Jan 26
On Shirt Sponsors and United’s Injuries
After successfully overcoming gruelling trips, and battling debilitating illnesses I come before you to do what used to be a daily routine of mine — writing about Manchester United.
I’ve missed reporting, analysing, ranting on my share of United related stories, so I shall hope to make up for the negligence in due course — however impossible it might seem.
To start this off, it’s a nice feeling to be top of the table for now and the impressive form shown by the lads in the face of crumbling hamstrings, calfs and ankles is, well, impressive. True, we cannot even begin comparing ourselves with the likes of Barcelona on the pitch, but considering the nature of hurdles the team has faced this season — you know what I mean — I can say I am pleased we are still in contention for all four trophies. This is a dogged United side that, for all it’s relative lack of offensive bite this season, just wouldn’t cede ground easily. [This line was written with the dread that it could bite me in the arse come Tuesday against West Brom.] If the lads can grit their teeth and eke out results for the next two weeks, the world champions can be good value for at least three out of four trophies this season. [I assume Evra, Rio, Rooney might return in two weeks' time.]
There has been much talk about our prospective sponsors. Saudi Telecom had prominently cropped up earlier and much was made about how wrong it is from a political and human rights standpoint to accept money from the Saudi Royal family. I am not willing to make political statements on this blog, but the Glazers have already shown a willingness to do business with the Saudi Sheikhs in the past. So a deal with them, in the current economic climate, would make sense to the American owners from a pure business standpoint. The other name that’s been more talked about lately, the India-based Sahara group — which has been inaccurately labelled as a financial services group in various media circles — looks like a proven bankable option. They are a huge business conglomerate that encompass various sectors including financial services, real estate and, until recently, aviation. They are the shirt sponsors of the Indian cricket team which is an ongoing four year deal worth $70 million (AIG’s deal with United was about $76 million for four years). The Indian cricket team, it must be said especially for those outside cricketing circles, is a multi-million dollar brand; the country’s cricket board is comfortably worth well over $2 billion dollars. And Sahara’s desire and history of being associated with big brands would tie in nicely with United. Although the question would be how much of a hit Sahara has taken during this financial crisis.
Also, it is worth noting that United have contacted prospective sponsors, so there may yet be new names coming up. Whilst it’s possible the new deal will be more than the AIG one, it remains to be seen how much the recession affects the price sponsors are willing to pay for the famous red shirt.
There is plenty else I’ve missed out waffling on. But they will follow later because it’s time for me to attend to other chores. Over to you.
Related items from Red Rants:- Interview with Aon – Manchester United’s future sponsors
- Manchester United 2007/2008 Home Kit
- Who is your Manchester United’s Player Of The Month for November?
- 09/10 Manchester United Away Kit
- Shirt Numbers Anyone?
Tags: Daily Roundup
January 26th, 2009 at 11:19
I for one would like Sharp on the front of the United shirt. I don’t know there financial standing at this point but I really liked it.Blended quite well with the Dark red shirt
January 26th, 2009 at 11:31
My line up for brom would be
EDVS
Neville De Laet Vida Sheasy
Ronaldo Carrick Scholes Tosic
Berba Tevez
wishful thinking but could happen
January 26th, 2009 at 11:35
Welcome back RedRanter, Ive missed you.
Long time no hear mate, hopefully you are feeling well now. And may United win everything in the future. 
January 26th, 2009 at 11:39
@Nelson: De Laet?! Really? You wanna bring a totally unknown defender at the age of 19, a lad who couldnt even get into the Stoke first team, play against such a physical side like West Brom? Theyve got real power up front, and I wouldnt like give a young defender his debut awat to WBA. We will be killed if we do that! I would play this team:
VDS
Eckersley Vidic Neville Oshea
Ronaldo Carrick Flecther Tosic
Tevez Berbatov
If Ronaldo isnt feeling well I would play Giggs instead, if he get past the fitness test. I dunno how long Fabio is out, but Eckersely can to a decent job I feel against WBA. At least he is not a CB.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:41
I would like United to have Unicef or something like that as sponsor. Barca has got it, Villa have got it, and we are the biggest club in the world and because Giggs and Ole are involved with Unicef that could be a real big chance. Im just afraif that the club will want money for sponsorship. I for one would be delighted with Unicef, it would mean a lot to me.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:43
What do you guys make of Giggs getting a new deal?
January 26th, 2009 at 11:43
Flip I hpe we get the Saudi’s…Those fellas are rolling in the MEGA MEGA bucks!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:47
RedDevilEddy Thats why I said its wishful thinking.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:57
RedDevilEddy. If next season he agrees to play less games and the starlets get the lion’s share of game time then fine but to be honest I wish he he hangs his boots at the end of the season. I want to see Tosic, Nani, Anderson getting more games because whichever way you look at it his presence might cause hindrance
January 26th, 2009 at 12:22
@ RDE – Trick with doing Unicef is that it basically slashes our revenue by over £15m per year. That’s no small chunk of change, and I don’t think we’d ever do it. We need a sponsor that can pay as much as AIG, if for no other reason than I bet all of our complicated financing and business case models have that revenue built in.
January 26th, 2009 at 14:04
Good to have you back RR.
There is absolutely no way that Fergie would start both Tosic and Eckersley. Giggs will play in place of Ronaldo, if he doesn’t clear the fitness test, which I hope he doesn’t because, Lord knows, he needs some rest. Is Nani out for the West Brom game? Park’s available? We are really bare to our bones. Fletcher would possibly play as RB.
My team would be:
Fletcher Neville Vidic O’Shea.
Giggs Carrick Gibson Nani/Park
Berba Tevez
I remember Tevez commenting once that it was slightly difficult for him at 24 to play consecutively on sunday/saturday and then on wednesday, he was wondering how the Chelsea guys at an average of 29-30 were coping. This was when some journo asked him about his opinion on SAFs jabs at Chelsea, pre season.
Now, berba is what? 28? how is he coping? I hope he doesnt get injured now. because that would really put our title chances in jeopardy.
January 26th, 2009 at 14:22
Brandy, Macheda, Petrucci, Cleverly and Eckersley are all in the squad for the WBA game… Its looking bleak at the moment.
January 26th, 2009 at 14:42
@RedDevilEddy:
Brandy and Cleverly are out on loan…
January 26th, 2009 at 14:58
@MoYa: Brandy is back from loan.
January 26th, 2009 at 15:08
I think we can get through this.
Berbatov and Tevez Im confident can last the distance. Neither are especially injury prone and while Tevez has a tendency to run himself to the ground we have Giggs able to play as a support striker and perhaps Welbeck will be able to play a bit for us.
Giving Giggs a new deal is a great decision. He can do a job on the left wing, in midfield and as a support striker. That sort of adaptibility is vital during an injury crisis and we seem especially prone to them. He also is great to have to play in the domestic cups alongside the youngsters. He is in much better physical condition than Scholes and what he has lost in speed he makes up for in intelligence and experience.
The big question Im asking is “Where the hell is Manucho?”. How can he possibly not make the bench ahead of guys like Macheda and Petrucci? OK he is not the most skillful player but he is a big, strong lad who is good in the air and that would be a useful option to have if like now we are down to just two strikers.
As far as I am aware Park is out. And I imagine Fergie will rest Ronaldo in the hope he will be fit for the Everton game.
Like Eddy Id be inclined to go with experience in central defence. Neville and Vidic if possible and O’Shea and Vidic if Neville is out. Then we can slot Fletcher and Eckersley/O’Shea as full backs.
I might even be inclined to go with a 4-3-3 because if we load the midfield it takes some of the workload of our defence. A midfield of Giggs, Carrick and Gibson would be strong defensively and then Tevez, Nani and Berbatov would have license to attack West Brom and ensure we outscore them.
