Jul 01
Ferguson Speaks as he Returns to Old Trafford
Sir Alex returned to Old Trafford and regular work as he spoke to the press. He said that whilst he’d be looking to start actively scouring the transfer market, he would really be looking to buy one or two players at the most.
Now some people may be worried about the apparent lack of ambition shown by the manager but I honestly think, if that player Fergie seeks to buy is a target man and if we keep hold of Ronaldo, then we’re good to go. Of course, the Ronaldo situation is the big if, and Fergie would also not want to be drawn into it. I will quote some from the interview he gave, but if you really want to see him for yourself so that you could form your own opinion based on his demeanour, his tone of speech etc, then here’s the link to the video
“The European Championship derails transfer activity. Nothing really happens during the tournament. But now it’s all over, managers will be back at their clubs and you can get some dialogue now if there’s interest. I wouldn’t think (we’ll sign) any more than one player. We are looking at one or two things. People think it’s easy to buy players nowadays but it’s not. Money plays a big part, first of all. And clubs with ambitions don’t want to sell their best players. So it’s not as easy as you’d think. We tend to look for younger players.”
This is the gist, and the video link has the full 7 minute interview. But it is nice to see him relaxed and fresh for the new season. So during the next week let’s see what the transfer market brings about.
Meanwhile the tabloids have already trumpeted Berbatov as our prime target. The story has been simmering for a while and now it has truly bubbled to the top. No substantial evidence to make that claim but if Spurs continue to bump his price, then we may as well show them the finger. I don’t think he’d be worth more than £23 million.
Speaking of transfers Deco has signed for Chelsea, which means Lampard will move to Inter. Honestly I don’t get the point of buying Deco when they already have Essien and Mikel. We’ll see how Scolari gets him to gel with Ballack.
And finally, Mikael Silvestre has decided to stay at OT for another season. That should be enough to dissuade Fergie from buying another left back.
News has been thin, but I expect it to be kicked into over drive rather soon. Another month and a half for the real season to start, although pre-season will start sooner.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Hargreaves — so excited that he might pass out
- Featured Video: Ronaldo – A Mini-Documentary
- Wenger Speaks Sense As Platini Loses his Mind
- The Day After Roma
- Cantona: Domenech’s the worst coach since Louis XVI
Tags: Manchester United News
July 1st, 2008 at 10:20
RR, I agree with both points, I think we should offer a low figure for Berba as Spurs want stupid money for him. He is a good player but if the sign Crouch he could well be surpless and he obviously wants to leave. Deco is a real punt @ 30 can he adapt to the pace of the prem league?, as Shevchenko can tell him not easy!
Fergie has hidden behind the Euro’s a bit because Chlsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have bought and we are the only top 4 club which hasn’t but if we can keep our top Ronaldo and others, even Saha, and buy a number 9 then we should be fine.
Lets just hope Nani and Andy kick on this season, as they could well be important.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:31
we bought davide petrucci…..nd yr i dont think we really need more then 1 or 2 player, if we do get one, it should be a striker before any other position
July 1st, 2008 at 10:37
If Rooney had scored on 1/2 of his 1-on-1 with the keeper, he would have scored many more goals. We need a striker to convert chances, but to get the we can almost call Rooney a master. Berbatov is an amazing finisher, so if Rooney can learn from him and especially Ole, Rooney might score as many as Ronaldonext season!
Warning
This is long. But if you like to read about Rooney this might be interesting.
This is all of Rooneys chances this season.
Reading- Missed 1-on-1 with Hanheman, headed outside from 7 yards, shot over from Carrick cross(broke foot), passed to Giggs instead of shooting from 10 yards.
Sporting- Return from injury, no big chance.
Chelski- Shot from 28 yards that would have gone into the top corner had it not been for an amazing save from Cech, Saha 1-on-1 Rooney was free but Saha shoots over. Rooney gets angry.
Bimingham- Makes contact on a cross from Ronaldo that Taylor saves.
Roma- Shoots over on volley from 8 yards on cross from Nani, Doni saves shot from 18 yards, scores goal assisted by Nani.
Wigan- Only gets 1 chance that he converts with a header from Simpson cross.
Aston Villa- Scores two goals, misses penalty, hits crossbar from 6 yards.
Dynamo Kiev- Scores one goal from Wes Brown pass, passes to Anderson from 12 yards who hits post.
Middlesbrough- Scores one goal, heads over from Nani cross, doesnt hit target from difficult angle, shoots over on hard volley inside the box, passes to Tevez who scores.
Arsenal- Shot on Gallas that becomes own goal, heads outside from Giggs cross.
Dynamo Kiev- Scores one goal from Nani cross.
Fulham- Shoots outside from 6 yards.
Derby- Hits post on open goal, keeper saves from 1 yard, shoots just over from 25 yards, shot cleared off line from 20 yards.
Roma- Doesnt get a single chance.
Liverpool- Shot that Tevez converts from 20 yards, misses 1-on-1 from 12 yards after Ronaldo pass.
Everton- Chip cleared off line, hits crossbar from 25 yards.
Sunderland- Scores 1 goal.
Aston Villa- Comes on in second half and scores one goal.
Newcastle- Misses 1-on-1, should have had a penalty, shot just outside from 25 yards, headed over from Giggs cross, shoots outside from Tevez pass.
Spurs- Wins penalty.
Pompey- James saves chip from 12 yards, volley just outside from Scholes pass.
Spurs- Doesnt get a single chance.
Arsenal- Headed goal, shoot outside, Lehmann saves, volley on target that Lehman saves with foot, Lehman makes another easy saves in second half.
Lyon- Chips over from 20 yards.
Newcastle- Scores 2 goals.
Fulham- Passes instead of shot from 10 yards.
Lyon- Shot saved from Coupet.
Pompey- James saves 1-on-1.
