Apr 22
Portsmouth Preview
Yesterday was a mad game. Sky Sports pundits love to call it a classic; most pundits love to trot that out when they see a rare occurrence of a high scoring game. I thought it was a rubbish game because of some appalling defending. And mainly from Arsenal who made back pass after misjudged back pass to tease Liverpool into scoring goals. The Chelsea-Liverpool tie over two legs was a better contest, despite poor defending. But what do we care? It was a draw, a good result (although an Arsenal win would have been better) and we have something today that could make yesterday’s result count.
It’s Pompey who have problems of their own. But abject as teams might appear, they suddenly seem to run around like energizer bunnies when they face us. Either that or we have been generally shite going forward. It doesn’t take the Scotland Yard to work out which. I’ll leave that you.
In team news, Rooney, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher and EVDS would surely return to the starting XI having played no part in the weekend defeat. I can’t really predict the starting line up, but Fletcher and Carrick should pair up in the middle, with Ronaldo and A. N. Other on the wings, while Berbatov and Rooney will resume their partnership upfront. The back four would be Evra, Vidic, Rio and O’Shea. (I don’t have any updates on Brown, and Rafael had a long day out at Wembley.)
Tevez would once again warm the bench with his mate, Park, and so will Welbeck and Macheda.
There, I’ve done the preview. This is a very short one because I have to run. My prediction for this one: 2-0 to United.
Come on you reds!
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Portsmouth: Preview
- Some NOTW Nonsense + Community Shield Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Manchester United vs Portsmouth: Preview
- Man Utd v Portsmouth: FA Cup Preview
Tags: Game Preview
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:48
I predict a United win but I hope that we can also improve our goal difference tonight, not only to help ourselves but to further demoralize the teams in 2nd and 3rd.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:22
Hopefully the opportunity to extend our lead to 3 pts with a game in handd will inject the hunger and urgency into our approach that’s been missing lately. But Fergie may well be overconcerned about conceding instead of going for the jugular which the occasion screams for be cautious again. So, I predict a 2-1 or 2-0, but its not implausable pompey securing a 1-1 since they hav been on a decent run of form lately.
As for the Arsenal game, the only thing that continues to impress me is Arshavins technique striking the ball. Absolutely gorgeous; his 2nd and 4th combined placement and pace to damn near perfection. Hopefully he doesn’t display that sort of form when Arsenal play us later this season
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:41
We have to win this one after yesterday’s thriller.That game gave the part of Aesene that Fergie lacks;ATTACK,ATTACK.
If we had had the absentees arsenal had yesterday,it would have been declared a desarster and We would have opted for a defensive game and we would have been taken to the slaughterhouse at Anfield.Not Arsene.He chose to play Arshavin on the left,the same wing with Gibbs and they were very effective yet neither Nasri nor Arshavin are good at tracking back.I will get to the point;
Arshavin was lost in the first half apart from his goal,but you always need a player with a goal in him.Why the fuck dont we play Nani and opt for park due to defensive ability?It is not as if Arsenals goals conceded came out of wingers and strikers not tracking back,rather the inability to effectively clear balls from the danger areas.The best way of defence is attack.Not us.We sit comfortably back after scoring one goal and look surprised if the opposition equalise.
When was the last time we counted on our strikers to win us a game?You look at Torres,Adebayor and Drogba for the top four and they can be counted on,Who can we count on at United?Berbatov has got alot of criticism,but when you look at the stats of our strikers,you wonder if it is not the system that is failing no wonder we do not produce strikers fom our academy(not yet).Look at our celebrated Rooney who has been at a club for so many years at a top club but cant compete for the golden boot.For him its attitude.I read his interview saying how he likes to track back and help the team,and while nost fans are content with that,i thought it was poor attitude for a striker to have.I would put it back to him;How does it feel soring goals?that is the only wqay a striker helps the team and tracking back is just a bonus.
Even before Berbatov came,it is not as if we relied on our strikers.Actually,some people called it the trinity but when you look at the stats individually.we were more or less riding on Ronaldos back.
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:14
the game was great to watch , arsenal played like shit so did liverpool so they canceled each other out , only arshavin played well , he had 4 chances at goal and he scored them all the rest is history
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:36
Thank You RR for the deluge in posts, can just about keep up!!
Tonight we need to capitalise on the scouse dropping 2 points, hopefully addressing the goal difference. I dont expect 4 goals unfortunately, 2-0 would be alright though. If Carrick and Fletcher play could one please look after defensive duties and the other move up the pitch please! maybe even over the half way line, you know in an Attacking sort of way! Please, lets shock people and attack through the middle for once. Take turns lads, whatever, just dont sit back. I’m looking at you Michael Carrick, enough verbal bollox from you thanks very much, about time you let your perfomance do the talking. I dont care if Pompey are on a good run, we are Champions, lets see a performance worthy of champions, Is that too much to ask?
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:52
I have a feeling Carrick and Giggs will play in the middle. Fletcher is coming back from injury so Id imagine he’d just be given a substitute appearance. No doubt Berbatov and Rooney will be playing up front. As Ferguson obviously hates Nani I imagine Park will be playing. I mean who else is there unless we play Rooney or Giggs on the wing?
This game should be a walk in the park. I cannot see us conceding because our defence looks like it is getting back to its best. And a fresh, well rested Ronaldo and Rooney are worth at least a goal.
But true to form I am predicting a boring 1-0 win with a solitary goal from Cristiano.
It is a shame because if we have a chance of beating Arsenal we have to learn to attack again. If we sit back and defend, Arsenal have enough skillful players to unlock our (still shaky) defence.
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:32
The BBC Man UTD site reports that Rooney will have a late fitness test for an ankle injury, Carrick extremely doubtful and Fletch may be benched as he’s returning from injury.
April 22nd, 2009 at 13:01
RR i think brown played in the reserves last match for the senior cup which they won 4-0. Got a run for 60 min or so u neva knw fergie jst mite give him the bench n our midfield well less said the better
April 22nd, 2009 at 13:52
Apparently, we have a new sponsor
http://www.sportsprodailydeal.com/deals/_a/boost_for_manchester_united_as_club_secures_new_sponsors/?utm_source=Feeds&utm_campaign=Latest+Deals&utm_medium=rss
April 22nd, 2009 at 14:24
I doubt if park would play because he played the other night. But since Pompey are exxpected to park the bus at OT I guess having Nani in the side would be good. Another reason for expecting him to be playing today is that he wasnt even on the bench at Wembley.
April 22nd, 2009 at 14:27
@Sparx: Didnt Fergie rubbish the “rumours” that Rooney wasnt fit? But if Carrick and Fletch are both doubtful then I guess we will have to play Scholes and Anderson in the middle. But I doubt if that will happen. Carrick should start.
April 22nd, 2009 at 14:47
In his typical style, Hristo Stoichkov has expressed his support for Berbatov in an open letter to Bulgarian daily “Trud”. Here’s a translation of the text.
“Mitko (this is a typical diminutive of “Dimitar” in Bulgaria), at present you are much criticized, but trust me – soon they’ll be praising you again! That’s the way it is in big football. Whatever is happening now, keep your head high and don’t forget even for a moment that you are extremely talented and the most expensive Manchester United player.
The newspapers should not affect you. They are for the fans. If I had let them affect me either I would have thrown myself from a roof with elation or they would have found me hanged somewhere in sorrow. You have an elegant style but the English want you to fight as well. Okay – go into a fight! Draw blood! Play hard, don’t be afraid of cards. Show them that we Bulgarians are fighters too. This way it will be easier and sooner that you score that goal for the history books after which the current critiques will be buried deep. And when you speak in the dressing room, everybody will keep quiet. A Bulgarian – leader of a great team! You’ll like it, you’ll see.
Forget the world’s stories. Get rid of the fickle ones who were exalting you until recently but now are the first to write against you in large font. Enviers are many but they are weak and pitiful. Bravely kick their asses and keep walking!”
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:01
@UnitedUnited: Errrr don’t bet on it mate, Nani is the LEPER of Fergie’s OT LEPER COLONY.
. Nani like Tev probably can’t wait to exit OT in the summer.
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:04
@Sparx: Well, play the KIDS again Sparx, they seem to be the IN thing at the moment.
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:08
@phoenix red: Phoenix, refresh my memory Bro, have we played a game this season where we LOOKED like champions
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:28
Hope we actually go for the win tonight and dont continue to play our defensive tactics. You know watching the game yesterday between arsenal and liverpool i noticed the tactics that arsenal played. There was no fear, yes they had injuries but they didnt care, they went at them and scored 4 goals. Now yes i know both defences were pretty shocking but come on, arsenal especially must be commended for their bravery going forward despite their terrible defence. I cant help but feel if that was us, without say edwin, vidic and a few strikers we would have just sat back all game hoping to come back with a draw. Our tactics this year have seemed to feel this way, we score and then we feel the games won so we relax and dont chase another. How our football has come to this in 1 season i dont know. I remember last year when arsenal as normal were getting all the plaudits for their lovely football last year, alot of fans, not just our own, were coming out and saying how well we were playing, playing better than arsenal according to some. How true that is, some of our play last year was just beautiful to watch, the way the front 3 would just change their positions and would just kill the defenders. So i ask whats the difference from last year. And no, for me its not the inclusion of a certain bulgarian that has done this, no its the dire defensive tatcis that are responsible for it. Park seems to be a fixture this year, and yes his workrate is impressive but is that enough. Is he capable of turning a game, no. Can he produce a moment of magic, no. Can he score or create for others, no and his stats of 2 goals and 2 assists in 30 plus games prove this. Nani is irritating and inconsistent but hes the more attacking option and no1 can deny this. At this club shouldnt the player who contributes more goals and assists start over the player with the better work rate. At stoke or most prem teams maybe not, but here players like park should never start the majority of games in a million years. The same goes with the centre midfield position. Isnt a midfield of carrick and fletcher a bit too defensive. Who is the attacking player out of those 2. Anderson hasnt scored yet but he comes forward and his link up play between the midfield and the strikers is excellent at times. Is it any coincidence as soon as ando comes back into the team our midfield seems to step up. I dont think so, anderson should be starting games over a fletcher type player, who while yes is a good player, is not 1st team material much like park and oshea. So why the hell do they find themselves as 1st teamers this year, and please no1 say oshea isnt a 1st teamer cos he is this year because only nev and rafael are rivals for the RB position this year and i cant see rafael beig chosen over oshea at this time of the season imo.
