Jun 15
Ronaldo transfer money harder to spend in reality
The latest in ridiculous transfer stories is the one about United’s bid for Liverpool’s Fernando Torres. Much as we rate the Spaniard, it’s not a deal that makes sense. There’s been talk about Liverpool’s reported financial situation that will force Liverpool’s hand. But let all that talk not fool you. Liverpool will be absolutely mad, and even absolutely mad would be a gross understatement, to sell them to any of the other three top clubs in England, let alone United, whatever their financial situation maybe. In fact they would be crazy to sell him, full stop. There is the debt situation, but it is surely not even close to that faced by Valencia.
To sell Torres would mean regression in all Benitez might have achieved so far at Liverpool, and it is conceivable to say that it could result in the manager himself quitting the club. It all makes for a nice little read on a Sunday afternoon, but I wouldn’t pay too much attention to that. If that ever happened, Liverpool would go down in history as the club run by cretins bigger than Mike Ashley.
I’ve made some murmurs about my cynicism over our transfer strategy, following the record Ronaldo transfer, briefly in the comments, but I need to expand on that a bit more.
The above Torres example is just one in a line of a dozen names trotted out in a period of 4-5 days. Any footballer that can kick a ball becomes the next Kaka, Maldini, Messi, followed by quotes from unnamed sources spilling the beans over said players’ interest in joining United. Said players’ clubs will come out with statements that basically say that it would take crazy money for the club to let their players leave.
Another player whose transfer is taking longer than normal due to the transfer fee is Antonio Valencia — a classic case of the selling club knowing the buying club is flush with cash.
In short, £80m will make clubs add another 20m quid on players’ asking fee. It’s the nature of the transfer market, and has often been United’s undoing.
United’s — or rather, Ferguson’s — history in going after replacements for star players has been mixed. Whilst he was largely credited for the golden generation following the sale of Hughes, Ince, Kanchelskis, the buys following the Beckham sale were largely forgettable, save for a certain Portuguese lad from Madeira. Other famous names from that rebuilding exercise included luminaries such as David Bellion, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, and Alan Smith. In 01/02 we also saw Jaap Stam replaced by Blanc. So it can’t be said that Ferguson is a master at immediately replacing big players with another set of stars that can slip seamlessly into the void.
He is great at rebuilding sides, remodelling the system to work around other players. But he takes time for it, and regardless of what we do in the transfer market this summer, to expect success this season is rather unrealistic. If we manage to buy a couple of players and not skip a beat then I would doff my hat to Ferguson for a remarkable feat. However good a side maybe, changing a system following the departure of a star player, and still going on in a great run takes some doing from the manager.
Ideally, finishing transfer activity before the pre-season would help greatly. However, as history has shown, we haven’t been great at it — be it due to our perception as a ‘rich’ club, or due to our executives’ inability to play hard ball.
By a lot of accounts, we have a list of transfer targets drawn up upon Ferguson’s recommendations. Villa is unattainable; reports claim he prefers Spain. I’d say, with our experience with Spain lovers we shouldn’t waste too much time with him. Karim Benzema is another; Ferguson is an open admirer of the Frenchman’s talents, but in the past he’s claimed his dream is to play for Madrid/Barcelona. I’ve seen very little of him claiming interest to play for English clubs. Of course, in modern day mercenary footy, these quotes matter little, but the lad for all his talents has shown tendencies to throw a strop or two. I wouldn’t straightaway rule him out, but if Lyon’s reputation in selling their stars is anything to go by we shouldn’t waste too much time with them either.
This brings us to some other obvious names. Franck Ribery is once again a Spain lover — as if it doesn’t get cold in Bavaria. But whilst it’s tempting to go for him, there is a danger of over paying for him. I would really be pessimistic over his signing.
That leaves us with no other obvious stars left to go for. Most of the others are clearly off limits to us. We’d have to rely on our past policy of going for rising stars with undeniable talent, but not yet world class superstars. This is a high gamble strategy that has paid off for us, but it isn’t an exact science either that guarantees instant success.
We can talk about the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Aguero, Huntelaar, Sneijder etc, all we want, if it’s instant transfer activity that we crave it may or may not happen soon enough. [I think it will be longer than we expect] And, if it’s continued success on the pitch, we crave, there needs to be a bit more patience on that front.
Meanwhile all we can do for the moment is to look around watching paint dry or perhaps, watch the Confederations cup. Speaking of which, how boring was yesterday’s opening two matches? Those interested in goings on in the Cup might want to look up SL’s coverage on the Confederations Cup. Who knows, the tournament might throw up a few surprise stars!
Anyway, I’ll end my waffling for now, over to you folks!
Related items from Red Rants:
- Gill on City and Ronaldo
- Is United being pound foolish with the below-26 policy?
- What Happens When A Player Doesn’t Get His Move?
- Media Avalanche of Glazer-Debt Stories Gathers Pace
- Craig Gordon to Manchester United?
Tags: Daily Roundup
June 15th, 2009 at 8:37
Good article RR! Weird how so many stars seem to picture Spain as the dream destiantion. I bet that is one of the things Fergie will be looking at when buying a player, personaltiy as well as footballing ability. The fee rules out Ribery, Villa will probably stay in Spain and Benzema has the ego of Ronaldo, thus not the skill. Its gonna be an interesting summer, thats for sure.
Although we may have to wait to fing out who we are getting, cause we are gonna get someone, its nice to think about which players we need and want. Its been a long while sunce Ive enjoyed speculation this much!
June 15th, 2009 at 8:39
Yeah, you could watch paint dry… But Id reccomend you watch my newest video. “Goodbye Ronaldo!”
June 15th, 2009 at 8:46
Why do I get the feeling that this is how our summer is gonna look like? http://www.studs-up.com/2008/09/dont-panic/
June 15th, 2009 at 8:47
HI… (Coming from my Financial background) I always felt that having money and having money mad money in an irrational market never helps. Like the simple rule of economics Liquidity always affects the inflation. And when you combine MAN UTD, Mad Money (liquidity) and Transfer market (one of the most irrational place in terms of valuation. More irrational then even equity markets) it will always lead to hyperinflation only. And then what happen typically is we will not be buying anything or we will buy mediocre quality at a very high price.
Moreover, we should not forget that Ronaldo was not found in one season. He is story of a development over a period of six years. So, to replace him in six weeks is bit difficult. To add to that most of the stars we are said to be targeting are not gettable in my mind.
Like i said earlier i think we should concentrate more on players who have proved themselves in the PL and who will literally guarantee at least good amount of success in PL. That should remain the first priority.
For me the players we should at are Young, Agmonlahor even Cahill and Arteta kind (i know i may get lot of bashing) who will provide us good amount of stability and solidity which will allow us to mount a serious challenge in PL (atleast) if not in CL.
And if we are looking at the star players the best place in my mind is Real Madrid itself. As i am sure there will be lot of clearing activity happening sometime in this window. So, why not look for someone like Hunter, Sneider, Robben (i would take him any given day), because i am more than sure having money and loads of will not help you in buying any of these so called stars.
My lists as i will maintain (with no stars but definitely stars in the making in my mind)
1. Young
2. Agmonlahor (ignore the spell mistake)
3. Flamini…..
June 15th, 2009 at 8:52
Now I knpow how Man City feel. Lots of money to spend and nobody from Europe wants to come and play for them. Is Manchester such an awful place? I just don’t get it. A team with such great history and positions that need filling. Meanwhile big name stars would prefer to go to Spain and struggle to find starting time due to the competition there. Please explain to me how Villa gets lots of time with Higuain, Raul, van Nistelrooy and Huntelaar already there? Madrid will have to have a fire sale. Why does Ribery want to go to Barcelona? The two positions he could play there are manned by Iniesta and Henry. I just don’t get the ego and hubris of players who would rather sit on the bench in Spain rather than be a guaranteed starter with United? It’s just baffles me.
On another note, I’m still carrying a torch of hope and delusion regarding the Torres rumour. I predicted it so therefore, it must be true.
Watched Torres score three tonight vs New Zealand. Shitty competition but Spain just played with them and Torres was outstanding. What I would give for us to get him. Team him with Rooney and they will be better than Torres and Villa are when playing for Spain. And they are awesome. One can dream.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:52
@ RedDevilEddy It was great. I really hope it doesnt turn out this way….
I really hope so…
June 15th, 2009 at 8:56
@ Grog I really hope bro that your Torres things turn out to be true. Because it will impact PL two ways.
1. It will make us strong
2. It will finish of any hopes of Pool’s 19th. (not to mention about Fat spanish waiter)
June 15th, 2009 at 9:10
@Grognard: I think Henry will get less time next season because of his advancing years. He’ll turn 32 in August. Ribery will get a good 4-5 seasons with Barca. Henry probably has another season of footy at the top where he can play a lot of games. He’s also injury prone, and Ribery’s versatility will ensure Barca will have quality on the flanks at all times. Iniesta will be Xavi’s partner along with a DM in the central midfield. So I think Ribery will have a longer run in the Barca side than you might think. He certainly is an upgrade over Henry. Also I think Guardiola has a ruthless streak under that calm exterior.
June 15th, 2009 at 9:31
My wishlist for the summer -
IN:
1. Sergio Aguero – 40m
2. Valencia – 15m
3. Rene Adler – 15m
4. Fellaini – 20m
Total outlay ~90m
OUT:
1. Ronaldo – 80m
2. Kuzack – 3m
3. Campbell – 6m
4. Park – 3m
Total ~92m
If there is the extra 20m regular dosh in there then get Huntelaar as well.
We’ll have strengthened all our key positions (attack, mid and defence). I dont think we need a rightback as Wes should return. In the midfield Felliani is premiership proven and is very much in Keane mould. Aguero will fill in Ronaldo void and on the other wing we’ll have Nani/Valencia to fight for the lone spot. Will play with 2 strikers up front (Rooney & Berba natural choice) with Hunter to be given fair (fairer than what was given to Tevez) chance to show his prowess and make striker position his own. And I dont think Rooney should always be automatic choice. He also should have competition!
Last but not the least, No. 7 jersey to go to Kiko Macheda
Sir Alex are you listening (reading whatever)…
June 15th, 2009 at 9:39
@jos: Mate why Valencia? Is it because we are linked to him that he is on your “wish list”. Valencia is simply not united quality and is he any better than we have, is he better than Nani, certainly not for me.
Aguero, is a great player but we have two drop off strikers already in Berba and Rooney, we need a classic number 9, a player who plays off the shoulder of the defender who can score goals.
With Adler again reqlly good but why not give Foster a run, he has the ability if he can keep himself fit to be a top keeper, I say give him a run.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:27
Man United management and their SLOUCH mentality is a feckin pain in the butt! They ALWAYS put themselves in a position to be FLEECED by greedy other club financial directors and agents, because they are TOO SLOW to go
. Whatever comes out of the OT hierarchy mouths, we all know that our Board have known since last bloody summer that Ronaldo was going to Madrid. They also knew the amount agreed upon. So WTF didn’t their brains tell them, to have ALREADY got the player/players we wanted agreed upon already, signed, sealed and delivered. Then we could have cut out all the embarassing shit of the whole world speculating, and suggesting we are DESPERATELY seeking Tom, Dick and feckin Harry, and that their clubs are refusing to sell. Its bloody lunacy, and a club like United should have been able to announce on the same day Ronaldo went, that yes he is going, and here is who is coming in. Is that so bloody impossible. Seems like the Real Madrid’s of this world are the only ones who can do this – bloody sickening! United are a big club, start feckin acting like it 
. Players coming in should have been sorted long ago. We have known Ronnie was out of here all bloody year. You mean to tell me that we couldn’t do what Real Madrid did? Negotiate with other clubs and have deals signed up ready for end of season. Pissing me off BIG TIME. There now, RANT OVER!
June 15th, 2009 at 10:30
@Stephen: Too many iffs and butts in your argument!
Valencia coz he is really good. Just coz he plays for Wigan doesnt mean he is bad! He is better than Nani in my books. Nani has regressed to the point that he is not even playing any important games. What makes u think he will suddenly improve? SAF is no fool for if Nani was any good then he would have played him instead of headless Park! And in any case competition is always good. Only Ronaldo in our whole squad was good enf for an automatic starters place! Unless Nani improves drastically he should have competition!
Regarding Aguero, well we need Ronaldo replacement! He is one! And never bad to have good strikers at your club. Rooney is good but inconsistent, temperamental and also INJURY PRONE! We need at least 3 world class strikers here. We have only 1 and a half (both Rooney and Berba combined equal only 1andhalf World class strikers). 4-4-2 is passe and 4-3-3 is the continental mantra to win in Europe. You need 3 great forwards to do well in Europe. Aguero could play well in both these combinations. And I believe we should go for a No. 9 as well (like Huntelaar). We should have 4 great forwards (to cover for injuries etc)
Adler is badly badly needed! VDS is almost almost finished and Foster is in love with treatment table. Kuzcaxk or whatever his name is is not even Hull quality. That guy cant shoot and has shakiest legs ever for a GK. How is he at OT is beyond me! We dont have quality keepers. We need one for long term. Adler will be a long term solution, at 25 years of age. I dont understand on what basis should we give Foster an extended run? What if he again injures midway? We’ll have no quality to cover for him!
June 15th, 2009 at 11:03
Get David Silva. Tell him to stop holding Villa’s hand, let Villa go to Madrid and lets get Silva. Keep Tevez, get Silva and we’re rolling.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:46
I don’t know why we are being linked with strikers and wingers, but not midfielders. IMO, we need a midfielder as much as a winger.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:57
Hey where is everybody????
Why such silence??? I am not habitual of such silence on this blog.
Buck up guys…. Start your ranting……
June 15th, 2009 at 12:03
@jos: There are always too many ifs and buts in my arguments mate!
Nani in his fisr season was an exciting talent mate, the game against Arsenal typified what ability he has,, yes he regresses last season but really did not get a run. He is to me a better player than Valencia, he is less direct more tricky and a superb crosser of the ball.
With Aguero, yes he is a great player but saying Rooney is tempermental well we all know he is, injury prone well give him a break he has had a few injuries but none majorly recurring, and he is a striker, play him through the middle. We have two strikers who like to drop, so does the Argie plus he is friends with Carlos and is Maradona’s son in law. The cheatying drug addict has already told Carlos to leave so i cannot inagine him being a fan of him in a roation situation and for £40m he will have to start week in week out, we need a classic number 9, something we don’t have, to say we need 4 strikers well we do, Macheda and Welbeck lets give these a chance as back up to see how they can develop.
With the Adler again he is a great keeper, but so can Foster and in my view he has the ability which he has shown to be one of the best, if he can keep fit.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:04
@Kubz: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5381459,00.html
He’s not only overrated, he’s also an idiot!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:06
@Onkar: Activity on this site comes and goes, mate!
Its midday GMT, and no big news have been released recently. What do you expect?
June 15th, 2009 at 12:09
Theres a very interesting Argentine player we were linked with a euro 10m move last year :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/may/29/javier-pastore-huracan-manchester-united
Although at that time he rejected the move for he wanted more first team action, he might be interested now. He is almost almost breaking into the national team of argentina! A player in Ballack’s mould!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:10
June 15th, 2009 at 12:18
http://www.littleabout.com/news/18218,fan-hatred-convinced-ronaldo-move-real-madrid.html
June 15th, 2009 at 12:23
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0615/1224248849992.html
OMG! 
June 15th, 2009 at 12:26
I think Man u should be clever about the way they spend this money. To me just listing a bunch of players and putting a price on each and a value at the end is madness, How about putting about 20 million into the youth system. spend some money sorting out the midfield but not too much and let them put out a story that the money has been used to pay off the debts, when the next window opens they can make the move for a big name. But i really dont think the spend spend attitude is the answer, atleast half the barca teams players during the final were through the system . Spending on big names is just putting a plaster on the wound which is starting to appear at utd. waht happens to these premiership clubs when their rich owners get bored and decide to buy formula one teams?
June 15th, 2009 at 12:47
@ NicoQB Got bit excited… Actually due to bad health i am not at work today. So i have ample time to visit this site. And lead me to bit up impatience… Nothing else… You can just ignore and carry on….
Bit off topic ….But Congratulation to all the English Cricket Fans who saw there site triumphant yesterday…. All the best for today’s decider… but my money is on West Indies….
June 15th, 2009 at 12:55
@Onkar:
Articulate in a language that is understood in this blog.. 
June 15th, 2009 at 13:12
@ Merlinus Bro… What was so confusing about it??? Now i am definitely confused over what you have responded!!! I responded to NicoQB in a very clear manner wasn’t it??
June 15th, 2009 at 14:08
I have read quite a few speculations but as fergie has always done we may have to wait till last day of transfer window( hope not), And at best i could see few youngsters being drafted into the squad.
June 15th, 2009 at 14:12
@Merlinus: Awwww Don’t be mean Merlinus! Not all foreign fans can speak perfect English, and many English people can’t speak a 2nd language at all
. I understand what Onkar is communicating. Try a bit harder Merlinus, Onkar’s posts are not that difficult to read mate 
.
June 15th, 2009 at 14:14
@Onkar: A very clear Manner Onkar, don’t worry about it Bro
.
June 15th, 2009 at 14:17
@Craig Mc:
Not the “language” literally mate.. i was referring to Onkar’s post on “Cricket”! 
