Jun 03
Mystery Man Advised Not to Leave United | SAF’s Big Interview | Right Backs, Anyone?
A mystery United player, who will not be named till the end of the week on this site by the author, has been advised by an Armani underwear David Beckham to stay put at United, saying United is the best place for said mystery player.
End of report. The author is not open for any comment on mystery player.
Moving on, for those of you living in the UK — or perhaps, anyone with access to Sky Sports 1, I guess — today is Fergie’s first full length interview in about a decade to be telecast at 8 pm and 10:30 pm UK time. I don’t get the point of calling this an ‘exclusive’ interview when the juicy bits have already been out, like for instance, the bit where he says he can’t see himself stay for more than three years, or perhaps two. Or the bit where he talks about his motivational techniques. But I bet it’s going to be one hell of an interview because it’s been through a bit of a PR blitz as every paper seems to have been paid off by Sky to run this story on the big interview.
I don’t have access to Sky, stateside, so I’ll have to rely on bootlegs.
In transfer rumours, there is nothing of note happening. And with the big stars out for the Euros, I don’t expect any big name signing to be done till the tournament gets over. So brace yourselves for a long summer. Of course, there was the Robinho to United bit that was circulated. But that would involve something I don’t want to go into, so we’ll leave it at that.
In other news, it looks likely that Mark Hughes will be moving to City. Why am I bringing this up? Because I want to branch off on a transfer target that a lot of United fans are after: Micah Richards. There were rumours about United’s interest in the right back. He is highly rated and the uncertainty around Sven’s position cast shadows on his future. I didn’t believe that a player from the youth academy of the Massives could move to United, given Citeh’s excellent season under Sven and Thaksin Shina-twat-ra’s moneybags. And Hughes moving to City could once again restore faith and belief in City players.
I suppose that transfer rumour could now be put to rest.
Which brings us to the question, and possibly the discussion, for the day. Do you think we need a right back at all, given Brown’s solid performances, Hargreaves’ more than adequate ability to fill in at that position, and Neville’s return from injury?
If you still think we need a right back then suggest who you want and why? Perhaps, comment on their respective strengths, like say, defensive ability; ability to move forward; ability to track back and support the defence and the likes. Also give your take on his possible transfer value (especially if he’s a new player not discussed before) and more importantly his attitude towards a club like United — something that has become important considering the current transfer saga. The reason I am suggesting you to include these attributes for discussion is to make your arguments well rounded and hence we won’t have a random discussion involving throwing around names just for the heck of it, backed by Youtube compilations. [Compilations don't always strengthen one's argument. Otherwise John O'Shea would be a better player than Luis Figo.]
Off the top of my head I can say: Dani Alves and Philip Lahm. But I think Barcelona could become a more attractive destination for the Brazilian. Lahm could be cheaper, hence a better option.
Norman Davies, the club’s first kitman, died early in the morning yesterday. God bless his soul. He served the club from 1973-1996 and was also popular with fans.
And sorry for the trouble yesterday. I’ve got word from Andrei — the UEFA Fantasy League for the Euros is up and running. So those interested, head over to UEFA.com, create an account, if you don’t have one, and head over to the fantasy league section. The group code is: 98380-18218
Over to you. Looking forward to a good discussion involving right backs — for most part [if you know what I mean!].
Related items from Red Rants:
- Interview with Phillippe Auclair
- Gill on City and Ronaldo
- Interview with Aon – Manchester United’s future sponsors
- United on Top of the league, for now
- Aston Villa v Man Utd:Preview
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Comma; just to correct you, Gomez plays for Stuttgart, not Bayern and I agree that we need to find cover for Evra but it doesn’t have to be somebody who will eventually take his position because Evra is here for another 4 years and he is still very young. I would be happy if Silvestre stuck around, otherwise yes we need to find some backup. Also, is Possebon ready to take that role in CMF? I don’t think so therefore, we are stuck with a central midfield again that scored 3 goals all last season in the EPL. Just not good enough, but fortunately CR7 makes up for that. But what if leaves, not only do we lose him but then our midfield ends up looking pretty anemic offensively don’t you think?
Like?
0 
0
Grognard: If memory serves me correctly Beckham launched several ranges of items under the label of DB7. I really doubt that a shirt number will derail any move as Ronaldo is the selling point, a new logo/name can be created. And retiring the number is a bit of a misnomer. Raul will be about next season, so if Ronaldo did go he would need a different number anyway.
