Jan 19
Manchester City vs Manchester United: Preview
The Carling Cup semi final first leg is here, its Manchester United versus Manchester City, and it promises to be a mouth-watering encounter. City are in decent form, whereas United are in a crisis according to the media, but who will come out on top? Will Carlos Tevez score against his former team? Or will we prove that there is only one team in Manchester?
Not having won any silverware for 34 years the city’s other team will be out with something to prove and Sir Alex Ferguson is not taking them lightly, “You have to recognise they (Manchester City) are a competitor now. They are making a much better fist of their league programme this year than they have done in the past. We have had to wait a long time for it to be like that. It’s a popular argument that the match means more to City. As far as I am concerned it is a semi-final,” stated Ferguson.
A semi final indeed, in 34 years City have seen United lift 25 major trophies, and Sir Alex as seen 13 City managers come and go. Newly appointed Roberto Mancini realises the importance of winning that elusive trophy, “I am new in Manchester City, so the trophy is important to me. But the same is true for the players and the club because when you start to win trophies, you change your mentality, we want the Carling Cup. But it must only be the start,” said the Italian.
The team selection could be interesting on United’s part. Sir Alex did say before the first attempt to play the fixture he would stick with the kids and there should be no reason to doubt him, or should there. We have been in terrible form and a settled line up could well be just what we need.
Edwin van der Sar should continue in goal, making his 200th appearance for United, as it would be unproductive to leave him out after one game. Tomasz Kuszczak will likely be keeping the bench warm as Ben Foster has a back complaint.
In defence, Nemanja Vidic could make a return to the first team, along side either Wes Brown or Jonny Evans, more likely the latter given Brown’s lack of form recently. Patrice Evra at left back is a no-brainer and Gary Neville, our Club Captain should keep his place, despite the lackluster performance against Burnley. Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea are still out.
Being away from home, Sir Alex would likely field a five-man midfield. In the centre, Michael Carrick and Anderson accompanied by Darren Fletcher, who returns from suspension. Antonio Valencia has been in sparkling form of late and will look to terrorize the City defence. On the left either Gabriel Obertan or Ji-Sung Park, considering Park’s lack of playing time, he will probably get the nod. Giggs is being rested for this one.
Wayne Rooney cannot be looked past for the lone striker role. Michael Owen or Mame Biram Diouf will make a cameo at some point in the game. Dimitar Bebatov has a dead leg.
City go into the tie missing a number of players, obviously Adebayor is on compassionate leave. Wayne Bridge and Joleon Lescott are out with knee injuries, Santa Cruz and Patrick Vieira are out with calf injuries and Kolo Toure is on African Cup of Nations duty.
One player who is itching to play is Carlos Tevez, I want to play in this match for many reasons,” Tevez said. “The squad is confident, morale is high and if we get a victory over United it will be sensational.” It remains to be seen if the Argentine can score. Something he failed to do in the 4-3 game earlier this season.
Interestingly enough the last three Manchester derbies at Eastlands have ended 1-0, twice in United’s favour and under Sir Alex Ferguson United have contested seven League Cup semi-finals, reaching the final on six occasions.
It promises to be an intriguing tie, but a difficult one. Lets hope we can take an advantage to Old Trafford next week and finish them off on our own patch.
Prediction: 2-1 City
Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Evans, Vidic, Neville, Park, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Rooney.
* * *
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- If you didn’t already know…
- Manchester United 2006/2007 Season Review
- Betting Preview: City favourites to beat United?
- Man Utd v Man City: Preview
Tags: Game Preview
January 19th, 2010 at 8:47
reposting here
at least we are linked to him
http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/01/18/1751319/real-madrid-negotiate-with-racing-santander-over-sergio
ReplyReply
omg i hope this is not true
http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/01/18/1751497/report-glazers-ask-players-
January 19th, 2010 at 9:48
@ROOOOONEY: We are not going to sign anyone, we have a big squad which lack quality but a big squad. For we we need to sell the deadwood and space wasters and reinvest in genuine quality but that if it does happen will not be until the summer.
January 19th, 2010 at 11:54
@ROOOOONEY: I’m on the Canales bandwagon but with Diouf likely to get playing time and still not forgetting Macheda and Welbeck (loan them out I say), there’s little chance of him joining us.
I just hope he doesn’t join Arsenal, Real or Liverpool.
January 19th, 2010 at 11:55
Sometimes you just have to love stats
:
Manchester United’s record with Dimitar Berbatov in the starting XI is 34 points from 13 games. Their record without him is 13 points from nine games. That’s 2.6 points per game v 1.44 points per game.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:24
@NicoQB: Welbeck showed some nice stuff in the reserves but every time i see him play for the first team he is just uhh…. Blah? I don’t know whats going on with him and Macheda is injured last i heard. but a loan out sounds good.
January 19th, 2010 at 13:47
With all due respect to the rivalry between the two clubs, it is only the Carling Cup and we have bigger fish to fry. I do not want us to risk any injuries so I’d prefer we did not play a full strength team and ideally rested Rooney, Vidic and EVDS as they have a tendency to pick up injuries and as for Rooney he has been overplayed and we are incredibly reliant on him this season.
My preferred team would be:
Kuz, Neville, Evans, Brown, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, Nani, Owen, Welbeck
Played as a 4-3-3 with Welbeck and Nani cutting inside and posing a goal threat.
January 19th, 2010 at 14:04
ROOONEY I agree but you need to give youngsters games and the only way to do that is to treat the domestic cups as of secondary importance. It is unfair to switch to a full strength side the moment we get to the semis. Instead we should use them to give games to squad and fringe players. That is why I want Nani and Welbeck to play and especially Michael Owen!!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 14:11
http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/01/19/1751803/barcelona-make-signing-wayne-rooney-top-priority-report
January 19th, 2010 at 14:11
NicoQB did it occur to you that we only play two men up front in the easier games and especially the home games which we would be expected to win anyway? That is the main reason for the statistic you presented. Certainly Berbatov hasn’t helped us win games much in terms of goals or even assists this season. Maybe he has a knee injury and that is affecting his performances, because he is even less effective than last season. But time is not on his side and sooner or later we are going to have to consider cashing in before his value takes a big drop.
January 19th, 2010 at 14:12
http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2010/01/19/1751785/report-real-madrid-star-kaka-set-for-milan-return
Madrid is a complete joke.
January 19th, 2010 at 14:14
I think Fergie will play a strong squad sheerly based on the adversity involved. Though even i would prefer if Roo is given a rest with berba. Owen with welbeck/diouf might be a good try. Neville on the right might get into trouble with Bellamy though. Brown on the right with Vidic, Evans in the middle might be a much better option.
We are really not scoring impressive goals. Even with Burnley the scoreline was pretty deceiving and we were still lucky to get away as usual. One of these days we are going to receive a good beating and I PRAY it wont be against Milan!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 14:31
But i can see few others given chance, hope our youngsters beat them, Everton showed us how to do… Just dont give them time to play, So Anderson surely fits the bill, but who other can do it, if we can keep cap on de jong and barry, match is surely won..
January 19th, 2010 at 14:35
@godzilla: Ya i also expect people to be rested for the weekend, Premier league is surely a bigger fish, but all depends on fergie, hope we play positive, also does anyone know which channel is telecasting in India..
January 19th, 2010 at 14:38
“It doesn’t matter about money, it’s always about loyalty. United are the team I supported and the team I played for and I just couldn’t bring myself to sign for City.”
Beckham. True red.
January 19th, 2010 at 14:40
@colver: Ya thats because of our coward tactics… I still think we can retain ball better with 2 strikers upfront, especially with berba there, he is enough to irritate defenders…
January 19th, 2010 at 14:44
In other news, Di Maria would like to play for United, and Benfica have lined up his replacement for the summer. Huntelaar could come on loan till the end of the season too, which would give us a nice attacking option.
January 19th, 2010 at 14:48
@colver: The team I want:
VDS
Rafael Vidic Ferdinand Evra
Valencia Anderson Fletcher Nani
Rooney Berbatov
The team we’ll get
PIG
Neville Brown Evans Evra
Park Fletcher Anderson Gibson Giggs
Rooney
January 19th, 2010 at 14:50
@Traverse: Fergie never considers a player whom he has ignored before… so huntelaar seems difficult, Also fergie never buys players who say they want to play for us…. so both are gone…
January 19th, 2010 at 15:08
Forget the transfer rumours. I would love to add Di Maria and Huntelaar to our ranks as well as Krasic, Neuer/Akinfeev and Kjaer, it ain’t happening. If we do any business this summer I do not anticipate us spending more than £20 million and because you cannot buy peanuts for that in today’s market, it is likely we will just waste more money on a couple of unproven youngsters.
I do not understand why we are not going to play Owen. This is a game made for him. City are still suspect defensively and they will try and attack us, which will leave gaps for Owen to exploit. City are playing a 4-4-2 and our central midfield can match theirs.
To be honest I do not really care about the result. I do not take the domestic cups seriously. But I would at least like us to serve up some entertaining football and turn it into an open, attacking game.
I like your team Traverse although as I mentioned earlier with a long season ahead I’d want to take the chance to rest players. But I do not think it is a game for Berbatov. He has disappointed every single time he plays in a big game. He seems more comfortable pulling the strings against weak opposition where he gets more time and space to operate. Also our main strength is still pace and when we play at top speed we still cause even big teams problems and Berbatov slows us down.
Good call on Rafael. City have a lot of pace in attack and Neville doesn’t have the legs anymore.
January 19th, 2010 at 15:27
We are signing a noggie Centre Half. Even Hovland. redcafe reports. nothing official… yet.
And bloody hell, is it true Canales is an attacking midfielder, not a forward? With that kind of scoring record I’m muy felicidad for us to be linked with him!
But I can picture us to propose a buy and loan him back to santader, just like we tried to do with Ramsey (
) and Ljajic (double 
).
In this light Arsenal could be able to propose him instant playing time, which we will not be able to… unless he is really an attacking midfielder.
January 19th, 2010 at 15:42
NicoQB, Canales does sound like a good prospect and we are crying out for a good attacking midfielder with Giggs near retirement. But I’d imagine he’ll end up at Real Madrid, as most young Spanish kids seem to want to play for Real. If he doesn’t choose Real I agree Arsenal would seem a more likely destination with the Spanish connection through Fabregas and their history of bringing youngsters through.
I also doubt we have the money! If we couldn’t stump up £10 million for Ljajic, how can we buy this kid at a similar fee?
From what I’ve read on redcafe this young central defender is injury prone and we have enough injury prone defenders!
It does seem to be a sign of our financial troubles that we only seem to be able to afford to buy in the Scandinavian markets!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 15:42
Neville would get raped by bellamy if he played !!! And if he plays, I hope this is the last game he plays for Utd.. Time to leave sentiments and drop the dead wood frm the squad..
January 19th, 2010 at 15:47
David, ‘ and it promises to be a mouth-watering encounter ” Really. with a 4-5-1 formation and with nevville and park in it. Still i’ll stay late and watch the game since i am united through and through.
Berba should be rested and we stick owen/diouf in thea box to maximize on the gaps that city will leave us as they try to attack.
January 19th, 2010 at 16:18
@colver: The difference between Canales and Ljajic is that canales is playing at a good league and is proving himself however i still want silva
January 19th, 2010 at 16:36
Rumour in the mail that City are getting Flamini on loan with a view to buy.
I’m starting to worry. It will take time but I can see City surpassing us in a season or two, especially if our financial situation remains the way it is. Also Im wondering why we didn’t make an effort to sign Flamini on loan especially as Hargreaves is unlikely to return from injury.
January 19th, 2010 at 17:05
Does anyone from India know if the game is on today?
I cant find it in the Ten Sports listing
January 19th, 2010 at 17:05
I’m sure this isn’t an original idea, but what is stopping The club from selling the matches on the Internet for pay per view? I’m assuming the current tv deal is a stumbling block, but is that something that would be possible in the future?
How much would you be willing to pay for a quality reliable stream? £1? I think that’s reasonable, plus the rest of the world would be able to watch every single game.
January 19th, 2010 at 17:13
@colver: I agree I have been banging on about Flamini for ages, he would give our midfield some bite as we are a Milan we might as well take Huntelaar on loan too.
Why do City need him they have Barry, Veira, Kompany and De Jong already we have fucking Anderson….
January 19th, 2010 at 17:27
If you can’t watch this game on the tv you can try free live streams(English commentary ofc)
It’s Polish site, just scroll down for the streams
January 19th, 2010 at 17:29
I think we will see:
PIG
Rafael Vidic Evans Fabio
Park Anderson Fletcher Gibson Nani
Rooney
-mixing the young and old… I can’t see neville starting since he played Saturday and will need rest.
I am not sure if Fabio/Nani is a good idea but having anyone else on LM than Nani will be a shame. Park is needed since we have Rafael.
January 19th, 2010 at 17:32
@radzio: if you are in charge of the site redlog.pl — it seems very buggy on Safari on Mac OS X.
I use:
1. http://www.redlog.pl
2. http://www.iraqgoals.net
3. http://www.veetle.com (limited to Fox Soccer Channel and possibly Sky Sports broadcasts, but in high quality, generally)
4. TVUplayer for Mac OS (version 1.1.x)
5. http://www.myp2p.eu as a last resort (should work well on Windows tho)
January 19th, 2010 at 17:42
I hope for
VDS
Rafael Evans Brown Evra
Valencia Anderson Fletcher Nani/Obertan
Rooney Diouf
But im sure we will see the parks of this world…
January 19th, 2010 at 18:21
@Vivek: its on Zee sports @ 1.30 am. cheers!!
January 19th, 2010 at 18:48
@RichmondRed: Just in case you don’t go back to the old thread, I have included my reply to you here regarding our Glazer’s conversation.
I was one of those who felt like you about the owners until about a year and a half ago. My worries really started by our inactivity in the transfer market the summer we got Berbatov. All the talk about getting somebody up front and even some other players was making me sick in anticipation and then the season started and nothing had happened.
The clue for me that Fergie was for the first time working with a very strict budget was the day he got Berbatov. He was desperate to get him but he also knew he could not afford him if Man City entered the negotiations and managed to meet him and possibly seduce him. So he jumped in his Vauxhall and sped for the airport to basically beat City to the punch. As we know now, Berba always preferred us but Fergie was worried that the scum might be able to persuade him with some really big offer. For me that looked like a lot of desperation and something I would never have expected Fergie to do in the past. In the past he would get his checkbook out and negotiate and he would never go to such extreme measures to sign a player. Well as we know for good or for bad, he got his man but the way he and to scramble on deadline day to do it spoke to me of how limited he was in his financial capabilities to do anything in the transfer market. And I knew as this loan debt grew, that it would only get worse but even I did not think that it would get this bad.