June 15th, 2009 at 14:18
Nothing concrete is going to happen until Ronaldo actually leaves. Until he signs the dotted line and is no longer a United player, we will sign nobody. I’m sure we are lining up the deals up, Gill will be sorting it all out, and Fergie will have txt him a list of players to pester and agents to definitely not tap up
June 15th, 2009 at 14:19
@Onkar:
That was sarcasm mate..
June 15th, 2009 at 14:41
@Grognard: Really, really David Villa is about three times better than the sum of all of Real Madrid’s current strikers.
Raul is past it, RvN still has it but he’s been injured Ole-style recently, Higuain is an utter idiot (hope we don’t get him!!) and Hunter is either very crappy or does not fit Real Madrid’s system at all.
June 15th, 2009 at 14:55
@Andrei: How has Huntelaar been crappy he signed in the window which is never easy he scored 8 in 20, which is decent in an interruped and he completly fitted into their system a principal strikers role.
June 15th, 2009 at 15:25
@Stephen: I agree with you mate! Huntelaar is an absolute BOMB! my word, what a finisher. He puts away chances with his eyes shut
.. and the arial ability! those bicycle kicks. Astonishing striker, old school i have to admit.. those kinds are rare these days.. 
June 15th, 2009 at 15:29
Madrid are going to play 4-1-2-1-2! Just watch!.. Ronaldo on right wing! kaka CAM, Ribery or Robben on left, Huntelaar and David Villa or Ibrahamovich as strikers! They are going to be DEMONIC MONSTER ATTACKING FORCE!! I envy the warchest of theirs, and the club’s history which lures players.. Royalty indeed
June 15th, 2009 at 15:38
@Merlinus:
oops SORRY!
June 15th, 2009 at 15:59
@Merlinus: To quote King Eric’s favourite insult:
“Je pisse au cul des facistes du real Madrid!!!”
June 15th, 2009 at 16:28
@Merlinus: What about defence mate, Ribery, Ronaldo won’t track back, Forget about Abrahmovich, robben who can’t defend, they are screwed if they play all of them.. Especially if they don’t sign a good CB it is difficult, especially with Cannavaro leaving…
June 15th, 2009 at 16:47
I think we should sit on the cash for this summer, other than someone like Valencia – ie another solid squad player.
Fergie better be enjoying his wine right now, because when he gets back he has some very hard work ahead of him. Our formation was undeniably unbalanced at points last year, and we were playing half of the squad out of position. Now maybe that was just to accomodate the Faustian one, but I’m 100% sure that Fergie doesn’t know his best formation.
This summer is going to be all about Madrid and their mega-spending – and the fallout this creates. It already has inflated prices to ridiculous natures, and there is no way the players are worth these values. I’m of the opinion that these prices have to calm down over the next 6 months.
My ideal situation is this: Fergie spends the next month sorting out a first XI, in a single formation. He plays this in preseason, interchanging subs for certain areas to see if they can slot in succesfully.
We then play through to xmas using primarily this first XI, as we won’t have to play more than once a week all that often (kids in Carling). Come early/mid December we will firmly know what we need and can hit the market then.
June 15th, 2009 at 16:48
I don’t see the point of buying players that want to play for another club, so that rules out Benzema, Ribery and Villa.
I remain a big fan of Anderson and Nani. I think both are the real deal and will make it at OT.
Giggs, Scholes and Neville will fade away gracefully this season.
For me the only additions our squad needs would be say De Rossi in midfield, freeing up Carrick and taking a punt on Huntelaar who just could be another Torres.
And for something out of Leftfield, Beckham is looking for a club in September
He was pretty damn good against Andorra. OK I know it was Andorra. But his distribution was from another planet.
June 15th, 2009 at 17:08
@Stephen: He scored one hat-trick and one brace. If you take that out of the equation, it leaves him with 3 goals in 18 games and that is crappy.
Don’t get me wrong, I was desperate for Ferguson to sign the guy, but since he went to Real Madrid and I’ve seen more of him, I realized that he is really not that good.
Yea, he puts away some chances but if he is not in the area, he cannot even control or pass the ball. Definitely not a counter-attack type of player. On the other hand, whatever he shoots on goal, he scores. A bit like RvN but with crappy technique.
June 15th, 2009 at 17:09
@despicable: Ribery does track back, mate. Watch the Bundesliga and you will see.
June 15th, 2009 at 17:27
Sell Rooney, Berbatov, Vidic, Aderson and Rio and bring in Bentdner, Pennant, Bramble, Brunt and Alvez.
June 15th, 2009 at 17:33
I’m listening to sky news, who are reporting that Tevez is refusing to go to Liverpool, because out of love and respect for United fans. IF this is true, and to be honest I find it hard to believe a bloody word these players say these days, then at least he is thinking of the fans for a change. After Ronnie’s Manchester is my home, my heart of two weeks ago, I am not convinced but that all footballers are fork tongued snakes
.
June 15th, 2009 at 17:35
@Fred The Red: WTF?
. You DRUNK Fred Bro?
June 15th, 2009 at 17:43
@Craig Mc: thats my dream team mate, I would play them in a variation of the christmas tree formation that I perfected over here in Belfast called the Christmas pudding, The tactics are to take advantage of the oppositions uncontrollable laughing at the start of each game by going into a 3 goal lead after 15 mins, then after they have stopped laughing we park the bus for the rest of the match, I know, I know, you dont have to applaud me, pure genius.
June 15th, 2009 at 18:06
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcZPye-oSqY
cocks out?
June 15th, 2009 at 18:08
@Fred The Red: ROFLMAO
June 15th, 2009 at 18:11
@Craig Mc: Very well said bro. I have been saying this for weeks now. If you sell a player like Ronaldo, make sure you have his replacement before then. People might say well they never had the 80 million then? True but any financial institution will deal with a club like that based on a promissory note. Banks know that once Ronaldo is sold, they will get their money back with interest. Ronaldo is a wide investment risk for them and United should have borrowed the money, gone out and bought David Villa or Franck Ribery weeks ago or even in January and nip the other teams in the bud.
Instead we are stuck with them loafing off every year while the old man goes on his wine drinking holiday in France. I don’t begrudge him a holiday, but take it after you conclude your transfer business. Please don’t tell me something as lame as the Confederation Cup is in the way. Last year everyone was using the Euros as an excuse and yet we only got Berbatov after the season started. Nobody at OT understands or knows how to spell the word urgency.
It’s bad enough most of our targets seem to have no interest playing for us, but when we drag our asses and do business with the same urgency Dimitar Berbatov plays the game, then we deserve what we get, which is sweet fuck all. Strike while the iron is hot. Stop dicking around and start telling the teams you are dealing with to stop being pricks and raising their prices for players just because they perceive us having more money. We paid a stiff and heavy price for that money and we’ll be damned if we allow the Wigan’s of the world to extort us like common thieves. A week ago Valencia was going for 15 million and now the asking price is 24 million. Tell them to go fuck themselves and go after David Silva or Douglas Costa. At least paying a little more for them seems to me to be a better use of money. Valencia is good but he is not worth 24 million pounds.
As for rumours of every great player on the planet being approached by us, I wish it were true. The reality of the matter is most of it is BS and we all know it. Nothing really ever gets done until Fergie returns from his drunk fest. Meanwhile OT burns and nobody want s to join the team for various reasons. Manchester is too cold, they don’t care for the English culture and lifestyle, they love Spanish life and weather, Real Madrid and Barca hold more allure than we do etc etc. Well let me say that all those factors are just bloody excuses. If you ask me, the reason why no great attacking players want to come to play for Fergie at United is because of Fergie himself, his treatment or usage of certain players like Rooney, Tevez, Nani and Berbatov and the way he has turned United in to a boring utilitarian Italian styled boredom machine.
If you are a David Villa or a David Silva, or even a Franck Ribery, you have to ask yourself, if I sign for United, will I get benched in a Champions League game because the boss wants a lone striker or a defensive formation that forces me out? Do I want to be forced to sacrifice my attacking nature and consistently track back? Or do I want to be forced to change positions to service the Gaffer in one of his brain cramp moments?
Frankly, the reputation and luster we had as the beacon of attacking entertaining football throughout the world has long gone thanks to what Fergie has done to the team since the Semi Finals vs Barcelona last year. And even though we played a little bit like that last year before those games, we were still getting used to the change and so our attack was still showing it’s old style. But this year we played at a snails pace and we were as boring as watching bread go stale. On the flip side Barcelona scored over 100 goals in La Liga and won a Treble all by playing beautiful attacking champagne football. Real Madrid in fact sacrificed discipline and common sense and also played attacking football which never netted them a thing, but it sure made attacking players want to go play under that system and attitude. And at the end, United embarrassed themselves in a Champions League final by playing perhaps their worst game as a team in five seasons. Fergie has to ask himself, was it all worth it in the end? To sabotage fifty years of attacking entertaining Man Utd style football for the AC Milan approach.
No it wasn’t and it is believe me, the number one reason why we have lost the allure and the shine that made even Latin players want to risk it by traveling to cold Northern England to ply their trade. Now we are a laughing stock like Manchester City. Two teams with money but perceived to be playing in Purgatory under utilitarian and boring UK born managers. Has it really come to this? 
June 15th, 2009 at 18:15
Like Man City who wear that gay powder blue kit, we should scrap the red and wear powder pink instead. Because that is what we look like to everyone since the changes and since the Champions League final. Fergie has unfortunately done a great deal of damage to the reputation and mystique of Manchester United in one season. In one season he has destroyed everything he built and now we are also Ronaldoless. Sad time mates, sad times.
June 15th, 2009 at 18:15
Go get him Fergie
http://www.setanta.com/uk/Articles/Football/2009/06/15/Prem-Costas-agent-on-United-contact/gnid-57023/
June 15th, 2009 at 18:18
@despicable: Real Madrid is full of royalty mate.. Its not english football, where vidic covers ferdinand’s arse or rooney does for skinned sausage.. NO! Every player has to play for themselves. NOBODY, i repeat nobody helps each other out.. Besides letting one or two goals in is nothing for them, as they always go in with a mentality of scoring drool worthy goals.!
BESIDES, they have a GOD in front of the goal mouth known as ‘Icky!’… One of the reasons why players prefer real madrid, come on! who doesn’t if they are given full freedom to express themselves and unconditionally be the kings of their own game..? It’s the english football which has gone negative mate.. Even Italian pedestrian football is tactical, do you see TEN fucking men behind the ball? Its a BLOODY disgrace to the beautiful game..
..
And hell no to your argument about defenders.. They are not dumb, Pepe is Class.. Metzelder can do a decent job as well..
Sergio Ramos is from a DIFFERENT PLANET
Marcelo has much flair going forward and scores freely..
Put “Lass” Diarra along with him and the newly acquired front four you really have a Super stratospheric team.. WOW!
My word! my favourite Sneijder doesn’t find a place in this
..
June 15th, 2009 at 18:20
@Grognard: The reality is that we always struggled to attract the world elites at the peak of thier powers and thats simply down to the climate and language situation.
Very sad, but very true.
June 15th, 2009 at 18:21
@jos: You are speaking my language mate. Totally agree. And your suggestions for Huntelaar, Aguero and Adler just make me all warm and fuzzy inside.
More people talking like this and there should be a movement to get me as the next manager of United because more and more of you are starting to speak my language,therefore, perhaps I was right all along those many months ago when I suggested all these players and pointed out all those flaws in our team and in Fergie’s system. Hindsight is 20/20 but I think Grognard’s view of United is also 20/20. It’s good to know that even though you might not be patting me on my back like I just did, that you are on the same wave length with me. Fergie needs to get his priorities straight and he needs to take some Geritol (energy supplement for old people) and wake the fuck up and start moving his ass rather than dilly dallying about in the South of France.
June 15th, 2009 at 18:37
The problem I have with the argument that Fergie can take his holiday after doing the transfer is this:
It’s far too simplistic to assume that transfers will go through before July 15th — I assume that’s when players return for pre season training and friendlies. And surely, Ferguson can’t be out on a holiday at that time.
Since we are flush with cash, a lot of clubs will be loath to sell their stars immediately without hearing out other clubs that may be interested. Real Madrid’s spending spree has opened up the transfer market because clubs like us and Milan (apart from Chelsea and City) have money to spend. They will try their best to do a Daniel Levy. So if Ferguson is not taking his holiday now, he will never be able to do so in the summer.
And finally, Ferguson’s job is to draw up a list of targets and hand it over to David Gill to do his bidding — of negotiating, approaching clubs etc. Ferguson does not do the contract negotiations. I am sure he is still in touch with Gill even though he’s in the south of France.
So I really think this is the only time he can really take time off in some vineyard.
June 15th, 2009 at 18:38
@jos: Adler is seen as the best young keeper in the world along with Neuer and Akinfeev. On top of that he is a life long Peter Schmeichel and Manchester United fans. Germany has had the greatest reputation for decades for producing close to the best if not the best keepers in the game’s history. Maier, Schumacher, Illgner, Koepke and of course Oliver Kahn are legends. Right now is a great period for Gemrany when it comes to great young keepers. Both Adler and Manuel Neuer are world class and under 25 years of age. The fact that our manager in his divine wisdom continues to ignore their greatness and especially Adler a United fan, just justifies what I have always said of the gaffer, when it comes to Germans, he’s a racist. Harsh words perhaps, but just look back over the past 23 years and ask yourself, how United could not have bought one German player from arguably one of the top 3 to five footballing nations in the world? What are the odds on that anomaly?
Adler is class and he is so much better than Ben Foster it makes me angry to just think of it. Keep Foster, get rid of the Pole who’s name I can never remember how to spell and send RVN to his retirement home back in Holland.
June 15th, 2009 at 18:53
@Red Ranter: Agreed, do people honestly think that SAF is sitting under a tree in France totally oblivious to the transfer scene and our prospective targets, please, give the man a break.
June 15th, 2009 at 18:58
@NicoQB: He’s overrated, but he is not an idiot. He was poorly treated by Fergie all season long and a player of his stature did not deserve. He gives 100% all the time and works his ass off. Sure he is not the most skilled at finishing or even passing but he does make a difference out on the field. He was a starter the season before and we won the big Double and before he knew it, he was on the bench because Berba showed up. Usually a player like that is given a chance to lose his starting spot. Instead, Berba was inserted into the starting eleven and Tevez was on the bench without having done anything wrong and also after he was the best player in our pre season buildup. Not fair and unjust. So I cannot blame him one bit for walking and telling Fergie to stick his offer up his ass. A player is only as loyal as a club is to him. United teased him by reporting early last season that he was going to be bought but nothing ever happened.
United took the calculated risk and waited to see if they could bring Joorabchian’s price demands down by not playing Tevez as much. It was a gamble that backfired because there is always other teams who could see how valuable a player he could be that would be willing to pay for him. United bungled it big time and that wouldn’t bother me one bit if they in their opinion felt Tevez was not as good as other player they were looking to buy. But just the fact that Fergie ahas spent time trying to convince Tevez to stay tells me that United are realizing that he is more valuable than they thought and that he is not easy to replace. A tough lesson learned by a team that seems to be running around with too much arrogance and belief that they have the pulling power to get whomever the seek.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:02
@Merlinus: I’m sure the booing bothered him and further reinforced his desire to leave but like many have said, this decision was made last summer and all Ronaldo did this season was reinforce his desire with his petulance and selfishness to force Fergie’s hand when Real came a calling. Had we cheered him instead of jeer him, it wouldn’t have made a difference. He was gone.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:03
@Dan: I so want that kid at OT next season, hes tough as teak, has bundles of skill, great eye for a pass and ferocious shot, in short hes pure gold and is the one I would most like to see us sign.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:07
@mick: The problem for a team like United is that they are on top and the pressure to stay on top overrules everything else. If they were to slide to fifth or sixth one season then they might sit back and take stock at improving the club in a smarter and more patient manner, but the big money and big allure of the Champions League and all their endorsements and licensing agreements demand that they be at the top or near it every year. That forces them to buy big name players more often than they would like in order to keep the team at the top and to foster the illusion that all is well and they are progressing in a positive manner. Big money teams do not look good when they take a step back and try to rebuild slowly. They also have to answer to legions of very spoilt rotten supporters who don’t just want them to win, they demand it. A tough job indeed.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:09
@Onkar: Hope you are feeling better soon mate.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:11
@Onkar: I have no problem understanding you mate. Don’t worry about it.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:15
@Andrei: I realize that but teams with that many players of high quality like to rotate and take valuable playing time from the number one guy. I for one would prefer to go to a team that is good but that clearly has a need for my services. I am not one who prefers or thrives on the challenging of having to sing for my supper by competing with others who are also good and could conceivably take my job if I hit a bit of a bump in the road form wise. It’s all about ego and hubris. Too many players are consumed by these traits and it’s unfortunate because common sense isn’t one they are consumed with.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:20
@Stephen: More like 8 in 12 starts mate. I don’t count those games he came in for ten minutes as a sub. Most importantly, Real won every game when he started and lost or drew nearly every game he didn’t. Ramos was intimidated by the power politics at Real and the super clique that Raul is in charge of. Raul and his ability to get into the managers ear through the President basically makes the decisions on who is in and who is out. Raul wants Higuain, not Huntelaar and so that’s what happened. Raul has been the biggest cancer at Madrid for a decade now. Despite his goals and his play, his status as a God amongst the fans has given him power beyond the norm and it has caused the dressing room at Real to be fractured for years now. You are either in his inner circle or you are frozen out. Huntelaar got a bit of a chance to shine when Higuain was struggling with an injury. Otherwise, he would not have started at all. And it’s shame because he is fantastic and he showed it when he got a fair shot to perform.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:22
@Merlinus: No, Real will play 1-6-3 because all they do is buy attacking players and no defenders.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:23
@NicoQB: Amen to that. Long live the King.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:26
@Grognard: I am a big fan of the player mate and have been very vocal about it, to me he is an United player and has everything in his locker to be a hit at our club to me if people cannot see that then it shocks me to be honest.
