Oct 25
Everton v Man Utd: Preview
Early kick off it is today, which means an early morning game for me. But more interesting things have happened over the past few days in the lead up to this game — well considering there hasn’t been any updates on this site lately, there has been enough happening that deserved a mention.
So let’s touch a bit on some of the more prominent stories before we dive in to the preview.
Ramon Calderon, known fondly in Manchester as Mr. Prick Two-Face, spoke to 5-Live on Madrid ending their interest in Ronaldo:
“Manchester didn’t want to sell over the last three or four months but we don’t want to get into trouble with them as they are one of the biggest clubs in the world”
I have a lot to say about my opinions on Ronaldo at the moment but I think I’ll devote a separate piece for it, to be posted sometime this week. But I can say what I think of Ramon Calderon and Real Madrid right now — they are a bag of dog-shite mixed with crow piss, and, like any mixture of dog shite and crow piss, the stench would only get worse with time, as it decomposes into something monstrously worse. My point is, they’ll keep coming at you — so I wouldn’t read anything into his comments to BBC. Fuck him and his cohorts, would be a pithy way to put it.
In non-United related news, I would advise people against watching Saw V because I haven’t seen a more predictable pile of crap masquerading as a thriller — not to mention it being hyped beyond reason about its ending — than this one. But then again, what was I expecting anyway ; since Saw, the series has only seen a downward spiral.
Anyway, I don’t know why I was talking about Saw V in a United blog. So don’t ask me.
Fergie also took some time to debunk rumours about Hargreaves that, to me, has reached ridiculous levels. True, Hargreaves hasn’t done much since his protracted arrival — although we have seen glimpses of how good he could be if he had a decent run in the side. But selling a player bought for close to 20 million quid when he has clear ability only a season into his time at the club, reeks of silliness. I can’t say more.
Carlos Tevez — I feel for the guy — has been optimistic as the official site gives us teasers to his interview to MUTV — where he says he’s happy to fight for his place. I think Fergie has been unfair in the way he’s handled Tevez this season. To me he was clearly the best player in pre-season, looking the most lively of a then disjointed team. With a well rested summer he looked hungry. Given a longer run he will be more important to us, however, the blossoming partnership between Rooney and Berbatov is looking exceedingly juicy for Fergie to even consider Tevez’s name on the starting XI. Today, with a tricky trip to Goodison Park awaiting, and with Rooney’s desire to notch goal number 100, it looks like another day will pass with Tevez warming the bench.
What disappoints me — the disappointment is more surprise and wonderment than anything — is the willingness shown by some sections of fans in not shedding a tear if Tevez was to be moved on. And more often than not, a big chunk of those were screaming themselves hoarse asking Ronaldo to show loyalty to the club. Personally, I consider loyalty to be a two way street, and if the player has quality and desire to stay at the club, I see very little reason for people to be eager to move him on. Tevez isn’t short on desire, and he wants to stay. A no brainer for me, if the price is not insanely high in times of the credit crunch.
Onto the small matter of a game today, Everton have been generally shite this season although there is a good chance of them fighting tooth and nail against us. Honestly, if we shake off some of our off-day lethargy moments, and give a fuck about the game for more than an hour we should be able to do the business. Of course, the weekend also gives us the added incentive of moving closer to one (if not both) of the top two teams, as the Red sack of shite from Merseyside play the Blue sack of shite from London in a mammoth game of shit-flinging proportions — which is what the folks at Sky would let you believe with them using a pleasant word instead of ’shit.’
In team news, Rooney and Berbatov will start, with Tevez spending another game on the bench. Ronaldo will continue to ask Fergie to play him — fit or not, which concerns me slightly if a player can talk a manager into picking him. Nani should hope for a run in the side considering his good performance in midweek, O’Shea would get another run in left back with Rio, Vidic and Neville for company. (Heaven help Brown.) Fletcher and Giggs would play in the middle, it would appear.
Prediction: 2-0 to United.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Porto it is then…
- Rooney Out For A Month
Tags: Game Preview
October 25th, 2008 at 9:37
Rooney,berbatov,nani,anderson,fletcher,ronaldo,evra,ferdinand,vidic,brown,van de sar…2-1 united.
October 25th, 2008 at 10:09
RR
I think you are misunderstanding people who say Tevez (might/should) leave. Actually most people think he is too good to be a sub (I cant really imagine a 30m pound player as a super-sub unless the club is called Chelsea). Tevez is actually as good a player as any in our team (and that includes berba and rooney… only ronaldo is better) and he is definitely first team material. The only problem is – you have two world class in-form forwards scoring goals for fun in front of him! If Tevez has to start than one of Rooney and Berba has to sit which looks impossible right now given their form. He will get his chances though as Rooney is very susceptible to injuries (something tevez isint!)
People here feel tevez should move on for his own good as he can easily play first team for most clubs on earth, even the biggest ones. If you ask me, after his last season exploits, I would be very very sad to see him leave. But I fear it might happen if he doesnt get too many starts or if he gets this feeling that he is no longer first choice.
October 25th, 2008 at 10:44
I thought Berba got a knock on Tuesday…
Well, Pat is fit so it wouldt surprise me to see him play instead of Sheasy. I think Everton will prove to be a more difficult opponent than WBA or Celtic, but I still think we can win. With Wazza(happy birthday for yesterday 
) in such great form, Ronaldo getting better and Nani showing what a good player he can be we should win this easily. Everton are without a home win this season, and their “best player” Lescott has been terrible. I think United will play this team:
VDS
Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Fletcher Anderson Nani
Tevez Rooney
Score prediction: 2-0 to United. Rooney and Ronaldo to score. My last 2 predictions have been spot on, so I hope this on is too!
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 11:13
Anyone got a link for todays game yeT?
October 25th, 2008 at 11:14
@jos: I am not misunderstanding people who say he should leave. The player wants to stay, he’s quality, Fergie says he wants him, he gives 100% — yet sections of fans think it’s ok to move him on. You think it’s for his good, then fine, you are not the set of fans I am referring to.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:18
Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney. Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Anderson, Nani, O’Shea, Evans, Tevez.
giggs and park should not be starting over andy and nani.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:20
@dan(u-ol): Is that a prediction team or the real team?
