Nov 25
Man Utd v Besiktas: Preview
Sorry about the delayed preview post. Here goes…
United play Besiktas at Old Trafford, having already qualified for the Champions League round of 16 — unlike some other sides who couldn’t even qualify. It’s now a question of us winning the group.
Dimitar Berbatov could make a return to the starting XI that will likely field an experimental line-up. Rio, Evans and O’Shea, however, are out.
In the press conference, Ferguson spoke, among other things, about EVDS and his replacement. He said the politically correct thing to say (which is to give backing to his deputy ‘keepers.) “Ben has terrific ability and needs game experience. Tomasz is also another good keeper. At the end of the day the two of them will fight it out, I’m sure of that.”
There are reports that Obertan might get his first European start for us, and a strong possibility that Gibson might start today, as well.
In the meantime, reports are awash with news of Vidic’s possible departure come the summer, thanks to some equivocal quotes from the Serb. We’ll probably discuss that sometime later; suffice to say, to his credit, he’s at least said he plans to stay on for 2-1/2 years of his contract (although I call BS on that.)
The manager has also bigged up some of the youngsters in the side, particularly Darron Gibson:
“We could have a non-event game if we wanted to,” he said. “But that is not the way we want it to be. We want an exciting game and we will do our best to challenge the young players who do play.
“Sometimes you cannot hold a young man back and that time is approaching for Darron now because he is becoming a good, powerful midfield player. He is not playing the amount of football he would wish for but he has never let it get to him in terms of being unsettled. His performances in training are excellent and he comes in each day knowing it is going to be worthwhile. There is always an issue about whether it makes a difference between finishing first or second in the group, especially when you look at some of the groups, but we will be trying to be number one.”
The starting XI can be anyone’s guess. My prediction: Foster; Rafael, Brown, Vidic, Evra; Obertan, Anderson, Gibson, Nani; Macheda, Welbeck. Not that I think it’s the best possible lineup, but I’m just throwing it out there. Feel free to throw up some of your own.
Well, this post was hurriedly cobbled up, so I’m ending it with the prediction right away: 1-0 to United.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Porto it is then…
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@CraigMc: As much as I think Fergie has reached the time to go, I still feel he must stay until the Glazer’s go. They are the ones who must go and new owners with deep pockets and a firm commitment to the club and what is best for the club and it’s legions of supporters is most important. I said this the other day, as much as I sometimes feel he should get the sack for his attitude and terrible tactics, he is a form of stability that is vital. Also, it doesn’t matter if it’s Mourinho, Capello, Guardiola or the reincarnation of Sir Matt, unless their is a change in the ownership of the club, all managers would be handcuffed and in turmoil trying to improve this club’s fortunes and on field product. The Glazer’s have made a royal mess of things and they need to be publicly flogged or privately whacked..
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@Gabriel: In a way he was too good for us!
He was so good that the other players resorted to a “get on the by line – cross the ball to Ruud” game plan that made us utterly predictable in his final year with us.
THere was a notable improvement in our overall play once he left. Still would love to see him back.
Someone please write a sincere letter to him and tell him how we still love him and not to sign for the scouse gits.
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@NicoQB:
ba dum dum ching!! 
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@NicoQB: he still does that hes just passing to berbatov instead
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@Traverse: Ajax in the 70′s, Bayern in the 70′s, AC Milan in the Gullet and van Basten age, Arsenal in the late 90′s and early par of this decade, Barcelona last year, Madrid during the di Stefan period as well as the Galacticos period and of course Manchester United through the 60′s under Sir Matt and over 20 of the past 22 year under Sir Alex have all played winning and highly attack oriented football. So I honestly do not see your point mate. Craig is 110% right. Go back into history and take a look at the number of teams that have won the league or the CL and you will see more attack oriented teams have won as opposed to defensive teams. No Bayern Munich, Ajax, Madrid or Barcelona team that has ever won the European Cup has won it with a defensive approach. 22 European Cups between those four clubs tells me you have your head up your you know what.
How many league championships since 1992 has United had? Eleven. 10 of those were won playing attacking and entertaining football. Wenger has won three. Even Blackburn was an attacking team when they won. Chelsea scored plenty of goals when they won although most of us would say they attacked but didn’t entertain. What team has ever won the league that didn’t entertain or attack well? Answer is NONE.
