace is on top of the hill and protected by a large fire mote. He disgusts me with his inaction to improve the team, his inaction in confronting the owners and supporting the millions of fans who are Manchester United and above all, he has lied through his teeth in the process.
I know my condemnation of Ferguson is not popular and many think I am crossing the line with my comments but many thought I was crossing the line last year when I was the first on here to condemn the present owners and the first to shoot up warning flairs about our financial situation and what that meant for the future. So before people jump on me for what they think is disloyalty and a lack of appreciation, consider the situation first and also look at history and ask yourselves, is it possible Grognard is right yet again?
June 10th, 2010 at 16:44
@EduardoDaVinci4: He gave both United and Bayern plenty of time to make a decision and they both passed for different reasons. Those were the two teams he loved to play for the most. Too bad as Juventus is a team I despise. They are close to the top of my most hated football clubs list behind Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid
June 10th, 2010 at 16:45
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Mate they were prepared to offer 1.2 billion, but were told the Glazers wouldn’t bite at that price! Don’t badmouth the Red Knights without just cause Opti!
June 10th, 2010 at 16:48
@Grognard: Grogs we might need to raise funds on that…. lol!
June 10th, 2010 at 16:49
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Yes they can! If the Glazer regime has taught you anything mate, it should be that the owners can do what the fuck they like!
June 10th, 2010 at 16:53
@Red Ranter:
– good for you RR.
June 10th, 2010 at 16:54
@Red Ranter: I canniot believe you are making light of the situation knowing how much United means to people on this blog and how much loyalty is valued amongst United supporters. To have our manager do this to the country that employs him is really a major stab in the back. And although it pales to the examples of Kim Philby or any other true national traitor, it still smells of petty bitterness and an attempt to get revenge against the English FA and the England team for having messed with Fergie in the past, injured some of his players and basically made his job more difficult. Well boo hoo hoo. With Fergie it’s really all about him isn’t it? He can go sod off for all I care.
I may not be a die hard England supporter but I do wish them well and if I supported another country but worked in England I’d think twice before offering information that would sabotage England’s chances. The fact that this is not a big geopolitical event should not make light of the fact that his actions if true, have stuck a dagger into the backs of every United supporter who happens to be supporting England too. Again, I emphasize that I would not mind if this was Scotland he was helping, the US, well that’s just so bloody wrong mate on so many levels. I am a stickler for loyalty as he is. Perhaps if he practiced what he preaches to his players.
June 10th, 2010 at 16:55
@Red Ranter: Is it alright to stand outside OT calling them scabs though RR
June 10th, 2010 at 16:59
@Phoenix Red: We can’t really Unite Phoenix mi man, if we don’t agree on how we should proceed to attempt to get rid of the Glazers. However I do agree that each individual has to make a personal decision on how he/she should proceed. It’s not up to others to give anybody a hard time over their decisions, but is it okay mate if I Boo those who refuse to admit there is a problem and do nothing?
. Or maybe not boo but cheer if they crash and burn haha
June 10th, 2010 at 18:45
@Grognard: Well, England is among the few countries in the world where there is a huge chunk of fans who don’t quite care for England as such. Ferguson is not in the employ of the English FA. And IMO, the FA is not worthy of Fergie’s loyalty either. Also, Ferguson manages not just English players. If there’s loyalty then he should be offering that to all nationalities equally. And he wishes them best. When coaches approach a coach like Ferguson for advice, if there’s no conflict of interest, coaches do share their professional opinions on the game players etc.
I don’t see what the fuss is about. While I know a lot of proud Englishmen, I know a whole lot of Englishmen who put United above England simply because they can’t support a team that has Gerrard/Terry etc. When you have Englishmen who do that, there’s nothing odd if it came from a Scot. And I don’t even think there’s that much animosity either.
Just far too much is being made out of this, in my opinion.
June 10th, 2010 at 20:35
@Red Ranter: The major problem I have with it is he is employed in an English league to an English team in an English city. So his fairness to foreign players means nothing really. He needs to be loyal to the country, city and league he is employed by and associated with. Helping the enemy is not kosher when some of your boys are going to go out there with the drive and desire to beat the US. I do not believe Rooney, Rio, Carrick would appreciate their own club manager doing anything to sabotage their dreams. I’m sorry but I think it’s very serious and I am truly shocked that you don’t see it that way. I doubt your employers would appreciate you going across the street and sharing corporate trade secrets with your competitor now would they? There is no difference here. I support Germany. If Louis van Gaal was telling Australia how to mark his Bayern players best in order for them to beat Germany, I’d want him hung up by his balls in Munich’s town square. If he was offering that advice to Holland however, I’d have no problem with that.
This is a major breach of trust and faith mate. Don’t candy coat it because it is a serious problem and a consistently antisocial activity by a manager who for years has done his damnedest to hurt England’s national team and to cause problems for the FA. He gets away with these things because of his tenure and because he doesn’t care what others think. If I were running the Premier League I’d throw a stiff fine in his direction because regardless of foreign players and managers being in the League, the League is English and requires it’s manager’s to regard the English cause higher than that of other causes like Portugal’s, France’s etc. Christ mate, if one of our Canadian born coaches was helping Russia or the US with advice on how to stop Sidney Crosby and Chris Pronger in the past Olympics, they would have been taken out back to the wood shed and turned into wood chips. We Canadians would see that as high treason because hockey and our pride within the game is the most important thing to Canadians short of food to eat and shelter. Im not kidding about this. I personally do not think it’s a laughing matter. And I wonder what your’s and other’s views on this would be if Ancelotti or Mancini or Wenger were doing this while employed by English teams?
June 10th, 2010 at 21:00
@Owen: arsenal wont pay him what he wants.
June 10th, 2010 at 21:08
@Grognard: Completely wrong analogy. Ferguson is not employed by the English FA which is the only real concern when it comes to breach of trust and conflict of interest. And he’s not English so he has no moral obligation.
Ferguson’s loyalty to the country would be to United Kingdom. But it’s the only country to not have a united football team. They have 4 different teams, and a lot of opposition was there when a proposal to field a UK team for the olympics was made. Isn’t that enough for you to realize that the Scots etc are proud of their sovereignty despite being one country?
He’s not employed by the English government, but a private club. He represents the United Kingdom and Scotland. He’s employed by a privately owned club. Even if it were owned by the fans, it certainly wouldn’t have been owned by the government.
This is a completely different story if it were Harry Redknapp for example.
If I shared trade secrets of my employer to my rival of course I would deserve to be strung up by my balls because it’s illegal and blatantly a breach of trust. Duh!
Pray tell how a club incorporated in England, but not owned by any government interest, could legally or even otherwise accuse a Scot who doesn’t represent England of treason? It would be ridiculous it that happened. I am baffled that you think it’s alright van Gaal could rat Holland out of his own volition while not do the same to Germany.
Clearly your definition of conflict of interest is not the same as mine.
June 10th, 2010 at 21:13
@Phoenix Red: you blame the two business men. they have the money that the glazers are taking from united every day. it is in their pocket today. they took the money out of united and united has to pay it back over the foreseeable future. If the glazers sell today to the red knights for 1.5b the red knights only have abt 8-900m which they value the club at they would have to borrow 5-600m and do the same thing again. we all cant have bnaire shugardadys like citeh
June 10th, 2010 at 21:22
@Red Ranter: same here i have friends in houston telling me i can stay w them
hard to resist.
June 10th, 2010 at 21:30
@Stephen: anyone heard anymore on hamsilk? whatever his name is the Slovakian kid?”
June 10th, 2010 at 21:34
@Red Ranter: so what you are saying is that he is employed by the clubs American owners and by Groggys thinking he owes his loyalty to the…
USA
June 10th, 2010 at 23:23
@gator: Nope. I’m saying he isn’t employed by England. (Working for an English club/company or working in England does not bind someone to England.)
June 11th, 2010 at 0:30
If United really were to pay money for true talent, then Jo Inge Berget must be on their radar! Probably the best attacking midfielder in Norway at the moment, and some signs of Zidane there. Only 19, and if bought will have to be bought from Udinese. So… yeah!
