Apr 04
Some Links for the Day
Okay, apart from today’s earlier piece, here’s your daily fix as well.
1. Times Online thinks it is Hargreaves’ tardiness that’s cost him playing time. Now I am not certain of passing judgment here because I don’t see a single source quoted in the article (”one source said”, doesn’t cut it for me). It’s all up in the air and speculative. But I find it hard to understand how, someone who was desperate to play for United would be so tardy. Not to mention, someone who had his football education at the altar of punctuality and efficiency that is Germany. Last I checked, tardiness is the worst thing you can do to piss off a German. And I find it hard to believe Hargo would be guilty of that.
2. Messi expects to be fit for United. Hopefully, Schalke come from behind to knock them out. A Barcelona with a fit Messi is a much different proposition.
3. Fergie confident of tying up Rio, and soon.
4. Wenger tries to do what Fergie did to him in December — saying United will drop points. I am sure we will, but the question is how much, and hopefully Arsenal and Chelsea too will. Hopefully they manage another draw against ‘Pool in the weekend. Unfortunately, Benitez could scupper that by rotating his side keeping the second leg CL tie in mind.
5. Ronaldhinho out of United tie. Hmm, now that’s interesting. Not that he’s particularly setting the stage on fire at the moment.
More links when I find them.
Related items from Red Rants:- International roundup and a link fest
- Manutd.com: Reds Announce Tevez Capture
- The Scholes-Sunderland connection is BS
- Links of the Day
- Quiet Monday Roundup
Tags: Daily Roundup
April 4th, 2008 at 18:47
The Hargreaves story is just complete Bullshit.
Messi will return for the semi-final if he has a say. He said so in an interview on tv. Still, he will be rusty and I feel rather ineffective.
Ronaldinho who? I have a vague memory of this guy but then again, who cares? He’s so yesterday’s news.
Wenger should worry more about how many more points his team will drop before Liverpool overtake them for third place.
Rio - Whatever it takes Fergie, sign him up for the rest of his career. The Rock of Gibraltar must stay in United’s hands.
April 4th, 2008 at 18:59
Damn, I would have liked Ronaldinho to be fit for the potential match against us..have been waiting for so long to see United beat Barca (Ronaldinho included)!
April 4th, 2008 at 19:23
bs story about hargo..well.there will always be speculations about top player not in the 1st team.i don’t think it’s fair to speculate him with that nonsense..hargo absence in the 1st team mainly due to effectiveness of carrick and scholes axis right now.both in top form..
April 4th, 2008 at 19:31
Fergie has already dismissed the hargo story that was just newspaper bull anyways. Did anyone watch the Barca v Schalke game? Barca were aweful! I mean i have never rated Schalke’ team but Barca look unorganised and uninterested. I’ve watched Barca a lot this year and as talented as they are the team has more problems behind doors than any teamX10.
They will be in the semi’s and IF we get there i’m more than confiedent. Ronaldinho still has talent but his off field problems and fake injurys have tried Rijkaards patience, the drunk will be off to Chelski this summer i reckon. Messi, Etoo and Yaya are there only form players.
Benitez is resting half his team apparently!! check his skysportsnews vid. Wenger might do the same but i was hoping ‘Pool might finish off Arsenals EPL dream for good. In saying that i’d never hinge my hopes on the scouse or City holding Chelski. I’m a bit wary of Boro they always put up a good fight against the big clubs.
April 4th, 2008 at 19:40
yeah..we should take the game against boro seriously..remember it was boro who beat the gooner..
April 4th, 2008 at 21:14
Grognard; I think you underestimate Ronaldinho. Sure he’s been off form this season, but he’s still had a few moments of brilliance. Maybe you saw his banana kick a few months ago? Probably La Liga goal of the season. But I guess it doesn’t really matter because we won’t be seeing him.
In regard to Messi, he good, yes, but I don’t think he’ll be too much to handle. Just playe Hargo in mid and our defense should be good. Evra can handle Messi, he just has to play back a little more. Eto’o is who scares me, but Rio and Vida should be able to handle him. And Henry. Well, who cares he seems to have lost a lot.
Barca’s defense is weak atm and Rooney, Ronaldo, and Tevez need to take advantage of this. But for the moment, let’s focus on getting a result next week and killing Roma. Sorry Totti, maybe next year bud.
April 4th, 2008 at 22:18
If and its looking more like when we get 2 semis,underestimating a world class team playing 4 everything and with their backs against the wall will be done at our own peril.They were awful in germany but they went back with a result and that same statement is true 4 our roman exploits.Point is,a team with players like messi,toure,eto’o and iniesta is capable of unlocking any defence more so at the world famous nou camp.I don’t fear them especially if hargo plays but i respect them
April 4th, 2008 at 23:03
First off, regarding Barcelona, lets not forget we need to finish Roma off. A Roma side especially if Totti plays is not going to be a pushover. As for Barca, they are pretenders. The are racked with internal turmoil phantom injuries and general unrest. Riijkard is gone at season’s end and right now he doesn’t have a set starting eleven he can trust. AGP; Messi is anything but an in form player after having sat out almost two months due to injury. Ronaldinho is a joke right now. And if he is in Riijkard’s doghouse, I don’t see how he can be a threat to us. Thierry Henry? He’s so over the hill he is considering accepting an offer to play for Seattle next year in America. That’s him admitting he is done. I will be stunned and horrified if Barcelona defeat United. I just cannot see it. As for Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, may they all rot in Hell for all I care because neither of them have what it takes to beat us in the final. Arsenal are the best of the three with a manager who can match us tactically. Liverpool will never beat us with Rafa’s stupidity on display and Grant cannot manage his way to his home toilet without an escort and a map. United have the double in their sights. Only they can lose it.
April 5th, 2008 at 0:37
[Grognard]
I think you are jumping the gun on Barca. Sometimes it helps to be a little measured. Let me tell you why:
The semi finals is on April 23rd. Now we assume that Barca and United qualify for that. Another point to note would be that Messi could return as early as next week. Granted they are having a wretched season. But they still have quality that you can’t write off. We must be especially worried if they are already out of title contention by the time we meet them — just like it was against Milan last year. Barcelona are not playing to their potential right now. A Barcelona team playing to potential can beat us on their day.
Remember all I am saying is there is still a good chance that Barca can beat us. I say this because, the way you speak about them — if I hadn’t known who you were talking about — I’d have thought you’re talking about the likes of Dynamo Kiev and Rosenborg. You have written them off like dirt. Which is appalling to say the least. Recent history has shown Champions’ League to be entirely unrelated to League form. They are two different ball games all together, if you know what I mean.
April 5th, 2008 at 1:40
I find all this barca talk a little premature. lets focus on middlesborough first, then we can talk about finishing off roma. but from where i am standing we are still knee deep in the league race, and people are already acting like its time to call the engraver. come on you red devils, lets put an exclamation point on the season!
on a side note, am I the only person who feels this particular united team has underperformed? I dont want to sound like an unreasonable fan, but I look at our squad and I compare it to liverfoul, chelski and the arse and I just dont see a comparison. chelsea are the only team who can match our depth, but they dont have the talent we have. I think at times this year United have been a little bored, and that is why we lost so many games. anyways that was just a rant, I am praying for a double. come on united
April 5th, 2008 at 1:57
Red Ranter; Sure, you make a valid point but I was trying to be positive and to stoke the fire of confidence amongst the readers. Jeez, I get enough bad karma when I’m negative. Now I’m getting it when I’m positive too. I can’t win. Seriously though, I’m smiling and looking forward to this one. I’m more worried of Roma even with a 2-0 lead from the first leg. They are a better team than Barca.
April 5th, 2008 at 2:09
[Grognard]
Fair play to you mate
okay. I guess it didn’t come across as intended.
April 5th, 2008 at 4:03
[Grognard] Roma a better team then Barca?
Barca have one foot in the door in the semi finals… Without Messi and Ronaldinho…
Could we be saying the same thing without Ronaldo and Rooney?
Messi coming back is a worry… Evra i could see covering him for pace, but not Brown.
April 5th, 2008 at 4:25
[Shannon]
He was kidding mate!
April 5th, 2008 at 4:37
Red Ranter… I must read better.
Red Ranter… I know your not Fergie, but who do you see playing CB against Boro?
April 5th, 2008 at 5:11
Shannon; I was kidding mate. Honestly I was.
April 5th, 2008 at 5:44
Yeah.. RR informed me, Didn’t know you had jokes in you
April 5th, 2008 at 6:32
I occasionally surprise myself
April 5th, 2008 at 8:49
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7331319.stm
i wish him a speedy recovery. you know guys, im a united supporter and i would do near anything that would benefit the club, but i dont like the fact that some of us get happy when a player gets injured, like some of us got happy when totti was injured, and im sure some of you are happy because dinho is injured. i prefer beating a team when they’re at their best, not when one of their key players are injured. but, when god gives you lemons you make lemonade i guess.
April 5th, 2008 at 9:06
im just wondering, how many matches does the championship play?
April 5th, 2008 at 9:59
Dan u are so right.I’m never convinced when we win against a side missing their star player.Others popped the bottle when totti got injured and there were more cynical albeit premature celebrations when dinho was announced as out 4 6 weeks.Lets beat the best teams first with all their players then we can call ourselves the best in the world.On paper we are not the best team even in UCL.Barca are.So lets not jump on the Sky bandwagon prematurely.
April 6th, 2008 at 3:38
My first post guys, but it seems to me that the ‘boro game will be a sign of things to come. If the lads can beat inferior competition handily whilst under the pressure of the “Squeaky Bum” time of the season, then it’s in the bag (EPL & CL).