Jun 17
Is United being pound foolish with the below-26 policy?
Reports filtered in yesterday, starting with the Guardian and the Independent that United have made it a long-term transfer policy of buying players only under 26 years of age.
The reports go on to claim that Berbatov’s purchase was regarded as an exception to this rule. The main thinking behind this is that the resale value of a player would go down significantly if a player over 26 signed on for the club.
Now, on the surface, this could represent sound business sense — going into cashing in on players when their value shoots up; the most recent Ronaldo transfer being a case in point. But it assumes almost every player we buy will always come good.
Scouting talent, as Arsene Wenger would attest, is not exactly a science. It comes with experience, knowledge of an area, and a gifted ability to spot talent. There are a host of intangibles such as ability of an incoming player to adjust to surroundings, weather, food, and physicality, in the case of the Premiership.
The under-26 policy could however assume that we continue our policy of signing exciting talent that’s probably also well known the world around. Nani and Anderson have been examples. However, we can’t really say both have set the world alight like Ronaldo. They may come good in time, but when we buy a lot of young players — hedging bets that they may come good — we must take into account that they might end up being absolute duds too.
This could still make good business sense, but is a blind policy to close one’s mind over an outstanding player over 26 years of age really sensible? Arsenal are considered to be financially prudent because Wenger’s transfer policy mirrors spending well within the club’s means and actually making a profit. But how many trophies do they have to show for it over the past three to four years? It came to a head such that Wenger had to concede defeat and sign Andrei Arshavin.
United’s recent history of signing players has been not in securing some obscure talent out of nowhere like Arsenal, but securing young but expensive talent like Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson, the Serbian duo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Park, Evra and Carrick to rattle a few off the top of my head. Of course, we also did sign the little known Brazilian twins, Macheda and Petrucci for a song, but at the end of the day, trophies and advancing deep into the Champions’ League would be more financially rewarding every single year, if debts are the main concern for the United board.
Currently this policy rules the likes of Ribery, David Villa, Samuel Eto’o out of the market. And whilst Klaas Jan-Huntelaar is 25 at the moment, he will turn 26 in August, and a strict transfer policy of this kind would completely rule them out.
And another crucial issue that would need to be addressed by the men in power at some point, in light of this policy, is the weight they are willing to put on money earned by selling players over the money earned by winning trophies. Winning more and more titles builds profiles. Building up talent that guarantees a £68m profit is harder to achieve. If more emphasis is put on developing players only to make a profit off them, it would represent a shift in thinking we Manchester United fans need to get used to: are we about to be a selling club? All this is fairly outlandish a thought, and I hope I am proven completely wrong over this.
But I personally think a close minded policy of this kind is foolish, and ridiculous. I really hope we aren’t really following this to the T and will make exceptions where need be. More likely than not, a player at 26 still will have about three years to offer at his peak. (Defenders can go even longer than that) A club must strike the right balance in flexibility of policy and financial prudence, and setting an age like that is far from smart.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Commenting Policy
- Benzema ‘Prefers’ Madrid but United better sporting brand than Madrid
- What purpose does United’s youth system serve?
- Tevez for £32m? Tevez Quotes Denied + Kaizer Chiefs Friendly
- Privacy
Tags: Opinions/Columns
June 17th, 2009 at 7:17
I read the article in Guardian… TBH…I only found 1 valid point that these young guns will at least have some resale value… But the question then arise is why on earth you will sale them if they are so damn good (ronaldo is an exception) and if they are not that good there value as it is will diminish.
And to be honest I am a great believer that every now and then you need to buy someone who’s proven…. Or else we may end with another Wenger in this league….
And to push this policy if they are serious we need Carlos Quiroz back. As he is better in finding and shaping the new kids than, anybody at this club at this point in time……..
June 17th, 2009 at 7:27
I don’t think that it makes a lot of sense. One thing that I like about the signing of a Ribery or a Eto’o is that theoretically they can stick with United for the rest of their career. We sign 20 year olds, and then three years later they’re screaming for a move to Real Madrid. When this happens, which with players like Benzema and the ilk, is a likelihood. We’ll have a hard time getting the important mix of veterans and youth. As the great Busby said, “if you’re good enough you’re old enough”. I think it works both ways.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:37
@ILamb22: Spot on mate… That’s precisely what i feel about the whole thing… But i will like to point out one thing lot will depend on what we are trying to buy. I mean see we all know RIBERY, BENZEMA some or the other time in their career have said that they dream to play for ‘the mob’. Even after knowing this so clearly if we are going to buy them then we will end up shooting in our own foot. Because, after couple of good years in England the ‘the mob’ will come and they will start their antics. I say why not go for players like Aguero (sorry for spelling mistake if any) or hunter who are known admirers of Red Devils…they are definitely talented….and worth every penny spend….
So, for me the risk will largely depend on the players which we buy and not the age at which we buy them….
June 17th, 2009 at 8:00
This is a non-story. There is no such thing as a “close-minded” policy if there are going to be “exceptions”. I did some quick (wikipedia) research on our big name signings of the past. Rio, Carrick, Ruud, Paul Ince, Andy Cole, Karel Poborsky, Kleberson, even Veron, were all under 26. Exceptions were Yorke, Berba, Cantona, Teddy Sheringham, Stam, EVS, Saha, though technically he was 25 when we bought him, and Hargreaves, though we did try to sign him six months earlier when he was still 25. To my mind, this shows that Fergie buys proven goal-scorers in the Premier League at any age, otherwise he selects talented young(ish) players and pretty much always has. He’s bought in an experienced keeper (and a proven clown in Barthez), but it’s a specialist position and age isn’t a factor as much. I’d rather see young upcoming talent anyway, personally, and though it’s sad to sell them on a la Ronaldo, the 80mill does mitigate the loss. We’re not chasing our first title in 26 years anymore. We don’t need a silver bullet or talisman plucked from the transfer market to make it happen. We can build teams. We can take young foreign talent for a song or a price. We can develop young Brits alongside them. And we can buy the best young British players (Ashley Young, anyone?). That way we remain the biggest and the best ENGLISH football team and not a surrogate Spanish team like BenitezFC. So no more talk of Ribery and Villa at inflated prices. (We’re better off with Silva and Huntelaar, they’re under 26!)
June 17th, 2009 at 8:04
@MJA: Fair enough. But you should also realize that the man behind the building and rebuilding, namely SAF, won’t be here long enough.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:26
You have got to love the British press and its followers.This is the transfer season and they link you to a million players as long as they have relative mobility and have kicked the ball one time,the fans buy it,almost verbally crucify the club if http://redrants.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
they haven’t bought the next(…..)insert name,not knowing the rumour originated from the press that was only trying to get folks interested and buying their papers.Now where has that rubbish come from?the club,or does the author use the same old “a source close to the club”?
On to the next season,i believe we have to change back to a 4-4-2 system and master it even tn Europe. People think in Europe you have to be more defensive but if you can impose your game on the opponent,whatever system you play will do.Look at Barca,they were laughed at in the semi against Chelsea and robbed their way to the final,to everyones surprise,they made us look so pedestrian they were hailed as the best team in the world.How quickly opinion changes.
I have heard people saying we should build the team around Rooney,but i think even those that support it dont mean it.It is just sentimental,love for a favorite player.Ronaldo is so supremely gifted that any team would be built around him and deliver,or he will rescue them,what some people term as selfishness is what makes a great individual.He can take on the game head on.he hates to lose,and when he does he goes out with his head high,like in the champs league final,both finals.
Rooney on the other hand,as good as he is,is not in the class of the Ronaldos.You can not count on him to win you matches,he has so many limitations and is inconsistence. Fans say he played on the left but those were only 3 to 4 games only.Fans must understand that fergie doesn’t hate him,actually he does like him alot but he can only play to his ability.scoring goals against Kazakhstan and andora is not the same as the premier league.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:29
@MJA: Agreed mate.. I have been raving about the Name Ashley Young and Flamini as well for long time. Of course, Silva and The Hunter if they join will make things even sweeter. That way with these four additions we can still remain very strong. Not to mention all of them together wont cost you anywhere near 80 million.
