Jan 16
Manchester United vs Burnley: Preview
Just as the dust has almost settled after the dismal performance against Birmingham, we get the fantastic news about our financial situation. The doomsday soothsayers are out in force and every Manchester United fan in the land is slightly worried. Apparently the club are in crisis. So what better time to be facing a team that has just changed coach? Burnley visit Old Trafford later today and this could well prove the match that gets our season back on track.
Newly appointed Brain Laws will be looking to continue the good work of the departed Owen Coyle, he is of course the best pound for point manager from the Championship during the period 2006-2009. Yes folks! That’s the reason he was appointed as Burnley manager,
“The results of a Deloitte and Touche study, delivered at the club’s request, confirm that he was top of the list of Championship managers over the period 2006-2009, in terms of delivering the best results relative to financial budgets,” according to Burnley chairman, Barry Kilby.
United go into the match with the news that Edwin van der Sar is back fit and with the squad, Sir Alex Ferguson is going to make sure van der Sar feels right before making the decision on whether to start him or not. Due to the confidence he brings at the back it looks likely he will replace Tomasz Kuszczak in goal.
Ferguson has stated he wants a consistent side, especially in defence. Jonny Evans and Wes Brown should continue in the heart of the defence, Patrice Evra will of course be at left-back and Rafael should start on the right side. Rio Ferdinand has made progress while training in Qatar, but the Burnley game comes a bit too early for him. Nemanja Vidic may make the bench as he is close to a full recovery.
Darren Fletcher is suspended after his red card last weekend, so Anderson may be drafted in as a replacement. Michael Carrick will be his midfield partner. Antonio Valencia will take up his usual right midfield role, with Ryan Giggs brought back into the side at the expense of Ji-Sung Park.
As usual Wayne Rooney will lead the United front line, but who will be his able assistant? DImitar Berbatov is carrying an injury that will have to be operated on, so Ferguson may decide not to risk him. Michael Owen will be itching for a start, though Mame Biram Diouf might get his first start since joining the club earlier in the month.
Burnley are also in a bit of a slump, they haven’t won in 10 games. Defender and captain Steven Caldwell looks likely to miss out with a groin strain while midfielder Jay Rodriguez should also be absent with an ankle injury. Andre Bikey has now joined up with the Cameroon side at the African Cup of Nations in Angola so is unavailable.
Defenders Stephen Jordan and Tyrone Mears should both return to the side after the pair missed the FA Cup trip to MK Dons due to suspension.
The Clarets have picked up just one point from a possible 30 away from home in the Premier League, the worst record of any team. Their last away win at Old Trafford was a 5-2 victory in September 1962. They have also conceded at least two goals in all of their Premier League away matches this season and failed to score in the last three as well. So statistics are at least on our side.
We need to win; it’s as simple as that.
Prediction: 3-1 United
Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Evans, Brown, Rafael, Giggs, Anderson, Carrick, Valencia, Rooney, Owen.
* * *
Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register.
Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted).
So, give this a run if you’re up for it.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Betting Preview: Manchester United set to thump Burnley
- Man Utd v Wigan
- Burnley v Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Manchester United 2006/2007 Season Review
Tags: Game Preview
January 16th, 2010 at 9:52
This is a real statement game for United. A chance to show everyone that they are not distracted by all the Glazer nonsense and that the club’s poor form is in the past. Further more, this is a chance for some old fashioned butt kicking revenge against a minnow that had the gall to beat us last time out.
I won’t be waking up for this game as it will probably be a yawner but nevertheless, United should prevail easily I would think against this Coyleless bunch of muppets. If we lose this game, it will be curtains for this team, honestly.
January 16th, 2010 at 10:01
1-1
January 16th, 2010 at 10:31
@Grognard: I agree, big game today I will be there cant wait, time for the players to step up to the plate 4-0 Owen two and Rooney two!!
January 16th, 2010 at 10:36
@Stephen: I really want to get behind the team but they just won’t let me. Attacking adversity and playing a great game today would go a long way in telling us what the final outcome of this season will be.
The season so far reminds of one of those golf tournaments when nobody seems to be making any birdies or a charge in the final round and the winner wins the tournament by just parring in. Nobody seems to want it and so it’s time for a team to take charge and say it belongs to them. So far Chelsea and Arsenal have not put the peddle to the medal and so it just makes me wonder just how badly the Prem has faltered this year as a League. Mediocrity is the best way I can describe the league and the season so far.
January 16th, 2010 at 10:43
@Grognard: Hopefully Fergie has installed a siege mentality into the players like he used to, going away was the best thing he could have done, some team bonding.
I agree no side has stamped their authority on the leage this season which is good for us, if we loose toay or not win for me we have some major problems.
January 16th, 2010 at 10:52
@Grognard: I think the premiership has been much more interesting this year. Well not from a united fans point of view but when you look at how chelsea, united and arsenal are so close to each other plus man city in the next month should enter the race. Its gonna be quite a run in. Id rather watch this than see la liga where 2 teams beat everyone else. How boring!Maybe it is mediocre but quite interesting
January 16th, 2010 at 10:57
I hope today the diouf lad gets more than 10 min…We need to see if hes any good because Berbatov is pure shit at united. Hes just not good enough for this club. Or he doesnt fit. Im knid of expecting a formation with all the unwanted people….neville,scholes and park and that woulf be a pure shame. No disrespect but I cant wait for all three to retire/be sold. Legends, well two of them but how long can we stutter the growth of people like rafael? Play Nani on the left! I kind of miss the lkad suprisingly. I can even remember how he looks in the jersey….We need a good 3-0, 4-0 win today
January 16th, 2010 at 10:57
even with our troubles, i’d expect a win. Lets see if Fergies man management can win the day and the season!
January 16th, 2010 at 10:59
We need an arab owner….
Theres so many billionaires in Qatar, Saudi we only need one. Imagine us with even half of citys money….
January 16th, 2010 at 11:17
@phoenix red: If we do win the league this year, it would arguably Fergies greatest achievement in my eyes.
January 16th, 2010 at 11:18
If you can’t watch this game you can try free live streams
Hope you’ll like it
It Polish site but streams are in 90% in English so… just scrolldown page and you’ll find those free streams!
January 16th, 2010 at 12:18
Hope we see Diouf and Rooney in case Berba is not fit.I long for the day or time we start buying players we intend to use and by that i mean we give them time to either grab or let go instead of piling players that will never play.Personally, i think Owen is past it and we should be looking further than him. He might score goals here and there,but so does Heskey.
I predict this game to be another snooze fest and a narrow win for us,maybe a dubious penalty and i predict Nani will start on the left with Giggs and Carrick in the middle.
My preferred line up would be Kuszack,Rafael,Brown,Evans,Evra,Anderson,Carrick,Nani,Valencia, Rooney,Berba/Diouf.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:34
@donibrasco: Personally mate I think Owen needs a run, this Diouf is a punt foe me, Owen is proven quality as an out and out goalscorer I can’t for the life of me understand why Fergie has it in his head that Rooney and him can’t play together, how bad has Berba got to play to be dropped?????? He was playing better last season and was out of the side.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:39
I dont see how the new of the last week will not effect the team in some way. I hope the effect is positive how ever.
A clip from todays times
Ferguson refused to take questions on Manchester United’s bond issue, although one of the club’s most prominent supporters, the bookmaker Fred Done, who is worth £510m and owns the Betfred chain, said he would “not touch it with a bargepole”.
The bookmaker said: “I am seeing empty corporate boxes, I am seeing empty seats and there are tickets on open sale which you did not see a year ago. I am seeing cracks in the team. It is just debt-ridden and as a supporter, it saddens me. I hope we do not go the way of Portsmouth.”
Lets hope the fans that are left at OT today shout out above the noise of the day trippers rustling their crisp packets and mega store bags and voice their disgust at the cancer that is eating through are once great club.
GlazierOut
January 16th, 2010 at 12:54
I dont see how the new of the last week will not effect the team in some way. I hope the effect is positive how ever.
A clip from todays times
Ferguson refused to take questions on Manchester United’s bond issue, although one of the club’s most prominent supporters, the bookmaker Fred Done, who is worth £510m and owns the Betfred chain, said he would “not touch it with a bargepole”.
The bookmaker said: “I am seeing empty corporate boxes, I am seeing empty seats and there are tickets on open sale which you did not see a year ago. I am seeing cracks in the team. It is just debt-ridden and as a supporter, it saddens me. I hope we do not go the way of Portsmouth.”
Lets hope the fans that are left at OT today shout out above the noise of the day trippers rustling their crisp packets and mega store bags and voice their disgust at the cancer that is eating through are once great club.
GlazierOut
@Taehr:
Dont want to go through this again but we are valued at between 1bn and 1.5bn + 700m debt plus a further 150 million needed for players. You would have to be crazy to even think about buying us. Empty corporate boxes, empty seats. The first change in manager in over two decades is coming and big holes are appearing in the squad.
A problem with united supporters these days they bury their heads in the sand and think we will win more trophies (as it is our right) so who cares about the debt. Either that or they even more arrogantly say we are man united a rich Arab or so and so will save us with a big pot of cash. we are to big to land in the sh*t. BULL SH*T you are never to big. It takes a long time to build success but very little time to see success pass you by
head out of the sand time as I have been saying to people for years.
GlazierOut Remove the cancer from our club
January 16th, 2010 at 12:59
@Stephen: the way i see it, he needs to play berba to raise his confidence, and getting dropped wont do any help at all and i still prefer berba to owen we need every bit of creativity we can get at the moment.
January 16th, 2010 at 13:02
@donibrasco: Nani is not in the squad mate, because he is only just coming back from injury, so he wont be on the left – sadly!
January 16th, 2010 at 13:03
@ROOOOONEY: I see where you are going matey, but we need results first and foremost at the moment and cannot afford to carry passengers, if Owen, Berba, Macheda or Diouf are in form then they should play on merit in my eyes.
January 16th, 2010 at 13:37
@Stephen: I hope Diouf is more of a worthy punt than Adem, that work permit excuse is bullshit, I remember Manucho being loaned out because of his permit and where is he now!? its so disturbing watching the club protect the fans and the players with lies, the sad part no one calls them out for it.
January 16th, 2010 at 13:44
@ROOOOONEY: I agree, personally they treat the fans like idiots, I would rather them to come out and admit we were skint because we all know we are.
With Diouf I personally think he is another Manucho, but time will tell and hope I am wrong, he seem to be doing a Rafa frittering money away on punts, Tosic £8m, Obertan £3m and Diouf £2m that is £11m which we could have spent on a half decent centre mid Spurs were rumoured to be offering £7.5m for Flamani, also why not try and get Huntelaar on loan he needs first team football to be in the Dutch national squad.
January 16th, 2010 at 13:51
Anderson, Gibson, Scholes and Park .. if any one of these guys play, I am not going to watch the match for sure.
Berba-Rooney / Carrick-Fletch / Giggs-Valencia please !! VDS will be back which is a positive.
The scoreline is of no consequence really. Wigan 5-0 is a proof. Unless we stop playing like pussies in away games, I wont be pacified for sure, whatever be the score today.
As an aside, I believe for away games playing without wingers is better. Play Fletcher on the right and Carrick-Anderson in middle with Giggs supporting Berba and Rooney. We keep a lot of possesion and manage to string a few passes together. Spurs away display was the last convincing one tbh. Wingers are generally wasted in such games unless of course they are good at counter-attacking. We dont have that quality this season.
Of course, I cant really believe how poor we are at attacking set-pieces. They is practically zero threat. Vidic has no partners in crime. On the contrary, we looked highly vulnerable at defending at set-pieces, esp shockingly against Birmingham where we failed to win one header clearly. I hope this gets addressed soon with VDS and Rio back.
January 16th, 2010 at 14:01
@poiuy: Valencia has scored 7 goals this season??? Fletch is also useless out wide, he is a centre mid and the only player in our side who can tackle.
January 16th, 2010 at 14:09
@RedTan: Maybe his view is that if the Glazers cannot secure this bond issue, then they would have to sell the club. The possibility of that is worth not investing alone.
@Stephen: Rafa would spend £8mil on 5 punts rather than £30mil on a certainty. £3mil on Obertan looks to have been well spent, and £2mil for Diouf if he is half as good as all the talk will be very well spent. Tosic however……..
January 16th, 2010 at 14:11
Red Ranter, why does quoting someone now link the entire page rather than just #comment-283383 or whatever it is? The cynic in me says it’s because the old way jumps around the current page, and the new one reloads the page, reloading all the adverts too……
January 16th, 2010 at 14:14
@Stephen: I was being specific about away games. Fletcher can do a good job on the right like Hargo by keep it simple and stupid. That way we can dominate possession and stop the opposition from playing ( as Fergie wants). In centre, Carrick can go deep and hold along with Anderson. Leave the movement and creativity to Giggs/Berba/Rooney. Hargreaves is actually the best man for this job. Rather than play a work-horse winger like Park, better play a centre-mid and play another striker instead. This gives us a diamond-ish dimension. (CL final is another example when this thing worked out perfectly.)
Otherwise in general play Fletch in the middle. Hes the boss there. But dont forget to buy Silva, Benzema, Arshavin and company.
January 16th, 2010 at 14:15
@poiuy: Have you ever watched a game of football before? Valencia and Rooney are the best of a bad bunch at the moment.
Saying that we are going to win 5-0 and Anderson to get a hat-trick
January 16th, 2010 at 14:18
@Traverse: Lets see, I am off to the pub to have 4 quick pints before the massacring of Burnley!! Come on boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 16th, 2010 at 14:25
@Traverse:
Yes, mate, I have seen a few. I have seen United win with style and pride.
It is not of concern to me whether some players are playing badly right now. Berba isnt having a great time but still I want to see him week-in week-out. These guys I mentioned continually fuck our gameplay and I cant stand them even if they turn world-class overnight. Anderson can score 30 goals tonight and still he will be a bonehead :p
January 16th, 2010 at 14:43
@poiuy: I am sorry we view the game differently but at a time when we are talking about players getting played out of position and tactics being wrong you bring a suggestion of Fletch on the right.My God!We are United and not Arsenal or Barca who are good at the passing game they dont rely on counter attacks and speedy wingers like we do.
Our sort of game needs pacy wingers and i have to mention that Hargo on the right against Chelsea was a defensive move that would not make sense against teams like Burnley.
January 16th, 2010 at 14:56
As far as Im aware Berbatov is injured. I want to see a 4-4-2 today. Because if you are too scared to play a 4-4-2 at home against one of the weakest clubs in the division, you really do deserve to get nothing from the game.
I wanna see Rooney and Owen because I think Owen could be vital against Manchester City in the cup, because City will try and attack us and we will have chances on the break.
January 16th, 2010 at 15:10
VDS
NEV BROWN EVANS EVRA
VALENCIA SCHOLES CARRICK NANI
ROON BERBA
January 16th, 2010 at 15:11
SB: Owen, Diouf, Anderson, Park, Fabio, Rafael, Pig
January 16th, 2010 at 15:17
I don’t know why, but I do know that Anderson will score today…
Come on lads, it’s been a torrid last few weeks for me personally and club wise, a win today would really help a lot. I hope we really get going today, playing great football and winning beautifully! Well, at least try.
January 16th, 2010 at 15:21
@Traverse: About that side…
Plus: NANI IS PLAYING!!!
VDS is back, Brown and Evans paired again and we get to see a 4-4-2 formation with both Valencia and Rooney.
Negatives: Neville, Scholes and Berbatov, why not start Anderson or Fletcher in a physical game?
BELIEVE!
January 16th, 2010 at 15:45
@EduardoDaVinci4: Fletch is suspended mate.
COME ON UNITED!!!
January 16th, 2010 at 15:45
dippers draw at stoke!!
January 16th, 2010 at 15:54
@EduardoDaVinci4: Because both of those will start against Citeh on Wednesday.
January 16th, 2010 at 15:55
January 16th, 2010 at 15:57
@edwin: Oh yeah, forgot that.
