Aug 06
Shallow Squad or an Injury Crisis?
The team we pick to start the first “competitive” game of the season (if you can call the Charity Shield competitive) is going to be pretty threadbare. Prospects aren’t so hot for the Newcastle game either. This has caused a lot of debate here recently about whether our squad leaves us too vulnerable to injury or whether it is an unfortunate run of injuries which we could not have foreseen or provided against.
By the way, I’m going to try out numbering and lettering my paragraphs to make commenting and debating easier. I’m going to touch on a lot of themes here, and so it may help facilitate debate if you can refer simply to paragraph 3a. It may not work, but hey.
1. The squad
First of all, I’m going to set out all the options we have in each position, so that we start this debate by looking objectively at the resources at our disposal.
GK: EVDS, Kuszczak, Foster
RB: Brown, G Neville, O’Shea, Hargreaves, R da Silva, Evans [Simpson is now out on loan, in case you missed that]
CB: Rio, Vidic, Brown, O’Shea, Evans, Silvestre
LB: Evra, Silvestre, O’Shea, Evans, F da Silva
RM / RW: Ronaldo, Nani, Park, Giggs, Hargreaves, Fletcher, Rooney
CM: Scholes, Carrick, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Possebon, O’Shea, Giggs
LM / LW: Ronaldo, Nani, Giggs, Park, Evra, Rooney
CF: Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Campbell, Giggs [Manucho is still awaiting a work permit; Welbeck has been mysteriously absent from pre-season games - anyone with info why please post it below]
In short, we have at least 5 genuine options in each position. Yes, you read it right - five. Not two, as Mourinho once advocated, five. Some better than others, but none would disgrace the shirt. Some overlapping, too, but there are thirty distinct players there, not counting Manucho, Welbeck or any other youngsters like Gibson.
2. The striker
a) Let’s also get the striker issue out of the way right here. Yes, we need another one - it is the only area where we have inadequate cover. Yes, it would have been nice to have wrapped up Berbatov already. But should we have gone out and splurged on a striker, any striker, just so we have someone for the start of the season? Definitely not. And yes, a fast start is desirable and a huge advantage, but we hardly got one last year and we coped.
b) It takes a rare combination of skill, temperament and potential to become a United signing. Being good isn’t good enough - you have to be good in the right ways for the team, just ask Seba Veron. Should we have signed Robbie Keane for £20m, just because we could probably have sewn it up by now? Dean Ashton for £17m? Peter Crouch for £12m? Or should we wait for the right guy at the right price?
c) My answers to those questions are please no, good god no, not for that price and yes, in that order. Also, just because we’re not reading stories in the press doesn’t mean that progress isn’t being made. If you’d just been reported for comments made in the media about Berbatov, you’d be pretty stupid to antagonise the selling club by continuing to make comments in the media about Berbatov. This is how we do business these days - quietly, behind the scenes, and not like Real Madrid.
d) I will admit, though, that our lack of interest in Huntelaar is surprising. But then there are a lot of top clubs on the hunt (sorry) for strikers, and none of them have put a concrete offer in for him - so what do they know that we don’t?
3. The injury list
a) Here’s the list, first up:
Ronaldo (ankle, 2 months)
Rooney (virus, first two games)
Nani (suspension, first two PL games)
Anderson (Olympics, August)
Carrick (virus, probably CS only)
Hargreaves (tendinitis, possibly fit from start)
Park (knee, possibly fit from start)
Saha (sniffly nose, the rest of his life)
That’s a pretty brutal spate of injuries - particularly so because it has focused entirely on our midfield and attack. We would happily trade, for example, Evra for Rooney and Brown for Nani, since we could easily absorb those injuries in the defence but would keep some of our attacking potency.
b) To illustrate further, this is what a comparable injury list would be for our rivals:
Chelsea: Drogba, Anelka, Joe Cole, Mikel, Deco, Essien, Malouda, Shevchenko
Liverpool: Torres, Keane, Babel, Mascherano, Alonso, Benayoun, Kuyt, Voronin
Arsenal: van Persie, Adebayor, Nasri, Rosicky, Fabregas, Diaby, Walcott, Bendtner
c) So to criticise United for not being able to absorb the injuries we have suffered without a drop in performance is to criticise the whole league, and probably every other top club in Europe (I don’t know the Barca, Real, AC Milan or Bayern squads quite well enough to do a similar comparison with them - if you do, please do so in the comments). Those teams would be lucky to put eleven players on the field who could beat Hull, let alone who have every chance of keeping us afloat for a few weeks if needed. We should instead be saying how lucky we are to have a few golden oldies and Tevez to reliably fill the void.
4. Should we have more cover?
However, to take our own squad in isolation and knowing Ronaldo was out for the first two months, would it be optimal for us to have signed more players? The answer to this remains no. There is a roadblock practical reason for this, and an objection in principle.
a) The problem is that you are trying to attract players when they know full well they have no chance of playing if the squad is anywhere near fully fit. This immediately rules out players who are really good right now or likely to become really good in the next year, leaving us with two types of player: youngsters for the future and oldies who might have an Indian summer. We already have the oldies, thanks, barring a miracle loan signing akin to Larsson. Equally, youngsters who are over a season away from being good are probably no better than what we can cobble together internally.