Conor: Being a pedantic shite the answer is actually twice
RVN in 2002/03 and Yorke managed 20 on the dot in 1999/00. Three with Ronaldo but I would discount him as he isn’t really a striker. But the point still stands, the chances of getting both strikers above 20 league goals is very small.
On a more general note about Alves he seems to suffer from the general perception that plagues full backs, if they are excellent attackers they must be shoddy defensively. Watching him I haven’t really noticed any glaring defensive problems. However, given the importance he has in Sevilla’s attacking play he can, understandably, leave his flank exposed. If we bought him the key would be him adapting to a more restrained role than he has at Sevilla. If he does he would be an excellent purchase, if not he would be another Cicinho.
Like?
0 
0
NINO; I like that VOLDEMORT. That works for me. How about the rest of you? and Dumledore is Fergie because should Voldemort decide to leave for the Dark Side, there will be a fire storm of magical proportions between the two wizards.
Like?
0 
0
Conor: Fair enough mate! Though I would think the nickname Dumbledore would be more apt for Fergie (rather than You Know Who), as he’s a wizened, wily old wizard who’s conjured up some truly magic stuff over the years, but you know he has to (sadly) go someday! :’(
Like?
0 
0
damn u Grognard u beat me 2 it!
Like?
0 
0
Naah. Not a fan of Harry Potter. How about… wait for it… Darth Vader.
Like?
0 
0
First off I am not looking for both strikers to score over 20. I want the new striker to score well over 20 goals in all competitions and have Rooney come in with between 15 and 20 and Tevez with around a dozen. Gosh people is so hard to figure out? I want the return of a Ruud van Nistelrooy to also make Rooney be a better player. And to heck with Tevez if he doesn’t like being a super sub. I’m sorry but I’m just being honest with what I want. I do respect the fact that many of you are happy with the way things are. I’m just not. I like the idea of pushing the envelope to improve, not stand pat.
JB; You may be right but I do not recall anything here in North America with the DB7 label. Lets also not forget that when Beckham went to Real he was older and more mature and much more willing to change numbers. Ronaldo has an ego the size of Texas and I just can’t see him accepting second fiddle to Raul. But then again, I could end up being very wrong because in the end, money talks.
Like?
0 
0
On second thoughts, he’s Anakin Skywalker. We don’t want him to go to the dark side, but we know he is going — a bit like watching the first three parts of the trilogy.
Like?
0 
0
Nino; Fair enough, although associating ‘him’ with the dark side before he’s even done anything wrong seems slightly unfair.
JB; I see, bollocks I thought I could come across as intelligent in that one point
. Cheers for correcting me.
Like?
0 
0
[Grognard]
The number is a minor detail. He’s 17 for his country anyway.
Like?
0 
0
Grognard: I would have thought the opposite would be true, the older you are the more established the number/ branding/merchandising are, therefore the more difficult the change. Also bear in mind that Beckham was never that big in America back in his United days. At any rate Beckham was a bigger marketing operation in 2003 than Ronaldo is now, so if they could get a work around to the problem first time it shouldn’t prove a significant problem second time round.
On the striker issue, why is it that your idea is the one that improves the team and the others don’t? Maybe a goal poacher may not be the way forward. It might be, it might not but just because other people don’t get giddy at the thought of say Huntelaar, doesn’t mean their ideas are not aimed to ‘push the envelope’.
Like?
0 
0
Sorry Conor
Like?
0 
0
RR; Calling Real Madrid the Emperor and Lord of the Sith is an insult to all emperors and Sith Lords. And the Portuguese lad for me was and always will be pleasing and likable. I always hated that brat Anakin Skywalker. Real Madrid is not the “Dark Side”, they’re the “wrong side”.
RR; He is no longer 17 for Portugal. Nani now wears that number because Figo has retired from the national side. It just adds more weight to my licensing argument I think.
Like?
0 
0
JB; I was actually being sincere, I would rather be told that I’m wrong rather than thinking I was right when really everyone else knows, he talks nonsense.
Like?
