Nov 28
Manchester United vs Portsmouth: Preview
After a miserable midweek Champions League match against Besiktas, the Premier League is here to save the day as bottom club Portsmouth host the Champions at Fratton Park. However, Sir Alex begins his two-match ban, so Mike Phelan will be handing out the touchline instructions.
It is Avram Grant’s first game in charge of Pompey after the departure of Paul Hart on Tuesday, and he seems up for the challenge,
“The spirit of the team and atmosphere are good. The squad is good enough to take us from the bottom, but we need some players who can improve us.”
It is Grant’s second spell at the club as he left Fratton Park in July 2007 to take up a director of football role at Chelsea succeeding Jose Mourinho in September of that year, but he was sacked at the end of the season despite guiding his side to second in the Premier League and the Champions League final, where they lost on penalties to our good selves.
Many of you may also remember Avram Grant’s first game in charge of Chelsea, a 2-0 defeat against the mighty reds. Lets hope history repeats itself on Saturday. Omens look positive for us as Portsmouth have been stuck at the bottom of the Premier League table since August and have the least effective front line in the Premier League, scoring just 10 goals in their 13 games. Vidic may have to wait for his contract and also some defensive tasks on Saturday.
Goalkeeper David James looks likely to miss the match with a calf injury, and should be replaced by Jamie Ashdown. Pompey could welcome back Papa Bouba Diop, who has recovered from a hamstring injury. John Utaka and Steve Finnan may also make it to the bench. One player to look out for is Aruna Dindane, Portsmouth’s top scorer with 4 so far this season (3 of which came against Wigan). Jamie O’Hara is another to look out for, he has been one of few bright lights at Fratton Park this season, providing the energy in the Pompey midfield and also an attacking threat we should be wary of.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been very gracious and respectful to his opposite number,
“He’s very experienced and I’m sure he will get the right reaction from his players. We’ve kept in touch quite a lot and he will be glad to get back into management. He has got a big challenge, but they have some good players and they might be in a false position.”
A much changed line up from Wednesday won’t include Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves who are definitely out, while Jonny Evans and John O’Shea have not made the trip south. This means Wesley Brown, “the best natural defender in the country” according to Ferguson, will continue his partnership with Vidic at the back. Evra should be recalled and Gary Neville will take up his usual position, as will Van der Sar.
With Portsmouth weak at left-back, Valencia will start to give the side a potent attacking threat down the right. After a rest in midweek, Carrick and Fletcher should form the midfield pairing, with Ryan Giggs battling it out with Gabriel Obertan for the left side position. Giggs should be given the nod as he searches for his 100th Premier League goal.
In the final third Dimitar Berbatov should be back after missing the last four matches and Wayne Rooney will commence service as well with Michael Owen dropping to the bench as has become the norm.
A word of caution: We have only managed two victories at Fratton Park in the Premier League out of six attempts, we have lost our last two away fixtures, not three in a row since 1996. Portsmouth haven’t scored in the last three matches between the sides. A comfortable victory and one that would be our 2,000th in the league, should ensue given the majority of the first team has in effect had a week off and should be fresh.
Portsmouth will have that air of confidence a new manager brings, but ultimately we should be too strong.
Prediction: 3-0
Probable Line Up: Van der Sar, Neville, Brown, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov
Related items from Red Rants:
- Portsmouth Preview
- Some NOTW Nonsense + Community Shield Preview
- Man Utd v Portsmouth: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Portsmouth: FA Cup Preview
Tags: Game Preview
November 28th, 2009 at 11:49
Fratton Park has always been a difficult ground for us. Last season we only won 1-0 thanks to a deflected winning goal by Darren Fletcher, our only win before that coming from a Ronaldo brace and Ruud goal in a 3-1 win. Its not looking good, is it?
It should also be noted that had it not been for a stunning performance David James we would probaly have won in 2007 and 2008. That man if fortunately out, so this game could easily pip both ways. It`s something about the mental advantage the Pompey players could have before todays game, knowing that United usually struggle at their ground. However, their league position compared to United should give us a big advantage. To be honest, if we score first I can see us winning this one comfortably! If they score first, it`s gonna be very difficult. Here is to a United win, and Rooney finally rocking the baby in celebration! 
I`ve been waiting for that a while now…
November 28th, 2009 at 11:50
And guess what, Robin Van Persie is out for 4-5 months.
That is a huge hammer blow for them…
November 28th, 2009 at 13:12
@Footy4Eddy: No miracle from the placenta witch doctoress then…
Well at least Van Persie got to stick his foot in a horse’s vagina…
November 28th, 2009 at 13:31
@NicoQB: Whatever the Arsenal squad get up to on an afternoon is their business, but they should stop taking outing suggestions from Arshavin.
November 28th, 2009 at 13:42
We need to capitalize on this weekend considering the clash in london tomorrow.If i see another boring game against a hopeless team that just let in 9,i will suspend watching United for a month.Shit,i will be out with an injury
November 28th, 2009 at 14:28
@donibrasco: Do you mean Pompey conceded 9??? Or was WIGAN??? Still I agree with your sentiments….
November 28th, 2009 at 14:35
Terrific match preview, David.
Yeah eddy I remember those blinding James performances, so I sure heaved a sigh of relief when I saw he was out today! Damn guy just seems to come alive against us…
November 28th, 2009 at 15:10
Mystery man David Schiavone strikes again.
November 28th, 2009 at 15:20
For four years now people have been assuming that Fergie will gracefully phase out Scholes, Giggs and Nevile.
For fours years he has been starting them every bloody chance ahead of younger players who need game time for matchfitness and confidence…
Frustrating.
November 28th, 2009 at 15:25
UNITED:
GK: Kuszczak
RB: Neville
CB: Vidic
CB: Brown
LB: Evra
CM: Carrick
CM: Scholes
CM: Fletcher
LF: Giggs
RF: Valencia
CF: Rooney
SUBS:
Anderson
Nani
De Laet
Foster
Park
Owen
Berbatov
November 28th, 2009 at 15:27
PORTSMOUTH (if anyone gives a damn):
Begovic
Ben-Haim
Kaboul
Wilson
Hreidarsson
Piquionne
Yebeda
Boateng
Brown
O’Hara
Dindane
November 28th, 2009 at 15:31
4 5 1 against the bottom team? Thank fuck foster aint playing…this might mean fergie finally got tired of his shit…ahhh no obertan!…
November 28th, 2009 at 15:40
@NicoQB:
Too funny to not fall off my chair.
November 28th, 2009 at 15:42
@Taehr: I think it might be 4-3-3 mate, or 4-4-2 with Giggs playing behind Rooney, Valencia on LM and Fletch on RM. But I expect a 4-3-3.
I expect Portsmouth to give a fight today, and that will be their downfall. Leaving backline exposed and being too ambitious up top.
Or maybe Fergie is just experimenting on how to use his team in the least effective way. I don’t know.
November 28th, 2009 at 15:43
@Jon: Oh fuck…
November 28th, 2009 at 15:46
Somebody tell fergie that Avram ain’t back to manage Chelsea… No need for 4-5-1…
November 28th, 2009 at 15:57
What the hell…Neville, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick – loads of f*cking pace and energy here. ARGH.
November 28th, 2009 at 15:57
I don’t hold out much hope with Rooney on his own up front, WILL THE BALL STICK with him, will it fuck, but hey Rooney might make me smoke it eh – I truly hope so
.
November 28th, 2009 at 15:59
anyone have a good link for the game?
November 28th, 2009 at 16:08
If we were playign a front three of Obertan Rooney Valenca I’d be much happier that we would attack their defenders. With Giggs, Carrick, Scholes and Fletcher we’re playing 4 CMs.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:12
Kuzscack has been bloody awful so far. Unfortunately he is in good company!
November 28th, 2009 at 16:18
Oh fucking hell. Where is the bloody defence!!
November 28th, 2009 at 16:25
PENALTY!!
COME ONN!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 16:26
ROOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEYYY!!!
YESSSS!!
November 28th, 2009 at 16:28
Rooooooooooooooooooooooneeeeeeeeeey!!!!
Good work from Valencia too. we’ve sucked so far too.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:32
WHAT?????????
WHAT THE FUCK IS THE LINESMAN SMOKING!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 16:34
Oh my fucking word.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:37
Fergies ref talk is coming back to haunt us, game after game.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:45
Scholes again!!
November 28th, 2009 at 16:49
Rooney
Fletcher
Vidic
November 28th, 2009 at 16:50
HT.
We havent played too well,
But we should be two up, and still have a clean sheet.
Unbelievable officiating is to blame.
We also need to get tighter at the back.
Fergie/Phelan sort it out.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:51
It was a shirt pull but what irks me is that those never get given but only against manutd…that said something is wrong with vidic he has become a fucking idiot making tackles for nothing…
November 28th, 2009 at 16:51
If I could make 10 subs I would. Rooney would stay on. Besiktas are a much better team than Portsmouth. I’d rather play the kids and loose trying than this.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:51
we need to get berba on rooney is completely isolated
November 28th, 2009 at 16:51
I have completely lost my trust in refs!!
Does anyone have a clue why that penalty was given against us??
November 28th, 2009 at 16:52
Am I the only one who is believing the referees are intentionally trying to fuck up our season? No? Thought so…
November 28th, 2009 at 16:52
It was a penalty for pompey, as Vidic clearly tugged on some player’s shirt.
The question – which most of us would not have dared suggesting before – can be asked.
Should Vidic be sold?
November 28th, 2009 at 16:54
Story of the first half…
November 28th, 2009 at 16:57
How much more rubbish football must we endure. No positives to report at all. Wish I had the stomach to muster a faint complaint about their penalty, but I just can’t be bothered about it. We deserve that bad luck to be honest. Watching United at the moment is as fun as passing a kidney stone.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:57
Every corner would end up with a penalty if they judged shirt tugging that severely…and what’s with blowing up for half time when we’re attacking their box?
That said, this United team have the mobility of drying cement: Neville , Carrick and especially Scholes are making Portsmouth look good by the sole fact that they are twice as slow as them.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:58
@NicoQB: At the moment, Brown and Evans are better defenders than Rio and Vida. They are missing every vital element for a proper good defender, they have both lost composure and the ability to read the game. On top of all, they fuck easy stuff up. Is it so difficult to just blast the ball up instead of trying to chip it over Bellamys head? Is it so difficult not to tug an opposition in your own area for no reason? Is it so difficult to avoid sliding headless in to a tackle every fucking time?!
Is Vidic trying to get himself sold or what the fuck?! Whatever he is smoking, somebody please tell him it`s not good for him!
Oh, and Rooney is helpless as a lone front man. How come absolutely everyone but Fergie can see that?! It`s ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!
Get that fucking vampire or Mickey Mouse on!!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 16:58
COmpletely un related, but look at this. This is one of the reasons why I am proud of being a Manchester United fan, Sir ALex Ferguson.
http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/11/28/1653257/rio-ferdinand-ill-never-forget-sir-alex-fergusons-2008-champions-
November 28th, 2009 at 16:58
@NicoQB: I respect your opinion my friend, but surely there would be about ten penalties every match if decisions were made in such fashion?
Besides, where were the officials when they handballed in the box??
November 28th, 2009 at 16:58
Forget the refereeing and the penalty. THe hard truth is that we’ve been piss poor in this half. Heck even the kids against Beskitas were better.
THis time Rooney looks every bit like that description that Craig would want us to believe he is. Lacked sharpness.
But part of the fault has to go to the fact that he’s terribly alone up front. Why not play Berbatov?
Fletcher once again looks back to his ordinary, disappointing self. Why is it that he always plays out of his skin agaist big opposition but more often than not disapppoints against minnows?
Choice of Scholes+Fltecher+Carrick was simply braindead to me.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:59
@Traverse: Haha! 10 subs? Who would you have in mind?
I’d keep Valencia and Rooney.
November 28th, 2009 at 16:59
Thank God I have a date tomorrow…
United games are getting hard to endure. 
November 28th, 2009 at 17:01
Can you believe it?
Portsmouth have had 57% of possesion!!
We are getting fucking owned by the team that has been rock bottom since August.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:06
COME ON UNITED!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:06
I’m damn glad we’re only level. If we were winning it would be a damn tragedy. What the hell are we doing. What the hell is this sh*t?
November 28th, 2009 at 17:07
@Jon: This : http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=269947&cc=4716&league=ENG.1
says we have had 59% of the possession.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:07
@Jon: I may be a little over the top there, but I’d definitely have a left winger on for Giggs (Nani, Obertan) and Berbatov on for Scholes.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:07
Also, I’d start getting balls into their box and going down under every touch, ever shirt tug… we’ll get 50 penallties.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:08
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!
ROOOOONEEEEEEYYYY!!!
GET INNN!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:08
Rooney!!!!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:14
Wahey!!!!
Penalty!!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:15
Rooney Hatrick!
Yess!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:17
RRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONEEEEEEEEEEEYYY!!!!!
WOOOOHOOOO!!! HAT-TRICK!!! Good way to make your comeback boy!!!
Remember what I said last week to all Rooney doubters? Make Hay while the sun shines!!! Well, the sun just stopped shining Craig!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:18
Oh Valencia!!
We are controlling the game now! Need to get more goals!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:19
Now this puts a gloss on proceedings. Hppy for Rooney though.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:21
Half an hour to go, come on boys, let’s get a fiver.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:24
Valencia’s running for freaking fun today, love it!It’d be nice to see Giggs get his 100th today.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:30
Great tackle by Vidic there!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:33
Great noise from both sets of supporters. We are running out of steam again now. Time for a few subs.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:37
PIG looking assured back there!
Ando on.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:38
Valencia is a good player…too quick…
November 28th, 2009 at 17:40
Scholes shoulda been taken off, but I guess he is still on because he can slow down the game.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:42
Even better Hull are drawing with Man city!!!!!!!!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:44
Excellent stuff from Valencia today, really pleased about that.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:47
GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGSSSSSSS!!!!!
WHAT A GOALLLL!!!!
100 PREM GOALS!!!!!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:48
Giggs! Legend!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:49
100 for Giggs. Well-deserved and well-played this 2nd half!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:49
NIce early birthday present to yourself there Giggs!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:52
UNBELIEVABLE from PIG!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:55
Yes kuzchak is better than foster…what a save…great performance something foster doesnt do…good game by the lads…rooney was good..so was giggs but valencia impressed me the most..hope for an arsenal win tomorrow !
November 28th, 2009 at 17:56
FT
2nd half: Much Much Better.
Pure domination.
Nice to see boys, more of the same please.
Shout out to Giggsy! Well done mate!! And to you Rooney!!
Plus PIG deserved a clean sheet, best Ive seen him play, fantastic goalkeeping.
Over to you Chelsea!!
November 28th, 2009 at 17:58
Great 2nd half from the lads, especially compared to the first. Today’s best players – Pig, Giggsy, Rooney and Valencia. Great link-up play between the front three – that’s what won us the match today.
November 28th, 2009 at 17:58
Fuck me – GIGGS-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Just when you think he is in the twilight of his career, and has just hit a purple patch, we discover he has hit a purple SEASON so far. He won the game for us today single-handedly. Made easy goals for Rooney, and didn’t stop running. Fucking hell Giggsy, tell me what stimulants you are on, I need some Bro
.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:00
TV and Radio assessment on Rooney’s game – did nothing of note, except score 3 goals – WTF. Giggsy made it for you ROO.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:02
@Aditya: Sorry mate. You’re right. I got my stats from Premierleague.com. They screwed that up. Looks like their web system is as bollocks as their refereeing! ;p
November 28th, 2009 at 18:03
Valencia was man of the match by a long long way. I hope his display today will keep the doubters quiet for a while.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:04
@CraigMc: Why am I not surprised?
November 28th, 2009 at 18:04
@antsBoy: To be fair, this has been one of the poorest hat-tricks (in terms of player performance) that I’ve seen in a long time.
But good come back from us in the second half.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:05
@antsBoy: Errrr mate I think the credit goes to Giggsy, and we will see whether your mate Rooney can maintain it – after all it is his first good game
. Don’t get carried away mate, I’m NOT!
November 28th, 2009 at 18:05
Result much better than the performance. A mirror of the season so far really, flashes of brilliance keeps us on track, but so disjointed and average at most times. Kuszczak shows he is a brilliant shotstopper (much like Foster) and gives the scoreline a slightly flattering look. Historically it’s a good result as we usually struggle down there. Valencia was our best outfield player, the rest hit all over the scale. Particularly unimpressed with Scholes, Neville and Carrick though.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:07
@CraigMc: I’m not getting carried away at all mate – I’m just happy for the team and the lad!
November 28th, 2009 at 18:08
@NicoQB: Yeah, it was easily done. But you still have to stick it in the back of the net, and in a game where you’re the lone striker – you take what you get.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:08
Wow. Ppl can make about turns in less than 60 min. 1st 20 min, it’s Giggs off for Nani. 40 min later it’s oh what a legend. Completely deserved it. Someone was offended once when I spoke of knee-jerk specialists but just reading these comments says a lot.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:10
Another good thing about the win today is that even though we didn’t play at our best, we still improved our Goal-difference by 3. Inching up to Chelsea and Arsenal.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:11
@antsBoy: Fair enough Antsboy – happy for you mate
November 28th, 2009 at 18:11
WOW!
November 28th, 2009 at 18:16
Did you guys see Bullard’s goal celebration??? Hilarious!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 18:22
If Giggsy keeps up the way he is for the rest of the season, then he should really get player of the season this year, but he won’t because he won it last year – NOT BLOODY FAIR. Rooney would have got nothing today IF Giggsy had not been so fucking super duper in provision, so I will reserve my judgement until I see more persistence in his goal scoring the rest of the season. Then and then alone, as I have said I will give him the accolades.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:25
@Jay wire: I agree bro. Instead of trying to fit the whole thing to together, let me try to break it down into small facts.
