Sep 25
The Effects of the Injury Crisis
Our sluggish start to the season has been much discussed and much lamented. All sorts of reasons have been offered up for this, many individual players have had their reputations torn apart. I think that a lot of people can’t see the wood for the trees, and are missing either the main reason why we’re struggling or have lost focus on it because it has been going on for so long. So let me remind you: we’re in the middle of an injury crisis.
The biggest criticism and the biggest source of frustration has been our lack of attacking prowess. Where have the dazzling football, the breathless attacking moves, the surgical unpicking of defences gone? Why haven’t we dominated games, creating hatfuls of chances?
Well, think back to last season. Aside from individual moments of brilliance, what defined us most was our team play. The speed with which we moved the ball, the spaces our players found and the almost telepathic way in which they were picked out by their colleagues. Nobody could live with us - even Chelsea, the second best team in Europe, supposedly, had to shut the game down and turn it into a scrap because they weren’t good enough to play us at our own game.
This team play didn’t come out of nowhere. It was the result of a settled starting line-up, chosen from a limited pool of players with a high degree of consistency. The players built their level up and up and up, and they did it together. They became a machine, greater than the sum of their (very considerable) parts.
This season
This season, so far, we have been the opposite. A collection of players, all doing their own thing and all doing all right in their own way, but not playing together. No long strings of passes, no mesmerising interplay. But this shouldn’t be a surprise. To illustrate, let’s look at the front six (ie midfield and attack) we have played in the first five matches of this season (excluding the Charity Shield and the Super Cup, and including subs where the sub has played a significant portion of the game).
Giggs (Possebon), Carrick (O’Shea), Scholes, Fletcher; Rooney, Campbell
O’Shea, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson; Tevez, Rooney
Anderson, Carrick (Giggs), Scholes (Hargreaves), Rooney; Tevez, Berbatov
Park (Ronaldo), Hargreaves (Anderson), Fletcher, Nani; Tevez, Rooney
Park (O’Shea), Fletcher, Scholes (Ronaldo), Hargreaves; Rooney, Berbatov
What a total mess it has been. Not, of course, because that is how Fergie has chosen it - he is no Benitez (don’t get me started on Benitez) - he has had to cope with a series of half-fit, tired and old players through no fault of his own. But look closely:
- we haven’t had the same central midfield pairing for two matches in a row
- our starting central midfield pairing has only finished the game together once
- there have been two midfield substitutions in four out of the five games
- the only ever-present, Rooney, has played as a centre forward twice, as second striker twice (with two different centre forwards) and as a right-winger once; and that after being rushed back from a debilitating virus which wiped out his pre-season
- the most-used midfielder, Scholes, is too old to play effectively for more than 60 minutes
- the best performances have come from supposed bit-part players, Fletcher and Park, who are used to coming into any line-up and fitting in regardless
- two of the three hardest games of the season (Liverpool and Chelsea away) are included in this group of fixtures
- our golden triangle of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez (who scored 71% of our goals last season) has played together for only 30 minutes; last season would have been a different story without them, and indeed was a different story when Ronaldo was suspended, Rooney injured and Tevez pressed into action before he was ready.
Quick trivia question - without cheating, who was United’s fourth top scorer last season?
Is it any wonder that we’re losing midfield battles? Or that our strike force isn’t firing as a unit? Nobody has the first idea who’s going to be on the pitch from game to game, and are having to adjust to significant personnel and formation changes 2/3 of the way through each game.
People are complaining about losing our mojo as though they seriously expected us to have one under these circumstances, and complaining about tactics which try to sneak 1-0 wins. I find watching these games as depressing as everyone else, but frankly we need those 1-0 wins to keep going at the moment - the glorious, champagne-football-riven 4-0 thrashings will have to wait until later.
Last season
By contrast, here is our “front six” from January, when we won every game and conceded only one goal:
Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Park; Ronaldo, Tevez
Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs; Rooney, Tevez
Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Carrick, Park (Giggs); Rooney, Tevez
Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Carrick (Scholes), Giggs; Rooney, Tevez
Nani, Carrick, Scholes (Anderson), Park; Ronaldo, Rooney
Note this time round:
- the standard formation, the consistency of personnel and the lack of significant substitutions
- two of our golden triangle were playing in every match, and all three played in 3
- Michael Carrick, whose intelligent ball retention, shielding and passing we have badly missed this season, played all five games (and also played in 9 out of the 10 games in which we scored 3 or more after his return to fitness in December)
- what inconsistency and substitutions there was is due to easing Park and Scholes back from injury and resting the over-used Anderson
- no top 4 opponents in the group of fixtures
This was a well-oiled machine producing the football we all love to see - there can be, and should be, no comparison with our current sticking plaster line-ups. We can get through this - we did so last season, when we had the same sorts of problems, by grinding our a series of uninspiring 1-0 wins which kept us in the game until we got back to full strength. Until then, let’s not write off our entire squad and management team as no-hopers and has-beens.
Answer to trivia question - Louis Saha, aka Mr Glass, who we would all have sworn blind was injured for the entire season.
