Jun 17
Manchester United start title defence with Birmingham, Burnley, Arsenal and Tottenham
The 2009/2010 Barclays Premier League fixtures were announced at 10am today, with Manchester United playing their first game against newly promoted Birmingham at Old Trafford.
An away trip to Burnley follows before an expected cracker of a game at Old Trafford on 29 August against Arsenal, followed by the international break and then a trip to White Hart Lane to play Tottenham Hotspurs.
A look at United’s fixtures against the top four sides:
Manchester United v Arsenal – 29 August 2009
Arsenal v Manchester United – 30 January 2010
Manchester United v Liverpool – 20 March 2010
Liverpool v Manchester United – 24 October 2009
Manchester United v Chelsea – 03 April 2010
Chelsea v Manchester United – 07 November 2009
You can see all of Manchester United’s fixtures here, and the full Premier League fixtures list here.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Manchester United Fixtures for the 07/08 Season
- 08/09 Fixtures Announced
- Manchester United’s tough, tough April fixtures list
- United Betting: Rooney to score, United to win?
- FA Cup Preview: Man Utd v Arsenal
Tags: Manchester United Fixtures
June 17th, 2009 at 12:48
December, to me utter dismay, looks very flat!! Nothing exciting for Christmas, Boxing day or New Years!! Well at least Fergie’s not going to be complaining anytime soon about the fixtures.
June 17th, 2009 at 13:11
Hopefully we’ll have singed everything we need to sign by the Arsenal game… It would suck to lose to them because we do not have all the players we should at our disposal.
June 17th, 2009 at 13:27
Do they just make up shit on the spot (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/17/manchester-united-transfer-policy) or is this based.
I sort of agree with the policy, but it would business-detrimental if we were to adhere to it strictly.
June 17th, 2009 at 13:28
This is the link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/17/manchester-united-transfer-policy
June 17th, 2009 at 14:25
April really looks like a tough month for us… Chelsea at home, Blackburn and City away. Those three games may decide our season. But Im glad we get an “easy” start, with Brum and Burnley in our first two games. Wigan and Arsenal will be difficult, but it sure is easier than our away games against Liverpool and Chelsea last season! Only one thing though, it looks like all our diifcult games are played at home before Christmas. Liverpool, Arsenal, City and Villa are at home in the first part of the season, Chelski and Everton in the second.
Im looking forward to next season already!
Just hope Fergie makes the correct signings…
June 17th, 2009 at 14:58
we need a good run in the beginning of the season. I think we still need to sign one big player, and while everyone is looking at the forwards role, my inclination is towards the defensive mid position where we have been so light weight and this was so evident when we played against teams that came and attack us instead of packing the bus.
June 17th, 2009 at 15:01
looking forward to next season, how I want us to make it for in a row and be 1 up against the scousers
June 17th, 2009 at 15:29
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/16/real-madrid-player-clearout
June 17th, 2009 at 17:38
@man utd jaluo: I agree mate. That is where Hargreaves would be playing, but we have no ides whether he will ever regain fitness, and stay fit. Shame because he is an outstanding player and combatant when fully fit. He has the warriors, winning heart! So we need a great midfield player, and pronto.
June 17th, 2009 at 23:08
Is it me, or am i wrong in thinking that we still have a good team?
we have tevez leaving, along with ronny, but cant rooney offer the same as tevez? and with macheda, gibson, evans and welbeck given chances, we might get a class of 2009?
If we count them in, we should have want for one more winger only right? i seriously doubt we will be getting any more than 2 known players maximum. with the bulk of players being youth unknowns.
but thats me being realistic
on a delusional “i am manager” outlook, i would love for silva and aguero and hunter to grace the club. and if maicon is up for grabs, then get him to provide width with evra and we have a good 4 3 3 system i reckon…… sigh… oh well, paints drying……………
June 17th, 2009 at 23:17
we are good but we can be great if we try harder to improve some areas and not settle for second best.
June 17th, 2009 at 23:24
man utd settles for second best in so many ways but manages to win in spite of it.
It isnt what you have, its how u use it…
but realistically, how many singings do you expect? gimme some hope, share your insights and let me hope… i wanna hope!
its so slow right now, no news, no nothing….
June 17th, 2009 at 23:50
@Wink: 3 for the first team. 2 wingers and a 3rd striker.
Valencia looks like he’s taking one wing position. Silva, Sanchez, Costa, Young in that order look to be the other.
The striker position is tricky. Huntelaar is for sale at about £12 – £15mil, which is a giant bargain. Fabiano maybe?
And maybe we’ll sign some young kids who we wont see for a couple of years…
June 18th, 2009 at 0:04
An absolutely world class article buy Martin Samuel about Ronaldo and about everything that had me all bent out of shape a few days back.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1193010/MARTIN-SAMUEL-Ronaldos-better-Madrid-We-didnt-deserve-him.html
June 18th, 2009 at 0:08
Unlike last year, I am thrilled about the schedule. Easy start and easy end and well balanced. Last year’s was so top heavy in the fist half as we had to play the top three on the road and the top 9 teams from the previous year all away. This one works very well for us.
June 18th, 2009 at 0:10
@Traverse: Huntelaar is dirt cheap right now and Fergie will forever have my wrath if he doesn’t take advantage of Real’s clearance sale.
June 18th, 2009 at 0:13
ronaldo makes it hard to love him and easy to hate him, but if we are better off without him as a player it will all become clear next season, there is no reason on dwelling on it, the fans didnt want ronaldo to leave as far as i know, he put in that transfer request so that article is irrelevant in my view, since he wanted to leave.
June 18th, 2009 at 0:38
@Grognard: Whats so world class about the article, the journo has sussessfully erected a strawman and obliterated it, coz no one I have spoke to or have read on this transfer ever said that Ronaldo was a failure as a player, what he is saying is completely one sided and is actually very poor journalism.
Martin Samuel is a man who makes his living out of people like Ronaldo, he writes about Ronaldo the player as well as Ronaldo the person so of course he is going to miss him.
I am not a journalist mate, I am a United supporter and I freely admit that Ronaldo was a sensational player whose contribution will be missed, from a footballing perspective I would have loved for him to have stayed, but from an all round perspective, taking into account his behaviour and negative impact on our club at different times this past twelve months then I am glad he is gone.
He has gotten to big for his boots and if he was forced to stay then he would have become a rotten apple.
I stand by what I said previously, thankyou very much Ronny, you gave us some great memories and were one of the most talented players to have pulled on the red jersey, but the time was right for both parties to go thier separate ways, all the best in Madrid.
June 18th, 2009 at 0:56
@Fred The Red: I agree with your summation, Fred, but you left out the “you were a complete asshole, also” bit.
Ronaldo’s legacy will always include that proviso!!
June 18th, 2009 at 0:57
@ROOOOONEY: The club will no doubt be better of in the long run by Ronaldo leaving, but it will take time, how much time who knows, but its as simple as this, he no longer wanted to stay at our club so anybody who says that the time was not right to sell him is just blinded by how good a player he was for us.
Also, in my opinion the majority of the fans are not unhappy to see him go and put up with a lot of his nonsense because he was a great player, but he was starting to abuse his team mates, disrespect staff and undermine the manager, and unless his attitude completly changed from the way it was then the time was right for him to go.
June 18th, 2009 at 1:02
@Redrich: thats the problem mate, Ronaldo was a two sided coin, some people only look at the one side and ignore the other, and that includes both the pro and anti proponents.
Its only my opinion mate, but when you weighed the pros and cons of keeping him, then i think the time was right to sell him.
June 18th, 2009 at 1:11
Martin Samuel is a fat self serving prick. I’m not going to do my braincells a disservice by reading anything by him. I bet he sniffs his own socks.
June 18th, 2009 at 1:33
@Fred The Red: I think he was always in charge of the timing. If he wanted to stay, he would have stayed, but in hindsight, you might say that his performance this last season, suffered because he wanted to go! That’s the “asshole” bit, and so when we look back, we may be astonished at some of his football but the attitude, loyalty and overall personality of him will always taint our memory!!
June 18th, 2009 at 2:06
@Redrich: your right mate, unfortunately he was one of the only players that I can think of that not only was loathed by some opposition fans, but was even loathed by some of his own, that takes some doing.
Although I personally didnt loathe the guy, I never liked the way he made me feel, deep down I knew he was more interested in himself than United, and at times whenever I was defending him against arguments from opposing fans, in my heart I knew they were right.
He was in charge of the timing, but his behavior this last 12 months definately made the pill alot easier to swallow.
June 18th, 2009 at 2:10
@Fred The Red: Amen, brother!!
June 18th, 2009 at 2:43
@Fred The Red: Now do you honestly think I am going to sit here and debate you on Ronaldo or the article when you already have your mind and bias heading in the other direction? Life is too short to waste time like that. Lets just agree to disagree because we clearly are on opposite ends on this one.
June 18th, 2009 at 2:48
@Fred The Red: I don’t ignore the other side mate. Go back and read many of my posts. Go back to the letter I wrote to Ronaldo the day before the announcement. Ronaldo is a king sized prick and asshole. But he also was sublime and incredibly gifted footballer that we will never ever be able to properly replace. He is irreplaceable. His goals and play were something special and so all the put downs of his character are pretty mute because nothing can hide the man’s tremendous contribution to the team. We won a lot of silverware and Ronaldo is the main reason for it. Take him out of the equation and replace him with any player in the world other than Messi and United don’t do so good. So put him down all you want if that gets you through the night. I for one am grateful for his six years and I feel saddened that he found it necessary to leave us. And far as his antics go, well that’s life and none of us are perfect nor should we cast stones.
June 18th, 2009 at 2:49
@Traverse: Do you sniff your own socks?
June 18th, 2009 at 2:53
@Redrich: What about the loyalty? What exactly is meant by loyalty? The lad played 6 years for us. I challenge many out there to say that they have stayed at one job for more than 3 years yet alone 6 years. 6 years is a very long time and from that perspective, I think he showed plenty of loyalty and commitment to the team considering he grew up in Portugal cheering for Real Madrid. Really unreasonable demands and expectations I think. The lad wasn’t born in the UK, so I think what is needed here is some perspective.
June 18th, 2009 at 2:54
@Grognard: I do, but only when I run out of glue!!
June 18th, 2009 at 3:07
@Grognard: OK, but when you look at sporting icons, there’s not many that come to mind, that have alienated their own fans by being totally and absolutely, selfish about the direction their career path should take. He was blatant in his self promotion, always. His guiding light was the riches of Madrid, and not the adoration of the United fans.
Don’t get me wrong, he was what won us our trophies the last 3 years. His skills and ability will be very, very, hard to replace, and it could take us several years to recover from his departure, but he is an asshole, and because of that I will remember him as such!!
June 18th, 2009 at 4:20
Well, well. Apparently, we are looking to buy van Persie, Vucinic and Valdes (tomorrow’s papers are saying this).
We will pay Valdes 150k a week, we will pay 20m for van Persie (who is, of course, more interested in
money than trophiestrophies than money) and Vucinic has ‘told friends’ that United are making a real effort to sign him after chasing him for the last two summers… 15m will do to get him.Ah, what would we do without the daily tabloid bullshit?
June 18th, 2009 at 4:27
The truth is we simply need to stop being a panicking lot.The fans in particular.The Slave’s departure is a big blow on a theoretical of fantasy perspective.On a more realistic level,it is exactly what the club needed. Why? Simply because his presence seems to have been creating a real rift in the dressing room.Obviously no one can be unmoved by one of your teammates demeaning a dream achievement for every single player in world football. I mean the Moscow victory.Immediately after the historic final,the first thing the Slave says is “it is my dream”to move to Real Maggots.I mean the 1st thing you say after such a historic event. Egotistical behaviour of that nature will not go down well with the rest of the squad.I won’t dwell tediously on his well documented antics which most probably drove other teammates mad,both on and off the pitch.
What is my point then? Simple. Ronaldo’s continued presence in the squad was going to result in a meltdown in the dressing room.That would result in unrest which would translate into disarray on the pitch.In terms of on the pitch advantages,obviously the greatest beneficiary,would be one Wayne Rooney. As much as Ronaldo’s brilliance helped us in getting all those victories,his selfishness hindered the progress of others. Pro-Slave camps will argue that he was the only really reliable finisher,but history has proved that if u place the Roon in his favoured and most effective position and center the attacking responsibility on him,the man delivers. So with Slave gone,clearly Wazza becomes the burden carrier and it seems he will be played primarily as a striker. That should mean more goals from him imo.The Count will also benefit greatly from the departure.No doubt he will receive better service and have more chances to prove himself in front of goal.It means Ferguson will be forced thankfully,to give Anderson more freedom to attack and remove the irritating shackles he clamped on the boy’s ankles. I still believe,and maybe unrealistically,that he will become a big hit in attack for the club.I followed that kid for too long before he came to MUFC and saw enough of a star attacking midfielder in him. A lot will also be required from the fullbacks in attack.Obviously Slave left a big void in terms of wing attack and that has to be compensated in part by a more involved fullback attack.That’s where we have a problem.On the right side in particular. On the left,Evra can do the job but that’s as far as it goes.Neville,less said the better.O’Shea? Dream on.Brown.Sudden return to injury proneness.That leaves Da Silva Lining. But maybe not yet fully ready.
On the wings we have issues too.Nani the Forgotten One is crying for an opportunity to shine anything other than the bench.Let’s see.New Ronaldo? Not a chance.Should he be given a chance to make a name for himself?Yes.Fill Ronaldo’s boots?Absolutely not.Park? First let him have his “almost touched the ball” organs or whatever it is that is inside his boots,surgically removed and replaced by real feet that can actually get to the end of a cross or pass in front of goal.Ryan “The Legend”Giggs.Excellent choice on the wing,provided he is played there once every 100 games against a team that starts with “Z”.Mind you I still think he has a big big part to play in the team.Just not on the wing.He seems to be thriving in a more central position esp behind strikers.Valencia.The name being flung around by the ever careless British media.I don’t think he is better than Nani so I don’t vote for him.
