Jun 26
Arshavin Likes Fergie…
… and Scolari and Wenger. He thinks the Premiership is the best league; he watches the English league in the weekends; and, more importantly, he wants to change clubs. He said all this in an interview to the BBC [audio link -- thanks to a comment from yesterday's post.]
So where’s the catch?
Well, for one, he said a couple of days ago to the Spanish press that he likes Barcelona and that the Spanish league suits his style. His agent and the president of the Russian football federation made his interest in La Liga known; is he that public a figure in Russia that his deepest secrets are known to everyone? [On second thoughts I wouldn't dispute the fact that, at the moment, he's bigger than Putin in Russia.]
Anyway, the interview to the BBC, if you’ve already heard it by now, would tell you one thing: that the questions were framed in such a way as to put words in his mouth; obviously, anyone with half a brain would tell you that he would like playing in the Premiership or La Liga; obviously, anyone with half a brain would tell you that the pitches are better in England and Spain; and any half-wit if asked would tell you that he likes Ferguson, Scolari and Wenger (sorry Rafa).
[As an aside, I would like to know why he's already started pimping himself to all and sundry -- what tomorrow, the Italian media? -- when his country has a semi-final against Spain, in Russia's biggest game yet. Oh, well, that's football for you these days.]
But besides all the obvious, one thing in the interview that appealed to me — although, perhaps, much of the actual meaning may have been lost in translation — was the statement he made, the essence of which was, “The club I will go to must show real desire to want me.”
For United fans an easier example would be Aaron Ramsey. Clearly Arsenal showed more desire to sign the teenager. So whilst the player would eventually make up his mind United must show a real desire to want him if they are to stand any chance of signing him.
At the end of the day, signing Arshavin would be one hell of a challenge and any club that snaps him would pull off a major coup. To be brutally honest — and risking brickbats for said honesty — I thought Arshavin was the perfect Arsene Wenger kind of a player as he plays in a short quick passing Russian system apart from his age and cost.
But I wouldn’t make his signing a priority. If we sign him, good and if we don’t, I am not going to cut myself over it. Excellent player, but our priorities this summer involve a striker a defender and I’ll continue to stand by that. Anyone else would be welcome and I certainly wouldn’t mind.
* * *
Round up from the rest of today (and a bit of yesterday’s) news
- Rummenigge slam’s Madrid’s tactics: Finally someone, other than us, seems to think that Madrid may be doing things a tad on the wrong side.
- The Sun’s exclusive reveals that Ronaldo will return to Manchester after his holiday. Erm… David Gill told us that before (and during) the Euros, that all players under contract will return to the club following their holidays. Anything else and, I think, it would be in violation of club rules, wouldn’t it? You return from your scheduled holidays and get back to work, wouldn’t you? Any plans of quitting would be done by having a word with your boss, and in the world of football (and contracts) it can’t be truer. So the Sun can shove their exclusive up their whatever — we know it already, numpties!
- In hysterical headlines of the day, the award goes to the Daily Mail, who’ve come up with their late breaking news: “New United kit for a new season… but hang on, where’s Ronaldo?” Okay, it came on Sunday, but the fact that the headline was a bit too long was the least of its faults.
- In blogwatch, James Ryddel draws up an elaborate theory on how Arshavin could be a pawn in Ronaldo’s move to Real. I don’t think that to be plausible, but good for a read although he is, essentially, thinking out loud.
- And Scott is, as usual, at his Liverpool bashing best (in this case Arbeloa) — it’s always great to see a United fan having a good go at Shitepool; one can never tire of it. [Can't wait for title number 18 to rub it in, although they'll still come up with the 5 Champions' League shite.]
And that should end this for the day, but for this link Ahmed suggested sharing with you all: Euro 2008 babes; and as with any picture gallery showcasing the best of the fairer sex, it may come with an NSFW warning. Speaking of Euro 2008, a rather tasty encounter today between Russia and Spain. I’d like either of them to go on to win the thing, but based on footballing excitement alone, I’d back the Russians to go the full distance; albeit with a shaky defence.