Tonight will go a long way showing just what kind of team we are. If we play the parks and osheas of this world over say a nani or rafael, for me it signals a new style of football, a more conservative one, and this may be the way we play from now on. Sorry to say but i think ferguson has lost his confidence and conservative football may be the future for this club now.
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:29
Craig Mc Not many. Chelsea at OT comes close, but apart from that it has been a pretty uninspired season.
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:32
@Craig Mc: Aston Villa Match! Comeback of champions.
Sunderland match at OT! RESOLVE OF CHAMPIONS!
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:38
@Craig Mc: Blackburn Away?
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:48
@donibrasco: Much was made of both tevez and rooneys goal production last year, but it is obvious to me now that there workrate and selflessness allowed ronaldo to have the season they had. They are called the holy trinity because of the sum of the parts(80+ goals out of 3 players is pretty good to me. )
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:52
We could put up a small gap between us and liverpool if we win this game. A small breathing space would be nice! come on united! I want a sensible attacking play! I expect a win!
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:53
Not sure if it’s true or not, but it’s being reported that tevez has voiced his displeasure to the press about his first team opportunites. Wether it’s true or not it’s pretty clear that he is for the off this summer.
I know some of you couldn’t care less if he leaves, but mark my words. By the end of next season your gonna be asking why he couldn’t score like that for us and why did we sacrifice him for berba. It’s like the old saying “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone”.
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:53
I haven’t posted here for a while, does Grog still post here? He makes conversations more interesting and nice.
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:53
@Craig Mc: There’s not that many times Bro, but the rest have been inconsistant too, so for a transition year, we’re not doing too bad. Albeit without the swagger we had last season, but i still think we’ll win the league, not confident about Europe though. Thank fuck for our defence, or we wouldn’t be in the running at all!
April 22nd, 2009 at 15:55
By the way do any of you lads in the States know if the Pompey match is on ESPN?
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:00
phoenix red ESPN don’t show EPL matches. FSC and Setanta do. FSC is not showing this match, I don’t know about Setanta.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:02
@Johnsom33: Looks like Teves will be departing
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:03
@zhoro: Thanks Bro
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:07
@phoenix red: Phoenix I hear ya Bro. But Arshavin can’t play in the CL though can he, because didn’t he play for his Russian team. That will help
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:09
Sorry boys do I have the Premiership table upside are we bottom or top?
Fuck me we could win four trophies this season.
I was brought up supporting us when we had not won the league for 26 years and yes I want to see free flowing football every week we all do, but our football this season has been as awful as some people make out, I am not making myself out to be the afishanado on all things United also I am not having a pop at anyone here, and eveyones opinion is intersting and as a fan they have a voice, but being brought up in Manchester when Liverpool were dominating the league was pretty gauling.
Yes we all want to win in style but equaling Liverpools 18 league tiitles this season a few years ago was only a dream and this it could turn into a reality, and to Fergie I will always be greatful, and I will be there tonight singing my lungs out for my team.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:10
@zhoro: Oh yeah Bro, I forgot about the Chelsea game, as it seems SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long ago
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:12
@Darth Red Diablo: Diablo mate, Villa were very unlucky in that game, they didn’t deserve to lose on level of play, but glad they did
. Who could forget Kiko’s winning goals 
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:16
@Matt: Arsenal didn’t play with fear and caution mate because they are not in the hunt for the PL title. And please don’t call Lil man Nani irritating – he is suffering from Leprosy mate, the Fergie leper. So leave the lad alone, cos I know where you live if you don’t – so be afraid, be very afraid
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:17
It has not been a good season in terms of our flowing attacking football, we always seem to be on the brink of hitting top form only to stall at the last moment. It’s been very frustrating, but like Stephen says, we are top of the league (well, second on goal difference) and in with a chance of winning 4 trophies this season (not including the Community Shield).
I think instead of getting on the teams back about the quality of the football the fans should try to encourage them over the finish line. These last few weeks are going to be very tough, that much we know, but I have faith that United will do it.
As for this evening’s game, like RR mentioned, whenever we meet a team in dire form they seem to rekindle their spirit and fight and proceed to make our lives hell, unlike when they roll over and allow Liverpool to tickle their bellies! But fuck it, life’s unfair, we just gotta force our way through it and win these last 5 games and get that draw to win the league.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:21
@Stephen: I hope you weren’t at Wembley singing your heart out for the team Bro, you would have had to fill your tank with every kind of liquor on the Wembley menu to help you carry all that depression home
. I wished we had just given Everton a goal in the ninety minutes, as all these 2 hour can’t get the job done sagas are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO fucking boring 
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:23
@Craig Mc: No mate I was flying back from a booze fuelled stag do, which I have no where near recovered from
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:24
@Nick: Pompey’s form has been good rather than dire their last few games Nick, so they have found a bit of form and confidence. They are already bragging that they are going to send our title aspirations towards Merseyside in the game tonight
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:26
@Stephen: Hahahahaha – so you didn’t know the score then, as you were out of it on the stag do. Was it your stag do mate? Did you have to hasten the wedding day under pressure
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:28
@Stephen: Well Said Stephen, I know exactly how you feel, i commented awhile ago about these Glory Years, Fact is as United fans we’ve been spoilt with success and style under Fergie. The bar has been well and truly raised since he took over, expectations are very high every season and why shouldn’t they be. It will taste soooo good this year with the scouse being the “nearly” team,as long as we keep our head and nip it ahead of them, i’ll be telling any Liverpool fans to check out the table and “Read it and weep You Scouse Bastards” And all this without getting into fourth gear!!!
Enjoy yourself Tonight Bro, “keep the Red Flag flying high”
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:30
@Craig Mc: Im a big fan of nani, he really is an excellent player and i know you like him alot, but come on mate even you have to say some of his decision making can annoy you. But as for him playing, if i was manager he would be first team week in week out. I just cannot see how anyone can say park offers more to the team cos he obviously does not. Nani for many this year has been terrible yet he has scored 6 goals this year and must have a few assists. What the hell has park done. 2 goals and maybe 2/3 assists in what 30 plus games. Please no1 mention his work rate cos last time i looked this club was made up of talented players, not average ones who only get selected because they have a good work rate. FFS give me £50k a week and i will bloody well run 100 miles every game. The work rate argument does not wash with me, and i thought as fans of a club that has produced some damn fine wingers down the years this would be obvious, but i guess not. Thank god for people like me and craig and btw craig i wasnt dissing nani in my earlier post. I generally like the guy and would be severly pissed if fergie sold him this year. If only nani had got half the games park has played this year, he would be a world star by now.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:30
@Craig Mc: Not yet bro, easy tiger
No it was a joint one for two of my matey in er Hungary, heavy to say the least, I knew the score until halftime them only when I landed i heard the outcome 
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:33
@phoenix red: Ha Ha I know matey, my hatred for that club is immense, and to see pancake Lee and the FSW weap at the end of the season will make me the happiest man alive, don’t tell my bride to be I said that!
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:35
REPLY to GROGNARD from LAST thread:
My theory? 2 very basic and simple theories actually, 1, in recent history ALL, not 1 or 2 different, but ALL dutch strikers to move to the premier league have been pants at best.
Kezman, kuyt, alvez, all shit, alvez scored 7 goals in a single game once, he would be lucky to get a goal in 17 right now!
Then there is my 2nd theory, where diego forlan is key in this, played for united, sucked, playing for villareal right now, and is worth a lot more then we sold him for right now.
The best team in that league has one of the worst defences for a big team in the world to be honest, that league is not about defending at all, which to me, makes it a poor league in general.
These 2 very basic theories is what i use to judge huntelaar, hes dutch, in recent history, the dutch strikers have been premier league flops. He plays in a league when another premier league flop(that played for united of all teams) is banging in the goals.
£7million is as high as i would go for huntelaar and thats pushing it to be honest.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:39
We’re at home, our key players are rested, we’re against a struggling pompey, this is a match we really should be winning, but pompey are a on/off bogey team for us, hopefully they wont turn up!
I hope fabios injury isnt bad, because to be honest, i would rather him starting over from now on, or until evra gets his act sorted.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:40
@Dan: Forlan plays for Atlético Madrid matey.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:41
@Matt: Thanks Bro! What I don’t get, is that last season Nani made so many goals with assists, and I swear until the cows come home, that he is still the only player we have who can get a meaningul cross into the box, and find a United player. His decision making was ok last season. Our football was miles better last season, and I don’t understand what the problem was with it, that we had to regress to plodding along pedestrian type football this season. We still have the same players who really excited us last year, so what happened. I do put a lot of the blame on Fergie, and I can NEVER go along with his square peg in round holes philosophy. Nobody in football understands why United have become so boring this year, and I have to admit, that the old excuse that everyone is in the ABU camp and hating us is the reason for their assessment of us as bores. We have to agree with them that on the whole we have been pretty boring this year, or not so pretty should I say
. Same players who did so well last season, but why we slipped then into SNORE football?
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:43
@Stephen: Hahahahaha – sober up mate, and quick before your GF starts complaining. Your performances may be as bad as United’s with all that booze
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:44
@Craig Mc: Don’t call her that anymore bro she will kill you, and she knows where you live
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:49
@Stephen: Oh right, I feel justly reprimanded Bro – I should address her as your FIANCE now!
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:50
@Stephen: eih, after the hot day ive had in london, im to lazy to remember
. Fuck its hot! Where do you live?
April 22nd, 2009 at 16:53
@Dan: I been ogaling at woman all day mate, I work in Manchester but live just outside.
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:02
@Craig Mc:
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:29
@Stephen: Is it hot up there to?
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:32
@Craig Mc: Vs Chelsea at home 3-0 And that would be it.
It’s important to remember that at the time Chelsea was a team in turmoil and a royal mess.
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:32
@Dan: Quite, bit cloudy but anything other than rain here is like the Sahara!
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:34
@john freakin’ o’shea: Still around mate, even if some would wish for the opposite.
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:36
@Craig Mc: Arshavin is cup tied for the CL. He played with Zenit in the early rounds. Even if they got knocked out, he still played with them.
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:44
@Stephen: So are you saying that winning at all costs is the thing and that it is not about the game or quality of the game but a political and regional bias against another city and team that should be our only driving and unifying force? Sorry mate, I don’t play that. Liverpool is nice to beat but I do not live for the result only. I watch football because it is billed as the beautiful game.
The more I watch the more I am coming around to calling it the ugly and retarded game. Coaches and managers devising systems and tactics to neutralize their opponents while numbing the paying public into a coma from sheer boredom. Life is too short and I for one am to proud and have too much spirit to get inline with the rest of zombies and follow a bunch of technical snake oil salesmen destroy the game I love.
