Oct 20
Reds Put Four Past WBA
United 4-0 West Bromwich Albion
Another nice weekend, another three points in the bag, yet we’re not better than Hull. Oh well, that can wait, I suppose. It still is fairly reassuring seeing us just 6 points off the top with a game in hand. But, again, we’ll get to the topic of the title race later on (in time that is — not in this post).
Fergie started off with Rafael at right back and Fletcher and Giggs in central midfield. Nani was benched; Tevez, in some parallel dimension we don’t know about — perhaps, the international break had something to do with that?
To put it simply: first half not so good, second half very, very good. I suppose anyone who looked at the scorelines during half time and at the final whistle could have come up with that. The truth is, despite doing everything we could in the first half, and being wrongly disallowed a genuine goal from the man of the moment, Wayne Rooney, something wasn’t quite right in the first half. Perhaps, it was the tireless running and harrying by West Brom? Perhaps, we were feeling the effects of the oft stated excuse of the international break? Perhaps a bit of both? We just couldn’t get beyond fannying about near the box while misplacing passes at the same time.
To West Brom’s credit, they defended exceedingly well in the first half.
The game was a microcosm of what I have been noticing from our football lately. There is this strange sense of ennui mixed with moments of genius from United this season. At times it appears as if the players, fresh from having won every trophy they wanted to win, couldn’t give a fuck about the “recreational activity foisted upon them” (they are champions after all). At other times, it’s as if they wake up from the said ennui and realise they need to play some football to do justice to their wages and also to avoid much bollocking — as if to say: “Ok lads, let’s play some football now and get home without an earful from the gaffer”. And they wake up, go bang four goals for fun while playing some training kickabout in the process.
I may be the only one seeing it, but we seem to be switching on and off whenever we feel like.
I am not sure how to see this though. It could be good, because we are yet to see the return of a bonafide creative central midfielder in Michael Carrick, who improves our ball retention several fold.
In individual performances, we should really be talking only about Wayne Rooney. It’s nice to see Rooney dominate a game as much as he did on Saturday. I did hope for a barnstorming performance from Rooney for United, in my last post, and he gave one that made me — a Rooney fan — quite happy. Berbatov, despite being in and out of the game, seems to have really helped Rooney — who has started to learn how to best use his energy during a game. We saw finishing, power, vision, touch — everything we wanted from our golden boy. And if he stays injury free, we can expect the breakthrough season we’ve all been expecting from him for long.
Among other players, Berbatov is an example of a player who does so much with little. An assist to Rooney and an instinctive tap in would help relieve some of the burden of the transfer fee off him. The ease at which he plays his football is one thing, but his obvious footballing brain is what will help him settle into our system. He can pull balls out of air like they were velcro balls. And very rarely wastes passes. He had a poor first half, but made up for it in the second. One would hope he stays in the game more often than he drifts out of it.
Ronaldo is still finding his feet, and it’s good that we are winning despite that. But his pace is what gives our team the bite on the counter attack. So an off key Ronaldo is still a very potent weapon.
I felt happy about Nani’s goal because it makes him work harder and feel rewarded for his efforts so that he can tell his manager that he wants to start.
Giggs didn’t have much to write home about, and was quite disappointing. Rafael had another productive day in his learning curve, and his display was more about his defensive ability rather than his forays up field. Either way we do have a gem in our hands.
In conclusion, it’s great to see some real football after a sleep inducing two weeks and I’m sure the Celtic game will be a cracker. More on that, in future posts.
Till then…
Related items from Red Rants:
- It’s only half-time and we’re one down – will you back United to win?
- Man Utd v West Ham: Preview
- Free tickets for United v Villa final
- United v Villa – Can the reds turn the tide around?
- Race for the title – United’s chance to lead the table
Tags: Match Reports
October 20th, 2008 at 9:16
Maybe was covered in the preview, but I’m pretty sure Fergie came out midway through last week and said without a doubt a certain Mr. Hargreaves would be fit and running our midfield. Now I’m optimistic that he’s being rested for Tuesday, but if not…saw in NOTW (and no I didn’t buy it) that the stories have started about Hargo being offloaded. That would be a sad day indeed…
October 20th, 2008 at 9:58
Against Chelsea, Liverpool, Bolton and Aalborg we created chances when we wanted. At Anfield we went into the lead right away, then created a huge chance for Tevez right after the own goal. We dominated Chelsea when we wanted, only to do the mistake of layin back the whole game after we went into the lead. Bolton and Aalborg were goals when we want. SO easy, so goo movement. 6 huge chances, 3 goals. Rovers were torn abart when we went into one of our “create a chance, then play” moments. And against West Brom we ruled the second half. GO UNITED!
October 20th, 2008 at 10:26
It would be nice if Ronaldo could smile when he scores for us, it is quite clear he simply does not want to play for us.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:34
I disagree about Giggs. I thought he had a shocking first 15 minutes, but after that he played exactly the role set out for him – sitting deep, providing an outlet and keep the ball moving for us. He passed intelligently and on the odd occasion beat his man to find space. He prompted constantly and without him in the background the boys further forward would have had a lot less quality possession to work with.
Oh, and Tevez (like Anderson) didn’t arrive back from international duty until Friday afternoon and so wasn’t considered available for Saturday’s game.
@Stephen: Since when does a second goal against a West Brom team who have mentally gone home require an extravagant celebration? I think Ronaldo is going down the di Canio route of “I only celebrate when I score a special goal”. People read too much into this crap.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:47
I think Giggs did great after his ‘horror show’ in the first 15 mins. He was key to the ball moving from the back to the attackers. His passes to key men in the attack usually spurned most of our play that led to goals. It’s a relatively unfamiliar position for him and I think the first 15mins were just a blip as he was probably finding his fit in the setup.
You are correct in saying that we tend to be quite lukewarm at times only to then spring into life when we realise we need to. I think the biggest example of this was the Zenit game. The team as a whole is not up to full fitness and I’m sure those lukewarm phases of our game will soon be gone, if not, I expect a torrid hairdryer session from the gaffer.
On saturday, we kept coming at west brom with pace so maybe those fitness levels are beginning to peak.
Also, it says on the website that Tevez and Ando are set to feature for us tmz… that’s good news. I think Tevez should start upfront with Rooney and bring on Berba for Rooney later in the game. Ando would probably play a similar role to Giggsy with second ‘man-of-the-moment’ Fletcher playing a little deeper. O’shea in LB, not so bad as i first thought as Celtic have pacy wingers and O’shea will do well in nullifying their threat. Neville for RB (really want Brown tho), afterall, this is the ‘Battle of Britain’
. Nani and Ronaldo to play on the wings with Park coming on for Ronaldo.
It’s looking good, we are getting our pace and intensity back up to standard and I reckon it will just be a matter of time before the 3-0, 4-0 scorelines will become a regular feat for us.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:48
@Penguin: I simply do not a agree, he was celebrating every goal last season like it was his first.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:37
Because he was in the running for the top scorer award…
I think we played so much better in the second half than we did in the first half because be that point WBA were exhausted and the pace and stamina of Ronaldo and Rooney made all the difference.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:45
@Andrei: What does he not want to be top goal scorer again?!
If people believe he is happy to be a the club then I think you are kidding yourselves, he has looked mardy all season an quite clearly does not want to be there.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:48
Seems to me the pattern of the match is something we’re going to have to live with. Teams know that if they’re open and try to beat us, they’ll struggle (see Boro v Chelsea on sat). So they play tight, organised and defensively, which makes it tough even for the very best players. It’s nothing particularly new, but requires loads of hard work by the defending team, and eventually they do tire, at which point like Andrei says, our superior pace can be used to open them up.
It’s not necessarily a lack of invention or the like from our boys, rather just that it’s incredibly difficult to score against 9 behind the ball. And that’s true for everyone.
Re: Ronaldo – boy t’aint happy. The reason why might not be about Madrid though, I personally believe he’s just frusrtated at not being able to do what he once could. Maybe when he gets that back he’ll perk up a bit, let’s hope so. Whether or not he’s United for life he is vital to us retaining our crowns.
October 20th, 2008 at 12:01
@Stephen: and Berbatov who has cut the same ‘glum’ expressions as Ronaldo so far, doesn’t he want to be here also?
Like Berbatov, Ronaldo hasn’t hit his regular, dazzling form yet and he knows it. You know he can do better and he knows too, when he scored his first goal this season, I remember him smiling and embracing his team-mates. When Ronnie hits his top form and starts scoring those vital goals, along with Berbatov, you’ll begin to see the celebration of a player that is releived and happy at his performance.
About him not wanting to be here, of course part of his heart is at Madrid, but his head is here. He’s not going to start celebrating wildly after what he did this summer so ‘fans’ can label him like they did Adebayor and Lampard. He will one day leave, we all know it, and at least this time he’s doing us the courtesy of giving us a heads-up.
October 20th, 2008 at 12:25
Hey guys a bit of topic but what do yo guys think of signing Theo Walcott as a replacement for slave boy who seems certain to leave in the summer? I read somewhere that he is looking for an increase on his wages. (currently believed to be at around 15000-20000 pounds/week). With arse’s strict wage policy i think we could tempt him to join us. Personally I think it would be a great signing as he is still young, has bags of pace, is skillful and has an eye for goal and under Fergie can only get better oh plus he’s English which would make him less likely to opt for Spain once he’s an established star unlike Slave Boy. Hope to hear your comments on that. Cheers guys
October 20th, 2008 at 12:32
Any news on EVRA??
