Sep 27
Man Utd v Bolton: Preview
A quiet few days later, United return to a Premier League game that’s at home. The start has been gruelling for us with the injuries and the fixture list, among a few reasons, but if Fergie’s prophecy — that we’ll be fine by October — is to ring true, today would be a game we should be looking to stamp our authority.
Bolton haven’t been particularly stellar, and at home one should expect us to knock them over easily. The question, though, is how.
But before delving into team news there have been quite a few interesting quotes from Fergie ahead of today’s game that could be worth glossing over, albeit briefly.
First one is on the role he’s earmarked for Giggs this season:
“I see his role as a central player, where we played him the other night. The days of trampling up and down that touchline for Ryan, at 34 years of age, are gone. He can maybe do it occasionally, but I think that is beyond him now.”
This has been assumed to be a role of either a central, withdrawn striker or in central midfield. I honestly don’t see him in the central striking role this season, considering the headache Fergie already faces with the array of strikers at his disposal already — more on that in a bit — and even playing him in central midfield appears a stretch. It is still left wing where he stands a chance, and even that I see him occupy that role in case the wingers are struck by injury. He could play in those central positions only in Carling Cup games. Fergie will surely have ideas different from me, but in my opinion, I can’t see any other role for Giggsy.
He made another admission of the challenge he faces trying to manage the talent at his disposal up top. But he also says that players accept the fact that rotating his front line is a must. Considering how badly the likes of Tevez and Rooney want to play every game, it would be a bitter pill to swallow for either of them to be left on the bench. The only constants, for now at least, appear to be Berbatov and Ronaldo. The press all over have been speculating that Tevez might partner Berba with Rooney relegated to the bench — a thought hardly imaginable a few seasons ago.
He also let rip at that thug, and part time footballer, Kevin Davies, questioning the spirit at which he plays the game. Considering the agony young Possebon went through in midweek, Fergie’s message was loud and clear, and conscious of its timing.
In team news, Owen Hargreaves is eager to play, so I can only assume he’ll be starting. In the absence of Carrick he should start in central midfield. I’d prefer to play Anderson alongside him, but have a feeling that Fergie would continue to play his favoured son, the Ginger Prince. As much as I like Scholesy, I think Anderson and Hargreaves play better together, whereas Scholes and Hargreaves will be a very defensive setup. Ronaldo should start and possibly Nani. Berbatov and Tevez will be my picks up front, not because I don’t rate Rooney, but because I think Tevez’s form must be rewarded. Berba should start because we need him to get games and get a feel for our system at home. Simple as.
In defence, we’ll have Brown (I hope), Vidic, Rio and Evra. However, I am not really sure if young Ben Amos will be thrown into the deep end. He had a decent outing against Boro in midweek, and if EVDS and Kuszczak aren’t sufficiently recovered from their respective knocks it will be Amos’ full Premier League debut. According to reports though, EVDS looks fit to start. Even if he’s half fit I think Fergie will play him over an 18 year old ‘keeper.
So there goes the preview, feel free to discuss lineups and your thoughts on today’s game in the comments.
Prediction: 2-0 to United. Berbatov to open his United account.
Related items from Red Rants:- Rooney Out For A Month
- Bolton vs Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd 2-0 Bolton: Ronaldo Usurps Best
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Bolton: Preview
Tags: Game Preview
September 27th, 2008 at 10:41
hope we get off to a good start today. hoping for an early goal again but this time we need to build on it…. hoping to kick off our 4-0 winning run today.
starting:
——EVDS——
BROWN–VIDIC–RIO–EVRA
HARGREAVES–ANDERSON
RONALDO————-TEVEZ
ROONEY—-BERBATOV
September 27th, 2008 at 11:29
i agree. i wouldnt mind if evans gets a run out in place of vidic… i think andy should start, and nani. i think rooney should be benched…wake up call me thinks.
September 27th, 2008 at 11:36
I reckon your team selection would be our strongest bet as well. it is either Ando/Hargo pairing or the Scholes/Carrick Pairing. it is clear as day that the pairs cannot be mixed up.
With wingers too i reckon Nani and Ronnie would be good together. i would still prefer rooney and berba, because i think rooney is the more creative player from roovez… BUT its my unqualified opinion. haha
oh well, heres to the beginning of the winning run for us..