Raul is a pet hate of mine, his record is great but fuck me if he wasn’t at Real what would he do?, oh and he can take that clown Guti with him.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:27
@Grognard: Actually there is lot of speculation in the press that we are considering Villareal GK. He is like 27 or something and just was the best goal keeper in Spain last season (even had a better season than Casillas according to Ballague and all).
Other usual names are also Spanish! Victor Valdes (why oh why.. he is shit) and Asenjo (who is rated to be the best keeper under 20 yrs of age in the world). We were once linked with Akinfaeev but it never materialised. And I think you might be right in thinking Fergie hates Germans! (maybe WW2 thing?>) Adler and Nuer are class. Much much better and much more proven than Foster (and certainly Kuzack). Why the hell cant Fergie see how rubbish Kuzack is! I can never ever understand this!
Some good young players we’ve been linked are – Pastore, Gabriel Obertan, Sanchez, Benzema – See no Germans!!!
Maybe Fergie will spring a surprise! But I’ll be surprised if really there is a surprise! I guess we shud be prepared for no surprises…
June 15th, 2009 at 19:42
If Huntelaar came, where would that leave Berbatov? I can’t think of a formation that could accomodate Berba, Rooney and the Hunter without shunting Rooney out wide:
————VDS————-
-Raf—Rio—–Vida—Evra–
——-Carrick-Fletch——-
-Nani——Berb—–Rooney–
———Hunter————-
?
June 15th, 2009 at 19:47
@Beachryan: Real created a new trend where things will continue to escalate out of control for a good long while mate. Things will not be better six months or in two years for that matter. We just have to start doing business better and start attacking more in the boardroom. We need to stop taking vacations when the season ends, take care of our player transfers first, then take a break. We need to stop waiting for disaster to strike and then repair the damage. We should have bought Ronaldo’s replacement before Ronaldo was sold. By waiting for him to leave, we opened the door to other teams to get in bidding wars with us and allowed teams that are selling to escalate the prices for players to extortionist proportions.
United seems to lack savvy and finesse in their business dealings with other clubs as well as aggressiveness to attack like a viper. It’s almost like we are intimidated and we act to passive and slow. I could be wrong about all this but perception is hard thing to disprove. United are a sloth or a tortoise hoping to outrace the hair. Problem is the hair does not feel like taking a rest and falling asleep in this the worldwide market of football. Instead, the sloth or tortoise decides to take a few weeks off to get drunk and fall asleep in France. It’s times like this when I feel Ferguson should just retire because this job requires a man with energy, youth and commitment. Where nothing, not even family quality time gets in the way of the job.
I doubt seriously if Jose Mourinho was running United and had 100 million pounds to spend, that he would be tanning his ass and drinking Dom Perignon in France while Real Madrid and Barcelona beat him to the punch on every player. In fact, other than those playing in the Confederation Cup, If I were manager I would be flying out to visit with Franck Ribery or Sergio Aguero etc and have a one to one meeting with them and tell them just how much I admire them and would love to have them at OT. Tell them my plans and visions for the club and tell them how I envision using them within the squad. Also, I would then invite them to come back to Manchester at their earliest convenience so that I could show them Old Trafford, give them a tour and information session on the club and it’s rich history and then show them all the benefits and good things about life in Manchester. Basically, I would work my ass off if I thought the player was really worth it.
Fergie is competing against Spanish fascists and he needs to be aggressive and hungry about the way he conducts business regarding players and transfers. vacationing and acting like a patient and stubborn old man with arrogance and any lack of urgency is not what this team needs to stay on top and compete with jackals. Wake up Fergie or just retire and let a younger more energetic and hungry man take over.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:49
heres a thought, arda turan?
June 15th, 2009 at 19:51
@Gubby: I agree about everything except De Rossi. What makes you think he wants to play for us? He has stated that if he goes anywhere other than Roma, it would be in Italy. So he really isn’t an option either. And i do agree about Beckham. Bring him back as a bench player who can deliver a cross or free kick late in games where we need a goal badly. Fergie should bury the hatchet with him for the betterment of the club and also allow Becks to end his career where he wanted to be all along, with Manchester United. A player who never ever deserved to be cast out in Purgatory.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:53
@Grognard: Not to mention all football players will lose HALF their wages in one foul swoop as higher bracket elite are to give the taxman 50% of their hard earned salary in income tax. Talk about daylight bloody robbery. I would be out of England PRONTO if this happened to my wage packet.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:54
@Fred The Red:
.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:55
@Grognard: “Wake up Fergie or just retire and let a younger more energetic and hungry man take over” Er like who?
Bring Beckham back, are you joking the pace of the premiership would be too much for his poncing about, he is better off selling underpants.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:57
@Fred The Red: No, the reason that players at the peak of their powers don’t come here is because Madrid and Barcelona as well AC Milan have more attractive and romantic allure for them. It’s not just the playing of the game but the weather and social climate too. In that we agree, but those clubs offer players more money and also make them feel more at home than we do.
I remember reading statements from Beckham and RVN on how impressed they were with life in Spain as well as the environment, attitude and atmosphere around Real Madrid. How state of the art their training grounds and fitness rooms were and how professional and cordial they were and how they treated all their players. I’m not say that United is crap, but those Spanish clubs have a skill in seducing players with a lot of glitz glamour and just plain creature comforts that United does not offer.
June 15th, 2009 at 19:59
@Stephen: Selling underpants is a bit harsh Stephen
.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:01
@Red Ranter: Sorry RR but the last time I checked, Real Madrid got both Kaka and Ronaldo before June 15th. You strike while the iron is hot. You strike first, fast and decisive. If you snooze, you lose. This is not a theory of mine for just football managers, it’s a theory used in the business world. And it’s valid. Donald Trump doesn’t stall or procrastinate on a business deal because he want s to take a vacation. Procrastinating and waiting for things usually amounts to disaster. And if it means one has to scrap their holiday in a season of turmoil, then so be it. That’s why I say it’s a younger man’s job these days.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:02
@jos: Maybe that is the point of surprises – to surprise you…
Anyway, I kid. I see what you mean by ‘no Germans’ and maybe we should get Adler, but then again, Asenjo is a monster in FM09
June 15th, 2009 at 20:03
@Grognard: Errrr great attitude and environement you can also find at OT in abundance. State of the art training facilities, dressing rooms, gynasiums, saunas and swimming pool too. Always loads of activity in and around OT all your round, with many foreing visitors and United fans from all over Britain, so I don’t think they have got any of that over us. The difference is the CULTURE, and the WEATHER, thats it – full stop. United players don’t even change their own light bulbs for heavens sake Grog
.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:04
@Grognard: Gill isn’t on vacay, Gorg, he is putting deals in place. Rumour has it that he will meet with Tevez today. Ferguson is on vacay as are all the other managers in the world. None of them are to be seen these days because they are taking a well-deserved day off.
That said, we do have a crappy CEO in Gill and we desperately miss Kenyon but you just know that Gill is a true to United.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:04
@Craig Mc:
June 15th, 2009 at 20:05
@Andrei: Are you joking about Kenyon?
June 15th, 2009 at 20:06
@jos: The one I’m hearing a lot is Viktor Valdez and I agree, he is total shite. Fergie has absolutely no taste or sense when it comes to shot stoppers. He lucked out with Schmeichel and did well with RVN despite getting him when he was well past his best. Neuer, Adler, Akinfeev, Frey, Boruc are all class keepers who could be had and yet Fergie sits on his arse and just rotates.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:07
@Grognard: It can’t help that their agents get bigger slices for them going there, and it costs the clubs less to pay them post tax (by a long long way)…
June 15th, 2009 at 20:09
@Beachryan: Who cares about Berba? I care about goals. Berba doesn’t score any. Although if I were in charge I would try something different to accommodate Berba too. 4-1-2-1-2. Have Berba play an advanced attacking midfielder role just behind Rooney and Huntelaar. He is great at holding up and holding on to the ball and he has vision and great passing ability. Perhaps that role is more suited for him as it seems that was what he was indirectly playing this year anyway.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:10
@Grognard: I have to agree, to put it simply, we are lazy in the transfer market.
Ive said it before, but we need a change in higher management be it assitant manager or chief executive, we need someone younger with hunger, i didnt mean for that to rhyme.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:11
@Craig Mc: Great point. The British tax man is not helping teams out or the players who come here. Meanwhile Spain lets them get away with all.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:13
@Stephen: Like who? That’s a topic for another day but right now I would be more than happy with Mourinho because I can’t see us playing any duller football than we played this past season. At least Mourinho is young energetic and driven with determination.
As for Beckham, he would be just fine in England as a bench player. Give him 20 minutes of playing time every second game and you would get a lot. His crossing and free kicks alone are worth the price, which wouldn’t be too much right now. Not for a player who would dearly love the chance to come home.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:14
@Grognard: Since the players wages are sometimes contracted to be after tax, for us to pay a player £100,00 a week, it’ll cost us £200,00. For Madrid it’ll cost £125,000. That’s £75,000 a week out of our account every week extra than they’d have to pay. That’s £3.9mil a season.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:14
USA 1-0 Italy
June 15th, 2009 at 20:16
@Craig Mc: I have seen photos and video of a lot of OT’s luxuries but the pale in comparison to Madrid’s. I remember seeing video’s of both Madrid and Bayern’s facilities and they are incredible. Right up their with the US sports teams. Super modern and not just state of the art, but posh and pretentious. Players there are pampered and spoilt rotten. Not good in my opinion but certainly seductive to be sure.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:19
@Grognard: Ronaldo came to Madrid after a two year concerted effort. Kaka was always leaving after Milan’s difficulties. Madrid have been blowing money. We can’t afford to be foolishly throwing money around just to finish transfer deals early. Only Real have actually made big moves in Europe among the big clubs so far. So your argument doesn’t hold water here. Your argument seems to assume that it’s a piece of cake having to deal with a multitude of agents, clubs looking to fleece us. More importantly your argument gives the impression that Gill is sitting on his arse doing nothing.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:20
@Grognard: Mourinho’s football is awful mate and there is no way his football is better than ours, but as you say that is a long conversation, plus the guy is a classless twat
Beckham has had it and is more interested in himself and is desire to be the most capped Englishman, no matter what the cost, and if we resigned the has been we would be a laughing stock, and it will never happen.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:22
@Grognard. I don’t know whether De Rossi wants to play for us or not but I beleive Roma are out of the Champions league next season so it might be worth a bid.
@Stephen. Beckhams game has never relied on pace. He wouldn’t start or play every game but as Grognard says what a weapon to have on the bench and no fee involved
June 15th, 2009 at 20:23
@Andrei: You miss my point. Fergie needs to get up and go out and visit these players with their agents and do a selling job. Sitting back and making a bid just isn’t good enough. Madrid and Barcelona send out their agents like Zidane or Perez himself will go out and meet with players and discuss terms and possibilities. Last year Calderon visited Ronadlo immediately after the CL final and discussed terms. For me Zidane is the Anti Christ. I hated him as a player and I despise him even ore as a Madrid lackey who goes out and basically seduces and promises the world to players, especially those speaking French. He is a jackal and snake oil salesman and we have nobody like that to do our bidding. The last time we did anything like that was when we sent poor old Bobby Charlton to Munich to discuss the Hargreaves matter with his long tie friend Franz Beckenbauer. Hardly a stretch or a reach in my opinion. We lack the aggressiveness and killer instinct to get what we want. I’d have no problem if we were losing out on players but we at least gave it the old college try.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:23
@Gubby: I would rather and this is honestly David Bentley than Beckham, time to move on mate he has had it his focus is on self promotion not football.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:23
When fergie said that he knew that ronaldo was always going to leave, i figured he would have a back up plan. i will just wait till we get the money for ronaldo, and from the looks of it from 1st of july and onwards we will get to see some actions.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:28
@Andrei: I’m also reminded of last year and our pursuit with Arsenal for Aaron Ramsey. Regardless of whether he is worth it or not, I admired Wenger’s approach and tactics. He flew the boy and his family out to Switzerland during the Euros, showed them around, wined and dined them and got them to commit. What did Fergie do? He invited the lad to OT while he was away and sicked Mr. Personality Gary Neville on the lad and had him give the lad a tour. In today’s highly media intensive world, hardly as seductive or as romantic as what Wenger did to get the lad to finally sign for Arsenal. Perhaps we never valued the lad as much, that’s fine, but my point is to show the lack of aggressiveness and imagination we show when it comes to going after players into today’s market.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:32
@Traverse: That’s rarely stopped Chelsea from getting players they want. They don’t always succeed but they try harder. Last time I checked, they got Essien, Drogba, Ballack, Deco, Carvalho, Robben, Malouda etc etc. All these players were wanted by Spanish giants and yet Chelsea got them. So we can hide behind excuses or we can up our game and try harder. Get more creative and more aggressive and stop thinking that George Best and Bobby Charlton will be enough to attract players. Players from abroad aren’t even aware of these legends or anything pre Green Day.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:36
@Traverse: Well I guess then we’re just going to have to pay higher wages then won’t me. Tough to do when we have sold our team to a family of nickel and dimers now isn’t it. United should have been sold to an owner who could not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. Perhaps it’s time we took our seat next to teams with owners like ours. Aston Villa, Liverpool, Everton, West Ham, Spurs etc. No longer can we compete with Chelsea, Madrid, Barcelona and Munich when we cannot get players due to our wage structure.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:36
@Grognard: Foreign players are more seduced to living in London or Surrey as they have access to London than Manchester, due to weather and their wives.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:39
@Red Ranter: Red Ranter, I’m sorry mate but regardless of how foolish you may think Madrid to be, they have just purchased two of the top three players in the World and have done so in an aggressive and progressive fashion. You sound like an owner of Aston Villa or Everton. We are Manchester United. We need to start acting like it or surrender tot he fact that financially, we have become nothing more than pretenders. You don’t wait for opportunity to knock on your door. You go out and knock on it’s door. United and you are missing the entire point. It’s about being tough and aggressive, even if you lose. Go down trying. Nothing is a piece of cake, but you have to try harder.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:42
@Stephen: Last time I saw mate, our football was ugly and horrible to boot. So I don’t see how his football is any worse since Fergie basically borrowed our new style from him and Ancelotti?
June 15th, 2009 at 20:44
@Grognard: Worse than the turgid football Mourinho adopts, really?? not for me, at least we attack.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:44
@Gubby: Pace? Are you trying to say that the Manchester United team I saw play last season was a team that played with pace? Sorry mate but you lost me there. We now play an Italian system where ball control and slow plodding build up is the way we control a game. I think you are living in the past if you think that.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:46
Btw, for anyone watchin the confed cup – that Rossi player looks alright. Sigh.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:51
@Stephen: Nope, don’t buy that. Adler, Aguero, Snachez are all examples of players from far off lands that grew up loving United. They couldn’t give a rats ass about the city or the weather. They were sold on the team because of it’s exciting attacking style and pace, and also because of the team’s history of great success. Well we still have great success, but our style of play is hardly enticing now is it? Fergie has used JS Park and played Rooney so our of position in such defensive roles as to completely destroy the perception that many have had about the team and it’s progressive attacking approach. Instead they see the football we should be playing in Spain where the game is not battered down by park the bus teams trying to destroy the game and by a team drowning from the dreams of it’s manager to do whatever it takes to put more European cups in his coffer despite what it might to to our overall reputation for beautiful football. If we are to attract big name foreign talent, we need to make United a go to team again. Play champagne football and to hell with Fergie’s personal desires. I’d rather lose in the CL and play our kind of football than win ugly and turn off players in the process.
June 15th, 2009 at 20:53
@Stephen: I never saw attack. I saw Park and Rooney tracking back and Berbatov afraid of the box.
June 15th, 2009 at 21:13
West indies won
Yep, cricket has taken up my time now!
June 15th, 2009 at 21:16
Grognard makes some very salient points – last season we were not the United we’ve come to know and love. We really let the boys off their leash, rarely attacked in waves like we know we can. I think partly that was the lack of midfield strength – Fergie didn’t trust the two to stem the tides, but also partly because of the humbling Fergie was given at the San Siro. I know it sounds stupid, but wouldn’t we all rather draw 4-4 than win 1-0? I mean, we went up 1-0 against freaking Wigan, and failed to score another.
Can’t wait for the next season to get going. Somehow feel like a big Ronaldo shaped cloud has lifted.
June 15th, 2009 at 21:27
Pakistan through to the Semis! Come on you Pakistanis! Make me Proud! Especially after India’s doom!
June 15th, 2009 at 21:30
@Darth Red Diablo:
June 15th, 2009 at 21:30
i am from the caribbean.so i am happy windies won.i have a feeling that by the end of this week sir alex will make a couple of signing that will surprise everyone. these signing will be great buys for united
June 15th, 2009 at 21:37
@ebrahim:
June 15th, 2009 at 21:45
@Beachryan: NO! NO! NO! NO! We have had more than enough of Rooney on the wing. Let the lad play in the middle for fuck’s sake.
Also, yes, I am serious about Kenyon, he is a better businessman than Gill is.
