Aug 25
The Tuesday Tantrum: A Fleecing of Fletcher
The tale of Fletcher’s ascent is best sung to the familiar tune of “zero to hero.” The young Scot, originally billed as the next Beckham, experienced a break-out season last term, making 26 Premier League appearances for United. However, when I try to explain his rise, I find myself at a loss for words. What makes Fletcher so good?
As per usual, low expectations play a part. Sir Alex struggled to find the best role for Fletcher, and, when finally moved centrally, he languished in the shadow of Paul Scholes. Fans abused him mercilessly, decrying his game as boring and languid. But now the chorus has shifted tunes to shouts of “efficient” and “tidy.”
Still, he scored all of 3 goals in the League last season. Not impressive, especially when compared with Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard. Granted, his first two goals were crucial for United: they assured 4 points that kept the Red Devils a half step behind Liverpool. But still, I contend that the goal/assist stats fail to capture Fletcher’s worth.
Rather, Fletcher plays a different role from Lampard or Gerrard: he is a Makelele-clone, a horizontal passing park ranger, rarely getting his knees dirty because of his excellent defensive positional-sense. Surely his passing statistics would reflect a high completion rate?
Alas, the EPL does not care for such statistics. Your height, goals, and cards matter, but not your ability to complete a pass. This is a stark contrast to the Fifa stats for the 2009 Confederations Cup. But isn’t completing a pass the basic element of football? And nobody can deny that Fletcher’s consistency and range of passing have both improved considerably. Or can they?
Given the dearth of EPL provided stats, I put pen to paper this Saturday and carefully followed Fletcher’s touches during the 5-0 rout of Wigan. I focused heavily on passing, and categorized passes as a) backwards, b) forwards, and c) sideways. I anticipated a lot of sideways and backwards passes, and I was wrong.
Fletcher attempted 49 passes the entire match, of which he completed 43. His 87% completion percentage was very strong. But what surprised me most was that, of 49 passes, 22 advanced the ball vertically to a midfielder or a forward. He completed 18/22 such “forward passes.”
While Darren did not even attempt to switch fields — a cross field horizontal pass of 20 plus yards – it became apparent to me that he really keeps the offense ticking. Scholes provides some wonderful hailmary balls from time-to-time, but Fletcher provides a calming and consistent influence. A ying to the redhead’s yang.
Granted, Darren’s game still needs some work. He did flub a nice Nani sitter from 5 yards. And he only attempted two shots all game. But his steady barrage of ten foot passes set the rhythm for an impressive 5 goal second half, even if he stayed off the score sheet. He is the drummer, allowing Rooney and company to launch into wicked guitar solos.
That is why last season his tackle on Fabregas sent a chill up my spine — we sorely needed his influence in the Barcelona game. And we can only hope history does not repeat itself step-for-step.
Elliott is the editor of Futfanatico.com.
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- Man Utd v Tottenham: Preview
- Betting Tip: United to roar back to form against Wolves
- A Quiet Little Tuesday Roundup
- Betting Preview: City favourites to beat United?
- SAF’s European Headache
Tags: Opinions/Columns
August 25th, 2009 at 7:46
Spot on. He’s absolute been our most consistent and reliable midfielder in this young campaign. You should also note how fantastic he’s been in these opening matches on standing tackles. You’re correct, the man doesn’t get his knees dirty, but I’d prefer that to not be necessary. Until Hargreaves shows up again, I do believe that we are going to be relying heavily on his midfield influence this season. He for one, seems up to the job.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:57
Great Article, I really like this bloke and I find him very vital this year and the next ones, he might pervade the center MF position making a very good couple with hargreaves when he returns
August 25th, 2009 at 8:14
As long as he keeps up the good work, Hargo will have his work cut out. Who thought Fletcher would be the constant in the midfield?!! Fingers crossed he has an injury free season, we need his energy and tackling.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:08
What I enjoyed about the Fletch game, which was very evident against Wigan, was his breaking up of the Wigan play, because he chases, gets up close to opposing players, and more often than not makes ACCURATE tackles, and COMES OUT with the ball. He worked hard against Wigan, and is our most aggressive MF – who would have thought it
. Scholesy tackles are aggressive, but are mostly near RED carders 
. We have very little aggression in our MF apart from Fletch. Andi, Giggsy, Carrick, and Park are way too lightweight, not enough presence, although Giggsy never stops running for us, and does have guile! I would love to see Gibson worked on by the coaches to bring on certain aspects of his game. He has the sweetest shot when he catches it right, and if he worked HARD with the coaches on improving his tackling and becoming more aggressive, I think we would have a player on our hands.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:12
Seriously, Fletcher had gone from zero to hero. He had improve so much these few years that i think he is a first starting 11. Without him, i felt so uneasy with the rest of the central midfielder. At least i know fletcher think and acts properly for the team and not work for himself.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:26
Eddy isn’t gonna like this: –
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-United-bust-up-will-see-Anderson-quit-Old-Trafford-article129305.html
if it’s true then as Ando should know “NO PLAYER is BIGGER than THE CLUB”
if the rag is correct then it’ll be so long Ando soon.
On a lighter note apparently Vida has rubbished all the rag claims that he or indeed his wife are unhappy. He is proud to be at our club. (SO HE SHOULD BE) : – ))
Arsenal without Fabregas for weekend? looks like we’re onto a winner already.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:46
What the feck is going on with these reported ‘bust ups’??? Anderson.. Carick?? WTF.. generally these sort of rumours abt us are not untrue!
August 25th, 2009 at 9:53
Coming back to Fletch.. now I can justify why Ive been playin him as a CDM in my FIFA teams for 3 years!
OK, seriously. He is a good player. He was a good player 4 years back and he is a good player now. So what exactly did happen that over time he went from “not United quality” to “we needed Fletch in the CL final”? I believe it is mostly that he is maturing now, and secondly that his confidence in himself is at the right level and Fergie’s done his bit for that. I hope the rise of Fletcher continues!
August 25th, 2009 at 10:05
Anderson and Carrick out with Schneijder and Essian in, ah well! A man can dream?
August 25th, 2009 at 10:30
@Craig Mc: I agree as usual matey,Gibbo is the future he just needs games and I truly believe the lad has something.
The midfield is my pet hate and I have been very critical of it, but Fletch has certianly improved and looks like a good squad player, but really is he the best of a bad lot? Carrick’s form has been inconsistant, Giggs is a 35 year old winger, Hargo has well injury problems to say the least, Scholes isn’t getting any younger, Anderson has struggled and Gibbo for me needs games.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:39
@Rahul: Seems a bit odd for Anderson to play against Burnley if there was a bust up, usually the player would be long gone by now.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:39
@Rahul: Or may be the quality of our midfield has regressed from 4 years back…..
August 25th, 2009 at 10:41
For me Fletcher is our first choice central midfielder. Partly that is a reflection on the hard work he has put in and his ability to raise his game against the best teams. But also it is a reflection of the inadequacies of our other midfielders.
Carrick in particularly is so static and always fades in the big games and plays so deep his passing game isn’t fully utilised.
For me the question now is “Who do we sign to play next to Fletcher (and ideally who can we sign to provide cover for Fletcher as well!).
An Anderson bust up wouldn’t surprise me. After two seasons he has failed to break into the first team and at his age he wants to be playing regularly. He’s always struck me as a cocky player and his ego must not like falling below the pecking order in Fergies eyes below Gibson.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:45
Darren fletcher is not my kind of player. He has no finesse, real skill with the ball, passing or dribbling skill and is not overly creative or imaginative. But Darren is a very good and a very necessary player for our team or for any team for that matter. He is a role player. He does the dirty work, the unglamorous stuff and the stuff that most of us tend to ignore because we would rather revel in the exploits of Rooney, Ronaldo and other truly gifted players.
Fletcher however can best be described as the glue that keeps the whole thing together. He is the troubleshooter, the man with the mission to kill the other team’s attack and to basically get the ball and start the transition to attack. His value was never more in evidence than when he didn’t play in Rome vs Barcelona. I’m not saying we would have won that game had he played but I’ll say this much, Iniesta and Xavi would not have had their way with us and Barca would not have had the ball control and possession the received had he been on the pitch. I don’t think he is as good at all this as Owen Hargreaves but hey, at least he’s on the pitch every week which is something we cannot say about Hargo.
If I am honest with myself I would prefer him on the bench and would expect Fergie to buy a flashier and more productive box to box midfielder and an attacking midfielder to pair up in the center. But then I think hard and I say, you know, there are very few box to box midfielders or DMF’s who are better or as good as Fletch. Therefore, I have come around of late and realize that all Fletcher is really missing is that creative midfield partner in the middle that will take pressure off him and allow him to play his game without having to worry about attack as well. I hope Fletcher is eventually paired up with such a player because he has shown his quality and worth to the club but he can be so much more valuable and better if he has a midfielder next to him that is equally as good if not better.
With the recent problems with Carrick and now Anderson, I think it’s time for Fergie to send these two packing and spend the bucks to bring in a Modric or a Schneijder. Give this team a midfield we can all be proud of and feel confident with.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:58
@Grognard: I agree with that but not sure about Modric I must say.
Our midfield really is an area which needs the most improvement, we have decent players in Carrick and Fletch, players who are past their prime in Giggs and Scholes, Anderson will not make it in my view and Gibbo needs a little more time and Hargo well…….