Oh well, should at least have started Andy, I’m worried about Scholes… 
However, if it’s like Traverse prediction that both of them will start against Shitty then it’s ariite! 
January 16th, 2010 at 16:00
@EduardoDaVinci4:
LESS TAWC HABOUT FACHS!
January 16th, 2010 at 16:13
scholes and carrick are both sitting too deep. so close to defence that when the defenders have the ball their only outlet is a long one over the top!
January 16th, 2010 at 16:27
chelscum have already scored 3 goals!!!
January 16th, 2010 at 16:30
Midget Rooney is not meant for high crosses… arrrrgh!
January 16th, 2010 at 16:35
the ref being a bit fussy…nani has been good
January 16th, 2010 at 16:36
I can’t get to wotch this!
This usually means we’re going to win.
People from South Africa, isn’t Supersport broadcasting this game?
January 16th, 2010 at 16:38
any other web links to watch the match anyone??
January 16th, 2010 at 16:40
@redpenguin: just sopcast
January 16th, 2010 at 16:44
chelsea have 4 now
January 16th, 2010 at 16:48
@redpenguin: do we care? i will be more worried to see 0-0 at half time in OT
January 16th, 2010 at 16:52
First half review?
January 16th, 2010 at 16:53
well 0-0 it is
poor performace by all accounts tho nani doin well
January 16th, 2010 at 16:56
Scholes is shit…
I am delighted to see Nani back, he and Valencia on the flanks work really well!
Berbatov is shit…
Rooney is struggling with the high balls
Neville is shit…
If Andy comes on for Scholes at HT I can see us winning this by a lot of goals
January 16th, 2010 at 16:57
That overhead kick by Nani was mint. Luv ya Luis!
January 16th, 2010 at 16:57
Half time report : They havent put the damn ball in the back of the net..which they should have!! Final ball and first touches have been depressing
January 16th, 2010 at 16:58
what I saw of Nani was no different that any other utd player. Poor poor poor. Valencia’s right wing is where all our action comes from.
January 16th, 2010 at 16:58
@redpenguin: And Chelseas are 4-0 up, when it was said that they were going to suffer from Drogba, Essien, Kalou at the ACN.
That was supposed to be our advantage over them.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:01
missed first half saw hilits nani overhead whaaa, berba wiffes it roon unlucky…
I miss anything else?
January 16th, 2010 at 17:04
@NicoQB: no dangerous opponents during acn for them im afraid
maybe drogba will be injured 
January 16th, 2010 at 17:05
@NicoQB: its sunderland.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:06
without watching the first half i could probably make at least two changes gary and scholes berba the third
January 16th, 2010 at 17:07
Hello Patrice. Are you still sure that the area here we need more tweaking is really the defence?
January 16th, 2010 at 17:10
COME ON UNITED!!!
January 16th, 2010 at 17:13
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Sunderland are a much better team than Burnley.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:14
We’ve been missing that last touch/ball. If we had that it’d 4 or 5. Too many crosses to midgets. If we’re gonna cross so often give Diouf the half and see what he can do.
Nani and Valencia are doign well. Valencia best player by loads. Rooney frustrated. Scholes/Neville terrible still. Anderson + Rafael on.
ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:14
@NicoQB: Sunderland are missing all their good players to injury really, but it’s still irritating.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:17
rafiel owen anderson HELP
January 16th, 2010 at 17:19
eagles is beast mode in this game
January 16th, 2010 at 17:21
nevill off now please
January 16th, 2010 at 17:23
this is terrible, again! what do we have to do to get our strikers to shoot on target!!!!
January 16th, 2010 at 17:25
Why play Berbatov? All his supporters claim his poor performances are down to injury. If so rest him and play Owen instead! Hell Im sure we’d do better with a 4-3-3 with Nani, Valencia and Rooney giving us a bit of a goal threat.
I have to say Im depressed of watching us struggle to break teams down, while teams like Arsenal and Chelsea crush bottom feeder teams 4-0.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:26
Berba!!! thank fuck!!
January 16th, 2010 at 17:26
Pass. Touch. Finish.
Quality.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:26
Carrick off Anderson on. Here comes the hat-trick!
January 16th, 2010 at 17:29
hopefully we get some add ons from the eagles transfer he is on fire
January 16th, 2010 at 17:30
2nill were rampant
January 16th, 2010 at 17:31
Rooney!!! 2-0, nice one, now put them to the sword
January 16th, 2010 at 17:31
mwaaarrr fukin goals please
January 16th, 2010 at 17:35
Owen and Diouf on. Berba Rooney off.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:37
diouf is fast
January 16th, 2010 at 17:43
nice amount of venom on andos shot
January 16th, 2010 at 17:48
So has Berba still been poor? Involved in the two goals apparently.
If that was Giggs…
January 16th, 2010 at 17:50
Chelsea 7-1 ..if that make anyone’s day!!
January 16th, 2010 at 17:52
Tevez who?
January 16th, 2010 at 17:52
I! FUCKING! TOLD! YOU!!!
January 16th, 2010 at 17:53
@Shyam: fook the scum we have DIOUFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
January 16th, 2010 at 17:53
DIOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUF
With the head!
January 16th, 2010 at 17:54
Diouf Diouf Diouf
January 16th, 2010 at 17:54
@EduardoDaVinci4:
good eye eddy 
January 16th, 2010 at 17:54
@Shyam: don’t give a rats ass about Chelsea unless they’ve lost.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:55
@Shyam: I don’t care what Chelsea do. I am a United through and through.
January 16th, 2010 at 17:57
@EduardoDaVinci4: this is Footy4Eddy???
January 16th, 2010 at 17:58
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Yap
January 16th, 2010 at 17:59
the commentator lou macari is tosh, its seems he holds a grudge against nani..looking back he was like this with ronaldo as well
January 16th, 2010 at 18:01
@[OPTI]Madschester United: no its reddevileddy
January 16th, 2010 at 18:02
@RMJ: ABU imo
January 16th, 2010 at 18:02
@Traverse:
Not the most convincing performance and in truth a feel we were a little lucky to say the least. Well done to Diouf I thought he took his goal well.
January 16th, 2010 at 18:03
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Whoa whoa….me too dude..some ppl here was more concerned on what Chelsea was doing..i was being sarcastic…
January 16th, 2010 at 18:05
@Shyam: TBF I dont understand any 1 who types on a forum while the game is on.
January 16th, 2010 at 18:06
@Shyam: against a less than full strength fullham and ovcorce their scoring more now that the dragqueen is away. they can play with 11 the full time and dont have a man rolling on the pitch and faking injury
January 16th, 2010 at 18:07
@Grognard: “mediocrity?”
in America we have a name for that. We call it “parity” and it’s celebrated…
January 16th, 2010 at 18:08
Hardly convincing, teams better than Burnley are capable of defending for 90 minutes, but its good for our strikers to get their names on the scoresheet. True to form Berbatov seems only capable of scoring against bottom of the table teams, but a goal is a goal.
Diouf looks promising. We’ve been crying out for a striker with pace and aerial ability and while he is very very raw, with money in short supply it would be worth giving him the first team chances to develop.
I hope he won’t go the way of Macheda, scoring a few goals in substitute appearances, then getting very few chances and looking ordinary whenever he does get to play a full game.
January 16th, 2010 at 18:09
that being said..i am not ecstatic or jumping off the floor with this performance..Defense was awful!!…people were skinned so easy by mediocre premier league players!!…god knows what happens when wright philips and co is running at you..
I have to say it but midfield got better once Anderson was on..he passed well, moved more than “slow legs” Carrick..he was below par more than Scholes i think. Valencia (1st half) and Nani(2nd half) did well in pieces ..
Our offence was better and sharper around a disciplined Burnley defense..Rooney showed good touches in the second half and was ably supported by Berba..Diouf looked good but nowhere near a performance to go gaga about…but we take that out of a below par performance from the team!!
January 16th, 2010 at 18:10
Landon Donovan scoring a hat trick against shiteh would be nice now
January 16th, 2010 at 18:12
I think the scoreline is VERY flattering. Burnley could have EASILY – i repeat – EASILY have had 4 goals today, three of them spurned due to awful finishing and one hitting the post. Well, a win is a win I guess and right now I couldn’t care less.
January 16th, 2010 at 18:14
Yes DIOUF! I’ve been so excited to see him play and he delivered, three chances, one goal, excellent. Like the look of this lad, glad to see Nani back as well, he had a bit of clout of play at times, still a little slow to get a ball in but he gave the side impetus today, we played (if only against an Owen Coyle-less Burnley) like United players today, actually attacking, taking on difficult shots, fighting to win.
We were a bit dull against Burnley’s counter sometimes, that was partly down to us actually throwing players forward with a bit of nerve, slightly shoddy defending and the emerging incompetence of G.Nev, but he even showed a few glimmers of something good again today, attacking-wise.
Have United turned a page? I hope so, I definitely think the positive 4-4-2 approach as opposed to a 4-5-1 helped today. Also Nani showed some menace and Anderson made some good long balls, a good result leading up to this cup/derby game.
January 16th, 2010 at 18:15
@antsBoy: as we have seen with our own strikers final touch in the back of the net is anything but EASY
January 16th, 2010 at 18:21
@NicoQB: and that lazy Berba never makes runs…
Berba successfully side tackled an opposition player today!
Berba should have got one more though… unlucky…
Rooney was good.. but seriously his shooting is atrocious… Valencia was colossal… Nani was suprisingly good… needs to be played more often…
Diouf is fasssssssssssssst… Very good finish… looks good in the air… finally somebody with aerial threat…
January 16th, 2010 at 18:28
The perfomance was ok, We should have been done by halftime but we always make things difficult for ourselves. Good goal by diouf. I see him as a sort of Saha minus the injuries. Hope he gets much more games. Rooney did ok but not anywhere near as sharp as he should be. Valencia was very good again. But unless we have diouf in their his high crosses will never work. We need him to put more low ones.
I was actually happy to see Nani today, he was the same old Nani but hey, better than park and could have scores goal of the year. The defence looks quite shite at the moment it has to be said.
January 16th, 2010 at 18:37
@gator:
January 16th, 2010 at 18:39
I was very pleased with our wing play today. What a great surprise to see Nani given a go and for someone who has not played a game for quite sometime I was delighted by his performance. Nani gave us some flair and excitment for a change. Wonder why Valencia was open so many freaking times during the match? Well that is becuase Burnley doubled on Nani every chance thay got. Nani’s shot was a little rusty, but most of his decisions were acceptable.
Berbatov and Rooney played alright, but the middle of our midfield was terrible today. Then again, it always is. Evra played well and was our best defender, but the rest of the defense was all over the place. Thank God VDS was back to help do something with that mess.
Diouf was alright. With the type of balls Valencia was putting in the box, they were crying for someone like Diouf to head them. The lad needs a chance. I am not so sure his goal was meant to be. I am not sure if Diouf was just trying to head it past the keeper in order to run on to it or if he meant to put in in goal. Nevertheless, he was brave and strong and showed good speed and movement for the whole play.
As for Lou Macari and his assessment of Nani: Lou can lick my ass!!!!!!!!
January 16th, 2010 at 18:53
Fuck me – I was so busy shouting my head off for mi man Nani, that I nearly missed my lift home
. Nani – fucking little genius. Craig Mc with the Salford rugby boys and more than a little bit pissed. Well have to take the pocket flask and have the odd nip or many nips of brandy with the lads on the terraces don’t you? Come on Nani – you were bloody brilliant today, considering you were game rusty! Groggy, Mr Groggy – who understands Lil Man nearly as much as me – he did good Groggy. Don’t deny it, or I will have to come to CANADA and hit you with my brandy flask. Talking brandy, the missus is mad as hell with me, cos she doesn’t like me going out with the rugby lads, but hell I’m off the leash, in Manc land and enjoying myself. I am in the Newcastle doghouse, and told to ship up or ship out, so I am gonna stay in Manc land until wednesday after City game, and she can like it or lump it.
January 16th, 2010 at 18:57
@RichmondRed – woooooooooooooooooooooooo – you got that right – Nani what a dreamster eh? Game rusty, but did his very big bit. Did more than Rooney!
January 16th, 2010 at 18:59
@AndyCR7: I thought Valencia was very wasteful today. Back to the “hesitate and pass” instead of taking on his defender and driving into the box.
January 16th, 2010 at 19:00
Lou Macari – fuck off you ignorant, no nowt tosser, Nani was bloody good today considering he has been out so long. And hey guys Macari’s pet player is Scholesy
. Can understand that in the past, but fuck come into the present Macari you blind eyed tosser!
January 16th, 2010 at 19:01
everton are giving citeh all they can handle atm please get in
January 16th, 2010 at 19:02
Nani was shit…
Just fucking with you Craig, Nani was very good today.
Rusty, but good. Gave us width and I hope there is more gametime for him in the future.
January 16th, 2010 at 19:02
@gator: COME ON TOFFEES!!!
January 16th, 2010 at 19:02
@AndyCR7:
I will bang on my own drum a bit here:
I alone with Craigy (ok, maybe Grognard sometimes… ok amybe a few others too) stood by Nani, thinking that there was still hope for him.
And Berbatov, more often than not, when the team produces a result, even if he’s not MOTM, the general consensus is he’s been among our three best players on the night.
3 goals in 4 league starts now.
January 16th, 2010 at 19:03
Redrich mi man, yeah Valenci-dire was all you said, but Nani is all I said
. Sorry Rich mi man – but I am a little brandy brained 
. Don’t give it to me though Bro, cos I am off the leash for supposedly today, but the missus pissed me off, so I am staying until the City massacre game. We will massacre them 
.
January 16th, 2010 at 19:05
NicoQB – one of the few bloggers with Nani brains on this blog.
January 16th, 2010 at 19:08
Eddi mi man, if I wasn’t wasted with the rest of the terrace Salford Rugby supporting lads, I would fly our to Norway and tan your arse for any derogatory comments on mi man Nani. You and Groggy better be nice to Lil man – or else – thump thump thump
January 16th, 2010 at 19:11
pinar has hit 3 frees in a row
January 16th, 2010 at 19:13
@Craig Mc: Your missus, or Nani’s misses???
January 16th, 2010 at 19:22
I’m surprised everyone is moaning about the poor performance. I thought we were okay generally,except for Gary Neville who just vowed to stay on after this season. I take heart in this evening’s performance because at least for once we were trying by all means necessary to attack. In fact I thought we went for the jugular and a better team might have taken advantage on the counter.
Berbatov is a mainstay in critic land,and he’ll never be given a chance by the fans till he scores a hat trick of hat tricks on the trot. I’m surprised because he was one of our best players,who unlike Rooney gets 99% of his intelligent passes to the intended target. His goal was brilliant and had technical excellence written all over it. So was his majestic control-turn-shoot with the ball hitting the post. Please give that guy a break,even if you don’t like him.
Nani- did well and I would add exceptionally in the first half. He was really up for it after a million years on the sidelines. He faded after Berba and Rooney came off,but I see him as our best option on the left right now. He combined well with Evra,but looked rusty at times with some poor passes here and there. But then again so did Rooney who has been playing more than regularly.
Midfield- Paul Scholes was good and great at times but nothing less. He did well to keep us moving and in possession and showed more purpose than the OK Carrick. His crossfield passes were excellent,esp to find Tony. Carrick was quite invisible and could have done a better job at covering the back 4 who were often caught on the break after a failed attack.
Valencia-If United fans were honest people who look beyond things like our failure to adequately replace Cristiano Ronaldo,then we would all admit that Tony and Evra have been our best players so far this season. Today he did great. In fact he was our main channel of attack as everyone was just looking for him everytime we were in possession. He created probably a dozen decent chances for anyone who was interested in joining the attack. His pass completion rate was probably over 80% today. My man of the match with some daylight between him and Scholes in my rankings.