0 
0
Gorgnard
Sorry about the Gomez thing, I honestly dont know where that came from. Also, I wasnt saying that Possebon could step in now, just that an AMF would, in my opinion, be wasted money because with CR7′s attacking threat, we are more and more likely to play a 433 than a 442 with one cm pushing forward and one hanging back to cover the back 4. To be honest, I dont think I would mind if we played more of a 424 with Hargo and Carrick in the center, both of them either pushing forward, supporting the attack or falling back to protect the back 4 as needed. I also know that a 424, is the most idiotic thing to ever be written seeing as how that would leave us open for counters, so no need to tell me that. Anyway, my point was that with the attacking options we have up front and on the wings, I’m prefectly content with a CM pair that lacks in the area of striking but more than makes up for it with their creativity and passing.
On a side note, if United sign Ballack, or a Ballack type player, then I will welcome him with open arms. I just dont think we will not score because we dont have someone like that though.
Also on a more general note, I must say I’m not too familiar with any other league other than the BPL, more specifically United. I follow United religiously, but living state-side, the only way to hear about ‘great talents’ and the such is through my own inquiry. So forgive me if I dont have any suggestions for transfer targets other than the ones rated highly in FIFA 08.
Like?
0 
0
Grognard, come on huntelaar clearly requires service. He is a goal poacher, who doesn’t really take part in build up play. He gets in the box and scores goals. For that to happen, he needs the ball to be delivered into the right area. He does not have the ability to beat a man. He has nothing in the way of creativity and flair. I don’t know who you’re watching. Huntelaar is a poor mans van nistelrooy, that’s all.
First touch and ball control are the same thing.
Ever thought there might be a reason fergie hasn’t bought him? Not good enough, maybe?
As for tevez, what the hell’s wrong with not wanting to be a sub. When you’re as good as he is, you don’t settle for being 3rd choice striker. It’s stupid to hold that against him. If you get demoted to the role of supersub in your team, fuck the team. You leave. Players like brown, oshea and fletcher are stupid. They will never hold down a regular place in the team and yet they continue to sit around and play as cover for better players. Clowns. If they turned around tomorrow and said they wanted to leave, who could blame them? Just the same, if a striker comes in and is played with rooney for most of next season, how could you hold a grudge against tevez for wanting to move on? ‘Nobody is bigger than the team’ – fuck that. It’s his career, if he doesn’t want to waste it being a sub then that’s fair. Football’s a game of opinions, so if you would be happy being a sub for a team then that’s fine, but from my point of view you would be an idiot.
Like?
0 
0
Everyone probably already left, but about Aaron Ramsey, according to Eurosport news and some other sources, a fee of £5million has already been agreed and part of the deal includes an agreement that we loan him back to Cardiff for a while after purchasing him, and this afternoon, skysports seemed to be reporting it was a done deal. So i’m a little confused and i hope it has been finalised cus Arsenal seem to think they have first dibs on anyone below 18. Goal was reporting that we’d hear from “he who must not be named” on Wednesday
Like?
0 
0
Woo, RR I got a reprieve. The Sun is reporting that you know whose friends are reporting that you know who is prepared to give us another season. My question is why is everyone but you know who giving statements to the press?. Surely we don’t need a feckin martyr, O I will stay for one more year. Please if it is true, let the fecker go now!. Seriously, when has any other United player been allowed to behave and talk like this. It is feckin demeaning!.
Fergie should be named Methusalah if anything. He is a wise old owl!.
Mr Muhozi, like you, I worked out a compromise with the GF lol!. But my GF aint bad mate, she doesn’nt complain all my going to Utd games home and away. Watching all footie games on TV and the monies spent. She’s an Ok person although she hates footie.
Like?
0 
0
Tevez; Gee, real objectivity about Huntelaar from a guy who calls himself tevez
I’m sure you have watched Huntelaar in over 30 games like I have and I’m sure this has nothing to do with your loyalty and desire for Tevez to be the man. So no, I won’t “come on: thanks. My views are clear and I can back them up with evidence. You need to call up CSI to uncover yours. And you referring to players like Brown, Fletcher and O’Shea clowns is just completely out of order mate. Are you a Manchester United fan or aren’t you? You don’t refer to our players especially the ones that wear the jersey with pride and conviction as clowns. It’s players like Tevez who while playing for United claim to have dreams of playing in Spain that sound like clowns and disloyal morons. If Tevez cannot handle playing the role of super sub then that’s fine, all the best to him and Fergie will try to find a Spanish side that has room for him as a starter. All Fergie wants and all I or any other true blooded United fan wants is players who want to and are dying to be members of Manchester United. So check your allegiance next time you want to argue over a player’s value with me. Calling our loyal wariors clowns is just going to far. -X
Like?
