Aug 12
Interview with Rob Smyth
Red Rants welcomes Rob Smyth, formerly of the Guardian, who is currently a freelancer. He is also a Manchester United fan, so I took the chance to catch up with him and thank him for taking out time from his busy schedule. This interview was done a week ago so some of the answers may not fit in with the current state of affairs. But here you go:
Red Ranter: Hello Rob. Let’s start with something easy: your thoughts on United’s past season; players that stood out, turning points, tactics etc.
Rob Smyth: The exasperating thing about last season is that we never really got to bask in it: within days of Moscow the Ronaldo nonsense started, and even watching the end-of-season DVD is a slightly weird experience – precisely because, when you appraise the season, you can’t look beyond Ronaldo. Forty-two goals is absurd for a wide forward and, while I actually think he played better in terms of influencing games overall in 2006-07, the fact is that he scored the opening, tone-setting goal in an amazing 18 games. If that’s not a record, I’d be surprised. For all that, I still think the most important factor was the defence: two goals conceded in seven knockout games, and 22 in the league. Without the defence we’d have been out of the title race by mid-October. Statistically and actually, it’s the best defence we’ve ever had. Rio Ferdinand will never be a United legend for off-field reasons, but on it there’s an argument for saying we’ve never had a better centre-half. He is preposterously good. I’m still slightly uneasy with putting so much eggs in our defensive basket, and the tactics away to Barcelona and Chelsea still rankle, but inevitably those aesthetic concerns are dulled by the end result.
The obvious turning point was Carlos Tevez’s goal at Blackburn, without which the title would have gone into Chelsea’s hands. But in terms of the overall narrative I think a big turning point was the introduction of Anderson against Wigan. Before that we had really struggled for goals – nine in 11 games – but then we put four past them in the second half and 20 more in the next six games. That really got the season going. He faded towards the end, as is to be expected, but he was a revelation for the most part, and watching him own Gerrard at Anfield is a personal highlight of the season. Tactically it was the year we grew to love 4-3-3/4-6-0; ironic, then, that it might be sacrificed this season for a return to 4-4-1-1.
RR: Moving on to the obvious question of the summer: what do you make of the whole Ronaldo soap opera? Your thoughts on Ronaldo in general, the slave comments, and Real Madrid. Do you think there is a chance he’ll go to Madrid despite Fergie’s comments to the contrary?
RS: When I first heard Ronaldo wanted to go, I was upset but acceptant: we always knew this would be a holiday romance rather than something everlasting, like with Eric. But since then has behaviour has been astonishingly repugnant and disrespectful to basically everyone. I don’t think he will go this year – I think it has become far too big a point of principle for Ferguson – and that he will probably be allowed to go next summer. I worry about what it might do to the dressing-room but, as we saw in 2006, these things are quickly forgotten, especially when the man in question is man of the match almost every week. And he will be: there are no concerns about Ronaldo’s level of performance once he is fit. His ego is too great for him to allow that to slip.
RR: The Berbatov transfer: Do you think we need a target man, first of all? Is Berbatov the answer. You thoughts on other options if not Berbatov — the likes of Huntelaar, Benzema etc, perhaps? What do you make of the Levy-Ferguson situation, and is there a chance that he might actually sell him off to a club outside England out of spite? Or will we again pay over the odds?
RS: When I first fell in love with Berbatov, around February 2007, my instinct was that, sublime as he was, he was the wrong type of player for United, who work better with a firecracker such as Saha, stretching defenders and offering a different option. But I think Berbatov is such a fantastic footballer, quicker than we think and also very good in the air, that he couldn’t fail to be a good addition – especially as the usual concern, how he will adjust to the Premiership, is not an issue. And he’s so obviously a United player: unbelievably talented, and with a Cantonese swagger that will piss off opposing fans.
I know people think Berbatov’s signing would compromise the 4-6-0 United played towards the end of the season, but I am not so sure. He’s more mobile than many realise, and has the capacity and the game to roam wherever he wants – albeit from a central base – so in that respect I think United have the capacity to play the same way as last season. That said, Ferguson’s recent comments about playing Rooney out of position, and the departure of Queiroz, might well mean a return to Fergie’s old favourite 4-4-1-1. In that case, Rooney and Berbatov look an absolutely superb partnership. Either way I think it’s a good signing: maybe not for £30m, but despite the debt money feels almost irrelevant when United go into the market, because you know they are going to get done on the price.
I don’t think Levy will sell abroad, mainly because I’m not sure there’s that much interest. If it did fall through Benzema would be perfect – in fact I’d take him over Berbatov – but it seems there is no chance of that. I’m not convinced by Huntelaar, who I’m not sure is mobile enough and seems a bit too much like 04-06 Van Nistelrooy to me. Eto’o seems to carry too much baggage, even though stylistically he is absolutely perfect for this side. So it all comes back to Berbatov; there are worryingly few viable alternatives.
RR: Any other positions that need strengthening?
RS: Right-back is certainly a concern. There is scarcely any precedent for a player of Neville’s age coming back from a long-term injury to play regularly. Brown overachieved last season but is still limited in that position, particularly in possession. And the cover is less than inspiring: Simpson has promise but the first half against Everton suggested he was out of his depth, and O’Shea is no more than mediocre. Hargreaves might be our best back-up there.
The other area in which we are incredibly weak is goalscoring from midfield. I accept that, in part, that is a product of the way we play, with two deep-lying midfielders, but nonetheless a return of eight in 179 games from the five main CMs is appalling for a side with such quality and ambition. You would hope there is scope for Anderson to add this to his game; as we saw with Ronaldo, and also Fabregas last season, goalscoring is often the final frontier for a talented young player, and when they do they come in spades.
Cheers for your time Rob.
I did send him a follow up question regarding Ronaldo’s interview, and his views now on the whole saga. When he does reply, I will add it to the interview. I do hope to do some more interviews during the season with other people (perhaps with Rob again, sometime in the future). So watch this space.
Update: Here’s my follow up question on the Ronaldo interview and his opinion on the Portuguese winger.
RR: Now that Ronaldo has spoken about his intent. What are your thoughts? Do you think the OT faithful will forgive. Will he still be booed by fans to let him know what they think of him. What would it really take for him to win back the affection? Will you forgive?
RS: I think the Megastore Majority will forgive, but the harder core won’t, and I doubt we’ll hear Viva Ronaldo at too many away games. To them I think he will become a footballing fuck-buddy: someone who gives you moments of ecstasy but without any emotional commitment whatsoever. I’d be really amazed if he won back the away support: not because of his desire to go to Madrid, which is fine, but for the way in which he went about it. I think the only possible way it could happen is incrementally, over a period of three or four years in which he doesn’t say anything about Madrid. But that simply isn’t going to happen.
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Tags: Interview
August 12th, 2008 at 10:09
Great interview RR, I agree on everthing he said, which is rare for me!
August 12th, 2008 at 11:13
“Wes Brown over achieved” = what a stupid comment…and yes, we have Hargreaves, and the Brazilian and Simpson and…….