Derby- Hits side netting from 10 yards, heads right on Carroll, shot saved from 20 yards, then 10 yards, then 2 yards.
Liverpool- Shoots at Reina when 1-on-1, again from VDS long kick.
Aston Villa- Misses from 18 yards from Tevez pass, scores 2 goals, goal gets disallowed for offside.
Roma- Scores 1 goal.
Middlesbrough- Scores 1 goal.
Arsenal- Lehmann saves from 1 yard, Lehmanns foot saves shot from 18 yards when 1-on-1, Lehmann saves shot from Evra pass.
Blackburn- Passes to Ronaldo instead of shot from 18 yards.
Chelsea- Scores 1 goal.
Wigan- Wins penalty, Kirkland makes one of the saves of the season from his shot from 20 yards.
Chelsea- Doesnt get a single chance.
This is all the chances I remember Rooney getting, and I bet I dont remember everyone. If he had scored on half of his chances he would have scored more than Ronaldo. So if he just learns a lttle from Ole, he might get more goals next season. Hopefully!
July 1st, 2008 at 11:10
I think we know Rooeny is not a natural finisher, but I can’t see Berbatov or Huntelaar or who ever playing right or left midfield, tracking back defenders as he does. Also he is 22 and not the finished article, might help if he stopped smoking though!
July 1st, 2008 at 11:29
I reckon he’s been sticking his left boot on his right foot and his right boot on his left.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:32
We’re fighting it out with Real Madrid for Radamel Falcao Garcia,look him up on youtube!!22 and a deadly finisher!!I’d buy him before any of these names mentioned!!
July 1st, 2008 at 11:38
Rafael and Fabio due to join up as well, right?
Berba is worth 20m, tops. Might give them a player, or what do you know, a pig could fly over OT and Saha would stay fit next season.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:48
I can’t see the benefit to us for sending Saha on loan, either we sell him or he stays we are not exactly over furnished with strikers at the moment!
July 1st, 2008 at 12:17
Why Scolari prefers Deco over Lampard is obvious. They have worked together and Deco is a lot more creative and would suit his style of attack. As you can see, Deco’s got a 2 year contract and is a short term replacement. At 31 years age, someone wouldn’t be in the long term plans of any club. Zola came in his thirties and still became a legend. So, who knows.
Lampard is sure to go, and there are reports saying Mourinho hinted that it might not be this summer. Deco is a good signing, no doubt but he would never consistently score 20 goals a season like Frank.
@red devil: That was a long comment dude. Excellent memory
July 1st, 2008 at 12:49
@Aravind: Thanks
July 1st, 2008 at 13:24
Saha is determined to prove his fitness to Sir Alex, and the talk of sending him out on loan sounds scary right now, it might as well be an indication that we will be signing a new number 9 this season!
I think that this is very likely, given that SAF wishes to buy just one player and the WORLD knows that its got to be a striker (Silvestre is staying, no chance that we will be buying a defender!)
If we can’t get Huntelaar, then how about we bring in someone ON LOAN? A Latino player won’t mind coming for one year, they will take it as a challenge to prove their worth up north, where the money is bigger and the climate is chilling.
I especially like this ON LOAN theory because that will give us time and enough matches to try out Campbell, Manucho and Welbeck (I think Manucho will go out on loan though) in the first team. These guys definitely deserve a chance and can prove to be the long term solution to our striker needs.
July 1st, 2008 at 13:49
I don’t think Rooney has quite lived up to expectations of when he first burst on to the scene. I think he is almost trying to hard to score. What do you guys think is going wrong with him?
July 1st, 2008 at 13:56
Mihir: Dude with all due respect for Manucho and wellbeck,we need a world class striker,WTF we r the
champions of europe and ur talking about guys who wont even fit in the Championship..No wonder Groggy
gets pissed wid you guys..
July 1st, 2008 at 13:59
@Mihir: The on loan striker is not so appealing to me. We already have Tevez on loan, and we shouldn’t base our strike force on loanees. Plus I don’t see how loaning a player will give any more field time for the remaining backup strikers?
MCRx3 – I can’t see anything wrong with him. He’s still very young, and even if he’s been around for several years, he’s still learning. It’s a natural development of a player’s awareness and sense of other players. For no player, ever, has it been developed fully at the age of 22. I’d say that he’s extraordinarily gifted and mature in some areas already.
About his finishing. I think, there might be some truth to your comment about him trying too hard. The chances he misses the most of are sitters, and with time he will learn to put more away. He’ll probably never be as clinical as, say, Villa, but his goal return will grow, and that’s more than enough for me. I don’t consider him our prime goal scorer and choose in stead to drivel about the other aspects of his game such as his work ratio, vision and first touch, which are not parallelled by many in the world.
Fortunate for us is it that we have so many chipping in goals, and we have so many ways of scoring, so it won’t become a problem that he doesn’t reach the tally we all wish for him. But give him an injury free season, and he’ll make 25 easily – I’d say that’s quite a good return adding his usual 15 assists.
July 1st, 2008 at 14:10
I wonder what will be our strongest team next season. I wonder more about what Fergie will use as our first-11. I hope it is like this:
VDS
Neville Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Hargreaves Anderson Nani
Rooney Tevez/Unknown signing?
Remember that from next season will the Premier League have 7 substitutes. But its still only possible to change 3 players during a game. I hope Andy and Owen will be our CM partnership next season. I love Scholes, but I still feel that Anderson and Hargreaves are Uniteds best midfield partnership. It must be hard to choose a midfield when you have players like Hargreaves, Anderson, Carrick and Scholes. And with Fletcher playing well when called upon and players like Possebon coming thruogh, who knows?
. So it doesnt really have anything to say. When Torres can beat Mertesacker in the air, why cant Villa beat Terry? Maybe I am talking to highly of Villa 
but I love the player! He would be the signing of the century if he joins us! Even if it is for £32 million.
