Jun 12
Ribery, Sanchez, Silva or Eto’o? Who will replace Ronaldo?!
So Ronaldo has finally got his way and his extensively protracted move to Real Madrid is happening. To be honest I’m gutted that we’re losing a truly terrific talent but then again the Madrid switch was an inevitability and in a way it’s good that it’s over without dragging on into the summer which gives us a chance to find apt replacements.
Although rather than discuss replacements for Ronaldo, a nion impossible task as, in my opinion, only Messi comes close to the Portuguese winger and we’ve no chance of landing him, let’s look at what Sir Alex may decide to do with that handsome sum of money.
Franck Ribery
I’m more inclined to say that we would have had more chance of landing Ribery before Ronaldo’s impending departure. Only because Bayern are clearly going to demand an astronomical fee for his services and while Ribery is a fantastically gifted player, he’s no Ronaldo.
All pessimism and financial constraints aside, Ribery would go some way to filling the boots of our departing number seven and his direct style coupled with his ability on the ball would make him a valuable addition to the side.
My View: I think the price will inevitably be the problem with Ribery. I can’t see Ferguson shelling out stupid amounts of money on any player this summer despite us having a substantial transfer war chest. In this sense Bayern aren’t stupid and they know Ribery is the wanted man now so they can demand as much cash as they so please. For me Barcelona is still Ribery’s most likely destination but then again if Fergie does see the Frenchman as Ronaldo’s ideal successor, he may just make a move.
Transfer Likelihood: 6/10
Likely Fee: Around £50-60 million
Antonio Valencia
Probably the most likely bit of business that Sir Alex will do over the next couple of months but it would be outrageous to label Valencia as the heir to Ronaldo’s right wing thrown. No the Ecuadorian clearly won’t have the same impact as the Portuguese but a useful addition he would prove to be nonetheless I’m sure.
My View: This one really does look on the cards. He’s proved he’s a decent player for both Wigan and Ecuador but it remains to be seen whether he would be good enough to make the step-up in the famous red shirt. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan claims Fergie is a huge admirer of young Valencia and if that is the case then now would seem as good a time as any to add him to the ranks at United.
Transfer Likelihood: 9/10
Likely Fee: Around £20 million
Carlos Tevez
Ronaldo may definitely be on his way but the Tevez transfer episode continues to ramble on. Manchester City are undoubtedly keen to get him onboard and I’m sure Rafa Benitez would love to give us the two fingered salute by making him a Liverpool player.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Tevez would be happy to stay at Old Trafford and now it all comes down to whether Ferguson still wants him at the club. His tireless workrate is certainly an asset but is it really a £25 million asset? That said money can no longer be the excuse in the Tevez transfer saga so we shall we see.
My View: Something tells me that despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s now bulging wallet, signing Tevez still won’t be anywhere near the top of the Scot’s agenda. Although it is fair to say that the permanent capture of the Argentine does make sense. It would appease the majority of supporters and soften the blow of Ronaldo’s departure that’s for sure. I just don’t believe that Tevez fits into Ferguson’s plans but I may be wrong!
Transfer Likelihood: 7/10
Likely Fee: £25 million
David Silva
The Times reports that Valencia attacking midfielder David Silva is being eyed as Ronaldo’s replacement. With the La Liga side’s financial worries the sale of their top players has become a necessity and we have shown an interest in Silva before don’t forget.
My View: Judging by what I have been reading, I believe that with David Villa on his way to Real Madrid (god knows where this cash is coming from by the way), Silva may just be staying put at the Mestalla. That said even if he was to move on I see Juventus and Liverpool being more plausible destinations. Although Fergie is certainly fond of the Spanish international so there’s nothing to say I could have totally lost the plot with my prediction.
Transfer Likelihood: 4/10
Likely Fee: £25-30 million
Arjen Robben
The Daily Star is claiming that Arjen Robben could be on Fergie’s wanted list. There’s certainly going to be competition for places at Real Madrid next season and Florentino Perez may even be willing to listen to offers given our co-operation over the Ronaldo deal.
My View: When we were chasing Robben before he moved to Chelsea I remember thinking that we’d missed out on a top class player there. I still believe the Dutch international is a quality winger now but I don’t think he’ll tickle Ferguson’s fancy. Tabloid gossip at its best for me.
Transfer Likelihood: 3/10
Likely Fee: Between £7-15 million
Alexis Sanchez
Setanta may be on the brink of crisis but today they’re reporting that this Chilean wonderkid is Old Trafford bound. I’ve watched Sanchez on a few occasions and he certainly has raw talent, not too dissimilar to a Ronaldo of yesteryear.
The 20-year-old attacker has had a decent season for Udinese and Setanta claim Sanchez’s agent Fernando Felicevich is in talks with a number of English clubs over a possible move to the Premier League.
My View: I like this kid, I really do but I feel he may be a little too erratic and too much of an unfinished product for Ferguson’s liking. With the likes of Nani, Zoran Tosic and potentially the likes of Ljajic and Valencia to chose from, I can’t see this one happening.
Transfer Likelihood: 3/10
Likely Fee: Between £15-25 million
Samuel Eto’o
The man who got the ball rolling for Barca in Rome a couple of weeks back has been mooted as the surprise target by a few of this morning’s papers. Eto’o is a pacey, decisive striker that would be a quality signing in my view and the Catalan giants appear ready to cash in on the Cameroonian this summer.
My View: Like I just mentioned, I’m a great fan of Samuel Eto’o and I reckon he would do a decent job at Old Trafford but unfortunately I really don’t see this materialising. The 28-year-old is apparently being courted by Inter and City and while I don’t see him ending up at Eastlands, a swap deal involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic doesn’t seem too unrealistic.
Transfer Likelihood: 3/10
Likely Fee: Between £15-20 million
Karim Benzema
Related items from Red Rants:- Who is this Alexis Sanchez Chap?
- What is your formation?
- Breaking News: United accept 80m Ronaldo bid
- Possible transfer targets and their chances of coming to Manchester United
- What Will Sir Alex Do With Rodrigo Possebon?
Tags: Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours
June 12th, 2009 at 15:48
i would give tevez transfer likelihood 4/10, we dont want him and he doesnt want us
June 12th, 2009 at 15:54
I am shocked benzema is not on your list
, or should i say i am glad that he isn’t.
June 12th, 2009 at 15:58
why does everyone forget to mention Giuseppe Rossi? He’s in excellent form and is getting better and better, just wait and see him at the Confederations Cup, plus we have a buy-back option
June 12th, 2009 at 16:03
@Sam: We don’t have a buy back option. We have a first reject option. So if another club lodges a bid for the player, Villarreal will have to ask us if we are interested. Only if we say no will the player be sold to another club. Also he will be sold at a price on Villarreal’s terms, not on a pre-decided price. So, there is no buy back option.
June 12th, 2009 at 16:04
@ROOOOONEY: He is there. Read the list properly. An entire article was devoted to Benzema, and it got lost under the weight of the Ronaldo news. This article links to yesterday’s.
June 12th, 2009 at 16:06
Oh ya that one, totally blanked out
June 12th, 2009 at 16:10
The more I think about Sanchez, the more I think he is the exact sort of player Fergie would go for. He is exciting and raw. Like Ronaldo was when we signed him. Fergie took Ronaldo’s raw talent and turned it into the best player in the world.
United never really go out and buy proven world stars.
Ribery is out of the question. Too expensive. Not gonna happen (atleast this season). He has 2 years left on his contract at Bayern, doesn’t look like signing a new one, and next season will be available for around £15-20mil rather than let him go for free. Maybe we’ll buy a stopgap and get Ribery next season if nobody forks out the megabucks this season.
I think it’s much more likely this season to be Sanchez or Costa and nurture them.
June 12th, 2009 at 16:15
we need a new signing to ease the tension a little, or have sir alex explain what happen instead of hearing press made up crap. I dont believe anything i read unless its directly from the manutd website but its fun to speculate. what i would like to see is the #7 given to a youngster not some big money signing plus i dont think fergie will spend big unless he really wants the player like he did with berbatov. fingers crossed its not benzema dont hate on me benzema boys
June 12th, 2009 at 16:24
Sorry, but haven’t we learnt from the just concluded Ronaldo saga that we’re now free of after three years(though something tells me it could be Vidic next year)? Benzema has already declared its his dream to play for Madrid, I really don’t think I could handle another Ronaldo-esque saga next summer especially if he plays well and does a good job for us because Benzema’s attitude is apparently worse than Ronaldo’s. He should be steered clear of, imo.
@ROOOOONEY: Whats to explain? Its already on BBC and United’s website, that unlike last year where all he did was whine to the press, this year he actually handed in a transfer request. That was probably the last straw for Fergie, can’t blame him really.
June 12th, 2009 at 16:25
Wanted to add that the only thing is that now that most clubs know we have the money, even the smallest player is gonna be overpriced for us.
June 12th, 2009 at 16:30
Well, what i want to hear is his plan but we all know thats not going to happen
June 12th, 2009 at 16:38
And where’s mention of Kun Aguero? Honestly has to be the best prospect out there. Would be great and would command the same respect that Ronaldo did, freeing up the likes of Rooney and Berbatov.
June 12th, 2009 at 16:52
@ROOOOONEY: Same! lol!
June 12th, 2009 at 17:13
@BAMF: Atheltico have today said they will listen if an offer arrives.
And by listen, they mean add £10mil United tax.
June 12th, 2009 at 17:26
why do people want aguero so bad? granted hes a good talent, but he plays in the same position as rooney and berbatov! im not saying we need a striker with welbeck and macheda coming through but if we were to get one, benzema would be the best option.
June 12th, 2009 at 17:30
and what makes you think that benzema even wants to come here? and what makes you think that he wont leave in 2 years time
June 12th, 2009 at 17:37
Agree with Dan what we need is a striker who can play number 9, score goals, head the ball, provide a target for the wingers and hassle the opposition defence so that players like Rooney and Berbatov can tuck in the hole and pull the strings. Buy Benzema for 30 million, sell him for 40 million in a few seasons when he starts crying about wanting to move to Spain and by that time Macheda or Welbeck will be ready to take on more responsibility.
June 12th, 2009 at 17:40
I believe that Rooney will step up next season and we should build the team around him. Hopefully he will start scoring 20-30 goals so that Ronaldo wont be missed. We definetly need two quality wingers, one of them which i believe is Antonio Valencia. He is nothing like Ronaldo, because Ronaldo likes to move around the pitch, get in the box, dribble all over the place etc etc. Whereas with Valencia, he would stay wider, use his pace to run past players and then put a deadly cross in. Also likes taking shots from distance. So he is a decent prospect and one we should sign. Then there are 2 other wingers I genuinely think can fill Ronaldo’s boot in the long term. One of them is Marko Arnautovi? and the other one is Alexis Sanchez who we already know a bit about. They are both 20 and hot prospect. Marko Arnautovi? plays for Fc twente, can play as a striker/winger and has already scored 27 goals in 32 appearances. I hope ferguson can open his eyes and spot talent just like when he did with Ronaldo and turn them in world class players.
June 12th, 2009 at 17:44
Sanchez looks a decent shout. I’m not convinced by any of the other names to be honest.
Don’t know about you guys, but I’m just about ready for a season of following us without Ronaldo. I’m looking forward to seeing some new youngsters, watching Rooney and Berbatov, seeing Fletcher continue to flourish. Giving Nani his deserved chance, watching Anderson get his first goal. And if we don’t win the league? I’m alright with that.
Before Ronaldo we may not have had as much success, but we were much easier to respect and enjoy. He brought with him magic and success, but it was a poisoned chalice. And I really think we were scraping it a bit last season in terms of performances. Something has been lost, and I hope it was all him and Tevez.
This next season we should have a rejeuvenated set of front players, with at least Nani, Berbatov and Rooney itching to get going. With Ronaldo gone, I can see us going back to a 442, and this means less reliance on defensive wingers that offer little going forward (you know who you are).
We have massive problems, no doubting that. Ronaldo averaged 5/6 goals from free kicks – the best in Europe and certainly something we won’t do next year. He’s also a very, very good penalty taker (though that wasn’t much of a problem for us this year, with the pittance we got from refs), and a threat in the air. Plus I fear unless surgery fixes him, Rio’s not going to last us much of the season. So that’s arguably our two most ‘world class’ players out. Fergie has a challenge, no doubt about it.
June 12th, 2009 at 17:48
Oh, and I want Ruud back, to be the new Ole. That is all.
June 12th, 2009 at 18:02
@Beachryan: I’d buy Ruud myself and sell him for free to OT if I had the money.
June 12th, 2009 at 18:04
@Beachryan: I think this is perfectly put. I could do with less success if it meant that the team played with spirit, was fun to watch, took risks… There is a lot of quality at Utd., but the past season has been really dour. I can think of three games I truly enjoyed:
Inter Milan away: This was Ronaldo’s best game for me.
Tottenham at home: Fun. At last.
Chelsea at home: This was an excellent team effort.
Much of the rest was pretty dreary stuff – felt like I was watching Mourinho’s Chelsea half the time. I think there is a lot of upside with the current squad, but we need to sort out the CMF. Gutted that Hargreaves is a doubt – I am convinced he is the player we need most.
At the end of the day, Ronaldo is an amazing competitor but a piss-poor sportsman and it has always been a trial of supporting his BS and making excuses for his diving and crying.
June 12th, 2009 at 18:16
Is there any possibility of getting var der vaart in the deal – i heard he was unsettled at madrid and he wont be getting in ahead of the like of diarra kaka sneider etc… Could become are link between midfield and attack so rooney is freed up so hes not allways dropping back just to get a touch of the ball
June 12th, 2009 at 18:26
@ROOOOONEY: get over your self, its clear as daylight we need a no.9, not a second striker.
June 12th, 2009 at 18:35
@colver: the thing is, we played last season (07/08) without an out and out striker and it worked brilliantly. The reason we didn’t perform brilliantly this season is because the formation was too rigid. Look at Barca, they have Eto’o in the centre and Henry and Messi allowed a free role to do what they like pretty much. We could have Rooney in the centre and let’s say Tevez and Aguero each side to buzz around. This creates space and would free up Carrick a bit more because in a 3 man midfield he would be given more freedom to pick the passes. Aguero is a great finisher and is great in the air. I heard that some people in Argentina consider him to be more talented than Messi so if that isn’t a compliment to his ability then I don’t know what is.
I’ve also always been a fan of Maxi Rodriguez, Aguero’s clubmate
June 12th, 2009 at 18:35
Alexis Sanchez would fantastic. Any of you who follow serie A would have recognised his talents. For a twenty year to make such a break through is very rare in Italy. For Chile he has also been exceptional. Stunning pace and great skill.
Only thing I fear is if it might take him a while to settle as he’s tiny.
With the probable arrival of Valencia and we already have Nani, that would leave us with decent width. Add Ribery to that and we have some excellent balance and options.
June 12th, 2009 at 18:48
Dan i hear what you are saying but i rather solve our midfield problem before we move for another striker, we do need a no.9 but benzema’s ego is bigger than ronaldo’s do we need more drama like that, but you will get what you want, fergie is stubborn he doesnt care what anyone else think if he wants a benzema he will go for a benzema
June 12th, 2009 at 19:10
@ROOOOONEY: If you had actually read my post you would have seen that i specifically said “im not saying we need a striker with welbeck and macheda coming through”
June 12th, 2009 at 19:10
Any suggestions for midfielders, anybody?
June 12th, 2009 at 19:11
@Dan: You do realise that Aguero is a David Villa and not a Wayne Rooney? Torres play behind Aguero when they both played for Atletico, and now that Atletico play with a normal 4-4-2 they do not have a second striker, but two clean centre forward. Aguero is a striker, short like Villa but has every quality of the leader of the line. Dont buy that FIFA crap, Aguero is a normal striker that will play in front of Rooney.
I want Aguero, he is the best player possible to buy. Great talent, would fit well within the side, plays for Atletico(which means he will never declare a desire to play for Real), and for me he is the closest we can come to the perfect signing. He doesnt track back like Rooney or Tevez, will lead the line perfectly, and knows how to get on the end of crosses. I say buy him and Valencia, and we can spend the rest of those money on one more big, big singing.
Valencia=£18 million.
Aguero=£46 million
Equals £64 million, £36 million to spend. Maybe on anther winger, maybe on a goalkeeper or on a midfield enforcer. All I know right now is that its gonna be an interesting summer!
June 12th, 2009 at 19:13
@Traverse: I’m sure we can find the money somewhere, no? And to think we arent going to pay over the odds for anyone at this point would be wrong. Benzema wont be cheap, and I personally rate Aguero more than him. Just as young, and can create like ronaldo. Not going in for him would be stupid, whether we get him or not.
Also, I’d hate to see him as a rentboy.
June 12th, 2009 at 19:13
And just to annoy grognard a little:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_5376574,00.html
June 12th, 2009 at 19:15
Foster
Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Anderson Nani
Rooney Aguero
Wet dreams lads, wet dreams…
June 12th, 2009 at 19:18
@RedDevilEddy: No, no, no, if anyone buys into fifa crap, well, Van der vaart at CF?
in all seriousness, the kun aquero i know is a second striker that has played off forlan this season. hes a second striker mate, not a villa.
June 12th, 2009 at 19:21
Wanker: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_5376909,00.html
June 12th, 2009 at 19:32
I think kun’s buy-out clause is like 45m so I would take him before I spent 60 on ribery. 45 would be the max I spent on either player.
June 12th, 2009 at 19:39
anyone reckon we’d go in for Ashley Young?
June 12th, 2009 at 19:48
You can see us definately sighning a striker with ronaldo gone and tevez probably. Ideally to have a good balance we need an out and out striker, capable of leading the line and with some pace.
I would love Aguero at United and if he was with a better team he would outshine Messi.
Unfortunately he isn’t the type of player we need as he is more of a creative centre forward. He can’t lead the line.
I say get Torres!
June 12th, 2009 at 19:48
I dont buy this having to spend 45 or 60 mil on any player to replace ronaldo because, as everone knows, you are not going to replace him. Yes ribery would come close but the system needs changing, how much only fergie can decide, as the barca match showed. I think bringing in two decent quality wingers such as valencia and sanchez would be a very smart move to allow rooney to play his best position (and hopefully allow berbs to shine). And, as important, getting hargreaves fit is paramount or getting backup because our central midfield is seriously lacking in any bite. Trying to get a direct replacement for ron is futile and will only result in a huge chunk of the kitty being spent on one player when the the team needs refreshing – players with pace and players with bite
June 12th, 2009 at 19:50
@MUFC Fan in America: He would be fantastic! Everything we need actually. Fantastic pace, probably best crosser in England and a set piece specialist.
If we signed him…
June 12th, 2009 at 19:56
@MoYa: Why can’t he lead the line? His strength has improved drastically since he first started with Atletico. But why would we need him to lead the line, more inportantly? We really havent had someone that could do that since RVN left and I’d say the last three years have been ok.
What are the chances of Benzema, Aguero, and De Rossi all coming this summer? (Slim at best, I know).
You never know, I’d throw 50 million pounds at Poo’ and test there resolve with Torres.
June 12th, 2009 at 20:02
@BAMF: Aguero has amazing strength, but you must remember he’s tiny. That’s not his natural position. Though I would love it if we signed him.
What I’m saying is we have Roon and Berba so ideelly you want some extra variety. Not exactly Ruud, but someone more mobile and ideally with a physical presence.
One thing I know for sure is De Rossi won’t be leaving. He’s Roman through and through and he continually says that he’s not going anywhere even if they do crap. He would be a monster in our midfield.
June 12th, 2009 at 20:05
Cristiano Ronaldo:
“… I want to thank all the people at Manchester United, my colleagues the players, the staff and the fans and most of all, Alex Ferguson. Without all these people I would not have become the player I am today and fulfilled my dream of playing for Real. I have enjoyed a fabulous
six years here at the club and my thoughts and a part of me will always remain in Manchester…”
.
.
.
.
.
is what we would want to hear… but I’m not holding my breath
June 12th, 2009 at 20:12
@Dan: Hehe, yeah that part…
That was speculation by my part, but trust me about Aguero. You know I have seen him play a lot, and that I have always wanted him here. Watch him play for Argentina, he is the target man with Messi or Tevez behind him there. So I would really want him here… 
June 12th, 2009 at 20:12
We will NEVER replace Ronaldo
. What we need to do is CHANGE OUR MF, because that is really where we need strengthening. 
June 12th, 2009 at 20:14
All I know is it’s gonna be one the craziest summer windows! Absolute madness of speculation and signings
June 12th, 2009 at 20:19
@MoYa: Oh, oddly enough, that’s exactly what I was trying to say. That Aguero would give us the same ‘variety’ that Ronaldo did, only with (hopefully) less antics. The only problem I see with Aguero is he comes with Maradona attached, and Maradona is cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.
June 12th, 2009 at 20:19
@RedDevilEddy: If that team gives you a wet dream Eddi, then I have serious reservations about what you consider pleasing. That team has two or 3 below true United standard players
.
June 12th, 2009 at 20:30
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/5517707/Glazer-family-promise-to-spend-Ronaldo-money-on-new-players-for-United.html
Malcom glazer, take a bow son, take a bow.
if it wasnt for our debt, you really couldnt ask for more better owners could you?
June 12th, 2009 at 20:33
@Craig Mc:
Foster
rafael rio vidic evra
valencia carrick anderson ribery/nani
rooney benzema
you just know this will be our opening team.
June 12th, 2009 at 20:42
@RedDevilEddy: Aguero isn’t a target man mate
. I think against Columbia was one of a few times that Aguero, Messi and tevez have played together. They use to play with either Cruz or Crespo to lead the line. It looked like Tevez was leading the line against Columbia and also Aguero got injured early in that game.
For Athletico he plays behind Forlan. He is a 2nd striker and likes shifting out to the right.
I would be thrilled if we signed him.
June 12th, 2009 at 20:45
@MoYa: Exacly, but i wouldnt be thrilled because we have enough 2nd strikers, we need someone to lead the line.
Dont know why eddy thought he was an out and out striker though
June 12th, 2009 at 21:48
In:
Benzema – everyone want him in United shirt
Raul Garcia – to solve our CM problems – good passing, strong
Valencia/Silva – replace ronaldo
Ashley Young – i prefer him because he is English and think he retire with us when we get him and really good player of course
June 12th, 2009 at 22:21
@Onkar: Hello Mate.
I posted this on the past thread but I felt it was important to post it here also just in case it was not read there. It’s directed to Onkar but also is a clearer explanation for my knee jerk reactions to the transfer of Ronaldo yesterday.
WOW! That one hit me by surprise, especially since your introduction was so cordial and polite. Please understand that yesterday I was a very upset and I did feel very betrayed by Fergie. I was also wrongly concerned about the form of payment received having been incorrectly informed that the 80 million was to be made in payments over five seasons. That for me was unacceptable and so I was relieved to find out that wasn’t the case at all.
Now regarding my emotional outburst that you seem to take so much offense to. Please understand that I was not upset that Ronaldo was leaving. I prepared myself for an entire season with the inevitability and his action and childish, petulant displays this past season really made him sour in my heart. Still love him as a player but I honestly was sick of his dog and pony show.
With that said, I wanted him sold but unrealistically or idealistically, not to Real Madrid. See, unlike you and many others, I took the words and now infamous quotes of Fergie where he would rather bench him than sell him, that Madrid was a mob and he wouldn’t sell them a virus etc etc. I also remember both he and Gill being quoted that United was not in the business of knuckling under to the whims of Real Madrid and that they were not going to help Madrid poison the game by selling them any of their exceptional talent. The relationship with the team had been disgraced and therefore, selling Ronaldo to them for me, spoke of hypocrisy and betrayal because there is not team other than Liverpool that I hate more than Real Madrid. I hate everything they stand for and I am also not a big fan of the country or the city having been there and having considered a total overrated shit hole. Sorry if that offends Spaniards who read this. Nothing against the people, just don’t care for the look or feel of the country. And i hate the fact that their top club beat us in Rome and that their National side beat my beloved Germans. So sue me or call me bitter.
