Mar 06
For Your Reading Pleasure…
It’s Friday, and I am looking to spread link love (link blog for the uninitiated) so here are some United related links worthy of, well, linking.
The Taylor-Ronaldo tussle was about the most remarkable incident to have come out of the Newcastle game. While there were reports on what transpired in the tunnel, Taylor came out and denied the stories that were circulating around. So Chris Toy, who runs the rather brilliant daily footy related comic strip, Studs Up, came up with his version of the story.
Kiss and make up, as they say.
Meanwhile Arsene Wenger has theorized why Ronaldo gets fouled often. He’s arrogant, and it’s costing him, he says.
Quite.
Footballers, while lunging full stretch at a tricky winger, have all the time in that split second to visualize said tricky winger’s character certificate and ascertain if he has to pull out of his full blooded challenge or not. Always trust the Frenchman to belch words of wisdom. From his arse.
The next link is more for your listening pleasure. Those of you who don’t listen to podcasts, well, if you love football, I’d recommend Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast. Yesterday’s was another good episode. They are usually quite witty, and irreverent. Click here to listen. You could also subscribe to them on itunes or your RSS reader.
Fernando Torres says he’s not the cause of Liverpool’s slump. This after Benitez said his injury was the chief reason for their stuttering season. A slight difference of opinion?
And finally, here’s a link on how to stop a penalty. Brought to you by Ben Foster.
Will add more links during the day.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Preparing to beat Reading
- Great Things Brewing In This Reds Site
- Reading 0-2 United: Rooney, Ronaldo Keep United Top
- United win easy, questions on Evans and Rossi
- Who Is Your Choice For United’s Number 2?
Tags: Daily Roundup
March 6th, 2009 at 11:54
Funny…
March 6th, 2009 at 12:25
Yeah, the Guardian pod is the one I rate most, some nice chat and somehow not filled up with dippers and ABUs.
Another high-profile pod, the times game podcast sucks big time. Just listen to last week’s show, where one of the pundits is trying to defend the referee’s decision to award a yellow to Ronaldo for diving. Typical ABU shit.
On another note, how about starting a pod urself RR?
March 6th, 2009 at 13:16
According to SkySports, we’re interested in American stalet Nicolas Bertolo.
March 6th, 2009 at 14:04
Apparently, we’ve signed a 15 year old called Charni Ekangamene from Antwerp. Link
March 6th, 2009 at 14:16
@RDJ: Whats so special about him??
March 6th, 2009 at 14:21
@despicable: I know nothing about him. But it’s good to see that SAF is signing a lot of youngsters to the academy. Hopefully one of them will become a star.
March 6th, 2009 at 14:22
@RDJ: Pretty weird that no one even mentions what position he plays in, or if he is a defender/midfielder/forward!
March 6th, 2009 at 14:26
@RDJ: Ya, we already have da silva brothers, gibson, Pertucci, Macheda, welbeck, campbell, Thats a good enough crop of youngsters, Hope they step up…
March 6th, 2009 at 14:38
@RDJ: Really sorry to forget anderson, nani,
March 6th, 2009 at 15:42
Charni Ekangamene is strong AMC player….according to papers…chelsea and Arsenal were very, very interested to buy him…and cozz Antwerp is man utd`s feeder club there was not chance SAF let them take the boy in front of his red nose…
March 6th, 2009 at 16:35
too many AMC’s then, adem, charni guy, pets… i heard that we’re also interested in john fleck, another amc. hmm…
studs up is quite entertaining
March 6th, 2009 at 17:09
You never stop buying youngsters even if you already have a decent stable. Very few ever really make the final grade and they need to be pushed. Besides, we also have youth teams under our flag, not just the reserves so there is plenty of room for a lot more young talent.
As for podcasts I quite like World Soccer Daily. A Scottish and English bloke doing a show out America but also making it fairly entertaining. Unfortunately they aren’t United supporters as one is die hard Chelsea and the other is Rangers but they do have interesting conversations. The worst thing though is the number of Arse and Scouser fans in America that call in with their delusions of grandeur. It’s actually quite funny, especially since the hosts both hate Liverpool with a passion. So there is something good about them after all.
March 6th, 2009 at 17:36
You know this whole Steve Taylor business has me sick to my stomach. Reading the article that RR was so kind to link us to was just shocking. The incident seen by millions where Taylor to a clothesline swing at Ronaldo wasn’t even seen by the infantile eyes of one Steve Bennett, for me the poorest referee in all of football now that Clattenberg is sitting the pine due to suspension.
One would have to be a complete idiot or blind as a bat to not only not awrds a red card to that criminal wearing the jail fatigues, but to claim that he never even saw the foul and that he actually awarded the yellow card to Taylor for his subsequent slash form behind of Carick is just unacceptable officiating. It’s a joke and the FA is a bigger joke by not suspending Taylor due to the video evidence.
I am still waiting to see and hear the evidence that forced poor little Patrice Evra to sit four games due to some stupid little altercation with a Neanderthal grounds crew at Stamford Bridge. So easy to punish Evra for nothing but when a criminal act is committed in front of millions and is not even punished, why do we even play the fucking game? If the FA cannot find the bollocks to not only suspend and fine Taylor, but also suspend without pay Bennett, then this game has gone to the birds. One day the FA and other blind ignorant and utterly criminal governing bodies like them will eventually have to answer to the millions of paying supporters who are sick and tired over the poor officiating at every game and above all, the lack of proper protection offered to the game for the sport’s greatest stars. Stars fill the grounds and they need to be protected within reason. Regardless of whether Ronaldo is arrogant and a diver, he needs to be protected against obvious and intentional acts of violence designed to injure or even worse, cripple him.
Steve Bennett didn’t even see the foul. How in God’s name can any official as well as the linesman who was right there not see the man who has the ball not get a forearm across the head that was so telegraphed and so intentional? It didn’t happen away from the play. The players were close to the ball. One would have to be blind to have missed such a violation. It sickens me and even disgusts me more that in hindsight Bennett says after seeing the incident on video that he still feels that he would only have given Taylor a yellow is just the straw that broke the camels back. How on Earth can that attack be anything less than a straight red card and a ten game suspension for violent conduct befitting a footballer? So what if Ronaldo fell to the ground and made more of the contact than actually occurred. The player was in self preservation mode. Nobody is doing their job to protect him so he has become a bit of drama queen out of self preservation. Does he literally have to receive a concussion or broken bone in order to receive some respect and protection against the countless number of Barbaric act perpetrated against him in every game. The modern game is a disgrace because it has deemed it necessary to protect the teams and players that mean nothing to the game and put targets on the teams and players that make the sport great.
This sort of thing reminds of the French Revolution when all the angry and bitter pee ons who had nothing and knew nothing decided it was execution season for aristocrats. Well guess what people? In the eyes of the FA and it’s lynch mob of officials, a revolution to destroy the best players and promote mediocrity and dirty play has begun. Robespierre resides in the FA and the mob is ordering them to send out Madame au Guillotine to take care of the stars of football, so that those who have not talent can have a chance to succeed. It is a joke and a crime and I for one am sick and tired of this game and what is has become.
March 6th, 2009 at 17:49
Ronaldo, Fabregas, Adebayor, Eduardo, Torres, Drogba, Essien and many other high profile stars have been severely victimized by players making dangerous tackles or challenges that have forced these players to miss significant time this season. These are the stars of the EPL and the game frankly is not as good without them than it is with them. Regardless of our personal feelings for most of these players, the game needs them on the pitch to perform, in order to prevent much of the mediocrity that we have witnessed this season.
Whether I hate him or not, and I do, Rafa Benitez is right about the fact his team has not been as good as they could have been because of all the games Torres has missed. Well Gerrard also has missed some games and has carried injuries that were inflicted by late and ill timed tackles and challenges that were nothing more than dirty. Ronaldo missed two months due to a tackle from behind that ruined his ankle. The list goes on and on. Who protects these players whose skill is what brings people to the games and pays the bills? And when will we all wake up and make a stand against the FA for their mishandling of officials and their lack of concern and welfare of great players and their team as well as their supporters.
When we lose a Ronaldo or a Rooney for long periods due to a bad foul, it’s not just the player that suffers. The team suffers and thus the supporters suffer. And after all in a professional game where money is being exchanged, nothing is more important than how the supporter, the consumer is being treated. And frankly, through the FA, the supporters of this game world wide who spend millions every year supporting their teams are pissing royally pissed on and given the shaft. And still we all sit back and take it.
I’ll tell you people, I am nearing the end of the line. I have other sports to turn to that treat their stars with a Hell of a lot more respect and who also value their fans. I don’t need this shit. It ruins the enjoyment of the great game for me. To quote Howard Beal from the movie “Network”, let me end by saying “I’m as mad as Hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.” Now how many of you are willing to follow my lead? I am calling for a boycott of some kind. Something needs to be done to wake the FA up.
March 6th, 2009 at 17:52
@Grognard: Ronnie is Ok we need to move on, Taylor is a cart horse, but we seem to be all obsessed about Ronaldo, if the same happened on Carrick would we all be that bothered? Really??! it was a stupid Geordie with his idiot friends sitting in the Gallowgate End trying to make a name for himself, it is not as bad as the GBH that Messi has to put up with against Real, this club is turning into Ronaldo FC not Manchester United, which is sad.
I am not being anti Ronnie, but he has to put up with being fouled it is the provoctaive way he plays and I love it, and so does he, same as Best we get fouls and pens sometimes through it, but that is football, glad he is Ok and bring it on!!
March 6th, 2009 at 18:18
@Grognard: they have a better record when torres was out.
March 6th, 2009 at 18:21
@john freakin’ o’shea: And Torres is a Ladyboy, and his injuries are not related to bad tackles, a la Ronnie.
March 6th, 2009 at 18:40
@john freakin’ o’shea: Take last season into account and that’s not the case. Also, when Torres has played he has played injured. Injured due to players hacking him down. A healthy Torres makes them a better team and no statistics could ever justify the opposite.
March 6th, 2009 at 18:46
@Stephen: It’s really a shame that you nitpick on something like that and not actually get the brunt of my message. Instead you let you personal bias towards Liverpool cloud the reality of what I was trying to get across. I for one have seen Torres get hacked down numerous times. So the fact his last injury wasn’t due to a tackle, is completely irrelevant. Some of you only cry bloody murder if it’s a United player, but i am talking about the jeopardy the whole game and the game’s stars are dealing with due to incompetent officiating, thugs playing the game to injure stars and the FA doing nothing about it.
And who cares if he get injured if Liverpool has a better record without him eh? Jeez, that’s frakken sad. 
Instead you come across sounding a like Republican. Sorry but I just don’t get that kind of thinking. Instead we call Torres a ladyboy and turn the other cheek if he gets hacked down. Well they are doing the very same thing to Ronaldo. It’s not right.
March 6th, 2009 at 18:53
@Grognard: I have also seen essien put in some very poor challenges as Gerrard, I am being realistic football is a mans game, and Ronaldo knows it.
Football is a very quick game and players get hurt, Eduardo’s injury was not a dirty challenge by Taylor it was an awful just an accident, let not let football get too precious as players are well pampered already.
March 6th, 2009 at 19:17
@Stephen: HA! HA! HA! Football is a mans’ game. Don’t make frakken laugh. It’s a beautiful; game played by a few hard men and a lot of and I mean lot of ladyboys, and men who rid sidesaddle. So many soft men who cry and act like they have been shot and fake injury by getting all theatrical and you call it a man’s game. Watch hockey or US football and see what real man’s game looks like. Or perhaps even rugby. Modern day footballers would quiver in fear if they had to face the Pittsburgh Steelers or the All Blacks of New Zealand in a battle for turf. Footballers are wussies and although many of them possess great skills and finesse, they are far from being real men. At least not in this present generation. Not even close.
The game is more art than sport and thus, the art needs to be protected.
March 6th, 2009 at 19:42
has anyone got a working link to manuchos goal the other night?
so take it no1 here is interested in the big chap?
im confident in him, he brings attributes were sorely lacking upfront,
next yr hel get game time im sure of it
March 6th, 2009 at 19:46
Grognard comment 13, about taylor i gotta say i am shcoked the press have not said anything about him, they havent condemned him, no they just havent said anything and theres only 1 reason for this- because hes english. If evra had attacked say nolan or any other english player, evra would have been slated by the press for months. Its pathetic how the press excuse cheating and thuggery just because the player who has commited these acts are english. Remember terry in the champs final in moscow when he spat in tevez’s hair, no1 mentioned it and whilst its not as serious as others it shows what a slimy scumbag terry is. For him to be named england captain again after that shows how pathetic england football team is. And what about 1 of the worst dives ive ever seen from goldenbiy gerrard against athletico to get a last minute penalty for them. No1 on the tv panel had the balls to say he had dived, pathetic, and dont forget him assualting a dj which no1 mentions. Another case dont know if you heard it, was in the championship in which a thug called morgan at sheffield united literally elbowed a barnsley players head so hard he was close to death. The guy has a massive scar down his head and hasnt played since the attack in about october. What a utter thug this morgan is, just seems to be an english mentality of the press to ignore any thuggery and cheating from their players and of the FA to never take any action against them. Knowing that the england team has idiots like terry and gerrard in them for their cheating is a reason why i stopped supporting england in 2006. God im glad united consider themselves their own country and totally distance themselves away from the england national team cos they dont realise without us, the english league is nothing.
March 6th, 2009 at 20:00
@Grognard: I agree to a ceratin level, but when you take the contact out of football then what do you have netball?
Ronnie is the best because he is brave and a man, because he is good looking doesn’t make him not brave, ps he isn’t better looking than me
March 6th, 2009 at 20:05
@realred: Im interested in his progress! I really hope he gets a role in our team for the future. (correct me if Im wrong) he is the only African in the squad.
Try footytube.com
March 6th, 2009 at 20:26
@Grognard: I did listen to the World soccer daily once and to be honest I wasn’t very impressed. It sounded to me like 2 people shouting on and on. Also, didn’t see much content in it, they were struggling to fill up the slot even though it was the day after Scholari’s sacking.
Maybe its just that day, or my taste is different, but after listening to pods such as the football weekly and the week in football (run by 2 irish blokes on ole ole), I was didn’t like this one as much to give it another listen.
Even the Manchester united fancast on FFC is pretty good.
You guys know of any other United centric pods?
March 6th, 2009 at 21:01
@Shreyas: Anyone who does a daily 2 hour podcast on football on live radio deserves my respect. They do go hysterical at times but they get plenty of excellent knowledgeable guests on their show — the likes of Tim Vickery, Andy Brassell, Graham Hunter etc are walking encyclopedias. I also like their spontaneity and passion. So apart from football weekly, I would certainly recommend WSD.
March 6th, 2009 at 21:53
@Red Ranter: Yeah I have been a religious WSD listener for over 3 years now. occasionally the show is dull, but for the last 6 months they have had a lot of guest and the quality has imporved dramatically. I would recommend it to anyone who likes football podcasts.
I also like the Guardian podcast, but my favorite one hands downs is bbc’s World Football Phone In. The only downside is its once a week, but it is pure quality.
March 6th, 2009 at 22:58
Well I saw this heinous attack by Taylor on Ronaldo and even in slow motion it looked pretty innocuous.
The worst offence was when he follwed through on Carrick.
What happened? Carrick just got up and got on with it. Ronaldo rolled into the hoardings and clutched his face.
It’s all part of Ronaldos make up I’m afraid. Yes he gets targetted but he overreacts and referees know that. It’s all getting a little embarrasing now.
He should take a bit of advice from George Best, who, when twatted, just got straight to his feet (when he could) He said if you showed them that they had hurt you. Then they had won.
March 6th, 2009 at 23:07
@Red Ranter: Hmm, I will give it another try I guess
March 6th, 2009 at 23:14
I just listen to talksport, rather than any podcasts. Love him or hate him Ian Wright is entertaining, and Hawksbee and Jacobs in the afternoon is THE funniest sports related radio show you will ever hear.
March 6th, 2009 at 23:28
I just through up a little with this thread on red cafe…
Can any of you imagine United after, SAF, Nev, Scholes, giggs and EVDS goes? That is a depressing and scary thought, but one we will have to soon live with…
Im sorry but without these lot, man utd will just not be the same, they are man utd through and through, its a twisted thought, them leaving.
March 6th, 2009 at 23:34
Am i the only one who doesnt like sport podcasts? The gaming ones are the best!
March 6th, 2009 at 23:36
@Dan: Perhaps thats why Fergie has took a sudden interest in buying in youngsters to give the next manager a chance of having players who will spend their entire professional career at manchester united. not to say it will be the same without any of them. i think we’re going to be in for a tough ride when fergie goes. especially the new man who comes in, i mean look at the pressure chelsea managers since Jose have had from the press. its going to be mental if we loose a game. personally i think Moyes, O’Neil and Jose Mourinho are the only candidates. CQ may come back, but not as manager, i think he has proved himself to be a much better Assistant manager. but keeping Neville and Giggs around as coaches along side Ole might be a brilliant idea, EVDS could easily become a good goalkeeping coach. the only one who i doubt will go into coaching is Scholes.. seems to personal and quiet to stay in the game after he finishes playing, so we might not be totally lost when they retire.