If we invest in this area then we would be favorites for the title, for me there is no fear factor in our midfield, like Keane, Robson, Ince and even Butt, McClair and Moses were all players that the opposition probably thought I don’t fancy playing against him today, ours is far too nice.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:04
While I admire your industry, you don’t have to count passes yourself. The information is available online. My preferred tool is the Guardian’s chalkboard which has stats for every player in every premier league game. Fletcher arrempted 58 passes against Wigan, making 51 of them. Scholes, for comparison, made 39 out an attempted 41.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:08
@Onkar: Regressed?? The midfield of 4 years ago would be the midfield of the class of 2005-2006. Haven’t you heard of the gems we had then….of Alan Smith or Quinton Fortune or Kieran Richardson??
August 25th, 2009 at 11:12
@Rahul:
August 25th, 2009 at 11:16
@Stephen: the question then would be who to get? I can hardly think of any such players these days that invoke the fear of life into opposing players as Keane did.
We could though.. play Rooney in DMF
.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:17
@Onkar: I rests me case!!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:18
@Stephen: Exactly why i dont believe it.
But even if it is true, it wouldnt be a big loss would it?
August 25th, 2009 at 11:20
@RedRanter
The Guardian provide quite a useful tool in their chalboards section. He was our top passer on Saturday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards
August 25th, 2009 at 11:26
@Rahul: I have always named players like Flamini who we could get probably quite cheaply, Toulalan we missed a trick on Palacios in my view on the other end of the scale Sneijder, Van Der Vaart or Arteta.
For me we have no money to spend hence no moves into the market for that type of player becuase Fergie may have fallen out of love with Carrick, he clearly doesn’t rate Anderson, fletch is decent and Scholes and Giggs are not getting any younger.
We either cross our fingers and hope for Hargo to miraculously become fit, and if he does it will take him time to get back to playing at the highest level, but for me we play young Gibson.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:28
@Dan: In a word no mate, for me he simply hasn’t got it mentally, he is too interested in joking about and posing rather than getting his head down and taking his football seriously.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:34
@Stephen: I have always been in agreement with you on two players i.e. FLAMINI and ARTETA. Not the so called X factor players but definitely players who can get the job done. And definitely the Upgrade on the currebt CM that we have.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:36
@Stephen: Ah.. Flamini would do very nicely with us!
Palacios is good for the premier league, but he wouldn’t really work in Europe in my opinion. And probably why Fergie didn’t take him up although he was interested.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:39
@Onkar: They would also probably not break the bank.
@Rahul: I am not sure if I agree there mate, for me he is 25 and looks the business.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:39
@Rahul: Wayne Rooney will be the Beast in the CDM position isn’t it???
But, jokes apart i always felt that we have the best Creative box to box midfielder in the world already on our books and his name is Rooney. I always felt that with his overall work rate, his vision, his ability to get in to the box like a silent fox, his venomous shot and the range of passing he can be a devastating Creative Box to Box players with two regular striker playing in front of him. Just let him play with the proper CDM (may be Fletch ion our case) who will cover him and i bet he will master the midfield in every match.
I know many may not like… But, i feel he can be the solution as he is always….
August 25th, 2009 at 11:42
@Stephen: Yeah given Flamini’s situation at AC and Everton woefull start i think i can be great deal and whats imp is they tried and tested in England and not to forget for me Flamini was the player who made Fab looked better than he is fro Arsenal….
August 25th, 2009 at 11:42
@Onkar: He is a striker mate, square pegs in round holes are not the answer.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:43
@Onkar: He is an agressive little fucker, ask Nani and he can play right back too just up Fergies street!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:50
I long for the day when we will have an aggresive box to box MF player wit the quailty to dominate and control the game from start to finish. From the start of Fergie’s reign as manager we have always had that special MF general, someone who could take the game by the scruff of the neck and drive the team towards victory, Robson and Keane are the main two that spring to mind. The sucess we have had as a team down the last twenty years or so can be attributed to the fact we have always had a strong backbone in our team, from the CBs and the CM pairing. IMO our midfield has been calling out for a player of Keanes stature since he left the club and Fergie has yet to plug that gap. I know we do have a certain Mr Hargreaves who i do think is a quailty player but as we all know his injury record since coming to old trafford makes grim reading. I for one hope for his speedy return because at the present moment in time our midfield looks leaderlessn and lacks bite.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:00
@Stephen: I know buddy that he is a striker and in today’s Man UTD he is the best bet as a striker. But, all i am saying that he has all the attributes that a WORLD CLASS creative box to box midfielder needs. I mean a square peg may not go into round hole agreed but then change the shape (defination) of either of it!!!
Yeah i agree the lad gives everything and thats why we all including Gaffer and Fans some times take him for granted. Not the price or return i would like if I am giving my all for something….
August 25th, 2009 at 12:01
Elliott, also he is hardly a Makelele-clone, Fletcher is more all action and moves further than his own 18 yard box, and actually gets into the oppositions penalty area and scores the odd goals Makelele only scored 16 goals in his club career spanning over 16 years 9 of them were for Nantes where he left in 97, fletch broke into the first team in 2001 and has scored 10 already, different players.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:05
@Stephen: In fact, i always feel Fletch is one players who has the nack of going in the box and being the right position at right time like old time Scholes. He always seems to find that space but where he lacks is his finishing. If he works on that aspect then he may get us some imp goals….
August 25th, 2009 at 12:08
@Onkar: He scores in big games, for me he still inconsistent and does not produce week in week out, but does perform in the big games.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:23
@Stephen: I don’t know about the rest of you, but I like Fellaini – he is a very good, AGGRESSIVE all action AMF. Don’t think Everton will part with him, but I like the lad
. Fellaini and Nani would storm it in the same team for us 
.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:25
Oh and Fellaini has proved he can live with the PL, AND wonder of all wonders, he can score goals from MF. He gets into the box, and IF NOT AFRAID!
August 25th, 2009 at 12:27
@Craig Mc: I agree I like the lad also he has Premiership experience and can do what our midfield can’t, score!, great hair to boot!
August 25th, 2009 at 12:54
Any one else fancy Tim Cahil. Moyes might get a heart attack just by reading this humble opinion from a Man Utd fan!!
Seriously though, I have mixed feelings about him. On the one hand he sometimes provides the EPL with displays that you have to envy Everton for, but on the other, he seems just a normal mid table type of player.
If SAF were to explore that option, then other than Moyes hiring asassins to murder Fergie
we also might have a role in enhancing his abilities further. For some insane reason he reminds me of a guy named Ole!! I did mention insane mind you 
August 25th, 2009 at 12:56
I’m all for Fletcher. So far has proved to be our best midfielder period. While I’m a big Hargo fan I believe if has to prove his worth before he can take Fletcher’s position. I agree with the idea that he needs a creative player alongside him. Now contrary to what everyone else is saying that player for me had to be Anderson. I can almost hear the chorus of boos. This obviously means I have to state the case for Anderson. What then? A lot of people here just pass their ill informed opinions as factual verdict. The reason the boy has failed to live up to expectations is solely Sir Alex’s fault. The serial destroyer of players’ careers. When Anderson was at Gremio he played as an attacking midfielder and was a huge hit.He was signed up by Porto and they played him in his preferred position. He thrived there once again and Barcelona reignited their interest in him. Unfortunately for him someone else had his sights on him too. And that was the beginning of a tragedy. Having been signed with so much promise he came to be the new Ronaldinho.. Alex thought he was the new Davids. All sane people knew he wasn’t. But first the Ginger Prince got injured and they drafted Anderson to cover for him. He shined. He split open all defences before him and grew in confidence. He played consistently till Paul returned. But those 2008 performances were enough to get him voted among the four top young players in England. Just because he overshadowed the likes of Gerrard and Cesc Sir Alex felt justified to make him a DM. From there on he also made it a point to play him as irregularly as possible destroying his confidence. Since his debut season he has never played 3 games in a row let alone start two in a row. How do we expect any progress esp from a young player? Is Anderson a once off Ferguson disaster? Absolutely not. Alan Smith came to Old Trafford as one of the most feared strikers in England. He was unfortunate to know how to tackle hard so he was converted to become, yes u guessed it, a DM. We all know what happened afterwards. Wayne Rooney arrived as one of the most feared players in all of Europe. Pele and Maradona hailed him as the biggest young talent at that time. Few disagreed. He was streets ahead of Ronaldo. He was unfortunate due to his multi talented nature. He was converted to a left winger. He has hardly regained his confidence in front of goal ever since. So always look at the bigger picture before drawing conclusions. It would have been a different story had the right team aka Barca signed him up before us.
August 25th, 2009 at 13:00
@Jay wire: “The reason the boy has failed to live up to expectations is solely Sir Alex’s fault. The serial destroyer of players’ careers” …
err easy there tiger. A tad OTT !!
August 25th, 2009 at 13:00
@Stephen: @Craig Mc: @Nafooy: Seems like Red Manchester is targetting Blues from Mersyside. Rooney is already here. There were talks about Rodwell. I think after the kinda start Everton has got David Moyes should saty away from this Blog or else he will end up with huge Heart Attack…
August 25th, 2009 at 13:03
@Onkar:
He just needs to look at his teams form to get his heart attack. Reading this blog will have him become suicidal 
August 25th, 2009 at 13:05
@Nafooy:
August 25th, 2009 at 13:06
And please don’t bash me with all the high horse “you’re not a true fan of the club trash” because I exposed a negative aspect of our beloved manager. No apologies there. Btw he happens to be the same manager who admitted to not knowing what to do with Berbatov and having no idea where he was supposed to play. The player whom Jol and Ramos knew how to use effectively could not be figured out by our manager after breaking a transfer record just to get him. You tell me
August 25th, 2009 at 13:08
The day a player like Fletcher gets hailed as the best midfielder of a team of United’s caliber, is a very sad day indeed. It is an indication, not of how good he is, but how bad our team is. So bad that in our desperation, we hail average players as mainstays. Lest we not forget that about a week ago, Fletcher and Scholes were totally inept in midfield. Now, he’s the next best thing since sliced bread?
