Dec 03
Man Utd v Blackburn: Preview
Carlos Tevez, Manucho, Ben Foster are some of the names expected to feature in the team sheet today. I am looking forward particularly to the Angolan forward making an impression. Without doubt, Fergie will look to Danny Welbeck too, as he looks at this competition for blooding in more of his ‘kids’.
Whilst the Carling Cup may have been a figure of ridicule by fans all round — particularly among those from the big four — it has been an extremely important competition for the young guns in the side looking to get quality matches in a relatively lower pressure environment. Wenger has used the competition to help blood his kids, while Fergie hasn’t hesitated in throwing in some good prospects himself.
With Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, all out of the cup, it gives us a very good chance of grabbing our first silverware of the season.
In team lineups, I would want Evans partnering Vidic at the centre, with Evra on the left and Rafael on the right. Tevez should partner Manucho whilst the midfield should be composed of Nani, Possebon, Anderson and, perhaps, Cleverley.
Blackburn will be relatively full strength and will go at us from the whistle. Meanwhile, Scholes could make a return today according to the website. I hope Fergie introduces him later on in the game than start him. I really want to see a Brazilian/Portuguese flavoured United start today (Manucho, Anderson, Possebon, Nani, Rafael) so Scholes coming off the bench after the 70″ would suit me just fine.
Prediction: 2-1 to United.
Also vote for us in the 2008 Soccerlens Awards
Related items from Red Rants:- Rooney Out For A Month
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- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Blackburn v Manchester United - Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
Tags: Game Preview
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:13
Foster
Rafael-Vidic-Evans-O’Shea
Nani-Anderson-Gibson-Possebon-Tevez
Manucho
Prediction: 2-0 United.
Aaarrghhh………….. the match is not being aired in India
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:31
I expect Blackburn to win the game because for them it’s their Super Bowl. They have nothing big to play for other than this and so they will field their “A” team while we field kids and an out of form Tevez. 1-2 for Blackburn.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:32
Yeah am getting that sinking feeling that it won’t be on anywhere for us to watch. Listening to commentry it is then!
@ RDJ - Agree with personnel, think it’ll be more of a 442 but Tevez moves around so much its hard to tell!
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:19
Match will be shown in India by zee sports at 1.15am.
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:19
not trying to advertise someones services but… http://www.footyonline.tv are showing it tonight. Personally I think an under-strength side against Blackburn is risky. It will be tight but I’ll say it goes to pens and we all know you cant predict pens
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:35
RR yo definately back. I like yo line of thinking having a solid 1st four though i still wouldnt mind seeing oshea being thrown at LB.
the fringe players should win so that they may get more quality action in future. 2 - 0 to man utd.
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:40
@grog, has some hope, rem the boyz also have a point to prove. and also they wont wanna end up like arse youngsters who before they gate another quality game will be next year carling cup again
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:42
Im thinking this team:
Foster
Rafael Evans Vidic Oshea
Anderson Gibson Possebon
Welbeck Manucho Tevez
Nani, Scholes and Giggs to come on. United to win 2-0.
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:02
@ sig, thanks! Crossing fingers it’ll work!
Don’t think people should write off Blackburn, I think it’s going to be tight. As Grog said, they’re going to be well up for it, and with Santa Cruz, Villaneuva and Pederson they do have the ability to nick a goal. Samba is a beast too, no doubt the way to go with that defense is around him, rather than over/through him.
We have enough potential to do well, but we’ll have to show some grit. Looking forward to it.
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:09
@RDJ: they are showing it on zee sports… 1.15 AM…
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:49
I think we’ll see a 442 of
foster
refael vidic evans O’shea
Nani possebon gibson park
tevez manucho/welbeck
subs: PIG, scholes, giggs, neville anderson welbeck/manucho and possibly fletcher.
December 3rd, 2008 at 13:34
@AndyCR7: Are you sure…coz i heard Zee is showing watford - tottenham
December 3rd, 2008 at 14:11
@Beachryan: Samba is injured an wont play.
But Santa Cruz and Gamst may.
December 3rd, 2008 at 14:16
We should use the game as a confidence builder for the likes of Andy, Nani and Carlos and build the rest of the team around those three, because all over them are lacking confidence and form.
December 3rd, 2008 at 14:35
Good news for me is that my payTV is broadcasting it and bad news is that it kicks of at around 11 local time, considering my ass should be up very early on thursday. Anyway I do expect it to be a tough match with blackburn seeing it as the only opportunity to redeem themselves after a poor run. I expect them to field their A team. However, if we score two early goals i think its going to deflate them so we must ensure that we peg them back from the start. I heard scholes is back but i dont think he will be from the start. I wouldnt risk him since the tackles will be flying out early and he might pick up another injury. I preffer he comes when the game is settled( when we are leading with a comfortable margin). My line up would be
Foster
Neville Vida Evans Fabio
Nani Anderson Possebon Giggs
Tevez Manucho
sub
PIG
Rafael
Rio
Gibson
Wellbeck
Park
Scholes
December 3rd, 2008 at 14:36
And, Ive seen no-one mentioned this before, Fergie will be on the stand tonight. Because of his reaction to the ref during United vs Hull. Bet hes also gonna freeze his arse on the terraces.
Hurry people, vote for Ronny!
December 3rd, 2008 at 14:44
@ RedDevilEddy Since Fergie will be MIA I want to see if Phelan will continue striking that ‘uninspiring’ posture he cuts out during games or will he walk up and down the touchline
December 3rd, 2008 at 14:58
I’m hoping my local side Watford will do us a favour and put the holders, Spurs, out tonight.
As for Blackburn, they’re a quality side that are struggling under a young inexperienced manager, i would imagine that’ll change soon enough as Ince has succeeded at almost everything he’s tried.
United can win this without too much trouble though providing they play at a high tempo with the whole team closing down throughout the entire pitch. The young players have the skill and ability to beat Rovers and i see this being a comfortable 2-0 victory
December 3rd, 2008 at 15:11
the team that all of us guyz are predicting is much more or less the same team that beat boro early in the cup, so the team should have had experience of playing a top flight team. and i mean nani,ando,tevez,giggs,neville all should be comfortable playing against rovers.so this should be a comfortable win.
December 3rd, 2008 at 15:47
@RedDevilEddy: So Eddy, if Fergie is freezing his nuts off in the stands tonight, he will know how the rest of us mortal fans feel
.
December 3rd, 2008 at 16:10
This is by far the most senseless piece of lame ass journalism i’ve seen since the ‘Ronaldo to Real’ bullocks by Marca.
December 3rd, 2008 at 16:30
anyone got a link to watch tonights match pls?
December 3rd, 2008 at 16:33
@Craig Mc: he might even benefit from a different perspective
December 3rd, 2008 at 16:40
i might stream the match to justin tv if there isnt any other links
December 3rd, 2008 at 16:41
I think Fergie will give Gibson a run out tonight, He seems to have faith in him,as does Trappatoni. All i’ve seen is when he donned the green jersey for Ireland, and he looked out of his depth there, anyone else seen much of him?
December 3rd, 2008 at 17:12
2-2 then exrta time, we win 3-2
Teves and Manucho to Score, Welbeck the winner
December 3rd, 2008 at 17:15
@RedDevilEddy: like your lineup but i think he’ll go 4-4-2
December 3rd, 2008 at 17:32
Hey guys
Good little question time video here…
Ronnie is his usual oh-so-modest and classy self … (sigh)…
But Patrice comes across pretty well i think, the guy clearly loves life!
Mike
December 3rd, 2008 at 17:32
http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2008/12/03/wayne-rooney-wanted-to-be-a-doctor-and-other-man-utd-revelations
..ahem…
December 3rd, 2008 at 17:58
I agree with Grognard, I don’t think anyone should underestimate Blackburn. They will put out a full strength side, and will really want to win this. With Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all out, they will see this as a great chance of silverware and the place in Europe that comes with it.
My predicted XI is: Foster; Rafael, Vidic, Evans, O’Shea; Nani, Giggs, Anderson, Welbeck; Manucho, Tevez.
December 3rd, 2008 at 18:11
Penguin : Long time no hear. With yours and RRs both temporarily dead, it was only RoM for me.
BTW, none of youll have mentioned it here. But we are only 2 points off Chelsea and three off Pool, if we win our game in hand against Fulham that is, now we are real strong contenders arent we?
December 3rd, 2008 at 18:17
Btw, Evra isn’t suspended for this game, he’s off for Tottenham one. So I guess he’s an option, though I agree an unlikely one.
@Penguin - I think that’s too attacking and we’d be likely to conceed. Giggs offers absolutely nothing defensively and I’d switch him with Gibson, but would go with the rest.
—————Foster————
-Rafael–Evans—-Vidic–O’Shea–
————-Gibson————–
———-Nani——Anderson—–
————–Tevez————–
———-Welbeck-Manucho——–
With Tevez moving around as much as possible to provide width when necessary/balancing Nani. I expect a serious bench of Carrick, Rooney, Berba and Park because Fergie will defintiely see this as a chance to pick up some silverware.
December 3rd, 2008 at 18:32
@man utd jaluo: It’s got nothing to do with hope or lack of it. I am giving my intellectual prediction based on the the difference of experience in the two prospective lineups. Sure we can beat Blackburn, why not. But I just feel Blackburn will field their top team to try to salvage something this season. United still need to rest players because they have a weekend game as well as a Champions League game a few days later.
December 3rd, 2008 at 18:55
@Grognard: intellectual and grognard do not belong in the same sentence
December 3rd, 2008 at 19:03
@ Grog - True but our game at home to Aalborg is maybe an even better chance to let the kids get a run out no? Don’t we have to lose by like 4 goals to not finish top of the group?
I think if we can (finally) net an early goal, we’ll be absolutely fine. But if it’s tight for 70 mins, can definitely see them having the experience to see it out. They’ll have watched Burnley last night (who were excellent, btw) and taken inspiration on beating up some top 4 kids
December 3rd, 2008 at 19:32
@Grognard: 1-2 blackburn is probably best case for us
But at least we get to see the “kids”
December 3rd, 2008 at 19:33
Come on United!
Tevez fella - lets banish those demons tonight with an awesome show eh?
I’m so hoping he turns up tonight big time, also really looking forward to seeing what younglings get an outing too.
Come on the lads! Oh and a stream is on the way - I’m just gonna check and try and verify it first.
Peas out for now.
December 3rd, 2008 at 19:34
@Beachryan: Did anyone notice Eagles play as well (or better!) as any of the Arsenal super-kids???
Is he on loan or sold?
December 3rd, 2008 at 19:45
Gary Pallister just arrived (late) at MUTV and said he wouldn’t be suprised if they pushed back kick off time tonight. The traffic is horrific in and around manchester so no fans are actually there yet!
What Drama!
December 3rd, 2008 at 19:51
@Madschester United: Eagles was sold. He’s now a Burnley player through and through - unless thers some hidden contract-clause we don’t know about. 1.3 million The Clarets paid, very good business
for Burnley I mean; he had a great game last night.
And what a game it was! Up The Clarets lol
More to the matter at hand, I think Scholes is back tonight!
December 3rd, 2008 at 20:09
Manchester United vs Blackburn Live stream
I hope we’ll win this match!
December 3rd, 2008 at 20:14
MUTV: “Giggs, Nani, and Tevez in a three pronged attack tonight”
Lineups to follow, watch this space…
Oh, some links too;
Not verified as yet, not live til kick-off probably.
http://www.mogulus.com/grid/PlayerV2.swf?channel=pasiondemultitudes
http://www.mogulus.com/grid/PlayerV2.swf?channel=iraqgoals2
http://www.justin.tv/widgets/jtv_player.swf?channel=wwwfutbolargcom_champions
December 3rd, 2008 at 20:15
Foster
Rafael Neville Evans O’Shea
Possebon Gibson Anderson
Nani Tevez Giggs
December 3rd, 2008 at 20:42
drop giggs, start manucho.
December 3rd, 2008 at 20:45
Ufff we seem to be playing the same formation as we played against QPR. I can see this going to penalties
December 3rd, 2008 at 20:49
match is delayed or what?
December 3rd, 2008 at 20:54
Starts at 8. Not found a guaranteed stream
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:01
No delayed kick-off - Pallister was just musing, lol.
Come on the Reds!
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:12
@Beachryan: Try this fella; http://www.justin.tv/widgets/jtv_player.swf?channel=wwwfutbolargcom_champions
It’s a ‘possible’.
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:22
we are playing good-keep it up ladz
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:23
http://www.justin.tv/wwwfutbolargcom_champions
Thi one is working best for me
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:24
tv ants link
the link is a bit laggy but its working you need TV ANTS for it to work
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:25
gibson seems to roam around quite a bit, while possebon seems more central defnsively with good vision. lets andy, tev, giggs, nani roam around. gibson seems more stable. nev and giggs ave changes pos for good now. hope brown comes back quick.
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:25
Cleared off the line by Rovers. Giggs corner delieverd to Gibson with a looping header cleared off the line by Olsson. Before that Foster made a wonder save.
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:25
None of the steams works
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:28
Ah my favourite formation. 4-6-0. With Nani, Giggs and Tevez never in the box to get on the end of crosses. What are we doing?
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:32
Why/where is giggsy playing?
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:32
@Orez: http://redlog.pl/2008/12/03/wideo-z-meczu-manchester-united-blackburn-rovers/#live
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:33
@Beachryan: That is why Tevez never should play as a lone forward. Manucho or Welbeck to come in later. Hopefully…
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:35
put rafael on right wing and bring vidic in.
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:36
pull gibson, move andy into the middle
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:38
Tevez!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:38
GOOOOAL!!! TEVEZ!
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:38
Get in!!!!
The Apache strikes 
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:39
Brilliant Tevez. Welcome back to the goalscoring. Missed ya bro!
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:40
nice one carlitos, come on anderon get your goal
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:41
Nani!!! Get in!
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:42
NANI!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:43
F*ck me great goal from Nani…
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:43
Get in!!!
Nani Jackson scores a thriller 
(excuse my lame attempt at humour 
)
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:43
Just in case anybody is still a wanting…
http://www.iraqgoals.com/en/ch1.html
second stream down is workin for me.
Come on the lads!
Peas out.
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:45
NAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIII
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:46
RedDevil none of the links works.
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:48
m34ch. THANKS BROTHER!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:51
@Orez: No worries dude, I know what it’s like hunting for those precious links, lol - it’s like Christmas to find a working one at times haha! Lets hope for a quality second half too, get in Nani and Tevez!
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:51
@Orez: What link?