September 27th, 2008 at 11:54
4-0 to United…
Berba, Ronaldo on scoresheet…
September 27th, 2008 at 12:02
is pig injured? if yes, how in this feckin world did he get injured?!
September 27th, 2008 at 12:11
@cheeseburger o’shea: it’s a groin injury!! How we can have three potential 1st choice keepers injured at the same time is beyond me…. i feel sorry for Kusczy and Foster though, as any of them who featured for VDS while he was out would probably have gotten the nod from Fergie to keep on playing ahead of VDS this season.
September 27th, 2008 at 12:23
This game I think will be the turning point of our season.
We could use a comfortable win under our belts and players like Berbatov and Rooney (I think?) would do well to break their ducks this season.
It will be a physical game so Id start with Hargreaves and Fletcher in the middle. If Hargreaves tires we can replace him with Anderson. If we need a bit more creativity and ball retention we can bring on Scholes.
On the wings I would play Ronaldo and Nani. Both are capable of scoring and will give us some penetration. Losing possession against Bolton isn’t such a big deal because they can’t hurt us the way the big teams can, and as it is at Old Trafford they will sit back and defend anyway.
Up front Tevez and Berbatov I agree is the best combination. Later in the game we can bring on Rooney who can inject some energy into the game. I remember against Aston Villa (or was it Newcastle) last season Rooney came on as a sub and turned the game.
I really think this season we need to reward Tevez’s form. Berbatov by virtue of being number 9 will probably start when fit. So it really is a scrap between Rooney and Tevez for the support striker role. For me Tevez is winning it at this point in the season.
September 27th, 2008 at 12:30
My team:
VDS
Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Hargo Andy Nani
Tevez Berba
subs: Amos, Rafael, Neville, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Rooney. But then we have Fletcher. I donnu, I just HOPE Fergie picks that squad, I love the Andy and Owen partnership, I think its the best CM partership we have. Plus, Andy and Owen needs games unlike Scholes who has got plenty! I hope we attack Bolton, we havent done that in a PL game since West Ham last season. When I mean attack, I mean continue to attack even after scoring! Or is that new to United now? Long time since United continued to Attack after leadin, so it will be interestin to see if we are really going for the win. Hopefully Berba starts next to Tevez so we can see that partnership. It worked well against Liverpool in the first half.
Prediction: 4-0 to United. Ronaldo, Berbatov(2) and Tevez to score.
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
September 27th, 2008 at 12:36
The Carling Cup 4th round draw has just come been done - we play QPR at our home, so that’s nice! Best match of the round? Spurs vs. Liverpool
September 27th, 2008 at 12:39
We play QPR at Old Trafford in the next round of the Carling Cup.
September 27th, 2008 at 12:40
@antsBoy: oh, you beat me to it.
September 27th, 2008 at 12:44
Any Aussies here? If so, how is the FIFA 09? Is Berba on the team? How much points does Ronaldo, Tevez and Anderson have?
September 27th, 2008 at 12:47
It’s been a bit quiet in here for a matchday…C’mon people! Where are y’all?!?! My prediction for the match: 3-1, with Berba scoring his debut goal.
September 27th, 2008 at 12:52
Eh, Ive preordered the FIFA 09. Anybody knows what day it might come, Ive heard it arrives some days earlier?
September 27th, 2008 at 12:52
Rooney and Berba did not play against Boro and I think both will start against Bolton, and I would not be surprised to see Tevez joining them in the starting lineup with Ronaldo on the bench. Something similar as against Liverpool. Anyway, I think Fergie will face problems with squad selection, as I can not see neither of big four to be happy with sub role, while all 4 can not play together as we would be fucked up defensively. Even Nani and Ronaldo, with two upfront would be problem for our defence.
September 27th, 2008 at 13:09
watching everton vs the dippers i can not believe how liverpool biased mike reily is. refusing to book the scumbags for arguing, kicking the ball away, blatent fouls, yet ronaldo gets carded for saying look at the stud marks in my leg. twunt.
September 27th, 2008 at 13:17
MY team:
VDS
BROWN VIDIC RIO EVRA
FLETCHER HARGREAVES ANDERSON
ROONEY
RONALDO BERBATOV
any thoughts?
