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
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Blackburn v Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (89)
Craig Mc (26)
Ian (18)
@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.
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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
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@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,
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@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.
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@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?
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@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… 
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@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.
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@RedDevilEddy: err no, thats officially derby.
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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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@johnsom33: I can confirm that. I was one of the people saying Rooney is just as good as Ronaldo. And I duly things. But dont get me wrong, that is only when Rooney is full of confidence. He would be a realy candidate for Ballon DoR if he could perform consistently up front and score goals when needed. Whe he is on song, like in October, I would take him over Ronaldo. Why? Becuase he is a team player. Ronaldo is a complete player, the most brilliant person Iv ever seen playing football. But Rooney does more for the team. Two Rooneys over two Ronaldos. Simple. Ive watched tapes, and I believe Rooney can do just the same as Ronaldo with the ball at his feet. But does he always do it? No! Because he, like Keane, thinks: TEAM OVER PLAYER! Dammit, why cant people understand that these days. I wish awards like Ballon DoR, UEFA player of the year and golden boots would be completely deleted. Rather have an award for the manager, the CLUB! Individual prizes mean nothing to me! Golden boot, player of the year, Goal of the season for that matter! Erase, erase, erase, erase, erase!!! Should be Club of the year, Ballon le Cluuuub. If there should be any award, it should be “best team player in the world”. Fuck individual prizes. TEAM OVER PLAYER!
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@dan(u-ol): I know that. Said that in one of my earlier comments. But at that time, Sunderland was the worst club in the English history. And to believe that Sundownland got a 0-0 draw from us at Old Trafford that season.
Embarrasing! And then 1-0 last season. I want a goals-galore on Saturday. If not, then there is something really wrong.
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Oh no! Benzema likes Real more than United.
Who cares really? 
We have Tevez(4 goal hero, yeey), Rooney(Manchester derby hero, yeey), Berbatov(£30 million striker, yeey) and Frazier Campbell(young striker of the future, yeey). Where does Benzema fit? I will tell you! In Wengers arse! 
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@colver: Completely different eras and Ferguson never had to play against such incredible disparity in terms of money. By the way, Keane took a totally decimated Sunderland club that had been demoted and going nowhere and performed a miracle in 2/3 of a season getting them promoted. No it wasn’t the EPL but everything is relative. In the Coca Cola League he looked like Fergie. Give him the money and freedom with talent that Fergie has and I’m not so sure he would fail. He had to do things a certain way at Sunderland because they were a nothing club and because great players didn’t want to play for such a club. So in that scenario you start calling up your mates and you ask them to give you a hand for a spell until things improve.
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Why is this site dead?
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@RedDevilEddy: And that’s all I was trying to say mate. Life experience is not something learned in a text book or on tv. You have to live it. Value the knowledge and experience you have now and know that it will always improve. Above, all listen to those who’ve been around a bit. You can gain much wisdom from them. For example, expect that taking a piss will be a lot more of a problem for you when you are around 50. Damned prostate.
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@RedDevilEddy: Having him as #2 would be like getting him back as our captain. I think his temper is his worst enemy but I do think he is motivated and very influential. His manner may not be for everyone but I personally think he is the kick in the pants United need. Then again I would settle for Craig as #2 if it meant getting rid of Phelan. Then we would get real dose of Nani.
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@RedDevilEddy: Love it mate. Keano the enforcer. Kind of like DeNiro in Goodfellas. “mmmmm little bit. I heard things. I’m watching you.”
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@Grognard: He-he.
I enjoy life as it is now. But I always learn. That is how you become a better person. You learn from life and you suck it in. Man, I will ejoy every piss I take from now on. I promise you! 
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@Rd: OK there you go, you just made my point for me. You don’t think he will ever be Schmeichel or even close. Enough said mate. I agree. And United deserves to always have a keeper that is a little close to Schmeichel. Therefor why settle for fish n chips when you can buy Fillet Mignon? We are talking about Manchester United, not West Ham or Aston Villa for crying out loud. We are up their with Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, Milan, Juventus and Inter. They haven’t settled for crappy or just average keepers. Hell, they rarely settle for just good keepers. Look at Arsenal for example. Inconsistent as Hell but imagine how much better they would be with a young Lehmann in goal as opposed to the worst keeper in Europe in Almunia. How good would Chelsea be without Cech? All great teams have great keepers. We should never settle on an average keeper. The nightmare of Taibi, Bosnich, Howard and even Barthez still rings loud in my memory. EVDS has done a decent job in helping me forget those nightmares. Foster and Pig are more than decent backups for our club but for me Adler, Boruc or Neuer are the keepers we need to stay #1.
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@johnsom33: Great point. It just makes my point about fair weather fans being very very fickle. And that’s fine but forgive me if I don’t chuckle a bit.
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Hypothetically speaking, say Fergie resigned tomorrow, the first name i’d want would be Gus Hiddink, after that it’d be Martin O Neill
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@Grognard: Bebcause you can eat Fish and Chips with your hands!
Its easier…
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@phoenix red: Martin O`Neil, Roy Keane or Carlos Quieroz.
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@RedDevilEddy: I love Neuer. Temendous reflexes and is very good at handling crosses. Adler is fantastic but he has a bity more of a problem with crosses and Boruc is also a little suspect in that area. But all three can kick the ball and have a commanding presence where they scream and communicate to their teammates. A goalkeeper has to act like a drill Sargent towards his back four if he plans to be successful and command their respect. Trust me, very few defender teammates ever cared for Schmeichel and Oliver Kahn when they played. In fact Bayern defenders quite often felt the Wrath of Kahn when they made a mistake. This is so vital for a team defending.
