Jul 08
On Sneijder, Balotelli, Ozil et al…
All of a sudden United have found themselves making—would you believe it—headline news in the transfer market. And what’s more, we have actually put in a bid—reported at around £29m—for Wesley Sneijder.
Inter president, Massimo Moratti, has confirmed this.
Moratti has also moved to say that he intends to keep Sneijder at the club longer, by opening contract talks with the Dutchman.
There are several reasons why I believe this transfer won’t happen. First of all, Sneijder has been key to Inter’s success last season, helping them to a domestic treble. He has been a fabulous bit of business as Inter bought him from Madrid for £12m. Whilst a tidy profit might be tempting, they’d be idiots to sell him after just one season.
Secondly, he’s just having a brilliant world cup. A cliche, and perhaps a little unfair, but with every goal, his value goes up a few notches. He’s in the final now with the Netherlands, and a potential world cup winner. When the likes of Fabregas are valued at £40m, £30m is laughably low for someone of Sneijder’s stature.
Another significant factor is his wages. Currently he’s reported to be earning £3.5m a year after tax. If you factor in taxes (I used a rough estimate based on taxation slabs for Italy) his weekly wages (pre-tax) is approximately 120k. At United, we would have to offer higher wages just to match his current wages—because, remember, in England the taxation rate is higher, at 50%—and we would have to offer him even more than that because Inter are going to try to match that.
So, it’s going to be the coup of Ferguson’s career to pull of a Sneijder deal. Which means, given his rhetoric on “value for money”, we won’t get him.
The other story doing the rounds is of our reported interest in Balotelli, which has also been confirmed by Moratti. Again he maintains he hasn’t received a single bid that’s satisfactory. If reports are to be believed he reckons Balotelli is worth around £30m. [That much money is too much for a world renowned nutcase.] Also: Man City are interested in him, and have put in several ridiculous bids.
So we’ll leave it at that.
There have been stray reports, without much substance of our interest in Ozil. Wonderful player, on evidence of having seen him play in the World Cup. Highly acclaimed by pundits who follow German football, but since I’ve seen him properly only in the World Cup, I won’t have an opinion on him. As for the veracity of this rumour, well, I believe he’s only going to be a back up.
There is also the story that we’re possibly weighing up a bid for Benzema—some reports claiming Berbatov would be off loaded. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Related items from Red Rants:- Ferguson Trots the Same Tired Lines
- Manchester United launch £20m bid for Wesley Sneijder
- Looking Back and Looking Ahead…
- What Happens When A Player Doesn’t Get His Move?
- Is Arjen Robben worth a punt? Here are some stats
Tags: Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours
July 8th, 2010 at 9:25
This isn’t going to happen. One source told me the bid was actually $30m – so about £20m – a laughable sum. In reality United will have to bid well over £30m, and make him the best paid player at the club. NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.
July 8th, 2010 at 9:50
Personally, I wouldn’t want the guy anyway. His arrogance is legendary having once laughed at a Dutch team mate for earning only a quarter of his wages.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:16
Man utd need midfielders that strong,skilful and so intelligent when holding ball. And also need to change the formation pattern to formal 4-4-2 pattern. We dont need striker much, all we need is strong midfield to serve the two front men. Hernandez will deliver, just need to add some players like: schweinsteiger, khedira, suarez, sanchez, Podolski, Benzema, Ozil, Las Diarra. They know what to do when holding ball and when to serve ball. One united.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:16
July 8th, 2010 at 10:40
@United Rant: By most accounts it seems to be closer to £30m rather than $30m. Any case, I don’t think Inter are going to be swayed unless the bid touches £40—something the club is never going to hit.
July 8th, 2010 at 11:12
So the Season Tickets are proving hard to shift? A Reported bid for one of the Worlds best midfielders?
Coincidence?
July 8th, 2010 at 11:31
It is a shame United did not ask for Sneijder to be made part of the deal that took Ronaldo to Madrid. Now it may prove difficult to get him.
Fergie would do well to sign Ozil.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:23
Stephen – where are you mate? Any news at all on how season tickets and corporate boxes are going, because not a peep about it from MUST. Is smug traitor Gill right about business as usual at OT?
.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:23
I guess this depends on Sneijder then. If he kicks up a fuss, says he doesn’t want to play under Rafa (which would be sensible) and he wants to come to United, then £30mil s very much value. He is the type of player we are screaming out for. At 26 he is hitting his peak.
If I had been managed by Mourinho, and then the Fat Spanish Waiter came in to replace him, I’d be off. Inter need to raise around £30mil to buy Marcherano if today’s reports are to be believed.
This would be a great move if it happened.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:30
In other news, Bayern Munich are apparently going to offer £20mil for Berbatov, which if they do not only are they mental, but we should snap their hands off. If our transfer budget is the reported £25mil a season, then selling Foster and Tosic and Berbatov would bring in £32mil.
That’s £57mil in total, which if a £25mil bid for Benzema as reported was true, and the £29mil bid for Sneijder that we know is true would leave us with the option to up the Sneijder bid to £32mil if needed.
Again, this is only spending the £25mil transfer budget we are reported to have each season, with the rest made on player sales. Sounds like us.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:46
Sneijder looks a long shot now. He is certain to win the player of the year award. Balotelli is a good player but has attitude problems. Ozil is the best bet. he has one year on his contract, cant we agree a deal with him now so that we can get him for free next season???
BTW @RedRanter your articles are really good and interesting. Keep up the good work.
July 8th, 2010 at 14:04
@aig alex is god: He already cried a lot to leave shalke to move to leverkusen, if he does it again he will loose all credebility, then what are the chances he wont do the same with us.
July 8th, 2010 at 14:18
@Traverse: Who knows whether we actually have such an amount, also i feel even if we have funds they will be saved for next year when a bigger overhaul will be required once 3-4 experienced players will hang-up boots at once. So i feel may be january or next summer onus will be on us to spend.
July 8th, 2010 at 14:35
@despicable: I think those signings will probably be made this season, not next. At the end of next season when Scholes, Neville and Van Der Sar go if we haven’t already replaced them we will be held over a barrel on prices. I have a feeling Giggs might be here a year or two longer.
Sneijder is a Scholes replacement.
If Rafael kicks on this season, he is our Neville replacement.
VDS’s replacement has to be bought in this season. We can’t afford to wait until next season, when the only goalkeepers on our books will be Kuzczack and Amos.
July 8th, 2010 at 14:35
@despicable: Who cares, he’ll be 31 or 32 by the time his contract would run out!
July 8th, 2010 at 14:57
@Traverse: You think Neville is better right now than Raphael? In my eyes he is easily better than the old guy. Yeah he has his problem but what young player not named messi Doesnt?
July 8th, 2010 at 15:17
Neville is the best right back in the world.
July 8th, 2010 at 15:18
Sneijder is one of those that got away, Fergie will not spend that kind of money unless we are selling. Neuer had a good WC and I hope we are looking at the goal keeping position more than the attacking players! I think we are going to reserve spending till next season, guess depending on the senior players and the form of Ando, Hargreaves etc. Ozil at anything around what we paid for Valencia would be a good investment. Although Sneijder at 25-30 would still be a very very good deal!
July 8th, 2010 at 15:46
Yesterday I was trying to feel optimistic about transfer rumours but after a day of thinking about it, I see the same patterns forming. Fergie always seems to be interested in signing the players he has the least chance of getting. Not only can he not afford the selling price Inter will place on Schneijder, but like RR said, his wage demands will be way off the chart. So then we start talking about the head case Balotelli. Why would we want to pay 30 million for somebody who may be talented but has accomplished nothing due to not just a bad attitude but a selfish, childish and disruptive one. Why is it Fergie always feels he can be the one who will solve the problems of bad boys. He reminds me of all stupid women who hook up with men who are bikers, ex cons or brawlers and swear their mission in life is to change them and make them into the men they would never want to be with because they are too straight laced and conservative as well as decent? Foolishly arrogant and overly ambitious I think because Balotelli isn’t just stupid and temperamental. He is emotionally FUBAR. He has serious emotional problems and insecurities and Ferguson isn’t qualified to deal with those kind of issues. Not for over 30 million. Hell I wouldn’t pay 10 million for him. I also think he is massively overrated.
I think there is a chance if Fergie sells a few players that he will in the end try to get Benzema but at only a 5 million discount that is still too high a price Madrid is asking for a bench warmer. Who the Hell do they think they are fooling? They sit this guy on the bench all season and they are telling the world he is worth 30 million? Try more 15 to 20.
Fergie instead should be looking in thew direction of getting players who are damned good but are also young and uncorrupted yet. Ozil would be a good start. Podolski rumours have to be a joke because for the most part, Podolski is a joke. Going after an engine room DMF like Khedira who is in the last year of his contract seems like good business to me and cheap. And now is the time to take a chance on Huntelaar because he can be had for 10 to 12 million. Trust me, for that price he would be the steal of the century. As for goalkeepers, I do not think Fergie has a shot at Neuer but he still could go after Adler if he was actually awake and serious.
Bottom line in all this is that Fergie is yet again giving all fans the royal snow job. Showing them his interest and efforts to buy players but the market is to unreasonable and teams are demanding ridiculous amounts of money for players. Why is he doing this? Because he has no money and he needs to justify the fact he has no money by making calculated inquiries for players he knows he will not get even if he puts in an offer. He is playing the bluffing game and just once i would like a team to say OK, you can have so n so for that price and then lets see Fergie piss himself knowing full well he hasn’t got the money to complete the deal. He’s nothing more than a con man these days but you know what, I’m not going to bite. I almost bit yesterday. Maybe it was just me being in a melancholy mood over the loss by my Germans.
Fergie has no intention of buying anyone unless he can sell first to fund a buy later. Ozil wants to play for us and has shown for a whole season now just what he’s capable of. In past years that would have been more than enough. Christ I remember Fergie spending big money back then for Karel Poborsky just because he was impressed by one lobbed goal he scored in the EUROS. Well ozil has done a lot more but Fergie doesn’t care because Fergie hasn’t got real money. But he does allegedly own Park Place and Boardwalk and a Get out of Jail free card.
Just how long are we all going to keep falling for the same con job. Fergie, just fuck off. 
July 8th, 2010 at 15:49
@Traverse: They may offer that for Berba and trust me, based on their players and style of play, Berba would be a success there. But Bayern are also seriously looking at Huntelaar and Hunter wants to go there. Since van Gaal is Dutch and van Bommel, Robben and other Dutchmen are there or being linked with a move to Munich, I can see the Huntelaar deal going through at Bayern more so than Berba.
July 8th, 2010 at 15:50
Inter have demanded that Manchester United include super sub Federico Macheda in any offer for Mario Balotelli
July 8th, 2010 at 16:14
Speaking as a defender, knowing that I was about to face Rooney and Balotelli would make me shit myself. Would probably be the most intimidating front due in whole of Europe! And with the style of Nani and Van Der Vaart behind them, we would be a much greater force. Can see it to be honest, but just seems to good to be true… Please Fergie, prove me wrong!
July 8th, 2010 at 17:00
David Villa, at 28, a prime striker, in the World Cup finals as a tournament top scorer cost £34 Million. Why is it that Wesley Sneijder is worth more? Is Barcelona any different from Manchester United?
I guess the market has changed since Villa’s transfer but that doesn’t make the money any different when the player shows he wants to leave. Unfortunately though that may be the case if the kid wants to rack the accolades as ESPN reports. Let’s see what happens.
Althought I will ask…why wait so long Fergie? There was th Ajax – Real Madrid window, then the Madrid-Inter window…. Then the No coach opportunity prior to the World Cup…. what has changed NOW that wasn’t there then? These are my questions.
July 8th, 2010 at 17:01
Chygrynskiy: Guardiola said I had to go because Barcelona have cash problems
Where is Platini with his debt-should-not-be-allowed talks… Barca might crumble under its own weight… Galacticos methods are not sustainable!
July 8th, 2010 at 17:11
Well not surprised to be honest inter have said sneijder is going nowhere. I think again this bid of apparently £29m was just another one of those “pulling the wool over our eyes” kind of bids. In other words, we never had any intention of buying sneijder, we knew straight away the bid would be rejected, but we made it public knowledge so the fans would believe we had £29m to chuck at players and werent skint.
Im sorry but it was bollocks from the start. First of all lets look at the current transfer market state. If players like milner are reportedly going for £30m then is sneijder for £29m a realistic valuation.
No way. I think its pretty obvious inter would never accept such a paltry amount, and united knew this and expected the bid to be rejected as soon as it was lodged.
Its clever on uniteds part. Get the fans hopes up and make it look like we do have the cash even though we all know its a cunning way to make fans think otherwise and wonder if the reports we are skint are rubbish.
Unfortunately until i see a substantial bid has been accepted i will continue to think we are skint. Im sorry but i refuse to believe we were ever willing to offer just shy of £30m and ready to smash our wage structure for sneijder.
It was total crap from day 1 and it will be “we tried for sneijder and a few others but their prices were too high” or “we made a realistic bid for a few players but they were turned down”.
And lets just say i believe we have £30m lying around, ok well why dont we bloody well get our finger out and go for ozil asap before we miss out to madrid. Ozil was always a much more realistic option anyway as he only has a year left on his contract and would fit in just as well i believe as wesley would have.
Will we make a move though, no im positive we wont. And why. Well because there is a good chance a bid of £25m would be accepted and not rejected like the players we usually bid for because we know they will never accept our bid.
You see united you may fool alot of people out there but you dont fool me, i can see what your playing at from a mile away.
July 8th, 2010 at 17:12
Balotelli is an imature, overrated arrogant cock, I would rather stick with Kiko than spend any money on him.
July 8th, 2010 at 17:15
@CraigMc: The word on the street not so well, but my sources are somewhat biased, probably selling well to day trippers, foreigners and large corporate companies there will be a re great atmosphere next season…
July 8th, 2010 at 17:25
@Stephen: agree!
July 8th, 2010 at 17:49
Most beautiful World Cup players of 2010
1) Fabio Cannavaro, Italy
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
2) Fernando Torres, Spain
3) David Villa, Spain
4) Landon Donovan, USA
5) Thierry Henry, France
6) Edinson Cavani, Uruguay
7) Kaka, Brazil
9) Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast
10) Keisuke Honda, Japan
11) David James, England
The ugliest World Cup players of 2010
1) Wayne Rooney, England
Scott Chipperfield, Australia
2) Franck Ribery, France
3) Carlos Tevez, Argentina
4) Vladimir Stojkovic, Serbia
5) Benjamin Huggel, Switzerland
6) Zdenko Strba, Slovakia
7) Rafik Saifi, Algeria
9) John Terry, England
10) Ryan Nelson, New Zealand
11) Daniel Agger, Denmark
July 8th, 2010 at 17:53
@Owen: Isn’t that a little gay?
July 8th, 2010 at 17:56
@Owen: I have no problem offering Macheda for some rolls of two ply toilet paper and a
case of ribbed Trojan condoms but for Balotelli that’s just to stiff a price.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:02
@EduardoDaVinci4: Why are you and everyone dismissing the fact that Balotelli is a complete sack of shit and a scumbag on top of that? He took of the Inter shirt and treated it like a rag in front of fans mate. How many of us United supporters would appreciate him taking of the United colours and treating it like that in front of us just because he got subbed off when he didn’t like it? I hate fucking punks like him and yet fans like yourself are fickle. It seems that if the player has talent and can play, he could have a sideline as a world renowned assassin or child molester and that would be OK as long as he scored goals and entertained. Our club’s already broken. We certainly do not need the presence of a disruptive and disrespectful scum like Balotelli to make things worse. I’m not questioning his talent, i’m questioning his lack of heart, good judgment and his pea sized brain.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:04
@Grognard: Amen to that brother..
July 8th, 2010 at 18:05
@tonymontanna4united: You said it mate. Well said.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:08
@Stephen: And I think you are being too kind in your attack on him. Absolutely right mate. As if this club hasn’t got enough problems we now are seeking trouble makers to enter the dressing room and completely destabilize the team. Hell, at this time all for selling Evra after finding out what he did at the World Cup. Balotelli is like committing suicide if we sign him. I have no faith that Fergie can remove the fangs and venom from this cobra and then tame it as a house pet. I mean if the consummate player’s manager Mourinho couldn’t get him on the same page, and old codger like Fergie won’t do it.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:13
@Owen: Rooney may look like Shrek but he is not uglier than Ribery and I am totally surprised that Puyol is not in that ugly group. Why am I and my two footy friends here in Vancouver the only ones who can see the striking resemblance to Herman Munster?
July 8th, 2010 at 18:18
@Grognard: I posted a comment regarding RedNev.Why you have not replied to it?
July 8th, 2010 at 18:19
Well thats that then. And Fergie knew this because Schneijder said the same thing last year while with Madrid. Still, it was a safe bluff their Fergie. As usual, thanks for nothing.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3046663/WESLEY-SNEIJDER-has-snubbed-interest-from-Manchester-United-by-pledging-to-stay-at-Inter-Milan-next-season.html
July 8th, 2010 at 18:21
@Owen: Sorry mate. I agree, but why stop with the world. Lets include the Universe even if we don’t know what’s out there, we do know that whoever is out there, they can’t possibly be better than Neville.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:23
@tonymontanna4united: &@Grognard: well i agree its a shrewd piece of business, well fact is we always end up paying over the odds for many players and we aren’t in a position to win a bidding war with either real, chelsea or shitty..I agree ozil is a good pick up if possible and we are really suffering true quality in midfeild and I hope fergie addresses this..Gosling anyone?
About Balotelli, he is a true wild card don’t like him and i seriously doubt Fergie will pick up anyone who has such authority issues and its more likely tabloid filth..well Sneijder was never gonna come and his market value has surely hit the roof with the dutch in the WC final and all…
July 8th, 2010 at 18:24
@Grognard: I think one of the main reasons Fergie wants Balotelli is his personality. As weird as it may sound, I think Sir Alex may look at this as another challenge, one he wants to make to compete with Jose. Jose is renowned as the best man-manager in the world, but he didn’t manage to tame Mario. So if Fergie could, it would be another personal victory over Mourinho, and one thus would mean he is the best manager alive.