0 
0
After all this back stage drama and operas i want Cristiano Ronaldo to leave….I dont think SAF will try to keep an unhappy player in the team esp the attitude of the player is now questionable…I would take Robinho hefty sum in return and use the cash to buy Benzema/Huntelaar and Micah Richards and if possible why not Quaresma…He is very unsettled at Porto and is looking for a move to a bigger club..
Even with Benzema/Huntelaar and Richards the team will be flexible enough to play 4-4-2/4-3-3 or even 4-5-1…depending on the situation..
If he is planning to leave, lets hope he leaves this summer so that we really get a hefty sum as fee (thanks to the gr8 season he had)…Tevez have proven that he is a clever and technically gifted player and moreover a big game player…He and Rooney can bring the creativity in attack while Benzema/Huntelaar/Manucho can bang in the goals…
Robinho is never a spent force…he is equally or more gifted than Cristiano Ronaldo and is almost of the same age as C.Ronaldo…
By signing him Real Madrid is not building up their team but just trying to cash in on a star (havent we heard this before..)
Like?
0 
0
I read in the Guardian that he shall not be named apparently has made his decision and it’s not what we wanted to hear. I take this with a grain of salt because he hasn’t officially come out and said this yet but the Guardian for me is a little more reputable than most. But then again Sky made fools of themselves today confirming Ancelotti was taking over at Chelsea only to have Ancelotti come out an hour later and deny this and claim his allegiance and future to Milan. Bottom line, you can’t trust anything you read anymore. It’s disgraceful.
Like?
0 
0
It is an objective view of huntelaar. If he comes in i will look at it as a decent signing because he will score goals. You really enjoy talking him up when he is a poor version of ruud. That’s not a bad thing, but stop pretending he’s something more. Better signings would be benzema, etoo, david villa, ibrahimovic, defoe, vucinic, berbatov…
Liking tevez has nothing to do with how i rate huntelaar. I want to see a striker come in. If he’s top quality then i do see tevez being benched more often and rooney playing off him. Huntelaar’s not good enough though. He would struggle in the premiership. I’d rather we continue to play rooney up top with tevez just off him. I suspect fergie’s first choice is benzema, but it’s an uphill task trying to convince him to move. Etoo, villa or berbatov would be good.
Like?
0 
0
Grognard; I also wouldn’t be surprised if this had something to do with his agent and not necessarily any of his own doing. Meaning that his agent stands to make a pretty penny in any ‘record transfer’ that is made for and with he who shall not be named. Plus, after reading the piece, they really wrote it as a 50/50 article. If they are right, they were the first to break the story, if they’re wrong, they were just feed incorrect info and wrote the article as ‘pure speculation.’ I really do have my heart in my throat though. No matter who we pick up, they wont be able to even come close to matching his influence on games, let alone his productivity.
I actually have some questions for you guys. The longer this goes on, how much does he hurt his image regardless of his decision? Assuming he ‘decides’ to stay, will SAF be able to include him in the side without any hard feelings? It seems like SAF has sold equally good players for far less of distractions, so whats preventing him now? And how does the team react knowing that he is willing to leave for really no good reason? As far as I’m concerned, it isn’t for trophies. I see no team in the world in a better place to win more trophies than we are currently.
Like?
0 
0
Shyam – robinho is nowhere near as gifted as the one who shall remain nameless, that is just absurd
and I think I have a way for both parties to come out of this happy. Real Madrid can have the nameless player in exchange for the amount of our debt+1 Pound.
Like?
0 
0
grognard
you want to dump tevez for huntelaar assuming he can come here and perform (read score goals) as good as in Holland. That may or may not happen (like Kuyt or Kezman). Utd will look like biggest fools on earth if it turns out a disaster (dumping a proven EPL performer for a foreigner). Tevez is as much a proud and commited utd player as anybody (havent u seen him chasing balls even in 93rd mins of the match when hte game had already been won 3-0 or 4-0!!!) It will be travesty of highest order on utd’s part to dump him after the season he has had with us (he was actually the player of the month in fans poll on the site over the likes of ronaldo and rooney in the most important phase of the campaign).