What then?Well all things imho,point to the purchase of David Silva from Valencia(the club that is,lest there be some who think I’m suggesting we buy another Slave). He will obviously cost the value of the whole Arsenal Nursery,but he may be the real solution to, esp our immediate problems.A winger who can play on both wings and can play more than competently as a second striker.Highly skilled and with inventive technical and playmaking abilities.The next point for me makes him the real deal.Extremely unselfish team player.Good shot.He definitely won’t bring as many goals as Ronaldo but I’m more than convinced he’ll create more chances for team mates than the Slave. Is he an upgrade from the Slave then? On an individual level,the only upgrade would be Messi,but on a team level,YES.The team would no doubt improve in working as a unit and will possibly achieve more.Just look at my second team Barca,to see what effective teamwork can achieve
June 18th, 2009 at 4:52
@Jay wire: That’s a pretty spirited rant, mate!! But if you have a second team (Barca), you probably have no place on this blog!!
June 18th, 2009 at 6:01
@Redrich: Ah the fine smell of GLUE
June 18th, 2009 at 6:05
@Redrich: It’s really quite simple mate. I love Ronaldo the player on the pitch. Even with his dives and drama queen antics. The person of the pitch I don’t give a rats ass about.
Lord Wellington once said of his soldiers just before the epic battle of Waterloo, “They are all scum, the lot of them, but they’ll die for me and that’s all I can ask.” Ronaldo was a great footballer for us, make no mistake about it, and his play on the pitch will be severely and sorely missed. Of that I guarantee you. He is irreplaceable and one of a kind.
I’d rather have for me, than against me.
June 18th, 2009 at 6:07
@Andrei: van Persie?
Say it ain’t so! I hate that prick. I just hate him. 
June 18th, 2009 at 6:29
@Redrich: OK I have no place on this blog because I have a second team.How exactly is that logical and deserving any attention?
June 18th, 2009 at 7:05
Honestly, i believe the United team may be too dependent on ronaldo, true, he scores most of the goals, the free kicks are true bolts and the runs are breathtaking, but didnt we shake off our dependance on ruud when he left? spreading the goals more evenly with ronny and rooney hitting 20s while every member of the first team scored at least once in the season immediately following ruuds departure.
honestly, i am a huge ronaldo fan, i am more inclined to believe we will be hugely hampered by his departure. but that article is crap, it places us in a position that insinuates that we wanted him to leave. no one in their right mind would want him to leave. and as far as i know, madrid fans arent exactly forgiving of their players too, booing them off the pitch more often than rafa forgets to check his facts…
anyway, its nice to have change, as long as we take that change and grow with it, im all for it. it is the spirit of overcoming change with grit and determination and style that makes me support man utd. no doubt we are poorer for it, but we can grow from this
June 18th, 2009 at 8:28
@Redrich: Come on Red, that’s not fair. I too have a second team, Bayern Munich. Now go ahead and tell me that I don’t belong on this blog. Come on, I’m waiting.
What I don’t have is a second team in England. I’ve been a Bayern supporter since 1972, a lot longer than I have been a United supporter. But let it be known that if I were to have to choose between the two (like the 1999 CL final), it is Manchester United. But I still love my Bayern.
June 18th, 2009 at 10:13
June 18th, 2009 at 11:06
@Grognard: Actually if there is a fit player similar to Van Persie, I would take him. But you have to agree Van Persie is quality and with him in our squad it means, Rooney no longer needs to play on the flanks when we are short of wingers.
But yes as you said, I wouldn’t take him , too injury prone , averages around 30 games a season which is not good enough for us , has a horrible tackle in him and he always runs and jumps with his arms swaying which means he ends up getting carded often. Also who wants a player in our ranks who repeatedly reiterates that he is still in love with our rival club.
June 18th, 2009 at 12:20
What a load of tedious, tiring BULLSHIT doing the rounds daily in the Media. Is there a player on the planet that Man United are NOT supposed to have put in a bid for?
. Its feckin ludicrous. I think the paps love stiring it up with the other top clubs, that United are going after their strikers. Several different ones each day taboo. There is one United website with an article this morning, saying United are finding it hard to sign a striker who will get us 20+ goals a season. I mean how on earth do they know this? Apart from having a direct, reliable, INSIDE track into OT, they surely have no foundational facts to their claims. Supposition, supposition, and more bloody supposition. Not to mention, that Berbatov IS capable of 20 goals a season IF he gets the service he needs. Rooney can get 20, if he doesn’t get played out of position, or revert back to his sky high rugby shooting efforts. What we need more than anything else is a decent MF supply line, a player renowned for good touch, and eye for the exquisite pass. Couple that with a very commanding DMF General, with a no nonsense attitude, and we will be sailing. I have to be honest and say, that I think United SHOULD and COULD have had players already signed up, and negotiations tied up with other clubs, so that we wouldn’t SEEMINGLY run out of time again, in getting the players SAF really wants. Yet I don’t know whether this has happened behind the scenes or not, so I could be speaking out of turn, and look a right dick when we see end of July what has been afoot at OT. I see that other Managers are coming out and MOUTHING off about how we are going to collapse, and how B’ham should come expecting to give us a right battle in the curtain opener at OT. Errrr news flash for all the mouthy dissenters, EVERY team that comes to OT, fights like fuck, and at our away game too, so what’s new eh? All I pray for is a great start, a winning run, and a strength and combativeness which sends a message to all those loudmouth ABU tossers, that with or with you know who, United will still be a force to reckon with. We need this, so that we not only shut mouths, but also sow seeds of huge doubt in the minds of those who have booked Man United as an easy ride this coming season. Bring in the psychology of the CAGE RAGE fighters, and lets see what really happens 
.
With regards to Tevez and his fucking dilly dallying, and dangling clubs on a string, HE IS NOT THAT GOOD, fuck him out of here Fergie. I don’t want to see his slave owners yanking the Man UNited chain any longer. Rant over guys
.
June 18th, 2009 at 12:32
Article really isn’t that controversial.
Senna once said that Ronaldo made up 50% of our attack. If you believe that and I certainly do, you cannot fail to see we will be much worse off without him.
I’m glad to see the back of him for personal reasons: namely I was tired of his mind games and it hurt that the best player in the world didn’t want to be with United. I guess my emotions were similar to a guy with a beautiful girl who he knows doesn’t love him and is flirting with a sleazy Latin guy with more money than me. You do not want to lose her, but when she finally leaves you, you feel a sense of relief accompanying your heartbreak.
There is no player in the world who can replace Ronaldo. So what we have to shoot for is a more balanced team. We need to improve 2-3 attacking positions as well as finding someone who can fill in for Ronaldo.
We will get more balance anyway if we remake our team around Rooney who is much more of a team player and can create as well as score. Often we were using Ronaldo just as the endpoint of every attack. But to bring out the best in Rooney Fergie needs to relieve him of his defensive duties and like Capello tell him to stand in front of goal.
You take away Rooney’s defensive duties and somehow get him scoring regularly and he can make up 50% of our attack.
But I don’t think Rooney really is a natural goalscorer. You cannot read too much into his England exploits because most of those teams are minnows.
The Count has scored goals for Tottenham. Perhaps if we improve our midfield he’d be able to chip in 20-30 goals as well. So I’d give him a season. If after a season the Count and Rooney aren’t scoring 50 goals between them we really need to buy a striker who can.
But our priority really should be midfield. At Barca we had Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney and Berbatov all on the pitch at the same time and didn’t manage a single goal.
What we need is a defensive midfielder who can replace Hargreaves, boss the midfield, win the ball and cancel out the threat of opposition playmakers.
We also need a playmaker. Conventional wingers are of limited value because we do not really have an aerial presence and both Rooney and Berbatov play too deep. So we need someone who can play defence splitting passes, dictate play, create chances out of nothing etc.
Berbatov can do some of these things but I want to see his value as a striker and see if he can produce goals. For all his assists last season his Premiership goal total was very disappointing-barely making double figures.
June 18th, 2009 at 12:58
@Wink: I wanted Ronaldo to leave.
Is there anyone out there that actually thinks that Ronaldo’s deparure will not have as big an impact on our results than most people, journalists, pundits tend to insinuate?
I always thought that our collective game was much better when Ronaldo didn’t play. I can see, or rather I hope for the return of the slick collective passing game that was ours even before the rise of the Arsenal invincibles.
If Tevez effectively leaves, this team will be devoid of a ball hog for the first time in years.
June 18th, 2009 at 13:01
Way to go, Kiko!!!
June 18th, 2009 at 13:04
The problem is the game against the dippers and the one against Barca exposed our mid field badly. Scholes and Carrick were excellent in the middle of the park two seasons back, then we got found out in the game against Milan. We got in Hargreaves last year and he was excellent in the big matches. Now our weakness is really apparent, the opposition teams will just shore up their midfield and attack us through the center. We really need to fill a gap there. As good as Fletch was last season, to expect him to be our man in the middle of the park for the entire season is a tad too much.We need a player in the center of the park who can intimidate the opponents, much like how Keano used to. Am not sure if the management are looking for a center mid-fielder as it worries me that we have not been linked to even one so far. I hope Fergie has already done that business.
I think we already have a playmaker in Carrick, he was superb last season except for the dip in form in March. A mid fielder in the Hargo mould would free him up and I’m sure he’ll provide great attacking impetus. He seems to have matured over the last three years and must have picked up a thing or two about controlling the mid-field from the Ginger Ninja
June 18th, 2009 at 13:24
@Grognard: I clicked the link. It was as I expected.
Samuel invents some sort of ‘Ronaldo wasn’t any good anyway’ persona to project onto United fans simply because we haven’t decided to go into 10 years of official mourning. He ignores everything bad about the player and the man to suit his own smug/smarmy needs. It’s well written, but it’s tosh.
June 18th, 2009 at 13:25
You know what, for all the talk about Ronaldo being the MOST effective goalscorer for us, controversial or not, I am going to say this! I agree that in the season he scored 42 goals, yes he was the most effective. In other seasons however I would argue that he wasn’t. Yes he could get a few goals in any single game, but in the VERY TIGHT games, where deadlock was the state of gameplay, or in matches where we were CHASING the game, Ronaldo was not the one most effective in getting us the goals needed! This last season for example to try and substantiate my claim
.
Wigan away – Tevez broke the deadlock of Wigans resolve. Carrick the decisive winner.
Sunderland away – Macheda got the decider when Sunderland were really fighting for a draw.
Villa – at OT – Macheda again with the decider.
Newcastle away – Berba in very end got the decider after Rooney had equalised N’castle lead.
West Ham away – a few minutes from a draw, when Giggsy got the all important winner.
Wigan at OT – very tight game, Rooney got the single goal decider.
Chelsea away – Rooney scored the goal for the draw.
Stoke away – v. hard fought tight game, Tevez right at the end snatching the winner.
Boro at OT – almost a draw, but Berba snatched the winner in another tight game.
Sunderland at OT – Vida got the winner again in dying seconds.
M. Pity away – Rooney got the single winning goal.
Everton away – Fletcher got the goal that brought the draw.
Portsmouth – Fletcher got the goal in the 1-0 win.
Bolton away, Ronnie got the winning goal, but only after somebody else won the penalty for him to get the goal.
Apart from that one out of this world season, Ronnie has not really scored too much in the closely fought, tight games. All you statisticians can you come up with anything different to Ronnie’s defence. Don’t have a go at me either please, because you all know how much I loved and supported Ronnie when he decided to stay, and got into many a bust up on the terraces defending the lad. It was just that it struck me big time, when I was watching end of season review last night, that Ronnie was not the one who was most effective in all our tightly close/fought games. I will let the statisticians come in here, but that is what I noticed watching the end of season review.
June 18th, 2009 at 13:38
@Grognard: Nah, it’s just tabloid bullshit. If we really signed him… well, we’ll learn to love the prick then.
@NicoQB: One word to that: SCORE!!
@Craig Mc: Well, he did beat Arsenal almost by himself in the CL Semis… still, he is no Duncan Edwards…
June 18th, 2009 at 13:42
@Craig Mc: If ronaldo wasn’t there to score in the other, less closely-fought games then that would have led to more more closely-fought games. The more often games go to the wire the more you need players to bail the team out late on, and they just can’t do it all the time.
June 18th, 2009 at 13:56
@Craig Mc: Well we could also argue that we owe him for our champion’s league progress. He was phenomenal at San Siro, gave us the goal against Inter which sealed the match for us. Got the winner against Porto, murdered Arsenal but yeah i get the point from your stats, it is something that I didn’t realise.
The other important facet that Ronaldo gave us was he used to just decimate the lesser teams and improve our goal difference by a huge margin. As the dippers found out this season, it is as tough to win against the lower half teams as it is against the ones in the top bracket. Ofcourse, we have a more talented team than them but i guess we might miss his sheer skill and trickery against the teams which are only interested to be called a brave team by the media ( that is to park the bus and only defend for their lives)
June 18th, 2009 at 14:02
@NicoQB: I agree. I don’t think the blow to us is as big as what it is made out to be. Hopefully we will now see a bit more teamwork from the team.
I strongly believe that a United’less Ronaldo will be less efficient than a Ronaldo’less United. I guess only time will tell.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:02
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_5387025,00.html
…Benzema…
June 18th, 2009 at 14:07
@Craig Mc: Also i think it is unfair to exclude Ronaldo’s goals against Villa and Spurs as effective ones. One gave us the hope to win the match, the other gave us the lead.
I think a more interesting statistic would be what is the percentage of matches in which he scored after we were a goal down?
June 18th, 2009 at 14:19
@Andrei: I am in no way saying Bro, that Ronaldo hasn’t won games for us by getting the vital goal, but from what I can see, apart from that 42 goal excellent glory season, not very often! I was talking about PL games though mate, not CL
.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:26
@Scorp: Scorp we have to be honest tho Bro, and say in the Spurs game, the Rooney equaliser was what changed the game, following the Carrick awarded penalty. Once again the penalty Ronnie took and scored, but it was won by Carricks efforts. The ref had a hand in the penalty, but Rooney definately opened up the enthusiasm to go on and win the game with his equaliser. Rooney had the lions share of the effort for Ronnie’s goal too.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:30
@Karl: Bro was the second part of your comment meant to be a conumdrum?
