Jul 05
Manchester United 08/09 Third Kit: It Really Is Better…
… than the away kit (which was a horror show, to be honest).
Anyway here are the pics, after the fold.
- Manchester United 08/09 Away Kit Pics
- Manchester United 07/08 Away Kit
- Manchester United ‘Official’ 07/08 Away Kit
- Kit Update: Official Man Utd 07/08 Black Away Kit Pics
- Manchester United 07/08 Home Kit: The Video
Tags: Manchester United Kits
July 5th, 2008 at 9:09
these are better than the last ones we saw.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:27
A truely great kit. An Anderson #8 for me please!
July 5th, 2008 at 9:35
I don’t really like the writing around the logo. That won’t be on our home and away kits will it?
July 5th, 2008 at 9:36
WOW. Extremly beautiful. Probably the best kit blue kit I’ve seen
July 5th, 2008 at 9:45
The kit is in the memory of our 1st European cup victory 40 years ago against Benfica. It is blue as the kit was back then and is a special kit because it pays tribute to the Busby babes and our recent European victory.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:57
I have seen this kit everywhere… But I YET cannot find a any official news on the kit!
July 5th, 2008 at 10:25
July 5th, 2008 at 10:33
Totally agree RR, dont like the away kit at all
July 5th, 2008 at 11:16
I personally think a few changes should be made to the home kit.
We have won the league 17 times now and I think we should add those gold stars around the badge.
Also we have won the European Cup 3 times and 3 gold stars should be above the badge for european games.
It adds pride to wearing the shirt!
July 5th, 2008 at 11:22
yea, our away kit is poor to be honest, and if we where going by order this should of been our away and the white kit should of been our 3rd kit. but i expect this kit to get a couple of run outs against the likes of stoke and sunderland, maybe arsenal.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:34
Im surprised Manutd.com hasnt shown this third kit.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:57
@Kurt: No, it won’t be.
@RedDevil: Nike.com showed them first.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:58
BULLSHIT!
July 5th, 2008 at 12:06
@Ahmed Bilal: Where? I cant find it.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:06
Love the new kit i was gunna get the away kit
just because i normally do but this has persuaded me not to
rooney 10 or anderson 8 for me
July 5th, 2008 at 12:28
I think I’ll stick to last season’s away jersey.
July 5th, 2008 at 13:51
keep the home kit. use the 07/08 away kit and have this as our third kit. sorted.
July 5th, 2008 at 14:27
I love it!!! better than the other away shirt, ps I think we will win the league next season.
July 5th, 2008 at 14:43
Arsenal seems to have the worst kits this season
July 5th, 2008 at 14:47
@Aravind: They sure do…
July 5th, 2008 at 15:28
RR since Old Trafford was built in 1909 should the trinute be 100 years for the stadium? + dont u think we’re getting too carried awaywith all the tribute here and there, i love the club but it just feel like its only being done to sell and its demeaning to te busby era and all the tributes that have been given out lately..
July 5th, 2008 at 15:37
This is a good laugh. It’s funny, the prerequisite for getting into yawnfield must be dillusional.
July 5th, 2008 at 16:12
Some Petrucci action for you
July 5th, 2008 at 16:21
hey did anyone else know we have a chance to win 7 trophies next year (club world cup, super cup, community shield, carling cup, fa cup, Champions league, premiership) this is gonna be a good season if the ronaldo stay and by the looks of things, we’re gonna get berbatov then we’ve got a chance. It also looks like saha is staying as well as silvestre which we should get rid off cos we got o shea and manucho plus frazer campbell looks likely to stay!
July 5th, 2008 at 16:56
good piece.hasnt anyone got some training pictures yet?they are normally out by now.
July 5th, 2008 at 16:59
its way betta than the other one. still liked the black one tho!
July 5th, 2008 at 17:07
Ronaldo’s sister says he wants to stay?
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BC7DF7CEC%2D3BC3%2D4859%2DA3FD%2DFE4AAD215DD8%7D&newsid=6613192
July 5th, 2008 at 17:15
Huntelaar Favours Old Trafford Move
Huntelaar
July 5th, 2008 at 17:18
A very nice shirt, but i believe that the 40th anniversary was last season, so the club really look like clowns.
July 5th, 2008 at 17:28
Personally I don’t like the kit because I don’t like the shade of blue. As well, I really wish the away and third kits would stay within the color code of the team colors. RED, WHITE, BLACK, YELLOW. Four colors and many variations can come with that. Blue for me belongs to Everton, Chelsea and other clubs that use it as their base color. How on Earth can one be called RED DEVILS when we are wearing all blue?
The kit is fine but it just doesn’t turn my fancy. I also dislike the away kit because of the same reason. What is with the bloody blue already? And I don’t care if they wore that color in 1968. The color has nothing to do with United. This is a trend with all clubs. Create irrelevant and completely unrelated away or 3rd kits to exploit the wallets of the fans out there. It’s all about money and has nothing to do with respect, commemoration or history.
For me the ultimate away kit would be a white jersey, red shorts and black socks and the third kit would be all black with red trim. Now that’s United.
