Aug 25
Preview: Portsmouth v Man Utd
It’s bank holiday Monday as United travel to Fratton Park in what has proven to be a tricky encounter in recent times. Last season Paul Scholes’ opener was cancelled out by Benjani’s equaliser giving us a 1-1 draw. It was one of the wretched few games that kick started, what turned out to be, a rather famous season.
We must consider our chances of getting a result this time better. We have Rooney partnering Tevez this time which is always better than what we had against Newcastle. But more importantly, we are facing an abject looking Portsmouth team.
Of course, I do realise that I may have tempted fate by calling Pompey abject. David James might suddenly become as good as Casillas or Buffon and so, like the cliche goes, an early goal will surely help settle the nerves.
In team news, Owen Hargreaves, Park Ji-Sung are still in training while Nani is still smarting from the consequences of his bird brained head butt against West Ham last season. I wouldn’t know Louis Saha’s injury situation, so it would be a bonus if he ever featured on the bench. Carrick and Giggs are out after picking up injuries last week.
We seem short of options on the wing. So it would be really interesting to see who Fergie decides to play on the wing. Whilst it might be tempting for the gaffer to persist with Fletcher on the right like last week — although he doesn’t offer much over there — I’d hope he plays him in the middle of the park instead, alongside Scholes. I am sure a lot of people may be clamouring for the inclusion of Rodrigo Possebon in the middle, but plunging him into the deep end against a very physical midfield, away from home — when we are already doing a bit of catching up — would not necessarily be a wise thing to do. We have Anderson returning, so we could see him making the bench if he’s in the frame of mind. I suspect one of the Brazilian twins will be played on the wings. Raphael might start on the right. I honestly don’t know who’ll play on the left so we may as well throw Fabio in to the mix. The defence seems settled, but there is a chance Gary Neville might earn his first start of the season.
In some positives to take, going into today’s game, Chelsea returned to their usual disjointed snore fest style of football against a willing Wigan side. They got the result they wanted nonetheless, but it also shows the kind of team Pompey were last week. It’s just a thought — not something I’d want to read too much into as the season’s just gotten underway. Winning today could propel us into third spot behind Chelsea and (oh-my-God!) Liverpool.
Prediction: 2-1 to United.
* * *
Customary Berbatov Update:
Nothing for certain yet, but it looks more and more likely that Berbatov is not in people’s good books at Spurs. And I can understand Spurs fans feelings with the way Berba’s treated them. For all Ronaldo’s faults I am pretty sure he wouldn’t be throwing the sort of tantrums Berba seems to be throwing at White Hart Lane. We’ve had parallels, in the cases of Gareth Barry and Adebayor, already this summer, but Berbatov still looks the most likely of the three to actually move.
I would be surprised if he stayed in Spurs beyond August 31.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Porto it is then…
- Rooney Out For A Month
Tags: Game Preview
August 25th, 2008 at 10:19
August 25th, 2008 at 10:31
Anderson might play on the left with either of the twins on right .heard that Manucho has travelled with the team..is that so ? can any one confirm this please ?
so its again gonna be a 2 horse war with us adn chelsea…I wud nt be worried tooo much if we drop points at fratton park 
coming to the performances of other teams, its again going to be the same in top 4… Lpool escaped again while Arsenal showed their potential
August 25th, 2008 at 10:37
(just to start off the comments in a different way)
August 25th, 2008 at 10:57
Seems Berba was kept off the bench too by Ramos. Ramos was quoted saying that he decides who goes where and not Berba. Just imagine if CR7 would have done anything close to what Berba has done this season, as rightly pointed out by you RR. He would have got a nice kick on the backside. Now I really hope that fater all this drama at White Hart the guys there realise that they are wasting one player and sell him to United. Although that newspaper report not long ago that Fergie might play Ronaldo in the CL and then make him cup tied and then keep him on the bench throughout the season and then sell him to Madrid next season kind of thing seems like a distinct possibilty too…
August 25th, 2008 at 11:12
Actually he could stay beyond that and still move to United. The transfer deadline has been extended to September 1st (given that August 31 is a Sunday…). I thought I’d share that.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:17
Ramos Urges Berbatov Closure – http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4045484,00.html
“We need to get this matter resolved before the transfer deadline,” he said.
“If Berbatov goes, we will need time to sign a replacement. We want to have the best centre forward we can possibly get.”
Lets hope we get this sorted today!
August 25th, 2008 at 11:20
Ya they should and let us have berba…
August 25th, 2008 at 11:20
I have to say that I am very pessimistic about this game. Almost every season we lose one game to Portsmouth… I think it will be today. With no wingers apart from Giggs and a shortage of good cental midfielders (Carrick injured, Hargo injured, Anderson probably tired) we are vulnerable.
How many of you would screech at the idea of playing Rooney on the right side of midfield? It sounds like a sensible decision to me… that would let Fletcher move in central mid and would give Campbell another start. It is kind of nice when you have some young, promising talets step off the bench and into teh first team…
Speaking of the devil, why does everybody hate Campbell? I thought he had a decent game last week. Good enough to earn him another start when one of our players goes missing again.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:21
See this http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/index.html
August 25th, 2008 at 11:22
Ya i heard Even Wellback is in squad..
August 25th, 2008 at 11:32
@Andrei: I also believe that if that header would have gone in, people might have changed their view of campbell, That’s the luck of Given that it came straight to his head… He does deserve a chance.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:42
@Despicable: You mean welbeck
August 25th, 2008 at 11:45
Speaking of young strikers, did anybody watch the city match yesterday? that striker sturridge(sp?), what a talent, big and strong and has tricks up his sleeve, a real talent, he could be a big surprise this season.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:49
yeah i saw that, nothing fancy but thorough play.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:55
Ya i too saw him, He is strong and got a good Left foot, Actually he was also helped by good midfield, We should rate him only after watching him play against strong defenders.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:55
@Dan(u-Ol ) Thankz…
August 25th, 2008 at 12:08
i actually thought sturridge was a real handful against the hammers but then again the entire city side was pretty impressive yesterday.
Anyways getting back to today’s game, and yes i am pretty worried about today’s match but being the optimist that i am i still think United will edge it.
I don’t think Sir Alex should play the 4-4-2 with no genuine wingers at his disposal but go with a narrower 4-3-3 and hope that brown and evra bomb forward and help out in the wide areas.
I think the young lad campbell deserves another chance. He looked really lively in the first half last week, and with tevez and rooney right behind him i fancy him scoring. i know a lot of people (including me) dont like seeing O’Shea in the starting line up but i think we need his physical presence against Pompey and if that doesnt work we could always bring on Anderson from the bench in the second half.