Oh, and since we are talking about a striker transfer-target, I want Berbatov or Villa. Why? I just feel that they fit into Uniteds style. Berbatov because he is a finisher that has a great first touch. I look at him as a combination of Cantona and Ruud. Maybe that is to rate him too high, but that is just how I feel. He has the arrogance, touch and the ability to score important goals like Cantona. And he is deadly when 1-on-1, he is really good at positioning himself and he has really quick reactions like Ruud.
Everyone that has read my comments in the past knows that I look at Villa as the complete striker. He is one of the best finishers in the world, he can head the ball well, he has great movement, he is fast, he can see weaknesses in defenses like no-one else and he can use both feet to perfection. He is a unike player that can become the best player in the world if he joins a great club. He alone can make a team like Arsenal win the Prem. He may not be tall, but he is a great header. Crouch is tall and he is a catostrophic header
But Fergie and Gill decides, Im just a big fan writing my feelings. Or maybe I am Quiroz? Nah, dont think so. But only future will tell.
July 1st, 2008 at 14:15
@MCRx3: Rooney is young and will become a better finisher with time. I dont htink it is him trying to hard, I think he just tries to make the goals he scores pretty and not so ugly. When he is 1-on-1 with the keeper he might try to chip it, or he might try to wait a little bit longer than usual to round the keeper. It can aslo be that he doesnt know whet to do when he gets the ball in the box, opr when is is alone with the keeper. Maybe he thinks of the options he has instead of following his natural instinct.
July 1st, 2008 at 14:27
Does anybody else think that Ferguson’s “only one player” comment is just a transfer tactic to try and bring the prices of players down? If he would have said that he is looking to bring 20 players in, then clubs would have held on to that player for as much as possible.
Now, if he is just messing with the press, he goes to Tottenham and says “I’ll give you 20 mil for Berbatov” and if they ask for 30 mil, he says, “I’ll give you 23 mil and if you don’t want it, I’ll go get Huntelaar.”
July 1st, 2008 at 14:27
I hope we can do a little better than some South American on loan and Welbeck, Manucho and Campbell!!
We are European Champions and we need a top number 9 who can score goals and lead the line. Villa does not really give us anything new but Berbatov does, but seems too expensive but that has never stopped us in the past.
July 1st, 2008 at 14:29
@RedDevil: About the Villa vs. Terry-ordeal. Well, Torres is much more physical, and that’s why he can over jump Mertesacker. Villa is less physical, so he’d probably never beat Terry in the air. I don’t think you should take Villa’s heading abilities into account when assessing him.
Having said that, I agree with what you say about him. He’s a great little striker and one who would certainly score a lot of goals at OT, if we bought him.
About both Villa and Berbatov. We should be aware of the fact that SAF has said, we are most likely to sign a young player, and I wouldn’t consider any of them young. They’re both very close to their prime right now. He may be spinning, so obviously there’s a chance of us buying one of them, but I wouldn’t count on it.
July 1st, 2008 at 14:39
What would you call a young player? 17-24? I will call 26 a young age for stikers since some can play until they are upin their 30ies.
July 1st, 2008 at 14:43
He also said we “tend” to look at younger players that does not say we “are” going to buy one.
July 1st, 2008 at 15:00
@Aravind: Which is my point: Chelsea don’t seem to be planning long term. Most buys seem like short term fixes, or half hearted ones. There doesn’t seem to be an effort at getting quality youth come up the ranks — whether foreign or home grown. But then again, there hasn’t been any real stability in the managerial front either so there you go.
On Deco, he’s 31, and so is Ballack; both offensive midfielders playing together. It would be brilliant for you lot if they gel, but more often than not they don’t always work out as well as expected, do they? More importantly I think it’s unfair on Essien who’s frankly wasted in a defensive midfield/right back role.
July 1st, 2008 at 15:29
@RR
I agree with you. Having money to fix anything now doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan for the future. But I’m afraid there are no much youngsters being signed. The fact is Scolari knows there should be some trophy added to the cabinet next season and he has no time to look at the talent pool in detail. The signing of somebody he trusts like Deco is an outcome of that. But there’s every possibility that the plan will backfire because players who are past their peak are not good in adapting to a change in the game. Sheva is a living example. I agree with you in what you said about Essien too. He is in the peak of his career age-wise and still has to play out of position every match of the season.
@red devil:
Agree with you totally. SAF is likely to buy some youngster than a ‘finished product’. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he signs someone like a Villa or a Berba. Epl is changing and SAF knows that.
July 1st, 2008 at 15:49
Agreed with your point RR. I think Chelski are a bunch of class-less, history-less retards who buy players, that they don’t actually need, for the sake of it (or so that other clubs don’t get them) and then waste their talents by letting them rot on the bench (SWP, Wayne Bridge, Steve Sidwell, Scott Parker, Damien Duff, Shevchenko etc.), and then eventually have to sell them in a cut price deal and make a huge loss n them. They are not a well-run club in my opinion and will be in the deepest of deep shit if Mr. Abramovich packs up, mark my words.
With regard to the transfer targets of MAN UTD, I’m all for Berbatov coming to us, provided the price is right, as he’s a bloody marvelllousch player, but I have doubts about his attitude. He could turn out to be a mercenary in the mould of Anelka (am I glad we didn’t go in for that moron!!) and he’s certainly no Rooney or Tevez in terms of work ethic (even Ruud the goal poacher had a fantastic work rate, considering all he did was hang around in the six-yard box!) but we shall see what happens…
My first choice transfer target would be either Huntelaar or David Villa, and second choice would be Berba. Failing to get any of those players, I think I would rather see us not buy anyone at all this summer, rather than panic-buy a random striker just for the sake of it.
PS. I find it funny that no-one is championing Benzema and Gomez anymore on this site! Could it be because they had disastrous Euro’s I wonder…..