By the what is take of you all on the DEAL that is rumored to be going on that Hotspur are looking to get Robben, Hunter (Mine and Grogy’s favorite) and Heinz in a combined bid of 30 million. I wont mind if we can strike a deal including Robben, Hunter and Snider/ Diarra for around 35 million. Wont be bad deal isn’t it???
June 17th, 2009 at 8:33
A bit of a non-story i think after all the column space last week with Ronaldo. Of course it’s good idea to buy someone who is 24/25 or younger. You should, in theory, get their best years and if it doesn’t work out you can sell them on but life doesn’t always work like that. A player you’ve been watching may not come available until the age of, say, 28. What are you to do, ignore it? I don’t think so. Fergie had always wanted Berbatov and finally got his man – this is what can happen.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:34
You have got to love the British press and its followers.This is the transfer season and they link you to a million players as long as they have relative mobility and have kicked the ball one time,the fans buy it,almost verbally crucify the club if http://redrants.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
they haven’t bought the next(…..)insert name,not knowing the rumour originated from the press that was only trying to get folks interested and buying their papers.Now where has that rubbish come from?the club,or does the author use the same old “a source close to the club”?
On to the next season,i believe we have to change back to a 4-4-2 system and master it even tn Europe. People think in Europe you have to be more defensive but if you can impose your game on the opponent,whatever system you play will do.Look at Barca,they were laughed at in the semi against Chelsea and robbed their way to the final,to everyones surprise,they made us look so pedestrian they were hailed as the best team in the world.How quickly opinion changes.
I have heard people saying we should build the team around Rooney,but i think even those that support it dont mean it.It is just sentimental,love for a favorite player.Ronaldo is so supremely gifted that any team would be built around him and deliver,or he will rescue them,what some people term as selfishness is what makes a great individual.He can take on the game head on.he hates to lose,and when he does he goes out with his head high,like in the champs league final,both finals.
Rooney on the other hand,as good as he is,is not in the class of the Ronaldos.You can not count on him to win you matches,he has so many limitations and is inconsistence. Fans say he played on the left but those were only 3 to 4 games only.Fans must understand that fergie doesn’t hate him,actually he does like him alot but he can only play to his ability.scoring goals against Kazakhstan and andora is not the same as the premier league.thats my thought.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:35
To me, it appears – the policy going into the transfer window with an 80 mil to 90 mil budget, is to not give into the selling clubs demanding outrageous amounts of money for a decent talent. I seriously doubt that fergie or gill would go ahead with negotiations in the case of valencia if the price touted for him, is anywhere near 22 mil.. 15 – 17 mil would be the limit..
Besides, the logic behind their transfer window dealings is, instead of wasting a lot of money on a single player this time around, go ahead and buy a bunch of young talents for a little over the top price, still very much less than what we would pay for a proven star. Say we buy 6 new wonder kids and even if just two of them come good, we are in gain! – mind you when the two of them come good, they’ll come extremely good because fergie seems to be going for classy players of late, with technique oozing off their boots. – substantiated by the signings of brazillians and nani.
Admittedly they have wonderful technique, and i for one, think that Anderson and Nani are not bad buys. One has to take in mind that they are hardly twenty years old and need some time to adapt to ply their trade. I mean, for god’s sake look at ronaldo’s development.
Sincierly i hope, people henceforth stop getting on anderson’s back and give the lad some time.. he has shown flashes of outlandish brilliance already, so wait till he makes it consistent.
For God’s sake, when you put a 19 year old in the centre of the midfield, in a champions league final, pitted against awe inspiring opponenet midfield maestros, you cant abuse him for feeling a little out of place. And remember he hadn’t started consistently on run up games to the final also.. Patience guys, give him time to develop under a great manager for once.. Lay off ANDERSON LUIS DE ABREU OLIVIERA…
June 17th, 2009 at 8:40
@Merlinus: Anderson is God!!!
Im not on his back, Im in his pocket. 
Just hope he can prove other guys wrong, so that everyone can look at him like me.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:47
@donibrasco: I dont agree with you mate totally. I mean there is no denial that Ronaldo was CLASS apart. But, I firmly believe in one thing that ‘Talent without opportunity is ZERO, a big ZERO’.
The point is RONALDO was consistently played as a main man in team. He was allowed all the luxury in this world i.e. if you dont want to track back don’t, If you wish to play as a front man go ahead, if you loose ball due to your lazy pass on half way line and then if we concede a goal no probs. But, on the other hand ROONEY always had been sacrificed. Even when he was playing as a striker he was tracking back so many times to help his defense out unlikely RONALDO who use to just wonder around. I mean when RR did his season Review ranking he should have rated Rooney in the defense segment as well for all the things he did.
Anyway, moving on don’t get me wrong that i am trying to say that Rooney is better than Ronaldo. I agree he is not. But, my point is simple. We need to him his opportunity now. Let him play as an epicenter of all the UTD’s action for year or so. Give him that much time and luxury like we gave to Ronaldo. Let him play in his best position where he can use all the talent he has to the fullest and expresses himself to the fullest and then pass on the judgment on who’s better for the team and not as an individual player.
So, wait a while and you will get your answers….
June 17th, 2009 at 8:48
@donibrasco: Mate, its only the Fan’s and tabloids idea that the team is going to be built around rooney. It most certainly won’t be..
-spelling) for that matter, and they’d tell you something quite interesting.
Ask a true football analyst like Harry Redknapp or a Carlos Ancelloti or Pellegrini(
And that is: the team is going to be built around Anderson. Just watch.
Rooney is an integral cog in the team and definitely a starter, but its ridiculous to say that a team is going to be built around him.
If we go for players who have above average speed and good reaction time and anticipation, the team is going to be spun around anderson and he’s gonna be our next SuperSTAR!
June 17th, 2009 at 8:54
@Merlinus:
ooooohhhh another person in Anderson pocket alongside Eddy… Eddy Bro you have a company…. 
Just kidding mates… don’t mind…..
June 17th, 2009 at 8:57
The fact is that most of the players we have been chasing are 26 or under. Berbatov is one of the few exceptions. Fergie has rarely gone for older players. Cantona and Sheringham are a few but most of the time, he likes the player to be around 24 or 25 or even younger. So I really don’t think it’s much of an issue other than the owners making the stipulation because they don’t have the cash to give him on a regular basis. Now that bothers me. This year of course is an exception th the rule because of the Ronaldo money. I would be disappointed greatly if Fergie did not sign to very good and very well known players. And we don’t have to worry about them being over 26. 26 is very workable. 23 or 24 would have made things a lot harder.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:09
Another thing, if Hargo is fit for next season, then it’ll mean we’ll see less of michael carrick.. Anderson – Hargreaves partnership is good. Mickey Carrick – Andy, most certainly isn’t.. Also having hargo means andy can venture to a sneijder role which actually suites him..
June 17th, 2009 at 9:18
This is just paper talk, i wouldnt put a lot of thought into this.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:26
@Grognard:
June 17th, 2009 at 9:31
Was Cantona not 24 or 25 when we bought him from Leeds?
I love this idea of the team being built around Anderson. Highly unlikely, but I love it. There is a reason why Don Fergusoni paid over-the-odds for Berbatov. Now with Ronaldo gone, it will show. I am not one of Berbatov’s greatest fans, but it does make sense to hand him the no.7 for the next 4-5 years.
Peronsally, I would prefer that we sign no one, other than clearing up the Tevez mess. Perhaps a proven, good, tall striker that can come off the bench and provide something different. I would opt for waiting a year, see how the team perform, worse case, resign to 3rd/4th place in the league and just trust in whom we have, and giving yougsters a chance.
