Jun 25
Interview with Aon – Manchester United’s future sponsors
Chris Toy (Studs Up) recently interviewed David Prosperi, Vice President (Global Public Relations) at Aon. It’s an interesting read and it’s nice to see how Manchester United is viewed from outside football i.e. once you take away football partisanship.
For those of us who have supported the club from before 99 or even before the Premier League started (I got in at ‘94), it’s quite amazing to see United completely dominate English football for the best part of two decades and as a result become the most popular and most valuable sports team in the world.
It’s good to focus on the here and now and we’ve seen with Liverpool how ‘past glories’ get you nowhere, but once in a while it’s good to step back and get some perspective on what United, and to a great extent, what the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and (Sir) Ryan Giggs have achieved.
In any case, here’s the interview with David Prosperi (Aon).
Related items from Red Rants:
- On Shirt Sponsors and United’s Injuries
- Manchester United get Aon Money
- Interview with Phillippe Auclair
- Some reads to while your time…
- United’s Malaysia Rematch
Tags: Interview
June 25th, 2009 at 18:33
I know someone (cough cought – Grognard) who is going to be happy:
http://www.tribalfootball.com/man-utd-pounce-madrids-huntelaar-253036
June 25th, 2009 at 18:37
Interesting interview. I wonder if they will really be more than just the name across the shirt.
June 25th, 2009 at 18:53
@Madschester United: tribal bollocks.
Fergie only signs good players
June 25th, 2009 at 18:54
Ah fuck, typical dan! Disregarding it before i even look at it
June 25th, 2009 at 19:36
From previous thread @Dan: Huntelaar stats in the Eridivise.
Apeldoorn : Played 35, Scored 26
Herenveen : Played 46, Scored 33
Ajax : Played 92, Scored 76
Now that’s the Eredivisie. Alves and Kezman are just two of the flops who scored buttloads in Holland and failed miserably in the Prem. The one thing that Huntelaar has that I think means he won’t be a failure in England is that he has done it consistently at international level.
U21’s : Played 22, Scored 18
Senior: Played 23, Scored 13
If Louis van Gaal says “in the penalty box, he is the best player in the world, bar none”, then you can’t be a bad punt for £12mil!
June 25th, 2009 at 21:39
http://www.goal.com/en/news/2377/top-10/2009/06/23/1338375/top-10-wrong-pele-predictions
June 25th, 2009 at 21:44
@Traverse: The thing with Huntelaar is that while Rooney and Berbatov have all the attributes of the second striker/ no.10 in the hole; great creativity , passing, deft touches, etc…
Huntelaaar probably has the one attribute which is complemetary to those – rattling the onion bag.
If Berbatov and Rooney continue with their 10+ assists per season and the midfield do better than what they did this past season (not that hard to be honest), I can see Huntelaar being a happy camper.
June 25th, 2009 at 21:48
Very well played Bafana Bafana!
June 25th, 2009 at 23:13
Reposted from the other post to keep up Nani-lovers bashing for another day
What? It’s not like we have anything better to do…
@Craig Mc: Rooney has a shot:sot ratio almost equal to Cristiano Ronaldo:
Luis Nani 4:15 (about 1 shot on target every 4 shots)
C Ronaldo 57:181 (about 1 shot on target every 3.2 shots)
Carlos Tevez 21:66 (about 1 shot on target every 3.1 shots)
Wayne Rooney 40:123 (about 1 shot on target every 3 shots)
Berbatov 24:56 (about 1 shot on target every 2.3 shots)
Furthermore, goals to shots on target:
Carlos Tevez 5:21 (about 1 goal every 4 sot)
Luis Nani 1:4 (exactly 1 goal every 4 sot)
Wayne Rooney 12:40 (about 1 goal every 3.3 sot)
C Ronaldo 18:57 (about 1 goal on 3.2 sot)
Berbatov 9:24 (about 1 goal every 2.6 sot)
I know that these are stats – just illustarting a point here to all of you Nani lovers who claim that he did not have the time to do his shit. Well, when he was given time, his numbers worse than any other attacker of ours. Berbatov’s were the best. By far.
Disclaimer: Stats taken from ESPN. Only Premier League numbers considered.
June 26th, 2009 at 0:35
June 26th, 2009 at 0:46
@NicoQB: He died, it’s on The Guardian…
June 26th, 2009 at 1:33
@NicoQB: His heart can no longer beat it
June 26th, 2009 at 1:39
Our kit is up at http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={48C41513-A376-4D1F-981D-660FC5BB193E}&newsid=6635120&lid=splashkitreveal
few days early.. maybe a mistake?
June 26th, 2009 at 1:42
http://store.manutd.com/product_images/maxzoom/prd_maxzoom_mufc-55671.jpg
June 26th, 2009 at 1:43
I learned of the news on Yahoo answers, what a strage way to do so… Good god, what has the internet made of us?
@Traverse: Shameful!!!
I laughed, nonetheless…
June 26th, 2009 at 1:48
Classic rock fans:
Anyone saw the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show? Here’s riff-raff!
June 26th, 2009 at 1:51
It’s a poor day for pop culture icons. First Farrah Fawcett dies and then Michael Jackson. Poor Nani, how will he go on?
I know I know, poor taste. I couldn’t resist but it wasn’t nearly as bad as Traverse beat it reference. Funny though. Yes the internet has really dulled our sensibilities and compassion for our fellow man…….as well as freaks of nature.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:55
@Madschester United: I’ll be happy when Manchester United holds a press conference to announce they have signed the Hunter. Until then it’s nothing more than bullshit and bullshit from poor sources on the Internet.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:56
@Dan: Watch it Dan or you may be following Michael Jackson…….
June 26th, 2009 at 1:57
@NicoQB: Mate I got loads.
Elton John is going to sing candle in the wind at Michael Jackson’s funeral, since Jacko has actually been on fire, and is made of wax.
June 26th, 2009 at 2:16
Tan, tall and highly effiminate?
http://fourfourtwo.com/news/england/33151/default.aspx
June 26th, 2009 at 2:21
@Traverse: Duh!
And I thought the first one was bad enough…
June 26th, 2009 at 2:27
@Andrei: Yeah , Berbatov needs to shoot at goal more often!!
June 26th, 2009 at 2:39
State of affairs in the Barclay’s Premier League:
Lets put it this way, I am sick of it. Just sick and tired of it. What you ask is Grognard so up in arms about this time? Well folks, simply put it’s the mass exodus of top level talent to Spain as well as the inability of big clubs to be able to sign many of their A-List targets.
So what the Hell is going on and why is the once seemingly unbeatable and and highly attractive English Premier League seemingly hitting the skids and going backwards? Well do I have to be the one to wake everyone up. I have screamed for three years now that the English game was badly broken and that the English was poorly run and atrociously officiated. It was inevitable that the League would lose it’s attractiveness and allure from abroad.
Why am I being so negative towards the English game? Well the bottom line is the star players from all over the world simply don’t want to play in England anymore. Spain and La Liga offer lots of money but most of all, they offer more attractive lifestyle options and the most vital ingredient, the style of football is more attractive and more conducive to star players. Stars can do their thing and not have to worry about being mercilessly hacked down every time they have the ball. The referees protect the stars in countries like Spain, Italy and Germany. Those Leagues understand that it’s the stars who place asses in the seats. England hasn’t got a clue.
In England we are stuck living between two worlds. The modern world of football and the old English style of football. Further more, these two worlds are heavily divided by the teams at the top who are more in tune with the modern approach, and the teams at the bottom who are stuck in a time warp and who still advocate the old direct and hard tackling styles of football.
Does England really think that the David Villa’s, Kaka’s, Franck Ribery’s, and other great stars want to leave footy Utopia to come to a League where they will face harsh physical football? Where boring park the bus defenses and the politics of rotation that are so relevant yet not seen in any great degree in other leagues simply because no other league plays as many games when you take into account all their competitions. Simply put, England has lost it’s allure and is no longer the game’s honey trap.
The big money does not seem to matter anymore. Look at Manchester City. Arguably the richest team in the game based on it’s ownership yet they are struggling mightily to attract any great players to their team. Oh sure they may get the Gareth Barry’s or other players who are presently in the EPL, but getting players from abroad has been a real problem for them. What of poor little Chelsea. Five years ago Roman Abramovich was throwing money around like it was peanuts and everyone seemed interested in making the move to play for the boring Blues. Now they cannot seem to convince anyone of a high reputation that their soccer future is better at Stamford Bridge than it is in Spain. The one man to clue into all this was Arsene Wenger. He realized that eventually it might become very difficult to buy super talented foreigners so he decided the way to go was with youth. Let them grow up with Arsenal and they will think twice about leaving it. Seeing as it is becoming nearly impossible to sign a big name today, his seemingly foolhardy approach seems to be making more and more sense to me now.
And finally we come to Manchester United. Torres never wanted us, Kaka never wanted us, Ballack never wanted us, Eto’o never wanted us and most recently Benzema, Ribery, Casillas, Villa and others have turned us down or appear to not be interested in making the move to Old Trafford. And of late we have had our stars like van Nistelrooy, Heinze, Ronaldo and Tevez want out as well. All of a sudden Manchester United is looking like the ugly step child. I don’t get it. Well actually I do. To foreign players, ENGLAND SUCKS! The weather sucks, the food sucks, the women suck, the lifestyle sucks, the language sucks. That’s not what I think, that’s what so many foreign players think. And if it’s not the players, it’s their wives. Arshavin’s wife, Mascerano’s wife and many others urge their husbands to get the Hell out of England because they cannot stand it. And those are just the cultural weaknesses.
The real weaknesses lie on the pitch. Ugly, physical football with awful refereeing and no protection for stars. I am adamant that the number one reason why Ronaldo left United was he had reached his breaking point with the referees in the EPL. Lets face it, they are total rubbish and they hold grudges too. Add to that the insistence and allowance of the Premeir League and the FA to allow the lesser teams in the league to play a terrible, defensive cowardly style of football just in order to survive. Parking the bus has become the norm in England and it has made the game slow and unattractive.
Managers and executives in England have got to have a summit and find ways to improve their diminishing product. At a time when England’s national team has reach their greatest heights since 1966, I find it ironic that the domestic leagues have hit rock bottom in entertainment appeal and fair play. I guess it only makes sense that England is doing well because of Mr. Capello, and not some English wanker who is stuck in the seventies with his strategy and tactics. England need to wake up before the only foreign talent we get to play in England are second tier players from Northern and Eastern Europe. The English league is a joke and it needs a major overhaul and yesterday would be too soon to start.
June 26th, 2009 at 2:41
@NicoQB: Do I really give a damned what the Anti-Christ’s #1 bimbo thinks? NOT REALLY.
June 26th, 2009 at 2:42
It’s an amazing coincidence, Elvis Presley, also a king of Pop, died this very day, 11,637 days ago!!
I think it’s a true sign that we will be making a major purchase soon. After all the stars are aligned now!!
June 26th, 2009 at 3:42
@Grognard: I couldn’t agree more.In the last thread I did post something similar about how the English game is not the most attractive form of entertainment in the world.The harsh and thick headed tackles make the EPL the last destination for any skillful and expressive players.How come Real Maggots is a great and attractive club for every single player who isn’t British?The same can be asked of Barca,Milan etc.Is it because they have a rich history?But so does MUFC and The Pile.
The answer is simple.Boring but dangerous football.I’m pretty sure a player like Slave or Kaka or Messi will rather spend their career in the sunny surrounds of Barcelona or the relatively warm Madrid; expressing themselves in relatively safe environments rather than spend your Saturday being kicked all over the park and having your shins surgically removed by a certain Robbie Savage.Or having to deal with programmed fullbacks like “whippin in” cross after cross everytime they pass the halfway line.
The British and esp the English game needs some drastic reforms and possibly new coaches for the youth teams.
June 26th, 2009 at 4:42
@Grognard: It occurs to me, after reading your comment, that it’s time we have a rating system that could measure a “rant” on a sliding scale.
Here on the WC of the USA we are constantly reminded of the Earth’s fragile nature by measuring an Earthquake on a “Richter Scale”.
A 2.0 would not usually be felt at all and a 5.0 would give you a little murmur. But a 6.5 and up would usually rock your world quite dramatically, topping out at an 8.0 that would be hard to recover from.
So, it makes sense to measure a particularly vehement comment with a rating vslue, based loosely on the the “Richter Scale” – we shall call it the “Redrichter Scale”!
I loved your comprehensive slaying of the entire make-up of English Soccer. It framed your perspective perfectly, no love, no want and no desire.
I particularly was moved by your reference about the “cultural weakness’s”, which apparently permeates the world of the WAGS. It must be shocking, shopping on Bond Street, when the nether reaches of downtown Moscow and Beunos Aires have so much more to offer. After all it’s fun to fantasize what could actually be on the shelves!
I would personally like to thank you for such a balanced point of view. From one who must have so, so much experience in being part of the English Game, this has been an eye-opener to me!
On the Redrichter scale I give you a 6.9.
I’m still shaking!!
June 26th, 2009 at 5:03
@Jay wire: I have a solution to your malady – watch Spanish and German football next season. It has none of the problems that the English game has. No whipping in a cross, no harsh tackles, and more importantly for you, no United.
Get over yourself, go watch Barca loose to Madrid next year, and then come back here with your tail tucked firmly between your legs.
No ones forcing you to watch it, so go find a better league to comment about!!
June 26th, 2009 at 5:16
@Redrich: Here’s the thing, I personally love England and the English lifestyle and it’s fantastic pop culture. I have often said to my friends that other than the beauty of Salzburg Austria, my other place on Earth I would love to live in is in England. I am a sucker for an English cottage out in the English or Welsh countryside or near the ocean. I am Canadian so the weather for me is an improvement.
So nobody should ask me why the Hell so many foreign players don’t like the English lifestyle or the culture. I love English women, shopping and all the trappings. If these player’s wives are idiots and would prefer shopping and partying in St Petersburg or Madrid, how am I supposed to convince them that London is a much cooler place. Back when I was in my early 20’s in the middle of the New Wave revolution of the early 80’s, I was obsessed with living in London and hitting the night spots and going to concerts to see Depeche Mode, U2 and Tears For Fears.
So why do these players and women hate England so much and why do they not try a little harder? Simple, they are uneducated ignorant assholes. Dumb as nails and not open to change and cultural diversity. They simply suffer from culture shock and homesickness and it’s just laughable.
Where I do agree with them though is the nature of the British game. Yes the Robbie Savages and Nicky Hunt’s of the world have a license to kill and they often have assassinated many shins, ankles and knees in their attempt to imitate footballers. I remember back in the late 70’s and 80’s when Spain was the last place to go because of the assassins who made the Spanish game too physical. Spain was littered with dirty players like the infamous Butcher of Bilbao, Andoni Goikoetxea. This guy destroyed many a career in his day. Maradona himself felt he had to leave Spain if he was to have a career because he knew of plans team’s had to cripple him.
