Jul 15
Poyet Rubbishes Move – Giggsy’s College Degree – No Berbatov Yet – South Africa
This is the problem with lazy journalism. One paper reports something, quoting “unnamed sources” and the entire press corps take it up citing “other reports”. I was never expecting Gus Poyet coming into United, just about six months into his Spurs job. Plus Ramos is building something substantial at Tottenham and it appears that Poyet has a big role to play over there. He isn’t a bad assistant to have, nonetheless. I like his handling of the media, and Fergie would like to use one for the BBC.
But I never really thought there was any truth to the reports of Poyet coming to United. Today, he spoke out and reiterated that he was happy at Spurs. So that should lay further speculation to rest. Pity, a certain slave couldn’t speak out and put his uncertain future to rest. Oh wait, how are we to know his position anyway; it’s hard enough when you are bound up in chains.
It’s gone a bit quiet on the Berbatov front. And whilst I think there is a bit more fire to the Bulgarian smoke, it looks like United will have to do a lot of haggling before we get to hear anything positive to come out of that. Michael Carrick has been an example of us paying well over the odds, and I suspect it won’t be very different with Berba. I find it funny, though, that some people have started to equate this with the way Madrid have pursued Ronaldo.
Meanwhile Ryan Giggs has been accorded an honorary degree for his contribution to sport and charitable causes by the University of Salford. He was made a master of arts. Nothing spectacular about it, but once he retires he will have a degree. After all he needs a job after retirement so that he can make both ends meet. It’s tough for footballers these days, you know; after all, they are slaves to clubs and once they get their freedom with retirement, they’ll need to make it in the real world. Err… sorry, I think I took the slave thing a bit too far.
Meanwhile SAF thinks the South Africa tour will be ideal preparation for his team to be able to successfully defend our title. I think this year will be tricky for United.
Also Paulo Bento has now played down a move to OT.
And that’s it for the day. Till tomorrow.
Related items from Red Rants:
- On the Kaizer Chiefs Friendly + Rodrigo Possebon
- Conflicting Reports Cast Cloud Over Fergie-Ronaldo “Meeting”
- It’s Make Or Break For Michael Owen
- Scholes & Co. Stomp All Over Sailorboys
- The 07/08 Manchester United Kit Leaked?
Tags: Daily Roundup
July 15th, 2008 at 20:42
Well for all of you out there checking this blog here’s a question, what would happen if Jackass CR7
stays with united one more year and just sits on the bench and enjoys this year as if he’s on vacation??
Then maybe next year he would cost Madrid a lot cheaper say around 30 – 35 mil then WTF will Sir Alex
do with his principle???I say sell him get a couple of replacements for example if Aguero is expensive
then we’ll buy Silva and use Nani and Giggsy as wingers C’mon That prick has disgraced Fergie and Sir
Alex is bothered about his EGO..It would be stupidity if united kept him in the club for one more year
coz he’s just going to sulk and cause the Glazers Financial Damage As well.I can’t understand Fergie’s
Plans this summer WTF is he doing about the situation he is acting like he’s that fucker Ronaldo’s Slave
BTW if we can’t sign a gud player after winning the champions league then there’s something bloody
wrong in Old trafford,Fergie really thinks Ronaldo is irreplaceable that’s the reason he’s frickin
Mum About the whole issue and he also must be Shite sacred of losing the portugese contingent!!Well
c’mon Lads For me the Team of 99 had more ethical values that Mr.Whorebanger…and fergie has been
telling that this was his best team that he managed well they are no way near my Team of 99…They
were giants in terms of what they achieved and there lies the difference between Boys and Men…
This year is going to be a crazy roller coaster ride and i hope we win something….Sorry guys I just
had to get it out of my Chest…..
July 15th, 2008 at 20:45
Would have liked Bento, but Fergie decides. Berbatov, I believe he will be a United player in september. He wants to join UNited, united want him, Spurs need to sell to buy, he is worth the money, he is what were missing. I hope he comes and I think he will.
About Rooney, last season he had many reasons to play like he did. Let me make a summary of Rooneys seasons in a United shirt:
2004-05: He broke his metatarsal, and came back to make his debut against Fenerbache. If someone has forgotten what this magical youngster did that night, I can tell you that he scored a hat-trick in 71 minues. He made his first Prem goal for us against Arsenal ending their 49 game unbeaten run. He also won the penalty to 1-0. Rooney made 37(6) apperances scoring 17 goals. His best kick of the ball came against Newcastle in April. He scored his penalty in the FA cup final loss to Arsenal, and became MOTM. He, like almost every other United player that season, hit the post lots of times. Three times in the CL and 8 times in the Prem(watched highligths
). Rooney didnt play in Pre-season because of his injury, so he needed time to recover. He didnt hit top form until December. He played that season playin next to many different strikers. Bellion, Saha, Smith, Ruud, Scholes and away to Everton in the cup with Fortune. He played a good first season despite a wierd faith that made United end in 3rd pace hitting the post a total of 26 times! 
