Aug 18
Man Utd 1-1 Newcastle: Deja vu?
A start similar to last season, only improved by the fact that this was a score draw unlike the 0-0 start against Reading.
On a day when Chelsea thumped a piss poor Pompey, it’s sad when the only good thing one can report was Aston Villa’s dismantling of City. Personally the day was made worse when I found, to my horror, that I am #121 out of the #173 members that had signed up for the RR Fantasy League.
Many United fans have been quick to laugh off claims that Chelsea are among the favourites for the title this season. It would be foolish to write off the Blues, but not because they are playing earth shattering football, but because we lack some key components that will make a big difference to our side.
Ronaldo is not the key component, though. He is an important player, without doubt, but we are more than that. It would be cowardly to hide behind the oft stated injury excuse too. But any team, shorn of so many players will struggle. And a poor pre-season, where we couldn’t play with anything approaching our preferred starting XI partly exposed some obvious flaws in our preparation for the new season. The absence of Carlos Tevez (who had to leave due to a family bereavement) exposed those flaws.
The team started off brightly with neat and crisp passing, and had Rooney’s pin point cross with the outside of his foot (that Campbell met with his head) gone in, then we’d have been in a different mood today. But it hit the head of Shay Given rather than the ‘keeper attempting to stop it, and instead, it was the Barcodes that took the lead off a corner. Again the corner, prior to Newcastle’s goal, was not dealt with properly, with EVDS looking suspect dealing with a high ball.
To be really honest, United’s goal appeared out of the blue because, for all our superior possession, I couldn’t really see where we were going to get a goal. Steve Taylor was off the pitch briefly and we took advantage of the centre back’s absence (and a brief period of indecision in the Newcastle box) to sneak in a goal through Fletcher.
The second half saw an even more dire performance. True, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs — who were among the better performers on the day — limped off and the enforced substitutes were either incompetent (John O’Shea) or were too inexperienced (Possebon and da Silva) and too late to make any sort of an impression to affect the proceedings. But the team seemed incapable of moving the ball even into the box leave alone creating chances. Rafael da Silva was brought on far too late and saw too little of the ball. Although his run did see him get felled on the edge of the area. But it was a case of too little too late.
We were poor, and we hardly gave the visitors’ defence anything to worry about. And considering they had they 5974th defensive pairing in the last couple of years, they should have been tested more than they actually were. Rooney picked up a needless yellow card and he’ll have to rein in some of that temper if he plans to avoid early showers in this new Respect-themed Premier League season.
So are there positives to take from today? Well, thanks to the seven subs rule we could blood some youngsters into the team. Rodrigo Possebon looked very good technically. He looks like a Paul Scholes of the good old days. But yesterday he played like a Carrick of his early United days — more sideway passes than forward. But I will put that down to the fact that it was his Premiership debut and he’s just 19. Decision making will improve with games. Rafael da Silva looked lively on the few seconds that he actually got the ball. But bringing him on in the 85th minute was always going to be asking too much of the lad.
I wasn’t pleased with the way we played yesterday, but if Tevez returns we could certainly win against Portsmouth, who have looked wank the two times we played them in pre-season and against Chelsea. We’d however, have to hope that we sign Berbatov this week and hope he gels in instantly in time for Anfield and Stamford Bridge.
We are definitely title contenders, but we need someone like Berbatov if we have to mount a sustained challenge on all fronts. Let’s not make any pretence about it.
* * *
In other news, speaking of Berbatov, he likened himself to Cantona yesterday as he broke his silence on his intent to ‘follow his dream’.
“I’m now at Tottenham but no one can disagree with me wanting to follow my dream. I’m not angry about the decision of Juande Ramos to name me as a subsitute. I’m not crying. I only show my emotions to my close friends and family. If I had been laughing when I was on the bench, people would say I was an idiot. Eric Cantona never smiled, but I don’t know if anyone ever asked him why he didn’t look happier.”
The Cantona comparison is extremely teasing, not to mention what club is in the back of his mind. The dreams part though, was straight out of the Ronaldo book, don’t you think?
Related items from Red Rants:- Update on Red Rants
- Man Utd vs Newcastle Utd: Preview
- Keegan ‘I’d Love It’ Returns To Geordie-land. Heh!
- Man Utd v Newcastle: Preview
- Rooney Out For A Month
Tags: Match Reports
August 18th, 2008 at 10:18
Not much more to say, we were never looking dangerous after the first 45 but it will certainly be much better when some players come back.
RR or someone else, what is your take on Ronaldo’s reaction to the goal and am I just looking for problems when I found it odd that he was sitting alone hehe?
August 18th, 2008 at 10:28
I am not sure I agree, with regard to Ronaldo not being the key component I believe we would have won yeaterday if Ronaldo was playing. We also had also including him had 7 players out who would/could have started and if you count Giggs and Carrick who did not finnish thats 9, which surely you can blame to injury. It is not being cowardly to state fact, also Newcastle played well and as I have said in a previous post won’t play many ganes like that, also I bet Portsmouth won’t roll over like they did yesterday against us.