People think that because Ronaldo left, we are doomed. On the contrary. I ‘loved’ and admired Ronaldo a lot. I still have not broken the news of his imminent departure to my little boy (its going to break his heart
), but, I don’t think we’re much worse off than before. Given he scored goals – lots of them – but also, he took a lot of shots. Some of those shots should have gone to players in better positions. Now with the selfish one gone, others might get more opportunities.
On Ronaldo himself, I agree with Carlos Queiros. He made a mistake to follow his dream move to Madrid. Sure he will be an economic asset regardless of how he performs, but I have a sure feeling that as a player he will somewhat flop at Madrid. Kaka, Villa and Ribery aint no Rooney, Tevez or Berbatov. I doubt that he will enjoy the “freedom” he had under Fergie, and it’s going to be difficult for him to sustain an entire season where others don’t “work for him”. I believe that there will be lots of ill feelings in the dressing room.
Everbody wants United to sign a star. Remember last summer how everyone thought we would be unbeatable when we signed Berbatov? Remember, with Berbatov, Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez we will rule the world? Well, it did not quite happen that way because there is also such a thing as team chemistry. I say, secure Tevez and leave the team as is. If need be, get a good proven striker on the cheap (ala Crouch perhaps?)
June 17th, 2009 at 9:38
secure tevez? no thanks
June 17th, 2009 at 9:43
@Karl: Cantona was 26 mate, but I agree with leaving the team as is to a degree, but the midfield posibley needs a player in their especially as no one really knows what the future holds with Hargo, it will be a big season for Anderson, and lets hope he steps up to the plate because if we don’t sign aytone it could rest on his shoulders.
With Carlos he simply does not want to play for us, so there is no chance of him signing for, and will most likely be a Citeh player by the end of next week.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:00
@Stephen: I disagree with Tevez not wanting to play for us. If that was the case, he would have been confirmed as a City player already. I don’t know why people make him to be the ‘bad one’ here. The guilty party is actually our management.
I agree with with the midfield scenario to some extent. But, I think with the old timers staying on for another season, we should be able to hold out until January when Owen’s future should become more clearer. If need be, we can sign someone then.
That this will be Anderson’s make-or-break season is undeniable. I hope he lives up to my expectation and I hope he gets utilised properly. I think that in a sense, the same can be said of Nani.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:01
Hey guys how much more time is left for 2009-10 fixtures to be announced?
June 17th, 2009 at 10:05
from what i saw anderson plays better under pressure, his penalty in the CL final comes to mind, and FA cup when we missed a few.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:08
@Karl: It is easy to blame the management mate but he has been paid £75k a week, won two league championships, European Cup as well as er as Reina would say vice European cup holders, league cup winner and has played almost the same amount of game time as the others, and he scored 5 league goals, who has been treated badly him or us?
He has had almost as many minutes on the pitch as the other strikers, and he has treated the management with no respect as he has benn winging to the press every five mins, good riddance.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:09
@Merlinus: Mate, you say building a team around Rooney is ridiculous and vouch for the team to be built around Anderson. I don’t agree with that, I think Rooney had shown enough flashes of brilliance as a 17 yr old than what Anderson has done these two years. I have my reservations on the kind of player Ando will eventually turn out to be, i haven’t seen the finesse from him to dub him as the successor to Scholes.
I think the attack should be built around Rooney , it is not out of love for him but speaking rationally he is our best player after Ronaldo left and a team should be built around his prowess. He has his limitations , but so did Ronnie, Rooney and Tevez had to do the donkey work for him. I firmly believe Rooney can provide the spark that we need upfront. He was at his creative best in the 05/06 season when he played of Ruud and Saha. Its a pity that his finishing then was very average except for some of the stunners he scored and fluffed a lot of chances . He looks to be more composed in front of the goal now. I think Fergie should just ask him to be adventurous, ask him to be artist rather than doing the dirty work for some one else.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:10
If Tevez does not sign, it will still not be much of a trainsmash in terms of our team balance. With him, Rooney and Berbatov fighting for the same “drop-deep” position, we can cope with his loss. We don’t have to make any major signings.
On a bigger scale, the problem is however, the player morale, the impact on our foreign youngsters like Nani, Anderson (and eventually Poss and the twins), and the message it will send out to latino players considering United as a destination.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:13
@Karl: It will send a message out to latin players, how Ronaldo did quite well didn’t he?
June 17th, 2009 at 10:15
@Scorp: In short, Fergi should ask ROONEY to Express himself…If that happen that will be great.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:17
@Stephen: You keep on quoting the 5 league goals. Fact is, HE SCORED MORE THAN BERBATOV! He scored just one goal less than that overrated Torres. The fact that he played so many games WHILST being treated unfairly and obviously not first choice over the ‘unproven-in-our-system-Berbatov’ is testament of how an important player he actually is/was. (As seomeone on the blog mentioned – “think about it – take your time).
June 17th, 2009 at 10:19
@AndyCR7: Premier fixtures list is out…. Birmingham Home and then Burnley away first two games (in the space of 4 days ) what ya all say???
June 17th, 2009 at 10:20
@Scorp: Successor to Scholes?
More- like successor to Ronaldinho IMO.. Rooney has elegance.. But not flair.. He can be an adventurer, but not artist.. I mean to say, he cannot pull the strings or control the flow of the game.. Certainly he can add a lot of energy and tempo to it, but the dictator should be able to keep his head.. 
The dreadlocks should ‘lock’ the head in one place and keep it cool during pressure i hope 
..
June 17th, 2009 at 10:23
@Karl: Mate six of his goals were in the league cup, and Berba is no gage on a succesful strikers season, if you judge a player on a season’s return then £30m was too much money, hence Carlos all in isn’t worth £35m, but you are spot about Torres
I have thought mate, we have Rooney and Berba who drop deep, we need to spend the money on a striker who can score goals, someone who can play off the shoulder of the last defender, if we don’t then I will blame the management, not getting rid of a £35m player in a position we are plentiful.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:38
First off, why kid yourself with £35m? It’s £22m (Twenty Two Million Pounds). The other £10m cannot be counted in because sign him or not, ITS GONE!. Again, management should have sorted that out long ago.
(Please don’t interpret my CAPS as shouting, just trying to highlight important words).
Regarding his Carling goals…they all count bro. Just like Ronaldo’s, Rooney’s, Berbatov’s. Including Berba’s off-side goals. They all count. Also, considering that his teammates were inexperienced youngsters. I would say that those six were quite remarkable. Perhaps if he was given the chance to start the next few League games, he would have translated those into league goals as well. But he wasn’t. Not even after scoring 4. What more do you want from a player to prove that he deserves a spot? If he didn’t score those goals, would you have added that fact to your calculations too? Rooney and Ronaldo also played in a few Carling games, especially the season before last. Why are their goals not discredited?
We don’t just compete in the league. We compete and want to win ALL competitions.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:43
what a bummer – looks like my dream of being signed by United has just been shattered…
June 17th, 2009 at 10:48
@Karl: Mate don’t worry about that caps bro I love our debates
You have to look in my view the deal in its entirety, you cannot right off the £10m becuase it is gone, you could call that a deposit up front on the long term signing of the player. I am not saying that he is a bad player, he works hard but what I am saying is that we do not need him, we need a different type of striker who predominantly is on the pitch to score goals, this would allow Rooney who simply is a better player to play in his better position and to compete with Berbatov for that role.
Tevez has also played a game with the fans, I know you are not a fan of the manager, but surely spending the money on the midfield and on a top goalscorer is money better spent?
