Aug 29
Preview: Man Utd v Zenit St. Petersburg
Today is 07/08 season hangover day. A day where we play a game to prove we are better than a team that didn’t qualify for the Champions’ League. To be honest, I don’t get the point of a Super Cup. It’s not really super, whether we win it or lose it. Playing the UEFA Cup winners could be tricky, but it’s more like a glorified version of the Community Shield — a curtain raiser to the footballing calendar in Europe.
But, I do want us to win this one. The Super Cup doesn’t come every day, so I’d gladly take this, as well as the World Club Championship later this year.
In team news, Fergie said that Hargreaves could start, but also added that he won’t be fit enough to face Andorra for England. I agree with the boss. Playing for England at the moment is pointless. (Before you jump on me, yes, it is personal bias.)
Nani will definitely start and I hope he’ll be hungry as hell. I genuinely hope he comes of age this season. Park Ji-Sung could come off the bench too. So despite the apparent cramping of our schedule, we are getting to see players returning from injury in non-Premier League games.
In terms of formation, Rooney and Tevez should start up front; Nani, Scholes, Anderson, Hargreaves in midfield, Evra, Rio, Vida and Brown in defence. (Or perhaps, Fergie might choose to start Neville too).
The good thing is that we are getting very close to our first team. And today’s team will be the nucleus of the one that will play Liverpool on the 13th. A good performance now would augur well going into the international break, considering the disjointed displays from Liverpool of late.
Zenit will be without Arshavin. But I hear they can still be a handful without their influential playmaker. So there…
I am excited, I hope you are too.
Prediction: 2-0 to United
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What the hell was the Goalkeeper, Defender and Midfield award about anyway? Was this some kind of a joke? Petr Cech for all his past brilliance has never been the same player since his head injury. John Terry? Give me a fuckin’ break. And I don’t understand Lampard getting the best midfield award either.
So someone, kindly explain.
* * *
Yup. No more news on the Berbatov front. Let’s wait for the clock to whittle down. Although if Tottenham continue to be linked with the likes of Miguel Veloso, then I don’t see any point in them holding on to Berba.
Back to today’s game though. Come on you reds!!!
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Manchester United’s 08/09 Champions’ League Opponents
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Rooney Out For A Month
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (483)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Craig Mc:
I’ve not read that anywhere but if its true I agree with you, a fit fireing Saha is as good as any other striker around. My only thinking is that if Fergie had played him then he would have got injured and wrecked any hope of slashing 65k a week off the wage bill!!
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Yeah Ryan, I see your point mate, but United will only get payed IF Louis plays for Everton, so what is the point. I am trying to understand honestly, but I kinda feel like we have been lied too. Maybe I’ll be proved wrong though Ryan. I picked up the news from off News Now. Not the best place, but there must be some truth surely, cos why would Everton sign someone NOT fit?.
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The team didn’t deserve to win, they are not very good at the moment.
In the last few matches very few goal scoring chances have been created and the pattern of play has been similar: slow build up with good ball retention, then confronted by a wall of 8 opposing players. The only slight breaks have been on the wings with overlaps, resulting in crosses to nobody.
Tevez stands out because he’s the only player, in Ronaldo’s absence, who is able to break through the midfield. The team can’t pass it through the middle because they don’t have the talent or team coordination at the moment.
For me the problem is with team play, some players look dreadful in the way the team is set out at the moment.
What to do to make the team click again? Well, I suppose there are several answers:
A tall striker would definitely help with those crosses, especially when that’s virtually the only supply route to goal
Break up play in the middle of the park, it doesn’t happen too often…break up play and attack quickly before they get their whole team behind the ball, Tevez does this but then there’s no one in front of him…Scholes slows it all down, can’t tackle and can’t run any more…it’s predictable and too slow. I want two lunatics in midfield…running, breaking down…ok, one lunatic and some one who can pick out the passes…
Arsenal can pass their way through the midfield, Chelsea can avoid the midfield by using the long ball with the striker holding the ball up (with Deco, they can split it with one pass), Liverpool can’t do either of these two things
Hopefully this defeat will sting the team into action, you have to play to win, you can’t just turn up
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@Craig Mc:
But if he is not fit for Everton then he wouldnt be fit for us and we would be wasting 65k a week so think we have a decent deal even though i’d have loved for him to prove us all wrong this season. If we sell Campbell aswell for 7m then depending on Berba our options will be -
Rooney
Tevez
Berbatov
Manucho
Not bad is it, esp as Ronaldo can be the ‘emergency’ 5th striker.