We have to get three points against Portsmouth, as Chelsea have Wigan bext and the thought of being 4/5 points behind already does worry me big time as Chelsea look good.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:33
I think you also need to remember that you were up against a team who were playing with enthusiasm and confidence, even though we were also shorn of some of our best players. It certainly “cheered up Kevin Keegan” as your supporters were clearly hoping for through their songs…We all loved it! :0)
August 18th, 2008 at 10:34
@Tomas Brolin: Yes it was quite lackluster to say the least, lets see the effort he puts on the pitch when he gets back.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:11
Doom and gloom. Same reaction we got after last season’s opener vs Reading and then Portsmouth. Tevez is a waste of money. We need another winger. Giggs is too old. No width no penetration. We will be lucky to finish in the top four. Today its Campbell is crap and should piss off to Hull City. Even if he was our main attacking threat. All 3 attempts on target. 2 of them required two good saves. Rooney was absolute crap. I think he was just crap. John o’shea is a failed CM. Right. How about when we went 7 straight wins in impressive fashion with him and Giggs in the center back in 06. Newcastle played extremely well and will give any team problems. Collocini was once Argentina’s first choice in 05 and 06 and is still there abouts. Butt was outstanding and stuck to Rooney like glue. Jonas Guitterez is an outstanding winger and was the best player on the pitch. We had like half the 1st team out and more. Campbell did enough 4 me considering the circumstances. Even Berbatov would not have found much joy considering the blunt midfield performance
August 18th, 2008 at 11:20
And i am in support of giving youngsters a fighting chance. I mean jeez the amount of rubbish being thrown at him by PS3 and Xbox fanatics is just unjustified. Epl debut. Playing with a depleted squad. He still put in a competent showing. Remember Evra’s disastrous debut vs City when he was taken off at half time. Many thought what a waste of money. How many would trade him for Zambrotta today? And to those not giving the likes of Manucho a chance. U will eat humble pie when he gets his permit. The guy will be a hit. Guaranteed.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:42
RR - my day was improved considerably by discovering that I am first in the Fantasy Football by a full ten points.
Agbonlahor, Ashton, Torres, Nasri, Arteta - everything I touched turned to gold.
Which is more than can be said for United yesterday.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:43
Campbell is a good premiership player, pacey agressive a little raw, and seems to have a good attiude. But he is not a top four player, I am afraid he just does not have the quality.
I have only seen Manucho on my computor so can’t really judge, just find it a bit odd @ 25 that he has not played in a major or European leage only in Angola.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:55
@Jay wire: Thanks for that mate. Some sense at last.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:07
Any news on Berbatov???
August 18th, 2008 at 12:24
@Jay wire: thank you jay wire, you seem the only person talking sense when it comes to campbell, and pretty much everything else, except for o’shea, in the last couple of matches where he player in the centre, he has been pretty poor.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:31
Stephen- Manucho didnt get the chance to play whilst in Angola for his team because of an Eriksson type of coach who only played big names. And a certain Flavio kept him out of the striker role. Flavio left and Manucho was called upon and he top scored his league twice in a row. Quieroz was alerted by the club’s coach(one of his many Portuguese speaking contacts) and he came to Manchester for a 3 week trial and he was quickly signed. He just didnt have the opportunity to shine earlier and when it came he impressed the following at the first time of asking: CQ,Saf,Angolan national team coach,all and sundry at the ACN. He did well in Greece imho considering he had just 3 months to settle into a good side with its own competent players. 4 goals is good enough for me. I wouldnt be raving if i was not hugely impressed. But i think all the skepticism will be actually to his advantage. The guy has Drogba written all over him
August 18th, 2008 at 12:40
Critizising Ronaldo for the way he looked at the goal is simply too easy. And it’s certainly because you guys look for flaws in the lad. It’s quite sickening really. I get so frustrated by reactions like that, because it has no base in what’s going on. How Ronaldo got to be a theme on a day where we played our reserves and second reserves is beyond me. He should be a theme, yes, but only because we missed him on the pitch.
Jay Wire - maybe Manucho will be a hit, and maybe we’ll eat humble pie. But it certainly won’t happen, before he gets his work permit, which I really doubt will happen.
And you may be in support of giving the youngsters a chance, but they were only handed the chance because we have so many injuries. In other words, it wasn’t a choice, SAF made - he was forced to put on da Silva, Campbell and Possebon. Believe me, had he had the squad not to use them, he’d have been happy to leave them in the stands. Those guys may be talented, but they’re not meant for anything but the Carling Cup this season, I can guarantee you that.
I’m 5th in Fantasy not too far off the top - I’ll get there. We can’t have one of the contributors winning, can we?
August 18th, 2008 at 12:40
i always hear comments saying if manucho is so good, how come he was only signed now, or he would of move to europe earlier, but in my opinion, he must of been pretty damn good to impress sir alex enough to sign him.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:42
@Jay wire: I’m pretty sure that Drogba could have knocked a certain Flavio off the team in Angola.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:43
Dan- Im all for giving players a reasonable chance and Campbell took his relatively well given the unfavourable conditions. He is no Eto’o but he will obviously learn from the mistakes his made. But he contributed more in attacking the goal than anyone bar Fletcher’s goal. I think too many people just want to point fingers and expect us to win every bloody time. That to me is what delusional means(if u know what i mean).
August 18th, 2008 at 12:48
@Jay wire: i agree 100%. i honestly think campbell did pretty damn goo all things considered, and i think some people where quick to put the blame on him, but if it where another player, instead of campbell im pretty sure the blame would be far more equal.
August 18th, 2008 at 13:05
If Tevez had done exactly what Campbell did yesterday, he’d be lauded for his tracking back, chasing down and hustling, and called unlucky for not scoring atleast 3 times….
August 18th, 2008 at 13:09
Here is a question for all.
Would we be out of the title race if you draw our next game and lose the next 2? Because with our current form and injuries and suspensions and whatever it is looking a distinct possibility!
I was there at Old Trafford on Sunday and I will tell you the crowd are still as quiet as ever.