July 1st, 2008 at 15:54
manutdforlife and Tomas;
You misunderstood me dude. I am all for buying clinical finishers, but my point is, these guys have potential. I am not too gung-ho about Manucho, but Campbell and Welbeck are I think earmarked for the future. They are in no way Man Utd material today, but they should be developed.
In fact, in my last comment I had mentioned the need to buy a big name striker because none of these strikers are ready to don the role of the target man this season.
About the ON LOAN theory, (assuming we are not able to get a long-term solution) if we can have someone like Henrik Larsson who stepped in excellently season before last, it will give us a reliable guy up front, and the backup strikers can be gradually moulded into first teamers. It is up to them to make their presence felt and grab the first team opportunity if offered (in matches where a victory seems certain, as substitutes of course)
July 1st, 2008 at 16:01
How is this formation for this season: (its what i play in FIFA 08, at least there it seems to work amazing)
——-Huntelaar——–
—————-Rooney——
——–Tevez————-
—Nani/Giggs–Scholes/Hargo—-Ronaldo—
—The usual back four—
——-EVDS/Foster————
July 1st, 2008 at 16:11
@ Nino
Im all on for Benzema signing for utd he would defibately be my first choice despite Frances woeful effort in the Euros. He is quality and is only going to get better and would fit in perfectly to utd’s dynamic flowing attack.
Would go for him before Huntelaar, Villa and Berb but unfortunately I dont think he is a realistic target. Wants to stay at Lyon and then has made noises about moving to Madrid. His loss
July 1st, 2008 at 16:19
@Nino: I think the reason that noone is talking about Benzema and Gomaez are because of different things. Benzema since Lyon doesnt want to sell under £35 mill, and Gomez since he was terrible during the Euros.
July 1st, 2008 at 16:37
Im worried in case Nani and Anderson have a bout of 2nd season syndrome. They were superb last year and were a great addition to the squad and obviously great things are expected this year but if they loose a bit of form it will put alot of pressure on the rest of the midfield especially with Giggs and Scholes another year older.
With SAF saying there will only be one signing as well you hope things won’t become a bit stretched.
July 1st, 2008 at 16:38
@RedDevil: The reason Torres can beat out Mertesacker to a high ball is simply because he has a far superior vertical leap than Mertesacker. Height is no advantage if you cannot jump. If you watch the video of his header that hit the post, Mertesacker was moving towards him and was not well balanced enough to leap up properly. Thus, Torres beat him. That has been Mertesacker’s big problem all tournament. He may be tall but because he is slow he has a hard time marking strikers who are fast and therefore, they have better positioning and balance when they contest a high ball with him. He also isn’t a great leaper, although he is not bad either. Torres is a fantastic leaper and at times he looks like he is levitating for a few seconds.
July 1st, 2008 at 16:45
@Nino: In fairness to Chelsea they have won the Prem twice and finished second two years in a row while making the CL final with this so called crappy strategy of buying players. Lets not put the blame on them entirely. Players all know going to Chelsea means competing for a starting spot with other world class players. So if by chance they end up rotting on th e bench, they have nobody to blame but themselves because of their blind ambition and greed. Depth and quality in depth is the reason Chelsea have been so competitive for 4 years now.
And regarding Berbatov. Yes he could end up like Anelka but he also has the personality and ability to end up like Cantona.
July 1st, 2008 at 16:48
The following names are players that I think Fergie and United will try to get.
Samuel Etoo
Dimitar Berbatov
David Villa
Klaas Jan Huntelaar
Karim Benzema(only if price is right!)
Ive said what I feel of David Villa and Berbatov. Now about Etoo, Benzema and Huntelaar.
Etoo: One of the worlds greatest strikers. A proven goalscorer, wants to go to the Prem and will not be too expensive since Barca want to sell. He will be in the £15-20 million region. He is like a none-injury prone Louis Saha. He can create goals, score them with both feet, finish 1-on-1, head the ball and is great at positioning hiimself. He will score at least 25 goals a season. The player I hope United get unless we get Villa.
Huntelaar: A unike finisher. He is a rare talent, but only in the dutch league. He is unproven in a major club competition and that might scare United away. The dutch league is not one of the best in the world. If he plays in a big club like he does at Ajax, he will be an imporant player in every club. He can promise 30 goals a season in the dutch league, not known in the Prem or Spanish. I like Klaas, but I wouldnt pay more than 15 mill for him.
Benzema: I watch the French league sometimes, and Benzema has impressed me. He showed against United that he can score a goal out of nothing, he can make chances and that he is a masterful player that I think will be remembered as a French legend when he retires. His play would fit perfect with United, he will give something new. He has the skill of Zidane, the eye for the game like Ronaldinho, the finishing skills of Henry and the positioning of Ruud. He is a complete strikerm he is almost the same as David Villa. The only thing that is bad with himis that he wants to move to Spain. If he comes to United and becomes a United great like Ronaldo, we may have to go through all of this difficult transfer rumours again. He is a player with ambition, but since he wants to play in Spain already it might not be wise to buy him.
July 1st, 2008 at 16:51
@Traverse: haha that made me chuckle
July 1st, 2008 at 16:54
@Mihir: “They are in no way Man Utd material today, but they should be developed”. And they will be developed, either on loan or in the reserves. They are not good enough to play for Manchester United right now. We are not a bottom feeder or a mid table team given the luxury of mediocrity in order to try out kids who have not proven they are world class like a 17 year old Ronaldo or Messi. United is not in the business of being fair or charitable to it’s youth. They are Prem and European champions and they need to compete for those trophies and defend them with all their might. Not be saddled with breaking in kids who are not yet up for the job. If some of you are so in love with youth and giving youth a chance, why don’t you support a Coca Cola League team? If United give opportunities to youngsters, it’s because their potential exceeds normal expectations. Nani, Anderson, Ronaldo and a younger Rooney all fit that mold. Welbeck, Campbell, are not ready yet and even though Manucho is 24, his complete lack of top level experience is glaring. He needs time to be better assessed also.
