Dec 21
Manchester United Make History As World Champions
Rooney scored the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute and Van der Sar denied Quito with quality saves to crown Manchester United as World Champions and officially the best club football team in the world (we already were, but it’s nice to have FIFA and UEFA bowing down to us, don’t you think?).
This was a much-improved Manchester United performance and against a spirited Liga de Quito side who gave the European champions a run for their money and were it not for Edwin van der Sar’s brilliant keeping, might have tied or even gone on to win the game.
It was just as sweet to see Arsenal and Liverpool battle to a draw at the Emirates a few hours later. The result now leaves United with two games in hand to Arsenal (a point behind and Liverpool (7 points ahead).
Realistically speaking winning those two games in hand will give United a leg up going up against Liverpool in the reverse Premier League fixture at Old Trafford, and if Chelsea draw or lose at Goodison Park the title race is well and truly open and, dare I say it, there for the taking for the World Champions.
And before I sign off, some food for thought – we are quick to criticise our players when they fail to live up to our impossibly high expectations. At times like these it’s only fair to stand up and salute the professionalism the team has shown through this (to some quite pointless) competition and the way key players (Rooney, Rio and VDS came to mind but the rest did their part as well) stood up and did the job for the club – the same players (Rooney and VDS especially) who have gotten much stick for their less than stellar performances this season.
Bring on Stoke and Boro, and hopefully the WORLD CHAMPIONS can turn it around in the league and take the title third year in a row.
Note: You can read the full match report by the excellent Tom Clark, or follow the discussion in the match thread.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Who the f*** are Man United?
- Will United Meet Great Expectations?
- The Guardian’s 09/10 Season Package
- Thursday links and some pre-almost-weekend mumbling
- Ryan Giggs – It’s SIRtainly inevitable!
Tags: Match Reports
December 21st, 2008 at 20:00
December 21st, 2008 at 20:35
It is sad the way the British press had dismissed the World Cup. Everywhere else in Europe and South America is treated as the pinnacle of a team’s achievements and so should it. The fact that we played a team from Ecuador today makes it look less important than it should but 9 out of 10 times it will play the great South America teams such as Boca, River and Sao Paulo against the Champions of Europe. If this not a top competition I don’t know what is it.
December 21st, 2008 at 20:43
“a spirited Liga de Quito side” I hardly think so. They were a pedestrian bunch of hacks and cheats and they deserved nothing from this game. We had three times the number of quality chances they had and if not for one player, they may not have had a chance all game. All their chances were outside the box and although EVDS did have to dive to make a few saves, no team can deserve to win or even come close if that is all they can muster. Even when ten men down we owned their pathetic little asses and they are lucky we never humiliated them by three or four goals. If they deserved a goal or two (which they didn’t), we deserved five or six. Like you said, kudos to our gang for playing well and caring enough despite adversity. Now I hope this quest doesn’t come back to kick us in the head because it will be doubly tough to recover now that they have another 12 hour flight back to Manchester. Fortunately the next two games are up against Stoke and Boro. I’m surprised the FA and their conspiratorial scheduling committee never scheduled Liverpool and Chelsea after our return. So lets hope for the best and kick ass and take names in the second half. Today United did us proud. I congratulate Fergie and the whole squad for a job well done. Now if Fergie could see the light and could see fit to do me a favor and bench Park for life, then I’d be a happy man. That boy is USELESS in caps.
December 21st, 2008 at 20:55
@frankie: They are right to dismiss it because no teams anywhere else in the world other than perhaps Boca and a few Brazilian sides even come close to matching up with the top 40 elite European sides. The Champions League is the Creme de la creme of club football and the FIFA World Club Cup is and amateur hour marketing ploy that does nothing but sabotage the current European champions tile aspirations. And why must it always be held in Japan? What have they done to deserve this so called honor? It’s nothing more than a selling point and a marketing tool to spread the sale of team kits all over the planet but especially in the highly lucrative Asian market. Yes like I’m going to take LDU Quito of Equador seriously after we had to beat Barcelona and then Chelsea to win the CL. I don’t think so.
Perhaps two decades ago when South American teams were very strong due to the fact that not all of their great players were playing in Europe, perhaps then they were a legit contender and opponent. But unless I see a Boca side with Riquelme or Flamengo or Santos side from Brazil, I really couldn’t care less. Still, it’s nice to win it because the shame of losing to such minnows would be hard to swallow. And ask yourself this question, when the whistle blew and the game was over, did you jump up and down and go hoarse crazy shouting United forever while running to the nearest pub to party with friends? I rather doubt it. But I know millions of United fans did just that two minutes after the whistle blew in Moscow back in May. That alone should answer your question as to why the British media doesn’t care. Because truthfully, it’s no big deal when you compare filet mignon to hamburger.
December 21st, 2008 at 21:03
To cap a great day off, Lets all look at this;
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/a-massive-relegation-on-the-cards/
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
December 21st, 2008 at 22:03
It’s a fantastic achievement to win it in my opinion. It is devalued by bitter scouse cunts like Souness who didn’t take it seriously. He only hated it because there is much stricter security in Japan on shoplifters and he felt he had no chance of stealing something to take back to Merseydive. I bet he was sitting there anxiously hoping that Liverpool would beat Sao Paulo back in 2005. If any other English club apart from United won it, I bet there would be a huge fuss made in this country. Jealous cunts. United>England.
December 21st, 2008 at 22:54
@Kings: I live in Liverpool, and I agree with you wholeheartedly.
December 21st, 2008 at 23:09
Bah, a trophy is a trophy. From the Charity shield to the Champions League
December 21st, 2008 at 23:33
@Rd: See that’s the problem with football. Too many trophies to play for. After a while it’s like every trophy is a consolation award. One thing I do like about being brought up with North American sports is that all teams play for one trophy and that’s it. Football has the Super Bowl (and it’s super because it has no competition), hockey has the Stanley Cup, etc. It means more to know you win the big one in your league. The only exception to that rule for me is also going for the Champions League because of it’s international significance. As for the FA Cup, League, Cup, FIFA World Club Cup, Charity Shield and European Super Cup, it’s all so unnecessary for big clubs. I hate putting down the FA Cup but today it is nothing more than a consolation prize.
December 22nd, 2008 at 0:34
It’s money, money, money – but I still don’t understand what Grog meant when he said that Barca, Chelsea and Bayern didn’t take part. I thought this was compulsary, not optional for the CL winners, so Grog please explain what you mean
.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:37
@Craig Mc: What I meant was that they got a free pass form this thing. They weren’t at risk for getting red cards or injuries that can be used against them in the Champions League. No red card should be transferable to either the CL or the Prem. I’m sure if United had an option to play in this tournament or not they would not. They know what their priorities are and 24,000 miles of jet lag and sleep deprivation isn’t something they would willingly want to accept. And FIFA rewards their sacrifice (and that’s what it is) by ensuring that Vidic’s red card burns them against Inter. That’s just total fucking girlyman crap that is what I hate about the game and the sissy’s that run it. It’s unjust.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:59
@Grognard: Oh OK Grog, I gotcha meaning now
. I’m sickened by Vids red card. The inter Milan game will be WON in MF – I feel sure of this. Wish we had a STRONG MF to dominate play, but alas 
.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:28
@Craig Mc: I also have confidence in young Johnny Evans to fill in.
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:55
Man utd would of played in this tournament regadless of whether they could or not, simply put down to money. Which we obviously need.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:08
Shit!!!!I didn’t know that Vidic’s card will be valid for the CL game. This sucks. It says a lot that I don’t care about the trophy now, that I know that we will be missing him for Inter game. It’s 2 months away, but I think it’s a big lose. Last time we were missing defenders in Milan,it wasn’t a pretty sight.
Congrats to the guys for the win. I am happy that they worked hard, cause as someone already stated, the lose would have been hard to swallow. Also their keeper had a great game too, otherwise the game would have been over even before the sending.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:52
@Grognard: We get 9 million cash for winning this. SO now, the Glazers dont need to dish out extra money for the Tosic deal, if it gets done that is. I may have missed it in your comments, but what do you think of Anderson in particularR? I thought he was pretty good yesterday, made a crucial tackle, setup Rooney who bungled. Barca, Pool lost in the same competition 1-0 and we won it. Isnt much of a point but then, a win is a win and we are being paid rich money for it. So I guess, it was worth the effort.
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:15
@Grognard: Since I’m a asian so it is a bit hard feeling for me to hear your comments on Park. Well honestly his ability on attack was quite disappointing but his effort on the pitch is inarguable. I know what Grognard you expect from every manu players because I read most of your comments but I really doubt any best team can have every players with perfect performance. Everytime I will be very happy if i found Park in the starting lineup, but winning is the major purpose of football games so i also doubt why SAF didn’t bring out Nani when Park was sucks! Did anyone notice that now Nani & Tevez or even Anderson are only cup-players? What’s on SAF mind?
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:55
@UnitedUnited: Yes but how many million do we lose if the fatigue from this causes us to lose the league and a Johnny Evans mistake (playing for a suspended Vidic) knocks us out of Europe? It’s a big price to pay if it sabotages our season.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:00
@3Vunited: First off, the fact that Park is Asian has nothing to do with my feelings. I am not a racist and my dislike for a player never has anything to do with his nationality. I just don’t like Park as a player. Yes not everybody on the pitch can be world class but Park is not even international class in my books. He has a very poor offensive skill set and I’m sorry but unlike many on this blog, I don’t get seduced by just hard work. There has to be a prize at the end of a hard days work and Park rarely ever delivers anything tangible and concrete from his performances. He’s not good enough to be a Man Utd player and that’s the bottom line. Sorry to disagree with you but that’s just the way I see him. But most of all, his nationality has nothing to do with my feelings. He could be from Mars for all I care or he could be my first cousin.
As for what is on Fergie’s mind these days…..God only knows.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:01
@3Vunited: I think the reason Park plays is due to balance in the team. Without Park we become more vulnerable, so SAF plays him to help in defense. It also doesn’t hurt his cause that Nani and Giggs are out of form. Just watched the 1st half and I gotta say that our guys, including Park, played good. We created many chances and even though we couldn’t score, I saw many glimpses of our last year’s form. This was a much improved play from several of our players, specifically Andy, Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:34
@Orez: Park plays to give young Rafael cover, simple.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:13
@Grognard: Of course I know you are not a racist!
Agree with you in 50/50 that I also think sometimes Park’s performance were really not good enough but without his never give-up energy, players like Rafael or Neville will be more difficult in defence. But sadly, you don’t get seduced by just hard work.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:18
@Orez: I think if Hargreaves isn’t injured, maybe he will be the 1st selection ahead of Park!
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:21
@Stephen: Well said.
@Grognard: Yes that might be true, but looking at the brighter side of things, this might be the ideal platform for young Evans. he has always proved to be the next titanic defender in the team after Vida and Rio. This is his big opportunity. Coming to Park, although he makes some very fine runs, his ability in the final third is appaling. He had a clear goal scoring opportunity yesterday and he screwed it up, yet again. He is just not an option. By now everyone in the world must be knowing that United’s attacking threat would be nullified as soon as the ball is passed to Park. He either complicates things for himself and falls down or back passes. The few times he forays into the box with the pass and all that is needed is a calm finish, he misfires or doesnt fire at all. There are many in the world who are of a better quality than Park, defensive qualities or not.
And speaking of finishes, what did you guys think of Van Persie’s goal against Pool. Must say that was a cracker of a finish. Although the result was perfect for us, Arsenal played some attractive football. But as always, they just dont have it in them to force a result.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:24
Andy is plying very deeep ….and when ever he has gone up the field he has impressed me…so y is he playing so deeep ?
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:39
@Grognard: @UnitedUnited: Like someone said Grog – did you see what happened to our lot the last time we played in Milan without our best defenders?
. We played and looked like amateurs 
.
Nemanjah should be ashamed of letting the lads down with that kind of fiasco, if he is banned for the CL games.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:47
http://media.redlog.pl/files/images/2008/12/manchester-united-ldu-quito-final.zip – ~70 high resolution photos from the final
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:50
@Craig Mc: It was a something of nothing mate, matey went down like a hooker on prom night!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:54
SAF said “After the Inter-Continental Cup in 1999 we went back home and beat Everton 5-1 three days later” ……….bring on Stoke
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:22
grogy
you are forgetting Brown here! He should be back for Inter games. He was a collosus against Barca. We should be just fine.
Its wrong to blame WCC for Vida’s moment of madness. If he had not reacted like that, we would have collected winners 5m USD (desperately needed in these times) without any casualties and also strengthened our profile in the East (very important from marketing point of view). And I disagree with your dismissing cup competitions like that. Every game Utd play should be important for us. We cant realistically expect to win PL or CL every year. And I would think every club on earth (including your beloved BM) would love to win WCC (for it means you’d have to win CL first!!!)
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:49
good point jos, brown can always easily fill in at centre back so long as he has had a good number of games back in the squad before the inter game. I like evans alot but maybe this kind of game at a packed san siro may be too much for him, i dont know. So if brown is back and ready to fill in at centre back then i would probably prefer brown but i do think that even with vidic missing our back 4 is still alot stronger than inters. Inters strength is in the front 3 of ibra, quaresma and a n other. However ibra and quaresma especially are rather lazy and always run the risk that they will not turn up. Our midfield has to be strong because if we play like how we have this season they the tie will be over after the game at the san siro and thats for sure.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:50
Greetings! I see people are still mad about us winning that tournament in Japan, a tournament that made us officially the best team in the world. What is so wrong about that. Yeah, I know we might suffer from the jet lag and possibly being very tired, but come on! Its Stoke for crying out laud! Its not Liverpool or Chelski or Aston Villa, its Stoke! A team that we beat 5-0 at Old Trafford with Oshea, Welbeck, Gibson and Manucho! WTF lads? Maybe they beat Arsenal, but Arsenal lost to anybody those days. Hull, Villa and Fulham… Shit! We are in brilliant form, we just won a tournament that crowned us best team in the World, we created gazzilions of chances, Ronaldo looks like he is back to form and Anderosn is playing like a combination of Gattusso and Kaka! What more can we ask for? We drew against Spurs, alright. But we drew them White Hart Lane. All the top 4 have faced Spurs. 2 at home, 2 away. Liverpool met them at the Lane, and lost 2-1. Arse and Stalins Bitches met them at Emirates and Stamford Cock, and they both drew. We got the better of all results. We have beaten Shitty away, we are brilliant. Cheer up lads, its Christmas!
And when its Christmas, you know the real Santa(AKA Cristiano Ronaldo) always turns up to help United by scoring goal after goal after goal. We face Stoke. STOKE!!! Damn, they suck! Delaps throw ins? What can they do? We have Vidic, Rio, Ronaldo and Carrick to clear those SOBs. And we face Boro on Monday. A Boro that lost 5-0 to Chelski in North-east England. Then its Soton. We have got a marvellous chance to catch up with the rest. Villa is probably the team I fear most at the moment. Chelski havent won a game at Staford Bridge since…. well, I cant remember! And Liverpool drew to Hull, Arsenal and West Ham. Arsenal have lost Fabregas to injury, Adebayor for 3 games, they have a defense that are lecking goals(Even Robbie Keane scored against it!) and they have a midfielder that cries when he gets subbed off. I know the last one is the fans fault, but it shows the lack of confidence the Arsenal camp have. Do I fear any team? NO! Do I think we can win the next 6 games(Stoke, Boro, Soton, Derby, Chelski, Derby)? YES! Do I think we can win the CC, the Champions League, the FA cup and the Premier League? OF COURCE! Why not? We are the best team in the world, we have the best players and the best manager, and we have the best fans. If we can find our momentum, our playing way and our confidence, we can achieve everything! Has Manchester United ever done things the easy way, anyway? 
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:53
I know I sound very, very overconfident, but I am happy. Or drunk/drugged.
Whatever, its Christmas, its United time, its free from school. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY! Disagree with me all you want, but I wont change my mind about things. Things are looking up, and may I say, FINALLY! 
December 22nd, 2008 at 13:08
@Matthew: Inters team:
Julio Cruz
Maicon Materazzi Cordoba Maxwell
Zanetti Muntari Cambiasso
Quresma Ibrahimovic Mancini
I can see Rooney vs Materazzi.
“Oh yes, there will be blood!” Damn, that is gonna be feisty! The two mad-heads of football will meet, its just a quetion of who is gonna accept the most bashing. Hopefully Wayne will. Because if he does, I can see Materazzi getting an early red card.
Ronaldo vs Maicon. That is gonna be the clash of the game. Ronaldo is fast, so is Maicon. Ronaldo has lots of tricks, but so does Maicon. Ronaldo doesnt like to face opponets that lie on him the whole game, but Maicon is like that. Ronaldo is good in the air, very unlike Maicon. Ronaldo will have big trouble beating Maicon on the ground, bu in the air Ronaldo is God!
Anderson vs Cambiasso
Two fighters, two pass-masters, two south-americans and two midfielders with the same metality. Team over player! That is gonna be really interesting. I cant say who is gonna be best this game, or the stregths, because a lot can happen to these players in 2 months time. Only 2 months ago Anderson wasnt even on the bench, now he is our best preformer. He even got past Scholes and Fletch in the pecking order. On current form, Andy would win this battle. But if Andy gets dropped for a few games until February for no apparent reason, his form might dip and it will be hard to call. I wish Andy the best of luck…
Rio vs Zlatan.
Hard to call, but I think Rio will win this. Zlatan is a little like Ronaldo, he moves where he wants and comes up with moments of brilliance. But can Rio handle him? Time will tell
Well, well. The best CB in the world against the “best player in the world”, according to “The Special One”.
