Aug 19
Burnley v Man Utd: Preview
United visit Turf Moor, a stadium whose environs could give one the impression of being transported to a different era. The brilliant Two Hundred Percent blog, gives an insight into the club and what it’s been through all these years, and as a segue it’s a good read. I’m sure the press will spare a few words on the old world charm of Turf Moor, however, for United’s superstars — and most pampered Premier League stars — the dressing rooms will be a dump. As this Daily Mirror article suggests.
But really, as obvious things go, what happens when the players step on to the pitch is what really matters. With that banal remark let’s have a look at the team.
Ferguson said he wanted to try a new combination prior to the Brum match. It could also mean Carrick will get his first league start of the season. Darren Fletcher might yet get another start, however, I suspect it could well be Anderson alongside Carrick. Ferguson likes Park, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he featured over Nani. I think he will continue to start Valencia. ‘This is Rooney’s year’, we say that every year; even though the refrain sounds disturbingly similar to that of the red half of another city, not far from Manchester. But really, this is Rooney’s year. Honest. Seriously. Oi, stop snickering… how dare you? Sorry I got carried away… but Rooney will start. Ferguson also mentioned Owen getting his chances following the Birmingham win, and I have a sneaky suspicion he’ll start. Although I wouldn’t take my sneaky suspicions seriously. Ideally, you’d want Berbatov and Rooney to play as much as possible together this season.
The defence is a tricky one; Rio, Vidic, Evans are all out, which means Brown and O’Shea will play in centre of defence. Hopefully, de Laet gets a chance ahead of Fabio at right back. Evra would take his customary spot at left back. Ben Foster should continue his extended run between the sticks.
That’s my team, but before my score predictions, some youth team/loan news. Tom Cleverley who’s on loan at Watford scored on his debut in an away win over Nottingham Forest, whilst another loanee, Danny Drinkwater scored for Huddersfield. Of course, you can read more United youth related news at the well-informed and updated Man United Youth blog. Another bit of information for those interested — I’d forgotten to mention this earlier — United Rant have launched a spanking new Man Utd weekly podcast that you can now listen to, and comment on.
Anyway back to today, it’s a well known fact that Burnley earned a reputation for being giant killers from their cup run, and hence they’ve been tipped to be better equipped to escape the drop this time. Either way, time and again it’s been proven that Turf Moor can be a tricky place to go. However, with the quality we have we should beat them comfortably. We need a break out performance to lay a marker for where the team’s headed.
Meanwhile the Vidic rumours continue to do the rounds but it’s inconceivable that Fergie would sell him now. Even his agent confirms that; despite trotting out the “it’s his dream to play for Barca” lark. I would see Barcelona come back with a proper bid next summer, though. There’s been a lot of smoke here, and it will be reignited next year.
For now he’s a United player, albeit injured. And we have a match to watch.
Prediction: United 2-0 Burnley.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Wigan
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Porto it is then…
Tags: Game Preview
August 19th, 2009 at 8:46
I largely agree with what you have written RR. I also agree with your team and i would like see Carrick and Ando as a pairing in the midfeild for tonoghts match. I would like to see Carrick play in his customary Deep Lying position kinda like Alonso and use Ando as the more agressive as box to box player. I would also likw to add something on the Berba thing as my formation is formed to use berba effectively. We should ideally play Rooney up top when playing with Berba and use Berba behind him. We all know that he is so damn good at using his touch, holding up skills to sheild the ball. Moreover he has that great vision but what we essentially need players from midfield who will run around him to make spaces and receive those passes. I mean if we use Carrick then the man is capable of finding target by long ball and players like Ando, Rooney, Valencia and Nani can really spark the ground and allow lot option for berba to pass the ball which he is good at. I think this may work well for us. But lets see what is in the store. I hope we will do the right thing that is WIN and WIN handsomely.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:09
I was under the impression the guy with the Vidic quotes wasn’t his agent at all. Then again, all the major outlets are running with it now, so if it was an internet rumour then good work to the founders!
Team tonight…I think it’s very important to keep playing Rooney and Berbatov, and I also doubt Mickey Owen can handle 90 mins. Given those rested/injured, I’d hope for:
————–Foster————-
-De Laet—O’Shea-Brown–Evra—-
———-Carrick–Ando———-
-Valencia—————Park—–
——-Roon———-Berba——-
I also think we will conceed with such an inexperienced (at playing together) back 5, so will need our shooting boots. Where are people watching this? Don’t think it’s on UK tv?
August 19th, 2009 at 9:30
I hope sincerely hope that this season we won’t constantly rotate the side, my gut feeling is that we will as we did quite a lot last season.
If we make five or six changes for every game my concern is that players will not develop realtionships with colleagues, Berba and Rooney a prime example.
Forwards need to develop and understanding a sort of telepathy with one another like Yorke/Cole, when the pull the ball back they know that player will be in that position by instinct and to do they they need games together Berba and Rooney need this.
The same can be said with the midfield, I have critised Anderson heavily but he needs to play games if he is going to be effective for us, play him with Carrick iseally or Fletcher or play Fletcher and Carrick for a run of games not one game in every three or four and players need games to develop a rhythm with one another.
Looking at Beachryan’s side which is probably right, there are five changes from the side that beat Birmingham and it could be six if Owen starts, how can players devlop an understanding if they don’t have a run of games with each other? This could work for us this season but it could be our undoing as the other top four certainly will not change the personnel as we probably will.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:37
Hopefully Ando and Carrick get a start with Roon and Berba upfront. Would love to see De Laet get a start today. Hopefully this should be a more open game considering Burnley is not as likely as some of the other lower end teams to park the bus.
Unless our midfield gets some strengthening with the Gaffer dipping into the market, we could come up short against the stronger teams in the EPL and most definitely in the Champions League. Without an imposing tackler/hardman or someone who creating chances from midfield often, it looks difficult for United to bang in the goals, at least in plenty. Right now we have Rooney and Berba dropping back all the time and creating all the play themselves. Hopefully Ando has a good season and lives up to some of his potential, because Fletcher despite the trier that he is, or Scholes who’s definitely past it, are simply not good good enough to man the United midfield all the time. Carrick too needs to step up, and try and attack more and be quicker on the ball.
I hate sounding negative guys, but I’m sure most of you would agree our midfield honestly pales in comparison to that of say someone like Barca, or even Chelsea at least in the middle of the park.
United to win 2-0
August 19th, 2009 at 9:39
Hopefully Ando and Carrick get a start with Roon and Berba upfront. Would love to see De Laet get a start today. Hopefully this should be a more open game considering Burnley is not as likely as some of the other lower end teams to park the bus.
Unless our midfield gets some strengthening with the Gaffer dipping into the market, we could come up short against the stronger teams in the EPL and most definitely in the Champions League. Without an imposing tackler/hardman or someone who creating chances from midfield often, it looks difficult for United to bang in the goals, at least in plenty. Right now we have Rooney and Berba dropping back all the time and creating all the play themselves. Hopefully Ando has a good season and lives up to some of his potential, because Fletcher despite the trier that he is, or Scholes who’s definitely past it, are simply not good good enough to man the United midfield all the time. Carrick too needs to step up, and try and attack more and be quicker on the ball.
I hate sounding negative guys, but I’m sure most of you would agree our midfield honestly pales in comparison to that of say someone like Barca, or even Chelsea at least in the middle of the park.
United to win 2-0
August 19th, 2009 at 9:41
@Arjun: What nmakes you think Carrick is an attacking midfielder, he played deep for Spurs and did get forward more for West Ham but scored 6 goals in 136 games for them, his goals scoring record is not good because that simply isn’t what he does.
I agree we need more goals from midfield but we simply do not have a player to do that, but I have been boring people for months about that.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:45
@Stephen: my bad if it came out like that. What i meant Stephen is that since Andy is being used more defensively by SAF, Carrick will have to try and make more forays and runs. Your totally bang on about him being the kind who likes to sit back and spray the ball around. I agree with you about someone new who could bring in the goals from MF
August 19th, 2009 at 9:50
@indianred: I am not sure what Fergie will do with Anderson this season mate, at points he has played him further up the pitch and in other games he has played him to essentially “do a job” on someone like Gerrard and Fabregas.
For me he is a box to box player and playing with Carrick probabaly suits him as he knows he will always be relatively deep, but a goal getting midielder certainly would not go a miss!
August 19th, 2009 at 9:54
Why is it that half the bods on here are wishing Scholes to be past it.
He had an excellent game on Saturday. He won’t play every week but he is still quality. his experience, positional play and range of passing are there for all to see. Yet people still want to see him fail and berate him even when he has a good game.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:56
@Gubby: I agree with that.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:59
@Gubby: Mate i think half the bods on here are probably right about Scholes.
There is no doubting that the Ginger Ninja is a United legend, but honestly if you objectively evaluate his performances for the last season or two you will most certainly see the down slide.
As a fan, I honestly feel United deserves someone better in MF, he is past it, and thats a fact, a sad one considering hes a United legend, but a fact none the less mate
August 19th, 2009 at 10:05
@indianred: Our midfield has hardly been our strong point, last season our best performers were Giggs who is really a 35 year old winger and Darren Fletcher, who is a great squad player and love him to bits but is hardly World Class.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:10
Vidic’s agent has come out this morning to say that HE NEVER said those things attributed to him, that Nemanjah wants to go to Barca. He didn’t deny that Barca would like Vidic, but said Vidic is very happy at Man United.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:10
@Arjun: and @indianred: Hey guys are you the same person???? Your opinion certainly sounded like that
August 19th, 2009 at 10:13
@Craig Mc: I believe it is more his wife who wants to move than him.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:18
@Stephen: Yeah i have also came across stories suggesting that his wife is not happy in Manchester weather and overall cultural. The overall cultural shoock i suppose. Honestly speaking i expect Barca to put in a formal BID in next summer transfer market and then it will become interesting (or ugly MAY BE)…
August 19th, 2009 at 10:21
@Onkar: hahahha…yes we are
August 19th, 2009 at 10:23
@indianred: You are souding as confused about your usernamne as SAF is confused about Barba’s position and United Formation..
August 19th, 2009 at 10:26
@Onkar: She must miss the wonderful warm climate of Moscow and Serbia, and has she been to the Trafford Centre?
August 19th, 2009 at 10:27
@Onkar: hahahaa….much as the joke is on me, I cant stop laughing at the awesome analogy you’ve drawn
btw…any idea if espn star is broadcasting the game tonight for India viewers? Their site doesn’t seem to say so, now at least. Hopefully I shall find some links before the game starts in case the footy isn’t showing on the tv.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:30
If our midfield is Ando and Carrick, I don’t understand why Ando wouldn’t be the one going forward. Not just because he run back a lot faster than Michael, but also because he does posess the ability to beat a man and thread a pass. No he can’t shoot, but Carrick hasn’t exactly set the world alight either. It seems to me that Fergie has been building up Ando’s education, first by teaching him the defensive parts of a MF’s game, then the discipline, and hopefully finally letting him expand his offensive game, which is what he used to possess. If he can get his fitness up to scratch, he’d be incredibly useful.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:38
@indianred: As far as I know it is not on in India. I will try and make sure i am awake by that time to check out after a long day in office. But, i don’t think its on. Yeah, you will definitely get some link on the here as fellow ranters are very helpful.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:39
@Beachryan: I would be harsh on Fletcher not to put in in some midfield equation.
August 19th, 2009 at 11:02
@ Stephen – I just meant for tonight
Also think you’re spot on with some consistency. We need to get those ‘pairs’ working all over the pitch.
August 19th, 2009 at 11:04
@Beachryan: Sorry Bro, I agree!
August 19th, 2009 at 11:48
The team i want for tonight:
—————-foster——————–
–de laet—evans—o’shea—evra–
-Valencia—carrick-gibson—-nani—–
————–rooney————————–
———————owen—————————
August 19th, 2009 at 12:07
Does anyone know if the game is being shown in India? I cant find it in the espnstar.com listing
August 19th, 2009 at 12:17
@Beachryan: I think the Evra/Nani combo down the left is going to be blistering this season. Some of the play between them and the overlapping against Birmingham was sublime. If we can get Rafael and Valencia doing the same on the right (and they’ve both shown the are more than capable of it) then we will scare the crap out of defences far and wide.
Rio and Vidic. If fit, enough said.
One of Carrick and Anderson needs to be playing at all times. Scholes and Fletcher as a midfield pair is too defensive. We need at least one player breaking into the box with all our new found wing play, as too many times against Birmingham it was just Rooney and Berbatov in the box for the cross, with the far winger hovering somewhere out back, and Scholes and Fletcher nowhere near the box. The one time Fletch ventured he got the pull back and should have scored. I expect Gibson to feature a little more if the goals don’t start coming from midfield.
Upfront I think we have three brilliant combinations. Rooney/Berbatov with either playing deeper worked well I thought against Birmingham, considering at most times they had 9 players within 10 yards of the edge of their own box.
Owen/Berbatov is like a more direct version of above. Owen will hang on the edge of a defence and Berbatov is one of the best in the world at finding that little flick through a tight defence to release a striker. The sooner Owen gets his first the better.
We all know what Rooney/Owen can do, having seen it for England for many years. To start with, as with Sunday, they will occasionally go for the same balls and end up in the same positions but that understanding will return in no time at all.
Crisis, what crisis?
August 19th, 2009 at 12:24
@Traverse: Carrick and Anderson between them have only scored 6 goals in two seasons, Fletch and Scholes have scored 11.
I get the point but Anderson can’t shoot, Carrick is a deep lying playmaker, Scholes cannot get forward then back and Fletch is a jack of all trades master of none, our only real hope is Gibbo.
August 19th, 2009 at 12:29
@Stephen: Neither Carrick of Fletcher seemed willing to get into the box. Both were too focused on holding. If we don’t get a midfielder in the box we’ll end up 4 on 2 for every header we get!
August 19th, 2009 at 12:31
@Stephen: Exactty. Hes our only midfielder capable of scoring on a regular basis, and hes the midfielder that never plays!
August 19th, 2009 at 12:56
HERE’S TODAYS TEAM:-
Foster
DeLaet O’Shea or Evans(pre game test) Brown Mad Pat
Anderson Gibson Giggsy Valencia
Rooney Owen
Andy/Gibson/Giggsy in MF – well I never!
August 19th, 2009 at 13:01
That’s the team I heard thru the grapevine – whether it really is the team – I am not sure, but knowing SAF and his bewilderments, it wouldn’t surprise me at all.
August 19th, 2009 at 13:01
@Dan:
August 19th, 2009 at 13:04
@Stephen:
It gets on my tit that! Saf is to stubborn and loyal to give clearly better players a chance.
August 19th, 2009 at 13:05
I see our young loanees are doing well already. Watford and Huddersfield Managers are raving about Cleverley (he scored for Watford yesterday), and Drinkwater for Huddersfield (he scored for Huddersfield yesterday). So our young lads continue to make a name for themselves wherever they go!
.
August 19th, 2009 at 13:08
@Dan: I agree mate, I think Gibbo should get a decent run, he deserves it as much as Anderson, and Carrick has hardly been inspiring of late.
August 19th, 2009 at 14:31
@ Craig – I’m almost 100% sure Carrick will start. That stuff about him being in Fergie’s bad books was a made up rumour, and he’s still our first choice midfielder. I figure Fergie thought he’d let Scholes get a run out against Brum, and knew that he needed the energy of Fletch/Ando alongside.