June 11th, 2010 at 0:44
@Red Ranter: He has to abide by the rule of the FA and they often come into a clash with him. The bitterness there is at the root of all this and i’m sorry mate but as much as I no longer want to argue this point, I am not wrong. I may be overreacting a bit but my point is a valid one. I gave very good analogies in my argument and analogies that make a lot of sense. So please don’t make my argument out to be that of an insane zealot here (I know you never used that term). Fergie is dead wrong because he is employed in England and works for the English fans of Manchester United. Other than his Scottish heritage which comes first, England’s well being must come second whether he likes that or not. If I played for him and I found out he was helping the Americans I’d do a Frank Riijkard and spit in his face. He needs to show better judgement and not step on the toes that truly feed him and support him. The fact that you cannot see that really amazes me mate, truly.
June 11th, 2010 at 0:48
@Red Ranter: I never said that van Gaal could or should rat Holland out. In fact, I said the exact opposite. I said that he should not rat Germany out because a German team employs him although ratting them out to Holland would be acceptable and understandable as he is Dutch. I think I wrote in plain English there mate. Funny how you misconstrued my meaning. And I never said van Gaal should rat out Holland either. My whole point was to show his nationalistic loyalties as well as his club loyalties in making a comparative analogy.
June 11th, 2010 at 0:53
@Red Ranter: Spoken like a real DP mate. Honestly. You may be using the USA that way but I would think Fergie has a little more respect and appreciation for England as it has been his home for the past 25 years and where he has made his fortune and his name. And last time heard, it wasn’t Obama that knighted him either. Sorry mate but you are sounding like a complete landed immigrant. There is no national pride in your words. And frankly, living in the US, I can’t blame you but England has been damned good to Fergie and he shouldn’t be sticking the knife into it’s national team’s collective back and turning it. How much more Yankee ass kissing is he going to show us? I bet you when he retires or is ousted he has a nice place in Florida already picked out for himself. What he’s doing is despicable.
June 11th, 2010 at 0:57
@Grognard: What’s a DP?
EDIT: Never mind, I looked it up. Displaced Person. Thank you, very classy indeed.
But if you care to talk to a few Englishmen/Scots/Welsh people, you might realize that the socio-politic fabric of that region works differently.
June 11th, 2010 at 0:58
@ Everyone: I dont know if any of you have bothered entering Fifa World Cup Fantasy Football, its free and a bit of craic! But to those of you who did, i’ve formed a league called “Glazers Out” you’re all welcome to join. The code is 448732-131615 Enjoy!
June 11th, 2010 at 1:17
@Stephen: At £28mil, I think Toure would be a fucking terrible signing. What does that £28mil get us? A very slightly better, slightly blacker Fletcher… and that’s it! Fletchinho is the 2nd name on the teamsheet and doesn’t need a rest as he is 90% robot.
We need new owners, a striker, an attacking midfielder, a new assistant manager or a left winger, in that order. Defensive midfielder is the last place we need to waste almost £30mil. You could get Gourcuff for that!
June 11th, 2010 at 1:24
@Grognard: As a proud Englishman I wanted Scotland to qualify for the World Cup, so they could loose all 3 games and go home crying and sunburnt
.
I’m not surprised Fergie wants USA to win. I bet he wants Algeria and Slovenia to win too! The Scots hate us because we’ve won it and they haven’t, and we’re there and they aren’t.
June 11th, 2010 at 1:58
@Traverse: Yes, that’s what I thought too. I am sure nationalism in the UK works slightly differently than other countries. It’s also why this Fergie report hasn’t caused any outrage in England as it might have had an English manager done something similar.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:02
Anyway, I’m done arguing over this. As it is I’ve been called a typical immigrant and unpatriotic for arguing Fergie’s case when I think many Englishmen wouldn’t find Fergie’s behaviour odd.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:03
@ Grog, all due respect to you Bro, but you’re talking total nonsense
I really dont think you understand the demography of Britain and Ireland. It is not unusual for the Welsh, Irish and Scottish to shout for Anyone But England 
Now if you want reasons why? Well i dont have enough time to explain Why? But i’d suggest a crash course in the History of Britain and Ireland for some pointers.
So what if he said he hopes USA does well against England? He’s SCOTTISH not ENGLISH. Anyways Daily Stars’ loose journalism/misleading headline, wrapped it up with a Bradley Quote “I was joking about Premier managers wanting to see us beat England, but managers do have different backgrounds and that affects what they’re rooting for.”
To use an article from the Daily Star to discredit Fergie is just purile. As far as i know Fergie is an upstanding citizen, he pays his taxes and as such he’s allowed to support anyone he wants, even North Korea!
Former US skipper Donovan, who spent the end of last season at Everton, reckons the Yanks can count on the support of Toffees boss Moyes, another Scot.
Donovan said: “My guess is knowing how the English and Scottish are, that he will be rooting for us.”
So the Yanks have done their homework? Sounds like good management to me? The US manager, wanting to better himself attended some managerial seminars at OT. So this then is the basis of your conspiracy? Very lame, my friend. Dont expect to see Fergie on Palm Beach just yet!! If ever
Now maybe a better related article with more responsible journalism, even if they too cant help themselves with the misleading headline!! is on United Rant.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:34
Is anyone else concerned about the news coming from vidic’s agent apparently saying his future will be sorted out after the WC.
Alot of fans saying its simply talks on a new contract but from the quotes by his agent it sounds more like he is ready to move.
I think i am not alone when i say vidic is currently the best defender in the world. He was fantastic last season and certainly looked like a rock as usual after a tough start.
So why then i look and see his contract runs out in 2012, am i getting concerned. Why the hell have we not started negotitations on a new contract. If my memory serves me well we gave him a new contract quite early into his career, maybe 2007 time after a very solid first full season.
Yet he has built on that and become a key player in our squad, and as i mentioned in my opinion the best defender in the world for the last 2 seasons.
Now im sorry but why after all this have we left it so that he only has 2 years left on his contract. During the time we should have been holding talks with the lad we have negotitated many new contracts for other players.
Park, neville, giggs, scholes have all been given new contracts in the last year, and thats just the ones off the top of my head. Now im sorry, giggsy, scholes, and nev are all legends, but why the hell are we spending time giving them new contracts when we can argue they are past their best (im sorry a good few months a season is not enough imo), and yet someone like vidic, a mainstay in our team and one of our only few remaining world class players, not even had talks on a new contract. It boggles the mind.
Surely when your building a team you prioritise. Your key men are on the largest wages, are on long term contracts and are first priority when it comes to new contracts. Why then have we negotitated with 4 squad players before nemanja.
So do i think nemanja will leave, my head says yes after his agents commments. Do i blame him? Its not nice if he wants to leave but tbh i really dont blame him.
At the end of the day he is a foreign player, chances are man utd were not the club of his dreams. However hes come in, done a great job and been half of the rock that is our central defence. Arguably he has played as big a part as rooney, ronaldo etc have done in the last 5 years.
However after all this is it too much to expect that he deserves a better paying contract. I think i remember reading he is on about £60k a week. Alot of money to me and you, but compare it to his CB partner ferdinand who is on double that, its not alot.
Compare it to the £70k a week neville, scholes, and giggs are on (3 squad players arguably past their best) its beginning to be a bit of a joke. Hell im sure i remember reading bloody park is on £70k a week, and anyone who has read my comments on him before knows i see him as a talentless midget who gets by on his work rate rather than his footballing skills.
So looking at that do i see nemanja as being out of order. Well not when you consider him to be one of our top players, and a hell of a lot better than the 4 i mentioned, as well as being a first 11 starter which those 4 are not.
Then we have to wonder, as a foreigner if him looking at the team, wants to remain at a team that shows no hunger anymore. A team that seems quite happy they have gone from the best in the world, to distinctly average in 2 years. The local lads and english boys might not kick up a fuss with this, but for a foreign lad im sure this must be a big concern.
So what will happen. I think there is a very big possibility we have seen vidic play his last game for us. We have heard from many people (im sorry im getting into the glazer debate again) how this club to get by will have to sell one of its major stars each season.
It was ronaldo last season, which yes we can say was always going to happen, but vidic strikes me as the kind of person who would happily stay put if the club had shown him the loyalty he deserved in a new contract, and was run to win things and be a football club and not a business.