1. First half: entire team was shit. With exception to PIG’s save, he looked nervous kicking the ball. Valencia’s pace was good, but no end product anyways.
2. Full time: most of the team was still shit. Giggs, PIG and Valencia stepped it up big time – and won us the game.
3. Our defence is shit. All over the place. I have not an ounce of confidence in its organization this season. We have let in way too many goals. PIG saved our ass way too many times than he should have been allowed to.
4. If Dindane was Defoe/Bent/Saha/any other above-midtable striker, he would have got at least a goal, or even a hat-trick if it was his day. He is/was crap, and United were let off the hook plenty of times by the inability of Portsmouth to be clinical.
5. Rooney did fuck all bar the 3 goals, 2 of which are penalties.
6. Rooney is a good penalty taker. He is and should remain to be our main penalty taker.
7. If Portsmouth were a mid-table side like Spurs/Sunderland, we would have lost. If they were Barca/Chelsea, we’d be utterly embarrassed. The reason we won is because of Portsmouth inability, and not our ability.
8. Refereeing in England is awful. I’d be surprised if we’d ever see an English referee in the WC semi-finals.
9. Valencia did well today. Has plenty of pace, confidence and ability to link up on the wing. Cons: can’t finish well, can’t beat his marker convincingly one-on-one ala Ronaldo, has awful goal celebrations.
That’s all.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:26
@antsBoy: What were they doing?! Looked like a tribal ritual!
November 28th, 2009 at 18:26
United fans were fucking excellent today – continually chanting Giggsy’s name throughout the game – well deserved too. Wish I could have been there with the fans as I was last season. Can any of you Dads please tell me when the Mums get OVER the post pregnancy BLUES? So I can do a bit more travelling to away games again???? HELP
November 28th, 2009 at 18:31
@CraigMc: mate you keep on pouring the accolades on your man Nani, when he reality he’s done fuck all. but even when Rooney scores a hat trick you can’t give the credit he deserves….c’mon man!!!
Rooney is world class and despite his form being a little off for the last month, he is still head and shoulders our best player. It drives me nuts that you keep nit picking on his performances but never seem to even consider the criticism that is directed Nani.
Who the man? Roo the man!!
November 28th, 2009 at 18:32
@Jon: tHEY WERE MIMICKING when Phil Brown made them sit the whole 2nd half on the pitch last season, and wouldn’t let them off the field at half time to return to the dressing room, because they had played shit. FUNNY really – but sarcastic too
.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:33
@Jon: He was imitating Phil Browns half time rant at the City of Manchester stadium last season. Remember, when Brown had his dressing room chat on the pitch, yelling at every Hull player.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:34
we are a spoilt bunch……
November 28th, 2009 at 18:37
Rooney was shit, but scored a hat-trick. Funny and weird actually…
Two penalties given to us in one game, who would have believed that considering the penalties we havent got since the Sunderland game? Two well taken penalties by Wazza, but I was dissapointed he didnt rock the baby… 
Valencia was my motm, and on current form Kuzzi is certanley ahead of Fuzzy! Took his chance well, something Ben didnt do.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:38
@CraigMc: HGH
November 28th, 2009 at 18:38
@Wink: Indeed, but it`s important to aim for the best. I see nothing wrong with that… If you don`t have ambitions, then why the fuck bother?
November 28th, 2009 at 18:42
@antsBoy: how many tricks did ronaldo get for us… 1 iirc. no hat trick is easy. but this was easier than some for sure.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:54
Man am I in pain. Woke up at 6:00am like a loyal idiot to watch Fergie play 4-5-1 and realized that I have a very painful case of Gout in my ankle. Man does this bitch hurt. Struggling to sit and type this as only laying down and propping my leg up seems to help. OWWWW OOWWWWWW OWWW!
Anyway, watched the game through the shrieks and the tears and have to say that the score really flatters us. We were rubbish, especially in the first half. In fact I would share the man of the match award with Mike Dean and PIG. Tomaz was fantastic today. Great positioning and great reflex saves. As much as this is going to sound like an insult to Ben Foster, it is really more of compliment to PIG. We would have tied or lost this game had it no been for him. OUr defense was total crap on a stick. No organization, players wide open in the box and only our keeper to save our bacon time and time again.
Then we have Mike Dean hand us two legit penalties. Finally a ref who called it as it was. And sorry folks but I am glad Vidic got called for the shirt pulling. The single greatest crime performed in modern day football and most of the time they are allowed to get away with it. It has to stop. Now if they could only make John Terry and Carragher and other cunts in the league suffer the same punishment for the crime they perform a dozen times a game. If the game was to outlaw shirt pulling and holding in the box, just watch how many goals would come from it. It is the single solitary reason why so called geniuses/managers win and look like they are tactical giants when all they do is teach their players the finer art of cheating. Take this cheating tactic away from most defenders in the game and they do not look nearly as great as we think. Puyol, Terry, Carragher, Lescott, Toure, Vidic, Alex, Mexes, and the whole of Chelsea and AC Milan are major culprits in this. Love seeing them get burned for it once in a while as it keeps them and the game honest.
So once again Fergie chooses the cowardly approach against the worst team in the league. 4-5-1 against a team with 7 fucking points? Now to all you you who say we won 4-1 I say shut the fuck up because you are missing the point. Like I said earlier, we could have easily lost this game had the ref been asleep and had Foster played. Then we would all be collectively hanging our heads in total shame over this calamity. As it turns out however, we win comfortably (on paper) by 3 goals and all is well with the world.
And before some wonder why I am not laying into Craig over Rooney’s hatttrick, I don’t consider any hattrick where penalties (especially two of them) are part of his tally unless he had scored four or five. Rooney was good, not great. Giggs had a great second half and his free kick was sublime as well as his touch pass in to Rooney. That pass is everything I have been bitching about when it comes to our central midfielders. Nobody else but Giggs can make that kind of pass into a forward. We need a Gourcuff or a Silva or Diego who can offer this to us for the next five or six years.
Finally, a special condemnation to the chicken shit coward that is our beloved manager. Just what the Hell are you thinking Fergie? 4-5-1 against Pompey? Has it really come to this? Are we to respect every opponent now by building a fortress to defend as opposed to bringing out the siege equipment and attack? Julius Caesar in Gaul you are not. 90 minutes is not an ideal format to fight a battle of attrition. Were you planning on starving Pompey out into the open? And still, they almost beat us and we still allowed them numerous high quality attempts at goal. I mean how much more shitty does it get? 4-1 for United shout really have been 4-2 for Pompey. The man does have some luck, I’ll say that much for him.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:57
@Anders: Agreed. Carrick’s regression is astonishing. He was too slow, too soft, too negative, too wasteful. On two occasions, pompey nearly scored off his passing errors and slow reaction. Its like he has no awareness; he gets closed down so easily. And could he have been anymore dispassionate or uninterested? Scholes had his moments, but him and carrick together means the ball takes twice as long to advance upfield. Evra needs to improve on his first touch and general control. Far too often he either pushed the ball too far ahead and lost it or it fumbled under his feet; I also question his balance. Fletcher’s passing was solid, but he was more tame than usual. The most encouraging thing was the interplay between valencia and Rooney. Rooney needed owen on the field; he has some subtle, clever touches and it seems no one else can match his imagination or move into the space effectively. Giggs wonderful second half; his composure was needed; nice turns on the ball also. Congrats on 100.
November 28th, 2009 at 18:59
True to form and to my word I didn’t watch the game. Ever since the Besiktas game I’ve made my mind up about watching United games live. I’ll only watch the replays after going thru the comments. If the match sucked like today I’ll not watch the replay. If we play like we did against Chelsea and Spurs then I’ll watch. Now this decision is proving harder in practice. At one point Giggs should be gotten rid of a few minutes later he’s a legend. But thanks to Nico I have a general view of how the game went. Apparently Rooney had the easiest hattrick in the history of the league. Can’t disagree much since two goals were from the spot.
November 28th, 2009 at 19:01
@Footy4Eddy: Pig’s kicking was suspect but his concentration and positioning on shots was far superior to Fosters in every possible way. Although I had no faith in my team whatsoever as they paraded out of the dressing room in 4-5-1, I did have faith in Tomasz the KoolczJack to keep us in it because he is a decent shot stopper and he is usually much more focused and on his toes than Foster. And no it’s not because I blame Foster for the Besiktas goal but I have just become accustomed to not counting on him for anything when we really need him to do so. I’ll say this much about Pig. I bet you there are a few teams in Europe interested in him due to his two good starts this season. He has done nothing but make a case for himself and I think Fergie has been woefully unfair to him as he is clearly the #2 keeper on this team.
November 28th, 2009 at 19:07
@Jay wire: Pain in my foot woke me up or I was actually planning on sleeping through the game too. Living on the west coast of Canada puts me nine hours behind everyone in England and the idea these days of waking up at 6:00am to watch Fergie shovel us some shit for an early breakfast isn’t exactly appetizing or motivational. In fact I do not plan on waking up next weekend either as I’m sure he will set up the 4-5-1 against a high scoring West Ham on the road. I’d rather continue sleeping and dream away while I conjure up imaginary games where King Cantona has taken over the team and the club is going through a positive renaissance where pace and attacking football returns to OT. Hey what can I say, my dreams are highly creative.
November 28th, 2009 at 19:08
@Jay wire: Mate that’s where your wrong. You NEED to watch a game, not go on fan comments, because every fan sees things differently. Every player in the 1st half was average at best, but as Giggsy often does, he came into his own in the 2nd half, and was most skilful player on the park. Surely you are not saying that Giggsy isn’t a United legend???? If you are Jay Wire, tell me please how long have you been watching Man United??????
November 28th, 2009 at 19:13
@ Jon – Thanx for an honest assessment. I don’t like sensationalist comments and it’s hard to buy honest, unbiased facts and opinions with United. So I appreciate that
November 28th, 2009 at 19:17
@gator: HGH ?????? What do you mean Bro?
November 28th, 2009 at 19:27
@CraigMc: human growth hormone. you asked what makes gigsy still go like this at 30+ its hgh many athletes use it and its easy to mask in piss tests. cuts your recovery time from strenuous workouts and or injury in half. wiki
November 28th, 2009 at 19:46
@ Craig Mc – Relax bro. I know Giggs is a legend and interesting this, it’s him and Ronaldo(Brazilian) who really got me into football. I’m just saying in the 1st minutes you get comments like “Giggs is woeful and why did Ferguson play him. Where’s Nani or Obertan? “. 20 minutes later after assisting in a goal you get comments like”What a legend. Where are the doubters now?” , and the praise continues till the end. You can’t really tell and that’s why I said it’s proving difficult. But you can actually tell if the game was average or bland or pure fun. I’ll only take brilliance and excellence. It’s money that we all part with in order to watch United games, whether on Tv, via internet or live viewing at the stadium. I want value for money. If the game is below excellent then I can’t be bothered anymore. If it’s been a great game everyone will be posting comments like”my man of the match is a tough one. Any one of Giggs,Evra,Carrick or Rooney. Special mention to Tony and Fletcher.”. It becomes obvious that it was a great game and great all round performance
November 28th, 2009 at 20:26
@ Grognard – Shame. I know how it is to put other things in jeopardy just to watch a United game. You really are loyal to wake up early morning Saturday to watch the match. I’m fortunate that where I’m from we’re roughly two hours ahead so it’s not too bad a difference. Afternoon is afternoon here, evening there is evening here. I feel bad for you though. United is addictive for sure and you’ve had a good take over the years and it’s hard to resist even if the drug is now of the lowest quality. I’ve followed United for a significantly shorter period than you and I’m in a kind of rehab and it’s working because I haven’t absorbed too much of the drug as you. I’m not quitting United at all but I’m now choosing my games according to quality. I know exactly how you feel and the amount of frustration you get from watching the way we play but it’s near impossible for you to miss a game. It’s a depressing kind of dilemma. You love United thoroughly and you had come to a time when you never even contemplated missing a single game because of the quality you had enjoyed over the years. In fact at one point for some of us, it was absolutely a disaster to miss one game. I struggle too but I think I’ll be able to soldier on with my new principle and I was victorious today. Hopefully for all our sakes, some sense returns to OT and by some miracle, the days of great football return with it so that life returns to normal for us.
November 28th, 2009 at 20:56
@gator:
OK thanks Gator!
November 28th, 2009 at 20:58
@Jay wire: Yes it’s tough. I already started not doing something this year that I have done for the past five years since I got a dvd recorder and that’s not record games for my library. I had every game played by the club for three years straight up until this season started. The Burnley game made me finally shut say to Hell with it. It’s not the cost of blank dvd’s, it’s making the effort for a game you know you will never ever want to watch again. I couldn’t say that about too many games over the past decade or two. United could play a few clunkers but 9/10 games were always full value win or lose. Now even when we win, the games are depressingly dull and not worth the time or effort. I have to speed up my machine using FFWD to watch the game the way they used to play. Now the games look like they are in slow motion. Tough times indeed.
I think the reason I am so upset is that this team is not one that lost many players or that looks destined to slide down due to massive retirements and a bad change at management. Other than Ronaldo, all is in place like it has been for many years now and although Ronny is a massive loss, the club should have taken care of that with a few wise purchases. Instead they went bargain basement and the manager has just lost his courage and now we play a game that is so unfamiliar to us, that it is unpalatable. If we were badly in transition and were losing because we were just not very good like Liverpool, then I wouldn’t be so upset, but lets look closely. We have a lot of depth but where we need help in the starting squad we are not receiving the money to improve and Fergie is playing tactics and styles of football while rotating players in a manner that is comical and frustrating all in one. It doesn’t need to be like this.
November 28th, 2009 at 21:35
@Jay wire: I stand by it. Giggs was dogshite in the first half, and we had zero attack going down the left. This meant everything through the congested middle which came to nothing, and Valencia being doubled up on. Luckily bloody mindedness won the day, and Valencia is as quick as a hiccup.
Giggs only because useful when he moved in as 2nd striker. If that’s what you want him to do, bring off Scholes or Carrick and play a bloody winger.
November 28th, 2009 at 23:07
@ Grognard – I wish I had that device as well. Would have recorded the entire 2006-2007 season and the last half of the preceding season. What awesome football. I’d say the best I’ve watched at United. Right up there with Arsenal and Barca of 06. Oh those were the days. The Welshman was in imperious form and Scholes probably had something of a Xavi 100% pass completion rate season and they were not shy and cowardly passes either. But the height of it all was the combination of Rooney and Ronaldo. Faithful to the lack of imagination the fans christened them Roonaldo. What a combo. Rooney not world class? I beg to differ. Goals goals goals from the pair. One touch football and flicks to get everyone excited. Pace, guile, power, trickery and excitement. These two were out of this world. Remember the counter attack vs Blackburn or was it Bolton. I couldn’t believe my eyes at times. Wow I was getting excited there. Anyway thanks Fergie for the anti-climatic successive years. Thank you very much.
November 28th, 2009 at 23:29
@CraigMc: not that sir gigsy takes it i think he probably has more integrity than that but i dont
maybe we should find some for @GROGGY so he can type sitting at a desk in time for the spurs game. 
November 28th, 2009 at 23:44
@Jay wire: Don’t be a pussy!
I would willingly go through dozens of tedious boring disappointing football if it meant I get to just watch one game like City 4-3 or Roma 7-2!
November 28th, 2009 at 23:48
@gator: Id like to think its Giggs’ much talked about yoga sessions that keeps him on his toes.
November 28th, 2009 at 23:54
@Jay wire: Sorry to say but you sound like a fairweather fan.
Most of us here started following this team during a period of relative success, but the one thing we can do to prove our allegiance is to get behind the team even when its not playing top class football.
Grognard may have a valid excuse what with the time difference and all, but that kind of attitude you show there mate is the kind which brings us much ridicule from other supporters – glory seekers, man yoo, you name it.
November 29th, 2009 at 0:55
@Jay wire: You said it mate. Thanks Fergie, thanks for nothing.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:00
@gator: I’ll be fine. A day or two of medication and I’ll be up for the game. I get this once in a while due to buildup of uric acid in my blood due to all the meat I eat. Too much protein. I do not look forward to the Spurs battle because we could not be meeting them at a worse time. They are in third and feeling delusions of grandeur about now. What a feather in the their cap if they could knock us off. And knowing Fergie, he’ll try to accommodate them.
November 29th, 2009 at 2:00
@NicoQB: That’s not fair mate. It’s true that all of us Man Utd supporters are like spoilt children of rich Spanish dons. For 20 years we have had it so good and our every need and desire has been satisfied. But then all of a sudden something happens and the Don loses some of his wealth and decides that it’s time to pinch pennies and cuts off the spoilt brat by rationing his allowance. Right now I think Jay Wire, myself and many other hard core fans feel like we are being starved or rationed intentionally after we were so used to gorging ourselves on the best football money could buy. It’s easier to go from some to none, but not from plenty to empty.
I’m sure I speak for many fans of United around the world when I say there is a reason why we selected this team over the Liverpool’s, Arsenal’s and others to be the team we would support. I live in part of the English as a first language world and it’s natural that most who are born speaking English first would prefer to choose and English club over say an Italian, French, Spanish, Brazilian or German one. Unless of course their roots and heritage come from one of those countries. My first favorite team was Bayern Munich. I got exposed to them and German football back in the early 70’s and for me they exemplified everything I loved about the game. “Total Football”, style, skill and and an attacking philosophy as well as some god like players. But I also had a need for a team that not only represented the English speaking world but marketed itself to that world. Back in the 70’s and 80; and even for most of the 90’s Bayern Munich and all the German, Italian, Dutch. Spanish and Italian clubs not to mention all the rest of the world had no concept of properly marketing their team’s or league to other parts of the world. Thank God then for the Premier League. Fortunately I had already been a Man Utd fan from way back in the mid 70’s but the Prem setup opened the door for more television and from 1992 on I got to watch most of the games from the top clubs in England. From 1992 on it was easy to spot which team was not only the best but the one playing the best football technically and from an entertainment perspective. It was United. And really, it’s always been that way. Even when they weren’t very good in the early 70’s and mid 80’s they still have a positive outlook and attitude towards the game.