***
As an aside, I’m starting up my own blog for additional musings which don’t fit in here - I intend there write a bit about general football matters which only affect United in passing or not at all, to publish collections of links to good articles written elsewhere on the web, and to try my hand at match previews and reports (I doubt they’ll be anything like the quality which RR produces so regularly). I’m not sure how it will turn out yet, but if you dropped in occasionally or signed up to the feed to see if you like it, then so much the better.
Related items from Red Rants:- Preview: Reds vs Spurs
- Can Chris Eagles be everything Kieran Richardson is not?
- Reds Put Four Past WBA
- Hot News Ahead of Barca | Gattuso and the Usual Nonsense
- Versatility, Thy Name is United
Tags: Opinions/Columns
September 25th, 2008 at 10:36
sad thing is i knew it was sasha
5 goals i think it was
you would have thought it would be nani
i remember sasha came on and got the only goal in a win back when ronaldo was suspended and rooney was injured. . i think it was against everton. . either way, he scored 5 goals last season. . quite the feat actually
thats more than anderson and carrick combined haha
September 25th, 2008 at 10:40
good article btw, well thought out.
I don’t know if a holy trinity will function together much this year, what with berbatov being acquired.
bolton will die though
bloody hell they will die.
3 goals. . minimum
September 25th, 2008 at 10:47
I had mentioned in a comment about my fear for Berba not being the right choice for United. The Chelsea game clearly seemed to bring out that fear even more. It is becoming clear that playing all 4 - Ron, Roo, Tevez, Berba is going to be very difficult for Ferbie. He is going to have to bench someone each game where Berba starts. And if thats going to be Tevez, I fear its going to cost United a lot of important games. He probably cant bench Berba till he gives him all the changes to prove himself seeing that he cost a bombshell for us. Benching tevez, who LOVES to play and is probably the most hardworking playa for us is going to lead to his own frustrations which might worsen his game as the season unfolds. Putting Roo on bench is likely to have an even worse effect looking at his current form and state of mind. So Fergie is gonna ahve a real big problem at hands on how to handle these 3. Berba just does not work hard enough. I did not see him chasing down a ball after he had lost it or putting in the same work ratio as rooney does. He just does not seem ‘fit’ enough for that kind of game. Maybe he is not expected to be but you just cant be walking around the field waiting for the ball all the time in todays football!
September 25th, 2008 at 10:51
Nice one Penguin… really put the whole situation in perspective. We are suffering an injury/fitness crisis, but thankfully it’s getting better. Carrick has been the player missed the most I think. He is very vital to the way we play and hopefully one of the other midfielders might step up while he is out - i’ll put my money on Fletch.
Our trinity is getting back to strength and with the inclusion of Berbatov, an improved Nani, i think we can expect plenty dazzling and demolishing displays this season. Our defensive options is getting a bit more assured. Evans has proved a worthy contender for a CB spot. We have 3 RB’s who can play whenever called upon and Evra with his tireless displays is never found wanting.
I see only good things from now on.. If we can find that right mix in midfield while Carrick is out, I think the rest will just fall into place. What midfield combo do you reckon will be most effective while Carrick is still on the sidelines?
September 25th, 2008 at 10:57
Carrick! Who is our missing link now! But I really fancy Anderson will progress as good as Carrick as he can really make some good passes & defend well to scare off the likes of Gerrard or Fabregas etc. But he really have to work very hard on his shooting technique….
September 25th, 2008 at 10:58
I love that we have evans.
now if we need to, we can rest either vidic or rio for lower tier games, as even last year Rio and Vidic had to play in pretty much every game.
also having the brazilian twins on the wings is massive for us, it amazes me that Evra has the energy he does. (he’s like a faster Park with defensive prowess) imagine having him and park on one the left, running full out for 60 minutes (thereby tiring the opponent’s RB and RW), only for them to be replaced by the brazilian kid (for get which one is which, but the LB one) and then Nani (or giggs) on the wing?
could be massive.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:00
@3Vunited: it’s true, we miss carrick.
Andy and Possebon are the future. . Carrick is the present. . Scholes is the past at this point. . Hargreaves is kind of just there,, but not haha
September 25th, 2008 at 11:07
@Gabriel: I agree with you mate, we are getting overally worried about a tough start with regards to games, Liverpool and Chelsea away, Portsmouth away and the Barcodes on the first day of the season with at the time their king in his first full season back at the helm.
Arsenal have played Weat Brom who were just promoted and not used to the prem, Fulham who they lost to!!, Newcatle who were at odds with each other, Blackburn great result but the jury is well and truly out with regards to judas Ince as manager and they are not the team they were under Sparky, Bolton who just avoided relagation so a relalativly easy start.
It is so easy to blame Berbatov, but let him settle and he will be class, my only thought is bar the slave our midfield of last year only scored 13 goals, we need more, and I am looking at you Mr Anderson, Carrick and Hargreaves!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:16
@Stephen: Berbatov will be successful. . but we have to play the ball up to him on the ground. only then will his ability to hold the play up and bring others into the play fully be utilized
having rio and vidic bomb the ball up to him is useless and should be stopped immediately . Berba is good in the air, but he’s no John Carew. we’re just asking him to stop trying and to sulk if thats the kind of service we provide him.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:19
@Stephen: Nani should score more goals this season. . andy should manage at least one. . park already has one, fletcher two. . whats that 4 already?