Here’s my starting line up:
EVDS
BROWN RIO VIDA EVRA
FLETCHER SCHOLES O’SHEA
TEVEZ ROONEY
CAMPBELL
August 25th, 2008 at 12:13
Id rather have a tired anderson in that game. Remember how tevez was thrown in last season. Putting Rodrigo in there would be asking too much. So Anderson playing a free role but more into linking up with Roovez and shooting on sight til he hits the target. Brown should be retained. The Silva lining should be introduced as the game progresses and if we are not winning fletcher replaced by rodrigo. May John O’Shea not be played in this game if we need to quickly get a goal. Though i think he will start in the middle with Scholes and fletch on the right. Rooney will defo score whatever the result. I promise that. But i think defoe will do the same
August 25th, 2008 at 12:37
if spurs get Huntelaar I think they got the better deal here…
I dont like the attitude of Berbatov… we’re just getting the dressing room settled again after the summer that was Ronaldo… ah well
August 25th, 2008 at 12:44
I expect at least one of the twins to play, for more width and penetration than against newcastle. I also expect anderson to play, it’s the start of the season so fatigue’s not a factor. Playing for brazil’s let him get a lot of minutes under his belt so he should be fit and sharp.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:55
What is everyone so hesitant about playing Campbell and Rodrigo?. If they don’t throw them in the deep end, how will you know if they got what it takes?. Campbell performed brilliantly last match and deserves a spot; Anderson just came back off of playing several high tempo, consecutive matches in the sweltering heat of china, and y’all expect him to be thrown straight into the starting line-up of a team he hasn’t played with since may?. Never mind the fact that portsmouth have a very physical midfield!.
I was thinking 4-3-3, as we have no fit/available wingers. We should play a narrow 4-3-3 with Evra and Brown bombarding up and down the wings for width:
————VDS————-
Brown—-Rio—-Vida—-Evra
—–Fletcher—Scholes—–
———–Rodrigo———-
—-Rooney———Tevez—-
———-Campbell———-
With Fletch, Rio and Vida playing deep, Evra and Brown will be free to move up and down the wings. I put Rodrigo higher up than scholes because Scholes usually likes to drop deep and dictate play, plus he is more experienced and will display more game-concentration that will help in breaking up portsmouth midfield play. As per Rooney and Tev, they can both play free SS roles there and leave Campbell to push the portsmouth defence deep, hence creating space for both of them and Rodrigo.
The silva twins can be brought on later to replace Brown and Evra as I hope Brown/Evra run up and down those wings causing havoc till they tire, as they are the only width we would have.
Seriously, we are looking very good for today, I reckon we can put two goals past them, and more importantly, not concede any.
August 25th, 2008 at 13:00
@sig: i agree 100% with you mate i mean us united fans were on ronaldo’s back all summer long over his behaviour (which wasn’t the best by the way), but he never stooped to the level of berbatov to get his desired transfer.
Besides i always hoped we landed huntelaar eventually, but now that we wont get him berbatov is defenitely a really good answer to our front striker problems. Although i’d sure as hell be pissed if he started to throw a hissy fit every time he’s on the bench at united.
August 25th, 2008 at 13:07
@Gabriel: i dont know mate about throwing someone with hardly any experience like rodrigo into the deep end. Especially against Pompey at Fratton Park where the atmosphere is un-fucking-believably intimidating- no two ways about it. We need to get the 3 points and we already have the guile of Scholes in mid field, what we’ll need is a physical presence who’ll be looking to win the ball i.e O’Shea or Anderson (if he’s fit).
Anderson in all likely hood will be on the bench and getting maybe half an hour out of him wont be that hard, besides he’s just 20 so fitness that much of an issue with him.
August 25th, 2008 at 13:14
@Sidharth: I think, it might be fair to say that Berbatov won’t behave in the same way, if he gets his dream move settled. It would make him happy, and not unhappy like he is right now.
Yes, he has the sulking in him, but I doubt we’ll see much of that at United. He’ll get his fair share of games, and so will the others. We’re playing 60 matches this season.
I have no worries at all about him joining us.
August 25th, 2008 at 13:16
Idea of playing the twins as wingers sounds great… That would add more pace to our attack…
August 25th, 2008 at 13:19
red ranter, you don’t advocate that we play young inexperience in the shape of possebon… but then you want to start with not one but two wingers of the age of 18?
i think that rooney or tevez will be on the left wing with fletcher on the right. if the reports are true about manucho getting his papers that means he could start right?
August 25th, 2008 at 13:21
I hope fergie doesnt do what i expect him to do and play oshea bt left back and evra at left wing…im just dying to see at least one of the twins,possebon…and i dont want oshea in centre mid…someone said something bout physical presence…huh?he has nothing no pace,skill,goal threat…zero!and please old rooney show up!
August 25th, 2008 at 13:24
Will…its not about age.if they have the talent they must play..it makes no sense to plays rooney or tevez out of position…when they cannot play there…
August 25th, 2008 at 13:24
i think is going to be a tough one indeed for the utd at fratton park but we tevex back and rooney also getting some match fittness i think our front will posses a threat but we must be very careful for pompey cos they lost their first game and they will not want to lose again.
August 25th, 2008 at 13:26
@Sidharth: well, I don’t think Fergie would have promoted Rodrigo to the first team and played him against Newcastle if he was worried about his experience. The lad was bought to play in the first team and the reason he didn’t play in it last year was cause of our already packed midfield and the fact that he hadn’t played in europe before, unlike Anderson. He has now got a year of English football under his belt and i believe is almost ready to make the step up; this is his opportunity to shine, and Fergie should let him. Besides, playing at Old Trafford or any other big club for that matter is way more intimidating and tense than Fratton park!.
As per Portsmouth’s midfield, fletcher will do a good job against them, we all know how he gets juiced up when the stakes are high!. If we have three in midfield plus no wingers, we should go for creativity and O’shea doesn’t have that (sorry John). Scholes will provide that guile like you said but he loves to drop deep (as most of his recent performances show), so having one midfielder who can stay further up, pass and create opportunities is key – Rodrigo/Anderson.
Maybe Anderson will be fit, good, but I will still prefer Rodrigo to be given that chance to play!.