So after so many decades of supporting this team for all the reasons I gave, now I am caught in a situation where my loyalty tells me one thing and my mind tells me another. Loyalty tells me that I am United to the core and that I bleed red. No matter what, I must live and die a United supporter and that means accepting the good as well as the bad. The mind however works in entirely a different manner. It says to me in it’s many different voices
, that loyalty is a stupid word regarding a football team that neither plays in your city or country and that you have not grown up locally to support. That as an outsider looking in, it’s not abnormal to switch teams when things go bad or when things change so much as to destroy your love for the club. Club’s today don’t seem to care about their supporters as they are more interested in making a buck and marketing the brand like a box of cereal. If they show no loyalty to their own fans, should we then be so stupid and deluded to show them loyalty and love? I say no. Love is earned and like a 20 year old marriage, if somebody breaks their vows to another and cheats, then a marriage can crash and burn. Well I feel that United has broken it’s vows and it’s fidelity and loyalty to us hard core United supporters.
The owners clearly don’t care about us and they charge us increased prices on everything yet are shoveling an inferior and disintegrating product before us. Our manager seems not to care about anything or anyone but himself and his legacy. So consumed is he to beat Liverpool’s record and capture an even dozen EPL crowns and win that last CL trophy so that he can say he managed United to a treble of Cl crowns. Fergie knows his team is not that great. Here is where I give him credit. He knows exactly what he needs to do with this present bunch in order to get the maximum possible result out of them. It means the team has to resort to playing this dull, unattractive and soul choking football. It kills one to watch it but it does work. When you lack a Ronaldo and lack the midfield that wins trophies for fun, you need to manufacture other methods to get the job done.
“WINNING UGLY” is the new motto at Manchester United. No guarantees of silverware but at least the team will go much farther with these players playing under that system than if they truly played Man Utd style football. In all firness to fergie and if we are all honest with ourselves, there is no way this team can play champagne style football and run n gun with the best teams and expect to win way more then not. We’re just not hat talented. Seriously, folks, look at our lineup, we have nothing in midfield other than Fletch and our wide players suck. And our forwards are not exactly goal scoring machines at the best of times. Fergie is many things but an idiot he is not. He’s going to ride the horse that brought him and if that happens to be a mule rather than a Grand National champion, then he will guide that mule with the mind of a master who knows all about the stubborness of mules and what it’s like to be a total jackass.
Fergie has been given very little to work with from the Glazer’s but his pride, stubbornness and inability to quit on the team in turmoil wills him on. Many other great managers would have up and quit after the Ronaldo sale because we never got the moeny to spend on player from that sale. What did Fergie do? He supported and protected the owners by lying through his wine stained teeth. For me that was the last straw. That was the day Fergie officially told the fans to fuck off and die. And that is the day I basically lost my passion and my love for the club. I still support them but I am so angry at the club and the way it’s doing business and snubbing it’s nose at all of us that I need to watch out for my blood pressure going to high. It’s trying times for all of us. This club isn’t bad but they are certainly far from great and far from what we are used to. What’s even more alarming is that the manager doesn’t care and the owners don’t look to be doing all of us a favor and selling. More of this and we will go from being the Nation of Mancunia to the Prozac Nation. Depressing stuff indeed. Sorry for the downer lads.
November 29th, 2009 at 2:29
@Grognard: Grognard mate you need to get a grip on urself. Im sick and tired of everyone coming out and stabbing this team over and over again. Loyalty does not just fade or die because we didnt spend money on transfers. I dont care if this team plays the worst football in the world and ends up in the conference league I will always LOVE the Club and everything it stands for. The owners will change, the manager will go and players will retire but the Manchester United Football CLub will always be there and that is enough for me. Its about time we stop acting like spoilt brats and id like to hear everyone;s opinion at the end of the season after we hold the titles record. When that time comes evryone is going to be sharing in the glory and forget all what is happening right now.
This relationship is a two way street, you cant expect to be apart of the glory and then ” question” ur loyalty when times r poor.
UNITED for ever!!!!! Long live the Mancunian Army!!!!!!!!!!!
November 29th, 2009 at 4:50
@Grognard: Grognard, I’m from Manchester and I don’t think you actually get what you’re going on about.
Every player cannot be Ronaldo. Or as good as Ronaldo in their opposing position. How you can whine on about United winning ugly is beyond me, it makes me think that you don’t understand football at all.
Every single team in the premier league has come along so much, the pace is set higher and higher each season and the lesser clubs become better and better, closing the gap.
The team showed today, apart from some early jitters, that they are gelling a lot better. I’m realistic with football and I don’t expect every, or even most moves to be full of flair and I don’t expect my team to don every other team, without having any threats at goal. Especially when they’re away from home. I’m genuinely happy with seeing how well Valencia is coming along. I really appreciate watching this current united team evolve. Look at Anderson when he came on, making clever runs. Knocking the ball over the bar, but what do you expect, lets be realistic, Anderson can’t shoot.
So if I was going to create an analogy with that Anderson situation and compare it to what you’re talking about, I could say, I’m happy that Anderson’s looking dangerous, making good runs and he nearly scored a goal. Or we could take a similar stance to your outlook and say, oh my god! Anderson missed a sitter! He’s awful I don’t have any faith in the guy and I don’t really care about the prospect of him getting better, I just think he’s currently shit so end of.
You see, like Anderson, United are finding their feet, there may be a few older experienced players, but United are in a new era. And all the while everybody’s getting better and better, so why don’t you be realistic and really question what you expect from a team currently finding their feet. And instead of being so utterly short sighted, think about the future and all the developing players who will probably be gems in the near future, Fletcher, Anderson, Obertan, Valencia. These will probably set the world alight. Valencia’s already showing some very good qualities and I really enjoyed watching his game today.
One lovely freekick, Rooney with a hat-trick, albeit with two penalties, but one nice move from Fletcher, Giggs and Rooney. And somehow you still have something to go on about.
Have you played much footy? Can you appreciate how much skill and positive, quick decision making it takes to keep a lot of possession and ‘win ugly’, somehow I don’t think you can.
Are you a male or female Grognard? Or are the gender lines becoming confused because continual enjoyment for moaning is a stand out feature of at least one of the sexes…
November 29th, 2009 at 6:13
@mancunian soldier: You’re just not getting mate. It’s not about you, it’s about me. My rant was about how I felt, not how you felt. I am letting you into my world so you can read how I am feeling. This may not be a big privilege but it is something that I am offering. The point is that I do not see it the way you do. I see it the way I do. You call yourself Mancunian Soldier? More like Mancunian Mouse or Mancunian Lackey or Mancunian Conformist or better yet, Mancunian Bitch. If anyone is a is a soldier on this blog mate, it’s someone like me who is actually standing up and fighting for what he believes and fighting for reform and change.
Telling me to get a grip of myself is just way out of line. You are in no position to say that to me. I deal with a lot in my life and how I choose to deal with Manchester United is my business. The fact that I care and the fact that I have earned the right to care because of 35 years of loyalty deserves some respect. It’s not just about spending money on transfers, it’s about a lot more than that. It’s about the club being taken over by a cold, cynical and aloof corporate culture that no longer cares about it’s base. It’s about owners who have mired the team in a deep muddy debt that makes doing business for the club exceedingly difficult, especially when it comes to getting the money for player transfers that are a vital lifeblood for any successful and evolving team. It’s about the attitude of the manager both on the field and off with his ignorant and rude way of dealing with the media, to the stand offish manner in which he deals with all of us and how he deals with some of his own players and the negative and boring tactics he has forced on his players and the fans. It’s about a team that has forgotten it’s roots and it’s traditions.
Sorry but it’s not just about winning. It’s about winning with style and flair, it’s about tipping your hat to the fans and thanking them, not with a back handed slap in the face and turning your back at them. It’s about maintaining the status quo because it it’s not broken, why fiddle with it? It’s about demanding respect and fairness from referees, media and fans when they decide to return the sentiment. It’s about not sending a siege mentality and a bad reputation to the world about what Manchester United stands for. We are not Liverpool or Chelsea. It’s about the manager of this club realizing that in reality it’s not the Glazer’s who pay his salary, it’s the fans.
Why then are we acting like Liverpool and Chelsea and teams like them while tarnishing our brand and our reputation by offering an inferior product and a bad attitude to millions around the world every week. No mate it’s time for a wholesale house cleaning and new regime change. Starting at the top with those rats the Glazer family and then Fergie and his coaching staff minus Solksjaer and getting rid of up to 35% of our present roster of players and bringing in new and more motivated and more talented players and a manager that injects new blood, new life and a positive attitude to this slowly sinking Titanic.
The truth hurts, especially to those who don’t want to hear it. If I depress you mate, sorry but then I suggest you just ignore my posts. Your blind poet look at things is lost on me because it solves nothing and just demands that we all serve like stupid sheep. Well all I say to that is HELL NO. I have invested too many years and to many hours of my life in Manchester United to just accept what is happening and just take it simply because they are Manchester United. I have learned through tough times in my life to not trust employers or government as they will always try to screw you. Above all, I am a savvy and highly intelligent consumer advocate who believes in quality gained from every purchase.
Man Utd fans that look the other way and say nothing is wrong and nothing is broken are sad and pathetic fans in my opinion. They don’t need to get a grip, they need to check for a pulse. People who are not willing and able to stand up and recognize a problem and then fight for it are people I just have nothing in common with. No mate, I am not the one here who needs to get a grip. Ask yourself where your lack of judgment is and why you are incapable of asking the hard questions? Ask yourself why you don’t get it and why you are a loyal conformist who turns the blind eye while Rome begins to burn? There are two types of people in the world. Those who fight and those who don’t. No doubt we know which sides you and I are on and it’s not the same one.
November 29th, 2009 at 6:19
@mancunian soldier: If left up to you the Mancunian Army would have been destroyed by an enfilade attack and then overrun.
Why? Because armies do not stand around while rockets are being fired at them or while their soldiers sit around and starve or die of disease. Amries get up and fight. The fact that you see nothing worth fighting for is the disturbing thing here. Loyalty is earned, and once earned, it needs to be reinforced so that it is not lost. United are failing at this miserably. Read theboards mate. People are pissed off and disenchanted. Yet there are a few like you around. I swear if I didn’t know better i say you were a planted spy sent to this blog by the official Macnchester United web site. It’s just the kind of subterfuge and espionage I would expect from the Glazer’s. 
November 29th, 2009 at 6:22
@Ober-fan:
No comment. When you want to actually debate me on something rather than throw insults, I’ll be glad to. But for now, I will practice showing a thicker skin and just ignore the the bullshit that you just wrote. Consider yourself lucky. Believe it. 
November 29th, 2009 at 13:14
This thread is funny, i must say Grognard you make me laugh. Are you trying to be a funny wind up poster or are you serious? Please I need to know. Good result yesterday. I thought PIG had a solid game and deserved a mention. Also though Valencia had a good game as well. He seems to be coming on well. The count down to xmas and we are in the mix and are starting jusr starting to play some good football again. Will I get to drive through Liverpool in may with the windows down playing Paul Harcastle’s 19
November 29th, 2009 at 13:38
Do some of you people actually read what other people are saying? Who in the world has suggested that they hate United and have quit the club? I hate the crap we have to deal from self righteous pedestal fans riding on their lily white high horses. What? We should all pretend the football is of a good standard? Do you watch those games for free? Get real. I love United but don’t expect me to keep obliging and torturing myself with the rubbish football they display. United will continue to be my number one club as it has always been but I’ll not watch games live anymore. If the match report indicates a great all round performance I’ll watch the replay. If not I won’t bother. More power to those who can endure. For the record, to all those so called or rather self proclaimed “true fans” I support United and have always supported the club primarily because of the character it has. They have always played with a certain character of winning, and not quitting until the fat lady sings. A John McClane type of attitude. The second reason was the philosophy of playing. Fast paced attacking football and entertainment till the last minute. Those are the primary reasons. Not because of the trophies or the perceived glory. I’d rather we lose but maintain our character. Otherwise if it were all about winning I could simply support Milan or change clubs every season. I want to be entertained. I’ve mentioned that my best season was the 06-07 one. I rate it even higher than 99 when we won everything on offer. In that season we won the league only crashed out of the semi in Europe and did nothing in other competitions but it was pure quality
November 29th, 2009 at 15:28
I wouldnt have liked to have seen some of you ‘fans’ in 2003 when we had the likes of djemba djemba and bellion in our starting line up. Did we sink then? No we didnt new blood came and we became great again. I dunno what some of you were expecting would happen when we lost the best player to ever play in the premier league? Ofcourse we would struggle but considering we beat porrtsmouth 1-0 away last season and 4-1 this time it aint too bad
November 29th, 2009 at 16:43
@RedTan: Even when I am dead serious, I try to mix some humor in it as at the end of the day it is only about football and we all have many more vital an important things going on in our lives. But rest assured, my concerns and complaints about United are 100% sincere.
November 29th, 2009 at 16:53
@Jay wire: Beautifully said mate. I concur 100% as it is about the style and attitude of the club and not about just winning. Winning is great but right now we are winning (just) at a stiff price. By alienating our fans and refusing to do the things it will take to rejuvenate the clubs standard of play, United is sending a clear message to us that they think we are all complete muppets and that we will all follow them no matter what blindly like crack addicted sheep.
From what you write it sounds like you are a lot like me on this issue, in that you refuse to be a conformist in this kind of scenario. And for those self righteous types who don’t even partake on our daily board regularly but who like to come out of the closet once in a while and criticize the likes of me and you over our opinions, I say one thing. Grow a pair you cowardly peons. Check your hearts and see if they are made of dust and above all, start thinking for yourselves instead of being controlled by others.
November 29th, 2009 at 17:07
FA Cup 3rd Round: Manchester United vs Kettering Town or Leeds
November 29th, 2009 at 17:16
Roony Favored to win Ballon D’or
November 29th, 2009 at 17:23
@Grognard: If you could actually comment on football with some insight rather than the usual short sighted bollocks about the club, its owners and the way it treats its fans then I would actually take that comment in a mildly serious manner.
But the fact of the matter is you’re just an impatient fan who in the same breath will criticise the owners of the club for whatever reasons (I’m sure one reason will be debt) but then also go on about extortionate prices charged for the fans and the ‘inferior product’ delivered. Get real, the debt causes the prices to go up it’s inevitable, you can do ABSOLUTELY fuck all about it and unless you want your team to go bankrupt and have even less money for your coveted transfers then you need to realise that.
I for one, am glad United didn’t enter into some distasteful transfer bids. Bidding lude cash for players which may not be worth the money, who might let us down and then, guess what, we’d have even less money. Yes that’s the way things work unfortunately. So whilst Fergie, who has patience and wisdom earned from his long and profitable life, decides to wait until the clubs of the world flash the cash they don’t really have on players like Benzema who is vastly unproved in the world of football, why don’t you step back and look at the bigger picture. Or, in the meantime you could go and support City, plenty of ridiculous cash for transfers there, oh and they respectfully lure players away from their clubs in the public eye don’t they? OH SHIT, NO THEY DON’T!!! Or you could support Chelsea, do they play the sort of footy you like? You’d probably love them, but being as short sighted as you are, the African Nations would come along and you’d probably forget about the players such as Drogba and Essien and go and watch Tiger Woods, until he made a bad shot.
Where are you from Grog? Am I right in having the impression that you are American or Canadian. It would probably explain your differing values and ignorance towards ours as English football fans. Maybe you’ve supported this football team for longer than I have, but I’m from Greater Manchester, which includes Salford the true home of Manchester United. So I see this club as more mine than yours. Though really it’s nobody’s, but you can understand why I should feel I have more of an affinity with the club than you. Or at least a more justified one. So understand that when you’re going on about a team that, by rights people should have more affection for than you, that you are irritating people.
To your comments on the Glazers, think about it this way. United before the Glazers were in a worse position than they are now. They hadn’t even been winning the premier league. They came along and gave us money for transfers and dug us out of a hole. Under them we got three premier league titles and a champions league trophy. They got us arguably our most gifted player, in Berbatov. We are all aware of the debt and the implications of it. But if there is any player Fergie thinks we need enough, I’m sure he’ll dig deep and conjure up 20 million here, 15 million there.
Grognard, I really couldn’t care less how long you’ve supported a club for, or in comparison how long I have, because it doesn’t seem to have brought clarity in your case. It’s no secret in life that employers screw people over and that pretty much all people in power are corrupt. It didn’t take Karl Marx to come round for tea for me to realise that. The very fact you assume that others don’t realise that is insulting and also states something about your ignorance and self importance. I’d be surprised if the most cohesive things you say haven’t been realised by most football fans with two brain cells to rub together, let alone United fans. You’re really not enlightening anybody to anything, you’re just looking at things from a distorted unrealistic point of view. And I can predict what you’ll say to that previous comment… “Yeah but I’m used to United being the best team EVER and playing the best football ever” or something to that effect. WE ALL ARE, we’re just realistic so we understand everything you’re on about mate, you obviously lack some rationality. You sound like a hysterical woman. Now is it me, or is football a sport mainly for men? So actually get real and show some admirable qualities in your posts why don’t you? Rather than being negative, defeatist and self important. That latter maybe I’ve shown, the difference being, I’m sure plenty of people have the same stance as me on your incessant whining.
Oh and to be honest if you really think about it logically, you’re offering negativity to all of us. So if effect you’re offering nothing, or less than nothing. If you really believe you’re some footbal freedom fighter, then take an admirable stance and try to do something about it. In the meantime, you can say as much or as little as you like, self importance will not make it right, rationality will. Something I’d like to think I’ve conveyed successfully, but you will probably take no notice of. But that’s fine, because even if you don’t bother to comment back to me, I know you will have read this and some sort of effect will have taken place on you, whether that is just driving you back into the tunnel of your vision.