Evra vs Quaresma
Quary likes to cut inside to have a pop at goal. But he is also a great crosser. Ricardo Quaresma is fast, skillful and does things even Ronny cant do with the ball. I think that if both these players are on top for the games, Quary will beat Evra. It hurts to say, as I dont really like Quaresma anymore, but if he can do what I know he can, then Evra will look like a cheap hooker in a bar where there are only drunk men. But I pray to God that Quaresma wont be on top that day. He is very inconsistent, and its hard to call when he will preform or not. He can be brilliant for a game, then suddenly suck for the next.
December 22nd, 2008 at 13:10
@Matthew: Oh yeah, Brown. He might play that games. But I dunno. If its between Brown and Evans I would choose Wes. But this is Fergie, and eh has done wierd things with his team this season. We will see, but I am sure Wes will do a great job if he is put in.
December 22nd, 2008 at 14:40
Yy@RedDevilEddy: go back and watch the brazil thrashing of Portugal, one of the turning points is when Ronaldo switched sides away from maicon allowing him to run wild all over Portugal. My bet is that ronaldo will play on the left in front of evra, and park will be almost exclusively tracking maicon. I also doubt he will play raphael, he will opt for brown at rb then slot it evens for vidic.
December 22nd, 2008 at 14:54
@Grognard: I find it kinda funny that inter has 2 players in zlatan and quaresma, that I rate very highly. At the same time those are 2 players you have little time for. This is one instance in that I pray to god I am wrong about.
As for the racist thing, park is rubbish. The fact that he is Asian has nothing to do with it, I really don’t know why people Try and pull that card in their desperation to defend him.
December 22nd, 2008 at 15:25
Yeah…Park is when shite compared to the rest of the United squad, but he’d probably be a regular starter in most teams outside the top 4. Maybe he should stick to covering Mariah Carey singles….
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VpgKB9WvkUQ
December 22nd, 2008 at 15:29
@RedDevilEddy: Wasn’t Materazzi sent off last year in the first leg against the dippers at Anfield? I think he cost them the tie with that moment of madness…let’s hope for some more from the Italian loony this time around too!
December 22nd, 2008 at 15:34
I reckon that for the Inter tie…we will win 3-1 on aggregate. I can see us drawing 1-1 at the San Siro and finishing the job off 2-0 at Old Trafford…exactly as we did in the 1999 quarter-finals!
December 22nd, 2008 at 15:40
@RedDevilEddy: Since when did Julio Cruz decide become a goalkeeper??
Unless I’m missing something, I think you meant Julio Cesar lol….
December 22nd, 2008 at 15:52
RedDevilEddy, looking at that inter team i gotta say that there aint alot in that team that scares me. There arent too many players there that scream class in your face. I like cambiasso alot, ibra is excellent when he can be bothered and maicon too is an interesting player. Quaresma for me is no worry, nor is mancini. These 2 are just nothing special in my view. They have a few tricks but are extremely inconsistent and i dont see much else in them, just my opinion though. Inters midfield apart from cambiasso just looks average in my opinion and if they do play that midfield 3 then i can see us actually dominating their midfield and we dont do that to much teams. So for me i hope to see a united win and hopefully as long as we dont make any stupid tactics i can see us running out winners pretty comfortably.
December 22nd, 2008 at 15:54
@Nino: Yeah, probably.
Julio Cruz is the striker, right? Dont follow the Serie A, so just put up the names from the FIFA 09. So its Cesar?
December 22nd, 2008 at 16:01
@Matthew: Muntari played for Pompey last season, wasnt even their best player. Says something…
Zanetti is actually as RWB, but transformed into a CM because they need a leader in team. Cambiasso is great, one of the best midfielders in the game. But on current form, Andy can shut him up. Cambiasso doesnt seem to have any weakness, except for speed. That is where Andy and Carrick will rule him. He is gonna be their bitch. 
Ive seen Mancini play against us for Roma and he never impressed me. Zlatan is a good player, but will never be one of the best until he gets consistent. Tries too much, or too little and that makse him vunerable. Quaresma is incredible, but he is more tricks than footballplayer. He would be better off like a footy freestyler, not a footballer. Good crosser, but goes for glory too often. Depends on how his mentality before the game is for me to judge him. Materazzi is a doofus, will be blasted by Rooney. Got sent off at Anfield last season, always plays dirty… Hey, who else than me hopes that Ronaldo will have a good day at the office on his free-kicks that night? 
I think we can win that game. In Italy and in Manchester. I will tell you one thing. Except for Zlatan, Maicon and Cambiasso, every player in that team is overrated. Come on! Zanetti, Muntari, Mancini, Maxwell, Cordoba… Jesus Christ, whats next? Noseworthy?! 
December 22nd, 2008 at 16:14
@RedDevilEddy: Anderson has only started games against Aalborg, LDU Quito, Blackburn in the league cup, Villareal the last league game he started was Arsenal away on November the 8th. I can’t quite agree he g=has taken over from Fletcher and Scholes is being eased back.
December 22nd, 2008 at 16:18
Was going through an old interesting post on why we sold Becks and Ruud cheaply to Real.
http://redrants.com/why-becks-and-van-%E2%80%9Cthe-man%E2%80%9D-were-sold-so-cheaply-to-real/
the post has the below winners of Liga and PL.
2001 Real Madrid-United
2002 Valencia-Arsenal
2003 Real Madrid-United
2004 Valencia-Arsenal
2005 Barca-Chelski
2006 Barca-Chelski
2007 Real Madrid-United
After the post we have 2008 winners
2008 Real Madrid-United
Now with Real in the dumps 2009 is definitely not going to have Real as the winner. Barca seem the hot favourites. So going by the interesting stat, will it again be:
2009 Barca-Chekski
?
Going by the way we are playing, i would be inclined so say so. We just cannot score!!
i have always been skeptical about Berba and i think there was too much hype around him. dont think he just has it in him to be a cantona. and with we compromising on Tevez coz of berba we are also screwing up our backup plans simultaneously with our primary plan going awry. Ronnie is nowhere close to his last years form and to be honest we are really look weak. just not good enough to win the league or the CL. Inter is going to be a tough tough challenge in the CL. SAF really needs to dig deep and come out with some strong changes and some strong decisions for us to really have any chance of winning both the trophies again.
December 22nd, 2008 at 17:27
Does anyone actually rate Quaresma? He makes Ronaldo look like Roy Keane with regards to doing the basics, Zlatnose Ibrahimovic is a big time bottler in the Champions league, and is his own biggest fan.
I am looking forward to giving Mourinho a big welcome back to England overtated rent boy.
December 22nd, 2008 at 18:32
@UnitedUnited: I in fact made the point of this being a great opportunity for Johnny Evans a few posts ago. He is good enough that there is no need to panic. I panic much more when Gary Neville is playing over Rafael. By that time Wes Brown should be back too.
As for Park, It’s refreshing to hear somebody feels the very same way about the player as I do. Honestly, what the Hell Fergie sees in the boy is beyond me? I know lads who play for the Vancouver Whitecaps here at home who have more to offer than him.
The lad just isn’t good enough to be a United player. Why Fergie continues to perpetuate the lie and play this lad over even Nani and Giggs has me confused. If forced into a corner, I’d play Fletcher wide right before I started Park. As bad as Nani has been all you need from him is one moment of sheer class and you have a goal amongst all his dumb ass mistakes. As long as his dumb ass mistakes don’t cost us goals against, I’m willing to wait him out and hope he plays himself to form.
December 22nd, 2008 at 18:37
@Craig Mc: Yes he should be but what is done is done. Just three days ago everyone was praising him as a God and stellar defender of the decade. Now he is a bum who should be ashamed. Christ mate, he threw an elbow out of retaliation for a crude tackle and got caught. You know how many players do that in a game and never get caught? It’s common practice. And it was much more of a shove than a out and out elbow. Personally I would have given him a yellow and swift warning. Also, the last time we went to Milan we got thrashed because we weren’t good enough. If we lose again, it’s because we aren’t good enough, not because of Vidic. Evans is more than qualified to take over for a game. It’s a great opportunity to bloody him in a truly epic match.
December 22nd, 2008 at 18:39
@Stephen: Too true. The scumbag embellished it big time and like I said earlier, to me it looked like more of a shove than an elbow violently thrust at a player. Much ado about nothing I’m afraid.
December 22nd, 2008 at 18:42
@jos: I’m not forgetting Brown but I also realize that he will still not be fit enough to beat out Evans for that night. At least I don’t think so and really, Evans has earned that shot for the number of good performances he has delivered this year. But having Brown back will be a sense of relief because I don’t want to see Neville on the pitch again as long as I live. Both he and Park can take a long walk of a short pier for all I care.
December 22nd, 2008 at 18:44
@Stephen: Quaresma is not good enough for inter or any top side in Europe. I dunno why people have this false hope about him, and how they spend millions for him. Zlatan blows hot and cold too much. The only forward of theirs who will surely create problems for us is Julio Cruz.. just cuz he’s their only forward with brains.. and he’s a lucky s.o.b as well besides being a good target man.
@Godzilla: I’ve seen that before too.. weird huh!
December 22nd, 2008 at 18:47
@Grognard: Oh please don’t even say it.. i get nightmares thinking of what could be if Neville starts!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 18:49
@RedDevilEddy: Easy lad, all that sugar will put you into a diabetic coma. Just reading it made my blood sugar level rise a few points.
The eternal optimist. Good for you mate. You are a fine and much needed balance to the Prince of Fucking Darkness (me) and you should feel good about your club, even if it is all bollocks and mirrors. 
I’m a little more rooted in the reality of the moment. The part that tells me we could only hit the side of the barn 5/100 times from 4 feet away. That we are weak on the left side of midfield and have no proper backup for Ronaldo on the right. That our strikers strike rate is appallingly bad and that Fergie continues to play a style that lacks courage and ambition. Other than that I agree, we are definitely the best in the world. God love ya. 
December 22nd, 2008 at 18:53
@RedDevilEddy: The only matchup that concerns me is Rooney vs the Materazzi. I’m afraid that Materazzi’s dirty play will be condoned and eventually Rooney will snap and get sent off. Ibrahimovich will never be one on one against just Rio. He will have to contend with Evans in the first leg and Vidic in the second leg too. And Ibrahimovich always disappears in big games. That guy lacks testicular fortitude big time. I’ve never liked him and always thought that he was a fair weather player. Nothing this season has changed my mind on him.
December 22nd, 2008 at 18:58
@Johnsom33: Excellent point. Maicon must be stopped and that is one good thing about Park is he will stick to him like glue or a really annoying pest. What does that say about our attack down the right flank though? Non existent. This will make us very predictable offensively. Always going left will allow Inter to adapt and really cause Ronaldo problems when he has the ball. 0-0 at the San Siro. Talk about excitement. The game has really gone to the dogs with this over analytical cowardly style of play. I hate the Mourinho’s and Benitez’s who have brought such cynical tactics and boredom to the game over the past decade. Now Fergie has seen fit to follow suit. It’s sad really. I’ll be shocked if we see anything other than 0-0 or a 0-1 loss at Inter. It’s just in the cards.
December 22nd, 2008 at 19:00
@Craig Mc: Craig bro the elbow wasn’t as bad as the ref and the player(cum actor) made it out to be… it probably was a yellow card offense but no more.
If we have Wes fit for the Inter game, and Evans in good shape too.. we shall do fine at the back.
December 22nd, 2008 at 19:09
@Johnsom33: The poor fellow may have felt I was being racist because there are relatively few Asians playing in Europe. Why pick on them is probably what he was thinking. As for Quaresma and Zlatan, they both bore me with their inconsistency and i consider both players very soft. They are not big game players and when things get physical or tight, they disappear. Quaresma especially for me is woefully overrated. Ask yourself why no Spanish team had any interest in him over the past several seasons? Because they saw him as a floater and as a lazy player who doesn’t buckle down at crunch time. Not a terrible player and quite gifted at times, but nothing better than what we get from Nani in the department of enigmas and inconsistency. Ibrahimovich is a very skilled player but he doesn’t like it in the box when it gets physical or congested. If we had a DMF player that would constantly harass him and get in his face, I’d guarantee he would be invisible against us. Problem is we currently don’t have a player to fill that role. Just keep from getting caught on a counter and he won’t be a factor.
December 22nd, 2008 at 19:12
@Nino: If we see more than two total goals over the two legs of this drudge match I’ll be amazed. Mourinho will shut us down and they aren’t as good as they think and we should have no problem shutting them down. As I am being negative and fearful of the Special One as well as lacking confidence in our ability to finish, I am predicting 1-0 for Inter in Italy and 0-0 at OT. Inter moves on through boredom and negative tactics and Mourinho gets one over on the Boss yet again.
December 22nd, 2008 at 19:16
Despite my negative prediction and my somber feelings about our chances against Inter, it is important to note that this tie is almost three months away. A lot of things can happen to both clubs in that time. We could find great scoring form, injuries to both team or just one could decide it one way or the other. So forgive me fro even trying to predict something that is so far away. It’s not accurate to make predictions until the week of the games.
December 22nd, 2008 at 19:20
Please, let this be the one that skips moderation
…
Interesting week so far I must say.. We are The Champions x3!!!!
Don’t know why the media were a tad dismissive of this achievement or the Cup itself 
It’s not like English teams win it every year (Liverpool have tried how many times and failed everytime 
). Maybe it’s just cause they are all jealous ABU c*nts, but we all knew that, so no surprise there.. anyways, F*ck ‘em, we are CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!! 
Now unto Stoke this friday… I actually thought it was a home game, but having found out it’s away, I’m conflicted as to what to expect from Stoke. Will it be the usual closed, aggressive, “brave”, 10-men-behind-the-ball rubbish OR will they be seething after the trashing we handed them at OT and come out attacking, looking for revenge and some good ‘ol pride? I’m inclined to say the former as that is just the way the British game is at the mo
No balls whatsoever, just cowardice and jealousy, same as the media and it’s audience. 
Hopefully the boys got all the encouragement and pride in playing and winning for United from the trip to Japan. I mean, the crowd, fans and reception were just awesome and you could see the players genuinely enjoying it, especially after they lifted the cup. Hopefully, this spurs us on to trash Stoke with some total football
I’ll be enjoying that on an overstuffed belly 
December 22nd, 2008 at 19:51
@Grognard: I cant agree more with you in case of Quaresma and Zlatan. They bring moments of brilliance but never saw them take over a game or season with their so called “skill”…
Against Inter, our biggest threat is going to be the Midfield..They are bit like Chelsea in midfield…strong and dominating..with Muntari,Cambiasso and Zanetti…they dont have that much creativity but they certainly have some hard tacklers and good in the air midfielders….They certainly are not going to allow Carrick/Scholes to dictate the game from the center of the park and we need to find alternative ways of attack…
one good way is to play Ronaldo and Rooney behind Berbatov and give them free roles up front..This will atleast take one guy from Inter’s midfield towards their backline and Carrick/Scholes can make use of the space to make the game…Another good one would be to leave Rooney-Tevez-Ronaldo to hussle around their defense which would provide that extra shield for our midfield..but that will be too attacking imo..
Mourinho is a master tactician and he always have something up his sleeve…He defintely plays negative football but to all our frustration he plays effective football..
Outscore them and outsmart them are the only ways United can walk over Inter…Fergie’s defensive tactics is not going to work…May be he can prove me wrong!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 19:56
@Grognard: As for Park, i agree with you that he is not United first team class at all, even when he is on song…but as O’shea or Fletcher he is a good squad player to have..He doesnt make you dance for him but he certainly do the job required from him..,,I think Fergie values that…moreover after Nani’s performance in the semi final and Giggs “age” field in the contract he does not have much choice to make…does he?
And i think thats why we are trying to bring Tosic in to play as a true left winger…We dont need a wizard on the left wing…Tosic fits the bill coz i heard he can make good crosses and is a deadball specialist…May be thats what Berbatov needs behind him to start clicking for United
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:04
@Grognard: Will Materazzi start mate ahead Chivu and Sammuel?
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:07
@Stephen: I would think he would just to get into the heads of Rooney, Ronaldo and Berba. But that is a good question nevertheless.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:09
Also Inter are very overated Muntari probably has been their best player this season although I have always been a fan of Stankovic.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:09
Have any of you caught the last “I’m on Setanta Sports”? It was classic. Fergie gave Rooney the boot and toaster treatment for breaking curfew. Too funny. And as the Special One would say, “Let slip the dogs of Champions”.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:13
@Stephen: Yes Inter are overrated but then again so were Chelsea under Mourinho. He gets the very best out of a very average or under performing lot. He is a master tactician and man manager. He knows what buttons to push and when to make a key tactical switch or player change. Unlike Fergie who will take off a good player to bring in Giggs and Fletcher. His substitutions are so predictable and yet still so shocking. How does he manage to do that? I mean you know he will make a really stupid substitution and yet we still find it hard to understand it.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:18
@Grognard: I think Chelsea were better than average matey but I get your point.
Fergie’s subs are very predictable and somewhat bizarre, but Fergie gets more out of players than Mourinho, the Portuguese twat gives players great belief Fergie is more of a motivator in my view gets the most of of players, Jose just gives players conidence it could be said over confidence.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:20
We can’t underestimate Inter. They are a good team. Quaresma and Manchini are not in form, but they have other great players. I do think that the biggest threat is the freaking “special one”. His record against SAF is one of the best. In any way, that game is long way out and we should concentrate on our current opponents. We need to take care of Stock and then Boro and we can’t afford loosing more points.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:23
Mourinho was lucky to beat us when he was in charge of Porto and Chelsea had to a degree unlimited funds, remember the last season he was in England we won the league.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:25
@Grognard: Yes grog, the most perplexing part of our game is Fergie’s substitutions. I used to be very good at predicting his subs, but now, its almost like rolling a dice.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:29
@Stephen: Fergie learnt the hard way that winning or qualifying after two legs in the champions league, you have to be absolutely frugal in the away tie. Honestly, i think if Fergie gets it right tactically, we will win in san siro 1-2.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:32
@WhiteY: I think we will win, we are not playing the Mourinho ego, we are playing Inter Milan the team and player for player we are a better side no doubt.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:34
@Stephen: That over confidence ruled the Prem for two years and a total of three losses. I think he lost a total of 8 games in a little more than three seasons as manager. And truthfully, the only players on that team that I would take over their counterparts on our team is Ballack, Lampard and Cole. I wouldn’t select Terry or Carvalho and certainly not Alex over Vidic and Rio. Bosingwa may be better than Neville and possibly Brown but I would seriously take the youth and potential of Rafael over him. Evra over A Hole OOPS! I mean Ashley Cole, Ronaldo over everybody and Rooney, Tevez and Berba over Anelka, Kalou and Drogba. Mikel is ok but I would select either Hargo or Carrick over him too. Joe Cole, Ballack and Lampard are the reason they do what they do.