Fletcher is a good squad player. But, that’s it. True he did not do much wrong on Saturday, but he did not do much right either. He’s just there…and that’s the problem.
I was one of the biggest Fletcher fans, even before he came on the scene, whilst nursing his injury as a 16-year old. I also fell for the “next David Beckham” PR. Sadly, he really has not improved much. He has not gone up the scale, the rest of our midfield has gone down. That is a serious problem. Even if we win titles this season, I have to say that we have the most boring, ordinary team in the league. Our best chances are to hit the ball long, from defense (or goalkeeper), over the midfield, straight to the strikers, and hope the hobbits can get underneath it. Not very inspiring really. I’m disgusted at our team’s direction.
August 25th, 2009 at 13:09
@Nafooy: BUt yeah Agreed. I still remember about couple of months back when i put in first contribution on here (seems long back though as i am regular reader for moree than a year. And started contributing from day Ronaldo left. Obviously as a reaction to that) the first three players i had metioned and no one cared damn about that were…
1. Arteta
2. Flamini
3. Cahill
I am happy that others are atleast trtying to think what i thought two months back…
But, i have to agree that Stephen always supported two of those three names…
August 25th, 2009 at 13:13
The mistake will be if Anderson leaves and we do not replace him with a solid MF player and Fergie trusts his current lot which will have no chance in Europe! Scholes – Giggs are not good enough anymore for the entire PL season and Gibson is still raw. Not so sure what Gibson can actually do with the ball other than the kicks he pounds towards the goal. Flamini would be a very good buy but probably right now, we should push for Sneijder who seems to be the best bet. We will badly need a strong MF and hope that Hargo too makes a miraculous early comeback!
August 25th, 2009 at 13:14
@Jay wire: 100% agreed on Berba thing. I mean he has almost killed berba’s career by the confusing state of the fortmation matters. I mean i can’t imagine he could score so many goals and many assists with second grade third grade teams like Leverkusen and spurs but with us he doesn’t know what to do. I mean he loks like the most talented striker in the world who can do anything with the football in his feet but to score a goal.
Credit should go to Manager and the coaching staff insn’t it???
I really fell sad when people slatt him as always like him and felt that he is one divine talent that can do worders with ball but alas….
August 25th, 2009 at 13:14
@Onkar: Genius me boy, just genius
But hey I wouldn’t mind Arteta on bit. I think he has a good eye for a killer pass. Very creative. But I have my doubts over his defending abilities.
August 25th, 2009 at 13:15
@godzilla: Such miracles don’t happen..
August 25th, 2009 at 13:15
Fellow ranteres here me out.
There was an article on this site about three years ago, comparing wayne rooney to kaka, in the sense that he could be the attacking midfielder with skill, strength, grit, a sublime pass, and a heck of a shot on him. now add these traits to phenominal work rate, i believe we have a decent box to box player. And i use the word decent with intent. very good – no! phenominal- certainly not!. he would need very good discipline( which he does not have ), incredible sense of position as well! but with time and patience who knows. Right now he is our central striker, and has 3goals in 3 games, more grease to his elbow! we leave him there, maybe now he will live up to his potential. because quite frankly since ruud van nistlerooy left (and ronaldo stepped up). he is not been anything special- good but not special. and we all know he is capable of special!
Fletch and hargo battle. i say confidently, the only thing hargreaves does better that fletch is take freekicks! my advice is forget about hargo, he is injury prone and honestly since fletch stepped up and regained confidence in himself, WE HAVE NOT MISSED HIM!
I would be pissed off if i was anderson as well! i say this time and time again, imagine playing ronaldinho as a deep lying midfielder! that is what we have done with anderson. the boy is more like a young deco, a david silva(through the middle), an iniesta! a diego, and a luca modric! final third of the pitch player. play him where hs should be and stop filling gaps fergie!
in terms of everyone craving for a sneijder, or an attacking midfielder. i ask you this, when has the middle ever been the focal point for the attack! we have always relied on wing play, what we need is a strong midfielder, not necessarily sneijder. strong players who keep the ball ticking and switch play to wingers, who in turn will do the destroying, by whipping dangerous balls, or passing infield to wazza!(who could create from the middle when necessary) and as much as i hate to say it, for that, there are few better than carrick! i think he is lazy, has no dribbling ability, his compsure is questionable, cannot score consistently from midfield, but what he can do well is keep the ball flowing. we do miss goals from central midfield, so then again maybe sneijder! ideally a younger pirlo, xabi alonso,xavi, de rossi, even aquilanni! would be great additions. but all are either too old or have no chance of coming sonce they are either commited or have jusst moved! not like fergie would bid for de rossi anyway.
so i through it to you which premier league based midfielder would be a good addition!
August 25th, 2009 at 13:17
Nafooy- How is that OTT? I can give you other examples if you want. Diego Forlan is one. He was a flop to everyone but everytime he played regularly he scored regularly but would be left on the bench after a good run for Ruud to play as a lone. Veron was never cut out for the premier league. Rubbish. He always performed when played right but was never given the time of day. You can’t play him and Scholes in the same team the same way you can’t play Riquelme and Aimar in the same team. That’s serial to me
August 25th, 2009 at 13:17
BTW thanks for the compliments i know i the one..
August 25th, 2009 at 13:24
@JAY WIRE- i agree with you 101%. that is the honest truth. it is a bitter pill to swallow for most united fans, how they expect players to blossom when they never have a run of games is mind blowing! it happened with tevez at the beginnning of last season, leading into preseason he was sharp, scoring goals, and then wazza comes back from injury and is pushed on the bench, and henceforth never got a decent run in the side!!!!! Nani is another example!, lets not even go to anderson who i must say is a GEM of footballer!
August 25th, 2009 at 13:26
@Jay wire:
Forlan … not fit to clean RVN boots.
Veron … could have never made it with PS and RK and NB available for us at their prime. He like another Argentinian named Tevez just don’t think their stature allows them to sit on the bench and be a squad player rather than playing for his own name.
But you said other examples … yes I do want other examples of how you reached the conclusion in writting “The reason the boy has failed to live up to expectations is solely Sir Alex’s fault. The serial destroyer of players’ careers”
August 25th, 2009 at 13:38
@Craig Mc: I like Fellaini too mate. He defo has potential to be something special if at the right team. Maybe bringing him on board can turn him into a world class player. Something that SAF has managed to achieve in the last 20 odd years, right Jay wire ?!
August 25th, 2009 at 13:46
and what are giggs, scholes and neville still doing starting games, i have no qualms about bringing them on but starting!
August 25th, 2009 at 13:58
rumours are floating around that anderson may be heading to barca
.I think he been inconsistent throughout the seasons he has played for us.(sorry eddy)Only shining at a few times when taking penalties and in only some games.Anderson has not even scored one goal for man utd and you expect a CAM like andy to score goals from midfield(that hasn’t happened) 
.Give his chances he should have scored.His form has not developed and has been at the same level since coming to man utd from porto.
,he was very good and his work rate has been tremedous for us in recent seasons.But I see carrick more of an attacking/central midfielder type but during most of games in which he has played he has take up a role as defending midfielder where he is not that prolific.I think fergie tells to play like that but he is better supporting attackers with his through balls.
May be it’s time that fergie learnt we need an attacking midfielder with flair and creativity from these bust-up’s with andy and carrick and may be sell andy to some club & bring one good player without wasting anytime or if fergie does waste time and buy on the final transfer day,he will again overspend on that player(which is a waste of money) 
.will fergie learn from last year’s mistake is what we are about to see in a week’s time.
I do not know what happened to carrick
any body thinking of modric coming to united(no that’s not gonna happen) http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_5512567,00.html
Fletcher has been the MAN for united which he proved last season and was surely missed in the CL final.We will see what Gibson has got this season as surely he will get more appearances and also hopefully starts.
out of topic but worth a read as how the credit crunch will effect premiership teams in this season given by equifax here
And does the transfer window close on aug 31,right? I think january window was extended a day right i do not remember why it was extended for……is any chance of transfer window extending a day or two may be???
August 25th, 2009 at 14:24
I can’t deny the criticism that Fletcher’s bottom-line offensive contributions are marginal – his goal/assist numbers do not impress. However, what impressed me most was how he set up the offense – I expected to see a ton of passes to central defenders ala Makelele, but he really did a great job of rolling the ball to Nani and Valencia’s feet.
I agree that certain players can cause formation problems – should Berbatov drop deep and build the attack or lead the line with his height and touch? Was Veron a holding midfielder or an attacking mid? Was Carlos Tevez a Brutus or a Judas Asceriot?
August 25th, 2009 at 14:40
Nafooy- Not really sure where to start. Forlan is a good striker. I never suggested he was better than the greatest striker ever. But why bench him and play the other as a lone. Playing them both would have done justice to him and would obviously result in a greater return of goals. He has proved ever since he left us. Scoring for fun for Villareal of all teams. To compare Veron to Nicky Butt is obscenely absurd. He did not play the same role as Roy. What I meant was him and Scholes shouldn’t have been played together because both are playmakers who play very centrally so he was usually played as a holding player to accomodate Paul. So he failed because that was not him. For them to work successfully you’d have to apply a 433 not the 451 Ferguson was playing. So is it not correct then to say Ferguson was responsible for that. All these myths about Latin players not being cut out for England only apply to United. If a literally lightweight player like Robinho can be a success at a team like Man freakin City it shows that other teams know how to use them. IN THEIR NATURAL POSITIONS.
