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
- Reading 0-2 United: Rooney, Ronaldo Keep United Top
- United win easy, questions on Evans and Rossi
- West Brom vs Manchester United: Match Preview
- Great Things Brewing In This Reds Site
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Stephen (454)
Craig Mc (344)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Redrich: The only way he could ever be fit and ready to take over such a high position is to do what all the other alumni like Hughes, Bruce, Keane etc have done. Leave home and go get bloodied elsewhere. Learn your craft, get knocked around. Man managing, tactics, dealing with problems, with media, dealing with a budget, injuries etc etc. He is in no way or form even remotely ready to take on this job and to think that is ludicrous. Fergie had to be bloodied for year under the tutelage of the great Jock Stein and he still had to leave and make a name for himself because Celtic were certainly not going to hire him. His work with the Scottish National team did him a lot of good and then of course his first big gig at Aberdeen gave him the credentials to go for the gusto. That was over a decade of prep until he got the job at United. Ole has had six months coaching reserves. Truthfully, I am amzed how many of you out there are such romantic and sentimental suckers to think that this young man has anywhere near the credentials to take on the biggest club job in football. Although I not one to be lost for words, I am totally amazed with my arms in the air.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: I think he was 45 mate. He’s 68 now and has not been managing the club for 33 years.
Like?
0 
0
Sorry I meant Fergie was 45, I can’t type for shit!!
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: I like youth too but I also damned well demand experience. A tactical mind is 1/10 of the requirements. To step into Fergie’s shoes is impossible. To ask a boy with no experience to make that sacrifice is just cruel.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: 1.he loves the club 4/10-love does something that only responsibility doesnt and at this level,small details make a world of difference.
2.he has a great tactical brain 1/10 (the point is he doesn’t. Based on what?)-Based on what SAF said and what he has been doing with reserves.
3.he will keep the “beautiful attacking football” of United 8/10-ok
4.he is young 2/10 So Capello and Fergie should actually get the sack due to their lack of youth I suppose. Youth is nice but rarely does it come with experience.-No,you bring youth as a understudy of real masters.surely,you dont suggest replacing SAF with someone like Lippi?
5.he knows the club inside out 3/10 I fail to see why that is vital-i dont know why you fail to see that it is vital.
6.he will bring stability and stability brings success 2/10 How is an inexperienced clueless young manager that has never managed a top flight club supposed to bring stability?-erm….because he has been with the club for years,has worked as a reserve team manager,knows everything about United.And stability means there will not be wholesale changes in our squad,staffs and general ideas.
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: His character is no better than Steve Bruce’s, Marty O’Neill’s, Hughes or a half dozen other past greats who are or have been managers. Did he have a better attitude or love for the team than Bryan Robson? Would I hire Robson? Not on your life. How about Keane? Keane lived for the team and bled for the team too. I wouldn’t hire him. Yet they all have had substantially more experience and in some cases success. Ole has trained a bunch of kids much like a physical education teacher and coach. That’s what coaching the reserves is. It’s a teaching job. Vidic, Rio, Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov Rooney and the rest do not need a teacher. What they need is a Boss and a leader. Someone who isn’t as young as them and who is one of the guys, but someone they can look up to, respect and take orders from. Above all, their teaching days are long over. They are accomplished pro’s and they will be treated like that. The reserves are still kids and need a different kind of love and attention. A 35 year old coach and teacher can give them that. Mark my words, Ole will not be the next United manager. No way in Hell. So lets put an end to this far fetched fantasy because it’s just Lord of the Rings stuff. Not gonna happen.
Like?
0 
0
@sunny: First off, I am not advocating an old goat like Lippi. I just want experience. secondly, familiarity with the club is overrated. What did Fergie know about United when he showed up? Enough said on that. A great tactical brain is not vital. Fergie does not possess one and he has done very well indeed, so Ole is Ok there I guess. Stability is not equated by having been with the club for years. It’s knowing what to do and when to do because you know the difference between right and wrong and good and bad. Being with a club too long may actually get into someone’s way because it creates angst and a romantic sense of loyalty to a player or individual that needs to be cut lose or a system of doing things that isn’t working anymore. A manager needs to know when to cut ties with the past. I am all for OLE as an understudy. Give him five years under the Boss and then let him go out and actually manage a club for a year or two.
