Oct 04
Blackburn v Man Utd: Preview
Blackburn away has always been a little tricky. At the moment they are above us in the table, and one would hope this is only an aberration. Today is the day to set things right as we attempt to scale the heights of the league table, before the players depart towards their international sojourn.
Before previewing the game, let’s take a minor diversion: Scholes and Fletcher have signed on to new contracts. While, in Scholesy’s case, it’s been an extension by one year, Fletcher’s got another three years added to his as he looks to fight his way into first team reckoning. I’d say his extension (Fletcher’s) is a recognition of his efforts and the club’s way of saying, “boy, you deserve this”.
Back to today’s game though, it’s a familiar face facing up to Ferguson, as Paul “Big Time Charlie” Ince leads his boys. SAF has said that he regrets calling Ince a big time charlie, as Keano says it was Gary’s fault for starting the altercation with Paddy Viera. It’s a strange day isn’t it?
Back to today’s game: Tevez will take the place vacated by an injured Rooney, whilst Berbatov will start alongside him. The back four would have a familiar look today, as hopefully, Fergie realises that Brown exists. In midfield, I think Fletcher will start alongside Giggs, perhaps. Ronaldo and Nani will be stationed in the wings. Let’s see what happens.
This is a short preview, so let me cut to the predictions: 1-0 to United.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Porto it is then…
Tags: Manchester United News
Craig Mc (195)
RedDevilEddy (170)
Opti (135)
Moscow is my heaven (96)
Ian (95)
Dammit
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…on a good note, Tottenham lost to Hull at home!! seriously, they might be looking at relegation if they don’t step out of their slump soon!!
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@Fred The Red: As a United fan of 25 years Fred, I respect you like fuck. I also respect that you are older, and somewhat more experienced in years than me. Not to mention the fact that you are an Irishman who is a credit to your nation
, and as an archtype of the great Irish support for Manchester United, I could listen to you all night. I mean this sincerely bro 
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I have read and digested your post, and will take your points into consideration. As your sincerity shines through your words, and your obvious lack of bias for those different people and opinions you are addressing, and the way you appeal to the reader, I have enjoyed your post immensely. I only wish that you posted more mate. JB and you are among my favourite posters, course it has nothing to do with the Irish charm
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I already decided Fred that I was NEVER going to make a post on Rooney again, before I read your post mate. Because I think I am finally realising, that most people just want you to agree with the majority thought, and it does rock the boat to have a different stance from the majority, as most of the Rooney support voters have continually reminded me I am on my own in the opinion I have of Rooney’s form, and seemingly that doesn’t go down too well. So better to keep away from any Rooney debate, and let the Rooney supporters have their opinions unchallenged. It will keep the peace mate, which is what you are apppealing for isn’t it
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Thanks Fred, and be assured Bro, that I will keep away from stating any opinion on Rooney in the future.
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@Gabriel: that’s true. i was actually rooting for city..too bad though. No worries, their luck will run out. Hull for runners up anyone?
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@Matty: hull for top half finish.
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@Craig Mc: Yes I’m OK Craig, thanks. It was tough but you just grit your teeth and pull through. It’s just like they say after these sort of things happen, “life goes on”. Sounds silly but it’s true. Now it’s time for me to concentrate on improving my health and train hard for another season of FIFA 09
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@phoenix red: Well put about Berbatov. He is linking things up very well and his ball control and first touch on goal kicks or long balls to him has been sublime. Man do we need that. Now we also need him to get the ball more in the box and score in the EPL like he did on Tuesday in the CL. And I have no fear, it’s coming.
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who’s next to go. Hughes or Ramos
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Liverpool are a bunch of lucky pricks but give them credit for fighting back. They are proving that with Torres, they possess a little heart and some character and Man City is still far from their delusional dreams of overtaking the world. Where was Robinho today in a game where he needed to show up?
As for Chelsea, I said it last week that they are evil and the Devil’s Footy Spawn because with all their injuries and lack of style and play, they just win. This team sucks royally but they refuse to lose. I just don’t know how they continue to manage that week in and week out. It’s been over 4 years now and their total BPL losses are still under double figures. God I hate them because of their boring style of play but their defense is truly rock solid. It helps having Satan’s apprentice playing at CB. It’s hard to catch a team when they just don’t lose. And United has had their chance to finally beat them at home and blew that golden opportunity. Man I hate Chelsea, but no matter what, you have to respect them. They truly are an evil and dastardly foe.
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@Grognard: So glad you are okay mate, cos I know funerals are such an ordeal, especially when your friend wasn’t very old. Yes, you better look after your health Bro, want you around for many years
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@Craig Mc: Thankyou for the positive comments and before this turns into a love in, let me assure you I value your comments just as much and can sicerely say that your presence was missed on this blog during your exile a while ago.
