Apr 06
Manner of United’s Win More Important than three points
Ronaldo showed why he can infuriate as well as excite the United faithful with his double yesterday. He showed little in the first half to merit the hype about his credentials as among the world’s best. But still, Ronaldo, at half steam currently sits atop the league’s top scorer. This from a winger who’s been given a more orthodox wide role this season than last.
Yet, there he was yesterday, being his usual petulant self — giving the ball away, making a poor effort of trying to win it back. Of course, it would be a stretch to pin the blame on him for the second Villa goal, but he really seems to have lost the spark that made him so feared last season.
But at the end of the game, my feelings were best summed up by Rob Smyth of the Guardian:
That United go top of the table as a consequence is almost incidental: this will be talked about every bit as much as Steve Bruce’s 96th-minute winner against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993, and indeed Mark Hughes’s season-turning injury-time equaliser against Oldham in the FA Cup semi-final a year later. This was the day an unknown 17-year-old kid, brought on as a hunch, took the game, the season and his entire life by the scruff of the neck and decided: this is mine.
What happens between now and May could be anyone’s guess; United could still squander this from here. But the rush of confidence and belief that a late goal like this can bring is hard to rival any other emotion. United were in dire need of a win; a second wind to make the last lap of this title race. They were the bleeding giant that, by Sunday, had perhaps bled too much to survive. But the giant refused to die and Macheda’s goal made sure of that. Villa were stricken, and rightly so, like a fallen amateur boxer who should have killed off his opponent when he was down and out.
So are the boys back in town? Not really. (For the pedantically inclined, some of the big boys in Vidic, Rooney and Scholes will return for Porto, but we’re not talking the same thing, then). The win papered over defensive cracks that have been opening up alarmingly. In our last three games we’ve conceded 8 goals! And we can’t always excuse a changed back four because we broke clean sheet records when our back four kept changing. Hopefully, if Rio’s groin does not get better a Vidic-Evans partnership would surely be an improvement over yesterday.
Which brings us to Gary Neville. It utterly pains me to see a player who clearly has far too much pride to be cutting such a sorry figure on the pitch yesterday. There was a tinge of regret on his face in the post match interview when he hinted he wasn’t upto it in the first half. After having seen the start-stop nature of his season, I find it hard to imagine he’ll ever be galloping along our right wing at full pelt. More importantly, Neville will have to own up to it and admit it himself that he’s not even a shadow of his past self. Otherwise, I see Fergie preferring him owing to sentimentality, or the fact that he is our current captain.
Villa overran a poor United side in the first half, and had it not been for a mixture of bad luck (thanks to poor calls from the linesmen) or just the lack of a final ball, they would have been ahead of us. Instead, in the second half they appeared strangely content to let us back into the game. The last 20 minutes were entirely United, but one never saw how we were going to score until Ronaldo’s strike, which really came out of nothing.
Three points today, but more important will be the morale the players will be taking into Porto. It’s less than 48 hours away, but it’s a home game and with players returning fresh from suspension, our side should wear a more menacing look in midweek.
Or, at least, one would hope.
Related items from Red Rants:
- United Let Everton off the Hook
- United’s Road to Recovery Just Around the Corner
- United’s debt situation explained
- Did Fergie Bottle It?
- Evra returns to add impetus to United’s left
Tags: Match Reports
April 6th, 2009 at 7:59
To finish the previous discs:
@Grognard: I actually think it is UEFA who have created this mind-set. If it was only the winner of each league that made it to the champions league, I am sure wenger and benitez would have been seriously questioned for their impartial approach to winning the league in the last couple years.
Why should Arsenal worry about not winning the league when in 4th place they secure themselves the riches of ECL.
Changing the rules will also favor the top teams since they have the best attacking players (who are the most expensive players to buy).
If an inferior team is playing for the 0-0 draw, the onus is on the stronger team to find a way around the proverbial bus. Remember, the weaker teams have 10 year plans for achieving success so it is imminent to them to stay in the league until they improve to mid-table, UEFA challengers – and this means get one pt from the big guys is crucial. Forcing them to open up their game would destroy small teams as they would be exposed by the superior opposition. Lastly, why wouldn’t a small team just park the bus even with the new rules. If they open up they lose and get zero pts, if they park the bus they may get zero pts from 0-0 or they may nick a goal in the end and get 3 pts from 1-0. I still have to hear a well formulated “algorithm” for tallying pts that deal with my above pts and avoid destroying small team who cannot afford the firepower up front.
@Natzca: You are right about the defense being important part of basketball. What I meant to communicate was that the defensive role of a player is often secondary to their offensive roles in basketball because of the fact that teams need 90+ pts to win a game and the fact that you cannot switch players easily in basketball when the possession changes the team from defense to offense. If MJ was a mediocre offensive player I am not sure he would be as famous as he is now. However, Paulo Maldini is a defensive (and overall football) legend despite severely lacking an offensive aura. Does that make sense at all?
April 6th, 2009 at 8:00
btw: I like the idea of a salary cap , but also realize that it will not happen until a top 4 team goes bankrupt or more teams join the “Top 4″.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:05
@Madschester United: it’s pie in the sky stuff but, the imbalance is too big between rich n poor
April 6th, 2009 at 8:11
@Madschester United: yeh, jordan was is the greatest because of his offense, his defence made him a complete player,
but it’s totally uncomparable to football, like apples to oranges.
but if anyone cares my team’s the Hornets – CP3 for MVP!!
ok enough basketball,
back to topic:
looking forward to Porto now, we may have had a shite game in ways, but feels like something was broken through in those goals
April 6th, 2009 at 8:18
Yes, we don’t really know until the Porto game whether the boys are back in town. What we do know is that the belief is definitely back.
As multiple trains of though run amok in my head, while I remember I must call for praise to Fletcher. When Villa equalized, from then on he played like a maniac. His determination was pure joy. Until we equalized from Ronaldo’s second, Fletch was the only one resolute enough to do anything and everything. Never mind the end product, never mind that not all his tackles succeeded or that fact that not all his passes found their intended recipients.. his sheer force of will was very heartening.
Gary Neville I just felt sorry for.
As for the defensive woes of late.. I’m happy as long as ‘we score more than them’. Especially after the wretched twist of tale since the liverpool game.
Macheda’s goal reminded me of Henry’s goals. Lest anyone think I’ve got carried away, I’m not saying he is the next Henry or whatever.. But the goal was very Henry-esque!
April 6th, 2009 at 8:19
@Madschester United: My reply to that is on the previous thread.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:20
@Natzca: Boston Celtics all the way baby. Us old men have to stick together.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:25
@Rahul: yeh, Fletcher was a demon there, won posession, and just kept attacking, definately cred for him also taking part, if not spearheading the resurgence.
that’s what we need our captain for!! lead the way n show em how it’s done,
gonna be pretty hard from the back line?!
April 6th, 2009 at 8:27
@Grognard: hehe yeh respect for boston, Pierce got the spoils for sticking through with em, a handful of all-stars!
ok ok enough basketball.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:31
I’d like to make a few more comments on the outstanding debut of Federico “Kiko” Macheda today. Obviously he was very impressive but I have to say the way he took his goal today was the workings of a truly impressive talent. Young players just don’t have the composure or cool to control a ball like that, make a great turn and strike it with such accuracy and precision in such a pressure filled environment. This kid may actually have ice water in his veins which could make him a true great. I was impressed with his movement and his holding up of the ball and timing. I honestly think he earned a penalty that was ignored earlier on as well. I was impressed and so I was curious to see some more of the lad on Youtube. Now I am not one to jump on anyone’s bandwagon because of Youtube reels, but what I saw of this lad did impress me when I ad today’s performance in with that. What I see is a player who has the ability to score inside as well as outside of the box, a player who is forceful and aggressive (something we have lacked up front) and somebody who has courage and confidence as well as a deft first touch and ability to turn on a dime and deliver. The more i watched him the more I realized who he reminded me of. No, not Cantona although his goal today was Cantonesque. No he reminded me of his countryman and fellow Roman Francesco Totti.
In the highlight reel he scored some impressive goals. A cracker from 20 yards out with his left foot and a beautiful goal from a long pass that he controlled with a Berbatovish first touch which was truly outstanding. But his movement and presence around the box as well as his ability to shoot with both feet with either power or finesse is truly Totti-like. Frankly, I hate being so fickle but I think this kid has a big future in front of him and I hope he decides to make United his home for years. Italy will have a great pull for him in years to come for obvious reasons. I’m truly excited
April 6th, 2009 at 8:32
@Natzca: They have proven of late though that they are quite ordinary without Kevin Garnett.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:07
@Grognard: There is another Italian in our reserves.. Petrucci. They say he is the ‘next Totti’. I felt his goal was more Henry-esque.. because of the turn and cuz he was falling while he shot… and Henry used to score like that. Regardless, it was a maginificent goal!
April 6th, 2009 at 9:13
@Grognard: And another thing is that he is 17 and all this COULD go into his head!
Or we have Fergie to sort that out!
April 6th, 2009 at 9:26
Is he really 17 he has the physique of a 27 year old, which can only be a good thing for the prem, ps this boy is the tits!!
April 6th, 2009 at 9:34
Ratings:
EVDS – 7 – Made a few good saves (two from Young spring to mind) and couldn’t be blamed for the first goal. Thought he should have organised the defence better for the second though, and if you’re going to come for it, make sure you get a touch!
O’Shea – 6 – Again, I don’t blame him, but he’s not fast enough to be a full back, and was woefully exposed out there. Got a bit better when it stopped being his responsbility to marshal the wing. The sooner he returns to being a bit part player the better imo.
Gary – 6 – Absolutely rubbish as a centre back against a man 6 inches taller than him. Shock. Actually played pretty well in the second half I thought. Young can skin the vast majority of full backs left alone, 1 on 1 with space in behind. Would have been nice to have some midfield cover…
Evans – 6.5 – Tough rating to give. He wasn’t really at fault for either goal, but both were a failure of a defensive partnership he was half of. Gets an extra half point for being a pretty handy attacking threat.