Even though we have not been in great goal scoring form, we have far better and more explosive players. And our defense is sublime. And right now I don’t think there is that much of a difference between EVDS or Cech. Two years it was Cech hands down but he has become much more human since his head injury. And Cech couldn’t stop a penalty if his life depended on it. Unless of course Ronaldo takes it.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:35
@WhiteY: The one thing you can predict about Fergie’s substitutions today is their unpredictability and their lack of logic. Also, lets face it, we don’t have the quality in depth that we used to have because three of our players are very old and Park and Nani are useless.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:37
@Grognard: Essien over Fletcher
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:40
@Stephen: I Think the Gaffer should choke the midfield in san siro. I’m sure Grognard would kill me, but i would go for Park on the right, Fletch and Carrick in the middle, Berba and Rooney up front, Ronaldo on the left. Tevez and Andy coming on later in the game.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:40
@WhiteY: Anything is possible as we all know but if there is more than one goal scored at the San Siro I will be totally god smacked. I just don’t see it happening based on the two teams and their style of play. But then again who expected Liverpool and AC Milan to go 3-3 in the final a few years back. That is the great thing about football, it’s unpredictability. To be honest, the games are two months away and a lot can happen between now and then. The team that will win will be the one that avoids key injuries and suspensions. We’re already down one with Vidic missing for the first tie at least.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:41
Mourinho plays turgid anti football, I know people will say that we havn’e exactly played wonderful attacking football this season but my belief that it will come again, once Berba fully finds his feet and Ronaldo finds his form again.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:42
@Grognard: Nani is much like Fergie’s subs, totally clueless at times. Sometimes i want to have faith in the boy like Craig Mc does, but even the lad has no faith in himself
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:42
@WhiteY: I would play 4-4-3 Scholes, Andy and Carrick in the centre with Berba through the middle flanked by Ronnie and Wazza.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:47
@Grognard: Vidic missing will be a big BIG issue. I have too much hope for Johnny but lets face it, Vidic has the experience and concentration needed for such ties. Any lapse in concentration even for a second can decide the tie. But since Vidic is definitely out, i just hope Brown gets to fitness real quick.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:48
@WhiteY: Thats why we must pack the midfield, give the defenders cover.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:49
@Grognard: The only players I’d take at United are Lampard and Essien full stop. I dont know, but most times i feel lucky the Ballack thing fell through.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:52
@Stephen: Playing Scholes would not be a bad idea especially if he picks up form. But playing Scholes and Anderson at the same time will leave too much of the defensive burden on Carrick. If i were to play a three pronged midfield, i would go for Fletch, Carrick, Scholes( Anderson), with Rooney on the Right(fuck all that “hole” crap). Anderson and Tevez will make definite impacts as subs near the end of the game.
December 22nd, 2008 at 20:56
@WhiteY: Scholesy plays very deep these daysmate, Carrick screens and gets the ball to the Ginger price to open up the Inter defense, with Andy doing the leg work.
December 22nd, 2008 at 21:01
@Stephen: Picture this,Scholes makes a wild tackle all in the name of playing deep and wahla, a beautifully glowing red card follows. Verdict, end of tie because then Mourinho will show why he is so good.
December 22nd, 2008 at 21:05
@WhiteY: But he plays deep now mate, he doesn’t get into the box as much and playing Scholes you always run that risk, but you also get his quality which Fletch doesn’t have.
In my view Scholes is worth the risk, he tackling has and is poor, but he can dictate the game in the San Siro which is what we need.
December 22nd, 2008 at 21:12
@Stephen: The best formation in my opinion would be 4-3-3..
VDS
Brown-Evans-Rio-Evra
Carrick-Fletcher-Scholes
Ronaldo-Berbatov-Rooney
In case we need to be more attacking we can bring Anderson,Tevez and Nani in place of Fletcher,Brown and Scholes or if we need to be defensive, switch Berbatov for Park and O’Shea/Anderson/Gibson in for Scholes..
December 22nd, 2008 at 21:14
@Shyam: Pretty similar to my team mate, I think against an Italian side especially one managed by the negative tactics of Mourinho we need plenty of bodies in the centre of midfield.
December 22nd, 2008 at 21:42
@Stephen: This one also wont be bad…coz i think a route 1 approach is not going to work against a defense which have Materazzi/Samuel..
VDS
Brown-Evans-Rio-Evra
Carrick-Fletcher-Scholes
Ronaldo-Rooney-Tevez
Cuts the route 1 out which means players should look to open up the game with their tricks and flicks…Berbatov fits in this tactics too but he is a touch slow for the situation esp counter attacks…Ronaldo-Rooney-Tevez combo are hopeless finishers (Ronaldo??..but surely he will be overmarked and outmuscled) but they certainly are clever players and creates atleast 10-12 decent chances in a game and we cross our fingers and hope one goes in…
December 22nd, 2008 at 21:44
@Grognard: Hi-hi.
I dunno about the sugar rush, more of a happy hangover from last night. I luv Christmas! Together with my family and girlfriend, doing stuff I like and watching 6 United games while there is no school is just wonderful! Can it be better?! 
Im very positive at the moment and I really am optimistic about our chances. Come on, you cant possibly think that we have no chance of winning the league? You know me, I will always think things ar egoing upwards. Especially when things really do, then it is hard to get me down to earth again.
December 22nd, 2008 at 21:44
@Shyam: I agree but Berba will start and maybe he will hold the ball up better. Materazzi probably won’t start as their best defender is Cordoba, or in my view Chivu.
Ps good to see Terry sent off!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 21:50
@Shyam: Ronaldo outmuscled by Inter?
A fucking retard that gets sent off for nothing, a short south american version of Park, and left back called Maxwell, who should play as a left winger becuase he has no idea about what defending is? Maicon is the only player I can see threaten Ronaldo on the ground. Materazzi will probably get sent off for something stupid, like hacking Ronaldo from behind after a stepover(hoepfully he doesnt break his leg… 
), when Rooney si about to shoot or just for touching Ronaldo a little too much. And yeah, I think Marco Materazzi is gay. He is a little too consentrated on making men fall when close to him and touch them with his monster strenght. 
December 22nd, 2008 at 21:57
Okey, who else didnt enjoy that?! John “Baby Tears” Terry got sent off. Suits you right. He will now miss the United game. Unless the red card also is for FA Cup games.
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:14
unfortunately it is, but I’m sure it’ll get reduced to 1 match on appeal, even if he had cut the guys head off with a hacksaw..
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:18
@Stephen: You know as bad as our football has been this year, if we just put away 15% more of our chances we would be looking fantastic. It’s our poor finishing rate that has our overall system of play come more into question.
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:18
@WhiteY: No argument there.
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:21
@Stephen: The problem with a 4-3-3 with those midfielders is that we would be very slow in the midfield. Anderson is our fastest guys but Carrick is a lead foot and Scholes has lost more than a step. We need a Hargo in there instead of Scholes and that would be a good setup. So we’ll have to wait until next year.
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:25
@RedDevilEddy: I meant “Who else enjoyed that?”, not who didnt enjoy that. I luved it!
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:25
@WhiteY: WOA! Thems fighting words.
Ballack is my favorite player so I will defend him. Truth is he is a fantastic player but even though he has been good at Chelsea when healthy, he has always been played out of position except for that period when Lampard was out with injury. And if you remember then, he literally carried the team on his shoulder. I love his presence in the box and his vision. I also think he is dynamite on free kicks and automatic on penalties. We would have been fantastic with him scheming in the middle. I think it’s a shame he was so stupid to sign for Chelsea. I hat the fact he plays for them with a passion. But then all is forgiven when he puts on the Germany kit. He would have looked great Manchester red though.
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:31
@RedDevilEddy: Of course we have a chance of winning the league. As poorly as we have played, Chelsea and Liverpool haven’t exactly looked unbeatable themselves. In fact the EPL this season has looked very mediocre for sure. We need to make up those two games we are behind and we need to win those. And depending on what Chelski do tonight, we will either be 1 or 2 points behind. When that happens, all I can say is GAME ON. Until then, we cannot afford to meaninglessly give away points to minnows. Stay within three of the leaders and let our home games against all the leaders decide this championship. We just need to stay healthy. Nobody is going to convince me that those other teams are better than us, even if we have royally sucked so far this season.
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:33
@RedDevilEddy: How will he miss the United game? We don’t play them for a while from what I know. And a red card in the EPL does not count in the FA Cup. Two separate competitions…as far as I know.
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:34
@Traverse: Yes there are rules and there are rules for Chelski. We are living in very unfair times.
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:38
@Grognard: And judging by Alex’s double stamp that just went unpunished, Roman’s cheque book is going to be doing some work over at the FA video evidence department…
December 22nd, 2008 at 22:49
did you see that
lucky fucks
December 22nd, 2008 at 23:05
0-0 Chelsea! That means we are now eight points behind Pool, seven points behind Chelsea with two games in hand and home fixtures against both teams to look forward to. Like Grognard said we’ve been poor so far this season but so have Chelsea, and Liverpool’s luck won’t last.
Liverpool will slip up in the second half of the season but I believe Chelsea will raise their game. The question is whether we’ll be able to raise our game and start scoring goals especially away from home? Will Rooney playing as a number 9 find the consistencey he has lacked or will we get another goal drought followed by a flurry of goals and so on? Will Ronaldo raise his game to the level he achieved last season and put himself in contention for another Ballon D’Or? Will Anderson live up to the promise he has shown in recent games? Will Nani find his way? Will Berbatov score some goals to add to his already impressive assists total?
One thing is for sure I cannot wait for the second half of the season!
December 22nd, 2008 at 23:14
@RedDevilEddy: It depends on which Rio turns up, and this season we never know which
@Craig Mc: But consider the back-up we had against AC Milan to the back- up we have now. I’d have loved to see Brown at CB cus he handles it well, but no Hargo sadly and I’m not sure if Rafael can handle it.
@Grognard:I’d have to disagree, IIRC I think the FA Cup is the oldest living competition in footballing history so i think its carries a little prestige at least imo.
December 22nd, 2008 at 23:16
On the League, has it become harder or has the big 4 just gotten crappier? None of the big teams can seem to buy consistency if their lives depended on it.
December 23rd, 2008 at 0:24
@Grognard: Our next 3 PL games: Stoke, Boro, Chelski. We have a CC games between Soton and Chelski, but Stalins Bitches aint in that competition anymore.
December 23rd, 2008 at 0:28
@Rd: The top four have all been below par with the exception of maybe Liverpool, and even they look like they are playing at full throttle just to stay there, whereas Chelsea and particulary ourselves look like they have another gear or two to find and although our performances have been far from vintage this season, I honestly believe that we are the ones who are the closest to finding those gears coz in most games were we have dropped points, it has been our finishing that let us down, so now that we have gotten Japan out of the way, we have an opportunity to get our Title challenge into full swing, coz in my opinion if we can go on a good winning streak Liverpool will crack under the pressure and Chelsea look thier best days are behind them.
December 23rd, 2008 at 0:32
@colver: Actually, we have 32 points now with 16 games played. Chelski have 38 in 18 and Liverpool 39 in 18. We wil be equal on points with Chelski if we win both those games, and only point behind Liverpool. But we cannot say for sure that we will win those games, and we might even be many points ahead of Chelski when we have played against Fulham and Wigan. We may also be many points behind.
Many questinos will be needed to be answered in this second half of the season, and I hope most of them will be positive. Hopefully Rooney can prove a dealdy finisher(for once). Hopefully Ronaldo will play up to his usual standard now that we face more medicore teams. Hopefully Anderson will get more games so he can prove what a brilliant midfielder he is on a consistent basis. And hopefully Berba will score more goals. BTW, Wayne is our top scorer with 10 goals now. Nani will have to improve his game, or maybe Tosic will prove a brilliant signing. Time will tell, but I have this feeling that United will have the best year in the clubs history in 2009. Maybe its just because I am a United-supporter by heart and soul, but I am confident this team will achieve lots and lots of things in the near future.
UNITED!!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 0:39
@WhiteY: Fergie get it right tactically – lets hope so mate,
, would be sheer miracle indeed, the way things have gone so far this season. If however we have the same luck as we had against Barca away last season, our defence playing as magnificently – we could get the 0-0. Yet with Imbrahimovich, and Chelsea’s ex nutter striker too, in such good form – mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 
.
December 23rd, 2008 at 0:51
@Rahul: But it shouldn’t have happened Rahul mate – it was totally unnecessary. Vidic needs to engage his brain, and so do most of our reactionist players. You know who they are, without me telling you all
.
December 23rd, 2008 at 0:55
Well, Ive gone through some stats about this season for Untied. Check this out:
And to say that he hasnt gotten so many games, well he has played 25 games, scoring 7 goals.
Most apparances: Carlos Tevez!
Most goals: Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are joint top scorers on 10 goals each. Ronaldo has 8 in the league, 1 in the Carling Cup and 1 in the FIFA Club World Cup. Whereas Wayne has 4 goals in the League, 3 in the Champions League and 3 in Japan. Ronny has played 21 games, Rooney 23
Most assists: In all competitions, Giggs lead with 8 assists. Joint second place are Ronaldo and Berbatov with 6 assists, Rooney comes 4th with 5, then Anderson and Tevez are and joint 5th place with 3 each.
December 23rd, 2008 at 0:59
Okay – without a doubt, going on past head scratching decisions of teams put out by Fergie, here is the team we will field to play Inter away
.
Thomas
Rafael Evans O’Shea Evra
Gibson Giggsy Scholesy
Park Berbatov Nani
Bench – who the feck knows
.
No I don’t think I am joking, and I am NOT drunk. Wouldn’t surprise me that’s all. Yeah, well maybe PIGS MIGHT FLY
.
Sorry Sir Fergie, I still love ya
.
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:30
@RedDevilEddy: If Ronaldo gets 20 for the season it’ll be good considering what a shit season he’s having (by his standards). We really really could have done with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Not saying Berbatov was a bad buy…but the Bulgarian is not exactly prolific either.
I have a feeling that we will turn it up a notch after New Year’s though and really get into our stride in the 2nd half of the season, as the first half has been pretty much stop-start in terms of form. I’m with you RedDevilEddy on this one mate…I really think the Premier League trophy won’t be leaving the OT cabinet this season!
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:39
What i find really funny and strange is that even though we are playing far shitter than we did last season, we are actually in an even better position than we were this time last year. We are still in contention for all four major trophies, and have only suffered two losses in all competitions (barring the UEFA Super Cup), and both of those to fellow Big 4 teams (compared to this time last year, when we were losing to the likes of Shitty, Bolton and West Ham). We are effectively a point behind the leaders (taking the two games in hand into account) compared to last December, when we were five or six points behind Arsenal. I think this shows how far we’ve come as a team…that we can play this shit and still be in such a wicked position….as opposed to how backwards we’ve gone as many fellow commenters have been saying. So God help our rivals when we finally do hit some kind of form resembling our best!
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:51
Does anybody know of any decent Inter Milan blogs written in English? I’d be really interested to read their take on the CL draw and how they view us and whether they are as fearful of us as we are of them……
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:32
@Craig Mc: Honestly Bro, you are getting on Vidic far too much. He doesn’t have a history of being out of control and his reaction wasn’t as bad as it was made out to be. On the other hand you supported Nani at the end of last season when he truly pulled a boner of retaliation. Not fair mate.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:35
@Nino: This is all because the quality of the Premier League has fallen badly this season. The top four teams are not as good as last year and the rest of the league is just total shite. We have played terribly and are still in the thick of things because none of the teams in front of us have the killer instinct or quality to take advantage of our mistakes and increase their point lead. Total losers.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:49
@Grognard: Or grog you could as well say that rest of the PL has picked up compared to last year. The likes of Hull and Stoke have given hopes to all clubs that big 4 can be beaten. Aston Villa are playing great, Hull have been pretty good and same can be said for few more sides. big 4 are dropping points every here and there. what else do you need???
Its becoming the most exciting season ever!
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:42
@Grognard: i think thats pretty unfair grognard, their are good teams in the league and despite what you may think, there are teams that are good outside the “top4″ just look at arsenal(
), Hull, newcastle are showing good form and so are fulham.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:54
@Grognard: and which league is better mate?
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:03
@weezy: the bundesliga
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:06
@dan(u-ol): Good point also Villa are strong, with the top four qualifying for the next stage of the champions league with Spurs, Citeh and Villa all through to the next stage of the UEFFA cup it seems the entire league is just more competative,
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:07
@dan(u-ol): Ha ha no chance!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:50
Says it all: http://therepublikofmancunia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/ronaldofifa.gif
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:13
@RedDevilEddy:
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:55
Nino comment 117, well i have family in italy who are actually inter fans and i dont know any inter blogs but from what my cousin who lives over there says that the view of the inter fans is that we were the main team who they wanted to avoid even over barca. Italian teams dont like playing english teams apparently as the english teams have changed their style so much over the last few years that they dont know how the hell we are gonna play against them. My cousin said that they would fancy their chances alot more against barca than us because they feel they can work out a spanish teams system more easily and can then stop them playing their game. As i said this is just my cousin speaking but he did say that there was alot of disappointed groans from the inter fans when the draw was announced as they really didnt want to get us. Make of that what you will.