Well England isn’t quite that bad and malicious. They are just stupid and lacking in imagination. Perhaps one day somebody will stand up and challenge the English to wake up out of their Medieval mentality and bring their game into the 21st century. Then and only then will players from abroad openly and willingly cross the Channel to ply their trade on English shores again. Until then we will have to put up with second tier talent, misfits and the unwanted or over the hill stars. It’s quite sad but it also may be very good for the development of local talent. Maybe the locals will have more of a chance to break into the first team with more opportunities like back before 1996.
June 26th, 2009 at 5:22
@Redrich: Great point. I love watching the German Bundesliga for it’s speed and attacking nature. I know that none of their teams except for maybe Munich will compete in Europe but in Germany the entertainment and respect to the fans is most important. It’s the way it should be. I love watching a minnow go on the road into Munich or Stuttgart and have delusions of grandeur by trying to outscore the bigger team. Only in Germany can a minnow like Wolfsburg be crowned champions. That league is so much fun. I ask anyone who can get a copy of the Bayern vs Hoffenheim game played last season Munich. Best game I have seen since the 1999 FA Cup replay.
June 26th, 2009 at 5:23
@Redrich: I like your Red Richter scale mate. But only 6.9? I thought I brought every building in England down with my rant. At least a 7.5 I think.
June 26th, 2009 at 6:01
@Grognard: You’ve modified your original point, mate.
Comment 24: 6.9 Comment 30: 5.5 (Just a rumbler)
You can only go to 7.5, or above, when you have concrete truth that the “Glazier-Gill-Ferguson” cartel are our to scupper the ship!
June 26th, 2009 at 7:22
@Grognard: Well said, but when it comes to Torres I believe it is his husband that want him to move…
June 26th, 2009 at 7:23
R.I.P Michael Jackson. King of pop!
Oh well, at least we have Nani…
June 26th, 2009 at 8:05
If Nani doesn’t make it this season, he could always start a MJ tribute act.
June 26th, 2009 at 8:26
@Redrich: Actually Wikipedia has Elvis Presley’s death as August 16, 1977
June 26th, 2009 at 8:53
@Karl: Bafana made me proud as well, cant believe Real Madrid paid 65million for a guy who couldn’t find his way out of Benson Mhlongo’s pocket
June 26th, 2009 at 9:24
The Daily Mirror has reported that Ferguson has offered Nani to Wigan as “bait” in the Valencia bid.
What Bollocks!!
Whelan himself yesterday said they had received two CASH bids of between £14M & £18M.
Can’t these tossers be bothered to do anything other than sitting on their fat spotty’s, testicle juggling and dreaming up things to write.
Nani is going nowhere. This is his season to shine
June 26th, 2009 at 9:46
Daily Mirror are just taking that from some other rag that wrote it yesterday. Without quotes. Or sources. Or information.
The UK newspapers are an intellectual vacuum, it saddens me that there are so many people who waste their lives reading them.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:27
Players aren’t coming to the Premiership for one big fat reason. Money. We have 50% tax on top earners in this country. Spain is 25%, and an easier league. The ref blows at any slight touch. The Premiership is still seen as a Challenge. There are 4 teams who could win it each year, and with Man City’s spending could soon be 5. In Spain, you’ve pretty much got a 50/50 chance! Join Madrid or Barca, you’ll probably win the La Liga, and the refs will make it easy for you.
Not to mention the weather or shopping
June 26th, 2009 at 11:12
THRILLER!!!
June 26th, 2009 at 11:22
@Traverse: Even if don’t agree with you 100% i have to say that money is a very big reason involved in the decision making. I mean its just non sense that you are required to 50% of your income to govt.
This totally shrink the ability of the clubs in PL to bargain the salaries with players…
I mean Spanish clubs are better equipped to offer more salaries due to this tax differential…..
So remains one main reason for me….
But, I have to say I the referring in PL is just crap i mean i agree with Grog that there is no protection to players who are different, who creative, who are clever, dribbler….
June 26th, 2009 at 11:35
Dentinho…..Another player….Another Story….
Another player getting linked to us…. I am just fed up now…. Need something concrete now……I am getting very angry now….
Link to the story: http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/06/26/1347851/agent-dentinho-wants-arsenal-or-manchester-united-move
June 26th, 2009 at 11:52
@Onkar: Or you could see it as a perfectly legitimate way of taxing the obsenly rich who run about kicking a ball.
also, lets see how quickly teams in Spain give up on trying to get the ball off ronaldo and just start kicking him in the legs and hacking him down. Messi has always just put up with it, but i can see Ronaldo getting pissed off very quickly and getting himself sent off more frequently than for us (which was lets be honest, quite a bit… for a winger) his petulence will be his down fall.
Wigan can fuck off if they want near to £20mil for Valencia, a player who has impressed me a lot less than Palacios, who went to Spurs for what, £12mill?
June 26th, 2009 at 11:54
5 days ’till the 1st July, thats when we’ll see action on the transfer front.. not before then.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:40
Unfortunately English culture is just very different from that of the Latin countries. We would have more chance of success attracting Eastern Europeans, Germans, Scandinavians etc. We are doubly screwed becauase we are not located in London where there are at least large ex-pat communities from Latin countries and enough culture to satisfy the more sophisticated Latins.
Footballers are human and while you get some mercenaries and glory hunters, most of them also take into account non-footballing factors like where they are living, the climate, the culture etc.
There are enough players in the world for us to remain competitive. It just needs we need to be a lot smarter. Build a core of players coming from cold countries, and spice it up with a few Latins bearing in mind they will eventually move on to Real or Barca.
Personally I think the real problem with the Premier League is the paucity of British talent. It is amazing to think we once had an all-British midfield four that was one of the best in the world.
Now we have displaced our youth movement of the 90s with a foreign youth movement and I don’t think it bodes well for the future.
Take today. We will have £80 million in the bank. There are rumours about the 6+5 rule coming into operation. Even without that it would be nice if we had more British players. But what can you do?
The only English players good enough to play for the club are unavailable. Because youth talent is so scarce in Britain, simple Economics pushes the price up to extortianate levels.
So we are pretty much forced to take a chance on foreigners and when they leave try and replace them with more foreigners etc etc.
June 26th, 2009 at 13:00
@Will: As far as i know ( i may be wrong, if i am wrong then i apologies in advance), the foreign professional who are earning this super normal income are getting tax at the rate of 50% for specified no. of year and not all the super rich people in UK are getting charged at that rate isn’t it???
June 26th, 2009 at 13:12
This just in from Sky Sports regarding Benzema:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5401990,00.html
June 26th, 2009 at 13:35
Well it looks possible that the Benzema rumors are true. Slightly torn. I do think he’d do well for us, but I worry that he’s not worth big money (£30m+), and that he has never expressed any interest in coming to the Theatre of Dreams. And has expressed desire not to.
Then again, I still fear there’s no one better available. And 4 years of service would be fine I guess. Maybe we could recruit the King in the meantime to convicne him to stay
June 26th, 2009 at 13:35
@colver: Can we please stop this denigrating of the English game and it’s lack of homegrown players and poor weather etc just because Platini and Blatter have managed to poison our mindsets.
You say the main problem with England is the paucity of British talent!! Is this the same british talent that has taken the U-21’s to a semifinal spot after comprehensively beating the spanish U-21 and drawing a full strength german U-21 team with their ‘reserves’ ?? Or is it the same English talent that has gone on a winning streak in WC qualifiers and are the highest scorers?? England have a wealth of talent, moreso than most european countries like italy, spain etc. If not for the self-deprecating culture that is rife in Britain, maybe the English will actually appreciate the talent they have, instead of trying to belittle it at every chance. Like I read somewhere, the irony facing the ‘hard-working’ english players is the graft with which they possess just needs to be applied more effectively, as Capello and now, Stuart Pearce are showing.
Also, this homegrown thing is bollocks. Mention any other top team apart from Barcelona or maybe Bayern that have more home-grown youth in their squads than United ?? Last season, watching the Milan Derby was like watching Brazil vs Argentina. Real Madrid only have like three or four ’spanish’ players left in their first team, not even ‘homegrown’ !! We are a top team competing for top honours and in order to do that, we need the best players. If every team relied on homegrown players, I’m pretty sure United will still rule the roost as we have quite a talented bunch ourselves but if the rest of the pack are not doing it, why should we? We won the 1999 treble wih a plethora of homegrown players, so it is quite possible. The only difference was the pressure to win and the intensity of competition was not so much then and it allowed the youngsters we had enough time to develop in the first team as we were able to accommodate their infantile mistakes. Would we able to do the same thing now?? I don’t think so…
June 26th, 2009 at 14:27
@Redrich: God! Elvis was the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll
June 26th, 2009 at 14:29
@Gabriel: Well said Gabriel, i hear about all these so-called superstars in waiting at all these foriegn clubs when here in the uk we have the likes of lennon, young, johnson, evans, gibson…etc who are all excellent but could possibley be “Superstars” if given the chance to shine at top clubs where they would be given the support and guidance from some the elite football players eg. rooney, giggs, scholes. (granted evans and gibson are at THE top club)I think it’s about time we started to appreciate the wealth of talent here within the uk.
June 26th, 2009 at 14:38
@Onkar: Why should there be? Tough defending, physicality is part of the sport, and it’s just as valid as running fast. Maybe they should stop the physicality in the NHL, so the really fancy skaters can be protected, or in the NFL so that all the skinny lightweights have more of a chance. I don’t think the Premiership is any worse than any other leagues for physicality, just that in Spain and Italy, the whistle blows every 3 mins. Players like Hargreaves, Melo, Gattuso, Viera are just as relevant for what they bring to the game.
June 26th, 2009 at 15:29
@Onkar: perhaps that may be the case now… but im pretty sure by this time next year they will be ( if there not now) it depends what you take as ‘rich’ of course, but im pretty sure its gonna be a 50% income tax on anyone earning over £100,000 a year.
June 26th, 2009 at 15:32
@Beachryan: if you look at the strikers at Madrid, Huntelaar, Ruud, Raul, anyone else significant? Villa is not certain to join them yet. (strikers, not Ronaldo type wingers) i bet if we do get Benzema (thats if we beat Madrid to him), turn him into the next big thing, 4-5 years down the line guess who will come knocking on the door?
June 26th, 2009 at 15:36
@Will: Sure Madrid will come knocking on the door and we can once again make a huge profit.
June 26th, 2009 at 15:36
@Man-U-cho: What I find even more amazing is that little Steven Pienaar actually played more ‘exciting’ than Kaka (and Xavi for that matter). Also shows what can happen to a player when the shackles are taken off (Anderson???)
June 26th, 2009 at 17:04
If Britain’s youth is so good why out of all the names that have been discussed as potential summer signings has there not been a single British player mentioned? In the past we creamed off the best of British talent-Ferdinand, Rooney, Carrick, Andy Cole, Roy Keane, Paul Ince…and developed many players in house such as the Nevilles, Butt, Scholes, Beckham, Giggs etc.
I really cannot think of any young British player who I could see us buying. Even within the big 4: Chelsea don’t have any young players, Arsenal and Liverpools are all foreign. Ashley Young is posssibly the only name that comes to mind but Villa are talking 20 million for him which is ridiculous.
Perhaps there is some truth in the competitive nature of the game and influx of money in recent years has put more pressure for instant success so we don’t give youth a chance. But i think if a player is good enough he’ll break through just like the current crop of English internationals.
June 26th, 2009 at 17:08
Check out goal.com! Some quotes attributed to Pele who admits being a United supporter and says we are the most popular club in Brazil. I think this bodes well for bringing in some more Samba Stars!! Shame they are so overpriced.
June 26th, 2009 at 17:14
@colver: Walcott, Agbonhalor, Ashley Young, Lennon, Michael Mancienne, Kieran Gibbs, Milner and Rodwell are all exciting English players.
June 26th, 2009 at 17:33
Plus we are two nil up in the semi final, we are not all that bad are we??
June 26th, 2009 at 17:42
@Stephen: you forgot to add Welbeck to that list mate
June 26th, 2009 at 17:45
@Gabriel: And Micah Richards
June 26th, 2009 at 17:50
Anyone else watching England destroy Sweden in the u21’s? No talent? Next question. Shame none of it is United, and the only one that is is being let go.
June 26th, 2009 at 17:50
Guys, would it be evil by me if I made a lifestory of Nani FIFA 09 video with “THRILLER” as the soundtrack?
Seriously, what do you think?
June 26th, 2009 at 17:50
@colver: Its not as ridiculous as 18 million for Valencia mate
.
June 26th, 2009 at 17:56
@Craig Mc: A complete waste of money on a complete and utter mediocre player, Whelan sayes it is a shoot out between us and Real, like fuck it is, if Real wanted him they would have bought him by now, he will not be an improvement on what we have, we will pay between £18-20m for him and that is crazy money.
June 26th, 2009 at 17:57
@Redrich: OK, so now I have something to shoot for.
June 26th, 2009 at 17:58
@RedDevilEddy: Regarding Torres, she is a picky bitch isn’t she?
June 26th, 2009 at 17:58
@Gabriel: Gabriel Bro, I salute you for those comments, and of course I agree. United should be looking closer to home. Not a lot of prolific strikers on those teams though are there?. I thought Ashley Young played fantastic at OT though!
June 26th, 2009 at 18:01
@colver: And you do you have to blame for the fact that we don’t have young English talent like in the 90’s? thats right the English FA with that insane rubbish about all youth players must come from 1 hours travel away, like a brilliant interview with one of our youth coaches that redranter put up a year or so ago (was it McClair or McGuiness?) the fact is that if the rules we have now were in place 15 years or so ago, we wouldn’t of had Beckham, Giggs, Scholes would be at Oldham and the Nevilles would have been at Bury (wasting away) Hence why we bring in resonably cheap but risky forgein youngsters such as Pique and Rossi, when we should be picking up the downings, Bentleys, and instead of them underperforming Fergie would sort them out. (that is no way my indorsement in signing either player, but just an example.) That said if the 6+5 or something like it comes in we should be covered with the amount of English youngsters like Welbeck, however some are Irish and Scottish which are counted as forgien? (madness)
Side note; im sick of all this press speculation which is perpetuated by greedy arse agents who think they can make a mountain of money off the back of their clients by advertising them as the next Ronaldo or whatever, Fergie knows what to do, and when he’s back he’ll get it done just like he usually does (Djemba-Djemba, Tiebi and Bellion apart) i for one am really looking forward to Rooney playing in his best possition (thats through the middle) not being stuck out on the wing… where Nani needs to show he can do it. Hargreaves will be back and a midfield including him and Carrick + Anderson on papaer is a solid midfield. i think we’ll return to a 4-4-2 now that Ronaldo doesn’t have to be catered for, our creativity will have to shine through tho, cos we carn’t rely on “pass it to ronnie” anymore.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:02
@RedDevilEddy: Not for long if Fergie has his way. I cannot believe he is seriously thinking of offering Wigan Nani as part of the compensation in getting Valencia. I like Valencia but I don’t like him that much and i am not so certain he’s worth letting go of Nani for Christ’s sake.
I’m hearing rumours that Craig has already gone rogue and is planning a Splinter Cell attack on OT headquarters to confront Fergie and make his nose look a little bluer than usual. This just confirms to me that Fergie has no intentions of giving Nani a fair run on the team. It’s depressing.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:03
@Grognard: Latest I heard about Torres was that she and Rafa were getting married in the autumn… Awww, isnt that sweet?!
