Aug 31
All three points as fortune favours United
Scott at Republik of Mancunia made a valiant effort at throwing a positive spin on Saturday’s result. Of course, it was a win after all, so, really, what can be more positive than that? And he did a good job of trying to alleviate certain shreds of negativism that may have afflicted a lot of United fans.
However, if you were to ask me what I thought of yesterday, I’d say it’s among the strangest matches I’ve ever seen against ‘big four’ opposition. (Yes, even the 1-0 at Anfield, many moons ago, felt different. In that game the win tasted sweet. Here, I really don’t know what I’m having.)
Having made pronouncements at the start of the season on the need for the likes of Berbatov and Rooney to step up, the return of the four-four-two formation, it was surprising (to put it mildly) to see Ferguson falling back on old habits employed in recent years when faced with good opposition. This was a home game, Arsenal’s midfield was unlikely to be as physical as say, Chelsea, and we needed to test a new Arsenal defence.
But Ferguson went with a 4-5-1 (or a 4-3-3, if you please), opting for Giggs to play in the ‘hole’. The first 45 minutes resulted in attritional football from both sides, and it took a gifted footballer, in the form of Arshavin, to create a goal out of nowhere.
The second half saw marginal improvement as Giggs stepped up his game. However, anything positive we had to show for was marred by Michael Carrick, who was very poor, losing the ball far too often. There were quite a lot of culprits on the day, and it would be unfair to pin the blame on one specific player, but Carrick stood out like a colossus of mediocrity.
I might be sounding like a broken record right now, but we lack the thrust from midfield, someone direct enough to not only run at goal, but also bring in the likes of Berbatov into the game as well as not be shot shy. But it showed yesterday in the way Rooney was isolated upfront.
Statistics will paint a much different picture, but there are a lot of intangibles that make a match. I will be doubtless accused of negativity, but I missed a spark I expect from United sides; something that makes us tick. [For argument's sake that person was Diaby on Saturday, but then...] However, I will take United wins regardless of how they come, although the aftertaste might not be necessarily great.
A few words on players that emerged with a lot of credibility: Patrice Evra has been fantastic this season. He had a slowish start, but over the past two-three games has been outstanding, and doing some of the offensive work we’d expect from our wingers. Nani seems to continue showing improvement and decision making, and I want Ferguson to persist with him. And Fletcher had a fantastic game breaking up play and was all over the place. He is limited in his distribution (and lost the ball on several occasions) but as a defensive midfielder he had a massive say on the result.
Ben Foster had a mixed game. He’s an excellent shot-stopper, but I am still to be convinced over his ability to deal with crosses. At times he’s dealt with them perfectly and at times he’s flapped — a strict no-go, for a defence that prides itself on clean sheets.
The match will however be known for some absolutely inept refereeing from Mike Dean who did his best to stop the flow of the match at every chance he had, and also tried to be the centre of attention. Sending off Wenger for kicking a bottle was ridiculous (albeit amusing — honestly, that image above has to be one of the iconic images of this season). However, Wenger insinuating that the ref was favouring ‘one side’ just because it was being played at Old Trafford has to be among the most bitter, thinly disguised tirades of this season. I have never subscribed to the conspiracy theory of referees be it on any ground involving any opposition. I think they are professionals expected to do their jobs and in their mistakes are out of their incompetence rather than any hidden agenda. But that’s Wenger being Wenger, and I wouldn’t want to waste my time with that. Arsenal fans have a right to feel aggrieved at the result, although I wouldn’t subscribe to their bleating about their ‘bossing’ of the game.
And finally, Rooney didn’t dive. He played for the foul, but didn’t dive. Almunia made a meal of it by lunging like a mad man and fell for it. I saw very little protest from the Arsenal players even, to justify debating this at all.
This ends part one of three matches that will go some way in saying what kind of side we are (I would still say we will see very little champagne football, and more “1-0 to the United” type. But let’s wait and see, eh?) Spurs and Man City are up next — with Champions’ League fixture in between against Besiktas — following a long international break.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Will There Be Last Day Luck or Disappointment for United?