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If we get Berbatov I think fergie should bench Rooney, maybe that will spark Rooney to put in the extra time off the field to improve his game.
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Boy, if we had to play Arsenal right now, they’d put their foot in our asses.
We need to get our act together quick cause we got 3 tough games in 8 days after the break.
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MUFC Fan in America: And what if we had been playing the mighty Arsenal a week earlier after their perfomance against Fulham
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@Craig MC well it was not a very crowded defence but you have to admit that he makes this Rooney special very often like here http://www.tv.com/uservideos/?action=video_player&id=cnUxkWb95b4OvDLf
DO YOU SEE THE CLOCK? DEFENCE ONCE AGAIN IT ‘S ITALIAN !!!! GOAL AGAINST AC MILAN CHL SEMI FINAL
I ‘ve got a friend who supports Real Madrid…We both like Rooney more than Ronaldo…All Europe knows Rooney’s greatnes over to any other Manchester player … The only people that don’t rate him are the English…….plus some 14 y.o. kids
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TIME 90 + …… the only time Ronaldo or any other manchester will make this will be against Fulham or Reading…….. BIG PLAYERS FOR BIG GAMES
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I’ve old it many times before writing for soccerlens.The only things that Rooney will never do in the pitch is tap-in goals + header (he ‘s minimum aerial threat).
The only thing he does want is JUST A NEW PUSSY…to feed…I mean…u know…he is a zoophilic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpt5W0Pj2Yw&feature=related
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Does anyone have the link to todays episode of I’m on setanta sports?
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Liam:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xQMvYf2X64
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Thanks JB. It wasn’t his best effort but still fantastic
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@JB:
just saying.
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@NiKOS: ask your Real Madrid supporting fan to explain why Madrid were willing to break the world record transfer fee for ronaldo, but never inquired about Rooney. I am so sick of this bullshit, Ronaldo might be a huge cunt, but he is undoubtedly the best footballer on the planet. STOP comparing rooney to him, its not even close. Nobody fears rooney, everyone fears Ronaldo. The same people who called Ronaldo a “big game bottler” are the same people rejoicing when they thought he was heading to Madrid.Stop perpetuating the lie that Rooney and Ronaldo are somehow on the same plane.
Speaking of Ronaldo being a big game bottler… How is it possible for people to claim Ronaldo cant produce in the big games, yet the same people claim United are nothing without him? Last time I checked we beat liverpool in the league twice, beat arsenal once and drew once, and split with Chelsea. BY my calculations thats 6 from liverpool 4 from the arse and 3 from chelsea for a total of 13 points out of a possible 18. so please explain to me how United can be a one man time, and how that one man can be a big game bottler?
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what is this NOTW story that Campbell is being used as makeweight for Berbatov…next couple of days should be interesting…
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Wow, the users on this blog took the loss a lot better than i expected, logging on here and judging by the stuff I’ve read here before, i was expecting to see “oh my god, we can’t win anything this season”, “Chelsea will win all”, “we will drop to 10th without a striker”
Anyway, does anyone know the Spurs line-up for tomorrows game, and if Berbatov has been included or not?
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I only have one question? Whats changed rooney’s attitude towards shooting from long range. When I look at that 17 year old scoring all sorts of great goals it makes me sad more than irritated that he’s changed so much.
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RD – Berbatov is not with the Spurs team today.
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The media in this country are driving me feckin nuts. They have really got it in for Berbatov, vilifying his name and reputation nearly everyday. Yet not once has Berba come back and criticised either his management, or his team players. To be honest, I think he has behaved admirably. Yes, he finally put in a transfer request, after his manager and team mates starting mouthing off at him. Yet he still did not mouth off back at them, respecting the fans. He supposedly refused to play for them, but isn’t this just another lie?. According to Ramos, Berba didn’t refuse to play in the Sunderland game, but Ramos himself took the decision to leave him out, because he didn’t feel his mental state was right. What is he a feckin psychiatrist then?. There was nothing wrong with his head playing for his country a couple of days later. If I was Berbatov, I would be off my head with anger about all that was being said about me, but he has kept his composure and not hit back. His club and team mates have been more disloyal to him, than he has to them. No wonder he went into a broody state. That is what you do, when you want to let the world know your side, but can’t out of respect for a team you still happen to be with, and fans fans that have adored you.
