Of all the signings Fergie has made this summer. The one likely to prove the most crucial was his securing of long term target Owen Hargreaves. The much marginalised and underrated, Canadian born English man is actually the one Roy Keane replacement Fergie has been looking for since Keane started losing his powers back in 2004.

Though it is clear that the one thing United would probably never replace about Keane in the team is his leadership and influence, his playing game was completely replaceable.

Continue reading “Owen Hargreaves Will Be Key”

The Telegraph has an article that talks about dissent and on-pitch cussing by players in general. I thought it was well written, and worth a read.

He raises valid points about how players like Wayne Rooney, who are role models for upcoming English youth, and their blatant swearing at referees is a shame for the game. While, in recent times, Rooney has curbed his temper that has been his undoing in the past, he has been guilty of letting fly some words that naturally come off his tongue, which may not necessarily be palatable for viewers of all ages.

Continue reading “Who Is Your Role Model?”

I know this has been done and dusted a lot of times before, and a lot of posts on many fan sites are an evidence to this, but I thought lets discuss all the contenders/pretenders one more time.

Let me first put down the qualities expected out of the striker we get, such that he fits seamlessly into the current flowing, attacking one-touch football that United are playing so effectively.

Continue reading “Striker Ratings: Who Should We Buy?”

Today’s rumours have been mostly in repeat mode with us linked with Tevez and Liverpool linked with Gaby Heinze. So we’ll save the speculation for another day.

Today we will talk about our favourite player once again, Carlos Tevez. If you are getting increasingly bored about Tevez worship deal with it. Or no. In fact, go away. Find another worthwhile article to read that does not talk about transfer rumours or something.

Continue reading “Tevez Can Play Alongside Rooney”

I’m posting again after a long time. I’ve noticed how most of the posts for some time now have been battling transfer rumours spread by obnoxious tabloids. This isn’t going to be one of those.

This is about a sadness that wells up every time I think about two players that have left United via the ‘back door’. These two, together, have proven to the world what they can do when playing together. No points for guessing. Its Ruud and Becks. The first was the result of a really bad case of the club trying to offload a jaded star and for a decent price while they still could. The second, well, is a truly sad story.

Continue reading “In memory of United’s greatest”

It’s been a while since the Glazer takeover - around two years now - and so far things haven’t been that bad for the club. Of course, the 05/06 season was termed by many, a disaster and set the doomsayers on overdrive. I would argue that it was a season of rebuilding and hope, where a team with a midfield of Giggs and O’Shea for good part could finish 2nd ahead of a much fancied Pool. Yes, a lot of credit should then be given to the manager in the 06/07 season for winning the title and staying on course for the treble till the very end. The surprise: we sold more than we bought at the beginning of the 06/07 season. Reason enough for pundits to write us off.

I honestly didn’t expect us to win at the start of the season. But that is not what I am here to talk about.

Continue reading “Club Takeovers and Self Righteous Fans”

Well, its the first time I’m writing a Utd post… So here’s to hoping I don’t put any of you guys to sleep. With our recent signings (or ‘to-be’ signings if you want to be picky) on their way in a bid to a) help us defend our title b) help us win other cups and c) provide a long-term solution to some of the older player; the questions on most Utd supporters’ lips are

1) What formation will Fergie and Queiroz employ?
2) What is likely to be our first XI in the opening months?

Continue reading “Man Utd: 07/08 Formations and First XI”

Jonny Evans has returned to United after a successful loan stint at Sunderland. Reports have it that the reasoning behind that move would be to fight for a place for himself at the centre of defence during the course of the next season and the season after that.

All this comes with the possibility (if not already confirmed) of Pique also returning to OT next season to fight for a place in the centre of defence.

Continue reading “The Defensive Dilemma”

The press has been awash with rumours that United are planning a swoop on Nicolas Anelka, which could either be a straight purchase or a swap deal depending on where you read it. We also got some comments for the last post, where people gave some of their opinions on whether Anelka would or would not fit our setup.

I had a few opinions of my own. Well, more than a few to be more exact. So I thought I could write an entire post about it. Anyway, we’ll also deal with a little more of the striking conundrum that we face here apart from discussing Le Sulk.

Of course, we are not here to discuss the veracity of the rumours that link Anelka with OT.

Continue reading “Striking Questions and Nicolas Anelka”