Anyway, 24 hours have passed and i have had some sleep and had time to reflect on things. I also find out now that Fergie immediately ok’d the deal due to the price and that tells me that no matter what he must have said months ago regarding Madrid, his relationship had soured with Ronaldo over the past few months. And it was obvious to all of us with Ronny’s petulant jacket throwing tantrum after being subbed off and his comments about Fergie getting it wrong in the final. Now that I have let the anger go away and i begin to look back and focus, I realize that Fergie had no choice I guess. Although the right thing to do is to tell Real Madrid to fuck off and to bench Ronaldo and discipline him severely if he doesn’t like it and if he acts up. Yes I know, idealistic, but unrealistic. After all, at the end of the day it’s all about money.
The great news that I am reading today and i hope it’s true is that the Glazer’s are letting Fergie use the entire 80 million plus his usual alloted transfer kitty to go out and buy the players he needs to rebuild and replace the “Selfish One”. This is the best news I could receive. Totally relieved and I pray it’s true because I was worried the Glazer’s would want a big portion of that money to go towards their massive debt. But it appears that money that comes in for player will go out for players. I am relieved and I feel a lot more encouraged than yesterday. I will miss the greatness of Ronaldo, but like I said a few days ago, it was time for him to piss off. But I just so hate Real Madrid and I so wanted Fergie to tell them and Ronaldo to shove it on principle alone. But principle doesn’t pay the bills or ensure harmony. And harmony was indeed needed after the antics Ronaldo was seemingly allowed to get away with. And this also sends a message to everyone else on the team that nobody is immune and that they all need to buckle up and dedicate themselves more to the cause. So hopefully you are thinking a little bet better of me after this explanation. I hold no hard feelings towards your rather harsh words as I feel I probably deserved it because of my hair trigger and rather emotional responses yesterday. A clear and rested head can help you reflect and realize your errors. Cheers.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:23
@Sam: Because Fergie is not one to ever admitting a mistake and bringing a player back. That ship has sailed. And to be honest, I think Rossi is a fine player but we can do much better than him.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:26
@Rd: The thing about Benzema is he may dream of playing for Madrid and his hero may be Zidane but I do not see a hunger on Real’s side to buy this player. Instead they are actively pursuing David Villa. I think Benzema’s stock has dipped this season and Real are not interested in him. Of course you are correct though that should he come here and do well, immediately the sharks at Real will smell blood and demand to have him.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:26
I’d like Benzema and Sanchez to come in.Don’t think Valencia is good enough!
June 12th, 2009 at 22:29
@BAMF: I don’t get it either mate. Especially since he is a boyhood Manchester United fan and has said in interviews in the past that he would love to play for us one day. But I also know that Fergie and United do not have the best relationship with one Diego Maradona due to his insulting remarks about the club a few times in the past. Aguero being his son in law, may be the reason Fergie does not pursue him feeling that Maradona will poison him against the team.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:33
@Dan: I’m sorry but Berbatov can rot on the bench if we got Aguero. Aguero is a gift form the gods like Riquleme. Amazing how you can be so full of hope and see potential in all of United’s wannabe prospects but the best young prospect in football other than Messi in the past three years is not seen as good enough by you. You should have watched the under 19 World Cup a few years ago mate. It was played here in Canada and Aguero was just magical. And he is magic with a n only decent Atletico side too. Pace, skill on the ball, finishing, first touch, dribbling ability, passing ability and he can even play wide. The only thing missing in his game like Messi is heading. That’s until Rome that is.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:35
@Liam: Aguero is fantastic but he is far from good in the air. He rarely if ever heads a ball and that is his one weakness like Messi.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:36
@Grognard: Good that you came around mate! Glad you’ve seen some light. Not all is bad.
Gonna be interesting to see how Fergie spends the money cause at the moment I am completely stumped as to exactly what his gonna do and what his focus will be on rebuilding the team.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:37
@RedDevilEddy: Aguero can play second striker as well as winger roles which I for one have seen him play. But you are correct in that he is most comfortable in the hole like Villa.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:39
@RedDevilEddy: With Anderson in the lineup as well as Foster, it seems more like nightmares rather than wet dreams.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:39
@Dan: Agreed.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:41
@Andrei: Is there anything the Septic Bladder says that can be seen as logical or ethical? The man is total scum.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:41
@Grognard: tbh there are conflicting views on where Aguero’s allegiances lie. I know you believe that he supports United but I’ve seen reports that claim he supports Liverpool. Also Torres used to play with him (although not that well) at Atletico so they may be on good terms.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:43
@Johnsom33: I want three player. Two this season and one next season. Kun Aguero and Franck Ribery this season. Rene Adler next season. I would gladly accept Klaas Jan Huntelaar for Aguero though any day or any time. Not as expensive but a lethal finisher.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:44
@MUFC Fan in America: Piss on Ashley Young. Overrated and completely lost the plot in the second half. This guy is pablum.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:46
@NicoQB: Then don’t put it in quotes as I honestly thought he had said that until I went down to the bottom and realized it was from your wild imagination. Don’t tease us like that, his departure hurts enough as it is.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:49
I know tevez isn’t everybody’s cup of tea but I’m going to ask this question 1 more time. Who is out there that you would want over him? And who we could realistically get? Me personally I don’t see alot out there this summer, and the ones who we could get(huntelaar) fergie doesn’t seem to fancy.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:50
@MoYa: He’s a mystery man and he certainly doesn’t think like a lot of us. What I would like is for everyone including myself to stop mentioning the name of Sergio Aguero. He’s a fantasy dream player who Fergie has never ever said one word of praise about in all the time I have followed the club. He simply isn’t an Aguero fan even though Aguero is a big United fan. Chances of Aguero coming to United? 0.5/10.
Now watch United announce the signing of Kun Aguero tomorrow.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:52
I’m not convinced that de rossi is untouchable. If we dangle 25-30m in front of Roma I could see them selling.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:53
@MoYa: Mate, never said he was a target man. He is too short and too bad in the air for that. What I meant is that he is like David Villa in his style of play, he can play behind striker, lead the line, play on the wing anduse both feet to shoot from any place on the pitch. And I havent seen him play with BOTH Messi and Tevez, but Ive seen him play with one of them. And when he does, he is the man furthest up the pitch. He doesnt travel far back to get the ball like some of our strikers…
June 12th, 2009 at 22:54
@Liam: I have seen a live interview he did with GOL TV where he was asked what team he followed closely and with allegiance when he was young. He said Manchester United. He also said he admired the way they play the game. It was a couple of online rags that planted the Liverpool thing as a response I’m sure because some who support that sack of shit side would love to scuttle our chances at ever getting him. So people can believe me and my own ears and eyes, or they can believe the likes of Marca or Vital Football.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:56
@Johnsom33: De Rossi is absolutely untouchable mate. No way anybody going to get him. He’s gonna retire at Roma. He continually states his desire to remain no matter how terrible Roma do. He’s a Roman through and through.
An absolute beast of a player.
June 12th, 2009 at 22:58
@Craig Mc: To be honest, this will be a team that gives me wet dreams…
Casillias
Maicon Rio Vidic Lahm
Young Essien Iniesta Messi
Aguero Rooney
But what I meant by wet dream, is what I feel is the best we can get for our resources.
We wont buy a whole new team, cause if we all know Fergie right he wont buy more than 4 players this summer. Valencia is already one of them, Ljiaic is coming in the winter and we need a new striker and a winger. Thats what I meant, sorry if I am being very unclear today with my statements. 
Its just that Ive had my most brainwreaking test today, English Oral exam in front of a cousil which looked and behaved like Hitler. 
Thankfully I got a 5, but Im still shaky. 
June 12th, 2009 at 22:59
@Johnsom33: Are you serious mate? Aguero, Huntelaar, Pogrebnyak, Benzema, Villa, Vucinic, Ibesevic, Dzeko, Toni, Eto’o and the list can go on. And all these players are available. Many for far less than what is being asked for the Mad Grafter. He’s not that good mate. A first touch of stone, poor finisher, poor passer and slow pace. Don’t let his energy and desire ever fool you into believing that he has pace. He couldn’t get passed Titus Bramble in a one to one race.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:00
@RedDevilEddy: In that case I misread what you said
. I just think a target man would offer us something extra if you know what I mean.
Would be a dream to see Aguero in a United shirt!
June 12th, 2009 at 23:00
@Johnsom33: It’s not about what Roma wants, the player can refuse and De Rossi wants to stay in Italy.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:03
@Grognard: We don’t know for sure who isn’t on Fergie’s radar. And this time he has crazy money, so you never know. Knowing Fergie he would like to keep it all low profile.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:04
@RedDevilEddy:
My Wet Dream Eleven;
GK: Rene Adler
RB: Wes Brown
CB: Nemanja Vidic
CB: Rio Ferdinand
RW: Alexis Sanchez
LW: Franck Ribery
DMF: Owen Hargreaves
MF: Michael Essien
ST: Kun Aguero or Klaas Jan Huntelaar
ST: Wayne Rooney
June 12th, 2009 at 23:06
@Grognard: You really don’t rate Ashley Young? Valencia over him?
I honestly think Young is the best crosser in the Premierleague.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:07
@MoYa: He has to keep it low profile because other team’s value our taste in players and once we show an interest in a player, vulture immediatley form over us hoping to pick a player out of our grasp.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:08
@MoYa: Young is decent but lacks consistency and stamina. This also may have a lot to do with Villa’s small roster which forces O’Neill to not rest his stars enough. Perhaps it’s also my bias against English players who for the most part are overrated and overpriced.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:09
@MoYa: have we learned nothing about footballers? Money is the guiding light. Even “I belong to Jesus” kaka followed the money to Madrid, months after saying he wants to be the captain of Milan and be a legend like maldini. There comes a point in a players career where he starts to reflect on his accomplishments. He is nearing that point and is starting to realize he hasn’t won shit at Roma and he never will.
You may be able to convince me that our chances of signing him are slim to none, but you’ll never convince me that it’s impossible. Money and the chance at silverware goes a long way in swaying a player.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:10
@Grognard: You have seen Aguero play. And I believe you have seen David Villa play. In my mind they are almost complete same players, only that Aguero is younger and has better dribbling skills. They are both deadly with both feet, from close and long range, good movement, fast, great tactical awareness and just that little bit extra(call it flair, I dunno
) that make them stand out each time they step onto the pitch. But the most important thing is that they are both equally capable of leading the line as well as playing behind a striker.
And I dont seem to understand why people think Tevez and Rooney are similar to Aguero…
Just because they see a short strker they believe he is like Wazza or Carlito. Well, you are wrong people! Tevez and Rooney tackle a lot. They track back. They want to get the ball deep, they are never on the end of crosses and they too easily lose their heads. Rooney with his aggression, Tevez because he is a headless chicken. And I wantto add that Tevez has a bad touch. When you see Agueros touch, the way he makes the ball stick to his feet when he is dribbling and taking on defenders, its just like watching Messi at his best. He makes very few tackles in a game, and he rarely goes deep to get the ball. Most of Agueros goals are on his first touch after a cross(usually low), cutting in from one of the flanks or when going on a run after a through ball. He would give our team a new dimension, and I would love it if we got him. He may be practically useless in the air, but we dont really score a lot of our goals on headers do we anyway? All I say:
Nani/Rooney/Valencia cross+Aguero=goals
Anderson/Carrick through ball+Aguero run=goals
United playing as a team next season+Aguero=goals, trophie, world domination!
Please Fergie, sign that short Argentinian lad!!! Not the ugly and useless one; the brilliant and the one that has the aura of Messi. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!
June 12th, 2009 at 23:13
@Grognard: Ok re-read my question, now out of all those players you mentioned how many of them can you realistically see fergie going after and succeeding. Also I could have sworn you said dzeko’s season was a one off and you doubted he could replicate it.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:13
@Grognard: I feel Young is underrated
. He plays every single game and he doesn’t get injured. His also got great pace. I’d also say his set piece delivery is better than anything we have to offer.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:17
@MoYa: I get what you mean. But Aguero would add something exeptionally new to this side. He is the second coming of Maradon, its not Messi. Ive watched them both play. Ive seen them play together, Ive seen them play agaisnt eachother. And always, I repeat, ALWAYS, is it Aguero that stands out. Messi, for all his brilliant control and vision, is a little weak and wins a lot of free-kcisk. Whereas Aguero stands strong, runs past defenders like Puyol and Ramos like they were statues, and not only does he stay strong and manage to push them away, but he keeps his balance. And he can create things out of nothing, even when almost tripping. Dont watch Youtube, watch him play a real game. A full 90 minutes! I believe that if we get Aguero, we are going to talk about him like he was the best player this earth has ever seen. Believe you me, he can be the best player in the world if given the service he needs. Messi wouldnt be as highly rated as he is had it not been for Iniesta and Xavi, and Ronaldo would be nothing without Rooney and Carrick. So hear, hear, Sir Alex Ferguson!!! BUY SERGIO AGUERO!!!
June 12th, 2009 at 23:17
@Grognard: where have i said he isnt good enough for us
i said we have too many second strikers, and i would much, much rather we buy a striker for rooney to play off then last season when rooney was the main striker.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:18
@Grognard: You’re missing a left-back… so I am assuming Evra, but then you seem to have something against the guy… so I’m confused.
As for Baltter, that guy is a walking comedy skit.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:18
@Grognard: Grog I only see a wet dream 10 players there
. Where’s your left back? Be honest, did you just stick skinned sausage on the barbacue. Or did you replace him with Mr Blank 
.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:19
Sorry to ask this, i feel like ive been on another planet but honestly can anyone tell me a bit about aguero. I know who he is, ive seen his stats (mighty impressive) and i know he plays as a sort second striker but i really havent seen much of him. I saw him in his first season but since then i honestly have not seen too much of him. People rave about him and im sitting here and i cant comment cos i havent seen enough of him, dunno what the hell i have been doing not watching him tbh.
Anyway question is, would he be worth an approximate £45m and also can he play in ronaldos position as a RWF. I know he plays as a striker and hes got a good scoring record (about 50 goals in 90 odd games for atletico), but can he play on the right and could he be used as a direct replacement for ronaldo. I wouldnt mind him as a striker but for that money we need a winger and a CM first so im not sure spending that money on a striker for a position i rate as 3rd most important position needed to fill is wise unless he could be used as a winger.
I definitely think if we can get him we need another player from spain in yaya toure, i would bloody love him to join. Along with a choice of either ribery, ashley young, valencia, aaron lennon (who i rate quite highly even tho some dont like him) should be considerd. Also a new 3rd choice keeper like pele from france and a striker (would love huntelaar) or the russian guy pog…… who ever cant spell his name would be great really. But for me anyway yaya is a must and depending on whether aguero can play RWF he sounds worth despite a £45m price tag.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:19
@Johnsom33: Lol fine I won’t convince you its impossible
. Italian players have a different mentality mate. Kaka isn’t Milanese while De Rossi is Roman Through and Through. Look at Totti, he didn’t win anything and Madrid always wanted him during Perez’ first Reign of Terror. Players like De Rossi play for the pride of their shirt. It’s rare, but there does exist a tiny minority.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:20
@Grognard: Really?! Brown over Lahm?
Wow, that was a shock! And Sanchez?! Ive never seen him play, is he really that good? 
June 12th, 2009 at 23:20
@MoYa: Errrrr if Maradona is telling Tevez to move to Man Pity, he is not going to recommend his son in law Aguero come to United is he?
June 12th, 2009 at 23:22
@Matt: Aguero can play on the wing, but he is a striker. So I wouldnt waste him there… Read my comment 84, Ive written a lot about him there.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:23
@RedDevilEddy: What we need is a new MF mate
.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:25
@Craig Mc: I believe Maradona doesnt really care about Tevez, and has said that if he wants money you should go to Shitty. If you want playing time, go to Shitty. But if you want trophies, stay at United. And if Im not wrong, Maradona is a friend of Ferguson isnt he?
I really dont believe Maradona would be stupid enough to tell Tevez to move to Shitty, he must surely just have told him what will happen at the different clubs, and Tevez must choose between money and playing each game, and winning trophies. 
June 12th, 2009 at 23:27
@Craig Mc: None of that was confirmed , it was jsut paper talk. Also it said he chose Shitty so tevez would play regularly. Aguero would certainly get into any team.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:30
@Craig Mc: What if your father in law told you to support li*erpool?
June 12th, 2009 at 23:31
Who’s the Brazilian expert? Does anyone know much about Dentinho?
June 12th, 2009 at 23:34
@Liam: Actually, Aguero and Torres had heated discussions during their time at Atletico because they felt a kind of rivalery because one was supporting Liverpool, the other United. Aguero said he enjoyed it, that is was fun to have a little banter with Fernando about which club was the best in the world and what not. I dont know how close they are now, but back in 2007 tht was what Aguero said. Ive got the FourFourTwo magazine with the interview with Aguero here in my room! There are some personal things there, like which team he supports and how he sees his future. He doesnt say anything about Maradona, so I dont think he had hooked up with his daughter then…
June 12th, 2009 at 23:35
@MoYa: Courtecy of his name, he sounds like he wants to be a dentist…
June 12th, 2009 at 23:43
@Craig Mc: I was thinking the same thing. Maradona apparently tells tevez not to join us, i cant see him recommending us to aguero when hes his father in law
@RedDevilEddy: Ok cheers mate i will read that, like i said i know very little about and would like to know more so thanks for that.
June 12th, 2009 at 23:44
@Craig Mc: I know that. But who exactly? De Rossi will never leave Roma, Chelsea wont sell Essien to us, Iniesta is a no-go, same goes for Xavi and Fabregas. What are really our options? If we are going to buy a midfielder, it should be a world class one! I can only come up with three midfielders right now, two hard men and one playmaker.
Flamini
Palacios
Van Der Vaart
Then again, I feel none of them are really world class. VDV may be, but I feel he is too soft for the Prem. But of cource, theres also Joey Barton…
June 12th, 2009 at 23:45
Guys, what are your thoughts about buying Beckham?
June 12th, 2009 at 23:50
I think the wisest thing we can do right now is to sign Tevez and Ribery, and use this team in every game:
VDS
Rafael Rio Vidic Fabio
Valencia Anderson Carrick Ribery
Tevez Rooney
Reason? The ugly trio of Tevez, Rooney and Ribery attacking defenses will give them nightmares weeks in advance! Rafael and Fabio will confuse opponents with their similarity. Both mark one man on corners, and he is gonna need medical treatment. Rio wierd mouth and Vidics killer like looks will make attackers fear even looking at them. Then there is Andersons dreads, which shoudl knock out opponents because of how ugly youcan make your head look, Carrick incredibly huuuuge jaw and Valencias impression of Michael Jackson. That should give opponents mixed feelings of fear, confusion and wanting to go home to their mums…
June 13th, 2009 at 0:17
Just browsing thru news now – Man Utd page, where there is a great article entitled ‘No petitions’ and ‘No hullaballoo’ for Ronaldo! Then it goes on to give the total disinterest of the United faithful to Ronnie’s going off to Madrid. I think the writer has captured perfectly the non emotion of the United faithful in response to Ronnie’s departure. Says clearly, that though a great player, he will never be remembered in the annals of OT history as a player not forgotten, as Law, Charlton, Best, Robson, Keane, Cantona etc etc etc. Mmmmmmm
June 13th, 2009 at 0:19
Im usually not a big fan of making Youtube prove my points about players, showing their true skill and stuff. But i feel this video about Aguero pretty much sums up this player. It leaves out some of his playmaking skills, but the goals show how versitile he is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBQ2XkALCdY&feature=fvw
June 13th, 2009 at 0:22
Atletico will listen to “interesting” offers.
Come on Fergie, do something “interesting”!
June 13th, 2009 at 0:33
Sanhez’s agent says United have been in contact. Looks like Barca are going to cough up whatever Bayern want for Ribery to take some of the lustre off of Madrid’s pre season…
June 13th, 2009 at 1:53
Apparently, according to the paps, all the targets United are wanting in the transfer market, their club owners have DOUBLED the price they were first asking because of the money United have from the Ronaldo transfer. I really, with all my heart, hope that Fergie does NOT give in to these fecking highway robbers. How can they have suggested a price to United, and now suddenly double it – that’s extortion. We should just assess what we already have, and leave the big names alone. I mean Valencia suddenly went up from 12 million to 17.5. Anybody sickened by all this money lark, to me it is obscene.
June 13th, 2009 at 2:44
MOYA: dentinho is a decent player and has recently formed a nice partnership with ronaldo, is he good? in my opinion he isn’t fit to shine keirrisons boot though both are different players dentinho being more of a support striker, he needs a year with a team like portugal and he’s gone on record to declare interest on a move to juventus id give him a 6/10
June 13th, 2009 at 3:05
@Craig Mc: It’s how I feel. Disappointed that we lost a great player, but completely emotionally numb! As a man, I always though he was a complete asshole, but I have to admit that I conveniently forgot about his personality when he lifted us to victory – and he did that a lot!!
Nice that you didn’t mention Beckham on that glory list, because I feel the same about him as I do Ronaldo!!
June 13th, 2009 at 3:56
In: Aguero, Valencia, Sanchez, Miguel Veloso, Stewart Downing
June 13th, 2009 at 4:46
@RedDevilEddy: Villa is fantastic but I honestly believe Aguero is the better all round player. Quicker of the spot from a static position and better dribbling skills. Villa might be the more instinctive finisher though.
June 13th, 2009 at 4:55
@Johnsom33: Dzeko is a more natural goal scorer than Tevez and given time, can combine well with his partner striker. His combinations with Grafite this year were instinctive and magical. He is an impressive player because he is also showing this great improvement in form for his National team too. So strictly from a goal scoring point of view, he is far superior to Tevez. Tevez however offers other intangibles that I cannot say have no value to a team.
As for who I think Fergie could go fo out of that list? I think he would be interested in Eto’o, Vucinic, Benzema and possibly even Huntelaar may be on Fergie’s radar. Who knows, he may even go after Aguero now that he has Aguero like money to spend. I don’t think we will get Ribery because he is being ridiculously priced into Real Madrid’s hands by Bayern so Aguero can be had. Bottom line is I would prefer all these players who are goal scorers over Tevez who is not.
June 13th, 2009 at 4:59
@RedDevilEddy: That’s funny you should say that because I feel the same way. I love Messi and i feel he is very special but I also think he is frail and injury prone and I do feel that Aguero seems more instinctive in the box and has the ability to play on the right side as well as the left. Messi can only play on the right side. I love Kun. I think he is truly a special talent but I’ll never know why he decided to marry into an organized crime family like the Maradona’s. Maradona is nothing but a scumbag and criminal in my books and despite his fantastic talent, is a black mark on the game for his lack of class and his drug abuse and contacts with crime lords. Kun should never have gotten involved in that family because I feel it will be his undoing one day.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:03
@Dan: “why do people want aguero so bad?” Simply because he’s a super talent. Our club showed in the past that we could play with two second strikers. And this would be a major upgrade from Tevz and Rooney. Rooney and Aguero works because of their interchangeability and ability to adapt and play wide. Speed and width is something we should always have. Sure Ideally I would prefer a striker like Huntelaar or even Eto’o but I could not pass up on a player like Aguero if I had the money to buy him. He is twice the player Benzema is and better than Ribery.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:05
@Andrei: I just forgot to put his name in there, sorry.
Still, it’s probably because I’d like to forget he exists. I’, being patient for the day Fabio emerges along with his brother. They are both a year or two away from being just what the doctor ordered.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:06
@Craig Mc: Mr. Blank is a better passer and crosser and doesn’t get skinned like a Bratwurst at a barbecue.