September 27th, 2008 at 13:21
i hope the dippers lose. im on everton on this one. go saha!
September 27th, 2008 at 14:13
TEAM NEWS?
September 27th, 2008 at 14:16
Team News:
GK: VDS
RB: Neville
CB: Ferdinand
CB: Vidic
LB: Evra
RM: Ronaldo
CM: Fletcher
CM: Anderson
LM: Park
ST: Berbatov
ST: Tevez
Subs: Amos, O’Shea, Evans, Scholes, Rooney, Nani, Giggs
September 27th, 2008 at 14:18
thank god, rooneys on thte bench, but, wheres hargreaves
September 27th, 2008 at 14:24
where the heck is brown???
Is fergie suffering from amnesia? Somebody gotta remind him that Brown is a Man Utd player and he didn’t score that OG…
He is not even on the bench this time! Neville behind Ronaldo!?!?! beyond me…
September 27th, 2008 at 14:29
Guys, relax. We have a gigantic squad this year. Not all of them can play, or be on the bench. It’s gonna be a long season.
September 27th, 2008 at 14:32
I like that team!
Thankfully Anderson plays, reason Brown and Hargo isnt in that squad is because of CL game in midweek, remember? United to win 4-0, Ronaldo, Berbatov(2) and Tevez to score. COME ON YOU REDS! 
September 27th, 2008 at 14:36
@RedDevilEddy: If I am not wrong its been 2 weeks since brown played for full 90 minutes… Anyway team looks solid…
September 27th, 2008 at 14:38
Anybody have a link to the match?
September 27th, 2008 at 14:39
whats the best link? http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=19396&part=sports which is the best to use? no TVU im afraid.
September 27th, 2008 at 14:44
bar wes brown, thats our strongest possible lineup. Go United!
prediction: 3-0 united.
September 27th, 2008 at 15:51
First Half……One word…….RUBBISH!
September 27th, 2008 at 15:52
its been a good half for us, scholes nani and giggs should come on next half, because they can pick a pass. thats what we are lacking, a player that can pick a pass.
September 27th, 2008 at 15:55
I just keep wondering what our CBs think when they send long balls to Park!!!
September 27th, 2008 at 15:56
@dan(u-ol): You really have got a grudge against Rooney now
September 27th, 2008 at 15:58
All I say is Nani in for Park. Then the goals will por.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:03
14 shots on target in 45 minutes is not rubbish!
September 27th, 2008 at 16:04
I would prefer anyone for anderson. He looks crap. Is a good talent, loads of potential, but i would rate him under Fletcher right now.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:09
Need to pull Park off the left. I like him but he provides no delivery from there. Either swithc he and Ronaldo or sub him off.
We’ve been let off twice this match already.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:15
Didn’t see 1st half. Clearly we are so much better without Rooney though
. Rooney better come on soon.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:17
Does Anderson know that he doesen’t HAVE to take a short corner every time? We’ve got some good height in the box, put it in there and let Berba, Rio and Vidic go get it.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:19
Penalty!!! Thanks Rob Stiles haha
September 27th, 2008 at 16:20
Goal! Now bring on the Roon!
September 27th, 2008 at 16:21
didnt deserve that peno but I’m not complaining
. Even Lou Macari said it was disgraceful.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:21
Well that is ridiculous. No way shape or form a penalty. Credit to Ronnie for putting it in. But we shouldn’t need that. Disgusting.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:22
never a penalty. not in a million years. I’ll take it tho! Something really need to be done about the referees this season. They need to be held acountable.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:22
Doesn’t matter to me. Bolton is a cunt team they desreve everything. Viva Ronaldo
September 27th, 2008 at 16:23
Maybe the FA should try a competence for referees programme and drop the respect one
September 27th, 2008 at 16:23
It wasn’t a penalty, but I’ll take it. Maybe that will get us rolling for the last 1/2 hour.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:25
I almost want Bolton to score. This lead feels so hollow
September 27th, 2008 at 16:28
Maybe we didn’t deserve the penalty but we definitely deserved the lead.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:33
@james f: I don’t think we deserve anything more than 0-0. Bolton has created better chances than us so far. Hopefully that will change now that ROONEY is on…and there went my link.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:37
VIVA ROONEY!!!
