Sep 21
Chelsea v Man Utd: Preview
The magnitude of the situation has been spelled out by pundits and fans alike. SAF recognises the importance of not falling nine points behind Chelsea. Win today and we’ll be three points behind with a game in hand. Lose and we’ll be — you guessed it — nine points behind; not a situation one might want to be in so early.
In the run up to the game, there is good reason for a lot of fans to feel less optimistic about our chances today, but there have been positive indications that we may do alright. Defeat, however, will be harder to take despite all that’s being made about Chelsea’s imposing home record.
The game will be won or lost in midfield and Chelsea have shown superiority over us in their ability to impose themselves in midfield in recent times. Last season’s encounter is an example in this regard.
In team news, Fergie has pretty much a fully fit side to choose from, barring Carrick and Vidic. I think he is faced with big decisions and his man management skills will be tested to the full.
I hope he doesn’t fall to the temptation of playing all four upfront. The Portugueezers must play on the wings and either Rooney or Tevez must partner Berbatov. We’ll have to wait to see how that unfolds.
About predictions, well I’m at my most optimistic when I say 2-1 to United. I can’t really preview anything more that’s not already talked about.
Cheers, and come on you reds!!!
Related items from Red Rants:
- Porto it is then…
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Rooney Out For A Month
Tags: Game Preview
September 21st, 2008 at 10:45
I would not be happy with a draw. Why? Because Liverpool made me feel sick last weekend, Villareal got a draw from us at our place and lets face it- Chelski not losing a game at the Bridge for over 4 years is embarrasing and an absolute shocker for me. The last game we lost at Old Trafford was in February. Liverpools last loss at Anfield was against us in December 2007 and Arsenal havent lost since April 2007 either. But Chelski being unbeaten at their own ground for over 4 years? Its impossible really, this is football, such things cannot stand! Someone has got to beat them sometime, why cant it be us? We are the record breakers anyway! And after the weeks(s) we have had, it is time for Manchester United to show what they are made of! Our results this season: 0-0 vs Pompey, 1-1 vs Newcastle, 1-0 vs Pompey again, 2-1 loss to both Zenit and Liverpool and then a 0-0 draw against Zenit. Stats: 1 win, 3 draws and 2 losses. I mean, COME ON!!! We are not Derby, even though we have faced some tough sides, that record is terrible. Its better than last season, but if we dont lose today it will be the worst start we have had since 1972! We are Premiership and European champions, the top scorers of both competitions last season. Player vs Player, we have the best ones. I would choose Berba over Drogba, Rio over Terry, Evra over Cole, Rooney over Anelka, Carrick over Lampard, Anderson over Deco and certanly Ronaldo over all their wingers packed together- Cole, Malouda, Kalou…. Nani, Ronaldo and Park are better than all of them! We want to win the most, we are the better team, we are the champions and we have the ebst manager in football history. All they have is a comedian who looks like Pinocio! Feck `em! They have been unbeaten for such a looong time its inbarable and annoying. The only team deserving such a home record is Manchester United FC. So lets crush them!
When you are playing against players like Drogba, Cole and Lampard that simply isnt good enough. A right back as a Centre back, a midfielder as a right back and a lousy Cb as a Lb. We lost that game because of a penalty that never should have been either. So I think if we put our strongest team up today, we can/will win. team prediction:
Now, United havent put a really strong squad up at Stamford Bridge since 2002, and thats the last time we beat them. Last season we played with Silvestre, Roooney, Fletcher and Nani. Ronaldo on the bench, Tevez on the bench and Evra on the bench. Vidic got injured early so our back line most of the game was : Hargo-Rio-Brown-Silvestre. ???
VDS
Brown Rio Evans Evra
Ronaldo Fletcher Scholes Nani
Tevez Berbatov
result: United win, I dont wanna predict how much or what result, I just know we will win. Its time for the Champs to step up and show what they are made of.
COME ON YOU REDS!!! Lets give the blues the blues!
September 21st, 2008 at 10:59
Okey, some mistakes in my last comment. 1st: 0-0 draw was against Villareal and not Zenit. 2nd: “Its better than last season, but if we dont lose(!) today it will be the worst start we have had since 1972!” That was meant to be: “Its better than last season, but if we dont win(!) today it will be the worst start we have had since 1972!” I ama little chunky today. Dunno why…
September 21st, 2008 at 11:45
@RedDevilEddy:
kudos with not playing all our strikers together. i wouldn’t mind any of the 3 pairing options up front: roovez, berba/roo or berba/tevez. but then again, this is on paper, we havent seen the last two pairings in action yet. i do hope ronaldo starts, he looked fired up in midweek and seemed to be in the form of his life, yet again!
i doubt Evans will be given a start though. I don’t mind the young lad being thrown on the big stage (like Pique last 2 seasons). But I think Sir Alex will go with more experienced blood…maybe O’shea or Neville on the right with Brown at CB. I do hope Brown bucks up..he was walked over by Reira last weekend. And neville’s crossing is sucking bigtime.
September 21st, 2008 at 12:02
im sorry……………but……………….manu will win 3-0!!!!
rooney will score a volley and chip while ronaldo will send in a cracker of a 30 yard freekick!!!!!!
go on manu
September 21st, 2008 at 12:09
@RedAllTheWay: Thats what I dreamt last night, but I dont think(but I hope) anything like that will happen. But, I have a good omen to share with you.
Last time Liverpool beat us at Anfield in the League(before last weekned): 2001/02 season.
Last time United beat Chelski at Stamford Bridge: 2001/02 season.
September 21st, 2008 at 12:16
things are looking up at last
September 21st, 2008 at 12:16
@RedDevilEddy: i admire your optimism! go reds! oh and btw, terry is a cunt..
September 21st, 2008 at 12:50
Well I would not go as far as say it is a must-win but we cannot afford to lose. A draw would be sufficient because if we win our game in hand we will only be three behind Chelsea and that can be corrected by winning at home against Chelsea which we really should be able to do if we are to be worthy of the Premier League.
For me the reasaon we have to win is psychological. It hurt Chelsea a lot losing to us in the Champions League. Now if we could also beat them on their home ground, they would really start thinking they were inferior to us. They are over-confidennt this season with a new boss, a good start and Deco. We need to knock the wind out of their sails.
September 21st, 2008 at 12:53
team news?
September 21st, 2008 at 13:00
@dan(u-ol): Not yet Dan, maybe in 15 minutes.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:02
berba and rooney starts-sky sports.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:07
Fergie no Scholes and Giggs plss…
September 21st, 2008 at 13:11
nani, giggs tevez and ronaldo on the bench, why play fletcher on the wing when we have nani, madness.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:11
can someone pls give the full team news..??
September 21st, 2008 at 13:12
Ok Sidharth, here it is:
VDS
Neville
Rio
Evans
Evra
Scholes
Hargreaves
Park
Fletcher
Rooney
Berbatov
September 21st, 2008 at 13:13
vds
neville
rio
evans
evra
fletcher
hargo
scholes
park
rooney
berbatov
subs
PIG
brown
oshea
tevez
nani
giggs
ronaldo
September 21st, 2008 at 13:15
we’re gonna be destroyed from the right and we have practically no creativity on the left, excellent fergie, you want a midfield battle, oh wait, we are playing chelsea. what was saf smoking when he picked this side.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:16
why the fuck is not Brown starting i hope Neville doesn’t get exposed…apart from that i don’t mind that line up although i would have liked to see Nani start in place of Fletcher
September 21st, 2008 at 13:17
GK: VDS
RB: Neville
CB: Rio
CB: Evans
LB: Evra
RM: Hargreaves
CM: Fletcher
CM: Scholes
LM: Park
CF: Rooney
ST: Berbatov
September 21st, 2008 at 13:17
@dan(u-ol): U sure? Horror Midfield! I mean no width! Should have played atleast EITHER Nani or Ronaldo.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:19
Interesting team selection by Sir Alex, quite defensive but with a draw at half time we have great attacking options to change the game around (I think Chelsea will run the game the first 45, just hope they will not score). We could discuss if the gaffer has too much respect for Chelsea but I trust him on knowing this best =)
However, I would have preferred Brown to Neville. Wonder why he is suddenly finding himself out of the team when Gary made little to justify his inclusion…
September 21st, 2008 at 13:19
GK: VDS
RB: Neville
CB: Rio
CB: Evans
LB: Evra
RM: Hargreaves
CM: Fletcher
CM: Scholes
LM: Park
CF: Rooney
ST: Berbatov
subs: TK, Oshea, Brown, Giggs, Nani, Ronaldo, Tevez. Where the feck is Anderson?
September 21st, 2008 at 13:20
@RedDevilEddy: that make sense, putting hargo on the right, but now the midfield is extremely weak.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:22
one thing i’ll admit, if we are still in the game in the 60th minute, we have options to bring on to try and change it.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:23
Scholes???
In my whole goddamn life, I will never understand team selection logic.
Why Brown is on bench?
Is fergie still under impression that Brown scored that OG against LooserFool…
September 21st, 2008 at 13:24
Listen, I have some reasons to play that midfield. Fletcher: Works hard in big games, runs very much and always puts in a great game against Chelsea. Scholes: Like Deco, weak and cant tackle, but a really good passer. With Fletcher next to him we will have a hard worker and a playmaker. Hargreaves: Amazing crosser, and with Berba up front we need those crosses. And if needed, he can join the CM and work. When United defend, he will be CM, when we attack, he will be RM. Park: Works hard, can tackle as a winger and not such a bad crosser. He is really unpredictable, and against Chelski that is needed. K?
September 21st, 2008 at 13:27
I have no problem with the team selection at all. The key is to not go into half-time a goal or two down. As long as we’re level then, we can change the game anytime when needed and win it.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:28
whats the line up for the rentboys??