Therefore, the pool of players who will sign for us knowing that they will only get regular first team football if we have an horrific injury crisis and who are good enough to play for us even on a part-time basis is pretty small. The only name I came up with was Eidur Gudjohnsen, but there we go.
There is a third category of players, those who are in it for the money and a quiet life. Step forward, Carlo Cudicini (the best keeper in the Premiership when Cech was bought) and Wayne Bridge (only Evra and Clichy are better). But then is greed and lack of ambition a combination of qualities you want in a United player, even if we could afford them?
b) Whilst I’m here, I want to touch on Aaron Ramsey, who has attracted a lot of inches on this blog. A commonly-held belief is that the reason he went to Arsenal is because Fergie couldn’t be bothered to go and meet him. Whilst this doesn’t look very good (particularly set against fireside games of snooker with a young David Beckham, etc), it is wrong to say that this cost us Ramsey’s signature.
What cost us Ramsey’s signature was that we wanted to buy him and loan him back to Cardiff for a season. Arsenal, on the other hand, wanted to take him straight into the first team squad and offered him a shot at Premier League football. He (understandably, in my view), preferred the latter option. This isn’t speculation or my interpretation of things - this is what Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale said in an interview with the BBC.
So to use this as a stick to beat United and Fergie over the head with seems a bit silly. We didn’t need him for this season, but tried to secure him in the long term - he’s not so wonderfully amazing that he had to be signed immediately like we did with Nani and Anderson. Ramsey was thinking short term - end of.
c) The objection on principle is that I don’t want to return to the era of utility players. You all remember it - Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, Phil Neville, Quinton Fortune, Diego Forlan all as integral members of the first team squad. Good enough to be in the squad, but not good enough for the first team. Fergie splintered our transfer budget, signing lots of bit part players rather than one big name. Would you have him spend £10-15m of our summer transfer budget on a fourth reserve player, or save it and secure the player we have identified as The One? I’ll leave that one as rhetorical.
5. I’d like to say one more thing before I throw this open for what I imagine and hope will be a fairly heated debate. I’m not a “loyalist”, I’m not supporting United for the sake of it, and I don’t believe the sun shines out of Fergie’s arse. Everything I’ve offered above is, in my opinion, closely reasoned and supported by facts. So if and when you disagree with me in the comments, please try to make your responses the same.
In summary - our team is going to be badly under strength for the first two games of the season. That does not make our squad defective and does not mean we should spend millions of pounds willy nilly on squad players to compensate.
Related items from Red Rants:- The Effects of the Injury Crisis
- Can Chris Eagles be everything Kieran Richardson is not?
- Why We Love John O’Shea
- Preview: Reds vs Spurs
- On Manchester United’s ‘Greatest Ever’ Squad
Tags: Opinions/Columns
August 6th, 2008 at 17:41
I agree with that. Be patient peoples. But I do hope they are trying to get the Bulgarian because that would just be waaaay too much for people to handle.
August 6th, 2008 at 18:18
Manucho currently has a broken metatarsal. Hence he has not featured on preseason
August 6th, 2008 at 18:31
brilliantly said mate. hope we get a brill strika though. we need a striker for the long term.
clever hey.
about the bulgarian, tottenham are apparently going to sell him to us to fund the signing of Villa. i say we f*ck berba and Villa straight off.
August 6th, 2008 at 18:34
A very well thought out and well written piece — I knew there’d be one, one day
Let’s weather the injuries and hold out for Berbatov.
August 6th, 2008 at 18:43
While i agree with the thrust of your argument i am still a little frustrated that we have not strengthened our squad a bit. We all knew who we wanted in and who we wanted out. A few of the names you mentioned are akin to the Klebersons and fortunes of yesteryear - silvetre, Fletcher Oshea. We also have absolutely no idea how good manucho may be and others like Possebon, Evans, The da silvas and Campbell are players who should be able to benefit from the seven subs and be able to gain experience - not those we need to rely on as cover . We need another striker and at this stage i think we should have one. Berbatov fits the bill as a player - as does Huntelaar. We also needed to sign a quality RB to challenge for (take) Wes’s position.
I see exactly what you mean about the difficulty of attracting squad players - but we should not have to do this. Our homegrown (or imported at a young age) players should be able to provide this squad cover just as Fletcher and co do now - if they are not good enough to get a regular first team place then we can sell them at 23/24 for good money as they will still have excellent careers elsewhere.
I do agree however that the injury list is both unusual and could not be legislated for. What i am saying however is that our first team squad has not improved since last season (i am taking possebon etc into account as youngsters who need another year)
At the end of last season we all said get rid of saha and silvestre and buy a quality striker and a RB (preferably one who could also play LB if needed). THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED and is the cause of my annoyance. Mind you i think we will still have too much for the rest. Fergie could also do with getting a quality assistant sharpish but that is for another day.
August 6th, 2008 at 18:50
Injury crisis.