As for the others: I would have to say Rooney had one of his better all round games today. He probably had a pass completion rate over 50% and that’s a milestone for him this season. He combined well with Valencia and Berbatov and with Nani they kinda gave us an attacking quartet which we have been missing for a long time now. Gary Neville is not a better option than Rafael and so there is no more justification for his continued prolonged involvement. I feel sorry for Fabio because of what he is up against but it shouldn’t be the same for Rafael. Anderson brought a good balance to our team and we got a glimpse of what he can do when played in his position. He was predictably all over the place and made some really good forward passes. I don’t know why I’m one of the only people who see great things in him and Nani. Jonathan Evans is no Gerard Pique in my opinion but he can hold his own,and that’s what he did. Good stuff. I won’t say anything about Evra because he can’t buy a bad game even if he wanted to. And a shout to Diouf who like the last Molde recruit,had an immediate impact on the big stage. Not much could be deduced from the limited time he and Owen got.
My conclusion is this very 11,well with the exception of Neville should start at least the next 3 games together. I would personally prefer a midfield of Anderson and Fletcher but I’d still take Scholes and Carrick if it means we can avoid Ferguson’s stupid rotation policy. I won’t make an exception for Neville though.
January 16th, 2010 at 19:22
richards gives away a pen in added in first half poor shitty …bwahhhhaa
January 16th, 2010 at 19:23
The honeymoon’s over, Roberto!!
January 16th, 2010 at 19:28
@Redrich: You don’t need to reply but I don’t know if you were actually viewing the game everyone else was. I bet you the only one to say that. But as you say,each to his own.
January 16th, 2010 at 19:31
Redrich –
, I know Nani’s missus is bloody gorgeous, but yeah I was talking about my missus 
January 16th, 2010 at 19:35
Jaywire – you have fantastic brain and eyesight mate – your comments on Nani are spot on mate, totally spot on
January 16th, 2010 at 19:38
Here is a question for anyone who has an idea:where in the world is Owen Hargreaves?
January 16th, 2010 at 19:51
@RMJ: Rubbish mate. Nani was shit especially in the second half and Macari made sure he knew it. He also let Valencia have it for not being aggressive enough and he was right there too.
January 16th, 2010 at 19:56
@Grognard: My God you are sadder than I thought you were EX BLIND FRIEND. cOME ON lIL mAN, EVERYONE ELSE THINKS YOU WERE GREAT except the blindsters Macari and Grogster. Sorry RR!
January 16th, 2010 at 19:58
@Johnsom33: Well I don’t celebrate it one bit and I never have. I loved the NFL back in the day when there were a half dozen dominant teams and it was usually the same teams year after year, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Miami, Oakland, Minnesota and the LA Rams. Later a few of those fell off and were replaced by San Francisco and the Giants. That’s the way I like it. I am right wing when it comes to sports. I hate democracy and I love dynasties. I like the little minnows always shooting for the team at the top of the pyramid. Because it’s those dynasty teams that give the game and it’s league the legendary status and legacy that make the league successful. Not shit bag teams who have a good year or two of a run and then disappear from the scene like Blackburn or Everton. I personally don’t care if my opinion or my preference is popular. I’m just expressing the way I prefer leagues in sports to be. When there is no dominant franchises in a sport, there is really nothing to aim and shoot for. Might as well pick your winner out of a hat then. Great teams elevate the standards of the mediocre.
January 16th, 2010 at 20:01
Nani was better than park but still Nani which = no end product and continiously losing possesion
January 16th, 2010 at 20:02
Robinho got raped by Mancini there!
I think that’s the last we’ve seen from him in the Premier League…
January 16th, 2010 at 20:11
@CraigMc: Listen mate, I’m not going to candy coat my feelings on Nani to avoid your wrath friend or no friend (and I consider you a friend, not an ex friend). First off I was happy to see Nani start the game. Hell, I was overjoyed. His first half was not great but not bad either. The second half was one bad mental mistake after another. He stunk but here’s the thing, I still would prefer him starting every game at left wing because what he needs is games. I never expected much today. The lad has been sitting on his arse for so long. So his performance was very predictable. Still, he had his odd moment where you could see a little of the old Nani out there. I was glad to see he got 90 minutes and I would be ecstatic with Fergie if he started him 3 or 4 games in a row to see if the Lil Man has what it takes. Based on today he never showed much but again, I never expected much after such a lengthy layoff.
So stop your bitching and face up to the facts. I love Nani too but I am not going to sugar coat his performances when he plays poorly. That whole second half was terrible for him as he continually made the wrong play. I do like one thing he did though which was be much more aggressive than that cowardly slug playing on the right side known I believe by the name ValenciaDire or DireValencia. Valencia put in a real cowards display today with his inability to run at fullbacks and to challenge anyone. As soon as the ball was at his feet he bailed out with a useless blind as a bat corner to absolutely nobody. I found I was crying the name Krasic all game. I never felt that way about Nani because he was at least cutting inside, trying to take on defenders. He just wasn’t doing a good job of it. One thing Nani has to go back to is going at people at full speed, not at half speed or one quarter speed. He like Valencia are playing very tentatively. I blame that mostly on Fergie’s demands on them and the slow Italian tactics we play (not to be mistaken with the faster more efficient Italian tactics employed by a team named Chelsea). Hope to see much more of Nani and if he gets a true run with the team, he just might secure his future because I still believe that when he is on the pitch, we are a better team, even if he doesn’t play that well. So, do you still hate me?
January 16th, 2010 at 20:17
@Taehr: Rubbish, get down to specsavers mate
January 16th, 2010 at 20:21
@Grognard: Whatever, – please yourself. Me and the rugby lads think he was better than anything we have had on the wings so far. He gave Rooney (your lover boy) so many chances, but as usual, Rooney can’t head the ball, control it, or shoot to save his fucking life. Anyway each to his own. I love Nani, and you love kick it into the air or anywhere except the net Rooney. Come on Lil man, most MANCS and I means MANCS, thought you did good today, in your 1st game back after 16 games out. Rooney the mis-hitter however played every game and still looks ordinary
. Come on Lil Man. By the way Nani, come join the salford REDS, yes REDS, and we will PARTY and celebrate with you!
January 16th, 2010 at 20:22
Felliani is playing like possessed today….he ruled that midfield!!
January 16th, 2010 at 20:23
@Grognard: Up yours!
January 16th, 2010 at 20:24
@Shyam: I agree, wish he played for us, he is bloody brilliant MF’r.
January 16th, 2010 at 20:27
Diouf!!!
What were the crowd singing at the end of the video?
January 16th, 2010 at 20:32
@CraigMc: Come on craig, maybe you need a pair, he did nothing great apart from from the overhead kick. He was dire!
Nani-dire! 
You said valencia had a shit game against wigan when he scored and made three goals and you think nani was good when he did NOTHING today against a team even lower than wigan? That has been a side that has taken 1 point away from home?
January 16th, 2010 at 20:33
Wooooooooooooooooo Evertooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.
, get used to it Mancini – only one team in Manchester, and we are higher in PL than you, AND we have the Maestro Louis NANI. 
January 16th, 2010 at 20:36
@Taehr: Errrr are you a blind bat or what? Valenci-dire has played every fucking game imagineable – where Nani just came back after massive absence. But each to his own – what did Valnecia do today???? Come on Lil man, you got the best of the best supporting you – namely Craig Mc and the Salford reds. Don’t worry about the rest mate, they don’t stand on the terraces, so you don’t have to listen to their negativeism.
January 16th, 2010 at 20:38
@NicoQB: tha Diouf tha Diouf tha Diouf is on fire we dont need no teves let the mutherfeker burn.
January 16th, 2010 at 20:41
Tha Diouf
THa Diouf
Tha Diouf is on fire
we dont need tevez
Let the m fer burn
burn m fer burn
craig get your boys to sing this at the city match
January 16th, 2010 at 20:45
I wonder from where Everton scouts find all these talents while United scouts freeze their asses and eat a lot of cash as wages..
Felliani,the B-dov guy who played left wing , their right back..were all far more convincing that most of the guys who played at united!!
I do not have any common platform of comparison but that performance they put in was 100% perfect!!
January 16th, 2010 at 20:45
New Figo has taken birth.His name is NANI and he plays for UNITED.
If Rooney would have an ordinary head(he is headless) then Nani would have 5 assists today
January 16th, 2010 at 20:48
Some major points about todays game.
1. Great to see Nani in the lineup. Like I wrote earlier, I personally think he was donkey crap but that does not mean he shouldn’t continue starting. Nani being donkey crap is still light years better than Obertan or Park. He was rusty and it showed. Give him some games in a row and the old Nani may emerge. I for one was overjoyed to see the lock on his doghouse broken off.
2. Good to see EVDS back after his injury and his wife’s poor health. Here’s hoping he stays healthy and can end his career with a bang.
3. The club had no desire or killer instinct today. They were tentative and played like a bunch scared squirrels. Not the look of champions, more like chumps. Rooney until his goal was forcing things and nothing was coming off, Berbatov was struggling and his goal was nothing more than a lucky deflection. I look more at the two sitters he missed. Seriously, why is this man playing with a bad knee, meanwhile Owen is wasting away on the bench.
4. Great to see Diouf score a goal and make his mark with the team. Hope to see more of him but I still want to see more of Owen and less of Berba because one can see Berba’s knee is bothering him. How desperate a lot are we when we call out a player to start every game with a knee that needs surgery. In the past he’s be under the knife and Fergie would have bought a temporary replacement. Hell he seems to have that replacement in Diouf. But Fergie likes to burn his two starting strikers into the ground by never resting them and playing them more minutes than they should. Berba should have played no more than 60 minutes. Instead he played 72. Now please tell me, how is Michael Owen expected to do anything with 15 minutes of playing time?
5. Chris Eagles for me was the best player in the game and was very dangerous. Yet another one that got away because we have chosen to give inferior talent like Anderson, Park etc the chance to play over this local lad who showed more skill and class in this game than Anderson has his entire United career.
6. Rooney was ass parts today. I love him to death and I will stick by him despite the Craigster, but I have to call it as I see it. He works hard but for me, something is missing and his head is not in the game. His shooting is below his usual and his passing has just been terrible. I know he is capable of a lot more but the lad needs a solid partner up front, and he needs to be rested more. He also needs a kiss and a cuddle from Craig.
7. Valencia has got to go down as the most timid and tentative winger I have seen in a long time. He has many positives but being aggressive and brave one on one with an opponent is not one of his strong suits. How many times did he bail out today with useless crosses that weren’t aimed at or timed properly to wards teammates? Also, show me that you have an extra gear. Both he and Nani are fast but as far as wingers go, they move in slow motion. Enough already. Fergie should have them watch a highlight video of Milos Krasic to truly understand the role of a winger and the pace at which a winger is truly a threat.
8. If this little getaway that United had was designed to help them repair wounds and bond together, it didn’t work. I saw no togetherness on the pitch, no drive, no desire and all I saw was tentative fear and hesitation. This club has lost it’s way and it’s mojo. It’s sad state of affairs when a pants outfit like Burnley shows up to OT with a new muppet as their manager and with us having revenge on our minds and all we can do is put up a useless performance like this. Once again the score flatters us. Burnely themselves could have scored three goals had they had a striker rather than Ted Nugent’s long lost son which he conceived with a groupie during his tour in England years ago.
We were lucky today to be playing at home and to be playing a team that calls it in when they are on the road. Any kind of quality team and we would have been served up a loss.
Personally I have had enough with Fergie and his talks and his beliefs. He refuses to answer important questions abouyt the team and only a true idiot or a dirty faced liar can come out and look us in the eye and say we need no new players and that there is no value in the transfer market. Now is the time to knock on the door of the OT baby daycare center and to speak to the cabal of Glazer’s about the dire need for money in order to facilitate transfers or they should pack their toys and get the Hell out of Manchester before we fans take justice into our own hands. This club is in a desperate position to not just survive this season but to prevent itself from being demolished. No buyer is going to come forward and save this club due to that debt. It’s too enormous and people need to know that football is not that big a money making venture for anyone to just come in and write off a 600 to 800 million debt. Somebody is going to have to find away to pay off the debt before a true buyer with deep pockets shows up. Will the team be around long enough for that to happen? I’m no longer sure of that happening.
January 16th, 2010 at 20:48
One of my new hobbies these days is to analyse Ferguson’s post match comments. He says “It was always going to be difficult that way because we went for a complete attacking line-up with Dimitar and Wayne right through the middle, two wide in the way that we’ve always been fashioned.”
That tells me that even when we have both strikers on the pitch,most times we are still playing one upfront. No wonder it’s so difficult to score. It’s official ladies and gentlemen,Manchester United have changed philosophies and shunned tradition. We are now the new stewards of the renaissance of the once extinct catennacio football philosophy. Defend the goal and shut out the opposition. Let’s all embrace it and be at peace with it. But seriously,Ferguson,like my mate Grog believe we can’t play any other way with this squad. From today’s limited evidence,I beg to differ. The main problem for me today,was Carrick. He was too invisible and allowed the Burnley midfielders to break away and ghost past him like he didn’t exist. His low key performance put too much pressure on the defence and that’s why a Fletcher would have been ideal. Play the same game,but replace Neville with Rafael and Carrick with Fletcher.
And this is the time when Owen Hargreaves would have been really important. But I guess he ain’t coming back before April.
January 16th, 2010 at 20:48
@Grognard: Trust me I’m no fan of parity either, I was just making a observation on how one mans trash is another mans treasure… Or something along those lines.
January 16th, 2010 at 20:49
@CraigMc: I know who those ’salford reds’ sitting on there arses on the terraces would rather have playing…its not ‘lil man’
Ur supporyt for him is actually rather funny. But If he has a good game ill be happy for it and say it and today he didnt, if he was playing any better than this when he was fit then hed need some time but that was the same old nani!
January 16th, 2010 at 20:54
@CraigMc: Did you even read what I wrote mate? Seriously, I think I was pretty complimentary of Nani and i also mentioned that rust, not lack of ability hurt him today. You sound like I just wasted all that time on nothing more than negatives about him which is not true. Nani on one leg is better than any of our other wing options. But still, considering how useless Park, Tosser and Obertan are, that’s not saying much now is it?
Nani has to pick up his game and show a lot more intensity and drive. Part of his problem is that Fergie is in his head and he is afraid of making a mistake. Ronaldo never let Fergie dissuade him from being himself and look how that turned out. Nani needs to say to Hell with Fergie. If I’m going to go out, I am going to go out on my terms and i will showcase my talent even if Fergie wants me to be careful and cautious. That’s the Nani I want to see because that was the Nani that was playing in 07/08 before he got the stupid red card that placed him in a perpetual doghouse scenario with the Boss and which he has still not been forgiven for.
As for Wayne Rooney, go ahead and have your fun. If ever I was certain of one thing, it’s that despite his poor form of late, Wayne Rooney will have the last laugh.
January 16th, 2010 at 21:01
@CraigMc: Up your’s?
Now why did you have to say that? Below are quotes from that post that I feel were more than positive and supportive of Nani and what do I get from you? “UP YOURS”. Out of line mate, way out of line. 
“First off I was happy to see Nani start the game. Hell, I was overjoyed.”
“I still would prefer him starting every game at left wing because what he needs is games. I never expected much today. The lad has been sitting on his arse for so long. So his performance was very predictable. Still, he had his odd moment where you could see a little of the old Nani out there. I was glad to see he got 90 minutes and I would be ecstatic with Fergie if he started him 3 or 4 games in a row to see if the Lil Man has what it takes. Based on today he never showed much but again, I never expected much after such a lengthy layoff.”
“I do like one thing he did though which was be much more aggressive than that cowardly slug playing on the right side known I believe by the name ValenciaDire or DireValencia.”
“I found I was crying the name Krasic all game. I never felt that way about Nani because he was at least cutting inside, trying to take on defenders.”
” Hope to see much more of Nani and if he gets a true run with the team, he just might secure his future because I still believe that when he is on the pitch, we are a better team, even if he doesn’t play that well.”
January 16th, 2010 at 21:05
@gator: No kidding!!! I read this song before but I thought that was just random online fan musings on ROM or the cafe.