October 20th, 2008 at 12:32
About this celebration thing I am really not a fan of over the top celebrations (like what Rooney did… running and sliding on the touchline like that. We all know what happened to OGS after that famous 99 night at Camp Nou – he never fully recovered from that… I dont really understand why players celebrate like that! Its kind of risky. Not to mention that fool Nani indulging in acrobatics! I very much prefer a muted celebration and a honest appreciation of the crowd. Enjoyed Berba’s reaction to his goal really
October 20th, 2008 at 12:38
@jos: That fool Nani in a 12 minute Cameo scored 1 and had 1 assist
. Put that in your pipe and smoke it mate. 
.
October 20th, 2008 at 12:42
Ya hope he is more consistent..
October 20th, 2008 at 12:45
@Gabriel: Gabriel get real Bro. Berbatov has never celebrated goals with any gusto, that’s his style. Ronnie has always responded, especially in last two seasons with very marked gesticulations when he scored, and acknowledgement to the crowd. Now he doesn’t even look towards the crowd, its like I’ll do my job, but fuck you lot. So you cannot compare the body language of the two. Some people LOVE wild goal celebrations, you should see some of our goal celebrations on the terraces, wilder than fecking wild. Each to his own. Those who are sombre-ites get the Berba goal reaction, those who are like me, get the Ronnie/Roonie/Nani wild responses. Hope I never have to stand on the terraces with miserable shits all around me, who just nod nicely when we score. Feck that, I want the rampant celebrations, which you will always get from the Salford Reds
.
October 20th, 2008 at 12:55
@Stephen: Stephen Bro, your the only one whose got eyes it seems
. Nobody really knows whats going on with Ronnie, and I MEAN NOBODY. Yet looking at the lad, it is obvious to most, that he is not happy. 
. I don’t think Ronnie understands the feckin United fans mentality. Who does, we’re feckin nutters, well most of us anyway. I am a fully paid up member of the United fan nutters club, and proud of it 
.
October 20th, 2008 at 13:00
@Craig Mc: you dont fear that he might break his legs one day if we lands awkwardly in his somersault! All for just a celebration!
OGS lost a career because of his celebration…
October 20th, 2008 at 13:03
Can you imagine what Fergie would do to Nani if he broke an ankle doing that celebration?
Berba’s celebration was awesome. Tried so hard not to smile then just had to. Loved it. Man. Is. Class.
Anyone else thinking we’re going to get the big 4 all starting on Tuesday night? Am picturing something like:
———-VDS———–
-Gary-Rio-Vidic-O’Shea-
—Fletcher-Ando——-
——–Tevez———-
–Ronaldo——Rooney-
——–Berba———
With the hope that between Tevez, Fletch and ando we have enough fight to keep Celtic at bay.
Oh and everytime Nakamura seems to line up a free kick against VDS, he puts it away. Spooky.
October 20th, 2008 at 13:04
@Craig Mc: With his behaviour over the summer, it doesn’t take much to run to the supporters when he scores, or to try and even smile does it!
October 20th, 2008 at 13:05
@Craig Mc: Just a theory on the Ronaldo point – could it be that he’s celebrating less because he’s getting far less love from the fans?
I’m not saying he deserves any different, but when your home crowd seem like they are (at best) only tolerating you, rather than singing your name for 30 mins of every match, maybe you don’t feel as motivated to go running over to them when you score.
October 20th, 2008 at 13:13
@jos: I do worry about Nani somersaults yeah Jos, especially on our slippery, winter pitches. Apparently Nani is a gymnast and has learned his tricks from that as a boy. Yet my heart is in my mouth when he is somersaulting. I worry more that he might miss, and fall on his head, snap his neck or something. So you have a point I guess about his type of celebration
. I can’t agree with yourself and those who think players should just smile and show little emotion when they have scored. That’s why I said each to his own though, because we all have our preferences. I think letting out your emotions in wild celebrations (minus the somersaults) are an exciting aspect of football.
October 20th, 2008 at 13:13
@Penguin: His name was certainly being sung on Saturday, it is not up to us to to build bridges with him, it is the other way round, he let US down in the summer and it is up to him to show the fans some love and respect.
If we don’t sing his name for 30 mins then he doesn’t have to come over to the fans, do we have to pander to his needs, no we don’t, it is up to him not the other way round.
October 20th, 2008 at 13:19
I am convinced that Ronaldo is just a bit depressed that after his injury his level of play is well short of last season. In the scheme of things his goal did not really matter. I think once he is back on top form and scoring matchwinners for us again he will start celebrating a bit more.
Although it is worth bearing in mind that even with injury, return to fitness etc. Ronaldo has already scored something like one goal every two games which is still very good for a winger.
Maybe there is some rivalry with Rooney. At the moment Rooney is the star of the club. Of course Rooney is on a hot streak and there is no doubt that Ronaldo is a much better player. Maybe that is hard for Ronaldo as he is such a competitive player. But I think that will be an incentive for Ronaldo to raise his game so we will benefit!
October 20th, 2008 at 13:20
@Penguin: Thats been my point exactly for weeks Penguin. Because of lack of love and support from United fans, Ronnie doesn’t feel at home anymore. That is why he is hurting, and from what I have seen, I don’t think Ronnie’s relationship with the fans can EVER be repaired. Whatever United fans do now, I think Ronnie has been deeply hurt, and his only way of response because he has to play for us right now, is to cut himself off from all emotional attachment to the OT crowd. This is patently bloody obvious, to anybody who understands what it is to smart from feeling rejected. I love Ronnie to bits, but I hope for his sanity and happiness that he insists on a move in the summer
.
October 20th, 2008 at 13:22
Reading too much into the Ronaldo celebration. And he was just as appreciative. I’ve seen him celebrate like that before. Its early days really in the season. HULL is 3rd!!!
We have Ronaldo, bought him for $12 Mil, he’s paid that back and then some. Basically right now we hold all the marbles. He can stay until 2012, leave on a free and it’ll be well worth it. Or he can leave now get a large return on the investment and move on. What’s your beef? Becks left, Cantona left, Stam left, Ruud left, they all leave whether it be at the end of a career or as a transfer. One thing I know is, we need to have a decent replacement when he eventually goes. That’s all. We won’t for example be left with 1 year on a contract and waste it. So use your heads and stop this short-term mindset. He’s on the pitch he’s playing he’s got a contract its binding, use level heads, stop being emotional. At the end of the day this is business and my Manager is legendary icon. Trust in his exprience and skill.
October 20th, 2008 at 13:27
@colver: Bro how the feck can you induce that Ronnie’s goal didn’t count for much. While it was still 1-0, West Brom always would feel they were in with a chance. How many times have United fallen short with opponents equalising, because they didn’t get that all important second goal?. FFS there are some short memories on this board.
Also, I cannot agree with your theory on him being envious of Rooney. Ronnie knows that on form he is a better player than Roon, although I just know the Roon fans will heavily dispute this. I think it is more of ramming his point home to the United fans at the moment, scoring his goal, and saying to the crowd “take that you Bastards.” I truly believe that.
October 20th, 2008 at 14:30
It shouldn’t be about who is a better player or not it should be about the team and how the team plays.
All I want from Ronaldo is him to try and get the fans back on his side, and arrogant miserable celebrations will not endear himself to the sceptics. He should be running to the croud kissing the badge, then the fans will start to forgive him, and Craig is right we were only one goal up at the time, and it was an important goal.
October 20th, 2008 at 14:35
@Penguin: Can someone please tell me why Tevez was gone for the international break? Not only did he not play, He wasnt in the squad! that is why I asked yesterday what is he jet lagged from, cause I dont see the point in flying all the way down to the bottom of the world unless you have too(but hey, thats just me).
October 20th, 2008 at 14:41
@johnsom33: he played in their first match, got suspended for the second but still stayed with the squad. He arrived in Manchester on Friday afternoon, no time to practice and even if, he would not have been fully prepared, mentally and physically to play at a 100% less than 24hrs later.
October 20th, 2008 at 14:45
@Stephen: I completely disagree, you want him to kiss the badge after what he did this summer? you are having a laugh. Only clowns like Adebayor make a mockery of themselves by agitating for a move away from the club,then do a 180 degee turn and kiss the bitch. It disgust me to see players do that, and the fans definately wont go for it. I think Ronaldo knows he is in the fans dog house and that it will be a while before he gets back in their good graces.
@Craig Mc: Im sorry but scoring the second goal against WBA isnt a big goal. Not to mention the fact that Rooney put it on a platter for him. He has high standards for himself and scoring a gimme against a relegation bound side is not likely to get a rise out the best player in the world.
October 20th, 2008 at 14:49
Hopefully we can put this to bed Tuesday night, when scoring at home in the CL will lead to Ronnie doing his usual smile and point up at someone in the crowd celebration (anyone ever know who that is, btw?)
October 20th, 2008 at 14:53
@johnsom33: Good point mate I agree, just feel he should try and build some bridges with fans, but I disagree with it wasn’t a big goal, we were only one goal up and needed the second, I don’t care who it was against, we were certainly not home and dry.
October 20th, 2008 at 15:02
@Penguin: @Craig Mc: @Stephen: Y’all are saying more or less the same thing. Ronnie has hurt some of the United fans and they have responded in the only way they can, hold back on their love and appreciation for him. Like penguin said, it’s all a case of unrequited love, as the fans feel he has betrayed them in some way, hence reduced their enthusiasm and excitement towards him and he in return has also reduced his enthusiasm and excitement towards them. Gradually, both sides will forget all these egotistical rubbish and the thrill of scoring and achieving sustained success will cloud all that nonsense. When Ronnie starts to return to last season’s best, both he and the crowd will come out of those protective shells and it will be like nothing ever happened.
To be honest, I think he is right in his celebrations, why bother kissing the badge and leave at the end of the season or next? People like to question Ronnie’s character, but I think he is a very professional player who has respect for Fergie, the fans and mostly the club. We all know he wanted to leave and he could have pulled a ‘robinho’ and demanded a move but he didn’t. Deep down, Ronnie knew he still had something to offer at United, part of his heart might be at Madrid but i’m sure most of it and most importantly, his head is here, at Old Trafford. All that ‘depressed’ talk is sensationalist at best, believe me, if a player of Ronnie’s stardom and ego wanted to leave that badly, he’ll have been long gone by now.
October 20th, 2008 at 15:17
@Gabriel: I agree with most of what you said mate, but Fergie told him he was staying, and Fergie rules the Old Trafford roust, not Ronaldo.
October 20th, 2008 at 16:05
@Stephen: I’m afraid so mate, that’s just the way it goes at Old Trafford. He just can’t up and leave one minute without given the gaffer, fans, or club, time to prepare and compensate for his departure!! I even remeber after the CL final, when asked if he wanted to stay, he said YES!! So I think the madrid thing was a ‘forbidden fruit’ , ‘I want what I want’ kinda thing. I’m glad Fergie convinced him otherwise, because I really see him developing and achieving more as a player here in Old trafford (and i’m not saying that as a selfish United fan
)
If and when he leaves, it will be on good terms and he can recieve a proper send-off like he truly deserves, not on a wave of anamosity that would have folowed him had he gone this summer. There’ll be no surprises and it will probably be announced shortly after the deal has been struck behind closed doors. I’ll still support him wherever he goes though, like I do beckham, nistelrooy and other ex-united players.
October 20th, 2008 at 16:08
Apparently ronnie has just done an interview with MUTV, and said all the right things. Kind of. I can’t watch it at work, but looks to be him saying he wants to win things and thinks he can do it at United. Not mentioning love for the club or fans though, as far as I can tell…
October 20th, 2008 at 16:12
@johnsom33: He does have to, that’s why. If you’re selected by your country, FIFA regulations compel you to join your international squad otherwise you can be banned from playing for your club for the same length of time as you would have been with your international team.
October 20th, 2008 at 16:15
Craig what I meant is that Ronaldo wants a goal and a performance that really gets the fans cheering again. If you like a statement of intent to tell the world that I am back and I am still the best. A goal at West Brom while not insignificant does not cut it.
We do not have any really big games coming up. But I think the Celtic game would be important. We have some sort of rivalry with them and if Ronaldo destroys them with a brace I imagine the fans would start loving him a lot more and Ronaldo would feel better about his game
October 20th, 2008 at 16:18
@colver: I don’t understand your point, he only has to celebrate goals agianst teams he deems worthy?
Any goal against any team is important, surely?
October 20th, 2008 at 16:22
@Beachryan: well, tie me up and call me sally!!
I was just saying the same things he demonstrated in his interview 
I love Ronnie, and I hope he helps us win the treble this year 
October 20th, 2008 at 16:28
why does Ronaldo have to be better than Rooney or Rooney better than Ronaldo? I mean they play in different positions, have different styles and both play for the same team! Although Ronaldo is usually better against the canon fodder. Rooney is better in the big games though…
October 20th, 2008 at 16:32
@Liam: They both are quaility players, there is no need for my Dad is bigger than yours!
October 20th, 2008 at 16:34
ronaldo does not want to be at our club, its as clear as daylight(maybe i shouldn’t have said that today lol) he does not celebrate at all. To all those comparing him to berbatov, NO, berbatov is just a lazy fuck who cant be bothered to run around like an idiot. He actually does smile when he scores, ronaldo, doesn’t.
October 20th, 2008 at 16:38
@ Stephen – absolutely true, as long as Ronaldo doesn’t get all huffy at playing second fiddle some of the time.
October 20th, 2008 at 16:39
A bit off topic but What do you guys think about theo walcott replacing slave boy when he departs in the summer We could steal him from arse if they continue to win fuck all Apparently we have good relations that with silvestre going there and all The guy has pace and an eye for goal and under fergie can only further improve Plus he’s english so would not opt for spain once he establishes himself as a star
October 20th, 2008 at 16:40
@colver:
“Craig what I meant is that Ronaldo wants a goal and a performance that really gets the fans cheering again”
Personally I would rather he commits his future to Utd thats what would really get me cheering again for Ronaldo. For now that for me would be gospel. The goals and performances can come later.
As it is his heart is in Madrid so what I want to see now is goals and good performances before he goes which I will cheer but never the same as I cheered for him in previous seasons.
Also like stephen says if scoring a goal against any team at a packed OT is not enough or significant to “cut it” then he should make a point of getting the deal done with Real at the end of the season and get it over and done with.
October 20th, 2008 at 16:41
This guy is clearly better than Park. He could do the job, what with Ronni’s long term future in doubt…
Yes, he’s the guy that’s been linked to us
October 20th, 2008 at 16:54
@Liam: I thought we put to bed the myth that Ronaldo doesnt perform in the big games? Please dont start it up again.
and there is no debate between the two. Ronaldo is in a class of his own, and that is no slight against the Roon.
October 20th, 2008 at 16:58
They are both different players, Ronaldo is more of an individual and Rooney is more of a team player, but together they are class!
@Nico QB: Is it me or does he run like Andrei Kancelskis?
October 20th, 2008 at 17:26
@Craig Mc: If it is as you say that Ronaldo is feeling unloved by the fans then it is indeed an unfortunate situation, but showing love is a two way thing and the disrespect that Ronaldo showed everybody connected with the club during the summer was disgraceful and has created the situation.
Ronaldo might look at himself as a superior player to Rooney but if he thinks he is a better human being than him then that might tell you where the problem lies coz Rooney comes across as a very selfless, humble and more grounded person and I would doubt very much that he would stoop as low as Ronaldo did this summer.
We all know that one day he would like to play for Madrid and if he had gone about it with honesty, dignity and respect then we all could have said a fond farewell and thanks for the memories, but he didnt do that, he tried to engineer the move behind the clubs back and compared staying at United to being treated like a slave, that was the one statement that done most of the damage and until he apoligizes for this then the United fans have the right to be cold about him.
I sincerely think that the majority of the fans would like to embrace him again but he said too much for people to simply turn a blind eye to it, so if he wants a warmer reception he should look inside of himself and ask the fans to forgive him, I think they want to.
October 20th, 2008 at 17:49
You guys feel like me? One day you love Ronaldo, then suddenly the next day you dont stand watchin him?
Today is one of the days Is ay VIVA RONALDO!! 
Dunno why. I dont think we should look to far into him not celebratin, maybe its because he just got a a botox.
October 20th, 2008 at 17:51
I don’t agree with the idea that Ronaldo isn’t celebrating because he is not happy. He might not be happy, I don’t deny that..but just imagine what a fool he would be to show it out so openly! Do you think Fergie isn’t noticing what we’re seeing? If he openly starts acting like he’s NOT HAPPY here, it just sends all the signals for the Nazgul (read Madrid) to start screeching and sniffing their way to OT. Fergie is the last person who would stand for something like that. Ronaldo will get it fullforce from the gaffer, no doubt, IF that’s why he isn’t celebrating.
Now let me use my Jedi force to analyse why he didn’t celebrate
–
I think the reason he didn’t celebrate was because he was just completely exhausted. Fergie has now said that when Gary came on, (65th min) he told him to go and find out how Ron was doing and Ron said he wanted to come off. That shows that he just wasn’t ready to go on because of exhaustion. Then he scores a goal 4 minutes later (69min). What do you think a player who has run himself into the ground would instinctively do? Run screaming towards the crowd, or just show a look of relief and celebrate quietly with his teammates. I feel it’s the latter definitely. Lemme know what you think!
October 20th, 2008 at 17:57
A bit off topic but What do you guys think about Theo Walcott replacing slave boy when he departs in the summer We could steal him from arse if they continue to win fuck all Apparently we have good relations that with Silvester going there and all The guy has pace and an eye for goal and under fergie can only further improve Plus he’s English so would not opt for spain once he establishes himself as a star
October 20th, 2008 at 18:22
@ Curtis – Never happen. I agree with you on points about Walcott having potential and not wanting to leave for sunnier shores, however he is also second rate compared to Ronaldo and Wenger would never sell him to us. Ever.
He wasn’t worth £12m when they bought him, so I’m not too upset about it.
I get the impression Nani is Ronaldo’s replacement, and will shift to playing more on the right over time. Who is supposed to be on the left side I have no idea.
October 20th, 2008 at 18:24
I do not think Walcott is a realistic target. Way too overrated and has only looked clinical in a few games and was just lucky that one of those was against a slow Croatian defence. Would also be sold for no less than 20 million and that money could be better spent.
Stephen what I feel is that Ronaldo does not really understand how the fans feel. For him they are just cheerleaders he can win over with glorious performances. Of course it would be nice if he celebrated each and every goal as if he scored the winner in the Champions League final. But that is not his style. He celebrates the goals and the performances that bring him individual glory.
October 20th, 2008 at 18:25
I just think Ronnie didn’t celebrate because he was frustrated with his performance up to that point. He was getting owned by some dutch LB I’ve never heard of before and that doesn’t happen often to Ronnie. And I think we can assume that Ronnie is a perfectionist and is very hard on himself, so when he is fucking up he gets frustrated. So when he scored, it was just kind of a “alright then, about fucking time” He went straight to Wayne to thank him for a great pass and was smiling when Rio grabbed his face and screamed at him a bit!!
And he looked happy enough for Nani when Nani scored. Looked almost as happy as Craig probably did!!
October 20th, 2008 at 18:29
@curtis: There is NO WAY Le Arse would sell us Walcott, and I wouldn’t want him even if they did. He’s young and has loads of pace, but the end product just isn’t there. I’m sure I’ll get murderdd for this, but he reminds me of nothing more than SWP or Aaron Lennon. I’d rather have somebody with a little less pace and a little more class…
October 20th, 2008 at 18:30
@antsBoy: If he openly starts acting like he’s not happy?. How much MORE openly acting like he’s not happy can he be?. The poor sod is miserable, I don’t understand why many of you can’t see this!.
October 20th, 2008 at 18:31
@Stephen: HAHA!
Now that you mention it! I didn’t notice that! 
Plus he’s Serb, I think! Vida could make sure he fitted in perfectly!
October 20th, 2008 at 18:35
@Craig Mc: Spot on mate, sometimes people have to take off the Ronaldo tinted glasses.
October 20th, 2008 at 18:36
@Drew Vader: Drew, NOBODY could look as happy as I do when Nani scores
. Perhaps Ronnie can celebrate with Nani, because he only feels at home with his own latino family now 
. If I was Ronnie and I scored at OT, I would run to the crowd and stick two fingers up in the air. He apologised, but like Penguin said, the fans decided not to forgive and love him. Why should he as Stephen said, run to the crowd clutching his badge?. I bloody wouldn’t thats for sure 
.
October 20th, 2008 at 18:38
@Stephen: Mmmmm, I think you misunderstood my comment Stephen, I am a BIG Ronnie fan, and I forgave him the moment he apologised. I have a BIG heart Bro
.
October 20th, 2008 at 18:40
Seems like Ronnie might be rested for tmz match, he needs it! The lad’s been pounding the minutes ever since he got back from injury.
The silver lining is we get to see Nani in action 
the lad must be brimming with confidence at the mo and he better look at his cameo on saturday as a blueprint on how to perform in this match. Evra out too, so we get John O’shea (btw, can’t brown play LB?), plus tevez and Ando are set to feature, so here’s my predicted formation:
————VDS————–
Neville – Rio – Vida – O’Shea
———–Fletch————
Park——–Ando———Nani
—————Rooney——–
———-Tevez————–
- Neville’s definitely gonna start, the match is a prestigous one, hence we need to be led out by our captain.
- Rio and Vida as usual. After this game, I see one of them being rested with Evans getting a run-out in the process.
- O’shea in LB, great defensively, but poor offensively. Can’t we try Brown in LB? He might be a revelation
- Fletch in the middle, just like he did against West Brom. This lad is really finding his own in the team and has proved that perseverance pays off. Hopefully, he’s a late-bloomer and he can further develop into a brilliant player for us.
- Anderson in the giggsy role, should have gotten ample rest so should really have no excuse for not performing. We need him to step up and play in the role we know he can excel at.
- Nani must be delighted with his few cameos and should really view this outing as an opprtunity to get one over Park. It’s a battle for starting spots btw them and he should have the upper hand now with Park suffering from a bit of fatigue.
- Park has played consecutive games for both club and country and was clearly exhausted on saturday. Still, he might do the ‘hassle’ tmz then subbed off for Ronnie when Celtic are tired and the game is more open.
- Rooney although has played consecutive games for both club and country should still have something left in his engine if he continues to reserve his energy for the final third. He’s on fire and should be allowed to play and continue his run. However, he should come off for berbatov later on so he doesn’t completely burnout.
- Tevez has been complaining about losing his scoring edge, well here’s his chance to get it back. Play him as a No.9 and let him stay in and around the box. He should really be looking to at least get a goal and link up well with the team.
The last sub is open to injury, but if there is none, I would like Giggsy to come on and bring composure to the game or maybe another midfeilder to close the game down if need be. What do y’all think?
October 20th, 2008 at 18:53
@Fred The Red: Fred, Ronaldo already did look into his heart, and he apologised publically, not just once but twice. The trouble with many United fans, is that they want feckin blood. I said my piece Fred, and I believe things have gone so far now between United fans and Ronnie that the relationship is irredeemable. You only have to read through comments on this board to see that. I am sad that you of all people see things from the perspective you do on this issue. But everyone has their own opinion on this
. I put myself in Ronnie’s position and how I would feel. I can’t stand people who hold long standing grievances against people, as GROG can testify, lifes too feckin short to Bro. But I don’t expect to change the minds of the Ronnie detractors on here. If Rooney was showing the same kind of body language that Ronnie is, I would be just as alarmed and sad for him too. I don’t reject Rooney, even though I have been most vociferous about many aspects of his game. When I am on the terraces, I shout for him as much as anybody else in United Red.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:02
@johnsom33: You need the biggest feckin round of applause for that post Johnsome
. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:04
I tell you what I realised watching Saturdays game. I realised our team CAN play without Ronaldo! Anyways who needs the cunt…? We got ROONEY…! Im with Stephen and Craig regarding his attitude towards us. Long live the true United players. The ones that play with their hearts
October 20th, 2008 at 19:08
Oh cancel that Stephen and Craig part.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:14
@scoop: Scoop he would have got the deal done with Real M last season, and got it over and done with as you say. It is down to Fergie he is still with us, not Ron’s fault.
Also your quote is exactly what I have been referring to in the present feeling of fans regarding Ronaldo. That you will cheer him if he brings the same level of football and goal scoring he did last season. Yet it will be only halfhearted, because you say you will not cheer him like last season. Thats the kind of grudging support of United fans I have been talking about. And Ronnie knows this
.
Still, every person makes up their own mind about who they want to cheer or not. Yet, it used to be the case on the OT terraces, that any player wearing UNited red, got full support from everyone. Times have changed, and I find it saddening to be honest mate. Like I said, I have my views on players, but on the terraces, I get behind them with all I have got. I might get frustrated and shout a few things, but they will still get my all support too
. The mood on football terraces have changed, and not for the best either.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:19
@Curtis: Ronaldo is not certain to leave this summer at all. Forget what Real Madrid says and does. Fergie did not go through all the trouble with him and demand to him to come back for one bloody season. Ronaldo is here for as long as Fergie is and if Queiroz replaces him it might be for even longer. Forget the fact he’s not celebrating his goals. He’s gone through periods before where he never did that and right now his expressions look like a player who is pissed off with himself and he is simply putting on a face and attitude that says, well that’s more bloody like it. He’s not happy because he knows he’s not himself yet. he has pride and ego and his play has not matched either of those personality demands. Also, the booing of the fans has affected him a bit. He was naive to not think it would happen and he realizes it now. He also realizes that it will take some time to win back hearts and minds and that won’t happen by talking about leaving again this summer. Sorry but It just won’t happen.
As for Berbatov, I am saying to anyone who questions his attitude to please put a fucking sock in it already. There is nothing wrong with Berbatov’s attitude. He is not an animated guy who makes and ass of himself after a goal just so the fans can start singing songs about him. He is Eastern European and not Latin and he beats to a different drummer. When he was at Leverkusen he celebrated the same way he does here and he was not unhappy there. He just knew it was time to go to bigger club. Well he’s at as big a club as it gets. Trust me he is happy but he too has been fighting his fitness and his form and acts more relieved when he scores than with emotion. If you look closely that emotion is a release of tension and worry and that doesn’t come out like an explosion. Instead it comes out in a very subtle manner like rolling your eyes and giving a sarcastic smile. Trust me both Ronaldo and Berbatov are happy to be with the club. Berba would not have signed his deal if Real or other places were on his mind. He’s here for the long haul. As for Ronaldo, yes he may eventually leave but it won’t be after this season. I’d be shocked and totally godsmacked if he did because it would put everything he and Fergie said into the garbage bin. I think he realized his mistake and he is now doing penance for his past crime while also trying to get himself back in form which has not been easy for him. He looks a step slower this season.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:31
@Craig Mc: That fool Nani scored a goal you and I could have scored from two feet in front of goal and he then decides that incredible achievement deserves an acrobat one legged flip where he risked series knee or ankle damage and the further wrath of his manager. Like I have said before Craig, he has million dollar body and skills but a 10 cent head. He is just so immature and he just doesn’t get it. Nor do I think he ever will. The goal he scored hardly required that kind of celebration. It’s not like one of his previous crackers from outside the box or a game winner. It was an easy tap in for a 4th goal in a 4-0 rout late in a game. Show some class and stop acting like a four year old is what I would say to him if I were Fergie. That kind of attitude also won’t be forgotten by West Brom or by other teams who see him lurking near goal. The league has plenty of assassins who wear kits and ply their trade on a weekly basis. Don’t be so sure that the next time a team is getting killed and Nani pulls off one of his specials that somebody doesn’t send a message to him with a special sliding tackle with studs up.
Sorry for the negative vibes mate but I had to say it. Please don’t put me on your shit list OK. 
October 20th, 2008 at 19:34
@Gabriel: Gabriel, the first part of your post
, ever thought of writing novels mate – unrequitted love 
.
The 2nd part however, I don’t concur with your view that when Ronnie comes good again, that he and the fans relationship will be restored. I truly think it is irreparably damaged. Ronnie said one of the reasons he wanted to be in Spain, was because he loved and missed his family, and wanted to be nearer to HOME. What has happened at OT so far since his return, will have only exacerbated that home sickness. He sure as fuck will not feel at home with us fans. I think what this has done, is show to all the other latin players at United what will happen to them, if they so much as upset the United faithful. They wont get how fans could turn against Ronnie, after all he has done for thic club. I have a lot of Spanish american friends, and they don’t see things the way we Brits do. They have different cultural family clannishness. Ask Grog if you don’t understand what I mean. He has latin friends I believe, he could express it better probably.
.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:38
@Craig Mc: He’s more upset with his play right now than with the fans, believe me. I have played many sports myself over the years and have been pretty good at a few. It reminds me of when i am in a slump and I am struggling that my celebrations after basket or a goal or after a touchdown was always more reserved because I was saying to myself “finally, it’s about fucking time”. Yes he is shocked the fans don’t sing his song anymore but frankly, he hasn’t given them reason to yet. His play has been poor because he is still fighting to get fit and in form. It’s frustrated him because even though he returned sooner than expected, his form has taken longer than he expected. Look at how hard he is finding it in one on ones, or his shooting has been very substandard. His free kicks are just not there. It’s coming back slowly and he’ll be 100% in say a month from now. Lets see if he changes his tune once his play equals his ego and expectations. I think the last thing on his mind right now is how the fans are acting or whether he wants to be here or not. Lets give the boy some time and not expect too much from him on the field and in the way he celebrates …..or doesn’t.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:38
@Grognard: Grog, I am coming to feckin get you
.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:41
@Grognard i think ur right on ronny
also that goal was not a result of {his} individual skill. it was rooneys skill that garnered that goal rooney basickly bounced it off of ronaldo. and i think ronaldo was respecting that and was frustrated that everything he was trying all day had not worked and he was still looking down on his contributions for the day.
he knows that he is not performing at his best and he will celebrate when he is trust me. If he were to have hit one of those free kicks like he did at Portsmouth last yr he would have went crazy and so would all of us. he is just under preforming at the moment and as a perfectionist he is upset about it.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:41
@Craig Mc: Nani is paid to be a footballer and he has only been very mediocre footballer this season. Perhaps he should concentrate on working on the skills and attitude that pay him his wages rather than gymnastics that give fans superficial hardons. JEEZ!
October 20th, 2008 at 19:42
@Grognard: Grog I am happy with the way Ron is playing mate, it is the United fans grievances I am seeking to address,
.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:45
@Grognard: Grog, he’s happy, let him the feck be eh?. We don’t want another ‘got at’ sad latin player on our hands
.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:45
@colver: Finally a voice of reason. Well said. It’s ironic now that so many of you consider me the harbinger of doom and gloom while I try so hard this morning to make all of you realize that you are overreacting towards players over their fucking celebrations or lack of.
I hate trying to be positive and the voice of reason. My padewan and others who share the dark arts will try to usurp my power and cast me out as the Prince of Fucking Darkness. Don’t let these few instances of positive thinking help bring down my empire of evil.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:48
@Stephen: Do you honestly think I and millions of other fans give a rats ass about how he celebrates his own goals. I care if he doesn’t acknowledge teammates when they score or when he isn’t trying hard or playing well. That’s all that matters. My God isn’t their playing the game enough entertainment for some of you? We need to have a theatrical clown show after every goal and when we don’t, something is radically wrong. And they call me paranoid. JEEZ!
October 20th, 2008 at 19:51
@johnsom33: I was thinking the very same thing mate. He was suspended for all those bloody red cards he was getting. I can see him flying back down for two weeks rest and to see his family but he should have returned days beforehand to get over the jet lag and to be prepared for the game. No excuses. I’m totally pissed off with his arriving late and he deserved to be benched for that. He may now be officially in Fergie’s doghouse. Lets see if he plays next game.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:52
@Gabriel: How did he play in their first match after receiving a straight red in his last outing over a month ago? I’m confused.
October 20th, 2008 at 19:56
@Penguin: Yes but again can someone please explain to me why he wasn’t suspended for those games because of his last international in the previous international break where he picked up the red? Based on that alone Argentina had no business calling him up.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:00
@Nico QB: He’s probably another Karel Poborsky.
Sorry but he has never shown me anything that makes my heart go a fluter.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:00
@Craig Mc:
I’ll give it a go, although my novels are gonna be hardcore and gritty, not that mushy stuff I know you like 
About you claiming the fans at OT have deserted Ronaldo, again I think that’s sensationalising (I have begun to use this word a lot
) it mate. I don’t recall fans on the terraces booing Ronaldo, or even being silent when he touches the ball. If I remember correctly, he was greeted on his season debut with a standing ovation and although the amount with which his songs have been sung have reduced, they are still sung at least twice a game.
If anything, the fans at OT have been very gracious with his return, he recognised and acknowledged this fact himself. Like Groggy said, he has to do spmething special or similar to last season to get the fans to sing his songs with the intensity they did last season. He knows this and he also knows his recent performances are not enough to get that wanted response from the fans. All this ‘latin’ mentality mumbo jumbo is just ludicrous. Players get booed far more frequently and for far less incidents in Spain, so the response he got from OT, if anything will be one of relief and appreciation, like he said.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:04
@Craig Mc: Lets also not forget that Ronaldo is an emotional Portuguese young man and his emotions are taking a hit by the fans attitude towards him. He is a young lad and there is always going to be immaturity in how to react to different stimuli. He will figure it out and he will win back the mob but it will take time, sacrifice and above all loyalty.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:16
@Grognard: I don’t know, but he played the first of the two, got a yellow, then missed the second. He then stayed with the squad and returned on friday afternoon, so he couldn’t feature, I don’t reckon he’s in Fergie’s doghouse. He will definitely play tmz and maybe again after that as Fergie would be loking to rest Berba and Rooney successively within the next two games. Tevez should use this as an opportunity to remind Fergie why he is a genuine 1st team starter… hopefully with a goal and an assist.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:20
Guys! Read this! About the Ronaldo celebration stuff. And also notice how happy he is in training!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1079161/Cristiano-crowned-world-No-1-Nani-start-ahead-Hoops-reveals-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson.html
AND Read The Last Part!
October 20th, 2008 at 20:21
RR! There is something wrong here! My comments are not posted whenever I send a link!
October 20th, 2008 at 20:23
Guys! Listen! There is something wrong with the comments. I cant post the link. But go to daily mail and in the sports section you will see a title including the name of Nani. Click on it and see the pictures where Ronaldo is happy on training. Also you can read about Fergie’s views on Ronaldo’s goal celebrations. And it seems that Fergie is in constant conversation with CQ over the fitness of Ronaldo. I know you dont trust dailymail. But read it! Its a must/
October 20th, 2008 at 20:26
@curtis: I think it’s clear no one is entertain such an impossibility.
Red Ranter, your assessment of the game was almost spot on,except on Ryan “The Wizard” Giggs. He was one of our best performers throughout the game.His first 15min were hardly a horror show,I don’t know were people are getting that. His passing was inventive and unsurprisingly offered more in attack than Scholes. I’m not saying he is a better central midfielder than the Ginger Prince,but when u want a mobile midfield he does the job. He hardly makes the staple and harmless sideway and backward passes that midfielders like Scholes seem obliged to make. And on Saturday he didn’t disappoint in my view. Same can be said of him in the Aalborg game when he replaced Scholes. I think If he is played in that position more frequently he will do well,because I remember when he and O’Shea formed our central midfield pair back in 06 and we went almost the rest of the season winning,going 7 games in a row winning at some point.
That brings me to something that’s been bothering me for a while;Anderson. Giggs in the center plays like what Andy should be playing.Attacking midfield,forward movement ,constant prompting of the opposition’s defence ,weaving through the middle of the park and taking shots.Linking constantly with the attack and boldly at that. So why is he looking and playing more and more like Edgar Davids;an aggressive DM who can go forward intently at times? Is this a deliberate shackling of the young player or is Anderson actually the new davids? The former is what I think. When he came to Porto from Gremio he was an attacking midfielder in the mold of a more stylish Gerrard . So why is he playing a sort of withdrawn midfielder? I’m sure if he wasn’t doing what Fergie is telling him to do then he would have been benched or certainly had some strong words from the boss,but that ain’t happening much so perhaps SAF wants to make him the new Davids. And that is the saddest thing to happen to him because I think he could do better in the attacking midfielder role.It probably validates Tevez complaint about the English game;it takes style out of your football …in most cases.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:28
@Craig Mc: You are right and your are wrong in my view mate. I do believe that over time the faithful at OT can forgive if not totally forget. And as for my Latin friends, true. But all I have to do is go even closer to home and see my fellow Greeks. A very clannish lot and a group of people who constantly visit the motherland that gave them nothing and had nothing to do with providing them the wealth and financial security they have gained from living in Canada. Many love Canada but if they could move their businesses and wealth to Greece they would. And some have. Many clannish communities like Latino’s Greeks, Lebanese, Hindu, Pakistani and Chinese here in Canada are like that. The country treats them all well and fairly and gives them an opportunity to gain wealth and live in good health and they all just pine away thinking of their motherland and it’s politics masses of over populated and dilapidated cities, poor infrastructures and corruption and racial and political upheaval. I just don’t get it. What has Canada done wrong to these people? Nothing. It’s just that warm blooded people from many regions of the world think very differently than Northern Europeans. All these cultures for whatever the reason love their homelands and look at Canada as a 4 star hotel. It’s not that they want to snub Canada and Canadian culture. It’s just that where you are born and your family ties and beliefs are rooted clese to you birth place with these people. United fans need to understand that about people from all regions of the world but I especially think it’s very prominent in Latino’s, Mediterranean types and people from Arab countries and India and China. At least the Chinese don’t dream and clamor to go back to the homeland for obvious reasons.
I have spoken to a few Iraqis over the last few years and all of them have nothing to say but great things about their country and their people. Despite the rule of Saddam and since the war, they cannot look at their country the way some in the West view it. People love to be near their families and friends from many regions in the world. It’s funny and I don’t mean to insult these regions at all but my experience with English, Scots and Irish is that they seem colder and more removed from their families and many are even forced to move out and fend for themselves once they are between 16 to 18. Being Greek I always found that weird. Very few show open signs of affection, especially males with males where Greek men will slobber over each other and bear hug to death. Different strokes for different folks. English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish people are a harder people. Great people but they don’t openly show their emotions to loved ones or friends and they also seem to have less of a problem moving farther from the nest. The friend I recently lost was from Manchester. He left as a teen but had no real love loss for the region nor did he have any desire to return. Same thing with my other friend from Manchester named Leo. 58 years old and hasn’t been back in Manchester for 25 years and he has a sister who lives there. A small microcosm of people but over my life I have grown up with, worked with and lived around many people with UK roots. And most of them are like that. I don’t know why. But most of them could be found at a pub cheering for England during the World Cup. I’ll say that much for them. They still have their incredible loyalty towards a team that has given them nothing but disappointment and sorrow most of their lives.
Anyway, many of you from the UK who don’t have a racial connection to other regions of the world may not understand how Ronny and some think, but please believe me, their families and their culture and customs mean more to them than you can possibly think. They are all little birds who don’t feel the freedom to fly too long and to far from their nests.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:28
@Craig Mc: I’ve got my helmet on. Bring it on bro.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:31
@Craig Mc: Fair enough but I was talking about Ronny’s lack of celebration and the reasons for it. Unfortunately this probably has a lot of Ronaldo detractors sniffing for blood. The two are linked you see.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:32
@Craig Mc: I’ll take his his sad ass attitude anytime provided he scores over 30 goals for me every season.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:34
@Gabriel: Just send Craig some really romantic Harlequin romance novels. That will get him all hot and frisky.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:35
@Gabriel: Thanks for that update. I ust don’t get it. Do red cards mean something else in South America?
October 20th, 2008 at 20:38
@Grognard: OK. Here’s the stuff. Let me explain to you why us people, mostly asians are so close to their roots. Here it goes. Before I say this, I mean no harm to any cultures, Religions or anything etc etc. So dont bash me for this. i speak what things are in my views.
The thing is that in the west, there is a belief of independence. Over here it is not the same. In the west, as soon as a person turns 18 etc or at an older age, he finds a home for himself. I mean the western people meet their relatives not that often. But in the east, we live with our parents from birth to death. In the east, there is a system of joint family. Thus families get to interact on almost a weekly to 2 weekly basis. That is why us Asians have such a close relation with our roots and stuff.
October 20th, 2008 at 20:40
Hey Grog! How’s your Christmas list coming along! Did you choose Craig’s Blondes? Or my Brunettes?
October 20th, 2008 at 21:19
@Craig Mc: Dont get me wrong, I would love it if the rift was healed, but Im just calling it as I see it, after what he done and said in the summer it is understandable that people who dont earn in 4 years what Ronaldo gets in a week would be hurt and angry at his slave remarks.
You are prepared to accept his apology and forgive him, good for you Bro, Ive got no problem with that, but I also understand people who think that he has not gone far enough and if my memory serves me right mate, you also voiced displeasure at him during the summer.
Whats starting to annoy me more is the constant comparisons with Rooney, Rooney has nothing to do with Ronaldos current situation and it defies logic to think otherwise.
I love watching them both in a United shirt and we are lucky to have them, but Ronnie created this for himself and Ronnie must fix it himself, and I think most United fans want to forgive him but feel that his apologys are empty
October 20th, 2008 at 22:13
@Fred The Red: I did voice displeasure in the summer at the way Ronnie went about things, and I still admit that was wrong. Yet I believe his apologies were sincere Fred, and like Grog, (although Grog said his reprieve of Ronnie was still probationary
), I forgave him, and when I forgive, I forget.
Others I know have different thoughts and stance, and thats there choice, but our choices of response to people who have offended us do affect the person who has done the offending. The response IMO has affected Ronnie badly, but thats only my opinion Bro.
With regards to Rooney, unless you know something different, I can’t think of anybody who would or has been bloody stupid enough to say Rooney has anything to do with Ronnie’s hurt right now. I haven’t seen that claim in anybodies posts. People have, and no doubt always will compare Ronnie/Roon, and their importance to our team, but that shouldn’t be a problem, because fans always compare players
.
October 20th, 2008 at 22:16
@Red Diablo: Diablo, seems you masters of darkness stick together, Grog prefers Brunettes
.
October 20th, 2008 at 22:21
@Grognard: Fair enough Grog, but be honest Bro, if you were miserable at your job, would you want to turn up for work everyday with any kind of gusto?. I sure as feck couldn’t mate.
October 20th, 2008 at 22:23
@Grognard:
, but have you got a flack jacket thought 
.
October 20th, 2008 at 22:28
@Craig Mc: Yup! Keep the Brunette lovers coming!
October 20th, 2008 at 22:50
@Gabriel: Gabriel, don’t know whether you have a wife or GF, but if you do, you should know they LOVE all that mushy stuff. My GF gets high on my emotionalism, women love that shit mate
. Ask Stephen 
.
I can’t wait for the Celtic game. The banter between both sets of fans is going to be raucous, and high tempo. We need to win this 1st leg, because it will not be easy up their place. The blood is pumping through my veins for this game. I wonder if Little man Nani and Ronnie will get on the pitch. You sure Tev is playing then Gabriel?.
October 20th, 2008 at 23:11
@Craig Mc: So its Ronaldo ahead of United then for you??? We know if he leaves, we’ll miss him and if he stays it’ll be good, so you prefer he leaves and let the team suffer a little? I’m just asking cus i don’t really get that part
@Red Diablo: Its something about RR clearing it making sure its not spam before its fit to be posted on here
@Craig Mc: I don’t know his source, but Sky just says Tevez and Anderson are fit and available for the match, I haven’t seen anywhere that directly mentions that they will definitely see some pitch time tomorrow. However, Ronaldo is expected to be rested, and I’m not surprised with that.
October 20th, 2008 at 23:22
VIVA RONALDO!!!!!!
just felt like that was necessary.
Anyway, I hope Anderson and Tevez start tomorrow.
October 20th, 2008 at 23:29
@Rd: Rd, I don’t think its fair to keep an unhappy player. If Ronnie is as unhappy as he appears, he should be allowed to go. United have replaced great players, and no doubt they will do again
.
October 21st, 2008 at 0:40
@Red Diablo: You are right and wrong. Not all Westerners think like that. Mediterranean types are very much the same. Our parents bring us up then we take care of our parents in their old age. We don’t even consider old folks homes as it’s not even an option. Northern Europeans have a very strong independence streak and their family ties in general are not as close. Sure they love their relatives but other cultures just don’t cut the umbilical chord as easy and the ties are close and rarely severed. I’m not saying we are better or anything like that but I know of many Greeks who severely frown on Anglos-Saxon customs and family values because they see them as cold distant and irresponsible. I don’t share that feeling. What I see is that all cultures that do hold those close family ties as a bit insecure and very very tribal in nature. England was a different country before it became a cultural melting pot. Some might say for the better but that’s not for any of us to debate on this blog. But to understand players like Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson etc we have to literally live and think in their boots. They are different than us and they are also young and immature. So everyone should cut them some slack and expect that they will show more emotion or be more arrogant or animated because it’s in their DNA. They will also always consider their birth home or country that is a close resemblance in language, culture to be more sufficient for their human and spiritual needs. Aussies, Canadians, Americans and English speaking South Africans seem to have no problem living in the UK because they relate in language, culture, customs attitude etc. That’s just the way it is.
October 21st, 2008 at 0:41
@Red Diablo: I’m a greedy bastard so I am asking for both and I’ve recently decided I am including sultry redheads to the list who don’t have too many freckles too.
October 21st, 2008 at 0:45
@Craig Mc: Yes he does but he is flexible and will not say no to blondes and redheads too. But brunettes are my preference yes. A young Leslie Ann Down or a brunette (Titanic) Kate Winslet is just what the doctor ordered. People want to know what I like?
Go to Google type Aria Giovanni. Now that’s what I like.
October 21st, 2008 at 0:47
@Craig Mc: If I was making a million dollars a week I’d suck it up and take it like a man. Lets stop comparing us poor stiffs to those spoilt rich playboys who have everything in life. And in Ronaldo’s case, it’s due to his hard work skill, talent and the fact he is on Manchester United where he was closely monitored and mentored by the very best. My heart bleeds for the millionaires…….really.
October 21st, 2008 at 0:49
I think we are forgetting that Ronaldo just like Berbatov is moody by nature. I also agree with Grognard that he is depressed over his injury and loss of form and inside his own head. Apparantely SAF and Ferguson have agreed Ronaldo is not ready for playing twice a week yet, and as Ronaldo is used to playing every game that must suck for him.