March 6th, 2009 at 23:55
Will, the great thing is ferguson is bringing through all these young players fully aware he wont be around to see them when they are hitting their peak and that the man in charge at the time they do hit their peak will get all the credit but he plans for the future anyway. In 5 years time the youngsters like ando, evans, rafael, fabio, foster etc will all be well into their careers and hopefully doing well, fergie brought these players in and knew tht they wouldnt be at their prime in his time there, it really wasnt his responsibility to get these players but he brings them through anyway which just shows the man wants this club to continue long after hes gone which is a great attitude. This is why i feel our next manager doesnt have to be a world class replacement. Obviously they need to be good and have similar abilites to fergie but i generally feel the squad is so good say a solskjaer could take over and cos the team is so good they would still perform well even if ole wasnt exactly world class material. Just my thought anyway.
March 7th, 2009 at 0:40
@Dan: i agree, but EDVS shouldnt be on that list?
March 7th, 2009 at 1:08
@Matt: Yah the press tend to ignore atrocities that happen to non London based teams and especially Man Utd which they despise. It’s truly appalling. For me it is a form of discrimination bordering on racism. You are right, had Evra committed the same foul on an English player, the shit would be hitting the fan. Hypocrites the whole bunch of them and especially the FA.
March 7th, 2009 at 1:12
@Stephen: Ah come on man, I’m not saying take the contact out of the game. I’m saying cut out the attempts to intentionally injure a player. How on Earth can anybody with eyes and an IQ possibly hide behind that argument when considering what Taylor did to Ronaldo. Did Cristiano need to get his jaw broken or skull fractured for there more of an uproar?
The game has resorted to thug tactics by less talented and easily dispensable players who are sent out there by clubs to basically neutralize a teams star. In hockey we have always had enforcers who were there to protect our stars. A Roy Keane type who if he saw that incident would have killed Taylor on the spot without a doubt. That is the only way to deal with this crap if the referees turn a blind eye to it.
March 7th, 2009 at 1:15
@Shreyas: It’s not always great but around big games or big events it’s pretty good. Honestly, one would need to give the show a few weeks before making a real judgment on it’s quality because two hours just doesn’t cut it. It’s like judging United’s quality base on the League Cup first leg against Derby. Based on that, I’d say United were a crappy team. Well we all know better now don’t we. I’d say give the WSD boys a few more chances. They may win you over. And if not, no problem trying.
March 7th, 2009 at 1:47
It all goes back to the point about the PL being about 4-5 good teams playing good honest football and the rest of the pack fighting and scrapping to stay alive.
An honest assessment, right now, would put almost 60% of the league in a relegation battle, and one they are all determined to win at all costs. If one of those costs is to mug their way to survival, then so be it!!
I absolutely don’t support this tactic, I want to watch good entertaining football not a blood bath, but if that’s all that’s left for them to do, at some level, you have to understand the method!!
March 7th, 2009 at 2:19
@Redrich: That’s why the whole league apparatus needs to be fixed. It doesn’t work and its way to antiquated to survive in this changing world with changing demands and values and the economic crisis that we are all facing. Tolerating the same status quo from leagues that have a few top heavy teams and a lot of freeloaders is just a joke. Get rid of promotion and relegation and create a smaller elite league based on the combination of previous historic success of teams and the size of the cities and support base they maintain. Common sense for tough times. Enough with the minnows and their delusions of grandeur.
March 7th, 2009 at 3:01
This season has definitely turned out better than expected for me! I have to admit that during the first half I consoled myself with the “you can’t win it all, every year” mantra and I did expect some serious shortcomings in at least the PL & CL.
I guess I was resigned to the fact that Ronaldo carried us last time out, and without him performing at that astonishing clip, we would be resigned to a more modest level of achievement.
Wow, how I was wrong, and how the rest of the team has stood up to be counted!!
If, after all, it all ends up the way I originally thought I’d definitely be disappointed, but with a huge surge of pride about the way this team has pulled itself together to put itself on the brink of greatness!!
The next three games will tell us a lot about our team, we’re at a crossroads in our season, a treacherous axis, a defining moment, a point of no return. Call it what you will but success here will put us on a course to make history!!
I have my seat placed strategically behind my couch and will watch all three games(as much as I can) and at the end of it all, I do expect to be wrong, completely wrong, again!!
March 7th, 2009 at 3:07
@Grognard: The 3 up and 3 down every season thing has to change. All you’re really doing is substituting 3 teams with 1 year of PL experience with 3 teams with no PL experience at all.
End result, a league bulked out with Championship caliber opposition!
March 7th, 2009 at 3:30
relegation is a europeean thing. if you are north american you dont understand, and really shouldnt be complaining about a system thats been around for a lot longer then the sell out american way.
its part of what makes it special. every team has something to play for, and honeslty its great if a small city can manage to put together a decent team! it does wonders for the local community and creates optimisim. its a beautiful thing.
so, franchises, thanks but no thanks. everything is all ready american enough, so let something be left alone. thats why its football not soccer=)
March 7th, 2009 at 3:44
@weezy: Well I’m not North American, and I do understand, and I can complain about any bloody thing I want to! So Mr. Weezy, go take a breath
Your position that nothing should change is based upon your idea that the status quo is the best way to solve a problem. Open your eyes, man, take in the alternatives and realize that no action will eventually result in a reaction, and one you probably wont like!!
March 7th, 2009 at 5:16
@Redrich: You don’t see 3 up and 3 down in any North American Leagues. Why? Because they have the common sense to create elite leagues based on city population and financial viability. Soccer has this liberal outlook that they need to give pee ons and the little people the same chance that they give the giants of the game. This is just a joke. Burnley and Reading have no business in the top flight of English Soccer. They don’t have a large enough population from which to draw from consistently, nor do they have the park and ownership with deep pockets that will ensure their success. So why then should there be an open door policy on allowing them in when we know the chances of them staying up for more than a season or two is very slim? Because soccer is socialist at it’s core but it is being ruptured by right wing greed on the fringes. It cannot cope with those two extremes pulling at it. The solution is to create an elite league with greed and money running the show.12 to 14 teams who have the means to compete. As for the rest of the teams in English football, keep the leagues as they are and allow them to have their 3 up and 3 down policies. They are all within competitive distance of each other unlike a Burnley trying to compete with a Chelsea or Man City for players. This is the right and only solution and I know in my heart that I am correct here. The game needs to wake up and smell the coffee.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:19
@weezy: There is nothing special about it and I am not some ignorant dumb ass who woke up yesterday. I’ve been following European leagues for 30 years so no need to try to tell me how they are structured in a superior fashion. The system worked for a while but market and social conditions have altered the way things are done throughout the globe. It’s time to adopt a model that works best for the economic well being of the game. It’s time to separate the haves from the have nots. If you can’t see that, it’s because you are stuck in tradition and in an old school mentality. Just like all your friends in FIFA, UEFA and the FA. It’s time to stop thinking like dinosaurs and try thinking like progressive people in a rapidly changing world. It’s time to wake up mate and have a good look around. The status quo is broken.
March 7th, 2009 at 10:27
@Grognard: Grognard…i read this blog everyday and most the time you at least have a point or good reasoning behind your arguments…but i think your argument about relegation being taken away and creating an elite league is complete rubbish. you know how exciting the relegation battle is…why wouldnt you want to allow new teams and competition?? i was dissapointed to read you ranting about this….so wrongly..the mls would be so much better if it were set up so it could have relegation battles…i live in the US right next to the RSL stadium and am a strong supporter…so i know how the mls is..
March 7th, 2009 at 10:28
completely stupid grognard…sorry the more i read what youre saying the less sense it makes…
March 7th, 2009 at 11:15
Does anyone know in which channel will the Fulham game be aired in India?
March 7th, 2009 at 12:32
@Matthew: i can smell another argument coming on…
March 7th, 2009 at 12:41
Relegation must “survive” cozz that is the pure essense of football culture….chance for other teams to go up and to fight all the time tryinng to achive glory on the big stage…and football must keep that…all other concept are imperialism…not even capitalism…and unfortunatly EPL is going that way…that is the concept of NBA (39 game in foreign country, anyone?. the main the reason why other east europian leagues are crap is cozz their talents play in the big 4-5 l. in Europe…there is not talent in Eastern Europe?-bullshit….the main reason is money,and that imperialism concept of modern sport ( American concept of sport)….everton arsenal or liverpool will not be in the that position now if they are without money from CL…4 teams from england, 2 of them directly in group stage competition…1 or two from russia in eleminition stage before group stage and for balcan countries just one team in third or second stage in eleminition…and of cource, everton arsenal liverpool and other can spent money to buy tores, henry, berkamp, ferdinand, rooney and others will play for 200 euros per month on crap pitch without proper medical staff trying to sell the young player in “big” clubs.I dont even want to start with African players….it`s new concept of neocolonialism…3 bulls 4 rabbits 7 chickens and there you go with toure or eboue in your squad……and now without relegation battle there is going to be nothing more than American concept of spot that distroys smaller countries…and that disgust me! Thats the reason why I`m backing Platini…at least there will be hope with his prepositions which are final attempt to save other sport cultures and form modern concept of industrial sport(money and nothing else matter)…so when you cll some football player mercenary you should know who invent this concept and spare me from hypocrisy !
March 7th, 2009 at 13:09
The only thing football needs saving from is chumps like blatter and platini.
March 7th, 2009 at 13:55
Come on Burnley – Up the Clarets! (one of the founder members of the English Football league) And I’m hoping they put one over the Gunners tomorrow too. As for United, any thoughts to a starting line-up this evening? Oh i do like F.A. Cup day!
March 7th, 2009 at 13:58
Tried posting this last night but it hasn’t appeared so here goes, another ‘new’ United shirt from that site… Hmmmmm.
http://tinyurl.com/byh6vx
March 7th, 2009 at 15:08
Guys, guys….kickoff in three hours or so. Why is no-one discussing the Fulham game?
I hope we play a weakened team, resting key players for the Inter game. Id go with
Foster, Neville, Rio, Vidic, Fabio, Nani, Gibson, Anderson, Welbeck, Tevez, Rooney
March 7th, 2009 at 15:13
@m34ch: You need to post the page, not the picture url, the page url, we cant see that. try posting the page, not the picture, the page.
March 7th, 2009 at 15:27
@Dan: Sorry fella, hows this?
http://www.soccergaming.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2636431&postcount=251
March 7th, 2009 at 15:32
Isn’t it about time Tosic got a proper run out
March 7th, 2009 at 15:34
@Duffstuff: Would love to see him get a decent go on the left hand side today, anyone any team news?
March 7th, 2009 at 15:47
This is the squad:
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Gibson, Fletcher, Park, Giggs, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, Welbeck.
No Tosic or Fabio.
March 7th, 2009 at 15:58
@m34ch: Thanks. Im in 2 minds on if its a fake or not. i remember recently there were pictures posted of our home kit, but that wa proven to be photoshopped, and a bad one at that. I saw today on redcafe a pic of our away kit, and its exactly the same as that one but was at a different angle and had a different background. That picture has same backgrounds as the fakes we’ve seen recently, but i have seen that kit in different environment.
My verdict? 50/50 This could quite possibly be real, but can also quite possibly be fake.
March 7th, 2009 at 16:04
wens the match in india.?>>?
March 7th, 2009 at 16:30
@adie: Sony Pix 10.30 pm
March 7th, 2009 at 16:33
@Dan: Yeah its a tricky one to call. They may well be fakes, but fakes based on the potential real design maybe?
Anyway, they have the ‘new’ England shirt too, albeit with old crest, (Navy blue not the newer sky blue).
http://kedaisukan.com/store/catalog/
March 7th, 2009 at 16:44
@m34ch: theres an england kit floating about that is seriously the worse kit I have EVER seen. Umbro are chumps.
March 7th, 2009 at 16:51
More pics of the re-vamped 1909 United shirt here: http://www.footballshirtculture.com/09/10-kits/manchester-united-2009-2010-away-shirt-leaked.html
So it’s looking like Saudi telecom are the next in line to sponsor us? Even if it’s fake, I wouldnt mind one actually!
March 7th, 2009 at 16:51
Just to make it clear to evey1 on here, as u can see from my screename im not that matthew guy anymore but i used to be matthew a few weeks ago b4 i changed to matt. Just wanted to say that cos reading that matthews posts i thought u wud all think i had some multiple personality and that was me. Just thought i would tell u all that to avoid confusion.
Traverse, yeah umbro really are crap now, remember when we had them i thought they were pretty good, still not as bad as adidas kits though.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:02
Ronaldo isn’t in our squad for the game today. Interesting.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:04
@Matthew: “you know how exciting the relegation battle is…why wouldnt you want to allow new teams and competition?”
Are you kidding me mate? First of all I have a lot of respect for you and your opinions and if we disagree I certainly do not get upset about but let me say just this, my view and belief is far from “rubbish” and I am far from being completely stupid. You can try a little harder to make your point without throwing out insults can you not? In fact whether one agrees with me or not, I rarely speak rubbish.
It’s clear that you have been conditioned in one way of doing things where I have been conditioned in that way as well as the North American model. It’s not a case about being fair or serving it up for the little guy. The fact show that the Premier League is crap and it’s because of it’s infantile and antiquated belief of left wing democratic ideals that feel it is exciting and fair to relegate 3 and promote 3 every year. Frankly mate, that concept is the one that is total rubbish.
How can any system that awards failure and promotes mediocrity and short term gain be good for any league? What do you think will be the end result for Wolverhampton Blunderers next season? A 90% chance that they will be in the Prem for one year and go back down the following. And even if they survive, what does that mean? That they may go down within the next two or three seasons but while there, there lone cause of action is to survive by the skin of their teeth. That’s low grade sadistic garbage mate and the fact that some of you out there don’t get that, doesn’t just disappoint me, it truly sickens me.
What you fail to understand is the concept of elitist superiority and the right for the sport to be able to have a league that is built entirely on the principles of historical dominance, community population and demographic support. Frankly, the Prem needs to be an elite league with fewer teams and the teams that are in it have to be selected based on the number of wins and total trophies they have won historically, and then cross referenced with the the size of the cities they play in and the size of their park/stadium and supporter base. Also to be considered with this is the teams length and strength in international markets. Because all these factors play a major role in a team’s continued growth, success and financial stability. You see there is no point in being a far left liberal in trying to keep a football league strong and economically stable and competitive. It’s not about fairness mate, it never has been. It’s about dollars and it’s about offering the best that those dollars can buy. Watching Manchester United play Derby County in the Prem does nothing for me mate and it does nothing for the game. At the end of the season United will be on top or close to it and Derby will be where they belong and where they are predicted to be, on the way down to drink some Coke.
You just don’t get it because you seem incapable of wrapping your head around the big picture and asking yourself what is so good about the present system that things should stay the same? Is it the haves vs the have nots, the fact that there really are two leagues in one, the five or 6 that fight for the top and the 7 or 8 trying to prevent catastrophe? Or is it the equal playing field that so excites you? Is it the beautiful and artistic way the minnows park the bus every frakken game and attempt nothing in terms of creating anything resembling a football game or the courage to go out and try to score goals? Is it the few pounds they have in the bank that doesn’t allow them to be able to buy players good enough to compete with the big clubs or is it there incredible electric and talented level of skill that you like to see on display every week. After all, parking the bus is an art form now isn’t it?
Sorry but it is you who is full of rubbish mate. Call that a slap right back at you as I had a couple I owed you. There is nothing interesting, exciting or artistic about letting the crap from lower divsions into a league for a temporary shot at getting their asses handed to them on a plate. It sadistic and it’s wrong. It smells odf moronic servitude and left wing wisdom that might have worked 3o or 40 years ago but is not suited for the new world order and our present economic crisis. Wake up to the realities in the world and the world’s market place before you rubbish someone’s well intended and well thought out diatribe against a system that is malfunctioning as we speak. Nobody said that the creation of a super league had to be fair and democratic. Only qualified applicants need apply. It’s like real life mate and like getting a job. We’re not all qualified for the top jobs. And certainly not all teams are qualified for the top league. Wrap that around your old school mind and go with it. And try to disagree with me in the future without resorting to insults. You are far better than that. If you want to debate me and disagree with me, fine, but offer a counter argument. This time you brought a cocktail straw to a gun fight and I just don’t get that kind of debating. Disagree with a guy by calling him stupid and his ideas rubbish, but of course, I’m still waiting to hear about you grand solution. Or are you just sitting on the fence and happy with the status quo? If you are, that’s fine. I send you my sympathies and condolences, for that is really sad when someone who doesn’t see the crap we are being fed as being the rubbish he accuses me of spouting. If watching bottom feeders fight for their lives excites you, then I have nothing more to say.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:06
@Dan: Dan your wisdom is spot on mate.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:25
@Aleksandar Macedonia: “American concept of spot that destroys smaller countries…”
That is absolutely hilarious coming from a guy who goes by the moniker of Aleksander of Macedonia
Stop blaming America for the inadequacies and social and economic failings of other countries. America is far from perfect and I too do not agree with a lot of their foreign affairs but please, we are talking about sport here and unless you can get politics and socialistic arguments out of the way, how on Earth are you to understand that American sports leagues have existed and succeeded for decades under their very elitist and highly successful structure and apparatus? Don’t knock it unless you try it. There is nothing wrong with creating a league with safety measures based on guaranteeing the league’s long term health. Teams that are large enough from communities that are large enough to support a team through good times and bad. A Chelsea and Man Utd have a better chance of survival during an economic depression than a team from Burnley or Plymouth. More people to draw from creates that stability. That is the key element to the American model. So leave the political crap out of this. Too many of you love to insult America and even have the ignorance to include Canada in the same arguments. All you are is old school protectionists who are afraid of change and modern ways of thinking. So many who live in the game’s past and cannot see that the system is broken and incredibly unfair financially, socially and esthetically. The game has become ugly and lacking true and fair competition. If some of you cannot see this, well, I’m sorry for you.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:26
@Traverse: There is an entire tribe of chimps. Platini and Blatter are just the leaders.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:27
@Traverse: i know the one your talking about. i would be ashamed to wear that…
March 7th, 2009 at 17:28
@m34ch: This is why we have the FA Cup. A competition that pits everyone against each other and gives those small teams a chance at playing the big teams. I’m all for it. But not in the Premier League. The league needs to be more elitist in nature while the Cup allows for the romantic David vs Goliath matchups.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:28
@Grognard: isnt it always?