August 19th, 2009 at 14:36
It will never happen, but:
……….Foster
De Laet Brown Evans Evra
Valencia Carrick Anderson
………Rooney
….Berbatov Owen
Swap Rooney/Berbatov in that formationfor fluidity.
Fletcher for Carrick possibly.
A little FM2009 I think
August 19th, 2009 at 14:37
guys,at what time does the game start?
August 19th, 2009 at 14:41
Can someone tell me which channel is gonna broadcast the game in India? couldnt find the listing in espnstar.com
August 19th, 2009 at 14:52
@indianred: I don’t agree
August 19th, 2009 at 14:56
@Vivek: no channel is broadcasting today’s game in india.last year also espnstar did the same,they do not broadcast the midweek games,then y the fuck have they bought the EPL rights.They only broadcast weekend matches.It’s better we watch it on live streams.
August 19th, 2009 at 15:15
@Craig Mc: Hope that line up of yours is fake, I really wanted to see anderson in the center, now that he scored he should have more confidence to shoot. Giggsy should be ROTATED, he’s played in every game since munich, when’s he getting the bench?
August 19th, 2009 at 15:16
What exactly is a Burnley? Sounds like a condition that one gets when hemorrhoids flare up. If United cannot beat this sad bunch of pretenders, it should wake us all up to what we really have taking the field this year at OT. 3-0 Man Utd and anything less will be massively disappointing. I absolutely hate minnows like this playing in the Premier League and I want United to teach them a lesson about knowing their role and realizing they are out of their depths. Yes I am cruel and unsympathetic to such rubbish messing with the class, prestige and overall greatness of the Prem.
August 19th, 2009 at 15:18
@Beachryan: NO no no no. Something is up with Carrick. He wasn’t even on the subs bench. Fergie would have commented or said something about why he wasn’t dressed for the game and that just tells me it’s an internal problem with the player and that he was being disciplined. The lack of information is all one needs to figure that out. Fergie never talks to the media when he is punishing a player.
August 19th, 2009 at 15:18
@ Grognard – That’s rather unfair. And I fear you may be dissapointed by the scoreline, they were very, very good against Spurs and Chavski when I saw them last year.
I want a win, but I don’t think underestimating them is going to do much good.
August 19th, 2009 at 15:21
@Grognard: Hear hear! No mercy today, boys!
August 19th, 2009 at 15:22
@Grognard: They do have history unlike certain Premiership clubs and have won the league twice all be it many moons ago, and the FA Cup once, but we should whip em’.
August 19th, 2009 at 15:29
@vanderberg:
typical behaviour from those idiots at espnstar…why the hell do they buy the rights and not show all matches??? every goddamn cricket match is shown, why cant they have a seperate channel for football??
August 19th, 2009 at 15:30
@vanderberg: What a bunch of wankers they are seriously!! Hopefully we get some good live links
August 19th, 2009 at 15:32
Burnley Fc, One of the oldest Football Clubs in the league. Thats who they are, and they are one of the clubs who gained premier league status rightfully by promotion. Dont they deserve a little respect? Aswell as their record against premier league sides last season?
August 19th, 2009 at 15:56
Sad to hear carrick is in the dog’s with ferguson, he was probably vocal about the need for a defensive midfielder like hargo and fergie went ballistic
you cant suggest any idea’s to senile old men and expect a positive reply now can you?
August 19th, 2009 at 15:56
@Grognard: Burnley deserve respect grog. They where the team of the carling cup in my opinion, and where cheated out of the final.
August 19th, 2009 at 15:59
@spizzy: That is just speculative bollox mate and no one if he is in the “doghouse”, maybe you should show the greatest manager in the clubs history a little respect?
August 19th, 2009 at 16:05
@Stephen: You know its strange, i find the 90% of the time i agree with you, and its the same with eddy.
But do you and eddy always agree?
August 19th, 2009 at 16:12
@Dan: I do matey most of the time, I also agree with most things you post I will say.
August 19th, 2009 at 16:16
@Phoenix Red: I agree. For those who are unsympathetic towards them, I’ve got nothing to say. One of the few things that still endears me to the game is that the communities that spawned much of these clubs actually cared about them — not just in England, but large chunks of the world. We can talk all we want about the prestige of the Premier League — Sky won’t pass up a chance to remind you about it — and ‘products’ and ‘franchises’ but there is a reason football is the world game and it is because of the community aspect attached to the sport.
Those who don’t get it, I won’t try to convince you otherwise. You either get it or you don’t.
@Grognard: Yes, we have to beat them. I’ll agree with that much.
August 19th, 2009 at 16:18
@spizzy: As @Stephen said, speculative bollocks.
August 19th, 2009 at 16:23
@Beachryan: Usually MUTV has pre match press conference with Fergie spilling the beans. It hasn’t happened for this game
. I think the team I was given thru mates around OT this morning, seems a very strange team to me. So you may well be right about Carrick. Nani shouldn’t be played in this game, because Burnley will be AGGRESSIVE, and his shoulder wouldn’t take that kind of hammering just now. Regardless of what some folk think, Turf Moor will BE A CAULDRON of fire play and passion. The Burnley fans alone intend to give United a torrid time from the terraces. They BEAT Chelsea with all their world class players, Arsenal, Liverpool, and were robbed in the Spurs game. The 2 or 3 of our players who don’t like things rough, and back off, the MARD ARSES, are going to be wetting themselves in this game. This game IS a match FOR MEN, to stand up and be counted. Will United win, where the other top 3 failed – mmmmmmmmm ?????????.
August 19th, 2009 at 16:27
@Stephen: Don’t get me wrong, i respect fergie a whole lot,more than you can imagine believe me. its just a case of “I can call my son stupid you can call your son stupid but you better not call my son stupid”.n I’m a united fan, i can sometimes joke about the gaffer. I’m allowed that,ain’t i?
August 19th, 2009 at 16:32
@spizzy: You can do and say what you like pal this isn’t my site, but calling Fergie a senile old man in my eyes is disgraceful, considering what he has done for the club over the years and especially the trophies we have won which have been down to him.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:05
Bloody hell, I have just seen a photograph of a very strained and weary looking Christiano Ronaldo, who is being reported to be finding it difficult to adapt to a system for Real Madrid which he cannot get. He is telling friends that he prefers to play closer to the penalty area! Oh dear, maybe everything is not all its cracked up to be in Ronnie’s new wonderland
. That photograph on Mirror football on News Now, has made me feel a bit sorry for Ronaldo – swelling under both eyes, and strained look. I don’t remember seeing that at OT, but maybe some of you can prove me wrong – if your memory serves you better!
August 19th, 2009 at 17:23
@Gubby: @Stephen: Heres the deal with Scholes, No ones wants him to fail. He just isnt good enough anymore. and the problem is that giggs and scoles take away time from the youngsters like Ando and Gibson. Can Giggs and Scholes still have a good game? of course they can, but the problem with them is they will play 4 rubbish-to-average games in a row and then play well for the 5th game and everyone says “see, they are still great players.”
They are without a doubt United legends, but at the end of the day when you see there name on the team sheet you have no idea which player your gonna get. and my point is, they have more bad games then good ones now. I love both these guys, and I think it unfair to say I want them to fail.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:32
@johnsom33: But Anderson his been poor for 18 months, bar the odd game I am all for playing Gibson and he certainly deserves a chance but has Anderson played any better than Giggs (PFA player of the year), or Scholes in the past 18 months? of course not.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:44
@Stephen: Well Anderson scored a set piece Wonder Goal in the audi cup, that Giggsy could only dream about scoring
.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:48
@Beachryan: They are rubbish and if we lose or draw to them, then we are too.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:49
@Craig Mc: If I remember Giggsy scored a pretty decent goal against Arsenal at Villa Park in an FA Cup semi final something Anderson will never be able to do, he has scored a few free kicks in his time as well matey.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:51
any info/thoughts on the Benitez quitting rumours? betting suspended (although that could mean nothing).
August 19th, 2009 at 17:51
All I hope for if Berba and Andi are playing tonight, is some better action and impetus from them. Because at present they are giving us SEX but no ORGASM
. If any of us performed like that with our Missus/GF’s, we would be red carded and banished for weeks. 
.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:52
@abood89: I hope he doesn’t in Rafa we trust!
August 19th, 2009 at 17:52
@Dan: I couldn’t care less. They are yet just another of the dozens of minnows that have no business plying their trade in top flight football. They should take their ball and go home for all I care. I cannot stand thes fucking teams and their lets play ten men behind the ball to see if we can bore one of the big teams to death. They play hard but they play like talentless cowards, which is what they and all the rest of them that get promoted are. I hate games like today. Absolutely hate them because it’s not real football. It’s a castle siege and I for one think it’s boring as hell. Perhaps Burnley will give an effort to attack because they are playing at home but I seriously doubt it. Then again, the knowledge that we have a muppet in goal may give them hope and therefore, they may go forward a bit.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:56
@Red Ranter: Communities need to know their damned role and stop having delusions of grandeur. There are great sporting communities up here in Canada like in all of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and other small cities that litter the country but none of them suffer from the delusions that they belong in the National Hockey League. They know their role and they know that the NHL is for teams from very big cities. As it should be. Let the smaller cities and towns have their own smaller and more affordable leagues. Just keep them and all minnows out of the big leagues because they do not belong.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:56
Rumours that Rafa Benitez may have walked out on Liverpool
May be bollocks, but it seems betting has been suspended on him walking out of Liverpool. Heard it first on twitter, but it’s possible these are just rumours after all.
August 19th, 2009 at 17:56
@Stephen: oh to be able to snatch Torres from under their noses…how sweet would that be?
August 19th, 2009 at 18:01
@Grognard: Football clubs came from these communities and have grown like so, unlike the business model in North American sport. That’s the fundamental cultural difference between football and north American sports. And there is an argument to be made regarding the delusions of grandeur. The structure of football the world round mirrors real life in a lot of ways, completely unlike NHL or NBA or what not. So you have delusional ones and successful ones and abject jokes. As I said, you either get it or you don’t. And there is nothing wrong either which way.
The NHL, NBA etc is a monolithic business entity and they place teams around different cities, unlike football, where the clubs came first. Which the premier league or football league is not — it’s an association of clubs.
August 19th, 2009 at 18:01
@Stephen: Mate you can’t use that old chestnut in a debate about Giggsy vs Andi, because we can only judge on the NOW, this point in time
. Does Giggsy have more shots on goal than Andi (be they wild adrift of goal) – NO. Does Giggsy tackle better than Andi – NO. Does Giggsy lose possession more than Andi – yes. Does Giggsy have better pass completion than Andi – NO.
Now all you statiticians PLEASE prove me wrong
.
August 19th, 2009 at 18:04
@Grognard: Thats the canadian in you speaking. I understand that you grew up with different rules and regulations, so a small team like burnley should have no means in the league according to your system.
But for us, its different, clubs like burnley are what the football league system are about.
And FYI, burnley didnt play 10 men behind the ball ONCE against a premier league team last season, and as i sad, they where cheated out of a final.
August 19th, 2009 at 18:07
@Grognard: In England the little people count too! Also said minnows BEAT the top 4 apart from Man United – yet! That was no fluke. If they beat ONE top club – yes, we could say fluke. They deservedly beat all the other top 3, and those top 3 had their world class players playing. So were Burnley lucky 3 times, I don’t think so. If they perform against the big boys, why shouldn’t they get their chance? You going to make excuses for Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, ARE they rubbish too?
August 19th, 2009 at 18:10
KRAP!
Theres murmurs that rafa has quit pool
August 19th, 2009 at 18:13
@Craig Mc: All that is open to debate matey
Hitting one freekick in a friendly is hardly a great feet, but I wish the best for him but would play Gibson in front of the pair of them.
August 19th, 2009 at 18:14
Burnley play good attacking football, they also scored 42 goals at home last season so tonight hopefully will be quite open.
August 19th, 2009 at 18:16
@Dan: yea id hate for them to get a mgr with talent they might win something
August 19th, 2009 at 18:23
@Stephen: I see this argument leading us nowhere. I feel Anderson has been as good if not better than scholesy and giggs, and he has a little thing called potential.
But you opinion is obviously just a valid as mine, so we will just have to agree to disagree on this one.
August 19th, 2009 at 18:26
Gibson has a better shot than anderson, but thats about it. We also havent seen him play in high level games yet.
August 19th, 2009 at 18:33
Sky Sports have confirmed Mad Rafa is at Anfield and will lead the team out tonight.
August 19th, 2009 at 18:34
@johnsom33: Hes also the better passer, and the better tackler.
Hes stronger to but not as intimidating as anderson, which makes people think anderson is stronger.
August 19th, 2009 at 18:37
@Dan: How do you know he is stronger?
August 19th, 2009 at 18:38
@Dan: Does gibson shit on fabregas?
August 19th, 2009 at 18:39
@johnsom33: sex with both
August 19th, 2009 at 18:41
team sheets in 3…2…1…
August 19th, 2009 at 19:19
GK: Foster
RB: O’Shea
CB: Evans
CB: Brown
LB: Evra
RM: Park
CM: Ando
CM: Carrick
LM: Giggs
FW: Owen
FW: Rooney
SUBS: Berba, De Laet, Gibson, Neville, Scholes, PIG, Valenica
August 19th, 2009 at 19:20
Team news:
Foster
O’Shea Brown Evans Evra
Park Carrick Anderson Giggs
Owen Rooney
Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, De Laet, Berbatov, Scholes, Valencia, Gibson.
August 19th, 2009 at 19:23
crap..how come the game isn’t being telecast in India??!!
August 19th, 2009 at 19:25
Brilliant. No fucking width. Mental.
August 19th, 2009 at 19:28
goodie, park is starting….
August 19th, 2009 at 19:35
Will there be a single cross from our wingers into the box in this match?
August 19th, 2009 at 19:36
Wait, Park and Giggs? Is Fergie just trying to make it easier on them? I assume it’s a 433?
August 19th, 2009 at 19:37
@Traverse: I think he’s expecting a close-marking, tight affair, at least for the first 60mins or so. Our width would pretty much be useless then. I think the players selected would do a good job, esp within close quarters. When the game inevitably opens up later in the match, he can bring on some wide players to take advantage. At least that’s how I see it.
August 19th, 2009 at 19:39
Any links? Apparently its on setanta us through veetle, and sopcast 30931 but I can’t find the setanta us channel, and 30931 isn’t even loading…
August 19th, 2009 at 19:41
Grog-
Burnley are one of the founder teams of the Football league in England, have a rich history, and believe me got promoted entirely on merit.Albeit via a playoff.
Smallest operating squad in the championship last year, played more games than any team that year bar Manchester United, and were robbed of a final in the Carling Cup too, again all on merit I might add. Great young manager in Owen Coyle, and a great fanbase. Yeah I was born and live in Burnley – not a fan of your opinion on them at all.
Entirely unwarranted, and yeah they might be the whipping boys this year, but thats to be decided yet. Anyways, ’tis almost kick off!!
So glad the season has begun!
August 19th, 2009 at 19:42
any streams? “Live footy” is down
August 19th, 2009 at 19:42
Links for the game pls ppl
August 19th, 2009 at 19:42
Alright United, let’s do the business. Have a bad feeling about this one though…
August 19th, 2009 at 19:43
Browse veetle for Setanta US, it’s in really good shape at the mo.
August 19th, 2009 at 19:43
@Traverse: Trav mate:
http://www.veetle.com/viewChannel.php?cid=4a826622d7561 try that one fella.