November 29th, 2009 at 17:34
wow at this snoozfest assnhole and chelscum are putting on.
November 29th, 2009 at 17:38
@Taehr: Well think about things for a second mate. First off, people like myself were around during that period. We watched all the games back then too and had to endure the Djemba Djemba’s, Kleberson’s and Diego Forlan’s. Red Rants did not exist back then but had it, how would we be different in our form of ranting back then?
First off, even though the team was allowing the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea to pip them for the championship, they were still playing attack oriented Manchester United football. We still scored goals and even when we were in goals scoring slumps or struggled to score, the effort was always positive in that we played our free flowing attacking game no matter what. Fergie back then never delved into his Italian textbook do come up with ways where we would slow things down, maintain possession and play a 4-6-0. We played 4-4-2 and we attacked. We weren’t as blessed with talent but we had Ronaldo in his first few seasons and we had Ruud van Nistelrooy. Roy Keane was on his last legs but Scholes and Giggs were still firing on all cylinders. Defensively were much more suspect but like I said, we let the defense be more suspect because we only knew one way to play, and that was to attack.
It’s never been about just winning. If it was then I would shut up. Back then one thing was certain, if Fergie needed players, he would go out and buy them. He didn’t always buy the best ones or the right ones but he went out and got what he felt he needed. Where is that today? Today we are buying children instead of proven players. We are buying players on the down side of their careers or before they even have a career. In the last two years we have bought children and we have spent money on 3 player (Owen was free). Berbatov has been a critical failure, Valencia for me is not worth what we spent for him and Obertan cost next to nothing yet has more to offer than all of them it seems. Owen has given exactly what he is worth, which isn’t much. And all this after the club secured 80 million for Ronaldo? On the field I’d say that’s a pretty crappy return. Off the field the glazer’s are licking their chops because that money goes straight into their pockets as it has nothing to do with the way or schedule used to pay off the club’s massive debt. Instead, the millions the club makes in profits goes towards that while we all have to pay increasing prices for tickets, and merchandise while the Glazer’s sell our team’s logo and rights around the world like cheap whores. All fine and dandy but what about the product on the field?
In the past Fergie always got rid of players who reached a certain age. Experience or not, he recognized the need to continually upgrade and continue to stay young as a team. Beckham, Bruce, Pallister, Ince, Hughes, Keane, Stam etc etc all shown the door when they were around 30 years old or when it was clear to the Boss, that their best was behind them. Today we are forced to endure Scholes, Neville and to a lesser degree Giggs (who still is better than most) and EVDS. These old players are true legends and have been great servants for the club but at what point do they stop serving the club and instead of being a benefit, they become an albatross hanging on the club’s shoulder? They collectively have been counted on to deliver at advanced ages because they are still better than all our young players and because Fergie knows it. Fergie has less faith in Anderson, Nani, Foster and others and he still relies on these veterans because the cash that is needed to replace them is no longer available to him. Nani and Anderson have been massive failures when one considers the money that was spent to get them. EVDS has been a better choice than either PIG or especially Foster by a long shot. Neville continues to be kept around and even retains the captaincy because Fergie has no faith in a recovering Brown, the average O’Shea and the too young and the mistake ridden Rafael. Frankly our backups to these veterans are just not as good as we would like.
When it’s all said and done the the style of play we are using these days is due to our manager’s realization that we cannot win playing Man Utd style of football with our current crop of players. If I were manager with the power to transform the club here is who I would get rid of before I bought a single player. #1 Mike Phelan. A true muppet of the first order. Now to the players. EVDS, Ben Foster, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Rafael and Fabio, Scholes, Anderson, Carrick, Park, Nani, Possebon, Welbeck and Macheda. Perhaps I am not showing enough patience with some of the really young kids but from what I have seen, none of them seem capable of taking the bull by the horns and making a statement. Macheda and Welbeck have the skill but haven’t got the head or the passion for the game. Possebon is nothing, and Fabio and Rafael seem to lack the discipline in their game to be of any use to us as they do not defend well at all. But they have a strong monetary value and I would use that money to buy better players to replace them. Although I would prefer different players to Valencia, Berbatov and Owen, these players for me are not the core problem. Many would prefer if we got rid of our forwards including Rooney. I say bollocks to that. Service and supply are the main problem for these lads. Valencia is new and has needed time to adjust. I’d keep him but I still would buy a player like Milos Keasic to compete with him. I won’t bore you with who else I would buy but suffice it to say, they would all be a whole lot better than our present crop of throw aways.
For too long now I have been forced to sit and endure watching players on this club that I cannot stomach. Anderson and Park are at the top of the list. Scholes and Neville come after that. As much as Nani has been a failure, I like the lad and feel he is just a bad fit for the club. Park is a total waste of time and space and Stephen Hawking himself has classified him as an unstable black hole. Carrick is a player that when playing well is quite good, but that is not very often and his inconsistency and slow footed approach is that of legend. Simply put, all these players are not good enough. Right there is the core reason for our problems. Despite what system we use, we have no midfield other than fletcher and the enigma known as Hargo.
So we can go back five or six years and laugh at some of our players and the fact we were finishing in third but at no time then did I feel like we were a team in decline or that there was no hope. I always felt that Fergie and the finances would eventually right the ship. We bought Ronaldo and Rooney and Vidic and Evra. We took the necessary measures to return to our dominance and our rightful place at the top. Back then we never had owners systematically destroying the fabric and financial power of the team with their greed and irresponsible ownership. Above all, we never had a manager so handcuffed by financial restrictions as well as his own blind ambition to pad his legacy no matter what. So back then you never heard a peep out of the likes of me. We were in transition and we would ride the stormy waters because we knew land and good weather were just over the horizon. Well those days are gone and right now all I can see in front of me is darkness and rain. Trying times indeed and a test to all of us as to how much exactly, we are all able to endure before we abandon ship.
November 29th, 2009 at 17:43
@Ober-fan: “… Am I right in having the impression that you are American or Canadian….but I’m from Greater Manchester…So I see this club as more mine than yours. Though really it’s nobody’s,…”
actually the team is somebody’s and his name is Malcolm Glazer, he is from Florida, in the United States, as am I so i think the club is more mine than yours
November 29th, 2009 at 17:45
@Ober-fan: Perhaps you should read the rules of this blog asshole. You are not supposed to get personal with people. You don’t agree with me or have a personal problem with my mantra, fine, live with it and move on. Debate on issues, but insulting me will only get you banned. So I suggest you go back to Manchester United.com and party with the rest of the drones if the likes of me upset you so much. All I see form you is that you are a colossal asshole of the first order. So please do us all a favor and go fuck yourself. I’ve been on here for three years, you are here a day and already I and others can’t stand your guts. I have every right to offer my feelings on the game and on the team. You were free to disagree, but you have no right on this board to get personal and insulting. It just shows us all the kind of cunt you are and the lack of class you possess. So be a good boy and take your insults and ball and go fuck off.
November 29th, 2009 at 17:48
@gator: It just goes to show the fawning at everything Madrid or Barca. Zlatan Fucking Ibrahimovic? He did nothing for Milan last season, and has played for Barca for 2 minutes and that warrants him being on the list?
November 29th, 2009 at 17:48
Drogba shows class with his finishing that he lacks in all other areas of football and life as a human. struck match looking twat.
@Grognard: hey man since your a “real manc” give me some tips on how to swear at the tv during a match so as to sound authentic; do you lot use prat, twat, wanker… ? help a brother out.
November 29th, 2009 at 17:51
@Grognard: And then you go call him an asshole, thus breaking the rules. Why don’t you take your fairweather fan only support the team when they are playing well hot air and stop posting for five minutes of your life. You’ve made this place utterly boring. If you don’t want people telling you to shut up, pausing for breath occasionally may help. Do have literally nothing else to do?
November 29th, 2009 at 17:58
2 to 3 shots on goal for arse and chelscum respectively late goal and own goal fool you into thinking the half was eventful both comming after 42BOOOOORING minits.
Best part of the match so far is an arsenal fan hating lampy so much that he threw their camera at him when he was to take a corner. if it was mine the only pic saved would be one of my brown eye
and it would have been thrown at dogbreath
November 29th, 2009 at 18:01
The negativity on this site is laughable, jeeez I simply cannot believe the shite being posted on this site, people think they are being insightful or clever but just spout utter bile.
I read people having a pop at Rooney then demanding Nani and Anderson should be playing more, I do sometimes wish some some people would go and support someone else probably best all round.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:02
@Traverse: while torrez falls off the list shite hears hoping roony gets more of those “easy hat tricks” to sway the judging. still think they will give it to messi but…
November 29th, 2009 at 18:06
@Grognard: I’ve been on this blog for about a month now actually. Just because I have better stuff to do than talk on an internet blog all the time doesn’t mean my opinion is less valid. And just because you moan like a bitch week in week out doesn’t mean you have more of a right to voice your opinion. In fact it gives you less of a right, it’s predictable drivel. You aren’t preaching anything new, but you think you are, you seem to think you’re some revolutionary, enlightening people and you really are not.
EVERYBODY already realises what you’re talking about, it’s continually in the back of my mind when watching United. You’re not saying anything new at all. It’s like a the elephant man. He could wander around, fairly happy and confident he’s receiving normal social treatment from everybody, whilst in the back of his mind he realises he’s hideously ugly. Or they could have some retard continually going “you’re ugly, you’re fucking ugly mate!” which would hardly help. SO, what you are talking about is about as clear as an ugly face, one that you keep rearing week after week and think that everybody’s too thick to realise what you’re on about. How incredibly insulting. In fact it is you and the others who spout things self righteously and we all ready know. You are the one with the inferior intelligence and the crude opinions
“I and others”? Who’s that the other American on here. You’re incredibly ignorant and you can’t even come up with an intelligent reply to what I’ve said. I don’t care if I’ve not been here very long. Maybe you’re welcome on this blog but most United fans would not welcome you. You’re not even a fan, it’s a privilege for you to be referred to as one with the negativity you spout. I don’t think you have any clue at all what you’re on about.
You have also just broken the rules of the blog, but I don’t really give a shit. It’s pathetic you brought it down to that level and just reinforces the fact you lack the brains to show the slight possibility that you could be coming from a different point of view that I haven’t realised and reaffirms what I’ve already said.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:09
@Grognard: Abandon ship???Sorry not me, not for a team thats second in the league and in every other competition…You say that were handicapped by financial restrictions…thats absolute bollocks. Since weve had the glazers we have bought anderson and nani for 30 million. Hargreaves for 18 million, Berbatov for 31 million…a transfer record for us! and we paid about 10 million for that cunt tevez…thats all BEFORE Ronaldos fee was received.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:11
refs hate united sooooo much that they are cheating for chelscum
taking a clean goal away from arshavin
November 29th, 2009 at 18:14
@Traverse: Well said, that’s exactly where I’m coming from.
He isn’t even articulate enough to form an intelligent reply. So he retorts to being a hypocrite by insulting me in the same breath haha!
November 29th, 2009 at 18:17
the mighty chelsa setting out the stall after only 55 min. same old chelsa always cheating……
November 29th, 2009 at 18:30
@Ober-fan: No on the contrary, if you continue to abuse other members of this blog with your mean spirited and personal attacks, then you will be off this blog before you know it. Have your fun while Red Ranter is away. This blog looks for open minded and opinionated individuals. The world would be a pretty boring place if we all thought alike or if we were all conformist mice like yourself who would open up the camps and throw me in at the first sign of a threat to their self imposed utopia. I suggest you ignore my rants if they upset you so much. God knows after your second to last entry that I refuse to read yours. So you are wasting time and space ranting at me because as far as i am concerned, from now on you don’t exist. So insult away. What I don’t read can’t hurt me. Perhaps you should spend more time trying to be sociable and to offer your views on the team and the game rather than turning yourself into a consummate prick and attack me for mine. I don’t mind if you disagree with me, that’s only fair, but the insults and personal attacks were uncalled for. But here I am trying to reason with the likes of you. A forlorn hope I’m sure.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:32
cfc famous diamond has been converted to a 4dm midfield when 2goals up i see.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:35
i would say 5 man dm midfield but they are playing with 5 defenders
November 29th, 2009 at 18:41
someone needs to kung foo kick dragqueen
November 29th, 2009 at 18:45
@Taehr: That was also before the Glazer’s took a tremendous hit form the collapse of the markets and the money they lost to Abramoff’s Ponzi schemes. They are financially strapped and the debt looms over them like a black cloud. It has changed everything. No longer can Fergie count on 30 or 40 million whenever his heart requires it. It’s not bollocks mate, it’s the truth. I am also very aware of some of the underhanded and cheap assed things they have done with their NFL franchise Tampa Bay. Not pretty. The lowest payroll in all of the NFL and not one star player at a skilled position.
Also, as far as abandoning ship, a figure of speech and nothing more. You are one of those who is only concerned with results. You couldn’t care less if you are entertained or stimulated by a great game of football or an inspiring performance by our club so long as we get the points. Fair enough, that’s your perspective and I respect that. I don’t agree with it but I do respect it and I do realize you come from that school that claims that at the end of the day, all that matters is the result and winning is not something, it’s everything. But and a lot of others like Craig and Jay Wire want the wins but we have all grown up watching this club offer us something more than winning. Fight to the last minute brand of entertaining fast paced champagne football. Attack till you drop. If we had played this kind of football and failed miserably for decades then yes, I would probably come over to your side. But the fact remains that we have had nothing but success for twenty years playing this way and even before Fergie the club always had a enough success to warrant or justify our playing style. Sir Matt Busby started it and even though we have had a few bumps in the road, the club has always maintained this policy and tradition, even when a win wasn’t guaranteed.
Today things have changed drastically in my opinion. Occasionally we see a little bit of that old school football but mostly we have been force fed this boring Italian hybrid which zaps the spectacle out of the game and marches not to drums but to the lead of crawling sloths. I am not saying you or anybody has to agree with me and my views on this. But this blog is around to allow the likes of me and you to debate our differences and see where we can come to agreement or a middle ground. One thing is certain, we are all Man Utd fans. But where I am honest and sincere in my confession is that I honestly don’t know how much more of this style of play and the Glazer’s ownership I can take. I am not trying to entice arguments or hatred towards me, I am simply being honest with my feelings based on how I see the game. And I am not alone, believe me. I just wished more of those who support or agree with me would also voice up and let you and others who disagree with me, that I am not a lone wolf howling to the moon. Come on guys, a little support here.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:48
@gator: That was a very high boot on Cech. Just because it never made contact doesn’t matter, the rule is clear on high boots. So I think although it was harsh, it was the right call.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:48
someone attack drogba i just truley hate the character he plays on tv. a true chelscumbag.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:50
If Drogba continues like that he may end up PFA PotY.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:51
@gator: He is a total cunt, self obsessed posing cock head.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:51
@Grognard: I couldn’t care less. I’m not a conformist, you’re just moronic, I like my football club. And I reckon most people here do as well. So I don’t go on like an absolute cock about how shit my football team are. Or the niggly little details that make you detest the club. No transfers and winning but ‘winning ugly’ are not good enough reasons to rant on. You’re not a real fan mate, if you were you’d be happy that United are winning with their current squad. I just love watching players like Anderson, Valencia and Berbatov coming along, I absolutely love seeing them playing good footy, which they actually do. This is why you’re not a proper fan just a negative twat with strong opinions on things that shouldn’t even matter if you loved United.
And these minor details that you post long winded post, after long winded post about are so fine that they’re absolutely fucking boring. Your opinions have no insight. You have no tact, you don’t value supporting your club through thick and thin. You have insulted the British value of a stiff upper lip by presuming we’re not clever enough to realise these things, when actually we do, we just get on with it. You should do the same instead of being a tactless bore.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:53
@Traverse: Sorry you feel that way mate. I have nothing against you. I was viciously attacked and personally insulted and so I retaliated. Two wrongs don’t make a right and for this I apologize to all. But still, your comments are very mean spirited and entirely unfair. Perhaps you could explain to me why you have such a problem with me voicing my opinion? And if I make things so boring around here, why do you come back and why above all, don’t you dig deep into your own intellectual reservoir and find something interesting or positive to say that will brighten up things around here? Truly, I am very disappointed in you as I haven’t had a problem with you other than the odd disagreement. Thanks for the lack of support and for the stab in the back. Perhaps I should have expected it but I was naive I guess. And making fun of my intellectual capacity well, that was rich. Truly.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:53
@Grognard: so you picking chelsa as your new team i see
hahaha just kidding mate you may be a negative as shit poster but your our negative as shit poster and part of the “swath of opinionated greatness” that is the few, the all too proud, THE RED RANTS.
November 29th, 2009 at 18:55
@NicoQB: blasphemy
never say such a thing ugh i just threw up a little in my mouth. 
November 29th, 2009 at 18:59
@gator:
Apparently you would get a debate today by some on here who do not see me as a “real Manc” at all. To them I am the Antichrist. Anyway, I tend to use the term “wanker(s)” a lot when I watch games. “You useless bastard(s)” also tends to help relieve my stress. “I also like to use Glazer’s must die” and “get rid of that Park, Neville, Scholes, Anderson or Foster”, whichever suits the situation at the time. But most of the time I just here myself saying “Come on lads, you are better than this”.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:00
@Grognard: It was never a vicious attack, I made a joke about your gender but it was all in jest. My first post was a good chance for you to retort with a clever comeback. But nothing happened, instead you try to write with wit, but no intelligent points. And also reply with insults.
You’re obviously deluded if you can’t accept any of my points. Especially in the first place when I had hardly said anything offensive.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:02
@Ober-fan: Did you say something?