September 21st, 2008 at 13:29
Manchester United Football Club will win against Chelsea Football Club today.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:41
Where on earth is Brown in the starting 11? Someone explain to me why he isn’t ahead of either Neville, who has started in the league since March, or Evans who is still young and inexperienced. Also I’m a bit disappointed Anderson didn’t make the bench.
Utd to win 2-1, Berbatov to score both
September 21st, 2008 at 13:44
My prediction for the match: 2-2.
United come from behind to equalize both times.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:52
Just last words before the match!
This IS the chance Wayne Rooney can get!
Today he has no excuses! Playing as a second striker behind Bervatov! No Today its either make or break for him!
I am going for a 2-1 to MUFC!
Berba to score and then Rooney to win the 3 points!
Cheerio
September 21st, 2008 at 13:52
deco injured
September 21st, 2008 at 13:55
Yeah, Deco out, Ballack in.
September 21st, 2008 at 13:55
@dan(u-ol): that tones down their midfield quite a bit. though ballack has a nasty habit of doing well against us
September 21st, 2008 at 13:57
@abood89: exactly, i would imagine ballack being worst…
September 21st, 2008 at 13:59
No surprises on the team selection except Nani not starting ahead of Fletcher and no place for Brown. I am relishing seeing Rooney and Berbatov combining and the prospect of bringing Tevez and Ronaldo on later to turn the game.
I guess the idea is that Park and Fletcher offer a lot defensively and will peg back Chelsea’s right backs. Or maybe Fletcher is playing narrow in midfield and Park will drift to the left and Rooney will drift to the right so it will interchange between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3.
September 21st, 2008 at 14:02
any links guys?
September 21st, 2008 at 14:08
sorry to ask, but im out sick today, and i cant go to my usual haunt to watch the match, any chance someone can help me with a link to how to watch the match online?
September 21st, 2008 at 14:21
PARK PARK PARK
FANTASTIC
1-0 UNITED
September 21st, 2008 at 14:23
WOoohhoo!!!…PArk you’re so the man!!
September 21st, 2008 at 14:26
That’s a lesson to all of us. Whatever we do, we shouldn’t lose faith to Sir Alex. He’s the man!
September 21st, 2008 at 14:56
we need to take scholes off i get the feeling of a red card here… ronny on for hargreaves and then wait for a little while and put tevez for berba he doesn’t look too sharp at the moment.
September 21st, 2008 at 14:56
link to the game
http://www.justin.tv/andrelink
September 21st, 2008 at 14:57
The difference from last week? We look more HUNGRIER today.
September 21st, 2008 at 14:57
yea i wouldnt mind seeing hargo move to middle and put on ronny or nanni
September 21st, 2008 at 14:58
Berbatov made a huge mistake in that 3 on three counter attack….he should have passed the ball better to Park…… 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0
September 21st, 2008 at 14:59
I just love it when goals come from from the midfielders…
Ronaldo should replace Scholes before he gets second yellow… Hargreaves could play in the center then…
September 21st, 2008 at 15:00
We are giving a lot of position a way with every ball we just clear. We gotta continue to try and build through mid-field. Does Scholsey need to come out? Big game, has a yellow, could move Hargro and Fletcher in the middle and bring in Ronaldo?
September 21st, 2008 at 15:00
Wow my words exactly Andy
September 21st, 2008 at 15:01
for scholes cuz the ref has it out for him
September 21st, 2008 at 15:02
Have to say, good game so far. Entertaining. United disappeared after scoring but were clearly the better team before.
Berbatov is doing so-so, so is Rooney and yet again our best player is Evra!!
Evra – better than Ronaldo
September 21st, 2008 at 15:02
September 21st, 2008 at 15:06
just seen the new fifa advert. rooney an united feature heavily. come on united, stick it to chelski.
September 21st, 2008 at 15:08
That weak Berbatov pass to Park was very unfortunate. 0-2 there and goodbye Chelski. I hope we won’t regret it in the end.
September 21st, 2008 at 15:30
neville has lost it, he is past it!! berba is showing his laziness, and united are begging to get the score levelled..
and rooney has been really good…
September 21st, 2008 at 15:51
That was a huge mistake by Berbatov I told you……..O ‘Shea my boy what the fack are you doing there???? Is it the first time you see a ball in the air????? Boy oh boy you re so stupid
September 21st, 2008 at 15:56
twice in a week we blew a lead
September 21st, 2008 at 15:59
fuck this chicken head lookin ref what a prat
September 21st, 2008 at 16:01
last game for neville there, was it?
September 21st, 2008 at 16:02
Ah it was touch and go for we we played well but that goal was another putter. Same sort of start as last season. But we should really get firing on all cylinders soon. This showed grit and determination in this side. I think we can progress from here. We need a good run and Chelsea need to be head two more times and we are with them!
September 21st, 2008 at 16:02
Fergie Blew it with the last substitution. He should have taken off Fletcher or Berbatov, we were effectively without any wingers after Park went off due to Ronaldo playing so central
September 21st, 2008 at 16:03
Finally Rooney’s brainless antics costed us…
September 21st, 2008 at 16:04
Scratch that…the defense’s lapse in concentration cost us.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:05
Can we talk about how poor the officiating was today? He completely favored Chelsea throughout the match. Identitcal challenges got different punishments. Cole can come in late but Rooney and Scholes can’t. Kalou can dive in with two feet and doesn’t get a warning and when Ronaldo shows he is upset, he gets booked. I think it was 6 – 1 in yellow cards, absolutely ridiculous! Not only that but any 50/50 call went to Chelsea. I am not one to complain to much about the ref as he didn’t end up costing us the game.
Rooney once again lets his temper decide his actions and NOW it has cost us. It cost us three points. He needs to get it together and until he shouldn’t be in the team.
Fergie made some mistakes to me, Chelsea got a lot more dangerous with the introduction of Ronaldo. He should have left Park on, take Berba off for O’Shea, and play Fletch and O’Shea in the middle, Hargo and Park outwide. Those two did fantastic against the wide play of Chelsea. Chelsea created chances but not where they got behind our wide backs and got easy crosses in.
All in all, a fair result. Chelsea came forward well, as did we. Ronaldo, Berba, and Rooney didn’t look great today and need more time to get fresh, fit, and learn to play together. I was upset not to see Tevez, his work effort just wins us games sometime. Can’t complain beside the officiating which I thought was nearly horrendous. We stayed with in touching distance and we need to just pick up good results at home against the pool and Chelski!
September 21st, 2008 at 16:11
Van der Saar 7.0: Good game unfortunate
Stupid passes sometimes , +stupid shots , but he deserves the 8
So not moving
for your class you were a disgrace
Gary Neville 5.5: Let it go my friend … just let it go . You can’t play footy any more and that’s a pitty
Rio 7.5 : Good game no mistake . Ooops ! RED CARD ? What was that?
Evans 7.0 : Nice game , he is better than Pique and very concentrated .
Evra 7.5 : Average defensive play , nothing to mention in attack but he was there in the goal!
Scholes 6.5 : A Scholesy appearance … Sometimes he was sooooo calming down …. When he was replaced we just dropped down down deep down.
Fletcher 6.5 : Good play !
Hargreaves 6.0 : Sorry, but he is out of ofrm
Park Ji Sung 8.0 :
Rooney 6.0 : Just calm down … For your class you were very average my friend especially when you had that crucial first pass to make.Anyway nice passes up front nice dribbles but CALM THE FACK DOWN
Berbatov 6.0 :
Ronaldo 5.0 :
O’Shea 3.0 : My oh my ! Just … just fack off
Kuszack 7.5 : Nice move there ! I mean he stopped that Joe Cole shot . Should he stop that freekick that lead to the goal? Hell,no Big John’s mistake.
Fergie 5.5 : Why ? Why ? Why? Garry Neville ?????? O’ Shea ? WHY ? WHY? WHY ? WHY? WHY? Ronaldo was not ready it’s not his fault . Rooney got mad without reason …. AGAIN ….. fringe him just for one or two games …..
P.S. O ‘Shea you are going to have nightmares tonight
September 21st, 2008 at 16:13
nobody marked kalou, there was no body on him, and PIG just watched the damn header straight to our net. fuck we couldve won it. we couldv ended their streak right there. but what a goal by park! we couldv been 2 nil up. but we couldv lost it also, chelsea were making alot of chances.. well i could live up with the draw.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:16
@NiKOS: yes i’ll have nightmares.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:16
I am really tired of conceding lazy ass goals like this. Our deffence is the shadow of the last year, don’t want to talk. A loose would have been worse, but conceding goal like that, from Rooney’s idiocracy. He misses the chance and then screwes up. he sdould really be benched to learn a lesson
September 21st, 2008 at 16:17
we could have won it, but it slip away from us… but not everything comes in favor on our way right?…
September 21st, 2008 at 16:18
Berbatov for me is not justifying his value. His passes were poor and really did not do much. At least Tevez offers something defensively and works hard for the team. He hasn’t had a pre-season, hasn’t trained much with the team and Tevez was the form player.
We should have subbed Ronaldo for Berbatov and kept our shape.
Rooney was hugely impressive. Involved in every move and doing a lot defensively. In the big games we need that.
Defensively we were sloppy. EVDS does not inspire me with confidence and Kuz blundered for the goal. Ultimately we should be able to keep a 1-0 lead but we have failed to do that twice in two weeks. It is hard to believe we were the tightest defence in the league last season
In the end 1-1 is not a disaster. We are only six points behind and with a game in hand. We should win at Old Trafford which will put us level and we are only going to get better as we always do as the season progresses.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:18
and tevez should have played also..
September 21st, 2008 at 16:22
the fact is we failed to maintain our lead (parky, 18′).
next game is vs boro right?.. maybe that’ll help berba kick start his game..
September 21st, 2008 at 16:26
Mike Riley was kind of nice today, he is handing out cards..
he is so generous and so kind… 
hahaha lol.. sarcasm. 
