May 09
Last day finishes, lawnmowergate, trouble at the JJB… and other tales
It’s that day of the week again; the day you’d almost feel holiday-like but for the eight hour shift you’d have to put in before letting your hair down. Then again, as they say, thank God it’s Friday!
It’s been a hell of a week for me though, and I’m sure, for most Reds. I’ve not been quite as nervous for a whole week. I’m sure — although I hope not — the players would also be a bit nervous. Wigan have been comprehensively beaten by United almost always. But Steve Bruce’s side now have drawn Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
I haven’t seen Valencia play (apart from the world cup for Ecuador), nor have I seen Palacios. But I am beginning to believe that they may actually be decent. I still wonder if they are United class though. Surely they would be bought for squad depth, if at all; I still doubt if we are going for either of them.
Back to the Wigan game, though. Manutd.com has started running a three part series of last day finishes that United have been involved in. I am sure it’s not going to be a great idea, given we didn’t do particularly well when Blackburn won it in ’94/95. The Guardian offers a more sobering thought; United conceded the title to Man City, of all teams, in the last day of the 1965-68 season — although we still stole their thunder, so to speak, by winning the Champions’ League, that famous year.
Meanwhile there is trouble brewing at the JJB, from a Dave Whelan (Wigan owner) viewpoint. The large Red population, in and around Wigan, added to the fact that it is a last day finish, has brought a frown to the faces of those concerned with the club as £25 home tickets have been sold to away United fans for as much as £ 250 — which apparently is the cost of a Wigan season ticket! So the allocated 5000 United seats could now double up as United fans take their seats in the home section of the stadium.
Now I am really happy about this development. I’d assume there to be a pretty jolly atmosphere even from the home support because Wigan have nothing to play for. Whilst I am not saying that the home fans won’t get behind their club, fears of fan violence breaking out might be pushing it. It is good to have extra security as a precautionary measure, but I don’t think there is much to be worried about. More United fans in the JJB is always good. Hopefully the Wigan fans sellout all their tickets and make it a mini-OT for the final game. We need the crazy travelling support on Sunday.
Chelsea seem confident about being exonerated of racism charges in the delightfully coined ‘Lawnmowergate‘. But again, if you ask the folks at United they would also seem upbeat. So we’ll wait until a verdict is forthcoming.
Wayne Rooney still appears doubtful but we’ll have more details on that come Saturday/Sunday.
Meanwhile there has been speculation — more like will he, won’t he — regarding Huntelaar. But we’ll start talking about transfer targets once the season gets over. In fact, we can then start making a list of players we’re linked to, on a daily basis, just to see how silly things can be and at the end of the day, tick the ones that actually sign for us.
All that once this season gets over. God! I am nervous. Aren’t you?
Related items from Red Rants:
- Some reads to while your time…
- The Red Exodus | Rio Sure of Ron | Neville v Brown and Other Tales
- One Day, One Result, 333 Million Tales of Woe – What’s Yours?
- Rooney not enough to spare United cruellest of finishes.
- Reds’ New Signing | United Rich For Real? | Lyon Draw
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (542)
Stephen (490)
RedDevilEddy (462)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
sh*ttingit.com……… I just keep thinking back to 1995 and all those saves & blocks by Hammers players. That was awful….. We have to so be up for this game – play as if its the European Cup Final. My team would be usual back 5 carrick, Scholes & hargo with a front three of Park, Ronaldo & Tevez. leave Rooney on bench if we need him for a goal only risk him then & does anybody know if saha can even park his ass on the bench for this game as he might be handy to have if we need a goal! If not put wellbeck on bench & a dream scenario would be Wellbeck hitting the winner from the bench!
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It’s alllll about the early goal. For me, if we score first we’re home and dry. Wigan have talked up their commitment and all that, but if they go behind, they just don’t have any reason to kill themselves clawing it back. Same with Bolton and Chavski.
It’s a day for calm old heads. Giggsy actually looked alright against West Ham (then again, given their effort, I would have dominated the midfield) so I’d give him a start. Simple 4-4-2 please:
——–VDS———-
-Hargo-Rio-Vidic-Evra-
–Carrick—Scholes–
-Park———Giggs–
—Ronaldo-Tevez—–
With a view to bring on Fletcher, Rooney and Hargo as needed. Dunno about you guys, but I can’t see us winning in Moscow unless we take the league, momentum would just be too much in the Chelsea direction.
As an aside, I have a work function at Stamford Bridge on Monday. If I have to walk by the trophy there, I might just not go.