I for one will continue the fight for beautiful football. And it’s starts with my team. I demand it of Manchester United. They are my team because of a historical preference for entertaining football and winning with that mind set. I love winning trophies but I’ll be damned if I follow Fergie’s lead and sell my soul to Satan so that I can bore the League and Europe into a couple of more trophies. The best thing that can happen to football this season is for Barcelona to hoist the European Cup high and show everyone that you can win the whole thing by playing the game the way it is supposed to be played. Sad thing is I used to expect United to be the team to do that. Now they are the exact opposite. Sad sad times.
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:52
@Grognard: We all want this fast flowing attacking football, sorry my rezentment and dislike towards Liverpool compels we to want to win this league. I am a United fan first anf foremost, and I want them to win. It is a paradox I suppose that I want to win it in style but that is my sole will at the moment as a fan.
I am not being argumentative mate, but you love the Germans who are not exactly known for their fast flowing footballing past, they are win at all costs also you have said Mourinho should be at least a stop gap manager of our side, who football is also turgid.
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:55
@Dan: Sorry mate, the Kezman, Kuyt, Alvez argument has been used to death and I have countered it with my own too many times to mention. I’m not going to bother. No, instead I let the facts speak for themselves. Spain are European Champions and Barcelona are now the best club in Europe. The Spanish League is still highly competitive and upsets happen all the time. It’s style is different than England’s but it’s quality is equal. Huntelaar has been a success at Real once he was inserted into the starting lineup and he has proven without a shadow of a doubt that he belongs and that he is the real deal. So take your theories and make pudding with them mate. They don’t wash with me. I was right about Huntelaar and I am right a bout Arshavin too. And that reality is too sweet to let anyone poison it for me.
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:57
@Craig Mc: ABU can kiss my royal ass. I’m with you all the way mate.
April 22nd, 2009 at 17:58
@Craig Mc: Thing i dont understand is why we havent given nani a shot at the same time berbatov is playing. Ok i know people say berba is never in the box but maybe if he was getting some good service in and around that area he would stay in the box more. For me nani is nothing like ronaldo. I say this because for me nani has something different to ronaldo and thats his crossing ability. I personally think he must be 1 of the best crossers in the country so why were not playing alone just for his crossing threat i dont know. Berbatov is foot plus so surely if we had a man who could cross like nani we could be getting another couple of goals a season. God i really hope nani gets a game tonight along with anderson. Why so many people always slate them when its clear they are just what our midfield could do with right now is just beyond me. Sorry to say but i reckon nani will be sold this summer and although im not as big a fan as you craig i do like him and would be pissed to see him go. Why fergie cant see nanis undoubted class i dont know. Maybe since phelan came in and the mangement is prudomenently british they prefer british style players like park, with no skills and an easy for the team attitude. I dont know but i just wish they stopped playing park and gave nani a run of games.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:06
@Matt: What Anderson, what has he done this season, has he been better than Giggs, Carrick, Fletch?
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:06
@Stephen: I don’t think you have been watching too much German football of late have you mate? German football is very fast these days. In fact it’s lightning fast at times. The old plodding way the Germans played is a thing of the past. And by the way, the German football I really fell in love with was the kind the German clubs and national team played in the 70’s. It was not plodding but it was controlled. Above all, it was attack oriented and had great movement off the ball. “Total Football”. Nothing beats it.
As for United, sure I am still die hard and a true fan but unlike so many who tolerate and accept anything like trained sheep, I was blessed with a mind and the ability to question and differentiate between quality and crap. And despite our position in the two remaining competitions, we are playing like crap and we are promoting the worst kind of football imaginable. It’s shameful and I for one am embarrassed. It’s not what I signed up for when I became a United fan. And I signed up when they were losers, so it was never all about winning at all costs. Busby and Ferguson won with style. Well at least the Fergie I once felt I knew. Not this senile old bugger who is in charge now who cares about only one thing, winning anyway possible to make his legacy in Europe more palatable. Nothing bugs him more than the fact we have only won two European Cups under him. He thinks that makes him second to Paisley and he will sell our team’s soul to Satan to remedy the situation. I don’t prescribe to it.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:22
So after all my negativity towards the team and Fergie the past few days I gues I should offer my prediction for today. How about 4-0 United. Yes you read it correctly. Frankly,, they are due a high scoring game and I think they will barnstorm Pompey into submission. They have been given a reprieve by Liverpool and their motivation should be very high as well as the main core of players are better rested. I think that goal difference is something they will try to address today because the last thing we would ever want is to end up tied with the Scousers and lose on goal difference. So a home game against a useless and Harryless side should be just what the doctor ordered. And to spite us all, Berbatov will score a brace today.
OK maybe I’m stretching it a bit there. I’ll just stick with 4-0.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:27
@Grognard: Grog, I believe Real M are now just 3 points behind Barcelona and in with a real shout for the Spanish title. When you consider where they were, and how they were playing BEFORE the Hunter arrived for them, well they were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many points behind. So maybe Barca are not as good as everyone thinks eh??? But Real only started doing well AFTER the Hunter came to them
. Huntelaar would have been United’s answer to Torres and the scousers.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:30
anyone know when united kick off
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:31
@Grognard: Grog get real will you mate. The way our forwards have been playing, a 1-0 win will be on course. Then again they could shock, but I doubt it. I will wait to see the teamsheet before saying further. Who knows, Fergie’s hairbrained team compositions of late, we may see the reserves again. Nothing will surprise me mate – NOTHING
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:32
@Stephen: Well stephen first off he hardly played for months because he was injured. As for the midfielders you mentioned i can say that he hasnt done any worse than any other midfielder you mentioned. Giggsy has been pretty good this year, definitely not been so good to be in the PFA player of the year but i think thats cos of a bit of sentimentality. As for carrick he has been very poor since xmas and while fletcher has improved this year he is still nothing more than a squad player. The thing with anderson is that he links the midfield and the strikers very well, better than any1 else you mentioned anyway. A carrick and fletcher combo is much too defensive. I know anderson doesnt score goals but he links up the midfield and the forwards much better than the fletcher carrick combo. So yes when i say ando should be starting i firmly believe he should.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:33
Grog, maybe he should play Nani, because his leper status will scare everyone of the opposition, they will avoid him like the plague everytime he rings his leper bell to let them know he is approaching
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:37
@Craig Mc: When we steamrollered Chelsea.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:37
@Grognard: Also important to realise that Nani played that day
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:41
@Stephen: Bro your FIANCE just saw your post about OGLING other girls, so would wear a crash helmet when you go home after the game tonight mate
.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:42
The papers over here are full of the story that Ronaldo will be allowed to leave for £85 million if Madrid match the price. With that money we are apparently going to use £70mil for Kaka (Acelloti is off to Chelsea, Milan aren’t challenging for shit), £15mil on Valencia (all ready signed and sealed) and finance the purchase of Ribery from our usual seasons budget and selling Nani.
To be honest, if it were possible, I’d bite someone’s hand off for it.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:45
@Traverse: See I was right wasn’t I when I said Ronnie and Nani are off to Spain in the summer. TOLD YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:53
@Grognard: 4-0?
when did you turn into a comedian? im ready for the nil nil draw. this team just hasnt showed any humger this year. We all want them to take advantage of the liverpool result, but lets just say I lack faith nowadys. Im usually drunk by half time because thats the only way I can calm my nerves and not be overcome with frustration.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:55
@Traverse: Which country are you in mate? Gotta say about that though that seriously if ronaldo was to leave that could be realistic. Even if ancelotti were to stay do you think milan would turn down that sort of moeny and kaka would say no. He almost agreed to go to city but as we all know they are just crap and he aint a money grabber like robinho so he didnt join them, i reckon he would join us in a second tho. Not sure how exactly he would fit in though, he sort of plays as a second striker or very attacking midfielder so unless we put hargreaves next to him i dont know where exactly he would fit in. He cant play on the wing in a front 3 can he, cos that could be a possibilty.
As for valencia it does sound like its a done deal, not too sure of the guy though if im honest. In all honesty is he any better than nani cos i dont think so.
And as for ribery it sounds like he will be going to barca. Maybe its just an unrealistic dream but it would be pretty damn good if all that happened. We would be the most complete team around, but i wouldnt believe it anyway.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:56
@Traverse: let me get this straight… ronnie and nani out. Kaka,valencia and ribery in?
If that did happen it would prove two things.
first, there is a God. second, He is a United fan.
April 22nd, 2009 at 18:59
Team news?
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:08
@Traverse: Who wouldn’t? We’ll probably end up with Valencia and Benzema though and bite ourselves in the ass.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:09
@Anders: benzema is not an option
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:10
@Matt: England. The Sun and the Daily Racism… sorry, Daily Mail both had the story. Stranger things have happened. If we become the first team to defend the champions leage, who’d bet agianst them coming? Ribery wants out, and it’d be a step up for Kaka too. Milan need the money to rebuild. If that’s what life after Ronaldo looks like, then bring it on.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:10
Heres the team people:
VDS
NEV VIDIC EVANS EVRA
FLETCH SCHOLES ANDO GIGGS
RONALDO ROONEY
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:14
@Traverse: Ah ok, yeah i read that. I thought you meant you lived in spain or some where so i was thinking if its gone to another country there may be some truth in it. Would be bloody good if it did happen. 2 world class players and a pretty good young one in exchange for a player i dont think wants to be here sounds pretty good anyway.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:14
[...] Manchester Untied v. Portsmouth Preview [...]
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:15
Team News:
VDS
NEVILLE EVANS VIDA EVRA
FETCH ANDO SCHOLES RONALDO
GIGGS ROONEY
Rio not even in squad.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:15
@Matt: Don’t like that team at all, wonder what system, if any, Fergie has designed tonight. Fletch on the right? or 3 in the middle? It’s another 1-0 with Ronaldo scoring all cooked up already.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:17
What in the holy fuck is this? Do we really just like to make these matches difficult? This is an awful line-up.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:19
@Grognard: I know your not a big fan of the champions league, so let me ask you your opnion on this. What if it turned back into a true champions league,where only league champions are allowed in. no group stage, just a seeded 32 team tournament. the side effect of this would be that it also makes the europa competition much more compelling thus increasing the tv revenue.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:20
Neville and Evans in defence? O deary, deary me. Have to assume Rio is hurt, which isn’t what I like to hear!