July 1st, 2008 at 16:58
@Grognard: They can have their crappy strategy of buying players because they are Abramovich’s play thing. Chelsea are operating on a loss, we still have profits despite our debts. Their’s is not a sensible business by any length of imagination and at some point Roman will have to realize that his spending does not justify results how much ever he considers it to be a ‘passion’ for him.
In our case, as a tightly run business, we rely on consumer spending — in terms of ticket sales + merchandising to pay off our debts and also spend on transfers. The percentage of our owners pouring money into the club is less than that of Roman. So we need common sense in our transfer strategy and going the Roman way of buying players for the heck of it wouldn’t be sustainable for us in the long term.
More importantly our transfer business believes in organically integrating and building our team rather than plugging a hole in the dyke with your pinky — so to speak. So whilst they may have won two titles, I know how painful it is to watch them play — barring the first Mourinho title winning season.
July 1st, 2008 at 16:58
@scoop: Benzema’s price tag is at 48 million Euros. So you can forget about that. Fergie was quoted as being literally god smacked at the absurdness of the price. He should know, look at what he’s asking for Ronaldo. Message in all this? Lyon are not interested in selling and if they do, the team has to pay double what the player is worth.
July 1st, 2008 at 17:03
@RedDevil: I am pretty certain Etoo, Benzema and Villa are not on United’s radar. Who is on their radar is Berbatov, Huntelaar, Falcoa and I am happy to read that Pavlyuchenko is being reportedly linked by numerous sites. If so, United see in him exactly what I do. He has speed, tremendous height and heading ability and is an aggressive offensive player with a poacher’s mentality and a brave attitude. He is not timid when it comes to taking shots. I love him. He’s 26 so I feel he could offer United 5 or 6 excellent seasons.
July 1st, 2008 at 17:10
@Red Ranter: Are you even aware how much money Abramovich has? 100 million pounds for him is like you or I dropping $20.00 on a new dvd movie. He is loaded and the cash is still coming in for him. It’s not dried up. Chelsea is a toy for him and although he doesn’t let it totally get out of control, he does not register his spending as a loss like every other team would. That privilege of incredible wealth allows him to pretty well sign whomever he wants provided of course that the given player or players wants to play for Chelsea. Fiscal management is secondary to the product on the field. You seem to expect him to eventually learn his lesson. He is an arrogant and conceded Russian pig and he has exploited and destroyed many to get to where he is now financially. Do you honestly think that a man like that learns lessons? No, people like that give lessons. Perhaps he will tire of his little toy, but I somehow doubt it. He will tinker and tinker until he feels that he’s got it just the way he wants it. Since that will never happen, consider him stubborn enough to not give up on the quest. And by the way, even the first Mourinho win was painful to watch. They will never play attractive football because they just don’t get it.
July 1st, 2008 at 17:22
@Andrei: See I reckon coming out and saying we are only after one player will cause the exact opposite. Whoever we try and buy, their club can add £5 million or so on, knowing we aren’t spending loads elsewhere, and that player is our only target….
July 1st, 2008 at 17:26
We won’t see Davide Petrucci quit dreaming already. If you think his a Benzema noone has spoken of you can go dig a hole and bury yourself. His going to be in our academy for a few years, get loaned out and then sold for a tidy profit. “We alrdy signed davide petruci we dont nid no striker!!!!!!!!!!111″ is just plain idiocy in my opinion.
July 1st, 2008 at 17:35
How old is Berbatov? 27? That means limited resale value so anything more than 20 million would be excessive. But he does have the advantage of being proven Premier League quality. He might also be more motivated in a team chasing glory rather than a Tottenham side drifting in the top half of the table.
35 million is not unreasonable for Benzema. We paid a similar fee for Rooney when we bought him. My main issues would be a) the player wouldn’t want to join b) he’d piss off to Spain in the future possibly forcing a transfer bringing down the resale value c) unproven in the Premier league.
Roque Santa Cruz seemed a likely target. But I think Ince would be too stubborn to sell to Fergie. As far as I’m aware they did not part on the best of terms.
Huntelaar would seem to be a good signing. But I suspect the reason he hasn’t been snapped up by a big club is because he’s overvalued by his club. He’s worth 10-15 million. Not the 25 million quoted as his release fee. We paid 20 million for Ruud but he had proven himself in the Champions League.
Really you can understand why Ferguson isn’t looking to splash out when we already have a very good squad, and the only players that could possibly improve our squad are unavailable, overpriced, or do not want to play for us.
There is a particular type of personality that works for United:
a) Ambitious
b) Loves United
If a player is ambitious he should automatically want to play for United because we are a vehicle for a player to win titles, champions leagues and personal acclaim. The problem is that after winning titles and trophies, a certain type of player will not feel the same hunger or want new challenges or want to experience different cultures.
If a player loves United he’ll want to stay even after his personal ambitions have been sated because he wants United to remain successful. That is why Giggs, Neville and Scholes stayed so long and why I can envisage Rooney, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Hargreaves and Carrick staying at United for the long term.
Tevez, Nani, Anderson and Ronaldo are an integral part of our future. But Ronaldo has also shown he doesn’t love United and I have my doubts about the other three.
So if we are buying this season we need to buy players who will most likely stay at United for as long as we need them and have a strong desire to join the club and have no interest in anyone else except as a second choice
July 1st, 2008 at 17:44
@Grognard: I am fully aware of how much wealth he has and its magnitude, thanks for asking. My point is not that. All I am saying is you can’t compare the way he spends and expect us to follow suit. Our business principles are radically different. His is not a business. That’s all.