September 27th, 2008 at 16:37
And thats why Wayne Rooney should start on a regular basis !!!…
2-0 United
September 27th, 2008 at 16:37
@Wheezy: Speak of the devil
September 27th, 2008 at 16:37
Berbatov standing at the edge of the box when Rooney puts it across isnt going to help him score. Even Park was further forward
Btw ROONEY!!!
September 27th, 2008 at 16:39
where are you now Dan?
September 27th, 2008 at 16:47
that’s how long it takes for Rooney to score while playing in his best position!
What the hell has happened to our defense? They look shaky whenever it gets near them. They have been a shadow of last years defense.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:50
Scholes is past it. I hope his Grandkids enjoy watching him play what will hopefully be his last season.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:52
@Wheezy: What? We have looked far better since he and Rooney came on.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:53
I must say, if Nani ever feels like he could give the ball up, we could be up 3 or 4 by now. some great stuff from our defense. I hope that SAF is just trying to ’scare’ brown into returning to form. I dont really like Neville back there, but he seems to be doing the job, for now.
Great passing from Berbatov. Only a matter of time before he gets selfish and puts it in the back of the net.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:55
@Liam: Gary Neville is what happened. Brown should be starting. Nothing G.Nev has done has convinced me otherwise.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:57
Yes we have looked better, but more of that had to do with the penalty goal than the Ginger. I LOVE Scholes for everything he’s done for United, but I just wish he’d go away, and take Neville and Giggsy with him. Anyway, 3 points is 3 points and I guess there isn’t really much to complain about from our point of view, other than our defense did seem a little shaky at times.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:59
@JB: I assume hes saying that because of the 2 sitters he missed. Personally, we have so many people that can and should do that for us that if he can just get the ball to them he will, for me, be the man of the match. He doesnt need to be marvelous for us anymore, just like carrick, just get it to the people that are paid to do put it in the net with his splitting passes.
As a side note, who would have thought that Carrick would have had competition when he comes back from Fletcher. Its nice to finally see him perform day in and day out.
September 27th, 2008 at 16:59
@Wheezy: Funny I though we stepped up a gear after the subs, not the goal.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:01
@Liam: i was watching the game. one goal doesnt make rooney the white pele, or even as good as you and other rooney lovers make him out to be, in my books, he is still not worth a place in the starting line-up. it was NOT him that made us play better, it was scholes, rooney scored goal, big woop, thats what he is suppose to do, that is what he was meant to be doing for the last 3 years, 1 goal will not change my opinion on him.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:03
Good performances today i felt. The Penalty clearly wasn’t a penalty and in fact i found myself cringing when it was awarded, even in real time when it happened i said “good tackle”. United were bossing the game and with or without the Penalty we were going to score eventually.
Berbatov looked a lot better today and his partnership with Rooney is developing particularly well. Nani really needs to learn when to pass, but saying that, in the 10 minutes he played i thought he managed to play really well.
Scholes showed he still has it in him to push forward and control a midfield, admittedly against a retreating Bolton.
A word for the Trotters, i thought Elmandear was really good for them and so was Gary Cahill. If they can help Cahill progress he’ll eventually become an England Senoir International, definitely one for the future.
It wasn’t quite the thrashing i had crossed my fingers for, but the positivity and ingenuity of the forward line gave me a lot of heart after some inept attacking performances this season.
Blackburn next week, It’ll be nice to go up against Ince, but I think we should win similarly comfortably
September 27th, 2008 at 17:03
@Comma (BAMF): I thought he was excellent when he came on, he linked up well with the players round him, made some top class cross field passes and was involved in a number of flowing attacking moves. He should have done better with the header but the other chance was only a half one.
One the other point, from the looks of our CM this season, if Carrick is playing well he won’t have much in the way of competition. Fletcher may be playing his way into partnering him though.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:04
i think the competition and playing as a sub may help roonys mental block and release the beast
September 27th, 2008 at 17:05
@dan(u-ol): I suppose if Liam had been arguing with you about the worth of Scholes to the team you would have told us it was Rooney that had changed the game
September 27th, 2008 at 17:09
@dan(u-ol): That certainly shows that he deserves it more than Tevez (based solely on this game) then? Since, as you put it, he ‘did what hes paid to do’ and Tevez has not. Also, as far as i know, many times on this site alone people have pointed out that Rooney has a better scoring record and more assists than tevez over the last three years.