March 7th, 2009 at 17:29
@Duffstuff: Not if he’s not ready or not playing well. From what I’ve heard from some others, he has been very ordinary indeed playing with the reserves. Patience and time to adjust is the key with him. We should not rush him just because we paid a lot for him.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:29
Grognard, i think its these teams like as we say derby and the like that come up too quickly and cos of the money they play negative tactics and this bores most of us to death. I think its fair to say that atleast 60% of the premier league teams are no better than championship teams. I look at other countries with teams like seville and villareal 2nd divison spanish teams just 5 years ago and now are very good teams. They dont get some sugar daddy to come in and dont spend million but rather bring through some local talent and bring in talented players from abroad. Players like kanoute for sevilla and riquelme and sorin and forlan for very little b4 selling for major profits. Stoke say are a typical british team, they dont play expansive footie and have no skillful players that a top team would ever want. I just wonder why these managers never find a wonderkid from the stretts of brazil and turn them into a superstar, probably cos the quality of manager here on the whole is extremnely poor, i really feel there are people on here with qualifications good enough to manage a prem team. Its teams like united that bring in the viewers from world wide and yet its idiots like the FA who think all teams are the same and should all be rewarded the same. Thats absolute rubbish, no1 in japan will tune in to see everton vs stoke they tune in to see us. Yet we get idiots saying the small teams make this league great cos they show true determination and make it like the good old days. Well i got to say if thats how it was like in the 70s and that then im glad im wasnt alive back then. I love football becos i watch attractive football all my life from us, arsenal barca etc, i dont enjoy watching garbage and this is unfortunately how most of the english premier league is. Its a good league becos of the top teams but overall as a league in terms of quality i believe the spanish league is miles ahead of us.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:31
@Traverse: Well this is truly the perfect day to sit him down. We will need him rested and healthy for Inter in midweek.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:31
Team News:
GK: VDS
RB: O’Shea
CB: Ferdinand
CB: Vidic
LB: Evra
RM: Fletcher
CM: Anderson
CM: Carrick
LM: Park
CF: Rooney
CF: Tevez
March 7th, 2009 at 17:31
@Dan: Ah such modesty too. Luv it.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:33
Prediction today? 1-0 United. A tough game without Ronaldo. Fulham will be tough to break down at home but we will snatch a late one and our defense will keep the clean sheet. Look for Foster to start. If so, he needs to show us that the Carling Cup was no fluke.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:34
Subs: Foster, Eckersley, Giggs, Scholes, Evans, Nani, Berbatov
March 7th, 2009 at 17:41
Guys…telecast in india?which channel pls….or else..share links for the game please…thanks a ton…glory glory united
March 7th, 2009 at 17:47
Sorry should be Welbeck and not Nani on the bench.
March 7th, 2009 at 17:49
@indianred: http://atdhe.net/live-tv-4493.html
Try that pal. (You might have to wait until kick-off before it kicks in)
March 7th, 2009 at 17:53
this means giggs, carrick and berbatov will start next match.
gredvez is in his own little make or break part of his season, and this game could be key. If he plays well and we go into the semi final, then maybe, just maybe, fergie might decide, to consider signing him, but atm, with way hes playing, dont count on it!
March 7th, 2009 at 17:59
@indianred: Or if you want high grade streams; use these. You will need to install a wee bit of software first, so do it before kick-off lol.
http://www.veetle.com/viewChannel.php?cid=4995e3662b978
http://www.veetle.com/viewChannel.php?cid=90f5c4425d80
March 7th, 2009 at 18:10
thanks so much m34ch
March 7th, 2009 at 18:12
Come On United!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:14
Do any of u guys know if the game will be shown in ESPN or Star Sports???
March 7th, 2009 at 18:14
Big week, we could win the League (figuratively speaking) really push on in our Cup competitions towards this unprecedented Quintuple.
Fulham are a much better side at home than they are away but i shouldn’t see us doing anything other than coming away with a result.
Good to see Tevez starting with Rooney.
March 7th, 2009 at 18:20
Nearly Tevez! Keep it up!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:22
Showing in Sony Pix in India.
March 7th, 2009 at 18:26
Can somebody tell me why Nani isn’t even on the bench??????
March 7th, 2009 at 18:29
@indianred: No worries pal.
March 7th, 2009 at 18:31
my man vidic. holy crap, vds!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:32
I hate that baldy egghead.
March 7th, 2009 at 18:36
YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS TEVEZ!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:37
YESSSS 1-0. But god does our defence look a bit dodgy tonight!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:37
tevez!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:38
Have that Fulham!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:39
That was bloody close from Rooney!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:40
Bloody hell, Edwin and our defenders are playing like ALCOHOLICS with the SHAKES
.
March 7th, 2009 at 18:42
@antsBoy: Yes Antsboy, because Fergie is a BASTARD
.
March 7th, 2009 at 18:43
ONFUCKINGSIDE!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:43
onside!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:44
@antsBoy: a BIASED Bastard at that. I think he joined the same club as me
.
March 7th, 2009 at 18:45
CraigMc couldn’t have put it better. Tiredness is certainly starting to show. Our defence better get its act together by Wednesday because an away goal by Inter could destroy our chances!
Rooney looks hella sharp. I cannot wait to unleash him on Inter’s defence!
Anderson also seems to have come back strong from injury
March 7th, 2009 at 18:46
Sorry you all, but Fletcher is a right fuck up on the right flank SO FAR. Hope he improves!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:47
OH COME ON ROONEY! FUCKS SAKE!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:50
@colver: I know Colver, I’m more than a bit worried about the Inter game.
March 7th, 2009 at 18:50
Carlos Tevez!!!!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:51
OMG let’s start Tevez at Inter. He is on FIRE!! Two goals!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:51
tevez scores a scorcher!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:52
WHAT A FOOOOOKIN STRIKE! YEAHHHHHHHHH TEVEZ!
ARGENTINA!!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:52
take a fucking bow!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:52
Sign him the fuck up!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:52
FUCK ME, GENIUS!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:53
March 7th, 2009 at 18:53
Hes gotta play against Maureen in this form!
March 7th, 2009 at 18:55
Beautifully taken shot.
I feel so sorry for Fergie, against Inter he’s got to pick two our of three strikers that are all scoring! I say play 4-2-4 and play all of them! Works for me on Football Manager
March 7th, 2009 at 19:00
Shit Ferdinand has now picked up an injury. We have to do something about these recurring defensive injuries which hit us season after season. In this game we should be able to rest our key defenders, but there is no back up
March 7th, 2009 at 19:04
HT!
Well done boys! Dont let up in the 2nd!
March 7th, 2009 at 19:06
Before people start jumping the gun and say start him against inter, remember this a poor fulham side an a slump. If danny welbeck scored a hat trick, you wouldnt want him starting against inter would you? same with greedevez.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:08
Just the day Tevez decides to play well, those shitty broadcasters decide to completely castigate the FA cup.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:08
could have easily been 4-0, if not for rooney’s miss and schwarzer’s save of o’sheas’s shot. i love how carrick and anderson are orchestrating the united midfield!
March 7th, 2009 at 19:10
Q: What is the difference between Liverpool football and a tea bag?
A: The tea bag stays in the cup longer
March 7th, 2009 at 19:10
@colver: There is back up, he is sitting on the bench. I’m not sure what more you can do with the squad, we have a pool of 9 first team defenders and a number of players who can plug the gaps if needed. What do you want in the squad, 11, 12, 13 defenders?
@Dan: To be fair if Welbeck scored a hat trick you probably would want him to start against Inter
March 7th, 2009 at 19:11
His passes are awesome but I wish Ando would run with the ball more. He’s got pace and strength but just seems to like to ping the ball around, at rather sexy angles I admit….
March 7th, 2009 at 19:11
Any sort of a WHIFF of Silverware and possible Wembley trip, Tevez always plays like a man possessed.
This lad wants to WIN everything in sight.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:15
Feckin splendid performance so far from United!!
Fulham right now are in a lose-lose situation, if they attack, we contain and counter-attack (more goals); if they sit back, we pressurise them and score more goals. What was looking like a tricky tie is now merely looking like a cake-walk for United. I just love this team!! The individual quality, strength in depth and chemistry is just amazing.
Now, Fergie, please bring off the O’shea, we need him fit for the inter game and also Cazza. Maybe bring on Welbeck too for the striker that’s gonna partner Berba on wednesday. Can’t wait for Inter now, Ronnie and Nani on the wings, Berba and whoever upfront; it should be a very lively attacking game.
Now bring on the second half and let’s pummel the hell outta Fulham. I say two more goals and a cleansheet.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:16
Maybe Tevez hassome sort of mental block against playing together with Berbatov. Similar to that Klose experiences when playing with Toni…
Huh Grog?
March 7th, 2009 at 19:17
@Dan: Errrr Dan mi man, there’s NO CHANCE of Welbeck scoring a hat trick for the 1st team anytime mate! After his non performance in the CC at Wembley, I don’t eben think he deserves a place on then bench today – sorry Bro.
Also Fulham have very good home form and results mate. It needed a Man Utd player to get an underserved 3 points for Hull in midweek.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:20
Come on United! Keep It Up!
March 7th, 2009 at 19:21
@Gabriel:
A cakewalk ???, you want to seriously include our defence today? They have played like Jelly on a plate more than a few times. Wibble, Wobble, Wibble Wobble, Jelly on a plate 
.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:21
@Craig Mc: 1st, it was a hypothetical situation, it could have been nani, but nani is a winger and welbeck is a striker.
2nd, the CC final was one game, just like tevez is one game, it means/meant nothing. i can dig plenty of performances where welbeck has been great and plenty more where tevez has been awful.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:22
Inter currently lead Genoa 1-0 after 63 minutes. Ibrahimovic scored in the 2nd minute. A couple of interesting pieces of news coming out of the game. I took this of Eurosport’s text commentary.
“Materazzi pulls up as he stretches for ball… he looks dejected as he heads off the pitch! He’s not going to be able to carry on! Cordoba comes on to replace the Italy international!”
“That could be good news for Manchester United, with the second leg of the Champions League last 16 tie looming on the horizon next week. That said, Cordoba’s not a bad replacement.”
“Burdisso’s got a problem with his thigh here… he heads off the pitch for some treatment… more good news for United? No. He’s back on moments later…”
“No! Burdisso can’t carry on and he’s forced off with that thigh problem… on comes Muntari instead!”
March 7th, 2009 at 19:26
YEAH ROONEY!
March 7th, 2009 at 19:27
@JB: 11, 12, 13 defenders, especially if the were bloody excellent defenders would not be amiss JB
.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:31
Well isn’t it nice to see us cream a team! Before you say it is Fulham, we’ve had a string of 1-0s against teams a lot worse than Fulham.
The Tevez-Rooney partnership still has some magic about it!
Thank god O’Shea is now off the pitch and can rest until the Inter game.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:31
@Dan: Dan mi man, you can’t dig out plenty of good games that Welbeck has had for the FIRST TEAM mate, because he hasn’t played many. I wont give you a hard time though Dan over Welbeck, because I know you love the lad, and want the best for him, as I do for Nani
.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:35
@babyface: Usually Ando’s passes are good mate, but most of them have not reached their intended mark today
.
March 7th, 2009 at 19:39
Well played Rooney!
March 7th, 2009 at 19:51
Anybody knows the extent of Rio’s injury?
March 7th, 2009 at 19:57
Park! Bloody Hell!
March 7th, 2009 at 19:57
Three Lung Park! Good lad!
March 7th, 2009 at 19:58
How come he can score that but can’t score a simple tap in?! Lol the guys an enigma! Great little player though, good to see him get a fine reward for such hard work
March 7th, 2009 at 20:10
Well Done Boys! Onwards and Upwards!
March 7th, 2009 at 20:10
In terms of the Milan game surely the Nani/Park debate is academic now…it has to be Park.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:12
Well played Carlitos! MOTM for me. Keep this up lads!
March 7th, 2009 at 20:13
March 7th, 2009 at 20:14
Anybody know who Sheringham chose as MOM today?
John Evans is feckin IMMENSE. He doesn’t just hoof the ball to clear it either, he’s a FOOTBALLER. Love the lad.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:16
Teddy chose Tevez…fair call
March 7th, 2009 at 20:17
@babyface: Your on dangerous ground there Babyface – Nani always gets my vote
.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:17
@Craig Mc: haha.. they did look a bit wobbly in the first half, but trust Vidic to sort it out. What did I say btw, two more goals and a cleansheet!!
Plus my sub predictions were almost right barring Rio’s forced substitution due to injury.
United are just too good for words. Fergie has outdone himself with this team. The confidence and hunger to win flows thru every player from the 1st team right thru to the academy. Look at how we just tamed and brushed aside Fulham in a stadium where they have only lost once in for almost a couple of months. Outstanding.
One piece of commentary that had me in stitches tho was in the 91st minute when the game was all but done and dusted, the commentator said, ‘If Mike Dean was a boxing Ref, he would have stopped this contest ages ago’
that pretty much was completely indicative of our dominance and superiority in that match. Hope Moaninho’s watchin, cuz next up, it’s Inter!!! 
March 7th, 2009 at 20:19
@babyface: There were a few MOM’s out there today. In the 2nd half we looked like the United of OLD. Feckin fantastic, as the defence suddenly found their majestic form too.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:20
Nani could get a hat trick of own goals and you’d still fancy him to turn it around in the next game, Craig!
March 7th, 2009 at 20:20
Nothing like a good United result to make you happy! Evening all!
March 7th, 2009 at 20:23
@babyface: That debate will never end because they are essentially two very different players. However, given our line-up/squad today, I am predicting a wing duo of Ronnie and Nani against Inter. Attack, attack, attack, that’s what Fergie is planning. Besides our defense is strong enough to cope without any extra help from the wingers, esp at home. The Inter game is gonna be played at breakneck speed and I don’t reckon Inter are gonna be able to keep up.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:24
I don’t want to meet Chelsea or Arsenal in the semi final, so I hope we get either Everton or M’Boro. Whose the other two still in it, my ming is a fog – sorry
March 7th, 2009 at 20:24
We seem to be winning most of the fouls these last days, we had apparently won 13 fouls to Fulham’s three by the 70th odd minute… sign of a good team! Get in Utd…
March 7th, 2009 at 20:26
I meant my mind is a fog
, these bloody typos can be very humorous – NO?
March 7th, 2009 at 20:27
To all the minnow loving relegation/promotion loving advocates out there, today was a clear and obvious example of what I am saying and why the Premiere League needs to be modified and shortened and no access allowed for the useless and talentless morons who are trying to get their fifteen minutes of fame from down under in the catacombs of mediocrity.
Todays lesson? You can’t compete against class and skill when you have none of it yourself.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:28
@Gabriel: Gabriel Bro, don’t put your money or your house on it Bro. I have put my money on Lil Man Nani not even being in the 17. I feckin hate Fergie Bro
.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:30
@Grognard: If I knew what you were talking about in the first part of your post, I would try and give it an answer. You’ll be the next person accused of talking bollocks, so watch your back mate –
.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:31
I hope we do go on the attack, that’s for sure Gabriel. I’ll be happy with either to be honest. Reckon Fergie will go for Park as his confidence will be ridiculously high after that performance, not to mention the goal.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:33
@babyface: Awwww babyface, you begin to know me so well
. Nani will never score any own goals mate, he doesn’t venture back into our half of the field enough 
.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:34
@babyface: Yeah, but his batteries are due to run out anytime soon mate!
March 7th, 2009 at 20:39
Grog mi man, I made a lot of money today. My bet came up, on Miss ‘Lush Puppy’ Kimberley Walsh reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. That girl is something else. All the other celebs on the charity climb for Red Nose day fund, made the summit too. But my money was on the gorgeous Kimberley. I would have loved to reach the summit with Miss Walsh
.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:41
Craig: Never, he’s an oxygen tank and perpetual motion machine rolled into one. He can actually scuba dive without the bottles.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:42
@babyface: Nothing against Nani, still Park everyday of the week for me, Nani is better than him going forward, but really he hasn’t got anything on Park defensively.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:42
@Grognard: Groggy my man, I think that is a little unfair, esp on fulham. They are currently and deservedly in the top half of the PL table and today they just came across a team that is just better than them. There are very few teams, even in europe that can stand toe-to-toe with United at the moment. Besides, every league has teams that are no where near the same playing field as the others, that’s the joy of it. The only reason the PL has become more boring this year is the greed and focus on defending.