Why bother interviewing somebody who has no more insight than your average forumista?
August 12th, 2008 at 11:22
@Red Rupert: No disrespect mate, but Wes did over achieve considering he is a good centre back not a right back. Simpson is on loan and the twins are at best promising, but unproven.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:43
Very interesting interview.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:05
i want rafeal i want rafeal i want Rafeal i want rafeal rafeal da silva, how bout that for a chant and cover at right back.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:21
I would hardly say that we need to strengthen RB. We have Gaz, Brown, Hargreaves and Rafael. I think 4 players is plenty to cover one position…
August 12th, 2008 at 13:08
If RR doesn’t mind, these are a few other things to read that are worth a look:
1) Fergie on strikers, Rio and Tevez
2) amusing and, in my view, very accurate prediction for the Scousers season
3) an enjoyable memory test, it took me nearly 6 minutes to get them all right!
August 12th, 2008 at 13:13
The mail believes Berbatov will be ours by the end of the week for £28m, hardly seems worth all the messing around for £2m!!
August 12th, 2008 at 13:54
@Red Rupert: Wes did overachieve. He was competent at right back last year but he still wasn’t good, and overall as a player i rate him at close to shite so he overachieved last year by just being consistently average.
I can’t agree with three of the things he said and seems to think are facts:
‘Tactically it was the year we grew to love 4-3-3/4-6-0′ – we played 4-3-3 in big games because we weren’t prepared to have a go. We have never, ever, played 4-6-0. The majority of the time we played 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1 if you prefer, but they are the same to me).
Fergie never said that he played rooney out of position last season at all.
We do not play with two deep-lying central midfielders, or defensive or holding or whatever you want to call them. Fergie has never played like that. That is for the really boring cunts like benitez. Fergie always encourages one of a central midfield pair to go forward.
August 12th, 2008 at 14:00
This is the Rob Smyth that spent years telling us that Ferguson was past it and must be sacked immediately. This is the Rob Symth who predicted that we would finish 5th – behind Spurs – just before we won the league (the next year winning that and the Champions league).
The is the Rob Symth who predicted that Ferguson’s bad managing would ‘cost us’ the Champions league final.
No wonder the Guardian got rid of him. He’s useless and one of the many bitter, venom-filled loudmouths who has yet again been humiliated and owned by the great Sir Alex.
August 12th, 2008 at 14:09
@tevez: Our system was very fluid do you could sat we played 4-6-0, we hardly played an orthodox 4-4-2.
He said about Rooney, “We have to define Wayne’s role a bit better for us, because I think he sacrificed himself for the team last season. I think I have to take a bit of responsibility for it” So you could say he played him out of position.
He has played Scoles and Carrick in midfield who are probably described as deep-lying central midfielders, or defensive or holding midfielders.
But probably splitting hairs a bit!!!
August 12th, 2008 at 14:30
@ Stephen: How reliable is The Mail?
August 12th, 2008 at 14:48
Richmond, relatively for a newspaper
August 12th, 2008 at 14:54
@Stephen: Rooney normally played as the main striker with tevez playing deeper. Most would call it a 4-4-1-1 but most teams who play a 4-4-2 play with one of the strikers dropping off so i would say what we play is still 4-4-2. We definitely did not play with six midfielders and no forwards. I find that ridiculous.
‘We have to define Wayne’s role a bit better for us, because I think he sacrificed himself for the team last season. I think I have to take a bit of responsibility for it’- i interpret that as meaning rooney did too much for the team last year when it came to defending. He worked hard and tracked back when he didn’t have to.
‘I think Wayne’s best position is through the middle, either the front role or tucking in just behind’ – he played the front role last year, which fergie says is rooney’s best position, so i don’t see where fergie has ever admitted being wrong or playing rooney out of position.
Carrick is a holding player, but if he was paired with hargreaves he would be given license to go forward. Scholes is still an attacking player but he is hampered by age. When anderson or fletcher plays, they are given license to attack and support the strikers.
August 12th, 2008 at 15:12
So there’s a whole host of sources saying we’ve bid for Silva (from Valencia). I don’t get it, unless he’s the long term successor to CRonaldo, but seriously, getting someone from Spain who has said they’d rather be in Spain? Sounds like a familiar story to me…
Up note is that Berba is looking more and more likely. Would be lovely to get that sorted midweek, get him in and training properly (as it sounds like he hasn’t quite managed to be doing that at Spurs). I still have no idea how Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez and Berba will manage to play together. But am looking forward to seeing them try!
August 12th, 2008 at 15:22
Good interview. Here’s to one more signing and plenty more successes this season!
August 12th, 2008 at 15:28
Sound like we have made a bid for Silva of Valencia only for it to be turned down because he wants to stay in Spain. I’m quite pleased about this because atleast it means that we are actually doing something in the transfer window, which is a good sign. I don’t know but bidding for Silva could either be a method of speeding up the Berbatov transfer or the fact that we are looking at a long term replacement for Ronaldo too. Things are starting to look promising.
August 12th, 2008 at 15:38
can I get a link to one of these Silva rumors?
August 12th, 2008 at 15:57
Its from the sun so I hope you have your pinch of salt ready lol
August 12th, 2008 at 16:00
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1548951.ece
August 12th, 2008 at 16:01
power rankings:
1. man utd. – a 3peat would be nice
2. chelski – the addition of deco and scolari can’t beat us!
3. sh*tpool – well, keane was a nice addition
4. gooners – well they could also be number 3
5. totenham – lots of promising talents
6. pmouth – still the same squad minus muntari
7. everton – no more aj and manuel fernandez
8. newcastle
9. villa
10. bburn
11. wham
12. city – wow, buying players from thailand’s money. =)
13. boro
14. fulham
15. bolton
16. wigan
17. wba
18. sunderland
19. stoke – the potters will go back to the championships
20. hull – hahahaha beat derby’s record!
August 12th, 2008 at 16:05
@tevez: The thing is we did play with our midfielders deeper than usual last season. Our system almost became a 4-2-4, with the front 4 of Ronaldo, Giggs/Nani, Rooney and Tevez being left to do the majority of attacking, and our centre mids stayed a little further back. To be honest I prefered thhe way we played in the 06/07 season when Saha was fit though.
In regards to the interview, I couldn’t agree more with what he has said regarding the Berbatov Transfer and ther striker targets. He has echoed my views completely on Berbatov and the others.
August 12th, 2008 at 16:14
Am I being cruel or is Silva the Spanish Damien Duff?
August 12th, 2008 at 16:19
The fact that Silva has no interest in moving to England means that we are wasting our time even talking about it.
August 12th, 2008 at 16:23
BERBATOV BERBATOV BERBATOV BERBATOV BERBATOV!!!!!
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=562191&sec=england&cc=5901
Where you at Grognard? lol
August 12th, 2008 at 16:34
@tevez: Well I pretty much agree but Scholes is not anymore an attacking player, he IS a deep lying playmaker as you said correctly due to his age.