August 19th, 2009 at 19:44
@Traverse: sopcast 30931 is working for me just started
August 19th, 2009 at 19:45
need a link guys. please help me out. stuck at the girlfriends.
August 19th, 2009 at 19:48
sop cast is a no go for me folks. not got the app for it on the gf’s comp and she wont let me download any “football crap” onto her comp. Evil female none football loving child of satan!!!!!
August 19th, 2009 at 19:49
wow good start lets get in boys
August 19th, 2009 at 19:50
Come On United!
August 19th, 2009 at 19:52
veetle wont load on this relic.
going to go find a rope and take a trip to the top of the stairs.
August 19th, 2009 at 19:52
Fergie is going to rotate the squad like crazy especially in midfield where he has the most options (but also the least quality). It is his way of keeping everyone happy which seems to be his nice guy management style. Gone are the days when we won the league with basically the same first XI.
Dan, maybe Gibson has some potential but I think it is a bit much saying he is better than Anderson. Anderson may not have developed any real consistency but he has produced enough quality performances against some really big sides to give us hope that he could still develop into a good player.
All that Gibson has done so far to suggest he could break into the first team is score goals. The rest of his game has looked pretty average in the handful of appearances he has made in cup games and friendlies. Perhaps he has much greater potential than Anderson, but at the moment he is not as good as Anderson. But Im sure he will get enough games to progress and if he takes his chances and Anderson serves up the same crap he did last season then Gibson could stake a strong claim to a first team place.
Considering he’s only played reserve games, friendlies and domestic cup games and a handful of Premiership games it is really hard to be objective about his talents. If you are playing games like that it should be easy to impress. But Gibson hasn’t impressed aside from the odd well taken goal.
So really it is way too early to judge Gibson. Wait till he’s has a few seasons as a squad rotation player like Anderson.
As for Benitez quitting. We’ve had this before. He is just crying wolf to try and get concessions from his owners.
August 19th, 2009 at 19:54
get in there gigs
August 19th, 2009 at 19:57
@Monkwahhdo: http://www.atdhe.net/8554/watch-burnley-vs-manchester-united
August 19th, 2009 at 20:00
Park’s first touch is shocking. Fergie, pack his bags!
August 19th, 2009 at 20:03
Apparently Patterson is a willing runner
August 19th, 2009 at 20:05
Defence all over the place. Midfield invisible. Foster did well in the 1on1 but there was nothing he could do about that one.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:05
There you go. Told you not to underestimate them. Did Evra head that back to him?
August 19th, 2009 at 20:05
EVERYONE was walking around. Shite defending. Piss poor. Look out for the hairdryer.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:06
What on Earth is Evra doing?!
August 19th, 2009 at 20:06
Fuck fuck fuck
Holy shit that was a good strike.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:06
Did I mention Park has got in the way of every single attack we’ve had?
August 19th, 2009 at 20:07
poor clearance by evra but that was a scrappy goal at best foster did better than everyone would give him credit for
August 19th, 2009 at 20:07
@m34ch: thanks for the link..works really nice..but keeps closing every couple of mins
August 19th, 2009 at 20:07
Im not bloody surprised, going into this game with absolutely no creative players in the midfield, park and giggs on the wings, dont make me laugh, sentimentality again from the manager and his muppet of an assistant.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:08
Wake up Fergie. Our midfield is awful. Park and Carrick need to piss off. They are awful.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:08
Park’s first touch is clearly still on holiday.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:08
Now the bastards are gonna park the fecking bus.
Ah holy fucking shit.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:15
Park may be having the single worst game I’ve ever seen from a United player. We’re playing with 10 men.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:20
Oh god help us, we are a mess.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:20
You’d have thought after the 15th time you try a long ball over the top of a defence that are camped on the edge of their box isn’t going to work you might have learnt something.
Giggs keeps drifting into the middle cause he’s a CM. Anderson keeps drifting into the middle cause he’s a CM. Park keeps drifting into the middle because he isn’t very good.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:20
andos threw was nice he is playing well imo
August 19th, 2009 at 20:22
I would love to know what the hell fergie was thinking when he decided to start park over valencia, its clear a modric or silva is needed in this team but i think we are also in need of a quality assistant manager. Say what you like assistants arent important and they have no say but the way we have played now for the last year imo is related to phelans introduction as assistant. Just from the vacant look on phelans face i can see he has absolutely no tactical nous about him, pathetic appointment really, we have been playing dire piss poor football since hes come and imo it will be tactics that undo us this season cos we are picking these crazy teams on a weekly basis.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:22
carrik is playing shite and has pushed ando to cdm
August 19th, 2009 at 20:23
So. Erm. Michael, the idea is that you kick, or at least touch the ball. Just a thought.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:23
Ah feck me Owen!
What the fuck was that!! Again!
August 19th, 2009 at 20:24
park needs new studs to keep his ass of the floor
August 19th, 2009 at 20:28
Ando and Giggs look pretty good. Rooney needs to get up front.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:28
Fuck off Park with your ruining.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:28
If Park starts the second half I give up.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:29
Now we get to see who our new penalty taker is. Lets hope they score!
August 19th, 2009 at 20:30
FUCK SAKE.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:30
MUPPET!
August 19th, 2009 at 20:31
Wow.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:31
fuck carrik who the fuck are you
August 19th, 2009 at 20:31
disgusting miss i think..heard that on commentary at least….guys any decent links again? justin tv keeps fucking up like every 2 mins…
August 19th, 2009 at 20:32
OMFG!!!!
Thanks, Carrick, you just lost us the game.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:32
why didnt roony slap the shit out of him and take it
August 19th, 2009 at 20:32
I’m going to have to turn this off. My blood pressure is going through the roof.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:32
That’s not a bad penalty. Guessed right.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:34
FT
Fucking hairdryer time.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:36
I actually think we’ve done alright given that we have Park playing for them. Not sure why SAF decided on giving them a 12th man, but hey it’s novel.
We’re going to struggle to break them down, but it’s what we have to be able to do. Their goal was a bit flukey in that Evra is a f(*cking idiot. Keeps on the whole ‘Foster keeps getting scored on but it’s not his fault’ theme.
Carrick hasn’t been that bad, I think those blaming him are doing it regardless of his performance. He struck the penalty well, into a corner. Keeper guessed right. Owen and Rooney are sh*t at pens.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:36
they are ankle biters for sure i hate that shit they are marking close as hell and touching and kicking us but just shy of a foul apparently. park off for valincia and gibbo for carick
August 19th, 2009 at 20:37
The last time Burnley beat the Red Devils was in 1968, when the visitors’ line-up included George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:37
FT^2
August 19th, 2009 at 20:38
@Beachryan: carick is doing well except for giving the ball away his runs have been decent but he is straight giving them the ball.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:39
I’m not getting the game here. But about Carrick’s penalty, the thing is he always used to be a very good penaty taker at Spurs…
Was it a miss or a save?
August 19th, 2009 at 20:39
what the hell is going on right now? I havent been able to watch the first half, but judging from the comments all hell is breaking loose right now.
I dont know why you guys are shocked at Parks performance, he has been shite for a while.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:39
maybe its time someone gave fergie the hair drier treatment for playing park.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:39
anderson to take the pens
August 19th, 2009 at 20:40
Perhaps my prediction for 4th place was a bit too optimistic. Absolutely appalling but yet so predictable. We’re just not very good and our manager has truly become an idiot because for months now he has not been able to pick out all the things wrong with our team and to correct it tactically and by purchasing players. Slow, lethargic, lacking in movement off the ball, poor first touches and above all, no clue on how to attack or even defend.
I think it’s time for anew regime change. And that is not a knee jerk reaction. It’s been clear to me for quite some time now that Fergie has run out of ideas and he no longer seems to have the fire and the temper to get angry and motivate these players. Lets see if the hairdryer comes out at half time. This club has poor concentration, terrible decision making and for a slow continental approach, they play too far apart from each other and don’t have enough movement off the ball. What they are exceptional at is taking their sweet ass time and back passing. And get rid of that useless cunt in goal.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:43
What a LIMP DICKED performance. It is not as though Burnley are playing well. Fuck SAF and his patience! Man United have become THE FUCKING BORES of the PL. We have no energy out there, NO width and no speed on the wings. No wonder the Burnley fans are wolf whistling the united MF and strikers, are playing like a bunch of women. We haven’t got a striker with the BALLS to take a shot on goal, never mind a striker who can step up and take a penalty and put it in the net. Our defence is put under continual bombardment for a good while, BECAUSE OUR MF is limp dicked ineffective – please someone, tell me I am wrong! Park is never off his arse, and well to say disillusioned with this performance would be putting it mildly.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:43
@ Grognard – That would be the Fergie that was coaching us last season?
The penalty, for those that couldn’t see it, was hard and into the corner, but keeper guessed and got tips to it. Dissapointingly we had no one following up, and the defender put it out.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:43
Another sign the managerment staff have absolutely no idea, you have one of the best finishers this league has seen who can take penalties in owen and we decide to let carrick take it, cant say im surprised, i really now have no faith in the tactics side of our game, fergie and phelan dont seem to have a bloody idea.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:46
@Traverse: He’s the only goalkeeper I know that can have the short side covered and a ball can still beat him because he is flat footed and not quick enough. That ball was high and where do his arms go? Outside, not up. No way that ball as hard as it was hit would get buy a world class keeper in the same position. Foster had terrific position on the shot and still let it get by. I’m sorry but that’s just not good enough. And lets not forget the 3 clearances he gave that went out of play. He is useless to the max.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:46
@Grognard: I couldnt but agree with you. Appalling is the word!!!
August 19th, 2009 at 20:46
I just wish someone would step up and give all the players around them a BOLLOCKING! Somebody fucking take charge please!
August 19th, 2009 at 20:47
Haven’t had a chance to see the match, but the starting XI is shocking.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:49
@Beachryan: And I didn’t care for the way we played last season either. The difference was we had the DIFFERENCE MAKER in the Great the God Cristiano Ronaldo. We are lost without him and our manager was arrogant enough and naive enough to think this sad bunch was good enough to repeat. We are worse than Everton and Villa in my opinion.
Especially when we waste time by starting useless cunts like Park and Anderson. And it’s fucking time Michael Carrick wakes up, steps up and takes command of our midfield or he should be sold. I want my team to be full of world class players, not pretenders.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:49
@Grognard: Foster could do nothing about that goal. I think you proved how brilliantly spot on your opinions are when you wrote off Burnley without seeing them play or knowing the first damn thing about them. They attack. They score wonder goals. It’s what they do. I’m not surprised by the way they’re playing what so ever, having seen them play a couple of times.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:56
http://www.livetvfootball.com/popup_livesport1.html
need to have sopcast to watch the game
August 19th, 2009 at 20:56
Yeah, blaming Foster for that is ridiculous. The only way he could have gotten his hands to it is if he’d already had them raised fully above his head, which is poor goalkeeper starting position. It was a wonder goal. Blame Evra for sticking into the middle of the box.
August 19th, 2009 at 20:56
Haha I always look foward to the Grogs reaction. He has no middle ground. We are either the best team ever or the worst. Haha
August 19th, 2009 at 20:59
We will not score tonight. Even if we get 30mins added on time. If anything Burnley are more likely to score again. They’ve got our number tonight. We’ve got nothing in midfield at all.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:00
@Red Ranter: And they’re playing as you’d expect that line up to play. Horribly.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:00
Why have we made no changes? Is Fergie just playing with us?
August 19th, 2009 at 21:02
guys this is a decent link: http://www.atdhe.net/8554/watch-burnley-vs-manchester-united
we’re obviously playing super shite though
August 19th, 2009 at 21:04
wtf…Valencia for Anderson?
August 19th, 2009 at 21:04
Park. Off. For the love of GOd.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:04
Valencia for Anderson. Does Fergie owe Park money or something?
August 19th, 2009 at 21:04
WHAT THE FUCK.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:05
brilliant idea take off the only player doing anyfucking thing resembling football
August 19th, 2009 at 21:06
diving is an art
August 19th, 2009 at 21:07
please SAF, let this define the worst performance of the year, and let the games ahead be pointers to what we lack….A MIDFIELD..
i am shocked at Ando’s performance, he seems to sit in his place as if he is marking a ghost…no burnley player around him, just him thinking he is marking one
park’s first touch today is worse than any professional players i have ever seen. Brown chipping balls to the forwards which are then cut out by their defenders, that just shows our lack of midfield strength.
Please fergie, sign up some one. we ll have to push really hard in all our games if we keep going at this rate…
August 19th, 2009 at 21:08
Had a chance there, tough for Valencia.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:09
Hopefully with Berba on we’ll retain possession a bit and have an outlet.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:10
SAF is a brilliant manager who knows nothing about tactics.POOR
August 19th, 2009 at 21:13
The problem is that to Fergie league games are just a chance to rotate his squad. His selection policy is just designed to keep everyone happy. He never thinks about selecting the best team for the match at hand.
I am one of Park’s fans but I’ll be the first to admit you don’t play him at Burnley. You play him if you want to keep things tight in an away match in the Champions League.
Similarly Giggs’ days as a left winger are OVER. We have Nani and Tosic available who at least have the pace and legs to play that position.
I was kind of expecting us to concede because we do have a makeshift defence and Burnley play with no fear. But really we should be able to outscore Burnley for f**ks sake.
I don’t know why Owen seems to have caught the United disease of needing five chances to score a single goal. I don’t know why Carrick is taking penalties.
I do not know why Fergie deems it unnecessary to buy another star to replace Ronaldo. Our midfield has needed a makeover forever. Valencia is not the heir to Ronaldo. Nani is not the heir to Giggs. Anderson is not the heir to Scholes. Carrick is not the heir to Keane.
This policy of replacing our departed (or semi-retired) stars with inferior substitutes is not the way to win trophies.
The last great United team was built around the genius of Cristiano Ronaldo. We need to rebuild and if Fergie hasn’t the appetite to do that then someone else has to. Harsh but fair.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:14
Win or lose SAF should find another Queroz to make tactical decisions for him
August 19th, 2009 at 21:16
We are starting to play though.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:16
voodoo wont let the ball in their net
August 19th, 2009 at 21:16
Haha. Hehehe. Mwhahahah. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:19
@Jay wire: what do you mean you dont think putting nevil on in the last 15 when were down is brilliant?
August 19th, 2009 at 21:19
@ Colver – you’re right. It seems like Fergie is treating this like a friendly. Let’s throw on Gary Neville.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:20
wow..Neville is on too
August 19th, 2009 at 21:23
I don’t believe what’s happening here. Today I lay 100% of the blame on SAF.The most shocking tactics in football
August 19th, 2009 at 21:25
Come on, this is actually pretty funny.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:26
@gator: I think that is a masterstroke
August 19th, 2009 at 21:26
I just can’t watch this anymore, I am so depressed. Tried to be positive but I am so sick of strikers who cannot even get a shot on goal. A midfield operating on low batteries all the time, and SAF sitting on his arse with his assistants chewing gum – its the PITS guys!
