Mar 10
Manchester United vs AC Milan:Preview
The Champions League rolls around once more and Manchester United will host an AC Milan side looking to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg in the San Siro.
United should start with a very familiar back five. Edwin van der Sar will continue in goal after a steady performance against Wolves. He will be behind a back four of Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Rafael. The young Brazilian will get the nod ahead of Gary Neville as Wes Brown is out for six weeks with a broken foot.
Up against fellow countryman Ronaldinho, Rafael seems to be optimistic about his chances against the former World Player of the Year,
he said: ‘It was a great privilege for me. It made me feel that the manager really trusts me by giving me the opportunity to play in this type of match.”
He continued: “It’s a great feeling knowing that the manager believes in my ability to play at this level.
As Milan will be forced to attack, needing two goals to qualify, Sir Alex Ferguson may opt again for a five-man midfield. Antonio Valencia somewhat changed the first-leg with his direct running at Milan’s full-back Antonini, so he is shoe-in on the right side. Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes will probably line up in midfield with Ferguson preferring Ji-Sung Park on the left for his hard-work, discipline and Nani’s terrible performance at the weekend. Michael Carrick is suspended for the fixture so Darron Gibson could well continue in the middle.
Question marks remain over whether or not Wayne Rooney will be fit enough to start the match.
Sir Alex in his press conference explained: “He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit.
“He has showed a rapid improvement since Saturday morning. He was extremely doubtful, but he is OK.”
Rooney may only make the bench and we will see Dimitar Berbatov leading the front line as he did at the weekend.
Ferguson is confident of an entertaining match against Milan,
he stated: “It is certainly an open tie and I think what we are going to see tomorrow will be a very open game.
“We will hope to kill the tie with our own attacking abilities. There is no doubt that AC Milan have to score, which should make it a really open match.
He continued: “I don’t think we are very good at defending leads, so we will play our normal way. That means attacking, it always has. We will try and do it our normal way.
“I don’t think we should be confused by the score of 3-2 as passage into the next phase of this competition.
“We accept this is a very difficult game for us and one which we need to win. And that’s how I’m approaching it, to win the match.”
AC Milan will be forced to attack from the offset as they look to overturn the 3-2 first-leg defeat.
A similar situation to Rooney’s developed in Milan as Pato was an injury doubt, but he has travelled and will definitely play a part in proceedings, most likely from the bench. Clarence Seedorf his also shrugged off an injury and should also start from the sidelines.
David Beckham has spoken of his excitement about the upcoming tie,
he told Milan’s TV channel: “If I play on Wednesday I won’t be frightened but I will be excited because I played in that stadium for many years and I know what it means to be a Manchester United player.
“I know what it means for opponents to play there.”
Leonardo can either deploy him as a right-winger or in a three-man midfield.
After a good display away to Roma on Saturday evening Milan are unbeaten in seven Serie A matches. During this game Leonardo experimented with a narrower formation, having Huntelaar and Borriello up-front together with Ronaldinho behind, so it will be interesting to see if he continues with this tactic or revert to his tried and tested 4-3-3.
The Milan manager has taken an understandable positive approach, “My confidence in tomorrow’s game comes from our recent performances and how we already played in the first leg at San Siro. I don’t think Manchester United will change much from that tie.
“We need an important result at Old Trafford and so the psychological aspect will be crucial. It’s not easy to prepare a game like this, but we have different alternatives and will try to make the most of them.”
A tough game will be inevitable but three away goals put United firmly in the driving seat and they will look to kill off the tie with an early goal.
Prediction: 2-1 United
Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael; Valencia, Scholes, Gibson, Fletcher, Park; Berbatov
***
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Tags: Game Preview
March 10th, 2010 at 10:51
i think carrick can’t play today because of his red card in the previous game.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:56
Carrick was sent off in the first leg and cannot play tonight.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:01
“Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes will probably continue in midfield with Ferguson preferring Ji-Sung Park on the left for his hard-work, discipline and Nani’s terrible performance at the weekend.”
David, Carrick was sent off at the end of the game in the first leg, he is suspended and will be a big loss… Nani will therefore start with Ji Sung in the middle.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:08
Carrick is off when he received a red card at the end of last match.
Gibson might get the chance to start at the three men midfield.
But I prefer this starting 11 below.
VDS
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Scholes Fletcher Park
Valencia Nani
Berbatov
March 10th, 2010 at 11:41
a quick poll, do you guys prefer to be playing or not?
March 10th, 2010 at 11:42
a quick poll, do you guys prefer Park to be playing or not?
March 10th, 2010 at 11:42
Isn’t Carrick suspended?
March 10th, 2010 at 12:17
Carrick is suspended. I could see him playing Berbatov up front and Rooney as part of a five man midfield when we don’t have the call. I think I’d like to see 4-4-2 though. If we score they need 3 so they’ll have to come at us and I could see us hammering them on the break.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:31
My bad…
Ill sort it for you guys
March 10th, 2010 at 12:47
David, Carrick has a red card so he wont play.
seems like fergy is approaching this game from an attacking point of view, which is good and what i have been asking for. We are at home,what are the odds for us not scoring if we play an attacking football. The hardest task tonight is on AC Milan, they have to score 2 goals,and stop us from scoring at our place. Fergy should stick with what he has said and send the guys out with only one thing in mind. Atttack! Attack! Attack! That said, this is what i expect our mid to look like,
Valencia, Fletch, park, scholes, nani.
My prediction, utd 3 Milan 1
March 10th, 2010 at 13:24
I do not know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but I think Carrick was removed from the field of play during the last match and, as such, will not be able to participate in the upcoming game.
But yeah, I reckon the midfield will set up as such:
Valencia Scholes Fletcher Park Nani
March 10th, 2010 at 14:18
Carrick is suspended for tonight btw.
March 10th, 2010 at 14:19
@Traverse: I agree with that line – up in the midfield, but would be intersted to see what would happen if we went to 4-4-2 and attack them.
March 10th, 2010 at 14:28
@Stephen: Another line up which might also work is 4411 with berba acting as link to rooney from mid.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:20
4-4-1-1
Van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael; Valencia, Scholes, Fletcher, Nani; Park; Rooney
Park should be with a free role in midfield depending on whether an attacking or defensive stance is taken up.
Probably if we are in a good position after 60-70 min. Take off Rooney. He needs to be preserved.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:58
A good time for me to repeat again the historic stat that should make us all feel more at ease going into this game. No team that has lost the first game at home has ever come back in the return tie to win and move on. So for me that is a major statistics that leaves me feeling comfortable but pissed off that the game has become so predictable over the last two decades that there are not a few more miracles or comebacks on record. Then again, this opens the door for United to create some infamous history. Jeez, I hope not.
March 10th, 2010 at 16:21
So bizarre, I have, for the first time since we signed him, a gut feel that Ji Sung Park will score tonight. Must be sleep deprivation.
Really hope we don’t try and close up shop ala Barca Semi two years ago. First goal is obviously the big one, and I’m 100% sure that there will be a first goal.
Big match for a few of our players:
Rio – still fit enough for playing at the very top?
Rafael – time to stake a first team claim, or time to realise it’ll be a few more years
Berbatov – a stage upon which he can silence his critics, or another example of him not playing in a big game
Scholes – can he go a full 90 mins in Europe without a yellow
Unfortuantely won’t be able to watch as I’ll be at work, but hoping for good updates from you kind folks!
March 10th, 2010 at 16:52
I see quite an easy game…just give the ball to Tony and let him drive past whichever pensioner Milan put at left back. Flood the box with Rooney and Co and theres a few goals right there
March 10th, 2010 at 17:18
This is actually a very big game. Is it that generally Red Rants has regressed or ppl no longer care about United to be bothered? I don’t know,but I suspect the general state of affairs at this club over the past couple of years supports the latter. This is why we can’t afford to be a defensive team. It gradually drives fans away and makes many ppl feel disenfranchised. We need to play the old United way in every game and not deteriorate in standards. So I’m feeling a little optimistic about SAF’s statement that we won’t sit back and we are looking forward to winning this game. He acknowledges that we’re not too good with defending leads.
But he has said the same thing over the years only to do the exact opposite RE:Barca away 2008.
March 10th, 2010 at 17:28
You can watch this game here: http://redlog.pl/2010/03/10/wideo-z-meczu-manchester-united-ac-milan/#live
March 10th, 2010 at 17:31
@Beachryan: The one thing I can predict about Park is he will squander at least two sitters a game and end up on his ass at least a half dozen times. I get no feelings about him ever scoring a goal again. Hope you are right for the club’s sake.
March 10th, 2010 at 17:40
@Jay wire: The bottom line is that we all (me included have been spoilt rotten by the success and high scoring exploits of our club the last twenty years that we think it’s going to last forever. Well it isn’t. The decline and fall of Man Utd has begun mate and we all just need to come to terms with it as finances and poor ownership is leading this club to ruin. Fergie has actually done a magnificent job with what he has to work with but in order to get the results he has had to depend on a defensive game plan which requires patience and ball control. It may not be pretty to us die hard fast pace loving purists but the fact is that the way we are playing right now is the way the majority of the world play their football. It’s just foreign to our eyes because we are trained on the English game and the way we have manhandled most opponents playing that style for so many years. Well get used to it. Even if we are handed a load of money for transfers and Fergie actually spends it, this style of play will continue to be the way we go about business because it has been a successful formula for Italian teams for going on 40 years. Fergie doesn’t care anymore if we look pretty in our attempt to win games. He just wants results because at the end of the day, a win appeases nearly everyone except a few purists like myself who prefer something a little more skillful and artistic in nature. Blame the pressure of winning coupled with big money for the change to this.
March 10th, 2010 at 17:57
There is one player that was born for this type of games. His name is Dimitar Berbatov. One of the key strategies in Europe is possession. You don’t want to your players to make risky passes as a coach unless they are certain they can pull them off. That’s where The Count comes in. He is very economical with his passing and knows how to hold the ball up. Obviously he is not appreciated by our fans esp EPL fanatics whose appreciation of the technical side of the game is not so great. You see the advantage of having someone who can hold the ball up is the rest of the squad can start making runs off the ball confidently knowing the ball is in good eh, feet (or hands if you are Maradona).
Case study. As much as Tony has done well we can’t disregard the effect Berbatov has had on his game. I noticed this as early as the 1st leg vs Wolfsburg. His holding up of the ball and clever penetrative flicks have allowed Valencia to get forward more. Notice,if I’m not mistaken, how the last couple of goals Rooney has scored while Berba was on the pitch have come off a combination of Berba and Tony in that order. Slowly but surely SAF is getting there in figuring out how to play Berba and his understanding with Rooney,Valencia & most recently Scholes is something that will get us playing like a real force. I don’t usually bother with predicting line ups but I’d love to see one with Rafael at RB,Tony on the right,Park on the left(1st time ever that I’ve wanted to see this),Scholes and Fletcher in the middle and Nani playing behind Berba from the left.
March 10th, 2010 at 18:14
@Jay wire: @Grognard: I think the decline in interest stems from us being being so frustrated in the running of the clubs.
Right now we are still in the running for the league, so it isn’t exactly like fair weather fans are jumping ship. The problems off the pitch are gradually spilling onto the pitch and speaking for myself the business side of things is depressing and it sucks the excitement and joy out of the football side.
Look at Rooney, he is having a unbelievable season, but he is being overshadowed by the rubbish in the boardroom.
March 10th, 2010 at 18:31
@Grognard: Tbh mate , I just don’t buy into the whole “defensive style is necessary” stuff. If we want to play like that then we need to get the right personnel for such jobs. Players like Carrick and Scholes don’t fit that bill. Even Park was converted to a defensive player. This has nothing to do with money. SAF is just convinced this is the way to play football nowadays. All you need to be a successful attacking team is a countermeasure in one area. A good DMF. Makelele with Madrid,Davids with Juventus & Ajax,Keane with United,Vieira with Arsenal. I can name several Milan & Barca teams that have succeeded with attacking teams and all of them had great DMFs. You also need a strong defence and good attackers. We have all these components but SAF chooses to mix things up and have players playing opposite roles. Rooney is not a winger and definitely not a defensive one at that. Berbatov is not an attacking midfielder as SAF 1st thought.
March 10th, 2010 at 18:39
@Jay wire: Surely you meant to include Rooney somewhere in that line-up!
March 10th, 2010 at 19:47
@Taehr: haha. ”
Pensioner”
March 10th, 2010 at 19:59
Official team:
———–VDS———-
–Nev—Rio—Vida-Evra-
——Fletch-Scholes—-
———-Park———-
–Valencia———Nani-
——–Rooney———-
Kuszcak, Diouf, Obertan, Berbatov, Rafael, Gibson, Evans
March 10th, 2010 at 20:05
The Line up:
1 Edwin van der Sar (G)
15 Nemanja Vidic (CD-L)
5 Rio Ferdinand (CD-R)
3 Patrice Evra (LB)
2 Gary Neville (RB)
13 Ji-Sung Park (CM-L)
24 Darren Fletcher (CM-R)
18 Paul Scholes (AM)
17 Nani (LM)
25 Antonio Valencia (RM)
10 Wayne Rooney (ST)
No. NAME POS
12 Christian Abbiati (G)
33 Thiaguinho (CD-L)
25 Daniele Bonera (CD-R)
18 Marek Jankulovski (LB)
20 Ignazio Abate (RB)
21 Andrea Pirlo (CM)
23 Massimo Ambrosini (LM)
16 Mathieu Flamini (RM)
80 Ronaldinho (ST)
22 Marco Borriello (LF)
11 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (RF)
Good luck guys…
Go reds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 10th, 2010 at 20:08
Neville against Dinho
March 10th, 2010 at 20:14
Next 2 hour is going to be very tense.
March 10th, 2010 at 20:15
This midfield is interesting. Park adds some bite in the middle of the park and is also a handful in attack. His final ball is always going to be shite nonetheless.
March 10th, 2010 at 20:23
Neville doesn’t fill me with confidence, sure his positional sense is probably better than Rafael but he doesn’t have the same pace to burn and can’t make up ground like Rafa. Valencia will need to help him out to keep tabs on Ronaldinho. Glad to see Rio and Vida starting. The team is set up to soak up pressure, avoid getting swamped in midfield (Park) and hit on the counter. Let’s hope Nani and Valencia can provide good support and service when required.
March 10th, 2010 at 20:23
Like the line up, got to say. Delighted that Rooney and Nani are playing irrespective of the weekend. Gonna watch this one in a AC Milan supporters bar in Crans Montana, Switzerland! Hopefully A) I will be the only one in there enjoying this match, B) I get out alive!! After the hiding i’ve been getting from the local mountains, i could do with slagging off the locals! Come on United, lets have another Roma!!!!!
March 10th, 2010 at 20:24
Neville…ulp! Hope it’s a lenient ref, cause you know he’s going to haul Ronaldinho back at least twice in 90 mins!
March 10th, 2010 at 20:25
The way I was looking at it was that Ronaldinho is going to do both Neville or Rafael for skill, but Rafael has the pace to get back up with him. Neville has no fucking chance against him. I predict cards!
March 10th, 2010 at 20:29
JayWire, really? Berbatov slows us down way too much and against a team like Milan who are chasing the game, counter attack is our biggest weapon. They are terrified of our pace and that is how we are going to hurt them. He may have played ok against Wolfsburg, but AC Milan are a different class entirely and Berbatov will be marked out of the game by the Milanese defenders who may be old but are also very experienced.
For that reason it is good we have fast players like Nani, Park, Valencia and Rooney capable of breaking at lighting speed. Fergie has got his tactics right for this game. Park and Fletcher are like terriers and will stop them overrunning our midfield like in the first leg. Meanwhile Scholes is a calm head in midfield who will use his experience to dictate play.
The only questionable decision is starting Neville. Will his experience make up for his lack of legs? Is he really match fit given he has only played a handful of games?
March 10th, 2010 at 20:31
@Traverse: Regardless of how well Neville does today, I do not understand it. Rafael has been picked over Wes Brown when he is fit and we are told that Rafael is the future for that position and needs his chance in the big games. What now then?
March 10th, 2010 at 20:34
I agree with RSG. Can’t understand why Fergie wouldn’t hold faith with Rafael. Perhaps he figures he’ll have to take off whoever starts anyway if they pick up a yellow, and Rafael can always come on and offer attack if we need it. Odd.
March 10th, 2010 at 20:34
@colver: I think it’s a myth that Berbatov slows us down. He’ll wait until a pass is on (any pass, usually the more difficult the better) whereas someone like Park or Nani will turn and run into a defender. I’d rather what Berba does than the alternative. That being said, I think matching Milan’s CMs man for man is a good bet, and given our injuries Park is the best option to join Fletcher and Scholes.
