Aug 03
Goodbye Smith, Welcome Tevez
I have been tied up with a lot of work these days. So apologies for not covering the Inter-United game. Now that, plenty has been said and discussed about the game, not to mention our ever active comment threads, I will let it lie for the moment. Although, there certainly were some points worth dwelling on, which I will discuss in a separate post.
Anyway, moving on, this has been an eventful week, and a fan couldn’t have asked for more mixed feelings than he might be feeling now. First we have Rossi’s transfer and then Smith’s. Just when one thought we were going nuts selling strikers that we hear about the imminent transfer of Tevez. Yes, this is 99.999% certain!
(I think.)
But first things first. Alan Smith, after three seasons at the club, decides to move to Newcastle. This move itself has evoked a sense of ambivalence in me. On one hand, you had a fighter - a player who would never give up till the end, and on the other you had a player who scored 45 career goals in 233 games (that is, nine years) out of which just 7 goals were for Manchester United. Hardly the kind of statistic that would set a person’s heart racing. His most testing season would have been the one where he was converted to a midfielder. Sadly a horrific injury put paid to that. His readiness to change his position at a relatively advanced age showed what he was made of. His recovery furthered the notion that he was, indeed, the man of steel. All this made him worthy of wearing the shirt.
Although, with his limited abilities, it makes it impossible to give him a run in the side. So it was only fair that he was sold to a club that could give him a good run. However, I might not have expected him to move to Newcastle - a club already brimming with strikers.
Oh well, that’s probably the challenge a bloke like Smudger might relish. So cheerio Smudge, you will forever remain in the hearts of the United faithful.
Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez should certainly be unveiled in a United shirt, by Monday at the latest, pending formal ratification by the Premier League. To quote:
Although the agreement still needs the approval of the Premier League and the Football Association, there was growing confidence from all sides last night that the tortuous saga was close to a conclusion.
A statement outlining the peace deal could be made today, provided there are no last-minute hitches.
Under the terms of the agreement, MSI and Just Sports Inc, the two companies who own Tevez’s economic rights, will pay West Ham £2 million to effectively buy him out of the remainder of his contract.
So now that both parties have agreed, I’d expect that the League authorities won’t mess things up anymore. (Because the League’s lawyers were constantly apprised of the developments.) The deal stinks, because they had to ensure Sheff United don’t launch their own lawsuit.
For us, though, it’s now only a question of when as we now clearly know who we have to pay our 20 million quid to. At the time of writing this post, the PL had yet o make a statement. So we will hopefully add to this post when we get updates on the league’s approval of the Tevez saga.
Anyway, welcome Carlos Tevez. Hope you enjoy playing for the club and become a United legend.
Related items from Red Rants:
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:17
im sad to see smith go but i am over the moon to see tevez come cant wait to see tevez in the red of manchester
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:29
A collective sigh of relief all round I’d imagine Red Ranter.
Finally, this is all done and dusted. I can’t wait to see Tevez in
red!! It would even be fantastic to see him at the Charity Shield as
a spectator!
As delighted as I am that we are about to finally get
him, I still feel that the PL and West Ham are getting away with
murder. I would liked to have seen the truth come out completely
because I still feel that Sheff Utd got screwed.
And speaking of the Charity Shield, we’re definitely not going to be at
our strongest. Scholes, Neville, Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson, Heinze,
Solskjær, Saha, Park.. Injuries. Not fit and one want away player.
But I digress. That’s for another thread.
Carlos Tevez will be a Utd legend.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:39
anderson could play and nani, i doubt hargreaves. neville possibly, heinze can go fuck of home, he donsnt deserve to wear red.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:52
cant wait to see how tevez and rooney link up 2gether, gonna be some magic football played this season by man utd, the best striking partnership the prem has ever seen on the horizon, imho i think this partnership could rival that of andy cole and dwight yorke.
sad 2 c alan smith leave tho he never did cut it at our level he was a fighter and well worthy of the red shirt, anyway it was better 4 both parties, tho im not sure y he moved 2 newcastle, think he could be played in midfield.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:57
Tevez to replace smith?couldnt have picked a better player really.tevez is the kind of player manutd needed for big games and when things werent going to well.because the lads simply a fighter as he showed with west ham.curbishely can say what he wants west ham were going down without him.on top of that has great quality.the one thing smith lacked.will miss u smith goodluck at newcaslte(hopefully not when the two teams meet).and mr tevez.the wait has been terrible but it will be worth it when u become a star at old trafford!
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:49
This is basically a switch of Tevez for Smith, and it’s a great great deal. Tevez is a monster, and we’ll see that soon enough.