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@beachryan
Are you deliberately dropping Wesley? I agree with your team, but Wesley at RB and Hargreaves instead of Scholes. Our impact subs are then Rooney, Scholes and Anderson (not Fletcher?!).
Agreed on momentum.
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“United conceded the title to Man City, of all teams, in the last day of the 1965-68 season”. Lol, what’s that? A three-year season?
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I would like United to play a high pressing game forcing Wigan into errors in own their half
Scholes and Giggs on the same pitch would worry me, unless Wigan decide to take it easy…simply put, we need more energy than them, get to the ball quicker than them, out run them, if this is accomplished then the rest should fall into place…
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We missed a trick letting Anelka go to Chelski.
He would have been ideal at Old Trafford.
Even if he is a miserable sulking bar steward.
I’m sure Fergie would have soon given him a slap so he’d sort his ways out….
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MCRx3; Anelka’s stats since going to Chelsea:
14 appearances, one goal.
I don’t know why you are saying we missed a trick.
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Wigan 0 – 4 Champions
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hey all,
all week ive been telling all my mates that i didnt understand why all the media was focusing on wigan playing seriously against united and NO mention at all about bolton playign their part… im afraid fergies comments today about this very subject came a little too late but still glad he did… hopefully it wont matter, im extremely confident we will win anyways, but the stress is killing me… cant wait for sunday to come… till then have a great week end united fans!!!
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Do you think it’s difficult? Oh yeah it is. All we have to do is get the chances . Cause Wigan give the ball away too easy. The chances will come. I’m very happy that we have to play Wigan. Let’s hope that Scholesy will hit again. My favorite players Scholes , Giggs , Rooney , Rio , Andy … Well I’d like to see all of them scoring. Anderson won’t . Rooney or Scholes … well that’s more possible. COME ON CAPTAIN RIOOOO!!!!
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Man, Im shitting myself! My hands are always shaking and I cant concentrate on my studies. Why cant it be Sunday today? I cant wait though, I am confident United will win. But with all the media hype and the price that is up for grabs, this is beggining to be too much for me. Well, well thats football for you! Hopefully on Sunday we can say: “This is what being a United fan is all about!”
My team for Sunday:
VDS
Brown/Owen(cant decide!) Vidic Rio Evra
Park Carrick Anderson Giggs
Ronaldo Tevez
I hope Andy plays, he will be important! His passing and ability to find players in the room behind the defense will be vital. Remember how he got his breakthrough against Wigan at Old Trafford? His tackling created counter attacking chances, his passing made the goal for Tevez and almost set up goals for Ronny and Simmo. I hope he plays and gets a goal! If he does then all in the first team, except for Evra, have scored this season!
Prediction: 4-0 to United. An early goal will be important! If we get one, we may score many. Ronaldo(2), Tevez and Rio to score. Ohh, why cant I just sleep for 48 hours?
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I plan to finish all my freelance work before Sunday’s game. Because if we lose the Premiership, i might think i need a break from work for a while.
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im nervy like hell-fuck!
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OOOhh AAAAHHH BullSh######,it’s wigan for god’s sake. We are United if we can’t get thru this comfortably then we
need to forget the UCL…
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I was reading a greek blog and somebody wrote
NINIS GOES TO MANCHESTER UNITED. IT’S FINAL!!!
There are no reports for this but if manchester buy him then we will have one of the greatest players in Balkans for years to come. He is just 17 and he understands football as if he was a 25 y.o. man
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/news/kind=1/newsid=504460.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-16rGlq5mQ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYUQKbmvCjs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_mjzzICcJo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19yFJYgGvLI&feature=related
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Well…I’m really nervous(not the bad way),just anxious to win the league again.I know we have the quality to overcome a revived Wigan side led by the great Steve Bruce and in a way I know he wil gives a bit of lead to make us win the title since he has nothing to play for(only cash prize reduction if they loose).We’ll be celebrating our tenth title and our second in a row,after that,let’s hope Chelsea are dissapointed and lose the Champions League to us.
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NIKOS; Being Greek myself, I hope Ninis is coming to United but I also hope he may get a shot at making the Greek National team for EURO 08. Why not? Walcott and Ronaldo both made their national sides at that age. And Greece hasn’t got the depth of those two countries. Anyway, if there was a chance of him being signed up by Man Utd, that would be great but I certainly have not read anything about it. It seems to me United concentrates it’s scouting in South America and Portugal these days. Perhaps they got a look at him because of his link to Manucho.