October 25th, 2008 at 11:22
@RedDevilEddy: real team.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:24
@dan(u-ol): Oh, never mind. Found iot out on Sportinglife.com. WTF, btw? Giggs over Andy? Park over Nani? Seriously, Nani should defo play. His performance in midweek was great. He shouldnt be left out. And Andy is getting too many rests. He needs to play games to get his confidence back. He needs games, he is the heir for Scholes, not Giggs!
Anyway, Fergie knows what he is doing and I think United will win anyway. Prediction: 2-0 to United, Rooney and Ronaldo scoring.
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 11:36
Man Utd
* 01 Van der Sar
* 06 Brown
* 05 Ferdinand
* 15 Vidic
* 03 Evra
* 07 Ronaldo
* 24 Fletcher
* 11 Giggs
* 13 Park
* 09 Berbatov
* 10 Rooney
Substitutes
* 29 Kuszczak,
* 02 Neville,
* 08 Anderson,
* 17 Nani,
* 22 O’Shea,
* 23 Evans,
* 32 Tevez
i’m noy hsppy with this team, but i can accept it,
2-1 to united
October 25th, 2008 at 11:53
Saha starts for everton…wtf?
October 25th, 2008 at 11:56
Links:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/footyinhd1
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/uefa_hd1
October 25th, 2008 at 12:00
Sorry guys, they don’t seem to work
October 25th, 2008 at 12:25
FLETCHER!!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 12:25
Darren fucking fletcher…this man!
October 25th, 2008 at 12:25
http://www.ustream.tv/videoplayerpopup/channel/325816
1-0 Fletcher.. He is the new Paul Scholes!!
October 25th, 2008 at 12:31
Yeah! I love Fletcher
! United we STAND!
http://redlog.pl/2008/10/25/wideo-z-meczu-everton-manchester-united/ – 7
October 25th, 2008 at 12:37
Fantastic football today. A pleasure to watch!
October 25th, 2008 at 12:38
argh anyone see that beautiful slide rule pass from Fletcheramini- Giggs stepped over it but Berba couldn’t be bothered stepping forward on the off chance there was a shot on…
October 25th, 2008 at 12:51
Good half… dominated for most parts but let Everton back into it later. We should come at them in the second half like we did in the start of the first and we’ll see this one out comfortably
October 25th, 2008 at 12:54
wow….what a performance so far.
I think unfortunately, rooney and ronaldo have been our two worst players so far. Everyone else is playing out of their skins. So hopefully those two can pick it up in the second half.
October 25th, 2008 at 12:54
@Nukeleus: yes, what a pass!! and giggs looked right in stepping over it, if Berba had continued he would have walked in on goal.
October 25th, 2008 at 12:55
Think we’ll need a second, but a good performance so far. Great goal from Fletcher, and giggs has been awesome.
October 25th, 2008 at 13:00
And I must admit I questioned the inclusion of Giggs and Park over Ando and Nani as well….but I think Giggs has played outstanding. Park is working his ass off as usual and has won a few terrific tackles…I say let Park run himself into the ground and then bring on Nani at the 65th minute to run at tired defenders.
October 25th, 2008 at 13:04
Meh, Park doesnt do much for me.
October 25th, 2008 at 13:17
Sometimes I watch us and just think, is anyone actaully thinking out there? First 10 minutes of this half, all we’ve done is pump long balls out, none of which stick, and we defend more. Makes no sense at all.
October 25th, 2008 at 13:25
FECK!!!!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 13:25
cut that shit out Ronaldo you fucking pussy. thats an embarrassment to the team. sub him fucking off, he’s been worthless all match anyway
October 25th, 2008 at 13:26
There we go. Absolutely invited it. We’ve had no posession whatsoever, and every time the ball is played to VDS he basically gives it back to Everton. Awful second half.
October 25th, 2008 at 13:27
wat’s up with ferdinand????
October 25th, 2008 at 13:33
Is there anyone in this blog who’ll say anything bad about Rooney after this? The man is a United legend already!
October 25th, 2008 at 13:36
@ James F – Yes he’s an idiot and we could have used him on the pitch alot more than off it. Quality dive from Arteta there.
October 25th, 2008 at 13:41
What the hell is going on! We are playing awfully! I hope tvez will give us the kick we need
October 25th, 2008 at 13:45
As an aside, can anyone work out why this match is on at noon?
October 25th, 2008 at 13:51
Pretty bad miss by Ronaldo. Dropped for him, just left of the six yard box and swiped at it. No confidence at the moment. Big draw this for us. If we’d won could have been 4 points back with game in hand. Dissappointing.
October 25th, 2008 at 13:55
@Beachryan: crowd trouble a while back… so Everton-United games are being played at noon to avoid future nonesense of this variety.
October 25th, 2008 at 13:58
NNNOOOOOOO!!!!
we switched off after the goal… disappointing!!
October 25th, 2008 at 13:58
now that thats over, can someone please tell the girls pub team to take off the united kits and return them to their rightful owners.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:00
on a scale of 10, i would give Ronaldo’s performance a negative 4,000. fuck that guy. shooting from 40 yards out there eh mate? why the fuck didn’t giggs tell him to go fuck himself for that last freekick?
October 25th, 2008 at 14:01
We were kicked off the park. Look forward to seeing this at every game against someone outside the ‘top four’. Brilliant.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:02
Another case of what might have been, we should have put two or more in the first half. Disappointing really, I hope fergie lets them know it.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:03
Seriously, just how badly does Ronaldo have to play before he gets taken off? Does he actually have to pull his shorts down and take a shit in the center circle? Would that do it?
October 25th, 2008 at 14:04
@Traverse: Good point mate, That seems to be the only way to stop us so I expect to see more. Unfortunately
October 25th, 2008 at 14:05
@Drew Vader: lol… it was poor, wasn’t it? Poor team performance bar Fletch, Giggs and maybe VDS. It’s like the team was hungover or sumthin, Rio had a 5-minute spell of football amnesia, the team couldn’t step out of first gear, it was just disappointing mate!!!
Anyway, you can’t win ‘em all, here’s hoping this performance will put their heads back in the game!
