Mar 25
Oh Well, Let’s Throw the Kitchen Sink at United
My twitter followers may have been aware, but I was away for the weekend on an important trip, which resulted in me being cut off entirely from the telly, as well as having only brief shots at the internets. The upside from all that was I got to sidestep another rubbish result that somehow contrived to turn, what seemed like another title at a canter, to a sack race that entails much huffing and puffing from here on.
Despite the gloomy nature of losing to Fulham (I can’t believe I’d be writing this after we pummelled them into submission in the cup), I had to see the recorded game at least to see what the boys were upto. I really don’t have much to say on the game though. It seems as inexplicable now as it was when I first rubbed my eyes upon looking at the scoreline.
The loss to Liverpool was something that could be instantly dismissed as a blip had we won at Fulham. But, more than Liverpool, the Craven Cottage defeat would have stung. If anything, it seems to have given other sides encouragement to have a go at us. It’s what rewarded Fulham the other day; home games against Tottenham, Villa, City and Arsenal beckon. A few days ago, we would have dismissed at least half of those names. It’s not so right now.
So should I blame someone? Well, I’m honestly tired of finding people to blame. Because if I start I wouldn’t know where to draw a line. I’ll only say this: I would have expected a response from the United players. What I saw was petulance. And I will say no more, because, as I said I could go on about it.
What I think we, as fans, should do right now though, is to give our wholehearted support to the club and players. This is when we need to absolutely get behind our players. It’s been smooth sailing until Liverpool. Of course, it made me cringe when fans were in for Fergie/Phelan’s head when we had an underwhelming start to the season. But all that’s behind. Yes, we’ve fucked it up ourselves, and we need to get ourselves out of it.
As fans, all we can do is get behind our team as best we can. I’ve skimmed through some of the other United blogs around, and there was a sense of a witch hunt against certain players, some of whom are our best ones. I know they haven’t been perfect this season; in fact, after Vidic’s balls-up against the dippers, no one’s been perfect so far. But I still can’t spew this much venom. Not yet. I was disgusted with some of the conduct of the players on the pitch, and I don’t condone it either. But I’d save my venom for now. We still have the title technically in our hands, and I’ll wait for an actual suicide mission to unfold before I make random utterances of “this player is shite”, and “Fergie out!”
At the end of the day, one would have to hope the experience of the manager in this situation (like us gifting it to Arsenal in 97/98) would help us through this mess.
I feel terribly disappointed about our boys not responding against Fulham, but my kitchen sink will still be with me; I’ve got dishes to wash.
Note: Regarding the slowness of the thread over the past couple of days, sorry, my mistake. I wasn’t near the system for prolonged periods. Regarding the writing contest that was up, certain things came up over the past month that made me rethink some of the things I was doing with the site. I have some other ideas that I thought might be better alternatives. So if my dilly-dallying has offended people, which I’m sure it may have, I apologise profusely.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Ronaldo to Madrid — Again
- What Ails Manchester United?
- It hurts like hell
- What is your formation?
Tags: Opinions/Columns
March 25th, 2009 at 8:58
true true. Well said. Barcelona had a blip. We having one too.Luckily the internationals are going on and like Phelan said there is enough time for back room staff to sort things out and does any one now sir alex. Y doesnt he play nani. Hes fresh. Give Ronaldo a break. Just cause he is the worlds best player doesnt mean he has to play 3 games in a week!… Nani i believe could be the spark to the rest of the season we need. If we can play oshea so many games,well he has played well to his credit, give nani a chance. He is better then ronaldo if you compare their statistics in relation to their second season. So guys get behind the team and let the next two home games count. It could well define our season. Porto needs a drubbing like Roma got. Hehe. Would love it.
March 25th, 2009 at 9:01
Ronaldo out, ribery in!
Just kidding
We need to get behind the team. I think the fans are as much in shock as the players after losing two consecutive matches first time in god knows how many years. Our away support which is usually incredible was very silent at the cottage.
One thing positive amidst all this doom and gloom is that if anyone knows how to get out such situations it is Fergie.
Remember newcastle and keegan. Remember arsenal and 02/03.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:32
Nice one RR.Am just curious why guys didnt realise fergie had lost the war of words and crumbled.As soon as Benitez almost gave up the title,he attacked us and ripped us apart.What followed was a stroke of genious.He commented about the expensive players we buy and how we actually buy the title.
Fergie got sucked in and thats how he lost it.He decided to use his home grown players and i swear i had predicted his post match interview about how 7 of the starters were home made.apparently that team was not good enough back then,it is not now.(i mean the team with fletch,oshea,giggs,scholes,park playing 4-5-1)
March 25th, 2009 at 10:56
@donibrasco: WTF you on about mate. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY can outmindgame Fergie. So don’t be foaming at the mouth here about scouse shit Benitez outmindgaming Fergie. He who laughs LAST laughs hardest, and I hope it will still be us. I was only disappointed that Fergie had seemed to let the Fat Waiter get away with saying such shite, because he little responded to charges layed against him. Anyway, you know what, the pressure is actually on the scousers now, because everyone, in every part of the fucking globe is telling them the title is theirs to lose. How great they are and the best footballers on the planet, yeah yeah yeah we believe it – NOT. At least they stopped talking about us now, and how untouchable we were and all that media hype shite. Let the scousers have all the glory at the moment, BECAUSE it is the SILVERWARE we want. So take your pro scouse Raf vitriol mate, brought on to a United blog, and shove it where the sun don’t fucking shine.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:59
BTW Donibrasco, we all know your a L’poo supporter in disguise
.
March 25th, 2009 at 11:07
@Craig Mc: Ahmen to that, how has Fergie been out mind gamed?
) and then I would fancy ourselves against either Villareal or the Gooners.
Only one trophy has been won this season and it is nestling nicely in our cabinet many thanks. Fergie has just in my view recently has become complacent, he rotated the squad and got away with it, we were on a run and the momento was with us, but we took the eye off the ball and thought all we had to do was turn up and we would win, obviously that isn’t the case.
The international break has come at the right time, the boys will have time to reflect and hopefully come back with the hunger, we have a decent run in and what should be a bye to the semi’s of the champions league (who is taking the eye off the ball now
The players need a size ten up their arse, especially Rooney and more so the petulant child better known as Ronaldo and we should be fine.
Please get a set formation, set set one to eleven and stick with it and we should be fine.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:27
Football is such a funny sport. If we score an early goal against Villa, I could see us taking the title at a trot. If we screw up and gift them a goal, I can see the opposite happening – such is the importance of confidence. It’s bizarre, after winning two straight leagues and a CL, you’d of thought nothign could rattle our players. But they are quite definitely rattled at the moment. And it comes down to Fergie to sort that out.
Does anyone know the longest playing streak Rooney has had this year? I feel like he never gets more than 3 or 4 starts in a row before being suspended or injured. That’s more or less been the story of his United career, unfortunately. Great little mini streaks intermixed with lay offs
If the Berba/Tevez combo come through against Villa, that will, be my count, be 8 consecutive victories for that particular pair. At what point does it stop being coincidence?
March 25th, 2009 at 13:38
It all started with New Castle in my opinion. Vidic was horrible on quite a few occasions there. We got away. Then came Inter. We got away again. When the attackers can’t put in chances from two yards, then your defence has to get their asses. When your defense fucks up then you’ll have real problems. Last season we could outscore anyone, that’s not the case anymore. I knwo that this topic has been debated and debated and debated but I guess the inclusion of Berbatov is proving to be more and more of a folly.
The goals aren’t coming that freely, the defence has bad days and the team is fully exposed. Hell, even after we threw everything that we had at Fulham, in the second half we couldn’t get it in. I mean, what is Fulham, a bloody second half of the table team, we are the Champions FFS.
March 25th, 2009 at 14:35
@donibrasco: Wow, just wow. This is incredibly stupid, If Fergie really got sucked into the mind games, then why didn’t he drop Ferdinand, Rooney, Berbatov, Carrick, afterall they’re the “big money” players Benitez is whining about. I’m not even sure why I’m replying to this, you’re probably a Liverpool fan on a wind- up mission.
March 25th, 2009 at 14:41
@UnitedUnited: Errrm, Fulham is in 9th not 11th or below and have the 3rd or 4th best home record in the league, I’m not saying its an excuse for us losing, but they aren’t THAT bad. And yes, it is hard to get in when you lose one of your most influencial midfielders making you one- man down. I do agree with your first point, we haven’t really been good this season, but we were efficient and had the defense to cover up for us, now it seems the opposite.
March 25th, 2009 at 14:45
@Craig Mc: Yeah I agree. I can see the media doing to them what they did to us. Just build them up for an almighty fall. Only when they don’t win the title it’ll be because Benitez didn’t have the money (he obviously wanted more than 200m) or that they can’t compete with a team who has a better all round squad and nobody ever expected them to win the title instead of the ’sinking ship’ that is being reported about now in relation to United. They are deluded pricks.
March 25th, 2009 at 14:46
@Rd: so far ‘Pool haven’t beaten them this season and they’ve played them at home so they really can’t say much
March 25th, 2009 at 15:08
@Liam: hope you enjoyed our Grand Slam win on Sat, I know i certainly did. That was some game of rugby wasn’t it? Do you agree that some of the United players could learn what it means to wear the shirt from the performances of the players on the Irish Rugby Team?
March 25th, 2009 at 15:17
Have you seen the away kit next season? surely not?
March 25th, 2009 at 16:27
@donibrasco: got to just laugh at that!
March 25th, 2009 at 16:48
@Rd: Yeah Rd what is it with scholesy and his feckin handballs this season. Didn’t he handle the ball when we faced the Russian European EGG cup winners. Am I wrong in thinking he was sent off for HANDLING in another game this year??? Is he getting so slow he is hankering to try out at goalkeeping?
March 25th, 2009 at 16:53
@phoenix red: Phoenix your opponents GOT ROBBED
. Talk about the luck of the Irish eh – luck, luck, luck, luck, and yeah United could do with some of the Irish luck to help performances 
.
March 25th, 2009 at 16:59
@Liam: What the betting Liam that the Welsh GIT scouse MF Danny shite Murphy talks his Fulham buddies into taking their foot off the peddle against his beloved LiverPOO. He conveniently got injured in the Man Utd game, so he probably wont be giving the same SWEAT, BLOOD and shear aggression he gave against us. Typical eh? Fulham better get stuck in the way they did against us, but they are probably shitting their pants.
March 25th, 2009 at 17:12
@Craig Mc: beating France, Scotland, Italy, Endland and Wales, LUCK???!!! I dont think so Bro
I was thinking of Pride and unfaltering self belief, amongst other winning attributes! Is that to much to ask from overpayed footballers??
March 25th, 2009 at 17:15
@donibrasco: He decided to use his home grown players because he has enough of them and because they are good enough. On the other hand the Fat Waiter uses his Spanish bought talent because other than Gerrard and Carragher, Liverpool doesn’t have home grown talent. And the day Rafa Benitez wins a war of words with Fergie will be when Hell freezes over. Benitez is the poster boy for mental masturbation. One who talks nonsense and is the king of verbal diarrhea as well. When it comes to mind games Benitez comes to gunfight with a pocket knife and a box of condoms that he likes to use as his thinking caps. JES, Dat ees a fact.
Honestly mate, to come on this blog and try to tell us that a closeted faggy Spanish Muppet could ever beat Sir Alex Ferguson in a battle of mind games is just such bollocks. Seriously, did you expect us to take that lying down or did you want us to bend over?
March 25th, 2009 at 17:24
@phoenix red: Four of the ugliest kits ever created surely. The United one is just a commemorative kit that will be worn for one game I believe. Regulations on kit design and color need to implemented in this league. It’s getting almost as absurd as the Argentine
league where two teams will both wear similar kits when they play each other. Bottom line is that away kits need to be light in tone and home kits dark. You need that to be able to differentiate between the two as well as make it easier for a television audience to tell the difference. There are Argentine games that are next to impossible to watch because of the similarities in kits and the television feed being an old analog one which doesn’t offer the kind of sharpness in resolution that makes it easier to watch. Wearing dark green kits when you go to play Everton or Chelsea is just stupid. On many tv’s the difference is marginal. What is wrong with the FA?