The more I read your’s and others comments, the more I am warming up to one man taking over at OT. Jose Mourinho. He has the necessary experience and track record of success, the ego and desire to be the best, has no ties to the club that would get in his way from implementing his order on the team and has the tactical and technical chops for the job. He also is not too old but not too young for the job and he has an ego that compete with his predecessor. I don’t like his style of football but he is a winner and at this time, perhaps that is all that is needed. We can’t have our cake and eat it too. Attacking winning football is nice but I honestly can’t see a manager other than Klinsmann that can guarantee that. Mourinho would guarantee the winning part. I’d just be terrified that he would bring the Drogba, Terry and Lampard to OT. God forbid.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: i agree to some degree with your #451 and #456.Yes,Ole should learn his craft elsewhere,in the real world.yes.i am being a little sentimental,but its also logical.Would you love and support mourinho or any other manager like you do to SAF?Will there be such an attachment exist anymore? because we are all so accustomed to SAF and his ways,a new manager and his methods could hit us hard on the face.But if the manager is someone whom we all love and respect(players included),then it could be very easy for all to support him.
“Vidic, Rio, Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov Rooney and the rest do not need a teacher. What they need is a Boss and a leader. Someone who isn’t as young as them and who is one of the guys, but someone they can look up to, respect and take orders from”-respect doesnt come from age,one has to earn it.The new manager will have to earn it.Do you think if Cappelo takes over,players will respect him from heart,just because he is Cappelo? i dont think so.Its much about bond and spirit,as much as respect
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: i just cant believe u are advocating for jose mourinho.You were always for attractive football.you are the one who talks about entertainment value after a 1-0 win.i dont like to watch mourinho football and i will always seek the style of football that made me fall in love with united
Like?
0 
0
@sunny: Consider this, you knew nothing about who Alex Ferguson was when he took over. He was an outsider and he was a Scot. Still, the team hired him and the supporters had to simply accept him and hope he delivered. To demand of your team and the new manager the need to love and know him and feel close to him before he has ever managed a game for United is asking far far too much in my books. Football is not a business that has to or is obligated to promote from within. You go out and you find the most suitable candidate for the job. Not the most familiar and well liked. This isn’t a popularity contest, this is a big move to guarantee that United continues it’s winning tradition. Like I said earlier, we need to cease with the romanticism and get down to brass tacks practicality. Fact, there are probably less than five men in world football who are qualified for this job. A couple would never take the job or are too old and only one really has the total package and the personality to take over and actually consider himself an upgrade over the past manager. That man is Mourinho. Again, I prefer Klinsmann but as far as I’m concerned, the rest are all pretenders to the throne but I certainly would accept a Bruce, Moyes, or O’Neill before I ever accepted Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
Like?
0 
0
@sunny: And why would high profile players love and respect a manager who has achieved absolutely nothing in that aspect game. As a coach what has Ole done to demand respect from say Ronaldo? It would be a sentimental appointment that the supporter base would lap up. But then again I have always been of the opinion that fans are the last people to listen to when you are trying to make a decision about a football club.
The likes of Mourinho and Capello have a track record of going into clubs and getting players to play for them. God knows whether they command their respect from bonds, respect or spirit but one way or another they get it.
I believe the hardest thing for this club will be to make a clean break from SAF. The next manager needs to do things in his own way. There is no point in trying to do things in the same way as SAF because no one will be able to do it as well. Attempting to cling on to the old ways just to cosset the players and Ole is a sure recipe for disaster.
Who knows, if he was appointed he might be a success like Guardiola. But then again what if he is a Bryan Robson? You normally don’t hand the keys to a Ferrari to a teenager who has just got his driving license. To appoint Ole before he earns any of his managerial stripes is a colossal gamble with the clubs future that seems to be more motivated by romance and sentimentality than any cold, hard logic.
Like?
0 
0
@sunny: I’m also for winning football and at this stage there are not any managers other than Klinsmann that produce the football we are used too. So if we can’t have winning and attacking, we must choose winning. Mourinho wins. He has the temperament and personality to come in and not feel awed and intimidated by the legacy and he will gain the respect and attention of the players very quickly.
Like I said yesterday, it may take five or ten years before the right man truly does come out of the woodwork who would be the right man to manage the team in much the same manner as Sir Alex. That man has not shown himself yet so we must move on with the thought that in a couple of years, a manager will be needed to bridge that gap. I don’t want some caretaker first time student. I want a master a legend in his own right to take command of this team and continue our winning ways. Like him or not, Mourinho’s cv speaks of success and totla control and confidence. We must stop thinking with bias and prejudice when we consider this position. Appointing a manager who was once an enemy may be the best thing for the club. Hell, I’d even consider Wenger over Mourinho. I’m sure that will get a lot of you hot and bothered. I respect the Voyeur greatly and he does advocate fast, attractive attacking football. His contract with Arsenal ends at the time when Fergie has said he would probably retire, 2011. I for one would be very intrigued by Wenger managing this team. Once I got the foul taste in my mouth cleansed, then i might actually get used to it. Especially when we play Arsenal. That would be too sweet.
