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:
- Rooney signs new deal at Manchester United, more money for everyone?
- Gill on City and Ronaldo
- Will Promises, Promises Turn Into Lies and Damned Lies?
- Muted celebration portrays the dawning of reality – Wallpaper
- How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sir Alex?
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (484)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@MoYa: I hear Sunderland are going to offer £20 mil for him. Hopefully they do and we go and sign Sanchez and Costa instead. Valencia is not as good as both of those players, and twice the price!
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@webcrawler: Must have been a last minute clear out at ‘Tall, Tan and Highly effeminate’….
But props for the United towel!
Also, as a 24yearold man who still enjoys watching the WWE…. I was watching Monday Night RAW as usual last night, and wrestler MVP came down to the ring for the main event wearing a United shirt!
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@Stephen: I personally think Bayern will sell Ribery for a couple of reasons. They don’t want the same thing to happen to them next season as happened to us with Ronaldo. Nothing worse than a malcontent poisoning a team with his attitude and desire to leave. Secondly, Bayern have a great new Dutch manager who is been given carte blance on buying new talent and selling old. He’s Dutch therefore he will like to bring to Bayern two or three strong Dutch players. Well the last time I looked, Real Madrid has probably the four or five best Dutch player around. And from what Sid Lowe reported yesterday, they are all available for transfer.
So my thinking is really quite simple. Bayern do not need to go out and spend big transfer fees to reshape their team. They can sell Ribery for as much as they feel they can and get any two or three Dutch stars in return. I’m pretty certain Madrid would pay them 30 million and offer Van Gaal Huntelaar, van der Vaart and Sneijder or more money and any two or Bayern might even be interested in Arjen Robben although that is a player I have never liked myself and who I feel is incredibly injury prone. But then again, so are Sneijder and van der Vaart. Just more nasty speculation from Grognard but I honestly think that Madrid are in the drivers seat for Ribery because they have the money as well as the players to interest Bayern more.
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found it on Youtube… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGBFZK-QTuM 6mins in
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@Stephen: Shhhh!!! the more we stay silent, the more the deal can go through…
Seriously, full back positions are probably the less important position on the pitch! If they are going to spend near 20 million on suhc a player, who’s only started to be good recently (and against average opposition, he’s not featured prominently in the Champions league) who are we to stop them!!!
As for the state of the market, I forgot who mentioned it – now I think it was Beachryan – I think we should just let things calm down. We only really need a Defensive Midfielder – ok maybe another striker, but I would be happy with a proven goal scoring old dog (Henry or Gudjonsen) to fit in our rotation, and the batch of youngsters coming through the youths has been hailed as the most talented since the class of 92′
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@Grognard: I agree with Real, if he does leave then my feeling it will be to them, and we are wasting time in our pursuit of him.
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@NicoQB:
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@webcrawler: I know. I saw it in the daily mail and I thought I had to post it on the main blog! Ridiculous! Plus it helps lighten the mood.
Or saddens me more. I don’t really know.
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@Traverse: Fockin hell Trav, WWE!!!
-3 Charisma, Intelligence and whatever rpg charactersitics for you me boy!
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Manucho to Madrid plus a Nike kitbag, in return huntelaar, sneijder and 17m.
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@Johnsom33: To an adidas team? I’m sure they’ll like it.
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@Grognard: Also sounds like zidane has had a word in his ear about joining real. A few weeks ago i would have been hopeful about ribery joining us, now i reckon we have no chance. But oh well thats life and if he wants to go to madrdi then thats his choice but we cant piss around and must look elsewhere.
Since you and others on here convinced me about aguero and his ability to play on the right side of the attack (possibly in a preffered 4-4-2) i went onto youtube and watched a couple of clips of him.
I know you cant base anything on youtube clips but i was absolutely amazed at what i saw and wondered how the hell i had missed seeing him play these last 2 years. As i said before i really had seen very little of aguero, sky just dont show much atletico games so i probably had about 1/2 hours worth of seeing him live. After watching the clips on youtube im wondering which planet ive been on, the kid just looks amazing.