- Sunderland vs Manchester United: Preview
- Match Review: Aston Villa 2-2 Manchester United
- Boro v Man Utd: Preview
- Manchester United vs Bursaspor: Match Preview
Tags: Match Reports
Opti (541)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Stephen (454)
Craig Mc (344)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Red Ranter: And you insult my intelligence by thinking that I cannot tell the difference when someone is trying to be objective in their criticisms and just being plain negative, because having read some of your posts I can tell you for a fact that I agree with some of your criticisms. You make the mistake of thinking that I disagree with all the negative posters on here, I dont, and I would never deny anyone the right to voice their opinion, what bugged me today about certain posters was I believed their severe negativity was unjustified and OTT.
I dont really understand what you are trying to say in the last part of your post, if its being directed at something specific that I have said and you point the comment in question out then maybe I can answer you properly.
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@Red Ranter: you and me started this thread be swapping differing opinions, it was civil and done in the right spirit and some of your sentiments on our current plight I would share, so forgive me in asking why you personally sought to defend yourself against me so aggressively, I havent got a problem with you.
If I am one of the others that you address then I waish you could point out specific examples so I could answer your charge.
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@Fred The Red: Well you have just made your grand re-entrance to this forum, and within the space of a couple of days your ready to talk trash to all those that want our team to improve and excel.
So if you think wanting our team to excel is a sign of being fickle, I wanted you to take a look at your own action here at post #299 of the preveiw thread (just 2 days ago). You clearly said that you couldn’t “hack it” and you buggered off for a couple of months, while we all stood firm and argued it out.
If you want to use an argument that will support the facts of your premise, then do so! But don’t go throwing around misnomers that skew the facts of what people are trying to put across!!
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@Redrich: explain this misnomer that skews the facts my friend and I will answer, I have given plenty of reasons for my optimism, try reading them.
And wether I couldn’t hack it or not is irrelevant, like I said earlier, if you want to argue something to death then knock yourself out.
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All I have to say about the match is that we were extremely lucky and Giggs must never play again against top-quality opposition. If we had Berba or Owen in place of the old man its highly likey we would have taken advantage of the various counter-attacking opportunities in the first half and won comfortably.
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@Fred The Red: You are breaching the divide between those who have blindly excepted the current state of affairs and those who are questioning it, with a wedge of disloyalty. That is the misnomer!!
And I will argue something to death if I believe it to be true, will you???
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@Fred The Red: My problem was when you made a sweepingly generic statement directly connected negativism and fickleness. Since I shared a generally negative outlook following the Arsenal match, I obviously took that statement directed at me. I normally am in agreement with most of what you’ve had to say on United. So I was naturally surprised at the statement you made which really provoked my response. Once again, if that is not your intent then I will take it back.
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@Redrich: I have never questioned anyones loyalty my friend, the closest I came to doing that was to call some of the negative posters fith columnists, which was a tongue in cheek statement, hence the smileys.
And when did I trash talk down the people who want the team to excel, you are creating a strawman and taking poetic license with my words to make me say something that I didnt. We all want our team to excel, Ive got no problem with consructive criticism, all I was trying to do was show the people who were being overly critical that our current plight was not as bad as it seems, so please dont overstate what I said and create a misnomer of your own.
And there comes a point in every argument when it is better to agree to disagree. In the summer things were be debated to death so I decided to take a time out, simple as, if that means I cant return and make a comment then all RR has to is say so.
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@Fred The Red: @Redrich: Regarding someone’s right to pick and choose his debate it’s his own decision, and I wouldn’t hold that against anyone. Fred, you are free to debate till death or agree to disagree – in that respect I have no qualms.
Hope this ends that debate
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@Red Ranter: I must admit that I was surprised by your criticism of the team after the game, but I absolutely 100 percent agree you with about our need of a creative midfielder.