Who would have known that such a fat, ugly and disoriented man(?) like Rafa could get married to the most sexy female in Liverpool. And that says something!!! 
June 26th, 2009 at 18:05
@Beachryan: You are probably right but what if there is a chance that it is true? I personally think it’s rubbish too but if United are seeking alternatives to actually spending cash because they want to save the cash to splash on a big target, then maybe…….??????
June 26th, 2009 at 18:06
@Traverse: Great point. I forgot to mention the tax laws yesterday when I wrote my rant. I will disagree however when it comes to that being the only factor. It’s far from the only factor.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:09
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/26/carlos-tevez-manchester-united-dimitar-berbatov
awwww!
June 26th, 2009 at 18:10
@Stephen: Tell me about it Bro. I will be disgusted if United pay 18 million for Valencia, and even more if they try to do a deal including Nani. Because Nani is far more entertaining to watch than straight up and down the wing Valencia. Trouble with United, is their slowcoach approach to buying players, who if they had moved straight away, they could have got them for half that price.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:16
@Will: Do you watch the Spanish League mate? I would risk saying you really don’t because if you did, you’d realize that what you wrote is bollocks. Sorry but it’s true. Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa and all the other stars are protected by referees but then again, opposing teams are not in the business of trying to cripple these players. The game is slower, more short passing and more individual dribbling. Players have a little more time on the ball and more comfort with it because referees will not tolerate lunging tackles or late tackles. England has been overrun by a blue collar them or us mentality which basically has referees and many fans wanting blood when it comes to the rich teams and the rich players. They value a park the bus hard working display that ends 0-0 where in Spain the teams are both booed off the field for that kind of display.
If I was you I’d stop reading about Spain and watching some of their stars in an occasional Champions League game and actually watch Barcelona, Atletico and Real play more often in their domestic surroundings. You’ll be amazed at how open and creative the game is. Like we would ever see United beat Liverpool 6-2 in England. Well Barca did that to Real Madrid in a game this year. It’s that wide open most of the time. And nobody tried to cripple Messi because of the embarrassment. In England, a minnow who is getting their lunch handed to them will send out Robbie Savage or Nicky Hunt to ruin a career out of spite and for revenge.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:20
@Beachryan: Lets not forget that Real Madrid are lurking around and now that they have failed in their attempt to get David Villa, nothing should stop them in tempting Benzema to sign with them. Fergie is dreaming in my opinion and he is setting himself up for a major heartache and not only that, when it’s all over it will be too late for Plan B or C, because those players will be off the market too.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:26
there is no way nani going the other way, we would be short on wingers too, its just rumors i wouldn’t put much thought on it.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:36
@Gabriel: I personally don’t care about the weather or lack of homegrown players. What I care about is the negative mentality towards the stars in the league and the game in general shown by officials, referees, and the poor minnow teams who have turned every game they are involved in into an ugly spectacle of utilitarian and pedestrian rubbish. Ask people outside of England for a clearer description of what they think of the English game. They find it too physical, too boring and the average score tends to be 0-0 or 1-0. That’s not a myth, that’s the truth. In England the top scorer in the league was the useless and gutless Anelka with a whopping 19 goals. Look at Spains top five scorers to see how much more attractive and attack oriented their league is;
Diego Forlán 32
Samuel Eto’o 30
David Villa 29
Lionel Messi 23
Gonzálo Higuaín 22
Five players with over 20 goals and two of them with over 30. And two of those players don’t play for either Barcelona or Real Madrid. That’s not to mention the other 5 or 6 players who ended with 18 or 19 goals.
My point is I cannot and will not let bias cloud my judgment. England has gone into the Dark Ages once again after having a decade of progressive and positive growth in it’s game and overall entertainment package. The desperation to survive because of the money involved has made too many teams scrap constructive, attacking and entertaining football in order to compete and survive relegation. Contrary to that, in Germany the 18th place team will visit Bayern Munich and try to outscore the German giants. Up until Ibisevic got injured Hoffenheim was leading the Bundesliga and playing beautiful football. They never subscribed to the park the bus mentality of playing the game and even after they lost their goal a game striker, they never changed the way they played even if that meant more losses and an eventual slide down to the middle of the table.
England’s game is broken and it all falls to what goes on in each individual team’s boardroom, not in their dressing room or the pitch. Life and death decisions are made based on finances and survival and the entertainment of the paying public is secondary to the greed and desire to just make ends meet. Which could lead me to talking about scrapping the EPL model and restructuring the league with fewer teams and no relegation, but I won’t go there today. I think my point is pretty clear. The game needs to find it’s entertainment mojo and the star players need to be encouraged and left alone. Defend them but don’t try to cripple them. And referees need to be fair and stop favoring excrement over cream.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:38
@Karl: You can take all the shackles of Anderson that you want he still can’t make a finesse play or hit the side of a barn from three feet.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:41
@colver: Yes he also admitted to being a Liverpool supporter in the 70’s and 80’s. He’s a front runner. He likes to cheer for the team on top. I did like what he said about many Brazilian youths being United fans. This speaks well for our scouting endevours and potential future signings from that country. Provided Real Madrid and Barcelona allow us of course.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:42
@Stephen: The last five are tosh.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:45
@RedDevilEddy: Torres has been a very loyal bitch to the fat waiter. He must be a really good cook too and has charmed her through her pallet.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:46
@ROOOOONEY: Jeez, I think I said the very same thing even before they had signed Berba. It was pretty elementary really. You spend 30 million on a striker and you also have Rooney, who is going to get the bench? The guy with no first touch and finesse.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:49
would someone please tell tevez to shut the fuck up!!! its getting annoying really….he fucking left united….where he was needed….whiny little bitch!
June 26th, 2009 at 18:51
Anyone watchin the England v Sweden U-21 semi-final?? Crackin game I have to say
Seems like England are destined for penalties in a semi-final, again !! 
June 26th, 2009 at 18:52
@Grognard: No, not rodwell. Ill give you the rest.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:52
Hey guys check out this new pic of nani sporting his new united kit Nani in new united home kit
June 26th, 2009 at 18:53
i dont know why he has it on at a party thogh?
June 26th, 2009 at 18:55
@gator: hahahaha
that was classic but a bit u’kno.. given MJ’s passing away.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:57
@gator: A bit, too
soon.
June 26th, 2009 at 18:59
c’mon i love mj but that kit is bad
June 26th, 2009 at 19:03
@gator: gator, u shuld really take a look at the man in the mirror… crackin all these less than tasteful jokes
June 26th, 2009 at 19:08
Campbell’s got a red!!
June 26th, 2009 at 19:14
WTF, Walcott and Campbell are more than useless, they have been pure shite. What is Campbell doing putting it about, anybody would think he was a feckin STAR instead of a United reject. Get rid Fergie, and the sooner the better. The lads who worked so hard in the 1st half for England must feel sickened to the core – Walcott has missed I don’t know how many one on one balls with their goalie. He should not go with the senior side to the world cup. He is shite personified.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:16
England do not deserve to go thru to the final of this competition. I mean tossing away a 3-0 lead, they deserve all they get. A total cave in and could not keep the ball if it was stuck to their feet with a magnet
. LOSERS!
June 26th, 2009 at 19:16
Guys, would it be evil by me if I made a lifestory of Nani FIFA 09 video with “THRILLER” as the soundtrack?
Seriously, what do you think? I need to know the opinion of people because I dont wanna go too far with my vids…
June 26th, 2009 at 19:22
@Craig Mc: Concentration mate.. a serious lack of it!! That’s what’s gonna cost England this match and maybe a slight over-confidence brought on by scoring three first half goals.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:27
@Craig Mc: Chill, seriously. That reaction was a bit OTT, it was a red card, nothing more, nothing less.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:30
@RedDevilEddy: Don’t start Eddi, fuck off with your thriller
.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:31
@Dan: No way OTT, Campbell deserved red, he had no chance of getting to that ball, and he already had a yellow. He let the team down. Well him and Walcott!
June 26th, 2009 at 19:38
GO ON ENGLAND!!!!!
June 26th, 2009 at 19:44
@Craig Mc: “WTF, Walcott and Campbell are more than useless, they have been pure shite. What is Campbell doing putting it about, anybody would think he was a feckin STAR instead of a United reject.Get rid Fergie, and the sooner the better.” He got a red, so hes more then usless, pure shit, cocky, a united reject, and should be sold, all because he got a red card
OTT.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:45
Breaking News: England won a penalty shoot-out.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:46
@Gabriel: Gabriel it was more that Campbell and Walcott didn’t take their chances. I thought it was Man United strikeforce there for a minute, when they are at their ineptitude worst
. No way we should have reached that final, we were so over ran in the 2nd half, even before Campbell got sent off!
June 26th, 2009 at 19:46
By the way, for the people that have seen the England U21 game, did Berg (tall guy, number nine, two goals and a header off the crossbar, missed penalty) look promising? Thought?
June 26th, 2009 at 19:47
@Dan: In your opinion OTT, in mine NOT
. The pure hellish truth mate, like it or not 
.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:49
@Andrei: Well its hard to tell, anybody would have looked promising playing against England in that 2nd half NON display
.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:50
@Gabriel:
, they must have heard you all the way in Sweden Bro 
.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:50
@Andrei: Jesus! How?
June 26th, 2009 at 19:53
@Craig Mc: each to his own man… I’m just happy we got thru.. by penalties!!!
there’s that jinx crushed!! 
Campbell and Walcott were not outstanding today but they are youngsters and are therefore prone to inconsistency. it’s not like they played shite all tournament, if I recall, they’ve both had good appearances so far. 
June 26th, 2009 at 19:55
@Grognard: If he reads this blog Grog, why don’t you stand in front of him, he will hit you with every shot
. And you will be doing United a favour in the process. Take one for the boys eh? 
.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:55
Christ, England actually wins a penalty shootout. It must mean the end of the world is near or Hell is freezing over.
I have to say I was seriously impressed all tournament with the two Swedish strikers Marcus Berg and Ola Toivonen. Both are very exciting players to watch. I’ll bet you within two years one of them will end up at Arsenal.
Also, congrats to Werder Bremen for pulling off a transfer coupe by signing Marko Marin under the noses of the other ignorant and blind football giants that don’t see what I see. Add Marin Ozil in Werder’s midfield and they will be a real threat. Now if they could buy a better striker than Pizarro, they would be truly scary.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:57
@gator: I have to admit that was quality mate.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:01
@Craig Mc: England is shite mate. I am amazed they scored three goals in the first half because they were shite in the first half as well. Sweden would actually be more of a force than they were if their manager would get them to play tighter and closer to each other. There was far too much separation between teammates on the pitch. As for England, complete unimaginative plowman’s lunch. Total crap and lack of creativity or skill. And to think they are in the final. Where they will be killed now that they have no Agbungleofwhores, Frazier the nitwit Campbell and the stupidist of them all, Joe Hart. What the fuck was he thinking? Lack of discipline speaks volumes for the idiot in charge.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:02
@Craig Mc: They all had the ball retention and first touch skills of Carlos Tevez.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:02
@Gabriel: Its the only game I have managed to see though so far, and Campbell and Walcott were more than woeful Gabriel. Glad your happy though with the win, any sort of win eh? Like I said, they are United No2, can’t win the game in the 90 minutes
.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:03
@Dan: Sounds right to me.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:04
@Grognard: Glad somebody saw it as it was. That was only in the 2nd half though Grog, in the 1st half they did okay!
June 26th, 2009 at 20:05
@Craig Mc: He’s useless. I’d gladly volunteer if I got money for every shot he misses. I would be rich before noon.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:05
this neuer kid is good!!!
two quality saves so far.. looks a good shout if he’s not at a top club already… 
June 26th, 2009 at 20:07
@Craig Mc: England is down to ten men and Walcott makes this run down the right side. Nobody in a white shirt is within fifty yards of him and he blindly and stupidly crosses the ball into the Swedish box while there wasn’t a white shirt in sight. That’s how fucking stupid and useless he is. Talented but brainless. Speaks volumes for why he has yet to really break out.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:10
@RedDevilEddy: No way, not Thriller.
“Smooth Criminal” should be the soundtrack – would be hilarious…
Nani, are you ok?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDUbAgfrvU0
June 26th, 2009 at 20:10
@Grognard: When Eddie finishes taking the piss out of Lil man, with his thriller video, you better watch it Grog, because he will be coming for you over Anderson baiting
.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:11
@Craig Mc: I actually thought they sucked in the first half and I was shocked by the score. But like all high scoring classics, they tend to die in extra time don’t they? Still, give them credit for winning although I honestly see them having no hope against Germany or Italy with so many players suspended. As for Sweden, they got what they deserved because they had England dead and buried and never had that little extra juice to put them away. They seemed just as content to go to penalties as England and that for me was inexcusable considering they were at full strength and England was reeling.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:13
@Gabriel: What has the Grognard been saying for two years now? Neuer is the best keeper out there after Casillas and Buffon. He’s fantastic and he would be my first pick over my other three favorites in order, Adler, Boruc and Akinfeev. Neuer has scary reflexes and shot stopping skills.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:14
@NicoQB: Spare me with Michael Jackson. I couldn’t tolerate him when he was alive. Must he haunt me in death too?
June 26th, 2009 at 20:15
@Craig Mc: Trembling mate, just trembling.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:20
@NicoQB: Nico you are really heading for a thumping mate
.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:21
@Grognard: You should be, I’ve heard about Eddi’s tackling, its ball breaking hard mate
.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:31
Italy are overunning Germany at the mo, no moreso than Giovinco and Bolatelli !! Both are destined stars I have to say
June 26th, 2009 at 20:35
@Craig Mc: You heard right mate!
Ive not broken any bones yet, but my God are people frightened of my Essien/Keane type of play! Grog, be nice to Anderson! 
June 26th, 2009 at 20:36
Having played FIFA 09 on the Xbox 360 for the first time, I realise how hard it is. I’ve always played it on the PC till now.
I know, I must be getting old.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:37
@Craig Mc: Didnt meen to upset you mate, meant as a joke.
I wanna make a Nani vid, seriously, so can you come up with any tunes for me? Nanis Dave deserves the best you know! 
June 26th, 2009 at 20:37
@Red Ranter: I CHALLENGE YOU!!!
June 26th, 2009 at 20:38
@Craig Mc: Brilliant mate, just brilliant!
Same thoughts exactly. 
June 26th, 2009 at 20:41
@Grognard: Mate, Anderson is gonna be our second top scorer next season! Rooney is gonna score 28, Anderson 19, Nani 17, Berbatov 15, Macheda 10 and Carrick 8.
You up for a bet mate? 
I heard Andy is going to take our penalties next season, with Tevez and Ronny gone. One goal will do wonders, he just needs to tuck in one form the penalty spot and he will reach double figures before the turn of the year. Its like our game against Tottenham, score one and the rest will pour in!
June 26th, 2009 at 20:44
@Craig Mc: Hard to argue with that
@edwin: God only knows
@Grognard: Same here regarding the Swedish strikers, though I do not rate Ozil very highly. Marin is amazing. I came on here about a year ago and mentioned him, but Ferguson must not be reading this.