“Rooney did a job for the tam and I have to take a bit of resposiblity for that”, well to me pretty much tells me he played Rooney out of position?
The formation thing I think well we played without an out and out cebtre forward, simalar, and I would say a lot better than Roma, whom have been said play that system.
August 12th, 2008 at 16:35
@Brian Lomax: Well, it’s nice to hear, but it is all speculation (“it is thought that…”, etc) – let’s not get too excited yet!
Oh, sod it, I’m excited anyway.
August 12th, 2008 at 16:36
Here’s a question for you all.
Assume we sign Berbatov. What team do we play when Berba, Rooney, Ronaldo, Nani and Tevez are all fit?
I have my view, but would be interested to hear yours first.
August 12th, 2008 at 16:38
@Penguin:
VDS
Wes/G Nev Vida Rio
Hargo Scholes Carrick
Rooney Ronaldo
Berbatov
August 12th, 2008 at 16:47
@Penguin: I’m trying not to but its been a long long summer and this is the first news of the summer. So i’m gonna throw caution to the wind lol.
August 12th, 2008 at 16:53
@tevez: We played 4-6-0 against Barcelona away. I was hard pressed to find a striker inside the box. And we did that many times. Although, I would disagree with him on our “growing love for 4-6-0.” Basically I think he means to say we played 4-6-0 when Tevez and Rooney spend more time in midfield than inside the box which is true on many occasions. That said we flitted between different formations even within games.
August 12th, 2008 at 16:54
@Penguin:
VDS
Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Scholes/Hargo Carrick/Anderson
Ronaldo Rooney Tevez/Nani
Berbatov
That way, our engine (midfield two) remains as fresh as possible. Giggs can provide cover for any of the three that play behind Berbatov. Hargreaves to start against the top 4 and champions’ league games.
@Stephen: You left out Evra, mate!
I’m sure that wasn’t intentional 
August 12th, 2008 at 16:55
@hmm: Yes mate my fault, I am a knob!
August 12th, 2008 at 17:00
@Penguin:
EVDS
Neville/R. Da Silva Vida Ferdinand Evra
Scholes/Anderson Carrick/Hargreaves
Ronaldo Rooney/Tevez Giggs/Nani
BERBATOV
August 12th, 2008 at 17:02
Penguin:
DOMESTIC
EVDS
Wes Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Scholes Nani
Rooney
Berbatov
EUROPE
EVDS
Wes Rio Vidic Evra
Hargreaves
Carrick Scholes
Ronaldo Berbatov Rooney
RATIONALE:
Carrick and Scholes is our best midfield partnership. They have two years experience playing together and have the creativity to unlock any defence and enough defensive ability to do the job against all but the biggest teams. This formation gets the best out of Rooney and allows him to be the perfect foil to Berbatov.
For European games we need some extra steel in the form of Hargreaves or Anderson. To keep shape we will have to sacrifice Rooney and play him on the wing. Expect lots of overlapping though.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:07
Would have been nice if we got Silva!
August 12th, 2008 at 17:10
Good interview but I am also taken by his comments on RB , Wes Brown and no mention of Raphael or Fabio Da Silva as long term replacements at that position. And is it possible he is a FORMER Guardian employee because he is a Manchester United fan?
Honestly, when did the Guardian ever have writers on staff who weren’t anything but Arsenal or Chelsea fans? Nevertheless, he sounds like a decent bloke who knows his stuff but has obviously missed out on some of the pre season games because he had nothing to say about the twins and Possebon. And I’m also trying to understand the Huntelaar comparison to RVN 04-06. He made it sound like it was a negative thing. There was nothing negative about RVN 04-06 except the team around him. He scored goals which is what his job was. The fact the team was not as good is not his fault or his doing. I think if he had today’s team he would be just as prolific and the team would have won the double anyway.
Interesting interview RR.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:13
Interesting responses, thanks.
@hmm: You picked exactly my team! One top man with three supremely talented forwards causing havoc at will behind. If you want more of my views on why this is where we are going, look at the first article I ever wrote for this blog.
@colver: I agree that we need a different team for Europe, particularly tough away games. Tevez probably is the one to go then, playing as an impact sub instead, but I think he would play in our first choice PL eleven.
@Stephen: I don’t think we need three central midfielders in an average PL game, and I think we lack width that way.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:14
As I mentioned some of the questions were answered before our pre-seasons were in full flow. And they were just bursting on to the scene. I should have asked questions on the young players, but I guess that could be saved for a later date.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:14
_______________Van Der Sar/Foster________________
Brown/Neville_____ Vidic____ Ferdinand____ Evra/Silvestre
________Hargreaves/O’Shea___ Carrick/Fletcher_______
_______________Scholes/Anderson___________
Ronaldo/Nani/Giggs________________Tevez/Rooney/Giggs
__________________Berbatov/Rooney/Tevez _____________
4-3-2-1, not the Christmas tree formation, because with Ronaldo, we would have Width. The first name would be the person I would prefer to start in the big games.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:18
@Grognard: The RVN point is interesting.
I think if we signed a clone of RVN in ‘04 this summer, it would be a sensational signing – the last piece of the puzzle. He would be coming into a side with a number of other legitimate goal threats, and he would be our target man and predator.
But by ‘06 I believe he had started to view the only job of his teammates as providing goals for him. He scored loads, but nobody else got a look-in, which was bad for the team. Rob Smyth is clearly one of those whose memories of RVN were tarnished by his last 6 months at United. Before that, he was a true United hero, so I agree that it is slightly tough to put a negative connotation on RVN 04-06.
EDIT: I suppose logic therefore dictates that Huntelaar would be a sensational signing, but I haven’t seen enough of the boy to be able to assert that myself. I know your views on the subject!
August 12th, 2008 at 17:19
@Shawzy: That’s no problem for me. I wasn’t a big Silva fan anyway. I much prefer we go after someone like Alex Sanchez or someone really young like a Sotiris Ninis. Besides, Silva is a good player but I think he is somewhat overrated. And nobody needs a player who thinks it’s better to play in Spain anyway. Even Ronaldo is starting to come around on that one. Especially now that his “dream club” wants to sue him for 17 million. Like that will happen. For them to have a case, they would need to admit to tapping up.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:26
@Penguin: Surely it depend who we play obviously if we play Hull @ home we play two in midfield if we play Chelsea or Liverpool or in Europe we play three.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:27
@John Freakin’ O’Shea: I seriously doubt Newcastle will be that high and Sunderland that low. Newcastle have done nothing to improve except be Ameobi-like (Dave from Newcastle will love that
), while hanging on to that criminal Joey Barton. Sunderland have added a lot players who will improve them and Keane is still looking to add another striker. With or without Gareth Barry, Villa is better than 9th simply because they have a lot of domestic talent and because Marty O’Neill is one of the best managers around. I think Blackburn are headed for a big fall without Sparky and Bentley and I think Man City is in so much financial and internal turmoil that they are headed for relegation. They also may lose Sparky as he is threatening to quit. And I personally believe that Liverpool is still not good enough to beat Wenger for third and if Spurs are able to get Arshavin or Villa, they will have a good chance at 4th. Although I still think their Achilles Heel is their defense. Nice attacking fullbacks who can’t defend and real concerns at CB.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:28
@Stephen: That’s a good comparison. And he’s overrated like Duff was at one point.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:31
vds
wes/nev/raf
vida
rio
evra
ronny(nani until he’s back)
carrick
andy/scholes/hargreaves
giggs/park/andy/tevez
tevez
berbatov
no that wasnt an accident, you saw right, no rooney.