I was genuinely not thinking of you when I called some fans fickle, but you have to admit RR, some of the criticism has been way over the top and is fickle.
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@Fred The Red: If I didn’t know some of the commenters here I may have made a similar accusation. But since I know many of the regulars on here, I have a fair idea that many of their concerns are genuine. We all make a lot of statements in the heat of the moment, but I think a lot of people making those comments have put in a lot of effort and logic behind their thinking and have backed their arguments with some substance. It’s not one person coming on here and saying we were shite. There is a lot more in their arguments so I wouldn’t dismiss them outright as fickle.
Too often have I seen trends in a lot of other forums and blogs where anything negative, and the person gets hounded out like he committed a crime. That’s something I try to discourage here. I try to value all opinions, because I have to, for the benefit of good debate.
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@Red Ranter: we were poor on saturday, thats a fact, but I honestly believe that it was down to poor play from some of our key players on the day, but it just sounded like some people had made up thier minds based on saturdays performance that it was going to be like that all season, lets wait until at least christmas before we throw in the towel. We are not what we once were and thats a fact, but I dont think we are as bad as most people think, thats all Im saying.
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@Fred The Red: So you are the standard that we should call par. When things become overly or underly critical we should refer to you for reference and acceptance.
Please don’t come across as the righteous disciple of how acute our discussions should be. You have your view, I have mine. You, in my opinion, overstate a positive opinion to sooth your feelings toward United. I, on the other hand, will overstate negative opinion, and probably for the same reason!!
I’ve never had a problem with anything you and I have discussed before, and I assume this will all blow over (for the sake of the team
), but I do think you’ve come back with a tone and a mission!!
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@Redrich: Im on no mission my friend, but you misunderstand me if you think that I set myself up as the standard, I dont. You can be as overly or underly critical as you want, just dont draw false conclusions out of my posts and then state them as a matter of fact, like I was trash talking anyone who wanted our team to excel.
You dont have to seek acceptance from me for anything, and neither do I have to seek your permission to return to this forum and post a comment.
The point I was trying to make in my previous posts was that the criricism of the team from certain quarters in my opinion was over the top, and I gave my reasons why, I never said that people were not allowed to state a negative opinion and I certainly didnt say that there isnt room for improvement.
Lets wrap this up and move on coz i can assure that I never came back with any preconcieved or hidden agenda, as anyone that knows me would testify, you and I could have have a stand up row, and five mins later it would be forgotten about as far as Im concerned.
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Did I read wrong or is this not redrants? Alot of us are unhappy with the current situation at the club and the gaffers insistence on not doing anything to improve the situation. /its that fact that I thank RR for this site because it gives me a chance to vent, rant and spew my bottled up anger at this situation.
Some of you are here preaching about half full and half empty glasses, well the truth of the matter is the glass’ current situation is determined by the glasses previous situation, if it was full and you take a huge chug from it, then its half empty,and if it was empty and you poured liquid in it then its half full, its the continued progression of things that determine what the next event will be.
Some of us are seeing it as half empty because we were a force to reckon with over the last three seasons, I never had any doubts that we would win against arsenal or even any of the top four, and whenever we lost I wasn’t really woriied because i knew the team was good enough and it was just not their day, however for the first time in years i was anxious when facing le arsenal, I’m not sure we can match chelsea and have all but given up on any meaningfull performance at the champions league, We are a team on a downward trend. Everyone has a right to their opinions and anyone can choose to close their eyes and not see whats in front of them but, don’t criticize us for ranting on a ranting site.
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@Fred The Red: Bloody hell Bro – I don’t understand the blitzing you have just taken in this thread. I truly believe that you are one of the most conciliatory posters on Red Rants – and if the blitz continues, wouldn’t blame you if your short summer sabbatical (which was wise in my opinion) cos nothing of much life changeing significance was talked about then) became a long sabbatical – jeez! I know your not fickle Fred, because you have always taken the stance against OTT criticism of the team for as long as I can remember, and that included my OTT stuff as well. You have never changed from your optimistic stance mate
.