I have come to the conclusion that even for £45m we should give atletico the money and offer him whatever wages he wants, give him the no 7 shirt and let him do his stuff. I will really be royally pissed off if fergie doesnt sign him. The only other realistic name that would cushion missing out on him would be ashley young.
Ive seen alot of young and he has all the potential in the world and unlike what ive seen from valencia, looks a man united player for sure. So for me its a choice, aguero 1st choice to play on the right, failing that 2nd choice young on the left. Either of these 2 and its happy days, but if we didnt even bid for one of them i will seriously start to doubt fergie, especially if he goes for valencia instead of them.
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@tevez: compared to tevez?
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@Traverse: your not serious are you! how many times have you actually seen costa play?
More potential ill give you, but none of those 2 lads are better then valencia.
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Id leave the galacticos to Real Madrid and Barca. We cannot compete with them for players like Ribery, Benzema etc. World class players will want to join those clubs not us. And not surprisingly clubs such as Bayern and Lyon aren’t going to sell their best players cheap having seen the prices Kaka and Ronaldo have gone for.
In any case the last two seasons we’ve been geared around a star player and our team has become dangerously unbalanced. We have £80 million to address the weak areas of our team.
In the short term we need a couple of players who can do a job for us. Namely a defensive midfielder to fill in for Hargreaves (Toure, Flamini or even Senna or Gattuso), a striker who can score 20-30 goals a season (Et’oo is the only name who immediately comes to mind), and someone who can fill in immediately for Ronaldo (Valencia would be perfect).
For the future we need a few potential world class players who can ensure that the youth movement comes to fruition. While we’ve got some great defenders coming through and players like Petrucci, Macheda and Welbeck suggesting a bright future for our attack, our midfield is very lightweight. I don’t have much faith in players like Gibson, Possebon and Anderson every developing into the sort of world class performer we need in the middle. We also don’t really have any creative players coming through (other than Ljajic who represents an unknown factor)
That is why id love for us to spend some of the cash on some wonderkids like Pastore, Costa, Sanchez and any of the guys who show in the U21s they got the right stuff.
We are in a transition process. The class of 2007-9 was built around Ronaldo and was cruelly exposed by Barcelona. We need to rebuild now and build something even stronger which will deliver another Champions League trophy or two. This will take time but it will be worth waiting for.
Let Real Madrid go for the quick fix. We are United and just like five years ago when we unearthed a young Portuguese winger, we will create many more future world-class players.
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@Red Ranter: As usual, nothing I say or none of my concerns truly register with you. You just don’t get it. You just come back with your typical PC approach to comments you make in this cold and calculating manner and I just have to accept it. Well I don’t.
Hide behind your comments by stating you meant them for all but it’s always funny that when you bring them up, they are addressed in a reply to Grognard. As for you Torres comments, of course I will take them personally. I was the one who made that connection about Torres a good twelve hours before the Sunday Express decided to steal my thunder. So your comments may not have been meant for my speculative journalism, but I think I and everyone else who had commented on what I wrote would agree that it could be seen that you were pointing a finger at me because I wrote about that player possibly coming to United first. Which leads me to this observation, if I make a wild speculative comment, you are very eager to flush it down as rubbish but you never qualify the other comments that I make that clarify that I find the chances remote. Like when I said about Torres that I could see the possibilities of him being bought by United but that I doubted it simply because it would destroy Liverpool, their manager would quit and it just would not be worth the money they would receive. Those types of qualifiers to my comments are conveniently ignored when one decides to pick apart my speculations.
As for you not debating me anymore, I am more than fine with that. I like you and have a great deal of respect and admiration for you as a person (whether you believe it or not) but as far as debating me, you have rarely ever made a positive comment on anything I have ever said. Therefore, your debates will not be missed. No you are not being malicious or spiteful, you just plain don’t agree with much of what I say. That’s fine, you don’t have to. But I also don’t appreciate your silence on the blog for days at a time and the only time you speak is to negatively comment on something I have said. Paranoia and insecurity breeds out of scenarios like that. You’ll go days without really commenting on any views on the blog and then out of the blue Red Ranter shows up to basically disagree or rubbish a comment made by Grognard. I’ve noticed this time after time, which just makes me wonder if there is a bit of a grudge you aren’t admitting to. If I’m wrong, well I’m sorry but perception is 9/10ths of the law.