BUT, for the first 2 games it will be a 4-3-3 with tevez berbatov and rooney upfront (thats if we get him).
August 12th, 2008 at 17:32
@Brian Lomax: Brian mate, that’s ESPN. That’s an American site. They report hot news in the European game two days after it’s happened. That article is just stating the stuff we all have been reading in the sites in England 2 to 3 days ago. When the BBC or Guardian or SkySports report tangible proof of a signing, then I’ll jump up and down with joy. Then I’ll go lock myself in my closet and cry over the fact I didn’t get my Huntelaar for Christmas.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:33
@Grognard: Obviously there was nothing negative with Ruud in that team, but the team we have now plays a completely different style of football, which Ruud would hinder in my honest opinion. Now, don’t get me wrong, I rate Ruud very highly as a goalscoring centre forward, but in the last two seasons we have played without a goalscoring centre forward. In season 06/07 we played a system where Rooney would play behind a dynamic centre forward who stretched the opposition defence, won his fair share of headers and was involved with link up play, whilst still focussing on getting into the box to provide a focus point to our attacks (Saha/Larsson). Last season we played without a centre forward at all, with Ronaldo drifting in from the wing and Rooney and Tevez running all over the place creating havoc. I believe that a less dynamic forward like Ruud (or Huntelaar) would hinder this style of play, there must be a reason that the exit of
Ruud has coincided with us winning back to back titles and the league and European Cup double.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:45
although unreported on bbc and skysports it seems that we are finally on the verge of signing the class act that is berbatov. most likely there has been development in a transfer for a replacement at tottenham. (arshavin?, pavlyuchenko?)
i’ll believe it when he puts pen to paper, but for those of us who are starved for any new transfer news here is the link.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=562191&sec=england&cc=5739
August 12th, 2008 at 17:46
You do sometimes when games are tight you need a poacher, al la Ruud. Everyone seems to think that Huntelaar in immobile because Ruud was getting that way in his last season. Huntelaar is very mobile and his movement is superb, you do not score the goals he has if you don’t move.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:48
@Grognard: grognard, i dont think soccernet reports hot news two days later and that the berbatov speculation is just old news. they were one of the first to report the signing of nani and anderson last year, and if you scroll down the article you will also realize that they mentioned david silvas agent declaring that valencia had rejected a bid by united, which was reported by bbc and the guardian just hours ago, infact the same time as in soccernet.
August 12th, 2008 at 18:07
@Penguin: That’s a great question Penguin, and a very difficult one to answer. First off I think that Fergie would never create a system that would not utilize Ronaldo’s goal scoring abilities. With that said, he should but that’s just me. Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez cannot all start on the field together and still have Ronaldo man a forward wing position. I think Fergie is looking at several formations depending on teams and competitions. I think he like 4-3-3 a lot and he would love to play 4-4-1-1. I see Bebratov being a fixture in every CL game but not Tevez. Tevez would mostly (not always) come off the bench in European matches to give the team that much needed boost of energy and tenacity. Tevez however is very suited to playing quite a few games and taking minutes away from Berbatov and even Rooney in the EPL. He will also be our main man in the FA and League Cups where I think Manucho or Campbell will also feature. We won’t see Rooney or Berbatov in those cup games unless it’s up against a top EPL opponent. With Berbatov Fergie has so many options. In a 4-3-3 I see a lineup like this GK EVDS – Defenders RB Brown/Neville/R Da Silva CB Rio CB Vidic LB Evra/O’Shea/Silvestre – Midfielders RMF Hargreaves/Fletcher/Park CMF Carrick/Anderson/Scholes/Hargreaves LMF Nani/Giggs – Forwards RW Ronaldo ST Berrbatov/Tevez/Rooney LW Rooney/Tevez/Ronaldo. Obviously Tevez can play on the left side, as a second striker or at striker. Rooney can bloody play anywhere. Berbatov is very flexible to but I think Fergie would keep him as a striker exclusively in this formation.
In a 4-1-1 I see the same set up in our back four but now the midfield looks a little different. Midfield: RMF RonaldoPark/Fletcher/R. Da Silva CMF Scholes/Carrick/Anderson/Fletcher/Possebon CDMF Hargreaves/Carrick/Anderson/O’Shea LMF Nani/Giggs/Ronaldo/F. Da Silva – Forwards Second Striker Rooney/Tevez/Ronaldo Striker Berbatov/Rooney/Tevez/ Manucho/Campbell
This team has such incredible depth and versatility that no lineup is written in stone and Fergie will go all Rafa on us and rotate like crazy. But unlike Rafa, he can get away with it because of our quality and depth. For me the ultimate starting lineup is as follows in a 4-3-3 formation.
GK – EVDS
RB – BROWN
CB – RIO
CB – VIDIC
LB – EVRA
RM – HARGREAVES
CM – SCHOLES or CARRICK
LM – NANI
SS – ROONEY
ST – BERBATOV
SUBS
GK – FOSTER
RB – R. Da SILVA
CB – EVANS
LB – F. Da Silva
MF – FLETCHER or GIGGS
MF – ANDERSON
ST – TEVEZ
And that lineup is not written in stone. I also think of the quality players who can’t even make my bench on a regular basis like Neville, Kuszcsak, O’Shea, Silvestre, Park, Possebon and even Giggs. Manucho and Campbell I won’t lose sleep over and of course, Saha doesn’t even exist in my books. With Berbatov and a healthy Ronaldo the sky is the limit for this club. When I think of players like Anderson and Carrick not having a starting role because of Hargreaves and Scholes, I think it says everything about our depth in quality and quantity. I wouldn’t mind if we still did buy a very young winger to mold as a backup to both Ronaldo and Nani.
August 12th, 2008 at 18:08
@Stephen: Yes Huntelaar’s movement is superb, and he is very good at getting himself into space, however his overall link up play for me isn’t good enough for our style in my opinion. I often hear people say that he would finish our mountains off, however if we add Huntelaar into the team, it would mean taking away a creative player (unless we took away a defensive player which is ludicrous) which would mean that there would be less chances to finish. After watching Huntelaar I don’t doubt his ability as a goalscoring centre forward, he is a top class finisher and his ability to find space is sublime, however I think that we require a more complete and dynamic centre forward, which Huntelaar isn’t.