And just so you all know, blue is my favorite color. But that blue is what I’d dress an infant with. It’s so puffy. I kind of like the blue we used a few years back with the white horizontal pinstripes. That was a dark navy blue which is far less powdery and feminine.
July 5th, 2008 at 17:47
Grognard for the first time ever. I second your opinion.
July 5th, 2008 at 17:47
Yup, it’s always about money with kits
July 5th, 2008 at 18:15
@Grognard: Same here. I like it, but I’m not sure I can bring myself to wear one. I might look like a Chelski fan from a distance.
Looks like I’m going to have to buy the home kit with Anderson on for next season.
July 5th, 2008 at 18:22
Does anyone else think that they added the stripe down the back just to encourage fans to buy kits with player names/numbers? Do you know if the stripe is back on our away/third kits this year?
July 5th, 2008 at 18:23
The best Away Kit ever
July 5th, 2008 at 18:37
according to goal, the hunter wants to join a klass team(bad pun i know
), link.
July 5th, 2008 at 18:40
link again, dunno whythe first one didnt work.
July 5th, 2008 at 18:45
@MCRx3: I’ll take that as a compliment……I think.
July 5th, 2008 at 18:56
http://www.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/07/05/EredivisiePrem-Huntelaar-on-United/
Huntelaar interested in playing for united!! If its on more than one page it usually has some truth
July 5th, 2008 at 19:02
The Huntelaar story has legs as it’s direct quotes from the player himself, not just speculation and made up shit. Watch this space. I like how he says he prefers us over other clubs (mentioning no names). We need players who wwant to play here.
July 5th, 2008 at 19:13
Forgive my ignorance/memory but has anyone at United ever conveyed an interest in Huntelaar?
July 5th, 2008 at 19:14
@RedAddict: Yes, but the question is are United interested? And have they contacted Ajax? Huntelaar says he’s interested which is good to hear. But then for all you know, it may have been a case of the reporters asking him if he likes United.
Nonetheless, it has legs as far as his interest is concerned. But then, a few weeks ago he mentioned being interested in Madrid. To be honest, any footballer would want to play for any of the top clubs. So now it’s a case of United being interested and making a case for signing him.
July 5th, 2008 at 19:42
Huntelaar should go to the team that requires his abilities the most, not to a team that already has goal scorers in place. That of course depends on whether the teams that need him most are interested in him or if they can afford him.
July 5th, 2008 at 20:02
I agree with lewis (post #17) Keep the home kit, keep the current black away kit (which is my favourite United kit) and use this blue kit as our third kit. I don’t like the white and blue away kit.
July 5th, 2008 at 23:03
I hope we’re not broke and have enough money to sign him *cough *grog* cough* I actually believe we’ve found our striker, he fits Fergie’s description, tall, presence in the box and at 24 he’s no relic. Hope Fergie gets to work on this.
On kits…i actually like the shirt for the first away kit(i guess i’m alone on this), its just the shorts i hate, this is a better improvement i guess, glad we still have Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to mock for uglier kits.
July 5th, 2008 at 23:42
I don’t think united will sign hunteleer, he is not in the style united need. There is allot of united fans on the forums and this one who are obsessed with the one dimensional striker in van nistlerooy who has very little ability and not only united fans but most of the media overrated van nistlerooys status has a united player and what he brought to the party, for me he was never a great united player who in over a 90 minute period did very little for the team.
I have said this for a while the van nistlerooy type striker is an out dated striker for many reasons. the wide players of today are never great supply to the Cf, and unless you can find a beckham type winger and a scholes from midfield and a giggs on the other side that type of striker is not very useful, it proved that with ronaldo who for me still today is a target man like van nistlerooy and huntelers worst nightmare who ronaldos game is not based on supplying the strikers, that’s why it is best to have rooney and tevez up front who over a 90 minute period provide more moments of magic add more weapons to the team and have the ability to score goals out of nothing without the service from midfield.
it is no secret that united have not got a great midfield at the moment, it has the potiental if Anderson and nani live up to high expectations Hargreaves getting over his injuries who has the ability to be one of the most dominant and powerful midfield players going and carrick improving every game, and scholes not getting any younger, ronaldo does not create like a traditional winger in the past, but his ability to score goals and do things out of nothing and his acceleration at pace wears teams down, overall uniteds midfield are not going to create allot for the striker in the mould of hunteleer, that’s why it is best for united not to buy someone like him.
July 5th, 2008 at 23:49
@Rd: People need to understand that I have been lobbying for Klaa Jan Huntelaar for going on three years now. Long before I joined RedRants. I have watched this lad mature and just take apart the Eriedivisie with power and precision. For me he has everything I would ever want from a striker but I do realize that he’s not everybody’s cup of tea. To those individuals I suggest they get their taste buds checked by their local physician.