I also believe that away kits must have the same color coding of a home kit. United’s team colors are red white black and the crest has yellow. Therefore, the away kit must be lighter one based on those for colors. Common sense and an end to this radical and ridiculous money grab of taking a team’s traditional colors and bastardizing them by using colors that have nothing to do with the team or it’s history. It’s sleazy marketing and annoying to watch on the tube.
March 25th, 2009 at 17:39
@Rd: The difference between 9th and 11th is 2 points. So it’s all the same. What I was trying to say was, teams like Fulham should be doled out a good spanking on the backside. Instead we went in there got Berbatov injured, went nine men down, lost two of our most influential men, lost and came back with our tails firmly between our legs. Are Fulham THAT bad? Of course they are, they wouldn’t be 9th in the league if they weren’t.
March 25th, 2009 at 18:12
Good post, but let’s not get too pessimistic. We’re still at the top of the table and the title is in our own hands. Our next game is crucial, but Villa are probably even more worried about their form than we are. They seemed to be on their way to the CL but have lost it over the last few weeks. Liverpool are on a high at the moment, but it was a long time since consistency was their forte. Finally, the international break is perfectly timed.
March 25th, 2009 at 18:23
@Grognard: No, its a kit for the whole season, not just 1 game.
Judge it when you see the real thing, not the photoshoped images.
Lets not start this changing the league topic again now
March 25th, 2009 at 19:50
RR is right … I am right… Man United throught thick and thin.
March 25th, 2009 at 20:31
Good Lord, pls tell me that kit design is just a scouse fan having fun with photoshop!! Or was it donibrasco??
March 25th, 2009 at 20:41
@Grognard: I agree that the away kit should use the same colors as the home kit, though I would make and exception for a black kit (like last year’s, it was so cool).
How long till the next United game??? I hate international breaks! And can we please have Nani start the next game!!
March 25th, 2009 at 20:42
Where is everyone?
March 25th, 2009 at 21:33
Im on holiday, but I just cannot stay away from this site. Sun, sangria and sand hasn’t helped me forget United losing two games in a row and concede six goals in the space of two matches.
RedRanter is absolutely right. Our response against Fulham was all wrong. I saw tiredness, frustration, petulance, arrogance but little if any fight. Well except from Rooney.
As Fergie has been benching Rooney lately I get the impression he is a bit short of fitness. I hope he is up and running once he’s served his suspension because with Ronaldo misfiring, Berbatov going through a bad patch and Tevez never getting a game we need Rooney to carry this team through this bad patch and go on one of his famous goalscoring streaks.
March 25th, 2009 at 21:50
@Dan: I don’t think so. I have read on several sites that it was a one game thing and also, I have seen the new kit on another site (sorry I forget where) and it is a closer resembling Nike style kit like our present one. Nike would never OK that design because their sales of United shirts would drop 75%
March 25th, 2009 at 21:58
@phoenix red: Oh yeah what a game! The performance that United dished out was put on hold and I really enjoyed it. Not only could United learn from it but our own national team could too. How come we can churn out so many great rugby players and not 11 players who can comfortably beat San Marino?
@Craig Mc: do I detect a hint of bitterness there?
March 25th, 2009 at 22:05
@Liam: Bitterness ME, Liam mate I don’t know the meaning of the word
.
March 25th, 2009 at 22:12
@phoenix red: No Bro, but its too much for an England PATRIOT like me to take though
.
March 25th, 2009 at 22:23
I wouldnt have minded the berbatov injury so much if Rooney didnt get the red card. I was looking forward to seeing the trinity of Rooney tevez and ronaldo. I think that was a great combination for goals. I didnt want to believe it last year but Tevez and Rooney constant running is what gave Ronaldo the space to work his magic. With those 2 running their ass off defenders couldnt just put 2 men on Ronaldo and and call it a day. Roovez does squander a lot of chances but they create so much it almost makes up for it.
The introduction of Berbatov has drastically improved our ball retention, but it has slowed down our lethal counter attack. There is no question of Berbatovs talents, but sadly I think he is wrong for our team. I dont understand why fergie wanted to upset the chemistry of the European champions. I am not against adding to it, to give us a plan B, but surely a out and out target striker would have been better.
@Grognard: I am ready to eat Partial crow in regards to Klaas, he is a quality player and is lighting up Spain. I am saving half of that crow because I am a stubborn asshole and I want to see him score in the EPL.
March 25th, 2009 at 22:44
Hey can anyone help me out and tell me what Manchester’s like. I got accepted into the university of manchester. Craig i was thinking maybe you can help me, what is the city like, Hows the night life, safety etc.. thanks
March 25th, 2009 at 23:10
@Grognard: Im not saying that is the design, im saying that we will have a kit with a v, all season, not just 1 game.
March 25th, 2009 at 23:12
@mike: Well done mate
Put on a red shirt, stay in salford, and you should be fine
March 25th, 2009 at 23:29
Who else misses Alan Smith right now?
Ive been thinking a little bit, and I really think we could have done with Smudger in our midfield. What a hero! I honestly miss his tackles, strenght and aggressive approach…
March 25th, 2009 at 23:37
I agree wholeheartedly with Redranter. Our beloved team is going through a bad patch, and we certanly aint helping my telling everyone to leave United, even Ronaldo and Rooney to be fucking sold! These are the days we need to show our true support, that we are not just some fuckers who say we support United just because they win so often. No, we stand by United in bad days and in good days. In sickness and in health. To death do us fucking part! As far as I am concerned, I am married to Manchester United, and I will never get divorced! This is true love, this is support, this is what we are supposed to do. Support our team… AND BELIEVE!!!
Last time we lost two games in a row in the middle of the season was in April 2007. We lost 2-1 to Roma, where Scholes got sent off early. Then we lost 2-1 to Pompey on Saturday, when Rio scored an own goal and our defending was woeful. See any similarities? Well, I do. And you guys remember what happend after the Pompey loss? 7-1, Roma, Best Game Ever, True poetry in motion! After what Villa performed against Liverpool, I am not gonna bet against another drubbing.
March 26th, 2009 at 0:56
@Dan: Haven’t they pissed us off enough already?
March 26th, 2009 at 0:58
@RedDevilEddy: Alan who?
Seriously mate, Smudger was a useless piece of shite. In fact, he was more useful to us when he was injured.
March 26th, 2009 at 1:08
A great article by Ralph Bagchi in the Guardian on Rooney and petulance. Thank you very much Ralph. Finally, someone who actually gets it. And anybody who would quote John Lydon and Public Image Limited is OK in my books. The song “Rise” is one of my all time favorites.
Rooney must learn to use his nut
“The Manchester United rebel needs to resist succumbing to the red mist if he wants to get to the top”
The body language and attitudes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney during Manchester United’s back-to-back defeats by Liverpool and Fulham illustrate just how much they seem to have taken to heart that old Vince Lombardi canard, “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser.”
You do not have to be Lionel Blair or Una Stubbs to interpret the furious semaphore of the arm-waving when a pass from John O’Shea is not inch perfect. Their frustration is so conspicuous that it makes you wonder whether the motivation is to demonstrate to those watching that it is not them who are at fault, but the dunderhead who cannot cater precisely to their genius. Having players who are so quick to snitch on their colleagues’ inadequacy cannot be good for morale.
In Public Image Limited’s Rise, John Lydon ends the song screaming “anger is an energy” and while that is incontrovertible it does seem to be a destructive force for Rooney. Chucking the ball back at the referee before departing the field with a huffy punch for the corner flag, like John Prescott thumping a Welsh egg-thrower, shows the risks players who cannot control their ire run of looking ridiculous.
Rooney’s apologists maintain that if you curb his “passion” then his effectiveness will be reduced, but that does him the disservice of saying he lacks the intellect to curb the instinct. The only thing that excusing the irritability has achieved is to make hissy fits a recurring motif of his career.
There have been numerous examples of almost permanently enraged players. Paul Ince spent the majority of his playing career in high dudgeon, with a look that recalled a hell-fire preaching Irish priest who had just stubbed a toe.
Phil Thompson, the former Liverpool captain, looked almost preternaturally pissed off in the early 80s and Graeme Souness was full of pique at his peak. By the time he was player-manager of Rangers he was so peevish it was like he brought his own black cloud with him on to the pitch.
Alan Smith, the teenage Leeds prodigy whose youthful tenacity and impudence once brought Barry Davies to the verge of rapture, soon turned into a petulant and morose presence who was more likely to earn a red card than actually score a goal.
Roy Keane, too, struggled to keep a lid on his temper and admitted he wished he had punched Alan Shearer instead of shoving him when sent off at St James’ Park after being wound up by the Newcastle captain’s timewasting and magnificent sledge when finally returning the ball, “Do you want me to autograph that for you, son?”
Often Keane was able to harness his rage and use it as the force to drive his team forward, but the indulgence offered to him and Smith by a succession of sympathetic managers meant there were times when the consequences had to be accepted, however detrimental to the team.
Don Revie’s reputation, admittedly already tarnished, is traduced further in the film The Damned United where he is portrayed as a cross between a pan-faced simpleton and a saturnine Machiavelli with gammon steaks for ears. But during his time at Leeds United there was no one in the game more subtle at the art of man-management.
When he was promoted from the ranks in 1961 he took on the responsibility for his former team-mate Jack Charlton, who was a complete pain in the backside. He objected to everything, from the “idiocy” of the coaching staff to the “stupid tactics”. His on-field lack of discipline, constant moaning and astounding surliness had alienated just about everybody at the club, Revie included.
Instead of getting rid of the centre-half, as he had once threatened to do if he ever became manager, Revie cajoled Charlton, getting him to focus his anger at wasting his career at Leeds and gave the quintessential rebel a cause. “If you screw the nut, Jack,” Revie said, “you’ll play for England.” Four years later Charlton was called up by Alf Ramsey to play alongside the brother who had comprehensively overshadowed him and became a defensive colossus at the heart of the World Cup-winning team.
Not that you would get any inkling of what made Revie so special from the film, but there remains in the way he turned Charlton’s career around a lesson for all footballers who play on the edge. Rooney is at a far more advanced stage of his progress at a much earlier age than Charlton was when he came to the crossroads, but helping him to learn how to pull back from a major strop and getting him to “screw the nut” might make the difference in turning the United forward from a very good player into a great one.
Over to you, Sir Alex and Fabio.
March 26th, 2009 at 2:08
@Liam: i hear ya Liam, I know you’re not his biggest fan
But i’m glad Berba is out against Ireland, his scoring record for his country is impressive
March 26th, 2009 at 2:12
@Grognard: you cannot be serious? (John Mc Enroe style) Smudger was one of my favs, didn’t you see that game against Roma? You know, the 7-1
March 26th, 2009 at 2:15
@RedDevilEddy: you did say that you watched the Roma game when you were feelin blue Bro, so you’ve seen it alot recently?
March 26th, 2009 at 2:58
@Grognard: That is a completely rubbish article imo. What the he’ll do all those stupid obscure examples have to do with Rooney? That was just a rambling piece that had no relevance to anything to do with Rooney. I’m sorry if players caring has suddenly become offensive but he doesn’t lose the plot so much anymore and when he does it’s usually for good reason. The ABU journalists are always looking for a way to degrade our club and will jump on anything to sell papers
March 26th, 2009 at 3:03
@phoenix red: He was a waste of time and space. Wasted potential.
March 26th, 2009 at 4:05
@Liam: Agreed, Liam!! This article written by Ralph Bagchi was a perfect example of these hacks making hay out of old news during a slow news week for UK sports!
I don’t disagree that Rooney’s temperament has hurt the team, it has in the past, and will certainly will again in the future, but after all it’s his “Temperament”.
Rooney is not so much “petulant”, but a touch disturbed. His anger doesn’t stem from being a spoiled brat that can’t get his own way, but from the very core of his soul. It’s his makeup, the way that he conducts all his doings and for him, you have to say it works.
Mr. Bagchi insinuates that SAF should take a page out of Don Revie’s book, and have him channel his anger into something more productive. Well let me tell you something Mr. Ralph Bagchi, Wayne Rooney is no Jack Charlton and SAF is no Don Revie.
SAF understands, full well, that most of what makes Rooney good, is also what makes Rooney bad. I’ll take the Good and the Bad, and if you want to throw in the Ugly, I’ll take Vidic as well!!