August 18th, 2008 at 13:18
Tomas- Drogba would not have done that if the coach showed little faith in him. Ask Graeme Souness. He decided that Deco was only fit to play in the Portuguese 2nd division and chose big names over a rising talent whilst at Benfica. It took Deco almost 3 years to even play in the first division. And it took a certain Mourinho to realise how good Deco was in 2003. He was roughly the same age as Manucho was when we signed him. Its all about being given a chance. Both Manucho and Deco took their chances when they came. But the opportunities had to come first
August 18th, 2008 at 13:24
It was actually in 2000 not 2003. My bad. But i hope u got the point
August 18th, 2008 at 13:28
You said it RR- fergie took too long to put of Da silva. We seen him ready on the side line then it took him 12 minutes to put him on. Im sure wudda tipped it if he was on for an extra 10mins.
Gutting.
Lets not get too carried away like the start to last season. oYr squad is immence, just so happens were missing all of our attacking threat at the mo!
Wee’l be just fine.
Only real worrying part for me is rooney….When did he forget how to shoot at goal? im missing the rooney of old.
August 18th, 2008 at 13:34
I picked up the Ronaldo-esque edge to Berbatov’s comments. No doubt tomorrow he will be saying that he is a slave. Can you blame Levy for taking a stance and keeping him under contract? I’m a bit pissed that Berbatov is talking to the press. I can see how Tottenham fans are enraged. He should show some class, submit a transfer request and let Tottenham and Manchester United sort out the transfer.
I think Manucho should be given a chance. He has much more of a physical presence than Campbell and I was very impressed by his performances for Angola in the African Nations despite receiving very limited service. Lots of players mature late in their career. Think about players like Luca Toni.
I’m pissed to draw against Newcastle but if we have Anderson and Tevez back for Portsmouth we will finish them off and then hopefully we’ll have a few more midfielders fit and hopefully a new striker for the Pool and Chelsea games.
August 18th, 2008 at 13:42
From the looks of things signing Berbatov is looking so unlikely. In fact i would be shocked if it happened. Honestly why is Levy being dissed by everyone? What wrong has he done? He wants to retain a world class talent and if is forced to lose him he needs over the top compensation. Look at the signings he has made and its clear he is aiming big this year. It doesnt help his cause to aid a certain entity of the hierarchy he is trying to challenge by awarding them such a talent. Im sure he is aiming for the CL so lets drop the hypocrisy. And the prophecies of doom whilst we are at it.
August 18th, 2008 at 13:43
Utd 111, if as you say, your lot loved the game yesterday, when N’Castle only had one attempt on goal a header from Martens, then it doesn’t take much to please you lot up at N’Castle. We are used to FINER fare down at OT mate, as we proved last year against you, home and away, 11 goals wasn’t it. Can’t wait for the return at St James Park when we will have Ronaldo and our other top players back. You were playing a very weakened United side yesterday, and yet you celebrated a draw like you had just won the premiership. O well, enjoy yor moment.
August 18th, 2008 at 13:45
Traverse- If it was Tevez he would have been named MOTM
August 18th, 2008 at 13:48
@AlphaRS:
Your point is something I was going to touch on and is my only main worry about yesterday and our injuries.
Normally that performance which was below par and the result wouldn’t worry me especially after our start to last season and at the end of the day it is only the first game of the season.
However my main concern is keeping in touch with Arsenal, Chelsea and liverpool but mainly Chelsea who have looked good pre-season and a good performance against albeit a very disappointing pompey. The Chelsea squad and with Scholari at the Helm look a formidable force and if we fall too far behind early doors it will make the rest of the season catching them very difficult.
But away from the doom amd gloom for a team with so many injury problems I thought we zipped the ball about rightly for good periods of the game but we were just missing that bit of venow round the box. Although not ideal it was good to see the likes of Campbell, Da silva and Possebon getting blooded in the premiership in an important game against a handy enough looking Newcastle.
So we get stuck in grind out 1 nils or whatever it takes to stay in the hunt get key players back, sign Berbs and start to show the rest of the pack we mean business.
Carrick out for 3 weeks by the way with ankle
August 18th, 2008 at 13:50
Campbell is just not good enough for a top four club, he is a decent player but not with one of the gig four. Manucho was kept out of an Angolan league side by flavio amado another player never to play in Europe and his goal tally is 14 in 47 for Angola, not exactly world class.
August 18th, 2008 at 13:51
To those of you who think we will see Portsmouth off if we have certain of our players back, you have obviously forgotten our very poor history of results down at Pompey. We do not have a good record there. I don’t think this time will be any different. They have a fantastic fan base, making a right din, and their players will respond, and will be onto us with urgency right from the kick off. It will be like a war of that I am sure. They are as desperate for points as us.
August 18th, 2008 at 14:01
AlphaRS, the crowd at OT was quiet as usual you say. Well of course they were, they had little to shout about, it was snooze football mate, there was no sense of URGENCY about United’s play at all, apart from the short time of getting the equalising goal. I can tell you right now, if I had been at OT which I would have been normally, I would have been bollocking most of our lot for pure bloody shoddiness of it all. That football didn’t deserve the full house crowd it got yesterday, and that includes Newcastles debacle of nullifying football.
August 18th, 2008 at 14:13
Red Ranter said, we lacked some of our key components, but Ronnie is not THE key component!. How far was your tongue in your cheek when you said that RR?. Ronaldo is THE key component for our scoring of goals. Regardless of what we think of him after the summer debacle, he lifts all the other players around him when he is playing. They love him, and they know they have a very good chance of getting goals, because the opposition have players keeping an eye on him for large portions of a game. As far as other teams, and other teams fans, and sports commentators are concerned, Ronnie is the key important for United!. Nevertheless, you feel otherwise RR, so we wait and see.