. If it was, I can’t work it out at all 
.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:36
@Craig Mc: He means at Madrid, with out the team playing to his strengths and weaknesses he won’t be as effective, however United without having to play to his strengths and weaknesses will be more effective.
I think.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:39
@tevez: My arguement is though mate, that it was the other players, and NOT Ronnie who bailed us out in those closely fought games. That’s what I was seeing in the end of season review, and it is giving me some hope, that we can win those tightly fought games without him. But time is surely going to tell. I was just surprised as I watched the end of season review thats all
. Not trying to belittle Ronnie, more trying to encourage everyone the merits also of our other players 
.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:41
@Craig Mc: To put it simply, i think he means to say, we’ll get better and Ronaldo will tank in Madrid
June 18th, 2009 at 14:42
@Traverse:
, your a genious at seeing things Trav 
. Thanks for the explanation, I think I see it now you mentioned it 
.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:43
@Scorp:
, yeah Trav just explained that too, and I get it now 
.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:50
Apparently Vucinic has expressed his desire to come to OT, haven’t seen much of him to pass an accurate judgment but I think we should get the other Roman, De Rossi too.
June 18th, 2009 at 14:59
@Scorp: You said that Ronnie decimates the lesser teams? Well, wouldn’t you say that Wigan, Stoke, Boro, Sunderland, West Ham, P’mouth and Bolton, even Everton and Villa are lesser teams, but far from decimating them, he didn’t score at all against most of them this last season.
Also, I would just out of curiosity like to discover how many of Ronnie’s goals, (apart from the 42 season) came from penalties and free kicks. That again is something for the stats men! Although what fantastic free kicks and penalties they were, wonder goals of free kicks the majority of them. Which begs the question doesn’t it? Who will take our penalties with confidence of hitting the net, and our free kicks now??? Because that was such a powerful and wondrous part of Ronnie’s ability, and a joy. Tevez if he was staying is pretty confident with penalties, and Carrick said he would love to take them if ever Ronnie was absent, but I’m not sure. Now Hargo – yes, I think he would do a great job, if he ever gets fully fit enough to play for us again!
June 18th, 2009 at 15:17
@Craig Mc: Am not sure in how many of those games he scored goals, will have to check the stats.
Also good point about the penalties and the free kicks. I would definitely not disregard his free kicks for a consolidated analysis and with respect to the penalties, i don’t think we have anyone who can match his technical ability under pressure. Forge the penalty against Chelsea. But the two penalties against Arsenal under pressure after the first one being disallowed, that was an exceptional display of mental fortitude and technical ability
June 18th, 2009 at 15:23
@NicoQB: there are always exceptions =), and with a supporter base like man utd, i would say you might find an army of people who would share your opinion.
however, i do believe legions more would be inclined to agree with me. im just saying tho, opinions, mine or yours are as good as each other…
i truely believe we will shake off our dependance on him until we start to find another star man. its like a clear pattern aint it? i dont know, i havent been around long enough as a supporter, i only can attest to the PL years. but thats the pattern that stands out for me
hopefully we will build our team around a rooney that turns out more consistantly! haha oh well.
totally agree with the marid team and ronny’s efficiency tho… took the galaticos 4 years to win anything worthwhile, this one should similarly go belly up without a strong manager who is consistantly there
June 18th, 2009 at 15:49
@Scorp: He didn’t score in those games mate, that’s my point!
June 18th, 2009 at 15:59
@Craig Mc: Yea, I know what you mean… he scores when the team is winning already as opposed to getting us what has been the ‘Tevez goals’ over the past two seasons.
Seriously, when you think back to it, these are games that Tevez has scored in over the past couple of years:
Against Chelsea (2007, won 2-0)
Against Lille (2008 CL Round of 16, barely qualified)
Against Blackburn (2008, PL race went to the last day, tying goal in 90th +)
Against Porto (2009, CL, barely scraped through)
Against Wigan (2009, tying goal, won the PL by 4 points)
Surely just a few of the extremely crucial goals he scored for us, but still… doubt Ronaldo scored more important ones in either PL or CL.
Going on a bit of a rant, but we should keep the guy and keep him happy and forget about Ronaldo because we can survive without him.
June 18th, 2009 at 16:18
Any Americans here? I’m absolutely gutted by this confed. cup performance. simply not good enough.
June 18th, 2009 at 16:36
@Grognard: Agree with Fred the Red, article was rubbish, stylistically and content wise. No offense or anything.
It’s been conceded that Ronaldo’s one of the greatest players to wear the shirt and that we’ll miss the goals. But why this school of thought that we are nothing without him? Yes we are losing our most important player, but we still have a nucleus of talent (carrick, rooney, Vidic) to build around. Nani and Anderson should be given one more season to prove their worth, and blah blah, yada yada. Frankly, the conversation around him is quickly becoming boring.
June 18th, 2009 at 16:48
@Roge9: I agree!
Can we talk about someone else for a change? Last summer was fucked up by speculating his move. Now, this summer seems fucked as well by talking about his move. He’s gone. Let’s get over it and move on. Enough already of Ronaldo replacements. We all know that there is none. Not even Messi can act as a replacement. So, let’s talk about some other exciting United shit.
Is this a foretaste of what’s to come? That 6 months into the season we will still be talking about Real Madrid players? As much as what I loved the guy, as much as what my boy loves the guy, as good as what he is, RONALDO IS DEAD TO ME. I’m not bitter at him, because that implies that he exist. He is as dead as that other traiter from Madrid…the one whose name I swore never to mention on this blog again.
Hell, just to put things into perspective, Ruud was more prolific than Ronaldo, yet we survived after he left. no one was more influential than Cantona was, yet we survived after he retired prematurely. Keane was so important to United that we changed our entire formation to accomodate him in his latter years. Yet, we survived without him. Fuck Ronaldo! Fuck him so much, we don’t even need to sign a ‘replacement’.
June 18th, 2009 at 16:49
interesting article on Jorge Mendes, over a year old, but still worth a read
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/how-mendes-has-made-himself-key-player-behind-the-biggest-deals-in-europe-846361.html
June 18th, 2009 at 17:04
@Karl: I posted this on another thread but must have mistyped my e-mail address, I know people won’t agree with what I have written but this is my honest opinion.
My take on Ronaldo is simple really, yes he is a very dislikable person, he is arrogant selfish BUT he has never hidden the fact that he wanted to sign for Real Madrid as he was always a “Real Fan” so getting on his back and slating him is pointless.
I for one was never going to get excited about going to his testimonial and always expected him to leave this summer, Fergie probably said give us one more season and you can go with blessing.
One player who everyone seems to still respect and who I dislike immensely is David Beckham an equally arrogant selfish person, just ask LA Galaxy, he is also a self proclaimed “United fan” but like Tevez to degree played the fans off against the club, he left simply for the money and the glamour oh and his wife probably told him to.
At least Ronaldo had the balls to admit he was a fan of Real and wanted to play for them, and it is understandable he is not English and has never professed his undieing love for the club.
With Beckham he was constantly saying he is a life long United fan and yes he had his falling out with Fergie, but he was never man enough to come out and say why he left, but that’s Sir David for you he never has to justify himself at least not to the supporters who buy tickets, his addidas boots, aftershave, pants ect…………………… what does he care how we feel as long as we line his pockets.
June 18th, 2009 at 17:25
Beckham didn’t leave he was pushed.
June 18th, 2009 at 17:43
@Jay wire: Sorry mate, I think I jumped over the edge on that, didn’t I!!
June 18th, 2009 at 17:57
@Andrei: there was French journalist speaking on Talksport Radio yesterday and he said there is a good chance that Benzema would be at OT next season if they offered in the region of 40 to 45 million euros.
With Real Madrid persuing Villa at the moment I doubt they will make a move for him this season, and with Barca also chasing Villa and Ribery now might be the best time to move for him, coz if we leave it till next year we could face competition.
June 18th, 2009 at 18:34
@PhillyRed: I am an American citz, but Jamaican by birth, so there is nothing more I enjoy than watching the team US crumble.
I watched the game, beasley was horrible…
June 18th, 2009 at 18:50
@Fred The Red: Benzema is a great player and all but his attitude is just absolute bollocks, i really hate hearing his name being mentioned all the time.
Hes a great striker mate i agree with you there but i just think a bit like ronaldo as a person he seems a real gob shite. Constantly moaning on about going to madrid every god damn time, i dunno about you but im a bit sick of players like this. Obviously im not asking for a lifetime commitment, im sure in the future players like nani, ando, the silvas will want to go out to spain or elsewhere for a try but they do not publically state all the time they want to go to madrid. Yes ronaldo left but i dont think any1 is too bitter about him, he wanted to go to madrid but did give us 6 years of service. Only thing that annoyed me bout him leaving was his insistence on him staying and then changing his mind all the time.
Im positive benzema would use us as a stepping stone and our great club aint a stepping stone to no one, especially not them madrid idiots. Im telling you he would come here then when things didnt go his way he would be mouthing off worse than ronaldo. I would go as far to say i would be disappointed if fergie went for this guy as he obviously doesnt want to join us and would only come just cos madrid arent in for him… yet.
Better and cheaper options elsewhere who can do a job, lets not forget we more or less need a 3rd choice striker who will be rotated not a guy expecting 1st team footie each week, that was the problem with tevez i believe. Huntelaar, pograbnyek or even rossi would be better options imo.
June 18th, 2009 at 18:53
@Scorp: Above all, he smells of Arse.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:24
@Craig Mc: Regardless of what the rags are saying Bro, United are just not going after the right players in my opinion. It must clear to a five year old that the chances of signing really prominent world stars who dream of playing for Real Madrid is slim and a complete waste of time. It’s folly to continually try to wait for and try to convince the Ribery’s, Benzema’s and Villa’s of the world that they should come play for us. And even if they were to fool me and actually make a shock signing of say Karim Benzema, do they realize the potential shit storm they will have created within their team. Real Madrid may not be banging down Lyon’s door for Benzema right now, but put him in a red shirt of United and all of a sudden he is a must have at the top of their list. And we know where Benzema’s heart is. So why put us through this Hell of watching a player perform (presumably well) for us only to have him jump ship for Madrid within two seasons?
United and most of all Fergie need to come to the realization that in this present financial and economic climate that Spain rule the roost and have the drawing power for 80% of the world stars. Therefore, United need to get smart and savy and look elsewhere for their talent. Stop looking for players who won’t blend in or conform to the English game, life in Northern England or the culture. Look for players who have potential greatness but who haven’t grown up obsessed with the allure of Spain and in particular Barcelona and Real Madrid. Stop pursuing players who have Spain and especially those two clubs on their minds. It’s disrespectful to United to pursue players who do not respect or feel privileged to be a part of our great team. It’s especially disrespectful to us supporters who don’t pick our teams like mercenaries to have to be subjected to disloyal players who use United as nothing more than a stepping stone in order to be noticed by the big clubs in Spain or perhaps even in Italy, although that country has really lost it’s shine of late.
Go about our business in an aggressive but highly practical and intelligent manner. Real Madrid is the bane of our existence. Right now we are not able to beat them in terms of having the seductive power to persuade talent to sign with us long term. Therefore, how do we beat them? Well why not start with Real Madrid first off. They have a dozen players on their books that they are urgently desperate to unload. They have over spent and had to borrow 200 million pounds from two Spanish banks in order to go crazy this off season on the transfer market. Apparently Spanish banks are pro Madrid and anti Catalan.
From day one I never bought into the fact that Madrid was using it’s own money like many were reporting. Easy tax laws or not, 200 million is not a normal sum for any team to be throwing around because they just have it. So let them buy these players and watch them go bust. I will love looking forward to the star feuds, dissension, lack of cohesive football and lack of defensive quality they will be showing over the next few years. My heart goes out Iker Casillas…….wait a second, no it doesn’t.
As I said earlier, they have players they are trying to unload. Due to their own narrow minded stupidity and greed, they don’t even realize how great some of these players are. And the prices are way down. It’s a bargain basement clearance sale of epic proportions. Players of world class ability who are NOT WANTED BY REAL MADRID. Fergie ALERT. Wake the fuck up and take advantage of this gift you are being granted. Klass Jan Huntelaar, van der Vaart, Sneijder, Robben, Drenthe are all players we should be seriously looking at. Above all, we could get all five of those players for under 50 million right now. And I am not advocating we go after all five. go for two or three. Whatever Fergie does, to not go after at least Huntelaar and Sneijder borders on sheer stupidity. Not just because they are great players in my opinion and millions of others, but because they can be had for almost half of what they are truly valued at. Remember two years ago Fergie when I was bitching about going after Ribery. You could have had him for 22 million, which is what Bayern paid for him. Now he is going for 60 million. Why do you lack the courage to take a chance on a player before he is overpriced?