United are also culpable on the latter part. Our miserly defense so far this season has been the launch pad for our present positioning in the several competitions we are/were involved in this season. Other teams have taken a leaf out of our book tbh, the only thing is while we also have that extra talent, class and attacking prowress, most of these other teams don’t, simple.
The good thing is, the PL is getting more technical, albeit a bit defensive and boring for now, I believe in the future, we will see a very exciting and anything but predictable league.
March 7th, 2009 at 20:44
A question for everyone, which partnership do you think has more potential, Rooney- Tevez or Rooney- Berbatov?
March 7th, 2009 at 20:49
@Craig Mc: haha… If Nani doesn’t make at least the bench, I’m gonna be sooo pissed mate!!! Also, is it me or is Fergie planning for a wildcard pairing in central midfield against Inter. All our central midfielders played today except Giggs and Scholes. Going along with my attack, attack, attack prediction, wouldn’t it be ballsy if we fielded a team like this against inter:
VDS
O’shea – Rio – Vida – Evra
Ronnie – Scholes – Giggs – Nani
Berbatov – Rooney
Even Moanhino wouldn’t see that one coming!!
March 7th, 2009 at 20:56
@Rd: Honestly, and this is probably nostalgia speaking, Rooney-tevez. Watchin them today made me remenber that pace and quick, snappy interchangeing we had last season in attack. Both are hard runners and do position themselves excellently, coupled with Ronaldo drifting in from the wings, defences didn’t know how to contain us. Hence, most of the scintillating attacking displays we were so fortunate to see last season. I’m not saying one is better than the other, it’s just that watching the ‘Roovez’ play today brought back fond memories of last seasons’ magnificent displays.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:02
Now regarding the game. A truly outstanding performance today by Fulham FC on how to fall back and play a useless and totally enticing collapse defense and showing the world why unless teams like this park the bus, they have ZERO hope of gaining even a point against a classy opponent. Fulham were a disgrace after the fifteen minute mark. Once Carlito headed home the opener, they were dead and dusted.
At the beginning we were oh so sloppy and looking like a bunch of hung over grooms the day before their wedding and a day after their stag. Fortunately Fulham never had the class or the ability to take advantage of our slow start. Once we got it in gear the difference in class was as obvious as it ever has been. Sorry folks but this is football. Why do so many of you prefer a game that pits useless and inept tossers against classy and highly skilled assassins? This was men against little girls, Rommel’s Africa Corps against Poland’s cavalry, David in a wheelchair vs 11 Goliaths. I guess you get my drift.
A great game with nobody seriously hurt and a chance to rest Ronaldo, Berbatov, Giggs, Scholes and we still kicked ass and took names. Just loved it.
Now for the ratings;
EVDS – 6/10 Looked a little shaky again and his mistakes could have cost us had we faced a real football team. Still, no harm done and he did pull off a few decent saves but really, after the 30th minute, the greatest threat to his goal was a hard back pass by Eckersley.
O’SHEA – 7/10 Did a good job defensively and had some nice attacking runs and overlaps and almost scored what would have been a great goal from a sublime through ball from Carrick. Steady and I think he was taken off to protect that sore foot of his.
RIO – 6/10 Looked a little shaky and punch drunk in the first half hour and made a few mistakes and one major one in which he did well to recover.
Hopefully he isn’t too hurt for Inter
VIDIC – 7/10 Was steady although he did have a few communication errors with EVDS which made things a little scary. Saved a goal with a good clearance and was the last man on defense many times which is oh so reassuring. Did not impose himself on the game from an attacking point of view.
FLETCHER – 5/10 Bloody hopeless and useless today. A waste of time and space on there. Gave the ball away needlessly a number of times and his control with the ball was appalling. One one counter he was fed by Tevez in an ideal scoring position and he completely missed the ball at his feet as it skipped by. Just seemed slow and very uncomfortable on the ball. He did work hard defensively but make no excuses for him, he really sucked out there and was by far the worst player on the pitch for us.
CARRICK – 8/10 Another strong controlled game where he took his opportunities and distributed the ball intelligently and often. He has been very cool and composed this season and some of his passes are Hoddle-like in ambition and vision. The ball to O’Shea still has my mouth watering in envy.
ANDERSON – 6/10 Worked very hard and really never made any glaring mistakes and worked hard tracking back but his distribution wreaked of impatience and poor vision. He needs to sit down with Paul Scholes and find out how a master controls the tempo of the game and find out when the right moment is to make that long through ball or cross field pass. But make no mistake, his desire, energy and youth gives United a little jump in their gears going forward. Not great but certainly not bad either. A continued work in progress.
PARK – 9.5/10 I am really starting to get very used to this guy and my admiration is starting to grow. Lets face it, we know what a hard worker he is and what a pest he is on opponents, but lets face it, his offensive game has also improved in recent weeks and today hewas positively Giggs-like at times. His goal was very Giggs-like the way he anticipated the long cross field pass, intercepted it and went in and clinically slotted it home. That was class I never knew he had in him. In fact he had two other good shots saved and should have had an assist if not for Rooney’s incredible miss. My Man of the Match and truly a player I am starting to be severely won over on. At the beginning of the season I couldn’t see placing him on our bench yet alone starting him, now I prefer him to Craig’s Lil Man Nani. Sorry Craig, don’t hate me for this honest admission. It’s just true. What could anyone come up with today to say was negative about Park’s performance. He was outfrakkenstanding.
TEVEZ – 8.5/10 Some might think he deserved a better grade but his first touches at times still let him down and he wasn’t always in sink with others on really advantageous counter attacks. Other than that he was sublime. A opportunistic first goal and a classic strike for his second. He worked well with Rooney which was nice to see and his confidence, desire and ball retention and distribution was very good. Only his first touch in close quarters was lacking at times. Last week I told people to forget about his bad performance because I knew he had too much pride and skill to not come back and make the difference in some big games. He proved right immediately.
ROONEY – 8/10 At times he was truly outstanding today but I am taking 1.5 points og his grade for a horrible missed opportunity on Park’s cross and a few times he was sent in by Tevez but had his touch betray him. Other than that he was great. And yet again we are robbed of a goal due to a bad offside call. That was a legit goal by Rooney in my opinion. He is in some of the best form of his career and much more aggressive.
WELBECK – 5/10 Never did a thing and really looked kind of tired to me. With a minute left in the game he was given a nice direct ball that in other games he would have taken and moved in on goal. This time he let a useless defender actually catch him and dispossess him. Like I said, he looked tired.
ECKERSELY 6/10 Composed and overly cautious. Tends to look to back pass a little too much for my liking but then again, he is out there to prevent any disaster from befalling us. The game had already been won.
EVANS – 7/10 Seemed quiet but the defense was actually more compact and efficient with him than it was with Rio. Made no mistakes and was calm and composed as usual.
FERGIE – 9/10 God the squad selection right except for Fletcher and really had the team well prepared. Questioned why he never took out Evra instead of O’Shea thinking about Inter, but O’Shea’s foot injury was the reason for it I believe. Had the team mentally prepared although they took twenty minutes to get into the game. Am elated he rested Ronaldo as well as Berbatov, Scholes and Giggs. This could be the big difference vs Inter.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:06
@Craig Mc: Ah Craig, you can’t let you love for Lil Man Nani poison you on the squad and on Fergie. Don’t do it mate. I know you would have loved Nani today but look at it this way, Park was the best player on the pitch today. On that basis, Fergie was right. Now that he has played Park, is it possible that Fergie is going to pull a rabbit out of his hat and shock Mourinho by starting Nani vs Inter? Never underestimate the Gaffer.
He may have been saving Nani for an all out offensive blitz on Mourinho at OT. Something I’m sure Mourinho is not expecting.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:08
@Craig Mc: What is hard to understand Bro? I was talking about the futile attempt of minnows trying to compete with great teams like United and why this continuous waste of time and space is bad for the game.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:10
@Craig Mc: It prefer reaching an agreement for her to fancy a shag myself.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:14
@Gabriel: Unfair? My coddling! Christ they are totally useless and they showed it today. When forced to have to play a gameo of football they came out severely wanting. What you are basing their success upon is the numerous draws they have had this year by parking the bus and playing for a 0-0 tie. Yeah they sure are quality. they like ten other teams in the Prem are a total disgrace and embarrassment to the game and a true indication of the horrors in which the English game is presently in. Trying sell me on that bag of rotten apples isn’t going to cut it mate. Fulham are total rubbish.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:16
WHOA! A great striker’s goal by Klass Jan Huntelaar. Are you watching Dan?
Also a great counter attacking goal by Forlan earlier. Great game between the two Madrids.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:16
@Grognard: You want to get me into trouble with the GF don’t you Grog
?
March 7th, 2009 at 21:18
@Grognard: Ten other teams? Even Villa park the bus against us at times. If you cull the league based on shiteness, you’ll be left with the big four, villa, spurs off the top of my head.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:20
@Grognard: The answer to that question is NO NO NO. That’s why I’ve gone off Fergie big time, and I hope his wrinkles deepen and his nose gets bigger and even more bloodshot
.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:22
@Red Ranter: Your sentiments are in agreement with Septic Blatters RedRanter, that’s why he wants to do something about the big clubs having all the advantages
.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:25
@Craig Mc: huh?
That’s a very odd thing to say. But then I suppose you’re far from sober. So I’ll pass.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:26
@Grognard: Grog, Fulham were a disgrace after the 15 minute mark. It wasn’t because they parked any bus Grog, it was because our lads PUSHED them on the defensive, because we overpowered them after the first twenty minutes. If they had sustained the football they played in the first 20 minutes, our defense may have conceded. We were shaking mate.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:28
@Red Ranter: You know his proposals for every team to have 6 home made players. Mainly English in our case. Also to redistribute the wealth throughout all clubs, so that we don’t have top 4 clubs milking everything because of their wealth etc.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:29
@Red Ranter: RR, I am utterly and completely sober mate, I watched the game on TV today
.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:30
@Craig Mc: Ok, so…? How is that in alignment with my view?
March 7th, 2009 at 21:33
@Craig Mc: No, I was talking about myself mate. I’d take Miss Kimberley out for a spin.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:34
Grog – ratings – Park totally Giggs like??????? How much Hock you been guzzling Grog?
.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:38
@Rd: Depends who the opposition is Rd, that is my answer to your question
.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:39
@Grognard:
You say great poachers goal followed by forlan scoring. In terms of defending the spanish league is only better then the dutch league by a fraction, there both shite! Id like to see if he could score against some real men instead of those models pretending to be footballers!
Id love to see him try to score against skrtle let alone Superman Mk2 AKA nemanja vidic!
March 7th, 2009 at 21:42
@babyface: Bloody hell Babyface! An oxygen tank? I hope nobody lights a match near the poor sod. The explosion would be louder than the United fans chanting in away games, and nothing is louder than that.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:43
@Dan: That’s grossly unfair. Torres was hardly prolific in Spain, but scored goals here for fun. And the other way round for forlan. It works both ways mate.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:51
@Grognard: Don’t you DARE move in on Kimba Grog
. Anyway Bro, I am deeply saddened at the sudden news I just heard from my GF. The bofriend of Lush Puppy Walshy intends to propose to her and set a date for the marriage as soon as she returns from Africa 
. I have my black arm band on mate, and the wreath with a black ribbon hanging on my front door. My flag is at half mast, and the last post is being bugled by a member of the local brass band. I’m in deep mourning mate. How could Kimba do this?
March 7th, 2009 at 21:57
@Red Ranter: I was answering you post about culling the league. My point was, that Blatter agreed with your point about most of the rest of the prem apart from the big four being shiteness, because most of them park the bus. Blatter wanted to do something about this, because he thinks the same, and that the top 4 are unhealthy for football. I thought that’s what you were meaning too, guess you weren’t –
.
March 7th, 2009 at 21:59
@Red Ranter: Ten teams may be a slight exaggeration. But clearly I do not rate Fulham, Stoke, Hull, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Bolton, Portsmouth and Wigan, West Brom as worthy sides for the Prem. Yes Wigan is a pretty decent team due to the outstanding coaching of Bruce. But one does not base who should be in my 12 team Elite Premier League based on recent form because it is long term consistency, strong fan support and a city or community that is large enough to support and sustain a team in a league like what I am trying to promote. Get rid of the pretenders and Johnny come lately’s and go with the team’s that historically have the core support, the population to build around and the grounds to compete in the top tier. Owners also come and go but idf the team is in a big center like Newcastle, then there is always hope that team could get more money and success by just changing owners. You see they still have a big city to draw support from and a big park to fill the need.
My 12 team elite league would consist of
Manchester United
Manchester City
Liverpool
Everton
Chelsea
Tottenham
Arsenal
West Ham
Newcastle Utd
Aston Villa
And my final two would be selected from 3 to 5 teams based on their historical integrity, their current financial status, their fan base and quality of grounds. They are;
Southampton
Birmingham City
Blackburn
Sunderland
Portsmouth
Although I don’t rate these teams as very good, they do have the infrastructure to survive and actually compete in an elite league due to the quality of stadium, fan support and size of city that they represent. Ideally a city like Leeds should have a team but lets face it, they destroyed that club. Twelve club with no relegation and promotion would allow these teams the time and security to build and match the United’s and Liverpool’s. Only with that assurance and the guaranteed money form staying in the league can a minnow eventually grow to be a giant. Many last place teams in American sports have eventually grown to become powerhouse franchises. The Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia Phillies, etc are examples of teams that were terrible for stretches in their history but who eventually rebounded and won championships because they were in a system that allowed for the chance to improve. A draft system and other factors for parity have played a role recently in evening things out, but the system has always worked.
If anything has ever hurt these US sports, it is expansion. Making the leagues larger and watering down the talent pool has caused some weak franchises to arrive and in some cases eventually fold. All the more reason why I say there should be a strict 12 team league with no promotion. If a team like West Ham end up in financial collapse, then and only then is another team nominated for promotion. Whether you agree with it or not, my plan makes financial sense, long term sense and guarantees a healthier and much more competitive product. To not see that is to be stuck in the past and by tradition that clearly does not work in today’s ever changing new world order.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:04
@Gabriel: Yeah it’s funny how when Roovez play we suddenly look a much improved team.
@Grognard: Park has been playing like this all season, everyone was just too busy moaning about Nani to notice. You really have to feel for him being left out of the final last season and Fergie definately owes him one. Could you imagine the reaction if Anderson or Nani had been left out? They would be on the first plane out of Manchester IMO
March 7th, 2009 at 22:05
@Craig Mc: I know. Fulham didn’t park the bus. Had they done so, they ,may have made a case for a 1-0 loss or 0-0 draw, but by actually trying to play football, they showed what totally useless chimps they were. Any team other than than Arsenal and Chelsea who actually want to play a game of attacking football with us will get slaughtered. That goes for the Liverpool’s and Shitty’s too. Only through defensive and cautious formations and technically negative means can any of these teams compete. That is why the game is so screwed.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:05
@Red Ranter: ay? torres was pretty prolific in spain, i think in his last season with madrid he got 14 goals in 35 games or something like that, if thats not prolific i dont know what is!
And even if he wasnt, you cant take only that into consideration. Torres scored more goals in spain, then forlan scored in england. Recent players of the dutch league have been quite frankly, appalling in england! Before the u21 euros a few years back, i rated babel as one of the best prospects in the world, then in the euros, his performances amplified my belief, now look at him, hes struggling to infront of a striker who has something like 3 goals in 30 appearances
Alves, kuyt, kezman, babel, there hasnt been a player out the dutch league since ruud to make the grade in enlgand. This is why i dont rate huntelaar in the slightest.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:09
@Craig Mc: There needs to be a quota of a certain amount of UK talent and then those players need to be acquired through a drafting process with the worst selecting first and the best last.
Teams in lower divisions are nothing more than stepping stones for many players and a place for young players to strengthen their craft. In fact I would go as far as to say that the Championship Coca Cola League should consist of what would be known as the Prem’s reserve teams, but playing in those given communities. Like the AHL is a farm system for the NHL in North America.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:11
@Craig Mc: That goal he scored was very Gigg’s like. The way he anticipated the ball, stole it and then moved in and clinically slotted it home. Come on mate, don’t let you bias totally blind you. I get it, you love Nani and you are bitter, but give Park his due. He earned it.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:12
@Dan: Ah Dan, don’t change OK.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:12
@Grognard: Not to be rude, but 12 teams would kill this league, it would suck. it would be like the scottish league which sucks.
And why should a club like notts get into the league ahead of a club like burnley because they have more history?
History is a matter of opinion, not fact, and nothing in the world of football should be based on history unless its recent, because a club could be one of the best, and then can find them selves in league 1, just like leeds.
No, 20 teams, if you do poorly your relegated. The championship teams that do the best get rewarded with a place in the best league in the world.
Relegation battles is an english trait, that wont be stopped for many, many years.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:13
@Craig Mc: They’re entertainers mate, the marriage won’t last a year tops. Have faith, she will be single again, and she hasn’t said yes yet neither. Kimberley is punishing you for procrastinating and choosing the GF over her. It goes both ways Bro.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:17
@Craig Mc: See I don’t think the top four are unhealthy for football, I think the bottom 8 are not up for the battle and are bad for top flight football. The Prem should be a league where only the main teams compete and no pretenders or part timers are allowed. Then you would have the competition and glamor we would all like to see. It’s the FA and FIFA who are fucked up here. They need to wake up and smell the coffee.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:18
@Grognard: Dude, im sorry but i just cant see where your coming from. This is an english league, with an english system. You tell me why we should change years of tradition(not history, tradition
) to turn it into something its not, american? i dont like american sports, not one bit, most of us english people dont, why should we turn argulby, thte best league in the world american?