June 17th, 2009 at 10:50
@Karl: and @Stephen: See bros Tevez is all but gone… Whether because of Management or because of his agent or himself. Now it doesn’t matter any more. As based on the news flow you can just sense that 99 per cent he is done away from us. So, move on guys i mean talk about the life after the 2 of our so called fab 4 have left…
June 17th, 2009 at 10:55
@Merlinus: If you mean next Ronaldinho in looks
. Successor to Scholes in the sense that he would be our next mid-field maestro.
Funny how we see Anderson differently , I have not witnessed a bit of artistry from Anderson. Infact the qualities you atrributed to Rooney are the only ones I have seen in Anderson, lots of energy and add some tempo. Too early to say that a team should be built around him. I wonder if he can provide moments of inspiration as Roon can.
Well, I hope Anderson proves me wrong , because we really need one mid field maestro and the day Scholes hangs up his boots there will be a huge void left. Am not sure if the ‘ Dreadlock Ninja’ is our answer to that
June 17th, 2009 at 10:57
I think….. SAF is not going to sign another player who has declared his ‘love’ for Real Madrid. Benzema included. Ribery has mentioned his desire to play for Real.. It is pointless to have him and then lose him.
I say give Nani 1 season.. Rooney + Berbatov in the middle for 1 season. & the kids…
June 17th, 2009 at 11:04
Giuseppe Rossi is 22 and worth shelling out for
June 17th, 2009 at 11:04
First 4 games
Sat Aug 15 Birmingham City H
Tue Aug 18 Burnley A
Sat Aug 22 Wigan Athletic A
Sat Aug 29 Arsenal H
not a bad start
last 6:
Sat Apr 3 Chelsea H
Sat Apr 10 Blackburn Rovers A
Sat Apr 17 Manchester City A
Sat Apr 24 Tottenham Hotspur H
Sat May 1 Sunderland A
Sun May 9 Stoke City H
June 17th, 2009 at 11:31
Personally, I think this is may be a clever piece of propaganda designed to deflate asking prices and pour cold water on the rumour mill.
I’ve argued my point at greater length here
June 17th, 2009 at 11:37
@Stephen: I am a big fan of the manager…just not of his cowardly, boring tactics of the past season.
In a sense (a big sense), I agree with Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov, same position statements. (That’s why I said that it will not affect our team balance much if we do not sign him up). I believe our team is unbalanced. But, we managed to pull it off with Tevez and Rooney before, and I don’t see why we can’t again.
Thing with Tevez is, we originally got him as a foil for Rooney. At the time, Rooney became the talisman for our team and whenever he got injured the season before that, we were f…d. His absence hurt our team greatly, and I believe that was why Fegie went for the ‘cheap’ option of Tevez at the time (so that his absence do not hurt us so badly). That was the original idea. But, then with Saha’s injuries, Tevez proved that he could play with Rooney as a partnership. He became integral. That’s where our problems started. We became kind of imbalanced. Adding Berbatov to the mix was actually a grave mistake by Fergie. He did not calculate properly tevez’ impact. This caused our team to become majorly imbalanced. So imbalanced that we ended up playing Ronaldo as CF.
Now with Ronaldo gone, I imagine he can go someway to try balancing the team out again. The cheapest option is to give Berbatov a free-roaming role (ala Cantona), the same as what he gave Ronaldo. For that, the Tevez/Rooney combo can work because both of them do a lot of donkey work.
This is the main reason I believe we don’t need major signings. Even if Tevez leaves, and we sign a poaching striker, we will still not be balanced. This will mean that either Rooney or Berbatov will have to sit it out on the bench. Don’t think that will happen. If it does, I question management’s vision.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:40
@Sam: I would simply love it if we sign Rossi back.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:42
@Karl: I believe that what we need is a ‘Cheap-come-off-the-bench-add-a-different-dimension’ type of striker.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:48
@Karl: I think to a degree we are on the same page, the side is unbalanced and with signing Berba I agree did not sort the problem, but he was signed because firstly he is 6′2, Rooney and Carlos are 5′10 and 5′6 respectively so we needed a pressence in there.
Berbatov was a guilty pleasure of Fergies and tried to sign him the previos season but couldn’t, but in the same way you could argue the intial signing of Tvez was pointless and imbalanced the side considering we had Rooney who is pretty much a better version of Tevez. We all know Fergie, if a player plays well against us he wants to sign him, David Hirst, Eric Cantona, Paul Ince, Benzema and even up to Ronaldo were all signed or attemtped to be sign after performing well against us.
The side is imbalanced, we need an out and out striker, the midfield needs a played who can pit his foot in, another who can chip in with a few goals, and ideally a left footed winger, that is unledd Tosic comes through.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:49
@Karl: Huntelaar would not be expensive, and ideal as has a great record and is 6′1 with pace.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:49
I suppose we are just going to have to wait and see how we do without Ronaldo. If the several few months the beginning of last season, when Ronaldo was out are anything to go by, then you could say, we look like we could be in trouble. So many of our players had it in their heads, as did a good few fans, that without Ronnie we would not achieve very much. Proof of this, is that Rio, Rooney, Carrick, Giggsy etc etc, were publically saying, we need Ronnie back. Fans on many United blogs and forums were saying and believing the same thing. So it was a tremendous boost when Ronnie did eventually come back. Should it have been like that though? To say those things being said, only served to convince the team that Ronnie was indispensible and nothing would happen without him. Where was the BELIEVERS among our squad. The player/players in the dressing room who could stand up and be counted. Who could undo the Ronnie myth, and the myth of the whole football world, that Man United were indeed a one man team? That very same thought is prevalent today! The Media, football pros, and fans everywhere, saying that Manchester United are NOTHING without Ronaldo. The problem with this kind of epidemic thinking, is that Manchester United players will be lulled into it, as they were the beginning months of last season. Say what you like about Nani and Red Nev, but they are the only two players (correct me if I am wrong), who have said publically that Ronaldo is not irreplaceable. That United have other great players who can do the business. You may laugh at this, but I wouldn’t knock anybody who BELIEVES that the team have players who can be all that we need them to be, if they get the same kind of psychological support Ronaldo had in order to produce all that was in him, but lying dormant. The mind plays a big part in the making or failure of a player. Whether he becomes all that he can be, or whether he rots because like a thirsty plant he doesn’t get the kind of moisturing he needs. That’s why sports psychologists have played a big part in helping dormant talent and ability in a sportsman to come to fruition. To become a TITAN, the battle is 1st won in the mind. When the torrent of negativity about a player being fucking useless etc, is sewn deeply into the subconscious of the player. Ronnie was told all the time by SAF and everybody else that he was a genious, that he had so much to offer, that he would be great etc etc etc. This when everyone else was calling him a one trick pony with no end product. When SAF takes to a player, he gives him his all. Time to do the same for the others now. Only then will we be able to say, whether they are a LOT better than we ever thought they were.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:58
@Stephen: Word is Stephen, that Spurs have offered 36 million to Real Madrid for Huntelaar, Robben and Heinze. Spurs seem to have this habit don’t they, of sneaking in and grabbing players other people are sitting back and mulling over
.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:05
@Craig Mc: Well, feeder clubs have to try something.
And they’re more than welcome to Robben and Heinze.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:12
@Craig Mc: They can keep Heinze, but Huntelaar is a great player and if the price is right and Robben can prove his fitness, then I have always thought he is one of the best wingers in he world.
I hope Fergie is getting a great tan in the South of France, as everyone seems to be stealing a march on the best players.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:14
@Penguin: Is the Robben scorn because he rejected us and went to Chelsea instead Penguin? Or because you think the player is injury prone? I personally think that WHEN fit, and I admit he is injured a far amount, but fit he is a great player.
I notice you didn’t say Huntelaar, so I presume you like him eh?