Freaky stuff yeah, but wouldn’t surprise me to be honest
July 8th, 2010 at 18:25
Ozil is out there. He is ready willing and able to sign for United but you just watch how Fergie avoids him like the plague even though he is cheaper than Scheijder but just as good and with a greater potential upside. Fergie cannot place a bid to Bremen for Ozil because they will accept it and then what? Fergie has to go to Manchester town centre with a soup can begging for coins. Fuck it amazes me that so few have clued into this old bastards transparent as air lame assed strategies to hid the truth from fans. WAKE UP PEOPLE, we are broke and busted and the only way we can buy players is to sell players.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:28
@EduardoDaVinci4: That’s pretty egotistical stuff if it were true. I personally think it’s all BS mate. Honestly, we have money for nothing more than a few deep fried pieces of fish with some chips wrapped in Manchester United monthly newsprint.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:28
@Grognard: I’m better than Neville.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:29
I’m suprised the mass media haven’t reported this yet, but I have on good authority that contract negotiations with Owngoalinho have broken down and he has submitted a transfer request.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:31
@RMJ: The other thing that I find the most disturbing of all is how so many great players now don’t want to play for us anymore because they read the stories about the clubs financial troubles and also, they have watched our club play some of the ugliest and dullest football imaginable in the last two years and although we have success, attack minded players are not keen on being forced out of position and being told they must track back and play conservatively all game long against a minnow. United has lost allure and glow with a lot of players in the world. Fortunately not all have been swayed yet and a player like Ozil is still out there. But Fergie is just a lying manipulative bastard with holes in his pockets. Yet another summer of incredible disappointment.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:34
@EduardoDaVinci4: BS. Neville is going to be the Balon D’Or winner this season and will captain England right into 2018 where he will be still young enough to be at his peak. Man you have bballs to compare your abilities to those of the great world class Beckenbauerish virtuoso Gary Neville.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:35
@Johnsom33: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
He was our only hope, our best player and a true finesse artist of the first order. United need to go borrow whatever money they need from banks to keep him or we are in the shite. 
July 8th, 2010 at 18:39
@Grognard: Wow that was one quick reply!
I know Balotelli is a sobby git, and an immature one. But I think there is hope for him. He reminds me of one of my mates, so I know he is hard to deal with. His ego is huuuuuuuuuuuuuge, but I think it can be tamed or fulfilled at United. His ego is the same as The Greasy One’s, but in a completely different way. I think Fergie would relish a guy like Mario, even though the whole team wouldn’t…
On one hand though, the Inter squad is known for having lots of arrogant tits who don’t know how to behave. I mean, how can a team get 3 of their players yellow carded while on the bench?!
It’s a ridiculous team. Materazzi we know all of, and Toldo, Cambiasso and Etoo aren’t known for being the best blokes either. Hell, even Sneijder is known to have mocked a fellow Dutch team-mate for having a smaller paycheck than him! That teams spirit is shite, I think even I would have snapped there! 
While in United you’ve got temperamented players like Rooney, Scholes and Evra, but they do know how to behave off the pitch. We’ve got one of the best social enviroments within a team in Europe! When Tevez and Ronny left it looks as though everyone is getting along much better, it’s a real team now. Now I don’t know Balotelli, and neither do you, but a change of environment from the Inter one to United may put him on course. I think he would become a massive player here, but we’ll see..
By the way, much of his problems with the Inter fans were because of racist remarks by the guys in the stands. It’s tough being the only black guy in that side who isn’t brasilian, we know Muntari had difficulties there, but since Mario is so young he has taken it much worse. Can’t blame him for that to be honest. Not trying to excuse his behaviour though, it’s shite and immature. But can’t say that his teammates and fellow fans have helped him really…
July 8th, 2010 at 18:41
@Grognard: I think the fact that we decided we didnt want him last year for £13m, and yet a year on were supposedly willing to spend £29m shows me the bid was just bollocks from day 1.
I ask anyone why you would wait a year on sneijder when he was there for the taking at a pathetic £13m. Now he was ready to spend over twice that amount.
Yeah thats right fergie i believe you. This bid was just the usual crap. Bid for a player you know will reject you, but will show the world you were willing to spend money people say you dont have.
Its total crap. I mean for gods sake millwall could bid £60m for ronaldo tomorrow, it doesnt mean they have the money.
Its just another way of shitting in the fans faces. Were just stupid and know nothing, and this bid shows we have £29m lying around. Any fans who say otherwise are idiots.
Oh yeah brilliant ploy fergie, unfortunately not every fan believes what you say anymore, thank god.
And yet fergie here we are, on the face of it you apparently have that £29m to spend. So would that not be enough to get ozil.
Yes ofcourse it would. Unfortunately he wont bid that £29m for ozil because he knows that offer would be accepted, and the money which doesnt exist would have to change hands.
You see fergie i can ready you like a bloody book these days.
Im sorry im repeating myself again but its just the same old same old with united isnt it. Go for players who dont want to play for us and totally ignore the many talented players who would give their left nut just to pull on the united shirt. And why. Well just because if you bid for benzema, sneijder, and lets just add for good measure gerrard, terry and lampard, you know they will never want to join you so despite telling the world you have bid £30m for a player, that imaginary money never has to change hands.
Its just pathetic really. Worse thing is it shows how far we have fallen when wesley would rather play for the clueless fat spanish waiter than to join us. Man i pissed at the constant bad news after bad news and let down after let down this club serves up to its millions of fans on a weekly basis. We deserve so much more than this shit.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:41
I would be delighted with Van Der Vaart really, why the fuck haven’t we gone for him?!
July 8th, 2010 at 18:43
Breaking News :
Man Utd has just signed Heskey.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:44
@EduardoDaVinci4: Because we have Anderson who is much much better than VDV.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:47
@Grognard: for that I have to blame the circus that is the English media(need i say more) and the current economic climate prevailing in England, 50% tax is just too much and while Spain is on the verge of economic collapse, top flight players still enjoy the Beckham-tax exemption…or we have to pay grotesque salaries, just so everyone knows Rooney has yet to sign a contract extension(when i last heard-was waiting on WC to end)
July 8th, 2010 at 18:47
Haha Grognard, yeah we both had Fergie figured out. I suggest we now launch a £40 million pound bid for Messi. Followed by a £20 million pound bid for Essien. And a £30 million pound bid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:48
@Owen: Where did we find the money?!
July 8th, 2010 at 18:49
…and Hargreaves crocked again..not going to Canada for the tour and will miss start of season….its getting real depressing…
July 8th, 2010 at 18:51
@EduardoDaVinci4: cos for once i agree with Fergie, he really isn’t all that big for me
July 8th, 2010 at 18:52
Another Breaking News :
Man Utd’s bid for De Stefano has been accepted by Madrid and on Sunday,Stefano will be presented at OT.
July 8th, 2010 at 18:53
@RMJ: The one great thing about ozil apart from his talent is that this guy actually wants to play for us. I repeat this guy actually wants to join us.
If we bid £25m tomorrow ozil would be on a plane and in manchester by tomorrow dinner time. He has said himself the only leagues he fancies is spain and england.
Now with real i dont think they will be interested because lets face it, they have too much attacking talent.
Barca i dont think play a system that would get the best out of him.
Which leaves our league and us and chelsea the teams he mentioned. Do chelski have space for him. Erm they might well do. But we can say he will have lampard to compete with and again like barca i dont ozil would suit the 4-3-3 as well as our system, but thats just me.
Which leaves us. We are crying out for a class player like ozil. Still young and a player i honestly think will be up there with the best in 2/3 years. So fergie youre looking for value, well this guys value will atleast double like ronaldos did (in ronnies case it bloody doubled about 4 times lol)
But will we make our move, no. And why not. Well because we are skint and fergie will not fight a bit to try and get a player who has made one of the biggest breakthroughs on the big stage in recent times. Its just bloody bollocks mate, its really getting me down all the shit coming from united and their seemingly willingness to just stay where they are and go stale. Worse thing is alot of fans (not on this forum i will say) but still alot of fans say they are happy with the team.
I mean bloody hell how bloody blind can some people be.
The only thing i think right now that would piss me off more than i am now with united is if ozil went to city. I would bloody well be willing to kill fergie if he misses out on this little genius.
July 8th, 2010 at 21:03
@tonymontanna4united: well ist official on all newsnetworks..OH is out for a while…its obvious to every Tom, Dick and Harry that we need some Central midfeilders
But I’m with Grog’s assesment about Fergie who just doesnt seem to fancy germans but Ozil might become an exception.
Well Cana just left Sunderland citing European football, would have beena perfect fit for us cos isn’t all that old and he reminds me so much of Keano in his attitude and style of play…he will be missed
July 8th, 2010 at 21:15
I am tired with owen harg, this is just too much just sell him to someone who has the time to put up with these kind of injuries.
July 8th, 2010 at 21:25
@ROOOOONEY: or do an ole or dean ashton and just retire already
July 8th, 2010 at 21:28
@Owen: David Villa looks like a dawrf, and how is Schwienstiger not topping the ugly footballers list?
@ROOOOONEY: Who would buy him?
July 8th, 2010 at 22:04
@RMJ: Yeah ive heard that, just to give you a situation of how bad our midfield currently is, as of right now the CMs we will start off the season with as of now is carrick, scholes, fletcher and gibson, along with giggs who can play there.
Now im sorry but that is a shocking midfield, that is the kind of midfield i would expect of a bottom 10 premier league team with the exception of fletcher.
Enough of this shit fergie. Goalkeeper is a position i would like to add to but its not top priority. Defence again could do with an addition but its not top priority. In an ideal world i would like to offload a few of the strikers and buy a genuine world class striker to take the burden off rooney. But again its not the main priority.
Its all down to the midfield, and as much as fergie wants to ignore it it is bloody awful right now. Carrick has been off form for over a year and needs to be shipped out. Scholes had a good last few months but his form on the whole was hit and miss. Gibson is no where near united class imo and fletcher while still being our best CM is not world class imo and was used more as an AM later on in the season which i didnt like to see.
Enough fergie just a fucking nough. Get rid of carrick to whichever second rate club will take this slug, and get £12m for him. Get rid of berbatov if hes not going to be a starter and get £15-20m.
Add this to the £15m we got from foster and tosic and its decent money to throw around.
Go out and put the money on the table for ozil for fucks sake. The man is exactly what we need, and will only get better and if we want to sell him 5 years down the line his price will double. That value for you fergie.
That leaves us another £15m or so, go out and get a DM to replace hargo. Theres bloody loads of them, flamini, diarra (either of them), even scott bloody parker for gods sake. All of them available for the price were looking at.
Ideally i would like to add a neuer to the team but if we can somehow get it agreed he will join next season then thats fine.
I mean ffs im already going on about bringing players in purely from money received in players sales, if the glazers dont even let you spend the little you get there after stealing the ronnie money then they can go to hell.
Its not perfect but our team and midfield would look alot stronger with ozil and say flamini added to it. Then we could line up something like this:
VDS
RAFAEL RIO/EVANS VIDIC EVRA
FLETCHER ???? (IDEALLY FLAMINI IMO)
VALENCIA OZIL NANI
ROONEY
That team isnt bad considering and its about bloody time we started to make this midfield and this team look half way decent, because its not right now.
Now i bet my right nut any money we get from player sales goes straight back to the glazers but if so it just further adds to my point that fergie should bloody well stand up to them and do what is right.
Of course we all know what an arse licker fergie has become so it looks like another season of watching carrick slug around at the speed pubic hair grows, watching giggs and scholes get one year older and players like gibbo show the whole world yet again how untalented they are.
But dont worry hargreaves will be back fighting fit soon
July 8th, 2010 at 22:38
@EduardoDaVinci4: It was a quick reply because I’m sitting here next to my Mac writing a long and vital business proposal and so I can easily check the blog every ten or fifteen minutes to look for replies.
As fro Balotelli, I might not feel so scared if I knew he had a command of English. But trying to get through to his thick skull through an interpreter or Macheda is going to be very difficult for Fergie who is hard for us to understand at the best of times and we speak English. I’m not too sure what language Fergie speaks but I think it sounds like combination of having food in your mouth as well as small marbles.
Ronaldo was willing to learn and listen and was eager while respecting the Gaffer. Balotelli, well he’s just a punk. Honestly mate, if Mourinho can’t get him to comply with the team philosophy, nobody can. And when you consider how many misfits Inter had, I think it speaks volumes over how much of a miracle worker Mourinho is that he could get such a cabal of turkeys to achieve a Treble.
July 8th, 2010 at 22:45
@tonymontanna4united: Think about it mate. Perez was willing to move heaven and earth to get Ronaldo. Any smart and astute businessman would have said to him ” You want Ronaldo bad enough? We want 80 million and Wesley Schneijder for free.” Considering the man was wasting away on the bench do you think that a team willing to pay 80 million for a player would give a rats ass throwing in a player they don’t rate as a sweetener to seal the deal? But Fergie is not a businessman and Gill is just an ass clown and so they had no idea what they were doing. Madrid is like a fat glutton. Feed them what they want and you can get them to capitulate on almost anything. They craved Ronaldo and we never had the greed, imagination or bollocks to also ask for players on top of the money. Just disgusts me because United, not Ronaldo or Madrid were in the driver’s seat because of his contract with us.
July 8th, 2010 at 22:51
@tonymontanna4united: Just in. Reports indicate that Manchester United have made a 12 million pound bid to acquire Lio Messi. Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying he feels confident that United can get Messi after offering what he termed “a very fair and reasonable offer which is in line with market conditions and realistic player value”. Barcelona has not confirmed this bid as it is believed one of their secretaries accidentally mistook the document for toilet paper. When Ferguson got wind of the situation he pointed his finger at the map of Germany on his dartboard and said in typical Ferguson style, “Typical Germans” Apparently he is blaming Bayern Munich for the lost bid.
July 8th, 2010 at 22:53
@Owen: Finally, a signing we can all be proud of. What’s that at least an extra 30 goals a season for the team? Fergie’s a genius.
July 8th, 2010 at 22:54
@Owen: Oh please mate. I can’t even read that with a straight face.
July 8th, 2010 at 22:57
@RMJ: Agreed but the same exists for all teams and it doesn’t seem to be stopping Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal from making deals. Hell even West Ham have tried to get both Riquelme and Klose.
July 8th, 2010 at 22:58
@colver: 40 million pound bid for Messi?
Read my post #68. The number reported there is more like Fergie, not 40 million. And he is probably bluffing with that amount anyway. 
July 8th, 2010 at 23:01
@Owen: I have to apologize to Fergie for all the nasty things I have been saying. First it was Heskey, now Di Stefano, the man is really throwing the money around and buying young legends. Wiley old bird.
Does that mean Charlton is on the bench and no longer the starting AMF?
July 8th, 2010 at 23:05
@tonymontanna4united: If Ozil goes to City, United will officially be dead to me and Bayern will once again be #1 in my heart with a bullet. I can only take so much fan abuse by United management and staff.
July 8th, 2010 at 23:08
@RMJ: Fergie might fancy transplanted Germans as he knows in his racist heart that none of them have real German blood and thus there is no reason to hate them. Ozil, Khedira, Boateg, Podolski, Trochowski, Tasci, Marin, Aogo, Klose are just some of the samplings he can choose from. OOPS!
Sorry, what am I saying? They would all still require some money being spent so that cancels them out too. I can’t think of anyone available on a free transfer who wants to work for free. 
July 8th, 2010 at 23:10
@ROOOOONEY: Sell him to someone. There isn’t an idiot on the planet dumb enough to buy that broken record.
July 8th, 2010 at 23:11
@Traverse: Hey! Watch what you say about my beloved Schweiny. He’s deceptively cute.
July 8th, 2010 at 23:30
@Grognard:
Nice one mate, the situation is so depressing i think all you can do is have a good laugh. If you didnt laugh you would only bloody cry eh.
July 8th, 2010 at 23:44
@Albert Yome: i think this is what is happening we are in the news with city about every player and they are paying over the odds and huge wage bills. and we pull hernandez out of our ass.
let them buy ten more forwards and wonder why a team with 4 strikers starting doesnt win the prem. 
July 9th, 2010 at 0:13
@tonymontanna4united: Seriously, it’s the only thing that keeps me sane and from just throwing up my arms in frustration and saying to Hell with Man Utd. Marriages end after 35 years, so why the hell shouldn’t my allegiance to a football team if the love is gone. This old adage “United for Life” might sound all cool and romantic but for fans like myself who are not born in Manchester and who haven’t had the allegiance of the team passed down to them like old clothes, it is much easier to just say see ya later.
I have loved this club for 35 years with a passion. But it clear now that the team doesn’t love me or any of it’s millions of supporters worldwide. That makes us look just a little bit stupid and gullible in my books and I don’t like to be made to look stupid and gullible. So lets just say this team right now is hanging by a thin rope and is officially on Grognard’s Double Secret Probation (concept stolen from the movie ‘Animal House’). I really don’t need this shite when my other love Bayern is basically making all the right moves and may even get the player I have coveted most for 4 years, Huntelaar. I’m no traitor, I’m just no fool.
July 9th, 2010 at 0:15
well… we can all laugh at city for a while longer at least.
seems they need to recoup almost twice what they have been offered on robinho.
if they have so much cash why are they haggling over the sale price of a player that doesnt want to be there and they dont want/need.
bc just like barca their bills are stacking up and they are not bringing in any more money for all their spending. even billionaires have a budget.
lets all laugh at citeh
July 9th, 2010 at 0:23
berba gets inked(cross tat)
link
so if it is an ink cross it doesnt burn the flesh of vampires? huh!
July 9th, 2010 at 1:02
@Grognard: See ya later, then!!
July 9th, 2010 at 1:19
Owen Hargreaves is still not ready and according to the Guardian – he’s back seeing his surgeon in Colorado.
I just waiting for the other foot to fall, when the news of his retirement becomes public.
Such a shame for a potentially great United addition.
Also, I’m bummed about Schneider’s decision to stay at Inter – although making a decision now about his future would not be welcomed by the Dutch team. I’ll wait on this one until after the WC final.
July 9th, 2010 at 2:37
@Redrich: Double Secret Probation doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere Red. I’m playing a wait and see game. Sorry to disappoint you there mate. By the way, why are you so down on me and on my case of late? I thought we were buds. Lately you have really been on my ass and I don’t get it. So what if I like Germany. And regarding Fergie, you know I’m right, so why take such an angry stance against me? I’m certainly not angry with you but I am frustrated that you are going south on me here just because we don’t always share the same views. Had you vented your spleen like I did the last thing i’d be telling you to do is “See ya later then”.
July 9th, 2010 at 2:49
Apparently Man Utd is not the only team suffering from financial madness. Something really smells in Catelonia right now because none of what’s happening with that team makes any sense. If anybody can figure out how a team can be seeking a loan to pay it’s players yet buys one player for 32 million and is now ready to offer over 40 million for another. Where the fuck is Michel Platini now? Theis is just madness.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1293197/Barcelonas-claim-skint-simply-doesnt-add-up.html?
July 9th, 2010 at 2:55
@Grognard: Been there mate, fact is it’s impossible to break free from the spell of Manchester United. You’ve been through too much to just leave the ship, hard, cold facts for you there mate.
However hard you try,, it ain’t possible. 
July 9th, 2010 at 3:07
@Grognard: I guess I feel you have become anti-United to the nth degree. A lot of your commentary is not just negative, but self-servingly so.
You have now developed a hub of opinion, in which all roads lead back to your central theme – your hatred of Ferguson.
It’s become so invasive, that I no longer read most of your stuff, or try to understand the motivation that drives you. In a way you’ve become the antithesis of a United blog – attracting negative thought, (never optimistic) and perpetrating irrational rebellion, which, TBH with you, has focused most commentary to the regions of our anatomy that gets its jollies from our first neanderthal feelings.
You have become completely uncompromising in all of this, and will now only listen to those that mirror your thoughts.
I’m sorry, mate, I did think I had a common discourse with you, but in the end you seem to serve only your own ego, and it’s become too much for my liking.
July 9th, 2010 at 4:56
@Redrich: I’m sorry you feel that way. I completely understand your feelings but I have to say you have me all wrong and I am not just saying that to defend myself. This has nothing to do with any self serving or egotistical desire or need on my part. My only crime here mate is that i’m loud and when I roar people notice. I am very much upset with what has happened to my beloved team and I have an enormous sore spot for one Alex Ferguson because I honestly in my heart of hearts feel betrayed and lied to by him. I would hope that even if you didn’t share the same feelings that you were at least a little more sympathetic with my right to feel that way based on the evidence at hand.
I like you Red, really I do. I think you are wise bird like myself and you have been around. Your posts are intelligent and funny and you have a good keen perspective on things. But like you, I don’t always agree with you. I don’t see a problem with that when two people respect each other’s opinions. But somewhere down the line you stopped respecting my opinions and as you said, stopped reading them because I wasn’t agreeing with you. I feel bad about that.
Sad thing is I am funny Red and I offer a lot of humour on this blog even it is at the expense of Fergie and his transfer policies most of the time. I’d say Eddy and others would agree that I do joke around but yes, there are times when I am very serious because what is happening to United is very serious business. I cannot just back away and not voice my feelings, my disgust and my concern over what has and what hasn’t been happening. I would think you actually respected that.
I have always read your posts and will continue to as well as continue to think highly of you, but I do feel hurt that you feel the way you do about me and that you so have misjudged me and my intentions. It’s never been about me or my ego mate. Never ever ever. It’s just that when I am mad or when I care about something, I voice it loud and with passion and perhaps I just beat it to death. I’m sorry but that is me and to change who I am because it rubs somebody the wrong way is difficult and kind of unfair.
I greatly respect your feeling and your views but I clearly have never ever intended to upset you intentionally other than poke a little trash talk at your direction before and after the England vs Germany game. I felt it was all in good fun as I knew fully we were miles apart on that issue but always felt we were major allies on what was most important, Man Utd. I guess I was wrong on that count.
All I can do is hope that in time you will warm up to me again and forgive my temper, strong point of view and passion and just accept that the situation with United has me truly up in arms. I donated a lot of money to MUST and have sacrificed as much as I could because of my beliefs so I do not feel or act like a hypocrite or a fair weather fan and I do feel a great deal of pain over what is happening to my team because I love Manchester United a lot. I used to love and greatly respect Fergie too. I still respect him for his great accomplishments and his abilities as a manager but as a person I am a little torn right now because his actions make no sense to me and his attitude towards all the fans who are screaming bloody murder by the Glazer’s is being mocked at and ignored. And of course I am tired of his lies and deceptions when it comes to money and transfers.
I have to say thought that with all due respect mate, I have no idea what you are on about when it comes to ego and self serving. We all have egos but my intentions on here were never for ego gratification. Far from it. For me this is much like a political forum. I have found a cause I believe in and I am just voicing my views for that cause. Yes I will debate heavily with some and even come across as a bully but it is not for the intention of making myself feel good. It’s to support a point or a cause I believe in. Of all people I thought you to be one who would understand and tolerate that. I’m just so hurt you feel the way you do.
Oh and one more thing Red, this thing about compromise. Why should I compromise my beliefs. Why should I bend or give in on something when I am passionately for or against it? I don’t understand that accusation you made. Compromise is not part of my style but I certainly don’t feel I should apologize for it. Often I am right and often I am wrong, but never will I compromise. For me that’s selling out. Fergie is full of compromise.
July 9th, 2010 at 5:13
@despicable:
I think you are talking about Ozil. He moved from Schalke to bremen. It was Schalke’s loss and they could and should have hung on to him. He was on 15k a week at Schalke . They offered him a 3 year contract with the same wages when he wanted 25k instead of 15k. He wasnt asking for anything much, was he??. They didnt do it and he went to bremen for 4.3 mn euros. I dont think he will do anything like that at United. United are much bigger than any of these 2 German clubs and will give him a chance to compete for major honors at domestic and European level
July 9th, 2010 at 8:35
You know it’s become pretty damned clear to me that when I write my scathing criticism’s towards Fergie and Manchester United on this blog that I piss off and offend many of you who seem to have a problem with my views and with the what in all honesty and humility is probably the truth. The following article from another United blog eerily sounds an awful lot like me and echos all the concerns I have had with Fergie’s grandstanding bluff tactics when it comes to signing players. I know I am not alone and criticism of Fergie and the club’s operation is all over the media and Internet but on this blog, I have literally been accused of being the Antichrist and have been accused of self serving egomaniacal behaviour while one of my former allies on this blog has gone as far as calling my contributions Anti-United.
With some it has become the norm to attack those who are determined to protect the club from the Glazer’s and their allies. Any attacks on Sir Alex Ferguson or the team in general is considered anti United simply because some just cannot stomach or handle hearing the truth. Rather than face the reality of the situation which time after time after time is being revealed, they choose to close their eyes and ears and would rather attack the messenger rather than attack the problem.
I love this blog and I like and respect almost everyone on this blog even some of the individuals who hate me and and or disagree with me on a regular basis. I realize that I am not everyone’s cup of tea and that my personality and writing style can put many off. But my question to many of you is why is my message anti-United? Why is my VALID concern over over the antics of the ownership and the manager being brushed aside when it mimics the exact concern many in the media as well as a large United support group like MUST are in line with? The answer to that is that I go a bit further by having the courage and bollocks to point a direct finger at somebody who many of you have blindly and ridiculously anointed with sacred status and off limits for criticism. That of course is Sir Alex Ferguson. Well all I can say is that in my heart of hearts all I can say is that you are all not only wrong but incredibly naive and almost too scared to open your senses up to hear the truth and look at the facts. Hate me all you want. One day I will be vindicated.
In the mean time have read of this article which totally sees through Fergie’s con job and points out some more than valid and more than obvious case studies of his con job against many United fans who have yet to fully understand what is happening here. I just hope that one day some of you will lighten up regarding me and realize that I am every bit as much a fan of the club as you. But like Obama supporters in 2008, I’ll be damned if I would allow more years of a Bush like regime running the the team I love into the ground and getting support and a thumbs up from our manager in the process. The fact that so many of you do not question his loyalty and do not find his actions and lies offensive is truly shocking and more disturbing than what Glazer is presently doing to the club’s bank account.
http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/bids-reveal-united’s-weaknesses/?
July 9th, 2010 at 8:53
@Grognard: We all respect your views mate and they are always a geat read but you are labouring your anti Fergie views somewhat, we all no you “hate” the manager and covert Mourinho. But it seems to me that in every post you try try to justify your opinion and people like me simply don’t share it, or share it to your level.
I am frustrated with his decision to side with the Glazers, I don’t agree with it but understnd it. He has been a wonderful manager for out club, he has made the modern day United and I simply won’t forget that. Yes he has made many mistakes but most mnagers do, I am more interested in the ones he gets right, the big ones which he on the large percentage does.
We are all fed up with the current running of our great club, but slinging mud at the manager for me is the wrong stool pigeon.
July 9th, 2010 at 8:57
@Grognard: Okay, before you jump on me let me add a disclaimer here: I am trying to work out why people might get mad at you, and this is not what I think of you necessarily. I repeat, I’m just musing based on reading your stuff over the years and observing trends.
Okay…
I think it’s because you say stuff like you will jump off the ship and move off to supporting Bayern. As much as I can see your reasons for it, for most people here that’s not kosher. United Rant, the site you linked to, even if he were to criticize Ferguson, Gill and the Glazers, would not threaten to jump ship ever. That kind of talk just works people up.
Another thing, as you proudly say so yourself: you shoot from the hip. And while it’s great to let yourself out, a lot of times you can say stuff that you might regret, or that could have been phrased better so that they aren’t misinterpreted.
And finally, maybe it’s your style of debating that’s aggressive. Not abusive, but aggressive, which could rub people the wrong way.
Personally, I get what you are about, and I don’t have a problem with the views that you share here. But I know where you’re coming from and a lot of others might not share the same sentiments.
July 9th, 2010 at 9:09
I think if our budget is around 25 million pound, then this is my transfer target (for midfielder only)
1.Rafael Van Der Vaart (top priority)
2.Marek Hamsik
3.Yoann Gourcuff
4.Stephen Ireland
5.Alexis Sanchez
6.Joe Cole
July 9th, 2010 at 9:17
@Grognard:
I totally agree. I myself used to be a regular poster on another United blog and when you are brutally realistic fans often tend to slag you and accuse you of being negative and a glory hunter. Also given my user name when i doubt any move SAF makes people accuse me of not respecting the manager and doubting him. Your last post was really good. i agree with every word of it. There are issues at the club which need to be addressed.we cant pretend everything is fine
July 9th, 2010 at 9:35
The fact is that lately Fergie has not done a single good thing for which we can praise him.He deserves the anger because he has turned into a liar.
July 9th, 2010 at 9:38
@fahimy shahimey: And this is Fergie’s target :
1.Heskey
2.Gossling
3.Roul
4.Cole
5.Puskas
July 9th, 2010 at 10:34
Owen Hargreaves needs to go. He has been with us for 3 years and only played 20 odd games for us. It is a Saha situation and the sooner we sell him the better. It saddens me because with no Hargreaves and a dud Carrick and Anderson and Scholes and Giggs in their final year, we really need TWO central midfielders but of course we won’t even get ONE this summer
(
July 9th, 2010 at 11:27
Like it or not Fergie is part of the axis of evil consisting of Glazer, Gill and himself. Together they conspire to pull the wool over the fans and lie about our financial situation and make stupid excuses for not strengthening our squad.
I understand that he does not want to rock the boat by publicly slagging off his bosses. But he can at least avoid lying to the fans and making out like we have lots of money but there is no value (which is ridiculous).
July 9th, 2010 at 11:54
What Messi did to get nomination for Golden Ball?
July 9th, 2010 at 13:00
@Owen: He hasn’t done anything lately? well over the past four seasons we have won the league cup 3 times, the league three times, European cup once.
Some fans are certainly spoilt.
I cannot condone him siding with the Glazers, no true fan can but there is a middle ground between love and hate, grey area and to say he has done nothing is simply wrong.
July 9th, 2010 at 13:14
Of course we were successful but we are on a downward slide and I dont see adequate measures being taken to prevent that.
The achilles heel in our central midfield has cost us big games in the Champions League notably Barcelona and Bayern Munich but even Milan before that. Yet four seasons later we are still relying on Carrick and playing old timers like Scholes and Giggs with no replacements lined up.
Compare that to the Fergie of old who refused to tolerate mediocrity and was always trying to make our side better.
Now we are just making stupid punts on no-name youngsters and sticking with flops like Anderson and Berbatov and Carrick who would have been weeded out in the past.
The average age of our first team has steadily risen over the years and that is because we are failing to sign players in the 22-25 range who have been the lifeblood of our continued success over the last twenty years.
Just like all great empires we are starting to rot and if we do not arrest the decline we will in five to ten years time be a midtable side with little prospect of anything more than the UEFA Cup.
Each year of inadequate transfer market activity will result in us losing ground to our rivals and being overtaken by ambitious teams with big pockets such as Tottenham and Manchester City.
The writing is on the wall
July 9th, 2010 at 13:29
At least Barcelona are also in trouble. Their pathetic negotiating tactics for Fabregas are so transparent. Fabregas for £50 million is a GREAT deal and their attempt to haggle it down to £30 million is pathetic. If they had the cash and offered £50 million Im sure Arsenal would sell so they only have themselves to blame.
July 9th, 2010 at 13:29
@colver: What can he do mate?
We cannot compete on a level with Citeh or Chelsea anymore they are the harsh facts of life, we simply have to deal with that until the Glazers sell which will be no time soon, they are milking too much money.
I am not going to blame the manager as much as the feckin Yanks, they are the ones to blame. Fergie is is the glue keeping the side together, yes Berba, Anderson, Carrick, Valencia, the old guard and no what we all want but under what other could have taken the league to the wire last season?
I wish he would say something, or not said anything but these are the cards as fans we have been dealt, which is a shitty one but without Fergie we are well untruly fucked.
July 9th, 2010 at 13:55
Despite all the fergie bashing, you gotta love the old tosser for to me looks like he pulled a fast one on shitty. Now after yesterdays “supposed” Balotelli bid, Man city cant get enough of Inter’s number “best’ new talent. They wanna do what Chelski did when picking up players when Roman first arrived on the scene of the crime>>Kenyon stealing Ballack, Robben and Mikel, and now Shittty aka mancini is on Ballotelli like a flash.
This basically compounds what I was saying yesterday. We just cant compete with the buying power of City. All we can do is lay dummy targets, hope chelski and shitty take a bite and fill themselves up and we pick either the left overs or Fergie’s new love child so to speak
July 9th, 2010 at 14:06
Todays rumors:
1.United Set For £25M Mesut Ozil Bid
2.Ajax keeper Stekelenburg emerging as Man Utd choice to succeed Van der Sar
3.Luiz has his heart set on moving to only one of two clubs – Real Madrid or Manchester … United
July 9th, 2010 at 14:46
Stephen, I dont expect us to spend £100 million a year. But either by player sales or whatever else I find it extraordinary that we have yet to buy the £20-£30 million pound central midfielder we desperately need. And yeah Fergie should just shut up or just say something like “We are not in a position to make any new signings”.
This whole “Oh yeah we got the Ronaldo money but there is no value and our squad is great so we arent going to be signing anyone this summer” pisses me off.
July 9th, 2010 at 14:59
I was just checking CNN and the UK is going to increase taxes again
things just dont seem to be gpoing well for us in any department…
July 9th, 2010 at 15:16
@colver: I totally agree, for me the Sneijder offer was a smoke screen knowing he would probably not leave and secondly they would not sell.
I am as pissed off as anyone about the lies coming out of Old Trafford, but the issue is we are a proud club and Gill, Fergie and the Glazers don’t want to admit there is no money available, the problem is the secret is already out.
Fergie is not covering himself in glory no doubt, but the abuse aimed at him is over the top.
July 9th, 2010 at 17:41
I never thought that Roy Hodgson is such a fool.He wants to replace Torres with Crouch
July 9th, 2010 at 18:08
By bidding £29mil for Snejider, Fergie has shown us that the money is there (even if it isn’t) so why have we not bid £25mil for Ozil this morning? He wants to come here, they have to sell, we have the desire to try and purchase for that position, and apparently the money.
VDS
Rafael Vidic Ferdinand Evra
Fletcher Carrick
Valencia Ozil Nani
Rooney
That’d be a damn good team. One player. £25mil. JUST BLOODY GET ON WITH IT AND DO IT ALREADY!
July 9th, 2010 at 18:18
@Stephen: I get what you are saying but then again I thought this was a rant site and I was just ranting. I tend to reply to every comment directed to me as well, I reply to other comments. The frequency of my participation I think is really the problem here because if I was on here less, then I could still make my views known but at a lesser rate which might help get on people’s nerves less. I will say this though, it really amazes me how many seem to want to ignore Fergie’s part in all this and give him a free ride as an innocent pawn. Oh well, I’ll shut up about him and the whole thing from now. If I write about it it will be on my own blog which none of you have bothered to go participate at anyway which tells me just how unpopular i have become over here. No problem, I’l just drop my crusade against injustice and corruption and i’ll just stick to reviewing and previewing games and debating about other topics. Then again, it won’t be long before I get it in those forums for whatever reasons.
Thanks for the input mate, I do appreciate it but to say I am not frustrated with people’s ignorance of Fergie’s guilt and with their attitude towards me would be a lie.
July 9th, 2010 at 18:24
Traverse, the £29 million bid was a bluff. We knew it would not get accepted. If we offered £25 million for Ozil his club would probably accept and then we would have to admit publicly we have no cash.
July 9th, 2010 at 18:57
There was absolutely no way in hell that inter were ever going to sell sneijder for anything less than what they just sold ibra for, and he is nowhere near as talented nor a player who is up for the big games. 29 million pounds is an absolute joke, it would have to be more like 50 mill, which is unrealistic, unaffordable, and honestly barring ronnie, no player is worth. As World Class as sneijder is it isn’t in the clubs wage structure, history, nor best interests to adopt a galactico style transfer policy. Paying more than 35 million pounds for a player is never a good bet, look at berba, i know we all see it as impossible, but what if sneijder doesnt take to the game or style of the team.
PLEASE, for the love of god, can we sign ozil for a respectable sum that reflects the players wage demands, age, potential, and obvious ability not to mention he is in the last year of his contract (25 mill tops). The only sneijder our beloved club could afford is his wesley’s brother, Rodney.
One more thing, I know that our club prides itself with a history of not tapping players up (which is a lie to begin with). Why can we not get our own “Marca”, and tap up young talent like ozil to come play for united? If real and the other heavyweights refuse to play by the rules, why should we?
July 9th, 2010 at 19:40
Starting with Modric,then Silva ,yesterday Sneijder, today Ozil, who tomorrow.Messi?
Fergie ,you are the person who can save this club.But when you will realize ?What has happened to you Fergie,our own Fergie.Do we have to stand in front of you and cry so that you will stop telling lie and will take some positive,bold steps.
July 9th, 2010 at 20:10
@Traverse: That is a good team and Ozil is YOUNG… that’s a good and young team..
July 9th, 2010 at 20:16
@colver: I know that, but what I’m saying is, by now not going after someone cheaper and younger in the exact same position they make themselves look stupider.
I think everyone would agree that spending £25mil on a 21 year old when we were willing to spend £29mil on a 27 year old is much better value. If we don’t make an offer for Ozil, Fergie has made a rod for his own back, and his value comments are all invalid.
July 9th, 2010 at 20:35
@Traverse: He has already proved his value comments are invalid by not going after Arshavin,Sneijder,Neuer,VDV,Krasic.
July 9th, 2010 at 20:35
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I know, it’s so irritating. One player that we can apparently afford, wants to come here and whose club has to sell that would greatly improve our team. That team looks much younger, fresher and able, than the same team would look with say Giggs or Scholes in that role, as neither would be as attacking. Just get on with it!
July 9th, 2010 at 20:37
@Red Ranter: I have to say RR that I agree with you 100%. I realized that my allegiance to Bayern and to Germany were rubbing people on here the wrong way but I was being honest. They all need to remember that I have been a Bayern and Germany supporter longer than I have been a supporter of United. But what they also need to realize and respect is that I have been a United supporter and a loyal one at that for more years than most of these critics have been alive. 35 years of loyal support I feel has garnered me a little freedom to rock the boat and say my peace. I have been through the bad times as well as the good times but I never ever got as mad or as aggressive against any manager like I have been with Fergie of late. His actions for me are inexcusable and traitorous and the fact many on this blog have their heads in the sand is not my fault. I am not questioning his tenure or his incredible record as a football manager and legend. I am questioning his motives and judgement in siding with the glazer’s and with continually slinging mud at us the supporters of MUST and the Red Knights and any group that is against the Glazer regime. Yes i am very pissed off at him but it’s the lies about value and the lies and grandstanding con jobs he throws at all of us claiming to make offers for player that he knows will never come here because they don’t want to or because he has assured they won’t by bidding well below the market value. Seriously RR, 29 million for Schneijder when Ya Ya Toure just went for 27 million and David Silva went for more? Who the Hell does he think he is kidding? Well apparently quite a few considering how many enemies I have made with my comments.
What also gets me mate is the fact that I have honestly and sincerely made my points and yes I have coveted Mourinho from afar and I do hope one day he does take over for obvious reasons. But to continually throw that at me and accuse me of wanting Fergie sacked now and Mourinho replacing him is a falsehood of the highest order. I get frustrated and angry when all these people against me and even yourself the other day accuse me of this and yet I can find dozens of examples in past posts where I have said that Fergie as a manager is doing a fine job and that it would be a catastrophe (exact words) for him to leave or be sacked before the Glazer’s are gone. Mourinho or any other manager would have to put up with the same BS and limitations which would make their position untenable. Fergie on the other hand has the respect of the players due to his time with the club, his resume and his tenure.
Having said all that, I do agree that I am overly aggressive but I have my reasons mate because when I debate it’s not because I have to be found right or the victor, it’s because more often than not I am right and the funny thing is how many times have I claimed something or predicted it only to be proven right. Like three years ago when I predicted this very financial mess that the club is in. I said way back then when all things were looking rosy. Why? Because unlike a lot of people on this blog I knew who the Glazer’s were and their track record and also because I take the experience and knowledge I have gained involved in big business and government very seriously because it has given me the education and tools to prognosticate and condemn those in business who work the system the way Glazer does. But so many of them feel threatened and put off with my knowledge or experience in these matters because it affects their self esteem or makes them feel insecure in debating with me because of this lack of experience. I’m so sick and fucking tired hearing one guy say to me that perhaps I am right but i have no right to speak that way or that I am wrong because he has a gut feeling that things are the opposite of what I say etc etc.
I lose it when dense and ignorant fans lambast me because their naiveté and blind loyalty doesn’t allow them to look at things from all aspects and to have the courage of their convictions to ask key questions of the manager and his role in all this? Here no evil, see no evil and speak no evil is an ongoing theme with many on here and frankly, it pisses me off as much as I piss them off. But unlike them and their passive aggressive hostility towards me for being the messenger, I shoot form the hip like you said. Yes I do over do it some times and I do regret a lot of the way’s I have handled situations in the past but I do not regret what I was saying, just how I said it.
Having said all that, I do agree with your assessment overall. Whether I like it or not I am unpopular and disliked immensely by many. I am like and respected by few. It’s funny how the ones who generally like me are the ones more often than not who write more than a sentence or small paragraph when they post. They generally have a lot o say and have the same passion and ability to communicate or convey their messages as I have. Bottom line is I enjoy and respect others long post because for me the more you have to say and the better you say it without wasting time with useless Twitter style chit chat is what makes this blog great. But when you have a lot to say and are open enough to be honest and forthcoming, the better your chances are of offending or pissing off others even if the subject matter has nothing to do with them personally. To think of the number of nasty comments I have received over the years just because I didn’t like a player or the performance of the team or Fergie’s attitude. You’d think I personally mugged these people and stole their wives.
Honestly mate, I have a much thicker skin than what you think I have or what I thought I have because I’m still around. I love talking football whether it’s positive or negative and that’s what keeps me coming back. Certainly not the majority of the people on this blog who either hate me or are indifferent. But the good news to all of them is that right now I am finally getting to the point where I will be far too busy to be part of this blog as much as I have up to now. Within a week or so happy members of this blog will be elated to see much less of that miserable SOB Grognard than they have in the past. I am working very hard right now trying to get a business up and so my time on here will be severely hampered and this too will affect the plans I had for my personal blog which needs a lot of work and reconstruction (not that anyone on here bothered to notice or contribute towards).
So although I am not leaving or quitting the blog, my enemies will be happy to know they won’t have Grognard around as much to kick around or be kicked around. I am bitter and angry and i feel completely betrayed by many on this blog I used to consider friends from afar. But so many have turned on me and to be honest, I don’t give a fuck for their reasons because their personal views on the game or people in the game would not have made me turn on them the way they have turned on me. Spiteful and petty and mean spirited the whole gang of them, whether right or wrong. They have literally made this blog no fun for me anymore and perhaps that is why my rants are just that much more aggressive. Lets just say I am not perfect but I also know how to defend myself in a fight of wills.
Anyway mate, I hold no grudge against you whatsoever. You were honest and sincere with your comments and to a great degree you are right. I just needed to point out things from my perspective and correct a lot of misconceptions that are floating around like I have some self serving secret agenda and that my ego is out of control. I have a large ego and I am arrogant as Hell but I am also right most of the time and like Jack Nicholson said in the movie, to all those doubters out there “You can’t handle the truth”. I can say that with great confidence and assurance because i have been proven right so many times in the past and because I am right at this very moment when it comes to United, the Glazer’s and Fergie’s role in all this.
35 years I have been a loyal fan and some of these wet behind the ear types have the gall to challenge my loyalty and my love for the team and accuse me of selfish grandstanding and mounting imaginary campaigns against Fergie and for Mourinho. What a load of total bollocks. I’m just a passionate albeit temperamental fan spouting his feelings and ranting on a blog (a single fucking blog up until a friend of mine started my own two weeks ago) and looking to debate with like minded people (aka United supporters). The fact I don’t belong to any other blog should tell all these idiots that I have no self serving agenda as my message is only getting to a few hundred people at the most and only a few dozen regular contributors. Boy that’s like Hitler saying he is going to convince Germany he is the right man to lead by screaming his agenda out to everyone in a latrine in a secluded farmhouse.
Unbelievable RR, truly unbelievable. No respect, no appreciation and no politeness is all I get. Frankly, other than you and a handful of others, this blog doesn’t deserve me and what I bring to table. That may sound arrogant and full of conceit but the sad fact is, it’s true, it’s damned true.
July 9th, 2010 at 20:38
@Owen: It can be argued that with Krasic (and previously Arshavin) that we are pretty good for those positions. Nani and Valencia are set for left and right next season, and is probably why we didn’t go after Silva. We still don’t know what will happen with the goalkeeping situation, but everyone and his nan knows we need a new goalkeeper as VDS is 40. We’ll see what happens there. From teh talk of Steklenberg i’d imagine a cheapo option, next summer.
July 9th, 2010 at 20:51
@Traverse: Silva was a great shout because he provides 3 options in one player.He can play on left,ACM and behind striker.More so he has no record of injury problems and also wanted to play for us.Before the WC ,Neuer was available for 10 million.It should have been an awesome purchase.But unfortunately Fergie thinks VDS will last for ever.
July 9th, 2010 at 20:58
@Owen: True, but for £30mill, and £180,000 a week?
July 9th, 2010 at 21:01
Interestingly, Rio Ferdinand posted this on twitter yesterday
“Quick question to u all- would u take a pay cut to give your team a much better chance of winning the league and cups????”
Interesting.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:02
@Grognard:Move on Grog.Don’t get angry.There are 10 regulars here mate and we should not get rude with each other.I respect you and your knowledge and i think others also.But this is a dark age for Man Utd and its fans.We all accept the anger but we don’t want to hear from someone because it gives even more pain .
When some one opposes you with hard words ,just accept that he is a true supporter of this sinking ship and he is taking out his anger on some one to get some much needed relief.Don’t take it personal.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:02
@aig alex is god: Thank you so much for that. Now I will be criticized for things that make my jaw drop because they are so far from the truth. One of my closest online buddy’s on this blog for a few years now has been RedRich. A man I have great respect for and who’s views i generally agree with. Even he’s turned on me stating things like, I have “become the antithesis of a United blog” and that I have become
“completely uncompromising in all of this, and will now only listen to those that mirror your thoughts.”
Compromising? Why the Hell should I be compromising when I know I am right and when I can back it up with quotes and actions of both Fergie and the Glazer’s? I used to be on a debate team in school and the one thing you never do in a debate is compromise. I don’t look at debating on this blog the same as i am not looking to win, but I do believe I am right so why should I bend an inch just because the other party is deaf dumb and blind? RedRich is certainly not one of the deaf dumb and blind brigade but the fact that he could be so seriously mistaken over my intentions makes me wonder what’s up with him?
It’s all so illogical. Every day United and Fergie say or do something that is so obviously stupid or diabolical that to not comment on the obvious is to admit stupidity or ignorance. The whole Schneijder fiasco is a perfect example of this. He had a chance to get him for peanuts last year and didn’t. Why then would he want him now for three times the price? Fact is he doesn’t and never has. But he needs to show that the club has money even if they don’t. So he manipulates the media and reports bids for players he knows will not come here and who are being valued at well beyond the price he is offering. Then the whole deal collapses and he can come out and clean as Hell and claim that he made what he felt was afair bid based on what he feels is fair market value and bothInter and Schneijder showed no interest. Well hell, he tried now didn’t he? He that last year with Benzema knowing fully that the player had no intention of coming to United and knowing tha the was fully committed to moving to Madrid. He also knew that by making a calculated bid that was not risky would show his intent. H fully was aware that madrid would offer more and could so he knew what he was doing and so many naive fans bought it.
What gets me is that fans like you and myself and others like TonyMontana, Colver and Traverse were not born yesterday and have our ears to the pavement and understand this kind of grandstanding and blatant con artist craft. Fergie is an idiot when he thinks he can fool all of us by claiming time and time again that he has money and that the Glazer’s are great owners when their actions and proof tell a completely different story. But there are those out there that show an incredible weakness in spirit and a naiveté that forces them to challenge the obvious and the truth and fight back at the messenger who is not only speaking the truth but can back it up with evidence. How many quotes and actions of proof do I need to forward and print in bold to make people see that what I am saying about Ferguson and the Glazer’s is true?
I use this term to much mate but it’s so defines what I am going through. My cause on here is a FORLORN HOPE. I am putting myself out there sacrificing myself to get an important message across to a small group of people and all they can do is accuse me of self serving manipulation and following my agenda even when I have given proof that this is not the case and could not possibly be the case. They will believe what their minds tell them no matter what evidence exposes the errors of their ways.
Again I thank you for your kind words and support but by doing that i again am falling into the trap of complimenting those who agree or follow my thinking. Not true but then again, why would I ignore or not compliment one of the few who actually agrees with me and sees things for what they are, not just what I perceive them to be. I appreciate support mate and thank you for just getting it, not for agreeing with me. Hope to hear more from you in the future. Lets face it, this blog needs more than my voice to tell it like it is.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:04
@Owen: Puskas is dead mate, that’s being a little unrealistic. But I do think the Di Stafano rumours have weight behind them.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:08
@colver: I love Hargo but you are so right. Stop kicking a dead horse and just bury him already. Hargo himself has to realize that it’s not going to happen not just because of his knees, but because of his own insecurity and fear of re injuring them. But of course Fergie says nothing and does nothing because he hasn’t got the resources to just say retire Owen as i am going to go and buy a replacement because I cannot wait any longer. He has to wait because that seems to be his only option. Yet again, I’m bashing Fergie. But am I wrong?
July 9th, 2010 at 21:08
@Traverse: £30mil is not that bad because he is 23 only and is a World Class player,no doubt.He would have signed with us for £80,000-£100,000 per week .His buy would have covered 2 positions easily and we would have been able to leave another buy for CM/LM/SS.Hence no extra wages for another player.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:12
@colver: You have been officially promoted by me to Obersturmbanfeuhrer for your agreement.
You are right mate but be careful, certian elements on this blog could connect you with me and then you would be on their shit list. 
It’s amazing how a clear and intelligent mind can be a threat to so many. It really explains how George Bush could run America for 8 years. 
I’m hoping one day Fergie’s part in all this is truly exposed for what it is. As for what i will do and say on that day, well, that’s a secret for now.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:14
@Owen: He was nominated for the award before the tournament even started mate. It’s all just corrupt BS. Ozil isn’t even eligible for young player of the tournament because he is apparently too old by a few months. Meanwhile, Rooney still gets nominated for that same award in the EPL and he is 4 or 5 years older than Ozil. Go figure. At the end of the day, it’s all bollocks.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:15
I read some where but did not understood.It said that Hargo has only one year left of his contract and will retire then.After that Man Utd will be able to recover the money from Insurance Company.
What is this all about.Can any one explain it?
July 9th, 2010 at 21:19
@Stephen: It’s not about winning or losing mate,. It never has been. It’s not about trophies and accomplishments. It’s about allying himself with a den of snakes and basically turning on all of us for some hidden reason and then spitting on MUST, the Red Knights and any group that dares challenge his employer. And finally it’s about all his lies and deceit regarding available money bids for players and that kind of stuff. If you can ignore all those things and just concern yourself with the games, well all the power to you mate. I respect your right to do so but please, don’t side with the man when all the evidence points to him being part of the back room conspiracy to destroy the club while doing nothing to improve the product on the field. How many more lies will all of you tolerate before you finally say it’s enough? And i for one have never gone on record and said he has done nothing. He is a legend for a reason. My beef with him has nothing to do with his management of the club on the pitch.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:24
@colver: I have learned from experience that although a person can be a major success in life and in business, that it is not a forgone conclusion that things always stay the same and consistently improve. Even the best of people fail at times and or change and start doing bad things. To think just because Fergie has been such a great manager for us for so long, that he cannot do anything wrong is just naive if not stupid. He is capable like all of us of making bad judgment calls and siding with the wrong people. We should not be so dense and naive that we never question him and ask him the important questions regarding this club’s continual decay and fall from grace.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:28
@Stephen: You are right, we can no longer compete with Chelsea and City but the fact is also we are having a Hell of a time competing with west Ha, Bolton and Wolves. That’s how bad it’s become. And that’s just not tolerable or acceptable. We are United damn it, not some backwater rotten borough paperweight minnow that cannot afford any good players. It’s not just what is glaringly apparent, but what is also glaringly obvious.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:31
@RMJ: You could be write but I seriously doubt he is that cunning or intelligent. The obviously dumb way in which he handled the Benzema bid last year and the Scheijder bid this year tells me he isn’t intelligent or cunning enough to do what you profess. But if he is, I’d love a team to play his bluff and accept his bid. Then watch him do a Ljajic and backtrack.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:32
@colver: Things that make you go hmmmmmm!!!!
July 9th, 2010 at 21:40
@Stephen: Why is it over the top mate? Think of all the poor sods like yourself who spent hundreds or thousands of pounds each year on this team on tickets, licensed items etc. Do they not have a right to be treated fairly and honestly. After all, it’s not the glazer;’s who pay Fergie, it is you, me and every other bloke who has invested even a pound into the team. Their is a reckoning that is needed here. Fergie has picked the wrong group to ally himslef with. That green and gold campaign is lost if the manager poo poos it and sides with the owners. It loses it’s leverage and if you notice, past players and legends have not jumped on the bandwagon for fear of being exiled by Fergie. And you want to support this man. He spits in your face on a daily basis and tells you to stick it by lying to you and denying wrongdoings yet you want to support him. He lies and manipulates the facts to suit the Glazer’s mandate for the team and you think I am over the top?
Seriously mate, with all due respect to you considerable intellect, wake up and smell the coffee. You cannot be against the glazer’s and be for ferguson when both are tied at the hip. You are living on past glory and on the man’s past accomplishments which we all honour, respect and appreciate. But his present actions are nothing more than treasonous is not completely insane. Think about it. I gave money to MUST for a reason, I hate the present regime and anybody who supports it. Anybody. That’s not over the top mate, that anarchy. Personal anarchy. It keeps me sane and with the proper perspective or I would completely turn on this team as I would see no hope. The team needs a good cleansing.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:43
@Traverse: Replace Carrick in that starting eleven and I would agree.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:45
If Fergie were sincere and honest he would go after a bargain like Sami Khedira. He will be out of contract in one season with Stuttgart and has proven himself to be an outstanding holding midfielder who could replace both Hargo and Carrick and cost under 15 mil probably around 11 or 12). Now for me that would be a bit of good business considering he is excellent defensively, has pace power, physicality and likes to move forward on occasion.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:48
@Cantona’s Seagulls: Great points mate I totally agree with everything you said. And I love your nickname too. Cantona’s Seagulls. CLASSIC.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:53
@Traverse: But that’s just it mate, what makes you think we can afford him? What part of the team’s financial statement shows anything resembling money for transfers? Forget what they say to us. They need to put their money where their mouths are and basically SHOW US THE MONEY. I personally don’t think the club has enough to go get a Mocha Cappuccino Raspberry Frappacino at Starbuck’s. for the office staff.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:54
@Grognard: Ideally with a Fit Hargreaves, whatever one of those is.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:56
@Owen: And didn’t I say long ago that if we waited to go after a keeper like Neuer his price would double or triple? That if we believed in a player strongly enough, waiting to sign him after he made Fergie more secure with his WC performance would be too late? God, nobody has any idea of the frustration I feel on a day to day basis not just with the many who disagree with me, but by the many times I have been proven right. Yet they still disagree with me.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:58
@Grognard: Because without buying at leas one player a year, we will eventually not have enough players! Even they know this, and will have planned money for it, however little amount. Remember, when they took over we all know the budget was £25mil a season with the odd £25mil for one special player. This is when a special player would cost £25mil. Carrick cost us £17mil 4 years ago… he’d be worth at least £25mil in today’s market (on his Spurs form). Nani would cost us £35mil if we tried to sign his 3 year ago self today. (Hazard, Sanchez anyone?).
Their trouble is the market has gone mental since they budgeted this, and they have absolutely no leeway.
July 9th, 2010 at 21:59
@Grognard: Nobody is disagreeing with that, we’re just not threatening to run off and support our ‘other club’ as we don’t have one.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:00
@Owen: Thanks for that. It’s a valid point but it’s not the same as if you and I were disagreeing while sharing a few ales at a pub. On the Internet we don’t get to see each other’s faces or body language or the inflection and emphasis in our voices to know that it isn’t personal. When people I like and respect start accusing me of hidden agendas and of self serving actions when all I am doing is crying my heart out on a day to day basis, well it just gets a whole lot frustrating and makes me angry as well. But thanks for that because it is a very valid point.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:04
@Owen: All players are insured mate and risking re injury threatens the club’s chances of getting the money back that they have to pay the player. So by having him on the roster says to the insurance company that he is still with a chance of playing and so when he retires, United can claim the money they paid out to him while he wasn’t available. They lose all his wages paid out if they just cut him loose now. They need to ride out his contract.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:05
@Traverse: But if i am correct,they also said that money generated by Player’s sale will be injected in the team.And if they would have stood with their words,then we would have a dream team because 100 millions from Ronaldo’s sale is a not a little amount.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:06
Any good movies you guys would reccomend?
July 9th, 2010 at 22:07
@Traverse: You are correct. Even the best of teams needs to replenish their stock every year. The fact that united are doing this with unproven youngsters is showing us that it’s bargain basement time where a company or business only does the bare minimum in order to stay afloat. It’s the sign of really bad times ahead.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:08
I don’t know what it is, but there is just something about Ozil that rubs me the wrong way. I think he is a wonderful player and all, but I just don’t think of him as a “United”-type of player. Would much rather have Sneijder, Van Der Vaart or Gourcuff to be honest.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:11
@Traverse: Yes and fortunately for me I do. But I also refuse to apologize for that. I am not from Manchester nor do I live there so for me living in Canada, having more than world team as my co favourites is not that unusual. Still, I always choose United over Bayern and have since the early 90’s. I continue to do so until it becomes impossible to support this team without developing an ulcer. Some may call it disloyalty, I prefer to call it self preservation. I am in no way allowing myself to be a glutton of punishment just because some like to wear that kind of badge on their sleeve. I have a PLan B and I am damned happy with that. 35 years as a United supporter also has granted me that right unlike others who haven’t even been fans for a decade but who are so quick to judge.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:13
The most interesting thing is Fergie always shouted for Diego when his value was high in the market.But now when he is easily available for around 10-12 million ,then Fergie has lost his love for him.Haha.Good job Fergie.Keep it up.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:15
@EduardoDaVinci4: That’s the way I should feel being Greek and him being of Turkish extraction but I just love the guy. So national heritage aside, Ozil is my boy. I too would have preferred Schneijder because he is a truly great player but not only is he not affordable, but the fact is this is the second time he has said no to United. Can’t say as i blame him really. GHe reads English and knows what a mess the club is in.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:17
@Grognard:
Welcome mate. I read your post and your concern is genuine, no doubt about that. I myself have been accused of being very negative and a glory hunter on another United blog, ‘Republic of Mancunia’. Everything is clearly not all right and when you say that you get accused of all these things.
In no way am I and i am sure you doubting Fergie as a manager but some of the decisions in the past year or so seem very puzzling. Fair enough we couldnt get Benzema. We bid 30 million for him. What amazed me was us not having any alternate target in mind and going for free Michael owen. surely we could have got someone much better for that sort of money
Also what is the need for David Gill to come out and say things like ‘ We have 95 million to spend’. Other clubs will take notice and intentionally try to increase the price knowing what our budget is. Its not only Sneijder but even Robben would have been great. at 25 million euros Bayern got a good deal. Kjaer was another one linked with us. He went for 10 million Euros and we spent 17 million on Smalling who had a poor 2nd half of the season last time.
I also wonder if fergie dosent speak publically against the Glazers because he dosent want the situation to go out of control.It is a very divisive topic among the fans. Fergie may have a good reason for not going public against the Glazers but he has to stop this’ No value for Money’ thing because there is value, we have to find it.
The point you are trying to make is absolutely spot on. After all Football is a game of opinions. you have every right to give yours. The different opinions are what makes blogs so interesting.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:18
The most important thing that this club requires and surprisingly no one has brought it till now is that we are the only so called top club in the Europe who does not have a free kick/set piece specialist.Even we don’t have a proper penalty taker also.Rooney is by no way a free kick taker and i doubt his penalty taking abilities also.
So if we manage to buy some one,it should be given notice that he has good skills in this area.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:20
@EduardoDaVinci4:
Van Der Vaart is 27, Sneijder 26 and Gourcuff who had a shocking World cup 24.Ozil is just 21 and undoubtedly has talent. he has time on his side too and with just one year left on his contract he surely wont cost more than any of the other 3
July 9th, 2010 at 22:21
@Grognard: Oh yeah, I’m part Albanian!
Maybe that’s it? 
Naah, I think there is something else… but dunno what. Just something about him rubs me the wrong way 
July 9th, 2010 at 22:23
@Owen: Van Der Vaart
July 9th, 2010 at 22:56
@aig alex is god: You said it mate. Try telling some of the turkeys on this blog that differing opinions and sharing of these thoughts is what makes a blog great. Instead some want the blog to be like the Nazi party. You are either with the party or you are out. And then they say I have no compromise in me.
Fergie may very well have some very valid reason for what he is doing and one that would allow me to forgive him as well as publicly offer an apology. But I just cant see it. The analogy of him opening up could cause more harm to the team is also very valid. But I am also a believer in the analogy of to fix a broken foundation you often have to tear the whole thing down and start again or better yet, if you a have malignant tumour of cancer in your body, you must have it surgically removed which in itself is not fun nor comfortable. Avoiding it by turning your head and looking elsewhere or just playing the denial game will not improve anything and will only allow the tumour to grow and kill you.
Fergie sitting and doing nothing but lying to us and covering up the truth is not helping anyone and especially the team. The Glazer’s have to go and the sooner they better. His leadership for our cause is what is needed here, not his allegiance with them. As i see it,unless he has some masterful cunning plan in mind to overthrow those bastards, I choose to believe what I see , hear and read. Right now he looks like he is with them. Wouldn’t it be great if he was a double agent working for the good guys and only faking to befriend the Glazer’s in order to get the inside scoop. Yes, I have watched too many spy movies and it’s just wishful thinking. Cheers mate.
July 9th, 2010 at 22:58
@Owen: You noticed that one too eh? Like I said, how wrong can I be mate?
July 9th, 2010 at 23:02
@Owen: No true mate. I bring it up all the time. That’s why I keep offering up names for AMF’s who are not just great players but are well known Free Kick specialists. Gourcuff, Diego, Ozil, Kroos, Arteta, Scheijder, van der Vaart, Robben, Ribery, etc etc are all names I have brought up because I also knew they could do the set piece thing well for us. It’s really quite frustrating watching Rooney or anyone else but Giggs take them.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:05
@EduardoDaVinci4: His bug eyes? For me, the only thing that is a pet peeve is when I see players not singing along to the national anthem. I found it really interesting seeing all the German born players singing it but Ozil, Khedira, Boateng, Podolski,Trochowski not singing along. The only non German to be singing along with obvious pride was Miro Klose god bless his soul. And even though I am not German, I really respect that kind of national pride that transplanted aliens just don’t always respect.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:06
@RMJ: I think this is happening
how many forwards are they going to get.
Fergi could actually be telling the truth when he says no value for this reason… we have a couple/few clubs cockblocking us at the moment. so he lays down dummy targets and lets them splash on players that they are too dumb to realize will fuck up their squad. and rope a dope these bitches. take the hits and wait till we can get some good value and citeh will spend themselves out like the USSR did in Afghanistan.
and speaking of once great eastern empires roman was complaining all last season about how high player prices and wages were getting he was even in on talks of spending caps.
after this fucker sets the bar he says its too high. what a dick.
barca are already doing this to themselves. they just have to get someone new every year to the point of being detrimental to the team. see last years swap of eto+millions for ebrahimobitch wtf were they thinking… I know what jose was thinking… your going to pay me to let you suck my dick? knock yourselfs out amigos… and now they cant pay wages???
how long before the noble nonprofit insignia posted on the front of their kits is replaced with one just as offensive to poor people as the one united had the past few years? wellll maybe not as offensive as ours but they should be seeking corporate help soon no doubt.
which brings us to fake madrid God please give me a sign that they cant keep spending like this forever.
fuck them.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:10
@Traverse: and he will be playing center half for shitty
July 9th, 2010 at 23:11
And yet we still carry weight with many world star. This one would love to play for us. Unfortunately, he would cost more than the chump change Fergie presently has in his pocket. Fergie just hates it when great players like this and Krasic, Ozil, Aguero, Adler etc profess a love for the team. He likes to go only after players who hate us or who are too high priced because then he knows his bluffs and grandstanding will work.
http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/40500/Portuguese_press_claim_emerging_star_favours_United_over_City.aspx?
July 9th, 2010 at 23:12
@gator: Mate, it’s easier to cock block a pussy rather than another cock. I think we’re pussies.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:13
@Traverse: it was probably a forwarded text from fergi or gill that was directed at him.?!? he is expensive for as old and cripple as his ass is.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:16
@Owen: good points true but do you think we could have turned his head with half the wages. players these days want it all now.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:16
@gator: We cannot be worrying about what another team is or isn’t doing. You get caught in that trap and you always lose. No need to make something so simple like buying players into a game of chess unless of course you have no money at all and your enemy is bloody loaded. Say what you want about City but you are totally being hopeful and overoptimistic. They are slowly but surely building a very strong club there that will eventually make us second in Manchester and possibly boot us out of the top four. We can deny my claims or we can think about, stop making excuses for our own inadequacies and start competing with them rather than dreaming up fantasy scenarios for their demise. From where I am sitting, there just maybe a new sheriff in town. At least they are being proactive as opposed to inactive, which I admire.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:23
@Traverse: the market may soon come back to those levels in a year or so. as we have seen big spenders are showing their empty hands of late united included. and i doubt the spending sprees at city and rm will last…
July 9th, 2010 at 23:27
@Grognard: thing is we are not alone in the bad times. and in times of less cash flowing around you hang on to what you have and dont spend carelessly. My family is Scottish and this lesson did not escape me as i am sure it did not sir alex. wait out the bad times and be ready to spend when you are able.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:28
@EduardoDaVinci4: he has those sunken in eyes or something.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:30
@Owen: i just read an interview with forlan on espn yesterday where he said that fergi had sent him texts before his match and wished him luck and went on and on about their manlove for each other…
July 9th, 2010 at 23:32
@Grognard: hahahahahaa beat me to it
July 9th, 2010 at 23:40
i hope this is true.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1293532/Sunderland-make-7m-Manchester-United-midfielder-Carrick.html
July 9th, 2010 at 23:43
@gator: I am talking about Diego,the Juventus guy ,mate.You thought Forlan
July 9th, 2010 at 23:51
“No need to make something so simple like buying players into a game of chess unless of course you have no money at all and your enemy is bloody loaded.”
well i believe that is the exact situation we find ourselves in.
“Say what you want about City but you are totally being hopeful and overoptimistic. They are slowly but surely building a very strong club there that will eventually make us second in Manchester and possibly boot us out of the top four.”"From where I am sitting, there just maybe a new sheriff in town. At least they are being proactive as opposed to inactive, which I admire.”
you are wrong. City are theones being hopeful and overoptimistic. It is city that have not won anything and are hoping to be like united. In their wildest dreams, not mine, are they on par with united.
I believe that you cannot buy what Manchester United IS.
The trophy case will still be there and city will never have anything close to what United have. You can admire their shit side all you want… i chose to spit on their cars and chat up their women.
it is not fantasy that they have a budget as we do and the way that they spend and save compared to the way we spend and save will mean the difference of the prem over the next few years and if we are smarter than them which we are then we will prevail just as we have before.
how on earth are we going to compete with chealsa when they have roman. well 3 prems in a row is how on earth. and did we spend 200m to do it? they won this year but it was close as shit and they had the benefit of shitty refs in both games vs us.
i understand your stance on the clubs situation and sympathise with your war wagon, though my path be separate.
July 9th, 2010 at 23:56
@Owen: ha yes
he was lauded so much during the WC that i forgot we had been linked with the other diego
July 10th, 2010 at 0:05
@ROOOOONEY: i think some on here would drive him there but im not sure what we could get for 7m he is at least wort that much to us right? now for 10 i would drive him.
July 10th, 2010 at 0:12
well well well United officially have the coolest fans
foshizzle
July 10th, 2010 at 0:13
i bet he got high with rio
July 10th, 2010 at 0:49
@gator: They fucked Katy Perry and them california girls alright, damn that niggah is cool! I wanna smoke weed with him, sure he is high all the time.
July 10th, 2010 at 1:00
I am an internazionale as well as a manchester united fan and anyone who knows anything about football, knows that Sneijder would never leave for 29-30million when you have players like Milner commanding 20million plus. Another over rated english player if you ask me. It is just a ruse to fool fans into beleiving their is money to spend. If that money is avaliable then questions will have to be asked why that was not invested in David Silva, allowing him to go to our rivals is dissapointing.
Secondly the way some of you bloggers have savaged Bolatelli is misguided and quite hypocritical coming from man u fans. Or have we forgotten the petulant and arrogant attidude of our beloved Ronaldo, he was far from perfect but under the steady hand and guidance of Ferguson ronaldo was able to curb his more negative attributes and was pivotal in some of our most sucessful seasons ever. Also as an inter fan Mourinho’s management of an undeniable talent such as Bolatelli is highly flawed, he is still a boy, he needs to be encouraged, mentored and supported, not berated publicly in the press by the manager, not used as a scapegoat by fans, and made an outcast by the squad.
Ozil however is a realistic transfer opportunity, no doubt the whole of europe is interested in this playmaker, reminds me of a younger riquelme but a little less niave. Whos signs Ozil will depend on who registers their serious interest matched by a bid worth. Im sure that if manchester united contacted werder breman and said hes got one year on his contract left before he leaves on a free which he undoubtledly would here’s 30million for him. Ozil would be a manchester united player come the start of the season.
July 10th, 2010 at 2:09
@gator: We couldn’t get anything half as good for £15mil, let alone £7mil. And by half as good I mean Scott Parker.
July 10th, 2010 at 5:14
@gator: Fair enough but things like this rarely affect a club as big as United. The Yankees aren’t hurting, neither are the Lakers, Real Madrid, the Dallas Cowboys or the New England Patriots or any other major sporting franchise that has a large fan following and that can lose 25% of it’s fan base and gain a new 25% who have the money in the blink of an eye. The struggles of people means little to big teams with big corporate boxes, advertising deals and tv contracts. Like i said, every one of those fans who cannot afford to go to games any longer because of the economy is replaced by someone who can. It’s the cruel reality of the situation. Only a serious effort of thousands of fans like the green and gold group and more and more serious fans who give up their season tickets will ever have the power to change things. It’s a sign of the time and a very frustrating time at the end of the day.
July 10th, 2010 at 5:35
@HandOfGod: Your comments about Ronaldo are the misguided ones mate. Yes he could be childish and petulant but he never ever disrespected our fans and he always towed the line and listened to his manager who in turn rewarded him for his attention and growth. Balotelli is on a self destruct course because nobody can get through to him and because he has no way of shifting that rage and temper towards more positive ways the way Ronaldo does. Who cares about the antics of Ronaldo, they do not hurt his team. They hurt refs and the opponent and that’s all that matters. As for Mourinho, only an idiot mate would have the balls to stand up and criticize him for his handling of this black Mount Vesuvius simply because Mourinho has won everything, he has shown his ability to work with players and is highly thought of as the best players manager on the planet. If he can’t get through to Balotelli’s pea sized head, nobody can. Perhaps Mario is just a no hoper. A kid with a bad attitude who doesn’t want help and listens to nobody. From what Ronaldo was at his age. Ronny may be full of himself these days but under Fergie he did as he was told and he respected his manager and contained the temper tantrums to just shows of frustration. He never spit at the crowd or took the team colours and trotted on them as a sign of defiance to fans and club. He;’s a punk with the mind of a rebellious hood. I could care less about racist remarks thrown his direction because unlike Jackie Robinson, he wasn’t man enough or intelligent enough to have that kind of thing turn to his favour. Instead he stoked their fires and actually made those assholes look correct in their assessment of him. Very sad but when you are a punk, you get what you deserve.
And further more, on this site we are Man Utd fans so calling our club Man U is strictly verboten. No biggy, just thought you should know. It’s a sign of disrespect historically that many outside of Manchester are not aware of including myself five years ago. Incidentally, you are the second newbie to show up today with a great nickname. HandofGod is really cool. In the future you should consider the climate of a blog before you burst in and start insulting it’s heroes. Balotelli is an accident waiting to happen so please spare us with your indignation and hypocritical references when you come on here and know so little about Manchester United that you refer to them as Man U and have no knowledge whatsoever about Ronaldo yet are keen to condemn him even after he is still thought of as an angel by our manager. Come on mate, get with the program.
July 10th, 2010 at 10:21
@Grognard: I simply don’t buy the death by association logic mate, but I certainly feel he has let all the fans down don’t get wrong I am an have never been throughout this debate a Fergie flag waver.
What I do not like is ” you are either in, or your out” mentality, the manager has done superb job with limited resources and that is factual, I personally think he is playing lap dog simply because he wants to achieve 19 titles and nothing will get in his way, not the fans or the Yanks which could be selfish as he has a lot of influence within the club.
I do think without him we are in deep trouble, we are caught somewhat in no mansland and I suppose, if he did leave the club the new manager would be “Glazers” man whoever that would be, and would succumb to thei wims.
I respect the manager for everything he has done for the club, I am annoyed with his alligence to the Glazers, I understand it but agree with it, but I find the infantile jibes, not by you I must say, he takes on this site also somewhat tiresome. I am all for intelligent football chat and we all like to fun but inane jibes are not needed.
July 10th, 2010 at 10:27
@Grognard:
No worries mate. As much as i love Fergie which probably you can see by my user name i cant understand things. The amount of good things he has done for our club i dont think he is siding with the Glazers or anything. He just wants to concentrate on the football rather than the off the field issues. His thinking is right. Maybe he feels it can affect the team and their performances on the field which i am sure none of us want to see.
I think saying he is lying is harsh because he surely wont want to see a club he has brought up where it is today in shambles. He must be having some valid reasons. What frustrates me is if we cant say the truth then at least we should not make crap comments.Gill came out a month or two back and said ‘A minority of the fans are protesting against the Glazers’. WTH?? More than half the stadium is full of Green and Gold merchandise. Its the Glazers and Gill who are responsible. GIll rejected the first offer from the Glazers. It still puzzles me why he accepted their offer the second time??
The success we had in the past 3 seasons overshadowed what was going on behind the scenes. Now its all coming out. I wont blame Fergie as he is only in charge of what hap;pens on the field. If he says anything against the Glazers the tabloids will pick on it and make unnecessary stories from it which will eventually affect our players
July 10th, 2010 at 10:56
Is it me or should we just give up on Hargreaves?
He is on £75,000 a week and has made four appearances in two years, his salary alone has cot the club £1.8m with doctors bills, flights ect this will be well over £2m, money we can ill afford.
I would love for him to return as he is a top player, person and plays in a position we are desperate for quality but are we now just flogging a dead horse who really needs to be put out of his misery?
July 10th, 2010 at 11:12
Nani is gonna win the Ballon DoR for 2011.
July 10th, 2010 at 11:47
@Stephen: Thanks for the info mate. Well I will not be surprised about the atmosphere at OT, because when your AWAY support for our team is MILES more noisy than near 80 thousand at OT, you know that United is indeed a corporate CORPSE
. Fergie keeps trying to make us believe that there will be a ressurection, but I’m not buying into it.
July 10th, 2010 at 11:51
@CraigMc: I agree, I love watching United away the atmosphere is always great at OT you seriously can have a converstion with someone sitting next to you at time, hardly hostile is it?
July 10th, 2010 at 12:38
@Stephen: How can it ever be feisty and hostile again, when as you say the ground is dependent on day trippers
. Many games last season, OT was practically moribund!
July 10th, 2010 at 12:54
@CraigMc: The atmosphere at OT has been awful especially since the start of the Premiership, all seater stadiums killed most hostile, fiesty nosey ground but OT especially has suffered, especially now with day trippers and corporates taking a lot of the allocation.
July 10th, 2010 at 13:09
Traverse even with player inflation at exorbitant levels I am perfectly happy with £25 million a year (with the possibility to go higher for a marquee signing). That was the deal and the Glazers kept their end of the bargain until the Ronaldo sale.
