Mar 30
Have a break, have a Premier League title
While Red Ranter drowns his sorrows in a skanky C-list celebrity (his excuse), Stephen Darwin, who hosts the Soccerlens podcast and the Manchester United podcast for Football FanCast steps, into the breach with a look at what Manchester United’s finest did during the international break.
An international break tends to frustrate me something chronic. Especially when key players are involved in meaningless friendlies against little-known nations with absolutely no chance of getting anything from the game (bar the match-day shirt of one of their prestigious opponents).
Although after two consecutive defeats (need I remind you), this international break may have actually arrived at just the right time. The lads can now go away with their respective nations, clear their heads somewhat and return with that burning desire to compete on all fronts once again.
So with much of the United squad involved in international matches over the weekend, here’s a brief round-up of who, what, when, where, why and how.
England 4-0 Slovakia – Wembley, International Friendly
United representatives: Wayne Rooney, Ben Foster, Michael Carrick
An incomparably pointless friendly other than to acknowledge the record-breaking 109th cap for David Beckham but I’m sure you will all join me in praising a former United great on the fantastic achievement.
With Rio Ferdinand already ruled out with a back injury, Wayne Rooney commanded the headlines with an excellent performance and two goals to boot.
Ben Foster made his second appearance in the England goal as a second-half substitute but against a strike-force less potent than Anderson’s right foot, United’s Carling Cup hero was a relative on-looker.
After Heskey came off, followed by Carlton Cole and then Peter Crouch it was time for rival Premier League managers to wince but also time for Michael Carrick to get 15 insignificant minutes and the chance to add another England cap to his CV.
Northern Ireland 3-2 Poland – Winsor Park, World Cup qualifier
United representatives: Jonny Evans
In a match with slightly more at stake, Northern Ireland were victorious over Poland to claim top spot in Group Three.
Jonny Evans could be the key for the Northern Irish if they are to take up a place at South Africa 2010 and he proved just how valuable he is to Nigel Worthington’s team by claiming his first international goal against the Poles.
Argentina 4-0 Venezuela – Buenos Aires, World Cup qualifier
United representatives: Carlos Tevez
Any team comprising of Messi, Tevez and Aguero shouldn’t really struggle to score goals, and in Maradona’s first competitive game in charge, that proved to be the case as Argentina cruised to victory.
Carlos Tevez hadn’t scored in his six previous competitive outings for Argentina, so he will have been delighted to have found the net after Messi had ghosted past the Venezuela defence to create the chance.
Portugal 0-0 Sweden – Estadio Dragao, World Cup qualifier
United representatives: Cristiano Ronaldo
A World Cup without the best player on the world on show? Unthinkable right? Well that could quite conceivably be the case if Cristiano Ronaldo and co. don’t pull their socks up in the coming months.
Former United assistant Carlos Queiroz seems to be having a tough time of it as Portugal’s top man with his side four points adrift of second placed Hungary.
With Nani watching on from the bench, Ronaldo failed to captain his team to victory in a match which Portugal will feel they should have won.
Lithuania 0-1 France – Kaunas, World Cup qualifier
United representatives: Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra played the full ninety minutes for France as they eased past Lithuania to improve their chances of World Cup qualification with Franck Ribery grabbing the decisive goal.
The two sides meet again at the Stade de France on Wednesday and Evra could be in for something of a rocky reception after he slammed French fans for making it feel like every home game seemed like an away match. You tell ‘em Patrice!
Romania 2-3 Serbia – Farul Stadium, World Cup qualifier
United representatives: Nemanja Vidic
Serbia overcame Romania in an eventful qualifying match with Nemanja Vidic in inspired form at the heart of the Serbian defence.
Vidic, arguably our Player of the Season, impressed throughout for the Serbs and picked up the man of the match award for his troubles.
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Bulgaria – Croke Park, World Cup qualifier
United representatives: John O’Shea
The Republic of Ireland and John O’Shea were frustrated by a Bulgaria side without the injured Dimitar Berbatov.
The Republic took the lead inside the first minute with O’Shea heavily involved although Bulgaria fought back and grabbed an equaliser courtesy of a Kevin Kilbane own goal. A cracking finish from the Hull man it must be said.
