Jul 07
Obertan deal looks real + The Sun reckons Huntelaar’s next
The entire press corps seem to have latched onto the Obertan story, as expected. The president was quoted as saying he’d be delighted to let him go, and The Sun thinks it is an £8m deal. Going by some accounts, United’s interest in Obertan has surprised circles in France, as he spent half of last season playing for Lorient — a middling Ligue 1 club.
The focus, according to the Sun — who are always ahead of the game [they are capable of reporting news even before an event] — now shifts to Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Real Madrid. We’ve been linked with the Dutchman countless times in the past and we’ve already seen several reports linking us to him this summer. Unsubstantiated rumours — that Milan’s offer was perhaps too low for Madrid — compete with other unsubstantiated rumours — that Meeeeeelan offered to take him on loan.
The Sun maybe a paragon of virtue, but I will believe it when I see it.
If we were to assume, for the purposes of trying to make a point, we sign Huntelaar, then it should ideally leave Ferguson with the central midfield slot to fill with a dynamic defensive midfielder; someone who can dominate and free up Carrick. The breed of the dynamic defensive midfielder is rare though, and quite expensive too. Yaya Toure is a possibility if Mascherano goes to Barcelona, although Toure would be out in January for the African Cup of Nations. Arsenal target and Fiorentina hard-man Felipe Melo, has been bigged up after an impressive showing at the Confederations Cup. He has earned a reputation of collecting a lot of cards. Truthfully, I’d gladly take such a player in the Premiership. He’ll surely concede far fewer fouls here, over the flop-and-dive-heavy Serie A.
Of course, in a dream world I’d take Essien. Which means I should stop writing right now…
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Meanwhile, in case you haven’t seen this. Something to amuse yourselves with, if things aren’t necessarily interesting at work.
Related items from Red Rants:- Part-time gardener to make United debut soon
- Bordeaux: Obertan wants to play for United
- Obertan to make United debut
- Chelsea v Man Utd: Preview
- Sky Sports and the Sun continue to be a disgrace
Tags: Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours
July 7th, 2009 at 8:29
I pray that this Huntelaar rumour is just the usual Sun rubbish. It would be horrible if we bought him.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:29
awesome news. great signing. Obertan really impressed me the few times i’ve seen him play for france u-21. Shrewd move by Sir Alex. took a page out of Wenger’s book on this one by going obscure, young, and french.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:52
I can’t believe no one has mentioned this yet but I would bet my house that Oberton is going to be another David Bellion.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:02
@Zae: Huntelaar would not be a horrible buy.. it’d be a decent signing in my reckoning, also it’d substantiate that we are going to stick to converted continental style of play by bringing in a dead eyed finisher instead of unimaginative 4-4-2 with quick forwards.. Not world class but decent signing..
July 7th, 2009 at 9:03
Has anyone heard anything about Kyle Naughton from Sheff Utd coming for around £7mill?
July 7th, 2009 at 9:03
July 7th, 2009 at 9:06
@Aymen: Amen to Aymen, that
..
..
He sure doesn’t look all that great
July 7th, 2009 at 9:08
What about Flamini? Might fit the bill.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:19
Haven’t had sex in a month and half
July 7th, 2009 at 10:05
Grog bro where are you? Can’t wait to hear your intake on this piece of news, even though it’s still coming from the Sun!
July 7th, 2009 at 10:15
RR ..
ZzzZzzZZZzzzzzz … Essien .. Essieeeeen .. tackles Ronaldo … wins the ball … plays a one-two with Berbatov .. he shoots just outside the box .. he scoreeeeeeeees!! … Essien wins it for Manchester United … He scores the winning goal of the Champions League final against Real Madrid ! .. What a way to show he’s worth the 40 million pounds Sir Alex payed for him …. ZzzZzzzzzZZZZ …
DAAAAAD !! Why’d you wake me up !! I was having an incredible DREAM!
July 7th, 2009 at 10:20
@Merlinus: Whatte?!
July 7th, 2009 at 10:20
Mr Ferguson,
Hi my name is Stephen I have been a fan of this wonderful club now for many years having been one of the chosen few to be born in the great city of Manchester.
Also as fate would have it I am a season ticket holder and have enjoyed many a game watching the mavellous sides you have creared over the years, I especially enjoyed the team of 95 where we had a midfield of Roy Keane and a young Nicky Butt and we won the double beating a certian side from Merseyside in arguably one of the most boring finals in FA Cup history.
Sorry I will get to my point Sir, could I would like to bring you back to a point I made reference to earlier in my letter, we had a midfield of Roy Keane and Nicky Butt two players who were able to put the fear of God into the oppersition, I would like you, Sir Alex, if you don’t mind me calling you that, to procure a midfield player of their persuasion with the obvious concerns about our favorite Canadian Owen Hargreaves.
To make you life easier, as I know what a busy man you are and have been over recent weeks, and I know as well as anyone that body isn’t going to tan itself, I have cogitated a list for your viewing pleasure.
First on my list would be the hard tackling and Brian McBride elbowing Daniele De Rossi, he is 25 so comfortably falls into your below-26 policy, he plays for the Italian side Roma who fininshed a diapointing 17th in Serie A last season, and might think a move to your wonderful side a good career option.
, he is a tough tackling player and someone who is worth looking at, only if you can find the time.
Secondly I might dare sugguest a former foe of yours in the Premier league, a player who also by chance plies his trade in Seire A Mathieu Flamini, he is also in your remarkable under 26 policy and has previous experience of our combative league and didn’t start as many games as he would have liked and a plus also for you there is a fringe benefit he played right back for an infrequent number of games, and I know you like players who can play in a number of positions regardless of ability or comfort in that before said environment.
Thirdly I might I sugguest Melo, he plays and yes you guessed it, in Serie A!! and I also bet you can duduct this gentlemans age, yes 25. He has also enticed interest from you old foe Arsene, and he is, and I know you like these chaps a Brazilain and we all like a Brazilain!
My fourth choice is Jérémy Toulalan, he is French I certainly know you like France as you spend a painstakingly amount of time in that country when the season ends, he plays for Olympique Lyonnais and I know you must have seen this guy play, he plays just behind your old amour Karim Benzema. He is Ok you know 25, and is 6ft and has the physicality to make in the Premiership which I believe is an important factor when finding a midfield player for the Premier league unlike Veron.
They are just a few sugguestions if you require and more please contact me and my good friends at redrants.com.
Hope you and the family are well and look forward to seeing you next season
Regards
Stephen.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:24
Dunno about this Obertan kid. I trust Fergies judgement, but if my sources are correct then this lads sucks worse than Bellion! We could go for Young, or Silva, but nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! We go for this unkown fench lad who sounds shite! At least Ronaldo and Nani “had potensial”, which is important. But this guy doesnt seem to have it. Dont get it…
If we did get Huntelaar, it would be fucking awsome!
I dunno if we really need him, but since Kiko is so young and Owen so injury prone he could prove vital. Well, the more the merrier I say! Hopefully The Sun has got this one right! For once… 
July 7th, 2009 at 10:44
£8m for Obertan? No wonder the Bordeaux President seemed happy.
Huntelaar? why did we sign Owen.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:52
@Cyclops-Red: He was free…
July 7th, 2009 at 10:57
@RedRanter – think you need to change the header pic. Traitor tevez still shows up in it
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on signings our top two priorities should be a strong CM(put a bid for essien just to get a reaction, esle follow up on toure/Derossi) and a GK. VDS with Ben wont be upto it next season and PIG is just not good enough.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:10
I don’t know who SAF’s scouts/advisors are, but he needs to change them. He could have got the Swedish young players for 8 million Berg and his sidekick, who Spurs are in for, and who is desperate to come to PL, but NO we have to go for someone who has never been on anyone’s radar. Fergie change your fucking sat nav please, it isn’t working, not for me anyway
.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:11
Also Fergie give Rooney the 7 shirt and in turn he can give Owen the number 10.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:20
@RedDevilEddy
I know its just where does that leave Macheda and Welbeck.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:26
@Cyclops-Red: Personally I feel it would do Welbeck good if he could have a season on loan to another Premiership club and hopefully get some experience, that saying there is no point him doing a Rossi and Campbell and hardly play, we would need to ensure he gets regular game time somehow.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:33
@stephen
If huntelaar comes then one of them will certainly have to go on loan.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:37
@Cyclops-Red: I think even if he doesn’t going on loan would do him good, we have Rooney, Berba, Owen and Macheda who we could use sparingly obviously subject to Owen and Rooney staying fit but 4 strikers should be ample.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:17
I wonder if Fergie is planning for a rainy day…ie he doens’t believe this transfer market is sustainable. I just don’t know who our ‘big money’ signing could be, nor do I know if I really want one. While I’m happy to admit our first XI is probably not as good as a handful of other European powerhouses, our squad is still up there. And yes, we have some inconsistent/not quite top class players, but that’s what you need over the course of a season. For me our first XI (with the big if around Hargo):
———–VDS———–
-Brown–Rio—-Vida-Evra-
——-Hargo-Carrick—–
–Valencia——–Nani—
—–Rooney—Berbatov—
Not too shabby, take out a winger stick in Anderson for a 433 if you’d like.
Our squad looks like:
GK: VDS, Foster, Kuszcak
RB: Brown, Rafa, Neville(ish)
CB: Rio, Vida, Evans
LB: Evra, O’Shea, Fabio
CMF: Carrick, Hargreaves (?), Anderson, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs, Gibson
SMF/WF: Valencia, Park, Nani, Tosic
FW: Berbatov, Rooney, Owen, Welbeck, Macheda
Looking at that, our wings seem a bit weak (Park/Tosic…eesh) but everywhere else has sufficient cover.
Anyway, my point is, if Hargreaves is alive and well (which Fergie should know) do we really need anyone else? In what position?
July 7th, 2009 at 12:20
By the way, now the telegraph are running the piece on the Hunter
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/5766128/Manchester-United-back-in-the-race-to-sign-Real-Madrids-Klaas-Jan-Huntelaar.html
Much more trust worthy news I would guess, especially for all of us that think he would be an asset for the club, right Grog?
July 7th, 2009 at 12:21
Getting Huntelaar will make the Owen deal senseless. I know people claim he was free, but, he still needs to be paid wages. If SAF intends abusing the pay-as-you-play policy on him, then he is being unethical with the lad and will f*$^k up the remainder of his career good and solid. I don’t hink SAF will do that.
Why are we going for more wingers? What is Nani’s future? The fact that we had a fit Nani last season, but still opted to play Rooney out wide, coupled to this sensation for wingers are a bit concerning to me.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:22
@Beachryan: But can we rely on his continued fitness, we seem to have quality pretty much everywhere bar in the midfield except for Carrick and Hargo.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:27
I would start with Rafael at RB
July 7th, 2009 at 12:32
@Beachryan: Beachy we need another quality Hargo type player, because NO WAY is Hargo going to be flogged by playing every game, with his dodgy knees his games will be carefully monitored and reduced!
July 7th, 2009 at 12:32
Perhaps the wise thing to do would be to take the balance of the transfer money + Ronaldo’s sale and keep it for SAF’s successor. The new manager will have a hell of a job to live up to expectations and standards. Would be helpful if he could ‘choose’ his own players when he does take over. If we do not cater for contingency, we might so easily sink down to the abyss when SAF retires.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:34
@Cyclops-Red: If you mean Rafael in front of Wes Brown (a FIT and raring to go Wes Brown), you are MAD Cyclopse
. Wes Brown when fit is IMMENSE and faultless mostly for UNited. He is a United fanatic, a FAN, as well as a player Bro!
July 7th, 2009 at 12:36
@Karl: Whoever is going to take over from SAF should be brought in now, and get to know OT history, traditions, expectations and demands. He needs to know and get a real feel for the place. He should be in NOW, as truly SAF is not getting any younger
.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:42
@Craig Mc: I agree. That is why this is worrying me. I believe resources should go into finding a proper no.2 now during the post-Ronaldo era.
If management is indeed planning for this, it means that either Phelan or Solksjaer is tipped to take over the reigns. Either this, or they reckon they will deal with it when SAF announces it. Both scenarios are not exactly filling me with confidence.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:48
id gladly spend whatever is left in the transfer kitty bribing CQ to come back to be No.2
July 7th, 2009 at 12:48
@Craig Mc:
Next year we’re going to see a new look,all out attacking team. Back to basics.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfhipGB3biE
Here’s probably the most recent video of Obertan. It’s a collection of the best skill from the Toulon Tournement, of which Obertan features heavily. He was voted ‘Player of the Tournement’.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:51
@Will: I’d rather have Gus Poyet. What’s he up to these days?
July 7th, 2009 at 13:02
@Beachryan: As much as sincerely want Hargo back, it is also worth mentioning that he will most definately not be match fit for most of the season IF he does eventually recover.
And by the way that’s not even my worst of worries regards Hargreaves. I really don’t see any indication whatsoever that he’ll be returning to training soon, albeit light training.
I say that with a heavy heart, but I really think we should be looking around for a replacement just in case it really is a career threatning injury.
As I mentioned yesterday, I don’t see any harm in purchasing another DM. After all we do have the funds available. It will certainly bolster our MF options to say the least, an area where we were obviously lacking last season. The CL final should be sufficient enough as a reminder in this case.
Also, lets not forget that many other competing clubs, both nationally and European, have not been shy in strengthening their squads, mostly in attacking positions. Therfore I think it would be timely aswell as benificial for us to have the luxury, infact nessacaty, to further enhance our team in that department.
May I also add that we need a player with character to lead our team in the field. I for one still feel that we have something missing ever since Keane has departed. I know many might argue that Roy will never be replaced, and I most certainly agree with such arguments, but I think we should bring in a player with stomach and grit to try and fill this void.
Some might even argue that Wazza has the credentials of being that gladiator, and rightly so, but I also think he still needs sometime to be able to influence that team in the way Roy used to.
So the question remains, Who can that player be? To be honest, and as weak as my next sentence will sound, I really don’t know! But what I do know is that SAF should focus on this area ASAP. In my opinion players like Iniesta and Xavi had the freedom to roam in Rome because of our shortage in cutting down their play in the middle of the park. I fear this may very well be the case in alot of our matches next season, especially in the CL, unless the Manager conjures up some sort of magic with Fletch or maybe even Ando to play that role. Not the Keano role obviously, because he’s a once in a life time type of guy, but the tough DM role we need. That is ofcourse taking in to account that Hargo won’t be fit enough to cope initially when he returns if and when he does become available.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:11
He’s having a medical right now, and Sky are saying it’s only £3mil!
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_5418651,00.html
July 7th, 2009 at 13:17
@Traverse: Well then, he looks a bargain (assuming that there was no United tax and his real value is not actually 200k). Still I am worried about the comments from Blanc:
July 7th, 2009 at 13:20
@Merlinus: Hmmm… by my count that takes you back to the Champions League final… hopefully you did not mix up sex and football (football is the one that puts you to sleep).
July 7th, 2009 at 13:22
@nafooy: I have had that same dream almost – except it was Hargo with a pass to Rooney who scored his 12th goal of the Champions League. Also Ronaldo scored his 11th earlier in the game and missed a penalty in the 90th + 5.
That would be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!
July 7th, 2009 at 13:23
Mmmm even Lauren Blanc is surprised at United going for Obertan – that should ring alarm bells. Also the fact that he has been riddled with injuries and varied form last 3 years is another downer. Biggest downer of all for me, is Laurent saying that the lad has psychological and mental problems to overcome, to make his potential progress to fulfilling his potential. Not exactly glowing commendation is it? But that’s United for you.