August 19th, 2009 at 21:26
Credit to Burnley, they’r enot wasting time…
August 19th, 2009 at 21:27
What fuck all tactics seriously!!! Even a 10 year old on FM would know better!!!!!If things dont improve I doubt our chances of even a fourth place finish like Grog said
August 19th, 2009 at 21:28
Wow, that keeper is awesome.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:29
@Craig Mc: dude calm down weve had like 6 shots saved at least the are just having a massive game v united defensively anyway. and they got a lucky goal.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:31
gigs is our best player we are in trouble
August 19th, 2009 at 21:33
park should have hit that
August 19th, 2009 at 21:34
mom is their keeper
August 19th, 2009 at 21:36
I can’t believe this.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:36
c’mon roony take a red at least dont go out like this
August 19th, 2009 at 21:37
Im thinking it is time for Fergie to go upstairs and someone who actually wants to win and is not so blind that he can’t see the gaping weaknesses in our team and is willing to spend the pile of money we have to correct those weaknesses.
I don’t blame Fergie because it must be easy to be complacent when you’ve won everything. But the fans are hungry for more glory and this isn’t the way to achieve it.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:38
We deserve this loss. Knee-Jerk reactions should only be from the press and the ABUs.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:40
piss poor
August 19th, 2009 at 21:40
their fng manager is having a stroke
August 19th, 2009 at 21:41
Nani is the key to our season…..fyi…just in case nobody knew that…
August 19th, 2009 at 21:42
@Craig Mc
eep down I knew we were going to lose the second Carrick missed that penalty.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:42
What a sorry excuse of a performance was that? Talking about our strikers, our defenders or our goalkeepers has no relevance. They are clearly not to blame. A football game is won or lost in midfield and we simply don’t have a quality midfield. It is quite laughable, really. Not only are they unable to unlock the defense but they even need they strikers to backtrack for support, thus eliminating their talents.
Park is a marketing tool with so much abilities I suspect he would make the Everton bench. As for Carrick, he is supposed to be a midfield general or did we gave him this rôle by default? He certainly isn’t Xavi, Iniesta, Kaka, Lampard (and several others) quality. Anderson, despite his potential, is playing within the limits of what Sir Alex decided for him, nullifing his abilities. Where was Nani for this match?
Even through it won’t happen, this midfield needs to be blown to smitherens. If the humiliation of the Barcelona debacle didn’t rang any bells in Sir Alex’s head, I hope humiliation at the hands of newly-promoted Burnley will do the job (it won’t). Quite honestly, Europe is not within our reach. Not even close.
If a Snejider ever goes to Inter for a reasonable price, every fan should be frustrated beyond reason. He’s affordable and better than all our midfielders. Even then, that wouldn’t be nearly enough.
Oh and by way, we lost to Burnley.
United in mediocrity we stand.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:42
I haven’t seen Fergie get up and shout at anyone all game. The choice of midfield was staggering, and the lack of knowledge of the opposition equally so. They aren’t rubbish just because you can’t point at them on a map. They play nice attacking football, will shoot at any point and have a knack of scoring wonder goals. Their goalkeeper will get them 10 points a season. He IS a beast. Just being Manchester United wont win you games against good teams, you have to play like Manchester United. Today we didn’t.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:42
@Beachryan: The press are about to have a field day
August 19th, 2009 at 21:42
oh well… at least now the pressure is off to have a perfect season eh boys.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:43
@I_Bleed_Red: Oops, wasn’t directed at you, sorry mate
August 19th, 2009 at 21:43
Since there’s is a sort of a unanimity in our performance — I can feel it without having seen the match — I think any adverse reaction today is not unjustified. Have at it. Don’t get personal with one another, but feel free to go full tilt. I won’t stop you.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:43
DO not blame the Forwards…
With a 1850 engine… There is no use of having the latest steering wheel!
August 19th, 2009 at 21:44
Well dont we suck.
on the other hand, Spurs look fucking awesome.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:45
@gator: Mate if your happy to watch SHIT like this – then good for you Bro. It is not this one game, we have had so much fucking trouble breaking teams down who other teams like Chelsea and Arsenal will WALLOP. I don’t enjoy this NOT ABLE TO PENETRATE football, hell if I couldn’t penetrate – my GF would leave me. We have played too much limp dicked football. None of our strikers are up to the job, and I mean none. RIP Manchester United, you used to be the cavaliars, now you have been speared! Your sworsmanship has died on even the most trivial battle fields.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:46
valencia looking shakey,giggs looking awesome whos with me when i say spend some fuking money on david silva and a top class keeper
August 19th, 2009 at 21:46
@Craig Mc: I don’t think you can penetrate in Pregnancy Craig!
August 19th, 2009 at 21:49
@Grognard: Hey everyone im new to writing on this blog. i read all the time. but never really write. But to start off my post….GROG no way in hell can you blame that on foster…i know you will never ever like him even if he had 10 shutouts in a row….but you cannot blame that on him.
I think everyone saw this. Our midfield is SHITE! Rooney and Giggs were the only ones who did anything today. Owen looks like he is crying inside whenever the camera goes onto him. Anderson WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE if any of you say he was good you are one of those people who have a complete blind eye when it comes to anderson cause all he did was his usual back pass to evans the whole game. i didnt see him sprint once. until carrick finds someway to make a sprint or play ONE good ball a game we are gonna be scratching for 3rd or 4th this year. Fletcher is so good because he runs his ass off with purpose and keeps it simple and quick. he doesnt fck around like all the rest of our midfield. we need some creativity. Berba came on and got us going and i thought was the most alive player out there alongside rooney and im not a berba fan. we realllly reallllly need nani back.
I just still havent seen any consistency in any of our games except for maybe about a 10-15 minute stretch in the birmingham game in the first half..
August 19th, 2009 at 21:49
Park played 90 minutes… Unfuckingbelievable…
Rooney’s shooting made Anderson’s shots look good!
And Berba tried to score from outside the penalty box!!!
August 19th, 2009 at 21:51
At the end of the season Im sure we will look back at this result and think: “Three Points dropped”. And we cannot afford to do that because with Ronaldo gone the title race is going to be very very very close. Teams like Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal CAN beat us. On their day even Tottenham and Manchester City could beat us. So it is ESSENTIAL we do not drop points against minnows like Burnley.
As it is I have a feeling that this will be a regular recurrence this season. We will drop points galores against mid-table and below teams just because we do not have enough imagination or attacking thrust to score against teams with more desire than we have.
We’ll finish in the top 4 because other teams will drop points but we can forget about a 19th title based on our first two performances this season
August 19th, 2009 at 21:51
@gator: yeah so is the pressure to win anything…
August 19th, 2009 at 21:52
well, all you eternal optimist… I am all ears at the moment.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:53
where is Andrei? does he still belive Rooney is better than Ronaldo?
August 19th, 2009 at 21:53
Thoughts:
1. It’s early days. We always drop points at the beginning of a season. No need to panic.
2. Giggs is a marvel. Occassionally wasteful, and not great at scoring, but a class above.
3. Michael Owen brings nothing to a football match except goals, so I’m led to believe. So what does that equal when he actually airballs his two chances? Nothing. He wasn’t awful, but he wasn’t good either.
4. Dear Wayne Rooney. For many years you have whined about not being played through the middle as a striker. Perhaps you missed the memo today when your position said centre FORWARD. That means, towards the other team’s goal. That means in with their defenders. It does not mean the centre circle, it does not mean 30 yards out it means you play FORWARD.
5. Valencia is worryingly crap. Will give him a chance though.
6. Our defense actually looked pretty good imo, considering how many changes it required. Did they have a shot on target in the last 55 minutes of that match?
7. Yes Carrick missed a pen, but he was so, SO far from our worst performers.
8. Who were: Ji Sung Park. My man. I’ve always had a soft spot for you, and thought you underrated. I was wrong. You’ve just put in the single worst shift I have ever seen from a United player. Eric Djemba2 no longer holds that proud title, it’s all yours. But you weren’t the worst United person tonight.
9. That is reserved for you Sir Alex. I gave you some credit after seeing an appaling lineup. I said okay, it was a great goal, we’ve gotten to half time and now have a chance to mix it up. I said, alright, you’re going to let the boys warm up, before getting us in a formation that might score in the second half. And there, Valencia, finally the Park shaped image burned into my brain can be removed for a footballer. But no! You take off…Anderson? Maybe he has a knock. Okay. And then, when they’re camped in their own area, you bring on Berbatov, great, we’ll see hte big 3 strikers all playing together, with Rooney sitting of htem or on the left, a vision of hte future. Wonderful. But no, Park escapes again! You take off the one man who might be in the penalty box. And finally, the true masterstroke, you bring on….Gary Neville.
Words fail me.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:55
From what I saw tonight, United are definately going to win the Premier League. We showed the world that we are the best team, and that we can do unthoughtful thigns with the ball. Its crazy, I know!!! Things I could only imagine in my mind, or FIFA 09, are happening on the pitch! Overhead kicks, rabonas, tricks and flicks of every kind. No dout that Park is gonna win the Ballon DoR, that Carrick is the best midfielder in the world and that our front line is to dream of(except for Rooney, he is shit!). I will kill myself the day Fergie retires, because his tactics are so brilliant I can never foresee or imagine such magnificence to be made by another person!
Im kinda happy right now!
August 19th, 2009 at 21:55
That midfield was never going to work. I mean, wheres the fucking width to it? So pissed off. And what the fuck, Neville off the bench when we need a goal? Truly disappointing.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:55
@MUFC Fan in America: We suck so much mate, that I do believe that we may miss the top 4. In a sense if we do, it might be the best thing that ever happened to our football club, because MONEY IS THEIR GOD, and they will only do something to improve the team, if they lose CL football. Don’t hold out too much hope for any points against Wigan, because I think tonight has sent a message out loud and clear to the rest of the prem. We perhaps have all allowed ourselves to be brainwashed into believing in the Fergie rhetoric that we have the best squad, and that we are good enough. I really don’t believe that, and its not knee jerk, its just the last 3 performances have confirmed what I have always believed – our MF needed to be strengthened last year, and we perhaps don’t have the squad depth that SAF says we have.
August 19th, 2009 at 21:58
@Footy4Eddy: Eddi time you sobered up mate
.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:00
I AM FUMING!!
Cannot get over how poorly we played!! I am still optimistic in the long run, but today got my blood boiling!!!
Rooney was a pathetic excuse for a striker and belongs on the wing.
Owen was OK but as a striker MUST put away those chances.
Park was pathetic idiot excuse for a football player
Carrick was anonymous and needs a beating.
Evra was OK except for his cocky header back into the box leading to their goal
Foster did nothing worth praising – hence disappointing.
Andy OK but nothing positive from his game
Giggs was our MOM — constantly fighting, providing passes, etc.
FERGIE: Got it all wrong! Line-up, tactics, subs, and attitude. First time I am angry like this over his performance
PS: Owen is a Liverpool spy! Missing chances for Liverpool’s gain.
At least this site helps me get over stuff like this… thank you RR!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:00
we’ve all been saying it.
but just how much proof is needed for SAF to actually notice our lack in midfield?!
it feels like it’s the most comprimising area on the pitch, if we buy another player and it’s not a quality AM,
i’ll be convinced that we’re not actually trying to be a winning team.
As a blind fan though, I do hope that this match will be put down to our traditional slow starts of late, and the team gets its scoring boots on, someone lights a match under the bums of the midfielders, and actually make the opposition a little threatened.
I’m also pissed now, I can’t give shit to scum fans for losing early in the season. this has been a little more embarrassing.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:01
I thought Valencia did well when he came on. He consistently got past his man and delivered a ball or picked someone out. Unfortunately either no one was in the box or it was Park.
We need another winger, cause if Nani isn’t on it then Park is not the option. David Silva would be nice but Fergie has tunnel vision.
What is the deal with our strikers not taking penalties? I get the feeling Rooney won’t even attempt one or a tap in because te next goal is his 100th. If he was on 98 he’d have taken that penalty.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:08
Where was Nani? Craig Mc, mate, I’m joining you in your support for Nani, he is crucial to this team!
And why was Valencia on the bench? 16mn we paid for him and Fergie benches him
August 19th, 2009 at 22:10
I really dont know what to say right now. Its time for SAF to wake up and face reality.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:15
@Jay wire: I knew too Jaywire. I am not playing games, I am truly HEARTBROKEN MATE. I never felt this heartbroken before – I can’t stop the tears mate, as I feel just like SAF allowed Nani to deteriorate last season, so he is aloowing the LOVE of my heart – my Beloved Man United to go into terminal illness right in fron of the United faithful hearts. I have tried every which way to always look for the positives, and examine myself to see if I am being too harsh, but in my heart mate I know I am not, I see the decline and it is cutting me up, hurts too much. I am so sorry guys if I am dricing any of you to anti depressents
, I don’t mean to be. I am so hurt by our decline in the football we have always loved, and cherished!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:16
I just saw the 2nd half today – but judging from the comments it seems the first was pure shite. Thoughts from the second half –
1) Just like I said after the first game, we looked devoid of ideas. Everything was more of a hopeful “maybe this will work” ball/play. Horrible!! We need someone new who can provide this…Silva, Sneijder ANYONE pleaaaaaaaaaaseeee!!!!
2) Ball retention is something the Barca debacle should remind us of always..but it seems to be missing from this team. Only Giggs and Berba showed any signs of keeping the ball.
3) I thought Berba was our best player once he came on – he combined well with other players and looked determined to make something happen.
4) How does Park always get himself into great positions and then fuck up so well?? He should have scored of Rooney’s great pass right in front of the goal. Also Valencia gives me no confidence once he’s at the edge of the box or in it. I just know he’s going to do the wrong thing.
5) I want Fergie to try Berba, Rooney and Owen playing together. I have a feeling it will work than the other 3 combinations even if this involves playing Rooney out of position sometimes…there seems to be no other way right now.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:16
All good things must come to an end. It’s been coming for a while. As for the mid field I dont even rate Carrick. Hargreaves is the only midfielder worthy of a UTD shirt and who knows if he’ll ever get back to his high standards after so long out with injuries?
When Rion and Vidic come back it will only serve to conceal the powder-puff nature of our midfield. There will be more boring one nils which will keep us in or around the top 5. Rooney has been ruined as a striker by this all purpose bollocks, Berba continues to disappoint (does anyone actually remember how GOOD he was for Spurs?). Fergie did seem to underestimate Burnley (giant killers in the cup only last season!)
We need 3 more midfielders and a top class striker NOW and let’s face it – it aint gonna happen. Oh and Michael FUCKING Owen. How long is it since he has been of any fucking use to anyone?!!!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:17
@Craig Mc: I think Nani isnt playing because of his shoulder injury.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:18
@Sir Red: Aaaah lil man Nani, Patrice was totally lost without him down that left wing tonight. They are like two identical gloves mate, and one of them was missing!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:18
@Beachryan:
I love your post. Very funny. I think this is most probably one of the best things that came from this game…your post that is.
Truly a fucked up performance. I’m going to try not to blame any individual players because we all know who is at fault here.
I actually wish we lose the next 2 matches as well. Maybe he will wake the fuck up then.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:18
Guess what people, we lost to Burnfuckingley and Man City are beating Barcelona in the mean time. Good times eh?
August 19th, 2009 at 22:21
@johnsom33: I know Johnsome, but little Mad Pat was lost without his mate Nani on the left side of the field! Park and Giggsy were supposed to be providing the width if we were playing 4-4-2, but to be honest I couldn’t detect what system we were supposed to be playing, it was just a conundrum. I’m just heartbroken, honest mate!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:23
@RDJ: Please don’t tell me shit head Tevez scored!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:23
I know I said I will not pick on individual players, but, Park? WTF?
Everytime he touches the ball, he falls. When he thinks of touching the ball, he falls. When he think he’s going to think of touching the ball, he falls. It’s actually beyond a joke now.