Seriously, I just forgot to put him in there.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:12
@Matt: Aguero is a young world class talent who has incredible pace, skill on the ball, agility and finishing skill. He’s short and so he suffers a little more in the aerial game but his play on the ball and usage of both feet make him versatile indeed. He is an ideal second striker and has the ability to play like Ronaldo wide and on both wings. Check out the numerous YouTube videos of him to get a real feel of what I am talking about. And yes he is is worth 45 million. Hell if I was Fergie I’d pay 60 for him but that’s me. I think if you were to add him up front with Rooney and add either combination of Valencia and Nani or Nani and Alex Sanchez on the wings and you would have a scary team built for speed and flair. But to do this we would need a Yaya Toure or Owen Hargreaves partnered with either Fletcher and Carrick in the middle to secure our defense. It would be a lighting strike from the sides that would be wonderful to watch in the Prem.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:14
@RedDevilEddy: Oh don’t get me wrong, Lahm is by far my choice but I am basing the team on who I think is a possible signing for United, not someone who isn’t available or even on Fergie’s radar. And Lahm would be my choice at LB. I like and have a lot of respect for Wes Brown. I think he is damned good and very underrated.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:16
@RedDevilEddy: 4-3-3 done right mate can make Aguero rock and roll on the wing. The way Argentina played under Basile and before the pratt and criminal Maradona.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:18
@RedDevilEddy: I’m not so sure about that Maradona is friends with Ferguson thing mate. I have heard Maradona criticize and contradict Fergie many times as well as tell other players to go elsewhere instead of OT. Maradona is a giant prick and I don’t think Ferguson likes him at all and that is why he shows no interest in Kun.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:23
@RedDevilEddy: Thanks for adding that Eddy because I get frustrated trying to convince doubters about my claims that Aguero is big United fan. Actually, if Fergie was smart he would sign Aguero for another reason other than his skills. Hire him because as an ex Atletico player, he would never ever consider going to Real. Have you noticed that Real Madrid never ever try to go after Atletico or ex Atletico superstars? In Madrid it’s just not done like it’s just not done to sell a United player to Liverpool and vice versa. So that also explains why Torres has never been approached seriously by Madrid.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:24
@Matt: Aguero is a lifetime United fan. He knows that wherever he goes, he starts. Maradona could not stop him if he tried. And he would try. But I think Kun would jump at the chance.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:27
@RedDevilEddy: I’d take Becks back any day mate despite the fact I might be seen as crazy. Imagine the team being tied or down a goal in the 65th minute and you need to score. You bring in that extra striker but you also bring in Beckham to deliver crosses into the box and even take the odd free kick. He could be very beneficial as a super sub. But that ship hasn’t just sailed mate. It hit an iceberg and sunk. Or was that a shoe?
June 13th, 2009 at 5:29
@RedDevilEddy: I do not want Tevez back. I want this team to strive for a new look and new style of play. Out with the old and in with the new. We can do much better than Tevez for much less.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:31
@Roge9: That’s actually a very solid group and mix of talent mate. Well done.
June 13th, 2009 at 6:08
@Grognard: Hmm, I still think that he is the best left-back in the world – granted, there are hardly any good ones.
By the way, regarding Huntelaar, have you seen any Real Madrid games since he moved? Just asking because I have seen almost all of them and he seems to be greatly inefficient. He scores a good deal but he is not one to win games by himself (unlike Berba). He is one to score when the team is comfortable.
June 13th, 2009 at 6:11
Also, I’ll second you any day for Beckham back at United. He is very very high on my list of favoured players and possibly the reason I support United – that and Peter Schmeichel.
Also, some reports suggest that Sanchez’ agent has suggested that United have suggested that they might one day potentially be interested in maybe acquiring the Chilean. See where this is going?
June 13th, 2009 at 6:13
@Grognard: probably an easier and cheaper group of transfers to engineer, as opposed to bringing in Ribery and Benzema. Those five provide both depth and balance.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:02
@Andrei: Me too. I would third for Beckham back at United
We could use him like England does, he doesn’t have to start every game. We would have someone on the right-wing and a deadball specialist too now that Ronaldo is gone. Or use him in the center when needed and get back the Scholesque spraying to our wingers. Seriously – I think Beckham could finish his career at United!
2003 : Beckham leaves, Ronaldo arrives.
2009 : Ronaldo leaves, Beckham arrives.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:03
@Andrei: I personally don’t know of one striker in the world who is capable of winning games on his own. Remember, Ronaldo and Messi aren’t strikers. Huntelaar was very good with Madrid as I saw 90% of the matches he was in. When he was played as a starter he score goals and Madrid won. When Ramos decided to lose games by teaming the over the hill Raul with Higuain Real lost. You figure it out. Strikers are beneficiaries of good service. Huntelaar never got great service in Madrid. Madrid struggled to change their style and their central midfielders for me are very pedestrian and dull. You put Huntelaar on a team like Chelsea or a team like United or Barcelona and watch him score over 30 goals. He’s great but he needs to play and he needs service.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:05
@Grognard: If that’s what you based the creation of your dream-eleven upon, you really think we could get Michael Essien????
June 13th, 2009 at 9:06
@Andrei: United are presently in negotiations with Udinese to acquire Sanchez. He will cost around 20 million and I would be surprised if we don’t sign him.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:10
@Roge9: The only one I am not big on is Veloso. As defensive midfielders go, he is rather slow and frankly we already have Michale Carrick and Paul Scholes to slow things up enough. I am actually intrigued by the rumour of Nani to Sporting on loan and in return we get Moutinho with an option to buy. Moutinho is actually a very good box to box player and he has strong passing skills and shooting skills. He is a great set piece taker also. For me he is more valuable than Veloso.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:11
@antsBoy: In theory it makes a lot of sense but it will not happen. Fergie would never stand for it. Becks is dead to him.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:13
@antsBoy: I honestly think Essien is possible because Ancelotti wants to bring Pirlo and others to Chelsea. I see Ballack on his way out despite getting a new contract. Essien’s contract is up soon and I think he could stand for a new challenge. Improbable, but not impossible.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:31
@Grognard: Well, in that case Fergie should do EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to get him! He should be the first player he goes after. Hell, I would even pay 80% of our Ronaldo cash for him!
But I don’t see it happening. Ancelotti would be crazy to push Essien out at the cost of his previous favorites. You could say money talks and all that if it were a cash-strapped team like Valencia. Then maybe 60m+ would tempt them. But with Chelsea? Fat chance of that. I bet Ambramovich is already exasperated that none of their targeted superstars seem to want to come to the Bridge. The last thing he would do is allow one of his top three players to leave.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:31
Isn’t 20 million a bit much for ‘a useful addition to the squad’, I really don’t think Valencia is worth that much, if Tevez isn’t worth 25 million and that Berbatov isn’t worth 32 million
June 13th, 2009 at 11:28
@Grognard: You support Sanchez Groggy?
June 13th, 2009 at 11:42
The most irritating part of this is that we have to wait for Ronaldo to go before we announce anything concerning other players, and that could take another 2 weeks, since the ponce is on holiday.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:44
@Redrich: I absolutely loved Beckham Red Rich, MORE than I ever could Ronnie, although I appreciate Ronnie was a great winner and football player for us. Beckham was the BEST man out of these two players, ALWAYS thought of the team, where Ronnie didn’t. Beckham was Man United thru and thru, SAF broke his heart when he kicked him out, but Becks still loves United now, and always will do! To me he is remembered with fondness by the United faithful, most of whom haven’t really got the guts to admit it around OT, because they wont ever come against a SAF decision. I will! Beckham should have not been kicked out, he INHO didn’t deserve the SAF treatment. He bled all over the field every time he put on that Red Devil Jersey
.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:54
@Craig Mc: Yet Becks prefers to be a Real Madrid Ambassador instead of a United one, even though United have offered him that….
June 13th, 2009 at 12:43
@Darth Red Diablo: United haven’t offered him that mate, no matter what you have read. SAF would never accept that
.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:45
@Traverse: Why so Trav? Once Fergie knows the deal is signed, and I understand Ronnie has signed, then we don’t have to wait at all. We wait because United NEVER EVER do anything in a hurry
.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:50
@MoYa: I’d never marry a lass who was a scouser, or whose family were scousers – I can assure you of that
. So I wouldn’t have that problem. I avoid scousers like the plague 
.
June 13th, 2009 at 13:39
your put your transfer in
your transfer out
in out in out
and fuck your club about
you do the cristiano
and you change your mind
thats what its all about….
ooooh ronaldo is a wanker
ooooh ronaldo is a wanker
ooooh ronaldo is a wanker
knees bent, arms stretched
dive, dive, dive
June 13th, 2009 at 13:42
@Craig Mc: Fergie is waiting for the cheque to tun up with the right amount on it. Mark my words.
Madrid want to do the deal in 4 instalments of £20mil. United have said no chance. All upfront. We don’t want to be spending money and then Madrid start pissing us about.
June 13th, 2009 at 14:10
Ronaldo the hair-raiser?
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-ronaldo12-2009jun12,0,3787174.story
June 13th, 2009 at 14:26
susan boyle sex orgy!!!
June 13th, 2009 at 14:43
@Traverse: The signed agreement between UNited and Madrid according to the lawyers, is UNCONDITIONAL, which means Madrid HAVE TO pay the whole amount UP FRONT, or Ronnie will remain a Man United player!
June 13th, 2009 at 14:52
@Traverse:
, great song Trav, but I hope it is not sang on the terraces for two reasons:-
1. I don’t want Ronnie to be remembered any longer at OT once he has gone. He would only think he is still important enough to us to sing about long after he leaves us.
2. To the football world, it would portray us as upset and bitter, and that we CARE still about Ronnie, which to be honest Bro, I don’t see any sight of that at OT, down the pubs or in the workplace. It is like Ronnie wsent last summer as far as the United faithful are concerned. So we don’t want to be singing Ronnie songs, negative or otherwise. The Ronaldo life at OT died on the terraces last summer, and we do not need a ressurection Bro
. He should not be given any attention or thought at all. The media will be doing all that, and looking for our downfall, so they can GLOAT 
. We don’t need to give them any bullets to shoot at us. Ronnie went last summer, end of!
June 13th, 2009 at 14:54
blah why is there a summer break, its so boring
June 13th, 2009 at 14:59
@ROOOOONEY: Summer break is awsome, what are you on about?!
The only fucked up thing is that its no football, but I have to say I enjoy the transfer talk this summer because we know we are going to buy some players. Im exited, but I wish somethign could happen soon…
June 13th, 2009 at 15:12
Ya no football
its what i look forward to every week, you kinda get used to it over the year you know, ya i wish something would happen but i think stuff will happen when we get the money for ronaldo.
June 13th, 2009 at 15:22
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Hy everybody. I have been a fan o this team since I was 8 and that’s about 20 years already. Just wanted all of you to know that Alexis Sanchez is the best type of business Fergie could do and I don’t say it just because I am living in Chile.
I have been living in Chile for the last year and understand all the fuss for this guy. Sanchez is the best player this country has produced, better then Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas by a mile. He has outclassed every other southamerican player in the qualies for Sothafrica, including the types of Valencia, Robinho and Kaka, and is the main reason (together with the coach) why Chile is standing second in the table just one point behind Brazil .
I am not saying he is better than Kaka, don’t understand me wrong, because he is just 20 and has tons to improve. But with the right people arround and Fergie guiding him he could become a REALLY BIG player for us. I saw virtually every united game this season and have been to the stadium in Chile watching him play, he is a better dribbler then Ronaldo and always shows comittment to the team, tracks backs, gets the ball and never stays in the flour after a foul.
He is much better than Ronaldo was when we fisrt signed him and also a lot more proven, which could mean we would not be gambling as much as we did back then. He was the best in Chile, he was the best in Argentina when he played there and has had more then 30 appearences for Udinese in his first season. Fergie: sign him!!!!!
June 13th, 2009 at 15:28
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/06/13/1322738/manchester-united-told-udineses-alexis-sanchez-is-not-for
we are being told!
June 13th, 2009 at 15:57
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_5377835,00.html
Dan Dan likey likey
June 13th, 2009 at 16:17
The guy wears No. 7… what a coincidence. Unfortunate that I have never seen him play much, I guess.
Anyway I see your point about Huntelaar, Grog but I would still prefer Vucinic over the two.
And Neville should take the Middlesbrough offer and run. No qualms if he goes. He was loyal enough over these past years and it would be better for him and the team if he, well, has other experiences.
June 13th, 2009 at 16:35
You know the thing that im really disappointed about in all this is the way ronaldo has not even come out and said any thanks to our club and manager. We made him what he is today and yet when he finally releases a statement he goes on about how hes happy two teams wanted him so much and hes happy to be going to madrdi.
Would it have been too much for him to thank the club and the fans and the manager. God the guy is just an absolute prick, i am honestly glad were rid of him. The guy has always been like this, its all for himself, i guess its nothing new to us. I have never felt that he ever had any love for the fans or the club and if im honest i never felt us fans truly ever took to him, im not sure if thats just me tho. The things i have read about him tho. Disrespecting sir bobby, other players apparently happened, not sure how true that is but i wouldnt doubt it.
I am truly tho glad to be rid of the little prick and i do hope should he return with madrid we give him a right old hard reception. For him to say hes staying and then moves on 2 weeks later is a disagrace and i wish him no luck with his stay in madrid, i truly hope he ends up as a washed up star in the USA in a few years.
As for who to buy well it sounds like valencia is joining, along with him i would like to see yaya toure, aguero (havent seen much of him but from peoples comments on here he sounds good) and thats about it. Ashley young and aaron lennon should be considered should aguero not come.
June 13th, 2009 at 17:36
@Matt: Don’t get bitter mate
. I think most United fans have just shrugged their shoulders and walked away from Ronaldo, with a who gives a fuck eh? Truly Matt hardly any of the United faithful feel anything about Ronnie’s trot to Madrid. Why give him another thought Bro? All the United fans I know are RELIEVED more than bitter 
. We are all talking more about who is coming in that wants to wear that red shirt, and cannot think of anything else but United. Like Grog says, there are a good few of them out there mate.
As for Lennon, he has speed, but he has no end product, even when he gets behind the last man easily. I don’t want him. Ashley Young – maybe. I want to see our MF strengthened, and a prolific striker come in, and I would be happy with that
.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:09
@Darth Red Diablo: I may shock you and many on this blog but I think Alex Sanchez should be our main target and not Franck Ribery. I love Ribery and I think he is truly fantastic but his heart is not with Manchester United. His heart is not with my other beloved team Bayern Munich. No, his heart is with Barcelona or Real Madrid. A mercenary to the core is not what we need to buy. Why spend a ludicrous amount of money on one player who as good as he is , can’t shine Ronaldo’s shoes.
Instead, I feel it’s time to look at things from a different perspective. I say go for proven youth with immense potential. Spend big to get players who have it in them to win the Balon D’Or in 3 to 4 years but who will not be headache to us and who can contribute enthusiasm mixed with skill and technique. It’s time for the Alexis Sanchez revolution. It’s time for the Sergio Aguero revolution and yes I’ll even throw in my favorite for good measure even though Fergie doesn’t know the lad is alive, it’s time for the Marco Marin revolution.
Why is this a much better solution to buying Franck Ribery for say 60 million and Karim Benzema for around 30 million? Well if Fergie hasn’t learned his lesson yet, it’s because you should never go after players whose number one priority in life is to wear the shirt of Real Madrid, or even Barcelona for that matter. Learn from Ronaldo, it’s forlorn hope and something that will not go away. Real will always try to poach our best Latin players as well as others. They especially like players who love them. What they don’t like is to spend big bucks on unproven young players with great potential. Notice how they don’t have any Messi’s, Ronaldo’s or Bojan’s or Pato’s on their books. That gives United at least 4 or 5 years witha very young superstar to build him and hopefully mold his mind and his heart to the United cause. Not everyone is as easily swayed to the Bernebau as Ronaldo was. Aguero for one is a United fan from childhood. For me that is a no brainer as buying Rene Adler and Pavel Pogrebnyak is a no brainer too. If there are world class players out there playing positions that you need to fill and that they have the skills to add something special to the club, then buy them for Christ’s sake.
I’ll go one further. If we can’t beat Real Madrid, join them. We have 100 million to do with as we please. Well there is a team to the west of Manchester that is in a world of hurt financially and their fat waiter of a manager is looking for money to go on a spending spree while the owners are looking for money to save their bacon. I do not think that Liverpool would turn down 60 or 70 million for Fernando Torres, even if it came from us. Perhaps I am wrong but they are not in the position they were even a month ago. All cocky and confident that they were so close to finally usurping our throne at the top. Instead, they are in dire straits and need to sell more than buy. An audacious move like a bid for Torres would at least give us the fans confidence again that we are back in business and are no longer somebody else’s bitch who bends over and takes it up the backside. It’s time to dish it out to somebody we don’t like
And while we are trying to make Liverpool’s life miserable, why not help Real Madrid out by taking some of their best young talent away from them like Huntelaar and Sneijder? Players who I am sure would love to leave Madrid and who we would never have to worry about losing to those scumbags again.
Just some thoughts on players and a new attitude that is needed at Old Trafford to build the next generation of powerhouse we all want and all expect. Aguero and Sanchez along with Valencia need to be priorities though. But I would also test Liverpool to see just how volatile and unstable a situation they are in with large bid for Torres. Can you imagine United with Torres and Rooney up front? But still, I think Aguero is better and I would go for him. And I think Alex Sanchez has all the tools to be the next Ronaldo or Messi.
Fergie, you want to get bold, go for the jugular but stop going after what you can’t have. Go for players who would feel privileged to play for you. And from a selfish and greedy point of view, go for young players who will give you the desire and fire to stay beyond your 70th birthday to make sure this generation’s talent is humming like birds before you hang them up for good. Just a well needed rant from the Grognard on how to buy using common sense.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:14
@Craig Mc I am extremely sorry for the way i reacted to the Grog’s comment. I know i was totally wrong and bit over the top in my reaction. But, like Grog said in his response to my comment that even i was not in my total senses when i wrote all this rant. I was as shocked as any other United fan here. and then I came across the comment which i felt was bit over the top reaction and it blew the lead of head.
But, I totally take the responsibility of the bad rant that i went with. I know it was over the top and unwarranted. So, i apologies from the bottom of my heart.
@ Grog I am extremely sorry grog to come hard and personal on you. i never wanted to be personally abusive to you as i have nothing against you. But, just because you said something about the Sir Alex and the Man Utd that took me to the reaction that i came up with. Again I repeat I never meant to be personal. In fact, i still maintain that you are one of favorite boarder and i always felt that you resembles to my thought and that’s why i was surprise and shocked to see you reacting that way. So please no personal offense.
@ Red ranter I know what are my responsibilities towards using the personal blog and not going at any one at personal level. As, I am saying I am SORRY. But, I think you are right that grog gracious enough to respond to my personal rant but also he was gracious enough not to question that whether I a, a kinder Garden passed out or a Graduate. And just for your records I am a post graduate in finance working with one of the most reputed company in my country as an analyst. So please dont question my education ever.
But all said and done I apologies for loosing my head i request you all to stoop this matter here itself. And continue to talk about the Greatest Club in the world what ya say GROG???
June 13th, 2009 at 18:19
Any one watch serbian football know anymore on Adem Ljajic – last i heard was someone saying he will get in Utds midfield with ease and being nick namned little kaka can never be a bad thing can it
June 13th, 2009 at 18:22
@Craig Mc: Well said Bro. You should be knighted for that comment. I love Becks and Fergie’s treatment and appraisal of the man’s character, commitment and lifestyle in regards to the club was wrong and was nothing more than the biased and ridiculous logic of a man in in his 60’s who is out of touch with what it’s like to be young, rich and famous. Becks plays for other teams and he still always found time to make it to big United games to cheer them on. I feel he is almost owed some respect and an apology from Fergie through a gesture of peace. Bring him back as a super sub for a season or two and let him retire as Manchester United player with his best friend Gary Neville and his other close friends Giggs and Scholes. He’s going to be knighted one day too by the Queen or her heir for a reason. Make all of us die hard United supporters who have never liked the way Beckham was forced out of OT happy. Here’s a chance to mend some broken hearts and actually help the team also. And amazingly, Beckham would come back for a bag of peanuts. Man up Fergie, admit you made a mistake and correct it.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:26
@Darth Red Diablo: Because Madrid treated him with respect and because their door is truly open unlike United’s transparently tacky gesture considering Fergie wants nothing to do with him. Who was at the Champions league finals and semi finals cheering on our side with enthusiasm and passion? It was Becks. You don’t see him taking in Madrid games. Mind you, Madrid are never in big games.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:28
@Craig Mc: We wait because Fergie is in France on vacation and he answers only to one person, his wife. Nothing happens until the holiday’s are over. Until then, everything is done through SAF’s cell phone.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:29
@Traverse: Pretty bitter poetry for a player who gave us six years of thrills………and spills.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:31
@NicoQB: WHAT?
What the Hell was that?
June 13th, 2009 at 18:40
@Onkar: A really good response Bro, and I know what it is to post OTT comments, so no problem with you Onkar. Glad you responded to Grog in such a polite way too
. This does not mean that you cannot come against our comments or arguements with regards to Man United FC 
, it just means we firecely argue our viewpoints, but we don’t need to get personal about the other poster we are disagreeing with. Welcome to the blog Onkar, I look forward to talking all things Man United with you 
.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:41
@Craig Mc: It’s something to sing next season when we knock them out of the champions league.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:44
@Craig Mc: Get serious mate. People are pissed or even disinterested right now but after years and years of contemplation, he will be remembered as one of the top three United players of all time, which he was. Christ, he spent more time with us than Cantona. And Cantona retired before his prime and gave the club no advanced warning. I was pretty pissed off at that because it seemed an awfully selfish and inconsiderate way to leave a club you love and bleed for. Yet nobody, not even me had a negative thing to say about the man we had anointed the King. Sure he never exasperated us like Ronaldo but I dare say he never even thrilled us as much as Ronaldo. Cantona is my favorite United player of all time by a long shot. But he was not in Ronaldo’s class.
One day we should all suck back our own pride and ego’s and reflect on the fact we were privilaged for six years to watch what will end up being one of the top ten if not top five footballers of all time. He was something special and very entertaining. And yes he was a royal pain in the ass and little prick too. But I for one love him and wish him well and I thank him for his service to United. We won many trophies with a team that was completely centered and built around him and we should never ever forget just how much he meant to us in winning all that silverware. Disappointed that he is leaving, fed up a lot with his attitude over the past twelve months but then again, when a man’s heart is elsewhere, should he ever have to settle?
My anger at his leaving is real. But it is tempered with sadness and respect as well. So long Cristiano, you were pretty special to me and to millions of United fans throughout the world. It’s a shame you feel that staying United for life is not what you want. I feel you have made a big mistake but I still wish you well. And I part with a gesture only you would understand……WINK WINK.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:49
@Steech: http://www.skysports.com/football/transfers/scout/0,24035,15198_5293960,00.html
June 13th, 2009 at 18:49
@Grognard: And six years of diving, pouting, nasty attitude to backroom staff, causing the biggest fuss during the Munich memorial service, because nobody was around at OT when he needed to be attended too
. Disputing every tackle and every refereeing decision with hands in air gestures, sitting on floor gestures, or rolling around on floor feigning injury, then getting up and proving that there was nowt wrong with him. Grog he was a sad GIT a good amount of the time, but yes, A genious and exciting footballer another amount of time. Bloody schizophrenic I’d say 
.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:49
@ROOOOONEY: HA! HA! HA! HA!
That’s hilarious. A little minnow is flexing their financial muscles. Well it’s our time to play like Real Madrid. Udinese cannot afford to refuse a good offer. Sanchez has said he would love to play for United and his agents will make sure that Udinese will get that through their head. All this is, is another negotiation ploy. Have we not seen this so many times before? It always happens to us to drive up the price. But eventually calmer and sensible heads prevail when the clubs actually sit down and discuss things. United will get this player for 20 to 25 million.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:53
Just seen on sky news, a spokesman from Madrid, the David Villa signing is almost completed, and now they are going for Ribery, Alonso, and a few other good players. I think I see their philosophy! Their thinking is, no way can we play all the players we are buying, but we keep them out of the hands of all the other big clubs, so their teams cannot be enhanced. I think Chelski tried to do that, with Red Rom buying everyone in sight, but sadly……………………….
.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:54
@Matt: It’s because the deal is not done and sealed mate. Trust me, when he is unveiled as a Madrid player to the media, he will have his chance to say his thanks and show his respect. If he doesn’t do it then, then we have a problem. But please remember, right now all we have is a gentleman’s agreement until Ronaldo returns from his jaunt to Sodom and Gammorah (aka LA and Hollywood). Upon his return, that’s when the fun begins.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:55
@Craig Mc: Lennon is shite.
June 13th, 2009 at 18:59
@Onkar: Thanks for that mate. Apology accepted. I appreciate your humility and admission over your words but like I said to you earlier, if there was ever a time I deserved a bit of a pasting, it was on that day. Because like you, I suffered from an emotional knee jerk reaction and went off on United and Fergie without having all the facts. So no hard feelings and now its on to bigger and better debates about the team and sport we all love. Cheers.
June 13th, 2009 at 19:01
@Steech: What is Serbian football?
No mate. I doubt anyone can watch Serbian football outside of Serbia unless they are illegally transmitting games over the Internet.