Actually, yes I did know it would get this bad but the truth is I did not want to believe it and I just brushed aside because like you said, under the Glazer ’s ownership, the club has won a lot of silverware and that alone helped us cope with the inevitability of things as well, it helped the Glazer’s do what they are doing by putting a veil over everything that is hurting this club. The Ronaldo sale finally exposed them for who they are and for what the situation is and my biggest fears have come true. Now it’s anybody’s guess as to what happens from here on. As Fergie would often say about big games, “It’s squaeky bum time”.
January 19th, 2010 at 18:51
@[OPTI]Madschester United: why am I being moderated? Too many links?
January 19th, 2010 at 18:59
@colver: We may have bigger fish to fry but this particular fish is at least on the hook and we need to reel it in for club and supporter morale at a time when things are looking very bleak indeed. If one is a true realist, this will be our only crack at silverware this season. I do not and will not believe that this club has at present the needed quality in it’s starting eleven to win the premier League and it has no chance at winning the European Cup. We have played nobody of any consequence so far in Europe. Although I think we can take care of Milan, losing to them is a very real possibility as they are now playing very good football and have some key players like Beckham and especially Ronaldinho in outstanding form for them. Can I see us honestly beat the Barca’s, Chelsea, Real Madrid’s, Bayern’s or Inters of the world? No I don’t. I think we would be hard pressed right now to beat Bordeaux, Lyon, Arsenal and Port who are in that second tier of class teams. Not impossible but highly unlikely unless we were to sign a player or two that would elevate our class a bit. That’s not going to happen and so Europe is a wash for me.
We still have a shot at the Prem, but a lot of things will have to go our way in order for us to win. Chelsea and Arsenal will have to squander points by taking teams lightly and we can no longer afford to lose games and drop points to minnows. Beat all the minnows and limit our losses in the second half to two or three and we may have a shot because frankly, Chelsea and Arsenal also have issues and they are not as good as many may think. I do think however that they both have a better starting eleven than us. Where we beat them is in our depth. So far Chelsea does not seem affected by the African tournament, so I think they will be a tough nut to crack. Arsenal I think have all the quality but they still lack a goalkeeper who is a game saver and as long Aluminum Foil is between the pipes for them, they are capable of mediocrity.
Any way you look at it, the Carling Cup for me is worthless but it may be the only real chance we have of celebrating anything this season. I say the club goes for it and really tries hard to win it with their “A Team”.
January 19th, 2010 at 19:32
@owen: Rooney isn’t going anywhere mate. Unless Rooney comes out and says he’s had it with United, he is going nowhere. Fergie loves him, nearly all the fans other than my buddy Craig love him and he loves the team and the fans. For him to go it would be a suicidal sale by the Glazer’s which would be the final catalyst for a major riots similar to the riot over the selling of Roberto Baggio by Fiorentina years ago. Rooney is really the heart and soul of this club and losing him would be a deadly blow.
If he were to go, I think he too would choose Real Madrid because contrary to what many may think, he is quite friendly with Ronaldo and Ronaldo has already made a plea for Madrid to go after him. Madrid would also be in the best bargaining position if the sale was completely up to Fergie. This would allow Fergie to get his man Benzema whereas Barca can only offer money. This opens a Pandora’s Box of possibilities I think. Do the glazer’s go for an all money deal and risk more contempt, alienation and threats or do they take say 45 or 5o million and allow Fergie to get Benzema? They alsio have to tread carefully as to not force Fergie to finally quit out of disgust. So although I od not see this ever happening, if it does happen, it will be with Madrid and Benzema will be part of the deal.
Now I am no fan of Benzema although I do believe he is a talent. The scenario for me is not probable but for the sake of argument, I would consider selling Rooney for 70 million or 50 million and Benzema if the remainder of the money went to Fergie for players. We have all said this before when it comes to Ronaldo’ sale but of course we know what happened to that money. To be honest, as much as I like Rooney, I have to say in all honesty that i believe his form is dipping a bit and his smoking will only curtail his career. I am also incredibly tired of watching this team play and it’s characteristics on the pitch has a lot to do with the kind of players we have, not just the tactics Fergie uses. Therefore, two or three new world class player could be bought with 70 million which would also change the look and feel of the club and this alone might make it fun to watch United again. Right now they are a boring team and Rooney for me is their best player but clearly not the player he was even three seasons ago. His goal tally is high but his misses are even higher and his passing and focus seems to have gone out the window. Could be a temporary thing but I still feel, a new look and feel for this club is just what we need.
Along with Rooney I would get rid of Rio because of his age and back problems, sell Vidic if he doesn’t want to stay and buy Kjaer or Rodwell or both as replacements. I’d also send Anderson, Foster Tosic and Berbatov packing and demand that EVDS, Neville and Scholes retire. No secret about my feelings and assessment of Anderson. Tosic is a tosser and Berba I personally love as a player but for me, he just isn’t working out. Then again, if you sell Rooney and replace him with somebody else who blends better with Berba and who also forces Fergie to change tactics to a more aggressive attacking style, I think Berba could impress. But perhaps him leaving would be the best thing. I am not a Park fan but we need to sell jersey’s to Asia so keep him on the bench.
So who do I bring in? Well with 70 million from a Rooney sale we could get a Benzema, a Neuer and a Krasic.
Now add a total of 25 to 30 million for all the other players sold and the money saved on salaries to the old players that retire and you could buy Kjaer, Rodwell and that elusive attacking midfielder we all salivate over. Many love Silva, I still prefer Gourcuff but Fergie seems interested in Marek Hamsik. Whoever it might be, other than goalkeeper, it is the position we need to fill the most. Our midfield right now is our major Achilles Heel. Buying players for other positions are fine but until we get a creative midfielder in the middle, our attack will continue to not only sputter, but also be predictable. A midfield of Krasic, Fletcher, Hamsik/Gourcuff and Nani for me would be a dynamic and highly successful one. I still believe in Nani but United has to revert to it’s playing style of 07/08 in order to bring the best out of him. That is why I still would like for us to keep him. If Fergie is not going to be fair to the lad, then add another 10 million to our transfer coffers. Getting Di Maria would then become a priority as left wing is a tough position to fill and there are not many who are good enough. For me Obertan is not the answer.
Despite all our financial problems, if Fergie was truly creative, he could rebuild this team through the selling of players the forced retirement of a few and the reinvestment in players who are not only world class, but who would want to play for us. Incidentally, Huntelaar has come out and asked United or Arsenal if they still would like him. Well I still would like him and i would be over the moon if we were to get him. But we still need to find players who can properly service hi, or Berba, or Benzema etc. This is all possible provided the Glazer’s leave the money allotted for players alone. Now how much of what I wrote will happen? I say none of it, and that there leaves me feeling hopeless and very down. The thought of Neuer, Rodwell, Kjaer, Krasic, Goucuff or Hamsik, Benzema or Huntelaar being part of our team of the future leaves me with real hope. On the othe rhand, a team with EVDS, Foster, Neville, Rio, Anderson, Scholes, Carrick, Valencia, Obertan, Tosic, Berbatov and Rooney leaves me very little to excited about. In fact, those players are just incredibly stale and boring as a unit. It’s time for drastic changes. And like I said, all possible if the Glazer’s leave Fergie alone with the money he gets from the sale of players.
January 19th, 2010 at 19:37
@owen: They have no concept about building a team with chemistry. Players who are not just good, but who blend well together. The club has no role players and it’s over saturated with attack minded stars, no quality defenders and no quality midfielders who can control and maintain a balance in a game. Yet, when they want to be, they can still be very scary and very entertaining. The problem with Kaka is that he has become lazy, and he has always been way overrated in my opinion. I have never really gotten it when it comes to the praise he gets. As far as skilled and creative players go, Kaka has always bored me to tears. I don’t know why, but it’s just the case. I never liked Ronaldinho either but at least I could see what was great about him in his best days. Kaka, just seems half asleep to me.
January 19th, 2010 at 19:39
COME ON LET’S GET INTO THE LIARS!
Lets hope Robinho plays also, well one can wish right! 
Lets put the liars to the sword or in modern day terms, the baseball bat!
This game means more to shitty than it does to US,We are Manchester United not only the biggest club in Manchester, but the world,END OFF.
Thats a claim the liars will never ever be able to make.
Lets be quite clear lads there weakness is on their left hand side, so lets get going at Garrido, and dont let Given roll the ball out cos as sure as fuck when he kicks it, it will be coming straight back at him
Mancini will have altered the team set up after their delightfull humilation at the hands of the Big team in Liverpool, it will be more defensive,I hope we can replicate that industrious performance, hunt the bastards down, so Darren would be good in the starting line up.
I really want and demand we put out a strong strong side tonight, from the fucking beginning, not sitting on the bench.We as you all know play Hull at OT on Saturday so let the second eleven take care of them.
I beg you Sir Alex, am sure he will read this
Please please No J sung or Red nev, let them rest till say 2015, and thats not quarter past eight.
Come on lads give us all something to cheer about and dance around our rooms/terraces/pubs, where we watch.
My prediction scoring draw—-Head
My prediction shitty 1 US 3—Heart
January 19th, 2010 at 19:39
@godzilla: I will say this right now. If we start Welbeck, Gibson and Anderson in this game, we will lose. I have no doubt of this. In fact, Welbeck should not even be in the stadium in order for us to have a chance.
January 19th, 2010 at 19:44
@Grognard: +1
January 19th, 2010 at 19:46
@Grognard: “Welbeck should not even be in the stadium in order for us to have a chance”
Grog – our senses of humor do not always coincide, but I liked this one.
January 19th, 2010 at 19:47
@adie: No Zee Sports in TATA SKY…
January 19th, 2010 at 19:48
@taehr: spot on m8, the very side i had in my minds eye, lets not fuck about tonite just kill the tie tonite, and extiguish there pretences.
January 19th, 2010 at 19:48
live stream to this match:
http://tv.indonewyork.com
January 19th, 2010 at 20:00
@Jim: All joking aside, I don’t know if I’ve seen a player with less passion on the ball than Welbeck. Berbatov may look lazy and languid but when the ball is actually at his feet, he works hard and is very creative. Welbeck look like he belongs in the movie Zombieland. He just looks like he’s not all there. He has some skill but his lack of heart and a brain as well as no scorers instinct hurts him and hurts me when I have to watch him. I used to think he had promise but now all I want is Fergie to promise to sell him.
In fairness to Welbeck though, he needs to be played as a striker and not a left winger where he truly sucks.
January 19th, 2010 at 20:07
@Scotjimland: Ya if we can thump them today we can play kids on the second leg, but it seems diff… as we always make the meal of every game…
January 19th, 2010 at 20:08
@Grognard: Whats the news in injury front as we haven’t heard about hargreaves and macheda from sometime…
January 19th, 2010 at 20:11
Watch Manchester United vs Manchester City Live Streams here of England carling cup on 19 janu 2010
LIVE LINK:
http://livesoccer-stream.blogspot.com/2010/01/watch-manchester-united-vs-manchester.html
Online Soccer:
http://onlinesports-channel.blogspot.com/2010/01/watch-manchester-united-vs-manchester.html
January 19th, 2010 at 20:12
@despicable: aye I understand what you mean regards making it hard going, all I really mean, they will be really up for it, because its Manchester United at Wastelands, it means more to that shite, to beat us than to actually win the cup( something they havent done in 25 years) Lets do it tonite, Il rephrase that
Just finish the job, tonite! you know it makes sense.
January 19th, 2010 at 20:13
@shah: Thankz a lot, but staying awake is diff…
January 19th, 2010 at 20:14
@Scotjimland: Ya surely it does. especially in between all the negativity that surrounds the club.
January 19th, 2010 at 20:18
Fans Petition the Prime Minister about Glazer …
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/396163079?-11193
January 19th, 2010 at 20:21
Is it true that In 1991 defender Steve Bruce scored an astonishing 19 goals from defence
January 19th, 2010 at 20:23
A quote from a reporter:
“. Anderson was expected to take over from Scholes but the fact he is more likely to hit a satellite than the back of the net when he shoots “
Nice one
January 19th, 2010 at 20:24
@despicable: Exactly M8, they owe us big time, a big impressive performance, so all of us feel really proud to be a Red, and lift the doom and gloom thats is a cancer in the club right now.
Personally I have given up on reading the Financial plight of the club, just hurts my head with facts figures scams and scandals, Just not my idea of Manchester united.
Come ON the lads. For the supporters
January 19th, 2010 at 20:24
@owen:
Yeah. He was our penalty taker.
January 19th, 2010 at 20:26
VDS, Rafael, Evans, Brown, Evra, Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Valencia, Rooney
4-5-1
January 19th, 2010 at 20:26
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/396112209?-11193
(Time for Sir Alex to say enough is enough with Hargreaves?)
January 19th, 2010 at 20:27
@Scotjimland: Hahah… I like what you are saying..
Head: Draw 1-1
Heart: Utd win 1-0
January 19th, 2010 at 20:28
BLEH
January 19th, 2010 at 20:28
@AndyCR7: is that official ?
January 19th, 2010 at 20:29
Has Fergie really gone mad???Will Owen have to score 5 goals in one CL away game to start a game???Why was he braught here???Why Fergie is lying in the pess that Owen will get enough games???
January 19th, 2010 at 20:30
@[OPTI]Madschester United:
my heart is bigger than yours thats why i suggest 3 
January 19th, 2010 at 20:31
Subs: PIG, Neville, Park, Scholes, Fabio, Owen, Diouf
January 19th, 2010 at 20:32
ya where is all the young players lol, we needed them as an excuse for not performing…
January 19th, 2010 at 20:33
@AndyCR7: thats a good side for tonite, we can win with this, the midfield is just spot on for the purpose of tonite.
January 19th, 2010 at 20:37
thats a decent side…played against chelsea.its full of energy
January 19th, 2010 at 20:39
Right lads away to watch the match, hope every one enjoys the match, and the result the way we all want it.Shitty, dumped on there arses out of the Cup….TONITE.
January 19th, 2010 at 20:48
I am feeling optimistic about today it will turn out well i hope!
January 19th, 2010 at 20:50
@Scotjimland:
January 19th, 2010 at 20:50
@Scotjimland: not a bad selection but where the FUCK IS Nani? this is sad
January 19th, 2010 at 20:50
COME ON UNITED!!!