I can barely make out “Diouf is one fire”, I guess the chant being quite new the OT faithful are still finding their voices.
But amazing (and sad) that in his second game Diouf has already got a chant whilst Evra has yet to get a resounding one.
January 16th, 2010 at 21:07
@Johnsom33: True. I just hate parity. What entertainment is there when a game is like picking a number out of a hat? Who cares about anything when there is parity. When you have dynasties it gives everyone something to aim for and it also allows others to learn and emulate those who do it right. Parity is a socialist concept that for me stinks of complacency and lack of pride and determination. It also lacks of longevity and tradition. Thank God most of the teams I support are like United, elite with pride and tradition. I could never be a supporter of a Burnley or a West Ham or Bolton. They just don’t matter because I barely recognize their existence.
January 16th, 2010 at 21:13
The first 60 minutes was like watching a dental student extract his first tooth – it would have been downright painful had I not have been anesthetized by watching us for most of this season.
The back line was missing in action on several occasions, and we were lucky not to go behind. But the real struggle was in the final third, and with our defensive injury plague taken into account, this has been the story of our season (and perhaps then some).
I felt our movement was as good as I’ve seen in some time and opportunities looked like they were going to be plentiful. Valencia worked the right channel well and his speed and physicality appeared to be working in his favor. But today he regressed into his early days with us, choosing to pass the ball too early instead of driving hard at his defender.
Nani, who understandably looked a little rusty, did show that he is a better option than Obertan and Park. He did make some trademark bonehead decisions, but also offered some glimpses of what made him so dangerous 2 seasons ago. Why he tries to work the ball toward the corner flag, is beyond me – when he runs to the inside, he always seem to have the speed to line up the shot.
But kudos to them for finding the breakthrough, and in sweet irony to those so inclined, Berbatov gave his fans a small repayment of their loyalty. After, what I thought was dreadful first half, his goal seemed to wake him from his slumbers and his contributions for the next 15 minutes had an element of “value” to them.
Rooney took his goal with the aplomb of the world class striker that he’s always threatened to be. His day was a mixed bag, though, with slightly better passing than of late, but generally poor shooting that spoiled it for him. It seems like one of these days he will put it all together.
So really, a good day at the office, 3 points and a clean sheet and a goal from the rookie.
It may have been like pulling teeth but in the end it has relieved some pain.
January 16th, 2010 at 21:17
@Taehr: If that’s what you think you’ve no fucking idea about the Salford Reds.
. 1st the salford red NEVER sit on their arses, they are always bolloxed by the students for standing on their feet, and refusing to sit down. 2nd – we all love Nani, obviously something you and Grog will never understand. Why would you, you have never had the blessing or birthright of A SALFORD RED!
January 16th, 2010 at 21:22
@CraigMc: Yea Yea blah blah salford red, birthright…Zzzz…’We all love Nani’…does that also mean they all dont like Rooney like yourself…?? Yea salford reds
January 16th, 2010 at 21:57
Valencia is a fast winger,who is not blessed with dribbling skills. That is why he tends to go on the outside and cross and he is good at it. I mean,the commentators kept saying “that’s an excellent cross from Valencia. But no one was able to make the most of it.” Both him and Nani were putting in some good crosses and Berba,Rooney and Scholes at one point failed to convert. Let’s not require him to do the impossible. Beckham was successful as a non-dribbling winger. The same goes for Maxi Rodriguez and at some point David Bentley. At least Tony has pace to burn and he has used that to get into good positions. Dribbling is a skill that should not be taken for granted and I appreciate the talents of players like Ronaldo and Messi.
I thought both Nani and Valencia did well today and almost all football sites have Valencia as man of the match. They provided something that has been missing from our game: an attacking threat that isn’t a striker. Yes Nani’s decision making in the second half was dismal most times but he still got into good positions and made things happen upfront.
January 16th, 2010 at 21:57
@NicoQB: i guess its like anderson a catchy one comes along and they sing it. Evra just doesnt have the catchy name that rhymes well i guess.
January 16th, 2010 at 22:47
@Grognard: hold on wait, are you sincerely saying chris eagles is a better player than anderson and has done more than him, i must say grognard during my time away you must have completely lost the plot and i have lost a great amount of respect for you just for saying that,
January 16th, 2010 at 23:01
Off topic…
This morning when I was coaching one of my grade school basketball teams(8 and 9year olds) a kid from the other team made a three, then turned toward all the parents and held his arms out like cantona. It was perfect, the kid must have seen cantona do this cause it was a carbon copy if the kings famous celebration.
January 17th, 2010 at 0:06
@Taehr: Yeah yeah yeah – THE SALFORD REDS – you started it mate!
January 17th, 2010 at 0:36
The following is only for football purists so look away if you are not. The current squad at Barcelona are beyond football in my opinion. Week in week out respected and seasoned commentators,pundits and football analysts are swearing this is the best team they have seen in their lifetime. In terms of club football,there is no doubt they are the best. A debate has been going on in European football circles of whether they are the all time best i.e. in the history of documented football. They have been pitted against the Ajax and Dutch National teams of the 70s,the Brazil team of 1970,Cryuff dream team at Barca. Now for those who have knowledge and have been fortunate to watch some of these and have had a reasonable view of the current Barca squad,please enlighten me or just share your opinions on this assessment. Personally in terms of entertaining football I can only pit them against,the Milan of 2003,the Barca of 2005,the United of 06-07,the Juventus of 1999 and 2003,Madrid 2002 and they come out on top. I’d also include Barca 98 and maybe Arsenal 2004.
January 17th, 2010 at 0:59
@CraigMc: Thank God for that.
January 17th, 2010 at 1:01
@Mr.Muhozi: Oh well mate, learn to live with disappointment mate. I don’t kiss a players ass just because he’s Brazilian. Especially anderson fat ass because he is fucking useless. But how bout them Yankees eh?
January 17th, 2010 at 1:03
I’ve been drinking some coffee and clearly have nothing else to do so I’m currently watching a re-run of our game vs Burnley. We are in the 39th minute and Valencia and Nani have created 8 good chances with their low and high crosses between them which top quality forwards would have put away. Rooney(4),Scholes,Berbatov(2) and even Nani(from a Valencia pass) were all guilty of some poor execution. Tony,best player on the pitch by far
January 17th, 2010 at 1:30
I just wonder… For the sake of it. What do I have to do to get into the FC United of Manchester team? Just ask them if I could play for them or what? My move to Roma looks off, and even though I am not losing heart of it and still dreaming United or other possibilites(I have offers
), I do keep a healthy mind concerning my future career. I may be moving to Manchester when I’m 20, so if I could get a job there and play for FC United on my sparetime… What do I have to do to get in there? 
I’m just asking, don’t think it’s a decision I am making or anything. Just thinking of different possibilities, have to keep an open mind concerning my life.
January 17th, 2010 at 1:32
@Grognard: If you are talking of Donovan he has been immense for the Toffeeffees.
He is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast!!! 
January 17th, 2010 at 1:42
I have got to agree with Owen and Craigy, Nani did very well today. Nani took on the constant double teams which left Valencia open all match long (in which he did absolutely nothing with the ball), made decent decisions, played with flair and heart, and gave United a different demension and width.
For those who have seen Nani’s performance as “donkey crap,” I find that not to be a worthy assessment in the slightest. For that, if Nani was “donkey crap” then please reflect on the other players who were far worse. Nani was one of the best players on the pitch today and if we had someone who could finish a good cross or through ball Nani could of had a brilliant assist or two today! You cannot blame the crosser of the ball if the finishers are awful.
Keep it coming Nani. I support you and feel you are the most gifted and talented player we have in our squad. We need you mate.
January 17th, 2010 at 1:43
@Jay wire: Thank you so much for pointing that out Jay. Seriously, Nani should of had an assit or two today if we had a natural finisher on the pitch today!
January 17th, 2010 at 1:54
Nice to be winning these games 3-0 even if the scoreline flattered us (not the 3 bit, more the 0). The defense was atrocious today and we were lucky not to concede, Neville (forgive me for what I am about to say red Nev) in particular just fills me with dread at the moment and the current back 4 don’t really seem to be on the same page sometimes. Hopefully the return of Rio will help straighten things out and maybe Rafa should be our #1 RB now if only for the fact that when he screws up he does have the pace to go in for another tackle!
It was good to see Nani getting a game (and not screwing it up).
Valencia was really good again – his assist for Diouf was sweet – I’m sick of hearing so many so called United “fans” slagging this guy off – he does the business most weeks and still people won’t cut him any slack. If someone says “one-dimensional” one more bloody time about him I think I’m going to explode!
Then again it annoys me how much people slag off Berb so what do I know?
January 17th, 2010 at 2:03
@[OPTI]Madschester United: If he was only at OT… oh, how we need him!
January 17th, 2010 at 2:05
@RM:
Nani was a fucking disaster. He had one nice attempt on target and the rest was utter shit:
he cannot beat a man, he cannot pass properly, he has no pace, he has no decision making and on the odd occasion he misses the ball completely. I would rather have PIG on the left wing only because he would know that he is shit and let the others do their business as normal – rather than hinder them!
January 17th, 2010 at 2:15
Richmond Red someone with a pair of eyes re Nani. He got the crosses onto the players heads but the hobbits (Ronney etc) couldn’t score, because Roon cant head a ball to save his fuckin life. Your right too about Nani being double marked as he always is. He was always playing out of his natural position too, being right and not left footer, and still got more decent balls into our strikers than Valencia who was single marked or not marked at all, and is naturally right footed, and yet still didn’t make a telling cross into the box. Still each to his own eh, because people will always like who they like!
Nani’s 1st game back after 5 weeks out with ankle injury, not game fit, and yet still did ok. ROM fans, not naturally pro Nani all thought the lad did good today!
January 17th, 2010 at 2:17
@Andrei:
I thought he was okay for most of it and he should start the next game IMO, he’s just back from injury as far as I know. He does flatter to deceive I think which is why I was so excited about him when he first arrived on the scene, his stepovers and rocket shots are exciting to watch when they come off but he doesn’t seem to have much of a plan ‘b’ for when those things don’t work. The thing that makes this really frustrating is that those things shouldn’t even be plan A in the first place!
Enough about Nani though, what about our defense? Why is it so appalling compared to the last 2 seasons?? I’ve not looked at the stats but if I had to guess I’d say that we’ve already conceded as many goals as we did in all of 07/08.
January 17th, 2010 at 2:33
@Andrei: You obviously no nothing about football and certainly were watching a different match today to the rest of the world. Perhaps like Jay Wire you need to go back and watch the match again with some objectivity not blindly. Your comment on Nani was worthless mate. Atleast understand the lad has been out a number of weeks instead of looking for perfection. And if then you truly feel Nani played as terrible as you suggest then atleast he is on par with the rest of the squad.
January 17th, 2010 at 2:35
Of course I meant “know” instead of “no.”
January 17th, 2010 at 4:15
@Andrei: We do not need traitors and money-whores.
Only person, who has left united that we can use is Ronaldo, the worlds best footballer. Oh how we need him.
Nonetheless, Valencia is doing his best and I am warming to him.
Nani did well today and I hope he gets a couple more games under his belt in the coming weeks, he is a good player.
Berbatov, keep up todays form and I think we have something special up front.
Fergie, get the defense and midfield fixed ASAP. Burnley picked them apart a couple times today.
Diouf, gotta love ‘em!
January 17th, 2010 at 4:19
@Craig Mc: If rooney can’t head, then why doesn’t Nani realize this and cross low??? His decision making stinks, but he played well today.
I love you United and seeing the attack do well today warmed my heart. The defense; however, gave me constant headaches. Christ, we can’t even hold Burnley off, how will we deal with AC Milan???
January 17th, 2010 at 5:11
@CraigMc: Well mate, Nani wasn’t that good to me, but then in your eyes he could be on crutches and still be man of the match. So there…
But leave the aggro on people aside. You are not Nani. So ease off mate. You should by now realize you are in the minority as far as your stand on Nani goes, so it’s unnecessary to keep shooting off people for sharing an opinion on Nani that you don’t believe in. Just like your were entitled to slag off Rooney, people are entitled to slag of Nani.
That’s how it goes mate. So bite your lip/tongue/nuts… whatever it takes.
January 17th, 2010 at 5:18
@CraigMc: What the fuck mate? I know you don’t tolerate people’s attacks on Nani but that Up Yours remark was a new low for you. You can be occasionally aggressive without being personal, but you don’t have to be a dick.
Saying ‘up yours’ to people is terribly childish, so drop this nonsense mate.
January 17th, 2010 at 5:55
@[OPTI]Madschester United: There is a good/convenient excuse for the back line:- they have been, and still are, dinged up.
It is United tradition to go through phases of poor defending, only for the attacking corps to answer in kind. Right now the strikers are as anemic looking as an albino toad, and not, ……, repeat not helping out the obvious issues we have at the back.
The defense will sort itself out when it regains fitness, but the attack, stubbornly refuses to kick into high gear, and furthermore, it’s componants look increasingly more alienated with one another than at any time before.
It’s that bad chemistry that’s stinking up the place!!
January 17th, 2010 at 6:10
@EduardoDaVinci4: No I was talking about the baseball team which Mr Muhozi and I support. I couldn’t care less about Landycakes.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:22
@RichmondRed: Nani was donkey crap but the rest were camel shit. Nani did not play well at all but he tried hard and at least attempted one on one moves on opponents which Valencia and all others were too scared to do. His problem was not lack of skill but just rustiness which I expect to go away if he gets a fair run of games. Let me make this clear to you and Craig and all the other Nani ass kissing brigade. I like Nani, a lot. But I will not and refuse to bend down and kiss his arse and make him sound like the second coming of George Best when he accomplishes sweet fuck all on the pitch.
Too many are cowing down to Craig’s bully tactics on this site and I for one love the guy but I don’t play that game. Nani has to earn my praise. That does not mean I do not like him, on the contrary, I like him a lot and feel he not only has great potential as a player but that Fergie has supremely fucked him over. But I also refuse to see him as some kind of god when he does nothing in a game and then out of 90 minutes of sheer crap he comes up with a second or two of magic and then I am suppose to sing his praises. Not going to do it and not going to let somebody on this site intimidate me and bully me into praising the little bastard when he doesn’t yet deserve it. When Nani actually plays a great game, I will praise him as loud as anyone on here. Until then, he will get my honest assessment which nobody has to agree with but should at least respect it for being honest and sincere. Unlike the bull I read about Rooney who although is struggling, has been made to to look like the forwards version of Ben Foster by people on here who have a hate agenda and who refuse to look at things fairly and with objectivity. They are free to do so and i respect their right to do so. I just expect them to respect my right and the rights of others to speak our minds to without being told off. And there is life and reason that exist outside of Salford amazingly enough.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:25
@RM: “Valencia was really good again”
Were you watching the same game as me mate? Seriously? Valencia was total crap today and incredibly tentative and cowardly. Never ran at anyone and crossed the ball as soon as it was at his feet with no aim, purpose and with his head down every time. His was total shite. Nani was poor too but looked a lot better to me because at least he tried to make things happen by running at players and cutting in and taking a shot or two.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:28
@Andrei: I agree except that he does have pace but for whatever reason he does not use it. Watch the 07/08 review dvd and you will see many highlights of Nani and Nani at full speed. Something we never see anymore. It’s not all his fault. A lot of it is Fergie’s fault for holding him back and making him nervous and basically taking away his freedom to express himself naturally. A player like Nani does not play well under a strict system. He needs to be left alone to freelance out there.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:29
@Craig Mc: Why don’t you by all of them an ice cream for agreeing with you.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:32
Off topic here, but word is Satanta USA is closing up shop on Feb. 28th.
In other news Fox is starting a new channel – “Fox Soccer Plus”, on March 1st.
Not sure if one replaces the other, but likelihood is it will.