Evra – 5.5 – What the hell is going on, and where is Fabio? When carew picked up the ball on the wing for the second goal, and I saw Evra marking Agbonlahor I just knew it was going to end badly for us. And then watching him as the ball comes in – he got out of the way!? What the hell was he doing? Also did nothing of note offensively. Poor.
Carrick – 6.5 – Looked much more attacking than usual, but has to take some of the blame for us being woefully exposed at the back. Clearly thought it was Fletcher’s job to do the defensive duties, but left our defence man matched (2v2, 3v3) several times. Decent passing and was nice to see him actually shoot for once.
Fletcher – 7.5 (MOM) – What he lacks in quality, he makes up for in pure passion. He was the only player who really looked like he believed after we went down, and closed down like a maniac. Decent distribution, some great tackles and almost a gorgeous one two volleyed goal. And I’m pretty sure he’s not 25 yet…
Nani – 6.5 – I actually thought he was alright. Got crosses in, delivered a mean free kick (why the hell was giggsy taking corners?!) and generally didn’t lose possession. I hope he gets a run out now. Couldn’t understand him off instead of Tevez.
Ronaldo – 6 – The most begrudging 6 I’ll ever give. We had 3 good attempts in the first 75 minutes or so, and they all came from him. Other than that I assume he was trying on Real Madrid kits, because he certainly wasn’t playing football for us. Credit where it’s due, he has miles more quality than anyone else on the pitch, but just imagine him with a work ethic.
Giggs – 6.5 – Well he tried. Has some invention and guile and makes a couple nice touches a match. But for me still doesn’t warrant his inclusion, basically at the cost of another real striker. SAF’s new found belief in this weird free AMF role is nice, but Giggs playing there is not the answer.
Tevez – 5.5 – Very poor. I had high hopes that Tevez would seize the chance he’s going to have while Berba is gone, but did nothing to convince me. He’s actually slow. A few times against the last defender he got the ball down and started to dribble, but the defender just jogged along side him, negating his threat. Looked miles better when he got moved back into an AMF esque role. 5 foot nothing slow player not being able to lead the line…shock.
Macheda – 7.5 – Gets huge credit for that finish, and I thought he actually balanced our play out. Was actually in the box most of the time, it’s almost strange to see one of our players there. Showed good touches, and looks a pretty big fella for a 17 year old. My obvious concerns arise – we stole him from Lazio, he’s Italian and will likely want to go home at some stage. But for now let’s just be pleased.
Welbeck – 6.5 – Should have scored with his only meaningful contribution to the match. Not sure what else he offers us. If we just want pace, I think Frazier Cambell is faster. Hopefully he’ll stick around, cause he’s still ridiculously young, but I don’t see a world beater…yet.
SAF – 6 – Neville at centre back? Really? Tevez isolated up top? Really? But what other top manager would give his completely untested 17 year old a shot?
Best game of the season. That’s the united I know and love – kamikazeeeee!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 9:52
@Beachryan: Craig will kill me but 6.5 for Nani I thought he was awful, probably due to lack of match practice but he did not play well at all, he deserves less than Carlos simply because of Tevez effort.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:56
@Stephen: Agreed Bro – Fergie should sign the lad up pronto. I am thinking if this lad is given a chance, we won’t need Benzema. Wonder if he will be added to 1st team squad for training sessions remainder of this season, and next season. His goal, control and turn reminded me of Ole Gunna get you
.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:58
@ Stephen – Really? I thought he did his job fairly well. Though, if he’s going to make the token effort to come back and support Evra (which he did) it’d be nice if he tried to tackle, rather than just standing there.
Also, on the Tevez front – did anyone notice Fergie hugging the Apache on the sideline at the end of the game? Tevez looked out on his feet, but it’s rare for Fergie to make that kind of effort. Maybe I’m reading into it too much, but I feel like Tevez might have earned himself some points by playing so hard yesterday, despite clearly being knackered before the game. (oh and he tried to tackle with his head – that’s just brilliant)
April 6th, 2009 at 10:00
@Stephen: Stephen open your fucking eyes mate, Nani’s powerful crosses into the box, SHOULD have brought him two assists. First he put the ball right on Ronnie’s head, only for Ronnie to head lamely into the GK’s hands. Then Nani put another player thru ? Tev, who had a great chance to score, but once again tamely let the ball get away from him. Tev did that the whole game, play breaking down whenever it got to Tev, because his control is fucking awful, so please lay off Nani, like someone said, he didn’t give the ball away.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:03
@Beachryan: He tried to tackle with his head – yes Beachy he did, but was feckin lucky not to get his head kicked in – stupid foolish eejat move
.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:04
@Craig Mc: He is class mate I love him, he made such a difference when he came on, his positioning and play provided great balance, give him the number 7 shirt next season
!!!
@Beachryan: Good point mate about Carlos Fergie said he had been to Mars this week!
April 6th, 2009 at 10:06
@Craig Mc: I will lay off him mate as I like the lad, he just looked short of match practice but with him and Ronnie out wide it provides great balance.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:07
@Beachryan: Welbeck is better then campbell and macheda because he has a better all round game. He is much better suited for our team then the other 2, thats not saying the other 2 arent good enough, they still have a future with us.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:13
@Grognard: Grog glad you see Macheda’s talent Bro. If peeps go back over my posts when Dan was arguing the case for the youth team players, I was saying how bloody good Macheda was. I watch all the United reserve games, and a lot of the youth games, and this lad has always stood out. I mean his whole demeanor yesterday, was the same peacock strutting that some of us have been watching for a good while. He was making a statement yesterday, hey nobody scares me, and I am GOOD enough to play with the big boys. He’s very speedy too, so doesn’t slow the game down – rather he speeds it up. Still, we will have to wait and see whether he gets more regular cameo roles for us. I believe his FIRST outing for the first team, was every bit as impressive as Rafaels debut, when he too strutted, and fought like a tiger to show he is good enough. Macheda though has more presence, but we have to see if he can repeat it, that will be the test.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:16
Oh and Grog Bro, have you ever seen such a raptured and fiercely animated celebration of a goal as Macheda’s. He was like a rampant lunatic of a celebrant, kissing the camera lens, and MILKING the moment for all its worth
. My kind of guy 
.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:17
April 6th, 2009 at 10:18
@Craig Mc: Did you see Rio in the crowd? He was almost crowd surfing when he scored!
April 6th, 2009 at 10:20
@Dan: Welbeck is better than Macheda, NO FUCKING way Dan mi man, Macheda is dynamite. Welbeck missed a sitter yesterday, and does so many times, because he is too gangly, and trips over his feet a lot. But each to his own eh Dan? I know who I prefer mate.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:22
@Stephen: Yeah mate, maybe this hell of a fightback by our lads yesterday will get Rio and the other 1st team big girls blouses to get their arses into gear too. Rio knew he had groin problem, and should NEVER had played that England game. We nearly came unstuck yesterday because of the idiot decision making in games by Rio and Roon.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:25
@Craig Mc: I agree with you about Rio, he prioritised England who were pretty much through to the finals over United knowing that Vida was out.
@Dan: Are you sure?, Welbeck is good but Macheda is superb
April 6th, 2009 at 10:41
I will make observations from not only this match,but our entire season so far.
1-The goal keeping department has been well functional.Whoever has been called upon has put in his shift with minimum error.
2-Defence,we have seen the best and worst.or,could we say s hot cold scenario,coupled with alot of luck.
3-Midfield has been questionable with no definite starters,mainly due to injuries and various suspensions.
3-The attack has been the poorest department no questions asked.When Ronaldo does not pull out the rabbit,we find ourselves explaining how our forwards worked so hard,with passion,and so on…rarely do they win us games.
4-The manager.Probably the biggest culprit of all.When we won the two trophies back to back,the big ears,we played the best football in Europe.We had starters and a consistent team and formation.wE PLAYED THE UNITED way.ATTACK,ATTACK,ATTACK.This season we seem to have gone from that to a defence minded game reminiscent of Chelsea under Mourinho.That worked in his 2 seasons when he had 2 flying wingers,Drogba,and a goal macine in Fat Frank.In his last season,it had backfired.
5-Lessons from yesterday,if you are good enough,you are old enough.for strikers,goals are the real currency.I dont care how much you run,or hustle,if you dont score,we are better off with a kid if he is producing.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:45
Now fellas,is it time to lay off Ronaldo or what?goals do not score themselves as we have witnessed in football overtime.every coach would kill to have a player with a goal in him no matter the attitude.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:47
Can I just plead not to get carried away here? I’ve seen a bit of Macheda in the reserves and he looks tidy, but he’s not ripping it up the way truly great players usually do in the reserves (Bojan at Barca, Agbonlahor at Villa – you want reserves ripping, check their stats!) just yet. He’s played once for our first team, and I doubt he’ll play again this season. He’s 17, just learning English, only arrived half a year ago and none of us have seen enough to make a decision yet.
Hopefully he’ll break the mold, make it out of the reserves and become our first choice CF in a few years time, proving me well and truly wrong. But he’s not the answer this year, or next year, so let’s not get too excited!
More important for the moment is sorting out a formation that works with berbatov, solidfying out MF (Carrick and Fletcher are first choice for me) and teaching Ronaldo to stop losing the ball cheaply.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:01
@Craig Mc: that was hardly a sitter considering there was a keeper and a CB diving in the second he turned
@Stephen: Look would not have said that before yesterdays game.
macheda a goalscorer, if hes not scoring goals hes not doing anything, welbeck can score goals, make goals, and bring others into the game.
when it comes to goalscoring macheda>welbeck, but welbeck will definitely develop into a striker that will get 25-30 goals a season.
when it comes to everything else welbeck>macheda, macheda will develop into a player that can get 30-40 goals a season.
They are both great talents, 2 different types of striker to be honest.