September 21st, 2008 at 16:28
Berbatov is not yet match fit…he was really huffing and puffing after the first 20…the guy should be a min 60 sub at this point in the season…he needs to start buying into the united way…our defense start from the forwards….Neville I agree is just not better than the other right back options we have. For experience we have Scholes, Rio, Evra, Hargo…we don’t need Gaz…its unfortunate but its time to move him on…I have issues with Hargo…his technique just seems off for me…maybe beacuse he is being played out of position…apart for some nice crosses he was very average…I think Fergie got the tactics right except for the Gary neville decision…you could see chelski were trying to exploit him in the 2nd half…unfortunate..i really believe if we had played a bit smarter we could have gotten a result…we needed solid defense and hard workrate today and with the lineup I think we got that…
September 21st, 2008 at 16:32
Oh my God… won’t you Rooney bashers stop even now?
He was one of our top two players today, and was involved in everything creative we did. Fine, one bad tackle and they got a goal from the resulting free-kick but you fault the goal to Rooney?? Kuszack’s Blundered there! It was 6yds out and he just stood there. Perhaps I should also point out that if it wasn’t for Rooney, we could have gone 2-1 down, he tracked back and just got a touch on the cross else Drogba would have scored.
To summarize, a draw is a fine result for us. Maybe not being able to break the unbeaten run is disappointing but that will eventually get broken some day. What’s more important is that we’ve got a point off them at their home game.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:34
@john freakin’ o’shea: That’s a Carling Cup match though, we ain’t gonna see Berba play that day. Manucho though!
September 21st, 2008 at 16:34
is it just me, or is berba living up to his reputation of being LAZY. he hardly defends and always just seems to mope around?!
September 21st, 2008 at 16:36
@antsBoy: oh i see, its a goodthing then, i could finally see manucho play.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:38
we were forced to change shape bc of 7 fucking yellows ridiculous without them we could have seen teves come in on the wing
colver yea berba was sleepwalking up front ronny should have brought him off but scholes had the yellow.
ref blew the game for us but we should have expected it after Fergi was so critical earlier this week. but it is now there for all to see the bias against mufc calls, rescinded red, scheduling, what the fuck eltse can they do to keep us from a 3peat we may end up conceding the league at some point in favor of another cl trophy for SAF.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:41
Where to start?
Most of us will feel relieved we snagged a point at the Bridge but I for one am disgusted by the performance and by the referee.
We played like a bottom feeder who works hard but shows very little imagination or creativity in the attacking zone. Where has our beautiful football gone? Where is our pace, our overlapping play and strong passing. And can anyone on this team deliver a decent cross? We had our chances to go up 2-0 but we never really had the positive feel to do so. Berbatov I am afraid to say looked pathetic out there. Lets be fair, he is coming off a knee injury and he looked like he was favoring it a bit. He looked slow and lets be honest, the service to him was horrible. Rooney had his moments but as usual, there were more than enough moments where he did his chicken with it’s head cut off imitation. Never more so than when he picked up his yellow card and helped Chelsea score their goal. Why was Tevez not out there? Why was O’Shea brought on for Park who was our best player and who gave us speed, desire and width? Although Neville never cost us a goal, he played poorly at times showing inability to run with players and lashing out with reckless tackles. Why was he chosen over Wes Brown? How many times have we given up goals on crosses into the box this early in the season?
This game showed me that that something very serious is wrong with our team. We’re good but we’ve lost our quality, our mojo, our world class brashness and attitude. There seems to be a serious lack of pace, confidence and zip in our game. Quite often we stroke the ball around and when it comes time to make that final telling pass or shot, we hesitate and make a meal out of it. We are too static once we get into the opposing third. Players stand around and wait for the player with the ball to do something. Crosses are made that are way off but I see no player heading for the goal or for the near or back posts. There are no give and go’s and successful one on one matchups. I realize that Ronaldo is not match fit but it was sad seeing him easily lose the ball at his feet in one on one scenarios. As for Berbatov, he isn’t in sync with hi teammates yet. This will take some time so lets be a little patient in that regards. Rooney, same old sad story. Fergie has destroyed this player and I for one am sick and tired of seeing it. Evra, has become to offensive minded and has been caught up field far too much for my liking.
And when will any of our keepers make a game saving stop. They hardly get that much work but sometimes you need that one stop to save a game. In fairness, Pig had no chance on the Kalou goal but perhaps he should have come out for the ball. Is it just me but did Darren Fletcher look like the best distributor of the ball in the Chelsea half? I say play the lad more. Hargo looked alright but not aggressive enough on the defensive side. And above all, the whole team is not jelling together and there seems to be know form or shape to our offensive style of play. Defensively we are in bad shape too. Chelsea had plenty of good chances in this game and if not for their poor finishing, they could have won easily. Anelka is an absolute joke of striker. Remember all the rumors linking him with us last year? Thank God for small miracles he didn’t come to play for us.
Finally, there is something wrong with a referee who gives out so many yellow cards for ridiculously small infractions. When all I saw all day was Chelsea pushing, shoving and grabbing all game. I mean what the fuck!
Lets be fair for crying out loud. United deserved 3 yellows in that game and I would have given Chelsea 3 or 4 too. And I still don’t know what happened at the end of the game with Rio? Was he sent off or not? Another example of awful reffing. You don’t blow the whistle at a moment like that to end a game.
I really am hating what I am seeing so far this year. This team really is sucking wind and I am not sure how we will fix things. Ronaldo needs to find his fitness fast and his form faster. I can see why he never started today. Berbatov needs to get more into the game and needs to get better service. Rooney needs to be given a strict role and he needs to grow up. Tevez should not be benched for a big game like this based on the fact he has been our best player this season. Neville needs to be sat down, permanently. And what is to be done with Anderson and Nani. Sophomore jinx? I don’t know but they certainly don’t seem to be part of Fergie’s plans right now. Sorry for the doom and gloom but this game was there for us to win before the kickoff. After halftime we should have won this game. And yet, we blew it and let Chelsea off the hook yet again. Lack of discipline, and lack of quality in certain areas and at key times in a game. I’m totally pissed off and disappointed right now. As I see it right now, this club is incapable of scoring more than one goal a game. No imagination, creativity, desire, discipline and quality when it counts.
The only positive that can come out of this is we never fell further behind the leaders and the fact that we should and probably will get better. Sooner than later I hope.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:41
city is hammering harry redknap’s sqaud…
September 21st, 2008 at 16:43
You are all too harsh on Berbatov… Our attack played well until we scored. Berbatov and rooney were linking up.
EVDS did not seem confident even before his injury (with Foster out too we are not doing to well!)
Neville is a great tackler but is lacking speed which causes Hargo to have to come to cover which weakens our midfield and counter attacking play! But let him come back to form — I will give him to December.
Evans did a GREAT job covering for Vidic and I believe Fergie made the right choice in selling Pique.
We have had tough games this season so far and Berbatov has yet to really play with the team (Away at liverpool and chelsea is not an easy start… even if you cost 30 billion).
Rooney needs a benching… he needs to collect himself and have the pressure come off his shoulders… Tevez is a perfect substitute!
Disappointed with Fergie’s tactics… WAY TOO DEFENSIVE! Taking out scholes without carrick meant we had no possession in midfield which caused us to be over-run. That is what caused rooney to be under pressure, which led to their goal (which was crap!)
I think we will start getting better VERY soon. Ronaldo is back, Berbatov getting acquainted, Vidic coming back, Hargo getting fit. We should be rollin challenging/leading before Xmas.
Just my two cents!
September 21st, 2008 at 16:43
@Jonboi: He’s doing his job up front but he’s not getting any service. All old school strikers look lazy when they aren’t getting the ball. Blame it on the poor service and I think his knee was bothering him a bit as I noticed a bit of a limp.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:45
Why the hell are you bashing Berbatov. This is his second game. Do you expect him to come in like Superman? No. SAF needs to work better at integrating him into our offense. Berbatov can only work w/ what he’s given and that hasn’t been much to speak of.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:48
i listened to the match on the radio… and dispite the cunt who does the comentary who just hates united despite claiming to be neutral.. two things annoyed me today, wait three… wait no, four… ok there were plenty of things… but first the positives… we were up for this game, now weather that has to do with SAF hairdrying them all after l’fool, or just cos it was chelski.. either way we were a differnt team from the rest of the season so far, that and Park we’re the only positives i could take out of this….
now to my rant… this season the defence has been.. im gonna say it… piss poor (in comparison to last season) ok, so we were missing vidic but he’s not been great so far… trying to do more than he should.. evans played well tbh… but J’oshea.. im gonna have to verify this on viewing MOTD but he sounds like he fucked up.. why was he even playing… ronaldo by the sounds of it shouldn’t have come on. but my biggest gripe about today was that Rooney was being a total cunt. every opportunity he had he went to the ref… now i’ve not seen any of the decisions.. just heard them, so i don’t know if the ref gave him a reason to.. but still calm yourself down you twat.. i thought he would have been sent off and his dickheadedness gave them the equaliser.. why (had all subs been used?) did fergie not pull him off and put tevez, he shows passion in the right way.. not by being a mouthy scouse cunt.. but by running his heart out… something which berba could take note of… personally i would bench rooney for a few games… he’s too used to starting.. berba and tevez worked like a dream for the 3 mins against the scouse.
finally, garry your an example in how to be a captain and ( in the past) a right-back… but you’re gonna have to dig deep and regain that long lost form if your gonna play any longer.. that said.. i still would trust you more with most things than wes brown..
good result considering our form and niggiling injuries, but we need to get cracking now… big games are over for a while.. and we should be taking 3 points in every match until we meet chelsea again.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:50
@Don: Spare me mate with the defense starts with our forwards crap. If you enjoy watching Rooney and Tevez play every position on the field except that one called forward, then all the power to you. I for one want to see a forward stay up front and be in position for counters and direct balls fed into him. If we cannot stop the opposition with the rest of the players in the park then we are truly pathetic. Christ I hate that blue collar mentality where a player has to run his socks off and do mundane defensive things in order to be appreciated. Tell that to Eric Cantona. Don’t mess with artists and gifted players by asking them to contribute in unnatural ways. Ronaldo and Berbatov are not defensive players and thus, should not be expected to track all the way back all the time. They are there to score and create goals, not prevent them.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:53
dont hate rooney, he set up plays on our attack, god he even set rio for an almost goal!
