May 29
Perez would ‘welcome’ Ronaldo — that’ll be £70m, thank you.
Prior to the Champions’ League final Ronaldo went on a PR crusade doing interviews affirming his decision to stay on at United. “Manchester is my home”, he would say. He even did a spoof interview, where he interviews himself with a choice selection of canned questions that journalists are wont to ask. Has his Real Madrid dream really ended?
Following our defeat to Barcelona, he went back to his old ways. “I don’t know about my future. My future is with the national team”.
There seems to be something brewing in Madrid. Florentino Perez, the president elect by default, has tried to distance himself from Ronaldo because he doesn’t want to be seen as carrying out the groundwork laid by Ramon Calderon, but more importantly, he obviously considers the sum — £70m reportedly agreed last December — a bit much considering his plan to bring a lot of stars to his side. He’s distanced himself until yesterday when he claimed he would welcome Ronaldo to Madrid. Of course he’s surely going to play hardball here by trying his best to get him at a price lower than the one agreed.
I am sick and tired of the Ronaldo saga, as much as he’s an outstanding player — I can’t let myself nod my head slavishly while he continues to treat a lot of people like shit.
Wednesday’s humbling gave Ferguson a few thoughts to chew over; just as he claimed he learned a lot from the humbling at Milan. Defeat tends to bring the best out of him and it could mean a freshening of approach in his side. If that means selling a player, however outstanding he may be, to save everyone’s sanity, then this is the deal he should go for.
I have my own selfish reasons for this: I want to be free from being subject to another tiresome saga in the summer. Perez, you can have Ronnie for £70m. Just give it and you’ll be golden.
Something tells me it won’t be quite as simple.
Related items from Red Rants:
- David Gill gets top role
- links for 2010-01-19
- The Official Word on Heinze | Rooting for Real
- Ribery, Sanchez, Silva or Eto’o? Who will replace Ronaldo?!
- Roy Keane sings a song for Ronaldo
Tags: Daily Roundup
May 29th, 2009 at 20:12
agreed, if he starts his nonsense again this summer then we should send him packing, Perez has a reputation for lowering the price once he has the player on board, we should just tell him that if Ronaldo wants to go then it will be 70 million please and dont bother coming back with anything less.
May 29th, 2009 at 20:16
He’s a wonderful player at times, especially when he hits some of those wonder goals.. But, like you said, the way he behaves just makes me cringe too much. Those spoilt brat tantrums, they just go on and on. But maybe that’s his prerogative.
May 29th, 2009 at 20:51
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, please don’t tell me we are going to have a whole other summer full of Ronaldo shit. This guy after apologising last season for his behaviour, is now repeating it
. He was spouting last week to the press of how Manchester United is my home, and I’m happy here etc etc. What utter bollocks! Ronaldo is in love with Ronaldo, his image and what he wants is the only thing he thinks of in the end. I really thought he had changed, was willing to care and support, and forgive him again, but now this. Ronnie IS NOT A MAN OF HIS WORD, he is the type who will shake hands with you with one hand, and STAB you in the back with the other. That 4 letter word beginning with a C comes to mind 
.
May 29th, 2009 at 20:55
@Craig Mc: That four letter word, I believe, is C U Next Tuesday, innit?
May 29th, 2009 at 20:57
70mil my left testicle! its 100mil with van der vaart/sneidjer coming the other way, minimum. If you cant provide this real, dont bother calling
May 29th, 2009 at 21:00
Britain’s got talent my arse, lol, she started crying live on stage!
May 29th, 2009 at 21:13
Well said RR. I think this loss will wake Fergie from his slumber. He got away with it late last year and has gotten away with his new tactics and sitting on his hands for most of this season but finally, it has all come crashing down on him and the reality of the situation is we have been exposed as frauds. United are not the unbeatable super side that went dozens of games unbeaten in Champions League. We are a good side that has weaknesses and that has had luck, and the blessings of a good manager to hide behind for too long now.
It’s time for Fergie to take inventory and assess the situation for what it is. We were exposed for not having any skill, grit or pace in our midfield and that lack of quality caught up with us when we played sides who had that quality to counter us. Liverpool arguably in the top three midfields in the world beat us up pretty good and Barcelona arguably the best midfield in the world carved us up like Thanksgiving turkeys. Surprisingly Chelsea who also has a great midfield had their problems against us but over the past five seasons has also done quite well against us when the right manager was in place. Basicallt, we fall way short when we have to face teams with a Xavi, Iniesta, Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Mascherano, Gerrard and Alonso as midfield juggernauts. I’m sorry but Carrick Anderson, Giggs, Fletcher, Gibson and Scholes does not send shivers down my back. Oh sure if Scholes and Giggs were 7 or 8 years younger but they are not.
So what do we do? Well I think Fergie had a serious dose of reality rammed down his throat like a bottle of cheap Greet Retsina. And that unlike a vintage bottle of Dom Perignon will leave a very sour and rancid taste in his mouth and Fergie’s pallet won’t have it. The final for him has to have been a realization that it’s not tactics that win you titles, it’s players. Scrap the Italian bullshit and go back to playing Man Utd football. Take it to teams and force them to have to contend with you, not the other way around. Have a spring cleaning and get rid of dead weight and bring in new fresh blood and players with world class quality. Enough with theold guard and slowly bleeding young teenagers. Buy some skilled and experienced players who will fit into your attacking and defending system and do it now before Real Madrid and the other big clubs in Europe beat you to the punch.
Florentino Perez is not going on vacation Fergie. He’s not fatigued and wasted after a long season of enforcing boring drudgery on his players as well as supporters. He’s busy trying to build his team and above all, fuck you over with a royal pitchfork. Wake up, smarten up, toss that stubborn streak and your arrogance in the trash and do what you need to do to make this a better club. Start by realizing that the end is here for Giggs, Scholes and Nevilles. Send them packing and tell EVDS that next season will definitely be his last too. The Nani and Anderson experiments have failed. I blame Anderson for his failings and I blame you Fergie for Nani’s. Nevertheless, these two players have not worked out and they cost us far too much for us to carry them. Sell them as they still have good value and use that money wisely this time.
Forget Tevez. Fuck what the fans want. He is fine little player that is way way overpriced. Take that money and buy a word class midfielder or two who can be the leader as well as talisman that this club has been looking for. And while you are looking for that leader, strip Neville of the captaincy while you kick his ass out the door and give it to a deserving player who leads by example but who also leads with his mouth and attitude. I say give it either to Wayne Rooney or Nemanja Vidic. But even Rio Ferdinand would be a big step up from the crippled old warrior Neville who hasn’t played ten games in 2 years but has selfishly held on to the captaincy like it is his frakken birth right. He should have had the tact and the class to hand it over the way Beckham handed over the England captaincy once he knew he wasn’t going to be a first teamer anymore.
Deal with Ronaldo once and for all. Either sign him up to an extension or sell him and replace him with Ribery or whomever you feel can fill his shoes. Just stop this off season nonsense once and for all. You owe us the fans a little more respect than allowing that spoilt brat and Real Madrid to continually torment and laugh at us with disrespect and petulance. And speaking of petulance. It’s about time you reigned that boy’s attitude in a bit and worked a major hairdryer treatment on him. How much is he allowed to get away with? He is insulting and disrespectful to you, to his teammates, to the organization and to the millions of United supporters. Frankly, he may be more trouble thanhe’s worth. Or is he? You always seem to allow him the right to act petulant or to act like an ass clown and you chalk it up to his will to play and to his desire to contribute. Well Fergie, all your players have the will to compete and the desire to contribute but if Nani or Tevez acted like that, they would get the far end of the bench for a month. You preach to them to play and act like a team yet you yourself break down the team concept by picking favorites and elevating them above the rest. Rooney is also petulant and incredibly childish at times on the field. At least we know where his heart is but he still never gets disciplined by you. And Ronaldo can literally tell you off and show you up in front of millions and you have nothing negative to say to him or about him. Fergie, I can no longer understand your methods and your double standards.
So where are we going with this team? I honestly don’y know but I also feel that Ferguson is not a stupid man and he must have seen that changes need to be made. We cannot continually be playing individuals like JS Park instead of a world class winger. It’s obvious to me and to others that Patrice Evra has become a major liability. Get rid of him. We have a replacement for him in house in Fabio and O’Shea can apprentice there until he is ready. Michael Carrick has some great attacking skills but he is forced to play well back and his slow feet to not allow him to take charge of the midfield like he should. Send him forward more and get that DMF plaer who will command our midfield and give Carrick the freedom to express himself. Perhaps that player is owen Hargreaves but then again, Hargreaves cannot play 60 games a season. Someone has to be bought. The days of adding squad players like Anderson and Fletcher have to end. Anderson must go and Fletcher is a good player but not good enough to start for United. I mean has it come to this when people are saying that we might have fared better if Fletcher was in the lineup? Think about that for a second. Has it really come to that?
As for Count Berbatov, I still feel the man has class and skill but he has not adapted to our style of play like we would want. So I say give him one more season and see what happens. He just has to much skill to completely discard as a failure. But id Fergie feels he is a failure and keeps benching him in big games after spending over 30 million for him, then sell him and buy your Benzema or Aguero or whomever you feel will make the grade. Enough sitting on your hands Fergie. It’s time to get up and active and try to rebuild this team that frankly overachieved this season. We are getting too old in some positions and lacking in quality in others. Coming to that realization rather than poo pooing what I and many others are saying is the first step in changing things for the better. And use whatever system or tactics you want, just get better players and players who want to play for us.
May 29th, 2009 at 21:14
@Craig Mc: I know Rooney was not blameless but Ronaldos role in the whole lets wind up Rooney tactic when England played Portugal at the last World Cup was not on considering they are club mates and tells me a bit about Ronaldos character. I know he was young at the time so he might have wised up but is was still pretty low coz it definately appeared at the start of the match that Ronaldo and Pauleta were trying to wind him up and the look on Ronaldos face as he winked at the sideline when Rooney got sent off was in my opinion, a look of satisfaction.
May 29th, 2009 at 21:16
@Dan: If Uli Hoeness laughs at Chelsea for offering 50 million for Ribery, then I’m sorry but Ronaldo is worth at least 80 million in my books and we should not accept a penny less. And yes, we must demand van der Vaart and Sneijder in return. That would work for me. Or better yet Dan, how about Huntelaar and Sneijder?
May 29th, 2009 at 21:17
@Red Ranter: Innit –
May 29th, 2009 at 21:28
@Dan: Bro she is 10 years of age, you heartless B
.
May 29th, 2009 at 21:31
we don’t need to rebuild our squad we have a really very good one. we played a massive 66 games out of 67, but first sell Park, Neville and Scholes how about a testimonial.!? give Nani, Anderson, Tosic, Welbeck and Macheda a chance.. and by (a chance) I mean more than 20 games a season. don’ buy Tevez (and Tevez, before criticizing fergie please learn how to control the ball and how to run with it not jump with like a freaking chimpanzee, sorry) , keep Ronaldo but build and develop the tactics around Rooney.
and for the next season I hope we win the PL but I do’t see it happening, any way defeat the scousers home and away to prevent them from winning the pl. and focus on the trophies we didn’t win this year. it’s been a while since the last time we won the fa cup. and i’d love to see us retaining the CL and improve that We’ll Never Die.
i almost forgot don’t sell evra but give fabio a decent share of games so evra will know that he is not our only choice at left back.
Foster/Kuszczak (VDS)
Brown.Rio.Vida.Evra (Rafael.O’Shea.Evans.Fabio)
——Hargo.Carrick (Fletcher.Anderson.Gibson.Possebon)
Ronaldo.——–.Nani (Valencia.Tosic.Welbeck)
——-Berbatov (Campbell.Giggs.Anderson-AMF in 4231)
——-Rooney (Welbeck.Macheda)
May 29th, 2009 at 21:42
Hello
May 29th, 2009 at 21:46
@Grognard: you know grognard, i wouldnt reject the hunter coming in the other way, as long as its apart of the deal and we dont pay a penny for him, but yes, huntelaar and wesley/vaart would be a good, good buy.
May 29th, 2009 at 21:47
@usman: Hello ????? what the
. You are a man of many words I see 
.
May 29th, 2009 at 21:48
@Craig Mc: i couldnt give a shit how old she is
if she gets nervous then thats the wrong show for her!
Stupid cow starts crying and gets to audition again, when others(im looking at britchicks) flop slightly and get 3 buzzes! PATHETIC!
You can tell shes a spoilt one, and manipulative.
May 29th, 2009 at 21:48
@usman: the best first comment ever!
May 29th, 2009 at 21:50
@usman: Hello to you too!
May 29th, 2009 at 21:53
@Dan: Like I said – HEARTLESS
. Lets face it you only mentioned Brit Chicks because you fancy them, or your related, one or the other 
.
May 29th, 2009 at 21:59
@usman: Hello!
May 29th, 2009 at 22:00
@Craig Mc: Soooooo LOL!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 22:02
@Grognard: And if it makes you happy, I heard from a spanish journalist that there are rumours of Vidic getting tapped up by Barcelona about 2 months prior. Apparently his wife is sick of the Mancunian weather. Boo hoo!
May 29th, 2009 at 22:07
I agree with all of you that this Ronaldo non-sense must stop. I’ve never (EVER) seen some treat the badge with so little respect. Let’s send the Pretty Woman in Madrid and be done with it. The guy has no concept of teamwork whatsover and what’s worse, he’s dragging the whole team with him.
Here’s the part where I’ll play manager (like anyway FIFA09 or Football Manager fan). The idea is to try and be logical. No Messi’ Kakà or Ribery bullcrap.
You have Rooney and Berbatov has main strikers (It won’t change, accept it.)
Ronaldo: 50 mil + Sneijder (one real playmaking midfield at last. I’d had The Hunter but Madrid won’t sell him.)
Like Mr. Grognard said: Screw Tévez. Too expensive. Save 25 mil. Need a third striker of fourth striker.)
Get Phillip Lahm (a absolute must with Sjeider) and throw O’Shea on the beach for Christ sake! Don’t let this magnificent defender who’s able to put Ronaldo in his back pocket go to Barcelona.
Get Michael Owen on a free transfer (got almost as many goals as Tévez missing a half season with no service + Rooney partnership + cost nothing and won’t be as injured. Is a gamble but still as a third or fourth striker, hed have done that penalty Berbatov failed.)
It leaves the question of a scoring winger. You have tons of cash to do it and the team spirit would be better.
Any suggestions?
May 29th, 2009 at 22:15
@ Grognard I totally agree with your comments in #7. Fergie has has to take stock and admit that his so called ‘best’ team is royally flawed and fucked in the most salient department, the midfield. You are so so totally right about Hargreaves. Simply put, WE MISSED HIM LIKE HELL. But then again, say he comes back 100%, how do we cope when he will inevitably be unavailable for a big game due to say, fatigue or injury? Answer is, we wont cope. We’ll simply fold and pray for luck. Yes about Neville, i just think he’s gay. He should swallow his dyke pride and take a walk. About the captaincy, i dont know if Rio or Vida even deserve it bro. They all seem to want to suck Ronaldo’s balls. The fool is just grossly petulant and shows no remorse on the pitch, and guess what, nobody has the balls to talk him down. Make Owen Hargreaves the captain and you’ll see a rejuvenation in our attitude and determination. He’ll scream at any player who slacks for even a sec, plus he doesnt join the Ronaldo worship- remember the freekick against Arsenal?
May 29th, 2009 at 22:24
@RedDevilEddy: What the – what do you mean sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, you Norwegian numptee lady lover ?
.
May 29th, 2009 at 22:27
@Red Ranter: Amazing thing is, that considering the press and other club outcry that our players can’t CUT IT, they sure as hell can’t seem to get them to sign up for their clubs quick enough
Gits!
May 29th, 2009 at 22:27
There is one thing Ive wondered about for some time now. What is actually the heart of our team? The player that makes us tic. It used to be Keane. It used to be Cantona. It used to be Bruce. And it used to be Robson. During wednesdays game I kept thinking that we would have no chance to come back, mainly because we didnt have a player that looked like carrying the team on his shoulders. Ronaldo tried, but he is too much of a pussy in my opinion to do so…
Rooney could be that guy. But from his position and his aggression I firmly believe he is not ready- yet. While Rio should be that particular leader, he did fuck all in trying to encourage the team when we went one down. And Giggs?! Come on, despite his experience he does fuck all in terms of being mativational for his collegeaus. I miss that Keane…
He would have been perfect for this team. Now I feel we have too many confused heads to be looked at as really great, historically good. Yeah, we won the title. And we won the Carling Cup. But had it not been for that presious luck that abandoned us in Rome we wouldnt have won the title, Ill say that. Our asses were saved on numeourus occasions in the Premier League, and had it not been for Spurs having bad penalty takers we wouldnt have won that one either. We have been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too lucky on too many occasions this season, that us losing in Rome was fair when you think of it. Id rather have all luck deserted in a Champions League final if it means we will win the Premier League, that the opposite.
Back to my point, Ronaldo needs to get real with himself. He is not Manchester United, he is not the worlds best player and he is not in a better position to question Fergies decisions. Who the fuck does that guy actually think he is?! I said this last summer, I will say it again. If Ronaldo doesnt get his head fixed, or Fergie fixes it for him, he might as well leave cause Im getting sick of that cunt! The throwing of the shirt in the Manchester derby was the last straw for me, but I always have faith in that Fergie can do miracles with even wet shit like him. Sorry to say, Im starting to doubt that even Fergie wont be able to fix Ronny now. Ronny is too messed up, and I dont care how many blinders or matchwinning goals he may score for us because he quite simply annoys the hell out of me. Every game I have seen him play lately, even if we win, has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth…
If we can get £70 million for Ronny, I will say “great”! But I duly believe he is not gonna leave. For too many reasons too explain right now, but he probably wont leave. What we do need is a leader, someone who can take matters into his own hands in such difficult situations and also wear the red shirt with pride and bleed for the magnificent red kit! A true captian that shows his anger and frustration when things go wrong, but also have that extre bit of sanity to encourage his fellow players to win a game in even the most difficult of situations. I want a new Keane in our team, and that is what Fergie should be looking for…
Id say the one who comes closest is Wes Brown, but he is injured too often…
May 29th, 2009 at 22:29
@Craig Mc:
sooooooooooooo= incredibly!!! 