August 6th, 2008 at 18:56
In response to something Grognard said in the previous post….No worries dude. I’m not gonna get upset over something somebody wrote on a blog. Good conversation is all i’m looking for. You called it, gotta give credit where credit is due.
August 6th, 2008 at 19:06
Tonight looks like twins, possebon, martin and gibson all going to play at some point…so not quite a first team run out I don’t think.
August 6th, 2008 at 19:10
Trophy Presentation now
Do you guys know any where we can watch the 2nd half since it doesn’t shows on justin.tv/mstv3.
Thanks
August 6th, 2008 at 19:11
I agree that the transfer plans should not be changed given this unusual injury crisis (and assuming of course the the tired Ronaldo saga still coming out of Spain has no legs).
Assuming that all the players on your injury list are out for the CS, I prefer the following lineup.
Campbell Tevez
Evra Scholes Fletcher Giggs
Silvestre Vidic Rio Brown
EVDS
You could make an argument for going 4-5-1 with O’Shea in the center in place of Campbell; but after Giggs, the second wide player (Evra in my line-up — Fletcher the likely other choice) is never going to be super-offensive, and probably not properly able to support a single striker.
August 6th, 2008 at 19:34
HEY people! It’s a long time since I was here for the last time. Well,this summer is so un-cool for us , the MU fans. Anyway,Berbatov is not a MU player (I didn’t want him anyway , but better buy him than nine) , Roma is buying Huntelaar http://www.transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=22271 and we stand like asholes watching these rediculous friendly games against stupid teams… + the squad looks so injured to me !
August 6th, 2008 at 19:43
links to the match pls…
August 6th, 2008 at 19:47
http://www.justin.tv/widgets/jtv_live.r8448.swf?channel=mstv_2
GOALTUBE.ORG
August 6th, 2008 at 19:48
Welbeck was supposed to play for England in the U-19 championship but got injured and dropped out of the squad. Consequently he could not train with United let alone play in pre-season matches due to his injury.
August 6th, 2008 at 19:52
Shallow Squad or an Injury Crisis?
Tonights line-up perhaps answers this debate>> CRISIS..
VDS
Brown
Rio
Vida
Evra
Fletcher
O’shea
Scholes
Martin
Tevez
Giggs
Subs
PIG
Campbell
Silvestre
Possebon
Da Silva Twins
Evans
It’s a crisis but the charity shield is no concern, lets hope to see Carrick and Hargo back for the Newcastle game. I can’t for the life of me see Rooney miss the WHOLE of August that would be a massive concern.
Also much to the dismay of fellow ‘ranters’ Saha is almost certain to stay now, I hope he and Park can get match fit and actually contribute to a whole season we all know there qualities.
August 6th, 2008 at 20:00
MU cannot afford to depend on the oldies Giggs, Scholes and Gary because they all lack of pace and cannot compete with they youngsters.Selling off Eagles was a bad decision when it should be John Oshea who never show improvement season after season.You dont expect miricle to happen again this season when all other clubs has already strengthen their squad. Wake up Sir Alex and beefup the team with a striker and a right back world class.Its time for Ferdinand to be the captain and Rooney deputy.Gary N should retire or play in the reserved team.
August 6th, 2008 at 20:00
face the facts ronaldo will go maybe next and i am suprised in SAF his reaction was out of the blue (if he goes i go) so we should not get anyone this year except sign tevez and just plan for a massive spending spree for next year with the money from ronaldo,trophies,tv and glazers we should get a top class young side all ready for the future of man utd these our some players i think we should look at buying next year: messi,richards,huntelaar,sanchez and garay and sell oshea,saha,ronaldo next year (subs) :foster(kuszaczk),rafael(brown),ferdinand(richards),vidic(garay),evra(fabio),messi(sanchez),carrick(hargo),ando(possebon),nani(giggs),rooney(campbell),tevez(hunt)
August 6th, 2008 at 20:08
http://www.goalcentre.com/manchester-united-vs-juventus-live-stream-and-highlights/
August 6th, 2008 at 20:13
i cannot agree with comments made about Fletcher, oshea maybe, but what he lacks in skill and quality, he makes up in plain lucky winning strikes
Fletch on the other hand IS united material, seriously one of the more under-rated players in man utd. he never lets us down. shores up defence, helps in build up a bit, i think he is needed in the team.
the times he has touched the ball, he delivered what was asked of him. so did park, and oshea. i dont think we should sell them.
silvest and saha, yes, but even silvest is showing some promise and hope now… not as silly as before…
only saha is unforgivable…
August 6th, 2008 at 20:20
@mufc fan:
Sorry mate Garay has joined Real Madrid, he is a great talent but he has moved on. Messi is at Barca your have to keep dreaming he won’t leave there for a long time.
I do believe we should make one signing Sanchez is possibility but I don’t believe he is ready yet, I’d be surprised if he starts for Udinese next year let alone break into are starting XI. Berba is the obvious but lets see I trust Fergie so if he keeps it the same I for one won’t worry all that much this is a mini-CRISIS.