I’ll bet that he will be another 20-30 mil transfer in 2 to 3 years.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:56
@RedDevilEddy: Why would I want to torture myself. Columbus Crew beating me (Man Utd) 3-0 on beginner is more than enough to satisfy my masochistic tendencies.
June 26th, 2009 at 20:58
its not like it matters but
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=6635217
June 26th, 2009 at 21:51
@Red Ranter: I see you do really need some practice…
Well, if you need any pointers just ask me! I know most of what is in the game, and I would be glad to help a fellow ranter! 
And if you ever want to play against me, just send me a message.
June 26th, 2009 at 21:53
Ronaldo has officially signed for Real Madrid. He will be unveiled on July 6th. Maybe this was all that needed to happen before we go for our targets?! Lets go for Benzema and Young!!!
June 26th, 2009 at 22:02
what do you call a liverpool player with a winners medal…….Spanish
June 26th, 2009 at 22:30
@Dan: Let me guess, 606?
June 26th, 2009 at 22:31
@Gabriel: HA! HA! HA!
Look at the final score mate. German efficiency wins the day and my German machine will roll over England next. DEUTSCHLAND DEUTSCHLAND UBER ALLES.
When it came down to composure and maturity at the end Italy was found wanting.
June 26th, 2009 at 22:34
@Red Ranter: You get used to it and then it becomes pretty easy.
June 26th, 2009 at 22:35
@RedDevilEddy: Do you mean to say that our top scorer will have 20 goals and our second top scorer will have 0 goals?
June 26th, 2009 at 22:37
@Red Ranter: I love that Schelotto fellow on the Crew. Too bad he is over 30 or he would be just what United needed as a creative midfielder.
June 26th, 2009 at 22:40
@Red Ranter: How dya know?
June 26th, 2009 at 22:44
@Dan: Because, almost every witty remark you make here seems to have its origins in 606 — it’s only that lately, you’ve stopped crediting them.
I just ventured a guess, looks like I might have been right 
June 26th, 2009 at 22:45
@Grognard:
I knew u’d come with that retort mate!! 
Well, if not for that Neuer kid, it might have been a different story, he’s awesome!! Anyway, it’s all for nothing because the English are gonna destroy ze Germans on Monday!! 
2-nil to ENGLAND!! 
June 26th, 2009 at 22:46
@Red Ranter:
Sometimes its me, but if its a joke(like this one), or abou t vidic it will almost always be from 606
June 26th, 2009 at 23:16
@Grognard: Wanna bet on Andersons goalscoring?
Lets just say that if Andersons scores more than 2 goals this next campaign you will stop harrassing him. But if Andersons scores less than 3 goals this season I will run butt naked down the street, make a friend of mine videotape it and then I put the vid on Youtube. Deal? 
June 26th, 2009 at 23:39
@RedDevilEddy: Then you get arrested for possession of under age pornographic video material
.
June 26th, 2009 at 23:56
There’s a certain little apache,who cries so bloody much the apache tribe would disown him, and disassociate themselves from anything to do with him. He truly is the proverbial bloody whiner
, He has left, but he still can’t stop talking about Manchester United. Now when we win things and City don’t, you can be sure the sob sob sobbing, and complaining will continue. We are never going to hear the end of moaning from this little fecker 
.
June 27th, 2009 at 0:21
@Gabriel: 1-0 Germany. England will be lacking all their firepower up front and Joe Hart in goal so I really cannot see England winning. Better yet, for old times sake, England 1 Germany and Germany wins in a penalty shootout. That would suit me just fine and would be a sweet “Up Yours” to all England supporters.
June 27th, 2009 at 0:23
@Craig Mc: Serves those fans who shouted “Fergie, Fergie sign him up” in the mouth of Sir Alex in his after-season speach. Cunts…
June 27th, 2009 at 0:24
@RedDevilEddy: I’m supposed to be impressed by two goals? Mate it’s not just his lack of scoring goals that sucks about him. Most of his overall game and the lack of any intelligence in his play is more than enough ammo for me to use even if he scores 10 goals. And I’m sorry but penalties do not count.
June 27th, 2009 at 0:25
@Craig Mc: Oh really?!
Dunno if Im underage here mate, 16 is the minimum age for all I know. Wow, I really should start listening to what the teachers say in class… 
June 27th, 2009 at 0:26
@RedDevilEddy: The thought of you running naked in the streets is just not that appealing I’m sorry to say. Perhaps you could pay a cute Norwegian blond female to do so on your behalf.
Nevertheless, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it because you have nothing to worry about. Anderson isn’t capable of a half goal.
June 27th, 2009 at 0:27
@Grognard: Im not too confident to bet for more than 2 goals you know, at least not with all the chicks who are jsut waiting for me to take off my clothes.
And just so you know, Anderson is gonna be PFA player of the year next season. Runner up? MICHA… I mean NANI!!!
June 27th, 2009 at 0:28
@Craig Mc: He’s bitter and angry mate because he truly did care for Man Utd. It’s Fergie he hates. Let him get it out of his system.
June 27th, 2009 at 0:29
@Grognard: Maybe I could make my hot teacher to me/you a favour by her running down the street… I can make her like Anderson! I am very convincing…
June 27th, 2009 at 0:30
@RedDevilEddy: PFA? Does that stand for Profoundly Fucking Awful?
June 27th, 2009 at 0:32
@RedDevilEddy: You are very convincing?
You’ve been trying to convince me and many others on this blog for a year and we still think Anderson is shite. Me thinks you aren’t as good at convincing as you make yourself out to be. 
June 27th, 2009 at 0:36
@Grognard: I have difficulty convincing you just because you are of the male form. Females are easier for me…
June 27th, 2009 at 0:39
@Grognard: Just a thought: How would you readct if Anderson scored- dont laugh- a hat-trick against Brimingham on the first day of the season? Me thinks its gonna be like watching Aliens invade earth, Michael Jackson arising from the dead, or Karim Benzema choose United over Real Madrid.
Me, Im not gonna manage to watch his second and third goal because Im already hyper over his first, and I have ran across the whole of Nroway and scream “Anderson scoreeeeeeeed!!!” in shock and delight!
June 27th, 2009 at 0:42
@Grognard: Mate, you know I like joking with you about Anderson.
Cause we both know neither of us are gonna manage to convince the other. Only Anderson can change our mind! He could either prove to be the player I believe he will become, and we will all be happy, or he will prove himself to be like you think/fear/see and we will all remember him like a Kleberson or Djembax2. But as I said, I enjoy discussing this with you because it shows your creative and funny side and somehow it makes me laugh. 
Hope that goes the other way around as well!
June 27th, 2009 at 2:50
“Dimitar Berbatov’s arrival signalled end of my Manchester United career, says Carlos Tevez”
Good one, Carlito. In actual fact the end of your United career was signaled by your inability to produce the goods!!
Having the ball bounce off your shins with the alarming predictability of a buffer in a Pinball machine didn’t help, and the crazy “pacifier in mouth” celebrations didn’t elevate you to anything above your Neanderthal level of intelligence. In fact, you and your buddy, Mascherano, compete regularly for the “Village Idiot” awards, with you winning by a long stretch this time around, by deciding to ditch the best team in Europe for their cross-town pretenders. Nice one Carlito!!
I have one suggestion for you, STICK THAT FUCKING PACIFIER BACK IN YOUR GOB, MATE!!
June 27th, 2009 at 3:45
@Grognard: They managed pretty well with the u21 reserves….
June 27th, 2009 at 4:04
@Grognard: The Queens head is still on your currency mate, you wouldn’t want to throw that away, would you?
I do think we’ve all been very patient with your anti-anglo sentiments, but the time could come when the pendulum might swing the other way, aaye, mate!
June 27th, 2009 at 5:01
@RedDevilEddy: If thats the case then get Torres to come play for United.
June 27th, 2009 at 5:02
@RedDevilEddy: I don’t know how I would react because I would have feinted after the first was scored.
June 27th, 2009 at 5:04
@RedDevilEddy: Yes it does.
At least you and I have a creative side. I wish I could say the same about Anderson.
June 27th, 2009 at 5:07
@Redrich: I’m not mad at him for saying that because I said it was going to be like that before Berba signed. One would have to be stupid to think Fergie would spend 32 million on a player and not play him. And you knew he wasn’t going to bench Rooney. So I am shocked that Tevez never clued in from day one. Was he so naive or just blinded by what he thought was his talent?
June 27th, 2009 at 5:11
@Redrich: I’m not sure what you mean mate? Are you saying I have no right to cheer for Germany? I hope you aren’t. I like England but I am not a die hard supporter of England in football. I like the league but I have never been a big fan of the national team. On the other hand, Germany has been my team of choice sine I was 11. Thats 39 years mate so sorry but Germany rules in my heart. And Canada no longer is ruled by the Queen. We just respect her and our friendship with Britain. The fact she is still on our money is more a case of Canadians being to apathetic to care.
June 27th, 2009 at 5:13
@Redrich: And I’m not anti anglo, I just don’t think that team is very good. They may beat Germany because I don’t think the Germans are very good either. Overall, it’s been a poor Under 21 tournament. Negative and defensive, except for Sweden. England will be my number 2 team at the World Cup. But don’t think they even come close to my number one.
June 27th, 2009 at 5:30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6R-0-julxU
new tosic footage.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:50
@Cantona’s_Seagulls: That video makes him look very, very promising indeed. Thats what fergie saw in him when he bought him.
If tozza can replicate that form in england, we might already have our ronaldo replacement!
June 27th, 2009 at 11:06
@RedDevilEddy: Eddi mi man, I am not trying to offend you in this, but here’s my take on Anderson. I believe he is too laid back, and doesn’t take the game seriously enough, and that does not fit, especially at a game like United, where the JOKING and HIGHJINKS have to stop once you get on the football field. On the field mate, we expect our players to be deadly serious. A good example of this, is that a player who in two seasons cannot score a goal, and who is NOT EMBARRASED by his ineptitude in even his attempts at goalscoring, you have to say he doesn’t CARE ENOUGH. The second point I have, is that he LACKS PASSION. I love players with passion Eddi, and Anderson reminds me of the class clown, and that does not sit well with me. One thing about Rooney for instance, he cannot stand to lose, Andi doesn’t seem to have that burning desire mate. What does everyone else think. I see Anderson always messing about, when it is more than time to get serious about his game, or this will be his last season at OT.
June 27th, 2009 at 11:16
I have been really thinking about our team for the coming season. This is because I love my club, and am United til I die and with a passion. I wonder whether winning trophies and medals SO QUICKLY in their first seasons, has brought about a ‘well we just have to turn up’ attitude among the players, the younger and newer players that is. I also wonder, and I greatly hope that SAF tightens up and brings more arse kicking discipline this year. It has to be instilled into these players the history and tradition, and winning mentality of Manchester United, and that an atmosphere of the local youth club will not be tolerated. I hope that SAF calls them in, and states clearly the EXPECTATIONS of playing for a club like ours, and WARNS them that they have this season to PROVE their worth and ability, and he wants to see them noses to the grindstone to produce, and not kidding around anymore. If that sounds utilitarian I am sorry, but some of our players have to get their fingers out, and BURN UP the pitch and the opposition next season.
June 27th, 2009 at 11:23
@Grognard: If he cared that much Grog, he could have stayed and proved his worth. Instead he is off to the blue moon sector of Manchester, where the requirement is to wear a tea towel on your head tied up with piece of rope
. hat the arabs must think of the Man Pity fans and their pretend Arab headdress I don’t know. Football fan clowns maybe?
June 27th, 2009 at 12:19
@Craig Mc: Your wrong, anderson loves the club and always wants to win. I have never seen him happy when we have lost so i dont know where that came from.
I really cant understand why you would think that, i mean, what would you prefer, anderson always thinking about the fact that he hasnt scored, so when hes on the field, he will do his best tevez impression and become greedy, not passing, always doing it himself, and then his form drops and moral drops all because he cant score.
Or anderson, not thinking to much of it, goes onto the field, and be team player and patiently wait for his chance to score?
I think your turning geordie on us!
June 27th, 2009 at 12:48
@Craig Mc: Mate, the only time I have seen Andy been joking ON THE PITCH is when we are winning. If he misses the target when its drawn or we are losing he gets pissed, screaming and hitting in the air. He loves the club, and he hates losing, so I dunno where that came from… PLaying with passion, he does. But not in the Keane or Rooney mould, because they are one of a kind. Giggs plays with passion, but he doesnt play like Keane does he? Same with Rio and Carrick, so Anderson plays with his kind of passion. And if HE is laid back, what the fuck can you call Berba?! Paralysed? Dead? Zombie? Scholes is laid back, Carrick is laid back, Rio is laid back. He may be too laid back, but I cant say I dont think he gives an effort for the team when he is. And it happens rarely, its just his style of game. He works hard, maybe too hard on occasion! He plays with passion, but with the passion of a trickser, not a Tevez/workaholic.
Lastly, when have you ever seen Anderson be happy to miss a shot? If we are 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 up then yes, maybe. He might smile and say like “I missed another one, fuck”. Thats what I do. But if its a tight game or we are playing bad and he does miss a shot he is angry with himself and looks shameful. But like Danny boy there said, I think its better for him to miss a chance and get on with it instead of missing and then thinking about it. Maybe after the game, he should do. But not during. And for the record, he has said in various interviews that his lack of goalscoring bothers him, but he does what he can do to try not thinking about it too much. Still, he should have improved that by now…
June 27th, 2009 at 12:50
@Dan: Cheers mate, thanks for the support there.
June 27th, 2009 at 12:53
@Dan: I’ll ignore the last line of your post, because its coming from fucking PIG ignorance. I’d wager I am on the terraces home and away more than you are Dan
.
You want to know where my comments come from – fine! I know for a fact that Anderson is always pissing about, and has been in trouble with SAF several time as a result of it, none less than the time at the end of lastgame of season at OT. We had soldiers come onto the pitch, our proud lads in arms, who the club had invited to take part in the aftermatch proceedings, and out of respect SAF has for our armed forces. Anderson was the only player disrespecting the soldiers, by walking behind them in mock march, taking the piss. Nobody in the stand near where I was thought it was remotely funny. I understand SAF was furious with Anderson. Also it is well written of by the media, that Giggsy, Rio, Red Nev and EVDS told Anderson that he better stop fucking around, and not enrage SAF, in his first season, and they meant it. He was told there is no room for Tomfoolery at OT. So I am not on my own in saying these things to Anderson. And incidentally, I like Anderson, but I do not believe he has done a lot this season, and that may be because he had injuries for a good while. Nevertheless I stand by what I have said – Anderson needs to get some pride in his game. If others don’t see it fair enough, but its there, and the players see it!
June 27th, 2009 at 12:58
@RedDevilEddy: Eddi misguided support is no support at all! I am actually on Anderson’s side, but if he doesn’t grow up, he will be OUT!