March 10th, 2010 at 20:36
No Pato and No Nesta. Good news for Evra and Rooney.
March 10th, 2010 at 20:40
@rsg: No Beckham.Good news for VDS
March 10th, 2010 at 20:40
BELIEVE!
March 10th, 2010 at 20:42
COME ON UNITED!
March 10th, 2010 at 20:43
Abiati in goal for Milan?! Who? Fill ‘yer boots lads.!
March 10th, 2010 at 20:50
@Traverse: Agree 100% with your sentiments regarding rafa and Neville… I’m nervous with Neville starting.
March 10th, 2010 at 20:58
Apart from Neville, I love this lineup. I don’t even mind the park inclusion because we aren’t sacrificing nani/Valencia.
Also Rooney is definately up for this one. I think he realizes that if he leads us to CL glory he will be right there in the running for wpoty.
March 10th, 2010 at 21:00
Rooooooooooooooooooneeeeeeeeeeey. The man is on FIRE. Another header!!!
March 10th, 2010 at 21:04
Nani is driving me nuts with careless wastefulness. He needs to get his head in the game and look before he passes.
March 10th, 2010 at 21:07
I guess that’s why fergie is “Sir Alex” and I’m not sir johnsom. Haha
I give credit where credit is due, good movement by Neville and a great cross. And of course The Rooney… Did he drink some magic header potion? He is absolutely lethal with his head.
March 10th, 2010 at 21:18
Neville certainly looks rejuvenated and his crossing is very useful for us.
Nani has been woeful. Very very wasteful and gets caught in possession too often. Valencia looks much more impressive on the other wing.
As for Rooney…well how many players manage five goals and counting in four fixtures against a team of Milan’s stature? With the addition of supreme aerial ability to his game, he must be the best centre forward in the world at the moment by a country mile.
Park is an absolute enigma. He seems to get into all the right places, gets so much of the ball, and is at the centre of everything, but somehow never connects or delivers the killer ball.
March 10th, 2010 at 21:21
Eating my words, the last few crosses of Neville have been woeful!
March 10th, 2010 at 21:31
why do our players just keep standing around the box? there is no movement, no 1-2 passes, no great through balls cutting the defence into the box !! valencia, park, nani just dont seem to have that sense which Arsenal players show so beautifully. we just freeze up around the box and the players have no clue what to do next after someone is holding up a ball. Probably one of the reasons why Berbatov looks mediocre. I am sure if Berba was in Arsenal the number of assists he would have got would have been even more immense!! all we seem to do is get the ball till the box and then pass it to the right for neville or valencia and wait for the cross. Absolutely mediocre home game!!!
March 10th, 2010 at 21:32
godzilla focus on the positives. Our defence is looking rock solid and their midfield are being made to look ordinary. Another goal would kill the tie but I think we are good value for our lead.
March 10th, 2010 at 21:34
Pretty solid performance so far – Milan look out of ideas but we all know that can change once they get that crucial first goal. Our defense looks comfortable though and as the 2nd half progresses we should get that 2nd goal and kill off the tie. Nani needs to improve though – I’m sure Fergie will have a few words with him.
March 10th, 2010 at 21:37
Neville has had a great half to be fair to him. It was a good half overall. We’ve let them play infront of us, which is fine cause they aren’t going to score from there. I would expect Beckham’s introduction at half time and to fire the balls in from deep.
March 10th, 2010 at 21:37
Anyone knows the record the highest number of goals scored from head by a player in one season in Europe???
March 10th, 2010 at 21:38
Nice goal by Rooney, Great cross from Gazza… Nani = horrendous… Rooney please stop trying those backheals…
March 10th, 2010 at 21:39
Neville : Super
Vidic: The Rock
Park : Amazing
Nani : challenging Huntelaar for the worst performance so far
March 10th, 2010 at 21:40
Milan are a little unlucky not to have a goal. United came out just like I thought they would and they got that early goal and then they decided to become Bolton and park the bus. Disgusting!
We are looking for big trouble if we play like this. Milan gets one goal and their spirits will soar. Huntelaar did a really good imitation of Diouf with that useless first touch. That’s certainly not the Hunter I know and love. His confidence must be zero right now. Mind you, that still was not an easy ball to control from that distance and with that pace. But still, the great strikers control it.
Great header by Rooney and a surprisingly good cross from Neville. Vidic and Rio are the difference right now. Valencia needs to be more aggressive and Nani needs to be subbed off. Nani is just not in the game mentally. He started to block a few crosses near the end of the half but his passing has been horrible and his lame defensive flick almost cost us a goal. I’m sorry but I just don’t tolerate stupid play. Park as usual kills every attacking foray we make. Why is that prat even out there?
Fergie needs to light a fire back in the lads as they went to sleep after the 15th minute. I don’t mind defending but at least make something happen on the counter. We aren’t pressing Milan in our own zone and forcing them to make stray passes that we can latch onto and start a fast counter. Valencia needs to attack more on the right because Ronaldinho is not tracking back. And Milan need to bring in Beckham so that he can service a few meaningful crosses in the box where a goal may come. So far so good but just.
March 10th, 2010 at 21:44
@colver: We are far from rock solid defensively. We have been fortunate and Vidic and Rio have been strong but we have let a few players get behind us but Milan have squandered their chances. Pirlo had a bad touch, Huntelaar failed to trap the ball and Ronaldinho just missed with a header to name a few. Some of their crosses have been dangerous too. If they bring in Beckham early enough, that could be troublesome for us. Evra has been great this year but I have seen him get out of position at least four times in that first half.
March 10th, 2010 at 21:46
@owen: Park amazing?
What the Hell are you smoking man? 
March 10th, 2010 at 21:48
@Grognard: Grog: As usual
March 10th, 2010 at 21:48
Oh no, Seedorf is on. I always feel he’s gonna score!
March 10th, 2010 at 21:49
Four goals in two weeks against AC Milan. Rooney is GOD. Even Ronaldo wouldn’t have been able to manage that
March 10th, 2010 at 21:49
Nani my boy….ALL IS FORGIVEN. That was frakken brilliant. What a goal and what a setup. OUTSTANDING!
March 10th, 2010 at 21:51
Unbelieveable! Nani looked up and look what happens! Rooney’s touch was quality!
March 10th, 2010 at 21:51
Okay Nani has vindicated himself. Expect Craig screaming MoM praises for him!!!
March 10th, 2010 at 21:58
Well that is Nani for you. He will make you pull your hair out for 89 minutes, but then produce a wonder goal or an amazing assist.
Milan have themselves to blame. They’ve had three or four clear chances in this game, and half a dozen in the first leg. We’ve had four chances and scored four goals….clinical as hell!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:01
Eat your heart out Grognard! Ji Sung Park scored!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:02
Jason Park!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:03
@Beachryan: Mate. I eat humble pie as well as my words. You were right, Park scored tonight. Miracles never cease.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:04
JS Park actually stayed on his feet and scored!!!
He is out to prove Grog and some of us wrong! He actually has been impressive last 2 or 3 games. He seems to have got an extra step to his pace.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:04
Wow, we’re owning them now!!! Park scores – I have to admit he’s been very, very good today whatever Grog says!!
I want more… 4-0 or 5-0 would be great – we owe them for 2007!!! This is vengeance!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:05
Milan are total pants. Just too slow and too old. Oh and Leonardo, to quote Donald Trump……………………………………YOU’RE FIRED!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:06
@antsBoy: That’s the thing that’s always been great and a bit of an enigma about Nani. He can do nothing all game and then there is that one moment of genius and skill and in a low scoring game like football, sometimes that’s all you need.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:08
Damn, Rooney taken off. A hat trick against AC Milan would have been sweet as.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:09
I see 4 or 5 now as Milan will be mailing it in the rest of the way as they are done like dinner. I love it when Italian teams get their asses kicked. Good riddance to that garbage. Now if somebody could do us a favor and knock out Inter, life will be great.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:10
Milan are pathetic. Have no legs remaining. I am surprised someone like Flamini who had an awesome season or two with Arsenal is also looking crap. Ronaldinho is a perfect example of how a person can fuck up his talent with the party life. We are through and maybe we might just draw Madrid in the next round
March 10th, 2010 at 22:10
One freak goal and they have 20 mins to send it to extra time. I know it’s probably over, but I refuse to start the victory parade yet.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:13
@godzilla: I’d rather Lyon!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:14
Gibson coming on for Scholes. Screamer from 30 yards anyone?
March 10th, 2010 at 22:18
Grognard, the other thing Ive noticed is Nani seems to be so much a confidence player. If just one of his flicks comes off, suddenly everything seems to work for him. But until that happens he is shit.
It would be amazing to keep a clean sheet. I would hate to give Beckham the satisfaction of stealing the headlines with a goal. Tonight is all about us, with an utterly clinical and disciplined performance that exposed Milan as a spent force.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:22
Lyon just equalised in the Bernabau. Madrid need 2 in the next 13 mins or they’re gone!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:25
Real Madrid are ten minutes away from going out as Lyon have equalized 1-1. I LOVE IT!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:29
FLETCHINIO!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:31
Amazing to think Milan could have finished us off in the first leg. This is the perfect revenge for 2007. We have beaten them 7-2 on aggregate!
Ronaldo is going to regret not being a part of this famous victory, especially as his team is on their way out of the competition again in the last 16.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:35
Ronaldo – 80million
Kaka – 55million
Benzema – 30million
Alsono – 25million
Getting knocked out by Lyon in the quarter finals?
FUCKING PRICELESS!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:36
Perfect night! 7-2 aggregate win against Milan! And Real Madrid for all their spending still going out in the last 16.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:38
@Grognard: Its not leonardos fault he has been given a aging side. I wish I could say this was payback but frankly the team that tore us apart at the San Siro is long gone.
Also, you wrote off diouf after a poor 25 minute cameo. Are you willing to stand back and let people bash huntelaar after this one game?
March 10th, 2010 at 22:38
rofl @ madrid.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:39
I’m getting more of a kick watching Ronaldo walk to the dressing room shaking his head in disgust after being knocked out of the Champions League. HEY RONNY, bet you would have preferred being a Man Utd player now wouldn’t you, eh you selfish greedy bastard?
March 10th, 2010 at 22:40
Beckham put on a Green & Gold scarf at the end! Legend!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:42
@Traverse: I love it. Lyon wins and Benzema doesn’t even play while Kaka had to be the worst player on the pitch from what I saw. Ronaldo was very good but the rest of the team were all just standing around waiting and hoping for something to happen. Lazy primadona’s.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:43
Huntelaar is the worst striker in whole Europe.I will take Kanu ahead of him any day.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:44
@Traverse: I love the guy and it breaks my heart that he has had to endure playing for other clubs these past several seasons when he is United to the bone. Way to go Becks.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:45
I am really feeling sad for Ronaldo.What a waste is Kaka.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:46
@colver: Don’t be greedy. He is tired and needs to be rested as well, we need not risk injury as he is the difference between us winning anything and winning nothing.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:46
@Grognard: Actually Beck was the best player for Milan today.He did more in half an hour than the whole team
March 10th, 2010 at 22:48
@colver: as what?
I just had Italian for dinner… it was good!
Wonderful wonderful game. It took Nani 45 minutes to get back to his better self but he had a great 2nd half.
EVDS: 8 – solid, only had one dropped save
Nev: 8 – solid, nice cross to Rooney
Ferd: 8 – solid, Milan looked toothless
vidic: 9 – solid, made milan look tootless
Evra: 7 – quiet. Some trouble covering hunterlaar. never joined in attack
Vally: 8 – good play offensively and defensively, needs to pass earlier
Nani: 7 – poor first half (5), great 2nd half (9), nice assist, but could have done more with chances
Scholes: 9 – awesome!! great passing (to Park!), great husstling, great midfield maestro
Fletcher: 8 – great. engine of united and did well coming up too. Well taken goal – Diouf pay notice!
Park: 8 – awesome! Made Pirlo look ike a girl. if he had a first touch, he would have scored/assisted more
Rooney: 9 – awesome! enough said.
Berba: 6 – ineffective, slow but his vision is outstanding. If he just wasnt depending on Gibbo
Rafael: 8 – love this kid. Made an excellent cross to Fletcher and improved our going forward,
Fergie: 10 – perfect tactics. Milan had no chance when the lineups were set and the game started. Fergie killed Pirlo’s influence with Park. Beautiful.
happy day!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:49
@owen: I love Ronaldo. But I do not love disloyalty to our cause. His selfish greed forced us to have to sell him and as far as I am concerned, today there is a God because justice was served. Ronaldo scores and Real Madrid lose and are knocked out and Manchester United move on with a historic 7-2 aggregate victory over the hated AC Milan. Sometimes life is just so good.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:50
Pretty good night all in all!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:50
@Grognard: I am watching the RM-Lyon game in 10 mins… looking forward to a good(?) game.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:53
@Grognard: But Ronaldo himself is god.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:53
@Johnsom33:Agreed…Hunterlaar is fucking wank mate, we all know that!!
March 10th, 2010 at 22:54
@owen: I was actually just going to say that. I agree. The smart thing was not to start him because of his lack of pace but then again, sometimes a manager has to go with a gut feeling and start a player who will be doubly motivated for personal reasons and forego traditional logic. It wouldn’t have made a difference though as Milan were donkey shit all game and their age was so evident. Lazy players up front who don’t even know the meaning of tracking back and a lack of quality in goal and in the back four killed them. Leonardo will get the boot for this but Milan should blame their stubbornness to spend serious money in the offseason and to try to get younger. For years they hung on to their age because Ancelotti preferred it and now they are paying for it. The smartest thing they did though was to sell Kaka because frankly, he is a useless pile of Kaka (aka shit).
March 10th, 2010 at 22:59
Park is the most underrated player in whole Europe.Even Wenger admires him.The main strenght of playing Park is that he keeps the so called X factor of the opposition out of the game.Also his positioning is super and scores also.But he never gets appreciation on this blog.A person with his fixed attitude with criticise him and rest will follow.
More so almost after each game he completes,every one tells that some how he was good today.Today i compared him with Fletcher and did not find anything to justify that he did worse than him.
March 10th, 2010 at 22:59
@Grognard: Milan sacked Leonardo tomorrow
(seriously, he will be gone tomorrow)
March 10th, 2010 at 23:00
Beckham
Hands down Milan’s best player. If he played for us Rooney would be scoring 2 headers per game.
And was I mistaken or was he crying when he came on?
March 10th, 2010 at 23:03
I miss Becks. I know we moved on, and I know we had a great 3 years, but that boy is part of our history in a way that few players have or will ever be. Was he really crying as he came on?
Wonderful night, all in all.
Dear Mr. Benzema. If you’re interested in getting in joining a team that will have you in their squad for the Champions League, and who frequently get past the quarter finals, please send any applications to manutd.com
March 10th, 2010 at 23:05
Now just hope Barca and Chelsea also get
knocked out.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:07
@Beachryan: Benzema is a great footballer but a douche-bag person. I could care less where he ends up. There are better fish in the sea than a grumpy frenchie.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:09
@owen: Let’s knock out Barca… their defense sucks and we can handle Ibrahimovic. Eto’o is tougher for us b/c of his pace.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:09
@colver: It is simply a myth that Berbatov slows us down. All the teams he has played in are fast attacking teams. Just because he isn’t pacy doesn’t mean he slows us down. Many ppl also think Scholes slows us down because he is not hurried and reckless in his passing. Did he slow us down in any way tonight? No.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:10
Today the standard of Refree was surprisingly very high.He did a great job and match was played in good spirit.I saw Leonardo congratulating Rooney
March 10th, 2010 at 23:10
4-0 is fair anda bit flattering at the same time.
Milan played without Nesta, Pato and a fair few others. Imagine us playing without Rooney, Vidic and Fletcher.
But frankly this has got to be the worst Milan side in the past 20 years.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:12
@owen: I appreciate Park, I thought he was MOTM tonight.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:13
@Jim: There’s only one reason I didn’t include Rooney. He is not a machine. This game was pretty much in our control and we could do well without him.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:13
@Jay wire: Actually Scholes is playing at such a high level that we can sell him easily regardless of his age and will get 20 million
.He is back to be compared with Xavi and others.The best player in last 20 years,no doubt.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:15
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Nice ratings. Here is mine for the heck of it.
EVDS 8/10 – Made some good reflex saves and was in control and focused all game.
NEVILLE 7/10 – Great cross for the first goal but poor crosses after that. Was strong defensively.
RIO 8.5/10 – Outstanding and had great position on balls into the box all night
VIDIC 9/10 – The Vidic of old. Ws in “Thou Shalt Not Pass” mode. I will cry uncontrollably if he bolts.