August 6th, 2008 at 20:21
AT LAST! NO BARCA NO ARSE!!!! http://www.justin.tv/widgets/jtv_live.r8448.swf?channel=mstv3
August 6th, 2008 at 20:22
The injury crisis is crazy i thought preseason was to get players fit. But we can still field a team that could beat anyone outside the top 4.
e.g. Assuming all the guys Penguin mentioned are out
EVDS
Brown Vidic Ferdinand Evra
Fletcher O’Shea Scholes Giggs
Tevez Campbell
Subs: Kuz, Evans, Possebon, Gibson, Neville
Our defence is almost unchanged and won’t concede
Giggs and Scholes will provide service to Campbell and Tevez and O’Shea and Fletcher will battle in midfield and do the running that Giggs and Scholes are too old to do. Tevez is world class and while I have my doubts about Campbell this team would create enough chances for him to grab a goal or two.
August 6th, 2008 at 20:31
We have no width at all.
August 6th, 2008 at 20:35
Wellbeck is injured.
August 6th, 2008 at 20:47
We didn’t create even a half chance. We have no width and no penetration
August 6th, 2008 at 20:51
I have said this time and again. If we are to get a world class centre forward then the opportunity cost is the offloading of Rooney.
August 6th, 2008 at 20:51
Wow, Juve are pretty awesome. Their defence is simply stifling, and they’ve created the two best chances of the match. Martin is trying, but somehow even when he’s out wide he’s double teamed. We’re being outclassed at the mo.
Oh and we have Giggs circa last season back. Everything he touches falls flat. Please put him back where he belongs, on the wings, not in the middle. And bring on a damn striker, the reason Juve are so comfortable is because not a single United player is getting near the box!
August 6th, 2008 at 20:58
Hello Red Ranter mate, a flying visit. United vs Juventus - feckin abysmal so far. Giggs did not make ONE pass that got to the person he passed too. Where the feck is Nani?.
August 6th, 2008 at 20:58
Yeah no width I don’t wanna start aggro but Martin just isn’t Utd material good luck to lad in his career but he has never stood out in any reserve outing and whilst on loan he was injured. He shouldn’t have started are last warm-up game swap him with Campball and get Giggs on the left(Giggs is no forward). O’Shea in the middle is a weird one as well it must be cause he needs minutes but I’m sure he played against the posh and Espanyol. GET THESE BRAZILIANS ON!- its worth a runout, this is dull Del Piero still has it though. What a player.
My broadcast is down?! shit
August 6th, 2008 at 21:15
Rafael is absolutely siick!!!!! Forget all hu say hold on… he is only young… blah blah blah…. absoulutely sick!!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 21:17
We have a real gem here
August 6th, 2008 at 21:17
crisis? what crisis?
August 6th, 2008 at 21:20
@Jay wire: And why pray tell would Utd need to offload Rooney? If we played a 4-2-3-1 with the new striker up top, then playing Rooney in the middle of the attacking 3 would see him in his best position, no?
August 6th, 2008 at 21:21
Rafael has some skill, but seriously needs reigning in, it’s hilarious watching him get ahead of our strikers..
August 6th, 2008 at 21:23
@Beachryan
You wont be saying that when there’s actually someone in the box to cross it to. The boy is fearless.
August 6th, 2008 at 21:36
YESSSS GEM!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 21:39
He can probably play right wing as well. Great pace and control!! I love him!!
August 6th, 2008 at 21:40
peterbrough was low opposition…dont tell me juve is too
August 6th, 2008 at 21:44
Cant get enough…hes brilliant…sorry lads im too excited
August 6th, 2008 at 21:44
This may have already been posted, but Ronaldo says he’s staying
http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/08/06/Prem-Ronaldo-says-he-will-stay/
August 6th, 2008 at 21:49
@Peterson
Dont say sorry!! He is the best attacking full back I have ever seen at 18. Fantastic! If he can be consistent then we have got absolute world class. No bullshit!
August 6th, 2008 at 21:55
We played better in the second half without creating any real chance. Rafael a major plus, he is not one for the future, he is for the present!
August 6th, 2008 at 21:56
Well Rafael had 20 minutes to make an impression and he bloody well did it. Good show!