If i where to say the nhl should change there system to something that is similar to the english league, you wouldnt want it to change because that what you grew up with and would be a kick up the teeth if it where to take some other countries system, to make your own different.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:19
@Liam: No Park wasn’t playing like this all season. He really turned it up a gear about ten starts ago. Before that his offensive output was totally useless. Now at least he is constructively contributing to the team’s attack. His defense however has always been great. But ten games ago that steal he had today would not have ended up in a goal.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:21
@Dan: Dan, jeez Bro if 14 goals is prolific, then you please awfully easy. Prolific is over 20 goals a season. It always has been. Basically a goal or goal and a half for every two games played is prolific. Not a goal every three or four. Thats decent, but not prolific.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:23
@Grognard: eh, Hull is quite a big city, Bolton is in greater Manchester, Fulham are from London and until proven otherwise Sunderland=Newcastle so I’m not quite understanding your reasoning here
March 7th, 2009 at 22:25
@Grognard: This is where your plan is flawed. You use history as a basis. History would mean even the likes of Nottingham Forest, Derby county, (dare I say) Leeds, Notts County etc etc. This is a 100+ year institution that I am talking about. Again, if you talk about history, then you must factor the roots of the game in England, and the roots of the game in North America they are chalk and cheese. Professional sport in the US has been a product at the end of the day. Perhaps baesball could be an exception when it started out. But footy in England, has been a community affair, essentially. If your system were to be introduced there would be widespread outcry in England.
I don’t dispute your idea as such, but it’s the wrong market segment at its core.. i.e., the English paying supporters. It reminds me of an occasion in the 80s when Coke tried to enter the market of a developing country and marketed itself as something ‘you would want to have along with your meal’. It failed miserably because the local culture really found it odd to have coca cola along with their cuisine.
Essentially I agree with your plan, but there’s a part of me that feels morally bankrupted to go with the idea of an elite league.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:25
@Dan: Also, not to be rude mate but your argument is stuck in the past and has no relevance to today’s game and the state of the economy. You are living in the past and are too old school to try something new. Comparing it too Scotland is not valid because that league has no talent and only two teams have any talent. In fact I would go one further. What is wrong with taking Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen and inviting them into the Prem to make 12 to 14 teams? They have the history, the finances and the support and grounds to compete in a carefully managed league that allows for growth and fairness. It’s about weeding out the useless and only allowing the best of players to play for fewer but more financially proficient teams. That my friend is common sense speaking.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:26
@Dan: Great point
March 7th, 2009 at 22:29
@Dan: You are stuck in the “ENGLISH” thing and are holding onto it for dear life. It doesn’t work anymore mate. Don’t kick a gift horse in the mouth. I am offering common sense changes that would ensure an attractive exciting product in a successful and highly stable league. If you can’t see that, then you are not allowing yourself to see because you are caught up in your stubborn scared of change ways.
Look at the latest US election. It was the beginning of a Renaissance period of change and positive government that has been avoided for centuries in the US. People had to lose everything before they realized that radical change and a radical but sane leader and sane approach was needed over the conservative pig headed values of the far right. I rest my case. It’s time for change.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:31
@Dan: And no I would not agree if the NHL changed it’s system to adopt a far inferior one that isn’t working when there’s is. The NHL hasn’t had a back to back Stanley Cup winner since the early 90’s I think that says it all.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:32
@Grognard: Probably because Aberdeen are rubbish. The Celtic and Rangers thing has been talked about but they have guaranteed CL football every season and just aren’t going to give that up. Also how do you incorporate them into the league? Do you take away 2 promoted teams spots or do what they did with Cardiff and Swansea and dump them in the lower leagues? As if they’ll agree to that
March 7th, 2009 at 22:33
@Liam: But the team’s have not had a history of long term success both on the pitch or off. They have never been stable enough franchises that i would risk placing them in with the big boys. Being a suburb community of Manchester means nothing, it’s only one of many factors that have to be considered. I’d prefer Leeds over any of them and look how they ended up.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:35
@Grognard: And then what you presumably want some sort of draft system as well in which players are treated like meat and uprooted from their homes every couple of years because the team wants to make a trade?
March 7th, 2009 at 22:38
@Red Ranter: Stop right there mate. I already considered the Notts Forest and Leeds element and their history but remember that I said there are numerous criteria that need to be considered before entrance is permitted. Just winning years ago does not cut it. Finances, consistency, a strong support group, stable ownership and the potential to grow within a growing community are the key factors. We can’t have the Blackpool’s of the game enter simply because Stanley Matthews once played there or the Notts Forests or Leeds because Clough once gained greatness with them. Those were different times and it was possible in 1979 for a team to come up from Division 2 and win the Division 1 crown. What are the odds of that happening now? No my plan is not flawed at all I’m afraid and I will take the arrogant Ronaldo road on this one mate. I am right here and I know it to be 100%, whether you or others choose to go along. I am just very passionate about this and I am convinced I am right.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:46
@Red Ranter: I’m sorry but what is this socialist bleeding heart liberal crap about being morally bankrupt over agreeing to such a league? Are you morally bankrupt if you choose a Mercedez over a crappy Kia, or a Rolex over a Timex, or a Sony over Zenith?
There is quality and then there is the rest. It’s a competitive world and there are playgrounds for the rich as well as for the poor. The rich do not deserve to play in a sandlot any more than the poor deserve to play in the Emirates. It’s all about market conditions and separating the teams with all the resources form those who cannot compete with that. Nobody said the world was fair nor just but to create an Elite League for the sake of creating a stronger, more efficient and highly more sellable product is not morally flawed. It’s good business.
What is morally flawed is having a league with four or five teams that control all the money and can buy all the good players while the rest fight for fucking survival. That is grotesque and morally repugnant as well as unfair and unjust. I amazed to hear this from you RR, seeing as you are living in the US and have had a chance to see how much better and more efficient their leagues other than the corrupt baseball league is run. MLB is hopelessly weighed down by greed and the same problems that are killing the Prem, the SPL and other European Leagues that feel they need a selection of interchanging bitches each year to kick around or be bored to death by. Come on mate, you have got to be joking.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:47
@Liam: Aberdeen is a big enough club with a large following and support base to be able to compete in a strictly structured league.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:48
Grognard, you say im holding on to this “english” thing, arent you doing the same with your history and america.
Quite frankly, grognard, what you fail to understand is that the premier league is based in ENGLAND, not america, and therefore it should have ENGLSIH values, not american.
look hull city, they where definitely one of the better teams in the first half of the season, and have recently been unlucky with their results.
Premier league>>>>NHL
In the eyes of the paying football fan!
March 7th, 2009 at 22:49
@Grognard: I agree with the need for some change. The constant chopping and changing of mediocre teams via the current relegation/promotion process is diluting the quality of play considerably.
Your ideas would probably work if you were starting from scratch, but the degree of change here would be widely unacceptable to the FA, the clubs and the fans. Too much, Grog, all at once.
I do think that a step in the right direction would be to change the way how relegation and promotion are achieved. A simple step would be to limit the process to 2 teams in either direction. A more elaborate approach could see clubs fight for promotion or survival over a period of several seasons – making it fairer way to prove/disprove their value to the league.
The idea of culling the league has some merit too, but by a much less number of teams than you suggest. A league with 2 fewer teams makes sense to me, giving some breathing room for fixture congestion and the proposed idea of a winter break.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:49
@Liam: Youmake it sound so much worse than it is. Every North American kid dreams of the day he gets drafted to play for a pro sports team. In fact the events are televised and hyped like a big game. Being paid millions to play a bloody game is not exactly the same as being treated like meat. And that form of socialism allows the poor teams a chance to improve and catch up with the big teams. It’s called fair play.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:52
@Grognard: You sound like a PR officer for Obama there. Change for change sakes it a pointless exercise. I would reserve my judgment on the man and the so called renaissance of US politics on actual results rather than election campaign propaganda and rhetoric. The sheer public dissatisfaction with the previous regime seems to have made the new government a success without is actually achieving anything.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:53
@Dan: No I’m not mate because I have followed soccer for 30 years more closely than any other American sport. I too wanted no changes until I saw the disgusting practices being used in the Prem now for the past 7 years. Before then, I would have agreed with you. Times have changed and market conditions cannot live in the past. It’s like the Watchmen movie. A bunch of washed up super heroes who were stuck living in the past while they watched the systematic decay of society around them and with no idea of how to change thing. So for some of you who know what I am talking about here, just consider me to be Ozymandias. One has to break a few eggs to create an omelette.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:57
@Redrich: First off, why do you need the FA? These top teams are more than big enough and financially strong enough to split form the FA and form an elite league with new leaders and individuals to run and police it. If something doesn’t work, I’m all for revolution. Pardon my French, but FUCK THE FA. FIFA has no right to stop another league from forming. They are a governing body but labor laws and business laws are in place to protect the creation of another league. Yes this is radical thought but if the FA doesn’t want to play cricket, piss on them. It’s like the threat for years to create a European Super League. Well I am all for an English Super League that has room for 12 teams and to Hell with the rest.
March 7th, 2009 at 22:59
@Grognard: That’s what Americans were saying about the housing market and Wall Street this time last year. They aren’t saying that anymore. Look around mate, we are headed for a depression. Do you think the game the way it is presently structured right now can handle a depression? I know it can’t.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:00
@Grognard: Ok, first of all I feel morally bankrupt going with that idea. It’s a difference of opinion, and suddenly it’s crap? Well, well. I won’t say anymore.
Secondly, my thoughts are with the knowledge of the sports systems in the US. Yes they are efficient. But I don’t feel the human element in American pro-sports as I do in American college sports. And I’ve met my share of Americans who share my opinion on this aspect of American pro-sports.
I said I agree with your idea, essentially, but I suppose you clearly seem to have got hot under the collar when all I did was honestly expressing my difference of opinion and personal feelings to this idea. So what if I feel morally bankrupt if I chose that elite league? There’s a fine line between smart business and corporate hegemony. I feel it’s the latter, and hence a sense of moral bankruptcy. That’s my feeling. You call it crap, well I’m sorry, you’ll have to live with some difference of opinion here.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:00
@Grognard-”There is nothing wrong with creating a league with safety measures based on guaranteeing the league’s long term health.”
That IS American concept of sport..And you better discribe it than I can ever do…that IS the main diference…you can not understand the basics..becouse you are grown by that values..and that`s it… all concept is aristocratic and protective for 5 to 10 clubs…the rest is crap and the main reason behind that is money…
“All you are is old school protectionists who are afraid of change and modern ways of thinking. So many who live in the game’s past and cannot see that the system is broken and incredibly unfair financially, socially and esthetically. The game has become ugly and lacking true and fair competition. If some of you cannot see this, well, I’m sorry for you.”
It seems that you have no problem with that,(how could you have, you are from Canada, but it is Interesting,
cozz one of your criteria to be member in the top 10 or 20 chosen teams is the past…(tradition and values remember 
) or it is just big fat lie how to make new NBA frpm Premier league….You are Brithish so you probably can not give me the answer but for those who can: Do someone remeber Europian Basketball and how strong it was befofe NBA open the doors for forein players….that is the same concept…today NBA is not stronger league, but there is not Europian Basketball anymore…it belongs to past and old values, I guess 
Why stop in EPL ….why not creating CL League with the reachest clubs compiting against each other every week….fuck Bolton, everton , Newcastle, screw everithing,and play with Real Madrid, milan, Bayern every week…Well than Grognard and Peter Kenyon will be satisfied…but what about others…than you can understand what I`m talking about
March 7th, 2009 at 23:02
@JB: I’m not advocating change for the sake of change. Have younot read a word of what I have been advocating? I am advocating change because there is great need to save the integrity of the game and to ensure a proper and entertaining product as well as a healthy and successful product both on and off the pitch for the long term future.
I’m amazed JB that you of all people can not see the wisdom in my words. Look around you, you cannot tell me the EPL looks healthy and is offering a strong product right now. And if you do, then I need not try to convince you.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:04
@JB: I’m not advocating change for the sake of change. Have you not read a word of what I have been advocating? I am advocating change because there is great need to save the integrity of the game and to ensure a proper and entertaining product as well as a healthy and successful product both on and off the pitch for the long term future.
I’m amazed JB that you of all people can not see the wisdom in my words. Look around you, you cannot tell me the EPL looks healthy and is offering a strong product right now. And if you do, then I need not try to convince you. It’s time to act and act with force to change things before we see further corrosion of this great game we love.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:07
I was at craven cottage!!! Anderson was terrible!!!! Couldn’t make a pass! You park haters are retarded!! He was great!
March 7th, 2009 at 23:08
Good game for us today, although Fulham were truly aweful. I mean, they rolled over like a cat in front of the fireplace, no passion or desire and overly comfortable to be playing at home. This is the kind of performance that can lose managers their job!!
Couple of standouts for United today, but overall just another day at the office, ho hum,,,.
Park was a constant threat, always showing up in the most dangerous of our attacking moves. His work rate was just phenomenal and his goal was well taken and thoroughly deserved.
Tevez was a completely different player than he’s shown us over the last month or so. Good ball control, decisive movement, and he took a much more direct route to goal than in the past. His passing was accurate and timely and his goals were of the highest quality.
So pleased to see improvement with Tevez, almost like he took the rubber out of his boots. Now if only we can get Berbatov to get the lead out of his!!
March 7th, 2009 at 23:10
@Red Ranter: For crying out loud mate, what is morally bankrupt about the idea? Calling it morally bankrupt is calling me morally bankrupt for coming up with it. Can’t you see that? Sorry for using the crap word but I can’t think of a better way to express my shock at your accusation. I am far from being morally bankrupt and although much of my solution borders on right wing capitalist corrective tendencies, I am as left wing liberal as they get. But I also know that for a top sports league to function properly, it needs to weed out pretenders and enforce rules and changes that ensure the game’s success, entertainment value and future. It’s a business, first and foremost. This isn’t a socialist society we are trying to save. Just because it is elite does not mean it is immoral. It just means the best. If you prefer Spam sandwiches over prime rib, then all the power to you mate. I want to see quality football between quality teams. I’m not seeing that now 80% of the time.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:12
@Grognard: That specific comment was more a response to the political angle of your comment rather than the footballing one.
As for your plans for the English game, there are some interesting points in there. But I am not going to analyze it in any great detail or argue it because your plan, for cultural, political, institutional and financial reasons is as likely as me becoming the King of England. So personally I see no reason in having lengthy debate on it. Come back with some suggestions that you actually think you could get the English footballing public, the FA, EPL and Clubs to run with and I’ll happily listen.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:15
@Grognard: Well if it’s revolution you want you better start getting the backing of the masses! From what I’ve been reading you’re still having a hard time expressing your purpose.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:17
@Aleksandar Macedonia: You clearly don’t get what I am tryingto say and you are using examples that make no sense. First of all, the NBA is doing very well and is coming off one of it’s most successful season’s ever financially. As for European basketball, without the NBA you would never have had European basketball. I remember going to Europe many times in the 70’s and especially in Greece in the 70’s and the game was nothing. Five years ago Greece were European Champions. That’s because of the world wide influence, prestige and exposure of the elite NBA. As for league’s below it, I am all for them as long as they know their place in the game and in the market. No problem if you don’t agree but stop pigeon holing me as just another arrogant and ignorant North American. We get a lot of that for simply doing things properly. We’re better yes, but Europe is also jealous of our working models.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:20
@JB: Well nobody thought it was possible for a balck man to become President five years ago nor for a woman to come a close second in the primaries. It’s thinking like that that keep s everything the same. Sorry but I am a radical and progressive thinker and I do believe in Obama’s message for change and the old adage “Yes we can”. We just need to wake up and see that the status quo is broken first. That time will come, I guarantee it. FIFA and UEFA are already making sounds about radical change.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:23
@Redrich: Time and patience my friend. Frankly speaking, the masses don’t have the intelligence to grasp most of it. Hows that for elitism? Like I said to JB, nobody would have envisioned a black man even winning his party’s primary five years ago yet defeat the the mighty conservative wing of the United States. Poverty, problems and unrest are catalysts for change and i certainly won’t apologize for having the vision to see things beyond my front door. Come to think of it, nobody gave Hitler the time of day either back in the early 20’s. And no, I’mnot as bad or as evil as him.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:26
@Grognard: I feel morally bankrupted at the idea. But I am fully aware that it’s not so for many people. Morality is a very relative term these days, and I know that what’s wrong for one may be right for another. So I don’t call you morally bankrupt, I feel very conflicted personally to go for that idea. It’s not an easy thing to explain, but in short I’ll say this: I don’t think you are morally bankrupt for suggesting such an idea. But I am, if I am to go with it personally. It’s a dichotomy, I know. But go figure
March 7th, 2009 at 23:27
@Grognard: you are NOT describing change, you are saying we should replicate an already existing system from another country as if to say the way they run things is better then we do.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:33
Nemanja Vidic once ate 3 boxes of sleeping pills thinking that they were Tic-Tacs.
He blinked.