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:52
@Gabriel: Brilliant!
THRILLER! 
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:53
Watched only 2 minutes and none of the goals
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:53
i get confused when i see gibson running he reminds me of carrick
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:54
Another bonus link that just came my way too;
http://www.justin.tv/iraqgoals4
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:56
That Tevez goal looked like an own goal by Mokoena
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:57
@RedDevilEddy: haha
, I’ve been taking stand-up classes u see… 
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:59
RedDevil correction RedAllTheWay no links. Sorry for mistake and I saw the goals. I hope I will be able to watch the 2nd half
December 3rd, 2008 at 21:59
Okay Fergie, time take off Giggsy. I wanna see Manucho or Welbeck
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:01
@ ROOOONEY Thank God, thought it was just me. Totally the same player. Til they pass
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:02
@ROOOONEY: im getting confused between possebon and rafael coz of the hairdo.
@Orez: i watched 1/2 an hour nd had to go for 15 minutes coz of some guests nd i missed both goals
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:06
Good first half, clearly took us a while to pick up the pace, but as soon as the front players started moving the ball around at some pace and accuracy Blackburn’s slow backline struggled.
I’d like to see Welbeck later and hopefully Anderson’s first goal
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:06
What’s going on guys? I though Evra was suspended with 5 yellows.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:07
tevez is making a case for himself
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:09
@Orez: When you get 5 yellow cards you have to wait for the game that is 7 DAYS after the game you get the fifth to be suspended. In Patrice situation, he got suspended on Sunday. He misses the game that would have been the next Sunday, the earliest, and the next game after 7 days. You get?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:09
feck off WTF
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:09
McCarthy scores…
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:09
Well ater Giggs just had to finish, a minute later we’re to 2-1..
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:09
neville is done pure and simple
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:09
2-1….
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:09
my god neville……
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:10
Feckin Neville!!!
let McCarthey bully him!! What is he doing at Centre back btw?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:10
PENALTY
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:11
let anderson take then penalty please
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:11
penalty.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:11
shambolic defending
game on I suppose and as I speak PENALTY
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:11
Penalty!!! yes!!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:11
Class
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:11
TEVEZ took it instead but still he scored 3-1
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:12
Well this is an interesting game…
Surely by ‘letter of the law’ (which saw Ronnie off) that is a deliberate stop of a goal scoring chance?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:12
@Mr.Muhozi: Just what I said when we got a penalty against QPR.
But at least Tevez scored! 
This game changes quickly!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:12
The Apache strikes again
hat trick maybe? 
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:12
Get in!!!! Go on Tevez lad!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:13
If this continues we are gonna smash our last record of goals scored in a match.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:14
@Gabriel: I hope so. And that will help Tevez confidence more than anything else. Who says the Carling Cup is a waste of time?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:15
What a GOAAALLLLL !!!!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:15
HAT-TRICK!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:15
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:15
My lord. Best goal of the season. Ando should have taken it though
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:16
AND JUST 1 MINUTE AFTER I SAID SO!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:16
the perfect team goal, unbelievable movement and how unselfish of anderson, lovely lovely lovely goal, well done tevez hat trick hero
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:16
What a beautiful goal!!!
I said it, Hat-trick for the Apache!!! 
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:16
try this lads
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:17
No andy why didnt you shoot!tevez hatrick!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:17
My god, what a goal.
Good for Tevez to get one from open play, but I wanted Ando to finish it.
Ando made the whole thing though.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:17
Anderson what a great guy. Great game better then anything from the 1st team so far
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:17
Anderson, you unselfish bastard! Why didn’t you open your account???? I’ve been waiting for a year and a half bro. Good for Carlos though. Should do wonders for his confidence.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:18
what a brilliant 4th goal well done andy
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:18
Seriously, what a f**king goal, hints of ‘Roma match’ one touch passing, absolutely unplayable, good stuff!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:18
so much for black-burn.. get it?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:18
that was beautiful football!!! fuck the arsenal kids…ours are better
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:18
Tevez, if this doesnt help your confidence, nothing will! Brilliant. Hat-trick number three in three years now! Unbelieveable.
Rooney vs Bolton, Ronny vs Newcastle and now Tevez vs Blackburn. His first hat-trick for us too! APACHE!!! 
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:19
Did anyone see Fergie on the phone after Tevez’s hat-trick?
Fergie: ‘Yeah, David, sign the Tevez contract now, pay that c*nt Kia Joorabchian whatever he wants..’
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:20
Teves hat trick!http://tvfreetv.blogspot.com/2008/11/game-3.html try that
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:20
Outstanding!! Anderson with what was clearly his opening goal for United so unselfishly passing it to Tevez for his first United Hat-trick. Brilliant
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:21
Anderson, Ive been waiting for your 1st goal for about 1 year and a half. And there was your chance. But to be honest, thats why I love you. Team over himself. My role model. Wonder what Grog thinks of that…
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:25
Ok great, Giggsy’s legendary experience has got us up to 4-1. Can we please see one of the new strikers now? What is Fergie going to learn about Ryan in the next 30 mins?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:27
giggs needs to come off like yesterday. stick welbeck or manucho on.. giggs has been in two clear goalscorign oppertunities and has buggered em both up be hesitating.. everytime we go forward we look like we’ll score
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:27
Or we bring on Evra. Because we need to learn about him. I don’t get it anymore.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:28
Scholesy!!!!1
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:28
@Beachryan: i hear ya bro, bring on Manucho now
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:32
Manucho on for Giggs.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:32
Here we go, Giggs for Manucho. Lets see what you’ve got big fella : )
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:32
manucho on, hopefully he can impress
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:33
Man-U-cho’s gonna show them how to do it!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:36
so… our second tier can pump blackburn better than our first eleven…
I hope tevez gets some first team starts from this
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:37
Damn feedj ust died, can anyone post the linkt hey’r using please?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:39
@Beachryan: 2 have gone on me
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:40
The day I critisice Tevez and say he cant play alone upfront, he scores a hat-trick… hmm… Anderson cant score from 30 yards, never ever!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:41
RedDevil I got and I didn’t know that, so I guess it’s different with red cards. The link is gone BTW
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:41
my links died on me too….
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:43
@RedDevilEddy: just imagine we had Ronaldo and Rooney in for Nani and Giggs. That would have been mind blowing
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:43
i’ve lost mine too, anyone got any?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:43
My links are also dead. But this was probably the best 30 mins of football we have played all season…….
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:44
Spurs, Derby, Burnley and possibly United in Carling Cup Semi final. I can see us winning this thing!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:45
@Liam:
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:45
4-2…
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:46
Bugger, 4-2.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:46
Sorry Foster, you have played well but you wont hold a clean sheet.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:46
Who scored? Neville gaffe again????
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:47
sopcast still working, blackburn have another back…anyone know when the draw for the next round is?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:50
What sopcast channel traverse?
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:51
Derbyshire scored
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:52
@Vivek: Derbyshire.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:52
all i can say gary is a joke now..
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:53
Alberto Mateus Contreir Goncalves Manucho
…damn, how many names can one person have?!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:53
@Beachryan: 11028
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:53
4-3…
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:53
@RedDevilEddy: Not much. I have to wait to see the game on delay tomorrow. But I gather Anderson decided to pass because he knew he would have made a meal of it had he taken a crack. When you are totally inept at something, you know. Anderson knew.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:53
4-3…
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:54
blackburn scored again. mcarthy.. bad defending from neville. 4 - 3 91st min
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:54
ooh dear, very sloppy, this game should never had the opportunity to go to extra time. let’s hope they don’t let it slip during add-on time
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:55
5-3 Tevez!!!!!!! 4 goals!!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:55
Tevez gets 4 wow what a performance
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:55
TEVEZ!!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:55
tevez!! 5 - 3!
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:55
5-3. Tevez is ON FIRE>>>>>
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:56
5-3 Tevez definitely with a hattrick now after the first goal was probably an owngoal
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:56
Why is everyone saying That Tevez scored the first goal? I thought it was an obvious own goal.
EDIT: ah just looked on BBC, it was given to tevez.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:56
@Grognard: Man, you always find a way to make everything Anderson does a mess.
Well done. But honestly, that was brilliant by the kid. Only Arshavin could have made that attak and you know it. 
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:57
Thanks traverse, wish I’d known about that sooner
!
Poor Foster, finally gets a game and 3 past him! I blame Neville, but didn’t see either of the last two…
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:57
@Grognard: yeah he did look scared when he realised he was 1 on 1. Tevez was in a much better position though…
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:57
What a crazy game! 8 goals. 4 from Tevez. This should be a confidence bosster. He was playing against a first team Blackburn.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:58
@Natzca: i have more, alot of africans have long names
even though im not pure african lol
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:58
@Grognard: Pass was correct. He was very close to the keeper and Tevez was square with an open goal in front of him.
Wait till you see the whole build up play…
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:59
tevez has scored, i thought i wouldnt being saying that in a while.
tevez has scored 4 goals, i thought i wouldnt being saying that, ever.
December 3rd, 2008 at 22:59
Tevez MUST play against Sunderland. That was brilliant, I am impressed. You deserve to be in the first team I promise you. Honestly, I havent watched anythign fo the game(
) but Ive listened to the games on the radio. I will wait for the highlights to say what I think of the goals, but I hear the last one was a scorcher. Brilliant game.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:00
neville needs to retire if he cant cut it in a carling cup game!
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:01
I can’t wait for Sunderland.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:01
Tevez scored…4th goal….
5-3
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:01
I missed the last goal. What was it like, anyone?
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:01
@dan(u-ol): Me neither mate, me neither… Has Tevez 2008/09 become the Saha of 2005/06?
Still brilliant! 
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:02
Well I’m happy that Ferguson saw it in himself to play Carlito or we would have lost 3-1. I’m happy for Tevez but I also realize that his is the fucking Carling Cup and Carlito needs to produce in his opportunities in the EPL and in the CL. Still, this should get him off the snide and make him feel better about himself and things. Now how does Ferguson reward a four goal performance? Does he sit either Berba or Rooney down for the next game and go with Carlito’s hot hand? I wouldn’t bet on it. And from what I am reading, I never ever ever ever want to see Gary Neville again unless he is working in a broadcast booth. Apparently his play tonight was an abomination. That’s not to be mistaken with the US which is now known as the Obama Nation.
Fergie, stop torturing us with Giggs, Neville and Scholes. Enough already. And sell Foster. He’s not world class. Buy a world class keeper at the end of the season.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:03
Can anyone confirm that Nevs was the player than Derbyshire got away from for Blackburns 3rd? If so that’s two goals that were hugely his fault.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:03
Does anyone know when the draw is for the semis? Or if there is a draw for that matter?
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:05
@Liam: Ball over the top by Ando, ball going away from goal, Tevez volleys across goal into the bottom corner.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:07
I wonder what the assist count is for today? Anderson got at least 2 from what I saw…
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:07
@Grognard: My god grognard, are you joking, sell foster over 1 game? the only goal he was at fault was the very first one. that is one of the silliest things you’ve ever said.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:07
So hang on, everyone is blaming a right back playing in central defense for the 2 goals? it’s not his fault he was played out of position, although somebody will probably pin it on Phelan
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:07
Giggs played alright tonight, but the game defintely changed when Scholes came on. The whole tempo just seized right up. And yes Gary was atrocious tonight. He is definitely to blame for at least two of the goals. Although the last one looked offside. Great confidence booster for Tevez. Anderson passed up an easy oppourtunity for a Tevez tap in.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:07
@benjd: yep i can.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:08
Haven’t seen the game but looking forward to MOTD.
But have to say if Ferguson does not start Tevez against Sunderland Im gonna be pissed because Tevez has to know that he can win a place in the first team if he plays well and scores goals.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:08
Feckin stunner from the Apache Warrior!!
Saved us blushes at the end. The Berb and Roonster beta watch out, Tevez is back and pushin for a starting spot. 
Geez, at this point, I feel sorry for Gary, he was run ragged by the Big Blackburn Centre Forwards… don’t know why he was picked to play Centre back when such imposing forwards were present… another masterstroke from Fergie!!
Now this horrible performance from him will only push him mentally backwards, thanx Fergie 
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:08
Tevez, consider those demond banished my man, what a performance!
Get in there! Great to see Scholes back too, and Sunderland next so who knows, maybe a run of ‘goalfests’ awaits lol.
Brilliant game to watch tonight though!
Well done boys
Peas out.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:10
@Liam: I don’t know what everyone’s beef is with Phelan… Is he really that bad or just hard to compare with Queroz
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:11
@Grognard: Giggs was fantastic, Scholes is class, Neville is only back from a 1 year injury. Give them a break. I’m sure they all have things to offer this team. Everytime Giggs has played this season he has done well snd he still gets criticisn left right and center. Speaking of criticism, in the time that I got to see the match Possebon was less than impressive
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:12
@TurkishRED: phelan has the tactical brain of a 12 year old on football manager.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:12
@dan(u-ol): He sucks. And I have seen him in more than one game mate. He doesn’t make saves. End of story. If you don’t agree, that’s fine but I don’t need journeyman keepers on United. I am used to Schmeichel. I want a Schmeichel, not a Bosnich. EVDS has been a good caretaker up to now. Now it’s time for the true heir to be bought. And Foster does not look to be that man to me. In fairness I have not seen the game but I seriously doubt Blackburn would have pout three past either EVDS or PIG. I want a shot stopper and no excuses. If you can’t keep them out of our net, you are not good enough.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:14
Today Anderson showed what I have been saying about him all along. Unselfishness(hat-trick goal), power to harrass Tugay and that other fella, speed and strengh to run through the opposition defense and passing brilliance(last goal). Anybody wanna complain about Andy, be my guest. But I wont care as he will forever be great in my heart and mind.
But this is Tevezs day! 
Hasnt scored in a while, had you little fella. You flabbagastred me with scoring 4 goals. I repete, 4 GOALS! No United player have done that since Ruud vs Sparta Prague in 2004. Well done Carlito, enjoy it. This will help his confidence a looooong way and hopefully he will play against Sunderland. Doubtful, but I hope. APACHE!!! 
