Aug 22
Ronaldo Returns + Fergie’s Optimism Dips + Squad ‘Swells’
According to reports, a Manchester United player who goes by the name Cristiano Ronaldo has just returned to light training.
I was curious, so I looked up Wikipedia and did my research about this player — because, you know, it’s always good to get your facts right about lesser known players. I found out that he’s got great pace and can get past defenders with ease. He also scored 42 goals last season and played three months carrying an injury. So he must be some player.
So this some player has returned to light training and concentrated on jogging all week.
Oh.
The Sun put up pictures referring to his appearance as ‘grim’ whilst Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, John O’Shea and Louis Saha were all laughing. I mean, what training ground sees only a certain set of players laughing while a few others don’t join in the laughter? It’s a team game, where everyone laughs in unison (and turn glum in unison) at the count of three, no?
Seriously though, my only question after reading that article was, what the hell is Louis Saha doing laughing his arse off in training? What if — as opposed to regular folk — his arse actually falls off, thus ramping up our medical bills further?
Pertinent questions, one would suspect. Think about it.
Meanwhile all the optimism and positive energy that Fergie exuded last week has all but evaporated when he admitted that he was less optimistic about signing a striker.
“I’m feeling less optimistic right now. We are looking at something, but if it doesn’t come off then we will carry on as we are.”
So there you go. Fantastic news. We will have the same team that won us the double last year. Hmm… not a bad squad to have but when you think you are just one signing away from having a side that can continue to be challenging on all fronts then it’s less than comforting to see the way we have done business this summer.
We need an out and out striker who can play maybe from the game following Portsmouth, ideally. If we don’t then I would tend to think it to be a bad summer in terms of transfer business.
In better news, at least some of our players, who had gone out, are returning in one piece. Anderson will be back in the weekend, Tevez will be back after being involved in a friendly with Argentina. Ji-Sung Park is making good progress whilst Hargreaves and Giggs could make it back for training this week.
So in short, it looks like Tevez will surely make it for Pompey. I think I’ll take that. It’s a good thing our game is on Monday although we travel to Monaco for the Super Cup game against Zenit on the 29th. I would love for our lads to win that trophy, and I think it will be more an opportunity for the likes of Anderson and Nani to get their first real competitive first team action. Perhaps, Fergie might throw in the Brazilians if we do manage a couple of early goals.
As an aside, Zenit, who we will be facing in the Super Cup, will be without Arshavin to avoid risking injury so that he could move to Spurs. Could that lead them to selling Berbatov to us?
Hope springs eternal.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Fergie’s Wind Up Act, Levy and Not Much Else
- Fergie’s Cleverley About-Face
- Easter Island Head’s NYC Visit | Ronaldo Goes Top | Fergie’s Double/Treble Aim
- Possebon Loan ‘Cancelled’; Returns to United?
- Man Utd v QPR: Preview
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (484)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Well Gabriel, this conversation is going nowhere. You are going on one of Fergie’s interviews. It is Fergie’s duty as Dan(u)ol says to point out the positives of a player. Fair enough!. But you can wrap the facts up in a chocolate box, and tie it up with a pink ribbon, but the points I said Fergie did concord with, even though he put it into a more positive frame than I did. But I am a bareknuckle fighter, and I don’t have to keep players happy. Fergie did say in various comments over the last few weeks:-
1. Rooney is not scoring as many goals as he can, and I am looking to him to start to score more. He can be like Ronnie?.
2. Fergie said, that he wants Rooney to stay in his own half of the field, where he should be to make more impact on a game.
3. Rooney does need to keep his head straight, and not get into compromising positions. Gabriel, I never talked about red cards, but I’ll tell you this. If Ref’s had given Wayne the yellows they should have done, he would have acrued more reds. I think if he continues this season in the same way, with the respect campaign, he will finish up getting more reds.
Anyway, I think we have exhausted this discussion, and this is my last word on the subject. I know what Fergie said over the past few weeks, I heard him, and I don’t base this hearing on one interview. Anyway, END OF!.
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deleted by me.
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Fergie should challenge Rooney to score more goals, perhaps a wager like he did with Ronaldo?!
That could be the solution doesn’t it?
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Dan: So we arbitrarily discount 5 or 6 goals from Rooney because they were early in the season and he was in good form? So are we allowed to discount goals from Tevez when we had a very good game, just to make it fair? Do goals count for less when you are playing well?
And while we give Berbatov and Tevez some slack for being moody/adjusting to the team, we ignore the injury disruptions that Rooney suffered from? Stats can tell lies yes, but your own analysis isn’t exactly unbiased.
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Here’s my take on Rooney:
He gets heavily criticised by fans and the media alike, who built him up so much when he was younger, that they expect almost unrealistic things of him at his age. Considering he does actually improve his goals to games ratio each year, he doesn’t do badly, and these last two seasons, injury and a lack of decent pre-season has hampered his ability to keep his form consistent throughout the season, which is why he is prone to goal spurts, then a few games without any goals.
However, many people don’t realise his goal contribution due to the large amount of chances he does miss. It seems that his composure has left him somewhat, and even though he gets himself in more goal scoring opportunities, he seems to either think too much, or try something fancy, when he just needs to do the simple thing and whack/place it past the keeper. Often you will see that he waits too long before shooting, and soon enough the opposition keeper is right at his feet, making it harder for him to score.
Also, due to the lack of an out and out forward last season, we played a more fluid style, where Ronaldo would often drift into the middle, and Rooney out to the wing. It seems that this has given him a bad habit, and along with his desire to play everybody’s position for them, he is a bit of a loose cannon about the pitch, which often leaves us with noone in the box. Hopefully, Fergie’s pledge to not use him as much as a utility player (playing him on the wing vs Barca for example) will reign him in a bit more, and get him more focused on staying in the correct part of the pitch. I doubt that we will ever stop him from roaming out onto the wing, but if Nani/Ronaldo/Giggs/Park/Any other winger we may purchase in the future can drift further inwards when he does so, that should not be as much of a problem.
The thing that did irritate me about his latest interview was when he mentioned getting “frustrated” when losing, like it was normal. To be honest, I would want my players to be cool and collected when we are losing, playing their natural game, which is good enough to beat anyone, instead of rampaging around in desperation. Yes I would like them to play with more urgency, but frustration leads to fouls, misplaced passes, missed chances etc. and I think that Rooney needs to learn to keep his head when all is not going well.
Sorry for the length of this post.
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@JB: no we shouldnt just discount them, but we should take that fact into account when making our own judgments on rooney from last season and beyond. im not trying to be bias, is trying to be realistic, and i just dont think rooney has lived up to expectations or potential.
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@Craig Mc: lol.
well, I don’t base my discussions on one interview, speculations, personal opinions but on Fact!. The link I managed to find was stating Fact!. Everyone can say he almost got sent off, he shoulda got sent off, Fergie contradicts himself, Fergie is standing up for the player etc but at the end, those feelings/personal opinions are not tangible and stand for nothing. You have to look at facts to deduce the true implications and meanings of events.
Call me stubborn, but I just don’t see it fair when a player is undeservedly criticised based on personal opinions/views when the Facts state otherwise!.
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@AlexOfMancunia: i agree with you 100%
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Alexof ManKunia, thank feck, someone who gets it at last.
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@JB: yeah and maybe we can take off all of Torres’ goals scored at Anfield because he finds it easier to score there. Hey because of that Rooney scored more than Torres, how amazing
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@Craig Mc: i know what you mean craig.
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@Liam: Hahaha
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@Craig Mc: of course he can score more but that’s like me saying that with the amount of shots Ronaldo takes he should score more. And we both know how unreasonable that sounds although I do consider Ronaldo to be much more wasteful than Rooney but I suppose that’s for another time
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Jetza – haha mate. A Ronaldo type challenge by Fergie for Rooney to score more goals, would be good, if the Roon is prepared to put in the extra training and dedication Ronnie did to become the worlds best player. Somehow, I don’t think the Roon thinks he needs it lol. But don’t tell Gabriel, he is Roon obsessed. Just teasing Gabriel mate!.