5, counting giggsy goal this weekend
fletcher - 2
nani - 1
park - 1
giggs - 1
we’re almost halfway there. . . i’m more worried about rooney scoring atm
September 25th, 2008 at 11:20
@jonny: We only play like that against the big teams and you are right.
Against the dippers and Chelscum, we went a goal up in 18 mins and 3 mins and tried to sit on the goal, fuck knows why but we always do that in the bigger games. So we used Berbatov as a Carew type to hold up the ball, which he is good at but we aren’t using him to has maximum potential!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:22
@jonny: I hop eNani starts more as I love wingers!
Rooney needs to score more and I would partner Tevez with Berbatov on Sat to see how they gel, but Fergie never seems to want to drop Rooney, regardless of his loss of form.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:23
@Stephen: Honestly, I don’t see Arsenal losing a lot of games or having a major stagger like last season. They are true contenders, and with Chelsea, they pose a serious threat, home and abroad. Even their reserves have that same winning and footballing spirit.
Goals from our midfield will come. Anderson seems to be anxious in getting his first an hence loses all composure when the opportunity beckons, maybe he needs to lighten the pressure he’s putting on himself to score. The midfielder I see scoring a decent amount this season is Fletcher. He really has developed a heightened sense of positioning and runs into the box. With a liitle more practice, he will become a bit more frequent and clinical in his goal attempts and scoring.
Berba will come good, needs a bit more fitness though, but that will come. I see a very bright campaign ahead folks… the storm has been withered and we have come pretty much unscathed (although a super-cup would have been nice
). I see Bolton receiving the first dazzling yet devastating thrashing we will hand out this season, and i feel a bit sorry for them… then again, maybe not. 
September 25th, 2008 at 11:33
@Gabriel: You never know with Arsenal mate their squad is a little light and have no real fighters in there, but they do play great football, so you never know. The thing with Arsenal if they loose 2 in a row then their confidence slides and so does their form.
I can see us doing Bolton some serious damage this Sat, and as will be their really looking forward to it, Anderson does not look like he has progressed much since last season, but it is early days and he hopefully will be a top player. Once he gets one he will get a five, like Fabregas last season, the only thing I would like is to see is that we have one system we play with, with a settled midfield and stick to it.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:50
You know the more I see of him this season (and end of last) the more I wonder if Fletcher is actually going to be an answer to a big problem we have - who slots in for Scholes? I’m not saying he plays like Scholes, he absolutely doesn’t, but he does offer the whole team quite a lot. Think about his main attributes:
1. Fitness - Can run for the 90, and is pretty nippy, particularly over distance.
2. Defensive cover - He’s probably the second strongest defending midfielder we have, behind Hargo. Carrick is good at blocking lanes but a poor tackler, Scholes, well yeah and Ando doesn’t quite see the whole picture yet, but works hard. Fletcher is a combination of both.
3. Passing range - He’s not great, but he’s consistent and able to do the simple thing when necessary.
4. Brain - This is the biggest thing for me, and maybe a result of him spending so much time on the bench and in the stands at a top club for so long. More and moreso he is beginning to play with a great appreciatino for position, tactics and formations. He is making great runs into the box, providing support for fullbacks when they go up and opening up passes in the centre circle. Dare I say it, he’s looking more and more like a Scottish Frank Lampard, wihtout the lethal finish.
5. Our system suits him - I think we are going to move almost exclustively to a 4-2-X system, whether that’s 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-1-3 or even 4-2-2-2. And in that 2, if healthy, Carrick will start. When Carrick adn Scholes are together, we rely on Carrick to do a lot of dirty work, and use Scholes’ vision as a weapon, I think this would reverse with a Carrick/Fletcher pairing, and would certainly offer a more defensive cover. Plus given Carrick’s relative unease at moving over the centre circle, Fletcher’s fitness could be used to get up the pitch more. In tight games, we use another midfielder in front of them (anderson/hargo) and in open games we can have our big 4 in the big 4 positions.
Of course he has disadvantages too:
1. Technical ability - while it is undoubtedly developping, he will never have that Scholes trapping/space creation talent, or the Ronaldo ability to beat his man.
2. Distance shots - he’s not terrible (still remember his shot against the cross bar v. Chelsea a few years back) but inconsistent and unproven. Then again, when your’e against Anderson (ulp) Carrick (Roma was an abberation) and Hargo (hasn’t taken enough to form an opinion) we clearly don’t judge our midfield on this.
3. Spark/Genius - Yeah, he hasn’t quite shown this to date. The Pirlo vision, the Xavi short pass, the Keano general. I fear you either have it or you don’t. But you don’t need eleven players with it on the pitch.
Anyway, all of that combiend with his experience (over 150 games with us) adn his age (just 24) make me wonder if maybe we don’t have a very high quality late bloomer on our hands.