For three years I have waited and even anticipated Fergie signing the lad and it has not happened. I believed and naively so that he would want another Dutchman cut from the van Nistelrooy mold but all I got were rumors and rubbish from the press and then nothing at all. Truthfully, I have given up expecting him to sign my favorite striker. Why? Because if he honestly saw the lads ability the way I do, he would have signed him over Tevez last year and would have signed him to replace van Nistelrooy when he was only 22. Nothing has changed with Huntelaar. He has gotten better of course but he still scores a goal a game and he still scores them in many different ways. Last year he scored 33 goals in 34 games. Only one of them was from a penalty. He scored half a dozen from outside the 18 yard box over ten with his head and 5 with his left foot. A couple of goals were scored with his now famous bicycle kick. The lad has it all except maybe outstanding pace. But lets not forget that he is far from being a sloth. He is fast enough and he is especially just what the doctor ordered for the Champions League and for those opponents in the EPL who like to play 10 men behind the ball and saturate their box and defend for a 0-0 result. Against them he thrives with his physicality and aerial ability. How was that for strong salesman’s pitch? To some maybe but for some of you hard core Huntelaar detractors who have made their mind up based on one Euro game (where he actually scored a poacher’s goal) watched, nothing can convince you that he is the man unless he goes to Chelsea or Arsenal and lights it up for them. And that could very well happen because I for one have lost my faith that Fergie will show the old Grognard some pity and and kindness and sign the Dutchman. That will not happen because that would put me in a euphoric state and make me happy and positive and a delight to be around. Fergie can’t have that as he seems to be content with dashing my dreams regarding the Hunter year after year. Why should this year be any different. He also doesn’t want RedRants to become boring and filled with nothing but optimism and positive thinking. He feels I add a needed balance to the proceedings with my heartache and pessimism and foul moods. Signing Huntelaar could change me for the better he fears. Well I have just one word for that………..NOT!
July 5th, 2008 at 23:54
If THIS is being used to tribute the Babes and our first European win (anniversary was actually last season), wtf is the blue doing on the away kit?
We really should have stuck with the Black Away shirt as the Away kit
(or even 3rd kit), and had this one as the 3rd/Away kit.
TBH, I think that they had the balance perfect this season just gone. Red and White Home Kit (obviously), Black Away Kit with Red Trim, White 3rd Kit with Gold and Black Trim.
July 6th, 2008 at 0:04
@steve: You seem to think that these types of strikers survive solely as target men. You are wrong. They are goal poachers and that means they position themselves in a number of different ways in numerous scenarios to be in the right place at the right time. They score on deflections, rebounds, half chances, glancing headers as well as the traditional methods described by yourself.
There job is not to look attractive or to be all over the field and come all the way back and defend our own box. They are there to score goals and that is not an easy skill, just ask Wayne Rooney. He spends so much time performing the rubbish tasks you seem to think are so valuable that he has forgotten what he was bought for, to score goals. And anybody who thinks RVN was a rubbish player after scoring at an unprecedented pace while with United really needs to reexamine what it is he watches the game for? I for one watch the game for goals to be scored, preferably by my team. Watching a striker track back or play the touch lines does absolutely nothing for me, especially when we break and a ball is fed into the box and nobody’s home because Wayne or Tevez were too busy tracking back they couldn’t get forward fast enough to be on the end of that ball.
The game has not changed that much in 100 years, it’s only gotten faster. Tactics and formations are fine and dandy but the bottom line is still outscoring the opposition. A true goal scorer wouldn’t just do the business for us, he would make it easier for players like Rooney to also reach their potential and I doubt that could be considered a bad thing. Because even if he isn’t scoring, Huntelaar will place enough marking attention on himself that Ronaldo, Rooney or Tevez will benefit from the space created. Elementary Football 101 I think.
This is all so pointless anyway because when it’s all said and done Huntelaar will probably not end up wearing the red of United. Lets fight the fight and debate his merits if and when he signs. I for one am not holding my breath.
July 6th, 2008 at 0:06
@steve: Dont agree mate, Im a Rooney fan but let me tell you this, if Huntelaar had half as many of the clear cut chances that both Rooney and Tevez wasted last year he would have scored at least 25 to 30 goals last season.
A Ruud Van Nistelrooy type striker could be a hindrance in some games and a great asset in others, it is wiser to have that option in the squad than not have it.
July 6th, 2008 at 0:12
Regarding kits and colors I have to also express another pet peeve of mine in football. Being from North America I am used to the two teams competing in home and away colors contrasting not only by color but by shade. If Liverpool wears all red at home I don’t like visiting Chelsea wearing all blue. It’s two dark colors and for me it just doesn’t look good. Being used to hockey , US football and basketball I am used to the home team wearing a dark strip for example while the away team counters in a light strip. I am just appalled watching Argentina’ League where two teams will play and both wear their shades of blue against each other. Considering the feed is often not the best, it is often very difficult to pick out the teams. I just don’t understand this and why officials in the leagues don’t make it mandatory for teams to clash in colors from dark to light to make the game easier to follow? Like I said, just something that bugs me and that I wished was fixed.
July 6th, 2008 at 0:13
@Fred The Red: Well said Fred the Red.
Hey that rhymed.
