Jun 07
Heinze Rumours (Again) and Foster’s Injury
There are a some more bits of news that wasn’t talked about in the last post but well, I am not going to be covering everything in this post too, and a few more posts may even follow after this.
As some regular readers may have noticed, our daily “Man Utd Headlines of the Day” post isn’t quite daily enough. I think it has more to do with the rather bad post headline it creates, especially if you want to dig through our archives. So while we will still continue to cover club related news daily, the Headlines of the Day type of a post title will be used less often.
Anyway. Back to the news.
Gaby Heinze in the news again. *Groan* Why do transfer dealings involving Madrid be so tiresome? This time The Times adds its own spin on the rumours which, in fact, isn’t much of a spin either. The article basically says the same old things that we have read and grown tired of these days: “Roberto Carlos has moved to Fenerbahce”, “Heinze can buy out his clause for 6 million quid according to a new ruling” and “Madrid need to fill their gaping void” (something that ought to have been filled ages ago, ever since Carlos lost the ability to run at pace/defend/tackle/score free kicks, which he might have last done in 1998). And blah, blah, blah. Go read that piece, take down notes and come back to this post. Or just stay content with the three quotes that I pulled out from that article that summed up the piece.
So people, the next time you read a piece concerning Heinze, please make sure you find quotes that can be attributed to the player or his agent. Well, scratch agent off, just player will do. And TribalFootball does not count.
Regular visitors would know what yours truly thinks about Heinze and his role in the team. Those not aware can read up over here to refresh themselves. Our other writer Ahmed, has also made good arguments on the Heinze situation.
In short, I love Heinze. He has been unduly criticized on occasions last season. He is a tough character, and if given the chance he will come back strongly next season. Evra is good. No doubt. But the best part of having two left backs: one who is defensively strong and the other who is good while going forward, is that it gives the manager more options to decide who would best suit the situation.
Moving on… Ben Foster appears certain to miss a big part of next season as he will undergo surgery on his knee.
While the Reds’ medical staff have not put a timescale on the 24-year-old’s return to action, he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
This would be a big blow to us as well as the young keeper. We had high hopes for him at the start of this season, with the chance that he might displace EVDS. Although, I think that might have been unlikely. Nonetheless, it certainly rules out rumours that Kuszczak will be sent out on loan. These developments mean that a few strong performances from EVDS would almost guarantee that he will remain No. 1 till the end of next season.
Related items from Red Rants:- The Official Word on Heinze | Rooting for Real
- Does Heinze want to leave Manchester United?
- Sunday Roundup: Heinze Speaks Finally
- Decision To Be Made On Heinze… Today!
- Heinze loses arbitration for Liverpool move, what’s next for him and United?
Tags: Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours · Manchester United Players
June 7th, 2007 at 4:19
As far as Heinze is concerned is his contract coming to an end as well? or just open to offers?
Was just wondering if it is even set in stone that he will be leaving or might he decide to stay?
Gutted about Foster, i was one of those hoping, perhaps foolishly, that he might displace VDS, at least at times this season. Lets hope Edwin has got his ‘A’ game back for next season.
Might Fergie be tempted to buy another keeper? He’s not shy about collecting them.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:23
I am so glad to hear someone else say that Heinze has been unduly criticized! Where was the criticizm when Evra FLATTENED heinze with a hockey check into the boards during the Milan game, directly causing a goal?
United fans are so fickle. Gaby’s my favorite player and if he goes, I’ll have a hard time finding someone on the team to really follow. The team as a whole, no problem, but finding that one player who you can identify with and really enjoy will be harder. Paul Scholes, perhaps.
June 7th, 2007 at 7:00
i am all for picking up another keeper. but who?
June 7th, 2007 at 10:19
“our other writer” also wrote once that craig gordon would be a good buy if we still had funds (god knows we have a lot of time)….
June 8th, 2007 at 3:28
Yeah, i suppoe Gordon would be the obvious choice. I can’t think of too many others off the top of my head.
Im with you Amy, i think Heinze is a legend and it will be a shame if he goes, but if he does, its just one of those things. Thats football. All part of Fergies masterplan. We should wish Heinze well and thank him for playing for United. Top geezer!
June 8th, 2007 at 4:46
I am still not for buying another keeper. Sounds wasteful IMO.
June 8th, 2007 at 10:31
i totally agree with red ranter.Foster will be back by christmas and till then EVDS and Kuschak can do a good job.we should bring back pique and evans to shore up our defence.i’m also against rossi going on loan to porto.it seems we r not going to get a new striker,we have used all of our funds for this summer. Seeing the shortage of good strikers at OT,we should bring rossi back.Why not send Lee Martin to porto instead?A striker for a striker, like for like if that is what we agreed for the anderson deal.what do u people say?
June 8th, 2007 at 10:34
[panks]
Lee Martin is a right winger.
June 8th, 2007 at 13:09
This Rossi going out on loan rumours are really starting to cheese me off.
Last year we actually needed him and now it appears that SAF is makeing the ’same mistake’ again? I really hop he stays and fight for a place, regardless of wether we sign another striker or not.
Also hope Heinze stike it out (even if just for another year). Its difficult to picture a solid left-sided defense with Evra as the main contender. Guess where opposition attacks will be focussed on?
June 8th, 2007 at 17:39
Lets hope Fergie agrees with us all and decides to keep Rossi around this year. Would certainly prefer someone like Martin going on loan instead like you say Pranks. Im sure he would benefit more from such a move. If we can see we need Rossi, surely Fergie can.
Just to clear up the keeper thing, i wasn’t suggesting we should buy another keeper, i hope we don’t and i hope Fergie will finally give Foster the chance and support he deserves, when fit again. I was just saying that in recent years Fergie hasn’t needed too much encouragement to buy keepers and if he is unsure of VDS’s late season form, he might be tempted. But lets hope not.
Was really pleased to hear Evans is sticking around next year, hopefully along with Pique.
Ive got a feeling that Fergie is’t finished buying yet.
June 8th, 2007 at 18:52
i’m sorry red ranter.i didn’t know martin was an out and out right winger.what do you say about Fabian brandy?he might be sent insted of rossi.he is a striker i suppose.he is very quick,i saw him in some of the reserve games.he’ll surely benefit from a loan move.who do u people think could be a decent replacement for saha?i really dont feel he has repaid us for all the money we paid for him plus i feel he lacks commitment of smith.may be gudjhonsen or darren bent instead?i also heard some time ago that we had talks with Lucarelli.he also has said that he’ll love to come to OT.What do u people think?
June 10th, 2007 at 15:35
Fabien Brandy is a top little player, reminds me of Saha.
I think Rossi is an ideal replacement for Saha, which is why i think Saha will be sold and Smith wont be. We dont really have anyone else in the mould of Smith.
Saha does seem to have backed away from the challenge a little at the end of the season, although when he is fit and playing i do think he is quality, but i dont think its anything Rossi cant do. He’s quick, really quick and strong for a little fella and is as good a finisher as Saha if not better.
Im a little worries if Heinze leaves we will only have Sylvestre for back up next year, if he is still here. Am i right in saying that Evans can play full back? (LB or RB?) and then theres Anderson, who says his fave position is LB. Apparently. Its been great having Heinze and Evra this season because they have both payed really well most of the time. I like the difference in styles.
Only one more week left in La Liga, then we’ll start seeing some movement. Anyone got any ideas who we might get? Tevez? Torres? A big name surely:)