With the debt we have, and IF, and its a BIG IF United are going to buy players under 26 with a sell on price prospect, then what signal does that send out about our club, that we talk about Spurs as feeder club, might be ironic if indeed we are thinking the same policy! I dont think that is the case though, but with a debt ridden overhead, one never knows. Might interest you to know, that I do not think SAF will be with us much longer either. No specific grounds for that, but I just think he is coming to the end of a very fruitful reign.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:15
@Merlinus: I thought you were a kindred footballing spirit with me, but now its clear that you’re completely off your tits!!!
June 17th, 2009 at 12:16
@Stephen: I was just debating Robben’s fitness with Penguin Bro!
June 17th, 2009 at 12:19
@Craig Mc: I don’t like Robben because (a) he’s massively injury prone and (b) he is a diving tosser who makes Ronaldo look like a saint. Not someone I’d like to see in the red shirt.
I can see a case for Huntelaar (and I know how popular he is with certain people – didn’t want to start a war on the first day I get involved in the comments this year), though I’m not sure he’d fit.
As I’ve already said, I think the “u-26 transfer policy” is a smokescreen.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:19
@Craig Mc: He is a top player, depending on his value he in my view would be worth a punt no doubt because of his quality.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:22
@Craig Mc: I think it signals that we aren’t going to piss money away. I’d much rather buy a good 23 year old than a good 28 year old. For one, the 28 year old won’t get much better and in 2 or 3 years we’ll need another one anyway.
I don’t think the gulf in quality is a choice between buying someone like Welbeck instead of Eto’o. Just getting the best out of our investments. Makes sound business sense. I’d rather we were doing what we’re doing than Chelsea, who need a whole new team within 2 seasons or they’re fucked cause they’re all so old.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:22
@Craig Mc: Absolutely buddy… At this point in time we need players who may not be the best in terms of quality but may have courage and enough quality to raise the hand and say that Boss Ronaldo has gone so what i am still there. I will do what he use to…
And as you have rightly pointed out NANI has at least shown this courage. I wont be surprise if Gaffer has earmarked NANI as the potential replacement of Ronaldo. I know all the NANI bashers may become alive with this statement but remember 1 thing you all when Ronaldo came was no special. The 3 yrs of continuous football has made him what he is today. One should give NANI time. May thats the reason why Fergi said towards the end of the season that NANI is going no where and he will have more to do next season. After all we all know that he knew since last year that Ronaldo was always going to leave. So NANI might have been earmarked for his JOB…
So, CRAIG NANI the next RONALDO in the making??? What ya say??? (Bit optimistic)
June 17th, 2009 at 12:23
@Onkar: Presumably there’s a good reason why you capped Nani’s name throughout that post…
June 17th, 2009 at 12:28
@Penguin: Ya… Trying to be little optimistic and trying to think of the combination that we can exercise without buying anyone.
Job is bit difficult though….
June 17th, 2009 at 12:29
@Penguin: Every team has players who dive, Rooney dives, Nani dives even Gary Neville went down like he was snipered, it is part of football now, I don’t agree in it but i don’t agree in shirt pulling and waving imaginery cards in the face of referees but it goes on.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:32
@Penguin: Also Robben played 24 games last season, 28 the season before, 33 in his last season at Chelsea 40 that previous season and 29 times in is first season at the club, 125 games in 4 years.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:36
@Stephen: I agree… In some other post previously i have already mentioned the same thing that i we can then we should go for these players in the offering. I mean as i said previously if we get say Robben, The Hunter and Sneider/M. Diarra for around 35 mn pounds then it wont be a bad business. Isn’t it???
June 17th, 2009 at 12:37
@Penguin: O right, I see your point on the diving issue, and on not wanting to get into it on Huntelaar. I wouldn’t mind taking a chance on Huntelaar if as quoted he is going for 15 million. Trouble is Penguin, I have a feeling that if we went in for him, it being Real Madrid, they would be looking to hike the price, to greatly reduce the 80 million coming our way from them.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:39
@Stephen: Are you saying that’s good or bad Bro?
June 17th, 2009 at 12:41
@Stephen: Errrrrrr Nani dives? How dare you mate! The most accomplished divers, the gold medal-ists, are surely Stevie Me and Dog-ba.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:42
@Craig Mc: You’re right about the price, plus I don’t want to buy Real rejects.
The other thing is that any striker we buy will have to be happy to be part of a squad system – don’t know much about Huntelaar’s temperament, but I’d be surprised if he’d be happy to settle for that when most clubs would all but guarantee him a starting XI spot.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:43
@Stephen: Fair enough – I just don’t have much interest in him. I thought Real was the perfect place for him when he went there – and that’s not something I say as a compliment.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:44
@Penguin: That you even have to ask that question I am amazed
.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:46
@Penguin: And if he turns out to be another Torres goal machine, you’ll be sorry Penguin
.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:48
@Onkar: Everything complimentary you say about Nani I AGREE with mate
.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:51
@Traverse: I see your point Trav, but the emphasis is surely on the GOOD 23 year old. The GOOD is the important matter. We have bought a lot of duds in the past. Please don’t ask me to name them, I might upset people!
June 17th, 2009 at 12:53
@NicoQB: If Merlinus has tits, I’m worried
.
June 17th, 2009 at 13:07
@Stephen: I won’t object to the hunter coming at a reasonable price. He defo fits the bill. My only thing is, I won’t be too disapointed if no one comes. As far as I am concerned, he money can go towards paying the debt off sooner. The sooner the club is debt free, the better.
@Craig Mc: You could not have expressed it better mate. It’s all in the mind. I wonder what must be going thru Nani and Park’s minds?
Total opposite of what is perceived by others I would imagine.
June 17th, 2009 at 13:07
@Craig Mc: If he’s gone to Spurs, we’ll just buy him the season after.
June 17th, 2009 at 13:07
@Craig Mc: Nico has completely lost the plot.. Tits?
Those things that are hanging out on Drogba???.. no freakin way!! 
June 17th, 2009 at 13:09
@Penguin: For double the feckin price no doubt
.
June 17th, 2009 at 13:10
@Merlinus:
.
June 17th, 2009 at 13:17
@Karl: I agre mate, one hand we all love to speculate but deep down we should want whats best for the club, it may give the young players an opportunity and keep my season ticket down as low as posible to boot!
June 17th, 2009 at 13:25
@Karl: What I truly believe, is that SAF and the backroom boys should go all out that the team get off to a FLYING start this season. A good run of WINNING games will convince the lads that they are good enough without Ronnie. Berba, Rooney, Nani, Anderson, Evans, Macheda, Welbeck should be told in no uncertain terms that they have this season to PROVE what they have got, and to show a Manchester United winning mentality. That they will be given EVERY encouragement to make a name for themselves, and they have to take it. Ronaldo should NEVER be mentioned around the team, Old Trafford or the fans on the terraces. Whoever puts on that Red Shirt should hear their name sang and chanted from the rafters by the terrace choristers
. Come on you Red Devils, lets scare the shit out of the opposition with great football, and LOUD FAN PRESENCE!
June 17th, 2009 at 13:27
@Craig Mc: I actually really agree with that. I remain totally unconvinced that we’re going to get a show-stopper signing – just a refreshing of the squad and a post-Ronaldo deployment of the pool of talent we have.
Fergie has to back the Rooney-Berba horse all the way down the straight now.
June 17th, 2009 at 13:30
@Craig Mc: I have said that very thing before, lets look at the kids and give them a least a chance to succeed, Rossi was sold too soon and lets not make the same error in Macheda, Evans, Welbeck (who I am not convinced on), The twins, Tosic, Possebon, Petrucci ect we could save ourselves a fortune.
June 17th, 2009 at 14:12
@Craig Mc: Sorry mate good, or better than people actually think.
June 17th, 2009 at 14:13
Real Madrid aren’t going to want to sell to us and if they do they’ll make us pay a premium.