June 27th, 2009 at 13:10
@RedDevilEddy: Eddi you want to be a pro footballer. I heard you recently saying that there was an area of your game you felt you were weak in, and you intended to WORK on that area until you got it right. That is the attitude. Andi should work on his game in the area that he is fucking useless in, and that is in front of goal. I know there are others at the club who are lacking in the goal department too, and I have commented on them. I was talking about Andi to you this morning to tell you how I see his game, because you are passionate of the lad. Not to make mischief, or to upset you, or offend you as I said at the beginning of the post. To thank Dan for defending you, makes it sound like I was personally attacking you, which anyone can see from my post I wasn’t. I want Andi to do well, but he has things in his play, and in his messing about that he has to deal with. I agree with Grog, I see things lacking in his game, and I say it
. Just like Andrei and others say what they see lacking in Nani’s game, another player who I would like to see do well.
June 27th, 2009 at 13:39
@Craig Mc: Alright mate, misunderstood the angle of your comment then. I apologise.
Yeah, when a player realizes that its somethign lacking in his game he should improve it. My passing was woeful, I parctised until I got it spot on and could hit a can that was 30 yards away. I had a weak shot, although bendy one, so I did some weights with my feet, ran and tried to hit the ball better so I got more power in it. Now not only do I have a hard shot, but I know how to control it well. My first touch was a little shaky a few weeks ago, but Ive practised and it sits better now, Im more confident. And I know that Andy has a lot of flaws in his game, and I want him to improve on his weak skills. Shooting, patience, heading, positioning and to manage to use his right foot. All are important factors that he fails at, but I felt that you didnt mention that, the things you mentioned about Andy was his personal “problems”, which I think was unfair. You called him laid back, that is good for a footballer. Im not laid back myself, but some players just are like that. Making jokes and trying to be funny? Im exactly like that! 
I like to have fun when I play and I want to laugh and make people laugh. What Andy did with the soldiers and Gary Neville(mouse accident), I found funny. Maybe not Fergie, but he is like 50 years older than me! 
So the things you mentioned about Andy I felt wer unfair, because you talked down on his style of play, not his ability. Which is great, and perfect for a world class player if he knows how to do things properly and improve each day.
June 27th, 2009 at 13:44
@Craig Mc: @Craig Mc: @Craig Mc: All this coming from you Craiggy??
Nani’s No.1 fanboy!!! 
A bit ironic, don’t you think ?? 
June 27th, 2009 at 13:47
@Craig Mc: I apolgise if my comment(s) made it look like I felt you were attacking me, cause I didnt. And I dont blame anybody or think different of people just because they have different opinions than me. I actually like to hear what you guys think about Andy, and most of what you say I agree with. “Bad shooting”, “Not the best positioning” and “Ugly ass penis hair” are some of them. But like Ive said time and time again, if Andy decides to work on his flaws, like Ronaldo did, he could become a world class player for us. None of us knows what happens at Carrington, so we dunno how or what Andy practices with. Therefor I cant say if he is being careless, not trying to improve and makes too many jokes! I judge him by what I see in games, and sometimes he looks like a world beater and sometimes he looks like my coach in a speedo(I tell ya, I had nightmares for ages!
). I think he improved on somethings during this season, but injuries may hvae ruined a lot of that progress. He missed 4 months of the season with injury, and I know myself how much injuries can put you back to step one if you work on improving you weaknesses every day. I hope he has an injury free season the coming year, because I feel we may see a new player! A better player, the one I believe he could be. Same goes for Nani, althugh he just needs Fergies confidence…
June 27th, 2009 at 13:50
@Gabriel: Nani is a great player Gabby, its just that he, like Anderson, arent given time on the pitch to show what they can do. Nani suffers from something called Fergie-does-not-have-belief-in-you syndrom, while Anderson suffers from verious injuries. They are the future of United, so when we see them doing bad stuff we all get dissapointed and point out what they should work on. Somehow Nani and Anderson are in a similar situation, so I feel this speical bond between me and Craigy there.
June 27th, 2009 at 14:09
@Grognard: I would, but I want to keep my money/clothes/sanity.
June 27th, 2009 at 14:10
@RedDevilEddy: Yeah, both are good players Eddy, and young, which is the key point here, hence still have a little time to mature and iron out some inconsistency and defeciencies in their individual games. Personally, I believe this coming season, with the sale of Ronnie and our return to a more rigid 4-4-2 (fingers crossed
), we will see more of Nani on the pitch strutting his stuff. We all know he has got it, and with his latest comments on replacing Ronnie, he seems to know he has it too and maybe is prepared to work on improving that little bit more.
Anderson is a bit of a conondrum for me, maybe it’s because I don’t know what his best position is!!?? I think it’s as a central midfielder, but he tires too quick. Definitely not a defensive midfielder, as he has no defensive positional awareness, hence is always running the extra yards just to make tackles and interceptions, which is why, like I said, he tires easy. Which leaves Attacking mid. Is he composed enough? I don’t think so… I believe he just needs to slow his game down that little bit and manage his outbursts of energy and pace. Then, maybe he might become a very good attacking player, at least the one we were all hoping for.
June 27th, 2009 at 14:17
@Gabriel: Not ironic at all, because if you read my post correctly, I said other fans like andrei and yourself etc etc, have opinions on Nani and say it. As opposed to their stirring up a hornets nest, I was actually responding to the Eddi love for Andi, not trying to needle him with it.
.
Now going back to my posts, I majored on two things regarding Anderson:- 1. That he needs to improve the part of his game where putting the ball in that net is concerned. I also said that other players should work on that too!
2. I said that he plays around too much, and that SAF and the players have been reported as WARNING him to stop his Tomfoolery. Also his disrespect by clowning around (esp the soldiers incident).
So I don’t think Nani comes into the equation. Apart from after the CL in Moscow, where ALL the players were pissing around, and rightly so, that was the time for it, when the job was done, I know no reports that Nani has had to be warned for pissing about. With regards to Nani’s shooting and scoring, he has a lot of room to improve, but he is better at scoring than Anderson has been. Anyway, I don’t want this to be another Nani debate, because he has been discussed the fuck out of, and I think everybody has made plain their opinions. I wanted to discuss with Eddy the FLAWS I saw in Anderson, (who hasn’t been discussed too much) which I think as a fan I can do! If you don’t want to talk about Anderson, that’s fine with me, but I’d appreciate if you could let others who might want to discuss Andie with Eddi to in fact debate the issue. This debate is not even about Eddi’s love for Andi, it is for highlighting the areas needing to improve in Andersons game, and the clowning around he has been warned about. I like Andi, and nowhere have I ever said in any comment on the blog that I don’t. So don’t try and make it a PERSONAL THING BECAUSE YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH
ME 
June 27th, 2009 at 14:54
@Craig Mc: “I’d wager I am on the terraces home and away more than you are Dan” and also, “Nobody in the stand near where I was thought it was remotely funny.”
http://redrants.com/arsenal-preview-will-united-do-it/#comment-61547
Comment No9 by craig at half time
“Well we are back to our ’sloppy, give the ball away every time you touch it’ BEST. Our MF are not getting anybody thru at the moment, and Arsenal for obvious reasons are far more relaxed. Rooney is continuing his shite play from the Wigan game, and so is Ronnie. They need to improve in the 2nd half or Arsenal will do us. We have Ronnie, Rooney and Tev charging around like wound up rabbits, but they are too much ALIKE. Nobody holding the ball, and finding a way through, with the slick pass we need.”
Im going to assume by stand you meant your sofa, and the people around you was your family.
I have nothing against you craig, nothing at all, the Geordie comment was said in jest, but now, it looks like it was more accurate then i thought.
June 27th, 2009 at 14:57
@Dan: I WAS AT THAT GAME!!!
June 27th, 2009 at 15:08
@Craig Mc: Jeez, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning
Didn’t you notice from all the smileys on my comment that it was just a liitle banter??? 
C’mon man, lighten up, no one has a problem with you, certainly not me… apart from when it comes to the Roon 
June 27th, 2009 at 15:25
@Dan: I was at the game Dan. You mustn’t ASSUME that I am the only person that has access to my computer and can post on this blog, because your assumption would be wrong.
June 27th, 2009 at 15:29
@Gabriel: Fair enough Gabriel, my only intention was to discuss with Eddi the things that will improve Andi and his game.
June 27th, 2009 at 15:34
@Craig Mc:
Ok craig it wasnt you that posted that, sure 
June 27th, 2009 at 15:38
@RedDevilEddy: Im glad someone was.
June 27th, 2009 at 15:51
@Dan: Dan what are you the fucking CIA? Every post on here is NOT always posted by me, so SUE me. As long as what’s posted isn’t abusive what is wrong with a family member using the computer and enjoying chat on here when I am not there? If I am breaking the rules here Red Ranter, just let me know OK?
June 27th, 2009 at 16:03
@Dan: Dan don’t engage me in conversation anymore, occasionally it might be the GF’s younger Bro you are responding too
. Until RR tells me it is not OK, I will continue to let him use my computer and post. It is just football talk, it is not criminal fucking activities.
June 27th, 2009 at 16:05
Ruud to fucking Blackburn?!
Deary me, there only is one way after you leave United… DOWN, DOWN, AND LOWER! 
Wonder what will happen to Ronny…
June 27th, 2009 at 16:09
@RedDevilEddy: Is that really happening Eddi? Have B’Burn got him, or is it still just inuendo?
June 27th, 2009 at 16:12
age in this game is a killer, unless you play in italy
June 27th, 2009 at 16:12
@RedDevilEddy: Hull in 3 yrs
June 27th, 2009 at 16:12
@ROOOOONEY: haha
June 27th, 2009 at 17:10
Go on the main page of
http://www.football365.com/
On the left side there’s a small video with paper roundup section, reflecting on the Tevez juvenile Berba rant.
Comes a time when they (supposedly!) get Berba on the phone to get his take on the Tevez rant.
While (everybody knows) I disagree with the berbatov stereotype of lazy and all, I have to admit that it was very funny…
June 27th, 2009 at 17:21
@Craig Mc: Big, large and very fat Sam said Blackburn want Ruud at Rovers, but his salary demands may be too high for them to pay.
June 27th, 2009 at 17:23
Guys, Im working on a “Nani, my life” story on FIFA 09. Its going pretty well so far, but can anybody give me any pointers to which song I should use in the background? 3-4 minutes would be perfect!
And no Michael Jackson songs, please.
June 27th, 2009 at 17:25
@Dan: Dude, you got some memory!
I recomend you to use that memory on not forgetting a girls name or her birthday, rather than kinda embarrasing your friend on the internet… 
June 27th, 2009 at 17:29
how about this as a song, 2 of my favorite things in life start with manchester, manchester united and manchester orchestra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFn2bC8DAIg
June 27th, 2009 at 17:31
@ROOOOONEY: Nice, but maybe a bit long. Im looking for a little more “rythmic” song, on the pop or samba category. Somethign that just screams NAAAANIIIII!!!!
June 27th, 2009 at 17:36
oh those, no thanks!
June 27th, 2009 at 17:36
@RedDevilEddy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWKhbR33bww
June 27th, 2009 at 17:43
@RedDevilEddy:
To be honest, i wasnt even trying to embarrassment, he woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, had a go at not just me, gabriel as well, through it in my face that im not as privileged as him, or should i say at how he use to be, by going to the matches every week if he wanted. That was a low blow, and he didnt just insult me with that, he insulted you, grognard edwin and even redranter by throwing it in my face, and many others on this site.
This blog has members from all around the world craig, not just england, what makes us any less of a fan then you? You cant go to matches as frequently as you claimed you did anymore, your in exactly they same boat as us now, just remember that.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:03
@RedDevilEddy: Problem is though Eddi Dan’s memory may have been acute, but he wasn’t in possession of all the facts before he made his accusations that I wasn’t at the game. My future Nephew in law (is that what you call the GF’s bro), posts comments sometimes on the blog using my sig, when I am away at the games. and I have never given it a 2nd thought, because he talked football, which to be honest is nearly always our topic of conversation. Now though, with this who hullaballoo with Dan, and I can see how things can be misconstrued, I have asked him to say it is him when he posts, and not me. That way, when I am away at OT and he wants to use the net, there will be no misunderstanding. I didn’t think it was all that bloody important, when we are just talking Man Utd, but I can see that it can be misconstrued, so I understand Dan’s call there.
. Eddi you have got a big heart mate, and no wonder the ladies are all over you, being so good natured 
June 27th, 2009 at 18:13
@RedDevilEddy: Pop and samba?
You might have heard this song in a McDonald ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ohTi8lbeok
June 27th, 2009 at 18:13
@Craig Mc:
The last sentance made me laugh, cause my mother just told me I was careless and didnt care about anything or anyone. 
I really, really should start listen to what people tell me to do…
BTW, I think its called brother in law…
June 27th, 2009 at 18:14
@Grognard: But he had the right to compete against him for a starting role.
If Tevez had played better, scored <15 PL goals, then we ALL would have wanted him to stay, and he would’ve been signed.
It’s all sour grapes to me, blaming everyone and everything other that the obvious and true reason – He’s just not good enough to play for United!!
June 27th, 2009 at 18:15
@Dan: Sorry, just looked like you kinda wanted to get back at Craig for a moment. Just a misunderstanding…
Oh and that song, really catchy tune! I will defo consider it.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:16
@Dan: I didn’t get out of any wrong side of the bed. There is only one sode I can get out of, considering my GF is on the other side
. I was just trying to have a pleasant debate with Eddi, about Anderson – period. You came out with the wisecrack about being a Geordie, and I wasn’t trying to insult you or anybody, I was trying to establish that the amount of time at OT I spend should tell you that I am United til I die. Some people on here are real touchy whenever standing on the terraces are mentioned. I did think Dan that moving to Geordieland would limit my opportunities of getting to games, and it has effected my away trips more, but not the OT home games. Anyway, it is not a competition who gets to games more is it. That is not what I was trying to portray, even though that is how you perceived it. As for insulting Grog, and the other overseas fans, give me a break, its obvious they can’t get to games. Regarding Gabriel, I think he is well able to fight his own corner Dan, and does it quite well. 
. Anyway, no point in continuing this, I still want to know what everyone else thinks about Andi and his needs!
June 27th, 2009 at 18:21
@Redrich: I agree Redrich, but I think the whining is not going to abate any time soon, as far as Tevez is concerned. I was mortified when Tevez used to shove that Pacifier in his mouth after scoring – embarrasing much
.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:22
@Craig Mc: I was not aware of this disrespect towards the military by Anderson. Now that I am aware, I’m very very pissed off. There’s a reason why I am called Grognard. I am a die hard hard core military history buff and I have a tremendous respect for the military, especially those allied to Canada. My father was a military man and the thought of some brash young long haired punk mocking them while he make millions playing like an idiot and underachieving is going one bridge too far.
I’m glad Fergie let him have it but here’s the thing that pisses me off, he never let him have it enough. Poor Nani has been in Fergie’s doghouse ever since he received the head butting red card two seasons ago. He hasn’t been able to get a game since then and for what? Losing his cool on the pitch and doing a stupid thing. But he hurt nobody and insulted nobody. Anderson on the other hand insults the military of the nation he is playing in and shows them no respect in front of thousands of witnesses. Truthfully, I’m shocked that this wasn’t made a big story in the media. So tell me then why Fergie didn’t see fit to punish this punk but good. Bench him for the season. Instead his punishment ended up being punishment to all of us. By playing him in the Champions League final he told us that Anderson’s actions were not as reprehensible as we all believe them to be. Double standards is all I have to say and my heart goes out to poor Nani and even Tevez for being in Fergie’s doghouse while others seem to get away with murder. I have never been an Anderson fan but now, I just hate the guy. When you disrespect the military of a country, you disrespect them.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:24
@Grognard: I just thought that some of your latest comments, were strikingly anti-English and and with some undertones of criticism of English society as a whole.