So in that light:
EVDS
Fletcher NEville Vidic O’Shea
Carrick
Gibson Giggs
Tevez Berbatov Nani
January 26th, 2009 at 15:12
UNITED’S WALKING WOUNDED
Owen Hargreaves (knee) – OUT FOR SEASON
Fabio (calf) – UNKNOWN
Rafael (hamstring) – THREE WEEKS
Nani (groin) – TWO WEEKS
Wayne Rooney (hamstring) – TWO WEEKS
Anderson (ankle) – TWO WEEKS
Jonny Evans (ankle) – TWO WEEKS
Patrice Evra (foot) – TWO WEEKS
Danny Welbeck (ankle) – ONE WEEK
Park Ji-sung (hamstring) – RETURN IMMINENT
Rio Ferdinand (back) – RETURN IMMINENT
Wes Brown (ankle) – RETURN IMMINENT
If we survive this weekend and if brown and ferdinand can do a half each for saturday’s everton game then i think we should be strong as the majority of other injuries will hoepfully be ready for the following weekend…
January 26th, 2009 at 15:19
@colver: Manucho is on loan at Hull… So thats why he aint iin the aquad for WBA or anyone else.
@MoYa: Like RedRanter said, Brandy is back from loan. I thought Cleverly was on loan too, but Manutd.com reports that he is in the squad
January 26th, 2009 at 15:24
I thought that the AIG deal ends at the end of the 2009/2010 season? which means we should have AIG on our shirts next season, can anyone confirm this?
January 26th, 2009 at 15:34
@mike: Yeah, we will wear the ugly AIG logo on the shirts next season too.
We get the money we need, and AIG have gotten the publicity they needed. We all know who they are now! Good for them, and they have accomplished what they wanted to do in the first place. I am happy that we get much money from them, hell, their money during the year can buy us Evra and Vidic again! (£5 million for Evra and £7 million for Vidic). Thats £12 million. 3 more to spare. 
I want UNICEF!!!
January 26th, 2009 at 15:39
It would mean a lot to me if United wore UNICEF on their kits. For me money wouldnt matter, but unfortuntely it looks like the club cares very much so.
I(my family) donate money to UNICEF each month, because we(me especially) care about the poor children in Africa and I wish them all to have a great health and life. Imagine that only £1 pound is enough for 20 kids to live for 1 more week! I donate 50 quid each month, so that should be enough to save 200 kids. And if United wore UNICEF they would get more publicity, which is very much needed. In class the other day, we were supposed to talk about how we could help the earth and what UNICEF was doing. Very few people knew. So United to wear UNICEF would be a dream come true.
January 26th, 2009 at 15:42
Jippi!
January 26th, 2009 at 15:42
@RedDevilEddy: “. And if United wore UNICEF they would get more publicity, which is very much needed”
Mate we are the largest supported club in the world, we also need the money from a high paying sponsorship deal, as we are very much in debt.
January 26th, 2009 at 16:14
@Stephen: I meant UNICEF would get more publicity, not United.
And yeah, we need money. But wearing Sahara or Saudi Telecom is gonna be weird in a way. We have gone from the beautiful Sharp to alright Vodafone, to the discustingly ugly AIG logo. Sahara on our shirt would not be as good as UNICEF, neither as helpful to the people of the world.
January 26th, 2009 at 16:17
Question. How do you pronounce Nike?
Im saying it like “Naik”, something Ive been doing as long as I can remember. Or is it “Naike”? David Gill calls it Naike, Rooney calls in Naik. So… Which is it?
January 26th, 2009 at 16:25
@RedDevilEddy: I agree mate, but football is big business and Gill will go to the highest bidder.
January 26th, 2009 at 16:32
Pretty sure it’s Nigh-Kee, mate.
January 26th, 2009 at 16:34
@Stephen: I miss the days when football was a sport, not a business…
January 26th, 2009 at 16:39
@RedDevilEddy: Its a proper noun Eddy and so can be pronounced in any which way.
Although I call it Naike. Maybe you could see one of those advertisements they do and get the pronunciation correctly. Although in this case, technically atleast there is no such thing as a “correct” pronunciation. Eckersley, Cleverly, 16 year old Petrucci, this looks like the yuth team playing. the bench strength will be very very weak. I only hope we get an early goal which will give us the required confidence boost to carry on for 90 minutes. Err, this is against West Brom right? we must sail thru!!! 
January 26th, 2009 at 16:43
I’m pretty sure Nike is based on the Greek god of the same name, and would be be prounced naik, not naik-ee. However, everyone in North America say Naik-ey and that’s where it’s from…so who knows
January 26th, 2009 at 16:48
I see Bolton are close to signing Veloso. That could be a good one for us, IMO. Let him have a season or two in the prem, and perhaps look at reuniting him with some of his past teammates (assuming Ronnie is still here). I don’t think he has the look of a DMF that could succeed in the prem, but happy to be proved wrong, and kind of glad United won’t have to foot the bill (initially) to test that.
January 26th, 2009 at 16:49
Oh well, Ill just keep saying Naik, as Ive been doing my whole life.
January 26th, 2009 at 17:06
@Beachryan: I dont concider Peloso(I know its Veloso, but peloso is italian for hariy
) a really good DM. He is very good at long shots and free-kicks, as well as crossing and vision. He would be a great playmaker, but he is not that much of a tackler to be DM. I dunno how many more latin players United will get now that CQ has left, and we dont really need midfielders. Andy, Possebon and Gibson are here for the future, and Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes and Giggs are here for the present. And we have Hargreaves returning from injury next season, I dont see the need to buy Peloso. Still, I am looking forward to see what impact he can have on the Prem.
January 26th, 2009 at 17:08
While others may be hesitant to dabble in politics on this blog, I feel that since the two so clearly overlap in the instance of Saudi Telcom we’d be remiss if we didn’t. I will be disgusted if Manchester United makes Saudi Telcom it’s shirt sponsor. With a 70% ownership in STC, the Saudi Government is the majority shareholder of this company. They have a long track record of human rights violations and a history of systematic oppression.
According to The Economist, the Saudi Arabian government ranks as the 9th most authoritarian regime in the world. It is a government that has been cited by the UN for floggings and amputations. Women are not allowed to drive on public roads or testify in court. There are no elections beyond the local level, in which only men are able to vote. The practice of non-muslim religions is strictly prohibited. It ranked 161 out of 167 in the worldwide press freedom rankings. It goes on and on.
Is this what we want on the front of our kits? Is this the message that we want to send to the rest of the world? That Manchester United is a passive supporter of human rights violations? I surely hope not.
Football has always been an apolitical arena for my girlfriend and I. We’ve never once turned on a match and thought of politics or governance, aside from the occasional Abramovich KGB swipe. My girlfriend, however, is a strong feminist and ardent supporter of Women’s rights and human rights, as am I. If United accept Saudi Telcom as our shirt supporters we will no longer be able to keep the two separate. Every match we watch we will be reminded that our favorite club is willing to accept financing from a company that thinks my girlfriend is less than human. I hate to say it, but I believe this will change my relationship with the club. As much as I would love to be able to look beyond this, I know that I will not. Manchester United will instantaneously become what I abhor. So money-hungry that they are willing to entirely abandon moral standards in pursuit of money. If the gap between Sahara and STC is within 10 million pounds, are we to expect United to cede the moral highground this small financial advantage? I will be disgusted if the answer is yes.
January 26th, 2009 at 17:18
@Patrick: Agree! And agree. And agree, and agree, and agree to the very end of eternity! Fuck Saudi Telecom, UNICEF is the deal.
January 26th, 2009 at 18:10
Hmmn.. feeling like I’m doing something good (even though EVERYONE knows who Unicef is, and I’m not going to give them money just cause they are on our shirts, and they don’t exactly need publicity, they aren’t the cats protection league) OR getting the money to buy a Tevez per season just for having STC on the front of the shirt.
January 26th, 2009 at 18:24
@RedDevilEddy: Unicef stands for the exact opposite of Saudi Telecom. I almost have to laugh at the extreme distance of the two. One saves lives and the other helps to destroy them. I’m sorry for getting political but I really have a problem with the Saudis.
As for Sahara, I don’t really see why that word bothers people when on the front of our jerseys? It’s a great word and a historic word as well as kind of exotic. Beats “Radio Rentals” or “BP”. How about “Ford” or “GM”?
Also, Sharp is old news. As an home electronics company I doubt there market share has risen since the economic crash. I’d guess they are struggling.
My personal favorite although they don’t have that kind of cash would have been “Upper Deck”, due to my passion for collecting sports trading cards.