And when I bring my age, experience and education up, it’s simply as a defense mechanism towards a perceived attack on my intellect. Something you do very well with your very own considerable intellect and well chosen way of shaping and forming your words and sentences. I wasn’t born yesterday and I have dealt too many bullshit artists to not know what you mean when you write something and expect others to not know who you are indirectly referring to. Sure that sounds like a person who is paranoid, but I would just reply to that as more like a person who is aware and fully awake and not born yesterday.
It’s clear my style and passion rubs you the wrong way but for the good of the blog you have turned the other cheek. And I know that I can be a royal pain in the ass and I am overly sensitive and perceived as needing of love and attention from fellow bloggers. Well, nobody likes being attacked or talked down to (especially when they are considerably older) and so they get a bit defensive in situations where they perceive it to be the case. In regards to yourself, you insist that you don’t do it, but trust me, from where I’m standing you do. You have a way of correcting people and even replying to their comments in a way that reminds me of a professor correcting students at a lecture. And you forget that I am the one with the teaching degree, so trust me when I say I see that, and you don’t because I am often unintentionally guilty of it and often I realize after it’s too late. I’ll end on that note and you can forget I exist if that gets you through the night.
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@Merlinus: Frankly mate, it’s none of your fucking business and further more, watch you you refer to as ass clowns.
You might be saying a lot of this in jest but consider the other person’s mood before you comment. Obviously both RR and myself are a little upset with each other.
RR and I got into something that is important to both of us and if you don’t have the patience, courtesy and common sense to stay out of it due to your intolerance of it, then sod off. It’s not your concern so don’t make it. Just scroll past it an never mind. How hard is that to do? And keep your smart ass comments to yourself because I for one am in no mood for it.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcZPye-oSqY
Video of Costa highlights…looks more like a giggs replacement to me–fantastic dribbler, afraid to use his right foot. also looks to be a free-kick specialist.
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@Dan: I’ve seen Sanchez play many games in Argentina and he is truly class mate. Great skills that transcend a winger. With the proper manager and team, he could be another world star like Ronaldo. Ronaldo only scored 3 goals in his year at Sporting. Who thought he could ever score 42 in a season based on that. A players full potential and development is often linked to the team he plays for as well as the manager and coaches that nurture his development. Valencia is a fine player, but he isn’t in Sanchez’ class, I firmly believe that. As for Costa, I cannot comment because I have seen him only a few times.
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@Craig Mc: But Craig, it’s not about the League, it’s about the Champions League. That’s where we need the real help in order to win. Every foreign player who is playing in the EPL at one point came to the EPL with no EPL experience. It’s overrated. A quality footballer will adapt sooner than later. This is why Anderson and Tosic are shite. They have not adapted well.
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@Traverse: Funny thing is in the US market and in front of WWE fans, it goes over their heads and they probably thought he was a supporter of AIG which would make him a hated guy.
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@Stephen: Agreed. And that is a big problem with United. They appear to us as a team that pursues forlorn hopes. They should go after players they can get.
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@Red Ranter: Ronaldo will use it. Apparently he will continue to wear Nike gear and Addidas is not to happy with Madrid about that.
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@Matt: Regarding Zidane, I have been making that point now for weeks about Zidane’s friendship with both Ribery as well as Benzema. Both players idolize Zidane and have been referred in many circles as the next Zidane. They listen to him and follow him in a manner that you could imagine United youth players would follow Cantona or Roy Keane or the way young girls drool over David Beckham.
Anyway, that gives Madrid a considerable advantage as does the fact they have 8 or 9 very good players to offer in swap deals. The fact the David Villa deal seems to have gone bust for Madrid makes me feel that the door may have finally opened up for Benzema to go to Madrid. Originally I felt that it would happen next season as Madrid had spent too much this year with the supposed acquisition of Villa too, but now, I think Ribery and Benzema are back on the table. Time will tell if I am right on this.