October 25th, 2008 at 14:11
@Drew Vader: mate, Fergie has to leave him on until he gets his confidence and swagger back!! That’s a BIG part of his game. We all know he’s not the best static/slow dribbler, but his confidence usually allows him to use his pace and just beat men rather than stop to think about options/dribbling. We need him to come good for us and leaving him on the bench is not gonna aid that cause. Besides, we only have three wingers (Ronnie, Park and Nani).
I say leave him out there to play!! He has been playing relatively OK, but not to his standard so it seems he is playing shite, but he’s actually doing OK for a winger. Once his swagger returns, there’ll be no looking back
October 25th, 2008 at 14:15
@Gabriel: Well, we had better hope your right.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:15
Same old fucking United
. Struggle to get that second goal when they are so fucking on top its un-bloody-believeable. We have got forwards who want too much time on the ball, dilly dallying around, pussy footing in and around the area. Everton have shown every opposing team what to do to get United rattled, and we were feckin rattled, no composure whatsover in the second half. Park and Ronnie cannot stay on their feet if their lives depended on it. Ronnie was an absolute disgrace when Neville tackled him, ROLLING all over the place like a big girl. He is an embarassment and a CHEAT. Sorry there I said it. Giggsy had a great game today, and Tev did more combating in 10 minutes than the rest of our forwards all match. Fergie once again proves he is no tactician, his subbing when Rooney came off should have obviously been Tevez, like for like. But no what does he do, bring Andie and Nani on, before Tev, absolute shite. And you all know how much I love Nani, but not for this sort of game. Andie didn’t do bad really, but proves once again, when he is through and goal is gaping in front of him, he will always fall on his arse, or kick wildly over. We will be a laughing stock after this lot. We allowed them to kick us off the pitch. What a joke. And don’t give me any of this, Oh your being emotional. We still don’t know how to control games when we are under the cosh, with any kind of composure. We panic like fuck. I’ll tell you something I think which many of you won’t like. Vidic is never a one to beat a man without kicking the ball out of touch all the time, or boot a long ball up field just to get rid. Absolute shite in second half, sorry. Glad I didn’t travel today, I would have been pig sick all the way home. 
. Everton deserved fully their point.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:17
im sorry but AGAIN (Just like the Liverpool game) Fergie was responsible for our down fall.
CAN ANYONE TELL ME OUR TEAM by end of the match?
what a fuck up. First of all i dont know why HE didnt take of Giggs for anderson (play ando and fletch CM) tAKE Ji Sung off for Nani, Then take rooney off for TEVEZ????
Those substitutions make a hell of a lot more fucking sence than what actually happend!
I cant understand how giggs remained on the park as the only Central midfielder?
Thare was no fukin balance to the team after fERGIE FUCKED IT ALL UP…..AGAIN.
iTS REALLY GETTING TO ME KNOW COZ IM REALLY BEGINing TO BLAME HIM MORE OFTEN than not.
We wuda won today if after the subs our team was Nani(LM) aNDRESON (CM) FLECTHER (DM) RONALDO (RM) Berba and TEVEZ!!
I JUST CANT SEE WHAT FERGIE IS FUKIN PLAYIN AT.
……This hurts me to say but its time for a new coach.
The players are already in place but Fergie (without Carlos Queiros tactical nous) is slippin up too often for my liking!
…….Mourinho wouldnt have made those subs today n we wuda won
October 25th, 2008 at 14:21
why would he take a shit in the centre circle
October 25th, 2008 at 14:25
@Gabriel: So….what would you rather have? United dropping two crucial points for the sake of ronaldo finding his form? Fuck that mate.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:29
@Craig Mc: Spot on. Ronaldo’s antics after that tackle is down right embarrassing. It gives United a bad name. It used to be you could painfully turn a blind eye to that kind of fucking shit when he was getting 42 goals a year, but now, with that kind of shit performances his antics have just gotten worse. Every time there is the slightest bit of contact he goes down, then it comes back to bight him in the ass when in the 88th minute when he is actually legitimately fouled right outside the box the ref waves play on based on reputation. I’m disgusted with him.
I know hindsight is 20/20 but that 70 million sounds pretty fucking good right now.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:30
@realred:
get a fucking grip.
this board is full of “fans” with a “sack fergie, sell giggs” knee jerk reaction everytime something goes wrong. bloody hell.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:30
@Drew Vader: who else would we have put in for him? We have no other wingers!!! I’ve been screaming about this for ages now… we only have three wide players!! Maybe today, some will realise that…
And yes, we need Ronaldo to find his form, we would definitely be better off. Besides, you can’t really say we drew that match because of him, it’s not like he missed a sitter!! They were 10 other United players on that pitch, so I don’t understand why he is solely responsible
October 25th, 2008 at 14:31
@Nukeleus: Your guess is as good as mine. A better question is, why would he insist on shooting that freekick at the end when its 40 yards out and only ONE, i repeat ONE all year (against celtic for berbas goal) has cleared the wall. Maybe I’m an idiot, but i dont know, how about throwing up everyone into the box bar Evra and VdS and see if we can get some lucky bounce.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:32
@Drew Vader: You are talking as if Ronaldo scored an own goal!!! Rio would have conceded two goals for his mistakes… Everybody was playing shite (including Rooney of course)…
Its just that Eevrton showed more hunger…
October 25th, 2008 at 14:33
@Gabriel: Well for some reason Rooney was shifted out wide left and Ronaldo moved up front. So hows about taking off Ronaldo, putting on Nani and have Rooney return up front?
October 25th, 2008 at 14:35
@Gabriel: And i’m not claiming he is soley responsible for the dropped points, he is just getting the full force of my frustration right now because of his bullshit antics. He spent more time on the grass today than on his feet. his reaction to that tackle from Phil Neville was a disgrace. He was nonchelant with his finishing TWICE, once when put through by anderson and once when the ball came to him from Nanis cross. And he insists on shooting with every free kick inside United half.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:36
@Drew Vader: I’m with you mate. I am big Ronnie fan, but on present form, he needs to just come on for part of the games, until he finds some form. No doubt people will argue with this, but how can they really?. Players coming back from injury have to find their form again only playing part of the game.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:37
ronaldo’s roll over was a bit over dramatic but that was piss poor tackle from neville.. he dived in twice and should have been penalised for dangerous play two times..which he did even after the whistle the first time.i thought Giggsy had a good first half and average 2nd half.And i agree our tactical nous without CQ has been dismal..why is Fergie so adamant on starting park ahead of Nani?..and we lack severely in strength in midfield..i thought fletcher was immense for us and overextended himself towards the end, majority of our ball retention came from defence which isn’t a good thing
October 25th, 2008 at 14:39
CHRIS YOU GET A FUCKING GRIP.
