Mar 10
Mourinho, Shut it!
There is only so much delusions of grandeur a human being can take in a day. In reference to this from the ‘Special One’:
“If you want me to rule out ever being Manchester United manager I can’t. “Special clubs need special managers so in theory it could work, but nobody knows what the future is in football.
That was the first part. Then this:
“Manchester United have won it with ease since I have gone because no manager has put a team together that can rival them. But my teams always rival Manchester United and Sir Alex knows that.“They are a great team but if I was at a top club in England I think the title race might have been a lot closer this year. Chelsea have had no stability, Arsenal are nowhere and Liverpool threatened but I don’t think anybody really thought they were ever going to win it,” he said. “I would not allow a team of mine to be so far behind. It is embarrassing in March. Manchester United have a great squad but are their players really that much better than Chelsea’s or Liverpool’s? I don’t think so. So something else must be the problem and somebody has to take responsibility for that. I beat Manchester United with Chelsea and Porto. Now I am ready to beat them with Inter.”
Ok, let’s take a deep breath, step back for a second and think. Yes, he was really successful and he’s great with the media and the press love him. But isn’t there a fine line between playing mind games and being downright tiring?
At least I thought so.
I also found it a little concerning that Mourinho, as a manager of a big European club, would pimp himself to a rival club. What would an Inter fan think? It’s fairly obvious that someone who has the ability to play games with the media would enjoy distancing himself from the club he’s just half a season into.
Getting into the actual matter of what he said, it’s instantly repulsive to think Mourinho could be our next manager, the day Fergie retires. Speaking from the heart yes, there are very few people in the footballing world that instantly turn me off. Mourinho is clearly among them.
What really saddens me, though, is the lack of a real alternative successor to the United job. We can perhaps include Martin O’Neill, whilst others may have too little experience or are just out of their depth.
It was a topic of much heated debate yesterday in the comments, and I have to agree with one of the suggestions put forth yesterday that while, Mourinho may be a really tough pill to swallow, it’s a concession many fans may have to make if they are to expect a manager to break from the considerable shadow of Fergie. United haven’t been really great at replacing outstanding managers. One would have to hark back to the time Sir Matt Busby stepped down. It was a period of musical chairs and mostly barren years before the club stumbled upon Fergie.
Moving on I don’t know how many people have watched the Watchmen, but this is an excellent reworking of one of the scenes, featuring Dr. Merseyside, aka, Rafa Benitez.
Meanwhile, Ferguson taunts Mourinho, saying Inter will play for penalties. Now this could either get Mourinho to try to get his team play attacking football exposing his hurriedly patched up back four or, of course, he could tell his team to play like he always tells them to play — defensively. With a spate of injuries in their defence, I’d say we have the upper hand.
On our injury list is Rio Ferdinand, who could make it for Wednesday’s clash. But more on that in tomorrow’s preview.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Jose Mourinho CAN succeed Ferguson at United
- Man Utd v Inter: Preview
- Courtroom Drama | Mourinho’s Latest Joke
- Chelsea vs Manchester United: Preview
- Annoying Mourinho Leaves | United After Another ‘Hole’ Player? | Saha | SAF Quotes
Tags: Daily Roundup · Opinions/Columns
March 10th, 2009 at 7:55
Dear Mr Mouthzero,
There are 3 ways you can go about on this:-
1) Find another rich owner, buy your dream team with ‘untouchable’ players and challenge or make it difficult for Man 4ever Utd.
ii) Go beg Mr Chelski for forgiveness
iii) Stay employed for 22 years with an average club and build your dream team and turn them into club like Man 4ever Utd, who knows you could achieve it in a shorter term if what you claim about your greatness? Maybe you end up with a knighthood!!! Ha! Ha! Ha!
March 10th, 2009 at 8:22
How could anyone wants this prick to be our next manager is beyond me.Please guys,have a look at ROM and join Scott with his petition.I dont believe there isnt a manager of equal or better quality than Morinho in Europe.He had a good squad with Porto,Had 500m to spend at Chelski and Inter had the best squad in Europe when he took over.I’m sure there are others that could do a job or better than what he has done given the resources he has had.After SAF,maybe someone from other league will be brought in and Ole will be assistant manager.I just hope Ole makes it
March 10th, 2009 at 8:22
frank ryjkard for me- he will play nice expansive football, perfect fit for our new look squad i feel
non of this over defensive, frigid bollox mourinho always seems to adopt
March 10th, 2009 at 8:41
@sunny: Ya i do believe in that, there is no way he is going to be appointed as he is too arrogant, and i think if we dump them out of europe tomorrow, he may well be looking for another job after all those big statements he gave.
Neways italian media already had enough of him, and he also knows and is looking for any opportunity, if it comes his way.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:08
“”United haven’t been really great at replacing outstanding managers. One would have to hark back to the time Sir Matt Busby stepped down. It was a period of musical chairs and mostly barren years before the club stumbled upon Fergie.”"
That is an unfortunate truth. There was even a relegation in between those barren spells! I wasnt even born then, so I don’t even know how it feels to go for 7-8 years without winning, let alone the feeling of relegation.
However I do know how it feels to be winning precious little for 3 years, and I hate to even consider the emotions should a barren spell follow Fergie’s retirement.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:51
I agree with you mate… I think Mourinho can’t sleep well these days..he just want to release some pressure from his back and players as he know it won’t be an easy day for him tomorrow…
As a United fan…i don’t wanna see Mourinho as a manager here because he will scrow all what Sir Alex built during last seasons!
March 10th, 2009 at 10:48
can ne1 plz send post the link to the video that had been uploaded out here. it was UCL’08 compilation which brought tears to the eyes of many. would lik to see it again.tried lookin for it Youtube cudn find the same one. cheers.
March 10th, 2009 at 11:21
I say give it to Giggsy. Let the dynasty go on.
March 10th, 2009 at 11:24
I personally wish Van Basten was doing a better job at Ajax, he has the right personality and has experience, but he is not pulling up tress currently which is a shame.
March 10th, 2009 at 11:48
Why are we even discussing this? Fergie is not going to leave anytime soooooooon, so we can rather discuss about inter game.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:31
Surely it has to be Cantona?
OOH AAH MAN-A-GER
March 10th, 2009 at 13:26
lol dr merseyside
March 10th, 2009 at 14:35
Also I am going to simultaniously predict the winners for this round of Champions League, and the pairings for the next, as I dreamt the draw last night.
Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid
Liverpool vs Barcelona
Manchester Utd vs Bayern München
Panathinaikos vs Arsenal
March 10th, 2009 at 14:37
Fergie will be with us for another three years Im sure. I doubt the Old Trafford hierarchy is even thinking about a replacement so I don’t know why we are talking about it here.
Inter game tomorrow! Yes Mourinho is arrogant but he has achievements to back it up. But his Inter team is nothing special and he’ll need a ton of luck to pull off a scalp tomorrow. They have no central defence so with Rooney looking sharp, Tevez brimming in confidence after a great game at the weekend and Berbatov with something to prove we must be able to manage a few goals.
My prediction is 2-1 with goals from Rooney and a winner from J.S. Park
March 10th, 2009 at 15:22
@colver: Park scoring a winner tomorrow? Hopefully at least that would convince a few people on this blog that he’s not bad after all
March 10th, 2009 at 15:27
About Mourinho. I’m with RR on this one. I hate him and I would hate to see him at OT. I won’t even wanna give him a chance, unless he can win the fans over by showing that he cares about the club, rather than his usual statements about him being more “Special” than anything else in this universe.