Manchester Is Red!
January 19th, 2010 at 20:51
@owen: you really think Owen (you) will start ahead of Rooney in a semi-final game?
January 19th, 2010 at 20:51
match is delayed or what???
January 19th, 2010 at 20:56
@[OPTI]Madschester United:
Whey both of them can’t play
January 19th, 2010 at 21:13
I think this is our best possible side. Obviously I would prefer Hargreaves to Andy but let’s be honest here… Hargreaves is 90% never gonna play for us again.
3-1 -united
Rooney 2, Fletcher 1
January 19th, 2010 at 21:22
GIGGGGGGSSSSYYYYY!
1-0!
Valencia assists after nutmegging bellamy.
January 19th, 2010 at 21:23
@owen: because two midgets don’t make a meal
January 19th, 2010 at 21:48
that was sooo outside the box
January 19th, 2010 at 21:53
weak penalty… still think 1-1 is final result.
January 19th, 2010 at 21:53
Ref is disgusting. Pretty happy with the overall performance and feel bad for Rafael.
January 19th, 2010 at 21:56
We started quite well, but poor passing courtesy of Anderson, and Brown allowed city back in the game.
Rafael, irrespective of whether he committed a foul or not for the penalty, looked poor defensively. That’s not the first time this season that his defensive lapses allowed the opposition back in the game.
I know the usual comment is that he’s young and that he will (supposedly) get better, but can we take that much risk?
Still miles better than Neville.
January 19th, 2010 at 21:58
sell Anderson at the half time break.
January 19th, 2010 at 21:59
Can someone please explain why Bellamy has not been carded by this FUCKWIT of a referee?!!!!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 21:59
Ask yourself a question.
When was the last time a British referee refereed a major international final?
When you find out then ask yourself why so long?
Hint: today’s penalty decision!
January 19th, 2010 at 22:01
well boys i missed the first half but just saw the goals. as usual ref sux but…
January 19th, 2010 at 22:02
slightly weak penalty, maybe outside the box.
BUT, can someone tell me WTF do Carrick and Anderson really bring to the table???? All they do is try to toss ball towards rooney / valencia and hope they find the target. Its a ridiculous midfield setup we have, totally disorganized and clueless about penetrating into the third. It all goes down to mediocre players added to bad training, and probably lot of blame falls at Whelan’s feet! If we were to play Barca this season, we would be murdered! There is no way we are winning anything this season! except the carling cup maybe. We need to kick out almost half a dozen players and our No. 2… It doesnt even look anything close to a United team playing out there.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:04
@owen: haha. totally agree. Sell Anderson and Carrick during half time!! We wont even get a double figure fee for them!
January 19th, 2010 at 22:05
@Grognard: Grognard, incidentally, all the 3 you mentioned should be in the SELL list yesterday.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:06
@themec: havent seen enough of the half to say he is fouling anyone but he should have gotten a yellow for simulation in the box.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:07
I think the pen against Richards had something to do with that unbelievable decision…shocking…actually its mike dean so its not
January 19th, 2010 at 22:07
I want to punch Craig Bellamy in the mouth…do I ahve to get in line for that?
January 19th, 2010 at 22:10
ref has seen the replay by now no doubt and should pass out a red to shitty for parity sake early in the second.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:12
gigs and tevez share a laugh
January 19th, 2010 at 22:16
someone shoot this ref please
January 19th, 2010 at 22:24
tevez handball
January 19th, 2010 at 22:27
were being muscled off the ball and anytime we get physical the ref calls it a foul. i hate to always blame the ref but…
January 19th, 2010 at 22:30
Sack Fergie.It is too much now.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:30
bullshit corner
January 19th, 2010 at 22:31
@owen:
yea its fergis fault
January 19th, 2010 at 22:33
were being done in by the ref nothing more bulshit pen and a bullshit corner for their goals they nave nothing from the run of play only what the ref GIVES them.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:36
poor ando he was shockingly poor in the second half
January 19th, 2010 at 22:38
Sack fergie? Wow the game isn’t even over yet
January 19th, 2010 at 22:38
We cant go on blaming the ref for everything. the team is pretty mediocre irrespective of any soft ref decisions. this is same team everton beat comfortably over the weekend.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:39
a fan throws a cig lighter at evra
January 19th, 2010 at 22:40
and fhag tevez had said he wouldnt celebrate. he is dying to shout in fergies face!!! haha…Come on guys get the fucking equalizer!!! GO GO GO !!
January 19th, 2010 at 22:40
that is more like the tevez we know
January 19th, 2010 at 22:42
we are as unlucky as is possible
January 19th, 2010 at 22:42
@owen: What kind of drugs are you on?
January 19th, 2010 at 22:43
SACK FERGIE.Time over.Go to your home and find value in the market.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:43
tevez off city to stall
January 19th, 2010 at 22:45
FUUUUUUUCk roony is immense why wont it go in
January 19th, 2010 at 22:47
@Red Ranter: Which type of Drug Fergie took that he thought Nani not good enough for bench also.Why no Owen???
January 19th, 2010 at 22:48
roony is eating out of richards pockets if only he could find a goal there
January 19th, 2010 at 22:50
@owen: owen is playing
January 19th, 2010 at 22:53
Fergi should physically assult the ref after the match and take whatever they give
January 19th, 2010 at 22:55
well we are not good enough to beat city if they are given every possible and impossible advantage and united none.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:55
@gator: From which minute???As usual only.
8 losses already.
January 19th, 2010 at 22:56
roony deserves a goal
January 19th, 2010 at 22:59
Mark lorrie lorrie, BBC MAN of the match supplies supplies(In Cilla voice) get to fuck yeah old dipper, yer a cunt and always will be a cunt!
January 19th, 2010 at 22:59
Why is nobody watching? Caught it a bit later so hasn’t finished for me yet. The game isn’t that important apart from the rivalry but Tevez was fired up and his goal total this season is putting Berbatov to shame! Tevez does seem to have a knack for scoring important goals even if his performance was nothing special.
I was quite disappointed by our performance. First half we were very tidy, keeping possession and not letting City into the game. But we did not have much of an attacking threat. Second half though we are just abysmal….unable to cope with the higher tempo and getting muscled out of the game. Again I cannot think of a single decent chance created by us aside from the goal.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:01
we had them on the rack , way better side, just United, pure excitement, we are through when we get that pile of shite at OT
January 19th, 2010 at 23:02
WE look so much more fluent when playing with two up front… Even the midfield plays better with 4 rather than 5.
And even Owen and Rooney had a few nice touches between them.
Very unlucky not to score, a great game but for the result.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:02
@colver: we were muscled out bc the calls were not going both ways they were allowed to kick and push us off the field and we get soft pens and dodgy corners against us.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:03
Well done Tevez.Gave good reply to Fergie.Let hime find value in the market and you continue scoring.I hope you will get more attention in the press tomorrow than Fergie’s song ” we are done by Refree”.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:04
@colver: OCH come on m8, tony, wayne…. you know all the world is Jealous, start from there, we are Manchester united
January 19th, 2010 at 23:06
@colver: Can’t praise tevez without having a dig at berbatov, huh?
January 19th, 2010 at 23:06
@owen: erm who was the ref m8, 1 mike dean he haunts us like a freaking stalker
January 19th, 2010 at 23:07
@Scotjimland: We were Manchester United ,mate.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:08
I dont understand how that was a corner? Did Rafael it?
That said it was an entertaining game. Valencia should be murdered for missing that chance. Given I think could be one of the leagues best if not the BEST keeper.
Tevez hate love him or hate him makes the 31 million spent on berba look like a joke.I hate the cunt!
When owen came on the game looked different. Rooney got more space. I hate the one up top formation.
Well all we have to do now is win!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:08
guys I think owen is really a city fan ¬¬
I agree with what most people have aid so far, we had everything against us there…. ofcourse the story in the paper tommorow will be its the end of united blah blah blah, end of the day we were screwed over, im sure someone will disagree with me there but it has to be said.. that said in 8 days we will see the stretford end rising!!!!!!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:08
@NicoQB: thats true, but , in our club we dont deserve either, recall the running mans goal scoring rate before The great 1 , let him go
January 19th, 2010 at 23:10
Rooney was sheer class at times today, but lady luck was not on our side. But if Giggs was going to be played mainly as a striker, surely we could have played Owen or Diouf.
Mame looked lively even in his 5 minute cameo. A true physical striker.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:11
4-5-1 against City??? Lack of hustle?? even fletch was looking disinterested!! Once again, poor tactics by the old man. Is it not obvious we have the perfect personel for a 4-4-2 and not a 4-5-1?? How many times do we have to lose important games playing this way before Fergie gets it through his skull?? Look how productive our players became after switching to a more familiar and compatible 4-4-2 formation?? Fergie does really know how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory sometimes.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:11
@Scotjimland: I agree, unlucky to get an equalizer really roony had at least 3 or 4 himself that givens lucked into saving. gigs was tired at the end.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:12
@Scotjimland: This same (even stronger) team was totally destroyed by Everton and their only midfielder took care of the whole City’s midfield.In the first half ,it was like sideway passing practice at the half line.This Anderson guy is such a waste that he should not start for reserves also but played till 70 minutes.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:13
@owen: am not excepting this, run your mind back through the game. MOM, he had a sitter a grave stone would have buried!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:13
Off topic here but…
Can anyone tell me the latest on Hargreaves?
Is he alive !?
January 19th, 2010 at 23:13
@taehr: yes one man and 5 mid has got to go unless roony is one of the 5 in mid. If Diouf comes up and is able to play as a lone st then we may have something with 451 but not w roon
January 19th, 2010 at 23:16
@owen:
thats sensible and delightfully conveyed, but lay off the boss eh, i think thats not right, enough fans on other blogs have a pop at the best manager ever in the history of OUR club, and English football
January 19th, 2010 at 23:16
@NicoQB: Tevez and berba are gonna linked until berba leaves. After all it was the arrival of berba that signalled the departure of tevez.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:17
@Nafooy:
January 19th, 2010 at 23:18
Evans and Brown looked quite poor tonight.
At the back of my mind, I fear that neither will ever be able one day to develop the role of rock and leader from centre back. When fit, either of Rio and Vidic can shoulder that responsibility but right now its not looking good.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:18
If i would have started along side Rooney,Then Rooney would have a hatrick today.In last 20 minutes he showed everything which was not there in the entire season.But what he can do if he is playing alone,their four defenders have surrounded him and our midfielders never enter opposition’s half thinking that part as Iraq
January 19th, 2010 at 23:19
Fuck me, I got to Eastlands, met up with the lads, they had only 5 tickets and there were 6 of us. We tossed for the ticket, and the lad that lost was absolutely devestated. So I said he should have the ticket, I would get back home and watch it on tv with my older brother. No way would shitty have got back into that game without yet another numpty refereeing decision. How the fuck did Bellamy not get booked in that game. Tevez will get fucked in the return leg, because he pissed everybody off with his INFANTILE FUCKING antics. The lads need to kick him off the fucking pitch in the return leg, after his behaviour! In my opinion Tevez only scored one goal, and the referee scored the other. Could somebody tell me IF we have EVER won a game when Mike fucking Dean has been in charge of the match???? Because he has surely fucked up before refereeing our games. I mean Bellamy and several City players got away with fucking thuggery, and not a single card in sight! Rio and Vid will be back for the return leg, so lets see. Does anybody really believe we didn’t deserve a draw in that game – please tell me
January 19th, 2010 at 23:19
@RedRantsNoob: And you think you can lie that this is your first time. Jeez mate!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:20
@Gabriel: we have the away goal, its a 2 legged afair, and who has more european experince?
January 19th, 2010 at 23:22
well we played shit and still deserved the win they would have never scored from the run of play and both goals were dodgy if not maliciously incorrect.
Diouf and nani should start against hull to get some confidence and we’ll get back to winning.
fuckin citeh think they will be bigger than united. DE fucking lusional
January 19th, 2010 at 23:22
@CraigMc: clap clap, a true devil
January 19th, 2010 at 23:23
Well that was better IMHO. Leaving aside the result, this was closer to a recognisable United performance than we’ve seen in 2 months – the passing was crisper, pacy ball to feet, generally looked fairly confident and capable, defence rocky but that will improve once Rio & Vidic are back. And can anyone seriously claim that we don’t look more of a threat with 4-4-2? Once Owen came on (not that the delivered much apart from one scuffy shot) we had much more of a purpose. Shame they went to sleep for 25 minutes in the 2nd half but if Fergie has the balls to start out at OT 4-4-2 with Owen (or Diouf, if he really believes in him), Giggs or Nani wide, and we simply fukcing go for it I can’t see even our currently non-scoring forwards not doing City.
What the last 15 minutes tonight really was, was an indictment of disgraceful tactical pusillanimity against medicore PL sides like Birmingham in recent weeks, who don’t deserve the respect of 4-5-1. Against Chelski, maybe Arse, and top Euro sides where damage limitation is a concern, OK adjust the tactics but against decent PL calibre (which is all City are as yet) just do it the traditional way (it worked OK from 1993 to 2001 didn’t it?)
As for the result – and let’s remember it is only the sodding Carling Cup even with ragging rights at stake – I wouldn’t be too sanguine if I were a Blue (hard though that is to type, let alone imagine). If this is the start of a recovery of some self-belief, then I don’t think they’ll be able to live with us in a week’s time. Optimistic maybe, and it’s not the real thing yet by a long way, but I think the hounds of spring are on a dismal winter’s traces.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:24
Nice to see today that Valencia has aggression.He kicked that bastard Bellamy.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:24
@Johnsom33: No. It was Tevez acting like a spoilt maggot-brained numptee that did.
He played all the important games, but wanted to start 30+ games, which we could not provide him. He’s a big fish in a small pond now, good for him.
Its frustrating how nobody ever questioned the effectiveness of Yorke-Cole-Sheringham-Solskjaer being rotated, yet when it came to Tevez…
January 19th, 2010 at 23:25
@CraigMc: Where was Nani ???