August 25th, 2008 at 13:28
@Taehr: i agree, but the same could be said about possebon right?(im not saying i wouldn’t start them im just saying why isnt possebon viewed in the same light as the perm twins) anyway of what the bbc says is avaliable… no manucho, but instead welbeck. doubt he’ll get on tho
there is (and this is against what i always say but) john o’shea at left back and push evra onto the wing? and put a RDS on the right fletcher and scholes in the middle. with tevez up front with rooney… regarding rooney.. it don’t matter where he starts… he’ll end up at right back at some point… please rooney prove me wrong and bag a brace
August 25th, 2008 at 13:32
I think, hmm this is a tough decision. I want Campbell to be played but the only way that that will happen is if Rooney or Tevez was to be pushed on to the wings so no dice for me. Anderson should play, I mean he is a proffessional athlete he should be able to play after 2 days rest. Tennis players are put through more demanding schedules and they are ok. I think young players today are treated like some antique china that will break if pushed too hard. I think Anderson on the left wing would be something worth trying. Possebon would be a bad choice in this game because he does tend to dwell on the ball for too long and that will be punished against Pompey. Fletch I think is actually a decent winger. I think it was against Liverpool last season when he looked Ronaldoesque. I think a 4-4-2 if Hargreaves is fit with him on the right Fabio/Giggs(?) on the left (I heard Giggs may be fit, I think it was on SS). Fletch and Scholes center and Roovez up top.
Prediction: 3-0 United
As an aside it is just my luck that they show the first 4 United games on Sky when I got rid of it and got Setanta because ironically they show more United games
August 25th, 2008 at 13:34
And Berba would dare not sulk at United!. he would have no right to, after all we and he have gone through to get the transfer done!. Fergie would kill him.. forget the flying boot, it’ll be a flying chair!.
In all seriousness, the guy has only sulked because he was promised this move a year ago, but Totenham are now making it difficult. When he first came to Tottenham, he wasn’t sulking!. The tabloids just exagerate his moody demeanour!.
August 25th, 2008 at 13:35
@Liam: ah but when the cold nights role in you’ll be glad you don’t have to make the trek to the pub in the sodding rain.
August 25th, 2008 at 13:39
also i can’t see pompey scoring…i mean little and large? lets face it vidic and ferdinand are gonna win every single time…that and kranjar is out. they sold muntari… so that leaves otaka and diara.. if anderson plays he can keep them at bay…. mendes has been sold as well.. so i think we’ve got a decent chance, the only problem i see is if james decides to be mr phonominal.. mind.. i think he used that card against us in the charity shield… at least i hope so
August 25th, 2008 at 13:44
@Will: they sold mendes?. Krancjar is out injured!. what creative force do they even have now?. Seriously, it looks like portsmouth will defend and play on the counter with Utaka and Defoe providing the pace and peter crouch in the box.
We should destroy them by attack, attack, attack!. James has already had a good game against us, and it doesn’t happen more than once in one season lol
August 25th, 2008 at 13:47
@Gabriel: yea i get what you’re saying- in an ideal world O’Shea wont come close to starting in midfield (heck anywhere in the lineup) but still i’d rather have some experience under the circumstances because at home portsmouth are really tough to beat and i would not want to take any chances in such a tough fixture where 3 pts is vital.
If hypothetically this match was at home i would advocate rodrigo to start but since its away mate i’d really like to be on the safe side.
Yea in any case if Fergie does make him a regular fixture in the squad it will be in a bit part role this season and the only starts imo he’ll be getting will be in the easier fixtures not one like tonight.
August 25th, 2008 at 13:48
No Campbell, please God no!!!
August 25th, 2008 at 13:53
What times kick off please?. I’m going to try and watch it on Justin tv if he is rolling with it. I do not have sky – SAD!.
August 25th, 2008 at 14:01
@Sidharth: mate, no fixture is easy for us anymore, we ARE the team to beat. Other teams save their best performances for us; look at Newcastle last week and even Portsmouth in the Charity shield!. We are the DOUBLE champions and every team will want to get a positive result against us; last week, Newcastle were celebrating like they escaped relegation!.
I understand you might prefer experience, but when that experience comes at the expense of creativity/impact, I’d choose the latter. It’s time to live dangerously
, that’s what United do!. O’shea should be banned from the midfield (sorry John), he is a defender and when he plays CMF, all he does is slow our attack or negate our creativity!.
We do not usually get dominated or beaten by several goals at Fratton park; it is usually the 1 lucky extra goal they get, if anything, they are very defensive when we play them at home. Hence, we shouldn’t go there with a defensive mentality, but one of attack and creativity!.
August 25th, 2008 at 14:04
@Craig Mc: It’s at 8.00pm BST. Perfect time to watch United trash Portsmouth (fingers crossed
) after such a long weekend of seeing the scousers and rent boys scrape undeserved victories!.
August 25th, 2008 at 14:41
@Craig Mc: every time I’ve tried that service I don’t get good results. Either my computer or my internet connection is too slow and it lags like mad.
August 25th, 2008 at 14:44
@Gabriel: Don’t worry u r about to witness a convincing one today…
August 25th, 2008 at 14:46
I am nervous for this game. But I am looking forward to it!
We got off to a bad start last week, but now we have Tevez back. That is a major boost for us. People at my school say Ronaldo is the reason we didnt beat Newcastle. I say it was because we missed Tevez and Hargreaves. We miss a winger and a striker, Campbell is good but he needs more time. I hope we dont play Oshea, Flecther and Scholes as our midfield. Please God not that midfield! Pompey have swithed their formation to 4-4-2 from their usual 4-5-1. That has made them worse. They lack a midfield powerhouse since Muntari moved to Inter. They need to control the midfield today, if not they will never get a result. Harry Redknapp usually makes god buys: Defoe, Kranjkar, Campbell, James, Diarra…. But he has lost that ability this season. He sold Taylor to Bolton, bought Crouch, sold Muntari, bought Traore. Good, but he has made the team worse rather tahn better with those transfers. I wonder how they will play today. Hopefully bad 
I doubt it though, but hopefully I am wrong. Tevez is back, Carrick is out. Good news and bad news. Tevez will decide the game, believe me. His pre-season was amazing, his ability is amazing and he wants to make up for his 1-1 debut against Pompey last season(hopefully 
). My prediction for United team:
United should start Anderson. I know he is tired, I know he hasnt played for us in pre-season, I know he came back from the Olympics on Saturday. But I also know that we might have to start tonight with a midfield of Oshea and Scholes.
VDS
Neville/Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Rafael Fletcher Scholes Fabio/Possebon/Anyone?
Rooney Tevez
subs: TK, Brown/Neville, Oshea, Possebon/Fabio, Anderson, Welbeck, Campbell.
Prediction: 2-0 to United. Tevez and Rooney to score.
COME ON YOU REDS!
August 25th, 2008 at 15:18
This is funny
August 25th, 2008 at 15:27
Im on Setanta sports new season! Funny!