Just so we’re clear, I did agree with SAF that rooney had to start on the bench to ‘teach him a lesson’ that he is also not bigger than the team. It seemed to work.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:13
@JB: Spot on about Scholes, absolutely a shot of life for our lot.
As for Carrick, I also agree. I think he is by far the first choice CM at this point.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:14
@dan(u-ol): Seriously Dan, selective blindness again eh?
Anywayz, like I promised Dan and Groggy I would (when Rooney assists/scores), I now remind you of what you guys said!
We looked atleast twice better when Rooney and Scholes came on. If it wasn’t for Nani’s selfishness and Berba’s UNselfishness, we would have scored 3 or 4 in the last 10min.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:14
rooney had opened his account for this season.
nani, o nani, you selfish git. pass the ball for god’s sake. dont hog the fuckn ball. the first half was rubbish, we didnt deserve the penalty, but rooney’s goal is magnificent. great passing from the slave. scholes almost scored, berba is unselfish, but he should think about cracking a goal sometimes instead of thinking about the team. 
overall, goodgame. bolton did put up a great match. 
September 27th, 2008 at 17:14
I hate Nani… such a selfish player he is!!!
September 27th, 2008 at 17:17
@Comma (BAMF): tevez did run about every loose ball out there, i think they both deserve to be on the pitch.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:19
hey Red Diablo… seems Coleen’s sex ban is working for Rooney…
September 27th, 2008 at 17:19
@dan(u-ol): Scholes and Rooney>Anderson and Tevez. We were much improved when they came on. Even Berbatov looked better despite still being sluggish and trying to pass when he had a tap in. Does Rooney have to change nationalities for you to rate him? I mean the guy is one of the worlds top players. I’m Irish so i usually don’t like English players straight away. It says a lot for Rooney that he had taken over from Keane as my favourite player. I was even saying to my brother that when Rooney comes on he will score. I was sure of it.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:23
exactly the response i expected… liam, if rooney had a different nationality, he would of been sold a long time ago.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:23
@AndyCR7: i couldnt agree more
September 27th, 2008 at 17:26
@dan(u-ol): Answer me this question, what person in their right mind would sell the second most productive player, foregin or not, in the PL over the last two years?
September 27th, 2008 at 17:26
Also, don’t you guys feel that Berba and Rooney seem to be more on the same frequency when compared to Berba and Vez-Ta?
Another thing that was noticeable today was that Berba expects the ball to be pulled back from the winger more often that not..that was why he tends to stay back a bit in the box. Also when he’s in a wide position he tends to pull back the ball expecting someone to run onto the ball. That happened once or twice today and that’s also how Tevez scored at Anfield. He does it very well but you would have thought the players around him would have expected that from him by now.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:26
also I forgot to praise Ronaldo for his pass to Rooney. He needs to do that a bit more often rather than take 20 nothing shots a game. If Ronaldo keeps passing instead of being selfish then it will hugely increase our scoring chances
September 27th, 2008 at 17:27
jaaskelainen did a pretty good job for bolton,
September 27th, 2008 at 17:29
@Liam: that way, since nani is looking up at ronaldo, nani will pass the ball often too.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:30
Well that was total crap. Thank God Rob Styles and Wayne Rooney saved our bacon. Total rubbish. We haven’t got a clue after three years of playing this style on how to break down a team that defends with ten men behind the ball. It’s all about movement off the ball and about give and go’s. yet United continue to play that static diagonal passing game that breaks down nobody. And you know why? Because our wingers are either too selfish or they cannot cross worth shit.
Ronaldo was selfish throughout but that’s OK, that’s what he’s paid for. He’s paid to create situations and score goals. Park was useless because he continually found him self in great wide positions and continually delivered crappy crosses which were either long or were blocked. Nani, well don’t get me started on him. Every time he had the ball on the left, his head went down, he went into I want to be like Ronaldo mode and he looked to do nothing but find a chance to take a shot and score. Meanwhile on three different occasions players like Berbatov were in great positions for a pass but no, Nani never saw them because he had his head down and was determined to do it all himself. Sorry Craig but the little bastard is a selfish and greedy little prick. A lot of skill and talent but a ten cent head and the team play of a Republican.