We’ll see, but I wouldn’t put money on it. The boy does look very talented though and his pace, dribbling skill and ability to use both feet is impressive.
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Why be nervous everybody? We are the most talented team in the world and we are playing for our lives. Why would we lose now after all the team has done to get this far? It’s not like we are playing any of the big 3. It’s bloody Wigan. Yes they are well coached and an improved side but they always suck against us because they don’t match up well against us position by position. United will win 3-1.
As for the pitch, it’s the same for both sides and so it can’t be used as an excuse. I don’t think we will see either Rooney or Vidic as starters. I think Fergie really wants to rest them up for Moscow. Rooney will come in as a sub if needed. Start Anderson and Park and press the Hell out of them and they will fold up like a cheap tent. Lay back in that awful zone defense and let them come at us and they might steal a goal. Give the ball to Ronaldo and let him take us to the promise land. An early goal will kill Wigan’s spirit off provided we don’t get complacent. The longer we wait for a goal the tougher it will get but I am confident. We’re simply to damned good for that sad lot. If we can’t beat Wigan with everything on the line, then we don’t deserve to be Champions. Expect a big show from the lads. I just hope nerves and negative tactics don’t come in to play here.
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He is an exciting player ninis, i heard of him a good year ago, and looked him up properly when i heard manu was of to greece. i wouldnt say no to him, he’s exactly what i wanted another winger who wont mind playing bit part.
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[Grognard]
Panathinaikos’ manager is Portuguese and is a good friend of Queiroz’s — which is why Manucho went to the Greek club in the first place. I suppose that explains the Ninis link.
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RR; I know he is Portuguese but I wasn’t aware of how good a friend he was with Queiroz. Still, I’d like to see some links regarding this rumor before I believe that it has any merit.
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I’d imagine we’d give Ninis a few more years to develop, or buy him and farm him out on loan like we did with Rossi and Pique.
Pitch or no pitch we have the quality to beat Wigan.
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http://goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=690371
Anyone know about him
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Are these news really true/Authentic?
Or is there any possiblity to be true in future?? Please take a look………….
http://soccerlens.com/chelsea-confirm-deal-for-30m-manchester-united-defender/6906/
http://soccerlens.com/united-to-sell-stars-stadium-for-debt-servicing/6901/
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[Sanjoy]
Jeez! Did you even read the entire article? It says it was an april fools joke, at the end
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Heard the rugby union match in JJB was postponed. That’s good news for United, right?
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sanjoy its been running for a while now,it got my attention the first time but upon reading it you realise its a load of bull.strange its still running though.
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To say i am nervous, yes maybe a bit. But United have always struggled against much weaker sides in relatively unimportant matches.
This is a very important match indeed: The Title Decider.
Win at JJB, win the title. Its very important and the players know this the most of course. I think it’ll be a smooth sailing for united. Probably a repeat of victory against West Ham. I am almost sure of that
Looking at Soccernet.com today, the main headline is about how Chelsea beat us in the FA cup last season, with Drogba’s face lifting the cup. God knows how much i hate him. By just looking at his horrid-hirrid ugly face can shiver me to my nerves. Lets kick Drogba and the rest of their squad to the title
God i hate Drogba!!!!
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Spanish sports paper Marca reports Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy at Manchester United and is considering leaving this summer, with Real Madrid “waiting with open arms” when will spain learn…
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Those spanish idiots dont know the the difference between truth and rumours! When are they gonna learn that he is happy?
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its moronic. Marca says he wants to leave as he doesn’t feel valued at the club.. LMAO
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The Red Army will be there in force for the Wigan game. Our fans have been bombarding Wigan fans, who have been selling their tickets, including season tickets, for exorbitant amounts of dosh lol!. Still it will be worth it to all the red fans who managed to get a ticket. United fans have supposedly exceeded their official allocation of tickets soo far, from 4000, to 10,000. WOur fans will be the 12th man, and the lads will be getting the kind of atmosphere they would if it was a home game.
I think all our combatants should be picked for this game, WE NEED WINNERS. We also need experience, and I expect Scholes to play. I want Hargo, Carrick and scholes or Andi in midfield. I would like Ronnie and Roon (if fit) and tev up front. We have to attack, attack, attack obviously. Park and Fletcher on the wings at some point. If Roon doesn’t play, I think Fletch should, cos he can pinch goals. Maybe some of you would prefer Park though!.
All you red army fans, United’s 12th man, I hope we OUTSING, OUTCHANT AND OUT EVERYTHING THE WIGAN FANS ALL AFTERNOON. Come on you very mighty Reds!.
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