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:15
@Liam: Sure why not. I’ll blame Neville for his existence and blame Phelan for everything else.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:16
Liam Long pass from Andy from the center of the field to our right flank to Tevez. Dropped in front of Tevez. He had a deffender on his left but hi pushed him out and shoot from the right corner of the box to the far corner. Robinson didn’t have a chance. Great shot and I hope someone will post links.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:18
@Grognard: Blackburn have but 4 goals behind EVDS once. And PIG is a good shot stopper, but thats it. Had it not been for Fosters heroice in our away game vs Derby, United would not be reigning Champions of England. He didnt have much to do against Celtic, and conceded a goal that many keepers in the world would. He is a really good keeper, he just needs a good defense in front of him. And no, I dont call Rafael, Evans, Neville and Oshea a solid back 4.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:21
@Orez: Link for goals.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:22
Oh and our last games at Old Trafford:
5-3 Blackburn
5-0 Stoke
Another 5 against Sunderland?
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:23
@Gabriel: Ah mate, you and all the band wagon jumpers make me laugh. He scored a nice hat trick plus in a bloody Carling Cup fixture and now everybody is praising him as if he should have also won the Balon D’or. Lets grab some perspective and a bit of reality. This should help Tevez but only as far as Fergie will let it. If Tevez starts on Saturday and doesn’t do anything and then gets subbed off, we are back to square one with the episode titled “The further Trials and Tribulations of One Carlito Tevez”.
Sometimes we are not the nation of Mancunia but the Fickle Nation instead.
Look, I’m happy for the win and for Tevez but the Carling Cup means absolutely nothing to me I couldn’t care less about it. In fact I think it should be tournament that excludes the EPL altogether. So excuse me if I am not going to take much from it. What matters to me is that we score five goals on Saturday or five goals in the CL. And since that isn’t happening of late I take this victory with a serious grain of salt but I do commend the lads for showing up and beating a full Blackburn side that truly is a mess with Ince in charge. Solets enjoy this but lets not go overboard either.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:23
@Grognard: let me describe blackburns third goal.
the ball is passed, foster is clean through to pick it up, neville tries to kick the ball out of play(right in front of foster) only for it to fly into the net. Not even god could of saved that.
I think your asking for a bit to much. there is only one keeper in the world worthy of even cleaning the great danes boots, and that is iker casillas.
according to the reports,city made a bid worth 129 million, only for it to be rejected. what chance do we have? absolutely none.
Foster is young and inexperience but he is so talented, he can become a world class keeper, but not until he is being played regularly in the first team. be patient with keepers grognard.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:25
Foster wasnt bad. He got absolutely no covering for the goals. If some one is so inclined to slate him, go see the game first or shut the….Up.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:25
@dan(u-ol): That’s an insult to many twelve year olds I know who could do a better job.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:27
Thanks RedDevil and I agree with you. The only goal that one can half blame on Foster was the 1st one. I think that VDS might have stopped that one. The problem was the defense Neville for the 1st, Evra for the 2nd and both of them for the 3rd. Also when we were 4:1 up our central midfielders weren’t helping them much. I must say though we looked like we could score anytime we wanted too and even when Blackburn scored their third, they didn’t seem to have the believe.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:27
@RedDevilEddy: He let in three goals in a Carling Cup match. For me that is not impressive but I will wait to see the game before i comment further. How many great saves did he make tonight? Or was it three shots and three goals?
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:33
@Grognard: Had it not been for Foster, we would have been 3-0 down before Tevez scored his first… Grog I dont wanna change you, but you gotta learn patience. That is what they teach you nowadays in football, school and life. Patience is the key. Just ask Fergie. Foster has only played 3 games for us. You should think twice before saying we should sell him.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:33
I think Tevez thinks; I scored 4, start me next match - bring on Sunderland.
And I’d have to agree, well done son, go show ‘em.
Strikers mentality - he’s on fire now, I bet he can’t wait to play again!
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:34
@RedDevilEddy: Thanks for that link mate. Nice goals. Anderson’s assist to Tevez was really unselfish and probably the right decision because I am sure he would have missed with Robinson coming out and cutting off his angle. The first goal was definitely an own goal so for me Tevez scored three. His last one was a beautiful strike indeed.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:35
@RedDevilEddy: Why not. Sunderland have been in very poor form and there is even talk of sacking Keano. I could see todays performance as a challenge to the first team to do the same.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:36
@Grognard: Talk about knee- jerk, no offense but did you watch the game, before making really ridiculous comments like this???
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:37
@Grognard: No prob mate!
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:37
@dan(u-ol): You know this how????
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:37
@dan(u-ol): From the sound of it, Schmeichel would have stopped it.
And for me Casillas is very overrated.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:37
Have to say, I was really impressed with Anderson today.
Did a great job in attack, seems to flourish in an open game where he is able to run at defenders and link-up play with pace. Also, we seem to be very fluid and attack minded in a 4-3-3 as we have a midfielder who moves forward and supports our attackers unlike our usual 4-4-2 where they sit back a bit more. Anderson executed that attacking role perfectly today and I’m impressed. Maybe we should consider a 4-3-3 for a couple of games, we sure have the personnel to match. 
On our defence, Fergie really did nothing to help Gary’s cause today. Blackburn have tall, fast and powerful forwards in Cruz and McCarthy and what does Fergie do, he plays a lumbering Gary Neville - out of his usual position - in CB against these forwards…. what was he expecting, Gary to dominate them in the air or physically?
Seriously Fergie, that was out of order, especially as he is captain.
Nani might have scored a goal but his body language, decision making and attitude on the pitch are not gonna help his push for a regular first-team place. He will definitely start as Ronnie is suspended, but he needs to keep that focus and concentration for 90mins.
Possebon was also quite good as was Gibson. Gibson’s physical appearance and movements are similar to Carrick’s but Possebon’s football play is more to Carricks’s. Possebon is a bit defensive and has that talent of being able to create space and stir up attacks at the same time, ala Carrick. He looks the real deal and would be a regular feature next season I reckon.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:39
Sell Foster? I think he is a better overall keeper than Kuszczak — good shot stopper and a better ability to command the area. In Watford he was also known to be an excellent distributor of the ball — as a matter of fact, Watford almost entirely relied on his prodigious kicking to lump the ball forward.
He has excellent reflexes, and I am basing this judgement on what I’ve seen of him with Watford mainly. And he’s got plenty of attributes that warrant him being given a fair run. He’s 24/25 and he needs a run of games for someone to really start passing judgements on him. At the moment though, selling Foster is a ridiculous thing to do.
The only reason he appeared exposed was Fergie’s decision to play Neville at CB. What the fuck was that about?
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:46
Today Anderson played in the role he is comfortable with. A free role in the middle of the park. Not a DM, not an AM, but a box-to-box midfielder that does what he wants and controls the game. And you see what happens? He gets 2 assists and gets a 9 from many ratings. If Fergie now realises what he can do when played in that role we have gold, pure gold in our hands. And with Fergie watching from the terraces, he might have got a better view and see more things. And I like the Carling Cup. It means a lot to me for many different reasons. And I hope we can go on and win it now. Hopefully we can knock Spurs out in the Semis, or Derby or Burnley whatever, and go to Wembley with pride and facing a team that we can play our young guns against. Arsenals “young guns” got to a final. I want our youngsters to go one further and in the tounament. Class of 08? Anderson, Rafael, Foster, Evans, Possebon, Gibson and Welbeck. Throw Fabio, Campbell, Nani and Chester in there and we have a complete team with an average age of 19.7.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:47
A lot of Tevez bashers very quiet now
El Apache is back! 
Although i thought Anderson and Giggs were equally as good.
In fact Tevez, Ando, Giggs and Nani have been singled out as the players underperforming of late but tonight they were brilliant. Neville to be fair to him was at centre back, he was shocking, and he will himself decide to retire. That being said people bashing him really do have a ‘last game mentality’. I just hope people don’t expect Scholes to be the ginger prince of the 90s now he’s back.
My ratings~
Foster 6 - Conceding three tonight dampened a decent performance.
Rafael 7 - As usual very bright going forward, conceded silly free kicks.
Evans 6 - He was decent kept a good line. Needed better guidance though.
Neville 4 - Was at fault for goals, had to play 5 yards behind Evans??
O’Shea 6 - He was decent tonight in his true position, picked up a knock?
Nani 7 - He took his goal well but he still needs to be more consistant.
Gibson 6 - In and out of this game, spent too much time on the right.
Possebon 6 - Getting his fitness pack, decent but replaced for Scholes.
Anderson 9 - Shy of a 10 but he was magnificent playing further forward.
Tevez 9 - I hope he’s given the opener everything went right for him MOM.
Giggs 8 - He was awesome of the ball and made the team more flexible.
Subs~ Scholes 6, Evra 6, Manucho 6 - The game was done before these changes.
Fergie 7- He picked Neville at centre back and perhaps should have played Gibson in a more holding role. He did bring in Tevez and gave Anderson, Nani and Giggs free roles. Spent the second half on the phone tying up a permanent deal me thinks.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:48
@Grognard: How does the fact that I believe this performance from Tevez (a First-Teamer prior to Berba’s arrival) warrants a consideration for a starting place sound funny?
I don’t know if you have even watched the match as Tevez had a good game and that kind of performance would always put anyone in good stead for a starting spot with the 1st team, nevertheless a player who was a regular first-team player earlier this season.
Don’t see the need for you to call me a ‘band wagon jumper’ and also don’t see the need for you to put a down spin on the lads’ performance, the significance of the victory and my appreciation of both.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:52
@dan(u-ol): Dan my boy, I’m not 14. I have watched this game for close to 40 years and I know what I want and I also know how much patience I must grant to a player. There are players with talent and then there are players who show the talent when it counts. Foster may not be to blame for the three goals tonight, I don’t know, I never saw them. But what I do know is that what I have seen of him even before he came to United hasn’t got me all wet and excited. On the other hand I get all misty when I watch certain keepers that do make me excited. I like keepers that command respect and presence in the box. That scream at their defenders and that are intimidators. Great shot stoppers and always in excellent position with rapier like reflexes. Sound like anyone you know? Peter Schmeichel was a God and I want another God to replace him, not a pretender. I’ll name you the top keepers in the game in my opinion. And Casillas and Buffon are not in that list. Oh they are good but their past achievements seem to carry them because I do not see it in their current form. For me I like Adler, Neuer, Boruc, Friedel, Frey and Akinfeev. All these keepers play the game the way I like and are tough solid shot stoppers who take no prisoners in the box. Sure like all keepers they make an occasional boner but they do impress me far more often than not. Now Foster I have seen play a half dozen times. I have seen one good performance and that was his one game last year. I am also very biased towards English keepers. I think they are all rubbish. Sorry, but I call it as I see it. And I grew up watching the very best in Sepp Maier, Toni Schumacher, Dino Zoff, Peter Shilton and then of course the great Schmeichel. Trust me, I know my keepers and I know what I am looking for. And Foster has not shown that to me. Not yet anyway. And because of where United are in the standings, they do not have the luxury to experiment and be patient. They need top quality all the time.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:56
@RedDevilEddy: My friend, you are a teen. You are in no position to preach patience to me. I’m not trying to be rude, I’m just stating fact. Had you lived the life I have lived, perhaps your patience threshold would be lower too. Trust me, there is something to be said for life experience. Patience is for the birds when you are dealing with health problems and your friends are dying well before their time.
December 3rd, 2008 at 23:58
Wooo, Tev sticks two fingers up to Fergie and the doubters - stick your lack of confidence in me up your arse
. He won this game almost single handedly lets be honest. Don’t be fooled though into thinking well it was only Blackburn. They had most of their first teamers out tonight, and Tev was really playing with our reserves. From the terraces Tev looked fuckin class, a cut above eveyone else. Keep your two fingers up to everyone Tev, fuck you all. But remember, that your recent play with the first team hasn’t been the Tev of last season. Yet I understand Tev’s frustration as I said in an earlier post, that his confidence has been eroded, with Fergie mostly not even giving him a full game of late.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:00
@Rd: No I didn’t and is there something wrong with giving knee jerk reactions if the need and urge arises. I can judge players as I feel fit. What I don’t do intentionally is try to judge fellow bloggers as harshly without really knowing them. Yes I am being harsh but it stems to the last two games the lad played where he never made a save and also let in goals. I made the mistake of assuming that he played poorly because I feel anytime you give up three goals, the keeper has to take some of the blame. So whether I am right or wrong, I do have the right to react, do I not?
December 4th, 2008 at 0:03
@Red Ranter: Ikeep hearing about how good he was with Watford but every time I tuned into a Watford game and he played he let in goals like nobody was manning the position. I wasn’t impressed and I was at first mortified when I heard we signed him. I can only base my feelings on him on 6 or so games but in that time he let in close to 20 goals. So consider me having drank a tainted pint of Fosters.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:04
@Grognard: I am not a teen, and I know people in your age group who are extremely patient men. Age can not, and should not define one’s virtues. We are debating with everyone here, and despite knowing a certain person’s age we continue to debate. So I think it’s fair play if someone asks for a little bit of patience.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:05
@RedDevilEddy: It was a Carling Cup match mate. A little perspective. Lets see him do that in an EPL game before we start demanding anything of Fergie.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:06
It’s unfair to judge Foster, when we don’t have our No 1 defenders in front of him. Gary (legend) Nev, is a shadow of his former great self, I think we can all see that. Will he recover, who the fuck knows, but I can’t see it to be honest. Without Foster though, B’Burn could have been 2 or 3 up before we scored - soooooooooooooooooooooooo.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:10
@Grognard: You did call out on the Tevez bandwagon jumpers, didn’t you? I suppose that’s offended a fair few. (Like Gabriel)
December 4th, 2008 at 0:11
@Gabriel: All the people shouting their love for Tevez are band wagon jumpers and half of them wanted him sold a week ago. So forgive my little dig. It was not meant to be insulting as much as it was meant as confirmation that supporters (me included) are very much victims to being fickle at times like these. I am happy for Tevez but I suppose my years and experience watching this great game has made me a little cynical because I do not make such a big deal over such a useless game in such a pathetically flawed competition as the Carling Cup. What I want to see is Tevez get his start against Sunderland and deliver a worthy brace. Then I too will gladly jump on the band wagon because only then will the band wagon be able to support my weight.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:13
@Red Ranter: And I don’t thank you very much. You too are not in my age bracket and have not dealt with the shite I have had to deal with so don’t preach patience to me my dear fellow.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:13
@Grognard: Yes you do, but imo saying we should sell him after two games is your opinion, but i have the right to tell you that i think its really RIDICULOUS. Considering the first game, there was really nothing to save and he actually had a good game in the second, but was screwed up by the dodgy defense in front of him. He could really only be blamed for the first goal, how that warrants selling him, I don’t know. Here’s a 26yr old who has struggled with injury and only gets maybe a game or two per month, how’s he supposed to be match sharp? I don’t know what you expected of him, but however high your expectation was, he clearly showed potential tonight. You should actually watch the match again. And yes there is something wrong with knee- jerk reactionsm cus if everyone actually listened to them, we’d have probably sold off Evra and Vidic by now based on the reactions from some drama queen United fans during their first 6months at United.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:15
@Craig Mc: FINALLY some sense on this. He was actually good night but the average back four in front of him skews the facts to look like he was bad
December 4th, 2008 at 0:17
@Red Ranter: I suppose it did. It was intended as an insult but if that’s the way they took it, oh well. All I can say is that we are all band wagon jumpers given different circumstances. Today I am not but if we put up a fiver on Saturday, maybe I will. I just personally have a laugh when we make such a big deal over nothing. I just guess I cannot contain my total disdain and apathy towards the Carling Cup. A competition that no big team takes seriously and therefore, should not participate in. Glorified exhibition games. And I’m going to get up and party over that? I don’t think so. But for all those who do, knock yourselves out mates.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:17
I can’t believe you want Foster out! Come on man, there was Gary Neville playing at centre back in front of him, not Vidic nor Rio! I believe Gary’s time is over though. Giggs’s clock is ticking too. Scholes is still world class though, apart from his tackles. It’s imperative that Carlitos starts next saturday!