EVRA 6/10 – Nothing catastrophic but overall, a poor game where he was out of position often.
VALENCIA 7/10 – Needed to be more aggressive but still had a decent game.
NANI 8/10 (4/10 1st half, 10/10 in the 2nd) Killed the game off with his assist and pace in the second half.
FLETCHER 8/10 – Great goal but a strong presence in midfield. Never let Milan get a a hold of the midfield.
SCHOLES 7/10 – For me he was sort of quiet and as stupid as ever with his tackles. Some nice passes.
PARK 7/10 – Scored a great goal and ran hard but most of the time, our attack died because of his lack of skill and first touch. I do not put as much stock to hard running if there is no end product. Nice goal though
ROONEY 9/10 – The boy is just so special and I’m sure everyone in Italy and especially in Madrid is wondering what it will take to pry him loose? Try 200 million pounds. WORLD CLASS!! Did you get that Craig?
BERBA 6/10 – Nothing special
RAFAEL 7/10 – Nice assist but didn’t play long enough to get a higher grade for me.
GIBSON 5/10 – Useless.
FERGIE 10/10 Got it perfect even with Park on the pitch. It helped managing against a total quint in Leonardo, who was clearly out of his league.
Well done to the lads and here’s hoping we get Barca next. The sooner the better I say.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:16
@Beachryan: I think he was. And also in the post match interview he was holding back the tears.
With a G & G scarf to boot!
Legend.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:16
@owen: He’s God but this god has forsaken us. But even God gets the smack at the end. Right now mate, ROONEY IS GOD!
March 10th, 2010 at 23:17
Park performance today got me thinking. Him playing in that advanced midfield role could really be a weapon against creative midfielders like xavi and iniesta. Tonight Park really showed up. We may question his technical abilities but he is of use to this football club whatever anyone says. Hes scored against arsenal a few times, milan, chelsea. He does like the big games.Him there is also better than carrick I feel.
Rooney is fantastic not much can be said on him.
Nani was better in the 2nd half. What a pass.
The defence was very good. I hop Rio and Vida mantain their fitness
Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. These oldies turned back the clock tonight. Great performance. Neville just kicked Ronaldinho a few times and he never went back. Ended up in the middle.lmao!
Bring on Madrid!Ohhh wait there out hahaha. ‘My dream is to play for real’Sure son you can have it…
March 10th, 2010 at 23:17
@Grognard: I will add something in that reting.
Grog: 2(1st half)
Grog: 10(2nd half)
March 10th, 2010 at 23:18
@owen: Learn to live with with disappointment mate.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:19
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I’ll be shocked if Leonardo survives the weekend. I see Milan hiring some Italian fossil who is in retirement before Monday.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:21
@owen: And you base that 2/10 on what mate? The fact that I predicted an early goal and that I was right about everything in the first half? If anything, I deserve a 4/10 in the second half because Park scored and I was wrong about Nani.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:22
One thing noone mentioned is that Rooney scored big points tonight for the Ballon D’Or.
I know its still early, and its a world cup year and all, but remember how Kaka won it when he played basically one good game against us a few years back?
March 10th, 2010 at 23:23
@Grognard: Cant agree more about Gibson. He is absolutely shite. We could get a few million for him.Not good enough to even be backup
March 10th, 2010 at 23:23
Breaking News: Pelligrini has been beaten by Perez.Kaka ia available on free and Burnley and Bolton are fighting to get him.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:24
If today’s team had played the UCL final last year against Barca, I wonder what would have happened? Fletcher + Park is a great neutralizer against any midfield in the world…looks like we’ve found a winning combo in there.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:25
What was Mancini doing in the stands.Would he thought that Milan will beat us.The bastard.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:26
@Beachryan: To all the greedy cunts of the footballing world who feel Mecca is situated at the Santiago Bernebau Stadium in shit hole Madrid, I salute you. In fact all of Mancunia salutes you. Mates, lets all pull down our trousers together and salute Braveheart style all the greedy wankers who play for Madrid and who dream of playing for Madrid. You fucking tossers all deserve what you get there. Go to Madrid Franck Ribery, David Villa and all the rest of the greedy selfish cunts of the world who just don’t get it.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:26
@Traverse: Dude that’s exactly what I said in my reply. I don’t know whether ppl just repeat what they read and hear from the media’s many opinionated reporters and pundits or they actually make such assessments themselves
March 10th, 2010 at 23:26
@owen: Yes, by us. BRING EM ON. LET THEM COME.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:29
@NicoQB: Have you forgotten the players we were with out due to injury or suspension. Pato and company would not have made a difference because the core of Milan is old, lazy, slow and senile.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:30
@Grognard:
Djeko: I want to play for Milan
Ronaldo: I dream to play for Madrid
Ribery: If i will leave ,i will go to Madrid
Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
March 10th, 2010 at 23:31
@Jay wire: Rooney’s strong finishing allowed us to be a machine because for 48 minutes Milan had the most possession. That was far from machine-like. His two great goals were the difference between us being a machine and us nervously clinging to a 3-2 advantage. It’s amazing that you don’t see that.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:32
@owen: Who is better???
Park/Andy/Gibson
Tell the truth.
For me it is comparing Rooney with Campbell & Jones where Park is rooney.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:33
@owen: Careful mate. You may hurt yourself jumping on the bandwagon any harder than that. Me thinks that was just a tad exaggerated enthusiasm for the Ginger Ninja. Have a gulp of reality.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:34
VDS about Rooney:
I’ve played with Zinedine Zidane, Pippo Inzaghi and Ronaldo, but he has an immense hunger for football and wants to do everything in every game.”
March 10th, 2010 at 23:34
@antsBoy: Agree. If Park can reproduce this form week in week out, I’ll take him ahead of Carrick.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:37
@Grognard: Our go-to big game players were not injured or suspended. Rooney, Vidic and Fletcher all played.
THis wasn’t the case for Milan.
Anyway, I wager we would still have beaten a full strength Milan, but it would have probably been a closer scoreline.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:37
@NicoQB: The Balon D’Or is Messi’s to lose but both Rooney and Ronaldo have a shot at it. If Rooney scores 4 or 5 at the Wolrd Cup, he has a realistic shot at it. Ronaldo needs to have a great World Cup now that Madrid are out but his form for Madrid has been nothing short of sensational. He isn’t just scoring goals over there, he is setting many up also. BUT NOT TONIGHT.
Rooney has a real shot at it because I think both Argentina and Portugal will be light weight at the world Cup. England should do fairly well.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:37
@Grognard: No he is and will always remain my all time favourite irrespective of Zidane,Ronaldo,Messi and Klinsman who are also in my top 5 list.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:39
@Taehr: He’s obsessed with shooting and the reality is that he only connects well with the ball once out of every twenty attempts.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:41
@antsBoy: Fletcher would have made a difference but there was so much wrong with us that night in Rome. Lets just forget it shall we.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:42
@Grognard: Park can also win WPOTY Award
.The only midfielder of his type in whole Europe. 
March 10th, 2010 at 23:43
@owen: There are kids who are playing across the street in the park near where I live that are better than Anderson and more skillful than Park and Gibson.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:44
@owen: Does that stand for Wanker Prat of the Year?
Thank God there is only one of him in all of Europe or the decline of the European game esthetically would be cataclysmic.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:46
@NicoQB: Yes but the rest of our team wasn’t saddled with has been old men who couldn’t rise to the occasion. It was no contest either way you look at it.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:46
@Grognard: hahaha.No it is WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR ,mate
March 10th, 2010 at 23:47
@owen: You can not use the name “Park” with the word “Player” in the same sentence unless you offer up the name of someone he was marking or passing to.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:49
What is going on at LIVERPOOLS ,THE BIGGEST CLUB IN THE WORLD.THEY ARE PLAYING SOME TEAM CALLED LILLE OR LOTUS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:52
@owen: And that’s your right mate. I’m sure Scholesy appreciates it. As for me, my top 5 favorite of all time are Anderson, Park, Foster, Saha and Diouf. OOPS!
That was my five least favorite. My five favorite would be Mueller, Rummenigge, Beckenbauer, Klinsmann and Cantona. Long live the KING.
March 10th, 2010 at 23:53
@owen: What or who is Liverpool? And why should we care?
March 10th, 2010 at 23:54
@Grognard: I noticed today that how much SerieA has regressed.Milan are tital contenders there and i m sure they will not finish in top 8 in EPL.Once it used to be a dreams for all stars to play in Italy.But now….Milan have glorious history and can match us in that regard but their defence is not better than Stoke and their goalkeeper’s idol is Alumina.Then also they are second in the League there.Then how much worse be the team at 20 in the ranking in Italy.Can you imagine?I will definately watch one of that side’s game
March 10th, 2010 at 23:58
I have seen Cantona and Klinsman but before them i have not watched any one except on youtube.So i cant tell about them.But 3 players who have impressed me most are Scholsey,Ronaldo The God and Keano bcoz he was the only player in the world at that time who had the courage to challenge Viera and mostly dominate him.
March 11th, 2010 at 0:08
Why was Neville laughing when he came off?
March 11th, 2010 at 0:08
THAT’S REVENGE FOR YOU!!!
March 11th, 2010 at 0:11
@owen: Even La liga for all there stars isnt that great. People talk about the prem being predictable. In la liga its barca or Real every single year…Boring! Man City have brought new life to the prem and its much more exciting than seeing Real spend millions only to fuck up at the round of 16. Players should now think twice before moving to Madrid
March 11th, 2010 at 0:18
@owen: Have you noticed that both Serie A and the EPL have been hurt the past year by mass defections of major stars to Spain. Right now Barca and Madrid are the go to destinations for many stars and it is hurting the top teams in both England and Italy. But for Italy the rot started about three years ago with the big scandal that turned off a lot of players from going there. No longer is Juventus, Inter or AC Milan destination “A” spots. The great players know that the corruption is killing Italian football and that the more attractive football can be found in Spain, England and even Germany. Serves them right.
I will say this before I take a break and go back and watch the replay of the game. Tonight’s performance will hopefully go a long way in dissuading stars from going to Madrid and now they will consider coming to United despite our problems with the owners. That is provided we have the money and Fergie ins’t frugal. A win like this has got motivate players like Di Maria and Neuer to want to sign for us and I’m sure right now that if Fergie still wants him, Benzema is begging to come here. I say let him rot in Madrid. Tonight’s game was good PR for the club
March 11th, 2010 at 0:25
@owen: All great players mate but my experience goes much farther than who plays in Manchester. I grew up watching all the great German and Dutch masters and my favorites mostly come from there. I also appreciated other nations and players from Argentina and Brazil but loathed Italian, Spanish and French players except for Cantona who for me is really German but doesn’t know it.
My favorite United players would be in order,
1. CANTONA
2. RONALDO
3. BEST
4. BECKHAM
5. SCHMEICHEL
6. ROONEY
7. KEANE
8. GIGGS
9. BRUCE
10 RVN
March 11th, 2010 at 0:26
@EduardoDaVinci4: How sweeeeeeet it is.
March 11th, 2010 at 0:29
@Grognard: 11. ANDERSON?
March 11th, 2010 at 0:29
ROONEY, better than fucking ronaldo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great victory, well deserved and fully satisfying; bring on the next round and comon Rooney; you can get to 43!!
March 11th, 2010 at 0:32
@Grognard: I watched the game at my mate, who is a Milan fan. I’ve got a lot of stick this season for standing up to Fletcher, saying he is truly a world class midfielder now. Then he goes saying he can name at least 10. AC Milan players who are better than Darren…
When that fourth goal went in… I saw his life flash before his eyes. I felt guilty, but it felt OH SO FUCKING SWEET!!!
Brilliant moment. One I will never forget.
March 11th, 2010 at 0:44
Show some respect to AC Milan. Over two legs they created at least a dozen great chances against us. Had their strikers been of better quality than Borrielo and Huntellar the tie would have been a whole lot closer. Ok they gave up after half time today, but can you blame them? Better teams have rolled over. Hell we rolled over in Rome last year.
We got the early goal at just the right moment and killed them off at the start of the second half. If they had scored first it would have been more of a game.
They are a spent force but they had many moments where they showed glimpses of the team they used to be. The first thirty minutes at San Siro they absolutely murdered us and it could have been three or four nil up by half time. Even today they created some neat chances.
We deserve a lot of credit over the two legs. We did not lose our heads in the first leg. We, and Rooney in particular, were absolutely clinical and took advantage of Milan’s defensive frailties. We were disciplined in midfield and endured long periods where Milan dominated possession without losing our cool.
This was the sort of mature negotiation of a difficult fixture that eluded us for much of Fergie’s reign. We played to our strengths and for most of the tie we neutralised Milan’s strengths.
The main problem is that there are still holes in our midfield and defence and if Milan can create as many chances as they did, you can guarantee a team like Barcelona will be able to as well, and will finish more of those chances off. But I am sure we can build on this victory and when we meet a sterner test we will be ready for it.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:14
@EduardoDaVinci4: Reminds me of the song “The King of Wishful Thinking”.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:17
@EduardoDaVinci4: I hope you let him have it because your friend is a true idiot and you should tell him that the Grognard said so. Fletcheinho right now is the only player in world football that I would want as my DMF except for a healthy Hargreaves. And can you imagine out “Thou Shalt Not Pass” defense if both he and Hargo are on the pitch at the same time? I’m having an orgasm thinking about it.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:26
@Grognard: And I’m having an orgasm thinking about that.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:36
Wow great result(S)
wat a lovely day to be a united supporter. i am happy fergie kept his word and actually attacked. this season has been so dull and all of a sudden its becomin lively. I hope we get barcelona in the next round and rape them .. It might give rooney a chance to show messi who the better player is 
March 11th, 2010 at 1:36
@RM: Whatever gets you through the night mate.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:39
I am anticipating March 19th when we find out who we meet in the Quarter finals. At the beginning of the season I predicted in my typical doom and gloom manner that we would get knocked out at the quarter final stage. I just hope it’s not my other favorite team Bayern.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:45
@Taehr: agree i think he is only played now to up his value for the summe
I think we took a gamble on him to play him with berba to flick to and let the cannon loose. bc alot of berbas game are his flicks layofs and 1,2s. but he needs to go along with PIG if were getting a new keeper. the fees for the two of them could give us a little extra $$ to splash on replacements.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:48
@antsBoy: just think how fletch and hargo would work with carrick or scholes ahead of them. fingers crossed that he comes threw tomorrows match confident and playing at his best.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:50
Only really fear Barca, I think United at their best are better than any of the other teams still in it – obviously we still have a good chance of going out due to a poor performance or bad luck.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:52
@gator: Hargreaves isn’t playing Thursday’s match unfortunately.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:54
@Grognard: Di Maria and Neuer would be a statement of intent by united and the world including ronnys team and messis team would shit themselves.
if hargo makes a full comeback i would be happy with just those two. if not give me rodwell too
March 11th, 2010 at 2:04
@colver: Roma demolishing was in 2007 — that’s 3 years ago!
Injury or is he being “rested” for some real action this weekend for the first team?
@RM:
March 11th, 2010 at 2:12
Apparently the match “doesn’t fit in with his recovery schedule”… whatever that means.
Official news: http://tinyurl.com/yk2a3vx
March 11th, 2010 at 3:19
@gator: I agree with you completely. COMPLETELY.
March 11th, 2010 at 3:25
@RM: Could it be the nature of the pitch? They are extremely vague.
March 11th, 2010 at 4:42
Yeah, just saw no Hargo. Gutted, almost the perfect United supporting day!
Really worry. Makes you think Fergie told him he’ll be playing, and he turned around and said no.
As for the schedule comment, only thing I can come up with is that he was doing 3 days a week or something, and maybe Thursday isn’t one of them. Not a good sign.
March 11th, 2010 at 4:44
Also, can Becks please become a ‘Red Knight’ and splash some cash to buy us
March 11th, 2010 at 5:41
Well where would I start – 4-0 over Milan – in a game that we just cruised and rolled over a far more inferior side!!
MOM Rooney, hands down. Runner-up, Park – no question!!. Did a job on Pirlo like no other, and contributed very, very well to out attacking efforts.
I thought Milan bringing on Seedorf at halftime was dumb. Our midfield, already holding our own, then became dominant. The story of the game was written right there!!
I thought Rooney was magnificent. He was the the catalyst and the target of everything we did – in the end, he simply was untouchable.
Vidic and Rio, together, made a massive difference for us at the back – muscling them into an outside game. A clean sheet and a confident performance, made us as formidable we can can remember from a while back.
It seems that the weakness in our attack has made us much more vital right across our midfield!