Amazes me, how suddenly the British media are all on Spurs side against Berbatov and against our club, and yet when it was the case with Ronaldo, they were all for him leaving us, and they were on Madrid’s side. Total hypocrites. Ronnie is appearing a bit more whiter to me, as he did not want to leave United unless the Club were okay with it. After talking with Fergie and realising they weren’t, he made his mind up he wouldn’t leave us with bad feelings and taste in our mouths. Robinho like Barry, Keane and others have all made a public issue over there transfers. So sorry, to all you critics, but I feel Berba has done ok in the circumstances.
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no berba = our berba FOR SURE
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It’s a good think you’re not paranoid Craig
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@ johnsom33 I’ve never told something like this.I mean I ‘ve never told that we are a one-man-team.You said so.Neither did my friend that is a Real Madrid supporter…All we say (people outside UK that are 16 and above) is that Ronaldo can produce majesty against Fulham,Bolton,Wolves etc….Against Chelsea , Arsenal , Liverpool he does less things.Even Tottenham can make him look lost…Anyway the things I remember from him last year in big games were the goal against roma , the 2-times arsenal penalties , the CHL final (hole in the water -> scoring a goal , missing a penalty)
Of course what u and me have to understand is that MAnchester is not Ronaldo and can make it without him…..I ‘ve also explained that “winger” is a striker in MU and Rooney is the server….Let’s copy paste now———–Thanks to them (Rooney,Scholes,Tevezs mainly) Ronaldo scored all these goals….IF RONALDO CANT BRING THE BALL PROPERLY IN THE BOX then the others bring the ball to him.Cause he is the one who is confident,he s explosive and he knows how and when to kick the ball hard……That’s modern footbal….
P.S. I already explained y Real M. want Ronaldo . The 14 y.o. boys the 10 y.o. old boys etc….COMMERCIAL HIT -> SHIRT SALES -> STUPID USELESS TRICKS (I ‘d like to thank God here, for letting Ronaldo mature and for letting Ronaldo know that his tricks are useless in a crucial game) ->
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
That’s the reason my friend
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If nobody gets what I tell I ‘ll explain it with another way…STATS
Stats say that Rooney scores 0.3-0.45 goals in each game he plays.VERY GOOD STATS FOR A SUPPORT STRIKER.
THE STUPID UK NEWSPAPERS U READ MAKE U THINK THAT HE WILL SCORE MORE THAN THIS…NO PAL,FORGIVE ME BUT THIS IS CRAP…THE SAME CRAP U READ IN MANUTD.COM.THAT COULD EASILY BE A SKETCH FOR SOUTHPARK……
journalist:what about Rooney?
SAF:WELL he is the most talented young player I ve ever seen , he is a great kid and I would like to see him in his best position (that’s reality that’s SAF’s quotes)…I mean as a support striker…I mean who the heck uses him in the box? That’s a disgrace
J:Well, SAF that’s your duty
SAF:And what the fck do you know about football? Do you think Manchester will buy a great in-box-striker just to make Rooney happy? That’s a disgrace.
J:Arent you buying Berbatov or Huntelaar????????????????????
SAF: AM I ?
ARE U? AT LAST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HE IS JUST A SUPPORT STRIKER NO 10 NOT NO 9
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@NiKOS: since you love stats and caps so much, tell me how many chances rooney misses in a 1-on-1 with a keeper. That paints a completely different picture.
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@NiKOS: how old are you?
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Nikos, if I could understand your posts mate, I could perhaps answer them. I am not sure whether you are saying Rooney is better than Ronaldo, or vice versa. Or are you saying they are both crap???.
JB, did you think my post was born of paranoai then lol?. If so explain yourself, I know where you live – haha!.
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@Craig Mc: eerr, i saw “stats” and “Stats say that Rooney scores 0.3-0.45 goals in each game”
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JB, your not a member of the media are you?. A conspirator as a plant on this board?. Hahaha – how’s that for paranoid JB?. I’m practicing and will get good at it?.
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23……….
a nice post was “lost” I ll do what I can…
He misses so many one-on-ones as his assists to Ronaldo or other players are -> Complete player -> Guess what -> FACKING SUPPORT STRIKER -> FACKING SHADOW STRIKER -> FACKIN COVERiNG THE HOLE BETWEEN THE MIDFIELD AND THE BOX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder y Rooney is not that illustrious as he was…
Maybe the media created a very glorious image … the Lions’ best hope…The English for that will save your team and create show!!!! Then it collapsed…
But let me tell you something….english media has created so many losers……I mean the “YOU OUGHT TO BE CLEAN” “YOU MUST WIN CAUSE WE ARE THE BEST,SINCE WE CREATED FOOTBAL” “YOU HAVE TO WIN THIS AMAZING TEAM,WE ARE MORE AMAZING”…….Can you see what I mean? No?