Damn, R… you beat me to it
August 25th, 2008 at 15:52
@R…: @RedDevil: I watched that episode over the weekend, and then went on to watch the whole series!. lol The stuff is funny as hell!. Wayne sounds like a right spud and Sven is always gettin bullied!. BE CHAMPIONS!.
August 25th, 2008 at 16:29
i agree… its hilarious…save berba appeal was great
August 25th, 2008 at 16:37
Okay. Here is my view. Anderson is tired because what? He has rested enough and will get plenty of rest when we go for that long break. So he should be in it. Behind Roovez and roaming around in general. Rodrigo,well against Diop. I dunno. I havent watched a lot of him but maybe this is not the right game 2 start. The silvas must not start but must be introduced later on when an urgent approach is required. And they should be played as close to the box as possible. Hargreaves should not play because i want him fully fit so no risking him. Together with Tevez, nani and andy the new boys are going to be very crucial this season.
August 25th, 2008 at 16:43
Gabriel lol – thanks!. I will be watching, hopefully.
Liam, I know the reception isn’t the best, but I do manage to see the game, altho the sound is sometimes little distorted.
Don’t know why some folk are complaining about Berba and his antics down at Spurs. After all, we don’t know what Spurs have been promising him, and then dilly dallying about. They told him last season if he stayed and did it for them, he could get his wish this season. So if somebody went back on their word to me, I would be FURIOUS and anti too. After all, he did his part, and with no tantrums for spurs when they refused to let him go last year.
August 25th, 2008 at 17:26
The problem for Anderson is jet lag. If his body’s still on Beijing time then it’s going to be like playing the game at between 3 and 5 in the morning. And if he’s sat on the bench he’ll probably be nodding off. I’d be very surprised if he travels with the team.
August 25th, 2008 at 17:33
@Chris: quite simple really, sleep on the plane, if your still tired, bare it out until sunday night, sleep some more, and if your still tired, slap your self silly and get high on caffeine
August 25th, 2008 at 17:40
@dan(u-ol): or some RedBull!.
August 25th, 2008 at 17:41
Works for me Dan, but then I’m not a top athlete who needs to be at the peak of physical fitness and sharpness… And too much cafeine would probably contravene doping rules. If Anderson does manage to play at all I’ll be even more impressed by him than I already am.
August 25th, 2008 at 17:49
@dan(u-ol): Clearly you’ve never been on long haul flights. Trust me, it’s a bitch.
August 25th, 2008 at 17:55
My team pick would have Fletcher and Evra on the wings with Evans filling in as left back and O’Shea and Carrick in the middle. Tevez and Rooney can then play up front.
August 25th, 2008 at 17:57
Doesnt matter…as soon as the adrenalin gets through all tiredness/jet lag is out the window.
August 25th, 2008 at 18:01
@colver: I guess you meant scholes? Carrick is injured..
August 25th, 2008 at 18:01
Colver carricks out…And thats the kind of team Im dreading!defenders on the wing?
August 25th, 2008 at 18:04
lol, don’t know why everyone is so desperate for Ando to start? I’d rather he rest and give it his best at the suoercup on friday!! Right now, we have Scholes, Fletch and Rodrigo who are well capable of producing the goods in midfield tonite – and yes, I ommited John O’shea, he is a terrible midfielder (sorry John
).
August 25th, 2008 at 18:15
what site was it that has the team sheets up before evryone eltse fifa or fa i cant remember?
August 25th, 2008 at 18:39
Y doesn’t JB put up team news nowadays?
August 25th, 2008 at 18:44
@Red Ranter: i have when much, much younger, but im sure ando will at least be on the bench.
August 25th, 2008 at 18:46
@Gabriel: No one expects Anderson to start after his return from the Olympics but we could sure as hell put him on the bench and bring him on in the last half hour if we need some energy in the middle of the park.
As far as the starting line up goes well you have your opinion and i have mine- lets leave it at that
August 25th, 2008 at 19:00
@Sidharth: we’re cool mate!. just lively debate that’s all!.
I would love Ando to start, but I would also love Scholes, Fletch, Rodrigo, Hargo and Carrick too… darn it, we have so many options, thank feck i’m not Sir Alex. However, I reckon the most sensible option would be for Ando to at most be on the bench and maybe come on later. He hasn’t even played with the team since May and I guess because he just returned, he didn’t even have the chance to practice fully with the squad!!
August 25th, 2008 at 19:03
@Gabriel: Actually, Ando hasnt played with us since Aprils game against Chelski in the league(except for his goal in the CL final).
August 25th, 2008 at 19:05
team news?
August 25th, 2008 at 19:09
yo JB, what does jb stand for?
August 25th, 2008 at 19:10
@RedDevil: further proves my point!. Is it safer to start a player who has been out of the team for that long, experiencing the side-effects of a long distance trip taken after an exhaustive match schedule in sweltering heat?. I would think not, given the fact that we have three top quality CMF’s at the moment(and NO, John o’shea is not one of them
sorry John).
August 25th, 2008 at 19:13
Team News:
GK: VDS
RB: Brown
CB: Ferdinand
CB: Vidic
LB: O’Shea
RM: Fletcher
CM: Scholes
CM: Anderson
LM: Evra
CF: Rooney
CF: Tevez
Subs: PIG, Neville, Evans, Rafael, Fabio, Rodrigo, Campbell
August 25th, 2008 at 19:13
Team news:
VDS
BROWN-RIO-VIDIC-OSHEA
)-SCHOLES-EVRA
FLECTHER-ANDERSON(YEEAH!
ROONEY–TEVEZ
August 25th, 2008 at 19:14
Dan: They are my initials
August 25th, 2008 at 19:15
It is as we feared…
But, I will not make the mistake I have made in the past (doubting Fergie). Thus, I think that Evra has what it takes to play as a winger.
Anybody surprised that Brown is still in the first team? I would have expected Neville to get at least one outing before the big games with Chelsea and Liverpool as he will clearly be the preffered choice for right-back during those games.
August 25th, 2008 at 19:15
that team can beat pompey no probs
prediction 3-0 to united
August 25th, 2008 at 19:16
@JB: Jason Brown?
Almost beat u to it JB, almost… Hopefully United beat Pompey!
August 25th, 2008 at 19:17
@RedDevil: @JB: where do you guys get the team news about half hour before us (mere mortals)?
August 25th, 2008 at 19:17
told you andy would start! possebon, campbell and rafeal/campbell will come on, i feel it for evans, such a great talent being held back by the 2 best centre backs in europe, but that can inly improve him-right.