January 26th, 2009 at 18:30
It’s too bad media giants or Government entities don’t pay to advertise. How about “BBC”, “ITV” or “SETANTA”. I kind of like the idea of “MI5″ or even “MI6″ or lets go foreign with “CIA” or “FBI”. I kind of like “Scotland Yard” too.
I know, I’m getting silly. My all time favorite is still “Mengele Farm Machinery” and somebody else’s suggestion for “Bin Laden Construction”. I mean we seem to be in an age where anything goes for the almighty buck. 
January 26th, 2009 at 18:33
@RedDevilEddy: I don’t have a problem with Giggs being part of the team until he is 40+, as long as he rarely starts. He’s too old to start frequently but his experience and invaluable leadership and his calming influence on all the young players cannot be measured. He will have the responsibility of shaping Tosic into a star for us. Giggsy for life!
January 26th, 2009 at 18:36
@Beachryan: Especially when you consider that the Glazer’s have a massive debt that needs paying off, you would think that any shirt deal will have to be at least 100 million or it would not be worth it.
January 26th, 2009 at 18:39
@colver: I agree. I think we can survive because we don’t play big clubs in this period. I also think that those who are out injured are getting much needed rest and will be fresh and raring to go with extra energy when they return. Once fully healthy, this team will then be very hard to stop. Barring any unforeseen further injuries, we should then steamroll the whole works.
January 26th, 2009 at 18:45
@RedDevilEddy: You’re not going to get UNICEF mate, so live with it. How about “KGB” or “SAS” or “ABBA”? Actually the one I would like most of all but won’t happen is my favorite big money corporation, “APPLE”. I’d even accept their other label “MAC” or “Macintosh”. I run an iMAC and have an iPOD and such and I just love the products they produce. And just for saying that United will do a deal with “Microsoft”, just to piss me off.
Or wouldn’t you all love “GROGNARD” on the shirt? I have no money to give them but I am more than willing to apply for relief care status like UNICEF. United could see it as a tax write off. 
January 26th, 2009 at 18:48
@RedDevilEddy: It’s pronounced like my friend Mikey (long “I” and long “E” at the end).
January 26th, 2009 at 18:48
@Patrick: Spot on mate, couldn’t of made the point better myself. i think if such a thing were to happen, then Utd could see a sharp fall in shirt sale revenue. surely they have someone at the club who looks into the ethical side of shirt sponsor, we could even take a leaf out of Burys book with the placement of the local council on the shirt… anything is better than the money of human rights abusers
January 26th, 2009 at 18:49
@RedDevilEddy: You’re too young to remember that far back mate.
January 26th, 2009 at 18:50
@Beachryan: Their CEO’s both in Austria and the US, call it NIGH-KEE which is good enough for me.
January 26th, 2009 at 18:50
@Grognard: why wouldn’t Apple do it?
January 26th, 2009 at 18:52
@Beachryan: I laugh that a player of that quality would even consider going to Bolton when much greater teams have shown interest in him.
January 26th, 2009 at 19:00
@Patrick: The Saudi’s also are the springboard for the evil that is the Carlyle Group which does many a dirty deal that destroys lives throughout the world while hiding in the shadows. Lets not forget a country that brought us Bin Laden and spawned 9/11 on top of the crimes against humanity the perform every minute on the minute in their own land. Supporting any Saudi big business is supporting the rich sheiks and Saudi Royal Family. A group that for me should rot in Hell. United should not forget the attacks on their own soil that have their roots in Saudi Arabia. It’s a crime to accept their money and I for one would lose a great deal of respect for the team if they do. Especially the Glazer’s who should know better being Americans as well as Jews. Are they prepared to deal with the Devil for a buck?
January 26th, 2009 at 19:02
foster
rafael vida de leat fabio
nani carrik andy tosic
berba/welbek tev
January 26th, 2009 at 19:04
@Will: They may never have been approached. With Steve Jobs’ recent and very serious illness, their stock has dropped due to his having to take a leave of absence form the company until June. I think his Pancreatic Cancer has returned which is not good at all. Therefore “Apple”, are probably playing it pretty close to the vest for now.
January 26th, 2009 at 19:05
@Grognard: saudi arabia has nothing to do with osama bin laden
he was bought up in america, with close links to the bush family. in fact, osama bin ladens dad gave a loan to the bush family to get them out of huge debts.
and from a financial view, the middle east seems the best place to find backing, as they are rich and do not seem affected by the current eonomical crisis. look at man city!!
January 26th, 2009 at 19:42
WOO Great to see you back RedRanter
@Grognard: I’ve been busy currently, i have recently started posting articles for soccerlens, and hoping to get my own blog started about Brasil, or even the beautiful game in general.
About the yankees i must say i have been really impressed with their dealings, i guess money really does talk, (even tough manchester city is trying the same thing, they have no Brand or even prestige to attract a A class superstar). For me adding CC was a great deal the dude is the best lefty in baseball, even better than santana and i can not wait to see his slider, slurve or sweeping curve do damage to batter in the New Yankee Stadium, I’m not sold on AJ but if he can replicate his 2nd half 2008 numbers, then he will be a great deal, and Mark Teixeria just makes us top heavy, imagine a lineup of Jeter, Damon, Teixeria, Rodriguez, that is just scary. I can not wait for the new season, especially with a rejuvenated cano, Joba and Hughes, 27 is coming in 09, Hopefully
Now on to United, from a business point of view, AIG closing their deal with united is unfortunante especilly the extra investment they give us, but it allows us to get an even better deal. But for me, going for another overseas company, especially from the middle east, just makes us look like money hungry capitalistic jerk, and we all know, everybody loves a capitalist.
The oil rich Saudi’s will be great, and hopefully persuade a Saudi oil baron to take over united and release our toxic assets, and rid us of our half billion pound debt, but i am living in a dream world, where argentina can be better than Brasil, oh wait they are BLOODY DUNGA
January 26th, 2009 at 19:47
@RedDevilEddy: Me too matey!!
January 26th, 2009 at 20:25
@RedAllTheWay: The Bin Laden/Bush connection is all part of the Carlyle Group that I have been talking about. And the last time I heard, Bin Laden and his whole family were born and raised in Saudi Arabia. That makes them Saudi in my books. I have no problem with dealing with other less oppressive nation in the Arab world. Dubai, Qatar etc. Just not the Saudi’s. It’s got nothing to do with race, just politics and ideology. The Saudi Royals and those they support like Saudi Telecom are supporters of evil and oppression. Enough said. To me it’s no better than being an English football team in 1933 and getting BMW Heinkel to be an advertiser.
January 26th, 2009 at 20:31
Regarding my views on Saudi Telecom, it makes me feel uneasy without doubt, but I am surprised at the belief some people have that Manchester United are a paragon of virtue, and that signing with the Sheikhs is the breaking point. Nike have been accused in the past of human rights violations and exploitation. Many of the big corporations have been party to some form of exploitation or the other. For that matter, United have already shown willingness to deal with the Saudis by playing an exhibition game there for a million quid. They’ve also had business with China in the past — who aren’t saints in the human rights count either.
My point is not to defend the Saudis. They are among the symbols of a lot of what is wrong in the world, but I am aware that United as a business today is a reflection of the Glazer family’s reputation with regard to business ethics. So I can’t understand it if Patrick thinks this is the first instance of United dealing in business that’s morally grey (to put it mildly).
For me United will be United because I have sort of become desensitised to the way corporations deal these days. If I looked at morals while supporting a modern sports team, then I’d always have sleepless nights.
January 26th, 2009 at 20:32
@Mr.Muhozi: Good to hear back from you mate. Please let me and others know more about your blog. I’d love to come over there and participate.
As for the Yankees, I have never been a CC fan but I do not deny he can pitch. I just hate all that excess baggage he’s carrying around. I’m expecting him to do a Valenzuela any year now and just lose it due to being overweight, although I am one to talk. Burnett has great stuff but is brittle. I doubt he will go through the season without being on the DL at least once or twice. Texeira is a great addition and he does make our lineup look great. I’m expecting big things from the Bronx Bombers this year from their fancy new surroundings.
Don’t forget to let me and others know about your blog. Cheers!