August 6th, 2008 at 21:58
Anyone who thinks we’re not in trouble for the early part of the season, after tonights performance, needs their eyes testing. No width, no strikers, no competent midfield, and our defence is our only salvation. Like Grog has been saying for weeks, we are done for.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:00
I wish RDS could’ve gotten 45 mins.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:00
Wrong Fergies said hes staying…ronaldo just listened hehe
August 6th, 2008 at 22:01
Italian teams always stick 10 behind the ball and Juventus are no exception. Our injury problems are bad, but I’d rather it were happening now rather than in December. A few players might miss 2 games against Newcastle and Portsmouth. Everyone bar possibly Ronaldo will be ready for the Chelsea and Liverpool double header. No need to thrown money away.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:05
gosh…bloody hell…never watch…seems as if i missed out…
August 6th, 2008 at 22:10
I watched most of the second half and I must say my fears are being fully realized. No attacking options or hunger up front and no real speed or imagination on the wings unless it comes from the fabulous Raphael Da Silva who almost looks good enough to start. Trust me, he’s not. He is a tremendous talent and he will be a world class player but he is too young to man a post on the team’s right side right now. He still doesn’t understand when to go forward and when to go back but he does have a lot of talent and and desire and his little effort by the corner flag in the 75th minute was priceless and will endear him to fans greatly. I also am impressed with Possebon. Very Scholes like. Good and tidy distribution of the ball and a willingness to move forward. To bad Scholes wasn’t Scholes like. He totally sucked and made some awful passes which were definitely not his MO. The team seems to lack any sense of urgency and adventure. Very static and lacking any kind of break through ability on the flanks that can stretch a defense. Still, we look solid on defense which is very important but I see us having problems scoring goals until all our injured come back and especially Ronaldo. A totally pedestrian performance considering we were playing at home. Still the young Brazilians give us lots of hope and show plenty of class and potential. What I like the most about them is they seem very composed and sure of themselves at such a young age. It says so much of the Brazilian player development compared tot hat of England’s where most young players act like straight guys invited to a gay party. They just seem unsure and uncomfortable. These Brazilian kids play like they are 22 or 23. Very impressive.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:10
Well hi there Craig! As I said before you are always welcome - temporary or permanently.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:13
Why the hell would we have problems scoring goals this season when we have the exact same team that scored the most goals in the league all season last season?
August 6th, 2008 at 22:16
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3942509,00.html official news
August 6th, 2008 at 22:22
“Before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear - whoever says or writes that is lying.
“I will play for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with the same commitment and dedication as always.” Good lad….il still support him. He has acted like a bitch but hes still a player hat plays for MANCHESTER UNITED.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:23
@Peterson: Well he sounds very honest, unless fergie has convinced him that he should say these things for his own good.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:29
Yea atleast hes being honest when he says “My desire was, for some time, that Manchester had accepted my transfer to Madrid. Saying otherwise would be to trick people and my own consciousness.” Because you know thats they he felt but that doesnt excuse him for what he put the fans of united through…should
have been handled better.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:33
Craig at 44….”We are done for”?? Come on man, cheer up!! We were just playing fucking juventus man, not newcastle and not pompey. And we didnt look like conceding, our defense was comfortable and will always provide a solid platform for the team. Newcastle might not have 6 put past them again, but dont worry so much, 1-0 will be the same 3 points. Its going to be ok.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:34
Ronnie says he will play for us for the next year. RedRanter, do you think that means he has made some kind of deal that he can go next season?. If so, I am not impressed, because that would in my eyes mean Fergie has compromised, and Ronnie will not in fact be held to his contract. I don’t understand the last part of his message to Sky news, the last sentence, does anybody else?.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:35
And to be honest, if it comes down to it and Carrick is still sick for newcastle, and there is a need for a partner for Scholes in the center mid, I would pick Posebon over o’shea in a heart beat…O’shea is a good cover at RB, and decent cover for LB and decent even for CB, but he just isnt quick enough across the pitch to be effective at CM. Let Rodrigo show what he can do.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:39
Not only is it a relief to have one of our best players motivated to play for us, because now we can actually plan our title defences!
I gotta sneaky feeling Caldemoron will be back doing what he does best next year though…….
August 6th, 2008 at 22:44
Only one signing for me. I hope Fergie goes for Huntelaar, Berbatov or Aguero. But fergie has insisted that he has the squad to defend our titles. dont get me wrong, i would kill to follow fergie to the ends of the earth, and i always accept his decision as the right one, but i have a bad feeling that the lack of a signing will affect our season
August 6th, 2008 at 22:46
I dont know…the team looked…unimaginative…I think we might be missing carrick quite a bit,Rooney aswell…We should try raphael at right wing on Sunday…i cant even remember who played at right today..absolutely no penetration…Ronny your ass fit!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 22:47
okay i overeacted. everyone knows. sorry
August 6th, 2008 at 22:49
“Saying otherwise would be to trick people and my own consciousness.” Craig I think he means that he had desire for united to accept madrids “offer”…and if he didnt say that he would be lying to himself and everone else…honesty
August 6th, 2008 at 22:51
Drew Vader, I hear you mate. Sorry to seem so pessimistic, but I do not believe we will be able to make the points up this year, if we fall behind as we did last season. We were fortunate that Chelsea had a poor start to the season, and that Arsenal lost ground after behind well ahead, due to injuries. I thought Fergie had every intention of strengthening, and I am feeling disheartened that he hasn’t. I haven’t seen anything to change this thinking Drew, because as I said, we only have a solid defence right now. I feel our midfield has been weak in pre season games, and I do worry about the strikers with our players unavailable. I don’t think we are as strong in depth as we think we are, but I will wait and see if I am proved wrong. I hope I am Drew Vader.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:51
Vader….I also have no idea why oshea is picked ahead of possebon in center midfield…he does absolutely nothing there
August 6th, 2008 at 22:54
WELL! WELL! WELL! Ronaldo finally speaks. I have to say I was quite impressed and very taken by what he said. Was it rehearsed or was it from the heart? I don’t know but I do know this, he said all the right things.