September 21st, 2008 at 16:55
IDK what you all are saying about Ronaldo not playing good. We had our best chances in the second half because of him. Were it not for him, we probably wouldn’t have gotten out of our own half.
September 21st, 2008 at 16:56
@antsBoy: All it takes is one bad boneheaded tackle in our zone to change the outcome of a game mate. He blew it and it cost us. If he would learn to contain his anger and frustration and stop twisting off like a stupid 4 year old who suffers from hypoglycemia, then we all would be better off. And really, all his positives amounted to what exactly? Over the years I have been one of the loudest pro Rooney advocates on this site and others. But even i get frustrated and reach a boiling point when it comes to his continual stupidity and stubbornness which never seems to improve. The boy needs to grow up and focus better. He needs to start thinking and stop acting so selfishly. He cost us this game with a stupid foul just because he didn’t get his way from the ref 30 seconds before. If I’m Fergie I bench him for the next two games because of that. If you don’t see it the way many of us do, you never will.
September 21st, 2008 at 17:05
@colver:
Your own comments pretty well explain why Berbatov has been slow to impress. So I guess one can only justify his value if he defeats lack of fitness and familiarity with teammates and style of play in two games?
Perhaps you are being a bit unfair and are jumping the gun a bit. Lets examine things after ten games to see if you are right or wrong.
September 21st, 2008 at 17:08
@MUFC Fan in America: Well put about Berbatov mate. The rest of the team needs to integrate him into our offense better. Actually making good passes and crosses to him would help. He received piss poor pathetic service today. This forced him to play deeper than he usually does.
September 21st, 2008 at 17:11
Wayne Rooney has forgotten how to score goals and he is wayyy off the pace..Giving the ball away umpteen times..
He needs to be benched in favour of Tevez for a few games..
Anyone seen our schedule this year? We play away to top teams every weekend after a UCL game. Its almost like the powers to be are conspiring against a United league win this season?
Which was the last big team in a big league (EPL, la Liga, Italy) to win the league the season after winning the European cup?
Its just too hard..
September 21st, 2008 at 17:12
@Will: OK, I just finished putting Rooney down but when you make a comment like
Are you serious man? Tevez has received 2 red cards for Argentina in his last three outings for them for retaliating physically. He is no fucking angel either.
September 21st, 2008 at 17:13
Last season (9 pts):
Won – Portsmouth away
Won – Newcastle home
Won – Liverpool away
Lost – Chelsea away
This season (5 pts):
Draw – Newcastle
Lost – Liverpool
Win – Portsmouth
Draw – Chelsea
Last season we started DDLW which is just 4 pts… I think we are fine… though we need to win games regularly from now on. And liverpool and chelsea are overrated while Arsenal have already lost one game.
We are fine.
At least that is what I am telling myself until next week
September 21st, 2008 at 17:18
@Grognard: I agree with the fact that it was a senseless tackle and in an almost-danger-zone area. And it’s not as if they didn’t get any other freekicks around the box, they just kept on getting them. My point is this – they got that goal because of a goalkeeping error, nothing else. I would agree if Lampard or Drogba fired in an unstoppable freekick. Then it would 100% be Rooney’s fault. But can’t you see that we could have avoided this goal EVEN though we gave away the freekick? That’s why I think Rooney should not be completely blamed for the goal. It’s almost similar to slating a defender who puts the ball out for a corner when he could have avoided it, and then a goal comes out of the corner due to the goalkeeper flapping and missing it. Whom do you blame here? The defender or the goalie?
September 21st, 2008 at 17:27
tevez and andy shud had played or at least brought in for lazy berba who didnt mark and scholes!
September 21st, 2008 at 17:34
Was Rio really sent off?
September 21st, 2008 at 17:35
@Grognard: so its Berbatov’s job to just stand there while the whole team works to get him the ball? If he wasn’t ready he should have been subbed. I can’t get over that time on the right wing when he got the ball and we had a chance to counter and he started strolling up the touchline and lost the ball
September 21st, 2008 at 17:36
@nagraj: I have been crying conspiracy over this schedule for months now and nobody seemed to care. Perhaps more of you out there may be willing to listen now eh? There is no way United can survive the first half of this killer schedule and still be within striking distance of the leaders. If they do, it will be a miracle.
September 21st, 2008 at 17:39
@Andrei: Nah, I think what happened was that the ref blew the final whistle and Rio thought he was gonna get booked for a foul. Though I’m assuming Rio was being incredibly dumb here or just wound up. You tell me!
September 21st, 2008 at 17:55
@Liam: He’s only going to get match fitness by playing. I do believe that he should have been subbed off around 60 minutes though. Fatigue and poor conditioning is a part of the whole team this year. They all look slow and unfit. Too many exotic trips to faraway places during preseason for my liking. Either that or they have to sack their fitness instructor. Berbatov and Ronaldo I understand but they all look like they are sucking wind
September 21st, 2008 at 18:00
@antsBoy: The nature of the game allows for one moment to make the difference between winning and losing. A defender sending a ball out for a corner is not the same. The defender has no other choice and is doing his job. What Rooney was doing was retaliating after being pissed off with Riley seconds earlier. He chose the wrong time and wrong place to make an assclown of himself and even though Pig played the ball poorly, Rooney’s stupid lapse of judgment gave Chelsea the chance. If you give a team of that quality the chance enough times, they will burn you. Sorry, but his stupidity did cost us 3 points. he needs to play using his head more and his heart less. Too much passion is not a good thing.
September 21st, 2008 at 18:00
the only reason i can think why berbatov was kept on the pitch for 90 min. was to have some physical presence (height) in the box to defend against the chelsea (they are fucking huge…) set pieces. he’s clearly lacking match fitness in my opinion. btw rooney was good today, i can remember 2-3 times he got back in our own box to defend and that too at vital times. though as much as i hate to admit i believe it was a fair result…
September 21st, 2008 at 18:20
@Grognard: our fixture list is indeed hell. after UCL games in midweek we have blackburn, everton, arsenal, citeh and tottenham. even though we do tend to collect points at goodison and white hart lane, those are still difficult grounds to go to and get results. and chelsea on other hand have home games on 5 out of the 6 occasions. plus take into consideration our slow start and the motivation part because of our double the last time around… i think it will be very difficult to win the league (or UCL) again as we still are the team to beat (unlike what the chelscum claim) and i will be very (pleasantly) surprised if we do so
September 21st, 2008 at 18:21
@Grognard: fair analysis there mate. We did well to get a point at the bridge, considering we were outplayed for most of the game. you are right when you say the players look lukewarm and unfit. It’s like they’re all suffering from some kind of hangover. There’s no pace in our attack or the overlapping, rapid counter etc.
The Good thing is, that can be corrected with extra mental and physical fitness training, but the one that really gets me worried is our midfield. It is surprisingly inept at the moment. Last season, we got away with it because we employed a 4-2-4 formation in which our attackers were devastatingly effective and Carrick was on form. However, so far this season, with the key component of that 4-2-4 formation – Ronaldo – missing, we have reverted to a 4-4-2 and our midfield has spectacularly failed to come up with the goods.
We have no effective AMF, all our midfielders have become either DMF’s or CMF’s. What do you reckon? Is this a serious problem or can Ando, Scholes and co get back to doing what they do best, attack?
September 21st, 2008 at 18:31
Im sorry to say this, but some of you are acting like idiots. I dont wanna start and argument, but you really talk like you dont undestand football. Bashing Berba, Ronaldo and Rooney today is unbelievable to me. I am not going to talk so much about the game since I dont know how I feel about it. I dont feel bad as I did against Liverpool or Villareal, but I dont feel so good either. I think its a fair result considering the last time United got a point from Chelski at Stamford Bridge in a match that really meant something was wasy back in 2002(August, not 3-0 win, 2-2 draw). We got a 0-0 draw there in 2007, but that game didnt mean anything, we played with Lee and Dong for cryin out loud. 1-1 is a good result.
Now, Rooney was by far our best player. He didnt score, but he created the goal, the chance for Rio and way more. Had it not been for him, we would have lost the match easily. This is his ebst game so far this season, and with Berba next to him he can only do better. Rooney ruled today!
Berbatov. What can I say? When he joined us he hadnt played or trained in 3 weeks. He got sent to Bulgaria to play a game there 2 days later, then he played against the Scousers after being injured for some days. He got injured in that game and only started training on Thursday. He is lazy? In the first half he was all over the pitch, working hard for every 50-50 ball, every chance he was involved in, he created the goal for Park, he did so much. He even defended when the game was around the 40 minuted mark. He was great, considering he hasnt been fully fit since mid-July. Of cource he was lazy today, he is feckin tired! If he gets a chance against Bolton, I can promise you that he will score at least one goal.
Ronaldo, just back from 2 months of injury, only played 30 minutes since June. Do you guys seriously think he is gonna become like he was last season right away? Give him time, he will need support and fitness. He lacks both at the moment, so cut him some slack.
Some stats that can make you a little happy:
2007/08 results against Pompey, Chelski and Liverpool away: 1 win, 1 loss, 1 draw. 4 points.
2008/09 results against Pompey, Chelski and Liverpool away: 1 win, 1 loss, 1 draw. 4 points.