2005-06: Rooney got a good pre-season with the team and started well. He scored against Debreceni, Everton and Newcastlein the first 4 games. He didnt score a goal at Old Trafford until December. United played terrible in the CL ending 4th in their group. He got his only ever red card for United vs Villareal. He became Uniteds player of the season, making 44(4) apperances and scoring 19 goals. He played next to Smith, Rossi, Ruud, Saha and once with Ole. That was the season that Rooney was Uniteds main attacking player. He was the player that created and scored. He was the player that Untied players gavethe ball to in difficult situations. He missed some chances, some when 1-on-1 and once hitting the post on an open goal from 3 yards. He laughted at it cause United already were 2-0 up. He broke his foot again against Chelski. He got 16 assists.
2006-07: He returned from injury. But because of a stupid ref in Holland, he missed 3 of the first 4 games. He played against Fulham scoring 2 goals and setting up 1. He didnt score again until October when he scored a hat-trick against Bolton. In 2007 Rooney hit top form.. He scored against Roma, Milan, Everton, Portsmouth and Arsenal. United won the Prem that season but Rooney wasnt as valuabel as Ronaldo. He took over Rooneys role of creating and scoring goals, and he was the player that got the ball when Untied were in trouble. But, despite Rooney being critisied, he scored the same amount of goals as Ronaldo(23). He played with Saha, Ole, Smith, Giggs and Larsson.
2007-08: This season was the most difficult for Rooney. He missed a total of 8 weeks of the season bneing injured. He still managed to score 9 goals in 9 games. This was supposed to be ROoneys season, but we all know that it bacame Ronaldos. But still, Rooney was quite good! He scored 18 goals and made 19 assists in all competitions. He made a good pre-season, but injureed his foot against Reading on the opening day of the season after being the player of the 1st half. He could have scored 4 goals had he been 2 cms taller, had a little better touch when 1-on-1 and when he injured his foot trying to convert a Carrick cross. He missed many chances, some bad finishing and some just good saves. He was a menace to every defense with Tevez and that Ronaldo. He had a good season, but had he finished 75% of his chances he would have scored more than Ronaldo. He played with Tevez, Giggs, Saha, Ronaldo and Oshea.
This season Rooney got married. He scored against Aberdeen on the first game of pre-season. If Rooney gets a good pre season and gets a strike partner that he plays with in most games, and most importantly doesnt get injured, then I believe 2008-09 will be Rooneys season. If he learns great finishing and United use him like they use Ronaldo then Rooney can probably match the total of Ronaldos 42. He has the speed, the skills, the position, the age, the coach and the desire to do so. Believe me!
July 15th, 2008 at 20:46
Yeah man! i Agree with you. But only about the CR7 part! Remember that this team STILL has to reach its height! of they stay together, that is! I feel we are screwed for Aug-Sept!
July 15th, 2008 at 20:50
and i was replying to manuforlife
July 15th, 2008 at 20:51
@RedDevil: look man! maybe your right but i am praying that rooney DOES turn up this yea! cause if he doesnt place ronaldo’s place! we are not going to be anywhere good when ronaldo leaves!
July 15th, 2008 at 20:58
@Red Diablo: Unless Anderson, Tevez, Rooney, Carrick or Nani decides to become THE plplayers of Unteid, we wil be screwed with Ronaldo. But I believe that United are a TEAM not a person.
July 15th, 2008 at 21:04
@RedDevil: We need Berbatov now, not in September. Consider this, we will not have Ronaldo for three months. Nani will miss the first two games and Rio could face a suspension. Ad to this a very difficult schedule and we will be in deep doo doo and facing a loss of major points by the time we get Berbatov and Ronaldo. If we are going to haggle over a few million pounds and decide to play a waiting game, we stand to lose the millions of pounds that will come for winning the League. Also, he cannot just be expected to show up in September, thrown in to the lineup and feel in sync with the rest of the team. He as well as the team need time to practice and train together and form an understanding and sense for each others style and playing tendencies. This takes time as it did for Tevez last year. Remember, he was invisible in the first five games. Because we have no Ronaldo, we will need Berbatov from the start more than if CR7 was there from day 1. I say to Hell with the expense, buy him now and lets get on with it.
July 15th, 2008 at 21:36
dont mean to be negative but think queiroz gone fergie retiring soon as well as giggs,scholes,neville,vds then ronaldo going still in major
debt we have slipped gradually since the 90s and we are going down hill?
July 15th, 2008 at 21:36
Completely off topic, but for those who want to get a measure of the kind of wealth Roman Abramovich has, he just bought a house for $500m. I repeat, Five Hundred Million (US) Dollars. Link
And that’s just a holiday home in Monte Carlo.
Goes to show why Chelsea don’t have to run as a business as long as it catches Roman’s fancy.
July 15th, 2008 at 21:38
Regarding the assistant, I doubt that Fergie has put in too much thought on the matter. He’s probably concentrating more on the pre-season training (with no Queiroz to take training) and transfer dealings. I think that it’s possible that we play most, if not the entire season without a definate assistant manager, with Meulensteen and Phelan stepping in.
July 15th, 2008 at 21:39
great news about berbatov but 28mill ripoff i would have huntelaar instead for 25mil he is younger and next nistlerooy sell ronaldo for 80mil then get messi,richards treble back 2 us
July 15th, 2008 at 21:43
just wondering who do you think should be our next manager one of our own keane,ince,hughes,solskjear or someone else
July 15th, 2008 at 21:48
@Grognard: What I meant was that I believe Berbatov will be a United player when the seaosn starts.