May 29th, 2009 at 22:36
@Craig Mc: they’re actually quite fit
“mash ‘n’ dash” material at the very least.
Wow im like a pregnant women tonight, if im not slating a 10 year old for crying,HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA oh shit that sounds bad, im talking about one night stands with some shitty arse singers i wouldnt hire for my ex-girlfriends funeral, shes not dead though…
fuck, am i turning into a women?
May 29th, 2009 at 22:36
“You can tell shes a spoilt one, and manipulative.”
Yep I just turned on to see a ‘crying’ little girl. I hadn’t seen what had happened but immediately thought she was faking it as there weren’t actually any tears or red eyes. and at the end too. Definately seemed like it was almost planned to get the sympathy vote, and it worked.
but getting back to business. We have a fair nucleus of decent players. Fletcher has come pretty good recently and I think we’d have done a bit better in the final if he had played, or if Hargreaves was able to run around a pitch. Also if we’d scored first then it would have been a completely different game obviously and we could have won it as it would have been Barca having to be a bit careful rather than us.
That said though on this night we didn’t deliver and it was pretty disappointing, but if you played that game 10 times there is no way barca would win all 10. For this game we didn’t turn up but that doesn’t mean the team / squad is useless. It just happens sometimes. I do think there was a bit of overconfidence and it was hard to stop it after the way they crept through against Chelsea. I also agree with Ronaldo that Fergie got his tactics wrong. Rooney was just not in the game at all and is one of our very best players. It all played into their hands a bit unfortunately
Whilst I like the way he chases the opposition down and forces mistakes I’d replace Tevez with Ribery. I’d also be looking for an alternative to Berbatov (though might possibly have played him and Rooney up front with Ronnie on the wing to start this game). Such a shame Fergie couldn’t get Torres into a Man U shirt, though wasn’t for want of trying.
I’d get shot of Park if there was a more skilful version of him going. I was gobsmacked when he scored in the semi as he usually is hopeless in front of goal
Anderson is worth persevering with I think. He has shown in some games he can cut it, and in others less so, a bit like Ronnie in his first couple of years. he’s coming on and is worth keeping for a while.
Never rated Nani at all and often thought that Fergie got him partially as a gamble and partially so Ronnie would have another Portugese here. His time is definately up.
May 29th, 2009 at 22:37
@RedDevilEddy: Sooooooooooooooooooo pretty boy, how many girls you got in tow now then?
.
May 29th, 2009 at 22:40
@Dan:
. Your too HARDhearted to turn into a woman 
. Not that any of us have any feckin idea what it is lie to be a pregnant woman. I feel sorry for pregnant women, because their heads and emotions are all over the place due to HORMONES 
.
May 29th, 2009 at 22:47
Maybe Benzema Palacios and Ribery for Tevez Park and Nani for starters
If Hargo can be fit then I think that will help a lot. If he is still crocked after his latest operation then I think we need to forget all about him and find a different enforcer
May 29th, 2009 at 22:50
@Craig Mc: Im doing ariite bro!
How about you?
May 29th, 2009 at 22:53
@bertie: A little 10 year old hasn’t got the brain power on a big show like that to be a fraud and manipulator. If you had switched on sooner, the KID WAS DISTRAUGHT, AND IT WAS GENUINE GRIEF. You and your conspiracy theories Bertie
.
Quite a few of our players are not up to scratch Bertie, and it is not just a one off ‘they didn’t turn up’ sort of thing. It has been happening all bloody season, and we had so much luck to win the league. But then WHOEVER wins the league has to have lady luck smiling on them a good few times during a long season. We certainly URGENTLY and compellingly NEED A MIDFIELD. Ours is weak shite compared with other top teams.
Some players in our team were distraught at losing the CL game, whilst others seemed as though they couldn’t have cared less. There are those amongst our players, who will be so incensed at the shame and deriding they have endured from world wide press, who will come back SO FIRED UP NEXT SEASON in order to justify their worth and acumen. Some need to be booted out and replaced now though. I will leave you to guess who!
May 29th, 2009 at 22:54
Football is my life! Now that the season is over, its time for me to focus on myself again.
Lets get this bad boy on the road!!! 
May 29th, 2009 at 22:56
@RedDevilEddy: I got the love of my life Bro, and don’t need to go looking for others – lucky bastard eh?
May 29th, 2009 at 22:57
@RedDevilEddy: Soooooooooooooo you won’t be watching the pre season games then Eddy?
May 29th, 2009 at 22:58
If we get one of these during the summer, I will be satisfied.
Daniele De Rossi
Wilson Palacios
Michael Essien
Cesc Fabregas
Wesley Sneijder
Xavi
Van Der Vaart
Some are playmakers, other hard workers. But those are the players that I would pay money PLUS RONALDO to get to United. Of cource there is also Andres Iniesta, but I feel its more likely Tevez becomes a proffesional model…
May 29th, 2009 at 22:59
Oops always getting Palacios and Valencia mixed up!
and for some reason I don;t have permission to edit my comment so my edit goes here instead…
Maybe Benzema Valencia and Ribery for Tevez Park and Nani for starters
If Hargo can be fit then I think that will help a lot. If he is still crocked after his latest operation then I think we need to forget all about him and find a different enforcer
And I’d like to see Foster get a run of games next season
Foster
Rafael Rio Vidic Fabio/Evra
Ribery Hargo Carrick/Anderson Ronaldo
Rooney Benzema
Somit like that maybe provided Ronnie gets kicked into shape, or else get shot of him.
A few youngsters for blending in:
Rafael, Fabio, Tosic, Macheda, Evans, Possebon
The old timers do need to step down now and that goes for all 3 of them
Also out of the door should be Park, Nani
May 29th, 2009 at 23:02
@Craig Mc: Of cource I will, but there is still a long time till then. For now Im gonna play more football during the week, maybe try to improve my ball control. Which, oddly, have deserted me lately.
My shooting has improved, Ive got a hold of the Ronaldo dip and way of striking a ball. Just need to hit the target more often… 
But Ive got worse control than Tevez on a bad day, so its time for me to sharpen up my consentration! 
Kikc the ball 60 yards up and control it like a feather! 
BERBASTYLE!!! 
May 29th, 2009 at 23:04
The problem is that you all get too wrapped up in the transfer gossip.
How about until we see Ronaldo in a RM press conference unveiled as their new signing, we all get the fuck on about it.
He’s a United player. Now and for the forseeable future.
And it would be crippling to our European stature if we sold him because we would once again be an average side.
He can have the most piss poor attitude in the world for all I care as long as he brings the goods on the field and plays his heart out which he does. What more can you ask for?
May 29th, 2009 at 23:04
@Craig Mc: Are you or I the lucky bastard?
I tell ya, girls can be annoying at times. 
But they are still…. 
May 29th, 2009 at 23:05
Craig Mc.
It was her Mum’s idea of course not her own but she played it well
May 29th, 2009 at 23:08
I really like Martin Petrov from wait for it – Man Pity. I think he has real pace, he’s skillful and can see a pass to put his strikers one on one with GK’s. He can also score too
. Don’t all shout at me at once 
.
May 29th, 2009 at 23:09
@bertie: Aaaah Bertie, give the kid a break!
May 29th, 2009 at 23:10
@RedDevilEddy: Calm down now Eddy, those male hormone rushes of yours will get you in BOTHER
.
May 29th, 2009 at 23:11
@Craig Mc: Petrov?! FUCKING PETROV?!
Are you mad mate, he must be a worse footballer than Joey Barton on a good day!!! Come on mate, you cant be serious? NANI FTW!!! 
May 29th, 2009 at 23:11
@Craig Mc: Okey. VERY NICE!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 23:14
@Craig Mc: To be honest dunno much about Petrov…
But if he plays for Shitty, he is not good enough for United! Unless his frist name is Shay or Micah… 
May 29th, 2009 at 23:17
Our chief need is a left winger.
David Silva is available and he is the best option imo. Better than Ribery I think.
Second need is a CF.
Benzema or Aguero will do.
Third need is a DMF
We’ll probably have to do a little digging since all the one’s i’d like are spoken for.
We should be able to get all of these for around 55 mil
I envision a best XI of this for next season
————-VDS————
Brown—-Rio—-Vidic—-Evra
—-Carrick—Hargreaves*—
–Ronaldo—Rooney—Silva—
———–Benzema———–
*=Fletcher or new DMF if Hargreaves cant go
May 29th, 2009 at 23:18
@RedDevilEddy: If you want trials with United or any big team Eddy, you definately should WORK, work, work on your technical part of your game. Finesse technically will get you into the top teams. So stop thinking about juggling with the girlies, and start juggling the football to become more expert at the game
.
May 29th, 2009 at 23:22
@MUFC Fan in America: Not bad selection there mate, but I am not sure about Benzema, because I think he will be another one who will dick us around. Silva will probably cost some, but I wish we had bought Martin Petrov from City, because I do enjoy watching him when he is fit and in full flow. Skinned Sausage Evra though, I would not have in my team – sorry Bro
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May 29th, 2009 at 23:25
@Craig Mc: I am mate! Im working my ass off, and if there is anything keeping me off practising its United playing, not girls!
Although I like them, I am still bound to the one. Its going well, and she is helping me out. But since we are reaching the final year of our school system, we are working hard on getting results there as well. Its quite stressful actually… 
Well, well! Ive always been a fan of pressure, and as Ive said Im gonna practice a lot this summer. Or else its gonna be quite boring with the girls and all… 
May 29th, 2009 at 23:26
@RedDevilEddy: Your wrong about him not being good enough Eddy, Petrov has a lot of skill, and the other attributes I already mentioned. I like Robinho too. I just don’t think he is too fussed about being at City, for all his protestations to the contrary. In fact his old club in Brazil are emphatically declaring that they know for sure Robinho wants out of City!
May 29th, 2009 at 23:28
@Craig Mc: Who doesnt want out of Shitty?!
May 29th, 2009 at 23:29
Spend our transfer money on Silva and then use the Tevez money on Aguero. I think some people are asking too much though. I wouldn’t be worried if we didn’t sign anyone tbh, just changed the style back to what it used to be
May 29th, 2009 at 23:30
This is the team I wanna see next season:
———-Foster——–
Brown–Rio–Vidic–Fabio
Ronaldo-Carrick-Owen-Silva
—Villa/Benzema–Rooney—
May 29th, 2009 at 23:31
What Tevez money?
May 29th, 2009 at 23:32
@Craig Mc: it was a fix mate, the stupid spoilt brat should have got nothing and been grateful for the 5 seconds she was on TV crying, making the 10 o’clock fucking news!
But craigy, tell me, am i getting fat? are my boobs to big?
May 29th, 2009 at 23:34
@Dan: You scare me…
May 29th, 2009 at 23:34
@Dan:
May 29th, 2009 at 23:34
@Dan: Errrr I couldn’t say Dan
, I was just trying to console you over your thoughts that you were acting like a pregnant woman 
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May 29th, 2009 at 23:35
Interesting to note that most people suggesting a team for next year only have a couple of new faces each, which must show that most of us think the basis of our team isn’t too bad.
Sure we’ve had some iffy games this year. So has every team including Barca (lost 5 league games this year). Just a shame one of ours was the ECL final. Ne’er mind. There’s always next year
May 29th, 2009 at 23:36
@RedDevilEddy: Whoever gets David Villa HAVE HIT THE JACKPOT Bro. I wish we could get him, but he says he doesn’t really want to leave Spain
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May 29th, 2009 at 23:37
Everyone has had their say on the summer activities and now in the spirit of it i will give my opinion.
Ok first off what i would like to see. A DM isnt the main concern for me if im honest. Hargreaves deserves a final chance, surely hes worth that and fletcher does a decent job there when hes needed. Admittedly at this club decent may not be good enough and we are putting alot of faith in a player who has played 17 games in 2 seasons but i feel hargo should be given that chance anyway.
As for strikers, im really undecided on this one. On the 1 hand i see a lack of goals from our strikers and i think we need another 30goal a season striker, but then i think of the lack of creativity from the midfield and wonder if this is to blame, for me my money is on the midfield not being up to scratch. But back to the strikers, i look at the way barca have their youth set up and i admire it so much. You never hear of ronaldos wanting to leave there do you. Alot of that is because 70% of their team is made up of youth graduates. Looking at our team we have 2 exceptionally talented strikers in our ranks being macheda and welbeck.
I know there will be those like me who want them to be given a chance and theres those who would prefer we brought someone in, but i just feel a benzema or aguero coming in would be an expensive option and would limit these 2 playing time, surely on their early promise they deserve some playing time.
Of course benzemas name has been thrown around, hes talented but for £30+ million and a seemingly bad attitude im not sure i would choose buying him over promoting macheda or welbeck if im honest.
Save the money and invest in the most important area which is of course our midfiel. Forget the wings, the david silvas and valencias, we need a proper CM. A player who can keep the ball, can inspire the team and get a few goals. Easier said than done i know but this is the position that needs acquisitions not the striking department.
I could see it now though, say benzema came in and no CM was brought in, by xmas when benzema had 5 goals every1 would be looking for answers, another poor striker, or simply a poor midfield that provides very limited service.
And thats it really, a CM and promotion of a few youngsters and thats it for me. Of course were ronaldo to leave and its a different story but i dont see him leaving to be honest. Those muppets in madrid reckon they will get ronaldo, ribery and kaka so i wouldnt take anything said by them seriously.
May 29th, 2009 at 23:38
@RedDevilEddy: No objections, but to sign benzema/villa AND silva, we’re looking at £65mil+ MINIMUM, for TWO players, not really a good piece of business with the recession and debt hanging over our heads.
May 29th, 2009 at 23:39
@RedDevilEddy: Good for you Eddy, keep up the good work.
May 29th, 2009 at 23:40
Matt. Are you going to put a name to this CM?
May 29th, 2009 at 23:45
i think the fact that she cried made it worst, she needs to man up, she cried in her mommys arms on NATIONAL tv for fucks sake, fuck i hate 10 year olds lol, im becoming the exact opposite of a wengerphile, im a Danophile, hates children
But in all seriousness, the crying annoyed me, it was as fake as amanda holdens face, it was on and off like a tap, and she cried her way to a second audition.
She knew exactly what she was doing, and it annoys me even more how the ITV network fell for it.
May 29th, 2009 at 23:46
@Craig Mc: Valencia are in HUGE financial crisis, and even though the magnificent David has said he doesnt want to leave Spain the money United can offer will be too much to resist for him. Plus, Barca have Etoo. He is not a big favorite of Real, as he rejected them in the past. Who else in Spain can buy him. Either Barca replace Etoo with him, and United may go for Etoo(at least hope so!). Or he moves abroud. I can never imagine Atletico or Sevilla come up with £40 million for him, and the club that may be able to buy him(Real), have tried to sign him for some years but have failed because he decided to stay with Valencia. Some reports believe that the reason Villa doesnt want to move to Real is because he doesnt care so much for money, but for success. In an interview with Iker Casillias in FourFourTwo he was asked wether he had tried to make Villa join Real. Iker answered “JES!”, but he does not want to move to Real Madrid. Wether that was only back then or just because he doesnt want to join them is for the tabloids, but I believe an offer from United where he can be guaranteed success AND money, he might not say no. So if I was Fergie I would at least give it a shot…
And if Im not mistaked, didnt his compatriot David Silva reject an offer to join United last summer because he felt it was too early for him+
He is also a player I would like to see in United red.
May 29th, 2009 at 23:48
We don’t own Tevez so no dough there. We might be able to get 15 mil for Park and Nani combined (you laugh but some very mediocre players are still fetching the pennies).
Obviously the oldies aren’t going to make any dough but that’s ok – they’ve more than contributed to the club.
So as Dan says we could just be looking at a single player, or maybe 2 if one was cheaper e.g on last year of contract etc. and bearing in mind that Tevez is pretty much going we are going to need a new striker.
It’s that old chestnut about needing 5 Rooneys! because I’ve always fancied Rooney for the Scholes role (AM), which is the one Matt is looking to fill. But obviously you also want Rooney up front out wide etc etc.
So maybe move Rooney to advanced CM and pick up a new striker. Whilst I would like to give Anderson more time if Rooney moved here we could always flog him to raise funds.
or the alternative scenario is if Ronnie does go. Then we’ve got a big hole to fill and a pretty big pile of cash to fill it (and more) with
May 29th, 2009 at 23:48
@Matt: We do need at least two very good MF’s, one to relieve Hargo, because even if he comes back fully fit, he will not be able to play 60 games next season – hell NO. Fletcher is not the MF cover we need either, because he has good games now and again, but he is NOT consistently good and cannot be relied on to give a performance for many games. We had the opportunity to pay peanuts that Spurs paid to get Palacios, but Fergie chased the wrong man in Valencia IMO. Palacios has been a MF rock for spurs since his arrival, and he is a ‘Bite your legs’ type aggresive midfielder. In the strike department, players need to play IN POSITION and not be put as square pegs in round holes. So that is it Matt
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May 29th, 2009 at 23:50
But in all seriousness, the crying annoyed me, it was as fake as amanda holdens face, it was on and off like a tap, and she cried her way to a second audition.
She knew exactly what she was doing
Will no doubt incur the wrath of Craig Mc but the above is true
May 29th, 2009 at 23:51
@bertie: I like you already bertie, dont ever change
May 29th, 2009 at 23:52
Fletcher has improved a lot this year. I think you’re just having a dig at him cos you don’t like us picking on the ickle girl
He’s ok for Hargo backup
May 29th, 2009 at 23:52
@bertie: Errrr Spurs, West Brom and Fulham have offered 12 million for Nani, so less of the barb eh
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May 29th, 2009 at 23:54
@bertie: I hardly think so mate, I didn’t know you were a Fletch fan, how would I? I still think what I think is right though
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May 29th, 2009 at 23:54
when was that? how come we haven’t bitten their hand off?