March 26th, 2009 at 4:13
@Redrich: Ah BOO HOO HOO. And I thought the players were acting like babies. We just can’t handle a little criticism can we? You know I am a die hard United supporter but I’ll be damned if I live my life by double standards.
March 26th, 2009 at 4:15
@Grognard: Excuse me, what the fuck does that mean!!
March 26th, 2009 at 5:00
yeah please, forget SMITH. useless bastard. turely hated that guy @ our great club.
Those were Bad times @ united
Can anyone tell me where Gibson has gone since the cup final??
And Tosic also? must be traing with 1st squad, coz he aint been playin in any reserve games of late?
Our remaining fixtures no longer look like a walk in the park @ all
…the more i look at it the worse i feel
we need to get our confidence, scoring touch back quickly!
Nani needs to play dowen that left. PLEASE some one tell me what Pasrk has done this season with all the playing time he’s had?
FUCK ALL!! FUCK ALL…
I just cant understand why our whole ethos of scoring more than our openents seems to have been discrded this season?
always get the feelin Fergie is worried bout somethin, the team has been playin with a leash for too long now.
One last thing- I truely cant wait for us to Sell Ronaldo.
his actions in the summer fucked us, we couldnt win oiut of the situation. we cudnt be seen to be embarased by Madrid but we were left with half a player. His United days are over as far as he’s concerned, he doesnt wanna be here no more.
For that reason, HE HAS TO GO.
Good riddance. Prick.
GROG- You called Berba a cancer in our team well i think that accolade should go staright to RON. his attitude stinks more than anyones.
Get him out, splash the cash on Ribery….maybe Marek Hamsik….but wait, RENATO AUGUSTO. check the lad out….for me he is Ronaldo natural replacement.
good night, good morning!
March 26th, 2009 at 6:18
@Redrich: You’re a smart bloke mate. Figure it out. Basically I am accusing many on this blog as well as you of complete bias and selective blindness. Now this may come across as rude but honestly, I am laughing when I write this because I find it truly comical the way supporters act when it comes to protecting their own. Bottom line is Rooney is guilty as sin and anyone that cannot see that is just hiding behind loyalty and team allegiance. Biker gangs and gangbangers and the mob do the same thing when confronted by the law. I guess I broke a commandment when I never took the club’s side in this Rooney fiasco. Sorry but I won’t compromise my beliefs for no frakken team loyalty. I believe in right over wrong.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:23
@Redrich: It’s hard not to take offense when somebody thousands of miles away accuses you of being selectively blind and bias in favor of Rooney and United but I honestly do mean it in a fun and teasing kind of way. Just difficult to convey it over the Internet. So even though we are at different ends on this, hopefully you don’t hold that bit of poking fun against me.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:54
Neways isn’t there any new news?? transfers??
What about claims of Chelsea’s big transfer kitty, same seems to happen at anfield, Is that true?
March 26th, 2009 at 10:18
@Grognard: I think that article is utter bollocks. I don’t think it is just a simple matter of of United bias, it is also an Anti-Rooney bias, and in your particular case – with all due respect – a I-am-right-and-you-are-wrong bias. (I really mean no offense by this because I respect you – just dunno how else to state it).
I truly believe Rooney has a temper, but I still stand by the fact that I cannot fault him for Saturday. That was a silly card. Since when is frustration a sin? EVERYONE get frustrated during the game. It’s not as if Rooney threw the ball at the referee.
(Out of frustration, Adebayor hit his own teammate Bendtner – nothing happened… Why did the press not make a big issue about that?). Ever notice how frsutrated Gerrard got during their CL final win? How come no one mentioned how hot-headed he was?
Rooney is immature, but I restate that I cannot fault him for Saturday.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:05
@Karl: Frustration is one thing mate, active frustrated response to refereeing decisions ANOTHER. Rooney didn’t deserve the 2nd yellow I’ll give you that, but unfortunately his reputation for disrespecting officials has gone before him. Just like Ronnie’s reputation for dramatic FALLING to the ground everytime he gets touched. Although again, I would say that a lot of the time Ronnie is MUGGED by aggressive tackling, and the oppo’s get clean away with it. Go figure Bro!
March 26th, 2009 at 11:12
@Redrich: “If you want to throw in the ugly, I’ll take Vidic as well.”
, pissing myself laughing at that one Redrich. I take it your talking about Vida’s temperament, and not his good looks there mate. If not watch out, Stephen’s GF will get you proper, because she thinks Vida is mighty fine.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:30
@mike: The Manchester night life is buzzing mate. Manchester is not a bad City to be honest. Just don’t go to Eastlands wearing a United Jersey, because you will come away with SPIT all over you
. Plenty of activity around Old Trafford, especially at Salford Quays, nice restuarants, lively bars, theatres etc. Depends what you like to do mate really. People up North really are sports mad, and plenty of sport events to enjoy. Like I said depends what your tastes are mate. The commonwealth games made Manchester a very updated City, and the tram service is used by a lot of the students to get around the City, and outlying towns. I don’t live in Manc land any longer 
, I moved to Geordie land, but have been unexpectedly made welcome. I can even mention Man Utd and not get bottled 
. I do live in a good neighbourhood though, and still have a good few ex Uni friends who live around here. Hope that helps Mike 
.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:31
@Craig Mc: My point is that ALL players are guilty of ‘active frustrated response to referee decisions’ in varying degrees. Check at whenever the ref blows against someone? I don’t want to condone Rooney’s actions, but I personally cannot hold the 2nd booking against him. Ronaldo on the other hand should have been sent off for his frustrated response that led to his yellow.
@Redrich:
The good is Rooney’s skills, the bad his temperament, and the ugly – well its a toss up between him and Tevez I suppose
March 26th, 2009 at 11:51
@Craig Mc: Oh Manchester is wondeful full of………………….
To encourage her about Vida!
March 26th, 2009 at 11:58
@Karl: With Rooney I think it is a case of the boy who cried wolf, he has a reputation of being aggressive towards referees and has been lucky to escape red/yellow cards in the past. I love Rooney but he was already booked, and he put the ref in a position that he could interpret what he did in a way which he could produce the second yellow, when there was no need.
March 26th, 2009 at 12:37
@RR even though there are things that have frustrated me greatly, i think you’re right about getting behind the team. Its not all doom and gloom(yet!) although now i’d expect a big turn around from the players and i’ll hold off on final judgement till later.
March 26th, 2009 at 15:04
The key for us as I have said earlier we need to stick to a set formation and a team, and just stay with it. We have rotated the side and the formation which has worked all be it somewhat fortunatly in certain games, but when we get back we are at the business end of the season, no more giving players a chance we must play our best team in every game unless we have injuries.
Also Ronaldo and Rooney in particular, must cut out this petulance and concentrate on the greater good of the team, not their over inflated ego’s, we have a great squad but everyone and I am talking to you Mr Berbatov must step up to the plate and be counted.
March 26th, 2009 at 16:11
@Stephen: Thank You for some common sense Bro
March 26th, 2009 at 16:30
Calm appraisal of MUFC financially??!!
March 26th, 2009 at 18:24
@Craig Mc: Thanks Craig! I was just wondering beacause I have heard many people tell me that it is a dangerous city and what not,, but thanks for your help mate
March 26th, 2009 at 18:26
@mike: Is it fuck mate it’s a great City, but stay out of Moss Side!
March 26th, 2009 at 19:19
@Stephen: Yea, Berbatov really needs to wake the fuck up… and do more shooting rather than ball retention exercises and flick-me-ons!
March 26th, 2009 at 19:35
@johnsom33: Interesting point about Berbatov’s effect on the counter attack play. That part triggered something I’ve thought a bit about lately.
I may be wrong about this, but in a majority of the games I’ve seen this season Ronaldo play in.. it seems he is less interested in doing anything when Berbatov is playing. Now before I’m attacked from all over.. I’m not trying to defend Ronaldo’s behavior or anything, but I’m just wondering if he takes very kindly to the inclusion of Berbatov. I’m not 100% convinced of my theory either, but I am suspicious it might be the case.
Maybe it’s coincidence, or circumstantial or something else, but in the Fulham game, Ronaldo did next to nothing while Berbatov was there. When Rooney came in (never mind that he didn’t make it to the end) and later Tevez joined in, I saw Ronaldo taking effort to get into good positions, trying to get something going, even win the ball back on a couple of occasions.
So does anyone else see what I supsect I see?? Or am I dangerously close to ‘paralysis by analysis’ in this case??
@mike: You’re gonna live in Manchester mate, you can watch games at OT, what else could you want. Plus every city is dangerous, you’ve only got to know what to avoid (like Moss Side as Stephen said). I say spend more time thinking about what games you can watch at Old Trafford!
March 26th, 2009 at 20:18
This place is deserted!!!
March 26th, 2009 at 23:31
@realred: renato augusto is good mate, but no where near ronaldo’s level, the only player who could do well is either david silva, marquinhos maybe even douglass costa, but the latter two need time to improve
speaking of tosic i have no idea where he is atm, ljaic looks likea top prospect but also needs time,
and i agree wholeheartedly about park,hes a players ill never understand as to why he wears our glourious strip
March 27th, 2009 at 1:13
@Grognard: If you read my posts on this subject you’ll know that I also think Rooney is guilty as charged. He deserved the 1st yellow and definitely deserved the 2nd.
Where we differ though is in our reaction to it all. You seem to be pissed (off) and demanding of some more punitive action, but for me, it’s no real surprise what happened!! Rooney has and will always do stupid shit like that, and I don’t think you can do much about it!
An engine will not run if you take out the spark plug!! (Of course it won’t combust either!!)
March 27th, 2009 at 1:35
@realred: It’s attitudes like that which possessed Fergie to go out and buy a 30m striker when we didn’t need one. Jesus Christ, get a grip. Ronaldo is the cancer huh? how come he wasn’t the cancer last season? i’m sure he wanted to play for RM back then but that didn’t stop him scoring 42 goals did it? As for your Park comments, I’m sick of this argument. You just go on living in your bubble and not recognising that a player doesn’t have to score in every game to do a job. Maybe what you should be asking is how come Park is in the box for a lot of crosses and yet our 30m striker is loitering at the edge of the area? This is at least 10 times a game.
March 27th, 2009 at 2:02
@Liam: Agree with most of what you say, but to accuse Berbatov of “loitering” might insinuate he could do something dangerous, like score a fucking goal!!
March 27th, 2009 at 2:25
@Redrich: If he even took a shot it might help. His only attempt(?) against Fulham was that rubbish header which floated over the bar. JB came with the stat the other week that he averages less than a shot a game. That is just not acceptable
March 27th, 2009 at 3:00
@Liam: But taking a shot might expose something he’s not very good at… taking shots!!
This guy’s laissez faire attitude towards the game exposes one thing to me…. He’s probably fucking French!!
March 27th, 2009 at 3:16
@Rahul: I think Ronaldo has a good feeling for rooneys game. He knows that if he puts himself in the right position then Rooney will find him. Maybe he doesnt have that same sort of connection with berbatov.
We all spent a lot of time arguing last year who was more important to the team, Ronaldo or Ronney. could it be, that they need each other to reach there respective peaks? Rooney loads the bullets and Ronaldo pulls the trigger.
March 27th, 2009 at 3:20
@Rahul: You are 100% right not to be 100% sure of your theory here.
Ronaldo’s game is pace, power and trickery, and if he has no one else to compliment this approach, his efforts go begging. This becomes obvious when Berbatov is the go-to guy because all he offers is the trickery and is probably still on the halfway line when Ronaldo is ready to cross!!
March 27th, 2009 at 3:21
I prefer Tevez over Berbatov, because I think he works better with Roonaldo. I dont think anyone here can dispute Berbatovs class, that isnt in question. The question I have now as with others is… Is Berba right for our team? or as Grognard pointed out, is Fergie using Berba all wrong.
March 27th, 2009 at 3:44
@johnsom33: The big question about Berbatov is whether he puts forth the required effort befitting a 30m signing.
You can argue all you want about his “class”, and his “deft touches”, but this is utter bullshit because he hasn’t produced a single prolonged period of games where he’s excelled in either scoring or assisting others.