I am so, so happy that everyone sees it my way, fuck £30million signings!In the words of guy sensei Let the power of youth EXPLODE
April 6th, 2009 at 11:08
@Beachryan: I beg to differ Beachy that none of us have seen enough. This lad has only just moved up to the reserves, and gets better with every game. You maybe right, and he may not get another opportunity to play 1st team football this season, but he did a lot of good stuff on the field yesterday, BEFORE scoring that scorcher of a goal. I watched this lad avidly in the youth games, and he is a goalscorer. I will be very surprised if he doesn’t make it big, and sooner rather than later. But yeah, lets not get carried away eh?
A Macheda song to tune Mama Mia – abba.
Kiko, Kiko, your magnifico,
My My, what a fucking goal mate,
Kiko, Kiko, here the scousers moan,
Out of line, 5 minutes of extra time.
Now the scouse are brokenhearted,
But the Mancs are all lighthearted.
Kiko, Kiko, your Magnifico,
My My what a fucking goal mate.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:12
@Dan: Dan Mi man, I could have scored that goal. Both GK and FB on the floor, common sense LIFT the ball over them. If Welbeck EVER gets 25+ goals playing for our 1st team, (not including penalties), I will send you 10 magnums of champagne
.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:15
@donibrasco: We will LAY off Ronnie, when Ronni stops LAYING down on the floor instead of getting up straight away when he is obviously not heard. He gets few decisions because of this
.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:16
@Craig Mc: he was about 5 yards away from the goal, and brad fridel is coming at him at full pace, diving in at the last second, no craig, you couldnt score there. Even Andy the twat gray said he couldnt score there.
To the tune of Macarena:
He came on as sub, and then he scored the winner:
He put it in the net in a 3-2 thriller:
he said fuck off stevie g you’re a dipper:
KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-Ko MACHEDA !
April 6th, 2009 at 11:17
it feels good when we finally win nd people start hating us again..rather that listening to evry ass that united has lost it.. trust me its the sort of thing that comes as a part of being a united supporter.. i just love it when ppl are at wits end as to how we finish things.. this is what i cal the UNITED way of doin it.. its feel good time again folks.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:19
@Dan: They are both good mate, that Petrucci looks good to, the future is bright the future is RED!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:23
The Sun published 15 things you may not know about FEDERICO MACHEDA:
1. Born in Rome on August 22, 1991 — so has never seen Liverpool win the league.
2. Began career with his local club Lazio in Italy.
3. Joined United shortly after 16th birthday — and his whole family moved to England.
4. United also signed his pal and highly-rated midfielder Davide Petrucci.
5. His nickname among his United team-mates is ‘Kiko’.
6. One of the things that excited him most after signing was that he could eat in the canteen with the first team.
7. Scored on his youth team debut as he fired the only goal in a 1-0 win over Barnsley in September 2007.
8. Made his debut for the reserves in February 2008 in a 2–0 away defeat to big rivals Liverpool.
9. Signed his first professional contract with Manchester United on his 17th birthday.
10. Was part of the United side that won the Manchester Senior Cup last year.
11. Has spent most of this season playing as a lone striker in the reserves.
12. Fired a hat-trick for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s second string in a 3-3 draw at Newcastle last week.
13. Named in United’s Champions League squad after boss Alex Ferguson predicted he could make an impact at the end of this season.
14. He is an Italy Under-18 international.
15. On Friday his Facebook status read: MUFC v Aston Villa… watch it!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:33
@Beachryan: His impact on the game and his finish are as impressive as a young Wayne Rooney was at Everton on his debut. And we spent £31 million on him. I’ve been telling my mates/family that this guy will end up being a £30 million pound player for a while now, and I’m looking pretty smart on that now. I hope we do bring him into the first team fold and he comes off the bench a few times.
I’d like to see Rooney playing off him. With Berbatov out and Tevez clearly shattered, We should start Rooney and Macheda against Porto and see how that goes. Just heard on Sky that he’s in the squad for the game. At least it gives Tevez a rest, cause he’s clearly so tired he’s delirious, trying to tackle with his face.
If anyone has video of the face tackle (which I have seen but would love to see again) and Rio going mental in the crowd (haven’t seen, would love to) then post it up!
So for tomorrow, I suggest the following.
VDS
NEV RIO VIDA EVRA
NANI CARRICK SCHOLES RONALDO
ROONEY MACHEDA
Flecther will be knackered. We’re at home against weaker opposition, so no Park. Scholes is rested, Giggs wont play. I’d rather play Nev than OShea at RB. Lets put this one away in the first leg.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:59
WOW!!! What a performance, what a comeback, what a game. What was it that Fergie said in 1999? Football, Bloody Hell.
That was just the kind of performance that inspired me to ditch all my uni assessment and just go mental with the lads. Hats off to Fergie for going for broke introducing two 17-yr olds when in search of a crucial winner; even more kudos to those youngsters and the other players( mainly Fletch) for also not giving up on the game, cuz truthfully, I had for a bit there.
Macheda. What more can this lad do in his career that can trump that feeling of scoring a crucial goal for the team on his senior debut, a peach of a goal too, in front of the stretty end and with his proud parents watching? The lad came unto the pitch like a frackin peacock, even displaying that touch of arrogance after being fouled that all confident players show. He wanted the ball and in his words, all he wanted to do , was ’score’. Brilliant lad!! It’s just testament to the development and mental fortitude that the reserve coaches (esp Ole) are establishing in these youngsters; i have read many a match report of the reserves this season and it always pretty much seems like the ‘never-die’ mentality is rife within the players, given the amount of comebacks they achieve. This can only be a example to the senior players, who are so used to winning comfortably, they’ve forgotten how to buckle up and immediately recover from any temporary setbacks in a game.
It seems like we have two prodigiously talented forwards on our books and im more than excited for both of ‘em. Welbeck and Macheda are both brilliant strikers off the ball, as well as finishers. Both are quite tall and rigid (maybe with a few more pounds on Welbeck) and both love to stay in that rectangular area unknown to our current senior strikers as the penalty area.
Those already saying Macheda is better than Welbeck, I would like to remind you of some of the screamers he has scored for the senior team as well as his ridiculous tally for the reserves this and the seasons past. If anything, I would say Welbeck is at a more advanced stage, experience-wise at least. However, what I do hope, is that they both establish a friendly rivalry, which can hopefully bring out the best in both of ‘em and ensure they develop into the forwards we all dream they can be. 
April 6th, 2009 at 12:10
@Gabriel: Your forgetting campbell, king and morrison.
You got cofie aswell, he has potential.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:10
yes, Im going to get carried away with hype… but is there any chance someone could make a moving picture file of the Micheda goal and one of the Kiss for my scouse friends haha
April 6th, 2009 at 12:19
I really, really hope all this hype doesnt get to his head.
In my opinion, people are comparing him to totti, from what ive seen of him, he seems more like a torres type striker, but id do see the totti comparison.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:20
I thought Gary was brilliant when he started running down the right wing yesterday, he is no CB and that showed but he’s still our best RB imo
April 6th, 2009 at 12:21
What a goal!
I just love the lad’s composure…especially since he lost the ball in the area just a couple of seconds later. Great confidence, determination and more importantly composure. Pity he plays for United though. We’re not like Arsenal to actually trust our youngsters. Chances are he’ll be loaned out next season…
I think Ronaldo actually did rather well, apart from his melodramatic stance when he got disposessed (which led to the Villa goal). Other than that, he had a good game. No matter how good people think Fletcher did, I still cannot see how he can starter over Anderson. I was a huge Fletcher fan when he came onto the scene with the promise of being a better version of Beckham. Since, I have been hugely dissapointed. Not a bad performance from him though.
I am sorely pissed off with SAF. Employing such negative tactics for a must-win game AT HOME??? We were at home, and we still had less posession than Villa. playing 451 at home is just sick. Especially considering we had defensive weaknesses. Was this not the perfect opportunity to Attack! Attack! Attack! ? Instead, we played rather cowardly around a cowardly formation. I fear the ‘United-Way’ is now officially entrenched in history. We now strive to become the new Milan (Manchester Milan). I feel betrayed.
I have miexed emotions. On the one hand, I am extatic over the win. On the other, I feel sorry that we won the game. We’ve been playing shit all season, but because we managed to win, and the fact that the clean-sheet crap popped out of nowhere, everyone seemed to ignore it. Now lately, we not only play shit, but also got the just results that our performances deserved. I was hoping that another loss or two would get Fergie to wake the fuck up. Unfortunately, I cannot see that happening anymore. The losses will just be written down as ‘a blip’ and the negative tactics will continue.
I know that this post seems very negative, but fuck it! So is our performances.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:21
@Dan: strikes me as a Luca Toni, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves
April 6th, 2009 at 12:23
@Dan: I actually hope it does go to his head. He’s a striker. The self-confidence can be very good for him (and us).
April 6th, 2009 at 12:32
Btw, I read this in the Winners & Losers section on the Football365 site and I have to say, I agree with what Pete Gill says here, esp wit Ronnie and a bit about Nani:
Now, for sometime on this site and indeed many non-United sites, Ronnie has been villainised, scrutinised and crucifed. What people always fail to register is this lad is still our single most potent attacking threat, even in a more subdued position on the wings!! There’s talk about body language and all that mumbo jumbo, did someone actually think he’s not happy because he knows there’s a position in which he can be more productive to the team – that which he played last two seasons? Rnie is a lot of things, petulant, arrogant and and downright cringe-worthy but if there’s one thing he is, he is a professional athlete always dedicated to achieving excellence whenever he plays. You don’t keep on coming u with the goods if uur head is turned, yo don’t become top-scorer in the EPL if ur head is in Madrid, it’s just not possible. Ronnie wants to play for United and I believe what happened to him this year was he fell for his own hype and the reality has come to bite him in the arse. Come next season when all that hype has mellowed down a bit, the team more coherent and he realising he’s not god’s gift to the world, we will begin to see the best of Ronnie ala 2008/2009.