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:57
well we had a huge discussion abt it in the last post so will repat the same thing
Hope to see tevez in red soon
And good Luck smudge for the future .I remeber Utd players singing for you after weinning the fa cup couple yrs back I doubt u’ll be tasting the same glory but anyways cup ties are tricky as hell
Best of luck Rossi and Smith
August 3rd, 2007 at 13:27
smith competed his move now. when is the tevez thing going to be complete i keep cheaking cant wait
August 3rd, 2007 at 13:39
united4eva same things goin wid me as well been checking the footy sites againg and again
August 3rd, 2007 at 14:41
one more quality striker signing needed. imagine if rooney or tevez picks up short/long term injury (or ronaldo)! need cover for that (cannot bank on Saha howsoever good he is! but surely keep him). IMO Gudjhonsen is available and can come for 6-7m max! No need to go for younger player (otherwise why let go of Rossi!). we need experience.
August 3rd, 2007 at 14:47
jos thats what i said look when we won the treble we had young ye but old as well gudjohnson would be a great signing
August 3rd, 2007 at 14:52
I’m personally sorry to see Smith go and I don’t think he was given a fair chance to prove what a good goal scorer he could be. When he first came his all round play was impressive. He did the job in midfield when he needed to and came back for a horrific injury with great determination. Out of the 3 seasons he spent at Old Trafford he had a bad injury layoff and a season playing midfield he was never given a real chance upfront fully fit. He was a great influence on the team with his attitude and obviously popular (when we won the FA cup the players wore shirts with his name on it (well ‘Smudge’ anyway). He is a different type of striker to Rooney and Tevez and Saha and we need that sort of variation upfront. Unlike many who never made the grade he was a Utd player.
August 3rd, 2007 at 14:58
Its happened!!! Wahooooooo!
Finally its been sanctioned! Rooney and Tevez to run havoc! Be scared premiership defenders!
August 3rd, 2007 at 15:06
Heard it from fivelive
August 3rd, 2007 at 15:39
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6922733.stm he about time aswell, lets hope it will be worth wait
August 3rd, 2007 at 15:49
he’s passed a medical, why dont he bloody sign and put us out our misery.
August 3rd, 2007 at 15:58
I am quite concerned about what problems this Heinze business is going to bring and what the reaction to it Tevez is having. We must remember that Heinze is a very close friend of Tevez and amazingly, it was Heinze who played a great part in convincing Tevez to join United. Now it seems that Heinze is definitely going to be gone from United very soon. His departure looks to be bitter. Will he like Veron inject bitterness and venom into the ears of Carlos Tevez. I have said all along that I feel SAF and United have treated Heinze poorly since his injury recovery. Many disagree but for me, Heinze is far superior to Evra. He should have had his place in the starting eleven waiting for him upon his return from the Copa America. I feel it was vital to have Heinze happy and content so that he could be the positive link and enterpreter that Tevez will need to get comfortable with the team. Tevez has been sitting and doing nothing for two weeks now while this mess was being cleared up. He has missed out on important team training and tactical lessons. I feel it will take him longer to get familiar with the United dressing room as well as it’s on field style of play. Heinze would have been invaluable in allowing this transition to go off smoothly. Instead, Tevez will be alone and I am sure wondering if he never made a mistake giving his word to SAF. South Americans generally have a hard time getting familiar with the English game as well as the English way of life. That is why most of them prefer Spain, Italy or Portugal. Have United created a problem yet unkown to most of us by treating the Heinze affair so poorly? Yes Gabby has been wrong in the way he has demanded his transfer to Liverpool, but lets be fair for a minute. First off, he is an Argentine. What does he really know and care about the unwritten rule of no transfers between bitter rivals? Secondly, when you know you are good and you know you should be first team, should you then bite the bullet and take your seat on the bench? Heinze is a very good player with a lot of pride. He is either CB or LB on the most attractive and possibly best national side in all of football (the Copa final was a fluke brought on by Brazil’s negative tactics and Argentina’s overconfidence). Evra on the other hand doesn’t have the grit or presence that Heinze has nor does he command a starting position for his own national side. He has pace and that is where his advantages over Heinze end. Carlos Tevez needs his Argentine teammate as a cultural buffer. Now he will be all alone and I cannot help but think that this will cause United big problems.