August 18th, 2008 at 14:13
@Craig Mc: I was there yeaterday and yes the atmosphere was not great, but watching O’Shea and Fletcher (bar the goal) was not great either.
August 18th, 2008 at 14:20
@Craig Mc:
I hope your wrong mate and Ronaldo isn’t the key component because if thats the case then we are in trouble for the league.
Time for Rooney and co to step up and be counted in his abscence.
August 18th, 2008 at 14:21
@ Scoop:
I know that this is the first game of the season but I can’t help thinking that the coming good after xmas we have become accustom to does not work anymore. We need to come good at the start to the end of the season. Chelsea and Arsenal raised that bar a while back. We need to keep in touch of Chelsea and one game in to the season and we are already playing catch up. It’s worrying.
@Craig MC:
The atmosphere at Old Trafford has always been quiet. It was best when Barcelona came to town! I gave the players some sh*t yesterday. Campbell tried too hard. Almost like Anderson on his debut. Newcastle played nulifying football like we did against Barcelona last season so I can’t really agree with that. We should be good enough to break teams down.
The most entertaining part of the day was when 2 Geordies jumped up and cheered when Newcastle scored in the East Stand 2nd Tier. They almost got lynched! The United crowd went mad!
Where do you sit mate?
August 18th, 2008 at 14:26
Ronaldo scored 42 goals last season so obviously he is important to our side, unless we bring in another striker who can share the burden.
I agree with Scoop it is time Rooney stepped up to the plate and make himself counted. It is a big season for him and if he doesn’t perform then you must start to wonder if he is going to be the player I certainly thought he would be. He has to grow up and stop arguing with players and referees alike and get on with the game, he is becoming a paroy of himself, seems to play up to his image. He is a great talent and needs to show his class not what the papers want want see his ugly side.
August 18th, 2008 at 14:49
@Jay wire: I’m not saying that Manucho won’t make it. I’m just saying that had he had Drogba’s quality, it would’ve been Flavio warming the bench, not Manucho. Deco broke through in 2000, when he was 22, so that is some difference to the 25 that Manucho is now. And remember that Manucho broke through in an Angolian team, not Porto.
I want to see Manucho here, but I’m not sure, it’s ever going to happen.
August 18th, 2008 at 14:50
Alpha RS, I sit anywhere I can get a ticket mate, and I nearly always get one. I don’t want to divulge my sources of tics, but I only usually pay normal price of tic. I have been everywhere in the ground, but Old Strettie end is best. I try to get tics for there. Atmospehere depends on the importance of the game, but also on whether United are dishing up snooze football or not. It is hard to get enthusiastic, when the players have no urgency. United away fans are at the top of the away chanting and singing chart. We are NOISY big time.
August 18th, 2008 at 14:56
Scoop mate, if you remember correctly, we were in trouble for the league at the beginning of last season when Ronnie was suspended for those early games. We were fortunate to claw back the points Arsenal had gathered meanwhile, and I don’t think we’ll be as fortunate this time if we fall behind. What depresses me really scoop, is that our football is so sluggish, and we just seem off the pace for a while now.
August 18th, 2008 at 15:02
@AlphaRS:
I agree totally with you mate coming good after christmas is no good because by that stage it would be too late and we do need to keep up the pace from the start. I can see the dippers dipping and Arsenal have quite an inexperienced squad and are liable to implode like they didnt last year but Chelsea are made of sterner stuff. They definately have the testicular fortitude and squad to see it right through to the very end.
However we do whats needed to grind the results until we get players back Fergie will demand nothing less and I do believe we have the players and the squad to do that. It might not be pretty but it will be effective!
August 18th, 2008 at 15:12
Craig to be fair to the lads very few of the first team players had anything resembling a pre-season. Really it puzzles me because surely the point of having a summer off from football and a pre-season is to ensure that players are match-fit and injury free come the start of the season so we can hit the ground running?
Re: Rooney…the guy had a wedding this summer, was pigging out, hardly played any pre-season games, had a virus and I can tell you from experience post-viral fatigue can linger a while. His performance reminded me very much of how he plays for England-frustrated by a lack of service, running around like a headless chicken and letting out his anger on the referee whenever possible. When the team starts to play well, Rooney will start to play well.
The difference is that Ronaldo is so much of an individual that how the team plays is irrelevant. Even if the team plays crap he is still capable of producing some magic and finishing ever chance that comes his way. How many crap performances last season were saved by Ronaldo goals? Lots!
Tevez I think will be better for us at this stage of the season. He was impressive in the pre-season even though he was playing with a bunch of reserves-which is basically the state of affairs at the moment.
Three names…..Anderson, Tevez, Nani. If we get those guys back our sluggish attacking play will disappear and we will be back on top. If we had those players on the pitch yesterday Newcastle would not have had a chance.
August 18th, 2008 at 15:14
these are the times where we have to grit out wins… lets do it with fire in our hearts and a stealy determination… we have a longer break now not playing till monday… I have faith… oh and watch for a shock chelsea v wigan draw
August 18th, 2008 at 15:18
Ironically, the best moment of the game was Vida sprinting back to make an inch perfect tackle that could have gone so wrong. That defines the guy. World Class.