March 7th, 2009 at 23:36
@Grognard: Funny how you always put the phrases radical and progressive so closely together
But you are perfectly entitled to your views. However I feel more than confident in my belief that the EPL will not even closely resemble your vision set out in comment 200 within the next 5, 10 or 20 years. Nor do I think the climate within then English game will be any more conductive to such measures within the same timescale. Ergo I view such musings, bar to stoke the imagination, as a pointless exercise
March 7th, 2009 at 23:37
“As for European basketball, without the NBA you would never have had European basketball.”
Did you ever watch Yugoslavia, jugoplastika, pop 84, rusian Basketball school…no?!…do you know how many medals SSSR have…if you dont, plese SHUT UP …did you ever heart about Drasen Petrovic…???
But all memebers here can see your working models and your economy…Your crise is now become world crise…and your working model is wide known…even in Iraq,Avganistan,Vietnam,and others non NBA Leagues in the world…
So…dont give me your funny political lessons…That is something that your value sistem is not capable to do cozz ….yess it is …morally bankrupt!
March 8th, 2009 at 0:01
On the other hand we are here for Man United …and this is not the right place for this kind of convesation and I am sorry for this off topic theme with Grognard(its nothing personal just some political issues
)
March 8th, 2009 at 0:33
Is this a Man Utd rants board, or have I stumbled across a political broadcasting programme? I thought I was the only one guilty of diversionary digression on this blog
.
March 8th, 2009 at 0:41
@Grognard: If you have read my posts regarding todays game Grog, you will see I have given Park credit – so no need to mischarge me with bitterness or bias
. He is still NOT another Giggsy though, no matter how much you want to make him one. Giggsy in his prime was always able to get thru the minefield without always predominantly falling on his arse.
March 8th, 2009 at 0:42
All a 12 team elite league would accomplish is putting 80 other professional football teams out of business. With no way to better themselves they would capitulate. Man City could move to the midlands to gain fans. 100+ years of history wiped out for what? Parity? Bland Americanised sport?
u.s.a
u.s.a
u.s.a
March 8th, 2009 at 1:02
@Craig Mc: Ironic when your LMN has the same problem, only he doesn’t have to be fouled to go down
March 8th, 2009 at 1:18
@Red Ranter: I now get your meaning and I am totally cool with that. It’s not something you are comfortable with. At least not yet. Like my political analogies earlier, I doubt America would have elected Obama back in 2000 either. Situations change and people do. Adapting and not staying constant is vital for the human race to evolve. Sorry for the deep philosophical stuff, but it’s the best way to bring across my point. A point that is clearly ahead of it’s time, but not by much.
March 8th, 2009 at 1:20
@Dan: No I’m not. I am comparing one with another but the one I am advocating for soccer is a hybrid. It’s not a carbon copy of any one system but an amalgamation of a few. Taking the best of all and combining. But yes, most of it is based on a very successful and highly productive American model. So shoot me.
March 8th, 2009 at 1:25
@Dan: Ronaldo once ate 3 bottled of sleeping pills. He fell over in the penalty area!!
March 8th, 2009 at 1:30
@JB: You know JB I respect your views and if you don’t agree with mine that’s fine too. But really, calling what I am trying to debate over a tireless and futile exercise is kind of mean and hurtful. I’m sure that is not your intent but did you ever take the moment to think that maybe Grognard is very serious and passionate about this?
Just because you don’t agree or feel my theories are worthwhile, doesn’t mean you have to dismiss them completely nor the effort I made in trying to put them across. I took time and effort to reply to everyone’s questions and concerns. I don’t think that’s pointless nor is it futile. It’s only pointless if people sit back and allow others to do their bidding and their thinking for them.
You make fun of pointing out my progressive and radical thoughts but sorry, there is nothing wrong with that kind of thinking. It’s that kind of thinking that makes your car start, puts power in your house, allows you to debate me on a computer thousands of miles away and keeps your arteries clean with a little white pill. Nothing I say or offer this forum is ever pointless or intended as a waste of time. I give myself more credit than that and feel I have the intellect to try stimulate this group with some higher thinking, as you do often. Sorry you find my efforts such a waste of your time.
March 8th, 2009 at 1:33
@Aleksandar Macedonia: European basketball is shit and then NBA can wipe their ass 99% of the time. Forget Olympics and shit like that. Any time you take the world’s best American players from their teams and give them a few weeks to gel together there is always a chance one of the European teams might beat them, but if the best of Russia or Greece or Yugoslavia or Spain ever played the Boston Celtics, they would get murdered. They aren’t even in the same universe with the NBA so please spare me that political stuff OK.
March 8th, 2009 at 1:34
@Aleksandar Macedonia: You don’t tell me what is right and what is wrong to debate on this site mate. You are new here and I have been here for two fucking years. I know what we can talk about and what we can’t talk about so shut the fuck up.
March 8th, 2009 at 1:35
@Craig Mc: Ah not you too mate!
Big picture mate, big picture. See the big picture. Maybe I have a point that has to do with football and Manchester United in all this.
March 8th, 2009 at 1:38
@Craig Mc: I never made made him into another Giggs. I simply said that he looked like Giggs in one play. Why am I being mugged today with people who are jumping to conclusions without fulling reading and comprehending what I am writing. I don’t think I am illiterate.
Jeez, Sorry but I’m feeling really frustrated and I’m gonna give a rest for the rest of the night. Take care.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:14
@Grognard: Grog I wasn’t having a go at you personally mate. I was just looking at how many people were postulating about football and American politics. I was more mocking myself Grog, when I said that I thought I was the guilty one at diverting things OFF topic. Your posts were all football related thought, so don’t worry about it Grog
.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:19
@Grognard: If I misread your Giggsy/Park comparison Grog, I apologise mate. I told you my brain was fogged today. Not with booze though as RR suggested
, I have decided to limit my intake to 2 pints of beer, but only on match days – AFTER the game 
. My liver only takes a hammering if I party with my rugby friends. So I am cutting back 
.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:25
Comment deleted
March 8th, 2009 at 2:35
@Aleksandar Macedonia: Errrr mate, I don’t think any of the British posters on here have been hiding, as you say. Seems to me like a good few have voiced their opinions on this subject Grog brought up for discussion. Most of them have done this in a less aggressive manner though.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:38
Aleksandar Macedonia,
Ok mate, this is crossing the line now. Either apologise for the uncalled for and blatant political attack or, well, you have no other choice.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:54
@Craig Mc
I try to respect every person on this blog and I have nothing against Canadian mate, he is after all huge man utd fan as myself but we have diferent opinion on very interesting subject and I dont want to insult anyone and if I did that I am sorry for that cozz I did`n want it..
@Red Ranter
In that case you can fuck off, asshole…Dont fuckin call me mate…You can not blackmail new members for giving their opinion, triang to protect your culture from inapropriete ideas…I dont even live in england and I was doing your job there….Maybe you shoud create your 12 members leagueb stile of writing here…and delite everyone else… that is Grog`s idea ater all? Schmuck!
March 8th, 2009 at 3:19
@Aleksandar Macedonia: I didn’t have anything against having an opinion, but you made this a political attack which was not called for.
There are a lot of us who may or may not be in agreement with Grognard here. And a lot of people who don’t agree with me too. But we don’t go around calling people names here.
You said you don’t want to insult people, but you just did that. Either you can repost your opinion in a less forceful manner, or you can take all that aggro elsewhere. As I said, I don’t care what opinion you post here as long as you don’t get aggressively personal or make political attacks directed at people.
March 8th, 2009 at 3:27
@Grognard: I will agree with you that from a business sense, American leagues are run better. On the other points I have to strongly disagree. First of all Promotion and Relegation isnt a perfect solution but is the most fair. My biggest gripe against American sports is that the league doesnt really mean anything. In the NBA they play 82 regular season games, and for what? a better play off seed? All you get game in and game out is teams coasting for the first 3 and a half quarters and then “turning it on” for the final stretch. ust compare a regular season game to a play off game, and you will swear you are watching a different game.
I also hate how there is no punishment for being rubbish. again talking about the NBA here. after the All-Star game, teams asses where they are at in regards to play off position. those that feel the playoffs are not in their future, proceed to phone in the rest of the season in the hopes of increasing their draft odds. To me this is the most idiotic notion, we actually reward the biggest loser with having the best young talent. In the Epl you have 2 races, the battle for the title and the battle to avoid the drop. To me this ensures the season is exciting till the last kick of the ball.
I agree the EPL has issue, but it isnt because of the league structure. The EPL is simply a victim of its own success. The money to be made in the EPL is just too great, which is why you see Spurs crashing out of the UEFA cup just to insure their EPL survival.
I think the only thing the EPL needs to learn from us is how to market the game, Americans are the best at selling a plate of shit and making you think its chocolate ice cream(look at the MLS).
March 8th, 2009 at 3:33
@Aleksandar Macedonia: “Don’t fucking call me mate” – sounds like something out of “Derek and Clive”. Anybody out there remember “Derek and Clive”??.
You must have very few sharp knives, my friend, you just told the Ranter himself to “fuck off” and because of your dwindling tone of respect to other posters, I hope he gives you the big heave-ho.
But I just can’t get over the “Don’t call me mate” line. Classic and from what I’ve read from you, stupid!!
March 8th, 2009 at 4:50
OK…mate,first of all that was not sharp post…it doesnt deserve to be deleted…you dont even know how sharp people can be…second there was not political atack and I wanted to stop ranting on political subject(read preveous comments carefuly)and was provoked that someone can debate on everything here and I can not shut up him…third:He was asking for it… and I know that you didn`t deserve it…But It was response of your unfair tretmant and your taking side, just cozz I`m newbie here…and last one: that was my honest opinion in which direction goes EPL…I dont care who are you or who Grognard or Redrich is…for me …you are the same….Big Man Utd fans family and I was/am glad to be here and talk about football and M.U…I`m trying to avoid being centar of atention so…again if you want apology, you have it…I m Enough man to offer that to you but I dont agree and respect some of your action and explanations cozz they were poor!However, we are here for higher reason
and I will tolerate that…It was again off topic…. 
March 8th, 2009 at 5:41
oooohh. seemes the relegation thing is quite the sore topic…anyway, i dont think we need to worry because groggys american idea will never fly here anyway. (and grog, i dont think youre an ignorant asshole or whatever you said earlier,which was completely off subject)
history is a beautiful thing, and i actually think the pl is a bigger source of money then the NBA so…
And i fukkin love the NBA, is great for entertainment!! but for passion i watch european football!!!
March 8th, 2009 at 6:02
back to footballing matters. i was laughing each time they lunged at park and tried to foul him no matter what, it was as it they were luning at ronaldo! park did great today. its like another case of man utd players reading this blog and tryin to prove doubters wrong! anyway. good on him and lets hope he gets more into groove
rooney coulda had a hat trick today if not for blind refereeing. he was not an inch offside. not a hint at all! and that missed chance was so so so frustrating. but heck, we did great today. enjoyed the match…
the defence was torrid tho. lucky the attack is back in groove
March 8th, 2009 at 6:09
@johnsom33: I’mnot advocating that we run soccer the way we run American sports where the season means nothing and only the playoffs do. Not at all. I am talking from a business point of view and from a structured point of view it creates stability. There is no stability in a league that has a hole at the bottom where teams can slip out, and where others can climb up into. Kind of reminds me of a sphincter. I am still an advocate of a league that crowns the first place team champions and that holds a separate cup competition that includes the teams from all the lower leagues too. It’s just that a smaller and closed league would create a better caliber of football, less watering down of the product and would allow teams to become more solid and successful over time because the fear of relegation would not be looming.
Too many onhere have assumed that I am borrowing everything from American sports leagues. Not true. I still like a lot of what soccer leagues are doing, but i still believe that an elite league in a country is needed and it needs to have a closed door policy for all the other little guys out there with delusions of grandeur.
March 8th, 2009 at 6:15
@Redrich: You can easily judge him by the name he uses. Obviously he thinks he is king of the world and is probably some sad piece of shit that is craving attention and feels calling others names and getting racist and political will sell his views better. I picture him with a Roman Abramovich accent and about the same personality too. I don’t care what RR thinks, the guy is bad news and i for one want him to fuck right off and don’t care to see him on this site. If that’s wrong, then I’ll live with it. “Don’t call me mate”. Hey Alexander the Not So Smart, how bout if I call you ASSHOLE instead. Ah there, now I’ve gone and done it. Clearly lost tthe bottle on this. FRAK!
March 8th, 2009 at 6:18
@Aleksandar Macedonia: And I have news for you ASSWIPE, nobody gives a rats ass about you either. So fuck off and go conquer some countries and leave us on this site alone from having to put up with your stupidity and terrible English. Get fucking lost you tosser.
March 8th, 2009 at 7:12
@Aleksandar Macedonia: Ok first of all, seniority had no bearing on me deleting your comment. You apologised for making political/personal remarks yet your very next comment was just that. So I deleted it.
Secondly, if your point is to “shut people up” then it really defeats the purpose of debating on this board.
@Grognard:
Regardless of what you think, I always give people a second chance to explain themselves before an outright ban. So I’ll wait for him to clear the air, and see if he’s genuinely interested in carrying on.
March 8th, 2009 at 7:30
Ah Grognard,if you are going to debate on something else than United,(specialy on something thats so close to American values and systems)not everyone is going to like it and you should be prepared for some uncalled responce.
March 8th, 2009 at 8:23
@Red Ranter: I wouldn’t put money on that RR. Anyway, credit to you for your patience and fairness. Too bad he doesn’t deserve it in my opinion. He’s a classic troll in my books who gets off going into sites to unsettle them and then pisses off to another. You’re a better man than I am and I give you credit for that. If I was running the site and somebody told me to fuck off, he’s be toast.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:51
Whats with it with new people and this blog
I think alex is probably a decent guy, who got a bit angry with your views grognard. To be honest, i got pretty angry myself with them, but what i didnt do was let my anger show to much. What alex needs to do/learn, is that when someone makes you angry(especially unintentionally) you dont resort to petty insults. Redranter has every right to give alex a second chance, when you first started out here grognard, you did use insults, but now know not to. I used insults when i first came here, i got my ass banned, but redranter saw the error in his ways and gave me a second chance 
. Let alex have is second chance, we all deserve one, most of us has had them.
March 8th, 2009 at 11:06
Right. Back to the soccer…..
Ferdinand is fine for Inter on wednesday. O’Shea’s hamstring is causing concern. Good. Lets Play Fabio there and batter them.
March 8th, 2009 at 11:10
Does anybody thinks that Tevez and Rooney is a better combination that Berba and Roo? I do. Great as we are playing this season our attack movements have not been nearly as fluent as they were last year when there was a constant interchange of positions between Ro, Tevez and Ronaldo. Yesterday play reminded me of that. Itwas exhilariting at times. And before you said that this was cos Fulham was terrible please note that it is a top ten ELP club.
March 8th, 2009 at 11:30
@frankie: Wow, so because they 3 goals yesterday, they are suddenly good together. Remember when berbatov was injured and they had to play 2 games straight without him? do you remember the scores of those 2 games? i do, 0-0. Fulham where poor yesterday, they’re in a slump, tevez is still shite in my eyes! Look at his second goal, how many times has he tried that this season and the balls ended up in row z or a throw in?
Berbatov>>>tevez.
Berbatov has scored more goals in less appearances for us in the champions league this season, because berbatov knows how to pass, unlike tevez, who doesnt know the meaning of control.
March 8th, 2009 at 12:37
too much politics here, everyone actin like bitches
Id personaly like to see ROOVEZ play on Wednesday, the combination has been overly neglected this season i feel
And again, how could you drop Tevez after such a rousing performance, would be yet another kick in the teeth for the lad, id let him start, i know he’l score
Im also prayinn for Carrick/ANderson pairing in the middle…should do the trick
March 8th, 2009 at 12:39
@Grognard: I don’t doubt the passion or the importance you attach to your ideals nor is it my intent to insult. What I am saying is that I don’t see the point me getting excited about it because you would not get the idea past the FA, EPL, Clubs of general support base. Just take a look at the level of support you have received on here for the ideas. As I have always been told, no matter how good a solution is, it is a waste of time if it cannot be implemented. That is my book defines a futile exercise.
Reduction of league size to 18 teams, relegation slots to two teams and changes in prize/tv money structure may have some of the desired effects that you are aiming for. And while implementation for any of the individual measures would not be easy, it may actually stand a chance unlike the sweeping changes you have suggested.
On to you last point, I was not poking run and your progressive and radical thoughts. I simply have a dislike of the general attitude that you tend to project at times (whether intentional or not) that it is the only radical thinkers that are progressive.
@Dan: To be fair the two 0-0 games were both tricky fixtures and can both be considered good results in retrospect. It’s also worth pointing out that we missed Berbatov for a couple of more games in December and it didn’t seem to damage our attacking game.
Funny how things change though, wasn’t that long ago I was having Rooney versus Tevez debates on here.
March 8th, 2009 at 12:55
@frankie: Maybe in some alternate universe where Tevez has a first touch, close ball control, and sublime passing abilities is Rooney/Tevez the better pairing. In this world it’s Berba/Rooney everytime. (Actually, don’t mean to sound so harsh on Tev. I do rate him, just not above either Berba or Rooney)
I do, however, still think it possible to play all 4 forwards at once in effectively a 4-2-4 with Rooney over top of Berba and Ron and Tev as left and right forwards (obviously being free to interchange as they are all adept at doing). I think we might even had actually seen this on occasion had Hargo been fit. Hargo/Carrick, for me, provides more than enough defensive cover to allow us to play the 4 together and the fullbacks bombing forward would provide width (again with Hargo and Carrick to provide cover). Hargo and Carrick aren’t too shabby offensively either. The mouth waters at such a prospect. Whether we’ll ever see it or it’s only a FM fantasy???? Who knows???