December 23rd, 2008 at 13:09
@Matthew: Honestly, who wants to face us? We are the best team in the world, not only in Manchester, England or Europe, but THE WORLD! We rule every team when we are on song, and there is always gonna be some teams that are gonna be on the recieving end of it. My Grandpa, who is a huge Inter fan, says he thinks United will go through. He doesnt see how Inter can win against us, and most Inter fans have problems picturing how thery are gonna score against a team so compact and great defensivly. And, who are deadly on the counter. They cant attack with too many players, as Rooney, Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson all know how to turn the picture of a game in the matter of a moment, and they cant attack too few as we will kill them! Difficult facing us, ey?
December 23rd, 2008 at 13:22
I just wish Hargreaves was fit for the Inter game, Carrick, Scholes and Hargreaves in the centre would be far too strong for the Italians, not that there are too many Italians playing for them.
December 23rd, 2008 at 13:27
@Craig Mc: I got what u were saying bro.. it was surely avoidable. And i struggle to recall who the ‘reactionist’ player you allude to might be..
!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 13:31
@Stephen: We have no Italians (in the first team).. but if Fergie has his way.. we’ll be more Italian than any existing Italian team! Just like he game against Barcelona.
It is a good thing as well as a bad thing!
December 23rd, 2008 at 13:39
@Rahul: We not that bad!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 14:54
@Rahul: We play the best and attacking football in this country, bar non and that includes Arsenal.
The main task Fergies embarks on is to the win the game/tie. If we went to the Nou Camp and opened up and played expansive football we could have gone back to Manchester with our tales between our legs and three goals down. Against open sides away you have to be compact, hard to beat and take advantage of the home leg, it is simple.
You either want to win and play decent football, or you want to play naive football and loose, like Arsenal. Peronally I think we have the balance superbly, Ok it has not clicked this season yet but it will, and 2009 should be another trophy laden season.
There are people who want Mourinho as the next United manager, if that does happen then we will see some win at all costs, turgid football which we certainly are not about. United do win but at least try to win with some style, maybe not over two legs because it is important to get there, but we do get fans out of their seats.
December 23rd, 2008 at 16:01
How to make united play attacking football again:
*start rafael
*by a quality winger
*start anderson
*in with the old, out with the new, please fergie, bring back CQ
the first 3 stars are in process(rudolph has said neville and brown face a tough time with rafael here, tosic and adem, anderson is starting more)
CQ will be out of a job soon(have you seen Portugal lately!), and there is only one place in the world he would want come to!
December 23rd, 2008 at 16:09
@Stephen: Excellent point Stephen. We are an attacking side but there are games in the season where we require to be compact and disciplined which would look like a boring Italian side. But its all about tactics…Barca,Liverpool away last season are good examples of that..
It is a sign of good side…adapting our game depending upon the opponents. Against Inter we are in a dilemma because they are a rigid,hard to score against and disciplined team..So at San Siro do we attack or do we play neutral considering the second leg is at Old Trafford. I think we need to go there with the same mentality as we did against Roma, may be a much more defensive than that…We should rely on our counter attacks to be productive and hopefully walk away with an away win..
In Old trafford, there is no doubt we have to attack,outscore and impose ourselves on Inter or they are a capable team to punish us with some costly away goal and 10-man defense formations!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 16:31
@Grognard: Disagree there mate. I think the standard of the Premier League has improved. Teams like Aston Villa and Everton were mid-table nobodies a few years back but are now consistently challenging the Big4 on a regular basis. Traditional cannon fodder teams such as Hull, West Ham, Fulham, Stoke, Sunderland et al are no longer the pushovers they used to be. Of course, the common factor is that they all play shit-on-a-stick football to achieve this, but you can’t really blame them with the resources they have at their disposal can you?
The Big4, with the exception of Liverpool, may not be playing as well as last year but they are certainly not weaker outfits this season. Only Arsenal you could say have gone backwards due to the midfield firesale of Hleb, Flamini, Gilberto etc. One thing you have to admit is that the Premier League is far more exciting this year than in probably any season in it’s history! Soo many upsets and the general unpredictability of results this year means a far more open and competitive playing field. The title is up for grabs by no less than five teams (well, realistically three…) and IIRC, at one point this season there was only six points separating the 5th placed team from the bottom team.
December 23rd, 2008 at 16:42
@Stephen: I agree with you mate. I recall having this debate with Grognard and a few other commenters a week or two ago, who were all clamouring for open, expansive attacking football against the big teams in Europe, and I remember saying exactly what you just said. Like you said, you can’t just go to the Nou Camp and play gung-ho as the most likely outcome would be the home team picking us off on the counter at will and killing the tie right there. To do something like that just smacks of tactical naivety. I am not proud of the ultra-defensive approach we adopted in Camp Nou, which I though was a step too far, but the team had to be compact and play a bit deeper than usual in a game like that.
December 23rd, 2008 at 16:54
a big deal was made of wayne rooney stamping on that aalborg player. despite the ‘victim’ saying that the media overhyped rooneys stamp, everybody continued to kick a big fuss about it. but now that terry was sent off for a terrible redcard challenge, for the second in my recent memory, he will probably have it rescinded. but how about this from alex.
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/alexstampcahill.jpg
December 23rd, 2008 at 19:10
@Rahul: Rahul Bro – reactionist players – try Rooney, Ronnie, Nani, for starters
. It is a disease that seems to be spreading, and needs to be stamped out. Also Tev was dishing it out for a while there beginning of season. And now Nemanjah, reactionist against dirty bastard Drogba and Terry in CL final 
. Grog mate – Vid is catching the disease slowly you know – 
.
December 23rd, 2008 at 19:14
@Nino: Yes the standard has inproved thanks to the recent trend on one man ownership of clubs. Plus, i think the scouting network is relatively better nowadays. Clubs can get good players from Brazil even Ecuador just to improve their league standings.
December 23rd, 2008 at 19:28
@jos: No, I don’t buy that argument I’m afraid. Every year teams will get worse and others will improve. The point is the quality of overall play and the entertainment dollar being offered had been very poor. So many 0-0 or 1-0 games and top teams lacking courage and ambition when they play each other. It’s been boring and disgusting. And then you have teams like Man Shitty and Tottenham who have gone completely south when both should have been in the top 6 or 7. The league is total rubbish and if we can’t win this year, then we are too.
December 23rd, 2008 at 19:43
@dan(u-ol): They are all rubbish because they play a rubbish style of football that has zero ambition, courage or entertainment value in it. All that concerns half of the teams is to stay up in the Prema nd the other half are only concerned about getting a spot in Europe. The whole motivational value of the league is driven by the extra money for making these goals possible. Hull City and Fulham are all crap but they are not as crappy as West Brom, and Man Shitty. Arsenal are a joke as are Liverpool and Chelsea because none of them have any killer instinct and I must say we have been disappointing too although, I have never felt we lacked killer instinct. I have always blamed our technical style and use of players for our own ineptitude at times.
Listen mate, it’s all about personal taste and tolerance. If there are many who still feel that the EPL delivers an interesting fast, exciting product, then all the power to them. I however will consider myself a footballing elitist and a snob by saying I have seen much much better and what I am seeing right now is total rubbish and a ripoff to millions of paying fans who are starving for entertainment and goals. If one tolerates getting ripped off, then ripped off is what they’ll get. I am so fed up with the EPL that I only watch Man Utd games. I refuse to sit through any other games involving the other 19 head cases in the league. They all play as if AV Grant was managing them. BORING!
December 23rd, 2008 at 19:55
@weezy: In terms of entertainment and clubs playing the game with a proper attitude I would say that The German Bundesliga rules supreme. The Dutch League likes goals too. Spain is not bad. I am not a big fan of Spain but they entertain you most of the time. Just this week the two leaders played and it was a very exciting game. Fast paced and back and forth with conviction. Very rarely do you see a game like that involving two teams from the top four. There is the odd exception but good games are far more common than bad games in Germany, Holland and Spain because the poor teams don’t always play like the poor teams do in England. There is no setting ten men behind the ball and Sunderlanding it. And the top teams love to score goals. Barca, Real, Valencia, Atletico all love to score goals. Only Villarreal plays a cautious game.
In Germany and Holland the quality of the players may not be as high as Spain and Italy and not as good as 6 or 7 clubs in England but the style of play, ambition, pace and general adventure of the teams is second to none. I have watched thousands and thousands of games in my life and I have to really struggle to think back to find a better game than the Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim clash two weeks ago. The two league leaders letting it all hang out and yet, still managing to be physical and prevent the game from being a shootout. It ended 2-1 for Bayern but the game was as good as any game I have seen in the EPL since 1999. In fact the only club game I would rank with it in the past ten years was the famous FA Cup semi-final of 1999 when Giggs scored his historic goal. Trust me, it was that good. Now if only they would play like that in England and Italy. Two countries loaded with great world players yet restricted and hampered by managers and organizations that play and tolerate cowardice and conservatism in the game. It’s a shame and i for one am sick of it. You certainly don’t have to agree with me and you can love it until the Sun turns green, but I for one am really fed up wasting hours watching mud dry. If not for United, I wouldn’t waste a minute on the EPL.
PS Another league that has adventure and ambition but where the quality of play is lower is Argentina. Not as many goals as I would like but teams don’t hold back on each other either and home fiekd advantage is not as big a deal.
December 23rd, 2008 at 20:03
@Stephen: All of you are judging who is good and who is not by points. It’s not about points, it’s about entertainment value and how exciting the games are and how much offensive emphasis is put into a game by both teams. Villa is a good team but that doesn’t mean they are overly ambitious in the way they play. In fact despite all their starting talent and speed, they play rather conservatively. Hell, against United they played like they were a road team at home. Caution over everything. It’s just wrong and in this ever increasingly bad economic state in which the world is collapsing into, trust me, football will eventually feel the hit big time. Too much money, greed and wealth being shared and not enough respect and concern for the poor blokes who have to park their butts in the stands or sit in front of their tv’s paying for a pay per view deluge of boredom and theatrical gamesmanship. It’s eventually going turn off more and more people with an IQ because economics is going to force many to choose between having season tickets at the Stadium of Light or do they save for a rainy day. Keep boring people and offering a product that shows no respect to the paying customer, and that will happen. Already attendance in NFL games, NHL and NBA games is drastically down due to the economic downturn. Football is going to get zapped big time. Just look at how empty the stands are at Blackburn or Boro games. I never saw that even last year.
December 23rd, 2008 at 20:07
@RedDevilEddy: We just finished playing relative minnows compared to who we usually play and I seriously doubt that we killed them. Killing an opponent is beating him 4-0 5-0 6-0 or better. Beating teams 1-0 or tying with them 0-0 is hardly showing the dominance you seem to think we have mate. Are you watching our team in another dimension?
We are good and get better but we’re not as awesome as you make us out to be. Now Barcelona based on their form this year is closer to the team you are describing. 
December 23rd, 2008 at 20:09
@Stephen: He’s preparing for his next operation on his other knee. Questionable whether he will be ready for the start of next season yet alone the Inter game. It’s nice to fantasize though. He is certainly missed.
December 23rd, 2008 at 20:11
@dan(u-ol): You mean in with the new and out with the old, don’t you?
December 23rd, 2008 at 20:21
@Nino: They may be better but they are not making the league better. What makes the league better is the style of play used by the majority and especially the style of play being exhibited byt the top 4 and the bottom 4. It’s about ambition and entertainment. Results will happen, teams will win lose or draw and who wins and who loses is not important. What is important is that when you sign dozens and dozens of wolrd stars and bring them into a league to entertain the British crowd, it’s important that teams allow these players the ability to play without tolerating constant fouling of stars and then allowing many to get away with their dives and theatrics. Consistent refereeing would be nice but more ambition towards attack by minnows in the league would force the better teams to also step up their offensive game instead of allowing so many games to become battles of attrition and trench warfare. If you honestly feel the English game has no flaws and that you are supremely entertained, nothing I say will change your mind. But I for one have neither the time nor the patience to put up with such garbage. It’s watch United for me and then switch over and watch the Bundesliga, a little bit of La Liga, the Erie Divisie and then the Argentine league. I want nothing to do with Serie A (the Anti-Christ of football) and the rest of the EPL.
Yesterday my friend asked me who he thought would win the Everton vs Chelsea game. I said to them that both teams badly needed the game so I predicted 0-0 jokingly. Well look what happened, 0-0. Prediction correct. And it’s easier to predict a game when you know what both teams are going to serve up. I was also correct on Arsenal vs Liverpool. At least I give Wenger credit for trying to entertain the masses despite the fact his team is lacking a lot in certain areas and in experience. If all managers had Wengers attitude the stands would be full and pay tv would be going through the roof. He at least believes in entertainment. Too bad I hate Arsenal.
The EPL is becoming more and more like the French League.
December 23rd, 2008 at 20:32
@Nino: I’m not advocating going into the Nou Camp and playing gung ho football. I realize that a tie like that is played differently. But that in a nutshell is what’s wrong with the game. That you need to go there with that kind of a chicken shit mentality to get the proper result. Lack of ambition and attacking flair as well as sheer attacking arrogance has left the game completely. We are living in ultra cautious times and it is reflected in our football. My biggest concern is not the Champions League and the crap they serve up. The politics, national pride, money and prestige that is up for stake in that tournament makes it almost impossible for teams to show ambition and throw caution to the wind. But there is no excuse in a domestic league. The EPl needs to change the way they do business. Punish teams for 0-0 draws, add points for goals scored and alter the promotion and demotion rule to take that unnecessary pressure of lower teams as it is no way to build a team through time and patience. Too much is expected from a recently promoted team and not enough time and patience is given promoted teams to settle. Before you know it they are back down and this fact alone causes them to play with fear and no ambition. Ten men behind the ball because one point means more than risking all to win the game. Now if you all cannot see how wrong that is, I have nothing more to say. The game is about scoring more goals than your opponent, not who allows the fewest goals. The both mean the same thing but the attitude is completely different. And in there lyes the problem.
December 23rd, 2008 at 20:33
@RedAllTheWay: He’ll have it rescinded simply because he is John Terry and a Chelsea player and the FA is in Abramovich’s back pocket. They are a disgrace.
December 23rd, 2008 at 21:07
8 posts in a row groggy, bored much?
well on holiday over here in sweden i just watched a old match and i must say they attack from the get go, now wonder why larsson and ibrahimovic (who i feel is not that great) are good attackers, it seems like how the league plays is how the players develop, and the english will never develop players as long as they incorperate a 10 behind the ball mentality, look at the french league, brasilian league, attack is a must, and its how the game should be played, joga bonito
December 23rd, 2008 at 21:27
@Mr.Muhozi: I like to respond to everyone separately. Also, the blog is so dead that I can be writing posts for an hour and there won’t be anyone else who does the same in that time, thus eight in a row. This blog has really died off badly in the past month. Partly due to RR’s vacation and partly due to the fact that the EPL has been a bore and there is nothing very positive to talk about, even when it comes to United.
As for the French league, they do not attack. The French league is the most defensive league in the world with the fewest goals. If you ever get a chance, join up with “Maxxed Football Forums” online and download games form the seventies and early eighties. I especially recommend you download some older Bundesliga games if you are really into entertainment and lots of goals. A dozen games watched from that era will make you seriously question whether you ever want to watch a non United EPL game again. Enjoy your holiday amongst the Vikings.
December 23rd, 2008 at 21:30
@Grognard: Damn Grog, been reading some of you posts and I agree in some aspects. I agree that teams should not play 10-0-0, but games where there are two teams only thinking about attacks wont happen in some time. At least not on a regular basis! Maybe its you who are in another dimension!
Football isnt only about scoring goals, its also about using you brain for tactical purposes. I dont wanna watch United vs Sunderland types of games, no way, but I think watching two teams going out on the pitch just to attack without any reasonable mindset would be stupid. FIFA 09 like! I think the Italian style of football s alright, defend and wait for the counter attacks, but I dont think the Sunderland style is a jam. Defending and waiting for counter attacks is a good play, but you have to seize the chance when you have it. If Ronaldo gets the ball on the counter Rooney, Tevez and some other needs to follow too! Not only Christiano. If you want succes, you have to play smart. Not shitty style! 
December 23rd, 2008 at 21:38
@Grognard: Wanna watch attacking mindsets? Check out the Dutch League. Bundesliga is alright, but the Dutch league has got the most goals. Maybe less from now on because Huntelaar is leaving, but its all attack there without any tactical ability to defend. Advice to Fergie: Never buy defenders from the dutch league! Staam was one of a kind, but players like Heitinga, Boularouz and Kromkamp says it all.
About this site being dead, maybe its because people are busyu with other things. I noticed that there were very few people covering the LDQ games on this site, very few ROOOONEY!!! or CHAMPIONS!!! or IS THAT REF FUCKING BLIND?!!! Its holidays, people like RedRanter and such may be in the Caribians or the Englishmen may be in Southern Europe/Africa. Me myself am here with my girldfriend, family and friends. Got time to watch United, but cannot spend as much time on this site as I usually do. Its Christmas tommra Grog, whats you gonna do?
December 23rd, 2008 at 21:50
@Grognard: i want the muppet(phelan) out! the man has the tactical knowledge of our mothers when it comes to football! then again, our mothers would be able to tell the difference between a good player and park.
i dont even class park as a bad player, bad players are better then him.
December 23rd, 2008 at 22:08
@dan(u-ol): Phelamb out, Carlos Queiroz in. He aint doing a good job for Portugal, and with him back maybe Nani and Ronaldo can find back to their form. And Park out, Silva in.