Both Fox Soccer Channel, and Fox Soccer PLus will be available in HD, but as yet, no one knows who has added the new channel and the HD feeds to their lineups.
http://www.epltalk.com/setanta-sports-us-service-to-end-february-28-reports-say/14882
January 17th, 2010 at 6:32
@RM: It’s far from appalling but it’s also not good. Lets face it mate, the defense has been decimated by injuries. Today you saw one player from United’s starting four back there and EVDS first game in many weeks. Rio has been injured and sub par when he has played, Vidic has been injured off and on but also has struggled to find his best form and the rest have all been injured for long periods too except for Evra. Just exactly what were you expecting? To be honest, our defensive record has been remarkable considering the injuries and fall in form of some of our main guys. Consider how bad Liverpool has been with much fewer injuries to their back four and even Chelsea has been poor defensively in comparison to us.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:34
@RichmondRed: And that sort of comment (that the other person knows nothing about football) is even more worthless and unnecessary on this blog.
We can share our opinions and be civil without climbing up the I-know-it-all horse.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:36
@Redrich: HD if it arrives will certainly be on DirecTV. It will take its own sweet time to roll off on cable — thanks to cable companies’ sluggishness and tendency to haggle over deals.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:37
@RichmondRed: I agree that Nani was rusty and needs a few games in a row to get rid of the rustiness but he was useless out there despite giving a good effort. Not criticism as much as the truth. I think if he is given a fair run he will show his value because as far as I am concerned he is our best winger by a country mile. That does not mean though that we have candy coat his performances and make him out to better today than he was. He was crap and whether you like it or not, that is my opinion as well as Andrei’s and rather than be insulting about it, just fucking accept it an move on. Just because somebody doesn’t agree with you does not mean he is not allowed to voice his opinion without you bullying him. You ought to know better and you do know the rules of this blog mate. Smarten the Hell up and stop acting like one of Craig’s lapdogs.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:40
@[OPTI]Madschester United: With Craig any Nani cross that actually enters the box and is anywhere with 15 yards of it’s target is a great cross that the striker made a meal of. It’s long and boring soap opera to be honest, but as long as Nani is with United, Craig will continue to spin his fantasy.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:42
I went out of town after watching today’s match, and I must say, I heaved a big, big big sigh of relief after the first goal went in. And an even bigger on after the second one.
We were tentative and poor throughout the first half. I mean we dominated possession, but that counts for zilch when crosses can’t be met by heads, and strikers can’t move well enough to create clear cut chances. And midfield sitting back deep can’t help matters either.
A better attack than Burnley’s would have actually put our defensive lapses to the sword, so thank goodness they didn’t make us pay.
Finally I was pleased to see Fergie giving some time to Owen (and Diouf). Diouf while a bit nervy did take his chance when presented to him. He has pace, and a good leap too. He did meet Valencia’s cross with his head although headed it wide. Credit to him, and hopefully this is not a one off.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:43
@Red Ranter: Well said mate. That needed to be said. Craig’s gone into overdrive with his Nani stuff again and it’s something that he not so long ago promised he would stop doing. Time does make the memory grow a little dimmer.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:44
@Grognard: I handled it mate.
I don’t only spend my time rapping your knuckles. See, I can be fair. 
January 17th, 2010 at 6:45
@Redrich: I agree there Red. The last thing I worry about is the defense…..until of course this summer. Will Rio regain his old form and health and will Vidic stay or go. They are the backbone of our defense and as they go so goes our defense.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:45
@Red Ranter: I know, I think there is some affiliation between DirecTV and Fox anyway (Newscorp I think). Problem is DirecTV is tapped out on bandwidth until D12 is up and running (maybe April) so hopefully, for sure, by next season!!
January 17th, 2010 at 6:47
@Redrich: Jeez that is bad news. I wonder what that means for Setanta in Canada? Probably the same fate. Problem is we are not guaranteed to get that other Fox channel up here which means we could be royally screwed up here in Caniuck land.
Then again, it’s not like watching United is must watch tv these days. 
January 17th, 2010 at 6:47
@Redrich: Some prominent US sources of mine say DirecTV will be carrying FSC HD for sure when it rolls out. Also regarding their bandwidth I read somewhere that they were upgrading it soon to accommodate a lot more programming on their system.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:50
@Red Ranter: A great assessment of the day’s events mate. Couldn’t agree more. Hope that doesn’t ruin your evening.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:52
@Red Ranter: Yes you can. By the way, my knuckles have been rapped so many times they have built hard callouses now so they take a lot more to make them bleed.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:54
@Grognard: I love the long view here mate, but TBH with you, I’m just looking at week to week right now.
The finance issue is so tentative that things could change at any time.
PS.
For the better I hope!!
January 17th, 2010 at 7:00
@Red Ranter: Yeah, that’s what I was talking about, the D12 (the latest satellite to be launched). It’s moving into orbit right now, but will take several months before it’s tested and set to go.
More here
January 17th, 2010 at 7:08
@Redrich: Whoa! Some intense technical shit there. I have spent my share of time in academia, but sometimes I hit a brain freeze to read all that stuff.
Anyway I think I understood the gist of it, and from that it looks like (accounting for best case scenario of 90 days when it will be usable by DTV), we’re looking at March for DTV to test it out and April for them to be confident enough to roll it out for viewers.
But I still think they will have room to accommodate FSC HD much earlier.
January 17th, 2010 at 8:19
@Red Ranter: Hope so!
January 17th, 2010 at 8:20
@Red Ranter: Heck, I’m looking forward to a few years down the line when we can watch footy in 3D. Just imagine watching Anderson’s ass shake in 3D or or Park sliding on his ass and heading directly for a camera in 3D. To quote my hero Count Floyd from the classic tv show SCTV, “Whoo, scary stuff kids”.
January 17th, 2010 at 9:24
All Great/good teams go through lean times and stumbles and stutters, although in fairness WE are hardly serving up vintage fair at present.
FCB eliminated from the Copa del ray, and as we know revenge taken at the Camp nou last evening.
Bilboa humble the mad money dogs of Santiago bernabeu.
Shitty beaten comfortably by a superb performance by a on song Everton, who hunted them down all over the pitch(we need to repeat this)
The rent boys steam roller a very weakened Black cats side and like us appear to be all together as a team(apart from the finances this is a fuckin muddle)one wonders how we got to the sun, did we fly Emirates or Flybe.
Liverpuddle again and again provide magnificent entertainment,can you pay off a man, like the waiter! If brains were dynamite i often think would he have enough to blow his nose.
Lets all hope Mr Owen Coyle does us a favour later today and has the same impact with the Trotters has he did with Burnley.
My point is we cant be brilliant and eye catching and page 3 every game it would just be refreshing to get a glimpse of the vintage United.
I travelled over a 1000 miles to the match yesterday, I always thought this result was a given with the Clarets conceding a barrowfull of goals away from Turfmoor, and gaining only 1 point on there travels.But fuck me pink, did we make it hard for ourselves.The paper result in fairness flatters us Berba is not my favourite player bye any means but he did swing my opinion a small amount yesterday,Tony was the star of the United crop for me.
We in my opinion were lucky the Burnley forwards did not have there shooting boots on and EVDS was back in goal.The first half or to be precise first 60 minutes were uneasy,we are totally lacking confidence and precision, personally I think if we get a good win against shitty that will kick start our season, although as we know they are wounded now as well.
So without a full analysis blow bye blow of the match another 3 points although not with composure.
Such a fuck up, too witness so many vacant seats at OT, the punters are most certainly voting I am left feeling seriously screwed bye the Glaziers and Rupert Murdoch.
Away to get some sleep,and hopefully Dream of Theatre as it should be.
January 17th, 2010 at 9:53
@Grognard: Few years? I don’t know about Canada, but some matches from this year’s World Cup is going to be broadcast by ESPN in 3D, on TVs which are equipped to support that. 3D TVs were unveiled this Jan in the annual tech conference CES.
January 17th, 2010 at 10:21
@Red Ranter: 3D soccer… I laugh at their attempts… HAHAHA. 3D, just give me HD and I will smile til the sun sets.
@Redrich: I think I read somewhere a month ago that Fox was buying Setanta’s rights so FSC+ makes sense and it is in time for ECL playoffs. However, FSC HD should be out before that… as in this ASAP! They have taken long enough
January 17th, 2010 at 10:33
@[OPTI]Madschester United: What’s funny?
January 17th, 2010 at 11:09
@Red Ranter: No idea what you are talking about, I am just sobering up after partying with the Salford bunch of Rugby supporters. If you think ‘up yours’ is offensive, then it’s good you are living where you are and everybody speaks with ‘plumb in their mouth POLITENESS.’ If you lived in a good few parts of UK, especially in Manc Land, ‘up yours’ is frequently used expression in everyday banter, and nobody goes around with a bloody great cane to wrap peoples knuckles, or a shotgun for killing the lads who say ‘up yours’. God some people are REAL WIMPS. Only thing I will apologise for is coming on the blog a little boozed up, but I will be taking a rest now from the blog, because there are so many BIG GIRLS BLOUSES on here it is unbelieveable. So what will you do with your cane now RR?
. So bye bye LADIES!
January 17th, 2010 at 12:02
@CraigMc: Feel free to party with your supposed concept of “manliness”. Up yours is not offensive like say a racist remark and neither is fuck off, where I live. But online, when you just say up yours, anyone who doesn’t know you will take it only as a rude remark. And we don’t know you nor have we seen the expression in your face as you said up yours. So you can’t expect the rest of the world here to realize if you were engaging in banter. And I’m not the only person that thought it wasn’t banter.
And if that’s too much trouble for you, you don’t have to leave your comfort zone in Salford to come to an atmosphere here that’s too suffocating for you over here. I’m not forcing you.
January 17th, 2010 at 12:48
If Diouf turns out to be a world class striker for us, I want all of you to worship me like your God!
January 17th, 2010 at 14:02
@Grognard:
I think that most of the time I’m watching a different game to you.
January 17th, 2010 at 14:04
@[OPTI]Madschester United:
3D football will be AMAZING! It’s the only thing I’m interested in watching 3D.
January 17th, 2010 at 14:25
@Jay wire: He played 90 mins the other day in a behind closed doors match, went to Qatar on the warm weather training, and I’d expect him to be playing for the reserves sometime very soon. Gently gently.
January 17th, 2010 at 14:30
Is it just me, or do Goalkeepers remind you of servants? Wearing gloves, rolling the ball out to their fellow team players in an illustrious fashion and returning to their nets, acting when their team mates need them to, LIKE SERVANTS.
Fuck, goalkeepers are definitely servants! And goalkeepers like PIG don’t distribute the ball well enough. It’s like pouring a cup of piss for the queen!
Now with that servant analogy, lets think of rest of the team, they’re posh toffs who need to be served the best! PIG doesn’t do this enough he just brainlessly boots the ball out and it ends up with some lesser posh toffs on other shitty teams.
Van Der Sar – Servant 2010!
January 17th, 2010 at 14:31
@EduardoDaVinci4: Yes he had a good start to his career, he took his goal well although Brian Jensen did not act like a beast there, he should have taken him out the ball the lot.Classy celebration though,but i dont care much for this pointing at the name on the back of the shirt.But credit were credit is due, an nice introduction to OT
Unlike the Emirates as you know.
Oh lord, give me patience,and GIVE IT TO ME NOW!
I must say Eddy your post regards switching to the Arsenal, seriously touched me, i could seriously feel your anger and frustration at the overall picture just now.
You might be better in all fairness considering a team like Wigan, your more likely to get a ticket anytime you wish to go live
I hope you have your Red devil hat on for later in the day,and lets put a bit of daylight between US and them.
@CraigMc: Up Yours two
Away to watch Villa and the Ammers,
January 17th, 2010 at 14:31
It was the same match we’ve played the last 3 years. The other team had their chances, and I honestly believe without Van Der Sar in goal yesterday we concede. Pig and Foster are not ready, so get someone in who is when VDS goes.
If we’d have scored in the first 20 mins we could have scored double figures. Neville and Scholes are not good enough any more. The midfield sat too deep, and there was no link between midfield and attack.
3 points is 3 points, and when we score first we win. Lets score first more often!
January 17th, 2010 at 15:28
@Grognard: You have a right to your own opinion Grog and you let everyone know that. However, my opinion of Nani today was much different than yours and so be it. If you see things one way and I see it another I will lose no sleep over it. That being said, what gives you the right to come in and correct me and make rude comments to me? I do not appreciate you calling me a “lapdog” and telling me to get the “fuck over it.” First of all, all the above is rude and you make yourself sound like a hypocrite. Secondly, it is not your place to correct me. If Red Ranter wants to come in an make a comment to get me straight so be it. I will accept that and that is his place. It is not yours. I apologize to Andrei for my commnets about not knowing football, it was “worthless” and out of line. Still, your comments to me were just as worthless and out of line and not appreciated in the slightest. I form my own opionions on here based on my own observations and I am not influenced by anyone so to presume such just makes you look foolish.
January 17th, 2010 at 16:12
I am hearing that match going reds were ejected from the ground yesterday for waving banners and singing anti Glazier songs. well done to every one who stood up for what they believe in. It is up to all Manchester united fans where ever they are in the world to voice their concerns.
As a man that cares more about his football club than the team “GLAZIER OUT” get rid of the cancer that is killing our club.
January 17th, 2010 at 16:45
“I have a contract here until 2012,” Neuer told Bild on Sunday. “If we reach the Champions League, I will stand in Schalke’s goal next season. Even if some people might not believe me, I do not pay attention to what happens at Bayern or Manchester United.”
Good to see that we are in the frame !
January 17th, 2010 at 17:46
@Red Ranter: Fuck off!
Just kidding with you, I don’t say such things to family.
Just kinda bored, Arsenal are playing pem-pem.
January 17th, 2010 at 17:47
@Harry Carrick: You are lol!
January 17th, 2010 at 17:54
@Red Ranter: Football in 3D?!?!?!??!?!?!
Whoa, now that is some impressive shit! Don’t see the need for it though, I’m satisfied watching it in HD. Watching Berbatovs touch in 3D or Dioufs summersault would be nice, but aside from the fact that it’s a scientific revolution it’s not a major need… May be awesome though, I’m all for new things. 
January 17th, 2010 at 17:56
@Red Ranter: That’s the big key is tv’s built for 3D. This years Electronics Expo was major for showcasing manufacturers willingness to push the envelope and develop 3D tv’s and even more so, the networks and many channels seem to be going along for the ride. Jeez, just after I bought a nice LCD tv now I need to start thinking about 3D in only a year or two. Cannot get enough of toys for boys.
January 17th, 2010 at 18:04
@CraigMc: Look mate, why don’t you ask me if it is offensive since it was directed at me? I’ve known you for a long time now and we get along really well and I like you quite a bit as well, but yes I was offended by it. Up yours in this context is offensive. If we were in a bar having a friendly argument over the same thing and you said up yours to me I would have judged the seriousness of the statement based on your body language, facial expression and context of the situation. But on the Internet one does not have those luxuries and so when it is conveyed, I have no way of knowing you are joking or not, especially since you never lightened it up with a smiley. And frankly, nothing I said to you yesterday deserved that kind of telling off. Stop hiding behind excuses like you were drunk with your friends. I respect you mate and if I throw an insult at you that is meant as a joke, I try to throw it with a smiley or word it in a way where you will get my jest. You did o such thing. Further more, you were nasty and abusive to everyone that had anything negative to say about Nani. What bugs me is that although I thought Nani played poorly, IO was very positive towards him because I thought at least he was trying to be aggressive and he was rusty to begin with. I was happy to see him start and expressed my wishes for him to start several games in a row. My reward for my honest assessment right or wrong was “up yours”. Not appreciated but then again, getting an apology from you is something i wouldn’t dream of. It’s just not your style now is it?