August 25th, 2009 at 14:51
Fletcher is not amazing but the truth is there are very few defensive midfielders better than him in the world. Even Wenger commented that every manager he’s spoken to is looking for a defensive midfielder but there are none available. Off the top of my head only Essien, De Rossi, Toure, Mascherona, Hargreaves (if ever fit) and a few others are better than him. So basically the only players better than him are totally unavailable so it is difficult to improve that position.
Fletcher is a bit like Nicky Butt in his prime. Really good at what he does but underrated.
However there are an abundance of good creative midfielders who would improve on Carrick or Anderson or a fading Scholes and Giggs. And that is where I think we should be focusing our attention.
With £80 million to spend I also think we should be looking for some added cover in the defensive midfield position. Gibson, Anderson both have attacking instincts and Carrick has shown time and time again that when he comes up against a good player they will drift past him. He is Pirlo light but we don’t need that sort of player anymore because we are less of a counter attacking team now we don’t have Ronaldo.
You get a good attacking midfielder to play next to Fletcher who can offer goals, creativity and a great passing range and Fletcher can be left to do the dirty work: win the ball and pass it on.
August 25th, 2009 at 14:52
Muppet of the year award goes to me!!
I was at the game on Saturday and my mate said “Do you fancy Arsenal away next week?”
I replied “we are at home aren’t we?” Having a program ect clenched in my hand.
He said “Don’t be stupid we are away”
I retorted “Ok mate sort it out, as I am well up for that one.”
Then I informed my other half, via the medium of text that a weekend in the big smoke is in order and she booked a hotel straight away.
As you are now all aware we are at home, I am in London spending the Bank holiday weekend with the Mrs, missing the before said game, thought I would give you all a laugh at my expense.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:00
@Stephen: Ooops… I sure am laughing mate
Lesson: always check before you check in!
August 25th, 2009 at 15:04
@Nafooy: I am such a mug, can’t get out of it as I have given my credit card details over for the hotel and more importantly the Mrs wants to buy a wedding dress.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:05
@Stephen:
August 25th, 2009 at 15:08
@Nafooy:
That’s just plain old cruel mate … But hey, if all is at the expense of Man Utd thrashing the Arse … then you won’t have a problem now, will you?
August 25th, 2009 at 15:11
It saddens me, but I hope the Anderson rumours are true. I wish him to move on, just like Tevez. He is my most favourite player and it hurts me to see how he is being utilised. It’s true that SAF is responsible for his decline. I can think of many oher players to whom the same happened.
I believe Anderon will flourish in a team where his shackles will be removed. He is currently being deployed as deep mid because, let’s face it, unfortunately, he is the better defender of all our midfielders. Fergie believes that Scholes can do the attacking because he is useless at defending. We need a Roy Keane, but our beloved manager is too stubbourn to admit that we have serious issues in midfield. I am afraid to admit this, but Anderson will NEVER develop under Fergie’s guidance. Not because he is not good enough, because he is.
What is also noteworthy is the fact that I predicted that with Ronaldo and Tevez moving on, Nani and Anderson will be next. If rumours are to be believed (where there’s a spark, there’s a fire), then it seems like my feeling is becomming true. I seriously doubt it will be long before they leave. While many might think that it in itself is not a great loss, the implications it can have on the failure rate of latino’s at our club will be a concern for future prospects. Kun Ageurro anyone???
Also, what crap is this about Rafeal getting a contract because he has proven himself and Fabio only getting one after he has proven himself after a few games? What confidence does that show in the youngsters? IF Nani and Anderson leave, it won’t be long before they too pack up. Our insistence with Neville (as our captain) is really not helping matters.
Now, enough of the gloom and doom. I actually hate feeling like this. I will again take a couple of days absence from the site (you know, to balance out my negative with the positive on the site).
August 25th, 2009 at 15:12
@Nafooy:
August 25th, 2009 at 15:17
@Stephen: So, while we’re watching the game, you’ll be choosing a wedding dress?
Enjoy.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:22
@Karl: It is easy to blame the manager but sometimes the players have to take responsibility also, Fergie’s record in bringing through young players with good attitudes is very good.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:22
@Karl: Yes Karl, oh great.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:30
@Stephen: Nah, the manager should take full responsibility. If a player is not good enough, he should not be there. That is what the reserves are there for. Hell, even loaning a plyer out might help. The manager should take total and complete responsibility.
In this instance, the manager is defo to be blamed.
Fergie has a record in bringing young players through, but also one of totally messing up careers. No one ever focus on that. He is a great manager, but far from perfect. He has his faults. Guiding young players is not exactly one of them, even though there are exceptions like Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Ronaldo (to an extent). Compare his sucesses with the failures and we can see a not so rosy picture. One recent example…Wayne Rooney.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:31
@Stephen: What I can’t really undestand is that they’re so eager to show you the dress, but at the same time telling you that you should not see them in the dress before the time. Perhaps you can try that angle to get out of it?
August 25th, 2009 at 15:34
@Karl: Mmmmmmm you could be onto something there, the intial idea was that I would be at the game and she would shop, hence me not seeing the dress maybe I will be able to watch the game in a Pub at least.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:34
@Stephen: Mate you can ASK the hotel to transfer the booking to the date that United actually do travel AWAY to Arsenal, they will do that for you. 2ndly, your Missus can shop in Manchester and Trafford Centre for her wedding dress – surely.
.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:37
@Karl: I am not sure mate, who’s careers has he ruined?
I do think Anderson doe shave to look at himself, when he has played bar in the first six months recently he has been poor, I will say i would love him to be a success and this is without prejudice but feel his attitude is wrong sometimes, against Burnley he seemed not imterested.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:37
@Craig Mc: I thought you would enjoy that one!!
August 25th, 2009 at 15:39
@Karl: You can only GUIDE those who want to be so guided mate! Ronaldo made it BECAUSE he knuckled down, spent hours himself doing extra training and BELIEVED SAF when he told him he could become the best in the world IF he applied himself. Nani could have gone with Ronnie in the summer, because Barca and Inter Milan wanted him. He chose to stay and seek to make it at UNited. He is getting his opportunity now. But I agree that young players need a run of games, trouble is we have TOO many young players, and Andi has let himself down last season, when he rather than Nani did get games
.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:41
fletcher might not be a good man marker for obvious reasons, but the guy is just fantastic when it comes to zonal marking and move spoiling. that’s the bit we missed against Barca last year in the finals.
one mate of mine who happens to be an arse fan, calls him Zidane Fletcher, he’s got that fantastic outside of the boot pass, that when you see him pass that ball, u stop thinking for a second and ask yourself, am i seeing Darren?
the sky is the limit for the guy, let’s pray he doesnt get clobbered one day and he sustains a fuckin niggling injury.
August 25th, 2009 at 15:56
@Craig Mc: She spends too much time and money in that feckin place already!
August 25th, 2009 at 15:58
@Karl: Rooney is not a failure mate, neither was Ronaldo matey.
August 25th, 2009 at 16:30
@Stephen: Bro I really hope for your sakes your Mrs doesn’t read your feelings on this rather STICKY moment
August 25th, 2009 at 16:37
@Nafooy: Lets hope for my knackers sake she doesn’t!
August 25th, 2009 at 16:54
@Stephen:
that’s the cost of the love of a good woman Stephen mi man!
August 25th, 2009 at 16:56
This thing is NOT letting me post – WHY
August 25th, 2009 at 16:58
So who’s outrageously happy that Liverpool crashed yesterday… hmmm ME!!
It’s just so damn good a feeling when they loose, but loosing like that at home just makes it sweet.
Honestly though, I really feel they’re going to miss Xavi more than we CR. I can see Valencia producing say maybe 40% to 45% of what Chris used to offer on the WING. Maybe and just maybe if he were to get more adventurous and start taking shots on goal, then this rate would increase by another 5%. So in total close to 50% of what CR is capable of. I’ll take that for his first season with us, in addition to his crosses to the box.
On the other hand, I can’t see anyone else replacing Xavi at Liverpool, especially after yesterdays woeful performance and long may that continue!
August 25th, 2009 at 17:13
Craig, your comments are not going through because in the comment form under name instead of Craig mc youve got “Craig mc (there is a stray ” at the start of your name which the system doesn’t like.
) Sort it out mate.
August 25th, 2009 at 17:48
Jay Jay – good call on the zonal marking and the famous outsole pass. Fletch may not have the first step to run stride for stride, but he always seems to be in a good spot before the final pass is played
August 25th, 2009 at 18:06
Red Ranter – thankyou. Don’t know how that happened – SORRY
.
August 25th, 2009 at 18:11
@Nafooy: Mate Valencia cannot DRIBBLE at all! He can only beat a man by speed – and when the defender has as much speed as him, he is DONE! So no, a Ronnie he will never be
.
August 25th, 2009 at 18:28
@Craig Mc: I was never implying that he would ever be CR. Hell he’s a-once-in-a-life-time-kinda-guy!
All I was saying was the fact that Tony can at least produce 45% – 50% of Ronnie’s production. Which is in my opinion fair considering he lacks many attributes in which CR excels at, day in day out.
As well as to the state of affairs btw us and Liverpool in that we are I think a more able outfit than them considering both the losses of CR and Alonso.
