Jun 28
Strikers, Strikers and Only Strikers
It’s become a fad now. Everyone wants to link us to strikers. And it’s not just the media. Players take enormous pride either by announcing that United are interested in them, or by saying they ‘rejected’ overtures from the club.
While the barrage of rumors linking Arsenal with any player (to have clocked even 5 minutes on the pitch as a striker) is justified by the departure of Henry, only Torres has been linked with Liverpool. We, on the other hand, have strikers aplenty on our books when our forward line is relatively settled. And for those people who talk a lot about our apparent lack of a reliably deadly finisher, let me assure you that we can comfortably get through next season, while managing to contend for all four trophies till the very end. While I am not saying we will win all four, we will be in contention for each of those four trophies till late in the competition.
So dear players and media, go pick on another club.
First, Parma wouldn’t shut up about making bids for Rossi.
Alright, he came through your youth system. And we bought him from you when you guys couldn’t balance your own books. We also thank you for giving him a chance to do well during the loan spell that he spent half of last season in. We expect similar expressions of gratitude from you since, during that loan spell, he, among other players, helped dig you out of relegation. Bidding for Rossi, when he’s made his wish – to cut it at United – clear, is not the way to go. Unless, United express their intentions of selling Rossi known to you. Which is a dumb thing to do anyway. At least I would certainly not be impressed if that happens.
The next bloke, hungry enough to be in the spotlight, after spending a rather underwhelming season in Serie B, is David Trezeguet, who claims to have rejected a move to United.
Well, I seriously doubt United would be interested in a player who clearly hasn’t been spectacular for a long time. He had a good season in 05/06 but his immobility is not something that will suit Sir Alex’s playing style. He is also known to be petulant and has shown bad attitude at times (most recent case in point: the 2006 World Cup, when he was laughing from the bench when France were struggling in the group stages.) Anyhow, Juventus are happy enough to have offered him a new contract, he is happy to have accepted it, and it is beneficial for us to not have wanted him. So that keeps everyone happy.
The media cannot shut up about Tevez preferring Inter over United.
Tevez’s preference for Inter is understandable, because of the 579 Argentinians that play for them. But right now he is knee deep into helping Argentina win the Copa America, with his already dodgy ownership situation to boot. So dear journalists and Newsnow hounds, report the Tevez rumours once and shut up about it. If you really need to talk more about Tevez, either wait till he returns from his international commitments/holidays, or write about him in reference to his uncanny similarity to the Incredible Hulk. In fact, speculate that he is short listed by a Hollywood studio for the a starring role in the Incredible Hulk 2. That will make for more entertaining reading, I assure you.
The third bloke linked with our club is Eidur Gudjohnsen (again).
This time, it is ex-Bolton defender Mike Whitlow, who thinks that while he isn’t that good for scoring goals, he can create plenty:
“Some suggest he doesn’t score enough goals, [...] but how much unselfish stuff did he do and how many goals did he create? Cantona was like that and I believe Eidur is a similar type of player.
Hmm… Are we actually deficient in that department? Scholes, Anderson, Ronaldo, Rooney, Nani, Giggs and Park are, to this gentleman, required to muck about the park, while Eidur ‘creates’ the goals. That might be an extreme reaction, but if Gudjohnsen is brought to our team, then he will continue doing the bench-warming routine that he’s gotten quite accustomed to these days. If he’s Cantona-esque, surely he could have done better than the journeyman he’s become. No thank you sir, let him be.
And while we are still discussing strikers, I managed to catch Anderson play for Brazil (against Mexico) yesterday. For those interested in the result, Brazil lost the game 2-0 despite dominating for long periods, thanks to some profligate finishing and woeful defending. Anderson came on around the 47th minute, and his presence did liven things up a bit. He might have even gone on the the score sheet, but for a good save from the keeper. His pace was good, although he is still a bit raw and needs to be moulded, from what I saw of him. Don’t expect immediate fireworks from the lad, come next season. He is still a work in progress.
Related items from Red Rants:
- The January Transfer Window – Possible Targets
- What Tevez’s Signing Means For Man Utd
- Now, Which Striker Is United Material?
- Links for 2010-01-20
- NI Milk Cup 2011 – Fixtures & Dates
Tags: Manchester United News
Craig Mc (195)
RedDevilEddy (170)
Opti (138)
Ian (97)
Moscow is my heaven (97)
I expeted Mexico to beat Brazil, its one team that has always enjoyed success against the Samba Boys, I’d only compare them to Boro who always cut it against utd. Anyway Anderson was great last night..