Last time I checked by the way, psychological and mental meant the very same thing. Perhaps Larry means psychological and emotional eh?
July 7th, 2009 at 13:24
@Andrei: It would be sweet mate, it would really be sweet!
July 7th, 2009 at 13:26
I can’t quite see the point of this, but for £3m he is worth a punt a suppose, we seem to be amassing a very large squad with very little world class talent a lot of potential but not enough genuine quality.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:29
@ Nafooy – Not sure if I agree completely, though definitely do with the sentiment. As to Hargo’s fitness, I really don’t think anyone actually knows at this point. Those reports in the press lacked any source whatsoever, and the only reason I put any credence in them whatsoever is that there hasn’t been a reply issued by the club.
Regardless, while there will be some games that we need an ‘enforcer’ – I don’t believe there will be all that many. Most teams we face, particularly at home, require two midfielders that are capable of attacking. Carrick and Anderson for example. For those few (about 10 per season) matches when our defensive duties are more prominent, we do have Fletcher who can do a job. We don’t need a ‘destroyer’ like Macherano, Makele or Toure because they would be peripheral in a lot of our matches.
A solid CMF with a serious engine would be good though, an Essien or de Rossi. Problem is that there just aren’t any available. So I say develop Fletcher (still young) and let Carrick be more assertive. Let Anderson blossom (he has so much talent…hopefully this season he’ll be injury free and be able to realise it!) and use the squad to best effect.
I just don’t think there is a £30m perfectly shaped peg to fit into our midfield hole. So I’d rather we kept the money for when one is available.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:35
Alternate depth chart (with modifications and necessary demotions) – in order of preference:
GK: Foster, VDS, Kuszcak
RB: Brown, Rafa, O’Shea
CB: Rio, Vida, Evans
LB: Evra, Fabio
CM: Fletcher, Carrick, Hargreaves (?), Anderson
SM: Valencia, Park, Nani, Obertan
FW: Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Welbeck, Macheda
Looking at that, we are covered at RB, CB, LB. We have three PL-quality GKs. Plenty of quality up front. But we are stranded on the wings and in CM.
Being gaffer, I would buy as follows: Mahmadou Diarra, David Silva/Joao Moutinho. Preferably Silva because he will be able to cover wings and midfield. Knowing that none of this will happen any time soon, I suggest buying a box-to-box midfielder – though I know none in that position.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:36
@Will: £60m for a number 2 who has walked out on the club twice might not be the best use of the money.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:38
@Stephen: Excluding VDS, Brown, Evra, Rio, Vida, Hargreaves, Carrick, Rooney, Berbatov and Owen.
Evans, Fletcher, O’Shea and Park (defensively) float in the middle here.
Then there is a second tier of Foster, Valencia, Nani, Anderson, Rafael, Fabio who just need that final push this season.
The downward spirals. Neville, Scholes, Giggs.
Then we have the not yets. De laet, Gibson, Possebon, Tosic, Welbeck, Macheda
Then there are the wayoffs. Park (offensively). Manucho.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:45
@Traverse: I see what you are saying mate but there to me seems a real lack of a what I see as “World class” talent in the side, it may just be me but Rooney, Rio and Vida are close or are “World Class”
Bar that Evra was close but has lost his way, in the centre of the park I simply don’t see all this potential in Anderson, Carrick is a good player, Hargo is a lottery Scholes has had it, Giggs is 36 in November and Fletch is a good honest player but no where near the level of Gerrard, Alonso, Fabregas, Lampard, Essien, Ballack and even Mikel you could even throw Deco in there.
For me this is an area we need to strengthen, the midfield is the most important area of the side, and it is the area we really lack in.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:49
@Stephen: What has Fabregas done in the last 3 years? Nothing. He is a myth.
Same goes for Deco. He is done worse than Neville. I don’t rate Mikel at all. Can’t tackle, can’t pass, looks good next to Lampard and Essien.
I think Anderson and Nani are going to do it this season if given the chance. Ronaldo is gone, they are no longer henchmen, they are older, their own people. If it’s true that Anderson has shaved his head it would indicate to me that he means business.
I would also hazard a guess that since we have been seriously linked with ZERO central midfielders that Ando will get his go.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:51
@Andrei: David Silva is a top player but would the Premiership be too physical for him, if we do go for yet another winger then someone with experience of the English league might be a safer bet.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:57
@Traverse: Fabregas mate is a top player mate and is still young and has really no one playing next to him which can’t help, he is a cock though.
Mikel is big and strong and in the first half of the season was superb, but like Fabregas a cock.
I hope Anderson has shaved those stupid fucking dreadlocks off and gets his head down and focuses on his game rather than always larking about, I am not sure about him we can always poke fun at his goal record but it is simply awful, he form was already fading in the latter part of the season before last but would love for him to prove me wrong. I agree that Ronaldo going could be the best for him and Nani, they can stand up to the plate and step of Ronaldo’s shadows, Nani needs games as I believe he can make it I am to be convinced about Anderson.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:57
@Beachryan: I must say many here and else where would disagree on Ando’s potential. I for one will give him the benefit of the doubt for all of next season to prove me wrong, and I hope he succeeds.
A solid DM is exactly what we need right now, not a destroyer. I aslo wouldn’t want that to be what I was trying to portray when I reffered to Keano as an example, even though he was a good one at that when we faced the likes of Vierra. But what I intended to explain was our need for a leader with the guts and determination to pull us through difficult times.
Fletch, as much as he is an asset to the team, I really cannot see him filling in this void.
Here’s the question, can you point out one player that can act as our leader on and off the pitch TODAY?
Yes there are nominees in the likes of Rooney and perhaps even Rio and Vidic. But they still either need time to perfect that role, or they might not be capable because of their off the field atitude. e.g. Rio being photographed in skinny hot shorts while on vacation is not a clever idea for a “leader” now, is it?!
Funny you should mention Essien though because if I remember correctly I had a dream (post number 11) not too far ago!! It wasn’t really. It was intended to RR in his reference to Essien in his post.
July 7th, 2009 at 13:58
@Stephen: I couldn’t agree more mate, but most people can’t see it
.
July 7th, 2009 at 14:45
Foster has just been given a new contract… he is seen as the “successor to Van der Saar”
July 7th, 2009 at 15:09
@nafooy: If he keeps playing first team football, I would say VDS. He would lead the team from the back which is not unacceptable and his demeanour has always been exemplary. Other than that, Rooney would be a good choice. He can lead anything anywhere TODAY.
July 7th, 2009 at 15:15
On a completely unrelated note, I have just been accepted to law school!!!
July 7th, 2009 at 15:20
@Andrei: Congrats mate! Perhaps you’ll be suing the MOB for tapping up our players in the future!
July 7th, 2009 at 15:40
@Karl , couldnt care less that SAF is being unethical to owen, if he gets injured which is very likely and for example rooney gets injured too, where do you see goals coming from? i think huntelaar is a good move for us
i dont want to depend on owen for the full season, for now its crazy to do so.
July 7th, 2009 at 15:42
Foster’s signed an extension!
Fergie sees him as the genuine successor to VDS! 
We are now looking secure in the GK department, for now! 
I feel with this potential Obertan signing, we should be ok for this season. We have the required depth and I feel this is going to be a make or break season for some players to show they are capable of filling the void that will be created by the retiring legends and the departed superstar. Nani, Ando, Gibbo, Tosic etc, we’re all looking at you!! The squad beginning with who I believe will be first team regulars this season:
GK: Foster, VDS, Kuszy
RB: Brown, Rafa, Nev’lla
CB: Rio, Vida, Evans, De Leat
LB: Evra, O’Sheazy, Fabio
DM: Fletch, Hargo, Gibbo
CM/AM: Cazza, Ando, Giggs, Scholes
SMF/WF: Valencia, Nani, Park, Obertan, Tosic
SS: Rooney, Berba
ST: Owen, Welbeck, Macheda
In defence, we are definetely covered in all positions, including GK. This season should be a breakout for Fabio, maybe De leat, with Foster cementing his spot as our No. 1.
In stikers, we are well covered. We have two players capable of dropping deep and also playing on the shoulders in Roon and Berba and I predict those two will be our first choice pairing for most of the seaon. This should enable them to forge a fruitful partnership as Berba is definitely world class; now Ronaldo is gone, he can be unshackled from that AMF role Fergie gave him last season. Owen will prove a very useful and lethal deputy. The guy has goals in him and would be pushing one of those two for a regular spot if he stays fit. Welbeck, I presume will be fourth choice. Fergie spoke well of him towards the end of last season and I believe he would get a handful of games this season and be allowed to progress without the added presure of being our third-choice striker. Same goes for Macheda, he will feature mostly in our cup games and reserve matches but will be kept in our books as opposed to being loaned out.
Our winger situation is more satisfactory than it is outstanding. Mind you, that is because Ronnie was such a beast, the level of standards in that department has been unrealistically heightened. In Valencia and Nani, we will have two first team starters. Nani, I believe will be given the chance to strutt his stuff and show he is capable of holding down the LW spot. Valancia is a more conventional winger, fast, able to beat an opponent and cross, also one who can also track back, a more effecient Park you might say and he will be a mainstay on the RW position. This leaves Park as a deputy who will come on as a sub most often in PL games but as a starter in Europe. Tosic and Obertan will have to make do with whatever scraps of first team game time they can get to stake a claim or it’s just gonna be the cup games and reserves for them next season.
Midfield. Here is the big conundrum. Is Hargo going to be fit? Because, he is the reason Fergie might be holding out on purchasing a midfielder. Although, I don’t think we need one. Like someone said in a previous post, in most PL games, the need for a DM is moot as the opponents rarely blitzkerg us or dominate possesion. Rather, they sit back and defend, hoping to break on the counter. In this scenario, we need more attacking mids than we need defensive ones or maybe a mix and most of our midfielders fall into that category. Cazza, Ando, Scholes, Gibbo, Giggs. When there is a need for a true defensive mid, Fletch is more than capable, esp in the Big/Europe games. Gibbo, I believe will be given a last chance to prove he is United material and he can prove a reliable deputy. Plus, Possebon was loaned out to get experience, playing in the Europa league for Sporting Braga and can only come back a better player. He is also another option for a defensive/central mid spot. So, we can function even if Hargo doesn’t return immediately and if he turns out to be a bust, we have some youngsters in Gibbo/Possebon ready to take his place. If they too prove to be disappointments, then next seaon will be the time to get replacements. Plus, young Ljajic, who I believe can play AMF/WF is coming in Jan, so there’s another one for the future.
Right now, I say we give the fringe/youth players their chance to shine. Everyone is always saying this or that person should play more, well here is their chance. Nani, Ando, Gibbo, Foster… these guys are hopefully a big part of our future and this season should be the one in which they stake a claim for being part of it.
July 7th, 2009 at 16:02
@Gabriel: I like Ben Foster. Delighted he signed. As for Obertan, he seems promising, so lets wait and see.
July 7th, 2009 at 16:08
@Craig Mc: They are buying him so that they can sell him for £10m
July 7th, 2009 at 16:08
@nafooy: I couldn’t care less if he was photographed reaming the pool boy, on the pitch he is a beast, and that’s all that matters.
July 7th, 2009 at 16:09
could Fergies reluctance to buy a central midfielder be something to do with the arrival of serbian-Adem in january?
July 7th, 2009 at 16:10
Larry White doesn’t seem that impressed with OBellion, using words like “surprised” and “unexpected” and more concerning “They certainly hope to advance him, something that Bordeaux and Lorient have failed to do.”
I am a sceptic to say the least, another that will linger around the club for some years picking up a wage and only playing in Carling Cup games before scurrying back to France me thinks, call me a pessimist
July 7th, 2009 at 16:15
Looking at the picture of Orbetan, I just realised something. Our squad is shit ugly. Forget about “worldclass” players. I think we should start focussing more on some “poster boys” to help out with marketing. Now that Ronaldo has left, our 2 best-looking players are the 2 most injury plagued players that might almost never be on the pitch. Not that I’m gay or anything, but if I want my wife to continually support my footballing habits, I feel it’s important for the club to reciprocate
July 7th, 2009 at 16:20
@Will: I don’t think Fergie sees Ljajic as the answer to our problems. If he did, he would have made a move to get him here now as opposed to January. knowing Fergie’s mentality, the fact that he arrives in January, means he will only Start featuring next season.
By this measure, how highly is he rated then?
July 7th, 2009 at 16:23
@Karl: But to counter balance the Ronaldo sale we have let Tevez go
July 7th, 2009 at 16:31
Bloody typical, Arsenal and Spurs are fighting each other to sign Lorik Cana, you know the midfield terrorist who takes no prisoners, and marshall’s the MF like his feckin life depended on it. Opposing forwards definately are scared shitless of his tackles, and he is everywhere even if he is mental. I wish to God he was coming to us, we sure need somebody in our team that terrifies the opposition. Nobody since keane went but our polite little nice boy MF’s. And I don’t care if there isn’t a single one of you who agrees with me. If Wenger gets him, or Harry, they will have a COMMANDO bulldozing their MF, something we lack
. Every team needs at least one KILLER in their MF 
.
July 7th, 2009 at 16:47
@Karl: The ladies love Vida.
July 7th, 2009 at 16:48
@Craig Mc: Spurs already have Palacios. Maybe this means he’s off?
July 7th, 2009 at 17:00
@Traverse: Trav, Spurs fans absolutely LOVE Palacios, they say he is a monster for them in MF, so I think there would be an outcry if Spurs wanted to get rid of him!
July 7th, 2009 at 17:28
@Stephen: I like his hairstyle and I think it suits him well.But agree on the football matter
July 7th, 2009 at 17:31
@nafooy: What’s there to say mate? It’s rumor created by the worst sports tabloid of them all, the Sun. I never believe the Sun even when they report something that’s true. They are misfits in journalism and lack any integrity.
No player out there right now would make me happier by putting on the United shirt than Klaas Jan Huntelaar. But I just don’t see it happening. Fergie has had too many chances in the past and he has blown it. Besides, after getting Owen and already possessing Berbatov, Rooney and the two super kids, is there room for a Huntelaar? For me Huntelaar would be great but Berbatov would have to go or one of Welbeck or Macheda would have to go or be loaned out. I want to see those young kids get a chance to play and mature. And as disappointing as Berba was last season, I am not necessarily willing to give up on him yet. I think he is an outstanding player with tremendous skills and with no Ronaldo around being selfish and not blending in well with the Count on the pitch, I think he could improve greatly this season and have a much greater impact on the team. Witht hat said, I still would prefer Huntelaar as the starting striker alongside Rooney.
One thing that has not been addressed is our goals scoring output and prediction for this year. Last year we scored a disappointing 68 goals. This was with Ronaldo who disappointed and scored only 18 of those goals. Disappointing to me and others who know what he is truly capable of but a good haul for other mere mortals. So my question to all is how do we improve on our total goal tally and how do we make up for the 20+ goals we could have expected from Ronaldo? 68 goals minus 18 equals 50 goals with what we have now. Add to that Michael Owen’s future contribution, Valencia’s and who else? How do we make up those goals lost by Ronaldo’s defection and how do we improve on the 68 we scored? The answer is simply Rooney and Berbatov really have to pick it up. I few can get Huntelaar I am convinced we can improve on our goal scoring total of last year but lets not forget that we need to fill a few holes still in order for that to happen.