Finally, it’s time to look in regions of Europe, Africa and even South America where the name Real Madrid and Barcelona isn’t the end all and be all to footballers. I have read that their are countries in South America like Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Columbia where players are not always so keen to play for Madrid and Barca because those teams are perceived to have to many Argentines and Brazilians and for many people and players from those competitive rival countries, that is a sour pill for them to swallow. No t massive but it would explain the Valencia’s, Palcios and even Forlan types who have never favored playing for those clubs. As for Eastern Europeans, Northern Europeans, there you have countries with quality footballers who can and will adapt better to English life and weather more so than somebody from hot climates. United need to get smart and savvy. Go after players who are not only attainable, but who will cherish coming to England and playing for such a prestigious side. It just seems to make so much more sense rather than the path Fergie has been taking of late.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:29
@NicoQB: Statistics that were released last week point out that United won 73% of their matches with Ronaldo playing while only winning 64% of the matches with him out of the lineup. So that theory is just in your imagination and is a total fabrication and myth. Sorry to have to burst your bubble but the truth is out there. We were a far better team in terms of wins with him in the lineup. Of all his goals and contributions in the EPL alone he scored 27 goals that directly lead to us winning games. He is to put it simply, irreplaceable. So blind yourself as much as you like, the player was more valuable then the money we got for him.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:30
@NicoQB: Fake plastic blond bimbo.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:33
@Traverse: No it’s not tosh, just because you don’t want to face up to his truths. He is saying the truth whether you want to admit it or not. And he isn’t calling for people to go into mourning. See that’s just the typical kind of overreaction I’d expect. What he is saying is that despite all his flaws as a person, Ronaldo was incredibly important to our success and very much irreplaceable. And if you and other can’t see that now, trust me…….you will.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:36
@Craig Mc: 27 goals that had a major effect on us winning games. Stats came out last week in one of the rags and he helped us win 73% of our games while we only won 64% of our games without him. You do the math. He was massive for us. And 25 goals this season may be small compared to 42 but lets also not forget that 25 goals is a large number for anyone and he is still not even close to his prime. We probably haven’t seen his best yet.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:38
@Andrei: That will just wake Madrid up to the fact that they may have to act now rather than next year.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:43
@Craig Mc: Over 20 goals a season in all games over the past three season and he is only what 23 or 24? Are you kidding mate? Let us not forget this player is not a striker. He scores goals at a striker’s rate playing as a winger or wide midfielder. This is phenomenal and no winger in the history of the game has ever been that prolific, not even George Best. He is too wing play what Franz Beckenbauer was to defenders or sweepers. A revelation and an extra attacking dimension that is incredibly rare. There is a reason he went for 80 million mate. He’s worth it, every frakken penny.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:45
@Scorp: Vucinic is a quality player who can play either wide or or just the striker role. Very versatile and very good quality for 15 million. He’s especially adept at playing the Solksjaer role of coming off the bench and actually scoring goals, not just running around like Tevez did.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:51
@PhillyRed: Until the United States wakes up and starts hiring prominent European or even South American coaches to revolutionize the American game, you will have to suffer the indignities and embarrassments of being just a little above ordinary. Bradley and his predecessors do not have the technical and subtle wisdom of the game that only coaches from soccer powerful nations do. If you ask me, I think the US should break the bank and hire Juergen Klinsmann to be their next manager. He has the experience along with many American traing and workout techniques already, he lives in the US and speaks the language fluently and he has the passion and enthusiasm for the game which he can inject into the team. Above all, he proved with Germany that his approach can succeed. Don’t expect to win the cup, but under him, the US could impress and go far. He’s not the only one out there but he seems like a perfect fir now that he has left Bayern.
June 18th, 2009 at 19:56
@Roge9: I didn’t say we are nopthing without him. But if we were to do nothing this off season and just stayed with our present lineup, we would struggle to stay in the top four. Our team had become to dependent on him and now they have to unlearn all they have learned that was designed around getting the ball to Ronaldo. That will take time. An injection of a few other great players will help but my biggest worry is that Ronaldo provided many goals where he wasn’t dependent on service from others. That is a special player who can manufacture goals and greatness by themselves. His free kicks alone will be missed and his individual runs and moves of brilliance which created many of his chances.
We will still be a solid defensive club but we now have to make up 25 to 30 goals a season and even if we were to buy a striker who scores goals, i am not at all sure that we have the players to provide the proper service. Nobody other than Nani can cross a ball and our central midfield is a bloody joke.
June 18th, 2009 at 20:03
@Karl: One last thing about Ronaldo. He won’t need a replacement, at least not one in exactly the same mould.
When Kanchelskis left – pacy, tricky winger with goals in him – Beckham came in and he was a right sided midfielder.
When Beckham left – we got another pacy, tricky winger in Ronaldo.
@Wink: I would argue that most United fans are finally releaved to see him leave. Just on the blogosphere we got Scott of ROM, redranter, Craig, Fred the Red…and I’m sure the list goes on and on…
@Andrei: He does look like the ladies’ man. He might just be our next poster boy. I just hope he hasn’t got the ego of the last one!
June 18th, 2009 at 20:05
@Grognard: HES gone mate, what are you trying to achieve by bringing this up all the time, we could argue until the cows come home and it still wont change anything, so its pointless and tedious, stats can be interpreted many ways coz the win percentages would look a whole lot different when you compared how many games he played in(a large number, therefore 1 defeat did not alter the percentage that much) and how many he didnt( a small number, therefore 1 defeat did alter the percentage alot), and also the the games he didnt play in alot of the time were games that were seen as not as important and weaker sides were played, so this gives a false impression in the overall stats.
June 18th, 2009 at 20:08
@Stephen: Christ mate, you are just wrong on so many levels. You have absolutely no clue about David Beckham and you have a hatred that is based on rumours, lies and innuendo. His was forced out of United against his will and while he was with us he was a loyal, devoted and passionate player. Lets face it, it’s his lifestyle and his personal choices that piss you off or even make you resentful out of sheer jealousy. Who likes a superstar icon that all the girls like really? Beckham has been and always will be a class act whether you like him or not. When it’s all said and done he will be knighted by the Queen and will go down in history as a very important Brit. And all your hatred and scourn for a man who gave his all for your club, is unwarranted and really beneath you. He doesn’t deserve your scourn, he deserves your admiration and respect. I for one am not a fan of his lifestyle, his taste in women or his tattoos or hairstyles, but that’s his private business and it means shite when it comes to his football.
Yes I am a massive Beckham fan. And considering the disrespect and outrageous behavior of players like Ronaldo, Heinze, RVN and others who have left this club, I would think that of all of them, Beckham would still be close to the hearts of many because he still to this day wears the red on his sleeve and in his heart. Don’t call him disloyal, I’d say people who accepted and cheered his sudden departure from the team under the circumstances are disloyal to him. And frankly, he deserved better. He has been a great servant and ambassador over the years for Manchester United and for England. On eof the major reasons why United is such a popular worldwide brand is because of the media affection for Becks. He made being a United player a trendy and very cool thing. Two players I will not tolerated hearing a negative word about are Beckham and Cantona. So forgive me if you struck a nerve. I’m sorry mate, as much as i respect you and your opinions, on this one you are wrong. You are bitter and angry at the wrong man.
June 18th, 2009 at 20:15
@Fred The Red: I’ll defend him as a player and what he meant to our team until I die. I despise pettiness an misguided inaccurate hatred towards a player who did so much for us. I’m not a fan of him as a person but I cannot forget the silverware he had a major part in helping us capture over 6 years with the club. 6 years is a long time and that has to count for something. So if I am alone on this crusade, I accept it, but like some who hate him or are indifferent to him, my passion is the opposite. I know he is gone, I accept it but I just wish and hope that one day United fans look back at Ronny with some warm fondness and appreciation for all the wonderful moments he gave us. Lets not just ponder and remember the negatives. I for one just cannot imagine the starting eleven next season without him out there. It’s a tough one for me to take.
June 18th, 2009 at 20:16
Id lkie to see someone like Mohammed Zidan or Abou Trika in United. These are quality players showing it against brazil and tonight against the world champs..Egypt are quality
June 18th, 2009 at 20:16
@Grognard: George Best was Uniteds top scorer for 5 consecutive seasons and created way more than Ronaldo, Ronaldo was a great player for us, Bestie was the greatest.
June 18th, 2009 at 20:27
Yes!!! Fucking yes!!!
C ya later… 
June 18th, 2009 at 21:11
from eddy’s comment i thought we signed someone
June 18th, 2009 at 21:23
@NicoQB: I was only relieved Bro in the sense that I couldn’t have bore a whole summer again of ‘will he won’t he’ syndrome
. Otherwise, while he was here, I fully supported him, having accepted his apology for last summer. I was relieved that we will no longer be subjected to the other side of the Ronnie coin, but that’s it. He wants to play for another team, I am still a fan of Man United til I die, so I look forward to whats ahead for us as a team without Ronnie!
June 18th, 2009 at 21:25
@Grognard: Problem is Grog, you are defending him against something that doesn’t exist in most United fans hearts or thinking Bro
.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:33
@Grognard: Ive not got a problem with you defending him mate, its just seems pointless to me coz hes gone now and its time to look forward, like Ronaldo siad himself, my time with United is in the past, so My time with Ronaldo is in the past and I really dont want to waste my time debating about him.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:33
@Grognard: Nobody is disputing this Grog, but I still would like to know how many of those goals you mentioned were from Penalties and free kicks. I don’t know a fan who would say that he wasn’t a great entertainer or goalscorer, but that still doesn’t alter the fact that in tight, close match games, it was others and not Ronnie who got the all important goal. I saw it with my own 2 eyes last night watching end of season dvd.
. I am not trying to deride the great, and spectacular goals he brought to us, and how in the end, he came good at scoring important goals in the CL. In tightly marked games though, and with packed defences, it was others who sneaked in and got the all important goal for us. Long may it continue, especially now Ronnie has gone.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:36
Comparing Best and Ronaldo
Ronaldo is nowhere near Best as a footballer. ffs.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:42
WTF!!! Really guys, you are being so fucking unfair to Tevez. He is no Wayne Rooney, but he was never given a chance this season and he still ended up playing a very crucial role in the team’s success. So what if he started bad-mouthing the team at the end? We were no exactly loyal to him and I would not begrudge him if he did go to Liverpool because he deserves the best and the bleeding Scousers are as good as it gets outside OT
.
Really, be fair to the guy because he is a great player!
June 18th, 2009 at 21:45
@Fred The Red: I don’t dispute the fact that George Best created more chances for others, but he was hardly comparable in goal scoring. And George Best is my second favorite United player of all time. But even with his goals, he played much more like a traditional winger. He was also not known for free kicks or penalties and those are two disciplines that Ronaldo is quite good at. Also, I had to get into which generation or era was better but there is no doubt in my mind, that the game is tougher to play well today than back then. Defenders are faster, the game and the managers are far more technical and defenders are at the feet of attacking players at all times. Today a player hasn’t got time to breath and he is also not encouraged to be selfish with the ball and to try things. All the more reason why Ronaldo was a special talent. He was so special that he had the freedom to do whatever he wanted while playing for a manager who is very stubborn and not known for letting players express themselves quite that way. But when Fergie has a young Giggs, a Cantona or a Ronaldo, even he knows that they are special and you have to give them more license to do their thing.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:46
@RedDevilEddy: I wish you would tell us why you are so enthusiastic? Don’t just leave us out in the cold like that.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:48
@Grognard: The greatest percentage of those matches won though, was in his 42 goal glory season. Anyway, you might want to keep up what you call your war crusade against all of us who want to look for what we can find in our play, that encourages us to believe we will do ok this next season, but we don’t want to, or hopefully don’t intend to keep season long debates going on about it. It also has to be taken into account, that Ronnie demanded to play EVERY single game, which obviously will have contributed to the 70+ games won with him in the team. I think that percentage might have been different too, if Rooney had been fit so many times where he had metatarsel injuries etc and was out for lengthy times, and Rio’s 8 month out for missing the drug test. All sorts of this can change stats, so great as Ronnie was, we ARE going to have to do without him, and I am just trying to look and encourage the merits of our other players. No matter how fantastic Ronnie was in games, and I don’t dispute his uniqueness, we would NOT HAVE WON those games even with Ronnie in the team, if the others I mentioned hadn’t done what Ronnie wasn’t doing, get that vital goal in the close, tigerishly contended games
.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:48
@Craig Mc: It seems you are right because United fans have no heart when it comes to Ronaldo. Apparently, they also have selective amnesia.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:51
@Fred The Red: I’m not actually defending him. I too am pissed off he has left us for Hell but I just feel we should be more appreciative of his time and efforts with our club. Be mad as Hell at him for leaving but carry a bit of a torch for him because of the positive memories he gave us. Certainly did a lot more for us than RVN and everybody still loves him. I’m sorry, but I don’t get it. Can’t anyone admit out loud that for Man Utd, Cristiano Ronaldo was a God amongst boys for six seasons? It’s true.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:51
@Andrei: Liverpool??? is that his destination then?
June 18th, 2009 at 21:53
@Grognard: Whatever you say Grog, whatever you say!
.
June 18th, 2009 at 21:54
@Craig Mc: In tightly marked games where he didn’t score he still made his mark because of all the attention teams would put on him, would make other players find spaces and openings to exploit. Come on mate, you know the game better than that. A great player influences the game much more than by goals and assists. You are far too knowledgeable about the game to throw such a lame assed theory like that to a person who studies the technical aspects of the game like I do. I expect more from my bro because like me, he knows the game……Or does he?
June 18th, 2009 at 21:59
@Andrei: Along with the word “world class”, the word “great” is also thrown about a little bit too much, Tevez,good player? Yes. Great player? No but maybe sometime later.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:00
@Grognard: Grog I dont even like Benzema, not as a player or as a person
. So I don’t know what you mean mate!