I wish I was rich like Abramovich. I would actually put in a nice bid to buy him from United, just to get him off the team.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:24
Watch SAF panic now, and plunge into the transfer market too feckin late, and end up with another overpaid and misfitting Berba type player!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:25
@Karl:
.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:26
@Craig Mc:
i think WE see that the team needs improvements (2 or 3 in my estimation), but i wouldnt bet my life on SAF seeing it.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:29
More Thoughts
1. Replacing Ronaldo’s goals is going to be harder than Fergie thinks. This is the sort of game where Ronaldo would have scored. Unfortunately none of our other so called strikers could manage it. It goes to show how amazing Ronaldo is that he managed so many goals for us IN SPITE of our piss poor midfield.
2. YES, Fergie has won a lot of titles but he has also let us suffer dry periods with teams that just were not good enough to win things. In the early 00s our defence just wasn’t up to scratch. Now our midfield is the problem and he won’t do a damn thing about it. So trust in Fergie is hardly a source of comfort.
3. Fergie is treating this game like a Carling Cup game and as a result we got a Carling Cup result. Fielding a team with no balance is no way to beat a well organised side with a lot of motivation to get a result.
We need a fairly stable team so that this team can get used to the new system and players can play their way to form. We are going the same way as Benitez in his early days at Pool where he tinkered and dropped points.
4. We struggle to break teams down. That is because our midfield has ZERO creativity. Time to buy a creative midfielder.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:30
@Craig Mc: Martin Petrov 28′
August 19th, 2009 at 22:31
A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY AND THE DAY FOOTBALL DIED:
Today I feel relief, unbelievable horror and incredible disappointment all in one. I feel relief because finally my delusions and dreams that I could be wrong and that this club was going to be just fine and roll to another EPL title has is unofficially dead. The horror comes from seeing everything that I have predicted and feared come completely true. And finally, the disappointment is knowing that not only is this team not very good, but they don’t seem to care or feel any desire to play hard.
I have been a Manchester United fan since 1976. I have seen this team go from decent to very poor to being the best club in all the world. Under Alex Ferguson we have seen this club reach incredible heights and accomplish everything imaginable, except perhaps a few more European Cups. But to see the club that has been put together for the 2009/10 campaign has me nothing more than discouraged, frustrated and totally aggravated beyond belief. And to add salt to my wounds the lads go out there in a nonchalant care free manner and barely break a sweat. They all played like they couldn’t give a damn vs Burnley. They got embarrassed by a hard working but incredibly talentless outfit. And yet, it was us who looked talentless today. It was United who all but Berbatov possessed the first touch of a hammered Carlos Tevez. It was United who couldn’t string together more than two pases in a row for most of the match. It was United who had no spark or hunger to chase down 50/50 balls. It was United who lacked any imagination and had no clue how to break down the ten man wall Burnley put up after they had scored.
It was united who were sloppy with the ball constantly giving it up even when they weren’t being pressured. It was United that performed three times the number of unnecessary back passes while moving at a snails trot for the entire game. It was United that when handed a good scoring chance would fan on it or make a total meal of the opportunity. It was United who constantly tried the impossible shot from long distance trying to find a crack in a ten man wall and always having the ball blocked.
Now lets get to squad selection and tactics. WTF! I mean WHAT THE FUCK!
I am now certain that Fergie has completely lost the plot. He has become a total plonker and it’s time for him to retire because frankly I cannot stand or stomach watching this team any longer. I am as loyal and as devoted as any of you out there but clearly my tolerance level is at the breaking point. Lets look at the mistakes and sheer stupidity of todays squad and tactical selections. 
1. Why on Earth was Wes Brown on the field when he is not in game shape and when we have a very fast and good tackler in Ritchie De Laet on the bench who could have contained the irritating little fuck Patterson, who had Brown for breakfast.
2. When will SAF wake the fuck up and realize he has absolutely nothing in JS Park. That Korean piece of garbage is so frustrating to watch, it’s become irritating and often exasperating to just stomach watching a game when he is on the field. He is useless and has no skill. Above all, give him a good position in which to score a goal and he will find a way not to make contact with the ball and end up on his Korean ass.
Anderson….Anderson…..Anderson. One word…….WHY? Why is this guy on the team and why is he being played over other midfielders with more skill, and above all, more brains? I have it with Mr. Anderson. Sorry Eddy, but the lad is absolutely dead weight. He is clueless and lacks any real skill other than the ability to occasionally try a worm killer through ball. How long are we expected to have to wait for this boy to show his potential?
Michael Carrick? Whe will the real Michael Carrick show up? Forget the missed penalty. That was a case of a good goalkeeper guessing right. A goalkeeper by the way that did more great things in one game than Ben Foster has done in his entire United career. But back to Carrick. What’s it going to take to wake this guy up and to get him more involved, more aggressive and just basically conscious during matches? He is slow and lacks any quickness with his feet, he has no aggressiveness in his game, he is timid, and he looked bloody timid before he took that penalty too. The player just lacks the fire I want from a player manning the position of central midfielder. I’m sorry but I have watched the Bryan Robson’s Paul Ince’s and Roy Keane’s man that position over the years and I am a bit spoilt. I want passion, desire and some grit. I want box to box commitment and I want fire.
Ben Foster? Ah fuck it, what’s the point.
Now some venom regarding tactics. Why the Hell have we given up on champaign football with pace for this rubbish crap? Slow motion football that is so boring and so stale but also lacking in success and ideas. If this was brought into the squad to make us better, and to guarantee more success, I have news for all of you. IT AIN’T WORKING! What’s the point from going away from Manchester United football if the new system makes us lose more or struggle more to score goals? Fergie himself does not have a clue about what’s going on. One instant we are using slow short passes with no off the ball movement and a slow pace and then all of a sudden we are kicking direct balls up the field to our opponents and then showing no desire or hunger to chase balls or opponents to dispossess them. We don’t know if we are playing Italian continental football or Coca Cola League football from one minute to the other. One thing for sure is we are not playing Manchester United football.
It’s bad enough when it is clear we haven’t got the talent to challenge for the title. It’s destressing however when we are forced to play a game that has no chance of success and bores and insults the fans who spend their hard earned money to watch this team. Meanwhile 100 million is in the bank getting dusty because our manager sees no reason for us to upgrade our team with quality players. No we are better off with old men who cannot play any longer and middle of the road average players who have been bought to hold positions as starters. Chelsea is a team full of world class players. So is Barca, Inter and especially Real Madrid. At least they try to place a world class player at every position. No guarantee of success but at least they try. What do we do? We have world class players in Vidic, Ferdinand and Rooney. That’s it. The rest are far from it. Is that what it’s come to? We don’t even try anymore to contend with our top opponents? We just give up and go sign a player nobody wanted for free. And today he showed us why he was free. He was a complete joke. I am totally gutted but the way Michael Owen has played for us so far. He has lost his shooting touch, his confidence is zero and his focus and concentration is in negative numbers land.
Not too many are talking about our appalling play ion defense. Yes we have had many injuries there but even today a number of crosses were made into the box only to have an opponent open at the far post or for some player blowing his marking assignment. This is not just a lack of focus, but a lack of desire and commitment as well. It’s been happening since the first game in Asia and has not improved one bit. Our organization is horrible but players like Evra and Evans are being caught sleeping and ball watching and it’s got to stop.
This is not my Manchester United. I am not going to get into any arguments with anyone and I am not really up for heated debates either. I am that upset but I am also at the point where I no longer give a damn. I am not a fair weather fan but I admit to having been spoilt for over two decades and a have come to expect a certain pride, commitment to excellence and flair form this club that I no longer see. We are just an average pedestrian and utilitarian outfit not worth spending time or money on.
For years now I have recorded every game and kept a United library with great pride and commitment. This season I have not recorded one match. I am not cheap when it comes to discs but I figure what’s the point? It’s not like I will ever watch any of these matches again. I mean why would I? Fergie, the Glazer in the cheapness, arrogance and cowardice have reduced Man Utd into a sorry sad sack bunch of muppets who have no flair, no style, no hunger, no desire, no imagination and above all, NO FUCKING TALENT. Thank you very much Sir Alex. Best for you and for all of us if you were to retire now rather than put us through more of your Alzheimers induced brand of football. I for one have had enough. Loyalty is not a given, it’s earned and then you have to work hard in order to keep it. That’s the fickle nature of sports in today’s society.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:31
Spurs have stolen our mantle of playing quality exciting attacking football!!!!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:34
@Natzca: SCUM FANS – WTF, most fans on here are SALT OF THE EARTH, what do you know any of us – NO I thought not. So do tell us then, if we are scum fans, then who do you think you are – Fred the Red no doubt!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:35
@themec: So have Arsenal, Chelsea and L’poo mate!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:36
@Traverse: Burnley are rubbish and I’ll still stand by it. They won because they worked hard, which was expected and because we didn’t. They also won because we are not that much better than them when one is truly honest in assessing our talent pool. And yes Foster could do nothing about the goal because he is not Casillas, Buffon, Neuer or Adler. You are absolutely right. That would have required rapier like reflexes and proper footwork to be able to move quickly enough.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:37
Pathetic performance really and I have to say I was surprised the team didn’t rally at half time. After watching Chelsea come out of the break and get level with Sunderland, I was thinking we would do the same thing. Nope, no creative and a lack of ability to create solid chances (until late in the game when Burnley were tired from defending.)
My fear is that Fergie will still not see the need for reinforcements. Imagine if Rooney and Nani were to go down with injuries. What would our lineup look like then? We need a deeper squad with more world class players not young players with potential to be there one day. This does not bode well for the remainder of the season and I think Colver is spot on with his comments above.
D. Silva would be tops on my list with the potential additional for one or two of the MF dutch castaways from RM.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:38
@Beachryan: I’m not blaming Foster for the goal. I just think he could have done a better job trying to stop it because he had that part of the goal totally covered and it still whistled by him because I felt his reaction and reflexes were too slow. Perhaps I am being a bit harsh but thats what happens when a certain player is in my doghouse.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:39
@Craig Mc: Its difficult to be sobered by happiness mate. Whatever United did, whatever 4-2 loss I will experience with my team, nothing can knock me down from the joy I am feeling today. Well, all could well and truly have been better, but I am still happy. So there, fuck me then!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:39
@Traverse: At no time during this game did I ever feel that we were going to score. That’s how totally inept we were and how hopeless I feel our team is. Sure we are bound to improve but lets face it, we are not good enough to win the league and right now, I’d be concerned about being in next year’s Champions League.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:41
@themec: I won’t say they stole our exciting attacking football. SAF basically threw it in the rubbish bin last season. Fuckin depressing. And not to mention the fact that we’re losing against a team that did not really play well at all.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:42
@Zauberlehrling: I wouldn’t rate Carick a midfield corporal yet alone general. He is a follower and not a take charge leader. He also has no desire or heart.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:43
@Footy4Eddy: What, have you signed for some super club? Tell me it’s not Cesspool, Citeh or Madrid.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:44
@Grognard: I would say midfield corpse
August 19th, 2009 at 22:46
@Matthew-W10: I’m not blaming the goal on Foster. I just find it hard to believe a top league goalkeeper who has that short side covered could let it get by him without even getting a finger on it or come close. Yes it was a rocket but like I said earlier, I have seen the world class keepers stop those or at least get a piece of that kind of shot. The fault was due to a complete defensive breakdown and inability to show composure during the one spell the entire game that Burnley showed up in our half with any force.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:50
@Red Ranter: I can thoroughly promise you that I will never ever wear a Liverpool, City or Real shirt in my life!
Its not got a lot with football to do, that I will say. Its more in the social/life plan part. 
August 19th, 2009 at 22:50
@Beachryan: Beautifully said bro. Your condemnation of Fergie’s contribution today was dead on. Brilliant.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:52
@Footy4Eddy: I feel your joy. I especially am looking forward to more fantastic displays of skill and goal scoring from Anderson and Owen. Tonight they were Universal Class.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:52
@Footy4Eddy: Don’t tell me you’ve gotten someone preggo!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:54
People keep on talking about our shit midfield, but they forget thst our striking department seems not much better these days. At current form, for Rooney to score 25 goals it seems he’ll need about a thousand shots at goal. What is more dissapointing is that he most probably will get those shots because he’ll take the shot-shy Berba’s ones too. Owen seems like “The fellowship of the Ring’s” impersonation of Ruud (except for finishing of course). Instead of inspiring our strikers to score, he seems tto have adopted their inefficiency. What is also worrying is that Macheda is supposed to ‘learn the trade’, but from who?
August 19th, 2009 at 22:56
@Darth Red Diablo: Wrong mate, wrong…
But maybe some day. 
August 19th, 2009 at 22:57
@Grognard: Im glad you are happy too mate! Glad to share my joy!
August 19th, 2009 at 22:58
@Grognard: Read it again. I bet you’ll laugh again
It seems to crack me up everytime I read his comment.
I don’t know if its because I’m frustrated or if it is just bloody good.
August 19th, 2009 at 22:59
@Footy4Eddy: You’ve got yourself a WAG. A requirement these days for any up and coming footballer.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:00
Im am just god damn speechless i really am, i am just so damn pissed off right now, in the players but mainly in ferguson.
Im going to say something that may not be too popular and tbh i dont give a damn if people say im not a real fan, a wum, an idiot whatever because i believe it to be true, i honestly feel that ferguson needs to move on and no matter how many trophies he wins this season it still wont convince me otherwise.
Fair enough we won the league last season, for me we were lucky because the competition was so shit, even the season before we won the double by the skin of our teeth, barely finishing above a chelsea managed by avram grant. Before that we had carlos who it is widely stated was playing a major part in team selections, training sessions, player transfers etc. I wouldnt go as far to say carlos was responsible for the trophies won in those years but i would say he played a massive part and whilst ferguson was still the manager he wasnt playing a massive part in that, thats what i believe anyway and thats what i stand by.
As for now, i firmly believe we saw the best of ferguson years ago. Watching the game today before i stopped watching after 60 mins, i saw an old man who looked out of ideas who was doing nothing to change the game, it really looked a sad sight seeing the guy chewing his gum with a bland look on his face with his muppet of an assistant next to him.
I firmly believe the fire in his belly is gone his interview after the game confirmed that. Praising burnley for their brilliant fans and atmosphere, their beautiful pitch, and yet not once seeming to look disappointed, seriously the guy didnt looked pissed off or anything, just a rather normal expression praising burnley, that is not the ferguson of old. Fair enough maybe he slated the players in private but the look on the mans face wasnt that of one on a pissed off person, it was one of a guy who looked disappointed yet still not entirely pissed off.
Now for his tactics. For me we lack a talented assistant so much, ferguson is old now, a good assistant would probably allow him another 2 years in the game, tactics like this should see his team finished outside the top 4 and really the sack.
How the hell park starts a game i dont know, all his supporters who said nani was shit, please tell me now what you think of park. Absolutely terrible against barca, today. 4 goals last season is out standing for a united player isnt it, honestly he wouldnt have got in the burnley team over eagles.
Giggs and neville featured again today, when he said we would have stars within, the da silvas, nani, ando, macheda, welbeck, gibson, huh when the hell are they going to get game time, ffs chelsea had 3 strikers on the bench yesterday, we had berba and thats it, how are macheda or welbeck going to get experience when they dont even get on the god damn bench. I know they played in the reserve games recently but they would gladly have travelled if the chance of a game today would have been a possibilty.