Hoping we’ll line up like this:
————-VDS————-
-Gary–Evans—Vida—Evra—
——-Fletch–Scholes——-
————Giggs————
–Ronaldo———–Anderson-
———–Rooney————
No idea what Fergie’s doing not starting Nani in that left attackign role. Ando played 120 minutes 3 days ago, and nani hasn’t played in forever. And it’s not like Ando’s going to get us a goal, basically that team is saying Rooney and Ronaldo – it’s all down to you.
I’ve said it before, we won’t win with all 3 geriatrics playing together. Hopefully I’m wrong today. Bad feeling after seeing that team sheet. Has Fergie lost it or is his hand forced by injury…?
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:26
why the fuck is neville playing? I would take a knackered raphael or him any day of the week. and what the fuck is wrong with Rio, its time for him to gut it out. His return really got vidic back to his best. I lacked hope before the team news, now my doubts have only strengthened.
I better strat drinking now…
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:36
@Anders: Yeah its a pretty awful looking team. For all that berbatov has done wrong surely he was worth a start tonight, im sure after the critisim he got he would have raised his game tonight and gone a long way to showing us here and now if he has any future at the club.
Beachryan, no idea why nani isnt playing either as you said. Surely nani would be a good bet on that left hand side against a no doubt defensive portsmouth. The tactics look bloody awful, u have to ask what does phelan do to earn his wage cos its pretty obvious hes either the 1 resposnible for the tactics or he just dont care about them. He has to be out soon. Im much more qualified than him as are every1 on here. If he thinks this isnt gonna be anything more than a 1-0 then hes an idiot along with fergie. If they end up getting a good win i will be shocked.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:42
that is a very good team imo. you will see
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:42
I personally think Fergie is still loving the acclaim he got after the Chelsea game, when his gamble paid off. IMO since then it has failed almost every time he’s tried something different. FFS we’ve been great over the past 2 years because of the relatively settled squad, players being familiar with each other and so forth. Footballers aren’t robots, they don’t just fit into places on the pitch and operate equally.
O’Shea, Berbatov and Carrick are in our ‘first XI’. Assuming Carrick is fit, none of them shuld be too knackered to play. So frustrating.
He’s clearly resting people for Spurs. But if we don’t get 3 points tonight, whats the damn point? I’d take these ‘easy’ 3 points and worry about Saturday…
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:42
sopcast link?
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:45
Got to admit i’m perplexed!!!! Did Nani call Fergie a cunt? Or what? Whose on the bench? And does anyone have any links pls?
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:46
link for anyone who needs it http://www.veetle.com/viewChannel.php?cid=49dd52c1ec520 you will have to install Veetle which only takes a couple of minutes but it gives good Setanta US coverage. However please note I’ve used it before and it can be unreliable due to the inevitable amount of traffic for games like this, working perfect right now though and I did watch a whole NBA playoff game the other night without trouble on it
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:46
Berba must not be fully match fit…I think at this stage Fergie is trying see how much he can get away with by rotation…I think the dismal performances especially from reliables like Evra and Park (I know he isn’t the most technical but his touch has definitely taken a turn for the worst if that’s possible!) and constant injuries to Rio and Evans might be a sign of general fatigue in the squad…it seems the physcial fitness management of the team has come back to bite us this year…bottom line we can’t field our strongest team every 3 days which is what the season is basically coming down to…
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:46
as some one said, were just making it hard for ourselves.
fingers crossed lads
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:49
@Dan: http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/wed22.4/ManUtd_Portsmouth.html
there you go.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:51
@Liam: Forgive my ignorance, but do you guys get any NBA broadcast in the UK? or do you have to stream all of them?
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:51
@Liam: and there it goes
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:53
@realred: i think fergie has strtd beleiving dat ppl will just lie down coz its UNITED bt dats y dont……FERGIE wher ur brains at??(hope it comes bck 2 bite me in the arse)
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:53
Liam I’ve found Veetle highly enreliable. The more people know about it, the faster it gets overloaded. I haven’t been able to watch a single United game in its entirety there.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:54
Fuck. We’re screwed.
When’s the last time we kept a clean sheet when Neville started?
God, someone murder him.
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:55
@johnsom33: no Sky have the rights but stopped showing them. There is 1 game a week on a channel that I don’t get in Ireland (not the UK
) so I have to stream them
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:56
@Jon: wow nice
April 22nd, 2009 at 19:58
anyone got any flash based links that’s not Justin tv. Veetle doesn’t seem to work for me.
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:04
crappy quality stream but its the only 1 ive found so far, here it is if any1 wants it
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/manutd-vs-portsmouth
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:08
gigs is giving it away too cheep
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:10
and its ROOOOONEY
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:10
Goal! Wonderful!
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:11
Good goal, what a ball from anderson. Did all you anderson slaters see that.
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:11
ando gigs roon yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:11
what a ball from ando! thats the vision!
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:11
thank you anderson
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:12
nev might be off. good. bring on rafa and lets go for the jugular!
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:12
ffs whats wrong with nev
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:14
has to be andys day has to
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:18
@Matt: Doesn’t work. I mean, it says on air but there’s no video/audio
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:19
for all you stat junkies out there. what is scholes completion rate right now? and how many are going back to the defense? every single one. I could do what scholes does now. just trap the ball then pass it back to the unmarked defender without even glancing upfield at attacking players. players who make adventurous passes also give it away at times. it comes with the territory, its like gambling “you cant win what you dont put in”
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:19
@Red Ranter:
http://atdhe.net/
check out the second link for the game…works on firefox and IE with the tvu plugin…
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:19
I’m not watching the game – can s.o. describe the goal, pls? Are we playing well?
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:20
@Red Ranter: http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/wed22.4/ManUtd_Portsmouth.html
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:22
@Red Ranter: Its working for me and its got english commentary too. Crap quality tho i can hardly see whats going on and as im writing this its frozen. I will keep a look out for some more and post em if i find any.
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:24
@johnsom33: if we keep possession we run them into the ground and they will be useless
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:25
@johnsom33: only flash based links and no justin tv. anyway, looks like I’ll have to watch this on repeat when I get home.
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:25
@Red Ranter: http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch1.html
Try that fella.
or http://atdhe.net/6488/watch-manchester-united-vs-portsmouth
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:29
@Liam: Im just pointing out that the pass completiion percentage is a overrated stat, and it really doesnt tell the whole story.
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:31
Oshea off the line. Bugger.
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:32
my link frozem then went down
anyone else having any luck?
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:33
this is like last season all over again , we make chances but no one is putting them away
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:34
@zhoro: anderson from mid pitch long precise pass to gigs on the left low cross past a defender to roon one touch top of the net
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:36
@johnsom33: check my message above…links working great setanta link
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:37
gator Thanks, mate. I just saw it on 101greatgoals. Super pass from Anderson. Giggs offside in question though.
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:38
@m34ch: im only getting sound, no video
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:38
did you all see roony headbut david james ….? it was jokingly and untill he saw it was roon dj was like wtf? then he smiled when he saw roon. good to see that they are playful and having fun
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:39
@zhoro: yea it was close but i think their left back was in line with him
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:40
fuck you giggs FUCK YOU
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:49
@gator: yeah noticed that too
@ROOOOONEY: shut up he’s been our best player
We should be about 5-0 up
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:51
Been trying to add new alternative links, but keep getting a refreshed screen sans my comments, oh well. hope u get a stream guys. Come on the lads, fancy Ando for his first goal tonight!:)
http://www.freedocast.com/uktvsport
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:51
@Liam:
he should have scored at least 2 by now….his finishing is woeful
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:56
Sounds like we should have atleast 5 by now, but as we always do, we cant take our bloody chances. So another 1-0 at HT why am i not at all surprised.
April 22nd, 2009 at 20:59
wow, giggs missed an absolute sitter. this game should be done and dusted by now.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:01
@Matt: it could have been 5, but we are unlucky to no have 3. its one way traffic thus far. lets all pray we dont take our foot off the pedal next half.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:03
Inspite of his finishing, Giggs has been just about our best player. Easy on him guys.
And refereshing to see a match that we’ve dominated – up till now – should easily have been 3 up, at least.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:10
Oh bloody hell my streams are just not working. I have tried a few given on here and they arent working. If any1 else has any links i would appreciate it. Bloody sky sports never show our games.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:15
i just think they are taking this too lightly we should have finished it off long time ago instead of keeping us on our toes
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:24
Leaving aside the fact that our finishing has been abysmal thus far, there can be no doubting, at least, that we’ve played United football for a change. Long may it continue.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:30
@Eric the Red: yeah it sounds like we have but i cant but wonder is it because our team has had a good kick up the ass and told to go for it more or just cos the opposition is so poor. Hopefully its the 1st one.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:32
Not directly related to us but according to SSN roy keane is set to take over ipswich. Always nice to see 1 of our own in management, hopefully he will do well. Anyway onto now we need another goal, why do we just sit back when we go 1 up. What is wrong with us.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:38
Well played Anderson lad. Very well played. Good on ya.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:38
@Matt: To be fair, they haven’t sat back they just left their shooting boots at home.
EDIT: not even shooting boots really but finishing boots.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:43
Im sorry but the substitutions have just shown what is wrong with us this season and our totally outrageous defesnive tactics. I hear nev got injured so oshea came on and then hes got injured and rafael has come on, but can any1 tell me why we then take off what sounds like 1 of our best players for carrick when we could do with a striker on. What is wrong with these bloody defensive tactics.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:44
’bout time it’s 2-0
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:44
Go on Michael! Great finish!
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:45
@Matt: You pulled the gun a little too early there mate. LOL. Carrick scores to put it to bed.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:45
@Matt: bad timing with that comment eh?
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:46
@Matt: Are you watching the difference Carrick made? Anderson’s passing was shocking in the 2nd half
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:46
Yeah! Great pass from Scholes, Great finish from Carrick! Should be six, but I dont care!
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:48
2-0 > 4-4 anyday of the week
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:50
@Liam: Oh come off it, when your struggling for chances you dont bring on another midfielder when we already have ando, scholes and fletcher. Why not bring on a striker. Im sorry but every season but this 1 we would have had another striker on by the 70th minute, but this year we seem to be happy to get an early goal and take our foot off the gas and once we get near the end sit on our lead. What the hell has happened to us, are we the same team anymore. It doesnt bloody seem like it from this seasons evidence.
@Natzca: @Eric the Red: Great timing for me to make that comment lol.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:53
@Matt: foot off the gas? We had about 4 or 5 attepts that would,ve gone in in any other game. Anderson was rubbish in the 2nd half, Carrick is our best midfielder. Great substitution
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:54
@Liam: 4 or 5 attempts
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:56
@Matt: Not sure what game you were watching mate, but not for one second did we take our foot off of the gas or sit on the lead. This was the United that we all know and love, though the finishing might have been better.