And the barcodes have displayed exactly what teams are going to do at OT again this season. Sit back, defend and defend some more. Nick a goal of some shabbily dealt-with set piece, and frustrate the United forwards by closing them down, 11 men against 5.
Bloody effing ‘ell.
My sympathies extended to Barca fans…
August 18th, 2008 at 15:20
I just can’t seem to understand why the other of the big four don’t have the same injury+ban+family problems scenario we constantly have every August.Perhaps it is our good luck charm to some extent: we recovered very well last season and also in 2002-2003 when we got off to a sluggish start.
But remember 06-07? The 5-1 thumping of Fulham got us on our way, and we remained locked in the title chase till the end. Seasons where we have started very poorly, only to desperately recover at Christmas; have left us near-empty-handed (04-05 and 05-06).
I have the constant belief that our squad is actually very deep and we have plenty of utility players that come in handy during tough parts of the season (Sheasy, Fletch, Park, Silvestre). I’m just baffled at our desperation to the extent Possebon, Rafael and Campbell have to deputize for our Hargo, Park and Saha. It’s incredible how many injury plagued players we have in our squad!
August 18th, 2008 at 15:23
@Craig Mc:
Like I was saying to AlphaRS I agree that we can’t fall behind this time or else it will be a nightmare trying to play catchup especially on Chelsea.
We did look a bit off the pace yesterday but as long as we keep up there even by winning ugly then so be it. Once we get Tevez, Ronaldo, Anderson, Nani, Hargo back and hopefully Berbs then everyone will see what we’re all about.
Thats what makes the Portsmouth game massive and like you said that is going to be fecking hard but those are the games that win you championships in the long run!
August 18th, 2008 at 15:25
Why is no one mentioning how rubbish Scholes was yesterday? If he’d been ticking over as normal (and as he was in pre-season!) we’d have been fine. But not only was he anonymous in attack, his cross-field passing was totally off too. We desperately need him while Ando, Carrick and Hargreaves are out of comission, and he really let the team down.
Question on Giggsy: When was the last time he actually scored a direct free kick? Was it Lille away when he did the ole Henry trick? He always seems to take them when Ronnie is off the pitch, and his track record is truly dire. I don’t get that at all, surely we have someone else that can strike a dead ball?
August 18th, 2008 at 15:27
Tomas- What i meant was Manucho got zero opportunities because in African football only big names count. Whether a new talent looks so promising in training come match day the tried and tested are the ones on show. He got into the 1st team at 22 much like Deco and he top scored in two consecutive years. What was he supposed to do? Kidnap the coach’s wife to hold him to ransom 4 game time. Thats the way African football goes. Big names play regardless of better potential talent. Otherwise Zidane would have been playing for Algeria if things were done differently. And the Luca Toni analogy makes sense. So what he didnt play in Europe before. He looks the business now and until people can counter my facts with contrary FACTS then Manucho will be a hit WHEN he gets his permit
August 18th, 2008 at 15:31
@Craig Mc: I think the presence of a fully fit Rooney or Tevez wouldn’t have served up the snooze fest that was yesterday.
Ronaldo is an important component, but I am sure you’d recognize the key roles players like Nani and Hargreaves had to play last season. My point is any team would struggle if they lose several important players.
Ronaldo was a very very important component of our side, but we also had an important cast of players that zipped the ball around. Where did we see that swagger in the second half? I didn’t see it. And I attribute it to the loss of several players, not just the one.
So while Ronaldo’s presence could have ensured we got the goal. I think the same could have been said for Tevez.
August 18th, 2008 at 15:32
Colver, that’s exactly what I mean mate!. Our players are not really match fit. Pre season wasn’t what it should be for us. After a long hard season, coming back for lengthy treks to hot stamina sapping countries, and being seemingly ill prepared for the new season onset. When Kevin Keegan can say, that his team were twice as fit, and far pacier than us, so much so that they didn’t have to substitute any of them, and I can agree with his assessment, then I do feel sad for where we are at this important time of getting off to a really good start. As for Rooney, he was a disgrace the way he came back from pre season. It is an absolute disgrace for a professional athlete to turn up to pre season with rolls of fat, and smoking like there is no tomorrow. I hope he is dropped from England and United for a while until he starts to care about his health and fitness. Because he needs to learn the hard way Colver. Sorry if that upsets the Rooney fans.
August 18th, 2008 at 15:34
Exactly Beachryan: I mentioned it previously, and I totally agree: Scholes no longer has the magic about him. You know how Giggs said that he uses his experience to compensate for his lack of pace and agility? I find that statement rather untrue: Scholes, whose “experience” should be in his ability to spot passes and opportunitues, has looked very incompetent in that role particularly yesterday. Giggs as well, his passing really lets him down at times, and ironically, its still his pace and dribbling down the wing that was most threatening to the Toons yesterday.
As for freekicks, I also agree. Giggs rarely scores freekicks that dont involve the keeper being 6 yards away from the goal or a deflection off the wall. I would have much prefered either Rooney or Carrick to have taken them yesterday. Carrick seems good at penalties and his long range shooting has been incredible at times (remember Roma?!). Perhaps he sould have a go. And let’s not start on the short-pass-to-Scholes-and-he-blasts-it-to-the-top-corner option. It doesn’t work and won’t. It might however, be very successful if used to knock the bollocks off someone in the wall.
August 18th, 2008 at 15:37
@Jonboi: scholes is an amazing player, even at his old age, he is a different type player now, then he was in his youth, and still he is top notch. i rate scholes extremely highly even at his age, and i would go as far to say he is in the top 5 best CM in england(who are english).