We have to look at this in a positive way! Its one point gained, not two lost.
September 21st, 2008 at 18:35
Sure I agree Grognard, Berbatov will prove to be a great signing. But given the factors I mentioned I think Tevez would have done better alongside Rooney. Ultimately a target man was never going to see much of the ball and our best chances would have always come from the counter attack which is where Tevez and Rooney excel.
Im also beginning to think there is a fitness issue. It seems we are good for the first thirty minutes then just fade. Where is the United that fights till the final whistle and steals victories in extra time? Surely the point of a pre-season is to help us reach match fitness and sharpness in time to begin a defence of the title?
We have avoided a disaster just by drawing with Chelsea. But a win would have been so sweet. It would have destroyed fortress Stamford Bridge. It would have put us on 7/12 which is acceptable as opposed to 5/12 which is unacceptable.
I also noticed our goal difference is zero. It was only last season we were a free scoring team with a very mean defence. What we need is a few big victories and clean sheets to get our season started. Ronaldo will provide the goals and the defence had better shape up.
By the way did anyone see City? 6-0 is a serious statement of intent. Im looking forward to the derby!
September 21st, 2008 at 20:09
@RedDevilEddy: agree completely with your thoughts on rooney…
September 21st, 2008 at 20:15
I agree with you RedDevilEddy sometimes I wonder how much football some people on this blog really know…
@Grognard… I don’t expect Rooney to be in our defensive third but what I do expect is for the forward to defend from the top…don’t just stand there and watch Terry etc saunter up the field …put some pressure on the ball up top and force them to play the ball into pressure or out to the flanks where we have the sideline as a defender…that is fundamental football mate…Berbatov put pressure on the ball maybe the first 15 min after which he walked around most of the time…I’ll let him off with the match fitness excuse for now…that’s why i love Rooney and Tevez…did you not see the steal he had by winning the ball in our attacking third that almost had Park score his second..if only for Berba’s week lay off…that is the kind of defending I’m talking about.
I think Carrick is a big miss…he is the architect of our forward passing game…I think at this point we just need to get everyone match fit…
September 21st, 2008 at 20:38
@Will: Mate, I agree about the Rooney mouthing off to the officals. If the referee had applied the new laws, which is that only captains are allowed to approach the referee to question things now, and others players who accost the ref and give verbal abuse are to be booked each time, then like you say Bro, Rooney would have been sent off. The ref luckily for Rooney, didn’t apply the rules. Tell me, what was the difference between Rooney mouthing off every feckin few minutes, and Macherano doing the same at OT. We were all feckin incensed by that, but nobody apart from Grog and yourself are honest and forthright about Rooney’s lippiness and posturing.
.
September 21st, 2008 at 20:46
I should have been down at the Kremlin to cheer the lads on today, but the girlfriend got sick yesterday, (and no people – NOT deliberately
), she is flu – ed up to the eyeballs 
. Anyway one of the other lads got to go to the match with my ticket, so I hope he enjoyed the game. Waste of time having Setanta sports, cos the game was on sky today 
. I couldn’t find a link, and was in and out looking after the GF who is languishing in her sickbed, ordering me about 
. So I listened to 5 live, and they were going on about our lads fouling, and ABUSING the ref, being disrespectful etc etc etc, and especially Rooney and Red Nev. Pissed me right off, them talking about our aggressiveness, rather than focusing on the feckin game.
September 21st, 2008 at 20:51
@Don: Errr Don, that’s what the feckin midfielders are for mate, Not the forwards.
September 21st, 2008 at 21:14
@Grognard: not for Manchester United
couldn’t care less about Argentina.
September 21st, 2008 at 21:16
@Craig Mc: cheers man. i seriously hope that Fergie drops him in favour of Tevez, he can always bring him on if things aint working.
September 21st, 2008 at 21:18
@Craig Mc: yea 5LIVE is pretty useless to listen to when it’s a united game.. that Alan Green or whatever his name is hates united… no matter how much he denies it.
September 21st, 2008 at 21:42
@Will: Even leaving aside his hatred for United, Alan Green barely commentates on matches anymore. He spends his time whining about anything and everything that annoys him rather than providing some form of analysis or insight on the match. And given that Sky sacked Rodney Marsh for his Tsunami joke, it has always surprised me that he has survived after making a couple of racist jokes when commentating on matches. As you can tell I really can’t abide the man
September 21st, 2008 at 21:53
@Craig Mc: The referees have not being applying a no talk policy though. And the difference between Rooney and Mascherano is that Bennett was involved in the Mascherano incident, and he is a law onto himself. Lately Rooney seems to be more able to judge where to draw the line with refs.
Rooney’s indiscipline is overrated, he has tread the line a few times but only has two reds in his time for us (one of those in a friendly). If you are going to give off about players risking red cards, Scholes would be far more deserving of attention.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:16
having just watched match of the day… A 5live are cunts, cos they made rooney out to be some kind of monster. B the ref was a cunt cos he was a cunt.
not a very suffisticated argument i know, but it does seem very bias.. well done Gary for having it out with the ref at the end of the game… and you didn’t play nearly as badly as 5live made out. thats the last time i listen to a game on the radio.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:29
Overall I think we can be fairly satisfied with the outcome of the game. We are now through a nasty batch of fixtures without too much damage been done. Considering that we are 4/3 points of the other top teams after four games if we win our game in hand, having played two of out main rivals away from home and one of our bogey away games, we are in a decent enough position. With players starting to gain a bit of match fitness and more favorable fixtures coming up we can hopefully now start to push on.
It was an interesting team selection by SAF and it performed well by limiting the advancing Chelsea full backs. There has been quite a bit of criticism at the withdrawal of Park (ironic given the previous flak sometimes sent in Park’s direction), but SAF did mention that he was starting to tire at that point. The key to Park’s contribution was his energy levels and if they were dipping then it was right to withdraw him.
On the goal conceded, I find it fairly ridiculous to criticize Rooney for it since the free kick was quite a distance out and fairly central. It was a fairly routine set piece to deal with, we were just a bit careless in failing to ensure our marking was reorganized for Kalou’s introduction. There were plenty of other players who give away careless free kicks in more dangerous positions, who don’t even get a mention.
@colver: It was also just last season where we started off very slowly and struggled to score goals.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:33
Agree with many people who say that Roiney should just STFU and get on with his game. I am so tired of watching that immature cunt screwing up our chances and then geting on the ref’s back. Someone said that he created the goal. WTF? He had nothing to do with the goal. Yes he created the chance for Rio, but the Ronaldo created that great chance for him and he side netted. The defeat wasn’t his fault, but the stupidity was. This is not a bad result but considering how the game went he could have won, if he just scored his chance.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:34
If only we forsook the greedy far eastern travails for a year and got a proper preseason in Europe like the gooners do, we’d end up with 95+ plus points..
Its a fact people..
Our central midfield is shite…thats our only problem..even Alonso and Mascherano dominated us…
September 21st, 2008 at 22:37
Before I go to bed I want show some stats that can make this result sound good!
Our results against other top 4 teams away last season: 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss.
This season: 1 loss and 1 draw. If we win at the emirates, we will be very fine!
Our result against Pompey away last season: 1-1 draw.
Our result against Pompey away this season: 1-0 win.
Our result against Newcastle home last season: 6-0 win
Our result against Newcastle home season: 1-1 draw.
All in all, it evens out. The thing that worries me is our lack of ability to put chancec away. Against Pool last week, we had a great chance from Tevez right after the own goal. Today Rio, Fletcher, Rooney and Park all had really big chances, but we only managed to score on one of them. We need to score on those 100% chances, if we dont do that we will have trouble. I am going to be optimistic, we took a valuable point of Chelski and we are playing better. Our team lacks fitness but we will defo get better with each game. With Berba, Hargreaves, Anderson and Ronaldo getting more games we are soon abck on top of our game. Our next PL game is Bolton at home and then Blackburn away. Blackburn really have trouble, so I think we will be better this season than the season before. Hughes, Bentley and Friedel leaving is bad news for them, but good news for us. And a home game against Bolton should be 3 points for United. And with our game in hand against Fulham at home, we will be top of the League soon.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:41
@Will: Will mate, we just got about 17 mins of the match on MOTD on bbc2, 5 live watched the whole game. So we will have to wait to see the whole game on mutv, before we can make rash judgements on the behaviour of our players verbal bashings of referee
. I am sure there was a lot of mouthing off as they said. But I will watch for myself on mutv, then comment again.
JB – ever the diplomat eh Bro?.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:42
I just watched the highligts of the game. Am I wrong, or did Kalou actually push Rio away on their goal? If you look at the United players just after Chelskis goal, youll see that they seem very mad at the ref, Rio and Fletch in particular. Or is it legal to oush a player away in the penalty area when you are the attacking team?!
Bloody cunt of a ref….
September 21st, 2008 at 22:45
I’m happy with a draw, I think most people would have been too this morning. The bridge is a fortress, plain and simple. I don’t really know why that is, but there you go. 1-1 is more than most teams, including the big 4 and European heavyweights will get there. So let’s take it and build some frakking momentum!
Our schedule is ridiculous, I’ve just reviewed it as per Grognard’s post. I’m not sure if Sky make that or what, but it screams a bias. Then again I seem to remember Jose claiming hte same thing a few years ago for Chelsea, so maybe swings and roundabouts. Bottom line, we have a big squad and it’s not like we didn’t know we’d have midweek games. Suck it up.
I can’t wait for us first ‘easy’ game of hte season to see what our team can do. Three of the toughest out of the way without our best player, with a striker that hasn’t gelled and with Hargo and Park having barely played. Let’s start rolling back upt hte table!
