Nov 30
Injured Captain Continues Wretched Run While Wazza Has Until Lunchtime
Update: Word from the official site is that Neville might be back for the Roma game. But we have heard about his ‘impending return’ a lot for the past eight months. We’ll have to wait and see.
And Rooney looks likely to play against Fulham. Now here goes another article rendered irrelevant! Oh, well. Read the rest of the article if you still have to.
It’s now official. Or so it will be, if all these months weren’t enough to convince us. The Telegraph confirms some of our worst fears. Captain Gary Neville may not be back until after the New Year.
This certainly is a rather sad development. Although for most of us who were subjected to the two weeks away from full fitness mantra for a good part of a year, this may not come as too much of a surprise. He probably is out for a longer period of time than our Balsa boy. And with Red Neville’s advancing years, this may look a little worrying.
Hopefully he does get his thing completely sorted out and returns fresh enough to give some much needed impetus to the right hand side. Although I did pull this out of an article from the Telegraph there isn’t any official confirmation that I can point out. But this development wouldn’t surprise me, to be honest.
A United spokesman said: “Gary has been training with the first team and will to continue with that as opposed to playing with the reserves.”
Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney would have to wait till Friday — which is today — to find out if he would be ready to face Fulham on Monday. Speaking of which, we are going to have a quiet weekend. Never mind, I will try to figure out something to keep your spirits up.
The other striker, whose name has the unique distinction of being synonymous with the words balsa, glass and brittleness in general, is being nurtured by the United staff to get the ‘best out of him’. This was what Fergie had to say about him. And I would have to agree with him here. If he’s backed Saha through thick and thin (well, thin mostly) for so long now, then the Frenchman mean a lot to him. So I guess we should keep faith with the manager on this one. Although a decent back up striker in January may be handy. Just in case…
Speaking of high spirits, let me remind you that our competition for winning that cool scarf from Savile Rogue is still on. Kindly read this post for details on how you could win one.
Right. That’s about it for the day. More United goodness and banter tomorrow.
- Future Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand named England skipper
- Who should succeed Neville as captain?
- Rio Almost Signs - Can Fergie Make Him the Captain From Next Season?
- In defence of Louis Saha
- Why United Should Hold On To Smith
Tags: Daily Roundup
November 30th, 2007 at 13:43
wayne rooney. . . someone up there is a man u fan heh
November 30th, 2007 at 14:13
Maybe they should just come out and tell us the truth about Gary Neville so i won’t keep on placing high hope on his comeback. Everytime my day is spoilt when i hear there was a setback on his comeback. As for Wazza, can’t wait for him to resume his partnership with Tevez. As for fielding him against Fulham, i don’t think so. Rather have him fresh for liverfool.
Yes, RedRant, Please plead with Sir Alex to BUY BERBATOV!
November 30th, 2007 at 14:24
I think United need to start perhaps looking for a replacement RB… We really have been lacking on that side.
Although Brown has done a solid job, he is no Gary Neville.
Bosigwa looks pretty good… Ideally I’d go for Zambrotta… Haha but no chance of that happenin!
November 30th, 2007 at 14:38
Isn’t Danny Simpson our young and upcoming replacement for Gary Neville?
Also I thought Pique could do the business there?
Plus isn’t Wes Brown doing a good job there?
I thought Fergie was looking at that Scotland right back?
November 30th, 2007 at 16:03
there is a mention on manutd.com that gary might play some part in the roma game.
November 30th, 2007 at 17:05
Primachenko: They are just trying to give us hope again. Lets face it, as much as this HURTS me to say, Nevill might end up like OLE. Hope i am proved wrong. We not only have to maybe look for a RB, we need to appoint a new club captain. (Heart Aches)
November 30th, 2007 at 17:08
[Primachenko]
yes mate. Saw that on the site and updated the post. But we’ve heard this plenty of times before.
November 30th, 2007 at 17:20
(RR) whats your take on that scotish guy (Hutton)being a good replacement?
November 30th, 2007 at 17:21
MCRx3: Agree with you on the players we already have. Lets give Simpson his chance. Stop with the buying buying buying…WTF!