May 29th, 2009 at 23:56
@bertie: No it isn’t true mate. Dan and you are a couple of conspiracy theory GEEKS
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May 29th, 2009 at 23:56
@Dan:
David Silva= £26 million
David Villa= €40 million
Thats approximately £60 million for two players. If we dont buy Tevez, £25 million in the bank. Sell another player, cause we always sell a high profile player during a summer, and we might have 10-20 million quid. Add that to the £8 million we got for just reaching the Champions League final, the money we got for winning the Carling Cup and Premier League, and the £15 million we have for buys during each year, and we have enough money to buy both of them. To be honest, I dont see why we shouldnt bid for them!
May 29th, 2009 at 23:56
cos earlier on I said “Fletcher has come pretty good recently and I think we’d have done a bit better in the final if he had played, or if Hargreaves was able to run around a pitch.”
How do you aim your comment @someone? I can;t seem to do it mnyeurgh!
May 29th, 2009 at 23:57
@bertie: Not too long ago. Because Fergie obviously didn’t want rid of Nani, and NEITHER DO I, but for the lads sake, I think he should move, and come back with his new team and KICK SOME UNITED ARSE
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May 29th, 2009 at 23:58
Surely West Brom never offered 12 mil. That’s just isn’t West Brom. So are the others made up too?
Spurs might be our best bet. They’re always paying 15mil for muppets
and they want a LM
May 29th, 2009 at 23:59
@bertie: Well thats the thing, i fear that the central midfielder has a name but is never gonna be realistic and that man is andreas iniesta. Ive been singing his praises for the last 3 years, he is the main man at barca not messi.
When i said we need a CM who can pass and score, we need a player as close to iniesta as possible, however i fear that player does not exist.
Its a bloody tough one, and its one fergie has to get right. I fancy myself as a bit of a football manager but im glad that decision is left to fergie and not me, however i do fear he will just persist with giggs and scholes again which is a bit depressing to say the least.
May 29th, 2009 at 23:59
@RedDevilEddy: You may know it already, but the trick is that your controlling foot should have already moved up and be moving down just when the ball is near you.
You may also try the “hangcoat” control which involves jumping in advance, thrusting your controlling leg at a right angle and just as the ball comes down on you, use your foot and drag it down to cushion the ball.
Now get to practising!
May 29th, 2009 at 23:59
@bertie: You aim you comment by pressing on the little blue arrow next to the name of the persons post you are answering – Kapisch?
May 30th, 2009 at 0:00
The problem is if his new team kicked UTD ARSE then Nani would obviously not be on the pitch
May 30th, 2009 at 0:00
@Craig Mc: most cunning
May 30th, 2009 at 0:04
@RedDevilEddy: Listen Bro, if we retire Giggsy, Scholes and Nev, we will save 15 million plus there alone on wages and bonuses
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May 30th, 2009 at 0:05
@bertie: Yeah genius isn’t it
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May 30th, 2009 at 0:07
@bertie: Oh dear, that’s fighting talk where I come from
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May 30th, 2009 at 0:11
@Craig Mc: You gotta admit that the award for least progress this year has to go to Nani. I appreciate he hasn’t played that much first team football and there is a good reason for that.
Now grab that 12mil quick Fergie if it’s not too late. Together with maybe 10 for Park that is enough to buy a decent player
May 30th, 2009 at 0:12
@Devilinho: Did you not watch the Champions League final mate? To say something as ludicrous that the team is fine the way it is sounds to me like a person who settles for hamburger and passes on prime rib? Like the women I have dated, I choose beauty and quality and that is why I am a United fan. I also am a United fan because I know that when we lose a big game, Fergie feels like i do and he will make changes to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Our present team is not even good enough to win the EPL next season without a few additions and deletions in the roster. So really mate, bollocks to you glass half full theory. It frankly sucks and is incredibly naive.
Nothing gets under my skin more than blind and naive optimism. Just like all those minnows at the bottom of the table that suffer from delusions of grandeur one week before the season starts.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:14
@Dan: Well he would actually cost something mate because his price would be subtracted from our asking price for Ronaldo. If he is worth 20 million and Ronaldo is worth 70 million then he comes here and we pay them 50 million. Add 20 million more for Wesley Sneijder and we make 30 million off Ronaldo and get to world class players. I can live with that.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:17
@bertie: Like you say, he hasn’t been given the games this season. He is still the best crosser of the ball into the box we have, and proved it last season when he was second highest in assists, 2nd only to the Roon who got 1 more. The lad did well for us with regular games last season, and should have had more games this season, but BERBA, BERBA, BERBA, everyone got left out of the team to accomodate Berba.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:17
@Craig Mc: Sorry guys if this offends but although I like many Brit chicks and I absolutely love Kate Winslet, Brit chicks are generally overrated and the one’s in pop music and on page 6 are plastic to the core. With that said I absolutely hate American chicks. More plastic and silicone and nothing upstairs. Now if you want a real woman, got to Italy, Greece, Germany or Sweden.
And I might add that girls in Western Canada are great too. Forget Toronto and Quebec. Skankville and ugly too. 
May 30th, 2009 at 0:17
Anybody heard of the new hot kid in Argentina? Javier Pastore. Apparenty we’ve been linked with him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZYAsCt_xzA
May 30th, 2009 at 0:24
@Grognard: Grog
, we weren’t talking about the merits of Brit chicks Bro, we were discussing a programme on tv called Britains got talent, and a girlgroup/band on their who were called the Brit Chicks, and Dan has a soft spot for them 
. You came in mid posts Grog, and got the situation arse uppards 
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May 30th, 2009 at 0:24
@Craig Mc: Never was too keen on Berbatov. Didn’t think he would fit in with our style of play and I still don’t think he does (despite everyone going on about him having the highest assists this year). I’m not sure anyone would give us £30 mil for him presently though
May 30th, 2009 at 0:25
@NicoQB: Pastore???? His dad didn’t discover penicillin did he?
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May 30th, 2009 at 0:26
@bertie: Well he deserves another season to see whether he can come good, like Teddy Sherry did for us!
May 30th, 2009 at 0:31
@Red Ranter: Thgose are the kind of rumors I do not take seriously because I know Serbian men having once been engaged to one’s daughter. Having seen him and his friends they are very much like Greek men. The women can bitch and complain all they want, male bonding and wearing the pants is what Serbian men are known for. So let her bitch, Vidic is going nowhere. And now that Barca see how good Pique is, I doubt they want Vidic anyway. Especially since he played his second worst game of the season against them. His Liverpool game was still the worst.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:34
I guess. He’s not bobbins or anything but personally I really struggle with his unenthusiastic demeanor.
It would help if he did a bit of chasing, though I don’t think he is capable and even if he did his heart would not be in it unlike Tevez, Rooney etc.
I saw a quote in some rag recently where he had allegedly said something like ‘if you have great enough talent you don’t need to work so hard’. I hope it was just some mis-interpretation but when you see him play it’s possible it was not a mis-translation etc.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:36
@WhiteY: I said last season that my choice for captain would be Owen Hargreaves but that it wouldn’t happen because he hasn’t been with the team long enough. Had he played this season I think he would have had a shot at it but now that he has missed an entire season, forget about it. NO, I am sure that they will give it to Rio to keep him happy and interested. His disappointment with England should not be matched with his club. He deserves a shot, although he would not be my first choice. My priority list for captain would be Hargreaves, Vidic, Rooney and yes, even Ronaldo. I think giving Ronaldo the “C” makes him more committed, more proud and more determined and may actually help in making him grow up. He is his county’s captain after all.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:39
Well it’s been an enjoyable hour or so on this thread. I’ll have to keep an eye out for future red rants threads. Might have to do something more consrtructive now for a bit though
May 30th, 2009 at 0:40
@RedDevilEddy: The closest thing we have to heart and desire on this club is Hargreaves and Rooney mate. Make no mistake, Rooney has two hearts and he loves this team more than anyone. His only problem is he occasionally loses it like a kid. Vidic also shows heart and passion at times. But from a point of true leadership where you have a player dictating and ordering players around like Roy Keane or Robson and Ince, the closest we have is Hargreaves.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:42
@bertie: He believes that great players should make the ball do the work for him. To be honest I believe that too, great ball players do not need to be charging round like headless chickens high on adrenaline
. To be honest, I think all this tracking back working frenzedly to help and cover our defence is what cost us in Rome. Barca forwards did not track back, because their MF engine did the work for them, covering defensively, keeping possession, and getting the ball to their forwards Henry, Eto and Messi who rarely backtracked. What a waste seeing Rooney and Ronaldo in the opposition box instead of in our box. So there you have our problem. We need to bring in players to our MF who are commanding, talented and do the job, so our forwards can be over the half way line, where they should be.
Berba also said that fans don’t think he cares, just because he doesn’t show it in his expression of face all the time, he is an introvert, but he said he feels it deeply inside, and if he feels he has not performed, he goes home and spends long hours playing it back in his mind, and thinking thru what he can do differently next time.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:47
@RedDevilEddy: What bothers me about Fergie is that when Ronaldo is petulant or insulting and disrespectful, the Gaffer sluffs it off as Ronny being competitive or wanting to play or wanting to win. If Nani or Tevez are petulant, they get benched and the hairdryer switch goes to maximum. Fergie has created a double standard in the eyes of the media and fans. I t may actually not be like that at all behind closed doors but from what we can gather on the field and in interviews, Ronaldo and even Rooney are allowed to get away with most anything while the others are kept a on a short leash. I find this shocking coming from the greatest mana manager of all time. People might say well he let Keane and Cantona get away with murder. Keane and Cantona only mistreated referees or in Cantona’s case a high foot on a fan, but they never disrespected the Boss. At least Keane never until the very end, when he had the balls to speak his mind and tell the world what he thought of the team’s passionless performance. With Ronaldo, it’s not petulance just to players and referees or even fans. It’s to Fergie, his coaching staff and to the rest of the team. And you cannot have that. At least Rooney’s petulance is towards opposing players, referees and opposing fans. He has directed in the right direction.
Ronaldo is out of control and he cannot be allowed to get away with this kind of shit while a hard worker like Tevez was being completely disrespected all season until he snapped and couldn’t take no more. Can you blame him for not wanting to stay?
May 30th, 2009 at 0:50
@RedDevilEddy: I also agree that I don’t think Ronaldo is going anywhere because i believe that Real through Zidane have nailed down the services of Ribery and they are also close to getting Kaka. They cannot afford those players and Ronaldo and so when it’s all said and done, Ronaldo will have egg on his face yet again and come back to OT in august with his tail between his legs.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:54
@Grognard: I didn’t say that we don’t need changes, no we need extreme make over, but mostly within our squad formation and rotation policy.
Evra errors are of school boy defending type and they are so harmful against top teams, and so is vidic, but they are quality and the best in the world in their positions, all what i’m saying that Evans and Fabio should have their chances regardless of our injuries against lesser teams so Evra and vidic will have work harder against the top teams to keep their to stay at the starting XI, and then evans and fabio will be good enough to play in the final instead of injured rio who let the dwarf to score a header. and the same for the rest of our youngsters.
what i have said that we need just Valencia is because i think fergie won’t spend very much until he gets the return value from previous signings whom should have their chances to prove they worth their transfer fees.
it’s not a glass half full theory, it’s based on FACTS, we won 3 trophies this season, we’ve had a bad game so we are now to sell all our players and bring new ones!!
by getting rid of scholes and neville (sorry) the youngsters will have their good share of games.
the only one i wish we buy in case fergie want to spend high is BENZEMA, who can play on either flanks and as the spear head of our attack, so we’ll have three players can play in three different positions (Ronaldo, Rooney and Benzema) while having Berabtov as the focal point.
in the end if Hrgo can’t stay next season injuries-free then bring on De Rossi.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:55
@RedDevilEddy: Oh and Eddy, I have had time to cool off from the final and I’d like to apologize to you if I was too hard on Anderson to the point where it was upsetting you. I mean i really have had it with the lad but i do know he is your favorite and I really wasn’t taking your feelings into account there due to my frustration and rage. So sorry about that mate.
I know that if you were down on Hargo, Huntelaar or even Riquelme and Ballack like that, it would upset me, so I was wrong to go that hard core.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:57
@MUFC Fan in America: Great point mate. I myself am not buying one word coming out Spain or our media until I see him unveiled in Real Madrid white. And you know, it’s NOT going to happen. That ship has sailed.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:58
@RedDevilEddy: I’ll tell you, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of the underused and under appreciated Flamini at Milan. He was awesome for Arsenal last season and he along with Carrick and Hargo could be pretty damned good. He is ex Arse but we owe them one for taking Silvestre and it has been a year so that really shouldn’t count now.
May 30th, 2009 at 0:59
@Grognard: I didn’t hear any other players but Ronnie and Tevez speaking out about Fergie, saying the loss was down to Him alone. Never have United players EVER spoken out criticising Fergie before like these two, and gotten away with it without a whimper from Fergie. These two don’t respect Fergie AT ALL.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:00
@MUFC Fan in America: David Silva is a great player but he couldn’t shine Ribery boots. Ribery is frakken awesome mate.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:06
@Craig Mc: To Eddy I’d add that you need to study the modern game from it technical and tactical points. The game has become like chess in the last ten years and knowing how certain teams play and what expectations are required for certain teams makes all the difference. For example, United like short precise passes and ball control. So quality of distribution and picking the right man in a given situation is the key. If I was to study any player on how to play the United way it would be Scholes. Sure he’s not my favorite but he may very well be the smartest player that has ever played for United. As you are a left back, please do me a favor. Study Denis Irwin and please do not pay any attention to Patrice Evra. After all, I want you to do well. And also, try not to play like Anderson. I hate the running like a chicken with his head cut off. Run with purpose and if you dribble, know where you are going, why you are going there and most of all, what you are going to do with the ball once you reach that destination? That in a nutshell is what is wrong with Anderson. He runs without thinking. Good luck to you as always mate.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:07
@Grognard: btw Ribery is overpriced, 63 m pound wtf? he is perhaps the best winger in the world (but just winger). even though i’d love to see him play on the left while ronaldo on the right, but for less that 30 m pound.!
May 30th, 2009 at 1:10
@Craig Mc: I’m not talking about tracking back so much as harassing the opposition defence and midfield when they have possesion forcing them into mistakes and hurried clearances. It’s one apsect of Tevez’s game that is very effective (though he maybe spends a bit too much time/energy at it). Unfortunately we only seemed to have one player doing that for the first half and that was Park
Deffo Rooney was doing too much defending and we gave them way too much time on the ball the other night, though top be fair they did play a pretty good game that night so may have taken the game anyway (Guardiola somewhat flummoxed Fergie’s vague plans too with Messi not where he was meant to be) but you see some games where we are just at the opposition straight away, don’t give them any time on the ball and they make so many rushed clearances and passes that fail you just know it’s going to be a good night with the right result. That just wasn’t there against Barca. Tevez brought a bit of it when he came on and did force them to lose possesion quite a bit but unfortunately we kept just giving it straight back to them.
It’s something that Park Tevez Hargreaves and Fletcher do well. Rooney to an extent but you tend to worry a bit more when he does it as he can go in a bit reckless like. I’ll be so chuffed if Hargo is fit for the bulk of the next season. I think it’ll make a big difference
May 30th, 2009 at 1:12
@Craig Mc: OOPS!
And seriously mate, why are you and so many other blokes watching such garbage on tv? It’s like I despise anyone here who watches American Idol. As entertainment goes, it’ caters to the lowest common denominator. More easily defined, it caters to stupid people with bad taste. I expect more from my Mancunian brothers. We are Man Utd and we must have elitist taste. 
May 30th, 2009 at 1:14
@Devilinho: Vidic is one of the best in the world but stating that Evra is just makes me laugh. But in fairness, other than Lahm and Maicon, it’s tough to find any at that position that are better but Evra has lost the plot this season and I don’t think he’s getting it back.
And we won three trophies this year, two domestic ones and one that the 18th place club in Prem could win if they were invited. We didn’t win in Europe and that alone is the measuring stick.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:15
@Craig Mc: Thing is they were right. Fergie did get it wrong (in my opinion), and after being shown how it should be done by Chelsea too!
Yes they shouldn’t be spouting to all and sundry but this was straight after being humiliated in the biggest game of the year. Emotions are running high.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:17
@Craig Mc: Hot blooded Latin types Fergie would say and then he would wave it off. And that just pisses me off.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:18
@Devilinho: Ribery can play on the left or the right equally as well and I have also seen him play AMF. He is just too good for words mate and has a great passion for the game and for winning. And I am just comparing him to Silva, not about his difference in price.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:22
Nah I think he’d kick their arses if they were wrong. But as he knows they are right he is limited in what he is willing to do about it. He’ll be taking as much of the blame as anyone, or more. He probably doesn’t care what Tevez says cos I think he must surely be going, and Tevez has been bitching for weeks. With Ronnie he will see how it pans out over the next few weeks I guess before making his move (particularly as Ronnie ’seemed’ quite settled before the big game went t!ts up. Last year he was happy to go with the gentle approach. This year he might have had enough of it!
May 30th, 2009 at 1:26
@Grognard: I understand man, and i can see he is a marvelous footballer at these positions, better than Silva btw, but not a goalscoring machine as BENZEMA, If ronaldo leaves (which is i don’t want) it would be great to have both Ribery and BENZEMA, but not tiny Silva (he is great btw and will be as good as Iniesta if he goes to a big club) but he will suffer in england (another Lennon).
May 30th, 2009 at 1:50
@bertie: I’m sorry bertie, but the harrassing part of Tevez’s game, where the opposition loses possession rarely results in us having clear cut opportunities to score.
When Tevez loses the ball himself, usually because he keeps possession of the ball for too long, he then tries to track back to get the ball back, to varying degrees of success. In any case, the whole involvement of Tevez in attacking creative play do not yield in dangerous opportunites for us, or rarely so, compared to Berbatov’s play.
The fact the Berbatov does not lose possession as easy as Tevez does makes it the momentum of attack is kept, and he’s also much better at picking smart passes.
The only game aspect in which Tevez is superior to berbatov is his resilience he has that can make an impact, say by scoring a goal by coming off the bench – shame that he doesn’t take the role of sub too well.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:55
@bertie: Another interesting fact about the barca game is that despite Tevez came on much earlier than Berbatov, he created very little, whereas Berbatov nearly had an assist. Says it all really.