And yes, that was a long post about Darren Fletcher. Don’t worry, a similar one won’t follow for John O’Shea. I love him but if he ever steps foot in the midfield when Ando/Hargo/Fletcher is an option I’ll shoot someone.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:57
@Stephen: So what midfield/team combo woud you go for this saturday, considering we have an away match abroad on tuesday?
Mine would be:
——-Kuszy——–
Brown-Rio-Evans-Evra
—-Hargo-Fletch—-
Ronaldo———Park
—-Tevez-Rooney—-
Subs: Berbatov, Nani, Anderson, VDS, Giggs, Scholes, O’shea
Berba, Ando, and Nani come on for Rooney, Hargo and Ronaldo.
But Fergie is not gonna go for that. We seem to always differ in team selection
September 25th, 2008 at 12:00
@Beachryan: Personally I am a bit Hargreaves fan, he stated last season that he eas only 60% fit, and I believe he had a pretty good one and Anderson stole his thunder due to his performances against Arsenal and Liverpool.
Fletcher is a great lad and with Scholes slowly being fazes out he could step in, but he really does not have the quailty to play week in week out. Could you see him playing for Chelsea, Arsenal, Barca, Real? And that is the standard of midfield he should be comparbale to, and he falls short. I would be sad to sell him because he plays with his heart but has no quality which is his undoing.
We need to find out which is best combo and stick to it, personally if we play with a 2 @ the moment Hargo and Scholes to start, and Andy and Fletch to come on, but we need to have a system and stick to it.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:03
@Gabriel: Good team mate, but Berbatov instead of Rooney and Nani for Park as we are at home, and I agree I a;ways differ to him too!!
September 25th, 2008 at 12:23
——————PIG————————
—–Da Silva—Rio—Vidic—Evra—–
–Ronaldo—Fletch—Anderson–Nani–
———Rooney–Tevez/Berba————
Subs: Brown, Evans, Hargreaves, Park, Tevez/Berba, Amos/EVDS, Giggs
September 25th, 2008 at 12:26
@Stephen: I chose park because he deserves it more than nani, based on current performances/seniority. I chose rooney for similar reasons, plus I want to see the old trinity in action. Also Berba will recieve a round of applause when he is subbed on and that is a good way to make your debut at home.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:26
just looked at the premierleague table on Manutd.com.. and it seems to think that we have played 5 games in the league so far… yet the bbc thinks we’ve played four… now unless my counting has gone to shit.. Newcastle,porthsmouth,liverpool and chelsea? am i right? im not going completely mad? cos i think perhaps someone over at manutd.com has.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:26
in this instance you have Fletcher as the defensive mid and Anderson pushing forward. we’re vunerably to counter attacks down our flanks, which is why roovez is on the field. . to track back. . Tevez to cover the left flank. . Rooney the right. . with Fletcher to help on either side as needed
September 25th, 2008 at 12:28
if berbatov is on the field, i recommend park in place of nani, and brown instead of da silva, for defensive purposes
then again. . its bolton. . and we’re at home. . oh well
September 25th, 2008 at 12:29
@Gabriel: They both have scored, just think we are at home and the fans need some excitement
Nani could be the man to start, plus Fergie loves Park in Europe!!
September 25th, 2008 at 12:35
Ps Penguin, really good article
, I think Scholes came play more than 60mins but only in a midfield 3.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:47
@Stephen: Yeah, thought about that too. i love Nani, but it will be massively unfair to Park after his performances. The home thing might be a deciding factor tho and nani could start, since we are at home and attacking more. Then Ronnie could get off after 70 mins with park comin on for him. Sounds good.
Up front, I still don’t think Berba is fit enough to play a full match for United, hence should be either brought on or taken off later in the match. Tevez is a must start, he has missed out for some time and he should really start getting used to finding his fit in the team. I want Rooney to start, then come off later as he has played every game for us this season and needs a bit of rest, and berba will get his round of applause on his debut
.
On the other hand, we could start with Berba, so just in case things don’t go well, we can always bring on Rooney to change our fortunes.
In the middle, I would have preffered Ando and Hargo, but Fletch has been puttin in above-average performances of late, so it would be unfair to exclude him, plus Anderson needs to take it easy after his olympics and rushed comeback into the 1st team. Hargo just needs games in his preferred position. Fergie bought him as a DMF, so should stop playing him everywhere but there!!
An aside, i just read on the manutd website that Bolton’s manager was considering what formation to adopt against us. I hope he comes ready to play an open game, cuz if so, it will be a mauling!!
September 25th, 2008 at 13:01
@jonny: yeah its bolton, at ot…
dont expect a thrashing, just expect a win just to avoid disappointment.. 
welbecky > frazier campby
September 25th, 2008 at 14:04
@Gabriel: Carlos must start no question, he has been our best performer so far this season, actually up there with Fletcher!
I think Hargo needs to get a run in the centre of midfield, we did pay £17m for him to do that job, and about time he was given a proper go.
September 25th, 2008 at 14:06
——–Kusczak——–
-Brown-Rio-Evans-Evra
—Hargo–Fletcher–
—Ronaldo—Park
——–Rooney——
——berba——-
September 25th, 2008 at 14:09
@Godzilla: No Vidic?