August 12th, 2008 at 18:10
@Mike: They may very well have been the first to report Nani and Anderson but too many times I have noticed them reporting stuff days after it’s happened. Part of this has got to do with Sports journalism in America having ethics and not reporting anything unless it’s confirmed. Their mainstream news isn’t like that as much anymore, but sports journalism in the USA is not the sleazy tabloid garbage of the UK and Spain. They wait for confirmations before they commit. Thus, we occasionally have delays when it comes to their reporting footy.
August 12th, 2008 at 18:12
@Stephen: Where’s Evra?
August 12th, 2008 at 18:13
@Grognard: I have admitted my knobness already mate!!
August 12th, 2008 at 18:23
@Penguin: But what you are talking about then regarding RVN is not his physical presence and ability in 06 but his bad attitude. When I compare Huntelaar to RVN, obviously I’m not comparing the two personalities, only their skills and strike rates. I think Huntelaar’s predatory style is just what we need when we clearly know that Tevez and Rooney don’t like spending too much time in the box. So don’t force them. Let them play the way they want and lets place a striker in the box to shovel in the garbage and to give us aerial supremacy. And we still have Ronaldo’s foray’s into the box as well. Huntelaar or Berbatov are win win scenario, but with Berbatov, more would still be demanded from Rooney and Tevez when it comes to goals. Berbatov is like Cantona as he is good for around 15 EPL goals a season but he is also capable for that many assists. Huntelaar is good for twice that many goals but hardly any assists. Roles would be different and I think Fergie recognizes that in his mind, he would rather have a prolific play maker at striker who can also score because it will bring more goals out of Rooney and Tevez. I cannot disagree with that logic as it does make our team more multi-dimensional than we would be with Huntelaar. Huntelaar however, would put more fear into defenders which would free up space for the others. So his style wouldn’t hurt us either. As well, he can scoop up rebounds and deflections better and place them into the net.
August 12th, 2008 at 18:24
@Stephen: Sorry, I scrolled down after I sent it and realized you did.
August 12th, 2008 at 18:30
@AlexOfMancunia: I think the additions of Tevez, Nani, Hargreaves, Anderson, Carrick and the emergence of Vidic has had more to do with our recent success. RVN would have added more goals to our tally and given us more options against those teams that shut down the offense you like so much by placing ten men behind the ball. His predatory and aerial threat would have freed Rooney and Tevez up even more to go lurking for goals. Central defenders are taught to pay extra special attention to an out and out striker like RVN. Imagine with the players we have what his influence would be now that Ronaldo has emerged into an offensive force that rivals his goal scoring exploits? We scored 80 goals in the EPL last year. The addition of RVN or a Huntelaar could have put us over 100 or very near to it. Above all, a goal scoring striker of the old school does give us different types of possibilities to really confound the opposition.
August 12th, 2008 at 18:33
@Stephen: Thank you for that. So true mate. Huntelaar is not the wooden stiff people seem to think because they see a tall, lanky striker of the old school variety. He is great with both feet, awesome in the air and he even scores a half dozen goals a year from outside the box because he has a cannon for a leg. And I don’t want him tracking back like Rooney. I don’t want Rooney tracking back like Rooney. Well put.
August 12th, 2008 at 18:40
@Grognard: Also need to tell some people (obviously not from this site) that Nani is not Ronaldo junior, he crosses the ball!!
August 12th, 2008 at 19:02
@Grognard: Just curious, why not a 4-2-3-1? You say “Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez cannot all start on the field together and still have Ronaldo man a forward wing position.” Wouldn’t a 4-2-3-1 offer the potential of exactly that – all 4 playing. Put Owen and Carrick in front of an already imperious back 4 and your covered defensively (That and no matter what anybody tells them both Roon and Tev are going to track back anyhow
)
August 12th, 2008 at 19:06
Yea, btw, who the hell is Smyth to decide who becomes a united legend or not? There is actually a very good chance that Rio can and will do so.
August 12th, 2008 at 19:29
Here’s the link:
August 12th, 2008 at 19:33
Since when has this site decided to prevent free speech and also stop us posting links?
Rob Smyth needs to be exposed for what he is.
August 12th, 2008 at 19:41
://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2006/jul/31/sport.comment
Put http in the front of the above. Read this guy’s wonderful insight.
August 12th, 2008 at 19:42
It is funny how most posters assume that if we buy Berba Rooney should play in preference of Tevez when in my opinion Tevez is a more rounded player and he is currently in the form of his life.
August 12th, 2008 at 20:01
John (comment 10 and a few others)
I left the Guardian of my own accord; otherwise I wouldn’t still be writing there. Yes, I wrote that bile-filled shite in 2006, the biggest mistake of my career, but I still think some of it was valid, and I wrote an apology after the 4-0 win at Bolton when I realised how good United were. I also predicted RvN’s departure 15 months before it happened (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2005/mar/11/sport.comment1) and defended Hargreaves when everyone said he was useless in 2006 (http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/worldcup06/2006/06/07/hargreaves_is_a_victim_of_litt.html). Some you get right, some you get wrong. I should have known better than to have a pop at Fergie, but by the same token we cannot suddenly saw everything is perfect because of the success of the last two seasons: I still think, for example, his tactics in Barcelona were absolutely criminal, and nothing will change my mind on that.
I’ll try to reply to some of the other points in due course. Incidentally, for those who might not have heard, Berbatov is at Carrington today and the team photo has been put back to Friday.
August 12th, 2008 at 20:06
Bob Smith Exposed!
August 12th, 2008 at 20:08
@frankie: i agree, tevez should partner berbatov, not rooney.
August 12th, 2008 at 20:09
@ myself Rob Smyth that is..
August 12th, 2008 at 20:15
John, Moya and others, I am aware of that Guardian article. But I will put that down to tha fact that many of United’s fan following were divided after a barren period. Yes, Rob has regretted making those comments, as he’s said it over here. But again it was his opinion (albeit getting it horribly wrong). He accepts his mistake and for that I applaud him.
He’s a decent guy otherwise, and I must say he’s got a great Manchester United bias even in some of his Guardian MBM: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/apr/28/minutebyminute.sport which is good to have once a while.
That link was for the United 4-2 Everton game.
I won’t just interview any random journalist. There are some, Daniel Taylor of the Guardian for instance — who I think is a disgrace — but I think Robbo’s a good guy.
August 12th, 2008 at 20:21
Actually can’t wait for our new striker to be unveiled… Hopefully soon!
Can’t take the anticipation much longer
I wonder what squad number will be up for grabs… Possibly 14? Or maybe Saha’s 9 would be more appropriate.
Exciting, yet tedious days!
August 12th, 2008 at 20:24
And since he’s just commented on this board, I will apply rules regarding comment moderation to him too. So any personal attacks won’t be acceptable. Criticizing constructively is fine. But if you make this personal then it will descend to cheapness territory. And for that there is a cooment policy that you are all aware of.