The reason I respect your opinion mate is because its not motivated by a personal dislike of Rooney, but on an assesment of his performances which as I stated above have been below par too often during the last year. But his dip in form can be traced back only about a year ago, starting when he returned from his metatarsal injury and its no coincidence to me that it was then that SAF started to tinker about with his position and I honestly believe that this is a major contributing factor in Rooney losing his way and its something that SAF admitted himself at the end of last season. The best way I have heard it commented on was by a journalist who said it like this, { Rooney playing out wide is like getting a pair of socks for christmas, not what you really want, but better than nothing}, in other words, you can put a star in the wrong place, but it wont shine as brightly, this my friend is the major problem with Wazza and having played football at a reasonable level myself I can tell you that it is a real one.
I remember going for a weeks trial at Ipswich Town in the early nineties and playing well all week in training, I was quite pleased with myself and so were the coaches. My position was centre mid and thats were I was playing all week until the last day when we played Charlton Athletic youth team a freindly match were I played a spell at right back were I proceeded to get tortured by their left winger, not a pleasant experience at the time although I laugh about it now.
Your points about Wazzas touch and passing are valid and have some justification and I must admit that at times I have felt the same way, but I do beleive that the way he has been used by SAF has stunted his growth as a player, his confidence and his overall impact on certain matches, leaving him grasping for form which is why I would appeal to you to hold off your judgement until he gets a run of games in his natural position coz it is there that this star will learn to shine again.
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@Mr.Muhozi: defintley ramos, hughes still has the january window to sharpen up and if he does fail to meet expectations by the end of the year, his arse would be kicked out. i think avram grant would replace ramos
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@Fred The Red: Will do Fred the Red. So you had trials at Ipswich many moons ago
, just your luck to get your position changed when it mattered most eh mate?. Still sure you have gone on to better if not bigger things 
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Hey, havent posted the last three days since I havent had any internet connection. It happens sometimes. Great game yesterday, really looks like we are getting there. Ronaldo for sure needs a few more games, so does Berba and Anderson needs to learn how to play next to Fletcher. Hopefully Hargreaves is back soon, those two know how to work together. They all did well though. Ronaldo looks lost out there, no wonder how can Fergie start him 4 times in 2 weeks after such an injury? He will get a little rest this week, then its 4 games in 2 weeks again.
Anderson played well, a little organised for him but he did well in that role. Berbatov needs a few games too, but he is brilliant. His passing, vision and work rate(! 
!) is really impressing me. For those saying he is lazy, he really runs a lot. Rooney was fuckin brilliant! How can anybody not see that? He had some poor passes, I know, but everything else was great. His finishing, he cant and he wont score 3 out of 3 in a game. He is not the best finisher at the club but even though every chance he got was hard to score from. His chip was very difficult and his goal was even more cause of the rain, the placement and the power. He is back. I have said all the time that he will be our player of the season! I know three good games is too early, but I still think he will be. Brown scored for the 4th time in his United career and his 2nd time in 2008. Quite a year for him then! Well done Wes! 
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@Mr.Muhozi: Ramos of this continues!
Hull really are doing well at the moment, they might get into Europe if they continue this way. 
A tip for Fergie: Put Hargreaves or Carrick to man-mark Geovanni when we play Hull. And try not to concede any free-kicks in our half.
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@Grognard: I hate Chelski to death. I would rather want Liverpool or Arse to win the League than them. Even City! And I hate all of them at least as much as you do. But my hate towards Chelski is not only on the field, that they play fotball that can put you to sleep and torture you with their effectivness and they “machine-like” play. No, my hate towards them started in 2004. Opening day of the season 2004/05. After the game, my dad and I were on our way to the tram and I was wearing my United kit with Smith 14 on the back. Then a really big Chelski fan came towards me from nowhere, taking my kit off and ripping it to pieces. He said thats what Chelsea was gonna do to United that season. That was my only kit at that time, it was a big thing for me. But he was much older than me and he was with some friends. We just ran away. From that day on, Ive never spoken to a Chelsea fan. There only one in my class andhe aint my friend, he is my enemy!
Imagine what he goes through after the CL final. 
Ive been to City, Liverpool and Arsenal games before. Arsenal supporters arent that bad really, the scousers are the worst. But no-one has acted like that before. To hell with Chelski(really to hell, may the devil burn them!)
