Said Giggs, as he indulges in self-deprecation accepting the award for BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year. Widespread media reports suggest this was a surprise as he beat “supposed favourite” — and formula one driver — Jensen Button. Tee hee!

“I grew up watching this programme. To see the people that have won it and to be here is unbelievable.” He went on to add, “I am playing for the greatest manager that has ever lived and I’m playing for the greatest club. Perhaps I’ve become more appreciated as I have got older.”

Well done, Giggsy! Hopefully, your next stop is knighthood.

BBC link to article, which also contains video of his acceptance speech. [Tiny bit of irony as Freddie Flintoff, a Man City supporter, has had to announce Giggsy winning the prize.]

The pain of Manchester United’s comprehensive Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in May triggered a summer of upheaval at Old Trafford with star turns Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez seeking pastures new – but despite those defections the Premier League champions are still rightly among the leading fancies to land this season’s European crown.

During preparations for their opening Group B clash away to Turkish champions Besiktas, Red Rants caught up with United’s colossal defender Nemanja Vidic (arguably one of Ferguson’s best buys in the last 4 years) to find out what he makes of the new-look United and the prospects of Sir Alex Ferguson’s outfit reaching a third successive Champions League final…

Continue reading “Exclusive: The Nemanja Vidic Interview”

Welcome. Today we tell you the story of a player who not too long ago wore the famous red shirt of our club. We must warn you that the story is grim, in a Dickensian sort of way; for a start the protagonist is allegedly a dick who alleges that others may also be dicks — hence the Dickensian theme.

This is a story of a man, sorry boy (manchild?), who wishes to remain anonymous; let us call him Charles.

Continue reading “Exclusive: The sorry life of a former United player”

So it has come to pass. Manchester United have announced that Carlos Tevez has decided to reject United’s offer to make his loan move permanent. Here’s the statement:

Continue reading “Breaking down the United-Tevez-Kia tug of war”

As reported on ManUtd.com, Manchester United have accepted an unconditional 80m transfer bid from Real Madrid for Ronaldo. The decision was taken after the player requested the move again this summer and is expected to go through by the end of the month.

United will in all likelihood use the funds to bring in a winger and a striker as replacements for Ronaldo and the likely-to-depart Tevez, with Ribery and Benzema the two names most linked to United.

Continue reading “Breaking News: United accept 80m Ronaldo bid”

With 10 Premier League titles, four FA Cup’s and two Champions League trophies to boot, Ryan Giggs has achieved more with Manchester United in eighteen years then Manchester City ever have in their entire history (although chin up Dimitar, you’ve probably won more in half a season with us too).

Continue reading “Ryan Giggs – It’s SIRtainly inevitable!”

Before we start discussing this United legend and his future at the club, let’s get talk of that magnificent milestone out of the way, as only a typically limelight loathing Paul Scholes would want us to do. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you but Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Portsmouth signalled Scholes’ 600th appearance in a Manchester United shirt. For once in your career Paul, take a thoroughly deserved bow.

When you weigh it up, it really is a monumental achievement. With the days of the one club man now looking decidedly bleak, Scholes may well be the last of a dying breed as he joins Ryan Giggs, Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes to become only the fourth player in United history to reach 600.

Continue reading “Is the end nigh for shy guy Scholes?”

We’ve been split down the middle with our opinions of Dimitar Berbatov ever since he made the decision to swap North London for Old Trafford. You’ve had those supporters that are mesmerised by his beautiful touch and close control and then there are fans who continually berate his unambiguous lacksidasical style that, at the end of the day, epitomises him as a player.

The criticisms of the former Spurs man will undoubtedly spread like wildfire after his pathetic attempt at a penalty on Sunday, although after a somewhat average season thus far, can you really argue that these criticisms aren’t justified?

Continue reading “Dimitar Berbatov – How much longer will you give him?”

I’ll admit it. When it was first announced that we were splashing out around £18 million on the injury prone and rather ordinary but industrious Owen Hargreaves I was a little baffled to say the least.

Let’s face facts. Hargreaves arrived at United having spent his fair share of time in the physio’s room at Bayern Munich, most notably breaking his leg during his final season with the German club in September 2006. At the end of the day he didn’t score goals (five in nearly 150 games for Bayern), he wasn’t a creative player and other than his work rate I didn’t see what he brought to the table.

Even our very own RedRanter had his doubts over Hargreaves and particularly his fitness. And to know that Ferguson was willing to part with £18 million too, well it just didn’t add up.

I sit here now putting together this article a few hours before we take on FC Porto in arguably the biggest game of the season. My prediction? 2-1 United but that is coming firmly from the heart. If I’m realistic and go with my head, a trip to the Estadio Dragao (where coincidentally no English team has ever won) with our current defensive frailties really doesn’t bode well. Let’s be honest. If the Portuguese side play anywhere near as well as they did at Old Trafford and we put on a similarly uninspirational performance, it’s game over in the Champions League for this season.

Continue reading “Owen Hargreaves – Made of Glass or Different Class?”

I thought of doing a three part preview, but then decided against it because it could be rather long drawn and tiresome. Also, I’m sure, I wouldn’t want to bore you with a three part preview because I really don’t get the point of stretching a preview to three parts. So let’s see how I can preview the 08/09 season as short as possible.

Continue reading “Manchester United 08/09 Season Preview”