August 25th, 2009 at 18:41
@Stephen: I’m not sure about Modric either because frankly, his size and ability to handle physical play does not impress me but i look at our central midfield right now and say, Hell, I’ll try anything. Fletcher and Hargreaves (if he returns) need a play maker and a finesse style midfielder to compliment their own abilities and contributions. It’s all about balance and it would make our midfield hum along with our two wingers.
I also must say that if the rumors of Anderson’s bustup with Fergie are to be believed, I am truly overjoyed. Reading that the coaching staff have come to the realization that the Grognard had come to a long time ago is music to my ears. Now package him up with Carrick or some money and go out and buy Sneijder before it’s too late or go out and get Modric or Hernanes or Diego Maradona for all I care. Just get me a midfielder with skill and flair. As for Anderson……What took them so long? Yet again another valuation that was correct by the Grognard and yes he will stand and gloat at his expertise yet once again. There is no doubt about it, I am the Brian Clough of supporters. Simply too good to be true and difficult to stomach.
August 25th, 2009 at 18:42
@Ben: I think all of Scholes passes were back passes too.
August 25th, 2009 at 18:48
@Stephen: I so agree with you mate. It’s what I have been saying for months now. We have no money therefore, Fergie cannot go out and buy the players he needs. I’d like to say I am wrong but seriously, would Fergie from five years ago cast two central midfielders in the eternal doghouse and not seriously go out looking for a replacement or two? Of course he would have. The fact he doesn’t, tells me as well that his hands are tied due to the Glazer’s and for me this is incredibly upsetting because I for the life of me do not understand why he stands for it and why he hasn’t quit over such matters? If I had spent 20 years with a club and accomplished all that, I would not take quietly the tight budget I was being handed, especially after the sale of Ronaldo. He has become a corporate lackey and for that I am incredibly upset and disappointed in him. For me to forgive him he needs to show me the money and then spend it on a quality midfielder, not 3 million on another kid.
August 25th, 2009 at 18:51
@Stephen: He’s not just dumb as nails he is rather uncoordinated and awkward and really lacks the skill that’s necessary or the skill he was billed to have possessed. He is a massive scouting error.
August 25th, 2009 at 18:56
@DRed: Despite the fact we need a central midfielder badly, one other thing we need yet we have no other openings it seems to throw him in the lineup is a true take charge leader. This club is in desperate need of a leader. A player who is loud, motivates, intimidates and is not afraid to get in his teammates faces or the opponent’s. I also am looking for the man who has the courage and who looks forward to stepping up and wanting to take the penalties for this club. Up to now everyone seems rather timid and intimidated by the task and when you see your top strikers turn away and hide when the moment arises, I find that very very disturbing.
August 25th, 2009 at 19:01
@Nafooy: He has destroyed careers. But he has also made ten times more careers than he has destroyed. As far as I’m concerned his nurturing care and mentoring is what made Ronaldo the player he is today. Remember, when he was bought he was considered a lower version of Quaresma. Now look at him. Under most other managers I do not believe Ronaldo would have reached such limits. Many may disagree but I think and truly believe Fergie made Ronaldo.
August 25th, 2009 at 19:06
@one united: Robson wasn’t important in our attack? Keane and Ince weren’t important in our attack? Scholes was not in important in our attack? I beg to differ. Yes under Ronaldo we became a wing oriented team but up to three or four years ago we could always rely on a major influence of attack coming from our central midfielders. Not just as passers and play makers but in Scholes case, goal scorers. We need that extra dimension in our game as it also frees up our wingers more when defenses also have to respect our our central midfielder’s ability to move up and attack.
August 25th, 2009 at 19:17
@Karl: I wouldn’t attribute Anderson’s bustup to anything to do with Ronaldo leaving. Up until the season started Anderson looked like a very happy camper. I think it’s his overall poor play at Burnley and his being snubbed the next game completely that was the final straw for him because despite the fact he has shown sweet fuck all for us, he believes he is good enough to start. So it was eventual that the shit would hit the fan. As for Nani, I think the lad’s maturity and patience has been impressive to say the least. All last season he was in the doghouse and rather than sulk and demand a move, he shut up and worked on his game and waited for his turn to show what he had. And although he still has improvements to make he has shown improved decision making ability and has scored and set up a number of goals already. Unless we buy a Robben and send him to the bench again for an eternity, I really do not see him wanting to move. I think he really wants to be this team’s next Ronaldo and if that means he goes at it with fewer Portuguese speaking friends, then so be it. I never have had a doubt about Nani improving. I also never had a doubt Anderson would never improve.
August 25th, 2009 at 19:31
@Grognard: I agree with all the points you posted, matey.
August 25th, 2009 at 19:44
@Grognard: Too be fair you have been saying we have no money every transfer window.
August 25th, 2009 at 19:47
@Johnsom33: I do believe this time with the current climate and with the debt the purse srings have been drawn, he have almost spend £20m this summer our usual budget or there abouts.
August 25th, 2009 at 19:52
If the rumours are true, then I for one love andersons attitude. I hate how ferhie rotates constantly and he needs to get his first XI sorted. Anderson feels he is good enough to start, so he tells fergie. Judging from his playing time fergie clearly disagrees. So sell him, not all players are made to be squad players. It’s not personal it’s business plain and simple.
Tevez wasn’t happy with being a squad player so fergie moved him on, the only problem was that tevez took it personal. I wish more players stood up to fergie and told him to either play them or sell them, cause I’m getting tired of our “Jack of all trades – master of none” squad.
August 25th, 2009 at 19:59
@Johnsom33: Er why? Personally players should want and be honored to play for our great club and when they play they should prove themselves, if not then cheerio Anderson for the past 18 months has been poor.
August 25th, 2009 at 20:16
@Grognard: I think he has a cosy “you don’t fuck with me, I won’t fuck with you” agreement with the Glaziers.
He can pretty do what he wants with regards to the running the side, with Gill and he doesn’t cause them any problems.
Also he is so close to “knocking Liverpool off their perch” that it has become an obession with him, hence the more win at all costs tactics that he doesn’t want to upset the apple cart, also he is on a decent golden handshake at the end of his tenure I would imagine.
August 25th, 2009 at 20:19
Take Lucas and send him to the reserves…
otherwise pools will finish in the bottom half….
He is the worst player i have ever seen in the top four squad….
August 25th, 2009 at 20:24
@Stephen: As lofty as that might sound to you and me, most players don’t think of it as honour. That’s how it is with the modern footballers. They don’t think like fans. It’s their careers, and I don’t begrudge them their perspective. It’s only a problem for me if players start whining incessantly like Tevez did.
August 25th, 2009 at 20:31
@Red Ranter: I agree with that, the issue for me with Anderson is that he hasn’t performed, people say he needs to play as an attacking midfielder but he can’t hit a cows arse with a banjo, so whats the point?
With Tevez he only peformed when he came off the bench, bar league cup, he was genuinely woeful when he started, some players have an over inflated opinion of their ability.
August 25th, 2009 at 20:31
Few days before only,Fergie told that this is a great squad….
now he is fed up with Carrick and Andy ( if rumours r true)
then how within few days only,his great squad has changed
August 25th, 2009 at 20:33
@owen: These are only rumours, not fact.
August 25th, 2009 at 20:40
@ Stephen : all the sources are reporting…so there must be some truth…
if smoke is there,then there must be little bit of fire….
August 25th, 2009 at 20:44
@owen: Maybe, but falling out with a player bro and not rating them are two different things.
August 25th, 2009 at 20:54
@owen: Since when did a United fan give L’poo tips
. I hope they continue to play Lucas 
.
August 25th, 2009 at 20:55
@Stephen: A cows arse with a banjo
.
August 25th, 2009 at 20:58
@Johnsom33:
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:02
@Craig Mc: My thoughts exactly, some people support players rather than the club sometimes which is odd to say the least, obviously Anderson and Tevez have done more for United than Fergie.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:02
@Grognard: Grog – you little fecker
. Robben will NEVER dispossess Lil man – cos he is too feckin injury prone – and you above all people know that – I know you do 
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:03
Anyway Grog, I will wager Nani ability against Robben anytime
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:04
@Stephen: Exactly my point, if a player doesn’t like his status with the squad he should be shipped. Anderson knows he needs to ne playing every week, and if he isn’t good enough to start at United then he should leave.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:05
@Stephen: We’re Mancs Stephen mi man, we’re bound to agree, being we are so much more intelligent where our beloved Man Utd are concerned
. Viva Le Mancs 
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:06
@Craig Mc: A worded response would be appreciated
August 25th, 2009 at 21:06
@Johnsom33: AMEN AND AMEN
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:07
@Johnsom33: See my next post then!
August 25th, 2009 at 21:07
@Craig Mc:
August 25th, 2009 at 21:12
@Grognard: You are so right Grog
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:13
@Johnsom33: I agree if that is genuinely what you mean, if he wants to play for a big club then he has to accept the fact that he will have to perform to get a run in the side, but also understand he will be rotated.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:16
@Stephen: Much like your Glazers running off with all the transfer money statement.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:20
Stephen mi man, I am in the mighty doghouse
. I want to call my impending daughter Kimberley, the Missus has blown a gasket! What is wrong with the name Kimberley – its a beaut 
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:22
@Traverse: Not rumour pal just my opinion and most managers would spend money if were available to him thats logic.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:22
@Traverse: Touche Trav, Touche. I am sure Stephen will appreciate that comment
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:23
@Craig Mc: Kimberley Mc does have a nice ring about it I must say!!