September 21st, 2008 at 22:45
@nagraj: I agree with your points completely Bro
.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:46
bloody hell. it’s only just sunk in really… robiniho is playing for Citeh! the world has really gone mad.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:49
@Orez: It was Rooney’s through ball that set Evra free during the build up to the goal. That said the second most productive player in the PL over the past two years does ‘screw up’ our chances alot
By the way, we weren’t deafeted 
@Craig Mc: It feels like devil’s advocate some days
Did you see the analysis Hansen did on Rio? IMO the guy is a cut above virtually any other defender out there at the minute.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:52
@Beachryan: Good attitude mate. If we win our game in hand, as JB and you say, we will be 4 points behing Arsenal and 3 behing L’fool and Chelski. Also Chelsea are losing a lot of their best players too. Arsenal will not go the whole season without injuries, and all these 3 teams have to come to OT, at a time when I hope we will be in our best form. We need the strikers to start putting the ball in the feckin net soon though, cos they are feckin useless for ages now. All our strikers off form at the same feckin time – not good, not good at all. This dry goal spell has gone on too long. They get the chances, but are so feckin inept at putting them away right now.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:54
@Gabriel: You are so right. Last year we brought the ball up through our wingers and now we are requiring more production and offensive input from our central midfielders and they have all been found wanting. But here’s the the thing, I said this at the beginning of last year and people thought I was crazy. Why do I end up looking so much smarter than Fergie when we all know that isn’t the case. Or is it? I honestly think Fergie has gone to the well once too often with Scholes and Giggs and found it empty. Also, what business does that washed up goat Gary Neville have playing over Wes Brown? Brown won that job with his exemplary play last season. Neville has done nothing in my mind to win it back. Captain be damned, he’s finished and he knows it.
He was woeful at times today sucking wind to try to keep up with players.
This team is in serious shape and lacking any creative imagination. And I honestly don’t see it getting much better until somebody actually injects an offensive plan of attack that isn’t out of the 1994 playbook. God I miss the real manager of United Carlos Queiroz. OOPS! That was bloody blasphemy. Apologies to Fergie.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:58
@RedDevilEddy: I see where you are coming from mate but be fair. Before you start calling fellow ranters idiots, please remember that this is a rant site and people are just voicing their dissatisfaction and frustration. I agree with many of your points and many have been unreasonable when it comes to Berbatov and Ronaldo but criticism of tactics, lineups and players who are healthy and supposedly fit is fair game I think. The whole team are is playing Like Wanker FC and that’s the bottom line. So let the folks vent some steam.
September 21st, 2008 at 22:58
@JB: Your right Bro, we weren’t DEAF-eted (your typo
), not deaf at all, but we were totally feckin blind when it came to scoring goals, and defending set pieces 
.
Rooney and from what I saw in that 17 minute cameo on MOTD did DEAFEN the ref with all their screeching
. Yeah, Rio is immense, we would be bottom of the league without him probably. But Evra and fighting Irishman Johnny the excellent Evans, were immense today too.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:01
@Grognard: Grog, ‘Wanker FC’ –
– love it 
.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:03
@Craig Mc: That’s what you get for not proof reading
I would have Evra and Evans up their with Rio, other than for the balls up they made on the offside trap that let Cole through in the second half.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:04
@colver: I disagree a little there mate. A target man was exactly what we needed today to defeat Chelsea’s back four and their height. The problem was our wingers and midfielders inability to get the ball to him. The distribution was terrible and lets face it, due to his lack of match fitness and a sore knee, Berbatov should have been subbed off or come on as a sub. There was no reason for Tevez to not have started this game. Especially since Ronaldo didn’t. I honestly don’t know what Fergie is smoking but I will give him credit for starting Park who was our best player. He certainly would not have started for me. I am a little disturbed at how Fergie seems to have lost confidence with both Nani and Anderson and for me has already paid for their plane tickets to Spain. Players like that will not tolerate sitting on the bench while they star for their national teams. Nani is a better player than Park and he should have started (I hope that puts me on Craig’s Christmas list). He has the talent to make a big play and to service both Berbatov and Ronaldo with quality passes and crosses. Anderson would have injected energy into the midfield which is something that was lacking with Scholes. I just don’t get it.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:07
@Don: Fair enough mate, but we all know that that is not part of Berbatov’s game and it certainly was not part of Cantona’s. He’s a play maker and a goal scorer and lets not expect more from him than that. To expect more is to be unrealistic and to also force him out of his own game to accommodate your desires and expectations regarding work ethic. Let him do his thing and eventually we will be rewarded and start chanting his name with love and adoration. Lets also not forget that he is lacking match fitness and his knee was bothering him too. Not excuses, just the facts.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:11
@Will: Yes but what he does for Argentina could also end up being something he does with us. There is a temper and a retaliation in him that is a concern. Nevertheless I love the guy and would start him over Rooney any day of the week right now.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:15
@nagraj: We need those far east tours because we are cash poor and need the money. Don’t let anyone fool you or convince you of anything else, United are not as healthy when it comes to money because of their debt. They need to make that money through these promotional tours. And it’s killing the players to be sure. The season is already to long and then you have these bloody tournaments every two years. I’d like them to stay in the UK one off season and play Scottish and Welsh teams to get match fit.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:16
@JB: Thing is JB, Evra’s defensive slip could be understood in the light of his frenzied assaults up and down the pitch, trying to make something happen re goals. He was probably shit tired. Apart from that one slip up, (costly), but needn’t have been if hothead Rooney hadn’t chopped Ashley Cole’s ankles off of him, with that out of control challenge.
Regarding your typo, nothing compared to the millions of mine JB
.
Grog,
– you are at the top of the Christmas list now mate for sure 
. Who the feck was supposed to be giving us width on the left wing, because Evra was running himself ragged trying to make things happen. I know Park did great job on the right, but we had a full back trying to make up for 2 people on the left – 
.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:20
@Craig Mc: And trust me mate, I was being kind. By the way, you must be pretty pissed over the way the gaffer is handling poor Nani eh?
September 21st, 2008 at 23:21
@Craig Mc: I think it was Evans playing Cole onside anyway.
You have lost me on the last bit though, Park was on the left wing for most of the game, with Hargreaves right.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:23
@Grognard: Grog everybody has been praising the Glazers of late, saying they have been good for the club etc. However, I saw in one of the papers today, (and we get three
so I cannot remember which one,) that in fact the Glazers have PUT NOTHING into the club, but taken all our earnings out to pay off the interest on our debt, but the actual debt owed is not being reduced at all. We should all persuade the Glazers to SELL to some wealthy dude, who can actually buy the club outright, and pay off the debt, and invest our earnings on more players etc etc etc.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:26
@JB:
– well thats what happens when you only get to see a 17 minute cameo of a game. I could swear that Park was coming in from the right when he scored from Berba’s shot rebound. And for a good while after that. I thought Hargo was in front of our back four???. So who the feck was covering the back 4 then?.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:30
@Craig Mc: As you know, I have had my moments of extreme frustration with Nani but I also know that he had the ideal skill set for handling Chelsea today and for providing service to our two main goal scorers. The fact he didn’t even feature really pissed me off. There comes a time when loyalty and old school thinking has to be flushed down the toilet. Especially when it isn’t netting you a thing. Nani should be playing on one wing with Ronaldo on the other and I’ll be bold enough to say that Tevez or Rooney should be in the middle in a 4-2-3-1 formation. I don’t want to see Park, Giggs, Anderson, Fletcher and fucking John Fucking O’Shea coming on instead of Nani. We are playing like a team in fear and a bottom feeder trying to steal a point on the road. It was bloody embarrassing. Trust me mate, Nani and Anderson are going to go to Spain before Ronaldo does. And then Fergie will cry bloody murder and wonder why they are showing disloyalty. Well when you bench them and show no faith in them and play old men and John Fucking O’Shea over them, then I can’t blame them. And where is Queiroz to calm them down and keep them content and focused. Nowhere. Instead we have Mr Who the Hell is Mike Fucking Phelan playing the role of Wanker Kiss ass to Fergie while silently crying in the closet and wondering what the Hell he is doing on such a big club.
And I’ll give you my wish list for Christmas soon mate. 
September 21st, 2008 at 23:31
@Craig Mc: I think Hargreaves had been out taking a corner on the left side of the pitch prior to the goal, so Park was over on the right at that time. We played with Scholes and Fletcher in CM for the first 55 mins and moved Hargreaves inside when Scholes was replaced. Interesting that Rooney had to come over and point out to the bench that there was no one tracking back on the right wing after the sub
September 21st, 2008 at 23:32
Good poem from Redcafe
Doom, destruction, we’re all gonna die!
We keep making mistakes we can’t rectify,
We’re not top of the league or even second,
It’s entirely possible that relegation beckons,
But what of Europe, what if we don’t win?
Succumbing to failure is a dreadful sin,
We need not win once, but all the time,
Don’t care how we play, the results are divine!
What the fucking hell was that awful display,
I’ve seen better efforts from Sheffield Wednesday,
If we keep up this form, we may win nothing,
Due to the chances that Rooney keeps fluffing.
Berbatov is inadequate, let’s drop Wayne,
I hate him so much that i’d rip out his veins,
Then sell him to Stoke and bring in Benzema,
And Carrick’s a shit name; i’ll break his femur!
How on Earth did we draw to Chelsea?
A team with as much guile as Hatem Trabelsi,
Ronaldo’s a legend yet the rest are pathetic,
Even if he rolls around as if he’s epileptic.
I’m sick of this club so i’ll have to move on,
Our players are shite, bring back Veron,
It’s come to my attention that Abu Dhabi exist,
A club with such finance is difficult to resist!