Holland 3-0 Scotland – Amsterdam Arena, World Cup qualifier
United representatives: Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher played the whole match for the Scots in Holland but he was powerless to help the Tartan Army avoid defeat against a strong Dutch side.
Although that said, Fletcher did play a delightful lofted through ball perfectly into the path of Kenny Miller early on but the chance was eventually squandered.
Korea Republic 2-1 Iraq – Suwon World Cup Stadium, International Friendly
United representatives: Ji-Sung Park
Korea Republic prepared for their massive World Cup qualifier against Korea DPR on Wednesday with a friendly win over Iraq.
Despite having only seen the goals in this game, I’m led to believe that Park had a decent game and looked lively throughout.
Related items from Red Rants:
- United are on vacation, you should be too
- United’s debt situation explained
- Manchester United start title defence with Birmingham, Burnley, Arsenal and Tottenham
- FA charge Ferguson over conduct
- Some Site News
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Stephen (454)
Craig Mc (344)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
………. BE CHAMPIONS!!!
Like?
0 
0
Eastenders
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: Hæ?
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: Sorry but I don’t get you either mate????
You have to realize that not all of us here are from Britain and most of us have the common sense and good taste not to watch Eastenders.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard:
very sad episode tonight, but one of the best they’ve had in a long, long time.
@RedDevilEddy: British soap mate, soap as in TV series that is
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: I know what the show is, I know lots about English telly and shows. I just didnt get why you made that “sad” mark behind…
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: sad episode tonight…
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: Sorry Dan but Eastenders is a sad show….as in pathetic in my opinion at least. My favorite current British series are “Spooks”, “Hustle”, “Ashes to Ashes”, “Wire in the Blood” and I have a guilty pleasure towards “Robin Hood”.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I think if “Ando’s shooting hasn’t improved one bit” then the questions have to answered by Anderson himself!!
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I’m an Eastender myself, but I have to agree, the TV show is hard to watch. Been a few years since I tuned in and I remember just cringing in embarrassment.
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Nico, are you actually saying that Rooney and Berbatov are at the end of their United careers??
Point taken though. I think it’s more realistic, though, to assume that the larger stage at OT can add a little “performance anxiety” to a players repertoire.
The idea that a player would not practice his trade seems outrageous to me. With the competition for places in the staring eleven at a breathtakingly high level, you must believe that they will find any edge to elbow their way in!!
Like?
0 
0
good to be back after a long absence
Exam week, took the toll out of me! calculus, physics, chemistry all fucked my week up! Goodthing exam week came in the same time as the int’l breaks 
Next stop, aston villa. A MUST win game for us, no more excuses I want a result!
2-nil united is enuf for me
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Once again the Grog is spot on with his analysis! lol
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: Yeah the show and its mind-numbingly boring, depressing storylines are just an embarassment to the BBC I think, but I do remember once upon a time, back in the 90′s, when it actually WAS worth watching!
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: I am also from East London myself, and I must say that one reason why I dislike the show is because it is as far away from an accurate real-life representation of life in the East End as is humanely possible! What you see on TV in no way mirrors life in the real East London at present!
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: I have no problem with people from the Eastend but a bad show is a bad show. I feel the same way about all the trashy North American soaps.
Like?
0 
0
@Nino: Other than the fact that most of the East End inhabitants support shitty and scum sucking football teams.
Like?
0 
0
@john freakin’ o’shea: 2-0 would be enough for us all mate. And as you say, a poor result will leave little doubt that our season is in trouble.
Can’t help thinking about the L’pool game though. The extent of the defeat was almost unreal. It had a feeling of “Oh Fuck, they just scored another one”, but at the same time, you could almost sense a shift in our confidence, from really confident to sort of confident.
We let it be known that we were still a sizable distance from blowing the PL, and really that game could be dismissed as an anomaly, a crack in the armor and a lesson to learned from.
Well we didn’t learn, did we? The Fulham game showed a side of us we had yet to see this season. Austere, belligerent and frustrated. Almost unconnected from the reality that the PL was still yet to be won! Players exhibiting poor discipline and laziness, as if the opponents were not worthy of our efforts.