Like?
0 
0
@JB: Well said JB.
Like?
0 
0
Red Ranter; Every second comment I try to post gets this popping up and I don’t know why?
“Duplicate comment detected; it looks as though you’ve already said that!”
Like?
0 
0
@sunny: No mate, it’s about respect and fear. Ferguson is respected and above all he is feared. He is the Boss and not their best buddy. You don’t manage the team and then join the lads for a poker game or a night out at the pub and the movies. You keep a professional distance and you only get close to them in matters that pertain to the club and to them improving as footballers. How is Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs supposed to take Ole seriously when they are just as qualified if not more qualified to manage? And can you see Ole bringing out the hairdryer after a bad performance. Perhaps only to dry his long curly locks. Respect and adherence to authority is gained by experience and track record, not by being friendly and outgoing and loyal.
Like?
0 
0
@sunny: Perhaps you would prefer 1-4 losses instead of a 1-0 win?
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Let me explain a bit.I dont want the most popular or well-liked guy in this position,because if i did,i would have wanted cantona or keane.I want the most suitable candidate for the job.But is there any? What did Klinsmann win before he took over at Bayern? My logic is,if United appoint Ole,he will be given time.But if a outsider comes in with your proven track record and fails to meet our demands,he will be sacked.Then another will come in,after a year,he will be sacked.Then another,then another.We will be like Real Madrid,Chelsea.Look at them,the board is never happy,supporters never happy,they want instant success.I am afraid you guys are acting same here.Why would we have to win 2/3 trophies every year? Let a young man come in and take his time to create his own legacy.Dont be so greedy for success,dont give away our philosophy of attacking football for trophies and hire a mercenary like Mourinho.
Like?
0 
0
My random (maybe not) 2 pennies:
We may not end up winning 3 trophies a year every year,.. But we must WANT to win 3 trophies (at least) every year!! Players, Manager and fans, alike!
Attacking football is an icing on the cake, the real deal is winning. Of course, nothing better than playing champagne stuff and winning.
Like?
0 
0
@sunny: A young man would crumble under the weight of expectations and the pressure to show his brilliance immediately.
As for Klinsmann, he took Germany to third place in the World Frakken Cup while also rebuilding the team and changing their focus and style of play not to mention their way of doing things. That stands for a lot more than babysitting a bunch of reserves. Nothing and I mean nothing can beat experience in a job as big and high profile as manager of Man Utd.
Like?
0 
0
@sunny: @Grognard: Guys, I posted this yesterday, but why can’t we have the best of both worlds. Appoint Mourinho provided, and this is a necessary provided, he accept either Ole or Cantona as number 2 to ensure that Utd. keep their attacking style of play. I’m not so worried that Mourinho hasn’t so far promoted youth. 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. Plus you gotta love his tactical bravery. He’ll sub in the first half for god’s sake if he thinks it needs done.
And since Maureen never stays anywhere for long he’d likely fuck off after 3 years anyhow, and then Cantona or Ole might be ready for the big job by then.
Best of all, all of us here would never be at a loss for talking points!!
Like?
0 
0
if we’re going to get another manager for a long term such as ferguson, i think we’re going to have to accept the fact that we will need a season or two to rebuild, we may lose a few fringe players, but the ones who are united through and through will stay.
dam, ferguson had a couple of shit seasons when he first started, but who remembers them now?
I don’t think we’d ever drop outside of a top 4 team.
No matter how good a manager Mourinho is, I don’t think he’s Utd material though, and I wouldn’t want Utd to be managed by such a toolbanger, no matter how good a tactical genius he is, but i also don’t think Ole can step in straight away…
Like?
0 
0
@Eric the Red: Not Mourinho at any cost he is a liability, Chalton and Gill would never oppoint him.
To tell him to play attacking football is ludicrous you aapoint the man to do his job, the way he does it and he would want his own men also.
The club has far too much class for that lying scumbag and should never be allowed near the club, I would tear yp my season ticket if he was next manager.
Whay would we need to re buld we have a young squad bar the obvious players?