Anyway, take it away from here, people…
Related items from Red Rants:
- Preview: Man Utd v Zenit St. Petersburg
- Ronaldo Returns + Fergie’s Optimism Dips + Squad ‘Swells’
- Arsenal vs. Manchester United: United Aiming For Key Arsenal Away Win
- GOAL VIDEOS: Manchester United v Arsenal
- All three points as fortune favours United
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Stephen (454)
Craig Mc (344)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Good player but 5’7 too small, we already have that type of player up front. If Ronnie goes then maybe.
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Good article and i think spot on. I think United have other priorities! Amazing to think Everton had an offer accepted in January(And then would not release the funds) for this player for only £3 million. Just look at what the exposure has done for this player since the UEFA cup final. Its being mooted hes worth £16-£20 million. His current club’s finance men must be smiling from ear to ear!
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if russia didnt make it to the semis would there be all this hype over him?
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hey read this storyhttp://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s6i37248
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RR slow news day today I take it!!!!! Very nice link to the Euro ladies I must say
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@jstar7: Yes he was immense in Zenit’s Uefa Cup success and that is where he caught most peoples eye…. lets see what he does tonight, the spot light is on him now, lets see if he can handle it.
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Hitler’s reaction to Ronaldo leaving Man U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MCmUKZJYTY&feature=email hilarious
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RR – about the article from The Sin on Ronaldo’s return for training: You forget – they have a picture of him on the phone
. Maybe they caught him in the exact moment, when he got through to Ferguson. What great journalistic skills they are showing.
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Just one thing about the Ramsey transfer which everyone seems to be glossing over. Arsenal were the only club that offered to take him straightaway – our offer was based on loaning him back to Cardiff for next season. Cardiff wanted that (hence why our bid was accepted first), but the player didn’t.
Not saying it was the only factor, but it’s an underappreciated one.
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Good point Pengy, but Arsenal did show probably more desire to get the player than we did. Wenger met the boy, Fergie was still holidaying, and if Ramsey did not want to go back on loan he could have explained that to Fergie in detail had they met. Still think we dropped the ball there.
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I really don’t see how this Ramsey deal can still be an issue. We didn’t get him, and we frankly don’t know why. Only thing we do know is that we lost out on a 17yo to Arsenal. There’re plenty other 17yos to sign in the future, and our future surely won’t depend on us getting him or not. And one thing’s for certain: SAF hasn’t lost it or anything else remotely in that category just because he didn’t sign one 17yo.
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It’s been confirmed that Barca have gone in for him, and that’s his fav team. So no Arshavin for us I’m afraid.
Still not worried about lack of transfer activity. It’s early days yet.
So is CR getting his ankle worked on in Manchester then? Come over, use our medical facilities then head off to Madrid…?
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well played to arshavin’s agent!! clearly recognising that his man has played a blinder in 2 games, he gets him to do 2 interviews…one for the spanish press saying he loves la liga and wants to play there…and the other to the english press saying he loves the prem and would love to play for any of the big 3!! and lo and behold he gets himself a move to barca….before he has a chance to play a bad game possibly tonight. None of this “I will talk about it after the euros”, or waiting till they are over before trying to get a new deal! genius.
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Wow! if Arshavin is heading to Man Utd, then it will be hell of a good news! Damm Ronaldo for not showing loyalty to the club that supported him through high and lows!
But we can’t blame Ronaldo as well as he has won everything he could with Manchester United!
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i’m frankly tired of all this hysteria surrounding united’s transfer activities (or lack there of…..) this summer…
yes we went after ramsey and didnt get him….. end of discussion. he’s not the first player to snub us and probably not the last…… and frankly i have had enough of you guys holding sir alex personally responsible for that….. so what if he wasnt there to babysit the kid when he came to old trafford? i remember reading about how he called up the manager of cardiff city to talk about the boy…. that shows that he cares…. at any rate, i remember us rolling out the red carpet for robben, where did that get us??? and saha’s signing was announced a couple of days after he signed because sir alex was away in dubai at the time of the actual signing…… the player makes his decision based on a lot of things, i really hope for his sake that ramsey didnt make his based on the fact that fergie talked to him on the phone, while wenger had dinner with him…..
the same thing applies for the ronaldo situation….. i think united are playing it really well….. sir alex (and indeed david gill) sticking to their vacation plans sends the message that they’re unconcerned with all this media frenzy…. that they arent threatened by real madrid…. they’re also putting ronaldo in his place… if sir alex comes running back to office every time ronaldo throws a tantrum, then he will truly believe that he’s bigger than the club (if he doesnt already!!)