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I feared it would be Rome all over.
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i’ve posted here before that saf would always play berbatov and this would damage the campaign. to my surrpise he wasn’t in the line up on saturday. maybe i was wrong and saf now realises the poor value berbatov offers in such matches. what is the saying he’s a luxury on the park united can’t afford. when he did come on he came across as a player with no confidence. i read a report that united where going to make a move for modric in a player plus cash transfer. i hope this is true and the player is berba. even though modric is out for 6 or more weeks he will offer united something that united is missing in the future. a creative attacking midfielder with movement. something that is beyond berba.
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Half Full:
- I believe we have a very good squad of players
- I believe we have a very good manager
- I believe we have one or two stars in the making
- I believe we have a shot at the title this season
- I believe our current team has the ability to play entertaining football
Half Empty
- I believe there’s room for improvement in the squad
- I believe our manager has grown soft, stubbourn and is not very tactically acute
- I believe that some people are getting preference over others and it’s actually causing more harm than good
- I believe we will bow out in round 2 of the CL
- I believe that ‘entertaining football’ is not really on the agenda this season.
That should indicate that I am so much more than just a ‘glass half full’ or glass half empty’ generalisation. I understand people’s need to stereotype, but at least get it right. I am not negative. I am ‘pissed off’! (Still does not mean I don’t love Manchester United).
People’s comments on the Reasons why my perception should be more ‘positive’ actually helps a lot. But, criticising me for my ‘negative’ view or feeling does not help. It only re-directs my pissed-off feelings from the team towards you.
Long Live Manchester United!
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@Karl: I agree there is room in our squad for improvement no doubt especially in the centre of midfield.
Fergie is stubbon, but in my view far from soft.
Anderson isn’t playing which is annoying you, but saying that it is causing more harm than good is debatable.
The Champions league exit is again debatable, depending on whom we play just saying we will exit so early is a little sceptical.
Fergie wants to win the league to make 19 tiltes and entertianing football isn’t his priority.
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@Stephen: I hope she got her perfect dress?
I was actually thinking about you Saturday afternoon. Shame
Maybe you’re right in the Andy slant
You say that if it were Anderson then it would have been a different matter… Well, Andy IMO had a good game last week. He really was not bad at all. Good passing, some visionary ones, confidence to try a difficult pass, etc. People still say he sucked. Why is that?
(I have actually decided start emphasising all the things he does good during a game from now on. That is if he ever plays again).
But, in all honesty, I just can’t see what was so great about Fletcher’s game. I just can’t. I tried. Still nothing. Like I said, I think it’s because all our other midfielders sucked even worse so far. He’s not bad. In fact, he’s rather good. But immense? McEssien? The best in the league? Am I being negative again or is that just OTT?
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@tom: Dude, had Berba started the match against Arsenal, he would have created at least one clear cut scoring chance for Rooney/Nani or others…
And Berba wouldn’t have performed worse than Giggs, anyway. Berba would pass the ball better (way way better) than any member of the current united team even when he is half asleep…
Not to forget he was the standout player against Wigan.
You say Berba is damaging the campaign.. so according to you Berba is the reason defense is leaking the goals, Berba is the reason Carrick is playing super shite, Berba is the reason Anderson is not getting the game time, eh? No other fooking striker can do well with the current team, unless the midfield problems are solved…
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@Karl: It was interesting matey, sitting in an London pub surrounded by Arsenal fans while the fiancée has your credit card!!
With Andy I agree either Fergie plays him or he sells the lad, and playing him on the left hand side of midfield where he hasn’t played is not going to help him in any way shape or form.
Fletch for me is the best of a bad lot, I thought he had a good game on Saturday but he did not have an awful lot of competion did he? I would like Fergie if he was going to play a midfield three to play Andy or Gibson, Carrick does seem to have lost his way but with Spurs and City coming up I just can’t see it.