December 23rd, 2008 at 22:18
@RedDevilEddy: Dutch leagues have a lot of goals because they lack quality defences and their league is rather pathetic besides the top 3 teams: Ajax, PSV, and Heereveen/Feyenoord.
The eredivisie is a glorified Championship league
December 23rd, 2008 at 23:09
same old chelsa always cheating
December 24th, 2008 at 0:06
@Grognard: But mostly because people are bored of posting, and there posts keep getting the awaiting moderation thing due to the strange glitch problem in the system
December 24th, 2008 at 1:06
Yeah the blog isn’t as lively as it was last season, just like United aren’t playing as well as last season! lol. Especially towards the tail end of 07-08 there were some great debates and discussions going on here. No disrespect to RR as I realise he is extremely busy but these days I find Republik of Mancunia a more up to date blog than this as the owner Scott usually has every single morsel of daily United news covered…he posts up to 6-7 new articles a day, which is pretty incredible!
December 24th, 2008 at 1:24
@Nino: I agree, Scott is doing a marvellous job at RoM. Been there a while, but for me Redrants is always gonna be THE site!
December 24th, 2008 at 2:11
@RedDevilEddy: lol true say…Red Rants has definitely got, in my opinion, a unique and special community feel that NO other United blog on the net has I think!
December 24th, 2008 at 3:42
@RedDevilEddy: Mate, if the game wasn’t about scoring goals, they wouldn’t have erected two posts at the end of each side as well as a cross bar and attached two onion bags to them. It’s always about scoring goals and beating your opponent. But culturally speaking, certain countries lack the testicular fortitude to play another country all out and see who scores more goals. So they concoct this things called tactics as well as over analyze and dissect the technical aspects of the game so much so that they end up creating a monster that looks and smells very much like an Italian war trench.
There is no excuse for the way the game is played today. So many skilled players who have shackles placed on them due to the overly defensive, hard tackling and overly technical aspects of the game that simply quash the fun and the beauty from the game. There is no beauty in defending for a 0-0 result. Watch a game from 25 or 30 years ago. You don’t see 10% of the diving and theatrics you see today. Unless you see Italy play.
December 24th, 2008 at 3:57
@RedDevilEddy: The Dutch league has plenty of technical ability and tactics. It’s just that the overall quality of the players is not up with Spain, England, Germany or even France. But at least they play the game better. Not perfect, but better. Attacking and trying to score goals is not playing stupid. The idea is to attempt to score goals while still doing the necessary things to prevent your opponent from scoring on you. The problem today is that the latter takes precedent over the former. Preventing goals should not be more important than scoring goals. Not in a professional game where the teams and the leagues have the nerve to take people’s money and them feed them garbage to watch. Sorry but I love to watch a game with goals. I’m not asking for 8-6 or 7-5 scores. Just give me some more 3-2 and 4-3 games as opposed to dozens and dozens of 1-0 and 0-0 games. That kind of shit doesn’t wash in North America. You bore people like that, and they stay away. That’s why this game has never caught on big over here. We are brought up playing sports where there is a lot happening and where many points are scored. football (US version), basketball, baseball and hockey have way more points scored per game on average than soccer. When hockey started getting to defensive and technical, the league automatically stepped in and changed the rules and altered the game to open it up a bit more so that there would be more offense. I’m niot even saying that we need to change the game on the field. Just change the motivation. Reward goal scoring and attacking play and punish overly defensive play and results that end 0-0. How about zero points for a 0-0 tie. And one point for every goal scored while the team that wins gets 3 points but gets four points if they win on the road. Then you add the points for every goal they score. It would change the point system completely but after a while people would get used to adding up a team’s wins and then the number of goals they scored to figure out the points they have. This would stop teams from playing for a 0-0 or 1-0 game as the reward is nothing or small. These concepts may sound wild to some but the game is broken and it needs to be fixed. We need to bring back attacking entertainment into the game. Look at the scores form the 1954 to 1970 World Cups. Scoring fests were common. My God, will we ever see a World Cup final again with 5 or 6 goals? It’s a shame so many have such a closed mind to what i am trying to promote. Why would somebody settle for 0-0 or 1-0 is beyond me. Then again, the British are known for their boring food and dull sexual habits. Injecting a spark of life in their football would do wonders for the game, it’s look, feel, finances and attendance. To me it’s no brainer.
And yes, Dutch defenders are crap. Stam and Krol are the best I can remember.
December 24th, 2008 at 4:00
@RedDevilEddy: This site wasn’t dead last year around Christmas. So I don’t think it’s because of the holiday season. Passion for Manchester United is too great for us to vacate over a few distractions. One always finds some time to check in. Or at least I used to think that was the case.
As for XMAS, I’m spending the evening with relatives and gorging myself with food.
December 24th, 2008 at 4:03
@dan(u-ol): Hey Dan, moy mother is a big proponent of Total Football and believes in the use of a sweeper. That alone makes her more qualified than Phelan and therefore, she should not be mentioned in the same breath with that muppet.
December 24th, 2008 at 4:05
@Craig Mc: No mate, this has been going on for a long time and well before the moderation thing popped up. This site is suffering from a case of apathy and I am asking……no I am begging for people to wake up and show some interest in it and in Man Utd and start posting their thoughts. Where is everybody? For all of you who have been away, COME BACK. We miss your contributions.
December 24th, 2008 at 4:07
@Nino: Yes that’s true but I for one am not the kind who trolls from one blog to another. I picked one I liked and i will stay with it until the end. I am loyal and patient. But I am feeling frustrated of late.
December 24th, 2008 at 5:34
@Grognard: Lol who said anything about trolling? I haven’t deserted this blog have I? Red Rants is still the premier United blog on the net IMO, especially for venting your spleen ans letting off steam about the team, but Red Ranter regrettably cannot update it regularly due to personal circumstances and so I, like many others I am sure, am forced to look elsewhere for my daily fix of all things United.
December 24th, 2008 at 5:43
@Grognard: Hopefully Grognard when you win the writing competition and RR makes you an administrator you can update the site regularly in his absences and breathe some new life into it!
December 24th, 2008 at 5:52
One last thing before I sign off for the night….THERE’S ONLY ONE CQ!!! Phuck Phelan!!
Oh, and a very merry Christmas (and happy New Year) to everyone in advance!!
December 24th, 2008 at 8:43
@Nino: 169. That will be the day I stop reading this blog
December 24th, 2008 at 9:44
@Nino: I haven’t submitted anything yet and there is absolutely no guarantee that I will win anything or be selected. Yes I write a lot and I am controversial but who knows, when the pressure is on, I might choke. I have a few friends locally who feel I should start my own blog but truthfully, I’m not motivated and I enjoy Red Rants. I just hope in 2009 it comes back to it’s former glory.
December 24th, 2008 at 9:45
@Nino: The same to you mate. All the best for the holidays and may 2009 be as good to United as I hope it is for you.
December 24th, 2008 at 10:38
Merry Christmas to everyone!
And a happy new, red year!
Santa wears red and white…
December 24th, 2008 at 11:24
@RedDevilEddy: merry christmas dude.
December 24th, 2008 at 12:18
merry xmas from the land of the vikings
GOD JUL
and when i get back to london grog ill watch some classic games
December 24th, 2008 at 12:22
In the languages I know:
Merry Christmas
God Jul
Feliz Navida
Gezuar Krishtlinjes
Merry Xmas
December 24th, 2008 at 12:23
@Mr.Muhozi: God Jul! Og Godt Nytt år!
December 24th, 2008 at 15:16
Well you all know how I feel about Rooney’s loutish behaviour whenever he is feeling frustrated, and his inconsistency of goalscoring form, but I was overjoyed for him when he was stood there with that Gold Ball after the world club cup game. Seeing Ronnie with the silver ball, and Monsa with the bronze, wonder if Rooney was thinking to himself, I want to be standing on that stage nicking the Ballon d on from you next year Ronnie. More importantly, will it inspire him to determination to excel by practice, practice, practice, until he does get all those world prizes. He needs to look after his body more, and note that he has to do extra work to snatch that world trophy out of Ronnie’s hand. Yes folks, this really is Craig Mc hoping he does just that – its not Christmas spirit talking either, it is me hoping for more and more striker improvement consistency in Rooney, he has it in him, if he works, and cuts out the reactionary behaviour.
December 24th, 2008 at 16:05
Because i see lot of ppl talking about different leagues in here…Anybody for a world team of the year 2008??…This would be my picks
Casillas
Maicon-Vidic-Ferdinand-Evra
Ronaldo-Xavi-Sneijder-Messi
Torres-Kaka
Very difficult one…could not find a good defensive midfielder….so i had to put 2 box-box midfielders in there..
December 24th, 2008 at 16:22
@RedDevilEddy:
God Jul! Og Godt Nytt år!
back to you i’m getting to grips with this swedish keyboard it’s pretty weird öåä
December 24th, 2008 at 16:55
@Shyam:
Casillas
Ramos-Vidic-Rio-Evra
——Gattusso—–
Ronaldo——–Messi
——–Kaka——–
Torres——Rooney
Dont shoot me for putting Rooney or Gattusso in there, but if I should rate any player in the world how they play on a good day, that ios the ultimate team. Rooney can to everythign asked from a striker on a good day, even head the ball into the net. Front 5 of Torres, Rooney, Messi, Ronaldo and Kaka would scare the shit out o fmost defenders!
December 24th, 2008 at 16:57
@Mr.Muhozi: Er det non deilege sheier med dei der?
(Sorry for sucky Swedish, not my first lanuage)
December 24th, 2008 at 17:03
@RedDevilEddy: That is a pretty good one…Is Maicon better or Ramos??..Were you able to find any other young player of Gattuso mould??..in any league??
December 24th, 2008 at 18:43
@Shyam: Very easy team to pick especially when one considers the Euros too.
GK Casillas
RB Maicon
CB Rio
CB Puyol
LB Lahm
RM Ronaldo
CM Senna
CM Ballack
LM Ribery
F Torres
F Messi
December 24th, 2008 at 19:49
@Grognard: I had this difficult choice to make between Puyol and Vidic…i would rate Sneijder/Xavi above Senna even though Senna is good..Technically Sneijder and Xavi stay ahead of Senna…Moreover i was more keen to find a young team in attack..Ribery is one i missed…Ribery in for Kaka is a good swap!!
Sneijder injured is one of the big reasons Madrid is struggling ….i would love that guy play Scholes role in United..Actually he kind of reminds me of old Scholes…He n Guti ran the show for Madrid!!
December 24th, 2008 at 20:08
@RedDevilEddy: God Jul og Godt Nytår! Hvor i Norge er du fra? @Mr.Muhozi: Hvad med dig Muhozi?
Har i setjulekalenderen “The Julekalender” på tv. Der er en dansk version og ny norsk version af det geniale jule show
December 24th, 2008 at 20:19
you really love ballack dont you grognard! i cant stand the cunt!
December 24th, 2008 at 21:06
@Madschester United: Et sted i Norge hvor man finner Lyn, Stabæk og Vålerenga.
@dan(u-ol): Cant stand that cunt either! Dickhead, the complete opposite of Scholes(personality). How can two players that are so like in playing style be so different in personality? Would have loves a Ballack in United in 2006, but now I think we are okey. Still, a midfield of Hargreaves, Ballack and Anderson is not a thing I would say no thanks to. He has only one thing that we miss in our midfield: Heading and leap. Anderson cant head, Ive never seen Hargo or Carrick do it before, Scholes was a master before but seems to have lost it and Fletch is just Fletch.
December 24th, 2008 at 21:18
@Madschester United: You know, the Julekalander must be the most depressing and damaged show in the world. Watching it makes me want to throw the TV out of the livingroom. Or move into the TV and cruch them all.
Merry Christmas!
December 24th, 2008 at 21:45
Grognard, i usually agree with most comments you make cos they are good, but i gotta ask how come you put ballack in your team? I cant say that i remember him being in excellent form for chelsea and honestly cant remember him doing much in the euros either for germany. I dunno maybe its just me but i cant think of him doing anything partcularly great that warrants him a place in the team. Surely xavi deserves a place somewhere after his excellent performances for spain in the euros where he was crowned player of the tournament. Apart from that though i would have to agree with the rest of your team mate.
December 24th, 2008 at 21:46
I would like somebody to make a list of all the bad things that Phelan has done. Why is it him and not Rooney, Ronaldo and Berbatov blamed every time we don’t win a game. It’s always Phelan’s fault and ‘CQ would have won that’. CQ would have won shit! Everyone thinks because we won the CL and league with him he is the greatest thing since sliced bread. OK then, I want Steve McLaren back then if that’s the criteria, maybe Brian Kidd! (yeah I said it
)
December 24th, 2008 at 22:34
@Liam: instead of listing the bad, list the good things about him, if you can find any.
December 24th, 2008 at 23:09
@Shyam: I just don’t see Ferdinand making it in there, but it would be cool to have 3 out of 4 of the defense be from United.
@Fred The Red:Nah Liverpool are far from full throttle, not taking anything away from them but besides 3-1 at B’burn and West Brom, I’ve yet to see any game where I can comfortably say they were the better team and deserved all the points.
@dan(u-ol): And I doubt anyone on this blog unless he is a player in disguise knows how much effect Phelan is having on the team, so I don’t see why he should get slagged off everytime something goes wrong with United.
Merry Christmas to everyone, I’m off to flirt with ROM, I can’t help being a promiscuous reader, lol
December 24th, 2008 at 23:50
@Liam: O Dear, somebody rattled your cage obviously –
. To answer your question though Liam, you know I blame Rooney everytime we have a bad game don’t you 
December 24th, 2008 at 23:52
@Shyam: I pick my team according to specific positions. A team should have one of their CMF players as a defensive player. Therefore Senna wins over Xavi. And too many people forget just how great Ballack was last year for Chelsea and how he lead Germany to the the Euro Final. His leadership and his class were very underrated. I personally have never been big on Xavi but Sneijder is a joke. So he scored a few nice goals. That does not make a season. I can name ten midfielders I would pick over Sneijder. Also, what’s Gattuso? Are you serious mate? He was average at best last year while his team struggled mightily. As for Evra, sure he had a good year but he still is not in Lahm’s class. Not only that but Lahm was outstanding in the Euros up until he hurt his foot just before giving Torres the room to score the winning goal in the final. Something I forgive him for because of his great play and fantastic offensive runs. Unlike Evra, he can score goals and cross the ball too. I like Evra but for me there are four or five LB that are better than him. I know it’s tough to omit him when we are United fans.
December 24th, 2008 at 23:52
@dan(u-ol): Same here Bro, we share the Ballack hate
December 24th, 2008 at 23:54
@Grognard: Why is Nani missing from that list – you forgot him didn’t you Grog
.
December 24th, 2008 at 23:56
@Grognard: Why is Nani missing from that list Grog?. You forgot him didn’t you
December 24th, 2008 at 23:59
@dan(u-ol): Personally I don’t give a damn mate.
Yes I love him but I absolutely hate the fact he plays for Chelsea. But I cannot ignore what a statement of intent he made last year for Chelsea. How he lead the team from total turmoil, turned up his own game and lead them into a neck and neck race against us while also scoring the game winning goal against us with a few games left in the season. He was massive for Chelsea and he was massive for Germany. The fact that he lead both his teams to three finals has to stand for something. His stats were very good and frankly, whether one likes him or not, he earned that spot on my team of the year. My team includes players I like but it also includes players I don’t care about one bit. I hate Puyol, Casillas and Maicon. Torres is a great player but he plays for the Scouse and Senna is a great player but he doesn’t make my heart jump with joy either. Obviously I love Rio and Ronny but I am also a big fan of Ballack, Ribery, Lahm and Messi. I’d challenge anyone to tell me why they don’t belong?
December 25th, 2008 at 0:02
@RedDevilEddy: Ballack is unlike Scholes in style. What are you saying mate? That’s like comparing Ronaldo to Luca Toni. And to call him a cunt while saying it would have been great had he signed with United just sounds like sour grapes to me. I hate the fact he chose Chelsea and not United but I’m more pissed off with him for leaving Bayern for Chelsea. I love Bayern and if anyone is going to leave Bayern, it better be for United. That’s why Hargo gets a pass and why he is in my good books. Still, Ballack was fantastic last year and he deserved praise for his accomplishments.
December 25th, 2008 at 0:03
@Rd: I think he does…coz there arent many defenders who play like Rio…I meant in style..He is great reader of the game and anticipates and will be in the right place right time most of the time..I dont think you will ever see a bloodied Rio or Rio putting is body in line..he is that good that he usually dont have to do those…Cannavaro was of that kind but i dont think he is as good as Rio in reading the game…he is more agile…
There are many defenders like Vidic…Stubborn,brave,strong and unbeatable in the air…but there arent many who does all this as consistent as Vidic..hes awesome in his right…
I picked 2 of them becoz of the understanding and form they have shown all throughout 2008…Rio try to kill the game with his ability to read and anticipate the game…Whenever he goes wrong he have an ever willing Vidic to throw himself around!!..so they picked themselves onto that
team..
I picked Evra because for the last 2 seasons we didnt have a left footed attacker and have we ever felt that??…
December 25th, 2008 at 0:07
@Matthew: I don’t know what you were watching last season mate but Ballack was immense for Chelsea after Mourinho left and especially when Lampard was out for a long period of time. He took the leadership role of the team on his shoulder and ran with it. Scored big goals, assisted on many and was just commanding with his presence. And he was also very stellar if not outstanding in the EUROS. He did score the single most outstanding goal of the Euros too. It’s easy to dismiss a player if you hate him or the team he plays for but Ballack deserves praise for last year. Yes I like him a lot but I am being unbiased in my picks. I hate Chelsea but he deserves credit for his rebound season once Mourinho was gone.