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@Traverse: True. i too would prefer we off loaded Rio before he is worth nothing. Kjaer is definitely on the list as is Rodwell. It would be a calamitous mistake to let Vidic go, and after losing Ronaldo it would be more than what many fans could stomach.
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@NicoQB: That’s what happens when you have a player that is that good and effective at scoring or playmaking. Just like what happened with Ronaldo, it is inevitable!! The play will eventually circle around that player. The sad thing is our team have gotten too familiar with that type of play, the give it to ‘Player X’ and wait for magic tactic. There is no off the ball movement in this current team; something I am surprised is not being addressed in training.
Ruud is 33 though, don’t think it was/is ever gonna happen, unfortunately. At least bring him back in a coaching capacity like they do at Tottenham with Les Ferdinand and Co. Defoe attributes his improved finishing on the coaching he receives from their ex-players turned coaches. Speaking of, why is Solksjear not showing our strikers how to finish??!
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@Beachryan: Yes but he still is getting up there and speaking as one who’s life has been ruined by a disabling back problem, that thing never leaves you and it only will get worse with age. Evans time has come and Rodwell or Kjaer look to be on their way (although i will believe when I see it) so I say sell him while you can still get something for him. I am really not big on having players over 30 slowing down the team.
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@Footy4Eddy: I really do not need to read that mate. Seriously.
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@Footy4Eddy: In other words, you were at home all alone pulling your pud, right?
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@Gabriel: Will you still look to him as a legend and love him so if he signs with Liverpool?
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@NicoQB: Red Diablo is dead to me. He betrayed me after I was trying to take over the club. He has no honor.
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@Grognard: Thinking of you bebe.
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@Grognard: Yup!!!
At the end of the day, the guy gave us sooooo much and joining one of our rivals is not enough to erase the memories. 
Unlike that little argie retard who thought he was better than he is. Could be warming the bench at Old Trafford, coming on for players the calibre of Rooney and Berb, instead he’s warming the bench at wastelands, coming on for the likes of Wright-philips and Petrov. Twunt!!
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@Gabriel:
@gator: Dribble past several players and end with a sublime chipped assist? No I don’t think Roo does it nowadays.
And don’t you dare make veiled remarks about King Berba!
He’s been performing very well this season. 
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@Footy4Eddy: You’re such a tease.
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@Gabriel: You should look at the case of one Paul Ince. The Guvner was loved by United fans but as soon as he went to Liverpool, he was dead to us all.
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@Grognard: Yeah, but I read he acted a twat and was overly taunting while he was there. Over-aggressively celebrating and kissing the scouse badge when he scored against us. No sign of respect as far as i’m concerned. He deserved the bile he received from his former worshippers. I think Denis law joined City and came back to United, yet he’s still considered a legend. Even Schmeichel went to City and no one really paints him in a bad light.
As hurt as I would be if Ruud went to Anfield, I know he had his best days for us and even he wouldn’t be able to save them from the shambles they are facing this season.
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@Footy4Eddy: Your missing a brain I’d say mate – your a SLAVE to your HORMONES – END OF! How much did you pay all those girls by the way?
.
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@Stephen: I know you don’t sleep Stephen with that gorgeous wife of yours keeping you up ALL NIGHT! You heard the song – ‘all night long, all night long?’. Well your living it in technicolour now mi man!
.
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@Traverse: Well that’s me Trav – I’m a conumdrum – you have to work out what I am saying
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@Traverse: Oh I buy the way mate – you can be sure I didn’t mention Rooney anywhere, and certainly I would rather Welbeck wasn’t one of the kids who played – ever! He’s not ready.
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@Grognard: For the Record…. I was only Groggy’s slave….. And Groggy is dead to me…. He has turned optimistic… Now the Doom and gloom belongs to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buahahahahahahahahahahaha
Oh.. and Eid Mubarak….
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Business English 101:
How do you say “getting really stuck in” formal / business english?
Professional assignment shall we say…
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@NicoQB: im just sayin that berba and owen have been getting in positions similar to the ones rvn was converting from in that hl reel and… its not like rvn was doing something our strikers are not doing except converting he just had every keepers number and they couldnt stop him. Every keeper we come up against this season seems to have a monster game against us w/7 saves. why?
26 shots and nothing in the net v besiktas pitiful. id give macheda welly and owen for Pato.
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@NicoQB: to impose ones will on the game?
