Jun 16
Et tu, Rio?
I don’t like to deal with the usual tabloid guff. But this is outrageous. And unavoidable! (via Daily Mail)
- Do you like Rio Ferdinand?
- Rio Ferdinand to setup football academy in Uganda
- Future Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand named England skipper
- PFA Players Shortlist: Where’s Anderson, Rooney and Rio
- The Rio Ferdinand Situation
Tags: Fun/Off the Record
June 16th, 2009 at 17:26
I wouldn’t worry boys he is getting married in August and he is clearly on a stag do, nice outfit though
June 16th, 2009 at 17:45
Ronaldo and his pink flowers! damn him!
June 16th, 2009 at 18:19
that makes the pink flower damn great!
June 16th, 2009 at 18:25
I think he is just making fun of ronaldo? hahahaha
June 16th, 2009 at 18:35
I was reading the Bible this morning(aka Tribal football) and it said we were going to bid 22m for Maicon. I wouldnt be opposed to that one bit.
June 16th, 2009 at 18:43
@johnsom33: I have a theory that a Full back should never be bought at top dollar.
Better to buy a great midfielder or striekr with that kind of money…
In other news: Hargreaves signs on!!!
June 16th, 2009 at 19:00
@NicoQB: explain your theory further please. and surely when a player of maicons standard comes up for sale you cant pass him up.
June 16th, 2009 at 19:00
@NicoQB: explain your theory further please. and surely when a player of maicons standard comes up for sale you cant pass him up.
June 16th, 2009 at 19:03
@NicoQB:
June 16th, 2009 at 19:07
@johnsom33: Ok, I’ll admit that I’ve seen very little of Maicon.
But in the history of football, I’m hard press to think of Full backs whose absence from a team significatly weakens the side.
Maldini and Cafu at their peak, probably.
Is Maicon as good as them? I heard he’s a bit of a liability defensively…
June 16th, 2009 at 19:12
@Dan:
June 16th, 2009 at 19:19
@NicoQB: How does he rate against Maldini and Cafu? I dont know I havent watched them enough at the peak of their powers. I can say he is a top talent and easily one of the best fullbacks in the world.
June 16th, 2009 at 19:38
June 16th, 2009 at 19:48
@ Nico – Damn you! Got my hopes up…sigh…he’s totally crocked (our Hargo).
Tosic is about to start for Serbia in the U21s. Lljajic isn’t involved, will be playing in the U19s later in the summer (he’s still only 17).
Berg looks a serious prospect…might be worth a gamble. Big lad…
June 16th, 2009 at 20:03
@johnsom33: Maldini I haven’t watched too much but I know he was impecable defensively and was sheer class. For a left back he had a soothing effect onthe whole of Milan defense the same way Rio at his peak or VDS do, except that he was brilliant in his job too.
Cafu, for the few matches I saw of him, I always saw him world class at both defending and going forward, which for a full back, is a rarity in itself.
@Beachryan: Got your hopes up? I would have thought that someone would not be too happy for such a sicknote to sign on a newcontract!
Berg? Henning Berg???
June 16th, 2009 at 20:34
Anyone watching the u21s? Would love to know how Tosic is doing?
June 16th, 2009 at 20:43
Those of you finding this page load slowly, kindly move to the new post.
June 16th, 2009 at 20:46
@Beachryan: Not much mate, Italy are well on top Balotelli is a twat.
June 16th, 2009 at 20:53
@Red Ranter: I think you meant to post this on the other thread, right?
June 16th, 2009 at 20:54
HOLY SHIT!!!
That is 
, just fucking 
,…. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 
Rio, what the fuck mate!!!!?
June 16th, 2009 at 20:56
@NicoQB: Oops you’re right. Cheers!
Others, disregard that message. It was meant to go in the older thread.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:40
@NicoQB: Umm… Dani Alves? He’s as important to Barca as Messi or Xavi.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:43
@Red Ranter: And the ‘OLDER’ thread is for the Old Men of the blog is it, like Grog, Fred, yourself etc
. Where’s the thread for the ‘Youngies’ then?, otherwise we cry Discrimination 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:43
@Beachryan: Saw the game as wan not impressed with Tosic. If he was class he could have put Italy to the sword (Serbia were better overall). Instead, he just had a few good runs, drew a few fouls and showed some good control at times. Far from the finished article and will have to improve to play for United (you were right Grog).