November 30th, 2007 at 17:41
just because we have the power to buy, it doesnt mean we should. thats why english football is so fucked up nowadays. big clubs like us should be the ones producing the best homegrown talent. yet we go on shopping sprees abroad. simpson has played well in each of his games so far so give him a chance!
November 30th, 2007 at 18:27
(CHRIS) I agree with you. But will you put a simpson in a champions league Semi-Final against a Barcelona At the Nou Camp Or Milan at the San Siro. They are for the future, we need an answer for the situation we r facing NOW. Remember what the young lads did against Conventry.
November 30th, 2007 at 18:50
Red Ranter; Regarding you comment on Saha; “is being nurtured by the United staff to get the ‘best out of him’. This was what Fergie had to say about him. And I would have to agree with him here. If he’s backed Saha through thick and thin (well, thin mostly) for so long now, then the Frenchman mean a lot to him.”
I have to disagree a bit on your outlook on this although there is a 50/50% chance you are right. Nevertheless, I think Fergie has no choice but to nurture Saha and try to build the Balsa King’s confidence and fitness back to a level that can allow for Fergie to sell the ass clown after January or after the season.
Right now Saha is worth 1/10th of his full value and thus it is vital for Fergie to do whatever it takes to rebuild the 6 Dollar Man. Right now he is useless but hopefully Fergie’s nurturing tactics and more playing opportunities will wake this snoozer up and we can benefit from a few goals, while slowly building his selling value up.
Personally I think Fergie has had enough of the guy but he needs to give him a chance out of necessity and out of clear business logic. He would have to be brain dead to believe that Balsa Boy has any real future with this club. He certainly has worn out his welcome and there are plenty of worthy talented layers waiting to get a chance to show their stuff with Manchester United. Why hold them back and not attempt to sign one or two of them in order to watch Snoozer bore us to death with his high energy displays of pitch napping.
November 30th, 2007 at 19:05
Jameso; I think Alan Hutton is not only a great choice to replace Neville but a likely one as well. Lets not forget that Fergie is a Scot so he has an advantage in signing the player. Only MaCleish has a better chance but then again, if I was Hutton, why would I want to sign with Birmingham when I could be starting RB for the biggest club in the World?
Hutton is very good but he is not the ideal replacement. Unfortunately, there really aren’t too many World Class RB’s available right now as that is a position that seems to
be going through a talent slump world wide. Philip Lahm is exceptional both at LB and RB but he is not available as both Bayern and it seems Barcelona have dibs on his future. Alves is overrated for me. I think he is brutal defensively. I really love Hugo Ibarra of Boca Juniors and the Argentine National side as he is a strong attacker, fast and seems to do the job defensively as well. Fergie would do well to find a fellow countryman for Tevez to hang out with I guess. Other than that I think it’s a lot of decent but unexceptional players out there. Willy Sagnol of Bayern is very good but he had a very long and lengthy injury is just getting over. Place him in the same boat as Gary Neville. I’d stay away from him at all costs.
November 30th, 2007 at 19:12
Grognard
Saha is not a napper. He is a good striker when fit. The clause is the troublemaker. I’d like to see master Saha ease into a super sub kind of role along with Carrick and bring some depth to our squad. Two years down the line, he is likely to be the oldest player in the club after the Captain. And it’s not like he can’t score or hasn’t when fit.
Moreover, you yourself said it. It makes no business sense to keep him if we can raise his value. But seriously, given his age and his history with injuries, what professional club would buy him off us for the millions you and I would dream of? The sub-role is much better.
November 30th, 2007 at 21:06
I think that SAF wants to keep Neville out of the matches….He wants him to be ready for the February CHL matches were he’ll be really needed!
November 30th, 2007 at 22:08
What is the hurry to replace Gary if he finally has to hang those well worn boots up of his? we have Wes who is doing a great job and has got better with this extended run in the team, plus have the meanest defence in the premier whom Wes has made a big contribution towards, so no need to panic yet! lets bide our time and see if young Simpson makes the grade has the natural replacement for Gary, I don’t believe we should be rushing out just yet for his successor.
November 30th, 2007 at 22:10
What about the Brazilian twins? Aren’t they supposed to join United in January? Maybe one of them, together with Brown and Simpson could fill the void.