June 13th, 2009 at 19:04
@Craig Mc: Craig my old china, this is a good read.http://www.skysports.com/football/transfers/scout/0,24035,15198_5293960,00.html
June 13th, 2009 at 19:06
@Craig Mc: Ill try that again mate
http://www.skysports.com/football/transfers/scout/0,24035,15198_5293960,00.html
June 13th, 2009 at 19:10
@Craig Mc: ignore the last two post mate, this is the article I want you to read mate, Im not long wakened but it appears my brain is still asleep.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/simon_barnes/article6480706.ece
June 13th, 2009 at 19:10
@Craig Mc: I tend to remember the intensity, drive and all those goals myself. How quickly we forget all those goals, like the ones that won us the FA Cup, the return leg at Arsenal or the go ahead goal in the Champions League final in Russia. How about the dozens of incredible free kicks and back heels and I for one will always remember and miss those stepovers. How quickly we forget. Why the fuck should he be loyal to us when we show him such fucking disdain and lack of appreciation? Please tell me how that fucking works?
Sorry for the anger bro but really, I just detest it when we under appreciate people and disrespect them because they don’t bow down to us Plebes. Ronaldo was who he was. We never had a problem with him provided he did our bidding, but once he decided to be as selfish and as greedy as all of us, then he was public enemy number one. All I am saying is respect him for the player he was and for the joy and thrills he gave us all. Sure he was far from perfect but he was a super talent that thrilled us immensely and to disrespect his accomplishments by pondering on just his negatives smells of bitterness and pettiness and I for one am sick of hearing it. I love Ronaldo as a player and I choose to remember him as a player. not the immature, petulant and ridiculous git he could be at times. And I am the one who is constantly lambasted on this board for being negative huh?
June 13th, 2009 at 19:12
@Grognard: What you failed to do in not reading my post correctly Grog, is that I am not the slightest bit angry with Ronaldo for leaving. I truly DON’T CARE, and I am not alone, from talking with a good many United fans, NOBODY I have met yet is at all angry, or bitter, or highly emotional AT ALL. You can live on believing that we are, but the truth is we aren’t. I said Ronnie will always be remembered for being a great footballer, but if you believe Grog, that he will be remembered as an all round great guy, I am not getting that from listening to United fans at OT, on Radio or TV interviews, down the pub or workplace. He will be classed as top 3 I don’t doubt that, but only for his ability to play football, NOT for his ability to act as someone with a decent character, or a legend who has loved our club to the end degree. He doesn’t have to do that of course because he loves Real Madrid to the end degree, and I am not surprised by that. Anyway, we agree to differ about this. The mood among United fans is certainly not what you are feeling Grog, there is no anger, bitterness, or emotion at all really.
June 13th, 2009 at 19:13
Ronaldo will say his thanks of course its the basic part of playing the media, if he truly means it that we will never know. on the transfer part are we even linked with Aguero? i hope thats a good sign
June 13th, 2009 at 19:23
@Grognard I guess serbian football would be where serbians play football in serbia
Sky sports Scouts rate the kid highly and if the’re accurate might be why fergie aint buying any midfielders or why were not being linked with any as far as ive heard
June 13th, 2009 at 19:26
@Grognard: Grog, you can be as sanctimonious as you like about Ronnie mate, and exhort the merits of his grandour as a footballer and goalscorer, and most United faithful would agree! As for him leaving for Real Madrid, I think you haven’t captured the mood of many United fans. To many, Ronnie was gone last summer, and so his leaving now, was NO BIG DEAL. You have to go down to Old Trafford, or into the Manchester pubs, and get the feel of things. Great as Ronnie was, many united fans were tolerating him rather than exalting him from the rafters this year. Nobody I know is disrespecting him, or the things he has done for us in making us win things. However I would beg to differ about giving us 6 fantastic years, he gave sickened United fans also with his behaviour on and off the field. For me, he had one outstanding 42 goal glorious season. He has also been the difference to an extent of us winning these last 3 years. But are United fans hysterical, sobbing, miserable and suicidal, are they fuck. Its all just shrug of the shoulders stuff, and I see nothing wrong with that. But I am not getting into an arguement with you Grog, where accusations are being thrown at people disrespecting what Ronnie has done, they don’t disrespect all that is good about Ronnie, but we do disrespect all that is BAD about Ronnie
.
June 13th, 2009 at 19:29
I want us to get Ashley Young and Sergio Aguero!!!
I like Valencia, I think he is a good player. But he is too similar to Nani, so I dont see the need to buy him if we are gonna keep Nani. But Ashley Young, if we get him I would be delighted. I would thank Ronaldo for all that he has done for us, but if we get Young we have the most best possible replacement. Ronaldo is better on his head, of cource, but Young is the best crosser I have seen since Beckham in his best days. So getting Ashley Young would be a dream come true for me, but Aguero is still my number one target. 
1. Aguero
2. A.Young
3. De Rossi
4. Ribery
5. Benzema
6. Valencia
7. Etoo
I trust Fergie, and I hope he makes the right buys. I just hope he does them soon, so the players can blend already from pre-season. I dont want to go into September without a win…
June 13th, 2009 at 19:31
@Grognard: Boredom, grog!
June 13th, 2009 at 19:45
@Fred The Red: Bro NOTHING could have captured better, what United faithful and football fans in general think of Ronaldo. Two sides of a coin, one truly great, but the other so untruly great. I loved that article, because the writer is saying to perfection what United fans are talking in their conversations all over the place no doubt. The writer has perfectly understood the dilemma football fans have with the great yet exceddingly flawed Ronaldo. I loved that Ronnie has the world record for 376 stepovers in one game
.
June 13th, 2009 at 19:48
@Grognard: Why are you telling me that, that is exactly what I said
.
June 13th, 2009 at 19:51
@Traverse:
, that would be SO SWEET.
June 13th, 2009 at 19:57
@Craig Mc: I chuckled at that one myself mate, especially when he said the previous record was 3.
June 13th, 2009 at 20:01
@Fred The Red:
, SAF soon kicked all Ron’s stepovers into touch though didn’t he?
June 13th, 2009 at 20:18
@Craig Mc: The bottom line is this, Any United fan who says that he wont be missed is a liar and is in denial, But your 100 percent right when you state that the majority of the fans have had the life sucked out of them this past 12 months by Ronaldo and after the slave comments last summer in peoples hearts it was never going to be the same unless he genuinely said or done something to build that bridge, and the reality is, his behaviour during the season only made it worse.
What struck me about the times article was the writers reference to Ronaldo walking away from the chance of staying at a great club and great manager who were offering him the long term possibility of becoming its leader in the same way that Robson and Keane led, True Legends that understood the team concept and dynamics of a football match and drove and carried the troops into and out of deep waters, proper captains. The conclusion that I think he was making was that Ronaldo is not made of the same stuff as these two and has went to a place that best suits his selfishness and ego, at the minute I would find it hard to argue with him in his assessment.
June 13th, 2009 at 20:55
Does anybody find it infuriating that we are going to go after Sanchez much like Real went after Ronaldo?
I mean, it seems pretty obvious that Ferguson wants the lad – his agent confirmed interest and the club have said that they will not sell (something every club says just before they sell). But if we are going to go after him, it will be a long, drawn-out transfer that will leave Udinese fans feeling like we feel now – maybe worse.
June 13th, 2009 at 20:56
@Fred The Red: I think we’ll be better as a team without Ronaldo.
We won’t have to play players out of position because Ronaldo won’t track back…. At least 3 of the goals we conceded last season (and we didn’t let in that many) were as a direct result of his petulance. His bad attitude no doubt wound up people in the squad and I think Old Trafford will be a happier place without him.
Changing our style may take half a season, maybe a whole season, but in the end we will come out the other end better. We’ve done it before on smaller budgets, with worse players.
He’ll obviously be missed, but the amount by which we miss him will be determined by the players we bring in, and how long it takes us to adapt.
June 13th, 2009 at 21:06
@Andrei: Only if Udinese won the Italian League the last 3 seasons and were in the last 2 Champions League finals, and he’s moving to a club that won nothing last year and hasn’t got past the last 16 for 5 years…
And especially if he did a narcissistic interview with himself where he says he’s going to stay at Udinese, knowing full well that wasn’t the case.
June 13th, 2009 at 21:08
@Traverse: I agree mate, if we sign wisely, and that does not necessarily mean big stars, then I think we will be OK. I genuinely believe that the time was right to let him go coz to keep him under the current circumstances would eventually have a negative effect on the club.
June 13th, 2009 at 21:17
@Grognard: You forget that we used to have Ronaldo who was in super form as a floating third “striker”. He had serious aerial ability and lethal finishing that season. So putting Aguero in with Rooney up top might not work this time with two proper wide men. We will be missing out on Ronaldo’s aerial skills.
June 13th, 2009 at 21:31
Call me ungrateful, but im really not seeing this apparent spending spree we are on. Where is the hunger we need? the hunger like real! they signed kaka dead fast, they didnt wait week a let alone a month, it was a few days until they went in for ronaldo. Now again, its been a few days and they’re about to sign villa.
It took us a month to put a bid in for valencia, and i here whelan saying the deal will be wrapped up in between a week and 2 weeks, wtf! it should a couple of fucking days!
I know exactly where the hunger is, somewhere in the middle of france!
June 13th, 2009 at 21:40
@Dan: That would be partly because we obviously do not want to over pay and every damn club in the world will be overpricing their players as soon as a rag speculates that United are after their ilk. Also, Real were stupid enough to fork out fuckin 80 mil for one single player doesn’t mean they have hunger. It’s plain stupidity. It’s said that the deal happened in less than two hours. I can imagine how it must’ve happened:
Gill : 85 mil
Perez: 75 mil
Gill : 80 mil
Perez: Where do I sign?
June 13th, 2009 at 21:49
@UnitedUnited: No, reals hunger isnt signing ronaldo for £80mil
its the fact that they have signed(or about to) 3 of the best players in the world in a matter of days, not weeks, not months, days, thats hunger. My point went straight over your head didnt it 
June 13th, 2009 at 21:56
@Dan: relax mate, you cant compare us to Real, no other club in the world operates like them mate, its not just us, no one else has moved yet, I have a feeling that the transfer scene will explode soon.
We must spend wisely, the Benzema or Ribery deals could be tricky and would bring their own problems with them, I would probably prefer us to spend decent money on young players with world class potential like Sanchez or Costa.
Valencia would be a good signing, he is everything that SAF thinks Park is but actually isnt.
He is a team player who tracks back, tackles and scraps for the team as well as having genuine pace, power and offensive qualities that can damage the opposition, not a like for like replacement for Ronaldo by any stretch of the imagination, but a very good signing nonetheless.
June 13th, 2009 at 22:18
@UnitedUnited: Mate, these deals have been conducted over weeks, months rather than days, and are only just coming into fruition. Those who act in haste, repent at leisure. So I would like a bit more thought to go into things
.
June 13th, 2009 at 22:20
signing the biggest stars in the world is fun and all, but the defense is so lol
June 13th, 2009 at 22:21
@Fred The Red: i agree, i would rather us sign valencia and sanchez, maybe eto’o and thats that. The reason for eto’o is because hes older, we can alternate between him and our younger strikers, so that when they’re ready to be first teamers, eto’o is hanging up his boots.
But id be happy with valencia and sanchez. The only quality DM available to us would be toure, so maybe him, but it wouldnt be a big loss if we didnt sign a midfielder in my opinion.
June 13th, 2009 at 22:22
Valencia played in the central midfield vs argentina, or was i blind ?
June 13th, 2009 at 22:27
@Dan: agreed, Sanchez, Valencia and a return to full fitness of Hargreaves and we will be fine, although Eto being around for a couple of seasons would be a good move as well.
June 13th, 2009 at 22:40
<3 vida
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/359215/NEMANJA-VIDIC-I-STAY-Serbian-defender-pledges-his-future-to-United.html
June 13th, 2009 at 22:42
God bless him. Now that’s loyalty. Way to go Nemanja.
Three cheers to a man who doesn’t walk 3 yards behind his wife and doesn’t jump when she screams. Are you listening Franck Ribery?
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/359215/NEMANJA-VIDIC-I-STAY-Serbian-defender-pledges-his-future-to-United.html
June 13th, 2009 at 22:47
oh check this out
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/359655/CRISTIANO-RONALDO-EXCLUSIVE-Defiant-pound80million-striker-launches-fierce-attack-as-he-leaves-Manchester-United.html
June 13th, 2009 at 22:48
grog! you copy cat stay away!
June 13th, 2009 at 22:52
“i am not man, im nemanja”
true class, future legend.
June 13th, 2009 at 22:52
its ok Ronaldo if we didnt boo you, real madrid fans will
June 13th, 2009 at 22:59
@Craig Mc: Fact is your group does not respect all that is good about Ronnie and all about his positive contributions. Like vultures and and ward of depressed mental patients, you harp on the negative and put down a player who didn’t just play for us for a season or two. That bloke was here for six god damned years. I challenge many of your cohorts to admit they have been at their jobs for more than two or three years. You forget that my previous work was placing people in jobs and I know how greedy and ambitious people get as well as how bored and fed up with routine and so job security and tenure suffer.
Get off his back already. The lad played six season for us and scored well over 100 goals and won us a bundle of trophies and himself accolades in the process.
Let me ask you something, didn’t you just move from Manchester? I know you are self employed but you told me it was due to your GF’s wish to be close to her roots. I’m certainly fine with that and completely understanding but what of your close mates back in Manchester? Were they fine with it? If you had been working for a company for six years in Manchester, would they be happy that you just up and left them? Double standards don’t have borders based on the amount of money a person makes or what the scenario is that forces them to move. I’m just saying that people need to understand the lad was born in Portugal and grew up dreaming and hoping he would one day play for his childhood love Real Madrid. I’m not happy about it and I was livid last year because last year after just winning the CL was too soon to leave. I have no problem with his departure as long as we get all that money in a lump sum.
I just wished some of you would cut the lad some slack and show him some respect and appreciation for what he has done for the club and in turn, all of us. Stop being an ungrateful #$%^&*. You’re better than that. Playing for Manchester United is not a life sentence. Perhaps Kids in the UK would love to make it a life sentence but to expect a kid from Portugal or Brazil to share your loyalties and sensibilities is not fair. And quit with the bashing over his diving and petulance. You had no real problem with him when he was acting like a turd and scoring for us. You’re just pissed off because he doesn’t want to do life in your maximum security football team. Live with bro. Life is not easy and we all must be allowed to live it as we please. Try living with losing the love of your life after 12 years together because she suffers from delusions of grandeur and because she wanted to be an actress in Hollywood. There are far worse calamities to get really upset over. Ronaldo leaving is not one of them I agree. But bad mouthing on his way to Spain isn’t necessary either and it just paints a bad picture of all of us Manchester United fans and further adds validity to Ronaldo leaving. Trust me, he heard the boos in the stands this season.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:05
@RedDevilEddy: All wingers are similar to Nani and Valencia. You unfortunately suffer from a rare form of disease called Ronalditis. It’s rare because it comes around perhaps once in a generation and nothing else out there is quite like it. Forget Ronaldo, he is one in a 100 billion. Focus on the position and how the majority of players play that role. United will never see another Ronaldo again. Unless he comes to OT wearing all white. Get used to traditional low scoring wingers who do other things better than Ronaldo.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:05
@Grognard: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/article359684.ece
June 13th, 2009 at 23:06
@NicoQB: Fine mate but it made no sense. Context, I need context to understand what you are thinking.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:08
@Craig Mc: Spiteful little girls that have spurned by the Prom King. Boo fucking hoo. Lets get over it and move mate. Ronny is gone and we can hate him all we want if it helps us forget all his greatness, but that’s just artificial self preservation now isn’t it. It’s also silly and like Ronaldo, petulant.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:10
@Craig Mc: I was agreeing with you but emphasizing that he was worse than how you described him.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:15
@Grognard: I agree, ive been going over this scenario in my head for a couple of days now:
Dan “the next kaka” plays for QPR, QPR have a friendly against real madrid, raul says sign Dan up, Dan signs up, rejecting offers from atletico and barca, despite knowing his dream is to play in the shirt of united 1 day, spends 5 years at the club, wins the spanish league, the spanish cup, the CL and world player of the year, won everything available to him, then to find out your boyhood club(united) want you so bad, they are prepared to make you the highest paid player in the world.
Tell me, who wouldnt accept, good on ya ronaldo, thanks for the service, and im happy you can now fulfil your dream.
Anyone in thet world would take the opportunity, dont hate him for doing exactly what you would love to do.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:16
fergie speaks!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1192861/EXCLUSIVE-Fergie–Ronaldo-going-quit–Im-losing-Tevez-City.html?ITO=1490
June 13th, 2009 at 23:18
@Fred The Red: He walked away mate because unlike Best, Charlton, Robson, Keane he was not from the UK and he comes from an entirely different culture with a different value system. Over in Portugal, they think that way about Benfica, Porto and also for Real Madrid and Barcelona. So best way to look at Ronaldo’s predicament would be to imagine Wayne Rooney having played six years for Real Madrid and then jumping at the chance to play for Manchester United. I’m sure Real Madrid fans would be feel mad and betrayed but the again, if they knew Wayne, they would know that his goal in life was to grow up and be a great player playing for a great team in ENGLAND. Because growing up in England conditioned him such.
So I ask all to be a little more fair to Ronaldo and understand that unlike a lot of you with UK roots, he wasn’t born in your back yard and your language is not his natural tongue. Sure it’s normal to feel upset and even mildly betrayed but lets be fair and focused on the realities of football and the game as it has become post Bosman. Let the lad be and lets move on. I for one will always cherish his six years with us and I am happy to have most of those games recorded on dvd to look back on with joy and for posterity.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:19
@Andrei: Get over it mate. It’s the way of modern day football. Don’t blame United or Madrid. Blame FIFA and UEFA for not putting a stop to it long ago.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:22
@Grognard: no offence mate, but the people who attend OT and see for themselves how Ronaldo thinks for himself, plays for himself and disrespects the fans, the manager and staff who are there to help him are bound to be the ones most disinchanted with him. He made it very very hard for us too appreciste all the positive things he done for us in the past, maybe in the future when the dust has settled then we can look back at only the good times, but at the minute its just to fresh and most people that I know are dissapointed he is going, but at the same time are glad that all the nonsense that surrounds him is finished.
The United supporters love a good player and are always looking to take someone into their hearts and it takes alot for them to emotionally turn their back on a player, the fact that Ronaldo has suceeded in making them do this I think tells its own story mate.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:22
@UnitedUnited: Not if we continue to play Fergie’s new patented 4-3-3. Crossing is no longer a part of our game mate, or didn’t you get the memo?
4-4-2 is dead and buried. Ronaldo’s aerial skills were just a bonus.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:24
@ROOOOONEY: Bro its the MF, the MIDFIELD
.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:27
@Dan: The hunger is devouring wine like it’s going out of style in the south of France. Nothing major happens until the Boss gets the OK from the Mrs to return to Manchester. Also, United are not in the habit of reporting their business to the media and they are generally pretty good at getting other clubs and agents to comply to their demands for privacy in negotiations. The less you hear, the better for us. Last thing we need to do is report our business to the world so that the sniffing vultures from Spain and Italy get the same scent for a player.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:28
@Grognard: no mate, your wrong on this one, peoples beef is not that he wanted this move, its the way he went about it. There are certain values and human qualities that transcend nationality, like honour, humility, dignity, respect and gratefulness, Ronaldo could have achieved his dream move and not violated these qualities, but in many peoples eyes he did, thats what the problem is.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:28
@Fred The Red: I agree Fred 100%. Ronnie had all the fans hearts, BUT he lost them last summer. His great football will be missed, but not the rest of the Ronnie stuff. I am just waiting for Red Ranter to put a ban on all talk of Ronnie from now on, on this blog, because I am sick of hearing it. But I know RR will not ban free speech
. So it is going to be another Ronaldo obsessed fucking summer 
.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:30
craig dont make me start some nani jokes!
June 13th, 2009 at 23:32
@Fred The Red: I don’t even think it is that Bro. Most fans are truly not worried that he wanted a move, and are quite laid back about it. Some folk can’t see that, and can’t believe that we let go of Ronnie last summer, but hey ho, whatever eh mate
.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:33
@ROOOOONEY: What is your problem now Rooney. Go ahead with the Nani jokes, if that makes you happy
.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:37
@Grognard: Grog that’s where your missing it, nobody feels upset or mildly or otherwise betrayed!.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:40
@Grognard: Oh right, I got it
.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:43
@Grognard: O(h FFS, nobody is hating him, but if it helps you to feel all saintly and believe that they are, well I wont deprive you of that. Most fans I have talked to are just indifferent. I haven’t talked to anybody who is hating on him
. We let him go to Madrid last year, so accept it or not, NOBODY cares to be honest.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:44
And Grog, your the only one who seems to be Boo fucking hoo-ing Bro.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:54
@Grognard: the article in the link that I posted you is probably the start of a wave of anti Ronaldo things that are about to appear, its probably exaggerated and not knowing him personally its wrong to make a dogmatic character assessment on him based on the papers, but Craig is right, the majority of United fans knew it was coming and as far as Im concerned its onwards and upwards, yes Im dissapointed that we are losing a great player but I believe that the club are 100 percent in selling him under the current situation.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:56
@Fred The Red: Fred Bro, great article, but I think best to let it go. I think you know why
. I agree with all the articles though, and I like many other fans will agree with the United players snetiments 
. That in no way intimates hatred!
June 13th, 2009 at 23:58
@Grognard: In order to understand ‘how that fucking works?’ you would need to speak with a Grognard circa summer 2008.
That Grognard was encouraging a lot of fans to actually boo him in the stands. That Grognard was dismissing arguments when others were making similar analogies of normal people switching jobs and feeling unhappy at a place with ‘boo hoo! but Ronaldo earns millions’ line of response.
My point is not about the argument as such. You seem to be puzzled at some people’s hatred at Ronaldo when I don’t think that is the case. I don’t think majority of United fans hate him, which is what your argument’s premise. There’s not as much hatred as you make it out to be.
Ronaldo was the footballing two-face. He gave us joy, but also dicked us around like we didn’t matter. Most of us don’t have a problem with his desire to move to Spain. But we are still unforgiving of the way he handled everything last summer, and his increased petulance on the field last season. But hatred, if any, is not due to his dream of going to Madrid.
He gave us two sides of the coin, which is why the emotions from the fans also range from ambivalence to indifference. You can be the best player in the world. But a lot of people don’t like it when they conduct themselves as if none of us really mattered.
I actually think Ronaldo doesn’t really care even about Madrid or its fans. All matters to him is Ronaldo. And I can’t really feel really sad about his departure, especially if reports regarding his effect on the dressing room was true.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:59
@UnitedUnited: No, the conversation went more like this actually;
Perez: Jes Hello, Jes Mr. Gill, I have 55 million here for jou for Ronaldo.
Gill: That’s not nearly enough.
Perez: OK, no problemo, we will increase it to 60 million.
Gill: Just a second let me call Sir Alex in France………ring ring…
Fergie: Yeah what the Hell is it, I thought I told you not to bloody disturb me while me and wife are getting pissed on some great French wine.
What the Hell is it Dave?
Gill: I have Senior Perez on the line and he has come in with a bid of 60 million for Cristiano.
LONG PAUSE
Fergie: What the fuck!
Is he daft? Put him on the line so I can say a few words to him.
Perez: Good day to jou Senior Ferguson, how great it is to talk with jou today. Jou’re health is good I hope.
Fergie: Cut the bullshit and phony pleasantries you Spanish mobsters. Do you honestly think that I would deal with the likes of Real Putrid after the shite and misery you put us through for the past year over the boy? Go fuck yourself pretty boy and you can stick your chump change up your wifes spicy Spanish ass for all I care. Like I said before, I wouldn’t sell you sons of bitches a virus. Jesus Christ????????
Perez: Mr. Ferguson, really, I am not to blame for what my predecessor did to jou and how he stink up our friendship. Please accept my humble apologees for past indiscretions. Now how about 80 million pounds?
Fergie: Did you say 80 million pounds?
Perez: Jes, I did and dats a fact.
Fergie: You know mate you sound just like that asswipe over in Liverpool, but anyway, if you pay us 80 million pounds in one lump sum and immediately, you can have that virus I promised you. And it’s Ronaldo. Enjoy……. you wanker.
Perez: Jes!
oh Jes! oh Jes! 