August 25th, 2008 at 19:17
ARGHHHHH evra at left wing!!!!NOO…anywayz andys in there!
August 25th, 2008 at 19:18
@JB: John bradshaw i bet it is lol, jimmy belfast?
August 25th, 2008 at 19:19
@Taehr: evra is pretty good winger, whats the problem?
August 25th, 2008 at 19:20
No doubt. the most fucking youthful bench i have ever seen us have
August 25th, 2008 at 19:20
i pray to god that andy and fletcher switch positions!
August 25th, 2008 at 19:21
RedDevil: An uncanny guess………… do I know you
Andrei: That is a trade secret
I’ve already given my source away on Uefa CL games, can’t give away all my secrets!!
August 25th, 2008 at 19:29
[disguised as an Arsenal fan] > Not as young as ours!!!.
August 25th, 2008 at 19:32
hopefully this is the time where we get a win…. cant rely on starting a winning run against liverpool… oh wait we can haha but not Chelsea
August 25th, 2008 at 19:32
anyone got a link working the one im on is cutting in and out and the rest on myp2p are not going yet
August 25th, 2008 at 19:35
just wait 20 more minutes… anybody know if Beeb is doing the live commentary?
August 25th, 2008 at 19:39
how hould we past the time?
August 25th, 2008 at 19:40
Just thought I’d share: this is what SkySports had in their pre-match report for the Pompey game:
now look at the team sheet. Fuck, I am tired of these know-it-alls taking their opinions for facts and injecting our football brains with it. Shut up already and stick to the bloody facts!!.
JB: someone is being stalked…
August 25th, 2008 at 19:40
I am looking for a flash based link that is not Justin TV. (It’s blocked at work)
Something like Ustream would be great.
Thanks!
August 25th, 2008 at 19:43
http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=16947&part=sports try my sports 2s third link.
August 25th, 2008 at 19:44
RR: Don’t know if any of the ones on redissue are any good, but here you are anyway.
http://forums.redissue.co.uk/showthread.php?t=155146
Andrei: To be fair, the way SAF was talking in his press conference, I didn’t really expect to see Anderson either.
August 25th, 2008 at 19:47
@JB: do you live in belfast? i actually have a cousin who goes by that same name in belfast!
August 25th, 2008 at 19:49
Try this
August 25th, 2008 at 19:49
Dan: I live about 20 minutes outside of Belfast city centre.
August 25th, 2008 at 19:51
i’m pretty happy with the line up. Hopefully we can get an early goal and settle into a nice tempo.
My preditcion : United 2 Portsmouth 1
Would be nice to see Anderson finally score wouldn’t it.
August 25th, 2008 at 19:52
@JB: yea all i know is that he lives in belfast lol i havent spoken to him since christmas lol, hes an arse fan so i doubt your cousin lol! freaky that though.
August 25th, 2008 at 19:59
any workin justin link pls?
August 25th, 2008 at 20:07
High tempo game at the start.. Coooool lol
August 25th, 2008 at 20:08
@AndyCR7:
Link
http://www.justin.tv/mstv_2“
August 25th, 2008 at 20:10
Justin Tv
August 25th, 2008 at 20:27
i hate how portsmouth play…let’s get a bunch of thugs in the mid and send long balls to crouch and hope one or two deflect to defoe.
i know everyone says “we need to have experience on the pitch…JOS should start over Rodrigo and Feltcher is our best option on the right” Laughable. I realize JOS is playing more CDM right now, but he is NOT a starter, ever in a million years. Put Fletcher in the middle so we have someone to cross to (who is over 5′10″) and put RDS on the right so we have some pace and trickery. Am I losing my mind here?
August 25th, 2008 at 20:28
not really playing like that, I have to say…
August 25th, 2008 at 20:34
Fletcher!
August 25th, 2008 at 20:34
not pretty but i will take it
August 25th, 2008 at 20:36
@Andrei: Are you kidding me?!?!? Are we watching the same game?!?!? All they are doing is sending in long balls to Crouch.
August 25th, 2008 at 20:36
Hey RR, try beatfiltering.com to get past the blocking at work… it’s what my cousins use in Turkey to watch youtube videos that the government censors from time to time.
August 25th, 2008 at 20:36
Fletcher…
August 25th, 2008 at 20:43
what a miss Roo!
August 25th, 2008 at 20:43
and he misses again!!! how many more before u start scoring rooney!!!
August 25th, 2008 at 20:43
Comon Roo!!.
August 25th, 2008 at 20:47
Too bad I’ll only be able to catch the first half here at the school library…
August 25th, 2008 at 20:53
i wasnt impressed with rooney’s shooting but his touch and play in general seemed an improvement on last match (not exactly hard though)
August 25th, 2008 at 20:56
Hmmm… I don’t know but JustinTV’s low res can give me inaccurate appreciation of players, but I thought Andy wasnt much involved except for the end of the half…
Anyone feeling we are not witnessing the Andy we love?
Oh and Fletcher to finish with double figure number of goals this season?
How about twelve goals for Fletch? 
August 25th, 2008 at 20:56
@t_reason: You do support the team don’t you?
August 25th, 2008 at 21:01
So far, Rooney is the second best player on the pitch. Evra is having a blinder!.
August 25th, 2008 at 21:03
Darran Fletcher = Goal Machine
August 25th, 2008 at 21:07
Rooney is playing a blinder! he is creating more than anyone else and you can’t really fault his shooting because they were all pretty difficult chances. The problem for me is Tevez isn’t getting up to support him as much as he should. Also what the hell is up with our midfield? Ando doesnt seem to know where he is playing. He is all over the place. We are playing a bit narrow and only have width when Evra(our best player in that half) and Brown get forward.
Btw Fletch has the same amount of goals as Gerrard, Torres and Keane combined
August 25th, 2008 at 21:11
What a finish by rooney pity that blind linesman gave it as offside
August 25th, 2008 at 21:12
@RichmondRed: yes i do, and thats why i care…just want to see rooney where he really should be
August 25th, 2008 at 21:15
well Rooney just scored
August 25th, 2008 at 21:19
@t_reason: He is where he should be, you don’t see him going into our own half as often as he did during the newcastle game.
August 25th, 2008 at 21:20
I don’t think Anderson knows what day it is (literally!). But even so he’s still put a few good passes in. Even a half asleep Anderson is still a decent player. And I think Rooney and Tevez are playing really well.
August 25th, 2008 at 21:20
Is Anderson ever going to get one on target?
Tevez does not know what day it is, either (figurativley).
August 25th, 2008 at 21:37
pretty fantastic performances by tevez and scholesy. come on possebon!