January 26th, 2009 at 20:39
Grognard comment 40, yeah apple was one of my favourites, nice simple stylish symbol that would actually look really nice on our shirt, plus apple could easily pay big bucks so theres no money issue there. Another one is like would be google, coca cola (remember the frnech teams with that and with the stylish italic sort of writing that looked cool), or something along those lines. We do have to look though to make sure the company that does get us can actually afford us and hasnt been badly affected in the credit crunch.
RedDevilEddy comment 19, unicef wouldnt actually pay us anything for them to be our sponsor. In fact i think i heard that barca had to pay unicef to be their sponsor, and in this day and age with this credit crunch and that and also the fact that we are in serious debt with owners wanting to make every penny back on us i dont think we will ever see unicef soon. Gotta say tho it would be a great sponsor if we did have it and im glad barca have it as theirs, a proper football team which is why i like them.
RedDevilEddy comment 23, i dont know exactly what the correct reading of nike is but i pronounce it as “nigh C” sort of how you prounounce a c in the first letter of a word like say “Cat”. I think the americans tho pronounce it like “nigh kee” but definitelt over here in england every1 i know pronounces it the way i said with the “nigh c” sort of sound. Hope you understand that, pretty complicated looking at that tho.
January 26th, 2009 at 20:40
Naik, not naik-ee…
im surprised that other then grognard, no one has picked up on craig leaving
just like nani in the summer
January 26th, 2009 at 20:44
@Grognard: nope im pretty sue ite naik.
January 26th, 2009 at 20:44
@Red Ranter: My point RR is that United should try to be a paragon of virtue instead of a paragon of greed. We all want them to get a good shirt deal but at what price? Nike and other sports manufacturers have their own blood on their hands by creating sweatshops in third world countries and producing their merchandise on virtual slave labor, but then again, thousands and thousands of capitalist companies do that. These companies are mostly headquartered in the West and so they hide from the obvious truth of their crimes. However, by supporting them you are not supporting oppressive and immoral regimes that are in the business of murder and other human rights atrocities. Saudi Arabia is run and operated by a despicable despotic family who have let a lot of injustice go on in the name of their own security and greed. It’s just wrong and far worse than some of the other evil or should I say less evil other countries and companies out there doing business in the world of professional sports are getting away with.
United must never forget that they are not alone when they do their dealings. That they represent a great Northern city, a great country and above all, a large world wide legion of supporters that they need to protect and answer to. I for one would feel shame being connected to Saudi Telecom. Money be damned. I don’t need to soil my boots just because I want my team to do well. There are more important things in life. Football should stay away from anything that may come back as political or unethical. United need to think long and hard about this. The world is watching. We should never allow ourselves to get desensitized by the evils of the world. For when we do, we are truly doomed.
January 26th, 2009 at 20:49
@Dan: Dan, it is Naikee. Like I said earlier, the two CEO’s of Nike were heard by myself on a show referring to the name brand in that manner. So literally it came from the horses mouth. They were on a news show talking about the sportswear trade and I heard it with my own ears.
As for Craig, I’m sure my buddy will be back with us soon. He just needs to get settled away. Moves are not easy. In fact I will be moving within the next couple of months and will be down for a few days at least.
January 26th, 2009 at 20:51
@Dan: Sorry Dan, but I’m pretty sure it’s Naikeee.
Perhaps it should be pronounced Naik, but the company itself does not pronounce it that way.
January 26th, 2009 at 20:54
@Grognard: @Dan: I think its Naikee in America and Naik in England/Northern Europe. I dunno cbout Africa, South-America or Asia, but I do know that the Europeans call it Naik.
I was just a little curious because I saw this commercial where this one guy said Naikee instead of Naik. And Ive been saying Naik for my whole life, including wearing Nike boots, sweatband, socks, t-shirts and gloves for a very long time.
January 26th, 2009 at 20:55
@Grognard: To be honest, Naik sounds better than Naikee. Sounds like Yankee if you pronounce it that way.
January 26th, 2009 at 21:00
@Grognard: Depends on the money. I think if United are going to choose the highest bidder, even if its Funcional Use of Christ Kommunists(FUCK).
January 26th, 2009 at 21:01
@RedDevilEddy: It is a Yank brand mate.
January 26th, 2009 at 21:03
@Dan: I trust Craig to still be at this site, there is internet in Geordieland, isnt it?
I hope he just doesnt meet Dave, he will probably dress Craig as Ameobi and make him his bitch. 
I am positive that Craig wont move or completely dissapear from this site, as he is a popular figure here. I just hope those crazy bastards up there dont contaige Craig to become a Newcastle fan. I am shaking of horror of just the thought…
January 26th, 2009 at 21:04
@Grognard: I am not desensitized by the evils of the world per se. I just try to not let politics mix with sport personally. But more importantly, had United’s dealing with morally grey parties been a first I would have been up in arms. But sadly it’s not the first time — and with the Glazers at the helm it doesn’t surprise me. Which is why I don’t think my loyalty for United would diminish immediately. The sight of Saudi Telecom will make me feel uneasy, and I might perhaps not buy the shirt if it says so on the front. But I will still follow the fortunes of the club.
January 26th, 2009 at 21:09
@Grognard: Giggs simply is Manchester United! He represents the team, and the spirit and soul of the club through the history. Breeding young stars from the age of 15 to 37. If Giggs stays at United until 2011, he will have been here for 20 years I think. That in itself is a big achievement considering the money, propaganda and loss of interest in just playing football these days. I really hope he stays, because as we saw against Chelski he can do a fairly decent job even if he is not on the wing. Anyone else fancy him to pick up his 11th Premiership medal this May?
Make it his number, and if I was Fergie or Gill or Glazer or whoever is in charge of this, retire his shirt. Never make a United player wear the number 11 shirt for good. Giggs deserves it…
January 26th, 2009 at 21:11
@Grognard: I can live with it, but it is a nice thought to have. Im allowed to dream, arent I?
January 26th, 2009 at 21:12
@Grognard: I have videos!
January 26th, 2009 at 21:19
@Red Ranter: Welcome back m8! Missed you very much.
Really, is Nike American? I thought it was Asian or South-European.
Well, well! As long as they aint from out of space, deadly or made by real Shitty supporters(they dont exist) I can live with it. I luv Nike! Its the best brand there is. Probably because United have them on their shirt, but their boots, kits and other accesories are soo cool. The boots are probably the best, my favorite are Lasers. Talaria or Vapor is alright, but for a defender of my type I need more steady and harder boots. So Lasers it is!
And I kinda hate Adidas. Not only is it that their kits are worn by the most discusting teams in the world(Chelski, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Derby…) but their accesories are getting worse each year! Especialy boots. The Predators of 2007 we great, but the new ones look old and really unmodern. And what has happend to those +F50?! They are shite! I want to apologise if anybody here wears Adidas boots or anything, but I really cant stand them. I just wish Andy wasnt wearing them…
January 26th, 2009 at 21:24
@Grognard: Grog, referring to your comment in 38, i absolutely and whole heartedly agree. Just as long as Giggsy is reduced to the occasional start, i am all for it. Tosic I’m sure will do with His experience and sage. Too bad i can really say same for our dear lil man Nani.
Yes, Fuck Saudi whatever company. Give me anything on the front of our jersey; Gillette, Kelloggs, man, woman, ….anything but some Saudi crap. Hell why dont we just go for “HUSSEIN”, GADDAFI or even IDI AMIN while we are at it.
January 26th, 2009 at 21:26
@Grognard: @Red Ranter: Would anybody here buy a United shirt if it was written Child Abuse Agency, Illegal Testing of Animals, or Terrorists Of Telefones on it? For me the Saudi Arabian thing is practiacally the same. It will discust me if United actually choose that one, maybe Ill go that far that even burn the brand in front of Old Trafford on a match day so everyone can realise what stupidity we are doing. Like Ive said earlier, human lives are important to me. I care about humanity and people not having big difficulties in life, and if there is any way of me helping with that I would jump at the chance. That is why I want United to wear UNICEF, so that people(us United fans included) can see that this club does not only care about money, but people as well. So wearing the Saudi Arabian thingy would be a kick in the teeth.
