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
- Chelsea vs Manchester United: Preview
- Annoying Mourinho Leaves | United After Another ‘Hole’ Player? | Saha | SAF Quotes
- Nothing of Significance as Silly Season Continues
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@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!!
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Well, Grog, we’re all accountable for our words, and you write more than most!!
Like?
0 
0
@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
Like?
0 
0
@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
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0
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?
Like?
0 
0
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… 
Like?
0 
0
@Aymen: Good point but also I feel Carrick has had a superb season also.
Like?
0 
0
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 
).
Like?
0 
0
@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!
Like?
0 
0
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. 
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: The season is not over yet mate, and tonights game could be the Berbatov show.
Like?
0 
0
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
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: Really hope so! As long as we win, I dont care if we score the winning goal of Edwins left testicle!
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy:
Like?
0 
0
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)!
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0
@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?
Like?
0 
0
@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
Like?
0 
0
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.
Like?
0 
0
@ 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
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0
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!!!!
Like?
0 
0
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!
Like?
0 
0
@ 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?).
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0
@TheThreeRs:
Like?
0 
0
@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).
Like?
0 
0
@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…
Like?
0 
0
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.
Like?
0 
0
@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!
Like?
0 
0
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?
Like?
0 
0
@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!
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: You got almost everything right there, except few spellings
Like?
0 
0
@Rahul: I can. 3-0 to United.
Like?
0 
0
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?
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: I will then trust your vision, o great visionary!!!
Like?
0 
0
@Beachryan: If there is to be a penalty to Inter, I hope it’s when we’re 5-0 up!
Like?
0 
0
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.
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0
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
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0
@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!
Like?
0 
0
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.
Like?
0 
0
Its gonna be a nite of great goals and we are beatin inter 3-0
fact
Like?
0 
0
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.
Like?
0 
0
@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.
Like?
0 
0