My attitude, for sure, would change if I saw some decent effort put in. A simple attempt to do for the team as he expects the team to do unto him!!
A(fucking)men!!
March 27th, 2009 at 5:00
Interesting thread this. Lots of valid comments and detailed insights. So here’s my contribution:
Firstly, the events of last weekend show that what we have is a two horse race for the title. The fact that Chelsea couldn’t capitalise was just as revealing as Villa’s complete capitulation to the Scousers. The hub-cap pinchers up the East Lancs now truly believe that they can win their first title since the pass back rule was abolished. For me, the 18 to 17 stat has become all important. It could even be a contributary factor in what appears to be a recent hot-headedness or petulance. Let’s not forget Fergies avowed intent to knock the scousers off their ‘fucking perch’ and the open hostility of Gary Neville and Rooney (Everton fan).
The true test against Porto and Villa is to show CONTROL and finesse. That starts with the back four. In particular Ferdinand needs to rise to the occasion now and have a solid performance. I actually believe that those last two games were ODD. Odd in that Vidic had one of the only off days I can ever remember, and odd because of sendings off ( and I agree with Fergie on the Rooney dismissal – I think the referee was playing to a particularly hyped up posh London crowd – basking in the lime light as it were. A level-headed ref would, with the game virtually over-just have had a word in his shell-like. The fact is that UTD are too successful in many peoples eyes and refs, the opposition, pundits and press alike LOVE IT when we have off days.
I have to agree with adverse comments on Berbatov. I, like many others was on this very site on that exciting transfer day and was soo excited when we got him. Yet the term ‘anti-climax’ has seldom been more appropriate. I don’t profess to a great understanding of tactics but I’ve got to the point where i groan to see that he is in the starting line up YET AGAIN having disappeared UTTERLY on so many occasions. Sadly, I have to agree with those who doubt Ronaldo. For me his conduct in the close season was shamefull and I think HE KNOWS THIS and his performance has been adversely affected because of it. He has gone from being the undoubted best player in the world to an out off sorts pouting prima donna. Apart from this there is the shadow of his reported conduct during the Munich 50 year remembrance. In short – I don’t like the guy as a person, or what I can see of him from his behaviour. Knowing Fergie (I don’t..but you know what I maen!) I doubt if he has much patience left for the guy. But it must be so hard to keep a player who seems to blatantly disregsrd the role the club has played in developing for 5 long years to the quality of performance he displayed last season, only for them to contemplate a move to a fading Spanish club. For WHAT? The nicer fucking weather?!!
To etain the league title was very impressive. to go 3 on the trot…well all I can say is the treble winners did it and in many ways I admire that team much more than this one.
As for the remainder of this season I say drop Berbatov to the bench for the next two games. He needs a kick up the back side. Same for Ronaldo…it would raise a few eye brows if Fergie dropped him for even one game.. but I think he needs it to take stock and think about his conduct. Then hopefully come back and be more disciplined and focussed. Fergie has to be brave now and make some tough decisions. For me Tevez can be the man who rises to the challenge now just like he did for West Ham. We need to get lean, mean and clean and that means stifling some egos as far as I can see.
The upshot of all this for me is I personally want 18-18 with Liverpool. 19-17 in titles won would be a fucking travesty but the staff and culture at Old Trafford shouldn’t let this get to them TOO MUCH.
Sorry V long post. Wittered on too much there. Just in abject fear of seeing Gerrard (hands in a transfer request) lifting the premiership trophy for the first time. What with the recession and all I’ll emigrate!!!
March 27th, 2009 at 9:56
Berbatov doesn’t spend any quality time inside the box, and neither does he shoot. And I agree with Liam there, Park spends more time in the box to meet crosses and what not than Berbatov.
Berbatov’s obvious class and finesse notwithstanding, his contribution to the last three games he has started are – Zilch – and that is excluding negative marks for holding up the ball unnecessarily and slowing down attack, giving possession away, and adjusting his alice band more often than himself adjusting to the game around him. He obviously has much more ability to contribute than whats coming our way recently.
I don’t think Fergie is using him in the wrong way, I just think he hasn’t given the boy any hair dryer yet.
March 27th, 2009 at 10:31
Wow, how quickly the tide can turn…
I’m hoping this series of posts remains up here this time next year. I think by then we’ll have seen what Berbatov can do. Bottom line is that Fergie hasn’t worked out how to use him yet, or what our best XI are with him in it. Fergie must see some brilliance in training and on the tapes, or else he wouldn’t be in there. Keeping in mind that he saved our bacon quite a few times after Christmas, I think it’s way to early to write him off. He can definitely due with some improvement, shooting would be nice (anyone remember his turn and shoot against us last year from the edge of the box? Just missed the top corner, but it was instinctively beautiful) and doing a lil sprinting into the box would also be great. But he’s not been half bad imo.
He’s also been injured a lot, including while he’s been on the pitch. And he doesn’t have the standing to sub himself like someone else we know.
All I’m saying is give him time. It would be one thing if everytime the Apache got a game he was showing amazing potential, creating chances and finishing them. But he’s been rubbish. So what do we do? Replace the lazy but still chance creating player with the hard working but amounting to sweet FA player? And in the process sacrifice our posession footy? Yeah, rock and hard place, between two £30m strikers. What has the world come to…
March 27th, 2009 at 11:18
WHAT’S this about Fergie thinking of letting his pal Walter Smith take Fabio on a years loan, because Rangers want to improve their left side of midfield? What about our own fucking left side of MF needing sorting, with Evra half the performer he was before his injury, and nobody on the left who can get the ball with any accuracy into the box. Fergie will upset Rafael if the twins are split up, they keep each other going, being so far away from home and all. I think this is another one of Fergie’s feckin stupid decisions, IF indeed the rumours ARE TRUE.
March 27th, 2009 at 11:31
@ Craig – I didn’t see that. Wasn’t Lee Martin up there on the left for a while? I say send him back with a big curly wig. No one will know.
Fergie wouldn’t split the twins. I hope.
March 27th, 2009 at 11:43
@Beachryan: Am not saying that we need to fish him off come summer. Rather my take is that we need him to deliver at this crucial stage of the season, and at least shoot goalwards more than he does.
The thing about Tevez is that he is getting league starts in bits and pieces, and we know that a run of games would do him and his contributions to the side a whole world of good. Plus his play brings in Ronaldo and Rooney to more action imo. Those three play on the same wavelength more than any other forward combo we have. And in one of the games that Berbatov saved our bacon after Christams, Tevez was the one who set it all up.
Once again, w.r.t Berbatov, I’m panning recent performances and not the player himself. In that sense it is temporary, so don’t quote me this time next !!!year
March 27th, 2009 at 11:46
@Craig Mc: That better not be true. Where did u read that btw?? We need our left side to be sorted first before considering the plight of others!
March 27th, 2009 at 12:17
All the forward players need to produce, winning titles can be down to very slim margins, late goals in games can tip the balance, Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo and Berba all need to produce in the remaining nine games obviously of the league program.
We have tough games in the league like the second to last game at home to the Gooners, could be a decider, and away to Borough were our record is poor to say the least and especially as there are in serious trouble we need our forwards to perform.
March 27th, 2009 at 13:18
The Villa game could be a tough nut too.. they’re getting a lot of stick for their performances, and they’ll be pepped up to give us a hard time.
March 27th, 2009 at 13:24
@Rahul: Spurs, Citeh and Arsenal will be tough at home also.
Borough, Sunderland and Wigan away will be crucial as we have only lost one at home and drawn one, but away we have lost three and drawn four, so the away games are posibly where the tile will be either won or lost.
March 27th, 2009 at 17:07
@Beachryan: You say Tevez doest “sweet FA” but your missing the point we are all raising here. Berbatov isnt a prolific scorer anyway… but Ronaldo is. Last year the proof was in the pudding, Roovez+Ronaldo= Goals for days. For whatever reason Berbatov and Ronaldo dont really play well together. Are we making Berba the scapegoat for Ronaldo dip in form? Perhaps, but one has to wonder why our goals have dried up from last year and we only introduced one player.
Rooney and Tevez were not prolific last year, but they werer a pain in the arse for the opposition to deal with, because they simply gave you no time to rest or compose yourself. Berba is more techinically gifted but he drastically slows the game down.
March 27th, 2009 at 17:50
@johnsom33: Rooney this season has 16 goals already, he scored 18 all last season, Tevez scored 19 last in 48 games and has 12 in 38 already this season I don’t quite see your point?, Ronaldo is the only one who has scored as many but did we truly believe he would score 42 again this season?
Berbatov isn’t prolific? The last two seasons for Spurs he scored 23 goals each season seems prolific to me.
March 27th, 2009 at 17:58
@Craig Mc: Fergie should send himself on loan somewhere. I hear his plan to retire is for the end of next season. Fergie, why wait? Clearly hasn’t got the energy or the desire this season.
I’ll fucking go mental if he loans Fabio out now that Evra has become a muppet.
March 27th, 2009 at 18:05
@Stephen: how many goals did tevez have last season? from my recollection it was pretty close to Rooney. And of those 48 games played how many were starts?
March 27th, 2009 at 18:09
@johnsom33: Er it was mate 19 and 18 are quite close together mate.
March 27th, 2009 at 18:11
@Stephen: sorry I misread your comment. of the 48 games how many were starts? You scoff at 19 goals, yet you drool over Berbatovs 23 goals? Is 4 extra goals really worth 30m+?
I also think you are slightly missing my point. Last year we didnt need Rooney and Tevez to be prolific, because Ronaldo was. They did all the dirty work which let Ronaldo come in behind them with the finishing touch.
March 27th, 2009 at 18:19
@johnsom33: Truthfully mate I am not sure, but he hasn’t started that many this.
Also I am not drooling over Berba, I simply made the point that 46 goals in two seasons is prolific, and is £32m for Carlos with 31 goals in two season worth it?
But I do get your point about the donkey work and you are right, but why should they as both are strikers and Ronaldo this season has been behaving like a child.
March 27th, 2009 at 18:37
We need a big, early signing.
This is the time of the year when we start looking at signings, and id be damned if gill and fergie aren’t looking at our targets.
I want 3 signings this summer,
an attacking Midfielder.
Van der vaart, hamsik, gourcuff, take your pick, they are the only young ones that could go into our team right now IMO.
A left winger.
Ribery, ribery, silva, ribery, sanchez, in that order.
A striker.
Gomez, i know grog likes the kun, but he is a second striker, i want a striker in the mould of torres. Other options, that Moody french git, and eto’o. If we can get eto’o or gomez, i reckon they’ll bang in the goals for us.
We need a better left winger, a world class attacking mid, and a prolific striker, who isnt on/off like the ones we already have.
March 27th, 2009 at 19:46
@Rahul: Rahul Bro I live in Geordieland now remember? The news from all the scotland papers and other media hits Geordieland 1st. That’s where I heard
.
March 27th, 2009 at 19:50
@donibrasco: mates don’t waste you energies about donibrasco. i’ve had conversation with him on several occassion s and he’s a kind of guy who watches soccer as though he’s watching a horror.
he’s the lad who when United looses he calls for SAF’s head and any of Scholes, Giggs and Gary who ever is played then. when Giggs’ name was sighted on Unite Vs Chelsea game, he shouted how senile SAF had gone, and after the man of match performance from Giggs he praised how a genius and tactical the gaffer was. Against Fulham on the game we had in hand, he lamented on seeing Scholes on the pitch, 10 minutes in the game, he was praising how the lad hasn’t lost his passing acumen.
you talk of SAF loosing mind games to Rafa! hell no. some things here have to be ideal. when you number one rival hits you for four in the back of your grave yard, you just don’t make noise for the sake of mind games. for starter’s before that game who had won the mind games that Rafa had started. We have to live with the disadvantages of being the best in the world, when we loose a game of football the world and the opposition make noise like it’s the end of the world.
but when looserpool went six in a row without a win, it was normal, Arsenal had gone 9 in row without a win, Barca had gone 3 at one time Inter had gone 4, but because we are United it immortal but we the funs and supporters of the most successful club we know where we stand and we know come May the podiums (i say podiums NOT podium) will be covered with the Red side of Manchester.