September 21st, 2008 at 23:35
@Craig Mc: Craig I think that’s coming mate. I read the other day that the Dubai group that wanted to buy Liverpool are now seriously looking at buying United. Although I am not a big fan of these types of owners buying up teams because I think they are bad for the game overall, I welcome them or anybody else with the money to free United of the shackles of this enormous debt and who will once again free the team to do business as they were once accustomed to. I for one have never been a fan of the Glazer’s and I am the loudest critic over there debt and the fact that I believe we are broke when it comes to serious purchasing capital. Lets keep our fingers crossed that somebody with deep pockets buys this club and truly confirms our label as biggest club in the world.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:36
@Grognard: Grog, I am going to be very honest now, which puts one in the firing line on this blog
. I think we were very lucky indeed to not get walloped in this game. Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka missed TWO sitters each. Fergie is going to come unstuck, if he doesn’t get the middle of the park, and our wide players sorted. Our defence was once again put under enormous pressure, from a lack of strength in certain midfielders. Any more failures to score goals, and drawn games rather than wins, IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE to finish out of the top four. But we get stoned on here for the mere mention we might finish outside the top 4. Yet I am just saying that we can’t always take it for granted that we can pull ourselves out of the bloody great holes we make for Fergie and ourselves every season. Now watch Grog, for the accusations thrown on to me, that I am doom and gloom merchant.
September 21st, 2008 at 23:47
@Grognard: Don’t know what Gary Neville was doing on the pitch neither bro
Seems like Fergie just wanted the captain on the pitch for such a big game, besides, he didn’t do too bad either, but brown would have been way more effective.
On the substitutions, i reckon VDS’s injury screwed things up. Fergie had a plan. Contain Chelski’s midfield and wingbacks in the first half, then bring on Tevez, Ronaldo and Anderson for Berba, Park and Scholes in the second and attack. On their introduction, United would have reverted to our holy trinity attack of ronaldo, rooney and tevez with anderson to support while Hargreaves tucks in midfield. But alas, VDS picked up that injury and by the second half, our midfield was suckin air, so we had to introduce O’shea (although would have preferred to put in Ando).
Rooney had a good game today, everything was going thru him. Due to our lack of forward-minded playmaking midfielders, he had to do the playmaking thru the middle and he did it well. Fergie gave him that responsibility to orchestrate things with his vision and he did that well. Shame all people will remember was the free kick conceded, which in fact was a direct reaction to Fergie screaming at him to show more tenacity after a casual, misplaced pass to Ronnie.
We really need to get our midfield in order, so we can get back to our attacking ways. Although, now Ronnie is back, we will just get back to our 4-2-4 and leave the attacking to the forwards as usual. If that happens, it will be a shame, cause this period just past really showed the toothlesness of our midfield when it comes to attack. Carrick used to diguise that defect because he had a lot of defence-splitting ‘forward’ passes, but with him missing, we have no one else, or rather, no one else that has stepped up to the task. Maybe we could give Rodrigo a try?
September 22nd, 2008 at 0:07
An ode back to the Red Cafe.
The Red Cafe, who the Fuck are they?,
.
To write their ode must have taken all day
They think they’re funny, but nobodys laughin,
Their comments, they aint got nobody clappin.
They sit in that Cafe, they pontificate,
In profusion of words they think they are great.
When fans have concerns, about state of our play,
Red Cafe’s smug mugs, point fingers and say.
The things that they said in their poem above,
All fans with concerns are no fucking good.
We’re named ‘glooms and doom’s’, our concerns dismissed,
Because Red Cafe knows best, they’re a cut above the rest.
We are just mere mortals, fans who like to have a rant.
But they’re so superior, whilst our thoughts are pants.
Yet we pays our money, and chant with the rest,
On Man Utd blogs, we get things off our chest.
So bloody what, if we have an opinion,
Who told the Red Cafe, they have dominion?.
If we want to have a go, then so fucking what,
When did the Red Cafe become self appointed boss.
Our team are playing some shite, why should we not say,
Only Zombie fans allowed if Red Cafe have their way.
Don’t have a thought in your head, no diatribe,
Cos Red Cafe shut you all up, NOT ALLOWED to criticise.
Mmmmmm only one thing left to say, and this is it,
I couldn’t give a fuck, I will SAY when players are SHIT.
September 22nd, 2008 at 0:11
@Grognard: I know your Christmas wish Bro – errr lets see eh – ‘Female, Tall, Blonde, curvy, and Gorgeous ‘
. You can change the hair colour if you like 
.
September 22nd, 2008 at 0:15
Craig: Did you write that yourself?
September 22nd, 2008 at 0:21
@JB: Yeah Bro – why do you ask?.
.
September 22nd, 2008 at 0:51
@Craig Mc: Craig I hear you brother. But you know if there is one man who is not afraid to voice his wrath and doom and gloom it’s me. After all, I am the Prince of Fucking Darkness. I said before the season started and before I went on my walkabout that United could easily fall out of the top 4 because of our injuries, lack of purchasing power and terrible schedule. And I stand by that but I will also say that last year we started out just as bad and Fergie righted the ship. I just have serious doubts he can do it this year. We just don’t look as good. Right now we can give major fail grades to EVDS, Brown, Neville, Scholes, Giggs, Anderson, Nani, Rooney and a few others. Only Tevez, Fletcher and Park’s performance today even remotely smells of a passing grade. We stink and we lack so many elements needed for success. Sharpness in goal, defending crosses in the box, pace, grit, movement without the ball, passing ability, crossing ability and above all heart and fitness. Last year at this time my only real gripes were with our finishing and our movement off of the ball. So right now I think we live in a world of hurt.
I’m certainly not going to write the season off and if anyone can correct this mess, it’s Fergie but I do have serious doubts. I really hate questioning and second guessing the man because he has proven all of us wrong so many times, but there comes a time where one must ask some serious questions of his decision making and judgment. Mate this is a rant site and I say let your heart speak volumes. I’m pissed and I’m concerned. And I want, no I demand Fergie proves me wrong. And I want Carlos Queiroz back right fucking now. Fergie’s decisions are going to piss off our young Portuguese speaking contingent and I smell dissension looming. And I really can’t blame them. These are trying times mate.
September 22nd, 2008 at 0:58
@Craig Mc: Well done Craig. You are a poet and I did not know it. Quality! Red cafe aka Toilet Bowl.
And regarding my Christmas list. I like a brunette and I like a little meat on her. Gives me something to hang on to woof woof! A Kate Winslet type would be nice. Oh and did I forget to say nice hooters? And she has to love footy and love United. Now how realistic and impossible is that one going to be to fill?
For Kate Winslet I will pray to the church of Nani every day.
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:21
Grognard there is an English pin up you would love called Keeley Hazell..makes a lot of appearances in the Sun. Big hooters, brown hair, very fair. CraigMc will know who im talking about.
I think it is unfair to write our season off. What is lacking now is staying power and consistency. We played some good football against Pool and Chelsea. We just could not keep it up and dropped several gears that let them back into the match. You can do that against weaker teams unfortunately we’ve had some stern tests before we were ready for them.
Park and Fletcher were key inclusions because they have energy which most of the other players are lacking at the moment. I would have included Tevez for the same reason.
Anderson I think is unfit which is why he wasn’t included. He has only just come back from a major tournament where he played two or three games a week so you can understand he is a bit burnt out. I still believe he is in Ferguson’s plans. He was anonymous against Liverpool and I think that was tiredness because last season he really imposed himself in the big games.
Looking forward I have good reason for optimism.
Ronaldo will be back to his best in a few weeks and he remains our main goal threat and creates so much space for other players to work in
Berbatov will get match fit, learn to time his passes better once he gets familiar with his team mates and break his duck
Neville will get back his fitness then use his experience and authority to get our defence back into shape. It is not like you forget how to defend overnight. We have just lost discipline
We do have central midfield problems and Carrick will be missed but we have come second with Giggs and O’Shea in the middle for most of the season. So I doubt a couple of months of Scholes and Fletcher will derail our chances in a big way and with any luck Anderson and Hargreaves will get fit sooner rather than later to take the pressure off them.
Rooney is playing well I cannot understand the criticism. He gave away the freekick but before then we gave away a ton of free kicks. He was just unfortunate his was the freekick that led to the goal. He was involved in our best moves and while I do not usually like him tracking back, he did help out our under pressure midfield at a time when we were defending a lead. With Ronaldo back expect Rooney to bloom
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:45
@colver: Thanks, I’ll check her out. As for the season, you are correct. It’s far too early to right them off yet but the thing that nags me to death is the schedule and the fact we are so far off what we are capable of. I mean I have not seen this team play this badly in 18 years. Yes we have had slumps but never have I seen us play where we have been so clueless and devoid of ideas. We also look slow, out of shape and lack the passion and discipline to call ourselves contenders yet alone defending champions. I cannot believe I am watching the European champions. Still, it only takes one great performance sometimes to change everything and turn around our fortunes. And it better come soon. Ronaldo and Berbatov have to fast track it and really find their fitness and form soon. And Fergie needs to stop tinkering with lineups and formation and pick one and go with it.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:01
My thoughts on a match we were fortunate not to lose:
I was very disappointed by our midfield play today, especially in the center of the park. We could never possess the ball once we grabbed the lead, and I’m also worried about the play of Scholes. He is playing so deep nowadays that he almost has become a defensive midfielder. With his tackling troubles I feel that is not the best role for him but it is all he can play with his lack of pace. Once Ronaldo came on, we were very poor, and I thought Chelsea had a goal coming for quite some time. Fortunately for us Anelka and Joe Cole had matches to forget and Drogba never had a close effort. Onto the player ratings then.
VAN DER SAR (5): Only got through a bit of the match with an apparent leg injury. One tentative cross attempt before the injury and one loss of the ball after. Rio seemed to gesturing to VDS to sit down if he was truly hurt and luckily they didn’t concede a goal because of the injury. Hopefully he will be fit soon as Foster is also hurt.
EVRA (7): I thought Patrice got stuck in well and was a big part of Park’s goal. Didn’t deserve the yellow card and I thought he did a decent job getting back after making forward runs. One of our more dangerous players on the day.