I am an individual and i know what im saying is right.
Fergie is a mug when it comes to tactics and substituoin. That been quite apparant for a while now.
Its becoming even more clear without CQ by his side puting things right.
Mourinho wouldnt have fuckd up the team like fergie did today. Neither would Scolari nor would a list of top managers.
Our boy Fergis is gettin on…..with age comes jitters….teh old boy is losing the fukin plot and its costing us points!!
Todays game and liverpool are great examples…….the team was near unrecognisable by end of both matches
October 25th, 2008 at 14:42
I don’t specifically remember Rooney playing wide left for an extended period, but if he was, it would be logical to assume this was done because Ronnie is a better header of the ball and we were planning on crossing into the box.
About your subs, Fergie did srewball a bit, but I would have still taken Park off instead of Ronnie. Ronnie did much more. Rooney’s removal was questionable, especially as Tev wasn’t directly brought in for him
However, in the end the players we needed were brought in, but IMO, not in the right order.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:49
@Gabriel: Not like he missed A SITTER, what fucking match were you watching towards the end. He should have buried that shot he put wide, 10 yards out, nobody on him, it was easier to put it in the net than miss from that range. Ronnie has lost his composure, and that’s because every time he is touched in quite a few recent matches, he falls on his arse wanting free kicks, instead of getting stuck in, and fighting back. He did not contribute much to the game today. He certainly should not be taking all the free kicks at the moment either, until he has improved performance. He hardly clears the wall with them most times. Now you can all see I am not just down on Rooney, when he isn’t performing, but anybody who I feel isn’t up to scratch. I am talking though about when they are given persistent amount of playing time, when others who could contribute (TEV) are on the bench for 7 games. Ronnie has had a lot of games to get his form, nobody can dispute this. Let him come on as sub for a bit, and maybe he will fight a bit more for a place.
October 25th, 2008 at 14:50
I’m just frustrated and knee jerking. I realize this.
I’m so angry right now I think I could run for two hours on the treadmill. Maybe I’ll calm down a bit after that
October 25th, 2008 at 14:55
@Drew Vader:
I’m pissed too mate.. it really was a POOR performance from the lads… maybe they were celebrating Rooney’s 23rd last nite 
One thing I do know is that we respond well to negative performances and I’m pretty sure we’ll bonce back.. it’s a beautiful saturday, so i’m just trying not to get too riled up about it, don’t mind my optimism 
October 25th, 2008 at 14:57
@realred: Wow, just wow is all i can say
October 25th, 2008 at 15:01
@RMJ: Ronnies response to Nevilles tackle a little over dramatic
. The way he rolled over and over and over, clutching himself – PLEASE. That kind of behaviour from any player in football should NEVER be acceptable. Next minute he is up on his feet, running around, proving on TV in front of the whole world, what a feckin CHEAT he is. If he would fight, instead of letting people push him off the ball all the feckin times, then remonstrating arms aloft, to get free kicks, I am ashamed mate, and I can’t understand why any of the United Faithful wouldn’t be either. This kind of thing is why Ronnie is so ineffective, where he could be such a feckin asset to us, and win matches for us, instead of looking like a fool and embarrasing us 
.
October 25th, 2008 at 15:02
@realred: 2 matches is not enough to make me change my mind, or get on fergies back after what he has done for the last 20+ years,
I’m sure you were not complaining on may 21st were you? or a week and a half before that, calm down mate it’s only October, the season will be clearer in march,
October 25th, 2008 at 15:02
Haha RD? please eloborate!
It honestly hurt to write that last comment but iv been feeling thiis was for about 2yrs now.
Its hard for people to see Fergie doing wrong but it happens!! like today.
dnt get me wrong i love the man, hes a fukin legend. I was born jst besides Govan too so i douldly love the guy!
Doesnt change the facts however does it?!!
October 25th, 2008 at 15:07
@Drew Vader: Don’t apologise mate. You are right, you are not knee jerking or just frustrated. You are seeing things aright, and don’t let all the pacifists who criticise you make you feel like your opinion isnt honest or just reactionary. Some people are very good at that. Your opinion is honest mate, don’t give it up cheaply
.
October 25th, 2008 at 15:10
@Craig Mc:
easy mate, that chance was not as easy as it seemed, even though he missed it horribly 
You might be right in saying he needs to fight for his place, but with who? We only have three wide men, tevez is not one of them. Again, something i’ve been highlighting for some time now… hell, Park can’t even play 90 mins…
About his free kicks, he was taking all last year and missing most, but no one was complaining because he was on form. Ronnie is a BIG player for us who contributes a lot to our team and we need him to gain his composure, confidence and swagger back, because without that, he is very much average. He needs to continue his run in the team to gain this, but I also thinks he needs some rest. His game is about pace and quick reactions and right now he’s got none of that.
All players of Ronnie’s importance to a team will always get favored treatment because of their past and probable contributions.. just like if Messi, Kaka or Totti just came back from injury in their respective teams, they will be given an extended run of games in which to gain theie form back, even at the expense of other players.
October 25th, 2008 at 15:11
@realred: Don’t worry Realred, you just happened to touch the untouchable sacred cow. A lot of the professionals agree with you though, including our own Roy Keane. He openly says that Fergie is a fantastic manager, the very best, but a poor tactician. He should have held out for a 1st class foreign coach and master tactician. But there you go RealRed
.
October 25th, 2008 at 15:17
@Gabriel: You saying Ronnie hasn’t had a fairly good run of games then?. Ronnie contributes more at home, than he ever does away from home it seems. He gets decisions in his favour a little more at home though, so he is more in it. If I had been that ref today, I wouldn’t have given Ronnie another decision in the whole match, because he CHEATED everyone. Nearly got his own players booked for overly remonstrating with the ref, because even they thought seeing him rolling around like that, that he was really hurt. Fuckin irresponsible, playacting and gamesmanship at its very worst. What a prick to do that.