March 10th, 2009 at 15:32
LOL check this out
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1160949/PICTURE-SPECIAL-Revealed–The-secret-training-routines-helping-United-pumped-Inter-Rooney-sticks-boot-Tevez.html?ITO=1490
March 10th, 2009 at 15:40
There is a very real chance that Fergie’s successor will fail, at least in the short term. If The One gets the job, it’s a win-win. He fails, we laugh and he’s fired. He wins, we swallow our pride and rejoice in United’s renewed success.
March 10th, 2009 at 17:14
The Mourinho song was my all-time favourite and went hand in hand with bringing the trophy home that season. Here’s a suggestion for reviving it tomorrow night – probably too late now!
Mourinho – r u listening?
Can u see our trophy glistening?
You’ve come back today
To learn how to play
Still walking in a Fergie Wonderland.
I reckon it would ring round the ground without pause.
March 10th, 2009 at 17:23
When considering a cat like Mourinho for manager there are two schools of thought regarding selection of managers that need to be looked at. The first school is the drill them till they drop teacher of the game and one who does not have a great tactical or technical sense for the game but has heart and passion and above all, works his ass off trying to make his players better and maintaining control and focus. Bruce, Redknapp, Hughes, O’Neill and Moyes are examples of this type.
The other type is the chess player with the ability to become a bit of a psychiatrist and one who moves his players around like pawns on a chess board and who manipulates the game, the referees, his player’s heads as well as the opponents with timely and highly tactical moves and many prearranged forms of mind games. This manager is a specialist of the mind thus tactics and technical acumen is very high. He is not a motivator in the classic sense and he often comes across as eccentric to both his team and the rest of the world. Mourinho, Wenger, Benitez are classic examples of this kind of manager. This manager plays mind games with the media, with opposing player and managers and with his own players.
These are generally the managers who are most suited for running very big clubs with great players and big egos. Look at the trouble Mark Hughes has had over at City. A decent manager who had great success with a small club like Blackburn but once he moves to team that has deep pockets and some high profile superstars, the shit hits the fan and the unrest and turmoil begin because he has no way of getting through to the egomaniacs like Robinho, Elano etc. He lost the dressing room because his old school way of managing wasn’t getting through to these foreign prima donnas. Another approach is needed for these types of players and Mourinho for one knows how to get the best out of players liek this by stroking their ego’s just right and by building their self esteem. He is a master at playing head games and he know how to manage a big payroll.
He would be a failure if he had to manage a small club with no money and average players. Because he has skills that only really work with the best of players. Many others have tried to get the best out of Drogba and even Lampard and Terry, but nobody got more out of those players than Mourinho. He knows what buttons to press. There are casualties on the way to his success. He creates his cliques. The ones he loves and the ones he hates. Ballack, Shevchenko were players he never liked and never wanted. Above all, they could see through him and so it was the bench or a limited role for them. If he took over for United some of our beloved players would find themselves in his doghouse, no doubt. No all would be his cup of tea and not all would accept his way of doing things. But he is a personality that is larger than life and he wields a large hammer. As Inter have found out, he doesn’t care about player’s past records and reputations. He has his way of doing things and so the players who buy into it will be loved and utilized by him. The ones that don’t will be sold or benched.
Mourinho is his own man but only an idiot would consider him useless and a failure. Yes he functions at his best with great players, a healthy transfer kitty and and no interference from owners. He’s not alone there. Many national team mangers are great in their environments because they are dealing with a squad full of all stars. It’s a different dynamic and a different kind of managing. It’s ego and personality management more than skills and drills. Their are teachers of the game and then there are professors. Higher forms of learning require greater minds or in football, greater abilities. He takes great teams far because his higher forms of teaching are perfectly suited to great players. At his best he gethers the players around him and creates an us vs them mentality. That is what happened at Chelsea and that’s why they have never been the same without him. They would sacrifice everything for him. That makes him ideal in many ways to lead United but not the man who should be the next manager at Wigan.
March 10th, 2009 at 17:32
The reason Mourinho is making so much noise is obvious, he is playing mind games and trying to stir things up. But he is also hinting at wanting to leave Italy. I think he has not enjoyed his time at Inter. He was promised more money for transfers and he never really got it. I don’t think he was ever really 100% happy with his team there and the fact he couldn’t get players like Lampard and Drogba to come with him has kind of tainted him and disrupted his way of doing things. I’ll tell you right now, Ibrahimovich may be having a decent year but that is not a Mourinho type of player. He also doesn’t have a back four that is as rock solid and air tight as he had in Chelsea as well as an attacking midfielder who can make the difference like he had with Lampard. And yet, the team is ten points ahead in Serie A. His only mistake was drawing United. He could pull off a miracle tomorrow because he is more than capable of it but lets face it, if he lost Manchester United, there would be no shame in that. Who knows how far Inter would have gone? If they beat United they will have the confidence to win it all. So like him or hate him, he is a winner and a man who has the mental strength and self esteem to handle an incredible challenge.
March 10th, 2009 at 17:59
RR seriously, he is about to play us in the CL, what’s he going to say? yes it’s annoying as the fan of the team he is about to play but if SAF said something like that you wouldn’t be angry would you? He’s achieved his aims of infuriating people associated with the club if you give him the time of day, which, with the media, he is always going to get. Tbh I don’t care who the next manager is as long as they do the business. Names don’t matter to me nor do past achievements, just hire somebody who can deal with the pressure
March 10th, 2009 at 18:00
Rio is fit btw
March 10th, 2009 at 18:13
@Grognard: Your way of dividing managers into these two camps makes it absolutely clear how special SAF truly is. He’s probably the only manager around who fits comfortably into both categories.
No problem on my part from yesterday either. As I said, wasn’t saying that you or what you said were either of those things. Us Canadians can’t be fighting amongst ourselves after all. Cheers, mate!
March 10th, 2009 at 18:14
@Liam: As does Oshea..
March 10th, 2009 at 18:14
@Liam: You wouldn’t hear Fergie or even Wenger linking himself to the rival teams job. And I for one am sick of his beating of his own drums. It was a novelty when he first arrived, but now it’s worn thin and all you can do is groan.
March 10th, 2009 at 18:17
@Grognard: Excellent post Grognard, completely and fully agree. If we listened to our head and not our heart, we would be hard pressed to find a better man for the job than Mourinho. Even the most experienced of managers would find it extremely difficult to step into Fergie’s larger than life boots. And throwing in a newbie like Solksjaer, Cantona or Keane who doesn’t have the experience at the highest level would be a recipe for disaster, both for United and their careers.
March 10th, 2009 at 18:18
No chance Mourinho!! It’s really painful to even think that Fergy would one day retire. I just can’t seperate fergy’s looks and United.
However, we have to prepare now. As the adage go; Failing to plan is planning to fail. We have to prepare our minds to be tolerant with our next manager. We are surely not going to judge him by Fergy’s very high standards or else we would have to sack a Manager every day.
March 10th, 2009 at 18:58
@Eric the Red: Yes Fergie is a special breed indeed. As are we Canucks.
March 10th, 2009 at 19:03
@RDJ: I’m glad you agree. What amazes me is how others will completely put down a manager who has won the CL, the EPL twice and has owned Fergie for 7 years now. Yet we build up mediocrities and inexperienced ex players into visionary masterminds who are capable of injecting a Renaissance of style and substance to our team. It’s ludicrous. Mourinho may not be our cup of tea from a personality point of view, but that’s because he was so successful in the past in beating us and getting under our skin in the process. Lets face it, many on here are carrying a grudge. Understandable but they should not be blinded by the facts. Solksjaer, Cantona etc are not qualified to manage Burnley yet alone United, and Mourinho is qualified to manage any team and any nation of his desire. Now tell me who I feel we should have as our next manager if winning and maintaining the status quo is the primary objective? It’s a no brainer really. He beats his own drum because he knows how to play it and because many like to listen to it. And for those who don’t, he beats it a little louder. He’s not Fergie but he is the next best thing.