July 15th, 2008 at 21:56
@mufc fan: I hope Ole or Keane will.
July 15th, 2008 at 22:00
United bid rejected for starlet.
July 15th, 2008 at 22:03
Red Ranter – I agree with you completely on the absolute stupidity of comparing our pursuit of Berbatov with Real’s pursuit of Ronaldo. A little rant of my own:
Corey, you are an absolute idiot. At no point did anyone from United come out to the media and say ‘Dimitar Berbatov is a class player, we love him. He would fit great in Manchester.’
At no point did the manager, or sporting director, or technical director or club president or chairman come out and publicly issue statements regarding our pursuit of Berbatov.
Any comments seen in the media should be disregarded; British press aren’t known for their scrupulous nature and will just as easily print ‘a source close to ____’ or ‘a close friend of ___________’ says:
At the same time, Berbatov made his desire to leave Tottenham public knowledge. Ronaldo has done no such thing. “I stay”
“You know what I want”
“I like a white kit”
All games. Come out and be a man about it. Say you want to leave the greatest club in the world for the money. Say you want to follow your dream. Say that, and United (the club and the fans) would’ve let you go. We would’ve been sad to see you leave, sad to no longer have the pleasure and the privilege to watch you grace our pitch. But the way you’ve gone about this is moronic, juvenile and immature.
You said that when you scored goals we would love you again. It’ll take more than that.
Corey, get the facts. Then make accusations.
July 15th, 2008 at 22:03
I just read reports that United had a bid rejected from Udinese for a Chilean guy named Alexis Sanchez. His agent claims that a bid was made 2 months back but was rejected… He is a left winger BTW and was on loan at River Plate last season…..
July 15th, 2008 at 22:11
@RedDevil: You beat me to it mate….
July 15th, 2008 at 22:12
http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=102440 There goes another prospect
July 15th, 2008 at 22:13
@Krishnan: He-he
July 15th, 2008 at 22:18
@jhunt: I agree. I feel like a defender after Ive met Ronaldo. Confused and sick! Be a man and say what u want.He will probably stay, but how will fans treat him? And how will he play? Will he play up to his best or will he do shit.
July 15th, 2008 at 23:11
God night everyone! See ya tomora!
July 15th, 2008 at 23:16
lets hope berbertov does not come, that would be a massive mistake by fergie. lets give welbeck campbell and manucho their chance. and maybe we can save a fortune, solkjaer was an unknown look how he turned out he is one of our youth coach and he cost a million pounds, like that saying cheap as chips.
July 15th, 2008 at 23:52
@steve: Lets hope Berbatov comes and fans like Steve enjoy watching the reserves p;lay so he can get his fix of the limited skills from tomorrow’s wannabes like Manucho, Welbeck and Campbell. Dream on Steve. With thinking like that Manchester United might have a hard time surviving the Coca Cola league if you were in charge. It’s not your millions to spend so stop being concerned like it’s coming out of your penny pinching pocket ok.
July 15th, 2008 at 23:53
@Grognard: Uncalled for.
That’s his opinion. And you don’t have to tell him what to think, because he didn’t direct this at you.
I know you don’t see eye to eye with him but now don’t attempt to start a back handed bickering match. We have better things to do now.
July 15th, 2008 at 23:59
@Grognard:
Grog I wouldnt waste your time with Steve, I just read and laugh and then ignore. The fact he thinks Berbatov is slow shows he doesnt actually know him as a player, maybe he just finds him difficult to use on Pro Evo or something!
July 16th, 2008 at 0:24
@Grognard: Well at least Berbatov coming would prove we’re not really broke
@RedDevil: Wasn’t that Falcao guy from River- plate too? I wonder if Fergie has been studying that region lately@Grognard: I find myself agreeing with you more and more, lol It kinda makes me laugh when people say we don’t need any player and then go on to say cus we have Manucho, Welbeck, etc. I really don’t see how it can be a good idea to stake our striking options on players unproven in the big stage. As much as i hope we get Huntelaar, i wouldn’t be sad either if we get Berbatov.
I guess things will be silent for a while cus of the SA tour, Gill’s going along too.
July 16th, 2008 at 0:26
Berbatov, slow?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPSsmdaCHvg
Yea, what a slouch!
July 16th, 2008 at 0:35
I don’t understand and its really getting annoying but, it seem every transfer move we make now, as long as its a player under contract, the press will always find a way to link it to the Ronaldo saga
July 16th, 2008 at 0:38
@Red Ranter: Actually RR, he’s been telling us how to think for quite a while. Problem is many of us don’t like his way of thinking. But I’ll lay off of him in the future.
July 16th, 2008 at 0:40
@Ryan: Oh my God Ryan, I was actually thinking the very same thing but I never wanted to say so.