October 25th, 2008 at 15:21
@Mr.Muhozi: I think Realred’s point is mate, that last year, we had CQ’s tactical imput
. He is not wrong about that.
October 25th, 2008 at 15:45
Oh, I see! Sack Fergie and get Mourinho then, so that we can 1-0 our way to the 18th Championship, playing dull football (but making the correct subs) on the way.
October 25th, 2008 at 15:50
@Craig Mc: Of course Ronnie has had a fairly good run of games, he has scored 3 for United and assisted in a few. Although not at his optimum level, most wingers in the world will be happy displaying his current level of performance. He still needs to play more to get his composure/confidence, but he also needs to rest, like I said, his game is about pace and quick reactions and he doesn’t have that right now.
The problem there is we do not have many options in that area of the pitch. We have just Nani, Park and Ronaldo. Park can’t play for 90 mins, and makes less of an impact than Nani when subbed on, hence Fergie sometimes plays Park from the start instead. Ronaldo half-fit will always be an option for the 1st eleven. I bet you, if you were asked before the game to predict/choose your starting line-up for this game, Ronaldo would have been in it. That’s how important and potentially useful he is to our team. Maybe after today, he will get that much needed rest.
With regards to his antics today, he has always dived and cheated, but he gets kicked a lot too. However his composure and confidence has been as such that it doesn’t really affect his game, because he always puts away the chances he got. It’s just that because he has not been displaying his near perfect levels of performance, all these bad traits come to light. I’m not condoning it, infact I hate it, but by now, it should be no surprise!!
October 25th, 2008 at 15:59
Man, are we spoiled. First bad game since Liverpool away and suddenly its remove every player, bench Ronaldo, Rooney is cunt, and Rio is not as god as before. We cant win them all, a draw is good. We were playing Everton away, its not easy. They kicked us off the park and didnt play football but rugby. CUNTS! Phil should have gotten a red card, and since he didnt they scored from his cross. Rooney looked like he cared more about pissing the Everton fans off rather than winning out there. Immature, but what can you do?
Tevez looked sharp when he came on, maybe Rooney should get a rest on Wednesday when we face West Ham. PLay Tevez and Berba and see how that works. I miss watchin them play, last time(and only time) they played together Berba got an assist and Tevez a goal(Liverpool away). Ronaldo needs a rest and to get his confidence back. He is getting better, but right now he needs a rest. Why cant Fergie see that? We drew, okey! Face it! We cant win every game and we cant play 100% in the whole game every day! Its unreal. Fletcher is great this season and I wonder if he and Carrick would become a good partnership. I wouldnt drop him at the moment, but I want Andy to play some games too. His pass for Ronaldo today was brilliant, just too bad Ronaldo isnt in the form of last season. Bring on West Ham! 
October 25th, 2008 at 16:11
We had a stormer of a 1st half and then lost it. And you are right those subs are tactically suspect. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. Chris is right too much knee-jerk reactions out here… Ronaldo is in a slump and its sad but I like him getting his confidence back. I would give him reserve game perosnally to get him in action mode. Whatever shake it of and on to wednesday
October 25th, 2008 at 16:12
I say rest Berbatov…Bring on the trinity – Ronaldo,Rooney and Tevez….Carrick and Andy in CM will bring back the last season attack…What happened today in 2nd half was we couldnt break down evertong..we needed more movement up top and Fergie got it wrong taking Roo off and bringing nani on and play long searching balls…that was not required at that point…
October 25th, 2008 at 16:31
what is it with Fergie & the Liverpool air?! tyhe dude crosses the border & start making baffling decisions.
Fergie’s comments on fearing a Rooney red card make no sense. the guy is the glue in our front line. yes he had a suspect reaction to the Everton fans but pulling him off seconds after is giving them exactly as they wanted. the substitution did nothing but make the team worse. sir Alex had to manage the “walking red card” a.k.a. Roy Keane (don’t take the nickname too seriously) for years & i don’t remember him being pulled off @ 1-1 in a game we were losing the grip of.
the fact he was replaced by Nani is even more baffling, the guy’s a clown. i’ve never (& i trully mean never) liked him & today’s performance after he replaced Rooney has sealed it for me. he’s inept in every single way; he over dribbles; & never has a thought to pass first. people keep saying Ronaldo took time but the facts are; he’s older than Ronaldo was & shows nowhere near the promise. he continuously flatters to deceive, he’ll score a 40yarder one week then go missing for 3-4 months. the boy has ability but no application; he continues to attempt things he’s no good @. he’s not a dribbler like Ronaldo but he’s a better crosser, he has a quick first step & could continuously get crosses off if he stuck to a more basic game; he could mix this in with the odd shot & a few more lay-offs but everything he’s doing @ the moment is all wrong.
Berba’s scored goals but when the games tight, he can slow down the attack; if anyone should have been sacrificed it should have been our number9. the attacking line minus Rooney makes no sense. Berba is a great player but today was not his occasion, with the movement of last years front 3 we appeared more versatile. although i’ll wait to see how we play when Scholes & Carrick are back, i have no doubt the fact our central midfield finds it hard to keep the ball (atm) is a problem.
October 25th, 2008 at 16:39
@RedDevilEddy: Eddy, we can’t win them all
. What is that mate?. We could and SHOULD have won this match. Once again we take the lead, and don’t fight for that second goal. So lets be honest about this eh?. Just like L’Pool, we threw it away, thru defensive errors, and in this game lacking composure. We need to be honest in our assessments, so that just perhaps something might be feckin done about tactical ineptitude, strengthening midfield, and composure when under the cosh. We didn’t take the thing out of there game 2nd half, because we don’t know how too. Its time we feckin learnt how too.
October 25th, 2008 at 16:51
@Craig Mc: We trew away the match. But it wasnt only Uniteds fault, Everton were not playin footy, they were playin rugby. Had this been any other official, Everton would have gotten 2 red cards. Neville and Fellinian! Our team got bullied, and with such a young team of cource we are gonna get frustrated! We let Toffeetown get us. Big mistake which has to be sone somthing with. And it wasnt that we didnt look for the second goal, we just didnt gwet any chance to try to get it!