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any of you boys live in washington, d.c.?
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I agree to a degree Samg, but if Ramsey turns out to be the next Pele, then we will all say Fergie should have tried harder to sign the player, that is all I think people are saying.
I do 100% agree with your point with regard to Ronaldo, we shouldn’t run around Europe trying to track him down he is under contract, and if he wants to leave he should run round after us.
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“samg “: Well Said mate Fergie has done the right thing by stayin in France,As for Ronaldo if he waants
a move let him run around KISSING Fergie’s ASS for a Transfer…And I dont give A fuck About Ramsey
he’s just a kid anyways he will no where be as good as gigsy…so stop blamin fergie alright…let
him have a few days offf….
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@devil_fan: thats so funny, i’m nearly crying
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@samg: couldn’t agree with you more, nice one.
Simple as this we’re gonna win the league again next year with or without the madeira sweet cake ladyboy. There seems to be alot of fans fretting over this storm in a tea cup, any player who doesn’t realise how lucky they are to put on a red shirt every day can fuck right off. I personally think that it could be the best thing for United to get rid, we’ll get a stupid amount of money for him, enough to buy 3 or 4 players, not including a poss player swop. Surely this makes better sense, esp with rebuilding our Third Team. This is key to the continuing dominance of our club at home and abroad. If that cunt came out and said “i was only trying to better my contract or some other lame excuse”, i still think selling him now is in the best interests of the club.
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The best swap we could get, and people don’t jump down my throat just yet, but Robben.
He has prem experience, quick, had a good Euro’s I will add,and yes a little injury prone, but a top player.
He is now 24 so hopefully the injury woes are behind him, he also can score goals ideal?!
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Agree fully on Robben. I think he”l be perfectfor United.
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@Stephen: A little injury prone? He’s the Dutch Saha
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Yeah once Saha is sold we will need a new player on a permanent sick note.
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hahaha I wont let john get you.tell fergie if he wants to keep his job he should dress up like mell gibson in braveheart
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Maybe I was generous on a “little injury prone!” But a good player. I am just putting it out there really, I am a big fan of his as a player, he would be ideal for us if he could stay fit!
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Not only is Robben a Dutch Saha, he is also a classically trained diva and thespian. A terrible play actor and baby of the worst order. So many times I wanted to personally ring his neck for his whining, crying and diving while at Chelsea. What a frequent and lousy diver. He would have given Greg Louganis a fight for the diving gold medal and he’s just as much a fag as Louganis too. Robben is in my top five list of players I least want to come to OT with Terry, Drogba, Gallas and Henry. Absolutely hate each and everyone of them with intense passion. Especially the Drogba.
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mmmmm, thats alot of hate Grogs!
completely understandable though!
The more i think about it, the more i feel that Samuel Eto could be our man. He suffered an intense amount of racial abuse while in Spain, this def affected his football.I know that the new president of Barca said Eto was in his plans, but the truth is that it wouldn’t take too much to convince the player to move.
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damn..one thing’s for sure, I’m gonna miss Avram Grant’s toadal football led by Didier Frogba next season
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Phoenix; Hate is a strong word. Call it a huge dislike instead
antsBoy; Nice one.
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on the Euro front, i’ve totally enjoyed this tourno
, and i’m hoping that Russia will beat Spain tonight.
Gus Hiddink, what a manager! Would he be a good replacement for Fergie?
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@Grognard: indeed it is, especially when coupled with “intense passion”
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what do you guys think about the russian Jugen Klinsman clone they have up front, kavilichenko or whatever his name is? I admit that i’ve only seen him in the euros, but i read he was the leading scorer in the russian league for the last two years and ive been impressed by his performances. He is quick, good in the air and is a good fox in the box type player. Thoughts??