July 1st, 2008 at 18:32
RR; Sorry but when did I say we should spend like Chelsea? I was just defending Chelsea in post #31 saying that players who sign for them deserve what they get because when it’s all said and done, all the money in world isn’t enough. A player has to want to play for you and agree to a transfer bid. Too many players like Pizarro, Sidwell, and even Ballack signed with the team despite the fact that there were player in place ahead of them on the depth chart. Why did Ballack feel he could displace Lampard who would score 20 goals a season in the same position. Sure Chelsea didn’t need him and it’s clear Mourinho never OK’d the purchase but Ballack is most to blame for being arrogant and so full of himself that he chose a competitive environment as opposed to a sure fit like Man Utd. It’s one thing to be a mercenary, and it’s another thing to be a stupid arrogant mercenary.
July 1st, 2008 at 18:53
If we had to start the season right now with our current squad, I wouldnt panic. Ferguson has built up this team right and now he has the luxury to sit back and do nothing this close season if he doesnt see any body worth buying.
I do want a striker, but only a select few are worth picking up.
1. Villa
2. Berbatov
3. Eto
4. Benzema(only if we can get him for 25-30 million. and I dont care if he has real ambitions, he will give us 3 good years and then Real will have to pay us for him so we will make a profit.)
5. Santa Cruz(I know you hate this signing Grognard, But I think he is a perfect 3rd choice striker because saha is just not reliable.)
I wouldnt mind another defender either, I think Fergie should make inquiries about Ramos or Richards. Highly unlikely we would get either player, but I thinks its worth a phone call.
Like I said I want to see signings just as much as anyone else, But if fergie doesnt see anything worth buying then I am cool. Cause he knows his team better than anyone.
July 1st, 2008 at 18:55
@Grognard: Well of course when you buy all those world-class players you’d have to be a pretty brain-dead or retarded manager not to be able to guide them to 2x Prem titles, 2x 2nd place in Prem and numerous other finals and trinkets. Even that muppet AV Grant got them to a CL final, and he didn’t even have a Pro Licence! Hell, even my six year old niece could probably have gone one better if she wanted to! So your point is moot.
Once again, I completely concur with Red Ranter, who has conveyed my original point much better than I did. My point was that with that transfer strategy, while it worked wonders in the short term, the fact that they have to sell on players for a lot less that what they were originally bought for, means that the Chavs are operating on a loss each fiscal year. So like I said, if RA fucks off, they are finished. As RR correctly states, we sustain our business (and I emphasise the term ‘business’ !) and maximise our profits through shirt sales and other merchandising (especially in the Far East region), sold-out tickets for home games etc, while Peter Kenyon wouldn’t know anything about the notion of running a business even if it hit him in the face.
July 1st, 2008 at 19:00
@Nino: Get well soon
Every successful team in the history of football had an influx of money at some point of time. 15 years ago AC Milan was bought by a wealthy owner and their success story started there. But now does anyone say that Milan is just another toy of some wealthy owner? United won trophies because they had the money from time immemorial. Chelsea won trophies recently only because they got rich recently, simple.
July 1st, 2008 at 19:01
Since we are on the subject of strikers… Why the F*&% did we sell Rossi? Did he ask to leave?
July 1st, 2008 at 19:02
@Nino: I don’t know why you and RR think I am defending Chelsea’s buying habits? I’m not. Abramovich is a clown but when you buy that many players of quality, you will have depth in quality and that alone saved their bacon last year. My whole argument was about blaming players for wanting to go to Chelsea despite world class players being present already in front of them in the pecking order. I’ll never understand why a great player like Arshavin would want to go to a team like Barcelona that has no room for him.
Where in all that argument am I condoning Chelsea’s spending or demanding United do the same?
July 1st, 2008 at 19:03
Grogg: I’m Happy Ballack did’nt sign for us coz he’s got the Cup final Jinx with him so I think
we missing out on him Is the best thing that happened to United,and as far as Abramovich’s money
is concerned he doesn’t mind operating on a loss driven business coz with the credit crunch looming
large over Europe he could well be reducing his Income Tax returns by showin of Chelski’s Balance sheet
but surely oneday he will find another toy to play with other than chelsea,so if we can payback our dues in time
I sure see a bright future for United….
July 1st, 2008 at 19:16
@Aravind: Yes that may be true to a certain extent, but the likes of AC (who you state) and Inter, with their respective owners, did not spend on the massive scale that Chelski did did they? i..e. spending £150m each summer and making huge losses on players
Also, you say EVERY successful team in the history of football had an influx of money at some point. What about the Liverpool team of the 80’s, or the Bayern and Ajax teams of the 70’s? Or Real Madrid over the years? Where did they get their cash from? Especially as (correct me if I’m wrong) they had no sugar daddies and they played before the era of lucrative satellite and pay per view TV deals.
The difference between United and Chelsea is that United generated their cash through clever marketing, and did not need any financial contributions from wealthy owners until the Glazers bought us, whereas Chelsea did, as they were (to be frank) a nothing club with very little history until 2003.
July 1st, 2008 at 19:32
@Grognard: Your point must have been lost in translation then, because I am not sure what you are trying to say. All RR and I were saying was that United and Chelski are run differently and employ two different business models, with my point being that Chelski’s model effectively means that they are walking a very dangerous financial tightrope. Indeed, if you don’t condone their transfer strategy and spending habits, then we are probably singing from the same hymn book after all!
July 1st, 2008 at 20:44
@manuforlife: You don’t honestly believe in jinxes do you? Ballack not winning is simply down to his team’s as well as him not being good enough on the day. Something has to be said that he helps get his team’s that far only to fail at the end. His a quality player and just really unfortunate.