I am positive, madrid offered £30m for him, the glazers would snap their hand off. Why not, afterall it all goes into their pockets, and good ol’ ferguson keeps his mouth shut like the bootlicker he is.
So what of united, well we are left with another world class player less, the team getting distinctly more average by the year, and were supposed to believe everything is fine.
Ferguson once said one of his biggest mistakes was to sell stam in 2000 for a fee of £18m. This was when he was about 31 and still a top top player. So why 10 years later should he be so happy to accept £30m for a defender at the top of his game, and still in his prime when it was a mistake with stam.
The truth is because he has to becuase the glazers tell him what to do, and when he got into bed with them he had to do what they said.
Im sorry for the long post and negative views here but it just irritates me beyong belief when every season i see one of our top player linked with moves elsewhere and we just dont seem to care. At the same time, vidic is a player we should not be looking to sell at all. Sort of pushes me over the edge when i think how come nemanja wasnt given a new contract and yet park, giggs, scholes and neville were. Im sorry but you all have to admit that you have to get your priorities in order, and vidic should have had his contract signed and sealed before we ever negotiated the others contracts.
June 11th, 2010 at 3:50
@Red Ranter: As far as know it was only dreamed up by “The Star”, hardly a reliable source of factual reporting.
Grognard’s fury over Ferguson’s failure to run the team his (Grognard) way is beginning to boil over, and he’s now desperately, latching onto tabloid gossip to prove his very questionable point.
Who cares if a Scotsman, working in England, is not rooting for England -
and who really cares about Grognard’s inflated ego about his superior skills at guiding our club toward better times!!
June 11th, 2010 at 4:18
Interesting stats :
Jose Luis Chilavert was Paraguay’s goalkeeper from 1989 to 2003, making 74 appearances. He scored eight times, too.
Emile Heskey has been England’s centre forward for 11 years. He has played under the last four full-time England managers, in a World Cup and two European Championships, a total of 58 appearances. You know what’s coming, don’t you?
Seven goals.
June 11th, 2010 at 4:35
@Owen: So…., Heskey should be a goalkeeper??
June 11th, 2010 at 4:40
@Redrich:
June 11th, 2010 at 4:43
@Owen: What’s your point, mate!
June 11th, 2010 at 4:53
@Redrich: I want to know why Heskey is preferred over Crouch who has a very good record for England?
June 11th, 2010 at 5:08
@Owen: I actually think Crouch and Rooney could make for a better pairing. Heskey, however, has been a good servant for England’s forwards, and could well perform that role again.
I do think, though, that he’ll be good against the big US defenders, with Rooney feeding off his touches.
It’ll be a good test for Englands strike force, up against a stern US back line. But the key will be how they fit Rooney into the equation!
Heskey has always under-performed as a goal scorer, but he has usually been such a hand-full, that the scraps are easy to lap up.
June 11th, 2010 at 6:49
@Traverse: And if that is their attitude they should be plying their trade north of England. I’m a firm believer that you show respect and appreciation to the country that feeds you and puts a roof over your head. They may not be your country but they have been good to you and you should acknowledge that by at least being loyal towards them with all but your home nation.
June 11th, 2010 at 7:10
@Red Ranter: Well I suppose this is the problem then. I come from a country where patriotism is taken very seriously and where our national sport is looked upon like a religion. If one of our great home grown coaches turned up being a traitor and offering secrets to the the enemy like that, we would string him up or at least make him pay a visit out back to the woodshed.
If England does not think this way then I am truly shocked, but not surprised. I am aware of the many millions of Scots, Irish, Welsh etc living and working amongst the English but I still thought they looked at themselves differently than as Judas’s waiting for the the moment to stab the Queen in the back first great chance they get. Many think I am way off on this but in reality it is they who are way off. Again, I chalk it up to upbringing and region from where they reside. I just know that as liberal a people as we are, Canadians would react badly if they knew somebody they trusted had sold secrets to the enemy, whether in politics or in sport. Again I make the point for the umpteenth time to all of you who just don’t get it. He is a a man who has worked in England for 25 years, has been knighted by the Queen, has an address and resides very comfortably in England and is employed in a city in England by an English football team. Finally, he has working under him many Englishman, mostly players and staff that I do not believe would appreciate knowing that he has been selling their secrets to the hated USA. What about loyalty to Wayne Rooney, Rio and Carrick? How about Neville, Scholes and all those who are not playing for England but who are loyal England supporters. If I were them I ask myself, would I be happy knowing that my manager has been selling trade secrets to the enemy when we haven’t won a World Cup since 1966?
Enough of the accusations that I am speaking nonsense and that I do not understand demography. I say to you out there that have actually been born in England, will you tolerate this? I hate John Terry and Steven Gerrard with a passion but if I were born English and living there, I’d find it in my bitter heart to cheer them on the way I have Montreal Canadiens when they have played for my country in international tournaments. I bloody hell despise the Montreal Canadiens and everything they stand for but when their players put on the Team Canada jersey, I love them like brothers, and if I were in a position to sell them out, I wouldn’t. The fact that many of you think that what I am saying is nonsense just tells me a lot about your ethics and your lack of loyalty should you be placed in that situation. That’s fine, to each his own. But i am truly shocked and disappointed at how many cannot see my point and instead make light of it. There’s a reason why I used the term DP Red Ranter. Because only DP’s would truly think like this, not homegrown patriots. Sorry but that is the sad truth. I see it every day amongst the people within my Greek heritage. And it truly disgusts me. Shame on all of them for spitting on the flag that feeds them, clothes them and shelters them. Watching Greeks cheering for Russia to win over Canada in the Olympics got me very hot under the collar, much like this debate is now, so I’ll stop while I’m ahead.
June 11th, 2010 at 7:21
@tonymontanna4united: The cracks in the foundation are not just forming now mate. They have been there for a while but now they are widening and growing and soon everything we hold near and dear to us will be a distant memory and a fight for survival will United’s call to duty. But on this blog the messenger is quite often the one crucified, not the perpetrator of the crimes. Tough times indeed. Vidic wants out because he has seen two months of zero activity in the transfer market while every good player is being snapped up. I know he is very close to Krasic and seeing Krasic beg to United to buy him and only watch as he now signs with Juventus might be the last straw for him. International tournaments are bad because it gets these foreign players together where they can talk and discuss the good and bad of where they are playing. I’m sure Vidic is being told that he is on a sinking ship and that he better get out before the ice cold water gets him.
June 11th, 2010 at 7:24
@Redrich: Ah come on Red, that’s a low blow. I’d expect that form a number of others on this blog but least of all you. What did I do to you to deserve that? Where in all my anger about Fergie did I talk about my way of doing things? Don’t we all in a sense offer our own opinions on who we should buy and what tactics we should use? So why is it that my views are the only ones being picked on here? Fine you don’t agree with me, I can live with that but I never expected your dagger to come out while I wasn’t looking mate. I have to say I am truly disappointed.
June 11th, 2010 at 7:29
@Traverse:
Exactly my thoughts. We need to spend wisely focusing on our weak areas. DM is not a preference as of now. As someone said, we need to be spending on an AMF very badly and a defender. Am more worried about our defense – Keep hearing Kjaer is good but he is 21 and unproven in PL and a replacement for Vidic, especially if Rio’s injury concerns continue. Our defence without both of them next year will most likely ensure we wont come even in top 2, maybe worse if Man City and others improves. With the debt, i shudder to think what might happen if we fall outside top 4.
June 11th, 2010 at 9:14
@godzilla: What might happen, and should happen mate if we fall out of top four, is that the Glazers PISS OFF followed by useless GIT David Gill who is the mother of all fuck up’s to United!
June 11th, 2010 at 9:21
@Redrich: I wish the fuck somebody, ANYBODY would guide our club to better times Rich
. Not looking too likely though is it mate?
June 11th, 2010 at 9:23
@tonymontanna4united: Vidic is trying to run away from what he sees as a sinking ship mate, that’s about the level of it!
June 11th, 2010 at 9:27
@Phoenix Red: Well he doesn’t have any option but to pay his tazes – does he mate? In this, he is just like the rest of the ordinary folk of England!
June 11th, 2010 at 9:28
@Red Ranter: Immigrant – to where????