You certainly have the right to your opinion, but don’t expect any red-blooded Englishman to sit back and give you a free pass on it all!
As far as you supporting Germany, that’s your problem and seeings that this a United blog, I couldn’t care less.!!
June 27th, 2009 at 18:27
milan are after adebayor
June 27th, 2009 at 18:27
@Craig Mc: I think Hughes will tell him to keep his trap shut!!
Citeh don’t want to give United any more incentive to beat the crap out them than they already have.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:28
@RedDevilEddy:
, of course 
, if I had my brain in gear I would be okay. 
. Don’t know what’s up with me today. Lager brain dead-ism catching up with me I guess. You listen to your mum young man, she knows best. Always assuming you have a good mum though, my mother is just wonderful. Sounds like Grog’s mother was too, I was sorry to hear she has to move into a retirment home. Its hard when ones parents get older and frail 
.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:29
@Redrich: I want to wallop them Redrich, don’t you?
.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:30
@Grognard:
Any stick will do, eh Grog? as far as it is used to beat Anderson!! lol Don’t let Eddy catch you mate!! He’s just focusing on his Nani vid, else I’m sure he won’t be tolerating those kind of words towards his boy! 
June 27th, 2009 at 18:31
@Redrich: Redritch – are you a BRIT Expat?
June 27th, 2009 at 18:33
@Craig Mc: Me, fight??
I don’t know what that word means 
In the words of Ringo starr, I’m all about peace and love, man!! 
June 27th, 2009 at 18:37
@Craig Mc: It’ll be a DESTRUCTION DERBY, mate!!
June 27th, 2009 at 18:38
@Grognard: I love our military too Grog. The Canadians, Americans, Dutch, and Brits are still fighting for their countries in Afghanistan, and we are taking casualties almost everyday. Also, the Afghan and Iraqi troops and all OFFICIAL representative armies are fighting for their homelands. Soldiers never choose their wars Grog, they are just there to defend their countries, or do their bidding.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:38
@RedDevilEddy: Sorry Eddy but that solution does not work for me. You say Anderson can be world class for us if he works on his flaws. It’s one thing to work on flaws that one can see are correctable. Ronaldo had selfish and mental flaws in his game and those are correctable But physical flaws can only be corrected so much. The reason Titus Bramble and Dave Kitson are not world class players is because try as they might, they cannot improve beyond their god given abilities. One is not born with nor guaranteed world class abilities provided that they work hard. Some just have to accept that they are average or good while others have to realize they just suck and no amount of practice and repetition will make them improve.
Sure there is room for Anderson to improve. He can improve the mental side of his game. There are many flaws in his mental approach, but most of them can improve. It’s the physical side that is a much harder thing to improve on. And the proof of that is that if anything, Anderson regressed physically in his second season compared to his first. He was less consistent and he also continued to suck supremely at shooting for goal. You can place him in front of goal all day and have him practice that art and skill but he will only improve as much as his physical and mental capabilities allow him to. Two years of him at United tells me there is no way in Hell this player will ever be a scoring threat for us coming from the midfield. Oh sure he might be good for three to five goals a season but that is the max. Now when you add that to his other weaknesses like the lack of vision, finesse and a really terrible sense of coordination, you have a rugby player trying to play football. He’s good at dribbling at high speed and protecting the ball with the use of his big butt but that is it. Sure he can make a good long through ball to somebody once in a while but I have never seen him offer up a beautiful short finesse pass to anyone or lob a ball into the path of a Rooney. No for me his limitations are many and there is only so much improvement in him considering he is uncoordinated and awkward as well. If he can improve his mental game as well as build up his stamina and ability to play a long season as well as 90 full minutes at 100%, then he can contribute more. As for goals, I’m sorry mate but you either have it or you don’t. Anderson doesn’t.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:38
@Craig Mc: Yep
June 27th, 2009 at 18:39
@Redrich: Us destroying City I trust you mean
.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:40
@Redrich: Brits usually have a good life abroad, especially in USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:43
@Redrich: Mate, Tevez is just a whiny, self-centered coward. At the risk of stereotyping, this is the second Argentinean that has ran away at the first sign of competition for their spot in the team. I don’t even want to go into it, beacuse it would just end up in a foul tirade of abuse towards Tevez. The guy just winds me up man. He’s not good enough for us, yet we offer him a lucrative contract, he turns us down and now he is trying to create dissent and anamosity towards the club by blaming Berba and Fergie??!!
June 27th, 2009 at 18:43
@Gabriel:
, I see you dream too 
.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:43
@Redrich: I agree with you on that. Yes he was treated unfairly because he wasn’t allowed the right to fight for his starting spot but he had to accept the bench unconditionally. But then again, he scored 5 goals in the EPL when he did get his chances and i remember too many games where he just sucked. I said before last seasoin that he would be benched for Berba because it was clear to me that he was not as good or that he was not prolific enough for Fergie. So yes his crying now is sour grapes but I do still feel he earned the right to fight for the starting spot and he was not given that chance.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:46
@Gabriel: Whooo I like your ‘foul tirades of abuse’ please do give us one.
. Tevez has become ex Utd moaner supreme.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:50
@Redrich: Ah come on mate. I have commented many times on how much I love English society, culture and the country. Many times. I stated that just the other day when I said it would be a prime target for me to live in England if I had the choice. I love everything about the English except Liverpool and scouse. So don’t label me like that. The fact I choose to support Germany is not “my problem” mate, it’s my privilege. I grew up in a foreign country and at an early age I chose Germany as my team because I was wowed by Beckenbauer, Muller and Maier. So sue me. I have never hated England as a team I just think they have been very disappointing since 1971. I think my loyalty and love for Man Utd should count for something and should keep people like yourself from treating me like a outcast and a scab just because I support Germany on the National level. Lets be fair, I’m not from England so England as a football team I am not obligated to support.
June 27th, 2009 at 18:54
@Gabriel: Amen, brother!!
June 27th, 2009 at 18:57
@Grognard: Your loyalty and love for Man Utd earn you great respect Grog! Also, one question, did you support Greece the year they won the Euro’s, playing against the winker and all?
.
June 27th, 2009 at 19:02
@Grognard: No labeling, no suing, just opinions mate – your’s and mine.
Thanks for clarifying though, and as a small penance go make yourself a nice cup-of-tea and recite “God save the Queen” 50 times!!
June 27th, 2009 at 19:04
@Craig Mc: Not a day goes by without you mentioning tevez. I’m starting to think your obsessed with the wee man.
June 27th, 2009 at 19:30
@Johnsom33:
, hardly Bro! He is obsessed with Man Utd and being unloved though. You love him though Johnsom, couldn’t you send him a postcard or something, it might help 
.
June 27th, 2009 at 20:03
@Craig Mc: My mom is the greatest person in the world, there is no other human being I have that much respect to. I dunno if its love or fear, but…
Nah, she is awsome. Helped me a lot in my life, and I owe her. Still, she doesnt like football… 
June 27th, 2009 at 20:28
@RedDevilEddy: Good to hear that about your Mom
. Didn’t Grog say he was moving home this weekend? Wonder if he is up to the armpits in removing things?
June 27th, 2009 at 20:44
@Craig Mc: It’s not against the rules mate. But here’s the thing: it becomes impossible for someone over the internet to talk to you with the knowledge that they may not be actually be referring to you. So anything said with the handle Craig Mc will undoubtedly be your responsibility. So you would be held accountable for what gets posted on under your name. There’s no way for us to know which family member posts under your name. So you can’t blame Dan for thinking the way he did because no one really told him that such and such comments were not posted by you.
So either you tell your friend/family member to post under his handle or let him at least tell us that it’s him posting the message and not you. That way it will clear the air for us.
June 27th, 2009 at 21:16
Really disappointed for Fernando Gonzalez. Started watching the match rooting for Ferrero and Gonzalez won me over, and I suspect many of wimbledon public too.
To lose on a double faults…
June 27th, 2009 at 21:23
@Gabriel: Im a man of love and piece too mate, and if anybody says otherwise, I will smash thier face in.
June 27th, 2009 at 21:27
@Fred The Red:
, I’ll remember not to upset you, and if I do perchance upset you, I will remember to keep my face out of shot of your smashing face hand 
.
June 27th, 2009 at 21:32
@Craig Mc: the left hand is just for maiming, the rights for killing
June 27th, 2009 at 21:37
Word on the street the final deal between United and Madrid for Ronaldo which has been signed is £65million in cash and Huntelaar.
June 27th, 2009 at 21:42
@Grognard: If you hate Andy, you hate me.
What he did to the military wasnt all that bad, Ive seen much worse before!
June 27th, 2009 at 21:43
@Traverse: Erp?
Are you joking, trav?
If this is true I think that Madrid were so desperate for Ronaldo that we could have got 80 million + Huntelaar from Madrid.
June 27th, 2009 at 21:50
@Red Ranter: Okay, hearing you RR. I didn’t think it that important, because he just talks Man United, and has not got into bother on here. However I have recognised today that it can be misunderstood. I had already mentioned to him that he should mention on here when he comments, so people can speak direct to him. He is an ok person RR. I have never thought anything about his posts to be honest, because they have never caused problems here, and he doesn’t post frequently enough anyway. I get your point though, and have told him nicely better not to do it anymore as it confuses folk. He will be in possession of his own computer soon, so wont need to use mine at all.
June 27th, 2009 at 21:53
@Fred The Red: I think I’d rather be killed than maimed Fred
. As I don’t want to die young though, I think I will PLAY NICE!
June 27th, 2009 at 21:55
@Traverse: Trav mi man, if that is the truth, Grognard is going to be TOTALLY ELATED. He loves the Hunter!
June 27th, 2009 at 21:55
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/article.html?Huntelaar_set_for_United_as_makeweight_in_Ronaldos_%A380m_Real_deal&in_article_id=691856&in_page_id=43
huh…
June 27th, 2009 at 21:58
@Craig Mc: Im only joking about being violent mate, I dont like fighting, it puts my filmstar good looks in jeopardy
June 27th, 2009 at 22:00
@Dan: The article also mentions Nani offered as bait to Wigan for Valencia.
Not what I really want to hear to be honest. Even Real fking Madrid know that we are total tossers when it comes to driving a bargain. At least the board of directors are…
June 27th, 2009 at 22:04
@ Grognard: Didn’t you wager that you would run butt naked – or something- if we signed Huntelaar?
I really think you should spend a few quids on some lottery. Who knows, after getting your new house and Huntelaar joining us, maybe you’ll hit the jackpot…
June 27th, 2009 at 22:06
Right, sporting have sign fernandez.
As a replacement for moutinho?
June 27th, 2009 at 22:10
@Fred The Red: I know that Fred. I can tell by the meek and mild attitude of your posts on here
.
June 27th, 2009 at 22:15
@NicoQB: Nico I think the Metro are just rehashing the talk of yesterday in the press. I still think what they are saying in their article is guesswork. I wouldn’t mind Huntelaar, I think he will score goals for us, but Metro say in last part of the article HE MAY come to United. So yet again, nothing definate. We don’t know who United have been talking to Real Madrid about though, do we?
June 27th, 2009 at 22:24
@Craig Mc: Actually, I’m not against the signing of Huntelaar.
I only thought if he does come to us for 65+him, we will look silly.
I am utterly convinced that we could have got at least one player + 80million for Ronaldo.
In some tv media talks I saw that t-shirt sales previsions are already making Real rub their hands in delight.
June 27th, 2009 at 22:27
@NicoQB: I agree, it should be £80mil plus a player.
June 27th, 2009 at 22:28
@Craig Mc: a united supporting work colleague who knows someone with his ear to the ground at OT told me today that there is a medical planned for tuesday, dont know if its alot of hot air, it will interesting to see if he is telling the truth, lets see.
June 27th, 2009 at 23:02
@Fred The Red: Do you mean a medical for Huntelaar Fred, or a medical for an unknown player?
June 27th, 2009 at 23:14
@Craig Mc: an unknown player mate, if its true then my hunch would be Valencia who is due back this weekend mate.
June 27th, 2009 at 23:48
Nani must stay! If Nani leaves us this summer I will cut off my dick and give it to Fergie as a present that will haunt him forever and make him rememer forever what mistake he did. Nani must stya, my FIFA 09 team cant live without him!!!
June 27th, 2009 at 23:49
Ronaldo, Cristiano that is, will get the number 9 shirt at Real Madrid.
June 27th, 2009 at 23:57
@Craig Mc: Of course I supported Greece. It would have been blasphemy if I hadn’t but I was also very proud of them for doing the impossible. However, I would have alienated all my Greek relatives and friends had they played Germany. Because my true heart and allegiance will always be with the Krauts. I love them so. They aren’t much to look at these days but when Beckenbauer, Muller, Maier, Netzer, Rummenigge, Matthaus, Klinsmann and Brehme were playing at their peak, they were fun to watch. One must also remember that my first love for club teams was Bayern Munich. And it was like that up until Cantona showed up at OT. There was something about Cantona and Giggs that made me really fall in love with United so much so that they became my team of choice. What confirmed it was the addition of Keano and Becks, and since then Ronaldo, RVN and some others. Still loved Bayern but United became number one in my heart.
June 27th, 2009 at 23:58
@Redrich: I will do that. I will do better. I will listen to the Sex Pistols God Save the Queen 50 times.
Anarchy baby, anarchy.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:03
@Craig Mc: I’m not moving home mate, I’m moving. My mom is in hospital awaiting a room in a retirement home because she can no longer walk and because she is 92. I am moving to a nice apartment by the beach and am once again a free man about to live the bachelor lifestyle I have craved for so long.