November 30th, 2007 at 22:26
k9; Fergie is playing him and nurturing him for two reasons. First, to see if he can regain his full form and fitness and secondly to elevate his worth so that if not completely in form, we can sell him.
And if keeping him and Carrick as super subs with that kind of financial investment sitting on the bench is prudent business, then remind me never to buy swamp land in Florida from you.
Saha is a major napper and if that isn’t napping then he must be putting me to sleep watching him. He just doesn’t have a hunger or nose for the ball or for being at the right place at the right time like he used to. How many games does a player need to find his fitness anyway? He has been back for a while now and he has started enough games with Rooney injured to have made more of an impact than he has. I say get rid of him and buy another more in form and more committed striker.
December 1st, 2007 at 3:42
Hey people,
Lets say Neville never returns..
Who would be captain? Rooney, Vidic, Ferdinand?
What will Ronaldo think? He likes the Cantona comparisons don’t he
December 1st, 2007 at 9:12
Do not be surprised to see Vidic named captain in the near future. That said I would prefer Rooney because I think it would help elevate his game to greater heights as well, it would help build his maturity more too. Responsibility changes a person and makes a young lad a man.
I also may be going out on a limb but I can see Rio being shopped off once his contract is up. Not because he isn’t good but because Fergie has a great youngster who will one day be barking at his heels demanding more playing time. That of course is Pique. Don’t be too shocked. Fergie got rid of Beckham, Keane, van Nistelrooy and others when he thought the time was right. Rio is not as close to his heart as his home growns Scholes and Giggs. Therefore, I see him packing his backs in the future. Just a feeling I have. Sure I could be wrong but SAF has a track record of this kind of thing.
December 1st, 2007 at 9:23
Yeah Simpson is an upcoming talent perhaps… But he’s not good enough to replace Gary right away… We are missing Gary a lot.
We need someone who could slot in straight away.
Simpson will get his chance in the future along with Rafael Silva.
December 1st, 2007 at 10:14
i have for the last weeks not posted but i read each and every article and post on this site.i have to agree with grognard all the way except no one touches on the giggs subject.to me he is the main worry.and being capttain for me was a blunder.fergie should no better.the guy simply is not up to it.because he is a legend,people rush to defend him but clearly,he should be off to bolton.
December 1st, 2007 at 11:58
Up nutil recently I would have thought Rooney to be the best choice for captain but Ronaldo does seem to have good leadership qualities and if there is no new full time captain selected during the remainder of Fergie’s reign I wouldn’t bet against Queiroz making Ronnie captain.
December 1st, 2007 at 13:52
well i just read that neville is a fortnight away, im just wondering at his age, the lack of games and his glassy body, should he just retire? its been what 9 months since he last played(discluding reserves)a match, we look solid at the back, wouldnt putting him back in disturb the flow. i really dont know.
December 2nd, 2007 at 5:22
Rooney for me …
What would you expect to get for Rio when his contract expires anyway?
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:03
Queiroz will not be manager after Fergie either
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:10
Grognard if you think that Fergie trusts Pique that much then don’t you think Ferdinand will be sold in about a year or 2, he’ll still probably be a good defender by that time so we could make some money from it, what would be the point in letting him leave for free?
And just out of curiosity, how do you know that Fergie is thinking: “Rio is not as close to his heart as his home growns Scholes and Giggs”;”I honestly feel the hair dryer treatment may be reserved for Carrrick as he needs a little extreme heat to wake him up. Fergie is getting fed up with him also, believe me”and then you come out with this:
“Gambling Man; What would you know about what goes on in training? Do you have a guest pass?”, saying this highly hypocritical don’t you think?
December 2nd, 2007 at 13:57
Hmm. If only Saha had not got injured during the summer. We might have been able to sell him then and keep Rossi. But with every injury Saha loses more and more value. We’d do well to offload him for around 5 million, but even then we’d have to shell out twice that to get a replacement
December 2nd, 2007 at 14:49
we have had the captain conversation before. In my opinion it will only ever be one person and he goes by the name of Rooney, Wayne Rooney!
December 2nd, 2007 at 14:54
Trade Saha for Adriano.