June 11th, 2010 at 9:32
@Traverse: Fergie aint got enough to buy a packet of crisps mate, never mind 30 million!
June 11th, 2010 at 13:04
We lose Vidic and we have no chance of winning anything next season. With Rio missing lots of games, a backline of Smalling and Evans doesn’t fill me with any sort of confidence whatsoever and would leak goals. If EVDS retires and we don’t buy a top class replacement then our defence is finished and with Rooney our only prolific goalscorer (and Im still not convinced that last season wasn’t a fluke) then within a couple of years we could drop out of the top four
June 11th, 2010 at 13:10
It is saying on goal.com that a deal has definitely been agreed between Joe Cole and Arsenal subject to passing a medical after the World Cup. Usually I dont believe everything goal.com says but they are reporting it like it is a done deal rather than a pie in the sky rumour.
With Milner and Toure heading to Manchester City, Rodwell staying at Everton, Modric committed to Tottenham…..who the hell are we going to sign? Because I cannot face another season of seeing Scholes and Giggs slowly fade.
June 11th, 2010 at 14:51
According to the Palermo officials, we are closing in on Kjaer.
Watch this space
June 11th, 2010 at 14:57
@colver: Scoles was our best midfielder last season, I agree the midfield is an area which needs the most surgery.
June 11th, 2010 at 15:16
@Traverse: I wouldn’t spend £28m on Toure, but if he were available at £10 – £15m then I would snap him up.
I wouldn’t spend £28m on Milner, he is very, very overrated. We need a top holding midfielder becuase simply Hargo has had it, Carrick is simply not a holder he is a passing midfielder. We do desperatly need a attacking CM also, everyone on here has banged on about Gourcuff, but we have never been linked to him and is a pipedream.
June 11th, 2010 at 15:58
@Stephen: Were linked with diego of juve today, who imo is a very good player. Infact i remember reading ferguson saying earlier this year what a good player he thought diego was and how he thought he would be great for juve.
Things havent worked out for him there fair enough but hes a top player, the sort of player we need. Maybe a chance after fergusons comments on him he would be interested?
However will he have the money, unlikely. To be honest with you i doubt now if he has a penny to spend, even if he sells vidic. I really dont expect to see anyone come in unless theyre a free signings, but even then the one that we want, joe cole, seems has signed for arsenal.
Very depressing times these summers for united, how though ferguson thinks keeping quiet, and doing his best with the players he has even though he needs cash, is helping the club baffles me.
Grow some balls fergie and tell these leeches you want the cash or youve had enough. I am so sick of these summers where we just sit there, do no business, sell our best players, dont replace them and then start the season and we hear the squad is great. No it bloody isnt and i am so sick of hearing it is.
June 11th, 2010 at 16:03
@CraigMc: @Stephen: That’s the price I’m seeing quoted in the press. Even if it were £10mil then that’s £10mil wasted on a 28 year old for a position we don’t need.
@Grognard: It’s a friendly rivalry, and nothing to worry about
June 11th, 2010 at 16:12
@Traverse: We do need a holder mate.
June 11th, 2010 at 16:17
@tonymontanna4united: Diego is a top player mate and would not cost the earth, it wil be interesting to see what we do this summer, I think we all agree not a lot.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Citeh will all strenghten and that could push us backwards, I have no or little faith in Hernandez, Smalling who I think was a stupid amount of money and Diouf who is a total clown.
We need a holder in midfield, an attacking midfielder and a left sided player but we are only looking at defender, odd to say the least.
June 11th, 2010 at 16:35
@Traverse: We could definitely do with a holding midfielder mate. Hargreaves i think we can say is finished, even at the end of the season when he was back, apparently he had confidence issues which delayed his comeback. I just dont see him coming back at all, and even if he does not to the level he used to be or expect.
Fletcher filled in and did a good job, however hes not what i would call a traditional ball winner/ defensive midfielder. Hes a box to box midfielder. I have to say i do prefer box to box as i think alot of the time your traditional DM does duties which i think are over rated, box to box gives you the added bonus they can get further forward which i think is useful.
Around xmas time i was quite happy with fletcher as our box to box/dm player, however early 2010 we saw his role changed and he was pushed further forward, usually with carrick playing the ball winner.
Now dont get me wrong, i think carrick isnt up to it and should be gone but it could be the fact he played dm was the reason why he choked so often. Why was fletcher not left further back instead of pushed higher up.
Fletcher simply does not have the passing, shooting attributes or clever brain to play further up, almost as a creative player and should be left further back. However maybe ferguson wants to play him further up, in which case a world class ball winner would be needed.
As it goes i think we do need a ball winner, carrick should be out, and with that money one brought in. Either of the diarras at madrid, flamini (if possible), yaya but not for the £25m+ price would all be great additions.
Then all we would need would be an attacking midfielder and i think we would be well sorted. However as i told stephen i really would not be surprised if were done for the summer, even if vidic leaves.
June 11th, 2010 at 16:51
@Stephen: I would agree with the positions you named there mate. However to fill them we really would need alot of cash, cash which i think were all agreed has gone into the glazers pockets.
Even if vidic is sold (i pray he isnt) i see the money following the ronaldo cash and going straight to the glazers. I just dont see us being given a penny on players, and what makes it worse is that when ferguson is given a bit of money he spends it on untested kids. I would rather a diego anyday than going out and bringing in smalling, hernandez, diouf etc.
More important to me now though than what goes on on the pitch is what happens off it. The main priority for this club before purchasing any player is getting rid of the glazers. A near impossible task some may say, something that may seem controversial to others.
But to me its not important right now if we buy diego, yaya toure or even just for the sake of it messi. It is only postponing the inevitable, that under the glazers this club is doomed.
So the only positive i can see out of our reluctance to spend money and bring in some players (top quality ones not kids), is that it might wake a few fans up who are sitting on the fence, and encourage them to boycott for the long term future of the club.
ps my respect to you mate for deciding to boycott united next season. A very tough decision im sure, but a decision that needed to be done. From what i read in the papers yesterday youre not the only one, seems alot of fans are not renewing for season tickets, which can only be good news.
June 11th, 2010 at 16:53
@colver: I wouldn’t be so concerned if I knew that the money for Vidic would go towards securing SImon Kjaer or some other good CB. But we all know where the money would go and that Fergie would say squat about it not being used to buy players. This more than anything is why I have it out for the Treasonous Scotsman. Too many out there are letting him skate away from any blame and yet his actions continually fall in line with everything the Glazer’s want to do. It’s got to stop.
June 11th, 2010 at 16:57
@colver: At this point mate it’s not about winning anything. It’s more about keeping the ship from sinking. We have to stop the rot. Winning is a luxury that right now we cannot afford. Trust me, this past season was more a fluke than anything. No way do we come close to replicating the points total of this season unless we make serious changes to our midfield and our overall package. Right now i am more concerned that we will be in a race with Liverpool not for fist place, but who will be the first giant to get relegated. With our finances being the way they are and no money going towards improving the team, it’s only a matter of time.
June 11th, 2010 at 17:00
@EduardoDaVinci4: That just means that Vidic is a certainty to leave. And just watch, we will lose out on Kjaer too because lets face it, right now we look like one of the ugly step sisters in Cinderella. Who the hell would want to play for us knowing what a complete shambles we are financially? I’m afraid to say it but the dynasty is quickly and most assuredly dying by the day.
June 11th, 2010 at 17:02
@tonymontanna4united: Cheers mate, I few of my friends have followed suit, it to honest it hasn’t settled in yet but will feel weird on the opening day of the season. You have to make a stand against these blood sucking parasites, and hitting them in the pocket is the only way.
I also think a big strong centre forward would be a must, we seem to be signing dwarfs and in the prem a tall stong lad with power and pace is really what is required, not a flimsy, heartless and simply out of sorts Bulgarian who should be sold.