September 25th, 2008 at 14:28
@Stephen: Dude, Vidic is suspended…
September 25th, 2008 at 14:33
i thought vidic served his suspension? against chelsea? or was it more than a 1 match ban? if so thats insane, especially since dick head terry got away with out anything
September 25th, 2008 at 14:34
@AndyCR7: Are you sure mate I thought two yellows = 1 match ban?
September 25th, 2008 at 14:38
Vidic only had a one match ban, and is available against Bolton.
September 25th, 2008 at 14:45
Oops…
forgot only that he was suspended against LooserFool… i thought it was agianst chelsea
September 25th, 2008 at 15:27
@Penguin: oh! Thought the ban was more… that’s why he and Brown played against the boro… well, at least Evans got the chance to prove he can step in comfortably anytime he is needed and that will make Fergie less reluctant to give Rio/vidic a rest and play Evans.
There doesn’t seem to be any injuries in the squad, apart from Carrick. We are lookig better
but why does that lack of gloom make me feel speechless? There’s nothing to say when things are Ok, is there? funny that…
September 25th, 2008 at 16:31
Im not buying the injury crisis excuse. I saw the same problems this year that we had last year. I know a major concern for people this season was that we played out of our skin last year AND we got got all the breaks. I disagree with this, I thought we played subpar for much of the season. The problem is we have too much talent, and last year fergie must have drunk from the same cup as Rafa cause he was rotating a little too much for my liking.
Tevez, Anderson, and Nani were never given a chance to gain any momentum because they would get 2-3 games in a row then sit for 1 or 2. I know people are quick to pull up the stat of appearances when compared to Tevez and Rooney. but the truth is, many of Tevez appearances came as substitues. He never got the chance to start week in and week out. Rooney never gets rotated, he only misses games due to injury. Persoanlly I think it is a travesty that Tevez didnt play against chelsea.
The same can be said for Anderson, He gets yanked in and out of rotation more than anyone. I really dont understand why some of you are so hard on him. He is in a new culture, on and off the pitch. The biggest thing about him is that he has gone from an attacking player to a defensive midfielder. That is a pretty drastic move if you ask me, and it kills me when he gets slated cause he cant get his offensive game going. He needs more games, and at this point scholes is on the way of Andersons progress. there isnt a doubt in my mind that if he were to play week in and week out he would be just as good as fabregas.
I would go on about Nani, but I think you get the point. Nani should be the first choice winger after Ronaldo, Not Park and NotGiggsy.
Coming back to midfield, Carrick should be first on the sheet (just cause he is fit more than Hargreaves). Then Hargreaves, Then anderson, then scholes.
September 25th, 2008 at 16:47
David Silva has said he is not ruling out a move to the premiership, most likely at old t. but he prefers barca
September 25th, 2008 at 16:55
Any one heard the latest on Possebon? the last I heard is that he had not broken his leg and the club were waiting for reportson any ligament damage.
September 25th, 2008 at 17:29
@ Johnsom33. Definately agree nani ahead of park and giggs. He has incredible potential but needs more starts. My only criticism of Nani is that he has bundles of pace but sometimes doesn’t know how to use it at the right times but I have no doubt that with more games every part of his game will improve and he will score more than 5 goals this season providing he has a regular run in the team. Carrick had a excellent season last year and we miss him big time at the moment. I think Andersons best position is attacking midfield and the game on tuesday proved that but he doesn’t play there regularly enough to shine. Rooney’s work rate is endless but Tevez gets himself in better position to score goals and looks more of a goal threat when they take turns playing SS.
September 25th, 2008 at 18:22
dose anyboby agree that scholes dose not cover enough ground.
he has been playing def center mid since his come back last year
so then more pressure is on the deepre of the 2 forwards to createfor the team, so end up a man short when in attac mode. in stead of cen midd linking up with attack and then going passed them to engage there defence.
Also i think we need hargreves as a cover in front of the back for, this will alow him to cover ronaldo when he has drifftes up front and dosent track back.
(when in defence cover) (pushin forward)
brown—–rio–vid—-evra ———rio—vid—–
———-hargreves——– brown—hargreves—–evra
ronaldo-teve—caric-rooney ——–crick———-
———berbastrole——- ronaldo—teve—–roony
——-berbastrole—-
then alow ronaldo roony berbastrole to inter change/tevescould push forward
September 25th, 2008 at 18:33
Sorry for this bit of negativity today but I am going to be very quiet on this blog for the next few days. I just found out one of my closest friends passed away from a massive heart attack a few days ago and I am truly devastated. This coming just a few days after I came out of the hospital myself with a heart scare. I was lucky. My friend George a native of Manchester and a one time die hard fan of United wasn’t so lucky. I say one time fan because for fifteen years now he had stopped watching and following football because of the greed and corruption of money. Still, he would proudly go out every day wearing his United scarf.
It’s a humbling experience and a real blow to the senses when you lose a friend and especially one that was only 52 years old. It really brings your own mortality to perspective and makes you realize that we are only here for a short time, so lets make it a good time. So I urge all of you who sit at your PC and spend hours and hours of time blogging, playing games, net surfing etc, to get up and start to exercise a bit and to above all get a regular checkup. A little sacrifice in the areas of physical fitness is vital. My friend was obese and thus he was a ticking time bomb. To all my friends at Red Rants I say, get up and get in shape if you already aren’t. Sorry for the downer but I felt like sharing this sad news about a fellow Mancunian and about a fellow human who will be greatly missed.