On a side note, Everton have done us a favour drawing the Russian mob.
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:57
@Matt: Quote “What is wrong with these bloody defensive tactics?” ANSWER – Fergie. He’s guilty as sin mate!
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:58
22 shots vs 4
April 22nd, 2009 at 21:59
Well that was the worst “good game” of the season. We were dire for large chunks of the game. Why the fuck cant Giggs finish? Why cant none of our players cross?? Why in the name of god do we take the foot off the pedal at 1-0???? What if the season were to come down to goal difference, which is entirely possible considering our woeful current attacking form and Liverpool’s momentum.
No comparison to the fiesta of attacking football yesterday night. There was no pressing (bar anderson)and no fucking innovation. I hate to say it, but we have become what I hated the most – Moaninho’s Chelsea, although without the same steely determination and power in midfield
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:00
@Eric the Red: Eric mate, the United we ALL KNOW AND LOVE WOULD HAVE FOUND THE NET, instead of only two out of ten chances taken, and three of those were Absolute sitters!
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:01
Great performance, we just lacked end product! Anderson, really, really looked like scoring today, he had a blinder, absolutely superb!
See how well we play without berba AND tevez
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:02
dont look now but United are quietly becoming a decent side.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:03
@Vivek: Mate one of our players CAN cross, but he is sitting growing splinters in his arse on the bench for the whole bloody season. I say serves Fergie the fuck right! Right result, but nail biting fucking stuff again, and really, really sloppy at times. Fergie better wake up, because better teams will punish us for all our missed chances, and giving the ball away too often and too cheaply.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:04
@Craig Mc: I did say with the exception of the finishing.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:05
@johnsom33:
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:06
@Craig Mc: I have been feeling that all these tactics have been down to fergie for a while. Its clear to me that the tatcic side of things were down to quieroz last year, now hes gone and hes left with the muppet phelan fergie is the one having to do all these tactics again. Every1 knows tactics arent fergies strong point and i think its clear from the tactics this year. I did think tho that although his tactics were poor, he was an attacking manager, so we keep hearing anyway. @Liam: I didnt watch the game so maybe that was the wrong word, but certainly something is wrong when you score so early, invite the pressure on and it takes until the 80th odd minute to seal the game. If that was chelsea they would have been 3 up at half time so wtf does it take us until near the end to seal the game. Maybe taking your foot off the gas is the wrong word but im sure they should have sealed the game much earlier. If the shooting is so bad why season after season is no1 ever helping improve it. I looked at the end of the game and we apparently we had 14 shots on target yet we only score 2. There is something seriously wrong in that department.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:06
@Dan: That must be the UNDERSTATEMENT of our whole season, great performance, no end product
. Only too often our performances have lacked SLICK.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:07
I hope Fergie gives Ando atleast 1 more run out, he is slowly coming to life. he does give it away cheaply at times,but he does shows brief glimpses of the potential we all saw in him. I can feel it, he is almost there.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:10
@Vivek: I can’t believe the slagging Giggs has been receiving today. He played like he had the legs of a 30 yr old, and was unlucky not to score.
And your complaining about our not looking like pool or arsenal last night? You mean you would trade our once-again stable defence to the joke of a defence that were both teams last night?
And we were unlucky – it should have easily been at least three. I think its good that we are unlucky against pompey rather than a european team – we were definitely lucky against porto in the 1st leg, for e.g.
Also I’m surprised by the lack of comments on how poor the linesman was tonight. THe offside rule states that if two players are level – implying that even if the defender is leaning back and the attacker leaning forward – the attacker is considered as onside. We had about thwo or three level calls judged as offside.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:11
@Eric the Red:
Ok Bro I hear you.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:11
4-0 would have brought us a goal shy of the dippers in the goal difference stakes and considering the chances we created 4-0 was a realistic score. Anyway, one step at a time. Let’s win the game in hand now.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:13
Meanwhile, for what it’s worth, Chelsea drew Everton 0-0.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:14
@NicoQB: That’s because tonights linesman and referee were SCOUSERS mate.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:15
@Matt: teams have days when they dominate but don’t score much. We had a good season goal scoring wise last season but for whatever reason be it luck or our change in style it’s not happening. I agree that something should be looked at with regards finishing but the fact is that we have been up against 10 men behind the ball in a lot more games this season than last season
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:17
@Matt: I have to agree that I too was miffed when Ando was substituted for Carrick! Once again Ando was guilty of stray passes (the simple ones), but he compensated by work rate and good vision (he’s actually better at making difficult passes than simple ones)
But Carrick has shown once again that right now he has to be the sweetest shooter of the ball in our middfield. Shame that he’s often shy to make those runs in the box…
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:21
@Craig Mc: I hear you. Still miffed about the decisions though.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:21
Well, Sheasy is out, and Nev injured again, surely Nev’s time is up. But lucky for us, Wes played an hour in the reserves in our 4-0 win Lancashire up, and I understand he came thru ok. So I really hope we got Wes back, he is immense, and we have missed him. I love the lad!
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:24
@Liam: Yeah i get you and i know its hard to score against teams when they have every1 behind the ball, and i didnt watch the match but some of the chances sounded like sitters and we just cant score them. And thats not just from this season, even last year we didnt put away enough chances, thats why we brought in berba. Now im not gonna go into that whole berba argument but god i just wish we were a bit more like chelsea in that they have 2 chances and its usually 1 if not 2 goals. With us we can have 5 chances, 1 goal, our shooting just seems terrible. Does any1 know if we have a strikers coach or anything like that, i know other teams employ former players there like les ferdinand at spurs. Maybe we should look at doing that, all i know is our shooting is just terrible and against a good team we might have regretted those missed chances.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:26
Wow, congrats RR, this is to be one of your few correct score predictions, jk
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:32
Match Report
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:33
@Craig Mc: Sheasy has defintiely grown on me and I’m thankful for that.
Is it me or has Rafael’s defending also been improving? He’s yet to measure up against an immediate dangerous opponent, but let’s hope he’ll do well.
This performance has been of the most satisfying of late. Shame about the finishing, but I have grown to loathe 1-0 wins… So frustrating…
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:35
@Rd: Cheers mate. In these times, I can take all the positives I can to celebrate and be happy about
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:36
Keano set for Ipswich Job!!!
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5224108,00.html
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:38
@NicoQB: He seems to love taking Championship clubs up to promotion and then bail, I suppose.
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:44
@Red Ranter: In any case I’ve been missing his presence in the media banter!!
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:48
@NicoQB:
Mate i only criticized Giggsie’s finishing.and I stand by what I said, it was simply woeful. I also said there was none of the attacking intent shown by both Arse and Pool, and it must be noted that although the defense was good, we only had Peter “the beanpole” crouch to deal with – not exactly Kaka mate
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:53
Another thing I noticed was that until the gorgeous thru ball rigth at the end, Paul Scholes was just about the worst United player on the pitch. I fail to see what he brings to the team. he just passes the ball backwards or square most of the time, giving away the ball on numerous occasions. Its not like he is the destroyer ala Essien. He should be played only as a sub, late in games when we are leasding, when we need to keep the ball and tire out opponents who have to chase a goal
April 22nd, 2009 at 22:56
Looking ahead at the weekend fixtures, I can positively say that we are not going to beat Spurs on Saturday if we play at the same languid pace we played today. Spurs have improved dramatically over the season, and we would have to step up big time to beat them.
April 22nd, 2009 at 23:03
@Vivek: agreed
April 22nd, 2009 at 23:09
@Vivek: Wilson Palacios has been a bloody beast for spurs since he signed, he is gonna show us all what a good player he is mark my words. Wish fergie would have signed him. But yeah i agree with you mate, spurs are on decent form and another performance like that today and we wont be winning, not sure about losing but we defo wont be winning anyway, we must take our chances when they come. It could be the difference between a point and 3.
April 22nd, 2009 at 23:11
What a game by my boy Andy!!!
And what a pass. Didnt wathc the rest of the game because I replied it over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. What was the final result? 
Seriously, I am delighted that FOR ONCE we grasped the opportunity to get further in front of Liverpool. The breathing space we have right now feels wonderful, and I hope it gets even bigger on Sunday. Hull are a tough nut to crack at home…
Two brilliant team goals. The one was made by Anderson for Giggs, but his pass to Rooney was exhisite!!! And you see what happens when Paul passes the ball forward? Tick-tack, tick-tack, tick-tack and BOOOM!!! Goal for Carrick, assist for Scholes. The one pass that didnt go to a defender ended in a goal. I wish I could see that more often.
Ronaldo was in and out of the game, and Rafael looked realy good when he came on. Giggs would have been my man of the match not for his unbelieveable misses, so I give it to Rooney. Great game by him, and it looks like he is getting used to playing as a lone striker again. Oh, and I will raise the question: When we have a strikeforce witha combined fee of £90 million, and they are all fit, why do we play witha lone front man. I think we play better this way, at least Andy and Giggs does. For once Fergie got his tactics right in a “must-win” game this season! Hopefully that continues…
April 22nd, 2009 at 23:12
@Vivek: No question about that, Portsmouth were so poor it’s hard to assess our performance, but it was certainly no more than average.
April 22nd, 2009 at 23:14
Anderson seems more confident right now. His pass for our first goal was exepsional, and he worked his socks off. He made some bad passes, but Im kinda getting used to it. He will have some bad “easy-passes” during a game, but he makes up for it with a great performance in total.
Glad to see him start 3 games in a row, looks like its given him a real confidence boost at just the right time. I dont think he will play on Saturday, but its nice to see him getting a run and showing what he has got.
April 22nd, 2009 at 23:18
@Vivek: Fair enough, but I still wouldn’t swap our defence for either of theirs. But I thought this performance was a breath of fresh air compared to the plodding displays of late. As for Scholes, I still believe that he should be playing most of his games against minnows, hence pompey was the ideal opposition. He gets caught too often in a high speed game, but his slowing down of the game and keeping of possession allows us to let our class shine through sooner or later.
Spurs are definitely a tougher piece of meat, but I’ve taken heart from this performance personally. If we get half the number of chances that we’ve got today, I still fancy us to get the 3 points.
April 22nd, 2009 at 23:19
@RedDevilEddy: I think anderson has looked excellent every game since hes been back. Hes been a breath of fresh air since hes returned and his ball today to giggsy was brilliant. This is what im talking about when i say he should be a starter each week, his link up between the front 2 or 3 and the midfield at times is world class he just needs to be a bit more consistent.