October 25th, 2008 at 17:24
Please, that wasn’t a dirty game at all. Everton out-hustled us in the second half. In the first half, we played through the middle, using Giggs and Fletch to bring it from defence. I presume Fergie said something (stupid) at half time, because when we came back out VDS went into Paul Robinson imitation mode and just hoofed it upfield at I can only assume the triple teamed Berbatov. Which went really well, the first 15 times, so he just kept doing it. Honestly, all we needed was a Keane or something. To run up to Edwin, and Vidic and be like, look lads, you may havenoticed we have some pretty talented players on the ball right now, if you just hit it over our heads ofr the next half hour we might as well leave. It absolutely infuriates me. In the last 2 minutes when you’re knacekered and against it, fine, but not at the start of the second half.
We lost because someone told us to stop playing posession football, and that has to have been Fergie. If we’d come out in the second half and calmly passed it around Everton for 15 minutes, we would have been fine, the crowd would have been silenced and they’d have no momentum. We wouldn’t even of had to shoot in tha time, just give them the impression taht they’re not going to touch it unless we want them to. But no. Instead we continue this completely idiotic approach of the long ball, when none of forawrd players bar Ronaldo can do anything with a long ball. Pisses me off.
Oh and Fergie should Ronaldo for his cheating against Neville. Or smack him.
I said we should have bitten Real’s hand off at the £70m. He doesn’t want to be there, all he’s worried about right now is hi Balloon D’or.
October 25th, 2008 at 17:29
@jos: I’ll say this much, Tevez is too good to be a sub and will probably leave because of it but all he needs to do is look closely at the career of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer for his motivation to stay. Ole was certainly good enough to starton most teams in the Prem and all the others in Europe but he was thrown on the bench at United where he welcomed the role and fed off it in a way I or any of us will ever see again. Honestly, United has had a history recently of players who live on the bench who love the team and would rather stay there than go and start anywhere else. Is Tevez that kind of man? He puts his heart and his soul into the game but he also has a Latin temper and personality which might counterman his good attitude. His ego may be greater than Ole’s and that’s all it will take to lose him. I’m hoping we keep him because I believe he injects drive, passion and desire into a game when he comes on and he is a great player to throw in for a start every 4th or 5th game to give either Rooney or Berba a rest. I just don’t honestly see that as being good enough for him. Then again, none of us really know the man and his agent and it will be interesting when the time does come to ink a contract if it will be possible because I rather doubt United will pay 32 mill or even 22 mill for a forward who works his ass off but doesn’t score enough goals. And I cannot see him wanting to stay as a bench warmer. Not when he can play in Spain for a big club or if he can go home and team up with his good friend Riquelme at Boca. I think that money will be used to fill the midfield spots next season and Manucho or Campbell will get their promotions to the big club. Only time will tell.
October 25th, 2008 at 17:33
We need to put Tevez on against the Hammers. I know they are his old club, but we need him to do what he does best early on in games, so we can gain the upper hand. I thought Tevez should have started instead of Berbatov
October 25th, 2008 at 17:35
Sell Ronaldo. Sell Nani. Sell Park. Sell them all for all I care.
That’s what some of you sound like and its damn foolish.
Rooney/Ronaldo/Tevez should be the starting frontline. I dont care how much we paid for Berbatov. Hell I dont even think we needed him. With him we are static in movement because he lacks the pace to stretch a defense. I dont think teams fear him because all they have to do to take him out of the game is to put a body on him. Rooney and Tevez (and even Ronaldo) cant be bodied out of a game. I think SAF needs to re-evaluate and go with what works because this static 4-4-2 is shit (and easy to defend) compared to the feared free flowing attack we had last year.
I thought we got Berbatov to get headers and lead the line. He doesnt do any of that. He’s basically a tall/slow SS w/ a great pass. I give him credit, he has a knack of putting the ball in the net on some janky plays, but that doesnt do enough to me to cover up the fact that he has absolutely no work rate.
Tevez is getting the royal screwjob here and its hard for me to watch him resigned to the bench knowing how awesome our attack was last season.
Rooney/Ronaldo/Tevez > Any frontline in the world.
October 25th, 2008 at 17:42
Oh, and Ronaldo shouldnt be taking FKs from farther than 25 yards out. Boggles my mind how somebody doesnt tell him off every once in a while.
October 25th, 2008 at 17:49
@Red Ranter: Fine RR, I really don’t know of too many fans that want him to leave. they are just weighing the cost over the ability. I think all United fans want to see Carlito stay but lets be realistic for a second. At a time when the team’s owners are suffering from a financial crisis back in the US I seriously doubt they would want to shell out 22 to 32 million pounds in transfer money and then come up with a contract lucrative enough to keep Tevez here as a bench warmer. For me that is not money well spent. Sure I like the player but for me he has never been a prolific enough goal scorer type but he does score big and timely goals…….up until this season that is. He hasn’t really taken to his new role and his predicted play coming off the bench to inspire and to score late winners hasn’t come about. There doesn’t seem to be any lack of effort, he’s just not getting it done in the classic sense. You would think injecting all that energy and drive late in a game when the opponent is tired would lead to something positive but so far , nada.
So for fans to question his long term potential with the club is very understandable and very normal. I don’t care if he says he wants to be here and Fergie says so. They are both saying what they need to say for obvious reasons. The bottom line is that Berbatov is just what United needed and he isn’t going anywhere and he certainly is not sitting the bench with his talent and with his contract in mind. And the new Rooney is playing like the old Rooney now and Fergie would have to be a blind madman to sit him down.
So I see it as to major obstacles that have to be overcome before we see Tevez here next season. Obstacle #1 is his transfer fee. I don’t think United will want to pay it after this season unless Tevez goes on a goal scoring tear and really justifies it. Obstacle #2, United and Ferguson cannot afford to be dealing out that kind of money for a bench player. The owners are pinching pennies and the manager has to consider long term solutions for both Scholes and Giggs (I’m not sure anymore about either Nani or Anderson) and also, it may become vital that we go out and sign a replacement for my beloved Hargreaves. His injury I feel may be career threatening and United need that bonafide CDM if he is unable to return. I also feel they need to look seriously at a world class keeper to replace EVDS. I know PIG is not the guy and I have serious doubts over Foster. Rne Adler has claimed to being a Man United fan and I think Fergy would be daft to not sign him as he is outstanding and very young. So priorities and common sense tells me that signing Tevez for that kind of money is just not going to happen. And lets not forget Carlos needs too. I doubt he wants to take a back seat to anyone. He is a proud player who wants to play, not sit.