Still, RR is correct, he is entitled to his opinion whether we agree or not. God knows I have more people disagree with me so I should behave better.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:00
@Rd: I think we are not necessarily broke but we are not in a position when we have the freedom to just buy a player before a player like Ronaldo is sold. Chelsea, Real, Milan, Inter and Barca can actually buy an Aguero before they have off loaded Ronaldo. We are better off than Liverpool and Arsenal, but we should have more financial flexibility. Still, when we are haggling over a few million when Berbatov is needed immediately, I think that sort of strengthens my point. Like RR said earlier, Abramovich just bought a 500 million house. You think the difference between 28 million and 30 million would matter to him? Sometimes we need to show some confidence and aggressiveness when we spend because it makes the team look stronger financially as well, we will always have to spend more with smaller clubs because they are desperate to get every penny out of us. We are demanding every penny for a Ronaldo sale, shouldn’t Spurs do the same for Berbatov. Pay it and lets get on with things.
As for you agreeing with me more and more that’s because like fine wine, once you acquire a taste for me, you can’t resist.
It is funny though how some fans have their hearts and souls embedded with the youth and reserves of the team. They are not wrong and it’s not wrong to believe in a youth policy but it just doesn’t work for a team that just won the Double. When you are on top, you need to do your very best to stay there. It is expected of your supporters, the community and the management of the team. I have a very good friend who is as loud and controversial on a large LA Dodgers baseball blog. He goes by the name CanuckDodger. He is as active and as opinionated and as long winded as I am. But unlike me he has a strong belief in the Dodgers farm and minor league system and he spends hours and hours studying and analyzing the dozens and dozens of Dodger prospects so much so, that i honestly believe he knows more about them than much of the Dodgers Minor League staff. I’ve often told him to apply for a job with the club because he has built a reputation and a cult status on numerous baseball sites and especially Dodgers sites as an expert in all things to do with LA prospects. Trying to get him to buy in to the fact that you cannot promote 10 to 15 prospects anf have them automatically fit in with a contending team is difficult. He wants nothing to do with veteran players when he feels a blue chip prospect is ready for the Major Leagues. He honestly believes sometimes that this prospect will make his debut for the Dodgers and be a star from day one. That’s of course so untrue and it’s the very same thing for players like Welbeck, Manucho etc. These players may have potential but they stand very little chance of getting a real opportunity with a team that’s stacked with superstars who have been bought from all over the place. Their only chance is a rash of injuries after the transfer deadline expires. For those hoping and praying for the like of Manucho, Welbeck, Eagles, Campbell etc to actually get the big chance and to actually make the grade on the best team in world football is naive and wishful thinking. Not impossible for one of them to make it but certainly far from a certainty. I call it a forlorn hope.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:04
@RedAddict: Way to go. That’s sweeeeet!. That tortes has wheels doesn’t he?
July 16th, 2008 at 1:43
We are only buying one player this summer anyway, according to Fergie, so its not like as if we need to carefully pinch the pennies for another signing or two. Like Gorgnard says, to hell with the cost of Berbatov! Money is there to be spent at the end of the day, not saved up forever in a kitty (as the massive burnt hole in Arsene Wenger’s pocket will testify). We shouldn’t become tightwads like Arsenal, and lets face it, we are always gonna get ripped off in the transfer market, so what does it matter if we have to pay an extra £3-5m on top? We could actually even learn a thing or two from the Chelski ’success at all costs’ mantra, and spend however much we need to spend in order to safeguard our position at the pinnacle of the domestic and European game.
I agree with Grog that we need Berbatov signed up ASAP because 1) he will need time to bed in with his new teammates, surroundings and team style of play and 2) we need cover for Ronaldo. I would also like to say one more thing:
…
CRISTIANO RONALDO IS A FUCKING WANKER!!! A COMPLETE TOSSPOT! MIERDA DE PUTO! ADIOS BASTARDO!! (hopefully!)
….
(but he’s a pretty damn good football player. Shame about Ronaldo the person. And I’m also 80% sure he’ll still be with us for the forthcoming season.)
July 16th, 2008 at 1:48
Also, just out of curiosity, I was just wondering what the hell happened to two of the most regular contributors to this site, Craig MC and Conor? I just realised that I havent seen or read any comments from them since we won the Double. Anyone care to fill me in on the (gory?) details?
July 16th, 2008 at 1:56
I’ve got to say I’m feeling a little sorry for Man City supporters (perish the thought). Apparently Ronaldinho’s brother played the same trick and con on them as he did with Fergie some 7 or 8 years earlier. His brother looks to have agreed to the deal with City but then Milan calls him and he back tracks and changes his mind. This speaks volumes of his lack of character but it also speaks of the kind of shite Ronaldinho himself is. A mercenary of the first order and a player who doesn’t seem to have a mind of his own. Like Ronaldo, he needs to manipulated and moved around a chess board like a bloody pawn. Too bad City brass were asleep when this same thing happened to their crosstown rivals. Fooled me once shame on you, fooled me twice shame on me. They were suffering from delusions of grandeur anyway thinking that Roanldinho would want to play for that sad bunch. They have very little style or quality to properly suit a player of that caliber. Even if he is a fat, out of shape buck tooth slob who is washed up.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:57
@Red Ranter: RR mate I think you are being a bit harsh on Giggsy there. No need to tar him with the same brush as our resident slave Ronaldo! Giggsy has always been the loyal, consummate pro and would never come out with outrageous statements about slaves like our poor Cristiano did, hence why he got that degree in the first place
They wouldn’t just hand it out to any random footballer now would they?