January 17th, 2010 at 18:24
@Taehr: Where are you from mate – I NEVER said that my Salford Red friends dislike Rooney? Most of them are BIG LOONEY fans, but admit that he is playing SHIT this season. I did say they like Lil man Nani, like me
January 17th, 2010 at 18:24
@CraigMc: Yes Craig, run away like a total pussy when your knuckles get rapped. Typical MO for a passive aggressive type or a bully. We wear blouses eh? You running away tells me that not only do you wear a mini skirt, but that your pussy is showing. Be a man, take your medicine and stop making bad excuses for your poor inebriated behavior. You drink too much and when you are on here you act indifferent and a callous towards people, even people like myself who have developed a friendship with you over the years. It’s time to grow up, shut up and act more mature.
The last thing I want to see is you leave the blog because you couldn’t take a little criticism to you oversized alpha male ego. I for one have always liked you and enjoy your sense of humor and jovial temperament when you aren’t pissed out of your mind. When you are drunk however and decide to come on to this blog, you are temperamental, abusive and a major ass clown. That’s the truth, and I couldn’t give a rats ass where you are from and what the locals are like and what they do and don’t tolerate. You are on a blog here with people from all over the world and many who do not share your love for exorbitant amounts of alcohol. You have the right to drink as much as you want, that’s your business and I respect that. What you don’t have the right to do is to come on to this blog or any blog for that matter, drunk as a skunk and start slinging insults and abuse towards people who do not share your narrow minded views on football and especially the minority views you hold for players like Rooney and Nani. The truth hurts mate and you may hate my guts for telling you the ugly truth but the reality is, you become quite ugly when you are drunk and on this site.
Further more, you have never been humble enough to ever apologize to anyone for your mean spirited remarks. I have often sluffed off your abuse because like I said, I have always been fond of you even though we have never met. But yesterday you went to far, not just with me, but with others including Red Ranter who has been more than fair to you in the past and is as fair and understanding as they come.
Take some time off and sober up and realize that bad behavior is not cool no matter whether you are at a game in the Stretford end or if you are a loyal Salford Red. Being from Salford means sweet fuck all to me as me being from Canada means to you. So stop parading around like you have some special right to dish out abuse because you are a Salford Red while we peons have no right to challenge you is ludicrous and childish.
I don’t know where your head is at mate but I hope you take what I am saying as concern and constructive criticism simply because I do care, whether you give a fuck or not. You are a valued and respected member of this blog but you need to grow up and treat people better. The fact you don’t seem to care how they treat you is only insecurity talking because at the first sign of getting some of your medicine, what do you do? You stick your tail betwenn your legs, pull down your skirt and run away. Right now mate, it sucks to be you.
January 17th, 2010 at 18:27
@RM: And that’s ok mate. Life is pretty boring if we all agreed on things. All the power to you. Lets hold a party online for that occasion when we do agree OK.
January 17th, 2010 at 18:28
@RM: See that didn’t take long. I agree with you. I think football in 3D would be a true spectacle and i for one would buy one of those tv’s just for that purpose. NFL football would be pretty cool to I think as well as reruns of Baywatch.
January 17th, 2010 at 18:31
@RichmondRed: And you are free to your opinions mate. If you liked Nani’s performance lets just say you please easier than I do and leave it at that. I respect your right to disagree with me, honest I do. But does that not mean that I can disagree with you? That’s all part of debating. Help me understand the way you think and I will try to do the same. I can’t help it if you think my contributions are worthless mate. That’s your right. I certainly do not find what you have to say worthless, even if I disagree with it. I’m sure there are times when we see things the same too.
January 17th, 2010 at 18:36
@RedTan: Yes, I read it on here.
http://www.strettyender.com/anti-glazer-chants-trafford-supporters-thrown?
Unfortunately it will take a lot more to get those bastards to sell and leave. The big problem is to find somebody stupid enough to buy the club with all that debt on top. No matter how much United makes every year, it’s not enough to take on that kind of debt. The person or persons who buy this club will have to do so because it’s a passion for them or a hobby and money is not the object like Abramovich did. But even his well dried up after a while.
January 17th, 2010 at 18:39
@Grognard: I don’t need to hide anything, we were all pissed to the eyeballs, after a great meeting up at the local pub, and nips of brandy on cold terraces. That is what I apologised for, and that alone. I have looked back thru all my boozed up post comments from last night, and I see nobody was offended EXCEPT YOU GROG! Then RedRanter had to come over all heavy with his so called caning
. I was warring in a Nani debate, as I war in the Rooney debate, and IF I feel I have got it wrong, as in the tit-tat spat with JayJay I do apologise, and Jay-Jay and I sorted it without RR intervention. I have apologised to others, and sorted if I saw it needed sorting. Most of the MEN on the blog though just banter back, and don’t cry all the time about being offended. Problem with you Grog is that you get offended so often that people would have to be apologising all the time. Like I said, I read back thru my drunken posts, and I saw nothing that would or did offend anyone else. Anyway, like I said I will take a break from here, because some folk are FAR TOO EASILY OFFENDED! And RedRanter far too easily becomes censorial, where there is nothing to be censorial about. Nobody else got offended they all know what I am like with Nani, they think I’m mad, but they don’t get all nancy girl about it. I say to you and to RedRanter, I did not offend anyone in the Nani debate, and none of the blokes on here have said to the contrary. No doubt they have more important thing to do with their lives then sit in corners feeling offended by every little thing. That’s how I feel Grog, and I don’t apologise – sorry!
January 17th, 2010 at 18:47
@Grognard: I think it sucks more to be you Grog, because some debater is seemingly always offending you, and you demanding apologies! Anyway, I am off to the pub with the Salford Reds – best fucking fans and folk in the world to be around, as are all the manc United fans. I would also include the Irish fans in that too, because they are just full of great banter and puns! God bless the Salford Reds, the Manc United fans AND the Irish
January 17th, 2010 at 18:57
Thas 25m more in glazers pockets
http://www.tribalfootball.com/man-utd-continue-sponsorship-push-580141
January 17th, 2010 at 19:05
@jos: Cheers for that M8, it may look cynical, but it also may give some under privileged youngsters a chance.
January 17th, 2010 at 20:39
@CraigMc: You have a serious problem mate being civil and being polite to people. You don’t want to apologize? Fine, I could care less. You want to act like a spiteful little bitch with an attitude, be my guest. Burn your bridges and make yourself unwelcome to others by acting like a prick, it’s up to you. You have a serious problem owing up to your personality flaws mate. Regardless of what you think of me, today I have lost a lot of respect for you because you have shown yourself to be far from a man and only a spiteful little boy. I don’t waste my time arguing with children because children never admit to being wrong when they are scolded or when they are punished. So until you grow up, I’ll avoid you as you will undoubtedly avoid me. All this could have ben avoided if you possessed an ounce of humility and a less self destructive attitude. Nobody admires a mean drunk or an asshole bent on making enemies. And that’s what you are to me right now. Did I think you were going to take constructive criticism? Not a chance. People don’t get offense to easily mate. It’s more like you like to offend people to easily. You have anger issues and you seem to think that everyone should just accept your bad behavior and live it with it. Well mate, up yours. I’m not playing. You piss on me, I’ll shit all over you.
January 17th, 2010 at 20:44
@CraigMc: You can stick your Salford Reds up your red candy ass mate. I could give a rats ass about you, or Salford or if the Irish kiss your ass or not. You crossed the line with me today and that is all that concerns me. As for me and my demanding apologies from others, I don’t think so. Whether i get pissed off with people or not, it usually has to do with them having a sociopathic personality like yours which doesn’t give a damn about people’s feeling or the circumstances of their immature and idiotic actions. Sucks to be me? Perhaps but from where I am, I’d really hate to be you. I don’t drown myself in drink to escape my problems and life. I am man enough to face my critics sober.
January 17th, 2010 at 21:17
@Grognard:
i’m surprised you actually still don’t hold anderson in any regard, what does he have to do honestly :S, i guess he must be like marmite
The yankees, well i’m so happy they won, however i doubt we can retain anything with our outfield, neither one of the OF can hit about .280. however fielding wise it has been upgraded. we will see
January 17th, 2010 at 21:26
@Grognard:Good afternoon Grog, your time!You sound a fuckin hoot m8, and as I think I indicated before a real smart dude, the lady thing was a bit off, as a generalisation to all the lads on here.I am 100% positive you dont live in Fannybay, Vancouver island, British columbia
The last time I wore my wives clothes,A peeping tom was watching, I invited him in, He said no! 
Thats just a little bit of me to try and lighten you up a bit, its quite sad as i wrote before to see this conduct on such a fabulous blog.I dont know anything about Craig I am sure he is just as frustrated as all of us with the State of the club we all adore.
We have got a huge task on our hands at the end of this month when the Arsenal come to visit,I truely think we loose on that day the league is over for us this term.
I disagree with you on your assessment of Valencia yesterday Grog, am not suggesting he is Fabulous, but he is slowly growing into the role and I personally am seeing real improvement,and am quite convinced the end product will come.With the greatest respect Grog cast your mind back to when Ronaldo came to us,there was a lot of showboating there m8, with often no end product.
Keep it real m8, keep it football.
January 17th, 2010 at 21:39
@Grognard: You are such a hypocrite Grog to talk to Craig like you do. You say one thing and then do another. Your tone and word choice is highly unbecoming from someone who preaches about civility but the first opportunity arises that your panties get in a bun or your feelings get hurt and you attack people. I am not going to stoop to such a level and attack you, but as a blogger who frequents this sites regularly I want you to know your derogatroy statements towards Craig I found to be offensive and uncalled for. I consider Craig a friend and although he has made some unwise choices the past few posts that is no excuse for the tirade you employed on him. and you did this after chastising me for my comments. Unfortunately that says a lot about you. And why are your comments not censored I wonder? Calling a man a “pussy” and a “little bitch,” among various other unacceptable comments in response to things said to you is hardly “accepting and moving the fuck on.” You are the biggest hypocrite I have ever witnessed on ANY blog of ANY kind for as long as I have used the internet. Your personal attacks on Craig cut across the grain to all of the things you chastise others about; about not taking thigs personal and such. What a load of rubbish. You have got to be the biggest self-absorbed, narcissistic, and confused person to say some of the things you do and then turn around and do just the opposite. Talk about a “sociopathic personality.” Wow, and I was just starting to tolerate you.
January 17th, 2010 at 21:44
@Mr.Muhozi:
January 17th, 2010 at 21:46
January 17th, 2010 at 21:59
Our thoughts on how good Nani is may be divided, but I think we can all safely say this guy is worse than shit!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l12Csc_lW0Q
January 17th, 2010 at 22:04
@Scotjimland: I just got back from the pub mate where good time had by all
. Hope you enjoy your couple hours down the pub Jim – great place to meet up with your mates 
.
January 17th, 2010 at 22:05
@EduardoDaVinci4: You couldn’t be more right Eddi
. Wnat to spill the beans on the whole Milan thing???
January 17th, 2010 at 22:07
@Scotjimland:
, tad tense eh Jim? 
January 17th, 2010 at 22:10
@RichmondRed: Is your name meaning Richmond as the town/city in Virginia USA. Are you American or expatriate Brit? I was just wondering, because I met a lot of expatriate Brits when I toured the States, but not many soccer fans. Unless I didn’t look in the right places
.
January 17th, 2010 at 22:12
@Mr.Muhozi: Where you been Mr Muhozi – haven’t been around blogging for a bit – have you?
January 17th, 2010 at 22:17
@CraigMc: A full blooded yank my friend! Born in California and living in Richmond, Virginia.
January 17th, 2010 at 22:23
@CraigMc:
you are a cheeky bastard 
am gonna have some fun with you, and I truely do hope you and Grog can kiss each other and set your handbags aside, mind now Manc, keep it real football! lmao
January 17th, 2010 at 22:24
@RichmondRed:
, I have some very good friends in California, they live in Simi Valley area. I did enjoy visiting your state mate, but your pubs are not as rowdy and animated as the British ones, but the Californians are very friendly folk I must say! I absolutely love Texas and the Texans though, my favourite place in USA. You ever been to Texas Richmond?
January 17th, 2010 at 22:27
@RichmondRed: My missus works in the medical field, and she wants to move and work in the States for a few years, she has a fixation on it. Will have to wait until my little daughter gets a bit older, then I might, but I think I would miss the games and OT terraces. So she might not get her way this time round
. Texas is a fabulous place to live though!
January 17th, 2010 at 22:31
@Scotjimland: The missus wont lend me her handbags mate, so I have to resort to the plastic bags
. It’s redranter I feel sorry for, every time he is gone for a bit, all hell breaks loose, and I have a big part in the firecrackers going off mate. You will know all about firecrackers with hogmanney and all!
January 17th, 2010 at 22:38
Now then – where were we in our heavy debating about the Majestic Nani?
, 
.
January 17th, 2010 at 22:39
@CraigMc: California is a wonderful place. I left there around ten years ago and now I live in Richmond, Virginia. My sister still lives in Californina, but I still have not had the urge to go back out there yet (I spent half of my life there mate). As far as Texas is concerned, well, I lived there for a little while when I was younger, but I was too young to remember it. I have visited a couple of times but I would not speak of it as highly as you do. Nevertheless, it is a part of my wonderful and beautful country. And if your missus is in the medical field she will always find work here in the states. My missus is a physican and I feel so thankful that her line of work will always be needed. Recession or not.
January 17th, 2010 at 22:51
I want Silva, Mata and villa
January 17th, 2010 at 22:54
@ROOOOONEY: I second and third that!!!
Are you watching Valencia play brother?
January 17th, 2010 at 22:59
@RichmondRed: +1
January 17th, 2010 at 23:32
Any of you bloggers gonna be at Eastlands this week – I can’t wait, but I truly hope SAF doesn’t get us a thrashing by picking a numptee team. I got to be at the game against Hull too, so can’t be bad eh? I got a week away from Geordie land – then its back to a mountain of work because I will be behing schedule and have to catch up. Worth it though
.
January 17th, 2010 at 23:33
@jos: that article was positive for the club if my reading comprehension is still intact.
seems like the united training facilities will be visited by promising young african talent for the next few years. I see win win for united $wise and young talent wise.
January 17th, 2010 at 23:49
Craig and Grog should have make up sex together, because I know for a fact that aggressive sex is the best! From what I see, you are both pretty angry and need to get some energy out. Come on lads, I’m holding a party on friday, perfect setting and place, United tapets all over the place so you could have a good erection!
Craig, you are a woman right?
January 17th, 2010 at 23:52
@Scotjimland: I have no real issue about Valencia. In fact I have stuck for him against unfair attacks but yesterday he was ass droppings. That’s fine, he’s good enough to realize it and he will learn from it.
And I live in Vancouver. I appreciate the humor because things have gotten a bit heated on here today. Cheers mate.
January 17th, 2010 at 23:55
@RichmondRed: You know where you can stick your comments mate. I think I was very civil with Craig considering he takes no responsibility for his actions. And as you are one of his ass kissing groupies, I was very much predicting your response before you even posted it. Some people are so incredibly predictable. I’ll tell you what, I’ll avoid your comments if you avoid mine and we can move on like adults. As far as getting in to it with, frankly mate, you aren’t worth it.
January 17th, 2010 at 23:59
@EduardoDaVinci4: And I’ll stay angry until he mans up and apologizes and means it too. Last time somebody said Up yours to me in public spent the night in hospital getting his jaw wired 12 years ago. That’s what I think of the comment he seems to think is just playful fun.
January 18th, 2010 at 0:01
@CraigMc: I thought you were going to take a break from the womans blog? Just couldn’t get enough pussy eh?
January 18th, 2010 at 0:05
Looks like MUST is demanding the ultimate sacrifice.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/17/manchester-united-glazers-ferguson-resign-protest?
January 18th, 2010 at 0:14
@Grognard: Oh, now you want to act like adults? You are such a FAKE fucking coward who hides behind a blog. Fuck off and “up yours” idiot! Now my gloves are off pussy!
January 18th, 2010 at 0:46
@RichmondRed: Think about RedRanter and just get on with talking football Richmond, and IGNORE the rest – it’s not worth it mate! At the end of the day it’s nice to look at your missus and children, and count your blessings – that’s whats real mate, nothing else!