June 18th, 2009 at 22:01
@Craig Mc: Someone just said its breaking news on SSN that he’s ruled out Liverpool due to respect for United. Good for him, I guess Kia hasn’t sucked out all his brains.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:02
@Craig Mc: I am officially ending my Ronaldo defense. Not because I am defeated or because it’s hopeless with the lot of you, but because we must move on like you said. However, if I ma to move on, then i would hope that the rest of you do, because I cannot help myself when somebody comes out and makes an asinine statement about Ronaldo that just gets under my skin. And I don’t mean about his personality or his attitude. I mean about his ability to play the game and his massive contribution to our club in the past six years. And no Craig, his great goals and achievements were not all accomplished just in 2007/08. He scored an FA Cup winning goal, he scored many big goals for us in three straight EPL winning seasons and he was on the mark for us on numerous other occasions also. I’d also like to remind you of a certain goal he scored at Arsenal this season which has to go down for me as his greatest ever. So that’s it. I too am tired of this debate because even I know that squeezing a rock isn’t going to bing water.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:05
@Craig Mc: I was talking to everyone in general about the way United are thinking, not about you. That whole rant was actually adding to what you had said. It really wasn’t directed to you in any form but an add on to what you were saying. I think we as a team are making a mistake pursuing this player because he has or shows no loyalty to us whatsoever. His heart is in Madrid and he will break our hearts sooner rather than later. That was my entire point. It’s not all about the Craigmeister you know.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:06
@Grognard: He doesn’t really care to be honest is the answer. I know you believe you are the all wise one on everything football matter, but I don’t always agree with you on all things to think. You believe that makes me less knowledgeable if I don’t accept all your views on football, but hey I am not trying to pretend I have all knowledge. I do believe that I have put forward some very good points on this issue you want to make a crusade of, but then so have a lot of other people on here, with equally as good, if different points of view to mine. Nobody has ALL KNOWLEDGE on anything, but I thought a blog was for people to put forward thoughts and ideas, to share back and forth, and not a competition to see who has more knowledge. I don’t care if some on here talk shite, I am not accusing any of you all by the way
, but if shite or perceived shite is spoken, so what, I still enjoy the banter 
.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:07
@Rd: I couldn’t care less where Tevez goes. I have no animosity towards him because I think he was treated poorly but then again I don’t blame Fergie for benching him in favor of Berba and Rooney because frankly, Carlito wasn’t good enough. So let him go to Man City or Liverpool or anywhere he chooses. He’ll probably end up on the bench there too after he scores one goal in his first ten starts. I wish him well because he’s a good guy that showed us fans appreciation and respect. But he’s not good enough for United.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:09
@Grognard: You addressed the post to me though
.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:14
@Rd: Oh right, so any other news of his whereabouts then? He suddenly is like the scarlet pimpernel Bro
. What I don’t understand, is why United are going along with his slave owners silly games.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:16
@RedDevilEddy:
June 18th, 2009 at 22:16
@Craig Mc: You have put forward good points and I have never ever said that you are knowledgeable. In fact I think my last point said you were. But in this matter I bow to my experience and knowledge of footballers having watched thousands of games over 40 years. Sorry but that has to count for something. It’s just a simple case of experience from doing all that time. You aren’t wrong in anything you have said about Ronaldo the person and the traitor. All I have added to that is that he was an incredible player for us who was instrumental in having us win seven major trophies while he was with the club. He was also a here for six long years, and for me that counts for something despite his recent actions. So in many ways you are right but I also think I make very valid and strong points in the players defense. But I have many that are so jaded about his departure, that they don’t want to hear reason or any defense for the lad. All they want to do is slam the door sut and forget he ever existed. And my entire point was that this kind of action is unfair and rather lacking in class, much like the lack of class Ronaldo has shown us of late. Two wrongs do not make a right. But bro, you should know by now that you are my buddy on this blog and that if I differ with you, it’s never personal and I never ever question your intelligence or loyalty. But one can be intelligent and wrong too.
I on the other hand am never wrrr. I am never wrrrrrr. See, I just rarely not correct.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:19
@Craig Mc: I often start off replying to something you said and that gets me on a to ranting overall about the subject but not directed to you but to everyone. Quite often I wills tart directing my comments to the manager or player even though i started the reply to a specific individual. I’m surprised you haven’t picked up on this yet. It’s called Grognard going off on a tangent. What can I say, I am a scatter brain.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:20
Frasier Campbell scores as England mauls Spain 2-0. Good stuff.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:21
@Grognard: Are you saying that Ronaldo was a better player than George Best mate, coz if you are I dont think you will get one single United fan who seen them both play that would agree with you.
George Best could have played in any era of football, he had every attribute that Ronaldo had and more, in todays game where the hard but fair challenge is almost a thing of the past Best would have been unplayable mate, can you honestly say that Ronaldo would have thrived in the 60s when the defenders got away with murder.
Ronaldo never dominated big games, he learned how to make his mark in different ways, but Bestie dominated in big games and terrorised defenses mate, he just didnt score important goals in big games, he put on exhibitions, Ronaldo in my opinion is well in his shadow.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:23
Fergie, get the hint………..
http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/21878/Aulas_reveals_Benzemas_favoured_destination.aspx
June 18th, 2009 at 22:24
@Grognard: If you want to accuse all United fans of having ‘no heart for Ronaldo’, you need to remember as I certainly do, that Ronaldo before he ruined our treble summer GLORY, by grabbing all the headlines AWAY from the other lads and fan celebrations, that he was Lauded, glorified, deified, and sang about from beginning to end of every game home and away. He got more adulation than any other player I believe in many years at OT. So if the United faithful’s heart hardened towards Ronnie’s WAY of going about getting a transfer, and nor because he wanted to leave, then I think at that time the fans were ENTIRELY justified in withdrawing from heart and emotional attachment. Which by the way, if I remember correctly you were one of said fans back then, as also was I.
.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:25
@Grognard: I finsihed my three years at middle school here. Now its on to the next chapter of me life!
Ive had a great time with my friends, and Im gonna miss them, but boy am I happy I finsihed that fucking school.
Eddy, a part of the `09 class.
We are gonna make history…
June 18th, 2009 at 22:26
@ROOOOONEY: Sorry mate, didnt think about that.
Just so fucking happy, gonna get away from the shitheads at my school, just feels great. 
BTW, if we had signed someone I would be celebrating in CAPS.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:28
@NicoQB: Summer break!!!
Which means:
Football
Girls
Transfers
Party
Late nights
In that order…
June 18th, 2009 at 22:29
Im gonna go out to celebrate. C ya guys tomorrow.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:32
@Fred The Red: Obviously your comprehension is suffering a bit mate. First off I mentioned how much more I love Bestie. Secondly I mentioned that he was a better all round player and a better play maker than Ronaldo. Where he cannot match Ronaldo is in goal scoring and free kick ability. That does not make Ronaldo a better player. Each have their strengths. Best played a time when it was easier for him to do what he did, I don’t even want to get into a debate about that. Today the game is stifled by incredible smothering defense and players who can attach to your back for 90 minutes. Watch an old game, not just highlights of Best and check out how much more room and time he had to function in. But still, I feel Best was a better overall player that did things more naturally. However, let me go on record right now and say, when Ronaldo has also finished his playing career, he will go down as a greater player than Best. Why? Simple mate, longevity and consistency over a long period of time. Best was incredible but for a relatively short period of time. So stick your bias you know where. I call them as I see them and i use 100% logic and no sentiment in my argument. I loved and prefer Bestie over Ronaldo everyday of the week and for me the greatest United player of all time is Best but my favorite will always be Cantona.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:35
@Craig Mc: Again you are defending your actions and those of others due to his antics and personality. I honestly don;’t give a damn about that and I have made that perfectly clear. I am talking about respecting him as a player and for his positive accomplishments on the pitch, not as a person. As a person he is a clown and spoilt inconsiderate selfish prick.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:37
@RedDevilEddy: Congrats Eddy. Now it’s on to bigger and better things and hopefully we’ll see you on that Norwegian under 20 team soon. God knows your country needs you.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:37
@RedDevilEddy: I can picture Eddy becoming the next one in the same line of Ronaldo and Macheda…
Oh well, when you finally make it, try to choose some kind of classy girl to be your own wag!
June 18th, 2009 at 22:38
@Grognard: Ronaldo could play until he is 50 mate, but he would still be in Bests shadow in my heart Grog, but Bestie was born and bred a mile away from my house so Im biased.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:39
@RedDevilEddy: If you want to play for Man Utd mate, cut out the partying and the girls. Trust me. Tunnel vision is what you must have and at the end of that tunnel should be only on thing……………….FOOTBALL. Don’t let your age and need for fun betray your ultimate goals in life. Trust me, I know of what I speak. Bin der dun dat.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:40
@Grognard: I’ve said it several times: when given the chance the boy scores.
I say Buy-Back clause time.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:42
@Fred The Red: That’s your heart mate, it’s hardly based on logic and statistics now is it? And still, I respect your right to feel the way you do. I too would always choose George Best over Ronaldo but I am also disappointed in Best for ruining what would have been the career of all careers. Had his partying and drinking not destroyed him, he would have gone down as a better footballer than Pele and Maradona. And above all, he’d still be with us today. A tragic waste and a terrible shame.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:46
@Grognard: Grog, in the immediate aftermath after a breakup there are hard feelings on both sides. Ronnie is like the beautiful girlfriend, who after six years of being in a near perfect relationship with us, the classy guy, has decided that she wants to go off and fuck her wealthy spanish coworker Antonio, who is more style than substance and shamelessly admits to such. See, since she was young girl, she was into spaniards and always dream of marrying one. This spanish fuck, having no respect for our relationship, began publicly flirted with her at office. We caught wind of this, reprimanded her, convinced her that staying with us it the best possible option, and even proposed to her. But she couldnt stop thinking about Antonio, despite her continued declarations of loyalty. it all came to a head, however, as we both knew it would. She started picking fights over simple shit, started whining and complaining about everything and the relationship became toxic, So it was decided that after she give us an 80 Million dollar fuck of our life, we’ll break up and she can go be with Antonio. She was a good woman in those 6 years, but right now, only her faults are visible. When time passes, we will look back with fondess at what a truly great relationship we had appreciate that we even had to chance to be with her, but at present she is a the slut, the total whore, that bitch who left us for antonio despite our undying, absolute fidelity, affection, and support
*for anyone offended by the language, I apologize. It’s done for effect.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:50
@Fred The Red: Fred, Bestie was born so close to your house??? Take it you knew him or his family then? From what my old man tells me, Bestie was an absolute genious of a footballer, and it is a shame he couldn’t deal with all the adoration, and continual media exposure every minute and every day, and resorted to the demon drink. If his career hadn’t been curtailed due to his alcoholism, nobody would have ever been remembered like he was. United won’t let him die though, will they?
.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:53
@Roge9: Roge Bro, ever thought of writing novels? Judging by that last post, you could make a fuckin fortune mate
.
June 18th, 2009 at 22:57
@Craig Mc: Never met Bestie mate but I came across his dad a few times, he was a proud wee man
June 18th, 2009 at 23:04
@Fred The Red: Yeah I heard that about Bestie’s dad. Best joined United’s youth at 15 didn’t he, so he wouldn’t have been around your patch very much to bump into once he left – shame
.
June 18th, 2009 at 23:05
@Craig Mc: in my opinion mate if Bestie had of stayed on the straight and narrow until he was 30 then there would have been few rivals to compete with him being the greatest player ever.
June 18th, 2009 at 23:10
@Craig Mc: he did visit his dad and also lived not far from here for a few years about 6 years ago and those that met him said he was a gentleman. I can remember his dad telling me how he used to teach George how to kick with both feet, he also said that he wasnt that hard to teach
June 18th, 2009 at 23:13
Quite a goal by Campbell!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b0sIcK9z-w
June 18th, 2009 at 23:29
@Fred The Red: I agree
. Fancy his dad teaching him to kick with BOTH feet. Unusual that 
. Good on his dad though!
June 18th, 2009 at 23:36
Vucinic for £15 million sounds interesting. We have some East Europeans at the club and he’d settle just fine. I also think having been on the receiving end of many beatings from us he realises that Manchester United is the team to play for. Seems he’d be happy playing as third striker and he has some Champions League experience as well.
We’d also have £65 million left to try and sort out our midfield so we avoid another Barcelona.
Of course Ferguson is too stubborn and doesn’t see there is a problem in midfield. He’ll get caught up in some stupid bidding war and end up paying the moon for someone like Ribery or Benzema and we’d have no money left and have to soldier on with a central midfield of Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick with Giggs and Scholes in reserve.
June 19th, 2009 at 0:21
@Grognard: Did you see Marin’s horror tackle?
June 19th, 2009 at 0:29
@Rd: He’s ruled out Liverpool because they won’t give him the mega wages that city will. Make no bones about it, he is a mercenary.
June 19th, 2009 at 0:36
@Grognard: What truth. Ronaldo is world player of the year because he is the best player in the world. EVERYONE IN THE WORLD IS AWARE OF THIS FACT.
Samuel’s article is based on a big fat lie that he himself invents in the article. That we, the United faithful, think he is dogshite as a player. This has never once been said anywhere by a United supporter. He’s done this because United supporters aren’t dressing in only black and laying flowers outside the gates of OT like it was Busby’s bloody funeral all over again.
He has failed to realise that Ronaldo’s antics last season left him dead to the hearts of most United supporters, as he hijacked a great season for the club by making it all about him. And not about his great season, about a desire to go to Madrid. Why should we mourn him? He was a great player, but he isn’t bigger than Manchester United. Nobody is. It isn’t worth feeding his ego to make him think he is.
He probably does anyway.
June 19th, 2009 at 0:40
@Roge9: Well if Ronaldo was a woman then she would be a cunt and not the asshole I think he is.
Excuse my language, but I cannot think of better words to describe him/her!!
June 19th, 2009 at 0:47
**Strong Language alert**
Why was it obvious that Ronaldo was going to sign for Madrid after Kaka?
Cause a Brazilian is usually followed by an irritating cunt.
thankyougoodnight!
June 19th, 2009 at 1:01
@colver: I know our mifield could be better, but i also think the loss of the midfield battle against Barca was down to bad tactics more than anything else.
It was a simple case of 3 Barca players outnumbering 2 United players, coz Giggs played behind Ronaldo for most of the match not in midfield were he was badly needed.
It was the same system that worked so well against the slow and ponderous Inter at the San Siro, but it was never going to work against a team like Barca who keep and move the ball so well.
Barca deserved the victory on the night mate, but thier performance was blew out of all proportion and I am convinced that if SAF had of played a trio in the centre of the park by playing Scholes instead of Giggs then it would have been a different match.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:15
If i was Fergie, i will spend the money on Huntelaar,Valencia and Sneijder. That to some extent cover up our midfield problems, give us a 20-goals-a-season striker and decent cover on the right side of midfield.
Before we go scouting for young talents around the globe,stop by the manchester united reserve team bench..Macheda,Welbeck,Petrucci,Tosic,Gibson,Manucho…and to some extent Nani and Anderson (yet to convince me…completely another argument)..we should give them a chance than trying to fill up our team with egoistic,spain-bound losers!!!