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@Karl:
. Long live Man UNited indeed. 
.
On a lighter note – We hear you, and we know your concerns!
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@tom: Berba isn’t an AMF though mate, so shouldn’t be expected to become one.
.
SAF has admitted that he didn’t know how to play Berba in his team last season, but supposedly has now worked that out???
Berba qualities to offer the team:-
1. He has great technical ability, can pluck a ball out of the air, and stop it dead. Can receive and find the right pass all in one sweeping movement. He proved at Wigan he is not work shy. He loves Man United.
2. Why is he not finding the net, when he is provided with the greatest opportunities in the box??? It is a mystery, as he scored 23+ goals for his other clubs. I think it is a MIND thing. FEAR is a big factor in sport, and to freeze on the big stage (Old Trafford), bleeds the confidence out of a person. Could anybody hazard a guess as to whether Berba plays better in away games than he does at OT? See the gladiatorial spirit at OT could be destroying the guy, as he tries to live up to expectation, but finds that he falls foul of executing even the simplest things. He scored goals much at other clubs, so maybe he does need the help of top sports psychologist. He could also do with a nurturing coaching staff, and an appreciative OT crowd, for this time when things are not running for him.
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@Stephen: “sitting in an London pub surrounded by Arsenal fans while the fiancée has your credit card!!”
Now that’s really sick. I suppose it shows I have a lot to be grateful for 
I’ve also learnt when I went through this 5 years ago, it’s best to just ‘shut up and pay up’.
Regarding Anderson. You’re right. I feel upset when he’s not playing. Thinking back, I think my mood was set when I didn’t see him in the starting line-up. Still, I hoped he can prove something when comming on. Well, you know how that went.
One thing I do agree about is that Fletch is currently the best of the sad lot (that includes Andy).
As a matter of interest, my take on Andy is, the best way I can describe it is with cars (my other passion).
IMO, Andy is like a TVR. Brute force, no ABS, no ESP. Not an everyday runner, but classed in the supercar category. Unfortunately, the need was/is for a pick-up truck. So, what did we do, we cut the body and modified it with a loading-bin. Problem is, he might be a pick-up truck, but his heart is still all performance car. Now, he is neither good at performance (aerodynics messed up), nor as work-horse (can’t tame the motor). My greatest fear is that they transplant his engine with a Diesel, which, if he’s going to be played at deep mid, is exactly what will happen. I would rather we learn how to get the best performance out of a TVR. If not, then loan him, sell him, or let him play in the reserves, but for god’s sake, don’t change him.
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@Craig Mc: Now this the nicest response I’ve EVER received from you. Thanks.
).
Shows, you don’t have to necessarily agree with someone. Like my wife says to me, sometimes you just have to listen. not give advice, not try to agree or disagree, just listen and try to understand my view. (still battling with that though
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craig,andycr7;you’re obviously berba fans from the past. i always enjoyed the higlights involving berba when he was playing for spurs. however you can’t talk about work and berba in the same sentence. berba reminds me a lot of players who are technically gifted and need team tactics to be constructed around them. They also need to play for clubs which are not aiming or are capable of winning championships or leagues. This way they are judged on what they do every 4 matches and not week after week. a player which was lauded here comes to mind riquelme. i doubt wether there is a spot for him in the united team. i think his presence his confusing saf thinking. i’m sure he wants to play him week after week. however at the same time he knows that this would be a mistake. i would prefer that he played owen if fully fit along side roone then berbatov. at least he knows and does make runs. berbatov would not make a run unless there was a guarantee that the ball would be delivered. given his pace this is never possible. berbatov needs the ball played at his feet and then the game slowed down to his tempo. ONCE AGAIN EVERY 4 MATches you will see something brilliant from him. however this doen’t win you anything. it does guarantee winning enough matches to avoid relegation but united is not about this.