We are defenitely the favourites to win this cup! Let’s do the quadruple
Oli
http://www.utdtillidie.blogspot.com
December 4th, 2008 at 0:18
@Grognard: I lost a 22 year old friend. Just because I don’t tell that to the world does not make me any less enlightened. Mate, everyone suffers losses. Not everyone reacts in the same manner. And I don’t have to be your age to preach patience to you. There is no written law in it. And it’s not as if I insulted your near and dear.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:21
@Rd: That’s fine mate. You go with your feelings. Just don’t expect me to follow. Whether I’m being unreasonable and unfair is my concern. It’s not your weight to carry. Just respect my right to disagree. I see your point and it’s valid. I juist see things differently when it comes to Foster. He doesn’t do it for me, simple as that and I don’t need to see tonights game to make that decision because I felt it before hand. Still, just the other day I made the comment that we need to play him more to see just what he has to offer. I may sound unreasonable, but I am also fair. Play the lad and let him prove me wrong.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:23
@Red Ranter: Stop preaching the moral high road to me. Especially online OK. I don’t take well to being talked down to and you know that.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:25
You know just forget I ever said anything about Foster today. Just chalk my feelings up to a bad mood and not feeling very well and lets just leave it at that. I can only take so much abuse for one misplaced comment or my feelings about a player.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:30
I think it would be silly to judge Foster. Foster is still young as is Tomasz and I believe we might not be able to fully judge these young keepers until we have fully seen them as first choice keepers. For example the curse of United Brad Friedel was seen as a complete failure at Liverpool and I had mentioned at that time he was too young and inexperianced which leads me onto Tim Howard.
was the better keeper. Finding and replacing a keeper like VDS will be more than difficult i mean lets not go and find a Barthez just because we ?NEED? the best keeper.
Tim Howard was too young at United and too unexperianced, we saw his ability but who at that time thought he was a leading EPL keeper i’m sure people had opinions on him and maybe believed Carroll
Regarding judgement: As good as Tevez is and was tonight he is behind Berbatov and Rooney. Much to my surpise and annoyance, but that is a fact. I think Fergie will drop him against Sunderland :sad:. The fantastic four should be unleashed against the Blackcats lol.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:34
@Grognard: i said this once before and that is people are a bit too much in love with Foster especially because he is english and England suffers from lack of quality keepers among other things..i for one was’nt a big fan of him and liked PIG a bit more who to me is a better shot-stopper i believe..well that’s just my opinion…also i think fergie should continue to blood Rafael as long as Brown remains injured and forget our skipper altogether…
December 4th, 2008 at 0:35
@Grognard: Fair play Groggy
, I too want to see Tevez rise out of the slump he has been in recently and this performance is a step towards the right direction. All i’m asking is for Fergie to at least consider starting him against Sunderland, I mean, you play players because they perform and the Apache delivered big-time today. He’s gettin his feet (the last goal was one of a confident striker) and I hope Fergie doesn’t find a way to knock him back.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:42
@Grognard: My comment above was a general point of view, Your opinion of Foster is yours and yours alone. I am sure there are plenty of players who split opinion(Nani, Berba, Tevez etc) I personally always dismissed the talent of K. Richardson and dispite he has moved on i meant no bad means i just felt he wasn’t United quality. I’m sure a lot of people slammed Forlan he proved himself outside of United, and I think Foster might. We just don’t know! Thats what other ranters have reacted to the fact Foster is unproven. Therefore cannot be judged?
December 4th, 2008 at 0:43
@Grognard:
I did not talk down to you. All I am saying is everyone has a feeling that they’ve had to deal with the most shite. Age has nothing to do with it, hence can’t be a reason for talking down to people. But yes, you say, I am talking down to you. Suit yourself.
If all arguments are going to boil down to your 40 years of experience watching the game then fine — I can’t do this anymore. I give up.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:47
@RMJ: I totally agree on both counts. Foster is a favorite because he is English, regardless of whether he is useful or not. I for one have only had a bad taste of him. As for Neville. I nmy mind the real captain of this club is Rio and the sooner Fergie makes it official, the better.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:50
@Gabriel: I’m not disagreeing with you mate. Like I said earlier, I’ll be shocked if Fergie rewards his performance with a start vs Sunderland but it would be nice because I am a belever in going with players who have a hot hand. And four goals (3.5) is a hot hand in my books. He needs to build on this momentum and let see what he does in a really important EPL match. But I bet you Fergie will go with Rooney and Tevez. Just a feeling.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:54
@Red Ranter: See, there you go again and throw a dig at me about my 40 years. Because to young guys like you that means nothing and because you have no respect for people older than yourselves. It’s the state of your generation to shit all over people who have more life experience because you guys are the chosen ones. Yes you are Generation X with your computer savvy. Sorry but you are wrong and in the process you mock my age and experience my not valuing or respecting it. Instead you think you know more. I hate sounding like an old man but I hate being bullied by youth trying to assert their dominance. Over my dead body.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:55
@Grognard: Grog do you mean Looney and Tevez, or Looney and Berba
, for the game against Blunderland???.
December 4th, 2008 at 0:58
@Red Ranter: RR ffs, what do you mean you give up. There’s surely no giving up to a United fan, no matter what the dispute, or difference in opinions
.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:04
@Craig Mc: I would prefer Tevez and Berba only because Fergie needs to rest Rooney a bit also.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:04
@Grognard: I am the last person to mock someone’s age — it’s not in my cultural makeup. My point was the fact that you were bringing up your 40 years experience to shush someone. That’s all.
I was talking about never having to bring age into the equation at all while debating. Just the debate, and not someone’s age. To me respect has to be given to everyone here regardless of age. And that’s what I am driving at. I respect everyone here regardless of their age. And despite you thinking otherwise, I respect you too.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:04
@Craig Mc: He often gets frustrated by me because he thinks I sound like a miserable old bastard.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:09
@Red Ranter: Well my friend if you don not respect people for their age and acquired wisdom and you see no value in those years of experience, nothing more I say to you will do any good. You sound like I did with my father who I constantly mocked whenever he preached from life experience. And you know, years later I may have become very much like him because he was right all those times I mocked him. It’s the nature of young people to mock experience and then feel that they deserve the same respect. Sorry they don’t. Respect is gained by your actions and by your deeds. And from my point of view, I have twice as many deeds as well as years on most of you. And as pathetic as that may sound to you, it counts for something to me.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:16
@Grognard: Grog what the fuck - Fergie needs to rest Looney - WHY - what has he done that requires him needing a rest???
. Now if you said Ronnie needs resting, I would agree, he has played so much after his outage with injury - but Looney NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 
.
By the way Grog, it greatly pains me to say this, but I see what you mean about Nani’s decision making - it was pretty useless tonight. Apart from the ball in the net 2 times, he didn’t do much else really. But as he said after the match in MUTV interview, when you play one game, then are out for 3 or more, you cannot be match fit. Also the English COLD weather does effect the latino game. His words, not mine
. Awww bless the poor sod 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:22
@Grognard: As you say respect is gained by one’s actions and deeds. From where I sit I have no way of knowing your actions and deeds. Yet, I respect your views as well as those of others. If you expect me to show you the most respect just on the basis of your age forgive me because I really don’t know you as a person. I respect everyone here, and if you still choose to hold it against me, be my guest. But let it be known that I haven’t ever mocked you for your age. And I still don’t.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:29
I will see value in the acquired wisdom if I can see the person with my own eyes. Online, that’s not possible. We are all anonymous people communicating on football. Which is why we treat everyone equally. In real life I won’t have the same attitude. At least, personally, it’s been a part of my mental makeup to always consider the opinions of people older than me. That in real life.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:53
Mate Groggy!!…cool it..As far as i am concerned some guys have a point by saying that we should not try to gauge a player esp GK by one game…and i do appreciate Tevez scoring 4 goals a game…be it Carling cup ,be it the backyard cup in my native..personally i love the guy for his passion and desire for the game…i thought you were the one who were calling for substance over style and when he dlivered it as Gabriel says he does have made a strong push for a place in starting eleven…esp first team is finding it difficult to score goals..
i am not even going to the generation and shit…everyone are fans and everyone has an opinion..
December 4th, 2008 at 2:23
@Shyam: Shyam bro, I think you’ll find Grog has been pontificating for a good while that Fergie should play Tev or sell him
. Thing is Bro, Grog has a point that Tev has not been at his best this season. Is this because Berba arrived and Fergie chose to play him every game, and erode Tev’s confidence in the meanwhile - fuck yes. Fergie has to justify paying 30 million for Berba, and he will play him to prove his judgement right. I don’t believe all this baloney about Berba has to play every game. I do believe tho that Berba has very different qualities than Tev, and it is hard to decide who plays. It hasn’t seemed to be hard for Fergie, and if he decides that he wants to play a different game with Berba instrumental to it, then he should let Tev go, and I believe he will Rue the day he did let Tev go if that happens. We have to ask however why Tev has not been as great as he was last season, esp as pre season he was on fire. I can only presume it is because he feels Fergie has excluded him in favour of Berba, which in my opinion so far is true. Yet Berba has a good many qualities that are different to Tev’s. It seems Fergie has chosen Berba to play most of the important games, and its one or other of Tev/Rooney to play alongside him. As Rooney is Fergie’s blue eyed boy, that estranges Tev and even when played in other than minor games, he never gets a full game. Is that fair to Tev - is it fuck. But that is Fergie for you. Tev will be and is wanted by other big clubs, and will be grabbed by one of them. Serves Fergie damn right if Tev takes off, but I think that is what Fergie is pushing. Tev will not settle for league cup football only, he feels he is better than that, and last season his performances proved that.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:53
@Liam: I blame it on the guy behind the goal sitting down with the brown hair and black coat
@Gabriel: A game is a game… Neville needs to play and CC is the best place to play if you are unfit (Neville, Foster), out of form (Tevez), or young (Possebon, Evans).
Now we have Rafael and Neville on the pitch at the same time… and rested Vidic and Ferdinand. Fergie knows what he is doing - 22 years in the making!@Grognard: Agree about the GK situation… we cannot go for so-so keepers… We need Peter Schmeichel 2.0 . For that matter, I don’t think either PIG or Foster are good enough. We need talent now - or magic.
But seriously who are the best keepers in the world right now and who could we actually buy that would be up there. The market is lacking quality GK’s so the demand is high, which means we have to pay up the wazoo for a good GK. Boruc was mentioned but is not good enough in my opinion - he plays in a league where 2-3 teams would be of EPL quality, biasing his performances.
@Grognard: If there were no computers and we all met as often at the local pub as we do online we would all know each other personally, and perhabs, as you claim, your wisdom and life experiences would be there for all to enjoy. Unfortunately, we are all communicating from across the globe where our unique personality is a shadow cast onto the cables and keyboards and where age and wisdom are blurred out by letters and smiley faces. There is no way for us to
1) verify that indeed some people are more “worthy” on a soapbox than others through this medium.
Hence we must assume each person equal and judge their positions accordingly, regardless of age, location, education, or experience - the Beauty of the Internet
Now, please excuse me as I go watch the high lights of the game… I watched 60 minutes of the games only saw the first goal - darnest luck
December 4th, 2008 at 3:03
@Grognard: I dont know why you still get sucked into peoples knee jerk reactions. After every game one player should be sold immediately and 1 player is God. It is almost laughable at times, case in point look at Rooneys season. He was the definition of average at the start, but let him hit a rich vein of form and all of a sudden he is as good or better than Ronaldo. You are also right about Tevez, 90% of the people on this site were saying he was rubbish and should be sold, now after 1 game he is world class again. You all know I am a big Tevez fan, but I just dont get excited over 1 or 2 games. In my books Tevez has played anywhere close to his potential this year, so I refused to get excited about 1 game even tho I am happy for him.
I dont think we should sell Foster, but people who think he is good enough to be United #1 are just plain settling. Do you guys honestly believe he is better than Tim Howard was? I personally dont think so, but that just could be my Yankee bias. But I think we can all agree that Howard wasnt able to handle the pressure that comes with the job. Foster is an able back up just like PIG, but I feel our search should continue for a true #1.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:47
Foster great save early on, Gibson nice effort,Teves 1st goal(36) looked like an own goal to me but who cares? Nani what control what a goal(40) we really need to see more like this pls,Teves slotted home a cool penalty(51) Teves’ 3rd what a goal(54) magnificent team goal, Anderson was magic, fuckin magic, Teves’ 4th was class(90), definitive Bullet. Gary was poor to say the least,and he was played out of position but the lad has come back from a long lay off, so i wouldn’t feed him to the wolves yet, although he shouldn’t be captain. As far as Foster is concerned, i thought he did alright considering the fuck ups in front of him. Need to see more of him in the premiership, with Rio and Vida in front.Possebon was good, another for the future, Giggs played solidly as did O Shea as usual! Teves was MOTM without doubt, nice one Apache, more of the same please
I say all this even though some of the streams i used were not the best!!But i caught the highlights too.
Now thats a turn up for the books. Laugh, i nearly pissed myself 
The whole competition justified itself right there. And as for Ince, He’s hoping for a good run, yeah right back to fuckin non league you judas scouse cunt
As far as the competition, Carling Cup, i like it, it gives lesser known players a chance to play in some real competitive games other than the reserves.This can only be good for their confidence and thier morale. Also we get to see our kids, and i liked what i saw. As Fergie said in his post match interview, we’ve got a convoluted fixture log jam after the new year, so we need these lads to be in form. How else can we expect this if they have no playing time? The Carling Cup is a great facilitator for this, and long may it continue.