“”Before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear - whoever says or writes that is lying. I will play for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with the same commitment and dedication as always.”
Ronaldo has also taken the blame for the transfer saga, which lasted for several months and damaged United’s relationship with Real.
He continued: “I was responsible for all this controversy. I was the one who publicly expressed my desire to go to Real Madrid. I ended up being, even involuntarily, responsible for the poor relationship between the two clubs.”
Well said and certainly something that was well overdue. Obviously he still has Real Madrid on his mind but he also realizes that he has a contract with United which he is expected to honour and he also needs to remember that he has always been happy at the club. At least he has put this soap opera to bed for this year and hopefully for the next couple of seasons at least. To be honest I never expected him to be man enough to make such a mature and responsible statement. He has surprised me and he has reassured me that upon his return, he will be happy to be with the club and that he will give his all on the pitch as well as off.
As for my very well known feelings about him, I will still keep them and reserve my right to change my mind once and only once I feel he has shown me what he is promising to show. If he shows commitment and dedication to the club than I will be more than man enough to forgive and forget his two month period of greedy selfish madness. He is still in my doghouse but at least I haven’t put a leash or chain on him. he will have to work hard and act professional in order for him to win my heart again. I’m sure he doesn’t live for that moment but I at least feel good and more positive towards him than I have for a long time. Consider my promises of booing him to be dead. Now he has to make me want to cheer him once again. I hope and pray that he keeps his word on this and doesn’t disappoint us all yet once more. OK….I’ll be positive. He may be dead to me but I see someone with defibrillator. Perhaps a couple zaps to to my heart and he will rise from the dead place he presently resides in deep within my heart. Now lets buy a fucking striker so this team can get even better.
August 6th, 2008 at 22:56
interesting thought. we could put rafael on the wing.
after thinking about it. maybe fergies right. our squad is good enough. we got cover for vida and rio, evra in silvestre and fabio, and our right back position is looking strong with brown neville and rafael fighting for a place. oh and also oshea who can play anywhere
midfield, possebon, fleth, oshea,anderson, nani, rafael (rw?)as well as our first team starters, scholes and carrick. and i forgot hargreaves, who can play rb as well.
now to strikers, manucho,when he gets back (PLEEAASE BE SOON!)saha (he might go BRING IN BERBATOV, HUNTELAAR OR AGUERO!!) as well as campbell, wellbeck and our first team, rooney and tevez. what do u guys think?
August 6th, 2008 at 22:58
this is what i would do (i always do it on footy manager) buy aguero, buy veloso, buy marcelo (madrid. i know, why madrid BUT HES GOOD!)sell saha, dong.
August 6th, 2008 at 23:00
DONT FORGET!! PETRUCCI!
where can u find a video (that works) of our title celebrations today?
August 6th, 2008 at 23:03
Peterson, O right mate thanks for clarifying that. So what Ronnie is saying, is that he wanted to play for Madrid, and felt that United would agree to the transfer. The transfer was his desire and hope. So why prolong the agony any further, why do United want to hold on to him. The cards seem to be stacked in his favour, because he is not commiting for longer than another season. That does not make me happy and enamoured to him to be honest. I believe he has done some sort of deal. I believe United have done some sort of deal with Real to stand off, and they will be sold Ronnie next season. To me I don’t like that - its garbage!. It is like Ronaldo is doing us a favour. Like he is honouring us with one more season, doing us a favour. Well feck him. Tell me am I wrong?.
August 6th, 2008 at 23:04
well said grognard. i cant wait for his first appearance! he better do sumthin amazin!
which striker would you like?
August 6th, 2008 at 23:15
I wonder if Old Trafford will once again fall in love with that boy Ronaldo when he returns…?I have an image of him coming on to a standing ovation and him falling in love with the club again…wishfull thinkig me thinks.
August 6th, 2008 at 23:21
A lot of guys on here are being way too pessimistic. This is pre-season. I think we will have a striker in before the newcastle game (probably Berba) even if we don’t i still think we have enough to weather this injury storm until Nani, Rooney, and Ronaldo get back and Anderson gets back from China. I also think we will see Hargo and Carrick in the squad for Newcastle.
As for the Brazillian twins - Rafael looked amazing again tonight but these guys should be used sparingly this season. With the new 7 sub rule we can include them in the squad and bring them on in games we are comfortable in - that way we will see if they can handle playing for the biggest club in the world. I would be delighted if either could prove good enough for this season but i feel like Possebon, Gibson , Cathcart that these are for the future.
August 6th, 2008 at 23:22
@Beachryan:
I don’t think that is too much of an issue in the right team, for example a team with Hargo playing in who is smart enough and good enough at right back to be able to drop in and cover. He obviously does need to learn when to go forward and when not to but tbh Evra’s decisions at times arent always great so its not exactly something unique when it comes to roving full backs. The reserves alone wont help him develop this skill, its only going to improve properly by playing first team games so he should be given ample chances if he isnt going to become another Pique who suffered from lack of first team games
August 6th, 2008 at 23:27
Peterson, as a member of the United Terrace fan faithful, I think I can say, ‘wishful thinking indeed’, I cannot imagine Ronnie getting a stading ovation on only a 1 year commitment. Especially when his heart is elsewhere, regardless of what he says. I believe his present statement is a matter of appeasement, damage limitation in the hope United fans will come onside. Call me a sceptic, but he wants an easy ride back at OT, and he has been told what to say.