June 19th, 2009 at 1:21
@Grognard: if its logic and stats that you are into then go and compare Besties and and Ronnys goals per game and you will find that they are almost identical, so as you say, given that Best was not known for free kicks or penalties then that would make him a better goalscorer, and for your information, its OK to be biased so long as you dont allow that bias to influence your interpretation of the facts or deny the truth if it does not support your bias. Its logically possible to be both biased and correct at the same time mate, they are not mutually exclusive.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:47
@Fred The Red: Bestie signed my match program in December of 1968, prior to the home game against Liverpool. He was friendly and accommodating to all us kidlets, but I do remember him looking like crap (from the night before, I imagine).
He played great and I’m pretty sure he scored the winning goal (1-0) with an amazing dribble through the entire Liverpool defense, then side footing past the goalie. (I’m not entirely sure that it was this game that he did that, after 40 years my memories blur together a little)
He was my idol in those days, and when he waned, so did my interest in the game (temporarily). When he died, I cried like a baby!!
June 19th, 2009 at 2:54
@Traverse: According to that infamous paper the Sun, which does on accasion get things right, Tevez has told Man United, make me the highest paid player at the club, or forget it! Also he is deliberately keeping United waiting, because we kept him waiting. Please, how much longer do we have to put up with this shite from Tevez? Ego fucking number two. I believe he truly thinks he can take over from and is as great as Ronnie and DESERVES to be THE MAIN PLAYER. FFS, do we really need another MASSIVE preener around our club. The fans have made this fucking rod for our backs, by making this dud feel in the last weeks that he really is greater than everyone else. He has to fucking go, because he has become inflated bag of wind No 2. WTF is Man United allowing him to get away with this shit. I am so pissed off with Tevez and Joorabchian. Let them get away with this, and it will be a non ending the tail wagging the dog. Like I said, the United faithful certainly know how to choose their hero’s – NOT!
June 19th, 2009 at 3:02
Fergie, Fergie, sign him up my arse! I want to organise my own rent a mob now, to greet SAF when he returns from holiday, and we all chant, Fergie, Fergie, KICK HIM OUT, Fergie, Kick him out. I’m absolutely incensed with Tevez and everyone and everything to do with him. I’m raging
.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:06
@Redrich: were do you rank Bestie mate, on sheer ability alone he must be one of if not the greatest.
I would loved to have seen him live, must have been great Rich.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:07
@Roge9: How on Earth is anyone supposed to get the proper perspective on this with analogy as lethal and as out of place as that? Jeez!
June 19th, 2009 at 3:08
@Traverse: No I didn’t. So what does that mean, that now he is a shitty player because he made a bad tackle? I guess that makes Rooney total rubbish then eh?
June 19th, 2009 at 3:18
@Craig Mc: If I was SAF i would forget about Tevez, if we move hard and fast I genuinely think that we can get Benzema, add the precosious Douglas Costa as well and get Hargreaves fully fit and we would be dandy.
If Costs is as good as I think he is, the lift that it would give OT whenever they see him play would make Ronny a distant memory.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:28
@Fred The Red: Yeah Fred, I certainly don’t understand the mentality of these foreigners. We have had players before that were idolised, but unless I have a very short memory, I can’t remember anything like the VASTLY INFLATED EGOS of Ronnie and Tev. Ronnie’s great skill and ability as a footballer, have made us lean towards at least bearing with him. But Tevez, is FEEDING off the adulation of the fans during the last months of the season, and it is damaging the credibility now of Man Utd and all we have always stood for. I find it unsufferable to be honest. Is this a result of the Ronnie influence and attitude now beginning to be seen in our other foreign players. Whatever it is, I don’t like it. We don’t need it. What do you think Fred?
June 19th, 2009 at 3:43
@Craig Mc: Tevez was a superstar in South America and has a massive reputation over there, I genuinely think that Tevez feels disrespected by United and is acting out of character, coz I dont think he has the reputation as a trouble maker.
But the problem is that at 26 million he is overpriced by at least 8 million, and he has not done enough in his two years at OT to merit being in the top wage bracket.If he does have too high of an opinion of himself then it would be better to let him go coz I cant see him being regarded any higher than he was last year and if its going to lead to problems then its best to let him go.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:32
@Fred The Red: In his day, he was Pele’s equal. He could do that little dip of his hip and the defender was on his rear end. There were times when I thought he was invincible, no one could touch him for sheer ability and class. He had a sixth sense that no other player had. and performed like a magician oohing and aahing the crowds with unbelievable feats of skill.
I could go on to explain how better he could have been, but I really have to remember him for all the good stuff only. He was sooo, so good!!
I’m not sure I want to engage in the Best v. Ronaldo discussion. It’s better left for those trying to write history.
But I will say this. On an emotional level, no one could compete with George Best as to what a player meant to me, and that’s a prejudice based on how well I got to know of him. Ronaldo, on the other hand, showed me nothing of his soul. I never knew him, and I will probably be grateful that I never did!!
June 19th, 2009 at 4:45
@Craig Mc: Well hells-bells, I agree with you Craig!!
Mind you, I could give a flyer about his attitude, it’s his poor skill set and lack of goal scoring, that makes me want him gone!!
June 19th, 2009 at 5:21
@Grognard: Stop this bro… and move on…No one is denying his ability but the point is now we need to move on. So we need to find out some points that will give us some psychological stability and strenght. may be thats what everyone is doing by thinking that we can do without him. And there is nothing wrong in this approach.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:58
@Grognard: Stop this bro… No one is denying his ability but the point is now we need to move on. So we need to find out some points that will give us some psychological stability and strenght. may be thats what everyone is doing by thinking that we can do without him. And there is nothing wrong in this approach.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:04
June 19th, 2009 at 7:59
@Onkar: I don’t think Grognard is saying we can’t move on without him, I think he wants us to respect Ronaldo for all that he gave us, well on the field
. Ronaldo, as a person was a cunt, but to watch him with the ball at his feet is an absolute joy and he gave us some moments with his outrageous skill that we were proud to tell the world that he belonged to Manchester United.
We’ll defintely move on without Ronaldo, we might end up trophyless for a season, but I’ll take that if we know for a fact that we are building a new team with upcoming youngsters. We won trophies after Canntona left , after Keano left, after Stam left. With the history that the club has, we can be sure we’ll always be an attractive club for talented youngsters to come to.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:03
@Grognard: From your assessment of Vucinic, I think we should pursue him aggressively. I was quite skeptical about his ability to play as the lone striker because when ever i had seen him play, he was deployed on the flanks. Benzema is a talent, but he would start moaning from day one if he were benched. Also Fergie is a big fan of Berba, I don’t think he would lose faith in him just after a season. Fergie will trust the Roon-Berba partnership to deliver the goods. A team will be built around them.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:07
@Stephen: I’m not slating him. I have always maintained that he is a great footballer. I also advocated that he should follow his dream. Now that he’s gone…he’s gone. I could not care less about him. Perhaps I’ll realise that there is a CR9 when we meet Madrid in the CL, but other than that…who cares? (Why should I, he surely did not think of me when he shagged Paris
)
@Roge9: Brilliant…again.
I was actually thinking of using the same analogy, but the way you put it is simply amazing.
There’s a fine line between love and hate. The deeper the love, the deeper the hate.
@Andrei: My sentiments exactly.
People also are blinded to the fact that the last few games, when he realised that Berba was no longer automatic first choice, he actually started to disprove the stuff people said against him, like ‘cannot score’, ‘poor touch’, ‘no vision’. (Look at his games for Argentina and in Brazil to see what an in-form, confident Tevez can do).
People are over-hyped over Benzema, Ribery, Huntelaar, etc. naively thinking that it will automatically solve problems in the team. They forget that exactly a year ago, they were shouting and expecting the same for Berbatov. See how that turned out?
Berbatov is a classy player. Now that he plays for United (and not going anywhere), I believe he is the classiest player in the world. I was never convinced of him, but somehow I get the feeling that he will really shine this season (I guess you can call me a convert). Unfortunately, he will need another few weeks/months to adapt to the team (including the new CR7′less tactics). How long are we going to give a Benzema or Ribery or Huntelaar, etc. to adapt? Can we afford another lenghty adaptation? Not saying that we should not sign them, but lets our naivity (and desperation) completely blind us.
@Craig Mc: The Sun also claimed that Nani was extremely unhappy at United and wanted to demand a move to Italy. Now Nani claims he can become like Ronaldo.
How do they know what Tevez told United management? Also, how come Tevez has not signed for City already because the money apparently is much, much more. Why are City going in for Eto’o if they already have Robinho and Tevez sealed up? What would Tevez make of his starting chances then? He ruled out Liverpool because of the fans, yet the fans want to stick it to him? Management fucked up on negotiations, yet he is the evil one? They had 2 years to tie up the deal and decided to keep him on a leash by telling him ’soon’, now he is the bad one for taking his time to make a decision? I love United to bits. This will not change, no matter what. (He is also a United fan by heart). If I were in Tevez’ shoes, I would actually tell United to piss off! (And I’m not even exactly an arrogant person).
June 19th, 2009 at 8:11
@Stephen: I forgot to add, I don’t really dislike Beckham, I just don’t like him. He is Majorly overrated. Other than his brilliant crossing ability, he is absolutely useless as a footballer. (He would get clobbered at street football where I grew up).
I also believe that if he did not marry into the Spice Girls at the time when he did, then he would have been a distant memory by now.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:21
@Karl: Tevez said we would have won the final had he started, that is a disrespect to his team mates as well as to Fergie’s team selection.
Ok, Lets put tevez’s ramblings to the media aside and judge him purely as a player. Is he what we need now? Is he our answer for the goal scoring threat. Does he bring the best out of Rooney, who is a better player than Tevez and is going to be our talisman.Tevez and Rooney could play upfront together two seasons back because their job was mainly creating space for Ronaldo and we had the genuine goal threat from Ronnie then. I have my reservations with respect to the Tevez-Roon partnership. Also, if Rooney and Berba remain fit for the entire season, Tevez will still end up playing the same number of games as last season. I don’t think he would accept such a situation.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:45
@NicoQB: haha wish we had a polling system here…
oh well, he is going anyway, not yet gone, but going… i am slow on the uptake, so until his pictures of him in a madrid shirt come out, i am waiting for madrid to tank leeds style, and get found out for some major scandal that forces their dissolution.
haha dreams…
June 19th, 2009 at 8:45
@Scorp:
1. My point was that us getting on Tevez’ back because of the media bullshit is crap.
2. I was brought up with the principles that respect is not automatic, it needs to be earned. My mother sat me down one day and told me “I have always taught you to respect other people, but today I want to tell you, if someone don’t respect you, you don’t have to respect him/her”. Today, I live by this. What respect was shown to him?
3.The questions that you asked are exactly what we should focus on. If we focus on those, then we as supporters can properly debate the issue and decide which is best for club and player.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:53
@NicoQB: Added to that, when Keane left, we got 2 different type of players in Carrick and Hargreaves. You’re right, we don’t need to focus on a replacement. We’ll definitely get alternatives, Perhaps in this case, either 1, 2 or 3 players. IMHO, I think we should first wait and assess. I think our squad is good enough for a top-4 fight-out as-is.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:10
@Scorp: I know actually i jumped on my gun without reading all the posts from GROG.
@Grognard:
But, even to GROG I would like to point out one thing that we as supporter are not the people who watch our stars/ idols play and then forget them. I mean we worship them. So, its becomes difficult grogy to keep two things separate as you are saying. I mean as fan i loved RONALDO as package as whole. I mean tell me why people try the same haircut as there stars do, why they go out and buy the fashion wears, perfumes recommended by there stars. All this is not a part of there sports but this whole thing is a part of the Players as a package which includes players on and off the pitch as well. I mean common bro tell me one thing dont you thing hurt by him deep down some where. I mean we always knew that one day he will move on as we all knew that his dream is to play for ‘the mob’ but the point is he could have done this transfer gracefully. He could have come out said to his fan and manager that look gaffer i have done everything that i could do for this team , i gave everything that i have, i won all the accolades with this team now i want to move on. I want go and attain my childhood dream. And then everyone would have gracefully accepted the fact but no he came up with all those god only knows things all ‘BS’. Now, grog tell me one thing, that he done everything that a footballer can do that too at small age of 24 yrs. Then why we regard him as a great player only and not as legend. The answer lies not in the Ronaldo as player but the Ronaldo as human being. I mean we as fans expects many things who from people who we call as greats/ heroes but legends they are special players as well as human beings they teach you some or the other thing for your personal life. I mean I can still remember those days when after Rooney’s sent off in an international because of him the whole England was on his back to the level that he was not ready to come here. At that who stayed strongly in support for him and then what he gave in return was god only knows ‘BS’.
I mean i can’t believe its you GROG who’s saying all these things and talking about being fair and objective by keeping two things separate. I mean i still remember about couple of days back you questioned RR’s passion for the game by while justifying your passionate rant. So now where is your PASSION bro. And just because you can keep RONALDO on the pitch and off the pitch separate you can’t expect others do the same. Because, they all including my self felt betrayed by that man, harassed mentally by him because unlike you we all loved RONALDO as whole and we never said that we loved and worship RONALDO on the pitch and not off it.
So please GROG you can see things that way but others can’t. At least i cant’t because I still feel he could have gone better way. Anyway the point is Ronaldo whether on the pitch or off the pitch is the same man and if he has received some bashing from some of the passionate fans i dont thing there is anything wrong in it.
He totally deserved it…..
June 19th, 2009 at 9:13
@Karl: We don’t know what kind of disrespect was actually meted out to Tevez. We’ll never know what happened behind those doors. There is a huge chance that his agent played mind games with Tevez and turned him against us.The whole problem of disrespect started when his agent claimed that we promised Tevez’s party that we would sign him up after his two year loan period. If that isn’t the case it is totally Fergie’s prerogative to sign him up or not. Forget about the fees that Tevez is demanding, if Fergie feels that he doesn’t offer anything different from what we already have, he’ll let him go as Fergie usually gets his man no matter what the fees is.
Fergie had reiterated many times that Tevez knows that we want him at OT. So did Fergie or Gill actually try to negotiate for a long term deal? Yes they did. Did Fergie ever discuss with Tevez that his agent was demanding for over the top fees, we’ll never know. Did Tevez try to tell his agent to lower the fees demanded, we’ll never know.
As for the information that we, the fans, have 25 million for Tevez is not worth it, for that fees we can get players who would provide a different dimension to the attack.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:19
@Grognard: Yeah, mate. They really do…
Like you said, Im on to bigger and better things now. More pressure, higher stakes. But I thrive on pressure, so it looks good!
Gonna be practising my ball control and shooting teqnique all summer, cause it doesnt look like Im going anywhere. 
But oh well, maybe it is time I show some of my goals/skills on Youtube, eh? 
Then you send it to your boss(Fergie) and tell him to come and sign me up! I promise you, Im not an irritating cunt! 
June 19th, 2009 at 9:20
@NicoQB: Ive already got a classy girl, dont think I need another.
As for me being the next in line after Macheda and Ronny, we shall see… 
June 19th, 2009 at 9:24
@Grognard: Dont think I can cut out the girls, cause if anything its they that have to cut out me!
Besides, footy has been my life and I have not let anything come in the way of that. Really good teammates of me have wasted their talent because they began smoking, they started fighting, taking drugs and stuff like that, Ive seen them come and go, good and bad. But Ive been there longer than anyone, and Ive been there and done more than anybody. Partying has never been a problem for me, because I want things to be simple. Never have I taken drugs, never have I had a one-night stand, very rarely do I get so drunk that I wake up in a trash can in Albania the next moring. 
So you dont worry, I know how to deal with things. But if I sense trouble, I will go for the safest option. Just like in football… 
June 19th, 2009 at 9:31
Okey, Ive been away the last couple of days because of the gradiuation party(or whatever they call it in English!), so I havent had time to comment as much or keep up with what has happened. But I see we are still talking about Ronaldo, but my video says all I needed to say about him…
Although Tevez, who now just looks like a greedy cunt, I dont want in our club. He saved us on a few occasion last season, including Stoke and Wigan. But I just cant see him stay. Good footballer, but not great. And now that Ronaldo has left, we need great footballers. If Tevez stays, I wouldnt be too angry. Because I feel that he can do good things in thsi side, but he is far from being my favorite signing. If we have to pay £25 million to keep Tevez when we can get Aguero for £50 million, I really think there is no doubt which we should go for! Aguero is at least four times the footballer that Tevez is, and could become better than Ronaldo has ever been for this club if we go for him. He wants us, we want him, whats so difficult?! We have the money and we have the team to make this happen. So Tevez can just fuck off for all I care, cause he is behaving almost like Ronaldo, but he is not even the kind of player. At least Ronaldo had some class on the field…
Fuck Tevez, get Aguero and Young. Then get De Rossi, cause apparantley Roma are ready to listen to offers!
June 19th, 2009 at 9:32
Oh, a new thread…
June 19th, 2009 at 9:47
@Scorp: Thank you! thank you! thank you! Finally somebody who has figured out what the Hell I’ve been on about for a week. I am more than willing to move on but every time I read somebody making an asinine statement like “I’m glad Ronaldo is gone and I think he wasn’t quite as valuable as everyone thinks” I just want to vomit. What we have in Mancunia are a bunch of bitter pillocks who just refuse to give the man his due. Well, I’ll leave it alone, because I don’t have the power to change the world, but it’s refreshing to know that at least one person actually got what I was trying to say. Thanks again mate.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:54
@Scorp: Vucinic is good, no doubt about it but with the kind of money we have, I really think Fergie would be doing us a major disservice by not pursuing a bigger name for that position. I am not a Benzema fan but even if he were to come here and then want to leave for Madrid, we would be able to probably get close to double what we paid for him. Vucinic does not have that kind of pedigree or intrinsic value. A good player but not what we really should be pursuing with the kind of bankroll we presently have. Benzema, Aguero, Huntelaar, van Persie are all better players in my opinion and most are big names. Vucinic would fall in the category of #3 strikers I’d go for like Dzeko, Ibesevic, Keirreson etc.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:56
@Karl: Don’t blame people for having put their faith and for getting hyped up about Berbatov. People saw just how good he was with Spurs and they also knew how much Fergie himself had hyped up the player. Many of us preferred other players over Berbatov but were still willing to settle for him because he was and still is a quality player. The problem however as I see it is his style of play does not suit us as well as Fergie had hoped.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:58
@Grognard: Your welcome mate
The man clearly didn’t have the class to deal with his off field issues and the ridiculous statement that he made ” Fans will forget everything once I start scoring goals again” will not be forgotten.
But, my god, what a player he was. He was the major reason we won the three titles and saying that we are better off without him has optimism and bitterness written all over it more than anything else.
I would like to hear your take on the whole Tevez thing, of course in the new thread
June 19th, 2009 at 10:01
@Scorp: Let’s forget all the MSI/Tevez vs Management/Fergie stuff and discuss “As for the information that we, the fans, have 25 million for Tevez is not worth it, for that fees we can get players who would provide a different dimension to the attack.”.
I know that our opinions means nothing to United really, all we can do is have fun in discussing these issues and just hope that maybe Fergie will see it ‘our’ way.
My side of the debate – I’m for United signing Tevez (although I have my reservations on wether this is the club environment for him to reach his fullest potential). I’m also selfish in a sense and want us to sign him. Rather have him than play against him I say.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:02
@Karl: I don’t know mate, he seems to have good passing skills, divine ability to cross the ball and he is a free kick specialist extraordinarre. So what if he has no pace or isn’t a great dribbler. That still doesn’t make him a bad footballer. I laugh when people list players like DMF’s like they are something incredible and very few of them have any skill with the football whatsoever. All they do well is defend and hustle. So it really depends on what you are looking for. David Beckham was a massive force for us in the late 90’s and early parts of this decade. His crossing, corners, free kicks and penalties were of the highest order and his leadership and ability to get on with his teammates made things very comfortable around the dressing room. Also, you do not get over 100 caps for England by being a useless tosser. So it’s fine if you don’t like him, thats your prerogative but please, don’t call him a poor footballer because then you play with the intelligence of me and millions of others who know differently. I don’t care about his lifestyle, his fashion sense or any of his extra curricular activities. As a footballer he has always been outstanding and a real professional.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:04
@Grognard: Mate don’t worry mate I hope I havn’t pissed you off bro, but that is my view and it will not change.
Beckham is a topic which divides many United fans, you are either in his camp or out, personally I believe he manovered his transfer for his own personal and financial gian to promote “Brand Beckham” and hid behind the management and his spat with Ferguson to mask this.
Fergie saw the fact that his lifestyle and his wife was more important to him than Manchester United and Ok’d his move, but Beckham wanted to leave and that was his choice, but all the blame certainly should not soley fall on Fergie’s shoulders.
Trust me mate I am not jealous I am a fan of the club and I am sure many think that I am blinkered by Fergies decisions and am a too loyal pup
But I do believe Beckham wanted to go, anyway it is my Birthday so don’t be too harsh on me mate with all my faults! 
June 19th, 2009 at 10:04
@Scorp: Tevez is not the answer and I will be very very disappointed in Fergie if he signs him because the player’s ego has gotten the better of him and the fact is, he’s just not good enough in my books. Let someone else be saddled with his delusions of grandeur.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:09
@Karl: By all accounts Bro, I think Tevez has told United to piss off
.
Regarding Nani, well I did say to you at the start of my post, that The Sun WHO SOMETIMES ON OCCASION get things right –
. To be honest though, Nani himself did tell Portuguese tv in interview, that he would not be returning to Portugal in any swap deal, but if he left United it would be to take up offers in Italy! So I guess there was truth in that report 
.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:15
@Grognard: I also don’t care about his lifestyle. I’m totally referring to his footballing on the pitch.
Just like Scholes doesn’t tickle your fancy, just so neither does Beckham. I don’t mean to offend you, but I cannot lie about the fact that I feel he is massively overrated. Apart from his wonderful crossing (which always seem to find the spot – he is brialliant at it), I don’t see much else. In a sense, I see him as too one-dimensional. His passing to me is average at best. I can remember getting frustrated at the fact that Fergie Always included him in a team, even when he played badly. His free-kicks, as good as what they are, was also a bit overrated, just like Ronaldo’s. Consider they both got a kazillion chances on freekicks. To be honest – I know you will scoff at this – but I used to think of Quinton Fortune as just as good at free-kicks as him (he just never got the opportunity for United).
I can remember feeling very frustrated at Giggsy at the time, wishing that he had Beckham’s crossing ability. Had he that, he would have been the ultimate winger. But, alas. What Giggsy lacked, Beckham compensated for, and visa versa I suppose. Keep in mind, when he played for United, all players on the continent expressed how they feared Giggs the most. Everybody regarded him as more dangerous than Beckham.
So, I don’ dislike him, let’s just say that I will never buy his after shave of hair gel.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:17
@Onkar: I’m not asking you to love Ronaldo mate. That has not been my mission. All I wanted is for people to stop talking nonsense like we are a better team without him and that he wasn’t that good except for one season. I can’t stand Ronaldo the person. I own nothing with his image on it. I wouldn’t by a jersey with his name and number nor would I buy a t-shirt. Personally I think he’s kind of gay without actually being gay. His fashion sense and presentation is a little to androgynous for my liking so I am in no way a fan of the man.
I am however a huge fan of the player and will always remember the thrills and spills he gave us as a United player. I think he was beyond world class, he was amazing and highly consistent for us. So all I would like from everyone to admit or to acknowledge how great he was as a player and to put aside the bitterness and disappointment that comes about because of his personality, and just focus on the player we have lost.
If one looks at things properly, you could say he gave more to us than both Cantona and George Best because one retired prematurely afte ronly five seasons with the club and the other won drunk himself out of the game well before his time. But never a negative word about how those player’s disappointed us. I for one was more gutted when Cantona retired because I thought it was a silly thing to do by a person who as great as he was, allowed his eccentricity to rule his common sense. Then again, it was that eccentricity that made Cantona a jewel on the pitch. But he retired too soon. Well Ronaldo gave us six seasons, not one or two but six. That has to count for something and yet with many greedy and self centered supporters, it means squat. I wish him well but I will also miss and feel sick to think that he will never wear a Man Utd jersey again. Because for me anyway, he was one special talent and we are worse off without him.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:18
@RedDevilEddy: I look forward to seeing Fast Eddy on YouTube.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:18
@Karl: Yes mate and my side of the debate is we have a better version of Tevez in our team and that is Rooney. Sometimes he holds up the ball a little too much and does not have a good first touch. He is not versatile and doesn’t possess the vision that Rooney does. I always thought and still think that Fergie got him in the first place because he was the cheapest proven option available then.So in my books, instead of shelling out 25 million for him , we can as well shell out say 35 and get Benzema.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:20
@Craig Mc:
@Stephen: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I wish you all the best on this special day in your life.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:26
@Grognard: I know what you mean with Cantona. I remember still parying for a miracle, years afterwards that Fergie will pull a miracle and convince Cantona to come back. I was gutted and utterly dissapointed.
But, United survived. We will after this episode as well.
Don’t worry about missing him too much. I’m sure Nani will provide some sparkle this season. Remember that even Ronaldo was looked down at by calling him a ‘one-trick pony’. With Nani, the trickery will come good.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:30
@Scorp: Exactly. When I think of all the things he said and did, I above everyone should be in a fitting rage and want to throttle the prick, but I just can’t. Last summer I was on the campaign to have him booed right out of OT. I was so pissed off with his desire to leave after we just won the Champions League. You just don’t do that after you just win the big one. He robbed all of us of a summer of bliss and reflection over the great season that was. So I came onto this board and officially declared the prick dead to me. I meant it. I was hurt, betrayed and highly disappointed in him. Butthen he came back and apologized and i for one felt it was sincere even though I knew, we would only have him for a season or two more.
He had such an amazing year in 2007/08 that to think of allowing him to leave after scoring 42 goals was unthinkable. Well this year he was great but his ealrly injury problems and struggle to get back in shape and form hurt him this season. And his attitude and petulance was a clear indication that the gig was up, it was time to go. So I had a whole season to prepare myself for the inevitable and yet, I felt he wouldn’t go. When it became clear he was off, I was upset and disappointed but I had prepared myself for this and so I never reacted the same way. By that time I was sick of his attitude and the end of the Man City game was for me the final straw as it was for Fergie and many of you.
So I would like people out there to understand that I feel the same disappointment, bitterness and feeling of betrayal as they do. The big difference is that it is tempered by logic and the facts as well as the realization that no matter what, he was one special player for us and he gave us plenty to cheer about and helped us win seven major trophies. I also do not share the indifference shown towards him. I just don not understand that. It seems childish to me. I guess I’m just not as greedy as I used to be. I’m like a 50 year old women who’s best days are behind and who just feels lucky as hell to occasionally get noticed or laid. For me Ronaldo was a treat and I am thankful for his six years.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:31
@Scorp: I’m not going to argue the Rooney is better than Tevez issue. But, what do we do when Rooney is injured? Before Tevez came, we had that problem, and as I recall, we performed badly then. That was the main reason Tevez was acquired…to provide continuency for our – at the time – most important player.
Shelling out 35m, who’s to say Benzema won’t go through the same teething problems as Berbatov where we will need to wait a season and a half? Can we really afford to wait that long with ‘the selfish one’ gone?
On the money, I believe Valencia might go for a similiar amount. Is he worth it?
June 19th, 2009 at 10:36
@Stephen: No I am not upset whatsoever mate. You have a right to like or dislike any player you want. I was just on the pro Becks side and decided to be his champion for the day. As for his maneuvering hi move away from United, that is simply just your feelings and is nothing more than speculation. Are you wrong, I think so but then again none of us really know for sure so assuming something like that without having the facts, isn’t really that fair. What we do know is that Fergie had grown to dislike him and his lifestyle at the end and he did kick a shoe that accidentally cut him…. or was it intentional
One thing is for sure, there are two camps regarding Becks, those who love him like myself, and those who don’t like yourself. And that’s just the way it is.