August 25th, 2009 at 21:23
Ah tell me we’re not going buy Arjen fuckin Robben
… after all the ones we have had, the last thing we need is a glass-man winger.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:24
Anyone watching the Athletico game. Aguero’s goal was amazing, just bulldozed past the defence and a nice finish.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:27
And if Anderson cannot stand it that in a squad like ours he will be rotated and above all that he shit last season.. he can fuck off (nothing personal, just business
).
He wants to go to Barca?? Yea right!! Who does he think will be benched to accommodate himself?? Xavi ? or Iniesta??
August 25th, 2009 at 21:28
@Craig Mc: I thought you’d be calling her Luisa, no?
August 25th, 2009 at 21:31
@Stephen: Yeah Bro IF Mc was my surname initials it would be fantastic. The MC in my sig name stands for Manchester Champions
. You know what Kimberley represents without me telling you mate – unfortunately, so does the girlfriend 
. Some people can;t seperate fantasy from reality 
. WOULD I – Stephen mi man, would you? 
August 25th, 2009 at 21:34
@Cyclops-Red: Luisa – what one earth made you think that? I LOVE Kimberley Walsh, the Lush puppy of Girls Aloud – you understand now right? But it is just fantasy mate – fantasy. You tell me a guy who doesn’t have a fantasy, yet that is what it is. Unreal, he still adores his Missus
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:35
And about Fergie having ruined so many careers by playing promising young players out of position
.. yea right 
!!
Surely now it is impossible to fathom that the player in question might not have the dexterity and devotion necessary to actually fulfil the prophecy and become the “new Ronaldinho”, isn’t it??
August 25th, 2009 at 21:36
@Craig Mc: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm what do you think Bro!!
August 25th, 2009 at 21:38
@Craig Mc: I would love to be the meat in a Kimberley and Nadine sandwich, I must say.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:40
@Craig Mc: Yeah, but you also love Luis Almeida da Cunha.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:42
Wow here we go. According to the latest – Anderson has been spilling his guts to the daily mail. He admits that he had a problem with being left out of the community shield game. He said he believed when Rinnie left, he would be given more opportunity. He said that SAF has challenged him to prove himself, by applying himself to focusing on his performances for the team. He insists in no way does he want to leave Man United, and he intends to FIGHT FOR HIS PLACE in the team. Well good Andi, because everyone should fight to be in the United team, rather than feel he has a divine right!
August 25th, 2009 at 21:44
@Stephen:
, I would just take the plain Kimberley sandwich, with no Nadine relish, I love tghe lush puppy. But the GF takes it too serious – well may my gob be shut 
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:45
@Cyclops-Red: Please explain to me what you are on about Mate
.
August 25th, 2009 at 21:46
@Craig Mc: NANI
August 25th, 2009 at 22:03
@Cyclops-Red:
, get out of here Cyclops!
August 25th, 2009 at 22:27
@Johnsom33: Yes I have. I’m not counting the 20 or 30 million we are allotted every year. I am talking serious money. Money to buy an Aguero or a Villa. That kind of money we are not getting from the Glazers. And as for this year, we have already spent our transfer allotment for the year so there is no more real cash to do anything substantial. I honestly believe that because I do not trust Fergie to tell us the truth and I do not trust the Glazer’s as far as I can throw them.
August 25th, 2009 at 22:30
Sounds like another South American is crying to the press for playing time. At much as O’Shea and Fletcher do not excite the imagination, at least neither has gone complaining the newspapers
August 25th, 2009 at 22:32
@Johnsom33: You agree with Anderson. So what you are saying is that Anderson should be playing despite the fact that he is a worthless back of shite? I disagree with Fergie a lot but not today I don’t. The season in English football and especially for the top teams is very long and rotating is vital to a team’s success and successful longevity. Ask Martin O’Neill what happens when you don’t rotate?
August 25th, 2009 at 22:40
@Stephen: Yes but how can one say that if the Glazer’s do not give him the funds to buy the players he wants. How is that leaving him to to whatever he wants? I mean i sort of agree with you but if I was him and had my hands tied behind my back after i was just forced to sell a player for 80 million, I’d be demanding that the money goes back into player development. That’s what I don’t get.
August 25th, 2009 at 22:43
@Elliott: Mmmmm you got that right mate
August 25th, 2009 at 22:48
@Craig Mc: I think we should sell him to city for £30m.
They’ll surely pay that much.
August 25th, 2009 at 22:49
Weird how people forget that Anderson was not the only midfielder who played against Burnley who totally vanished against Wigan…
Midfield against Burnley:
Park Carrick Giggs Anderson
Midfield against Wigan:
Valencia Fletcher Scholes Nani
Neither Giggs, Carrick, Andy or Park were on the bench, so I see no need to panic. Just squad rotation, Fergies work at its best!
August 25th, 2009 at 22:50
@Red Ranter:
That hurt mate, that hurt…
August 25th, 2009 at 22:51
@Red Ranter:
.
August 25th, 2009 at 23:09
@owen: No, I’d reserve that for Anderson.
August 25th, 2009 at 23:14
@Craig Mc: Robben when healthy is a hell of player. That said, I’d always pick Nani over him. I just don’t welcome that kind of competition. We don’t need Robben. We need a central midfielder. I want Nani to be a permanent fixture in the starting eleven because I think he along with Valencia are a good mix of crossing and shooting.
August 25th, 2009 at 23:16
@Rahul: Does this mean if Rooney starts getting rotated and he does not like it, he can fuck off too? We are a big club you know?
August 25th, 2009 at 23:17
@Craig Mc: Is her middle name going to be Walsh?
August 25th, 2009 at 23:30
Well I’ve read the quotes now, and I’m fine with it:
‘I believed that I would play in the Community Shield but that is forgotten now.
‘I thought that, without Cristiano Ronaldo around, I could to play more and that has been my challenge from pre-season onwards. But the coach decides the teams and to discuss this with him is foolish because he is the chief. I do not want to leave United. No.
‘Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a bigger effort from me and I accept that. Because to get in to this United team is very complicated and difficult for any player.’
If he understands that and intends to fight for his place, then good on him.
August 25th, 2009 at 23:34
Why are everyone falling for this rotation crap? (Just ask Liverpool fans what they think of rotation?)
This was just a stupid excuse that Fergie came up with during our poor CL semi league performance against AC Milan. We rotated last season, rested (and sacrificed an FA Cup) and still had just as bad a performance against Barca in the final (oh yea I forgot, it’s because Fletcher wasn’t playing).
Why do some people get rotated, and others not. If you rotate, you rotate everybody. You don’t rotate someone and then push the rotatee onto the wing just to make space for him? If you rotate, then surely Vidic, Rio, Evra, Rooney should also be rotated? Doesn’t make sense.
Fact is, some people are favoured more than others (perhaps justifyably so), but is that not what builds youngsters? Showing confidence in them? Playing them in their most natural positions? Ronaldo, up until 3 or so seasons ago was seen as a ‘one-trick-pony’. Many wanted him gone. But, Fergie showed the necessary confidence in him.
Craig Mc, in respnse to your statement about getting Ronaldo to believe he can be the best… Maybe you’re right, Maybe Anderson don’t want to be the best deep-lying CDM in the world?
I’m pretty sure though that he believes, just like I do, that he can become the best midfielder / player in the world.
On the “Fergie has built more youngsters than not”. How many youngsters have he really built? Please name them?
In my previous statement, I don’t mean that Rooney or Ronaldo are failures as such. Ronaldo (still young) don’t want to play for United. End of. That’s what I meant by him. Rooney on the other hand, have never lived up to expectations. It is not natural for a player of Rooney’s natural abilities to be over-shadowed as effectively by a player like Ronaldo. Yet it happened. Rooney was, and is up till date, never been utilised properly. The promise he has shown, he should have been a Pele already. Fergie’s trying his best with Rooney, but because of his other ‘obsessions’ or priorities, he seems to fuck it up somewhat. I get the feeling that Rooney would have been today a much better player had he stayed at Everton.
August 25th, 2009 at 23:42
@Karl: There are merits to rotation if done rightly. Ferguson got it spot on in 07/08 and to a lesser extent in 08/09. Rafa Benitez, until last season, practiced rotation for the sake of rotation.
Rotating sides is absolutely valuable in modern football when you ‘re in contention for multiple honours. But of course, it does not mean you do it just because you think you want to. It is also crucial in man management, which SAF is a master at.
August 25th, 2009 at 23:52
@Karl: Rooney is still only 23 and in my view hasn’t under-achieved. He is improving all the time eg look at his heading ability. Not many strikers have scored 100 goals at the highest level by the age of 23. He is nowhere near his peak yet and I expect his next 100 goals to come in fewer games. If you compare his record with,for example, Drogba (a player at the peak of his career)over the last 5 years then he has scored a similar amount of goals in slightly more games. The best will come from Rooney.
August 25th, 2009 at 23:52
@Red Ranter: My take on rotation is that it should happen to prevent burnout of players. By constantly playing Rooney, and in different positions I might add, does that not go against the grain of rotation? I personally believe, choose your best 11 and rest them at times. Also, the season has just started, is this not the ideal time to choose a best 11? Why do the team need rotation now?
Our defeats against Milan and Barca had nothing to do with rotation or burnout. That was just an excuse. The problem was 2-fold. 1st, Fergie shows too much respect to certain opponents. 2nd, tactics. We were absolutely clue-less. I am still aksing the question today, who the hell gave the players the right to give up and lay down after 10 minutes into the final?
I don’t buy into this rotation policy. (If we won against Milan, it would not even have been an option for Fergie).