April 22nd, 2009 at 23:38
@RedDevilEddy: from richard jolly at Soccernet…
“MAN OF THE MATCH: Anderson – Following a fine showing against Porto and a decent display against Everton, the Brazilian capped one of the finest weeks of his United career with a starring role tonight. If his season has been underwhelming, recent games have provided reminders of his excellent start to life at Old Trafford.”
April 23rd, 2009 at 0:14
@Vivek: we just went top of the league and all you can do is moan? So if we dominate Spurs for 90 minutes we wont beat them? Kind of confused by that assessment tbh
April 23rd, 2009 at 0:29
@Liam: thanks Bro for the info, didn’t work! But thanks anyway, my shit slow connection doesn’t help!@m34ch: Thanks Bro! got something going,but again my shit internet didn’t help things, appreciate your links
April 23rd, 2009 at 0:31
@Liam: it seems that some will always have a glass half empty!
April 23rd, 2009 at 0:32
@johnsom33: I much prefer the old way the European Cup was run. I only believe the previous year’s European champions and all the defending champions from each country should be involved. Why should a Spanish, English or Italian side which finished 4th in their domestic league have any right to compete for such a trophy. It’s bollocks and nothing more than a money grab by UEFA. How does a team finish in 2nd to 4th in a domestic league look at itself in the mirror when called a “Champions League” team? It’s ridiculous.
April 23rd, 2009 at 0:34
@Alex: Write English mate. Nothing more irritating than abbreviating every bloody word.
April 23rd, 2009 at 0:35
@Jon: I don’t know what hitman you contacted but it worked. That shot to the foot got him out of the game. Well done mate.
April 23rd, 2009 at 0:36
@Matt: Yes we did and Anderson still sucks, OK.
Frakken bandwagon jumpers. As if one play is going to redefine the way some of us think about that useless bag of energy.
April 23rd, 2009 at 0:55
My prediction was 4-0 and although I received some flak for that bold prediction had we had a little more finish we could have scored 5 or 6. That said we still played boring football and to think we are living in days where United would field a team in a 4-5-1 formation at Old Trafford. Just ridiculous. I was totally bored by the game and by the pedestrian starting lineup. Nice pass to Giggs for the first goal. I’ll give him credit for that. Too bad that is all I’ll give him credit for. In the second half he was total shite as usual.
Beautiful second goal by Carrick well taken and the single moment of excellence for Paul Scholes in the game. He sucked. Giggs misses three great chances, O’Shea’s header is cleared from the line and Anderson narrowly misses a shot in the first half…….and that’s it. Pretty fucking boring. I really hate watching this team right now. Every week it’s 90 minutes of my life wasted that I will never get back. Good professional win and it’s great to see the defense and primarily the back four playing well again. Much improved performance from Evra today. But lets all remember folks, this was Pompey. We’re supposed to beat the Pompey’s. Lets see how we do against Arsenal.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:14
Just watched the game which It aped while I slept. We played pretty well, although we lacked the final ball to kill them off. Funnily enough I think that was exactly the type of game that Berbatov would have dominated: a lot of passing around the penalty area and a lot of retention of possession.
And Grognard, in one of the first comments you asked why we didn’t opt more frequently for the attacking approach against big sides a la Arsenal, and I just would have thought the answer was pretty self evident: our approach has us first in the league with a game in hand while Arsenal were, until recently, struggling to make 4th.
I do miss the buccaneering days of pre-treble football though, it’s just that you can’t afford to take those risks when the game actually means something. Look at Arsenal away at Villareal, fairly conservative team and approach, they got a 1-0 win.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:23
I thought I’d take this opportunity, while everyone is deciding whether or not they like Berbatov, to ask what people thought of Veron. Personally, I think he suffered from Keane’s injuries and RvN’s apparent dislike for playing up front alone, preventing us putting out a Keane-Scholes-Veron midfield trio as often as we liekd. I mention it because the injuries to Hargreaves have, IMO, jeopardised Berbatov’s success and the situations could end up sadly similar.
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:40
@Grognard: I wasnt being serious when I was mocking your predictions. I was just doing my patented “reverse jinx” routine. I hope @RedDevilEddy: was taking notes
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:44
@Grognard: I agree about the champions league. It severely under values the competition when non champions are invited. I say let the Uefa cup be the runner up tournament, and bring the prestige back to the Champions league. I also think it would help spread the money around.
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:01
@michael: Veron was undoubtedly one of the most talented “true” midfielders that have ever graced the OT pitch,. Unfortunately, Veron himself was dogged by injury and, not forgetting that we already had just about the perfect midfield four a manager could ever want. Before he was even linked to united he was one of my favourites players, and when his transfer was announced I was overjoyed but at the same time baffled as I coudln’t see him fitting in.
I sincerely think Fergie screwed up as even with veron in the team, I preferred the magic midfield four. Nowadays his strategy is to have undoubted starters and good enough players to deputise. At the time it was not always the case.
But anyway I kinda get your point. If we had a dominant enfocer in midfield, maybe our strikers wouldn’t have to drop deep to get involved and play more normally. I really hope that Anderson will carry on his recent form in the final turn of the season – he could play Nani’s part in being the X-factor that makes the difference when all is said and done…
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:02
@johnsom33: You must tell me more about your “reverse jinx routine”. If it works it could make me some money.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:02
@Grognard: Well to tell you the truth, I thought we looked quite good tonight. Without the key misses by all and sundry I’d say we dominated the opposition handily. With a conservative estimate of probably, 4 sitters I’d say that the game plan and the tactics were OK, but we just couldn’t put the game away at the individual level.
It was good to see that SAF went with a team that he knew would fight hard for a result and for their positions. Anderson had an impressive first period, showing why he should probably be playing in a “pressing” midfield slot more often, and Fletcher, although untidy, made up an urgent performance in midfield.
Rooney played in and out of the game really, and I did think that a lot of his support play was careless! He and Ronaldo consistently made vital passes that may have found their target if only they’d bothered to raise their head and actually aimed the ball!
Evra, again, played like a creature out of Cirque du Soliel, very stylish and acrobatic, but really he was useless as a full back. This man needs to take off the mask and start playing like a professional football player and not the artiste he seems to think he is!!
Giggs was a monster and showed just why he is our best player. Always alert, always active, always in a good position to threaten. I just hate to think what it will all be like when he’s gone!!
Lots of room for improvement, have to say, but 3 PL wins in a row is a good sign of intent, and if I had any money at all to bet on this, I’d take any odds and still come out with profit!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:06
@michael: I hate to say it, but how could you use the words Berbatov and dominate in the same sentence??
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:30
@Redrich: It was a positive result especially because our defense although not spectacular, seemed to control Pomnpey very well. It seems we have no problem controlling the game but we still struggle to create enough opportunities. We should have scored more today but still, for a team to score 3 or more goals in a game, it needs to create around ten chances. Law of averages say that the keeper will stop half of them so creating 5 good chances in a game is just not cutting it.
But I think that’s what Fergie wants. He wants us to get that lead and then play keep away. I for one don’t like it but it is going to win us the EPL in a butt ugly manner.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:39
@NicoQB: I think that one point to bear in mind, is that SAF is from the UK, spent his entire career playing and managing in the UK and has absolutely no appreciation of the subtleties that surround the needs of a player from overseas!!
It’s not that he doesn’t care about them, he just doesn’t know about them.
He saw Veron, as you did, as a midfield general, that could do dominate the way Viera did for Le Arse and with a small stretch of the imagination, you could go along with that. But the chemistry wasn’t there, neither were the support systems for a player so alien to his natural enviroment.
I guess what I’m saying is that SAF doesn’t really get out of his field of expertise. If he doesn’t know about it, then he won’t bother about it. He will to only do what his instincts tell him is right.
Of course, this is absurd, given the PC’ness of modern day society, but the older he gets the more assured he is that his way is THE way. With the track record written down for him, I think he will stay on HIS course until he retires.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:44
@Grognard: I don’t know, grog, lots of op’s but really no finishing power. How I miss the Dutchman. Ruud would have made a whole season out of yesterdays opportunities!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:06
@Grognard: Absolutely agree. If you can’t write a sentence, you need a sentence.
Six months in grammar school!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:27
@NicoQB: Paul Scoles had his 600′th game today. I thought he played well enough. It’s a poor time to nitpik his performance and because of that, your comments, here, seem to be classless!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:13
@Redrich: I don’t know if I will ever recover from the loss of Ruud and Becks for that matter. Ruud was a monster in the box. Something we have not had since his departure.
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:16
@RedDevilEddy: Yeah, Anderson is getting better.
But he needs more games. His stamina looked like it was waning in the second half and only a few more extended appearances will fix this. Gotta think SAF will use this approach with other young players too!, but whats with the Nani thing?? I have to wonder why he hasn’t got a sniff lately!! Fucking weird!
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:33
@Grognard: I recover from the “becks” thing when ever I see his underware ads!! But the big goal hungry striker, oh my, just cant wait for that to come around again!!
I want to replace some of that “finesse” with some strait forward finishing power.
When someone says “Berbatov is making good link-up plays”, I think to myself that the better “link-up” would be; him-and-the-back-of-the-net!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:13
@Grognard: well i think ando has been reading your stuff n in the first half he was out to prove u wrong
Think the terrier stuff has rubbed of on fletch the way he haggled the opposition ws great to see. n RRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYY
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:30
@Alex: Yes but Anderson once again ran out of gas in the second half. Which just confirms what I have always said about him. He’s a short little fat assed gas bag who runs out of gas very quickly because all he has to offer is hard running and the occasional long through ball. I’m sorry mate but I expect more from a player who plays midfield for Manchester United. More like what Carrick offered up when he came in. With four midfielders already out there it was interesting seeing him in a more advanced attacking midfield role and look what the end result was. A beautifully taken goal. I’ll be watching three hundred games in the future and still be waiting for Anderson to score his first.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:36
@Grognard: I see your point but I never “signed up” I was born a United fan and agree our football this year hasn’t been exactly thrilling and maybe I am a sheep but I will follow and support my side through thick and thin, through the great times and through the bad, but I do understand.
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:23
@Liam:
This was the easiest game of our run-in. The other games are against relegation strugglers (Hull, Boro) who will battle for every point, Arsenal, shitty, and Spurs, who are all better than or will battle more than pompey did. We have to step up our performance if we are to win 5 of the 6 matches
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:41
@ROOOOONEY: “fuck you giggs FUCK YOU” Just have a little respect mate.
