Aug 15
United On The Edge Of Greatness
We start this season on the edge of true greatness. Not the fleeting greatness that gets bandied around weekly in the tabloids – proper, timeless greatness. The sort that people who are not born yet will look back on in forty years and rave about.
You can put together “great” teams, you can have “great” players, but what elevates a side into the timeless category is weight of achievement. It’s what makes Ferguson the best British manager ever, and Wenger just a worthy sideshow; it’s what makes Giggs one of the best players of all time, and Gerrard a footnote in comparison. It’s why everyone knows exactly what you mean when you say the Treble, why everyone (however grudgingly) acknowledges that as a seminal footballing achievement; it’s why names like Solskjaer and Sheringham appear alongside Schmeichel and Keane in everyone’s dictionary of footballing legends.
This season we can complete a hat-trick of Premiership titles and retain the European Cup. To do either would put this team into that timeless bracket. To do both would make them the best English club side ever.
The Premiership is harder to win than the top division has ever been. The points tallies required for victory demand relentless excellence over the entire season, starting from game one – the second half of the season push for which we became renowned is not good enough any more. Our main rivals have nearly unlimited money to spend, a squad which regularly sits £25m players on the bench and haven’t lost a match at home for two years. The chasing pack contains two teams who would have been good enough to win the league five years ago, featuring some star players who are coveted by every other club in Europe, including ourselves.
The next tier of clubs are more intimidating than ever before, as a combination of TV money, foreign ownership and the availability of cheap overseas talent allows them to build impressive squads of their own, packed with internationals. Anyone who claims that games against Spurs, Portsmouth, Villa, Everton, Man City or Blackburn will be easy is deluded. Even lower down, we are only too well aware of the surprises teams like Middlesbrough can spring.
We’ve won a hat-trick of titles before, but then we were by far the best team, with more money and more pulling power than anyone else, in leagues with ten teams of comparative deadwood who our reserves could and did beat. Whatever the talk of the “Big Four”, it’s the level of competition that would make this our greatest domestic achievement.
The Champions League has never been retained. Not in its current punishing format, with the leagues followed by a rock-hard knockout phase. The Bayern machine couldn’t do it, the galacticos couldn’t do it, the Treble-winners couldn’t do it. There are so many chances to slip up, so many hurdles to fall at. One bad day can be impossible to recover from. Real and Barca are stronger than last season, and as champions everyone will be gunning for us.
We can do it. We can do both of these things. We can be that team. We have a rock-solid defence, a flexible and resourceful central midfield, the world’s best player, two sensational support strikers, (almost certainly) a hyper-talented new centre forward, a deep and well-rounded squad which is both experienced and hungry, with both old heads and young blood.
But the line is thin. Ronaldo is injured to start with, and surely can’t be as good again. Rooney needs to climb again from his plateau, Berbatov needs to settle quickly to give us enough firepower going forward. Nani may be a season away from turning his talent into end product, and age is catching up with Giggs. Our central midfielders need to discover where the net is, and we have no top class cover for Evra. What if Rio or Vidic gets injured, or van der Saar really can’t last another whole season?
After one of the most boring and frustrating summers on record, we are about to leap headlong into our chance to surpass anything our rivals have ever done in their history. Hold your breath, and hope we smiling next May – if we are, history will smile on us.
[Ed's Note: There has been an assumption in the article that Berbatov's expected to join United. So excuse us if that deal falls through -- heaven forbid.]
Related items from Red Rants:
- On Manchester United’s ‘Greatest Ever’ Squad
- United On The Brink Of Greatness, Again
- Ronaldo Wins Ballon d’Or
- Today’s Videos: Heinze’s Goal | Beckham Mania
- United* 1-1 Chelsea: First Blood to the Reds
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@dan(u-ol):
1) Well, manucho’s not here yet and i said saha keeps getting injured, which leaves us with rooney and tevez as being the two strikers we had last season and the reason everyone is talking about a new striker, which is what we were talking about until you listed all the forwards we have in the first team, reserves and academy.
2) Heh. A good attacking fullback is the way forward. All the best full backs in history are attacking full backs. It is a full backs job to make up the extra numbers in midfield. Any good full back does this, and the best ones can dictate a game. United preferred evra to heinze because of evra’s ability to go forward. Brown took neville’s place in the team last year, a straight change, position for position and he was absolutely nowhere near as good. Fullback, wingback, who gives a shit. They are the same position. Saying it’s stupid to call the twins/neville a fullback is like calling someone stupid for saying someone was a forward instead of a striker. It is pointless and embarassing.