August 6th, 2008 at 23:29
@edi: I have been the loudest advocate for Huntelaar on this blog but I would gladly welcome Barbatov, Etoo, or a guy from the stands wearing a #9 jersey. I even think the guy from the stands would be better than Campbell. I’m still pretty certain we will end up with Berbatov. We just need to wait for Spurs to nail down one of either Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko or Villa.
August 6th, 2008 at 23:32
@Craig Mc:
Check confirmed Ronaldo interviews since he joined us and check out his attitude about his future. He has always been a live by the day kind of guy. Even the various times through his time at the club where he has talked about his dream of playing for Real one day its always been followed by comments like dreams dont always come true and only god knows the future. In football its not a bad attitude to have tbh cos the clubs can be pretty cut throat so long terms plans are doomed for disappointment
August 6th, 2008 at 23:45
Wakey, I know exactly what you are saying, and especially about the clubs being cut throat too. Yet Ronnie has never said that he wants to stay, apart from immediately following the CL final. Even now, he is not staying that he is staying out of choice, because he was truly hoping for United to agree his transfer to Madrid. Wakey, I think it’s admirable that you want to give Ronnie the benfit of the doubt, but it doesn’t answer my question, that he has done a deal with United for another year, and United have done a deal with Madrid. I am not happy about that Wakey, because we have just put off the inevitable it seems, when we could have sold and bought some really top class replacements. Maybe I am on my own in thinking this, but I know many of the United faithful feel the same way.
August 6th, 2008 at 23:51
@Craig Mc: havent posted for a while, but I will tonight, welcome back mate, your voice was missed
August 6th, 2008 at 23:51
@Peterson: Fans are fickle. Todays quote was good enough to make me feel better. Imagine how the majority of others that didn’t want him strung up like me will react. Fans are fickle. They will welcome him with open arms.
@RAZ 08: Pessimism is something we all possess in different degrees. There is reason to feel pessimistic due to our injuries, difficult early schedule and our lack of depth at striker. Still, when Fergie opens his mouth and looks so damned relaxed in an interview, you wonder if we aren’t just blowing things way out of proportion. The reason we do is because we all care so much. This team means a lot to us and so like a family member, we care what happens and we are concerned when things look uncertain. It’s only human nature to feel pessimistic when things aren’t looking as assured as we are used to. Remember, United fans are a spoiled bunch. We’ve had too much success over the past 22 years. We all don’t handle adversity as well as Fergie. I guess that’s why he’s the Boss, and in the Boss we must trust……even if it’s against my nature to do so.
@Craig Mc: Welcome back Craig. You are probably right about many of the fans although, I think the lad finally did the right thing today and for that he needs to be cut a bit of slack. Had he reluctantly returned with an attitude and a closed mouth then I would be the loudest boo bird of them all. But seeing as he has taken responsibility for his part in this affair, I am prepared to cut him a little slack and allow him to rebuild the bridges he has burned. And people say I am unfair.
August 7th, 2008 at 0:10
Fred the Red, Wooo hoo, I have missed you too mate. What’s your opinion on the Ronnie return then?.
Grog, I still can’t help but feel, that Ronnie has been primed to say what he has. I mean he is made to return, even though he says it is not against his will. I want to know what deal has been made, for this whole return to come about. I want to be a believer Grog, but come on mate, do you really believe that this is Ronnie talk - I don’t mate.
August 7th, 2008 at 0:12
guys it is looking increasingly likely that we will not be signing any player this transfer window. after the juve game, it was the second time in as much days that fergie has insisted that the current players he has at his disposal are enough to regain the double. A master plan to get spurs to lower their price for berba or just plain indication that this will be the quietest transfer window in a long time?
August 7th, 2008 at 0:17
well, well.. I have to say i’m in a chripy mood right now. First, ronnie confirms he’s staying at United nxt yr
, then our youngsters outclass the oldies in the Juve match. I’m ecstatic, at least we can boast of having a defence and central midfield for now and the future. 
One thing that was quite obvious though, was our total lack of width and striking options. I’m never gonna tire of saying this, I think we need a striker and a young promising winger. Y’all mite say we can manage without both, but on the evidence on display today, we need those players. We WILL get injuries, suspensions, fatigue etc and we just need those two players to help us through it.
The striker issue is very clear, so I’m not gonna ramble about it, as I believe SAF realises he needs one (an established one). As per the winger situation, we seriously do not have enuff top quality and consistent options anymore. We do have injuries at the mo, but still, Lee Martin? If this need for a ‘promising, young but ready to play now’ winger is not obvious to people, then I reckon we are not looking at the same side. Today, our supposed ‘cover’ players were on the wings, and what did they produce? Nothing, there was no width, nor was there any imagination or penetration from the wings (something we excel at and rely on to win matches).