September 25th, 2008 at 19:10
Great article Penguin! I completely agree with most if not all of what you’ve mentioned.
One thing that should be mentioned nonetheless is the role that SAF played in our slow start. As you rightly said he should have settled for a confirmed midfield 4, that maybe were not 1st choice players, but definetely provide us with consistency - then again, nobody saw the Carrick injury coming.
Haha - I remember someone (Dan(u)ol?) laughing at me when I mentioned that Carrick was our second if not third most important player. It seems that I was right in the end! *gloat* *gloat*
And to all the Anderson fans, I just say, why not give the same trust to Possebon? Recently he’s been playing better than Ando and I sincerley hope to see him back in the team soon.
September 25th, 2008 at 19:14
@cheeseburger o’shea: The solution when Ronnie finally leaves? I’ll gladly settle for him!
This boy is class! and underrated because he does not play in either Barca or Madrid scum.
September 25th, 2008 at 19:24
@Beachryan: Hear! Hear!
Truly Fletch could have been an even better player! But unfortunately in his early days as a fisrt team squad member (the stage Possebon is right now) he was given little, or not enough playing time to develop his game, while he was it seems at the time more technical than he actually is right now. He even had, I remember, some of Scholes’ trapping/space creation talent and he was an excellent range passer too. With time however he developed the defensive aspect of his game at the expense of his creative game.
September 25th, 2008 at 19:28
Hey grogg sorry to hear that pal yup need to excercise coz i’m a prime candidate for a lot of diseases coz im just a lazy bum bro::Anways i guess a couple of goals or maybe a hatrick from berba would cheer you up a bit….
September 25th, 2008 at 19:36
@maroon 14: It wouldn’t hurt mate. I need some good news, that’s for sure. I want United to go out and score 4 or 5 for my friend and native Mancunian George. He was the original Grognard.
September 25th, 2008 at 19:37
@Grognard: Deeply Saddened by the passing of your friend! Anyway you are right! I am beginning to see that the PC is not life at all! There is much more to lifE! Anyway I do spend time playing football, exercising etc etc! But you are right, obesity is a big problem nowadays even if i am not.
September 25th, 2008 at 19:39
@Grognard: Grog, what do you mean by the greed and the corruption of money. And how old are you anyway?
September 25th, 2008 at 19:49
@Grognard: Sorry to hear about that, mate.
My sincere sympathies to you and to all of those who held this person dear.
Death is one of those things that puts everything into perspective.
For me personally exercise, reading books and doing some writing are always on my “to do” list. While I’m still young, everyday that goes on by I understand more and more what Roger Waters meant in his song “time”.
I agree with you on the need to spend some time doing things that will make us feel fulfilled and happy.
Sorry Redranter, this may not shed a positive view on the idea of blogging and forum discussion in general, but I just felt that Grog was right to highlight the shortness of life in general and the need to live a life other than the front of monitor.
But that does not mean we can’t do both!
Ok now, let’s hope United beat Bolton’s sorry ass! I need a ongoing run of form to get me ticking before I tackle my last 3 months at Uni.
And Grog, hope to see you very soon on RR. Now if only we could get the old JB back, other than the usual team news…
September 25th, 2008 at 21:51
@Nico QB: what me? no never lol
September 25th, 2008 at 21:55
@jonny: Hargo is not kind of just there mate, he is the best defensive midfielder we have when fit. Possebon and Andy are not defensive midfielders, and never will be
.
September 25th, 2008 at 22:15
Feck me, I hardly agree with any of this. We SHOULD have won or very least drawn the L’pool game. It had nothing to do with injuries. We had the chance, we messed up. Our problem is, not the players on the pitch, we had the players. Our problem is, that we are unable to play possession football when the opposition are pressing us. We hoof long balls out of defence, to nobody in particular. We can’t play ourselves out of trouble. We were ahead at L’pool and Chelsea, and had the opportunity to win both. At Chelsea we did not TAKE our chances, but we had them. At L’pool we were unlucky with their equaliser, but long before that we missed a great chance to go further ahead, but afterwards couldn’t keep the feckin ball. So no, I can’t agree with the whole due to injury thing - sorry. We have players past their sell by date, and other players who are playing just rank bad. I noticed in the Carling cup game, that in the 1st half we played some great possession football, and for a good part of the 2nd half too. It was great to be there and watch, and they put on a better display than our 1st team have for their games. So, we have the players, but they are just not performing, and I wish you would just stop making excuses for them
September 25th, 2008 at 22:30
@Grognard: Grog sorry to hear your sad news Bro. I’m all of 24 years old as you know, but I keep pretty fit. I trained and played with the American football team at Uni. Since Uni I get plenty exercise with the GF, and we have a sound treadmill, so I walk and run on that at least 3 miles a day
. I feel so sad with you about your friend George, and empathise with your sentiments for he was one of us, a Mancunian and fellow United fan. Much sympathy Grog, to you and his loved ones.