Brown is a squad player because as long as everyones fit and raring to go, he doesn’t get a look in. O’shea and fletcher play for their countries too, but they’re still squad players.
3) I don’t care.
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Hullo everybody. I’ve been reading this site for a while and find it quite good banter. I’m an English MU fan and wonder if anybody wants to start a guardian fantasy football mini-league for bragging rights? My team is sick…
Deadlines are 12:00 tomorrow GMT i.e. 14.5 hours
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@dan(u-ol): I can’t believe it
I love linekar on it, not so big on lawro but it is such a great show, much better than the itv one, but i did prefer their song!
1) MOTD RULES
2) MOTD RULES
3) MOTD RULES
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@Alex the Fish: We already have our own Fantasy League Click here for details.
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Everybody, fergie has hinted that there will be a new signing in the next 2 days and we will be “surprised” Link, and another one… maybe its no berbatov because in an earlier interview fergie said that he has nothing to say in regards to that situation…. hmmm my heads about to explode haha
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sorry the second link was this
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and in case any of you dont trust those websites just check out skysports…. im starting to think maybe it wasnt berbatov after all..
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According to Skysports, SAF has said that we may be surprised to see what happens in the next two days regarding transfer activity – this can only be good news.
Whether it’s Berbatov or someone else, I don’t know, but I certainly hope, it’s someone as good as him.
We know, we made a bid for Silva, so it could be another type of player and then Berbatov next week. I have a feeling, though, that it’s Berba coming in, and I love the look of it.
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Too slow, I was
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Fergie – you might be surprised at what will happen over the next two days?. Mmmmm – can’t be Berba then can it, because we were all expecting him. Maybe we are selling somebody – now that’s a scary thought isn’t it?. Player exchange anybody?. If it is, who do you all think it might be lol!.
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@Mike: Sh!t, i’m hyperventilating after reading that, lol
, shows how desperate I’m am for something to happen, if its a surprise, does that mean its not Berbatov? cus thats hardly a surprise, would Huntelaar qualify as a surprise? Maybe Falcao? A surprise would be someone we’ve totally not being linked to, wonder who that might be? Maybe we’re loaning a player like with Larsson? Maybe he’ll unveil the player at the Newcastle match. Can’t wait.
@Craig Mc: Wonder who it might be then, cus papers say Berbatov didn’t train today with the Spurs squad and Fergie refused to comment on whether he’s had a medical or not. Honestly the club is starting to sound weird: Ronaldo: “i’ll decide in two days”, VDS: “I’ll decide in December, Fergie: “Hoping to bring someone in by the end of the week”, Fergie again” You’ll be surprised with what will happen in 48hrs”. If its a player exchange, its a no- brainer SAHA duh!
@Tomas: Do you have a link to the article about it on skysports? The ones i’ve seen are from ITN and what not, Skysports would reassure me more that Fergie really said that
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The only thing that will surprise me after the summer we’ve had to endure is loosing to the barcodes. Lets all hope I get through the weekend pleasantly unsurprised.
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OMG, i just thought of this too, the surprise could be HENRY!!! It would be a surprise cus he’s an Arsenal knobhead(good player though) who has said he won’t play for any other English team, so Man Utd signing him could qualify as a surprise. *bangs head against the wall*, why did i have to ruin my good mood by thinking of that, hopefully its not Henry. Still its looking like its 99% Berbatov.
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@tevez: The Spanish League is better than the English one, I agree. But their top 5 clubs are not as good as our top 5 clubs, and when it’s all said and done, a league is judged by the quality of their top clubs and how many European trophies they win. England rules right now but these things a cyclical. However, as long as England can dish out the money they do, the others will have a hard time keeping up.
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RD – apparently Berba DID train with Spurs team today. Hahaha – the plot thickens. Even the papers haven’t got a feck what is going down. My thought on the surprise over next 48 hours:-
1. Fergie is resigning because the Glazers have decided after all to sell Ronnie to the Mafia owned Real M.
2. Spurs have demanded Rio, Vidic and Evra – for Berba!.
3. Saha has seen a faith healer and is forever cured.
4. The full reserve team are playing against N’Castle, and the 1st team against some one elses reserve team. Ole says the reserves are better.
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@Eric the Red: Being Canadian the spellings as well as the pronunciations vary from region to region. Here in the west we use more of the American spellings and sounds. Eastern Canada uses more of the English. To be honest, I catch myself alternating every so often. One day I will use the term RUMOURS, the next day I will write RUMORS. I guess it depends what side of the bed I get up from.