August 3rd, 2007 at 15:58
Joorabchian has said that he has joined United but transfer is yet to be ratified whatever that means
August 3rd, 2007 at 16:37
a very confusing day as far feelings go! great to finally land tevez but a massive shame to see a true red leave OT for good, i wish we had offloaded saha instead, he’s never really proved worthy of the red shirt nore the honour and repsect it brings were as smithy was and always will be a red! gained an excellent player today but lost one of our most loyal players! goodbye smudge you will not be forgotten!!!
August 3rd, 2007 at 17:09
Grognard,
I think ur right with regards to ur points on the Argentines~! good work mate!
August 3rd, 2007 at 17:26
Grognard - your comment is well argued, but it’s still completely wrong.
First of all, Tevez has already played one season in West Ham. His best half of the season was by far the second, where he didn’t have Mascherano there with him. From where do you know that Heinze and Tevez are close friends? Yes it’s true that Heinze told Tevez to come to United, but that doesn’t make them close friends. Teves is a tough character, and he won’t be put off by not having a mentor (he’s not that young either at 23, so he should be able to stand on his own.) What Veron said was merely a comment about United as a club. He wasn’t particularly negative about it, but made a valid argumentt that succes is difficultly attained here…no news in that. Tevez would certainly be aware of this even without Veron’s comments. There will be no problem with Tevez, because he’s not unfit. He played in the Copa America and shouldn’t have returned to training before monday this week anyway…it’s no big deal. There’s still 2 weeks of training, and he’ll be ready for the first match.
Second, Heinze didn’t get his place in the starting line-up after the WC simply because he wasn’t fit. Then Evra played brilliantly and deservedly kept his place. Heinze hasn’t been treated poorly… he’s just not been able to force Evra from the LB. That’s the way it works. You can’t get picked merely on your name, and if you’re second best, you’øll be at the bench. Evra is hugely underrated by many, and I simply don’t get it. He was picked for the team of the year, which should be proof enough of his quality. He may not be as good defensively as Heinze, but his contribution offensively weighs it up by miles. Just wait and see this season, how he’ll torment opposition with his overlaps.
August 3rd, 2007 at 17:35
Grognard but u forgot tevez already played with west ham so getting on with the english game is not something we’re worried here and i am sure there are still days left for the season opener and he’ll be on the top by then all i pray is he stay 100% all season and nothing else.
rooney tevez runs riot at stampford bridge/emirates/anfield thats the headlines i am waiting for now
But one thing i cant understand liverpool and chealsea are able to hold on players why cant we do that loosing rossi and smith is not something i wanted atleast one of them to stay.
Any ways time for the reserves side to step up and plz Fergie don’t loose heinze now plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
August 3rd, 2007 at 17:39
grognard, tomas speaks the truth. if heinze isnt leaving up to expectations and evra is, its a no brainer isnt it, i generally think that evra is top quality and better than heinze, and then to demand first-team football when your form is poor and and someone else is on top form makes me think the guy is a cunt, and thats why i hate as as a person professional and player.
August 3rd, 2007 at 17:48
[indianpunk]
Because their players have been mostly shite. Name some Liverpool/Chelsea players in recent memory that have come through the youth ranks. Chelsea’s youth system (since Abramovich’s takeover) has been a joke. Of course, they claim they will bring in youth, so we’ll have to give it time. And about Liverpool? I am still to come up with names other than Gerrard and Carragher (who had come up ages ago.)
[grognard]
I am sure Veron meant it as a warning, and not in the sense to dissuade him from moving to United. And since when did United become a club where they feel two players’ friendship is central to transfer activity? Just because Heinze and Tevez are good friends doesn’t mean Heinze will have to stay. And about communication, Carlos Queiroz has managed Real Madrid - so his Spanish is good. And Tevez has spent more than a year in Brazil so his Portuguese isn’t too bad either, so you will have Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson he can communicate with.
And SAF himself has taken Spanish language lessons over the years. (He’s mentioned it in interviews.) So communication isn’t a big deal really. Otherwise, I guess Tomas’ argument pretty much answers your questions.
August 3rd, 2007 at 18:04
well red ranter not saying that they dont have youth system but still the have purchased a lot of players though some maybe low profile but still there squad and bench strengh is still better then us.