January 26th, 2009 at 21:33
@WhiteY: You think Hamas or Taliban would be interested?
January 26th, 2009 at 21:45
@RedDevilEddy: Why is nobody listening to me? If a commercial calls it Naikee and the heads of the company both in Europe and the US call it Naikee, why do you and others insist on Naik as in bike?
January 26th, 2009 at 21:47
i say we drop nike and use the better brand, addidas.
imagine if the MLS sponsored us
January 26th, 2009 at 21:47
@RedDevilEddy: I disagree. Naik sounds like dike. I much prefer Naikee that sounds like Mikey. Ah does it really matter anyway?
January 26th, 2009 at 21:49
@RedDevilEddy: If he meets Dave and changes from Nani-like to Ameobi-like, he should just stay away from this blog cause we will all disown him and strip him of his captaincy.
January 26th, 2009 at 21:54
@Red Ranter: I for one would buy the retro shirts without the ads on them. I’m sick of the idea of trying to support my team while wearing a logo of a company I hate. I even hated Sharp because I am an RCA or Sony man. Hell, Vodafone doesn’t even exist where I am. I like a safe and universal label like Apple, Intel or Mercedes etc.
I’ll always remain loyal to the team but I’ll be damned if I will be happy with their decision and I will never buy anything with that logo on it.
January 26th, 2009 at 21:58
@RedDevilEddy: I don’t believe in retiring numbers because numbers represent more than players. They often represent positions or expectations for certain positions. Much is expected from a Man Utd player wearing the #7 for example. What I believe is a shrine around the stadium for the players names. The Dallas Cowboys have something called the “Ring of Honor”. Names are hoisted up and around the stadium as legends retire. After all, it’s the name I remember, more than the number he wore.
January 26th, 2009 at 22:00
@RedDevilEddy: Fair enough mate. It’s great to look back at a time when the game wasn’t so polluted by greed and corporate excrement leaking all over the place.
January 26th, 2009 at 22:04
@RedDevilEddy: YES! “Taliban Heroin”. A multi billion dollar enterprise throughout the world and the biggest Heroin growing country on the planet. And lets replace the Man Utd logo with that of the poppy.
It might get the Taliban to get Bin Laden to lay off of the British in the future too. 
January 26th, 2009 at 22:09
@RedDevilEddy: Eddy, one more time, FORGET UNICEF mate. It’s never going to happen under our present ownership. The Glazer’s are in so much debt it’s leaking out of their asses. They want the money more to help pay for their debt and interest than they want it for a transfer budget. They don’t care about putting an ad on their shirt for a positive message. They want cash. Realize this and live with it. Barcelona is owned by many people and have a different ownership structure. They can afford to be generous in this manner and promote their name in a positive manner. But honestly, most people don’t care. It’s not as if Barca is more popular around the world than corporate whores like United and Real Madrid.
January 26th, 2009 at 22:24
@Grognard: I said I could live with it. Its just what I prefer. Its like us being linked with David Villa, it would be nice if it happend but I would still enjoy my life if it didnt.
January 26th, 2009 at 22:25
@Grognard:
January 26th, 2009 at 22:27
@Grognard: Fair enough, I just think it would be a great way to honour the man who has won everything possible in football at only one club, being the player with the most apperences and still being in the clb at some way after retiering. I feel that sometimes Giggs is not as appreciated as he should be, but he truly is a legend. Goal in Wigan was written in the Bible.
January 26th, 2009 at 22:29
@Grognard: Nah, doesnt matter. People around here call it this, you guys outside of Europe call it that, it doesnt matter. Pichty-potchy, what can I say?
January 26th, 2009 at 22:31
@Dan: Adidas?! Are you fucking kidding me mate?! You want us to have the same produsers as Liverpool, Chelski, Real Madrid or AC Milan?! Fuck them, I say! Nikeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee rules, and that is a FACT!!!
January 26th, 2009 at 22:42
@Dan: I work for Nike and Grognard is 100% right, it is like mikey. I have been with the company for 2 years now and I have never heard anyone say “Naik”
@Beachryan: You are right about NIke being based on the greek Goddess. I never knew how the greeks pronounced it, but it wouldnt suprise me if we butchered the pronounciation. I can say with 100% certainty that its not “Naik”.
January 26th, 2009 at 22:49
@RedDevilEddy: hehe i was joking!
how about umbro
without a doubt the one sports company i hate more then nike, umbro just scream ugly, right down to the name.
January 26th, 2009 at 22:53
I finally got to watch the FA cup game in full, and I have a few thoughts.
1. Fabio is the real deal, and I have no doubt anymore that he is the better of the 2. Obviously I have only seen him play once, but everyone from brazil always rated Fabio ahead of Rafael. I had my doubt about that when I saw Rafael this season, but watching Fabio against tottenham really opened my eyes. It will be next to impossible for him to overtake Evra(whom I rate as the best RB in the world) but that is what happens when you come to clubs like United.
2. I have seen enough of Wellbeck… This kid is going to be special. I had no idea he could be played as a winger, it just shows his versatility. I wouldnt even send this kid out on loan, he is going to be a world class player in 3-4 years, im sure of it.
3. Its no secret that Im a Tevez fan, I just love the ways he plays each game. I am however resigned to losing him, He is too good to be a 3rd choice striker, and 32 million is just way too much money. I really feel for him because I know he wants to stay here, but that asshole Jorabchian is fucking everything up. I cant fathom for the life of me, how this prick is allowed anywhere near football, after what he has done to Corinthians and now West Ham. He is a criminal in my eyes, and he wont budge on his price for Tevez because he knows We have already paid him a pretty penny for his services already and he is ready to get another pay day from another team.
January 26th, 2009 at 23:01
I’m not bothered about what logo is on our shirts, we sold the soul of the club when the firstly we became a PLC and secondly when the Glaziers bought the club, not for love but for profit.
AIG, Sharp, Saudi Telecom or whatever doesn’t bother me anymore we played with fire and have been burnt, simple.
Football is fianace, and compared to Thaksin Shinawatra we are almost saintly.
January 26th, 2009 at 23:07
Okey, we have now played a half of our season. We are top of the Premier League with one game less played than Liverpool, we are in the fifth round of the FA cup, the 1/8 final of the Champions League, final of the Carling Cup and we have already won the FIFA club world cup. Many comments have been negative about our season, some people going as far as saying United are playing worse than the Derby County of 2007/08! But is that really true? Our performances may not have been up to the standard of last season, but we are doing really well considering all the games we have to play, all the injuries we have to cope with and all the games Park and Fletch have gotten. Fletcher was actually great up until newyears, but since then I feel his form has dropped. Despite being at the centre of things against Chelski, I dont feel he played that well. We have played every game possible this season. We usually dont get this many games because earlier we have gone out of the Carling Cup “early” and this season we have gotten three more games agaisnt Zenit, Osaka and LDQ. We have not missed a single possible match, which any club would have difficulties with. And we still have two games in hand of our rivals(Fulham and the game that will be changed because of the CC final)! Im gonna look a little into our season.
Best player: Probably Vidic. He has been the chinese wall in defense, and he has gotten 5 goals to his name. Many of them important. Matchwinner against Sunderland and Hull(yeah, he scored the 4th goal), scored the first goal against both Chelksi and Osaka, and the consolation against Zenit. The game against Chelsea at Old Trafford was probably the best Ive ever seen from a defender. He made no mistakes, owned Drogba, Anelka and Cole, won every header and even scored a goal. Positioning couldnt be better. And if you go back to our first game, he was brilliant in that too. Against Newcastle he made a sliding tackle on Gutierrez, who would have been clean through on goal, in the 18-yard box running from the opposition half. He also hit the bar in the second half. After that he got sent off against Liverpool. A kinda variated start you may say. But since then he has been simply brilliant! Season rating so far? 9/10. I want to mention Fletcher, Ronaldo, Rafael and Berbatov too, as I think they have all been brilliant. Berbatov needed time to settle in, but he has always been a star when he plays. Sometimes his touch doesnt fit exactly with the team, but he certanly has heloped a lot. Leading assists should say something. Fletcher started really well, but has faded lately. But he has helped us a lot so far reaching top spot. And Rafael, wow, he has been a revelation! Best right back in the world? Maybe. And I will get back to Ronaldo later.