January 19th, 2010 at 23:26
@CraigMc:
we tossed for the ticket, i hope you mean a coin 
, I like you thought Mike dean would give us fanny all tonite, Did you see the Micah Richards dive, thats the liars through and through
January 19th, 2010 at 23:27
@owen: What you on about Owen, Fletch and Anderson were always up around the box. We had the ball kicked off the line twice in the last five minutes or so, and neither was from shots from Rooney. What truly pisses me off about Rooney, is that he seeks to do everything just outside the box and piddles around inside the box, and always when one on one with the GK, always manages to HIT the GK every fucking time. He needs to learn how to lift the fucking ball over the gk, who on 3 occasions at least was down on the fucking floor. We will get them back at OT I believe, BUT Fergie needs Diouf in there to give us someone with some aerial power, because our hobbits are useless
January 19th, 2010 at 23:28
@owen: yeah that bellars is some i would find hard not 2 smack, with my wifes handbag, the big pussy, just so detestable caused trouble at every club he has been at! am left thinking were has he not been!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:30
@Gabriel: Agree. Even Owen-Rooney looked to be working.
4-5-1 is just a fucking anomaly.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:30
another loss
wait for tomorrows reports of fergie frying the ref….
January 19th, 2010 at 23:32
@CraigMc: Rooney was very good today with number of chances created but he should make one count in these important situations.But i think it was one of the best match of Given,otherwise Rooney would have got 1 or 2
January 19th, 2010 at 23:32
@NicoQB: its a mental thing for him unless he is the king he is shit. He cant be second fiddle. he has done nothing for citeh til the last 3 mo when the rest of their strikers are gone. when adi and cruz are back we will see his true colors agin not red not blue but yellow
January 19th, 2010 at 23:32
@Scotjimland: Please, we would have come out of that game victorous if we had employed a 4-4-2 from the beginning. Look at the difference when we switched formations; Rooney got more involved and dangerous as he should be when playing with a partner; Carrick woke up from his slumber as he didn’t have the luxury of two extra midfielders to do his job and most importantly, we had more players in attack. This is not rocket science, we don’t have the players, the mentality or the hustle to play a 4-5-1. We have always looked lacklustre playing this way.
Ferguson showed too much caution today and it cost us a probable victory. If Berbatov was fit, we can argue that he would have played 4-4-2 but what’s the point of having Owen on our books if he’s not even gonna play??
January 19th, 2010 at 23:33
@Scotjimland:
, very humorous Jim. Yeah I meant we went through all 6 of us tossing a coin. I would never have given up the ticket having won the toss, but the lad that lost was like 16, I couldn’t in all conscience let him miss out. He had fucking tears in his eyes mate! So did I missing out, but I didn’t let any of them see it 
. Yeah I saw Micah Richards, and shit head Bellamy – the thug. Tevez is going to cop some fucking flak at OT, but even though he celebrated, I don’t think it was towards the United fans – WAS IT? Who the fuck he was doing his talky talky hand signals too, I have no idea. Did anybody else think he looked fucking ashamed walking off when he was subbed, he didn’t look happy to me, but maybe he realised he had overdone it. I think he lost a few friends with our lads after that pandemonium!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:33
Hate 4-5-1
Hate Mike Dean
Despise Bellamy
Despise De Jong
Loathe T***z
Sell Anderson
PLAY 2 FUCKING STRIKERS FERGIE!
LUHG.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:35
If United do manage too win at OT, Tevez is going to get the chant “Tevez, Tevez, what’s the score, Tevez whats the score?”
January 19th, 2010 at 23:36
Fortunately the game was shown on the BBC so maybe Fergie will avoid a ban
January 19th, 2010 at 23:37
Shay Given is not a fucking human, what he did today broke all the possible laws of phsyics!
Fuck Tevez, without Given Shitty would have lost 7-2! If Given was Martin Fulop, well, people talking about Chelseas hammering of Sunderland could just fuck off because this was a great performance by our lads. Proud to be a United fan, I BELIEVE we are gonna do them in the second leg, at Old Trafford. However… Anybody wants to injure Given for me? 
January 19th, 2010 at 23:38
@RedRantsNoob: Ok
Because it was you who called me an unintelligent boy, I’ll just laugh. 
January 19th, 2010 at 23:40
NicoQB, some strikers cannot handle rotation and need to be played every game or they lose their touch and momentum. I don’t think Rooney would do very well in a rotation system either.
I also think Owen and Berbatov are suffering from not having regular games. It is criminal how little we are playing Owen.
I understand the need for rotation in the modern game but I think for strikers, central defenders and central midfielders where partnerships are important it can cause problems for players performances.
I do agree with you we looked better with a 4-4-2. We dominated possession first half but Rooney just looked isolated up front and we hardly created any chances in the first half. I also agree Brown and Evans are a fairly ineffectual central defence. Like Shearer was saying our defence has been looking fairly vulnerable of late and a better side than City would have caused us some serious problems. If things don’t improve Milan could destroy us!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:40
@Will: +1
January 19th, 2010 at 23:41
@CraigMc: Now this is the Craig I’m used to. Way to go lad. I’m bloody certain Tevez would be consumed by the crowd at OT. Notice some deluded fan threw stuff at Evra? I really don’t feel any hatred for City fans though, just pity!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:41
@Gabriel: We played 4-5-1 against Chelsea and it was one of the best performance this season.What matters most is the mentality rather than Formation.Unless we are behind,we play too defensive.Somehow opposition gets a goal in dying minutes and then we wake up.Then Carrick realizes that now he should enter opposition’ s half. And this is not the fault of players.This is the manager’s tactics which is not working lately
January 19th, 2010 at 23:41
@owen: Mate how can you in all sincere honesty say that? In the first half apart from again hitting his one chance from Valencia’s cross straight against their GK, and fortunate rebound to Giggsy, every other chance Rooney had one on one with the GK he hit is straight at the goalie. I mean come on – you see what Berba did scoring the 1st goal on Saturday – he LIFTED and angled the ball. Rooney needs COMPOSURE MATE – fucking composure! Then maybe he might become what all of you call world class!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:41
@NicoQB: Brown looked poor because he IS poor. Evans did well, but is only really comfortable against a experienced centre half such as Rio or Vidic.. who would incidentally have snapped Bellamy like a twiglet.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:42
@Gabriel: m8 i hear wot your view is, Tonight i just wanted a good old United performance, I personally think we witnessed that. The facts on the financial postion are and have been well documented, look @ wot the liars have spent, of course they will give us a game, as would leeds , burnley, But in my humble opinion we were desperatly unlucky tonite. I will gaurentee they are out of the Carling cup. Think europe, its a 2 legged afair, the job was done tonite. And the David got it spot on, with his prediction.They will be shitting themselves at the thought of coming to OT
January 19th, 2010 at 23:43
We were rampant in the last 15 minutes. I thought we were done as city were going to park the bus, and recently we forgot how to break the bus down to pieces, but I thought we created a fair amount of dangerous chances despite city pulling everyone back.
VDS: 7
Rafael: 5
Brown: 6
Evans:5
Evra: 7.5 (nearly an assist)
Valencia: 7 (assisted but should have scored from point blank range)
Fletcher: 6.5
Carrick: 6
Anderson: 5
Giggs: 6 (scored but did not do much else)
Rooney: 8 (unlucky great touch tonight, but Given denied him time and again)
Subs:
Owen: 7.5 (involved in limited amount of time)
Diouf: 7.5 same as Owen
Schjoels: 5 lost the ball more times than he kept it
January 19th, 2010 at 23:46
@NicoQB: Look at tevez first year goal return then look at the last year. You can’t tell me berba didn’t have a negative effect on him. Tevez was without question our best form player going into the season and fergie played berba over him to get him acclimated to the squad.
You can call tevez a spoilt child, and that’s your opinion. I think he was screwed, but obviously my opinion isn’t any more valid than yours. So we can agree to disagree.
I’m not mad at fergie for choosing berba over Tevez, I was only mad at fergie for trying to rotate all of them. I want him to find a strike partner for Rooney and let them gel. We obviously need depth, but it’s a joke that we don’t know who is gonna be on the team sheet before each game barring Rooney, vidic and evra.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:46
@owen: Gabriel’s right though – and his point is proven in the game you just quoted. We may put on a fine performance playing 4-5-1 depending on our defence at the time, but we find it extremely hard to SCORE goals playing this formation. We need some aerial power for goodness sake, and Diouf gave that and City were shitting themselves – but once again Fergie left it too late until the last 10 minutes only. I don’t get Fergie this season, he is costing us too many games, 8 now and counting!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:46
@colver: Exactly mate. Evans and Brown just look out of sorts and all over the bloody place. Christ I was screaming at the TV all match. I need Rio back soon. How far along is he?
January 19th, 2010 at 23:47
even if tevez scored 10 against us, i would still take berbatov any day of the week, he got lucky on both goals, first was a present the 2nd like 4 people unmarked could have scored that. and rooney needs to work on his finishing omg how many did he miss. if we only could play like we did in the last 10mins for 90mins…
January 19th, 2010 at 23:47
@CraigMc: and if diouf gets the winner they should sing the diouf is on fire we dont need tevez let the mu fooker burn
January 19th, 2010 at 23:48
@Will: I thought Evans marking was poor and his distribution from the back as well.
I know he can be much better, but for the sake of both, we really need a leader back in our central defence.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:51
@despicable: I wished I knew mate. Fergie never tells me anything.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:52
@CraigMc: Fergie honestly knows that any how he is not going to win the League and also will not be out of top four if we play the worst .So he should play attacking football with 4-4-2 with the limited resources he has for full 90 minutes unless last 15 minutes.
Then we are willing to except the defeat knowing that he has almost zero money in the pocket.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:53
@WhiteY:
, that’s what getting back on the terraces does for you WhiteY, it revives the Craig (fucking do em lads, and kick Tevez of the park) mentality. I was sick to miss out on the terraces tonight, but I will be there for Hull game 
.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:55
@CraigMc: Common mate, Rooney had the required composure tonight bro. The chances he had where he was through one-on-one with Given were really tight situations. The one time I felt he really should have scored was when he somehow dribbled his way between City’s defence and ‘toed’ the ball, only for Given to AGAIN put a finger to it. I felt Rooney should have taken the shot with his bloody left boot.
Anyways, Rooney was intense tonight and unfortunately, so was Given. This has to go down as one of Anderson’s worst performances in our colours, sorry Eddy, but your boy way abysmal.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:57
@Johnsom33: I actually agree with all you say.
But if someone in a manchester united side cannot accept the idea of being rotated for the good of the team, then I know that Fergie made the right decision.
Where I am mad, is that fans -the tevez brigade- will never let this thing go, and continually bash berbatov irrespective of whether berba is playing well, when the other player has moved on. So tevez is playing well, great for him, can we please not mention that “berbatov is shit” in passing?
January 19th, 2010 at 23:57
@NicoQB: I here you, although, with VDS back i think some kind of normality has been restored… it just doesn’t help when you play a right back at centre half, and he ALWAYS mistimes his jumps for headers. Evans still isn’t 100% you can tell.
January 19th, 2010 at 23:58
@CraigMc: Sure thing mate! Hope your boy Lil man Nani picks up from his last performance eh?
January 19th, 2010 at 23:58
@WhiteY: It is really tough to judge Anderson’s worst performance in our shirts as he has produced countless numbers of them
January 19th, 2010 at 23:58
@owen: We’ll see mate, we’ll see. We were fucked tonight by shit for brains Mike Dean, and the game should have been a DRAW. The penalty that shit head Dean gave to them boosted Tevez game, because before that he was getting NO JOY at all from our lads, but after that I think he got every decision bar one. He still looked very sad and gloomy walking off. Think he knows what is coming at OT, and all week he will be saying I love the United fans, and players, and I am sad to score against them etc etc fucking etc. But that kind of bollocks want wash, win or lose, he will GET BARRACKED like he is in a war at OT!
January 19th, 2010 at 23:59
@Will: I disagree with your assesment of brown. He is far from poor, he may not be on vidic and rios level but he is a good defender.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:00
@WhiteY: What on earth do you mean mate – Lil man had a genious last performance
January 20th, 2010 at 0:01
@Johnsom33: I agree with that!
January 20th, 2010 at 0:01
@CraigMc: Plz throw something at him for my sake.That idiot was saying that he will not be celebrating.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:01
@owen: Honestly, Anderson is a conundrum. He came on against Burnley and was quite good. You’d expect him to follow up with another good shift, but what do you get, a very poor performance indeed. In fact, I partly blame him for City’s second goal. Sad really.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:03
If Evra is not going to break his friendship with Tevez then i will put him also in my bad list along with Terry,Tevez and Viera
January 20th, 2010 at 0:04
And now for something completely different, I’m not pissed off with today’s match. In fact, I have figured out a way in which I feel less angry about a loss. Simple really, just don’t watch the game. So I went to visit my mother in hospital instead. Much preferred visiting with her anyway.
Despite the loss and despite the fact I never saw the game, I am not upset. We got the all important away goal in the first leg and only lost by a goal so all things considered, mission accomplished. Sets us up for a good scenario back at Old Trafford. And I think we will win that game despite all the negativity and gloom of late. I don’t know but regardless of the game and how we played, City never dominated us in their park and despite Fergie’s mind numbing 4-5-1 tactics, we came out of it in sparkling fashion.
So chins up lads, it’s not pretty but it wasn’t fatal either. We are in good shape for the return leg and I seriously doubt Tevez will get revenge twice in a row. Where is Roy Keane now when we need him to take Carlito’s ankle out with a little just harshness? We need an enforcer big time to show teams we cannot be pushed around. No way should a player like Tevez even be a factor in a game like today if we had an enforcer to kind of spell out the news to him early.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:04
A 4-5-1 usually allows us to keep possession and works well defensively for us in big games, but we never look like scoring and it is a formation that is very reliant on our defence not conceding.
Personally I think the only place it has is away games in the Champions League and against big four teams who play five in midfield such as Arsenal.
If we played 4-4-2 consistently in the Premier League we’d do a lot better. With Ronaldo gone we have more conventional wingers and the only way Berbatov and Owen are going to improve is if they get regular games.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:06
@CraigMc: Genius??? No bro, not genius, but fairly adequate considering his lack of games. I for one would love him to have a run of games in the team. He SHOULD start against hull. I’m not completely sold on Obertan and J S Park is just a frakken fraud. We have just three proper wingers on the team and Fergie should rotate them until they die
January 20th, 2010 at 0:06
@Johnsom33: At Right back he excells in stating his presence and occassionally pushing forward… but at centre back he just seems to be lacking good judgement… perhaps it would be improved when playing along side a highly experienced partner… either way, il be happy when the days of Vidic and Rio play together week in week out return, and im sure you’ll agree with me on that.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:07
@WhiteY: If you follow this site ,them recall , one day some one mentioned that he is somewhat like Fabregas
Fabregas has 13 goals this year and 10 assists in PL.Anderson has one goal in 3 years and hard to remember when he made last assist.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:08
@gator:
. Hope the lad gets more chances and for a much longer period of time on the field, because it is patenly bloody obvious mate that we need AERIAL power for those corners. How Valencia missed that SITTER near the end I will never know???