August 25th, 2008 at 21:37
@Chris: a bit unfair on Ando. He is playing well he just got outmuscled by Distin on Rooneys cross and by Campbell(?) the time he skied it. I would like to see Campbell and a twin for Tevez and Ando, they look tired
August 25th, 2008 at 21:40
Anderson had a great game…
August 25th, 2008 at 21:44
great atmosphere and crowd, I’ll give pompey that
August 25th, 2008 at 21:55
wooo first win of the season
August 25th, 2008 at 21:58
@Jezta: You noticed that as well?
August 25th, 2008 at 22:04
Ahaha, at least after a quiet first 30 min, our boy Andy seemed to get gradually into the game! In the end a decent performance by him!
But Shame, shame about the linesman not giving the goal for the inexistant offside and also the referee not giving a clear penalty for a foul on Rooney.
Rooney deserved a goal today with him having had decent positioning.
And finally its plain for all to see, Possebon is ten times the CM that John O’Shea will ever be!
All in all a good second half which should have been capped by a second goal, but hey now we’re off and running!
August 25th, 2008 at 22:10
who would have thought fletch is gettin all the goals?
fergi should try him up front hahahahah
August 25th, 2008 at 22:15
Bloody hell, who was that player staying up field a bit more than usual, he must be NEW!. Fergie bought someone then?. Oh wait a minute, its the new SLIM, and toned Rooney lol!. He didn’t do bad tonight to be fair. I mean some of you moaning about long balls from Pompey lobbed up the field. What the feck did our lot keep doing a fair good amount of times. Our hobbits didn’t have a chance did they against the Giants pompey backline. In the last 10 minutes or so, we reverted back to just getting the ball out and lobbing it anywhere, so that it kept coming straight back and putting the defence under pressure. Before that we had been playing good possession football, to get us out of trouble, and that’s what Fergie needs to blast them about not doing at the end. United always seem to lose it in those last minutes of a game, and the good teams find us out. Like Arsenal have drawn games we should have won down at their place. Oh you all know what I mean!.
Don’t know what I was doing, but I missed the Rooney offside goal, when abouts was it?. Anyone?.
August 25th, 2008 at 22:19
@Craig Mc: Hmm, I think it was around 60min, definitely mid second half, when we were dominating and could just feel the second goal coming…
August 25th, 2008 at 22:22
Thanks Nico, that’s about the time I was interupted to do something I think. I will catch it on MUTV later. Was it offside then, or was the linesman having a stinker against us again?.
August 25th, 2008 at 22:28
@Craig Mc: mid second half – no where near offside. It’s unfortunate, because he could really use a goal.
And to all the people critizising him in here the last couple of days: No need to worry. He’s getting there.
August 25th, 2008 at 22:35
Il wait for rooney to put in a few games like this first…he did play really well today i must say
August 25th, 2008 at 22:37
Darren Fletcher… The closest thing, United has, to a striker… Sad!
Next stop: Monaco! One more title, come on!!!
August 25th, 2008 at 22:37
Tomas, why was his goal disallowed then?. Was somebody else in an offside position?.
August 25th, 2008 at 22:39
@Craig Mc: Nope the linesman was just blind
August 25th, 2008 at 22:39
not an easy place to get three points, deserved victory, glad to see possebon get a run, that lad will make it, scholes eske, not afraid to get stuck in, so much composure on the ball…….
August 25th, 2008 at 22:40
who needs ronaldo when you have darren fletcher, good game, we were a bit unlucky ill do a match report later
August 25th, 2008 at 22:40
@Craig Mc: The linesman got it wrong, he was a few yards onside.
Great game to watch, its totally lifted the doom and gloom we have had over the summer, and did anyone catch the Possebon song from the United crowd, seriously funny.
August 25th, 2008 at 22:46
@hakieran: what was it?
August 25th, 2008 at 22:49
@Craig Mc: it was a great finish, 2 or 3 yards onside. I notice that both of our CBs just throw up long balls in pretty much every game. It always annoys me. My God how much better has Fletcher gotten in the last few seasons? He really has become top class. Just adding to our 4 or 5 already great CMs. O’Shea did well today IMO. With a bit more strength Ando would have scored and with a bit of smarter play he would have played in Rooney for a one on one so we could have won by more
August 25th, 2008 at 22:56
4/6 points. Not too shabby. In my book the win over Portsmouth cancels out the draw with Newcastle seeing as we’ve dropped points against Portsmouth consistently in the past. The real battle now is getting points from the Chelsea and Pool match with a depleted squad coming back from injury.
Our possession play was tight today. Tevez in particular is a great asset as he can dribble with the ball and even if he loses it invariably wins it back. The overlapping full backs were very effective making up for our lack of wingers.
My main criticism was we have a tendency to loft hopeful balls into the box where Rooney was standing surrounded by three huge defenders with no red shirts in sight.
August 25th, 2008 at 23:03
Right, a fine performance from the lads considering the patched up nature of the team. Hopefully we will be heavily reinforced in time for our next game (league game at least).
VDS: Please palm those long shots over the crossbar!! Solid otherwise – 6
Brown: Better performance that last week. Good attacking support and solid defensively – 6.5
Ferdinand/Vidic: Excellent containing performance on Big Bird and Defoe. Kept the pressure from building on us and they remain the best CB partnership in the business – 8/7.5
Evra: Excellent overlapping attacking support throughout. Where would we be without him? 8
Fletcher: Given his natural lack of suitability in a wide role I have been very impressed with his performances in the last two games. Has picked up Ronaldo’s habit of making good runs into the box. Some surprisingly good skills on display – 7
Scholes: Supreme in possession tonight. Couple of misplaced balls but his movement and one touch work kept O’Shea from getting himself into bother all night. 8
O’Shea: Not a midfielder but I understand why he was starting. Is physical presence was useful in tackling Portsmouth’s legion of midfield enforcers. Hopefully we wont see him in CM too many more times this season – 6
Anderson: Combative style was useful in seeing off the Pompey midfield. Some excellent bits of work, particularly the pass to Rooney near the end of the first half – 7
Tevez: Excellent performance tonight, harried, good dribbling and solid in possession. Probably his best away performance for United. Only criticism is that he left Rooney a tad too isolated at times – 7.5
Rooney: Solid work tonight. Made good runs all night and worked the channels well. Shame he didn’t score a goal after the excellent bit of play in the first half and the incorrect offside in the second. Would have benefited from some better service from Ferdinand and Vidic – 7.5
Subs:
Possebon: Looks promising, composed in possession but you can see the inexperience in his play. Good prospect for the future – 6.5
August 25th, 2008 at 23:05
Some folk are feckin pathetic. Callers on MUTV saying Berbatov is not the player for United. We don’t need him, and all the other garbage about him pouting and asking for transfers. I think some United fans are being really unfair on Berbatov, Fergie has chased him all summer, same as last season, and built up his hopes again. So this time he didn’t want to miss out on coming to us, and has dug his heals in, if the papers are to be believed, and lets face it, they mostly write defamatory shite. Berba will be brilliant for us. He will certainly create a good few with our top class players around him. So lay off him all you misled MUTV callers.