Best performance: The 3-0 win against Chelski stands our for me. We actually scored 5 legal goals in that game, but the ref was blind and disallowed two from Ronnie. We dominated that match, and considering the opposition that may be our best performance since Roma(7-1). Vidic was MOTM for me, playing his best game for the club ever! Giggs, Evans and Ronaldo were also good. I hope we can play like that more often.
Best moment: Depends for me. For pure happiness it would be the win against Chelski(3-0). For sheer relief it would be Bolton(1-0). And for a confidence boost it would be the win at Eastlands. We deserved to win them all, but those 3 games has brought us the best moments. And the winner for The-Best-Orgasm-You-Can-Ever-Get-From-Watching-Football moment is…. DIMITAR BERBATOV! His skills before Ronaldos second goal against West Ham was something that made me have to clean my keyboard.
Worst Performance: Quite simply, the 2-1 loss at Anfield in September. I was going mental then, couldnt believe how our lads played. It was shockingly bad! Special mentions to Derby away and Zenit in the Supercup Final in Monace.
Worst player: Difficult here… Hm. I would go for Gary had this been a month ago, but he has been brilliant in 2009. Tevez has picked himself up, so has Scholes and Giggs. But I will say Nani. From what I, and many other United fans, expected from him during the summer he has been hugely dissapointing. Maybe its because of the lack of games, but he hasnt really taken his chance when he has played. This season not only incosistent, but very few good performances, nor moments. I hope he does better now that Tosic is here…
Cristiano Ronaldo: Sorry for the really long comment, but this is my final summary. And I think the most important one. Ronaldo scored 42 goals last season. He got 11 assists. Scored 6 free-kicks. And some penalties. He was the best player in the world, and probably had the best season in history of a footballplayer. But then he got injured druing the summer, needing an operation that should have kept him out until December. And I dont wanna get into the deal during the summer because its siply old news. Ronaldo has got 11 goals so far this season, and 12 assists. Had this been any other player, any other winger, he would have been praised as the best player in history of football. Messi has not got as many assists as Ronaldo this season, and only a few more goals, and is being hailed as the best player in history of football. For Christ sake!!! He has played more games than Ronaldo, been fit all season, got a pre-season, playing for what is the best team in the world right now and he is adored by the media. Compare this with Ronaldo. Didnt get a pre-season, not played as many games, never been really fully fit, huge pressure on his shoulders and he is hated by the Media, opposition fans and even some United supporters. Is that easy you think?! Heck no! To think Ronaldo would do better, even a season similar to the last one would be unreal! He has done really well considering everything, and he has been very, very good. He came back from an injury in September, when he was supposed to be back in December. He has got 2 goals scored from free-kicks, he is plying with a makeshift team every game and the pressure on his shoulders from Media and fans is just too much for any human being to live with. You cant fullfill such huge and unreal expectations! We should be happy the lad is alive, because that car crash would have killed another person. But Ronaldo aint regular….
Sorry for long comment, just think it needed to be said. Cheers!
January 26th, 2009 at 23:10
@johnsom33: You work for Nike Johnson? Are you in a position to give me a contract where you sponsor me?
I luv Nikeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, I only buy their types of shoes and kits and other accesories. You are a lucky bastard mate! 
January 26th, 2009 at 23:13
@Dan: Umbro is English, right? I know the English national team use it, but I really dont fancy it. Ugly boots and sponsored by Tiny Tears. In fact, is there any United player wearing Umbro shoes?
Doesnt matter really, their mark is ugly as hell. Nikeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee is the best anyway. 
January 26th, 2009 at 23:18
You guys realise that if Edwin Van Der Sar keeps a clean sheet until at least the 84th minute tomorrow, he will have the record for most minutes without conceding in the Premier League since it started. I hope he does, from his performances lately he deserves it.
January 26th, 2009 at 23:39
johnsom33, u work for nike, man you are lucky mate. Do you get any half price discounts off things, like eddy says i also just buy nike merchandise. Infact i just bought a pair of nike shoes just today. The nike air force 1 mid 07 in white, man they are comfy. I also love the nike football boots. The total 90s and nike legends were just great. I much prefer nike over adidas but i do quite like umbro and before that reebok. Cant say that umbro competes with nike but they do make pretty solid merchandise and they were good all them years ago when they sponsored us. I was too young to wear the shirt but i saw an old united shirt from the early 90s in black i think with the umbro sign in yellow all the way down the sleeves, so classy they dont make shirts like them today.
January 26th, 2009 at 23:47
Im a little bored at the moment and I aint that sleepy(Weird combo), so I decide to spend some time here to put up the stuff Ive got from Nike so you realise what Im talking about. This is what Ive got:
Nike T90 Laser boots II, White and Navy.
Nike air force(I think), running shoes green and white.
United kit(shorts, socks and the upper body)
Sweatband with United emblem and Nike.
T-Shirt from 2008, white with black Nike mark.
Socks(regular)
The shirt that is in the commercial with Ronaldo and the kitman at Old Trafford. Dunno what its called, but Ive got it in red. Oh yeah, NikePro I think it was.
Nike hood
Indoor shoes.
Jogging pants.
Packpack.
Jacket.
Hat/Cap.
United related stuff.
I think thats it. Wanna sponsor me Johnson? Ive already got most of the stuff.
January 26th, 2009 at 23:49
Ive also got a Teddybear called Nikeeeeeeeee!
Just kidding…
January 27th, 2009 at 0:01
RedDevilEddy, i love nike stuff too, must have about 10/15 nike products in all but just wanted to ask u if u have ever had a pair of nike air forces. I just got the air force 1 mid 07s and they are so comfy. Great pair of trainers just picked them up for £60 but i think its money well spent. You ever had a pair and what u think of them.
January 27th, 2009 at 0:04
Arshavin, Arsene and Arsenal(The three Arses?
) have agreed a fee. Or should I say Zenit and Arsenal have agreed a fee for Arshavin, but they still dont have enough money to get him. He wants a higher salary. Ive got a question for Andrei. Do you know that you are joining Arsenal? They didnt have the money to keep hold of Flamini, how can they buy you? 
He apparantley demands £80,000 each week, but Arsenal dont wanna raise it over 50,000 quid. Lets all laugh at Arsenal!
I really wonder if Arsenal can become a threat with Atshavin in the side. But I will tell you one thing: The door is open for Fergie to go after Walcott, he seems displeased about this transfer.
January 27th, 2009 at 0:05
Need we forget about Nike when they used a factory in Cambodia which broke their own strict codes of conduct and anti-sweatshop rules, working conditions and child labour at a factory in 2001?!
January 27th, 2009 at 0:08
@Matthew: Ive got the trainers that look somewhat like these.
January 27th, 2009 at 0:12
@Stephen: United dint use Nikeeeeeeeee in 2001.
We used Umbro…
Nah, I dont remember that one. When was that? If that is true its horrible, but Im afraid thats how things work. Adidas do it, cellphones do it, many stuff is made by children. But Id rather not know about it, cause if I knew what was happening with every company around the world I would go naked in the streets!
January 27th, 2009 at 0:14
@Matthew: They are fooking brilliant mate! I wear a pair of those in white and green every day and its frekkin fantastic. Comfy, enviromental, feet breathe(you know), it doesnt hurt running and they are light as fuck. What colour youve got them in?
January 27th, 2009 at 0:16
@RedDevilEddy: I agree mate, it was on I think Panorama a few years back if I remember, but I am sure they arn’t alone.
January 27th, 2009 at 0:21
@Stephen: Like I said, if I chose not to wear or use thing that were made illegally or by children without choice I wouldnt be wearing any clothes, I wouldnt have a cell phone and I am quite sure I wouldnt be playing so much football. When there is so much horribly happening in the world, Id rather ignore it unless I can do somethign about it. That is why I aint a vegetarian!