Like?
0 
0
@Eric the Red: The point is that Cantona and Ole could be assistants for the next three years and I still do not think them qualified for the job. We need to stop talking about Cantona and Ole as manager because it’s just ridiculous. We are United fans not some kind of dumb Scouser or Newcastle rabble who think with the use of their asses. Common sense here people, enough with the fantasy and popular picks. It’s one thing to love and respect a former player but that does not make him a candidate for the job. As much as I loved those two as players, I’d take Rafa Fucking Benitez or AV Grant over those two. That’s how ridiculous their selections as candidates is. I mean no offense but honestly folks, lets grab a hold of reality.
Like?
0 
0
@sunny: You don’t appoint a boy to do a mans job, Ince failed Keane failed Adams failed Southgate has already failed, if he took the job and to be honest he won’t be offered it, but if he was and failed it is career over for him, we need someone with experience with a strong character to take the job, no a rookie.
Rednapp, Hodgson and Alladyce have all been brought in to sort out premier league clubs as these young managers do not have the experience and know how at this level.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: Well then I hope his Inter squad doesn’t come to OT on Wednesday and lie their way into the quarter finals whilee we sit back and call him names. He is an outstanding manager and a winner. Any fool can see that. Yes he doesn’t play our kind of football but then again what is our kind of football other than winning? Bottom line is that only he and Wenger are in the same league with Ferguson and the only truly qualified candidates for the job. Everyone else is a risk and some picks like Ole and Cantona are just foolish sentimental selections that border on hilarious parody. I for one want to continue th winning. Even if Mourinho was to leave in three years, that would give us three years to find a true long term heir. As a stop gap selection, he’s pretty damned awesome. I love attacking football like all of you but I damned well am obsessed with winning. That is the bottom line.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: Totally agree with that reasoning. Managing is not a young man’s profession. You don’t see too many 25 year old History professors walking around Oxford now do you? EXPERIENCE AND RESPECT comes with age and repetition. Give me a man who has been to the dance before, not some wet puppy coming in out of the rain.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: I think I said it in an earlier post that not so long ago I too would have found Mourinho a preposterous choice. I believe my exact words to a friend were: I don’t want that fuck anywhere near OT. But at the moment, I just don’t see any other viable candidate around. Nor do I want him to stick around long either. Just a caretaker until someone who will instill beautiful football can be found.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: But United is more than just winning it is winning in style.
Mourinho is a liar and a cheat I am just being factual, I know he is a winner, but as a person he is not my cup of tea, in fairness Porto, Chelsea ans Inter were hardly in trouble when he took them over Chelsea and Porto had finnished nd and Inter 1st, but he did win and we can’t take that away.
Like?
0 
0
@Eric the Red: He will win no doubt, but as a human being he is everything that isn’t United and is everything Chelsea, like Drogba and Giggs.
I would rather O’Neill, Moyes, Klinsman even Lippi or Spaletti over him.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: That’s not fair. You’re advocating for Klinsmann who was given the same opportunity that you’re now denying Ole or Cantona or whomever. Maybe you’re right. After 3 years they might not be ready. But they just might be too. Germany took a punt on Jurgen so why can’t United. We are in complete agreement though that Mourinho for the moment is a great caretaker appointment and stop-gap measure. Although if we’re only looking for a caretaker that now brings others we’ve excluded due to age into the mix (e.g., Lippi et al)
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: I agree with almost everything you’ve said other than I might be able to handle him for a couple of years. Agree the biggest worry is not playing United football, but can you really imagine him hindering our play that much. Can you imagine the look he’d get from Ronny when he tells him to track back!!
Also someone else posted something above (or maybe at the Cafe) stating that maybe his cuntishness is more a persona then anything else.
Interesting times ahead to say the least. Lets just hope SAF stays on long enough until we have a worthy successor so that my concession to accept Maureen is irrelevant.
Like?
0 
0
@Eric the Red: I can barely handle him for 90mins never mind two years!
He is in United terms the anti Christ and should be treated as such, he might sign Terry and Drogba then the only thing left for me would be……….. suicide!!
Good point with Ronnie he got stuck into Joe Cole for not tracking and too many tricks, and he is almost Roy Keane compared to Ronnie!
Like?
0 
0
Fergie would have probably already told Gill whom to hire after him… and most chances are it would be Mourinho or CQ.
Like?
