Oct 31
Roundup: Recycled, Unsubstantiated Trash Dominate United News
Today let’s take a small little break away from the Arsenal game. I know a lot of you ranters on the comment threads are itching for a preview post, and of course the big game in the weekend. But I’ll just do my part in prolonging your agony for a day, if I could.
So let’s take a breather from the Arsenal frenzy for just a while, shall we?
Okay, I understand that is not going to be very easy. The reason is that most of the news that’s been circulating these days apart from Neville’s return to reserve level football has been unimaginative, to say the least.
There was this piece on Rio being out with a groin strain, which sounded a little odd to me, because Rio seemed fine in all the matches he’s played. Anyway he’s cleared up the air calling all this speculation a load of bollocks, because that’s what it was; an absolute load of bollocks.
Meanwhile the Manchester Evening News reckons that Carrick would be likely to face Arsenal. A fit Carrick with match practice would tempt SAF towards the conservative approach rather than going for the youthful exuberance of Anderson. We’ll have to wait and see for that.
And we have those rumours linking United to Veloso despite the club having denied such reports.
And that’s about the news for the day, watch this space for updates during the day.
Meanwhile, Ahmed over at Soccerlens wanted to let you people know that Steve Amoia has interviewed an ex-Arsenal player and published it over there. It’s a good read. So go ahead and check it out.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Obertan deal looks real + The Sun reckons Huntelaar’s next
- Giggs and Brown to Remain Reds | Ex-Reds Clash | Wenger Threat | Takeovers And Other Such Nonsense
- Short Thursday Roundup
- The Red Hot Roundup: Scholes, Eggy, FIFA, Evra
- Quiet Monday Roundup
Tags: Daily Roundup
October 31st, 2007 at 10:52
I was afraid this would go uncommented, so I’ll just leave you with this…
The headline says it all…:-)
October 31st, 2007 at 10:58
SAF should stick with Anderson on Saturday against Arsenal. If Carrick is fit he should be on the bench. Then after around an hour when Anderson will have come close to getting exhausted SAF can sub him for Carrick. On the same note, I would wish we maintain the 4-4-2 style of play. Whenever we have played this format, we have performed better. Arsenal play fluid football so no need to pack the midfield with three guys.
October 31st, 2007 at 11:44
How about playing Hargreaves as Right-Back?
October 31st, 2007 at 13:02
Why would we play one of the best defensive midfielders in the world at right back?
We have Brown doing an excellent job at that position, and I guarantee you that Hargreaves wasn’t brought in to replace Neville.
October 31st, 2007 at 14:17
Saturday’s best line -up: EVDS; Brown, Vidic, Rio, Evra; Hargreaves, Anderson, Ronaldo, Nani; Tevez, Rooney. Bench: Kusczak, Oshea, Pique, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs. If Carrick is not fit then we should have Eagles. Which brings up a serious for subsequent ranting i.e. Should SAF start with Nani or Giggs? And without any other fit proven striker apart from Tevez and Rooney, how safe are we in both the short term and the long term? We are playing attacking football all right but we surely do not have depth in the striking section. Saha is too prone to injuries to be considered a future cover for Rooney/Tevez. It is the high time SAF though about this seriously. Otherwise I feel chills run down my spines whenever I see our line-up without a striker on the bench!
October 31st, 2007 at 14:49
heard SAHA is fit?
October 31st, 2007 at 16:31
Actually i would go with a 4-2-3-1 at emirates stadium this sat. With VDS, Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Hargraves, Anderson, then ronaldo tevez and giggs/nani just playing behind rooney. I think this formation will work well against arsenal. Just my thoughts =)
October 31st, 2007 at 17:59
I for one like the prospect and offensive potential of the squad with Anderson in the lineup. If Carrick plays the game will be a slower more methodical approach and in that kind of scenario, I really don’t fancy our chances. With Carrick I see us sitting back more and soaking up pressure. Not as bad as that Pedestrian outfit from Liverfool, but the result could be worse because we are playing Arsenal at the Emirates.