March 27th, 2009 at 19:51
@Beachryan:
, I don’t think the wig would fool anybody mate, they don’t call the people up there Canny scots for nothing you know. And Yes, Fergie bloody would Bro, because he is very much from the Old School help your mates out, old boy back slapping routiners. Don’t matter that our LMF has been shite personified in the last few games. Fergie loves to be seen as footballs Great Benefactor. If Fabio goes, well —————– Fergie where will your mind be. Certainly not with the wellbeing of the Man Utd LMF.
March 27th, 2009 at 20:50
@Dan: Oh how I’d love Gourcuff in our strip!! Although the moody french git said he’d like to stay for another year..
@Craig Mc: Ah yes, I forgot! Have you been able to wear your Nani jersey out in the public yet without getting special Geordie love??
Or are you holding on until when the barcodes get relegated?? 
March 27th, 2009 at 20:55
And what’s twith Darren Ferguson trying to spill the beans about when Fergie is gonna quit?? The last time Fergie’s retirement was imminent, the team just folded! I prefer little Darren keeping his trap shut.. I’d rather have Fergie make no promises and tell everyone at the end of the season when he’s gonna retire.
March 27th, 2009 at 20:57
@Rahul: He would be class
March 27th, 2009 at 21:17
@Dan: No doubt, but with his loan situation, it would realistically be at after the 2009-10 season when we could land him.
Its surprising how sporadic activity on this thread has been since the last 2 days!
March 27th, 2009 at 21:33
@Rahul: This happens every international break, the blog goes to an almost stand still.
I think he is a realistic target, i reckon £10-18mil bid will test milans nerve.
March 27th, 2009 at 22:29
@Dan: It would, but the loan agreement is such that Bordeaux decide if they wanna make the deal permanent,and Milan can’t refuse (that’s what I read sometime back). So if that happens, and I don’t see why Bordeaux wouldn’t take it up, it would stretch our possibilities to the end of next season.
But I’d love it of we got him, ‘Love it’!!!
March 27th, 2009 at 22:31
@Dan: Dunno mate, international breaks do have an effect on here, but this time it seems like the great depression. It might be the effect of our last two results!
March 27th, 2009 at 23:33
Here’s the piece from Independent I was referring to regarding Gourcuff’s loan deal:
“Milan did not just allow Gourcuff to leave on loan, they gave Bordeaux a firm option to sign him at the end of the season for €15m (£14.1m). This is a huge fee for any French club, but peanuts compared to what the Girondins might expect to recoup on a subsequent transfer.
Gourcuff has, himself, hinted that he would like to sign for Bordeaux and play there again next season, so long as they qualify for the Champions League. Adriano Galliani, the vice-president of Milan, reminded everyone – after “that goal” – that Gourcuff is Milanese property. Sort of.
“We realised before other clubs what a great player he is. We discovered him, like we discovered Kaka and Pato [Milan's new Brazilian star],” Mr Galliani said. “We are crossing our fingers that Bordeaux will not take up their option on him. He will either play for Bordeaux next season, or at Milan.”
But why would Bordeaux give up their rights to such a bargain? They will surely scrape together the €15m in the knowledge that they can sell Gourcuff for far more in the next January transfer window or in the 2010 close season. “
March 27th, 2009 at 23:41
@Dan: Do you have £80 odd million to give the team for these purchases? That’s never gonna happen. Btw Aguero>>>>>>>>>Gomez. Everyday. Without doubt. He’s as highly rated as Messi and you want Gomez
March 28th, 2009 at 0:48
@Beachryan: How much time would you give Berbatov?? To be honest, he’s had the good part of this season to break in and we are seeing no improvement but , if anything, regression.
SAF has paired him with Rooney, with Tevez and with Ronaldo but that still doesn’t suit him. His played high up, ahead of his attack partner and also playing behind (apparently in an attempt to get in the game) but, again, not to his liking.
Maybe he’s waiting for FIFA to abolish the off-side rule so he can park his deck-chair in the penalty area and have EVDS hoof it to him. Very efficient and would probably suit him just fine!!
March 28th, 2009 at 1:05
@Jay Jay: Indeed, my man , we are judged by standards that are unprecedented in this league. It’s of our making you know, and come to think of it I like it that way!!
March 28th, 2009 at 1:08
@Liam: 80 mil sounds just about right. How much do you think we’ll get for Ronaldo??
March 28th, 2009 at 1:12
@Rahul: I agree about SAF keeping his retirement plans dark. I just have a sneaking feeling it’s gonna come a lot sooner than we all think!!
March 28th, 2009 at 1:28
Feel like I’m talking to myself.
Nite all!!
March 28th, 2009 at 1:56
Lets not spend a whole bunch of money on a foreign primadonna. We should sign Simon Cox from Swindon. Youtube his goals. the back heel, the finishing, the double volley. This kid is a goalscorer. If you stick someone with his natural finishing ability with our team he’d be bloody lethal. You can’t teach the finishing skill he has. But you can buy it for under £2million…..
March 28th, 2009 at 12:06
@Liam: You are such a hypocrite and you dont even know it! aguero is exacly like tevez and rooney, hell play off the striker, we dont need that type of striker, we need and out and out striker like gomez. If we sign aguero we’re back to square 1, we need a proper striker, not a second striker.
Lets see
Gomez £10-15mil
gourcuff/hamsik £10-15mil
ribery £30mil
£60mil, not bad in my opinion.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:08
@Traverse: Youtube could make titus bramble look good….
March 28th, 2009 at 13:33
@Dan: This season he has been!
March 28th, 2009 at 14:27
@Traverse: Fine, youtube could make downing look like messi!
March 28th, 2009 at 16:57
For those of you who need cheering up!
March 28th, 2009 at 17:00
For those of you who need cheering up check this,
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/feeling-bad-about-our-defeat-to-fulham/
March 28th, 2009 at 18:07
well rio is injured , i hope he is ready for villa otherwise we are fucked
March 28th, 2009 at 20:03
@Traverse: You know, Im available for free! First real training session since December, and I score fucking 5 goals from left back position! Coach said I might be used as a AM or a ST this season because of my finishing. One long range volley, one toe poaker, a free-kick, one cool finish from 10 yards after cutting in from the left and a chip that caught the keeper out from 20 yards. What more can you want? Damn, Im on fire!!!! Five goals, three assists(two of them between the defenders legs(one of those two a rabona)), too-many-to-count fair slide tackles and a clearence off the line. All this is 1 1/2 hours. I know Im just playing in junior sunday league, and none of the other guys were fresh after the winter brea. But all that? Damn, one of the best training sessions Ive ever had!
I know this wont interress many of you, but this side is nearly dead now. Only Dan, Traverse, Phoenix and Rooney have commented today.
March 28th, 2009 at 20:19
Nice, foster gets a half and establishes his self as no.2(atleast) for england.
Jonny evans gets a goal.
Good for united.
March 28th, 2009 at 20:53
I’ve been one guilty of not commenting for a bit… No prizes for guessing why!
Anyways, I thought this was rather funny, despite being some shit written by a dipper.
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,11324.0.html
Also, I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, truth is, I kinda expected it, but some of the Berba bashing here has been done without considering the fact that:
a) Tevez has also had a substantial amount of game time but has not delivered;
b) Ronaldo is nowhere near his form of last season.
People having been accusing Berba of spoiling our attack, but I recall that already in the second half of last season Ronaldo has been running the show, and others not scoring enough.
Sure, recenly Berbatov has been disappointing , and I do rate Ibrahimovic as a better version of him – despite what many said, Ibra was class against us, he literaaly carried all of Inter’s attacking threats – but to all who forgot, here’s a reminder of what Berba is capable of:
http://www.unitedtube.co.uk/video/1032/Dimitar-Berbatov-Goals-And-Skills-08-09
As I already mentioned once on this site, I think berba has yet to show his full repertoire in the red shirt; i.e. distilling delightful balls for others while himself being a scoring menace, which truth be told he’s not done.
Also if the argument about Berba spoiling Ronaldo is indeed true, how would you feel if Ronaldo starts his pining for Madrid scum come the end of the season? there’s a fair amount of chance that the god-only-knows-where I’ll be next season shenanigans start again, and if we were to part with Ronnie, I say better to keep Berbatov and bring in the said replacement – Ribery, Silva or whoever.
March 28th, 2009 at 21:01
@Dan: How was Foster in goal? I expect he didnt do much?
March 28th, 2009 at 21:49
@NicoQB: Your right, he didnt much. He had a couple of back passes to him, in which he would either put his boot into it, upto rooney/crouch(and he was exceptional that, they were all accurate) or just pass out to one of the defenders.
He dealt with a good free kick well also, he organised the wall, to an extent that the free kick travelled right into his hands.
England looked less nervy at the back with him in goal, thats for sure…
March 28th, 2009 at 22:21
Just took a quiz which would say which footballplayer I played like. Result? Michael Essien!
“You are strong like a bull and you never get tired. You are a complete player who is good at everything and you have no weakness, except that you might boil over some times. It hurts to meet you. Your motto is: Kill or be killed!”
Cant say I disagree…
March 28th, 2009 at 22:32
@Dan: Eh no he’s not. He is extremely good at playing as the lead striker. In the Olympics he played there and was magnificent. With a player as good as Aguero once you have him on the pitch he can create something. What’s so bad about having 2 Rooneys btw?
Also Ribery would cost a mint, not 30m. We would also get raped by clubs for all those other players you mentioned
March 28th, 2009 at 23:05
WTF, why does Rio always get this back injury when training for England? I seem to remember the last time we lost him to injury for a few weeks, it happened thru training with England – right? What sort of training do they do, that sets his back injury in motion again? If he is out for a few weeks again, it has come at the most vital part of our season, when Vida is missing, and Evans seems to get the ankle injuries. This is what happened to us at this vital stage of season, the year before last, when AC did us in the CL, because our defence was missing. Strength in depth MY ARSE!
March 28th, 2009 at 23:19
@Dan: I would love it if he made the grade in england. He may not look immediately world class, but probably so would iker casillas if he had had the same career -up to now- as Foster.
Clearly Rooney is our offensive player of the year, ahead of Giggs even. Such a shame that he gets injured and/or suspended once in a while. If in any coming years he manages to complete a season to the full, with a good preseason, no injuries and limited suspensions, he will very probably be a contender for player of the year, mark my words.
March 28th, 2009 at 23:36
Strange, no Nani for Portugal that I saw. Are we sure he’s not hurt? Might explain his rather lengthy absence.
Quieroz should just come back now…
March 28th, 2009 at 23:39
@Liam: On your 1st point, no, aguero is a second striker, not a main striker, you cant use a pathetic competition like the Olympics, or internationals in general to back your argument.
and hello, theres everything wrong with 2 rooneys, we would be back to square 1, we dont want another rooney, we want a torres, an eto’o or a gomez, a tall goal poacher who will act as the main striker.
At most ribery would cost us £40mil, bayern have all but confirmed hes leaving, and know theres not much they can do about it. And even if he did cost us a lot, who gives to houts about what other clubs think? if we win the CL next season, and sign ribery for £40mil this summer, and clubs give us a hard time, id be a happy man, if we dont sign ribery(or a left winger) and end up with the carling cup next season, with clubs leaving us alone, i wont be a bouncing bunny at all.
March 28th, 2009 at 23:40
@Beachryan: Lord knows id take him in a heart beat!
I would not give a damn if phelan muppet through his toys out the pram.
March 29th, 2009 at 0:24
@Beachryan: I don’t think Portugal will pick Nani to play, when he isn’t getting regular PL football at United. If the lad wants to progress, and play again internationally, he needs to get the fuck out of United in the summer. No doubt about it.
March 29th, 2009 at 0:34
@NicoQB: “how would you feel if Ronaldo starts his pining for Madrid scum come the end of the season?”
Be the final straw for me!! With Tevez, Nani and Ando representing big question marks on our roster, I’d say sell him and splash the cash on 2 maybe 3 big midfield and attacking names.
If we don’t sign Tevez (and I hope we don’t) we save 30m. Nani and Ando should fetch 15-20m and if we play our cards right we could get 65-85m for Ronaldo. So low end would give us 110m net and with some owner cash thrown in for regular yearly transfer expenditure, you could well be looking at 140m to spend.
Wow, wonder what we could get for that kind of dinero!!