Anyway if Tevez managed to recapture his form of 07-08 I wouldnt be against signing him, but after his recent tantrunms and dodgy declarations and questioning og fergie, I really think he should be released.
Ok, I’m off to sleep.
May 30th, 2009 at 2:02
@Devilinho: George Best was smaller and so was Overmars and many many more who were great in England. Size is only important if you are a striker or central defender or midfielder. Down the flanks, the smaller and faster you are, the better. Unless Ronaldo goes, no way we get Ribery and if Ronaldo stays, we have to rid ourselves of a few contracts in order to buy a midfielder, a winger and Benzema. And I am still adamant that Benzema is overrated and has a bad attitude that will not suit this club. I also don’t think we will get him. I think we can get Huntelaar from Madrid in a Ronaldo swap deal along with Sneijder or van der Vaart and then I see Benzema going to Madrid to be with his idol Zidane.
May 30th, 2009 at 4:25
If there is a hope in hell we can keep Ronaldo and get Ribery in then we should spend what it costs and forget about strengthening anywhere else. If we keep them to the wings, and play Roon and Berba up top we have enough midfielders to sort us out, and a fairly stable defence. We’d probably need an experienced striker in as back up, and I’ve made it pretty clear I’d like Gudjohnsen. Sell Nani if we need money. Sell Park if we don’t need as much…
VDS
Brown Rio Vida Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Hargreaves Ribery
Berbtov Rooney
Foster, Raf/Fabio, Evans, Anderson, Gibson/Giggs, Nani/Park, Gudjohnsen/Campbell
May 30th, 2009 at 4:39
@Grognard:
Well Silva might not be better, but i think he is definitaly a more attainable target and he can play everywhere Ribery can.
I think you said that he isnt that fast. That may be true. He’s not a burner, but he is a very crafty player with an eye for goal and an eye for the pass (something that we need imo) and I think he would fit in well.
I feel like adding Ribery to what we already have might be a case of too many chefs in the kitchen.
May 30th, 2009 at 6:14
Ferguson sacked at United. Grognard named new Manager:
May 30, 2009
Today in a move that has shocked the football world, Manchester United surprisingly sacked legendary Sir Alex Ferguson who has managed the club to unparalleled success since 1986 and replaced him with an unknown but highly controversial Internet personality known simply as Grognard. Not much is known about this mystery man named Grognard but what is known is he has been an highly controversial member of one of Manchester United’s finest online blogs known as “Red Rants”. Apparently he is known for being intelligent and innovative in his ideas about football but is also famous for infuriating readers of the blog as well as being rather long winded in his many posts.
The reason for the change in command came simply from a letter Grognard sent the Glazer family in which he commented on how much better he would be at managing the club because of his energy, demand for discipline, tactical expertise, history as an educator and his complete and total mastery on FIFA 09, Football Manager and Subbuteo table football. Strong credentials indeed.
As for Sir Alex Ferguson, getting the sack never seemed to upset him anyway because he admitted to being fed up and tired and the sacking would allow him to take a more active role in his first love, horse racing. As he put it, “Now I can spend time nagging nags instead of Nani.” It also gives more time to get fully pissed on all those bottles of wine he has amassed from opposing managers over the years. “I’ve got some great vintage bottle I plan on inviting Big Sam, Keano and Brucey over and we plan on getting totally wasted.”
So now the new Grognard regime begins which promises football revolution that will consist of champagne style one touch football and the return of the old system known as “Total Football”. In his attempt to recreate the football made famous by Dutch and German teams from the early and mid seventies, Grognard has already gone to a medium and channeled the ghost of Rinus Michels and has named him his Special Assistant. Among the rest of his staff he has gone back to his blogging roots and is in the process of hiring Craig MC as his on field and training assistant who will be replacing Mike Phelan and others to be considered will be his new youth coach simply known as “Dan”. Dan will replace Ole Gunnar Solksjaer who quit his position after he heard of the shoddy way in which Ferguson had gotten the sack.
Grognard has not only promised a change in tactics and overall on and off the field discipline footballing philosophy as well. He is intent on purging the club of players he feels are either too old or as he says “too frakken useless”. Among the first expected to be shown the exit door will be old guard favorites Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Edwin van der Sar. Following these veterans will be Patrice Evra who Grognard came out and publicly criticized and labeled as a “little French git”. JS Park who was referred to as “Jaba the KRAP (Park spelled backwards) for being a talentless bag of fluid and for spending 90% of his United career on his ass.” “We want player who don’t treat Old Trafford like a water slide”.
Other players on their way out will be Anderson who Grognard would only say was clearly the worst signing Ferguson had made in all his time at United. This will shock supporters and experts who remember such singings as Djemba Djemba, Kleberson, Taibi, Poborski, Jordi Cruyff and of course Forlan. Grognard also commented that Anderson “girly man” haircut also bothered him and in the future, the club would have a strict dress and hygiene code and short hair was mandatory, thus forcing Ronaldo to place his new pair of hot pants in the closet.
Not leaving with Anderson however is Nani. Long considered to be on the outs with former manager Ferguson, Grognard has admitted to being a big fan of Nani and believes with the assistance of CraigMC as a personal trainer and spiritual guide to Nani, that he can turn the player’s fortunes around. “Why would I sell him. The lad has skills, is the best crosser on the team and has the best back flips in world football. Besides, Craig wouldn’t take the job if Nani was sold so my hands were tied really”.
As for who will start up front, Grognard is going to stick with Berbatov for this season hoping that the hiring of Eric Cantona as technical and motivational muse to the Bulgarian will turn his game around. If not, Grognard promises he has a player on his mind that he feels will be more than sufficient in taking over the role as #1 striker should Cantona fail to motivate Berbatov. And it is now official, Carlos Tevez is officially gone as Grognard was heard telling the little Argentine to Sod Off to Scouserland for all he was concerned.
“United are a great side with great history and lets face it, I am too smart, too stubborn, to opinionated and to arrogant not to be given a chance at the helm of this great club” Grognard was quoted as saying as he handed the media of his player want list. “Frankly, I am more fantastic than Mourinho and you all will know it very soon.” “I hate Scousers and all Man Shitty fans and I want them to hate me too because I would expect nothing more from those Numptees.” This list will let everyone know just who I want wearing United red.
Players on Grognard’s want list handed in to David Gill whose own job is now very much in jeopardy also with rumours that Grognard prefers one of his prime dark apprentices Darth Red Diablo in that position because as Grognard put it, “He does thy bidding”. The want list has many famous names that are expected to be offered record breaking deals in order to entice them to sign with United. Players included on the list are Philip Lahm, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Marko Marin, Toni Kroos, Juan Roman Riquelme, Michael Ballack, Artur Boruc or Rene Adler and Michael Essien. The name however that got the greatest buzz was the already confirmed purchase of little known Norwegian wunderkind and left back/Central defensive midfielder known as Red Devil Eddy. A relative unknown that United scouts accompanied by Craig MC and Dan were raving about when they took in one of his squad games in Norway. “If we cannot sign Lahm, it won’t be that big a deal because I feel that Red Devil Eddy is the next Philip Lahm. Fabio can kiss his United career goodbye if this lad pans out.” Dan was reported to have shouted after the game. The only stipulation to the deal being completed is Red Devil Eddy’s insistence that Anderson not be sold. I’ll pass on commenting on that situation as it kind of gives me the creeps as a sports reporter. If this player purchase goes through it should definitely mean curtains to Patrice Evra’s career as he was last seen entering a cab with fellow castoffs Carlos Tevez and JS Park as they directed the driver to go to the City of Manchester Stadium.
A last course of business had Grognard make a special plea through the media to Chelsea’s German International midfielder Michael Ballack. Grognard made this plea for the German’s service. “Oh David David please, please come and play for me here at United. You will be my talisman, my Deutsche Blitzkrieg Meister. Oh please David. I hope I don’t sound too much like Sven when you read this. Oh David, Please sign for me. I will make you captain and you will take all the free kicks and penalties. Real Madrid doesn’t want Ronaldo so now he is my bitch and he can kiss my candy ass if he doesn’t approve.” Certainly a passionate plea by the new Gaffer to Herr Ballack.
Definitely the beginning of a strange and eventful new world order at Old Trafford. The Ferguson era has ended. It is now the Year of the Grognard. Let it be known that this journalist expects big things from this ambitious and highly controversial new manager. A true Cinderella story and one that I believe will deliver many glass slippers to Old Trafford’s trophy room. He has his critics already including his former blog master at Red Rants, known as Red Ranter who was quoted speaking with anger “I prayed for the day he would quit my blog but I never in a million years thought he would ruin my life any more than he already had. This is the last straw. I’ve had it with football. For me it’s only cricket now 24/7.” It’s going to be an interesting time that is for certain. Lets see what this overly confident yet inexperienced surprise replacement for a legend has up his sleeves?
Forgive me for my blasphemy. I was creatively bored.
May 30th, 2009 at 6:59
@Grognard: Can I be your Assistant Manager? I would at the very least do a better job than Phelan.
Having watched Anderson more closely, I fear that your assestment of him may be true. while I feel he is a better player than you concede, you are correct in that he is not the answer. Nani, though, still has something to offer IMO. Regarding a striker, I wouldn’t mind seeing G. Rossi come back. He actually has the instinct of a striker and enough skill to create his own opportunities, not to mention he actually ventures into the box, that area for which berbatov and tevez seem to have developed a phobia.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:25
@Roge9: Yes you can be an assistant behind Craig as I will be sacking Rene Meulensteen and the rest of the coaches. and so there will be spot for you Roge9. But you will have to prove to me that you have new and innovative ideas I can steal and then take credit for. As well, you need to be able to show Nani plenty of TLC and stroke the ego’s of my favorites, Hargo, Ballack, Huntelaar and Riquelme. It’s the least you can do as a responsible Gaffer’s assistant.
By the way, I still have five coaching spots to fill. Anybody who is interested in the positions as well as kissing my behind are more than welcome to apply.
P.S. And Posh Spice could do a better job than Phelan. I expect you to get to the level of at least and AV Grant.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:29
@Grognard:
If you know Fergie will make changes….
Then why on hell be agitated that he has gone on holiday?
Trust me Bro… He will already be on his phone on the French river.. Talking to Ribery besides him!
Patience is a Virtue…
Young one!
May 30th, 2009 at 8:31
MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
May 30th, 2009 at 8:36
@Grognard: Hahahahaha…
Feckin Awsome man…
And I play as a SS in my school team and am 2nd top scorer!…
May 30th, 2009 at 8:50
@Grognard: Class, Grog!!!
I know you hate internet acronyms, but I have to say I LMFAO!!!
May 30th, 2009 at 9:03
@Grognard:
, your boredom must have known no bounds Grog!
May 30th, 2009 at 9:17
@Grognard: If you LIVED with a woman Grog, you would know why you had to put up with compromising and letting them watch what they want sometimes. Anyways I don’t watch tv much, as I have busy work loads, or I take time off to talk football with you and others
. So anything that keeps the GF resting with her feet up, watching her tv preferences in the background while I peruse the net – BLISS mate, bliss.
May 30th, 2009 at 9:43
@Craig Mc: Im betting you one of my GCSE A that Dan probably wanked off to Adam Lambert in the Finale!
May 30th, 2009 at 10:42
@Grognard: Mate, Im not that much of a left back anymore. My coach has decided to play me as DM for most games now. He says my exqusite tackling, along with my wide range of passing and hard shot, makes me the perfect defensive midfielder. Ive done a god job so far, although it does feel wierd to play in the centre… Oh well, I really like this new position as I get more feel of the ball, I get more control of the game itself and Ive got tons of assists lately!
But my tackling really stands out. From more than 12 games, and I slide tackle at least 3 times each game, Ive gotten absolutely no fouls or cards against me. Ive been a hard ass, gone so far that one time a guy told me we were playing football, not wrestling. 
My answer was football was a mans game, but whatever… So, I will try to study Scholes, thank you. And finally, just want to fix your Andy statement. 
I dont wanna play like Andy. My game is based on the game of no other than Roy Keane, with his heart, desire and tackling. The reason I like Andy is because his through balls are goal made and I believe he could have had as many assists as Xavi if we had had an potent finisher. Like Villa!
May 30th, 2009 at 10:43
@Grognard: Too late to apoligise mate, I have already cried myself to sleep the last two nights because of your statements…
Just kidding mate!
Apology accepted! 
May 30th, 2009 at 10:48
@Grognard: You know what annoys me? The fact that people on here are screaming for a hard ass midfielder, one who can tackle and dominate teams while also be fair but scare opponents. One who shows heart and wants to win, one who can be a leader even in the toughest of situations. And that particular guy sound like me, and that annoys me!
I know I probably wouldnt be able to keep Iniesta or Xavi at bay, but I am still very young and for my age Ive stod up against hard opposition. Just yesterday I played against a bunch of 25 years old, two of them from the Vålerenga reserve team. I fucked them up!!! They went as far as saying I should chill and give the opposition more space! Who the fuck does that, really? 
To be honest, if United could find a player like me, but who obviously is better, I would be delighted. Because that is what I feel we need…
May 30th, 2009 at 10:55
Brilliant stuff Grognard
I particularly liked the part about Berba and Cantona 
May 30th, 2009 at 10:59
@RedDevilEddy: Can you be found n the databae of FM09?
If not I hope it will be the case very soon!
May 30th, 2009 at 11:00
@NicoQB: in… database..
May 30th, 2009 at 11:47
@Darth Red Diablo: How did you know?
May 30th, 2009 at 13:06
Sorry to be going back to this “who to buy/sell in the summer” business but its a really boring day with the cup final with us not in it so i just wanted your opinions on a few things.
To me our main area we need to bring someone in is the CM area. Forget the defence its sorted, the strikers could be better but i blame their lack of scoring on our midfield service.
We have a few good youngsters there like welbeck and macheda and imo they deserve their shot.
Now about the CM area i wanted to ask a question. Do we buy or take a riskier option and again promote a few youngsters. The likes of petrucci, possebon, gibson (who a few rate). Maybe its time we followed the barcelona model and promoted from within.
I know its risky but it was risky giving evans a chance and he did brilliantly there, so why not with a few others. With tevez leaving which looks pretty obvious welbeck and macheda will be given more chances and i think they will grab it by the neck.
But with the midfield, with hargreaves coming back in we can maybe feel we have more protection so we can afford to give a few of these youngsters a chance. Petrucci especially was getting rave reviews earlier on the AM role, anyone rate him much.
Of course this as i mentioned is a risk and i doubt fergie would go along with this but if we did promote there we could buy in other areas.
LM has been sited as a problem, ok use the money there then maybe.
There really are a lack of quality CMs so maybe promoting youth is the best bet, who knows.
I do rate the likes of arteta, modric, de rossi, but they all seem either too expensive or would not join. Is copying the barca model the right way to go, well imo some of these youngsters couldnt have played any worse than the regulars did against barca.
Indeed the young lad in the midfield for barca basquetes or something did a great job, maybe we should take a risk and see how they do.
Theres no denying we have some really talented youngsters but how do they show their talent if they never play? We could have a possible class of 92 again, we showed faith there, got rid of the oldies, why not now?
May 30th, 2009 at 14:18
@Grognard: That is some brilliant stuff bro! Exactly why we love ya!
Well written. Just wanna add that I would not demand Anderson to stya if I joined United, Im respect the managers decision every time. He is wiser than me and should know what to and not to do. 
So you do whatever you want with the team, just play me! 
I can see this being your strongest 11?
Adler
Eddy Rio Vidic Lahm
Hargreaves
Riquelme Ballack
Marin
Rooney Huntelaar
You dont need a winger with me and Lahm on the sides…
May 30th, 2009 at 14:22
@NicoQB: So do I mate, so do I…
I have promised you guys to keep you updated with my career, and I will. So far its looking promising! 
May 30th, 2009 at 14:24
TITS!!!
May 30th, 2009 at 14:33
@RedDevilEddy: How random lol
May 30th, 2009 at 14:57
@Dan: Eddy! I have SERIOUS MAJOR doubts now mate!
May 30th, 2009 at 14:58
Guys please help me understand this, if Real offered 70million and Man City offered 120million for Ronaldo, and he wants to go to Real, are we oblidged to sell him to Real and not to the highest bidder?
May 30th, 2009 at 15:02
Saha! 25 seconds! Fastest FA cup final goal ever! Brilliant!
May 30th, 2009 at 15:08
so saha can ACTUALLY play football, so after this match how long will he be injured for?
May 30th, 2009 at 15:08
@Man-U-cho: We can’t force him to sign for someone he doesn’t want to, but was can also refuse to sell him for less than we want..
May 30th, 2009 at 15:08
Yeah I gotta say I have a soft sport for Saha. Before his injury problems he really had one helluva partnership with Rooney.
May 30th, 2009 at 15:12
@Man-U-cho: yes, you never give your rivals your best asset, only a billion from city would make me personally sell ronaldo.
May 30th, 2009 at 16:27
Im bored, i want a signing thats not tevez lol
May 30th, 2009 at 17:10
@RedDevilEddy: Eddy have you written to OT PERSISTENTLY mithering them for a trial??? If you are that good as you say mate, you should be battering OT door down, besieging them for a trial
.
May 30th, 2009 at 17:34
@ROOOOONEY: That’s quite the resounding plea. So why youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu?
May 30th, 2009 at 17:35
@Dan: don’t expect a hargreaves, anderson and nani of 2007, it will be a long while before we hear any concrete news about signings which are not for the youth team
May 30th, 2009 at 17:36
@Darth Red Diablo: My apprentice is going to be my General Manager and chief henchman. I don’t need you as a player. I need you to follow your master and do his bidding. I have dark ideas for this team and together we can make the Sith a strong force at OT.
bbwwuuuhahahahaah!
May 30th, 2009 at 17:38
@NicoQB: AAG mate (All About Grognard) New team motto.
May 30th, 2009 at 17:43
@Craig Mc: Just make sure the lads are in shape and get the Lil Man functioning on all cylinders. And I don’t want to hear anything about the girlfriend wanting you home in time for dinner. Our new world order requires time and commitment. Oh, did I mention I hired Kimberly Walsh as the coaching staff’s personal secretary and masseuse? Am I not merciful?