August 25th, 2008 at 23:17
which song did they sing for rigo?
August 25th, 2008 at 23:17
Craig: I would love to see him here, but I have to be honest I am not particulary impressed with Berbatov’s conduct. We lambasted Ronaldo for similiar. Just because it is a player trying to engineer a move to us does not make it right.
As an aside, if Berbatov hadn’t been so impatient two years ago he would have already been at OT.
August 25th, 2008 at 23:20
I thought Possebon can be quite a lazy player when he loses the ball, from watching his performances in the reserves. Yet on one occasion tonight, I was impressed because he lost the ball in MF by giving a stray pass, but then he charged all the way back to retrieve the ball he had given away, and that right on pompey’s edge of box. I he does more of that, then yes he could be okay. But I don’t consider him to be a player with fire and passion yet. Perhaps more first team opportunities might develop that. Usually though, players have already got this or they haven’t, and I can see it in some of our other reserve players, especially Rafeal DS.
August 25th, 2008 at 23:26
@Craig Mc: I think most people are just worried, that if in a few years, another club lets say Madrid come calling, we’ll go through the same thing Spurs are going through right now or if he doesn’t start too much games(which i doubt), he’ll go on a sulking spree(mind you I’m not one of those people), either that or they(like me), just really want Huntelaar instead.
August 25th, 2008 at 23:35
Anyone also think that Fletch tends to drift out of games once he’s scored? Last week he ended up being anonymous after scoring and I got the same impression today.
Don’t get me wrong, I love his wllingness to go forward and his goals to minutes played ratio (including last season) must be high, especially compared to someone like Anderson or Carrick, but I still think that had he not scored today I would be tempted to rate him around 6.5.
I’m sure his overall play can be more rounded, but then he does play better at CM.
Now just a thought:
Scholes
Carrick
Hargo
Anderson
Fletcher
Possebon
I’ve stated several times no that Rodrigo is my pet favorite, but what would be your favrite CM partneship? I wouldn’t mind a bit more of Scholes/ Possebon and trying out a partnetrship of Anderson/ Possebon.
Hargreaves for me this seaso is going to be switched occasionally from DM to RM.
How does this look?
VDS
Brown Rio Vida Evra
Hargo Scholes Possebon Nani
Berbatov Rooney(Tevez)
+Ronaldo switched around as RM/ RF/ LM
August 25th, 2008 at 23:38
I thought tevez was played better than Rooney today. I felt Rooney was banished to the Pompey 3rd, and didn’t really get a chance to be more involved in the game. Just my opinion.
August 25th, 2008 at 23:39
JB, but Berba isn’t like Ronnie situation though. When United went in for him beginning last season, spurs refused him to come, but promised if he gave spurs a commited season, he would be allowed to leave this season if United came in for him again. Now that came from the mouth of Martin Jol, so I tend to believe it’s true. I would be miffed if spurs went back on a promise to me if I was Berba. Jb I am afraid that I am not one of those who demand undying loyalty from players anymore. I feel that if Ronnie really doesn’t want to play for us we should allow him to go. So obviously I feel the same for Berba. Although I was with Fergie on his stance over Real M tactics. That was a hard one. Anyway, spurs have come out and said that Berba didn’t refuse to play for them, but Ramos made the decision because his heart is with Man Utd, and his head was not right. I wouldn’t like to think Ronnie was staying with us, and he is utterly miserable. That doesn’t seem right to me either.
August 25th, 2008 at 23:44
RD, we know that Berba can play in the premier league though. We know he can score goals, and he can definately make goals for others. He is class, and he can entertain. He is my kind of player.
August 26th, 2008 at 0:00
As for CM partnerships? In our League Cup games i’d love to see a central midfield of Possebon and Anderson with a defensive midfielder behind them to allow them to express themselves.
As for the Liverpool and Chelsea games, i am hoping Rooney gets a few goals during the International matches to put him into scoring form. Right at this moment, with the amount of players we’re missing i’d quite happily see us draw both games. I’d love 4 points out of the possible 6, but i think to ask United to win both games could be difficult.
fingers crossed though
August 26th, 2008 at 0:16
dunno, I don’t watch reserve games so the only times I’ve seen Possebon is in pre-season and the first few games and he hasn’t impressed me enough to warrant moving up in the CM ranks. He looks calm and collected on the ball but he seems to panic sometimes. I have been converted in the last season from a Fletcher hater to a Fletcher lover. He has produced some scholes-esque performances and has just completely changed my opinion of him.
August 26th, 2008 at 0:20
someone give that ref a yellow card… or at least a free pass to specsavers.. what in gods name was wrong with the goal rooney got chalked out!? it was onside in my book and everyone elses who saw it.. what a numpty.. that said two out of two for fletch… before you know it he’ll have scored 43 and real with be in a royal rush to sign him for 100mill!
ronaldo who.
personally if fletch keeps up this performance then i don’t want him to be dropped as soon as ronaldo gets fit. i mean it would be good to show him that he isn’t numero uno. well played tonight lads. rooney well should of had a goal!
August 26th, 2008 at 0:21
btw I’m just watching major league lacrosse on Setanta. Is this really what I paid for? I would love it if they got NBA though as nobody seems to have it since Sky stopped showing it
August 26th, 2008 at 0:34
they’re not showing the offside goal on SS. Probably trying to respect the linesman
August 26th, 2008 at 0:39
Well ronaldo is numero uno really and i certainly hope fletcher is dropped when he gets back. He will be, ofcourse. Fletcher is doing his part right now but all i can really compliment him on is his energy levels and his courage to get in the box. Apart from that he is an extremely limited player. He offers nothing creatively so it’s important for him that he contributes with tireless running and hopefully more goals. He wasn’t really in sync with united’s tidy, fluent passing moves, more than anything he stifled them.