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Is neuer that young keeper who plays for schalke, if so yeah he looks a great keeper. I have always liked shay given but i dont think he will ever leave newcastle. I do think tho that we shud atleast give foster a season b4 we judge him as not good enough. I personally feel he cud make it if he is given a chance.
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@Chirag: Whatever do you mean? The site is far from dead.
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@RedDevilEddy: Honestly, one of the reasons I was in such a piss poor mood yesterday was because of my prostate. Sometimes it acts up and even the medication I’m on doesn’t help. When I do have a nice free flowing piss these days, it’s better than sex.
I know, too much info for some of you. Sorry. 
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@Matthew: Yeah, thats him.
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@phoenix red: You and I are on the same wave length. I too love Hiddink but I also wonder how Hiddink would do with a really talent ridden side. He is a great teacher and is great at making minnows overachieve. I truly don’t know how he would do if he had to manage a top four side. Still, I’d be willing to find out. O’Neill for me is ideal because he believes in attacking football and he respects the heritage and standards of the club. I would be more concerned bout how good we would be in Europe with him at the helm but I think he would be great for us in the EPL. And if I had a fantasy pick from out of the wilderness it would be Cantona. If Klinsmann can do it, why not the King?
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@Matthew: That is he. Trust me, if not for him Schalke would be in shambles this year. The guy makes at least 3 dazzling saves a game. Last year he had a highlight reel moment where he made five saves in a span of ten seconds that were absolutely breathtaking. Honest to God, he is awesome.
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@Grognard: Dude……. I didnt ask!
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I know its only a youtube vid, but I watched this game and he pretty much did this all the time. I fell in love with him after that. Wathced him sometimes in the Bundesliga, then some this season and I must say he has really impressed me. He will be the second coming of Schmeicel, so I would buy him quick if I were Fergie. He is the best reflex keeper Iv ever seen since Kahn!(He retired after Peter)
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Oh, yeah. Here is the vid.
Last penalty save was out of this world. 
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Wanna laugh? Here, enjoy yourselves. Evra is da best!
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@johnsom33: I know what your saying Johnsom mate, and I did read the comments at the time. I wasn’t one of them who advocated Rooney back tracking and spending most of the time in the opposition part of the pitch, as I like him in our half where he can be most lethal and dangerous. He hasn’t really been that of late I’m afraid, but he was extremely unlucky against Shitty, where he nearly had the goal of the century
. City goalkeeper having heart palpitiations ever since 
.
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@RedDevilEddy: Is it me or in that interview (1:26) when asked about French or English weather, Evra sounds like the middle-eastern employee in Family guy who just learns about sarcasm…
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For all you Benzema fans, read this article that I found on Setanta and ask yourselves if this is the kind of player you want at OT?
BENZEMA IS LIKE A GANGSTER:
Gregory Coupet has revealed the reason behind his departure from Lyon after 12 seasons and slammed former team-mate Karim Benzema for having the image of a ‘gangster.’
The 35-year-old claims that a conflict of generations urged him to embark on another challenge and join Atletico Madrid in the summer.
Nowadays young players act like businessmen and do not make the fans enjoy themselves, according to Coupet, who says Benzema ‘never smiles’ and maintains an aggressive attitude in public.
Coupet told L’Equipe: “Karim is an outstanding player, a future world-class one. But he is only 20. And today we accept anything from young players, give them too much.
“Karim would not have this attitude if he was better advised. If I was in charge of his PR, first thing first, I would ask him to smile a bit because he has a nasty face on every picture.
“And seeing that makes me sad because I know him well and can tell you he is a top guy. But at the age of 20 he is already ‘the gangster.’
“Today Karim is more focused on himself, about a business plan. And that makes our sport die a bit because we do not bring the same pleasure to the fans any more.”
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@Grognard: definitely agree, united needs its true captain on the pitch weekly, and have the ability to make his presence felt when the team needs it. That’s what you have to love about Keane. With a strong, permanent and stable leader on the pitch, we’ll should be able to have someone who relishes taking the responsibility of lifting the team, when we’re behind on the score or when we’ve been having those lackluster second halves in recent times…
just my thoughts though
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Huntelaar at R-M… is official now. How much did he cost them?
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@RedDevilEddy: “He would be a realy candidate for Ballon DoR if he could perform consistently up front and score goals when needed.”
I’m not trying to take the mickey, but thats like me saying “If I had Usain Bolts speed I could break the WR.” The point is, Ronaldo plays at that level consistently, Rooney has to be on fire to be on par with Ronaldo’s average form. This is no slight against Rooney, it just speaks volumes about how good Ronaldo actually is. He is Prolly the second most hated player on the planet(Materazzi is first) and yet he still one the Award by a landslide. I know I always come across as a Rooney basher, but I really do rate him, I just dont over do it.
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@johnsom33: There is a big IF, I know. But if you put skills, talent and all that up to each other they are practically as good. If you look at the 2005/06 season Rooney performed on a consistent basis. He didnt get any injuries and he had to fight with Saha and Ruud for his spot. He played most of our games and got a ton of assists and goals. If he could do that against, we would be nearly unbeatable.
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argentia vs brasil board games (united edition) enjoy
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@johnsom33: Johnsom – I agree
.
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