March 8th, 2009 at 13:53
@realred: You can pray, but you wont get your wish realred. It’s more likely to be Carrick/Scholesy. That’s my thinking anyway
.
March 8th, 2009 at 13:55
@Dan: Wow you have a good memory Dan
.
March 8th, 2009 at 13:59
@realred: a rousing performance? ok, we should forget about how tevez played before yesterday and only take that into consideration.
People need to remember, this was a fulham side that couldnt beat a team without a win in 11 matches (hull), you need to put this into perspective, this is fulham, a crappy fulham at that. You cannot think 2 goals against fulham will be enough to warrant a place against inter milan!
This is like comparing a direct to TV movie(fulham) to a Hollywood blockbuster(inter)!
March 8th, 2009 at 14:00
@frankie: I agree with you about the fluency, we did have the fast paced interchange we got used to last season in yesterdays game. There are games however, where Berba/Rooney or Tev are needed. I prefer the fast paced fluency game though, its more exciting for sure.
March 8th, 2009 at 14:14
@Red Ranter: What a welcome eh RR? Welcome back to Fan shit-dom
. You have a lot to put up with sometimes from us, but I’ll give you this, you always deal with the SHIT very well 
.
March 8th, 2009 at 14:20
When Superman goes to bed he wears Nemanja Vidic pyjamas!
March 8th, 2009 at 14:24
@m34ch: I heard, that superman and vidic had a boxing match, and the loser had to wear their pants outside on their trouser
Most people are afraid of pain, pain is afraid of nemanja vidic!
March 8th, 2009 at 14:28
Just wanted to give a quick post here on the subject of park. Now people who read my posts know im not his biggest fan but credit where credits due he was impressive yesterday and after looking back was pretty good against newcastle. Thats taken a lot of guts for me to say that cos i have publically blasted him on here many times and got in a bit of a slagging match with liam on the topic. So yes im admitting he did well yesterday and will probably perform against inter aswell cos he always plays well against the top teams but im still not sure of him long term. For me he has to perform like that every game to be worthy of being a 1st team player at this club, not hit and miss. On the subject of players being hit and miss is it just me or has fletchers performances over the past month been very poor. Excusing yesterday because he was playing as a winger but against newcastle and earlier on i feel since xmas he has only had 2 good performances against inter and chelsea. Maybe its just me but i definitely feel he has let his performances drop of late and he needs to rediscover his form before ando comes in to take his place.
March 8th, 2009 at 14:37
@Aleksandar Macedonia: I don’t think as long as I have been on this blog, I have EVER heard anybody tell RedRanter to ‘fuck off’, or call him an arsehole! Please correct me RR if I have got this wrong. We all have our disputes, even with RedRanter, but the way you have addressed him Aleksander is absolutely unacceptable. To call him a blackmailer, and respector of persons, is so far off what he really is, you have no idea. If you knew RedRanter even in the slightest, you woud not be saying any of these things. I can only assure you, there is no preference in his dealing with all of us bloggers. He deletes all posts that offend, regardless of who the offenders are. Aleksander, I am somebody who can irritate some people in the way I express myself on the blog sometimes, because if we are not careful, the way we come across can be like an incendiary device. So all thats left to say – PEACE and keep harmony. Doesn’t mean you cannot have extreme different opinions, but how we express them matters.
Now I will probably get some arse kicking from RR for interfering. Signing off – the controversial Craig Mc
.
March 8th, 2009 at 14:42
@Matt: Andie won’t come in to take Fletchers place, because Fletch is Fergie’s Godson!
March 8th, 2009 at 14:44
Craig Mc, ha ha, ur probably right about fletcher. Was reading in the paper only yesterday that he gets teased alot from the other players who say fergie is his grandad or his dad. Pretty funny when u think about it and shows the team spirit is pretty good i guess knowing the players can have a laugh at themselves and their manager.
March 8th, 2009 at 14:48
What’s all this talk about Nemanja and 20 million offer from AC Milan? It has been around for 2 weeks now, and todays press are reporting that Nemanjah already met with Maldini and his agent, before our game against inter, to have dinner. Now I know the press summise, but why has there been no denial form Nemanjah or the club to say he is going nowhere??????
March 8th, 2009 at 15:17
Red Ranter says:
There are a lot of us who may or may not be in agreement with Grognard here. And a lot of people who don’t agree with me too. But we don’t go around calling people “NAMES” here.
Grognard says:
And I have news for you “ASSWIPE”,bla bla bla…..from having to put up with your STUPIDITY….. Get fucking lost you TOSSER.( I guess this is not “crossing the line” in your rule book)
Red Ranter says:
You apologised for making political/PERSONAL REMARKS …
Yes…I didn`t say “NAMES”,but someone said
…. political remarks-maybe but the proposition was political….Apology-definitely , but someone didnt make the same thing , throwing insults round and finally…my comment is deleted 
not his…come on, stop pretending… 
I can understand…it`s not seniority…yeah right 
March 8th, 2009 at 15:23
I thought that Fletcher was excellent against Inter. Not far from Carrick for MOM.
March 8th, 2009 at 15:24
@Dan: hahaha nice! like that one.
Nemanja Vidic walked into burger king and asked for a big mac… and got one.
March 8th, 2009 at 15:30
any links for the aresnal v burnley game and everton v middlesborough games lads?
March 8th, 2009 at 15:33
@Craig Mc
I`m ok, mate… I just want to talk about football, right now…About tevez “Kicking Ass” performance last night…
March 8th, 2009 at 16:19
@Dan: There is no need to get angry with my views Dan.. I wasn’t condoning mass genocide or the sexual abuse of children. I was calling for a change and reform to the way the Premier League is run and structured to ensure fair play and quality of play for generation to come. If that angers you mate, that an issue you I can’t help you with. I committed no crime here and tried to offend nobody until that Macedonian troble merchant showed up. To get angry with me and not him is more hurtful than you can imagine. It’s a feeling of family turning on you over a complete stranger.
March 8th, 2009 at 16:20
@Traverse: I thought O’Shea’s problem was supposed to be foot related?
March 8th, 2009 at 16:22
@frankie: Don’t make too much about one game. First off, Berba and Rooney would have had a field day also in that game because of the way Fulham fell back on defense and gave up so much room. You don’t think that would have been a Christmas present for Berba who usually has no room to move around in? I like Tevez and am glad for his good game but make no mistake, in my books Berbatov is much better player.
March 8th, 2009 at 16:22
@Aleksandar Macedonia: Those comments were in response to your incendiary remarks. Which is why it stayed. If you give some you will get some. If you can’t understand that, well, I can’t help you.
And for that matter, if I really had to kick you off, it could have been for you telling me to ‘fuck off’. But I haven’t. The fact that I was willing to give you a chance to explain yourself seems lost to you. Some people are so grateful.
March 8th, 2009 at 16:30
@JB: My point was simply 99.99% of the stuff we talk passionately about on this site never gets to the team and nothing is ever comes of it. Should that mean that we never open our mouths to offer an idea or a concept on the team or the game? Obviously I am not in a position to make anything happen but by sharing my ideas, i was hoping to spread the word and see what others thought as well, see what ideas others had for change and reform. Instead I got blitzed for being a fascist and I heard not one idea for change by one individual. Totally shocked me. What we have here is nothing followers and people who put up Kraft Dinner because they don’t know better. It was an eye opener.
You offer some changes but with moderation. I’m all for that. My idea was never one that I felt was plausible because you are correct, wide sweeping changes are just too much, but it goes back to my philosophy on life which is one shoot shoot for the stars in order to have a chance of reaching the moon. If you just shoot for the moon, you may only reach the second floor of your house or the roof. Great players don’t become great because they settle for what is possible. They get great because they try to achieve the impossible. So I guess I was thinking a little more like Ronaldo yesterday instead of O’Shea.
March 8th, 2009 at 16:33
@Craig Mc: What bugs me is that it has been so calm and well mannered for so long and then yesterday I got a fair amount of abuse and an attack from another newbie troll. Just RR’s and my bad luck.
March 8th, 2009 at 16:33
@Grognard:
im not angry with you in the slightest! Im angry at your view but not you, it could have been anyone else and id still feel the same, trust me, im not angry with you at all.
And i am angry with alex, whatever he said must have been pretty bad(i didnt read it before it was deleted), but anger and fairness is to different things. Im angry with alex, but i think he should still be treated fairly. I remember when i was baned, RR gave me another chance, and so, i think alex should have one to. But what alex needs to do, is let this breathe over, let the dust settle, and realise that no matter how angry you are, dont use insults.
Maybe over time, you two can become friends, remember, when i first started posting, we weren’t the best of friends, but we have grown to respect one another and can be called mates.
March 8th, 2009 at 16:37
@Craig Mc: Watch out Craig, the Macedonian just called you mate. He doesn’t like to be called mate but I guess he enjoys calling others. Funny world.
March 8th, 2009 at 16:53
@Dan: Thanks for letting me know Dan. I obviously never meant to get under anybody’s skin with my new world order.
And yes yiou are right that we weren’t the closest of friends at the beginning but we got beyond that. And we still get into it a bit for old time’s sake but are also willing to forgive and let our tempers slide a bit because we do know each other a bit more. I respect you and appreciate your thoughts on this.
As for Alex, I can’t see that happening because he doesn’t seem to get the fact that when you come on to an existing and highly community oriented blog, that as a Newbie you don’t try testing the waters by insulting individuals. And you especially don’t tell off the one who runs the blog. That for me is a blatant disregard for manners and good taste and just basically lacking in common respect for others. Fine, we all get a little mad and hot every once in a while and sometimes we fly off the collar and say things that are rude and insulting. God knows I’m guilty of that. But saying sorry and apologizing to those who are much more established in a particular venue is necessary. It’s like walking into someone’s house and telling him to piss off because he now runs the place. Such hard core tactics and attitudes that are uncompromising just rub me wrong and I for one see no hope unless that individual makes the attempt to mend the fences he smashed. Frankly he showed me and some others no respect and didn’t accept his role and his position as a newcomer on this blog.
You and I both know this blog is special and smaller than a lot of the trash tacking blogs out there that lack civility and proper etiquette. For those who do come in and want to join us, I say great, but bring a nice personality and some manners along with your views. As the Rock used to say in his wrestling days “know your damned role”. I guess I am guilty of wishing this site to be elitist in the fact that it has intelligent members who have respect and manners and who can argue a point without getting hostile or insulting. Some might say I need to practice what I preach but those who really know me on here no that 98% of the time I get bad and ornery only if attacked first. So I hide behind the old self defense plea on that. But it would be nice if all of us could debate and argue a point with out getting rude, racist, and cold towards each other.
Life’s already pretty damned hard, we don’t need to come on to Red Rants and have somebody put down your values, the way you think and the country you come from. I mean since when has Canada become the beacon of evil?
March 8th, 2009 at 17:02
Grog Bro, I think we might be better calling Aleksandar by his name, rather than the Macedonian. It will help take the sting out of this whole debate m’thinks
. I was on Aleksandar for referring to you as the Canadian 
. So I have to be consistent I think 
.
March 8th, 2009 at 17:08
@Aleksandar Macedonia: Ok – lets talk football then, and avoid the rest of the stuff, and that goes for me too
. Tevez goals were good, and he seems intent on wanting to prove his worth, by playing like a man possessed every time he is given a game these days. Or was he always like that? Tev fans will help us here!
March 8th, 2009 at 17:24
Craig Mc, tev has always played like a man possessed and thats why everywhere he goes the fans love him. I remember when he went to corinthians and the fans were a bit hard on him at first cos he was an argentine, but a couple of performances from him the way he does it and they loved him. Of course we all love him here, just wish he was a bit more clinical infront of goal. Its strange though, whenever i saw him at corinthians he would play as the lone front man in a 4-5-1 most games and he really was a terrific goal poacher. Not sure when or who changed his position in the team, maybe he just decided to change to adapt to the teams he joined, i dont know. Anyway hes a classy player and i hope he stays, the money is expensive but for his sheer knack at coming on and getting important goals he must be worth the money.
March 8th, 2009 at 17:25
A nice littel article I found in the MIRROR.
Gold Trafford – 10 reasons why Fergie’s boys will dominate the next decade
“If you are driven to despair by Manchester United’s version of Monopoly, look away now.
Hide behind the sofa and sing softly to yourself. It’s your best chance of drowning out the chorus of praise for the Untouchables.
I’ll try to break this gently. But you ain’t seen nothing yet.
The system is in place. The principles and philosophies are proven. Sir Alex Ferguson will live on long after they have erected a statue in homage to his legend.
United have 2020 vision. Here are 10 reasons why they are likely to dominate the next decade.
1) The United Way
Continuity, creativity, stability. Basic virtues, overlooked elsewhere. Fergie sets the tone. Chief executive David Gill supervises the strategy. Assistant manager Mike Phelan, reserve team boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Academy director Brian McClair are former players who understand the club’s traditions. Dutch skills coach Rene Meulensteen and Warren Joyce, promoted from feeder club Royal Antwerp, offer an external perspective.
2) Depth Charge
No club has a deeper squad. United could field three senior teams. Two would win the Premier League. The third would probably qualify for Europe. Diamonds like Ravel Morrison, a schoolboy from Moss Side, and the Italian duo Kiko Macheda and Davide Petrucci are being quietly polished and protected.
3) A Broad Vision
Fergie’s professional respect for Britain’s Olympic cycling team has a practical dimension. United are studying their rider development programme, and the work of psychologist Steve Peters, in dealing with performance anxiety. They excel in different sports, but share the philosophy that anyone can win once. The best do it again and again.
4) Appliance of Science
A key area of recent improvement. Two sports scientists work closely with a fitness trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and a multi-disciplinary medical team. Performance analysts provide real-time data to support half-time team talks. United pioneered vision coaching, and encourage older players to take up yoga.
5) Foreign Intelligence
South America, Eastern and Southern Europe are important spheres of influence. John Calvert-Toulmin, who found the Da Silva twins, Rafael and Fabio, oversees reciprocal links with feeder club Desportivo Brasil. Nemanja Vidic combats culture shock by acting as surrogate brother to fellow Serbs Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic.
6) Commercial Clout
Matchday revenues grew by 10 per cent last season to £101.5million. Overall income increased by £45m to £257m. Interest from Asian and Arab companies will push the shirt sponsorship deal beyond £15m a season. Commercial clout in Asia is summed up by United’s Korean credit card, which has acquired 1.5million users in two years.
7) Finishing School
Academy costs about £7m a year, but is underwritten by the sale of such fringe players as Giuseppe Rossi (£7m), Gerard Pique (£6m) and Chris Eagles (£1.5m). Every age group adheres to a coaching syllabus, rewritten by Meulensteen. This concentrates on technical excellence, specifically the development of “tricks and moves”.
Possession is ten-tenths of the law. United use it as a weapon of physical and mental disintegration, denying opponents the ball so that they must chase continually, exhausting body and brain. It is no coincidence that they win so many games with late goals.
9) Thirst for Knowledge
Fergie finally recognises the danger of being too obsessive about football. He is learning the piano, modern languages, and is a self-taught wine buff. Like many leaders, he reads history – specifically American and Russian – to seek parallels with current issues and opportunities.
10) The Legacy
Prospective Manchester United managers don’t send their CVs to the HR department. Jose Mourinho’s charm offensive is about to go into overdrive. David Moyes trusts that actions are more important than words. Arsene Wenger, an outsider for the inheritance, with admirers in the Old Trafford boardroom, will be available in 2011.”
March 8th, 2009 at 17:27
@Craig Mc: Sorry mate, he gets the kind of treatment he dished out at me until he sees it in himself to admit he was wrong and apologizes. I’m not holding my breath. You know I am a stubborn old Grognard with miserable tendencies.
March 8th, 2009 at 17:32
guys looks like we r gonna hve JM as our next manager! press is full of it!
March 8th, 2009 at 17:32
@<a h@Craig Mc: ref=”#comment-51600″>Dan: Thank heavens, new Vidic jokes, the old one about Vidic being late and Fergie fining everyone else for being early got kinda overused.
@Matthew: I don’t know if its about hating Park or just worshipping Nani to the point where they start to invent flaws that aren’t present in Park just to justify reasons why Nani should play ahead of him
March 8th, 2009 at 17:35
@jos: Not if Sir Bobbby Charlton has a hand in the decision making, though I think it should be left to Fergie alone.
March 8th, 2009 at 17:45
@jos: thats just speculation tbh, i would be gobsmacked if he was to become our manager though. Hes a good manager but doesnt play the united way. He’s also slightly over-rated, i mean, give me an unlimited amount of money to spend, you can buy who ever you want, and he did, not that hard of a thing to do.
Now when we look at someone like martin o’neil, he has no money to spend, probably about £10million pounds a season(and thats probably pushing it), and hes turned villa into a club capable of a CL finish this season.
Martin o’neil is my choice for our next manager, with the king as his assistant.