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I wouldn’t exactly call Eidur Gudjohnsen a journeyman. He was a good player that had an injury problem when young, and was really lucky to break free of that and move on to professional football. He was at Bolton and Chelsea for quite some time, and I’m not sure he’ll leave Barca at all. Might as well sit on the bench in a warm climate than in Manchester.
Why you are allowing yourself to get irritated, I don’t know. It happens every year, especially since the introduction of transfer windows. Speculation, quotes and misquotes are all part and parcel of the soap opera we all love. Then we can all dismiss it over a pint at the pub. That’s the name of the game.
I’m not really worried about our striker situation. I wouldn’t mind a class act to be added to the rosters, but we’ll do well as we are. I would be really sorry to see Heinze go, however, as that would knock off our defensive balance a bit. A quality player leaving is never a good thing, as we want to keep our depth.
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I like Gudjohnson, I don’t like the Gudjonson rumours. He snubbed us last season for Barca. But, what kinda pissed me off was the audacity to compare him with Cantona. Imagine the audacity!
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Anderson was quick and is in the same 2002 Ronaldo mould now..receive the ball..put your head down..run at defenders…but still think he has to be worked on his passing and fitness..He looked tired after the intial burst..and his passes at times was awful..but Fergie has unearthed a gem …He is surely some one to be looked upon…hopefully some time this season itself..
Brazil was awful yesterday…they dint have any direction in their attack..Robinho,Anderson,Diego(first half) were all running around the 18 yard box and end up creating nothing…there were flashes of brilliance from each…but there was no coordination…its true that these guys are still raw but i think Dunga is not the right coach for them…He should be able to make them fearless as he was on the field…but this team is not adventurous or fearless they always played the waiting game and was never chasing the game hard!!!
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I agree that of Anderson. He is still a raw talent, much like Nani, and I expect Giggs and Scholes to start ahead of them while they learn from the sidelines. He seem a little over eager at times, but I tell you what for a guy his age, he is very matured. He seems aware of his team-mates and with time, he will become more and more like Kaka than Ronaldinho. Heightened awareness and deadly. And Elishapan, Mexico have been in a rut with hugo Sanchez in ALOT of pressure. Mexico went with a more younger side, and if it wasn’t for the Brazilian defense, Marquez, the defensive midfielder and Ochoa, Mexico would have been decimated. And, lastly fm or no fm, we should get francisco guillermo ochoa, he will be a great gk someday.
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United should get Diego Forlan back from Villareal he is the striker that would be perfect at this time around !!!!!!! We have no need for Gudjohnsen !!!!!!
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I think that in terms of speculation, you guys all fall far short of creative. I have been pondering the issue of who to cover the front, and here is my idea. I think we give smith + money and a 6 month rossi loan with possible further extension (depending on our available strikeforce) to Blackburn in exchange for Benni Mccarthy. He is a class act, fast, good with his feet and his head, speaks English, and has the right attitude for united. Also, I think Hughes and Furgie could reach a mutually benificial agreement, considering their history and hughes loyalty to united. Conflict of interests, maybe. But a former striker like hughes can recognise that Mccarthy at Blackburn is just a case of big fish in a small pond, he needs to be plying his trade in europe.
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Oh editors, also I want to point out that Mccarthy is Better than Le Sulk, and his month out might give rossi a chance to get a feel for the first team if the cup of nations fits in withthe terms of rossis hypothetical loan deal. Also, at 29 McCarthy is the perfect introduction of experience and skill that united are looking for. HE CAN HEAD (unlike our weemen up fron) and scored a bundle of goals last season so hes proven in the prem.
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Oh and I read the above comment and I think Dunga should be othe next on the list of soccer related assassination in South America. He is crap: compared to the fluid passing of us and, I hate to say it, Barca and Arsenal his 6 feet square ball strategy is the most hideous desecration of the beautiful game I have ever had the misfortune of witnessing. Good player, yes. Good coach? Give me a break. I say Scolari goes back to his roots and ressurects this team before it leves the top ten, and yes I mean that in all seriousness.