Without a creative attacking central threat, we now rely on using our very able wide men, to divert, but more importantly, open channels in the center of defenses that would normally hold on our strikers.
Five is better than four, and Rooney alone is better than Rooney and Berbatov!!
Overall, a wonderful demolition of the Italian pretenders, and another sign that our seemingly big weakness, our Midfield, has been morphed into a monster that can stifle the best of them!!
March 11th, 2010 at 5:57
@[OPTI]Madschester United: If you look at it over two legs, this was a greater demolition of an Italian giant than Roma was. We actually lost the first leg of that one.
March 11th, 2010 at 6:12
@Redrich: I’ve said for a while now that the 4-5-1 that we have been using works better than 4-4-2 simply because of the tactical and physical flexibility of our two wide players. With Nani and Valencia or even Park on the left side we seem to be able to defend like 4-5-1 but then turn it up a notch, more them up front more and really revert to a 4-3-3 when it suits us. This is fast becoming the tactic of choice for many strong European sides that are blessed with strong wingers. Bayern Munich are also blessed by using this now because they have a dynamic combination with Robben and Ribery wide to attack and support the lone striker who may be either Gomez or Klose but not both. And of course Barcelona and Madrid use it because they to have outstanding wide players. The key though is that those wide players need to be able to commit to defense as well and track back. Notice how Milan’s wide players refused to do that tonight.
March 11th, 2010 at 6:19
@Grognard: I will actually agree with you. I re-watched the last 10 minutes and saw the final aggregate score. It was 7-2 while Roma 2007 was 8-3. Overall, our play and home-away results were better against Milan.
Today is a day that makes me happy to be an OPTI!
March 11th, 2010 at 6:23
A very short and sweet article that makes me so happy. What would make me even happier is to be in the Champions League final this year for many reasons but mostly because it will be held at the Santiago Bernebau Stadium in Madrid. What better vengence is there than the knowledge we are playing for the ultimate prize on Real Madrid’s home pitch while they are out golfing and while Ronaldo is crying in his mother’s lap asking her why nobody stopped him from demanding a move to such an inferior organization.
http://www.manchesterunited.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=191230
March 11th, 2010 at 6:38
@antsBoy: Exquisite, exquisite, exquisite, from Nani – considering he was playing out of position on the left
. His assist for Rooney’s tap in – game over for Milan 
. I was going MAD at the game, because Nani would have, and should have had a least 3 more definate assists if great passes to our players around the box had been planted in the net as they should have been. I was screaming at the players who didn’t take advantage of Nani’s gifts of passes to them – people were killing themselves laughing at my exasperations 
.
March 11th, 2010 at 6:40
My Wish List for the Near Future:
1. We win our next matches against Chelsea and Liverpool
2. We win the EPL for a record 19th time and 12th for Fergie
3. We stun the world and win the Champion League for the 4th time in Madrid with ease for a change
4. The Glazer’s decide to finally sell the club after an acceptable bid is accepted
5. We sign Manuel Neuer as our new #1 goalkeeper
6. We sign Milos Krasic or Angel Di Maria or David Silva but only one of them
7. We sign Jack Rodwell
8. We sign Joe Cole on a free transfer
9. We sign a world class striker (I don’t care who it is as long as he is world class)
10. We hold a testimonial match for David Beckham
11. We sell Anderson or give him away for all I care at this point
12. Fergie calls upon Grognard for advice on signing and selling players
13. That Owen Hargreaves makes a healthy and triumphant return to the club
14. That Ronaldo admits to the media that he made a terrible mistake leaving Man Utd
15. That Red Ranter return to his blog because we all miss him
March 11th, 2010 at 6:43
March 11th, 2010 at 6:49
@CraigMc: Honestly mate, I would pay solid cash to see your reactions in the stands anytime Nani did something great but especially when others would screw up his setups in the second half. That would be priceless. Also, what would also have been priceless would have been my reactions to all his stupid, careless and wasteful moments in the first half where I was shouting at him through the tv and cursing his existence. But I take it back because he more than redeemed himself in the second half and the run and pass he made to Rooney for the second goal was just the kind of pass I love to see in the game and that as a team we do not attempt often enough. I was preparing adoption papers after that because I was going to make him my boy. He was a 10/10 in that second half with his passes, his running and his tracking back. In that first half however he was a 4/10 and deserving of my wrath. But WOW, did he ever redeem himself. You get the feeling Fergie used the hairdryer on him a little at halftime. It seemed to do the job because he stepped it up into a higher gear and his passes were beautiful into the box. I agree, he should have had at least three assists today if not for the wastefulness of players like Valencia and Park and a few last second desperation defensive lunges by Milan players. Well done by the Lil Man.
March 11th, 2010 at 6:52
@CraigMc: Newsflash! To Ronaldo. NANI NOT FOR SALE. Read it and weep.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:00
Good result, wait perfect result. Its called sweet revenge. Orgasmic. Running out of words here.
2 seasons ago when ronaldo scored, 42 goals i thought no one will ever top that in a season, am starting to think otherwise. Rooney is simply unstopable. Nani pass for the second was out of this world, inch perfect from the out side of his foot. He made me want to delete all my posts that i have been demanding we sign a natural quality left winger.
2 clean sheets in a row, fingers crossed we manage to keep all our defenders fit for the run in.
Shock of the night, neville actually managed to put dinho in his back pocket. Bring on arsenil.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:37
@phoenix red: Just checking if you made it out alive and in 1 piece after the thrashing Milan got.
March 11th, 2010 at 8:11
@godzilla: i think ther is an arsenil blog you can post that there, trust me, arsenil fans i know think there players over pass when they get into the box, is the a matter of thinkin the lawn is greener on the other side. After such a perfomance, which we could have easily scored 7 goals,i dint expect as to fault the mid. Fergy once again, proved a genius and he got the tactics spot on.
March 11th, 2010 at 8:35
@Traverse: I’d luv to watch that pic, becks with the green and gold. Legend
March 11th, 2010 at 8:51
@owen: 3 lung park was the player who covered a lot of milage accordind to official stats. There is just something about him that makes us not see his contribution, but its no coincidence that every time we’ve played him this season against top opposition we have won.
March 11th, 2010 at 9:51
Superb gamae and atmosphere last niht, one of the best European games I have been to, Rooney yet again was superb the fans though get a lot of credit last night never stopped singing, I have an awful hangover but it is worth it!!!!
LUHG
March 11th, 2010 at 10:08
@Grognard: Number 12 sounds more realist from that list, considering the wa@Grognard: ronaldo crying on his mothers lap
Marca says ronaldo has confided that he secretly wishes he was with utd, and stealing all the head lines. Ronaldo who? was what i said after that terrific pass from nani.
March 11th, 2010 at 10:27
lets give becks a testimonial. Read his interview and he still loves the club, becks united number 1 fan.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:14
@Grognard: Oh I can just imagine you on the terraces Grog – your lone BOOMING voice and your wrath with any stupidity or complacency among the players, resounding for all to hear around the ground
. I know you would enjoy yourself. My mates were egging me on to start my own range of ‘we all love Nani’ T shirts in green and gold, and sell them on the corner at OT 
. They like winding me up by giving Nani some terrace abuse when they think he messed up, but I give it back to their favourite Rooney every time he gives the ball away, which believe me is a hundred times more than Nani 
. Trouble is though, I then get a load of abuse raining down on me from practically the whole stand fans surrounding me for saying anything untoward about Rooney – can’t win at all Grog 
.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:19
@Grognard: Not too sure about that Grog, when Nani was interviewed post game by MUTV, they asked what he thought of the fantastic BECKS reception, and if it made him feel like he would like to stay at United for a long time to get that kind of accolade from the fans. While ackowledging the fans applause and great reception for Becks, he dodged the ‘would you like to stay at United for a long time like Becks bit’
.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:54
I agree Nani was on fire in the second half, but in the first half he was absolutely awful and most of Milan’s counter attacks started with Nani giving the ball away. Similarly in the first leg he was awful.
Nani is just a true enigma. He is either super good or super bad. He cannot ever seem to find a happy medium. I’m convinced it is to do with confidence. If he starts a game and loses the ball a few times, then his confidence plummets and he plays shit. However if he just has one successful dribble or makes a good pass, he blossoms like a flower and his entire game goes up several knotches.
All wingers are a bit inconsistent (well apart from Ronaldo!), but the key for Nani is raising his bottom game. Even on a bad day Nani has to contribute and be an asset not a liability.
Obviously we had enough chances to score seven goals last night and the players lost their urgency once the game was wrapped up. The last half hour in particular was like a training exercise. Disappointing as Id have loved us to win five or six nil.
And I agree 4-5-1 is the best formation provided Rooney is on his own up front. Berbatov is not a target man and when he plays in that position it looks more like 4-6-0.
The tactic that seems to work best for us is soaking up pressure and breaking with speed. European sides in general do not know how to handle pace and are often weak in the air, which is where Rooney now excels.
March 11th, 2010 at 13:08
Nani, I agree, was largely anonymous in the first half, but thankfully, we weren’t chasing this game. Most impressive players on the pitch though, Ji-Sun Park and Valencia, easily. Easily outran that ageing Milan squad
http://bigfourza.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/flawless-united-steamroll-milan/
March 11th, 2010 at 13:10
I want to know one thing.When Rooney plays against Vida in training,then he wins headers or not???Against Chelsea ,it was no bcoz JT and Carvalho are too strong in the air.
March 11th, 2010 at 13:13
Scholes is 36 and Ronaldinho is 29.But yesterday it seemed that Scholsey is 25 where as Ronaldinho is 75.This is the difference due to the attitude and also differentiates the approach of coaches like Leonardo and others with our SAF.
March 11th, 2010 at 13:14
@colver: Sometimes the comedowns on Nani can get a bit boring Colver, as I am sure my support of the lad can sometimes. However could you tell me a MEANINGFUL ball that Valencia put into the area in last nights game, or the setting up of any other United player by Valencia for an OPEN shot on goal. Just wonder why Nani gets ripped apart and others in same circumstances or worse circumstances don’t??? Also I don’t entirely agree that every time their was breakdown in play in the first half it was Nani giving the ball away, TRY the super Rooney mate too, because very often he gave the ball away, as he tends to do in many a game. That Colver is a weakness in the otherwise excellent Rooney game lately, but he seldom gets criticised because he scores the goals! That isn’t just me being biased either mate. I defy anybody to watch the game thru again, and the one in Italy, and not find a whole quota of Rooney’s giving the ball away cheaply. If he got that part of his game sussed too, then he would get world No1 recognition or should do!
March 11th, 2010 at 13:17
@RedDuck: Park yes, Valencia NO – his tracking back defensive part of his game was good, but his attacking part wasn’t mate!
March 11th, 2010 at 13:20
The only player with whom Nani can be compared is Balotelli.
Both are gifted.Both do nothing for 75 mins.Both are super in rest 15 mins.
Both are arrogant.
Both are left out of the team a lot.
Both’s managers are great and are worried with them.
Both will be world class and stars in 2 years.
Both will leave their current club in nearby future.
March 11th, 2010 at 13:39
Word goes in Spain that Real M want Nani AND wait for it Wayne Rooney – well nobody is surprised there. Word back from England to Real M – there is more chance of United recapturing Ronaldo, than Rooney and Nani going to Spain – WTF?
March 11th, 2010 at 13:41
Anybody hazard a guess whether Rooney will be left out of our next game again? Fergie is wanting to be very protective with Rooneys dodgy knees
.
March 11th, 2010 at 13:52
@CraigMc: It’s Fulham at old Trafford on Sunday, so maybe he’ll start on the bench.
The Joe Cole to United talk is hotting up further, as it looks like Chelsea have made a final offer of a £36,000 one year contract. He’s 28! That’s another 10 years at Milan at least if he wanted!
March 11th, 2010 at 14:24
@Traverse: Yeah I know its Fulham and WE OWE them payback big time! If Rooney is benched or left out altogether, Fergie mustn’t play Berba up front on his own – because I have a feeling Scholesy won’t be there to rescue us in this game as he did against Wolves. Diouf will at least get into the box, and drag others in there with him as he did against wolves, and that is what we need. All this playing outside the box when Rooney isn’t in the team is very impotent to say the least. Owen can do the Rooney up front in the box thing, but Berba can’t
.
March 11th, 2010 at 14:34
@CraigMc: I’d imagine he’d start Diouf and Berba, and bring on Rooney for Diouf if needs be.
March 11th, 2010 at 14:38
@CraigMc: I think you are Nani obsessed bro
March 11th, 2010 at 16:48
So here’s my new idea for how to make Berba a useful member of the squad. This summer, when everyone else is rocking out in South Africa, Berba is locked in Carrington, forced to practice long range shots under the careful guidance of Gibson and Scholes. He is allowed one touch to control, and has to shoot with the second.
If he could actually shoot from the great positions he takes up on the edge of the box, he’d be devestating. Right now defenders know to back off and block passing lanes because all he’s going to do is flick it or roll it to a winger/other striker. But imagine if he was a threat with the shot too. Brilliance. And it worked for Rooney’s heading, so it has to work, right?
March 11th, 2010 at 17:08
@Beachryan: Ya he will do but not here.He will doing it at some other club.The time is over for him.
March 11th, 2010 at 17:29
@CraigMc: Let them have Nani – for 40 million?
Nani would unfortunately not be good for Madrid. Any poor games and he gets relegated to the bench. That would be the end of Nani’s career.
@Traverse: Fulham at OT. Time for some more revenge. This is must win as well. We need to start rooney and take him off if we get ahead by 1st half.
March 11th, 2010 at 17:33
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I think they need defenders more, this site is turning into the Nani fan club….
March 11th, 2010 at 17:34
You guys see that Gerrard is not reprimanded further for his verbal attack of the ref at the Wigan game? A cuss and flicking V’s was not enough to see Gerrard sent off or get FA reprimands…. tsk tsk tsk.
FA: Consistency or conspiracy?
March 11th, 2010 at 17:41
@Stephen: was it not for Craig’s fervor in protecting Nani, this site would in no semblance be pro-Nani.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:05
I just received a personalized letter from MUST asking me to add my name to a letter which will be sent to Beckham, Cantona and other legends in order to convince them to join the anti Glazer cause and to seek their support. Suffice it to say, I signed willingly and wrote a brief plea to my heroes to take the request seriously and to follow all of us now the way we so loyally followed them in the past. I doubt this will get them to do it as it would probably cause them to be cast out of any formal United gatherings of alumni, but you never know.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:07
@Man Utd Jaluo: Could it be the lack of skill with a football? On the other hand he would be a great long distance track star.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:12
@Man Utd Jaluo: The sad reality is that you are right, there is a stronger chance of me working for United then of getting any of those other wishes to come true.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:17
@CraigMc:
Sounds like you were having a fantastic time mate. I would give anything to be able to experience that once at OT. I have experienced live games in Europe before but what I would give to experience Manchester United live at OT? WOW! Mind you I would probably get murdered within 15 minutes if they were playing poorly due to my doom and gloom, and you are right, my voice is a booming one that is strong and carries. But I think I would not have a voice today had I been there because I would have lost it from all the positive screaming and singing I would have done in that second half. It’s games like that which bond us all mate despite our disagreements and viewpoints because at the end of the day, we are UNITED FOR LIFE. 