October 25th, 2008 at 17:52
Never saw the match. Forgot to set the recorder for the 3:30am start here in Vancouver. Will watch the replay this evening but I am very disappointed we threw away 3 points after the form both teams were in. Surprised that none of our forwards or Ronaldo scored in this game. Amazed that Rooney never scored in his back yard. Oh well, the game was invented to frustrate and befuddle.
October 25th, 2008 at 18:32
@RedDevilEddy: Eddy, Eddy, Eddy, mate, we should have got the 2nd goal in the FIRST half, when we were so on top. But once again, we let them off the fookin hook, with our ineptitude at getting the second goal in tight games away from home. Hull City are above us in the feckin PL for goodness sake.
October 25th, 2008 at 18:34
i guess the refs are just not going to protect united from this kind of game plan of kicking the living shit out of our players. they probably think that they are double champions they should be able to deal with it. and we should putting tevez and andy on in these physical matches is crucial. yea i suspect that everyone will be kicking our guys arround now that they can get away with it. fuuuuuuuuuuuck!
October 25th, 2008 at 18:36
Missed the match and happy that I did…Hopefully West Ham will signal a wake up call. I just hope that this doesn’t halt Rooney’s recent form.
October 25th, 2008 at 18:42
@Beachryan: We did not lose for crying out loud, and yes that one point is still very much valuable.
@Grognard: Very much awaiting your match report.
October 25th, 2008 at 18:47
@flu3: How doesn’t it make sense??? The Everton crowd were looking to rile Rooney, looking at Rooney and his immature temper, he might have taken the bait and done something stupid, it surely made more sense to take him off than taking a chance, risking him getting a red card which if he did would have ruled him out of our next game and that isn’t good news with the form he’s in now. I disagree with you on the sensibility of subbing him but I’ll agree with that bringing on Nani as a replacement wasn’t the right move.
October 25th, 2008 at 19:40
@MUFC Fan in America: exactly. IMO this is what has led to Ronaldo’s regress. Just think of the amount of times last season we scored by Rooney and Tevez pressurizing the defence. Ronaldo isnt any worse he just doesnt have the free role anymore. Why wasn’t Berbatov the one eased into the team? What exactly was the problem with Roovez and Ronaldo? The amount of times they scored 4 or more in a game last season?
October 25th, 2008 at 22:38
@MUFC Fan in America: Berbatov’s a better player than Tevez. He’s a better partner for Rooney. He’ll score more goals.
Three brilliant reasons for having him in the team ahead of Tevez. Last year the Rooney-Tevez partnership rarely clicked the way this one has.
Once Ronaldo’s back to form there won’t be a problem. If he was on form today he would’ve scored. Tevez helps Ronaldo’s game undoubtedly but Berbatov will do too once he gets that connection with him, Ronaldo making the runs in behind with Berbatov playing the ball.
Berbatov never was bought as a lead the line striker. It’s a fact that Keane played further ahead of him over the past two seasons at Spurs, and even he isn’t a lead the line striker. He was bought because he’s a brilliant player who is a great partner for Rooney.
October 25th, 2008 at 22:40
@Liam: How many times did we score from Roovez pressurising the defence?
I’m willing to bet it’s not all that many to be honest. Ronaldo’s back from injury and is finding a bit of form, he’s still getting in brilliant positions and if he had full match fitness he would have score twice as much this season. IIRC he’s already scored more goals at this point in the season than last year.
October 25th, 2008 at 23:34
could this happen…
October 25th, 2008 at 23:46
could this happen
October 25th, 2008 at 23:48
October 26th, 2008 at 0:07
Hey everyone check out my Ronaldo free kick goal on FIFA 09! Awsome, eyy? First goal Ive uploaded, what do you think. Ive scored better, but its a nice goal.
October 26th, 2008 at 0:30
Once again Berbatov shows us his fine work ethic and anyone who said he was strong – when he was touched he fell to the ground like a little girl or worse – Nelson Dida
October 26th, 2008 at 1:07
At around half 11 the Ramos sacking was confirmed, under an hour later Redknapp#s confirmed as the Spurs manager.
And Levy seriously thought about calling us up on tapping up!
Good move for spurs, it had to be done with the way things were going.
Good move for ‘Arry too, he’ll be able to take Spurs on to higher levels than he’s been to before.
October 26th, 2008 at 1:22
Even better, Spurs fired Gus Poyet. We should snap him up as our number 2. He knows what he is doing, we know SAF looked at him but Spurs wanted a massive settlement and now he is free. Today sure as hell showed we need a European in and about the tactics room, and he can speak a language or three, If we haven’t signed him up by the time papers go to press tomorrow night I’d be amazed…
October 26th, 2008 at 4:08
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=931938
October 26th, 2008 at 4:37
http://penguinunited.blogspot.com/
October 26th, 2008 at 5:05
@Rd: I just got back late and still haven’t watched the game so it will have to wait until late tomorrow when I am finished with this work I am doing. Hope you are looking forward to the gloom and doom from the Prince of F$@%ing Darkness as a poor tie with Everton I’m sure is going to bring on his wrath. GGGGRRRRRRRR!!!!
October 26th, 2008 at 5:07
Although I have been a little quiet the last few days this site has gone funeralistic (new word). Where is everybody? JEEZ Wake the fuck up!
October 26th, 2008 at 5:09
@Traverse: I thought Poyet was South American?
October 26th, 2008 at 6:30
@Grognard: I think part of the blame should go to me to be honest. The lack of regular posts may have put off some of the regulars.
With my work commitments, RR has regressed this season — second season syndrome perhaps?
October 26th, 2008 at 6:52
Alright I was going to wait until tomorrow to comment on the game but I just can’t wait. I’ll make my observations in point form for effect.
1. Julian Lescott is an ugly mofo and his forehead reminds me of the Sven Goram Erickson puppet on I’m on Setanta Sports. What a melon head.