August 12th, 2008 at 20:26
@Red Ranter: In you we trust
Apologies for perhaps uncalled for remarks
August 12th, 2008 at 20:26
@Rob Smyth:
Thanks for your reply. I respect you for admitting your mistake and explaining yourself. I apologise for my strongly worded language about you which RedRanter has removed. Hopefully you didn’t see it!
RedRanter,
Why aren’t we allowed to post links? I understand you need to stop the spammers but surely there’s a better way than this, especially for posters who regularly use the site.
August 12th, 2008 at 20:34
@Rob Smyth: Rob where did you get that info from, that Berba is at Carrington?
August 12th, 2008 at 20:39
@RedAddict: You are allowed to post links. But sometimes people tend to post 2-3 links and the comment moderating system sometimes tends to go overboard and send it into the spam queue. False negatives, so to speak. I do fish them out and try to retrieve them from time to time, but next time if you see it doesn’t appear do let me know.
August 12th, 2008 at 20:39
@MoYa
couldnt agree nore mate! cannot wait for the signing because i think it will make us stronger than we were last year which is big. I wish i could know already.
i dont care how we play him, cos i totally am in favour of fergies judgement.
August 12th, 2008 at 20:42
@Rob Smyth: Well Rob, being a journalist, you might have your sources so I’ll take your word, on Berbatov being at Carrington, for it. But you’d better be right about this or a lot of people’s hearts on this thread are going to break.
August 12th, 2008 at 20:43
yea rob, im sure everyone is happy to have you here, but i would really like to know about the berbatov business!!
August 12th, 2008 at 20:51
@edi:
Yeah definately have faith in Fergie!
Gonna be mouthwatering to see us improve from last season hey…
As soon as we know who it is… Gonna be imagining how he’s gonna fit into the team and absolutely can’t wait for kick off this weekend.
August 12th, 2008 at 21:01
@MoYa: Dont be too optimistic!
You never know!
In reality there is still a fair chance that we might now get someone till kickoff at OT!
August 12th, 2008 at 21:09
@Red Diablo:
Yeah possibly, but then even if we get an exciting player before the closing of this transfer window… That’s fine by me and worth waiting for.
Although we haven’t made any signings (bar Petrucci) it’s still exciting seeing the youngsters and the signings we made a while back such as Possebon, Rafael and Fabio.
It’s amazing that back in Brazil Possebon was pretty much an unknown and not rated highly.
August 12th, 2008 at 21:23
check this out…. berba in united colours
August 12th, 2008 at 22:00
@Rob Smyth: rob .. details or link about berba being at carrington.. PLEASE!!!!!
August 12th, 2008 at 22:17
@MoYa: Yeah i GUESS! But still I WANT BERBA! Berfore the 17th of this month that is!
Grognard! No huntelaar! YES!!!!
DIABLOFIED!!!!
@Mike: I agree mate! These days i am not believing anything without a link or a picture!
August 12th, 2008 at 22:51
BERBA!!!!!
August 12th, 2008 at 22:55
@Mike: My, my! Someone’s been furiously refreshing Newsnow all this while
August 12th, 2008 at 22:56
@Mike:
if its true, mouth watering times ahead !!!
August 12th, 2008 at 22:59
@Red Ranter: hahaha.. I just hope that this time its actually true!!
August 12th, 2008 at 23:35
Berbatov deal is done apparently check this out
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-23531469-details/article.do?ito=newsnow
August 12th, 2008 at 23:37
done it again.
someones beaten me to it sorry
August 13th, 2008 at 0:02
@Eric the Red: A 4-2-3-1 Is almost definitely what they will use in the CL but not so much in the Prem. I still think it’s rather negative with 2 CDM’s but it does offer flexibility certainly.
August 13th, 2008 at 0:07
@RedAddict: RR has gone way out of his way to bring an knowledgeable guest to this site to help create more interest and so he is not about to allow us to severely criticize that guest. At least that is how I see it. If this was my blog I’d say fuck free speech. I wouldn’t allow any comments that insulted my guest. Not unless they were worded in a friendly manner not designed to insult or provoke. If hosts allowed for the bashing of guests to a radio show, podcast, blog etc, nobody would ever offer their knowledge to the specific groups. Lets be fair here. Regardless of what Rob Smyth’s views are, he claims to be a United fan so he should be questioned but not insulted.
August 13th, 2008 at 0:11
@Grognard: Hey! Grognard!
Take that!
NO MORE HUNTELAAR!
YES YES!
Anyone! Me going to sleep!
Hope that the news is official when i Wake up!
August 13th, 2008 at 0:12
@Rob Smyth: I’d like to personally thank you for your insight and let you know that none of us have perfected our analysis of the great game and commenting and understanding the game and it’s managers is certainly not an exact science. I personally love Fergie but I have criticized many of his moves. Trust me, I receive a lot of grief for it when I do. So no need to apologize mate. We all make mistakes and we often get it right to. That part and parcel of loving a sport that turns your insides out. Cheers and hope to hear more from you in the future.
August 13th, 2008 at 0:15
@R…: What is this mate, an inquisition? The man admitted to having made a mistake so lets move on and be a little more respectful to one of RR’s guests. It’s not like he is a Scouser, Gooners or Chelski fan. We are all wrong and we all make errors in judgment. Lets try being polite for a change.
August 13th, 2008 at 0:18
Red Addict:
To be honest, I really didn’t notice that comment of yours where the link didn’t show up. And I am not trying to control free speech, although I do have the right to do it in my own site. Because at the end of the day this site is not on tax payer’s money. That said I will post that article you were pointing out to:
Guardian link
And I am aware of that article very much and Ahmed of Soccerlens even bashed him for it well before the 06/07 season. However, he has been man enough to admit his mistake later.
Anyway, I posted the link, as have several others above in this thread. As long as you don’t get personal and indulge in constructive questioning I don’t have a problem with it. Either way, I don’t expect him to necessarily find time to sift through the comment thread and answer all your questions.
August 13th, 2008 at 0:18
@Red Ranter: I for one read at the Daily Mail. How good a source they are I’m not that sure. The fact it’s not being reported by the Sun is good news though because they only like to report garbage and lies.
August 13th, 2008 at 0:19
@Grognard: exactly! I’m sure more than a few of us were excited by the signings of Kleberson or Djemba Djemba
August 13th, 2008 at 0:20
@Mike: Sounds good, but i’ll have to wait to see if its really true, if it is, £25m is kinda a good price, and i’m happy Fergie didn’t cave in to their £28-38m demands. Also, its looks like Levy’s case will be thrown out, which is awesome news. We get the player for a good price, Levy has nothing on us. He’ll probably say this wasn’t a sale and that his hands were forced. Hopefully Fergie didn’t donate a penny to the Spurs charity…
August 13th, 2008 at 0:23
@Grognard: I agree that the 4-2-3-1 can be negative, but with the release passing ability of Hargo and Carrick it needn’t be negative. That is, it’s not as though either of them are just going to park their ass in front of the back 4 and contribute nothing offensively. Better still, its flexability, which you admit, allows you adequate defensive cover in the form of a 4-5-1 that you can then fluidly alter to a 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-4 on attack or counter. Seems the best of both worlds to me, though I agree it hardly needs to be used against the premiership lower-weights.