On the plus side, he did whip in a free kick from about 30 meters out which came within a foot of the top corner – goalie didn’t move.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:44
@RedDevilEddy: Rio the transvestite, Ronnie’s bitch
.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:44
Anybody else that saw the Serbia game, what did you think of Petkovic? He’s the left back and made a good impression. Strong, solid and crappy at going forward, but a good deal better than O’Shea.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:45
@Stephen: Is he getting married to a guy, a shemale or is it a blind girl suffering from early Alzheimers? That photo is just wrong in so many ways. The shorts are gay, that frakken top is just beyond gay, he looks like a San Francisco or Fire Island reject. I’m surprised he hasn’t gone to play in Spain because they seem to love gay stuff there. Seriously, it just disgusts me an I have really lost a lot of fondness and even respect for him. He’s a frakken professional footballer representing Man Utd for crying out loud. That means he has to conduct himself professionally and respectfully everywhere he goes and is seen. My God what are the blue collar elite of Manchester supposed to think of their future skipper and CB? Just shocking.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:46
@Andrei: So you will believe me about Tosic then now, and all those times watching our reserves play, caused me to be able to say to you all for months that Tosic will NEVER be United quality!
.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:47
Craig, it is not a good look I must say, but his towel boy certainly looks interested…………………
June 16th, 2009 at 21:48
@gator: You do that in doors where cameras and the Paparazzi can’t find you and snap a photo of you. He is now the ridicule of football and he’ll be asking Graham Le Saux or Justin Fashanu out for a date for a kebob.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:48
@Grognard: We blue collars think that he is acting up at a mates STAG do – nothing more sinister than that
.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:49
@johnsom33: Not if it was from Tribal Football. They have never ever reported an ounce of truth. Dan’s predictions come more true than Tribal Football.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:50
@Stephen:
.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:50
@Grognard: Sorry mate I meant you on that last comment!!!!!!!
June 16th, 2009 at 21:51
@Grognard: Come on, mate, you are certainly pushing this over the top. He is just a player who needs light his fire (sorry, no more innuendo). So what if he dresses gay?
June 16th, 2009 at 21:54
@Craig Mc: I said that he looks like Jodi Foster in Taxi Driver on RoM with that outfit on jeeeezuz!
In fairness on the last stag do I was on we dressed the stag in assless chaps, pink handcuffs, pink cowboy hat and a T shirt saying I love Jake Gyllenhaal, so he got off lightly in my book!
June 16th, 2009 at 21:54
Craig Mc: I didn’t doubt you since I had no reason to, mate. I have never watched a reserve game (don’t have that much time on my hands…). Still, he is showing some promise – too bad he is not a few years younger.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:55
@Andrei: The stag party he is at, well it just may be a Stag Gay party.
June 16th, 2009 at 21:57
@Andrei: I watch the reserves on MUTV quite often, to see the progress of the kids. I like to SPOT THE STARS from the United youngsters
. Besides, the GF can’t force me to watch all the soppy bloody soaps with her on cold winter evening then. 
June 16th, 2009 at 21:59
@Stephen: Some friends you lot are
.
June 16th, 2009 at 22:01
@Craig Mc:
The local Hugarian’s found it, well interesting to say the least!
June 16th, 2009 at 22:02
The next thing is that he will get a shirt that says “I love Brokeback Mountain!”, this is Ronaldos work…
June 16th, 2009 at 22:10
I’ve watched some of the reserves this year, and I think towards the end of their season Tosic was the best player on the pitch. Then again, Lee Martin also looks promising out there, so yeah, guess it’s not worth too much.
The UEFA commentry thing said he was playing well, but I didn’t see it so can’t comment.
June 16th, 2009 at 22:13
@Andrei: well he was asked to play upfront on his own for much of the game, and being the tiny lad he is he did quite well in my books.
He seems an intelligent player, picks the right pass, and is more then able to dribble pass a player, with a bit more confidence and strength, he could be the real deal in my opinion.
June 16th, 2009 at 22:13
@Craig Mc: Mate I am probably as old as you! I would never discriminate against the youth
June 16th, 2009 at 22:14
@Grognard: ill take that as a compliment
June 16th, 2009 at 22:18
@Andrei: I’ve not heard good things about Dani Alves defensively.
I’m very much old school when it comes to full backs. I’ll take a good defender everytime over a good attacking full back.
June 16th, 2009 at 22:20
@NicoQB: Rafael and Fabio will be the best two full backs in the World in five years time, so no need to worry about us spending big in the not so near future.