March 29th, 2009 at 0:52
@Dan: You mention getting a Torres. Interesting thought, but would they sell to us (at any price).
He’s probably the one perfect fit for us, fast, strong and tricky. Wonder what the greedy Lpool owners would do if we put a very, very, strong offer on their table??
March 29th, 2009 at 2:23
@Redrich: Sorry, but this sounds a bit too much like Football manager.
And remember football clubs all around europe know that we’re donkeys when going for transfer deals – we always buy expensive and sell on the cheap!
Standard player prices simply don’t apply to us, unfortunately.
In this sense Arsenal are maybe among the toughest drivers for a bargain, Arshavin for 11m? Already starting to look like a steal.
Anyway, in my book, if Ronaldo leaves, no way should we sell Nani – he may take on a more prominent role and maybe finally find his feet. Of course we should buy some potent replacement, but I’ve always been against major overhauls of players, especially when we’re talkling of established first team players. Change a maximum of 1 in an area of play: winger, CMs, Forwards…
Why would Torres leave liverpool for us. Players don’t automatically look for the best team out there, but also for a team they feel comfortable in. The strong spanish contingent at liverpool makes it next to impossible for us to get him. Right now our player niches are in eastern europe and poruguese speaking players (used to be at least…)
@Redrich:
Now this is just …
I would actually love it if David Villa joined us, but I’m not harbouring illusions. FSW already has created a little spanish haven on merseyside and spanish internationals are much more likely to look forward to playing there rather than at OT.
March 29th, 2009 at 2:25
@NicoQB: Sorry not David Villa, I meant David Silva!
March 29th, 2009 at 3:10
@NicoQB: I just think that we have invested heavily in younger players over the last couple of seasons and the time comes when a decision has to made on whether their potential will ever be met (with United).
This could be true with Nani and Ando. Nani, given time, may catch on, but he could force a transfer if we don’t start giving him some hope for regular playing time.
Ando actually seems out of his league, with the PL not giving him the kind of time he needs on the ball. His haste in passing and especially shooting illustrates his frustration. The decision to keep him based on him adapting would be a risky one to say the least and would perhaps destroy what could, otherwise be a successful career. With Hargo coming back he certainly could be expendable!
The situation on Tevez and Ronaldo would not seem to be up to us. If indeed the Tevez camp sticks to its asking price, I would doubt very much that he will stay.
Ronaldo, who has tested the patience of the fans, his teammates and managment alike for at least the last 10 months will find little sympathy with anyone if he pulls the RM crap again. SAF would have little choice but to send him packing.
Your points are well taken though. On the face of it, my post did come across as an attempt to balance the United budget so that we could go on a huge spending spree. However, I do see potential for these scenarios actually coming to fruition and so I would pose the question again, who would we spend that kind of cash on??
The thought on Torres is really just whimsical, but I can’t help feel that Hicks and Gillette might just do something as self-destructive as that to pad their own pockets for the short term!!
March 29th, 2009 at 9:28
rumors say that rooney and fergie had a fight after liverpool’s game thats why he was benched for fullham
March 29th, 2009 at 10:29
@ Roooooney – I heard the ‘rumour’ was made up on a forum, as a joke to see if it could make the ‘real’ newspapers. I’m not worried
March 29th, 2009 at 10:48
@Redrich: i dont want torres, i want a torres type striker.
Or primed henry, a player that will get us goals and is a proper striker.
But i fear this will not happen as long as phelan muppet is here.
If CQ was here, rooney would be played as a second striker, not a main one, just look at his england performance, thats how he is supposed to be played, with a mani striker ahead of him. If fergie bought any striker in the world, he would be playing off rooney, instead of infront.
stupid fergie!
March 29th, 2009 at 10:52
Mark Lawrenson was saying though that IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE in the football world that Fergie and Rooney have an ONGOING problem, and I wouldn’t be totally suprised if it was true to be honest. Why the fuck would Fergie put Rooney on the bench for the Fulham game otherwise – a game WE had to win? Our players looked so FLAT and spirits dampened in that game, UNTIL Rooney came on, and the players responded to that. Maybe they all knew something we didn’t, same goes for leaving Carrick out. We will not WIN the PL if Fergie keeps shaking things up, and pissing about with team selection. We need a settled team for the rest of our games this season, once Vida and Rooney get back from their bans.
March 29th, 2009 at 10:56
If Real M are TRULY offering 100 million pounds for Ronnie, I think we should let him go, because he is going to go eventually, and each year we bloody mindedly keep him, the price will go down, and we will kick ourselves for not striking while the iron is hot.
March 29th, 2009 at 11:13
@Craig Mc: I agree, i think we should try and sign ribery first, really, really, early, then let him go.
I think we would play hargo on the right, ribery on the left, and carrick with a proper box-to-box midfielder next to him(hopefully an on form anderson).
March 29th, 2009 at 11:40
@Dan: I think Hargo would be more useful as a CDM he is bought to be. When we finally have a true heir to Roy Keane, hard tackling and such, I dont want us to waste him on the wing. The only reason he played there against Chelski in the Champions League final was because Scholes HAD TO play, and Carrick is our first choice midfielder most days.
If we could get Ribery, it would be great. I read somewhere(dunno where) that Ribery could go for around £40 million. I wouldnt care about other fans saying we “buy our way to success”, because we then know how to invest. I dont want us to sell Ronaldo, but if Real come up with a £100 million bid I would take it. But Fergie wouldnt do it, he doesnt want to. So we can wave good bye to that thought!
March 29th, 2009 at 11:47
@RedDevilEddy: believe ir or not, hargos abilities is better suited on the wing then on the middle.
Hargo is best at crossing(best crosser at united actually), tackling, his vision and his pace.
In the middle, only his vision and tackling are utilised. On the wing(or at right back), his vision, tackling, crossing and pace are all utilised.
Against most teams in the league i reckon hell play on the wing, against chelsea, liverpool and CL teams hell play in the centre.
March 29th, 2009 at 11:58
I wouldnt say no to an Aguero. I would be surprised if Fergie hadnt thought about buying him, because he is the closest you can come to Maradona(who is Fergies, Rios, Waynes, Giggsys and other United players fave ever player). Forget Messi, if Aguero played for Barca he would make Messi look like Oshea.
Just kidding of cource, but in my mind he is better than Messi.
As a striker, he has the right mentality. Instead of Rooneys “win, win”, Berbas “Very nice!” and Tevezs “Im a dog” mentality, this is a lad that goes out on the pitch to score as many goals as possible. And that is good. Because he plays for Atletico he wouldnt cost more than £30 million. You guys seem to have lost it when it comes to buying players. “Aguero wouldnt go for less than £80 million”. BULLSHIT!!! These are undoable prices, and they want to keep a respect. Kaka aint worth £50 million, Ribery aint worth £40, fucking Ronaldo aint worth £80! These are galactic prices that are a shame to football. Torres was sold for £26 million, and he was much higher rated than Aguero is. So I highly doubt Aguero would cost over 30 million. He would blend in perfectly with United, and I love the kid. He is the perfect striker, albeit from height. But that shouldnt be such a big problem, because we dont score many headed goals from open play anyway. And to be honest, watching most of the chances we score this season, the chances we create from crosses are from hard and low Ronaldo crosses which dip right in front of the keeper. Agueros reaction would be perfect for that!
March 29th, 2009 at 12:12
@Redrich: Anderson to me is a hugely talented boy with no footballing brain. It is telling that our best CM in the ferguson years, Roy Keane, was a moderately talented footballer with drive and a good footballing brain. The way its going Anderson is certainly not going to make the grade. Let’s hope I’m wrong.
About Hargreaves: I know he’s a very good DM and all but for me personally I still have quesstions about whether hes the wotrld class DM come CM we need. He has never performed for us the way he did in his career making england performances. Sure I rate him at RB, and has impressed me as a defensive RM who can cross (unlike Park) but he doesn’t strike me as a sweet passer of the ball – short passes I mean, the kind Keane excelled at. Anyway I guess the Keane, Scholes vintage partnership spoiled me!
@Dan: Sign Ribery first? Then the signal to all concerned will be that Ronaldo is off! MAdrid being the scum the are will probably look to get Ronnie for less than 40m! And Ribery is not going to come on the cheap, but hopefully the dragging contract negotiations will play in our hands.
However if we sell Ronaldo before going for Ribery then Bayern know that we want to buy and can ask for a high price!
Hmmm… Dare I mention it? The magic words: Fee + player
Say, 15m + Nani for Ribery.
Whats depressing however is that 3 or 4 years ago Ribery was available for just about the same fee wee spent on Nani.
@Craig Mc: 100m? No way. Real will want to drive a had bagain knowing that Ronaldo wants to go there. We’ll be lucky if we get 60m.
March 29th, 2009 at 12:20
@RedDevilEddy: Whenever United go for any player of renown, they have to pay 8m extra – I call it the United-milk-them-for-all-its-worth syndrome.
Arsenal and liverpool can drive a bargain. We are just donkeys on the transfer market, sorry.
March 29th, 2009 at 12:47
@RedDevilEddy: don’t forget they signed him for 20m
Cech, Ronaldinho, Arshavin were all made big stars because of WC’s and Euros so maybe it is. The Olympics had a lot of top quality players at it and Aguero shone. He scored again for Argentina yesterday. Good goal, something you’d see from an Eto’o or Torres, which brings me to my next point. If he is a SS then how come he didn’t work with Torres?
@Dan:
March 29th, 2009 at 12:54
@Dan: A proper striker? How about Guillaume Hoarau?
He’s been on fire recently. He’s not as good technically as Benzema, but he’s a monster in the air (Watch closely the end of the video!
):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpAQjW7f9-I
A few good shots too:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX840KRcfVQ
Certainly better than Gomez, imho.
March 29th, 2009 at 13:34
@NicoQB: Mate you are dead wrong about Hargo. A fully fit Hargo played brilliantly and held his place in the Bayern Munich MF for a good few years. He excelled in the CL games United played against Bayern home and at OT. He was outstandingly good for England in the world cup – our best player by far, better than Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick put together. HE IS A WINNER, he has a winning mentality, and proved that at OT last season, and he was only 70% fit. All I can say mate, is that you have never seen a fully fit, 100% hargreaves in action. End of!
With regards to Ronnie and 100 million that is the price the media in Spain are quoted as saying Real M are putting together to get him in the summer. If that is true, then we should snatch their hands off, that is all I am saying.
March 29th, 2009 at 13:59
@Liam: Out of that list, the onlu player to make it big out of an international tournament was arshavin in the euros.
The other players were stars before and after international tournaments.
Wow, it must take sheer class to score against the defence of venezuela
, just because hes a second striker, doesnt mean he’ll automatically play well with a main striker. But anyway, what makes you think they didnt work well?
March 29th, 2009 at 14:13
@Craig Mc: You said it yourself, mate: Fully Fit!!
Anyway, my point was that I was yet to see Hargo dominate the center of the park like Keane or Makelele did at their peak. Heck, even Anderson produced that kind of performance against one Fabregas. Up to now I only can only remember one striking performance of his under a red shirt, that was when he played RM – forgot the match… Added to the fact that while he’s obviously a very good crosser, I’ve got more reservations about his “keep it simple” passing skills, where Keane excelled at.
100Million? I’d drive ronnie personally to the bernabeu for that kind of money. But one thing I learned not to trust is spanish media. They are all the lapdogs of the bosses at Real.
March 29th, 2009 at 14:17
Hmm, from my prevous posts it may seem like I’m bashing hargo, which I’m not. I think he’s very good and will be a welcome addition when he comes back. I’m just putting a lid on the general enthusiasm about his return: guys, its not like he’s a messiah and all of our problems, defensive and offensive, will vanish when he comes back. He will still have to get his feet back coming from a long lay-off and that can take as long as three months!
March 29th, 2009 at 15:28
Fans cant stand to hear Ronaldo talk about leaving the club but “sell” him to Madrid in each post.Let me ask,Why are we the best team in the world?We have the best players.Why would we swap that for 100 mil?what would you get for that money?gomez,marin,beckham,keane,djemba,zidan,..bottom line,it will not be worth it.
This is a team that has been built for over 5 years now.Why would you want to experiment with selling the very pillars of the team?