Now, about Nani. I love this lad, really do, but I really want to know what he scores on his IQ test. This guy most be the most talented, dumb player on the planet. Sometimes, his carelessness just astounds me. He has all the tools in his shed but is still missing a couple of bolts up there. Why oh why hasn’t this lad developed further? and please let’s leave the ‘lack of playing time’ excuse out this time. The lad always seems to take one step forward and two steps back with every successive outing for the first team. I seriously don’t blame Fergie sometimes, the lad, like Patrick said, is the consummate ‘ball stopper’. Anytime we are looking to instigate a quick counter, pass the ball to Nani and all he’ll do is take the ball to the corner and dribble long enough for the opposition to bring back reinforcements. I just think we need to play him till the end of the season, in the PL at least. Afterall, Fergie said the United way is the kamikaze way, so why not. Give him more chances to erase this lack of focus from his game – cuz we all know what a focused Nani is capable of.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:53
kiko kiko pudding pie, kiss the cam made stevie cry
Thats all i can come up with
April 6th, 2009 at 12:58
Nani v Porto would make sense, given his experience in that league. Anyone know if Ando will be back? Ditto him…
I would also be tempted to play Macheda and Rooney tomorrow, at least at hte start, just to see if it’ll work. Given the alternatives (knackered Giggs/Tevez, leaving Rooney alone up front to get angry and another red) it would make some sense to me. But I doubt Fergie will do it.
———vds———-
-O’Shea-Evans-Vida-Evra-
—-Scholes-Fletcher—
-Park———Ronaldo-
—-Roon—-Tevez—–
April 6th, 2009 at 13:00
@Karl: Fletch has been a lot better than Anderson this season mate, Andy seems to have more ability but he hasn’t played well, only in fits and starts, Fletch was superb yesterday.
April 6th, 2009 at 13:06
The team i WANT to play tomorrow:
————–Foster—————-
–o’shea–evans—–vidic—-fabio–
————–fletcher————–
—-ronaldo—————–nani—-
—————carrick—————
————————————-
———————–rooney———
—————macheda—————-
But the team i THINK we will play is:
————–Van der sar———–
–o’shea–evans—–vidic—-evra—
———–scholes-Tevez-Carrick—-
—-ronaldo—————–park—-
————————————
————————————
—————Rooney—————
Note where tevez is playing
April 6th, 2009 at 13:06
@Karl: And another loss or two we would be out of the title race, is that what you want mate because I couldn’t take loosing the title to the dippers.
April 6th, 2009 at 13:23
@Dan: We’re not playing away to Barca! Tevez, if he plays, will be up front and will play well
April 6th, 2009 at 13:27
@Liam:
tevez never plays upfront!
April 6th, 2009 at 14:00
i knw this will bring lots of anger – but i think we should get rid of berbatov. lets play rooney and tevez up front, buy augero or benzema from the cash raised by selling berbatov and use welbeck and macheda as backup. i really like those two young and exctiing strikers.
April 6th, 2009 at 14:02
@RedAllTheWay:
April 6th, 2009 at 14:16
Berbatov deserves a chance. He’s been more productive in matches this season than a good deal of our players. With no preseason, and a few injuries.
People are still on him for not running around against Fulham, when its now clear he’d done his ankle ligaments! Ffs…
I want him to lead our line, get in the box and provide hold up play. So far he’s only doing the third bit. We’ll see if a bit of coaching and a summer of planning can get him up tuned. If not, fine.
April 6th, 2009 at 14:24
i see like billions of kiko comments and then ” lets not get ahead of ourselves ” , but you already did….!
April 6th, 2009 at 14:28
@Dan: I second that eye roll.
April 6th, 2009 at 15:06
Rio is definitely out of tomorrows game.
April 6th, 2009 at 15:09
does not matter , i feel safe with vidic and evans
April 6th, 2009 at 15:23
[...] make Ronaldo league’s top scorer and that young lad Macheda scored our winning goal. This excerpt from Red Rants might best explain last night game and our season so far. What happens between now and May could be [...]
April 6th, 2009 at 16:06
@Gabriel: Lack of playing time isn’t an excuse, it’s just reality. Nani can practice all he wants, but he needs game time reps. Players with his skill thrive on confidence. And nothing shatters a players more than routinely being left on the bench I’m favor of a talentless Korean.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:23
nani can get games in the reserves~
April 6th, 2009 at 16:39
@Gabriel: Nani did nothing wrong yesterday, and that Peter Gill is a fucking DIPSTICK. Like I said, Nani still gets the ball into the box better than any of our wingers, and I will repeat, would and should have had two assists yesterday if Ronnie had been a bit more intelligent at placing the header Nani put onto him, and Tev when put thru by Nani hadn’t once again let the ball roll away from him. Tev was our worst player by FAR yesterday.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:41
@ROOOOONEY: Along with fucking petulant big girls blouse Rooney eh?
April 6th, 2009 at 16:44
@Johnsom33: Johnsom, you seem to be the only one with any fucking intelligence regarding Nani at the moment mate. But there are some people on here, who haven’t got the intellect to string together more than one sentence, so why are we surprised eh?
April 6th, 2009 at 16:44
@Craig Mc: I don’t agree with Tevez mate, he worked his balls off and especially after just getting back from Bolivia, (probably with a Bolivian cold
) he gets a lot of credit as far as I am concerned, he maybe can’t finnish for toffee but his effort was superb, maybe his quality wasn’t.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:46
@Stephen: As much as I hate losing the title to Pool, I also hate the type of football we’re being served. This season, we’ve been playing uglier football than Liverpool. I want beautiful football and winning. Why can’t we have both? Fergie has proven up until last season that it can be done.
If we lost on Sunday, it would not have eliminated us from the title race. I think it would have more served as a wake-up call – 3 losses in a row.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:47
@Traverse: Why are we surprised eh Traverse? Rio knew he was taking a risk playing in that England game, when he truly didn’t need too. That tells me all I need to know about Rio’s commitment to the United cause, and especially at the time when Vida was out suspended. I have lost all respect for Rio after that.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:48
craig you always eat the bait
i love you
April 6th, 2009 at 16:51
@Stephen: By that measure Stephen Bro, why don’t we just employ a team of EVEREADY batteries players, so they can run, and run, and run, but all to no avail. He was the worst player on the field yesterday in my opinion, but that was just yesterday. Normally his industry is many times productive. I was only talking about yesterdays game, where I had him down as the worst player for that game! Sorry Bro.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:53
@Craig Mc: Hey no worries mate we are all entitled to our views, I just felt his effort was worth praise if his quality wasn’t.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:54
@ROOOOONEY: You wouldn’t know bait if it came and bit you on the arse mate. You have about the same BRAIN lack as your friend Rooney. You eat that Mr one liner, because you haven’t got anything else to contribute that is worth posting or reading. I noticed you only came back on here since I returned, then I am a main attraction kind of person.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:55
Tevez is all dick and no sperm, hes got whats needed, but without goals, its usless.
that said, the same can be said about our team in general, the united team this season is all balls and no dick, we have the stuff, but we lack penetration
Without an out and out striker, we catn score. Berba is an out and out striker, but fergie is stupid.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:56
@Stephen: I hear you Stephen Bro
. You going to Wembley for the FA cup semi mate? I wont be unfortunately. If we make the final though, I will try for that 
.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:58
@Craig Mc: No mate I am not really annoyed but nothing I can do, will make the final touch wood no doubt!
April 6th, 2009 at 16:59
@Dan: “All dick and no sperm” hahahahahahaha, PMSL Bro. What is with all the sexual inuendo’s though
. I know your not gay Dan! Makes me wonder why you are talking about our team as LIMP DICKED 
.
April 6th, 2009 at 16:59
this blog is for ranting so if you want to me to contribute Ok , you keep talking how rooney is letting us down , what about nani? what did he do? when called on he didnt deliver as always its a shame that a 17 year old had to do his job
April 6th, 2009 at 17:00
@Dan:
April 6th, 2009 at 17:00
no need to get personal i was just ranting : )
April 6th, 2009 at 17:01
@ROOOOONEY: At least he was on the pitch and not stupidly suspended.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:03
@Stephen: O right, can’t blame you. It is too expensive to make both trips to Wembley, and especially the Sunday semi again
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:04
@Stephen: Bravo Stephen, Bravo
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:04
@Craig Mc: It is just the bloody timing with work, and Easter weekend will be an expensive one for me!!
April 6th, 2009 at 17:06
my post was not about defending rooney
April 6th, 2009 at 17:08
in fact i am happy that rooney was suspended , i got to see kiko score the goal of the season
April 6th, 2009 at 17:10
@ROOOOONEY: People who eat shite, obviously spout it. I wasn’t talking about Rooney’s level of play, because it has been good of late. It was HIS LACK of being on the field due to petulant, hotheaded, misguided nonsense behaviour. And if you had known my posts since I first came on the blog, when Nani irresponsibly headbutted, or impotently attempted too anyway, I also gave him a slagging.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:11
@ROOOOONEY: Like I said, people who spout shite etc
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:13
@Stephen: Yeah, well don’t forget the GF’s choccie easter egg mate, or there will be hell to pay
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:15
@Craig Mc: It will not be the Easter egg that will cost the money if you get my drift!!
April 6th, 2009 at 17:22
i agree craig : ) , but you need to read my posts there was not a single word to defend rooney
April 6th, 2009 at 17:24
@ROOOOONEY: No there wasn’t but you were trying to wind him up and there is no need, so jog on if you can’t bring anything else to the conversation.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:25
@Johnsom33: That “talentless” Korean offers more to the team in terms of both attacking and defending than the talented but brainless diving Portugese ever could.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:29
@Rd: By the diving Portuguese your talking about Ronaldo OBVIOUSLY, or you certainly haven’t been watching the same games as the rest of us.
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:32
@Stephen: I’m not getting the drift Bro
. Come on, what have you promised her 
. O right, I know – not a trip to Portugal in the near future is it, combined with sneaking off to watch a soccer game, while the GF gets the credit card to shop and play with 
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:33
Rd i want to be your best friend
April 6th, 2009 at 17:34
@Craig Mc: Ha ha I wish mate that would get me off lightly!