2. Rather than get angry at Everton for some of their roughhouse tactics in the second half I commend them on showing a lot of heart even though they have very little skill. Moyes is a good motivator but I still feel his tactics were amateur hour and United just blew too many good opportunities in both halves to win the game by two or three goals. Everton had two real opportunities all game and they scored one goal. I counted eight good opportunities for United. They need to be sharper than that.
3. Ronaldo’s lack of finish and first touch has really got me mystified. He should be over the injury rust and conditioning period. He had his moments and he also had some bad luck but he just isn’t comfortable out there. And please, until he can prove to me that he can get the fucking ball over a wall, please have someone else take the free kicks. Stop complaining about the wall and get your head in the game Ronnie. He seems far to occupied with the moments he is unfairly fouled and no call is given. And Phil Neville’s foul on him was not as bad as he made it out to be. Sure it was worth a yellow but Ronaldo rolling around was just a joke and the main reason referees don’t like calling fouls for him. His finishing at times is atrocious or he just seems like a step behind his usual pace and self. Two chances in the last ten minutes that last years Ronaldo would have blasted home. Like I said, I am mystified.
4. I think Fletcher really did a great imitation of a young Paul Scholes in the game. Tidy with his passes and a good instincts on when to go forward. His goal was sublime and an obvious reason why he should be starting. Keep it up Fletch.
5. Ryan Giggs also looked very good today and he made some nice passes and very nifty moves. Unfortunately nothing came from his efforts but the quality and style was there and I think he looked great.
6. Today we saw the Anderson everybody loved so much last year. Desire and more confidence on the ball. His ball to Ronaldo in the 83rd minute should have been a goal and it was truly fantastic. His body control and strength on and off the ball were excellent and he really showed me something considering I have never been one of his loudest advocates. Way to go Andy!!!!
7. Rooney had an off game and players need to wake up to Berbatov’s genius when it comes to passes. Too many times they just didn’t get what he was thinking and that’s too bad because his ideas are true genius. Rooney had a couple of great chances but was unlucky. His yellow card was 50/50 ball where both guys had their cleats up so I am still trying to understand why he was the only one carded?
8. The Rooney yellow and the Neville yellow are just examples of how the referee let the game get out of hand for not calling stuff earlier. Oh and kudos to Vidic and Giggsy for shaking old Louis Saha’s world a bit. Amazing thing is he got up each time and continued. If he was wearing the red of Man Utd that would have been four months in the infirmary flirting with the nurses and crying about his lot in life. The guy is spineless and his game showed it. If I was Saha I would have been so sky high for this game that it would have taken minor miracle to keep him off the scoresheet. As it was, he was invisible until of course he was fouled. The guy is absolutely useless and has no heart whatsoever. Just rubbish.
9. So when is Carlos Tevez ever going to come on and actually score a goal or get close enough to the goal to score a goal? I am tired of the rambling gringo running around with no real point to his game. Get centered and start heading for goal. He just seems like a guy who isn’t sure what his role is. It’s easy Carlos. next to your name in the program it says ST or F. That means striker or forward. They are generally know n for being the guys who try to score goals, not run around midfield like the Tazmanian Devil accomplishing shite. Honestly sometimes that stuff is entertaining and even productive, but here’s the thing mate, SCORE SOME FUCKING GOALS ALREADY!!!!
Sorry about the caps RR.
10. And finally, why the Hell does a class team like United not devour all it’s opponents like they do on FIFA 09? Damn it, why can’t life reflect the reality of my expert use of the side in FIFA 09? Why can’t they kick ass and take names and never let up on teams. OK so I’m joking around a little but bare with me. My FIFA 09 comparison has a point. In a video game the I never and I say never let uop on a team after I have scored a goal. I am a greedy mofo and I love goals so I go for the jugular. United had Everton where they wanted them after the first goal but they let them off the hook. Sure they created some chances but seriously, Everton tactical setup was perfectly suited to United’s game and they should have laid an ass kicking after the first goal. But like many other games they play, they love to let teams off the hook. Sure they score a fair amount of goals but our class and skill is so superior to Everton’s that scoring less than 3 goals against them when they have the ball so much and control of the midfield is inexcusable. Sometimes they lack killer instinct and that little extra bit of quality at the every end. And also, what the Hell was Rio smoking today? Christ he was awful. We know he is good for a couple howlers in a season. Fortunately today his howlers did not count against us.
So we end up with a draw in a game we should have won easily. I’m guessing this won’t be fatal because I am predicting either 0-0 or 1-1 between the Scousers and Chelski tomorrow. Both teams will bottle it and play for a boring draw because they are both formed from the finest shit money can buy. Yes the Grognard was extra cranky today. Still, hope you had a bit of a laugh with my review of this game. The game that got away.
Cheers!
October 26th, 2008 at 6:53
@Red Ranter: I fully understand mate and don’t concern yourself too much. Work is work and you need to concentrate on it. I’ll try to keep everybody interested and stirred up. Hope you enjoyed my latest entry. It’s totally Grognified.
October 26th, 2008 at 7:45
Grog, with all due respect man, you can’t compare Fifa 09, GTA
or any other computer game with the real thing. We’re talking about real people here. We all saw what happened when the best defender in the world had a 5 minute break yesterday. These things don’t happen in a computer. And no one kisses his badge with pride in front of his childhood friends, who happen to support the opposition. I absolutely adore Rooney! 
October 26th, 2008 at 10:02
@james f: It was a sarcastic joke and an observation on the way I wish things could be.. I’m not a fucking idiot for crying out loud. I just made the point that it’s too bad real life can’t imitate art. To actually literally take my meaning as a serious comparison absolutely astonishes me. Of course you can’t compare FIFA 09 to the real thing. Duh!!!!!
October 26th, 2008 at 10:05
@Grognard: But you said that “My FIFA 09 comparison has a point”.
October 26th, 2008 at 18:37
@james f: Yes but you missed the point mate. My point was humorously frustrating. It was that my team never settles down and stops attacking with killer instinct in a video game because I won’t let it happen. It’s too bad that in real life Fergie can’t seem to motivate the players to have more killer instinct and to not relax and settle for a 1-0 lead. Had they gone for the jugular the game would have been over at half time.