EVANS (7): Pleasing performance from the big Northern Irishman. Didn’t set a foot wrong although he wasn’t challenged too much. Made us not miss Vidic too much, which is a credit to him. This is why United sold Pique.
FERDINAND (7): Solid performance with some subtle positioning to clear Chelsea threats. He gave some strikers a little too much space at times and Anelka got free for a couple of golden chances. Also had a great chance to score saved by Cech, although he struck it well.
NEVILLE (6): Why do I always feel the captain is a liability these days? I missed Brown out there although Neville didn’t do much wrong besides overzealous tackling. I just think his best days are beyond him but he may go and prove me wrong.
PARK (7): Tireless effort as usual from the Korean, and he took the goal cleanly. He always gets in great position and I wish had a bit more quality to match his effort. Berbatov’s pass was just behind the lad in the first half, although with Park’s finishing ability from distance who knows if he would have scored? Regardless he was our best player when out there.
FLETCHER (7): I thought Darren did very well today and didn’t get out of position. I loved his run to draw the defender away from the shot on goal to allow Park to come in for the finish. I also liked how Fletcher was able to not make unnecessary passes and keep the ball for a bit instead of giving it away. One of United’s most improved players.
HARGREAVES (5): Not impressed at all by Owen’s work today. Never made the right wing is own and often out of position. Looks a bit slow and not comfortable on the ball. Thought he should have taken the free kick instead of Ronaldo in the second half, as it is more in his range. Looked shaky and unfit out there.
SCHOLES (5): Completely overrun in the midfield. Not a defensive midfielder as he is too slow and too small to win balls. When he does win the ball it is often a foul. No offensive presence either. I’d rather see Anderson out there in the John Obi Mikel role than Scholes due to his superior athleticism. Scholes’s role in the team is dwindling fast for me. He’s not much of a late substitution player as he doesn’t often change a match anymore but that shouldn’t mean he should be always starting. I knew Fergie was going to start him today and I thought he was out of place.
ROONEY (5): It is a real shame to see what Rooney has become playing for Manchester United. Where is the danger he used to have on the ball? Where is the long-range shooting to test the keeper? His cheeky flick when Cech was out of goal was well done but the rest of his game was awful. If you watch, he keeps trying to play these “superstar” passes all day. Whether he does these flicks that players don’t respond to our making Beckham-like long passes across the pitch to lose possession, Rooney is a possession-losing machine out there. I gave him a 5 because of his work rate and ability to get in good position, but come on folks this is a shadow of the player we bought five years ago. Why is a talent like this relegated to workman status? He is playing the role of a junk player that works hard. Had a couple of bad misses, including a shot he should have buried off a Ronaldo cross. That should have been crushed into the net and instead he side-footed it meekly into the side netting. The announcers made small mention of it but to me it was a horrible miss. He was able to beat players one-on-one with nice touches but to often he lost the ball to often. Tevez should have been out there. The temper thing well, what else is new?
BERBATOV (6): Decent at best. I love the way he controls the long balls with his foot, but we seem to adopt a too-direct approach with him out there. Also, he got screwed over by the referee with those tussles with Mikel on the long balls. He was called for a foul every time for winning the ball, and therefore couldn’t impose himself. Looks a bit short of fitness and never a real threat to score. I need to watch him play more before I know how to properly rate the lad.
SUBS
KUSZCZAK (6): A lot steadier than VDS when shots come in but where was he for the goal? Not totally his fault though and I thought he played pretty well back there for coming on in such a big match. At least no penalty/red card drama this time!
RONALDO (5): Looked lost out there and when he came on for Scholes he essentially didn’t defend and spent all of his time losing the ball, falling over, or complaining to the ref or to his teammates. Had a few shots on goal but I’m not sure why he was brought on at that point. We needed someone to hold the ball and keep possession and he just wanted to counter-attack. Still we need him back on top form and soon.
O’SHEA (5): No real time to rate him and did alright for me.
So overall we deserved to lose or draw this match. A win would have felt like highway robbery. Where had the possession and coolness on the ball gone? Once we scored we wanted to get out of there as soon as possible and we lost our impetus. I liked our spirit and effort but too many loose chances today. Fortunate for a draw.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:44
I’m going to shock many here with my next comment but I have been mulling over this for a while now. I think it might be in the best interest of the club to consider selling Wayne Rooney. Both the team and the player seem to need a fresh start and things are not working out for Wayne anymore. This is not entirely his fault. Fergie is guilty of singlehandedly destroying the confidence and the approach of this fine player by moving him around and not letting him play his original second striker role. He needs a change of surroundings as much as we need an attacking midfielder which we could buy with the money we get for selling him. Truthfully I am getting tired watching him be misused and wasted. I’m even more sick and tired of watching Scholes as our attacking midfielder. In the mean time, Carlos Tevez has improved and really won and deserved his selection over Rooney. Yet Fergie continues to favor Roon and benches Tevez today when he has clearly been our best player this year. This is no way to keep the Latin contingent of our team happy. Tevez, Nani, Anderson and even Ronaldo sitting on the bench today when all four should be playing over Rooney, Scholes, Park and Fletcher. Honestly, I just don’t get it and I think Fergie is playing with fire by ostracizing the Latin players. Can one hear Spanish guitars in the distance?
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:18
@Grognard: I dont think selling Rooney is even an option for Fergie. And I cant blame him, the boys got a marvellous talent WHEN PLAYED UP FRONT. Keep him and see how he does next to Berba.
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:19
@Grognard: When you mulled over this thought, was the mulling over designed to shock people? Or are you serious? Calling that comment over the top will be an understatement, sorry to say. I don’t agree with the idea of Fergie single handedly destroying the confidence of the boy because I see similarities in our approach at Anfield and Stamford Bridge. While he was very good in the first 20 minutes of the first half yesterday the entire team switched off to some extent when we scored. It’s happened at Anfield too.
Ferguson has played Rooney in his preferred position against Chelsea. So I would give him some more time to develop an understanding with Berbatov before accusing Fergie of destroying Rooney. He has misused Rooney, but ‘destroying’ is far too strong a word for me to be using.
But tactically we miss an assistant who could better organize our defence. I’m sure Fergie would have played Tevez if it had not been for the forced substitution of EVDS. Detailed report coming up in the morning. Stay tuned.
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:47
I agree with Grog regarding SAF/Rooney.
I just want to add…God I miss CQ. SAF’s tactics let him down big time this season. IMHO, he made to tactical errors:
1. Frustratingly, he made the same mistake as against Liverpool. Go 1-0 up and try to defend it. We looked hot going forward, and then he decide to step down after the goal and allow Chelsea of all teams to attack… I don’t know if that’s arrogance (about defensive abilities) or just plain stupidity.
2. Bringing on O’SHEA for PARK.
2.1. The player that needed to be benched was Berbatov (TOTALLY non-existent in the game. For 30mil I expected much more). He totally kills off our counter-attacking play. I understand that Park tired a bit, but he is like a robot. He would have gone on-and-on-and-on (like a Duracell battery) if requested.
2.2. The player he should have brought on was Tevez. He would have provided midfield cover, and more importantly, given us counter-attacking options.
I know its only been 2 games, but I am not impressed with Berbatov with what I’ve seen so far. I hope I get proven wrong, because we’re stuck with him regardless. He seems lazy and totally unwilling to track back. I’m not saying that he is not a good player, but the way he is being deployed, I think we would have been much better off with Ruud or Huntelaar. Makes me wonder why exactly we sold Ruud? I can recall two occasions of counter attacking yesterday where he was just nowehere to be found. Rocks up in the box way too late (and this from someone that do no defending). Also, he had 2 opportunities to chase the keeper down (one where Alex made a real stupid back-pass) and he just were not interested. If he’s not match-fit, stick him into the reserves…
Like I said before, it will be interesting watchin him and Ronaldo in the same team (neither have the passion to track back). Yesterday when Chelsea attacked, it showed.
Lastly, for all those bashing Rooney…fine. But please don’t blame our loss on him alone. I for one feel Berbatov was just as much to blame. He was the last man on the line and caused the Chelsea players to be on-side during the free-kick. If his positioning and marking was a bit better, there would not have been any goal.
All in all, I think the boys played ok. The loss can be attributed to SAF. WE SHOULD HAVE WON!
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:49
@Red Ranter: I’m serious RR. I’ve had it with Rooney and his wandering minstrel show. He did everything but play his position yesterday and he still is an immature pratt to boot. I think a move would be beneficial to both parties. In this day of mercenaries are my feelings that far fetched? I don’t think so. United need a new look and new scheme of attack. Rooney is too bloody predictable and not reliable in the offensive end of things. I’m sorry but I have reached my peak of patience with the boy even though he is a fave of mine. Time for a change.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:24
I do not see any danger for Nani and Anderson. They will get games and know that once Scholes and Giggs are finally shown the door they will get first team positions. Anderson is unfit anyway and Nani blew it by being suspended for the first two games which he would have started given our injury problems.
The problem I see is Tevez. A player that good wants to be starting regularly. What more can he do to get into the team? He was stand out pre-season, scored at Anfield, and was the only player who seemed to care against Zenit. I see him heading to Man City or Real if we cannot give him a prominent first team role. Ronaldo is undroppable. Rooney is untouchable to Ferguson. The whole point of buying Berbatov is to give us someone for Rooney to play behind. So where does Tevez fit in? Is he really going to agree to being an impact sub and cover for Berba and Rooney?
Berbatov has just joined and is already propelled into the first team displacing Tevez who was on fire. Why shouldn’t Berbatov fight for his place and impress in training and in substitute performances before getting a first team place?
September 22nd, 2008 at 13:06
@colver: “Why shouldn’t Berbatov fight for his place and impress in training and in substitute performances before getting a first team place?”
Maybe because we once again paid over-the-odds for a player???