Expect giggs, scholes and neville to get atleast 20 odd games each, they really are standing in the way of the young lads, giggs is the only 1 who has something to contribute anymore, sentimental decisions again by ferguson that neville and scholes are even kept.
After being absolutel bollocks today i would expect to see us delve into the market, a modric, silva, de rossi, even ronaldinho who people say is past it (he is better than any of our current midfielders) would be excellent yet ferguson is too bloody stubborn.
I have said this season i would gladly go without a trophy if we returned to the attacking football we used to play and if we were easing in the youngsters, as it goes we could quite easily finish outside of the top 4, not bringing through any1, over using the oldies and playing shit football too. Im sorry but the manager is holding this team back, our team is plain ordinary and everyone can see that except 1 man who sadly is the guy who is the only person whos opinion matters.
This team to me just stinks of average, past it, old garbage, i really hate saying it but city remind me of us 10 years ago. Young, buying mainly quality players, splashing the cash whenevers possible and all the while playing some great attacking football. Im not saying they are that great cos their defence is a joke and im not saying i would want to swap places with them but it really is a sad day when you look and compare the teams and can say that in many ways they are better than us. Only 1 man has been in charge of the team and made us get worse, and whilst hes been a legend i feel his time and gone, its time to bring in some1 new with new ideas, lets do a barca and let the manager re enegerise this team because for me this team with fergie in charge is not going to even reach the highs of last season.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:01
@Grognard: Are we BOUND to improve though Grog? Whatever makes you think that, I feel the exact opposite. It has suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks – apart from Giggsy and or defence, name me a player that had ANY FIGHT. Please don’t say Rooney, because the only fight he showed really, was back to his old ways when he is frustrated of clobbering the opposing players. Didn’t like his bad temper tackle tonight!
August 19th, 2009 at 23:02
The only satisfying thing about today’s debacle in Hell is that once again I come out of this smelling like a peach. Yet again my prognosticating is validated as this is the exact thing I predicted a month ago when Ronaldo and Tevez left and when it became clear we weren’t going to bother replacing them. I love it when I am right but please believe me, I hate it when I am right in situations like this. But it does confirm to me at least that I d know something about this game and that I have the balls to challenge the great Sir Alex Ferguson and actually come out on top. Four months ago I said our midfield was rubbish and that we needed to upgrade big time. But no, Fergie disagreed with the Grognard. Well respectfully UP YOURS FERGIE. It’s not me who is brilliant. Anybody with an IQ over that of a door knob could have predicted this calamity and this poor start tot he season. But no, Fergie likes his team. A bunch of old bastards and a bunch of under achievers and not one star to rock the boat or to challenge his rule or make him work. Thanks for 20 great years but this is a cutthroat business. You fucked over loyal and devoted servants like David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane and others when it was their time to go. So you’ll please forgive me when I say it’s time to retire old man, the game is beginning to pass you by.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:03
Anyone see Fabio Capello in the crowd tonight – he looked bored out of his fucking mind. I bet he wont be visiting too many Man United games the rest of this season.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:06
@Craig Mc: Yes we will improve bor, but it will be far too late and the bottom line is we will not win the League and will probably struggle to even get out of the group stage in Europe. We just aren’t that good. But we are also poorly prepared for the beginning of every season and that falls on Ferguson too. We are more concerned about pushing and selling the team brand around the globe and our physical fitness, is not up to par. We were walking out there today and never had that extra reserve lat in the game that is needed. I blame Fergie and Phelan for poorly preparing this team
August 19th, 2009 at 23:06
@Grognard: Stop crowing about always being right Grog, a person with humility and grace would not be preening like a peacock! Many of us are hurting, we don’t need to hear it mate!
August 19th, 2009 at 23:07
@Craig Mc: Capello needs to be barred from United games because he makes Owen to fucking nervous and this makes Mikey totally suck. Ban the fucking Cabbage.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:07
@Craig Mc: I thought the exact same thing.
And, I bet Owen can kiss the England shirt goodbey…for now.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:10
@Cyclops-Red: To be honest I have every reason to be pissed. My team lost 4-2 to a shit side, because of many individual errors. First, we took the lead. Then we should have been leading 2-0, but it was disallowed for somehow being an offside!
Will never get it! Then they equalise from “my” mistake(as for the “” because I had to cover two men because the centre back was playing CAM for some reason. 
). Then we took the lead again. Naiz! But then of cource the goalkeeper makes a Taibi, then kicks the ball right to the opposition from a goal kick. BAM, we are 3-2 down. Lastly they score a fourth from a counter attack.
Then I get the blame for two of the goals. Which I duly accepted, but will never understand.
Then United lose to Burnley, fucking Burnley!!! And my mates will be dissing me for that, I promise! 
I have to wake up 6:30 every moring, then have a two hour way to school. New class, everything feels weird. And I am currently broke! Ive not even got £2 pound to spend on my lunch till Monday! And I phailed epicly at a math test today. So why am I happy?
Because, my dear friends, I am Eddy. I am happy. I have a good life, and this may have been one of the days in my life which I will look back on as lifechanging! And guess what? There is still a lot more to come…
August 19th, 2009 at 23:10
@Grognard: Actually the crux of your prediction was that we’ll finish out of the top four. Let that happen and I’ll accept that you were right.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:11
@Craig Mc: Oh well that’s me mate. I like to crow loud and spread my peacock feathers. Especially since I received a ton of fucking grief last month for predicting exactly what is happening now. So you’ll forgive me if I don’t relish it a bit and if I don’t splatter egg in all in your collective faces. Those who doubted and questioned me as well as insulted me and called me an idiot. Look who’s laughing now? Sorry but the truth hurts and pay back is a total bitch mate.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:11
@Grognard: We should hire Sven Gøran Eriksson as his replacement…
August 19th, 2009 at 23:12
@Red Ranter: Fair enough but today’s performance leaves me reluctantly confident that I will be right at the end. Then again, please believe me that even though I feel a little validation tonight, I do hope I am wrong in the end.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:14
@Footy4Eddy: WELLLLLL! Yes we should. The man is a marvel. Look at what he is doing with Notts County. They are a real juggernaut aren’t they?
August 19th, 2009 at 23:14
@Grognard: Second game of the season. One loss, but also one win. Chelsea have problems beating a team Spurs beat 5-1. Liverpool lost to the same Spurs. We have our whole defence injured! Goalkeeper, right back, centre back and left back.
Somehow I wish everybody looked at life the same way I do at times. Especially today…
August 19th, 2009 at 23:16
@Grognard: Your ego knows no bounds Grog
. So you’ll forgive US if none of us can be arsed stroking it mate!
August 19th, 2009 at 23:16
One thing about tonight’s game. It has confirmed to me that when Fergie blesses us with his retirement, I hope the next manager is a tactical genius. I want a man who knows how to tactically outwit his opponents. Who has a clue on how to defeat a ten man wall and how to utilize his squad the best. Any ideas? Sounds like i want somebody who is definitely a very SPECIAL 1.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:17
@Grognard: Park and Carrick also looked like world beaters! I hope Fergie starts them every game from now on, and that they are the first names on the team sheet each day! We should also look to buy back Veron, Djemba Djebma and Carroll, who has now moved to Odense. It may be hard, but I think his masterclass performances would help us a long way towards the title. Well, we are gonna win it anyway. Just look at today, nobody plays like us! We are unke, exeptional, graceful and patient! Nobody gets close to our winning formule, nobody can beat us. We are the invincibles!
August 19th, 2009 at 23:18
@Craig Mc: Lets keep from beating me up mate. Perhaps you should redirect that frustration TOWARDS the real guilty parties from tonight’s calamity. Don’t hate me because I am right. I may have an ego but then again, you seem to ignore the fact that I WAS RIGHT.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:20
@Footy4Eddy: I say Laurent Blanc, and Massimo Taibbi should be brought back. And the midfield master we are in need of right now is definitely Karol Poborsky.
August 19th, 2009 at 23:20
Just to clear thigns up. I am not taking drugs. Im not drunk. I do not have a gun pointed towards my head. And I have not got a sexy chick sitting on my dick right now. I am just happy, and nothing can change that today. Worst thing is, it can actually get better!
So dont worry about me, I am fine. Just so fucking fine! Hope this never ends…
August 19th, 2009 at 23:22
Oh yeah… I’m happy as well! Cracking Jokes… Frankly.. I’m United.. Even if we go to the 11th Tier of the country!
And…..
I’m Diablo!
And Eddy… For Fuck sakes… Stop lying… Megan’s eggo has gone preggo! Innit?
August 20th, 2009 at 0:21
Come on lads, its only fucking Burnley for fucks sake!
We always lose to a crap team at least once a season. I remember Southend, Coventry, Derby, Bolton (and Man City
) in recent seasons. And like someone else said – we are traditionally slow starters anyway. I do not think we will win the title this year, but we will certainly be up there in the mix. I don’t buy any of this bullshit about finishing outside the top 4 places.
August 20th, 2009 at 0:26
Hey this thread is reallyfunny.
I for one am happy I missed the game seeing that I would have probably ended as depressed as you lot are.
Instead, I feel more like Eddy…
Had a frank and honest conversation about life, love and relationships and am quite on a high…
August 20th, 2009 at 0:29
Jesus Christ, talk about overreaction
August 20th, 2009 at 0:36
@Liam: Really? Since I haven’t watched the match and will most likely watch the recorded one when I get home, and since you are the first one to point out that this has been an over-reaction, kindly, tell me more. I need to know if there was someone who watched the match and came out reacting positively to it. Since you seem the only one, kindly, elaborate.
August 20th, 2009 at 0:46
@Liam: Over reaction, trust me we are being kind on the team, the way we played was a god damn disgrace.
If i said to you before the game burnley would win im sure and also me before the game would have laughed and said they were crazy, the fact that burnley probably deserved their win tells another story.
We are supposedly the best team in england, one of the best in europe, and yet we cant beat a team who just came up in the playoffs from the league below us. I hate all this bollocks about us being slow starters, yes we do usually start slow but today we didnt look like a team who was looking to find its scoring boots, or working up to something special and just looking a little off, no we looked a million miles off the team we looked last year and thats no exageration.
We were complete bollocks today, yes we had players injured and we start slow and all that but from watching the game today it seems clear this team is a good 2/3 players short of winning the serious trophies, yes this team should finish top 4 and if thats all people are happy with then thats their decision, but i like seeing us winning the big cups and beating the big boys, and if the last 2 games are anything to go by we are going to struggle big time this year. Yes its 2 games but the squad on paper is missing something special and the team on the pitch is lacking it too, if the fact our team looks garbage is an over reaction then thats your opinion and your entitled to it.
August 20th, 2009 at 0:49
Grognard, I agree that Jose Mourinho would shake this bunch of underachievers up and turn United into a lean mean fighting machine again. We’ve coasted on the back of Ronaldo’s superhuman efforts for so long.
Give Jose £60 million to spend and he could re-make this United team so it actually looks like winning things.
Fergie has gone soft and so has our team. Where are the leaders in this team? Where are the players who want to win? Where are the players who are up for a fight? Where is the desire?
We treated this game like a Carling Cup tie and predictably we got a Carling Cup result.
I don’t think it is any coincidence that last season when Ronaldo was recovering from injury we had a terrible start. Well this season we don’t have Ronaldo coming back to save our season.
Like a bad apple our core is rotten. Anderson doesn’t give a damn. Carrick is too much of a wimp to ever achieve anything. Valencia is out of his depth. Park should be put on ice for the few occasions where he is actually useful (read away games in the Champions League). Fletcher only produces in the big games. Nani is the most skillful midfielder we have but I have doubts about his maturity.
Our treble winning midfield of Beckham, Scholes, Keane and Giggs all in their prime seems like a distant memory.
Good teams win games with their midfield. Our midfield needs an urgent revamp if we have a chance of winning anything this season.
We need TWO Midfielders. ONE midfield general with desire and balls of steel. ONE creative midfielder with the imagination to unlock defences. We have 60 million. Lets go spend.
It is also time to fast track Macheda into the first team for games like this because with Owen temporarily goal-shy we need someone who can finish. And on current form Gibson should make the team just based on his ability to score which is going to be our problem this season.
August 20th, 2009 at 0:56
@Darth Red Diablo: Am I missing something here? Is the Megan you’re referring to in anyway the delectable Miss Fox? I think a part of me would die if I ever found out she was preggo
August 20th, 2009 at 0:58
It is a little over the top. We played badly, BURNLEY PLAYED WELL. I don’t see what part of the second half of that sentence can be ignored. Fergie sent the wrong team out and didn’t change things correctly or quick enough, but it’s not like we don’t do this shit every season.
We lost 4 and drew 6 last year. That’s 24 dropped points. 11 of those were directly to title opponents: Chelsea(1), Liverpool(6) and Arsenal(4). Yeah it’s a blow losing to Burnely but I’d rather we lose to them than Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea. As a one off. If we don’t react against Wigan on Sunday then we really are screwed, as it’s Arsenal the Saturday after.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:00
Another point Id like to make is that this has been coming for a while. Last season we won the league because Liverpool threw it away and Chelsea were playing manager merry-go-round which disrupted their performances. We won because our rivals weren’t good enough. That and an awe inspiring defensive run which made up for our offensive inadequacies.
I’d like to know what Fergie learnt from the Barca CL final because it is not apparent to me that he has realised yet how shit our midfield is sans Ronaldo.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:01
Last year we started slow but I wasn’t too worried. We had Ronaldo to come back, we hadn’t bought Berbatov, Rooney wasn’t fully match fit.
Who do we have to come back that will make the difference this year?
I’m getting worried.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:01
@colver: Every season we have a terrible start. Before, during and seemingly after he who shall not be named.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:02
garry neville…..13 minutes to go and we bring on the Nevster…
roll on Wigan, because nothing…can be worse than tonights performance.
We should ban Cappello from our games, Owen the fucking jumped up me me me mersonary might actually concentrate on the fucking job rather than dreaming about lifting the world cup… until he can actually make contact with a ball berbatov and rooney should start every game, so should nani and valencia, and this should not change unless one of them breaks at least 3 vital bones.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:05
Nice to return here and see some interesting debate. I posted here a few times this summer until I had computer troubles and those of you who know the little I revealed about myself last time on here will know that i’ve been in the stands as a season ticket holder for 25 years and going to games for over 30. I accept that most people are very protective of SAF but what you are seeing now looks a little bit like the Bush administration, to me. I am unclear if SAF is in charge of it or if the owners are.
By the way, my time in the stands means nothing, any kid in Korea will no doubt know the ins and outs of our team and club and good for them I say, we are a world club, I originally come from Salford and even I have come to terms with that.
So…as I saw it, we struggled through last season and seriously rode our luck through SO many games when we were already in need of some newer better players, especially in central midfield BEFORE Ronaldo and Tevez went.
SAF has failed us in that he has so far not bought a creative midfielder or at least a midfielder who cares enough and bombs up the field with a big pair of bollocks AND gets back as well. SAF either doesn’t care, is too stubborn or is now completely OWNED by the club owners.
What we are now left with is just one or two players carrying an awful lot of rot that would not get in other teams in our league.
Want to know why Rooney looks like he’s struggling a bit, why Berba maybe doesn’t look right??? or Valencia is a bit in and out of form… THEY NEED HELP. Help from good players and NOT players who can’t play to feet from 3 yards or just in fact give the ball away.