Berbatov was constantly in good positions to receive a through ball or a cross but players would constantly ignore him or work the safe ball and keep possession. He made some delightful passes and had that good header stopped but he never really got involved the way I think he wanted and the way we wanted. He needs to get better service from the wingers and those central midfielders have to occasionally offer a through ball or chip to break down the defense. Anderson played an attacking role today and for me he offered nothing in terms of skill, creativity and imagination. Fletcher did his job but also offered nothing in terms of a penetrating move or pass. Park just doesn’t do it for me guys, SORRY. He just lacks the skill and creativity to be a starter for Manchester United. What he doesn’t lack is determination, desire and a lot of heart.
Our defenders again looked shaky at times. Neville played well on the offensive end but his defending or lack of it was the cause for Bolton’s two great chances. He wasn’t marking his man and they got in. Muwamba was his man and he was just standing there watching him come in and miss a sitter. Rio and Evra I thought played well. EVDS had nothing to do because all Bolton’s chances went wide. The game turned not when Styles gave that horrible penalty but when Rooney came on. See what happens when you sit him down and send a message to him about playing better and with more focus. He came into the game with focus and desire and his goal was vintage Rooney 2004. Tremendous goal. I also like the idea of Scholes coming in as a sub instead of starting. He showed energy and a willingness to attack and nearly scored on a header. When he starts he never moves up that far and gets involved. This has been the way he should have been used for the past two seasons. Before I forget I have to say that Tevez had a disappointing game. He looked tired or a little behind the pace as did Ronaldo. Ronny is still trying to find his fitness and you can see it in his struggles to get by defenders and in his shots where his timing is just not down. It’s coming though.
Lets hope this game wakes the lads up a bit. They are still far from functioning on all cylinders but they got a win under their belt. Lets work on better and more aggressive passing and running and better finishing. And for Gods sakes Fergie, give the team a drill on corner kicks and crosses because they are just terrible at both. Very few ball of any quality in the box. You have Ronaldo and Berbatov in the box and crosses were sailing way over their heads or being blocked. Not good enough and just a disgrace at this level. And someone needs to have a talk with Nani about team play and the need to keep his head up and his options open. A team like Bolton should have been dismantled 4-0 or 5-0 at OT. No excuses, our team needs more ideas in attack and better performance from our players. Right now they are not giving their best and confidence is low. Had this been a quality team we may have even lost today. We need to wake the Hell up. At east we got the win and Rooney broke his drought and looked aggressive and positive. Now if we can get Ronaldo and Berbatov off and running we should be alright. But still, we need to provide better service from our wingers and our central midfielders need to get more involved offensively. I’d rate the team performance today a 6-10. Player of the match for me was Rio Ferdinand.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:31
Rooney did well today… may be, he didn’t get time to loose his temper…
goal was awesome… somebody pls slap Nani… there were 3-4 occasions when he should have passed ball to Berba… btw Berba passes were too good… best passer of the ball in the team atm…
September 27th, 2008 at 17:33
@JB: me
if a star CAM came in, i think everyone would change their mind about him.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:35
@Wheezy: What game were you watching???? I doubt its the same game where we had 81%-29% possession at some point and dominated from start to finish. The pen was wrong, but It’d have been a travesty if we hadn’t won by at least a goal. Besides Muwamba and the free-kick, i can hardly see any other clear-cut chance that Bolton created.
Anyway we won, thank heavens for that and its all that matters. 5 goals in 2 games should get our season rolling and hopefully we can climb back to the top.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:35
berba was great, too bad he didnt get to score. and nani is a greedy cunt.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:36
Craig, where are you Bro? Your boy Nani is getting lambasted. He needs your support and defense.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:39
@dan(u-ol): I said ‘who in there right mind’
September 27th, 2008 at 17:40
@JB:
September 27th, 2008 at 17:47
@Grognard: Calling the game “total cr@p is a little harsh. It was a good game, but good isn’t what we want from Man Utd, we expect breath-taking, however cr@p is going overboard. I agree with the bit about the defense, i don’t know why Fergie keeps starting Neville, surely he can’t still be punishing Brown for the own-goal when it wasn’t fully his fault?.