August 13th, 2008 at 0:24
haha i read the rob smyth article, and hindsight is a bitch when u have been proven wrong. and wrong u were, so very wrong…
but you were also just doing your job. plus no one (at that time) would have disagreed with you. only now are people not harping on the fact that carrick is worth his weight in 18million pounds. so i reckon u cant be faulted when some of your predictive peices have been proven wrong
but isnt it nice that a reporter with inside info dishes out juicey bits so that average fans get them first? (only if its true and u arent pulling our leg, because if you lie, so help me….
)
haha lets hope we get our much awaited signing…
August 13th, 2008 at 0:24
I just added Rob’s reply to my follow up question on Ronaldo (following his big interview to Publico) at the end of the post. Do have a read.
August 13th, 2008 at 0:24
Even more awesome news:
http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/08/12/Prem-Guardiola-rules-out-Henry-sale/
August 13th, 2008 at 0:25
I’ll believe it when he has actually been signed and unveiled at a press conference. After this summer of total bullshit and tabloid rumours running wild I have had my fill of teasing and I want facts and proof. Now I have to hope and pray that Huntelaar isn’t signed by either Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal in the next couple of years. That would break my heart.
August 13th, 2008 at 0:26
@Wink: but isnt it nice that a reporter with inside info dishes out juicey bits so that average fans get them first?
Hence Red Rants, the site that always gives
August 13th, 2008 at 0:31
I’m with RR and Grog amoung others. Until I see it on the Utd site – oh wait, there was that whole Ramsey thing. Until I see a picture of him beside SAF holding his new #9 jersey (please Fergie take it off of Saha) I’m holding my breath. I guarantee, however, that the first thing I do upon waking is some serious surfing of BBC, Setanta, and Manutd.com
August 13th, 2008 at 1:09
Since when did reporters stop being human being that have the same up and down emotions as the rest of us. If I had a penny for every time I had made wrong judgements and spouted them forth, I’d be a feckin rich man. I know that goes for the rest of you all too, so don’t deny it lol. Rob Smyth, like most reporters, are not going to get it right all the time, and when was there a LAW decreed that we couldn’t say one thing one minute, and change our mind the next?. Rob may have felt what he wrote was a mistake, but it is how he saw it at the time, and like the rest of us, he is entitled to say how he is seeing things. Reporters sometimes commend and defend, and other times attack and maul, that’s the darn truth of it. I can live with that, because it gives all bloggers an opportunity to have a bloody good moan, or squeal with delight if we agree with what’s said. Rob, I hope you will find time now and again to visit this blog and post. And don’t feel you have to be defensive all the time either.
Oh how I hope Berba is indeed finally signing for us in the next few days. If he does, then the reporters/commentators from talk sport were right, when they said they had inside info that Berba was definately going to sign with us. However, their timing was out, because it is somewhat over the 48 to 72 hours they stated on the show.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:24
Mmmmm, I just read your question, and Rob’s answer about Ronaldo!. M’thinks you have been in cohoots with RR and those who have the same mindset lol. You just got through admitting Rob that you made a mistake in things you said, and apologised for it, and RR and others immediately supported you. Why can’t Ronnie be given the same response to his apology and admission that he made mistakes and went about things wrongly. DOUBLE STANDARDS m’thinks going on here.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:13
@Eric the Red: That’s it mate. Until he is introduced in a press conference where he is holding or wearing a United home jersey I will consider all news BS. The media bloodsuckers have already taken too much of my blood this summer. I’m not falling for another one.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:15
@Craig Mc: Good one Craig. Quality burn.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:21
I just don’t think that Berba is the right player for us. Grognard; you said that he will get a load of assists but that is the type of player that both Rooney and Tevez are and you know what they say about too many cooks… I still think that when a player like Eto’o is available at a knockdown price he would be worth taking a chance. He is what we’ve been crying out for a fit and better Saha. He is a goalscorer and a playmaker second. I just feel that Berbatov is the oposite. Then again I’m usually sceptical about the players that join us. Some players have to really prove themselves to me before they are accepted. I have gone through that process with Rooney, Carrick and Hargreaves in recent years. Maybe its just Irish natural bias against English but now Rooney is probably my favourite player and Carrick is a quite well liked player. Hargreaves still has to do a bit more but I’m now willing to give him a chance.
Shit! As I write this I see on SS that Eto’o is staying with Barca. Still I think we need a different option to Berba. He doesn’t have to be a target man IMO because I think that is overrated. We just have 2 top class SS and no CF. David Villa would be great for instance because he is a great goalscorer and I don’t think that aerial ability would really make too much of a difference when most of our misses last season were ones that a great finsher would have put away not necessarily a target man
August 13th, 2008 at 2:24
@Red Ranter:
Apologies RedRanter. To be honest, I’ve had a bit of a chip on my shoulder about Rob Smyth since I saw that article 2 years ago, so you can imagine I was a little irked when I saw his much changed opinions getting air-time on here. I subsequently made a comment about him being a bit of a ‘fatherless boy’ and such (if you know what I mean), however my post never made it onto the blog, so I assumed I was being censured. If that wasn’t the case, then I apologise for accusing you.
Grognard and others have suggested I was being a bit harsh. Well I’m sorry, but when you read a newspaper article that makes you sick with rage because of its shear absurdity and viciousness, then that writer isn’t going to exactly provoke good feeling from you when you stumble across him again for virtually the first time since you read that last piece. Rob has explained himself, and I appreciated his reply. Some journalists would be so arrogant so as to completely ignore any criticism coming their way. Rob was not, and for that I applaud him.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:29
@Craig Mc: Your comment first appeared as if you were referring to me, but then I saw that it was addressed to Rob.
It surprises me that you see both situations as the same thing.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:34
@RedAddict: I don’t know about the fatherless boy one, but there was one where you called him something else that I deleted because, I didn’t want attacks to be personal as I mentioned above.
About the links I don’t know how it got sent into the spam queue. The system goes bonkers from time to time.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:51
@Red Ranter:
Yes, I may have made reference to him being somewhat of a ’see you next tuesday’. Really, I was a bit of line. I won’t abuse the guests like this in future, promise.