March 29th, 2009 at 15:29
I just realised something, the 5th of this month was the 2nd anniversary of redrants.com!
2 years and still going strong
March 29th, 2009 at 15:34
@donibrasco: Because this team isnt perfect, so we need to make sacrifices to make it perfect.
March 29th, 2009 at 15:38
Iam sure there are people with imagination that with Ronaldo gone Rooney will blossom.Wake up.He is what he is.A promising talent not yet a star.The Britney Spears of English football.
March 29th, 2009 at 15:43
Dan,you dont sacrifice your heart for shit.
March 29th, 2009 at 16:02
@donibrasco: Oh so riberys shit and rooneys the britney spears of football
Go back in your whole you scouse!
Ronaldo is hardly the heart or our team, more like the cancer!
March 29th, 2009 at 16:26
@Dan: Calling Ronnie a cancer is pushing it a bit, but I do agree about your trend of thought.
And while Ronnie is a prick, Ribery is apparently a loveable guy. The smile of dwight yorke, a practical joker and a down to earth guy.
@donibrasco: Do you go by the name of didsbury king on ROM, perchance?
March 29th, 2009 at 17:48
My high school/6th form is on bbc right now
March 29th, 2009 at 18:09
@NicoQB: “100Million? I’d drive ronnie personally to the bernabeu for that kind of money.”
And i’d carry his bags!!
March 29th, 2009 at 18:20
@donibrasco: Point is, if he starts on again about a move to RM, no one, and I mean, no one is going to put up with it.
SAF won’t want to, but will have no choice, but to move him on.
This really is all up to Ronnie himself. Keep he’s fucking trap shut and he stays. Start up that old dialog again and he’s out.
Entirely his choice!!
March 29th, 2009 at 18:44
@donibrasco: If you think Britney Spears is not a star, I really do have to question what fucking planet you actually live on
.
March 29th, 2009 at 19:37
@donibrasco: So Rooney isn’t a star, but just a promise?? You now amuse us as well.. good going!
March 29th, 2009 at 20:49
Where the fuck is Grognard?! He hasnt commented for three days.
Im missing you, my friend. 
And where are Stephen, Karl and the rest. Is it holiday times everywhere except for Norway right now?
Im glad Craig, Dan, Nico, Redrich and Rahul are still here commenting, but this site feels al little deserted…
March 29th, 2009 at 21:02
@RedDevilEddy: i agree… ill put it down to the international break and our recent fixtures, or we just didnt get the memo
March 29th, 2009 at 21:04
@Craig Mc: found that comment hilarious
How come when Rooney is given a pretty free role for England he plays like god’s gift to football? Wake up Fergie! Oh and btw, this ‘fight’ with Fergie is BS imo. They probably had an argument and it’s being blown out of proportion. Also who the fuck is Mark Lawrenson? Scouse prick.
March 29th, 2009 at 21:06
@Dan: If it is down to our recent fixtures, well that says a lot ABOUT the kind of fans they are
. I don’t think it is that though, I think it is just the international break, and nothing really happening of discussion worth. It will all start up again next weekend.
March 29th, 2009 at 21:09
@Dan:
I know I have easter holidays next week, but I dunno if its started anywhere else… Hopefully its the fucking international break, which I hate. 
At least I can play football instead of worrying if I will miss a UNited game because of practice/games. This season will hopefully be my big breakthrough. Ive kept fit the whole winter, Ive gotten stronger, faster and better leap, and it looks like my mind are seeing things I wouldnt have seen before on the pitch. Heres hoping you guys hear my name in the United academy/reserves/first team(
) in a years time!
March 29th, 2009 at 21:12
@Craig Mc: At least we are showing ourselves as loyal fans!
I think this place has become a place of transfer spculation! I bet The Sun or some other fucking rumour paper will have some of our “wishes” in the footballing section tomorrow. When we can start talking about a really United-related discussion, we will all be back! And to end this comment: I HATE INTERNATIONAL BREAKS!!!
March 29th, 2009 at 21:12
@Liam: Something happened though Liam for Rooney to be left out at Fulham, and not to be brought on a hell of a lot sooner. Whatever happened, I truly believe Fergie cost us that game, and it could prove costly in retaining the title. I cannot fathom the team selections of Fergie sometimes. He has gotten away with a lot of one nils this season, but yet he thinks we are still playing top class football. I don’t – sorry! I sure hope Fergie climbs down and plays the same team for our remaining games, and I hope it is our strongest team of players – otherwise –
.
March 29th, 2009 at 21:19
@Liam: When we beat Roma 7-1 in 2007, we played three players in free-role behind Alan Smith, who ran until he threw up his lungs! Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were those three “free-rolers”. Rooney scored one. Ronaldo scored two and set up one. While Ryan Giggs set up a total of 4 goals!
But Rooney played one of his best games for us. I wish we could back to that style, as that is when we watch Ronaldo and Rooney at their best. And an offensive midfielder like Giggs or Anderson to play there, it would complete our team.
March 29th, 2009 at 22:11
@NicoQB: “a) Tevez has also had a substantial amount of game time but has not delivered;
“
He didnt deliver last season?
March 29th, 2009 at 22:23
@johnsom33: Lets not become like Liverpool supporters and talk about the past… Its the present that counts, and Tevez has not been worthy of a starting place at West Ham this season. Which saddens me, because I know what quality he has.
March 29th, 2009 at 22:23
@RedDevilEddy: Wierd isn’t it?? Its been 4 full days since the thread started and we haven’t even reached 200 posts yet..
March 29th, 2009 at 22:27
@RedDevilEddy: Maybe if we sign him up and give him some peace of mind about his future.. he would perform better.:wink:
March 29th, 2009 at 23:07
@RedDevilEddy:
Re: Grognard: Yeah, it does feel wrong when you don’t see the usual wall of text cropping up once every 10 comments!
@Liam: I agree about Rooney playing very very well under Capello.
So… A viable alternative for the dreaded day of Fergie’s retirement? I wasn’t too impressed by Capello when he was first appointed as england coach, but he does look competent, much more than either Mcclaren or “it”!
People up till now have been touting Martin O’neill and Maureen but maybe Don Fabio is one potential client we should be considering! At least we know that we would be getting the best out of Rooney! I just hope that he would not buy Ivanhoe Heskey to do so.
Any thoughts?
March 29th, 2009 at 23:22
@NicoQB: It’s interesting though, that Rooney is more effective playing off a big, strong CF. It’s something he hasn’t had since he began his career with United.
Without that powerful presence up front, he tries to do it all himself, usually running down the ball and away from the goal!
March 29th, 2009 at 23:29
@johnsom33: Berbatov delivered too last season, fact is, statiscally speaking in terms of goals/assists ratio I think he was only third behind Ronaldo and Rooney.
Also both Berba and Rooney have a creative part to their game that Tevez doesn’t have – he’s not the guy likely to provide assists to others (yes I haven’t forgotten the Berbatov goal but that was just the one I can remember). But still if the asking price for him is lowered i’d be willing to go for the gamble. But at 20million+ I say thanks but no thanks.
Also we all know the thing about form being temporary. Even if Tevez does recapture his form, considering the uncertainty about Ronaldo’s future, would you be happy if we have only Rooney and Tevez in our attack?
For me Tevez and Rooney are too similar for their own good. Last season it worked when Ronaldo was having the season of his life, but will this always be the case? Most of us agree that its not likely to be the case.
Also have you just seen how Rooney thrives with a real big man as his partner in attack – Berbato, I think we all agree, is not your archetypal big man despite what was claimed when he was bought.
Have you checked the youtube I posted about this guy Hoarau? He is a proven goal machine who I’m sure would be available for less than redtev.
As for Berbatov, we all know that he has the skills necessary to shine.
And for a time he did show us enough to promise a succesful integration to the side but we all agree that recently he has been crap. Right now unfortunately he looks more like another Veron than a Cantona, but I’m willing to give him another season. Vidic, Evra and I’m sure other players have taken time to fit into their teams. Heck, 90 days ago I think most people here were happy with Berbatov…
March 29th, 2009 at 23:38
@Redrich: MAybe Van Nistelrooy, but at the time Wayne was the rough, unpolished diamond that I think most people preferred to the plain boring crazy Wayne of nowadays!
What is it? Four years now?
At the time he didn’t have the footballing brain he has nowadays but his natural skills were so much more sharper. Oh, dang, instant nostalgia!
March 29th, 2009 at 23:48
@NicoQB: Capello would be a good candidate for sure.. but even he’s old and would only be around for a short while. But apart from that, he’d be a great shout!
March 29th, 2009 at 23:51
If only Berbatov would start shooting on goal again… we would not have to rack our brains so much.
March 30th, 2009 at 2:12
@NicoQB: I think someone, a while back, said to me that Berbatov would not be sold regardless of his season or whether he’s fitting into the mold or not. The reasoning was that SAF would never buy and sell the same player that quickly.
At the time I felt I was ready to cut and run with this guy because as a out and out striker he was beginning to hurt my eye balls. That and the fact he appears to be either lazy, unfit, or just plain out of his class. But thinking about him a little more I’m getting the impression he is just not a go-to kind of player!
Assuming he won’t be sold, he should be on the bench!! I know, I know, why the fuck would we spend that kind of money on a bench-warmer!! But hear me out here – SAF has tried to mold our attack incorporating him intrinsically, it hasn’t worked because he’s not the go-to man. Develop the attacking strategy with Rooney and a big, big target man, if it’s not working add Berbatov at some point in the game to add a little finesse to the proceedings.
This way we have more of a 3 dimensional approach to our attacking thrust, Berbatov would have more energy to do those special little things that he does (someone remind what the fuck they are), there would be less pressure on him, he would sulk less and maybe score more!!
The whole idea of SAF trying to build our attack around him really depresses me because of the lack of energy there. The Fulham game spoke volumes about him, and at the very beginning of Book 1 it says “Do not, under any circumstance, play this man as a lone striker”. So lets go with flow here, give him the low profile he seems to want, bring him into games when the situation suits him (and United), build on our future on somebody else, and who knows, he may regain some stature and then we could then sell him and regain some of our 30m!!
March 30th, 2009 at 2:20
@RedDevilEddy: Have no fear mate, I’m still here.
I’ve been busy this past weekend working at a sports memorabilia convention and so I have had very little time at home and I’ve been to knackered to get on the computer. Besides, nothing and I mean nothing bores me more than international breaks. I couldn’t care less about England, Germany, Portugal, France, Holland etc at a time like this when our season hangs by a thread and we have to take a two week break for this poorly scheduled nonsense. I can’t wait until next week when things will go back to normal and hopefully United lay a king size whooping on Villa’s collective asses. Until then I shall be quiet because talking international rubbish bores me and fantasy talk about who we should buy is even worse. I’m more worried about United right now and what they can do to win the three remaining competitions they are in.
By the way I told off a couple of Scouser fanatics today at the show. Walking by and wearing their Gerrard shirts I basically decided to tell them to sod the fuck off and use those shirts to wipe their scouser asses. Bunch of fucking wankers. They took the insults like I was teasing them. I wasn’t. I was in a bad mood, my back was killing me and I felt like feasting on scouser bologna. One group I can’t be friendly or civil to because these thieves and criminals don’t deserve politeness.
March 30th, 2009 at 2:50
@Grognard: Hey Grog, welcome back!!
What makes you think that things have ever been normal??
March 30th, 2009 at 7:15
@Dan: I don’t think we need new signings. I believe we already have the finest team at OT. They just need to learn to play as a team, and the coaching staff need to find a way to get the best out of each player.
I know the team currently seems a bit unbalanced, but that’s just the way they are being employed. In our current state, adding some more signings I fear will destabilise the team even further.
The important thing is, SAF needs to fix first before he can even think of looking at new signings.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:20
I was bored so I watched that famous 7-1 thrashing of Roma from 2007. Why we don’t play with that breakout pace and intuitive passing style is beyond me? Amazing how well we played that night with O’Shea, Fletcher and Smith out there and now we have supposedly far superior players who can contribute and we play like shite. Why?