Even Lampard and Gerrard look crap when they play for the English national team……I mean Rooney is more useful in a younger age….. BUY Since he got that red card he is falling deep down !!!!He just couldn’t handle the pressure… He sees a great Ronaldo image next ot him and he can’t even be compared to that…..
That’s a logical explanation for people inside UK
The fact is this….Rooney has matured.He doesn’t have to try stupid thing……He creates something out of nothing (like the goal against Zenit) + HE IS A FUUUUUUUUUCKING SUPPORT STRIKER !!!!! THE BEST SUPPORT STRIKER IN THE WORLD!!!!!
And a quiz for all of you ….. who is better in this position in the world?
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I mean I can see your view of things but once again he will never score more than 0.5 goals in a game and you know y?
HE IS A SHADOW STRIKER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Haha, i know this has little in the way of relevance regarding the striker situation but did anyone else know that carlos tevez is the lead singer of argentine group ‘Piola Vago’, ive even managed to find a video of him dancing, yes dancing for an argentine cartoon network, how incredibly odd, it seems one of the bands songs is also used in a condom advert with carlos appearing just the once right near the beginning, anyhoo to the dancing carlos! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSrPIcnZbAg&feature=related
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@NiKOS: And a quiz for all of you ….. who is better in this position in the world?
Tevez.
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Elsammio, thanks for the you tube clip – it is so bloody funny. Who would of thought Tev had that sort of dance rhythm?. He should teach Anderson, his dance moves are total garbage for a Brazil national. Tev better give us that dance as a goal celebrations – as Kevin Keegan says “I would LOVE it.”
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chelsea drew!
(except on goal difference that is…but with the berbs on our side, that shouldn’t be a problem for much longer)
one more win and we’re all level
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@NiKOS: so what if he is a different type of striker, he should still be scoring goals because thats his job. and btw 0.5 a game is equivalent to 1 goal every 2 games if im not mistaken…
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Nikos – Got you mate, your telling us we are all judging Rooney wrongly, expecting things from him that he can’t give us, being a shadow striker and all. Is that it Nikos?.
By the way Nikos, it was Tevez who made the vital pass for the goal against Zenit that O’Shea scored.
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@Craig Mc: I thought Vidic scored against Zenit…
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Yess, Spurs drew 1-1 with the rent boys.
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I dunno if you guys are watching Villa vs Liverpool, but Torres has just gone off with a hamstring injury. And its a bad one!
Looks like he wont bother us on September the 13th.
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Huntelaar!?!?!?
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Do we really want Spurs to have Campbell? He shows lots of promise… I would rather sell him to Hull and give Spurs the extra money instead. Why risk giving them a performer after they way they’ve tried it on with us?
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hahahahahahah
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4074143,00.html
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Andy CR7 – I think your right mate lol, it was indeed the Vid. It was Tev who made it though.
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Mmmmm, what’s the deal with contracts then?. That Sky news report said Robinho is threatening to UNIlaterally cancel his contract. How the dicken’s can a player do that?. Surely it is the club that contracts the player, and the players agrees the deal. If a player UNIlaterally cancels or breaks the contract, he cannot go to another club, because the club who holds the contract will contiue to hold his registration. Is this right, or am I feckin imagining things?.
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@Craig Mc:
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Red Devil, see Jos’s post, and press on red lettering lol. You will see what I mean. Or were you querying something else mate?.
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@johnsom33: Aguero and Messi in his own country are unfortunately better than him
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@Craig Mc:
In Spain a player can cancel their contracts by paying a fee laid out in all players contracts thus effectively cancelling the contract. Robinhos buy out amount is £120mill and if he can stump up enough he can cancel his contract. Chelsea could effectively pay it all but with them not wanting to meet reals valuation this isnt going to happen, I would imagine they will contribute 25-30mill + the signing on fee that Robinho would have got. I suppose they may also come to an agreement to pay him less per a week for further contribution. Still Robinho would have over 7mill to find himself
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Thank god Chelsea drew. As things stand if we get a result against Pool, who have been looking woeful this season, we’ll be on pretty level ground by the time Ronaldo returns and will then be able to step up and gain some momentum.
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