December 2nd, 2007 at 16:15
i think we should kurt, i think the physicality of the league will suit adriano perfectly, hes strong good at holding the ball, and has a deadly left foot, probably one of the strongest in the world, only problem is, he needs someone to kick out his personal problems, oould fergie be the man, who knows
http://allafrica.com/stories/200711301071.html
http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=500066 - more reliable source, they broke the anderson and nani news first, so i trust them more
we taking an angolan striker fora trial, should be interesting
December 2nd, 2007 at 16:24
Look Adil you’ve said this before, Adriano will never play for a big European team ever again, he’ll either retire and become a full-time alcoholic or he’ll move back to Brazil to play the game at his leisure,just like Riquelme did in moving back to Boca.
December 2nd, 2007 at 16:35
[Conor]
Please never, ever mention Riquelme in the same breath as Adriano. True Riquelme has had his problems. But they were never due to playing poorly or letting his personal life cloud his play on the pitch. He’s been absolutely brilliant for Argentina. And the reason he’s returning to Argentina is probably because he wants to get back to his roots and enjoy the simple joys of playing just football. He’s even waived parts of the money owed to him by Villarreal as well as taking a pay cut.
He’s not a drunk, womanising twat who doesn’t give much on the pitch.
So before someone else tries to correct you - never make this mistake again.
December 2nd, 2007 at 16:44
But both of their ‘problems’ derived from the loss of a family member, both let their personal problems interfere with their football and both were/are great players. If Riquelme didn’t go back to Boca last year he woud be the forgotten man, so if Adriano goes back to Brazil he might show us he is still a great player. The similarties are there, although fair enough Adriano took laziness to a new level.
December 2nd, 2007 at 16:47
Why didnt we sign torres?the man is brilliant.he has everything u wish for in a striker.why?!!
December 2nd, 2007 at 16:55
Everything? Have you seen the amount of chances he’s missed already this season? Plus he was pretty expensive.
December 2nd, 2007 at 17:36
Hes worth every penny i actually rate him as the dept striker in the world .he only missed chances in the newcastle game.and i think he actually was cheaper than tevez who has missed two sitters.its amazing how many penalties pool get though
December 2nd, 2007 at 18:01
He’s missed chances in nearly every game he’s played, for Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, and no-one knows how much we paid for Tevez so we can’t compare. He’s not better than Eto’o, Henry or Drogba, and him and Rooney are fairly close.
December 2nd, 2007 at 21:15
We did not get Torres so can we stop crying over someone the dippers got. FFS!
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:31
I dont understand why everyone keeps pleading for Berbatov, im personally not a huge fan of the lad, not because of his undoubted technique and ability but because i cant’ see him fitting in with our style of play, he reminds me too much of Ruud, and we all know after Ruud left we started playing this unbelievable brand of football. I’d say we need someone along the lines of an owen, someone with an undoubted impact, but enough quality to be a started. from the looks of it, Tevez and Rooney will be 1st choice for a while
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:03
Elton; Maybe you don’t understan. Berba with slot in so well, remember the cantona era. United have always been known to play counter and free flowing attacking football, imaging what a sleek player like Berbatov with his sublime skills and touches would doo to enhance that brand of football. I AM SURE FERGIE KNOWS THIS, THAT IS WHY HE TRIED TO BUY HIM FROM LEV.
December 3rd, 2007 at 18:48
He would slot in well but if he’s not oging to start then he’ll be wasted on the bench as he’s definitely not an impact player. Plus he’s not that great a goalscorer which we could do with, we don’t need a goalscoring striker but it would be better to have Anelka than Berbatov, in my opinion.
December 3rd, 2007 at 19:34
Red Ranter; I appreciate your post defending Riquelme. You prevented a fire storm to be sure. It was like comparing cream (Riquelme) to excrement (Adriano). Some people’s ack of football knowledge is remarkable.
Taehr; We never got Torres for one simple reason. Fergie isn’t a Spaniard. JEEZ!
Conor; Berbatov is a great player but I question his attitude. He is the heir apparent to
Anelka as the Sulker od the EPL. With that said, he would a great goal scorer withbetter service. Spurs do not have a very creative midfield.