Oct 08
Brazilian Twins Spotted at Old Trafford | Neville to Play Liverpool | Anderson to Porto Fantasies | Keane Tips United Over Arsenal
So back to another Monday and another longish looking week. In fact, the week looks longer now that there is no real football coming our way. At least not at club level.
So we’ll have to be prepared for however little news that pops up, now and then, as we try to negotiate the dry spell. Hmm… so what do we do in the meantime? Well, we could start counting sheep for starts; would help us catch some sleep. Or we could browse random football websites (and blogs) hoping for something sensational to come up.
Or, of course, we have the option of getting on with our regular lives — the offline one, that is. Pfft. On to today’s roundup.
We’ll go over the main stories that have managed to catch my eye one by one. I’ll try to bullet them down to a list for better viewing. So here goes:
- Brazilian twins Spotted at Old Trafford
The twins Rafael and Fabio who were expected to join United in January after they turn professional were seen at the Wigan game. Those of you who opened the video link posted on the match report yesterday might have probably observed it. Anyway for those who didn’t watch it closely, here is the video (link just below). Go to 3:10 into the video and pause it. You will see, in front of Michael Carrick and Hargreaves two kids sitting either side of an elderly person. I am pretty sure they are the young full backs we’ve heard so much about, and it is nice to see them acclimatising themselves into the atmosphere.Click here to see the video. (Pause it at minute 3:10 to see the twins!)
- Skipper Neville to make reserve return.
Gary Neville will make his long awaited return in a United shirt against his fond rivals, Liverpool. Of course, this will be against a reserve team and it will be in midweek. He has been training for sometime, and it’s probably more precautionary (and the good form of Brown) that the management is not too eager to rush him back. We’ll keep our fingers crossed on this one and hope he gets back unscathed after the game. - Anderson moves to Porto?
Saha has a better chance of playing 50 games in a season than Porto taking Anderson on loan. It’s now getting a little annoying. When we wrote about the Guardian talking bollocks about Anderson’s skill levels, we hadn’t actually seen the Coventry game to confirm, first hand, what we’d heard from Fergie and the radio commentators. But this sort of crap is what will keep the hounds at Newsnow busy, anyway, for the next couple of weeks. This and, of course, England’s bid for European qualification. Pay no heed. Anderson will not move on loan. Not after the Wigan game. - Times gushes about Anderson
That said, certain sections of the media were quite positive about Anderson, like the Times. The article talks about how Ferguson thinks Anderson could eventually replace Paul Scholes. Fair assessment, I must say. But he still has a lot to prove. - Roy Keane tips United for title.
Roy Keane, speaking after his side’s spirited performance against Arsenal, said that United have just that much more than Arsenal to win the title this season. He was, as usual, quite forthright in his views after the game and even Arsenal fans were gushing about how good an interview he gave after losing. - Ron: ‘We will win the title’
Ronaldo reckons we are the best side and we will win the title. The kid seems quite positive and from the things he’s said over the past week, he’s only endeared himself to the fans even more. His growth has been spectacular and now, with his attitude and spirit, he’s turning out to be a great role model for the other youngsters. Of course, he’s also banging in the goals.
Anyway, that’s about it for the day. Back to the grind. Can’t wait for the weekend already!
Related items from Red Rants:- Porto it is then…
- What Will Sir Alex Do With Rodrigo Possebon?
- Two Reasons Why United Aren’t Looking for Fullbacks
- Man Utd v Porto: Preview
- The British Element
Tags: Daily Roundup
October 8th, 2007 at 11:32
banging in the goals…plus the ladies ;p
October 8th, 2007 at 13:26
can someone post a less heavy version of that video coz that is 50 mbs will take me and hour or so to stream/download it
i really wanna see the kids and yeah incase ur guessing how i knew the size
thanks to http://www.clipnabber.com/
Nice roundup as always bro but its gonna be along 10 day run from now since we start something exciting so lets all take the third option
Cheers
October 8th, 2007 at 17:12
good to see the twins their, enjoying the festivities, its even better to see united score more than 1 goal, the anderson rumour is so stupid, and i hope keano is correct
October 8th, 2007 at 17:59
changing the news a bit, the ajax manager could be off to chelsea wich can lead to us buying huntlaar
October 8th, 2007 at 18:37
have you seen the fifa euro xi terrys in it omg his totally over rated how about vidic
Goalkeeper:
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Defenders:
Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Carles Puyol (Barcelona)
Midfielders:
Cristiano Ronaldo (United)
Kaka (AC Milan)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Forwards:
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
October 8th, 2007 at 20:17
dan…. dont u think ajax manager at chelsea gives them an advantage with the whole huntelaar issue??!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 20:38
true-its a toss up between the 2, but chelsea have never expressed intrest, and roman dosent want to spend any money anymore(huntelaar around 20mil) which gives us that little bit more of chance, he said he would move to england after this season anyway, but with the manager gone he might move in january.