Whether we get Huntelaar or not, we still are in need of a central midfielder and possibly a left winger. I have written myself silly claiming that we already have the left winger in Nani if only Fergie would give the lad a chance, but I honestly do not see that happening. Now rumors are surfacing that the Boss is eying Ashley Young. A great player but Marty isn’t going to let him go cheap. Expect Cole to be in the 25 to 30 million neighborhood. Huntelaar and Young would pretty well use up what’s left of Fergie’s transfer kitty and we still haven’t addressed our need for a powerful and intimidating CDM. I love Huntelaar greatly but I may shock many of you when I say that I believe this team needs Yaya Toure or Felipe Melo much more than they need Huntelaar.
So I have defined the three players who are presently being targeted and it’s a tossup for which two out of those three Fergie could potentially go for. I personally think he will go after Young. Toure just signed a 4 year extended contract with Barca valued at 85 million and so I wonder if Fergie even wants to touch that. Perhaps if Barca succeed in getting Mascherano, then they may not be as demanding. Right now the easiest payer to get is Huntelaar at 22 million. He’s there if Fergie wants him but if he wants him, he needs to be aggressive because Milan have already bid for him. Personally, i think I will be seeing Huntelaar in an AC Milan kit this season. So that leaves Toure and Young. I think we would be fortunate to get one of those two. Both would be fantastic. And once again my heart will be broken because will not have my Hunter. But as long as the team looks better, I’ll still be happy. Now should we get none of these three, Fergie should be strung up by his……..
From CCR
“Long as I remember the rain been coming down.
Clouds of mystery pouring confusion on the ground.
Good men through the ages, trying to find the sun;
And I wonder, still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain.
And really, when it comes to United post Ronaldo, who’ll stop
the rain?
July 7th, 2009 at 17:38
@Craig Mc: Now somebody is talking my language. Marcus Berg or Ola Toivonen would be outstanding signings but Fergie is just to fucking obsessed with speedy wingers. And now that Ronaldo is gone, who takes our free kicks and penalties? Has anyone seen Toivonen take free kicks? He’s excellent at them. Berg is a goal scoring machine waiting to happen. I’d also add the two German midfielders Marin and Ozil. Marin is ten times the player Obertan is and Ozil is a another Diego with a cannon shot. What exactly are these scouts doing…..or should I say, not doing. Sack the bunch of them. Wankers!
July 7th, 2009 at 17:42
@Stephen: Welbeck would be the one to go on loan because he is the one most in need of playing time. Macheda is still learning and he still needs another year in the Academy and reserves. I agree that if Welbeck goes out on loan, he must go to a team that will start him most games. Otherwise he is better off with our reserves.
July 7th, 2009 at 17:45
@Beachryan: Hargreaves is a very big if and a team as mighty as United cannot afford to trust if’s. We need to go out and buy a Melo or a Toure. I for one am not a Flamini fan and the fact he failed at Milan tells me all I need to know about him, that he isn’t what we need. Hernanes for me is the one we need to go because he is one of the best box to box midfielders in the world. No he’s not Essien but then again, who is?
July 7th, 2009 at 17:47
This has got to be a load of rubbish, is it not?
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy/2009/07/07/1369333/report-roma-stalwart-daniele-de-rossi-tops-chelsea-wish-list
July 7th, 2009 at 17:48
@nafooy: They aren’t saying anything. It’s more of a rumor mill article. I want to read that United have actually tabled a bid, and as they haven’t yet and Milan has, I really see this as nothing more than wishful thinking. If they want a player that other teams are targeting, then they need to move as quickly as they did with Obertan.
Sorry folks but Huntelaar is not coming to United. Not as I see the situation.
July 7th, 2009 at 17:52
@Karl: Truthfully, if Fergie is planning on buying Huntelaar, and I do not think he is, he is planning on going back to his 1999 mantra of four quality strikers. He will loan out Welbeck and keep Macheda in the reserves as he is only 17. I see his front line being interchangeable with him also giving Rooney a little more rest than usual.
It could work but I don’t think it will happen. I think he is set with Owen the #3 striker and having the two young kids as backups because Owen will get injured.
July 7th, 2009 at 17:54
@Cyclops-Red: I love Rafael and I think both he and Fabio have excellent futures with United but in no way right now is Rafael a better and more reliable player than Wes Brown.
July 7th, 2009 at 17:56
@Karl: Two years from now Jose Mourinho will take over as Man Utd manager. You heard it from me.
July 7th, 2009 at 17:59
@Will: That would be a foolish use of money now don’t you think? CQ was great for us but he is not worth that. I do agree though that when he gets sacked by Portugal (and it’s only a matter of time) Fergie should offer him an olive branch. The problem is that he has left us twice and I know that he would want assurances or a chance to compete for Fergie’s job when the Boss retires. I honestly do not feel United would be willing to offer him those kinds of assurances considering his failure at Madrid and now with a talent filled Portuguese team that can’t score a frakken goal when their World Cup lives depend on it.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:01
Stéphane Sessegnon – The answer to our problems. A midfielder who can play in all positions, score goals, physical enough for the Premier league, exciting on the ball to excite fans, bags of pace…Fergie forget Obertan and sign up this lad!!! I would say a quicker more skilled version of Essien…apparanetly Chelsea and Arsenal are interested but this guy would solve A LOT of problems for us…the problem is we don’t have enough goals in the team and we need a “water carrier” do everything type player…this guy solves both problems!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSSQIPg8pKU
July 7th, 2009 at 18:01
Grognard lets be fair people the sun have broken some big stories so give them credit there.
I have got to get this off my chest it has been bugging me for 2 years is ronaldo’s people and his family. Not once did his representatives or his family have never ever not even once thanked Manchester utd for the hard work and helped him develop has a player.
They could not wait to get him out of Manchester, one of his friends who have been doing his documentary spat in the face of the club and the city.
basically calling the place a dump horrible and the way united do things Man Utd could learn from Madrid. Which for me has reflected on the behaviour of Cristiano Ronaldo
July 7th, 2009 at 18:01
@Craig MC.
Just saw some youtube videos of Lorik Cana. Wow. nuff said, that guy is a demon in the midfield. I will be really disappointed if he goes anywhere else in the prem, especially the arse. Charles should take a page out of his book on how to channel aggression and endless energy.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:04
@Traverse: I laugh at the rumors that Arsenal and other Italian clubs were interested in him too but none of them were able to generate a measly 3 million to match our offer? We are being fleeced here. He’s all flash and no substance. He as no finish to his moves or plays. If he was 17 I would be encouraged but he is 20. I think he is a major DUD.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:06
Chelscum complete Zhirkov signing. 18mil.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:06
@Craig Mc: Blanc never saw the lad as being good enough to play so he loaned him out. At 19 he should have been good enough to play for a French side other than Lyon.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:06
@Cantona’s_Seagulls if you want us to be playing with 10 men more often than not then we should sign Cana up…especially with the new FIFA directives for more straight red’s this guy would be a disaster for us…
July 7th, 2009 at 18:10
@ROOOOONEY: How do you keep a player of Huntelaar’s stature or Berbatov for that matter happy on the bench? Remember Tevez? If you bring a player of that quality to United, it’s to start him. Otherwise, you are just bringing on headaches and problems.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:12
@Traverse: Ah sorry but that was Rio reaming the pool boy. Just wanted to clear that up.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:14
@Karl: All the more reason why would should sign Franck Ribery.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:15
and the suns pethetic story that no one has asked for an owen shirt, and comparing owen with ronaldo shows how awful the sun are at times.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:16
@Craig Mc: What good would he be to us suspended every second game? He’s a thug, not a footballer. Keane was rough and physical too but had more talent and self control. Cana is a punk. You want a killer but one who knows how to do it with style and stealth? Felipe Melo.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:21
@Don: That player impresses me an awful lot more than Obertan.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:25
@steve: Mate, they are netitled to feel whatever they want. They are Portuguese peasants and Northern England simply does not attract those types of people. No need to get upset over it. It was Ronaldo we cared about and what he thought of Manchester and the club, not his frakken family. Billions of people have married into families they cannot stand or stomach. It’s part of life. Manchester may be your cup of tea but for people who coming from warm and even tropical countries and cultures that are warm and passionate, it’s not exactly appealing. You need to get some proper perspective.
I have two friends here in Vancouver (one just passed away) who were from Manchester and they both hated the place and called it a hole. So take it as you like. Different strokes for different folks
July 7th, 2009 at 18:25
@Grognard: I’m really not in a reading mood, tiredness, I guess, but as a robotically skimmed redrants what do I see? CCR?
Now we just need someone else to quote Moby Grape!
@Karl: Good looking fit United players:
Vidic, Berbatov, Macheda…
July 7th, 2009 at 18:27
Lads, we complained when we signed nani and not ribery and other signings like that, where they turned into best players in the world in their positions. Give obertan a chance, he could be that ribery signing if you know what i mean.
We could of bought ribery earlier for much cheaper, now hes worth £40mil, obertan could be the same.
Sorry if there is spelling mistakes, i cant spell check where i am, and cant be bothered to look over
July 7th, 2009 at 18:27
NicoQB…since you are our “resident” Lique 1 expert…how come no noise of Stéphane Sessegnon?? WHat is wrong with this lad that he doesn’t generate more interest? He looks like the truth…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSSQIPg8pKU
July 7th, 2009 at 18:28
@Don: Amen to that mate.
Cantonaic wisdom is truly sublime and almost Zen in nature. Long live the King.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:43
Grognard sorry but ronaldos people should be thanking united to death that they have such a great player. has soon as ronaldo turned out to be a top player they were working around the clock to drive him out of united.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:44
I’ve heard some horrific rumours that Park is our new 7.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:46
@Traverse: Lies, pure lies.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:50
@Dan: I figure so, horrible thought tho…
I’m annoyed by the newspapers being all over Owen cause nobody has come in and asked for his shirt yet at the megastore…. Well for one, the new shirt isn’t out yet, and secondly he hasn’t been given a number, and they are making out like he is a failure already. Idiots.
July 7th, 2009 at 18:54
without ronaldo in our team our system is destined to change i dont know to what with us buying a bunch of wingers, but i believe huntelaar can fit into the system, owen not me is not priority. But i would be happy if welbeck and kiko given chances so either way win win for me.
July 7th, 2009 at 19:44
@Don: Oh, I think this “resident Ligue 1″ expert thing is going to come bite me on the ass everytime a someone finds someone interesting playing in Ligue 1!
Truly, while I do follow Lifgue 1 more than most here, I’m no expert, compared to ,say, Grognard’s (supposed) mastery of the Bundesliga!
Now about Sessegnon. I don’t remember him as a DM. He can play LM or AM apparently and his physical game is a bonus, but that does not mean he masters the DM job. Can he single-handedly boss the midfield against Barca? OK, maybe that’s too much to ask for, but can he against a top 10 European side? Fletcher on his day can. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a top player, very gifted, and if indeed he can make the DM position his own I wouldn’t be against his signing, but the story goes that he’s also not the player to count on for defending, a bit like Nani or Ronaldo. So, I see him more like a Juninho (the middlesborough one) rather than an Essien. He may look like Essien, have the same demeanour, the rugged, physical game, but he is an AM by formation.
Also, about Obertan, good feedback I’m getting from french forums is that Bordeaux never really tried to play him in his true position, that of a winger. They wanted him to convert to striker, which he didn’t felt comfortable with.
But many Bordeaux fans are disappointed to see him go as they could all see he was very, very talented, but just never made the grade to the first team.
July 7th, 2009 at 20:04
@Grognard: What rain do you speak of mate? Personally I dont care if we score only 38 league goals as long as we win every game 1-0. As for Huntelaar, I would have him in a second as long as he was willing to accept a bench role, something he had problems with at Madrid. I think berbatov adds so much more to the team than a goal scorer (i know its debatable he even adds that).
July 7th, 2009 at 20:20
ROOOOONEY I think united are going back to the 442 system. I think fergie wants to develop partnerships all across the pitch and fergie feels the 442 system I think is still the most effective system to play.
to play these fluid patnerships it will only work with ronaldo in the team.
July 7th, 2009 at 21:37
“When the Obama looking French fella is having a United medical, Eddy is out partying with the lads.”
July 7th, 2009 at 21:42
Ronaldo has revealed that Fergie has told them that if they meet in the Champions League, he’s gonna tell Evra to kick him off the park. I bet he means it too
July 7th, 2009 at 21:50
Anyone ekse think there is something wrong with the supposed obertan deal?
July 7th, 2009 at 22:03
wrong how?
July 7th, 2009 at 22:05
@ROOOOONEY: Well, he supposedly started his medical around 1:00-2:00, as that was when it was reported.
Its now 10:00, and we havent heard a thing…
July 7th, 2009 at 22:06
Dan, yeah the fee seems very low. OK he is unproven but in this day and age you play a few youth internationals and your transfer fee is automatically double figures. I mean think how much we splashed out on Nani and Anderson who had a similar amount of competitive experiience to Obertan.
I also don’t like what Blanc was saying about his “mental and psychological challenges”.
July 7th, 2009 at 22:13
Some of the guys on the manutd.com forums seem to think Fergie is keeping the transfer under wraps because he has another transfer in the pipeline and wants to unveil both players on Friday. Rumours are the other player is Huntelaar. I don’t believe it for a minute but it would make a lot of people on here happy if it was true
July 7th, 2009 at 22:32
Looks like melo signed for juventus
July 7th, 2009 at 23:39
@colver: Yeah apparently according to them huntelaar is in manchester waiting to be announced as you said it may be that they want to announce a double deal who knows. Its highly unlikely however that we would sign owen albeit on a free and then sign another striker, why would we sign owen at all if we were getting the hunter?
I wouldnt be against the signing at all, huntelaar is a world class striker but from what i had heard he was off the AC anyway, oh well its just manutd.com rumours anyway.
July 8th, 2009 at 0:11
Quotes today from Costa’s agent : “Costa thinks his club Gremio will be flexible over the fee.”
July 8th, 2009 at 0:40
@steve: And that’s their prerogative mate. It’s a free world and doing the right thing isn’t always mandatory. If I was playing for United I would hope you didn’t give a rats ass what my mother thought of the team as she supported to a small degree Panathinaikos as did my father who played for the Greek team in the late 30’s. They are Portuguese and they are not obligated to kiss your British or Mancunian ass. Get over it and move on. Ronaldo showed his appreciation and respect to the manager, the club and to the fans and for me, that is all that matters. Why would i give a fuck what his second cousin on his mother’s side thinks?
July 8th, 2009 at 0:41
@Traverse: No way in HELL
July 8th, 2009 at 0:44
@BAMF: The rain is a metaphor for the gloom floating over the club now that we lost Ronaldo. And so I am waiting for THE player who’ll stop the rain.
July 8th, 2009 at 0:45
Grognard not ronaldo his family. his mother what a bitch she is
July 8th, 2009 at 0:49
@BAMF: Please explain to me what this means when you say that Berbatov brings so much more than just a goal scorer?
Forgive me but I dare say that I do not think there is anything more important in a striker than being a goal scorer. If Huntelaar scores 25 goals and 2 assists in a season and Berbatov scores 10 and assists on 10, Huntelaar is still far more valuable. Goals is what it’s about mate. Berbatov is good player and I like him a lot but he would be on the bench so quickly his hair band would be flying off him if I were manager. He’s great but he is not Cantona who could score 15 and assist on 20. Big big difference. Huntelaar gives us a chance to bring back the prolific goal scorer like we had with RVN. And all I can say is bring him on.