March 11th, 2010 at 18:20
@[OPTI]Madschester United: People have been making him out as the reincarnation of George Beat
March 11th, 2010 at 18:24
That’s it then. I have procrastinated long enough. I need to order my very own Newton Heath jersey and a scarf because I cannot go without one. Anyone have a suggestion as to where the best place is to purchae these items online? Somehow I do not think they are available at the Man Utd online shop.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:31
@CraigMc: I can only hope he doesn’t get sold mate. I hope you feel the same. Despite the poor treatment of him in the past, it appears that Fergie has finally seen the merit in the lad and I now feel he has the bright future with the club, especially if he can play better on the left side like he did in the second half yesterday. The boy’s biggest problem so far has been lack of concentration, low confidence and not being played enough. Well that’s all coming to an end it seems. His concentration is still a work in progress but his confidence is way up and lets face it, when he isn’t suspended, he is being played. It can only get better. Other than Di Maria and Silva and of course Ribery, there is nobody I would rather have over on the left side. And even though I have warmed up to Valencia, I still prefer Nani on the right side for big games. I’m still orgasmic after that pass he made to Rooney for the second goal. Passes like that and goals like that is why footy is the best sport in the world bar none. Here’s hoping Nani stays for a good long time. If Real does come a calling though, it will be tough to keep him because of his friendship with Ronaldo and with the inevitability that Anderson will soon be gone. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:37
@colver: Yesterday was proof to me that his problem is not one of confidence or certainly a lack of ability but one of proper concentration and focus. His nerves got the better of him at the beginning but a good talking down to at halftime woke him up and made him concentrate better. When he is focused he is truly the best true winger out there because his speed and distribution are truly fantastic. You take his skill and speed and add Valencia’s concentration and intelligence and you would have the perfect winger.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:41
@owen: The big improvement in Rooney’s aerial game is not because heis making better contact or jumping higher or being more physical. It’s because he has learned after so long how to be more predatory in the box. His positioning in the box these days is magnificent. I remember how he used to always be to far away for a good cross. Now he likes to stay right in the middles about 6 or seven yards directly in front of the keeper. That judgment and instinct is getting him far more chances than he has ever gotten before. Now if we could only get that kind of instinct and desire to score from Count Berbatov, life would be truly sublime.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:44
@owen: Ronaldinho was a disgrace yesterday, not because he played poorly but his lack of effort, especially in tracking back was a major reason for our win and control of Milan’s left side. He was and always has been talented but very lazy. I love talented offensive players and I have never been a major proponent of strikers tracking back but wingers must. Ronaldinho never crossed the halfway line to enter his team’s side of the pitch all game. So with all the lack of pace and age Milan have, add a poor and lazy work ethic too.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:50
@CraigMc: I think the problem is that Nani plays to extremes. Their is no middle ground in his game. He either really really sucks (first half), or he is lights out fantastic (second half). Valencia is quieter but more consistent and he does a better job tracking back. But nobody should ever make the mistake of claiming that Valencia has more physical talent than Nani because that is just not the case. He is smarter and safer, but not better. Nani can suck for an entire game but all he needs is one opportunity and one moment of sheer class and skill and bingo, we have a goal. That is vital for a team which plays in a sport where there are not a lot of scores. If Nani can learn to track better and be a better marker, he will become much more of an automatic choice to start. I hate it when he loses the ball but like Arshavin, for every 2 mistakes he makes, he also contributes a moment or play of sheer class and skill that Valencia or anyone else on the team or in the league can match.
March 11th, 2010 at 18:56
@Stephen: George Beat? Never heard of him.
March 11th, 2010 at 19:01
@Beachryan: Beachy quote – “He is allowed one touch to control the ball.” Mate Berba has only EVER needed one touch to control the ball – Rooney however, well that’s a different matter
. It is the Roon who needs to learn to control a ball with the one touch, and if he eventually masters that craft – well like I said in earlier post, he will be the best of the best!
March 11th, 2010 at 19:11
@Grognard: Funnily enough Grog, I was watching the European highlights of all our games this year on MUTV, and Nani did get that one pass that led to s goal. Against CSKA, Besiktas AWAY games it was a Nani assist that led to our away goal and 3 point wins. We know how that mattered to keep us in Europe, because think what happened at OT in the games against those teams – we lost against Besiktas and drew against CSKA, so one point only! Away in Germany, everyone thought we wouldn’t get points, but Nani to Micky Owen and opening goal for us – an that brought confidence to go on and win. The assist goal last night to put an end to Milan and finish their hopes of winning the tie. I would say that Nani has played a big part in us still being in Europe. He may not be on fire all the game in matches, but if he does that one thing that is meaningful in helping secure points, that is all that matters to me Grog.
March 11th, 2010 at 19:14
@Stephen:
, I think not mate – he is non alcoholic 
.
March 11th, 2010 at 19:16
@[OPTI]Madschester United: My protective fervour still doesn’t lead to this site being pro Nani
. It does give the lad a shout on here though 
.
March 11th, 2010 at 19:21
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Opti I think you might be wrong mate! Have you got United end of season review dvd of Nani’s 1st season with us? If you have, run thru it mate, and you will see that Nani when Fergie played him, made a good few goals for Ronnie with his inswinging balls to the box. 2nd highest in assists that season just one behind Rooney. Rooney played nearly every game, Nani didn’t. Think about it Bro.
March 11th, 2010 at 19:26
@Stephen:
– someone has to support the lad, he has been more maligned by United fans than any other player at the club since he joined us, and yet as I said, his assists in Europe meant we won some games that would otherwise have been 1 point draws for us. I am not just being biased Stephen, I am telling the truth mate. Also why am I Nani obsessed, and yet those who fully support other players like Rooney, Fletch, Scholesy etc etc are not accused of being obsessed. It is only a problem Stephen bro to those who can’t say a decent thing about the lad, even when he deserves a decent shout!
March 11th, 2010 at 19:30
@Traverse: I think that would be good Trav, because we were pretty awful at wolves with not a strike on goal really, and seldom anyone in the box until Diouf came on and things improved. I know he made a mess of his attempts, but I also hope that if Fergie can sort that out for him in training, then we will have a good player on the cheap.
March 11th, 2010 at 19:53
@CraigMc: Your blind nani love is bordering on ridiculous. The fact your continually trying to downplay Valencia contributions is a joke. There is a reason fergie prefers Valencia on the right over nani and that reason is consistency. That right footed cross nani gave for the second goal was nothing short of spectacular. I like Valencia but we all know he doesn’t have that type of skill in his locker. What he lacks in flair he makes up in quality balls into the box, just ask Wayne Rooney about his service.
Again, Valencia is no Ronaldo. But I have a hard time believing that fergie could have made a better signing for the money we have.
March 11th, 2010 at 20:02
This Eden Hazard fella is rather handy. Couple that with our apparent interest in Stephen Defour…an all Belgian double-signing? Gibbo and Anderson out…hrm…
March 11th, 2010 at 20:53
A team called Liverpool lost to Lille today!
March 11th, 2010 at 20:54
@Grognard: Er yes mate my hangover typing is shite
March 11th, 2010 at 21:17
@Johnsom33: Errrr you must have missed the bit where I said Valencia’s defensive game was excellent, and you talk about my blind love –
. I say play Valencia in the big games, leave Nani out, and lets just see if Fergie’s decision is completely right eh mate. You still haven’t answered my question though, please tell me a meaningful Valencia attacking contribution that led to something last night.
March 11th, 2010 at 21:24
By the way Johnsom – just tell me which part of my Nani comments weren’t right? I know the European statements were, and you can’t deny it. I believe the other statements were too – so I find it very hard to see where you are coming from – but then your not alone in your complaints about my Nani support are you. Well tough bloody cookies mate, because I could have a right go at you and others about who you support, and your love for certain players which I might find equally ridiculous, but then I can’t be arsed, because I believe in letting people support the players they want to support.
March 11th, 2010 at 21:38
Oh and from I’ve heard De Laet won’t be playing this weekend, or anytime soon, after likely leg break in the reserves game. Stretched off with oxygen.
March 11th, 2010 at 21:45
@CraigMc: Im a nani fan and I always have been. My only issue with you is that in the past you slagged of valencia just because he was nani’s competition.
March 11th, 2010 at 21:57
@Johnsom33: I’m sorry mate, but I have never slagged Valencia off just because he was Nani’s competition, that is IN YOUR HEAD – not mine! When I called Valencia – Valenci-dire it was after games where I felt he was dire, and when he wasn’t getting stuck in as he is now. I gave my reasons for why I felt he was dire, though they may not be reasons you agreed with – and that’s fair enough. I give all the players a hard time when I feel they are not cutting it at any particular time, and the only reason I don’t lambast Nani when he has a bad game, is because you all DO IT FOR ME
.
March 11th, 2010 at 21:59
@Beachryan: Bloody hell, what Man shitty bastard did that to the lad???
March 11th, 2010 at 22:11
@NicoQB: Dude Kaka was rockin it in Italy. But the truth is that season Ronaldo did more and it was so clear. In fact Kaka wasn’t even the best player in Serie A that season. I’d have gone for Francesco Totti that year but he did play very well.
March 11th, 2010 at 22:11
@ Craig, not sure. Didn’t look that bad in real time, but serious concern.
We drew 2-2, btw. Reece Brown scored a header, but then also gave up a late penalty for handball. The One is saving his goals for Sunday.
March 11th, 2010 at 22:14
@Grognard: What are u talking about? I said Rooney is not a machine so he can’t be expected to play in every single game. He’ll be worn out.
March 11th, 2010 at 22:25
@Grognard: On current form,Rooney is streets ahead of Ronaldo and Messi for the WPOTY. They all need to have great WC performances,and with Capello I think Rooney will have the edge. Unfortunately England will never win any competition so that will go against him if either of Messi or Ronaldo win it. But Portugal have a worse record in tournaments and should continue that tradition and Argentina though I’ll be supporting them,are being coached by Diego Maradona and that should make their fate rather obvious. by year end Rooney is not in the top 2 then I’ll be mightily shocked. But can u believe that just weeks ago we were arguing with some ppl here who declared Rooney is not world class. Show yourselves now. Biggest serving of humble pie.
March 11th, 2010 at 22:40
@Taehr: Actually,La Liga is less predictable than the EPL. I will admit with Barca and Madrid’s spending recently it’s become a little more predictable. In England we have won the title 3 times in a row. Twice. In one decade. This year we can make it 4 in row. In Spain off the top of my head,I know of Deportivo,Valencia,Barca and Real Madrid winning in the same period. The balance has changed only because of the money. Valencia is broke,Sevilla don’t have enough quality to match the mega million stars at Nou Camp or the Bernebau. Villareal are from a town with less ppl than Bolton. In Italy,it used to be more open until Juve were relegated and Milan has not recovered either. Now it’s all Inter. I’d go for Germany as the most unpredictable league
March 11th, 2010 at 22:53
@Jay wire: He wasn’t world class mate at the time people said that! But then that is just peoples opinions, and apart from the last few months Rooney wasn’t all that to write home about. He has good now, so lets hope he sustains it into all of next season.
March 11th, 2010 at 22:56
@Beachryan: Beachy – Reece Brown is nowhere near as good a prospect as his brother was – is he? So we only managed a draw – and it was on our patch wasn’t is Bro?
March 12th, 2010 at 0:02
CraigMc attacking Valencia isn’t really an excuse for Nani’s first half performance which was dire. We all know what your boy can do. The real question is why he is so inconsistent. His performances are entirely schitzophrenic. When he is on his game he is unplayable. When he is off his game he is next to useless and a liability.
That is the mystery. According to Grognard it is a lack of focus and concentration. My view is it is a combination of irregular playing time and confidence problems. I’d be interested in your take on it.
As for Valencia he gets cut more slack, because even when his offensive game isn’t working he still tracks back and does his defensive duties and made some key tackles last night. Because his game is less based on dribbling he also loses the ball less.
We all know that on his day Nani is twice the player Valencia is. But Valencia is very steady and has provided a lot of goals and assists this season.
March 12th, 2010 at 0:37
@Jay wire: i think add to that inconsistency…we have had more tightly fought races in the last 7-8 years where consistency and quality has been the epitome of success…most la liga teams bar Barca does a Sunderland or Hull all the time..go on a winning streak for while and then on a heavy slump…the three different winners since 2000 have all been about consistent winners Arsenal’s so called invisibles and Murinho’s Chelsea years…even in the CL we have been consistently making it to last 8 or 4 in the past season…if it’s a merry go round Bundesliga and to some extent Ligue 1 are the games you wanna see
March 12th, 2010 at 0:40
@colver: FFS some of you lot on here should form a mutual ‘we are determined to misconstrue’ society. I haven’t attacked Valencia – I just said that he didn’t make a meaningful ATTACKING contribution to the game last night. That is a fact, not an attack. Some of you lot should go back thru my post comments, and also note that I haven’t come against any of your opinions about Nani – because your all entitled to think what you like. Just get it right if you are going to accuse another poster of something though. Why not just start a little ‘this is a rant site, but make sure your rant is nice – kinda shit.’
. Since when is having an opinion about a player certifiable as an attack. Besides when did this blog cease to be a RANT SITE, with people policing what others say or feel? You are one of the most forthright about speaking your mind on players, so don’t go on about me having the same rights. Attacking Valencia my arse!
March 12th, 2010 at 1:22
Sorry CraigMc if I misconstrued your post. Hope there are no hard feelings
March 12th, 2010 at 2:01
@Jay wire: I thought you were referring to him for the game only. All I was saying is that we were not that much of a machine for 45 minutes. Once we scored the second goal we were. Just misunderstood.
March 12th, 2010 at 2:13
@Jay wire: Couldn’t disagree with you more. Messi is having another great year and scoring lots of goals for the best team in the world and the darling of FIFA and UEFA. Ronaldo’s form for Real Madrid makes Rooney look very ordinary trust me. I have watched all of their games and although the team leaves a lot to be desired, Ronaldo has been in incredible form not only scoring a lot of goals but setting up as many also. Right now he would be the player I would choose if the vote was held today. But it’s not and the World Cup will play a major role in who wins. Ordinarily Messi would have the advantage because Argentina is usually a co favorite to win the trophy. But not this year. Under Maradona they are a joke and only got in by the skin of their teeth.
The same can be said about Portugal who are even more of a long shot. And although I know many fancy England, I do not. Even with Capello I find this team has many holes and lacks proper leadership and purpose. I think the back four is a shambles with a frequently hurt Rio, a questionable RB, no first team LB and John Terry who has been in poor form and who is a major distraction. The goalkeeping at the World cup level is laughable. Up front we have Rooney and a sweet prayer after that. The midfield is strong with talent but too many players are playing roles unaccustomed to them. It’s a mess waiting to happen. And yet I think they will go farther than Argentina and Portugal but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Ronaldo getting knocked out of Europe so early hurts his chances greatly unless Madrid win La Liga. So right now it is Messi vs Rooney with the WC the playground which will determine the winner.
March 12th, 2010 at 2:25
@CraigMc: For absolute sure, on this blog, your fanatical support of Nani has created a bit of a backlash!!
Your undying devotion to the boy sees no wrong in anything that he does – and as we all know, mate, nobody’s perfect.
Give him a more objective critique and I’m sure folks here will see some of the hidden treasures that blind you constantly!!
March 12th, 2010 at 3:09
@Grognard: This is what I’ve bee talking about for some time.
If we can get some ex-players (like Beckham) to back the cause, this would give the whole thing a lot more cred.
I just suppose that a lot of them are still on the payroll in some way or another and won’t bite the hand that feeds them!!
March 12th, 2010 at 3:16
@Grognard: If Rooney keeps scoring and United get to the CL Final, he’s the Ballon D’or and/or WPOTY, hands down!!
A 40 goal season will not go unrewarded.
March 12th, 2010 at 3:25
@colver: A thought about Valencia v Nani.
With Nani we all know what he’s capable of, and it’s because he doesn’t always live up to those expectation, he gets slayed for inconsistency.
With Valencia, we see a much more predictable package – we know what we’re going to get. He certainly has his limitations, but we know this and don’t get disappointed by a mediocre performance – and, of course, we get very pleasantly surprised when he pulls a trick or two out of the hat!!
Nani looses because he’s better than Valencia!
Go, figure!!
March 12th, 2010 at 3:37
RedRich I do not think it is even so much that. Valencia just has a much narrower range. To simplify and use the 1 to 10 scale, Valencia most of the time is a 6 or 7 and very rarely scores a 5 or a 8. Nani either has a bad day and gets a 5 or has a great day and gets a 9.
Id agree completely that Nani on a good day is way better than Valencia on a good day. But Nani on a bad day is much worse than Valencia on a bad day.
I’m rooting for Nani because we all know he has a lot of talent. But he needs to raise his bottom level and hit his top levels more often. If he manages that then Valencia won’t get a game on the right.
March 12th, 2010 at 4:06
@colver: But Nani’s range is more limited than Valencia’s just because of his physicality.
Valencia on a so-so day will contribute in other ways (or appears to) because of his strength going into tackles e.g.
If we just judge based on skill, we know, as you say, that Nani wins hands down!
In yesterdays game, Nani was somewhat invisible, but a spark of genius here and there contributed greatly (Rooney’s 2nd) but overall he seemed quiet.
He suffers much more from high expectations than he does from lack of games.
March 12th, 2010 at 5:03
@Grognard: I am sorry but there is something that GREATLY bothers me about that comment. To say Barcalona is the world’s best team is questionable. I don’t think they have shown quite the class they did last year when they indeed were the best team (hands down) in the world. They lost at home to Rubin Kazan struggled against Stuttgart, have looked only OK in a crappy La Liga. Seriously, La Liga is absolutely garbage. Take out RM and Barca and you have a league devoid of quality teams. How less interesting can a league be?
Barcalona and Real Madrid in La Liga are like Yankees and Red Sox playing in AAA league… it’s that bad.
Finally, my main beef with Barca and the reason I question the “best in the world” tag is their poor defense. Pyouyt is more overrated than John Terry. Pique is good but nowhere world class. The rest of their defense is not worth naming.