June 11th, 2010 at 17:05
I’m reading that Fergie is now pissed off with Nani because he is mad that the lad is staying with the Portuguese team through the World Cup rather than return to Manchester for treatment for his broken collarbone. NEWSFLASH TO FERGIE! Get off your high horse you greedy self centred prick. First off, a broken collarbone is nothing any therapy or doctor can fix. It heals on it’s own so no therapy or any United doctors would do any good. Secondly, the World Cup is not something that happens every summer and so to rob the lad of the experience for no reason seems harsh and just a bit selfish. Still, look for Nani to have his butt firmly implanted on the bench to start the season as Fergie is famous for holding a grudge when players do not listen to him scream. He has to learn that he is not the leader of a bunch of heartless and emotionless atomotrons. These players have a love for country and passion for the game and an event like the World Cup. Don’t deny Nani of the experience.
June 11th, 2010 at 17:09
@tonymontanna4united: We cannot afford Diego mate. When is all this crap going to end? Really, how much more of United’s dirty closet must we examine before we realize they have no money to spend on players and the only way to get new players is to sell our old ones. Lets stop with the links of players because it means nothing right now. The only chance we have at getting Diego is in a trade that sends a player like Vidic or Berbatov in their direction. And lets face it, United never operate like that.
June 11th, 2010 at 17:10
@Grognard: You are not a fan of Fergie at the moment are you?
June 11th, 2010 at 17:14
TSHABALALA!
June 11th, 2010 at 17:22
@Grognard: I think the Express is carrying that story. Which is as reliable as the Inquirer.
June 11th, 2010 at 17:41
@Grognard: Trust me mate i know we dont have a pot to piss in and i know 100% diego or for that matter anyone who is not free will not be coming in. I just meant in a normal world where we werent having our purse not only tightened but shut, then diego would be exactly the kind of player i would expect us to go for.
Hell it seems even joe cole would rather go to arsenal than us. A sign that we dont even have the money to pay his wages, or that he can see we are a sinking ship. Take your pick, it all points to bad news and its all down to the glazers.
So if we cant even get joe cole then theres no chance we will ever see diego here, just nice to dream and think under normal circumstances he would be perfect for us.
Thats what i meant anyway, sorry if i didnt explain it properly mate, my heads all over the place right now.
June 11th, 2010 at 17:44
@Grognard: I read that too, pretty pathetic if its true and double standards. Why is ferdinand allowed to stay with the england squad when he has an injury yet nani isnt.
Why is it everything i hear about ferguson now just makes my opinion of him go down further and further. A real fall from grace for a man i really used to admire.
June 11th, 2010 at 18:29
@Stephen: What makes you say that?
Seriously, no I’m not and nor should anybody else if they used their common sense and head as opposed to their blind hearts. Fergie is a bold faced liar as well as a cold faced traitor.
June 11th, 2010 at 18:32
@Red Ranter: That’s fine mate, but at this point, why would I disbelieve it as it certainly sounds like Ferguson. So unlike so many, I refuse to stick my head in the sand and I will believe anything that is negative about this man because the chances are greater that it is true based on what has happened so far.
June 11th, 2010 at 18:55
@Grognard: All I am saying is to read the source and make a judgement based on that. I’ve felt Ferguson deserves criticism for the way he continues to propogate the lie that his squad is alright. But hold it against him when you see a source that’s reliable. Otherwise you might as well invent new stuff and throw it at Ferguson. Believing anything negative about the manager is also sticking head in the sand. That’s all I’m saying.
June 11th, 2010 at 18:56
@tonymontanna4united: It really doesn’t make sense, which is why we should wait for a more credible source than the Express. I would probably trust the Telegraph or the Guardian more.
June 11th, 2010 at 18:57
@Grognard: All managers lie, I still like the old bugger but let down with him siding with Glazers.
But he has brought a lot to our club and will never forget that.
I remember watching us under Atkinson, with Alan Brazil, Terry and Colin Gibson we were a side full of drunks and Fergie changed that, the mentality changed into winners.
He in my view is looking after himself, but whay managers don’t? Rafa, Capello and Mourinho are like locusts they go to a club take what they want and leave, at least he stuck by us and built side after side and that deserves respect, but him winning the 13th title has become an obsession and no one will get in his way.
June 11th, 2010 at 18:58
@Red Ranter: I really don’t give to hoots about Portugal, as far as I am concerned is the get knocked out at the group stages it will be no skin off my nose. And if Nani is back in Manchester getting the rehab he needs and will be fit for the start of the season then great.
June 11th, 2010 at 21:42
@Red Ranter: I hope the article is a form of fiction because as you know, if true I think it shows him to have committed an unforgivable act against English football. But something tells me that the article is stating the truth. Maybe at this point I am also hoping it’s true because my heart and soul has been poisoned by Ferguson’s antics and allegiances. Truthfully, I am sick and tired of the goings on with this club and I would die for a complete regime change from owner to manager. It’s time for a new era and out with the old. Yes he has done great things for us in the past but I have as little guilt in showing him the door as he had showing players I loved like Stam, Keane, Beckham and RVN the door when he had grown tired of them. It’s a cutthroat world after all.
June 11th, 2010 at 21:47
@Grognard: Grog,what has happened to Ribery?He has declined so much and was the worst player on the pitch.What should be his current market value?It should not be more than 20 million.
June 11th, 2010 at 21:48
Christ was that France vs Uruguay game boring as Hell. France reminded me of a team full of Anderson’s and Scholes’. They controlled the play but their penetration and imagination was wanting, their legs looked old and very tired and their courage to fight for position inside the box was non existent. It was like watching United vs Blackburn late in the year. Gourcuff, Ribery and all the French stars were massive disappointments and their shooting was horrible. For me it looked like a perfect example of what a team loaded with Euro stars looks like after a long hard season has ended. These guys look exhausted. How do I know this? Because I felt tired and exhausted just watching them. It was awful. Add to that the fact that they played with little courage and movement when in possession of the ball and you have a reason why the french team is so disappointing under Domenich. How many times to they cross the ball into the box to have zero player son the end of things? A player wins the ball and passes to a teammate and rather than continue running with the ballcarrier he just quits. Just total garbage. So this is your team eh Eddy? You sure know how to pick them lad.
June 11th, 2010 at 21:52
@Owen: Ribery has come off a number of lingering and nagging injuries mate and he has just struggled to find his form. Last year Robben was going through the very same thing with Madrid but look at how he was this year. He’s too talented to allow this to continue forever. It’s all about confidence and getting a run of a few good games in a row. I actually thought the two poorest players on the pitch for France were Anelka and Gourcuff. Just terrible and i love Gourcuff. Ribery did set up Gouvou for a sitter which he completely fanned on. Anelka for me is a complete waste of time. I hate the Sulkster. Benzema was by far a more superior player to be starting for France. At least he shows more courage in a crowd.
June 11th, 2010 at 22:04
@Grognard: A team full of Andersons? Of course that’s my team!
They are a team in havoc mate, their manager is a total muppet. The players don’t seem to like, or even respect eachother, and their manager is at fault. I’ve read about Domenechs failiures with the team, and he seriously is a dickhead.
June 11th, 2010 at 22:06
@Grognard: If it’s true he deserves every bit of tongue lashing.
June 11th, 2010 at 22:08
France are rubbish. And god will I be glad if they get knocked out this time. Bunch of players on an ego-trip managed by a clown.
June 11th, 2010 at 22:39
Wow that game was pretty awful, i switched over after an hour. That domenech just seems to have brains up his ass and is absolutely inept tactically. Why does he play anelka up on his own when for the most part of this season with chelsea he has been deployed on the right in a front 3. Like the decision to play berba up on his own with us.
The manager is a clown, france easily have as many talented players as spain but either dont pick them or use them right. Gourcuff, ribery, evra, sagna, lloris, benzema, malouda, diarra, flamini are all top players that would walk into most top teams in the world.
But domenech doesnt let them off their strings and just play the beautiful stuff i know they can. Its a shame really as i used to love to watch their team and really do think with the pool of players they have now they could dominate internationally like they did in the late 90s early 2000s.
I guess blanc is coming in after the summer and i expect him to shake things up and get them firing. Could be an awesome team after 2 years under blancs management.
As for now and their chances in the WC i cant say them getting much further than the last 16, under domenech he simply cannot make them play as a team, kills the attacking side of their game and just makes them look like a bunch of clueless idiots.
June 11th, 2010 at 22:55
Grognard, stopping the rot is exactly what we want to do. Dropping out of the top four may be a short cut to getting the Glazers out but would be disastrous for the team as it would mean a firesale. And with all our world class players gone even a financially solvent new owner wouldn’t be able to get us back on top.