July 8th, 2009 at 0:53
@steve: I’m talking about his family and his mother has a right to say whatever she likes. What you don’t understand mate is that this has nothing to do with Manchester United, it has everything to do with Manchester the city and it’s unattractiveness to Portuguese people who would prefer Madrid culturally and spiritually. I would say the same things about many places in the world if I or one of my relatives was forced to play there. I for example would say terrible things about Spain and Madrid having been there and having not liked it at all. Others I know absolutely love Spain so it really has everything to do with culture and one’s individual tastes and preferences. I would prefer to live in in England or Germany or Austria if I had the ways and means to do so. My favorite countries on the planet. Fuck the hot humid tropical climates.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:16
Just played street fighter 4 a bit. Used to love the series as a kid, but now just find it dumb, despite the good gameplay, graphics and all.
Instead I’ve been enjoying Plants vs. Zombies more…
Growing up, huh?
July 8th, 2009 at 1:16
@Grognard: Good comment, Grog.
I especially agree about the deficiency in the goal scoring department, as all we have done so far is basically swapping Tevez with Owen and selling Ronaldo.
I could put the Owen signing in a better perspective if we got Hunter or Eto’o. Owen could then be an insurance against injury of loss of form, and at a very low premium to boot.
The CMF is a very worrying situation. We cannot rely on Scholes or Giggs anymore, and Hargo could well be out until the new year at least. That leaves us with Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, Gibson and possible O’Shea as starters that could play a full 90 mins for us. With all the good things that these players have done for us, they are not a world class bunch that could compete in 4 competitions.
Although a tend to lean toward CMF being the prority, I would be very, very disapointed if with didn’t make major signings in both of these areas!!
July 8th, 2009 at 1:49
@Grognard: just wanted to pick you up on something: with Ruud we were pretty damn unsuccessful. In five seasons with Ruud leading the line and knocking in goals for fun we only won the league once, and the FA and Carling Cups once each. In five years. And despite his insane scoring in Europe we got nowhere. Obviously the team is very different now, and I don’t think a goalscorer would hurt the side (although isn’t that Owen’s job now?), but having a Dutch poacher to feed goals to isn’t necessarily the route to success.
This bit is to both Redrich and you: Personally I’d want a signing like Dwight Yorke, someone who plays for the sheer joy of it (and who could perhaps get 30 goals and 23 assists in his debut season!), although to be honest I think we have a much greater need for a top quality attacking midfielder than another striker. (Veron, perhaps?
). Or maybe a holding player to let us push Carrick forward more. Definitely a midfielder though.
Welbeck looks as though he’ll be a quality player, so I’m hoping he gets 15 or so games this season rather than us buying another striker.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:03
@Grognard: Berba can get the goals AND YOU KNOW IT GROG! I wantched our end of season review, and this myth that Berba never gets into the box, is just that – A MYTH. He got into the box, what he didn’t get was the ball given to him, because of the following:-
1. Ronnie’s obsession with getting the PL and CL golden boot again. And Ronnie’s gluttony for being No 1 goalscorer, and therefore wanting all the chances for himself, to our cost on many occasions
.
2. Argentine GIT Maradona telling Tevez to be MORE SELFISH, and not pass to others but make the goals for himself. He sensationally failed.
3. Rooney being so starved of opportunites because of being played out of position, or not seeing enough ball, that he had to go deeper and deeper to even get a sniff of it, that when he did get it, he wanted to take the shots on goal – who can blame him?
4. So Berba didn’t stand a feckin chance with getting a pass of the ball, when he IN FACT WAS IN THE BOX, and WAS IN BETTER POSITIONS than the other pot shotters, who more often than not cocked up their shots big time.
VIVA BERBA – LONG LIVE BERBATOV, and may he have a great season this time around. Unfortunately, Berba isn’t as selfish as the jerks he had around him last season, and he was willing to pass. Come on Berba!
July 8th, 2009 at 2:04
@NicoQB:
SFIV blows, and its really sad. it has nothing on 3rd Strike or Alpha 3.
Anyway, as far as current gen fighters, Blazblue (from the makers of Guilty Gear) is where is at.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:09
@steve: Listen mate, Dear Dolores, Ronaldo’s Mum is a fine lady, and nothing like you say she is. She was always smiling in the stands, and was great fun loving lady, so get your facts right please. It was Ronaldo’s brothers and Uncle who pushed, pushed, and pushed him to leave UNited and move to Madrid, when they knew SAF said he wasn’t going to be sold.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:11
@Grognard: Why don’t you just try using an umbrella, if the rain concerns you so much?
July 8th, 2009 at 2:16
@Dan: Yeah SAF heard about the mental problems the lad has, and decided we got enough players at the club with problems already – he’s out and back to France.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:17
@Traverse: Skinned sausage wouldn’t be able to get close enough to Ronnie to be within kicking distance mate
.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:20
Just listening to David Gill interview from the Asia tour last year. He said, and I quote – Manchester UNited will always go out and make every effort to bring in the VERY BEST PLAYERS IN THE WORLD. Oh yeah, so where the feck are they then David? – I must have missed it!
July 8th, 2009 at 2:31
@Craig Mc: I live in Vancouver mate. I’m used to the rain.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:32
@michael: I like your idea of pushing Carrick forward with the signing of a Holding player, he seems much more comfortable there and, of course, he doesn’t have the chops to go box to box!!
But your opening thing about RVN, is ridiculous. You’ve used those stats to make the case that a prolific goal scorer is, or could be harmful to the team. Scoring goals is the name of the game, mate. The more you score the better chance you have parading around with all those trophies at the end of the season.
Football is an easy game to understand.
Rule #1 – Score lots and lots of goals.
Rule #2 – Don’t let your opponent score lots and lots of goals.
Of course if you were Italian you would probably want to argue the order of thise rules, but United always follow them in that sequence!!
July 8th, 2009 at 2:41
Who in the world is Obertan? Since when did he become a target for all the top clubs in Europe?
July 8th, 2009 at 2:43
@Craig Mc:
Craig, don’t you actually mean;-
NANI IS DEAD – LONG LIVE BERBATOV.
I think you have a new super-hero, mate!!
July 8th, 2009 at 2:45
@Redrich: If you sign a holding midfielder, and try to get carrick pushing further forward, in doing so you are effectively making carrick the box-to-box midfielder.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:09
The truth of the matter so far is we have been all severely underwhelmed by the transfer activity as far as our club goes.We lost two great players,both in attack.In came a winger who is potentially great and a much doubted striker at 29.We have been linked with all the top names in football and all sorts of other players.The Benz went to the Bern,Ribery would love to follow,Young is English and is well,young, which is all that matters to RedRanters as long as you’re not Owen(other one is Canadian),Yaya will never Toure Old Trafford though we all like to dream,Vucinic was idiotically linked,Aguero Kunnot be bought in all honesty unless we’re to break the British transfer record.
Wow.What an underwhelming transfer season.We all wanted to see the Benz parked in front of the Roon or the DB9.We all wished to have Franck ribbing fullbacks apart.Shame.Oh well,@ least we now have Oblivion,a promising Frenchman who hopefully has insomnia.We don’t want to create the next big thing and have it dreaming,do we?
July 8th, 2009 at 3:14
@MUFC Fan in America: Have no idea about the games you are talking about. I’m the perfect definition of the casual gamer. so after seeing the very high ratings of SF4, I decided to to try it for the sake of nostalgia maybe.
The last game I absolutely adored was “And yet it moves“. Absolutely no stroyline and yet very simple and arty.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:14
Question: Have you guys thougt of this: Real Madrid uses the summers to project their image to the world while achieving little during the season. For the second season in a row, Madrid captures summer headlines with its big name transfers, rumors, and talk. Last season, its commercial arch-rival Man Utd had won a european double (EPL + CL) and we’re in all news in May. Then comes RM with their now infamous Ronaldo offers/stories. This led to our year being the year of Ronaldo-might-be-leaving.
Now comes this summer. It’s competive arch-rival, Barca win a historic treble, yet all we see is RM – RM – RM and more RM. They spend big this summer while Barca are at most a whisper in the media.
All this for what? For gaining marketshare in the developing world (China, India,South America, Afrika).
How can RM be stopped… Besides outspending them, I am not sure how to stop madrid from getting richer and richer..
Any comments?
July 8th, 2009 at 3:26
@michael: How is Ruud connected to our lack of success? I mean the guy practically scored the most impossible number of goals,was a success in Europe and finishes off 95% of the chances he gets.How do you then connect him to our lack of success?It seems everyone thinks every single decision Saf makes is the best.There is nothing wrong with a natural in the box goalscorer and this theory that our new system doesn’t suit such is a load of bull.Nothing personal,but I just get stirred up when people start slating the Ruud Good Dude
July 8th, 2009 at 3:30
@Redrich: I’m not saying having a player like that is detrimental to the team at all, I’m just pointing out that even with Ruud we didn’t win much. Like I said, it’s a different team now and there’s always a case for a proven goalscorer. I just feel that if a players sole contribution is goalscoring there are a few problems, such as the rest of the team having to dedicate themselves entirely to providing for him and the (outfield) team really being 9 men as one player is never involved in play. That said, with our terrible finishing last season I do feel that a consistent finisher will add confidence to the team in front of goal, so I’m hoping Owen can do that.
On the Carrick thing, I can’t remember who we were playing but there was one game last season where we were playing Scholes deep and Carrick was roaming around the box and looked absolutely incredible. If he could do that week in, week out we might not need an attacking midfielder. It was probably a bottom half team, but still…
By the way, I’m pretty sure last season we took the Italian route, even if we didn’t mean to
July 8th, 2009 at 3:40
@tevez: Well no. Because a box-box CMF to me is one that can operate effectively defensively, and offensively. One who can put a very large footprint on all aspects of the game.
This is something Carrick has always had a problem with. Its one thing or the other, but when asked to play centrally from “box to box” he gets lost!!
July 8th, 2009 at 3:41
@Jay wire: Sorry, let me lay this out: I’m not slating Ruud. Loved him, still do, and he was a top drawer goalscorer. I was just pointing out that we didn’t win very much when we had him. It’s likely this was more linked to poor defending and goalkeeping than to having a poacher in the side, but at the same time I feel it would be foolish to deny that our forward play has not only improved since he left but that it has gained flexibility, which is hugely important in the modern game. Love Ruud, but we won very little with him. Interpret it as you will, but I think there’s a reason players like him are increasingly rare: they are increasingly less useful.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:43
@Redrich: Do not say such blasphemous things mate, Nani WILL NEVER BE DEAD – HE IS THE GREATEST
.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:56
@NicoQB:
ah. 3rd Strike and Alpha 3 are older Street Fighter games.
Blazblue is a super cool 2D fighter that just came out last week.
And Yet It Moves looks pretty interesting. It’d be a nice addition to the Xbox Live Marketplace.
July 8th, 2009 at 4:01
@michael: Yeah I had spaghetti pouring out of my ears, mate!!
But seriously, the Carrick thing is clear to me. Give him a single specific role, like, as you said, roaming in the upper reaches, and he is fantastic, and can score frequently. The 7-1 thwacking of Roma in ‘07 was evidence of this, his contribution in that game was, by far, his best yet.
When all is said and done, we can talk all day and all night about how if, Ronaldo was less selfish, or Rooney had played centrally more often, or Tevez had started more games, or Berbatov had been fed the ball better. It’s all really very subjective and, in my mind, one thing really doesn’t have anything to do with the other. These observations are, at best a possible answer to an individual problem here and there, but over the course of a season, the real solution is much more simple.
Rule #1 – Score lots and lots of goals!!
Rule #2 – Don’t let the opposition score lots and lots of goals!
July 8th, 2009 at 4:03
@Craig Mc: I thought I might tickle you, mate, just to see if you’re still awake!
July 8th, 2009 at 4:21
@Craig Mc: They made an effort to bring in Benzema and Ribery. It’s an entirely different matter that those players couldn’t be arsed to want to play for us.
To be fair, he said make an effort, not drag them to OT at gun point.
July 8th, 2009 at 4:25
What do you call a Frenchman who gets tanned beyond belief? Über-tan.
July 8th, 2009 at 4:48
@Red Ranter:
What do you call a Frenchman who gets tanned beyond belief? Evra!!
July 8th, 2009 at 5:06
@Redrich: You mean skinned, don’t you?
July 8th, 2009 at 5:24
@Red Ranter:
Skinned and then tanned (by us)!!
Poor sausage!!
July 8th, 2009 at 5:26
People… I still Think Evra was tired last season… Due to the Euro and the long Campaign… He’ll be his usual self come August though!
Then he’s Gonna Screw Grognard UP!
July 8th, 2009 at 5:40
@RichmondRed: A midfield trio of De Rossi, Essien and Lampard. Scary shit that is, hope that’s just Goal.com bollocks.
July 8th, 2009 at 5:54
@Grognard: Easy mate, comparing any player to Cantona is going to make him look bad. And we can play this IF game all day long, like what if Huntelaar scored 20 and assisted 2 and Berbatov scores 19 but assist in 15. Then who has more value. I’m not arguing against Huntelaar, but if he’s willing to accept a backseat role, I’ll take him every time. My point was more that he wouldn’t like playing second fiddle to anyone, and coming into a team like United or RM, you have to do that (at least initially).
About Berbatov, I meant he isnt just the guy kick the ball up to and he scores. He can play witnin our team, play our style of quick pass footie (something, mind, that I didnt think RVN was capable of in his later years with us), and contribute much more than an average striker. I don’t thin he’s the second coming mind, just appreciate the fact that he isn’t just a one trick pony. Also, I’m not saying that Huntelaar cant do all these things, and ill be the first to admit that I havent seen much of the Hunter other than the odd national team runout and some youtube vids. But if the youtube videos are any indication, he would be part of this galacticos team. My questions is, if Huntelaar is as good as you want him to be, why hasnt he made an impact at any place he’s been, national or otherwise, than the dutch league? And if were being fair, scoring in the Dutch League is easier than Brittney Spears if youre Kevin Federline, so…. just saying.
I’m not against Huntelaar, actually think he’ll fit in great here and provide more opportunity for Rooney, who i would like to see feature and shine more, but dont really think he is the missing piece to our puzzle.
July 8th, 2009 at 6:23
@BAMF: Huntelaar has 13 goals in 20 for Holland. 8 in 20 for Madrid and he didn’t start too many of them. And he hardly got to bed in, in that unstable circus environment of Madrid. And a lack of faith from the coach didn’t help his confidence either. Even Henry struggled in his 1st season at Barca.
July 8th, 2009 at 6:29
@Craig Mc: I think you need to see a video of Huntelaar to know what in the box really means. I am not talking about the odd or occasional visit. I am talking about setting up a tent and building a fire and getting the shotgun out and ready for some hunting. Berbatov is great, i have no problem with Berba. I never have, but Huntelaar is better. Why? He scores twice as many goals.
July 8th, 2009 at 6:35
@michael: It’s a team game and it takes more than one player to tango. RVN was fantastic for us but we were not as good nor as deep a team as we are now. Ruud just showed up at the wrong time. Had he shown up three years earlier or 4 years later he would have been as great but with a great supporting cast.