One thing I was blown away by was how different and how much better Ronaldo was back then. If anybody doesn’t think he is dogging it this season, please watch that game and you will see that he is playing at half speed and his moves are not the same moves that this lad used back then. He ran at players with pace and his moves were electric. Now he seems slower and his moves are predictable and transparent. I love Ronny but I do believe it’s time to ship him off to Spain. His best years are still in front of him, he’s not washed up, but he is not committing himself at his very best for United any longer. And not one dive or bitch session in the whole game. Nowadays, you get a dozen dives and a dozen bitch fests per game. I’m sick of it and I am getting sick of him. When he cared about us and the team, he played with passion and more control. It’s clear to me after watching that flashback game that he clearly is not happy or content playing for Man Utd any longer. It pains me to come to that realization.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:23
@Grognard: I saw that too. I told you a while ago, after the Scouse loss, that I watched that game and it made me realise a lot of things. IT made me feel better after that game, thats for sre. But I still cant help but wonder why we dont play like that these days. I know games as that are just one-offs, but if we had set our chances last season we would have gotten a lot of those. So last season, each game was practically perfect. Why did we change that?
About Ronaldo, I agree. I will ot have to write a long response to that, because I feel you put it right. ALthough, he played like that in many games last season. HE seems to have lost that free-role that really is his position, where Rooney and Giggsy also play their best games. And believe it or not, the power and aggressivness we had in Smudge up top really helped too. I miss those days…
March 30th, 2009 at 9:30
My point was missed by most of you,so i will break it down.
1-We have a crop of talented players,one of the best in the world.We should stop trying to “SELL” some of them(Ronaldo,Berba Nani) out of sentiment.Trying to replace them with the ribbery and the likes,however good is doing another experiment that may or may not work.
2-That the continuing blame on selected players and praise for others does not help.Scholes and Rooney get foolish red cards,the manager selects a funny team,and who is to blame,the ref,and Ronaldo.You dont believe me,check throught the posts.
3-Ronaldo,Nani come from a different footballing philosophy from the British one.If you have ever seen most portuguese,they go down easily,it is basically,the latin players.Figo,Deco,Quaresma,etc,Nuno gomez looked like a girl.Messi himself complained against Rangers saying they are anti football for hard tackling and speed.Generally,roughness to him.I doubt he would fare any different in the premiership.
4-Iam not anti Rooney as most of you put it.But aside from being a United fan,do you believe he makes the top 4 strikers in the league?I dont see it that way,some of you do.fair,a case of half empty half full.
5-Te difference between us and many teams over these two years we have won trophies has been Ronaldo.The team performed well,but He was the difference.
Rant over.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:33
@Grognard: Ronaldo doesn’t have the liberty to roam anywhere this season. And he has way too much to offer to be just stuck on the wing, which he has been this season for the most part. But of course that doesn’t mean I condone some of his behaviour that have been negative to say the least.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:37
@Karl: Great point, we have a superb squad so no real need to buy unless we sell, we will have hopefully Hargo back next season the proverbial “having him back is like signing a new player”.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:48
@donibrasco: I don’t think any of us MISSES you points at all, we JUST DON’T AGREE with most of them – end of. I do not like the Rooney temperament and hotheaded outbursts and schoolgirl tantrums, but I believe perhaps he could be up there amongst the top 4 strikers, IF he was played in his right and most effective position. Which he seldom is, so as to accomodate Ronnie, Berba and uncle Tom Cobbley and all. So NO I don’t agree with your assessment at all. I believe that we should let Ronnie go and find another replacement, and NOBODY is indispensible, because he has Spain and Real M particularly in his heart, and because his behaviour on the field has become a huge embarrassment this season. He is going to go to Spain sometime, that is so patently bloody obvious to everybody but you it seems, so we should let him go while we can still get bloody good money to find his replacement. And like I said, everybody is replaceable.
As to the latin mentality for falling down, and rolling around when not seriously hurt, but trying to con the ref, NO it is NOT acceptable in our league, and shouldn’t be acceptable anywhere – it’s called cheating. Besides it’s a mans game that is played in England, and we don’t need players squeeling like the ladies every time somebody makes contact with them. ONly point I would agree on is that Ronnie is mercilessly clobbered by aggressive defenders, but instead of getting up, shrugging it off, and going on to embarrass the defenders by scoring great goals, as he used to do in his one important season last year, he does the opposite now, and pouts, and argues, and cries at every decision. So I’ll be buggered if I will applaud the latin art of rolling about with every physical contact. It is not just the latins though, Gerrard has made a work of art of diving.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:51
@donibrasco: I’d like to objectively look at your post and put forth my thoughts without any bias or consideration to the accusations that you’re scouse..
1 – Who was really ever serious about selling Berba or Nani. We just want Berbatov to behave like a striker and Nani to get games. For Ronaldo, even though there are some who say we should sell him.. they would ask a King’s ransom for him (which I doubt RM will pay). Personally I’d let him rot in the stands here. Speculation on new purchases, is a great pastime for international breaks.
2 – Technically nothing we do on this blog helps. Then of course, we must vent it out nonetheless!
3 – Ronaldo is most welcome to go down after a challenge. But then he should get the fuck up and go run after the fucking ball, not pose as a statuette of despair.
4 – Firstly why does Rooney have to be a top-4 striker??? This isn’t exactly American Idol here. Secondly, who would you get in your top 4 strikers in the league before Rooney??? Also Rooney is much more than a striker.
5 – That I would agree to entirely.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:58
@Grognard: You couldn’t care LESS about GERMANY –
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March 30th, 2009 at 10:00
The Dutch, German players go down like a hooker on prom night, so saying only Latin players dive is utter rubbish.
Rooney is cetainly one of the top four strikers in this country no doubt.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:31
@Rahul: Bro – “this isn’t exactly American Idol here” – REALLY? I could have sworn it was, with the mention of Britney Spears and GirlsAloud’s gorgeous Kimberley Walsh
.
As for Nani, I was serious about selling the lad in the summer, for his own sake, progression, and playing time, he needs to be the fuck anywhere but United!
March 30th, 2009 at 10:35
@Stephen: Now Stephen Bro – how do you know so much about how hookers go down on prom nights?
. Your missus could be reading this 
.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:48
@Craig Mc: Good point, that post was from another Stephen!! Imposter!!
March 30th, 2009 at 10:52
@Craig Mc: Its E!news!
March 30th, 2009 at 10:58
@Craig Mc: I would give Nani a few games, he is the best crosser at the club, we have a 6ft 2 striker why not get some crosses into him?
March 30th, 2009 at 11:42
Whats with all the noise about Rooney and Fergie’s quarrel doing the rounds??
March 30th, 2009 at 11:51
My point remains,whichever player we bring in that is not used to the British style of play will be criticized of diving if he is clobbered by the no nonsense defenders.
The days of hard men like keane are long gone so what we have now is a new crop of players that are more concerned about staying fit and their future.Skillful players though.
You wonder why instead of john hatson we have torres,and instead of beckham we have ronaldo?the answer is simple.This league is officially the best.We have the best players and they come with a baggage.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:53
Was Van Nistelroy a diver?
March 30th, 2009 at 12:11
@Stephen: FFS Stephen, add something to your signature name for posting, I want to know it is YOU I am talking to. I am so confused just now Bro – so please, add a letter to your name or something –
.
March 30th, 2009 at 12:15
Stephen, what about Stephen (not the imposter) sig, so we all know its you Bro
.
March 30th, 2009 at 12:51
Capello seems to be getting something out of Rooney that Fergie isn’t and I don’t think it’s just down to the position he’s being given on the field. I love Rooney but I don’t enjoy watching him when his dander is too much up.
I have taught for 32 years and the more recent of those have seen an annual growth of pupils with serious anger issues. The very worst way to relate to them is by out-shouting them. They need a calm environment to flourish. My fear is that Fergie is too volatile for the likes of Rooney and it is the Italian’s calmer approach that has both gained Roo’s respect and allowed him to play with a smile on his face.
Fabio has publicly spoken very highly of Rooney and obviously sees him as an outstanding talent. He said he will sacore goals – and hey presto, that is exactly what he has done. Neither was Rooney’s England performance lacking in chasing down opponents, as many seem to suggest is what happens if he reins in his spikiness.
For me, Rooney is far and away our most important player. Even last year, Ronnie was not half the player without him. If his discipline issues are sorted out he will prove to be a Utd legend and an all-time great. I would like to see Capello here to oversee that rise to the top of the game.
March 30th, 2009 at 14:36
@donibrasco: Yes
March 30th, 2009 at 14:36
@Craig Mc: Ha ha it is me mate!!
March 30th, 2009 at 17:04
New post up folks.
March 30th, 2009 at 17:59
@Craig Mc: I love Germany but I hate my domestic season being interrupted by these annoying friendly matches as well as these bloated overloaded World Cup Qualifiers. Germany should never have to play an outfit like frakken Liechtenstein. It’s a joke and a huge waste of time. Another tier of world cup qualifying needs to be introduced that will place 20 or so of these European Minnows like San Marino, Liechtenstein etc and from them perhaps 2 move on to and get into a qualifying round with Europe’s elite. It would mean fewer teams and fewer games to qualify. Above all, it would require fewer interruptions of domestic seasons, especially this late in a season. Yes I love the World Cup but I am not impressed with the long useless road that is traveled to get there. I also am not a big fan of having great and tested teams needing to qualify. Why should Italy, Germany, England, France, Holland and Spain have to? Fuck fairness, these teams have history and pedigree and should automatically be invited to a tournament like that as should Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. All past winner in fact should definitely get an automatic exemption. Let them schedule friendlies when it’s convenient in order to prepare their teams instead of risking injuries in these often bitter qualifiers. For me protecting the interests of Manchester United and Bayern are number one and international teams can sod off. Fatigue and injuries and making a season already too long even longer is screwing up the game.
Why can’t they schedule all the qualifiers for a month of football after the EPL season. This could shorten the EPL season in terms of weeks by eliminating those international breaks and tightening the EPL campaign so much so, that the season could end in April rather than May. Internationals could be played in May and the player could still have two months off afterwards. Seems to make sense to me without messing with club team’s potential for silverware by risking further injuries and fatigue amongst it’s star players.
March 30th, 2009 at 18:00
@Craig Mc: Has he considered Newcastle?
March 30th, 2009 at 18:06
@Stephen: Thats a false accusations. Every country has some players that dive but German players are not generally divers and very few dutch players are either. Yes there are always the Robben’s and the Klinsmann’s who like to dive a bit but these countries do not have an epidemic of divers and cheats like Latin speaking countries do or even some of the Greeks and Turks. What the Dutch and Germans will do is fake in jury or cry bloody murder when they are fouled. They often make a mountain out of a molehill but they are not serial divers. That’s not to say that foreigners in their leagues don’t dive however.
March 30th, 2009 at 18:15
@TheThreeRs: Rooney’s supporting cast with England plays a different game than United and is designed around getting the ball into spece and crossing into the box as much as possible. They play with less selfishness than United do. Look at Rooney’s two goals for England. A great cross from Becks that Rooney never headed straight to the keeper like he does for us, but instead found the corner and a great pass from Lampard that found a composed Rooney take his time and make a great move before calmly placing the ball in the goal rather than try to kill it when he plays with us. Better service and more composure under Capello is my point.
For United Rooney lacks the composure and lets face it, he does not get that kind of service, especially crosses that lead to goals. And although he still scores for us, he does have a tendency to try to hard and be asked to expound too much energy doing the work of others instead of concentrating on his own. Capello knows his strategy and tactics and he obviously has the power and respect to get his players to fear him or they will not be picked in the future. Rooney doesn’t have a worry with Fergie it seems. It seems that he can get away with murder and there lies the problem. A breakdown in discipline and it all leads to a manager who was the best that ever was but who I personally feel has bottled it of late and gone ultra conservative and overly calm. He needs to twist off a bit and let players like Rooney and Ronaldo know that they do not run the asylum. When he does that, he will get the Rooney you see playing for England. As for Ronaldo, he seems a lost cause to me.
March 30th, 2009 at 22:39
@Grognard: rooney does need that firm hand but I agree with you that Ronnie seems a bit of a lost cause now. The amount of heartache he has caused genuine Utd fans since last year’s double is immeasurable. He’s not enough of a team player for me and his petulance is cringeworthy.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:53
@Stephen: You fecker, you mean there isn’t a Stephen imposter, just you playing silly devils?
.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:54
@Craig Mc: