Dec 22
Reds’ New Signing | United Rich For Real? | Lyon Draw
Well, well, well. We have lot’s to talk about, don’t we? So let’s get started on our daily waffle.
So it’s not a wind-up. We have, in fact, signed Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves — Manucho, for those finding his full name a mouthful — from an Angolan club. He is the top scorer in his country’s league and whilst that is no indicator of his worth, we would have the African Cup of Nations to look forward to and see how good he really is. The sum paid for securing his services is not known as yet, although one wouldn’t be too wrong to think he was signed for a little more than a sweet song, given his lack of profile one would normally associate with United targets.
He becomes yet another player scouted through Carlos Queiroz’s network and adds to the, now sizeable, Portuguese speaking contingent in our squad. Being African, he shouldn’t have too much trouble settling down to roughness of the league as they are usually naturally strong, athletic lads. But being a striker, one would hope he has the composure and finishing ability we’ve been looking for in a striker at United.
According to reports he’s 23 years old, although he may well be 56. But the fact is that his work permit may be dependent on him having a blinder at the African Cup of Nations. As long as he does better than Dong I wouldn’t mind the signing, to be honest. He provides us with an extra player in the striking department, because, surely, anyone could do better than Dong?
Moving on, there has been a report on the Manchester Evening News that we may have generated profits in the region of £75m this year. This figure, if true, would dwarf those of any club as we seem well on our way towards achieving the Glazers’ proposed target of £108m, or so, however evil that may sound.
This would also put our revenue at around £208m which would dwarf that of Arsenal. It must be noted that these figures do not include the brand new television deal that guarantees £30m even to Derby County.
Finally, a few words about the Champions’ League draw. It certainly is the worst out of the pool of clubs eligible to face us but I wouldn’t be too worried about this, to be honest. Lyon may be at the top of the French Lique, but I’d rather take them than what Arsenal and the rest of the British clubs are having to deal with.
Our side is quality, and that quality should be enough to see off the likes of Lyon — Juninho, or no Juninho.
The boss has typically deflected any questions relating to the, now infamous, Christmas party:
“I have nothing to say about the events of the week. Why would I say anything? Alex Ferguson has been dealing with situations like this for 21 years - and I know exactly what we do. I will not be guided or instructed by anyone. It is a club matter, and we will carry on the way we have always done.”
Which is absolutely right. He may have cut open Rio’s skull, for instance, taken out his medulla oblongata and replaced it with that of a pig’s with the words ‘What the fuck were you thinking?‘ inscribed in them, but he wouldn’t let the press the slightest whiff — and that is what he ought to have done anyway. Hopefully, the effect is for all to see in the Everton game.
Meanwhile the Italian cunts courts have jailed four United fans for trouble in the Roma game. Are these courts for real? I guess we will hear updates on this issue tomorrow as, most likely, 5 Roma fans would be given a small pinch on their wrists for their trouble in the said game.
And EVDS has agreed to an extension to his contract until 2009.
More on the Everton game and other usual waffle tomorrow.
Related items from Red Rants:- Manchester United and the Champions’ League
- Lyon v Man Utd: Preview
- SAF’s European Headache
- Manchester United players need to do better
- Hargreaves Stirs Up Some Debate | Saha Could Start (Wow!) | Some New Signing
Tags: Daily Roundup
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:40
About the draw..it may actually be a good thing to face Lyon. It’s always better to get a decently tough draw to progress to the next round. Imagine facing a Fenerbache and then having to face Milan next! Not easy. This way we’ll atleast be on our toes, and hopefully get through without any rude surprise. C’mon! This is our season, I feel it!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:44
i thought man utd was the richest football club for some years.was it before takeover?
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:45
It’s not the easiest of tasks to face Lyon but nobody said that the road to Moscow would be easy. We have the squad and the quality, so it’s their problem after all. This is our year!
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:41
Im actually really pleased with the draw in a way. We can be confident in our squad and talk up our players but they have to show what they are capable of and a tough trip across the channel to take on a team comprising Junihno and Benzema gives us a good platform to launch into the real buisness end of Europe. Lyon play a really good brand of European football so it allows some our players who might get drawn into the quick tempo of EPL football to get a feel for the more rhythmic game we are going to have to play in order to lift the cup again. Also it allows us to see how good the ‘new zidane’ really is, up against our man owen who is in some pretty hot from aswell. All in all pretty satisfying, but I dont know how Im going to wait the 2 months for the football orgy to begin! Some of the draws are just too good for words…
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:42
now i have an excuse to watch the africa cup of nations…
I think its on eurosport
if this mauncho dude is good and does end coming to united he won’t be cup tied so he will be able to play in the champions league!!
And yeah we have a good chance in all competitions
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:51
the good thing about yesterday’s draw is that we’ve got top teams facing each other and eliminating each other. lyon are slightly weakened and its mostly benzema and juninho that we have to watch out for.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:33
and govou
December 22nd, 2007 at 13:51
govou is past it?he blows mostly hot and cold this days.
December 22nd, 2007 at 15:24
Ahhhh noooo!what the hell was keane thinking?!dam arsenal are a lucky side!
December 22nd, 2007 at 17:11
someone who has a mutv acount go to this:
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BC7DF7CEC%2D3BC3%2D4859%2DA3FD%2DFE4AAD215DD8%7D&newsid=517365
the next issue of ‘what the papers say’, then look at the vid and then upload to youtube so we can all see please.
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:07
my starting line up for mersyside b team:
VDS
pique rio vida evra
ronaldo hargo andy nani(hasnt played in a while)
rooney and tevez
browns form has dropped dramaticly sice the contract talks and i think pique is playing better than him.