I think that if United would play as they did against Milan, we could beat Barca at their best.
Enough ranting. Goodnight!
March 12th, 2010 at 5:07
@Redrich: why are you guys arguing whether Vally is better than Nani? Isn’t it obvious that they are quite different players. Nani is a pure offensive winger – outstanding speed, dribbling and a very good passer and shooter. Vally has great speed, physique, can defend/track back and is a great crosser.
I am happy we have both.
March 12th, 2010 at 5:42
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I’m down with that, mate.
It was more of an observation, in my mind, and not a preference between the two of them.
Like you say, even though they’re competing for the same position, they are very different players.
What is clear, though, is that we apply a different set of criteria when we evaluate how they perform!!
March 12th, 2010 at 5:58
@Grognard: I’m shocked that the Glazer vampires are not capitalizing on the “Green & Gold” merchandise!
But if you really need the colors go here for everything you need.
You do realize that everyone in Vancouver will just consider you a Packer fan.
March 12th, 2010 at 6:20
The gag order is in for any player who wants to speak his mind on the RK’s takeover bid.
Seems like the Glazer Gestapo are making all attempts to silence their critics!!
LUHG
March 12th, 2010 at 7:04
How about this Miralem Pjanic guy? We talk about ages and this guy is just 19! he was not only taking the free kicks but what a cool composed finish for the goal! LOVED watching Perez’s so called galacticos being packed off at the bernabeu
March 12th, 2010 at 7:59
@owen: dinho age was written on the back of his jersy. 80.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:05
The first English words Italians learn is Manchester United.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:05
@Redrich: All you have to do is watch MUTV to see how so many of them kiss the asses of the Glazer’s and are scared to death to say a single negative thing. It’s disgusting really because it tells me that in the end, the fans have never ever meant anything to any of them. It’s all about the dollars. I would be elated however if two people supported the cause. Roy Keane and especially Cantona. Always outspoken and controversial, I’m hoping their personalities and unwillingness to conform or tow the corporate line will allow them to see the benefits of backing the Red Knights on this. The Glazer’s are a dying entity. They refuse to acknowledge it but they are going to eventually be forced to sell. I would think it smart for former players to form allegiance with the Red Knights because they get nothing whatsoever from the Glazer’s in the first place.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:07
@Redrich: It will if Messi scores over 30 and Barca are in the final too. Ronaldo can score 30 but unless he wins the Golden Ball or Boot in South Africa, he is out of contention since yesterday. But Messi is having another big year for Barca.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:10
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Oh get over it mate. They are the defending European and World Club champions and until they are dethroned they are seen as the world’s best team just like we were after our historic double in 2007/08 and in 1999. Are you so blinded by your allegiance that you cannot even be honest with yourself?
The whole point of winning these competitions is to be able to call yourself the world’s best. Don’t begrudge them something they earned, especially since they kicked our asses good in Rome last May. Somebody is suffering from major denial.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:14
@[OPTI]Madschester United: You pick on a few flaws that Barca have yet I could spend an hour hear ripping a new asshole into Manchester United for all their flaws and weaknesses. So get of your self imposed pedestal and look at things for how they are, not how you wish them to be. Barca is number one until they are knocked out of the Champions League and a new team is crowned the champion. Then that team has to be seriously considered the best in the world because they won the hardest and most prestigious club tournament on the planet. How hard is that to understand?
March 12th, 2010 at 8:16
@Redrich: No, they would think I was and Edmonton Eskimos Canadian football fan as their colors have been green and gold for 80 years. And funny enough i am from Edmonton originally and I am an Eskimos fan.
Thanks for the link.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:20
@Redrich:
This is the first sign of their nerves starting to crack. We are getting to them and they know it. Who cares if the present players are gagged. I want those who are not financially or contractually affiliated to them to come out and speak their mind. We want the legends we love and respect to come out of hiding and speak their minds. And yet i do not think they will out of loyalty and respect to Fergie who is the one man who is presently hurting our chances in all of this due to his blind and unwavering loyalty to those motherfuckers.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:22
@Grognard: Your right Grog, but thing is mate United didn’t get any respect if you remember when we won 2007/2008, because when it come to recognition of achievement in the biggest award show in football – Chelsea players got the awards rather than our lads – apart from Ronnie. So there is a lot of bias in Europe
.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:28
@Grognard: Yeah Grog David Gill and his comments to the media yesterday, that the protesters are entitled to protest, but they are wasting their time, because the Glazers will not be trembled into quiting their lucrative marketing gain – Manchester United. So David Gill supports them to the hilt, because he knows the fans are against him now, and should by any chance the red knights succeed, his job after all he has said, or hasn’t said about the green and gold effort, IS AT RISK. He is a yes man, but he has to be doesn’t he, because the Glazers will be pushing his buttons
.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:33
@Redrich: Rich mi man, the club are selling the green and gold merchandise according to the press, and so they say United fans are stupid, because they are protesting but then filling the Glazers pockets by buying grren/gold from the club. I don’t know how true this is, I cannot imagine that the fans are doing this, but it was in several media outlets recently. I haven’t been in the club shop or website for a while now, so those of you who have, please do tell if this is just another media myth, or is it true that some fans are naive enough to buy green/gold merchandise from the club outlets?
March 12th, 2010 at 8:38
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Fulham played last night away vs juve, i dont think they’ll have physically recovered. So with rooneys, Nanis, valencias current form. I expect more than 3 goals to nothing in that game.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:38
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Well they should have never been at the ECL final to beat us, because Chelsea were totally pillaged by a referee who seemed determined to give the game to Barca. I was glad though, because you all know how much I detest some Chelsea players. So Barca NEVER should have been in Rome to beat us, they weren’t good enough to beat Chelski without the ref cheating. So you have something there Opti!
March 12th, 2010 at 8:44
@Redrich: Oh I see his failures Bro, but like I said, I tend to support him because as I said in another post – you all grind him into the ground for me. That is why I look for the positive in Nani –
. I’m the same with all my mates – ever the LOYALIST to a FAULT Rich 
.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:48
@colver: Nah Colver – no problem, as Grog says to a few folk on here, we do get on our high horse sometimes – so sorry mate for my high HORSE-ISM. I salute your humility though mate, I could use a bigger dose of it, especially when I won’t be shifted in opinions I feel strongly about
.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:50
@Grognard: with his 3 lungs and not running out of air plus in marathon, he wont get tackled so no more falling on his ass.
But credit where its due, on wed he really neutrilised pirlo.
March 12th, 2010 at 9:35
@Grognard: Hope when you get that chance of working for united you will have a thick skin to take in all the bile and stick from this site, especially when you buy the next djemba djemba
March 12th, 2010 at 9:55
@Grognard: Grog, I think Fergie is doing his best to show himself neutral right now and not take sides. I personally feel he is doing a great job. In his position he cannot take a stand and that too in the middle of the season. his primary focus is the team and the PL and CL. Priority, rightly so, is and shouldbe given to the winning titles right now and not taking sides. any other stand is likely to affect the team and team morale if negative things start cropping up. Fergie can take a stand during the summer to try and ensure that things get resolved before the season kicks of next season. At this time, it is best left to red knights to handle things and keep the pressure going on the glazers. ex players should join in they have nothing to lose. current players and managers should only focus on the titles right now. Even if there is no money, as a manager why would Fergie say that and take the risk of it playing on the minds of the players. Something which might already be the reason why Liverpool are doing so bad – things might be playing on their mind. Fergie is doing an excellent job given his situation
March 12th, 2010 at 9:59
i have always thought Park is underrated. When fit, he is a good player for us in such games. he is made more for CL than PL type of football. the more he stays on his feet and not on his ass, he is a good player. For his goal against Milan, he almost ended up on his ass, but somehow managed to stay on his feet and shoot the ball! i was dead sure when he got the ball that he is going to fall on his behind
March 12th, 2010 at 10:12
@[OPTI]Madschester United: lets all laugh at liverpool. Which team did they lose to again? lol!
March 12th, 2010 at 11:00
@Grognard: Rooney vs Messis comes down to one thing, rags. The media, especially English press know how to trumpet there own. You would think Gerrald is God, Lampard a goddess or something. As you, i also watch the spanish league and ronaldos, and messis form and play are out of this world. There contribution to there teams is immense. Ronaldo averages a goal a game, i rem when he played the vilareal game. He scored 2 and assisted 4 of the 6 scored that night.
But if man utd gets to the CL final, rooney may have a bigger shout on the WPOTY and Ballond d’or. than messi. Though when it comes to individual play this year, messi and ronaldo of course come ahead of rooney.
March 12th, 2010 at 13:11
@Man Utd Jaluo: I don’t agree with you at all. The Premiership is a much harder league than La Liga, with far more depth.
The teams at the bottom are far far less likely to pull off a result against Madrid or Barca than Burnley, Bolton, Stoke, West Ham or Portsmouth are against Us, Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool.
For me, that makes Rooney’s job harder than Ronaldo’s, and Ronaldo has said a couple of times in interviews that The Prem is much harder.
March 12th, 2010 at 13:24
I love David Beckham. Fantastic player and person, United fan to the bone.
March 12th, 2010 at 13:41
Hi, all. Been frequenting this site for quite some time just never posted anything yet. First of all, would like to apologize for any mistake in my posting because English is not my first language.
I just wish that Nani can make the left wing as his own sooner rather than later and for Valencia to learn to use his left feet quickly so that they can interchange their position during game. That would just be so sweet.
March 12th, 2010 at 14:02
Normally I side with players and support them when they face opposition from ignorant fans. I pride myself in having a near perfect vindication record-Rio,Scholes,Rooney,Nani,Anderson(not yet),Berbatov(almost),Valencia etc. But the one player that I criticise and can’t stand 2 see in the squad is proving me wrong. Park Ji Sung. Funny I was excited when we brought him to OT from PSV. He had a brilliant WC in 02 and a fantastic run in the CL in his final season with PSV,causing Milan endless problems and scoring a great solo goal. He started off promisingly with a good understanding with Rooney esp. But he kept falling on his bum and really looked lightweight but the clever play was evident. With SAF becoming more and more convinced that every player is a defender 1st,he experienced the old Fergie misfortune. Positioning and role. The 1st defensive winger in the history of football was born. Boring boring boring. For me that was it. I couldn’t stand the way he would be selected over Ronaldo. He kept falling on his butt. Not much creativity,just running all over the place and being a general nuisance. Wouldn’t mind that if he was playing in the middle as a DMF,but a winger.C’mon.
Then he started turning up on the team sheet in almost all the very important games. Especially in the Champions League. How frustrating to see youngsters like Nani being benched or watching the most boring formation and tactics of zero strikers and 100 midfielders and defenders. I blamed Fergie but I also put part of the blame on Park. I’d scream (literally sometimes) when I saw his name on the team sheet. The worst being CL semi in Barcelona.Frustrating beyond words. But one thing I never dared to appreciate is how he seems to nullify the best attackers in world football. But there’s much more to his game than that. He is great on the counter and in linking up play. He gets the big goals. Chelsea,Arsenal(many times),Milan. He was fantastic in the semis last year at the Emirates. He still has his weaknesses. He just can’t seem to strike an agreement with gravity. A Versailles treaty of appeasement if u will. He is seriously lightweight and sometimes just can’t seem to reach for the ball. But truth be told I’m beginning to really appreciate his contribution
March 12th, 2010 at 14:03
Since redranter is AWOL, let’s litter this site with odds and tidbits.
1
March 12th, 2010 at 14:06
@EduardoDaVinci4: I love you
March 12th, 2010 at 14:12
@Jay wire: Look if a player takes the X factor of the opposition out of the game,then he has done more of his duty for the team.Fergie wants this only for Park but he scores also and his positioning sense is best at our club.So he must get the praise.The problem arises with palyers like Carrick and Andy who are playmakers but they also start doing defensive duties and forget their basic roles.
Regarding Ronaldo and Rooney,Rooney is scoring goals only whereas Ronaldo means Real Madrid ,the club with greatest history.So no comparision.
March 12th, 2010 at 14:13
Where is Mr.Red Ranter.
March 12th, 2010 at 14:37
@EduardoDaVinci4: Great in bed too, just ask rebecca loos….
March 12th, 2010 at 15:29
Jaywire I think you’ll have to wait some time to be vindicated on Anderson and Berbatov and Nani is yet to show he can turn it on week in week out.
But Id agree with you on Park. He is a very strange player. Somehow whenever he plays he ends up getting lots of the ball, lots of the chances and seems at the centre of most of the counter attacks. But then he slips, fails to connect with a ball, or his final ball disappoints. Defensively there is no issue. He has incredibly work rate, never gets caught out of position, isn’t beaten for pace and really gets in players’ faces. There is also no doubting his experience.
He is a very useful squad player to have and I think playing him as an attacking midfielder would work wonderfully if we came up against Barcelona and wanted to mess up the fluency of their dangerous midfield. If anything I think his game is better suited for Europe.
Id like to see what would happen if we spent some time in training trying to bulk him up a bit and taught him how to stay on his feet and shoot.
March 12th, 2010 at 17:00
@CraigMc: Absolutely. The bias is terrible but I will say this, I think the bias is shown towards all the English teams, not just us. UEFA and FIFA have a bug up their collective asses when it comes to England and especially the top four teams. They especially hate us and Liverpool because we are performing under a massive debt. Most importantly, the brass over there has always promoted football in Spain and Italy and still shown fondness for Germany and France. They will always look there for names before they are forced to look over here.
Now you cannot ignore the kind of season Rooney is having ore even Drogba for that matter but believe me when I say, they would rather give the awards to Messi or Ronaldo because they are trying to promote the game in Spain and because those teams play what they consider a “more attractive game” that they can market worldwide. It’s such BS. The great advantage that Rooney has is that he is well loved and respected worldwide as every player and manager in the game thinks he is the cat’s meow. There isn’t a team on the planet that wouldn’t give it’s crown jewels for a crack at buying him. He is seen as the complete player and is actually more appreciated on the Continent than he is in England. You are actually a perfect example of the many in England that are not totally won over by his game. I know for a fact that he is considered beyond world class by the media in Spain and Italy and mostly by managers there.
As you know, I love Rooney and have gotten into some passionate debates with you over him, but let me say this right now, as much as i love him, I do not think he is as talented as Ronaldo or Messi but he is an overall more rounded and complete footballer than them. Managers and coaches see all his skills but they love his work ethic and ability to score goals yet track back and help defend as well as create for others. You see him as being a bit wasteful, which he sometimes can be but overall, he is truly a great talent and this respect and notoriety in Europe may just get him World Player of the Year. If he comes close to the 40 goal mark it will be hard to deny him this. If he wins the European Cup, I think he will win it unless Messi has an incredible World Cup. Seeing how Messi does not feature or play well under Maradona’s Argentina, I see Rooney as a real possibility.
What worries me most however is that if he has a great World Cup I can see Madrid breaking the bank yet again to get him. I worry because I see the Glazer’s possibly selling him if indeed they are in a situation where they will sell the club and leave Manchester for good. They could do it out of spite and out of the knowledge that before they leave, they could make an extra 100 million from a sale of Manchester’s golden boy. If they are about to sell, there is nothing really in place to stop them other than Fergie. Just a fear I have. What a better way to get back at the thousands of green and gold fans and the Red Knights than to sell United’s best player , take that money and leave along with the money they get from the sale? Just a worst case scenario that has been playing in my head of late.
March 12th, 2010 at 17:09
@colver: Parks has two major problems. Composure, and Vision. He gets in good positions, but doesn’t think when he’s in them. You can see Berbatov shouting at him the whole game and pointing where to put the ball and he doesn’t look up, and when he does he can’t pick out a pass. He’s infuriating.
March 12th, 2010 at 17:09
@CraigMc: Gill is a dead man walking, and he knows it. The Glazer’s will eventually have to sell. Right now it’s clear sailing for them simply because the club is doing well in Europe and domestically and this is still blinding many of the fans from joining the revolt. Lets see what happens in the summer when Fergie once again plays the no value in the transfer market card and he concludes transfer business by buying two unknown kids and Joe Cole on a free transfer. Lets see how badly the fans react to yet another off season where the club spends no money on talent and lets see how many players leave United. Lets see if the unthinkable happens and we lose Rooney to Madrid. I don’t think it will happen but nothing the Glazer’s do would surprise me at this point. What better way to get revenge on the millions that hate their guts than to totally gut us with a take the money and run sale of our prime asset?
Gill knows that if there is a regime change, he is a dead man. So it serves him no purpose to go against the Glazer’s. Fergie is doing the same thing but as he is a legend we all love him and stand by him regardless, as he is no jeopardy by not joining up. Gill will pay for his crimes one day, of that I am sure. But the question is will it be sooner or later?