July 16th, 2008 at 2:00
@Grognard: Do me a favour mate and check the comments in the last post, as i have no idea where you read that i felt berbatov provided width. I never said anything remotely like that.
The reason we won’t up the bid for berbatov may be that we are sure he wants to leave, so over time spurs will be forced into it. They have a hard neck anyway if they really are asking for a lot more than the reported 20 mil we bid. They paid like 10 million just two years ago for him so they really are pushing it. I also can’t figure out that if berbatov really has wanted to join united for about a year now, why didn’t he just move here in the first place. He had the choice of spurs or united two years ago and he chose spurs.
Perhaps we have agreed a fee for him and the delay is simply spurs trying to find a replacement. We don’t know, fergie may well have put up the extra few million.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:01
@Nino: They couldn’t deal with the Grognard I think. Although I certainly never asked them to leave. Some people can’t hack it unless they are able to police things and make others think in line with a certain way of thinking. Although their contributions for the most part were good and positive, they did come across that way with me and didn’t particularly appreciate my brand of support. I for one hope they reconsider and come back one day, provided they treat me a little better.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:13
@Grognard: That’s kinda ridiculous! Leaving a forum just because they disagree with the opinions of one individual! If I disagreed with somebody, and I found I was getting nowhere with them, I’d just ignore them and carry on ranting and airing my views on all things United as normal. It’s a pity, because they were both excellent contributors IMO, but what can you do eh?
July 16th, 2008 at 2:16
Tribal football competition. Chance to win a signed Scott McDonald Celtic shirt; In 25 words or less tell us what changes you would like to see on tribalfootball.com?…
‘Stop talking shite.’
That would just about do it…
July 16th, 2008 at 2:17
@tevez: I thought Spurs had already agreed a deal to sign Luis Garcia of Espanyol (who I’m pretty sure is Berbatov’s replacement), so I cannot see what the delay is!
July 16th, 2008 at 2:26
Nah it’s not been confirmed yet.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:28
@Nino: It was satirical. There was no tar attempted on Giggs. Just a general jibe on the modern day footballer. I love Giggs to bits.
I guess it didn’t come out as intended, judging by your reaction.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:34
@Red Ranter: Oh OK, cool! No problem then! Though to counteract your jibe on modern day footballers, my point was also that not all of them are wankers, as illustrated by our Welsh wing wizard. That’s all!
July 16th, 2008 at 2:36
@Nino: Craig and Conor quit because they felt things weren’t right in their eyes. That was their reason in their own words.
And Mr Grogs, I don’t think the reason you gave was the real reason, but it’s unbecoming of us to be speculating about it in public.
To be sure, I didn’t ban them — it was their own decision and I told them they’re always welcome.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:40
@tevez: Post 114 from yesterday and I quote; “Tevez and rooney are less effective when played out wide. They need to be in the middle of the park where their movement is not restricted. So then if they are both playing off and around berbatov, who provides width? Sorry but when you say “playing off around Berbatov who provides width”, I take that for you thinking that Berbatov provides width with his play.
And we may be sure we will eventually get Berbatov in time but my point and the point of others is that the team need him now so that he can get used to playing with our players and in our system. Throwing him in to the mix in September when we are already missing Ronaldo and when he hasn’t had any training with us is asking him to fail the way tevez did in his first four or five matches. He should be with us playing in all the pre season matches getting his fitness and achieving his comfort zone with the team. And even if he was only 10 millkion two years ago, he has come a long way as a player and has more than doubled his value with his play. What did we pay for Ronaldo? 17 million or something like that. Would you like it if Real demanded we pay around that much even though his growth and improvement has been astronomical since then? I see no reason to delay the proceedings or having to wait for Spurs to find a player. That’s paying them what they need and giving them leverage with any team they deal with in finding a replacement by still having Berbatov on their roster. That shouldn’t be our concern if we have met their asking price. Finding a replacement is their problem and we shouldn’t hurt our team by delaying Berbatov’s appearance in red over Spurs need to find a replacement. I don’t get that theory whatsoever.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:42
@tevez: I’d tell Tribal Football in no simple terms, CEASE AND DESIST!
Or change their name to Libel Football. They should be sued for libel too.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:43
@Grognard: Ronaldinho’s brother didn’t play any trick with us. It was Peter Kenyon screwing it up at the last moment when, after agreeing a fee, they tried to lower the fee with PSG. PSG were visibly angry over the arrogance and unprofessional nature of Kenyon and called it off.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:43
@Nino: The delay is that it’s looking more and more likely that they will also lose Robbie Keane too so they are in double jeopardy. Garcia is not confirmed by the way.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:48
@Nino: I agree but I honestly think it was because of me and my numerous run ins with them. They both had fierce passion and Irish tempers and you know how Irishmen like to be policemen in general. They just got fed up and frustrated. I may not be the only reason but I have a strong feeling that I was the main reason. And it was silly for them to leave. Their contribution otherwise was good provided we agreed with them and saw things their way. Which reminds of the third member of the Irish three JB. Where has he been?
I missing his contributions and his corrections snide comments directed at me. Hope he’s only on vacation. Even though he and I occasionally go at it, his contribution is too valuable to lose.