Let’s just wait till he is back at his best and scoring goals freely and postpone the discussion of his happiness until then.
Celtic will be an amazing match. I am half Scottish so I feel a bit sad as Celtic is a team I like (cannot stand Rangers) and I know we are going to spank them tomorrow
I’d like to see a straighforward 4-4-2
EVDS
Brown Rio Vidic O’Shea
Nani Fletcher Giggs Park
Rooney Berbatov
Anderson and Tevez can get half an hour or so in the second half. I want to keep our partnership of Giggs and Fletcher because it seems to be working really well. Park and Nani will give us a lot of energy on the flanks and Berbatov will be a perfect foil for Rooney who will no doubt score at least one goal.
I really think we could win 3-0 or something!
October 21st, 2008 at 0:50
@Craig Mc: Craig is right. They love it when you talk to them like an Italian man. Teel them how beautiful and special they are and do things for them. above all, foreplay, LOTS of foreplay. Then one day they will get bored with you , leave and then you’ll die. But until then, foreplay and attention. That does not include buying her an XBOX or PS3 controller to play games with you. Some guys seem to think that’s the high point in a relationship.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:31
Well I’m happy for Dave in Newcastle because Ameobi scored today.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:03
@Grognard: Aria Giovanni, niiiiiiiccceeee!
Hadn’t heard of her before, thanks for bringing her to me attencion!
By the way fellas, the Ballon D’Or nominees were announced and somehow Rio isn’t on the list! Players who didn’t even come close to Rio’s captaincy and influence on the game last season are sitting merrily in the short list:
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Togo.
Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid), Argentine.
Andreï Arshavin (Zénith Saint-Pétersbourg), Russia.
Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Germany.
Karim Benzema (Lyon), France.
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin), Italy.
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Portugal.
Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Ivory Coast.
Samuel Eto’o (FC Barcelone), Cameroon.
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Spain.
Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC), Spain.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), England.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Sweden.
Kaka (Milan AC), Brazil.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea), England.
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelone), Argentina.
Pepe (Real Madrid), Portugal.
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), France.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), England. Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Spain.
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Spain.
Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Italy.
Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Netherlands.
Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV puis Real Madrid), Netherlands.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Netherlands.
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Serbia.
David Villa (Valence CF), Spain.
Xavi (FC Barcelone), Spain.
Youri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscou), Russia.
Pepe makes it to the list, but somehow Rio misses out, OUTRAGEOUS!
October 21st, 2008 at 8:15
@Mihir: It’s all politics mate. It has to do with Rio not wanting to take their drug test a few years back. Glad you enjoyed Ms. Giovanni.
October 21st, 2008 at 8:57
I agree it’s a disgrace Rio is overlooked. I love Vidic as much as anyone, but I can still see that Rio is at least if not more important for our defense. But he’s English, so there you go.
Zhirkov? For what, a couple great attacking full back moments in the Euro’s? How many goals did Russia concede?
By the way, does anyone know that good website to get updates on injuries? I can’t work out when Messers Foster, Hargreaves and Carrick are coming back…
October 21st, 2008 at 9:11
@Beachryan: Foster played for the reserves last week. Hargo, Carrick and Scholes didn’t train this week either,not yet recovered.
As Evra is out injured, does anyone think Fabio Da Silva should be given a chance at left-back against Celtic? I know both he and Rafael might have frailties in their defending capabilities, but I heard Fabio is better than Rafael. Worth a shot? Or is there some scary wingers that Celtic have?
October 21st, 2008 at 9:12
@Grognard: Dude! Aria Geovanni StinkS!
3/10!!!! 
October 21st, 2008 at 9:17
Hey Guys. There is a Ronaldo exclusive interview on MUTV where he says that he is at the right club. Those who have a MUTV account can see it. Can someone send me the link on youtube?
October 21st, 2008 at 9:21
@Beachryan: Don’t get me started on the Rio debacle!!
It’s just a pity that the best defender out there is not being recognised. Maybe they like their defenders rugged and scrappy instead of elegant and effortless, because that’s what Rio is. It’s like he doesn’t break a sweat, yet he makes those all important interceptions,tackles and blocks. At least we reognise his efforts. 
Hargreaves and Carrick are close to fitness, we’ll probably see them in the next week or two. Scholes is still weeks away and Foster is fit, but is getting games for the reserves, as he needs them. Evra also should be ready for our game on Saturday. Plus, Fabio is out with a shoulder injury, don’t know when he gets back from that.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:24
@Grognard: It has nothing to do with paranoia, it has to do with a little gratitude to the fans, and yes they do care, well the 20 or 30 sitting next to me did.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:48
@Craig Mc:
Sorry Craig just going back to your point 69.
I know what your saying mate but how can you get completely behind a player who blatantly wants to be at another club.
His heart is truly not at utd so my support for him will not truly be there in return. I will cheer him while he wears the red of utd without doubt but the love from seasons previous just won’t be there. Kills me to say it but there you go.
My only hope is Ronaldo is beginning to realise this hence his muted goal celebration against WBA. He’s beginning to see exactly what he is giving up, the adoration of thousands of Utd fans worldwide and maybe he will want to stay and commit to utd the same as legends like Ole and Keane.
A goal is a goal for Utd against any team and whoever scores you always cheer. However if scholes scored and then Ronaldo scored in the same game there would be a bit more behind the scholes goal for me just because its scholes. You gotta love the fella and he’s a true red devil legend who has given everything for the utd cause. Ronaldo isnt for me although he still could be.
I wouldn’t say my support is halfhearted as nothing about my support for Utd is ever half hearted but my support for Ronaldo just won’t have the same gusto as before.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:40
I’m undecided on Ronnie. I’ll listen to that interview in a bit and see if he sounds any more or less sincere than his ‘commitment’ to us this summer. Maybe he can sway me.
In absence of that, for all the right reasons he wanted to leave us. He wanted to be closer to home, felt like he’d achieved all he could with United and just wanted something new. Great, fair enough, sucks for us, but there you go, hand in that transfer request and get on your merry way, good luck to you. But instead, he engaged in a disgusting game of cat and mouse, using the press (and Real) as his mouthpiece and buggered out of radio contact for weeks at a time, refusing to clarify or address the situation. He ruined what should have been a great summer for all United fans, single-handedly, and nothing can change that fact. So I more than understand why some people are a bit pissed at the boy, in fact I’m more shocked that for others the moment you put on the red shirt you’re forgiven of all transgressions. Maybe that makes me a bad fan or something, but he screwed up, and no I don’t forgive him just because he released some well written press statement. Until he plays his heart and soul out for us, I won’t forgive him. We’re not just any old club, we have a history that dictates you understand what it means to play at United. And if you don’t want to be part of that, leave. We have no need of mercenaries.
On the other hand…
If we’re really nice to him and he decides last summer was really stupid, and that United is his home for life, then that would be ideal for everyone. If the only that can happen is to cheer him and sing his name to the rafters, perhaps we should be doing that. I dunno. I think all the cheering won’t make a lick of difference and he still wants to bugger off to Spain stat. Sigh.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:41
@scoop: There are two sides to that coin, whilst he wears a United shirt he should be supported at all times, but we all know where his heart truly lies.
My thoughts are support him , he plays for United, he has scored 3 in 5 which is a decent return considering he is still struggling for fitness, but I am like you in my eyes he will never be a United legend as his heart is no longer at the club, but while he is here he should have our support.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:38
@Stephen:
I agree totally any player in a Utd shirt will always get my support and should do from every Utd supported no matter who they are or what the circumstances are.
I support Ronaldo and will cheer him on but not like before. Im not saying dont support him or freeze him out but at the same time he has to know that the same relationship he had with the fans before has now changed and I think Ronaldo is only too aware of that.
All Im saying is my full support for any Man Utd player is conditional. That condition being they give everything for the cause and they realise that they are part of something extraordinary and want to be at our great club.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:45
@scoop: I agree mate completely, it does sound like he won’t start tonight as SAFFY wants to give him rest, and is probably right to.
The battle of Britain does sound taylor made for Carlos tonight and expect a performance from him, and probably a goal!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 11:52
I hope we play this team tonight:
VDS
Brown Rio Vidic Oshea
Nani Fletcher Anderson Tevez
Rooney Berbatov
That is an amazing side, I would not want to be the opposition seeing that team sheet! Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov, Anderson, Nani…. All great players. I really wonder whta team Fergie is gonna play. Is he gonna play Nani, Park or Ronaldo? Giggs, Fletcher or Anderson? Tevez, Rooney or Berbatov? Or which four of Brown, Neville, Rafael, Rio, Vidic, Evans and Oshea is gonna play? Yeah, torment of heaven!
October 21st, 2008 at 12:02
Eddy if anyone’s going to play on the left out of our three strikers it’s Rooney and always will be.
What SAF was saying about possibly playing all three of them at the same time with one in behind the other two makes me wonder whether he’ll play all three with O’Shea, Anderson and Fletcher.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:16
@Stephen:
Aye probably best Ronaldo is given a bye for tonight’s match as it could be a bruiser and the last thing we need is his ankle to flare up again. We got a long hard season ahead of us and we need him fit.
Roll out the Tevez for a bit of Argey Bargey. Tonights Game like you say should be taylor made for him.
C’MON UTD!!
October 21st, 2008 at 13:46
@scoop: Lets crush those dwarfs!