Grog, I see what you mean, we don’t have enough appeal to the players and we don’t try to improve that – Gary Neville is hardly appeal. But when Ferguson really wants a player, he gets him – see Giggs, Ole, Fletcher. I think that nobody has any clue as to who Ferguson is going to sign.
No we are not getting Villa or Torres or Ribery or Benzema. I think that we will know who is coming in as soon as the deal is done or almost done and we can only guess until then.
Let’s no predict the apocalypse just because we have no heard much and keep trust that Ferguson and Gill are going to get the players he needs.
June 15th, 2009 at 21:55
I was, I will be, I am.
June 15th, 2009 at 21:57
I was, I will be, I am- RedDevilEddy!
|…………? ?…………|
|__Eddy___|
|……09……|
|…………….|
|___? ?____|©
June 15th, 2009 at 22:00
Fucking hell, something really went wrong right now…
June 15th, 2009 at 22:05
@Darth Red Diablo: South Africa gonna whip everybody in the twenty 20!!
June 15th, 2009 at 22:16
Akinfeev
Rio Vida
Brown Evra
Yaya Toure
Carrick Anderson
Aguero Rooney
Berbatov
We can definately afford those three players. Our wing backs would have a big job. Would also add in Glen Johnson as Right Back cause I rate him very highly, but love Brown and Rafael.
The front three would be extremely flexible and they all have the ability to interchange positions.
Those tranfers wouldn’t even come to 80m. And if we looking for width and I’m feeling a bit greedy I would take Ashley Young anyday!
Lol well that’s what I would do!
June 15th, 2009 at 22:19
@Grognard: Your argument is on the premise that we are not being active. My argument is you have no way of knowing that we are active or not behind the scenes. You don’t have inside info, so don’t expect me to believe your argument which bases itself on assumptions that have little proof of being true. We won’t see transfers announced until the Ronaldo deal completely goes through.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:20
@Grognard: You know anything about that Turkish-German guy, I think his name is Ozil?
I been hearing that he is probably the best German youth at the moment and looks a real gem.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:20
@MoYa: Every World Cup has its favourites. But one thing I have learned is that without Pakistan, There IS NO FUN in a cricket world cup!
Pakistan = Most Unpredictable team!
June 15th, 2009 at 22:22
@Beachryan: No way Beachy, I wouldn’t want any draws, high scoring or not! Now 4-3 to United I could accept
. I agree with you 100% about MF, we are woefully weak there, and it would not have made any difference even if Fletcher had been playing in Rome. I would LOVE with a capital L a great commander in defensive MF, who had an attitude, if you opposing strikers get thru me, you’ll know I’m dead 
. Also a really good offensive MF with an eye for a defence splitting pass, and that continually. Then a prolific striker, and those are the 3 buys I would spend my money on. Cos you can have all the fancy dan dribblers in the world, but without a power house MF and prolific striker we will win nothing. 
.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:28
3 Simple(ish) signings which will cost us around 75m and hey presto….
——————VDS——————-
RAFAEL—RIO—VIDIC—–EVRA
—-DE ROSSI——CARRICK——
AGUERO—-ROONEY——SILVA
————–BERBATOV————-
With the extra 25m sign Huntelaar and Costa.
Simple stuff in my opinion
June 15th, 2009 at 22:28
@Grognard: Also when Florentino Perez’s first thoughts upon signing Ronaldo was to talk about shirt sales (and not trophies) then it speaks volumes about their side of things. So I don’t need to bother what that circus of a club does. Despite the fact that we are Manchester United, it is harder for a club like us to sign players en masse. It is partly maybe down to the way we go about doing deals, but a lot of time the sort of players we’re after — continental, Latin, French, need to be convinced that England is the right place for them. Your argument does not factor these in.
Managers like Ferguson and Wenger build sides — and more often than not Ferguson knows what he is doing — and they won’t buy just because they have to. The Galacticos side didn’t win that much for all their star studded side, and Beckham had one La Liga title to show in his four years at that club.
We can bid as much as we want, but a sale is made by two parties. You don’t seem to consider the fact that the other party, ie, the selling club may be dragging their feet over it.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:29
@Darth Red Diablo: Yeah at this moment we looking unstoppable
Ay but I don’t wanna jinx The Proteas!
Gotta agree with you there bro. On their day they’ll beat anybody, but other times they’ll lose to… Anybody!
Must say that Gul has come along pretty well lately, some fantastic bowling.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:31
@MoYa: Ah now your talking mate, thats a great looking team. Only criticism i would say about that is rooney is on the left. Unless your talking about playing very narrow and having no wingers, then yes it could work. However if your talking of playing with a bit of width then we have that problem with ronney being stuck in a position on the wing which he hates.
I watch rooney for england and they do play a 4-3-3 like the sort of team you stated and rooney does play in a 2 on the left behind the front man. Thing is he isnt asked to play out on the wing, ashley cole gets forward so he almost plays on the wing, so in effect rooney is still in the middle behind the front man which is why hes done so well for them.
I guess we could go with this because we have evra who can bomb forward but its pretty well known his final ball isnt great so thats a problem
I do like your team though, maybe if we left out 1 of carrick or ando, and left yaya in there and went 4-4-2 with aguero on the RM then we would be better. I think it is imperative we play rooney behind the front man in a 4-4-2.
If fergie is insisting on getting valencia we need another winger or someone who can play on the wing (aguero) who is either world class or is atleast got potential to be world class. I include the likes of aguero obviously and ashley young, maybe aaron lennon even though some may not agree, sanchez who gets rave reviews and maybe that costa bloke. I think quite possible of greatest need is a quality midfield enforcer. I have a bad feeling we will do with fletcher and wait until hargreaves is back which for me is a big mistake. Players like anderson do not feel they can get forward with a player like fletcher because yes hes is decent but hes not good enough to hold the role on his own, so in effect we played with 2 DMs last season which killed our attacking play. Someone like de rossi (roma not in champs league), yaya toure, flamini or even senna would do and i really feel a DM is a must for a successful season.
For me a striker is of less importance. We need pavel pograbnyek who i think would be brilliant and would cost peanuts. If fergie misses out on him i will honestly give up on their scouting system.
Its a good point that you mentioned the GK position MoYa, because why kuzczak has been kept for 3 seasons i will never know. Ditch him hes crap and replace him with a keeper whos willing to come in, and bide his time to become no 1. I guess it wouldnt be this season anyway, and then they could fight it out with foster. Yohann Pele has been linked but i definitely think akinfeev would be out of the question. But anyway we do definitely need a new keeper cos PIG is just rubbish, im more qualified to play keeper and ive had a bad injury for 2 years which ended my career ffs.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:34
@MoYa: south africa are going to lose in the semis, count on it
@Darth Red Diablo: No, without gayle involved, theres no fun! that lad is just weird, he has no form, its either he plays on song in one match(and when he does hes one of if not the best in the world), then the next its like he doesnt even want to try. Bit like berba to some fans lol.
@MoYa: you take parnell out that team and we’ll see just how good they are
June 15th, 2009 at 22:36
@Matt: Any team you all put out, is a non starter if it doesn’t include the Lil man genious Louis (I’m as good as Ronaldo, let me show you so) NANI
.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:37
@Ryan: Good team, but im still not sure if aguero would “fit” into our team.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:38
@Craig Mc: Ronaldo is a poor mans nani if im totally honnest lol.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:39
@Red Ranter: Bro our club management have had a year to get sorted. That is LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG enough to have got the incoming players agreed, and be able to announce them when we announced Ronnie was GONE! Too bloody cautious for my liking
.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:43
@Dan:
I think it would depend on how ridgid Fergie wants to play, if he gave Rooney, Aguero and Silva the freedom of movement then I can see it working but I cant see that happening! I guess its more realistic to see Park stuck out there all season and Valencia brought in as his back up
June 15th, 2009 at 22:47
@Craig Mc: Well we bought Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic — you may say Tosic is crap, but the club invested resources on scouting talent and you can’t deny that. We also have scouts sent over to Brazil. According to Dave Whelan (the Wigan boss) we’ve been monitoring Valencia for a while when the boss knew he was gone. Now you will all argue that Valencia is no match for Ronaldo, but Ferguson hasn’t done like for like replacements if you look at history. You can’t go around shopping without knowing the actual amount in hand.
What I don’t get is people’s perception that we sit back on our arses and are not pro active when we have bought the likes of Ronaldo, Evra, Vidic swiftly and and without much fuss.
When it came to splashing cash, we’ve done that too with Rio. We’ve been steadfast in our pursuit of Hargreaves. And we were pro active when we bought Nani and Anderson. I think United is a pretty well run club, and I feel the comparisons being made with Madrid an insult to ours.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:49
@Matt: I’m liking your thinking Matt!
I was thinking of a narrower, with Rooney and Aguero given free roles and they could even swap with Berba at times. One thing I don’t wanna see is Rooney playing left wing. Just behind the striker is where he belongs. That team would require the wing backs to bomb forward continually and have a major part to play.
Thats the best way how I see you can fit in Rooney, Berba and Aguero.
In a 4-4-2 I would definately go for Young and Sanchez also. Don’t rate Valencia as United quality. Pogrebnyak would be a great addition as he would give us something different. Was thinking Lisandro Lopez might be an interesting option as a number 3. Great finisher, skill, pace and he can certainly play. I been mighty impressed with him in Europe.
We definately need a hardman in midfield. Though De Rossi would be my ultimate, I feel he is untouchable (Roman through and through). I rate Yaya Toure high as well.
On goalkeepers check out Sergio Asenjo. He’s only, but my word an excellent prospect. We were linked with him before. He’s playing in the U-21 tournament at the moment.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:51
@Dan: Never!! Who’s goona beat us??
Parnell is our youth bowler… 19 years old!
Our team just looks too well balanced
June 15th, 2009 at 22:54
@MoYa: South Africa look good but they are renowned chokers, but there’s still a lot left in this tournament. It depends on how well the Saffers play spin.
June 15th, 2009 at 22:55
@Red Ranter: We picked up Anderson and Nani almost out of nowhere too.
@MoYa: Big fan of Sergio Asenjo…. on FM09
June 15th, 2009 at 23:00
@Red Ranter: That is not my arguement though is it RR? My arguement is, we have had a year, and if we know who we are bringing in, and have truly sorted it, then we should have announced them when we announced Ronnie was off to Madrid. Because to be honest, we wouldn’t then be the butt of all the feckin jokes with all other football fans, saying they are flashing the cash, but poor Old United no fecker is taking the bait. The media are full of the players who are supposedly refusing us, and we know we probably haven’t been after most of them! United could have avoided all this day, after day, after day speculation which tires everyone out
.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:07
@Craig Mc: The problem being, other clubs/players don’t exactly plan it the same way. It’s hard for the manager of the selling club to come to a plan on how he sees his side developing over the summer. Also a lot is being made about the agreement, when in fact, the 80m fee was known only this summer.
It’s naive to believe that we could have all the transfer deal sewn up already, this would only have intensified speculation that Ronaldo was leaving. Also even Madrid were actually going through a presidential change, and no one knew what the new president’s aim was. In fact he played down going for Ronaldo until last week.
And you can’t avoid speculation. What would you prefer, the Ronaldo-will-he-won’t-he saga played out over the course of this summer, or us being linked to players?
June 15th, 2009 at 23:10
@Red Ranter: NEITHER
.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:11
@Grognard: is there any thing positive about Manchester United FC as far as you are concerned, last time I checked we had 3 trophies in the cabinet, and were beaten in the semis of one and beaten in the final of the other, not bad for a team were the manager doesnt care less and we lag behind the top teams in terms of facilities, which is rubbish by the way.
I agree that there where negatives from last season mate, but you totally ignore the positives at our club and its starting to get tedious.
And RedRanter is right mate, you are accusing one of the most passionate managers in the history of the game of being disinterested without one shred of evidence, the summer is just starting, do you really expect us to have wrapped up our transfers less than three weeks after the season ended, come on big man get real, you have absolutely no idea what SAF or Gill have been doing, so stop running them into ground mate until we find out that they deserve it.
And dont go comparing us with Real Madrid mate coz if you do then you must come to the conclusion that every other club apart from them are also not interested in bettering themselves coz I dont see to much activity anywhere else, and quite frankly, I dont really give two hoots about Madrid anyway.
I have criticised SAF as much as anyone mate, but one thing I would be fairly confident of is that he will be hurting after the Barca defeat and losing Ronaldo, so I think its safe to say that he will be motivated to put things right.
Im not attacking your right to criticise, Im not attacking your free speach, I respect your opinion mate, I just wish that you would stop being dogmatic and stating your opinions like they are hard facts, when clearly they are not.
Peace and respect.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:14
@Craig Mc: In an ideal world i would love to see nani being a starter and for the life of i cant understand why we are paying up to £20m for a player who imo isnt as good as nani.
If it was up to me i would make him the new number 7 and play him on the right and buy ashley young and play him on the left but thats just me. It seems like fergie has something against nani but i hope that was just last season and he will be given a run of at least 10 odd games in a row to give him time to get into his rhythm. Im having nightmares imagining seeing valencia and park on the wings. Oh god thats scary.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:19
@Craig Mc: I dont think we had a year mate, 6 months at he most, and even at that I still think that SAF was trying to woo Ronaldo round during this period and its only in the last month that he has given up mate.
Give SAF time mate coz this situation requires a cool head, our next signings will have to be good for us to be at the same level as we have been in the last three years, in fact with the right signings we could even be better, thats right, I said better.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:22
@ebrahim: The signings might surprise us, but will they impress us. Another Anderson or Tosic I don’t want. I want tangible proven goods.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:23
@Red Ranter: Not this time Red Ranter!
Only team I’m worried about is the Sri Lankan Spinners.
But our spinners have been fantastic lately.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:27
@Andrei: First off, yes if Fergie wants a player he gets them. Let me qualify that. When he wants a UK born player most of the time he gets them (ie; Fletcher, Carrick, Rooney, Rio etc). It’s a different story with proven talent in Europe and in South America. What he wants he usually doesn’t get, unless it’s a kid or a project. And when he flukes one off like Veron, Kleberson or Forlan, he fails miserably because he doesn’t seem to gauge their talent according to his needs. This is why he doesn’t get it as tyo why Huntelaar is such a great choice for us. A no brainer. He’s rather go get a player like Rooney which is not what we need. As a manager he was once great but but now seems a little too much like the cowardly lion. As a judge of proven talent, I think he has a lot to be deserved. For every success he has had finding somebody abroad, he has two failures. Our present strategy is to lose out on those we want and then have to settle for less.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:29
@MoYa: South Africa couldn’t wipe their ass yet alone whip cream.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:32
@Grognard: He’s talking about cricket mate. South Africa are an amazing team in cricket.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:33
@Red Ranter: It’s 2009 mate. Very little happens with a club that isn’t leaked. No deal they have made in the last eight years has been a secret. So when I say they are doing shite, they are doing shite because if they were truly active, the media would be all over it as opposed to making up crap like they have for a week. Sorry you seem to think of me as such an idiot and so gullible. Believe it or not, I do think before I write. And even if I do not have an ear to their boardroom door, their lack of action is deafening. And I for one do not feel Gill can wipe his ass without Fergie’s help. So as I see it, United as an organization, is on hiatus until the Gaffer returns. And by then it will probably be too late.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:34
@MoYa: I’ve seen him play but to be honest, he doesn’t float my boat. That’s possibly because I am Greek, I don’t know.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:40
@Craig Mc: There are strikers I would love to have like Huntelaar, Aguero or Pogrebnyak, but I agree with you. I’d rather take care of our RW situation, play Nani on the left and buy two central midfielders. A DMF and an attacking box to box midfielder like Hernanes who can make those telling creative slide rule passes and crack one in from 20 yard. The fact we have had to tolerate mediocrity at midfied for going on three years now is inexcusable and our deficiency in that area was exposed in the CL final. Fergie is not going to correct the problem and bridge the gap between us and Barcelona with formations and tactics. He will do it with new players. Players who are better than the ones we have now. Also, I am surprised he is not panicking or thinking about a LB considering most of our defensive problems last year can be attributed to a Skinned French Sausage playing LB. Are you and i the only ones that see his uselessness for what it is bro?
June 15th, 2009 at 23:42
@Ryan: That’s five signings and Huntelaar alone will cost 20 to 25 million while Costa won’t come cheap. Probably in the 15 million range. So we would be looking at probably the 40 million range.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:43
@Grognard: Sausages need time to heal Groggy! Wait and watch as the skinned sausage becomes the flavour of the town again!
June 15th, 2009 at 23:45
@Grognard: Lol our football team is a shambles… But atleast we got the World Cup next year and taking full advantage of the Confederations Cup at the moment.
Grogs you one crazy mix… But honest I been hearing rave reviews and they say he’s the jewel of that German generation.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:46
@Craig Mc: Which is why, either way we are gonna have speculation.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:46
@Red Ranter: And in Rugby Red Ranter!!
June 15th, 2009 at 23:52
@Red Ranter: Sorry RR but my argument has definitely factored all those things in. And about England, I gave examples of Chelsea and even Man City being aggressive and Chelsea succeeding to get many of the players and managers they want. United do business like a senior old school corporation that still hasn’t evolved into the 21st century and doesn’t even operate with computers. You can put Real Madrid down for their circus and their reasoning for buying players and that means nothing to me. What means something to me is that they get it done. They get those players. By hook or by crook, they make it happen more often than not. They have the eye of the tiger and of course the financial resources. Bottom line is we have massive holes to fill and one off season to fill them and not skip a beat next season. We can drag our ass doing it, or we can be aggressive and proactive.