March 10th, 2009 at 19:11
@Grognard: Yeah, hey may be a great manager, and he indeed fits best with big clubs, but if he ever come to United our philosophy of the game goes for a toss.
) prima donnas trying to earn their last big pay packets.
We would need to bid our youth system a goodbye or even bringing in good young players. He will eventually convert the team to a team full of experienced (old
Our attacking philosophy and the core of english players will also go out the window. He may bring in success short term, but are we ready to lose the soul?
I would much rather we bring in a manager who conforms to the united way and give him time to build rather than go for mourinho who will no doubt be a short term success but will not be good for the club in the long term.
March 10th, 2009 at 20:11
For United, no one is bigger than the club, not even the manager, and I’m sure SAF would agree. Maureen is definitely a man who thinks he is bigger than the club. For that reason alone I wouldn’t touch him with yours. The factions he creates.. who’s benefit’s that? The clubs?
No Way. No How. No Mourinho.
March 10th, 2009 at 20:15
My biggest problem is that he seems to need to be bigger than the club. Even with all his greatness, Fergie has never postured in the way Maureen does.
Utd is an institution, far bigger than any individual. Chelsea seem bereft now that Morinho has gone. The fabric of the club is woven into so many of our players and into Fergie – not the other way round. Perhaps being part of our great tradition would take over Jose as well and he would be less self obsessed.
The very idea of Fergie claiming to be the Special One shows just how far off beam the Portuguese man is. We have been very very lucky to have the Scottish genius at the helm and the wonderful thing is that he is the one who feels lucky. Nuff said.
March 10th, 2009 at 21:03
Bloody hell Madrid are an awful team. You watching Ronnie?
March 10th, 2009 at 22:17
@Traverse: I would mildly disagree with that. While it’s politically correct to say no one is bigger than the club, for me, over the past 15 years at least, Alex Ferguson IS Manchester United. I’ve heard/read enough accounts from different sources to believe that he pretty much runs the football aspect of the club on his own. Down from talking to the groundsman to the kit man, almost the entire staff have been running under the blessings of SAF.
He’s certainly not hands on in the true sense, but I am pretty sure, the amount of respect and confidence shown by Gill and co cannot possibly rival any team manager (even Wenger) anywhere in the world. A person’s value to the club can be measured by the impact if he were to leave. And Fergie is not expendable by any counts at present.
Which is why I’d like to think if there ever was a personality in the modern footballing world who comes close to the stature of the club, I think it’s Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sorry for the rant, but I thought I had to get this off my chest.
March 10th, 2009 at 22:23
@Shreyas: Our philosophy is simple mate, WIN. All the rest is just cosmetic. And Mourinho is a winner, make no mistake about that. Would I rather have a manager who comes here, makes us play attacking stylish football but we get beat every game 4-3, then I’m sorry, I’ll take a 1-0 win over that. I am the biggest proponent of attacking football and old style “Total Football” on this blog. I love the game played with beauty and style but my point is simply we cannot expect to find someone who can replace Fergie and possess all the positives that he has brought to the team. Something will have to be sacrificed simply because he is impossible to clone. So if I have to give up either attacking flair or winning, I’ll give up the attacking flair.
March 10th, 2009 at 22:26
@Shreyas: Nobody is going to give anybody else time to come in and try to keep the same thing going and be patient with him if things aren’t going well. The ax will fall immediately because we are all to used to being on the top of the mountain looking down, None of us will tolerate mediocrity or a learning curve for some young guy who is out of his element and class managerially.
March 10th, 2009 at 22:28
@Traverse: The fact is that nobody really knows tha man enough tocomment on him. What we see is what he is willing to let us see and most of that is theatrical. Ferguson seems to like and respect him greatly and for me, that is good enough. I trust Fergie and his judgment on the man’s character.
March 10th, 2009 at 22:36
I have to admit Im very jealous of Liverpool right now. To win 5-0 on aggregate against Real Madrid is damn impressive. OK Real Madrid aren’t a good side but I don’t think we’d have been able to spank them as effectively as Liverpool.
March 10th, 2009 at 23:25
There is nothing impressive about Liverpool’s victory over Real Piece Of Shit. Madrid were an abomination and a parody all boxed into one useless smelly package of shite. If they think it’s Ronaldo they need, think again. It’s time they started pissing us off all over again but this time it should be for Rio, Vidic, Evans and Evra. Their back four was a total joke and Real amateur hour. The first Liverpool goal was a calamity of defensive errors and marking.
This game will give Liverpool confidence for Saturday or it just might make them relax. Either way, they are not as good as the score indicated. It’s not that I don’t want to give them credit………HANG ON! It is because I refuse to give them credit. After all, they are a bunch of scouse bastards.
March 10th, 2009 at 23:31
Well I guess the two legs vs Sporting have done a great job of making my case for the offensive minded tactics of one Juergen Klinsmann. Listening to the morons on Setanta’s post game show about how they don’t fancy Bayern but they think Liverpool was awesome made me want to puke. Bayern are so superior in talent to Liverpool it is frightening. Tonight Bayern destroyed a Portuguese opponent 7-1 without Ribery and Toni. Enough said. They have many weapons and brought in a new kid named Muller who scored a goal and got an assist. Their one weakness is goalkeeping but then again, Rensing isn’t as horrible as Almunia or even as bad as Cech has become.
Klinsmann has saved the best of his tactics and the best of his team’s style for the Champions League. I still fancy them as an underdog.
As for our English dominance, hopefully Chelsea and Liverpool going through is a precursor for what will face Mourinho tomorrow. What I would give for a crushing 3-0 or 4-0 win?
March 10th, 2009 at 23:36
It’ll be United 2-1 in the 4th min of overtime off of John oShea’s left testicle. It’s the united way….
March 10th, 2009 at 23:38
I am in potential ecstasy if what I just read is going to come true.
“Speculation has already arisen as to Ballack’s next destination and a report in The Guardian suggests that he could be set for a return to former club Bayern Munich. His contract expires this summer so he would be available on a free and he would quickly be welcomed back at the Allianz Arena. Bayern still need world-class players if they are to compete at the highest level in Europe.”
That would be awesome to have my favorite player finally leave purgatory and return home where he was loved and where he originally became my favorite player. Add him to an already potent Bayern attack, and they would be awesome. I’d have him over van Bommel or Ze Roberto any day of the week.
March 11th, 2009 at 0:56
@Grognard: Well since no one else is about, let’s have a chat.
2 things. Apparently Roman said that Newcastle were after him to come next year but he said no. Legit??
Also, doesn’t it kill you a little bit inside loving Hargo so when you’re an Edmontonian??
March 11th, 2009 at 1:06
@Traverse: Hahaha – he does chip in with some important goals now and again lol, hehe nicely said! Now imagine that happens tomorrow night… get good odds on that me thinks. Night chaps, see u on Champs League Wednesday!
March 11th, 2009 at 1:41
For some reason I thought Grognard was from my old home town – Vancouver (and so would hate Calgary due to the Flames in any case). Doesn’t matter, Hargreaves is fabulous, and I pray he comes back full of fire. I would love to see him in our midfield and putting free kicks over the wall rather than drilling it into their chests.