July 1st, 2008 at 20:51
@Nino: We both agree to not condone Chelsea’s business practices but I seriously doubt if they are ever going to be in financial trouble as long as Russian Money Bags is running the show. Abramovich is more loaded than many Arab Sheiks. 100 million pounds for him is like you and I dropping 10 pounds on a dvd. Also, my original point had to do with blaming many of the players for signing with Chelsea knowing they were in for a competitive battle to start. That certainly is not all Chelsea’s fault. Players have to take responsibility for the stupid decisions they make.
July 1st, 2008 at 22:27
Berba or Eto pls and Santa Cruz
as a replacement for Sahaargh.
As far as chelski scum are concerned, fuck them. Who cares what they do or dont.I lived in London for over ten years and you couldn’t meet more of a bunch of cunts than you would on the Kings rd every second sat. I’ve no love for that shower of nazi saluting yobbo’s. Isn’t it ironic that they now salute to a russian jew? This is a club with no class(more irony, considering where they’re based!) Let them buy themselves another second place!
July 1st, 2008 at 22:42
Wouldnt a striker partnership of Etoo and Rooney be amazing? Deadly I tell you!
July 1st, 2008 at 23:35
@ian:re;Radamel Falcao Garcia Zarate,Colombian International. Followed your advice Ian, what a player!? He looks the real deal, he can shoot with either foot(and from distance!) great positioning, good header, great on 1 on 1. sounds like just the ticket, and a steal at about £11 mill. He’s 22,plays for River Plate, Argentina, 1.77m or 5.9ishft(not tall but he can jump!) He’s a devout christian, was a student of Journalism before turning pro.Played as no. 9 for River Plate, but more recently played successfully in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Diego Simeone in the hole, middle of attacking midfield.Scored some vital goals in River Plates’ last championship truimph. His nickname is El Tigre
I advise all of you to have a look on youtube 
July 1st, 2008 at 23:37
is everyone asleep?
July 2nd, 2008 at 0:00
Lot of people can be made to look like Pele on Youtube.
July 2nd, 2008 at 0:10
Fair point RR, desperately looking for the ONE, the young one. His record isn’t bad either, presumably we’re looking for United class, to me this translates as potential. This boys’ got potential
July 2nd, 2008 at 0:14
@Red Ranter: you’re not asleep !:shock:
have you heard anything about him? were the scouse interested?
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:13
Read this blog for a while now, thought I might contribute.
As far as I see it, we need a striker that can do the job of Saha (should he not stay/continue with his injury problems). A “Plan B” striker almost. Yes Manucho could provide this, but can he be trusted to lead the line when we have injuries to Rooney and Saha and Tevez?
I, for one, wouldn’t mind seeing us go for Pavlyuchenko. Quick, Tall, Strong, Good Strike Rate (Roughly a goal every 2 Games for Club and Country) and has shown that he can lead the line with great success with other creative players around him in the Euros. Wouldn’t be too pricey either.
Just a thought…
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:18
End of Euros +2 and all is quiet.
I will do this count up every day until something actually stirs at OT or if there is any sign of transfer life.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:00
@Grognard: Feel sorry for you.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:04
And regarding Berbatov. Yes he could end up like Anelka but he also has the personality and ability to end up like Cantona.
He’s not going to be Anelka – simply because he would have thrown a fit and moved last season if was going to go down that route, and jumped ship from Germany a long time ago if he was the sort. He’s ambitious, but he’s also patient and a lot smarter (although since we’re comparing him to Anelka that isn’t much).
Cantona – really? Berba neither has the on-field authority nor the off-field persona to have the same impact. He might get the crucial goals though, so if that’s what you meant, fair play to you but then again Ruud got us the crucial goals and so did Ronaldo, look where they are right now. It’s not just the goals mate…
On Chelsea (since I’m on a roll) – Roman’s investment in Chelsea is treated as a loan, and this will be paid back (presumably) once they start earning a profit. Some of us here are familiar with doing business, right? In some businesses you invest a lot in the beginning and take losses in order to quickly breach the barriers of entry in your target market. If you have deep pockets, you can withstand the losses and in the *long run* you will have gold in your hands (assuming that you went after the right market).
Roman is in the right market – what can be more lucrative than football and the emotional refuge it provides to people the world over? Why do you think Chelsea hired a PR company? So that 10 years down the line people talk about Chelsea in positive terms, in how they’re helping grassroots football in China and US, how it’s the beacon of light for equal opportunity in football, etc etc. They don’t want people talking about how Chelsea ‘bought’ its way to the top.
Of course, you can argue that sport is not a business, but that’s like trying to put the genie back in the bottle, something what Platini is doing (and will eventually fail – although his efforts will lead to a more socially-responsible method of conducting business in football). The battle’s been fought on that one, the war’s over, let’s move on.
We operate at a profit despite are astronomical interest payments and I’m very happy with our club for that, but Chelsea have deeper pockets and will eventually start turning a profit. They have more money, so they have the option to play hardball. Not for us to complain, I’d have us do exactly the same if we had the cash.
Chelsea have definitely made mistakes – notably in buying certain players (and the prices they’ve paid) but also in how they’ve dealt with their PR.
But in some cases they’ve been spot on in their purchases. The purchase of Essien and Robben – especially considering that both were United-bound – might just have changed the course of Premier League history. Ballack’s signing is as big – without him, Chelsea wouldn’t be where they were last season.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:09
Fab and Raf turn 18 on July 9…figure we’ll see them ‘officially’ brought in the squad next week.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:28
Count? Still think we’re broke eh Grog?
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:35
@Nino: Chelsea and United have a debt of 750million each as far as I know (I read somewhere I’m not sure) and so a combined debt of 1.5billion. Chelsea’s 750million is without considering the oil money from Russia. So I don’t understand how United’s business model is better than Chelsea’s. Both are equally in debt.