January 18th, 2010 at 0:51
@RichmondRed: Despite what you are saying now my problem was not with you. I’m not going to retaliate with someone who sticks his shit infested nose into things and doesn’t know when to mind his own fucking business. So kindly do us all a favor and piss off and stop sticking your snoz where it doesn’t belong ok motherfucker. It’s you who’s talking brave behind the the protection of the internet because if you actually faced me, trust me you’d piss your panties. I maybe hampered by a bad back but believe 350 pounds and 6′5″ of pissed off me would be all over your ass tough guy. Anytime you want to fly up to Vancouver, I’ll gladly get RR to give you my address and we’ll see who’s tough hotshot.
January 18th, 2010 at 0:55
@CraigMc: On that we can agree. There are more important things to worry about. You have your family and I have a dying mother. Lets stop with the BS and move on.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:12
I think RedRanter will probably be disgusted to see what has been said and done in his absence, and it just isn’t fair to him or any of the United fans who come here to discuss football matters. This blog shouldn’t be used for personal slanging matches, or anything except talking about Manchester United. I hope that RedRanter will kindly delete all of the post comments that have frankly been ridiculously out of order. I apologise RR for my part in the proceedings
.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:15
@Grognard: Blah, blah, blah…like I said, you are a fucking hypocrite. You stuck your fat fucking face into my business when I made a comment about Andrei yesterday and now you jump down my throat for doing the same to you. Fuck you. And I could give a shit how tall you are and how much your fat loser ass weighs.All that does is force me to stereotype all 6′5″, 350lbs people as assholes since one of them might be you.
And since when is someone an ass kisser if they back someone else up? Is Red Ranter an ass kisser to you because he occassionally sides with you? I think not. Get over yourself.
It all seems so clear to me now: you are some overweight fuck, feeling sorry for himself, with low self-esteem, talking tough on a blog, and acting as if his shit doesn’t stink when in fact you are nothing but a prick who is jaded and takes it out your misery on other people. Fuck off! Go and support another team like your lovely Bayern Munich so people do not have to put up with your double-standard antics anymore.
I come on this blog to talk football and nothing more. And of course I make a comment or two that I should not like I did yesterday to Andrei when you spoke out of turn. Like I said, I consider Craig a friend and when you attacked him I felt it was out of line and made it my business. So if you want to talk football then fine, but practice what you preach and keep it at football and quit correcting people as if you run the joint only to turn around and do just the opposite of what you chastised someone for.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:27
@CraigMc: I know you are right mate. However, I do not know if I can say that without being ass-kissing acusations. I am just not down with the double-standards. However, there are much more important things to concern ourselves with and after all, this is suppose to be a football blog, yet we do just as much attacking each other as we vent our frustrations over our club.
I often make the mistake of forgetting that things said on this blog are just opinions and more often than not they will differ from mine. But things said to you were out of line and I voiced my opinion because it was the right thing to do. Perhaps not the word choice, but the action. I would have said something if the aggression was aimed at someone else.
Still, RR will be disappointed and for that I am not proud.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:39
to all man united bloggers, being a good old Scottish Lad in the North west Highlands of Scotland,Just fallen out of the pub
I dont understand you all and your attacks on each other it simply aint my style.I just love my football and discussing same with out long winded uninteresting drivvle.
In my simple Scots way I think you are all fantastic fun, and everyone is entitled to there opinion however strongly or weakly its conveyed after all lads its only words on the net.
Masochist: Hurt me!
Sadist: NO.
Night lads away to bed, my lady wife needs some relief, and I need a piss! Cheers Grog,Craig for nice comments back to me, makes me feel good that you two are communicating sensibly.
Catch you all probably On Tuesday for the match.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:39
Oh come on guys!!!
How can we let a football club turn us against eachother? For fucks sake, there is one thing you never do. You never tell family to fuck off, and that is what you guys are doing right now. United is family, so if you’d please act as mature men right now it would be cool, because you are being bad role models for every man out there. These are sad days indeed, but never, and I repeat, NEVER, turn against eachother. In these dark days, we gotta stay United.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:44
Sometimes I believe NicoQB and me are the only ones on this blog who can stay out of trouble…
My God lads, isn’t it embarrasing when a 16 year old boy acts more mature than you lot?
January 18th, 2010 at 1:51
@EduardoDaVinci4:
, errrr I seem to remember a few times of Eddi immaturity, but that’s a whole other story. Anyway it has taught me a very good lesson, I wont be visiting any United blog on match days, if I have been boozing with my mates and am tanked up to the max. One comment can start off a hurricane, and then draws in innocent people who get inflamed. Lesson taught, lesson learnt! 
January 18th, 2010 at 1:57
@Grognard: This has crossed my mind once or twice.
If SAF is United to the core, he could at least speak up for the sake of the club, the players and the fans. And where is Bobby Charlton and other board members when we need them??
His resignation seems a little over the top at this stage of the game, but a veiled threat here or there wouldn’t hurt.
Just seems like we we’re the ones that’ll take the brunt of the Glazers dealings.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:57
@Scotjimland:
I hear ya mate. Its so bloody cold up in those remote highland places Jim, that you all have to frequent the pubs and warm yourselves up with the spirits etc, until you fall out the pubs, 
, otherwise you would freeze to death – right?
January 18th, 2010 at 2:11
Are you children done?
Or tell me if you’re still not yet done comparing penis sizes.
I pointed out yesterday itself and I’ve said it a million times already, not to stick up for anyone here or butt into arguments that are between two people. Only I reserve that right. If you all thing you are very intelligent/learned then you ought to have got that much iota of sense to stick to things relevant to yourselves rather than shoving your noses into things you don’t really have to.
Despite what you think, you are all not friends here. We are all strangers only united by the club we support. So leave the “sticking up for someone else” to me.
January 18th, 2010 at 2:15
@CraigMc: Of course I’ve had my fair share of disagreements, and there was once where I told a newbie to fuck off. But that was because he went up against my friends up here, telling him to fuck off was appropriate I felt, he even got banned from this blog if I remember correctly. But getting in a immature fight because I disagree with the others opinions have never happend, and I’ve never gone personally horrific towards anyone. The odd fuck off or “up yours” as you may say, but never telling someone I’d come to their house and kill them with a baseball bat. Never even close! Not because I have never felt like doing so, the amount of critisism Andy has recieved have reached different heights, but I haven’t gone to tell people fuck stuff because of it.
Acting immature, yes I have. But I am not as mature as you guys, I’m only fucking 16! It goes without saying! I’m just saying some of you guys act more immature than me, and more often. Shouldn’t be this way…
January 18th, 2010 at 2:17
@Red Ranter: I just don’t want United fans to turn against eachother in these torrid times, if anything this is a time to stay trustworthy and United. Sorry if I did anything wrong mate, I just hate watching things this way.
January 18th, 2010 at 2:18
@EduardoDaVinci4: And I think you have shown a lot more maturity at times than the so called “educated matured” ones.
Oh and if those of you who were involved in the kerfuffle feel offended by my remark and want to defend yourselves, well, I don’t care what you have to say.
Sometimes when you’ve had too much of this crap you just have to say it.
January 18th, 2010 at 2:23
Yawn….I freaking beat. Maybe we can talk football tomorrow…
January 18th, 2010 at 4:26
@Red Ranter: I do think you’re “ranting”.
Whoops, … gotta go now!!
January 18th, 2010 at 4:31
@ Red Ranter : This “educated matured” means Grog
???
January 18th, 2010 at 8:06
@Redrich: It’s the state of things I’m afraid Red. He seems to be loyal to his bosses and for me that is a shame and a crime. But we cannot force the man to change his allegiances. MUST need to be looking for hard core ways to make a statement. I remember years ago Fiorentina fans rioted and cause massive havoc because the club sold Roberto Baggio. My God, they lose it like that over a player. Meanwhile United fans are threatened with the survival of their team and they all sit on their hands and do nothing but they do fill OT for games. Booing the Glazer’s at home games will amount to nothing.
January 18th, 2010 at 9:43
I started wondering on Saturday if perhaps Owen’s “pay-as-you-play” contract has anything to do with his number of appearances?
January 18th, 2010 at 9:50
@Karl: He isn’t on a pay as you play contract mate, he just took a huge pay cut.
January 18th, 2010 at 14:50
Sky Sports breaking news, we’ve turned town an offer from Spurs for Ben Foster. The question is…. why?
January 18th, 2010 at 14:52
@Grognard: The big difference between here and Italy is that the Manchester MET won’t be paid up members of our ‘Ultras’, as with Fiorentina.
January 18th, 2010 at 17:03
@Traverse: Because we’re trying trying to engineer a cash plus player move for Modric.
January 18th, 2010 at 17:06
@NicoQB: You got any source on that, or is it just wonderfully wishful thinking?
January 18th, 2010 at 17:08
Also, since Berbatov will not play against City, what are the odds we will play 5 in midfield and 1 up? Gash.
January 18th, 2010 at 17:12
what just 5 in midfield?! make it 6~
January 18th, 2010 at 17:14
@Traverse: Yeah but for how much? Foster may be a backup but he is still worth money.
January 18th, 2010 at 17:25
A very interesting article written by Martin Samuel about the current financial situation that leaves me with a cold feeling inside. Interesting but it does not have to be that way. I disagree with his belief that all good things need to come to an end and others need to take over for the the good of the game. Tell that to baseball where the Yankees have won close to 30 championships, hockey where Montreal dominated for a century, and even the NFL and NBA where there have been marquis teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Boston Celtics and LA Lakers who seem to have been at the top or near it for the last 50 years. It’s not about winning the championship every year. It’s about being able to compete at that level which makes a team a dynasty and this I feel is great for the image of a league and the prestige. Anyway, have a gander at what he has to say.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1244010/Martin-Samuel-The-Glazers-bad-Manchester-United-good-game-.html?ITO=1490
January 18th, 2010 at 17:31
@RichmondRed: It’s been 24 hours and after some reflection let me come out and apologize to you for our war of words. I obviously did not take to kindly to a lot of what you said and I lashed out but that was childish on my part and all this crap about meeting up and having a fight in hindsight just made me sound stupid and ridiculous. Lets just say I was having a bad day and the problems between me and Craig just escalated to something I never really wanted. Your words hurt and got under my skin even when I knew I shouldn’t let them and ignore them. I was not appreciative of you coming in to the whole thing and attacking me but I do see your point of me sounding hypocritical. So I will take the high road here and apologize and hopefully we can get beyond this and have more civil and friendly debates about the game and our team in the future. Just cut out the fat jokes because they do sting a bit.
Peace.
January 18th, 2010 at 17:45
@Traverse: Dream on, huh?
January 18th, 2010 at 17:49
@CraigMc: Craig, as I just said to RichmondRed, it’s been 24 hours and i have slept on it and realized that we all let this whole situation get way out of control. For my part in it let me apologize to you for my anger even though I do believe that I was speaking from a good position. We have known each other on this blog for three years and have always gotten along even though we don’t always see eye to eye. I have always liked you and appreciated your sense of humor although there are times when you do appear a little rough around the collar for my taste. That’s fine, that’s your right.
What really bothers me is that all this crap was over Nani and what’s really sad is that both you and i like Nani even though you love him more than I do. (incidentally, he scored a cracker for me last night when I was playing PES 10 as Portugal
). Anyway, the fact is that you did get under my thin skin the other day with the “up yours” comment simply because it was not followed by a smiley indicating a friendly insult. From where I come the comment is not seen the same way it is in your neck of the woods. That is why even RR reacted to it badly. Seeing as I think of you as a buddy, I have to say that it did take me for a loop and therefore fostered my rage as I tried to clarify my position on Nani.
This blog needs people like you, Richmond Red and even me. We are all United thru n thru and we care about the team, the players and the future of the club. Sure we will disagree from time to time, but we need to be more understanding of each other and consider feelings. You are very thick skinned (except when they are laying a siege on Nani) whereas I am not. As I respect your right to be the way you are, please acknowledge that others do not just sluff things off as easily as you do. Like I said, we are buddies and we have had a many laughs and a lot of great conversations and debates over those years. For me it’s a shame to let this all die over a day of bad temper, too many drinks and fragile ego’s. I take full responsibility for my part in this and I do not expect or want an apology from you, especially since you do not feel you owe me one. Lets just forget the whole thing and move on. RR maybe right when he says that in reality none of us here are friends but I’d like to think that we are all at least friendly enough that if any of us was visiting or traveling in the other’s part of the world, that the two could meet for an ale at the pub and have an hour of fun and conversation.
So as far as I am concerned, I am willing to forgive and forget our argument because I am looking at the bigger picture here. You and I have many more reasons to be friends and friendly with each other, than we do throwing insults and carrying animosity over something as trivial and as stupid as how Nani played. I’m sorry for upsetting you mate. Hope we can move on from this.
January 18th, 2010 at 18:07
@Traverse: The amount of money they have extracted from us with regards to Berba and Carrick we should hang out for £20m, it would balance the other two out.
January 18th, 2010 at 18:54
@Grognard: I hate to say it, but probably the best thing to happen is if the Bond issue doesn’t attract much interest.
Without it, it really would put a spanner in the workings of their business plan and push them closer to the conclusion of their dealings with us.
I’m sure there’s a few interested parties keeping a close eye on this now!!
January 18th, 2010 at 19:25
Canales is clearly the new world class striking revelation. Would be surprised if he does not make it as big as Torres or Villa.
January 18th, 2010 at 19:37
@NicoQB: Its sad we cant afford anyone anymore…
January 18th, 2010 at 19:45
@Grognard: Thankyou, and I agree
. I am just going to concentrate on the football, and that includes Lil Man Nani and Looney Rooney. All the guys on here know I am mad as a hatter in my opposing views on Nani/Rooney – but I think most of them have learn’t to just ROLL their eyes, and say ‘Mmmmmmmm Craig’s off on one again with Nani or Rooney 
. We all like the players we like at the end of the day! It’s only bloody football, and should not descend into a RAGING INFERNO on a personal level. Please God it will never happen again, because it COSTS RedRanter money and time to run this blog, and none of us should feel we have a right to fill the pages with worthless drivel – to quote Richmond Red 
. Anyway – City tomorrow, and please God we can keep their strikers at bay with our present dodgy defence! Stephen, will you be at Eastlands mate?
January 18th, 2010 at 19:50
@Redrich: I find it amazing that anyone would be interested in the club with that debt, regardless of how deep their pockets are. Having read Soccernomics, it became very evident to me that soccer/football is not the big money making venture it makes itself out to be. Compared to some of the big brokers and investment banks in America, the money United and Real Madrid make is pocket change. Therefore, if a club balances their books and does exceedingly well every season in making a 3o to 50 million pound profit, that is an exceptional result. Now knowing that that profit per year best case scenario is relatively small compared to the 500 to 700 million pound debt that is hanging over the club, I find inconceivable that any investor will decide to buy a club and take over that kind of debt, knowing full well that it would take them 15 to 20 years to pay it off, assuming they don’t spend a lot on players.
This is why my solution has always been for the fans of this club world wide to band together and invest as much as they can to eliminate the debt with the promise that if done so, the Glazer’s would then sell the club. Easier said than done but if a trust company was created by fans and that they were able to negotiate such a deal with the Glazer’s, that this kind of solution would be the best way to service the debt, and open the door to better owners for the future. As of right now, an oil sheik would have to have quite the love for the club and quite the ego that he would be willing to buy the team and literally throw 500 to 700 million pound away like garbage. I just do not see it happening. Do you?
January 18th, 2010 at 19:53
@Grognard: Well Groggy, you beat me to the punch (pun intended)
. After an evening of rest and reflection I too felt terrible for my immaturity and insensitivity towards you and the situation in general. If I had to do it all over again I would have just ignored it and moved on. However, despite what Red Ranter thinks, I consider Craig a friend; quite a relative term I think and I feel comfortable calling Craig a friend. So I spoke up and I should not have. Craig is a big boy and can handle himself and my involvement did not improve the situation and it never was going to improve it. I do not know the history between you and Craig and if Craig offended you then it is none of my business. However, I appreciate that you do see my side of things and it is rather big of you (no pun intended) 
,to come out, recognize your faults and apologize. You can be a rather good man Grog.