Also, Xavi gets far too much credit for a 6 game tournament. He struggled a lot last year along with his entire Barcelona team. I’d pick Fabregas and Arshevin over him.
December 25th, 2008 at 0:11
Id just like to say Merry Christmas to all posters and ranters on this wonderful site. Have a good un!
December 25th, 2008 at 0:13
@Liam: Listen mate, far too much credit is being given to the muppet Phelan for our indifferent form this season. Yes he is an idiot but I’m starting to believe the bigger idiot in this comedy is none other than Fergie. When it’s all said and done, the decisions are made by him and all Phelan does is play the role of yes man. Fergie is the cause of our problems but it would have been nice if a true footballing mind and motivator like Queiroz was their to help him and bounce ideas off of him. I doubt Phelan knows how to spell the word idea, yet alone try to form one.
December 25th, 2008 at 0:14
grognard, well maybe it is just me then but i gotta say that i wasnt too impressed with ballack last year in his overall performances as a whole but i can see why you chose him. I dont really watch much german footie but how is diego at werder doing, is he any good/good enough last year to have got into your team? Anyway im gonna go now cos its getting late. Just wanna say merry xmas to everyone and what a great blog this is. I have only been on here for a couple of months but you guys really are great and i respect all your comments. Peace out everyone.
December 25th, 2008 at 0:16
@dan(u-ol): Frankly none of us are close enough to the team and allowed to watch their training sessions to accurately rate his effectiveness. We are basing his abilities frankly upon how the team has played. That’s incredibly unfair and I have been guilty of this as anyone else. Like I said earlier, Fergie has to take the brunt of the blame on our poor form.
December 25th, 2008 at 0:18
@Craig Mc: Watch it mate or nasty words will follow about Louis Nani.
December 25th, 2008 at 0:26
@Matthew: Diego is a great player with great offensive skill. Problem is he plays in Germany and I have yet to see how great a player he would be if he had to play against tougher teams on a more consistent basis. His one weakness is he doesn’t have a great deal of pace but he has finesse, vision, a great shot and desire.
As for Ballack, I love the guy but it sickens me to watch him play for Chelsea. With that said, I watched a lot of Chelsea games last year and nearly every Germany game and he was great. Don’t mistake his season last year under AV Grant with his injury prone year under Mourinho. Mourinho was a pratt and an idiot by not using him properly and by playing favorites with his boy Lampard. For me Lampard is half the player Ballack is, and it made me sick to see how Mourinho played them off against each other. Ballack was an idiot for leaving Bayern and even dumber for not signing with us where he would have had no problem fighting for his place.
With that said, I still think he is great and last year he proved that. Lets not forget the game he had against us at Stamford Bridge. Winning goal as well as player of the match. I must admit though that he does tend to disappear in cup finals.
And Merry Christmas to you too mate. All the best. Cheers.
December 25th, 2008 at 2:15
@Grognard: Of cource I got sour grapes! I would have luved it if Ballack would have joined us, but he chose Stalins Bitches and the mighty Stamford Cock over United and the fortress Old Trafford. Only for cooking money. You understand me, I never really liked Ballack. He was never one of the players I liked outside United. But I would have luved it if he joined us, because his playing style and commitement to the cause would be perfect for our team. But he passed the chance. People that decide other teams over United, names like Mikel, Ballack, Adebayor(yeah!), Bosingwa, Torres or even Ramsey(even though I cant blame him..), are in my book of most hated players in the world. Only Torres is not in there from those kinds of players, because as you know my feeling for him are the same as yours for Bollock!
And Scholes and Ballacks playing style were the same a couple of years back. Scholes was a master of timing runs into the box, as was Ballack. They both had rocket shots, scored lots of goals for midfielders, pass-masters, good in the air(Ginger Ninja was that before remember?) and they could carry a whole team on their shoulders. That is what I meant by their playing style was equal.Comparing them would not be like comparing Ronaldo to Luca Toni! It would be like comparing Ronaldo to Ronaldinho…
Merry Christmas mate! Off to bed now. Nighty, night!
December 25th, 2008 at 2:18
@Shyam: Your words about our defense: AMEN!
December 25th, 2008 at 2:56
@Grognard: I have to disgree with you on Sneijder..I was pissed when he said he dont want to come to United (when the swap deal Ronaldo-Sneijder talks was on)..He is dynamic,creative,make good runs,always looks up and forward when on the ball. He is the out-of-the-mill replacement for a veteran like Scholes…Although i will rate Scholes a little higher than Sneijder.. May be you should watch him and Guti pull strings for Madrid..
Madrid are a way better team when they have Sneijder-Guti in front of Diarra(M.Diarra) and NistelRooy to score their goals.
December 25th, 2008 at 4:27
@RedDevilEddy: I can understand your feeling towards Ballack and I have no problem with anyone that doesn’t like him. But as long as you can respect and acknowledge his ability as a player. I was supporting and defending the fact that his skill and ability last season deservingly places him on a the world eleven for the year. Regardless of our personal likes. I do have a couple biased dislikes however that would never ever get on my top eleven for any year, no matter how good a year they had. I would not be able to live with myself if I ever included John Terry, Didier Drogba or Thierry Henry. I just hat those scumbags. On that not, have yourself a very merry Christmas. For me I am snowed in and definitely experiencing a white Christmas. Odd for Vancouver.
December 25th, 2008 at 4:38
Nearly 20 to 4am on Christmas day and still can’t sleep. I’m going to be tired in the morning
December 25th, 2008 at 4:38
@Shyam: I have watched Sneijder play for years mate. He’s a very good player but he’s not in the class you are building him up to be. He is not in my top 15 AMFer or CM’s in the world. Very good with moments of brilliance but not the world beater you make him out to be. And Guti bores the Hell out of me. The two work well together but I wouldn’t call it incredible. Actually when he is awake and motivated, I’d even rate van der Vaart over Sneijder. For me the top attacking midfielders in the world that aren’t just wingers like Ronaldo would be Ballack, Ribery, Diego, Arshavin, Riquelme, Pirlo, Ronaldinho, Gerrard, Lampard, Fabregas, Schelotto, Moutinho, Xavi, Juninho and Kaka. There is another list of ten or fifteen like Anderson, Carrick, van derVaart and Sneijder that I think are good, but they are not yet in that upper group. Just my assessment. I didn’t include defensive midfielders in that category so players like Essien and DeRossi who also has great offensive skills are not in that group. Consistency and staying healthy for most of their careers is a must to eventually get to the upper echelon.
December 25th, 2008 at 4:40
@Liam: You must be waiting for Santa.
Some advice to you mate, he ain’t coming. 
Merry Christmas to you
December 25th, 2008 at 7:31
@Grognard: haha well my bros woke me up at 6 but funnily enough I ain’t that tired. I suppose I’ve got Pro Evo to keep me company now
December 25th, 2008 at 10:59
@Grognard: Well, I think Kaka is better than Ballack. And even though this hurts to say, so is Gerrard and Essien. But that is just my views. Cheers
December 25th, 2008 at 11:44
@Grognard:
December 25th, 2008 at 11:45
@Grognard: HAHAHAHAHAHA
December 25th, 2008 at 11:47
@dan(u-ol): Dan, you got Xbox Live?
December 25th, 2008 at 11:52
@RedDevilEddy: Yep i sure do! i dont know if i can play now though.
December 25th, 2008 at 12:56
@dan(u-ol): What is your username? Mine is the same as I use here(I use RedDevilEddy everywhere!
). Ill play you on FIFA 09 if you got time someday. Lets see whos the best… 
December 25th, 2008 at 13:17
Question: Have you gusy also noticed that Ronaldo is playing an awful lot on the left wing this season. Except for the CL final against Chelski and the home game against Arsenal in teh League I cant remember Christiano playing in that position last season. I remember some of his performances when he played on the left wing in the 2006/07 season(away goal vs Reading in september, away goal vs Fulham in February, Bolton and Lille home in March(4 assists in 2 games), and the home game vs Blackburn in March), and he was terrific! He got assist after assist and goal after goal. Going through some of the DVDs from the 2006/07 season and the 2007/08 season I noticed that in his first “brilliant” season Ronaldo played most of the games on the left wing. But last season, even though being almost everywhere up front, he spent most of the time on the right wing, cutting in and coming in for crosses from Rooney(who tends to go out to the left), Nani, Giggs and even Evra once. Can that be the reason Ronaldo hasnt scored so many goals. I know, he started off on the left wing, but last season he was brilliant playing as teh right winger. But now Rafael has emerged and Fergie feels we “need” Park in the team. And the South-Korean cannot play as a left winger, therefor Ronny is there. Some of the games Ronaldo has played there this season:
Shitty away.
First half Blackburn away.
Aston Villa away.
First half Arsenal away.
Stoke at home.
West Brom at home.
Everton second half away.
Spurs away.
LDQ.
That is actually most of teh games he has played. From those 9 games he has gotten 3 assists and 3 goals. But in the other 10 games where he has played as a right winger/kind free role, he has gotten 7 goals and 5 assists. Does that tell you anything? Maybe Fergie needs to wake up and realise that Ronaldo i s a RIGHT winger, not a left winger. Could prove the difference come the end of the season. Or am I just talking like a mad man?
December 25th, 2008 at 13:40
@RedDevilEddy: DANIEL TERROR
a lesson lads, dont let your brother pick your gamertag!
December 25th, 2008 at 13:45
@dan(u-ol): Ill send you a friend invite later.
December 25th, 2008 at 13:49
@dan(u-ol): Eh, Dan? Was it you who lost 13-2 against a certain muz80 a short while ago?
Is this your profile?
December 25th, 2008 at 14:22
“mkl carrick iz da cool plyr, mez thinkz”
December 25th, 2008 at 17:14
@RedDevilEddy: hehe that guy was owning me like 5-1 so i just gave up and started giving out own goals!
December 25th, 2008 at 17:36
@dan(u-ol): When can we play?
December 25th, 2008 at 17:46
@RedDevilEddy: ill be on now
December 25th, 2008 at 18:10
@dan(u-ol): Too bad Dan. You almost had it! But, never forget the power that Wayne has inside!
Why didya leave the last game?
December 25th, 2008 at 18:12
@RedDevilEddy: haha, stolen at the end, my life story in fifa you know. sorry i left in the 2nd game, im about to have my christmas dinner. im definitely playing you again though, prepare to lose
December 25th, 2008 at 18:18
@dan(u-ol): Enjoy your dinner!
But spend your time with your dinner wisely, because its the last enjoyment you are gonna feel today! 
Prepare to get crushed! I know your weaknesses…
December 25th, 2008 at 18:28
Anybody ekse think they can beat me on FIFA 09? If you got Xbox Live, send RedDevilEddy a friend request and invite me for a game.
My record: Played 309. Won 290. Lost 19. 0 draws. Im up for everything.
December 25th, 2008 at 18:40
@RedDevilEddy: Kaka is better than Ballack, but not last season when he missed games, was off form and when Milan collapsed.
Remember, it’s not the eleven best player, it’s the top eleven of 2008.
December 25th, 2008 at 18:44
Merry Christmas to you all. And to all those who don’t celebrate Christmas, Merry whatever and all the best.
December 25th, 2008 at 19:44
Okey, here is my match review frommy game vs Dan. Yeah, Im really, really bored! Why did my mum have to invite an unknown elder to my house? Shes eating all the food and wont leave!
Damn…
RedDevilEddy kicked off the match with Berbatov and Ronaldo. Ronaldo went straight for Chelseas defense with a run that sccreamed goal, but when Ronaldo was about to set himself for the shot Terry came to the rescue and stole the ball. First attack over. But the Terry gave it away to Anderson, only for himto play a terrible pass to Ronaldo. Cole intercepted it and Chelski had again control of the ball.
After 39 minutes Chelski got he break they needed. They had passed it for 10 minutes with the United strikers trying to win the ball back, but Terry, Bosingwa, Mikel and Carvalho played too many passes for them to get into position. But then, with 6 United players chsing for the ball in Chelseas field, Mikel played a pass to Lampard. He ran to Uniteds end of the pitch and was about to take the shot, but Anderson and Carrick reached him. But only nearly! Instead of taking the shot, he passed it to Drogba. Donkey Didier made a brilliant feint and made Vidic look like a fool. He was 1-on-1 with Van Der Sar and finished it expertly. United 0-1 Chelsea.
In the last 5 minutes of the first half United decided to play keep-the-ball and waited until the half-time whistle. At the break they made a change, making Rooney ST and Berbatov CF. Chelski started the second half without any problems, keeping the ball like they did in the first. But United was about to take over. After some surging runs from Drogba, some through passes that were too short and passing the ball like only the Chelski of 2007 could, United were getting frustrated. They got more aggresion and won more corners.
Ronaldo won two chances from Nani corners, one header too weak and one too high. But after a 4th corner, Evra got the ball on the left side of the 18-yard box. He got the ball past Mikel and was in the inside the Chelsea box. He tried to pass it to Ronaldo, but it was too short and Lampard cought it out. But Lampard clearence fell straight to Rooney! He was under pressure on teh edge of the small box, and hit the post! United were getting closer and closer…
Then, after 76 minutes, Chelski made a mistake in their own half. Mikel gave the ball straight to Berbatov, who passed it to Rooney on 20 yards. He got past Terry and finished brilliantly in the short corner from 16 yards. United 1-1 Chelski.
Straight from the Chelski kck off they went for the lead. Cole and Ballack combined on the left hand side and passed it on to Drogba. BUt he didnt get control and Anderson won it. He passed it quickly to the half way line to Berbatov. He found Rooney on 40 yards, with Carvalho on his back. When Wayne Rooney got the ball he made a body feint whcih put the Portugeeze defender fall to the ground in an attempt to something that looked like a sliding tackle. Rooney came closer to the Chelsea box! 30 yards, 25, 20! He was in, and 1-on-1 with Cech he fooled the goalkeeper and put the ball low past him. Wayne was exelled with pleasure and happiness and took a knee slide before praying for this goal. United 2-1 Chelski. With 5 minutes left on the clock Chelski went for another goal. But they couldnt. The last minutes were dominated by tricks, show offs and misjudged passes. In the end United won thanks to the miracle that is Wayne Rooney!
Just really, really bored, so excuse me for this looong comment.
December 25th, 2008 at 19:46
@RedDevilEddy: FIFA has become the most annoying game on the planet for me. I used to like it but got tired of it taking about 10 seconds for a 2 yard pass to make it to it’s target and not being able to round the spider ‘keepers. Pro Evo is much more free flowing. In the 1 Live game I’ve played I went 2 nil down early and clawed it back to win 4-2. It was great. The only downside is that the rosters needed updating when I put it in and that took a while because they make other improvements such as adding more licensed teams.
December 25th, 2008 at 19:49
@Liam: Ive played lots of games when Ive come back from 2-0 and 3-0 down on FIFA 09. Just today I went under 2-0 after half an hour, but won 5-4 in the end. FIFA 09 is better than PES 09. No contest, you cant say anything that will change my mind!
December 25th, 2008 at 19:51
@Grognard: Oh, 2008? Sorry, didnt catch that! Thought it was the best 11 of the players in the world, everytime, not only in 2008. Well, then my team would be:
Casillas
Maicon-Rio-Vidic-Evra
Ronaldo-Fabregas-Essien-Messi
Torres-Benzema
Cheers, and merry Christmas to you to. To everyone!
December 25th, 2008 at 19:56
@RedDevilEddy: i agree eddy, pro evo since it went on the xbox 360 was on a massive downward spiral, fifa is the way to go, i got my first fifa since 2003 when giggs was on the cover and i must say they have come a looooooong way, pro evo on the other hand well…
December 25th, 2008 at 20:03
where the hell is ronaldo in this pic
December 25th, 2008 at 20:05
@RedDevilEddy: thats verry accurate, im impressed! now that you know my strength is slow, possession play, do you reckon you have a tactic to beat it? i remember in that match, i had the ball for extremely long periods of time, its what im best at. my weakness is beating a player 1-on-1 i cant do it. so i have to pass around, you’ll notice, that when my winger is on the ball, i play it back to the full back, then the full back plays a though ball back to the winger to beat the player. i need atleast 2 players to beat a single player which is pathetic, but what can you do
?
December 25th, 2008 at 20:26
@Mr.Muhozi: You noticed too?! First thing I noticed with that pic when I saw it was that Ronny wasnt in there. When I saw that picture in a bigger version, I saw that Ronaldo is laying between Anderson and Nani.
December 25th, 2008 at 20:27
@dan(u-ol): You will see!
Ready for another game?
December 25th, 2008 at 21:10
sorry i couldnt start the 2nd game. back with the family, having dessert and watching eastenders
p.s, haha your own goal was a classic! bloody almunia sucks though.
December 25th, 2008 at 21:11
Dan…….. You alright there man?
December 25th, 2008 at 21:20
@dan(u-ol): Had to be a little nice, its Chritmas time!
And I was leading 6-0… 
December 25th, 2008 at 21:44
@RedDevilEddy: HAHA, bloody almunia, hes so shite! the best players on arsenal where fabregas(at one point, he dazzled your whole midfield) and van persie. denilson had a few good through balls.
December 25th, 2008 at 21:49
@dan(u-ol): Yeah, but I scored some slick goals!
Im still upset that Carlitos overhead kick wasnt a goal. 
Stil, I ripped you to pieves. Told you I knew how to handle your tactics!
December 25th, 2008 at 21:50
“Pieces”
December 25th, 2008 at 21:52
@dan(u-ol): Glad to see Andy get a goal?
December 25th, 2008 at 21:55
@RedDevilEddy: yea that was a good goal, and it was exactly what im talking about! almunia shoulda have saved that, it was going at like 1MPH, and half decent keeper would of saved that, he has the reaction time of a blind man!
before someone says i shouldnt be making fun of blind people, because they could be reading this site, think about what your saying…
December 25th, 2008 at 22:07
@dan(u-ol): Actually, blind people have brillliant reactions. So, you meen Almunia was good then?