January 20th, 2010 at 0:08
@Grognard: i realise you didn’t see the match, but you would be much more irate if you had seen the performance of Mike Dean and his inept deputies. Best wishes to your mother… you remind us all that there are somethings more important than football.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:10
@WhiteY:
, you said it mate – Mr Park on his arse 
.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:11
@NicoQB: Agreed, tevez is gone and people need to get over it. I was in the so called tevez brigade, but fergie dropped the axe.
It’s unfortunate that berba hasn’t really been fit this season, he really does give us a different dimension. While fergie doesn’t put him in the best possible position to succeed, I feel that with a boost of confidence berba will contribute alot more.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:11
Anderson has had enough time but know hes just terrible. I lost count of how many passes he misplaced today
January 20th, 2010 at 0:12
@Grognard: When i watch these type of games then only i realize that Keano was the most important player of Man Utd ,even more than Ronaldo.What would have happened to Bellamy and De Zong if he was playing today???Bellamy would have played his last game today.He used to challenge Viera who was a GENERAL but now our midfielders are outmuscled by likes of Lucas,Barry…
January 20th, 2010 at 0:14
Just a heads up people, in case no one mentioned it before: the away goal rule does not apply in the Carling Cup. It applies only after extra time.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:16
@Red Ranter: Only after extra time means going before penalty.If after extra time a team leads on away goals,then that team will be winner or penalty will take place???
January 20th, 2010 at 0:17
Okay,Its so bloody predictable the fact that the Berbatov vs Tevez debate is going to somehow dominate debates after this game so here is my take. Neither of Berbatov or Tevez (on their game I might add), is qualified to start for a team as big as Manchester United.
If by some genetic miracle, a hybrid of both was to be created, then you’d have a player worthy of starting for Manchester United.
So all Tevez sympathizers should stick it. He just wasn’t good enough to be a starter at our club, and for that price.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:17
@owen: I knew he would celebrate mate, because he has a fucking EGO as colossal as the grand canyon. I still maintain he is miserable not being at OT. He should have been smiling coming off the pitch, but he showed he has not a bit of fucking class by his antic celebrations on the field. He lost friends tonight among the United lads, and they will want to do him at OT, that is what he has done FOR US to really go for the throat in the return leg. Please tell me we don’t have to suffer that Mike Dean in the return led – someboby? And nobody has answered my question yet, how many games has he reffed for us, and cost us the game by his decision making????
January 20th, 2010 at 0:18
@owen: It applies after extra time is over. Not after the 90 minutes.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:18
@Red Ranter: Goal difference counts or not???
January 20th, 2010 at 0:19
@owen: ….Mike Dean…
January 20th, 2010 at 0:19
@CraigMc: Well that’s true of a lot of refs now innit? Replace Dean with whom then? Clattenburg? Mike Riley? They’re all a bunch of nincompoops
January 20th, 2010 at 0:20
Notice the difference guys between NO CLASS Tevez, and the way Ronaldo behaved towards the sporting fans when he scored the CL winner for us at their place. Ronnie showed great class!
January 20th, 2010 at 0:20
@CraigMc: Will it be Mike Dean only in the return leg
???
January 20th, 2010 at 0:20
@Red Ranter:
.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:21
@CraigMc: Or Alan “unfit” Wiley?
January 20th, 2010 at 0:23
@Red Ranter: RoboRef 3000. Its the only way.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:25
@owen: Yes I do follow this site avidly, and I do know the Anderson FANATICS. I think he is a decent player and great talent. Its even true he out hustled Fabregas at the Emirates in his first season. But as far as finesse, panache and vision in the mid field, Fabregas is streets ahead of our boy Andy. Offer me Fabregas and I’d bite your hands off then drive Andy wherever you want me too.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:25
@CraigMc: Instead of giving wages to Scholes and Neville,Fergie should pay wages to one or two refs.That will benefit us more
January 20th, 2010 at 0:27
@CraigMc: To be fair, Ronaldo left Sporting(a selling club) on good terms. Tevez is bitter at being cast out of the club he dreamed of playing for.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:28
@Red Ranter: I do hope its Mike Riley
January 20th, 2010 at 0:36
@WhiteY: Woah woah woah… Who ever said Anderson was on the same planet as fabregas? I’m a believer in Andy’s long term potential, but I would slap anyone who mentions fabregas in the same sentence as Anderson.
That’s like comparing berba to tevez…
NicoQB I’m obviously joking.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:38
4-5-1 AND WE LOST. WHAT A FUCKING SURPRISE.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:43
@CraigMc: yea i think he got scared last second by the post coming at him, but he was called offside anyway
January 20th, 2010 at 0:45
@Johnsom33: Honestly mate, I hate the fact that Fabregas plays for L’Arse. He is the exact type of player we badly need. I saw Arsenal’s game against Bolton last weekend(I was bored actually), I couldn’t help meself from being green with envy. The combination between Fabregas and Arshavin was just mouth watering. It made me just think of Fabregas playing behind Rooney. Simply orgasmic
January 20th, 2010 at 0:46
@WhiteY: spot on m8 post 211, pure dead genuine thinking, its a bit like me i went to a surprise party, I was surprised when they let me in, Can you locate that player?I truely think pray hope and am not pissing around we are in metamorphosis!
Owen some people knock, I dont he is proven on the world stage, ask yourself what he lends to Fredrico, Danny,Mame etc etc, its all just planning and building, some knock Scholes, I dont, he is a star, and will convey and show the like of Gibson etc blah blah. Its the Bosses way you know the apprentice ship, learn from a tradesman.
But I Will never ever give in, NEVER!
January 20th, 2010 at 0:47
@CraigMc: Tevez nvr celebrated when he scored against West Ham either.. So thats not a gr8 comparison tbh !! We all know d reason and dats been discussed to death here. No one is sure if Tevez was forced out or Tevez went for money or did Kia play a mole in between other than the guys involved themselves.. So blaming him for showing NO CLASS is bordering on ridiculous.
January 20th, 2010 at 0:48
@Will: please we need to take alot of responsibility out of their hands. and put it in the hands of technology goal line, offsides, and replays on pens should be a must
January 20th, 2010 at 0:51
@Johnsom33: he was never going to stay at united as his agent owns his ass and wanted the 40+ that he got a citeh. he is an errand boy who does what he is told by his agent(overlord)
January 20th, 2010 at 1:00
@NoFear: Listen mate it was Tevez HIMSELF who said that he would never celebrate IF he scored against us. It was also Tevez who went on about how much he loves the United fans and players and still has respect etc etc bloody etc. He went off the field with DARK GLOOM all over his face, didn’t look at all happy, because he knows he is in for it at OT, and he lost a good bit of respect among the United lads after his lunatic celebration. Fergie was so dispassionate about him, that he didn’t even look at him and ignored the Tevez clownish behaviour. Anyway, he has no class, that is obvious – but you have your take on things, and of course I have mine. His no class went for more than his celebration mate, to his talky talky hand signals, well I hope our lads SHUT HIM UP AT OT in the return leg, because he definately was gifted a penalty goal tonight, and before he scored he was getting no joy whatsoever from our lads.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:00
@Scotjimland: Yes mate, I understand the apprenticeship approach, and Fergie has used that formula for success over the years. But common mate, it just depresses me each time I see Gary Neville line out for us wearing the captain’s band and then playing utter shite. Bro, its beyond depressing for a legend to come to that. Gary should honourably retire at the end of this season, for the love of the club. Okay Scholes can/should play a part against the Burnleys, Stokes et al. But even that is not panning out as planned is it? Seriously, I’m one of the biggest fans of the ginger prince ever, but common, the game has moved on. We need fresh legs. Talent built to play for the biggest club in the world. Players who don’t need any bloody tutelage and would fit seamlessly into our starting line up.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:02
@NoFear: By the way Nofear, who are you mate, because your not a United fan are you???? Don’t mean any offense by asking this mate, but I havent seen you on this or any other United blog.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:03
@CraigMc: Seriously Craig, Tevez is not even worth discussing. Seriously
January 20th, 2010 at 1:05
@WhiteY: Its alright, I hate that they play for the arse as well they are both simply world class. It’s a shame that we support a club as massive as United yet we only have 3-4 world class players other fans are jealous of.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:10
@Johnsom33: Mate why does every Tevez fan insist he was kicked out? Mate that was his excuse for pissing off for more money from the Sheik of Arabi! He wasn’t kicked out, he was offered a contract on what was originally agreed on, but like a whore his agent sold him off to the highest bidder. All they could see was the fistfuls of notes over at City. But considering the performance he put on in his celebrations, he was still the fucking gloomiest person at Maine road – ask yourself why? He was a numptee mate, and he had no class turning to his best friend Evra nad give him the talky talky signs in front of the whole fucking world. Celebrate your goal – yes, United fans didn’t care and weren’t surprised, but it made me see that he says one thing AND DOES ANOTHER. That is what he and his agent did at OT
January 20th, 2010 at 1:14
@WhiteY: YES i UNDERSTAND your passion, but are you truely putting yourself above the greatest football manager in living memory. We all know the hand cuffs the man is working with!!! our tirade should be at , well we know who. I think he will steer us through this debacle. Remember m8, the pen( well nowadays keyboard) is mighter than the sword. And for me, Mr Grog needs a big clap for that, thats not @ss licking, its how I see it, he as far as i am aware started this crusade a long while back, sorry if i appear brusque not my intention.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:17
nite lads away TO bed 1 happy devil, the tide i think might be turning,
COME ON YOU REDS, GET IN THERE
January 20th, 2010 at 1:17
@WhiteY:
, your right mate, but you know the United players were all great friends with Tevez, and I guess it is because I could never do that to my mates what he did today! Fair enough celebrate your goal, but he went further to talky talky hand signals and the cupped hands to ears – you tell me if you see any class in that, because I don’t mate!
January 20th, 2010 at 1:28
@CraigMc: I know your a massive fan of the club, but please try and look at this from a neutral objective. I could be wrong, but I seem to remember you officially turning on Tevez when you heard the Old Trafford fans drown fergie out with the “sign him up chant”.
And what was that gesture tevez does where he cups his hand to his ear? The same gesture that coincided with him running his mouth to the media about not being offered a deal. I know you know what I’m talking about, because you were furious about tevez whining to the media.
Say what you want about tevez not being worth 25m, or not good enough to play for us. But please don’t try and act like the club didn’t fuck up this whole saga.
It was the club who got in bed with Kia over the loan deal. It was the club who agreed he is worth 25m at the end of the loan period. It was the club that attempted to lower his value by not playing him regularly. And it was the club who offered him a contract, after they said he wasn’t worth the money.
Look I was a tevez fan, but I have been and always will be a United fan. I have always agreed that tevez didn’t exactly cover himself in glory thru the entire saga. But i think it’s time you became honest with yourself and admit the club was equally at fault for the situation.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:34
@CraigMc: He might not have been kicked out, but the club had plenty of time to make his deal permanent.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:35
@CraigMc: Seems like Gary Nev’s in trouble with the law after “disrespecting” Judas.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/20/gary-neville-finger-alex-ferguson-roberto-mancini
January 20th, 2010 at 1:38
@CraigMc: Yup, Im not a united fan not a city fan either.. no offence, i dont mean to come here and be a wum.. like u said u hv ur take and i hv mine.. i thot he acted lik dat after finding himself booed in the first match at OT I guess after which he told he was surprised by the fan reaction.. anywes, emotions run high and like Johnsom33 says above both Tevez n Man Utd were at fault equally..
January 20th, 2010 at 1:41
And even if you do go on to win the Carling Cup, that is the only piece of silverware you will take home this season.
Not much to show for such a “great club,” is it?
[Edit: RR - I approved this comment because it was wrought with unbelievably blinding irony. Hilarious. I thought this comment was good for a laugh. So let's all laugh at this gentleman. Starting, now...
]
January 20th, 2010 at 1:54
@Cyclops-Red: Good for Red Nev, but he should have SHOVED that finger right up Tevez’s ARSE. That would have been worth getting in trouble with the FA for!
January 20th, 2010 at 1:55
I’m sad.
Just learned about Kate McGarrigle’s passing away.
RIP.
January 20th, 2010 at 2:05
@Johnsom33: I cant agree the club was at fault. We offered him what was agreed between the two parties, but we left it late, because the contract made was that we had an option to sign him up after the two years, which is what United intended to do. It was his money grabbing agent who started to want to change the agreement, because he had already negotiated with City behind UNited backs, and was offered 46 million deal. So please don’t expect me to believe all that shite about United didn’t keep their agreement. We wanted too, they didn’t. It was the delay until the end of the contract, and obviously we know why now don’t we, because of Glazer debts, we waited until the last minute, which was agreed that we could take up the option at the end of the 2 year contract. Tevez didn’t like being 2nd to Berba, so fair enough he chose to leave, but all the shite he spouted about the club is garbage mate. Even Joorabchian himself said United had agreed the contract, but now they wanted to delay, and United said no – make your mind up. Tevez did – to go to the bitters and he sure has become a fucking bitter and continues to be one – this will never change.
January 20th, 2010 at 2:23
@Scouse connection:
, why don’t you just REMIND us all when was the last time you won the Premier League – Oh that’s right you haven’t – have you? It will be nice to see though what L’pool miss out on this season – because even top 4 looks likely, and then you will miss Gerrard and Torres who have both said they are OFF if you don’t finish top 4. So lets hope you do eh? But thanks for contributing to our blog, hope to see and hear from you again around here at the end of the season 
January 20th, 2010 at 2:25
@NoFear: You a West Ham supporter then mate – right?
. Thanks for visiting us on the blog!
January 20th, 2010 at 2:40
@CraigMc: I never said United didn’t keep their agreement, I said they tried to lower the price. And don’t give me the glazer debt bullshit, we paid a record fee for Berbatov. Which was a slap in the face to tevez, who was coming off a champions league winning season. He was an important cog to our side that year, yet according to you we didn’t have the money to offer him a contract. Yet we had the Berbatov money.
I also seem to remember you and prolly millions of others bring upset at Tevez basically calling fergie a liar. Everyone thought it was the ultimate form of blasphemy to say that. But after the last few weeks can you honestly say fergie is the most truthful person when speaking about internal matters?