September 25th, 2008 at 22:33
@Grognard: R.I.P George. Sorry to hear that Grognard. I feel for you, I really do.
Hopefully youll feel better soon. With both your mood and condition.
September 25th, 2008 at 22:35
I am really exited about this Saturday. We have a fully fit squad(except for Carrick) so I think the team Fergie will pick this weekend will be what he consideres our strongest team on home soil this season. Hopefully Tevez, Ronaldo and Anderson is part of it.
September 25th, 2008 at 22:39
Anybody know a link to a vid of Andersons goal vs New Zealand during the Olympics?
September 25th, 2008 at 22:40
@Red Diablo: I’m 49. George was deeply disenchanted by all the money and the greed that he felt was destroying the game, betraying the fans and forcing players to become like mercenaries instead of staying with one club for life. He was brought up in the George Best and Bobby Charlton era and remembered seeing games live at OT before he and his family moved to Canada in 1970. When I was telling him all the things going on today off the pitch he was just totally appalled and Ronaldo’s antics were certainly not things he admired. Honestly, I can’t say he was wrong but I am to addicted to the sport and the team to go cold turkey like he did. His favorite player was George Best.
September 25th, 2008 at 22:46
@Nico QB: Nothing wrong with being in front of a monitor but so many of us spend half our lives in front of one. It’s unhealthy unless one finds a proper balance. Eating well (no junk food) and getting exercise like walking a lot can go far in counteracting the negative aspects of being a pc geek. This computer generation is headed for massive epidemic heart failure and diabetes in 15 to 20 years when most of the culprits reach their 50’s. Today’s personal tragedy and my close scare just opened my eyes. I just enrolled in a program called the Healthy Heart Clinic and I am looking forward to seeing what they can do to force a lifestyle change that I am in need of. For all of you, best wishes and may the force keep you strong and healthy. JEEZ! I can’t believe the Prince of Fucking Darkness was trying to be upbeat and positive. My minions will try to overthrow me now because they will see weakness and a soft and positive side.
September 25th, 2008 at 22:48
@Craig Mc: I’m glad to hear you are countering your computer time with a lot of exercise. Good for you mate. Long life to you. And thanks for your kind words too. Greatly appreciated mate.
September 25th, 2008 at 23:02
Viva United
Viva United
Scoring goal after goal
Were gonna beat them all
Viva United
September 25th, 2008 at 23:35
@Grognard: Sorry to hear what happened to your friend, my condolences to you.
On this Saturday, I hope we carry part of our confidence from the Boro game going into it. Bolton will probably play their usual physical, kick the player type of football, but hopefully we come out of it victorious
@jonny: I disagree with your choice of Rafael as i don’t think he has enough physical presence to handle Bolton.
September 25th, 2008 at 23:51
@RedDevilEddy:
, SCORING goal after goal, what planet are you on mate 
. Don’t we just wish?. Well maybe if the team we played against Boro are playing again 
.
September 26th, 2008 at 1:45
@Grognard: alright Grog! Sorry about your loss mate, i’m going to a funeral tomorrow myself. Life sometimes, comes around the corner and kicks you in the bollocks.
but i’m not so sure its gonna be a rout. I expect Bolton to come out with ten defenders and a goalie, and we’ll see if we can play at a war of attrition and break them down. It depends on which United shows up 
About Bolton, love the optimism floating around here
September 26th, 2008 at 4:25
Grog…sorry for your loss brother.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:31
About the article….I’m sorry but even if it’s true, I cant fucking stand the injury excuse. When Chelski fans bitch about not having players last year I think we all are there to jump on them and tell them to fucking deal with it, just like we should have been doing. We have all the quality in depth in the world and should have been able to make a better start even if we had more injuries. I think using that excuse just covers up the fact that our lineups and substitutions especially have been suspect, highly suspect. Not to mention our defending simple things like fucking set pieces, see Newcastle and Chelski as examples.
As someone said earlier Tevez not getting on the pitch against Chelski was a fucking disgrace. Bringing on O’Shea was a terrible decision. Van der sar coming out and punching when he could have easily caught it which lead to the next corner which Martins scored off of was a terrible decision. I hate to say it about a legend, but Giggs not putting the ball out for a corner against Pool was terrible.
To sum up…fuck injuries. United should be able to cope with even worse than what we had, much worse.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:34
@phoenix red: Agree mate. It always seems to work out with United that when it looks like a team is in for a crushing things dont always go to plan. But honestly, I dont give a damn it we win 1-0 and the goal comes from a kevin davies own goal off his elbow (prick deserves it) as long as its the 3 points and we can start our assent up the damn table. Just like our run of 1-0 wins last year against Bham, Sunderland, Spurs etc, we just need a fucking win right now.
September 26th, 2008 at 5:30
@Drew Vader: Thanks mate. And that goes for Phoenix Red too.
September 26th, 2008 at 8:35
Sorry to hear about the death of your good friend Grognard, I’ll be thinking about you said about him when United play this weekend, peace.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:20
@Grognard: sorry to hear about your loss groggy, you are right, life is too short, we should make the most of it. manutd will destroy bolton.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:42
@RedDevilEddy:
Viva United
Viva United
Viva United
Scoring Goal After Goal!