November 29th, 2009 at 19:02
@Ober-fan: oh come off it mate, there is more to the conversation we have here than arguing with groggy. get it out of your system and then give us something useful to read.
not everyone agrees with everyone else but we agree to their right to have the opinion and type it here. Think of it like democracy, Americas gift to the world… your welcome hahaha
November 29th, 2009 at 19:09
Well that`s the last time I give Drogba free kick lessons…
At least he has been paying attention to what I told him to do, good student that lad.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:10
@gator: Try telling that to some of my harsh critics here today. This ass clown Ober-fan is really getting on my nerves but then again, I’m just going to ignore his posts from now on as he doesn’t deserve the respect or the courtesy of a reply whether positive or negative. Sad thing is that when there is positive things to talk about, I rant but nobody seems to care then. Only when I am negative do all the happy people come out and start flinging abuse after abuse in my direction as if I am the root cause of the club’s problems. I’m just stating my opinions on here mate. Sharing my feelings and debating. Some make me out to be this evil SOB who just brings gloom into their lives. I’d say look towards Fergie and the Glazer’s if you want to find the real culprits for that doom and gloom. I am just an extension of the media reporting on what I see. Agree or disagree is all I ask. Some people just don’t get it. Whether you agree or disagree with my posts, I appreciate the fact that at least you get it and share in the fact that we have a right to rant on this great blog. And those many differing opinions which are both positive, negative and neutral, are the life blood of this blog and what makes it superior to so many out there that are nothing more than Glazer propaganda apparatus.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:10
@Ober-fan: Did you say something?
November 29th, 2009 at 19:13
live stream for el classico please….
November 29th, 2009 at 19:14
@gator: Thanks for the support mate. At least you get it. Where are all the rest who get it because I could use their votes of confidence right now too. This Ober-Ham has me a little hot under the collar with his dribble and poison. I am ignoring him from now on but still, it’s not like I am the only one who feels the way I do. Where are those others who agree who can defend me at a time like this. I think Captain Bligh is about to be place don the lifeboat.
Arrrgh! Where are my friends?
November 29th, 2009 at 19:15
some one.. help.. help.. sooon.. please…
November 29th, 2009 at 19:15
@Grognard: Fergie has won the league cup, champions league and back to back titles in two seasons, I can just about put up with that maybe we have been spoilt? every club in the league would give their left nut for that jeez.
I pay my money and go week in week out, I still remember when we were shit, how the memory fades from some.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:21
someone gimme a good live stream link for the el classico.. quick..
November 29th, 2009 at 19:23
Drogba doing it to Arsenal as Ronaldo did it to them last year in CL semi .. A great free-kick and a classy finish again .. apart from the usual antics .. Now I get to understand how much Ronaldo was hated by rival fans! Wenger to come up with his ‘too physical’ excuses again ..
November 29th, 2009 at 19:31
@Grognard: You’re a fucking moron grognard. United won 4-1 and I came on this forum to read some thoughts about the match. Instead I hear a load of shit about United in general being shit and it was irrelevant bollocks. Every time I come on and I want to talk about United or a particular match there your comments are. Chunnering on about the owners of the club and the type of footy in general. No insight on anything in particular, no nothing. That’s what’s annoying.
I don’t care if you don’t reply. You’re obviously extremely childish. I have nothing against Americans – my brother’s wife is from New Jersey. But I think you have to expect people to be angered by you going on about something close to their heart. I’m from Manchester and I have enough people who support City and other teams to tell me United’s problems, let alone some Americans who lack the social concept of football. You try and reproduce it by calling people mate and whatever but you really don’t have any idea and you show no respect for it. It’s absolutely irritating. It’s like me coming to your house and telling you your mums ugly.
You wouldn’t even listen to a single point I’ve said and you’ve shown yourself to be utterly ignorant and you lack a lot of tact. Like Traverse said. You are a ‘fair weather fan’.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:36
@Ober-fan: Oh let it be mate, it`s pointless. Trust me, whatever you think you may be doing it`s not gonna change Grog nor his views on the game/club. You may be raving on about him not being a true fan or spouting negativity all around the place, but fact is we all respect him and if we disagree we either tell him why we disagree or we just don`t give a fuck. It`s impossible to change him mate, believe me I`ve tried!
For the matter, I think he is a great fella. His views may be negative but it`s true that not everything is rosy. As for him not liking some players or his relationship to the club, well that`s his choice. Don`t be a woman now and try to change a man. 
November 29th, 2009 at 19:40
@poiuy: imo they were kicking the shit out of arsenhole, for a large part of the second half they were defending with 10 men and tackling as hard as possible to try and end arsholes chances of coming back and it worked kick them till their legs are too tired to make a comeback. if the refs let them… why not.
of course i see it as the ref wanting to keep the points with chelscum to spite united but i may be biased… naaaa fuck the refs.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:43
@Stephen: I see your point Stephen. I have loved and respected Fergie for two decades and thank him every day for the great football he has brought to OT. But something has changed now hasn’t it? Although we are still winning, we are winning just. We are winning ugly and we aren’t beating the good teams anymore. At some point i feel it is right and not disrespectful to question the status quo. I have admitted to feeling like a spoilt child because the last twenty years has felt like a fat kid being locked up in an ice cream parlor with nobody around. Then all of a sudden the owner comes and kicks me out of there and says you are not welcome to any of the treats again. That’s how I feel. Where is the fast counter attacks, the inventive 1,2’s, the dazzling wide play and pace that would spread defense wide open and then allow the great poachers to take advantage? Where is the midfield talisman or the forward combo’s that were both on the same page. It’s all gone. I’m sorry to all who disagree with me but I for one am having a hard time with this new version of Manchester United football. Perhaps I am living in the past but if this is a sign of the future, I want nothing to do with it. I too remember the bad times in the early 70’s and mid to late 80’s. I remember how we struggled because we either had a bad manager or bad players or both. But one thing has remained constant through even those bad periods.
We played an attacking game and were an entertaining and creative side whether we won or lost. Fergie changes all the negativity in to positivity but it took the acquisition of Cantona and Keane to really make it work as well as the youth of 94. Had Fergie not been so lucky in getting Cantona, who knows what would have become of the team or him? Cantona for me injected another dimension into the football that we play. He injected vision and flair and a cockiness that was missing. We had that with Ronaldo too. Now we are missing that extra pizzaz, flair and touch of class. Maybe somebody will come along and bring it with him but for now, we are left without that extra ingredient in the recipe. We have gone from a hard working passionate team with vision and flair to just a hard working team devoid of passion until the last ten minutes of a game and totally devoid of flair and vision. Tactics and lack of talent at the right positions are the culprits in my opinion. And at the end of the day that is all I am offering, my opinion. Agree or disagree as you feel.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:44
@Ober-fan: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
November 29th, 2009 at 19:47
@Footy4Eddy: That support earned you some serious Anderson love from me Bro.
Thanks, sincerely. When trolls like that show up and try to deliver their hate, it just brings me down unless those who know me and support me despite my views come out of the woodwork to show that support like I do for them. You are a trooper and my true ally. 
November 29th, 2009 at 19:49
@gator: As good as Chelsea was today, I am still encouraged by the fact we went to Stamford Bridge and completely outplayed them and only lost to a cheating goal. For all my negativity, I do see that our team can be capable of a whole lot more than they are showing. Add a few major ingredients to that mix and get rid of the malcontents and we are as good as anyone despite our tactics.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:50
@Stephen: @gator:
The thing with Drogba is while he acts like a total twat on the pitch (but none more twattish than our own Cristiano I felt) I always felt he came across as a decent bloke on his off the pitch interviews/ features…
I’m basing the observation of him being a serious contender for PotY on his performances alone, not his antics…
November 29th, 2009 at 19:50
@Grognard: live stream please..
November 29th, 2009 at 19:51
@Footy4Eddy: live stream please..
November 29th, 2009 at 19:51
live stream anyone??? i’m desperate..
November 29th, 2009 at 19:54
@Grognard: Yeeey me!
Honestly mate, you`re a good friend and fan. You may seem like a pain in the ass, but a respected one at that.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:56
@Merlinus: http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch5.html
November 29th, 2009 at 19:57
@Merlinus: You know I really felt like posting a spam site for you… A few naked oldies masturbating eachother in the shower, with a paedophile whistling tune in the background and the site being unable to remove for a while.
Didn`t do it though, aren`t I a nice fella! 
November 29th, 2009 at 19:58
@Grognard: I agree and disagree, my view point always has been that we have no money to spend and recently on the big money transfers like Nani for £17m, Anderson for £18m, Berba £31m and even Hargo due to injuries really havn’t worked maybe the Glaziers have pulled the drawbridge up with the obvious World wide recession.
Also the league is a lot tighter and sides cannot be as elaborate as thehy once were, football changes look at Arsenal play good football but win nothing, but calling him chicken shit for me is not right mate, he has given me more joy than any sinle person and will always respect him but you are entitled to your views but I just don’t agree with them all of the time, but keep voicing them pal it is your right.
November 29th, 2009 at 19:59
@NicoQB: Great player but not a great man mate and Ronaldo falls into that categary also.
November 29th, 2009 at 20:01
The El Classico has been like an offside-circus in the first half. Honestly – how many?!!? like 25!! Ronaldo could and probably should have put Madrid ahead within the first 15min..but its been pretty quiet since then for both sides..and to think I was hoping for a 3-3!
November 29th, 2009 at 20:05
@Grognard: I am with you Grog…It really generally generates some hard feelings when a team like Portsmouth dominate you and we have the right to use harsh words…why not???we support them and in turn gets that type of performances…
November 29th, 2009 at 20:07
@NicoQB: Drogba and Fabregas will be the contenders…
November 29th, 2009 at 20:08
@NicoQB: i just dont agree that ronny was/is as bad as drogba i read last week that his kid was even embarrassed by his shit on the field and told him. haha imagine that, your fucking son says dad will you grow the fuck up already your making it hard for me to get laid. i hate you and wish footy4eddie was my dad
ronny may be a diver and a prat but he is harmless he wasnt pulling players down in his box. and he didnt fake injury half as much as drogba. when ronny dives at least wehn he did it for united he would look to the ref and ask for the free or pen drogba rolls around and grimaces like hes been shot. trying to win a free kick is one thing simulating injury i another. oh yea and ronny can get away with it cuz chicks dig him… i doubt even drogbas own mother thought he was cute. dragqueen
November 29th, 2009 at 20:09
I agree though guys we are not playing well, but that is understandable when you rotate six or seven players every game and with the system.
November 29th, 2009 at 20:11
Why is it that the Portugal players do the most dramatic injury feigns?? Ronaldo..Nani..Deco..Pepe..
November 29th, 2009 at 20:17
Ronaldo just tackled dani alves (he got the ball) and then berates alves for simulating injury.
November 29th, 2009 at 20:19
Jay wire just wet his pants…
November 29th, 2009 at 20:22
@gator: wtf?!
November 29th, 2009 at 20:23
@Ober-fan: Your wasting your time. Reason and logic mean nothing to this guy. The only thing you can do is ignore him and interact with others on the blog.
November 29th, 2009 at 20:29
Ronaldo looks weird in long sleeves for Real…
November 29th, 2009 at 20:31
Ronaldo subbed on 65min. No hysterical antics this time?
November 29th, 2009 at 20:31
They subbed out ronaldo while chasing a game with half an hour left. Mike phelan would know better than that.
November 29th, 2009 at 20:40
@Ober-fan: One of the most ridiculous contributions on the world wide web. “I’m from Manchester. Salford born and bred. I’m a better fan than all of you clueless North Americans. Oh and if you are a woman football is not for you. If you express any form of negativity towards United you are a North American woman who should support City or Chelsea. ”
Those who have time on the internet please google a more ridiculous opinion and a reward is in order. High horse pedestal self righteous dictatorship.
November 29th, 2009 at 20:42
@NicoQB: Why would I?
November 29th, 2009 at 20:48
Okay no need to google anything, I,ve found a more ridiculous one@Ober-fan:
November 29th, 2009 at 20:57
November 29th, 2009 at 20:59
Just the fact that Dani Alves plays for them, tends to make me hate Barca. What a thug.
November 29th, 2009 at 21:30
@Grognard: I’m not from England so English is not my first language. However I think it’s correct to say it’s ironic how fans like you and me who won’t compromise on the quality are called glory seekers and plastic fans. When on the other hand the “true” fans just care about winning no matter how they win. For you and me the reasons for supporting United are the type of football played and then the winning mentality. In a nutshell, winning in style. With some it starts and ends with winning i.e. as long as we are winning. That’s the only concern. Winning. How we can then be called glory seekers is beyond me.
For me my crime is to have Barca,who play and win well,as my second team. “Go to your beloved Barca,you glory hunter”. I’m a student of the game,I’m not a moron who thinks you can’t look beyond Old Trafford and the Premiership. I’ve supported United, Barca and the Old Lady Juve in that permanent and unspoiled order for a decade and a half. This means I am a lesser supporter of Manchester United. You are a lesser fan because you are not from Manchester and you are a North American who dares to speak negative about St Ferguson and ManUtd to whom we all are perenially indebted and whose leadership and personnel don’t owe us anything. They are doing us a favor providing us with a service that we gratefully pay for.
November 29th, 2009 at 21:31
@Merlinus: Cry me a river!
November 29th, 2009 at 21:51
@Jay wire: I can’t be doing with dim people who try to twist words.
I’m not going to repeat any of my points. You’ll merely try and mock me because you have ties with an internet friend.
We all know the problems with the club. I will never ignore them. But I cannot be doing with a so called supporter reiterating them over and over again. The more astute members of this forum recognise them and carry on enjoying what the club deliver Grognard and the like can say we’re in a state of false consciousness or whatever he seems to think… in short that we’re thick, but in reality we’re intelligent enough not to waste our energy bothering about the problems and realise that there’s a hell of a lot of talent at our club.
These other North Americans probably cannot appreciate what talent goes into playing in a team like United, because they’ve probably never even played football properly at a decent level. The gulf in class between talented young players in England and the United team is absolutely massive and the guys I’ve played with are still very gifted footballers. This is how I can appreciate the footy played by United because it’s of a very high level, it doesn’t matter if it’s a different style, it’s still amazingly good technically, with the passes and decisions made, I’m impressed week in week out with United. I really don’t think Grognard and whoever else has the capacity to appreciate that. ‘Soccer’ is soccer. Does he really understand on any level what goes effort and skill goes on on the pitch every week? I really doubt it.
If wouldn’t want to be a United player, slogging my guts out for ungrateful ‘fans’ who don’t have a clue like Grognard.
November 29th, 2009 at 21:53
El Classico my arse, more El Crapico!!
Everything about the La Liga is hyped beyond belief; a glorified 2-horse race is all it is; Honestly had more fun watchin arsenal v chelski.
November 29th, 2009 at 21:58
@Ober-fan: Forget about your boyfriend and meet me at the hotelroom
November 29th, 2009 at 22:27
@Merlinus: Lovely, isn’t it?
November 29th, 2009 at 22:38
Might be facing Leeds in the FA Cup!! That would be way better than facing Kettering; no disrespect, but the hatred between Leeds and ManUtd fans is still as intense as ever, even though the rivalry has cooled off. Tottenham in the Carling Cup, now (probably) Leeds in the FA; our cup games aren’t quite the walkover’s and will hopefully be entertaining.
Btw, what’s with this scribbled assassination attempt at Groggy I’m reading??! I’m sure he’s allowed to express his views, no matter how irritating or repetitive they are. Getting riled up over someone else’s views on an internet blog/forum is a waste of time in my opinion. You can offer yours and hope they at least get what you’re trying to say. Debasing a debate or conversation with insults is just tacky and kind of nullifies whatever you have been writing or are going to from then on. Just my 2c’s.
November 29th, 2009 at 22:39
@Ober-fan: Who tried to twist your words?
November 29th, 2009 at 22:42
@Jay wire: I just find it strange for someone to give up on watching united just because they are not satisfied by the level of quality, or the football not being pleasing enough on the eye. Its like giving up on your wife the moment she starts having a few disgraceful curves.
For me, in a way its like unconditional love. Its supporting your team during the good times as well as during the bad times. I am extremely critical sometimes of the way we play. But that does not mean that I do not get behind united.
November 29th, 2009 at 23:03
I’m interested to see our lineup for the Spurs game. Will we play to kids again, giving them some much needed minutes, or does SAF want to win this competition and so, play a strong first eleven??
It’s a curious decision ahead of him here – and with 8 PL teams left and the fixture list looking congested, he may deem this a bridge too far for this squad.
I’d like to see the youngsters play a team that will, no doubt, have a go at them. This is the type of game that could begin to establish a few of our young guns – letting them gain in confidence and much needed experience in a game that has some stature!!
November 29th, 2009 at 23:13
@Gabriel: All of that, and the fact that quite a few us come here for a good moan and a rant!
I think it’s especially true for non-UK based commentators, who have very few other options to forum their opinions.
November 29th, 2009 at 23:23
Watched the Milan game this afternoon, and that man Huntalaar, had a great Subs appearance. 2 goals, the second of which was a sublime little chip.
Looks like he’s finally finding his way, outside of the Eredivisie.
November 30th, 2009 at 0:02
@NicoQB: I think it’s strange that he could adopt such a strategy and then think for one minute, that his points would merit any validity.
How on earth can you develop an opinion on something to haven’t witnessed??
November 30th, 2009 at 0:10
@Redrich: Any United supporter that forks out such money to watch our reserves in actions after the debacle against Besiktas is out of their fucking minds. If they want to throw their money away, more fucking fool them!
November 30th, 2009 at 0:13
@Gabriel: United KIDS against Leeds – who the fuck cares Gabriel? I sure as fuck don’t!