January 27th, 2009 at 0:23
RedDevilEddy, u mean u got a pair of the air force 1 mid 07s in green and white? I got a pair in plain white, they dont really have the colours over here really. Heres a link of the pic of how my trainers look
http://citysole.com/shoe_store/images/medium/315123-111_MED.jpg
January 27th, 2009 at 0:25
@Matthew: Yeah, its like them only that the Nike mark is green instead of white. The rest of the shoe is white though.
January 27th, 2009 at 0:27
@RedDevilEddy: Giggs is great but yesterday I was watching a highlite package of George Best on YouTube and there was this one goal he scored while playing in the NASL that I almost pissed myself while watching. It was absolutely beyond world class. This was after he was washed up and drinking heavily. It was incredible. To incredible to describe. It made even Giggsy’s great FA Cup semi-final goal against Arsenal look cheap in comparison.
January 27th, 2009 at 0:28
@johnsom33: Thank you and bless you mate. Yet another example of the Grognard being correct.
January 27th, 2009 at 0:33
@johnsom33: I am Greek. Nike is the Goddess of Victory? In Greek she is pronounced NEEKEE like like PEEPEE. Nike is Greek for victory or win. Nevertheless, I could give you thousands of Greek words that have been adopted by the English and bastardized. So it will be Nike as in Mikey.
January 27th, 2009 at 0:39
@RedDevilEddy: He deserves it? Mate, you or I could come out there with a beach towel, umbrella and a Pina Colada, lay back and relax and we would have kept those clean sheets the way Vida and the team played defense in front of him. When healthy, there are no leaks in that defense.
January 27th, 2009 at 0:44
@johnsom33: yeah a few of my friends know Robbie Brady and they say that he says that Welbeck is pure class. Also got very good reviews of Petrucci. Our reserves aren’t that bad but our back 4 is going to be in a sorry state until Rio comes back (wasn’t that meant to be last week or something?) wierd thing is that I have been waiting for Fabio’s debut for months, before every CC game he was the name I was looking for. I end up having to work for his debut! I was pissed off to the max
January 27th, 2009 at 1:43
@Grognard: Fuck yeah Grog!! I like that optimism!!
January 27th, 2009 at 2:44
@Drew Vader: Oh Shit
Was I being optimistic? Damn, I’m going to have to abuse myself with my whip for that. I will not tolerate myself being optimistic. Damn! 
I slipped up. A moment of weakness.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:06
@Grognard: Who are you and what have you done with the real Grognard
January 27th, 2009 at 3:31
just to jump into the pronunciation debate, many different countries pronounce companies differently and they’re advertised as such.
For example…
In North America, Jaguar’s are called Jag-Waars! but from what i gather the rest of the world just calls them Jag-U-Ar’s
another example is Nokia the mobile phone company. in the UK they’re called Nock-E-a, but everywhere else they’re No-Ke-a.
It’s just a matter of culture and marketing. I have always called Nike “Naik” but i knew that it was called Nikee abroad.
But moving onto a more traditional topic With Everton drawing against Liverpool yesterday we have been forced into a bit of a dilemma with the game against Everton now being pushed forward to Saturday evening. That really cuts down the chances of players like Park, Ferdinand and Evra getting back from injury in time. Hopefully our makeshift back 4 can break the clean sheets record and Berbatov can continue his goal scoring form!
January 27th, 2009 at 4:12
@Nick: Yeah it also screws a lot of people who had booked flights for the Monday to see the match. A similar thing happened to me 2 years ago when I was going over to see barca and they changed the date from the Sunday night to the Saturday night. I was due to fly out on the Sunday morning so I didn’t get to see the game. I was pissed off to say the least. I mean who the hell picks the game for the Monday when they know both Everton and United will be in the 4th round and a chance of a replay? That’s just ridiculous
January 27th, 2009 at 4:51
@Grognard: Lets compare the opposition faced in those two goals mate. A very good Arsenal side, or some dorks in the NASL…
January 27th, 2009 at 4:52
@Grognard: haha I had to read it twice myself to see if I was missing the sarcasm.
January 27th, 2009 at 8:35
@RedDevilEddy: nike shits to, when it comes to sports wear, theres only one winner, addidas.
January 27th, 2009 at 8:59
wow my keyboard is messed up today
January 27th, 2009 at 9:22
@Liam: I knocked out the fat bastard and threw him down the basement. I am the Anti-Grognard. I love life, Manchester United, JS Park, Ben Foster and people in general. Hey anybody up for a love in for peace?
Imagine all the people……….living life in peace oooh oooh ooooo….
January 27th, 2009 at 9:25
@Drew Vader: That’s not the point. The goal was absolute class and genius. Sure the opposition made it easier for him but how often have you ever seen a goal that compares to that one? I take it you saw it? That goal had a WOW factor of 20 out of 10.
January 27th, 2009 at 9:26
@Dan: Is that why so many of your views are warped?
January 27th, 2009 at 12:29
I really hope Fergie sits down Ronaldo tonight and tells him that now his is his chance to show that he deserves his accolades. With our depleted team, creaking (players wise, not form wise) defence and delicate positoin at the top of the table, this is a game screaming for someone to grab it by the proverbial scruff of the neck. And given West Brom are without their entire first choice defence, you have to think it’s an opportunity for one of our attacking players to run the show.
He’s played a lot of football lately, but he doesn’t appear to have exerted himself much. I’m fine with retaining your energy for important moments, but for me this is it. I want to see him begging for the ball, turning and running at defenders like he did last year. I don’t care if 8/10 it fails miserably, I’d rather that he was contributing something positive, rather than standing around, occasionally passing square and taking free kicks. We need a star-player performance tonight, but will our star player live up to his name?
Also, I’m 95% sure we’re going to conceede to Jay Simpson. Quality player, extremely quick and up against a back 4 that must be the slowest in the prem (Gary, Fletch, Vidic and O’Shea). West Brom will likely play on the counter, and if Vidic makes but one mistake, no one will be able to catch the boy.
January 27th, 2009 at 13:11
@Beachryan: Mate I agree on your feelings about Ronaldo.
January 27th, 2009 at 13:16
Does anyone know if the game will be broadcast in India? ESPN are showing Pompey vs Villa instead….
January 27th, 2009 at 14:23
I hope that we will win today but it might be quite difficult.
West Bromwich Albion – Manchester United live streams
January 27th, 2009 at 15:13
@Vivek: Where is the list shown, ESPN never telecast anything when United is playing.
January 27th, 2009 at 15:42
@Despicable: Yeah it seems ESPN is showing the Pompey game..I’ve been keep track of the tv-timings list for the past week since they’ve changed the telecast in the past…but no change yet for today! Sux!
January 27th, 2009 at 15:43
@Despicable: for the list –> link
January 27th, 2009 at 15:45
Doesn’t anyone else think Spurs have done a great deal getting Cudicini..I’ve always rated him very high, and he went on a FREE transfer! Wonder if we missed a trick…
January 27th, 2009 at 15:48
@antsBoy: He is 35 mate.
January 27th, 2009 at 16:02
@antsBoy: M at work, and the link is blocked. Anyways have to sleep then..
January 27th, 2009 at 16:21
@Stephen: True, but didn’t VDS also come when he was 35? Anywayz, I guess it’s better to go the “young” route, especially with Ben there..
January 27th, 2009 at 16:31
@RedDevilEddy: Sadly I’m so low on the totem pole at Nike I can barely afford to buy the product and that’s with my 40% discount
I blame it on this damn company, there has been a hiring freeze for like the past 6 months making it virtually impossible to move up.
FYI umbro is owned by Nike.
January 27th, 2009 at 17:30
Anybody concernded about West Brom? They are bottom of the Prem, only Hull have conceded more goals and they have 4 defenders injured…
In contrast we are top of the table, least goals conceded and we have no defenders injured( 
). Nah, we have 12 first team members injured, 6 of those being defenders. Evans, Rafael, Fabio, Rio, Brown and Evra. Can we cope? Can we win today? Dont blame me for jinxing if the team doesnt win, but yes I can see us win. Ronaldo is healthy again, according to reports, Carrick is in fine form, Berba is in the form of his life and we can break a record and become the only side to have played 11 games in a row without conceding. And VDS should be really fired up for it, as he can join the record books and be considered a more solid goalkeeper than Cech(up), Seaman or even Schmeicel! I dont think he is better than Big Peter, but its nice to have such a record, innit?