Well, in a sense, it’s all come home to roost. The game against Villa has left us with a smaller squad to choose from, a team confidence that has to be asking questions, and a result that may define our season.
It’s pressure time, and we’re gonna see how they all react.
With due respects to all of you that say SAF/Phelen have made a hash of things, this would be their time to prove their worth. A complete cave in right now would support the idea that the leadership has been wanting and lacking and in need of overhaul. On the other hand if we prevail, you would have to concede, that at a time of crisis, our true strength is in our guidance and management and not in our ability to acquire every headline in our headlights!!
Oh, Sven is available, if anyone’s interested!
Like?
0 
0
@Nino: I’ll take your word for it. Left in 1977 and haven’t lived there since. My family represent what it’s all like, and they’re nothing like those characters.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Now, now Grog, that’s really insulting
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: West Ham United are the dominant club around my area. Their ground Upton Park is literally a stones throw from where I grew up (I could see their pitch from my bedroom window) but fortunately, unlike most of my schoolfriends, I didn’t get suckered into claret and blue (thank God!) and instead had the good sense, even at six years old, to support the Red Devils. It probably remains as one of the best decisions, if not the best, I have ever made in my life! Most people would probably assume that I am a so-called ‘glory hunter’ for not supporting my local team, but growing up, I never ever felt anything for the Hammers and right from the very beginning there was only ever ONE team for me: Manchester United!
Like?
0 
0
@Nino: Same in my day. My Aunt lived in Stratford and when ever I went to see her everyone gave me shit about my allegiance. I went to se the Hammers hundreds of times but United was always the draw.
I saved my pocket money and Paper Route money and went to OT as often as I could. Drove my parents crazy, but it was a total addiction and I couldn’t give it up.
You keep doing as we’ve all been doing, don’t give it up, love your cockney life but devote yourself to the mancurian way of life. Every so often it has many, many, rewards.
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: Obviously I didn’t mean you mate. Correct me if I’m wrong but you are a Red Devil, correct?
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: Yeah I know what you mean mate… I grew up in East Ham near the Boleyn and would go to Upton Park too as a kid, BUT ONLY when United came into town! Those games between United and West Ham at Upton Park were always well worth watching, especially a cracker a few years back that ended 5-3 to us! The last time I went to Upton Park was when we lost 1-0 there a couple of seasons ago when Reo-Coker IIRC scored the only goal, but to be honest I much prefer going up to see United play at the Theatre of Dreams, ‘cos that is what truly feels like my spiritual home, and it is a pilgrimage which I normally undertake twice a year. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to go up to OT this season as I didn’t bother to renew my OneUnited membership for 08/09 and I’ve been too busy anyway with my final year at uni.
Like?
0 
0
@Nino: Truthfully Nino, I have the utmost respect for people who have a mind of their own and who have the sack to support another team other than the home team. I hate homers. Many of them are so narrow minded and unless they live in Manchester, they settle for supporting a loser (Although Man Shitty supporters obviously are all gay). I grew up in Edmonton Alberta and although I was and Edmonton Oilers fan, I used to get a lot of abuse for being a Boston Bruins die hard supporter. I take pride in the fact that I was able to choose a team that didn’t live and breath in my back yard. And now that Iive in Vancouver, I just hate the teams here. Homers are sort of pathetic and rather sad due to their inability to try something new or a little farther away from home. Not exactly adventurous types. And I will never understand how anybody can be a West Ham or Villa fan or even Man City fan when those teams have such fagy colors. It’s like watching a gay parade in Frisco when they take the field. YUK!
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Imagine you being a Palermo supporter Grog… Thats gay!
How the fuck can strong men who wants to own the pitch wear pink t-shirts with material that sucks into you body, and is almost see-through. Would look nice on the Italian girls, I wont disagree with that. But guys? 
What has the earth come to?!
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: The feeling homers get is a feeling of bonding with everyone around you. Judging by the colour they were, people you have never seen before can become practically family! Im not saying Im a homer, thank God!, but I know a lot of people here were I llive who support Vålerenga. Such a pathetic club I have never seen before. They use the Liverpool motto (this is our year!) , and they cant do shit within football. But I know that even though their team sucks, they have a feeling of togetherness whereever they go around this city. Its quite cool actually, but I would never sub that for being a United supporter of cource!