April 6th, 2009 at 17:35
@ROOOOONEY: If you are ready to call a CEASEFIRE, I am too. If not some of us will just go back to ignoring your posts like they were lepers
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:36
@Stephen: What on earth can it be then?
April 6th, 2009 at 17:37
@Dan: Berbatov is an out and out striker? In which alternate universe? And I’m probably sure you know a dick serves other purposes besides humping things in skirts, it also used for peeing, so Tevez is all dick and no pee too?
@Dan: So whats that supposed to tell us? That you suck really bad at organizing a starting 11?
@Dan: Number 13 is a load of rubbish, he was only included to replace Manucho after he was loaned out whilst Petrucci was drafted to replace Hargreaves after it was confirmed he would be out for the season.
@Craig Mc: Vidic’s last minute winner vs. Sunderland was another crazy one, he looked like he was flapping, lol
@donibrasco: Have you watched United AT ALL this season? If you have you’d see that Fergie NEVER sets out to be defensive, it was the ineptitude of the strikers and their failure to convert chances which is why we’ve score so few this season.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:37
@Rd:
that was a funny JOKE!
April 6th, 2009 at 17:39
@Craig Mc: She might not be my GF after the weekend, she maybe more!
April 6th, 2009 at 17:39
@ROOOOONEY: What a good idea! Rd and you can go and start your own Anti Nani thread, and play together NICELY all day. Talk to RR, I am sure he will let you write a ONE SENTENCE article for the companionship of Nani haters
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:39
for now ya , but next time hell no
April 6th, 2009 at 17:40
@Craig Mc: I have and I meant Nani and all I see is some guy with all the talent to be a very good player but can’t make smart on- field decisions to save his life and I don’t mean crosses or passes into the box, I’m talking about knowing when to dribble, when to release the ball, the diving bit was a little hyperbolic, but if you’re blind to the face that Nani is as brainless as they come when it comes to on- field, with the ball decision, then God help you.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:40
@Rd: The only issue is when we go a goal up we do lock down, we don’t go for another goal like we have done previously.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:41
@Stephen: Bloody hell Stephen, well congrats mate, I hope it all turns out AMAZING Bro, and with the right answer from her given. Can’t wait to know the outcome mate
. Go get her Bro.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:42
@Rd: show how you know!
macheda and davide are home grown talents, they have to be include into the squad!
April 6th, 2009 at 17:42
@Craig Mc: Cheers matey
April 6th, 2009 at 17:45
@Craig Mc: I’ll say it again, I’m not anti- Nani, Just because I point out his flaws(decision making) and I’m not too stuck in him to realise it and not make excuses for him like blame Fergie for everything doesn’t mean I hate him. I guess you, Grog and Dan can go start you anti- Rooney thread too.
@Dan: What was funny about it? Combine the two: attack and defense, do you really thin Nani offers more when it comes to both?
@ROOOOONEY:
April 6th, 2009 at 17:46
@Rd: I call putting the ball into players in the area with GOOD ACCURACY a winger’s job, and good decision making. So we agree to DISAGREE, because we always seem to agree on LITTLE, regardless of what players we are talking about. Seems like you have got a good firend in the making in ROOOOOOOONEY THE ONE LINER eh?
April 6th, 2009 at 17:50
so much for stopping the war
PS: this is just to make it two lines
April 6th, 2009 at 17:50
@Dan: No they don’t, you don’t have to believe me, but here’s the link:
http://www.imscouting.com/global_news_item.aspx?id=1298
They were never included to begin with, but were only added to replace Manucho and Hargreaves.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:51
@Rd: nani is a winger, a wingers first job is attack.
Nani is a much, much, much better attacker then park.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:52
@Craig Mc: I call giving the ball away needless or holding the ball for soo long till you get yourself in an uncomfortable position to release it, bad decision making.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:52
@Rd: I think if we did make an anti Rooney thread, it would BE FAR busier than your new mates ONE SENTENCE Nani hater threads. If I think Nani is a talented player, who deserves not to be judged until he is playing in the team regularly, and not 1 in every 15 games, when Rooney the Looney gets himself sent off for hotheaded, womanly behaviour, then I will say so. You have your opinion and I have mine – so we better get on with it, because otherwise:- 1. RR will come down like a ton of bricks, and rightly so, and 2. We will still never agree on anything
. So I am glad to leave it there.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:54
@Rd: Whatever you say mate, whatever you say. Must be right, mustn’t it
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:56
@Craig Mc: I was very impressed with the lad and even more so when I watched highlights of him. His strength, speed and desire is impressive but his positioning, footwork and ability to impose himself on a game physically was highly impressive. He lived in that box and caused havoc well before he scored.
Dan says Welbeck is better. I concede that Welbeck is more versatile but I have seen enough of Welbeck to say that he does not have the imposing physical presence Macheda has and the raw nerve and composure to handle high pressure situations……YET. I could be wrong as I obviously have not seen Macheda long enough but his skills look great, his first touch is sublime and his ability to shoot powerfully and accurately with both feet is tremendous. I see Francesco Totti in him. Style is similar, build is very similar and skill set looks amazingly similar. And heck, they are both from Rome. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the lad and hoping all the best for him. I too hope that his cameo and potential will get Fergie to scrap any plans to buy that useless pile over inflated ego known as Benzema.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:57
@Dan: But where the better attacking player gives the ball away needlessly or doesn’t do much with it, I’d rather have the other less talented winger.
For those that don’t get it yet, I’m not saying Park is a better player than Nani, because he probably isn’t, but right now on form, who would I rather have in the team everyday of the week or at least until Nani improves? PARK.
@Craig Mc: I think you’ll find that its only on redrants, the whinniest United forum that Nani is probably preferred over Park, If you take a poll on it based on THIS season, you’ll probably find out that most people prefer Park.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:57
@Dan: Also at scoring more spectacular goals then Park too. I don’t dislike Park actually Dan, he is very good in games where we need to defend for our fucking lives. He is not very good though when we are struggling to get A GOAL in a lot of games. He is useful in certain games, and very industrious tracker backer
.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:58
Nani is a more of a United player than Park, Nani is exciting but frustrating but arn’t all wingers? Giggs was in his pomp, Sharpe and Kanchelskis certainly were and so is Ronnie, it is just what wingers are.
Park is good at “doing a job” on someone but has all the flair of a one legged elephant, I am not knocking him because he works his arse off but it is like arguing Tevez is better than Berba, they are simply two different players.
April 6th, 2009 at 17:59
@Craig Mc: It happens after every goal in Serie A mate. Italians are highly emotional and very animated. It was beautiful to see it in the Prem though. I also love the little kissing of the camera which sent a nice message to Gerrard and the rest of the Scouser scum. Right back at ya you bastards. Priceless.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:01
@Rd:
So tell me wise one, how does nani improve without getting any games 
@Rd: You have never, and i mean never been to redcafe have you, why dont you take a little poll your self and see if more united fans are on there compared to other united fansites.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:02
@Rd: That’s because Red Rants has some very elitist individualists, who DON’T just go with the sheep crowd. That doesn’t make us wrong. The mob mentality will always try to drown out the ones who don’t have the same mindset as themselves, so that kind of persuasive thought isnt really food for good arguement Rd.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:03
Isnt Rd that guy who said we should sack fergie?
April 6th, 2009 at 18:05
@Dan: Good point Dan, that is the mystery question that always remains unanswered by the Nani has got to improve to be accepted by us Brigade. How does he improve, when he is seldom given an extended run in the team. He was bloody great in his first season, didn’t hear many cries of dissent then
.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:07
@Dan: No Dan, that wasn’t Rd, he’s not guilty of that one.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:08
@Craig Mc: Scapegoat mate, thats what the fans want a scapegoat.
Fans are to afraid to identify the real problems in our team, so they rather blame less loved/newer players instead of the so called stars under performing.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:09
@Craig Mc: I’m going to stick up for Welbeck here and say that I think that lad has got a lot of ability too. I think he is strong finisher and his chance yesterday was taken very well. Credit to Friedel for making a stop on a well placed shot that was headed for the corner. Can’t blame Welbeck for that. Blame him if he shot right at Friedel or shot wide. Something Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez would do and have done all season long. Welbeck has great versatility and skill but he doesn’t have the physical strength and presence of Macheda. Where Welbeck is Henry, Macheda is Totti. Best comparison I can come up with. Both are great but very different. Now lets hope Fergie offers both lads a chance to play more and develop as well as keeping them injury free.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:10
@Grognard:
, couldn’t agree with you more mate. I have only been on this blog for a good bit of time, (after being absent for a good while), and World War blogging Hell has broken out again Grog. Impact play or what? Just kidding people 
.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:11
is it wrong that i am looking forward for barca vs bayren more than manu vs porto >.>
April 6th, 2009 at 18:12
@Craig Mc: are you sure? it was either him or realred..
April 6th, 2009 at 18:15
@Grognard: Welbeck = Henry ?????
. Grog now come on, stay of the liqour Bro – you tanked or what? 
. Welbeck is gangly with feet always getting tangled up, Macheda is a detonated FIRECRACKER of a player, in comparison Welbeck is a damp squid 
. Well to me he is mate, but then I am very partial to latino flair and fire 
.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:17
@Dan: Yeah, Realred – talk it like it is, good on him, I think he did say it was Fergie’s time to ship out and enjoy the retirment sunset. Grog would know though better than me
.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:18
@ROOOOONEY: If your address is the local asylum, then NO its not wrong
.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:20
@Dan: I’m probably more sensible than someone who calls Fergie stupid, eh? I’m sure you can do so much better.
@Dan: I read redcafe everyday though I’m not registered, you should start a Nani OR Park thread based on this season and see who gets picked.
@Craig Mc: I agree I’m sure when the few “elitist individuals” here were saying its time for Fergie to retire at the beginning of the season, the other majority of United fans who would disagree are probably sheep and just going with the crowd. Redrants elitist are surely the wisest of United fans.