May 30th, 2009 at 17:48
@RedDevilEddy: You will start at LB for the Grognard because the DMF position is filled by Hargo and Essien. I have a need for your qualities at LB because Evra has been sent packing and so here is your chance to become the new Roberto Carlos.
As for Anderson, i never said you played like him, I just said you liked him. God, for your sake I hope you don’t play like him. And mate, comparing him to Xavi? That was rich, even from you. CLASSIC!
May 30th, 2009 at 17:51
@RedDevilEddy: That’s why we traded a bag of balls and paid for your team manager’s evening with a high priced escort for your services. You didn’t come cheap Bro. We have high hopes for you.
May 30th, 2009 at 17:52
@Mr.Muhozi: i wasnt…
May 30th, 2009 at 18:01
@RedDevilEddy: Thanks mate, but I see you have placed yourself at RB. Well we might try that but for now we will keep you at LB because Lahm hasn’t signed with us yet. Right now I see my lineup as being
GK – Adler or Boruc (whichever one signs)
RB – Brown
CB – Rio
CB – Vidic
LB – Eddy
DMF- Hargo
MF – Essien
MF – Ballack
LW – Rooney
RW – Ronaldo
ST – Huntelaar
SUBS
GK – Foster
D – O’Shea
D – Rafael
M – Carrick
M – Marin
M – Nani
F – Berbatov
F – Welbeck or Macheda
This of course is all contingent on my GM Darth Red Diablo’s ability to sign most of the players on my want list. I realize that some like Riquelme might be impossible, but my apprentice is expected to use his dark skills and perform the impossible.
May 30th, 2009 at 18:13
@Grognard: ballack couldnt even get into the chelsea team today!
Now if you put DanAKA kaka/ljajic in there, that team would own the world. Without Dan, that team is nothing and would struggle against derby of the 07/08 season…
May 30th, 2009 at 18:25
@Grognard: I can’t belive your slagging off American girls. For my expeirences the best girls are in southern california and Miami(girls tend to migrate to hot weather) and Toronto. Yes I said Toronto, it must be something in the water there because gorgeous girls grow on trees out there. My last spot is gonna come as a suprise to most of you, west Africa. I was skeptical before I went there, but my first night out I was speechless. I’ve never seen a club where girls outnumber guys 7 to 1! And the girls looked incredible.
May 30th, 2009 at 19:06
I want to backtrack on what I said about berbatov. For 30 million pounds he defines the word “flop”. 30m is supposed to be a world class fee for a world class striker. For that kind of money I expect a nailed on first XI guy. Where there is no question if he starts or not. When fit he should start just like Rooney and ronaldo.
May 30th, 2009 at 19:30
@Dan: Dan knows young talent therefore his playing days are over and he will be in charge of our Academy and the reserves. Make them awesome and I might schedule a Dan testimonial match.
And Ballack plays whether you like it or not. Ballack is my boy and my captain.
May 30th, 2009 at 19:38
@Johnsom33: Toronto girls are ugly frumpy skanks. Susan Boyle would win a beauty contest in Toronto. I lived in Toronto for two years and I was just amazed at how ugly and plain the women over there were. Now keep in mind that was 1986/87. Perhaps they have imported some beauty and class since then. As for Southern California mate, they are the dullest, stupidest and most plastic creatures in the Universe. There is a reason why Silicone Valley is in California because everyone over there has implants. I love woman with natural sexiness and natural beauty. Not make up and fitness club enhanced bimbos who feel as boring as they look. I absolutely despise the Pamela Anderson type. YUK! You want good looking women, Mediterranean women are tops and if you are in to blonde’s that are natural and not made of plastic then Germany, Sweden and Denmark are the places. I have also been impressed by women in Texas. Florida is also very plastic intense but some of the sexy Latina’s there are worth a look.
May 30th, 2009 at 19:42
@Grognard: I’m actually a huge fan of Rene Meulensteen. Of all the coaches, I like that he develops technique by focusing on the art of tricks and moves. I think tactically, too, he would have been the better choice for the #2
May 30th, 2009 at 19:44
@Johnsom33: I am reading that he is concerned and questioning his future at United. That doesn’t surprise me because lets face it, he was benched and like Tevez, he has an ego. Fergie has a real problem putting together a great team in this modern age. He needs a deep team with quality on the bench but everybody feels they belong as a starter. So it is very difficult to make everyone happy and it becomes very difficult to sign new players if they think they are going to be part of a rotation system or second banana. This is why I question his desire to go after Latin players and egomaniacs like Benzema. These are not players who take a back seat for the good of the team. Their ego’s are second to none and so it really becomes difficult. Even though Aston Villa ran out of gas at the end, I almost prefer a smaller team with fewer stars on the bench. It allows the starters to play often and the subs already know their role. Of course the problem of fatigue and injuries can derail a team like that but then again, this was how it was done for 100 years before this 25 man squad thing started the last ten years.
May 30th, 2009 at 19:50
@Roge9: Yes but I am manager now and I am starting a Stalin like purge of all old Ferguson elements. From now on it is my way. And if Craig, Dan you and others on my staff disappoint, I will have Gerd Mueller, Sepp Maier, Ottmar Hitzfeld, Juergen Klinsmann and Franz Beckenbauer ready to step in as coaches and advisor’s.
Meulensteen is Belgian and I only want either my Red Rants comrades or Germans coaching my team. After all, I am pushing for a “Total Football” redux revolution here.
May 30th, 2009 at 20:00
Ballack 5 years ago maybe. But Ballack today. Time for you to resign if you persist with that one amigo
May 30th, 2009 at 20:02
@Craig Mc: @Grognard: I’m not really a fan of blondes, they tend to be overrated. Also I’m not getting your definition of “plastic”. Are you lumping girls who workout alot as plastic?
May 30th, 2009 at 20:11
@Grognard: Fine, i recommend Dan junior, i feel hes already better then the ballack of today, and has the potential to be better then his father. Hes 16 and has a bright future in front of him, but he’ll only reach his full potential if he plays in the first team NOW, over ballack, or he’ll leave for arsenal.
May 30th, 2009 at 20:31
@Johnsom33: Johnsom Bro I never mention plastic ever
. It is Grog that is obsessed with plastic barbie type girls, in the aspect he hates them 
. By plastic though he means those who have plastic surgery til they can’t move their faces, or false implanted blown up boobies ets 
. I love REAL natural blondes Bro, but not the black rooted artificial ones! Hope that clear things up 
.
May 30th, 2009 at 20:35
@Grognard: You can suck it boss!
Im off to play for Barcelona where Pep my mate will truly see my footballing talents…
SO SUCK IT!
May 30th, 2009 at 20:45
@Grognard:
, the Kimba employment sounds good, but the GF not wanting me home for dinner Bro, well that one counts me out m’think 
. If she finds out you employed Kimba, it will be breakfast, lunch and evening meal she COMMANDS I am home for 
.
May 30th, 2009 at 20:49
anyone seen this tevez: if the manager would have started with me we would have won
May 30th, 2009 at 20:50
I am so hoping that EVEN AS WE SPEAK, Fergie is behind our backs, quietly signing BIG player of renown. This will shock everyone, and the papers will be FULL of ’sneaky bastard’ Fergie has done it again. He just went out and got who everyone else was talking about getting
.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:10
@gator: Yeah Gator Bro, and he certainly proved his case in the 2nd half didn’t he? (NOT). Tevez is delusional in his opinions of how great he is
.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:16
I know this is gonna get alot of negative comments and i dont expect many to agree with me but im gonna put in a name we should consider anyway.
Now before you all start saying oh your just a kid, stop with all these stupid players, hes a hasbeen whatever, i just wanna say i aint like that, i know which players still have talent and who could do a job and he is a player i think does.
So anyway the player is, wait for it, none other than ronaldinho.
As i said alot of people will not be fans of his, hes an unrealistic signing, his wages are too high, hes past it, hes fat blah blah blah.
Honestly at milan he has improved from how he was in his last season at barca. He doesnt seem the fat party animal he was before, he seems ready to go but for whatever reasons ancelotti doesnt seem a massive fan of his and hasnt made him a regular starter.
Hes 29 now so hes not past it, he just needs a new platform to play and showcase his talents i guess with ancelotti in charge, the san siro is not it. Under a guy like fergie i think he would flourish once more.
Like i said he seems to be in love with the game more now than he was last year at barca. Hes back to near his best as his 10 goals in 20 odd games show.I reckon a starting spot in a midfield 3, or on the left of a front 3 or the wing in place of the useless park would be great for him. Im reckoning a bid of between 15 and 20 million would do it and for his goal scoring record and experience hes a player to consider.
As i say i bet i get alot of stick for this, some people seem to hate the guy and feel that a bad season at a club and hes past it. The problems were his own yes, but people said cantona was the same in france and he came here and became a legend. Ronaldinhos older yes, but he still has the hunger, its come back imo.
Of course people will say he aint good enough to be here, well let me ask something, who would you prefer, ronaldinho or park.
Anyone who prefers park well thats your choice, i just cannot see how any1 wouldnt even want a 50% form ronaldinho over park at his best. Madness that people will rate park and not ronnie but oh well thats their choice.
His wages may be a stumbling block though, which isnt great. 100 odd thousand maybe he is on i dont know, maybe if we cut our losses on the likes of neville and scholes who are on 80k a week costing us 4 million a year between them we would be able to offer ronnie some of that. Im not an accountant i dont know how the figures work but surely that shouldnt be the main issue here.
As i say im sure hes not a popular choice and i will got slated and shot down for this but i dont care, i would rather have a ronaldinho than a giggs or park in the starting line up.
Some people may have a real hatred for ronaldinho and i dont know why. Maybe its his attitude, or his wage demands or the fact hes got a face like a horses arse, i dont know.
But comeon before you dismiss him just think who you would prefer, an older slower giggs in the midfield, an attacking joke in park or the brazilian. Just a good manager and regular playing time and he could be back to his best, dunno bout u guys but i would take a risk on him.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:18
@Craig Mc: i would love that to.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:27
@Craig Mc:
first fucking time ever that tevez was just walking around aimlessly.
i was disgusted i understand he was upset for not being started but he didnt do himself any favors by playing piss poor on the biggest stage in pro football.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:33
@bertie: You are excommunicated as a Manchester United fan. I am unsackable.
And Ballack will play for me until he is 40.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:37
@Johnsom33: Yes. Plastic girls are workout fiends who use all kinds of body enhancement possible to make themselves hard as a rock and lacking in what I like in a feminine body. I also hate their personalities. They think and act like guys and they are attracted to the things guys are attracted to. They sicken me. I mean how many implant, butt reductions, collagen injection and nip and tucks can one body take? Please! Spare me, they are clowns. A real woman is all natural and has some meat on her bones to give you something to hang on to….woof woof! American girls are cosmetically and surgically enhanced plain Jane’s.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:41
@Dan: Dan is coach, not a player. He thinks he’s a player but he is a good astute judge of young talent not including his own. Shut up Dan and know your damned role. Make my reserves and my academy capable of beating Brazil and one day you may be successor to the Grognard at OT. Your playing days are over.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:46
@Craig Mc: That is why you are my #! assistant. Because you know my preferences. I hate artificial women and I especially hate boob implants. I don’t care for flat girls but I’d take one of them over a silicone injected bimbo with scars and boobs that look like stiff lumps. And I love European women who are natural in every way. I especially love Mediterranean women for their beautiful eyes and exotic looks. What I don’t like is artificial blonde’s. My idea of a true blond is Diane Kruger. Now that’s a woman.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:48
@Darth Red Diablo: I find your lack of loyalty……………..DISTURBING. You are sacked Numptee. Even my dark apprentice has no job security under my new world order if he dares challenge his master’s rule. In fact, I am cutting you off from further lesson in the Sith. Go kiss Wenger’s ass you Jedi turncoat traitor.
I am now taking new application for General Manager (aka my lackey). Worthy applicants must tell me why they can handle the job.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:52
@Craig Mc: Well we just won’t tell her now, will we. What she doesn’t know, won’t hurt her. Maybe I’ll marry her and she will have to take my name and that will make the GF think it’s some other Kimberly. But instead it will be the same old Kimberly but she will then be mine mine mine.
Just joking there Bro. Wouldn’t be that cruel to you. We’ll just have her change her name and wear a disguise like a Groucho mustache with glasses.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:55
@Craig Mc: Ah Fergie got the sack. I am now making the phone calls. Amazingly though I just can’t seem to get through to anyone. This gig may be more trouble than it’s worth.
May 30th, 2009 at 21:57
@Matt: Oh your just a kid, stop with all these stupid players, he’s a has been.
Seriously though mate, Ronaldinho. The guy is not only washed up, he’s a lazy drug taking party animal. He’s the second coming of the Brazilian Ronaldo. He’s a washed up slug.
I’d take Park over that buck toothed lazy fart any day of the week. Even when he was great, I hated that guy.
May 30th, 2009 at 22:05
A tremendously well written article that no intelligent United fan should ever have issue with.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2454217/United-havent-got-a-leader-no-Keane-Gerrard-or-Lamps.html
May 30th, 2009 at 22:15
@Grognard: Mate i know you dont like the italian league much and i dont blame you but ive been watching it a bit this season, especially milan and he doesnt seem to be like the partying animal he was back in his late barca days.
Hes got back to fitness, lost quite a bit of weight last time i saw and looked like he had returned close to getting some serious form back. The man has a family now, i dunno if hes married but i know hes got a kid and from what ive heard he really has stopped alot of that crap.
The italian league is a real bore fest and i can see that you wouldnt wanna watch it but seriously hes been a real bright spark in a very dull league, maybe you have to see him to believe me. Under fergies guidance he could really come back to be a real serious player and could be picked up for pretty cheap too.
I am just sick to the bloody teeth with park, he is not a united winger. I know i havent been a united supporter for as long as other on here but in my say 13 years of being a fan ive never seen a winger who is a first teamer be such a weak attacking player. To hell with his defensive qualities, were not bolton our wingers main objective is to score and help others score and his stats even when people consider his form this season good are not up to our quality of the wingers we had in years go by.
So if its a choice even out of a non reformed ronaldinho, a fat lazy brazilian or park im sorry but i would still pick the brazilian. I dunno maybe i sound like a young kid whos played too much football manager but i sure as hell think our great club could do a hell of a lot better than park and whatever is wrong with him, ronaldinho is a hell of a lot better than park.
May 30th, 2009 at 22:34
Soooooo, was i the only one to jump up with joy when su “im a man” boyle loss
May 30th, 2009 at 22:37
@Grognard: FINE, but you should know, that behind the scenes, i am constantly telling our chairman(RedRanter)that i should be manager because im young and more handsome, expect an announcement in the coming days.
Dont worry, when I become manager, you can become my yes man ala phelan
May 30th, 2009 at 23:27
@Grognard: Shut up Numptee…
I have just been accepted at Barca.. Messi and my new Master PEP have welcomed me with open arms.
They say that you’re stupid revolution doesn’t scare them.
So SUCK IT former boss…
Cause I’m off!
Or i’ll give you a last chance!
May 30th, 2009 at 23:40
@Dan: No you werent. I was fucking delighted that Diversity won. Livened up a shit few days, with United losing and Chelsea winning.
May 30th, 2009 at 23:44
Now I’ll bet a 100 million euros that Dan me boy wanked off to Diversity and Flawless!
May 30th, 2009 at 23:54
@Craig Mc: don’t we all wish that bro!
Don’t we all wish that! ???
May 30th, 2009 at 23:55
@Craig Mc: read the actual quotes and ignore the headline. He never said he would have won it for us. All he said is he was upset be didn’t start and that maybe the result would have been different if the tactics were different.
May 30th, 2009 at 23:56
@gator: If indeed Tevez was deliberately not giving his all as you suggest, and in such an important game, then that really should show all United fan Tevez lovers, just what his character is like. However, I personally believe, that is not the case, and however unpopular this comment is going to be received by some, I am still going to say it, what is true is that Tevez is not as great as he thinks he is, and I think he can be easily replaced. It is Ronnie who wont be easily replaced, but I don’t care, because we should try and replace him, as I am sick of Ronnie feeling like HE IS DOING US A FAVOUR and that he is head and shoulders irreplaceable
.
May 30th, 2009 at 23:59
Good article http:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1189637/Des-Kelly-Rooneys-turning-Invisible-Man-Manchester-United–thats-waste-Wayne.html
May 31st, 2009 at 0:00
My solution for United is that we get ouselves a top class MF, and replace skinned sausage with a very good TACKLER, and pace and good passing into the box. I am looking forward to seeing our Belgian reserve full back given more of a chance in games next season, to see if he can keep up the same level of performances as he played against Hull. I liked him in that game, but need to see more of him at first team level, because he is very good for the reserves as far as I have seen
May 31st, 2009 at 0:08
@Craig Mc: my old friend Craig, what about Wednesday mate, I’m only coming out of my bewilderment now, SAF got it completely wrong and its so frustrating coz we do have the players to compete with Barca, but sometimes SAF sends us out like a boxer trying to fight with one hand tied behind his back, I know the players did not perform but playing Giggs slightly further forward than usual and allowing Barca an extra man in the middle was asking for trouble.
May 31st, 2009 at 0:15
@Grognard: So that is why my boss was so happy this morning! You paid for his pleasure?
May 31st, 2009 at 0:16
@Matt: I’ve watched about twenty Milan games since Beckham showed up and to be honest, Ronaldinho has featured in about six of them. I think Ancelotti has the same view of the man as I do, so sorry if I don’t buy into your sales pitch. He’s washed up and he’s a part timer now at best. Sure he still has skills but he is no longer a force nor is he consistent enough to warrant that kind of financial risk.
May 31st, 2009 at 0:19
@Dan: Hey I don’t know what you are smoking or what fantasy hallucinogenic you are on but Red Ranter is just Red Ranter. He was not hired by the Glazer’s I was given full control of the team. Red Ranter is just tabloid media prepared to bring me down should I fail.