And RR, I’m only commenting on my honest appraisal of the situation and my belief that I was mostly responsible and regretfully so.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:54
@Red Ranter: That’s funny because I have read in numerous places that the meeting between Kenyon and Ronaldinho’s brother occurred and there was an agreement, and then his brother returned home and told Ronaldinho to accept the Barcelona offer. The problem I’m having with your take is the fact that i have read this version in more than one place. Even if your’s is the correct version and I believe you, it confuses me greatly.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:56
@Grognard: Now there’s an idea! Why don’t we just sign Robbie Keane instead and give him the No.16 shirt
(sorry Carrick!). It’ll just be like old times again, if you see where I am coming from! 
July 16th, 2008 at 2:57
@Grognard: watch it with the Irish jibes mate, Im from Belfast and at 6 foot 3 and 260 lbs, id give you a run for your money
July 16th, 2008 at 3:01
@Grognard: plus Ive got a black belt in karaoke
July 16th, 2008 at 3:05
Which reminds me of the joke about the Irishman, Englishman and Welshman in a bar….
…though in this case we’ll have to adapt it to the one about the Irishman and the Canadian Greek-German!
July 16th, 2008 at 3:21
@Grognard: I don’t know which versions you read, but almost all versions I read from both Manchester United and Barca related sources confirm what I thought about Ronaldinho’s transfer — that Kenyon acted too smart for his own good to botch up the transfer. Yes Ronaldinho’s brother was a good friend of Sandro Rossell the Nike executive, but Ronnie was bound to the club PSG agreed to sell to. Here’s one source I read from:
Long one:
July 16th, 2008 at 3:23
Grognard – I was responding to a comment by someone else who suggested playing berbatov up front with rooney and tevez either out wide or just off him. Both rooney and tevez are effective when playing behind a striker where they are given license to drop into space and roam about a bit. Ofcourse, they can also roam about from a wide position, but then you would cease to really be the wide man. Width is important when attacking and the statement you are refering to is a rhetorical question; with berbatov up front and rooney and tevez playing off him, who then provides the necessary width to break down opponents?
The idea is that spurs are delaying the transfer until they have a replacement lined up, not that we would be waiting for them to sign a replacement before taking berbatov. The theory completely makes sense – they don’t sell berbatov until they get someone else in, just covering themselves to ensure they don’t end up with berbatov gone and no replacement. We are not delaying his appearance in red, spurs are.
As for the price, ronaldo was brought in for 12 million five years ago as a teenage boy who was nowhere near the player he is today. Berbatov was brought in at 10 million only two years ago at the age of 25. He has had a great two years no doubt, but he is not too different a player from the one spurs signed two years previously. Whether they consider to have gotten him on the cheap or that that was fair value for money, either way they have a hard neck for demanding such a ridiculous fee now.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:31
Oh yes they are wannabeas are they grognard like what about vidic evra solkjaer, yes they were superstars when they arrived weren’t they. To go on and just down two great talents like welbeck and Campbell shows your knowledge doesn’t it, they cant ever even be has beens unless they are given their chance as was the class of 92 like you said cant win it with academy kids can we, I got a great idea lets just sell the accademy it never seems to be used does it.
can anyone tell me this when solkjaer was signed did anyone think he would not only become our most deadliest and greatest finisher since law but become a legend and cult hero and go on to become part of our youth team coaching staff.
yes I don’t think berbertov is worth 20 million let alone 28 to 30 million, how do you know manucho can’t go on and do well for united as solkjaer did. what if manucho is the one to add depth upfront instead of throwing money to solve a problem that will only lead to more problems, as did rooney saha and van nistlerooy showed in the 05/06 season when one player who thought he was too good to be benched was pulling a fit in the thought that he may not play every game ppl forget these things dont they.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:36
@steve: We don’t know what Manucho will do. But we know what Berbatov can do. Yet you seem to rate someone you haven’t seen much of over someone who has proven class. Plus, I’m not sure if you are aware of it, but Manucho has been sent for a scan for a possible metatarsal injury on international duty — if that turns out to be true then it would justify Fergie’s search for a new striker.
And about the academy system, like it or not, right now the academy has served to generate profits over the short term. Buy for peanuts, and sell for something decent. If the likes of Rossi couldn’t make it, then I don’t know who will. I understand that we need to get the youth through the ranks but it’s not as easy as you seem to think.
People like Ole are a one-off, and our famed youth system of the 90s is again hard to replicate in the modern age. Ask Arsene.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:43
If welbeck and campbell are good enough they will get a chance. The class of ‘92 were an exceptional bunch of lads who were put in the team at a time when they could compete. Fergie has shown that if there is a young player with enough ability and there is a space for them in the team they will get their chance. I was certain rossi would make it at united, i saw him as our next van nistelrooy, but in the end i feel it came down to a case of bad timing. Then, when he did decide to leave, and i do feel that fergie wanted to keep him but he asked to leave, it was at the same time alan smith left. There would have been an opportunity for him there but he opted to go. Perhaps manucho will be given a chance, but only if he’s good enough. I haven’t seen him play so i have no idea how good he is. As for welbeck and campbell, they won’t make it at united. They just aren’t good enough and we have fairly young strikers in the first team who are always going to be a step above them. The only player in the reserve team i see being able to break into the first team in the future is possebon.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:49
Does anyone else love Berbatov’s goal celebration?