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Please post my stuff. I’m a fairly good, provocative writer who knows a lot about the reds, and soccer in general. I think those credential deserve a posting
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Should sign Saviola, HE’S FREE! and in the World Cup he kept Leo Messi and Tevez out if the team. No point in wasting 25 on a striker when there is such a good one going for free.
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Also I know this has nothing to do with the subject but why isn’t United’s new kit coming out until August when every single other kit will be out by then?
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Now Tevez snubs Inter and wants to stay in premier league..Fergie go grab him!!!!!…I heard a shock news that ManU is going for a 4m pounds + Smith for “Michael Owen”…Hope Fergie have got enuf treatment tables ready in OT.
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[Redrunner5]
our fellow commenters wouldn’t appreciate that. So I believe.)
We usually don’t block comments (unless it’s about Viagra and such like). Just that since you were a first commenter here at Red Rants your comments got held up for moderation. Now that you are approved, feel free to say whatever you want. (Of course, avoid selling Viagra here
[Liam]
Where did you read that the kit’s not out till August. Surely they’re going to play the pre-season in their new kits. Expect a kit release date around the second week of July.
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departure of smith, heinze, richardson i believe can give us some injection on funds in order to get tevez. i put only rooney and rossi striker available because saha & ole injuries and unprove dong.the new arrival anderson and nani i believe need tiome to adapt english game.so the real reason i think tevez should join us because if he picks…
Liverpool… he will be rotated with crouch,kuyt , cisse, bellamy and future prospect of torres(if the deals goes on).
Chelsea?….silence on the funds…Pizarro, Sidwell, Alex…all free…i guess abramovic already close his wallets for jose purchasing players…
Arsenal…arsene wenger prefer obafemi martins as henry replacement since he is cheaper. but who knows….he mentioned love to fulfill henry slot.
Real Madrid.. another rotation to play upfront when you got topform rv Nistelrooy, Raul, Hugain and Robinho and soon baptista will get back after loan to Arsenal. I believe RM top problems is how long the manager will last.? half season?
stick with west ham? a top class striker must have a dream to play in UCL which i believe west ham never fulfill the dreams.
saviola another options available since he is free
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Michael Owen has been linked with MU…. somehow, i don’t really like that guy coming over to MU. Both him and Saha are too prone to injuries. Having one Saha is enuf….having 2 Sahas… don’t think it’s a good idea eh?
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About Anderson there are news that our initial application to the immigration dept. has been rejected. He ought to have played 75% for his country’s senior team in the past 2 years, so says the immigration laws. But United have appealed, saying that Anderson’s age could not have allowed him to have played the 75% for his country in the past 2 years and that he ought to be treated as a special case i.e. as a player who will bring special quality to the Premier League. I think we have a good argument and we can win at this appeal stage otherwise the issue of us waiting for another year before Anderson plays for us will be a bombshell! Is this going to be a tug of war that will dominate United’s headlines in the next 2 months…. and will we win????
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ManUtd official site says Anderson permit is through and the deal will be sealed in no time…Good for United
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Am I the only one who thinks that Torres would be a terrible fit at Anfield? Liverpool play a boring defensive style that seriously lacks creativity. Now I’m assuming Benitez is trying to bring Torres in to change all of this, but one player alone (who isn’t even a midfielder) can’t change the style of a team and expect to be the savior. Even though Torres is, in my opinion, one of the most technically gifted and intelligent strikers in the world, he alone is not going to be the answer to a team that finished 21 points behind us. I know for a fact that Torres would play at full potential week in and week out if he was playing in front of Rooney, but that probably won’t happen. I’m not saying we need him – we can win the Treble or the Quad with the players we have. I’m just saying that we would have a much easier time doing it and have the luxury of having some talented depth at the front. Even if we don’t get a striker now, we can always just hold out until January and address whatever need we may have in that department then.
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@ Red Ranter
Damn man haha must say reading this article i can feel the hate and anger… But yeah i certainly agree dude.
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There is a new Nike store opening in Dublin and outside it has a picture of Rooney in some total 90 gear and says “New Man U kit out in August” sorry but it looks like we’re waiting a while
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[Liam]
Hmm, interesting. Is it the same Rooney pic that was doing the rounds in forums. Meaning, was Rooney wearing the same kit?
[Steve]
Well, if he doesn’t work in Liverpool, we would certainly not mind. If anything, we would probably be laughing our way to another title.
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Well looks like we know now about the kit…
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negotiate with deco
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