March 8th, 2009 at 17:48
@jos: It’s just shit disturbing by Mourinho himself to try to get things a little unsettled and to elevate his ego before the Inter game. Mourinho although quite funny, is a strange little man and certainly not what United need to carry on the legacy. As many have said before, United is not just about winning. They are all about winning with style and dedication. How can you instill loyalty into players and have them dedicate themselves to the team heart and soul when you yourself are known to be the biggest mercenary of them all.
Who needs his defensive cautious approach. We were all ready to strangle Fergie for adopting it at times this year and last. As for managers who shoukld take over, right now there isn’t one I would trust to the job. So lets stop talking about them and hope that Fergie sticks around for at least three years. By then, somebody may have emerged.
Many of you may hate me and even villify me for this but the most qualified man for this position and the one who will ensure that we maintain the staus quo in style and substance is none other than Arsene Wenger. And his contract is up 2011. Stranger things have happened. Yes I have hated him over the years but I also have had a ton of respect for him and his views on the game. I’d just reign him in a bit when it comes to over doing it with the youth. But then again, United have always shown more of an effort to spend money. Arsenal’s board hasn’t always freed up the cash for Wenger to buy big established players. Lets put it this way, there are very few better than him and we could do a Hell of a lot worse.
Here’s hoping Fergie decides he’s going to die in the job and never retire.
March 8th, 2009 at 17:51
@Grognard: Amen to that article! I want Fergie and Sir Bobby to decide who the next manager will be.
March 8th, 2009 at 17:51
@Rd: Whatever you say Professor. It is not a flaw when I say that Park spends most of the time on his arse after almost every tackle – or perhaps you are not watching the same games as me
. Then again, maybe it is a flaw falling on his arse, but obviously it isn’t a flaw I’ve invented 
. It is there, and it is patently obvious.
March 8th, 2009 at 17:54
@Grognard: I like Mourinho, so you all can sue me – OK?
March 8th, 2009 at 17:56
@Craig Mc: Blasphemy!
March 8th, 2009 at 17:56
@Grognard:
, Well that’s up to you Bro, but remember your own good advice to me after you best friend passed away? You said to let things go, because life is to short mate. I agree with that sentiment 
.
March 8th, 2009 at 17:58
@Dan: Hahahahaha Dan mi Man, you called out the lawyers then Bro
.
March 8th, 2009 at 18:00
jos, i dunno about every1 else but i would be pretty happy with mourinho in charge if im honest. I feel out of every1 out there he is the best qualified and the 1 able to handle the pressure the best. Lets get this straight, the likes of bruce, oneill, and moyes are very good managers and yes i would say they could do a good job for us, i just feel that there will be so much pressure on the next man, always in fergies shadow it will take a man with big cojones (couldnt think of a better word) to step into this job. Lets get this straight, the united job is the biggest job in world football, the england job is like managing a under 8s girls team in comparison, and we need to get a man who can handle the pressure. If im honest the only guy i see who can handle the pressure and continue our quest for trophies immediately is mourinho. Of course he has negatives, his buys can be a bit on and off, he doesnt promote youth and his football isnt great but i feel he might be different here. I believe alot of his problems at chelsea were down to a certain russian watching everything he did, analysing everything. I reckon if he was given a certain budget for players and was then left to run the club alone he would do well. I do feel though that he would need a united man next to him as his assistant and maybe a talking to from fergie and charlton to set down what we expect from him. A real united man like a giggs or ole would tell him straight what this club is all about and hopefully he would listen to this and realise what we stand for and continue to follow this. I recently read that ahead of the chelsea game with us at old trafford mourinho came in 1 hour early just sitting there alone in the stands taking the stadium all in. Now maybe im reading into this but to me it sounds like he was surveying the view and thinking to himself i could be here 1 day. Maybe here he would follow the expectations set down and with the squad as good as it is i fail to see how or why he would want to change the club to much. Even if mourinho was to be a short term option for a few years i feel his assistant would gain enough from him to be able to take over right away. I do admire the way barca promote their youth and managers but i just feel with fergies replacement we have to get it right and this means we do need a world class man in charge and i just cant see further than jose. Say his negatives all you want, you cant deny hes the best qualified coach out there and i ask you to name another realistic coach with a better cv.
March 8th, 2009 at 18:11
@Matt: He has always been a fierce combatant Matt, but definately needs to improve his first touch. With regards Tev’s goal poaching,Fergie used to say that Tev was like Cantona, he can get you important goals when needed. This season though, Fergie has changed his mind it seems, and is saying that Berba is now like Cantona. Make your own mind up about Fergie keeps swapping his opinions about, I certainly have
.
March 8th, 2009 at 18:18
@Matt: You are being very brave Matt
. Hope your wearing your Metal helmet mate, cos as Dan said to me, liking Mourinho is blasphemy to some United fans. I don’t think a lot of criticism of Mourinho has real foundation, because he admits himself, one of the deciding factors at Chelski that pushed him to leave, was Abramovitch meddling and controlling all club affairs, including stating the team he wanted, and the buying of the players he liked. So who knows mate?
March 8th, 2009 at 18:19
You know, im really happy for saha, hes on a good roll!
March 8th, 2009 at 18:23
@Dan: I would like to think that Mourinho was sufficiently adaptable and intelligant to come in a adapt him self to the demands of the club. What I can’t understand is when people say he isn’t suitable for the job and then volunteer O’Neill. He is as guilty of not playing the ‘United way’ as Mourinho is.
I would also remind you that Mourinho has won his domestoc league, Uefa Cup and CL with Porto, without having an unlimited supply of money. As for O’Neill’s budget he has run up a net transfer spend of around 60m since he joined Villa, more than 40m of that in the last two transfer windows.
Villa transfers under O’Neill
March 8th, 2009 at 18:27
Craig Mc, yeah mate i know im reading the posts and it seems mourinho wouldnt be popular, maybe im being brave coming out and saying what i feel but oh well im honest on here and if any1 wants to shoot me down then i can deal with it. I just honestly dont see another manager out there these days who could take over from fergie and do a good job. It a sad state with the managers at the minute, in 2001 when fergie was originally gonna retire there was oneill (alot younger then), and capello was primed to get the job, and sven who was a very decent manager then. Now i struggle to name any others over mourinho. Oneill is a talented manager no doubt, but he is coming up to 60 now and i just feel his age would be a disadvantage. Only other managers i rate are spalleti the roma coach, and pelligrini the villareal coach. I just feel though that they would be a massive gamble whilst with mouriho we know we would be going for trophies straight away, its just the case of the way we play thats the problem. Maybe its just that mourinho takes over defensive teams, but i do feel at united he would have no choice but to go attacking so he would end up doing just that. He must be the best candidate with only a few negatives that im sure can be reworked.
March 8th, 2009 at 18:36
@JB: yes, he was lucky to get past us that season, and was cheating in the process(match fixing).
The money he has used has come largely out of selling players.
March 8th, 2009 at 18:40
@Craig Mc: So a player going down after being tackled is a flaw now? Jesus, Rd said people were inventing flaws but I’m really not understanding what your point is
@Matt:I wouldn’t mind Rijkaard as our next manager. If it wasn’t for Ronaldinho and Deco turning into party animals he would still be at Barca and he allowed them to play great attacking football. They were a bit weak at the back but we are not going to have that problem IMO. Get Keane/Ole/Cantona as assistant so if it goes wrong we can pull a Guardiola out of the hat
March 8th, 2009 at 18:44
@Dan: Match fixing???
March 8th, 2009 at 18:53
@Dan: No the figure I quoted was net spend, it already includes all player sales as part of the total.
And yes Mourinho was lucky to get past us but so what? We were lucky in winning both our CL finals. Does that devalue the achievement? As for the match fixing scandals, that has never been proven, nor has Mourinho ever been actually linked with the accusations (the Porto president was the one who stands accused) and they were not relating in any way to the CL.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:05
Liam, yeah i do rate frank rijkaard alot and i did and still do feel hes a great manager. However he must be held accountable allowing the dressing room to go out of control and as you say deco & ronaldinho in particular cause such disruption. If i remember rightly it ended up with the dressing room splitting in 2, half taking ronaldoinhos side and the other half being the well behaved blokes like etoo. If frank had handled the situtation quicker it wouldnt have split the dressing room, and this in the end led to his sacking as he had a half a team at war with the other half. However this was probably the only bad thing he did in charge, and overall he was excellent and i feel him not getting the job because of that dressing room unrest would be unfair. I dont feel we would ever have that dressing room problem with our players anyway as they have always seemed a close knit bunch. Overall an excellent manager although he wouldnt be my 1st choice, but it sounds like he will be taking over at chelsea in the summer so it may be immaterial by then. Am shocked that no other club has offered him a job because on the whole his time at barca was very successful.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:17
Anyone else want to meet Chelsea in the Semi’s?
March 8th, 2009 at 19:22
I think there should be a petition to stop using the word ‘Quintuple’. It’s not even half as cool sounding as ‘Grand Slam’.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:23
@Madschester United: Yeah I think this is what’ll happpen. Arsenal/Hull will get Everton.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:24
Madchester United, i dunno how true it is but word around on some forums i read reckon theres a conspiracy theory going on with the draw for the cup. I know its probably rubbish but they are saying the draw was already done and we got arsenal/hull whilst chelsea got everton. I know theres a 33% chance we can draw them anyway but knowing how corrupt the FA is and their hatred or united it wouldnt surprise me to see us get arsenal. If we get this draw its a conspiracy lol.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:31
Conspiracy or not, I think Chelsea would be best for us. Arsenal are riding a wave while we have already beat the aging chelsea squad this term.
I would also like to meet everton in the final and everton can deal with arsenal on a good day.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:33
@Matt: tbh it has happened with a lot of South Americans. Mancini at Inter couldn’t deal with Adriano and the manager at Villareal lost his best player in Riquelme over stupid squabbles and I rate the guy at Villareal and Mancini so I guess it’s just luck of the draw. I could’ve happened to us during the Summer and we lost Keane and Rvn because of stupid stubborness and that was affecting the team back then. I mean who ever thought that the best player in the world would just collapse like that, I mean it’d be comparable to somebody getting pissed and beating up a DJ for no reason
oh wait that happened 
March 8th, 2009 at 19:35
@Matt: You know, there is so great a chance (1/3) that they’ll be right with they’re pick. That is why they can pick one and cry conspiracy… Even if they’re wrong, everyone’ll forget about it and they’ll predict something again when the next draw comes round.
Ah well, I think we can beat any of the teams, home or away.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:36
yeah absolutely hate chelsea and would love it if they ended up trophyless again (sounds a bit like keegan). It was probably 1 of the hardest things to take for me when we lost in the 1st fa cup final, i was pissed off for days seeing terry and cashley and their lot pick up the trophy. It was a crap final but seeing them lift the trophy and prevent our double really hurt and i havent forgotten it. Love to give them twats a thrashing in front of all them southern FA anti united twats.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:39
Any links for the draw?
March 8th, 2009 at 19:42
Nevermind, I found one…
March 8th, 2009 at 19:46
I never would have said this a year or 2 ago, but Mourinho might not be so bad after all. Provided, and this is a necessary provided, he except either Ole or Cantona as number 2 to ensure that Utd. keep their attacking style of play. Not so worried about the youth issue. First, United already have a great youth system in place and I have faith that that would continue. Second, at Chelsea he was required to build a team to challenge us quickly, so breeding youth was never an option for him. I just can’t see anyone else at the moment who is a proven winner and can handle a big club and dressing room (though this might change given the timeframe of SAF’s departure. I just don’t know. Really torn to say the least.
As for Rijkaard…I really love that he plays attractive football, but that he lost the Barca dressing room is a big concern given the big personalities we have and will likely have in the future.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:47
we’ve got Everton
March 8th, 2009 at 19:51
Everton at home sounds good…
March 8th, 2009 at 19:53
To me Mourinho is too flighty. He’d stay a couple of years, win us a few trophies, get us playing boring, negative football, fall out with all the flair players and then leave behind a broken squad that doesn’t function without him.
Yes he is probably one of the few managers who could take over and make an immediate impact. But perhaps it would be better to have someone who might take a few years to learn the ropes at the club, but then usher on a new era of success.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:53
@TurkishRED: its at wembley…
March 8th, 2009 at 19:53
@Eric the Red: Typo: should have said accept Ole or Cantona, not except LOL.
2 more pluses for Maureen. I love his tactical bravery. He’ll sub in the first half for god’s sake if he thinks it needs done. Two, we’d never ever be at a loss for talking points.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:55
well looks like the conspiracy theory goes out the window lol. We should beat everton even though they are an excellent side in my opinion, hopefully a final against chelsea and we can get revenge on them for when they beat us in the final in 2007.
Liam, i do really rate rijkaard and i do think in spain it must be hard to keep certain players happy cos especially south americans can have serious mood swings and can cause dressing room unrest. In england there arent so many moody players so i think frank could cope with us. Unfortunately i dont think he will be considered but i think he is an excellent manager and could handle the job. Good call liam i completely forgot about rijkaard, seems he has disappeared off the face of the earth.
March 8th, 2009 at 19:56
@colver: Agree he is a risk in that he never stays anywhere long. But if we force him to take Ole as number 2, might he not then be ready once Maureen makes his departure??
March 8th, 2009 at 19:59
When fergie leaves, mike phelan should be our manager!
March 8th, 2009 at 20:01
@Dan: Damn, I knew I forgot something… Of course. All the more exciting.
March 8th, 2009 at 20:03
Fatih Terim, anyone? jk!
March 8th, 2009 at 20:06
Mourinho over my dead body.
March 8th, 2009 at 20:27
ErictheRed, thats what i was thinking too mate and i wrote in an earlier comment.
Dan, god if phelan took over it would be funny lol
March 8th, 2009 at 20:29
@Matt: What Phelan done wrong as a number 2?
March 8th, 2009 at 20:40
stephen, i werent talking about what hes done wrong as an assistant dan said as a joke phelan should be manager after fergie and this is where i said about phelan it would be funny if he took over. It would be funny yet very disturbing at the same time.
March 8th, 2009 at 20:47
@Matt: He seems to be doing a good job at the moment as a number 2, I am not saying he should be manager but as a coach he seems to be getting things right.
Mourinho has no class, plays turgid football over rated as a coach, can’t buy players for toffee oh and is a complete twat, I would tear up my season ticket if he ever darkened our doors.
March 8th, 2009 at 21:05
@Stephen: i would rather have mourinho then phelan to be honest, i dont rate him at all. And its not a case of what does, its a case of what he doesnt do. He doesnt command respect out of the dressing room, hes not a man the players can respond to. It will be interesting to see the next player we buy and what language they speak, all he knows is english, who will our foreign players communicate to?
March 8th, 2009 at 21:12
@Dan: I wouldn’t want either mate, but we don’t know what he does or doesn’t do at the club, or what he does in the dressing room.
We don’t need a foreign number two as we have a foreign coach who is well respected already, the thing about Phelan is that he knows English football and know one really has a clue what is knowledge of World football is, it could be great.
We are in all competions and that is down to Fergie, but people would be saying it would also be down to CQ if he was still at the club, Fergie would not have an idiot at the club, and I don’t think Phelan is one. He isn’t captain peronality but he does know the club which must be a positive.
March 8th, 2009 at 21:13
@Dan: Sorry to be pedantic, but when was the last time that you were talking to anyone in the dressing room to confirm Phelan has no control? Isn’t there another guy in the coaching staff who only speaks (bad) English? he’s done quite well too if my sources are reliable
March 8th, 2009 at 21:19
@Stephen: I seriously don’t get though is that how Ole and Cantona can be somehow higher on people’s list than Phelan when they have very little experience at all? I’m not saying I want Phelan to be manager but I mean, we’ve hardly been a travesty this season. Queiroz is talked about like a God but a few years ago he was shite too so who’s to say Phelan isn’t good at what he does? If it wasn’t for Queiroz we may very well have gotten Ribery instead of Nani so how come he’s so good?
March 8th, 2009 at 21:25
@Liam: You are a man after my own heart, I never see peoples obsession with Queiroz and treat Phelan with such distain?
Simply because CQ was a foeign coach? All this relating to the foreign players issue is rubbish, the players relate and look up to the manager he is the father figure not the number 2.
Do’t get we started on Nani I will be here all week, I am also getting very sceptical about Anderson at the moment but that is just me.
March 8th, 2009 at 21:41
@Craig Mc: How much do you make a year. I need to know that when I sue, I’m apt to get a lot of money. I certainly don’t need to waste my time if you are pauper.
I sort of like Mourinho too. I think he is hilarious and I think he is an outstanding coach. But he is a mercenary first and foremost and so I would want who ever comes to OT to want to stay for the long haul and really build a great program. Also, Mourinho’s style of football is anti Grognard and anti United. Enough said. You can like him but he is not right for our team due to his weaknesses.
March 8th, 2009 at 21:41
@Craig Mc: Ya but this guy isn’t dead.
March 8th, 2009 at 21:44
@Craig Mc: I for one would not go all ballistic if he was the one chosen. I would just feel insecure over his intentions and his sincerity to stay and build a legacy. I think the guy is a rolling stone and he does not like to stick around in one place too long. I want a guy who comes here with a long and short term plan and who has dreamed of this job all his life. I’m tired of seeing undeserving people who don’t appreciate something always getting it.
March 8th, 2009 at 21:45
@Dan: That will last another two weeks tops before he’s lost for the rest of the season.