May 31st, 2009 at 0:19
@Fred The Red: Fred I cannot for the life of me understand Fergie’s teams. I mean they seem to be based on SENTIMENT. Oh Park was left out last season, so he will definately be in this season
. Same with Sheasy, although I must say Sheasy had done quite well for us of late. Also this is 2 CL finals now that Rooney has been extremely poor, and brought nothing to the table. I think Roon is confused about where he is playing and what is expected of him. He is NOT a winger Fred, even if he has done well for us once or twice on the left. We got off to a good start at Arsenal, and that is why we did ok in semi final. It was so blatently obvious that we needed someone who get get the ball and hold it up, which to be honest was Berba. If nothing else he can hold the ball up. But we had a MF who couldn’t tackle, we couldn’t get the ball off them in MF. If Fergie doesn’t address our MF, we will win NOTHING next season Fred, and I mean nothing. United fans if they are truly honest, know we have been fortunate in quite a few games this season. What I hated about Wednesday Fred is that none of our players seemed to have any passion or urgency – it is the most limped arse performance I have seen for a team playing in the CL. I was truly embarrased Fred 
.
May 31st, 2009 at 0:23
@Dan: I am disturbed at how a couple of my handpicked homey’s have turned on me and have tried to make their own power play for my job. Just goes to show that one should never hire friends. You’re fired. Hit the road Dan. I demand loyalty and obedience. If you are lucky I’ll consider you as a CMF for my reserve team. But you’ll have to kiss up to me in a major way to get that..
I’m surrounded by traitors. 
May 31st, 2009 at 0:26
@Darth Red Diablo: Be afraid…….be very afraid. You scare me not with your Barcelona ways Lord Darth. I shall crush you like fly under my shoe as my juggernaut rolls through England and then Europe on their way to European glory. You want to join yesterday’s news, be my guest. It will just fire up my squad of assassins who will be even more driven to defeat Barca knowing that you have polluted their realm with your traitorous Jedi ways. You aren’t dark enough.
May 31st, 2009 at 0:28
@RedDevilEddy: Hey you cost us a mint Bro. You better be worth it or I’ll have to call Kimberly back from her assigned job and road trip.
May 31st, 2009 at 0:30
@Johnsom33: Tevez quote “but with a strategy MORE ATTACKING in the 1st minute, then the result may have been different.” Errrrr was Tevez even watching the game, we did attack for the first 12 minutes, not just the 1st minute, but our forwards were AGAIN suffering their ‘we can’t take our chances, even if we get a hundred good chances to score’. So what Tevez is on about I don’t know, but I do know he did zero when he did get his chance!
May 31st, 2009 at 0:30
@Craig Mc: Trust me mate, that final woke Fergie up. There will be changes. If not, his head may end up on the chopping block because this team in it’s present form will do shite next season. We need at least two to three new faces to make a big bang. And we need to get rid of some dead weight. If Fergie fails to see this, then he will be sorry.
May 31st, 2009 at 0:36
@Grognard: Grog Kimberley IS A SAINT mate, you would NEVER get her to whore herself – NOT FOR ALL THE MONEY in the world, you picked the wrong girl. Kimba is morally pure Bro, so you need to recruit Pamela Anderson or some such like willing lass. Kimba will always flat refuse your offer of such employment, without giving it another thought
. She’s a LADY Bro!
May 31st, 2009 at 0:39
@Craig Mc: I dont think it was lack of passion mate, they were just outnumbered in midfield and were getting the confidence sucked out of them. Giggs was playing more of a no 10 role which left us a man light in there and against Barca thats suicide.
Park is not good enough, end off, and I agree with you, once SAF decided to play what was basically a 4 4 2, then he should have played our best ball players, and in thier proper positions, and that for me would have been, Ronaldo on the right, Giggs on the left, Scholes and Carrick in the middle with Rooney and Tevez or Berba up top.
Either one of our forwards could have dropped on to Busquets whenever Barca had the ball, leaving Scholes and Carrick to pick up Iniesta and Xavi. Hopefully this line up could have maybe gotten us a lead and then SAF could put Park on for Giggs and Anderson for one of the forwards which would have given us a five man midfield to see the game out.
No defeat has ever angered me like this one and I would even go as far as to say that it was one of SAFs worst tactical ploys ever.
May 31st, 2009 at 0:54
@Grognard: SAF needs to wake up himself mate, yes we could do with one or two new players in key positions, but his transfer strategy and coaching blue print should have a definate grand design behind it, the last couple of seasons that does not seem to be the case.
I dont see a great tactical masterplan that utilises the players to thier maximum with recruits being added to compliment this system, all I see is players being bought and not being utilised and talented players being played out of position to accomadate them and players like Park who are simply just not good enough.
SAFs vision for this team, or lack of it, scares me.
May 31st, 2009 at 0:57
@Fred The Red: Thing that galls me Fred, is that SAF did not make the right changes needed, and alter things as he should have done at half time. Instead he BLAMED everything on our poor defending. Yet he fails to see the same poor defending on our left side from Evra in an awful lot of games this season
. Both goals were from Evra’s side of the field, and it is happening too frequently, I hate it Bro. I will not be kidded like a lot of United fans into believing that is was just a one off game, where we had an off day. Fans need to be honest, we have had a lot of such off days this season. Yet all we hear is Fergie telling us what a deep and marvelous squad of players we have, and the best ever squad supposedly. I mean he surely must see that this type of football is not working, and nearly cost us the CL, not this time only, but last year too. Maybe, just maybe Fergie really doesn’t know HOW TO WIN the CL, because in our treble year, we were SO DARN LUCKY AGAINST BAYERN, undeniably so. The only time we won the CL in style, was at Wembley, when we scored 4 goals, but SAF was not our manager 
.
May 31st, 2009 at 1:04
@Fred The Red: Capello would agree with you in players being ill used, he is very worried about Rooney’s frailties and poor performances in BIG GAMES like the CL. He made quotes to the press about it. Rooney may lose his England place if this continues. Thing is though, Capello knows exactly HOW TO GET THE BEST our of Rooney. Fergie promised after last season he wasn’t going to misuse Rooney, but in order to save face, when he bought Berba, who would be great with another team where he fitted into a system, he sacrificed the Roons best position and not to Rooney’s benefit either.
May 31st, 2009 at 1:05
@Grognard: Rene is actually Dutch my friend, so I’m sure he has some allegiance to total football and would eagerly buy into the revolution.
To all : is there any substance to rumors of Park, Nani and Tevez leaving, with Valencia and Benzema heading this way?
May 31st, 2009 at 1:13
@Craig Mc: SAF is tactically naive in Europe, especially against the top teams, theres no point denying it, its a fact, the reason he mentioned the defending is because he simply cannot read games and work out what the problem is, if he could he would have done it a long time ago.
SAF is old school, he came from a generation that basically got 11 good players and backed them to be better than the oppositions 11 players, thats not going to do it anymore, it hasnt been for a long time, if your players are not programmed into an effective system then at the top level you will be found out more often than not.
He is Manchester United, and everything that we have achieved and what we are as a club is down to him, but lets not kid ourselves, he is no master tactician.
May 31st, 2009 at 1:31
@Craig Mc: I genuinley feel so sorry for the kid, I know he has his faults mate, but hes such a team player who cares about the club that he defo deserves better.
When I first saw him playing for Everton and England I was amazed at his awareness and his natural and instintive brain, he was and still is a massive talent, potentially one of the best, but SAF is slowly destroying this kid, and its a travesty to see it.
Craig, Im not bumming myself up here mate, but I played football, and with some very talented players at that, I know a talented player when I see one, Wayne Rooney is a special special player, and if he was playing in Italy he would be a superstar by now.
Capello knows what he has in Rooney, being from a country that practically invented the no 10 role its no coincidence that his form for England since Capello took over has been top class.
May 31st, 2009 at 1:34
@Grognard: And apparently you’re waiting there with the axe raised!!
He will spend, if he has the money, and our much divided rantings is not in the same class as the measured assessment that will occur in the next few weeks. It’s plain to see that we are lacking in the Midfield and Striking roles and it will be a clear path to follow when he considers his current squad.
The very worst thing that could happen, is if Ronaldo leaves. He is the one player that sets us apart from being another “Everton” or “Villa”. He’s an absolute dick, but the best dick you could ever have!! He provides an element of spontaneity that cannot be practiced or learned and, at the moment, the single reason why we, at times, cannot be defended!
I cannot imagine one PL defense that couldn’t stymie Tevez and Berbatov into nothing more than an enigma wrapped inside a riddle. Tons of potential, but way too complicated and intricate. Just stick the boot in, and they’re done!!
If Ronaldo leaves, this will truly be a problem for SAF. To maintain any form of status-quo over the next few years, the entire focus of building with young players will have to be scraped for a spending spree unheard of since the Abramovich takeover of Chelski – and with the club’s finances up for some discussion, we may have to scrap the status-quo instead!!
The key to the offseason is, again, to secure CR’s services, first and foremost, then to begin a methodical evaluation of the current teams chemistry, and then to start mixing together the components that work together the best. Fuck loyalty and compassion, the team needs it’s consenting parties to gel, and if the axe does fall, let it be on the neck of the heretics!!
May 31st, 2009 at 1:53
@Fred The Red: I think he’s a great tactician when he has an arsenal of qualified players at his disposal, but lets face it, he now has a squad of a few world class players, a lot of washed up players and whole slew of young maybees. His option are limited. But I do think he played the wrong side on Wednesday!!
May 31st, 2009 at 1:56
@Redrich: I more or less agree with your comments about the squad mate, but I would be lying if I said that I trust him to employ the right tactics for the big games in Europe, and he also must take some of the blame for signing some of our more average players.
May 31st, 2009 at 2:04
@Fred The Red: I couldn’t agree with you more about SAF’s tactical deficiency’s, but he is such a great Manager in every other respect, and especially in winning the PL. I do agree with you also, that football science is changed beyond belief, and structured systems seem to be more the order of the day, to a much more HIGHER advancement, if you know what I mean. I hope with all my heart, that SAF can get a great No2 in who is a genius in advanced science football systems. I have NEVER believed it right that Quiroz was replaced IN HOUSE, with what just always seems like jobs for the boys. I am against Giggsy, Scholesy and Neville getting in house coaching jobs, just because they have been legends for us. You may all disagree with this, but this jobs for the boys, when they have had no real experience in coaching expertise and football sciences etc. As you say Fred, maybe that’s why we haven’t won the CL as many times as SAF feels he should have won it.
May 31st, 2009 at 2:13
@Fred The Red: I don’t think many people would disagree with you about Rooney having a lot of talent Fred. He has truckloads, but he does have a lot of ineffective performances over a season though, alongside his brilliant ones, which only seem to come in spurts – sadly. His performances for England have greatly improved under Capello, and you can tell Rooney is enjoying it. I so hope he plays in his right position NEXT SEASON, and that his low performance games are talked about with him, that a certain level of performance IS EXPECTED from him every game, and nothing less will be acceptable. I believe this will really help Roon get more consistency in his performances for us, if SAF stops dicking him around, playing him out of position
.
May 31st, 2009 at 2:20
@Craig Mc: I have been reading and hearing bits and pieces about the homework that Guardiola and even Benitez are doing on thier opposing teams, apparently the Barca coach was able to say that if Rooney was on the left then in the past he would cut inside this amount of time and do such and such at other times.
To give your defenders this much detail and to be able to set up a defensive and attacking system to counter act this is going to raise the bar even higher, the scientific nature of the game demands that you have members in your staff who are up to speed with the progression in analysis, if you dont, then you will get left behind.
May 31st, 2009 at 2:23
@Fred The Red: The tactics got him a winners medal last year, and got him to the final this time around. Not bad for a hack ehh!!
I do think that the signings of Tevez and Berbatov were somewhat less than inspired, and if you take into consideration the failures of Veron and Forlan to thrive under his auspices, there is certainly reason to suspect some form of poor management. But the whole idea can be squashed like an annoying gnat on your neck, when you take a quick gander of the OT trophy room. I’m not sure it get much better than that??
May 31st, 2009 at 2:31
@Fred The Red: I think you’re barking up the wrong tree, mate. The big error was to not to play a 5 man midfield, with a holding player shutting off Iniesto and Messi.
SAF got over confident and tried a tried and trusted formation on a day that the team was up against a spledid attacking force. He actually threw caution to the wind, and lost!!!
May 31st, 2009 at 2:43
@Craig Mc: your right about Rooney being hot and cold mate, but for a young player that is normal.
As the seasons go by you add consistency to the talent and then you become a real force, but you must be allowed to develope and grow to understand properly the position that you are most natural and effective in, Rooney has been denied this at a critcal time in his development coz this has been going on now for over 2 seasons mate, making Rooney just over 20 years of age when SAF started to mess him about, thats not good mate.
When you compare his development as a player to Ronaldos I think he was well ahead of Ronny at that stage, but look what has happened since, Ronaldo was left alone and learned to be effective, whereas Rooney has become a jack of all trades and master of none.
Theres a reason why certain positions tend to be identified as positions that players in the back end of their careers really come into their own, like centre back or Goalkeeper, and that reason is mental development and learning to play the position with maturity and understanding, but the same apples to a lesser degree with any position and its in this area that good players become great players, Rooney is being denied this in a vital stage in his development mate, and its frustrating see it.
May 31st, 2009 at 2:56
@Redrich: I agree totally with you about a five man midfield against Barca, my point was that if the gaffer decided to play a 4 4 2, then he should have put our best ball players on to maximise our chances of retaining the ball and to carry a greater attacking threat.
To me, he wanted to play a 4 4 2 without the wrisk of playing our most effective attacking players in an attempt to not compromise the defensive side of our game, which suceeded in derailing both sides of our game.
May 31st, 2009 at 3:44
@Fred The Red: Mate, he totally went with what he thought was his best squad – and that was the problem. He underestimated the Barca central attack and had no defense to it because he had to play a formation that could attack and defend them. He had no faith in the forwards to produce an individual effort that could result in a goal and so he used the maestro (CR) as his ace card!!
If he had a little more trust in his young defenders (Evans, Rafael, Fabio, De Laet) he could have freed up O’Shea to stuff Barca up the middle and then gain the amount of possession that this team needs to progress upfield (hint: fast break out.)
SAF will probably look at that game with a fair amount of hindsight, but the fact remains that if he had some more troupes available in the MF and a more potent attacking corps, a more appropriate game plan would have been easier to devise!!
May 31st, 2009 at 3:49
@Redrich: @Fred The Red: Sorry, Fred, I have no idea what hashed this last post??!!
May 31st, 2009 at 4:35
@Redrich: What’s the point of selling our soul for player that doesn’t want to play for us? Ronaldo’s attitude is toxic, and while his genius is the fulcrum of 90% of our good performance we cannot let this cancer of disrespect, whining and self absorption metastasize and become precedent. I would prefer he not leave, but only if he doesn’t want to; it’s not worth the mental anguish to keep him otherwise. Letting him go would inevitably mean securing the services of 2 world class players to compensate for his absence, but we could do well with Ribery or Benzema who will appreciate their environment even if they are less talented. Truth be told, I would rather see the team revolve around Rooney anyway. He’d revel in the responsibilty and freedom he’d get. Sick of him being stymied to accomodate Ronaldo’s ego.
May 31st, 2009 at 5:01
@Redrich: Fixed it.
May 31st, 2009 at 5:45
@Fred The Red: The reason ronaldo progressed faster than Rooney is because ronaldo is a work a holic. He comes into the new season overwieght and smoking. He will only turn the corner and reach ronaldos level when he learns that the offseason is just as important as the season for skill development.
May 31st, 2009 at 5:53
@Craig Mc: She’s a member of a bimbo girl’s group mate. I wouldn’t anoint her into sainthood quite that easily. Besides, she agreed to do anything at all to make sure we brought Red Devil Eddy to OT. So I would say she willingly and bravely took one for the team Bro.
Besides, she is still depressed that you are now officially off the market. 
May 31st, 2009 at 5:58
@Fred The Red: I totally agree. I think he has gotten lazy. His tactics are cowardly in nature and his work ethic is questionable as all you see him doing these days during games is sitting on his hands. Where he really has dropped the ball in is in the off season. Procrastinating and taking his time to get deals done and losing out on players while never shortening or altering his vacation plans. People at Madrid never rest or take a break when there is important work to be done. He should fear losing Ronaldo and then not being around to secure Ribery or Benzema and then losing out on them too. Just slack assed if you ask me. It’s a young man’s job and he just doesn’t seem to show any adventure or urgency in his work anymore.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:04
@Craig Mc: Lets be frank and honest here mate. United under Ferguson have never won the Champions League decisevely or in style. We were beaten up and completely outplayed by Bayern Munich and two goalposts and an amazing Schmeichel save later we were still only one goal down before a miracle happened in injury time. That was lucky mate and everybody knows it. Last year was luck too. We owned the first half only to be tied and Chelsea owned the second half only to have John Terry slip and give us a second life. That was the good Lord saying no way does John Terry carry this trophy home. We did not earn that win, we back doored our way to that championship too. That’s the way I feel we won the League this year. We kind of back doored our way into it by being good enough to eek out 1 goal wins all season. God knows that head to head we were not as good as the Scouse.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:10
@Craig Mc: And what’s sad is that for the team’s sake Rooney, a great player is being continually sacrificed in order to accommodate Fergie’s ridiculously and cowardly tactics. Does Barcelona sacrifice Messi like this or does Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard get asked to play defensive midfield roles or how about Cesc Fabregas? Great players need to be allowed to play their natural position and not continually tinkered with for what Fergie calls the betterment of the team. The betterment of the team is to allow your great players to play their natural position and to let them be. Fergie has taken our lads and thrown them all in a mixer and come out with a milkshake that just doesn’t seem right or taste properly. Let world class players express their greatness naturally and stop putting the kybosh on them. Lets face it though, Fergie realizes we have weaknesses like Evra and therefore that is why we are seeing Rooney moved to the left in order to protect the little French git.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:13
@Roge9: Are you sure? I remember reading he was Belgian and that always stuck with me because I asked myself why we have a Belgian coach and not a Dutch or German one for that matter.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:14
@Roge9: There is never any substance to anything written in todays European sports media. I trust nothing until a club comes out and announces it.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:19
@Fred The Red: He’s not naive mate, he’s just overly cautious and highly conservative. He used to be naive and we would lose in the mid to late 90’s because he would not go away from the 4-4-2 that worked so well at home. But in Europe he realized that in order to beat Italian and Spanish sides you needed to go to more of a defensive 4-3-3 formation and play a slower ball control game. Problem is he had weaknesses on the team in Evra, Park and central midfield that never matched up well against the strengths of Barcelona. Remember Barca’s greatest threat comes from Xavi and Iniesta in the center and from Messi on the right side. Our central midfielders are slow and not overly talented in comparison and Evra has been a major liability all season and he has the duty of dealing with Messi. It was a recipe for disaster. Put quality players in all those positions and play the very same tactics and not only do Barca not look as great, we wipe their asses. I truly believe that.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:23
@Fred The Red: Rooney should be our Francesco Totti instead of out utility player to fill up a gap in our tactical conservatism. Rooney is wasted and humiliated by the things asked of him but Fergie doesn’t care. Fergie only cares about United and winning. And frankly the old man has done very well for us. So as much as I and you can criticize him for how he treats individuals and how he sacrifices them to the wolves, his trophy haul speaks for itself. With Fergie a player must always be willing to expect anything and expect to play less and sacrifice more of themselves for the good of the team.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:29
@Redrich: I agree with you there. What worries me though in order to change the chemistry of the team he needs to sell a number of perceived failures and even then, does the team offer him enough money to get the job done? And if he cannot keep Ronaldo, which I believe he will, but just say he can’t, who doe we replace him with? I am finding that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea seem to constantly be in the way of us getting a lot of players Fergie fancies. Losing Ronaldo to Real Madrid and then losing Ribery, his ideal replacement would be more than we could all take. And yet this could conceivably happen.