July 6th, 2008 at 0:19
Grognard
if you read my post I said that type of striker is out dated, I think torres was a massive miss who I thought we should have signed instead of tevez, but it’s a catch 22 if we signed torres instead of tevez would united have won the double no one will ever know.
in ferguson eyes the van nistlerooy type striker no longer works for united its prooving that with back to back titles and a european cup, ferguson wants the 99 style forward line where they are mobile energetic and can score individual goals, not having the striker stand around like a melon and wait for the chance to score the goals.
for starters united don’t have the midfield to provide that type of striker the service to score the goals, 2 Ferguson knows he is not going to make that mistake twice like he did in 2001 where he changed the structure of the side, keep the winning formula not disrupt it with a player who would not fit into the united jigsaw forward line, why brake something that is not broken and fergie knows that. ask defenders what is more dangerous a one dimensional forward like van nistlerooy who needs the midfield to provide him service, or someone like Rooney and tevez they may not be prolific but they keep coming at you they give more options to the team and are more effective, plus they will wear down teams with their hard work running on and off the ball and their individual brilliance makes them a fantastic pairing.
July 6th, 2008 at 0:42
@Grognard: I don’t think you’re as desperate as the guys on the forums on United’s website, some users are actually planning to log on to Huntelaar’s fansite and leave some messages in the guest book about what they think of him and how much they want him at OT.
July 6th, 2008 at 1:05
@steve: Huntelaar might not be as dynamic as Rooney or Tevez but he definately looks more mobile than Ruud and I honestly think some people are underestimating his link up play, to me he looks a good all round forward player who is a world class finisher.
And to say that we dont have the midfield to provide for him doesnt stack up with what I saw last season, especially in the first half of the season when I thought our wide men delivered some wicked balls across the face of the oppositions goal only to find both our strikers standing on the edge of the penalty area.
In the course of a season both in Europe and domestically we come up against different types of defenses, some will suit a more dynamic forward line and some will require a more patient deliberate approach where a striker who has the ability to loose his marker and find a half yard of space in a tight 18 yard box will be priceless, whats the problem of having both options, its not an either or situation, have both in your armoury.
July 6th, 2008 at 1:24
@Grognard: As you might have worked out from my comments, I too am a fan of Huntelaar, but I honestly think that SAF in his head has already settled on trying to get Berbatov and only if he fails in this will Huntelaar possibly come into the equation. I can see the relative merits of both players and would not be un happy with either one, but I have a feeling that Spurs are going to play hard ball over Berbatov so I think SAF should not place so much emphasis on landing Berbatov if it means we possibly miss out on both, especially after Huntelaar has more or less told United to come and get him which is something that cant be overlooked.
July 6th, 2008 at 1:51
Buying. That.
July 6th, 2008 at 2:56
Fred The Red
berbertov is another player man utd will not buy, he has never been on man utds list, let’s get one thing straight man utd are the type of club that dont throw away over 25 million on a player who is close to 30, there is no market value. for starters berbertovs character is weak and his attitude stinks, he is slow lacks movement and where would he play, so man utd are going to change the structure of their side to fit him in the team.
If man utd are going to have strength and depth in the forward departmet they will have to find a solkjaer type player to solve the problem. a unknown that come can come off the bench and do a job, all this talk of buying these vastly overated strikers like berbertov hunteleer and benzama are not going to happen, remember before vidic and evra were signed united fans would come up with these defenders that would cost a fortune, what happens vidic gets signed and now he worth treble of what we payed for him. Never rated berbertov he is a poor man’s sheringham and cantona, to put berbertov in the same league has cantona and teddy is the funniest thing I have ever read.
Grognard
I do think van nistlerooy was vastly overated, he was good dont get me wrong but not in the same league has the true united greats who did it for more than a couple of seasons. what did van nistlerooy win at united not much, what happened when he left, united started winning titles again, the ironic thing is just before van nistlerooy came united retained the title, he comes to united we win it once, and during his time at united, we found winning the title has hard has winning the european cup. he leaves man utd not only do united end their title drought but we retain our title for the first time since 2001 and in the process end our european drought. you say rooney could learn from that type of striker like van nistlerooy didnt ronaldo score a ton of goals so rooney is already learning from the best goal scorer in europe.
Fred The Red, Grognard look at uniteds great sides under ferguson when they were winning title after title, have a look at the type of strikers they were. cantona hughes solkjaer yorke cole sheringham rooney tevez ronaldo, were they poacher forwards by reputation like you rate hunteleer and van nistlerooy by scoring over 20 goals a season when they first came no, they were the type of forwards that brought more to the party then just scoring goals and thats how man utd tend to play.