Agree that Roman’s money revolutionized Chelsea, and to an extent EPL as well.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:37
@Grognard: Calling Abrahamovic a clown is unwarranted because then every foreign manager has to be a clown
That was my opinion until i heard Roman bid for next Euro!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:53
Aravind – 578m of Chelsea’s 736m debt is to Abramovich as an interest-free loan. Similar to United, but without the crippling interest payments.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:54
@Ahmed Bilal: I think you just wrote your longest comment on RR.
Only that if they actually knew how to run the business. Peter Kenyon made that prediction that by about now Chelsea are going to break even. You talk about PR? The PR guy must be shifting nervously when Kenyon made that remark. I don’t think they are going to do so even in another couple of years.
The bottom line is they are operating at a loss for God knows how long on one man’s largesse (or loan, however you see it) which despite deep pockets may not look exactly smart when the inflated wage structure.
Yes their system works for them; yes they had signings that were spot on (throwing that much money around with a good manager is always going to turn up a few good signings) but how long will they keep pumping money without breaking even — because, presumably, that’s their goal?
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:56
@Aravind: Mate, this is a United blog. We even call United players names here. Don’t expect mercies for your beloved Chelsea. In fact, if you tell us not to, there’s a higher chance of aggravation.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:25
@Ahmed Bilal: It’s not just about goals with Berbatov. He has a flair and an ability to play the role of play maker as well. His finesse and accurate as well as imaginative play is very Cantona like. As a leader or as a presence in the dressing room he obviously is not the King. But on the pitch he could strut his stuff and keep his head high with the kind of confidence and arrogance that made Cantona such a success and such favorite. Similar type of player and that’s why Fergie loves him so.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:29
@k9: Yes I think we are broke but fortunately we are not broken. If Ronaldo stays we still have a fantastic team. But we could get so much better with two quality signings. But money is going to dictate how much better we will get. Right now I’m not overly confident. Sorry.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:33
@Aravind: The difference is simple. Roman could pay the entire debt off today with his own money. The Glazer’s would have to borrow to pay off the loan. They are not as cash rich since most of their wealth is tied up in other investments. Chelsea really don’t have a debt as long as they eventually pay it off. Why? Because there is no jeopardy with Roman there to back them up. He’s a smart businessman. Never use your own money unless you absolutely have to.
And you are right. I shouldn’t call Abramovich a clown. Instead i’ll call him an ASSCLOWN.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:42
So what’s next for Scolari? First it was Deco and now it appears that Ronaldinho is next. Who comes next Roberto Carlos and Cafu? How about Pauletta and Figo? Ah why stop with Brazilian or Potuguese players you coached. Convince Zico, Dunga, Romario, Eusebio and Bebeto to consider making a comeback. It would probably help bring Chelsea’s average down to below 50.
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:36
@Red Ranter: I’m a football fan first and a Chelsea fan next. So I don’t care about names being called unless its against me
( in which case I would just silently disappear because I don’t stand a chance)
I’m a regular reader (subscriber) to RR since November last year because I feel this is a great site, and a well-maintained one. So as far as I know, I don’t think people here will throw abuses on players and other readers.
@Grognard: Very funny dude.
@everyone: Can Berba be called a ‘goal poacher’? What do you think? Wasn’t Fergie’s rift with RvN because Fergie wanted him to be something more than just a poacher?
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:41
@Aravind: Trust me when I say people have abused even United players here. My point is you can’t tell people not to call anyone anything as long as they aren’t personal. So calling Abramovich an assclown or calling Saha a waste of space, as people have done here before (even Nani was called a faggot) is all fair play. And it has happened here.
Of course there no permission to throw personal abuses here. But with this being a United blog, you can’t expect most of us singing praises of Abramovich.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:50
But on the pitch he could strut his stuff and keep his head high with the kind of confidence and arrogance that made Cantona such a success and such favorite.
He could. He doesn’t. He hasn’t in 2 seasons, except for flashes. His is the quiet assasination, not the peacocking perfection. Semantics but hey, it’s not like we’ve signed a striker or anything.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:25
@Aravind: I don’t get why you should post here. It’s kinda weird to me. I feel that Chelski fans can fuck off to their Chelski blogs like how United fans should fuck off Chelski blogs. It’s kinda like where we belong. You want to support Chelsea in the middle of OT? Be glad if you can remember your name.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:47
And the tension thickens.
July 2nd, 2008 at 15:23
@GuineaDevil: Mate, he hasn’t been rude to you has he? As long as he’s good, doesn’t look to wind people up and wants to look at the United perspective of things, I don’t think you should be having a problem.
July 2nd, 2008 at 15:29
@GuineaDevil: A very interesting thought indeed. Hey, if you feel that much hatred when you see me comment, I’ll stop commenting mate. No problems. Just let me know because as you said this is a United site. Maybe RR will modify the comments policy also
July 2nd, 2008 at 16:46
@Aravind: Aravind; Mate don’t let us get you to down. I for one welcome your comments and your views on Chelski and the Prem in general. Just don’t expect us all to agree with your pro Chelski way of thinking most of the time. I try to be fair…..most of the time and most of us here are decent and fair blokes. The one thing you will need to get used to is that we are all born with a deep hatred of all things Scouser, all things Gooner and most recently we have learned to despise Chelski and the horribly dull and overrated game of football they play, as well as the way they conduct themselves and the way the team does business. I for one hate them despite the fact that Michael Ballack is my favorite player. That still doesn’t make things difficult for me because I live, breath and eat Manchester United. And as for you, sometimes the perspective from the enemy trenches is welcome or even needed to better understand things. So don’t let a few bullies force you off this site. Just suck it up but watch what you say and never let our insults of Chelsea players, managers, owners, supporters upset you. You should expect it on here. We simply hate Chelski. But not as bad as we hate the Scouser bastards of Liverpool and their Spanish commandant with the lisp. “Hith Umboliebable”.
July 3rd, 2008 at 13:13
That’s the spirit dude.