I’d say a 7 based on performance.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:53
@cheeseburger o’shea: You’re right. I didnt really mean that Tevez shouldnt play, just that you could make a case that he’s the one that should be dropped because he didnt score, which is something that dan said strikers ’should’ do. I also want to point out that that is SOLELY based on this game.
I think that Tevez has been in far better form so far this season, but that doesnt necessarily mean that hes a better talent than rooney. I consider them equal.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:53
@Rd: I doubt SAF is punishing Brown for the own goal but he may be getting it for the run around he was getting from Riera/Babel. To be fair to Neville he is gradually improving and I suppose we won’t know for sure if he is a spent force until he gets a good run of games to build up his fitness.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:56
@Grognard: he’s probably at the match
I said this a few weeks ago that Nani could be great if he just realises what his strengths are. If he stuck to the touchline and peppered in those sublime crosses of his he could be great. He needs to look at Beckham as his role model instead of Ronaldo. He’s also faster than Beckham which would help him.
September 27th, 2008 at 17:56
May be, we should off load Nani to Arsenal on season long loan deal…
Wenger will teach him how to play in a team…
Jus kidding guys… don’t shoot me…
September 27th, 2008 at 17:57
@Liam: Liam FFS bro, you would have wished Bolton to score???. Why???. You think we should be punished for refereeing error
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We should have won by a rout of goals today. We made so many chances. Park (I love the lad), but he should never really play on the left. I was cheering him from the terraces, but he is too often lost out there. Nani should be our player on the left, feck me in ten minutes he had so many chances, and on for the whole game, he would have made his crosses count. Rooney got the kick up the arse he definately DESERVES, and I hope it continues for at least a few games. I’d push Ronnie more in the middle with Berba, and get the width and balls into the area from Nani and Park (on the right). Tev or Rooney behind the front two. I am sorry guys, but our midfield is shite. Andie is not good enough, and I think we need to strengthen our midfield in January. Otherwise, I enjoyed the game, and I couldn’t care less that we got the verdict on the penalty. That makes up for all the shite we had to put up with, and the verdicts we didn’t get at Bolton last season.
September 27th, 2008 at 18:01
@Liam:
Even if Rooney scored 30 this season and was player of the season Dan would still slate him, thats just the way some people are. They get such a hatred for someone and get blinded by it. Shame really.
Much needed 3 points - nice to see we are finally in the top half of the table!
September 27th, 2008 at 18:03
@AndyCR7: I would love to see Nani play elsewhere, and fuck United playing with whichever team he plays for, Arsenal or otherwise. I can tell you this, that Wenger would know how to bring out and use Nani’s talent. He deserves so much better than he gets from Fergie, AND some of you Know nothing about talent commentors on this blog. And I don’t give a feck if RR raps my knuckles for this assertion, cos I know I am right on this one. Please Nani, get the feck out of United Bro, because you are wasted and little appreciated by Fergie and fans here
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September 27th, 2008 at 18:07
24 shots ON target in a game that we were totally crap!
September 27th, 2008 at 18:07
@Craig Mc: Come on Craig, you have to admit that he was taking the piss towards the end of the match with his failure to pass to anyone. And I’m a fan of him!
September 27th, 2008 at 18:07
Nani is ok …just needs a slap.
September 27th, 2008 at 18:08
@Craig Mc: I said I “almost” wish they would score. I hate undeservedly winning but I’d rather it than nothing but if Rooney didnt score I’d regard it as being a hollow victory
September 27th, 2008 at 18:08
Come May, all of you will be cheering again.
September 27th, 2008 at 18:10
@Ryan: That will never happen though mate
. Rooney 30 goals, I don’t think so, but I would appreciate it. Does this make me like Dan(u)ol a Rooney hater?. I don’t think so. The Roon has not been performing, and seems even Fergie has recognised it now. Maybe some of the blind Roon fans on here need to be more honest too. I would love to See the Roon of old, but I won’t hold my breath.
September 27th, 2008 at 18:12
@Craig Mc</