July 6th, 2008 at 3:16
@steve: I don’t think I can add anything because that pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject. Great points. People seem to forget some of the football that we played last year with Roon, Tev and Ronnie was nothing short of sublime and all we really need is a plan B in case that doesn’t work
July 6th, 2008 at 3:41
@steve: First of Steve lets be fair and honest here. Strikers like Huntelaar and Ruud are far from obsolete. Don’t put the blame on United’s failure during the van Nistelrooy years on Ruud. He was fine and they won the league and FA Cups with him. He was better when Beckham was around but lets face it, the team was not as deep or as well rounded as it is now. We would have won the Double, Hell we would have won the Treble had we had RVN playing for us now or had Ronaldo been as great back then as he is now. He never benefited from a mature Rio or Vidic for that matter. EVDS was not there as we had to make do with Howard or Barthez. Keane was always injured and Rooney was also in an out with injuries as was Saha. Yet van Nistelrooy did his job and scored goal after goal on what was at times a very mediocre team. The fact nobody else contributed a lot of goals except maybe Rooney was an indication of the team’s lesser class. And todays United have more than the midfield to provide Huntelaar the goals as Giggs, Nani are very good crossers and as well, Ronaldo can deliver them as well along with his inventive and great passes. Scholes is no slouch when it comes to passing and Carrick is a passing master so sorry if I feel you are blowing hot air. We may not have the artistic AMF player for our formation but we have more than enough. And if you carefully read my post I made the claim that Huntelaar is the kind of striker that doesn’t just score based on service. He is instinctive and predatory so he will score on rebounds, deflections, tap ins, half chances as well as shots from outside of the box. When you call him or RVN one dimensional you expose yourself and your lack of understanding the game I’m afraid. Not an insult but a keen observation. By the way, how often have you seen Huntelaar play? And please don’t use the crappy and weak argument that he plays in Holland because that one won’t wash with me.
Lets face it Steve, we disagree and there is nothing either one of us can do to sway the other’s opinion so please tell me what the heck the point is? Do you think putting down Huntelaar and making false claims of his skill set and dimensional capacity is going to make me think differently? We all have our own built in criteria for the kind of players we like and prefer. My group obviously differs from yours. So stop hiding behind the double and realize that all great teams have weaknesses and that all great managers never feel content and they will do their utmost to improve the teams overall play and flexibility. And that’s all I’m going to say on that.
As for Torres, we would not only have won the Double but the Treble and come very close to going undefeated in the EPL with him too. Tevez God love him is not in the same class as the Spaniard and had we been lucky enough to get him, I honestly feel we would be as close to unbeatable as it gets. He’s not in the classic mold of RVN or Huntelaar but he is a finisher and his speed, first touch and ability to play alone up front would have given us the threat that others since Ruud have not.
And finally to answer this statement that you made; “I do think van Nistlerooy was vastly overrated, he was good don’t get me wrong but not in the same league has the true united greats who did it for more than a couple of seasons.” What a load of rubbish! He is the greatest scorer in EPL history next to Henry (and he played half the seasons) and he also has scored 55 goals in 1.5 seasons at Madrid. Lets not forget the 100 or so goals he scored in Holland too. He was better than every striker to have ever played for United except for the great Denis Law and of course the King. Perhaps you should judge players on the deeds other than your personal bias. We all have our personal bias regarding players but one thing always rings true, STATISTICS my friend, cold hard stats. Unbelievable!
Tell me, who was better and who did as well for longer than the 5 years for United than the way Ruud performed for us? WHO? WHO? 
July 6th, 2008 at 3:51
@Fred The Red: This is my worry to. Fergie prefers Berbatov but Spurs will drag this out until they can find the ideal replacement for him. Not only that, but they probably will have to replace Keane too as he is demanding a move to Liverpool. This will make things very difficult for Fergie and it will probably cause enough of a delay that Arsenal or Chelsea or even Real will pounce on Klaas and we will be forced to shop in the bargain bin for a third striker. I am not a fan of delay or procrastination. Of course it’s not my money to spend but I personally feel that spending a little more to ensure you get your man is always better than delaying and trying to negotiate a cut rate. That’s fine when it’s just you and the team you are dealing with but this is a competitive business. You snooze, and you lose. I actually tend to feel that Fergie has lost his desire and taste for modern day player purchases and negotiations. It used to be easier when he was the one cock on th block and he looked down on everybody and could basically have his choice of players. Now he has other rich teams that have great ambition and desire to win the EPL and the CL in England alone. And of course we can never forget those teams in Spain and Italy as they rarely let finances stop them from going after somebody aggressively.
But I’ve been told to be patient and have faith. Personally I think it’s all horse shit but I’ll try to do my best imitation of patient and oh so faithful supporter of the cause. And lets see how ell I’m rewarded.
July 6th, 2008 at 3:55
End of Euros +6 and all is quiet.
But I’m patient and have mucho faith, honest…
July 6th, 2008 at 3:58
haha Grog, don’t worry about it. I think things pick up next week. But I am a bit concerned at this point…
July 6th, 2008 at 4:09
I think van Nistelrooy was great when he had him. The time when Fergie saw that we did as well without him was when he decided to persist with Saha. Of course, Ruud didn’t take it very well and hence we had to ship him. I agree with Grognard here in that players like Ruud are gold for United.
But we may risk the effect an effective goal poacher might have: heavy reliance on him. I think the idea of a target man should be an option — not plan A. This is because I am not a fan of the old fashioned wing play that tends to excite some people here. That’s not saying that I didn’t like the “Beckham crosses the ball” era but that United’s current system excite me much more.
Yes we are reliant on Ronaldo for our goals now and the addition of Huntelaar/Berbatov would help spread that goal tally more uniformly. But I fear us reverting to the days of Ruud where players might get lazy and go by route one: which is lumping the ball upto Huntelaar from the word go. We have Ronaldo who’ll ensure that doesn’t always happen, but again how long is he going to be here.