I know that hostorically Fergie has been the best at man-management. But, lately, I am beginning to doubt that. It seems like he can man-manage well, if the players obey him completely. He did not seem to do too well with Ronaldo last season? And Keane, Beckham, Stam, Ruud, etc.
August 25th, 2009 at 23:54
@Cyclops-Red: I agree that Rooney has not done bad at all. My point is that he should have done much better. Drogba does not have half his ‘natural’ abilities.
August 26th, 2009 at 0:09
@Stephen: Luckily for us, Fergie is not most managers. Anyone who thinks that Fergie is letting the Glazers push him around or dictate team affairs to him is at the least foolish, and at the most stupid.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:01
@Grognard: “So what you are saying is that Anderson should be playing despite the fact that he is a worthless back of shite?”
No, thats not what Im saying. I will say this one more time. Anderson thinks he is good enough to start. Fergie thinks otherwise,hence the lack of playing time for Anderson. So, Anderson says “start me or sell me.”
Its a very simple concept in building a team. The manager has all the cards and he plays whoever, wherever he sees fit. If the Player doesnt like it, then its time for that player to move on. In this situation, Anderson doesnt like it, and its time to move on and replace him with someone who will like it.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:12
@Red Ranter: Im with Karl on this one, Rotation should be used to prevent burnout(see under Aston Villa). In my eyes during the past 3 title seasons, United never really hit their peak potential. Sure we would show flashes of what we can do, but never consistently.
The fact that from game to game we have no idea who is gonna start, shows how much he rotates. The only people who dont get rotated when fit were (Ronaldo, Rooney, Vidic, Rio, Evra and VDS) as you can see no one in our midfield was a constant.
Xavi and Iniesta are never rotated, Lampard and essien, Even Rafa the rotator didnt mess with Xabi and Mascherano.
The problem fergie has is that instead of having two great midfielders to call upon he has 5 Mediocre to average midfielders to choose from. So we never have a settled midfield pairing, and so they never really fully develop that great partnership.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:59
Eden Hazard?
But why Obertan, Tosic, Ljajic then?
And not even counting first team players like Nani, Valencia and Park…
And why the obsession about wingers when everybody knows that centre of midfield is our achille’s heel.
But still, right now Hazard is touted to be the next big talent out of france, the natural superior technique is there to see and I’d liken him to a Robben…
August 26th, 2009 at 2:07
@johnsom33: Of course a great partnership would have involve good-to-great players in the first place!
I think SAF “rotates” based on who is best suited for the team we play, and who is fit. You also have to figure in that we have 2 MF’ers who are getting toward the end of their careers and so you, naturally, cannot play them every game either.
Rotation as team policy, is a luxury afforded teams with large talented squads. But for us, with our under-performing CM, it becomes more of a patchwork – piecing together an almost makeshift unit to suit that particular games purpose.
If we had 5 or 6 good-to-great CM’ers all vying for starting spots, a thoughtful rotation of these players would benefit the team and the individuals themselves – protecting both from potential injury and burn-out!
August 26th, 2009 at 2:39
@NicoQB: Yeah doesn’t make sense to me either. Clearly had we bought and developed young CM’ers in this same vain, we wouldn’t be faced with our crisis there now!
To hazard a guess, I would say the buying and selling of wingers could be a lucrative market.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:12
@Karl: Drogba is bigger than Rooney!!
August 26th, 2009 at 3:44
@Redrich: I agree. To compare him to Rafa is wrong because Fergie rotates with moderation. Rafa used rotate 9 out of 11 guys every game. Fergie will move two to three guys, maybe around every so often. The season long and you got to keep players fresh especially for the knockout stages of the Champions League late in the season.
August 26th, 2009 at 5:04
I think last year’s SAF’s rotations allowed United to compete on five fronts at once – which was very impressive. However, it also glosses over the decline of Scholes and the failure of our younger midfielders to truly step up to the plate. Then again, a player like Scholes truly comes along once in a a generation – so its a very high bar
August 26th, 2009 at 6:31
@Elliott: Aah, but it’s that high bar that United is all about.
We talk constantly about losing great players in our stride – almost as if they had served, and then moved on. A loss, but only a moment in history, because we always have someone else to fill the shoes.
The individuality of a Scholes can only be measured against the genius of a Cantona, or the supreme talent of George Best is usurped by the undeniable swagger of Ronaldo.
In relative terms, United have always has put untouchable talent on the pitch, be it Goalie or Center Forward.
And in relative terms, I would have to say that United are a tad lacking right now, and that, in relative terms, un-nerves me!!
August 26th, 2009 at 7:39
Hi guys,We have a national census currently going on so most of us have an indefinite public holiday
Most of us are spending the vacation drinking and well talking football and more drinking, but all the pubs have to be locked by 8 so everyone can go home and get counted 
.
Personally I think rotation sucks, if we have a first 11, then they should all play and play most games. They should only get rested after three or four games to avoid burn out. But they should always be played in the big games if fit. The view that united is a rotating team is way off mark, Our back four are never rotated if there all fit, and rooney and ron started whenever they were fit, our midfield is the only area where rotation can be said to be applying, and in my opinion its because we have mediocre players in the middle, except for fletcher who is an unsung hero at united. He gets the job done without much flair. But even fletcher gets rotated, I think fergie is trying all of his options and waiting to see if any player steps up and puts a performance worthy of an undisputed start, but none of the current crop of midfielders is doing it and the guy leading the race, Fletcher is deployed more on a defensive role.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:15
BULL SHIT!.. The amount of spite thrown at anderson is DISGUSTING.. He is the best footballing brain on this planet.. I hope these hapless induhviduals wake up and smell the coffee rather than throwing uncouth remarks his way
.. I’m a huge Sneijder fan.. And i get pissed when people call him Schneider on this blog (There is a different german bloke as grog would tell you).. But my point is Sneijder is not fit to lace Anderson’s boots.. Sneijder is a smart footballer who oozes class.. But anderson is Pure footballing genius.. Mark my words, The day will come when you shall bow before his BRILLIANCE..
August 26th, 2009 at 11:17
@spizzy: I think rotation has it’s place. February onwards, when legs will start to tire. Maybe even December when we have a match every other day for 2 weeks. Other that that we have to pick a team and stick with it.
The evidence is there that this works.
Rio and Vida are the best partnership in the world, and they play every possibly game together. Rooney and Berbatov have started clicking now they are playing up front together regularly. Nani and Evra down the left look formidable going forward, and our best ever partnership down the right was Nev and Becks, who played every game together.
How many games did our midfield read Beckham Keane Scholes Giggs? As many as bloody possible. We don’t need more superstars, we need more understanding.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:23
If todays papers are to be believed, we have been offered Robben at £15mil and offered £11mil and Fabio Coentrao from Benfica (watching him for a long time, Chelsea sniffing around). I’d rather we got the other Benfica player who is a Chelsea target, Angel Di Maria. I watched him tear teams apart at the Olympics and knew he would become special.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:47
@Merlinus: That may well be the case Merlinus, but he has yet to show it CONSISTENTLY on the pitch for United.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:49
@Traverse: Fabio Coentrao Trav, what position does he play mate?
August 26th, 2009 at 11:52
I have a lousy memory, so could any one of you who doesn’t tell me how often Fletch and Anderson have played together in MF? Thank you
.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:12
@Red Ranter: Am sorry but all you who think fergies rotation is better than or more purposeful than rafas are being selectively blind.Rotation is good if you have a first eleven,and fergie doesnt have one.All good sides are based on stability,and to freshen your squad,thats when you rotate.@Karl: You have been very consistent the way you put foward your point.
The problem with Nani,Anderson,Veron,Berbatov,Tevez,Forlan…..,is not that they do not put in effort.Its just that the way fergie works with his team,he makes everyone perform roles and does not like a player expressing himself the only exception being Ronaldo because whether we like it or not no one could put him down he just enjoyed what he did and is simply the best player and most skilful in the world.
This tells me that whichever player we bring whether Aguero or zidane,he will always be instructed to perform a duty and in many peoples eyes he will be a flop.Fergies system is efficient,but then if you win everyone has done his job.YOU CANT HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.
This theory we have that fergie brings through young players also needs to be double checked. since the class of 92 you can hardly sustain an arguement with that assertion
August 26th, 2009 at 12:40
@Craig Mc: Left wing. Think its the same deal as Diouf.. We’re going to be forced to act cause Chelsea are sniffing about.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:43
Coentrao is a genuine left winger. It does seem like a strange signing as we already have Nani and Tosic.
Im warming to the idea of Robben. If he is fully fit and on form he is one of the best wingers in the world. He is also still fairly young. If we can keep him fit and that is a bit if then he could really give us that extra penetration we’ve been lacking since Ronaldo left.
We could even use him as an impact sub to terrorise tiring defences.
For £10-15 million it seems a reasonable gamble. Anything more and it is a waste of money.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:48
@Traverse: Left Wing??? So why is SAF supposedly bidding for Robben – also LW? Maybe he want two LW Robben and Coentrao and then Nani and Valencia for RW. Nani is a right sider really, and that is why he obviously has to keep coming back on himself, inside to get ball on right foot
. What will happen to Tosic and Park then???? It’s bloody MF’s we ought to be buying 
.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:53
@colver: Absolutely agreed… I don’t know why some people are saying that he will be a competition to NANI. As if my memory serves me right he used to play on the right side for Chelsea in there 4-3-3 formation bit like MESSI (not comparing players just comparing the playing position and the formation). So he has shown that he more than capable to fill in right wing as well. Imagine Robben and NANI on the two wings together. It would be awesome. And if we have him injured for few games we have Tony as a more than capable cover.