Ahh.. Mourinho is a cock, and an enemy of fun.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:51
The biggest problem with mourniho is that he is a short term solution. He would be here 3-5 years then he is off to coach Portugal. I know I will prolly get grilled for this but I fancy Moyes. I love coaches that dont take any shit from their players. Moyes has also kept Everton flirting with the CL with virtually no backing from the owners. I know success at a small club doesnt usually translate into success at a top club, but I have this feeling that Moyes would be fine.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:32
@Eric the Red: I’m glad Riquelme never chose to go to a team like Newcastle. I love the player and feel he is a true artist but the English game is to fast and physical for him at his age. It’s too bad he never considered something like Germany or Italy because I truly think he would be great with a team there. He’s also the missing link for a team like Atletico when it comes to elevating them as true contenders against Barca and Real.
As for Hargo, he may not be from Edmonton and he may be from rival Calgary but as long as he ins’t a Flames player or a Stampeders player, I don’t care. I actually even felt closer to him just because he’s an Albertan. Just imagine how I felt when this young 16 year old Candian kid from my home province gets scouted and signed by my other favorite football team Bayern Munich? I was so happy for him and i really was pulling for him to succeed. I would have been very sad to see him leave Bayern for any other team, so I was equally elated that he only had eyes for United. So the guy shares my taste in football teams. We are both Canadians, both from Alberta, both love hockey and both love Bayern and Man Utd. The only difference is he played for both those teams and his hair is much more curly. Either way I’m a proud Canuck and it’s been fun watching him develop as a world class player. I just hope he can come back and be the player I know he is capable of being and that he was before the knee problems. Finger crossed.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:35
@Mountfort: I do live in Vancouver mate and I have lived in Vancouver for close to 20 years. But I grew up and still call Edmonton Alberta my home. It just feels like home, even after all these years away from it. Vancouver is cool but Alberta as it is known is God’s Country.
Mourinho is an “enemy of fun”. I like that. Very good. Mourinho of course would tell you to do one thing……SHUTUP MOUNFORT
March 11th, 2009 at 3:39
@johnsom33: A lot can happen in 3 to 5 years and more qualified candidates may crop up by then who are more suitable long term solutions. In the mean time, I still want to continue winning trophies for those 3 to 5 years so bring on the Special One I say. Although I still fantasize that Klinsmann will be the shock choice.
March 11th, 2009 at 5:20
@Grognard: Mourinho is out there whoring right now, talking the talk and walking the walk, and its always been like that and it always will.
It’s how he gets his tricks. Was with Chelsea and was with Inter. Now he’s walking up and down the Warwick Road flirting his wares showing some leg, showing some arse, and what do ya know, he’s got some customers!!
Understandable though. Maureen’s a good looking option. Lots and lots of experience, dresses right, looks good in front of the camera, has a real catchy pick-up line and when the money’s right he can really perform for ya!!! Enough to make any “red” blooded man forget his integrity.
Beware though, going to bed with Maureen has it’s perils and if you don’t take precautions you could well wake up with a “spotty” future and a “burning desire” for change!!
March 11th, 2009 at 5:26
@Redrich: This could be a while from now but if he indeed does take over at OT and he wins the league and the CL in his first year or two, i will remember your words and I will remind you of them. In the mean time, I can understand your angst and fear of the Special One invading your home. He is not for everyone’s pallet.
March 11th, 2009 at 5:31
@Grognard: Well, Grog, we’re all accountable for our words, and you write more than most!!
March 11th, 2009 at 6:30
@Grognard: a bit of a late response, just going through the posts,
but if total football we want, then wouldn’t Hiddink be the best man for the job?
He seems to be doing okay at chelsea, and that’s with not being a club manager for a few years now, he’s been mainly involved in managing countries, but he’s an advocate for total football.
he’s made it clear he’s not staying for the next season, and how long is his post with Russia?
my main fear with him is, he’s a bit of a nomad. not exactly what we’re looking for
March 11th, 2009 at 6:40
@colver: yeh, but there went all their luck in the CL, and the’ve been such a hot/cold team this season, who nows how they’ll show up for the next round.
either way i’d love it if we met them in the final and won, it’d be the sweetest way to take out the CL two years running
March 11th, 2009 at 6:58
@Natzca: Hiddink is Dutch but is not a student of Total Football. He is also a more of a teacher type and a mercenary or nomad as you put it, who has less chance of hanging around than even Mourinho. He is also a guy who likes projects like underdogs who he feels he can elevate. He looks better that way when they reach mediocrity or slightly above that.
March 11th, 2009 at 7:15
@Grognard: Yup, it’s much easier to pick the low hanging fruit, than make a ferrari go faster!
I just remember him coaching the Australian team and he introduced Total Football here, and to my knowledge I think he did the same with the Korean national team also.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:35
I’ve been thinking the last few days about how underrated Rooney’s season has been. I think he could be the match winner tonight. He took some time to get going after his virus but since around October he has been in some fine form. I’m really surprised has hasn’t been talked about as a potential PFA Player of the Year. For me he and Vidic are the 2 leading contenders.
His goal scoring has become more consistently spread out this season compared to previous seasons. The most impressive thing for me is how he has bounced back straight away from his hamstring injury. In the past he would take a month or two to regain form. What’s everyone’s thoughts?
March 11th, 2009 at 11:12
FINALLY!!! Sorry for that, but in totally unrelated news I finished my fucking tests. They have been taking up a lot of my time, and mentally damaging me, and that is why Ive been away from this site for a while. Im back!
Now lets finsih off Inter… 
March 11th, 2009 at 11:12
@Aymen: Good point but also I feel Carrick has had a superb season also.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:19
Tevez played a blinder on Saturday, I think we should look at David Moyes, Martin O`Neill and that Bilic guy(Croatia trainer) as contestants to managing United when Fergie retires(Gid forbid), I think we will win all five trophies this season, Mourinho is a cunt, Real are shite, and we will beat Inter tonight. Thats my pnions on what has been discussed on this blog these days.
And congratulations to Grognard and Bayern Munich for beating Sporting no less than 7-1(12-1 on aggregate).
To be honest, I could never expect such a result in the knockout phase of the Champions League. Podolskis first goal was a scorcher(I bet that is how Andersons first goal is gonna look like 
).
March 11th, 2009 at 11:23
@Aymen: Yeah, he has been great. I think Rooney might have been in the PFA shortlist this season, but there is something with his play that has changed. I am so used to watching Rooney run all over the pitch and stuff, but this season he is more of a poacher. Many of his goals have been “ugly”, easy or in the six yard box. He has also got some good goals, many of them like the one against Fulham on saturday. He, for me, can be one of the best strikers in the world. I want him to do well, and if he continues like he has started since his injury, he will do wonders for us!
March 11th, 2009 at 11:27
I am confident VDS will play tonnight. And Ronaldo. And Berbatov. And Vidic and Evra. But who else? If Rio can make it he is definately a starter. I hope Oshea recovers. Park will do a great job if he does play, which I hope. And Rooney should partner Berbie up front. But the central midfield is again a mystery. I would guess Scholes and Giggs.
The reason is that neither of them have played since the Carling Cup final, they both have the experience to compete with Cambiasso and Zanetti, their playing styles are so different it will ruin Inters tactics, and they are both big-game players. I would expect Fletcher, Carrick or Anderson had it not been Inter, but this is a must win game. And what Giggs can do may prove to be the reason we win. And Italians cant live with Scholes. 