And Rooney’s Finally gonna SCORE!
Viva United
September 26th, 2008 at 13:34
Please let Rooney score this weekend
September 26th, 2008 at 13:46
Didn’t Rooney end a barren spell a few years ago with a hat trick against Bolton? Pretty sure.
Anyway, if we can get an early goal we’re going to absolutely dominate. But I do worry if we’re at 75 mins and 0-0, confidence is relatively low and ideas seem short. Still, am pleased to finally go into a game expecting a full on win!
———–VDS————
-Brown–Rio—Vida–Evra–
—-Hargo——Scholes—-
-Ronnie———-Nani—–
——–Rooney————
———-Berba———–
With Tevez, Anderson and Giggsy making apperances.
September 26th, 2008 at 13:46
@Grognard: Sorry to hear about your friend mate. Hopefully the thrashing we hand out to Bolton tomorrow will uplift your mood.
September 26th, 2008 at 13:51
@Grognard: Sorry to hear that mate, hope we kick Bolton’s ass on Saturday to raise your spirits somewhat.
@Beachryan: Mate Tevez surely has to start in place of Rooney??!!
September 26th, 2008 at 14:21
unleash the awesome foursome.
September 26th, 2008 at 14:26
@cheeseburger o’shea:
VDS
Brown Rio Vida Evra
Rooney Hargo Andy Slave
Carlito Berba
Mmmmmmmmm not a bad idea!
September 26th, 2008 at 14:45
@Stephen: no way man!! should never play Rooney out of position again. He needs to be redisciplined into being the world class SS that he is. His versatility is costing him and he has sacrificed enough these past few seasons. All three strikers can play as forwards, even Ronaldo too. I suggest we alternate all three btw the two striking positions in the team. Rooney should feature more heavily in the SS role, Berba more in the CF role and Tevez in a balance of both.
We have wingers; Nani, Ronaldo, Park and Giggs, and they should be used on the wings where they belong, and so should the strikers. It’s because of all this shuffling of our strikers to accomodate Ronaldo that they are not as prolific as they should be. Berbatov is here to correct that, so we should get back to a more balanced formation, similar to the early 2006/2007 campaign, when saha was fit, and we were banging in goals a plenty, from everywhere.
September 26th, 2008 at 14:53
@Gabriel: I totally agree mate!!
Was just having a bit of fun to be honest, Rooney is a classic number 10 and should be played as one, simple!
Fergie has a habit of playing players out of position, Mcclair was a forward converted to midfielder, same with Scholes and Alan Smith, David May to right back pretty much ruined him, O’Shea well to everywhere, Denis Irwin was a right back playing left back, Giggs to centre mid, Beckham to be honest was a centre mid, P Neville to CM/LB, Rio played CM against Blackburn!!! Rooney is just another one in the Fergie line of, WE NEED SOMEONE!! ANYONE TO PLAY THERE!!!!
September 26th, 2008 at 15:26
I forgot Kleberson at right mid and Veron as a striker and Djemba Djemba as a footballer!!!
September 26th, 2008 at 15:38
@Stephen: Well, if Fergie persists with doing that to Rooney, he will receive my first ever fan hate mail!!
Rooney thrives having a foil in the shape of an out-and-out striker to play off. Remember when we had Ruud and Saha? Rooney was like a wizard playing just off eiher. He has excellent vision and creativity and when he plays behind that foil, he is able to use those talents magically, be it goals, assists or playmaking.
While we are on the case of player ill-positioning, what is the dealio with Ando and Hargo? These two never get he chance to play regularly in their favored positions, but whenever they do, it is clear how well they excel in their roles and even complement each other.
Anderson was born to attack, playmake and make forward runs. He is an AMF, but he regularly plays as a CMF for us, thereby having to curtail all those abilities that make him special. Hargreaves was born and bought to be a DMF, but he hardly ever plays in that position for us, rather Fergie tosses him around the park due to his versatility. This is why these two complement each other when they play, cuz they are allowed to do what they do best, attack and defend, respectively.
I know we play a 4-2-4, with two CMF’s but that really worked because of Carick’s passing and our attacking prowress. If the front four are not present/performing, we pretty much are screwed with any hope of an attack from our midfield!! Maybe Carrick’s injury should provide an opportunity to consistently test out a more diamond midfield, with one AMF and one DMF. You never know, Anderson could finally be that player he was earmarked to be???
September 26th, 2008 at 15:44
Tevez on the left
Ronaldo on the right
Rooney and Berba up front,
will make Bolton look shite
September 26th, 2008 at 15:46
@Gabriel: Lets hope so, I would love Fergie to give Hargo and Andy a run in the centr of midfield, starting tomorrow, as Rooney/Tevez track back well anywayit could turn into a diamond anyway, and leave Berbatov up and Slave to tuck in, it would work really well.
Fergie never does the obvious, like play players in their natrual positions, we payed a combined fee of £35m for them both and have never used them in their best positions, surely thats illogical?
September 26th, 2008 at 15:51