Forget it about the links. I was just frustrated at the time, but I understand it can’t be easy to juggle the problems with a blog like this. If I have any more legit problems in the future I’ll let you know through the mailing facility.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:54
RR – It surprises me that you can’t see the similarity in both situations lol. I would call myself one of the ‘hardcore’ that Rob refers to in his comments about Ronnie, and if as Rob and you say RR, that United fans will drag this out, until Ronnie is so dispirited that he really feels he cannot stay because he has lost the United support forever, then I think Fergie should have flogged him, because some of us obviously don’t back Fergies judgment. Rant over!.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:07
@Grognard: Grog
Huntelaar will now be signed by Real… as RVN replacement either next year or year after that! We can better forget about him.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:07
@Craig Mc: I actually disagree with Rob’s generalisation about the hardcore support not forgiving Ronaldo. And Rob saying that Ronaldo will never be forgiven is also something I disagree with. So I really don’t know what you are getting at.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:49
@Liam: The big difference in the way Berbatov gets his assists is the favt that he plays deep, holds up the ball and then distributes. And when he distributes he has a lot more imagination and flair as he has incredible finesse qualities with his passes. Lobs, chips, flick ons etc. His assists often come when he is facing away from the goal. This is way different than what we have had before. This style and ability is so much like Cantona it’s scary. This is why Fergie is won over by the lad. Fergie’s only human himself and he cannot forget the majesty and total awesomeness of the King. Berbatov may not be Cantona, but he will be reasonable facsimile.
I agree with you about Etoo’s style fitting our system better as he is the anti Rooney and Tevez. So was Huntelaar. But Fergie wants Berbatov and who am I to question him. As for Berby’s questionable attitude, Fergie will square that out like he did with Cantona and other bad boys we have acquired. After you play for a winner like United, you would have to be mad or crazy to want to leave because your attitude is bad. RVN screwed himself royally because he wanted all the glory and he wanted the offense to funnel into him so he could reap the glory. Berbaatov is not like that. He gets just a s much joy setting up a teammate as he does scoring goals. And he will score around 20 goals for us in all competitions. He is not prolific. Don’t expect 30 or 40 goals. He will be just like Cantona. 15 to 20 goals and 10 to 15 assists and a cocky attitude that will piss off the opposition. I can’t wait. OOPS!
I just jinxed it. He’s not signed yet. I’ll wait until he is signed to celebrate. Don’t worry mate, Fergie knows his business. 
August 13th, 2008 at 4:51
@Eric the Red: No argument here. I agree with that. The team is so great and so dynamic that it can fit so many different formations like a glove. Can Chelsea say that? I don’t think so. They are as flexible as a 60 year old virgin.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:56
@RedAddict: Fair enough mate. I know how you feel but lets be fair to the fellow for taking his time to do an interview for our blog and lets not forget that we all make mistakes. He admitted his and that should be enough to satisfy you and any of us who had issue with it. He sounds like a stand up person and I for one, hope he contributes more of his knowledge and feelings on united in the future.
RR; Next time you talk with him ask him what he thinks of some of our opponents and who his least favorite team and players are. Inquiring minds want to know.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:00
@jos: Ah shit! I knew we had lost him but for him sign for Real Satan would be just horrible. That would be a real shame. If not United a team that would have suited him beautifully would have been Bayern Munich but they are already stacked at striker. I wouldn’t mind seeing Spurs sign him. He would be very good for Tottenham and would really create a mini rivalry with us due to Berbatov and Huntelaar being linked with us.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:12
Re the reporter, at the time it was very fashionable to write United off so presumabely he was instructed to toe the party line and write a scathing column. Maybe his editor was anti-United.
Real Madrid are assembling a Dutch brigade with Van der Vaart the latest addition. It seems entirely plausible he’ll end up replacing RVN in the Dutch team and the Real team.
I hope we do wrap up Berbatov deal because I cannot think who else we’re going to get. If its true we had a bid rejected for Silva..but that surprised me because we already have Ronaldo and Nani on the wings. Villa like Silva wants to stay in Spain. Benzema wants to stay in Lyon or go to Spain. Who else is left but Berbatov?
August 13th, 2008 at 6:12
@Liam: I pray to god this signing comes true. You may be skeptical right now, but Fergie picked a good player in berbatov.
Ps, I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I once heard his first touch cures cancer. I think I read it on tribalfootball…
August 13th, 2008 at 6:16
@Grognard: Well I am not sure if he would relish move to Spurs! He is with one of the European giants and spurs are not really in the same league. He’d do better to stick with Ajax if no big team comes for him this year. He can move to the likes of Barca (who will need replacing Henry soon) or AC Milan or Madrid (who will need RVN replacement). He can also learn a lot from Van Basten and he the club captain as well at Ajax.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:03
congratulations on the interview RR
August 13th, 2008 at 7:23
Predicted squad for big games (until Ronaldo is back):
Mystery striker up front
Rooney and tevez as 2nd strikers/ attacking mids.
Anderson and Hargreaves on the wings
Carrick in the center
Defense the same as last year.
4-1-2-2-1 or 4-3-4-1 depending on how you see it.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:02
wowwwwwww… new loooooooook… site is looking amazing RR… congrats…
Happy to see the Kisssstiyanoooo wwwwwRonaldoooooooo pic on Headers… 
August 13th, 2008 at 8:28
@jos: He already learned a lot from van Basten with the national team. He learned that he would be second choice to the over the hill RVN. And when he did play his one game, he scored. Huntelaar owes van Basten no favors and I think if somebody comes a calling, he will be off.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:41
@Grognard: I couldnt have put it better mate!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:25
@Grognard: Hasnt Van Basten made him club captain at a club like Ajax at the age of just 24!!! Still doubts about him!
I think Huntelaar was plain unlucky to have RVN in front of him for national duty at the Euros. He is young and his time will come. But yes you are right that he will be off when a ’suitable’ offer comes. My only point is he shouldnt go to a club like Spurs. Rather he can still wait for one more year and then go to the likes of Utd, ACM, Real, Barca etc. There will be plenty of opportunities for sure. A Spurs move might or might not be successful and that might affect his chances of landing a job at one of the biggies.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:36
Rambo, I’m sorry mate, but no way will Anderson and Hargreaves be Fergie’s choice on the wings for the BIG games. Fergie like me (thank God) has faith in Nani, and has already declared that he expects a much more mature season for him this time around. I think if Fergie plays with width in mind, Nani will always get his vote before Andie, and of course Hargo is commanding in central midfield. Well, I think so anyway lol.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:11
@jos: Huntelaar was captain at Ajax before van Basten showed up. And yes, he should wait for a better offer but I have to say in all honesty, that I really believe Spurs are building something very special at White Hart Lane. They are spending money and they are spending it wisely. If they get Arshavin I’m pipping them for 4th even though they are still suspect defensively.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:47
@jos: Spurs play football the right way and he would no doubt enjoy playing for them. They will also be competent against the big teams this year. They are not as bad, weak or small as you make out. I think most players see it as an attractive destination now too.
@Grognard: I still rate van nistelrooy more than huntelaar despite his age, and there was only ever going to be space for one of them in the starting eleven due to their playing style. It’s unfortunate for huntelaar that van nistelrooy was around really. Van basten did what he thought was best for the team, and i believe he fielded the superior player. Yes, huntelaar scored in his game, but van nistelrooy scored aswell and did his job in the tournament. Van basten’s judgement was therefore proven correct.