August 18th, 2008 at 15:40
Yesterday was definitely a very sad day. Chelsea crushing Pompey to my surprise and we conceding a goal via a corner kick (and I can’t remember the last time that happened), all but sums it all up. We are so plagued by injuries that Frazier got a starting debut and even Raphael and Possebon made appearances. It almost felt like a Carling cup line up. I am more than convinced that had Tevez played, even for just 25 minutes, we would have won. No more dilly dally starts please, let’s get it right against Pompey. I know the premier league is a marathon and we are like Kenyan runners, but still a good early start won’t kill nobody. I’ll preserve my sanity and take it one game at a time.
WE NEED BERBATOV
Does anybody know why Fergie was at the Blackburn game, I didn’t see it but I hope it was to watch Danny Simpson if he played.
My brain seems to be on meltdown right now. I need to know what the punishment for a straight red card is. In other words will NANI be available for Portsmouth? Educate me somebody.
August 18th, 2008 at 15:45
@ Craig Mc
Do you have any idea what the spat between Giggs and Ferdinand all about? It was so disgusting, it scared me. If there is any trace of bad blood and disunity in the team, then we can as well kiss all the trophies good bye.
August 18th, 2008 at 15:48
@dan(u-ol): Scholes was magnificent in his youth! Scholes, he scores goals! But unfortunately, not anymore. He is a class player, yes: his attitude, character and record as a footballer is top-notch, but sadly, I doubt he has the class ability now. I would rank Carrick as a more fresh and lively option to the was-Scholes role. Scholesey just doesnt have the consistency and the tenacity to play at his class level every game.
As for Top 5 in England: Gerard, Hargreaves, Carrick, Barry, Lampard would be my Top 5 in no specific order. Perhaps even Beckham as No.6. Sorry to say, Scholes doesnt come close to any of these now. He certainly used to, but now, no…
However I’m a True Red fan and I have my utmost respect for him, as do you! What’s important for us now, is he passes his time-earned wisdom and experience to the younger CMs like Possebon and Carrick.
August 18th, 2008 at 15:48
WhiteY- Nani will be unavailable for Pompey. I think the punishment would be a 3 match ban or something to that effect
August 18th, 2008 at 15:52
Just to clarify, I absolutely think Scholes still has ‘it’ and can be one of the top CMs in the country - was just saying yesterday he was crap.
August 18th, 2008 at 15:55
Scholes wasnt great yesterday but not having the class ability. What does that mean? I think he has an important role to play. How many times were his passes not near perfect throughout last season? Not many. Beckham? Please.
August 18th, 2008 at 16:01
Warning!!! To all Berbatov hopefuls. This week is going to be dry ito anything worth jumping about in the Dimitar Berbatov Show. A spin-off from the Judas07 Show. So dont even hold ur breath. He is staying in London. Lets look elsewhere
August 18th, 2008 at 16:04
@WhiteY:
More like to watch Santa Cruz maybe if Berbatov falls through
August 18th, 2008 at 16:08
@WhiteY:
Straight red gets you 3 games so no Nani for Pompey.
August 18th, 2008 at 16:21
@scoop: I was actually in denial. Honestly if that’s the case, either it’s a stunt to put Levy and co on their toes, or it’s a sign of impending defeat. I hope though that Fergie is up to his mind games again because even a blind soccer pundit can see that we are in dire need for a striker. Berbatov is my choice and has always been. Santa Cruz is good too but not good enough to hold it down in a win at all cost side like ours.
August 18th, 2008 at 16:37
@Craig Mc: I have to grudgingly agree with your assessment of Rooney. He needs to be put on his toes and fully understand that a starting berth in the team is not his birth right. That brings me to my dream( everybody seems to be having dreams nowadays) of Fergie finally completely the Berbatov signing. I am sure that Tevez is going to make a big difference this season and Rooney will have to learn to be a professional.
August 18th, 2008 at 16:39
Red Ranter, I feel that all our first team players were each an important part of our games last season. Our defenders were superb performers, and without them we would’nt have come near any trophies. I know Edwin didn’t have a good game yesterday, but he has come back very late from after season rest time, and he isn’t sharp yet. Hargo, Nani, and Anderson and suprisingly Je sung Park, were absolutely fabulous and most important with their forward runs, and excellent passing contributions, not to mention their combatant effects. Roon was nowhere near his best last season, but he had good few spells of injury, so that’s somewhat understandable. He did contribute greatly though in many games. Tev is a backstreet warrior, and will die rather than lose. No doubting his part. But nobody, who unless bitter and biased, can say that Ronnie wasn’t the chief exponant in attack and goal scoring ability. What I wouldn’t have given to have him back in the team yesterday, tormenting the feck out of N’Castles defenders, and putting that ball where it should be IN THE NET. I know your not biased RR, but you did say recently that you are still somewhat bitter with Ronnie. Fair enough, but I believe the team is impoverished without him. I know you weren’t saying he wasn’t an important exponent to the team, just that there were others of equal standing. I agree.
August 18th, 2008 at 16:41
Believe me Scholes would make the England first team easily. He’s never been the type to boss a midfield though and what was the use of his passing ability if we did not have the players to use the ball. Despite the draw we did enjoy the majority of the possession and that was not in small part due to Scholes. Other players are responsible for our failure to take advantage of our possession and in the final third we were woeful.