And happy birthday mate. All the best to you. CHEERS!
June 19th, 2009 at 10:42
@Grognard: I totally agree with you that he was a huge talent mate. He was a class apart. but the problem with whole star and fan relationship is people who follow there sports star they follow them religiously more often then not. And then they dont figure out that after all he just another human being. The problem here mate the outcry sometimes logical more often illogical comes from that attachment that these fan have with these players. And due to which they can’t think objectively like you are advocating. And then whole ranting starts at any level.
So, in this whole thing my point was simple. He should have handled the matter more gracefully then people would have accepted his decision and he would have not got the battering he got. All i wanted him to do as a fan was to show some off the pitch as well.
And as far as other thing goes about whether we are better off or worse off without him i think we will get that answer only when season will start so need of jumping the guns on that so early. Let the time decide that cause you never know whats there in store for you……
June 19th, 2009 at 10:42
@Karl: I don’t know what it is about me but I get people thinking that I offend too easily. No offense was taken. You have a right to either be a fan of a player or not. Your example of Scholes is a valid one but one thing that I do show and feel for Scholes is respect and appreciation. He’s never stoked my fire but he has been a great servant and a fine player. I get a little mad at him nowadays because I thinkhe is well past his expiry date and should retire but that is not disrespect as muxch as it’s speaking the truth as I see it. So you don’t like Beckham, that’s fine, I can’t change your mind about that.
But I will debate anyone on Beckham’s merits as a player and his contributions. Not liking him is fine, but calling him shite or poor player is not because that is just not true. On those types of comments, I get defensive and defend him because for me, who is hard to please, Beckham was a great talent.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:44
@Karl: That is actually my point Karl. We know that when all three Berba, Tevez and Rooney are fit who is Ferige going to play. Tevez would play when ever Rooney is injured as you said. I think Fergie will now prefer the Rooney-Berba partnership any day to Tevez-Rooney partnership. So would Tevez actually accept the role of a third striker?
The case with Benzema or Huntelaar is that they are different players from Rooney and Berba. Though they might need time to settle, we atleast know that we have some one who offers something different from what we already have.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:46
@Karl: I agree i don’t know why but ever since this RONALDO things has unfolded i felt that the Next Ronaldo in the making is NANI. I may be proven wrong but i think hope is the key in this because we all know that he talented enough all he need is little bit of confidence from the BOSS…
June 19th, 2009 at 10:49
@Grognard: That’s exactly what i meant when i said he should have handled situation with the same class which he shows on the pitch and he still would have been the hero at OT i am sure.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:49
@Karl: Anyway to clear things up, I don’t want Benzema either at OT. He too wouldn’t accept to be a part of the rotation policy. He comes with some talent but with a bag full of ego as well. I made the 35 million price tag of Benzema to highlight the fact that, at 25 Tevez is clearly being overpriced.
What about his dream to return to Boca in a few years. Two years back, he said he would return to Argentina in 5 years. So if he is true to his word, that leaves only 3 years with us.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:53
@Karl: United will survive. Profound words and usually words I would agree with you on 100% however, I am not so sure anymore. Not because we lost Ronaldo but where is this team going to be five years from now and a couple years after Fergie has retired? I have no faith whatsoever in our owners and their massive debt and lets face it, like him or not, Fergie is a legend and is hard to replace. Check that, he is impossible to replace. Will this team dip and go into a purgatory until the next SAF is found? How long will it take, who will be his immediate successor? These questions plague me and worry me about the club’s future. A club that doesn’t have the financial power any more to go out and buy players like it did (forget this season’s cash cow. Lets not forget what we gave up to get it). The next few years with Fergie will be interesting to see what kind of club he builds and what he leaves for his heir to work with. I have faith but the times are a changing and I’mnot as confident as I used to be. Too many competitors with very deep pockets keep screwing over our plans.
As for Nani, I hope he gets a chance but i somehow feel Fergie will buy a Silva or somebody who will start over him. I still think there is a chance Nani won’t even be with the club although his positive attitude and loyalty should be rewarded by Fergie.
And yes I too suffered for a few years hoping that a year or two off would get Cantona thinking of a comeback, but it never transpired. Amazing though how a player who was with us for five seasons and who really played only four because of his suspension can be regarded so highly and with so much love, that to this day he is regarded as the King. Long live the King. Go how I loved Eric Cantona, and I generally hate all French footballers.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:54
@Karl: All of us with brains and eyes know full well that Tevez isn’t fit to polish Wayne Rooney’s boots. Rooney is far superior.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:56
@Scorp: That is also my point. As you said, Berba-Rooney is first choice. Do you think an expensive player like Benzema will appreciate that? What should Fergie do? Does he sit out his first £30m signing, will he sit out his last £30m+ signing, or does he sit out his ‘lastest’ £30m+ signing?
Benzema (and even Huntelaar) are unproven in the Premier League. For the prices quoted, I would say wait. Rather the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.
I really don’t know how things are going to work this season because we have 2 ‘main’ drop deep strikers and no dependable finishers really. My argument is that with Tevez and Rooney playing upfront with Berba behind them, with all three license to move to and fro, it might work. But, we know Fegie won’t go for that. It’s ironic that adding another ‘of the same’ might solve the problem of ‘two of the same’. Tevez is not really the problem. Problem was actually created by acquiring Berbatov. As great as what he is, he was the wrong signing (or the right signing at the wrong time). Fact is, Berba and Rooney does not quite gell as a partnership. They had a total of 1 goals between them. Hardly inspiring by anyone’s standards.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:57
@Onkar: I think you are speaking for a lot of young fans who tend to idolize or emulate their heroes. I am 50 mate and I no longer get all misty and wet over a player. I like them a lot but I am also a middle aged man who is mature and who doesn’t act like an adolescent regarding athletes and movie stars etc. But I do get your point and it is a valid one when one takes certain age groups into consideration.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:01
@Onkar: Cantona quite often showed no class as did George Best. If you haven’t watched it before, I urge you to watch the 1968 European Final vs Benfica. In that game Bestie was being badly fouled and roughed up and he reacted several times in a way that would have gotten him a red card today. He was also very temperamental and not entirely stable so lets be fair. Ronaldo is a kid after all and has a different mindset culturally than many of us. I mean his country are front runners in drama queen theatrics and diving and have always been like that. So our expectations of him in terms of his actions on and off the field are and were highly unrealistic. An United fans never got mad with Cantona for pulling a bonehead move that got him suspended for a year. Why do these players get free passes for their character flaws?
June 19th, 2009 at 11:04
@Scorp: I’ve been thinking about the Benzema thing and RR was correct when he said that if we were to buy him he would eventually want to leave but by then his value may have doubled or tripled which means another cash cow. Perhaps buying future Real Madrid wannabe’s is actually a great way to fund our serious player purchases because of the major profit we make on those investments. Very insightful by RR indeed
June 19th, 2009 at 11:07
@Karl: I’ve always made my desires for us buying Huntelaar well known. But other thanhim, I am actually more than fine if we do not buy another striker. I want to see Berba get a chance to prove everyone wrong and i would like to see more of Welbeck and Macheda. I would also prefer to see the money spent on the wingers and central midfielders rather than up front. Those are the positions of concern for us.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:10
@Grognard: Touchy. Just asked if you’d seen it….
June 19th, 2009 at 11:10
@Stephen: Happy birthday Stephen!
June 19th, 2009 at 11:14
@Grognard: Cantona gets a free pass because he is not a man. He is Cantona.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:17
@Grognard: As far as the club goes GROg there is only one way you can keep this club alive given the amount of debt it has and that way is keep winning trophies and more trophies. And who after Fergi??? Only one name come to my head and that is ‘Jose Mourinho’. I know many won’t like it but as i said we will have to keep on winning things and today he is the only person who can literally guarantee success.
And as far as his boring style is concerned i think as i pointed out last time in his second year with Chelsea, Chelsea was the highest scoring and least conceding team in the league. I remember so many games when they score more 2 goals for sure. I dont know then why people feel that his style is boring. Yeah… One thing is sure what bores you is his domination because once he is on top he never losses and that makes league boring….
But i wont mind UNITED dominating that way… And honestly can we play any worse than what we did last season.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:18
@Grognard: Seems like you’re sucking me into a Tevez vs Rooney debate?
I’m not gonna o out on a limb to make ‘the statement’, but what I can say is, you compare a low-confidence Tevez with a high-confidence Rooney. I believe, had Berba not arrived, we would have seen a different Tevez. I believe he was not given a fair chance. When he came here, he was perceived by many as a Rooney (but with a bit more proficiency in front of goal). Remember how, season before last, Rooney frustrated the hell out of everyone by missing all those sitters? He is currently high on confidence because he knows the manager has confidence in him.
On Tevez’ signing…I will be happy if we sign him. Won’t be too dissapointed if we don’t sign him, just because we need to trust Fergie now to fix the team balance. If he feels ‘No’, then so be it. I can accept that. If he feels ‘Yes’, I will be ecctatic..
To be honest with you, I was totally pissed off with Cantona. Perhaps in a few years time, I will change my view on ‘the selfish one’ as well? Who knows?
I already made peace with us not signing anyone. But, my wet dream is to get Rossi back. Not because he might solve any problems, just because I like him and think he is an excelent finisher.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:23
@Grognard: Hey great point… Now you can work as financial adviser as well mate… but, not a bad point… Buy, a talented ‘the mob’ wannabe win some trphies and then sale him to ‘the mob’ for the capital gains…
June 19th, 2009 at 11:26
Thanks a lot boys means a lot, cheers
June 19th, 2009 at 11:34
@Stephen: Wish you very very happy birth day mate… Have a blasts of a time…. I hope this day brings some good news for all of us…
Cheers mate…………
June 19th, 2009 at 11:43
I think we’re going to have a better summer than Liverpool. Their one great summer signing, the final piece of the puzzle, Glen Johnson…. going to Chelsea instead!
Alonso and Mascherano both off to Spain. No good midfielders for sale in the world to replace them.
At least Voronin is coming back after his loan……
June 19th, 2009 at 11:49
@Onkar: I agree fully wrt Jose. Thing is, will he want to come and will management want him?
@Grognard: True. Only problem with that scenario is that it will not take much for Real to unsettle the player. Once he’s unsettled, we will be held ransom as to his value. They might want him 2 or 3 years down the line, a year before he becomes a free agent and then we are f….d. We’ll get much, much less for him than what we paid for him. Dangerous game I’d say. Besides, when are we going to focus on building a team to dominate the world if we focus on becomming a feeder club? I would suggest to take the Ronaldo money (including the savings in his wages) and pay off the debt.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:52
@Traverse: Now that is sad. At least it makes us more positive towards competing with the big-4 without any new additions. Now only if we could sabbotage Chelsea by luring Essien???
June 19th, 2009 at 12:18
@Karl: I don’t thing that he will decline an opportunity to come here. I mean if he really feels that he is that Special then he will definitely take on this challenge. As it is, we all know that he is not happy in ITALY with Inter and desperately wants to come to ENGLAND where he enjoyed his time. I think he is destined to be a MAN UTD manager. I mean Champion Team with Champion manager will be great for me.
But, honestly i have reservations about management. I am not too sure that management will give him a chance… Which they ideally should…
June 19th, 2009 at 17:54
@Traverse: You’d be touchy to my friend if you received as much BS as I get on this site. Sure I bring it on because I’m opinionated and controversial but still, it makes you a little paranoid and touchy. Many like to go after me because they know who I like and don’t like and they use that as a ammunition. So forgive me if I come across that way.
June 19th, 2009 at 17:54
@Traverse: I can buy that.
June 19th, 2009 at 17:58
@Onkar: I couldn’t agree with you more. The times they are a changing and the days where we could ensure our success by fielding an entertaining attacking team are in the past. Today it’s solely about winning trophies and playing a ball control and cautious approach to guarantee it. Therefore, Jose Mourinho is the only choice that makes sense from that perspective. He also has the personality and pedigree to keep us on top and in the public eye worldwide after Fergie calls it quits. I also think the reason he signed a new contract with Inter is because he will patiently wait for the opportunity of managing Man Utd come when Fergie is ready to retire. Until then, he will bide his time at Inter.
June 19th, 2009 at 18:05
@Karl: No actually I wasn’t even thinking about that. I just recall reading your reply to someone about Tevez and decided to add my two cents worth. I don’t hate Tevez and do not hold any animosity over his recent actions. I think he was treated poorly by Fergie because he was benched in a very humbling and embarrassing fashion without being given the chance to compete for his starting role. With that said, I predicted last year before we signed Berbatov that whether it was Berba or Huntelaar, the arrival of either would mean the bench for Tevez. Why? Because it was clear in my eyes that Tevez although a good player who works very hard, he is just not good enough to start. He lacks a prolific goal scoring rate plus he has feet of stone with his poor touch and no finesse in passing. All he had going for him was his work ethic and desire and unfortunately I expect more. Blue collar qualities have never impressed me. I look for the naturally gifted, players who do great things and sometimes don’t even look like they are trying. Berbatov is ten times the player Tevez is and his divine skills. But even he too was a disappointment last year. Bottom line is we can find better forwards than Tevez. Especially for the price he will cost and the ridiculous wages he’s asking for.
June 19th, 2009 at 18:07
@Onkar: I give RR the credit for that mate. He brought it up on his thread. It really does make sense today in the age of the mercenary.
June 19th, 2009 at 18:08
@Stephen: Now lets hope Fergie does right by you and serves you up a great birthday present like an Huntelaar or Aguero.
June 19th, 2009 at 18:10
@Karl: No true. Real know better than to tap the player up and meddle for at least two seasons. Then they will pounce. For me, two seasons of Benzema is more than I would want anyway so I say buy him for 25 million and sell him for 50 in 2011. As far as being a feeder club, as long as we have that massive debt hanging over us we will be a big club with a feeder mentality when it comes to the two big Spanish Giants and that is all.