No, honestly. Ive seen that so many times, but its still funny when I watch oppositions keepers do that. Its horrible, but thats what fun with FIFA 09. Its more realistic. Keepers dont get the ball every time, and such stuff happens. I liked my 4th goal thouch, Waynes piledriver. Low shot was great, you know you hsould try that! Because, if you shoot low into one of the corners from that distance, the keeper is never gonna save it. Maybe from 2 yards more out, but not from where I shot from. Ive done that lots of times and people have done it against me. You should try that, it is as good as a safe goal.
My own goal was brilliant though, was it through the legs of VDS?
And you know you could have had a much better game if Rabin Van Persie had scored on that chance in the 5th minute. You were unlucky it hit the post.
December 25th, 2008 at 23:09
@dan(u-ol): Well I might be related to a blind person you know? lol
December 25th, 2008 at 23:29
Stuffed. That turkey had two juicy wings. Can we have ours back sometime soon? Fulsome greetings to all. Looking forward to pegging back that superior goal difference that the rent boys have at present. Utd MUST be top scorers in the league.
December 25th, 2008 at 23:42
@RedDevilEddy: yea it did go through VDS legs, then when he trie to stop it going in, he kinda kicked it in lol.
how i wish RVP had scored that goal! possession play with arsenal is a lot more difficult then with chelsea/arsenal.
December 25th, 2008 at 23:42
@Rd:
December 26th, 2008 at 10:29
bloody hell people! ive just slept, come back and seen no comments since my last post yesterday! wheres eddy
December 26th, 2008 at 10:42
@dan(u-ol): Im here. Just woke up too! You know Im from Norway, so I sleep during the night,
That didnt make any sense, did it? Well, Im up but Im surprised to see that lack of comments on this site. Where is Grognard? Craig? Stephen? Nino? Colver? Guys, we have a game today rememeber!? We are playing Stoke in 3 hours time, its not time for sleep anymore, wakey, wakey!
December 26th, 2008 at 11:03
Okey, since I see there is probably not gonna be a match preview from either RedRanter, Ahmed or Penguin Ill better make one on my own. We gotta learn about our opponents and how we can beat them right?
Well, its Boxing Day! yeeey! Did anybody get anything nice for Christmas or was it just scarves and socks?
I could have gotten better presents myself, but I cant complain. The biggest persent for me would be that United win today. Thats what amtter the most. So Stoke have beaten big-guns like Arsenal, Villa and Spurs at Teh Brittania. Good for them. That they beat Arsenal or Spurs in that period doesnt surprise me, but Villa?! Come on, they are better than that! Well, its very much because of the “Delap-Throw”. I can see tham causeing problems today, especially Fuller and Shawcross, but i dont worry too much. With Vidic, Oshea, Rio and Ronaldo there they shouldnt be any problem. They have got some injuries but not too many. Kitson, Sidibe and ??? are doubts, but Pulis hopes that they can all be fit for the game.
United now! We are the best football club in the world! If that doesnt tell you anything you better go to the doctor. Even though we beat teams like Osaka and LDQ, its what makes it WORLD CHAMPIONS!
If we beat Milan, Barca, Lyon that amkes us European Champions. You gotta face teams outside our continent to be crowned worlds best, and we all know there arent many good teams outside Europe. So suck it in! The Jet lag might eb a worry for us, probably also our biggest problem, but Fergie says his team are fit and ready. Good to hear. Evra starts his suspension today so he will take no part in this game. It is probably Oshea that will step in, but we migth see Fabio later if we lead. He made his comeback against Everton in the reserves last week. Our biggest chance of scoring today are counter attacks. Stoke will use every throw in as a corner, and defenders will come up. United will need to be quick and deadly on the counter, and that is why I hope Anderson and Nani plays today. Well… ‘
Team prediction:
VDS
Neville-Rio-Vidic-Oshea
Ronaldo-Anderson-Scholes-Nani
Rooney-Berbatov
Score prediction: 3-0 to United. Rooney, Ronaldo and Scholes. This aint me being cocky, Im just putting up the most logical result.
Cheers. Merry Christmas!
December 26th, 2008 at 11:05
Okey, since I see there is probably not gonna be a match preview from either RedRanter, Ahmed or Penguin Ill better make one on my own. We gotta learn about our opponents and how we can beat them right?
Well, its Boxing Day! yeeey! Did anybody get anything nice for Christmas or was it just scarves and socks?
I could have gotten better presents myself, but I cant complain. The biggest persent for me would be that United win today. Thats what amtter the most. So Stoke have beaten big-guns like Arsenal, Villa and Spurs at Teh Brittania. Good for them. That they beat Arsenal or Spurs in that period doesnt surprise me, but Villa?! Come on, they are better than that! Well, its very much because of the “Delap-Throw”. I can see tham causeing problems today, especially Fuller and Shawcross, but i dont worry too much. With Vidic, Oshea, Rio and Ronaldo there they shouldnt be any problem. They have got some injuries but not too many. Kitson, Sidibe and ??? are doubts, but Pulis hopes that they can all be fit for the game.
United now! We are the best football club in the world! If that doesnt tell you anything you better go to the doctor. Even though we beat teams like Osaka and LDQ, its what makes it WORLD CHAMPIONS!
If we beat Milan, Barca, Lyon that amkes us European Champions. You gotta face teams outside our continent to be crowned worlds best, and we all know there arent many good teams outside Europe. So suck it in! The Jet lag might eb a worry for us, probably also our biggest problem, but Fergie says his team are fit and ready. Good to hear. Evra starts his suspension today so he will take no part in this game. It is probably Oshea that will step in, but we migth see Fabio later if we lead. He made his comeback against Everton in the reserves last week. Our biggest chance of scoring today are counter attacks. Stoke will use every throw in as a corner, and defenders will come up. United will need to be quick and deadly on the counter, and that is why I hope Anderson and Nani plays today. Well… ‘
Team prediction:
VDS
Neville-Rio-Vidic-Oshea
Ronaldo-Anderson-Scholes-Nani
Rooney-Berbatov
Score prediction: 3-0 to United. Rooney, Ronaldo and Scholes. This aint me being cocky, Im just putting up the most logical result.
Cheers. Merry Christmas!
December 26th, 2008 at 11:06
We need a new post, this site is becomg pretty boring.
Plus, my comments take hours to write because it sometimes stops.
December 26th, 2008 at 12:30
United have scored 8 away goals this season, compared to 30+ last season according to Sky TV – bloody awful form, but then I have been complaining about the ineptitude of our strikers all season. Not like they haven’t has chance, after chance, after chance is it
. Hope they get it together today, but I still can’t see it, after the SITTERS missed in the World Club Championship game. Hope we start sticking them away though, or no chance of PL or CL repeat trophy wins.
December 26th, 2008 at 12:32
@RedDevilEddy: Neville?? Scholes and Anderson doesnt make sense to me either. Carrick and Andy or Scholes and Carrick.
Fergie might even decide to rest Carrick and start Gibson. Cant see Nani starting ahead of Park too.
December 26th, 2008 at 12:42
UnitedUnited, man when was the last time nani started a game it feels like bloody ages ago. I like others on here really dont know what fergie sees in park but hes the boss so we gotta respect his decision. As for the match today i do expect an easy victory but our away form has been shocking this year so any kind of win would do me. I hope berba scores today i really do, alot of you on here have been slating the guy, i personally just think he needs more time. Do you know that in his 2 campaigns with spurs he only had 6 and 7 goals by xmas but finished the season with 23. Hopefully he will do that with us. As for the team 2day well i personally would go for this:
vds
rafael rio vidic o’shea
ronaldo ando carrick nani
roon berba
only problem is that with nani never coming back to help out defensively oshea could get alot of runners down his side and personally i dont wanna see that cos oshea will probably get skinned by them, so maybe park should start 2day instead. Anyway guys hope we can snatch a win although a good thrashing would be excellent and would complete the xmas period very nicely.
December 26th, 2008 at 12:47
Also after all the banter in the press about how that win would encourage us, about how it is a great confidence booster and all that jazz, it still was still the same pattern of play that we displayed in Japan as well. 1-0 wins. Against LDQ a team which was slightly better than Gamba defensively. If I were the manager, I wouldnt be shouting over the roof tops about the win. Yes, it must be a good confidence booster, but then, hold your hooves, didnt we almost struggle to put away the winning goal against erm, LDQ ?? So shouldnt we be looking at ourselves and thinking that we did win, but just about managed to. Anyways, looking at all the members of the team talk, Rio, Fergie, Rooney et al, seems like it really was a great confidence booster.
Coming to today’s game, Stoke are half-giant killers, but I really dont see United break into much of a sweat against them. I mean come on, its Stoke after all. We crushed them at OT, dont see any reason why we shouldnt crush them now. I am hoping for some goals from Count Berbatov. Been long since he scored eh? My team would be :
PIG
Rafael Rio Vida O’Shea
Park Carrick Scholes Ronaldo
Rooney Berba
Subs: VDS Gibson Tevez Andy Nani Neville Fabio
December 26th, 2008 at 12:47
Alright Dan? That result was awsome! Why did ya score the own goal in the first minute?
December 26th, 2008 at 12:55
@RedDevilEddy: to compensate the fact that you won the first match but it didnt register as i couldnt finish the game. i couldnt even give you a rematch because it froze again. im gonna let it cool now. Hopefully we can play again later.
New rules:
eddy can NOT be man utd
December 26th, 2008 at 12:55
team news anyone?
December 26th, 2008 at 13:05
@dan(u-ol): Dan, you need to understand one thing: On FIFA 09 I AM Manchester United!
December 26th, 2008 at 13:11
Manchester United:
GK: Van Der Sar
RB: Neville
CB: Ferdinand
CB: Vidic
LB: Oshea
RW: Ronaldo
CM: Fletcher
CM: Scholes
LM: Giggs
ST: Tevez
ST: Rooney
subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Park, Carrick, Welbeck, Rafael Da Silva, Evans
No Anderson or Nani? I hope this team can beat Stoke. Im sure they can, but this season the question is weather we want to or have the composure to.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:11
i have looked at the starting 11 and im 100% sure fergie has gone senile.
Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Ronaldo, Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez. Subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Park, Carrick, Welbeck, Rafael Da Silva, Evans
close your mouth, a fly might come in.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:12
official team news just come through
Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Ronaldo, Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez.
Subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Park, Carrick, Welbeck, Rafael Da Silva, Evans.
So all 3 of the old boys are playing.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:13
Neville? o’shea? giggs? fletcher?
fergie has lost it for sure!
December 26th, 2008 at 13:15
i thought that fergie said the days that we saw giggsy on the left were well and truly over, so how come he is playing there today when we still have the option of playing nani and even park or ronaldo there. And ffs neville in over rafael. I think scholes still has a bit left in but giggs and nev should not be starting in this game. On the face of it stoke are an easy team to beat but they will be up for it and in our faces and i just dont think the oldies can handle this. I know they are legends but jesus is fergie the only person in the world who cant see that they arent good enough.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:16
seems anderson is a cup player at best in fergies books.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:19
@Matthew: i agree, with everything you said. i hope its a 4-3-3 with scholes fletcher and giggs in the centre. But something tells me rooney or tevez will be sacrificed and be played in the wing and giggs upfront.
Im glad grognard isnt here, i would hear him yelling from canada if he saw this team.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:22
dan(u-ol), i gotta say that sometimes i think this season, the players on the team sheet have been selected on reputation and not their actual form. If you wanna look at form anderson has been our best midfielder for weeks since the carling cup game against b’burn. So why doesnt he play today and scholes does. Scholes played 60mins against that team in the semis of the world championships and that was it. No final appearance and just a few mins of league games. So why does he get ahead of ando who i thought was 1 of the best players in the whole tournament. I think fergie is playing favourites now and no nani again just confirms that. Does giggs deserve a game 2day, no but he starts any way. Come on fergie give nani a start and a run of games ffs.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:26
BREAKING NEWS
ferdinand out…
December 26th, 2008 at 13:27
dan (u-ol), even if we did play with scholes, giggs and fletcher in a middle 3 where the hell is the attacking player of that 3. Where is the gerrard or lampard of that team that will get forward a bit. Scholes lies deep now and just plays the creative player ala deco, fletcher is the hustler who protects the back 4 so what the hell does giggs do. He hardly gets forward at all, why no anderson there. In the last few weeks he has been getting forward quite a bit and whilst he is no gerrard, at least he could provide us a bit more of an attacking threat. In effect we are almost playing 3 deep lying midfielders that even italian teams dont play. Come on fergie just unleash them all and lets kill stoke instead of all this defensive crap.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:28
@Matthew: its true, fergie does his teams on his feelings(park starts every match because of CL final) instead of skill and form.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:29
dan, please tell me you are lying and rio isnt out.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:32
@Matthew: nope, im not, replaced with the young impressive irishman, evans.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:35
ok dan, evans is an excellent player but wouldnt it be just our luck if rio is out for a few weeks. Well im gonna go now and watch the game, i hope we win but if we dont we all know that yet again it is shitty tactics that have cost our team. Lets hope for an easy win then.
See you all.
December 26th, 2008 at 13:41
Seasons Greetings everybody, hope all’s well wherever you are in the world.
Team selection doesnt fill me with confidence but then again I cant remember the last time we looked that confident! No Nani or Ando? Por que??
Happy boxing day all!
x
Oh, and come on the lads!
December 26th, 2008 at 13:42
I’ll be back laughing at your overreactions after the comfortable win we are about to witness
December 26th, 2008 at 13:52
@Liam: Yeah, all we need to do is get an early goal, and snuff Delap out, just like the game at Old Trafford!
December 26th, 2008 at 14:13
we’re giving the ball away way too easily, especially ronaldo.
December 26th, 2008 at 14:16
Well Arsene Wenger wins the most blatantly obvious post of the day competition, apparently according to him ‘ villa win not win the title!’ Surprising stuff there arsene, anyhow merry christmas y’all, big boxing day present from united please
December 26th, 2008 at 14:26
snooze fest resumed……..EPL is now turning into the most boring league in the world……….
December 26th, 2008 at 14:45
@elsammio99: Snoooore! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Damn, I miss Osaka!
COME ON UNITED!!!
December 26th, 2008 at 14:47
This season fergie is really making stupid decisions..im sorry but playing scholes and fletcher is stupid in mid and leaving carrick out?…giggs on the wing is too. We cant afford not to win this game and all the blame must be on fergie if we do. Ronaldo is having a shocker POOR !
December 26th, 2008 at 14:48
@Liam: so, are you laughing? cause im not!
December 26th, 2008 at 14:51
@Taehr: What is with you guys???…the team is playing an away game against a good physical side after a 20 odd hr journey!!…and I dont think any of the players are playing bad…they are just picking up and i think is going to grow as the game wears on!!… Lets wait till the end and see how is it going…
I dont see why scholes,gary and giggs are facing the wrath as they are doing good out there…
December 26th, 2008 at 15:01
what a athetic team. what the fuck is Fergie doing out there , what the fuck is going through his mind? seems as if hes reverting back to a seriously boring time when football was meant to be played with little skill,imagination,speed or strength.
i feel sick at the sight of that team…..
so have we had many chances?
some1 fill me in pls
December 26th, 2008 at 15:11
I just had to jinx the game didn’t I. I couldn’t just have said nothing
that said we didn’t play too well against Stoke at OT just got the breaks our way, like that Tevez offside not going our way there would have gone right at home
December 26th, 2008 at 15:22
carrick and rafa need to come on quick!!! why is fergie so fuckin laid back this season
December 26th, 2008 at 15:23
shicking tackle on ronaldo, but Im sad to say that sending off only ensure the stoke draw. I bet they dont even venture past the half line for the rest of the game.
December 26th, 2008 at 15:29
i was watching the last 15 minutes of this game because i been sleeping after a hectic xmas day, and i must say this team is pathetic atm, fergies team selection is appaling
has the whole game been this bad
December 26th, 2008 at 15:30
and as i write that tevez scorss
talk about humble pie
December 26th, 2008 at 15:31
I love Tevez
………..Carlito!!!!!!!!!
December 26th, 2008 at 15:32
thank fuck carlito…not home n dry yet tho
December 26th, 2008 at 15:32
thank god
December 26th, 2008 at 15:34
now is the time to irritate them…..they deserve that
December 26th, 2008 at 15:35
I say we sit back in our own half and hold the ball. lets make these cowards come out and try to get it, so we can then carve em up.
December 26th, 2008 at 15:36
Thank You Tevez! Where would we be without him!
Well Played Berba, Fergie got it right with that change
December 26th, 2008 at 15:38
4 MINUTES!!
THIS REF’S BEEN ABSOLUTE S***E!
(sorry for the caps RR, if you’re there)
December 26th, 2008 at 15:40
I thought the 2nd half was brilliant btw and Stoke played their part in it we just got a lucky break
December 26th, 2008 at 15:44
so what happened to the “Brave” Stoke City? As soon as they went a goal down, they didnt have the heart to chase the ball and go for the equaliser. Absolute cowards, they never even dreamed of getting 3 points out of this game. they came here for a scoreless draw, and that is just dreadful.
December 26th, 2008 at 15:46
@johnsom33: Yep, and they’ll be portrayed as heroes in tomorrows papers. What a bag of steaming s***e
December 26th, 2008 at 15:50
Hats off to G.neville,Giggs and Scholes…I think they were better than Ronaldo and Rooney. I dont know why some guys were all over them with them doing no wrong.. Why is ronaldo and rooney losing their head so often nowadays??…2 red cards was imminent…fortunate that guy from Stoke fell into Ronaldo’s trap inviting the challenge..