March 11th, 2009 at 11:32
@Stephen: I think Evra, Vidic, Carrick, Ronaldo, Giggs and Rooney have been our best players this season. Of cource the goals of Berbatov(Bolton, Newcastle, Boro…) may be the goals that actually decide the Premiership, but his overall season has been… what do you call it? “Not as good as expected”? Yeah, probably that. Fletcher hasnt done anything special for me, and even though his goals have been important I still dont rate the guy very high. Big game player, no doubt. But star? No-no! Rafael, Park and VDS get honourable mentions.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:41
@RedDevilEddy: The season is not over yet mate, and tonights game could be the Berbatov show.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:46
I don’t think there will be any great improvement with Mourinho in charge. But we won’t regress and that is the important thing.
My main reservations are:
1) His transfer record…..I don’t think he has the same eye for players that Fergie has and even with our extensive scouting system he might be too stubborn to take advantage of them.
2) His chemistry with the players….he seems to do best with sulky , flashy, prima donnas like himself. I can see him doing great with Ronaldo…hopefully he’ll get Ronaldo to fall in love with him like the Drog. But some of our non-flashy players will probably dislike him.
3) His dislike of flair….Im worried players won’t have the same creative freedom under Mourinho and we’ll become too predictable.
4) His impact on youth….Mourinho doesn’t do the father figure role. He is also not as passionate about young players as Fergie is. He could leave us like Chelsea…with an ageing team on the decline.
Anyway let’s break the Mourinho spell and thump Inter at Old Trafford. With Liverpool and Chelsea through it is going to be painful if we fall at this hurdle.
In the league I have complete confidennce in Manchester United. But in a one-off game, like a cup tie, again and again we disappoint. Liverpool on the other hand are a total cup team and I really envy the European scalps they’ve achieved over the years with a team vastly inferior to ours.
Last year we went some way to making up for our under-achievement in Europe. Winning the Champions League this year would truly underline this team’s reputation as the best team in the world. We need to do this. And it begins today with a win over Inter.
Team:
EVDS, O’Shea/Evans, Rio/Evans, Vidic, Evra, Park, Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney
March 11th, 2009 at 11:47
@Stephen: Really hope so! As long as we win, I dont care if we score the winning goal of Edwins left testicle!
March 11th, 2009 at 11:53
@RedDevilEddy:
March 11th, 2009 at 11:58
Am, as usual, quite nervous about tonight. For some reason I don’t think it’s going to be close – either we get scored on early and spend the whole game chasing two goals, and not getting them – or we thump them 2 or 3 nil. Can’t see this being a Barca-esque experience.
I think you can see from the resting of players who Fergie is going to line up with. The biggest lesson from the first game against Inter is that width is essential, so I expect us to be 442:
————–EVDS————–
–Sheasy-Rio—Vida—–Evra—-
——-Carrick—Scholes——–
-Ronaldo—————Giggs—-
——–Rooney-Berbatov———
Simple, and probably our first XI (though that doesn’t really exist anymore). Hoping we get a goal or two up, and Fergie can replace Giggs with Anderson and make us more compact.
Biggest challenge will be containing the long ball up to the big men of Inter, they really dominated us in the air in Milan, though didn’t do much with it. I think Jose will try and get Stankovic alot closer to Ibra/Adriano to pick up scraps bouncing off them, something they were really missing.
We need massive tempo and commitment, lets see how those old legs last (giggs, scholes – looking at you)!
March 11th, 2009 at 12:08
@RedDevilEddy: I think because Rooney is such a “team player” by nature, he’ll probably never get the recognition that other players may get. In my mind he has this season proved himself to be the best striker in the premiership. He is a more complete player than any other striker in England, always getting involved in the build up play as well as scoring regularly. A strong run of form in the Champions League would take him to another level.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:08
@RedDevilEddy: I knew I’d heard Brazilian and O’Shea in the same sentence but couldn’t make sense of it. Now it’s dawned on me, A shaved testicle = a cleaner contact. So what is a header?
March 11th, 2009 at 12:11
@Grognard: I rate very highly James Richardson of the Guardian blog. He’s a fantastic commentator and has his finger on the button most of the time.
Here he’s commenting on the possibility of Mourinho to United. I can’t agree with him more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/mar/11/manchester-united-internazionale
March 11th, 2009 at 12:26
Why would we wont this prick as our manager, please do not let him, he can only manage teams that have good players to start off with, and only chases the top teams.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:56
@ Aymen – Hate to say it, but a healthy Torres is head and shoulders above the Roon. Doesn’t happen very often, but that boy is ridiculously good, Fergie really missed a beat there. Rooney has more creativity and a better footballing brain, but in every other attacking area I would take Torres. Given that the Roon is now also playing a centre forward, comparing them on those merits makes sense, and in heading, finishing, touch, pace, long ball control – Torres is better.
I’d comfortably put Rooney third in the league as a CF, behind a motivated Drogba and Torres.
Now if Fergie played him as an SS…we’d be having a different discussion
March 11th, 2009 at 13:04
@Beachryan: I don’t agree in that, Rooney is more creative that the one trick pony Torres, who scored 33 last season great, but previously 15 and 13.
And Drogba better than Rooney, that big cart horse I am sorry mate but no chance.
March 11th, 2009 at 13:13
Just less than 8 hours to go till the match!!!!!! Where’s the excitement folks? We need this place to be buzzing, just like OT tonight!!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 13:15
I really don’t want us to just win tonight, I want us to go out there and make a statement! A statement that betters Liverpool’s performance! (though Real were super shite) The rest of Europe should shiver hoping they don’t meet us in the next few stages!
March 11th, 2009 at 14:04
@ Stephen – Do you actually watch Torres play? He is superb. I’m not blinded by my loyalty, and I think Rooney would walk into any first XI in the world. But for a centre forward, leading the line, Torres is better.
And hate him for his dives, his petulance, his annoying yells – but Drogba over 3 years ago was one of the best centre forwards to ever play in England. His abilities were often denigrated because of his physical prowess, but he was the best focal point centre forward I’ve seen play in many years.
Again, I don’t like him, but I respect how effective he is (was?).
March 11th, 2009 at 14:08
@Beachryan: Three years ago, he certainly isn’t better than Rooney now.
Yes I have watched Torres playmate thanks, and I am not blinded by loyalty, he certainly isn’t “head and shoulders” above Rooney.
March 11th, 2009 at 14:26
@TheThreeRs:
March 11th, 2009 at 14:29
@Stephen: Agree on both counts. There is very marginal diff between Rooney and Torres.. its definitely not ‘head and shoulders’.
@Beachryan: Torres I would deem just edging away in finishing, he’s well ahead in heading the ball.. but I think Rooney is at least on par (if not better) in touch, pace & ‘long ball’ control (assuming you mention it as a subcategory of ball control, and not as a synonym).
March 11th, 2009 at 14:32
@antsBoy: Im buzzing louder and moving faster than a fly with microphone and the hugest of soundraisers(dunno the actual English word for it)! How can anybody not be nervous, exited and fired up for this?! Im looking forward to it, not only the game, but what that will be said afterwards. If we win: “Fergie proves he is mightier than Special One”, “Uniteds dominance show in Europe too!” and “Rome, here we come!”. If we lose: “Joses tactical masterproof wins against Sir Alex again!”, “Jose Mourinho: Truly Special” and “Jose knocks out Fergie again! Is he the man to replace him?” Yes, it is all about Jose. Seems like the press have forgotten that there is a team that is called Inter Milan. It could have been fucking Bury or Rochdale and if Jose was in charge, they would talk up the game like this. Im going for a 3-0 win to Manchester United. You wait and see…
March 11th, 2009 at 14:38
Even a blind man can tell you there is no contest between Torres and Rooney.Torres is head and shoulders above,and in the que,i would place Drog and Adebayor ahead of Rooney.
He is a fantastic footballer though,but you ever imagine Rooney being top scorer or having the tag of Europe’s best striker?the above have a realistic chance.