July 8th, 2009 at 6:47
@BAMF: All this pro Berbatov tosh is really irritating. For months everyone has bitched and bitched about what a disappointment he was and how he was to lazy, slow and lacking in desire. Now that we have lost our talisman we are desperate for a savior and we are crying to reinvent the players we have into something they are not.
Bottom line is Berbatov has not fit in well with our club. For the umpteenth time I will use the analogy of a square peg trying to fit into a smaller round hole. I like him as a player but he clearly has struggled with us. Can he rebound? Possibly but I wouldn’t bet on it. He isn’t 21 or 22 and he has been around for a while now. He has picked up bad habits playing for poor clubs and trying to change a player on the long side of 25 is not easy.
But what really gets me is your opinion that Huntelaar is nothing but bench meat. BULLSHIT. Huntelaar is every bit the player Berbatov is and more. No he doesn’t have the ball control and deft first touch of Berba but his finishing skill and his aggressiveness in the box are something akin to Ruud van Nistelrooy and Samuel Eto’o. Perhaps if you actually watched the player and analyzed his abilities you would realize what a ignorant statement it was that you gave. Huntelaar is a goal scoring machine and a player of that caliber and that class does not sit on the bench so that a languid lazy Bulgarian can play instead of him and bore us to death. If that’s what Fergie has in store for the Hunter, I’d rather see Huntelaar go to Milan where he can get some respect and tear up Serie A in his Marco van Basten way.
July 8th, 2009 at 8:39
I dont understand shit of this school system…
What the fuck am I supposed to do?! Am I accepted, rejected? HELP!!! 
July 8th, 2009 at 9:10
@RedDevilEddy: calm down eddo.. whats the matter?
July 8th, 2009 at 9:18
Any pics of the boys back in training? Given they’re off to Asia next week – I’d of expected them to be back. Am curious who is healthy. From the end of last season, I believe: Anderson, Hargreaves, Fabio, Gary and Wes were all quasi or fully injured, it would be good to know if they’re even back running….particularly Ando, who I’m optimistic will finally get a good preseason in.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:44
@Merlinus: This thing is just so fucked up! I apply for a few schools, then just one gets answered with the other saying its the first one, but if I answer something to the one I already have it may hamper the other scools. I mean, what the fuck is that?
July 8th, 2009 at 10:46
Huntelaar is 100% leaving Madrid. Benzema is going to be unveiled wearing the number 19, currently worn by the Hunter.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:47
@Redrich: Your rule one, and rule rwo – SIMPLE AS EH?
.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:49
@Redrich: Being awake isn’t the problem mate, getting to sleep is
.
July 8th, 2009 at 11:33
@RedDevilEddy: But you should have a fair idea of what schools would take you in!
you know yourself.. your grades only say so much 
July 8th, 2009 at 11:40
@Craig Mc:
I know that, but its the system that puts me in which school that is confusing… Thankfully figured it out though! 
Quote, Homer Simpson. “I am so smart! I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T.. I mean, S-M-A-R-T!”
July 8th, 2009 at 11:50
@Redrich: In a two-man centre midfield both players need to contribute heavily to defending. The player who is given responsibility to go forward and support the play in attack has to be prepared to bust a gut to get behind the ball if the attack breaks down. He cannot cheat. It leaves you far too exposed. So if you want carrick pushing further forward then he has to be able to go box-to-box and contribute heavily to both attack and defense, because there’s no room in our team for him to get a free attacking role (unless we play a three-man midfield to give carrick that luxury). If carrick can’t go box-to-box, the only role he’s going to play is holding midfield.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:05
@RedDevilEddy: you are so smart you replied to the wrong guy..
July 8th, 2009 at 12:23
@Merlinus:
Lets just say that I did that on purpose… 
July 8th, 2009 at 12:43
Looks like Chelski have put a bid in for Ribery.Can’t believe I’m saying this but I hope they succeed.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:44
@Cyclops-Red: Why? I for one am not a guy who wants to see Ribery attack Evra or Rafael…
July 8th, 2009 at 12:52
@RedDevilEddy:
True but I’m just feeling bitter about Madrid.
July 8th, 2009 at 13:45
I want everyone to go to Madrid. Screw em. Makes our lives easier. Ribery at Chelsea is a scary prospect, and also feels wrong. (ie just for the $$$)
I’m beginning to doubt this Obertan move. If he had his medical yesterday, there is no reason that he wouldn’t have been signed by now…
July 8th, 2009 at 13:51
@Beachryan: I have an odd feeling that this Obertan deal is just a curtain for something bigger – to distract the press sort of. As such, it might not be announced until the bigger deal takes place (or else, it would have been pointless).
July 8th, 2009 at 14:01
@Andrei:
You may be right but somehow I doubt it.
We now need a DM more than anything.
July 8th, 2009 at 14:12
Obertan is a United player.
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6635851
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={6DDFCB6E-3471-4E45-9385-F04D05F4A70D}&newsid=6635854
July 8th, 2009 at 14:12
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=6635851
you asked for it
July 8th, 2009 at 14:13
aw dammit trav!
July 8th, 2009 at 14:18
July 8th, 2009 at 14:30
Seems like he has a slight injury which may be the reason for the delay in the anouncence.
July 8th, 2009 at 15:17
@Cyclops-Red: Which is a shame, cause I’d have liked to see him given a run out against the shenzen pig farmers XI or whoever we are playing on pre season….
July 8th, 2009 at 15:19
Can someone picture our team in Europe with the current team?Mind you,SAF is looking at Oblivion as a player in progress.He did say he’s looking at developing him over the next two years so don’t bother including him.He said the same of Da Silva Lining and we all know how they spent the season in Reserves.Tosic also.
July 8th, 2009 at 15:27
@Grognard: I dont think the pro-Berbatov sentiment is because Ronaldo the Talisman left. In my case there is much more to it. I can honestly see Berbatov having much more of an impact than last season. And, you know that I was/am one of his biggest critics. Logic dictates it. There’s just so many things that points to that, and so little to point to the contrary.
Besides, now with the selfish one gone, Fergie can afford to remove defensive duties from Berbatov.
July 8th, 2009 at 15:42
Grognard at least you have finally seen the light with berbatov. ROM website has vastly overrated berbatov.- I said last summer he does not fit into the style we need and what Rooney needs.
berbatov is slow lazy he expects ball to feet when teams do not give you a moments piece he just can’t get in behind defences his aerial ability is very poor and he never gets into the box.
His goals for record was has poor has tevez and like Rooney he drops deep, plus he gets injured a lot. People can say this and that but ronaldo was almost that central striker his pace the Arial ability the he offered and his ability to stretch defences was a huge weapon. For me united should offer real Madrid berbatov and get hunteleer in a swap deal people think I am nuts but that would be a good option.
July 8th, 2009 at 15:46
I see Man Pity have put in a large bid for Guiseppe Rossi
. They want everything United have or had it seems! Rossi’s agent said the bid isn’t high enough, Rossi is happy where he is, and would only EVER leave for one of Europes 6 BIG CLUBS. Anybody want to hazard a guess at who he means by the 6 top clubs 
.
July 8th, 2009 at 15:51
@steve: Steve I am sorry mate you are woefully inadequate in your assessment of players sometimes IMHO, and in Berba’s case you are dead wrong on all counts
. Also if Grog were to agree with the points on Berba (which I know he won’t), that you have pointed out – I will be frakken amazed. Grog has his thoughts on Berba, but I don’t think they tally with yours – sorry. However if Grog does agree with you on any of the points then I will just say – I think you are both wrong 
.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:02
@Craig Mc:
1.Man Utd
2.Manchester United
3.Man United
4.Red Devils
5.MUFC
6.Busby Babes
July 8th, 2009 at 16:05
@steve: Berbatov is not slow, he just chooses not to run quickly…
July 8th, 2009 at 16:06
Craig this is the facts with berbatov
1 he has no pace when half our team is not explosove enough
2 he is lazy slow looks like he is about 35 years old.
3 he does not get in behind defences
4 he does not score week in week out
5 he has great touch but the areas where it counts like scoring goals poor heading ability he does neither.
6 he is not a big game player bar one goal against chelsea and getting 1 assist against liverpool what else did he do.
7 he scored 14 goals
8 he is not a central striker
July 8th, 2009 at 16:08
@Grognard: Where are you getting my ‘opinion’ that Huntelaar is just bench meat? Is it because I said it somewhere, or is it becuase he actually has been everywhere he’s been save Ajax? He doesnt start for the national team, he didnt start for Madrid, and he wont start for us if he comes. So if you want to believe he will be the next Ronaldo, then go ahead, but looking at it realistically he will be a ’super sub,’ while getting the odd game here and there to rest either Rooney or Berbatov.
My posts are not to question the kind of player he is, how many goals he scores, or compare him to Berbatov, but rather question his commitment to something he isnt the center of. He cant do it at Madrid and he is growing increasingly frustrated with the national team. You didnt answer my question when I asked why is it that he gets passed up everywhere he goes other than at Ajax?
And what’s wrong with being pro-berbatov? He’s not a bad player, and we knew what we were getting when we bought him. I would like to know what you base the opinion that he hasnt bed in well on. Is it because he doesnt score, cause then Anderson or Park havent bed in well, even less so than Berbatov. Is it because he doesnt create, because then Vidic and Rio didn’t bed in well. I’m not even going to get into how well he controls the ball and can dictate play. The fact is he was just as integral to our team than any other player, and more-so than some. So no, I wont slag him because he doesn’t want to be in the spotlight or isn’t flashy, and forgive me for supporting players that play for a team I love.
@Red Ranter: I’m not questioning his goal scoring ability, I’m questioning his impact. How many games did they win when he scored for those teams? How often was he able to free up space for other players to make runs with the ball or hold up play to allow his teammates to be more involved. He’s a striker, I know, but do you really believe we need RVN pt2 here in order to be successful?
July 8th, 2009 at 16:12
tevez I will say it time and time again united need a central striker that can lead the line. ronaldo masked the obvious 3 flaws in this team which are.
1 we need a powerful creative and better midfield
2 uniteds wide areas are awful
3 united need a central striker.
now if anyone thinks differently tell me what are the flaws in this team. because these 3 Weaknesses are all to see and barcelona unmasked our flaws.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:15
Stats mean jack shit but;
http://actimindex.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/premover_index_top10025.gif
July 8th, 2009 at 16:17
I dunno about this Obertan kid… Doesnt look particulary good, but eh! Youtube can make Anderson look like a bad player, and when it does that who knows how good Obertan may be?!
My gut says failiure, my head says success. Because I believe in Fergie and he can make shit become diamond. Good luck Gabriel, you might just impress me!
Now onto Huntelaar!!!
July 8th, 2009 at 16:18
@steve: Our flaw is in MF, that’s MIDFIELD! That was where we were exposed and overun. We could, and should have been 3 up before Barca scored, and weren’t because of not taking our chances – something United are famous for. We have the wingers, Fergie just needs to PLAY them!
July 8th, 2009 at 16:21
@Cyclops-Red:
, come on the Berba! No truly, I hope he has a great season.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:22
GK: Foster, VDS, PIG
RB: Brown, Rafael, Neville, Oshea
CB: Vidic, Rio, Evans
LB: Evra, Fabio
RW: Valencia, Obertan
CM: Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Hargreaves(?), Scholes, Gibson
LW: Nani, Park, Tosic
ST: Rooney, Owen, Berbatov, Welbeck, Macheda
If you add Huntelaar into that mix, plus maybe a player like De Rossi, Toure or Cana, it would be a fucking awsome side!!! Starting to look forward to next season an awful lot!!!
July 8th, 2009 at 16:31
@steve:
1- he has no pace when half our team is not explosove enough – what the fuck does that mean?
2-he is lazy slow looks like he is about 35 years old – We knew that when we bought him, he wasn’t bought for his pace what did you expect Usain Bolt?
3 he does not get in behind defences – Er that is not his natural game, he doesnt play off the shoulder of the last defender he isn’t Torres.
4 he does not score week in week out – Who does?? In his last two seasons for Spurs he netted 23 times, last season his output was not great but scored 9 in the league, also the team evolved around Ronaldo this season will be different.
5 he has great touch but the areas where it counts like scoring goals poor heading ability he does neither – He isn’t Keith Houchen mate, he isn’t that type of player he is a touch player who drops in a creates play.
6-he is not a big game player bar one goal against chelsea and getting 1 assist against liverpool what else did he do – He scored in the Carling Cup final in Spur’s biggest game in may years, also he hasn’t did not start the Champions League final or semi’s so difficult to judge for us.
7 he scored 14 goals – he also was 2nd in the assists chart in the premier league, he is not an out and out goalscorer there is more to his game than just goals.
8 he is not a central striker – What is he a goalkeeper?
July 8th, 2009 at 16:32
@steve: Those are your facts mate – not mine. He was in the box a lot more than given credit for, but our other strikers were too focused on their own egotistical shots on goal, to pass the ball to Berba who was better situated. He can pluck a ball out of the air, and stop it dead without it running away from him better than anybody else we have got and that included Ronaldo. He has an eye for a pass, and can execute it. He does not let the ball run away from him when it is passed to him, and he can shield a ball better than any of our other forwards, and doesn’t get robbed of the ball as easily as Rooney, Tevez, our wingers and even Ronaldo. Also he can score goals IF played in his position. If you cannot see any of these qualities Steve, then you might just be being biased-ly blind
.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:32
I miss the days of being a baby who knew nothing and had no problems… Aah, it was a simpler time.
But I gotta admit, being the world emperor is not really that bad.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:35
@Stephen:
, you put that so well Bro 
.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:37
@RedDevilEddy: I swear you are boozed out of your mind most of the time when you are on school breaks Eddi
.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:38
@Cyclops-Red: just out of curiosity, what does actim base those player rankings off?
July 8th, 2009 at 16:41
Real M have given Ronaldo 3 bodyguards to protect him from mad madrid fans
. Who will protect him from the bodyguards I wonder?
July 8th, 2009 at 16:42
Craig Stephen what you 2 do not get is united have lost the only player in ronaldo that could play the central striker, have the pace to stretch defences, get in behind defences. Rooney offers the quality’s berbatov offers and much much more.
United need a Torres type striker who can head the ball, can run directly at defences will get in the box and be a consistent goal scorer. ronaldo was that and now we need to go back and find that striker that can rattle defences. United do not need a touch striker but a powerful striker like an Andy cole type of forward.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:51
@steve: I agree we need a stronger creative midfield player.
United have addressed the wide areas, with valencia and obertan. I like valencia and although he is not a top quality player he is very athletic and is a direct player. I think it is important to try and replace ronaldo’s penetration. The team without ronaldo lacked runners from deep but valencia helps in this respect. Obertan looks pacy and a positive dribbler as well. Nani has more skill than valencia but does not have the same drive.
We don’t need a central striker. Berbatov has a place in the team. A player who can hold the ball up is as useful as someone who plays on the shoulder.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:51
@steve: We have signed Owen who is that type and we have been linked also to Huntelaar, so don’t get your point?
July 8th, 2009 at 16:57
@Craig Mc: Booze? No. Smoking my socks? Maybe…
July 8th, 2009 at 16:58
@Craig Mc: Berbatov doesn’t really get in the box all that much mate. He won’t rush himself to get on the end of chances but he can occasionally find himself wandering into the danger area. I agree his touch is fantastic and he can make the ball stick up front, and he generally has a good awareness of teammates and has great vision, but he also does not always release the ball quick enough. He can slow the game down when it isn’t necessary.