Personally I don’t blame fergie for not divulging these things to the public, except when it comes to the glazers. The glazers are draining the club and he is basically covering for the crooks(but I digress)
Do I think fergie was lying about the tevez affair? Most likely, but the same goes for tevez and his people. The reason fergie gets the benefit of the doubt is that he simply has a long track record, tevez does not.
January 20th, 2010 at 2:47
@Scouse connection: Ha.Ha.Ha.
At least we know what a Premier League trophy looks like. If you want to see it too, take a trip to Old Trafford, you dirty scouser.
Of course, next year is your year.
and that’s a fact, ask Rafa 
January 20th, 2010 at 3:06
@Scouse connection: Your lot would would kill for a Carling Cup! If you’re lucky, we might leave it in our bins for you to dip in to.
January 20th, 2010 at 3:36
@CraigMc: Nopes.. Not a hammer.. but a club dats d lafin stock at d moment !! QPR
I know.. go on.. hv a laf !!
January 20th, 2010 at 3:59
@Red Ranter: …and seeings we don’t score much any more, this probably won’t help us!!
January 20th, 2010 at 4:18
The 8th loss of the season, and we are still standing put in the transfer window!!
If someone could lay a case for not needing at least one more top striker, please go ahead. I have no idea myself, but I’m sure of this;- Berbatov and Rooney will be the ruin of us.
January 20th, 2010 at 4:54
@Johnsom33: When have you ever heard of a loan deal that has the option to be made permanent being made permanent before right at the end of the loan deal? I’ll answer it for you. Never. We did everything by the book as per that sort of deal. The big question is why we took him on loan to start with and didn’t just buy him in the beginning.
That being said he still only scored 5 Premirship goals last season, and you didn’t see Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Madrid, Barcelona, Inter, AC or Bayern knocking his door down to sign him. He’s done well for City this season, but I would wager this season will be the exception, not the rule.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:26
@Traverse: Actually Chelsea, inter both wanted him badly before we signed. Chelsea and Liverpool wanted him after the loan deal. Mancini just said the other day that he wished he would have signed him for inter.
Also if I were you I wouldn’t make that wager, tevez has scored at every stop he has made. And I love how you bring up last seasons goal return, but only mention his league goals. You also fail to mention that his first year he scored more than Rooney.
If you don’t like tevez that’s fine, he has given plenty of people plenty of reasons to hate him. I’m just tired if people using last year as proof he is rubbish, when last year was the exception not the rule. He has proved that when he is given consistent time he is a very useful player. So if you want to rubbish his current season as a fluke, you should apply the same logic to last year.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:50
@Johnsom33: Who cares, he was shit for us last year, and whatever he’s done in the past or will do in the future doesn’t change that.
I follow the club, not the player!!
January 20th, 2010 at 5:54
@Scouse connection: Nice try red ranter I apreciate the softball
Well I might as well tell the twat that I’m cooking rat at his slut mothers tonight, and bring me home a PAC of magnums.
Peace
January 20th, 2010 at 5:59
@Red Ranter: Btw I dig the way the new look works on the iPhone
January 20th, 2010 at 6:14
@Redrich: So because our club is shit right now, the past or the future doesn’t matter?
January 20th, 2010 at 6:38
@Will: I finally did see the game on tape delay and you are right. Mike Dean and the Muppet Brigade did us in good. That was not a penalty and there were numerous bad calls and missed calls. Still, I thought United played rather well and in that second half they played old school fast paced football and were incredibly unlucky not to score. Rooney I felt was absolutely awesome in the second half but his achilles heel got him yet again, that being finishing. He really needs to put away those chances but what skill to create the chances in the first place. I still cannot believe Valencia missed that open net. Not an easy volley by no means, but still, you know a certain #7 from our not so distant past would have buried it.
United showed some bite and some creativity. I loved the 1,2 Owen played with Rooney which gave the Roone a great chance which of course he blew. Lots of positives except there was no enforcer to cripple Carlos Tevez and put him in his place. I amy sound harsh by saying something like that but a manager must never let a former player who is bitter make a statement like what was made today. After Tevez scored his penalty and started mocking Fergie Roy Keane would have killed him if he was out there. Sportsmanship be damned, you cannot let that happen because it demoralizes the entire team. We need an enforcer, a tough guy who will let other teams know just who is boss. A Mark van Bommel who is known for harsh tackles and physical play and who will take one for the team when it’s necessary.
And thanks for your wishes about my mother. Yes you are right, there are things more important than football…..amazingly enough.
January 20th, 2010 at 6:40
@owen: Yes indeed, it’s very sad. We need a general, not foot soldiers.
January 20th, 2010 at 6:42
@Red Ranter: Really, I did not know that. Thanks for letting us know RR. Pretty ridiculous considering it applies to nearly every cup tournament around. Still, down one seems pretty good. I wonder why the announcers kept on referring to that all important away goal then? Maybe they don’t even know it.
January 20th, 2010 at 6:45
@Red Ranter: I think I came up with a solution yesterday when I mentioned taking the Glazer’s out back of the wood shed and using the “Fargo” style wood chipper on them. Well lets add Mike Dean, Clattenberg, Mike Riley and the whole Rogues Gallery of refs to the lineup for a good old fashion saw dust fest.
January 20th, 2010 at 6:46
@Red Ranter: Physically unfit or mentally unfit? Or both?
January 20th, 2010 at 7:24
@colver: Tevez was fired up and his goal total this season is putting Berbatov to shame!
Only Berba? I think all our “world class” strikers should be ashamed then…
January 20th, 2010 at 7:59
@Redrich: How about this… when Berbatov plays we win most of the time. When he does not play we most often lose —- I do not have the exact numbers but I think it is in the order of 80% wins with Berba and 80% losses without Berba…
To the contrary, my stats say Berba and Rooney are what we need the most to win…
Math never lies, just misleads
January 20th, 2010 at 8:30
@Will: There is a simple solution but the FA, FIFA, UEFA and all the governing clown shoes running the game can’t see two feet in front of their greedy noses. It’s called instant replay.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:33
@CraigMc: It feels so great to agree with you mate.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:36
@Cyclops-Red: Way to go Red Nev. I’m glad somebody showed him the finger at least. Had kean been there he would have shown him a close up of his spikes and his elbow to boot.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:38
@Scouse connection: Coming from a scouse this is funny indeed. They’re havin a laugh. Why look over at us when the biggest laugh is happening in their back yard. IT’S A FACT.
PATHETIC!
January 20th, 2010 at 8:38
@CraigMc:
TOO TRUE MATE, TOO TRUE
January 20th, 2010 at 8:59
@Johnsom33: Maybe not mate, but Tevez and his agent were all about LIES too and still are, so both come out with no credit. Anyway Johnsom we are not going to agree on this one are we, so that’s ok
January 20th, 2010 at 9:01
@Grognard:
.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:07
@CraigMc: I Think in the cold light of day, your comment on the headless chicken, being a class less cunt, was spot on, probably got the lads support all riled up, for the return leg.We owned wastelands on and off the park, till that twat Dean did his dirty on us.I really feel the Atmosphere next time around will be very hostile, and SAF will use Scarface to turn the tie.SAF QUOTE” WE are happy with the players we have” here here!
January 20th, 2010 at 9:08
@Johnsom33: He’s still got no class though Johnsom
.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:13
@Scotjimland: I don’t think SAF liked Tevez – full on, but I also find it hard to believe that he is happy with the players he has, especially in MF
. Still, Owen and Diouf proved they should have been put on a lot sooner than the last 15 minutes, things really got hectic when they came on. Wonder why SAF just sticks to that same tedious routine of subbing only in last 20 mins of game – he is so wrong about that and so predictable in my opinion!
January 20th, 2010 at 9:17
@CraigMc: The back bone of our success has been the back 4 and you full well know that has been fucked most of the season so far Craig.When we have our great team all fit, wer will hit top form and shove all the shit we are having to endure back in everyones face.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:18
@NoFear: I won’t kick ya while your down mate, but my ole man still talks about the classic games QPR used to have with United, especially I believe a certain New Years day game a good few years ago – or am I wrong about that
. I think it was a 4-1 score to your team wasn’t it?
January 20th, 2010 at 9:19
I have been through the bitters blog, Blue moon this morning, fucking hilarious set of wankers, they live in a never never land, we dont.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:23
@Johnsom33: It was precisely because of the Berbatov price that United didn’t settle the Tevez contract renewal sooner. It isn’t bullshit mate that United couldn’t afford the 46 million the bitters were offering, AFTER breaking the bank for Berba. So don’t know what you are on about Johnsom. Know you love Tevez mate, but I think you are letting that cloud your United dealing judgements a bit! Probably a bit as blindsighted as I usually am about Lil man Nani
January 20th, 2010 at 9:31
@Scotjimland: Maybe mate, but we still need to strengthen MF, because I feel Hargo has gone a mentally soft and scared on us
. I wonder about the whole getting players back on the football field thing, and our overly cautious approach. Everton have got Saha playing almost every game. I seriously question our medical and physio team, and the communication with our coaching staff. I mean Fergie didn’t know why Vida was pulled out before a game, and that Berba had a dead leg and not recurrent knee problem. I mean WTF mate 
January 20th, 2010 at 9:33
@Scotjimland: Urrrrrrgh you went on the bitters blog – ring a bell mate you have caught a nasty disease and are unclean from that blog visit
.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:38
@CraigMc:
spot on m8 but its nice to start the day with a huge laugh at there incompetence
January 20th, 2010 at 9:42
This tie is in the bag, if you read the shite they type as the match is running, they are scared shitless bye us.
If it was not for Given and Dean, the tie would be over NOW!
January 20th, 2010 at 9:51
The referee was awful last night, he game was too big for him in my opinion did we get a decision go our wasy at all last night?
I hope we play 4-4-2 at home and PLEASE FERGIE PLAY OWEN AND ROONEY TOGETHER 
January 20th, 2010 at 10:00
@Stephen: Lets all stick together,WE are United, the lads need only encouragement, right now.I am ultra confident this minor hiccup will be sorted next week.
January 20th, 2010 at 11:26
@Scotjimland: Spot on.
January 20th, 2010 at 11:27
@CraigMc: Haha nobody loves a player as much you love nani. I really don’t love tevez, I just don’t like people trying to convince themselves that he was useless and that he is the root of all evil. I think the fact that he refuses to celebrate against west ham yet he goes over board against us let’s you know there was stuff going on behind the scenes. Also, regardless of how much city paid for him we only would have had to pay 25m. I don’t think he is worth 25m and obviously neither did fergie. Which makes me wonder who was originally responsible for the loan deal.
At the end of the day he is gone and that’s a fact.
January 20th, 2010 at 11:56
@Johnsom33: He said he wasn’t going to celebrate up until the City game when we beat them, the he said he would because of the reaction he got from the fans who booed him becuase of his bitterness to the manager,
January 20th, 2010 at 12:32
@owen:I agree with you mate! I wonder wat drugs SAF was on. True he’s done alot for this Club but that doesn’t mean that he always gets it right. And if he doesn’t, we got the right to comment about it.
To me, he got the tactics wrong, WTF was he thinking while deploying a 4-5-1. For God’s sake, why would you play a lone striker against Money City when you are Man Utd? It’s not Barcelona! I mean, all that respect to City, for what?
People are talking about loosing but having played well, others say the referee wasnt on our side blah blah. But my question is: Wasn’t it the same referee after 68 minutes? We started playing well after bringing on the second striker period. With good tactics and approach to the game, we had all it took to win the game convincingly even with the shitty refeering of Mike Dean.
Rooney was in Micah’s pocket like someone said, not until Owen was brought on to assist him upfront. Time and again, SAF has tried to play Rooney as a lone striker but it has always failed but i don’t know why he doesnt see that.
And finally, for now Diouf commands a number in my starting eleven!
January 20th, 2010 at 12:59
@Jay Jay: Toy cannot understand a manager matching a side up away from home in the first leg of a semi final??
He should have brought Owen on earlier but until the embaraasing decision of the referee to give the penalty we were in control on the game, also what has Diouf done? Scored one easy goal?
January 20th, 2010 at 13:07
@colver: I’ve said it before,you must not tinker with central positions. Centre Backs, Central midfielders and centre forwards. You keep shifting them and chopping and changing those depts and you’ll get what’s coming to you. I have no idea why this is done at United,because no other club,with the exception of Liverpool in 2008 rotates this much. Anyway I’ve been singing this song for too long now and I’m officially tired of it. On Saturday,we will have Carrick and Anderson in midfield just to maintain our proud record of 1.7 million consecutive games with a different team.
January 20th, 2010 at 13:16
@Jay wire: The side needs stability, chopping and changing the side is the reason for the disjointed performances, also changing the system alaso cannot help
January 20th, 2010 at 13:21
@owen: Yet another astute observation. I have said time and time again,that as much as we blame the players,let’s not forget the person responsible for these tactics. I absolutely hate it when Carrick spends the whole game in the centre circle,or when Brown and especially Vidic hoof stupid and illogical long balls to a hobbit known as Rooney,playing upfront on his own surrounded by 3 Navi like defenders. What’s the point of having someone with excellent defensive capabilities,Fletcher,playing an advanced role and a Carrick,an excellent passer of the ball playing as a screen for the defence. That’s stupid to say the least. So as you imply,or as I think you are,let’s not just jump on the players. The blame should be shared,though in my opinion,I’d give SAF 90% of the blame.
January 20th, 2010 at 13:30
@colver: I’d rather go for the 4-3-3 with two strikers and a winger. I’d have a Berbatov in the middle,flanked by Rooney,with a free role,and Valencia. 4-5-1 is idiotic,even away in Europe.
January 20th, 2010 at 13:47
@WhiteY: I aggressively disagree. Both players are capable of playing for United. Both are proven goal scorers and are very creative. This business of saying such and such a player is not United material,is nonsense in my opinion. I’m going to ask this question once again,which I’ve asked a few times before. Why is it world class players and potentially world class players always regress when they come to United? Forlan,Veron,Rooney,Berbatov,Tevez are names that come to mind. Look at Tevez now. But to those who have known him before he came to England,there is no surprise. Two time South American player of the year known for his goals with Corinthians. I was mad with Maradona when he was telling Tevez to quit United if he wants to progress but I knew deep down he had a point. Tevez as much as people like calling him an idiot,made the wisest decision of his career by leaving United and Berbatov,Nani and Owen would do well to follow suit. If I should be frank,and I usually am,United is not the best place to come for non-traditional players i.e. if you are not a traditional defensive midfielder like Makelele,or a goal poacher like Inzaghi or marauding winger like Valencia then don’t bother coming to United because Ferguson will destroy your career
January 20th, 2010 at 13:49
@Stephen: That’s exactly my point.