I’m still looking forward to the season, as I know Fergie rearly fails to deliver, but I’m just concerned that if we do not solidify our squad with those two signings we DO require, it might be a bumpy road towards the ‘Septuple’
August 7th, 2008 at 0:21
@Grognard: HEHE! Yeah? Dude lets be a little optimistic! Yeah no MORE SLAVE BOY! Welcome back CR 7! The best player in the world! Madrid you cunts! Take this up your arse
! Well thats done listen I would still wait and see if what CR7 said was true! But anyway! There are pre-mature celebrations! GO CR7 may you the Number 7 shirt embrace you with open arms, as well as the OT crowd if what you are saying IS from the bottom of your heat! 
About R. Da Silva! Hmm Mate you forget! That he will learn! But in my books he looks like 1st TEAM CLASS! And sooner rather than later! Donno how Fabio will feel as he was touted a s the better of the two!
BUT THESE TWINS ARE THE BOMB! And you were true! Raphael’s stint at the corner flag was priceless for him! Lets just say that the OT chants are warming up for the twins from Brazil! I just cant wait for the combination of RONALDO and Raphael! Our deadly R duo on the Right side! That makes it R+R+R! I know that you would say that you would prefer Brown! But dude no matter how good he can defend, he can never learn to attack! Lets give Raphael a chance just like we did to G.NEVILLE!
And of today’s game! Hmm! I know that you would say that we were uncreative! Unimaginative! Blah blah! But mate listen to me and think! This was Juve! We were withour
Rooney and Nani and God knows who else! But Juve is AND EUROPEAN A GRADE Team! Now pompey and newcastle are certainly not!
And dont worry we will have Berba by then as well! :wink:! Yes Let me immerse you in the POSITIVE Diablo energy!
Oh and since i am new to this blog and i feel that i am becoming a regular to post! who is CRAIG MC?
August 7th, 2008 at 0:24
@Gabriel: Trust me, We only need the striker and Fergiw should Gad Damn know that! If he doesnt I am sure Rooney will open his eyes by finally telling him that he has had enough sacrifices!
August 7th, 2008 at 0:29
all of this hype about somebody who isn’t even the best player in his family
hopefully Fabio will get his chance before he is left in Rafael’s shadow
Welcome back Craig btw
August 7th, 2008 at 0:33
Hey peoples,
I am infact a Gooner, stop… Don’t shoot! I thought I would read something else apart from Arsenal stuff because I am bored of the same news recycled over and over again.
Just thinking about the United striking situation and thought why would you buy yet another deep striker?
Can you really partner Rooney and Berbatov or Tevez and Berbatov etc etc
It would make more sense for you to buy a mobile, quick striker with a proven goalscoring record. Don’t get me wrong, Berbatov is class, lazy bastard but class on the ball.
What I will say though is that many people.. fans, media etc are writing Arsenal off. I can see a wonderful squad now with so much talent. We are much better than last year but people think we are weaker. Be warned!
August 7th, 2008 at 0:35
Red Diablo, haha, I am just a regular poster on this blog from times past. I have a few friends on here, but have been away for a while. Nice to meet you Red Diablo!.
August 7th, 2008 at 0:37
@Craig Mc: The pleasures mine! So One last question! Are you doomy and gloomy like Grongard or the the complete opposite of him?
August 7th, 2008 at 0:40
@Red Diablo: lol.. Can just imagine rooney givin Fergie the hairdryer, telling him he’s tired of playin outta position and what not
Anyway, I’m sure Fergie knows we need a striker and I think we will get him before the end of this week!!
I’m starting to suspect this sequence of events has all been planned, first ronnie declares his intentions of staying at United, while we parade our trophies; showing we are the best in Europe, hence can keep the best players. The next thing will be us signing a striker.. A hat trick!!!
This is just speculation and wishful thinkin on my part, but I wouldn’t put it past Fergie to reward the fans in this kinda way after the tormentous summer we’ve just had!!
August 7th, 2008 at 0:47
@Gabriel: Hehehe! Too true! I hope that what you think should come true! anyway i’d better get to sleep! its 6 AM in Pak!
August 7th, 2008 at 0:53
@Red Diablo: Night mate, or should I say morning
don’t think too much about the recent good news, else u might get too excited to sleep lol 
August 7th, 2008 at 0:53
Red Diablo LOL. I just might be gloomy and doomy about the Ronaldo saga, but I think you’ll have to judge me on other things yourself!. Grog and I haven’t always agreed on everything, but in some things we do most definately agree. Like Fergie should have brought in a new striker, and one other player. I agree with Grog that we have been too slow to strengthen. Although, I don’t know that Grog agrees with me, that we do not have the strength in depth we think we have. Only time will tell though.
Gabriel - I hope your right mate. That Fergie has plans for adding another striker all along. I have my doubts though - haha!.
August 7th, 2008 at 0:55
Red Diablo, doesn’t everyone in Pakistan get up at 6am then. How come you go to bed at that time?????.