March 12th, 2010 at 17:17
@ Grog – Even with the debt there is no way the Glazer’s will sell Fergie. I can almost guarantee that Fergie would quit if that happened, and that would be the end of their investment. Rooney doesn’t want to leave England, his family is settle up Norf and he’s happy at United. There’s just no reason why he’d leave. So personally, I don’t think it’s something we should worry about at all.
More worrying should be Fulham this weekend. They’ve had some really good results against us in recent times, and the game against them earlier this season was probably the worst performance (that or Leeds in the FA Cup) I’ve seen from us in the past decade. Hopefully pure pride and professionalism will get the players to raise their game, and Fulham should be marginally more tired than us having travelled back from Turin this morning. Their best strength (Fulham) is keeping good possession and using Zamora as a target man, so I hope we pack the midfield and stick Vida on him. That should negate the threat, dull as it may be. Would ideally be a good time to rest Pat, who has looked a bit off it the past few games, but alas, no back up = no chance.
As for the WPOTY debate – no point in talking about it until after July. I mean, Cannavaro won it a few years back for doing nothing for 11.5 months of the year. Just be happy with Rooney’s form and the opportunity to watch Messi and Ronaldo.
March 12th, 2010 at 17:25
@Man Utd Jaluo: I have always said that Park has his uses. He is a pest and if he wants to dig in, he really can make life miserable for a creative distributor of the ball. He sucked last year against Barca but overall, he does a good job playing the role of the shadow. My problem with him is that I have never been a fan of that kind of football player and the need for that kind of one dimensional football player. I like a player like Hargreaves because he can play numerous positions, be a shadow or a pest but still offer moments of skill, composure and imagination in attack. Park shows energy and passion but there isn’t an ounce of composure or skill with that boy.
I think back to two occasions in the game where Nani got him the ball in a very strong position for a shot at goal and his first touch betrayed him as well as his slow reaction to take a shot. Like Carrick, he has a slow reaction time from the time he controls a ball to the time he kicks it. He also has no imagintion or vision. On two occasions I remember that he got the ball and Berbatov made a break late in the game and all that was required was a back heel pass to free Berba like Berba does so often for others. Park never even knew he was alive and made the safe pass back to a defender. Valencia was also guilty of this exact same situation once when Berba broke to open space but Val never even sensed him.
I also recall the missed chances Park had vs Villa in the League Cup final. He completely fanned on a gift chance that Berba gave him on a beautiful 1,2. Then he hit the post on a chance he should have buried. But most of the time, my biggest problem with Park is that Park is where great offensive breaks and attacking situations go to die. He kills off more great breaks than he converts. His poor skills on the ball and his poor first touch are that of legend. His shooting is improving but still not what I expect from a player playing in an advanced attacking position. Yet so many love him because he has three lungs and because he runs and runs and runs. All admirable but like I have said before, I like football players, not track stars.
Park is an acquired taste and I for one just haven’t got the pallet for what he offers. He’s just not my cup of tea. I wish the lad well and cheer for him as loudly as any other player when he does well or scores a big goal, but if I was running the club, he’s have to struggle to find any playing time, simply because for me he is what I consider to be anti-football. I would much prefer a David Silva, an Angel Di Maria or Luis Nani on the pitch over him. But in a pinch, he’s not a bad role player to have. He’s be the first player in my team selection against a team with a skilled player who needs shadowing and who can easily be pestered out of a game.
March 12th, 2010 at 17:26
@Grognard: Rooney wouldn’t go. The Glazers can’t make him sign for Madrid, regardless of the money involved. He loves playing for United because he can play at the highest level in the toughest league and then drive to his mom’s house.
The thing that best sums up Rooney, and why nearly every manager in the world would take Rooney over Ronaldo or Messi is that he can do what they do upfront, but if needs be he’ll play left back, and he’d probably do it better than your left back!
March 12th, 2010 at 17:31
@Man Utd Jaluo:
Grognard would never be stupid enough to buy a Djemba Djemba because I would put my ability to judge talent up against anyone. How many players have I fought for and supported and hoped United would buy who have gone on to prove me right on other teams? Too many to mention. And I still don’t think I’m wrong about Huntelaar either. Yes his confidence right now is at an all time low and he has sucked of late but I still believe the lad has great talent. Nevertheless, I am generally very accurate in my appraisal of player’s talent and I take great pride in it. Now if only Fergie could see that and hire me, life would then be sublime. But then again, I would never work for the Glazer’s, so Red Knights, be on notice, Grognard is available. 
March 12th, 2010 at 17:44
@godzilla: You are right for all the reasons you gave but I still believe his attitude and positive feelings over the Glazer’s infuriates me while he shows indifference to the thousands of concerned and disenfranchised supporters who are getting a royally screw over by the Glazer’s. And lets not forget his blatant lies. He lis lying through his teeth about transfer money being available to him because nothing in his history has ever told us that he is that thrifty with other people’s money and he generally has loved to go out and overpay for talent he desperately wanted. So why all of a sudden a 180 degree shift in his attitude towards buying players? He has no money to spend and continues to support and protect a regime that has betrayed his club, his supporters and his ability to improve the club.
He has done an incredible job with the players he has but that should not take away or blind us from the fact that he has stabbed all us fans in the back yet again. Lets not forget how he turned his back on the FC United group that so counted on hi support when United was bought by the Glazer’s. He is not about the fans, because if he was, he would not tolerate what has been happening and he would challenge the owners to prove all of us wrong. He hasn’t. Instead he has hidden himself in this cocoon and avoided all the controversy in order to protect his players and staff because all he is really concerned with these days is his legacy. He wants more trophies and he knows rocking the boat will end his tenure as manager.
He reminds me of a woman who is in a bad marriage but stays around because she is too scared to live alone and without all the creature comforts her marriage offers here, even if respect and love is not part of the pact. He has sold his soul to the Devils that are the Glazer’s and one day there will be a reckoning. He has cast his trust and support with the wrong group and one day he will realize this. Regardless of the great job he is doing, he has betrayed all of us by not supporting our righteous and proper cause. He is part of the corporate and corrupt machine that is the Glazer’s ownership and for that, he has to answer for, just like Gill.
The Fergie I knew was a cutthroat when it came to buying and selling players to improve the club. No way would the pre Glazer Fergie hold on to Neville, Scholes and Giggs well into their 30’s. He does so now because he has no alternative.
March 12th, 2010 at 17:50
@Grognard: One day they have to sell, that i am on same verse with you. But regarding selling Rooney and the club and then run away, i think that would have a big effect on what the buyers would want to pay for the club. Which i think would be alot compared to what they would get from the sale of Rooney.
I well understand that the kind of playing staff that a team has also adds value to its market price, and keeping in mind that the money collected from Roos sale wont be entirely for the Glazers’. However Rooney’s sale would drastically reduce the possible sell fee. I dont think they (Glazers’) are that stupid to take that lane.
March 12th, 2010 at 17:52
@Grognard: You are stupid enough to buy Djema2 bcoz you have advocated a lot for Huntelaar and he is nothing different than Djemba2
March 12th, 2010 at 17:53
@godzilla: One more thing. You ask why would Fergie risk hurting his players and the team’s performance by getting vocal and negative with the Glazer’s? Well he wouldn’t simply because the team’s long term future it seems does not concern him. His present squad and winning with is all that concerns him. He is protecting them against all this anti-Glazer stuff because he simply wants to win trophies. Well I say to Hell with the winning and the trophies. Stop thinking like Field Marshall Montgomery and always playing it safe by not committing to a major battle that will kill many in order to win the war. Instead, he should think like Patton and live by the creedo that in order to make an omelet, you have to break some eggs.
My point is that in order to save United for the long run, we must sacrifice our success in the short term by rebelling against the regime that threatens to destroy Man Utd. He misses this and would rather shelter himself and his players so that he can win one more Champions League before he retires and also beat the record he now shares with the hated Liverpool for most titles. This more than United’s long term health and future is consuming him and he is wrong. He should have taken a stand against the owners and challenged the,. What would they do, sack him? They wouldn’t dare because they know doing that would cause everything to self destruct around them. He has all the power to perfect a coup from within and yet chooses to do nothing. And for that I will always be very disappointed and hurt by him.
March 12th, 2010 at 17:56
@Grognard: Milan were playing with 10 guys .Why???Bcoz Park had kept Pirlo in his pocket through out the match and Pirlo is the supply line for their attackers.He scored also.He scored against Arsenal and that was a great run with super finishing.So give the lad his deserved credit.
March 12th, 2010 at 17:57
@godzilla: The reason he ends up on his ass so much is because he has very poor technique and balance. Also, he has a very short lower body and a long upper one which doesn’t help. Basically, a low center of gravity. When you have very poor fundamental technique, you end up on your ass a lot. Not a great asset for a football player but great for anyone who likes to go to the water slides.
March 12th, 2010 at 18:10
@EduardoDaVinci4: Yes but just watch him shut up and run once the Red Knights approach him and ask him to support their cause against the Glazer’s. At times like that, most of our legends will forsake the fans so that they are not cast out of the club that is Man United alumni. The Glazer’s could put a ban on them ever being invited back for anything and they don’t want that. So they will stay neutral. At the end of the day, even our most beloved legends will forsake us and betray us because the fans are secondary to the club;s demands of them and the old boys network that is permanently linked to the club, and thus cannot betray the club. Fans mean nothing to players because we don’t directly pay them. We indirectly do. Most player if honest, would say they hate fans and are creeped out by them because they have no freedom in their lives and cannot enjoy their lives because of the fans adoration of them. They basically want their cake and eat it too. Cheer for me but then leave me the fuck alone. Players are after all, millionaires and only a small few really honor and care about the fans over the club and their selfish and personal needs.
Do you honestly think a player like Ronaldo gives a rats ass about the millions that adore him? How about Ronaldinho, Drogba, Terry, Lampard and others? They couldn’t care less. On our club I see a player like Evra, Neville, and a few more who actually seem to acknowledge and care about the fans. The rest just care about the game and the money they make, and they will not sacrifice that for the needs of the fans or for a cause that concerns the fans. Our one major hope is to get someone who is not afraid to commit and rock the boat, someone who is controversial and non conformist to join the revolution. We must get Cantona to commit to the cause. Get him on board and then maybe more will follow. Fail to convince him and that tactic will fail miserably.
March 12th, 2010 at 18:13
@Dash37: Welcome mate. I agree with your take on Valencia. Also, your English seems just fine to me. Hope to hear more from you as you join in our debates from now on. Don’t hide, reside.
March 12th, 2010 at 18:21
@Jay wire: Nothing Park ever does will make me feel we would not be better served with a truly great player being on the pitch instead of him. The game is about scoring goals and skill. He offers none of the above. I have spoken in the past about how the English have this thing for effort, running and general track and field qualities in players. I don’t. I love players who have skill, desire and above all, creative imagination. Park has only deire to fall back on and none of those other necessary attributes. S o for me he is a total waste of time and space. He is not a football player, but a pest. I don’t watch the game to see pests destroy the flow and beauty of the game. He doesn’t always ruin the flow and beauty of the opposition, but of our own attack. So for all of you fickle band wagon jumpers who think he is the greatest thing since Shanghai Noodles, I say you are wrong and he will once again begin to frustrate you and piss you off. Just give him time. Someone so talentless will always find ways to disappoint. He is however in the form of his life, but I do not expect this to last and his lack of skill does not endure me to him nor will it ever.
March 12th, 2010 at 18:23
@Traverse: Beautifully said. Totally agree. I’m glad you pointed out how frustrated Berbatov was in him because he lacks the common sense vision and it’s also hard to pick out a teammate when you always have your head down.
March 12th, 2010 at 18:33
@Beachryan: Mate I originally come from Edmonton. We all never believed back in 1988 that the owner of hockey’s Edmonton Oilers would ever contemplate selling the greatest player in the game and of all time. It was unthinkable and yet one summer day in 1988, we were all shocked into reality when he indeed did the unthinkable. You see, he didn’t think like a loyalist sports fan or lover of the team and city. He thought like a greedy businessman and was looking for ways to pay of debts and to make money on an asset which was still marketable and could maximize it’s potential in a sale before age and diminished skills made him less of an asset. So the owner sold him and never gave a damn what the fans in Edmonton and Canada for that matter thought.
The Glazer’s are not English mate, and they do not reside in Manchester. They have no allegiance or loyalty to the community. If an offer that was absurd and in the area of what they got for Ronaldo is offered to them, I can see them taking it and then also accepting the Red Knights improved offer soon after. Take the money and run is a tactic that I could see them employing in such a situation. The fans and citizens of Manchester and even England have made it perfectly clear to the Glazer’s that they are not liked, wanted or appreciated and that the sooner they are gone, the better for all concerned. So tell me then, why would you think they would never consider one last stab in all our collective backs? Sure, Rooney could possibly refuse to go and Fergie could threaten to quit, but in the game of professional football I have learned that managers and players do not always think like us fans. I would never rule out the impossible. I’ve seen the impossible happen too many times. Wayne Gretzky also loved Edmonton but he agreed to the trade that sent him to Los Angeles. Why? Because nobody wants to play for owners who do not respect or appreciate them.
March 12th, 2010 at 18:40
@Jay Jay: If the buyers are the Red Knights, the sale of Rooney would not affect the proposed sale. It’s about the team and it’s history, not just one player. If I was the Glazer’s and i was feeling stressed out and forced to sell, I would consider the offer but I would want to stick it those who hate me so and who are messing with my ability to extort from the club I legally own. I would accept the offer to buy but before I did that, I would work out a deal to sell Rooney just to spite the fans and offer my bit of revenge in return. Sure Rooney would have to agree, but never forget, no matter how loyal he is, he is a footballer and footballers are all mercenaries at heart and are also not the brightest bulbs in a dimly lit room. They are easily seduced and can be convinced of many things. I would never assume he wouldn’t go, especially with the knowledge that Fergie will not be his manager forever.
March 12th, 2010 at 18:45
@owen: You are welcome to your opinion but for my one Huntelaar fetish, I have dozens of other examples of players I predicted greatness from and who I wanted us to buy when they were not a household name, but who are now. Ronaldo, Arshavin, Torres, Ballack, Silva, Lahm, Messi, Aguero and many others. Occasionally one will end up a dud, and yet I still believe in Huntelaar like so many on here believe in lost causes like Anderson and Foster. So sue me.
March 12th, 2010 at 18:49
@owen: The number one and two reason we beat Milan so badly had nothing to do with Park watching Pirlo so closely. And for Christ’s sakes why do so many build up Pirlo to the point where he is Maradona? He’s good, but not the world beater he is being made out to be. He is well past his prime. Anyway, the reason for Milan’s demise was their lack of pace as a team and the inability and unwillingness of the front three to track back and support the defense. Ronaldinho especially never crossed the halfway line to assist his team defensively. You cannot win at this level if players are not fully committed or in shape to play box to box.
March 12th, 2010 at 19:10
@Grognard: Look a good team is not that which scores 5 each game but opposition scores 6 against you.Defence is key part and Fergie knows this better than us particularly in Europe.So he has specified a job for each player and Park has got that defensive one.So he does it.He is a good attacker and has proved it for Korea lot of times and particularly in world cup.He was the star and gave some great performances.
I have some sympathy for him bcoz he never gets games against Wolves or Bolton but against heavy weights.So it is not always easy to produce those performances.How can you expect someone to dominate against the likes of Xavi,Fabregas for the entire period in the match.Against the smaller teams Nani plays average and everone starts shouting what talent this guy has got.
March 12th, 2010 at 20:00
@Grognard: Come on Grognard… it’s dollars (pounds) and sense (pense). United is a product. If you sell Rooney the product is worth considerably less – the expected profits of the club would go down due to loss of Rooney would likely affect on-field success. Hence, if they indeed want to sell United (and make stupid money on the way) they would ensure that everyone was at their best on the day of the sale.
Rooney is probably worth 100-200 million pounds if he is on our team and Glazers will never make that much if they sell him. Soccernomics, anyone?
March 12th, 2010 at 20:05
@Grognard: I disagree. The fact that their attacking trio was so toothless was ONLY because Pirlo was taken out of the game by Park. I don’t know how you can disagree with that or say that if Ronaldinho/Hunter/Boriello had been the worlds greatest defenders + attackers, Milan would have won?
If you cover a tiger’s mouth, it wont bite you — Park covered Pirlo to death so that Milan never bit us.
March 12th, 2010 at 20:06
@owen: You must think you are replying to an idiot. I have watched and studied this game for forty frakken years mate. I think I am qualified enough as well as intelligent enough to understand the intricacies of the game and what is needed and what is not.