And I am not even advocating before this recent financially cash cow we received, that we need to go out and buy Galacticos by the bushel. One or two quality stars every year or two is fine. This year however we have lost two major players due to defection, Scholes, Neville and Giggs are using walkers and we have 100 million to spend. Well, then spend it for Christ’s sake? Waiting for Ronaldo’s deal to go through/ Are you serious? You go out and you secure the player you want to replace him before Ronaldo officially leaves. Nobody is going to demand you bring a briefcase with cash. Every deal can be contingent on the Ronaldo deal going through. And seriously, why wouldn’t it go through. When has Real Madrid promised in a handshake agreement to a deal and not followed through? This cautious procrastinating approach you seem to share with United is disturbing to me and it borders on apathy. United to liven their approach up and they need to start going after players who aren’t obsessed with Spain.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:57
@Matt: I said this yesterday and I think there is a small chance it could happen. I think Fergie will go after Pavel Pogrebnyak in January during the transfer window. Zenit will not sell him right now in the middle of the Russian season. They are in the middle of a title race and it would be bad business for them to do it. As far as I am concerned, if I knew this to be certain, I would have no problem with Fergie not buying a striker because I honestly don’t think must absolutely have one. But if we are going to have one there are three United fans out there named Aguero, Huntelaar and Pogrebnyak who would be honored to play for us. Food for thought.
June 15th, 2009 at 23:59
@Matt: Also, why would Akinfeev be out of the question? He’s young, good and avaialable. I don’t want some wanker named Pele to be our keeper. I want a young proven entity, not a mystery man.
June 16th, 2009 at 0:00
@Dan: It’s simple, Ronaldo was a cheap imitation Nani wannabe.
June 16th, 2009 at 0:03
@Craig Mc: I agree. I remember past World Cups which would be going on right now where you would see players and the commentator would say and the goes the newest signing for Manchester United Karol Poborsky or Juan Veron. And this goes for other teams too. They never used to wait for after a tournament to go look for players. Only if it was a surprise player who impressed them and who came out of the woodwork during that tournament. I just don’t get it anymore?
June 16th, 2009 at 0:04
rossi scores two derosi one where do we sign? whats up with the first option on rossi 30yards is nice.
June 16th, 2009 at 0:04
@Red Ranter: Perhaps they should spend resources on SCOUTING better scouts?
June 16th, 2009 at 0:12
@MoYa: Saw the game today, Ozil was horrible. Yes he has skill, talent and pace but he cannot hit the back of the net for his life. I was impressed by Asenjo though (again), Neuer (again) and a tall German centre-back (didn’t catch his name) who will grow to be a magnificent defender in the future.
June 16th, 2009 at 0:14
RR, “What I don’t get is people’s perception that we sit back on our arses and are not pro active when we have bought the likes of Ronaldo, Evra, Vidic swiftly and and without much fuss.”
They were all complete nobody’s when we bought them mate. Smart speculative purchases, but hardly the kind of players you need to jump the gun in order to get. We are discussing Benzema, Aguero, Ribery, Sanchez, Villa and players of
pedigree who are proven entities. Not some kid who just began his career with Sporting or some Skinned Sausage biding his time in France or some CB lost in the hills of Serbia plying his trade for the highly visible and always noticeable Red Star. Get real. We just lost the best player in the world. I for one United supporter, do not want some chips and gravy replacement like Valencia to be my official replacement because he’s good and he has promise. United fans spend a lot of money on this team in various ways. We want, no we demand quality in a time like this. The economics and mood in football today is far different the last time Fergie let go of a significant world class player. When you make 80 million of one man, you are obligated to replace him with a player that costs you more than bag of nickels, even if that cheap purchase ends up winning the Balon D’Or one day. Fergie can’t afford to replace Beckham with Ronaldo anymore.
The stakes have changed and the game has become more competitive and more cutthroat. He needs to make a statement to his competitors and to the fans. And he doesn’t have four or five years to wait for the next young Ronaldo wannabe to show his fruit. Fergie will probably be gone in a year or two. So you do the math and tell me that i make no sense. Because in my eyes, I make perfect sense and you are just to damned patient for your good and for mine. And that’s not an insult, that’s an accurate observation.
June 16th, 2009 at 0:16
@Grognard:
I know but whilst we have the money let us all have our own dreams until the reality of our true signing are announced – I can honestly see it being just Tevez and Valencia and that scares me…. alot!
June 16th, 2009 at 0:19
@Craig Mc: Amen bro, amen.
June 16th, 2009 at 0:19
@Grognard: It’s simple as this. I don’t jump the gun and throw accusations based on my presumptions on the happenings at the club. I will be critical if things don’t work out ultimately. But I will be critical when I see the facts in front of me.
I have no control over the transfers which is why it doesn’t make sense to me to jump like an impatient child due to inactivity, at least not yet.
And none of this is meant to insinuate anything or insult anyone, but it’s a more accurate observation of myself
June 16th, 2009 at 0:20
@Grognard: The deals with Nani and Anderson came out of the blue. The Carrick was done as soon as you heard about it in the papers. Most people did not even know who Vidic and Evra were until they came to us. A lot happens in football that is not leaked. We are just duped into thinking that the press always gets it right and when they do not have ‘inside information’ about a deal, they claim that the manager moved swiftly.
It is all rubbish. Plus, we are being linked with plenty of players, so maybe there are some leaks there.
My bet though is that Ferguson is trying to be as silent as possible so that Manchester City do not find out about our targets and beat us to some starlet’s signature.
June 16th, 2009 at 0:24
@Grognard: Sorry, didn’t see your reply to that. I don’t think Ferguson will buy a proven player to be honest. Okay, maybe one, but the rest of the signings will be the likes of Douglas Costa, Sanchez or Asenjo – complete nobodies in the same way that Ronaldo, Vida and Evra were nobodys.
June 16th, 2009 at 0:27
@Grognard: Akinfeev certainly isnt out of the question to be our number 1, i just meant if he was to come no matter which position we wanted him to be, and yes on ability he probably should be 1st choice, it is up to fergie and i think he will still have edwin as his first choice. So that would put akinfeev joint second choice and i just dont think a player of the class of akinfeev would want to be 2nd choice do you?
Ive seen akinfeev a few times and he looks absolute quality. He is better than foster at the minute but as for the future who knows. Akinfeev would come in this season at least 2nd choice and if fergie preffered foster that would make him 3rd. Thats what i meant by him being out of the question, cos he wouldnt be interested in being 2nd or 3rd choice. Although i hope edwin is fazed out this season im just not sure with fergie, he seems to love his oldies and i wouldnt be surprised if he offered him yet another contract extension. I think if we were going for a real world class keeper, and i do consider akinfeev just that, we would be better off going for him next season when edwin i hope would call it a day. Foster seems a bit hit and miss and his injury record is poor so yes i can see the need for bringing in a keeper now, but for fergie edwin has vital experience and will continue to be 1st choice and i think he will give foster a good run around before considering someone else. However much we agree with fergies decisions and in this case i think he would be better going for a class keeper like akinfeev i cant see him doing this which is disappointing.
June 16th, 2009 at 0:48
@Grognard: In regard to all this whinging about us not doing the right thing as far as our scouting and our squad purchases, and our our lacksy-daisical approach to the Roanaldo replacement issue etc, etc.
For my information, could you please cite, some example of excellence in this regard, so I can gauge, not only your perspective, but the suceess/failure rate of United in comparison to others.
It would be the easiest way to tell, if what you say, has validity or not!!
June 16th, 2009 at 1:01
@Redrich: No way, I’m not going to bite. You basically refer to me as whiner and then you want me to take my time and come up with answers for you as if that will turn your mind around. You have an MO with me and you like to pick fights and I for one am not biting today. It’s not worth my time or grief. And if you think I’m running, be my guessed. Fooled once shame on you, fooled me twice, shame on me.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:13
@Red Ranter: So do you want this site to be a rant site or a bunch of passive patient and passionless followers who never state an opinion or even a controversial idea but just wait for things to happen the way bread wait s to be eaten or go stale and hard?
Honestly, what is it you expect from me and others that don’t share your patience and pragmatism? This is a rant site. Correct me if I’m wrong but I am ranting. I am ranting to my hearts content and I honestly think I am making sense an bringing up valid points. I am 50 years old with two university degrees and 25 years experience in business and negotiations. For crying out loud I used to place people in your position and you’re going to sit there and tell me I’m wrong and that I have no concept about what goes on behind a boardroom door?.
Mate, if I thought like you I would have been fired from my last job. That’s the way business is. You snooze, you lose. Football is no different. I don’t have to be in the boardroom to know that United has it all wrong. Ronaldo’s replacement should have been acquired or secured well before Ronaldo’s departure. They had warning time and they did nothing from where I stand. And if they did, then they are still dragging their asses because they should have unveiled their news signing or signings, a day after the door hit Ronaldo on the way out.
So please don’t lecture me like I’m some ADD case who is nothing but a knee jerk impatient fool and who knows nothing about the corporate world or the way things are done. I’m a lot better than that whether you, RedRich or others think I am. I’m not your ordinary average run of the mill whiner. My whine is fine with time and it’s vintage quality.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:18
@Andrei: My point was when it comes to getting bigger names from outside the UK, we are slow and we drag our heels. Anderson, Nani, the twins, Possebon, Macheda were not big names therefore, they came easy to us on the day we negotiated for them, it took a few days to get them. Rooney dragged out, Rio dragged out and Carrick did too. If you remember, Spurs were being difficult with Carrick too, not just Berba. And lets not forget the king of all drag outs, Hargreaves. We have tons of examples where we have dragged our heels and lost out on players as well.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:27
@Grognard: You know everything mate. I am wrong. I am saying this for the last time. You will never ever see me debating with you on this site ever. You have placed people like me. So obviously I have no right to share my opinions with you. I never told you how to support your club or express your opinions. What I said is I cannot accept your presumptions about United’s boardroom because it’s impossible for anyone to know the happenings in the boardroom. I said I cannot accept it which means a difference of opinion, but you bring your age experience and whatnot to end this argument. Fair enough. I am done ever attempting to debate with you.
I have never felt more disappointed about someone completely missing my point and twisting it. So I give up.
Peace.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:31
@Fred The Red: Well I would have liked us to have wrapped up our transfers in during this last year Fred, so that we wouldn’t have to put up with all the media hype right now
. I still haven’t heard anybody give a good reason why we couldn’t have sorted this during most of this year. Maybe your right Fred, along wit RR, and SAF has been busy doing more than we are thinking he has done. Somehow though, I’m not quite so convinced about that. But hey, I just don’t want us to be buying now just for the sake of buying A BIG NAME. I will be happy just to see our MF get the enforcement that was all too patently seen was needed in Rome 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:45
@Redrich: Why do people have to go back and explain all other transfer cases though Red Rich. Some people are thinking and discussing about this ONE case, the replacement/replacements of Ronaldo. In this case it is fair to say that our Club have known for a year that Ronnie was going, and could have had the players we wanted to bring in sorted already. Anyway, maybe there are factors that we don’t know about, and so are misjudging, I don’t know. I do know this though, quite a lot of United fans I have talked to, feel that they have been truly lied too. Both by the United board who LIED and denied the truth regarding Ronaldo and last summer! And they have continued to lie since, and Ronaldo has really gone overboard in his deceptions. So put it all down to diplomacy, but people still don’t like the lying dealings that are part of football. Like RR says, that’s all a part of corporate financial institutions, and he’s right, but we still don’t have to like it
.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:50
@Craig Mc: I agree. I may not like that necessarily but I regard it as a necessary evil. Imagine if Fergie said Ronaldo will leave a year before — imagine the state of the dressing room etc. Remember when Fergie declared once that he will retire at the end of the next season only to see it have a bad effect on the team. Honesty is good, but sometimes it’s not.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:50
@Andrei: Well we better find the LEAK, give him’her a good going over in the dark behind the railway sidings at OT
. Just jesting Andrei 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:57
@Red Ranter: But the lads in the dressing room knew RR, because the player whose Missus told my friend who is a long standing friend of hers, that Ronnie and Nani were leaving in the summer this year. I have been saying this since after last summer. Nani hasn’t gone yet, but there have been discusions with Sporting Lisbon about a swap deal for Moutinho! Nani himself also said to the Portuguese press that if he is going, it will be to Italy! Surely you know RR that it has been the most badly kept secret at OT that Ronnie was going this summer. You yourself said in a recent post that you knew that too – or did I imagine that
.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:02
@Red Ranter: Yeah why do you always have to be SO BALANCED in your thought and actions RR, which highlights how out there some of my approach to things is sometimes
. Oh well it takes all kinds to make a world, and that is what makes things so interesting 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:06
@Grognard:
, now that post I like, and SO TRUE 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:12
@Grognard: Yeah but SAF should tell Pogrebnyak’s people that he is interested in signing him in January. Because Pogrebnyak is running his contract down and refusing to sign an extension because he wants to come to England. His contract is up in November, if he holds out knowing we are interested, we could get him for no fee to his club. Pogrebnyak has other offers from PL teams in top half and Arsenal are wanting to team him with Arshavin. But according to Pavlyuchenko, Pogrebnyak wants to play in the Red Jersey of Man Utd, who Pavlyuchenko says are his dream team. I hope SAF has scouts out in Russia, if not he should bloody well get them, and pronto
.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:23
@Fred The Red: Nah Bro, SAF knew! He just said himself to the press that Ronnie was always going. I hope your right about the BETTER bit though Fred, because we are going to need to be.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:24
@Matt:
that is scary Matt 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:30
@Craig Mc: heres my take on it mate, and this is pure speculation on my part.
SAF flew out last summer to tell Ronaldo that he was defo not going to Madrid and between him and Ronnys agent persuaded him that United was the best place for him to be.
Not really having a choice because of his contract Ronaldo returns to OT and after his injury is cleared up, he returns to action.
Now mate, you were at OT when he returned and his body language stunk and it appeared that he was only giving 70 percent of what he was capable of and he ran up the tunnel at half time and full time without acknowledging the fans, it was almost like he was protesting in some way. This continued until the new year mate then all of a sudden he started to play again like the Ronaldo of last year, and its at this point that my speculation begins.
It was roundabout this time that Calderon said that he spoke with either ronny or his agent and Im wondering if SAF noticed Ronnys behaviour and agreed at that point that if he would put his head down for the rest of the season then he would be allowed to move if he wanted to.
This would have been after SAFs virus statement which took place at a press conference in Tokyo meaning that he was not lying at that time.
It all adds up to me whenever you analyse it carefully coz talk of this pre contract wasnt really spoke about with certainty until after this point, is it possible that once Ronaldo had the move in his own hands he then agreed with Calderon to move at the end of the season coz if you read the official statement United only accepted the offer after consulting with Ronaldo, and as soon as Ronaldo said he wanted to go United accepted.
Like I said mate, this is pure speculation on my part but it seems very plausible.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:34
@Craig Mc: I am actually opinionated mate, like for example the Tevez situation or the Ronaldo situation for instance. I haven’t sat on the fence on that. Nor have I been fence sitting in my assessment of players. Fair and balanced to you might be opinionated for some others. But I’d prefer to see things in front of me to have an opinion on it. I won’t claim to have an opinion on something I have no idea of, in those cases I would give the benefit of the doubt.
That’s how I am, unfortunately. Perhaps I need to go on a wild rant once in a while for my sanity, but then, I can’t do it for the sake of doing it
June 16th, 2009 at 2:36
@Craig Mc: RedRanter is perfectly balanced in his attitude and opinions, he has a chip on both shoulders
Just joking RR
June 16th, 2009 at 2:39
@Red Ranter: it amazes me how similar you and me are in our thought processes, but I doubt you are as good looking as me
June 16th, 2009 at 2:39
@Fred The Red: In the US, Fair and Balanced is the punchline of Fox News. So, sometimes it’s not good to claim oneself to be fair and balanced.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:41
@Fred The Red: Well then I’ll say I am butt ugly. Surely we can’t be that alike.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:46
@Grognard: If you look back, you will see I disagree with you vehemently about your opinion on United’s management. And thats about it. I don’t want to pick a fight, I want you to explain yourself.
I would have thought, that with all the very heavy breathing that you’ve been doing over the last few days, you could come up with some valid arguments, that at least could resemble a comparison with the ideal situation that that manager sap, SAF, could learn from!!
It appears that while you think you could do a better job, it’s becoming a hard sell for us peons here.
Tell me what the ideal situation is, lets compare with what we’re doing, and lets see, once and for all if your accusations could interest me in further discussion.
In all honesty, the less you provide viable evidence that all this hand wringing about the great SAF is true, the more I believe that your head is anatomically opposed to where it should be!!