Out of Hunter and Tevez I will always choose tevez. I really dont want to go back to Ruud days when we won nothing (or just 1 EPL in his 5 seasons with us). If Ronaldo is leaving than its even more imperative to keep the likes of Tevez who is the most technically gifted player in the team. If Huntelaar has to come and play straight in then I would rather drop Rooney till he can come upto Tevez’s level and challenge his place in the team.
Like?
0 
0
i second jos…tevez is irreplaceable and has added a lot of value to the team, although i feel a lot more will be seen from him in his second season
@Grognard
“..If Tevez cannot handle playing the role of super sub then that’s fine, all the best to him and Fergie will try to find a Spanish side that has room for him as a starter…”
You already made him a ‘super-sub’ when there has been no clear indication of that so far…and then going on and propagating that as SAFs view is pushing it too far…dont u think??
Like?
0 
0
@GROGNARD
My comment wasn’t about gratitude or questioning what effort he has put in or the medals he has won.
I am fed up of him constantly pimping himself out to Real Madrid. It doesn nothing for other things which are also important in football in addition to what you mentioned such as loyalty and repaying the fans for having his back when almost every England fan wanted him lynched.
He is a living prick for being a MERCENARY and for no other reason. He is only interested in personal achievements.
Like?
0 
0
Grognard – ease down with the insults mate.
Now look, Huntelaar relies on service, and every Youtube compilation will tell you that. I’m not saying that Huntelaar has a bad first touch, or that he isn’t capable of making a goal on his own. I he weren’t, he wouldn’t score that many goals, it’s quite simple.
But SAF likes his players to be able to run at defenders, and Huntelaar isn’t that type. My point is that he wouldn’t be 2nd striker at our club, but he would be a great sub. But to up the quality of our starting lineup, someone like Benzema is needed.
Another thing is that Huntelaar plays in Holland, so you can never really make a decent evaluation of him. I’ve watched him on a few occasions, and yes I admit that you’ve probably watched him more, so maybe your basis for commenting is better than mine.
I like Huntelaar, but I’m just not sure, he’s right for our club. And to step it up a bit, you mention that we should have bought him long time ago. Well, I can only say that the one deciding which players we buy is neither you nor me, and SAF clearly has a problem with Huntelaar, since he hasn’t bought him yet. Could it be that he thinks, he doesn’t suit our style of play, and that buying a guy like the Hunter would bring us a step back in the direction, we came from: the RVN era?
We might buy him, I don’t know, but as long as we haven’t, I trust SAF and my own judgment more than I trust yours.
Like?
0 
0
Lads Grognard is just saying what is inevitably going to happen thats all.When we do sign another striker tevez will be relegated to the bench mostly because he has an inability to finish 90 minutes.This season when we were playing him and giggs it was like we were playing with only 8 outfiled players.Which generally means more of the lads to carry the load.The only way to see a rooney renaissance is for us to get someone(out and out striker)who will compliment him as much as Ruud did.Which is good for united as a whole,by removing pressure from who cannot be named.
Like?
0 
0
Tevez; And what you say I’m going to take as gospel because you are right and all us Huntelaar fans are wrong. Get over yourself. Who made you the supreme judge of all talent? I base all my opinions on having watched players fully, not on my gut feelings and intuition. I doubt that you know squat about Huntelaar yet you are quick to call him a poor man’s RVN. And I’m going to take your word for that over the video evidence I have seen because you are the supreme judge of talent on the planet. What a laugh. I’ll leave things with Fergie to judge best because frankly he knows a Hell of a lot more about what he needs and who fits his team’s plans better than you or I. So lets just agree to disagree on this and leave it at that.
Like?
0 
0
Huntelaar’s agent, speaking on an Italian radio show last night, said that they are close to finalising a deal with Real Madrid.
Source: L’Equipe sports paper, France
Like?
0 
0
Jos; We won two EPL titles and an FA Cup and League Cup with Ruud so I don’t know where that is coming from. Ruud is not to blame for any of the failings of the team during his stay here. His contribution and goal scoring record is second to none. Show some fairness and gratitude for Christ’s sake. Also, Kezman is not Dutch so just because he came from there does not mean that all Dutch players who come from there are shite. Kuyt’s not my cup of tea neither but I don’t have a problem with van Basten, Gullit, Bergkamp and need I say Rep and Cruyff. Holland is like Serbia and Croatia. They are all football factories that service the big leagues throughout the world but don’t necessarily help their own domestic leagues due to money issues. How many more great names who began great careers do I have to mention who started in Holland. Lets throw one more since you threw Kezman at me. How about Brazil’s Ronaldo for starters.