As for Aguero, he is a gem isn’t he. I honestly can say I enjoy watching him more than Messi, who I also regard as a gem. Aguero is just so creative and he also makes players or fellow forwards around him better. Just look at how good Forlan has been with Atletico. Although Torres never needed Aguero to be as great as he is. I have bee fortunate to see much of Aguero in under 21 action for Argentina as well, GOLTV here in Canada shows many of the Atletico games and I try to catch as many as possible just so I can watch him play. For me, he’s a no brainer to buy because he is total class, young and a United fan from childhood. But like I have said before, his one bit of negative baggage is his father in law is none other than the criminal himself, Diego Maradona. Christ, words cannot convey how much I hate that man. Man? More like punk mobster. Being connected to that guy is reason number one why Fergie wants nothing to do with Aguero. He probably feels that Maradona would poison him against United or try to sabotage the team by making Aguero leave after a short stay. Something like that. I wouldn’t put it past Maradona either.
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@Grognard:
I have responded to a lot more people than you realize. I have debated with Craig, Dan, Fred, JB (back in the day) for examples. It’s just that you obviously post the most and there is a high probability of something that you say prompting me to respond than others. Despite what you think, I read almost every word said on here. Which is why I could dig out your review of Pogrebnyak for everyone’s benefit even though it was written about a year ago.
Regarding talking down to people, I accept your accusation that I sound cold and officious like a professor, but as a moderator it’s a necessary evil. You will see far worse in a lot of other blogs where the person will outrightly tell the visitor to fuck off. Many comment policies read: “The moderator is always right” And frankly I deal with criticism a lot better, so I think I could do far worse than correcting people like a professor. And considering the way people have taken it, I think I haven’t done a bad job so far — this is out in the open so people can feel free to dispute this claim of mine.
But at the same time I can say you’ve done your share of talking down too. Your debating style is much more intimidating to someone not used to you and I don’t say this as an accusation. It’s true. So it always amazes me how you can’t take criticism of any kind without bringing up your age and experience when hardly anyone seems to be doing it here.
Also I don’t like blowing my trumpet but I’ll do it this once: as a moderator for a football blog, I am among the best you’ve got.
Anyway despite me defending my point of view you will remain cynical of me — as it was obvious you weren’t trusting me on my defence of the Torres issue. I think your concern is nothing you say registers with me, and maybe you are right. I probably don’t get you as I think I do. Just as I could be justified in saying that you just do not get me. And what’s left of me to ‘like’ for you when you can’t even trust my statements and rather speculate?
So due to the lack of trust I believe all that I’ve said means little, because you prefer to speculate on my intentions rather than trusting it for what it’s worth, despite that exchange we had a few days ago. And I can’t blame you entirely, but since you are going to constantly read anything I say to you with utmost cynicism, then I will be better off debating with others regarding United. The only time I will butt in will be if anyone is taking personal digs at you or something.
On this note, I say goodbye to debating all things United with you indefinitely. You’ll not miss my officiating tone for sure, and I will be free from grief.
Anyway got to get back to work. Cheerio.
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@colver: Thats very sound reasoning mate. Yes United need to buy players that are not Galacticos, unless they want to come play for us (ie; Aguero, Adler, Huntelaar) and they need to look for quality second tier stars and great young players who are still a bit under the radar of these Spanish poachers. A Douglas Costa, Alex Sanchez, Hernanes, Marko Marin, Pavel Pogrebnyak, and Yuri Zhirkov would be good starters. Chelsea never got Zhirkov like it was first reported. This player is a fantastic LW/LB player who could fill that role for us and could even place Evra on the bench. Excellent excellent player, but not even a look from Ferguson. Fergie lives to frustrate, that’s for sure.
I also think United is foolish to not go on a buying splurge for two or three of the Galacticos that Real are putting up for sale. They are right there for the taking and we are showing no interest at all it seems.
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@PhillyRed: A left footed player who can play right or left wing and who looks to have a cannon of a left foot, not to mention tremendous pace and dribbling ability. And what do we hear in the news? Man Utd are “monitoring” him closely. Stop monitoring you numptees, and sign him up.
Honestly, Man Utd have become nothing more than the Union for Procrastinating Executives, Northern England Branch Local 911. 