So best thing is we keep it together for the next few seasons and hope someone makes the Glazers an offer they can’t refuse.
Next season we’ll be ok. Even though without Vidic we will leak more goals, an attack of Nani Valencia and Rooney is still a formidable proposition and Scholes and Giggs will paper over the cracks in our midfield.
It is the following season Im worried about. With Giggs, Scholes and EVDS likely to retire there will be a big hole in the team that players like Anderson and Gibson and Kuzchzk aren’t equipped to fill. Also as the Glazers debts mount they could well be tempted to sell Rooney which would be game over.
I don’t see us signing anyone. Clearly Smalling and Hernandez is the extent of our transfer business. Possibly we’ll buy some unknown who impresses in the world cup….a Djemba Djemba or Kleberson mark 2. But I don’t see us buying anyone good.
At best Fergie will buy a cheap replacement for Vidic…same as he did last season when he replaced Ronaldo with Valencia. I hope so because I don’t trust Rio and Brown to stay fit and don’t rate Smalling at all.
Im just praying someone will buy the Glazers out
June 11th, 2010 at 23:01
@EduardoDaVinci4: I bet the FFF is starting to ask themselves already why they never sacked the muppet after the EUROS? A team with that kind of talent that cannot play together as a team is just such a shame.
June 11th, 2010 at 23:04
@Red Ranter: Wait a second their RR, I thought you never thought it to be a big deal whether he was guilty or not? Now you say that if true he should get a tongue lashing. You have me a bit confused.
June 11th, 2010 at 23:06
@Red Ranter: They were 7-0 and scored 24 goals and gave up only one on their way to the Cup with the Grognard in charge in FIFA WC 2010. Just goes to show you, the missing link is Grognard in charge.
June 11th, 2010 at 23:09
@tonymontanna4united: And yet like 2006, I expect them to get better as the tournament goes on. They need that one inspiring performance to rally around and buoy their cause. Too good a team to dismiss because there is just too much world class talent on display. Anelka is not the answer though. How on earth could he not name Benzema to the team. What an asshole yet alone a muppet.
June 11th, 2010 at 23:21
@colver: There is absolutely nothing about our lineup and attack that excites me mate. Yes Rooney is great but like I have said so many times before, he is not getting the kind service and partnership up front and from the midfield that would make him and the team that much greater. We are no longer among the elite teams in Europe regardless of what die hard fans and Fergie will have you know.
Our club is saddled with age and underachieving youth. We do not have enough players in that 22 to 28 range who are imposing themselves and making a case for being world class. Rooney, Vidic, Evra and Fletcher. Perhaps Valencia and Nani will also get there but Neville, EVDS, Rio, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Scholes, Berbatov, Owen and a host of kids are doing nothing to make me feel good about this club’s future. I know I am not in charge but if in another alternate universe I was put in charge, I’d gut this team like a pink salmon. Out with the old and in with the new. Out with the useless and in with world class players who want to be United players. Not wasting my time stating my love for players who will never come here like Benzema and Torres.
United needs a major house cleaning from the owners right down to the manager and a third of the lineup. Take the money from a new owner and from the sales of all those useless players we unloaded and buy a quality team that is based around 22 to 25 year olds and stop playing high school confidential and toddler roulette. It’s time to spend on proven entities, not wet dreams. And stop wasting money paying high salaries to players who are well past their best and who offer nothing to the team anymore except Geritol and boredom. Above all, bring a manager in who has a pulse and shows passion and excitement for the game again and for the supporters and the cause. I’ve had it with assholes in charge who as far as I can see ply their trade in treachery and deceit.
June 11th, 2010 at 23:30
If I was in charge and I had the money to spend this would be my starting eleven.
GK – Manuel Neuer
RB – Philip Lahm
CB – Nemanja Vidic
CB – Neven Subotic
LB – Skinned Sausage
DMF – Jack Rodwell
DMF – Darren Fletcher
AMF – Yoann Gourcuff
RM – Milos Krasic
LM – Nani
ST – Wayne Rooney
Now this of course would be a fantasy but tell me if anybody can honestly say that this club would not rock the EPL and Europe. And nowhere on this team is there an 80 million or even 50 million pound signing. In fact, if we got rid of all the deadwood on the club and had an additional 30 to 40 million to spend, we could afford this team. That’s what is so sad about the whole thing. Our manager has no imagination or any clue on how to sell and trade players in order to come up with the funds to even get a few good players. Instead he hangs on to dead weight like Anderson, Carrick, and others for no apparent reason other than to irritate the hell out of me. That must be it. All that is happened is being done strictly to piss off Grognard. Ah to look at the world through my eyes eh!
June 12th, 2010 at 0:00
@Stephen: No midfield needs a holding midfielder. We need an attacking midfielder who knows how to tackle. big difference. Which one of Keane and Scholes held? Neither.
Also, even if we did need one, it is like the 5th position we need. We’re United, not Wolves.
June 12th, 2010 at 1:01
@Traverse: “We’re United not Wolves”. I agree, but somebody should tell Fergie that.
Somehow, I don’t think our illustrious manager got the memo.
June 12th, 2010 at 3:14
France underachieved and look to be lucky to get past their own group. I have them win their group nonetheless but lose to 2nd place Nigeria.
June 12th, 2010 at 4:49
@Grognard: This was regarding the Nani incident. I have only questioned the reliability of the story. And if the story were true, I can fully understand if someone gave him a tongue lashing.
June 12th, 2010 at 5:35
He’s back…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8k3wRFJ-Rw&feature=player_embedded
June 12th, 2010 at 6:44
I got the chance to see Penn and Teller tonight live here in Vancouver and then met them after the show. Nice guys. I was really tempted to ask Penn if had a way of making the United debt disappear as well as Fergie, Anderson and the Glazer’s. But I held my tongue. Amazing show.
June 12th, 2010 at 6:47
@Red Ranter: But RR, why is it OK for Rio to stay but not Nani. Like I said from personal experience, there is nothing any doctor can do for a broken collarbone as they heal on their own. Why not let the lad watch the cup and learn from it? Why deflate him and make him bitter and angry? It makes good sense to let the lad stay as he will learn from the experience over there and it will further motivate him to higher levels of play.
June 12th, 2010 at 6:55
@AndyCR7: Bless your heart mate for offering up that link. It made my year. I can’t tell you how much I had missed Special 1 TV.
June 12th, 2010 at 7:03
@Grognard: I said Fergie deserves a tongue lashing from you if the story were true. Not Nani.
June 12th, 2010 at 9:03
Shitty City are pestering Vidic’s agent and making ready a bid to Man United of 20million for Vidic. They are ready to offer Vidic 26million quid for a 4 year contract and that AFTER TAX. If United do a deal with Shitty, then I think United party liners might finally get the message. Fergie will be admitting that he is prepared to sell every good player we have got, and land us all watching the kiddies! Anyone happy about watching football’s version of nursery school? We all know Man Shitty want anything in a Man United red shirt that moves! Problem is, offer the right money and they may get it!
June 12th, 2010 at 9:14
@tonymontanna4united: Mate Rio is only staying with England until after the USA game, because the English team medics said the swelling in his knee was too bad to travel, so they delayed it a week or so.
With regards to Nani, according to the Portuguese press, Quiroz talked with Sir Alex and ok’d Nani staying. So who knows what the truth is!
June 12th, 2010 at 9:17
@tonymontanna4united: Joe Cole always wanted to stay in London as his 1st choice mate. His Missus and he just had a baby, and she has her parents down there and wants to stay down south! United would have been able to pay his wages mate!
June 12th, 2010 at 9:35
@Red Ranter: I got you now.
June 12th, 2010 at 9:37
This is a well done must see commercial.
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=50234
June 12th, 2010 at 10:22
@Traverse: Well Keane held mate in midfield, and football ten years ago was very different then it is now.
Also how many Champioms leagues did we win? One, in top level football you need a holder, especially as I agree with you we need an attacking midfield player who can chip in with 15 plus goals a season, and we do also now play with one up front.
June 12th, 2010 at 10:25
@Grognard: Goucuff has to play a lot better than he did last night to catch Fergies imagination, he was awful but so was everyone else, that game was dire.