Since then our net spending has been negative and we have put off buying the quality central midfielder that we desperately need now that Hargreaves looks like he is never coming back, Scholes and giggs are in their last season and Anderson and Carrick have proved to be not good enough.
If the Glazers give us £25 million and we sell Carrick, Anderson and Berbatov we will have a transfer kitty of around £50 million.
That could easily buy us two or three players that could improve our squad
For example a forward such as Aguero/Sanchez/Benzema/Suarez
and a midfielder such as
Ozil/Gourcuff/Diego
July 10th, 2010 at 13:14
I have misgivings about Balotelli as well. Ronaldo was an spoilt crybaby when he was younger but he was 100% driven and determined to be the best player in the world so he was prepared to work with Fergie. Ronaldo is also one of the most disciplined professionals there is!
People comment on his womanizing but he keeps it under control, doesn’t drink, doesn’t stay out too late, and does it mostly on the off season.
Ronaldo’s only attitude problem is on the pitch and he stopped doing that as much in later seasons at Manchester United. Unfortunately I think the Spanish league has got him into bad habits again.
It sounds like Balotelli has problems on AND off the pitch. Mourinho was complaining he didnt train hard enough. He also criticised his effort on the pitch.
He is undoubtedly talented but you only get to the top with determination, discipline and hard work.
Of course if you have none of those and no talent then your name is Anderson!
July 10th, 2010 at 13:43
@colver: Part of the issue is the frittering away of money, Tosic, Obertan, Smalling, Diouf and Hernandez all cost around £35m and this now seems to be the trend.
United have always tried to devlop young talent and maybe Hernandez or Smalling may come good but if we spend lets say £20m on Ozil, Arteta, Van Der Vaart then that would benefit the side more and hopefully stop Fergie rotating his side after every game whiach surely isn’t helpful.
Anderson is shit I have alwys said it and sooner he fucks off the better, useless cunt.
July 10th, 2010 at 15:50
@Grognard
May I also agree that Balotelli is a spoilt brat undeserving of the talent god gave him. The shenanigans with him supporting ac milan but also sporting their jersey on italian tv, let alone his attitude. Lets hope he ends of a shitty where he and tevez can cause trouble.
July 10th, 2010 at 16:18
@Grognard: @Cantona’s Seagulls: How about going for cash-player swap…Last i heard Bremen was one of the teams interested in Berbatov..We now have 6 strikers, so offload one!!
July 10th, 2010 at 16:35
@shyam
A very good proposition, german teams certainly have a hard-on for berba. I would gladly trade berba for ozil but I would honestly really worry about our strikeforce. Hernandez looks a great super-sub or could be even better (new OLE GUNNAR in my opinion) but we dont know how he will take to the climate, english, and physical football. I have the highest hopes for the guy but only time will tell. Besides the machine that is rooney, that leaves us with diouf, welbeck, macheda and owen. Owen is crocked, diouf wears his heart on his sleeve but im not convinced, welbeck needs to prove it on loan (PLAYING AS A STRIKER), and macheda i have high hopes for but still hasn’t been proven. So if we sell berba that leaves us with one real striker (roon) and no world-class backup, something this club needs. So if berba goes, we’ll need someone else but who? any ideas? because i really have none. I know Grog loves the hunter but he failed at both Real and Milan, real is a donkey show where even the greatest players can fail and he did play alone up front for Milan, he would be cheap but im not convinced.
Any ideas on strikers??
Gyan looked good in the world cup but im reserved as to his club ability. is there anyone i believe could truly improve this team and is attainable? i dont know.
either we give the kids a chance, or bring someone in. Suarez? loved his handball in the WC btw, what a winner he is.
July 10th, 2010 at 16:42
Agreed Stephen, it is false economy.
It works for someone like Wenger because the expectations are lower and he has a good eye for talent.
But the risk involved is too high and we don’t have the money to gamble.
We need to make every penny count and buy players who can improve our first team NOW as well as having upside potential so that we can make a profit selling them when their value peaks.
Besides we poach enough young players for next to nothing that we should let those players have a chance to break through. Pogba, Petrucci, Macheda, de Laet, Rafael and Fabio and co mean we are well stocked with youngsters. We do not need any more.
What our squad is really thin on is quality players in their 20s. That is what we need to spend our cash on
July 10th, 2010 at 16:59
I honestly believe that we will buy this summer. But Ialso think we will sell with the most likely players being Vidic, Berbabov or Carrick.
There is a limit on the squad size for the premiership and we are already at that limit so for people to come in, others will have to go even if its only on loan).
I think we do have some money. What is the point of Gill insisting that we do if we don’t? What does that acomplish? Why would he bother?
I also think we have to buy because the likelihood is that we will lose 4 players next summer in Van Der Sar, Scholes, Giggs and Neville, and I suspect that Hargreaves is never going to recover. That would leave us 5 players short in a years time, and I don’t see us buying 5 players in one summer. I think the reality is that Sir Alex knows that the rebuilding has to start now.
I think our problem at the moment (in the short term) isn’t necessarily money. I think we would find money from somewhere. I think the problem we have right now is reputation. I think that our reputation has plumeted probably partly due to selling Ronaldo. I don’t think the top players want to come to United right now. And the tax rate in the UK and the current exchange rate certainly don’t help.
July 10th, 2010 at 17:13
@Stephen: What gets me with your comments is this mate. You refer to the man who would take over for Fergie should he quit as “Glazer’s Man”. Wake up Stephen. Fergie already is Glazer’s man. So let me get this right, anybody else being the Glazer lapdog is abhorrent and repulsive to you however, if that man is Fergie who plays that role it’s OK?
Secondly what is right and honourable about a man sticking around just to pad his legacy and get his 19th title even though he sees the beginning of the end for his team? If I were him I would sacrifice my greedy personal goals and fall on a sword for the future of my club by being a martyr and a advocate for change and revolt. I would stick around and act like there’s nothing wrong just because I feel I have enough of a team to give the Prem and Chelsea a fight for the title.
And as for my threatening to leave for Bayern, that’s not it mate, not it at all. I have said for years now that I support two teams but that United has been my priority. If Glazer makes it impossible to watch this club or even stomach it however, I will take a completely different path in my way of supporting the club. It will not be a fan cheering up and down for results. It will be as a disgruntled fan who is part of MUST and who is actively calling for revolt and rebellion and who wants nothing to do with the present regime. I am United for Life but I am not Glazer United for life.
Cheering on this present lot with the politics that are behind them is sort of making me sick. I cannot honestly and openly support a club that is owned by scum and is managed by a traitor and be content and happy about it. And when I am not even remotely pleased with the present squad’s makeup, that doesn’t help. I respect your way to support the club as you see fit mate. Just know that not every Czech or Hungarian stood by silently and loyally when Russian tanks rolled in. I’ll be damned if I give this regime a dollar of my money nor an ounce of allegiance. Some of you just don’t get it and that’s fine. One day you most certainly will. Sorry mate but just being annoyed with Fergie isn’t good enough. He has a lot of explaining to do.
July 10th, 2010 at 17:33
@aig alex is god: Here’s the deal I would make with Fergie and Gill. They keep their traps closed from now on or just admit the truth about lack of funds and i will shut up and not say a negative thing about either. Personally I feel that is fair. If they choose to continue their lies well then you know what I am going to do.
Amazingly to some of you, I could care less about the product on the fiuled. United could get relegated and I wouldn’t give a shit because I am more concerned with the big picture. It’s not about me and my selfish need to see my team win trophies and dominate in 2010/11 or even 2011/12. Instead it’s about efforts being made to force the Glazer’s to sell and getting rid of this regime before there is only a shell of what used to be the biggest club in the world. With as massive a debt as we are compiling, we stand a chance of falling way below Leeds United because such a massive debt may make it impossible for buyers to save the team.
If we all the Glazer’s five more years of this with or without Fergie, what happens on the field will seem like such a waste of all our’s time and efforts. How can I ask Fergie and other United employees to fall on their swords and take one for the team if I am unwilling to sacrifice my selfish needs and desires for trophies and championships while the foundation of this club continues to erode and deteriorate until their is nothing left to save. I have seen far stronger and greater financial institutions crumble to the ground mate. United is not immune to complete annihilation. It’s time fans stopped acting like drug addicts concerned about their fix and started to take the situation at hand far more seriously. Because if they don’t, they will have no choice but to watch a great institution crumble to the ground all because they stood by and said and did nothing while every ounce of life was drained by Glazer before they fucked off to Florida and left a carcass behind. And for those who think I am BSing them, read more about how the Glazer’s operate and how many far greater financial institutions ceased to exist because of a lack of care and concern by their customer base and inner management circle.
In the overall scheme of things United is worth 1.5 billion not counting the debt. 1.5 billion is a piss in the ocean for many banks, insurance companies, holding companies and other groups who all crashed and burned in 2008 due to negligence. Playing with money and manipulating it can work for a while but then Judgement Day comes upon them and the guilty parties have usually all run away leaving a smouldering broken company and it’s customers broken and shattered around the rubble. All because selfishness and greed could not allow them to open their eyes sooner and question the goings on of these institutions CEO’s and other high ranking officials. I hope you are getting my jist here and you are seeing the familiar pattern. The fact that i have the experience and understanding of financial dealings allows me to have a better and more angry perspective of what is currently happening at Old Trafford. I just hope and pray more wake up to the cause and stop believing in this regime and it’s manager. If they don’t, there is no hope for this club unless some silly Arab comes around and looks at over 1 billion in debt and says to himself, I’ll pay that off because I need a hobby. Good luck on that happening. And you think I care how it affects our players. Five years from now we may no longer have players to upset.
July 10th, 2010 at 17:39
@Stephen: I gave up on Hargreaves 18 months ago mate. The writing was on the wall for all to see but we all choose to put our official club blinders on and ignore realities yet again. Tendinitis in any part of the body is a chronic disease. It never gets cured, it just settles down based on how you operate with it. Hargo can have a normal life walking in the park or shopping in a mall, but running, kicking and tackling may not be something his knees can take any more. It’s just time for him to fess up to the situation and admit defeat and retire. Put Fergie and all of us out of our misery waiting for him to find the courage to run with something that is so painful that it throbs at times even when you are in bed doing nothing. I know because i have dealt with elbow tendinitis and it’s a painful bugger sometimes even when you do nothing to set it off.
July 10th, 2010 at 17:41
@EduardoDaVinci4: Well there is hope for you yet as I would have expected you to make that comment but substitute the name of Nani with that of Anderson. See what a clear head can do for you mate.
July 10th, 2010 at 17:50
@colver: Great points. Balotelli is still only 19 and kids mature at different rates. Being catapulted into the public eye like that and having so many expectations thrust upon him is pressure Ronaldo and Mueller seem to handle but Balotelli is a different case. He doesn’t come across as very emotionally stable and I have a feeling a lot of it is due to the fact he is a black Italian in a country that has racist and fascist roots. Oh they may accept the Gullit’s Rijkaard’s, Weah’s and such because they are foreigners but Italians have a hard time holding back their racist tendencies when the target of their abuse instigates and throws fuel on the fire with his attitude and antics. Taking off his Inter jersey and throwing it to the ground and then stepping all over it is not going to endear him to anyone. The kid has to grow up if he even plans to have a career yet alone be a world class player. The truth is Italy is a total shit hole to play in if you are of another colour. Too many angry firms and hooligans who make that country just look a little left of sane.
July 10th, 2010 at 17:55
@Cantona’s Seagulls: I wouldn’t wish him with City because when Mancini was in charge at Inter, he had no problems with Balotelli. We all have to stop concerning ourselves with what Shitty is or isn’t doing. They will be a formidable force this year and for years to come whether we want to accept that or not. We should instead be more concerned about what united is or isn’t doing. And right now i am leaning much more towards the ISN’T DOING part. Bringing in great players, even ones with attitude is far better than not bringing in any players to replenish and aging squad.,…..don’t you think?
July 10th, 2010 at 17:57
@Shyam: I’m all for that but it does not seem to be a regular tactic in the world of football. I don’t know why as it is second nature in North America. Berbatov and money for Ozil would be fantastic.
July 10th, 2010 at 18:03
@Cantona’s Seagulls: Mate trust me when I say that Hunter never failed Madrid or Milan. More like they failed Hunter. Van Gaal looks very keen to sign Huntelaar for Bayern and stick him at the top of the 4-2-3-1 formation with Mueller, Ribery and Robben just behind him. If they do sign him, look for him to explode playing for this team. And people wonder why I am wetting myself with joy and anticipation over the future of Bayern? Really, what have I got to look forward to with United. If so many fans are addicted masochist’s, that’s their personal afflictions, not mine. They may not like the fact I have a Plan B, but i am sure glad I do because stomaching Unite’d slow but certain death is not something I want to sit through. I already had a big dose of that this past year with my departed mother. People should be more respectful of other’s pain thresholds. Watching what is happening to united is killing me and all I am saying to everyone is, I am prepared to either fight them or turn my back on them. What I will not do is just sit idly buy and watch the club fall from grace.
July 10th, 2010 at 19:21
@Anthony: Your right there is a squad player limit and i think right now we are dead on the nose. I think though thats just makes it more likely we will leave things as they are rather and then offload players and then bring in their replacements.
I mean if we were eager to get rid of berba say we would have done it before the US tour he has been confirmed he will attend and carrick would have been sold earlier too. Unfortunately mate this will be it, the squad is finished for the year.
As for money, listen mate your new here and im not going to have a go but if you think this blog and the members of this blog are deluded enough to believe the judas gill then i think your in the wrong place. Maybe manutd.com is more your place, afterall everything is perfect with those guys.
Seriously use your head, why do you think gill or the glazers or everyone would say we have money. Because they know we are skint and unfortunately for them, not everyone is your average believe it all sheeple. Alot of people have challenged them on the debt to which we hear the same old shit “the money is there we promise”.
Oh thats right theres just £95m in a safe somewhere gathering dust. Do me a favour, its not bloody there. David gill is looking out for number 1 and covering his back.
Not only is he a liar for allowing the takeover to take place when weeks before he said they were not good for the club, but now he is their new puppet. He will say anything for another dollar in the bank.
The fact that you have so much faith in what that dickhead says tells me you will believe whatever you are spoonfed.
Open your bloody eyes, if we have £95m would we not spend it. Regardless of whether players are value or not, if we added 3 world class players for £95m would it not be good business. Ask yourself then why if we have that money we have so far bought 2 kids and no stars. God some people.
I think that crap about “we are saving money for the 4 greats who retire next season” has been done to death and is more bollocks. In our current state we are more likely to give those 4 new 5 year contracts then use some money to replace them. Its bollocks, just wait 12 months and you’ll see that for yourself when once again we hear the “no value” and “our squad is good enough” shit excuses. God i am so bloody sick and tired of hearing some fans still believe we have that money. Its gone mate, its gone to the glazers. Get used to it, our spending days are over. Look to kids and over the hill freebies to become the makeup of our transfer targets in future.
July 10th, 2010 at 20:28
@tonymontanna4united: Relax mate. Unfortunately with some people, denial is a river that runs through Egypt. Messengers of doom and gloom like us are not appreciated because people are all so bogged down by life and their own problems that the last thing they want is to have that shoved down their throat when they escape their lives for a little entertainment called football. Problem unfortunately is that sometimes football imitates their lives. Sometimes it just SUCKS. I know there are times my life sucks and so United’s problems just seem to fit in line with things. Difference between us and them is we confront and challenge trouble or problems, whereas they hide their heads in the sand or run away. To each his own.
July 10th, 2010 at 21:32
@Grognard: To each his own indeed my friend, i just hate some fans who just fail to live in the real world and come to terms with the truth. Mainly as you and i and millions of others know that we are skint, fergie is a bare faced bloody liar and our squad is far from good enough.
Now thankfull alot of people on this blog are sensible, which is why i visit this blog so often. Its such a nice feeling to be around on the whole like minded indivduals who are realistic and dont try to sugar coat everything united related.
However if they come on here or somewhere i am reading and try to give it the big talk that everything is fine then i just see red. I see red because their although i respect peoples opinions their opinions are just so bloody wrong while i know i and you and others opinions on the state of united are right. I would like to bigger man sometimes and just ignore them but i really cannot. I just dont feel right seeing them basically put fans like you and me and others down simply because we refuse to believe everything in united world is all fine and dandy.
I really know i shouldnt bother with them mate, its so long writing out the same thing trying to convert the heathens to see the light and that united are raping and pissing on their loyal fan base.
What can i say, maybe i just hate seeing honest good fans being taken for granted and i will put those who support the glazers in their place. But each to their own as you so rightly said mate. If they want to be spoon fed their whole life and take twats like david gills word as gospel then i pity them. Atleast this blog is one of the few out there that is home to sensible and clued up fans. Well except for obviously Anthony ofcourse.
July 10th, 2010 at 21:49
@tonymontanna4united: There are sensible and clued in fans on this blog no doubt then like all other blogs their are the infamous thought police who do not like radical or negative thinking to mess with the world order. To them I like to always use the Jack Nicholson quote from ‘A Few Good Men’ which goes like this, “You can’t handle the truth”. Which is the reality of the situation. They break the cardinal rule of all blogging, trying to stifle free thought just because it offends them or they disagree with it.
Instead of just disagreeing with us and moving on they make personal observations that are way of the mark and they get nasty which is just not required under the circumstances. Then they have the gall to call us hot headed. I call that hypocrisy. I don’t know mate, I just get the feeling I am wasting my time barking out my feelings and concerns when nobody seems to be listening or showing any concern. And when everything does go tits up they still haven’t got the class to admit I was right and this has happened time and time again over the past three years or so. They accuse me of every crime in the book but they just don’t see that my anger may actually be because I care too God damned much.
I could care less about a bunch football junkies who are only concerned with their quick fix and to Hell with what happens to the team long term. If most of them supported the club for as long as I have, perhaps then they would get my rage and my frustration and why I am acting so passionately against the regime and it’s manager. Instead I am accused of self serving secret agendas and of creating a fostering a cabal of like minded members like yourself who apparently don’t have independent minds and who need to be led by my totalitarian persona. It’s all just such BS mate. I appreciate your support but most of all, I appreciate your intelligence to see things for the way they are, not the Shangri-La these fans are living in.
In the upcoming days and months I am going to curtail my presence on the blog due to other commitments but I also plan on shutting up about Glazer and Fergie and just let things fall as they may. I’ve done my part with showing my concern and being proactive and it’s gotten me nowhere. I have donated to MUST only to see the Red Knights hightail into hiding and so I am just feeling really betrayed and let down by a lot of groups. I’m just going to sit back, relax and forget all of this and let the cards fall where they will. It’s clearly not worth getting an ulcer over and also getting abused by people you once thought highly of but who show their colours when you disagree with them on a fundamental point. It’s gotten to the point that I think many of these fans deserve every bit of shite and disrespect the club dishes out to them in the future. Cheers to you mate and keep the fires burning.
July 10th, 2010 at 21:53
Congratulations Germany on coming second and also to Diego Forlan for an impressive five goal haul! What I would give now for him in place of Berbatov!