August 18th, 2008 at 16:50
WhiteY, you don’t know how begrudgingly and painfully I have given my opinion on the Roon. But we need to be honest. I think a lot of the problems with Rooney’s temperament and terrible remonstrations with referees, stems from his frustration at not being able to do it on the pitch at certain times and in certain games. If he misses the ball, mis-hits a pass or misses a shot, his PRIDE is stung, and he starts the abuse of ref’s, when his inability in these games is down to him. He doesn’t put the effort in, in training like some of the others do. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have disrespected his team mates by turning up at the start of our overseas pre season games OVERWEIGHT, and really UNFIT. None of the other players arrived in that state. The fact he got married is no excuse. Anybody else would have been disciplined by Fergie, and Rooney seems to get the nod no matter what state he is in, or how off the pace he is. I am not talking about yesterdays game, I am talking about games last season and pre season.
August 18th, 2008 at 16:54
@Craig Mc: I am bitter about his off the field antics over the summer. I never doubt his abilities. You won’t see me criticise him if he plays badly during the season. I am not putting down Ronaldo’s contribution to Manchester United over the past two seasons. I am just tired of other fans calling us a one man team which we are not. That is why I stress he is not the key component, but one of the key components rather.
August 18th, 2008 at 17:01
I’d like to ask you all an honest question now, and please be honest in your answer. We all know that Ronaldo and players like him love putting the ball in the net. They are on the field for one reason TO SCORE goals. Everything else is secondary to them, they want to score goals. So Ronnie and players like him, do like to mostly play in their oppenents half of the field. Now here’s my question!. If Rooney considered like Ronaldo that his value to the team is to be a striker before all else, would he, if he had the true heart and mentality of a striker, be everywhere on the pitch except in the box, or mostly in his oppenents half of the field threatening. What I am getting at, is does Rooney himself, consider himself to be on that field to score goals. Or has he been listening to the hype, that Rooney is so much more than a striker, he is an all round player. This is where Rooney has lost the magic he had when he first burst onto the scene, which was to get into the oppenents goal area as quickly as possible, and score goals. So what do you all think then?.
August 18th, 2008 at 17:04
@WhiteY:
Aye I think Berbs will be with us before the end of the month. Not only is it in our best interests to get him but Spurs as well. He’s a huffy sod at the best of times but if he doesn’t get his transfer I reckon the toys are gonna come right out of the pram which will be absolutely no good at all for the manager, him and the whole team.
On Santa Cruz if it comes down to it and Berbatov falls through for some reason for 10 - 15 mill I’d take santa cruz. I don’t want to sound disrespectful to Santa Cruz as he is a quality striker last season says it all but desperation buy we need a striker before the end of the august and if he can score 20 plus for Blackburn then he’ll murder the opportunities with us.
Nice goal he scored at the weekend as well!
August 18th, 2008 at 17:06
I can’t work out why Fergie doesn’t reign in Rooney’s temper. He’ll easily get to 10 yellows this season, and face a suspension, in who knows which match. All he would need would be sat down by Fergie and told until you curb your lip you’re not starting. And then sit him. Wouldn’t take long at all. But for some reason he doesn’t get told.
And to everyone talking about Tevez’s will to ‘die for the cause’ - I would put Rooney right up there with him. Rooney absoltuely hates to loes and gives his all for every minute he’s on the pitch. Just at the moment he’s not fit enough to amount to much for 90 mins
August 18th, 2008 at 17:07
Fergie is too soft on Rooney, he needs to be put in line with his off the fiels antics, smoking, spitting, weight and various other things. And his on the the field getting into spats with players referees, I would like to see Nani get away with same, Fergie needs to get Rooney in line and soon before he wastes his talent.
August 18th, 2008 at 17:11
@Beachryan: It’s a pointless rule while referees are not held accountable for their actions. No review panel. No goal line technology. Getting told they are shit by players is the only comeback they get, and most of them deserve every word of it.
August 18th, 2008 at 17:25
Fergi where is my damn surprise
August 18th, 2008 at 17:41
@Jonboi: so because he doesnt score a lot of goals anymore, he isnt a class act? scholes is near a completely different player now, a bit like rooney really, 2 different players. scholes is much, much better then barry, that guy screams over-rated, and probably better then lampard also. im judging this by club and country form, and although scholes is retired internationally, he must be pretty damn good for both McClown and capello to want him back ahead of all of those midfielders you listed.
August 18th, 2008 at 17:42
Berbatov will come, no doubt it just a fee issue and I bet its nearer £30m than £25m, so just get the deal done, fuck me we need him.
August 18th, 2008 at 17:46
how about 25million and a dong on the side lol
August 18th, 2008 at 17:49
@dan(u-ol): I would be delighted with that!!
August 18th, 2008 at 17:50
you know, i wouldnt mind santa cruz…
August 18th, 2008 at 17:54
At the moment I would take anyone, we are so short of an established striker up front, but not sure about Santa Cruz in an ideal world. We simply need to sort the Berbatov deal out sooner the better, as we have a week for him to bed in, but unlikely.
Spurs will want to keep him as they have little else, Bent and Dos Santos is not ideal and Arshavin seems to be looking more unlikely, so in their view why sell?
August 18th, 2008 at 18:06
i hope ferige is joking by saying ‘we can go through the whole season without strengthening’. article is in goal.com. Though I have faith in the gaffer, going through this season without adding a new foward will be a really taaaaall order. I hope something happens soon.Does it also mean Manucho got a work permit or what.
By the way Arshavin price has been pegged at 19.7 million.
August 18th, 2008 at 18:15
Pray we dont get more injuries in the up coming internationals. the squad really looks shite right now and we dont want any more sufferings now do we.