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:47
2-0 is not a true result of the game if you take a look at the stats you will see that united had 14 shots on target and 6 off compared to 2 on and 3 off for pompey. I just do not know why our strikers cannot put the ball into the back of the net. when we scored after 8 minutes i dais to my son this is going to be a high scoring game to united but come half time i was pissed off going inot the break at 1-0 up. we couold have easily wiped out liverpools goal difference last night if only we took our fucken chances. My man of the match without a doubt is mr ANDERSON what a performance. some of you will not agree to this and i am not here to get into an argument with my fellow suporters so everyone will have to keep to their own opinion and not assume that because it is their opinion they are right. Surely you can see that he is improving and what i liked about last night is that Anderson was used more as an attacking midfield which is his best position and i realy thoughy he would have scored his first goal from open play so it was ashame that he was substituted. The only thing about the substitution is Carrick scored the goal that settled our nerves. I wonder what his goal celebration will be.
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:50
@Matt: I bow down to your superior knowledge mate, you were right Andy had a superb game, even if some of his passes were a little off key
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:10
Anderson’s comments after last night’s win. He says they want to win the title as soon as possible and then go for the Champions League: http://fcbrazil.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/anderson-dreams-of-quadruple-we-want-to-make-history/
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:29
See how Fergie should use Anderson? He is a monster if played in an advanced role and its a shame he didnt score,but there is light at the end of that tunnel.
The game against spurs is a must win,and fingers crossed Hull might get a result because i know Liverpool’s morale must be low and they are panicking each passing game.Do us a favour Manucho.
Am more worried about the way we dont finish off games however good our defence is.Arsenal have a midfield and front line that have plenty of goals in them so the only way to beat them is to outscore them.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:48
@Stephen: I’m like you Bro, this isn’t a fashion parade. You pick your colours and stick with it through thick and thin, i always wanted to be different, most of my peers were scouse or Leeds or Arsenal fans (early 70’s!) So United picked me! Thats the way i see it anyway! God forbid, but if we went the same way Leedscum went, i’d still support UNITED Through thick and thin , in sickness and in health, till the day i die.Here’s a reminder for all those who either weren’t born! or cant remember!
“Don Revie marked his last season as Leeds United’s manager by guiding them to league championship glory, before taking over from Sir Alf Ramsey as the England national football team manager, with England having surprisingly failed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup. Revie’s conquering side had a two-horse race with Liverpool all season but won in the end, taking the title for the second time in their history by five points. Newly promoted Burnley adopted to life back in the top flight well, finishing in sixth place.
Manchester United were relegated from the First Division just six years after winning the European Cup at the end of a traumatic season which had seen goalkeeper Alex Stepney as joint top scorer with two goals at Christmas. Their 36-year stay at the top was finally ended with a 1-0 home defeat against Manchester City in the last game of the season – ironically, former United striker Denis Law scored City’s winning goal. But Birmingham City’s win on that same afternoon would have sent United down even if they had beaten City. Despite this the board kept faith in manager Tommy Docherty as the man to regain the club’s top flight place.
Joining United in the Second Division were Norwich City and Southampton. This was the first season in which the League introduced three relegation places from the top division.” Ah Mcllroy, Stepney, Greenoff, Buchan,Pearson,and Macari, not really all time greats but i remember them with fondness.
April 23rd, 2009 at 14:42
@phoenix red: I think we are two peas in the same pod mate
Also I cannot bring myself ever to tell Giggs to fuck off, call me old fashioned or loyal I don’t know but I remember that semi in 99 at Villa Park and will never forget what a servant he has been for my club.
April 23rd, 2009 at 15:20
@Grognard: dats y i mentioned first half
n i guess carrick also scored since evryone was saying no goals from midfield…. but agree andy to score will have to be in the charity match after he retires
April 23rd, 2009 at 15:35
Without doubt our last two games have been so much better than 1 month ago. I think we can only improve and we can no draw vs. Arsenal AND Tottenham and still be on top.
I think, if we win our game in hand and go 6 pts clear at the top that the title is ours. here is why. Being a Math guy, in the last couple of years I realized that once a team get ahead with X pts when Y games remain and X > Y (so they lead by more pts than games left), they win the title.
1. We had a chance to go 10 pts clear with 10 games left but lost to liverpool.
2. We now have a chance to go 6 pts clear with 5 games left (after our game in hand).
This means, one more win and we are champions, theoretically
I have totally forgotten the FA Cup loss and am happy we are back to playing more fluid football and keeping clean sheets.
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:11
@Stephen: Very True Bro! I saw that comment, and sighed DEEPLY. Was gonna reply but thought my language wouldn’t be appropriate on this forum! Have to do quite alot of that recently
some of the comments are laughable to say the least, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, so lots of deep breaths 
“Giggs will tear you apart, AGAIN”
As for THAT goal, i was in a Gooner pub in Hackney, North London!!! The place was covered in Arse Flags and fat soppy gooners, in the whole pub there was only 5 of us shouting for United, one lad from Manchester, another Irishman and 2 Spurs fans! We were sitting at the bar up the front of the pub(near the door!) Now we were pretty quiet for most of the match, but as soon as Giggsy got the ball, i was stood up,shouting at the telly at the top of my voice “Go on Giggsy”. I’d forgotten all sense of reality, and i went ballistic when he scored, screaming like a mad cunt and hugging my very few new best mates! Now how i didn’t get killed is beyond me!! I’m not a small lad, and the irish accent combined with the madness and brass neck must have put them off. I think the gooners were in too much shock over the goal anyway!
Bro, I’ll never forget that GOAL! Ryan Giggs, What a man, What a player, what a Hero! There’s been no greater servant to our club, or any club
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:20
@phoenix red: Ha ha what a quility story bro
I was was watching that game at one my mates houses and when “Veria gave Giggsy the ball and Arsenal won fuck all!!” I remember leaping round his living shouting what a goal in a rather high pitched voice, although not sure about the chest wig he wore that day! 
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:31
@Redrich: Calling my comments classless is a bit uncalled for, mate.
I was replying to Vivek, who called him the worst player on the pitch on the night, and I was disagreeing with him on the grounds that he brings us something positive – slowing the game down can be in certain cases – to our game. Also there’s no denying that in certain uptempo games, Scholes has been left wanting – the 1dt leg against Porto if I’m not mistaken was just painful to watch, especially as we love the legend that is Scholes and hate to see him struggle like this.
Next time you reply to someone’s comment make sure you know about what he was talking about in the first place.
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:38
@Stephen: I too am a sheep when it comes to following Man Utd but lets just say I am the black sheep of the family. I stay loyal but I also question the status quo and challenge my team to do better and play like I know they can.
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:40
@Grognard: Quility mate!
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:47
@donibrasco: @Redrich: 600th game or not scholes was useless out there. His assist was single positive pass he made all game. And since when did it become off limits to state the truth about one of our greats? Fact is, people get old. It’s called life, and scholes is no different. He is a shadow of his former self and any honest fan can see that. Sentiment is the only thing keeping him in the rotation.
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:48
@Madschester United: Lets also not forget that Liverpool and Chelsea still have to play their games and they have tough fixtures to go through. Also lets remember that both teams took very serious mental blows to their ego’s with draws this week which may have left them low and psychologically defeated. To expect them to run the table and win all their games is asking far too much of them. We have six games left. I feel if we draw one and lose one we still win the title. But lets not take any chances. Win them all and don’t give the Scousers any glimmer of hope.
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:49
I didn’t mean to link to donibrasco, my bad.
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:55
@Johnsom33: In fairness he has had some decent games this season, Fulham for example, i am not saying he is the player he once was, not even I am that blind
and he has scored three more goals this season than Anderson, in one more game.
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:58
@phoenix red: I get mad and pissed off with a lot of players on our team and i will go as far as to call some rubbish or useless but I would never fall so low to tell a legend like Giggsy to fuck himself. The bloke has the freedom to say whatever he wants as long as it’s not directed to us here on the blog, but there comes a time when some players and even our much maligned manager deserve much more respect and appreciation than that. It is the epitome of classlessness and a sign of immaturity when we start telling of out players or coaches off like that.
As if Giggs deserved that. Hell, I admit to having thought that way towards Fergie at times this season, but I’d never actually say it or even worse, write it on this blog. That would be so wrong and so classless.
I’ll forgive the lad for a moment of temper and frustration but lets not forget the years and infinite times Ryan Giggs has given us pleasure and reasons to rejoice. So for his reward what does he get? Told to FU by a person who has the bollocks to come on here and call himself a United fan. I’d seriously doubt he would have made a comment like that if twenty of us were all together in a pub watching the game. Chances are he wouldn’t have come out of that pub alive. Frankly, he crossed the line. There is criticism and then there is disrespect. I’ll leave to him to figure out which one he fits into.
April 23rd, 2009 at 16:59
@Stephen: So Ando needs a hat trick against Spurs to level it up
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:05
@Traverse: Lets hope mate!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:15
@Stephen: Truly a moment that defined an age. I was glued to the tv set watching that semi-final here in Canada wishing I could have been there on that cool night at Villa Park. That for me has got to go down as one of the top three games I have ever seen, one of the top three most dramatic games I have seen and it still ranks for me as the greatest goal I have ever seen. Many may call Maradona’s wonder goal vs England in 1986 better or even Messi’s seemingly identical goal last season against a no name Spanish side in their cup run as the best ever. I loved the goal Ricky Villa scored in the 1980 FA Cup final to win the Cup for Spurs but for me, nothing comes close to that goal for it’s sheer brilliance and for the dramatical manner in which it was scored.
I think back to that night and I remember so many great events and I honestly thought that Schmeichel stopping a penalty in injury time was as great as it could get, but Giggs proved me wrong. What Ryan Giggs has done as a loyal player for this club for almost 20 seasons is second to none. Absolutely love him and you all might have noticed that when it comes to severe criticism from the Grognard, quite often Giggs gets a free pass where others like Neville and Scholes do not. Oh sure I respect those two but Giggs is Grognard’s pet. I absolutely love him and forgive him instantly when he plays poorly. Why? Because he has earned it and because I know he still has a lot to offer. He is a legend because of his greatness and nobody, and I mean nobody should ever slag him or swear at him no matter what. I feel he is a player who should have his number retired by the club and should also be knighted by the Queen. He has been that great. And even though I feel Nemanja Vidic should win PFA player of the year, my heart is telling me that Giggs should win it out of respect and appreciation for many great and very consistent years of service to the English game, and frankly, out of duty because he has deserved in the past and not won it when he should have.