Tomas; If I was insulting anybody trust me, you’d really know. That wasn’t anywhere near my insult meter. Also, Fergie has come out and said he wants a tall striker and the opposite of Rooney and Tevez to give the tema not only different options but a different look and dimension when needed. This is a good thing. Diversity always keeps opponents off balance as they don’t know what to expect. And sorry but there is nothing wrong with me saying who I feel Fergie should buy. He hasn’t bought Berbatov, Benzema Torres or any other striker either yet. And ss if I feel he will listen to me. I’m just throwing my opinion out there like everybody else on this blog. Hundreds of members offer their selections for players on this site every week and you drop that bomb on me exclusively?
Give me a break mate! That’s woefully unfair and pretty bloody crass in my opinion. I’m just one of many doing that on this site so stop aiming your fire at me only. I’m just ranting to my heart’s content. And I too trust Fergie’s judgment as well as my own. I have a place out back for where I place yours. Fair is fair when it comes to insults and accusations I think 
Like?
0 
0
Julio; You are the one individual who has actually figured out the number one reason why Fergie needs and wants to get a true goal scoring striker. To see the reawakening of the Wayne Rooney from four or five years ago. He was a better player with RVN next to him than he has been with either Tevez or Ronaldo. A poacher will free him up more and take a lot of the pressure off of him. This will give him more space and room to move in to ideal scoring positions. He needs to stop using up so much energy and fire playing everywhere on the pitch other than the opponents 18 yard box. Am I the only one to say this? No, Capello has said this to him also as well as trying to settle him down and make him stop his stupid tackling. This is all a product of running hard and getting all worked up and then unleashing his emotions in a negative way. Channel that energy better and use it in the box to set or score goals. A true striker will show him how to do this rather than Tevez who quite often does the same things as Rooney when all I’m asking is for a bloody forward to be in the box when a ball is passed or crossed in there. So often this year the opponents could have put a vacancy sign in the box because there were no forwards other than Ronaldo to be found. The fact that some of you out there cannot see this absolutely boggles my mind. No team built on the practical principles of football should be counting on a winger or side midfielder to be scoring the majority of their goals. It’s just not right and it’s definitely not cricket as they say.
Like?
0 
0
Magno; The way things are moving this off season I think all the good players will be gone by the time Fergie and the board get their butts in gear. EURO’s or no EURO’s Real Madrid, Inter, Milan, Chelsea and Liverpool are not waiting for anybody or any tournament to end in order to go after what they want. This time last year we had our three big signings all signed sealed and delivered. And if he who shall remain nameless leaves, I think we are going to have the beginning of a very bleak summer to mull over what has happened since we won the double. I just hate delays and procrastination when there are others out there who possess killer instinct. My God if Real signs both CR7 and Huntelaar I will just find a hole to crawl in and cry my eyes out. That would be the worst of the worst case scenarios ever. It would be tragic for me at least.
Like?
0 
0
I feel the same way…
Benzema has a very similar outlook to someone else I won’t mention
He dreams of Milan and Madrid, not United and Liverpool.
There are French players, and fans, who love English football and dream about playing for clubs with a great history…Benzema isn’t one of them
Like?
0 
0
Didnt we win only 1 league title with Ruud??Spalleghtii to chelsea.woo this is interesting
Like?
0 
0
Grognard – I haven’t come down on you exclusively, where does that nonsense come from? I commented on one of your comments, and then you got derogatory on my comments saying that you were “dumbfounded” by my comment and questioned the basis on which I made my comment. Then I asked you to ease down the insults, and you come up with comment no. 132… nice.
We haven’t bought Berbatov, because he was of no interest, before he came to England. He’s a great player, but he might be too expensive atm. We have tried to buy Torres several times, SAF has stated that. But it obviously never materialized. Benzema is only now becomming a man to buy – there’s really no other window, it would have been sane, since he only just broke through. The Hunter is now close to 25, and I feel that if SAF wanted him, he would have bought him already. Ajax is not the hardest place to price players away from, and I’m pretty sure that SAF could have convinced Huntelaar to join us, had he really been interested.