October 8th, 2007 at 20:44
i think that huntelaar may move to chelski following the move of ajax manager.sheva may move back to ac milan or if he’s too dear to abramovich then drogba will go to real madrid. Either way we lose out on another good talent in huntelaar just like robben.why is that we r second choice to chelsea for any good young talent?chelsea are making a habit of stealing our prospective signings.we should make a bid for berbatov in jan or for that matter drogba in case sheva stays back with abramovich.
October 8th, 2007 at 21:28
nah berbs has second season syndrome, and chelsea were a step away from tevez and the other one but now we have him, i reckon we have a chance to get him.
October 8th, 2007 at 21:57
Although I’m sure he would be a great player for us would he play for us regularly instead of Tevez/Rooney? If not I’d doubt he would come, and I wouldn’t change our front two really, although i think huntelaar would probably be a better partner for either of them it wouldn’t be fair to drop Tevez or Rooney would it?(Tevez or Rooney on the left isn’t an answer to this either, completely changes the way they have to play)
October 8th, 2007 at 22:35
We don’t need Huntelaar and it would be excessively risky to take him on. With Ajax out of the CL for the past 2 years it is impossible to gage his talent against players with more skill than the Dutch league. As far as our needs go, we have a target man in Saha and I think Campbell should be given a chance before we go out and spend. And if we do have to spend, why not go for Palladino or Quagliarella in Italy who would cost less and have faced better teams in Italy than Huntelaar has in Holland?
October 8th, 2007 at 22:53
Steve from what I’ve seen of Quagliarella he’s a different sort of player to Huntelaar, and the only reason we would buy another striker is for a fast target man, and although I don’t want Huntelaar to come if another striker suffers because of it, he owuld be our best option if we were to buy anyone. It would be even riskier to buy palladino if he hasn’t yet played regular football. Berbatov drifts in and out of games too much anyways to be a big game player, i’ve always thought that, brilliant player against the smaller teams, but can often do nothing in a game. Huntelaar has more international experience as well…
October 9th, 2007 at 0:28
I think that we definitely need a new out-and-out striker and soon, whether it is Huntelaar or not. Even though it would be unfair for Tevez or Rooney not to start, either of these two would really benefit from playing with a target man. I feel like Saha is becoming less and less dependable, especially after he hurt his glass knee warming up on Saturday.. also Saha isn’t getting any younger and we could use a striker for the future.
October 9th, 2007 at 1:13
Yeah that’s definitely the twins - great spot that. I saw another Brazilian looking dude getting out of a car in the staff car park about half an hour before kick off who looked like he might be a player. Looked older, about 23 maybe, but didn’t recognise him, maybe someone’s mate or a knee ligament donor for Louis.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:00
good they were present as neville isnt getting any younger
October 9th, 2007 at 13:52
Anderson does seem promising with good vision, strength and acceleration. But needs to work on his consistency and his comfort with possession before he becomes anywhere close to as good a playmaker as Scholes.
I think the Ajax connection will probably lead Huntelaar to Chelsea. I don’t see us spending 20 million on a striker as that would use up most of our summer budget next year and we will already have to pay loan money for Tevez. So im guessing it is more likely we’d spend 10 million or so on a backup/fourth striker to replace uh O’Shea.
October 9th, 2007 at 16:02
Yea anderson potentially could be as good as scholes.i actually didnt think he had that kind of a passing range.he has something which scholes doesnt have.pace to beat players so hopefully he will grow into a great player alongside(mr hargreaves with great hope and prayers).strikers are dam hard and with saha bound to get injured.2 strikers aint enough so jan?
October 9th, 2007 at 16:07
http://www.squarefootball.net/article/article.asp?aid=4911
good article
October 9th, 2007 at 16:48
ye its all well and good getting all these great international players but i think we should look ay our own player i mean look at simpson and pique and even eagles we got the talent so lets us it because it will be great for man utd and england, plus if fifa bring in that cap on only 6 forign players in starting 11 we will need to look closer to home then aswell
October 9th, 2007 at 17:07
Did u see saha’s face on saturday after injuring his knee?i really feel sorry for the lad.he really wants to prove himself.its a shame that he cant stay fit.
October 9th, 2007 at 19:39
I think Chelsea has an excellent chance of signing Huntelaar. Why? The signing of Henk Ten Cate for one is a motivator but it is clear that Chelsea will have wholesale changes after the season. There are players like Shevchenko and Ballack who have underperformed as well as malcontents like Drogba, Carvalho and others who want out because of the Mourinho sacking. This will free up more than enough money for KGB to buy players. I just hope that Huntelaar sees that playing for Chelsea would be a cancer on his career and choose a side like United that knows how to play attacking and entertaining football.