Personally I’d go with a more dynamic player like Berbatov/Benzema but if we get Huntelaar, I will be just as happy.
That said, for me, any player who can hold the ball up and can head is welcome at the moment.
July 6th, 2008 at 4:38
@steve: Im not disagreeing with you mate, Im just saying that a Huntelaar type would give us a valid top class alternative, especially in Europe were the emphasis is on patience and few chances coz you can hardly say that our forward play was high pressure and dynamic in the knock out phase, it was the complete opposite as we tended to sit back. Out of 7 matches in the knock out phase of the competition only once did we score more than 1 goal and in my opinion Huntelaar would be more suited to this type of style.
And its funny how you state our great title winning sides and the forwards that played in them and forget to mention that only one of those sides played dynamic football and suceeded in Europe and that was the 99 side, all the rest underperformed in Europe apart from last years side and as I pointed out, they never played dynamic football.
As for United not wanting Berbatov its only 12 months ago that SAF bid 25 million for him and wether you are a Berbatov fan or not, I think its well documented that SAF is a great admirer of him.
July 6th, 2008 at 4:48
@Red Ranter: I honestly dont think that huntelaar is as one dimensional as some people think and your right, I too like ourwide men playing a more fluid role rather than an old fashioned wing role but I honestly think that they are capable of combining both, making us even more potent and less predictable, Huntelaar plays for both club and country with players like this, lets not stereo type the guy too hastily coz I think he would surprise a lot of people if we signed him.
July 6th, 2008 at 4:58
@Fred The Red: I am concerned, not stereotyping him. I still doubt his strength despite what everyone has said but I will still be happy if we get him. But if it’s a choice I might go for a more dynamic player. Either way, as I said any striker that can head and hold the ball well will do for me.
I will be happy with Huntelaar and I do think he’ll do much better than Kuyt or Kezman.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:11
@Ranter
Am I one of the very few people who liked the away kit? The blue and white one with the red accent?
I loved the black kit very much indeed, but the white and blue is refreshingly white and blue. This one, of course, has historic connotations and I do wish the crest on the neck were more prominent.
Whatsay?
July 6th, 2008 at 5:20
@Red Ranter: although I am a fan of Huntelaar I still think that he is unproven at the highest level so if it was a choice between the two I would probably pick Berbatov.
July 6th, 2008 at 6:19
grog
you call torres a finisher!!! before coming to premiership the guy used to fluff 90% of his chances!!! And he hardly ever had a 20 goals a season.
Although he has come really far in last one year. He is the most perfect No. 9 on earth right now (even better than Drogba)
July 6th, 2008 at 6:23
@jos: He is a finisher now isn’t he?
July 6th, 2008 at 7:39
@Red Ranter: You are hinting on my point about a goal poacher but I am in agreement that our offense does not have to revolve around him entirely like it did when Ruud was here. On the contrary, he is just another solid option and an added dimension to our game. Honestly, what I would look forward to most of all is that a striker like Berbatov or Huntelaar will create space and more opportunities for Rooney and Tevez and also possibly free up Ronaldo too. That can only be a good thing. Why settle for 80 goals in a season when we can hit for over 90 if we add a little aerial and box presence as well as give Rooney much better opportunities to get his scoring touch back? Seems like common sense to me.
July 6th, 2008 at 7:45
@Fred The Red: That style never hurt Etoo in Barca where they played the same style or in Inter with Ibrahimovich or Milan with Inzaghi and Gilardino. A good striker finds a way to get open and doesn’t just count on crosses to score goals. Huntelaar didn’t have great wingers who crossed the ball well at Ajax. Still he scored 33 goals in 34 games. The proof is in the pudding as they say.
July 6th, 2008 at 7:45
RR
Yes now he seems pretty damn good.
But last year when he moved into premiership, he hardly had this reputation! he used to fluff chances pretty regularly for atletico + for spain as well. liverpool’s move seems to have really helped him (somehow I still have a feeling he is more of a lion at home and pussy on travel! how many goals had he scored on the road last season?)
July 6th, 2008 at 7:48
Also King Cantona to make an OT return!!!!
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/51274/United-set-for-Eric-s-comeback
What a team it would be : Fergie and Cantona. He certainly knows how to shut the likes of Ronaldo!!! After all if Kung-fu doesnt work, hteres always his one-liners
July 6th, 2008 at 8:02
@Red Ranter: Why are you concerned about his strength? The boy is heavy set and 6′1″ tall. He is a big stocky boy and not a thin rail of a man like Berbatov. I honestly don’t see the concern especially when he is an animal in the air. He often fights for aerial superiority much like Ballack does. In a physical manner. He doesn’t let holding and grabbing stop him. My only concern when it comes to him is his pace. Although not super slow, he is not as fast as a lot of our players but this has not hurt him in the past with Ajax or with Holland. Despite playing second fiddle to Ruud he still has 9 goals in 14 internationals and so that’s pretty good and it shows he can play in a fast paced offense.