And mid you,Rooney is not young anymore so what he shows is what he has.
March 11th, 2009 at 14:47
@donibrasco: Rooney is not young anymore??? Just because he is 23 and has been playing at the highest level for nearly 7 years??? And that implies that he will not improve since “what he shows is what he has”?? Sorry dude but that is just sheer analytical travesty (along with the other one that Adebayor is better than Rooney)!!!
Adebayor is leaps and rungs (if that could be a phrase) below Rooney!
March 11th, 2009 at 14:48
There is no doubt Torres and Rooney are great strikers. But who is the best. I am gonna do a comparison!
Agree or disagree, just remember that this isnt a biased comparing because Torres is one of my favorite players. 
Tough…
Best finishing: Torres
Fastest: Torres
Best at timing runs: Rooney
Good positioning: Torres just edges it.
Volly: Rooney
Long shots: Rooney
Aerial play: Torres
Passing: Rooney
Good with both feet: Torres
Crossing: Rooney
Ball control: Rooney iN touch, Torres in skill. Almost a draw
Movement: Rooney
Agression: Rooney
Spirit: Rooney
Managing to play as lone front man: Torres
Team player: Rooney
Creates goals on his own: Rooney
Balance: Torres
Agility: Torres
Strength: Rooney by far!
Did I get it right?
March 11th, 2009 at 14:51
@RedDevilEddy: I’m nervously excited. Just the same as before the Barca home game last year… some weird positive intuition hitting my nerves every now and then.. although I can’t see the score in my vision!
March 11th, 2009 at 14:54
@RedDevilEddy: You got almost everything right there, except few spellings
March 11th, 2009 at 14:59
@Rahul: I can. 3-0 to United.
March 11th, 2009 at 15:01
You can try to break it down, but perhaps its more helpful this way: if you could have Torres at United, do you think he would start over rooney in the CF position, and Rooney be moved somewhere else? I’m 100% sure he would.
I think Rooney is wonderfully talented, and possess a desire and a hunger that Torres doesn’t. He’d be in my world XI. He’s one of my favourite players. But he’s not as a good an out and out striker as Fernando Torres. Anyway, just my opinion.
Am I the only convinced there’s going to be a penalty to Inter tonight?
March 11th, 2009 at 15:14
@RedDevilEddy: I will then trust your vision, o great visionary!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 15:15
@Beachryan: If there is to be a penalty to Inter, I hope it’s when we’re 5-0 up!
March 11th, 2009 at 15:20
Before you eat me alive,i want anyone to challenge that Adebayor,Torres,Drogba,Van Nisterlroy,Raul,Sheva e.t.c have at one time or another been regarded as Europe’s best strikers.
Rooney on the other hand how ever much he has talent,he has underachieved.
You talk about aggression,and heart for the game,but as a striker in a top four team,you are supposed to be contender for the golden boot.
You have the best midfield,defenders,and half the time you are playing weak teams that dont need a striker to be in defence.
March 11th, 2009 at 15:29
@donibrasco: Dude, no doubts Drogba, RVN, Raul, Shevchenko, even Torres, have all been regarded as the best striker in Europe at any point in time. Not Adebayor! When do you suppose that was?? Last year?? Torres and Toni were ahead of him..
I would gladly take Rooney over Adebayor the piece of joke. The rest I can concur with.
March 11th, 2009 at 15:51
What’s this thing going on about our kit for next season?
Apparently commemorating a 100 yrs or something
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1160966/Pictures-emerge-Manchester-Uniteds-new-away-kit-honouring-century-success.html
March 11th, 2009 at 16:07
@Beachryan: Not sure it’s really fair to say that Fergie missed a beat there. He has said that he had tried to sign Torres a number of times to no avail and that eventually you just need to move on.
Spot on though. Torres is a better striker than Rooney, though he just shades it for me. If you’d asked which is the better footballer that might change things.
God how I wanted to sign him that summer instead of Tevez. The prospect of Rooney playing behind Torres is just mouth watering.
March 11th, 2009 at 16:33
@Eric the Red: Torres was halfway in the middle of signing with us, then FSW spoke to him in Spanish about his dreams of serving up titles in merseyside.. and Torres flipped! Anyway, we didn’t do badly thereafter!
March 11th, 2009 at 16:36
hmm.. Park was awesome for the previous fixture, but then park has played 2 consecutive matches(if im not wrong).. Do you think Park will be played tonight or will he be saved and used against liverpool?
Prediction a slender 1-0 win.
March 11th, 2009 at 17:09
Its gonna be a nite of great goals and we are beatin inter 3-0
fact
March 11th, 2009 at 17:10
Yea, would have loved Torres at United. Easily better than Berbatov (and cheaper too). Not sure we were close to signing him in 2007 though. I thought we were almost there in 2006 but Ferguson lost patience when he deicded to stay for one more year.
March 11th, 2009 at 17:35
@RedDevilEddy: Congrats on you finally finishing your exams mate. Hopefully the grades will warrant equal or greater celebration. I’m sure they will. The exams stressed you out so much it sounds like you put a lot of effort into them so the results will be highly positive.
And thanks for your praise over my boys at Bayern. Yes Juergen seems to have them purring like kittens right now. What I really like is how they are distributing the scoring around. It’s not just one or two guys. That means the attack is truly working and not a case of an individual or two who are in super form. Yesterday was super impressive because Ribery, Toni and Demichelis didn’t play and because they were already u 5-0 on agg. I would have expected them to coast and be a little lazy and end the tie with a 2-2 or 1-1 result. But instead they cam out with fire in their eyes and really scorched them. This past week has been a great one for Schweinsteiger. Without Ribery playing he has really taken his game to a new level. On Saturday his crossing into the box was better than Beckham’s and his overall play was awesome on the left side. And the real Podolski has stepped up in the last two games to deliver some great goals. Too bad he’s going to Cologne. Now hopefully the rumors of Ballack returning to Bayern come true. He needs to come home so I can love him again and call him my favorite. The Chelsea thing has always been a bitter pill to swallow.
March 11th, 2009 at 17:38
@donibrasco: Are you on drugs!??! Adebayor better than Rooney that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read on this site.
March 11th, 2009 at 17:50
@RedDevilEddy: Intersting points, but is Torres better than Rooney with his left foot, and balance Torres goes down far too easily and Wazza has a low centre of gravity, so not sure but good point well put across.
March 11th, 2009 at 17:50
@Grognard: Oh boy, my exams arent finished in a long time! Its just that I have been having big tests 3 times a week for nearly a month now. These last 7 days have been espesially terrible! Had the final test today, had one yesterday, had to write 20 pages of litterature until Monday, and had a test on Friday. At least now I have got 2 weeks of break from tests, and I can enjoy my birthday.
And thanks for wishing me the best, because these tests really stressed me. We are applying for schools now, so my results are gonna be important. So I really wanted to do well. Hopefully I did!
March 11th, 2009 at 17:54
@Shreyas: Interesting article. The one who doesn’t like Mourinho is placing a lot of the blame for Mourinho’s lackluster performance at Inter on him and I think it’s because the team is only average to begin with and because he was not able to sign the players he was promised to when he signed with them. Quaresma is a weak character, he is right. It amazes me that he signed him. The only players at Inter I would ever want on United or any team I supported are Maicon and Cambiasso. The rest are either useless, overrated or too old. Clearly he has done wonders with an aging squad that has poor back four (except for Maicon), no quality central midfielders and the most overrated gutless forwards in football in IbrahmiBitch and Adriano. How many senior citizens are on that team taking up space and money? Crespo, Figo, Zanetti and Vieira. Take those salaries out of the team and replace them with good young talent and lets see if more would not be afraid of Mourinho then. Frankly he has gotten about as much as can be expected from such a club.