@Dan: Yep, just like the way even though most United fans haven’t been to Carrington, everyone here agreed Phelan was the cause of all United’s problems.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:21
why wasn’t Fabio played at right-back? I knows he’s a LB, but he is righ-footed. However Neville did perform a heroic charge for most of the pitch, that then led to Macheda’s goal.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:23
@Dan: Yeah but surely Nani’s arse is one massive bloodied area from all the whipping he takes. Many United fans are just like Fergie, the don’t support every player in a red jersey, just who they choose to build up, until like Ronaldo their prima donna’s let them down. Whereas the undersung Fletcher’s, O’Shea’s etc etc are the last to be applauded or SUNG about game after game.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:26
@Craig Mc: Your jumping on the bandwagon mate, macheda isnt even latino! In the long term, welbeck will be ahead of kiko in the pecking order.
@Rd: I like the way you convenietly left out my nani question. ill ask it again, how can nani improve without games?
Are you conor in disguise by any chance?
April 6th, 2009 at 18:27
@Craig Mc: i cant blame fergie for not identifying our problems, he starts them more often then not!
April 6th, 2009 at 18:27
@Craig Mc: I’ll second that emotion on Rio. What’s especially frustrating about his decision to risk it for England was the knowledge that Vidic was out of the next game. Yet England ruled in his mind.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:29
@Rd: Errr and which few elitists said Fergie should go then, because I was never one of them
. I outrageously admit though to not moving with the sheep on most United forums, AND AGREEING to everything Fergie says and does. He makes some massive great clangers with team selections, and the recent Fulham game was patently one of them. Rooney on the bench when we were struggling to get the goals we needed, others too. That was one fucked up team for the day.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:29
@Dan: You should ask Fergie where he should get the incentive to keep on playing him when the times Fergie HAS played him, he doesn’t really show why he should be playing every match.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:31
@Grognard: I know Grog, I loved Rio always, but I lost respect for him in choosing England above United’s cause. Show’s where his loyalty is doesn’t it?.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:34
@Craig Mc: I count Grog who said and I quote “Fergie should be taken to be back and shot” and before that he had been making comments that Fergie can’t handle the team, then Karl who always has something to whine about plus Realred who has been mentioned already. Though I really don’t know which users qualify for your “elitist” status. And there’s a difference between saying stuff like Fergie got the subs wrong then giving constructive criticism and saying stuff like Fergie is stupid or Fergie is tactically inept, and yes I’ve seen both on here, laughable stuff really.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:34
@Dan: Well Dan your quote about Welbeck is open to debate, and I will keep my money on Macheda for long term greatness. Still that is probably a long way off though, but who knows.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:37
@Beachryan: He certainly was the answer yesterday and I for one would have him on the bench the rest of the way as he seems like a player who could help us in any game we are tied or losing. He’s on;y 17 but he is also a forward. I am more concerned about inexperience and youth when it comes to defending, not attacking. Attacking is all skill and instinct. Let a player be himself and watch him score. I too would voice a word of caution for all of us not to expect too much, but I also feel as I did when Ronaldo had his debut as well as Rafael and to a lesser degree Fabio, that these are super youngsters that are very special and seem very mature in their makeup and abilities. Experience doesn’t teach a lad like Macheda how to turn on a dime and deliver a killer shot under great pressure. The lad was born with that skill and he sounds like he has the ambition and belief in himself to go far. That is half the battle already won. I say throw him out there more often as a sub and lets see what he has to offer. Anything has to be better than the scoring we have been getting from Berbatov and Tevez.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:38
Typical response to the Nani criticsm; ‘He was good last season’; ‘He doesn’t get games’; ‘He’s better than Park’ etc The fact of the matter is Nani, given even the limited amount of games he has played this season always manages to – especially in consecutive games – undo the good work or progress he’s made in previous games. He would get his focus and decision-making perfect in one game and when he’s picked for the next, it’s back to shambles. That is what grates with me and I suspect Fergie too. There’s no need having all the skill/talent in the world if you don’t know when/how to apply it. Nevertheless, I would like if he was played more, he is still a threat and as far as he isn’t a liability to the team, I say stick him on the wings for the remaining PL games at least.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:41
@Dan: All Gerd Mueller did was score goals. Other than that he did nothing.
Also, Macheda did lots more than just score the goal. His great diving header attempt earlier should have been rewarded with a penalty as the defender was all over him. His control of the ball and distribution after holding the ball up was also very impressive not to mention the fact we have not had a predatory presence in the box like that since RVN.
Come on Dan, we know that Welbeck is your boy and now you are hurting because the Italian kid might have leapfrogged over him in the pecking order. Lets not look for ways to put down the lad in order for you to build up Welbeck. Seriously though, would you like Welbeck as much if his name were not Dan?
April 6th, 2009 at 18:42
@Gabriel: My point exactly, the few chances he’s been given, he hasn’t done much to make Fergie want to play him again in the next match.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:44
@Rd: I do recognise that after certain games, fans come on a blog full of emotion, and say things about Fergie and others, that in cold light of day, they may feel differently about. That’s disappointment, passion, anger etc etc. You will always get this on a good blog, and whether you prefer other blogs to this, to a lot of us here Red Rants is a great blog, and fun as well as moan and groan. If you find some comments laughable, then good, because we find some games and team choices and substitutions laughable. So if you feel free enough to call some things a joke, why can’t others have that freedom to laugh at what they see as laughable. I can’t answer for the posters who said they think Fergie’s time is up. I may not agree with it, But Fergie himself states quite often that he feel his time is in the autumn of his career. Some peeps agree with him obviously, but that is just their opinion, and we may disagree but nobody’s opinion can be called invalid. It may be shite opinion, and derided, but it is still their opinion, liked or disliked. I dislike the opinions on Nani, you dislike the opinions on Rooney, so what mate, that’s FANDOM
.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:45
@Craig Mc: Well said mate. I think Dan is being a little too optimistic with both Welbeck and Macheda’s goal potential. Instead of 25 to 30 goals and 30 to 35 goals, try 10 to 15 and 15 to 20 as more realistic numbers
April 6th, 2009 at 18:46
@Gabriel: well he was good in his carling cup run, played a couple of FA cup games to didnt he? he was decent in those games…
The fact that he has started 5 of our 30 premier league games this season really says it all, he hasnt played enough games, cup games are months apart.
You cannot expect a player to go out and perform everytime he puts the jersey on, especially when he hasnt played for ages, you just cant. Tevez plays like shite every match he plays and people come out with the most ridiculous excuse for him.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:47
@Gabriel: Yeah? And who rattled your cage
.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:47
@Grognard: Im talking about in the future, in all competitions, not now, in only the premier league…
Key word [strong]develop[/strong]
April 6th, 2009 at 18:50
@Gabriel: Lets not forget Campbell boys. A great talent in his own right. And Welbeck has scored some great goals but none came under such pressure and circumstance. As Neville said about Macheda, the boy is cold he has ice water running in his veins and is incredibly composed for his age. Something Welbeck isn’t…..yet. Not at the top flight that is.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:54
@Karl: I think we have shown plenty of trust in our youngsters mate. The fact we don’t go silly and mental over them the way the Pedophile at Arsenal does, is credit to Fergie and a response to the fact we are playing for a lot silverware where they aren’t. They can afford to take the chances of playing too much youth, we can’t. Still, we took a chance on Ronaldo, on Nani, Anderson, Evans and Rafael. I think we have shown quite a bit of confidence towards young players.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:54
What about ManUcho?????? Bloody brilliant, the best you’ll ever see. He is magnifico, and scores millions of out of this world goals – well he would if Lord Fergie would give him some games
. Now that is what you call LAUGHABLE Rd, but very possible also.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:55
@Grognard: No grognard, you dont know how wrong you are! ive seen these lads play multiple times, welbeck is NOT my faviourte youth player at all, i love him just as much as i love macheda, but the fact is most of the people claiming he should be ahead of welbeck have never seen them play for the reserves or the u18s.
The fact is, fergie has even come out and said that he only picked him over welbeck yesterday because of a deal he agreed with macheda and ole.
You love macheda more then welbeck simply because he is your faviourte type of striker, he hasnt leaped frogged him at all, and thats not my bias, i can see it how it is, i know their abilities and i know who the better player is.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:55
@Craig Mc: Manucho is a slug.
Sell him and get enough to buy a few beers.
April 6th, 2009 at 18:57
@Craig Mc: definitely not you bro…
was just playing devil’s advocate with regards to little man Nani. I just wanna know what everyone thinks of him and the best way they think he can be developed, cuz i’m next to clueless. 
April 6th, 2009 at 19:01
@Dan: We shall see mate, we shall see.
@Liam: Luca Toni is not a bad comparison but I think he has better over all skill with the ball as well as speed than Toni.
I’ve also seen him score from outside of the box with both feet and that’s something Toni cannot do. Where he is similar is in his predatory style, height and apparently, finishing. Although, I still think Macheda really reminds me of Totti.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:04
Grog I would love to be manager for the day, and here is who I would have in my team to take on Fergie’s team.
My team – Foster, Eckersley, Evans, Brown, Fabio,
Nani Darren Manucho Anderson
Macheda Welbeck
Fergie can choose his best team, and my team WILL kick his arse good and proper
.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:05
@Dan: You are right, he was good when he played in sporadic games, why? Because he was determined to make a good impression and his focus was spot on. However, whenever he was subsequently chosen for the next game, he always performed poorly. It’s like he can’t keep focus for an extended period of time. Even O’Sheasy said it in one post-match interview after Nani had a brilliant game, that, ‘the whole squad knows what Nani is capable of when he’s focused’.
This is something Fergie is trying to work on and I think by limiting his playing time, is trying to make him adapt to being more focused anytime he’s fortunate to be on the pitch. I believe that’s the one thing that Nani lacks and what is holding him back and if Fergie can iron it out, we definitely have a great player in our hands.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:06
@Karl: All the reason you are against 4-5-1 are all the reasons why we needed to play that. Our defense was in shambles so we needed that extra body in the midfield. We had two forwards out of the game so what was Fergie supposed to do? Start Macheda or Welbeck alongside Tevez while leaving our midfield more exposed and our back four in even worse shape?