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Liam, awww Liam you have let me down mate!. You think Ronnie is more wasteful than the Roon. Ronnie does not miss the one on ones that Wayne misses, and he more often than not gets his shot saved, whereas the Roon MISSES the target one on one big time. Come on Liam, I have faith in your seeing it right mate.
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Well, on another note…
What formation do you guys reckon we should employ against Portsmouth tmz?
I was thinking 4-3-3, as we have no fit/available wingers. We should play a narrow 4-3-3 with Evra and Brown bombarding up and down the wings for width:
————VDS————-
Brown—-Rio—-Vida—-Evra
—–Fletcher—Scholes—–
———–Rodrigo———-
—-Rooney———Tevez—-
———-Campbell———-
With Fletch, Rio and Vida playing deep, Evra and Brown will be free to move up and down the wings. I put Rodrigo higher up than scholes because Scholes usually likes to drop deep and dictate play, plus he is more experienced and will display more game-concentration that will help in breaking up portsmouth midfield play. As per Rooney and Tev, they can both play free SS roles there and leave Campbell to push the portsmouth defence deep, hence creating space for both of them and Rodrigo.
Seriously, we are looking very good for tomorrow, I reckon we can put two goals past them, and more importantly, not concede any.
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@Gabriel: I would like to see one of the twins get a start. Either Fabio at LM or Rafael on the other wing tbh I think playing them both would make us much more dangerous but Fergie would never go for it.
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@Craig Mc: No i’m not Roon obsessed, just defending our player from those who are ‘Way’-ne too ‘Roon’-ey critical/expectant.
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@Liam: I know, the twins would be sort of exciting, but still unpredicatable, and that’s why Fergie won’t go for it!. I wouldn’t mind the twins coming on for brown and evra later on, cuz I want brown/evra to constantly be running up and down the wings, crossing, dribbling and creating link up play. They are the only width we would have, so it’s up to them and if they get tired, the the twins might get a look in.
It’s rodrigo I’m excited about, hopefully it’ll be a three man midfield, so he can have the space and opportunity to show his worth. If Campbell can push the portsmouth defenders back a bit, then rooney, tevez and rodrigo will have ample space to create magic!.
Crouch and defoe would not be a problem for Rio/Vida, they have one style of play and our defence should keep them quiet. Portsmouth’s midfield shouldn’t either, as we will have three in the middle, and we all know how fletcher gets juiced up when playing DMF
All in all, our squad is good enuff to beat them comfortably, that’s why I can’t wait!.
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@gabby
no anderson in there
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@gator: the guy just came back from the Olympics, maybe a substitute appearance, but I don’t see much chance of him starting. Maybe in the supercup, he could start!.
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Gator, I understand that both Hargo and Anderson could play some part in this game. Rather them then anyone else at the moment. But some people here have got wild ideas, so who knows lol. Come on Hargo, you are the man!.
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sheeeeeeeut put his ass in there he scored in yellow maby hes ready to score in red.
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Everybody keep saying that Fratton Park is a bad place for us. That we cant win there, only 1 win in 5 seasons. Its amazing! Pompey are a god side, but we should have beaten them with more often at Fratton Park. Now, Ive looked at some previous games at Fratton Park, starting in 2006, when we won 3-1. United team:
Vds(Howard sub)
Brown
Rio
Vidic
Silestre
Ronaldo
Fletcher
Giggs(Smith sub)
Park
Ruud
Rooney(Saha sub)
That season that was probably our strongest team. Scholes and Keane out, so Giggs(revelling in CM at that time) and Fletch took over. That was a good day, we led 3-0 at half time.