I went had lunch today at a nice Mexican restaurant right next to the place I’m going to move into. My friend and I were amazed at how many beautiful women were living and walking around that area. It’s MILF heaven. I’m stoked. I’m almost feeling delusions of grandeur.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:07
@RedDevilEddy: Sorry you feel that way mate but let me just say it’s not true at all. Everyone has different tastes and many on this site hate Germany yet it’s my favorite nation. So do hate them or accuse them of hating me? NO. You are well liked mate and it’s not your fault you have allowed yourself to get seduced by the most pedestrian and boring of players to ever play for United. Perhaps one day you will see the light and wake up from this sad obsession. Until then we support you and look forward to the day you wear the red of United and show Anderson a few tricks.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:11
@Craig Mc: I’ll believe it when United announce it. Until then it is nothing but tabloid BS. OHHHHH but how I want the Hunter on United. I am not one for buying the United jersey but I will order A Huntelaar one immediately if it happens.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:12
@NicoQB: He hasn’t joined us yet mate but if he does, trust me, the last site you would ever want to see is me butt naked.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:15
@Dan: Do you think we are getting Moutinho? Perhaps Moutinho for Nani? I don’t know but I would welcome the creative skill of Moutinho in the middle. Not my ideal pick (which would be Hernanes) but a good one. The fact is if we were to sign a big striker be it Aguero, Benzema, Villa or Huntelaar, either would need better service than what we offer now. That’s what I am going to miss the most about the greatness of Ronaldo. He never needed service, he created his own chances.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:17
@NicoQB: Fact is the Ronaldo deal was confirmed today when Ronaldo officially signed. Therefore, if Huntelaar was part of the compensation package, they would have said so or United would have announced it by now. I’m sorry but this just sounds like tabloid bullshit.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:18
@RedDevilEddy: We want confirmation of that and pictures.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:19
@RedDevilEddy: That’s not what I read. I hear he was getting #7.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:21
@RedDevilEddy:
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ronaldo-to-wear-number-seven-in-sixyear-real-deal-1793479.html
June 28th, 2009 at 0:24
Now the prick Benzema claims he’d rather play for Arsenal. Fuck him. Wake up Fergie and give up on this asshole.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article6591106.ece
June 28th, 2009 at 0:38
@RedDevilEddy: Eddi wow careful lad, you sound like those Africans who harmed themselves when United didn’t win
.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:39
@Grognard: It could be just paper talk YET AGAIN Grog
.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:42
@Grognard: Well the Grog buying a Hunterlaar jersey must be worth SAF buying him, for the history factor alone
.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:42
fuck benz he seems a prick. and fuck valencia if we have to give up nani. what the fuck is going on that we cant get a nobody from wiggan w/o giving them a player if we give them nani and cash ill be pissed till the kid scores 20 and assist 20 in his first season. straight bullshit. aguro should have been here before ronny left.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:44
@Grognard: Make sure to let us know when you get your hands on a GrognardE!!!
June 28th, 2009 at 0:47
bringing in none is better than selling to buy valencia. i saw where we were also offering kiko to someone else… fuck that keep the kids and the money spend all of it on aguero in jan if necessary.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:47
@Grognard: Your mum is 92 – awww bless. Yeah I did understand you were already home, and moving to your own place in a very nice area. I thought you were off there this weekend though
. As for all the gorgeous ladies, well the beach seems to attract them, 
.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:51
@Fred The Red: Or it could be somebody totally unexpected, that nobody knows anything about! I mean United are the creme de la creme in the covert transfer stuff
.
June 28th, 2009 at 0:55
@gator: Nani scored more this season although he played but few games, than Valencia scored from playing every game with Wigan. It doesn’t make any sense, but then I have given up trying to make sense of SAF decisions.
June 28th, 2009 at 1:04
why the fuck would we get rid of a player that
nani 31 app 6 goals 4 ass
Valencia 35 app 3 goals 5 ass
21 m for that kid fuck that keep nani
June 28th, 2009 at 1:10
it has to be bs from the rags bcause we wouldnt be
loosing ronny, tev, kiko, nani
and bringing in valincia,& McDonald Mariga(linked trade for kiko)
no one is that mental especially a certain talented drunk under an umbrella in the south of france.
June 28th, 2009 at 1:14
June 28th, 2009 at 1:17
i say fuck all the other teams stick wit what we got now and saf make the kids believe that they were the replacement. and that we dont need ronvez to win. if we could pull off just the prem next yr with the team we already have it would be the biggest F YOU to ronvez, fake madrid, and all the players that wouldnt come or whatever.
June 28th, 2009 at 1:25
@Fred The Red: I’d imagine it’s for Valencia
June 28th, 2009 at 1:43
Looks like Barca are signing Kerrison for €15m from Palmeiras. Top scorer in the Brazilian league last year.
Gremio want €21m for a substitute. Unbelievable. How do we always manage to get fucked over?
June 28th, 2009 at 1:44
@gator: The problem with that idea is that we may finish outside the top 4. Qualifying for the CL is key to the Bus. Plan and my sanity for the 2010/11 season.
I sympathize with your sentiments, but it aint gonna happen, mate!
June 28th, 2009 at 1:49
@Traverse: Our history has set the president, mate.
Good job you and I don’t have to foot the bill!!
June 28th, 2009 at 1:52
@Traverse: Timeslike these make me regret old Martin Edwards…
June 28th, 2009 at 1:58
@Grognard: You didn’t actually think I meant the National Anthem, did you!!
Reciting the ‘Pistols version 50 times is much more challenging!!
June 28th, 2009 at 2:30
I think this whole idea that Nani will be traded is a little hysterical!
Nani will be traded if he requests it, but that’s not what he’s saying is it?
With a little maturation, Nani could fulfill the promise he showed 2 seasons ago. He just needs to get over himself and do what SAF requests on the playing field. The acquisition of Valencia (if it happens) will create good competition for both of them and provide the team with more options, outside.
We don’t appear to need the option of a player trade, and I wouldn’t expect us to pay way, way over the odds for Valencia either, so all of this is probably a needless worry and one that could be put to bed as early as Wednesday (the official opening of the transfer window).
Of course, time will tell, but none of this Nani trade talk seems logical!!
June 28th, 2009 at 2:36
@gator: Most of the players that are quoted as WOULDN’T COME, their agents are all saying that Man Utd have never made a bid, or that they have know knowledge of United even being interested. So why is it that the papers LOVE to DECEIVE to try to make people believe that nobody wants to come. The ABU’s are out in force again!
June 28th, 2009 at 2:40
@gator: ‘A certain talented drunk under an umbrella in France’
, gator that is so comical mate 
.
June 28th, 2009 at 2:43
@gator: Nani – 31 appearences this last season, I don’t think so mate – must have been an apparition. Unless you are counting little cameos
. He still did more though than Valencia!
June 28th, 2009 at 2:49
@Craig Mc: Craig, the papers, simply, HAVE TO SELL PAPERS!! As shocking as that might seem, as long as saps like us read them they’ll always do it.
A scrap of information leads them to sensationalize a headline, because it’s the headline you see when you walk into the newsagents.
Believe or not, it grabs your imagination and excites all the possibilities of what might happen. Love it or hate it, it’s part of the game we love!!
June 28th, 2009 at 3:29
@Redrich: I know mate, but I am one who hates it
.
June 28th, 2009 at 4:02
@Craig Mc: No it’s going to take me a month to pack, clean up and move all my stuff. Besides, I have to give a month’s notice where I’m living right now. The move will be a grueling one though. Lots of books and dvd’s.
June 28th, 2009 at 4:21
@Craig Mc: Me too!! I’d rather listen to the sound of silence – there’s no interference. Makes me think clearer!!
June 28th, 2009 at 9:15
@Grognard: The wink in the end showed I was joking a little.
Maybe I will see the darkness one day, but it might just as well be that you see the light that Anderson can become a good player. Who knows? The future will tell mate. 
June 28th, 2009 at 9:16
@Grognard: The Real Madrid site has given him the number 9 shirt, so dunno what thats all about… Raul has the number 7 shirt, and he will probably be the last to wear it for them.
June 28th, 2009 at 9:17
@Craig Mc:
Nani has to stay, unless my new FIFA vid is going to be cracked up and cummed on by the neutrals. 
June 28th, 2009 at 9:45
@RedDevilEddy: Is the Nani video finished then Eddi, and up on You tube yet?
.
June 28th, 2009 at 9:47
@Craig Mc: Im working on it. It might be up during the week, I will tell you when its done.
Just gotta find time between football training, chilling and hanging with my girlfriend.
June 28th, 2009 at 10:55
@RedDevilEddy: yes Eddy, get the Nani video done, I havent had a good laugh in ages.
Cmon Craig, bring it on big son, Im ready for ya
June 28th, 2009 at 12:35
@Fred The Red: A good laugh?!
My video projects are all top drawer, they are perfection. They are entertaining, not funny. So if you dare insult my videos, lets take it outside! 
June 28th, 2009 at 13:13
Surely the idea would be to play Valencia on the right and Nani on the left? Then we would have Park and Tosic as back-up.
Honestly I am beginning to wonder if we will actually spend any money this summer. The Valencia deal looks likely and we’ll end up overpaying. Benzema and Et’oo are not joining us. The Huntelaar deal sounds like tabloid fantasy-I don’t see Ferguson doing any further business with Real Madrid. Toure has signed a new contract with Barcelona. Sanchez isn’t leaving Udinese. Costa is ridiculously overpriced.
Fergie usually has a few surprises up his sleeve. But I really cannot see us buying anyone other than Valencia this summer.
June 28th, 2009 at 13:13
@Fred The Red: Fred its sunday morning, you should be sobering up, reading the newspapers, eating a hearty sunday breakfast, and RELAXING. Not looking to do 10 rounds in the boxing ring with fellow bloggers
. And how could you upset Maestro Video Creator Excellent – Eddi. His videos are VERY SERIOUS, so get with the programme Bro 
.
June 28th, 2009 at 13:40
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=el-nino-s-next-on-fergie-wishlist%26method=full%26objectid=21478297%26siteid=93463-name_page.html
June 28th, 2009 at 13:57
Looks like shitty are getting eto’o, man it seems were the only team sitting on our ass while everyone else brings people in. I have to say the way our team seems to be becoming is pretty depressing. City really are showing their aspirations, they want some real genuine world class players, ok santa cruz is avergae but tevez and eto’o are good signings for them.
Us on the other hand sell our best winger and get rid of a very good player in tevez and who are we apparently interested in to replace them (well ronnie mostly), average like valencia, and very raw players like costa. I mean what the hell is wrong with us, when you let world class players go you replace them with other world class players not bloody average ones like valencia, it just annoys me.
Ronaldo leaves so we need world class, ribery isnt coming ok then move onto someone else, kaka went to madrid move on, benzema doesnt want to come, ok then lets move on. So are united trying to say valencia is next on that list of world class talent, not a bloody chance, valencia isnt even in the top 5 wingers in the prem let alone europe.
Yes weve heard about the players who dont want to join us and its true theres not too many world class players around, but theres 2 on the tip of my tongue who i am praying for and they are huntelaar and aguero. Stick aguero in the number 7 shirt, play on the right with licnece to cut inside, give hunter a fair chance and rotate him and berba, and whoever performs best starts. Im sorry but there is no space for crap like valenica and before anyone says he hasnt had a chance at the big time or is young, can you say hes better than nani who most people say it rubbish himself (im a fan of nani by the way).
Just what the hell has happened to us when we go for people like costa and valencia and players who dont want to join us like benzema over players like aguero, hunter etc. City as much as i despise them are showing their ambitions, while we seem to be showing we want to sit where we are and not improve.
I hear we are linked with aguero today and i truly hope and pray we do get him. I said the day ronaldo left we have to replace him with 1 of aguero, ribery and ashley young/silva and i will be extremely pissed off if the best we do is go for people like valencia. Maybe im being harsh on costa who is raw talent and whilst i dont want him as i think we need genuine world class talent right away, i just dont see anything in valencia.
It hurts me to say it when im complimenting shitty but atleast they are targetting world class unlike us. Hopefully fergie will make me eat my words but i just cant see it happening and as i think colver said earlier i can see us ending up with just valencia. I dont know about you and i dont want to sound disloyal but were that to happen i would truly be scared of our position in world football and would have to question fergies future.
June 28th, 2009 at 14:00
@colver: We will mate, just keep believing. SAF wanting Toure means he is at last recognising our MF needs a good defensive midfielder. Also news from the under 23 set up among the England team preparing for the final, is that SAF is trying to get Rodwell from Everton, and it is all the talk apparently, and excitement buzzing, because a considerable offer is being made. So SAF must really rate this lad. Rodwell can play DMF or Centre Back, so versatile. I haven’t seen enough of him to give an opinion really. Anybody else?
June 28th, 2009 at 14:14
@Matt: Errrrr Matt for pete’s sake! Nobody has any ideas who SAF is talking to, ESPECIALLY the media
. Don’t be believing all the bullshit that players don’t want to come to us – thats just ABU reporting tripe. Like I said in earlier post, the agents are denying that they have had any approaches from United, let alone bids. So supposed United rejection by players is just pure rubbish mate. Valencia might surprise you. He would have had so many more assists if the Wigan forwards were able to put away the goals that should have been scored from great crosses in to the box. At 15 million which is supposedly the agreed price, that is reasonable for us Matt. If United panic and just go rushing out into bidding wars, we could end up with very expensive mistakes. I just feel relaxed about it at the moment. Eto’o is 29 years old, and his wages are 200,000 a week, which Arab oil will supply. He is also injury prone, as is Santa Cruz. You need to remember Matt for your own emotional wellbeing mate, that Chelski were once the Man City, supposedly buying the best, but SAF won out in the end. Viva, Viva, Manchester United, the best club in the world 
.
June 28th, 2009 at 14:15
@Craig Mc: He is worth the money. Big, fearless, can pass, hold and shield, and is about 12. Played 15 or so games for Everton in the prem last year. If we sign Rodwell it’s definitely the end for Scholes. There just won’t be room for him.
June 28th, 2009 at 14:18
@Craig Mc: Yes i read that, bit rich its being reported the day after he signs a contract extension ey but well thats the papers for you. But yes your right, i hope fergie has now taken notice by seeing this midfield area needs strengthening cos it really does. Regardless of my post before talking about the attacking side of our team needing reinforcements, imo a DM is as important as a replacement for ronaldo its that serious.
As for rodwell, ive seen a couple of games of him, he looks a good player but im not sure he has the look of a world class player. He got man of the match in a game a few days ago in the DM position i think and he did look very good defensively whilst also getting forwards when he could, had a good shot on him too, bit like gibsons from what i saw.
Only problem i see with players like him is not actually anything to do wtih him personally but its all down to hype. Hes like what 17 or 18 and a major move to us would put him in the spot light big time. From what ive seen especially in english players some handle the pressure others dont and while i cant say about him personally i just have a feeling that he wouldnt be able to handle it yet. I know rooney did but he had been playing since he had just turned 16, this lad has played a handful of games so him and rooney dont really compare.
So to sum up yes hes a good player, very good but i just think there are more talented players out there and i would only pay a maximum of up to £10 million. But as i say im basing this on about just over 5 games ive seen of his so im no expert as i havent seen him enough. But yes i wouldnt mind him in our team as it is a problem area but i just cant personally see a 17 yo filling in a problem area straight away, and we do need it filled straight away not in 3 years time. I would prefer flamini personally.
June 28th, 2009 at 14:23
@Traverse: He is 12, thats a joke right Trav?
. I think he is about 19 years old. I haven’t really seen him play, the only game of the Under 23 championships I saw against the hosts, Rodwell was sub. You seen him play a lot then? He doesn’t sound a bad acquisition from what you are saying 
. Depends what they mean by a considerable offer though, doesn’t it? We payed through the nose for Rooney, who wasn’t even a first team regular at the time!
June 28th, 2009 at 14:25
Craig Id also be interested in hearing more about Jack Rodwell. Apparentely he sees himself as the next Rio Ferdinand rather than as a midfielder. As we’ve already got Evans he’s not going to get many chances in defence for us. I also do not think Everton really need to sell-they have a settled squad which has done as well as any of the sides outside the top 4.