BTW did anyone see Wengers Haribo stuttering head after Arsenals Turf Moor experience? Someone stole his kids sweets
United for the Quad!
December 4th, 2008 at 4:15
I think what we need to remember about goal keepers is that they usually don’t come into their best until they hit 30. Foster is 24? David James was a joke, an actual laughing stock until he hit 30 and now he is England number 1 and has a sensible haircut… Foster made 3 world class saves before we even scored, but weather he is number one yet is debatable. When VDS goes at the end of the season I think we will need to bring in an experienced keeper for a season or two and have foster as number 2.
December 4th, 2008 at 4:22
wow, just watched it, what a performance by tevez, and nani too..
what really drove me crazy was 4 goals by tevez! he is coming back into form, if he indeed does, i hope fergie develop balanced tactics a plan to accomodate the awesome foursome! i really like tevez and i dont want him to leave but if fergie keeps playing him as a sub, tevez’s talents would go to waste for he is a gem of a player. only 24, but looks mature..
December 4th, 2008 at 6:33
@Craig Mc: Nani needs to play. If for any other reason but to start securing his position before Tosic steals it from him. I like the lad and I see small improvements in his game. His goal tonight was nice because it showed some aggressiveness. Unlike Anderson, I honestly think he has a real upside. Many will argue that Anderson showed a great deal of potential tonight. Perhaps he did, but I for one have never been as high on him as I have been on Nani. I need to find some patience regarding both these lads and hope and pray that Fergie knows best.
December 4th, 2008 at 6:38
@Shyam: I am very happy for Tevez. But I don’t go nuts about this performance because I look at the context of where it comes from. A useless little Carling Cup match. Still, he scored four goals and that is a big relief for him and a confidence boost. Like I said earlier. He deserves to keep the momentum going and he should start against Sunderland. But like me Fergie does not please easily or is that quick to be seduced. I hope he starts and scores a brace, but somehow I doubt it. I hope Fergie and Tevez prove me wrong. A Tevez firing on all cylinders is just what this team needs.
December 4th, 2008 at 6:42
@Craig Mc: So true mate. Actually I have always been an advocate of the three strikers playing in a rotation system. Tevez replaces one of the two every other game. This would give them all roughly the same number of games played overall and more than enough games to keep all three happy and above all fresh. Why Fergie does not take advantage of three world class players in a rotation where each starts two out of every three games is beyond me. But then again not much of what Fergie has been doing this year makes much sense to me anymore.
December 4th, 2008 at 6:48
@Grognard: oh Anderson was absolutely a top player yesternight Grog! Did you not see his super pass to Tevez for his final goal???
And Tevez, my God, was too good. Best performance by any Utd player this season in Utd shirt! period. He should have had 2 more assists to his name only if Giggsy could have scored those simple chances offered on the plate for him!
All in all, a good entertainer save for first 30 mins or so. Foster actually was quite good as he made some world class saves especially in first half. I dont know why you think he should be sold!!! In the second half our defense just went to sleep (culprits being Evra and Neville) and theres nothing much Foster could have done to prevent those goals.
And really it was a cup game so I very much prefer a 5-3 or 6-4 kind of scoreline rather than 2-0. All you need is a win. More goals scored (be it any team) make it more attractive to watch for the viewers.
December 4th, 2008 at 6:55
@Grognard: Like Neville playing CB!
December 4th, 2008 at 6:59
@Madschester United: Boruc is an outstanding keeper with incredible reflexes and tremendous shot stopping ability as well as a commanding presence in the box. Yes he plays for Celtic but stopping balls is stopping balls no matter where you play. Some of his greatest performances has been for Poland. His performance in the 1-0 loss to Germany in the last World Cup was truly one of the greatest performances by a keeper I have ever seen. Other great keepers who are certainly available for the right price are Adler, Neuer, Wiese, Frey, Akinfeev and Malafeev. Adler probably has the best potential but I really like Neuer. I know that Fergie is a fan of Tim Wiese but he is not nearly as good as Adler or Neuer in my opinion. Both of the Russian keepers are solid too. One thing that I love about German keepers is their commanding presence in the box. They are all born with an instinctive assertiveness and many have been trained by students of the great Sepp Maier. Schmeichel himself grew up idolizing Maier and Schumacher and they are my favorite keepers of all time with Schmeichel. And Schmeichel was very much a hybrid of both Maier and Scumacher. He had Maier’s reflexes and shot stopping ability and Schumacher’s presence and intimidation qualities. I see these traits especially in Boruc but all the others have them too.
Foster is just such crap in comparison to this group of keepers. It’s amazing how pedestrian English keepers are. Other than Shilton, England haven’t really had a great keeper since Gordon Banks. The best keepers in the EPL are always from somewhere else. I mentioned my respect for the old guy Friedel earlier. I forgot to mention Shay Given. Given is an exceptional keeper who if he had been playing for a great side in his career would be considered one of the all time greats. We must never settle for yesterday’s leftovers when it comes to keepers. We have been lucky with EVDS although he is well past his best, he is still better than 75% of the keepers out there. However, put a Boruc, Adler or Neuer back behind our great back four and we become incredibly hard to beat. All these keepers are great shot stoppers and better than EVDS at this point in his career. It would give our team such an advantage because it would guarantee far more points for us in those games where we are having a hard time scoring ourselves.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:05
@johnsom33: You are right. I do get sucked in by people’s knee jerk reactions but I to am guilty of having those knee jerk reactions from time to time. All this fuss today about Anderson and tevez was laughable to say the least but I too was pretty stupid about my reaction to Foster giving up three goals despite not seeing the game. Problem is I just knew he wasn’t going to have a great game and when I saw three goals for Blackburn I just snapped and used the scoreline against him. Still, he is only an average keeper at best and Fergie is completely loony if he thinks that boy is the heir to EVDS and Schmeichel. Not in a million years. Like I said earlier, the name Mark Bosnich pops up in my head. Manchester United must have a world class keeper. Anything less is completely unsatisfactory.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:07
@Grognard: fergie thinks berba still needs to fit in mate..
December 4th, 2008 at 7:08
@john freakin’ o’shea: Scoring 3 goals (one was an own goal) in a Carling Cup clash is not exactly getting back in form. Form doesn’t come and go so quickly and one must seriously consider the trash that Tevez played against today. Not much of a test really. Like I said time and time again earlier, lets see what he does in an EPL or CL match when the pressure, intensity and marking is at much higher premium.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:14
@jos: I think Foster should be sold because he is good enough to be a keeper for many other teams but he is not good enough to be United’s #1 keeper. Look back at our history. We should never have good keepers or adequate keepers. We should have excellent keepers. In fact Fergie was stupid not to sign EVDS back in 2000 after Schmeichel retired. That way we would not have to have put up with Bosnich, Barthez, and others who weren’t up to the task. I am not being unreasonable, I just believe that like Madrid, Bayern, Chelsea and other big clubs, we deserve and should demand a world class keeper manning our goal. Foster is not in the same class as Buffon, Cech, Casillas, Adler, Neuer, Boruc etc. No knock on him is intended. It’s just the truth. A team as great and as high profile as Man Utd should not settle for chips and gravy in goal.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:16
@Rahul: I’d like to see Neville in the broadcast booth. The only place I feel he is now best suited for and as far away from the pitch as possible. He’s total shite and he should retire. He also should be a man and resign his captaincy for the good of the team and give it to Rio who is a true first teamer.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:19
@cheeseburger o’shea: Yes he does but Berba still can’t be expected to play every game. Play Rooney in two out of three games and Berba in four out of five and that should give Tevez five starts in every ten games. Far better than what he has been getting so far.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:19
@Grognard: This game certainly does not establish him as a definite starter for the rest of the season but it at least will give him some good confidence. What this performance certainly does is justify a good rotation between the 3 strikers we have, no?
This I meant for Tevez, not Neville!!
December 4th, 2008 at 7:23
Neville I think wants to go out on a high note while playing games and not on the injury sidelines. That’s why he hasn’t done what he should have done a while back - retire. A
las, that is not possible with the level he is playing at right now, which is Coca Cola championship level IMO.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:26
@Grognard: Agree to your argument that Foster is not in the same class as the great dane and that Utd should have a better (read world class) keeper which Foster isint.
However you were wrong to blame him for yesterday’s goals. He was quite good and could not have done nothing for the 3 goals for which our defense (read Neville and Evra) were more to blame. He made at least 2 world class saves in the match. We could have been 2-0 down inside first 30 mins!!!
I think Foster should be retianed (as second choice and fighting for No.1 jersey) and a new world class keeper (Adler is my first choice as he is a self confessed utd fan and is undoubtedly world class) as successor to VDS. I dont think Kuszack is utd class, dont know why Fergie got him in the first place. The guy has zero distribution abilities and is very suspect at crosses. You could see his legs tremble every time a back pass comes to him!!!
I think we might see a new keeper coming this summer… That might be the only new face (in case we retain Tevez which we should - he IS a man utd player!!!) in the squad for 2009-10 season…
December 4th, 2008 at 7:41
haha i don’t know what is more amusing, watchin us destroy blackburn, or reading all the non-stop bickering between some of the other readers on this post. grow up lads lets just talk football, who cares how old who is who and how long they have been watchin the game, there is no need to get worked up. grow up lads
December 4th, 2008 at 10:08
Ratings:
Foster – 6.5 – Tough rating to give, made an outstanding save early in the first half, then 3 good stops in quick succession, then had absolutely nothing to do for 30 minutes. Maybe could have stopped the first goal which beat him at his near post, but was one on one at that point without a chance to rush the attacker, so was always a big ask. 2nd two goals were just terrible defending from Evra and Neville, nadda he could do. Gets an extra 0.5 for being able to kick the ball further than any human being should. With one step he can play in strikers. Ridiculous.
) a few years back.
Rafael – 7 – Subdued from the RB. Had an example in the first half of why he scares me – tried to play a one two through the middle to dribble forward, lost it before the centre circle leaving his man wide open and played through on goal. Still, that was about it for his mistakes.
Evans – 6 – In a sense the more experienced of the two centre backs, bizarrely, but let quite a few goal scoring opportunities pass him by. Not sure if they were always his fault, and he was great in the air, but he’s part of a unit, and the unit failed.
Neville – 3 – I have no, NO idea what is going on here. Gary isn’t that tall, isn’t that physical and is slow. So you put him against Santa Cruz? And later McCarthy? He got owned by them, was responsible for two of the goals and consistently showed that he is not a centre back. In case we didn’t know. All I can think of is that he is the only person who can play there, with Brown out and Rio and Vidic wanting rests. O’Shea would have done better.
O’Shea – 7 – Speaking of whom, I really don’t know why we brought him off, unless he was injured. Thought he had a solid game, and provided the aerial presence on corners that Gary doesn’t. Also bombed forward, really was no need to bring in Evra (who subsequently let in the third goal).
Possebon – 6.5 – Tough one to rate as well. He was the deepest sitting midfielder, and Blackburn had a lot of good chances, so perhaps he was providing the cover that Carrick usually would. Passing is solid if unspectactular but he is very elegant on the ball, nice to watch.
Gibson – 7 – In a bizarre position out wide right, I thought he was pretty solid in the first half, got stuck in played some decent through balls and looked involved.
Nani – 6.5 – Still infuriates me. Scored a blinder of a goal, almost added a second with a snap shot that would have put us up 3-0, but then mispassed and made wrong decisions the rest of the time. Has so much skill sometimes its outrageous, but not using his head enough. And I don’t mean heading the ball.
Anderson – 7.5 – I know some people will cream over his performance, but I thought he had a bit of a mixed day. Yes, he picked out some great passes for assists, but he also played countless loose balls that caused us to lose possession. He definitely looks better with the reigns off, and his energy was superb. When he matures a bit and learns to keep the ball rather than try to thread the needle every time, he is going to be a force. Make that if. Oh and the boy can dribble and has a deceptive change of pace, he burst past a few people.
Giggs – 6 – I have no idea who thought he had a good game. Yes if you give Giggs the ball in space with time he might engineer something. But if you don’t, he’ll lose the ball and offers absolutey nothing else in this central forward role. He doesn’t move much he doesn’t track back and he can’t even seem to cross anymore. It hurts my memories of him watching his touch fail. Please Fergie, impact sub, nothing more.
Tevez – 9.5 – Almost the best performance I’ve seen from a single player this year. He looked like a video game player with the stats maxed. Every pass that went to him stuck like glue, and he would not be dispossessed by anyone. Even without scoring his movement, touch and power were world class, he looked a different player from that which we’ve seen this season. No idea how Fergie will squeeze him in on Saturday, but he has to. His fourth goal was pure magic, like Rooney against Middlesborough (twice
December 4th, 2008 at 10:09
sorry grog but ur way off in ur evaluation of foster.
hes a perfect age
hes 6foot 4, (pretty commanding to me)
his kicking is 1st class
great reflex
better at coming for corners than VDS and PIG
All round strong goalkeeper,
Without doubt he’l be our keeper for yrs to come so get used to it!!
for the record, cant wait to see Giggs & Nev retire but Scholesy has a whole lot more to offer i feel, ESP in games played at a slower tempo.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:23
@Grognard: That would mean Tev would start every OTHER game then Grog, which I think he would be happy with, and feel he is respected
. Whether Fergie will do this and keep Tev on for a FULL game is very debatable. I don’t think it has been totally without foundation tho, because Tev tho doing a lot of charging around in the games he did play, didn’t really get near to scoring goals needed. He would no doubt argue tho, that he needs to be playing regularly to come into, and stay in form. But Fergie ALWAYS has his preferable players, and we all know that?.
Mirror sports football spy is talking about Gareth Bale joining United in January, with - wait for it - NANI going to spurs in exchange. I understand that Nani is off to Spain in the summer, and he was complaining on MUTV last night post match interview, that he finds it very difficult to play in our sub zero temperatures
. News flash from fans to little man Nani - we all find the British climate total SHIT too, but we have to put up with it 
. Anyway, anybody think there is any truth to the Bale to United gossip, I have heard this mentioned in different paps a few times now?.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:24
Oh and I feel I have to add to this Foster debate. I watched him a fair bit when he was playing at Watford (no idea why their games were always on tv, but there you go) and he was sensational. Voted their player of the year, hands down. Fine he had a lot to do, but my lord some of his saves were breathtaking. So anyone that says he’s not a shotstopper is mad. He was also incredibly effective at 1 on 1s, which is Dane-esque. As for corners, he’s already better than VDS is right now, even if he’s not as commanding as the big man. Then again, at 25 who is?