Just call me a student of the old school attacking ways of the game. I am not against defense but then again I have never been a proponent of the DMF or the idea of sacrificing one or two of my midfielders for just defensive purposes. I do not like a lot of the modern managers and chess players who have invented ways to prevent the game from offering goals as well as entertainment. There have been to negative scourges that have left a lasting but negative imprint on the game through it’s short history. Catenaccio and the invention of the Makelele-like defensive midfielder. Frankly the game was better without either. I am a firm believer that if a team has more than one quality midfielder with skill and imagination, no defensive scheme or specialized defensive midfielders can stop them. Barcelona have both Iniesta and Xavi and therefore, they are almost impossible to stop and highly entertaining and effective.
Players like park only offer a negative one dimensional approach to the game which for me is anti-football and mostly, anti-United. I much prefer a Roy Keane who can be both a defensive and physical menace but also have the skill and vision to create and score goals. I above all love the game for it’s attacking beauty and for goals, not preventing them with a stop at all costs mentality that zaps the lifeblood out of the game. There is a reason why FIFA and UEFA continually kiss the asses of Barcelona and Madrid. For all their evils the two teams play an attacking and attractive offensive game and do little to ruin their style by offering defense only players. Still, they have Toure, Keita, and the endless supply of fucking Diarra’s in the game who are there for those games where cowardice takes over ambition and courage.
If it was up to me, every talentless Diarra, Makelele, Palacios, Mascherano, Mikel, of the world would be banned from the game because they offer nothing attractive or substantial. I want two central midfielders who have skill and who can both play box to box. Or at least one who can play box to box. As for Park, what’s tragic about him is he isn’t even a defensive central midfielder. He is a winger. The greatest crime a manager can do is to take a creative or attacking position like winger or wide midfielder and turn that into a defensive position. Fergie has done that every time he includes Park into a game. He turns our attack into a one dimensional and predictable attack because if I was the opposing manager, I would concentrate on double teaming the winger on the opposite side of the pitch as Park will do nothing to hurt me in 9/10 games. Yet he has the occasional game like Wednesday where he is everybody’s favorite little Asian boy toy and the flavor of the moment. Well I’m not biting. For me he is now and always will be a waste of time and space and a player who forces our team to play like we are down to ten men every time we are on the attack.
Today’s game is so defensive minded with the use of the DMF or in some cases 2 DMF’S, that I wonder why some teams with great midfielder talent don’t put one out on the field and just attack in mass since the other team has not come to play with any attacking and threatening ambition. I appreciate defense but not extreme defense. As many know on here, I absolutely despise Italian football for it’s cowardice and for all the negative things they have brought to the game. Above all, I hate them for screwing with the mind of Sir Alex Ferguson so much so, that he has abandoned the United way of playing football for the Italian approach. For those who care only about results, I salute him and you, but for those who care about the beauty and esthetic of the game, I have nothing but pity and sympathy. The modern game sucks in comparison to the way it used to be played. Just watch the 1970 and 1974 World Cup to see how the game should be played. Skill, flair and determination, not cowardice, caution and park the bus thinking, with cynical fouling and cheating as the mantra for success.
March 12th, 2010 at 20:15
@[OPTI]Madschester United: You are missing my point. My point is that there is a building pressure on the Glazer’s to sell. They see that their long term future and hope of holding on to United may be very difficult. In that kind of scenario where the pressure to keep something that is not willing to be kept, one looks for an escape strategy where he can maximize his potential and run. If the Glazer’s are in a position where holding on to the team is not only impossible, but dangerous and untenable, then they might accept an offer to sell. But before they do that, I can see them trying to stick it to the Red Knights and especially to the legions of fans that have shown such hatred to them.
What better way to advertise your departure than to include a scorched earth policy? Burn the club before you go. Sell their most beloved and valuable asset and then take the proceeds from that sale with you along with the money you get from a sale and leave the team with the debt and no Rooney and Ronaldo. If I was them, that’s what I would do. And I’m generally a nice guy, where all they are is greedy cunts. It’s about sweet revenge and sticking it to those who forced you to leave and sell. If the Glazer’s were Mancunians born and bred or even just citizens of the UK, they would not contemplate such a betrayal. But they aren’t, they are Floridians and they could care less about what the fans think of them once they have raped and pillaged the club and fucked off back to the US. Think about it mate. If they were well liked and truly committed to stay because they loved the club and honored the fans, they would never do it. But they don’t so the gloves can come off and all is fair in love and war.
March 12th, 2010 at 20:20
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I didn’t say that. I gave you the two biggest reasons as to why Milan lost the game. It was not the only reasons and Park’s job on Pirlo was also a major contributing factor. But Park watching Pirlo is also not the sole reason for victory. Pirlo is no longer that good, nor has he ever been. Much ado about nothing. When you run up against a team that is quicker, faster and more hungry than you and your forwards do not make the effort to track back and assist a defensive under siege, then what exactly do you expect. Overall age, lack of pace and a poor work ethic is what mostly cost Milan mate, not JS Park marking one player out of a game. Hell I consider the job Neville did on Ronaldinho to be more vital to our victory than what Park did to Pirlo. And I am not even a die hard Neville fan. Milan had more than one tiger that could bite. The fact that the tigers were all fat old and toothless was the main reason.
March 12th, 2010 at 20:26
@Grognard: Nah. You never hear about companies being bought out but before the sale, they off-load their best workers and managers. Worst-case for the buyer: The seller takes the best workers with them to start a new company. However, the Glazers will not take United players to play for Tampa Bay Buccaneers or any MLS team.
Rooney will not be sold. EVER. And that’s a fact.
March 12th, 2010 at 20:28
Another Fergusonism:
March 12th, 2010 at 20:30
@[OPTI]Madschester United:
-> 
-> 
-> 
-> 
That is the giggle-loop!
March 12th, 2010 at 20:36
@Grognard: When Makelele was sold by Madrid,Zidane told that you are selling the engine and buying the showpiece parts.Whem Chelsea bought the stats at their peak,then also Makelele was voted as their player of the season.Were they fool or had they no knowledge of the game.Iniesta and Xavi never looses possesion.So there the role of these type of players is less.What about our club.Everytime the midfield looses ball.There were no established defenders this season.Then the use of SUPER PARK comes.He covers each n every blade of grass.Berbatov shouts at him .Why???Bcoz he is humble and modest.Berba cant have the right to shout bcoz he is even more useless in sense of the input and the output he has given to the club.
So mate leave the past 40 years of experience.The time has changed.Even Fergie has changed mate.Now each player is defender unless he has the ball.Look at Spurs.The Russian cant play bcoz of this and he is far better than their whole strikers.
March 12th, 2010 at 21:59
warm and fuzzy Johnny Evans’ interview
March 12th, 2010 at 22:04
@Grognard: There’s one problem with that though Grog – the player has to be willing to go. You can’t just ship an unwilling player out the door without player agreement. Rooney has a contract, and he will renew it soon, then the Glazers cannot sell if the player refuses to go, and says he is willing to see out his contract (which is his right) until the bitter end – then Glazers will lose out big time. Because Fergie will stand by the Rooney contract I believe
.
March 12th, 2010 at 22:08
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Mmmmm not quite sure about that OPTI – because Milan did have their chances and missed 3 absolute sitters. Especially when Becks came on, two Milan players missed sitters. So attack was toothless, but not because Pirlo was marked out, but because their strikers were once again unable to capitalise on their chances on the night!
March 12th, 2010 at 22:25
@CraigMc:If the Glazers (B x3!) employ Viking style raiding and raping tactics on Rooney’s family, Rooney will leave United
Them Glazers are the devil!
March 12th, 2010 at 23:39
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Mate, you are really missing the point. The Glazer’s would not be selling to another investor/entrepreneur looking for a wise investment. They would be off loading a team to a bunch of committed United fans who would buy it no matter the condition. That is why I could see them doing it. I completely agree that if they were selling to some rich Middle Eastern group that they would not dare diminish the value of the club, but as far as the Red Knights go, there motto will be, “you want it bad enough, well here it is, minus Rooney”. Never underestimate the maliciousness of powerful people who are in a position to stick it to you. Red Knights would buy the club with or without Rooney. The Glazer’s would stand to benefit more by selling at a specific take it or leave it price but by also selling one or two key assets just before the takeover. And why? Because they can and because they would like nothing better than to stick it to all those fans who walk around in green and gold and who carry signs that say “Love United Hate Glazer”. I hate their guts but to be honest, if I was in their shoes, I’d love to stick it to those who forced me out and who showed hatred towards me.
March 12th, 2010 at 23:51
@owen: Because Makelele had become the figurehead of a symptom and disease that has taken over the game. Stop the other guy at all costs. It used to be beat the other guy by outscoring him. Today with all the money and the premium being put not at getting 3 points but avoiding zero points, the majority of teams play to avoid losing or getting embarrassed. When Catenaccio was introduced in Italy, it was designed to stop the big attacking clubs at the time like Inter and Juventus. It proved to be so successful that that Inter and Juventus started using it also. That was the big mistake and crime. Rich and large clubs do not need Makelele’s. They need Keane’s, Fabregas’ and Hargreaves’. Players with defensive ability but also skill and imagination to attack. I love box to box midfielders. Fletcher has become one. Carrick is one also. Ballack is probably one of the greatest ever. Players who can attack but also defend. Where I like attack only midfielders like Riquelme, Diego, Iniesta and Ribery, I absolutely loathe defense only midfielders.
Makalele was a luxury to Madrid because at the time of Zdane and Figo, Madrid could afford to have him sweep up and be one dimensional because they had so many attacking weapons. But most teams aren’t built with that much talent and to delegate defense only duties to one or two midfielders is a disgrace and a discredit to the great game. And nothing you or anyone else says can change my mind. The game was just fine before they invented that crappy DMF position and one day innovative managers will once again scrap it and move towards attacking football again because all these things are completely cyclical in nature.
March 12th, 2010 at 23:54
@owen: As for Berba, he is an artist. the football pitch for him is like canvas was to Da Vinci. For Park the canvas is a flat surface where he can take a bucket of paint and throw it at. For some people that is art. I won’t try to force you to understand the difference. Lets just say I much prefer the beauty of Berbatov with all his flaws, over the three lung hustle and lack of skill of one JS Park. To each his own.
March 12th, 2010 at 23:59
@CraigMc: I realize that but I have also seen in the past players who never wanted to leave but were bullied into leaving and who were sufficiently seduced and manipulated by the interested team into coming to play for them. Rooney might consider it if the Glazer’s insult him by not offering him a new contract and if it looks like the end is coming for Fergie. Don’t get me wrong, I agree with your statement. It’s just I have seen players leave teams that I never thought would ever happen. In this age of money and power, nothing surprises me anymore. If a team can unceremoniously discard it’s legends like Keane, Beckham, RVN without a hesitation, then why shouldn’t the odd legend stick it to United and Fergie in the same way. I think Madrid has a lot of power and sleazy skill in seducing players. Rooney would be a tough sell though.
March 13th, 2010 at 0:15
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Have you ever met Rooneys family mate – they are hard nosed scouse GITS who are not easily seduced by anybody trying to rape, seduce or pillage. We will have to see if Rooney himself can be bought, and IF he can, then some folk on here will have to eat their Rooney is a legend words. Rooney said he wants to stay at United for life, so we will see whether he is just a SHIT merchant, or he really does want to be a United legend like Becks. I think Fergie sees Rooney as a Cantona hard nosed character, and like Cantona he will say – I cant understand why Ronaldo or any footballer would willingly leave Man United. That statement itself revealed Cantona’s legendary status continues
.
March 13th, 2010 at 2:48
@Grognard: He’s an artist all right – a con-artist of the first order!!
The guy can’t even run the length of the pitch without a wheeze and a pant, but he’s got you all believing he’s the second coming.
This man can’t hold a candle to likes of Park, Scholes and Rooney.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:11
@Grognard: But the so called artist never paints on big occasions where as Park does the opposite.Berbatov is nothing more than a shit. 30 million ,still not given 30 goals in Utd shirt.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:42
@Redrich: Lokkmate, I know you have your problems with Berbatov and I understand many of your gripes with him. He is lazy and slow and lacking the desire and extra gear we all would liove to see. But the problem here is that Berbatov is just not a good fit for our brand of football. When we got him we thought we were getting a replacement for Cantona because the two shared certain skill sets and a kind of finesse and vision that is rare for forwards. The difference however is that Cantona always had that extra gear and that desire when needed and he always had the hunger and arrogance to excel and consider himself a man amongst boys. Berbatov is a very quiet introverted and shy individual. Although he must have an idea of his own skills, he has a problem with pressure and with playing under a microscope. Unlike Cantona he is a very humble individual and very easily hurt by criticism. Quite frankly, his physical and emotional makeup is not a good fit for United.
Having said all that I will defend him against those who put down his abilities. He is an artist, a genius with the football. A great vision and imagination and amongst the greatest first touch ball control skills i have ever seen. If we could just inject some fire and brimstone into him and charge him up to something resembling Rooney we would have one of the best footballers on the planet. But that’s not going to happen. His heading and finishing skills have fallen since his arrival to OT and his and his inability to adapt and blend in with his teammates on the pitch shows up most of the time. Still, I cannot help it, I love watching the guy when the ball is at his feet.
He’s most definitely an acquired taste and for some, he is bitter salt to the pallet. I understand that and respect that. As much as I love him, I realize that he has not fit in well with United and that we cannot continue to pay him and let him play because he does not offer enough to the team on the pitch. Yet statistics show that we seem to always win when he starts a game. Go figure!
I personally have felt that he has always been a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. He is more suited for the slower and more finesse oriented Italian game and I know he would be a superstar in Serie A. I think it’s time for Fergie to admit defeat, cut his losses and sell him to an Italian team or any team that will have him. Forget what we paid for him, just hope to get 15 to 20 million for him and be happy at that.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:47
@owen: Oh please, make me vomit why don’t you. Berba has not delivered on the big game yet he played a big role in both goals in the League Cup Final. Frankly he often doesn’t even start big games because Fergie is obsessed with five midfielders these days. Pretty hard to impress when you are sitting on the bench.
As for Park, give me a fucking break. He is useless and he probably had his best game ever the other day and right now the Park bandwagon has suffered four flat tires from all the weight of the many morons who have jumped on it. I can count on one hand the highlights of Park’s entire United career. They are that few. So spare me with the Park Appreciation Society love letter because I’m not buying it.
March 13th, 2010 at 9:22
I dont see what the fuss about the Glazers is all about. In my untrained eyes, they are the epitome of good owners!!! They never meddle with the team selections and they allow people with the know how a free hand to run the club. I rather take the word of SAF over anyone else when he said that he has never been turn away when he approach the owners for spending money.
If my memory serves me right, since the Glazers took over the club, our trophy haul hasnt been that bad either. We may not play as attractive as we used to but this is due to the changing tactical landscape accross the continent. I would love for us to play at a faster pace with pressure all over the field, like when the ‘kids’ first came through in the mid-90’s, but we cant seem to do it consistently now.
For the time being, i have faith in the club. More precisely, in SAF. I dont believe he would stand behind the current owners if they are hindering his transfer movement. He has not much to fear from the current owners. What is he to gain by lying about the transfer money?
Well, i have my bullet-proof vest on and am ready to take the ‘fire’ that surely is coming my way.
March 13th, 2010 at 10:04
How a player does is contingent of the players around him! In order to fully utilise berbatov’s skill, talent, n potential, we need to have players around him who are willing to move, therefore taking advantage of his vision and range of passing. Sad to say that with our current tactics, our central midfield pairing does not get forward often or quick enough. They are sitting too far back to offer berba additional options. It is frustrating nowadays to see that we are not commiting as many bodies forward.
Sometimes i secretly wish that our opponents score an early goal to force our players to play at a faster pace
March 13th, 2010 at 10:34
@Grognard: “If a team can unceremoniously discard it’s legends like Keane, Beckham, RVN without a hesitation, then why shouldn’t the odd legend stick it to United and Fergie in the same way”
Beckham wanted to leave mate everyone bar you seems to know it, he turned down numerous cuntracts becuase of his “image” rights, that is real love for the club, he also wanted to promote brand Beckham with his lovely wife more oh we signed Ronaldo as his replacement oo.
RVN fell out with Ronaldo so Fergie sided with the Portuguese lad, I would say he backed the right horse and he had the movement of two legged sloth.
Keane hip was fucked, he could hardly move and went of to ply in the Scottish pub league where he managed to play only 10 game, and there was the matter of slagging the entire team off in a TV interview.
We also have done Ok without them, Fergie does not always do the popular thing but he does the right thing.