November 30th, 2009 at 0:16
@Ober-fan: Ungrateful fans who don’t have a clue like Grognard?????? Mate are you fucking serious
November 30th, 2009 at 0:18
@Jay wire: WTF
November 30th, 2009 at 0:20
@Stephen: Fergie the fuckin rotating maniac of the PL right now –
November 30th, 2009 at 0:25
Nani Nani, Nani Nani, Nani nani nani
. Fergie – NO way will Nani be allowed to leave this club in January or anytime. Well then SAF – fucking play the lad = because otherwise you are all TALK and no action 
. Otherwise let the lad go, because you sure as fuck don’t know how to further his cause 
November 30th, 2009 at 0:29
We have to win all our games and kick CHELSCUM arse to win the PL. Can we do it – on present form – and this team – CAN WE FUCK. We fucking walloped them at their place, and yet couldn’t score if our fucking lives depending on it. We will win fuck all with our present strikers. If they prove me wrong I will hold my hands up, but I don’t hold out much hope
November 30th, 2009 at 0:32
@CraigMc: Hi mate.
November 30th, 2009 at 0:32
@CraigMc: It wont cost me anything so I don’t give a monkeys about that.
But if the kids are to progress, they’ll need a game like this.
SAF doesn’t seem to care much about his critics, and a loss here will not bother him.
If the whole idea is to build this team from a new generation of youngsters, I’d like to see some building!
November 30th, 2009 at 0:35
@CraigMc: So, how are these kids supposed to get experience, eh Craigy? You can’t have your cake and eat it too mate; you can’t expect United to stay true to it’s mantra of nuturing young talent and not want the manager to give them a chance to play or even be nutured.
Looking for a fault in the team seems to be trendy these days. When we’re losing, we complain. When we’re winning, we complain. When we’re bringing through youth, we complain. Wow, I know this is a rant site and all, but the cynicsm is just baffling.
November 30th, 2009 at 0:36
I love you guys, you know that?
This blog is so awesome, without every individual person this place wouldn`t be the same. The ranting, the humor, the friendship and all the fucked up shit we do on this place is just amazing. I love you guys to bits, cause we all make RedRants.com a special place! 
November 30th, 2009 at 0:47
@Footy4Eddy:
We love you too Eddy!! (no homo 
) Btw, when you posting that video of your freekicks like you promised, eh? Anyone as good as Drogba’s today or Giggs’ yesterday? 
November 30th, 2009 at 1:00
@Redrich: I think Fergie’s going to go for more of a mix of youth and experience than he went for in the besiktas game. Rooney is on fire and will be hard to bench; as well as Valencia. Berbatov, if not injured needs a game too; as well as Park. The back four will definitely be experienced, with maybe Rafael/De leat getting a nod.
It’s a tricky one, as we have two away games in a row after that. I’d like to see at least Obertan, Macheda and Nani be part of the game. Don’t really care for Owen to be honest; not my kind of striker. Doesn’t offer anything else if the ball is not put on his head or feet; and it seems now, he needs numerous chances before he can convert.
..and yeah, Kuszcak in goal please. Tottenham will definitely get shots on goal, so we need a shot stopper not prone to errors
November 30th, 2009 at 1:19
@Footy4Eddy: If it’s any consolation I feel like I am my very own pain in the ass many times.
November 30th, 2009 at 1:21
@Stephen: The owners cannot penny pinch with a team like United though because they are not Everton or Spurs or Villa. United is the most popular team in the world and a worldwide brand that makes them millions. For that reason they are responsible for the product on the field and have to do the best possible job to ensure the club’s success and brand of football is maintained.
November 30th, 2009 at 1:25
@Gabriel – I would be surprised to see Brown and Vidic paired up at the back. These two have no chemistry at all and so the nod to O’Shea could be a possibility.
Richie De Laet is not getting any playing time at all, is he, and so I would doubt hell get a sniff in this game.
I think the MF will get a better look than the Besitkas game – with Gibson looking to be regressing somewhat, SAF will have no choice to play Anderson/Carrick or possible Scholes/Carrick.
The big guns will probably be on the bench, to attempt a rescue operation, if nec.
November 30th, 2009 at 1:25
@owen: Yes but when we get stormtroopers coming on to the blog telling us that we can’t, that’s when I just lose it. And it always happens when poor Red Ranter takes a weekend off. Otherwise the cowards wouldn’t show themselves. They take their digs this weekend because they know they can get away with and like good trolls disappear into their holes afterwards. I’m glad you agree because I am getting really fed up of a few out there telling me that I have no right to feel this way and that I don’t know what I am talking about? Have you noticed also that they waste time on here doing nothing but putting us down and then they offer no alternative point of view, nothing to debate. Empty melons with too much anger is all they are.
November 30th, 2009 at 1:26
@antsBoy: It’s because they can tune in to their feminine side with greater ease.
November 30th, 2009 at 1:29
@Johnsom33: Now you are against me too. My God I have so many enemies. At some point in my life I must have bullied you at school and stole your lunch money. My question is why?
November 30th, 2009 at 1:33
@Grognard: Oh that’s easy, they’re worried that some of what you say could be true!!
November 30th, 2009 at 1:39
@Johnsom33: Actually, I would like to know why you resent me so? I’m just talking football mate, I am not busy trying to insult you or others or get on your case in a personal manner. I listen and read everyone’s comments and I just debate. So you do not see eye to eye with me, is that any reason to support somebody who came on here for the sole purpose of abusing me for my beliefs and then insulting me? He started it and yes I retaliated but It’s important for me to fight my battles. Had someone said those things to you, you would too.
When have I ever supported anyone who gave you a hard time? And there have been a few. We don’t have to be friends Johnsom, but I certainly didn’t deserve a stab in the back like that. Supporting a troll who offered nothing to any discussion on here but just vented poison towards me is just the epitomy of no class and pretty gutless. And you dare say that logic and reason doesn’t matter to me like I am the crazy anti social type in this feud. I’m not the passive aggressive one here and I am having to fight a battle with people who so feel offended by what i have to say yet have no respect for the is blog and what it stands for. Freedom of speech and expression. You don’t like me or agree with me, that’s fine, but keep it to yourself and above all, don’t read my posts. How hard can that be. If I upset you so much, why put yourself through that?
November 30th, 2009 at 1:40
@Shami: He’s just coming off a serious ankle injury and to be honest, he shouldn’t even be playing right now. It was the smart thing to do.
November 30th, 2009 at 1:41
@Gabriel: FFS Gabriel, I am not against a 2 or 3 kids in with thwe experienced pros at any time in any game, but I sure as fuck will not go to see a 2nd string team, where I have to pay thru the fucking nose for it. I don;t mind paying mate, but not to watch a 2nd string team in full. If you want to well good luck to you mate. But don’t expect everybody to feel the same way
November 30th, 2009 at 1:42
@Jay wire:
Sweet. He’s got my vote for Neanderthal Troll Blogger of the Year. Above all, he is such an ignoramus he thinks living in Vancouver BC, is part of the US. He possesses probably a half dozen brain cells at most as well, the educational system in his country has betrayed him terribly.
November 30th, 2009 at 1:45
@Redrich: I don’t give a fuck what SAF thinks Rich. They are pushing this game against Spurs like fuck. That tells me that United fans are not forthcoming in forking out hard earned dosh to watch games like the Besiktas games. Believe me, SAF will get the message if United fans stick two fingers up to watching a team OF ALL 2nd stringers – and be bored as fuck as we were with the Besiktas games. Still why worry Rich, the numptees like Gabriel will cough up their hard earnes money to watch the paint dry
November 30th, 2009 at 1:46
@Footy4Eddy: Hi Eddi mi man!
November 30th, 2009 at 1:52
@CraigMc: Craig, mate, did you enjoy what the first team served up yesterday??
It don’t seem to matter who’s on the field, it’s pig slop at best.
I’d rather give the kids their run, maybe we can find a starter or two out of this bunch!!
November 30th, 2009 at 1:56
@Redrich: I enjoyed the 2nd half Rich, but the 1st was a bit pedestrian. Still it was sure as fuck better than the Besiktas debacle
. Where the kids are concerned, I think you need to give opportunites to the right kids, and Macheds/Welbeck are not who I would choose!
November 30th, 2009 at 1:59
WHO THINKS saf MAKES MISTAKES IN HIS JUDGEMENTS RE THE PLAYERS he has sold or loaned out. He picks the Machedas and Welbecks and lets Rossi, Pique, Cleverley, and others go, who are far better. Who the fuck can understand it – I can’t!
November 30th, 2009 at 2:03
@Jay wire: I can imagine what the pug faced vomit bag looks like too. Probably the member of a firm. Guys like that have no idea what being a fan is because they don’t have the mental capacity to differentiate the differences between entertaining and boring. For them all that is needed is the final score. It’s like they have followed the game all their lives from a newspaper box score.
It’s so frustrating that you offer your time and effort as well as share your intellectual knowledge and passion for the game and team only to have ass clowns like Ober-Fan (aka Uber-Ass) come on here and get personal. Like we offended their wives or girlfriends with filthy language. With these types you are either with the team 110% no matter what, or you are scum. There is no middle ground, there is no acceptance of questioning the status quo. My God mate, I fail to see how these guys are anything less than Fascists. If we met them at a pub would our beliefs end us up in hospital or in the Morgue with a beer bottle embedded in our throats?
Honestly mate, sometimes I ask myself why I bother? Is this kind of abuse worth my efforts. I love the game and the team so and I am so much of a perfectionist and so much a student of what has gone on in the past that it hurts to follow the team now and it is getting more an more difficult to justify taking part in this blog when all I get foremost of my efforts is not debate or disagreement but anger, hostility and rudeness in return. Sure I’m not perfect and even you and I have have had some combative debates but at least you came to me with a position and an argument that you could back up with your evidence or extensive knowledge of the game. I have always respected and appreciated that even if I not agreed on some of your positions. I really need to ask myself seriously if I need this abuse or am I wasting my passion time and energy on a blog where some are allowed to take the liberties to insult and discriminate against someone like the way I was attacked today. Anyway, I thank you for your support and intelligent insight.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:08
@CraigMc: I think you run the risk of masking a players true potential by shielding them with a supporting cast of experienced starters.
With a team made up mainly of 2nd stringers, the potential of who’s who will be more obvious to see.
Gibson against Besiktas was a case in point. He was truly dreadful and will now find it hard to make his way to the first team. Macheda and Welbeck are a ways away from being starters, but to sit them all the time, will get them no closer.
If United are not gonna bring in any new players in January, taking this approach is the only way forward.
I don’t like it either, but TBH we’ll just have to suck it up!!
November 30th, 2009 at 2:09
@CraigMc: Read the rest of what he wrote about me today mate. So help me if he was face to face with me today, I’d be going to prison for life. And seriously, he has no idea what he would be facing from my wrath and rage. God I could kill the motherfucker I am so incensed.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:11
@CraigMc: He’s probably going to let him rot on the bench to teach him a lesson because he is being a spiteful old cuss. Poor Nani. All the lad wants is to play and be given a fair crack at it.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:12
@Footy4Eddy: Luv ya Bro.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:13
@CraigMc: How was the team against besiktas a full reserve side?? The back five were seasoned starters; Foster, Neville, Brown, Vidic and Fabio. Anderson in central midfield is also a seasoned starter; Park as well. That leaves only Macheda, Welbeck, Obertan and Gibson as the inexperienced ‘reserves’; whom btw, didn’t do too bad at all.
Don’t know why you always try to boil it down to a polarised situation mate. I don’t want you to feel the same way I do, I don’t need you to, i’m just expressing my opinion. You’re the one that goes on about being allowed to say how/what you feel yet the first to start complaining when someone does the same or says anything remotely different to yours. Barry white had a song about what you should learn to do, look it up.
And please, I am not a numptee; Insults on a web forum are quite classless and cowardly mate.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:17
@Grognard: Ignore him, Grog, he’s just not worth investing your emotions on.
Continue the vitriolics and you’ll risk giving an obvious pillock, a new voice!!
November 30th, 2009 at 2:18
@Redrich: True but the rage I feel right now is not healthy. I do not deal with online abuse well as I would personally love to strangle the very last breath out of somebody that speaks to me in that way. It’s becoming unhealthy for me mate and I am really questioning whether it’s worth it. If more and more feel like that about me and feel the need and desire to abuse me like that, I need to walk away because I am not being defended on here the way I should be. Right now I feel so under appreciated and so angry that it’s just not healthy. RR says I must have a thicker skin, and i honestly try but then he goes away for a weekend and trolls show up with the knowledge that they can say whatever they want to me and get away with it. I just can’t deal with it, as it makes me insanely angry. Only a coward talks to somebody else like that online. Anyway, sorry for venting mate. You are one of my true friends on here and I just felt I needed to vent.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:22
@Redrich: True. It’s hard though mate, Like you, I am from a different generation and where you and i come from, somebody talks to us like that, you demand satisfaction and payback. Online you get none of that and I truly need it for my pride as this creep really got away with murder on here today. RR better ban him for life.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:23
No idea WTF you are talking about, or getting offended about
. You said you wanted to see the kids, and as far as i UNDERSTAND IN THE cARLING CUP WE PLAY A LOT OF THEM – don’t we? Wes Brown, Nev, Rafael/Fabio, Park, Welbeck, Macheda, Obertan, Gibson – are not regular 1st teamers this season. Ask yourself if Rio was fit would Wes be playing? Park not regular either, and obviously Foster not consedered 1st team before VDS. If you want to see that regularly I have no problem with it Gabriel, but I do think that it is numpteeish for those who do. That AS YOURS GABRIEL IS JUST MY OPINION. You know what, some people on this blog need to grow a pair! If anybody calls me a numptee or numptee-ish because of what I think, well to be honest I couldn’t give a toss – end of. Get tougher Gabriel – I mean I hear much worse name calling and banter in the pub 
November 30th, 2009 at 2:26
@Grognard: Ban him for life – FUCK ME!
November 30th, 2009 at 2:29
@Grognard: Lil Man wants to leave Grog – end of. He should be allowed too if SAF is not going to give him playing time. I can’t understand why SAF is so determined that he will not be sold?
November 30th, 2009 at 2:31
@Grognard: Just ignore him Grog as Rich said, nobody and I mean nobody is worth getting in a state about. Why give him the satisfaction eh mate?
November 30th, 2009 at 2:35
@Grognard: But you have a “pioneering” message. You want to venture and lead – the nature of your persistence is evidence of this.
You try to persuade others of what you believe and have a hard time excepting a dissenting view.
You are what you are, but you’ll always be a target because of your edginess.
Yours is a thankless lot, mate.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:36
@CraigMc: Well, this is not a pub and I don’t take kindly to being insulted; as i’m sure nobody does. You can state you have a difering opinion without using insults. ‘Numptee’ is an insult and in the context in which you used it, was derogatory. If growing a pair means being able to conjur up the nerves to insult someone over the internet, then congratulations on your pair.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:40
@Gabriel: Well Gabriel why don’t you call on RR to ban me for life, then you can have a very aseptic blog eh?
. Some folk are so SAD!
November 30th, 2009 at 2:43
@Gabriel: By the way Gabriel RR has a REQUEST DELETION for the comments of other bloggers you can’t stomach – just do that, and then you won’t be complaining – right? I don’t mind if RR feels it appropriate to delete any of my posts that people can’t stomach!
November 30th, 2009 at 2:44
@Grognard: Stab in the back? Melodramatic. I don’t owe you anything.
Since the day Ronaldo left you’ve been saying the teams shit followed usually by ‘we’re going to finish 4th if we’re lucky’.
More points than this time last season. More goals. Qualified for the Champions League last 32 after 4 games. Barca, Real, Milan, Inter, Liverpool, Bayern or Juventus haven’t managed to qualify yet.
You’re old enough to remember the really REALLY bad times. Then you say you’ve stopped recording / watching the games because we’re not playing very well. That I don’t understand….. it’s the text book definition of fair-weather fan.
I don’t mince my words, and I call it like I see it. It’s nothing personal, you come across as a nice guy most of the time. You just post all the time, and bored of hearing about how badly we’re doing when it’s just not true.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:50
@CraigMc: No need for that mate, you can go on cursing and speaking like that all you want, but not to me. It’s not sad to not want to be called names; it’s called self respect. Like I said, more power to you man; it’s just not my thing as I feel it’s tacky and cowardly.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:59
@Gabriel: Listen mate I have no desire to get into it with you – but if you think the word NUMPTEE is cursing – well you do need to grow some
November 30th, 2009 at 4:42
@Grognard: Jesus Christ, dramatic or what!
Got away with murder haha It’s the internet, not real life. I had a read through some of these comments and you’ve really taken this personally. Calling me a troll and saying I’m spouting poison haha that’s absolutely ridiculous. I don’t know who you are, I have no clue really, I’ve merely expressed what your posts make you sound like. A fair weather fan. If you can’t see that your posts convey that then you need to take a step back and to stop taking things so personally.
It all started very tamely and really that’s all it ever was. Insults like lacking tact and not understanding the social concept of football are hardly hurtful. You’ve never once provided any reasons for me to believe any different, no counter argument to anything, you just got petty, so I told you what I thought of you.
You can make all the presumptions you like about my character. They’ll all be wrong. The world is not black and white. I don’t just support the club ‘110%’ and ignore the problems. Anyone with a pair of eyes can see that from my posts. And I never knew where you were from, I know perfectly well Vancouver is not in America.
You can make me sound thick to justify your outrage at what I’ve said. But the reality is someone who does have 2 brain cells to rub together has criticised you and you’ve taken it very badly. You even presumed I’d picked a time to insult you, when I didn’t even know red ranter was off. I really don’t spend that much time on this forum. It’s just strange that when I do pop on I’ve never found it hard to come across one of your comments telling us the apocalypse is unfolding before our eyes on Old Trafford football ground. And it gets old, fast.
And come off it mate, if you were ‘face to face’ with me. This is the internet, if you react like that every time somebody criticises your posts then you’ll be dead soon. It’s not even worth it, you’ve perceived me to be angry and yes maybe I’ve broken rules, but because I’ve been irritated for the reasons I’ve already stated.