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Liverpool suck cock, glad that Skrtel ruined his knee. He will be out for some time. But still, how could Liverpool win. Complacency from City or just hard work from the scousers. Having watched Liverpool play before it has to be complacency. Either that or they really have changed this season. Didnt watch the game so I cant say for sure. Anybody that can give me an answer to that?
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Oh and a word for Arsenal: YOU GOT DRAWN BY ROY KEANE AND SUNDERLAND!!! HA-HA!
Top of the League? Rather bottom of the Championship.
THFC: Tottenham Hotspurs For Championship
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Gronard, Marin is only 76 on FIFA 09. He doesnt have a real face either…
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@Craig Mc: God bless you mate. Thanks for the kind words. The same goes for you and as long as you continue to keep fit, that will probably be the case.
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@RedDevilEddy: What about the thugs who call themselves United fans and do the exact same thing to fans of other clubs. It’s ok to hate an opponent but don’t blame the Chelsea team and their players for the actions of sociopath is deviant who supports them. He is a violent Neanderthal and there are thousands of them in England supporting Arsenal, Millwall, United , Liverpool etc. I feel for the trauma that you went through because it is truly the ugly side of football. Perhaps if you weren’t wearing an Alan Smith jersey. I for one never cared for Smudger. But seriously, what bothers me is that guys like that should be in jail. Your countries laws against hooligans is far too lax. At least it’s not as bad as Argentina, Croatia, Serbia, Russia, Turkey and other countries where the hooligans almost run the clubs like a political dictatorship. Really fucking scary stuff. Trust me, compared to what other countries hooligans are like, you got off very lucky.
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@RedDevilEddy mancity got a red in the 71st n let in 2 goals after that
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@RedDevilEddy: Seriously mate, I think it’s incredible bad form and bad luck for United when we wish doom on opposing players like being happy for their injuries and hoping they are gone for a long time. Having said that, it’s Ok to wish all the doom and gloom and bad wishes when referring to the Drogba, John Obi-Mikel, Ashley Fucking Cole and the Antichrist himself John Terry. Those players just bring out the worst in me. Oh yeah, I’d include Thierry Fucking Henry and Patrick Vieira in that group.
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@RedDevilEddy: Marin deserves to be a 78-80 based on his age and relative inexperience. The good thing is that 76 can probably be tweaked to 80 with the editing tool.
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@RedDevilEddy: A tip for Fergie, try maybe and get Geovanni in January, he is a faily good player. But perhaps its a bit early season to say that with real surety.
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@Fred The Red:
” it is starting to become a little bit silly coz the knockers are ignoring what he has being doing well and his supporters has been ignoring what he has been doing badly coz both sides of the camp have valid points but I fear that this debate has led to both parties judging some players more harshly than their own favorites”
You hit it right on the head. Brilliant!
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@RedDevilEddy: Im so jealous of the people who already have FIFA 09. I dont get my 360 back till tommorow, so I havent even played the demo yet
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@antsBoy: United’s website says he should be back after the International break…
@Craig Mc: You really think Spurs would sell him or he’ll want to leave?
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@Grognard: these wars have surpassed the Riquelme wars. What should we call these in the future though for reference? ‘The battle of the Roon’ maybe
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Geovanni is scoring Goals of the season for fun!
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@Rd: Geovanni plays for Hull. He’s not that good anyway. Maybe I’m still bitter about that goal he scored against us for shitty last season
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@johnsom33: At least you get to play tomorrow. I’ve got to wait another 12 days and it’s killing me. AAAARRRRGGG!
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@Liam: Roonquest: The Battle of the Strikersweld
Sounds Dungeons & Dragons enough for me.
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@Rd: RD
, I was talking about Geovanni who plays for hull 
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liverpool overcame some serious shit against the shieky boys.. me thinks they will improve to a 2nd or 3rd place finish if they continue this lucky run. as for hull, good things has to end some day right? they’ll finish mid table. i havnt got a copy of Fifa 09 yet, RedDevilEddy, how’s the game? if i may ask, what is the overall rating of Angel Di Maria? he plays for benefica, what a talented young winger he is, imo, in the same page as marko marin. =)
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Bah! Video games are for kids.
I somehow outgrew FIFA and PES rather early, but then again, gaming doesn’t interest me much because I don’t get the time these days. But I love the Football Manager series. Again, lack of time is the only problem
Fortunately or unfortunately, I’m a geek for whom the cerebral nature of FM (presumably) appeals more.
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Liverpool are not playing well and getting results, bit ominoue me thinks, and Villa seemed to roll over against Chelsea, bet they will play better against us……..
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@Stephen: Villa have hardly done well against us to be honest.
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@Red Ranter: Very true we have a great record against them, but I think they are a different proposition now and was disapointed with their performance this weekend.
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