You are now (tonight) witnessing a group of players who were completely carried for a few years by Ronaldo, Rooney, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Tevez, VDS and Berba (to some extent) with the odd great appearance by our old guard players of Giggs, Scholes and Nev.
Now that some of those have departed and many are injured, you are seeing just what a lot of sub average rot we have in our ranks. Back in the day (be it only a few years)…providing most or all of the players I named above WERE actually playing, we COULD carry the dead weight of Oshea, Carrick, Brown and Fletcher and maybe even a Gibson.
For me, none of those players are believable as REAL united players and some of them like John Oshea and Michael Carrick aren’t believable as competent professional footballers.
It has always been my belief that Ferguson once murdered someone, and Oshea witnessed it, therefore Oshea gets to play and gets paid for the privilege, simply for promising to SAF that he will shut up about it, for good.
Carrick on the other hand, looks a little like a basic 80’s gaming sprite in that he only moves one way and that’s sideways, whilst only being limited to the centre circle. He’s a slack-jawed, dense, slower than me (and I’m old) no balls, no drive and determination waste of money…who I never ever wanted at my beloved united. Fletcher, on the other hand will battle for us but that’s about it AND it’s not good enough for me on its own. I have no opinion on Anderson at all and Gibson is almost as over-rated as Welbeck and the self obsessed but still anonymous Macheda.
I have more chance of a 15 year career, up front at united than Welbeck.
Nani could be a world beater but he lacks some basic football skills which are taught at infant level and Hargreaves could be at least judged by us all if he ever gets fit.
SAF is picking teams made of players who he has struggled with and used as stand-ins for many years and is perhaps too stubborn to believe that they will not become good players. He has often bought players or raised them from the youth ranks in the belief that he can improve them and Alan Smith and Carrick certainly fit that bill for the bought kind when Gibson and Welback certainly look like the homebrew in that.
I believe our club needs completely freshening up and all the deadwood needs selling on or giving away. This will not ever happens until SAF has a chat with himself or he retires
Other top clubs don’t carry the amount of rot we do…yes… they all have a few iffy players and we always have over the years e.g. Duxbury, Hogg of the 80’s as an exmaple but never have our deadwood outnumbered our talented players – until now.
Not so good players will play better with help from our great players… but expecting the sub-average to act like champions is just crazy.
I could have banged on about not rating Foster or Thomas in the nets AND how I like De Laet and our brazilian twins…but, enough gobshite for now.
Yes…I DO say quite controversial things and here is my final one:
I’d rather us lose every game in a season as long as we played well with a good team who were bothered about it AND trophies and titles mean nothing to me. I like attractive football, even if we lose the kind United was built upon.
Cheers!
August 20th, 2009 at 1:07
@colver: Completely agree mate, people go on about mourinho and how he plays this dire defensive football, i honestly dont think it can be as bad as the shit we have been playing the last year and a bit. Put him in charge with a real united man like ole as his assitant, give him the money to spend to sort out this team and we can once again striker fear into the hearts of opposition teams.
As for the now its clear to me we need a real creative midfielder who can contribute a few goals to the team, i actually think anderson is a better player then hes given credit for, he doesnt score many fair enoguh but he can link up the midfield and the front 2 or 3 very well. I would like someone who can do this and score goals though and there are 3 names i would definitely recommend who i think could do this for us.
Luca modric would be a class addition, david silva is a great player who could also play the AM role like an iniesta very well and finally a controversial choice in ronaldinho. People would say hes past it but i still reckon bar maybe nani he is miles better than any of our other midfield players.
Add someone like this and we have the creativeness and also goal scoring abilities from our problem midfield area, it may not sort the midfield fully but it will fill up a major hole.
As for fast tracking a few of the youngsters i agree, fergie says welbeck and macheda will get games, so how come they havent even figured on the bench either time. Reserve game yesterday or the day before whenever but they would jump at the chance of featuring and would no doubt want to get on the bench. Chelsea start with 3 strikers on their bench, so why then we find no space for a welbeck or macheda and yet we take up about 3 positions for central midfielders, just crazy really.
Carrick seems to stroll through games and no matter how poor he plays he seems to be guaranteed a starting spot, i would drop him if his poor form continues and put gibson in his place.
I have no problem with us bringing through the machedas and welbecks and gibsons like fergie says, but when if i may ask are they going to be given their chance boss, cos when it comes to it you are still putting your hopes on the oldies and the youngsters are getting no game time, really is annoying and i do wonder if the manager has got much too sentimental for his and the teams own good.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:23
@Nino: Exactly. It’s only Burnley, and that’s why it hurts so much and why we feel so pissed off and embarrassed over our club’s play.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:24
@Red Ranter: There is no overreaction here other than it’s the second game in a very long season. Other than it, I think it’s right and valid to react overly critical tonight.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:32
S loppy passing.
H ardly in the game.
I nconceivably poor.
T otal meltdown.
E veryone sucked but Giggs.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:36
Heads have to fall over this one! I thought the away game against Fulham (PL) last season was a low, but this takes the cake!!
August 20th, 2009 at 1:37
Berbatov, slightly better than Owen, Owen slightly better than shite.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:37
why didn’t we buy palacios instead of valencia?!!!
and where is this Tosic bloke? surely better than Park?
August 20th, 2009 at 1:40
Valencia at 17m is almost half as good as Berbatov at 32m.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:41
Ji San Park needs training wheels.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:43
Anderson is reinventing the word SHITE.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:46
I am really unable to put two sentences together right now. I need to calm down and become more circumspect.
Could take a while!!
August 20th, 2009 at 1:47
Perhaps you lads should take a leaf out of the book of Scott at RoM:
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/a-few-quick-stats/
August 20th, 2009 at 2:02
@colver: I can’t disagree with a thing you said mate. Too true.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:09
@Matt: His football isn’t attractive but it’s successful and the players he manages work their ass off for him or they don’t play. And he doesn’t care what kind of pedigree they have. Just ask Shevchenko and Ballack. Mourinho is a great motivator but he knows how to tactically out maneuver his adversaries. He also is good at bringing out the best in players and making once timid and quiet players like Terry and Lampard into loud leaders. We may hate them but they get the job done and they still do thanks to what Mourinho invoked at Stamford Bridge.
I used to cringe at the thought of him taking over at OT because I was spoilt and used to us playing attacking fast paced Man Utd football. But hey, we haven’t played that kind of football now for over 18 months. We must be the dullest club in all of football right now because i fail to think of a single team that played a more quiet and slow paced game than what we played the last four days. Right now Mourinho would look like a breath of fresh air and he would kick a lot of ass into gear or out of town.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:09
@Nino: i actually do feel better for this, cheers. roll on wigan.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:13
Tottenham fucking Hotspur score 5 goals tonight and they beat Liverpool on Sunday. Totttenham fucking Hotspur. And the world is square Aliens will take over the planet by Friday. Christ, what is wrong with this picture? Is Hull that much worse than Burnley? Are Spurs that much better than us?
Fergie needs to stop drinking and start thinking.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:21
@Grognard: He’d be kicking a lot of skinny arse too! We just don’t have the squad to compete, do we?
August 20th, 2009 at 2:24
@Grognard: RR seems smug that United wont finish out of the top 4. Why???
August 20th, 2009 at 2:28
Man City beat Barcelona in Camp Nou
I don’t think we’ll hear the end of it from the bitters
August 20th, 2009 at 2:30
@Redrich: Pessimism at its worst mate. Who would replace us in the top4? Certainly not City if that’s what you’re thinking.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:38
All this talk about Djembax2 made me realise something…didn’t the guy play for Burnley at one point? Coincidence or what? The Revenge of Eric Djemba!
August 20th, 2009 at 2:46
@Grognard: Where did I say this was an over-reaction?
In fact, read my earlier comment here
@Redrich: I think we have a squad good enough to finish in the top four. Title-worthy? Don’t think so. I just saw the match, wait for the report. You’ll be surprised.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:57
@Nino: Listen mate, I’m fucking sick and tired of this air of blind optimism that permeates through this kind of forum. If you want to stick your head in the sand and blow your trumpet at the same time, send me a video, i’d like to see it!
United were in trouble, away, with their first team, against Burnley. We have lost the best player in the world and it has exposed us for what we now are. Look up and down our squad and tell me where we could outplay the squads of Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, or Citeh!, I just don’t see it.
It’s a very hard thing to accept, and I really don’t blame you for your optimism, but this team, as it stands now, will not win a thing this season, and will be truly lucky to finish in contention for the top 4.
By the way your soothing link to Scott’s inane starting stats was a marvel to my mood (can’t you tell), but it failed to list the seasons where we lost the 2nd game of the season.
eg.
1980 – finished 8th
1986 – finished 11th
1988 – finished 11th
How you like those fucking apples, mate!!
August 20th, 2009 at 2:58
Also SACK our physios… why do we have so many injuries!!!
August 20th, 2009 at 2:59
we played poorly today but we have enough squad strength to finish 2nd place. A lot of people have taken it blaming Carrick, something alot of people did last year when we werent playing well and worshipping later on when we started to play well. I think we are still overlooking the major culpibility we have which is our tactical snuffu we seem to have in fergie and phelan…today i dont think anybody knew if we were playing 442 or 443 or whatever it was we were playing Anderson had no clue where to play (left wing or was Giggs supposed to play there)and later Giggs was making runs through the middle…O’Shea is so much better a center back and Owen really is so out of sorts while Rooney is trying too hard to be the next Ronaldo which he clearly never will be…we are missing a genuine winger
August 20th, 2009 at 3:06
hi all…. i make another one of my periodic comebacks!!
after today’s performance i had to rant… i refuse to keep it all bottled up….
fist of all let me say that the defeat itself doesnt concern me that much….. man utd are notoriously bad starters, and besides, it far too early in the season to be looking at the implications of 3 dropped points in the context of the league…..
no thats not my issue…… what concerns me is that today’s performance is right up there with the worst performances i have seen by a man utd team (if not the worst), and this coupled with an inept performance on opening day (where lets face it, rooney rescued the points). I worry!
today’s performance was one of apathy….. rooney it seems stayed at home and sent some clone to play in his stead…. if he is to be the star man, he has to consistently be our best player on the pitch…… i wont blame owen because a striker cant be blamed for not scoring if in 45 min he gets 2 touches inside the box…. the midfield was appaling (giggs not included)…. i dont get it, for a team supposedly very skilled, we dont create much with the ball on the turf…. long balls are great to switch sides and thus the angle of attack, there by stretching defenses or for swift counter attacks, but it only works when coupled with quick short passing and constant movement with or without the ball to exploit the gaps created….. our mid-field is static and sqaure, only giggs tried to move around with or without the ball other than that all the passing was either square, backwards or hopeful long balls over the top…. that is a sign of mid-field short on ideas and worst of all one that doesnt care……
if we dont dramatically improve by the arsenal game, i seriously doubt there will be legitimate claim in the title race for us this year…. oh we will still finish near the top, but not at the top
August 20th, 2009 at 3:33
What really and i mean really fucks me off is when SAF starts park on the pitch and then doesnt fucking bother taking him off. He is worse then eric djemba djemba for christ sakes. I for one cannot stand this midfield, they actually are the definition of mediocre!!
We need some bloody quality cm’s and then we will be world beaters. Im in greece right now and i went to the athletico vs panathinaikos game and tbh aguero was insanee!! Scored a sick goal and actually penetrated the hell out of the defense. Yes it is a greek team but Panatha have a good defense. Berba if you keep slowing down the play im going to to shove a car battery up your ar** and then you will be forced to fuc**** sprint.
I sincerley apologize for this abusive rant but i really cannot watch us play football at the quality level of accrington stanley i mean WHO ARE THEY… Exactly!!!
August 20th, 2009 at 4:07
@Grognard: I couldn’t agree more Grognard.
August 20th, 2009 at 4:40
Well I hope I’m not the first to bring this up, and I say this with all due respect to the parties involved, and in a awful moment of realization, I am having a dredful deja vu occurence.
As a lad I watched United become the best team in the world – they beat Benfica at Wembley and were almost untouchable domestically. George Best and co. were the greatest side to watch and the hardest team to beat.
They, literally, ran circles around the opposition and at the time, I believed that we were utterly invincible. They became icons to my youth and none of them could do wrong!!
Then in the early 70’s the wheels started to wobble. Our aging team would struggle for good results and the glory years would start to look like a memory. Our key players began to leave the team (Charlton, Best, Law) and all of a sudden we were ORDINARY.
The changes of management really didn’t do the the trick either, because. really we didn’t have any players to replace the ones we lost!
IN 1974 MANCHESTER UNITED FINISHED 21ST IN THE DIVISION, WITH 32 POINTS FROM 42 GAMES. THEY WERE RELEGATED!!
I don’t think that we could end up with the same fate as the 74 team, but I see many parallels to that era, and without a swift influx of new talent, I see the slide from grace being as equally perilous!!
August 20th, 2009 at 4:51
@Red Ranter: I never accused you of that mate. I was just pointing out because you brought up the term that it was my belief that I and others were not overreacting because it really was that bad.
August 20th, 2009 at 5:06
@Redrich: Jeez mate, STOP! People will start accusing you of being me in disguise.
If I had written that I’d get 50 nasty replies questioning my right to exist and whether or not I deserved to breath the same air as all the rest. I comment you for your honesty and passion. It hurts doesn’t it? It’s also a lot easier to make these comments now that it is clear our team is a bag of shite.
I made my controversial and unpopular comments before the season started so I guess it was only to be expected then that I would receive a lot of criticism. I notice now however, that you did not get lambasted for your negative turn. Why? Because unlike last month when I went all negative and honest, the proof was not yet in the pudding. Now everybody with a big mouth and a positive BS attitude have a lot of humble pie to eat and their humiliation and disappointment is too great for them to come out of hiding and defend their team and stand. Yes reality sucks for those poor blokes from Optimists Anonymous. Well the season is still young so I suggest to all of them to stick their heads back in the sand and pull them out come May. Perhaps by then some miracle may have happened and they might have something to brag about. I wouldn’t bet on though.
I think back then I warned all of them that I would feed them a big “I told you so”. Well, not yet. I’ll give them some more time to prove me wrong and I’ll give them more time to fester in their optimist juices. All I have to say to them and I say this in jest is “Sucks to be you”.
Come to think of it, being a Man Utd fan myself, it sucks to be me too. Pass the tears around. Thanks a lot Fergie. I guess you decided to leave us in tears before your retirement but for all the wrong reasons. 
August 20th, 2009 at 5:25
@Grognard: It’s all in the timing mate. They’re all sleeping right now!
Seriously though, the time has come to spell out the awful truth about this current team – and I just dont give a flyer about the flack.
Some of these young kids think that nothing will ever be bad, and well, that’s just their nature. I’m now the big, bad grown-up person thats gonna make them eat their porridge!
I don’t care if they hurl muck my way. I’ve raised two children to adulthood, I can handle anything!!
August 20th, 2009 at 5:36
@Grognard: I think I’ve mostly allied myself with you since the “we’re done spending” announcement.
To answer your question honestly, I think you are a much more influential presence her than I am. You post during the primetime hours and you are willing to argue almost any point with almost any person. I think you are great at stimulating these rants and have an inherent way of portraying your passion.
OF COURSE THEY’RE GONNA HATE YOU!!