One silver lining from Ronaldo’s injury is that if we do sign Berbatov integrating him into the team will be a lot simpler. We’ll just play a straighforward 4-4-1-1 with Rooney in the hole.
The difficulty arises if and when Ronaldo returns. If Ronaldo continues to play in a free role as a winger-cum-forward it could well be a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. Im guessing we’d shunt Rooney to the other wing and play 4-3-3 with Berbatov as a striker. But that means another season of Rooney being played out of position.
Any thoughts?
July 16th, 2008 at 4:13
@Fred The Red: That was not an Irish jibe. It’s a well known fact that the Irish in America especially quite often end up as police officers. And I for one love the Irish so please understand that no jibe was thrown. Sorry if you saw it that way.
July 16th, 2008 at 4:17
@Fred The Red: Oh God, you sing Karoake?
OK, I’m getting on my knees now and begging for mercy. Please don’t karoake me to death. PLEASE PLEASE!!!!! 
And Fred, I,m 6′5″ and 330lbs of Greek who is trained in the art of FETA.
And I have a pink belt in Couch potato
July 16th, 2008 at 4:20
@Nino: As long as that joke doesn’t include sheep we’re fine.
July 16th, 2008 at 4:21
@Red Ranter: Very interesting read RR. That was so many years ago and at aa time when there wasn’t so many sources to choose from on the Internet. Yet I stand by what I read still, there is no denying the evidence you bring up.. I’ll go with it.
July 16th, 2008 at 4:34
@steve: That was a different age Steve when the team was build primarily from the reserves and there was not as many foreign players coming in to the EPL. The two era’s cannot even be compared anymore and united as a team has evolved into something far greater than what they were in the early to mid 90’s. Then they were the best team in England and a top 15 team in Europe. Now they are the best team in England and the top team in Europe with a distinct Foreign flavor. The players you want to give a chance are just not good enough. There is no point arguing with me over it because neither of us is going to change his mind but i will say this one more thing. I think if you took a vote of Manchester United fans everywhere, a vast majority would agree with me on this one. It’s just the way things are right now. Reserves are evaluated and if they really impress, they get a chance to show themselves in a league Cup game or exhibition game and if they don’t do it like Evans or Eagles, they get shipped off. Expect that to happen with all those players. As long as United is fighting Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool and is a top dog in the CL they will absolutely not waste their time and effort on local reserve talent that’s not close to world class. The pressure to win is too great. Perhaps if they were in a rebuilding mode or decimated by injuries they may give these players a shot but that’s it. Sorry if that pisses you off but sometimes the truth sucks.
And Manucho comes from nowhere and has not proven himself ready yet. He did nothing with Panathinaikos and he also fractured his foot and is gone for quite a while so we will definitely not see him this year. Had he stayed healthy he may have had a chance at being #4 striker but that’s irrelevant now. Also, you need to stop rating players based on what you read and hype and more on what they have done.
July 16th, 2008 at 6:51
@Red Ranter: i agree that its hard to produce quality youths today, it is, but im damn sure they could put a bit more effort into it.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:14
Just reading that Berba bid has been rejected, and a ‘not for sale’ sign put up in the window. Interesting, sounds quite similar to the situation with a certain greased up winger…
I’m now hoping no one at United comes out with massively hypocritical comments around this. It’s clear Berba wants to come, and we want him, so let’s just hope it gets done. The annoyance is that now he won’t have the African tour to bed with the team, which sucks.
July 16th, 2008 at 14:35
Beachryan
I was thinking that we dont want to be hypocritical but know one does things as disgusting and disgracefully then that scum madrid, the only difference is between ronaldo and berbertov is berbertov has not said he was a slave and man utd when they buy the player most of the time do things by the book plus have united hounded spurs no.
July 16th, 2008 at 14:52
At least we have made a bid for Berbatov and not openly court the player via the media, like Madrid.
July 16th, 2008 at 16:12
So let me get this right, United offer 28 million and Tottenham want 30 million and so the deal is dead. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You quit over 2 million? I don’t think so. United unfortunately will leave it in the hands of Berbatov an let him do what Ronaldo has been doing for almost two months now, sulk, cry to the press and just look and act unprofessional enough to force Levy’s hand and have him give in. That’s not tapping up like Madrid but it is a tactic that has become much more common place today than ever before. Leaving it to the player to basically demand out of town. This game really stinks right now and measure must be taken to clean up the reputation and standards and conduct in the game on and off the pitch. We are losing the game to spoilt kids, mercenaries, greedy agents and super rich clubs that will stop at nothing to get their way.
July 16th, 2008 at 16:31
@Grognard: They haven’t given up. You are again jumping to conclusions. Gill, along with Fergie, are leaving for South Africa and Tottenham want to fleece United. It’s the Michael Carrick experience all over again. Most likely, negotiations will resume after the South Africa tour. Your anger is directed at the wrong thing. If any, it should be Gill leaving for South Africa. What business does he have there? Sit back at OT and finish off negotiations and then head over to SA to join up with the team.
July 16th, 2008 at 16:32
It is sad, we will end up paying £30m for a player we could and should have bought for £10.9 2 years ago, well we did pay 318.6 m for Carrick whom we could have paid £2.5m for 2 years pervious! We will probably pay £35m for Modric in 2010 or £25m for Dos Santos in a couple of years!!!