November 30th, 2009 at 6:28
Wow..this place seems to have turned into the Battle of Britain.
Anyway, on the game, I have to agree with Grognard on this one. Possibly the dullest 4-1 I have ever seen United chalk out. The first half was simply dire, and I put it solely down to Fergie for fielding a 4-5-1 against the bottom dweller. Scholes, Giggs and Neville simply should not play in the same team, at the same time. Yes, the peno was harsh, but in truth we didnt deserve to be ahead.
Second half was clearly better, and we created a lot more, but our defence was still crap and Kuczak bailed us out on a few occassions. Giggsie’s ball for Rooney’s second goal was sublime though and I am glad ROoney got a hat-trick without really breaking sweat..hoep this will take him back to the form of the start of the season when he couldnt stop scoring. Vida looks more and more disinterested each game, and may be we would be better off cashing in on him. Valencia is progressing well, his pace is amazing.Still thinks he needs to add variety to his game, i.e by coming inside sometimes rather than going outside all the time.
United still need to improve, and I hope Fergie is bluffign and he does spend in Jan, ’cause I see no other way United can catch Chelski
November 30th, 2009 at 6:45
@NicoQB: Who said I’m no longer supporting or getting behind the team. Who says I’m not gonna watch any matches anymore?
November 30th, 2009 at 6:48
@Redrich: Watched it too. He was quite effective and clinical. 3 shots 2 goals in a 10 minute appearance
November 30th, 2009 at 6:53
@Redrich: I respect you man, but you have an irritating tendency of judging and simply not reading everything. First read what I wrote in full before you start misplacing your comments and opinions
November 30th, 2009 at 7:35
@Traverse: You’re bored by me yet you seem compelled to read what I write. Why put yourself through all that if I am causing you pain? And if you were being picked on like this, chances are you might feel as dramatic as I do. Anyway, I have nothing against you Trav. I just wished you thought better of me because my intention is never to get on others nerves.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:40
@Ober-fan & @Grognard : Chillllllll………………
Felt like making an observation after watching epl & la liga this weekend..
Spanish football is definitely more beautiful..
EPL has regressed..
Merseyside derby was one of the ugliest football games i’ve seen.. bunch of brainless gits kicking lumps at each other.. ugh..
November 30th, 2009 at 8:19
@Jay wire: I do read what you write, mate, but I must admit that I let a majority of it fly over my head.
You have the annoying tendency to over complicate straight forward issues, hence your ridiculous strategy of reading match comments before deciding on whether to watch the game.
If you want to drive down the highway with a blindfold on, you’re probably gonna do that one on your own.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:49
@Traverse: Trav could I just ask you Bro – we have more points than this time last season, but isn’t that because we had games in hand still this time last season??? Or does your stats include all our games in hand, which would mean that had we played those games in hand we would have had more points at this stage last season? What I am asking is if the stats are for same number of games played at this point last and this season. I’m just interested that’s all Trav!
November 30th, 2009 at 9:33
@Taehr: Sorry bro.. But, if you think that the money made available to buy Ando, NANI, and OH was from Glaziers pocket then you are under wrong impression. Correct me if I am wrong but, the purchase of those three players were made in the same year/ summer when they bought club isn’t it??? Then clearly suggest that those purchases were lined up already when Man UTD was plc and the money that was used was money earned by plc in the previous year so it had nothing to with glaziers regime. Secondly about Berba, if I am not wrong the there were a talk of that they will give us what in range of 25mn per year as transfer budget and then Fergie went out and bought the Park and EVDS (even though he proved to be a great buy) they costs us combined 6mn which was a saving of 19mn which we can assume that used to go for Berba purchase in future. Lets face it mate, if we leave apart the NANI, Ando and OH buys (which we should) then in the Glazier regime we have turned net sellers and there are more chances that we will be a selling club in the future.
I have no problems people having different views about the SO CALLED OPTIMISM or PESSIMISM on the way team plays but, at least we all should agree that the Glazier regime in long term is always going to hurt us very badly…..
November 30th, 2009 at 10:03
@Jay wire: and @Grognard: Hey guys add me to your list of QUALITY FOOTBALL SEEKERS…..
November 30th, 2009 at 10:13
@Jay wire: You certainly indicated that you weren’t interested in watching United play if we plod through the game. Post no. 106 to be precise.
@Jay wire:
I’m not saying that you will not be getting behind the team or questioning your loyalty, but your certainly not helping your case by deliberately choosing not to watch us when we’re not playing particularly well.
Obviously everyone would prefer to be watching a game where we play champagne football, but sometimes the circumstances do not allow us to do so.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:37
Ohhh… This place is turning into a battle ground for the World War III it seems like…
May have to Overtime for it…. 
Everyone is busy having a go at the other person…
Kick off from GROG V/s Ober Fan and Traverse (then Johnson33 chipped in), followed by the EVER HOT CRAIGY Bro v/s ROONAY maniac (Don’t take offense matey just kidding) Gabrial. As if that wasn’t enough now Redrich and Jay Wire are looking to get into one….
By the Eddi mi man I agree with you bro.. I love you all here.. I mean this place is more entertaining than FOOTY now a days…
Big Boss RR when returns will have to do lot of cleaning up it seems like…
November 30th, 2009 at 10:42
Forget about your boyfriend and meet me at the hotelroom
You can bring your girlfriends and meet me at the hotelroom
November 30th, 2009 at 10:48
This argment is getting pathetic now. Why the fuck do you guys use this blog as a place to use personal attacks. Okey Grog, I support you but it was unnecessary of you to go on about Ober-fan in your following comments directed towards fellow bloggers. You don`t need to highlight the fact that you are being bullied here and that people are against you, even a numptee like Dan would see that!
Just joking Dan, you know I love you mate. 
Just let it be now, both of you. Just don`t give a fuck about eachother anymore and be done with it. No need for you to use this place to have a go at eachother, there are children here for Gods sake!!! 
So, just give a fuck about eachother and let it be, no need to continue with this personal nonsense. Because in the end, ask yourself this: “What do I get by keeping on arguing with guy?” Answer? A bloody fuck! 
Peace out!
November 30th, 2009 at 10:55
And by the way…
We all hate Leedscum
We all hate Leedscum
We all hate Leedscum
We all hate Leedscum…
Really hope they beat Kettering, if we face Leeds it`s gonna be one of the games of the season in my opinion!
November 30th, 2009 at 11:06
I’m back from a long weekend out with my mates cut out from technology and such-like. I’ve just been reading the sequence of events over here — true to form there has been, let’s just say, an incident here. Here’s the thing. I’ll be curt, and I am not going to respond to any responses over here. If you intend to respond, then do so via email (clicking on the contact form at the top of the page will do):
Oberfan: You’ve resorted to a lot of snide (and direct) attacks and most of your comments revolved around what one can debate on and what one cannot. That’s my job – the comments policy’s pretty clear on that; pretty much anything as long as it’s not personal. It also means you aren’t doing the right thing by passing judgements and telling someone how one should support their team. You visit other forums, so I am pretty sure giving this blog a miss won’t do you much harm. I’m sure despite the nature of your attack on Grognard you are a smart man and you know the way out of this place. So off you go. Any response do so over email.
Grognard: Regarding a question you had on why your comments bug people (and hence why they can’t ignore your comments), let’s be real about it: it is hard to ignore your comments when they are about 75% of it here. So while this isn’t a slight on your contribution, it really is impossible to ignore you even if they tried. Also, regarding the lack of props given to you for being positive, well, you are positive for about 5% of the time, to be fair. (Joke, in case you go off on one.)
Anyway, I should rest now. Got to rise early for work, and stuff. Responses if any via emails. I will ignore comments pertaining to this stuff over here. And I am serious about it. I am sick of the constant bitching and moaning sessions here.
And to think we actually won 4-1.
Cheers. Over and out.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:19
@Grognard: I have no choice. It’s either read what you write (and to be honest I skim alot of you posts due to their length and repetition) or go over to one of the forums, that seem to be largely populated by illiterate teenagers.
I replied to a comment directly posted at me. Not doing so would have been rude.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:35
Back to football! Looks like we are making a double swoop this January.. not for Silva and Villa, but for Akinfeev and Krasic. If we sign Krasic then Nani is done.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:36
@Traverse: Good News…We are going for Micah Richards…
November 30th, 2009 at 11:50
@Traverse: Where is link for this.. I am just waiting for some good news… And this would be jackpot…..
November 30th, 2009 at 11:57
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCmCTVs8Nrs&feature=rec-HM-fresh+div
I wish we could score more goals like these…
Precise passing, expetional movement, deadly finishing. Used to be our trademark a while ago, what happend to it?! 
November 30th, 2009 at 12:09
@CraigMc: Here’s the science bit :
After 14 games :
08/09 – 28 points. 8 Wins, 4 Draws, 2 Losses. 26 GF, 10 GA. Top Scorer : Ronaldo, 8.
09/10 – 31 points. 10 Wins, 1 Draw, 3 Losses. 28 GF, 11 GA. Top Scorer : Rooney, 10.
More points. More wins. More goals scored. What crisis?
November 30th, 2009 at 12:16
@Footy4Eddy: They missed the one in the champions league where Scholes lobbed the goalkeeper after over 30 passes.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:53
@Onkar: Sunday Express had quotations from hs agent saying he is ‘90% sure he will move to England in January’ and then says something along the lines of ‘If Manchester United don’t sign him in January, he could go to Italy in the summer’.
It seems to be between United and Milan, but Milan can’t register any non EU players cause they have no spaces, leaving us this window to tie it up. Krasic wants to come here, which is nice.
Every paper has been talking of Akinfeev.. coupled with Fergie talking about how good he is, and the way he played against United… it’s a classic Fergie way to sign a player. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kuszack went in the other direction for half the cost of the transfer.
Ignoring that possibility, combined, the players would cost £20million. Probably worth it. Akinfeev could end up being worth triple that if he turns out to be as good as we all think he is / will be.
November 30th, 2009 at 13:14
@Traverse: Yeah… I read that bit… I ean they are talking about not less than 15mn euros. I mean if we get him somewhere in that range 15-18mn euros than it would be a great signing. I don’t think the block deal will cost as low as GBP20mn.. But Anywhere in the range of GBP25mn would be worth. Whats more this keeper has proven himself already and if he get upto the standards he is already showing with CSKA and Russia then I think we are set for next 10 years as far as keeping position is concerned. I am more sure about him due to as you typical Fergie way of signing but Krasic (???). Though he would be great….
November 30th, 2009 at 13:16
@Traverse: If this Kasic/Igor double swoop happens then I think its bye bye Kuszack and NANI (which may actually give us positive cashflow) what you say??? I don’t think it will bad.. Rather I would say it would suit all the party i.e. incoming and outgoing players as well as Man UTD…..
November 30th, 2009 at 13:31
@Traverse: Thank you I was just curious. I never said anything at all about any crisis??? I did say abour boring, pedestrian football games from United, and I stand by that Trav – like it or not mate.
November 30th, 2009 at 13:35
@Redrich: I’ve already stated how hard it is in practice to judge whether a game was average or just plain crap. But it is obvious if 99% of people on a forum are are talking of how great the game was and how entertaining it was. I missed the Manchester derby due to certain committments, but I could tell it was a great game from the comments. I watched the replay and indeed it was a great game. I have decided to do this out of frustration,because I want to follow my team but I can’t stand the crap games. You can. Good for you so you won’t have to do this “ridiculous” routine. From the beginning you have judged me and I annoy you. So why read anything I say? I over complicate things, so keep it simple. Ignore me. That’s surely less complex
November 30th, 2009 at 13:42
@Jay wire: So new day…. But old rivalries resume as it as…
November 30th, 2009 at 13:47
@Jay wire: You only want to watch the good games then?? Can you really call yourself a fan then?
I watch united out of love and devotion, they are my club through thick and thin I will be a fan, not only when we play a brand of football in certain games jeez I have heard it all now.
November 30th, 2009 at 13:54
@NicoQB: My case before which judge? Who should I be vindicating myself to,the self righteous fans? I pay money to flippin watch United. It’s not for free. In fact it’s freakin expensive and at exploitive rates. So I always expect value for my money. And value for my money is not trophies,it’s entertainment. Most people just want trophies and care for nothing when it comes to the philosophy and principle on the pitch. Trophies are value for money to them. I also care for trophies and winning games but not at the cost of my main concern,which is on pitch philosophy. So is it fair for me to endure the pain of 85 minutes of dull football to feel like a real fan or should I rather gamble on the odd good display on a replay?
November 30th, 2009 at 14:00
@Stephen: Since you are the Oracle of true fan standards please let me know what I need to do to qualify.
Yours faithfully
Neo
November 30th, 2009 at 14:05
@CraigMc: I was paraphrasing Fergie. A one game loss is a crisis. But again, I’d rather be where we are playing industrious football that can get better, than be where Arsenal are playing brilliant football and nowhere to go and being 11 points off the pace.
November 30th, 2009 at 14:05
@Stephen: and FELLOW RANTERS HERE
I am not trying to defend anyone here so don’t misunderstand that….
But I think the point and the MOST IMPORTANT POINT that we all have been missing since last day or two in all this huge brawl on the site is we are actually fighting about the style of play that Man UTD have adopted rather the who is loyal and who is not, who is more of fan than others, Is this club belong to BRITISH only and not NORTH AMERICANS which for me was the stupidest thing that I have read in last almost 6-7 month in this place (by the I am an INDIAN before some one starts at me)….
And I think (sadly) there is very little value addition that has happened on this topic since this brawl involving different parties have irrupted. I mean I will sadly have to say that we talk about certain player has regressed for e.g. CARRICK, some may think that Man UTD as a team in there approach towards play has regressed (including me I should be honest) but have any of us who got involved in that bad fight (specially in absence of the MASTER RR) has thought that we as the contributors have regressed so much that we are actually fighting at personal level and calling each other stupid, crap, asshole and what not…
I think we should get back to what we used to do i.e. having a very healthy debate rather than having a brawl and start adding something which some new person reading will feel is value add..
Calling people’s name, calling them clown, numptee, muppets, asshole etc is not going to help us improve ours as well as others knowledge and contribution here.
I sincerely hope after the storm which hit this place yesterday people here will get back to senses and fight for the cause/topic/subject rather than against each other….
Or else I think we all are matured enough to always AGREE to DISAGREE isn’t it????
SO PEACE..
P.S. Sorry RR for the extensive use of bold letters but I thought it was necessary for the related topic….
November 30th, 2009 at 14:17
@Onkar: RedRanter would have NO cleaning up to do whatsoever, IF all of us cleaned up after ourselves
.
November 30th, 2009 at 14:22
@Jay wire:
Read what I posted, support your club not watch when you deem fit, or when they “entertain you” jeez again I have heard it all now.
November 30th, 2009 at 14:39
Krasic and Akinfeev would be typical January signings for us-players from a very different league who need time to bed in. We signed Vidic in January, Tosic as well. Of course I would prefer Neuer and Silva. But it is obvious to everyone now that we are running on a very tight budget.
Obviously the plan is to hope Nani has a good world cup and sell him for £15-20 million to an Italian or a Spanish team and there will be plenty of suitors. But it amazes me that Obertan is now ahead of Nani in the pecking order. Nani has twice the end product of Obertan.
Kuz will get more suitors than Foster. No team with any sense wants an English goalkeeper. It is the byword for ineptitude. But Kuz is solid without being spectacular and has less gaping flaws to his game and I reckon we could get some cash from him.
On the other issue being discussed. Yes we are utterly pedestrian and boring to watch and grind out results without ever convincing anyone. But we are still in the title race unlike Arsenal and Liverpool. Our cautious tactics work well and I would say we are over-achieving given how limited our squad sans Ronaldo is. Fergie has built us as a defensive team because that is where our strengths lie. The only players we have with an ounce of offensive talent are Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov and Nani…and the last two do not make the team because their talents are wasted in the defensive approach we have adopted under Fergie.
You can criticise the tactics but I believe we just do not have the personnel to play exciting football. And that is because of failures in the transfer market and the tightening of the purse strings under the Glazers. Carrick, Nani, Anderson, Hargreaves, Berbatov….that represents over £100 million of expenditure. If that money had been spent better we would be in a much better position with much more exciting players and an offensive threat.
November 30th, 2009 at 14:43
@Stephen: This is my problem with some of the things that go on on here!
If in January we sold Rio, Vidic, Nani, Rooney, Carrick, Evra and Fletcher to pay off our debt and Giggs, Scholes, Neville and Van Der Sar all retired and we were left with a team of
Foster
Rafael Brown Evans Fabio
Valencia Gibson Anderson Obertan
Welbeck Macheda
to try and win the Champions League, FA Cup and Prem I’d be furious as all hell, but I’d still get behind the players we had left and support them to the hilt. I’d still watch every game whether at OT, on TV or on a dodgy stream from the far flung corners of the earth.
I get the feeling alot of people would be offski.
November 30th, 2009 at 14:53
@Traverse: The problem is that this industrious football never gets better. Once in a while, we play a good match but thats it.
Anyways, random : Huntelaar scored a nice lob yesterday. (second goal)
November 30th, 2009 at 15:05
@Traverse: A BOY SCOUT merit award is on its way to you as we speak
.
November 30th, 2009 at 15:06
@poiuy: You got that right mate – SO TRUE!
November 30th, 2009 at 15:07
@colver: With Russia going out of the World Cup and Fergie confirming him as a top keeper publicily, Akinfeev’s chances are brighter this January.
November 30th, 2009 at 15:14
@colver: Perhaps we should question United’s scouts ability to assess players, seeing as we have bought a good few duds! The players we bought that our team players pushed SAF to sign have done good for us it seems – i.e. Ruud, Ronaldo etc. Don’t know anything about our scouts though, so I may be wrong. Somebody care to enlighten me please if you happen to know
November 30th, 2009 at 15:16
@Stephen: And you’ll hear it again and again if they continue dishing up the same old pedestrian shit
.