June 16th, 2009 at 2:50
@Redrich: Mate, you start by saying you don’t want to pick a fight yet end by questioning his head. Not fair.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:50
@Red Ranter: good old Fox News, some the biggest spin doctors in media history, how are they generally percieved in America mate. The media outlets here in Britain are just as bad, but are far more subtle in their deceit.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:55
@Red Ranter: I can remember one day not too recently where for some very unknown reason you went on quite some RANT
. Yes you did, and all this accompanied by the F words which was so unlike you, I was thinking of dialling your emergency services with an SOS message, to get RR a doctor 
. That’s the only time I’ve known you to use a few superlatives in your posts 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:56
@Fred The Red: A laughing stock. They are far from subtle. They are generally not taken seriously. At least not to a majority of the country. They are a comedians’ dream for material in their stand up routines.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:01
@Fred The Red: Well I do declare, RR and Fred both sane and balanced in their expression
. What do I detect here, the Fred and RR ‘we think and speak alike’ mutual admiration society 
. I gotta admit, compared to my blog warfare, you two are very upright and staid. In other words – BORING! Nah just jesting Bro’s 
, so I’ll give myself the arrow outta here 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:03
According to Sid Lowe of the Guardian these are the list of names Madrid have made available for sale:
Gabriel Heinze
Arjen Robben
Van Nistelrooy
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Wesley Sneijder
Rafael van der Vaart
Royston Drenthe
Mahamadou Diarra
Javier Saviola
Out of that list, Huntelaar and Sneijder will interest me.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:07
@Craig Mc: watch it big son, Ive a blackbelt in Karaoke and Origami
June 16th, 2009 at 3:10
@Fred The Red: this…may just be true
the Ronaldo thing is really starting to hit me. It’s hard to think that I’ll never see him in a United shirt again. A few years ago I was thinking that he and Rooney would be mainstays at this club for years and that they would be the new constants such as Giggs, Scholes and Neville. I never thought that those 3’s United careers would finish after Ronaldo’s. It will be tough seeing him in a Madrid shirt and I really hope he tanks and we can buy him back in a couple of years for about 10m.
Now onto his replacement. Aguero would be a dream. Imo we wouldn’t skip a beat replacing Ronaldo with him. He is like a Ronaldo-Messi hybrid. He has Messi’s dribbling and Ronaldo’s finishing and strength. He is good in the air contrary to belief. Valencia will be a good signing imo. If it was him playing for Udinese and Sanchez playing for Wigan the roles could easily be reversed. Valencia has great pace, is two-footed and can play right across the midfield. Just because he plays in the lower echelons of the PL doesn’t mean he is of that standard.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:12
@Craig Mc: I just think that you have to explain what the best situation is. If you say – Chelsea did a better job at this, or Barca did a better job at that, it would make it easy for your arument to prevail. Otherwise I have to agree with RR when he said that without some kind of inside dope, this is only pure speculation, and so your point and your opinion can really only be considered like the fairy tales on the back of the tabloids!!
June 16th, 2009 at 3:12
Sneijder, Hunterlaar AND Rafael Van Der Vaart will do me. Are Sneijder and Van Der Vaart BOTH offensive MF’s or is one of them actually able to TACKLE
.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:13
@Red Ranter: Robben, Ruud, Huntelaar, Sneijder, VDV, Drenthe, Diarra and Saviola would all add to our squad in one way or another imo. Just not Heinze
June 16th, 2009 at 3:14
@Fred The Red: As Homer Simpson put it: “I am the worst thing that happened to sport since Fox”… that is how they are perceived in Canada.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:14
@Liam: check Dans link out in post 48, this kids the one for me, pure gold mate, if we sign anybody, I hope its him.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:16
@Red Ranter: go after Diarra. We need a player like him, he is class and cheap (due to his age and injury troubles plus our ‘good relationship with them, he would not cost more than 10-15 million). He is not scared to put a foot in and would be a good foil to the likes of Carrick and Anderson who would have more freedom to roam forward and do their jobs (like Sneijder did at Real last season).
June 16th, 2009 at 3:16
@Redrich: My point is PERFECTO Red Rich, because I know that Our club management did in Ronnie’s case know for certain he was going this summer. So I do believe we should have been able to know who and what we needed for strengthening the team, and announced those coming in. IT CAN BE DONE!
.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:16
@Liam: Robben – far too injury prone for my liking.
VDV – good player, again injury problem.
drenthe — far too temperamental
diarra — a decent option, I’d prefer lassana over him.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:18
@Fred The Red: Fox news is a fucking disgrace. Only the most die hard redneck conservatives watch that openly racist channel. It shilarious that they call themselves fair and balanced, but it honestly couldnt be further from the truth.
draw your own conclusions… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY04gIruZ4E
June 16th, 2009 at 3:20
@Fred The Red:
June 16th, 2009 at 3:21
@Liam: No Liam, we can’t have him back because of what he has done to us. He has left United and I hope he ends up at Crystal Palace eventually, because he deserves it.
Ronaldo: “The future? Only God knows. Crystal Palace? What player does not dream of playing for this wonderful club. It has great history and a beautiful name and somebody as beautiful as I am deserves to play for a team with a beautiful name. But make no mistake, that dream is dead for me and I will stay at–”
Jorge Mendes (the agent): “Cris, Crystal Palace have made an offer for you.”
Ronaldo: “I love to be hated, and I want to rewrite football history and win League Two with the best team in League Two and the dream team of any footballer that, like me, is better than Nani.”
June 16th, 2009 at 3:25
Ribery… please
June 16th, 2009 at 3:26
@Red Ranter: Robben is a fantastic player. I know it’s a big if but if he could stay fit for even three quarters of a season he could be a coup.
VDV-just what we need although with Ljajic coming in, I may just prefer to give him the chance.
Drenthe-Great cover down the left side. I’ve always been of the opinion that the mental side of the game can be a lot easier to deal with than a lack of talent, which Drenthe obviously has
Diarra-as you said he is a good option. He is a good tackler and is a lot more physically intimidating than what we currently have. Good if we can get him for less than 10m
Saviola-would be a good super sub, a pacy option for when Berba is having a lazy day. I was advocating him as a signing 2 years ago on a free and if we could get him cheap he could be good
June 16th, 2009 at 3:26
sorry to get off topic, Fox news just really gets under my skin… back to the football.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:27
Well it is almost 3.30am in the morning here
. I seem to be back to my insomniac days again. Must try to be more disciplined at getting to be by midnight, but I hate giving time to sleeping, because we will sleep enough when we are dead 
. Well I am like a zombie if I have too many early morning/late nights if you know what I mean. So night you all – PLAY NICE now 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:27
@Red Ranter: it seems that SAF hasnt been relaxing that muchhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1193250/Bayern-Munich-confirm-Manchester-United-Chelsea-approach-Franck-Ribery-insist-Real-Madrid-target-sale.html
June 16th, 2009 at 3:28
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1193250/Bayern-Munich-confirm-Manchester-United-Chelsea-approach-Franck-Ribery-insist-Real-Madrid-target-sale.html
June 16th, 2009 at 3:29
dont know what happened to the first link.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:30
@Andrei: The thing is I can actually understand Ronaldo wanting to leave us. He won everything here and tbh if (hypothetically) I was at let’s say Inter Milan or Juve and United came calling for me I would do everything in my power to play for them. Having an agent in your ear everyday looking for a payday can’t have helped him either.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:50
@Red Ranter: To me it’s only logical, if you can’t state your point concisely, with examples and comparative ideals, then you open yourself up for criticism.
By the way, being on this site for a while now, I’m not sold on the fact that Grognard needs such moral support. He and I have bantered back and forth about many issues and mostly seem able to resolve the differences we have. My wording and point of view is far less biting than I would expect to receive, and after all, Groganard and I are big boys now and should be able to resolve this between us.
I don’t want to defer from my point, and if I have to engage the big guy on a less than cordial tone, then so be it!
June 16th, 2009 at 3:54
@Craig Mc: OK mate, there you go again, back in the twilight-zone again. If it can be done, then who the fuck does it???
June 16th, 2009 at 3:56
@Redrich: Criticise as long as you don’t get personal.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:02
@johnsom33: Amen on Fox News, if you like their kind of stuff, you should keep a copy of “Mien Kampf” by your bedside!!
June 16th, 2009 at 4:06
@Red Ranter: I bite my lip, as I write!
June 16th, 2009 at 4:56
I really dont see what the big fuss about ronaldo leaving is all about. Have you all forgotten that Manucho comes back from Hull? He is good for atleast 30 goals
June 16th, 2009 at 5:15
@Red Ranter: So you reduce me down to ranting lunatic because I don’t share your logic and then you end by saying “PEACE”. Well then don’t debate me again. If you are going to reduce what I have to say as nothing more than mindless kneejerk reactions from an impatient and foolhardy idiot, then I prefer not to debate you.
I’m tired of being made out to be the fall guy and the bad guy just because I am not calm pleasant and a totally mellow individual. I love Man Utd and I get mad as Hell with some of the things that go on with the team. So what do I do, I come on to this blog and I rant. It’s not all about debate mate (hey that rhymes).
Sometimes I’m just going to say what I believe because I feel I’m right and I am sharing it with those who either want to buy into it or not. Sometimes it’s just not up for discussion because frankly, I guess I’m an arrogant and highly opinionated individual that does not like to be corrected by passive individuals like yourself who don’t take to my communicative style.
I am more than friendly and even humorous with many of the members on this site but there are a few that like to bait me or like to provoke me. That’s fine, I can live with it. But go back over the last couple of days and you will see that you RR are the one who’s coming after me with some real venom, and I don’t know why. For the life of me I sit down and write something down and I am not suffering from any delusions or psychosis and at that moment I believe with all my being of what I speak. Then you come in and basically disagree with what I have to say in what I feel seems very condescending and belittling.
It’s one thing to disagree with someone, it’s another to talk down them. You may not believe you are doing that but your style of disagreeing with me is to show me up and talk down to me. Belittle my way of thinking or my personality in indirect ways that I can see.
Sure I must sound like a paranoid over the top Neanderthal to you and some others, but my whole point is this, let me say my peace without trying to make me out to be supplier of lies and garbage to this blog. I don’t make up things, and I don’t lie and I take a lot of time to think about what I write and I do so in a clear, concise and articulate manner. If I refer to something that I read, then trust me, I read it. Some like RedRich like to challenge me and ask me to give evidence and examples of the things I speak about. It’s getting to be that one cannot comment unless they have the yearbook with dates and quotes as well as video evidence on hand or next to them. Why? Because some can’t debate on faith alone. They need to show up the others by challenging their integrity, or in your case, challenging their intelligence. So I bring up my age, my education and my work background in business as a defense mechanism against what I perceive as a passive aggressive attack on my intellect and my emotional well being.
I can get hot under the collar like I am now, but I challenge anyone to have a one on one with me intellectually. No, I don’t know everything like you so flippantly suggested, but I also won’t apologize for feeling that I am quite knowledgeable on quite a few subjects and football is one of them. I’ve watched, read and studied more about the game than you can possibly ever imagine. So I would appreciate that you do not belittle my comments or rants in the future and show me some respect by disagreeing with me by not using remarks that are designed to make my theories look idiotic and to me feel small. And if you don’t agree with me, tough, that’s the way I see it.
When I make an assumption, I am not asking you to believe it as fact. That’s completely unfair. What I am asking you to do is buy into the idea or concept. That does not make what I said fact, but does beg one to ask about the possibility or the odds of something like that being the case or coming to fruition. For example, my whole theory regarding Fernando Torres coming to Man Utd was just that, a theory. And based on the reasons I gave, I offered the possibility of it coming true. Even I said that it it’s highly doubtful despite Liverpool’s financial situation and despite the fact that they are owned by unscrupulous American owners who would love nothing more than to cut and run with some money in their pockets. But that didn’t seem to matter with you. What mattered to you was the thought that I may have been the instigator of scandalous and incredibly ridiculous rumour.
Well pray it doesn’t come true mate because if it does, I will come a calling, and you can take that to the bank. 
I have never said to anyone ever that they cannot disagree with me. Disagree but lets try not to do so by offering backhanded remarks and then make a statement like this is not meant to offend anyone. For example;
“It’s simple as this. I don’t jump the gun and throw accusations based on my presumptions on the happenings at the club. I will be critical if things don’t work out ultimately. But I will be critical when I see the facts in front of me. I have no control over the transfers which is why it doesn’t make sense to me to jump like an impatient child due to inactivity, at least not yet. And none of this is meant to insinuate anything or insult anyone, but it’s a more accurate observation of myself”
And this one really gets under my skin.
“Your argument is on the premise that we are not being active. My argument is you have no way of knowing that we are active or not behind the scenes. You don’t have inside info, so don’t expect me to believe your argument which bases itself on assumptions that have little proof of being true. We won’t see transfers announced until the Ronaldo deal completely goes through.
So based on that, none of us should bother ranting because that is all any of us are doing which making assumptions and predictions or just basically forecasting and prognosticating. The media is swamped with this kind of journalism, making billions and billions fabricating and creating rumours and scenarios BUT, we on Red Rants have to contain ourselves and just wait for the facts. What the Hell is the point of ranting then?
Honest to God, I honestly don’t know what the frak your point is and why you have picked me out for a special spanking just because I feel I have my own views and thoughts on the situation?
Until now I wasn’t aware that Red Rants was a forum where we all have to speak and back things up by facts, proof and even video or audio evidence? No longer is it allowed to just give your opinion and feeling on something based on what you know and what you perceive to be the case, RIGHT OR WRONG, FACT OR FICTION. I am tired of being the target of this witch hunt of yours and you sticking it to me whenever I supposedly cross the line in your eyes. My views are my own and you should respect them rather than belittle them. Disagree if you must but do not mock what I say or belittle my efforts and the considerable time I take to think things through and then offer them for debate or just discussion on your blog.
I do not like being talked down to or made to look small, petty or above all, stupid. And if you have a problem with that, then you don’t have to debate me again or better yet, you can kick me off your blog if you find me such a unbearable and exasperating horses ass. No wonder you wouldn’t want me writing threads for your blog. I might actually give this blog an opinion and pulse rather than sit on the fence and wait for the paint to dry. Is it just my opinions and theories that rub you the wrong way, or is this the start of a new world order on Red Rants, where nobody speaks their mind for fear we cross the line from fact to fabrication? Just the facts RAFA.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:17
@Craig Mc: Sometimes I just love you bro. Thanks and well said.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:21
@Craig Mc: Another great point. It’s like we all have to start mimicking Red Ranter and sit on the fence and just watch the world go by as we trainspot. Some of us have views and ideas of our own and we don’t wait for Rafa’s facts to hit us in the face before we theorize and come to our own conclusions. Since when is that a crime to be on top of things?
June 16th, 2009 at 5:24
@Craig Mc: If Fergie doesn’t tell him perhaps you and I should. Pavel, we’re coming to get you comrade. We are big with United and our opinions carry a lot of weight at Old Trafford.
Don’t sign for anyone and we will be there to get you in January. And refuse any calls from Arsene Wenger or Andrei Arshavin. 
June 16th, 2009 at 5:24
@johnsom33: 29 are personal ones, and the other is for the reserves!!
June 16th, 2009 at 5:27
@Red Ranter: Then why do you begrudge my opinions and my speculations and then mock them? Forgive me if I am a little confused.
Unlike you I wild rant more often and make the calm ones rare to keep my sanity. 
June 16th, 2009 at 5:33
@ Grog… I am absolutely fine fine now… I happy that at least there is someone who can understand what i have written. As i always felt that my English is not that bad. But now i am feeling much better because there is lot of ranting going on there…
June 16th, 2009 at 5:37
@Redrich: Well if none of my arguments have any validity in your eyes, then all my hot wind an effort was pointless and meaningless and I might as well jump of my sundeck to a quick and timely death. I haven’t convinced RedRich with my hours of speculation and theory and so I must see myself as a total failure because you know, if I don’t get his blessings, then what I must be saying is totally bullshit. The master has found me wanting and in need of a better education so I’ll be off now hitting the books to hopefully make my case better the next time.
Seriously though, you are not debating me mate, you are challenging my integrity as well as my intelligence and I for one won’t have it. I don’t need to pass your class to have my ideas accepted or even believed. You go kiss Fergie’s ass, but I for one will reserve the right to kick it when it needs to be kicked. I respect the man but I refuse to buy into everything he says and does because I am not a follower or a conformist. You might already have guessed that about me. And I will continue to theorize and speculate to my heart’s content because I am doing nothing wrong and when I present actual facts, not theories, I don’t appreciate having to back them up with specific proof. Believe them on faith or sluff them off as lies, it’s up to you.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:38
@Fred The Red: Fox News is the media outlet of the Anti-Christ. They are evil and fascist.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:49
@Fred The Red: See I hate quotes like this;
Regarding Douglas Costa “United are continuing to monitor teenage Gremio midfielder Douglas Costa.”
I’m sorry but what exactly does tha mean? Have they put a detective on him to follow him everywhere to see if he drinks, smokes, commits crimes or is gay? What is meant by monitoring? Have they not seen enough video of him play or have their scouts not taken in enough games to come to a conclusive decision that we should buy him? What the frak are they waiting for? Buy him if you like him, don’t monitor him and wait for a competitor who speaks Spanish to swoop in and steal him from you. They did the same thing with Aaron Ramsey. Monitoring is another code word for they are sitting on their fat assess procrastinating and pissing all of us off.
What an exasperating team to have to follow in the off season. Christ, I’d rather spend 60 days in the hospital emergency ward.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:49
@Grognard: Chill, my friend. I don’t think anyone is on a campaign to belittle you or your contribution to this site. And especially not me!!
You and I have very different opinions about the abilities of SAF and other members of the United hierarchy and we do fight about them. The clash of heads is really just a personality thing. You don’t back down, neither do I!! So lets just leave it at that.
You have to realize that you are the provocateur, and as such , you need to substantiate your arguments with a little more than just your “expertise”. We all love you on this site, but there are very few of us that believe you are the second coming of Matt Busby of Bill Shankly, or Jose Morinho come to think of it. So, please, with all due respect, qualify your arguments so that we can see that your enlightenment has a base in reality and doesn’t come from a bad dream you’ve just woken up from!!