Im not sure if I believe any of the tabloid rumours. But if Toure and Rodwell are on our radar it does seem to indicate that Fergie realises our midfield needs beefing up.
June 28th, 2009 at 14:30
@Craig Mc: Oh i know mate, its just im looking at these other teams buying players and then i see us constantly linked with valencia, it does worry me. I know im on valencias back before hes joined but hes just not the idea of a player i would picture at united, hes a squad player at best and i just get the horrible feeling he will be a starter and our new number 7 and from what ive seen of him hes not good enough.
If the truth be told im setting myself up for disappointment, theres only 1 man i want us to sign and hes aguero and i cant see us signing him so i rag on about what other teams are doing in buying these world class players and not us. Much like how grognard is with huntelaar i am with aguero and i will be extremely depressed if for once we have a huge cash chest to use and we dont spend it on him. Im telling you this guy will be the best player in the world within 2 years, hes the second coming of maradona but without all his problems. The people in argentina consider aguero better than messi and i just want him in our team so much.
I guess i need to calm down and just wait and hope we joins but it does annoy me seeing valencia every day and not aguero. I will wait til the summer is over before i complain but i will really be pissed off if we dont sign him.
June 28th, 2009 at 14:30
@Craig Mc: And that didn’t work out too badly, worth every penny infact.
I’d imagine Rodwell to be around the £20mil mark, because he’s English, and that always comes with a premium.
June 28th, 2009 at 14:41
@colver: Good thinking Colver, but Rio having the more frequent niggling injuries keeping him out over the last two seasons, SAF is probably thinking long term view, if indeed the excitement coming from the England camp is true. Everton your right, do not need to sell, and after Rooney they would especially be worried about the mood of their fans if they sell another good player to us. Still we saw with the Spurs fans, that they get over it quickly. We have had to with Ronnie! So we will have to wait patiently for SAF to get the players he wants in the end
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June 28th, 2009 at 14:47
@Matt: Its not just up to SAF though is it Matt. The player may not want to come to England. Chelski want to sign him badly, but he has said NO, he wants to stay in Spain. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo don’t get your hopes to high, and set yourself up for a disappointment eh?
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June 28th, 2009 at 15:03
@Matt: Geez, someone’s overly irritated on a sunday morning
. Ever stop to think matt, that these clubs hussling to settle deals, even before the opening of the window, are the desperate ones??? The ones whose fans expect success but aren’t getting any *cough* Madrid *cough* or maybe the ones that are desperately chasing it (insert ‘Man Shitty’ here) ??!! The window is not even officially open yet, also Ronaldo just completed the official transfer on friday evening and we will be officially getting our cash on wednesday, won’t it be better to wait till then???
You also slate Valencia and our non-chasing of established stars.. remember when Beckham left, who did we replace him with?? Yes, a spotty teenager called Ronaldo!! How did that turn out??? You can’t slate these guys even before they have the chance to strutt their stuff for us. Besides, all these established stars you talk about, are they ‘that’ much better than Valencia?? Sanchez and co, what have they done last year that’s so much better than Valencia’s stats?? This is a player that has played solidly in the premier league, showing constant improvement at an average club with average players, imagine the posiibilities at a bigger club, surrounded by better players!!??
Please, let’s exercise some patience
and yes, Fergie will make you eat your words, he loves to do that, if you haven’t noticed 
June 28th, 2009 at 15:21
@Craig Mc: Of course theres a chance aguero wont want to come, but surely we have to try. I hear hes a big united fan so the chance of playing for his boyhood team (aka ronaldo) may be too much of a chance to pass up.
@Gabriel: Maybe i have been too hard on valencia and i do remember when beckham left we brought in an unknown to replace him who ended up doing pretty well for himself. The only difference is ronaldo was 18 valencia is 23. So far valencia to me has shown limited ability, has scored 6 goals in 3 seasons, he just hasnt done enough for me. Can we really say hes better than nani, i dont think so, and if nani cant get in the time why will valencia. Im sorry but for £15 odd million, probably more, hes a costly squad player imo.
But as i say i will give him time when he comes, im just not expecting big things from him.
June 28th, 2009 at 16:22
@Gabriel: “The window is not even officially open yet, also Ronaldo just completed the official transfer on friday evening and we will be officially getting our cash on Wednesday, won’t it be better to wait till then???”
No, you really answer your own question tbh. Madrid have signed ronaldo before the window opens, because its better to get your teams targets in nice and early, ready for pre-season. Why cant united do the same? Its bloody obvious that as time goes on, player prices go up, a player like aguero could cost £45-50mil now, and by the end of july, £60mil, then by the end of august, £65-70mil. Thats £20mil more we would have to pay at the end of august, then at the beginning. And im lying about this, clubs are more reluctant to let go of players come pre-season, then when august hits and the league starts, you’ve got a real battle on your hands for clubs to even consider your bids.
I swear if i was Chief executive or even if it was grognard lol, we would be signing the best players much, much quicker and better then this, at a much cheaper price.
I also blame our scouts, the fact that the fans are scouting for the u21 tournament says it all really. Our scouts are probably more useless then phelan muppet.
Ive come to the conclusion, that bar fergie, OGS and McGuinness, the rest are bunch of useless fucks!
June 28th, 2009 at 16:27
@RedDevilEddy: Yes I thought about the fact that Raul wears the #7. Fact is #9 makes more sense right now.
June 28th, 2009 at 16:37
@colver: The problem with getting my boy Berbatov is that United needs a forward with pace as much as they need a goal scorer. I dearly would love Huntelaar to be signed but knowing Fergie the way I think I do, I think he will pass on the hunter because he already has a slow striker in Berbatov. Although I do not feel Huntelaar to be that slow, he is not a speedy player like Aguero or Benzema or Rossi. I think Fergie would feel he needs to find some pace more than anything. My solution of course would be to buy both Huntelaar and Aguero and shop Berbatov to Juventus who are interested.
Also, let me go on record regarding this ridiculous rumour about us getting Valencia by selling Wigan Lil Man Nani. OVER MY DEAD BODY!
I will go absolutely balistic if Fergie pulls of a dumb ass move like that. Nani is every bet as good as Valencia if not better. He has more goal scoring capabilities and is a better crosser. To be honest I fail to see how Valencia is any better a player than Nani. Don’t get me wrong, I think he is a fine player but so is Nani and Nani is no cardboard cutout that can be sent to Wigan with some money and a few bags of balls. He’s a quality player who deserves a fair run out with the team. Besides, you get rid of Nani, then you have to go spend money on a left winger and there are very few of them that are cheap and available. Silva I seriously doubt would ever come to play for us. If Fergie is planning on a season with Park playing on the left side, I am going to spend my season watching Bayern Munich instead.
June 28th, 2009 at 16:47
@Matt: You said it mate. I think United are determined to play 4-3-3 in the future so in my mind we need Aguero and Huntelaar, not just one of them. A strike force up front of Huntelaar in the middle and Aguero and Rooney on the wings as interchangeable forwards is a solid way to go about it. Add to that Valencia as an additional winger and we would be very strong indeed. But I seriously doubt that we will see either player. Yes the rumours are out there but I feel Fergie is determined if not obsessed with getting Benzema. And I don’t think Real Madrid can afford him because they know they need to sure up their midfield with the defensive minded Alonso and the fullback Arbeloa first.
If that article is to be believed, then Huntelaar all but sealed his fate of actually staying at Madrid by turning down the move to Lyon in a swap deal for Benzema. If this is true, good for him, but bad for us. I am still of the belief that Benzema is a fatally bad move for United if we get him. Fergie will rue the day he purchased that prick. On the other hand, if he were to go for Aguero, that in my mind would be an absolutely sublime move.
June 28th, 2009 at 16:50
@Craig Mc: with various news sources reporting that the Valencis signing is almost in the bag it looks like my work colleagues info about a planned medical on tuesday might have some merit.
June 28th, 2009 at 16:52
@Matt: Man City are only getting retreads mate. They are not able to buy the top of the line players in their prime because as a team they do not have a winning pedigree and their powder blue kit is so incredibly gay.
Eto’o is almost 30 as is Barry and last year Given came over there and he’s almost 40. They are buying older players because they are the only ones willing to go there because they do not have the same options. I wouldn’t worry about Shitty. They are and will remain shitty to the core.
June 28th, 2009 at 16:54
@Grognard: Mate i mentioned signing both aguero and huntelaar earlier, it would be a bloody dream if these 2 were to sign.
I said to craig that im a massive fan of aguero, i would pay absolutely anything to get him here, and he has been linked to us in the papers for the past week but i just wondered were he to join which position do you think he would play.
I remember before tevez left i asked you and you said he could be a direct replacement for ronaldo, my question is now that tevez has left would he be considered in more of a strikers position in the middle which i believe to be his favoured position or simply as you said before on the right replacing ronaldo.
Im just asking this cos i see it as very unlikely we would sign aguero and another striker. I do think fergie wants another striker, but he also wants a winger so i just wondered if you thought aguero would be used in ronaldos position or as a striker. I wouldnt be too cut up if we ended up with aguero and pograbnyek in january, ive seen a bit of him and he looks quality, great finisher.
Anyway am praying we bring in aguero, future world player of the year im sure, he would blossom here regardless of which position he played.
June 28th, 2009 at 16:55
@Craig Mc: What’s all this nonsense about Rodwell? We are not linked to him nor do we need a 19 year old defender/defensive midfielder.
June 28th, 2009 at 16:58
@RedDevilEddy: Yes Edd, your videos are top class mate, I was just trying to get a rise from the Craigmeister, coz I thought that you recreated special moments from the players career like in your Ronaldo one, but if that was the case with Nani then the video would only last 30 seconds
June 28th, 2009 at 17:00
@Matt: Totally agree with you. As much as I love Huntelaar, right now I prefer Aguero because we don’t have Ronaldo anymore. If we still had Ronny, then Huntelaar would have been the missing link. What we need to do now more than ever is replace Ronny with Aguero who I prefer over even Messi. He’s stronger and in many ways gutsier and more ambitious in the box than Messi. He is just what the doctor ordered and the fact he is a fan of the club is an added bonus. I also think he would team up very well with Rooney. We also need him for the business side of things. We need a name like his that carries around the world and a KUN jersey would be a big seller for United and would make them millions. Licensing should also be a big key. Would I even consider buying a Benzema jersey? Not on your life.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:02
@Traverse: You are right and what’s really sad about that, Rodwell isn’t worth 5 million right now. He has done absolutely fuck all. I’d rather we talked about midfield targets that we should be paying money to get like Hernanes or Melo, not frakken Rodwell.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:03
@Craig Mc: He’d come to United mate. Very few want to go to Chelsea anymore. And lets not forget Kun loves United.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:08
@Gabriel: You seem to forget that Fergie’s window of opportunity is closing. Back when he bought Ronaldo he had the time to mold him and make him the star he wanted. He’s69 now and has one maybe two years left. Do you think we should be taking on 18 and 19 year old projects when the Gaffer is bound to be gone in a year or two? I think he needs to panic a bit and buy players who are established and are stars. His dream of winning one or two more Champions League trophies will not come by pursuing the Douglas Costas’ of the world. He needs to buy an Aguero to give himself a chance at those titles.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:13
I bet aguero had an earful from tevez, from what i saw tevez likes to complain a lot to anyone, i hope if we do approach aguero the tevez thing doesnt affect his choice.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:15
@Grognard: Who want’s to go to Lyon as a makeweight, especially if United are sniffing about?! What it does mean is that Real want rid, and I’m sure he doesn’t want to stay there.
@Grognard: The difference being Melo is 26 and Brazilian, and Rodwell is English, and only just 19. The move for Rodwell is with 6+5 in mind, as was bring over the Da Silva’s early. Also, it can’t hurt to have promising British spine.. Foster, Evans, Rodwell, Welbeck. One in each department, so to speak.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:16
@Matt: The biggest difference was not Ronaldo’s age in comparison with Valencia’s. It’s Fergie’s age back then which was 63 compared to his age now which is what 68 or 69? Fergie doesn’t have 5 or 6 years to rebuild this team. He has to buy proven players to do it now. That’s why he must buy Aguero.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:17
@Grognard: Ive seen rodwell a few times, he a good player but he just doesnt look world class. Even from an early age from 17 onwards you can tell when a player is going to world class. Rooney you could tell would make it, likewise ronaldo, and messi coming into the barca team at 16/17 i think.
Rodwell is a good player but never a world class one. I cannot see him in the future even if he joined us becoming a world class talent, therefore is he really good enough for a team like us.
I know we do have our fair share of players who in my opinion are average like park, oshea, gibson but we should only be signing world class players or players who have the potential to become world class.
As you said and i agree with his true value should be about £5million, he hasnt even played that many games. The fact he would cost at least £15 million is a sad reflection of the english game. Over hyped at a young age and then going on to clubs for a massive price. As i mentioned to someone else earlier english player for me also find it hard to handle the pressure and this lad for anything more that £5 million would be overpriced.
Hes a good centre back, decent midfielder, but a centre back aint what we need its a midfield enforcer. From the couple of games ive seen of him in the midfield, hes a slightly better version of gibson. Good shot on him, better positioning i think but hes most suited as a centre back and we dont need any more.
Would much prefer Melo as you mentioned who looks quality or a lad who plays for parma, named mariga whos being raved about and apparently we have been looking at for some time. Its sad but true the young english players are so over priced and over rated its untrue, whilst i wouldnt be angry if we signed him the price would be pathetic. If he was african he would cost £2 million, because hes english your talking 10 times that figure.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:18
@Dan: Exactly. And if I was scouting for United I would be all over Fergie to buy the Swedish Dynamic Duo of Toivonen and or Berg.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:26
@Matt: I think Aguero would be part of the trio up front of Rooney on the left, Berbatov in the middle and Aguero on the right. If we are to play a formation with only two forwards then I see both Rooney and Aguero playing similar roles like Rooney as left striker and Aguero as right striker. I don’t see either playing just behind the other. Instead, Fergie will take advantage of their speed and agility and hopefully their melding of both of their skills and imaginations to form a better partnership than Rooney had with Tevez.
If we get Benzema then I see Rooney playing just behind him and Benzema playing the traditional striker role. This one is easier to predict and probably the easier one to work with and it may be the reason Fergie prefers Benzema. This would also guarantee more playing time for Valencia. I still think the fact that both Rooney and Aguero can play anywhere up front and can be interchangeable is more dynamic and has more potential for us and will be harder for teams to shut down.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:27
@Grognard: You know i wonder, what exactly are the qualifications needed to be a united scout, because it seems they pick anybody!
June 28th, 2009 at 17:28
@Fred The Red: Can you imagine how long an Anderson video would be? I say about four seconds. Just long enough for the Michael Jackson song to say “Beat it”.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:30
@ROOOOONEY: Aguero knows he’s ten times the player Tevez is. He also knows that at the cost of 50 million, there is no way in Hell he is sitting on the bench. Let Carlito bitch to his heart’s content. Nobody is listening anymore anyway.
June 28th, 2009 at 17:34
@Traverse: I see your point about Rodwell but I don’t think he’s worth what he will cost to get. As for Huntelaar, he knows heR