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Grognard , I tried to get in touch with SAF earlier to tell him to sign a few players but his wife said he had no time to talk about transfers coz he was going banana boating at lunch time then bungee jumping in the afternoon
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Hmm, if arshavin puts spain out the euros tonight, will barca fans, or even barca, accept him? i mean us english where bad towards ronaldo, but imagine the spanish towards arshavin…C’MON YOU RUSSIANS.
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@Dan(u-ol): Yes they will. Spanish — especially Catalonians and people from the Basque country — are not as nationalistic as the English.
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the real reason behind why Ronaldo ducked out on going back to United and seeing the medical staff over his injury can be found on my web site. It’s the unadulterated truth, gleaned from contacts within United itself!
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Ah, the weather has ensured that the match has not kicked into gear yet…thought Ramos looks very alive…Arshavin very quiet on the other hand.
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Fred the Red; What gets me about Fergie being a party animal is that he doesn’t invite some of the hardcore RedRants members to party with him. I wonder what’s on his agenda for dinner time and the weekend?
Dan; Trust me Barca fans would forgive and forget very quickly. The media makes more out of crap like that than really exists.
PhoenixRed; I brought up the Hiddink possibility last week but nobody commented. Things to keep in mind besides the fact he is an excellent coach is the fact that he believes in an offensive system that is almost identical to that used by Fergie and Man Utd. Secondly, He is under contract with Russia until the end of the World Cup. That’s two years from now. His availability and Fergie’s retirement could match up perfectly. He gets respect and the most out of his players and opposition coaches rarely out think him. The negative problem though, and it is a big problem is that he is a good friend of Roman Abramovich and a little bit in his back pocket. I doubt Roman would stand for Guus going to United. So would Hiddink be willing to tell Roman to stuff it or would the Chelsea job be open by that time due to two terrible years for Chelsea under the overrated Scolari?
Drew Vader; Love Pavlyuchenko. He’s an old school striker with confidence and ability as well as courage. He misses quite a bit but what I love the most about him is that he will take shot s and is not afraid to do so. He is certainly not gun shy. Reminds a bit of Gerd Mueller in the fact that he will take almost a dozen shots a game and score one or two goals. What is important to realize here is that I for one don’t mind a striker taking shots even if he misses. All good strikes need to be brave and daring but for every miss they have, they learn something and before you know it, a goal happens. He’s 27 but I would love to have him. I think he could be gold with a team that offers quality service.
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Its all a bit dissapointing, this game! Hopefully Gus can give the russians a hairdryer
at halftime.
Arshavin looked a bit tired in the first half, come on you reds!
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WOW! Did Russia ever lay an egg. They were terrible. No passion, desire or effort. Arshavin who I love was disappointing and completely invisible in the second half. In fact, his name was called once by the anouncer doing the game. Amazing how he was phased out of the game completely. Russia looked very tired but they should not have been any more tired than Spain. Spain for all their passing skill and charm had little to do or worry about because Russia had been completely unmotivated. What I am trying to figure out is how in God’s name can that old miserable looking grognard Aragones not start Fabregas every game over players like Xavi or Iniesta? Iniesta especially has been very ordinary for me while Fabregas has been outstanding tonight and has been good whenever he has played.
So it’s Germany vs Spain. The Germans will have to deal with speed and crisp and sharp passing that dissects a defense. Germans are usually well organized but their central defenders have been slow and with the kind of speed and passing skill the Spaniards have, one would think it will be a cake walk for Spain. Spain is however weak on high balls into the box and their own back four sometimes can be suspect. On paper Spain should win. They pass the ball better, their strikers are better collectively and their midfield has more finesse and ball controlling skill. Spain also has Casillas in goal while Germany have to be content with the far from spectacular Lehamnn. All signs speak of a Spanish victory of 2-0 or 3-1. But Spain will come out nervous. You cannot forget 50 years of history where they have won nothing. That will play on their minds and doubts will creep up in their minds. Yes they are the better team and yes they should win but Germany has been down this road before. How many times has Germany met a team that was better only to shut them down and find a way to beat them? Ask the French, the English, the Dutch and the Argentines about how their superior teams on paper have lost to Germany in the past? My brain says Spain but my gut instinct says Germany wins 2-1. And certainly a little favoritism is mixed into that decision but it’s just that I expect them to do their business because frankly, I’m used to it. DEUTSCHLAND UBER ALLES BABY!!!