June 12th, 2010 at 12:03
Chelsea= Essien or Mikel
Arsenal= Song
Barca= Toure or Keita
Real= Lass
Inter= Cambiasso or Zanetti
Bayern= Van Bommel or Tymochyk
City= Barry or De Jong
Spurs= Palacios
The key to Spains EC victory in 08 was Marcos Senna, Inters victory in Madrid was Cambiasso and Zanetti. United have Fletcher, which is more than good enough. But if he is injured, we are screwed, with only Carrick being capable of filling the void.
Oh and yeah, I’m talking about the importance of defensive midfielders. Don’t underestimate them!
June 12th, 2010 at 16:37
@Stephen: Assuming you play 2 CMF’ers, one needs to sit and one needs to push.
But it’s better if these roles alternate between the two. It gives you an extra attacking or defending option.
The problem for United has been that our MF personnel have either been too old (as in Scholes and Giggs), too slow (as in Carrick), or just not good enough (as in Anderson or Gibson). Fletcher has been the only one that has shown true box-to-box capabilities, but was over-used in that capacity and his form waned in the last third of the last season.
The static holding role is a hybrid of this particular team – created through the necessity of putting 11 players on the pitch!!
June 12th, 2010 at 17:38
Very mixed reviews on Argentina today. Great patience with the ball, perhaps too much in my opinion. Messi was electric but the keeper had his number and he just squandered too many chances on his own with poor shots or a surprisingly poor first touch. Big problem is what I have been claiming for months, Argentina have no central midfield to create chances. All chances are created by Messi and Tevez trailing back and moving the ball forward. Still when they get around the box they work some lighting quick and very deft 1,2’s but still, they should have scored way more goals than they did.
Argentina’s Achilles Heel will be the stupidity and courage of Maradona. His decision to use three CB’s at the back instead of a traditional back four will self destruct against a truly good team. Nigeria had numerous great chances on counters but squandered them due to poor decision making and some terrible shooting. Play that way against Germany, Holland, Brazil or even England and Argentina will get demolished on the counter. Veron was terrible in the midfield and all game long I was crying the name Riquelme loud enough for Maradona to hear all the way in South Africa. Arrogant fucking twit. Riquelme was the missing link today along with a RB like Zanetti.
June 12th, 2010 at 18:09
@Grognard: Grognard > Maradonna??
June 12th, 2010 at 19:55
Scouse teats burning american flags today and now this pool have no us fans left
June 12th, 2010 at 20:06
Two footed studs up into the keeper? Fuck you
June 12th, 2010 at 20:21
Wow maybe foster is the best keeper for england bwahahaha
June 12th, 2010 at 20:29
Ha Ha .How can a team with no midfield and Goal keeper can be considered to be the contenders?
June 12th, 2010 at 20:42
I swear to god I called that USA goal. I was just saying, “Robert green will let us back in this game” and 5 minutes later voilà. I love English keepers.
June 12th, 2010 at 20:48
Sorry boys but engerland are playing scared as shit. Stalling out free kicks n kicking the us players, pitiful, really soooooo overrated
June 12th, 2010 at 21:25
what a shame for england, none of them looked like they wanted anything to do with the game.
June 12th, 2010 at 21:29
Typical England. Incapable of breaking down a well organised and disciplined team. Rooney didn’t look anywhere near as effective as he does for us….which just goes to show how underrated Valencia and Nani are.
June 12th, 2010 at 21:30
@Gator: What fucking game were you watching mate – the USA were pulling shirts of England players in the penalty area all night. Only got their goal because of the butterfingered green, and will not progress beyond the 1st round – USA were poor but England couldn’t capitalise, namely because Rooney failed to turn up. Also, Lennon and Wright Phillips failed to beat the last man all noght on the outside and kept tracking inside. How Joe Cole was not in the team I don’t know, but I sure as fuck know that Capello is not all that, and neither is Rooney, Lampard and Heskey! Pack your bags lads, because you will be leaving after the first round of games, together with the USA who were there for the taking and you couldn’t take them!
June 12th, 2010 at 21:34
Capello 6 million a year for picking that team – I could pick a team without Rooney that would beat the USA until the cows come home. USA would have gotten nothing if Green had been concentrating.
June 12th, 2010 at 21:49
Let rooney go home now to rest Cuz engerland have no chance hahahahaha
June 12th, 2010 at 22:15
@CraigMc:
Let’s all laugh at England
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Let’s all laugh at England
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
We all agree…
United are better than England!
We all agree…
United are better than England!
June 12th, 2010 at 22:21
@gator: Fuck off, gator!!
June 12th, 2010 at 22:24
@gator:
Carrick > Gerrard
Scholes > Lampard
Nani > Milner
Valencia > Lennon
RedNev > Johnson
June 12th, 2010 at 22:25
@CraigMc: usa were poor but… they held roony, lennon, wrightphillips, crouch, hesky… they were all contained
thats called defense mate. it is half the game. I love it US were all over your boys for the last 20 min of the first. that goal was coming despite shite goalkeeping.
england did well though that press that they were running was crazy and had the us on their heels for the first 15m and most of the second half but you are crazy if you think the US were fouling more than the queenlovers. hesky should have seen color for going in studs up on a keeper and both feet to boot. bullshit good that his big ass took a boot to the face a few min later.
good luck with the minnows of the group craig
USA
JOIN OR DIE
June 12th, 2010 at 22:31
@Redrich:
USA USA haha
In 1814 we took a little trip,
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans,
And we fought the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.
We fired our guns and the British kept a comin’,
There wasn’t ’bout as many as there was awhile ago.
We fired once more and they began to runnin’
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.
England are lucky they escaped with their lives from this match. It was USA vs BP today and we had to let them live so they could pay up after we make them clean it up.
We fired our cannons till the barrels melted down,
Then we grabbed an ALLIGATOR and we fired another round.
We filled his head with cannonballs and powdered his behind,
And when we touched the powder off, the GATOR LOST HIS MIND.
June 12th, 2010 at 22:31
@CraigMc: The worrying thing for England, is their back line.
Carragher looked horribly slow, as did Johnson.
Ca$hley was invisible and Terry looked scared every time the ball came near him.
Hope Rooney can find his scoring boots – we’re gonna need them!
June 12th, 2010 at 22:33
If England will play Spain,then they will have 20% possession . Carragher against Villa,Torres and Iniesta.Hahahaha
June 12th, 2010 at 22:34
@gator: Now, now gator, don’t get carried away just yet. We’ll see who comes through this the best!
June 12th, 2010 at 22:35
@Owen: UNITED>ENGLAND so true mate they had roon playing cm the first half just trying to wear him out
June 12th, 2010 at 22:37
English fans and media celebrate before the tournaments starts.But after that ,they start saying next time will be ours.
June 12th, 2010 at 22:40
hope none of you mates work for BP cuz were coming for everything $ they have.
WELLLLLLL we fired our guns and the brit… sorry ill stop now
June 12th, 2010 at 22:43
Green should not have borrowed Tony Haywards(BP ceo) gloves before the match hehe poor kid.
June 12th, 2010 at 23:17
@Redrich: Christ mate, even Sven is better than Maradona.
June 12th, 2010 at 23:21
It’s official, England SUCK. And I never heard anything about Ben Foster changing his name to Robert Green. They didn’t deserve to win no matter what the hiomers think. The US had a very well prepared game plan that worked to perfection thanks to ……………………..FERGIE.
June 12th, 2010 at 23:32
I’m honestly glad the US drew today. (I wish they won, but they had their flaws.) I would like this game to grow in this country and the only way it’s happening is if USA last longer in this tournament.
June 12th, 2010 at 23:52
First off, thank you rob green for giving us a point when we didn’t deserve it. Having said that either did England. Up until the 75th minute England really didn’t threaten And they were inches from going 2-1 down.
After his loan spell from everyon i thought Landon Donovan was here to stat. Unfortunately landy cakes hopped onto the plane to SA. He was almost as invisible as lampard and Rooney. England has “stars” at every position yet they couldn’t break down blue collar united aka USA.