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@jos: Sorry Jos but the report was BS. They even reported later that Berbatov had major talks with Levy today and he was nowhere near Manchester. Apparently he demanded a meeting with Levy demanding his move to United. Good luck Dimitar! This deal is definitely not being done before Sunday and I am seriously doubting whether it will happen at all.
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@dan(u-ol): If I was you I would go to a used tv place and by a small one for 50 pounds and connect to your recorder if you record your games. TV’s that are not flat screens or rear projection units are so bloody cheap nowadays that you can by a small one for hardly nothing. Especially if it is used. That way you have a back up. You do what you need to do to not miss United mate. Good luck mate.
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@Tomas: Or he may have seen the light after reading all the comments by the Grognard and he has decided Grognard knows best and I will buy Huntelaar. After all, he’s never steered Fergie wrong in the past.
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@Craig Mc: Honestly Craig if it’s not the obvious Berbatov, it can only be Huntelaar or Villa. And I seriously doubt it’s Villa because of height. It’s not bloody Henry so lets not even go there. Could it be that Fergie has teased the Grognard all this time just to reward him at the very end? NAH! I’m just fucking with myself. Lately I never get my bloody way.
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OK folks just bare with me on this. I have a theory that’s peculating in my head and I base it on my knowledge of Fergie and because I am a stubborn old bastard who thinks a lot like the Boss when thrown into a situation like this.
What if the big surprise is Huntelaar? Here is why I think it might be. The Berbatov deal looks like it’s quite possible it will not happen and for whatever inexplicable reason, Barcelona is rumored to be interested. If he actually is sold to Barca or Spurs decide he can rot in the stands, Fergie may be looking at Plan B and that plan is for Huntelaar. And here’s the thing, not for the reason we think. Not because he is a striker, because he scores goals, because he is tall, but because Real Madrid is now strongly rumored to be interested in him. Yes Fergie is going after Huntelaar because he wants to get one over Real and Calderon big time. I think he can smell it and he knows that Huntelaar isn’t exactly a stiff anyway. What better way to send a message to Real Madrid than for Fergie to make Calderon his bitch. To teach those greedy and tacky motherfuckers a lesson about not messing with a team bigger and better than them. To make them know their damned role.
Personally I would love it even if the player was Henry (no, on second thought I wouldn’t) and not Huntelaar, which of course it isn’t. I would love for Fergie to snatch one right from out of their dirty clutches. It would be so satisfying and sweeeeeet revenge baby.
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@Grognard: then we’d have Huntelaar coming out with things like “one day I’d like to join the Dutch contingient at Madrid”. Not for me thanks.
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@Liam: Well he also said: “I love clubs with great history like Ajax, i love Manchester United…and blah blah blah. I really doubt he’s the Ronaldo type.
@Grognard: With reports say Robinho is now agitating for a move to Chelsea and refusing to travel with the Madrid squad, I’d say Madrid are already having a taste of their own medicine. I just remembered that the Barca coach already said he’s keeping Henry, so not him, thank God, anyway i wouldn’t rule out that its just Fergie playing games with the press, God i hope not…maybe the transfer is a NEW assistant manager
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@Rd: He did say surprises so you could be right. It could be a striker and an assistant manager.
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@Grognard:
Yeah…maybe the King comes back to his stomping ground!
Still i’m desperately hoping its a signing first.
@OllieY:
Speaking of MOTD…do you know where us across the pond can see it or maybe even dload it? I used to watch it on Stage6 but those idiots shut that down.
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@Grognard: I think that United have registered Berba and that he WILL be on the bench this Sunday!
!
Anyway he WILL be at OT
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According to MEDIA! Berbatov has handed over his transfer request!
THE ROON, THE TEVEZ, THE BERBA!
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i’m way too excited hahaha
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3991294,00.html
that’s the link to the story btw. the surprise bit is at the bottom. i have a feeling it’ll be berba + 1 new player no one was expecting.
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I just hope its berba…
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@Grognard: @tevez:
2) what complete and utter rubbish, i could not begin to describe your faults, for instance a striker and centre forward are 2 different things, huntelaar cant play as CF and rooney cant play as a striker.
@Grognard: thats a good idea, nut nah, my tv will be back in a few days so i might as well pain it out lol.
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sorry grognard, i dont know why your name is next to tevezs.