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@Karl: I’ve been listening to you mate – and lets just say Point Taken
. I think you got a very wise Missus from the sounds of it Karl – you want to make sure you don’t let her get away 
.
I don’t think we will ever get away from the sparring on Red Rants between the the pos fans and the neg fans – if indeed that is what we are
, but it any case your Missus philosophy on dealing with different characters and points of view is not to be sniffed at. Think she perhaps has got it more right than us fellows. That is why THE LADIES, are more than just the fairer sex mate 
.
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@Karl: ’shut up and pay up’. That’s the best piece of advice I have had my friend and will ahere to that very philosophy mate
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@tom: But Berba ran pronto into the box to receive the excellent thru ball from Nani, although yeah he made a total mess of his attempted shot. I really think it is a FEAR of failure thing at a big club like United though Tom. The fans could help by giving him more support. Also, to be fair Tom, Berba was one of the hardest working players against Wigan, most fans agree on that!
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@Craig Mc: Dude, if you are talking about that miss against Arsenal, then watch the replays again. Ball fluffed/bobbled as berba was about to shoot… I’m not saying he is the best finisher etc etc. He’s missed a lot of 1-1, so does our other strikers. May be, you were at the terraces so couldn’t watch replays.
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@Stephen: I’d say, the sooner you learn it, the better
(Will not only help during the stressful time before the wedding, but also afterwards).
I know it does not seem like it to you now, but trust me mate “You are in Training”. SHE’s the trainer.
Enjoy the ‘wax-on wax-off’.
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Karl:
I am taking all your advice in matey, unfortunately it seems very logical! 
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@Craig Mc: Believe me, the day I come declare on here that I left my wife, will be the day I have finally gone stupid. She’s a very wonderful person. Very ‘wise’ for her age (and beautiful too).
She’s perfect.
What is most special about her is how she compliments me. I feel that she’s perfect for me. I have this ‘ability’ to see ‘the bigger picture’. (Used to think it was thru intellect, but lately have come to realise it’s more intuition). Unfortunately, I cannot express myself effectively. She does this extremely well. What’s more, she understands me. What’s even more than that, she has patience with me
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@Karl:
, sounds like you got a good thing going on there, and surely with things that good, you should be able always TO LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE! 
couldn’t resist that quip mate 
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@Stephen: Surely though when LOVE came through your door Bro, LOGIC went out the window, and fell on the life of the poor passerby beneath it
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@AndyCR7: No I saw the replays Andy, but I didn’t notice that – thanks for sharing
. I just feel for Berba, because I think unlike Rooney, Berba doesn’t cope as well with pressure of expectation upon him since coming to United. I might be wrong though, but I am on Berba’s side!
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@Craig Mc:
@Karl: Sounds like you are a lucky man bro.
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@Craig Mc: It might surprise you that I am actually very positive person.
Like I said, it’s more a case of I’m pissed-off at what’s happening at OT. Maybe I’m a control freak, but I hate it when things go a certain direction and I have absolutely no control over it. Perhaps I’m venting my dissapointment here, hoping that if enough people understand the situation, maybe it will reach someone’s ear that can actually do something about it. I don’t know. Or maybe this is the ideal place to cancel out my yin with my yang. Whatever, I still enjoy it.
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@Karl: I think a bit of that positivity is coming through now – but m’thinks it all comes from your wife
. You probably get on so well because you are the ying/yang to each other – you know opposites attract etc. You pick up her rosy outlook, and she your more cautious insight of what might be round the corner. Is she a United fan then, or does she like most women hate football 
.
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@Karl: Things are not that bad mate, we have had the best start to a season for years, you never know we might win the league again.
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@Craig Mc: She was. She’s pisssed off that Tevez left. (She most probably saw some of me in Tevez, looks wise).
@Stephen: It’s not winning the league that bothers me…it’s the entertainment value of our football. That’s what I’ve been crying about all along. But, I don’t really want to get into that again.
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@NicoQB: Yes he is. Foster is a world class git.