June 16th, 2009 at 22:30
€100 million in the warchest! Yippie, yeah we’re gonna pay over the odds, if we want an improvement on Ronaldo, get Franck Ribery! He is class! And would light up the premiership. If he/Bayern wont play ball, look at Ashley Young. Get another keeper, bow to Grogs knowledge on this! Get Eto and pay him what he wants, he will score goals! Or Villa!(if poss)
Buy an Essian type player, Diarra sounds good, De Rossi would be perfect, but wont leave Italy.That would be great but …..
Whatever we may surmise the transfer market/prices will have their say as will Fergie. Again, now we know he has some loot, i will trust him to spend it wisely and fix the obvious holes/flaws that need addressing. We’re definitely in transition mode now, i will be optimistic after the lessons learned from the Barca game. This might amaze some of you, but if Fergie reacts the same as he did after the Milan defeat, we’ll be alright!
June 16th, 2009 at 22:32
The thing with Tosic is that we should remember how Vidic didn’t remotely look like the player he was to become. Remember how he mentioned that he felt miserable and all?
Maybe Tosic is going through the same patch and for him to get his confidence and swagger on the pitch, he first has to adapt to the lifestyle in the North West of England.
Personally I’ll reserve my judgement until the end of next season. As a winger if he can manage to come up with, say, 4 assists and 1 goal from odd appearances, I would be happy with his contribution. He would become part of the team in the same way that Park has done.
One thing everyone should also realise is that when Mr X. signs for Manchester United, most of his friends, who are not as avid football followers as we are, will expect him at least to get on the bench, or will be waiting for his appearance. ITs the case for 20 year olds + and if they are immediately put in the reserves, I would guess that they would feel a small feeling of disappointment.
In a way, while Tosic and Manucho were on the rise when United bought them – full of confidence and having reached the elite of their respective leagues – when they come to United they have to cope with havng to play second fiddle to the stars, adapting to a new culture, explain to their friends and family why they have not figured on the team sheet for 3 months now…
Just putting these kids in mitigating circumstances…
June 16th, 2009 at 22:53
@Craig Mc: hows it going Craig? How would you spend the loot?
June 16th, 2009 at 22:56
@Stephen: I’m not yet convinced by Rafael. As I already mentioned I would take a Denis Irwin, ok maybe that’s a bit easy, a Nigel Winterburn, everytime over Roberto Carlos. I really hope he steps up his game defensively as even against mid table teams in the PL he was sometimes left wanting defensively. I’d hate stupid man marking mistakes against Real or Barca in the CL.
That’s why for me Brown and O’shea are still ahead of the boy Rafael…
But tat boy De Laet put in an amazin defensive performance on his debut. I know he played against some minnow, but I’d really like to see more of him..
June 16th, 2009 at 23:05
@NicoQB: Move on Bro, fook off with Winterburn mate he was shite
Full backs these days are attacking options in modern football, Evra, Bosingwa, Maicon, Alves, A Cole ect are all attacking options football has changed these days mate, Rafael is young mate and will be superb, O’Shea simply isn’t a full back, De Laet has played one game but Wes is still our first choice.
June 16th, 2009 at 23:07
@Nico, @Stephen, @Grog @Dan, @ anyone? how would you spend the loot?
June 16th, 2009 at 23:13
@NicoQB: Well, he’s no Maldini when it comes to defence, but he is far from the likes of Bosingwa either. I watched plenty of Barca games and he seems to be able to deal with the defensive part of the game quite well, plus he is a monster in attack. Literally. He would make a world-class winger, if he was not pinned back.
As it is, he makes a world-class full-back.
Dani Alves, better than Gary Nevilla
June 16th, 2009 at 23:15
@phoenix red:
Mahmmadou Diarra / Danielle de Rossi
Ashley Young
Alexis (is that right?) Sanchez / Joao Moutinho & Giuseppe Rossi
Sergio Asenjo
June 16th, 2009 at 23:16
Forgot to say: you could get all those for about 60 mil.
June 16th, 2009 at 23:17
@Stephen: Not if John O’Shea and Gary Neville’ll still be around
June 16th, 2009 at 23:18
Is it just me or is the guy behind Rio (in the first picture) checking him out?
June 16th, 2009 at 23:22
@phoenix red: We need to look at what areas need strengthening mate, we need a striker who can play off the shoulder of the centre backs, for me Huntelaar is a sensible option for the price and his age.
The real need is in the centre of the park, we need a player who can put his foot in, De Rossi is a pipe dream as he is Roma through and through, YaYa Toure is staying at Barca but Flamini is a cheaper and easy option as he knows thhe league. I would also like Aquilani, but am not sure how he would settle in the prem.