Luv,
Redrich.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:51
Decisions,decisions. What to do when the Slave has departed seeing that he was clearly the main star. Well to replace him immediately with someone of equalor better talent is impossible. So the questions we should be asking ourselves is what are the major things we will miss from Ronaldo. On the pitch that is (so ladies stay focused). First,goals.That’s a given. Second,a skillful player who can make things happen from nowhere.Ask Porto or Arsenal. Lethal counter attack and neck breaking pace to terrorise defenders and midfielders alike.Pure strength and power especially in the box. And that reminds me. The best header of a football in the world.
So those are the main things that we will miss defenitely. How do we address these issues and shortcomings? First,the main issue is and should be goals. With Rooney obviously benefitting from the imminent departure of the goal machine I except a better goal return from the Roon. He is showing what he can do when played in the right position. But his goals won’t be enough. He is a creative and inventive player naturally so he’ll be looking to create a lot. Given our poor goal return from midfield that simply means the next best thing would be to get a Benzema,Eto’o or David Villa to play alongside him. Proven goalscorers and the last two seem to flourish when playing with creative players behind them or alongside them.All players seem out of reach. Barca would be idiots to lose Eto’o,Benzema has no desire whatsoever to play anywhere other than Spain and his current employers are saying hands off to all. And asking price according to the always unreliable British media is almost half what we are likely to get from the Real Maggots. That leaves a David Villa who is most likely unwilling to leave Spain. But I think he is our best shot of the strikers.
Another way to solve the goal issue is to acquire a capable attacking midfielder who will do the job we all expected Anderson to do. Make and create goals and goal scoring chances. That would probably be the best solution in my opinion. An midfielder who has a high goal ratio but who has the required pace and skill and inventiveness to work with the likes of Berbatov and Rooney. The person who fits that bill for me though not perfectly is David Silva. He can play on either wing and as a second striker.And above all he makes and scores goals. The scoring part though is not his strength and that is his downfall. But given the available options he looks the best possibility since his current club is financially ill. He may cost GBP25m.
The other part we would love to cover is pace,skill and attacking drive.Even dribbling. That gives us players like Ribery,Robben,and well,again David Silva. Once again the latter is the best option both in terms of availabilty and ability. The only other player with possibly better capacity in this department moved to Turin and will be the new Zidane for Juventus.
So in conclusion I think the wisest thing for Ferguson to do now is to begin the process of aqcuiring David Silva. And if Hargreaves will continue his injury streak,we definitely need an enforcer in central midfield. Then we should pray that Rooney really and I mean really sets the premiership on fire. The same with the Count.I am optimistic though
June 16th, 2009 at 5:52
@Redrich: I agree. We might argue and actually be pretty cutting with each other at times but I do still respect your opinions and hopefully you feel the same. We’re big boys but I am a big baby too. I’m sensitive
June 16th, 2009 at 5:53
@Redrich: Hitler is to mellow and not hard core enough for Fox News.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:55
@johnsom33: I have to admit, that was sweet. We had his replacement all along. His name was Manucho.
I’m actually more concerned that Rooney and the Special One will scrap the Ronny hand puppet next season on Special1TV. That would just crush me.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:56
@ Grog… Hi Bro… I totally buy into your argument that because we have changed our style of Footy we are definitely struggling to attract the best attacking talent on this earth. What was more heartening to see was he also took some decision in the biggest game in season which were more driven by emotions then the tactile requirement.
Whats more was i cant imagine the player like Berba (i don’t know how many people on this board like him) who’s for me the one of purest player on this planet couldnt get his place in the Finals of CL. I mean i am a big fan of Berba since his days at Leverkusen. I mean isnt it ironical that we bought him as a record signing and then didnt play hi in the biggest game of the season. I think fair share of responsibility lies on Fergi’s head as well.
Also, what i feel this system has done this system make you feel that the players like Tevez are more important to team than the Pure quality like Berba. I cann’t believe the player who has around 12-14 assist and same amt of goal (So contributed in around 28-30 goals) in his first season is taking some rather lot of battering. I mean common people he has contributed almost 30 per cent of the goals of the team.
But, Grog Bro i think as much as its down to fergi’s obsession of winning CL its also down to HUGE Financial implication of not doing well. I think the implication are big. I mean imagine when we almost swept all the trophies we still struggled with our debts. So what if we dont win anything for a season or two. What will happen at financial end of club wont be a great thing isnt it???
I think that might have played little part in what fergi deed as well. I am supporting the GAFFER but i think we should give him the benefit of the doubt. What ya say???
By the way i know you are great supporter of the genius footballer , then what do you think of BERBA.I always thought he is a rare quality as he makes you feel that football is very easy…..
June 16th, 2009 at 5:58
@Onkar: My pleasure mate. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your English. What is your natural tongue by the way?
June 16th, 2009 at 6:04
@Redrich: You are right there mate. We both have our opinions and we do not back down. But please do believe me that when I quote or speak about something that is not just a speculative rant, I am basing it on something I heard on tv, sports radio or read from a good source. What’s really tough though is when you ask me for examples or proof. It’s not that I have no proof but I honestly do not want to waste time and effort trying to find something i read two or three months ago as an example. I do have my opinions but I don’t like to offer up things that I believe are ridiculous without a shred of truth or plausibility. RR, didn’t seem to care for my theory about Torres and then the media cloned my idea and made it a major story. It’s the Daily Express reporting what I spoke of earlier in the day that even made me realize that the idea was highly unlikely. When a tabloid agrees with you, you know you’ve crossed the line.
Anyway, no hard feelings. We just have to agree to disagree on some things, especially when it comes to management and their policies. Luv right back at ya. 
June 16th, 2009 at 6:04
And we should be lookin at this youngster from Brazil called Douglas Costa. I don’t normally rely on You tube to make judgements on players I haven’t seen playing before. But this kid is an exception. Beautiful skill,pace,master dribbler from the bits I saw and good goal scorer. His free kicks are wicked and he seems to have a brilliant football brain. I think if we can splash money on Nani,we can try that kid out. I was impressed. They say he is the new Ronaldinho,but I wish they had not.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:06
@Jay wire: Very good rant mate. Good thoughts and I agree with you, especially regarding the attacking midfielder.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:10
@ grog… Not to forget those Suductive Spanish/ Italian Super models…
June 16th, 2009 at 6:18
@Onkar: Good points but I really feel that Fergie’s entire motivation for the tactics we play was to win the Champions League. He is obsessed with it and you hear him talk about his disappointment and almost embarrassed for having only won two. The Bob Paisley ghost hangs over his head like a cancer and i feel it drives him entirely. Again I base that on reading between the lines in his interviews and then seeing him adopt Italian tactics to get his wish. It’s a shame because he hates it when players leave and sell out, while he stayed and sold out his beliefs and convictions. I almost wish the Champions League didn’t exist so that we could go back to playing the kind of football that had us on our feet jumping and screaming. And that was only my living room.
As for Berbatov, I too have been a huge Berbatov fan since back in his Leverkusen days. But I have to be honest that with United, the real Berbatov rarely emerged and at the end of the season, he literally played himself out of the starting lineup. The lineup Fergie fielded for the final was exactly what I predicted. But both he and I were wrong in assuming that Barca were just a better version of Arsenal. They weren’t a better version, they were far superior in class and substance. Both Fergie and I fell into that trap and CHelsea handling them so well made me really feel confident. But lets just say that although the tam had it’s tactics all wrong, the players just looked lethargic and scared to death after Barca got their shock first goal against the run of play. At that moment we needed a Roy Keane and a Peter Schmeichel to start screaming and motivating the boys to keep their chins up. And nowhere to be found was the class, calm and skill of a Cantona to put some fear into Barcelona.
Tonight I watched the 1995 United vs Liverpool match where Cantona made his comeback from his year long suspension. A goal and an assist and the collar up and i was in love. I was also so impressed with the way Roy Keane controlled the midfield and inspired his team when they fell behind. We just don’t have that and it’s definitely our Achilles heel
June 16th, 2009 at 6:19
@Grognard: Thanx man. I don’t know if you have heard of this Douglas Costa kid who plays for Gremio in Brazil. If you have seen him play I’d like to hear your opinion on him. I was impressed,albeit over You Tube so you can see why I’d luv more insight
June 16th, 2009 at 6:19
@Onkar: Yes, that is true.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:20
@Grognard: OK mate, lets leave it at that (’till the next time
). I’m right and you’re wrong!!, or do I have that backwards!! 
June 16th, 2009 at 6:23
@Jay wire: I’ve heard of him and I I have seen a few games with Gremio on GOLTV here in Canada but in those games he never really impressed. However, that isnot ana ccurate gauge on the player and although his YouTube highlights aren’t either, he does look like a super talent. He’s only 19 so he is young and full of potential but with a lot to learn. I would normally say go after him and Fergie will turn him into either Ronaldo (good) or Anderson (bad), but how many seasons does Fergie have. If all that consumes him is the Champions League, I look for him to still buy veteran players this time because time for him is running out and he wants to win one more CL.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:24
@Redrich: That’s what my best friend keeps saying to me. But of course he is wrong and I am right.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:05
@ Grog…. My mother tongue is MARATHI. Its a local language here in India. But, we take all our education post school days i.e. college and post graduation (if any) mostly in English. In my case the 5 yrs of graduation post schooling and further 2-3 yrs of post graduation in Finance was in English. That might be the reason that I may not be the best but good enough in ENGLISH… Anyway we can continue with the topic now…
June 16th, 2009 at 7:09
@ Dan … Hi Dan Bro… I said yesterday only that my monies were on windies. See thats it.. I think i am good at guessing. Actually, it was disappointing to see such an important match got interrupted by rains but fine at least it wasn’t a point shared (if match would have been called off). It would have biggest shame.
Anyway, I am happy to see windies going through as there long time admirer/supporter.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:13
@Grognard: Isn,t Gremio the same team from where anderson belonged to, Also by the description of this guy he seems similar to what we heard about anderson …
June 16th, 2009 at 7:14
@Onkar: I thought it isn’t a cricket blogging site..
June 16th, 2009 at 7:25
@ Ryan … Your team is definitely looking interesting… But, I am afraid that i don’t expect any of the three signing you have mentioned in your team….
June 16th, 2009 at 7:27
@ despicable… I know buddy that it’s not the Cricket blog … But, I think some its good to go off topic as well…
June 16th, 2009 at 7:49
@Onkar:
June 16th, 2009 at 8:16
One thing i would like to point out to everyone who are saying that we always knew that Ronaldo is leaving this summer. Even though we were knowing this for a long time say 1 year we could have done little in terms of arranging the replacement by keeping the agreement for someone in place. I will explain the scenario…
Lets assume that we would have reached agreement with someone like ribery at around 35 to 40 million last year to take him as a potential ronaldo raplacement once he will leave the club this year. One thing is we never had so much money that you are talking about 70 million pounds approx (taking into consideration what we paid for Berba last year) in last summer. So we would have to go for the additional debt funding (short term borrowing at a relatively higher rate of interest given current market situation and our bad debt/ Equity ratio). That would have put loads of pressure on the financial of the club. And this whole thing would have been shaped up assuming that Ronaldo will leave. But, what if come this window knowing that we are not in the best of shape real Madrid would have pulled the trigger by saying that they are not interested in Ronaldo for value not more than n million pounds. And they would offered us take it or leave it offer. We would have screwed ourselves. As we had to sale him because prearrangement with some one, our need to recoup money and increased debt…
So i think it is always better that we have taken the cash and good amount of it. I know it may not make sense to lot of football guys here but, trust me i am a finance guy and i have seen these kinda things happen in BUSINESS.
And whether we like it or not… But for the people who are owing it or running it Football Clubs be it MAN Utd, REAL Madrid are nothing but BIG BUSINESS…
June 16th, 2009 at 8:41
Hi guys…I usually just read your posts and dont comment.This is probbaly my 2nd or 3rd post.I was watching the Uefa under 21 game of Spain vs Germany and one kid that caught my eye was Mesut Özil (no.11). He is such class and his ball hold-up play and vision are just a marvel to watch.They are playing against Finland on Wednesday, make some time to have a look at him…
June 16th, 2009 at 9:10
Attention Everyone! Due to the extreme fall off between the Groggy Grognard and The Red Ranter!
Red Ranter has sworn never to watch football again and he, alongside with Dan will now only be watching Cricket!
In the meantime, I have been appointed the chief blogger of RR.
So, ALL BOW DOWN!
June 16th, 2009 at 9:33
@Grognard: I don’t see RR as someone who sits on the fence Grog! Whereas you and I just dive in sometimes SWINGING THE PUNCHES
, RR likes to balance things out in his comments. That’s why he gets into a lot less trouble than we do Grog, when we just let our mouths run off. Besides Bro, we have to take into account that people who run websites like this, have responsibilities we don’t have, in regulating what actually goes out to readers 
. RR doesn’t just have to worry about our outlandish comments, he also has to take into consideration the rest of the blog community, who may take offense, not of the things said perhaps, but THE WAY THEY ARE SAID! RR gives a lot of leeway to some of us, whereas on many blogs, the administrator would just ERASE the post comments, and not even bother to explain themselves. That is what the owners and administrators of blogs are there for, and as RR has said many times, it is not easy to keep everyone happy. Blog masters like RR don’t have to explain themselves, because if bloggers don’t like the way the owner and administrator are running the blog, then they have other blogs to go to. I am probably not explaining myself as efficiently as I would like here, and I don’t want to get my arse kicked by RR, by you Grog 
, or anybody else for my comments here, but I personally think RR is a pretty great guy, who gives a hell of a lot of leeway, before he steps in and does something about it. I know that none of us are perfect Grog, I know that you know that none of us are perfect, and don’t always express ourselves in perfection or otherwise. Geez where did I start this, what was my main point? 
, Oh yes I don’t think RR is a fence sitter, just a very patient guy with a tough blogging job to do 
. Hope I am not embarrasing you RR.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:36
@Grognard: Only sometimes Grog?
.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:49
@Grognard: Mmmmmmmm I think most people speak their minds alright Grog, We just have to listen to them, as they have to graciously listen to us
.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:50
@johnsom33:
– Good of you to remind us Bro!
June 16th, 2009 at 9:53
@Onkar: Onky!, You seemed to have “NOT” grasped what i meant, through my sarcastic comment..
I was referring to your post on ‘cricket’ instead.. 
CRAIG seems to have got my drift though 
..
“Articulate in a ‘language’ that is understood in this blog”.. Language doesnot literally mean the language you communicate in!
June 16th, 2009 at 9:57
@Redrich:
, I’m not bothered about who else is feckin doing it Red Rich, just my own club, and we could and should have done it. But that is just my opinion, and you more often than not disagree with it. 
. So you to yours, and me to mine, the streets are wide, and we can walk one on each side of the street. If you don’t get my comment here, about the streets, get in touch with King Eric, he is dynamite at ambiguous comments 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:02
@webcrawler: Welcome to the blog webcrawler. I think Andrei was talking about this player you mention, but don’t know much about him myself
. Maybe I’ll catch him in the match coming up you mentioned!
June 16th, 2009 at 10:04
@Merlinus: You just keep on drifting Merlinus, I think most of us get your drift Bro
.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:13
June 16th, 2009 at 10:15
From todays BBC Gossip Column:
Sir Alex Ferguson is also leading the chase for Argentine midfielder Javier Pastore, 19, from Huracan. (The Sun)
And I was talking about him yesterday!!!
So Grog you are not the only one here with a Crystal ball
Those of you who dont know much about Pastore, he is a Ballack kind of a player! Good height (187cm) and has great long range shot. Could be our new No. 7!
June 16th, 2009 at 10:17
We all want Ribery but can anyone really see the transfer actually happen?? Bayern are probably the best run club in Europe and when they say no they mean it, they only sold us Hargo when they recieved big money and maybe they knew about his problems, call me cynical.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:38
@Merlinus: Errrrr Merlinus, you better DUCK when RR or Grog come on the blog mate
. Your becoming a ‘cuckoo’ commenter 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:52
@Craig Mc: Its the lack of football thats driving me bonkers mate
June 16th, 2009 at 10:57
@jos: No more Argies please, it always ends in tears………
June 16th, 2009 at 11:10
@jos: Based on that, I think journos are now just reading this blog and picking ideas that make them look clever.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:11
@Stephen: I don’t. Big waste of money, Zidane in his ear like an imaginary friend. Too old. Not a team player.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:12
@ Merlinus… oooohhhhhh…..Now i got what you meant to say bro……
June 16th, 2009 at 11:17
@Stephen: Anyone but Ji Sung Park! Its shameful we had him playing CL final!!! This guy cant be worse than him.
Just imagine – Ronaldo was playing with Park, Anderson (totally out of sorts), Carrick (not world class despite what we may say) & 35 year old Giggs who did nothing in those 90 mins. Compare that to Messi. He had Eto’o, Henry, Iniesta (now thats a player), Xavi to support!
We can do with better players than the likes of Park, Scholes (scholes of now is past it), Carrick (he is good but that is not enough at utd. u need to be a great player for starting place) etc. I wont comment on Anderson, Nani etc as they are still young and can (and will) improve!
June 16th, 2009 at 11:23
@jos: Park is very much an easy target, I know he has no quality what so ever but he gibves 100% everytime he puts on the shirt which we should give him credit for. He doesn’t do it for me but against Arse in the semi’s he played well, we should keep hold of him and use him as a squad player aand a starter in certain games.