2007(06/07 season): United lose 2-1, United team:
VDS
Oshea
Brown
Rio
Heinze
Flecther(Solskjaer sub)
Carrick(Smith sub)
Scholes
Richardson(Giggs sub)
Ronaldo
Rooney
Maybe a strong attack, but at this time our squad was tired. Its April, sandwitched between the Roma CL games(7-1 win in next game!). Richardson sucked, Flecther sucked, Carrick sucked, Oshea sucked, Rio scored own goal and Heinze played like he was already a Pool player; like a looooooser! Pompey led 1-0 and 2-0 before we made it 2-1 in the 88 minute. Had it not been for James, we would have won.
2007(07/08 season). United draw 1-1, United team:
VDS
Brown(Eagles sub)
Rio
Vidic
Evra
Ronaldo
Carrick
Scholes
Nani
Giggs(Oshea sub)
Tevez
Tevez first game for us, Nani first start, Ronaldo got sent off… A bad day. Had we been more sharp, we could/should have won.
If we put up a strong team vs Pompey tomorrow, we should win. They have lost Muntari and switched their formation to 4-4-2. They only work when they play 4-5-1 if you ask me. Sorry for long comment, good night!
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Wow I am trying so hard to stop myself commenting on this whole rooney saga and most of you already know where i stand on the matter.
Anyway, how quickly the ‘fantastic’, ‘unbeatable looking’ and ‘goal scoring’ Chelski have returned to their old 1-0 dodgy looking self!!!
Come on United beat Portsmouth tomorrow so we can all be on a high. I’m thinking 2-1 Rooney to bag them both
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OllieY, speak up man please. We don’t know where you stand on the matter, but wherever it is, it is okay mate. I do surmise by your post though Ollie, that you are a big Rooney fan, well good for you. I very much doubt he will score two goals against Pompey though, but if he does, I will be amazed.
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JB, thanks for explaining where you have been, and why you have not posted. Great to have you back again though. I know Tev is going to prove his worth, so only time will tell eh JB?.
Red Devil, thanks for the stats mate on the UNited/Pompey games. I do know United don’t have the best record there. We truly need to win MOnday though, or we are fecked!.
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Gabriel, I know we don’t see the Rooney situation the same lol, but we are still cool though – right?. We all have different takes on things, thats what makes it so much fun.
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@Craig Mc: I am a big Rooney fan and don’t believe what all the fuss is about, he contributes fantastically to our team and is sorely missed when not in it. He just needs the one goal to get him going.
Form is temporary, class is permanent
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@Craig Mc: o’course we cool!.
haven’t you noticed i’ve taken up ur rebellious exclamating style?. 
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@OllieY: the debate has gone on for some time mate, was fun though!.
I think a little bit of clarification regarding Rooney’s strengths and weaknesses was good for everyone. At least, we all should know what to expect and not complain when he doesn’t acheive potentially one-off feats like Ronaldos’ 42-goal haul last season!. 
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@Gabriel: I don’t think it is a matter of Rooney performing terribly bad but one of people having too high standards for the young lad
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Gabriel, hahaha – that is mint mate. You got the exclamation/question mark rebellion down to a tee. Welcome to the punctuation/grammar non conformist society lol!. Down with bullies, hurrah for all forms of writing expression.
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By the way, where the heck is Red Ranter today?. I think he has gone into hibernation to escape the Rooney debate. I think he is a Roon lover though. But then most Man Utd fans are. Shame on me, but I can’t help seeing what I see can I. I like a good debate fracas, its the Irish in me I think – haha!.
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@OllieY: I know!. That’s why most English stars crumble under these sort of expectations, nothing is ever good enough!. The guy had the highest assists output in the team and second best goal-to-game ratio last year despite being injured twice and has also improved on those stats year after year, yet he is still criticised. I mean, he was the highest scoring Englishman in the premiership last year!.
Such expectations can lead to low self-confidence, as you try and try, and even though you acheive above average results, you are still not good enough!. Even messi (40 app, 18 goals) performed similar to rooney (43 app, 18 goals) last year, but people still give Rooney stick and rave about messi. It’s totally ridiculous and I just wish it would stop before they make him the next Michael Owen!.