August 3rd, 2007 at 18:20
grognard i agreed with you until you stared speaking about the copa america, brasil have had argentinas number for the last 4 meetings they had, i agree with argentina were over confident, but brasil were more tactically prepared then argentina, however back to united matters, i loved heinze but as soon as evra came, i stopped liking him and he just went downhill, him crying like a baby is not good as it puts people off him
tevez joining united is a huge step i hope he fits in quickly
August 3rd, 2007 at 19:06
@grognard
‘Tevez has been sitting and doing nothing for two weeks now while this mess was being cleared up. He has missed out on important team training and tactical lessons. I feel it will take him longer to get familiar with the United dressing room as well as it’s on field style of play. Heinze would have been invaluable in allowing this transition to go off smoothly. Instead, Tevez will be alone’
firstly: tevez sitting doing nothing 4 2 weeks = bullshit (simple as that) ,as ive already said, even if he sighned for us a month ago he would have been given a holiday after the copa america and like heinze and anderson not returned till around about now. secondly: he has missed out on important team training and tactical lessons = WTF??? arent you forgetting anderson who has also missed out on ‘importand team training’ NOT! we were on a tour of asia (if u can remember!) and there was no way no matter when we signed him that he would be on it (again because of the copa america)! thirdly: its gonna take him longer to get 2 no united JUST because we dont have a fellow argentinian in the team !!??!! once again i find myself reffering back 2 anderson, he is the only brazillian in the squad! finally: ‘Instead, Tevez will be alone’ , u make it sound like this guy is a complete and utter loser/loner and his only m8 is heinze and he is not going to make any new friends, aswell as that do u think all the other united players are just going to blank him!!! I think not!!! (sorry if i came accross a bit aggressive,diddnt mean to!!!)
August 3rd, 2007 at 19:34
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|75459224%2c75459198%2c75458674%2c74137948%2c74137923%2c74137717&id=74137717 a nice pic of rooney and tevez
p.s im not sure the link will work, if it doesnt soz!
August 3rd, 2007 at 19:36
a nice pic of wayne rooney and carlos tevez i found on the net and would like to share it with u guys LINK
August 3rd, 2007 at 19:42
some good news on tevez on the united site: LINK
also a great pic of tevez and rooney on http://www.soccernet.com
and any news on the doncaster game will be appriciated i.e anderson, hargreaves, nani???
August 3rd, 2007 at 20:08
ye can some one tell me the starting 11 for the match tonight plez and the score if posible
August 3rd, 2007 at 20:42
does anyone now the halftime score
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:07
0-0 59mins gone! anderson played first 45min, looked good!
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:11
who else is playing 2night?
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:25
what position did he play aderson and did hargo get on
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:43
This gronard dude got enough replies now lets move on
http://www.myp2p.eu/Matches/Match1.htm
I don’t seem to be bandwidth powerfull here so if any of u on high broadband chk the match out and tell us the score
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:47
[Ollie]
Yep, saw the link. I happened to watch the match today and also catch SAF’s interview, where he said Tevez is expected to play next Wednesday. Anyway, match report will follow.
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:48
2-0 2 us but i dnt the scorers
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:50
Darron Gibbs and Sean Evans
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:50
squad numbers,what where they.
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:52
did we play a reserve team? any big names?
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:53
WTF tevez even trained with us today and he even had the medical today as well
And he will officially complete his switch to Old Trafford next week. hahaha
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=449989
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:56
yea what are the god damn squad numbers
August 3rd, 2007 at 21:56
were we wearing a new away kit?
August 3rd, 2007 at 22:01
dan
y do u want to no the squad numbers?
August 3rd, 2007 at 22:01
the anderson pic seems to suggest that ollie but unless the videos come we are’nt gonna know the numbers dan
August 3rd, 2007 at 22:04
this is getting quite franctic, i suggest we have a post for every upcomming game where we can post comment/questions/info pre-match/during/after it would be much easier and more organised aswell
August 3rd, 2007 at 22:08
[Ollie]
I am having a detailed match report. But that will come up in the morning: the usual posting time. Till then here are the clips of the goals.
Sean Evans 90′
Darron Gibson 60′
August 3rd, 2007 at 22:18
And People, one piece of useful advice. Next time you post links from sites that have big urls (like the Manutd.com ones) please use a tags.
August 3rd, 2007 at 22:26
Tomas told it nicely
August 3rd, 2007 at 22:32
nice goals scored 2night
August 3rd, 2007 at 22:56
tevez is definately going 2 play on wednesday in one of the 2 matches and will play the full game, i think probably SAF will pair him up with rooney b4 the reading game
August 4th, 2007 at 0:50
The match was quite good anderson had a few good touches and gibson was pretty good aswell fergie said hargreaves will play the full 90 min against peterbrough
August 4th, 2007 at 22:31
Goodbye smith
he was my hero but i bet a new hero is on the door step, that is Carlos Tevez.
Hope he delivers. United till I DIE! bdw visit my new blog http://utdtillidie.blogspot.com
Hope we beat em chelski 2morow! Come on you reds!