I don’t think that his kicking is that important for a team that play with the build up style we do, but he is without a doubt the most impressive booter of a football I’ve ever seen.
All of that said, we don’t see him in training and day to day, so ethere must be a reason he’s not playing more. I don’t rate Thomas at all as United quality, so I don’t really get it. I could care less if he is Englsih, I just care that, at his age, he’s got the potential to be incredible, but injuries haven’t let him show what he’s made of. If we’re going to stick with Edwin no matter what, than put him out on loan, lord knows tottenham could use him.
I don’t watch the German league much, so can’t comment on that, but in England there are very few keepers I would want today. Given would have been great a few years ago, but has no future (being small his leap and agility are key, and they’re gonna go sooner rather than later). Friedel was a beast and I always loved him, but he never came and is defo in his last years. Cech is the best keeper out there, but we’ll never get him, Reina is a close second but again, can’t have him. Kirkland is good but perpetually injured. Howard was banished from Fergie’s mind for his one mistake against Porto, enver to be forgiven. And that’s about it.
If we want someone that is already experienced in the prem, can communicate with the back line and has a future, Foster is our best bet.
Oh and anyone knocking Casillas hasn’t watched him enough. He is ridiculously good. Madrid have an awful back line and no defensive mindset, he single-handedly won them the title last year. Too bad he’s Madrid through and through…
December 4th, 2008 at 10:26
Wait! Did Gareth Bale play last night?! If he did that’ll be the first time Spurs have EVER won with him in the squad.
Pretty classy player, but had his chance to join us.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:26
@realred: 6 foot 4 in doesn’t necessarily qualify anyone as a commanding goalkeeper, does it?? By commanding it more alludes to how a GK marshals the backline and organizes the defense, and how they call on their defenders to attack or leave an incoming threat.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:28
@realred: WHY??? Can United play there games at any slower a tempo than they do this season
. We started off the game last night with this slow tempo routine, and could have been 2 or 3 goals down in first 25 minutes - 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:32
@Rahul: Yeah, but what defence cover did Foster have in front of him last night?. Johnny (the fantastic) Evans was having palpatations at Nev’s dithering display. I saw him giving Nev an earbashing at one point
.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:41
Good morning lads, here’s something to ponder. Roy Keane is having a crisis meeting with Sunderlands board, if he leaves??! what about him replacing Mike Phelan?
December 4th, 2008 at 10:50
@Craig Mc: Nev deserved it thoroughly didn’t he? But then, he should not have been put in CB in the first place.
Well I dont hold Foster responsible for any of the goals.. he didn’t have much to do for the three that went in. But he’s not that commanding as one would like a United keeper, but then again, he has time to improve on that!
December 4th, 2008 at 10:54
@ P. Red - Love the guy, but if he’s having a breakdown from failing at sunderland, why on Earth would you want him at United?
December 4th, 2008 at 10:55
@phoenix red: Low chances of Keane leaving Sunderland. Would hurt his credentials for later vacancies if he does, especially if he wants to manage United someday. Don’t think he’ll risk being labeled a quitter or something like that.
Even if he does leave Sunderland, I’m not sure what value he would add by replacing Phelan.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:56
@johnsom33: Bro, you say “Let Looney hit a rich vein of form, and suddenly he is a good as or better than RONNIE.”
, who the fuck thinks that mate? And by a rich vein of form, do you mean like 5 or 6 matches on the trot?. Must do 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:59
@Rahul: Sorry Rahul Bro, but Keane WILL NEVER manage United. He has badmouthed Fergie too much since being what he calls, thrust out of Old Trafford without a second thought by United top brass.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:03
@Craig Mc: If Nani goes to Spain in the summer time, it will be quite a negative sign. An enormous waste of talent.
I sometimes get no sense of players wanting to leave because they feel the cold and rainy English weather (if it is their serious concern anyway). I mean, they get paid bloody well to suffer it out, don’t they?
Lord knows I hate the monsoons here, and I would shudder to think of suffering the dreary weather in the North West of England.. but if i’m paid like these boys are paid.. I’d put my ‘cold’ feelings in a box, throw it off a cliff, and gladly suffer!
December 4th, 2008 at 11:09
@Craig Mc: I don’t have any fancy for Keane to manage United anyways.. but a lot of other boys do want that. Maybe even Keane. I’d prefer Martin O’Neil (if I’m sober) or Mourinho (if I’m drunk) over Keane!
December 4th, 2008 at 11:13
@Beachryan: I’m not sure i’d want him,though i know many that would. Btw i’m not a Phelan basher, i personally dont know what he does/doesn’t add to our tech. set up or training. Just a point to debate.@Craig Mc: Craig could you pls tell me whose gonna win the 3.30 at Doncaster this afternoon cos i could do with a few extra bob before Christmas?
December 4th, 2008 at 11:14
Beachyryan, enjoyed reading your player ratings mate - pretty accurate too I’d say. Yet I would have given Ben Foster 7 to 7-1/2 judging him and his contribution alone, and not on the Evra/Nev cock ups that led to the two late B’Burn goals.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:17
@phoenix red:
, I’m an unlucky bastard when it comes to backing horses Phoenix Bro, so I will let you work that one out for yourself 
. Hope which ever one you back comes up good for you though.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:19
@Rahul:
, I agree with the two names you mentioned O’Niel and Mourinho, good choices drunk or sober Bro.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:20
Was Foster that bad last night???!!!
December 4th, 2008 at 11:21
@Craig Mc: Mourinho, Over my dead body!!
December 4th, 2008 at 11:24
@Rahul: True, true Rahul, but maybe he feels he can get good money AND sunshine most year round playing in Spain
. Thing is if he was playing regularly, he probably might feel fair enough, but to sit in these freezing, rainy monsoons in N. England, benched for most of the time, well it would make anyone think of warmer, happier climates 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:25
Oh why.. Mourinho would bring so much entertainment to the table!!!
And a DMF.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:26
@Stephen: Stephen Bro - don’t say that, not even in jest - I want you alive and on the terraces mate
.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:28
@Stephen: No Foster wasn’t bad, not at all, but Red Nev in front of him was :lol:.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:29
@Craig Mc: Ha ha love it!! I thiught Foster was Ok, like lots of our younger players he needs games, G Red RIP.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:32
To me, this was the best United performance of the season thus far.
To put it into perspective, yes it was a Carling Cup game, but against a full-strenght Premier League opponent, and the fact that SAF fielded a lot of ‘experienced’ players showed that he also took the game serious. Nice to behold.
First 70 minutes was very nice, but then it seemed like the team headed for the dressing room way too early.
Tevez had a real good game. Pity it won’t affect his first team appearances much, because he had good games before he got dumped as well. I’m just glad he managed to improve on his goal tally (something lacking a bit in all the United ‘goalscorers’ lately). His last goal was awesome. (4 goals, 2 assists, not bad at all).
. Brilliant interplay though.
Nani, apart from his very well taken goal, played a very poor game imo. I think the problem with his decision making is the fact that he ALWAYS want to take a shot (or at least get into a position to take a shot), and when all else fail, he will then try to pass the ball - usually with dire consequences. I think he need to let go of this Ronaldo-wannabe notion of his and start focussing on what wingers are supposed to do…supply.
Anderson - brilliant game. I am pissed off with him a bit because I could have celebrated my expensive whiskey yesterday, but he decided to pass
Neville - not only responsible for 2 goals, but beaten by Cruz in the first half as well. I’m sorry, but I feel its time to had the armband over.
Possenbon I feel was a bit average. I relished the brazilian midfield, but he dissapointed my expectation a bit. Overall though, he played a good game.
Rafeal - need to watch those free kicks. His immaturity shines through. Other than that, a revelation to watch.
I know I will be criticised, but I think I’m the only one that is not really looking forward to Scholes’ return. That said, since his introduction, he started spraying the ball beautifully in all directions. Pity the team already left for the lockers.
Manucho - I really can’t see what all the fuss is about him. He had a similiar dull outing as his previous first-team outing. Between him and Wellbeck, I’d prefer Wellbeck.
The only downside of this game for me was the fact that we did not feature enough of the youngsters. I think Giggs’ inclusion was a bit overboard and would have prefered Petrucci or Macheda to be included in the squad. (After all, this game was supposed to be for the youngsters). I suppose with being within touching distance of silverware, AF don’t want to take chances…
December 4th, 2008 at 11:37
Rahul- do you have super human hearing? how on earth can u determin how often & how Foster communicates with his defence? Rediculous.
Craig- i was meaning scholes game is beeter suited to lesser teams who aint gonna put team under sustained pressure. For example i dont feel scholes can play genst teams with speed as he is simply too old/slow.
Hes dynamite against the blackburns, fulhams, wigans, middlesborough etc etc.
If we lost nani il be utterly devastasted, dnt think it will happen tho, Ronaldo will def be the 1st to leave out of the two anyways, nani’s Man u career has only just begun!
December 4th, 2008 at 11:45
@Stephen: i dont think so AT ALL. I watched the lad when he was at Watford, he did great things there, like saving their asses! Like a few of our players, he could benefit from a run of a few games! Plus he’s young for a keeper and has time to develop his game. Make no mistake, but for him in the first half, the headlines today would have been very different.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:04
@Beachryan: 3 for Gary Neville?? isn’t it a little too generous??
December 4th, 2008 at 12:31
@ Rahul - Well he did play the full 90, and blackburn only scored a couple. so you know, he did something. I reserve my 1s and 2s for performance like Robert Green’s england debut v Jamaica.
(for those that don’t know, he came on at half time, ball went out of play from kick off, he stepped up to take the goal kick, tore his groin, kicked it straight to a Jamaican who then scored in the open net as he writhed ont he floor. That’s a 1)
December 4th, 2008 at 12:41
@Karl: Exactly my sentiments. Was hoping to see Cleverly or Kiko atleast on the bench. Hell!, i thought Welbeck was a sure starter, but when did SAF not surprise us?
Regarding Foster, I dont think there is any apparent weakness in his game and the fact Fergie keeps hailing him as the future United and England no.1 proves that the boss sees some potential in him. He is just 25 and I dont think I would feel jittery if I see his name on the team sheet. Though , I still think PIG is the best shot stopper we have right now, has amazing reflexes but can’t kick a ball far even on moon.
December 4th, 2008 at 13:04
Keano has left SUnderland…
December 4th, 2008 at 13:13
It’s a shame Keano parted ways with the Sunderland board considering the fighter that he is. Just goes on to show how unhappy he was with the board there. Still I thought Keano would overcome all those hurdles and prove himself like old times.Why dont we offer Phelan to the Wearside ?
December 4th, 2008 at 13:21
@Scorp: He has had it tough there, he only spent £80m!
I think we should keep Phelan but not as number 2.
December 4th, 2008 at 13:24
our best game so far this season !! Anderson what a talent we have…still confused whether he is an AM or DM
Foster : never knew he is as tall as SAntacruz which is almost 193 cm..good enough for a GK to command the Area..he cant be blamed for the goals since gary - evans is not rio - vidic ..
Evans : I think am the only one who thinks he had a bad game …when high balls came from robinson, instead of going for them he just stayed on his feet and pushed the striker from back.. it happened many times
..may be he was missing the Vidic/ rio big time …
Gibson : when you are employed in right in a 4-3-3 system, you are supposed to cut in and spray the passes…but he just stayed there and tried to cross the balls….had a poor game
rafael : am getting nervous but happy that he is only 17 ….caught out of position numerous times and the defense were equally weak …but still an average game…
rest all had a very goood game and my MOM is …who else carlitos….
lets go for a 4-3-3 against sunderland fergie….
December 4th, 2008 at 13:29
@Scorp: Keano proved himself a quitter BIG TIME, when he left the Irish camp during the world cup campaign, with nothing but a load of pathetic excuses. So why is anybody surprised that he cuts and runs when things don’t go his way???.
December 4th, 2008 at 13:36
@realred: O right, I get your meaning about Scholesy, and yes, he has slowed down, but as you say, some games might suit him better than others
. I was just trying to point out, that he will get plenty of games then, because our team are more often playing this whole slow motion thing 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 13:37
@Craig Mc: Spot on matey, great player no doubt bad manager certainly.
If things don’t go his way then he walks.
December 4th, 2008 at 13:38
@Craig Mc: Scholesy will be really useful in tight European games.
December 4th, 2008 at 13:40
@Stephen: I wont say he was wrong the way he invested the 80 million. I think he got a few players who could do the job for him , not exactly set the world alight but those who would keep his team in the race for a top half finish. I think he needed time, especially when one has erratic players like Diouff, Chimbonda and Cisse or probably it was an error of judgment on his part when he expected to lift their game.Or may be Keano was expecting his players to show the same desire that he did in his playing days.
December 4th, 2008 at 13:41
Quitters never Win…Winners Never quit
…So no Keano for us please…..Rijkaaard anyone as No2 ? 
he can take over from Fergie as well ….
December 4th, 2008 at 13:44
@Craig Mc: I remember the World Cup incident mate , but thats just me ,am a very biased commentator when it comes to Keano
December 4th, 2008 at 13:44
@Scorp: Mate he spent £80m just stayed up last season and is in the bottom 3 now, he bought players with attitude problems and championship players for the Premiership, he is the new Bryan Robson great player bad manager, Ince will also fall in that category minus the great player status!
December 4th, 2008 at 13:45
@bond: Er another quitter.
December 4th, 2008 at 13:49
@bond: I wouldn’t take Rijkaard.Always thought he was a one dimensional manager, without a plan B. His man-management skills come under the microscope as well, the way he managed Ronaldinho , would Fergie ever let that happen to a player of that ability ?
December 4th, 2008 at 14:32
@Rahul: what can i say bro? None of us know what went on in wearside, i do know that Roy is a man who’ld stand up and take criticsm on the chin, and take responsibility for the teams results. Some of his signings were dubious at best, an aging Cole and Yorke??! But recently with the addition of Craig and Cisse, he seemed to be moving in the right direction. Sunderland fans can dream on and on and on, cos thats all they’ll be able to do. Apart from beating Newcastle twice in a year what else did they expect from Keano? Mid table at best for an average club
Good news for those of us in Ireland who were sick of the influx of Sunderland shirts!