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@Kal: Hmmm I’m quite sure you can watch it on the bbc iplayer, probably the day after it’s on. But I think it depends on what country your from.
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@abood: Thats a good one Berba and some one else that would be a surprise
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@Grognard: Wow – I learned something new today. I had no idea that in the West you guys used ‘o’ instead of ‘ou’.
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@Grognard: Any idea who is showing the game tomorrow? I know it’s not on Setanta or Sportsworld and I’m pretty sure that Sportsnet only shows games on Saturday. Maybe on the Score or am I resigned to watching it online? Thanks in advance for the info if you have it. Cheers.
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My guesses on the surprise:
1. Manucho getting his work permit
2. A new high profile assistant manager who will be groomed as Fergie’s successor
3. A double signing of Villa and Silva from Valencia who need the cash
4. Snatching Arshavin from under Spurs’ noses now Zenit seem to be dropping their price
5. A deal for Henry who Ferguson has yet to confirm his interest in so this would count as a surprise
6. Completing the signing of Tevez after he impressed so much with his pre-season form
All I can say is im glad there will be some activity during a very boring summer where United are the only team not to strengthen so far.
I think despite his relaxed attitude Ferguson still feels threatened by Chelsea. Last season the difference between us was a penalty shootout and a few points. That was with Grant. Now they have a new manager, have kept their best players, added Deco, Bosingwa with maybe a forward to come and
something to prove.
Meanwhile we have an extra two games and fixture congestion. I have no doubt SAF will take the Super Cup and the Intercontinetal cup seriously from his comments in the paper.
So I am convinced the surprise will be a deliberate measure by Ferguson to strengthen our team so we can compete on all fronts and maybe just maybe complete a septuple!
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@colver: Only point one I think will happen, no way to Henry, bid time poser, would love Arshavin though!
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So Arsenal beat WBA 1-0 at Emirates in a poor performance. At least I have Nasri on my Fantasy team
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berbatov will start his premier league campaign, on the bench.
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@Tomas: I have Nasri and Ashton (who has 2 goals in the first 15 mins for West Ham), and Sagna who gets a clean sheet – bossing it!
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@dan(u-ol): then it’s a probably a done deal. there’s no reason for him to be benched otherwise
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berba been brought on by spurs
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@dan(u-ol): Yes I was wondering that myself. You were rubbishing claims I never made. So I was confused. Thanks for clearing that up.
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@Eric the Red: Not all of us. Vancouver is a transient town. A large portion of the city comes from back east. It isn’t even a question of differences in education. We were all taught the Queens English in Canada. It has more to do with the exposure of American literature, television and pop culture that confuses many of us and incorporates many of us in their mindset. I for one go back and forth. So much so that I often forget which one is the American version and which one is the English version. So I frustrate myself from time to time.
One of my pet peeves though is the American way of saying the word HOMAGE.
Those nitwits have turned and English word into a cheesy French variation that sounds like the French word for cheese FROMAGE. It bugs me so that I find myself correcting people who use it in the American manner because it just irritates me to no end. It sounds so silly and pretentious.
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spurs downed 2-1 and an og for their 1. anyone see how dos santos played?
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@Eric the Red: It’s only on in tape delay on Setanta at 9:00PM pacific time 6:00PM eastern. Fox Soccer Channel bought the rights to the game and decided in their infinite stupidity to not share it with their cousin Fox Sportsworld Canada. Therefore Setanta have to play by the rules and show it on tape delay. I’m just happy they are showing the bloody game. I record every game and collect entire seasons so I would have been pissed if that game of all the games being played, was not going to be shown. I’m also sure Setanta will replay the game a few times during the week too.
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@OllieY:
Yeah…that only works in the UK.
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Well Spurs did play Berbatov by bringing him in to the game in the 65th minute. Foolhardy move I think, but they were desperate for a tie. The loss will send a strong message to Levy that the mood on the club is low and that they need to get rd of the black cloud and uncertainty surrounding the team. They also clearly need Arshavin and probably Villa or Pavlyuchenko. So Levy better stick his ego in his pocket, start thinking of what’s best for his club and get off his stupid soap box when it comes to criticizing a manager who did nothing wrong in properly pursuing one of his players. Levy needs to wake up and grow up.
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@Grognard: Thanks – though I did some checking and I believe that the Score is showing it live at 11 Eastern. It’ll have that annoying scrolling underneath, but better than tape delay. Cheers, mate.
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@Grognard: i personally think arshavin is a one hit wonder, thats just my opinion.
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