My team prediction:
VDS
Fletcher Neville Vidic Oshea
Ronaldo Carrick Giggs Tosic
Tevez Berbatov
I would choose Fletch over Eckersley tonight, for experience and the tough opponent. Scholes cant play twice in a week, and Giggs should be fit. So that leaves us with only Carrick and Giggs as proven centre-midfielders. Of cource we have Gibson, even Cleverly and Possebon, but I would play Giggs as his vision will be importnat against “The Baggies”. And one of the things that worries me the most is Park and Nani being injured. That leaves us with no winger, except for Ronaldo. And however good he may be, he can never fill two wings at the same time. Tosic may get his first start, and I hope he does well!
Score prediction: 3-0 to United. Ronaldo, Berbatov and Giggs to score.
January 27th, 2009 at 17:32
@antsBoy: I rated him high maybe 1-2 seasons ago. But not anymore, I think even PIG is a better goalkeeper than him right now. Still, he might do well for Spurs. Only time will show there!
January 27th, 2009 at 17:37
@Grognard: What good can peace and luv bring? People are blind of the killing, horrors and unhumanity in this world. We are gonna die one day, so why just dont we just kill ourselves as quick as possible?! Life sucks, it only brings misery. And watching United at the moment is the best way of becoming suicidal. Love doesnt exist, its only fiction! Only little sissies believe in luv, and girls with period trouble. This earth is getting colder and more worse to live in for each day that goes, so why talk about stupid thing like what we like or how we can make things better? Lets just end all lives and realise that nothing can be good?
Jeez, some people can be really stupid thinking all is sweet and wonderful! 
January 27th, 2009 at 17:39
@Johnsom33: Umbro sucks, only players like Tiny Tears wear it!
Nike owns!
Sorry to hear that, but if you ever get the chance just give me a call and ask if Im interested in a sponsorship deal. I luv Nike!
January 27th, 2009 at 17:42
@antsBoy: Cudicini was Chelsea’s Roy Carroll. He’s useless. I even rate Ben Foster higher than him and you all know what I think of Foster.
January 27th, 2009 at 17:49
@RedDevilEddy: We should not be confident against anyone when we have only scored a disastrous 9 goals on the road this season. We are even more offensively inept on the road than at home.
In the past we would just wait until we got that late goal and our defense always saw us through but now, all bets are off. Our defense is decimated by injuries and offensively we need to up our game. West Bro should not give us much of a battle but you know what road games can be like. Still, I see us finally conceding a goal today but I think we will put 2 or 3 in against Brom. Here’s to positive thinking and hoping no more injuries occur.
January 27th, 2009 at 17:51
@RedDevilEddy: That’s it, I’m not coming to your next party.
January 27th, 2009 at 17:52
@Dan: I cant stand the Liverpool or Real Madrid kit. Neither the Spain or Chelski kit. Its fucking embarrasing that Adidas gets rated so high, only shit teams wear it(That doesnt include Bayern, Argentina or Germany)! I used to wear Adidas shoes, but the protection you get from them is horrible! One bad tackle and you may ed up with a broken metatarsal or a broken toe, while Nike Lasers give you amazing protection. After 2006 I stopped wearing Adidas shoes, the last I wore of that kind was the red predators. Werent exactly good, but lasers werent great shes then. Now its a different story, and Nike productions are hugely improved and better quality. The new Nikepro kit is very good and is very comfortable. Whereas Adidas newst stuff are Adipure boots, which really dotn give anythign special. Mercurials give speed, cause theyt are so light, but they have a sweetspot which the +F50 doesnt have. Mercurials are better than +F50. Lasers are better than Predators. Nike Tiempo are better than Adipure. And United are better than Liverpool or Chelski.
You need more proof? 
January 27th, 2009 at 17:54
@Grognard: You got I was just joking, right?
January 27th, 2009 at 17:59
@Grognard: We were not very good defensivly against Spurs. But we seemes to play well offensivly when we wanted. I think United could have scored more if we decided to use more energy for the thrid goal, but because of our injuries we didnt want to spend energy finishing the game off. And is it just me, or does it look like United play well when they want to, only? In the last games United have played brilliant football when they need to and when they seem to feel that its time to do it, for periods in games inly instead of a whole 90 minutes. So I think that if United really want to win tonight, they will. I would be happy if we go the clean sheet tonight, but the win is the most important thing.
January 27th, 2009 at 18:06
United will find out on friday wether Vidic will get any punishment for being sent off in the FIFA CWC final. He may get a three game suspension, but he might even not get any at all. I wonder what will happend. Because its United we are talking about IM pretty sure it will be a bad for three games, but who knows?
January 27th, 2009 at 18:10
Even with our weakened defence West Brom won’t have the balls to have a go at us. They’ll sit back and defend and as our attack is still pretty strong I think we’ll be able to score a goal or two and win the game.
If they do have a go at us we’ll just hit them on the break and exploit the gaps.
Worst case scenario EVDS gets a workout and the chance to remind us why he is our best number 1 since Schmeichel and why Foster will never be fit to be mentioned in the same sentence as Ed and Peter.
We should relax and start worrying if our injured defenders are not back in time for the Everton game. A makeshift backline would definitely concede against Everton and we struggle to score more than a goal or two a game so if Everton scored one or two goals we’d struggle to come away with more than a point. Same potentially applies to the West Ham game.
January 27th, 2009 at 18:11
It feels like years ago that Rooney got injured. When is he back? I really miss arguing about his worth to the team
get well soon Wayne!
January 27th, 2009 at 18:41
@Liam: I feel ya brotha!
January 27th, 2009 at 18:42
@RedDevilEddy: Of course I did. I was joking too. That’s why I used the laughing smiley.
January 27th, 2009 at 19:11
I say United wins 2-0 today. (If hell freezes over, or we’re really lucky.)
January 27th, 2009 at 19:49
@Grognard: Okey then! Just wanted to make sure…
January 27th, 2009 at 19:57
I was just looking at the league table and noticed this..Hull is sitting pretty at 9th, but have a goal difference of -13!!
WOW! The only other 3 clubs, having a worse GD than them, are all in the relegation zone.
January 27th, 2009 at 20:00
seems Rio is playing tonight! Yay!
January 27th, 2009 at 20:07
Line-up?
January 27th, 2009 at 20:14
West Brom: Carson, Hoefkens, Pele, Donk, Robinson, Zuiverloon, Borja Valero, Koren, Brunt, Simpson, Fortune.
Subs: Kiely, Cech, Bednar, Kim, Dorrans, Filipe Teixeira, Morrison.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Park, Carrick, Giggs, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez.
Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Tosic, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Eckersley.
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
source: BBC
January 27th, 2009 at 20:40
Seems kick off is delayed by half n hour…
January 27th, 2009 at 20:52
Guys does any of you know the link for the match with English commentary?
January 27th, 2009 at 23:11
You know things are going our way when Park does the Zidane 360 rollover!
January 30th, 2009 at 0:07
Red Ranter: it’s really disappointing to see this comment in a blog that I’ve been watching for more than a year now. a blog that supports the club I’ve been supporting for 11 years.
All this crap about the Saudi telecom company which is by the way a public shared company and not owned by the SAUDI royal family and will benefit from the deal since Man United supporters in the Middle East and East Asia is more than any part of the world. And the Saudi company owns 5 East Asia telecom companies along with their base in the middle east. but this is not my point, what I want to point out is although this is a marketing prospective, you claimed it’s ” and much was made about how wrong it is from a political and human rights standpoint to accept money from the Saudi Royal family.”
How on earth did you make a statement of this kind in what I assume a football blog.
Very Disappointing
January 30th, 2009 at 0:16
@Usamah: You missed the line that follows it:
and much was made about how wrong it is from a political and human rights standpoint to accept money from the Saudi Royal family. I am not willing to make political statements on this blog, but the Glazers have already shown a willingness to do business with the Saudi Sheikhs in the past
Regarding this line: much was made about how wrong it is from a political and human rights standpoint to accept money from the Saudi Royal family
It is a reference to the furore made by people all over in the media and blogs about the moral nature of this deal — not my statement.