Keano is a great motivational coach according to players who’ve played under him, and i think he’s learned a thing or two since THAT Mutv interview.@Craig Mc: As for bridges having been burned, i think your prejudice is blinding reason here, you made it clear that you’ve no respect for that thug(dont know if that was your exact word but it was the jist) Now you know you’re in a minority here,but you’re entitled to your opinion of course! On the contrary, i was /am a huge Keane fan, his testimonial v Celtic was an amazingly emotional experience that i’ll never forget, nevermind his many Titan perfomances as a Red Devil, Juve ‘99 anyone? How many times was he MOTM? I felt that he was unfairly treated by the club at the time, although i dont condone his “honest” outburst to the media. I dont think anyone could doubt the love he has for our club, and i think his abrasiveness could be just what Fergie needs as his assistant (the New Hairdryer 
eh Groggy?). Could Fergie and Keano be the new Dream Team? Assuming that they’ll kiss and make up?! We are all adults here yeah 
The more i think about it, mmmmmmmmm,
December 4th, 2008 at 14:48
@phoenix red: Well yea he could now do the hairdrying bit if he teams up with Fergie. Can’t ever picture Mike Phelan giving it to the players. But then, what else will he bring to the table?
But I expected him to stay there till the end of season and then take up another club’s hot seat (surely at the rate managers are fired these days, would be no dearth of vacancies). He just quit, and that is very surprising.
December 4th, 2008 at 14:51
@Craig Mc: listen, without trawling through That particular debate, believe me, you dont know the half of it. That Muppet Mc Carthy,(if it was me i’d have decked the cunt) dont make me laugh and the FAI
Jim Henson would have his work cut out there 
@bond: Where do you get your sayings from? CBeebies?Sesame Street? I believe Rijkaard quit too! 
December 4th, 2008 at 16:12
@phoenix red: Keane taking criticism on the the chin are you sure?
December 4th, 2008 at 16:20
All goals and chances from yesterdays game.
December 4th, 2008 at 16:22
I feel sorry for Keane. But I wonder more about how Sunderland will react to this? Do they react like West Ham did that day in 2006 and beat us, or like…. well a team with sever lack of confidence after their manager has resigned. Not fired, but resigned. Hopefully the latter…
December 4th, 2008 at 16:33
@RedDevilEddy: Lambs to the slaughter in my view!!!
December 4th, 2008 at 16:38
Don’t write Keane off yet,when he got to Sunderland they were pretty much bottom of the championship and he turned it round and got them not only promoted but to win it. Yes he spent a lot of money but as he says its hard to get good players to go to sunderland all this criticism is a little harsh.
December 4th, 2008 at 16:39
@RedDevilEddy: we’ll fuckin destroy that bunch of pretenders, Keano knew that aswell. He was probably watchin lastnights game and thought” mmmmmmm, dont really fancy that! after defeat no.6 at OT
NAH, i’ll nip this in the bud!”
Saw one comment from a Makem that cracked me up ” it was the snow that did it, late for training. He had to make an example of himself, no option but to go”
December 4th, 2008 at 17:08
@phoenix red: Phoenix I think I read everything I could on the matter at the time
. Also what all the other Irish players were saying about the matter, and nobody was rushing to back Keane up. In any case, even if McCarthy was 100% at fault, the Irish people and all the travelling fans weren’t, and in my mind he should have played for the Nation, and then beat the shit out of McCarthy and the Irish FA when he got back home. 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:10
@Stephen: @Craig Mc: thought you might be interested in this?http://<a href=”http://articles.squarefootball.net/squarefootball/2008/12/manchester-unit.html”
December 4th, 2008 at 17:12
@Grognard: Grog, mate to that comment and some other that you have I am surprised. I do not know you in person, but from what I have understood from you in your life and behavior that is very unlike you. And I duly disagree. I dunno how young people around you behave, but I cant say I am one of those persons that dont respect experience and people older than me. Yes I am a teenager, but you should not think my opinions and view are wrong because I am “young”! Dont you think I have experience death to someone in my family? Or love, murder, devorce, hate, fights, illness, close to death experience? I am really mature for my age if you care. But honestly you shouldnt! There is no reason for you to think my opionions are wrong or incorrect because you know what age I am. We are all human being, young or old, black or white, Mancunian or Scouser, Norwegian or Canadian. You should just think of me as a person. I do not think of you as anything else.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:15
@RedDevilEddy: A scouser can’t be classed as a human being mate!! YSB YSB!!
December 4th, 2008 at 17:21
@phoenix red: Pheonix, I just read your other post
. Your right in what you stated about my opinion of Keane. He may have been a stalwart for United, and Captain marvel etc etc etc, but I detest violence, and have seen over and over that attempt by Keane to maim Alfie Hyland, and put him out of football. Keane admitted that it was always in his head to DO Hyland, once he got the opportunity. Sick Bastard - sorry, but I have such a hatred for players who are unashamedly BRUTAL and Keane is most unrepentant about his action. How you explain that type of brutality away to yourself I don’t know, but it has nothing whatsoever to do with decent football. So sorry Phoenix, NO I don’t respect Keane, and never will either. If as you say I am in the minority here, why does that not surprise me?. I have seen the hatred in the hearts of a good many of the Manchester faithful, towards Ronnie and it is not nice or to be respected. But hay I don’t mind being if necessary a one man minority, but it is still my opinion, so stand alone on your principles I say 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:24
@Stephen: What I wrote that was meant to be serious.
A Liverpool fan is a human being, just as much as I hate them or think they are cunts, I have to admit that they are. 
Usually Im all fun and jokes and critical of YSB`s. But when you gotta be serious, you just are.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:29
@Scorp: That’s okay Scorp, your entitled to be biased as you say you are, and support Keano. I hate violence, no matter who it is coming from, and especially the type of violence that Keane perpertrated with his own admission of INTENT.
.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:29
@Craig Mc: I too am a big fan of Keane. His no-nonsense style made me the player I am today. But I have never liked his brutality when on the field. I agree, he can be a really sick person.
But he was a winner and even though he did that to Hyland, I think he deserved it. Revenge is never good, not in footy nor life, but he kinds deserved it. I think… 
December 4th, 2008 at 17:33
Keane was a superb player no doubt, rubbish manager to be honest the Alfie Haarland thing doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but he turned into a rent a quote merchant like all bullshit managers which I destest.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:34
@Stephen:
, Stephen Bro, I misread your post and thought you were saying Scolesy would be good for us playing in TIGHTS. That would have brought a multitude of wolf whistles, but his you know whats might appear exposed 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:37
@RedDevilEddy: It saddens me to hear you say that Hyland, or anybody for that matter deserves to be maimed as Hyland was maimed by Keane. I don’t believe in vendettas, because somebody will one day get killed, and what for, some footballers hurt pride, give me a feckin break. Keane to me was a coward, he got Hyland when Hyland didn’t see it coming.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:38
@Craig Mc: sorry about that link bro! havn’t quite mastered that yet, but it was about MUFC giving you back a few quid on VAT returns, As far as Keanogate is concerned, i wasn’t presuming ignorance on your behalf,(dont believe everything you read from ABU press) its just been such a convoluted debate that almost caused civil war here, its not something i want to rehash,Although
I’m a United fan first, 2nd and 3rd 
United > Ireland or England for that matter. That debate roused a mob of ABU fuckheads over here with their pontificating bullshit. Facts, He was captain of Ireland and he wasn’t happy with the prep and set up for a world cup comp, when he tried to do something about it, he was let down by his fellow “professionals”. The situation in Saipan was beyond a joke, an international football team with no footballs??? and a carpark to train in??Even Wazza’s Street Striker Lads are better looked after!!While money was been spent on lavish facilities for FAI management who know nothing about football, and this was indicative of the culture of the FAI. He didn’t leave or quit btw he was pushed out by Muppet Mc Carthy!The reason no one backed him up was they’ve simply got no balls 
December 4th, 2008 at 17:41
@Craig Mc: I said that I didnt like revenga. It never is as good as people think. It only leads to worse things. But Haaland did hurt Keane in the same way, for then to call him a fucking diver.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:47
@phoenix red: You should never in my view walk out of your country regardless of no balls or whatever, McCarthy did not push he walked mate, McCarthy is an A1 female organ no doubt but Keane did not get his way and quit.
I support my country and am proud to do so, I know not many people do, but thats my personal view.
December 4th, 2008 at 17:57
Phoenix, I’ve read the piece from square football on Keane, and although I agree that he never likes to settle for second best, that still doesn’t change the fact in my mind that he is still a thug.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:00
@Stephen: Thats a bit INSULTING to all A1 female organs isn’t it Bro?.
. To compare them to McCarthy 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:01
Ps, Juve away was the greatest performance I have ever watched from any player in a United shirt.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:02
@RedDevilEddy: Good lad Eddy mi man, glad to hear you don’t like revenge
.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:02
@Craig Mc: I appologise to all female organs A1 or lower!!
December 4th, 2008 at 18:07
@Craig Mc: may i remind you Bro we’ve had a few players like that in United over the years, Whiteside and Cantona(for example) who busted one of his own players in France! not to mention that fascist bastard in Selhurst Park! Anyway we differ in our opinions in a big way here,(polar opposites) so there’s not much point in continuing this line of discussion, lets agree to differ here
and move on.
Not my opinion 
btw
The real debate i feel should be about whether Roy Keane could bring anything to the sidelines and Carrington as an Assistant to Fergie? Not about his personality, I’ve read other commentators mention they’ld like to see Mourihno at United, I dont think these people particularly like the man, they would just see him to be a good replacement for Fergie
December 4th, 2008 at 18:09
@phoenix red: Simply got no balls, or they were thinking of Ireland and the fans, and were prepared to wait until AFTER the world cup to sort things?
. Poor belitteling facilities or not, I seem to remember that Ireland were still able to put on a good show weren’t they, at the time?
December 4th, 2008 at 18:12
@phoenix red: What would Keane bring to the club? Tactical imput no, footballing contacts into different countries no, so no real point in my view.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:18
@phoenix red: I was too young when Whiteside was on the rampage, so didn’t know much about it Bro. But I agree with you about Cantona, he was viscious, and could have killed that fan if he had connected with his scissor kick. But unlike Keane, he was duly tried and punished in a court of law. He should have got imprisonment tho, it was that bad. Also United should have not taken him back, but I know that will cause a hell of a furore in the mentioning of it
. And people thought Ronnie’s meek one fingered “I’m world No 1 no matter what you lot scream at me” gesture was out of order. I have to feckin laugh sometimes Phoenix.
Right we will move on
. I thought you gave us that reference because of the Keane article’s connection to our present discussion. But it seems like United are the only club looking to give the fans the benefit of VAT refund. Then, United fans are the only fans sueing their club over season ticketing, so this might be an attempt to pacify and soften the fans stance.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:21
@Stephen: They could have and should of got Gus Poyet - MAYBE. That is who Fergie wanted in the 1st place.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:23
@Stephen: Stephen all the female organs accept your apology, and say thankyou
.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:25
Anybody know when the draw is for the semis of the Carling eggcup
.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:32
@Craig Mc: Saturday. We will play either Spurs, Burnley or Derby. I can see us winning the whole thing with our youngsters.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:47
@phoenix red: Well it’s official, Roy Keane has resigned from Sunderland. Now how much of a man is Fergie? Does he stay content with that ass clown Phelan or does he give Keane the opportunity of a lifetime to be his #2 and build up his credentials for possibly taking over. I am not advocating that Keane be our next manager but I also believe he did a fabulous job at Sunderland up until this year when the losers he bought quit on him.
There is a way to look at Keane 27 months at Sunderland and grab a lot of positives from his performance. He took a team that had broken the record for futility in the Prem and had them back in the Prem within a year. Despite their lack of talent he kept them up there and he turned a lazy outfit into a hard working team with heart and passion. Up until lately of course. Many will blame him for his tactics or especially his choice of players but he was always restricted by two very important factors. The money he had was not going to fill so many holes adequately and no matter who he is, no great players that he was after were ever going to sign for a tosser side like Sunderland. Therefore he had to settle for unwanted castoffs and malcontents who once upon arriving did not take long to poison the good payers and the good work Keane had done up to that point. Players like Chimbonda for example are known to be shit disturbers and poison in the dressing room. Keano learned the hard way. He learned that no matter how hard he worked and how much passion he showed that you can only go so far with mediocre talent. Yes he had a penchant for signing old experienced and very washed former United players but that was because they were the only players of any quality he could convince to come to Sunderland.
I am advocating that Fergie sack Phelan right now or reassign him to laundry duty and hire Keane as #2. Yes he has a fiery Irish temper and Fergie has had his run ins with him in the past, but he has to remember that Keane as a captain was second to none and that his heart, dedication and passion for the job is excellent. He has many years of playing under Fergie to understand and adequately elevate his tactical and technical sense for the job. He had to play a certain way at Sunderland due to lack of talent. I am sure he understands how many more options he has as a coach for United. Go for it Fergie, hire Keano and make all United fans happy. And if it doesn’t work out, at least we have a classic style bust up to look forward to. One thing is for sure, under Keane’s watchful eye, this team won’t suffer from laziness and apathy like they have at times this season.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:51
@Craig Mc: All the more reason why Fergie should hire him. He should welcome a strong minded coach who will stand up to him if he feels something is wrong. I like what Obama is doing in picking his cabinet team in the US. He isn’t just picking friends. He is picking people who are strong enough to disagree with him and challenge him like Hillary Clinton. Perhaps Fergie needs alternate perspectives on strategy and tactics. God knows his own haven’t been great of late.
December 4th, 2008 at 18:54
@Stephen: the point is he’d be an understudy to Fergie for a few years to fully grasp what management of a big club is all about, then he might be a contender for the hot seat.Surely a better option than Phelan?! What about all the mad Corkmen he could attract?
December 4th, 2008 at 18:57
@Craig Mc: Yes he shouldn’t have quit Ireland. Instead he should have just beat the living crap out of that completely inept horses ass Mick McCarthy who for me has got to be the biggest lame brain working in football today. Keano has to much pride to put up with crap and nonsense. He is a perfectionist if not necessarily a great coach. This is why I think he should jump at a chance if offered the @2 spot with United. But that is only wishful thinking on my part. No way in Hell is Fergie going to offer him anything.
December 4th, 2008 at 19:00
@phoenix red: Very well said mate. McCarthy deserved more than just a good beating from Keano.