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@Red Ranter: Yes it was in bad taste and I apologize to Stephen about it but the fact is that if you are in agreement with the Craigmeister, he lavishes all kinds of charm and love your way. When you are on opposite ends with him on an issue, you are categorized as a whiner etc. So yes I was wrong but even I can’t help myself sometimes because the Dark Side takes over. Sorry.
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@Stephen: Sorry about that mate. In trying to get a message out to Craig it was necessary to take some casualties or collateral damage. I apologize to you but I’m just a little pissed off about being referred to as a whiner while others who agree with Craig are lavished with love and kisses. It really had nothing to do with you but it upset you so again, very sorry about that.
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@Monkwahhdo: Mate I take no offense because I fully admit to being a glass half empty person. I’m 50 and I have lived through a lot of ups and a lot of downs in my life. Some others on here have only recently stopped wearing diapers and are bold and very positive with their outlook on life and Man Utd, and all the power to them, good for them. But I have been around the block a few times and I have seen the good with the bad and I have experienced the good and quite a bit of the bad. In my world experience and especially life experience means a lot. I used to argue with my father over things and never took his wisdom or life experience well because I used to hide behind my two university degrees and intellect and thought I knew more. Well I didn’t. Life, years and life experience from 50 years have taught me more than any school ever did. So if I am negative or if I accept things as a glass half full, people need to not only understand that perspective, but respect it as it is coming from somebody who has truly lived a life.
So I thank you for putting some people straight and explaining to them the differences we all have and how those differences are what make this blog as great as it is. One thing we all should be united and in agreement over is that we are all football fans and we are above all, die hard Man Utd supporters. It’s just that some of us support in different ways and require or demand different things from our team to find contentment and happiness.
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@Fred The Red: Well that’s a nice backhanded compliment. Why thank you mate.
I guess it’s just not a popular year for MERIT.
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@Monkwahhdo: It’s so refreshing to meet someone who actually reads and can comprehend the writing of someone who thinks before he writes and plans out his arguments. If I am ever negative, it’s because I believe I have reason to be. I love the game and our team and I am used to specific things with an Alex Ferguson team over twenty years that I am not seeing right now. Great midfield, great goalkeeping and a fast brave attacking mentality, especially at home. When I do not see our players playing or functioning properly, I will say so. If I see our tactics and team selection and question why it is like that, I will say so. If I see our team manage the business end and not buy need players to improve the side, I will question that too. Why? Because after 20 years I expect it from Fergie and United. Hell I demand it. I may not be a season ticket holder or a regular supporter in the stands but I pay for my Manchester United fix and I purchase items all the time whereby much of the money goes into the coffers of the glazer’s. Above all, I have been royally spoilt over 20 years to expect a certain kind of team and kind of play from my team and this has all come to an abrupt stop over the past 15 months. Therefore, I feel I have a right to be upset and “NEGATIVE”.
I wasn’t always negative. In fact I cannot count the hundreds and hundreds of time I have been very positive, humorous and friendly on this site. I just don’t take well to being labeled, insulted and dissected like some kind of sick alien species. It’s rude, disrespectful towards me and I have always disliked others telling me what and how I should think. This is why I have gotten the reputation as being a downer and negative. Because I don’t let others force their personal opinions and demands on me. I have something to say and I usually back it up with well thought out arguments.
Quite often all I get back is an argument not on what I said, but the fact that I said it. Now why I am supposed to just sit back and take that in a positive manner is beyond me. I am a fighter and I will fight to protect myself and my rights from people who attack my person, not my views. And that’s what happens here a lot. I come up with something unpopular or negative and rather than debate me on the merits of what I just said, they would rather attack my right to say it or me personally as some kind of negative venom spewing reptile. It’s so incredibly unfair. Therefore, I thank you again for seeing the logic in what and who I am and not finding offense in my right to cheer on my team in my own way.
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@NicoQB: He’d still be a useless git and an overrated albatross around our collective necks.
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