Oh dankyou Mr Ferguson berry berry much. You have made my life so much better. They will make me King of Spain and name a street after me in Madrid. Maybe rename the Bernabau to the Florentino Perez Stadion. Jou give me so much yoy. 
Fergie: Ya Ya Ya, cut the dramatics will you. I had to put up that thespian crap for six years with that prima dona you are buying. By the way, How much for your two boys Huntelaar and a Sneijder?
CLICK! The bloody tosser hung up on me. Well Dave, it’s time to bring out the good champagne. I’m going to party like it’s 1999. I’m finally rid of that little pain in the ass. Go get me Valencia and I want talks begun on Benzema, Ribery, Sanchez, Vucinic, Eto’o see if Carlos Queiroz wants his old job back. And Dave, make sure somebody tries to shut up that fella over there at Red Rants. You know that Grognard guy who is always in my face about this and that. And tell him I’ll get him Huntalaar when Hell freezes over. Now I’ve got to go. I need to phone my friend Jose. Oh and one more thing Dave. Tell the Glazer’s if they touch one shilling of that money I’ll chop up their balls and feed them to Roy Keane.
June 13th, 2009 at 23:59
@Grognard: Who the fuck is on his back, for the umpteenth time, NOBODY gives a fuck either way
. But Ronnie needn’t worry, he has the Grognard LOVE!
June 14th, 2009 at 0:00
@Grognard: By the way Grog, I don’t have a Group, so I have no idea wtf your on about Bro!
June 14th, 2009 at 0:01
@Craig Mc: Yes but also, those who snooze, tend to lose. We need to be smart but we also have to be diligent because we have competitors out there wanting the same players.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:02
@Fred The Red: Someone has to replace the goals we just lost. So a striker like Eto’o is vital. Sanchez and Valencia as well as Hargo doesn’t amount to a hill of beans if we don’t make up those goals.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:04
@ROOOOONEY: That is tacky reporting taking past quotes taken out of context and used to define the man’s feelings now that he has left. That is the lowest of the low.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:05
@ROOOOONEY: I guess we posted the article at the very same time mate. Not my fault, sorry.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:07
@Grognard: To answer your question, because you obviously don’t read my posts, YES my mates in Manchester I still see regularly, and I know how they feel. They are not angry, distressed, bitter or anything else. They are not Ronnie obsessed, and they feel ok about a Ronnie-less United. Hope that answers your questions. I am in Manchester this weekend, with them said friends, although I should be catching up with the oodles of work I have to catch up on. Look Grog, you don;t have to talk to me, I happen to feel differently about Ronnie leaving, I am quite okay and not in the least bitter or in any way angry about it. Neither are any of my friends. So you address others if you want to, but I do not intend to answer any more about this. What is the point, life is too fucking short to worry about what happens to a football player
.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:08
@Fred The Red: Like many, none of you are getting my message. I too am glad to see the back of him because he had become a cancer to the club. But he was a fantastic footballers and gave us six very productive seasons. And for that I am thankful and wish him well. As bad as he was, I refuse to really sit here and bad mouth him because that only makes me look small and petty.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:09
@ROOOOONEY:
. I think he is in for a lot of adulation at Madrid Bro 
.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:11
@Dan: Hypocrites mate, everyone is a born hypocrite who would do the very same thing if roles were reversed. We should appreciate the time we had to share with Ronaldo as he did the unbelievable. A six year treat. Great things in life don’t last forever and we have no hold on the man considering how many continuously booed all season long from the stands and in print. I’m glad to see you see things from the proper and correct perspective mate.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:13
@Grognard: If you love him so much why don’t you marry him?
I think a bit of a backlash is in order. The amount of times we’ve had to lie through our teeth to other fans about his diving or looking like a lesbian. There will have been things we fans have thought about him, but ever said because he is our player, and you just don’t do that. Especially if you are Manchester United.
Now he’s gone, and to be honest people are more bothered about who we might sign than mourning a great loss, it is the time to air those frustrations…..
….. the diving prick.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:15
@Grognard: I think you’ll find those first 2 years were very VERY frustraiting…
then he had a 1 good season, one amazing season and then fucked it up immediately by fawning over Madrid and ruining the whole teams celebration by making it all about him. Followed by a good season.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:16
is real’s coach any good? i never heard of him before. the thought of handling the egos in the team is scary, he goes ” hey ronaldo can you track back”, i will let your imagination handles the rest of that.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:17
@ROOOOONEY: He’s Villarreal’s former coach. He’s got experience handling egos. He dumped Riquelme when he realised he was being a detriment to the team. And they actually improved after dumping him.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:20
@Fred The Red: No fans are greedy and just as selfish and expect players to be loyal to them for life. It’s as simple as that. I’m not 14 and I know how the world works mate. Fans are unable and incapable of ever seeing their faults as well as things from beneath their close minded perspective. Footballers are not slaves for life. They are like you or me and they have the right to move on. Ronaldo was fine with everyone in Manchester and the team until the team blocked his demands toleave the club. No different than a convict who is denied his paroll or a contracted worker asking to leave because he is getting married in another city and his wife does not want to move to where he works. Concessions are made and were made by lettinghim go this season. Also keep in mind that Ronaldo is a very young lad who has had glory and success thrust upon him in a very short period of time. This kind of fame corrupts and poisons the purist souls. Let him go and wish him well because in the end, he gave us six great seasons. Yet all petty and bitter Mancunians can think about is the stress he caused over the past twelve months. Life is so bloody trivial to so many.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:23
@Fred The Red: It doesn’t matter how he went about it. We all cope and react in different ways to things that make us unhappy and uncomfortable. His actions were his own coping mechanism for having to stay in Manchester and having to put up with ridiculously idiotic supporters who feel they own the lad. He has a mind and heart all his own and he did not like not getting his way. Simple as that. And I am not wrong. I am not wrong because I speak the truth despite the fact that most hard core fans can’t get beyond their own personal hatred and bias towards the lad to see things clearly and correctly.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:25
handling those situations at villarreal and madrid are totally different, if he dumps kaka/ronaldo, he will be fired the next day. Madrid will need a coach that would shut up and do as told.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:30
@Craig Mc: Are we talking about a soldier that betrayed his own troops and his country and crossed no mans land to join the enemy? No. We are talking a about a footballer for crying out loud. BOO FUCKING HOO with all this he broke the fans hearts song and dance crap. Like fans mean anything to him. NEWS FLASH. A the end of the day each and every one of us is nothing more than a complete stranger to Cristiano Ronaldo. No man owns anyone anything other than his friends and family. Love your family, your friends and your country but please, asking somebody to love each and everyone of us and respect us like he has some kind of personal relationship with us ludicrous and it’s wrong.
A little perspective on things mate. He’s just a Portuguese kid who is sort of homesick and who wants to go play for the team of his childhood dreams and live in a city where all his family can feel comfortable and more easily adapt. So please, just let him be. It’s beneath us to cry like babies over his treatment of us. Sure I’m upset and saddened to see him leave but I also realize that he has his own life to live too. I wouldn’t want people in my city telling me I cannot leave for Edmonton if I am feeling homesick and i have a better job offer there. But you see, that would never happen to me because i’m not famous. So lets stop this crap.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:35
@Grognard: But there is no hatred here!
June 14th, 2009 at 0:35
@Craig Mc: No, that’s where you are wrong bro. The reason for yours and others animosity towards Ronaldo is because you are bitter at thim turning his back on you United and United fans. You see our loyalty to the club we choose as kids is given for free. We don’t pay to be fans of United. Well Ronaldo never grew up a United fan either. He grew up a Madrid fan. So being happy and relieved he’s gone and saying good riddance and calling him a cancer is just reverse psychology for what’s really ailing you and your lot. It’s the idea that he picked somebody else and not your team. It’s because he did so while playing for you and because he bitched about that. Well trust me, he wouldn’t have bitched at all had Fergie let him go when he first asked to go. Nobody, especially not a millionaire like to be held somewhere against his will.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:35
@Grognard: All petty and bitter Mancunians??? If you had any true perception of a TRUE Mancunian, and what the United faithful mood was at this time, then you wouldn’t be so accusing mate. Grog you have the misinformed assumption of someone who couldn’t think like a Mancunian if their life depended on it. Forgive me all you who are not from Manchester, but are Mancunians in heart.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:37
@Craig Mc: No, I just read between the lines and I dislike intensely this negative attitude that everyone has towards a player that did amazing things for our club. Your not mad but you are ungrateful and spiteful. Hows that?
June 14th, 2009 at 0:39
@Grognard: Oh FFS read thru my posts, I have no animosity and neither do others who are honest about Ronnie. God Grog, people have said in post after post that we are not against Ronnie for leaving. But it suits your purpose to come across all Ronnie defender, though nobody is attacking him except in your imagination, then so be it.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:39
@Fred The Red: See, your attitude doesn’t bother me. Because you never insulted the player or complained and bitched about his negative contributions. All I am fighting for here is I want people to remember the great things Ronaldo did for us and not get selfish and petty about why he doesn’t want to continue doing those great things for us any more.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:41
@Grognard: You are talking SHITE, how about that????? Sorry RR, I will cut off all posts regarding this subject now. I can’t be arsed anyway
.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:43
@Red Ranter: RR, we all know that there is no hatred, but it suits some peoples purpose to defend what nobody is attacking
.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:45
@Craig Mc: Grognard is reading posts from the beginning and replying to each one of them in sequence. It’s not a bad practice in general but sometimes, he’d save his and everyone’s energies if he read a few in sequence and replied to some of them in a gist form, it would be to everyone’s benefit. I suggest you wait till he’s done with replying to all the post and you choose to reply or not reply to some of them.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:48
@Red Ranter: And that Grognard woke up, grew up and also forgave the player for accepting to stay with the club some more. Like all of us, I was caught up in a greedy moment thinking about having just won a historic double and I didn’t what that to end. But since then many things have happened to me personally that have made me look at life and what I value the most and access my priorities and grab some proper perspective. I am not immune to knee jerk reactions and I refuse to apologize for them a year after the fact. I also think it’s kind of low you dig that up as ammunition to try to defeat my point and my attmept to get people to be a little more fair and appreciative of a player who did great things for Manchester United. It’s low to always have past quotes come back to haunt me as if I’m bot infallible or unable to change my way of thinking or improve as a person.
The other day I wrote a letter to Ronaldo expressing my disgust in his attitude and his decisions. I also wrote a rant expressing my fury at United for letting him go after what Fergie had been quoted to say so many times in the past. I have had a few days to let everything sink in and i really cannot be angry anymore towards Fergie or Ronaldo. I hate Real Madrid with great passion and that won’t ever change. But I just hate the average Joe on the Manchester street saying good riddance, he was a cancer, we’ll do better without him shite. It’s petty, it’s spiteful and it’s insincere. Instead some should use the class Ronaldo hasn’t yet shown to us. Be upset but wish him well and thank him fro six great years. Being ambivalent and indifferent just hides a bias and an intolerance that little people have over those who have way more than them.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:48
@Traverse: You got 20/20 vision Trav
.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:50
@Traverse: Couldn’t agree with you more mate. We are Manchester United, lets PRESS ON!
June 14th, 2009 at 0:51
@Craig Mc: Forget about it bro. You just don’t get it. It’s like RR said, it’s my battle against yours and others ambivalence and indifference to him like you could give a rats ass about him that pisses me off supremely. How quickly we turn. How quickly we forget all the good he did too.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:52
@Craig Mc: I believe I was using something called an analogy mate.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:55
@Grognard: Thats in your head alone, not in the heads of Mancunians
. You may think you know what is happening on Mancunian streets but sorry you have no true perception. Nobody if thinking good or bad, they just want to think Man United, and Ronnie isn’t a part of that anymore.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:57
@Grognard: Like I said, ambivolence and indifference is something in your head Grog, and not in the heart of Man United fans!
June 14th, 2009 at 0:58
@Craig Mc: I do read your posts mate. Each and everyone of them. I just got a different feel about what you were saying and your indifference over the player bugged me, I make no bones about it. But please don’t think I am pissed off with you. I was debating and making a point that we just don’t agree on. No harm done and please don’t assume anything more. Unlike you and your friends I am extremely saddened that Ronaldo has left. Why? Because unlike you and your mates, he was one of my favorite players. I didn’t like a lot about him personally but as a player, he was magic and he was sublime for me and a real treat. And that fact that people would be indifferent to that kind of player just rubbed me wrong. So that’s all I’ll say about that. I’m truly tired of this debate.
June 14th, 2009 at 0:59
@Grognard: Yes you grew up, which is why you must understand that some others may be going through a phase that you went through. The purpose of my post was to remind you to understand that other people might be going through that phase and letting them be and realising their mistakes is better.
All I was doing by bringing up those quotes was giving you an understanding that people can be like that. Learning from your mistakes should lead you towards showing consideration towards others in the same position as you were before. But you are actually calling them rather spiteful and insincere.
Now you’ll tell me that I am young and you are far more experienced in life than me and that I should quit preaching to you but if this is how you want to go about getting people to be fair and considerate (by calling them spiteful/insincere), you are doing a bloody poor job of it and are antagonising the same people more.
And you wonder why you get a lot of heat from others.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:00
@Traverse: Sod off. It’s juvenile replies like that which piss me off. Grow up. I was stating my feelings on the subject. If you don’t agree with them, kindly say so and then move on and ignore me if you need to. Being an asshole about it isn’t appreciated.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:01
@Traverse: For me he had six, count them 6 great season. You can anlayze them with all the anal labor you choose. The man was a special player and within 10 minutes of watching him I remember telling my friend that I one day he would be the best player in the world. I guess I saw a little more than you did.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:03
@Red Ranter: He’s going to love Ronny then. I give the coach three months before he gets the boot. Having a defense would help.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:04
@Red Ranter: Hatred isn’t the word. You were correct to use the terms ambivalence and indifference. For me they are first cousins of pettiness and intolerance. For me just as bad.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:05
@Grognard: People probably will look back in fondness in the future, but at the minute its to soon, fans are dealing with it in their own ways, personally, my thoughts about United are increasingly on who we will sign, how we will play, will Rooney step out from his shadow, yes I would have loved him to stay, but not like it was last season, there is dissapointment, but no hatred or sense of betrayal, the season ahead now has a new dimension, one that both trepidates and excites in equal measure, thats the way we should be looking at it, hes gone, now lets concern ourself with the upcoming season.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:06
@Craig Mc: What do I know? I live in Canada. Therefore, I must be blind stupid and ignorant.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:07
@Grognard: What you call indifference Grog is really just United fans MOVING ON. I don’t appreciate you playing psychiatrist with all UNited fans that we are indifferent. We are indifferent in the sense that Ronnie made his decision, and he is LONG gone. So we are looking to go on without him. Maybe some of us don’t believe in looking back, just forward. Ronnie is gone, I don’t wish him harm and neither do any other United fans in Manchester, but we all are MOVING ON. If you can’t do the same, then you can catch up with Ronnie playing for Real Madrid. Nothing wrong with that mate.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:10
@Fred The Red: Amen to that Bro – phew!
. 
.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:10
@Red Ranter: People forget that I am in a different time zone and that I have a practice I like to follow which is read everyone’s post and reply to those that directly respond to me. So sue me for being old school and respecting everyone’s time to comment directly to me. If I ask somebody a question, I hope they take the time to answer it. That’s all I do. I don’t go back and forth and read and confuse myself. I read and respond in chronological order.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:11
@Grognard: That’s not good! I live in Canada too.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:14
@Red Ranter: Truth be known RR, people are NOT being unfair
.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:15
@Grognard: There you go again, treating this like an accusation. Sometimes common sense dictates that you could go through a few posts written by the same person and concisely respond to all points, because sometimes, it helps avoid redundancy in argument and for the benefit of the site too.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:15
@Red Ranter: No, it was not for you to humiliate me like that in the process. I know what I said last year and i spent months making up for it and trying to make my point especially after I forgave Ronaldo. I was showing rage and was mad at him unlike those today that keep reminding me that they aren’t mad. Well I’m mad at them fro not showing respect and giving a damn for the great things Ronaldo did for the club. I have news for all of them. For six years Cristiano Ronaldo was more Manchester United than the whole lot of us. He lived breathed and experienced it. And now we flush him away like a nuclear dump in th morning. It just rubs me wrong. I really hate indifference in people. And if that make me wrong, then I am also confused to. Lock me up.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:21
@Grognard: I didn’t humiliate you. I was bringing up context. Just like you bring up Huntelaar everytime Dan bigs another youngster. It was all in good spirit. If you want to be bitter about it I can’t do anything. I never intended to humiliate you. Jeez, it’s impossible to argue with you when you bring everything down to this.
Regarding indifference it’s obvious you have a problem with that. But they have as much right to feel what they want about a player as you do. So calling them spiteful and ungrateful for expressing their opinions is equally low.
It is tough to accept that people have emotions diametrically opposite to you, but that’s how it is and we have to move on.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:22
Talk about a person getting crucified because he wants people to appreciate and feel something about a player who gave us so much for six years. I am completely in a state of disbelief over this. Just move on I’m told. Like nothing ever happened. I’m sorry everyone. I just don’t get it and i just don’t get you all or Mr. Mancunia on the street who can so easily dismiss and forget a player that did such great things. I guess he’s dead to all of you and I’ll have to accept that, even if I don’t like it or understand it. Sorry if I caused any offense.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:25
@Grognard: You’re far from crucified over this. You started getting mad and calling people spiteful over their indifference.
Why you would get mad at another person having a different opinion on Ronaldo is beyond me.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:25
@Red Ranter: You humiliated me because you brought up context that you knew would be a smoking bomb in my defense and testimony. You brought the bag with the gun into the court room and crucified me with it when i was trying to make others show a little love to a player that was great for us. Basically you humiliated me out of context and made me look like a chump and a hypocrite. And if you can’t see that, then there is nothing more that I will say about it. I am officially finished on the subject. Oh and in case you were wondering RR, this was my unprofessional side.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:29
@Grognard: I don’t think you have ever once moved on from a subject you didn’t agree with! That obvious throw away comment, for example.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:32
Okay, I am done being involved in this Ronaldo debate.
Anything said well intentioned seems to be twisted like I am on a witch hunt.
I am done. I was thinking of actually writing what I thought on the Ronaldo transfer, but I think the long rant I wrote last summer still holds true for me on many counts. I made a conscious effort to give Ronaldo the benefit of doubt this season. I just found it impossible. I tend to look beyond scoring goals. The City derby did it for me even though I’ve grown used to a lot of his tantrums. I will always look to Ronaldo as the best footballer I’ve seen play for United in living memory. But the mention of his name leaves me with a bitter taste in the mouth. Call that emotion whatever you may, judge me if you want of being a hypocrite, but I think I can’t say anything beyond that.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:32
@Grognard: Grog when you realise that you cannot control what other people think and feel, no matter how you would like too, then you will not be so dismissive perhaps that people are indifferent. We have know since last summer that Ronnie was leaving. I have repeatedly told you all on the blog, what the Man United player told my friend, but you DISMISSED IT as bollocks. I don’t mind about that, because you don’t know me, and whether or not I was telling the truth. I was, and it has happened, but I can understand peoples doubt. What I am saying, is that IF you were based over here Grog, and on the terraces, you would know why nobody is surprised or distressed by Ronnies departure. Nobody is upset, angry or bitter, but like I said the mood is we MOVE ON. I dont care that he has moved in the right way, because as I told you all since last summer I knew he was leaving. I knew the player who gave my friend the info was reliable, and I was just prepared for it. Apart from that United fans on the terraces loved Ronnie the footballer, but didn’t love Ronnie’s other side. I am sorry that you can’t seem to understand or live with that, but hey there is no reason why you can’t just go on loving on Ronnie, nobody holds that against you. You frespect him as a great footballer, but so does everyone else. Its the other Ronnie we are not sad to see go. But this discussion could go on forever, and to be honest, you wont change our minds and we won’t stop you from thinking that we all are disrespecting Ronnie, etc etc etc, even though it isn’t true!
June 14th, 2009 at 1:33
@Red Ranter: Perhaps I should just ask him to marry me. It wasn’t being mad as much as it was frustrated at the lack of respect and appreciation for the man’s accomplishments for this club. For withouth im we would not have won the Champions League, three EPL titles, A lEague Cup, and FA Cup and a World Club championship. He did it all for us but we are all just such greedy pricks that all we can say about hi is see ya, don’t let the door hit you on the way out and and by he way Ronny fuck you and the horse you rode in on. How quickly we forget. It make me think of the old saying and I will direct it to Ronny, “So Ronaldo what have you done for us lately? Ungrateful and spiteful as I see it. And if it offends, I am sorry but I too feel offended for not being a real Mancunian who lives and walks on the streets of Manchester. The fact that I seem to care so much living all the way in Canada makes me wonder what the Hell is wrong with this picture. Or maybe I’m just letting my feminine side get the better of me and overreacting.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:35
@Red Ranter: You did right, you have spoken from your heart, that’s all that matters really!
June 14th, 2009 at 1:37
@Craig Mc: It’s not about knowing he was leaving and accepting it. It’s the attitude that many have about pointing out all his flaws and acting relieved that he is gone. I remember a lad that scored 42 bleeping goals last season and won us a double. That’s what I focus on. I was just as prepared about his leaving as all of you were. However it don’t make it any less painful for me. I knew months before my father passed away that he was going. All the preparation for it never made me numb and indifferent to his departure. It hurt and I acknowledged that. The fact that United fans act like it’s no big deal is bollocks and you know it.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:38
@Red Ranter: the city game was probably the angriest Ive ever been with him too, it was bonkers
June 14th, 2009 at 1:39
@Traverse: If I could even understand what you just said I’d try to reply appropriately?
June 14th, 2009 at 1:41
@Grognard: Well his first season he scored less goals than Forlan, in double the games! We didn’t win the League.
In his second season, he scored less than Smith, again from double the games. We didn’t win the League.
In his third season he scored less goals than Saha, once again from double the games. We didn’t win the League.
None of those were good seasons. He frustrated the hell out of everyone because he had no end product. What you call ‘anal labor’, those of us with slightly longer memories call fachts! You can’t just dismiss logic and reason because you are suddenly suffering from explosive ronlado-love-itis
June 14th, 2009 at 1:45
@Grognard: Grog Mr Mancunia as you put it has to forget Ronnie, because he has GONE mate. We won’t forget all that he did as a magnificent footballer, nor will we forget the other side of Ronnie and his embarrassing behaviour, but we cannot dwell in the past. Lord everyone even in ordinary life MOVES ON. We have no choice, Ronnie is no longer with us anymore. Also in his latest interview, he has made it plain he doesn’t care what you think Grog, or any United fan. He said he doesn’t care if we are offended that he has gone. He enjoys being boo-ed and hated – his words not mine. So I don’t really see what the problem is in us moving on, because Ronnie continues to make it plain he has moved on
.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:47
@Traverse: You make some very good points there Trav, gotta admit I would very much agree with the facts as you state them!
June 14th, 2009 at 1:49
@Traverse: I still thought ronaldo was pretty good to watch throughout his first three seasons. He stepped up his goalscoring in the following seasons at the expense of some terrific and exciting wing play.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:50
@Grognard: your taking this far to personally, weve all said contradictary things over time, its because its an emotive sport.
No one can deny the boys talent and achievements for this club and up until last summer he came across as a likeable if somewhat slightly immature lad who was so confident it came across as arrogance, which it might of actually been.
But in my opinion his attitude and behaviour have dipped below the acceptable level and unfortunatley it is preventing me from simply remembering the good times only, this in time will no boubt change, and its possible that the dissapointment is clouding my judgement, but as Craig said, its time to move on and turn our attention to the United of the future, and if I was SAF I would start by making Rio captain.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:51
@Grognard: To you its bollocks Grog, but you can’t seem to, or don’t want to accept that to us it isn’t bollocks. Grog nobody is saying you shouldn’t mourn if that is how you feel, but ot expect everyone else to come to the wake, it just isn’t going to happen Bro!
June 14th, 2009 at 1:54
@Fred The Red: Exactly Fred, we are Man United fans first and foremost. Players come and go, no matter how great they are, but OUR CLUB remains in our hearts above ALL ELSE.
.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:55
@Traverse: I don’t just look at goals. The guy had infinite talent and it was there for all to see. I’m not going to sit here and stick up for his play, because there is nothing to defend. Remember his debut for us was as a 16 year old for crying out loud.