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Friday Night – should have guessed!
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@CraigMc: Pay?!
They should pay me. 
And for me being a slave to my hormones, whats wrong with having some fun? Im not with anyone at the moment, so why not enjoy myself? When its a party, its a party. You drink, you dance, you make out with hot girls.
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@Grognard: Apparantley I become such a charming lad when I am drunk… Not saying I aint when Im sober, just that I am more “Eddy” when I have drunk.
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@Darth Red Diablo: Eid Mubarek mate!
And for the record, you were my slave. And I was Grognards slave. Which means that if you belong to me, you also belong to Grog. How can he then your slave, it doesnt make sense…
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@gator: THanks, but I was thinking in the line of getting the job done by being physically present on a certain spot.
@gator: RVN at his peak (which he was with us) was a monster. He had a disarming array of finishes to his game that even an Owen – who was more clinical than him at his own peak – doesn’t have.
True that the current bunch of strikers cannot really stand the comparison with the big man, but a Berbatov has more fluidity to his game and can create for others in a way than RVN would not be able to.
If Macheda can improve on his erratic form and be less spendthrift in his effort I would bank on him to succeed at OT, or at least have a moderately succcessful career a la Rossi.
And Pato while very good, I don’t think will ever reach the heights of a Milan Shevechenko…
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@Gabriel: You’ll think differently when he scores the winning goal for Liverpool vs United and then kisses the badge, believe me.
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@Darth Red Diablo: My former young apprentice is still a little too full of himself. For your information, I have a cunning plan. I making them all think that I have gone soft and positive only so that when the darkness returns, it will hit like the black plague on all those unsuspecting peons. Even so, I doubt that I have become a boy scout. My rants are still pretty damned negative and dark I would say. But why am I debating this with a traitor and a Judas like yourself. You will never live up to my calibre of darkness my friend. Like they say, “Often imitated but never duplicated”.
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@Footy4Eddy: And you keep it to yourself.
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@Footy4Eddy: That does not speak well for your future as an alcoholic.
I didn’t know Gaza was your idol.
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@Footy4Eddy: You tell him Eddy. Now that’s the kind of loyalty I like to hear. And as for being my slave, why am i never invited to your parties with all those girls? More respect for your master is required.
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@Grognard: I know you wanna hear my stories, eh Grogster?
Nah, just joking mate. Was just really bored in class today, and the teacher was just blabbing about some useless nonsense. Sorry for sharing my personal life on here, just that boredom got the better of me… 
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@Grognard: Im not a drunken bastard, I dont drink a lot.
I just drink enough… 
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<3
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eid mubarak
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@Footy4Eddy: There’s nothing wrong with being a drunken bastard on weekends.
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I just wonder how the touchline ban will affect SAF and his direction of the team??
The whole big deal about the ban seems just over-inflated and symbolic. With modern technology and pregame and halftime instructions I’m sure we’ll not miss a beat.
If they can’t beat Portsmouth, it would completely exonerate all other parties and place the responsibility firmly on the poor play of the players.
My prediction, though is a thorough thrashing by the boys 4-1, 5-1.
Lets see if the boys can be men!!
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@NicoQB: I agree to much of what you say here, up to the point of Macheda.
I think he has the potential to become much greater than Rossi, in fact, I’ll stick my neck out here, and say he will be a success here at OT.
But he is a long term project, he needs the right circumstances and he needs to become ruthless in his approach. Right now, he is very green around the gills and is probably being bullied by the stronger personalities on the team.
If we can hang on to him for 2/3 years he will be absolutely golden for us.
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@Footy4Eddy: Eddy, the only one that thinks you’re charming when you’re drunk, is the mirror in the bathroom!!
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@CraigMc: You’re not just a conundrum, you’re a riddle wrapped in an enigma.
You soooo lucky!!
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Doesn’t it just make you sick that the only scalp the dippers have in god knows how long, is ours!
Hope Everton puts the final nail in the coffin. I think there will be a huge exodus from Anfield this next summer if they continue this path.
We certainly will overcome their history and put them firmly in the rear-view mirror.
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@Redrich:
A cracked mirror at that. 
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@Redrich:
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@Grognard: Haha, I know that mate, its just that its not my style. I never become a drunk bastard, never drnk too much as its important to keep control. And by the way, that happend on Thursday…
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Number 400
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