August 20th, 2009 at 5:41
@RedDave: I’ve been accused of having a lack of humility today because I have been proven right after a month off taking abuse for my views on the team. I honestly wished I was wrong mate because I love this team and it kills me to see the Glazer’s turning Ferguson into a down right pussy corporate puppet. He has turned his back on all of us and the team by towing the corporate line and by allowing those fuckers to steal the Ronaldo money which should have gone to buy players.
It’s not a coincidence that he spent 20 million on Obertan, Valencia and Owen which was the exact amount of his annual transfer kitty. To not spend a dime more than that tells me exactly where the Ronaldo money went and that burns my hide. The poor fans in Manchester who spend increasing prices to go to games get screwed, the fans like myself who pay a monthly fee for Setanta to watch the rubbish that was served today get screwed, and the millions all over the world who spend money on the corporate brand get screwed. Why? Because we all have bought into a tradition of winning and excellence. A tradition and an expectation that our team would do whatever it took within reason to be highly competitive every year.
Instead we let the best player in the world walk while he had three years left on his contract, Fergie shit all over Carlos Tevez until he left and then Carlos shit all over us. And in the end United has taken a massive dump over all of us by becoming a corporate monster that cares not about it’s loyal legion of fans. They have become arrogant, aloof and disconnected from all of us. All they care about is making the money and selling the brand. add to that our manager’s loss of courage and his now infamous cautious Italian approach and what we have been fed is a pile of garbage as high as the Tower of London.
Where are the star players who will keep up the winning tradition Fergie? Where is Aguero, Huntelaar, Neuer? Where are a couple of quality central midfielders who will help us all forget our biggest weakness that was so terribly exposed vs Barcelona? Ah, but to hear Fergie mumble in his inaudible drivel that he likes his team and that we need nothing more is just more than I can handle. I would like him to stop making me look like the wisest football man on the planet and to please prove me wrong for a change. Please tell me if there isn’t something wrong with that picture? Am I really that smart to predict our collapse or is Fergie really that stupid and naive to believe he had a competitive football team without Ronaldo and Tevez? It’s early Fergie. You have 36 games left in the EPL season to make me out to be a knee jerk idiot. Go ahead, I dare you.
August 20th, 2009 at 5:49
@Redrich: We often are reminded of the Old Guard, that being Scholes, Giggs, Neville and EVDS. Well it has been quite obvious that Fergie has had a loyalty and an over reliance on these old warriors, and the analogy I lift from all this comes from the original “Old Guard” those known as Grognards and The Old Guard of Napoleon’s Army. Always pampered and protected by Napoleon, he never sent them in to do the dirty work and always stayed loyal to him almost to the end when he sacrificed them at the battle of Waterloo. All was lost and it was the Old Guard who formed what is famously known as the “Last Square”. Rather than retreat or surrender, they allowed themselves to be encircled and then massacred. And where was napoleon when this happened? High tailing it out of Dodge. So I guess that is what Fergie has planned for those poor members of the United Old Guard. Let them sacrifice what little they have left and what does he care. He’ll be gone and retired and we’ll still have a beaten and worn out Scholes, Giggs and Neville left to scrape of the Old Trafford pitch. Thanks for nothing Fergie. Vive Le United!
August 20th, 2009 at 5:58
@Redrich: I think you slip under the radar mostly, and also sandwich the negatives in between the positives. With Grognard, he lives on the edge — the extremes, by his own admission — so his negatives and positives tend to be magnified. Also it’s human nature to pick on people based on their negatives, and he unfortunately bears the brunt of it.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:08
@Redrich: You’re so right. They speak with their hearts but haven’t got the experience of life to fall back on. The world is their oyster and they tyhink they can beat the world. What they don’t know yet is the world is a tough opponent and that in the end, it will probably beat them. But their confidence and naivetee is still funny because it must totally suck to have so much egg thrust in their face like what was dished out today. The ugly truth is a hard pill to swallow but somebody needs to jam it down their throats and wake them up from this Shangrila existance they have been living. Most of them were in diapers or not even born back in 1974 when everything went pear shaped for the club. Most of them only know one manager for United and that is Fergie. Christ, they never had to suffer through Tommy Docherty or God forbid, Big Ron. They have their football fetish fed to them with a silver spoon and what they need to know is that there is another side to all this. Sports like life is cyclical and all good things don’t last forever and all bad things don’t last forever. United have had their run. Like the Dallas Cowboys under Tom Landry, or the New York Yankees under Stengel or Torre or the Miami Dolphins under Don Shula or fianlly the Boston Celtics under Red Auerbach, all dynasties will crash and burn eventually because all great coaches or managers eventually retire or basically lose that edge.
How do we know this mate? Life experience? I have lived through the rise and fall of the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Boston Celtics etc etc. The Tom Landry’s, Don Shula’s and Red Auerbach either retired on top, or they stayed around too long and well past the time when the game passed them by. Today’s arrogant and selfish mercenary of a footballer is not the kind of player that is going to sit and listen to a man like Alex Ferguson. He won’t scare them. If he treats them poorly, a call is made to the agent and orders are given to find him another team to go to. Loyalty, commitment and pride is only found in a small percentage of todays players.
In the NFL legendary coaches like Shula and Landry ended their careers with losing teams because the modern hiphop induced athlete of today was no coachable in the old school manner that these men were used to working with. They had lost the locker room and the ear of players because they no longer could relate. Like I said, the game passed them by. Instead younger coaches with enthusiasm and drive and a personality that understood the young athlete of the era emerged and these old legends were sadly phased out of the game.
I fear that this is what is happening to Fergie. He no longer has every ear in the dressing room and nobody fears him anymore. He’s almost 70 and has softened over time. No longer do players have to worry about getting a tongue lashing, the hair dryer or special treatment during training. And even if they do get it, they don’t care. Even the scrubs are spoilt millionaires that couldn’t give a shit and above all, none of them give a shit about the fans. It’s just the way things are. Perhaps our young members will keep in mind that experience an knowledge in such things over time gives people like you and me a different and more accurate perspective on things.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:10
@Redrich: One thing is for sure my friend. Thanksto your comments a few weeks back, I have grown a thicker skin and am prepared for anything that is thrown at me. It’s not our fault that the truth hurts so.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:13
@Redrich: I’m just louder and I post far more than you. So if I am more influential, that is the reason. I for one have always enjoyed and gathered a lot from your posts and the fact we are close in age really helps me a lot because it’s good to know there is someone out there that relates or understands my perspective on things. I think your passion on things is just as good mate without necessarily getting on people’s nerves like I do. I have a talent for pulling their temper triggers.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:14
@Red Ranter: Often imitated but never duplicated.
Lets put it this way, to quote the late great Rodney Dangerfield, “It’s not easy being me.” Not to mention the famous, “I tell you, I get no respect”.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:14
@Grognard: Yep for the first time in my life I actually hate some of our players, and that NEVER happened before since the 70’s.
One other little thing I’ve noticed about SAF which you don’t get to see so much on the TV coverage of any given game, is how he just sits in the dug-out now and lets the team get on with things, even when things are going bad. A few years ago he’d be animated and maybe even be up and down the touchline/technical area. I respect the fact he’s getting on in age etc but something is very different about him.
MUTV “The complacency channel” don’t help either.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:21
@Red Ranter:I do wish I could post earlier in my day, but alas, I’m still a slave to the grindstone.
The banter back and forth isn’t really a big kick for me, but the ability to share my thoughts about United in such a lively forum gives me a resason to turn on my ‘puter every day. I thank you for that RR.
The edginess of yesterdays blog and the success of “The World According to Grognard” shows the attraction toward a passionate way of portraying these musings.
Grognard will learn to pick the right fights!!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:51
Now we have to end up fifth spot at the end of the season and get kicked out of the Champions League group stages for SAF to see how truly fucked we are. SAF probably wants to see how cheap he can go without spending much to win the PL and the CL.
It’s really becoming fucking hard to watch this team play. Not a single player deserves a spot on the team. Please overhaul.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:52
@Darth Red Diablo: Sorry mate, if “Megs” had gone preggo, I would be terrified. Because, we broke up two months ago, so I would be screwed if that had happend!
But its got something to do with a girl, that much I can say.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:53
@NicoQB: Peace and love mate, peace and love…
August 20th, 2009 at 6:57
Is it just me, or is Cupid really that fat?! Shocked me to be honest, his parents should try not to feed him choclate and Pizza 24/7. My God, he may have hammered my head, but I think it would hurt more if he just fell on me!
BTW, I didnt know angles had the ability to make other people fly…
Now I know!
August 20th, 2009 at 8:00
Match report is up. And by my standards, it’s witheringly critical.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:04
@RedDave: The talk shows on MUTV is completely cringe worthy and insults the intelligence of the United fan.
If sugar-coated punditry can cause diabetes. The only advantage of MUTV is that we can watch the reserves and replay of United matches.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:04
I’m with grog with this one, we will definitely not finish above the top four with this bunch of clowns playing. We are still to play liverpool,arsenal,chelsea, totenham and city, and if what i saw today is any indicator(and it is)we will loose to all the above teams. It’s well and good to have average players but we need to buy a midfielder who will win us games like ron did. If bayern want 100 mil lets give them 100 mil. I believe ronaldo was personally carrying this team alone for two years, and those who believe rooney can do half what ronaldo could are seriously deluded.
I feel like i could just curse at someone at the team, but its not the players fault, their manager is just old, and has no more gas left in the tank. When we are loosing against a team like burnley you would expect him to atleast come to the touchline and say a word or two.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:15
@spizzy: Mate you should have a MIND OF YOUR OWN, and not be swayed by anybody else’s opinions, stick with your own. NEVERTHELESS, I do believe that SAF deserves respect. Not for the last couple of seasons, because I think a lot of things with the team have been obviously in need of remedy. I think what I addresssed with you yesterday Spizzy, was that you were CALLING SAF senile, and old man etc. That is age discrimination in my book. I am ok with people having issues with the decline in attractive, attacking and real dynamic football of our team, and our poverty in midfield. Also SAF’s team selections, and square peg in round hole positionings. I have criticised all these things myself over a long time now. It is the vilification of SAF’s character and his age that I feel is disrespectful, and not the other things regarding team comment. Whatever the state of things right now, and whether the kind of football many United fans have known and loved is ressurectable or not, SAF has still been the best Manager in the PL since its creation, and spoilt us over the years with MOST magnificent cavaliar football. I object to people calling him senile, and I don’t believe that anyone who says they are Man United thru and thru, and use those terma regarding SAF are really not United fans, and just want to use forums to vomit their bile all over them. SAF is many things, but he isn’t senile, ans SAD will be the day if he ever suffered that misfortune. Would I like some new and dynamic coach to come in – YES. Alongside SAF, because I believe that SAF IS TIRED, and could do himself with a new injection of dynamic coaching around him. I also believe that SAF will be sailing into the sunset soon, and of his own volition. I don’t believe he will be pushed, because of fan furore. Man United are loyal to their long standing servants, as you can see with Giggsy, Scholesy, and Red Nev.
I don’t care for the snooze football we have been dished up for a couple of seasons now, even if in the end it did win us the league. I have spoken up about this as well many times over. Our MF lack also. Yet I will be at Wigan, with a good bunch of lads, WHO TRULY are United til they die. I will be at all United weekend games, but I can’t get to the midweek ones now, living up here in the sticks
. I find the kind of performances of last night, that we have suffered increasingly over 2 years now – heartbreaking and torture to watch. Yet, I still do it, because I have loved Man United since infancy, and for as long as they or I exist. I try not to dwell in the twilight zone of depressing negativity as some love to do, but hope for better things, and that goes for my personal attitude to life too. Yeah there are moments of tears, but far more moments of enjoyment in life, and I make choices to NOT stay in SAD lands too long. I also avoid people like the plague, who want to just live in the crippling atmosphere of negativity. We should all benefit from laughing our way thru life. If indeed we are in for a few seasons of downhill-ness from our team, which has been hovering for some time now, then I would rather look back up than down. I quickly get UP again, otherwise you effect everybody around you with all negative shit, and I don’t want to be like that, so Wigan here I come!
August 20th, 2009 at 9:55
@spizzy: The me get this straight then:
1, You now do not “admire” Ferguson regardless of the fact that he has in the past three seasons, won the league three times, Europrean Cup and the League Cup, because we have a lost a game.
2, Ferguson should “fucking” retire regardless of the fact he is the greatest manager in the clubs history.
3, He should take three of our most loyal and decorated players with him, because we have lost a game.
4, “He” not the Glaziers won’t spend the money, they are the owners after all and have the say where the money goes and all, because are you saying that he is an alcoholic and wants to “booze up” on a beach in France.
5, We won’t finish in the top four over Spurs, City becuase we have lost one game.
6, We need to spend £100m in Ribery, that will gaurentee we win the league, regardless of the fact he is playing for Bayern and they have two points out of a posible six so far.
7, Rooney is not a good footballer.
8, Fergie cannot go to the touchline and have a go at the player because he is “old”.
With fans like you who needs rivals.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:13
@Craig Mc: I didn’t want to spark an argument with you yesterday about how i really felt about our tactics and general direction ferguson was taking the club, I figured we will still play shitty footy but still come out with a 2-1 win. But now after I have seen how a recently promoted side picked us apart, it’s like they knew exactly what to do to beat us, they let us keep possession but they knew we would never really harm them. Anyone here hyping burnley as a good side are seriously missing the point, its not how good they were, point is we should have beat them even at their best, this is united last time i checked, EPL winners and arghh you know the rest.
@Stephen: Please spare me the juvenile ridicule, do I want united to go down the pecking order in England just so we can keep our loyal old decorated players and watch slow italian football while at it, NO. If I wanted to watch old men at it i would be supporting AC Milan right now. But even milan seem to have realized old is not gold and are buying and bidding for young talented footballers.
It’s not about loosing one game, its the way we lost the game. Its the continued decline in quality, it the lack of a fighting spirit at the club, its the lack of quality players, its the sheer contempt some of the players go about their business.I’m now reading that ferguson is blaming the players, I can’t believe this guy, He has the money to buy quality players but he shoves it up … then has the audacity to blame the weak players he fields? You can’t win the jackpot then keep your worthless hyundai and expect your hyundai to run like a ferrari just because you have gone up the social scale. And it’s becoming pretty obvious pretty quickly who won us the league and the champions league, it wasn’t fergie, it was CR7.
Successfull he might have been but if his time is up, his time is up. This team needs some new blood, the football we are seeing would be acceptable from a new manager, but not from a guy who’s been in the helm for over 20 years, and we know he’s better than this, we all know this, so what could be causing the decline in performance, I say his spirit is gone, he’s tired and needs to retire.
Ofcourse we will watch the wigan game, and arsenal and so on, and support united even if they fall from grace, but as long as we have blind fans not voicing there disagreements and letting the board know of the dipping of form and sheer lack of fighting spirit then three, four years from now we will be competing for a place in the uefa cup not the champions league.
Unless something is done, don’t expect this to be just a bubble or slow start to a successful season, we are going to loose more and more games like this. Open your eyes mate. There is no CR7 suspended for the next three games, no CR7 out after an operation, basically what you know see is what you have, ther is no one coming to save us now, and its all down to ferguson and his stubbornness.
About Ron,Yes, I’ll say this and please feel free to criticize, if rooney is the player who will carry united forward, we are doomed. He is no CR7 and he doesn’t even come close.
August 20th, 2009 at 16:29
@Redrich:
My Friend suggested a few weeks ago that I should start my own blog and he suggested I call it “The World According to Grognard”. So naturally I find it funny that you should call my rants that. 