July 10th, 2010 at 22:05
@colver: Germany came second or third,colver.
July 10th, 2010 at 22:08
Forlan and Drogba are identical players and i can’t say who is better.They both can score from distance,both are good free kick takers and both score lots of goals.But one thing is that Forlan gets less service and also he is good with both feet where as Drogba mostly uses his right foot.
July 10th, 2010 at 22:14
@colver: Second?
You sure mate? 
July 10th, 2010 at 22:16
@Owen: Won’t say they are identical players. While Drogba is a physical monster, Forland is a smart and explosive striker. While they are similar, they are incredibly different as well. And Forland isn’t a diving scum btw…
July 10th, 2010 at 22:24
@EduardoDaVinci4: But Believe me Andy.By next WC,the whole world will compare Anderson and Zidane and everyone will agree that both are similar.
July 10th, 2010 at 22:27
@Owen: Andy?
It’s Eddy! 
And by the way, I know Anderson is gonna be like that.
July 10th, 2010 at 22:34
@EduardoDaVinci4: I also believe,Eddy.I am eagerly waiting for September so that Andy will come and prove me and others totally wrong.I just hope he will make us take our words back as we did in Fletcher’s case.
July 10th, 2010 at 22:44
It’s time for Africa.
What I wouldn’t give for Azil in a United shirt right now!
July 10th, 2010 at 22:44
It’s time for Africa.
What I wouldn’t give for Ozil in a United shirt right now…
July 10th, 2010 at 22:46
@Owen: I wanna make love to you
<33333
July 10th, 2010 at 22:47
@Darth Red Diablo: Tha Darth is back
Nobody interfere with his work in progress. This man is serious danger
July 10th, 2010 at 22:49
@Darth Red Diablo: By the way,where were you for so long ??
July 10th, 2010 at 22:55
Fergie ,you have tried Rafael in Midfield,Rooney on left,Hargo as RB,Fletcher as RB,Carrick as CB,Giggs as ACM but why you have never played Andy at his usual position?Give him a 5 match run behind Rooney in your preferred 4-2-3-1 system.
July 10th, 2010 at 23:05
Anderson and Nani will be our best players next season, followed by Rooney, Fletcher and Valencia.
Rooney will be top scorer, with Hernandez as second and Nani third.
Nani will top the assist charts, Valencia in a good second and Anderson with a solid third.
Anderson and Nani will be our new free-kick takers. Taking corners as well, making us a formidable force again.
Rafael will provide to be a fucking stallion, and make the right back place his own.
Vidic will sign a new contract and again be our best defender, and Lil Johnny will push Rio to the subs bench. Smalling will provide to be a disastorous buy.
Evra will be amazing the first few months of the season, but pick up an injury towards Christmas/the New Year and will give Fabio a big opportunity to stake a claim. He will grab it with both hands, and give Evra a hard time when he returns in early April.
Van Der Sar will stay injury free all season, giving PIG and Amos few chances to impress. He will win the Golden Glove- Again.
Scholes, Giggs and Neville will be used a lot at the start of the season, but as the season progresses they will be used less and less. Neville will retire in February thanks to an injury.
Carrick and Berbatov will be sold for a combined fee of £30 million, and we will use the money on an unknown winger and a proven striker next summer.
Nani will win the PFA player of the year for the 2010/2011 season, Anderson the Young Player of the Year.
Nani will win the Ballon DoR in 2011, after a succesful season with United winning the Premier League and the FA Cup, going out in the Semi Finals of the Champions League to rivals Real Madrid.
Chelsea and Manchester City will lead the Premier League until early January, but then United will kick into gear. Scholes and Giggs will be used less and less, and give room for Anderson and Nani to go riot. The youngsters will both make a big impact on the Premier League until that, but given the stubborness of Fergie they won’t be regular starters until after the new year. After then they will fucking tear teams to shreads, United will go unbeaten for 5 months and win the Premier League.
United will finish first, City second, Chelsea third and Arsenal fourth.
Anderson will score the goal of the season, scoring the winning goal against Liverpool at Anfield, running through their entire team on a counter attack and blasting it high into the net behind Pepe Reina.
Manchester United – 2010/2011 – The Amazing Double season!
Sorry for spoilers
July 10th, 2010 at 23:08
@EduardoDaVinci4: Forlan is good but believe me, Suarez is even better. He will explode as one of the best strikers in the world within a couple of years. If we buy him and Ozil we will have a dream team again.
July 10th, 2010 at 23:15
@Owen: Don’t forget O’shea as a goalkeeper, Djemba-Djemba at CB, Neville as a winger(!!!), and even Berbatov as a striker!
How on earth Anderson hasn’t been used REGULARLY in his real position is amazing for me, considering the damage he has done when playing there. Arsenal, February 2008, and the World Cup final in December 08. As the commentator described him: “If this was American football, Anderson would be considered the best QuarterBack in the land!”
Come on Fergie!
July 10th, 2010 at 23:17
@EduardoDaVinci4: And our Eddy will play for Man utd Reserves in 2011-12 and will join the senior squad a year later.
July 10th, 2010 at 23:21
@EduardoDaVinci4: “and even Berbatov as a striker! ”
HaHa.Nicely written.
July 10th, 2010 at 23:21
Van Der Sar
Rafael Evans Vidic Evra
Fletcher Cleverley
Valencia Anderson Nani
Rooney
This is the best team in the World! If you disagree, fuck you!
Cause your opinion doesn’t matter, this is undoubtably the best team in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!! 
July 10th, 2010 at 23:23
@Owen: Andy, Fletch and me are gonna rip midfields to shreads in 2012!
We are the reason the world ends! 
July 10th, 2010 at 23:27
@EduardoDaVinci4: And RedRants will win best United Blog in 2010-11 and Red Ranter will post a great interview with Anderson and Nani.
July 10th, 2010 at 23:31
@frankie: I don’t know mate, I think we are gonna become a solid 4-2-3-1 team from now on. So only think we need a backup winger, a goalkeeper and a firstclass defensive mid to partner Fletcher. Someone like Alonso would be perfect, if not then maybe Rodwell or even Lass?
Knowing Fergie we won’t go for either. 
July 10th, 2010 at 23:33
You know what? It’s not the money or the manager or the Glazers we should worry about. If you look at the hints, or think logically, this is my conclusion.
The future of Manchester United is in the hands of Anderson, Cleverley and Hernandez
…………………………………………..
They better come good
Come on lads!
July 10th, 2010 at 23:43
@EduardoDaVinci4: An Alonso -type player is must if you want to make a great team with 4-2-3-1 formation.Andy may come good and take the position behind Rooney but i can’t see any one to play the role of Alonso.Carrick was true copy of Alonso in 2006-09 but his form dropped to a very alarming level last season.And i still say if Carrick will play good,Man Utd will play better.
July 11th, 2010 at 0:28
Haha i don’t know why i said second.
Forlan is nothing like Drogba. Drogba is a battering ram whereas Forlan is a twinkle toed Rolls Royce of a player. Forlan also is much more about the spectacular and scores much more from outside the box whereas Drogba is more of a predator.
I love you Eddy man but I do not see Anderson being that goal scoring attacking midfielder we’d need in a 4-2-3-1. At best Anderson may be able to return to his 2007 form and get back to hustling in midfield and giving Fabregas and Gerrard hell. But I just don’t see Anderson making it, he doesn’t seem to have the drive and ambition and just like Forlan he may do better at a lower level club and with less pressure he may be able to show the world what he can do.
I wouldn’t say no to Suarez and Ozil.
July 11th, 2010 at 0:31
In my eyes the future of United is in Pogba, Smalling, Hernandez and the twins. If they turn into great players then even if we don’t sign anyone we should be ok, assuming we hang on to players like Nani, Valencia, Rooney and Fletcher.
July 11th, 2010 at 0:55
1.Ajax tell Manchester United to put in an offer for 23-year-old Uruguay striker Luis Suarez who is rated at around £35m.
2.Jose Mourinho will be able to leave Real Madrid for free at the end of each year of his current contract, making him available to take over at Old Trafford should Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson be ready to retire.
July 11th, 2010 at 1:02
3.United boss Ferguson insists: I didn’t bid for Sneijder – and I don’t need him
July 11th, 2010 at 1:03
Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed reports that he bid for World Cup sensations Wesley Sneijder and Mesut Ozil and insists that his current Manchester United squad is ‘stronger than last season’
The United manager said: ‘I believe the squad is stronger than last season with the
younger players having another year under their belts. I don’t know where those reports about Sneijder came from. How can anybody turn me down when I haven’t even made a bid?’
July 11th, 2010 at 1:45
@Owen: Again with the comparison. Carrick is no-way close to Alonso in talent, he never has been. Can you ever imagine Carrick scoring from the half way line? Can you see him blast free kicks in from all possible angles? Or strike the ball so hard his foot will have bruises the next day? You know, if you look close at the dynamics of Carrick and Alonso you’ll see a big difference in each player. While Carrick is static and slow, Xabi is agile and powerful, and very balanced. The vision can at times be similar, but the consistency of Alonso’s split-up-a-whole-defence-with-one-pass is more frequent that our Michael. I would kill for an Alonso, because Carrick doesn’t fill me with any confidence. If you ask me, Xabi Alonso has been the best player for Spain this World Cup. Even better than Villa and Xavi! He really is a unique player, if there is one player who is similar to him it’s Scholes; or Beckham.
July 11th, 2010 at 2:01
@EduardoDaVinci4: No way.Carrick 0f 2006-09 was not much behind Alonso in any respect.Carrick at that time was a brilliant player and i have seen him splitting the defences.Both are deep-lying playermakers.Carrick is much better in defence than him.Carrick was very good in possession.Alonso looks better than Carrick because He has Xavi nearer to him to pass the ball but this is not the case with Carrick.Even Alonso is a great fan of Carrick and has recently told that England did mistake by not playing Carrick.
And yes,i know you like our wingers but it is Carrick only who brings our wingers into play.Just watch it mate.I don’t know why Carrick is blamed by everyone.Carrick has already served our club as much that we should give him respect.He has brought luck to the club with him adnd helped us to end the dominance of Chelsea.Remember his time here.3 PL,1 CL ,1 CL Final and much more.
July 11th, 2010 at 2:07
@EduardoDaVinci4: Just watch it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLV7W668Vsc
July 11th, 2010 at 2:14
1. Italian press dubbed him: “Magnifico Carrick”
2. Harry Redknapp has described him as being “irreplaceable”
3.Xavi Hernandez labelled Carrick as the ‘complete midfielder’
4.Xabi Alonso :England needs Carrick.
July 11th, 2010 at 2:55
@Owen: You know I agree with most of that, Carrick is a specialist, and as part of a solid midfield, he thrives.
Problem for him, though, is when he’s used in a holding or B2B role.
If he has his freedom attacking, he can be as ruthless as they come!!
July 11th, 2010 at 3:02
@colver: I’m worried about Rooney!!
The last 4 months, he’s looked like a player that has got something else on his mind. Injury aside, he needs to sort things, mentally, and begin again, to pursue the kind of promise he’s often shown!!
July 11th, 2010 at 4:31
@colver: Bless you mate, I wasn’t content with just third.
July 11th, 2010 at 4:32
@EduardoDaVinci4:
July 11th, 2010 at 4:36
@EduardoDaVinci4: I will slit my wrists now thanks.
July 11th, 2010 at 6:39
As proficient as he is at managing a top flight team, SAF might want to consider a career in Politics!
Not an easy thing for most, he’s been able to juggle the mix of popular opinion and the ability to stabilize his own way forward into his eventual retirement.
I would imagine his desire to leave a legacy, will outdo his desire to make us all happy.
With so much cred in the bank, he will make a final stand – against the over-priced princes, and for those that don’t hold the game true.
Just a guess, just a simple notion, but tell me which man has managed to become a legacy without the skill of political savvy.
At the very end of what is a hugely successful tenure, SAF makes a stand against his critical mass, I’m left to defend his actions. Not because of loyalty or stuff, but because I tend to believe in his past 20 odd years – his ability to WIN.
Old, naive, call me all these things – I just wont give up on the potential of experience.
If SAF retired tomorrow, the tenure of our next manager will be determined by the solvency of our owners. Nothing more and nothing less.
And, of course, nothing going in our pockets!!
July 11th, 2010 at 8:52
@Redrich: You’ll be surprised to know Red that I don’t disagree with a large part of what you said. But where I have a problem is in believing that he has the intellectual capacity to do what you are hoping (after all, he is just a football manager, not a Rhodes Scholar) and secondly, what’s he waiting for? If he does what you are faithfully waiting for I will be first to stand up and apologize to him on this blog and directly. But I am pretty confident that isn’t the case. Still, I do hope your faith is rewarded.
July 11th, 2010 at 8:56
Who says I only bring bad tidings? I found this very interesting because it comes from Robben’s mouth and I have known for a long time that both he and Schneijder are very close. Keep the faith I guess.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=807833&sec=transfers&cc=5901
July 11th, 2010 at 9:01
Yet another ray of hope. I’m just so full of optimism and a breath of fresh air am I not?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/7883424/Manchester-United-bid-resurrected.html?
July 11th, 2010 at 9:28
@Grognard: Sorry to be the harbinger of doom—funny eh?—but here’s someone who’s ground the news you linked to dust:
Sir Alex Ferguson, himself, on the Sneijder bid.
July 11th, 2010 at 9:36
I guess I am in a mellow mood or I’m just feeling relaxed but I think it’s time to write a few optimistic thoughts now that i feel this way before the anger and frustration of being a Manchester United fan returns.
1. I have often thought it was actually possible that Fergie’s reactions and actions these days are those of a deeply planted mole for the Red Knights. I mean why not? Apparently he is close friends with two of those investors. What better way to destroy the Glazer regime than to get inside information from somebody high up? This would certainly answer a lot of my questions about Fergie and why he seems to be accepting the status quo so much. Sure it may be a case of me watching far too many spy movies but still, it makes sense. I hope and pray it’s true.
2. I still think we are going to get Wesley Scheijder. There, I said it. I don’t know why but I just think Fergie may have a cunning plan for this deal to come to fruition. Robben and other Dutch players have said he would really suit United and seriously, what player in his right mind would want to play for Rafa if he had an out clause? Call me crazy but I think Schneijder is interested but he is deflecting rumours right now because of the World Cup. And it is of paramount importance that replacement to Paul Scholes be found.
3. Fergie might just go for Mario Balotelli because he knows he needs a player of that quality to build around. Rooney is great but he needs to replace Ronaldo and other young players who are potential Ronaldo’s like Pato, Mueller, Aguero etc are not available or too expensive. Trust me, Inter wants Balotelli gone because Inter fans want him gone and because he wants to be gone. It might not be to United but he will not be at Inter to start the season.
4. United should break the bank (which I know is empty but I’m trying to be optimistic here) and buy Bastien Schweinsteiger. During the time Schweiney was a wide midfielder I was never completely won over by him. I knew he could strike a ball well and could cross with the best of them but as a wide man he wasn’t agile or fast enough and his concentration and desire at times was very suspect. However, as a DMF he has become absolutely awesome. His ability to run the engine room, make a great pass, hit a long drive and win tackle after tackle while showing great leadership, vision and composure on the ball has really impressed me. Just what Fletcher needs next to him in a 4-2-3-1 0r 4-2-2-2 formation. Frankly, Schweiny has become a young Ballack without the heading skill and the asshole attitude.
5. Three players is what we need and I have personally would love to see Scheijder and a really strong holding midfielder like Schweinsteiger, Khedira or even Veloso on this club. And if we don’t go for Schneijder, it is a must for us to at least get Ozil. Take care of these two midfield positions and United despite all their internal problems can win the league and threaten Europe again. Buy neither and watch the dynasty fall further into the ranks of the mediocre. The third position can wait a year. That is of course goalkeeper. van der Sar is signed up for one more season but after that, we must try to get a world class keeper. My top five list is as flows in priority of preference. 1) Manuel Neuer, 2) Rene Adler, 3) Eduardo, 4) Hugo Lloris, 5) JL Buffon. Buffon is the most accomplished but older still, I think he could be had. Neuer is a god in my books and Adler isn’t far behind. I was very impressed with Eduardo at the World Cup but he just signed for Genoa so prying him from them a year later would be difficult and Lloris is a very good shot stopper who despite the team he played for at the tournament, was pretty good and is consistently good for Lyon. So there you have it.
Do we need a striker? The answer is no but Balotelli is an interesting conundrum? In one sense he could be a future Balon D’Or winner and then he could also be the final malignant cancer that brings the whole thing crashing down upon all of us. I just feel it is imperative that United buy two or three major players or they will badly regret it. Glazer’s need to realize that if they want to increase season tickets and limit the number of fans boycotting the team they need to at least offer the team hope on the pitch which will also ensure positive revenue streams continue. Lets hope all my negativity towards them can be put aside for a while and lets see some positives in terms of team building for a change. And please Fergie, sell Anderson, Berbatov and Carrick. And stay away from Benzema (not that he was ever really in our plans now was he?).
July 11th, 2010 at 9:42
@Red Ranter: I know mate but it would not be the first time he said something like that and then did the opposite. I could be and probably am wrong but it’s just a weird feeling i’m having. It’s obvious he really needs him and Scheijder needs to get as far away from Benitez as possible. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed and trying to be anti-Grognard for a change.
July 11th, 2010 at 9:44
@Grognard: Well this must be a role reversal then. I am being cynical about this deal and you are being optimistic. Have we been transported into a bizarro universe?
July 11th, 2010 at 10:17
@Red Ranter: I thought my skin was looking a little pale and crusty. Actually we are in the Mirror Mirror Universe and you are being the evil cynical Spock.
But seriously, it’s strange for me but all the information I’m reading just leads me to believe something is happening behind the scenes that may be positive for a change. United is a great move for Schneijder and when several of his teammates have urged him to go to United or that they believe he will, leads me to believe they may know something we don’t. Again I say, based on what he did to Liverpool last year and what Mourinho accomplished with Inter, why would any Inter player want to stay and play for the Fat Waiter? I cannot believe all loyalty aside, that Schneijder is a glutton for punishment. He has to know that he fits perfectly into the United midfield as the missing link and that he would be received as royalty here. Positive vibes mate, positive vibes. Man these meds are really working…
July 11th, 2010 at 10:20
@Grognard: All that is clear to me right now is, somebody is lying.
July 11th, 2010 at 11:29
A Sneijder deal would be great. But I just cannot see Inter selling for less than £50 million unless the player actually openly makes it clear he wants nothing to do with Rafa. And why would he? Rafa has won Champions Leagues and Inter have the same squad that won it last year. Rafa sucked in the league but for a long time he was punching above his weight in Europe.
It is very rare for a player to move on after just one year at a club. And almost unheard of if said club has won a Champions League and a title.
Meanwhile Ozil is in the last year of his contract, at a time of his career when he should be playing in the Champions League and challenging for titles and at a club who would find it hard to refuse a big money bid.
Was Fergie even watching the World Cup?
Also it is classic Fergie to compliment players through the media before signing them, especially big players. I do not recall any comments about either Sneijder or Ozil.