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: Yes they have a feeling of togetherness, much like a lot of men did minutes before the Titanic sunk. Togetherness is just another excuse for tolerating losing and mediocrity in one’s back yard. Like I said before…..PATHETIC.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard:
Thank God we United fans can be together while not being pathetic. 
Like?
0 
0
I like eastenders, its nothing like the shows that grognard said, obviously, because its a soap, and they’re TV series shows. The fact is, out of the 3 biggest soaps in the UK, its hands down the best.
Like?
0 
0
Tevez quotes:
“‘I cannot think of any team except United,’ the 25-year-old told Sport magazine. ‘The United fans love me and my family is very happy both in Manchester and in England.
‘I hope I will still be here next season. I do not want to play with any other team. I always follow heart and my heart is telling me it will be impossible for me to leave English football.’”
Man, I’d give him a contract just for saying that!
Like?
0 
0
@Rahul: He deserves that anyway, He is as good as any other player. Just a little low on confidence may be.
Like?
0 
0
Berba out for two weeks.
Like?
0 
0
@despicable: I know… it’s sad to see him with his United career hanging in the balance! Did you get the tv?
Like?
0 
0
@Rahul: Nope, Looking for new house, trying to move from the present place, so will take after m settled in new place.
I just love tevez knowing that he was fined playing for his earlier team in south america because he attended a press conference in United jersey. It just shows that united is in his heart. I still think he is required as Rooney is injury prone while Other young strikers are too young and they need someone like tevez to learn the ability to do things alone.
Like?
0 
0
@Rahul: After what he did with WestHam, his ability can never be doubted.
Like?
0 
0
VDS
NEV RIO EVANS EVRA
RONALDO CARRICK GIGGS NANI
TEVEZ WELBECK
is my team for the weekend. Don’t play Ronaldo upfront. Don’t start Park, we’re at home. Villa are even more knackered than we are. Set Ronaldo and Nani at them from the wings.
Kill the circus, go for the juggler.
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: Not Welbeck matey we need experience in such a game and maybe bring him on if things are not working to plan.
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: Good team, but I’m torn over placing Anderson instead of Giggs!
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: interesting, so who do you think we should play instead? Remember, this is villa at home, we should be going for a big win.
@Rahul: He has an injury from the international break.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: I agree mate, I would start Ronnie and Carlos up front with Nani and Andy out wide, and I would take any win at the moment.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: Andy out wide?? Andy has an injury as u just told me mate!!!
u forgot!
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: Welbeck is like a daddy long legs the way he runs and moves. I’d put him up against zat knight any day of the week.
Like?
0 
0
@Rahul: No I said Berba mate
@Traverse: My thinks Ronnie and Carlos running up against 6’6 Zat Knight and 6’3 Curtis Davies, they won’t be able to handle them.
Like?
0 
0
With Anderson out wide, firstly he is left footed, he hits a decent pass or what could be a cross, he has energy to burn so could out Park, Park he was billed as a potential attacking left sided player so why not?
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: Im totally confused now!!
So whats the situation with Andy then?? I hope he’s fit to play!
Like?
0 
0
@Rahul: I think he is touch and go, but not ruled out yet.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I agreed to every last word of yours on this thread…untill you pissed me off with your comment about Anderson not going to score for the rest of the season
He will! He will! He will! He will! He will! He will!
Jokes aside, shit I hope he does. I still have that bottle of un-opened whiskey
Like?
0 
0
Anyone else think this is actually good timing for the Apache? He’s going to have Sunday leading the line himself, and then at least 3 games to partner Rooney and show us what he’s about. If after this run he’s still not impressing, then we know he’s not for us. But if he plays well, gets us some goals, then we also know that he’ll be worth it in the summer.
Surprised at Berbatov’s injury, didn’t look that serious at the time!
Like?
0 
0
@Beachryan: Good point, will give him a chance to play and hopefully impress, I do hope we sign him but not for £32m with the whole loan package.
Like?
0 
0