June 14th, 2009 at 2:04
@Red Ranter: If you want to write an article on Ronaldo then you should, if it is fair and balanced and from the heart then no will have a problem with it.
He brought us great joy during his tenure, unfortunatley he also brought us great consternation and its only right that both sides are highlighted.
Whatever side of the Ronaldo coin controls our memories of him will be down to each individual, my hunch is that in time our feelings will change.
June 14th, 2009 at 2:07
Nemanjaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah Vidic, quote – I have NO intention of leaving Man United. So Ronaldo has gone! Great players have come and gone before, but UNited have built other great teams after they have gone! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah Vida, a Man United HEART you have there
. Gotta love you!
June 14th, 2009 at 2:10
@Fred The Red: I think this topic has run its course even though it will be revisited throughout the summer and next season. I just feel I will be stirring up another debate when I put it up which will once again cause more grief for the debaters here. I find it tiresome to moderate it. So I think I am happy to leave things right now.
June 14th, 2009 at 2:20
@Red Ranter: cant say I blame you mate, although this paticular argument is crazy coz both sides recognise that there was two sides of the Ronaldo coin.
June 14th, 2009 at 2:22
@Red Ranter: Don’t worry about having to moderate Bro, this is YOUR blog, and you have a right to MODERATE however you think fit
.
June 14th, 2009 at 2:26
The mind feckin boggles! According to the Daily Mail, Ronaldo has said ” I may return to Man United.” Yeah Ronnie like it is your decision
. “If I leave Real Madrid” says Ronaldo, it will only be to return to Man United. My dad told me that one day I would play for Real Madrid, but if I leave Madrid it will only be for Man United”. WTF 
. I don’t think so Ronnie 
. Does this guy live in delusion Land or what??? 
.
June 14th, 2009 at 2:33
What I want us to do with our money:
Buy Valencia for £15 million (although given our pile of cash £20 million seems more likely).
Buy Sanchez for £20 million and use him in the same winger/forward role as Ronaldo to ease the transition back to 4-4-2
Buy Senna for £5-10 million. Yes he only has a season in him and may be good only for the slower paced Champions League games, but he can fill in for an absent Hargreaves and we will have another year to get Hargreaves patched up. Senna at the Euros was a revelation and personally i think we should have gone for him instead of Hargreaves two years ago. But it is not too late.
Buy Et’oo for £30 million. He has pace and can score goals. Ok the rest of his game isn’t that amazing but we have loads of players like Rooney, Berbatov who can create and pull strings. Et’oo is a proven goalscorer and can score 30 a season just like Ronaldo used to for us. If not Et’oo then Benzema but I think Et’oo is a better bet especially as Barca are crazy enough to break up a winning team and buy Ibrabitch.
Make those additions to the team and we are good to go.
June 14th, 2009 at 7:20
@Craig Mc: Yes, I know. But I actually don’t enjoy doing it. It has to be done for maintaining order — but it requires a lot of effort. Sometimes when I feel I have an opportunity to avert the need for it, I will.
In this case, since we’ve dedicated so much space for this Ronaldo debate, I think I don’t have to add to this noise.
Maybe sometime in the future… as Ronaldo would say, ‘Only God knows’
June 14th, 2009 at 7:28
wow ~ check this out
http://www.imscouting.com/global_news_item.aspx?id=2290
June 14th, 2009 at 7:33
@ROOOOONEY: There’s a reason that was written under the “Gossip” column.
June 14th, 2009 at 7:38
its a fun kind of gossip
June 14th, 2009 at 7:57
The silva part looks more realistic, someone posted here that they could be getting big part of the tickets sold to help their financial problems while we are trying to strike a relationship with them.
June 14th, 2009 at 8:37
@colver: “personally i think we should have gone for him instead of Hargreaves two years ago. But it is not too late.”
We did go for him, they said no
June 14th, 2009 at 9:54
@Grognard: You wanna see my Evil Side Groggy?
June 14th, 2009 at 10:00
http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2009/06/14/1323728/manchester-united-to-make-shock-move-for-liverpool-star-fernando-
WTF?
Groggy’s prediction gonna come true?
June 14th, 2009 at 10:14
@Darth Red Diablo: Complete tabloid bull.
didnt he just sign a new contract with pool? there is no way in the world is torres going to leave liverpool and join us!
June 14th, 2009 at 10:20
@Darth Red Diablo: It’s being reported on a lot of the sites as well as on Setanta sports yet it could be BS. Still, I needed something to cheer me up and to actually see something that i predicted possibly come to fruition, just makes me all warm and fuzzy.
For those who aren’t aware, yesterday I suggested the idea that United should make a bold and audacious move for Fernando Torres due to the fact we have serious money to blow and due to the fact Liverpool are suffering. Nothing and I mean nothing would please me more than for us to do this and actually amazingly succeed. For many reasons.
1. We would be getting a player who is totally world class and the best female footballer in the world.
2. We would achieve the unthinkable. Poaching a player from Liverpool. It’s never been done before.
3. It would guarantee and i mean it would guarantee Rafa Benitez resignation on the spot.
4. If we got Torres to come to OT, we get a world class talent that easily helps us forget Ronaldo and we cripple Liverpool in the process.
5. We never have to worry about losing Torres to Real Madrid. He still bleeds for Atletico and he was brought up in that system hating Real so he would never got to him. Has everyone noticed how Real never bothers to go after Torres and Aguero?
So this is probably BS and to be honest, since I brought it up yesterday, is it possible that somebody at the Sunday Express just happened to be surfing Red Rants, read my comment and said hey, why not, let me start a shit storm with a pack of lies. Stranger things have happened on this world wide web.
June 14th, 2009 at 10:25
@jos: Didn’t Ronaldo sign a new contract last year? The reason it might not be bull is because Hicks and Gillette are in a massive world of hurt. They could collapse if they don’t manage to make the next big payment to the bank and the club could go into receivership of all things. Our situation is absolute Utopia compared to their problems and they may see it as a necessary evil in order to come up with the cash. But like I said earlier if the completely amazing did happen I guarantee Rafa won’t take it lying down. He will quit on the spot. I think he is already thinking of bailing out because nobody likes to be on a sinking ship. Liverpool FC will never die or fold but it will have to find buyers who are willing to pay off the interest and loan that is out standing. We can only hope eh!
June 14th, 2009 at 10:28
Torres may not ideally want to leave Liverpool but under the circumstances, he may not have a choice. I mean they are looking for money and Etoo for Mascherano. I wouldn’t take two Mascerano’s over Etoo but they will because they need the money and Rafa will have to cave in. And if they get Etoo, that gives us a better shot at Torres. Unlikely but we can dream.
June 14th, 2009 at 11:20
@Grognard: Personally… The one thing I worry about is that who on earth should get the no. 7 shirt?
June 14th, 2009 at 11:31
BREAKING TRANSFER NEWS
Lee Martin to Bristol City for £1.5mil
how will we cope?! First Ronaldo, now Martin.. it’s an exodus!
June 14th, 2009 at 12:08
@Grog I think the biggest problem in signing Kun will be his relation with Maradona. I think that will definitely play in his decision making. Secondly i read somewhere that he is demanding 220,000 pounds a week. Assuming that is post tax (which only makes sense) that will work out to be no less that 20 million pounds post tax salary charges that United will have to pay and I don’t think that makes sense for any player (no matter what Real Madrid pays to anyone. We are MAN UNITED). What ya say BRO???
By the way I AGREE i would take Hunter any given day as well!!!
June 14th, 2009 at 12:18
@ Johnsom33 I firmly agree Bro. I always believe if one can pay proper value any asset can be bought (few exceptions). I think if can tempt Roma by offering them say 25- 30 million pounds then i think we may be able to land De Rossi. One thing is for sure he will be a monster of a player to have in your center of the midfield.
June 14th, 2009 at 12:19
@Traverse: Oh crap, oh crap, season over!
June 14th, 2009 at 12:22
@ Johnsom33 Sopt on BRO.
Its simple like they say…..
” Its all about money Honey”….
June 14th, 2009 at 12:29
While a nice idea, Torres is never going to happen. If we are going to spend money on a striker we should stop pissing about and go and make an ‘interesting offer’ to Atlético for Aguero. He is a United supporter through and through.
Him and Rooney as a strike force will frighten any team in the world, and at 21 and 23, we’d be set for at least 7 years on the striking front, possibly longer.
Plus we’d have 2 strikers who LOVE United. We’d never hear them pining for Madrid, or anywhere else for that matter. A couple of hard battling, play making, goal scoring badge kissers.
I’ve gone off the idea of Benzema recently, because his heart will not be in it. Same goes for Ribery. For Aguero, this would be his dream move. For Valencia, this is a dream move. We need players who will play for each other, the team, and leave the pitch each day with nothing left to give.
June 14th, 2009 at 12:35
@ Grog Hi Bro do you have insider information or what??? I mean a day before the tabloids you could write this your rant. Yeah… I am talking about Torres.. Bro if you could such insider about the equity markets you would make tonnes of money. Anyway…Since that news of Liverpool is financial trouble i was talking to my friends that its worth checking Poo’s resilience by putting a bid for the TORRES. And now we have the financial muscle for it. Whats more it will serve two purpose along with we get great world class player we can destroy Looserpool’s chances of any title challenge next season. Moreover, whether we will be able to sign him or not we should go ahead and put id for him because it will give some confidence to the fans that we mean business and we are here to do things seriously.
As far wings problem goes i would definitely go with Eddy on this and would add YOUNG in the ranks. And bro i am hearing lot of stories related to Douglus Costa i think from GREMIO. Any idea?? Any one please????
June 14th, 2009 at 12:41
@Traverse: We need to build the team around rooney, if we buy aguero, he must be bought as a winger, not striker. Rooney needs a target man to play off, someone like eto’o.
June 14th, 2009 at 12:47
Dan I thought what happened with Senna is we agreed a deal but then kept stalling because we were negotiating with Bayern, then they called the Senna deal off.
June 14th, 2009 at 12:59
Agree with you Dan about building team around Rooney. For that reason i prefer the idea of Alexis Sanchez or Douglas Costa rather than Aguero (who would be two times or three times the price anyway!).
We may be priced out of an Et’oo move. His wage demands are supposed to be something excessive (1 million euros a month!)
June 14th, 2009 at 13:00
@colver: No, we went after senna, got rejected so focused on hargreaves instead.
June 14th, 2009 at 13:03
Is this sanchez bloke any good, people on here seem to be raving about him. I would actually prefer ashley young or lennon if its a choice between them or an unknown winger who apparently would cost the same, about £20 odd million. Im not saying sanchez wont be a great player but i just think getting in either lennon or young who have league experience would be better.
June 14th, 2009 at 13:06
@colver: hardly, £20mil-£30mil tops is what they’d ask for.
June 14th, 2009 at 13:09
@Dan: Nah, we agreed a deal for senna but he was a back-up incase we couldn’t get hargreaves. The hargreaves negotiations took forever and villareal got tired of us stalling.
June 14th, 2009 at 13:16
@colver: I agree mate, a forward line that included the likes of Rooney, Berbatov, Costa, Sandhez and Valencia would be handfull for anyone, and if we were able to add someone like Derossi or a fully fit Hargreaves to the midfeild then we would be good to go.
And dont forget, Ljajic could be be a dark horse arrival, he maybe young but there are reports that this kid is a bit special.
I would worry about certain things connected to both Ribery and Benzema and my gut feeling would be to stay well clear.
June 14th, 2009 at 13:21
@Matt: Grognard has seen him quite a bit and says he has a lot of raw talent.
I personally think we’d be fine(well a damn sight more than fine) if we got Aguero, Valencia and based on Hargo’s condition, a new midfield general.
June 14th, 2009 at 13:29
Guys, Senna pulled the plug on the deal. Everything was agreed, but United delayed the deal hoping that they could sign Hargreaves and they lad got tired of being second choice so he decided to stay.
As for the Torres bid, it would achieve something else that has not been mentioned:
We would be able to assert our position in world football. After Ronaldo has left we look kinda shit because we cannot keep our best players but by buying another world class talent from a consecrated rival team, we would show that we have considerable muscle in football.
On top of that, the sponsorship deal with AON would probably suffer because we have one less ’superstar’ to sell shirts. Buying Torres would ease that.
There is no reason to think that the Torres deal is audacious or pure fabricaton. We need to go after him or Fabregas or Essien or somebody of the kind.
June 14th, 2009 at 13:32
@Traverse:
.
June 14th, 2009 at 13:39
@Andrei: AON thing is a non starter. That’s why we sorted the agreement before we sold Ronaldo. Their contract is signed. Nothing they can do. At least we were smart on that front.
June 14th, 2009 at 13:45
Unless, there is a clause specifying that they will sponsor us unconditionally in the contract (ie even if we move to Siberia), then they have valid grounds for cancelling the contract on claims of being mislead (United clearly knew that the Ronaldo transfer was going to happen).
June 14th, 2009 at 13:55
@Traverse: I think SAF will have a lot of resistance to buying any more Argentine footballers
. Because we have had trouble with a Capital T from them. They are ok while they are in the team, but when not in it they cause bloody havoc. “Oh you don’t respect me” baby talk 
. Heinze loved United until he was left out for skinned sausage, then he started mouthing off about Fergie, taking us to court, and demanding what he wanted, and causing merry hell when he didn’t get it 
. Veron was the nicest guy I believe out of them all. Tevez, well again ok while he was on the field, but couldn’t cope with not being No 1. Sooooooooooo Aguero would be great buy, but he ia another Argie, and no doubt will be discouraged from coming by Veron, Heinze and Tevez, who all felt maltreated at OT 
.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:11
@Andrei: Pure nonsense. They have a contract for 4 years starting next season for their name to be on our shirts. That is all. Name one team in the entire world where their shirt sponsors have control over transfer activity?! Total bollocks.
I’m amazed you are putting it forward as a serious point!
June 14th, 2009 at 14:16
@Liam: Just interested to know about aguero i asked before and they said yes but just wanted another opinion, would aguero be suited on the RWF position like where ronaldo plays or is he mainly used as a second striker. Im not sure he would be needed if he can only play in the rooney position but if we were able to go into ronaldos position on the right i would be pretty interested. I do think we will go back to 4-4-2 and cant see berba being dropped so i think it will be rooney and berba up top with valencia on one of the wings and a new signing on the other. Just wondering if aguero could operate on the right wing in a 4-4-2 which is a bit different to say a 4-3-3. Also would like to add yaya toure to the list as he would be a brilliant buy.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:17
I just read an interesting article on News Now. It’s in the Telegraph newspaper, and talking about Ronaldo saying only 2 clubs could ever interest him – Manchester United and Real Madrid. He felt his destiny was to play for Real Madrid, because his Father told him when he was a child, that he would play for RM one day. Ronaldo says that Man United though is in his heart too, and if he leaves Madrid it would only be to return to OT. I mean COME ONE, who the fuck believes him???
June 14th, 2009 at 14:21
@Craig Mc: Veron came at the wrong time, Heinze is ungrateful (Loved United? Any player who would try to engineer a move to Liverpool cannot be accused of ever loving United), and Tevez is a bit selfish, and unrealistic about his own ability… mostly down to Joorbachian’s whisperings.
From the interviews I’ve read with him, I think Aguero is of a much better mindset. Also, he is a genuine Red, and a 100% starter. Not something that can be said of Tevez or Heinze, who are the definition of mercenary footballers.
Veron was down to unfortunate timing. He was ahead of his time, and we didn’t adapt enough. I hope Fergie takes note of Ronaldo’s wantaway attitude and the effect it had on the locker room, and steers clear of Benzema and Ribery.
The recent Tevez situation has been very well managed by Fergie. He knew Ronaldo was going this summer, yet he still didn’t offer the money for Tevez until after Tevez had already decided to leave. As soon as that happens we make the offer. That way when Tevez goes to Mercenary City he has chosen between the two and chosen them. The fans won’t stand for that, and it makes it look like Tevez’s bad, not Fergie wanting rid of him, Smart move.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:22
@Matt: From what I have seen on you tube Matt, Aguero can play RMF, LMF, Solo up front striker leading the line, or 2nd striker. Some say that he is better than Villa as an all rounder, but Villa is the more instinctive striker! So to answer your question, YES mate, he is versatile enough to play anywhere just like Ronaldo. I truly can’t see us getting him though, because of Maradona’s influence over him
.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:23
From a legal standpoint, AON can argue:
-We singed the contract knowing that you would receive ‘x’ publicity around the world.
-Ronaldo was a big part of that publicity.
-Ronaldo is no longer here, hence that publicity decreases.
-Man Utd signed the contract knowing full well that they could not deliver the publicity that was promised when the contract was signed.
-With one year to go before the contract starts, a withdrawal from the deal now (coupled with a small compensation) would provide Manchester United with plenty of time to find a new sponsor.
They could make that argument. But anyway, that was a secondary point in what I was trying to say. Ferguson wants to show his muscle and this would be best done if he bought Gerrard IMO, but Torres is a close second.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:30
@Traverse: Smart move indeed. The pro’s on talk sport were saying a couple of weeks ago that Jorabchian had already agreed with Man City the transfer of Tevez. Before he ever talked again with David Gill at OT. Their source at Man City was solid, and they said Tevez was gone. If its true what the paps are reporting today, quoting SAF himself saying that Ronaldo was always going to leave for Madrid and Tevez to Man City, then the pro’s were right about the certainty of their Man City contact
.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:30
@Craig Mc: Yeah i was thinking that too mate, maradona has always said he consideres tevez like a son and apparently he has advised him not to join us so think about what he will be saying to his actual son in law.
Was just wondering though you say hes versatile and he can play RWF and all that but im just wondering if he could operate in a 4-4-2. If im not being mistaken ive seen him play on the right in a front 3 but i reckon we will go for a 4-4-2 much more, and for me its a lot different playing on the right in a 4-4-2 than it is in a 4-3-3. Im sure he could play on the right and cut in aka ronaldo in his 2006/07 years before we almost went 4-3-3 so he more or less inside all the time. Im just wondering how much a risk it would be putting him on the right in a 4-4-2 where yes he can cut in alot but he would need to keep his shape so as we avoided going into a 4-3-3 which would end up pushing rooney on the left.
I think aguero sounds a super talent but i just think maybe we needd more of a proper winger and not a player who prefers to play upfront and us change his position. I really havent seen alot of him but im sure hes a super talnet but if im honest i just aint sure about him.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:31
Mark Hughes is admitting today in the papers etc, that players are joining Man City for one reason only MONEY!
June 14th, 2009 at 14:32
@Andrei: Neither of those transfers will ever happen, and AON signed a contract to sponsor Manchester United, not Ronaldo. It’s that simple.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:35
Torres for £40 million?!
My God, if that is an option then what the hell are we waiting for?! I do hate Liverpool players, but most of you know I have a sweet spot for Torres. I hate watching him in Liverpool, but that is more like “Why the fuck didnt we get him”-hate rather than “Go fuck your mother like Terry and Gerrard”-hate. He is the best striker in the world, and would work perfectly with Rooney- Although I am afraid buying any Liverpool player would end i failiure, I think we should put in a bid. Just to test Liverpools resolve… If they accept, then Torres may come. He is a Liverpool fan, but so was Ole, remember? If they accept a bid then he will probably come, and that would meant we have replaced Ronaldo when it comes to goals. Now if we only could get a winger like Young or Silva…
June 14th, 2009 at 14:41
@Andrei: Dude, if every sponsor pulled out of a deal because their fav player left the club, there wouldnt be sponsors for 5 minutes let alone seasons.
AON signed with UNITED, not ronaldo, we are a world famous club, big in every continent on the planet, even without ronaldo we will still sell shirts to fans like fat people to cakes(like my self
), nothing has changed.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:41
Silva, Young and Valencia. If we end up with two of those three players I think we have gotten exactly what we need. There is never going to be another Ronaldo, so we should focus on buying one striker that can score goals like Ruud and a winger that can provide 10+ assists each season, plus a few goals. The dream scenario would be getting Torres, Young and Silva. I highly doubt Fergie is going out for another midfielder, despite what we want. He seems to have too much faith in Anderson, Fletcher and Hargreaves to buy another hard worker, and who is available anyway? Torres or Aguoer would provide the goals, Young, Silva or Valencia the assists. But I would give them time, cause it is highly unlikely that our team will blend right away. Therefore we must go for players below the age of 26, so we can enjoy them for at least 4 seasons.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:43
Im gonna buy a shirt with Rooney, Anderson or a new signing in August!
Its the name on the front that matters, not on the back… 
June 14th, 2009 at 14:43
@RedDevilEddy: There’s NO DOUBT we could get Young if SAF was willing to shovel enough money Aston Villa’s way, but I don’t thin SAF is looking beyond Valencia for us. Wigan’s chairman said they only broke of negotiations with Wigan to tie up the Real Madrid transfer. SAF seems very convinced about Valencia, wish I was as convinced.
. Maybe Valencia will surprise us!
June 14th, 2009 at 14:44
What concerns me is that history is repeating itself. The truth is Manchester United has never had much pulling power when it comes to world class players. Everyone wants to play for Barca, Real, Milan, etc.
The United way has always been to buy promising players and develop them into the finished article. That is why I think players such as Douglas Costa, Alexis Sanchez and even Valencia would be perfect.
Of all the names mooted (Silva, Aguero, Benzema, Et’oo, Ribery) I reckon Et’oo would be easiest to land. By the way Dan I was talking about his wage demands….I imagine that is why he isn’t signing a new contract with Barca.
Id also like to make a play for Balotelli. Mourinho can’t stand him and Fergie may be able to straighten him out and get him to make the most of his undoubted talent.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:51
@colver: Balotelli isn’t a bad shout, if we are after a young powerhouse.
June 14th, 2009 at 14:57
Real Madrid’s Perez, according to talk in Spain, has ambitions not just to produce the finest team of Galacticos, BUT to see that the dreams of the G14 clubs are brought to fruition. That is they want to establish a European SUPER league of all the top clubs, to replace the European Cup. Perez says that it would take football into the the stratosphere of unbelieveable financial income. He says that football is the worlds most watched game, and they G14 intend to capitalise on this, by increasing TV rights and world wide output. This means that clubs in different time zones are going to have to change their kick of times, so that games from Italy and Spain can be broadcast live, as they are not so broadcast now. They need to be more like the English kick off times. Perez reckons the plans are to keep the domestic competitions on Saturdays, but to play the European super league games EVERY Wednesday throughout the season. Bloody hell, the mind boggles! Any of you fancy a European super league?????
June 14th, 2009 at 15:17
I don’t think there would be any point bidding for Torres. I doubt that Liverpool are stupid enough to sell him. He is too important for them. If he wanted to leave it would be different, but he does not want to leave. Also, after the Heinze situation 2 years ago there is no way there would sell him to us.
June 14th, 2009 at 15:20
@gaitherAnt: Liverpool are stupid, so it may be worth a shot!
June 14th, 2009 at 15:20
I think that the most important thing is that we buy a goal scorer. Ronaldo has been worth a minimum of 23 goals a year over the last 3 years. Those goal needs to be replaced somehow.
Its also evident through watching England that Rooney is much more effective when playing off a centre forward. So, I think we need to find one.
June 14th, 2009 at 15:22
@Craig Mc: We wnt for Silva last summer. Like its written in the article, Valencia rejected it. I doubt they woudl do that now, because they need money fast! It is known that Fergie is interested in Silva, so he might come. But Young, I fear that is just a dream for us…
He would be my dream signing a long with Aguero, but I dont think Fergie has ever wanted Young. If he does, then I think he may be a United player next season! GO FOR YOUNG FERGIE!!! 
June 14th, 2009 at 15:24
http://www.imscouting.com/global_news_item.aspx?id=2301
interesting!
June 14th, 2009 at 15:42
Im bored so just to pass time im gonna do my ins and outs i would like to see for the team again.
I will include valencia to the list, not because i want him here (sounds harsh i know) but because it sounds like hes virtually here anyway so i will include him.
Outs: On top of the £80 mil, i think we add another £10m from the sales of the likes of campbell, maucho, simpson, martin etc so that would give us a war chest of £90m to play with.
Now for INs: Valencia i guess is coming and although i cant agree with the fee im betting we will end up paying about £20m for him which still leaves us with £70m to play with.