July 8th, 2009 at 16:59
@Craig Mc: Im betting his mom… She seems big enough to handle those guys.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:00
@steve: So, you are slating Berba because he is not a Torres-type striker?? If you had watched Berbatov play for Spurs the two season before he came to United, you would not slate him so. He is deceptively quick, can make runs into the box, has quick reactions, a clinical shot and his control and passing are immaculate. Like Stephen said, he notched 23 goals in each of those two seasons for Spurs and was also a big part in helping Robbie Keane reach similar figures in those two seasons as well. The guy is capable of playing both upfront and in the hole, hence is interchangeable; something that he and Keane worked to great effect at Spurs.
His only hinderance last season was Ronaldo. In case you hadn’t noticed, the whole team was built around Ronnie because he had the most pace, power and aerial threat amongst all our forwards. Berbatov, in most games was playing as a SS or AMF. Similar to Gerrards’ role for Liverpool. Now Ronnie is gone and we have acquired conventional wingers, I expect Berbatov to be a mainstay upfront and recreate the magic he had with Keane, even better with Rooney. Afterall, Rooney is a better version of Keane; more versatile, faster, better playmaker and much more handsome.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:00
Owen is 173 cms. Huntelaar is 187. You guys figure out who is the best in the air…
July 8th, 2009 at 17:02
This heat is making me shake my ass and wipe my dick…
July 8th, 2009 at 17:04
I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bored!!!
Anybody got entertainment? Cause all Ive got is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzSVOcgKq04&feature=channel_page
BARRACKROLL!!!
July 8th, 2009 at 17:04
@steve: Huntelaar is not that kind of stiker mate. He won’t offer a long option, stretch a defense, get in behind a defense or run direct at a defense. He will consistently score goals though. We just signed michael owen to do exactly the job he would do.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:05
@RedDevilEddy: Wow, Eddy! That guy looks like the French fella!!!
Who is that?!
Im gonna feel that in the morning…
July 8th, 2009 at 17:09
@Gabriel: He is deceptively quick, but he won’t run flat out more than twice in a season, so it’s not exactly a strength of his.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:20
@tevez: Watch United end of season review mate, and on both accounts you mention, you might revise your thinking!
.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:22
@Cyclops-Red: Chelsea are idiotic. They just signed Zhirkov and already have Malouda in their books. How many world class left wingers to they need to compete with each other? Zhirkoff is too good to be sitting the bench if they get Ribery. I’m not sure what they are thinking because Ribery isn’t nearly as good playing on the right side. His strength is cutting in from the left side.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:26
@RedDevilEddy:
, yes Dolores will defend her Son Ronnie with the rolling pin and dustpan – no doubt!
July 8th, 2009 at 17:26
grog chelsea is just following the trend, by buying every winger out there. in case you didnt know we started that trend
July 8th, 2009 at 17:26
@tevez:
hence, the word ‘deceptively’ 
. I watched Berba a lot in those two seasons for Tottenham (my housemate was a die-hard spurs fan and literally forced me to watch their games 
) and the role he played there was very different to the role he was given at United. Fergie basically played Berba as a creative attacking midfielder. Sometimes, you even saw Berba defending on our touchline!! That is not his style, hence can only have been a result of specific orders from Fergie.
Like Craig said, he does get into the box and he did that a lot for Spurs, the only difference is he was on the receiving end of more passes in the box at spurs (hence his goal tally). At United, he was instructed to be the provider and others just shot when they got a chance or when he provided them with one (hence his assist tally).
Berbatov has a disguised burst of pace on him. He has played as a striker all his career and averaged almost a goal in every 2 games for every club he’s played at (in his proper position). You don’t get stats like that as a striker if you’re ‘apparently’ as slow as Michael Carrick; now that guy ‘is’ a snail !
July 8th, 2009 at 17:26
@Karl: I agree with you in the fact that with Ronny gone, Berbatov would have more impact however, if Huntelaar is bought, there is no way in my books that Berbatov should start most games over the Hunter. And yet I know that Fergie loves Berba and I see that happening. therefore. I do not relish seeing a great player like Huntelaar and one of my top five favorite players in the world come to United to be the next Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. He deserves better because he is better.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:26
@Grognard: you introduce him to 20legend and have him do it
July 8th, 2009 at 17:27
If City get Rossi, I will NEVER forgive SAF
.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:33
How funny would it be if Chelsea’s marquee signing ends up being Tevez
Judge Berbatov at Christmas. At least give him til then. He’ll of had a preason, he’ll be playing in a 442 and I think he’s going to be absolutely integral to us this year.
For the love of MJ, can we please give Nani a shot this year. If he’s utter rubbish by Christmas, then fine, ship his moonwalking ass back to Portugal, but give the lad a shot! Similarly, blood Foster. Or else we’re going to just be in the same situation this time next year.
I’m fine with a trophy-less sesaon if we’re showing progress and evolving. If it’s trophyless and I still see Giggs and Scholes getting chosen of Anderson and Nani, I’m going to be seriously dissapointed.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:33
@steve: It’s not a question of seeing the light mate. Berbatov is a great player despite his style and lack of gusto. He is a stylish classy player. He obviously never worked out as well as we had hoped last year but I also think that Ronaldo’s presence on the pitch is what hurt him the most as well as the crap going on behind the scenes with Tevez.
I think that Ronaldo’s departure will allow United to p;lay a style of game that brings more out of Berbatov and makes him a much great focal point to our attack than he was last year. With that said, I still don’t rate him as highly as I rate Huntelaar and I wouldn’t start him over Huntelaar if we were to go out and get the Dutchman. And Berba is not the kind of player you want coming of the bench when the team is in need of an energy boost. Great player but Berba for me is just not the right fit for us and he in fact is holding other players back. I still think he is a great player though so have I really seen the light? Possibly, but I have not soured on the player as much as the team just hasn’t jelled with him as much as Fergie would have liked.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:35
@Craig Mc: Grog is never wrrrrrr. And Grog loves Berba. He just loves Huntelaar more that’s all.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:40
@Beachryan: then he’d ironically become what he was whining about, a glorified ‘Rentboy’ !!
Funny though, if he was a real-life rentboy, he would still find himself on the bench as i’m sure no one would pay £50 to be sucked off by his ugly face!! 
July 8th, 2009 at 17:41
@Beachryan: Never mind for the love of MJ Beachy, I hated MJ, what about for the love of Nani himself, he should be given his chance. SAF, and nobody else can say that when he played regularly in his 1st season, he wasn’t a contributor, both in entertainment, assists and general play! You don’t suddenly lose that, but you can tighten up and fear to express yourself, when for no reason you are in the leper colony. I very much think SAF was a bastard to Nani for no reason last season. If he is keeping him at OT, he needs to let the lad play this year. Mourinho wanted him at Inter, and said, that Nani has so much latent ability, that with the right manager he would become all he was meant to be on a football field. If that is not a massive dig at Fergie, I don’t know what is. Buy him Jose, and show SAF where he failed – PLEASE!
July 8th, 2009 at 17:45
@Stephen: Well done Stephen! Well done! =D
July 8th, 2009 at 17:49
@steve:
Steve these are the facts about Berba;
1 He has enough pace to do what is necessary. Some of the world’s all time great strikers were not blessed with pace
2 He is not lazy, he is languid in his style. Fact is he doesn’t waste energy on stupid quests like Rooney does. He conserves his energy and uses it when needed.
3 He does get in behind defenses but not as much as we like because he is being asked to play far too high up. Also, he was in the box many times last year but Ronaldo and others were to blind or selfish to see him wide open.
4 He does not score week in week out but he sets up more goals than all lour other strikers and wingers combined. If he were played more like he was at Tottenham, he would score more goals. Also, like in my previous point, he needs far better service. Last year the only player who even looked for him was Michael Carrick and most of the time, he played to far back to properly link up with him consistently.
5 He has great touch in fact he has a masterful touch like I have never seen on a player before. His finish in the box lacked last season but it had a lot to do with the style we played, the infrequent chances he had and the growing lack of confidence he felt towards the end of the season when he was benched and questioned.
6 A player cannot be judged as not a big game player based on one season with the team and a transitional season to boot. He was on a new team learning a new system and playing a style that was not what he was used to. Cut him some slack.
7 He scored 14 goals for us and 23 goals back to back for Tottenham. Lets not forget his dozen assists and the fact he was rotated with several other forwards. Considering everything that went on last year with Ronaldo, Tevez, the emergence of Macheda and Berbatov’s new surroundings, 14 goals is not that bad. He can only improve on that with more confidence, a new role and more playing time.
8 He is a 100% a central striker and you would know this if you ever bothered to watch him throughout his career and didn’t base everything on what you have seen with United. Last year he was forced to play an Emile Heskey role which was to play higher up, control the ball and distribute. That is every bit the role of a central striker but not the classic way that you equate with a van Nistelrooy, Eto’o or Huntelaar. That was Fergie’s fault, not Berba’s.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:54
@Gabriel: I agree that berbatov spent a great deal of time last year playing in a deeper position than is natural to him, and i would like to see him and rooney playing up front together this season. No constraints of one having to play as the linking man or anything like that. They are both intelligent enough to determine when to play up against the centre-halves and when to drop off.
However, i can see fergie playing rooney leading the line and berbatov once again playing in a deep role. That was what he tried last season and i think he’ll go with it again.
July 8th, 2009 at 17:56
@BAMF: He was never been a bench warmer in Holland for any of the teams he played for and he is only on the bench with the national team because the managers up until recently favored the old guard with van Nistelrooy. Now that van Nistelrooy is out of the picture Huntelaar starts.
I certainly do not knock him for the stupidity of Juande Ramos at Real. When he started Huntelaar the lad scored 8 goals in 10 games and Real made a real charge and won every game. Then Raul opened his big fat trap and cried for his buddy Higuain to start because Raul runs the club with his Uber clique and Huntelaar sat the bench with the other great Dutch players that didn’t fit in due to the politics within the dressing room.
Huntelaar is not a bench warmer and he does not have to be on the bench for no team in the world. He’s that bloody good. But manager’s have their bias and they have their favorites, and apparently you and I do too.
As for Berba, read some of my latest rants and you will see that I too am a Berba fan. I just prefer Huntelaar over him is all.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:01
@Stephen: I’d also add that Eric the King Cantona was not an out and out goal scorer either but nobody ever complains about his lack of goals. Berbatov is more dynamic than just a goals scorer.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:03
@tevez: berba doesn’t do push ups he does earth pushdowns
July 8th, 2009 at 18:04
@RedDevilEddy: Yes. A great entertainment is Eddy making my Huntelaar tribute video on FIFA 09? HINT HINT HINT.
And I’d even put him in a United jersey as it’s looking very promising that he might end up with us after all.
Or do I have to go all anti Anderson for the next week?
July 8th, 2009 at 18:06
@Grognard: I agree mate the most the King scored in a season was 25, in his first season Ok he signed late he scored 9 then 14, 19 and 15 but it was he did for the team which was so important as well as his influence on the players around him.
Give Berba a full pre season and with Ronnie now departed we will see the best from the lad.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:09
@Grognard: Grog, Im waiting for bloody Sweetpatch to be done so I can start your vid. Ive got two entries in the Goal of the month tournament, and until they publish those two goals I cant upload any goals or tricks. Besides, Im currently working on a Giggs vid. One I think is incredible, since I managed to recreate some totally amazing goals!
Stay tuned, I will start on your Huntelaar vid as soon as the goals are in stock. 
Or maybe I am just waiting for Huntelaar to become a United player before I start.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:09
@RedDevilEddy: for eddy growing up sucks
July 8th, 2009 at 18:11
@Craig Mc: the bodyguards are to make sure that he doesnt run back to Manchester after being unveiled at a miniature golf course last week. yikes good luck with your pitch guys
July 8th, 2009 at 18:11
@RedDevilEddy: Peter Crouch is like 7ft tall but is rubbish in the air…height isn’t everything mate when it comes to heading. I actually think Owen is a decent header of the ball from what I have seen of him in the past. I think the best headers of the ball in the world are, in no particular order, C.Ronaldo, Vida, TinyTearsTM aka John Terry and Michael Ballsacks.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:12
@tevez: Yeah, Fergie probably will. The difference this time is he will actually remain uptop as those two will be our main goal threats unlike when the strikeforce had to create space for Ronnie to drift in from the wings. Hence Berba will recieve more goal-creating passes and create more chances himself, scoring and possibly assisting more in the process. Valencia and Nani are more conventional wingers that will hog the sidelines, whipping in crosses, cutting in for short passes and helping out the full backs. This should allow one of our midfielders(hopefully) to move forward and take some playmaking duties of Berba, allowing him to concentrate on goal-scoring and creation. Believe me mate, this season is Berba’s to shine and he will not disappoint!!
July 8th, 2009 at 18:12
@Grognard: Mate you have been anti Anderson all last season!
July 8th, 2009 at 18:13
@Nino: Tim Cahill is like 5′10 and brilliant in the air.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:14
@gator: This video is not prohibited in my country…
July 8th, 2009 at 18:15
@ Red Ranter,
Just a suggestion but how about implementing a ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ button next to each comment on this site, like you get on YouTube comments (thumbs up/down) and on Facebook statuses? I read so many comments that I agree (or disagree) with but cannot be bothered to respond to, so it would be so much easier to click and say that I like or dislike a comment. Just a thought anyway.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:15
@Beachryan: +1
July 8th, 2009 at 18:16
@Nino: Owen is a decent header of the ball. But Huntelaar is an amazing header of the ball. NOt only is he tall, but he has a great leap and his finishing is exeptional. He can score in absolutely every way! Tap-ins, overhead kicks, headers, long rangers, free-kicks, penalties, flicks and Ive also see him score a goal with his dick! Very Ronaldo like…
July 8th, 2009 at 18:17
@Stephen:
It would have been worse had it not been for me… 
July 8th, 2009 at 18:17
@Stephen: Oh yeah forgot about him. Yeah he is indeed a superb header of the ball and a class, not to mention underrated, player too.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:18
@RedDevilEddy:
July 8th, 2009 at 18:21
@RedDevilEddy: band called MGMT song: time to pretend. the lyrics are almost dead on your earlier post
July 8th, 2009 at 18:21
United sign new superstar!
July 8th, 2009 at 18:22
@RedDevilEddy: OK I haven’t seen much of the Hunter to be honest, although I have seen him play live once at the opening match of the Emirates Stadium, so I’ll take your word for it that he’s a great header. I was just saying that height hasn’t really got anything to do with heading prowess – it’s more to do with timing and good leaping ability like Cahill for example does.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:23
@gator: I love MGMT Electric Feel is one of my favorite songs of last year.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:24
@Nino: True, true. Tim Cahill, Owen, Scholes(prime) and Messi (in the champions league final
) are all short fellas that are great headers off the ball…
July 8th, 2009 at 18:24
@RedDevilEddy: you’ll never get me with that trick. Oldest on the web
Tricked a fair few on here though with it
July 8th, 2009 at 18:26
@RedDevilEddy: I can see through that one from a mile off mate!
July 8th, 2009 at 18:27
@Dan: Did it a few days ago, and before that again. Bet people can never trust us guys, eh?
July 8th, 2009 at 18:28
@RedDevilEddy: He can’t score in a giggs/ronaldo/messi/etc-style mazy run sort of way.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:28
@Stephen: You aint seen nothing yet.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:28
@Nino:
July 8th, 2009 at 18:28
@RedDevilEddy: On me!! I won’t be fooled twice mate!