December 4th, 2008 at 19:08
@Grognard: Then Fergie better watch his LEGS because if he hurts Keane’s misguided PRIDE, he is liable to get his legs broken
. Besides I don’t think I could put up with another STUBBORN arsehole like unto Fergie, and that is what Keane is. I pray he doesn’t come back our way. We need the best foreign coach we can get our hands on - one with unbelievable tactical brain - end of 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 19:09
@RedDevilEddy: You know, after that highlight package I am now more convinced than ever that Foster is not the answer to our goalkeeping future. All three goals he has to take part blame on. Even the third where he did not do what all good keepers do and that’s communicate with his defender. Poor a cutting off angles too. Forget about it Fosterites, he is crap in my books.
December 4th, 2008 at 19:11
@RedDevilEddy: Sunderland will get slaughtered on Saturday at OT. They were already in terrible form and unless they can hire a miracle worker who has incredible motivational skills, this will be a chance for United to put up another fiver.
December 4th, 2008 at 19:11
@phoenix red: All the mad Cork men is what we are all afraid of Phoenix
. Keane being a perfect example 
.
December 4th, 2008 at 19:14
@Grognard: Mmmmmm, I wouldn’t be too sure Grog, wounded beasts have a way of being valiant when they are down and out. Hope you are right though, but on our first team shooting of late, I wouldn’t put any of my good money and bet on it
.
December 4th, 2008 at 19:16
@RedDevilEddy: I have no problem with you mate whatsoever. In fact I rather like you. However, do not ever think that you know as much or more than people twice or three times your age. One day you too will come to respect age and life experience. I don’t expect you to right now because frankly, when I was your age, I was exactly the same as you. So if you took my comments as very negative towards you, they were not intended that way. Like I said, I like you and I do respect you. But I just feel that my age and experience has to count for something. And those who don’t agree can go ……you know. Cheers
December 4th, 2008 at 19:17
@Grognard: up to my eyes at the moment
but suffice it to say i completely agree with you, dont know how real a possibility it is though?
December 4th, 2008 at 19:22
@Craig Mc: I am all for a great foreign coach too but consider my request for Keane a panic move because I will do anything to see someone replace Phelan. You know you hate someone when yo can envision a muppet doing a better job. What I do like about Keane is his passion and motivational technique. A rebirth of boot kicking and hairdryers perks my fancy I think.
December 4th, 2008 at 19:30
@Grognard: i agree, my first thought was “he’s coming to united”. Keane did an outstanding job last season when you consider the players he had and the money available to him. BUT, when it comes to signing players, he doesnt have the first clue! he only signs players he knows or play for the great nation that is ireland .
But when you have phelan as your assistant, you can only get better
December 4th, 2008 at 19:41
I’m not surprised KEANE has failed. Essentially he is an outspoken thug who was definitely over-rated as a player. From the first days of signing him when he vandalised his accommodation, he has continued on his arrogant and destructive journey, with no regard to anyone in his path. I hope he festers in hell.
December 4th, 2008 at 19:47
i thought Keane did well at Sunderland…he turned a bottom club in the champiionship and led them to to the premiership and survived…people complain about his purchases but the reality is Sunderland was never really a fashionable club and Keane got seasoned premiershipers who were troublemakers but added steel to their team…almost all his purchases have done reasonably well but how many bottom feeder club you know recently have stayed afloat more than 2 seasons?
As to him becoming our new no.2 its a big no..we need a tactician possibly someone from the continent
December 4th, 2008 at 20:03
@Stayley: i hate the guy as a player, simply because of the way he left. but as a manager, he’s pretty decent, he has his morals, which is something i like in a manager. its something fergie has lost.
December 4th, 2008 at 20:05
ferguson is to soft, when you see him, he doesnt striker fear in you like he use to. The best way to put it, is he has become to nice, to lenient.
December 4th, 2008 at 20:06
STAYLEY:Mate I know he is not a great Manager “BUT” an overrated player!!Dude whats ur problemmm……
December 4th, 2008 at 20:18
dan,
There’s a difference in being assertive and being a bully. KEANE is a seasoned bully boy. He’s taken a team with a massive fan base and nearly £100m and produced what? Who would you take from that team he’s assembled?
HUGHES at Blackburn had a tiny fan base, used little cash and brought in some class players (SANTA CRUZ, MCCARTHY). You wouldn’t describe Blackburn as a fashionable club. Successful managers are articulate and bright. KEANE is neither.
December 4th, 2008 at 20:24
@Stayley: Vandalised his accomodation ??? Now that’s something new to me, but can’t say it surprises me
.
December 4th, 2008 at 20:28
@Stayley: I agree with a few of your points about Keane, and I definately agree about Mark Hughes. Yet we have still to see if Hughesy is able to bring the right players with all the money glut he now has, and if he can blend them and make them Numero Uno winners. By the way Stayley, are you a Mackem by any chance?.
December 4th, 2008 at 20:34
@Stayley: gordan. cisse. jones. ferdinand.
December 4th, 2008 at 20:35
@Stayley: Who are you?
December 4th, 2008 at 21:30
I would not want Keane at the club. I think the bitterness he has shown since leaving has burned his bridges. His negativity is not something we need at the club. I would also agree that he’d have no pulling player when it came to getting players and add nothing to the tactical side.
Ferguson has a pulling power that is rare amongst British managers. The other good ol boys who used to play for us would not be able to attract the sort of players Ferguson can attract. Young talents know that if they come to United Ferguson will develop them into superstars.
Even with a couple of years under his wing Keane would still be a rookie taking over the manager seat.
Fergie got his feet wet as Aberdeen coach winning them league titles and European glory. What has Keane done?
December 4th, 2008 at 21:38
@Grognard: No hard feelings mate.
I like ya too. Youre kinda cool! 
I dont think I know more than people twice or three times my age group. Im not stupid! And you should know that I respect you, no matter what you think. Dunno much about life, but I know more than the people I have around me. 
But like you said, I will know more when I grow older.
December 4th, 2008 at 21:42
@Stayley: what the fuck? overrated player! you’re having a laugh? year after year Most Valuable Player, does that ring any bells? or were you around then? I didn’t hear many complaints when our man Keano was ruling the midfield of every pitch he graced, sometimes i just wonder
Lads this game of football we all love is a mans game btw a contact sport too! Otherwise we’d call it ladies football! or somat else! The way some of you are going on you’ld swear that Keano was wanted for warcrimes, why dont you ask Viera(another midfield general) who ruled the midfield in his day? what kind of sanitised sport do you like? tiddlywinks? 
December 4th, 2008 at 21:53
Phoenix red, completely agree mate how can any1 say keano was overated. Are you all mad or something. A keano is exactly what we need now and are still trying to replace now even tho its 3 years since he left. Yes hargreaves is gr8 but he aint playing is he so u ask me if i wud want keane in his prime with us now i would pay anything for him. The only player who comes close to keanes ability now is essien and he cost the chavs about £25million 3 years ago so how much wud a keane in his prime cost now say at essiens age. Im guessing atleast 30mil so how is that price set for an overated player. What a clown any1 is if they think that keane was overated. Watch some old matches and lets see if he was overated.
December 4th, 2008 at 21:53
@Grognard: I have been impressed by Keane. The season before he took over, Sunderland were relegated with the worst total points and goals against(until Derby came). He made them get up to the Prem right away and ended 13th last season. That is some achievement from a man in his first managerial years. He has bought players like Richardson, Gordon, Cisse, Ferdinand and Diof, but none of them have delivered the way people expected. I think he would be a great assistant, because he simply is a winner which wont accept anything but success. I love the dude, he may be crazy, but I love him. His mentality has ment a lot to the United that are now. He would do anything to help this team(Juve `99 exaple) and that is something I seem to think we lack now. A winning mentality. Face teams like Villa, Liverpool, Chelski and Arsenal and we will settle for a draw. With Keano around that would never happend. Ever! Just the same goes for Cantona. He would even put Ronny in his place.
Ronny: “I want to move to Real. I need more money and a warmer clima to become better.”
Fergie: “Chris, we have talked about this and I will never let you go. Now you listen to me…”
Keane: “I will handle this Sir. Now you listen to me pretty boy! Your arogance has gone too far. If you think you are gonna get everything yuo want just by wishing it, you are dead wrong. You are not a saint. You are not any special. You hear me? Had it been up to me I would have broken your bone off. But this guy thinks you deserve more. Remember that when he isnt around there is no-one to help you. I`m keeping my eye on you!”
Ronny: “Ehhhhhh….(looks at Keane and Ferguson in a really afraid view and decides to do something)….. You know what, Im happy here. United rule!”
Long live Keano!
December 4th, 2008 at 22:04
@Stayley: I dont mean to be rude, but what the fuck are you about?! If you truly are a United fan you discust me. To call Keane crazy, mental, wierd and evil I can understand. But overrated?!! Are you on drugs or something? If you became a fan in 2005 and only watched Keanos interview I may understand. Or really, I dont! He was the most brilliant player ever to have played for us on a consistent basis. Id take 11 Keanos over 11 Beckhams, Ronaldos, Rooney, Cantonas and Scholes every day. He was the ultimate player! He could tackle, shoot, head, use both feet, pass, defend and attack, mark anybody, box.to-box, motivate… THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!!! He only had one flaw and that was his temper. But no-body is perfect. Like Anderson has his shooting, Ronaldo his arrogance, Rooney his inconsistency and Vidic his speed. Even Torres, Messi and Maradona! Torres is not a team player(how cant Scousers see that?), Messi has heading Maradona had drugs and all, and Zidane had his defending and temper. A Keane is what we need at United. A winner! The complete midfielder. If Anderson starts shooting well he can become that player. If Carrick keeps doing the right decisions and passes for 90 minutes he can become. If Hargreaves gets his injury away he may become. And Fletcher also needs to deliver on a consistent basis. He is beggining to show some signs, but i still think he has a long way to go. I want a real DM, a winner which is also a box to box midfielder. He should have a short haircut and have a scar on his face. Every times his team loses the ball he should run to the player who made that stupid pass and tell him to sort it out. Maybe my hopes are high, but that is what I want. I want another Keane. Wether Andy, Fletch, Hargo or myself(
need to get a scar! 
) I dunno. But if this United team are gonna become the truly best team in the world we need that. Another Keane…
December 4th, 2008 at 22:05
@Stayley: Just one of those statements I thought I’d never hear from a United fan, I’m not saying you should like him, cus I’m starting to dislike him myself, but to hope that one of our best ever players who had such an influence to the team “festers” in hell, is just strange.
December 4th, 2008 at 22:17
What I will say is a dream team. A goalkeeper that make wonder saves, dictates the defense and is secure with his positioning and cathing crosses. Also needs to be able to kick/throw the ball high up the field. A right back that is really fast, also good ball-control and making bone-crushing tackles. A centre back which is fast and reading the game well, good tackling and good in the air. A CB that can make tackles which makes the opposition fly into row Z, dominating his defense, Incredible in the air and reading the game well. Needs to be tall. A left back that can attack and defend, cross and shoot the ball well, is one of the fastest players on earth and reads the game well/makes great timed tackles. A right winger that can head, use both feet, cross, shoot, dribble, pass… short: C. Ronaldo! A defensive midfielder that is the leader on the pitch, dominates opponets, gets into positions to score goals, care more about the team than himself, tackles really well and is fast. An attacking midfielder with the best vision, amazing passing, can change a game in a flash, head, get into positions to score, great control and finishing like a striker. The left winger should be the best crosser in the team. Doesnt need to be a good header, but great dribbling skills, good finishing and passing liek a God. Two strikers, both really fast with an eye for goal, time their run perfectly, good leap and heading skills, hard shot and good control. Team with players:
) Beckenbauer Rio Evra
Schmeicel
Myself(really!
Ronaldo Keane Giggs(of 1990`s)
Cantona
Torres Drogba
December 4th, 2008 at 22:19
@Grognard: Ok, I promised myself I wouldn’t get sucked into the Foster debate again, but you’re only focusing on what he DIDN’T do and neglecting what he DID do in the first half, we’d probably have been 3-0 down and Blackburn would have probably gone on to defend for their lives. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he’ll ever be Schemeichel or come even close, but yes I don think if he continues developing well, he can be our future number one. Ok, my last reply, I promise,
December 4th, 2008 at 22:21
@Craig Mc: Go back and read some of the rubbish people were spouting off about Rooney when he was on fire. People started talking about how he was every bit as good as Ronaldo or better because he “tracks back”. But don’t take my word for it, go back and read over the comments.
December 4th, 2008 at 22:22
@RedDevilEddy: really funny Eddy
you’ve cheered me up there, very good. And of course i completely agree with you. But yeah, alot of this namby pamby attitude simply wouldn’t be tolerated by Keano. By the way, i smell a Bitter, eh Stayley?
December 4th, 2008 at 22:27
@colver: What Keane has done? Made the worst team the Premiership had ever seen into a 13th placed spot in the same divsion just two years later, in his second year of management. And bitterness. Called mind-games!
Fergie is a master at that and Keane has shown that. He has often critisised teams, evern his own. But that is because he wants us to perform. The strong players, the really great players show their worth after being critisiced! It may be a wierd thing, but it is true. That worked at United because here we have truly great players that want to perform and have the ability to change the world if they really want. At Sunderland? If you mention just 1 player in that team that would fit into Uniteds first 16 I would give you a million dollars! That is why it doesnt work there. Not a strong character, not good self-belief and no ability to perform at what level neccasary needed when it is. He would be perfect for United, his staement in 2005 might have got him released from the club, but I am grateful. After that statement, United played their best game until Roma 2007(7-1) with beating Chelsea 1-0. Alan Smith, one of the players that were hugely critisiced, played his hearth out. Best game Iv ever seen from Smudge. Reminded me of Roy himself! Ronny, Rooney, Flecth and Rio also responded. And to think that we played with Oshea and Silly against them that day… 
December 4th, 2008 at 22:33
@Grognard: Foster…. Good keeper. Great shot stopper, can kick the ball hih up the field, good positioning and great reflexes. He can do so many things, and have great potential. But he doesnt know his defense. Ive only watched him against Derby, Celtic and Rovers, but frm what Ive seen he is not commanding. That is the only thing he lacks to become a great keeper. More commanding, and he is nearly complete. But will he become a Schmeicel? Time will tell. But with VDS retiering next year(possibly) I understand your worry. I do not want Untied, the reigning champions of Europe and England, play with a sheep(PIG) in goal. PIG and Foster, or Amos. Hmmm. One word: Neuer! Thats the guy which has impressed me the most. If anybody else? Boruc, impressed me a lot.
December 4th, 2008 at 22:36
@RedDevilEddy: err no, thats officially derby.
December 4th, 2008 at 22:37
http://fourfourtwo.com/news/england/21755/default.aspx
Hmmm, maybe this explains the lack of form??? The players are too pampered, lol jk
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