I have been very critical of Fergie lately but I am in full agreement with his tactical selection yesterday. Injuries, suspension and inexperience up front left him no other option. The fact that Macheda did what he did was as big a surprise to Fergie as it was to us. At no time did Fergie even consider starting the lad or Welbeck. That would have exposed us at the back much earlier and more frequently.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:06
@Gabriel: Gabbie mi man, you’ve got my opinion, why on earth do you need anybody elses
.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:12
@Grognard: Grog wait until my team plays Fergie’s and we will see. You will be EATING your words on ManUcho, the warrior mate, the great warrior. See how much I would have my team believing, BELIEF is everything, you are what you believe
. I will have ManUcho thinking he is Arnie in the Terminator 
. And Nani thinking he is Usain Bolt 
.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:13
@Grognard: Honestly, it’s gonna be tough for Campbell, especially if we decide to keep Tevez(something which i’m against). Campbell is amazing in his own right like you say and I would honestly like it if we kept all three of them young kids in addition to Berba and Roon and rotated them in all our competitions next season. Campbell does have that pace and if supply is there, would always shine upfront for United.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:14
@RedAllTheWay: Benzema is nothing more than overpriced pig slop. Why buy another striker when we have three in waiting. It’s time to give these young players their chance. Time to bleed them and see what they have. I too would like Aguero but we can’t afford him. I’d rather spend what money we have for a central midfielder or Franck Ribery. I too am supremely disappointed in Berbatov but perhaps yesterday’s cameo of Macheda will do for both him and Tevez what playing time hasn’t done. That’s wake them up and make them realize that they are paid to score goals and be much more predatory and aggressive. I wouldn’t bet on it though. Berbatov is a sleeping pill addict it seems and Tevez, well lets just say his fear of the box is similar to my fear of authority figures telling me what to do.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:20
Btw, what’s with this Rio bashing?
It’s not like he expected to do his groin while playing for England. If it was a recurrence of his back problem, then i’d have questioned his motives but it was a completely different injury. You can’t knock a player down for wanting to play for his country, i’m sure if some of you had that chance, you would do whatever you can to always feature.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:21
@Stephen: I agree about Tevez being a hard worker and playing with a lot of heart but one must ask ourselves, after all that effort, how many goals does he score and how influential is he in others scoring goals? Not as much as you might think and certainly not even close to last years decent number. I appreciate work ethic but often it is overrated by a blue collar public that believes footballers should work as hard or even harder than they do. I am not a fan of this mentality. I prefer skill and tempo and the ability to deliver when you are expected to. All the running around and being a pest might look nice but what you do with the ball at your feet in the critical moment that a goal is being constructed is the vital part. And in that case, Tevez fails more often than he succeeds. I’ll take Cantona’s laziness and ability to produce when given the chance over Tevez’ imitation of the Tasmanian Devil any day of the week.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:23
@Dan: Too much sexual symbolism there for my liking mate. YUK! :
April 6th, 2009 at 19:29
@Grognard: True, i’m beginning to want Benzema less and less at United now. We have three younglins who seem to have a bright future if given playing time, we should spend that cash in central midfield. More specifically, a creative, goal-scoring attacking midfielder. I believe if Fergie just let Cazza move forward, he could be that guy but as usual, Fergie has chosen to exploit the lads’ versatility and use him more defensively. Look at yesterday when Cazza moved forward, he was pulling the strings and provided Ronnie the pass for his second. We just have a weird combination of central midfielders tbh and I really don’t know what system would get the most out of all of them. I really do not envy Fergie sometimes
April 6th, 2009 at 19:30
@Rd: Hang on mate. I am far from anti Rooney. I love the little bastard. I just can’t handle his temper and petulant attitude because it hurts the team. Other than I think he is a tremendous footballer who we cannot possibly go without. So why I am being lumped into a group of supposed anti Rooney blokes is beyond me. The fact that I spout the truth about the lad does not make me a hater of the lad.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:31
@Gabriel: When you said rio bashing my mind went back a year or 2 or ago when the united squad were caught in a romp…
April 6th, 2009 at 19:33
@Grognard:
April 6th, 2009 at 19:34
@Gabriel: The problem with Rio is that he was not able to play the friendly game, because he injured either his back or groin in training with England. He was a massive doubt for the game against Ukraine 3 days later, but when asked by the press which game he thought more important, he said, and I quote, “This England game”. He stayed on the field for over 80 minutes, knowing he had a problem. So he chose to play for England in preference to making sure he was okay, at a terrible time for our club when we were up against it. I saw where is loyalties lay and it wasn’t with our club, so I lost all the great respect I had for him.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:36
@Craig Mc: You have me all wrong mate. I too prefer Macheda way over Welbeck but Welbeck compares to a young Henry in terms of skill set and versatility. He can play wide, he has long gangly legs etc. Macheda reminds me of Totti. I much prefer Totti as a player and his style to the style of Henry. Therefore I prefer Macheda to Welbeck, but I do believe Welbeck has some great skill. And it’s 85% proof Ouzo mate, in case you are wondering. Gives me a buzz every time.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:37
@Craig Mc: Know better about what?
April 6th, 2009 at 19:39
@Dan: wow, u r randy today aren’t u mate? I recommend a night out with a bird or maybe a lad’s mag, coupled with some vaselne and a box of kleenex; whichever u prefer.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:43
@Gabriel:
April 6th, 2009 at 19:43
@Rd: Talk about having taken things I said out of context.
I may rant about Fergie from game to game and I have suggested that perhaps he should consider retirement if he does no longer want to get down and dirty with poorly performing payers, but at no time do any of my comments come across as a definitive movement against Fergie where I truly want him to be sacked or retire. We all say things in the heat of the moment and i am no different, but I know when I made those statements, other things were said by me that brought them more into proper perspective. Jeez, now I know how Paul Newman felt in the movie “Absence of Malice”. 
Amazing how all the positive rants about him are not used in your quote hungry post.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:45
@Craig Mc: Well said Bro, I totally agree. Man I hate it when somebody goes back into the archives and quotes me out of context.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:47
@Craig Mc: It was his back that was hurt before the friendly and he recovered in time for the qualifier. The groin strain was completely unrelated to the injury concern he had before going into the game. It was just happenstance. Which is why I would not knock him down. He is a professional dedicated to doing his best for club and country. If he knew there was a massive chance he would have been injured in the qualifier, hence preventing him for featuring for United, i’m pretty sure he would have opted out and let Upson or Jagielka fill in. This is what drives these guys to the top mate, that will and determination to play and succeed. He is no Jamie Carragher who would chicken out on his country just because he’s not good enough to compete for his natural playing position.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:48
@Dan: That’s still a lot of goals to expect when a player like that only comes around once or twice in a generation. You say we have two waiting in the wings. If thats the case, one will probably cancel the other out anyway because two strikers on the same team are not going to score over 25 goals. Just not going to happen. It never happened with Cole and Yorke or Hughes and Cantona etc.
April 6th, 2009 at 19:58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdWpd0CVmnQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eredcafe%2Enet%2Ff6%2Ffirst%2Dperson%2Dpost%2D242461%2F&feature=player_embedded
Tevezs tackle lol
April 6th, 2009 at 20:00
@Craig Mc: Unlike you I am more ambitious. I would want to be manager for the next 20 years and I would demand a transfer kitty that would make my team look like this;
GK – Adler
RB – Rafael
CB – Rio (although he is now on Grog’s famous Double Secret Probation)
CB – Vidic
LB – Lahm
RMF – Ronaldo
DMF – Hargreaves
CMF – Carrick
LMF – Ribery
ST – Rooney
ST – Huntelaar
SUB – Foster
SUB – Evans
SUB – Fabio
SUB – Nani
SUB – Macheda
SUB – Possebon
SUB – Fletcher
Now if I had no transfer kitty my 18 would be;
GK – Foster
GK – Rafael
GK – Rio
GK – Vidic
LB – Fabio
RMF – Ronaldo
LMF – Nani
DMF – Hargreaves
CMF – Carrick
ST – Rooney
ST – Macheda
SUB – Pig
SUB – Tevez
SUB – Evans
SUB – Evra
SUB – Fletcher
SUB – Park
SUB – Welbeck
I also like Eckersley and Gibson but on the way out would be my beloved but failed Berbatov, Anderson (sorry Eddy), Tosser….I mean Tosic, Neville, EVDS, Giggs and Scholes. And Evra would be hanging on by a thin thread as would O’Shea.
April 6th, 2009 at 20:07
@Craig Mc: Manucho is slug boy. We agree on Nani, but we will never agree on Not Much Manucho. He is a sloth. Manucho reminds me of Jabba the Hut and not as good looking either.
April 6th, 2009 at 20:10
@Gabriel: I would be all for a complete youth movement up front. Sell both Berba and let Tevez go and take the money made and saved and buy Ribery. Then lets watch the goals pour in from two sides of the field as Franck sets them up on one side and Ronny scores them from the other and the youngsters benefiting up front from the improved service and speed in attack.
April 6th, 2009 at 20:13
@Gabriel: His groin was bothering him before the first England game and he sat that game out. Feeling the pressure from Upson, he decided to risk it all to maintain his England place and simply put Man Utd in the dumper by doing so. He thus aggravated the groin again and now we lose out on him not only against villa, but Porto too. Selfish and not getting his priorities right. He put his England ambitions above those of Man Utd.
April 6th, 2009 at 20:15
@Grognard:
Fosters in both your squads! you should see the grin on my face! i look like the joker 
That lad is something else! he play is so un-english its uncanny!
April 6th, 2009 at 20:17
@Gabriel: Spend the money on the LMF/LW position. Carrick will be all you want of him if Hargreaves returns 100%. Hargo is the glue and stability we need in the center and Carrick’s role would change with Hargo there. Well it should, but Fergie has a mind of his own and I could see him playing both Carrick and Hargo back as duo DMF’s. Either way, adding a Ribery along with Hargo is all we need. That an perhaps a goalkeeper who isn’t flat footed every time a shot or header is headed for our goal.