By the way how is your beloved Mrs Stephen mi man?
November 30th, 2009 at 15:22
@Traverse: Spot on mate, you can’t read a review on the game then decide on whether to watch it, a fan doesn’t do that but he eats, drinks sleeps United we are not like a West End show.
November 30th, 2009 at 15:23
@CraigMc: She is well mate, all going good at the mo, how’s the little one mate?
November 30th, 2009 at 15:24
@Onkar: Who gives a toss about what anybody else thinks of their FANDOM – I certainly don’t! All fans support clubs in their own way, so don’t let them kid you any different
November 30th, 2009 at 15:26
@Stephen: A real good quiet little girl Stephen – and a joy mate. You and your Mrs planning little additions to your family Unit anytime soon mate
.
November 30th, 2009 at 15:28
@Stephen: Stop trying to pretend you get any sleep Stephen with that gorgeous Mrs of yours
.
November 30th, 2009 at 15:41
@Stephen: Each person is conditioned to support his club in the way he deems it fit. Personally, I would be inclined to support my club even if we offload a lot of players — it’s a very irrational thing to do, but I’ll do it nonetheless. But for a lot of people, fandom does not equal religious devotion. It could be a case of age, a phase in life where someone doesn’t get joy out of many things, and a poorly performing football club might just be far too much for that person. The idea of supporting a club through thick and thin regardless of performance is intrinsically a British thing (you have the ultras in other countries) but fan culture even in clubs like Barcelona are not nearly as rabid as England. The concept of fandom has evolved differently in different parts of the world, and while it’s mostly irrational, most of the time you see fans switch loyalties. This is a controversial topic, but there are a lot of factors that makes people give up on underperforming clubs, and I’ve especially noticed Britain-based fans find it far too hard to comprehend. [This is a general observation by the way]
It’s not a knock, mind you, but that’s how a lot of things work. Many people just don’t treat it as a matter of life and death as most of the hardcore faith do, and my personal view is there is no right or wrong in this, and the sooner we understand it and stop judging one’s devotion to the club without even knowing him, the better.
Actually it doesn’t matter to me if you are a hardcore fan or not. If you can speak reasonable sense on the game it’s alright. I am fully secure about my faith in my club, and that’s enough for me. I couldn’t give a damn if Jay Wire decided to start supporting Barcelona tomorrow, or Grog decides to switch to Arsenal or Eddy decides to switch to Roma.
November 30th, 2009 at 16:27
Hey RR – how bout a lil Carling Cup preview to clean this mess from memory?
November 30th, 2009 at 17:11
@Red Ranter:
, to someone like Stephen and myself, and to many a United fan ’till I die’ loyalists – the idea of EVER switching allegiance to another football club is blasphemy RR. Yes rant and moan big time against any deterioration in Man United’s renown philosophy for the finest football, and don’t go to games where you feel you are PERSONALLY being done by paying full ticket prices for what is basically a FULL 2nd string team of youngsters, but change allegiance to some other football club – NEVER, NEVER, NEVER. That just will not happen for SOME and probably most diehard United faithful who have been born and raised on everything Man United and have a family heritage of United support, and who have frequented United games in families since being knee high to grasshoppers. For others though, I can appreciate your points made, and I will not judge them if they move their support elsewhere. Well not much anyway – you lousy traitors 
.
November 30th, 2009 at 17:48
@CraigMc: Because Fergie hates disloyalty and he hates it when people challenge his authority by going to the media and complaining. Nani deserves to go elsewhere, I agree. I’m just not sure Fergie sees it that way. Fergie lets him go now he has egg on his face and has to face the music of a bad signing that never worked out and lots of money down the drain. Not the first time he has done it but he certainly doesn’t like to make a habit of it.
November 30th, 2009 at 17:50
@CraigMc: You’re right mate. It’s a question of pride though and to allow someone to get away with that and not get satisfaction is just not my style. Life on the Internet though, isn’t it.
November 30th, 2009 at 17:57
@Redrich: You are right. A can’t win from winning as they say. Obviously the desire to get people to agree with my thinking is great but I have always been open to other ways of thinking. One must always open themselves to other ideas. I’m not as set in my ways as one might think. Quite often another point of view will change my way of doing or seeing something. Of course on football and especially United I have specific beliefs but I am always open to being proven wrong if those beliefs are negative. If I think Anderson will never amount to anything or if Foster is unable to ever be the #1 GK for United, it’s up to them to prove me wrong. And for the good of the team I would love to be proven wrong. Where my pride and arrogance comes in though is that more often than not I find that many of my hard core beliefs or predictions are proven correct or at least very close to being correct. Of course I am wrong too but……….I don’t like to talk about that.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:02
@Red Ranter: Personally I don’t have any problem with someone supporting more than one team, as long as they are not from the same country. Also I think it can be ok yo support another “second team” in the same league, as long as its just for fun, just following results and wanting them to do well, like.
But what we’ve been talking about is “the fairweather fan” concept, the kind of fans which will claim to be a supporter when the team is playing excellently and bask in the feelgood factor/ glory of winning in style.
As a non-british resident in a developing economy I can say that I see these kind of fans very often. I enjoy some banter, but I know that when it comes to serious “cerebral” discussions about footy, most of them are not to be reckoned with, hence my visiting this site.
I think Jay wire is a genuine fan (see, no hard feelings) because he’s obviously bothered to the point of feeling unwell when we do not play good football.
But I really think he’s not doing himself good, he would not get the kick a fan gets by witnessing a great performance live , rather than pre-recorded. And when it comes to football debating his points will always bear less weight if he tells that “I read that xyz pundit” thinks Nani, is bound to be sold after this last performance (which 90% of the time is just bull).
Jay wire, make your own opinion and debate with us. If I based my opinions on what most people think and see I would have very different opinions on Nani, Berbatov, Foster, the Da Silva twins, Veron and a host of other players. Nothing beats first hand opinion.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:04
@CraigMc: And I meant it mate. I honestly never wanted to put RR in a difficult position but I so hate that mofo’s guts for all the garbage he directed at me that it’s a simple case of him or me. Ban him for life because I can not exist on the same blog with him. It’s a simple plea to preserve my mental health because I can’t jump through the monitor into the guy’s living room and beat the living tar out of him. And he literally made me feel that way. Not something I’m proud of. I am proud that I kept my retaliations down to one reply though as he kept on going and going and wouldn’t let up on me. So perhaps I have a thicker skin than I thought but still, not thick enough. But then again, nobody on here ever has to endure the kind of hatred I seem to evoke in some. Go figure!
November 30th, 2009 at 18:07
@CraigMc: Our loyalty is better than yours!
November 30th, 2009 at 18:08
@CraigMc: It’s bad enough when I get in to it with some troll who comes in looking for a fight, but you and Gabriel are regulars and so it’s rather important that fences are mended here and that you guys make peace because regulars are a little like family. We have to respect each other more than the outsiders because our regular appearances on here make this place seem like a neighborhood pub in many ways. So please, both of you kiss and make up.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:17
@Traverse: Actually mate, it’s coming across as something very personal. Take a hint, the guy you supported yesterday has been sent packing. He was wrong. You are wrong. The season is still very young and much has yet to be decided. Lets see how accurate my predictions are when it’s all said and done. And like i have said so many times in the past but you seem to conveniently ignore, it’s not about results only. It’s about winning with style and entertaining the fans with a positive brand of football. It’s about their financial future and the dark cloud that is floating above the team and hindering it’s efforts to improve. Again, nothing more than my opinion.
You don’t have to agree with my opinions Traverse, but you bloody damned well better respect them instead of lashing out and like a coward jumping on some troll’s bandwagon and supporting him like a complete snake in the grass would. You like playing the villain in the shadows who comes out only when the support arrives, that’s fine. Just know that I tried to explain to you my feelings and also express to you that I don’t appreciate your PERSONAL attacks on my contributions on this blog. Who the bloody hell do you think you are to tell me how I should think and what I should say? I really could give a rat’s ass if you disagree with my comments. I am on a rant site where ranting isn’t exclusive to only the type of rants Traverse agrees with. So get off your high horse, find some humility and realize that you have crossed the line here. I’m not asking for your love and appreciation, just your tolerance and a bit of respect as this is not your blog to manage. You don’t call it as it is, you call it as you would like it to be.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:24
@Onkar: Totally agree with you on that and really when it’s all said and done, 75% of my negativity and wrath towards United has got to do with the Glazer’s as they have everything to do with the product on the field and how well they do.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:31
@Onkar: It’s good to know there are others out there that see things for what they are. I mean I have to say one thing though. Kudos to Fergie because when I think of all the games we have played this season and how terrible we have looked in 90% of them, I amazed at our record being so good. The Gaffer still is a great manager but he is just missing the point I think because he is making the mistake that at the end of the day it’s all about winning and nothing else matters. He is wrong. Football is an entertainment based industry. People like to watch quality entertainment. Television has had many well written, directed and acted shows in the past that got cancelled because nobody watched. Why? Because even though the show was quality, it failed to entertain enough viewers for whatever reason. The game has a certain beauty and aesthetic but it also is capable of being boring and ugly as well. Fergie has sacrificed the aesthetic for simple results. And be frank, he has lucked out on many of those results as we have won games we deserved to lose or draw at best. Sure we have lost a few like at Chelsea where we deserved better but the fact remains, United no longer plays an attractive brand of football. It still plays winning football though. All I’ve been trying to say for months now is that for me, that’s just not good enough. I admit to being one of those who wants his cake and wants to eat it too. Call me a spoilt United supporter.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:42
@NicoQB: I personally understand where Jay Wire is coming from as one important factor here is not being considered. The value of one’s personal time. Jay Wire is simply saying that if United go to Burnley and stink up the joint and lose, then why should he rewind the tape and watch the game? That’s two hours of his life he will not get back and for what, to watch United make fools of themselves. Some of us value our time more and the fact that our club does little to entertain us anymore is becoming more and more obvious to us. So some of us have made the harsh decision to avoid the negative games and only watch the positive games. That doesn’t mean only wins. The Chelsea game was a very positive game.
For what it’s worth, I used to record and keep every game played in a library. I stopped recording games this year. I figured what’s the point as I knew the games would never be ones that I would ever want to watch again. For me this season is totally forgettable. Even if we finish first, I am sick of the way we play. Unlike Jay Wire, I might miss the original broadcast of a game because simply the motivation to get up at 6:00 am to watch United play Pompey is not what it used to be. Regardless of the result though, I will watch the game later on replay, even if they played terribly. Because I want to know what the hell to be angry about and to give my rants more credence and more ammunition. After all, it makes no sense to be positive or negative about a team when you haven’t seen the game. But I do understand where Jay Wire is coming from because there have been times where I too was tempted to just ignore a match after I found out the result. After all, how many of us are gluttons for pain?
November 30th, 2009 at 18:52
Craig I agree. There is something wrong with our scouts. The way we operate in the transfer market is reliant on spotting future stars. We have never had the pulling power or the funds to buy world class players. Rather we try to develop them. We have had some spectacular successes: Ruud, Ronaldo, Vidic, Evra etc. But lately our transfer record has been abysmal.
The real problem is that we are failing to replace our star players. We never adequately replaced Ruud. We have failed to replace Giggs or Scholes so at an age where they should be retired they are still able to hold down a first team place…because quite simply there is no competition for places in our midfield. We have failed to replace Ronaldo instead pocketing the money and buying Valencia who is average at best. With EVDS a year off retirement we will fail to replace him and instead place our faith in Foster who quite frankly is not good enough.
The real issue at Manchester United is that we are not replacing our greats. With average players it is not surprising we are getting average football. You can blame Fergie for his tactics but the truth is he is a winner and he does the best with the limited squad we have right now.
We wasted £100 million on Hargo, Ando, Nani, and Berbatov. What I would give for a young Keane, Scholes, Giggs and Ruud in their place.
Fergie has never been the best talent spotter. In the 90s we bought the best British players so there was never much of a risk involved. Of course now Britain does not produce any good players so we have had to search overseas. But we should have staff capable of identifying talent.
Now we have no money to spend and instead we have to hope that like in the 90s a crop of youngsters make the grade and turn into world beaters that sustain us through the next decade. But I am not convinced that will happen.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:55
@Onkar: At least there is more passion on this blog than there is on the pitch at Man Utd games.
For what it’s worth I take no pleasure or pride in my part of World War 3. But I have to defend myself against personal attacks against myself, not just what I believe. For that I don’t apologize. I do not agonize over my hatred towards Ober-Fan but I do over the feelings Traverse and Johnsom hold against me as they are regulars and and also members I have respected if not always agreed with. As far as the battles Craig gets in to with others, all I can say is that Craig is Craig and to know him is to love him. Many people with diverse opinions who share one love and one goal. The continued and long term success of Manchester United. And yet we see ourselves fight like cats and dogs Sort of reminds of ancient times in the Roman forum.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:58
@Traverse: I guess I feel flattered that you have chosen me over illiterate teenagers.
November 30th, 2009 at 19:00
@Traverse: I’d say Nani is done regardless, wouldn’t you say?
November 30th, 2009 at 19:02
@Footy4Eddy: All those highlights show two things our team has lacked of late. Vision and movement off the ball.
November 30th, 2009 at 19:08
@Traverse: A crisis of quality entertainment and a crisis of conscience. Most of those games early last season were either without Ronaldo and also with a Ronaldo at far less than peak form. We also were not trailing a quality side like this year’s Chelsea. But again you seem to miss the point mate. It’s not just about the result. Yes we are winning but we are winning JUST, and we are winning ugly. Wouldn’t you rather see us win with style and show more killer instinct? Wouldn’t you want to see more than 1.8 goals a game and more pace and vision in our game. It’s not all about stats. If it was all about stats, why even watch, just wait for the morning box scores in the paper and treat it like getting results form the track when you bet on horses. Am I so wrong to want an entertaining and exciting product that also wins over a dull and uninspiring one that gets a lot of lucky wins?
November 30th, 2009 at 19:12
@Traverse: It makes a lot of sense although Akinfeev is not in my top two GK targets, he is good and both he and Krasic are available in January because the Russian season will be over. And yes, Fergie easily gets seduced by players he sees and manages against live. Too bad he never managed against Adler or Neuer as they are technically superior keepers to Akinfeev who is great but has some issues with high balls. Not a good thing in the English game.
November 30th, 2009 at 19:37
@Onkar: Krasic would be a godsend. Actually I was watching the 1983 FA Cup replay the other day and I was taken by the amazing resemblance of our former goalkeeper Gary Bailey and one Milos Krasic. I thought it was pretty striking.
November 30th, 2009 at 20:02
@Onkar: Yes it seems the reason Pig started the other game was to audition for clubs interested in a keeper. Too much money is invested in Foster right now and although I’m sure he will be with the team, I see him only as an unreliable #2.
November 30th, 2009 at 20:21
@Grognard: Oh dear Grog, to be honest I really think people take disagreements and SPATS far too seriously Bro. Whatever anybody says to me, you NEVER hear me saying O right now I am offended and you better take it back etc etc etc. I think like Red Rich says, folk need to toughen up a bit
. Its only football for pete’s sake, and NOTHING in comparison with the suffering going on in this world right now. Wars, famine, pestilence, floods, UNEMPLOYMENT with men desperately worrying about how they can feed their families. So everybody needs to GET REAL, and stop spitting their dummies out, shouting like sobbing WOMEN and complaining somebody called them a name – jeez! By the way Grog I am not trying to get into it with anybody, but NOBODY can demand that other bloggers respect them and their opinions – folk will respect us if they think we earned it. As for me, I really don’t care too much either way. So if folk have a go at you Grog, just make light banter of it, and they will soon move on to someone else mate 
.
Now if anybody calls Nani – I will give them a roasting for calling him names
.
November 30th, 2009 at 20:24
@NicoQB: You wish mate – you WISH
November 30th, 2009 at 20:24
@Footy4Eddy: what i cant hate on drogba anymore. you know he needs more kung fu kicks in his life.
November 30th, 2009 at 20:29
@NicoQB: You just called Lil Man Nani a name – now you are going to get some incendiary devices coming your way you evil guy Nico
.
November 30th, 2009 at 21:00
@Grognard: Now we are reaching the decissive part of the season as next 2 months will be very important..
so for 2 months,Points matter most than entertainment…Moreover they are not playing for charity purpose mate…They do business and want money which can only be achieved by winning…
But these all things are correct by their view and at the end We,the fans, suffer as for us the game means entertainment…
November 30th, 2009 at 21:27
@Jay wire: Well said. You are a consumer like myself, even more so because you go to the games. I have to pay to watch most of them and even then both of us are guilty when buying their merchandise. And we have to answer to anyone over our allegiance or because of our thoughts and feelings. My hope was always that folks on here would appreciate and gain something from insight whether they agreed with it or not. One is always better off if they receive multiple opinions and perspectives on anything in life. It keeps us all from being one dimensional sheep that are just prone to following and never have the depth or knowledge to lead.
November 30th, 2009 at 21:35
@Onkar: Very well said and I totally concur. Usually when this kind of thing happens and i am in the middle of it it will have to do with a troll showing up and invoking he new world order on me and us all or a lingering feud between two simply because on of them doesn’t like the other. RR takes care of this nonsense including my part but it is important that the regulars on this blog have a mutual respect for each other to prevent these instance from occurring. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing, it’s about having the right to do so and respecting each other for those differences. If one cannot handle my negativity for example, I suggest they look for another hobby or a blog that peddles in Glazer propaganda. This blog has always been outstanding because of it’s diversity. And for that diversity to work and be the envy of other blogs, we need to get along and support each other. And let outsiders coming in for a fight know that they are messing with a community here, not just an individual. A few on this blog need to be reminded of that, whether they like me personally, or not.
November 30th, 2009 at 21:37