I don’t see us buying anyone really big. Forget Ribery, Benzema, Aguero. We will buy Valencia as a direct replacement. We will buy a forward to replace Tevez. And possibly a midfielder if Hargreaves is not fit for the start of the season. In total we’d spend £50 million at most. Three players at most.
I like the idea of relying on our youths but who the hell is there in midfield? Anderson looks like he has peaked early and is mediocre at best. Gibson is on the way out. Possebon looks a bit lightweight and really needs to go on loan. Ljajic is very inexperienced and needs a couple of seasons in the reserves/Carling cup. Tosic is too weedy.
Basically we have a couple of good young defenders…Rafael, Fabio, Evans etc. And a couple of good strikers….Welbeck, Macheda, Petrucci.
Strikers take a long time to fully mature and im not going to entrust Macheda or Welbeck with the task of filling the 30 goal hole Ronaldo is leaving behind. Our defenders are ok but defence isn’t really a problem for this team.
So we really do need a good striker to replace Tevez and a couple of good midfielders.
June 17th, 2009 at 14:14
@Penguin: He does have ability and left sided wingers are in a short supply, he has got older and hopefully more mature and if the price is right then worth thinking about.
June 17th, 2009 at 14:18
I’m an “avid follower” of La liga too.. and i must say, Huntelaar is not that good. Actually, the 8 goals he scored in 14 games – one hat-trick and other brace. 3 goals in other games.. And only thing he can do is finish, man.. Infact RVN is much better, because he can read the game well and start plays. And who ever said hunter has pace.?
No way..
Game will become predictable. I sincierly doubt that Fergie would go for hunter even though he’d fit into the scheme of pedestrian football where you build up really well and get atmost 3-4 chances per match which he’ll bury into the back of the net. A bit like ‘Philipo’ Inzaghi IMO. He’s good but he’s certainly no Luis Ronaldo!- Possibly the cleanest striker of the ball the world has ever seen, even greater than Thierry Henry..
He cannot dribble, he cannot pass, he doesn’t have the vision. He’s only a good striker of the ball and has a dead eye for goal. Technique is also questionable. Certainly not a class player. If he’s bought then it must mean that we are getting good crossers of the ball and having him happily sit in the box and score..
June 17th, 2009 at 14:20
@Stephen: Ashley Young all the way…
June 17th, 2009 at 14:25
@Penguin: Good player but he would be so expensive
and right footed, playing him on the left in an Orthodox 4-4-2 would be a waste, but in 4-3-3 he would work either way we do need a left sided player, obviously depending on how Tosic develops.
June 17th, 2009 at 14:47
Park scored for Korea in a 1-1 draw against Iran within the last couple of hours. It was a nice goal too, playing a one-two on the edge of the box and firing a left foot shot past the keeper at the near post.
And who thinks we should look at signing Tim Cahill? We all know we need more goals out of midfield and this guy fits the bill. On top of that, he is established in the premiership. He would also replace the aerial power that Ronaldo gave us. He just scored another brace for Australia this evening in a 2-1 win against Japan at a packed MCG. What do you guys think, especially you Grognard?
June 17th, 2009 at 15:09
The policy is nothing new and not there for everyone else to follow. Its purely there to safeguard the future of Manchester United. Something Fergie is there to do and something he takes very seriously.
We need to ensure we have players in the squad that can be cultivated in to United players by the time they reach their peak. We also need to ensure continuity for the club, in terms of players and in terms of business. Money must be looked after. The key is to develop players that will want to remain United players. That’s difficult but not impossible. Look at Brown, O’shea, Fletcher, Rooney, Scholes, Giggs, Neville. I hope that from Gibson, Evans, Cathcart, Wellbeck etc we get a few more.
Recent times have shown that there is very little value in spending big money on a player in his 30s. Ask Chelsea fans about Shevchenko.
June 17th, 2009 at 15:29
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/16/real-madrid-player-clearout
June 17th, 2009 at 15:42
@Roge9: That was discussed over the last couple of days.
June 17th, 2009 at 17:20
@Stephen: Rossi and Pique were two massive mistake transfers. It was bltantly bloody obvious that those two were going to do really well. I feel really sad that we lost them, and I still can’t understand why???
June 17th, 2009 at 17:41
@Merlinus: Isn’t that the exact same thing that I said yesterday (or was it the day before)?
June 17th, 2009 at 17:47
@Craig Mc: Selling Rossi was probably a bad move, but don’t think it was such a bad idea selling Pique. I think Evans is a far better defender in the rumble and tumble of the Premiership.
June 17th, 2009 at 17:47
@Onkar: What is it you don’t understand from my statement mate?
June 17th, 2009 at 17:58
@Karl: Everybody seems to be forgetting, Carlos apparently doesn’t want to play for Fergie anymore. So whether we should or shouldn’t sign him sounds pointless. He doesn’t want to come back because of how he perceives Fergie treated him and because he wants to be a starter.
What would serve him right is for his greed to make him sign for Chelsea. He goes there and ends up on their bench behind Drogba, Anelka, Kalou and possibly even Pato or some other signing. Greedy player deserve that kind of luck and folly. Right or wrong it’s a team game and too many ego’s keep it from being that these days. It’s about starts, image rights, personal contracts and exposure potential. I guess winning is a secondary thought to Carlito.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:01
@redeyed_wunderer: What makes you think that when it has been clear that if it were possible, that’s exactly what Fergie would prefer to do. His top two targets from day one have been Benzema and Ribery and only their lack of enthusiasm for a move to United as well as the demands of their team’s have kept Fergie at bay. I have complained for months over Fergie’s fetish for Benzema on those grounds. He should never ever go after a player who lives and breathes Real Madrid.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:02
@Red Ranter: Not too sure about that RR, although I am a fan of Evans too. I truly like Pique though
.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:03
@Sam: Fergie never reopens a door he a slammed shut. In other words, he never brings back a player he has let go or sold. It’s just not in his makeup or history.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:07
Snippets of gossip coming out of Spain, is that the Ronaldo transfer has hit a snag. Real Madrid and Ronaldo’s agent cannot come to agreement on Ronaldo’s commercial/trading rights and projects. Real M want 50% of Ronaldo’s rights, and Ronaldo and his team are not willing to concede so far on this. So Real M are saying that it would not be a viable financial project to them, to sign Ronaldo if he doesn’t concede said rights
.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:08
@Karl: I’m with you on that mate. I love Fergie too but I’ll be damned if I am going to tolerate the man’s tactics, lack of energy and seemingly lack of outward desire in regards to getting the things done that have to be done. His lack of urgency in the last two summer’s has driven me mad with rage and his tactical style adopted from Italy is the bane of my existence. There are moments where I wish he would retire because he seems driven these days by his own personal goals rather than continuing the traditions and styles of play that he made famous here for most of his career. I’m truly torn out of love, respect and admiration for the man as well as frustration anger and impatience with his current way of doing, or should I say not doing things.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:08
@Grognard: Grog very occasionally he does, Mark Hughes was sold on and then brought back?
June 17th, 2009 at 18:14
@Grognard: and i remember saf saying something like he was remorseful at loosing rosi but it was his decision to leave and that he retained first transfer rights.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:16
@Stephen: It’s sad to think that three world class players could easily and cheaply go to Spurs while Fergie sits back and tans his red nose more. My God, they have 100 million to spend and they don’t think it would be good business to throw 30 to 40 million to get Robben, Huntelaar and someone other than Heinze? Fergie wake up, Real Madrid are having a massive fire sale and have gone to two Spanish banks to bank roll their revolution. They are broke and you need to cash in on their desperation. Go to them and get Sneijder, Huntelaar and either Robben or van der Vaart. It will probably not cost you 40 million for three world class players. It will be the steal od the century as together their normal value in different conditions would be over 60 million easy. They are having a clearance sale and the prices are discounted so get back at them a bit and do us proud. Spend 40 on three great players and you still have 60 to go after payers who can fill out and reshape our team for the future. Wake the fuck up you old Gaffer.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:26
@Oli: How sure are we that this is genuine and not some made-up journalist scam to boost sales at The Guardian?