January 20th, 2010 at 13:50
@Jay wire: “Fergie wil destroy your career” Yeah like a non tradtional winger like Ronaldo?
January 20th, 2010 at 13:55
@WhiteY: Problem with that is Ferguson would need a minimum of three seasons to figure out how to play him in the team. So first season he might be played as a DM etc.
January 20th, 2010 at 14:01
@Stephen: With the exception of Ronaldo,which other non-traditional player has benefitted from Ferguson’s tutelage. I’d even be tempted to attribute much of Ronaldo’s success to CQ’s technical brilliance. I mean Carlos Quieroz last’s season with us was Ronaldo’s best so if Ferguson should be attributed then he should have at least got very close to matching those performances. And anyway,together with Tevez,he made the best decision of his career and left,because he was quickly being reduced to a lone striker by Ferguson
January 20th, 2010 at 14:19
@Johnsom33: Tevez was at fault in the final weeks but people seem to conveniently forget that,Tevez was not offered a deal when he was promised one earlier. I remember vividly,when SAF came out saying they were in talks and Tevez being asked about it said he was still waiting for something to be communicated to him. He even said he was ready to sign but was frustrated because no one was showing interest in discussing. Coupled with not being played regularly,it was plain to see he was not really valued and I don’t know how many of us hypocritical United supporters wouldn’t feel bitter after such treatment. Everyone doesn’t seem to consider the psychological and emotional blow it was for him. I mean this guy was sweating blood for the club and producing the required results and I know players the put themselves on the line feed on appreciation. Up to now he still speaks fondly of West Ham in the same way Gattuso does for Rangers. Conversely,if such personalities are treated like crap,they feel bitter and will react accordingly.
January 20th, 2010 at 14:27
@Jay wire: Rooney is a non tradition player as such, Cantona certainly was, but I do see your point, I do think CQ is over hyped as a coach and that has been proven with his record as a manager.
January 20th, 2010 at 14:33
@Jay wire: i do agree in that, I do believe Fergie wanted to keep Tevez but we obviously did not have the money in hindsight we should have not have signed Berba, but can see Rooney and Tevez are very similar the real thing was why did we sign Tevez in the first place? What did the manager expect? Tevez and Rooney probably are n odd combo up front and neither likes to sit on the bench.
January 20th, 2010 at 14:33
Can we all send emails to flood the F365 mailbox? Their latest article on the game analysis makes my blood boil. This is the same site that went on for weeks at the added time in the earlier city game, and went on about the peno we won at the Spurs game last year. And now, we get the rough end of the refreeing decisions and all they talk about is how inept United were
January 20th, 2010 at 14:35
@Stephen: I think he is a good coach and a bad manager and SAF is a an extremely bad coach and great manager. That’s why they worked so well.
January 20th, 2010 at 14:37
@Jay wire: Mate you don’t win what he ahs in the game being an awful coach, I do think though he has struggled to adapt to the modern game.
January 20th, 2010 at 14:38
@Vivek: Ignore it mate typical ABU rubbish.
January 20th, 2010 at 14:49
@ Stephen…
Do you know this Sarah Winterburn? if yes, please do pass on her email address..i have some choice words for her….
Seriously I cant stand the venom being pouted at United by the scouse-we hate united-ABU English media. How you guys resist the temptation to go to their offices and bang some heads in is beyond me
January 20th, 2010 at 15:07
@Stephen: i always like to look at the chances strikers get and why some strikers get many chances in a few minutes they are on the pitch while others get almost nothing after playing the entire 90 minutes.
You claim Owen should have come on earlier than he did, but if i may ask, what has Owen done so far to deserve that (pls don’t take me back to history, coz then we would bring back Eric!)? Scoring a hatrick against crappy Wolfsburg or scoring a winner against shitty three minutes after the official added time?
The reasons why Owen should have come on earlier are the same reasons why Diouf commanded a starting place. They all posses great movement and positional sense. An added advantage goes to Diouf, he’s strong, good in the air tall and United is known for crossing them balls in the six yard box. Satisfied?
January 20th, 2010 at 15:08
@Stephen: Well that makes him a terrible coach in the modern game. I actually made that exact point some weeks ago and got a bit of stick for saying it. Before the turn of the century,Ferguson dominated English football. Yes a Blackburn and an Arsenal here and there took the title but in general United were the custodians of English football silverware. Now I don’t want to devalue such a heritage but in all honesty,the Premiership is only catching up to the technical standards of modern football. In fact I’d say English teams are still ten years behind the rest of Europe in technical standards. Ferguson didn’t need to be a brilliant tactician to win in England. That’s why we were poor in Europe where technical competence is an absolute must. As soon as Mourinho entered the scene,we were exposed. He is a brilliant tactician and his team was ruthless and efficient. That’s why I always talk about CQ. It was common knowledge that he was brought into the club for his technical expertise and it was never hidden. It’s only when we introduced the “front four” in 2006 that we began to see success. I believe Rooney had his best season in 06-07 which I always reference as the best United team ever in terms of great football. Everyone had a clear cut role on the pitch and there was a good balance in team chemistry. There was no rotation then. It was Rooney,Saha,Giggs and Ronaldo as the Fierce Foursome,Carrick and Scholes as our dynamo. Of course Saha got injured and in came Larsson and Ole at times but nowhere near the maniac rotation of this day. We should have won the Champions League if not for fatigue and a thin squad.
My point is it’s the technical standards that had gone up that made us once again a European powerhouse. That season we were knocked out in the semis but from there we became a real threat in Europe. We won the next season and Nani,Anderson,Hargo and Tevez had great seasons. After CQ left it went downhill and we still sliding. Ferguson in my opinion is not a bad coach,he is an aweful coach. He is not a good manager,he is a great manager. So he should stick to management and find someone who is a great coach or even a competent coach with continental experience to do the coaching for him. You’ll all be pleasantly surprised at how things turn on the field.
January 20th, 2010 at 15:18
@Jay Jay: What has Owen done so far? Really? Well he has scored goals in almost every game he has started. It doesn’t matter if he scored in the 20th minute of injury time,City were still playing. It doesn’t matter if he only scored a hat trick against a crappy Wolfsburg,playing as a lone striker. He took his chances,and Rooney failed to do that at home against a Second Division team. Last night,he had a shot cleared off the line and might have got an assist in the 2 seconds he played. In fact,I’m going to say this even as a massive Berbatov fan,Owen should be a starter alongside Rooney or Berbatov and that way before Diouf is considered.
January 20th, 2010 at 15:23
@Stephen: After the era of Giggs, Becks, Scholes the Nevs and Butt, can you mention any other classic young player SAF has groomed. And don’t talk of Ronaldo, the boy came when he was already good. All that SAF did was to teach him the rugby kind of game he coaches. Get the ball run at defenders and cross it, if not hit it as hard as you can. It’s the reason why he always went missing whenever we met teams that can actually keep the ball, yet before he came to United and in his 1st two seasons at United, he used to torment opponents.
January 20th, 2010 at 15:45
Good morning Grognard AKA Jay Jay, the sad thing about your posts today, Is we are taking flak on enough other sites, without rubbishing the team the manager fukin everything about the club.
You do realise other supporters of other clubs view this blog.Thats me I am done with this. I’l stick to going to the game
January 20th, 2010 at 15:55
How is Owen supposed to get his form back if he is never played? New strikers often struggle joining a new club and need games before they get their confidence and form back. But Owen at 29 is still too good to rot on the bench. Id prefer him to Berbatov quite simply because Owen is the best finisher in our squad and with chances in scarce supply Id prefer Owen on the end of them rather than wasteful Berbatov and Rooney.
Anyway I have no idea what goes through Fergie’s mind. But Im sure when I grow old I will look at this season with regret and consider how many hours I spent watching crap football.
January 20th, 2010 at 15:59
@Scouse connection: and you dare open yo mouth dude, now where do we start with you. No where and that is a FATC.
451 never works, am still against that anti football tactic amd what proves it is the differnec that was there after the intro of Owen.
We still have a shot at it and as long as fergy does not screw with tactics, i think we’ll kick Man Pity out. We should go 442, all fires blazing. with rooney and berba upfront am sure the dead leg will be alive by then.
Vidic should also be drafted in at centre back with brown moving to full back with Giggs and Valencia on the wings.
January 20th, 2010 at 16:34
@Scotjimland: when you son steals and the entire community is cursing him, do you go home and say “Son because everyone is givimg you stick, am not going to follow suite and you were thus right to steal”?
January 20th, 2010 at 17:04
@Stephen: Good point, if tevez is similar to Rooney then why bring him in? And if fergie doesn’t know how to use berba then why did he splash so much money on him?
January 20th, 2010 at 17:07
I too fail to see why fergie refuses to give Owen games. Its a world cup year and Owen atleast deserves a chance to prove he still has it. I really feel sorry for the man.
January 20th, 2010 at 17:07
*cough cough*
Agent pimping World class winger in england alert
January 20th, 2010 at 17:24
@Jay Jay: He was already good? People called him a circus act and in fairness we smoothed off his edges.
January 20th, 2010 at 17:26
@Johnsom33: Fergie always wanted him si he had to have him, similar to Blanc who was passed it when we signed him and Hargo who was injured Fergie is like a mounty he must get his man.
January 20th, 2010 at 17:30
@Jay Jay: Owen has not had a run of games and has scored goals, Diouf is work in progress and has done nothing to warrant a start at theis stage.
January 20th, 2010 at 17:34
And it seems the Guardiola to OT rumours are refusing to go away, as he agreed a contract extension of *only* a year.
January 20th, 2010 at 17:39
@NicoQB: Why would he want to leave barca in the first place. Second, why would he want to come to a club who has no money?
January 20th, 2010 at 17:41
@Vivek: As far as I know F365 is a WUM site. Makes its name by winding up pretty much all clubs. I’ve seen them take enormous delight in Liverpool’s failures, for instance.
It’s all part of the fun for them — eliciting angry responses from unsuspecting supporters I mean.
January 20th, 2010 at 17:43
@Johnsom33: There is still perception world over that we are a club steeped in tradition and success. It could wear out if the Glazers continue to spectacularly fuck up everything we’ve built over a century, but that’s over time.
January 20th, 2010 at 17:45
@Stephen: There is a big difference between being a coach and being a manager. Some of the best coaches are not able to be managers because that job requires a skill set or personality assets that they do not possess. I see this all the time in North America where assistant coaches who are great make the leap to head coach or manager and fail all the time.
January 20th, 2010 at 17:47
@Johnsom33: Fergie has an obession that Owen and Rooney can’t play together, well Rooney and Berba arn’t exactly Yorke and Cole are they?
January 20th, 2010 at 17:51
@Grognard: yeah can fool some of the twats sometimes but you canna fool a shrewd Scot, Capeesh!
January 20th, 2010 at 17:52
@Scotjimland: No just go over to ManUtd.com where the world is always rosy and the days are always bright. RedRants is a blog where people tell it as it is, not as you want to see it. So take off the bright glasses and either join in our debates and cope with the reality of the situation or go to United’s own site where you can be lied to and where everybody tows the corporate line. While your at it, keep watching MUTV. I’m sure the pundits on that fine channel will keep your heart red and dead forever.
January 20th, 2010 at 17:56
OK JAY JAY, GROGNARD OR???????
January 20th, 2010 at 17:58
immediately i see someone disguise themselves i loose all respect, it just aint me. Sorry u are on Ignore
January 20th, 2010 at 18:04
@Scotjimland: Disguise themselves? What are you on about mate?
January 20th, 2010 at 18:05
@Stephen: Big difference between coach and manager.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:08
Swwetie, I can tell it as it is also, I just dont care to see everything, peppergunned down.End off.Il not react to one more of your post’s one way or another, but i will still enjoy Red rants.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:08
@Johnsom33: The present situation and the present ownership is going to turn off many prospective managers and believe me when I say, if Fergie finally throws up his arms and says enough, we will have a Hell of a time trying to find a quality replacement. Who would want to come to a team that is over 700 million pounds in debt, has no transfer budget and where there seems to be very little support given tot he manager in terms of running and building up the club. A club that stands to lose the ownership of it’s training ground and it’s stadium to boot. The Glazer’s have poured a poison elixir into the punchbowl and now nobody wants to touch us with a ten foot pole. I seriously doubt any players of quality would want to come here even if the club came up with the transfer money because they would see this club as being no different than Pompey. It’s a lose lose position that this club is in but some of our critics think we should shut up about this stuff because we are rocking the boat too much. Why don’t they redirect their wrath and their poison at the true targets for all the misery. Not Grognard or Jay Jay or anyone else on Red Rants that speaks the truth, but to the fucking Glazer family and their evil attempts to destroy a Manchester, British and world sporting institution. Incredibly sad times we are living in.
Far worse things are happening in the world and people are suffering and dying but we are going on and on about a football team. Kind of plays with a person’s moral compass and perspective a bit. But lets all niot make the mistake that football and Man Utd do mean something to all of us. The world is tough and a very unforgiving place. We all need refuge and escape and sports is just one of those tools that allows us to forget our problems and to enjoy ourselves. Now those who have a lot to do with creating misery in the economy and in the US markets are moving their act to the sports world and doing their best to destroy an institution that has given millions around the world joy, thrills and glory for decades. I say off with their heads. They are no longer welcome and we as a “UNITED” group of supporters aren’t asking for them to sell and leave, WE ARE BLOODY WELL DEMANDING IT.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:10
@Red Ranter: Jay jay and Grognard are self same posters.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:14
Il take a break I think , I have had enough shite around the various sites today. Come on the Reds
January 20th, 2010 at 18:15
@Scotjimland: They’re not. I know that for sure. Unless they have powers of teleportation.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:23
@Red Ranter: People aren’t stupid RR. They read and comprehend. They see what is happening to the club and they read today’s reports that the debt has crossed the 700 million barrier. We may be steeped in tradition and success but we are quickly drowning in debt and mediocrity with no sign of relief anywhere. Tradition and success is great and you know something, if we approached players before the season, many would have come. If we were looking for a new manager at the beginning of the season, many would have jumped at the chance. But so much has been unveiled of late and the clubs poor on field performance has done nothing to solidify that tradition and success you talk about. Most people are now looking at United and saying “What have you done for us lately?” instead. In life and in football we are all only as good as our last game.