It wasn’t unitl yesterday that I actually went and read the rules for this blog and I certainly broke a few of them yesterday and for that I am sorry. I too am also sorry for my behavior towards you and regret many of the words I said to you yesterday. Please forgive me for my harsh and unjust criticism of you. I said most of what I did in haste and thought not of your personal feelings and regretably so.
Honestly, I am just here to talk football. I love the game and I love Manchester United. I am not here to talk down to anyone and disregard anybody’s feelings. I forgive you for your words and unkindness and I too am ready to move on. So for me, it too was just a bad day and I should not have taken anything out on you. Cheers.
January 18th, 2010 at 19:53
it’s been a dull transfer window for the EPL this time around…
January 18th, 2010 at 19:57
January 18th, 2010 at 20:02
@CraigMc: While I agree with what Paddy said about Nani, Mr. Crerand is hardly the person to discuss players is he? Paddy does not see any fault in anyone at United, at least none that I have ever heard. Talk about seeing the club through red tinted glasses
January 18th, 2010 at 20:03
@Grognard:
Sad thing is, a year or two before the shysters stole the club, Gill was in advanced talks with the fans regarding selling them shares in the club, initialy about 21% to prevent a hostile takeover and eventually leading to mutual ownership.
January 18th, 2010 at 20:09
@Grognard: I think it would depend a lot on how motivated the Glazers would be to sell, if the Bond fails. They would be faced with the possibility of United’s long term value decreasing, as they begin to fail on the pitch, and the intermediate effect of it being a money pit.
At any rate, I think their hand will be forced if they don’t raise the necessary funds.
January 18th, 2010 at 20:29
@CraigMc:
I think Paddy’s already been on the ale 
January 18th, 2010 at 20:31
@RichmondRed: Paddy Crerand is probably the most boring and plain pundit EVER…Hes all about the praise….I could jump pff a cliff listening to him go on about scholes and neville
January 18th, 2010 at 20:54
@RichmondRed: Thank you for reading the rules. Those were painstakingly crafted by me, and not copy pasted from a generic page listing site moderation rules. Sometimes I wonder if people read that at all.
Glad you saw sense.
Grognard and Craig, thank you both for making peace and moving on. Made my life much easier that way.
January 18th, 2010 at 20:55
@CraigMc: But he will say the same of any United player, be it Rooney and Park.
He will never criticise any current United player.
January 18th, 2010 at 21:02
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0VhD1YDNSM
January 18th, 2010 at 21:06
@EduardoDaVinci4: city fans are sick, in that youtube link the comments below “were avin a party when fergie diesss” is that a real chant they have? that is low for anyone.
January 18th, 2010 at 21:46
@Cyclops-Red:
, he looked stone cold sober mate – and of course he is RIGHT in his comments 
.
January 18th, 2010 at 21:48
@Red Ranter: Nah RR – not so mate! But he is right in his comments as I said to Cyclopse – Paddy Crerand – what a man of vision and perception eh
.
January 18th, 2010 at 21:49
@taehr:
surely not Taehr?
January 18th, 2010 at 21:52
@RichmondRed: Well they don’t call him St Patrick for nothing mate
. I think he truly got a message from above though when it comes to promoting mi man Nani 
.
January 18th, 2010 at 22:12
If Spurs are stupid enough to bid for Ben Foster Id say hold out for as much as we can get and then sell him! What better way to reduce our debt? Unfortunately player sales will barely make a dent in the debt because with the exceptions of Rooney, Fletcher and Vidic we do not have a single player with a sale value above £20 million. Still selling Foster would raise some money towards funding a viable long term replacement for EVDS which must be one of our main priorities.
January 18th, 2010 at 22:52
@colver:
When we sell a player we should start charging a United Tax, lets say 33% for starters. £4m for Foster is ridiculous, he’s an Ingurland international (according to Fergie). £10m minimum
January 18th, 2010 at 23:15
I agree. Until the financial situation improves we have to turn into a selling club which means selling players at a decent mark-up and bringing youth through the ranks. That means:
£10 million for Foster
£15 million for Nani (£20 million if he has a good world cup)
£10 million for Gibson
£10 million for Welbeck
£20 million for Berbatov
£40 million for Vidic (if we are forced to sell)
January 19th, 2010 at 0:10
@colver:
Yep, hope we can find the likes of ‘Arry Redknapp’s to buy our players.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:30
@RichmondRed: Thanks mate. I greatly appreciate the kind word and the regret you have because I too feel the very same. I kind of laugh at the thing you and I said to each other yesterday because frankly, it was beneath both of us. Whether we agree on points or nor in debate, one thing for sure is that we are Man Utd supporters to the core and that alone can create a bond of friendship that meeting somebody does not require. Hell, people get married over the Internet having not met each other so being friends on a footy blog does not sound weird to me even if it is to Red Ranter. I too consider a Craig a buddy on line and so it distressed me to no end to get into a heated war with him and then with you. It’s not one of my proudest moments and for that I apologize to you, Craig, Red Ranter and the rest of my friends on this blog who were subjected to all that nonsense. What can I say, I’m a good guy who is occasionally prone to suffering from thin skin and bitchiness.
Cheers and hopefully our future conversations will be a lot more friendly. Who knows, we might even agree on a few points too.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:36
@CraigMc: Funny thing mate is that I feel that way about him too. I just feel he didn’t have a great game on Saturday. But if Fergie is fair to him and he gives him minutes to find his conditioning and form a gain, I feel he could show us something. We all know the skill is there. Hell, 25% of the best highlights in the 07/08
review dvd are Nani inspired while 50 % are Ronaldo and the other 25% everyone else. I would think that alone speaks of the players ability and potential. He didn’t just lose all that skill. He still has it but Fergien needs to let him play and also take the shackles off his game the way he does with Rooney and Ronaldo. Let him express himself freely and he will come up with 3 or 4 magical moments per game which will lead to two goals. So despite our disagreement (which for me had more to do with your Rooney hatred), we are on the same page about Nani. I’m just more honest when he hasn’t played a good game where you still sugar coat his poor games by emphasizing the positives.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:38
@RichmondRed: That’s a fair and honest point. I laugh my head of during games where every time one of our players goes down it’s a grievous foul by the opponent and if one of theirs goes down it’s a dive. I can’t tell you how many times he’s gotten those calls wrong. Quite funny really. But i love the old man. He is a United legend and one of the gang.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:41
@Grognard: “MUST” wanted nothing to do with calling for SAF’s retirement.
They have come out against the statement made by Flacks and said they only want the Glazers to leave and fergi to stay.
“The Trust has pointed out that Flacks’s comments do not necessarily represent those of the group as a whole.”-this is from the article you linked
In this article MUST uses even stronger language to distance themselves from Flacks comments link
they realize what a bone headed move it would be and that it would have absolutely no bearing on the situation.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:42
@Cyclops-Red: So what happened? Did the fans not want to buy or was the offer taken off the table? My God, if ever a team should be owned by the fans it’s a club the size of Man Utd. If Real Madrid and Barcelona can succeed using that model, certainly a club like united with it’s large local support and it’s unparalleled foreign support, could make a financial killing. It amazes me that this has not happened. I am not rich but i for one would invest a thousand pound towards the team just so that I can say I own .000001% of the club. It would be a badge of pride for me.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:45
It’s not like you all cannot be friends. But at the end of the day you are only familiar with someone based on what he says from behind a computer screen. And usually the personality offline (or real life) is vastly different from the online personality. I’ve seen it first hand, trust me. Keeping that at the back of your mind always helps. Your close, but there is still that bit of distance.
Sticking up for someone, while noble on the surface, only exacerbates the problem. When there is a dispute between two people, it’s best to let it be between the two of them.
Leave it to me to advice people on how to conduct themselves rather than jumping in and getting your own fingers burned.
You’re all here to debate football, so do that and enjoy your time here rather than dragging yourselves in conflicts between other people. Leave that part to me. Whether I choose to handle some conflicts or not, let that be my discretion. Sometimes, I let some fights run their course because my gut tells me the sparring factions will resolve it, based on my observations of their personalities on the blog.
In other cases, I know it’s bound to get ugly and I jump in. Especially when habitually confrontational personalities are involved. I am being generic here, so this is an observation not to be taken personally.
But leave all that to me… even if I am out of town sometimes. If you think a fight ends up taking over the blog, then just take a break from the blog. Don’t contribute to the fight.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:47
@Redrich: sir alex and boby have more info on the situation than you or I and are titled men of distinction, I think their failure to panic on the subject speaks volumes already.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:47
@Redrich: Exactly. It depends on which model is the more accurate one. The one they are allowing to leak to the press where they only made a profit thanks to Ronaldo money or where I say they have been making quite a rich personal profit but have been diverting it into their own Swiss accounts leaving the team with very little working capital. All these telecom deals with Asian and Middle Eastern companies, the licensing, the shirt deals etc all bring in lots of money beyond what the team gets at the gate and in corporate boxes and tv deals. I find it hard to believe that any greedy American businessman would want to hold onto a team with such a debt if it was helping them build up the personal wealth they lost when the markets collapsed and the Ponzi scheme they got burned by did them in for over a third of their wealth. They are holding on to united until the day comes when they have to pay up to the banks. The reason for that is that until then, they can extort as much money as they can and fudge the books in the process.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:51
@taehr: Lou Macari is even worse. The fact they can look people in the face or look straight into a tv camera and praise Fergie the team and it’s playing style and tactics after all these awful performances is mind boggling and very frustrating. MUTV and all who work for United are incredibly disingenuous people. Like trained mice. I also think the fact that they took down a sign at the game saying
“Hate the Glazer’s” or “Glazer’s must go”, shows you what a creepy and evil corporate atmosphere exists with thin the walls of Old Trafford. Classy owners would have taken their lumps and done nothing about it.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:53
@Red Ranter: As usual, Sorry for upsetting you RR. Sometimes I cannot help myself, even though I know it’s going to upset you. I honestly do not like upsetting you. You deserve better.
January 19th, 2010 at 0:54
@Traverse: everyone is denying it but that probably means that we want mo money
January 19th, 2010 at 0:57
@EduardoDaVinci4: It would be so much more funny if the guy who wrote the stuff spoke English.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:01
@gator: It would be a boneheaded move that would accomplish nothing. I’m glad they are not for this kind of an act. I have my issues with Fergie and his loyalty and allegiance to those mofo owners but this club needs him now more than ever. He is the glue that keeps the whole thing from falling apart. Even if the glue has been awfully boring of late.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:01
@Redrich: having it work and allowing multiple suitors to come forth and picking the best would be better.
also pool have been for sale for a while now and havent had a solid lead yet…
but in 3 or so years the global economic outlook should be more upbeat and we would be in a better position financially(if reports are true that investors are showing plenty of interest in the bonds).
January 19th, 2010 at 1:07
@Red Ranter: Don’t fret over it mate. I don’t think any of us are entertaining any thoughts of jumping in bed with each other or fixing up our kids in marriage. The definition of friend can work in many different ways. Part of the reason we get into heated argument sis that many come to the assistance of a “friend” in need. You can be someone’s friend even if you have never met them. But of course that friendship is not as solid or as deep and multi dimensional as that of a person you see every day of your life. But consider people who are friends or family who live thousands of miles away and who you haven’t seen for ten years. I’d say my friends online and at Red Rants are closer to me in some ways than those who I haven’t seen or broke bread with for years. And it’s because despite this being a football blog, we do discuss other things and we do find out a lot about each other and what makes each other tick. So I use the word friend with a grain of salt but I still look to these people as friends, but more clearly defined, “Internet Buddies”.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:07
@Cyclops-Red: REALLY?
that would have been sweet. why did he let it go threw then? the glazers should do that now float 20% of the company onto the market
January 19th, 2010 at 1:12
@gator: Christ mate, they may be close to the action but they are both so old they probably have no idea how to turn a computer on, have never heard of Facebook and think an iPod is a form of plant. They are old codgers who are out of touch with the modern world and so I think a lot of what is happening goes right over their heads. Fergie for example has come across for me as a very bad judge of talent over the past five years. The fact the team’s head scout is his brother tells me a lot about why a lot of the youth on this team never pan out. Charlton is just a figurehead. He probably needs help to get his shoes on everyday and his wife adjusts his hat for him. These people are not financially savvy or have any real concept about the financial dealings of the Glazer’s. I firmly believe that. I think they are trusting and very naive because they are old school..
January 19th, 2010 at 1:15
@Grognard: too true mate
January 19th, 2010 at 1:20
@Grognard: You say Real Masrid and Barcelona ’succeed’ with their method. Madrid are in £580mil of debt and Barcelona nearly £400mil of debt……
Yes they aren’t at the behest of mad Americans, but they have run themselves into the ground. Imagine if we could negotiate our own TV deals like they do, and they are still almost in as much debt as we are. And we were debt free before the Glazers!
Imagine how much better off we’d be if we A) didn’t have the Glazers piling debt on us and B) we could arrange a £132mil a YEAR deal on our TV rights (currently what Madrid get). I think we would generate much more than that, seeing as we are much bigger in the far east.
Hell, if we could organise our own TV deals we could probably pay off this massive as Glazer debt. Within the next decade, after which we’d be able to dominate, if we manage to exist as a Champions League contenders by that time.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:21
@Grognard: I bet that fergi’s tight Scottish ass knows exactly whats going on at the very least has someone he trusts reading him the clifnotes. Scotsmen are notoriously guarded around money, and SAF is no different… “no value”
January 19th, 2010 at 1:32
@Traverse: the powers that be wont let united be THE team in the world.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:33
@Traverse: A TV deal would be absolutely a wonderful tonic to all of this debt. I thought United should have sought that out even before the shithead Glazers took over. However, is there not a rule in place from the FA that we can not do such a thing? I am a bit glib on the subject. I would have thought that United would have already sought such a deal if it was allowed. Are they under some sort of contract with the FA that keeps them from that? enlighten me Obi Wan.
Or anyone for that matter.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:34
I’m an accountant,but I don’t really like to talk about debt and financial crises. It’s so depressing. I know that probably within the next 24 months we could be history after filing for bankruptcy,but I don’t wanna hear it. Too bad the only distraction that could make us forget all the doom and gloom is even more depressing. There are some obviously unfounded reports that Pep Guardiola is on a one man shortlist for possible replacements for Ferguson. For me that would be a dream come true. At least the final months of the club’s existence will be marked by some great football. That’s all I’m asking for. Is it really too much to ask for? Personally I’d prefer having Solsjkaer take over after 12 months of managerial mentorship by the great SAF.That’s even more unlikely and it’s highly unfair to ask him to captain a sinkingship but it’s all I have:my imagination. Here I go again rambling off like some disoriented person.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:44
we are now linked with a arab billionaire bid of1.2bn
January 19th, 2010 at 1:50
@Jay wire: wooooooooo hold up who said the B word? no one ive heard.
there are waaaaayy too many other options to be explored before the B word should even be brought up.
The re branding of Old Trafford(hello Nike$$$), selling a minority stake in the company, and the bond issue, from reports ive read looks set to go over better than expected.
January 19th, 2010 at 2:04
@Grognard: @gator:
Discussions were in place back in 2004/05 between the club and the supporters organisaton (can’t remember if it was IMUSA, Must or a forerunner of either/or organisation).
At the time small time shareholders owned 13% of shares. The proposal was to allow/encourage initialy 21% of shares to be purchased through a Supporters trust. I do not know what significance these figures meant ie whether they could have prevented a hostile takeover or protected the club in some other way. The figure proposed was approx. £150m.
Whether this sort of amount was feasible to raise via ordinary supporters, who knows? If successful it could have created a platform for fans to have eventually taken a majority stake in the club. The proposal had to be mothballed because it became apparent that the Shysters were in the process of mak