And Ballack will have a massive game.
I guess I’ve set myself up for a lot of ridicule on Sunday evening now haven’t I?
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Remember all you Germany haters out there. That Spain is loaded with Real Madrid players, Semi=Scousers x4 and Arsenal’s best player. If that isn’t reason enough for United fans to finally cheer the German’s on , than I don’t know what is? Come on guys CHEER Germany on!
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Yes yes! The Germany – Spain final I predicted from the beginning has now indeed materialised! After the way the Spanish dismantled the well-oiled (geddit?) Russian machine with such panache, all I can say is that I’m really looking forward to seeing them stuff the Germans on Sunday!
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@Grognard: I always have a soft spot for Spain. All their talent and they never managed to pull it off. As I mentioned in the blog today, I’d like either Russia or Spain to win it — both of them have played better football and Spain have traditionally been a purer footballing nation. I had a soft spot for Spain before Benitez turned Pool into a mini-Spain and before anyone heard of Fabregas. I felt really bad when Korea robbed them — but surely, for me, a side loaded with so much talent deserves to go all the way.
Note: Whilst Brazil have been my favourite international team, I’ve always been a neutral otherwise as far as international footy goes. So I will continue siding with the purer football playing nation — and obviously, for me it’s Spain.
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I’m a fickle neutral
in this comp. now the russians have departed i’m going for Spain, this of course could be an awful curse for them 
but i reckon their attack is better than the German defence, i think it’ll be close, 2-1 to the Spaniards. Castillas could be the key 
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and Fabregas!
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So you mean Arshavin doesn’t like Benitez too??? shock horror
. I’m just wondering if today showed what happens to Arshavin when he’s up against a REAL defense or was he just having a bad day. I guess i’ll have to root for Germany now, i was rooting for Holland, then Russia, i really hope i’m not a jinx.
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Even if Germany were not in the final I could never root for Spain. Four Liverpool players on that team as well as the aura of Rafa tells me NO WAY. It’s like no true Liverpool fan should ever root for Portugal with Ronaldo and Nani playing for United. One always forgives the players from both sides that play for England of course. It’s just the way hypocrisy and double standards in football work well together.
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Another reason to root for Germany is to prevent Spain from having such a national party and love fest with itself and it’s brand of football because it will only enhance the reputation of La Liga and coax more players around the world that the Spanish league rules and that it’s the best. This can only be bad news for United and the Prem. The same will not be thought of the Bundesliga and so I feel it’s actually a very valid reason to want Spain to lose here. The power to convince players to sign for English teams over Spanish teams is paramount and anything good that happens for Spanish football is bad for English football. They are the enemy. Italy is a distant third right now because of their scandals, indifferent play in Europe and their poor showing in European competitions. So, Spain be damned!
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@Grognard: United>England
I’m not going to add Madrid into the mix cos i dont care about them.
personally being Irish, we never shout for england, historical/political reasons. But then again i havn’t been shouting much for Ireland recently either!
So i dont agree re england, Gerrard is a cunt no matter what jersey he’s wearing.
In Europe we have long memories, and generally we dont particularly like our neighbours, add to general history some football history , “2 world wars and 1 world cup” which engerland fans never tire of, for example.
The question for me is can i shout for Steve Finnan when he dons the green shirt, probably, but i’d never love him even if he scored a hat trick against engerland!
Now i’m not slagging anyone for loving their country or supporting their team. In Ireland we’ve had to deal with ABUs for years(anyone but united) and this kind of negative approach to football pisses me right off. So rather than not support Spain for negative club reasons, i’m going to support them for positive footballing reasons, simply because i think they’ve played the more attractive football and have a better all round team, add to that the fact that i cant remember them winning anything
So back to your point, as a “true” united fan i shouldn’t follow Spain. Bollox
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