June 17th, 2009 at 18:30
@Craig Mc: Haha!! That would be hilarious – but maybe, just maybe, he will stay, though he will be booed everyday at OT.
It also explains why we have made no attempt to sign anybody just yet.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:44
@Craig Mc: The longer we take to fill Ronaldo’s boots, the more desperate things will get and the more desperate things will look to others too. That will just make it harder for us to get players because if you think they are marking the price up now, wait until January when we are desperate and nobody is interested in selling unless they fleece us dry. Buy now, take our lumps financially and move on. The longer we wait, the more damage we do to ourselves.
My God when I think we could have had Ribery for 22 million last year, and Torres had Fergie not waffled over his doubts the lad could truly cut it goals scoring wise? I just lose it thinking about his incredible ability to procrastinate until a player signs for somebody else or until that player value increase three times from where it was. You can see it in his tactics these days, for whatever reason, Fergie has become a chicken shit coward afraid to take chances and be bold. Sorry if that sounds harsh but I call it as I see it and as all of you know, I’m not timid or afraid to speak my mind.
Regardless of my love and respect for Alex Ferguson, he has severely damaged or at least challenged my faith in him. Poor decision after poor decision for the last 14 months and despite that we still won a treble of silverware. Despite his boring tactics and lineup choices, despite his continual ignorance to our central midfield needs, despite his continuing faith in Scholes, Neville and even Giggs, despite his annoying faith in a the talentless and completely useless Anderson, despite his boring as Hell negative Italian tactics, despite his inability to see problems and aggressively correct them by going after new players with vigor and fire, despite his stubbornness to mistreat Tevez and overplay the faltering Berbatov, despite his annoying propensity to start the human pratt fall Park and despite his continual destruction of a super talent like Rooney by using him in all the wrong ways…….we still manage to win.
It’s time he had a good look at himself and asked himself if he isn’t letting his own hubris get the better of him and whether it isn’t time to just retire and let another man lead this team? The game has not left him behind but he clearly is running out of gas an ideas and his focus and clarity on some issues I find rather disturbing. Honestly honestly honestly, I truly love the man. I have often said to friends of mine that of all the people in the world today, Fergie would be among the three I would most want to meet and chat with. The other two are Peter Jackson the movie director and Roger Clemens the baseball star.
I have had a long and loyal admiration for the man but football is a cutthroat and competitive business and as the saying goes, you are only as good as your last game. Well Fergie’s last game opened up a Pandora’s box of trouble and exposed him as well as the team for what they really are. Good, but not good enough. Needing help in a lot of areas and having a manager who seemingly shows no urgency or desire to get the job done expediently and with hunger.
These are just my views and how I honestly feel. I don’t expect any of you to agree with me as I realize they are the rants of an obsessed and rather angry and impatient supporter. So for my sake, kindly keep the personal jibes and negative remarks about my roasting of the Gaffer to a bare minimum or none at all. I am just speaking my peace as a fan and showing my frustration and dissatisfaction for how things have been not getting done of late. And leave it at that.
June 17th, 2009 at 18:53
@Red Ranter: Yeah, just providing a proper for those who may not have seen it.
I think Pique is a better option than Evans: more versatile, better ball control, better and quicker passer with greater range, offensive awareness on corners and i think slightly fasters. Evans, to me, just has a better build.
June 17th, 2009 at 19:15
@Roge9: But he’s ordinary in th air and lacks pace which may not show up in La Liga or in Europe but is and Achilles heel in the faster English game. I like Pique too but I think we are better off long term with Evans.
June 17th, 2009 at 19:45
Yahooooo!!!!!!
http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/21752/United_ready_to_pull_plug_on_Tevez_deal_.aspx
June 17th, 2009 at 19:47
Resumes well what we are are all going through:
http://www.studs-up.com/2009/06/the-voices-in-your-head-are-itk/?page=0
June 17th, 2009 at 19:58
@Grognard: That mate is far to logical, you could throw in Drenthe into that Dutch mix also.
@Craig Mc: Atkinson sold him and Fergie bought him back, I think to appease the fans!
June 17th, 2009 at 20:41
@Andrei: That’s what the reports were saying
. That the intransigence of Ronnie and his agent to concede on sharing 50% of his trading rights, is slowing up Man United doing business in the transfer market. Real M have to sign though don’t they, because they will have to pay 26 million to Ronaldo if they don’t. So if they lose on this deal financially, then it is going to be a very sever and well deserved message to Real M and their devious transfer dealings. So I hope they do get a bloody nose in all of this 
.
June 17th, 2009 at 22:38
@Stephen: Oh, God! Drenthe is a nightmare. He is as fast as a jack rabbit, as strong as Rio and with a lightning shot, but he sucks at just about everything else from finishing to ball control, dribbling, crossing, first touch, discipline, etc. If Fergie gets him, he will have gone mental. The same goes for Huntelaar. Sorry guys, but I just do not see him being United quality.
I think that in the long term, we would much rather approve of a move for Alexis Sanchez or even Tevez.
June 17th, 2009 at 22:41
@Craig Mc: Unfortunately, I do not see them as having to pay the player if he does rejects them. Although that would be sweet.
Still, I think it is just press-shit because this deal has been a year in the making and if they have not been able to set the matter of the player’s image rights, his agent would be ridiculous.
June 18th, 2009 at 0:00
@Andrei: I’m sorry Andrei but I so disagree with you mate. Did you watch the under 21 Euros a couple years back that the Dutch won? He was the player of the tournament and was absolutely awesome and a revelation. And he is a very good dribbler and ball handler. His Achilles heel and why he doesn’t play that much for Madrid is his propensity to get caught upfield because he is so attack oriented. He is just average at best as a defender but if I were his manager, I’d use him as a LMF or LW. He’s got great attacking skills.
June 18th, 2009 at 0:02
@Craig Mc: Regarding your post 48.
Ronaldo’s depature will signals a herald a new psychological climate at the club this summer. Last season, the players reacted as they did because he was still an integral part of the team and there was no potential for replacement. His move will enforce an evolution not only in how we play but also in how SAF treats each member of the squad and in the players mind. Maybe I’m optimistic, but I fully expect them to embrace the new challenge and welcome the fresh taste of 100% whine-free football. All the attention that was allocated to soothing Ronaldo’s ego can and has to now be directed at players who need it. I don’t think the team has lost the culture or spirit of winning; just Ronaldo, despite his mecurial talents, was becoming a distraction and getting away with murder. He remains a fantastic professional in concrete ways (being punctual, meticulous work ethic etc.), but his passive aggressive, self centered behavoir grew too palpable, and ultimately dangerous and intolerable. Holding a club pscyhologically and emotionally hostage is the worst thing a player can do, and Ronnie became an expert at this. Why else the near unamimous relief, even joy, at his impending depature? I think back to Mourinho’s jibes the influence of Ronaldo’s upbringing on his perceived failings as person. While I deride the manner of the insult, it begs the question of what value system Ronaldo operates under.
He owes us nothing, but to bite the hands that have feed you so fiercely is unforgivable. Gareth Barry for all the hooplah he created when he tried to secure the move to Cesspool (sorry, Liverpool…my hatred doth spilth over
) last summer, returned to villa, kept his mouth shut (for the most part) and quietly moved on from the club. There’ll be some bitter feelings, and yes, the comparison is somewhat weak given the circumstances of Ronaldo’s talent and desire to leave, but he should have approached the matter similarly rather than resurrect the ‘only God knows’ bullshit and whine like a bitch every chance he got.