I watched Denmark play Holland last week, and even though it was merely a friendly, it was an important friendly to Holland in their buildup to the Euros. Huntelaar warmed up the entire second half but never came on. In stead, van Basten allowed Vennegoor of Hesselink and Dirk Kuyt to come on. And it was the same in their latest match against Wales. Obviously if Huntelaar is injured, my arguments fall apart, but if he’s fit, then why is he rated below these second rate strikers? To me, it’s a signal of him not being quite as good as some people think. And remember, it’s only my opinion. And since I’ve just stated, I like him as a player and possible sub for United, I may even have overrated him. SAF surely knows the true qualities of the dutch hitman, and he hasn’t bought him yet despite how easy he could have done it (my assumption).
Like?
0 
0
grog
you talk of inability of our strikers to score (that when they scored more than 80 goals this year between the 4 of them – ron, roon, tevez and saha)
what about the inability of our midfield to score? thats probably more pressing. no other team in the world prob (unless they are spelt Derby) has as misfiring a midfield as ours! then just like tevez we should replace carrick and anderson as well! and ronaldo is not a midfielder anymore. he plays much upfield almost a striker nowadays and hardly tracks back like a midfielder. So he is not part of midfield in this total goals calculation. All our midfielders combined have less goals than one Gerrard or Lampard or even Ballack who missed half of the season!!!
And yea, Ruud has got only 1 PL for his 5 seasons of travails with us!! One thing I dont understand is in his best season with us when he scored 44 goals (Top scorer in PL, and top scorer in CL) why he wasnt still in the running for EPOTY (not in top 3 nominations)??? Does it explain why ronaldo wants to leave as his aspirations of being world POTY might not be fulfilled if he stays in England.
Like?
0 
0
@GROGNARD
I’m sorry I actually have an opinion.
I go to Old Trafford and pay to watch them play football.
Sorry but I’m a supporter not a fan and I have an opinion.
Stop running people down because you don’t agree with them.
Like?
0 
0
Grognard – I really like you on this site, because you bring life to it… it’s great. Conor’s latest comment I can’t support, even though he was probably backing me up. I think there should be room for all the opinions in the world about Man Utd. in here.
I just feel that you shouldn’t be surprised by people commenting on your comments, since you are the one posting the most and longest of them. I usually go through the comments in here, and I often stop, when I get to one of yours, because they are long and usually insightful. But I can’t agree with everything you write, and when I don’t, I state my opinion.
On our latest little scabaffle I started by agreing with your opinion on Tevez and then merely explained, why I found Huntelaar a little short of our best option, Benzema. I was merely my comment, and you cannot go about thinking you have exclusive right to having an opinion. I have always backed up my comments with solid arguments in stead of thrashing other people’s opinions. If you go back to my comment no. 90 and then read your own response in no. 99, I think, you’ll see what I mean.
Like?
0 
0
RR,
perhaps we dont need a new RB. there is pre mature to say Wes is just “decent” RB, i really think he was (nearly) OUTSTANDING. Wes offered something different; extra cover on defensive area as well as on the right flank (when MR X sometimes failed to track back). playing Wes together with Rio-Vidic (and Evra) in the back four is like playing 3 centre-half together, we were really solid and sound in defense, really hard to break, strong in defending aerial ball or set-pieces. i felt relieved when we lose Bosingwa to Chelsea, because i think he is just another Wes which is younger than the real one, but with 16 million pounds price tag. i know we love to see another Evra on the right backs, but i think we just have too much qualities on the attacking side within the midfield and forward.
Like?
0 
0
long ass comment thread…
Like?
0 
0
RONALDO IS THE MAN AND I DEFEND HIM NOW!!! We don’t know what’s going on in the background and this sounds just like the summer after the World Cup a little incident and the Engish fans bring out the stake and firewood. Its obvious Real have tried to inflamed the situation and this fight is going on in the media. Lahm has a long term deal so its Ironclad but Ronaldo’s is paper thin?? Relax on Ronny! FUCK!
Like?
0 
0
Apparently the main United site has stated that the sun says he who will not be named will only stay for one more year. Then he’s off to Madrid. He’s quoted as telling close friends “If I don’t leave Manchester United now, I certainly will in a year.â€
I personally dont think i would care if he left now. And I’m not sure if he stays that he will have the same commitment to excel as previous years, especially if he wins the POTY.