0 
0
@Rahul: Depends on whether Fergie has much say in the matter, he would always choose someone whom he rates or one of his “job for the boys” friends, it is up to Gill and Charlton who is selected and Fergie to advise I would imagine, and personally neither.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: I’m not quite clear what your point is: that you don’t want Jose as manager??
Although I’d be offing myself as well were Drogba and Terry ever to sign with Utd. Be the sign of the apocolypse now wouldn’t it?
Like I said though, lets hope SAF stays a while longer so a legitimate candidate can emerge.
Like?
0 
0
@Eric the Red: Ha ha funny mate, Fergie will never retire he is imortal and will be in charge until he hands the reigns over to his son, Darren Ferguson, in a Darth Vader Luke Skywalker moment, “I am your father, it is invevitable, join me son and we will rule the Galaxy er and Europe together!!!!”
in the year 2025! 
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: Fergie would definitely have a great deal of say in it… but now that you bring it up it does reminds me that so would Charlton. And he’s not too impressed with Mourinho, is he?
Like?
0 
0
@Rahul: No matey he has too much class and dignity for that buffoon.
Like?
0 
0
No offence to anyone who has said it, but this whole notion that doing things in style is more important than winning is a load of bollocks. It is easy to sit on your high horse and trot out these cliches when you support a team in the middle one of the most dominant periods in English footballing history. I’d wager that we would all be singing a very different tune after only a few barren years.
Like?
0 
0
btw – what’s all this rubbish about AC making a move for Evans and Vidic?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=626154&cc=3436
Like?
0 
0
@JB: We might as well be Arsenal if that was the case.
Like?
0 
0
Boys there is only one man for the job, bring Johann Cruyff out of retirement, I wish.
Like?
0 
0
@Natzca: Exactly what is is – Rubbish!
And to even dare to suggest that Vidic is worth 20 million!!!
I’d charge them more for a shirt with his autograph.
Like?
0 
0
Keane and Ole
problem solved, just kidding although I’m curious to see what Keane’s 2nd stint in management brings. Imagine him replacing Rafa at Liverpool 
Purposely running them into the ground and then taking his place at the throne at OT. Completely irrelevant and stupid joke of the day out of the way then
Like?
0 
0
@Liam: don’t think he needs to replace Rafa for liverpool to run into the ground, they’re more than capable of doing it themselves!
Like?
0 
0
I’m going to put a name into the hat that’s off the radar at this moment. I suspect it will be a minimum of two seasons before fergie retires and this person will have enhanced his reputation a lot in that time in my opinion. He played in the premiership but not for us. He commanded universal respect and admiration, both as an outstandingly talented player and as a man.
He is cutting his teeth at the moment and his team are already significantly improved, albeit with the shrewd appointment of his number 2. That appointment alone indicates his appreciation of the ability of another. As a player, he could see the whole pitch and always played for the good of the team.
He would be a completely different personality to Fergie but I think he would command the respect of the plyers.
This is reading a bit like a 20 questions, isn’t it. Last clue – he’s Italian ( I know your opinion of them, Grog, but I thnk you might agree this man is more Utd in spirit than he is Italian. In fact, they didn’t even recognise what a great player he actually was.
Step forward……….. Mr G Zola.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Amen, Grognard. I think I’ve already agreed with you.!!
Like?
0 
0
Heh. I’m liking this. What started as a pipe dream from me re: Ole has become a full fledged serious discussion. You people are really the best
And I mean it in a good way.
Like?
0 
0
Lets face it, if United walk away with all the trophies at the end of the season, what would be left for SAF to do. It would be the perfect swan-song to end his career on.
The idea of him going away soon, is a real possibility. Even it’s not this year it may well be the next – Oh, and then what??
Are there really any likely candidates out there? If SAF was gone tomorrow, who would we go get??
I have to say that I just can’t think of one that would satisfy me. Maybe it’s because of SAF’s legacy, or maybe it’s because there’s no one who’s qualified, but it has a lot do with the fact that, who on earth could follow this act with any sustained success??
Like?
0 
0
The FSW (Fat, Spanish Waiter) has predicted a clean sweep of this weeks games for the scouse filth. He obviously feels that anything less will put his job in jeopardy and this tactic of bravado will rally his troupes and show his American bosses that his balls have indeed dropped and he is capable of doing something manly after all.
Truth is, he’s squealing like a pig going to the slaughter, scared and in a way knowing the inevitable.
Shit, the last time the FSW sang this loud he put his team into a tailspin, so much so they’re now wollowing in the muck that is L.F.C.
Like?
0 
0