G.Neville played very well on the right and also provided the aerial cover that was required..Scholes controlled the game’s tempo and with Fletcher played a good waiting game..Berbatov provided that magic touch which we expect of Ronaldo/Rooney..
Tevez right place right time as always!!
December 26th, 2008 at 15:55
Love the way Tevez celebrated the goal
December 26th, 2008 at 15:57
Thank fuck for that!! Stoke fully deserve what they got in that match – a morale crushing defeat – after all, what were they expecting after such a cowardly display?
I’m seriously fed up of all this rubbish 10-man behind the ball crap. I know they don’t have the talent to contain our firepower in an open game but come on, have some pride while playing at home!! How would their fans feel selling out the stadium and going home after not only cowardly display, but a heartbreaking defeat?
I blame the media and the chairmen of these clubs for all the unnecessary pressure they put the managers under. I was listening to the commentary on SKY and the guy was encouraging the play, calling it heroic and brave, WTF?? As if that was not enough, he was supporting their OTT physical play!! Are they out there to play football or karate? I mean, not long after he was praising that wilkinson thug, the guy almost destroyed Ronnie achilles tendon!! I’m sorry but England as a whole embraces cowardice and thuggery, if the media stopped praising such nonsense maybe the fans would follow and the managers would actually attempt to play some entertaining footy!!
That said, we should try to find a way round this system as we would be unfortunately seeing a lot of it this season.
I am not gonna criticise the line-up as we have, I think, 9 matches in 4 weeks. Hence, we need to rotate and rest certain players. Our next match is in a few days and we should maybe see Carra and Ando on the middle with Nani/Park/Ronnie on the wings. Bring on the Boro!! The one thing I like about them is that they don’t park the bus and always give a good game, hopefully it will be more interesting. 
December 26th, 2008 at 16:01
@Man-U-cho: word. i also loved how everyone was so happy for him. he deserved that, carlito.
December 26th, 2008 at 16:01
Thank god for berba
. I was praying he’d make a difference when he came on. Cant wait for all the “utd steal an undeserved victory from brave stoke” headlines 2moro 
what a pile of horse****. What a bunch of cowards and thugs masquerading as footballers. I hope they get relgated 
Rooney was very lucky not to be sent off though im sure the FA will find some way to suspend him somehow. Wow what a frustrating game and what a relief to get the 3 points
December 26th, 2008 at 16:05
@johnsom33: they had plenty of attempts and were looking for the goal before Wilkinson was sent off. When they were down to 10 men with 15 minutes to go of course they weren’t going to push up, just as if we were at Stamford bridge in the same position I wouldn’t have wanted us to go gung-ho. After the goal it was near the end and they must have been exhausted and I for 1 thought it was a great 2nd half and we could have lost just as easily as we won.
December 26th, 2008 at 16:05
Can anyone tell me how the game went?? Couldn’t watch the game because of family and all that.
December 26th, 2008 at 16:05
we have some real problems when we are struggling to beat stoke, real problems. Alot of the blame comes down to ferguson and some of his crazy tactics. Fletcher is a decent squad player but is no more than that, so how the hell does he start every game? All he does is play 5 yard passes, and that is it. He tackles a bit and runs around but thats all. Carrick can do this and his ball retention and passing is 20 times what flecthers is so if its a choice between flecth and carrick, it will have to be carrick every time. Also no ando, how come. And as for giggs on the left well, we really need to delve into the transfer market this jan and buy a new left midfielder because that is easily our weakest area in the whole squad. And finally, why the hell does berba play behind the main striker? It should be him tapping in those goals not playing behind. Is this down to berba deciding to play there, or has he been told to play there by the manager?
December 26th, 2008 at 16:26
@Matthew: The same Stoke that beat Arsenal and held Liverpool???? Plus the fact that we’re just coming back from a trip half way around the world. I’m not denying the team is not up to a 100% but to use this match as evidence is kinda unsensible, imo. Anyway, carry on with the usual overreaction that’s rife on here.
December 26th, 2008 at 16:27
skysports headline says “Brave” stoke..unbelievable…
December 26th, 2008 at 16:31
The same as we had problems last season when we struggled to beat Derby? Stoke are a decent team and didn’t deserve to lose 5-0 at OT. They drew with Liverpool at Anfield and beat Arsenal (something we haven’t managed this season). The players sleeping schedules were messed up by the trip to Japan and that’s taking the fact that it was Christmas day yesterday and a lot of the players have young kids who would have woken them up early. We won the game, be happy instead of all this criticism. We have to be the only fans who moan constantly after a good away win
December 26th, 2008 at 16:34
@Rd: damn beat me to it
why does my iPod have to be so slow to type?
December 26th, 2008 at 16:40
Rd, we are the supposed best team in the world and yet we struggled to stoke. I dont care if liverpool or arsenal struggled to stoke thats their problem, all i care about is how we do against those teams. I dont think i am over reacting as to how the team did. Yes we won, but had we drawn every1 would have been going crazy. Stoke are an extremely poor team that we should be beating home or away week in week out comfortably. Had tevez not scored i have to say it would have largely been down to the awful tactics. Yes we are still in the title race but everyone on here has to admit that we have performed extremely poor all season and are lucky we are still in the title race.
December 26th, 2008 at 17:03
@Matthew: Stoke were in no way poor today, of course they chose their usual cowardly tactics of kicking and defending for their lives but they weren’t poor(I’m watching the match right now since I couldn’t watch it live). Extremely poor all season?? By what standards, even by United standards, we’ve been mediocre, far from extremely poor, we’re still 6pts behind the leaders, I don’t know how that qualifies as extremely poor. All I’m saying is considering the Japan trip and the messed up time- zone, I’m happy with the 3pts, thank you very much.
December 26th, 2008 at 17:12
liam, lesson learned
never doubt dan!
New rule:
carrick or anderson(preferably anderson) HAS to start evey game. they are our only midfielders who can play a through ball.
scholes cant, he can play diagnol balls, not through.
December 26th, 2008 at 17:23
Rd, we are very lucky to be in the position we find ourselves at the minute. If chelsea hadnt been so crap at home this year we would be miles behind and with no chance on winning the title. And when i say we have played poor this season i mean performance wise. We have hardly played a game this year where we dominated from the off, took our chances, got the 3 points and really looked like champions. The only games where i can honestly say this is true was against blackburn at their place, celtic at home, stoke at home (5-0 obviously), and west brom home again. Maybe a few others but for most of the games this year it has always been nearly, almost etc. We dont finish teams off and some of our attacking has been atrocious. I understand that it is hard to score when a team has every man back defending but we should be used to that because teams have been doing it for years and we have spent 90 million on our striker force so we expect some goals. Maybe our performances will start to pick up but you cant deny that we look a shadow of the team we were last year.
December 26th, 2008 at 17:49
Agree with Matthew we are not playing nearly at the same level of last year. Partly may be because Ronaldo is a shadow of the player he was, petulant and ineffectivel. Also Berba has not yet reached the level we all expected. Our midfield is a little predictable, particularly Fletch.
I can’t undertand why Ando is not playing regularly. He is potentially our best midfielder. Also, Nani can be infurating but he should have a run in the team to regain his confidence.
December 26th, 2008 at 17:58
@Rd: You just keep making all your excuses mate
. The Japan trip, doesn’t make up for all the SHITE performances by our strikers (I won’t call them strike FORCE – they are not) this season. We need somebody, ANYBODY, who can open up a packed defence, because none of our MF can do a good job at that. Sorry.
December 26th, 2008 at 18:04
@Craig Mc: yes one midfielder can. his name is anderson
December 26th, 2008 at 18:06
@Shyam: Shyam Bro – if the ref’s did give Rooney and Ronnie red cards for their ‘big girls blouse’ petulant behaviour, then maybe Fergie would kick their arses and knock their feckin heads together, because I for one think their tantrums are an embarassment. United have lost their discipline this year, but then Rooney never had any anyway
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December 26th, 2008 at 18:07
@dan(u-ol): Mmmmmm – still think that is debatable Dan(u)ol
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December 26th, 2008 at 18:33
agree with dan, why is ando dropped when in the last few weeks he has been great and has also started to come forward a bit more, his first goal looked imminent.
December 26th, 2008 at 18:57
@Craig Mc: Thats your opinion, and I don’t see how the Japan trip doesn’t excuse the strikers since they were all there.
@Matthew: I’m not denying that we’ve been far from top form, my point was that using todays match as an example of how average we’ve been this season doesn’t hold water considering the circumstance
December 26th, 2008 at 19:10
Rd, ok mate i see what your saying. Arsenal winning 1-0 by the way despite being out played.
December 26th, 2008 at 19:11
whine whine whine… someone didn’t have their stuffing yesterday
We are gettin the points, maybe not playing as well but as a team, we are still adapting to this cowardly 4-5-1 formation every team has decided to employ against us. Blaming the strikers is just clutching at straws, how many clear opportunities did each of them get today? especially against a defense where there are constantly two men on each of them?
The bottom line is we need to improve our give-and-go joga bonito football
That’s the only way to break down two lines of defense. We need to retain possession, be patient and find those killer passes. Unless we score an early goal and force the other team to attack, we are unfortunately gonna be looking at similar performances this season. It’s sad, but as champions who have the capability to hand out drubbings and concede few, most teams just prefer to park it and get a draw. It’s up to us to change our style and overcome this new hurdle. 
December 26th, 2008 at 19:12
We have a match on Monday and this team was selected with that match in mind. Middlesborough are a better team than Stoke and we would need Carrick and Anderson. Neville and some of the others who featured didn’t play the final in Japan so they started the game today. Sometimes the negativity in this blog is beyond words.
December 26th, 2008 at 19:25
Gary had a decent game today and at long last put some decent crosses in.
Fletch and Giggs on from the start, and then Park about to come on but Carlitos scored first. No Anderson or Carrick. It’s so frustrating seeing Fergie’s team selections. There was nowhere in the team today that an injection of pace could come from. A few of the short fuses may also be due to some of our forward players being as cheesed off as us.
December 26th, 2008 at 19:34
@dan(u-ol): Yeah because Anderson has been head and shoulders above everyone this year in goalscoring and assists
He has only had one game in the last year that I can look back and say he played well and that was in the Carling Cup. Other than that he has been average at best. I’m beginning to think if John O’Shea was Brasilian he’d be hailed as world class
December 26th, 2008 at 20:06
Nobody on this site has had the ability in the past to shut me up but today Fergie and United did you all a big favor fro the near future. They left me almost speechless. What more can I say? What’s the point? This team managed by a stubborn as Hell old codger who sees nothing wrong with what he has been serving up, just continues to play like shit and he continues to make moves or not make moves that perplex and befuddle us.
Sure we can chalk this one up to jet lag but I for one will give three main reasons why we barely escaped with a 1-0 win at Stroke Shitty.
1. Once again we went up against the ten man wall for most of the game. When that happens, just forget about watching a football match. Do you think I was going to wake up at 4:30am to watch what I was certain was going to be a 1-0 trench war classic? Not on your life. Thank God for DVD recorders. Shame however that I have wasted yet another dvd this year recording a Manchester United game. I mean what’s the point?
2. Jet lag. As if we didn’t know that wasn’t going to affect the team for a while. Even without it, the result probably was going to be the same anyway.
3. FERGIE. A manager who not only has no clue as to what to do to get this team playing better and how to tactically beat these opponents who set up walls in front of goal and do nothing but defend for 90 minutes. Old fart without a clue and a staff of total yes men who are also clueless monkeys who have come along for that dull carriage ride in the country. And to add insult to injury, he continues to play undeserving players and sits Anderson down because frankly, he’s too good at this moment to be starting for us. And if that wasn’t enough, on Christmas Eve he gave all United supporters the greatest of Christmas gifts when he let us all know in his abrupt and I don’t give a fuck what you think way that there would be no new signings during the January transfer window. And lets face it folks, it’s not like this team needs any new blood now does it? Why we just have such incredible depth and diversity on our team that every game we can mix and match and always come out 3-0 winners.
Frankly I just don’t care anymore. This season has been a bore and a beast of burden from the get go. I have not been so depressed and put off by the game as I have been this season. It all started with Spain spoiling my 2007/08 by defeating Germany and then it continued with the Ronaldo/Real affair and the constant lingering and delays signing Berbatov. Once the 08/09 season started I had a bad feeling in the back of my mind that our team was going to have problems. I stated before the season that Scholes, Neville and Giggs could no longer start and that Fergie needed to add not just on player but two or three to really give this team an edge and some offensive options in the midfield. It was obvious to me, a supporter what was going to happen and to be completely honest, the team has exceeded my expectations when it comes to futility. Actually they are in better shape in the league than I expected by now, but I don’t give them credit for that as much as I give Liverpool and Chelsea many thanks for also playing like shite and not making the most of their lead and showing the killer instinct to pull away more when they had their chances.
We are very fortunate to have those underachievers ahead of us because we have been total shite all season and are still within striking distance. But honestly people, can we be expected to win the title this year when we can’t score more goals than one per game against fucking crap opposition? Is it really possible. Rooney is inconsistent as Hell, Ronaldo is a shadow of his former self, Berbatov is not Berba, Tevez has struggled all year to find form and playing time, and our midfield is as useless and unimaginative as one could possibly imagine in their worst nightmare. And all this in the most unattractive and depressingly boring football league on the planet.
Frankly speaking, the only other reason we are still in the title race is due to our great defensive back three (Neville does not count), consistent if not spectacular keeping by EVDS and the emergence of Rafael which has kept that back four playing well. Without our defense, we would seriously be in a world of shite. This club has fractures in several places and a manager who is to blind or to stubborn to realize it, and even more stubborn to do something about it. Not one tirade, not any exhibition of anger or frustration. It’s like he doesn’t care anymore or he’s just going through the motions. And then he treats us all like muppets by telling us through the media that we are in store for more of the same in the second half because he does not see anything wrong with our side and that no additions are needed. Is that him talking or the Glazer’s? Have the owners stolen Fergie’s mojo? How can we expect passion from the club when it’s clear the manager has none? So I ask you, why are we all such gluttons for punishment? Why do we continue to attend or tune in to these games week after week after week knowing full well that the club is not playing well and that nothing is being done to improve our stock? I for one am sick and fucking tired of wasting my time on unattractive, uninspired and unimaginative football by a team that has spoilt me over the past two decades by playing attractive, inspired and imaginative football?
I am fed up and I am seriously doubting whether I will tune into any more United games live. Why should I sit and put myself through two hours of the same old drudgery week after week after week? I may not be working right now due to my health but my health certainly does not need the stress and added disappointment I get from 2 to 4 hours of weekly boredom, and frustration which has got me all depressed and pissed off. Frankly speaking, as a die hard fanatic, it’s not healthy. So until this team shows a consistent and positive form I will record the games and watch only if the team scores goals. Goals make the world go round and they are the reason why I love the game and why United has been my team for 30+ years.
If United want to bore me and inject Italian style bullshit into my blood stream while also showing little imagination, style or creative depth in finding away through a ten man wall, then I for one need a break from them. Frankly, it’s not worth my time or effort to watch this team in this kind of form. Some may say I am not a loyal fan or that I am only a fair weather fan but I respond to those claims by saying that I am just being a self preservationist. I don’t need this shit to make my days and weeks miserable. United are no longer the bright moment in my week. They have turned into a descending black cloud of boredom and negativity and frankly, I already have enough of that kind of crap in my life. I don’t need to overdose on it.
December 26th, 2008 at 20:07
all of you who are blaming fergie for team selection, and not picking carrick and anderson…i dont think that was a mistake. fergie had the tight schedule in mind and wanted to use the squad players and i think today’s game was the right time to do it. we have about 10 odd games in the coming month, and if fletcher, gary etc are not going to play against the bunch of talentless bullies (or brave english lions according to the press) that stoke are, then when are they going to play.
although i agree that all three of gary, scholes and giggs should not have played together.
now i am slowly beginning to lose interest watching united playing strokes and sunderlands in the epl. These teams are disgrace to football and don’t even try to come out of their own penalty box let alone half.
Give me hull city or even gamba osaka anyday….
me defending fergie doesn’t mean that i am happy with the teams performance, i think we are far from reaching last year’s form. i hope we go into the top gear as soon as possible…..
on the other note….is anyone else concerned about Liverpool’s chances of winning the league this year? i am very concerned, i cant imagine the day if they win the league, i would rather rent boys win it.
December 26th, 2008 at 20:53
Was I the only one who thinks that Stoke were ok today, I mean they were nothing special but they did have some chances to take the lead and showed some adventure. Also nobody has mentioned Cristiano kicking out anytime he is fouled which will only encourage more fouling. This team needs to get rid of him IMO. He just isn’t motivated last season. He has nothing to play for now as he has achieved it all. We need a new star who hasn’t achieved anything and has the hunger to do well
December 26th, 2008 at 20:54
@Shyam:
You are spot on mate. I have criticized fergie for selecting the old boys in the past, but today Neville, Giggs and Scholes put in good shifts and were instrumental for us. Stoker were rubbish by the way.Such bloody cowards!!! and to think the media will portray them as the superheroes who lost due to an unlucky break!
December 26th, 2008 at 20:55
@Liam: liam, goals and assist mean shite all if the midfield cant play a single through ball. its not because anderson is brazilian at all, its because hes our only midfielder right now, able to play an accurate through ball. i dont give a monkeys if fletcher has scored more, in a CM, your first duty is accurate passing, your second scoring/assists. fletcher is our worst passer of the ball when it comes to midfielders.
December 26th, 2008 at 20:57
@vikas: Totally agree with you. As you put, if the old timers can’t play against Stock, then when can they play. Last year SAF did something similar, when we went to Bolton, we lost that day, but we won today. I haven’t watched the game, so can’t comment, but I had a feeling that it’s gonna be hard game, I even thought that