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What i think the regulars look like on here:
Grognard:
http://izismile.com/img/img2/20090218/old_man_02.jpg
eddy:
http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Fat-Kid-R.jpg
Craig:
http://www.fansfc.com/UploadedImages/Players/Nani_633571593714218750.jpg
Traverse:
http://media1.break.com/dnet/media/2008/4/14apr9-cool-guy.jpg
Colver:
http://www.healthcareidealsolutions.com/images/people_photos/young_man_knit_cap_happy.jpg
Nico:
)
http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/stavros-flatley-202×300.jpg (might i add i know this one personally
Fred:
http://fast1.onesite.com/fans.wwe.com/user/englishwwefan/6a5da3acd392852289a4f7ccaa22c40c.jpeg
Ill leave you lot to find one about me
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What i think the regulars look like on here:
Grognard:
http://izismile.com/img/img2/20090218/old_man_02.jpg
eddy:
http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Fat-Kid-R.jpg
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Craig:
http://www.fansfc.com/UploadedImages/Players/Nani_633571593714218750.jpg
Traverse:
http://media1.break.com/dnet/media/2008/4/14apr9-cool-guy.jpg
Colver:
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Colver:
http://www.healthcareidealsolutions.com/images/people_photos/young_man_knit_cap_happy.jpg
Nico:
)
http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/stavros-flatley-202×300.jpg (might i add i know this one personally
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Fred:
http://fast1.onesite.com/fans.wwe.com/user/englishwwefan/6a5da3acd392852289a4f7ccaa22c40c.jpeg
Ill leave you lot to find one about me
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@Grognard: Out of the apparent 9 or so players real have put up for sale i would definitely go for mahamdou diarra, wesley sneijder and jan huntelaar.
Diarra was being described as better than essien when atg lyon. Hes gone off the radar for a few years granted, but class is permanent and if fergie got him im sure his lyon form would return. For £10m he would be a steal.
Sneijer and huntelaar i dont think i need to mention, we all know they are class players and im actually shocked that madrid consider ridding themselves of them. These 2 have been treated like garbage and they dont deserve that, they are class and would walk into most teams, id choose the hunter over the over rated raul anyday but i guess theres politics involved there.
Especially due to the fact madrid owe us a favour and talk about our relationship with them, we should come in and take these 3 off their hands. Only problem is to fit in sneijder and diarra we would need a complete re vamp of the midfield, ie scholes gone, giggs not ever in first team plans, hargreaves released if hes not fit, carrick and ando given a final chance. Ferguson it seems has his favourites and scholes, giggs, carrick, ando and im sure hargo seem to be his favourites so never in a million years would he change things there to bring in the madrid pair.
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almost forgot matthew/matt:
http://web.mit.edu/smaurer/www/blog/050717%20rocky/matt.jpg
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@Red Ranter: To quote Sven “Well ah”. What can I say? I am reminded of the scene in Godfather Two when Diane Keaton is at the door and Pacino slowly walks to her looks at her briefly and calmly and coldly just slams the door in her face. Boy have I been put in my place.
Honestly, I never wanted it to get to this because I am a huge admirer of you and what you have done with this blog. Don’t even talk to me about other bloggers or blogs because none exist for me but this one. But as much as you have done a fantastic job moderating and managing this blog, I too feel like I have to take some credit for the blog’s success and popularity.
Sure to some I many be an asshole or undesirable, but I do think many appreciate and respect my take on all things United and football in general. So although I do feel I offer a lot to your blog, never think that I don’t think you do a wonderful job running it. You do. You just don’t always respond to me in a way that I would prefer and that gives me the feeling that you appreciate my efforts and contributions. I guess that is my problem and I will have to live with it.
Now let me say one thing about the lecturing part. I do think I mentioned in my last post to you that I felt you talked down to me like a lecturer because I also feel I am unintentionally guilty of that. So telling me that I too do this, was not news to me and was just emphasizing a point I made previously, which was your ability to ignore my qualifiers in sentences. You will grab the part where I say you talk down to me like a student in a lecture, but miss the part where I say I am often guilty of the same crime. I wish you could understand how that bothers me.