In my opinion we need a DM emforcer, someone who will do the dirty work fletcher does to a level but will also go beyond this level. Theres only 2 names for me who could be signed and that is yaya toure and danielle de rossi. De rossi for me is too loyal to roma to want to leave so hes out of the question so for me yaya is the man. Apparently barca would do a deal for £15 million and for that money he would be a bargain and you just dont find many players of that ability for what seems like so little.
Along with valencia i do also think we need another winger. Valencia plays on the right and i just cant see fergie having the confidence to start nani on the other side, so i think a new LM should be brought in. In my opinion i would do without valencia and play nani on the right and on the left have my next recommended player who i rate so highly in ashley young. IMO he is the best LM in the premier league and would do great on that left side. His price tage would be quite high though, maybe as much as £25 million but if were willing to pay that much for david silva who whilst very talented has not played in this league before whilst young has been doing wonders here for 2 and a half seasons so between the 2 imo its a no brainer.
So spent so far your talking 20m for valencia, 15 for yaya and approximately 25m for young which comes to about £60m. If we want to theres money for a striker there but if im honest im scratching my head to find a striker who is willing to be rotated but is still world class or near abouts. There simply is not many players like this around so maybe i would overlook this area for this season and give wayne and berba a season together and look to bring in someone world class next season. Only players i can think of could be owen only on a pay as you play deal and pograbnek the russian version ruud hes known as.
A 3rd choice GK to replace the terribel kuzczak wouldnt go amiss, we were linked with pele the keeper a while ago, reports in france say hes a real great keeper.
So thats about it.
Outs: Ronaldo, campbell, manucho, simpson, kuzczak, martin, gibson?
Ins: Valencia, Young, Toure, Striker?, GK Pele?
June 14th, 2009 at 16:20
@Matt: I think it’s important we do sign a striker as tevez is also probably going and you gotta keep in mind that ronaldo played a lot of games for us up front.
I don’t think Macheda and Welbeck are ready to be our 3rd and 4th striker especially if we get an injury. They should share the 4th striker spot and certainly they will get games.
Would be superb if we got Young as he would solve a lot of our problems not to mention his set piece ability. I also wouldn’t sign Valencia, as I feel he is too similar to Nani and not to mention his price tag.
I say do whatever we must to bring in Aguero. He isn’t ideally what we need… But my word what a talent!! Would turn into a tremendous player on the big stage.
June 14th, 2009 at 16:23
I think at the moment it’s difficult to assume or predict the type of signings Fergie is gonna make. That will determine the type of formations we will be playing next season. Fergie likes to keep it flexible and likes his versatile players so perhaps that can point us into a relative direction.
June 14th, 2009 at 16:36
@MoYa: Mate i understand where your coming from on the striker part i really do, im just kind of caught in two minds about the whole thing.
What i mean is, yes we probably do need a striker, but we just spend £30m on berbatov and it would be very unfair to just dump the guy out of the team without giving him more time. We ideally need a striker who is a great finisher, experienced if possible and who will not throw a strop if hes not in the team each week. Football these days is a team game and if im honest i cant see the likes of eto’o, aguero, benzema being happy if theyre not in the team each week so in a way were kinda in a tough position.
However there is a player who does have some of these attributes. He is quite expereinced, is a target man, would be cheap (possible free soon) and one who maybe most importantly would accept a position on the bench and that guy is pavel pograbnyek. This is the russina guy who scored against us in the super cup for those who dont know him.
Im being honest here and im saying i really havent seen much of him, and yes my decision to sign him has been partly down to youtube clips, but from all ive seen the guy is an absolutely clinical finisher who could be picked up for peanuts. According to craig who mentioned this last week, the guys contract is up in november so a bid now of say £5m would probably be accepted.
Now i know hes not the superstar everyone seems to want but i have to tell you the super star striker we all want either does not exist or would be impossible to sign. We all want a striker who is a great finisher, has pace, will be affordable and will tolerate being rotated. Eto’o and aguero and benzem have the talent no doubt but i just doubt they would tolerate being dropped for certain games and in effect would be a sort of 2nd/3rd choice striker behind rooney who is undroppable really.
I just cannot see any player of the class of the likes of eto’o, aguero etc who will accept this and for me this a big thing to consider when we buy a striker.
Pobrebnyek is a united fan apparently, he looks a great finisher and would be cheap and prepared to be rotated. Hes not a star name but he has the right attribuites and for me with the money spent on new midfielders (valencia and hopefully young & yaya toure) he would be right up our street.
Here a youtube compilation of him, notice how none of his goals are anything special just simple tap ins which are just what we need.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG0-sX_QEsA
June 14th, 2009 at 16:37
@Onkar: Maradona has always been the reason Fergie doesn’t bother with Aguero. I personally think the chances of getting Aguero are 1/100. It’s just isn’t going to happen. Like I said before the new broke on the latest rumour, that we had a much better chance at Torres despite him being at Liverpool. Our biggest problem it seems right now is that all the proven big name stars we are chasing want to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. We cannot attract anyone to come up to Old Trafford anymore. Is it the weather, is it the English game, is it the English food and lifestyle? Personally I think it’s none of those. I honestly think the real reason is the uncertainty about the long term future of the club as Fergie is inching closer to retirement as well as the boring slow and often pedestrian style of football that we are presently playing. Notice how few big names want to play in Italy anymore. Well other than scandals I think Italian style football has finally lost it’s appeal. Fergie needs to wake up and get rid of this style of play from our team if he has intentions of signing big stars. Nobody like Ribery wants to come here and have to do the work a JS Park does or Benzema does not want to have to worry about tracking back or playing the lone striker role in an ultra defensive setup. Just my opinion but United is no longer the “sexy” team of choice.
June 14th, 2009 at 16:45
@Traverse: I agree about Aguero as well as Benzema and Ribery. Yesterday I read that Benzema said that he preferred to stay with Lyon. I am adamant about the fact that his reasons for continuing to turn down moves to United as well as other clubs is his patience and desire to end up with Madrid. And it’s already come out that Ribery and Benzema are being lined up by Madrid for next year. So that makes me look awfully wise for giving the reason for Benzema’s lack of excitement at leaving his dull as nails French fart of a club. They all want to go to fucking Madrid.
The top 25 players in the world all want to share 11 spots on Madrid. It’s absolutely insane and FIFA needs to stop this because it’s not good for world football. The top 50 players in the world need to be evenly dispersed among the top four leagues in the world. They all cannot play on two Spanish teams. What is so great of Spain that they be so anointed with so much royalty that more than half of those great players sit on the bench because Madrid and Barca only have so many starting spots available. Madness!
June 14th, 2009 at 16:55
@Grognard: Graham Hunter, one of the few journos that I actually trust says that he thinks that Ribery has his eye on a move to Barca, all the big names that we are being linked with I personally think we should stay well clear of, with the exception of maybe Aguero.
Valencia, Sanchez, Costa, Neymar and a long odds Aguero, any two or three from this five will suffice for me, throw in a fully fit Hargreaves or a dream Daniel Derossi, then we are good to go.
June 14th, 2009 at 16:56
@Onkar: The Torres thing just made sense to me. When you are handed 100 million and you need to replace somebody that cost 80 million to get off you, you have several options. For me the obvious option is to go out and see who among the top 10 elite players is out there for the taking. Aguero for me is a no brainer but Torres to the casual fan looks like a forlorn hope and why would we even bother. History tells us no way in Hell but history hasn’t had a period where Liverpool have been in such dire straits financially. Hicks and Gillette have together bitten off way more than they can chew and are facing a deadline soon where they need to cough up serious money.
There is no doubt Rafa would cry bloody murder and come out and say that Torres is not for sale at any price much like what he saying over his two good but highly overrated midfielders Freddy Mercury and Scabby Alonso. Bottom line is that right now, I see Hicks and Gillette listening to any offers that net them over 50 million pounds. The one player I can see them never selling because they would be lynched outside of Anfield would be Gerrard. Stranger things could happen.
The greatest reason for making the attempt and even possibly succeeding is the certain inevitability that if we get Torres, that will certainly cause Rafa Benitez to quit in a huff and leave England. That alone is more priceless and than any American Express privilege, don’t you think? Just to be rid of that fat waiter and know that in Torres you have a player wh would never play for Real Madrid would be priceless. Highly unlikely, but in this crazy market of world football, I think anything is possible.
June 14th, 2009 at 16:58
@colver: That’s exactly what happened. Fergie was of two minds. He badly wanted Hargo but if Bayern were going to be defiant he considered Senna as a good plan B. When the word came to him that he would probably get Hargo but the following year, he passed on Senna.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:00
@colver: This Douglas Costa guy intrigues me but the player that interests me most is Hernanes. I’ve done some research on the player and found out that he isn’t just your typical attacking Brazilian midfielder but a box to box presence and at 23 a true superstar in the making. Quite simply, I am shocked there hasn’t been a feeding frenzy for him yet.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:02
Just something thats suddenly come into my head this minute, call me slow, but i think the signing of valencia will be it on the wingers part. Before i was under the impression that we were interested in valencia before ronaldo left so we would bring him in plus a replacement for ronaldo, now i just dont see us bringing in 2 wingers.
Were we to buy 2 we would have valencia, an other, park, nani and tosic, thats 5 wingers. Valencia im guessing would start, park seems to be 1 of the favourites of fergusons, nani was promised more football next season and i cant see the logic of buying tosic if you are gonna make him 5th choice without giving him a chance can you.
That would mean for us to actually bring in a class winger like an ashley young we would have to sell one of nani, park or tosic. Tosic hasnt been given a chance so he wont be let go park is the favourite as said and nani was gonna be given a chance apparently.
5 wingers in a team sounds too much and i cant see him selling any of his wingers so it sounds like to me valencia is the sole player on the wing who is meant to replace ronaldo.
I dont know about you but that would definitely disappoint me and would somehow leave me to question ferguson as a manager if he went with this. We simply cannot replace world stars like ronaldo with a player who hardly set the league alight in valencia. Surely ashley young for a few million more, a player who is probs the best left winger in the league, is the better choice.
Ah this is bloody annoying, im just gonna have to sit back and watch what happens. I know whon i want as i stated in comment 381, but i cant help but feel were gonna be a bit disappointed with the replacments, i dont know why i feel that i just do.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:07
@Grognard: I think our style will change now that Ronaldo has gone, players were being played out of position coz he would not do his defensive duties, coz all wide men must do a bit of defending, its not negative, its the way football is.
Look at Barca, the only one that does not really track back is Messi, and in the big games he plays in the middle.
In the first ten mins of the final we had some joy dowm Barcas left then Pep put Etoo out there and moved Messi in.
With Ronny now gone we shouldnt have to do things like that anymore and the balance of our team should be better.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:07
@Grognard: As annoying as it is, I guess its the status quo. Fat Blatter and Platini the moron like it that way.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:09
@Liam: Problem with Sanchez though is Udinese is putting up massive roadblocks saying he’s not for sale at any price and that he has a 4 year contract and is a vital part of their team’s overall design and strategy. To be honest I kind of admire a minnow that says hell no. Problem for them though will be to contain Sanchez’s own ambition. When a big team like United come calling, it’s going to make the lad demand and want the move. So we have to let the agents and Sanchez do most of the preliminary work for us. He will cost us over 25 million to get him even though right now he is not worth more than 15 to 20.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:09
@Grognard: So they wont change it. I am convinced however, that Fergie has something in the works. He has to.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:13
@Andrei: Yes we need to go after a big name for the reasons you gave but as much as I love the idea of going after Torres, one has to keep in mind about the history between United and Liverpool. Those two teams never ever do business with each other. It’s just not to be done if tradition has anything to do with it. And truthfully, even if Hicks and Gillette were tempted to sell him, they would have to know that selling their best player to their most hated and bitter rival would be grounds for a public hanging. Honestly, they are dealing with Scousers and their lives would be in jeopardy. It would be no different for the glazers if they went and sold Rooney to Liverpool.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:17
@Craig Mc: You are absolutely correct but there is no way in Hell that he would ever leave Aguero out of the first team because he’s that bloody good. Yes Veron was too but Aguero is twice the player Veron was and four times the player Tevez is. It’s not just Argentines, any superstar who gets snubbed feels that way. Forlan felt like that, RVN made a big stink for being benched during the Carling Cup final only and he was sent packing. Containing ego today with large rosters and rotation is quite the challenge.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:19
@Matt: Aguero can play any of the three front line positions but he is most comfortable playing as a RF or LF. Yes he can play winger but Ronaldo himself played more like RF or LF constantly cutting and spending plenty of time in the box while offering very little wide play and crosses. Aguero can do it all and play a similar role if asked on either side.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:21
@Craig Mc: Yes I read that too and it’s possible but only after Fergie is gone because if you turn on Fergie and are shipped out, there is no coming back. Officially, Ronaldo is dead to Fergie.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:23
@Andrei: AON have absolutely no pull in team related issues about which players to buy or sell. ZERO. They are just counting their lucky stars the got the deal with United. United hold all the rights and power to run their club as they see fit and would never pass on any kind of rights to an advertiser or corporate sponsor. Also, many corporations from all over the world were vying for that deal with us and so United were always in the drivers seat when it comes to stipulations and control.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:26
@Matt: So we’ll get a proper winger. We buy Aguero and Valencia and also go after Sanchez or David Silva. With 100 million, we can do this.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:28
@RedDevilEddy: Is Torres a wet dream for you because of the quality of the player or is it because Torres is the sexiest girl in football today?
And if we were to have any chance at him. It would cost us over 60 million to get him. It’s not worth it to Liverpool at 40 million.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:30
@Dan: Agreed. United are a now and have been for a very long time a highly marketable and highly successful brand throughout the world. The Beckham’s and Ronaldo’s go and there always is someone new to step in and be their king of marketing. United is one of the top five marketable brans world wide in pro sports today.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:34
@colver: Agreed. However among the easiest to land, not the cheapest would be Aguero. He is United fan and he also hates Real Madrid so that would be a bonus for us. Atletico would also be willing to listen to offers.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:39
@gaitherAnt: Have you not been reading the soap opera of financial events that have been taking place at Anfield mate? Liverpool are deep doo doo financially and are being asked to make a large loan payment which they don’t have the money for. There is talk of the team going into receivership and Hicks and Gillette being tossed out like garbage and losing everything they put into the team. Damn straight they will listen to good offers because they need money disparately. Rafa might bitch and argue but I think his days with that sinking ship are truly numbered unless some kind and generous Arab sheik shows up with money to buy and bail out the team. Audacious a move it is, impossible, not quite.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:40
@RedDevilEddy: Liverpool are not stupid mate. Liverpool are scum.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:43
@gaitherAnt: I think it’s time to put that goal scoring responsibility on Rooney’s shoulders and play him in his preferred striker’s role. Buying wingers who can help service him is a key but I still think buying a Hernanes or a Yaya Toure in the middle is what we need most. We were taught a lesson by Barcelona that it appears Fergie was asleep during the lecture. Our central midfield was made a laughing stock yet nobody seems to concerned that we are ill equipped there.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:44
@RedDevilEddy: Valencia are having a major fire sale mate because they are in worse financial shape than Liverpool. Villa went today to Madrid and Silva is the next one out the door. Believe it.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:45
@Grognard: Oh grognard, i know we can buy a world class winger, we have the money to, but without selling a winger first we would be left with 5 wingers. That sounds a bit too much for me and i cant see us signing another one before one leaves and that leaves us a problem, i dont see fergie selling another winger, i just get the bad feeling we will be left with valencia and thats it for midfielders when its clear we need at least 2 and also a CM, with my personal favourite yaya toure being included.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:45
@Grognard: Exacly, the way i see it, all the fans that support united only for ronaldo dont watch the games and dont even buy the shirts
its not a loss in the slightest.
I generally think that when it comes to shirt sales, ronaldos marketability isnt the greatest, most united fans were probably put off of putting No.7 on the shirt last season, with his shenanigans last summer, it wouldnt surprise me if last season someone else got more shirt sales.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:46
@ROOOOONEY: I don’t know. I’ve seen this kid play twice and just recently in fact and he did nothing for me. He is fast and loves to move all over the place but I really don’t think his skill on the ball is any better than Tosic.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:51
Grog you want tosic to have the number 7 yes yes?
June 14th, 2009 at 17:51
@Dan: I always see alot of Giggs and Scholes shirts. Rooney too.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:53
Dans plan:
In:
eto’o £25mil
silva £25mil
valencia £20mil
toure £25mil
total: £95mil
out:
campbell £6mil
martin *£2mil
neville £1mil
scholes *£2mil
PIG £6mil
total: £17mil
*rounded up
That gives us a grand total off: £75mil net spend
Leaving us with 15mil to spear on young guns.
This plan is perfection lol. Alright, eto’o might be £30mil, but i doubt it for some reason.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:56
@Fred The Red: I agree. Ribery and Benzema for me are unatainable and even if we were lucky to get either, they are destined for Spain. I agree that althugh Madrid wants Ribery, they have shot their load and are asking him and benzema to be patient for one more year. Barcelona will get Ribery because they have to answer Madrid’s spending spree with some intent. Problem is I cannot for the life of me figure out where they plan on using Ribery unless the bench Henry. And I cannot see them benching a player who scored over twenty goals and is as lethal as Henry. So Ribery is a massive fool to want to go to any team where there is a chance he could end up on the bench more often than he likes. Stupid when you think that there is a tailor made position for him waiting at OT but he’s to dumb and to ugly to realize it. It’s Michael Ballack all over again. As for Benzema, his dream like Ronaldo’s is Real Madrid. He’ll play in Lyon for a year and wait for Madrid to call.
June 14th, 2009 at 17:58
Dans plan team:
foster
rafael rio vidic fabio
valencia carrick gibson/anderson silva
rooney eto’o
June 14th, 2009 at 18:03
Who would I like to see as realistic targets for United.
1. Fernando Torres. Yes he is a realistic target because Liverpool is broke.
2. Alex Sanchez. Despite what Udinese are saying. Money talks.
3. Hernanes. Consider me on the bandwagon
4. David Silva. Valencia fire sale makes it a possibility
5. Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Because he’s the best goal scorer available
6. Moutinho. In a possible loan swap for Nani
7. Antonio Valencia. Almost a certainty
8. Samuel Eto’o. Because he is stupid enough to want to leave Barca.
9. Sergio Aguero. Because he is a United supporter and because I believe in miracles
10. Pavel Pogrebnyak. Because he is a massive United supporter but not until January because Zenit will not sell until season in Russia is over.
And the usual young prospects that nobody has ever heard of.
June 14th, 2009 at 18:04
Grognard, I dunno about Aguero. I get the impression so long as Maradona is Argentina boss he’ll do what Maradona says and Maradona doesn’t like us as a club.
Hernanes interests me as well. Im a bit wary about Brazilian midfielders after Kleberson and Anderson! But it could be a case of third time lucky.
We’ve got scouts in Brazil and with all our Brazilian players we must be quite attractive, but it would really surprise me if we do go for either Costa, Keirrison, or Hernanes. When it comes to spending more than a couple of million, Fergie always seems to be hesitant preferring a player to prove himself in Europe or ideally the Premiership (after which point their transfer fee doubles or triples and we get stung for £18 million just like we spent on Anderson).
Danger with buying someone like Aguero is that we would stay stuck in the same system as last year which I think has its limitations. Id prefer a target man next to Rooney and a return to 4-4-2. Ideally we’d also have a creative midfielder, but I think with Berbatov and Rooney we’d have plenty of creativity in the middle and it would just be a case of having a striker who can finish off the chances and give us an aerial threat.
In midfield the priority is a combative box-to-box midfielder. Carrick has a nice pass and his defensive positioning is good. But we need someone alongside him to break up play, stamp authority over midfield and inject some energy.
Something like:
EVDS-Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra-Valencia, Toure/Senna/Gattuso, Carrick, Nani/Sanchez/Costa, Rooney, Et’oo/Benzema
I think we should look into buying a keeper while we have the cash in case Foster never gets over these recurrent injuries.
June 14th, 2009 at 18:05
@Fred The Red: Our style will change but we will still play that overall Italian slow buildup and ball retention style. Our wingers will play more like wingers and I believe Rooney will finally get his wish and be moved to second striker.
June 14th, 2009 at 18:07
I like your team Dan but a central midfield of Gibson/Anderson and Carrick would get overrun by the Chelseas, Barcelonas and Liverpools of this world. We need a quality defensive midfielder to firm up our midfield. Besides even Fletcher is better than Gibson and Anderson.
June 14th, 2009 at 18:07
@edwin: FIFA and UEFA are the real mob, not Madrid as Fergie refers to them. They are organized crime with a slanted and warped agenda where only two countries matter to them in Europe and thats Italy and Spain. Just sick.
June 14th, 2009 at 18:28
I’m sorry to sadden you all, but with the 6-5 rule being pushed heavily by the powers that be, then United need to be pulling all the top English talent available. Before you all go overboard and say there is nobody, we are going to have to find them, because FIFA and platini’s lot are determined to get this 6-5 malarky through
.
June 14th, 2009 at 18:41
Just Barcelona is better suited for the 6+5 rule better than United. Real Madrid are really wayward, so it Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
When you think about it, we have Foster, Ferdinand, Rooney, Hargreaves, Carrick plus Welbeck, Morrison coming through. So, by the time this rule will be passed, United will be well placed. Barcelona is in the best position, but Real Madrid have Casillas, Ramos, Guti, Raul, Villa, de la Red. With Guti and Raul unlikely to be there in a couple of years, they will be fucked.
June 14th, 2009 at 19:11
@Andrei: I hope your right Andrei, but Rio is not getting any younger, and is picking up more recurring injuries these days. Wes is a fantastic player, but he also picks up knocks that tend to keep him out for lengthy periods. We could do with buying at least 2-3 more really GOOD English players
.
June 14th, 2009 at 19:14
@ROOOOONEY: Looks good, even though his finishing could be more clinical.
I still think both Welbeck and Macheda should be given their chance. The thing is those playes would probably develop into top players if they platy regularly, except that at United they have much less the chance of doin so, and can miss the chance to reach their full potential during their key developing years – 19 to 24 years old…
That’s why I’m all for loanin them to smaller teams (and not mid table teams) where they would have much greter chances to start. I would go even further by agreeing with a sort of pre contractual agreement where the said small team has priority of some sort if we agree to release the player – this would encourage them to play him extensively.
Oh heck, I think I just drifted off topic!
June 14th, 2009 at 19:34
@NicoQB: Championship teams are they way to go. They will all play, and it’s such a hard league because the difference between everyone is so small. Also, it’s the 5th most watched league in Europe, more popular than Serie A!
June 14th, 2009 at 19:36
Also, European u21 Championships start tomorrow. See if Lajijc or Tosic are in the Serbia squad…
June 14th, 2009 at 19:37
What about Giovinco as a target, i like him but he is really short haha.
June 14th, 2009 at 19:42
@Grognard: I knew that question was coming!!! Was waiting for it all day, just for someone to comment one that!
Fucks sake, I wouldnt want Torres at United just for the fact that he plays for Liverpool. Born and bred to hate all of them! 
Torres would be a really god signing, but Id take Aguero, Young and Silva over him any day. He is a dipper, so he can rot in hell!!! 
June 14th, 2009 at 19:46
Guys, just come up with another potential good striker. Luis Faibano anyone? Hadnt thought of him till just recently, when he missed a sitter on FIFA 09 against me.
He is good in the air, fast, and will porbably be happy with being on the bench a few times. Not too young to, so maybe he is worth a shout?
June 14th, 2009 at 19:52
My outs and ins!
Ins:
Sergio Aguero, £46 million.
Ashley Young, £27 million.
Antonio Valencia, £18 million.
Total= £89 million
Outs:
Tommy Kuzz, £4 million.
Frazier Campbell, £6 million.
Danny Simpson, £1,5 million.
Lee Martin £2 million.
Paul Scholes £8 million.
Total=£21,5 million
Leaves us with approximately £30 million more to spend. Maybe De Rossi, Toure or another powerhoues midfielder would be the ones I buy for those money.
June 14th, 2009 at 19:53
@Traverse: I wanna see how Macheda and Welbeck does too…
June 14th, 2009 at 19:59
@Traverse:its spelt ljajic
, and he was in the u21 squad, but got demoted to the u19 squad because i think a few of theirs were injured.
June 14th, 2009 at 20:20
@RedDevilEddy: Im glad to hear you rate ashley young as well, i consider him a really great player and would be really happy if we were to get him. For some reason though quite a few people dont seem too fond of him tho which i cant understand.