I love Ryan Giggs and I ask the individual to hear me on this request. You owe all of us an apology for that comment. We are all guilty of saying stupid things in the heat of the moment and I understand that this one may have slipped but honestly mate, you offended me and a lot of others on this site with that comment because frankly, there are players who should never be told off and frankly no United player should ever be told off like that. Criticize all you want but keep it classy and in good taste. Ryan Giggs above all, deserves that from you and from the entire Man Utd community as well as the entire world football community. He is a true ambassador to the way the game should be played and how a player should conduct himself on and off of the pitch. Long Live Giggys!
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:19
@Stephen: Anderson has just as many goals as you and I so he’s keeping up an impressive pace, don’t you think?
At the pace he’s on, I’d expect EVDS and even Foster to score before him.
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:22
@Grognard: Superbly put mate.
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:24
@Grognard: lol! Black wool is highly sought after! You have high expectations Bro and the quest for excellence demands it.@Grognard: There was a comment from a Gooner on ROM yesterday about how Giggs could go anywhere in England and be lauded and respected, there’s not many/any other footballers that would get this respect, like you said though, it was probably down to the heat of the moment. BTW i qualified my ABU comment on the last post, i only saw your reply late!
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:26
@Grognard: He has as many goals as Mike Phelan this season, even worse!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:29
@Grognard: Agree 100% Bro, well said
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:31
@phoenix red: I agree. I also thought Denis Bergkamp would get that respect among the premiership greats that played in the 90s.
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:39
@Red Ranter: Probably Zola would fall into theat catorgary too.
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:44
@Grognard: Well put. Glad you do think of a United player that way. I suppose some others may think of Neville and Scholes that way too.
To everyone:
In general, saying “fuck off/fuck you [united player]” can be offensive to many people because each has his own favourite. So it would be useful to keep that in mind before swearing at a player and later trying to hide under the excuse of “heat of the moment”. Doing it once is fine, but repeating it over and over again, and then giving the same excuse can get a little annoying. I am saying this because I’ve seen repeat offenders on this issue and I won’t name them.
This is just a word of advice.
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:46
@Red Ranter: Bergkamp was also a great player but part of what makes Giggs so special is the number of years he has been doing it and all for just one club. Bergkamp of course didn’t play for as long and he was not exclusively an Arsenal product as he came from the Dutch League. Too be honest, I cannot think of a modern day footballer that deserves the kind of accolades and respect that Ryan Giggs deserves. Giggs get put in a list with the Charlton’s and Moore’s of the English game. The closest for me in terms of tenure and class as well as having been great for a long period of time is Paul Scholes. I am not the biggest Scholes fan out there but I will not argue his merits as he has performed very well for a very long time and has been quietly loyal and devoted to all things United.
I love Fergie’s quote the other day when he said something like nobody has ever made a bid for Scholes. It’s because they all new he’s never leave United. I think that says it all and goes for both him and Giggs as well as Neville too. But of course I would not be me if I never poked a little cynicism towards Scholesy and Fergie by saying that nobody ever bid for him because like me, they knew he was overrated.
I say that jokingly of course because many know he is not a favorite of mine but let me say this, he too has been a tremendous warrior for our club and has had many moments of brilliance. He just isn’t my kind of player technically and so my indifference towards him has more to do with preferring a different style of player. But make no mistake, Scholes is and always will be known as one of the greatest and smartest distributors of the ball in the history of the game. And nobody but nobody has perfect the back pass better than him also. 
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:47
@Grognard: I know your a knowledgable bloke when it comes to GK’s. can you tell us a little about how you rate Akinveev and where he rates among the world?
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:48
@Red Ranter: I just commented on Neville and Scholes before I read your comment. Totally agree.
April 23rd, 2009 at 17:56
@johnsom33: Akinfeev is one of my favorites and I for one would be overjoyed if we signed him. I place him behind Adler, Neuer and Boruc amongst the new breed of great keepers but in many ways he is more steady than any of them. He is a strong shot stopper and commands presence in the box. Where he has weaknesses in his game is in the same area most modern keepers have weaknesses, in the aerial game. He does have the occasional problem judging crosses and indirect free kicks into the box. Not terrible but like the rest, it becomes a bit of a challenge at times. This has become an epidemic throughtout the world over the past 5 to 6 years because fewer and fewer teams play the game old school and crossing from a wide position is going more and more out of style. It’s still utilized a fair amount in England so any purchase of a keeper for our league needs to have a fair proficiency in that area.
Other areas where I think he excels is in physicality, reflexes and charging out to a player or the ball. Certainly a cut above Fabianski in that department. Overall he is a great keeper and I expect some big club will buy him either this season or next. In fact, I could see Chelski going after him now that the secret is out and Petr Cech has turned into a muppet.
April 23rd, 2009 at 18:01
@Stephen: Zola is certainly a class act and a true gentleman on and off the filed but I would not put him in there with Giggs simply because of tenure. He just hasn’t got the years and when it comes to respect, he is loved by Chelsea but I’m sure he doesn’t get a lot of consideration from other regions because he just wasn’t been around for as long as Giggs has been. Giggs has been like a Roman emperor as the entire era that he has played in could literally be named after him. 1990-2010 is the Giggsian period of football history in England.
Hail Giggsy!
April 23rd, 2009 at 18:37
Can anyone tell me why giggs never won the PFA award ever in his career. Im a bit young to remember the early to mid 90s but surely he should have won an award when he was still a youngster. Looking back at his stats he was getting 10 odd goals a season with many assists, how come he never won the award. I know cantona won it a few times and i think shearer did but i dont know why giggs never won the award. I watch clips of him in his prime in the 90s and i just wish i was born 10 years earlier so i could have appreciated him a bit more and remembered him in his prime. I never actually saw the goal against arsenal live but yeah its a pretty amazing goal and when you were first watching it live it must have been amazing to see it go in. His best goal i remember would have to be the goal against juve in turin in 2003. I remember we were struggling and some1 got injured and i think it was him who came on. The game changed immediately and giggsy scored an amazing goal from just past the half way line. Such an amazing goal and i was happy for him cos he was getting alot of criticism at that time and was linked away apparently. I heard certain united fans even booed him, i mean what the hell is up with tht. Words just cannot describe how good a player he has been for us, and when it comes to the day he retires it will be one of the saddest days the club has ever had. Legend giggsy.
April 23rd, 2009 at 19:33
From wikipedia
1990–91 WAL Hughes, MarkMark Hughes Manchester United [17]
1991–92 ENG Pallister, GaryGary Pallister Manchester United
1992–93 IRE McGrath, PaulPaul McGrath Aston Villa
1993–94 FRA Cantona, EricEric Cantona Manchester United [18]
1994–95 ENG Shearer, AlanAlan Shearer Blackburn Rovers
1995–96 ENG Ferdinand, LesLes Ferdinand Newcastle United
1996–97 ENG Shearer, AlanAlan Shearer Newcastle United [19]
1997–98 NED Bergkamp, DennisDennis Bergkamp Arsenal FWA
1998–99 FRA Ginola, DavidDavid Ginola Tottenham Hotspur FWA
1999–00 IRE Keane, RoyRoy Keane Manchester United FWA
2000–01 ENG Sheringham, TeddyTeddy Sheringham Manchester United FWA
2001–02 NED van Nistelrooy, RuudRuud van Nistelrooy Manchester United FPY
2002–03 FRA Henry, ThierryThierry Henry Arsenal FWA, FPY [20]
2003–04 FRA Henry, ThierryThierry Henry Arsenal FWA, FPY [21]
2004–05 ENG Terry, JohnJohn Terry Chelsea
2005–06 ENG Gerrard, StevenSteven Gerrard Liverpool
2006–07 POR Ronaldo, CristianoCristiano Ronaldo Manchester United FWA, FPY, YPY [22]
2007–08 POR Ronaldo, CristianoCristiano Ronaldo Manchester United FWA, FPY
Interesting bits: Ginola I can understand, but Les Ferdinand!
One of the years Shearer won it maybe Giggs should have won…
Most surprising was Gary Pallister winnning it once! Not that he didn’t deserve it, but its the first time I hear about that!
April 23rd, 2009 at 19:40
Interesting also that one year, Beckham was second in the ballon d’or only to Rivaldo (who didn’t deserve it anyway) and didn’t win the POTY himself – I guess players didn’t like his flashy lifestyle…
No Paul Gascoigne!
Scholes at his peak was also deserving of some sort of award, methinks.
I said it once, but I think its high time that the league creates some sort of Lifetime recognition award – -just like they do at the academy awards, oscars for movies – so that people like Scholes, Giggs, Schmeichel and Le Tissier get their due recognition.
April 23rd, 2009 at 19:57
@Matt: Basically it has always been a case of one player being as good or better than him every year. Pro sports are littered with players of this nature who were constantly great and very consistent but there would be a Gretzky, an Orr, Ruth a Clemens, a Bird a Jordan, a Cantona, a Henry etc who would pop up and have great seasons. As great as Giggs has been, it’s more his consistency as opposed to a single breathtaking season that elevates him into legend status. Although Cal Ripken Jr won two MVP’s in baseball, his stats were always great but rarely were they great enough to warrant MVP awards. But what won him the MVP awards was that he was a good hitter playing a position historically known as a weak hitting position. Otherwise he would be known only for his iron man longevity and not for his bat and glove play. Giggs does so many things well but not one thing so much better than anybody else. I think his consistency and his willingness to hide in the background and be quiet and respectful of the game and his team has left him forgotten at times. For me he has been a quiet assassin that has murdered many a team with his timely goals, excellent passes, dribbling runs and free kicks. The man is a God, but back in the shadows a bit.
April 23rd, 2009 at 19:58
@NicoQB: How about a “Hall of Fame” that would honor the legends of the game?? Would be a lifetime induction and would mean so much more than the POY award.
April 23rd, 2009 at 20:12
@Grognard: Arise Sir Giggsy
April 23rd, 2009 at 20:16
@Redrich: The player of the year awards are necessary to reward the best player over the course of the season. I look forward to it. I was thinking about a kind of lifetime recognition award or a “Hall of Fame” if you like to honor those legends that, as Grognard rightly put it, had great careers but never shone spectacularly for any one season in particular.
April 23rd, 2009 at 20:50
Speaking of United legends, a new post is up on one of them. Who, you ask? You’ll just have to go to the front page to see.
April 23rd, 2009 at 22:35
@NicoQB: The sad thing is I can think of three or four seasons where Giggs shine greatly but it just happened to be years when Alan Shearer, Eric Cantona and Thierry Henry were just a bid better. So he did have spectacular seasons, but there was always just one name that was a little better or that the London media preferred and campaigned for.