He may not be everybody’s cup of tea but like I have said over and over, he is a winner. He may not always play beautiful football, but he has learned from the best and I’m sure he is capable of adapting, especially if given a talent pool that is as great as United’s. I think of our back four right now and great they are. I think of how great he made the back four at Chelsea when he was in charge. That is important to me. I could see him really getting the most out of players like Rooney, Anderson, Carrick etc. I would worry about Ronaldo and Berbatov though. Both do things that are not Mourinho’s way of doing things and they both aren’t famous for tracking back. But then again, you never know.
March 11th, 2009 at 17:58
@Beachryan: RTooney doies so much more than Torres. Torres is a better finisher with better goal scoring instincts, but he is not as multi-dimensional as Rooney. Rooney is a much better passer, has more vision, and imagination and also tracks back and gets involved in the play away form the opposing goal. He also makes everyone around him better with his effort and his great running into space. Torres is much more rigid in his contribution. A great player but I would not rate him better than Rooney. I’d call them equal unless goals are the only thing you are judging things by. If so, then Torres is better.
March 11th, 2009 at 17:59
I’m going to be confident here, 4-0 to us, Ronaldo, Rooney (2) Giggs
March 11th, 2009 at 18:01
@Beachryan: Drogba is a presence in the middle and much of what you say about him is true. But he’s also a piece of shit and a prick and that alone make me and all the others hate him and dismiss him on principle. WE HATE THE DROGBA!
March 11th, 2009 at 18:03
@donibrasco: You are welcome to your views mate but clearly YOU ARE WRONG.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:04
@Stephen: Rooney have scored very few goals with his left foot. Although almost equally good with both feet, Torres scored many goals with his left last season(and this). But of cource, most of their goals are made with the right foot. And Torres has a great balance, because the drag-feint he does enquires a great deal of body control. But Im not so sure on that, still. Because I think there are some things they are equally good at. I would take Torres over Tevez, hell, even Berbatov. Because this is what I want from the ultimate striker:
Deadly finishing
Fucking fast!
Good in the air
Great positioning
Equally good with both feet
Strong
Can score every type of goal
Mentality: Wanna score on every chance in every game!
This actually sets up well for some players. If I look away from injury troubles, mentality(wanting to play for another club) or personality, my choices as the “Ultimate striker” would be this list:
Louis Saha
Karim Benzema
Fernando Torres
David Villa
Samul Etoo
Didier Drogba(in his prime)
Amauri
Miroslav Klose
These are all players I have sexual dreams of playing in United.
Fuck Adebayor, Van Persie, Shavechenko, Henry and Aguero. I luv Aguero, but he does not fit well with the shortlist. He is not so good in the air, fairly weak, and he just isnt one you can trust when your team REALLY NEEDS a goal. Rooney is my favorite United striker, and I love him. But even though I think Berbatov is brilliant as God himself, he does not possess some of the qualities I am looking for. I would sub Berba for every one of those mentioned above. Thats just because I want perfection for my beloved team. I especially would have liked to see Villa, Benzema or Torres at United. I can only dream…
March 11th, 2009 at 18:06
@RedDevilEddy: Well done mate. That gives it to Rooney I believe. Also, lets not forget the fact that Rooney is a man and Torres is a girl. Pretty good competition from a girl though. Torres is also cuter.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:08
@donibrasco: You are stuck in the old school mentality of what a striker is. Rooney is not a Gerd Muller, a Crespo or a Drogba. He is unique and that alone makes your comparison pointless because he doesn’t play the same position. His position is more hybrid. A forward/midfielder.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:13
@phoenix red: We all need to be confident. If we worry about losing to Inter, that doesnt make us any more men than 6 year old girls with ponytails.
We are United, we are fucking winners!!! Screw Inter, we are the best. CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND, CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!!! Fuck them all, its United that counts. They are just a piece of shit that are more overrated than fucking Stevie Me!!!! Bloody bastards, we are gonna show them how real Champions play football. How real Champions win! How real champions seize the opportunity!!!! HOW REAL FUCKING CHAMPIONS SCORE MORE THAN THEIR OPPONENTS!!!! We are gonna beat them!!!! This is gonna be fun… 
The team, the club that is Manchester United will listen to the famous words of the “Special” puppet. The players will raise to the occasion, the players will show who they really are, the TEAM are gonna show Mr. Jose Fucking Mourinho what a winning and hammering their opponents really mean. “BE CHAMPIONS!”
March 11th, 2009 at 18:17
@Grognard: I was thinking about putting the a comparison that was “Who is the most manly?”, with Rooney “Winning by a mile!” Then something else about Torres being more of a girl than Rafael Benitez herself. We all know girls only talk bullshit all the time, without any actual sense, so I thought it would fit well.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:17
Anyone with teamnews??
March 11th, 2009 at 18:18
@RedDevilEddy: I’d take Aguero over all of them mate. The man is brilliant. My favorite forwards may surprise a lot of you but I think some of the surprises may eventually prove me correct.
Aguero
Klose
Toni
Podolski
Ibesevic
Bendtner
Torres
Pavlyuchenko
Pogrebnyak
Villa
Huntelaar
And yes I honestly believe Bendtner is going to turn into a great striker. The two Russians a re good but they need a fast supporting cast to play off of to be truly dangerous.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:19
My prediction today is United will win 3-1. A tight game but our fitness and superiority will win the game in the second half.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:22
Eddy what is Saha doing on your list? He is past it and even when he was fit and firing on all cylinders he was no better than Yorke and Cole i.e. good but a long way off world class.
Tonight the game is ours to win. The worst thing we can do is what we’ve been doing all season: going 1-0 up and not being ruthless enough to extend our lead. I’m only going to relax when we go 2-0 up because you can never bet against Inter scoring a lucky goal (probably a dubious penalty after we’ve been denied ten legit ones).
Score two goals and we’ll go through.
Score one and we better pray the Gods are on our side
March 11th, 2009 at 18:23
@Grognard: Bendtner is a Div one player mate.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:28
@Grognard: Those are some really good strikers my friend. Imagine having those 11 as a team! The goalkeeper would be shooting from behind the half way line! It would concede a lot of goals, but what a game that would be like!
I can understand Aguero, Villa, Torres, Klose, Huntelaar and Podolski, but who the fuck is Pogrebnyak? And I would never rate Pavlychenko, Bendtner or Ibesevic to be in my list. I think Aguero and Podolski is too bad in the air, Huntelaar and Toni arent fast enough, Pavlychenko just isnt that deadly and Bendter is just shite. He may be a monster in the air, but he just doesnt do it for me. But hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion! I just feel that teh ultimate striker would be a combo of Drogbas aerial play, Ruuds positioning, the finishing of Villa and the speed of Agbonlahor. Villa is the best striker on the planet for me, right now at least. He has everything you can ask from a striker, and if Fergie bought him I would literally clean Villas boots and thank Ferguson in person. That would be the best day of my life, even better than the day Anderson scores his first goal.
Didnt expect that, did you?! 
Ive had a fairly good day today, so if Anderson scored Im gonna remember 11th March 2009 forever!
March 11th, 2009 at 18:30
@Grognard: Bendtner could come up good, but those chances would be better if he left Arsenal.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:34
@colver: You wouldnt call Saha a good striker? If you look away from his injuries, he could do everything needed in an attacker. He had the third most assists for us in 2006/07, even though he missed the last 5 months. He is a deadly finisher. He is nearly perfection in the air, he is really fast, he is equally good with both feet and he could score everything from tap ins to screamers! If he could stay fit for a whole season(which will never happen because we are talking about SAHA!) he may have been a contestant for Ballon Do`R. Im not joking here, he is the ultimate striker! Just that everyone has a flaw, and his ruined his career. Why couldnt it be something like him being gay, having 11 fingers or snoring louder than my coach yells when we dont win instead?!