Like?
0 
0
Well, people are quick to name themselves friends of famous people, especially if there’s money in it. Don’t believe these stories, until you hear it from the horse’s mouth.
I personally disregard rumours like these completely. It must be hard to be a player like Ronaldo.
Like?
0 
0
Jos; Although Ronaldo may score like a striker, he isn’t a striker. He’s a winger/omf so you can subtract 42 goals from your toal and then the numbers don’t look so impressive over close to 60 games this year.
Tomas; Fair enough. It was your last remark in 128 that I took offense to because frankly I thought it was rude. Of course Fergie doesn’t give a damn about what you and I think but that should not keep any of us from voicing our feelings and our desires. The fact that you trust Fergie’s view as well as yours is fine. But the way in which you dismiss mine was arrogant and unnecessary as I would never go as far as to say that my views and Fergies are similar and yours don’t matter. “I trust SAF and my own judgment more than I trust yours.”
And you certainly have a right to do that but saying that to me is just mean spirited and out of order. It’s crap like that that sets me off on this site. You don’t have to agree with what I say but you should respect it. Regardless of what I may think of your comments both good and bad, I respect them even if I come out and disagree with them. You accused me of insulting people when you plainly and clearly chopped me down at the knees with your back handed remark. And accusing me of insulting tevez (the poster) was unfair too because it’s clear you didn’t read what he was saying to me which was rather rude and obnoxious. I do respect your posts and your contributions and you and I have never had a problem in the past and I don’t see us having one in the future. Just don’t play policeman with me and above all, disagree with me all you like but refrain from back handed comments. If I use those kind of tactics myself on this site trust me, it’s because I’ve been provoked, otherwise I am very friendly and respectful of others. There are a few on this site and they know who they are that can get under my skin. You are not one of them although you did so yesterday. I just wanted to clear that up with you and say no hard feelings mate.
Like?
0 
0
Abu; I don’t think anybody can relax on CR7 because frankly he means too much to all of us and to the team. The thought of losing him to the Great Whore of Whores Real is just so abhorant and disgusting to us all. Nevertheless, whether he leaves or stays he will always be a favorite of mine. He has been dragging this thing on far to long and he has hurt many of his supporters as well as held the team hostage in the process. This is nothing more than a selfish act whether it’s to negotiate a new deal or if indeed he wants to leave. Love him or hate him, he has treated all of us who bleed United red with callousness and disrespect. And for that he really doesn’t deserve to get off easy. But still, I love the lad and I am grateful for all he has given us in his five years so far. Like I said earlier, whatever happens I wish him well and hope Madrid’s hierarchy get stricken with cancer. They are total scum.
Like?
0 
0
[Tomas]
Now you know how riled up someone like Groggy can get if someone questions his credibility on his knowledge on Huntelaar. So it’s fair play to Grognard on that one.
Grognard reacted when Tevez asked him what player he was watching regarding Huntelaar.
[Grognard]
Basing one’s opinion on intuition and gut feeling is not wrong. Assuming that one’s logically formed opinion is “holier than thou”, on the other hand, is. Which is how it appears.
And you must prepare to be dumbfounded if people knock Huntelaar. You can’t convince everyone of his greatness. Tons of people have called Pele crap, and people have criticised even the likes of Zidane. With a global fan base, opinions can differ. And people even think Ronaldo (the fat one) is overrated. So there you go…
Mcrx3 said what he thought about a United player. What’s wrong with the negative criticism for a United player? Last checked that is allowed on this site. Just as I defended you regarding your right to call Saha or Nani whatever you wanted. It has to work both ways mate.
[Tevez]
When you give your opinion on something, do that and be done with it. Asking what player you were watching is an insult to the other commenters intelligence and judgement.
[Conor]
That was my job mate. Hence deleted the comment.
Like?
0 
0
Haha – Red Ranter, you should get the feckin Diplomat of the year award mate, and the Chief Judiciary too lol!. Your head must be working in overdrive!!!!!!.
Like?
0 
0
[Craig]
Cheers mate. I think I am the police/judiciary/diplomat/friend/cunt of this blog anyway.
My hands are full already!
Like?
0 
0