July 16th, 2008 at 16:52
I was thinking more that we offer 20 million for berbatov and they want 30 million. That’s not a petty difference. If spurs want much more than 20 million they are kidding themselves.
Regarding ronaldo, fergie and most united fans are already hypocrites for the way they have reacted to madrid’s pursuit of ronaldo. We done exactly the same thing with hargreaves. We hounded them constantly with offers even though they insisted he was not for sale. We went public with it, unsettled the player and eventually got him. No one here seems to have a problem with what we done then, so i have to say that madrid have done absolutely nothing wrong here. I also feel that ronaldo did not have to reveal his plans to the fans at all. He doesn’t have to explain anything to us. I see nothing wrong with his public indecision. I don’t really understand why he would want to leave now after just winning the double but in the end he will have his reasons and he doesn’t have to justify his desires to me or any other fan. However, agreeing that he is a slave shows just how much of an arsehole he is. I could not believe it when i saw him saying that. Sepp blatter is a complete idiot aswell ofcourse. Apart from the slavery debate though, ronaldo hasn’t done anything wrong and neither has madrid.
July 16th, 2008 at 17:01
RR, You don’t know that all has been agreed already. With the Robbie Keane situation up in the air, they might have agreed everything, but won’t let him go until they have signed a replacement, or they find out if Robbie Keane is staying or going.
July 16th, 2008 at 17:38
tevez
what are you on about man utd have done what real madrid have done, are you saying man utd have used the media to unsettle berbertov saying this is what we are going to do when he is signed. have you seen fegie do a huge interview like the Schuster saying what plans he as for berbertov no you have not, have you seen fergie gill or the united players ever come out publicly ever said anything about that player they could sign no you have not.
as for Hargreaves that was the same, man utd made a phew real offers never talked out of their backsides all season on how they are going to sign him, all fergie gill said was we hope to get the hargreaves signing done. it is as normal as any other club have done when they buy players, we hear it all the time how united are hypocrites but to even say man utd behave like real madrid is just not insane what they do is a disgrace and the likes of bayern munich barcelona and other leading clubs have also backed united in this ronaldo stance so real madrid are a disgrace by many leading clubs.
July 16th, 2008 at 18:41
@steve: I’m only talking about hargreaves, not berbatov. No fergie did not talk about how hargreaves would fit into the united system and so forth, but he still made his interest and negotiations public which led to hargreaves publicly stating he wished to join united. Bayern were at one point threatening to report us to fifa for constantly contacting them about hargreaves when they had told fergie he was not for sale. It was not as innocent as ‘we hope to get the signing done’ because at the time bayern were clear that they were not selling. United were not negotiating a price and they did not have permission to speak to the player. United and fergie have to accept madrid’s behaviour because it is no different from what happened with hargreaves.
United and fergie are not innocent in these situations. If we have problems, i’m certain we will try to unsettle berbatov and force spurs into a transfer which is not on their terms. As he seems to want to join it should be easy to get him talking his way out of spurs.
There are other situations where fergie will sneakily use the media to his own gain. Last season, a few days before our encounter with lyon, fergie spoke with a certain amount of interest about benzema. He was accused of trying to unsettle the player with a view to buying him in the summer. I think he was giving the player, and his teammates, something to think about before the game. He was trying to unsettle the team in order to give united an advantage, rather than looking to come back with a bid for the player. Either last season or the season before, on the eve of a derby game against city, right out of the blue, there was speculation that united would bid for micah richards in the summer. This had been planted in an attempt to unsettle the player and his teammates, to once again give united an advantage in a big match.
July 16th, 2008 at 20:41
what was that fish and chips headline linking united to richards, did you see the source just one of many players behing linked with united. fergie was asked do you like benzema as a player what is fergie going to say say he was a pub player and say he is not fit to wear a united shirt, fergie said he was a good player stop using stupid examples to almost try to justify real madrids behavior.
July 16th, 2008 at 23:15
@tevez: So you believe anything you read in the press, wow smart idea..
@tevez: Why is Ronaldo not stating where he wants to be a good thing? He doesn’t deserve to tell us? So you agree that we deserve to be left in the cold, not knowing where he wants to be, how can we start replacing him if he doesn’t make his decision clear? I must admit your thinking is bizzare to me. No one is saying he should justify anything, fans just want a decision and in your opinion we don’t deserve that?
July 16th, 2008 at 23:21
rd
you hit the nail right on the head, the press as even linked us with micheal owen for goodness sake.
July 17th, 2008 at 0:23
No i don’t believe everything i read in the press.
I never said ronaldo not stating where he wants to be was a good thing, i said he doesn’t have to state it publicly. He doesn’t have to tell the fans his decision. So what if we are left in the cold not knowing where he wants to be. This is something which will be sorted out privately and it doesn’t matter if we are left in the dark up until the day he signs with madrid or the day the transfer window closes.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:39
@tevez: So lets say Sir Alex was to retire, i guess you’d be alright if he announces his decision 24hrs before he does it, with no reason given or he just retires, walks out of OT and doesn’t say anything, using your above notion, Fergie would have done absolutely nothing wrong and doesn’t owe the fans any explainantion whatsoever.