I believe we can win 3-0 if we really go for it and attack them. If we play like we did against Blackburn, then we will defo do well. My prediction: 3-0. Rooney and Tevez(2) to score. COME ON YOU REDS!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 13:58
@RedDevilEddy:
I like the cut of your jib Eddy that would be a very handy scoreline and Tevez chipping in with a couple would be fantastic.
As long as Nakamura doesnt get carried away with those free kicks of his
October 21st, 2008 at 14:29
I am really looking forward to ce soir, it will be a superb game, will be intersting to see what side Fergie does put out, if the rumours are correct Berba, Tevez and Roonaldinho will all play with Nani(Craig will be happy
).
I hope this does not mean Roonaldinho has to play outwide, as he has been so effective through the centre. Big game too for Andy if he plays, he needs a big game and tonight could be it, he and Fletcher should dominate that midfield, lets hope we murder them!!
October 21st, 2008 at 14:48
@Stephen: “There are two sides to that coin, whilst he wears a United shirt he should be supported at all times, but we all know where his heart truly lies.
“
I have no idea where his heart truly lays, and I sincerely doubt you have any idea either. Since none of us actually know him personally, we really have no idea who he is away from the pitch. We just glean what we can from the media. Info coming from Marca or the british press is dodgy at best.
October 21st, 2008 at 15:00
@johnsom33: I think I do know where he wants to be, he stated that he wanted to play for Real in the summer or was I dreaming?
You can blame Marca or the press as much as you like but he said and I quote.
“I would like to play for Real Madrid, but only if it is true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them. However, it does not depend on me.”
October 21st, 2008 at 15:10
Alright Lads! European Football again
, i love the buzz of this midweek football, i can hear the music starting, the roar going around the ground……Champions, Champions champions champions! And the wave of anticipation that flows around the world, “UNITED, UNITED, UNITED” can be heard from houses, workplaces, pubs. Yeah, I’m excited 
big time.
Not only because i can remember when we didn’t star in these great occasions, but as Champions looking to hold on to our triumphs, I think we’re set up better this year than ever before. I fully expect United to be the first team to retain the Champions League. I’m more confident of this than winning the league.
Anyway, Celtic are no mugs, even with a depleted attack, Strachans men are well organised. I think though it’ll be a damage limitation exercise from them. I have a feeling that we’ll win this 3-0(Rooney,Teves and Berba to score) Look out for Aidan Mc Geady and Nakamura for them. Refer to the west brom game for a template, stubborn defence which eventually capitulates, allowing us to run riot. Expect big games from Rooney, Fletcher, Teves and Anderson(hopefully!)
Its time to send out a statement of intent to the rest of the world, Manchester United are the best football club on this planet, no doubt!
October 21st, 2008 at 15:17
did i leave out Berba?! expect pure genius from this “lazy fuck” (not my words!)He’s gonna tear Celtic apart, oh yeah, to bits
October 21st, 2008 at 15:24
Fuck,
really wish i was there, any of you lads going? Craig? Was at the Kiev game around this time last year, just pulling up outside OT at this time. Oh that Buzz, to be in Manchester, its pure magic.
Follow Follow We’re the Busby Boys!
October 21st, 2008 at 15:57
Ive seen a few 3-0 predictions on here but I really think its going to be a lot tougher than some of us are anticipating…This is going to be Celtics cup final and they are going to play out of their skins so we’ll have to come out firing and match their intensity right from the off. We’ll just need a Fletcherinho crunching tackle to get the blood flowing!!!
And oh yeah, saturday will be Evertons cup final so thats going to be another difficult as shit match…
October 21st, 2008 at 16:10
@phoenix red: Im going. Been in Manchester since yesterday, this is going to be my first CL game ever! Ive heard lots about it, I am going to scream my head off. Ive been at some Prem games before, 2 FA cup games. Arsenal in February and Pompey in 2007. This si gonna be a real great experience to me! Hopefulyl we will win! Lot of scots here, I must say. Hopefully there isnt a fight…
Im off to the game, talk to you tomorrow! UNITED!!!! UNITED!!!! UNITED!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 17:30
@Beachryan: Zhirkov’s a great player and has been massive for both Russia and CSK Moscow. But I definitely agree about Rio.
October 21st, 2008 at 17:31
@Mihir: Celtic is not Aalborg. Not a chance. Too risky but then again, you never know with Fergie. He’ll go with old reliable O’Shea in that spot today.
October 21st, 2008 at 17:33
@Red Diablo: Get your eyes or your head examined ASAP. Aria is a goddess. Are you kidding me? Jeez! Oh well, different strokes for different folks.
October 21st, 2008 at 17:37
@ Grognard – Fair enough, I admit to knowing next to nothing about CSK, but he’s still a left back. I mean, it’s not like the best left back from SPL (or Belgium you get the idea) is getting pushed forward this. I think it’s just because of the form he showed at Euros, with the foreign media fawning over his attacking prowess.
But could be wrong.
I just love how some people get on there for reputation alone. Kaka’s season was rubbish relative to others he’s had, but you gotta include him. Ditto Gerrard…
October 21st, 2008 at 17:40
@RedDevilEddy: ah now I’m jealous of you. These are my 2 favourite teams and I’ll be happy if neither side gets embarassed. McGeady can be a threat but he can also be very selfish at times. McDonald is a great goalscorer but won’t have the usual physical presence beside him as both Venegoor and Samaras are out. Nakamura is rubbish with any physical player marking him. Their CBs are very good at scoring off set pieces.
2 hours and counting!
October 21st, 2008 at 17:42
The Rio thing is a joke, he was far and away above any defender in Europe last season, and captained us to the double, but what do we expect!!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 17:49
AARGH!!
I wish i could fast forward time 
The waiting is excruciating 
Anyone got team news, anything, just gimme something, I need a fix, man!! 
October 21st, 2008 at 17:49
@Stephen: Well then the fans should grow up. Ronaldo goes out there and does his job. Doing a song and dance for the fans after a goal in mind is certainly not necessary and it really shows the kind of adolescent mind that prowls in the grandstands. No player owes the fans more than what he does on the pitch between the lines. I f he doesn’t want to celebrate or acknowledge the fans by showing emotion after a goal, then that’s fine. My only concern is when one doesn’t celebrate a teammates goal. Then I get upset.
Life is too short and Ronaldo will not be with our team forever. Lets all see things from a more mature perspective and appreciate the time he is here by not harping on a mistake and let him be and just enjoy and be happy that he is plying his trade for us right now. You want him to be happy and jovial. Get the goons in the stands to start sing Viva Ronaldo again and make him not have second thoughts over staying. There should be relief and joy in the stands that he is playing for us, not bitterness and resentment. I for one would not sing his praises because he is on probation with me too, but I certainly am happy to see him playing for us and I also think I understand his personality enough to know that his moodiness and displeasure is not due to the fact he is playing for us or because he is not being shown enough love. He is not happy with his game and is such a perfectionist and one who strives to be the best that it bothers him to be playing below his best. So even when he scores a goal it just brings his dissatisfaction to the surface because in his mind he is saying “Well that’s more like it. Finally.” I may not be Ronaldo or anywhere in his universe talent wise but on many occasions I acted the same way in sports because i was pretty good at a few and because I had high expectations of myself that not reaching them pissed me of and I could get cranky even after a positive play occurred. The fans can’t bruise Ronaldo’s ego, only Ronaldo can bruise his ego. So will people kindly just get off his back and enjoy the player and be damned grateful he is a Man Utd player. Man! Sometimes the fans are even greedier than the players.
October 21st, 2008 at 17:50
Preview up.
October 21st, 2008 at 18:05
@Stephen: yeah but that quote has conditions on it. one of the condidtions were about Real paying him the wage he wants plus paying the United transfer fee. at the end of the day Real talked a good game, but when it came time to put up the cash, they were nowhere to be found.
Also that quote does not tell you where his “heart lays” I could pull up 100 quotes of him saying he is happy in manchester, bothe before and after the summer.
October 21st, 2008 at 18:32
@Grognard: To call peoplw who pay good money to suport their team goons is unfair.
October 21st, 2008 at 18:33
@johnsom33: If you believe he wants 100% to play for us mate thats up to you, but I don’t.
October 21st, 2008 at 18:51
@Mihir: @Mihir: fabio is injured. something to do with his shoulder SAF said. but, oh well. there you go. cant have everything in life alhough you can with man u.
BTW fabio captained Brazil Under-19s.
COME ON YOU REDS. GLORY GLORY MAN UTD.
i wanna start shouting myself hoarse when i see that match.
October 21st, 2008 at 18:55
BTW the reason why rio missed out was because he is a black, english man u player. drogba, whom i admit is class but was injured most of the season, got red carded in the CL final but rio captained the european and english chamions tio the double was dropped and in FAVOUR TO HIS SIDEKICK
disgraceful
October 21st, 2008 at 18:58
Fans are entiltled to their views especially paying ones. It was only a few weeks people and Grog you were one of them saying we should sell Rooney, were you not being greedy then?
I think all fans are greedy and why not? We want success and loyalty from our club and players, thats whats great about the game, especially like last season we got to gorge.
We should be greatful that Ronaldo plays for us, then that should be two ways, he should be delighted to play for such a great club, European champions no less. I support United and any player who plays for us I support, but if he doesn’t want to then as far as I am concerned can fuck off.
No player is bigger than the club I love and will support the club above any player no matter how good he is, because we are always United.
October 21st, 2008 at 19:33
@Stephen: I agree with you in the sense that the Grog of three months ago will certainly get into a fist fight with the Grog of today.