April 6th, 2009 at 20:18
@Gabriel: Dan needs to remember to wear a helmet.
April 6th, 2009 at 20:26
@Dan: I have no problem with Foster as a backup but if I was to pick on our present keepers totday, I would choose him because I have been disgusted by EVDS over the past few weeks. Flat footed and slow to react. The free kick Liverpool scored made me sick to my stomach and Abundleofwhores goal yesterday really stuck in my crotch not to mention his flat footed lame attempt at Carews header. I concede that he probably would never have stopped the Carew goal but have a go at it anyway you old lazy bastard. If he was positioned better in terms of having the wait on the balls of his feet rather than on his heels, he may have had the spring to touch it. We’ll never know since he was taking time out to have a hot dog. Foster has issues and holes in his game but at least he is young and ambitious. Give him a chance if the old man doesn’t have the hunger for it. What really gets me about EVDS is he sees relatively few quality shots in a game but he seems to let in two out of every three of them. We need a Casillas type who will stone them when they get a chance, end of story.
April 6th, 2009 at 20:26
http://rapidshare.com/files/218073327/Macheda_v_Aston_Villa_Home_08-09.wmv
A video of macheda yesterday, apparently every touch he had.
April 6th, 2009 at 20:46
@Grognard: yep, a LW is the ONLY postion i want fergie to sign. Valencia is good, has the potential to be world class, but i want really world class winger right now!
I want ribery, silva, ribery, sanchez, simoa, ribery, valencia
Those are the wingers i want in that order…
April 6th, 2009 at 20:54
@Grognard: O right Grog, fair enough
. But Ouzo mate, man that stuff is lethal 
, just take care and keep it down to minimum. 
April 6th, 2009 at 21:01
@Grognard: So I’d be an Arsene Wenger developer of youth talent, and you’d be a cash flowing like theres no tomorrow Abramovitch
. My team would still kick your ouzo arse – 
.
April 6th, 2009 at 21:13
ive uploaded this video to a youtube acount that my brother made for me a while but forgot to tell me about it, poor thing, he doesnt go on youtube much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcJ8UgJnGok
It hasnt processed yet, so you have a bit of a wait i guess…
April 6th, 2009 at 21:27
@Craig Mc: It’s not Rio deciding to play for England and not United. If he was injured, we wouldn’t have allowed him to join up with the England squad. His injury happened towards the end of a match while he was playing. If it’d have been a United game that day, he’d have been injured for United. Pointless argument club vs country. Rio would play EVERY game if he could.
April 6th, 2009 at 21:30
Its been processed, have a look.
The quality of the video was awesome on my computer, then when i uploaded it, it was pants!
April 6th, 2009 at 22:15
@Dan: Macheda had a 100% pass completion rate yesterday mate. I am not saying that this proves he is an all round player, but that he is more well rounded than u make him out to be. And I am not saying this based just on the pass completion statistic but seeing some of his reserve games highlights as well where he has had many driving runs and good passes into the box. He is mainly fox in the box, but has some other skills as well unlike Inzaghi or RVN.
April 6th, 2009 at 22:17
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00jn4l1
Listen for Rio, at about 1:10! priceless!
April 6th, 2009 at 23:01
Ok mates, I won’t be commenting much today, yesterday I was exhausted by
all that happened so today I’m taking a day off!
So afew links:
babelfish translation of italian view of Macheda.
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.repubblica.it%2F2009%2F02%2Fsport%2Fcalcio%2Fcalciomercato%2Festero-premier%2Fmacheda-manchester%2Fmacheda-manchester.html&lp=it_en&btnTrUrl=Translate
And Macheda, the ladies’ man!
:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1167923/Who-United-hero-Federico-Macheda-A-player-eye-girls–goals.html
And this one: a few interesting comments from the italians:
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.calcioblog.it%2Fpost%2F8633%2Ffederico-macheda-il-17enne-romano-brilla-allold-trafford&lp=it_en&btnTrUrl=Translate
And the last but not least, ROM regular tiny tears’ daughter singing ReddevilEddy’s song about Kiko!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tt7k11_QOI
April 6th, 2009 at 23:04
@Shreyas: thats because he had one shot
April 7th, 2009 at 0:19
@Rd: “That “talentless” Korean offers more to the team in terms of both attacking and defending than the talented but brainless diving Portugese ever could.”
defending yes, but offensive never. Even an off form nani has more attacking prowess than Park on his best day. and when Nani is on he is absoultely unplayable. go watch the the FA cup game last year against Arsenal. Nani ripped them to shreds. His problem is consistency, and a player like him will never get consistency when he constantly being pulled back and forth from the first team.
Love him or hate, you cant deny his obvious talents.
April 7th, 2009 at 0:30
@Traverse: Traverse hate to disappoint you mate, but Rio was injured training with ENGLAND, so sat out the first friendly game, but even though he knew he was risking provoking the injury again, he decided to play for England 3 days later in the 2nd game of their week. So please no excuses for him, everyone knew if he played, he had massive chance of aggravating a recurring injury. He chose England, when they didn’t really need him, they had excellent cover, but like Grog said, Rio was afraid of losing his England place. United were 2nd in his thinking. That is the truth of the matter Traverse!
April 7th, 2009 at 0:42
@Craig Mc: If he was with our team he’d have done it with us. How many times this year has he played for us after a back spasm? I’m sure he could have had an operation at any point in the season to sort this reoccurring injury, and he hasn’t, so that he can play.
I think you’re trying to find a scapegoat for something that isn’t there, or to detract from the fact that Nani will be sitting on spurs bench next season….
Also, who is he afraid of loosing an england place to? Jagielka? Lescott? Upson? Think it through…
April 7th, 2009 at 1:03
@Craig Mc: I’m Greek man. Ouzo is like water to us.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:04
@Craig Mc: I’d pay for somebody to kick yours.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:10
@Craig Mc: You beat me to it mate. Well said. Rio would not have had any injuries had he decided the stretch run with United was more important than playing for England when they had two easy as Hell fixtures. It’s about priorities and respecting the ones who play your large salary over the ones who just use you. I understand the desire to play in the World Cup but nothing comes before the club, nothing. And frankly, after the Vidic suspension, he knew his club needed him more and that playing for England risked injury. Selfish!
April 7th, 2009 at 5:33
I stand corrected on my answer I gave yesterday to the question of whether Machedo was available to play in the Champions League tie vs Porto. I originally said no because I doubted whether Fergie had put hisnmae down for the tournament but apparently the Gaffer was wiser than all of us and he did. Ferguson spotted his potential early and named him in this season’s UEFA Champions League squad. Macheda was rewarded for his match-winning display at the weekend by being named in the squad to play Porto on Tuesday.
April 7th, 2009 at 5:43
From the Sun;
TEEN sensation Federico Macheda cost Manchester United just £35,000.
The 17-year-old earns little more than a grand a week — the amount Rio Ferdinand picks up every TWO HOURS.
But while United fans revel in their new hero’s match-winner against Aston Villa on Sunday, a thundering row has erupted in Italy with his old club Lazio fuming at being paid so little in compensation.
Last night, Lazio president Claudio Lottito launched a devastating attack on the “immoral” Red Devils for the way they moved in and “stole” Macheda the day after he turned 16 in August 2007 — as United took advantage of FIFA rules which prevent players turning pro in Italy before that age.
Lottito said: “We knew Macheda was a great player. We had done everything possible to keep him at Lazio.
“Nevertheless, Italian laws did not permit that a young lad below 16 years old could sign a contract, so these kids can be stolen by other clubs.
“These clubs do not respect the ethical code and go to the parents of kids, give them money, maybe even find them work so they ‘buy’ the parents, who then sign on behalf of their kid.
“These are kids that come from poor families and, to get more money, these families even are willing to go abroad with the hope their kid becomes a great player with a lot of money.
“I spoke with the parents of Macheda, making them a great offer — but they had already decided to leave.
“It’s immoral because this is like people behave in the cattle market. In football it should not happen because it’s a sport that is based on authentic values like the respect to the rules.”
Ex-Lazio sporting director Walter Sabatini also laid into United.
He said: “Taking Macheda was an act of cowardice and arrogance on the part of Manchester United.
“In my view they robbed Lazio, just as they robbed Parma for Giuseppe Rossi before.
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“Someone has to do something to change the rules because so many clubs are getting fleeced in this way so that the strongest clubs can just get stronger.
“I wrote three letters on behalf of Lazio, for the attention of Ferguson at Manchester United.
“I explained that it was wrong for one great club to be hitting another in this way. I said that taking Macheda showed a lack of respect.
“Ferguson never once replied personally but some club secretary wrote back saying that everything United were doing was within the rules.”
Macheda hopes scoring United’s most crucial goal for years will save him from a year on loan at Rangers. Fergie was considering sending the teenager to Glasgow to sharpen his skills.
But after Sunday’s dramatic late winner, Ferguson is tempted to promote the striker to his first-team squad for the 2009-10 season.
United reserve-team boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had no doubt that Macheda would deliver once he got a chance.
He said: “Macheda is a big talent. It is not easy to leave your home country at 16 and come to a new culture.
“He signed pro last year but has buckled down and got a professional head on him. We expected him to make progress and he has.”
Ah BOO FUCKING HOO for poor Lazio. Don’t blame United you dumb stupid Italian bastards. Blame your laws that prohibit your teams from signing these players before the age of 18. My heart fucking bleeds. After all the skulduggery we have had to deal with when it comes to Real and Ronaldo, it’s nice to know we screwed over an Italian team.
April 7th, 2009 at 7:52
[...] Red Ranter reflected on the importance of three points on Sunday. [...]
April 7th, 2009 at 8:08
@Dan: Check the guardian chalkboards. He played around 9 passes in and around the penalty box and all of them in the final 3rd and all 9 were successful.
April 8th, 2009 at 8:58
@Grognard: Fuck Lazio! They still have not paid us our money for the Jaap Stam sale.