March 11th, 2009 at 18:35
@RedDevilEddy: If you had watched a lot of Zenit play last year in the UEFA Cup and enough of Russia you would know who he is. He is a lethal striker with great presence. He would be Russia’s number one if not for Pavlyuchenko. As for Bendtner, he is young and he is learning. I see great skill in him and in time Wenger could turn him into the most feared forward in England. Either that or he ends up with a team like Bayern who fancy him. Trust me, he is not shite and I will be proven right within two years. As for the Drogba’s and RVN’s, they are too old and well past their expiry date.. Oh and mate, Saha is a piece of crap and always will be.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:36
@Stephen: @Rahul: @Grognard: Bendtner thinks he is Batman or Superman….
March 11th, 2009 at 18:37
@Rahul: I’m not sure. Look what Wenger has done with Henry and Adebayour and Kanu and others. He is patient and he knows how to mold players. I think Bendtner is going to be great under him. But he needs to sell Adebayor because the two do not get along.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:38
@RedDevilEddy: He is Bendtnerman
March 11th, 2009 at 18:38
@Grognard: If he turns out to be the most feared forward in England I will run around the Trafford Centre naked!
He has no pace and can’t finnish, not ideal.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:39
@Grognard: @RedDevilEddy: More like Benderman!
March 11th, 2009 at 18:41
@Grognard: Im not a big fan of the UEFA cup… I aim higher.
Nah, didnt Pogrebnyak score against us in Monaco? 
If so, I remember him impressing me. But I havent watched enough of him to judge fairly, so I will believe you there.
And Bendtner… Good in the air, okey finisher. But he is never gonna be in the same category as Villa, Torres or Podolski. Come on, look who you are setting up as the worlds best strikers! “Torres, Villa, Klose, Aguero… Bendtner” Do you honestly feel they deserve to be on the same list? At least right now?
March 11th, 2009 at 18:42
@RedDevilEddy: Must have been the pink boots effect!
@Grognard: If Adebayor goes, then he’ll do better.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:47
@Stephen: Just let me know the day and time and make sure it’s during a televised game.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:50
Preview up. Head over there for match discussion and anything else that catches your fancy.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:50
@Grognard: Ha Ha it would not be a pretty sight!
March 11th, 2009 at 18:51
@RedDevilEddy: Bendtner will surprise all of you one day. I see a lot of skill in the lad and his finishing at times is superb. He’s young and he lets his emotions get the better of him right now but Henry was like that too. I believe Wenger will make this kid into something we will all fear. Fine, none of you believe me right now but it’s because you can’t see the potential and look forward. In two years, I will have the last laugh, and when that time comes, I want to be referred Grognard the Super Scout.
March 11th, 2009 at 18:53
@Stephen: More like a frakken freak show, but quality television nonetheless.
March 11th, 2009 at 19:01
Do you guys realise how many goals we have lost this season because of stupid refs?! Just saw through some of our games today, and check out our wongly disallowed goals/penalties not given.
1. Pompey away: Oshea puts Rooney clean through, he finishes between James legs. Two yards onside.
2. Villareal home: Park gets hacked from a Villareal defender just inside the box. Ref gives a goal kick.
3. Aalborg, away: Ronaldo free-kick gets handled inside Aalbrg area. Nothing given.
4. West Brom, home: Rooney is one-on-one with Carson and finishes over him and into the net. But ref says Rooney pulled down Zuhverloon. Disallowed goal.
5. Celtic, home: Rooney finishes underneath Boruc after a perfectly timed run, but is given offside. Three yards onside.
6. Celtic, away: Berbatov finishes on volley from corner, and it gets cleared off the line. Goal not given, actually over the line.
7. Villareal, away: A great bulid up finishes with Anderson playing Rooney in. He scores on his first touch, but is called offside. Actually on line with last defender.
8. Tottenham, away: Ronaldo vollies the ball into the net, but is given a hand ball. Even though the ball hit his hand, it was a normal place to have the hand. Is he supposed to have his hand on his dick, or WTF?!
9. Boro, home: Ronaldo gets strangled by Piggytits in the area. Ref gives Ronaldo yellow card for being “angry”.
10. Chelski, home: Corner, Rooney plays it to Giggs. Ronaldo scores from his cross, but ref gives a corner kick for some reason.
11. Chelski, home: Ronaldo is put through by Berbatov, and finishes behind Cech. Given offside, actually 4 yards onside.
12. Bolton, away: Fletcher crosses the ball, but it hits a defender in the arm over his head. Nothing given in the area.
13. Everton, home: Carrick is through on goal, and is felled by Lescott. Ref doesnt do anything…
14. West Ham, away: Ronaldo tries to run down the clock, and is felled in the area. Ref doesnt do anything.
15. Derby, away: Ronaldo is through on goal after Foster goalkick, and scores against Carroll. Linesman disallows the goal 5 minutes later.
16. Blackburn, home: Evans scores from Nani corner. But ref says he jumped on teh Rovers defender, which he actually didnt.
17. Spurs, CC final: King fells Ronaldo in the area, but instead of a penalty Ronaldo is given a yellow card for diving.
18. Fulham, away: Anderson plays Rooney through and he rounds Schweinster and scores. Actually onside, ref disallows it.
Horrendeus when you think of it! How on earth can we get so many wrongly disallowed goals?! This may be the reason we have been so “shy” in front of goal this season. We could have had 18 more goals!!! Believe my word, these are true FACTS! Rafa better take notes…
March 11th, 2009 at 19:01
@Grognard: Hopefully not!!!!
I am off to the game (via the pub) lets hope we put in a performance tonight if so then we should be fine.
COME ON BOYS!!!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 19:09
@Grognard: Bendtner? What’s the Danish for ‘Flat Track Bully’?
March 11th, 2009 at 19:12
Let’s face it, he doesn’t have the Respect or Class of our Ferguson. I don’t want to imagine United in the hands of someone without such dignity.
March 11th, 2009 at 19:37
@RedDevilEddy: Rooney would have had 5 of those. He’d be on 21 goals. That’d have shut up the haters.
Ronaldo would have had 7 more (seeing as he takes penaties, and only misses vital ones!). He’d be on 23 goals.
March 11th, 2009 at 19:45
@Traverse: A cricket reference for a footy player? Nice
March 11th, 2009 at 19:47
VDS
OSHEA RIO VIDA EVRA
RONALDO CARRICK GIGGS
BERBATOV ROONEY
Missed the other midfielder. Think its Park.
OFFICIAL.
March 11th, 2009 at 20:08
Scholes is the other midfielder.
Bench: Foster, Evans, Anderson, Fletcher, Gibson, Park, Tevez
Inter team.
Cesar
maicon cordoba samuel santon
cambiasso
zanetti stankovic viera
ibra balotelli
toldo, maxwell, figo, someonelse, cruise, muntari, rivas
March 11th, 2009 at 20:42
@RedDevilEddy: Excellent post mate. I have been singing this song all season long and have been completely amazed by how many legit goals we have had called back. Stunning really. I appreciate you bringing up all of them with details as people really need to know just how bad the refereeing in the game truly is.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:51
I’ve not read any replies to this piece but hope they all say the same thing as mine:
Go away Mourinho. No-one here wants you ever to manage Utd. Ever