Anyway, I do not want to continue this discussion, argument, debate or whatever it is any longer. Just know that despite my frustration and anger with you sometimes, I still deep down quite like you, admire you and respect you. And I don’t analyze everything you say and continually interpret it in a cynical manner although based on this argument we are having, I could see how you would think so. Just certain things of late and certain comments and replies of late have caught my attention and bothered me. Yes I do comment a lot and so based on that you are correct, the law of average leans towards me in that you will comment to me more often than others. I will concede that one to you and so I am wwrrrr, I am wwrrr. I have a problem with that word sorry. I am incorrect.
So consider this a clearing of the air between us. I’m sorry you do not want to debate me any longer but then again like I said before, you never tend to offer a positive slant on anything I say anyway, so perhaps your decision to do so is best. Although I feel we respect and like each other, we do see things regarding football and United quite differently more often than not. Believe me, not debating with you is not what I want, but if it keeps you safe from grief and it keeps my paranoia and feelings in check, perhaps it for the best. The Internet is an imprecise communicative tool. written words are not the same as two people sitting in a pub talking about things, checking each others eyes, inflection, body language etc. Quite often, one’s intentions and meaning get completely misunderstood online. Just know that despite all that, I feel we do have an understanding on a lot of other issues we have discussed in private and that we continue to be friends. If I have damaged that today, I am deeply sorry, but please know this, despite what your intentions were, I was deeply hurt by things you wrote, even if they were not, as you say directed towards me or intended in that manner. I’m just overly sensitive about certain things I guess and that’s my cross to bare. Cheers. 
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@Dan: Not even close mate, but I guess I deserved that.
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@Matt: Those are the exact three I would go after too. I am not a fan of any Diarra clone as there seems to be a dozen of them out there all paying the same bloody position and in a bloody well boring manner, but we need CDM enforcer. Huntelaar and Sneijder to me are no brainers and if we never had Fabio, I’d be tempted by Drenthe. Overall though, I would settle for two and that would be my two Dutchmen.
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@Grognard:
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@Grognard: The two diarra’s at madrid are good players though. Mahamadou diarra, however, has had recent injury problems and the last thing i want is for united to replace hargreaves with another hargreaves. I agree about huntelaar and sneijder. Especially sneijder.
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@Dan:
, but I’d be an ANGLO Nani, pale and insipid skinned, while Lil Man is Latino, dark and to the ladies in this world, obviously handsome, judging by the fine lasses he pulls 
.
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@Craig Mc: You mean, you’d look like him if Nani did plastic surgery (like Michael Jackson)?
Well make sure your nose doesn’t fall off!
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@Dan:
Great Job!!!
I first thought you thought of me as Homer Simpson!!! I got a page doesn’t exist result without Homer going D’Oh!
Then I googled the picture name and got some weird blonde cartman-looking happy fatty!
Uuuuhhhh…. right!
So, for your info, Imagine someone who’s the exact opposite of the guy! That’s me!
But I really enjoyed Traverse’s, Fred’s,
Nanioops Craig’s, and Grog’s pictures. They were spot on. As for Eddy I think he should look like the child of Torres and Anderson – if that’s possible.Here’s Dan dan
:
http://www.freewebs.com/chavbustersinc/Chav.jpg
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We also need one for redranter.
http://www.ericluck.net/files/Riddler1.jpg
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@Dan: I recognise him. That’s him exactly.
@Grognard: As often is the case with your longer posts grog, I just skim read your wall of text …
The only thing I saw was the “I am wrrrr..”
That made me laugh out loud!!!
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@NicoQB: Ha ha. Nice one. But I think I am more this, in the context of the blog.
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Those of you finding this page load slowly, kindly move to the new post.
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@Red Ranter:
No way, bro.
I stand by my claim!
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@Grognard: Reminds me of when we fruitlessly chased Shearer twice, on the first instance we ended up with Dion Dublin.
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@Dan: Dan?
What the fuck mate? Me a fat kid? You on pot mate?! 
This is more like me…
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@Craig Mc: So you would be Michael Jackson then correct?
OOPS! Just realized that RR beat me to the punch but I had already posted. Sorry RR.
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