The point is Ronnie’s exit is beneficial to the psychological and emotional health of us fans and to the players; there is also the small good fortune of 80 Million pounds: small because it will disappear faster than most people’s 401K did this past U.S election cycle. Even so we can, at least, enjoy our summer as we nervously anticipate signings; we can celebrate and reflect on a season that delivered 3 trophies (with reservation of course since we failed conjure up more than 2 entertaining and/or convincing victories, let alone performances), and we ought to be grateful that we are no longer slave to, as John McCain would say, “that one.”
We’ll miss “that one’s” ruthless efficiency, but getting escaping the idea that we are nothing without him needs to begin somewhere….why not here?
June 18th, 2009 at 0:02
@Stephen: Logic and common sense seems to be a rare entity at Old Trafford these days, isn’t it? I just don’t get them anymore?
June 18th, 2009 at 0:16
@Grognard: Yep watched the whole tournament and he impressed. But keep in mind that he was playing against 19 year-olds at the time. Since his move to Real Madrid, he has been horrible every time he came on. I have seen him on about two dozen occasions do absolutely nothing and letting his team-mates down.
At the time of the Euro U21 Championships, I was really worried that Chelsea might get their hands on the guy, but now I would not mind he he played against us every week because he is Tottenham-quality at best.
June 18th, 2009 at 0:41
I like this policy. But every rule has exceptions… it is called Ribery!
June 18th, 2009 at 2:14
one name comes to mind: jordi cruyff!!!!!!
great piece of writing!10/10!!
June 18th, 2009 at 2:40
@Andrei: Yes he was playing against 19 year olds but also in fairness to him, he excelled against them which is all you can ask of a player much in the same way Pique and Aquero excelled in the world under 21 tournament in Canada two years ago. They couyld have choked and played poorly too, which they did not. Lets also not forget that Real Madrid has a terrible history of wasting and not playing good talent. They have completely wasted van der Vaart, Sneijder and Huntelaar and have preferred players inferior to them. The players are not at fault here. They need to play in order to find their form. I feel Drenthe is a true star of the future but he was too young and too inexperienced to get such a start with a big club like Madrid. They have no patience with youth and in fact have no youth program of any repute. It was just a bad move to go there.
June 18th, 2009 at 2:43
@Roge9: A good read mate, and of course I would agree with most of it. I hope with Ronaldo know, for club, players and fans, it will be ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ Not because I don’t appreciate all the magic moments, and trophies brought to us by Ronaldo’s abilities, but for all the reasons you mentioned Roge, and particularly for the psychological GOING ON of the team having a point to prove now Ronnie’s gone
.
June 18th, 2009 at 2:49
@Andrei: Its being more widely reported now Andrei, so I think there is some truth to it mate, and not just media speculation. Latest is that Ronnie wants 55% to Real M’s 45% of his image rights. Real M feel they cannot agree to this, as all the players at the club have 50-50% shares with the club of image rights. Ronnie is saying though that he should have MORE wages than the others too. The EGO has landed, over to you lot Real Madrid
.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:40
@Grognard: bro… I can’t say I disagree with you. I think the problem of late (last year or so…) is that Gaffer has become more reactive then proactive. I mean he reacts to things. OK, we have to agree that he reacts good enough by bringing all his experience and knowledge in play and that’s why probably he managed to won all those accolades in an year when we were probably not the best. But, the problem for me is in a Club like MANCHESTER UNITED you need a person who’s proactive rather than reactive. I mean just have a look at someone like Jose Mourinho, few times i have seen him changing things or teams at half time by accepting that the first half was bad rather than waiting to see another 15 mins of second half to see how team plays. I mean does Fergi do that (with an exception of Hotspur game i think & the CL finals). No, he never does. i mean even if you are reacting react quickly which Fergi can’t anymore may be because of his age.
By the to all the who like bashing Jose Mourinho and his style of football, in his second season at Chelsea, Chelsea were highest scoring and least conceding team. They were frequently scoring goals in excess of 2-3. And were scoring them at will. I mean, I cant see a team who score the highest no of goal can be boring to the extent people make out. May be league might was because, he always knew once he was on top he was never going to loose. Such was the domination… Food for thought for all may be….
June 18th, 2009 at 6:13
@Grognard: but speed and strength in the air are things that can be worked on, and i would say he is better in the air than Evans, In 23 games for us Pique managed 2 (both headers I believe)albeit in Europe, but Evans is yet to score in 37. I just believe Pique has more attributes to work with. Still Evans is a good CB in the making, wish we had kept both though along with Rossi.
June 18th, 2009 at 6:28
@Roge9: And do not forget that lad called Ritchi De Leat. I know he played against minnows on his debut. But boy, he was great. I mean i dont remember a mistimed tackle from him in a whole game. That to playing at LB position and he is naturally a Cb (if i am not wrong).
As for Rossi i agree totally…
June 18th, 2009 at 9:09
@Roge9: I know we’re onto a different thread now, but I have to comment on your post. Brilliant!
June 18th, 2009 at 10:44
@Andrei: Mate he is still only 22 and has been in and out of the Real side in a very disjointed perod, personally I think he is ideal for the premiership, he speaks English will learn and can only get better, but he does look like Lil Wayne
June 18th, 2009 at 14:51
@Onkar: Yeah he did impress at LB, but I still prefer Fabio. Fabio in his 2 outings even looked better than Rafael, and word around the club is, he’s more highly rated. But I think we shipped too many of a second wave of promosing youngers: pique, Rossi, Eagles, and campbell (if he leaves) among them.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:55
@Karl: thank you sir, but i far more impressed with, even in awe of, the consistently good writing and ideas that come from our fellow ranters, craig MC, RR, Grog, stephen, reddevil, onkar, and you among. It’s an excellent site; sad it took me til this year to find it.
June 18th, 2009 at 15:14
@Roge9: What about De Laet??? He was just too fantastic against Hull in our final game of season. He tackles like his life depended on it, fierce, hard tackles, and very few mistimed. I like him very much, and he didn’t get skinned either, so I can see what our scouts saw in him! I wonder if he wouldn’t profit from a swop to DMF, where we need a great tackler in there. Also he has real pace, and gets up and down the field with ease. Could he do it on a regular basis? I’m not sure, but he is consistently bloody good for our reserves. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the lad. Also Eckersley I am convinced could play in MF. He is all over the bloody pitch, when he is supposed to be a RB. He always drifts inside, and likes to get stuck into players in the middle, and he loves going forward more than he loves staying back?
.
June 18th, 2009 at 16:03
@Craig Mc: yeah my comment with regards to Fabio, referenced De Laet, the first line. Wonderful prospect no doubt, but i still prefer Fabio to him. Fabio offers more going forward. De Laet is certainly the better tackler though. I hope both push Evra next season to wisen him up because he’s been pathetic lately.
June 18th, 2009 at 16:40
@Craig Mc: My take on Ronaldo is simple really, yes he is a very dislikable person, he is arrogant selfish BUT he has never hidden the fact that he wanted to sign for Real Madrid as he was always a “Real Fan” so getting on his back and slating him is pointless.
I for one was never going to get excited about going to his testimonial and always expected him to leave this summer, Fergie probably said give us one more season and you can go with blessing.
One player who everyone seems to still respect and who I dislike immensely is David Beckham an equally arrogant selfish person, just ask LA Galaxy, he is also a self proclaimed “United fan” but like Tevez to degree played the fans off against the club, he left simply for the money and the glamour oh and his wife probably told him to.
At least Ronaldo had the balls to admit he was a fan of Real and wanted to play for them, and it is understandable he is not English and has never professed his undieing love for the club.
With Beckham he was constantly saying he is a life long United fan and yes he had his falling out with Fergie, but he was never man enough to come out and say why he left, but that’s Sir David for you he never has to justify himself at least not to the supporters who buy tickets, his addidas boots, aftershave, pants ect…………………… what does he care how we feel as long as we line his pockets.