The other scenario that concerns me is Fergie is old and highly stubborn. He may look at this loss and say we just had an off night and may not realize that many changes are needed. If he manages to keep Ronaldo at OT, I could see him try to to two things this off season. By Valencia and then fail trying to get Benzema, and that’s it.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:31
@Fred The Red: Any player would be hot and cold if he was being moved around as much as Fergie has moved Rooney. I also think playing wide hurt his scoring touch because he is asked to exert himself more and this I feel puts his shooting and concentration off. This is why he was missing some real sitters of late.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:33
@Fred The Red: He never played a 4-4-2. It was a 4-3-3 that was shaped a little more like a diamond. Rooney and Park were out and out wingers in the game, but were asked to track back a lot.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:40
@Roge9: I can’t help but agree with you there. Ronaldo is a malignant tumor that is spreading apathy and dissension throughout the team. I have also noticed how incredibly clique like the team is. They don’t really seem to be a very together bunch. And Ronaldo is constantly seen with only two people, Nani and Anderson. This does not breed togetherness and team harmony in my opinion. Again that is an outsider looking in but I really don’t think I’m wrong. I think United has become all business with very little fun, togetherness and bonding and no leadership from players who should be leaders. I think back to the game where Ronaldo was subbed off and was petulant. Not one of his teammates confronted him and told him off. And at the end of the game as he is walking to the dressing room the captain Gary Neville was walking just behind him but said nothing and never looked bothered. I’m sorry but my heart and mind tells me that if that was Roy Keane or Eric Cantona or Bryan Robson, Ronadlo would have been getting a tongue lashing right in front of everyone. And deservedly so. God, in all the years of watching United football never have I missed a player on my side like I miss Roy Keane.
May 31st, 2009 at 6:44
Like I was just saying.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6394633.ece
May 31st, 2009 at 9:06
Now this is the kind of bullshit rumor I love to read. It just makes me all warm and tingly inside.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_method=full&objectID=21402741&siteID=93463-name_page.html
May 31st, 2009 at 9:33
Breaking News, grognard is sacked like a bag of potatoes, he is to be replaced by former reserve team manager, Dan. More to follow…
May 31st, 2009 at 9:36
@Grognard: bull shit, we dont need to buy more tosh lol. I would prefer a deal of £10mil, and if he scores over 18 league goals, we pay real £2mil, and if he scores more then 25 in all competions, then we pay them £3mil. He will hardly score so that wold save us £5mil
But it doesnt matter because its exactly what you said, a bullshit rumour.
May 31st, 2009 at 10:50
@Grognard: LETS BUY THE HUNTER!!!
May 31st, 2009 at 11:00
@Dan: Maybe a bullshit rumour, but I would be happy if we could get Claass.
We need a finisher, we have seen that this season. We created more chances than anyone, we had more shots on target than anyone and more off target than anyone. But still, we scored less goals than Liverpool and equal with Arsenal. What we need is a finisher, cause we have missed some total sitters this season. If you watch the highlights of the Boro game, where we won 1-0, we had at least 21 goal mouth chances! 
Liverpool at Old Trafford, had many chances. Chelski at Stamford Bridge, loads of chances. Arsenal at the Emirates, TON LOADS OF CHANCES!!! I tell ya, if we had a proper finisher in those games, we might have had 8 more points, and a much better goal difference. And not to talk about the Champions League final, please. We had 10 chances to score, you dont get that in a Champions League final very often. 5 of those 10 were before it was played 10 minutes too! Then we have the Berbatov header, the Ronaldo blocked shot, Park too short legs to run past the goalie, Ronaldos run against Pique, Rooney almost through on the right flank and Ronaldos shot from 18 yards.
To be honest, I dont care weather we get Claass, Villa, Aguero, Etoo, Owen, Benzema or even Gomez. They are all brilliant finishers that would make us the best club in the world no doubt. Because I think of it this way: United had 10 chances, 0 goals. Barca had 4 chances, scored 2 goals. Effectivity is important in these games, and I think a proper striker is what we need right now…
May 31st, 2009 at 11:21
thats a nice rumor but we still need someone with that final pass
May 31st, 2009 at 12:05
Ronaldo’s and Tevez’s recent outbursts have just concentrated my feelings on the development and future of the club. If United was a house it would be a splendid one, the finest in all England. But it’s like the foundations are being slowly destroyed by something nasty in the basement.
The club has to become the most important thing once more.
I’m sick of players abusing the club, that’s enough.
I don’t expect every player to be a childhood United fan but they must become part of the club and represent the club with pride.
United not so long ago had this togetherness, and Barca have it today; they’ve weeded out the shit (Ronaldinho) and they have a large core of players who bleed Blaugrana blood. I’m pretty sure if they got relegated(as if that would happen), those players would fight for the Barca cause.
I want United to start weeding out the shit stirrers and any new buys should go in the direction of team play and solidarity, fuck football manager, I don’t want Benzema, he couldn’t give a damn about United and he won’t grow to like us either.
I want the club to grow in the right way, not get all twisted and deformed because of egos and player power dominating its direction.
I know football is full of mercenaries and little boys who haven’t grown up but you need to have virtues and direction if you want solidity, cohesion, and eventually artistry.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:47
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/05/31/manchester-united-set-to-strike-sponsorship-deal-with-insurance-giants-aon-115875-21403461/
Could be worse i suppose, looks better then AIG.
http://www.redcafe.net/f6/new-sponsors-232694/index3.html
A couple of pics at the bottom photo shopped. Doesnt look bad but doesnt look as good as some other sponsors.
May 31st, 2009 at 13:35
Agreed Grognard. A long time ago we should have built the team around Rooney. Instead we built the team around Ronaldo, a spoilt brat who just cares about himself. It is just a shame he is so damn good. Without his goals we would finish 3rd at best and wouldn’t get past the quarters in Europe.
But it is difficult. Like you said 4-4-2 United style doesn’t always work in Europe especially nowadays when our midfield is so lightweight.
It is a shame because I miss the days when Rooney just muscled past defences as though they weren’t there and scored some fabulous goals in Europe. But he never even got to test the Barcelona defence because of our tactics.
Capello has the right idea in using a foil for Rooney in the shape of Heskey. That is what we really need. I do not see Berbatov and Rooney working as a partnership, although Berbatov is a good player in his own right, chemistry is important for striking partnerships.
I am still bitterly disappointed about losing to Barcelona so easily. I cannot eat, I cannot sleep and Im drinking every night. I was starting to believe we had finally become a great European team, not just a good domestic team, but this season like so many others we fell short.
I really think we peaked last season due to Ronaldo having a once in a lifetime season where he had the Midas touch and our defence looking invincible. For all the talk of our invincible defence this season the truth is we had an easy run of games when we broke those records and the times we came up against teams who actually attacked us like Pool and Barca our defence crumbled.
I see us rebuilding next season and hopefully in a few seasons time we will be ready to win the Champions League in style for once. I would love for us to dominate a final.
Valencia for me would be a good signing. Not world class but a good team player and would offer more than Nani and Park.
I still have no idea how we fit Berbatov into the team. It was a misjudgement by Fergie, another example of him buying a player he fancies rather than a player who fits into the team. Shame because in different team I think Berbatov would be amazing.
My hope is that in a few years time either Welbeck or Macheda will form a great partnership with Rooney.
Until then I think we should buy Valencia, buy a tough midfielder who can play alongside Carrick and Hargreaves and give Carrick the license to really express himself, and hope that with better service Berbatov will shine and provide the 20 goals a season he scored for Tottenham.
May 31st, 2009 at 13:54
I got my GCSE O level Chemistry paper tommorow… Wish me luck people!
May 31st, 2009 at 13:55
@Grognard: Yeah, he’s dutch.
May 31st, 2009 at 14:18
Eidur Gudjohnsen wants to come back to England. Fergie, sign him up!
May 31st, 2009 at 14:24
@Grognard: I think SAF tried to play a christmas tree formation, but it turned into a christmas pudding.
And I agree on Rooney, SAF has done this kid no favours .
May 31st, 2009 at 14:25
@Dan: More rubbish coming out of Marca or the English tabloid media. You cannot sack that which is unsackable. I’m so in with the Glazer’s, they are even considering me as coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nice try there Dan. Oh and by the way, in case you have forgotten……..YOU’RE FIRED!
May 31st, 2009 at 14:27
@Dan: You know my feelings on the Hunter, so I’m not even going to bother to get into it with you mate.
May 31st, 2009 at 14:29
@RedDevilEddy: It’s just a BS rumor mate. Fergie simply doesn’t have the Grognard’s wisdom to go after such a player and to be honest, I can’t see how we could possibly even do business with Real Madrid with all this Ronaldo bad blood in the way. It’s just not going to happen unless he is part of the deal that sends Ronaldo to Madrid.
May 31st, 2009 at 14:33
@RedDevilEddy: Gomez has signed with Bayern and Aguero has pledged his future to Atletico. Like the article I posted yesterday that claimed we need a warrior leader, it talked about the two things this club is missing. One, a leader like Roy Kean and two, the fact that in four years now, we have not been able to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy. Well I firmly believe that if we were to get Huntelaar, not only do we replace Tevez with a proven goal scorer, but we also finally find the closest thing to van Nistelrooy in available goal scoring talent.
May 31st, 2009 at 14:33
@ROOOOONEY: I agree.
May 31st, 2009 at 14:37
@magno: What really bothers me is that you see a real togetherness at Liverpool of all places. For whatever reason players seem to love it there and enjoy playing for that cold and impersonal fat waiter. You also see it in Chelsea now of all places. Under Hiddink that team really came together and played and bled together. Both those clubs have leaders on and off the field. We have silent leaders and we are a team split by cliques. I find it very disturbing.
“I want United to start weeding out the shit stirrers and any new buys should go in the direction of team play and solidarity, fuck football manager, I don’t want Benzema, he couldn’t give a damn about United and he won’t grow to like us either.”
Beautifully said. I couldn’t agree more. I want players who are committed to our cause and want to play their entire careers here.
May 31st, 2009 at 14:43
@Dan: I think Aon looks good but the jersey I really liked was the PSV style one with the gold AIG logo. We’ve never gone that route before and I think it looks cool.
May 31st, 2009 at 15:26
@colver: I couldn’t agree more mate. Sad times and really, we do sound like we are crying in our soup as if we were poor Scouser supporters, but lets face it, we have greater expectations because United set the gold standard. To watch the team these days has become a beast of burden. This is the first year in recent memory I honestly did not enjoy watching our team. Yes we won the League again and the Carling Cup as well as that overblown and highly comical World Club Cup but I never got the sense that it was a season where we actually won a treble. It felt more like 2004/2005 or 2005/2006 when we won virtually nothing other than the Carling Cup.
This season was dull dull dull. How spoilt I must sound? But it had nothing to do with our trophy haul. It was all about the kind of football we are playing and the type of players that are currently on the club. I have to admit this and be completely honest, the current club the past couple of seasons has a number of players that really rub me the wrong way for numerous and different reasons. I really dislike Patrice Evra’s play on the left side of defense. I think he has lost the plot and for me was the single greatest liability we had all season. He doesn’t play in any EPL games and the team gives up only 12 goals. He plays and we give up 24 or 25. Still a minuscule number of goals to give up, but he is to blame for that many due to his poor decision making, his ability to get skinned like a sausage and his ability to get caught up field or out of position.
But the problems don’t end there. Fergie has for too long relied on players that I feel are far from United class and yet players that start too many games. Anderson id number one on my hit list. I will never understand what anyone finds in this useless git. He has not one iota of talent and he’s also dumb as nails. Always runs himself into a dead end and then lacks the imagination, self control and composure to extricate himself from it. Sure he dribbles well and protects the ball well by swinging his ass around like a big car air bag, but he offers the team no direction or graft. He is dead weight, a chicken running with his head cut off. And speaking of chickens with his head cut off, is there ever any better example of that than Carlos Tevez. A player that I admire for his work ethic but a player who hasn’t got a great scoring touch or knack for predatory striking in the box. A player who has the first touch and finesse of a T-Rex and who isn’t great at setting his teammates up if he’s not scoring. But his energy and tenacity is still appreciate however, he is nothing more than a luxury we cannot afford to keep.
That finally gets me to the players that have to go first and foremost. I am talking about Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Edwin van der Sar. All great and highly loyal players who have given many great years of service but who like a bottle of milk have long past their expiry date and who need to read the writing on the wall that says “Retire Already”. EVDS can still play but it’s time for new blood in goal. Foster has waited enough and i for one still believe the club should realize that our number one keeper has still not been bought. I still want to see a player like Boruc, Adler, Neuer, Frey or Akinfeev or even Buffon come and take over between the posts. EVDS is still good but he is far from excellent anymore. Gary Neville, well I have gone on record before and claimed to not be a big fan of his ever. Sure he is loyal and devoted to the team but he is also very much over the hill and highly selfish for not having given up the captaincy to a starter and more deserving player like Rooney or Ferdinand. Paul Scholes, again, over the years I have never been the huge Scholsey fan that so many others have been but I also respect and appreciate what it is about him that so many have loved. But right now, he is a slow over the hill liability and it’s time he faced up to the reality that there is very little left in the engine room. As for Giggs, I am not ready or willing to discard him completely. I still think he can play but he needs to be strictly a substitute and start only a handful of games a season. In small spurts I think he can make a great impact but clearly he hasn’t got the legs anymore for a marathon. But he is still in phenomenal condition and can help as a sub. Except for Giggs, these players need to be given their outright release. It’s game over.
In conclusion, I should add that I have not included names like Nani, Berbatov and Park in my house cleaning recommendations. Nani I feel is a super talent who has underachieved because the Gaffer has helped him lose his confidence. That same Gaffer could give it back to him if he would give the lad a run. If he has no plans to do this, then sell him with Anderson and try to recoup as much as possible from the money you laid out for both these players. As for Park, I am not a big fan but he does have his uses. One of them however is not as a starter but as a defensive utility option. He has lots of energy and can help track back and mark wingers and fullbacks out ogf games. We need a specialist like that. Just never start him as an attacking option or even bring him on as an attacking option. In that department he is useless.
That eaves us with Count Berbatov. A highly skilled player who’s style of play hasn’t quite jelled with our team yet but a player who is very bright, highly imaginative, visionary and filled with high end finesse skills like an incredible first touch and ability to pass in crowds. His finishing isn’t prolific but then again, neither was Cantona’s. Bottom line is he has a lot of class and I for one would like to see him settle in for one more year and hopefully as a team Fergie will utilize him better and allow the team to play a system that suits him more. If Fergie doesn’t do this, then he must go also. Bring in Valencia, Huntelaar and elevate Macheda and Welbeck to proper subs. Hopefully Hargreaves returns to his former self and adding one more central midfielder with box to box capabilities, graft, grit, pace and determination and we are set to return to our former glory in Europe and maintain our status in England. Elevate Fabio to Left back and utilize Carrick higher up the field more and you will have a better team overall.
Above all, Fergie has to scrap his Italian job. It didn’t work in the end as we were exposed and all season were wanting for more spark, passion and pace. Go back to our roots and lets not forget that with 4-4-2, English teams have won 10 European Cups. It’s the continentals that couldn’t deal with Liverpool, Notts Forest, Villa in the late 870’s and 80’s. I never saw Spanish or Italian clubs get the better of 4-4-2 then. The reason for that is that all those teams I am talking about had masters at running their midfield. And as long as we have a great midfield, no European system can beat us. It’s time Fergie realized that our undoing was our soft center. Find a Keane and we are set. Easier said than done I’m afraid.
May 31st, 2009 at 15:28
@Darth Red Diablo: You are a traitor and therefore you will get dark karma.
Seriously though, good luck former apprentice and closet Jedi. 
May 31st, 2009 at 15:29
@Traverse: Gudjohnsen is a waste of time and space. That guy has been sitting the bench and hardly playing for five seasons now. There is a reason for that. He’s not very good. He’s a waste of time and well past his best. Stay away at all costs. There are far better options out there that we can buy.
May 31st, 2009 at 15:32
@Fred The Red: That was a Christmas tree with no branches. It never worked because Carrick was unable to move forward enough to help in the attack. His lack of pace put him back on his heels having to contend with the whirlpool that Xavi and Iniesta were creating. Only a Hargreaves, Makelele, Essien or Keane could have dealt with that properly.
May 31st, 2009 at 15:36
Apparently Roberto Mancini has been offered the Sunderland job. He is quoted as saying;
“Mancini said: “I am very happy and at the same time honoured to have received an offer from Sunderland.
“It would be truly wonderful to lead such a prestigious and historic club in England.