Carrick was superb last season and certainly is good enough to be a United player, we do have to look at our midfield as it is the area which I am worried about most, but all we seem to be linked to is wingers and strikers.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:34
Hey lads its just been reported on sky sports news that, us chelsea and barcelona have all bid for Ribery. (bayern have said they still dont want to sell)
June 16th, 2009 at 11:41
@ Stephen…. Absolutely mate… Spot on… Since coming on this blog and actively writing about the issues i am banging my head on this thing that more than anything else what we need is midfield general i.e. stronge CDM. There are few people talking about De Rossi. i have also said in past that if comes (very minimul probability) he can be a monster of a midfielder. But, even if he doesn’t the player which i can’t stop thinking is FLAMINI. He has done everything to prove that he can be great addition to the team. After going through the list that RR has posted regd players who may leave Madrid i think M. Diarra can be good option if we can get him for less than say 10 mn pounds.
But, for me first we should look at the centre of the Midfield then wings and then strikers….
June 16th, 2009 at 11:43
@ Duffstuff as long as i am listening anything from MAN UTD officially i am not going to listen to all this crap. This can be nothing but the tactics to inflate the price of the Player….
June 16th, 2009 at 11:46
@Stephen: Give me 20k pounds a week and I will also give my 100+% day in day out. Does that mean I should be playing for utd?
I mean come on. whats the use of workrate if u can do nothing and have zero ability! so what if he had one good game (against arse)? Do we keep him just to play one good game per season? its Krap! Ji Sung should NOT be playing at a club like Utd. He wont be playing at the other big 3 (and that includes Liverpool). We had a midfield of Park, Giggs, Carrick FFS
June 16th, 2009 at 11:48
@Onkar: I have mentioned Flamini mate in the past few weeks also mate and he would be a sensible option, De Rossi would superb but he is Roma through and through and would be hard to move him from the Giallorossi but without Champions league football his head might be swayed.
Also with Ribery Bayern have said he will not be sold and they tend to be very true to their word, unlike Fergie with Ronaldo, virus anyone.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:50
@Onkar: You would be interested to know how people do that @Someone (with an underline and in red font hyperlink thing..) Just click on the arrow next to the name followed by says : it’ll add the hyperlink HTML tags to your comment.. Just helping out..
June 16th, 2009 at 11:52
@jos: I agree mate but ~I would rather him than Pennant, El Zhar, Quaresma and Leto who play currently or just about for the other top sides.
He should not be a starter no doubt, but he is a decent squad player, he give his all, does not winge and chipped in with 4 goals, Ok not great but he does a job and squads win trophies mate.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:59
check this out guys
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/16/real-madrid-player-clearout
June 16th, 2009 at 12:08
Agreed you can ignore the media. Unless Ferguson expresses an interest in a player to the media you have no way of predicting who he is going for. Of our supposed targets the only player Ferguson has outright said he likes is Benzema.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:30
@Stephen: I agree with the first part of the response nut beg to differ in the second part. As the situation with Ribery at Munich and Ronaldo at MAN UTD is totally different. It was no secret that HE wanted to join REAL ‘the mob’ MADRID. So, it would have been next to impossible to keep hold of him. BUt, Ribery has not come up with something like that. So, I don’t think it can be compared.
By the way i read somewhere today that he has said no to all including Chelsea, Barca and of course MAN UTD as he also ‘DREAMS’ of joining the REAL MADRID aka ‘the mob’…
Now, if real puts a bid it will be interesting to see what Bayern as well as RIBERY would do!!!!
June 16th, 2009 at 12:33
@Merlinus:
OOOHHHhhhhh… Thanks bro… I was wondering about this since day one but couldn’t find it….
Thanks again…
June 16th, 2009 at 12:33
@colver: Fergie has expressed his admiration for Ribery as well. But I don’t want us to go for Ribery even more so that Bayern are involved. They are very stubborn and true to their word. They’ll leave a huge hole in our pockets. And how old is Ribery ? 26/27 is it ?
He might have hit his peak already and what if he tanks or expresses his desire to go to Madrid, unlike Ronaldo there would be no resale value as well
June 16th, 2009 at 12:38
@Onkar: I get your point about increasing the debts with a high interest loan without getting the cash flow from the sale of Ronaldo.
Am not sure about this one, but couldn’t we enter into an agreement where we had the option to pull out if the Ronaldo sale fell through. We could have atleast had a verbal agreement with the club.
I hope in all this bedlam , Fergie was not caught off guard with Ronaldo’s “Manchester is my house” statements.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:39
To all NANI admirers’……
http://fourfourtwo.com/news/england/32739/default.aspx
NANI wants to be RONALDO’s direct replacement…. What you all feel???
Is it for real???
June 16th, 2009 at 12:39
@Onkar: I did not compare the two mate, all I said bro was that Fergie said he would never sell Ronaldo to that mob, he did, Bayern say Ribery won’t be sold (at least this summer) and I believe them.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:58
Apparently we are interested in Ashley Young now also.
What is really irritating is that Sanchez, Silva, Costa and Young are ALL better than Valencia, yet he is the one we are spending our money on.
Any 2 from Sanchez, Silva, Costa and Young would be amazing. One of them and Valencia, less so.
June 16th, 2009 at 13:02
@Traverse: Spot on I for the life of cannot understand the interest in Valencia, especially for the money being touted around, the issue with Young would be the fee which would be astronomical.
June 16th, 2009 at 13:15
@Stephen: Well Villa look likely to do a deal with Spurs n a straight swap with Bentley and Jenas… so that’s what? £5mil?
June 16th, 2009 at 13:16
@Traverse:
June 16th, 2009 at 13:22
@Traverse: Then we can as well try for Young with a straight swap with Manucho
June 16th, 2009 at 13:29
@Scorp: Very well said mate…
June 16th, 2009 at 13:31
@Stephen: I may have taken your point in a wrong way but what i said was just simple. That Ribery till date never said that he wish to go to ‘the mob’ so its relatively easy to keep hold on to the player as player would not try to engineer the move like RONALDO did with all his antics…
June 16th, 2009 at 13:32
@Craig Mc: No you haven’t embarrassed me at all.
June 16th, 2009 at 13:34
@Traverse: I would be over the moon were we to pick up ashley young, with the right management he could become a world star. For me right now that ronaldo has left he is the best winger in the prem. Better than lennon, joe cole, nani etc. Only other winger i think is at his standard is arshavin but he has said hes asked wenger why he plays on the wing as he doesnt even consider himself a winger. Taking this into account for me ashley is the best or maybe 2nd best if you do include arshavin, winger in the league.
Spending £20 odd million which im sure the fee for valencia will be is just bloody madness, the guy probably isnt even in the top 10 best wingers in england, yet we wont spend say an extra £5m for young who is a top top winger. I really do wonder about the management team at times, i really do.
I did see spurs were interested in young. What was it, £5m and jenas and bentley, god thats a pretty dire swap. Jenas isnt bad but bentley is a waste of space, if spurs did manage to get young with that deal thats the deal of the season for me. Spurs credit to them are going for some real quality players from the sounds of it. Young, ruud, sneijder, robben are just a few mentioned. Cant help but feel they are going for better players than us, especially when we are going for players like valencia over young. Also ruud for me is a better choice than tevez, i just wonder what the hell is going through fergies head with some of these players he apparently wants i really am.
I have a nightmare we will just end up tevez and valencia which for me would mean the title is gone already. Im not gonna slate him before hes even bought anyone but were we to end up with that, he would deserve a right bollocking for signing those 2. But for me if we didnt sign one of aguero, young, DM (yaya, de rossi), and a striker like a huntelaar i would be very disappointed. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
June 16th, 2009 at 13:40
@Onkar: Well it has been heavily rumpured that he is keen to move to Real mate with his “mentor” Zidane trying to orchestrate the move.
I have a bad feeling about Douglas Costa, he has been hailed as the new Ronaldinho, he is a very left footed attacking midfield player, he has only scored one goal and he plays for Gremio, reminds me of…………………….
June 16th, 2009 at 13:45
@Matt: I think Valencia is a certianty, but Carlos would rather sign for anyone than us.
June 16th, 2009 at 13:46
@Stephen: I know the rumors are big on him joining ‘the mob’ due ZZ influence. But, still you can just sense that they may have done something like what we did with RONALDO last season. Made him wait for one more year. I have a feeling that he might move to real along with may be BENZEMA after next years world cup. Otherwise, with the move for VILLA is falling the next name that would have hit the news would have been RIBERY to Real. But, it hasn’t might be because some kind of an understanding???
June 16th, 2009 at 13:49
@Onkar: Great point I was thinking the same thing, he can leave next summer after the World Cup which will hopefully inflate his transfer fee even more, by the way whats happening with Ben Arfa these days I have lost track of him somewhat???
June 16th, 2009 at 14:06
@Grognard: I have never told you how to debate on this blog (barring the thing on getting personal) and I never will.
“It’s simple as this. I don’t jump the gun and throw accusations based on my presumptions on the happenings at the club. I will be critical if things don’t work out ultimately. But I will be critical when I see the facts in front of me. I have no control over the transfers which is why it doesn’t make sense to me to jump like an impatient child due to inactivity, at least not yet. And none of this is meant to insinuate anything or insult anyone, but it’s a more accurate observation of myself”
That was in response to you insinuating that I was passionless because I didn’t share your approach.
““Your argument is on the premise that we are not being active. My argument is you have no way of knowing that we are active or not behind the scenes. You don’t have inside info, so don’t expect me to believe your argument which bases itself on assumptions that have little proof of being true. We won’t see transfers announced until the Ronaldo deal completely goes through.”
I put that point forcefully. And I was referring to everyone when I was saying ‘you’ don’t have the inside info so I won’t believe your argument until I see it for myself. I was disagreeing with you without any intent of trying to belittle you. You as usual took a different meaning to it. I did not get personal with you on that and I never have. Yet you feel bringing in your age, experience, arrogance as defence mechanism is somehow justified.
Regarding belittling you, it was never my intention. You always seem to think that. When I argue I can get forceful at times, just as you do a lot of the time. I have disagreed with you without getting personal. You being more sensitive (as you yourself said) does not justify anything.
Let me end this from my side by saying I have never curtailed your expression on this site. The last I ever did that was when I had to delete yours and JB’s comments during your famous falling out with him to avoid escalation.
Regarding Fernando Torres, let me make this clear that you were last in my mind when I wrote the article calling those rumours ridiculous. I wrote the article because it came up in the papers. If it was only brought up in the comments, I wouldn’t have dedicated half of the column towards rubbishing those rumours. And there’s nothing wrong in calling some opinions rubbish as long as it’s not intended to be personal. I wouldn’t take another person to task if he called my opinions rubbish, for example; that person would be attacking my opinions and not me, which is all fair play.
Regarding fence sitting there are counteless situations when I haven’t sat on the fence — in regards to Ronaldo, Tevez, or during my season review. I take a different approach towards supporting the club and I won’t and I have never imposed it on you.
In every single one of those arguments I’ve made, I’ve only said how I would react or what I would believe. I’ve never told you to think in a different way. I have no control over you inferring that I was belittling you.
Anyway, as regards debating with you, I realise there are way too many things to keep in mind before debating you for the fear of upsetting you/belittling you/treating you like an ADD patient, at the same time I don’t like to be reminded time and again that I should know my place because I am debating with someone with 50 years experience in the sport.
So for both of our sakes I think it’s best we stay away from each other when it comes to debating United.
June 16th, 2009 at 14:14
@jos: I mentioned this two weeks ago!
June 16th, 2009 at 14:15
£18.5m for a Glen Johnson jeez I thought the Dippers were skint, what is happening to the transfer sytem at the moment the money being spent is absolutly astounding, he is a right back FFS!!
June 16th, 2009 at 14:19
@Monkwahhdo: I would have imagined that a fee + player(s) arrangement was very doable as far as Ronaldo was concerned.
I’m just puzzled as to why we didn’t try to go for 75million + Mahamadou Diarra. When he was sold from Lyon he was the second coming of Essien. Even if he’s not as good as Essien offnsively, we could have used his DM skills.
And for those asking why we haven’t heard from him recently, its because 1. He’s been injured; 2. Lassana Diarra took his place…
I would have also welcomed Sneider…
June 16th, 2009 at 14:36
@R.R & @GROGGY ::::
Chill it, ass clowns!.. One goes on all jumpy and balls dangling with excitement- at a potential, good for nothing news and calls the other a ball-less chicken perched on a fence leaning neither side.. 
It’s freaking kiddish coming from you GROG.. one metre long post from both of you to substantiate the point of a pointless argument.. It wears out the weariness faced by us in the midst of a boring transfer window i must admit; but its unhealthy – R.R. especially the way you said, “I think it’s best we stay away from each other when it comes to debating United” – its a bloody blog for pete’s sake.. how will it be any interesting without any difference of opinion or debate, pray? 
SUCK IT UP, both of you and stop goofing around in the blog screaming like a head less chicken.. Or are you both as ugly as TEVEZ? 
June 16th, 2009 at 14:39
@NicoQB: Oh I must have missed it then.
What do u think is the possibility of getting him? We apparently made an offer of 10m in April and it was rejected as he was into last 6 months of his contract htere. He should be cheaper now and is billed as the hottest property in Argentina (amongst players playing theier trade in their league)
June 16th, 2009 at 15:03
@Merlinus: Like I said Merlinus, your posts get more cuckoo by the minute
. By the way mate, RR OWNS this blog, so I hardly think any of us bloggers is in a position to tell him what he can or cannot SAY. Live with it baby, because thats the essence of this blog, lots of healthy, but also lots of what you spout UNHEALTHY debating 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:05
@Stephen:
, a right back indeed, and not a very good one at that Bro. Should fit right in with the rest of the L’pool defence 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:08
@Craig Mc:
I am Merlinus the wisest man on Earth. I speaketh what i ‘will’ or what i shall.. Those are blessed indeed, them who get to drink my words of wisdom 
June 16th, 2009 at 15:09
@Craig Mc:
He will fit in well with Dossena, Insua and Aurélio 
June 16th, 2009 at 15:14
@Matt: Hey NOBODY is better than Lil Man Nani
. I shall be looking for you on the terraces next season 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:20
@Onkar: We know this Bro, and YES -
. Well he has just won the trophy for beach footy, the Bruno Alvez trophy, and that is like winning the world cup in Portugal 
. Eberybody loves, loves, loves, Everybody loves, loves, loves, Everybody loves the NANI 
. Well the Craigmeister does anyway!
NANI is better than Ronaldo
June 16th, 2009 at 15:27
@colver: You can say that again Bro. United’s transfer dealing are more covert operations than the CIA, SOS, and every other secret service on the planet. The Mother of all stealth operations are the order of the day where SAF, Gill and transfers in or out are concerned. If this was America, they would get the congressional medal for their transfer ops, whatever the congreassional medal of honour is.
.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:31
@jos: We had a midfield????? Oh sorry Bro, I could have sworn we didn’t have one in Rome
.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:44
@Stephen:
, A nice thought Bro. We should ship skinned sausage off to them too 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:47
@Merlinus: Mmmmmmm are you trying to be a Grog beater mate?. Because if you are, you are doing a very poor job of it
. Oh and on RR’s behalf, you keep up your cuckoo-ism and you will get the extra wisdom of what it is to FOLLOW THE 
June 16th, 2009 at 15:49
@Craig Mc: Forgive him, he knoweth not what he talketh about.
Seriously though, I am usually open to suggestions — I may or may not necessarily agree with all of them.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:51
@Merlinus: Maybe you are right. I probably am really ugly as Tevez. Wait who am I kidding, you can’t be uglier than Tevez, surely.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:51
@Red Ranter:
.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:53
@Matt: I have a feeling it’s gonna be a few bloody looong weeks before we hear anything concrete about signings. We might be in talks and on the lookout for players, but I don’t think anything will happen until the ronaldo deal actually goes through and tevez signs for somebody esle. So I would imagine around the end of the month and early next month will there be major progress. It’s frustrating, but I’m confident we’ll do well.
Something just struvk me that… We were tracking Valencia for a long long time, even before ronaldo left. I believe we were gonna get him whether or not ronaldo left. Now that he is gone do you perhaps think we might loo for somebody of higher quality with the money we have?
Also I hear today from Wigan that another 2 clubs are after Valencia.
Perhaps this is all just wishful thinking by me.
Another thing… We don’t even know how much Fergie is willing to spend. For all this talk about 80m, maybe he only wants to spend half! And if he wanted more I know the Glazers will back him.
Just hope we all don’t end up disappointed with this transfer window.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:53
@Red Ranter: Unless you are Ribery of course
. Awww we are not being nice at all! 
.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:54
@Craig Mc: He looks more like a scarred version of Gary Neville.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:56
Can you imagine RR, if we get Ribery, and Tevez stays (which I hope doesn’t happen in either case), those two alone on the field at the same time would scare the opposition players shitless, with their fearsome appearance alone
.
June 16th, 2009 at 15:58
@Red Ranter: Are you trying to insinuate RR, that Red Nev is not the Adonis he maybe thinks he is? Shame on you
.
June 16th, 2009 at 16:03
@Traverse: Do you really expect me to believe costa and sanchez are better then valencia. They are not, sanchez isnt even a starter at udinese, costa plays in brazil.
June 16th, 2009 at 16:08
Hi..guys has any one seen the photos of Rio posing as Bruno
, Ronaldo apparently gave him the outfit as a souvenir…Just saw it on Scott the Reds blog… http://therepublikofmancunia.com/what-the-fk-is-rio-wearing/