July 8th, 2009 at 18:29
@RedDevilEddy: I have also seen him score with scorching shots from outside of thebox. A rare quality for that kind of striker.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:29
@Grognard: I will look forward to the barrage matey!
July 8th, 2009 at 18:30
The signing of obertan and the lack of movement on the costa front makes me think that ljajic will play a more central role for us, rather then on the wing.
OR, obertan might play central, but i reckon he will be a winger for us.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:30
some idiot was saying kaka was slow
and he’d prefer ashley young over kaka, in this blog! 
Didn’t have enough time to dispute it back then, but who in the world said that>? 
July 8th, 2009 at 18:31
@tevez: Who can?! Messi, Ronaldo, Giggs, Henry, Rooney, Zlatan, Fat Ronaldo and Anderson(if he could finish
) are probably the only ones who can do such a thing. But he is an in-the-box striker, not a Berba/Rooney/Ronaldo type of player so to be honest he shouldnt be allowed to score such goals… 
July 8th, 2009 at 18:32
grognard sorry but your points are wrong. These are central strikers that I think would suit Rooney’s game. etoo torres villa fabiano adebayor drogba anelka there are your central strikers that lead the line. If you are saying well berbertov does not fit into the style of united that means his type of player is just not needed.
He is not in the same league has torres villa and etoo and united need that central striker. He is not a central striker he a poor second striker. arshavin proved in 3 months how much better of a player he is compared to berbatov.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:33
@Merlinus: YOU DID IT!!!
July 8th, 2009 at 18:34
@Stephen: Told you I was bored…
July 8th, 2009 at 18:37
@Dan: Costa is a winger as well is he not? So how does us not going in for him lead to the assumption that ljajic will play centrally?
July 8th, 2009 at 18:38
@RedDevilEddy:
July 8th, 2009 at 18:38
@Stephen:
July 8th, 2009 at 18:43
@Nino: Don’t be so bloody lazy arsed mate, this blog is noted for its reasoned or un-reasoned debating, so why shouldn’t you have to give an account like the rest of us whether you like or dislike something! Otherwise, if you can’t be bothered, than we are not interested in your thumbs up or thumbs down!
July 8th, 2009 at 18:44
@RedDevilEddy: Yeah but you said he could score in any way
July 8th, 2009 at 18:45
@gator:
, you got that right!
July 8th, 2009 at 18:46
Dan I have listened to Tim vickery and I even asked him and he has said Costa is nowhere near ready to be moving to Europe. He was benched half the time and his temperament is not great either.
Also vickery has said Costa needs a lot of growing up to do and the language and new city he would struggle to adapt to is well. Costa will not solve the problems but add to them is well.
He would be like the young French player we have signed the difference is the signing we have made has not got a reputation which Costa has and costa is at the moment a little overated.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:47
@RedDevilEddy:
July 8th, 2009 at 18:52
Bighead is a sad man. He has gotten his name because he does not understand the consequenses of spending money in the wrong way and because he “likes” tiny people. One of those people is Bigdick, also known as Park. He got his name after making Ronaldo so jealus that he wanted to leave United. Bighead is very thankful to Bigdick as he has done him many favours during his life. A friend of Bighead and Bigdick is Bigego. His name is also known as Caros Tevez, but people ofter wonder why he is called Bigego when he is small and whiny as a baby. It comes therefor as no surprise that he celebrates his goal with a dummy, probably stolen from DonkeyDrogba. The reason Donkey falls down so often if because he is looking for his lost dummy on the ground. And because Donkey is always on the ground, he does not raise his head to see Bigego sprade around with his dummy on the TV. What Bighead, Bigdick, Bigego and DonkeyDrogba have in common is very few people like them. If you are one of the very few that wouldnt want to rip of one of these guys head call 2326, also known as ADAM. Hello caller?
“Yes, hi, my name is Eddy. I just wondered, what is the reason for Bighead and Bigdck being friends? They sound like two freaks who dont hang out a lot…”
Yes, we get that question a lot. The reason that Bigfoot and Bigdick can be such good friends is because Bigdick has a “friend” called Skinned Sausage. Bigfoot really likes Skinned Sausage, and always treats Bigdicks Sauasge with care. Next caller?
“Yes, what is Bigheads original name?”
Florentino Perez.
July 8th, 2009 at 18:52
@Craig Mc: Yeah OK but unless you’re jobless and have ample time on your hands, people don’t usually have the time to respond to every comment they read. I always respond to comments I really feel I have to agree or disagree with and try to give reasoned debate, but sometimes I read comments that I agree with, but aren’t worth making the effort to respond to just to write ‘I agree with your comment X’ (X being a Red Rants member), but at the same time you wanna acknowledge their contribution, if you see what I’m trying to say?
July 8th, 2009 at 18:56
@RedDevilEddy: Bigfoot=Bighead, if people missed that…
July 8th, 2009 at 19:40
@BAMF:
This gives a better explanation.
http://actimindex.wordpress.com/the-actim-index/faqs/
July 8th, 2009 at 19:41
@Grognard: You actually make a good arguement there, i didnt think much of the politics that are involved with Madrid. And as I said before, I havent seen much of him other than youtube and the odd national team runout, but I just think if the kid is as good as you say, then he should force his way into teams just becuase he’s too good to leave out. i dont see that being the case. The fact is, in the national team, RVN was a much better striker. He did the same things Huntelaar does, only better. My problem is talking about Huntelaar like he’s the second coming when he doesnt even fit into RM galactico era #2. There has to be some flaws with his game that at least dampens the goals he scores. I dont know what they are, and I dont know if they even exist, but it seems off that this gent would be screwed by only politics everywhere he goes (save holland, but I dont actually count that as a league anymore). The fact SAF passed over him, when he could have very much demanded him part of the CR9 deal, tells me there is more than just the amazing scoring record. Forgive me for my pessimism, but I just cant accept he is the truth. And honestly, I hope we sign him, I eat my words, and he becomes everything RVN was and more.
I tend to be a huge Rooney and Carrick fan on top of United as a whole, so most of my arguments are biased when I feel they will negatively affect both Rooney’s and Carrick’s roles in the team. Again, i realize this isnt exactly the best way to argue, but I really would like to see Rooney play more like he does for England. The more I think about it, I’m not so sure Berbatov is that partner to provide that, and that Huntelaar would be that man. If he could come here, open up space for rooney to get into the box and put shit away, then I’m all for him becoming the strike partner for Rooney. I actually think Owen will give him more of that then people think.
July 8th, 2009 at 19:42
@Cyclops-Red: thanks!
July 8th, 2009 at 20:08
Quote of the day from Ronaldo
“Four years ago I always played to try to end up scoring myself. But experience makes you understand that you achieve better things playing as a team.”
July 8th, 2009 at 20:12
@steve: Didn’t you watch any United games last season? Everytime Ronaldo was played as a central striker, we did not perform as a team. Ronaldo’s best position is on the wing, cutting inside towards goal. Everybody knows that.
But our football – the team performance that is – was at its best when Rooney was played centrally.
July 8th, 2009 at 20:15
@Cyclops-Red: That made me Chuckle…
July 8th, 2009 at 20:17
@NicoQB: Even though i agree with what your saying, the arsenal game kinda makes that theory wrong.
July 8th, 2009 at 20:18
@NicoQB: The team played very well against arsenal when ronaldo played as a lone front man.
July 8th, 2009 at 20:43
Bighead is a sad man. He has gotten his name because he does not understand the consequenses of spending money in the wrong way and because he “likes” tiny people. One of those people is Bigdick, also known as Park. He got his name after making Ronaldo so jealus that he wanted to leave United. Bighead is very thankful to Bigdick as he has done him many favours during his life. A friend of Bighead and Bigdick is Bigego. His name is also known as Caros Tevez, but people ofter wonder why he is called Bigego when he is small and whiny as a baby. It comes therefor as no surprise that he celebrates his goal with a dummy, probably stolen from DonkeyDrogba. The reason Donkey falls down so often if because he is looking for his lost dummy on the ground. And because Donkey is always on the ground, he does not raise his head to see Bigego sprade around with his dummy on the TV. What Bighead, Bigdick, Bigego and DonkeyDrogba have in common is very few people like them. If you are one of the very few that wouldnt want to rip of one of these guys head call 2326, also known as ADAM. Hello caller?
“Yes, hi, my name is mister M.H. I just wondered, what is the reason for Bighead and Bigdck being friends? They sound like two freaks who dont hang out a lot…”
Yes, we get that question a lot. The reason that Bighead and Bigdick can be such good friends is because Bigdick has a “friend” called Skinned Sausage. Bighead really likes Skinned Sausage, and always treats Bigdicks Sauasge with care. Next caller?
“Yes, what is Bigheads original name?”
Florentino Perez.
July 8th, 2009 at 20:47
@RedDevilEddy: Entertainment? Let’s see… How about some Python?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiZt79UKUFQ&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMlv3ripSM
July 8th, 2009 at 20:51
@Dan: @tevez: Ok, the ONE game. But truly most of the other times, in no way did we play better with Ronaldo as central striker.
July 8th, 2009 at 20:56
@RedDevilEddy: Bigdick Park!
He certainly broke the myth that Asian guys are not the most endowed in the nether regions! (sorry, Asian readers, not me but South Park!
)
July 8th, 2009 at 21:51
@Dan: The lack of movement on Costa stems from the fact they want 20m for him which is ridiculous for a player that doenst even start at gremio. 20m will buy your zhircov for christs sake.
July 8th, 2009 at 21:55
@NicoQB: The reason we dont play well with Ronaldo up top is because in those games Fergie doesnt play to win. Its usually Ronaldo all one with no help(Watch the first leg of the Barca Semi final t years ago). As others have mentioned, we played well against arsenal because Fergie finally found his balls and decided to attack Arsenal and not just try and defend for 90 minutes.
July 8th, 2009 at 22:07
@johnsom33: Zhirkov went so cheaply because of the russian connections at chelsea.
And to be honest, we can now afford to waste £20mil on costa.
We had £100mil to spend, take away £19mil(valenica+obertan), we have £81mil.
The only position thats in need of filling is midfield, we need a de rossi type player.
Take £20mil away we still have £61mil to spend on that type player.
I suggest a £40-50mil bid for De rossi, and im serious about that.
If anyone is wondering, the £100mil is the ronaldo money AND our regular transfer budget, £20mil.
July 8th, 2009 at 22:14
NicoQB he was not played much upfront during most of the season because of the number of strikers that were there. go look at how he performed upfront in the 07/08 season at times he was doing it all. ronaldo upfront is still better than berbatov and ronnies pace power strength the way he can stretch teams was a massive key, which is now taken away from united team.
July 8th, 2009 at 22:18
Some good stuff up on Manutd.com which confirms the Obertan deal and gives some good bio information. I actually think it will turn out as a very good deal. He has played over 100 league games at the tender age of 20, has champions league experience and apparentely when France U21s played England U21s he was the best player on the pitch. Still got a lot of maturing to do but I reckon this is the right place for him! And if it is true we got him for around £3 million it is a steal! Just think how much we shelled out on Nani and Anderson and how much Costa’s people are asking for him.
I think the next signing has to be a stellar central midfield player for NOW. Obertan is one for the future, we have a bunch of other young players coming through so the future is bright. Add a good central midfielder with a lot of experience and we’ll be able to challenge next season while we wait for our young players to mature.
July 8th, 2009 at 22:20
@Dan:
De Rossi is nearest thing I’ve seen to Keane.
I think he’s non transferable.
July 8th, 2009 at 22:24
@Cyclops-Red: No, lorik cana is the closest thing to roy keane ive seen, De rossi comes a very close second.
But cana takes NO prisoners, hes more hard then vidic. That tells you something.
July 8th, 2009 at 22:32
@Dan: NO-ONE!!! is harder than Vidic!
Well, maybe Park… 
July 8th, 2009 at 22:38
@RedDevilEddy:
he’ll effin murda’ ya.
July 8th, 2009 at 22:43
@Cyclops-Red:
He certanly scared Ronaldo… 
July 8th, 2009 at 22:52
lorik cana likes the odd bone crunching tackle… he wouldn’t last 5 minutes on the same pitch as Mike Dean.
hows about Miguel Veloso…. portugese, and apparently wanted by a few teams in the premier league (bolton aston villa….) but will probably be out of their price range. there was big rumours a while back that we were buying him… and apparently him and nani are good mates (he’d be Another signing from SP Lisbon)
July 8th, 2009 at 22:57
@Will: If you are fair, you can be as hard as you want. Thats my policy, and from what Ive heard Cana is as well. WOuldnt mind seeing him at United, he could really find spark from the old clashes! Vieira vs Keane… Cana vs Fabregas?
Cana vs Mashed Potates would be hard though. I would have bid for Cana, he seems a really good player.
July 8th, 2009 at 22:58
@steve: In the 07/08 season he played mostly as a RW/RF or LW/LF, rarely central striker.
Listen, when Ruud left everybody thought we were doomed to failure as he was our no.1 goal threat. We all agree that the fact that Ronaldo deprives us of some of his talents, namely penetration (on a football pitch I mean) and aerial threat. But that does not mean suddenly we’ll loose all of our footballing skills.
Many times when Ronaldo was rested I noticed that we played much better as a TEAM. Meaning stringing together passes, alternating quick and slow phases of play. A bit like Barca if you like. I personally really want to see us succeed in this kind of football.
@johnsom33: I agree about Fergie’s tactics, and hated it when he did it. But remember that the arsenal game, for 10 min Arsenal lloked like they were about to maul us until Gibbs made his best impersonation of Park (no, Eddy, not that which you are thinking of!). I’ll admit we played well, but that was one of those rare occasions this tactic worked.
July 8th, 2009 at 23:01
@NicoQB:
July 8th, 2009 at 23:07
I think with Ronaldo gone the team will become more balanced.Ronaldo’s propensity to go down as often as possible would break up our rhythm as well as leaving us exposed when he played wide and lost the ball.
July 8th, 2009 at 23:10
@Cyclops-Red: not to mention our players secretly cursing his ineptitude to control his ‘balance’
July 8th, 2009 at 23:20
@Will:
He needs to take up ballet.
July 8th, 2009 at 23:21
@RedDevilEddy:
July 8th, 2009 at 23:44
@RedDevilEddy: So he’s a tight ass? lol
July 8th, 2009 at 23:52
Does anyone else agree that people feel we should just burn over a 100 million for the sake of it? It’s like that movie Brusters millions we should see how fast we can spend all this money. So the club can prove a point that we have it. The hidden talent is how wisely you can spend that money not try and waste it it’s not good financial sense.
Costa why should united waste another 20 million on a reserve gremio star because he could be the next ronaldo or ronaldinho when his attitude is left a lot to be desired, its like if we asked clubs 20 million for welbeck, they said Anderson would be the next ronaldinho and look what he has turned out. A player who can’t even score from open play.
How anyone thinks Costa can solve the problems of replacing ronaldo when Costa is not even ready yet to play for a club like united, it is not fair on the lad gremio has a club when they need him more than united and brazil for the future. I think it is about time our current players start smelling the coffee wake up and start playing like man utd players.
July 9th, 2009 at 0:05
@steve:
Spending £100m just for the sake of it is plain daft. The club isn’t doing that. I would just like the club to be spending on proven players that are ready now. Maybe £20m on 3 or 4 young players with potential is a good thing but the rest should be nvested on proven talent.