That’s a bit rich for me there Mancini. Prestigious and historic club? more like hopeless and useless minnow. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill.
May 31st, 2009 at 16:34
@Grognard: sunderland are a pretty jinxed club the epitomee of a yo-yo club how the managed to stay up two years in a row is a big achievement for them and if mancini was to take over the club he will have his hands full because the club has A LOT of dead weight on it’s books
May 31st, 2009 at 16:51
@Grognard: Grog that isn’t true Bro! Most of UNited’s senior players had a right go at Ronnie, firstly for disrespecting Fergie’s decision, and secondly for being a bully towards the backroom guy who nearly had his hand ripped off when Ronnie bad tempered – ly snatch the trackie top offered to him. Ronnie was not best pleased to be told off, and definately not best pleased to be told he had to apologise to the Backroom member of staff by Fergie. SAF doesn’t allow the team to bollocks each other in front of a watching world and football public, but in the dressing room Ronnie got it proper!
May 31st, 2009 at 16:55
@Grognard: Carrick to me is a passer and nothing else, and if hes not passing it well hes a liability.
And this buisness of playing Giggs in the middle, do me a favour, hes always been a woeful passer of the ball, sometimes I really wonder how SAF can be such a brilliant and successful manager in most other respects, but be so blind to the finer tactical aspects of the game.
And Im beginging to see your wisdom in questioning the appointing of our staff from within, coz the way the game is going specialist coahes are needed to back the manager up and I wonder how much of a loss Queiroz actually was, I know he has struggled being a no 1, but he was a good no 2.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:02
@Grognard: And then you wake up from your dream right Grog?
. She can be in a girlband, but being in a girlband doesn’t mean that you HAVE to be immoral. Some are, she isn’t. I can’t tell you how much of a lady she is Grog, and very nice and pleasant. Family orientated Yorkshire lass, with good values. Then you wouldn’t be expected to recognise or know what it is to be a NICE Northern lass from Yorkshire. Awww bless her – she’s so sweet 
.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:04
@Johnsom33: Well said Johnsom, I couldn’t agree with this sentiment more mate!
May 31st, 2009 at 17:05
@Craig Mc:@Grognard What do you think about the idea of Rooney becoming an advanced midfieder in the mould of Xavi and Iniesta, if he is allowed to play with the freedom that those to do, and with a good holding player behind we could play 3 in the middle, Ronny on the right and if they were to manage to aquire the services of the precosious Douglas Costa for the left then we could play Berba up top.
Rooneys attributes would be far more siuted to this more central role compared to being stuck out on the wing, what do you think.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:07
@Craig Mc: shes a druggie lol, dont deny it you know its true!
May 31st, 2009 at 17:11
There’s a rumour going around that the GLAZERS are ready to sell, and the ARABS ready to buy??? If the deal goes through, the Arab consortium will want Fergie to move upstairs, and a younger, experienced, highly technical coach brought in? Is this bullshit, or have the Glazers had an offer they can’t refuse???
May 31st, 2009 at 17:13
@Craig Mc: Are you sure of this Craig and if so, how do you know? Because frankly he has been getting away with this shite for a long time and so if he has been getting a good bollocking every time he offends, then why is he still doing it? Sounds like the punishments aren’t working. I just don’t see any leaders on this team that would grab him by the collar and ram into the wall and read him the riot act. Not like Keano at least. I know that he was made to apologize to the track suit guy, but that’s nothing. He should have been forced to apologize to his team and to the fans for his behavior. Notice how we the fans never get any respect from OT.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:15
@Fred The Red: Giggs was not ALWAYS a bad passer of the ball. At one time he was a sublime passer but with the loss of pace and age diminishing his skills and focus a bit, he has become more and more sloppy. And the reason he was switched over to the middle is because he is a good passer and because he clearly hasn’t got the pace or legs to handle the wing any longer.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:20
@Fred The Red: Some people are just good followers and Queiroz was a good #2 or as I would call him #1 like Picard calls Riker on Star Trek and other naval dramas. Queiroz had the intellect and the tactical and technical expertise to take more of a role in the team’s prep than Phelan is able to do. The issue is if you are going to adapt and play a very continental game using players from all over the world, then your staff also has to be more widely selected from regions of the world that understand those players and those tactics. A Spanish or Brazilian coach would be nice or even an Italian one. We have Meulensteen but too many others just remind me of the early 90’s when there were hardly any foreigners in the English game and these guys just seem like they are from that school of thought.
I’m sure Fergie knows best but seeing as the team got murdered in their last match, i think it’s fair that some of us have a snipe at him and his selections, and for good reason.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:20
Ancelotti is gone if you havent heard, stepped aside or was sacked or whatever after the game today. Looks a dead cert to end up at chelsea, and i gotta say im not looking forward to a chelsea with ancelotti in charge. The man suits chelsea down to the bone and if is appointed i expect he will be there for the long term and honestly he will turn chelsea into top challengers and not also rans im sure of that.
I mentioned yesterday about a possible bid for ronaldinho but i dont think from what i heard that would be a popular choice.
But with ancelotti out of a job if theres any players there we have been looking at now is the time to pounce. Problem i have with us is we seem to have a break completely in the transfer market until july time, meaning me can miss out on a few targets.
Where the bloody hell do they go, cant they use phones to monitor whats going on in the world of football. They just seem to switch off football for a month before coming back and trying then. I bet if xavi or iniesta was put up for sale for a cut price and publically wanted to join us we would miss out cos we would be on our bloody holidays and be unaware of the situation.
I hope all this ronaldo crap and the bringing in of new players is sorted out quick this year cos its really annoying tbh.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:21
@Craig Mc: if thats true, I might join in with andy when he gets his first goal! Seriously, if we get the mega-bucks, ribery, benzema, de rossi, iniesta, they can all come, in a single transfer window!
May 31st, 2009 at 17:24
@Craig Mc: You have been at OT a lot more than me mate, would you say that Giggs has always been a good passer of the ball. Im the same age as Giggs and was attending the United centre of excellence here in Belfast whenever Giggs first broke into the team and if my memory serves me right my father discussed his lack of end product with the United scout even back then, and its an area were he was always criticised.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:24
@Craig Mc: Yes she is but because she has such a great respect for the Grognard as well as her appreciation for Craig’s unrequited love and loyalty, she has agreed to do whatever it takes to assure that I am a big success at OT. If that means pleasing Eddy’s coach so that Eddy comes to us on the cheap, well, she’s a real trooper and willing to take one for the team and the Grog as well. My kind of girl.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:25
@Craig Mc: are you sure, cant see anything on the web…
May 31st, 2009 at 17:28
@Craig Mc: Where did you hear this rumour mate, im really hoping that the part bout the arabs taking over is true. It really sickens me when i hear a new arab guy takes over a second rate team and will throw massive amounts of money at them. It annoys me when i hear city are the richest team in the world yet we are saddled with massive debt, thats not right is it.
Its not so much having the money to spend but it would completely put our mind at rest to know the debt is gone. I truly fear when fergie steps down and if we had a barren few years we would be in the shits and thats the truth. Knowing the debt was gone would be a bloody relief if im honest, plus the promise of a bit more to spend is an added bonus.
Were the best team in the world, so lets be the richest, step aside city cos our owners are richer than yours lol.
Seriously i hope this does come true, but i cant see the glazers selling yet, not unless they were offered close to a billion i reckon.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:30
@Fred The Red: Christ Fred, I brought that up so many times last year, I can’t even remember how many times it was. I am all for that kind of experiment and I’ll tell you why. He’s got talent, he can pass with the best of them, has vision, imagination and graft. He has grit and determination and he’s above all a hard working no nonsense leader. His only drawback is his temper which can occasionally make him do incredibly stupid things that bring on yellow and red cards. But Keano was like that too. Another factor is he is a good goal scorer who can hit them from long range and is good entering the box late. These are traits of a good midfielder. And lets not forget his ability to track back. To tell you the truth, I would prefer him as an attacking midfielder over a winger or even a striker. I am actually shocked Fergie has not tried him there. I mean the Gaffer is a tinkerer. He even tried Alan Smith at CDM so this one seems like a no brainer. It would also free a space up front for a new striker like Huntelaar or Benzema and allow more playing time for Welbeck and Macheda too. I mean really, can you imagine a central midfield of either Hargreaves and Rooney or Rooney and Carrick? I think it would be awesome, but with some risk.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:31
@Dan: Hey, no girl on my staff takes drugs.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:32
@Craig Mc: OK, I want sources for this because it sounds like fantasy fiction Bro. Sources please.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:35
@Grognard: If I get the managers job then thats where we will play Rooney, you can be my no 2, and Craig can be a host on MUTV with the lovely Hailey Mcqeen.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:37
@Matt: I think Ancelotti is a stubborn mule who only likes veteran players and a team full of veterans has a very short shelf life. He’s also a cold guy and a hard man. I don’t think he will be as well liked as Hiddink and is more like Scolari. And as he is a stubborn old school Italian, I seriously doubt he will bother to learn English. This will not sit well with the Lampards, Cole’s and Terry’s of the world. Ancelotti does not scare me long term. I’m more afraid of Liverpool buying a couple of players that upgrade them in their obvious wek areas of wing and a replacement for Alonso. If they can get a second striker like a Tevez to compliment Torres, then I fear them a lot more than Chelsea. Only if Hiddink were there, would I fear Chelsea because for me Hiddink is a true genius and motivator.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:40
@Matt: I’ve been complaining for two years about Fergie and Gill after the season ends. It’s like the lights go out in the OT offices and the all utilities are cut off and everyone goes on holidays to some deserted island with no power or communication devices. It’s like they live in the 60’s. It’s time to wake up and realize that the modern game does not wait for Man Utd to get their asses in gear. Very frustrating and highly infuriating as a fan.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:41
@Dan: I mean I am reading 250 million transfer kitty for Mark Hughes. Seriously, it’s probably bullshit but when you think ours is around 30 million, I am almost embarrassed as to how bad things have become.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:43
@Grognard: A very BIG risk, Rooney can’t tackle to save his feckin life! When he does win the ball, inevitably a yellow or red card pursues
. Roon’s qualities are up front, where in the right position, he can make mincemeat of the opposition defence.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:44
@Fred The Red: Ah Fred, perhaps you never got the memo but I was named manager yesterday. I’d be happy to make you General manager as Darth Red Diablo has been sacked already from that position due to his attempt at anarchy and mutiny. I am also in search for a new manager for the academy and reserves due to Dan’s sudden sacking due to the same offenses.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:46
@Craig Mc: I disagree. He is a good tackler when his emotions are in check. Obviously he is not when he loses his temper and of course that is the big risk. But he has all the other skills to succeed there. Next to Hargreaves, he won’t be asked to do so much defensively and so the tackling issue wouldn’t be a great. Remember, Grognard’s are never wrong.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:47
@Grognard: i agree, if we had that sort of money we would be unstoppable, we didnt have to be finding cheaper, half-rate player like valencia, we could sign the likes of ribery for whatever they wanted.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:47
@Craig Mc: how good are Xavi and Iniesta at tackling mate, Rooney would be in there for his offensive qualities, the holding player, ala Hargreves would be the tackler.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:48
@Matt: I heard the rumours from friends down the pub, who have friends in Saudi, who say talk of it is doing the rounds there. That’s all I know though. If it does turn out to be more than a rumour, I can’t imagine SAF taking it well, can you Bro?
May 31st, 2009 at 17:49
I agree Grognard. This 4-3-3/4-5-1 we play is used by Fergie not because 4-4-2 is the wrong formation but because we do not have the personnel to play it effectively. Our problem in the past was we played it 4-2-4 so even with Scholes and Keane in the centre we got ripped apart. Now the problem is that our central midfield is weak so a team with a good midfield like Chelsea, Milan circa 2007 and Barcelona can bulldoze it.
The real problem is accomodating Ronaldo. Play him as a winger and you have to go with 4-2-4 which is a bit kamikaze for Europe. Play him as a striker and you get the boring style we played this season, which only really worked against Arsenal.
When Ronaldo eventually leaves Id like to see a flat 4-4-2 with wingers who are good offensively and defensively and a defensive midielder like Hargreaves and pair him with a creative midfielder. Carrick for me doesn’t fit the bill. He has the skill-set but has been playing too deep for too long and I don’t think he has the confidence to get forward and is a bit slow which makes it difficult for him to get back. In this 4-4-2 Rooney would be played in the hole and hopefully Welbeck or Macheda would graduate to play the main striker.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:49
@Fred The Red: Isn’t that what I just said in my post comment Fred? I swear I did say that
.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:50
@Grognard: Im sorry mate, the arabs that Craig was talking about have been in contact and they are moving you upstairs and making me manager.
May 31st, 2009 at 17:53
@Craig Mc: what post comment mate, youve lost me chum
May 31st, 2009 at 17:54
@Craig Mc: Problem is if the rumour is true and they are wanting to move fergie away from the management hot seat it sounds a bit to me like they will be wearing the trousers here, which seems the complete opposite to the glazers.
Fair play to them they came in and stayed in the background, you have to wonder if these arabs are planning to move fergie away what else will they demand, will they be telling us who to buy and picking our team sheets.
If thats the kind of people they are fergie would walk instead of being pushed. Hes said many times in the past the second hes told what to do by an owner he walks, he dont take orders from nobody thats for sure.
May 31st, 2009 at 18:00
@Grognard: That will NEVER EVER HAPPEN, so get it out of your head BIG TIME, and employ a REAL escort to play dirty for you. Kimba will NOT play your filthy games Grog, no matter what
. Honestly, if that is what you have to do anyway, to become a big shot Manager, I don’t think much of your methods 
. If you have to reach your aims by the way of filth, then I vote Fred the Red, or Dan the man, who believe they have all it takes to reach the top and get great players without resorting to TRYING to corrupt and sell morally decent lasses 
. Your IN Fred and Dan. Applications on a postcard please. I am financing this GIG, and I don’t need to corrupt the innocent to do it 
.
May 31st, 2009 at 18:00
What do you call a scouse in a 3 bedroom semi ??
A burglar.
Made me laugh…
May 31st, 2009 at 18:03
@Matt: I agree, but these guys come in, remove massive debts, costing them an arm and a leg, and they bring their own choice of staff with them. Look what happened at Man Pity
. We will have to wait and see if it is just RUMOUR Bro.
May 31st, 2009 at 18:06
@Fred The Red: The one about the Roon, and where he should play
. To get the exact post of yours that I am answering Fred, press onto your name in red letters in my answer, and it will bring you to the post of yours being answered 
.
May 31st, 2009 at 18:07
@Craig Mc: I wish we had been bought by Saudis rather than Citeh. They’ve got no limit on transfer funds, but nobody wants to go there. The team we could build given their money would be frightening.
On yeah, and Gudjohnsen is the new Solskjaer.
May 31st, 2009 at 18:07
@Fred The Red:
.
May 31st, 2009 at 18:09
@Craig Mc: Ah, you learn something new each day mate, cheers.
May 31st, 2009 at 18:10
@Traverse: I know. But in the end, money will talk, even for Man Pity. They reckon they will finish higher than us in the PL next season, with all the players they have coming in this summer
. Thing is though Trav, it could happen if we don’t get another prolific striker, sort out left side of the field, and get a MF general besides Hargo – sad but maybe true mate.
May 31st, 2009 at 18:11
@Fred The Red:
, the penny dropped at last eh Fred? 
.
May 31st, 2009 at 18:28
@Craig Mc: whats your answer to the question that I posed you in post 296 about Giggsys passing.
May 31st, 2009 at 19:03
@Fred The Red: My computer is playing up Fred, I can’t find you question about Giggsy! Please repeat it for me Bro. I personally think Giggsy is shite personified at passing the ball. Surely you know I call him ‘give the ball away Giggsy?’,
.
May 31st, 2009 at 19:04
At one time, we were the richest team until those glazers came along and burdened the club with insane amounts of debt. Despite having a great season last year, united still made a loss due to massive interest payments. I also hope some arab company or billionare buys off the glazers, until then I am afraid we will not be a real force in the transfer market anymore.
Plus england has introduced 50% top tax rate for the wealthy from next year.Therefore, all the english sides can struggle to lure foreign players to the premiership.
May 31st, 2009 at 19:23
Just droppin and reading a bit…
I echo most, if not all of Fred the Red’s musings.. Free Rooney!
May 31st, 2009 at 19:39
@Craig Mc: You have been at OT a lot more than me mate, would you say that Giggs has always been a good passer of the ball. Im the same age as Giggs and was attending the United centre of excellence here in Belfast whenever Giggs first broke into the team and if my memory serves me right my father discussed his lack of end product with the United scout even back then, and its an area were he was always criticised.
May 31st, 2009 at 19:52
Huntelaar just got a red card
yes do worse klaas 
May 31st, 2009 at 19:57
@Craig Mc: NEVER GONNA HAPPEN, two things will tell Fergie to move on, health and himself.
@Grognard: What do you think of Edin Dzeko(don’t think I spelt it right), he seems to be doing a decent job for Wolfsburg,
May 31st, 2009 at 21:11
Intersting stuff
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/5401914/Karim-Benzema-could-lift-Manchester-United-to-next-level.html
May 31st, 2009 at 21:57
Benzema to me is like ronaldo, you know he wont stay in united if he joined, he will say some spanish club is his dream.
May 31st, 2009 at 22:34
@Fred The Red: Fred I have never thought Giggsy is a good passer of the ball. On the contrary he has always given the ball away too cheaply. I remember telling you all on this board some time ago, that several seasons ago, I was remonstrating with my mates (all Giggsy fans) about the play always breaking down with Giggsy or Nicky Butt. They were flabbergasted, and said NEVER Craig. I said, okay lets have a bit of a wager then eh. We will watch say a run of 12 games, and in each game see where the play always breaks down, because the player every time gives the ball away, or looses the ball. They were all quick to put their money on the table, confident I was wrong, and they were going to fleece me. So we watched the next 12 United games, and sure enough Giggsy and Nicky Butt gave the ball away 10 times the amount of the other United players, all down to sloppy, wasteful passes going astray. I made a killing after that 12th game
, my mates couldn’t believe it, but they had to admit that I was right 
.