August 18th, 2008 at 18:23
Yeah this season I think Ferguson needs to get Rooney to show some discipline. That means getting back into shape, playing as a centre forward, leaving the ref alone and concentrating on scoring and letting the rest of the team sort out the rest. He is also going to accept that part of being a striker is being isolated at times when the service is not up to scratch. Because we are United and not England that will not be a common problem, but when it is we need him to stay up there and wait for service to resume rather than running back to midfield because he has been missing the ball.
Ive heard nothing about the surprise. I hope it is not that crappy sponsorship deal we’ve secured.
August 18th, 2008 at 18:36
Boy, quite a few comments by the time I woke up this morning. First off, nice article RR. Alway fun to read a day after the game article of yours. However, I have to disagree with your point regarding Ronaldo NOT being the key component to our team’s success. Sorry mate but he is and has been for two years now. It’s not just his goals, which are numerous and wondrous but his presence on the pitch puts fear into the opponent and nobody but nobody can replace that. He simply intimidates the opposition by just being out there. And when the ball is at his feet, positive things happen. Also, Fergie has built this team to play around Ronaldo. Everything that works seems to run through him. I have used this term before and I will continue because it’s true. Ronaldo is the straw that stirs the drink. We aren’t useless without him, but we struggle nevertheless. Rooney has an important role in our success too. When he is on his game, we are impossible to beat. When his head is elsewhere or when he is unfit or hurt, we struggle. Yesterday we struggled because we had no Ronaldo, and no Rooney for the most part. The experience, tenacity and desire of Tevez could have really helped us but the bottom line is, that when Ronaldo is not around, and Rooney is not Rooney, we struggle terribly to break defenses down and we honestly do not have enough cracks at goal.
A few months back I remember making a comment where I received a lot of negative feedback for. I stated that without Ronaldo and without an adequate replacement for him that we would struggle to be a top 4 team. Many thought I was out of line and that my comment was outrageous. Lets wait a few more weeks and see if what I was saying was so wrong. It’s not about lack of talent. We are loaded with talent but we are still lacking something aren’t we? We lack three major components to our game that would ensure our success without Ronaldo in the lineup. We lack an offensive system or game plan that brings out the positives in our other players when Ronny is not on the pitch. We have become so used to him being the talisman, that I think we stop moving and playing beautiful football when he is not there. We have a hard time breaking down a team that places ten men behind the ball. Which leads me to component number two. We don’t have a striker who can help us break down these kinds of defensive setups and who would have been a godsend yesterday when we got stuck into 4-4-2 and we needed an old school target man in the box. Component number three is we just don’t shoot the ball enough because our strikers spend too much time doing useless and unnecessary things and our midfielders are not aggressive enough to take more shots or make more runs into the box. I am happy to see that at least Fletcher has become far more aggressive offensively than the rest. He is scoring goals and taking shots. But what about Scholes, Carrick and the rest? How many goals did we score from the midfielders last year (Ronaldo doesn’t count)?
Our style of play and our dependency on one or two players to make everything tick has become our Achilles heel. Frankly we are good, but without Ronaldo, we’re not that good. We are probably top 4 but barely. Without Ronaldo Chelsea is better and Arsenal is too. I still think we are better than Liverpool and the rest but it’s because of our tight and world class defense. We still can give up less than 25 goals in a season and still finish third or fourth because we may struggle to score 55 to 60 goals. Right now, we are no better than a goal a game outfit. The truth hurts but that is the case. Add Ronaldo and Berbatov and we go from 50-55 goals to 80-100 goals easily. That’s how much those two player will mean to our future and to our preferred style of play and multi-dimensional attack.
In closing, other teams face similar risks and problems. Chelsea would suffer greatly without Drogba or Lamapard or Ballack in their lineup. Arsenal would suffer greatly without Adebayor or Fabregas and Liverpool would be fighting relegation without Torres (slight exaggeration) and fight for a cup placement without Gerrard. All teams have that fragile line that separates greatness from mediocrity. It’s just right now we are having that test forced upon us. Sitting back being patient and doing nothing about is not the answer. Two things have to happen before Ronny returns for us to keep the dream alive for this season. Someone on this team has to pick up the slack and the responsibility that Ronaldo has had and carry this team on his shoulders. And it is of vital importance that Fergie and Gill wake up and get a tall in the box striker before it’s too late. If not Berbatov, Huntelaar or even Santa Cruz must be bought for crying out loud. Get someone. I’m sick and tired of watching smurfs trying to climb the Berlin Wall to make things happen. If we are forced into 4-4-2 until Ronaldo’s return, then we need the players who will bring that about positively. When Nani returns he and Giggs can be the crossers but we need someone on the end of those crosses that can salvage games for us until the Great One returns. And when he returns, pray it doesn’t take him a month to find his form.
August 18th, 2008 at 18:36
I just hope the surprise wasnt supposed to be campbell starting!
ive got my fingers crossed for a pony
and by pony i mean Benz-atov-ular
August 18th, 2008 at 18:45
@Grognard: would you be offended if i said i didnt read all that?
August 18th, 2008 at 18:47
@Red Ranter: If we are not a one man team RR, then it’s time the lads proved that theory wrong, don’t you think? It’s time for Rooney to stop wasting time, energy and effort chasing down referees and lost causes and start demanding more from himself from an offensive point of view. Fegie challenged him this week to put up Ronaldo like numbers in goals. He wants him to go from 20 goals per campaign to 40 goals. Does he honestly think that will happen based on the style of play and poor decision making and useless energy wasting the lad is presently offering? Tevez for all his greatness is not a goal machine eithe