Arteta would be a decent shout I have always thought that he was quaility and may relish the step up, but obviously Sneijder would be great. Out wide left Drenthe would be a really good buy, he is agressive and looks made for the premiership.
June 16th, 2009 at 23:24
@Andrei: Neville will be around for the next ten years mate, it is a shame because he is legend and the longer he is around he is damaging the memories.
June 16th, 2009 at 23:45
@Stephen: Hey man, Winterburn was the only one in the Arsenal back four, to whom I had some sort of grudging respect. I hated the guts of Keown, Adams left me indiferrent, but Winterburn, while being workmanlike, rarely if ever made mistakes.
As for modern full backs being offensive, I’m not against their foraging forward, but poor man marking always makes me cringe – Rafael is much too often acres from the zone he’s supposed to keep and Evra (this last season) has been leaving too much room to his opponent. Neville in his peak had very good positioning and if he was a better footballer, he would have been called world class.
@Andrei: I think we all agree about that. Anyways, who isn’t better than Neville nowadays?
@phoenix red: My heart says Gourcuff.
My head says:
Silva, 20-25million
Hernanes, around 20 million
Savidan (very ralented 32 year old striker who would be happy to play the rotation. He was always fast so even in later years he still has pace…) max 7 million
Keep the rest of the money for future buys, when the market prices go down to more reasonalble prices. Maybe keep an eye on Pogrebnyak.
Loan Possebon, Gibson, maybe C.Evans
Promote a few kids from the academy – James, De Laet. Give the Drinkwaters and Norwood Carling cup time. Nani, Anderson, etc. should not be playing in the Carling cup this season.
June 16th, 2009 at 23:54
@Craig Mc: I stronly disagree with that mate, at 34 I still qualify fo the youngies thread, now Grognard and Redrich are a different matter, a couple of weeks ago they were discussing bands that my father used to to talk about.
June 17th, 2009 at 0:17
@Fred The Red: You mean like The Kinks, The Who, Eddie Cochran, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Rush, Dave Matthews Band, The Yardbirds, Pink Floyd, etc?
I wasn’t on a couple of weeks ago
June 17th, 2009 at 1:24
@Fred The Red:
– 
sorry! Looks like Andrei might be one of the golden oldies too, ‘cos he seems to know the bands they were talking about 
.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:08
@Fred The Red: @Craig Mc: Now settle down, children!! Didn’t anybody tell you to respect your elders??
June 17th, 2009 at 2:16
@Redrich:
June 17th, 2009 at 2:18
….News Flash!!!….News Flash!!…..
SAF has been named “Salesman of the Year” by the fraternal brothers of the “Footsy Woolpullers”.
The FW’s, award this honor based on outstanding achievement in the art of selling the improbable, and the 80m price for the Virus CR-8RED was, by far, the most audacious of all this years entries.
Mr. Ely du Lott, chairman of the fraternity, said “I was particularly impressed by Sir Alex’s timing. When the world is experiencing flu on pandemic proportions, he managed to sell Madrid the extremely virulent CR-8RED strain, and not at a bargain price”.
Last years winner, Mr. Cy Near, who incidentally, runs a chain of tanning salons in the African Nation of Zimbabwe, presented Sir Alex with the “Nucon d’Or” trophy and asked him how he was to spend the 80m. SAF in true fashion replied, “It’s mae daen moanie, and eye’ll spind’t as aye wheel” Which briefly translated, means – “If it costs me 80m for Valencia, then so be it” .
So there you have it, SAF puts another cup in his trophy case and the 8RED has gone over to Madrid!!
June 17th, 2009 at 2:21
@Craig Mc: @Andrei: Hey! I’m in my mid twenties, but I listen to about half of these bands!
Right now I’m going through a Dream Pop, Ethereal Wave phase- Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins and the like…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-be1Q5MkIGs
June 17th, 2009 at 2:38
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/17/manchester-united-transfer-policy
Not good if true, I really hope this is media BS and not the Glazers interfering with fergies transer policy. I think signing younger players is a good practice, but every once in a while you need to pull the trigger on a arshavin, eto, villa, ribery.
June 17th, 2009 at 3:01
@johnsom33: I think this went out the window when they sold Ronaldo!!
I actually liked the youth policy, but you would have to have a solid starting 11 that could maintain our status-quo within the PL while the younger players adapt and learn their trade.
With the the departure of CR, we are a very different team, and one that could struggle for CL qualification, if we dont sign players that could equal his production!!
CL qualification is imperitive to the clubs business plan and so they have to spend to address the goal scoring problem they have, and buying for the future will not resolve this!!