Now there is a very good chance that United will not go out and get either Huntelaar or Berbatov if Tevez continues his fine form and growing familiarity with the style we play and the players we use. If by season’s end he has netted over 15 goals, I think that United will go for a cheaper but reliable striker for backup purposes. This would rule out the big two as they would want assurances of first eleven selection.
What United need to address most is getting rid of Saha, and finding an attacking central midfielder (just in case Anderson isn’t going to be ready as soon as we hope) and a backup at left back. Barring further injury I think Neville still has a season or two left in him and I want to see more of Pique at the right back position. Although, I think United should closely monitor the contract negotiations at Man City regarding Richards. I also think that United will sign the midfielder Veloso from Sporting.
The player I most covet and pray for his arrival at Old Trafford is Riquelme. That will probably never happen as he is not known for his pace. Then again if anyone can make the telling and penetrating pass to crack open stubborn defenses it his him. With him we could score at a prolific rate even without that central strike we are all hoping for. The guy should have won World Player of the Year instead of Kaka. His work for Boca and Argentina was epic this past season. Why this man is being mistreated in Spain is beyond me.
Finally, if I was Fergie I’d take a closer look at this Alves kid in Holland. Leading scorer in Holland last year and seven goals in one game this year merits some attention.
October 9th, 2007 at 20:39
Grognard: Riquelme is an excellent player but he is somewhat of a luxury. The entire team needs to be built around him and even then he has a tendancy to go missing at the most critical of moments. Have a read at the following article, it will give you a bit of insight about the man.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/01/22/the_end_is_nigh_for_a_player_u.html
October 9th, 2007 at 21:42
GAD DAMN GROGNARD, we’ve had are differnces but i can agree with you on this, to think alves could be at middlsborough right now sickens me, and hes 26 so i would say 16 million, i would really say bugger off tevez if we ever get this guy, really grognard thank you for telling me this. i mean 33 apperances and 41 goals what is that 1.15 goals a game.
October 9th, 2007 at 21:57
Alves?Alves is a lightweight striker.and plenty strikers score goals like that.kezman,kuyt…..
October 9th, 2007 at 22:45
Grognard….Riquelme? aren’t we the little football manager expert eh? no….just no.
October 10th, 2007 at 0:28
Taehr, I’m curious to know what your basis is for calling a goal scorer who has proven himself beyond this season light weight? Was van Nistelrooy light weight when he was scoring goals in Holland? How about van Persie or van Basten or Gullit etc? Kuyt was never that prolific and only Huntelaar and van Nistelrooy can compare in goal totals. True Kezman was a mirage and clearly not worth shite but I’m not sure Alves is lightweight.
And dan, thanks for the positive feedback….I think. Just remember that whether we agree or not, I respect your point of view. I hope you can return the sentiment. As for Alves, I think he would be a great fit but I still prefer Huntelaar. I think my dream of seeing big Klaas in Man Utd red is a pipe dream now that fucking Chelski has their scent on him. With Henk Ten Cate going to Chelski, and Drogba and Shevchenko probably leaving, I think Huntelaar will be theirs. Therefore, Alves is a great plan B. Berbatov is good too but I don’t see the prolific goal scoring potential from him as I see from Alves.
Finally JB, Thanks for the link. I do see your point and I’m not really in any disagreement. As great as Riquelme is, he is moody, somewhat selfish, and slow of pace to be really dynamic with United. If United wanted to play the same pedestrian, slow, patient style they did in their first 6 matches, then he would fit in. But in their last 3 matches they have picked up the pace and are looking like United of old. That run-n-gun style does not suit the slower and more methodical Riquelme. It’s just the guy really has incredible vision and skill. His passing is just sublime. For me he is tied with Lio Mesi as the best player in the world. The other problem is that he is around 30 years old. Too old to make the difference.
One last note. Watching Franck Ribery play for Bayern makes me wonder why we never tried harder to get him. He can play anywhere in the midfield and his pace and skill on the ball is totally world class. This may be blasphemy but Ribery has more moves and tricks than even Ronaldo. His only short coming is he’s not the finisher that Ronaldo is. He’s presently just ripping apart Bundesliga defense with ease. I’m pretty sure he would have a harder time in the Prem but still, he is fantastic nonetheless.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:12
If we had signed Ribery we wouldn’t have signed on Anderson or Nani..So the question is who do you prefer long term..to not have
October 10th, 2007 at 12:49
I saw alves play in the copa america and saw him miss a sitter.he also got husled off the ball far too easily.alves also reminds me of baptista.
October 11th, 2007 at 10:22
IN SAF WE TRUST!