So sadly I do not see us buying either midfielder.
July 11th, 2010 at 11:46
@Grognard: For a change I’m not as optimistic as you! Quite the opposite, I highly doubt that some of those things will happen. I just can’t see us buy Sneijder or Schweinsteiger. Sneijder is too expensive, happy in Italy, and apparently a really spoilt cock. Would love him, but doubt we’ll get him.
As for Balotelli. I’ve been thinking about him a lot really. He is a diamond, but he is just so fucked up there is a lot to straighten out and make it beautiful. However! Fergie has been willing to bring in massive, sore tits in the past, and make them the true core of Manchester United. I’ve mentioned Ronaldo, but somehow this case reminds me much more of Cantona?
Would you agree? I mean, come on! The lad is a first class cunt who plays for a team full of cunts, with a manager who lots of people think of as a cunt, and he just hasn’t been able to settle in anywhere? The reason he isn’t even in the Italian squad is because they all hate him there. He gets sent off for stupid things, he has a huge temperament, he is arrogant, he is cocky, he is a foreign who is not proud of his nation(he hates Italians), and he is a potential World Class footballer. Come on!!! Those things are soooooo like Cantona you’d think the great King had given birth to him! Truly, if Cantona is God then Balotelli must be Jesus Fucking Christ! I think Fergie sees it that way, and he will do everything in his power to get him.
And just like when we bought Eric, this club is in ruins. We have a good team, but we are missing the last piece of the jigsaw. Then we had gone 26 years without a title, now we are on the break of ruin. Honestly mate, this thing looks like it’s made to be! And just like the spirit of Manchester United, if it seems written, it is written!
July 11th, 2010 at 11:48
And to be honest, name me one player(Maradona not included) other than Balotelli who you could imagine Kung-Fu kicking the shit out of a fan Cantona style?
I rest my case
July 11th, 2010 at 11:56
@Owen: I think it’s much of a confidence thing. Whenever I see Alonso he seems confident and willing to try doing everything, unlike Carrick who most of the time looks like a pussy and isn’t capable of doing the “risky” things. He has his good days, but he is waaaay to incosistent for my liking. It’s like Berbatov really, he may have this streak when he blows everyone away, but most of the time he is barely medicore. And about doing his job quietly, I know that, but I don’t see that as a good thing. Rarely do I see Xabi do his work quietly, and when Scholes does he has a bad day. Carrick is it most of the time, and trust me it aint something nesecarilly good.
July 11th, 2010 at 12:03
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGiIjiXDhjg
We need one of those
July 11th, 2010 at 12:07
Redrich I agree with you. Rooney will have a difficult season and we cannot expect him to score all the goals like last season. He needs a striking partner who will score twenty goals a season and also goals from midfield.
That is why we need to ditch Berbatov and buy another striker. Suarez and Benzema would fit the bill. And yes Balotelli if it wasn’t for his attitude problems would be an interesting proposition.
And if we cannot afford another striker then the only thing for it is to throw Hernandez in at the deep end and hope he swims.
Carrick was never close to Alonso’s quality. While they do have a lot in common Carrick is like a poor man’s version of Alonso.
He flops every big game and was responsible for the Bayern disaster, the Barcelona disaster and the Milan disaster. Whereas Fletcher rises to big games Carrick just cannot seem to handle the pressure and disappears.
Carrick hardly provides any assists while Alonso provides a fair few. Alonso also scores more goals. And Alonso is more of a playmaker. Carrick always needs someone like Scholes to hold his hand.
Possibly Fergie ruined Carrick by forcing him to play as a defensive midfielder whereas at Tottenham he got forward more and dictated play more. But I think Carrick does not really have the personality to boss a midfield at a club like ours. He is much too cautious.
July 11th, 2010 at 12:17
@EduardoDaVinci4: I find it no surprise that Carrick was brilliant for 3 seasons, and we won the league for each of them. He was off colour last season, and we failed to unlock defences we should have done. Fletcher & Carrick should be our starting 2 midfielders. Here’s hopping Carrick has sorted himself out for this season.
July 11th, 2010 at 13:30
Two developments in today’s papers on the Sneijder front, a quote from a family member “Wesley wants to play for United and he should go there. He was very disappointed when they didn’t go for him when he was leaving Real Madrid for £12 million a year ago.” and that Milan want Berbatov included in any deal. £20mil and Berbatov?
July 11th, 2010 at 13:47
@colver:
1.”Alonso also scores more goals” – Just check stats. Both average 1 in 10.
2.”Carrick hardly provides any assists while Alonso provides a fair few” – No.You have not seen Alonso much then.Alonso never provides the final pass.For Real,his job is to provide the ball to Guti/Kaka and they provide the assist.For Spain,he gives the ball to Xavi And brings Ramos into play.Without Carrick,Valencia and Nani are useless.
3.Alonso is perhaps the finest long range passer but Carrick has one of the best vision in the game .
4.Carrick has developed a great defensive ability in his game .Alonso is not like that.
5.Fergie misused Carrick last season where as Alonso had Ronaldo,Kaka,Lass,VDV with him all last year.
July 11th, 2010 at 13:51
@colver: “He flops every big game”- I don’t think Carling Cup match against Shitty,Arsenal game,Roma one and CL final against Chelsea to name a few were games of no importance.
July 11th, 2010 at 13:56
@EduardoDaVinci4: How can a player who started almost every game for title winning team for 3 continuous year be too inconsistent?
Mate he had just one bad year.It happens for every one .Some players like Hargo,Essien,Kaka etc. even did not played last year but they are still world’s best on their 1 or 2 great years in past.Then why not Carrick who even managed to play and did not took the wage in free like Essien,Hargo…
July 11th, 2010 at 14:06
The problem with Man Utd fans is that they get time to watch likes of O’shea and RedNev on the field but just neglect Carrick .And at the end of game,he is accepted as a Flop as it is universal constant.
There are fans of Anderson who had a 1 good game in 3 years but he is the future.Nani played 10 good games but became World’s best winger in some one’s eyes .There is Rafael ,who always brought disaster with him when ever he started, will be World’s best RB but there are fans who think Carrick was responsible for Bayern game when there was no defender in the box and Carrick was unfortunately present there to get the blame.
So sorry for you Carrick who has admirers in form of Xavi,Xabi,Harry… but there is no one here..
July 11th, 2010 at 16:42
@Owen: Carrick was amazing in 2006/07, I’ll give him that. But from then on until 2009 he had been medicore, he was being bashed and fans wondered what had happend to the 2007 Carrick. He played worse and worse, and in the last season he hit a new low. I’ve never seen a United midfielder lack that much confidence. I know expectations are incredibly high here, but so is the standard and as a United player he should be able to deal with that. Although he scored more goals last season that he did in total the 2 seasons before that, he played worse and looked totally out of his system. I want Carrick to do well, but I just can’t see him regaining his own form now at 29. He may do well, but I doubt he will ever be the deep-lyving playmaker we need in a 4-2-3-1 system. I hope he proves me wrong, but I just can’t see it…
July 11th, 2010 at 17:16
@tonymontanna4united:
I have actually been reading the blog for the last 2 or 3 years on an almost daily basis so I am not really new.
I just don’t agree with you and I am not sure that the average fan does either. They just don’t post on blogs like this.
I don’t know whether we have a transfer budget or not, and the reality is, that that you don’t either. Only time will tell.
July 11th, 2010 at 17:26
@Anthony: “They just don’t post on blogs like this.” What you mean to say,Anthony.
July 11th, 2010 at 17:26
@Red Ranter: You see mate, eight hours after claiming to you my feelings more and more stuff is coming out that just makes that feeling grow larger. Go figure. I might just be right at the end of the day.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/143900/SNEIJDER-I-WANT-TO-SIGN-FOR-MAN-UNITED/?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=807833&sec=transfers&cc=5901
http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/World-Cup-star-Wesley-Sneijder-wants-Manchester-United-move-say-relatives/8748/?
And this one comes from FIFA themselves which means it cannot be a lie……can it?
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1272205.html?cid=rssfeed&att=
It’s not like he has given his friends a shut up and desist order to stop saying these things. If we don’t sign him it isn’t because he isn’t interested, it’s because all along we just talk the talk but cannot walk the walk because of no money to play with.
July 11th, 2010 at 17:28
@Red Ranter: Exactly. You know who my money is on.
July 11th, 2010 at 17:31
@EduardoDaVinci4: Many differences in temperament between Cantona and Balotelli mate. Cantona still had a dedication for the team and club and although temperamental, he often let his football speak for him.
As for Schweinsteiger, I do not think we will sign him, I just wished we would. I still think Schneijder is a possibility though because of evidence leading me in that direction of thought and just a gut feeling.
July 11th, 2010 at 17:34
@Traverse: I thought Carrick was good for three seasons. Brilliant is not the adjective I would use to describe him at any time in his career. And last year he was just awful.
July 11th, 2010 at 17:39
@Anthony: How much time do we have to tell mate? This song and dance by United management has been going on for a while now and eventually something has to give. You brought very strong points but by mate TonyMontana echos my feelings and thousands of others that don’t get so easily seduced by con artists and liars. And what is coming out of OT these days is nothing but lies. Question is why? Is Fergie lying through his teeth because he is planning something or because he is protecting the owners? And I’m not just talking transfers here. This club needs a coupe or a takeover ASAP. Otherwise it may just continue to fall into oblivion. To sit back and just think positive thoughts is fine but for me, I would rather get to the bottom of the mystery as opposed to just turning away from it.
July 11th, 2010 at 18:00
@Grognard:
Grognard at Redrants:
April 10th, 2008 at 23:13
JB deserves credit for his faith in Carrick as well as Scholes. Although I am a late convert regarding Carrick, I was always a big Scholes fan but I believed earlier this year that he was truly finished. JB let me have it on that one and in fairness, the Ginger Ninja has rewarded him with his loyalty by rebounding and actually playing very well the past two months. Although I am a big Carrick supporter now, I am unworthy to be on a Carrick Advocates team as I was questioning his value before Christmas. Now I am waiting for Capello to wake up and bring the new Glenn Hoddle on to the England squad where he belongs.
July 11th, 2010 at 18:20
Geting Sneijder would be amazing (for less than 30 million).
——- Van Der Sar—–
Rafael-Vidic-Ferdo-Evra
Vally-Sneijder-Fletcher-Nani
— Rooney-Hernandez —
Subs: PIG, Evans, Fabio, Carrick, Scholes/Gibbo/Cleverly, Giggs, Owen
(I am assuming we sell Berba to fund Sneijder move)
That’s a world class starting 11 but a questionable bench with a lack of an impact sub.
Getting a young good backup winger worth his salt would add greatly to our depth.
July 11th, 2010 at 18:31
@EduardoDaVinci4: Carrick really is a victim of our waning CMF.
He’s being asked to do more and in more roles, and being obviously on the down-side of his career, we notice it all the more.
If SAF manages to sign an impact MF’er this summer, Carrick would then be used in a way that is more comfortable for him, and not because of necessity to the team.
July 11th, 2010 at 18:31
@colver:
Drogba is much more than just a battering ram. He certainly is a physical monster but also has great ball control, touch, shooting technique, passing, among other things.
Yes, he’s despicable on the pitch.
I guess other fans must feel the same about Ronaldo when he used to play for us.
Oh, and drogba sounds very grounded and smart off the pitch. The reason mainly while I always tempered the drogba hate.
Remember, he nearly ended up playing for us!
July 11th, 2010 at 18:40
ENGLAND IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Howard Webb to be man of match!!!
July 11th, 2010 at 19:03
Come on Holland!
July 11th, 2010 at 19:13
@Owen: Wow, you should become a spy!
How the fuck did you find that one? 
July 11th, 2010 at 19:16
@EduardoDaVinci4: It was necessary
July 11th, 2010 at 20:29
Come on the Dutch! Try and stay on the pitch though!
July 11th, 2010 at 21:22
Come on Rooney.
July 11th, 2010 at 21:25
Fucking epic tense!
July 11th, 2010 at 21:25
De Jong’s attack on Alonso would send him to prison, had it been outside the field!
July 11th, 2010 at 21:25
Are we all enjoying our luke-warm bowl of Pig Slop??
July 11th, 2010 at 21:43
@Owen: Almost as sweet as Evans on Drogba.
July 11th, 2010 at 21:44
Villa off, Torres on!
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit
Please come to United Fernando
July 11th, 2010 at 22:03
Bloody hell. That ruined my week. Faggy Barcelona players winning a World Cup. Such a careless goal to concede by the Dutch and such a pointless red card. I was fancying the Dutch to win on penalties. And what is with Robben missing two one on ones. Damn Damn Damn
July 11th, 2010 at 22:03
they don’t deserve it
July 11th, 2010 at 22:07
Fuck Spain!!!!
July 11th, 2010 at 22:13
Football won today because the other team came to play Karate.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:15
Forget Ronaldo and Messi,Xavi was and Xavi is the best player in world.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:20
@Owen: karate? i was hoping they bring a shot gun.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:22
@Owen: I like Karate better than Diving
July 11th, 2010 at 22:25
Iniesta is a much better player than Xavi.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:25
@EduardoDaVinci4: There is no one better than Robben in Diving.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:28
A team having the biggest criminal in the world of football,Van Bommel,should never win.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:31
@colver: Iniesta is only a better diver than Xavi.He is half the player Xavi is.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:34
Good match until Iniesta started diving…Congrats to the rest of the Spanish team!
July 11th, 2010 at 22:34
@Owen: You know if he was a jap, he would’ve been called Jackie-Chan!
July 11th, 2010 at 22:35
By the way, fuck Paul the octopuss
July 11th, 2010 at 22:36
Really dreadfull stuff, come on the season without Sneidjer, Ozil, Kjaer, Suarez, Muller, Schweinsteiger, Villa, et al
July 11th, 2010 at 22:38
John Terry is the best player in the world.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:48
Well the World Cup is finally over and for a final epic spectacle what we got to witness today was tension filled physically played and riveting 120 minutes of football that in the end could best be described as disgrace to the great game. Today two things won out. Cynicism and pragmatism. A game that was truly brutal in in style and barbaric in it’s approach.
Shame on the Dutch for coming out to play a rugby match. Shame on them for leaving all their flair and talent in the dressing room. Shame on Spain for boring us to death with their puffy homosexually induced football that is so inflexible and unwilling to alter it’s approach that after a while they resemble a fat rhino continually ramming itself into a concrete wall while remaining clueless on how to get around the wall. Above all, shame to England for producing a muppet and complete wanker like Howard Webb who decided nothing to would be permitted today and where he completely destroyed the flow and pace of the game because he decided it was time to break the record for the most yellow cards given out.
The game lost today. Yet another spectacle reduced to boring fearful players afraid to let loose and take a crack. How many shot attempts I can count in this game that weren’t taken because player after player decided to hold on to the ball that little bit longer or instead make a bad pass to kill the chance? The game was something the NFL likes to refer in their outtakes as ‘Football Follies’. The game was a joke and the winners are joke.
FUCK how I hate Spanish football. They do absolutely nothing and they still win. The pass and pass and create nothing for most of the game but thanks to red card given for nothing, they get that little advantage that made the difference. Oh sure they had 3 or 4 good chances but over 120 minutes that is hardly a statement of outstanding play. The Dutch had just as many great chances and if Robben had been smart enough to chip Casillas the victors right now would be the Netherlands. But instead they continue to carry the moniker “the Neverlands”. Three World Cup finals now and they still haven’t learned not to play into the hands of their opponents and allow them to dictate the game.
This game was an advertisement for everything that is wrong with football. Gamesmanship such as, dirty tackling, clutching and grabbing, embellished theatrics, diving and players out there acting like prima ballerina’s instead of men. Add to that managers who are so pragmatic and negative in their approach to the game, that what you had was systems suffocating the entertainment value of aWorld Cup Final. In one corner you have the Dutch playing gangster and carving up every Spaniard with the ball like a chainsaw killer. In the other corner you had a cowardly lion that was so timid in his approach that they continually looked to be playing in a low gear for fear of the chainsaw. Both teams had their chances but both seemed just too inept and too cautious for their own good.
Somebody referred to this match as a great Kung Fu movie. That one Kung Fu or should I say Cantonesque kick into the sternum of Alonso was such a blatant red card yet Webb ignored that and instead gave out at least half a dozen yellows which were nothing serious. Webb was made to look a colossal fool today. Every insult Fergie has sent his way over the years is correct. The man is incompetent.
I make no bones about it, I wanted the Dutch to thrash Spain. I so despise Spanish football especially that cabal of Homo’s who play for Bathelona that I wanted the Dutch to thrash them both physically and on the scoreboard. I could care less if I am not politically correct. Lets just say other than Italy, Spain is a major pet peeve of mine and I despise everything that nation’s football stands for. They scored a paltry amount of goals in this World Cup with half of them going in off the post and they have had every great call in the world go for them. They are lucky and they are good but above all, everything about them disgusts me.
But lets not end this without saying how totally disappointed and disenchanted I am with the Dutch and before them my beloved Germans for capitulating to this team by allowing them to dictate the terms of the game. I do like the fact the Dutch came out much more physical than the Germans had but still, both nations have great creatively skilled players but they gave the puff brigade of Spain far too much respect and showed fear where there should not have been any.
To beat Spain you cut off the passing lanes and crowd the middle. Then you get physical but what you must do is break out with pace and intent on a counter and both Germany and the Dutch didn’ do this and it’s because they were timid.
My biggest disappointment as well as frustration for the whole 120 minutes was watching the Dutch manager settle for that uselees back fluid Robin van Persie and not bringing in Huntelaar to at least try to get a goal. van Persie has got to go down as one of the worst players of this World Cup and for him to continually be selected over Huntellar was ridiculous considering the one time Huntelaar was brought he scored a good goal. Instead the Dutch always looked to be playing a 4-2-3-0 because RVP was invisible all day long.
This wasn’t the worst final of all time. The Germany vs Argentina final in 1990 and the 94 final between Italy and Brazil were far worse but it failed to be the spectacle it deserved to be because two teams decided fear, gamesmanship and caution would rule the day. Yet another black mark on the game. And the thought of Spain carrying the crown for four years physically makes e sick. I hope they choke on it. What a bunch girly men.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:52
@Owen: And your point is what? That for a short period of time when Carrick was in the form of his life I jumped on his band wagon? Big deal. He’s shite right now isn’t he. Also, seriously mate, going back tracking and looking 2008 to prove a point or prove me wrong, thats a little strange mate, seriously. I don’t think it was worth the effort because I have never ever said I don’t like Carrick. What I am saying is he is not playing well anymore and perhaps we would best be served selling him.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:53
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Boy were you right.
The 2010 World Cup final will forever be known in infamous terms as “Howard’s Webb”.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:57
@Owen: Very Cantonesque in style. 9.5. from the judges. To bad he never committed it against Iniesta or Puyol. I would have flown to South Africa and personally kissed had he done so.
July 11th, 2010 at 22:58
@EduardoDaVinci4: FUCK SPAIN TO FUCKING HELL!!!
The FAG Colony is now world champions. 4 years of limp wrists and faggy lisps to look forward to.