June 17th, 2009 at 3:24
@Redrich: I agree with everything you said, I just hope this was the policy before ronaldo sale.
June 17th, 2009 at 3:36
@Johnsom33: It’s a shame, though, for the younger players coming through the system. They will have little or no chance to break into the team unless their skills are absolutely stellar!!
June 17th, 2009 at 3:41
@Craig Mc, NicoQB: I’m just 18… with a weird taste in music
June 17th, 2009 at 4:24
@Andrei: I don’t like Manchester United players who ride side saddle and whose favorite movie of all time is La Cage Aux Folles.
June 17th, 2009 at 4:34
@Grognard: Well, I wouldn’t date them either!!
June 17th, 2009 at 5:17
@johnsom33: If its true we may end up with our very own Wenger with all the kids and kids can win trophies philosophy. Which convinced with…
June 17th, 2009 at 5:56
@phoenix red: Klass Jan Huntelaar, Alex Sanchez, Ya Ya Toure and Hernanes would be my choices. I’d throw in Douglas Costa too. All under 26 and all ready to rock.
June 17th, 2009 at 5:58
@Fred The Red: Yup, that Glenn Miller and Count Basie were pretty damned good and I just rocked to those hip Duke Ellington tunes too.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:05
Considering the financial situation now , I think we’ll have to live with that policy. If we sign a top youngster, in the hindsight it might not look bad.
But I can understand the reservations that the club might have signing Ribery and Eto’o . They would come for crazy money and we are not sure if they would finish their careers with us. I firmly believe we should sign atleast one young player who has proved himself in Europe or in a tough league, not an unkown talent like Costa or Neymar. Only three names come to my mind ie. Benzema, huntelaar and Young. I’m not sure if Sneijder would strengthen us, we need a defensive mid fielder.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:27
@Craig Mc: It’s got nothing to do with being old. It’s got to do with having good taste. And speaking of good taste, it doesn’t get better than this; The Beatles, The Sisters of Mercy, Depeche Mode, Guns n Roses, David Bowie, The Clash, Fleetwood Mac, Meatloaf , Queen, The Cars and Coldplay. So for those who think I’m square me.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:29
@Redrich: Yes or I’ll get after all of you with my cane and I’ll throw my dentures at ya. Young whippersnappers!
June 17th, 2009 at 7:37
@johnsom33: I have no problem with that except for one reason. In the past we could always say, buy young and Fergie will mould them into something special like he did with Ronaldo, Beckham, Scholes, Giggs and many more. But how long does Fergie have left? He’s bound to retire in the next year or two and so, really, is that the proper way to go for him? I know that he is obsessed and consumed with winning at least one more Champions League trophy. Buying kids will not allow him to see out that dream as they will take time to reach their peak like Ronaldo did last season. For Fergie, it’s shooting oneself in the foot.
However, the bright sign to all this and the exception to the rule I’m sure, is that rule stands for regular business as usual transactions based on our yearly allotted 20 to 30 million pound transfer allowance. This year we just added 80 million to that with the sale of Ronaldo. So I am personally certain that rule goes out the window for this season anyway. So Fergie, buy somebody we can all agree on and who cares if he’s 26 or older. Just don’t buy anyone 30 or older. We have enough of them unfortunately. Some players don’t know when to hang it up for the good of the team and help free up some more money.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:39
@Johnsom33: Like Redrich said, I think the policy takes a rest for this season with 80 million there for Fergie to spend on whomever he pleases. I for one am sick of just buying kids with promise. By all means buy some but buy a few proven players with pedigree.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:41
@Andrei: I don’t know of too many 18 year olds who don’t have a weird taste in music. When I was 18 I listened to music 30 year olds would listen too and when I was 30, i was listening to music 18 year olds were into. Whatever floats your boat mate. stay true to your taste and never let anyone tell you it sucks because it doesn’t to you.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:42
@Redrich: Yes but I think Rio would.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:51
@Andrei: Ah you have pretty good taste mate. I love Pink Floyd, The Who, Dave Mathews Band, Rush.
And I’d add in a bit of Dream Theater, Led Zep, The Doors, Guns N Roses (their early work), Lynyrd Skynrd, Fleetwood Mac, Travis, Joe Satriani and pretty much the whole Forrest Gump sound track among the classic stuff.
Among modern music I love a little industrial music in NIN, Deftones, the older albums of Metallica, and some mellow stuff like Coldplay although some of their new work is a bit too repetitive.
And Craig, you don’t have to be old to like this kind of music.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:51
Also, new post up.