July 9th, 2009 at 0:24
we need that 80 million to be spent wisely. No more potential stars, we’ve got too many. Lets get established players. Even though i love lorik as some1 said b4 he wldnt last 5 mins with mike dean refing. But its a big dilemma because we need a hard bastard who is going to fuck anyone in the arse and it looks like he cld take essien on in a challenge! im not 2 sure bout valencia cause he isnt that great if u think about it i mean, he is predictable, not that quick but he does cross well. Obertan is a sick player, he is soooo quick so he is a good buy and owen is a gift cause he cost nothing and can pick up at least 5 – 10 gls next season. We haven done so bad in the market but we need to start looking for the big fish.
July 9th, 2009 at 0:34
@steve: @Cyclops-Red: Personally, i’m satisfied with the way Fergie is going about our business this summer. A lot of people have said that building the team around Ronnie was holding some of the others back and we would be more balanced, maybe not as potent, now he has departed. Besides, we won as much as we did last season because we had a deep, talented squad. Fergie is trying to build a balanced squad and avoid signings that would shift our play towards individual dependency.
I feel we are okay as we are right now. Apart from maybe central midfield; a bit shaky, given Hargo’s uncertainty but I believe we have the right players in Cazza, Ando, Fletch, Hargo, Gibbo and Schiggs (both are effectively one player now). Our midfield was blown away in Rome because we didn’t have our dynamo Fletch in there. The guy has become the real deal; consider his performances against the likes of Chelski, Inter and Arsenal and you will see what I mean.
We have three quality strikers with two starlets sniffing around the first team. Our defence is in top shape and is filled deep with talent, which will only get better with Wes returning. Our wide men are more balanced now with the signing of Valencia and Obertan. I expect a pairing of Nani and Valencia for most games, with Park used as a sub or more in Europe and Obertan/Tosic as understudies. This is a deep and talented squad and I expect big things from some of the players who had been on the backburner last season (Nani, Berba, Anderson etc) and some others, including the young ‘uns.
July 9th, 2009 at 0:38
@NicoQB: Arsenal string the passes together well too!! However they don’t have the thrust and dynamic penetration that a player like Ronaldo gives you.
Team work is great, but what really busts open a game is individual excellence – players taking on their defender and beating them e.g., or the monstrous effort and winning attitude exhibited by the likes of Keano, or more recently Vidic.
You just can’t underestimate the value that a top, top, player offers to the team!!
July 9th, 2009 at 0:41
@steve: I never claimed he was in the league with Torres and Villa but Huntelaar is as good as Eto’o in my not so humble opinion. Berbatov is a fine player but he is not the goal scorer these players are and so he is more difficult to define. But to just let you know something so you don’t ever make that mistake again, I am never wrrr. I can’t even say the bloody word in regards to myself.
July 9th, 2009 at 0:46
@RedDevilEddy: I think Tevez should be called Big Baby because he carries a soother with him wherever he goes.
July 9th, 2009 at 0:47
@Grognard: When Grog is RIGHT, he is RIGHT, and when he is WRONG he is RIGHT, and when he is only HALF WAY WRONG, he is still COMPLETELY RIGHT
.
So says Grog, but I never met a human being yet, who was always right, and never wrong. If anyone finds such an unusual specimen, let me know, because he/she doesn’t exist
.
July 9th, 2009 at 0:48
@Anthony Los: agreed, we need balance, and with the old guard on their way out, we need to add experience to the squad, proven experience.
As much as I hate looking at players from the rest of the big 4, the top of my list has to be the beast Essien. Can’t think of anyone we could do with more. We’re strong in all areas of the pitch except for the midfield, which definately could do with strengthening, but I as far as Chelski go, it’d be about as hard as getting Messi here as it would be for Essien…
any thoughts on who’d be the next best thing to an Essien type player going around?
July 9th, 2009 at 0:59
Does anyone know what the actual situation with Hargo actually is?
I’ve only read a few press reports stating a decision will be made this month when he can start proper training.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:06
@Nino: I do see, and it is impossible to answer every comment, so just keep on being selective
.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:17
@Nino: I’m self employed Nino, and have had a bit of a quite breathing period of late, but Friday this week, I get the next part of a big project I have taken on, so I will not be able to spend as time here. I should have started last wkend, but it was delayed a week
. So I will be working to a deadline for a good few months. But I will drop in now and again to see what you are all up too 
.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:23
@Grognard: I’m glad to hear that you think Berbatov is not the goal scorer we could have with the aquistion of Eto’o or Hunter.
In defining Berbatov, I would think that he is an under-performing, languid, striker, who prefers to play with some players and not others – and slightly behind the normal CF position, but not too far back, and only when he’s being fed the ball! Not one for defending, and won’t chase the ball down, because his energy needs to be saved!!
Heck, I just love this guy!!
July 9th, 2009 at 3:26
@Cyclops-Red: They won’t know for sure if his legs are fixed until he starts running full pelt and diving in at tackles. There has been nothing in the build up training so far to suggest that the operations haven’t worked. They’ve been slowly working up the intensity f his training (and I mean real slowly) to make sure he is 100% ok at each level before moving him up to the next.
Full regular training should be coming in the next couple of weeks (he was doing light training with the squad before the Champions League final in May), and I think the target has always been September. Might make an appearance or two in the reserves early in the month. 10 mins to start and then a half and so on.
If United suddenly sign a strong tackling midfielder in the next month I guess we can take it as read that his recovery isn’t going as planned.
I live in hope that he comes back fully fixed and just as good.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:32
@Redrich: If you followed redrants regularly you would know that every view you had about Berbatov has time and again been proven wrong.
Shame, as stereotypes are often harder to shrug off than real, proven fachts.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:51
@Traverse:
Thanks for the info.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:05
@NicoQB: Redrants will not prove me wrong, Berbatov, himself, has, and will in the future prove me right!!
July 9th, 2009 at 4:22
@NicoQB: Remember the penalty kick against Everton??
July 9th, 2009 at 4:29
@NicoQB: Remember the first half against Fulham, right after the Liverpool debacle. SAF asked him to lead the line, and he became completely invisible. His first half display was shameful and abysmal. He should have been benched for the rest of the season for this performance alone!
July 9th, 2009 at 4:33
@NicoQB: Remember that SAF had so much confidence in his big signing, that he sat him on the bench for the CL Final!! And then he only came on after Park ran out of gas midway through the 2nd half!!
July 9th, 2009 at 5:10
Obertan looks very promising, just the type of player we need, and it looks like he’s got a better work ethic than Ronaldo, and that’s what I like to see. Ronaldo was lazy, and never attempted to win the ball back. I think Obertan should have the No.7 shirt.
I still think we need a tough central midfielder who can hold the ball though. carrick and Fletcher are both aggressive in winning back the ball, but they’re not very strong. We need a threat imposing figure in the middle as hargreaves would be still injured three-fourth of the season.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:51
@Grognard: You know what Bro.. Its not about starting the The Hunter over berba or otherwise. You know how big fan i am of The Hunter. If you check my post you will have an idea about it. I was even ready to dance on streets of Mumbai if we end up with Hunter.. But alas…
So, the point here is the suitability of player if you ask me if we sign Hunter what options we have in combination of striker…
1. Rooney – Berba & Hunter off the Bench
2. Rooney – Hunter & Berba off the Bench
3. Berba – Hunter & Rooney in midfield or off the bench
And if you ask me thw best for me will be third on because i always felt that you play Berba as SS and that man is just artist on the pitch with all the things that he can do. But, that not gonna happen
So, i think for that reason we can steak with what we have or else we should know the way of accommodating the 3 of them in the team may be playing very narrow up front with width coming from full back and very strong and three man midfield with 3 of them playing in narrow triangle very close to each with Hunter being the focal point and Berba and Rooney both playing parallel to each other behind the hunter…
I hope you can visualize what i am trying to say….
But that is not gonna happen…
So, no matter how much i love the Hunter but still i would like him to go to AC or else and have bag full of goals and great career as i dont want him to warm benches at United….
July 9th, 2009 at 7:11
anyone seen this yet?
Obertan + Hunterlaar
looks like Stuttgart is gonna beat us to the punch for Hunterlaar?
July 9th, 2009 at 8:00
@Redrich: Oh noes!!1!1!!11 He missed teh penalty kickers!!!2345!!
Seriously mate, he missed a pen, Who hasnt? Ronaldo missed to very important ones in the CL 2 years ago. Missing a pen dont make you bad player.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:01
@Redrich: Rich, the whole team played bad against fulham
July 9th, 2009 at 8:03
@Redrich: Thats because the 4-3-3 formation worked well against arsenal. And if we played 2 in midfield, i dont want to think about it.
Stop TRYING to find bad things about berbatov, hes got 14 goals and 15 assists, thats 29 goals contributed to him.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:27
@Dan: Thank you Dan!
July 9th, 2009 at 12:58
I really don’t see us buying Huntelaar. We’ll buy one more player and it will be a central midfielder for around £20 million….Im not sure who. But it seems like Owen was a direct replacement for Tevez, Valencia for Ronaldo, the Obertan signing is for the future, and if Hargreaves does not prove his match fitness I am sure Fergie will realise we need another defensive midfielder.
Berbatov deserves another season to prove himself. With Ronaldo gone and replaced by Valencia I think he’ll get more of the ball and won’t be as invisible as he was for large stretches of last season. If he could come close to his goal totals for Tottenham that would also help our cause.
To be honest our Champions League final formation was a mess. It was more like a 4-4-1-1 with Giggs as support striker and Ronaldo roaming free up top. If Fletcher had been playing instead of Giggs it would have been a 4-3-3 and we would have had more of a chance. It amazed me because Giggs is quite capable of playing in midfield.
It will be interesting to see how Fergie plays in Europe next season. The 4-3-3 formation was effective at times but I never really liked it as a formation. Id rather see a flat 4-4-2 with Berbatov/Owen and Rooney up top and Valencia and Park keeping it tight on the wings with Carrick and Fletcher (or a new signing) in the middle. Park isn’t much use in the Premier League where his defensive abilities and tracking back isn’t required but he is so useful in Europe because of his ability to neutralise a flank.
July 9th, 2009 at 13:12
@Dan: Same here. Thanks Danny boy.
July 9th, 2009 at 13:16
@Redrich: And in the end the result showed as Park was piss poor and everybody agreed that Fergie screwed up his tactics. By the time he came on, the rest of the team had their morale down to zero.
July 9th, 2009 at 15:56
@BAMF: Huntelaar is the real deal. What stands against him is a bias created by the changing face of the game itself. Hentelaar is the perfect striker for the old 4-4-2 system. The same system that made RVN such a success with United. He is a goal poacher with goal poacher instincts and an ability to make the smallest chance count. Agile, able to head the ball, bicycle kick it, score with both feet are parts of his game.
Frankly mate, you don’t have to buy into his ability. The fact you don’t know enough about him because you haven’t watched him enough is all the information I need to know in this debate. And he is not the first or last great player to get the snub or be mistreated at Real Madrid. They have their favorites over there and as I said before, if you do not fit in to the class system over there, you are quickly looked at as an outsider. Come on man, van der Vaart, Sneijder, Drenthe, Robben are all great players who have been poorly treated and misused at Madrid. Poor spending policies where they over saturate a few positions with too many world class stars and then they find themselves thin in the areas that count defensively.
Huntelaar is not Ronaldo and no he’s probably not RVN either. What he is really is just a good striker whose strength is not dribbling or one on one abilities. He’s not known for pace or for tracking back. What he is known for is putting a bulge in the old onion bag. He scores goals. Gerd Mueller the greatest striker of them all was known for many of those skills that are missing in Huntelaar’s game but like him, he scored goals any old way and many of them just because he had that golden touch and that special instinct to be at the right place at the right time. That’s a gift you cannot teach.
He’s simply a case of substance over style. Having seen him play well over 50 times I feel I can safely say I know what I am talking about. Yes he scored like it’s nobody’s business in Holland and many like to use that as mark against him. The fact is he scored nearly a goal a game when they started him at Madrid. It’s only when he cam off the bench where he was not affective. Many great players struggle to play well off the bench. The fact Ramos didn’t clue in when he scored 8 goals in 10 starts during a 10 game winning streak by Madrid should be a clue as to how bad a manager Ramos has become and how his reign was hampered by politics because as soon as Higuain was healthy again, Huntelaar was placed on the bench and Madrid went on to fold like a tent the rest of the way culminating in their most humiliating home loss ever, 6-2 to Barca where Hunter started on the bench.
Finally, as for Rooney, I remember how successful he was playing off the shoulder and next to RVN. This is why I want Huntelaar. Hunter scores goals but he will make Rooney that much greater.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:01
@RedDevilEddy: Cana is not a player. He is an animal. He is an assassin. He hasn’t got an ounce of footballing skill. I am shocked that you and some others find a player like that as an attractive buy. Have we become so scared that we need to hire a dirty thug to patrol our midfield? I think not. Toure would be more like the player we need. Too bad Melo is off the market. And I still fantasize about Hernanes or even Sneijder.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:02
@Craig Mc: But you have found somebody who is always wright and never wrrr. ME!
July 9th, 2009 at 16:06
@Redrich: I like Berbatov a lot but he is a very difficult player to build a successful team around. His style is such a hard one to match with other players. You cannot afford to have selfish players around him. Berbatov’s playing style is far from selfish as he is a sublime play maker and assist man but inorder to have the kind of impact and success we expect from him, wingers and midfielders need to get him the ball. Tevez and especially Ronaldo had a problem playing with him because they did not do what I just said. Carrick played well with him because Carrick got him the ball. To bad we don’t have any other great play making midfielders like Carrick to add to this. Giggs and Scholes are well past being counted on for this.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:16
@Onkar: For me the player who will bring the most out of Rooney is Hunter. He is more like RVN and we all remember that Rooney was quite good when partnered with RVN. He needs that true old style striker’s shoulder to play off. Rooney in that environment is the ideal second striker. Berbatov doe snot play that way and in fact is more comfortable higher up playing off of somebody elses shoulder too. So for me Hunter-Rooney is the best combination with Berba and Owen off the bench. Rooney/Owen is the next best combination because they played well together for England and seemed to have a decent understanding. Berbatov can play either position which leads me to believe he is the most versatile but his languid style and lack of real drive and energy makes him a liability off the bench. I love Huntelaar but I am not sure right now we have any room on this team to guarantee him the starts he needs to show his quality. And I am not one who believes playing Berba less is going to help him much either. It’s a tough time for Fergie to figure out just what he needs to do.
My solution is simple. I love Berbatov but I so much love Huntelaar more. Because of that I would sell Berba to a team like Juventus who seem interested in him. I’d hate to see him go but if that ensured the playing time for my boy Huntelaar, I would do it. This would also ensure more time for Owen who I think can be great coming off the bench and also leave room for more playing time for Macheda. Welbeck I would loan out in January. I wait until then just in case Owen gets hurt.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:20
@colver: I don’t see us buying Huntelaar either.
I see Fergie making a real effort to buy Ashley Young and a midfielder like Yaya Toure. As much as I dream about Huntelaar, we are five deep at that position and we need to find the answer to our Rome debacle in midfield. I also feel that Fergie has given up on Nani and therefore, Ashley Young is a must for us. I hope I am wrong about Nani but i just have a bad feeling about it that his time is up with United.
July 16th, 2009 at 15:16
fergie sign cattermole, tough tackling no nonsense, reminds me of roy keane and will only cost 40 pence compared to other players