August 26th, 2008 at 0:56
Liam, don’t get me started on the Respect thing! I play Rugby Union, so I fully appreciate that refs should be given respect, but Rugby refs earn that respect by being good at their jobs! The refs and linesmen in the Prem these days are shite, and make at least one goal affecting mistake (by that I mean giving/not giving a pen, disallowing a legit goal or allowing one that shouldn’t have stood), which makes it hard for players (especially the ones who play for the teams like us who have enormous pressure on them to win every game) to keep their cool.
Respect is earned.
Anyway, I don’t think we’d ever see Berbatov wanting to leave unless we didn’t get Champions League football, as that is why he wants to move to us really (he also quite fancies the club). I think that the Ronaldo situation is different, as:
a) Berbatov was made a promise that they’d let him go to us if he stayed a season, but Levy is fucking it up for him just because of money, and not signing a replacement.
b) Ronaldo’s mum has long dreamt of him playing for Real, which will have transferred to him, however he obviously wasn’t as desperate to as Berbatov is, as Calderon gave him the chance to kick up a fuss when he practically asked him to hand in a transfer request through his comments of “We will act when Ronaldo says he wants to leave (kicks up a fuss) and United say they want to sell (have no choice but to sell him because he refuses to play)”, but Ronaldo wasn’t prepared to, and was convinced to stay by Fergie after one coversation.
I’m all for Berbatov coming, he’s not exactly going to be sulking if he achieves the move he’s longed for for 2 summers now.
August 26th, 2008 at 1:28
@Liam: Liam, despite scoring two out of two, Fletch’s performances have been quite anonymous for these two games, by that I mean that he didnt do much except for scoring the goals.
Nonetheless, I’ve always been a supporter of Fletch because I know that he’s always got goals in him and is a big match performer. Trust Ronaldo to screw up against AC Milan, but trust Fletch to produce MOTM performances against tough opposition.
A midfield’s perfromance should be judged by how much he gets involved in moves, and trust me Possebon, everytime he plays gets involved. He looks the kind of player that looks to provide solutions for his teammates, just like Keane was, and just doesn’t look the kind of player that drifts out of games.
On the other hand this particular aspect is one of the major flaws in Fletcher’s game.
Oh well, I guess we are spoilt for choice in midfield. I just wonder what it’ll be like when everybody’s fit…
August 26th, 2008 at 1:29
Good match today, decent performances from the lads, but did anyone notice how we began to tire during the second half?. That was weird for this early in the season!. Maybe it’s those useless midweek internationals, I mean, what’s the point?.
Fergie is so predictable, I knew he would play O’shea in DMF, but Ando was a surprise (and not a good one, as it was evident from his performance that he wasn’t a 100%). The rest of the formation was expected and I actually now understand Fergie’s reason for playin O’shea; cuz evra and brown were expected to bombard up and down the wings(which they did excellently) and O’shea was to provide extra cover for Rio and Vida. He did that well, however, there is no denieng the fact that he nullifies our creativity in the middle of the park!. Hopefully, when we get our wingers back, evra and brown can cool it, then we can use a more creative/attack minded CMF!.
Rooney played well today, glad to see he’s adapting to playing a No.9 role and staying up the pitch. Shoulda scored if not for a blind linesman (and they want respect
). Tevez played well too, but he is developing a bad habit of lingering in our own half and dropping too deep; maybe it was cuz O’shea was a ‘minus one’ in midfield. However, he did create some chances but was always missing when rooney needed support.
Fletch is a man on a mission!. This lad is proving to be quite effective at two positions – CMF, RMF – and could be a vital player for us this season. The defence was impeccable, Rio and Vida showing no strains panic/pressure!. Evra and Brown were among our top performers today, Fergie gave them a task of creating width and they did it without compromising the defence, perfect!.
Scholes is just sublime, how he still produces these quality performances is beyond me!. Should try and pass the ball forward a bit more though. Rodrigo showed composure but was a bit pedestrian and in the premiership you can’t afford to be that lukewarm or else you will get caught out in possesion (like he did today); but he showed promise and can only get better.
Excuse the mini speech, but we had a decent performance today and hopefully, we can get better with each game as we still lacked any real potency in the final third today!. Hopefully, with most of our – wide – players getting fit these coming weeks, we can sort this out and continue our winning streak!.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:45
Good win….Fergie shud sign the Wigan enforcer known as Palacios! Superb player and more accomplished to combine with Anderson than O’Shea! Sign him and Berba and we are the GREATEST!
August 26th, 2008 at 3:47
Kienu, Very very very good point, Palacious would be a fantastic addition. Bruce would be nuts to give him to us though..
Relagation would be a forgon conclusion.
Scholes and Andy were fantastic tonight, Possebom looked good to.
But Evra was my MOM.
Can’t wait for the pool match
August 26th, 2008 at 3:59
@RichmondRed: Yea mate, was surprised Rooney was spending time up there a lot, shame Tevez left Rooney dangling there alone sometimes.
August 26th, 2008 at 4:33
Is it me or the thought of berbertov joining united would be just horrible, I mean let’s get this straight his attitude just stinks worse then fat bastards ass he mopes around the pitch when things go against him and he will not fit into United’s style of play. 30 million for a 30 year old no thank you and he does what rooney and tevez like to do play behind the front man. Let’s hope to god he does not arrive good on spurs stand your ground just as united done with ronaldo. united should be looking for the most physical and more powerful front man like a drogba or etoo, we already have one problem in ronaldo we don’t want another one. united should be looking to be buying another winger is well as cover for ronaldo and nani and a powerful frontman manucho could be that problem solver.
August 26th, 2008 at 4:58
what a difference Tevez and Andersonsonson make huh?? a very entertaining match to watch, I loved every second of it.
And respect to O’Shea, he wasn’t brilliant by any means, but he did his job well.
Man of the match for me has to be Evra. Why dont we have a song for him? He deserves some love
August 26th, 2008 at 5:36
@micheal: Yes its only you. Berbatov will be excellent for us, bet he would do a great job till 32, 33 that’s 5 years! His game is not built on speed or the physical side but he is sheer class all around.
Are you by any chance reading too much of spurs boards these days?
August 26th, 2008 at 5:36
Levy is apparently taking a leaf out of the Glazers’ book when it comes to want away players
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1049122/Let-rot-Spurs-chief-leave-Berbatov-reserves-United-fail-stump-30m.html” rel=”nofollow”>
August 26th, 2008 at 7:29
@Craig Mc: No, nobody was offside. The linesman simply flaged him wrongly. He was onside by at least a yard.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:01
SkySports think Andy was MOTM. Yey
August 26th, 2008 at 14:42
R…
I am a united fan who knows bebertov is vastly overated, the sooner yu lot realise he is overhyped the better. why didnt united sign torres in the first place.