Full credit to my boy Robbie findley, he was in over his head and was obviously over awed by the occasion. But it sent chills down my spine to not only see a personal friend of mine suit up for the red white and blue, but start against Engkand in the world cup. I’m telling you all right now. If he overcomes the mental blocks of competing at the highest level Findlay can be a force on the international stage.
Having said that… If… If and buts are candy and nuts everyday would be Christmas.
June 13th, 2010 at 0:03
@Johnsom33: Robbie Findley’s a close friend?
Nice.
June 13th, 2010 at 0:32
@Grognard: opening game, opening game. Let them settle. Argentina could have won 4+ to 0.
I like Maradona’s approach. Whoever plays Argentina will be setting up highly defensive formations to avoid being destroyed in the opening 30 minutes. Higuain, Tevez, and Messi is scary for ANY defense in the world.
Argentina can outscore ANY opponent and are you not the person who screams of outscoring opponents as a noble football tactic??
June 13th, 2010 at 1:17
Haha Grognard, since when has Fergie ever been able to implement a disciplined defensive plan? Those tactics didn’t come from Fergie.
June 13th, 2010 at 1:57
@Red Ranter: Yeah we both went to Oregon State, never thought in a million years bob Bradley would consider him for the national team. But he has buckets of pace and decent skill(on par of theo Walcott). The only thing I question is his mentality. Performing night in and night out at the highest level is a tough ask for American players.
June 13th, 2010 at 2:29
@Red Ranter: That’s right, the US is now officially a legitimate farm team!
June 13th, 2010 at 2:36
@Grognard: Perhaps, but at what?
June 13th, 2010 at 2:49
@Red Ranter: As an Englishman living in America, you have a curious affiliation. Perhaps you, now knowing that you know US team members, have turned on the Three Liions, and with your vast knowledge of the game, tipped them off to the English weaknesses.
Grognard has been informed, watch your back!!
June 13th, 2010 at 3:36
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Did you completely discount all the chances they gave Nigeria? Yes Argentina should have had 5 or 6 goals based on their chances but my concern for them was they gave a team like Nigeria at least five great chances to score and if that were a quality team, that may have been curtains for Argentina. With Messi and company you will get plenty of goal scoring chances even if they have no central midfield. But mark my words, they will be done in by their manager’s arrogance
and a good teams ability to finish on the counter.
June 13th, 2010 at 3:39
@Redrich: I’m rounding up names and sending my spies out to monitor activities. If caught I’ve got rooms ready for any in the Tower of London.
June 13th, 2010 at 4:10
@Grognard: How many rooms are there, Cardinal?
We have Ferguson, Maradona, Capello all waiting. Anderson, Park, Carrick, Foster already interned. The Tower needs some expansion plans. Don’t bother asking the Galzers, they’re still trying to pay Fulham for Chris Smalling!!
June 13th, 2010 at 5:24
@Grognard: Hey Grog what are your feelings on Germany’s opening game? I’m from Australia and there’s great anticipation down under for this game. It’s a great opportunity for an emerging football nation like ours to take one of the genuine super powers of the sport. As an avid German fan do you fear the Aussies at all? My analysis of Germany’s squad is that with the loss of Ballack, they lack a big personality to lead from the front. Looking at German teams from the past that have won tournaments and made finals, they’ve always had that big leader. Guys like Kahn and Beckenbauer the list goes on. Do you reckon this will hold the current German team back or will someone like Lahm stand up and be counted? What do you think Australia can do to expose any potential German weaknesses?
June 13th, 2010 at 5:34
@Aymen: If you don’t mind me butting in here, the Aussies have absolutely no chance, mate. This game is about done and dusted as they come.
Perhaps filling the kraut water flasks with “Fosters” could help in some way, but honestly, this is a game you should perhaps avoid watching – think of it as learning experience, like the first time you tried calculus!!
June 13th, 2010 at 5:49
@Redrich: I’m not an Englishman. When did I ever say that?
June 13th, 2010 at 5:55
@Red Ranter: Gosh, all this time I thought you was. Sorry mate!!
June 13th, 2010 at 6:00
@Redrich: Haha you may well be right. Don’t forget though how awfully close we came to knocking out eventual champions Italy in 2006. Australia are no longer the easy beats they once were. Hopefully the Germans underestimate us like you are!
June 13th, 2010 at 6:07
@Aymen: The Aussies beating the Krauts would make my day. That date would be posted on my calender for years to come!!
June 13th, 2010 at 6:08
@Redrich: If we cannot find a cell for them in the tower we’ll just have them drawn and quartered.
Just know this, Grognard’s reign of terror is necessary. 
June 13th, 2010 at 6:11
@Red Ranter: RR, you are a dark horse, mate. I can’t believe I’ve been on here for almost 2 years thinking you are a transplant. What a dufus I am!!
Any chance of a some kind of bio – letting us know something about you??
June 13th, 2010 at 6:15
@Aymen: The game is going to be a tough one for Germany. In general Germany are notorious slow starters (the exception being 1990 and 1970). Without Ballack they will have to find leadership from elsewhere. Lahm is a good choice for captain but how well this team does will be depend on the leadership and play of Bastien Schweinsteiger in Ballack’s old position. If he does well Germany have the tools to go far in this tournament. But do I expect them to run over and maul their opponents? The answer is no. They will improve every game out but will start very much the way England and Argentina did today. I look for Germany to beat Australia but in a very close game 1-0 or maybe 2-1. The Aussies have some good players but what they really have is a strong work ethic and that can always cause problems for the Germans in terms of breaking them down and then defending on the counter. Still, I would be totally shocked if Australia came out of the game with any points. It’s a must win for Germany because Serbia will be a very severe test and Ghana will also not be easy. I do not see the Aussies advancing but I do see them giving all three opponents a tough game.
June 13th, 2010 at 6:17
@Redrich: Germans are slow starters mate and if Lowe is stupid enough to start Klose, it could be a long and frustrating evening for the Germans. Remember the German Machine is famous for winning ugly and just getting the job done……barely. They are notoriously slow out of the gate and I expect this to be the case tomorrow. If by some chance they explode out of the gate, I think then that the rest of the world should be afraid, be very afraid. But I don’t see that happening.
June 13th, 2010 at 6:20
@Aymen: You are correct. Good goalkeeping and good players like Cahil will help them be competitive. I do expect them to park the bus tomorrow though although I expect them to have success doing so until late when the German pressure finally forces them to give in.
June 13th, 2010 at 6:24
@Grognard: Honestly, this is a mis-match made for TV. If the Germans don’t win by 5 goals I’ll be shocked.
I’m still reeling from the RR revelation that he’s not from England, did you know that?
June 13th, 2010 at 7:02
@Redrich: RR is not English??? I’m shocked too!!! I am guessing North American (US or CA).
Serbia-Ghana and Germany-Australia should be good games.
Algeria – Slovenia will be a low-tech affair but should be full of pride and hard tackles and intense!!
Loooooooooooooooooooove the world cup!
June 13th, 2010 at 7:30
Redrich — I’m a citizen of the world.
June 13th, 2010 at 7:32
@Grognard: I think Germany will do alright. I’ve pegged them as my dark horses. If not Spain or Brazil, I believe the Germans will make it to the final at least. That’s my prediction anyway.
June 13th, 2010 at 7:44
@Owen: If that’s what you think mate – you haven’t got a fucking clue about England fans! England need a manager with BALLS, who isn’t afraid to drop Lampard or Gerrard, because they cannot play together, and have NEVER been able to play together in the England midfield. They both play their best position just behind the front man. Also Capello chose the wrong players, and played them in the wrong positions – FERGIE anyone???
June 13th, 2010 at 9:21
@Redrich: Yes I knew it. I know where he is from but I’ll leave him to tell you. Lets just say it isn’t even close.
As for Germany, mate don’t underestimate the Aussies, they’re not that bad and I think Germany is in a state of shock with all their injuries. I don’t think Australia will win but I expect Germany to start slowly in this WC and improve every game. The teams I’d expect Germany to murder 5-0 are North Korea, New Zealand, Japan, Honduras and definitely Canada if they were in it. And the team i hope Germany meet and beat 6-0 is Mexico. I hate those guys.
June 13th, 2010 at 9:23
@Red Ranter: International Man of Mystery.