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@Gabriel: Well said, there is not much wrong with the performances he puts in at the moment.
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Errr – Michael Owen is a great player when FIT. You can always rely on him for goals if he is healthy. Trouble is he seldom is. Anyway here’s a ponderer for you. Little man Nani was only one assist short of Rooney’s assists for last season, and I believe that was because the Roon missed some of Nani’s good crosses and passes into the box. I love Nani, but now I start another arguement right?.
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Ollie, Fergie wouldn’t agree with you on that mate. He knows he is not seeing the best of Rooney. Why you guys can’t see it is beyond me.
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Thought I’d share this, in case some of you are not regular readers of The Guardian.
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@Andrei: Read that article mate… I have been saying for quite some time that spurs were playing with fire and will get burned!. We want Berba, but are not desperate for him, yet Tottenham thought they could hold us to ransom for £30mil!.
Now the player is unsettled, they have only one other striker and need to sell Berba to acquire that extra striker with just a week left. United could even offer them £22.5mil and they’ll accept at this point!. Levy was playin chicken with Fergie and I guess he’s the one that has seemed to chicken out now
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Just call them, make an offer, and they’ll kick his ass out for 100% profit on what they bought him for 2 years ago. Every morning I wake up without news of Berbatov’s arrival is like nails being scraped down a blackboard…
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@Andrei: and speaking of the gaurdian, this has to be the most biased article ever!.
I bet she wanted to screw him after!.
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@Traverse: tell me about it mate!. At least now, Fergie can get him for the price he budgeted for. Another positive is that Berba doesn’t need time to adapt, he can hit the ground running, and I think that’s why Fergie was willing to play the waiting game.
Levy is a cunt, and although his defiant stance has strengthened tottenham’s resolve for not being a feeder club, it might hurt them in the short run. It is evident there is tension at the club and this Berba situation is not helping the new recruits settle into a good atmosphere.
I seriously hope we offer the same amount we reportedly offered the first time, that’ll be the icing on the cake for me!.
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Where is Grognard? Havent heard from him in a a while.
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@Gabriel: I would love to see United in a 4-2-3-1 formation with two wing-backs in the long term.
My (albeit very adventerous formation which fergie would not adopt):
EVDS
Raphael(Brown/Nev)-Rio-Vida-Evra
Rodrigo(Hargo)-Scholes
Tevez(Fletch)-Roo-Anderson
Campbell(Manucho)
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So what has been worse this summer:
1) Waking up everyday desperate that we get a striker.
2) Waking up everyday just wanting to hear Something about the Ronaldo situation.
3) Waking up realizing that you’ve spent your most of your time worrying about 1 & 2 and not celebrating the fact we did the Double over chelski?
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@Gabriel: I think she’s a pretty good writer for the Guardian. And if you go to her profile it’s pretty obvious she makes no bones about he love for Arsenal. Amy Lawrence is among the better columnists despite her Arsenal bias.
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@Gabriel: The Berbatov deal is only a matter of time. this is the way fergie inteded it to happen. we have broken the dressing room spirit at spuds, look at their result on saturday!,through this whole saga. The only thing left to do, If Levy the cunt has brain cells, is to sit down with us and agree a price. This one is going through before the window closes methinks.
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@Red Ranter: I know she’s good!. I was just pissed off at the way she made Fabregas look like a saint and in the process wrongfully indicated that Ronaldo was looking for a pay rise and using the media as his instrument (which is so not true). It’s typical London-biased journalism and they have a responsibility not to be that biased, cuz a lot of neutrals read those papers and when they read that, they will automatically think Ronaldo is some kind of evil, dishonorable conniving twat (which we know now, he isn’t)!.
Maybe it’s me, but that london-tabloid bias really grinds my gears and most people are naive to it and just end up believing the crap those journo’s write in the papers!. Anyways, mini-rant over!. Hopefully, when we get Berbatov, they won’t start saying United’s involvement was the reason Tottenham had a slow start to the season!.
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@Gabriel: I hate her. I hate the media.
I know im a very happy chap.
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