Also, why is it whenever concern over Huntelaar and the Eriedivisie appears by someone they only name failures like Kezman and Kuyt? Why are the dozens of world class names that have come from Holland not named? I won’t even go back to the 70’s, but what about van Basten, Gullit, Koeman, Rijkaard, Bergkamp, Overmars, Ronaldo (Brazil), van der Vaart, Sneijder, RVN, Davids, EVDS, Gio, Stam etc etc? Like duds have never been spawned out of Italy, Spain and England right? Holland is a football factory. There league is not competitive because of finances but they are as good as any other top nation in the world at developing world class players. Their youth academies are second to none. The fact that some do well there and then suck somewhere else should not diminish the fact that many who have done well there have gone on to gain incredible heights and many awards playing in Italy, Spain or England. So really, this Huntelaar scores goals because he plays in Holland is such a weak argument it’s hilarious when further examined. Every great scorer or player for that matter has to start somewhere. Is he supposed to not score goals or play well in Holland because the league does not have the same prestige as the EPL? Seriously, this attitude really perplexes me.
July 6th, 2008 at 8:12
@Fred The Red: RVN, Henry, Bergkamp, Drogba, both Ronaldo’s were unproven at the highest level but I don’t here anybody use them as examples of inexperience being a detriment. Good players adapt quicker and do well because they are good players and no level is going to stop their progression, improvement and growth. Talent defeats inexperience all the time.
jos, One with a good eye for talent could see the raw talent, pace and ball control skill that Torres had much like how many could see how good Ronaldo was and how good he could get 5 years ago. Like my comment above, talent will eventually shine through with time and with the right team. Frankly, Torres was not on a great team at Atletico. Liverpool is a better team and although it hurts me to say this, they are better coached in fundamentals. He also gets better service there as well as with the Spanish nationals. He is so young and young players will miss a lot, but the fact is that as long as they are creating chances, the finishing art will eventually come. It’s those like Rooney who creates very few opportunities for himself that concern me more than a player who missed 5 out of 6 chances. Right now Torres is a stud and one would have to blind to not have seen the potential he possessed. It just takes time and the right team to bring out the best of a player.
As far as his road problems, that has more to do with the negative defensive tactics used by RAFA. Playing the lone striker is never easy but it’s darn well impossible on the road. Give him a Robbie Keane and you’ll really see something.
July 6th, 2008 at 8:16
@jos: I for one would be elated to have the King return from his Crusades and take up his throne next to Fergie.
As a coach he can instill a lot of technical savvy and knowledge as well, his passion and commitment will rub off on players and nobody will dare to take a day off on the pitch or training pitch for fear of dealing with the temper of King Cantona. Who knows, he might even replace Queiroz, but I doubt that. Man I love the King and I bow to him regularly. Long live the King!
Also, now Cantona would be the man who could really rub off on Berbatov in the proper way and bring out the best in him as well as change his questionable attitude. Food for thought.
July 6th, 2008 at 10:02
There has been a lot of talk about Huntelaar mostly concerning whether he is right for United and if he is as good as his statistics say. I came across this article where other footballers in the dutch league give their verdict on him. It is long but worth the read if you’re interested in the striker
He is quite something… Sent away from PSV by none other than Guus Hiddink. Played for AGOVV in the cellar of professional football. Made a switch to Heerenveen and not much later the switch back to Dutch top football at Ajax. Klaas Jan… Or the Hunter. Doesn’t look like a top athlete. Doesn’t look like a football player, even. He is the Dutch top scorer for two seasons now and scored against every Eredivisie club in his career. And all the big clubs like to sign him: Juventus, Real Madrid, Manchester United. Not bad…
And everyone has an opinion. Hiddink thought he was too slow for top football. Referees (in Holland) think he uses his body too much. Dentists see a huge cash cow in him and most punters think the Hunter will be Oranje’s striker in the WC2010.
What do his Eredivisie opponents say?
AZ Alkmaar’s Barry Opdam: I like playing Klaas Jan. He doesn’t have that individual trickery but he is the master in picking his position. He can easily move in between defense and our midfield, leaving most of us confused. He is smart. He can predict what his team mates do and what we will do in response. He also uses his body smartly. At the right time, before the cross or pass comes in, he’ll nudge you. That gives him those extra seconds or that extra half a yard. He has grown enormously, in particular physically.
Excelsior’s Jos van Nieuwstad: Klaas Jan’s only goal in life is scoring. He is so eager! Sometimes, it’s as if he is sleeping or daydreaming and then suddenly: boom! He has that Ruud Geels’ quality, the nose for the right spot, and he uses his body whenever he can.
Feyenoord’s Kevin Hofland: I saw him at PSV, when he was still a tiny, thin and timid junior. I never expected him to make it this big, to be honest. He didn’t look like an athlete at all. His strength in my view, is his willingness to work very hard to compensate his weaknesses. He is so ambitious and always took extra training time to better himself. That dedication to invest in yourself is something you seldom see these days and he should be an example for many other youngsters. It’s very hard to stop him. At least, for one defender. If you can stop the services and passes from midfield to him, you have a chance. If not, he’ll always get his chance and he has a remarkable hit-ratio.