United under the Glazer’s have managed to destroy an ironclad institution and a beacon of success in sports franchises the world over. They are destroying the most successful sporting brand on the planet as quickly as it takes me to eat my breakfast. Decades of dedication, hard work, unparalleled success and accomplishments down the drain in a a matter of months. And these people are still walking around Manchester in safety? These mother fuckers are allowed to enter Old Trafford on game day without being destroyed by the mob? I just don’t get it. Yes we are supposed to be civilized and humane and decent but when does that fly out the window and get replaced by baseball bats and large socks filled with manure?
It has to stop. We must as a footballing community that spans the globe unite and make these bastards sell and get the Hell out of England. I wouldn’t wish these bastards on Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea, and I am dead serious about that. Nobody and no team deserves to suffer the indignities and the shame that these cunts have brought to this once proud and great team. We are fast becoming the laughing stock of football. So just when are we all going to say enough is enough? When are the fine United supporters of Manchester and local business going to band together and force the issue? Just how long can we allow this atrocity to continue? I’m appalled at people’s apathy.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:26
looking up Dictionary for teleportation!!!
IL leave it for today, this evening at least, enjoy yer site loads.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:32
@Scotjimland: I don’t know what you are on about because for one, Jay Jay and I don’t always see eye to eye, and two, comparing two people who happen to be concerned about the way the club is going just to make your lame ass argument seem memorable is low and it lacks backbone. Like i said earlier, if you want everything to be positive and bright, go to the corporate site and allow yourself to be seduced by the dark side. If you want the truth and you want to listen to intelligent people debate and show their concern for a an escalating problem, then stick around. But labelling and mocking our efforts isn’t winning you any friends on here mate. In fact it’s kind of making you to be nothing more than a conformist wearing clown shoes. If the Glazer’s through Fergie asked you to take a plunge off of the highest building in Manchester, You know I’m just positive you would consider it as a priivilege and and an honor.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:36
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Here’s a stat for you.
In the 8 loses this season we have scored a grand total of 1 goal.
Now if I’m not mistaken, Rooney or Berbatov or both played a part in these debacles.
I would then deduce that if scoring only 1 goal in 8 games, there is something seriously wrong with our strikers.
They have proved that, individually they are no good as a single striker option, and together, they struggle to play off one anothers attributes.
Time to give up on this, and try something different!!
January 20th, 2010 at 18:44
@Redrich: Can’t argue with the facts mate. Great point. But I’m sure somebody will disagree because there seems to be a pile of denial going around like the Swine Flu virus.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:58
I am all up for something different to the team but…
http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/01/20/1753682/manchester-united-parent-company-reveals-716m-debt
January 20th, 2010 at 19:05
@Johnsom33: There is uncertainty around his future at Barca because he’s opposed to the current regme in many Spanish clubs where managers are not given the authority and leeway that the english counterparts are (supposedly) given.
The election money-go-round of the chairman-president-whatever is also impeding upon his managerial freedom, or so I understand. Pep envies the stability that managers in england enjoy. Lets be frank, FSW would not have lasted that long in Spain.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:09
@Redrich:
Let me quote a stat I mentioned that you must have missed:
Manchester United’s record with Dimitar Berbatov in the starting XI is 34 points from 13 games. Their record without him is 13 points from nine games. That’s 2.6 points per game v 1.44 points per game.
And that was before yesternight’s game.
Still laying the blame of defeats at Berbatov’s feet, huh?
January 20th, 2010 at 19:15
@Stephen: Yorke and Cole were an exceptional partnership that few strikers would be able to replicate.
Cole and Cantona was barely passable, Rooney and RVN ditto, Fowler never clicked with OWen if I’m not mistaken. If anything the fact that Owen’s preferred partner has always been Heskey might be causing SAF to have misgivings.
I agree that Fergie ought to try Rooney – Owen more, but Berba-Rooney is not poor by any means.
Its the service to them which is appalling.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:15
@NicoQB: Then it must be Rooney’s fault…
January 20th, 2010 at 19:35
@Scotjimland: go watch a series called fringe and you’ll get the meaning of teleportation.
When people share the same sentiments, it doesnt make them one.
For some of us who have supported United for decades, we used to swank around how united is an institution and more than football. Other fans never used to talk when a Man Utd fan stood up, when ever one had tribulations watching Man Utd play was the solace. It united souls and enemies but now all that is no more. We instead are reduced to “punching bags”.
We feel sad not because we loose games here and there and not because we lost to shitty because of one twat in the names of Mike |Dick| but because we are seeing an institution we once cherished crumbling. We won’t tolerate the nonse of all the people who think the gaffer has done alot for United and thus he’s beyong critism. We’ve all seen him at times seated and cruel-less when the team is doing fuck all on the pitch, and what does Wheelan do, just look on like another zombie.
And to the Glazers’ i wish lightening can struck the entire tribe of the Glazer and anyone with such a name.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:43
Let the flooding begin?
http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/01/20/1753791/goalcom-world-interview-ask-wayne-rooney-your-questions
January 20th, 2010 at 19:43
@NicoQB: So what? If he was stupid enough to come to United he would full authority and an empty wallet to do his work with. I’d rather be given a 100 million pound transfer kitty and take a little flak or pressure from my bosses.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:44
Great article on Canales.
I know we have virtually no chance of signing him, but one can dream..
January 20th, 2010 at 19:44
@Jay Jay: That’s funny…..lol. But a very good point
January 20th, 2010 at 19:45
@Redrich: United have lost two games with Berbatov — Aston Villa at home and Leeds… I think that is correct and that stat along with the 1 goal in 8 losses makes it clear to me that Berba needs to start more games with Rooney.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:46
@NicoQB: Yes but those games without him are also mostly games where we play 4-5-1 and so we lose those anyway, even if he is the lone striker instead of Rooney. Red is right, yesterday was evidence that we need a striker who bulges the old onion bag because despite creating numerous chances, Rooney and then later Owen did not get the job done.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:47
@[OPTI]Madschester United: with berba starting
January 20th, 2010 at 19:48
@Johnsom33: And a club which plays in a way that is totally against all his beliefs.Not gonna happen but I’ll continue hoping against hope that he finds his way to OT somehow.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:48
@Grognard: Don’t spoil the fun!
Who says he’s going to be spending huge amounts in tranfer dealings. I’d be happy if he manages to instill his sexy organic 4-3-3 (not likely), or just dumps 4-5-1 when he comes (much more likely)
January 20th, 2010 at 19:49
@[OPTI]Madschester United: add another stat too — united have won every game in which we had a lead – except yesterday — therefore starting Rooney+ berba is important.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:52
@Grognard: I know all too well about the dreaded 4-5-1, but the point was that Berbatov was being blamed for defeats where he doesn’t even play.
THe Berbatov situation reminds me so much of Sheringham. Unless he scores in a vital crunching game, fans will never warm to him.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:52
@Jay Jay: I think you meant Phelan, not Wheelen. I agree. Lightning is to good for the Glazer’s. I want the Glazer’s to suffer the way William Wallace did. Paraded to outside of Old Trafford and then hung, drawn and quartered. Nothing less would be appropriate. These people are vile scum that have infested the team and have destroyed something so rich, so beautiful and so great. Christ I hate feeling like this but I just hate the bastards with a passion.
January 20th, 2010 at 19:57
@NicoQB: That article is torture i hate you Nico!
January 20th, 2010 at 19:59
@Redrich: They don’t play together often,so they can’t establish any form of chemistry. Nothing wrong with our strikers in general or most of the players. There’s no consistency from the powers that be.
January 20th, 2010 at 20:05
NICO QB Sexy organic football only works if you have the talent to apply it. Guardiola is a good manager but he is not Gandalf the White or any other wizard of the first order. He can only be successful playing his attacking game when he has the kind of players that are good enough to perform the duties and skills required. For crying out loud, he has Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Zlatan, Henry and a plethora of attacking options that are world class. Al we have is old men past their prime and young players who are not ready for prime time. Do you think Guardiola would have the same success in attack using Scholes and Anderson, Red Nev at RB doing his bes Danny Alves imitation? How about the stylings of Park or Valencia as opposed to Henry and Messi? Get real mate and get serious. Fergie gets far too much criticism and blame for his tactics and his rotation but the fact remains the reason we are being forced to play like we do is because we do not have the talent to compete in an attack oriented manner. We have to many question marks and holes in our lineup to be walking around as proud as a Barca peacock. If Guardiola came here to manage with no transfer kitty, he would have the kind of success Zola is having in West Ham trying to play attack minded football with no talent to work with.
January 20th, 2010 at 20:18
You Mr, have hit a all time low, William Wallace for the persons watching this blog, IS a Scottish Icon, not someone who should have ever been hung drawn and quartered, and had is body, posted in four quarters of England.
He definitely was not a egotistical bilous dimunitive destroyer.
Just thought I would clarify for those who are interested in facts, not theories.
January 20th, 2010 at 20:29
lets hope the Puddle get a doing tonite,Come on you Spuds
January 20th, 2010 at 20:31
@Scotjimland: Learn how to read mate. I brought up William Wallace so that I could explain the kind of execution I feel the owners deserve. I am not disrespecting Walllace whatsoever, especially since I am an admirer of his and I am also a huge Braveheart fan. What happened to him was so terrible that Ifelt it was worthy of the Glazer’s. Now please tell me in your infinite wisdom how that is insulting Wallace? You are a Scot and so if you have issue with the English, that’s your business. I did not know however that had issue with the English language because it’s clear you have a comprehension problem.
January 20th, 2010 at 20:34
All statistics in this post taken from the Premier League
Berbatov’s statistics:
Played: 18 (5)
Goals: 7
Assists: 3
Considering he gets picked for the easier games (in difficult games we usually play a 4-5-1) those statistics are pretty disappointing. People call him a creative striker, but he’s only managed three assists. So you look at his goals and he’s barely managed a goal ratio of a goal every three games.
Compare with Rooney: 21 appearances, 15 goals, 3 assists.
NicoQB will kill me for this but I cannot resist:
Compare with TEVEZ: Appearances 19 (2) Goals 12 Assists 5
So Berbatov has had his fair share of games but hasn’t managed enough goals or assists. So it is difficult to understand what the hell he brings to this team??? Last season you could at least say he was providing a good number of assists.
As for the games won when we play Berbatov statistic:
We go for a 4-5-1 when we have a difficult game where we are playing for a draw. We only play with two strikers in games where we expect to win regardless of personnel. Obviously if you play two strikers no matter who they are you are more likely to win!
January 20th, 2010 at 20:35
lets hope the arse get a humping tonite too , or they go top, now that would be a shit night, to end a most boring day in blogs, same old same old, have a go at the Best club in the world
January 20th, 2010 at 20:40
@colver: I think in fairness the boss made a decision on the running mans contribution prior to his departure, he will be made to regret that next week, il be surprised if he gets out alive, more likely looking at the roof of an ambulance!
January 20th, 2010 at 20:41
@Grognard: As I said, the attraction of tradition and success will wear out over time.
January 20th, 2010 at 20:43
Just to clear it up, regarding mistaken identities, I hope people aren’t confusing Jay Jay and Jay Wire either. Once again, both different people.
January 20th, 2010 at 20:45
Another thing obvious looking at the statistics is how little creativity we have in this side! Giggs as usual is our leading assists provider with 9 assists and he is almost 100 for christ’s sake!!! After him comes Valencia with 5 and then a couple from other players.
Obviously Giggs cannot last much longer so we urgently need to address the lack of creativity in the side. Rooney is our most creative player but when he plays upfront every game there is no-one for him to create anything for, and his transformation into a number 9 has coincided with a selfish streak. Berbatov chipped in with a lot of assists last season but this season as the statistics show he has been ineffectual. Aside from Giggs our wingers have been pathetic with Valencia only managing five assists. As for our central midfielders such as Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson…I couldn’t even find them on the statistics chart! If Anderson can’t score, can’t assist why the hell is he in the team? We already have Fletcher as a water carrier. As for Carrick…for a player with his passing range it is incredible he manages so few assists.
I do enjoy having digs against Berbatov but he is only one of the players who isn’t pulling his weight in this team. I would add to this list Carrick, Anderson, Obertan, Park, Nani, Scholes, and Valencia (considering he was bought to produce Ronaldo who contributed an average of 20 goals and 15 assists a season).
Take away our defence, which itself has been shaky this season, and Rooney, and we are a midtable team.
January 20th, 2010 at 20:47
The day United fans stop blaming Berbatov and Nani for everything wrong with our game,there’ll be a Pepsi thunderstorm in Nevada’s deserts. What wrong have these players done? Should we honestly blame Berbatov for having his great form in October cut by a month and a half long injury.Is it his fault that Ferguson is an aweful coach? NO. It’s not Nani’s fault that SAF doesn’t play him at all and gives him a “chance” every 12 weeks. Berbatov and Rooney don’t work my foot. Berbatov is the perfect foil for a player like Rooney. I know it is also customary to get on Rooney’s back,but one thing you can’t take away from him is his amazing awareness and football intelligence. He gets into spaces that have “amazed” players like Gerrard and Lampard. One of Berbatov’s greatest strengths is finding players in great spaces. He has an ability to just lay the ball on a silver platter. So how players with such qualities can’t play together is something only SAF and his many disciples can answer. The problem is in the way Ferguson has us playing. You need to assign each and every player the right role for them which is in complete synergy with the rest of the team and the system. This is clearly not the case at United,even for all the die hard Support Ferguson Unconditionally Association (SFUA). So how should we play Rooney and Berbatov together? Similar to the system we used in 06-07. Berbatov being Saha(focus of the attack) and Rooney being Rooney running at defenders and his strike partner feeding him in. Of course they will play for each other in the same way Rooney played Berba for his goal on Sat.
It’s so simple to me and it’s also logical. But Ferguson will have Rooney as the point of attack and still load all the goalscoring responsibilities on him. Rooney who has somehow become the worst passer at the club,is still expected to be the focus of our attacking moves. Even if he was okay with his passing,Berbatov still remains the most technically excellent player at our club and passes way better than most in the Premiership,forget at United. It makes sense to make him the focus of most of our attacks,as he can also hold the ball up well and get’s everyone into play. I’m totally convinced that if any other coach was at the helm,the Dimi-Roo would have been blitzing the BPL.
January 20th, 2010 at 20:48
@Grognard: Gandalf the White sucks big time.
Gandalf the Grey is where its at!