Just a quick question though i just wanted to know how highly ashley young is rated in your country. Hes pretty highly rated here in england but i just wanted to hear the views of him from a foreign country, does norway think hes all that?
June 14th, 2009 at 20:35
@Matt: Ashley Young is a potential superstar, good close control, good pace, works hard for the team, great crosser, what more do you want from a winger.
With the right schooling he will become world class.
June 14th, 2009 at 20:47
@Matt: I dont think anybody but the Villa supporters over here rate Ashley Young highly. As far as I can see, they consider Downing a better player…
-_-
June 14th, 2009 at 20:49
Guys, I am currently working on a FIFA 09 video called “Bye-Bye Ronaldo”. Stay tuned…
June 14th, 2009 at 20:53
@Matt: I agree with you on Pogrebnyak mate. And I’m still crazy about Berbatov. I stiil believe he has it in him to turn things around for us. Hopefully with ronaldo gone he can also shine more.
Look I think a lot is gonna depend on what Fergie has planned for our team. Like to what degree does he want to rebuild. We all know our team was centred around ronaldo, so are we gonna see a change in formation perhaps or a new system of play.
If we for instance gonna play a 4-3-3 the Aguero would fit in perfect with Berba and Roon.
So I think it all depend on the type of personal Fergie is after and personally I have no idea.
Lol but I do want Aguero!!
June 14th, 2009 at 21:08
@ROOOOONEY: Giovinco is waiting to explode. He’s bloody short, but my what a player! Whenever given a chance he has impressed. After he breaks into the Juve team this year (would have long ago, but Ranieri is a fool) with Ciro Ferrara taking over, he is gonna be untouchable.
I predict “The Atomic Ant” is gonna be the player of the Under 21 tournament!
June 14th, 2009 at 21:12
on the 5 wingers issue, i would make silva play as an attacking midfielder, he is really good at it.
June 14th, 2009 at 22:21
apparently the villa move to madrid has fallen through.
Fergie, sign him up.
June 14th, 2009 at 22:52
@Craig Mc: I honestly believe there will be a European Super League before the 6-5 rule comes into play. Big clubs will not stand for it because it’s just not about competing for them. It’s about marketing themselves worldwide and selling their brand. 6/5 would screw that up greatly and so big clubs throughout Europe will rebel and will separate from UEFA and challenge FIFA with their own way of doing business.
June 14th, 2009 at 22:58
@Dan: Your vision is limited to England mate. Ronaldo is massive worldwide. My friend and I were selling official knock off shirts at sports card and memorabilia shows here the last two years and we always sold out of Ronaldo’s first and Beckham second. We couldn’t give away a Wayne Rooney. Torres and Ronaldinho were also hot sellers. People in the rest of the world do not have the slanted and cynical view of certain players that Brits have. Over here Ronaldo is a God and the pride of all the girls. We sell more shirts of him, Torres and Beckham to teenage girls than anyone else.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:00
@ROOOOONEY: No No
I want the #7 to go to a player who is not here yet like Aguero or Sanchez. And if they don’t show up, I’ll be happy to eventually see it on Adem LLajic because he seems the real deal. Tosic is a tosser. A real waste of money or the official nanny for Llajic.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:04
How do you know that Llajic is better than Tosic or that Tosic us not as good as Lliajic. We have seen almost nothing of either of them.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:05
@Dan:Not bad.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:14
@colver: My feeling on the subject is that Fergie has marbles for brains sometimes. His hubris and stubborn streak is hurting this team. I am sick and bloody tired of him pursuing players that have no interested in Manchester United and above all, have interest and their hearts in Spain and especially Real Madrid. It’s time he woke up looked a round for players who would jump at the chance and look forward with pride to wear the red and white Man Utd. Enough going after moody punks like Benzema and greedy selfish misfits like Ribery. Go after players who have made it public about their admiration for our team and for Fergie himself. Pogrebnyak, Adler, Aguero, Huntelaar and Sanchez are prime examples of very good players who are United fans and would want to play for us for more than a few years. Add to that any top players or former top player like Aguero and Torres from Atletico Madrid because they are basically conditioned to never wear the white of Real Madrid. It’s common sense and good business practice in this volatile economy and market as well as in this mercenary driven age to buy those who will stick around. So when is he going to wake up to the realization that Manchester is not a hot, smoking Spanish hot spot that attracts all those who live that dream. Fergie is not stupid, he’s just being dragged down by his own hubris.
Also, Aguero has always dreamed of playing for us. I doubt that Maradona could convince him not to play for us if we showed interest.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:16
@colver: Senna and Gattuso were go to guys 5 to 7 years ago mate. Both over 30, they are on their last legs. Fergie doesn’t buy players who are close to him in age.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:20
@RedDevilEddy: I’d take Torres in a split second and laugh all the way to the park. He’s world class, fantastic and he’s a Spaniard that has no real love or loyalty whatsoever to Liverpool. He’s a mercenary like all of them and he goes where he is paid well. If Liverpool sinks financially he will abandon ship just like that. And it would be sweet to pull one on Liverpool like that because it’s never been done. I also feel he is a safe bet because he has no love for Real. Win win for me.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:21
@RedDevilEddy: Luis Fabiano? YUK! Another Alfonso Alves in my opinion.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:25
@RedDevilEddy:
M y ins and outs since that seems to be the trend today;
IN:
Fernado Torres or Sergio Aguero
Alexis Sanchez or David Silva
Antonio Valencia
Hernanes
OUT:
Anderson
Paul Scholes
Gary Neville
PIG
Campbell
Simpson
Martin
June 14th, 2009 at 23:33
@Dan: its becuase Barca have started negotiations with Valencia, if Villa goes to Barca then Ribery is a cert for Madrid.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:45
@Grognard: Im not sure if you heard but i thought i would mention it to you anyway as you mentioned downing a while ago. Now im personally not a fan of his, im not sure you were a fan, you spoke of his crossing ability and how it could be useful in tough defensive games and you do have a point there.
Anyway there was a rumour in the paper today middlesbrough would offer downing to us in a straight swap or for some small cash in exchange for neville and scholes.
As i said im not a downing fan to be honest, but if they were to offer him for a few million and would take these 2 off our hands i would deal. I know that sounds disrespectful of 2 legends but they are being kept on out of sentimentality not because of their playing ability and that is wrong. They are massive wages, about £3.5m a year each, thats £7m a season just for these 2 peoples wages. Neville is 4th choice RB for me behind brown, rafael and oshea while scholes for me is behind carrick, anderson and probably giggs too. Is it worth keeping on 2 players that are 4th choice in their position on these massive wages.
I would take this kind of swap in a minute even though im not a huge fan of downing. Its harsh i know but neville and scholes and to an extent giggs have no place in this team anymore and if boro did offer us a young player who could be moulded in a very decent player i would definitely accept this.
Its probably all media BS but i just thought i would mention this to see all your views as it hasnt been mentioned. Sounds anyway like neville is staying so i guess all this is immaterial anyway.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:48
when did you join the hernanes bandwagon grognard, did you read my report?
June 14th, 2009 at 23:50
@Grognard: The only player that SAF is genuinely chasing that seems to have no interest in us is Benzema, all the other big names in my opinion is just media speculation.
Wait and see, I would surprised if he did not bring in a few young prospects and maybe one more experienced player.
It would be nice to see Ribery, Benzema and players like them sign for the club but i cant see it happening.
Torres is a pipe dream, Villa is a non starter and the two previously mentioned frenchmen would only come if thier spanish desires came to nothing.
We would have more of a chance of signing Aguero and Silva, but even they are slim candidates, just my opinion mate.
June 14th, 2009 at 23:58
@Fred The Red: This begs the question…………………….. What on earth do we do with our 100 million transfer kitty???
June 15th, 2009 at 0:04
This is the time when we bring in our fantasy players that we have no chance of signing, here in my opinion is a transfer list that is realistic and contains players that we are interested in.
Costa, Gremio
Neymar, Santos
Valencia, Wigan
Silva, Valencia
Sanchez, Udinese
Costaignos, Feyenoord
Three dark ones
Young, Villa
Aguero, Athletico.
Eto, Barca
If any one can think of someone else then feel free to add, but try to stay in the real world.
June 15th, 2009 at 0:04
@Matt: Neville and Scholes have earned the right to say no to any deal involving them. They should be able to retire as United legends however, if they are ok with such an arrangement and they feel they could enjoy playing another year of footy in a lower division, I say all the power to them. But I don’t think it would be selfish or greedy of them to say no and that they would like to end their careers as United players. With that said, I hope for their sake and for the team’s sake that they pack it in sooner or later because they are truly past their best and are holding back younger players who are better and who need the playing time. As for Downing, he can be had for a bag of balls and Diners Club booklet. We don’t need to embarrass to great servants of the club in order to that.
June 15th, 2009 at 0:06
@Darth Red Diablo: I doubt that we will spend more than half of it, hope Im wrong and SAF pulls of a big one, I just cant see it mate.
June 15th, 2009 at 0:07
@Mr.Muhozi: Yes I did sir and I was intrigued enough to check him out and read some reports on him as well as watch some YouTube. I was impressed with his overall game and the fact that he is not just an attacking threat but a very strong defensive one too. In fact, other than Aguero or Torres, he’s the player I most want us to sign. I will not rest until Fergie has addressed the center of midfield. And Hernanes is young and looks like the perfect guy. Mind you, a trained pit bull would be better than Anderson and would score more goals too.
June 15th, 2009 at 0:08
@Fred The Red: Ribery is also not interested in coming to United and Fergie was chasing him too.
June 15th, 2009 at 0:11
@RedDevilEddy: Welbeck was removed from the u21 squad a few weeks back because he had an operation on his knee i heard.
@Dan: http://www.mirror.co.uk/2009/06/15/manchester-united-to-make-record-45million-bid-for-david-villa-115875-21441262/
something like that you mean?
June 15th, 2009 at 0:21
@Traverse: Villa has said time and time again that he would prefer to stay in Spain, with both Barca and Real trying to sign him what chance do you think we have, a big fat zero.
June 15th, 2009 at 0:23
@Grognard: How do you know Maradona hates United? You always claim that he does,, but if so then what is the reason and do you have quotes to back your theory?
June 15th, 2009 at 0:25
@Grognard: The only big clubs that have been linked to Aguero are City and Chelsea, so if we can match them financially and Maradona does not have a negative influence then we would have a genuine chance of signing him, the rest of the big names are pie in the sky.
June 15th, 2009 at 0:28
@Grognard: I would need to see something more concrete before I believed that we are really interested in Ribery mate.
June 15th, 2009 at 0:41
SAF can give a big surprise by deploying “Fabio” or “Rafael” as winger.
In that case “Fabio” will be the favorite because of goal scoring ability (which he already showed in reserve games…………..).
June 15th, 2009 at 0:42
@Grognard: Maybe you could enlighten me mate, and this is a genuine question, what has Ribery done that makes him a 40 to 60 million pound player.
Thats a lot of dough for someone who hasnt played in one of Europes top 3 leagues and was fairly average in the most recent international tourmament.
June 15th, 2009 at 0:51
@Fred The Red: Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather Aguero. Just the messenger!
June 15th, 2009 at 1:13
@Traverse: Haven’t thought of that! Still there are some duds in the championship and I’m not sure if the pace and tightness of the game is the same as the Premiership.
A very good championship player maximising his skills to these flaws can thus end up being quite average in the PL.
I think.
That’s why I think nothing beats PL experience, as would attest Mr Jonny Evans.
@RedDevilEddy: @Matt: Ashley Young.
Great crosser and good pace, maybe I’m showing my lack of knowledge about the guy, but just those two attributes are not enough to make a good player.
Downing is a great crosser. Walcott has great pace. I still think both of them are nowhere near world class.
The important element they both miss (and to a level maybe Young too) is sheer skill.
I remember a piece of play when Figo was in the last years of his Madrid career, he was very slow, or tired, and yet dribbled past 2 or 3 players and delivered an assist through sheer skill.
Maybe I’m harsh on Young, but I think Nani is much more skilled than Young!
David Villa:
Real lethal finisher but I just don’t like his hairdo! And he could end up real lonely in Manchester. No spanish contingent in our team, maybe he would get along with the portugueezers, though I doubt it. But really I’d love it if he settles in well.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:15
I am so feckin sick of all the players that the media say we are going to buy each and every bloody day. It makes us look like idiots. I don not believe that Fergie has been in for hardly any of all the suggested players making headlines with us. Everybody now seems to be jumping on the bandwagon, that we won’t win anything without Ronnie. So suddenly all these unbelievers in our club have become clairvoyents, who seem to be able to prophesy every day that Looserpool are a CERTAINTY for the PL trophy, and everything else next season. Yeah well we shall wait and see. As for Tevez, he can piss right off as far as I am concerned. If he is leaving just feckin leave, we don’t need the same comments from him every other day saying I am not going back to United. Know what Carlos, nobody gives a feck anymore
.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:20
@NicoQB: Nani is much more skilled then each and anybody Bro, he is an untapped little genious waiting to burst forth
. You all know I’m not biased – right? 
.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:28
@Andrei: Trust us mate, we have watched Tosic a lot in the reserves, and he isn’t all that good for them. So unless some miracle happens, I can assure you from what I have seen since he arrived, he is NOT a Man United class player. I can’t even understand so far Andrei why SAF has even bought him. Maybe he will prove me wrong though, but so far I haven’t seen much to shout about!
June 15th, 2009 at 1:28
@NicoQB: Tim Cahill (milwall), Joleon Lescott(wolves), Robbie Keane(wolves) and Theo Wallcott (southampton) have all come through from there and done very well in the Prem.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:28
@NicoQB: Have to say that I like Young. Seen plenty of Villa games this season and while he might not have great sheer skill, he still has plenty of attributes (including allegiance to the Premier League
)
June 15th, 2009 at 1:31
@Grognard: By Nanny for Ljajic Grog I presume you mean as a watchkeeper of him, and you are not talking about Lil Man Nani – right
.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:33
@Traverse: TBH, that is hardly a flattering list. Considering that Bendtner and Campbell were stars in the Championship, I would not put much faith in its ability to provide the platform for top players to develop on.
I would much prefer loans to the likes of Hull or Barnsley or clubs like Sunderland and Wigan with whom Ferguson has tight relationships – thus is less likely to be let down.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:34
@Craig Mc: I see… a bit disappointed really – had hopes for the guy. By the way, how old is he? Methinks he’s about 19 but cannot be sure.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:42
@Andrei: Tosic is in early 20’s I think. He has been working in the gym, because SAF wanted him to bulk up and strengthen his muscles a bit. Still hasn’t made a tremendous difference though so far, but we live in hope, because he cost us a good few million quid
.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:53
@Craig Mc: As unbiased as a Nani -supporting Craig, goes the saying!
As for Ferguson, when I just read his comment of how Ronaldo could not be retained against his will – I commented yesterday but my browser crashed- what most struck me was that the article mentioned, quote:
“… Ferguson, speaking from his holidays in the south of France…”
While every big club is trying to drive a bargain, his attitude is a bit disconcerting. Admittedly its not HIS job, but I just wonder if its part of the reason why we are now about to pay 20 miilions for Valencia…
June 15th, 2009 at 2:02
@NicoQB: Mate, you answered your very question there.. it is not HIS job!! You don’t see the coach of madrid negotiating with opposing clubs when signing players, neither is Pep Guardiola or any other coach for that matter… this is because that responsibility usually lies with some other figure in the club; ours lie mainly with David Gill. Besides, this is 2009, an age of prevalent digital technology. I’m sure Fergie is reachable at his holiday spot, as that paper interview proves. The gaffer deserves a break too!!
Pre-season starts in a coulple of weeks and it’s back to the office/training ground for not only the players but him also. If they can get a rest, why shouldn’t he? 
June 15th, 2009 at 2:17
@Traverse: All good players, but not starting material for us imho. More back up quality like Park. Has there been any world-class, or near world-class player to have come from the Championship?
Fletcher would be rated higher than 15 million Marouane Fellaini, if he played for any other team regularly.
Anyway I’m curious about that ex-United player from Wolves who ended top scorer… can’t quite get his name…
@Craig Mc: It was not for nothin that his nickname back in Serbia was Bambi! Has a sweet left foot, but he’s got to be more than the Serbian Downing to succeed for us.
Oi, I’m off to sleep for now…
June 15th, 2009 at 2:30
Btw, I have been thinking about this whole transfer flying circus that’s beginning to ensue now we have let ronnie go. I feel we shuldn’t chase a marquee signing, as the pressure to perform and fill Ronnie’s boots will be too great and no matter how he does – extremely well or poorly – he will still not measure up to ronnie and in the media/ABU eyes will be declared a flop.
I feel we just need three modest but promising signings this season.
A Striker – if tevez is leaving (which I hope he does), I feel we need a proper big, fast and lethal No9. A couple spring to mind, like Eto’o, Santa-Cruz, Huntelaar etc but Pavel Pogbrenyiak is the most attractive in the sense that he loves United, is almost at the end of his contract which runs out in November, hence realatively cheap and he’s just the type striker I feel Rooney and Berba can play off. Plus, he’s from Russia, so I don’t see him complaining about the non-trivial weather conditions these warm-blooded players seem to detest.
A Winger – I feel Valencia is already a dead cert and with Nani hopefully getting games this coming season, I feel we have two proper and lethal wingers which can attack and create. Add Park and Giggs as back up. Plus Ljajic is arriving in January(our future No7, I think), with Tosic apparently bulking up and Welbeck as an option, we are well covered there.
A Midfielder – This is the tricky one. At a glance, it seems like we have too many, but they are all similar and are holding each other back. The fact that we do not have a proper DMF (apart from the crocked hargreaves and to an extent Fletcher) will always prevent real attacking talents like Carrick and Ando from actually doing what I feel they are best suited for, attack. Instead, we employ two central midfielders who just sit back and help each other out defending. If Hargo is a dead cert to come back pre-seaon, I feel we shuld give him a try and if by January, it is evident he is not the same player, we make a move then. For now, I feel him and fletch can act as true defensive mids, which should allow the likes of Carrick and Anderson to move forward and create Attacks and goals.
It might be a bit lacklustre, given the departure of ronnie and the big-spending going on around us, but I feel what we need is a key addition upfront and a reliable winger to help provide the strikers with chances. Plus, if hargo is fit, we really do not need to buy a defensive mid, but of he is not, it is imperative we do. We will be switching back to a more flexible 4-4-2 this season, I think, and to do that we would need a proper No9, two attacking wingers and a proper Defensive mid paired with a proper attacking mid.
June 15th, 2009 at 2:32
@NicoQB: Its makes no difference wether you are talking on the phone from an office in Manchester or sitting under a tree in france, the gaffer will be doing what needs to be done though David Gill who will be in close contact with.
The talk is that Gill already has a list with potential recruits on it, Im sure the wheels are already in motion on a few of them, wether they are successful or not is another thing.
June 15th, 2009 at 2:41
I hope this is true.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/06/15/manchester-united-to-make-record-45million-bid-for-david-villa-115875-21441262/
June 15th, 2009 at 3:27
@RDJ: It sounds like a load of bull, to be honest.
At the moment, there is not one world-class talent that we are not being linked with, so expect to see more and more sensational stories that blow up like a Ukrainian nuclear power plant.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:37
@Mike: It’s not a case of hating United. It’s a case of telling those close to him to sign for Italian or Spanish teams because of his preferential bias. This has upset Fergie in the past because he doesn’t appreciate Maradona’s meddling.
I have read a few things in the past but sorry, I don’t copy and paste things in some file so that I can bring it up to people who don’t believe months or years later. You just have to accept what I say on faith.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:40
@Fred The Red: I don’t think we are anymore. Ribery has made it pretty clear he is interested in Spain and Bayern are asking too much so I think Fergie has passed on Ribers the pretty boy.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:43
@Fred The Red: You would have to watch the games I have watched mate. He has amazing skills, great on the ball, incredible dribbling, tricks and has really become a very good and clutch goal scorer to. Back in WC 2006 the big knock against him was his poor finishing but over at Bayern he has become lethal although I wouldn’t compare him with Ronaldo. I’ve seen him score cannons cutting in from the left side and he is also a great finesse play maker. He’s worth 50 million in my book but not a penny more. A fantastic little player.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:44
@Craig Mc: The best thing to do is to just avoid reading it mate and wait for United to report signings.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:45
@Craig Mc: He’s Ljalic’s nanny.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:47
@Craig Mc: No I am talking about Tosic. He is there to keep Ljalic company and to basically be big brother so the young guy doesn’t feel to lonely or depressed so far away from home.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:49
@Gabriel: I wouldn’t be surprised if Fergie goes after Pogrebnyak in January during the transfer window because then he won’t cost them anything to get him and all they have to do is worry about wages. No reason to buy him now in the middle of Zenit’s Russina season.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:00
We need to overthrow these trolls. How can they say this after their declarations against EPL spending.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5376909,00.html
June 15th, 2009 at 6:26
I dont know what this fuss is all about. We need a winger, a striker and a defensive midfield general. I would say keep it simple. Buy…..
1. Ashley Young
2. Gabi Agmonlahor (sorry for the spelling mistake if any…)
3. Flamini….
See the problem is solved…..
June 15th, 2009 at 6:58
Most realistic signings that could really improve us would be:
1. Sergio Kun Aguero – 40m
2. Antonio Valencia – 15m
3. Maruaro Felliani – 20m
4. Rene Adler – 15m
Total : 90m
Out you go:
1. Ronaldo – 80m
2. Campbell – 6m
3. Kuzack – 3m
Total : ~90m
Play 4-3-3 with Rooney and Aguero supporting Berba.
And yes, give No. 7 shirt to Kiko Macheda
June 15th, 2009 at 7:04
And if we still have our usual allocation of 20-25m then we can use that to lure Huntelaar so that we have 4 proven goal scorers. He should not cost more than 20m and surely must be surplus at Real if they sign Villa. They cannot play each and every player in their roaster!
June 15th, 2009 at 7:20
Goodbye Ronaldo, FIFA 09 version.
Tell me what you think!
June 15th, 2009 at 7:50
@Traverse: Could it be, i can see into the future?
June 15th, 2009 at 8:15
@RedDevilEddy: nice, i particularly liked the pompey FK!
June 15th, 2009 at 8:19
Looks like 500+ comments is more than enough to slow things up here. So move on to the new post that’s up.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:22
@Dan:
Thanks for watching! 
June 15th, 2009 at 8:41
@RedDevilEddy: You know how to make a grown man cry mate.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:45
@Grognard: Made myself cry mate, thought it was very sentimental. Besides, he has given us so much joy he desrves thiat kind of goodbye…
June 15th, 2009 at 10:00
BREAKING NEWS!!! RONALDO DEAL IS OFF!!!!!!!
A report from madrid has stated they do not agree that ronaldo is worth £80000000 as they can buy two girls blouses for a fiver in primark.
June 16th, 2009 at 16:07
How about we make a deal of 60m for villa and silva,that would be amazing.We all know Fergie wants the players who play well against United,maybe thats why the friendly has been arranged.It would be insane for someone like fergie and gill not to have a plan,because they knew ronaldo would leave.Though my other favourite pair of signing would be Aguero and sanchez.
June 16th, 2009 at 22:19
I think we ought to sign Juan Sebastian Veron so that Fergie can complete that 4-3-3 he’s been tinkering with for so long and move Ole wide Right. Then Maybe next year we could go in for that Uruguayan chap, Forlan who who plays for Atletico. He looks like he has all the skills to be a goal machine in the premiership.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:53
Now lads, all your thoughts are good, though some are unreasonable, if Fergy wanted a Ronaldo replacement, he would have got one before he oked the Romadrid sale, and am very convinced that he already has his replacement in Adem Ljijac, not so sure about the spelling. That Boy will adone the famous number 7 of manchester.
If we are going to make any major buys it will be just to balance the team not to replace Ronaldo. I will miss him as a footballer but am also not crying about his departure, As for Tevez, I hope he goes, I watched every United game last season and apart from the few times he was brilliant, I would say 70% of the time he was poor on the ball, lost the ball so much, had very poor positioning and his workrate was mostly useless. ( sorry for those who love him) who needs a player running about 90 minutes but no impact on the outcome.
My Bet is we will not sign any strikers, but will add a midfielder and a defender, Just like after Beckham departed, Fergie will look to the youth to fill the Ronnie gap and will buy next season if they fail.