De Graafschap’s Stephan Keller: How to stop Huntelaar? Pfff…no idea. The thing is, everything he does, every move is thought about. He sees the game so well and he has the ability to sense when you’re just not paying attention and then he’s gone. He is the best I’ve ever seen. He will definitely make it big in Europe somewhere.
Heerenveen’s Michael Dingsdag: The thing with Huntelaar is, that he will do everything to score. He will go for the rebound everytime some of his mates take a shot at goal. If you can keep him and Ajax away from your goal, you have a chance, if not, he’ll always find one moment to beat you. He is a real killer.
NAC’s Patrick Zwaanswijk: He’s not the best I ever played against, but definitely the most efficient. He can score from every angle. Simple goals, headers, bycicle kicks, you name it. It must be wonderful to play with him. He is always concentrated, and never does stupid things. He used to be very distant and closed off on the pitch, but lately you can even talk to him. He loosened up a bit.
PSV’s Dirk Marcellis: You can only stop Huntelaar if you stop the whole team from playing football. He is a smart chap, using his body in a good way. He may not look it, but he is very strong. Never mean, though. Just smart. Little nudges, a quick pull on the jersey, those kind of things. He sometimes looks distracted, but that’s just his thing. He uses that to lull you to sleep.
FC Twente’s Rob Wielaert: He reminds me of Roy Makaay. He can make himself invisible. Suddenly he’s gone, you know? He seems to be totally alien to the Ajax pass and move game, but suddenly he can decide the game for them.
FC Utrecht’s Sander Keller: He is sooo smart. And he is tough too. He has to recieve a lot of knocks, but he never complaints. He can hand them out too, by the way. When you can keep him out of the box, you have a chance, but he can turn so quickly and he always knows exactly where the goal is. Some players need to look up and that split second is enough for me. Huntelaar pulls the trigger whenever he can.
Vitesse’s Ciward Sprockel: I know him so well, by now. I know exactly what he does, and still he is able to score against me. Frustrating, really. He keeps on improving too. I wonder where is top is.
Willem 2’s Arjan Swinkels: His most dangerous thing is what I call the pre-action. Before the ball gets to him, he’ll do something to put you offguard. Sometimes, he yells at a team mate or he fakes that he needs to redo his laces or he’ll walk in one direction to suddenly make a turn. You can’t stop him, because as a defender you have to keep an eye on the ball and on him. So, there’s always that one second that you don’t know what he does and then…flash..he’s gone. That one yard and that one second is enough for him. And you have egg on your face.
July 6th, 2008 at 11:18
Watching him play for Ajax since 2006, I can say he is the best goalscorer Ive seen since Ruud! He is not so good technical, or defensivly, but he can do everything asked from a striker. He is not experienced, but he has played in the CL and the Euros. He is prolific and knows where to position himself. He would add something extra to Uniteds strike-force, and I wouldlovehim to join us.
July 6th, 2008 at 13:31
If Ronaldinho really moves to City, will FIFA 09 show him on the cover in a City shirt next to Rooney? That would be a total Manchester cover for Fifa 09!
July 6th, 2008 at 13:52
@RedDevil: Hehehe, that would be cool, manchester-Home of football lol, that has a nice ring to it.
July 6th, 2008 at 14:08
@Grognard: Whatever you tell me about Huntelaar is not going to convince me now. I made that clear. So don’t expound me on his strengths because I have heard everything about him and I am saying that I will be happy with Huntelaar if he comes. I am not convinced by his strength because I have not seen him a million times like you have. So I am not convinced until I see him play in the league at United. My concern would go once I see him do well. Please don’t get too worked up about Huntelaar with me, you are hitting a brick wall here
Yes, even I can be stubborn at times 
I am following a policy of having a clear cut opinion once he does well for us if and when he comes to United.
I also said he will do better than Kuyt and Kezman so I don’t know why you get so defensive over him. Give that a rest mate. I don’t intend to confront you over Huntelaar because I’ve heard all I needed to hear on his qualities from you. All I need is to see and believe on my own.
July 6th, 2008 at 15:09
Will Klaas Jan Huntelaar be United’s Peter Crouch?!
I admit we could do with another dimension to our strikers but I sincerley hope the team will not change it’s style of play to accomodate a player no matter what his qualities may be. United already have a winning formula but I wouldn’t mind using Huntelaar as a plan B tactic when all else fails.
This brings back memories of Ruud and although he was a prolific goal scorer I don’t believe we played rather attractive football while he was in the team as he just seemed to be a target man. That is not and has never been the Manchester United way. We never have really had a prolific goalscorer at United. I believe this is because the goals used to come from all over the park. A team game and not a one man team so to speak.
It always seemed to be a winger beating the last man, crossing the ball in, and Ruud being on the shoulder of the last man to get the last touch for it to fall in to the back of the net. Where was the creativity in that? The last season we have played some of the best football I have ever seen at Old Trafford. It was an honour being there to witness. We may not be as beatiful as Arsenal, or hyper efficient as Chelsea, infact I see United as a mixture of the 2. But United play winning football.
If there was anyone United signed I would hope it was Karim Benzema.