Not only would I like to see Anderson play, but I would love to see Pique start at RB. That won’t happen though as Brown seems to be settled there. My gut instinct tells me that Fergie will cop out and go conservative. He will go 4-2-3-1 with Hargreaves and either Carrick (if healthy) or Fletcher playing the two CDM positions, with Giggs, Tevez and Ronaldo trying to feed Rooney up front.
We have to ask ourselves this question; Will United lose another game or games this season? Of course they will. The logical place to lose is on the road against the best teams. Therefore I will be elated if we come out of Saturday’s game with a draw. If we win I will be over the moon. But my pessimistic side says that when we beat Arsenal it will be at Old Trafford. I think normal cautious tendencies in players as well as in coaching decisions may cost us this one. I really hope I’m wrong. As good as we are, and we are damned good, Arsenal is one of the best passing teams I have ever seen and they have an in form midfield general leading their attack with great skill and confidence. We either fight fire with fire or we burn. ANDERSON IS THE KEY! Prediction, 2-0 for Arsenal
GOD I HOPE I EAT THOSE WORDS!
October 31st, 2007 at 18:16
thats a defensive formation, we play attacking football, put 2 and 2 together.
October 31st, 2007 at 18:30
Check out the link below. It’s an interesting article regarding Carrick and his role with United. It takes on both viewpoints on Michael’s contribution and overall value to the team.
Sorry I couldn’t get the link to work so you will have to copy and paste it and use the Google search engine to find it
http://www.footballfancast.com/blog/england/michael-carrick-luxury-man-utd-can-do-without
October 31st, 2007 at 18:36
With Tevez and Rooney playing like they are, it would be mad to play one up front
and one in midfield. Arsenal arent a great defensive side, they have conceded 7 goals
in the league, 2 of them to Sunderland. I really hope its 4-4-2.
This is the first real test for Anderson, who has been great in the last four games. He’s a great passer and he isnt afriad of tracking
back and helping out with defense. I hope to god he has a blinder and
runs Fabregas off the pitch(please let this happen).Hargreaves is gonna have alot of work to do. COME ON UNITED!!!
October 31st, 2007 at 18:57
It’s clear that 4-2-3-1 seems to be Fergie’s new favorite formation and the one that seems to be getting the most out of the Rooney/Tevez partnership. Tevez playing just behind Wayne seems to work just as well or even better than if Tevez was up front with Wayne in a 4-4-2.
It also gives us better coverage defensively with two CDM’s covering. That is why I feel Fergie will sit Anderson and go with either Fletcher or a healthy Carrick next to Hargo.
Who knows, perhaps Fergie has a rabbit up his sleeve. Time will tell.
October 31st, 2007 at 19:11
about unsubstantiated rumours… haha who is john bostock? the 15 yr old… anyone know any more unsubstantiated knowledge about this new boy wonder who got the big clubs interested?
October 31st, 2007 at 21:42
About Bostock; All I have read is that he is a CAM with tremendous skills and a willingness to showboat them. Sounds like another Ronaldo but an English one.
October 31st, 2007 at 21:44
hey red ranter. . i think you’ll have to come up with more substantisl trash dominated news to keep the likes of these blokes from talking arsenal haha
October 31st, 2007 at 22:36
john bostock
hes plays for palace, my mates knows him, he made the team, my mate didn, i didneven bother because i pla rugby
November 1st, 2007 at 5:14
hey,i don’t think SAF is gonna change the formation.Hell,we are
scoring 4 goals every game including away games.So,only a mad manager
will change the formation.I believe Anderson will play
November 1st, 2007 at 7:08
Anderson will play but in the same line with Hargo as holding midfield. SAF will pack the midfield, you can’t give space for Arsenal midfielders to pass the ball as they like, it kills you.
November 2nd, 2007 at 13:06
in all this hooplah i was wondering if any1 remembers saha and guess we have another striker
and ways rooney tevt FTW