Yeah… and if we get him for 10-15 mn then it would be awesome. I am all for it….
August 26th, 2009 at 13:09
Onkar glad you agree. Robben and Nani could swap wings the way Giggs and Ronaldo used to. No disrespect to Valencia but I think he is a good Premiership player nothing more and doesn’t have the goal threat that Nani and Robben have.
I can imagine in Europe a 4-3-3 with Robben Rooney and Nani! That would give any team problems and ensure we can load the midfield to make up for our lightweight midfield.
August 26th, 2009 at 13:21
@colver: Exactly. I mean we all know that he is bit injury prone so the presence of Valencia will only help to give him that rest and cover which is imp. That way we can really save him for BIG Games. Because, one thing i firmly believe is that he has that talent to give you that little extra which we may miss in europe.
August 26th, 2009 at 13:23
@colver: And not to forget his invaluable experince in BPL won’t take tiem to adjust. He will srtaight away walk into it…
August 26th, 2009 at 15:03
Robben would only be a good deal if we game him a Owen/Saha contract. Otherwise he would never be fit to play.
August 26th, 2009 at 15:25
@donibrasco: “This tells me that whichever player we bring whether Aguero or zidane,he will always be instructed to perform a duty and in many peoples eyes he will be a flop”
This is my sentiment exactly. People have this belief that we should buy this one or that one… But, regardless of who we buy, our problems will still persist because we’re not addressing the root of the problem.
The unfortunate truth (IMO at least) is, players are being seen as flops because the players (or combinations of players) do not currently match the intended style of play of the manager. This causes players to be played ‘out-of-position’, or seem to underperform. In short, the team balance and chemistry is fucked for our style of play. Thing is, either we change our style, or we overhaul the entire team. Even if we get a Sneijder, Scheider or Kaka, they will still flop. Reason? Expectations. We will have the expectation that this person will lift the team from its slumber, just like we expected Berbatov, Anderson, Rooney (last season), Nani, Valencia, Fabio/Rafael, etc to fix some problems. (Also one of the reasons Fletcher is being hailed as a heor, because as the author claimed, there’s no expectations). Well, that’s my opinion on things.
On Anderson, he has never reached the claimed Ronaldinho level, I agree. How could he really? Did Ronaldinho ever play CDM? Was Kaka ever asked to focus on defending because our other midfielders are incompetent? Was Zidane ever required to fill in at left back because our defender do not know about falling back quickly? Was Maradonna ever asked to mark a players of the quality of Gerrard or Fabregas? And yet, we expect him to attack? How the hell can you expect a guy to take shots when instructed to stay on the halfway line?
I agree with Merlinus that this guy is a footballing genious. I can see it clear as daylight, and I bet a lot of you can too, that’s why you get frustrated with him. Comparitively, Anderson interestingly actually had a much better game last week than both Fletcher and Scholes the first and last games (go check the game again if you recorded it). Yet, it is him whom people are upset with??? I’d hate to say this, but I think most of you are wrong in your criticisms of him. Including Groggy.
August 26th, 2009 at 16:00
Please, this defense of Anderson, in spite or despite his rumoured outburst, is biased at best. The lad simply has not developed and adapted as well as he should do; part of the reason has to do with the role given to him and team tactics but more with his mental fortitude. Some say he was the next Ronaldinho, well he doesn’t dribble like him and playing in central midfield shouldn’t affect his dribbling skills. Some say he is an attacking mid, well, his shooting, composure and eye for the killer thru pass have betrayed him on many occassions.
The truth of the matter is, if Ando was truly this gifted attacking mid he’s prophesied to be, he would exhibit all the qualities an attacking mid should do, despite playing in Center mid. I mean, Giggs plays in Center mid and he does very well in attacking for us. Ando simply has to work on his game intelligence and moreso, composure. How a supposed Attacking mid can’t get a shot on target is beyond me.
The guy is powerful, strong on the tackle, quick and has flashes of brilliance. Now if he can make those flashes last for longer, maybe he might convince Fergie to play him more regularly. He needs to learn when to attack, slow the game down, control possession, run into the opposition area and moreso, shoot accurately. Fergie is doing him a favour right now, developing his all-round game and maybe make him that box-to-box midfielder his physical as well as technical attributes have destined him to be. He just needs to wake up and smell the coffee, he ain’t no Ronaldinho, but he can be one heck of a combative midfield machine.
August 26th, 2009 at 17:01
If we’re actually trying to get more wingers, I have to imagine that someone’s on the outs.
Hopefully a package deal for a CM’er or Striker.
August 26th, 2009 at 17:26
@Merlinus: I think it’s you that needs to wake up and smell the coffee as well as seeing your optometrist for a new eye prescription. Trust me mate, you are in the small minority when it comes to Mr. Anderson so stop making yourself look and smell holier than thou. All the criticism Anderson has received from myself and others is warranted and valid whether you want to believe it or not. So when it comes to personal attacks on our beliefs, I ‘d suggest putting a sock in it.
August 26th, 2009 at 17:27
Who thinks SAF will actually buy again in this window? because that transfer deadline is going to upset a lot of people if he doesn’t as well as perpetuate some discussion we have already had about what the transfer kitty actually is with the glazers etc.
I know SAF has said he won’t buy but when has that ever meant anything?
My way of looking at it is that he has to because if anyone gets injured we’re going to struggle even more than than we have done at our struggling worst (and you all know that when we’re bad we’re really bad and rarely do average)
If Fletcher is our first choice CM right now, which is what if looks like, what if he gets an injury and is out for a month or two? We can’t rely on Scholes and Giggs ALL the time now, sadly, but can we really rely on Carrick and Anderson..I think not (that might be an unpopular view sorry)
Despite Gibson getting another contract and the possibility of first team football, I think SAF has been cunning with youngsters like him over the years. By attaching them to the first team and declaring them as “first team” players, he quite cleverly puts them in a shop window which normally results in a sale. I’ve watched our reserves and youth teams a lot of ever years and to me they are just another way of raising a bit of cash AND time after time, we’ve sold to the championship sides and the lower prem teams from that set up.
As far as Anderson is concerned, he can go. In my opinion he hasn’t added anything to the team despite not taking anything away, so what really is the point of him, he fills a hole, maybe?? I just want to see someone in the middle who bombs up the field and goes at teams and gets goals (hard to get I know) Anderson, for me seems only marginally better than Kleberson and Djemba. The only quality that I like about Anderson is that he scampers around backing his body into people and holding them off but sadly that’s not enough for me.
As a club who is renowned for it’s legendary list of central mids, we deserve a bit better don’t we?
August 26th, 2009 at 17:29
@Onkar: The point is he is a winger. Do we need a winger? I don’t think so. When I look at this team the position I feel we need to look at seriously overhauling is that of central midfielder. With Nani and Valencia on the wings, I do not see adding to that depth when there are glaring weaknesses elsewhere.
August 26th, 2009 at 17:31
@colver: My my we are so quick to dismiss Valencia. He has played well so far and is still trying to get used to the system and his teammates style of play and already we are dismissing him for Robben. Rubbish mate. Robben is a luxury and a risk we don’t need. Fergie should be inquiring about Sneijder or van der Vaart, not Robben.
August 26th, 2009 at 17:46
@Karl: Valid criticisms on Fergie especially on the way he has used Anderson but seriously though, we have seen enough of Anderson and his limited skill set to not rate his attacking skills of that which he was billed with when he came over. Playing with 19 year olds is not the same thing and he will not be the first or the last player to excel at levels below 21 years of age but never make it at the level over.
To blame his lack of ability and skill, his lack of thinking and lack of processing situations on the role he is being asked to play just doesn’t cut it for me. Yes it must create stress and some confusion for him but if he was really the cat’s meow, he would still make that killer pass or hit that killer shot and score when given the opportunity. He has been in the attacking end of the field enough times to prove to us that he belongs there. The problem is, he doesn’t. Quite frankly, he’s just not very good. He has balance and dribbling ability but that is it. Other than the occasional long trough ball he has nothing else in his personal arsenal to offer. He can’t hit the side of a barn from two feet and I still believe his free kick in pre season that scored went in because he miss hit it.
I’m sorry but when I see him play I am rarely if ever impressed. The bloody major point here is that Anderson is not United class. Let him go and stink it up for some other team. I personally believe we can do better than him. I much prefer Gibson to Anderson even though he has a lot to learn. The difference is he is improving by leaps and bounds and has a Scholes like ability to score goals and hit rockets from long distance where as Anderson is an excellent US football or rugby player hitting field goals into the 40th row.
People need to wake up and realize this player sucks. It appears Fergie has. Sure he will play him until he finds a convenient taker who will be stupid enough to offer half of the 18 million we spent for him. Until then, Fergie will continue to tinker with him and give him the odd chance to prove himself. And he will continue to tease us with the odd good game while stinking up the pitch the majority of the time. In all my years of watching Manchester United I have never been so underwhelmed by a player’s lack of ability at this high level before. Frankly, after a couple starts, I think he would end up on the bench at Wigan or Wolves too if he were to play for them instead.
August 26th, 2009 at 17:49
@Gabriel: Totally agree mate. Hard to impress when you have no finesse, no brains, no composure and no common sense. Add to that the finishing of crippled baboon and the coordination of a fat female librarian and you have a player that really should have taken up rugby. Everything about his skill set says rugby to me.
August 26th, 2009 at 19:03
@Grognard: A bit harsh on crippled baboons and fat lady librarians I have to say Grog
.
August 27th, 2009 at 0:28
@Craig Mc: Yes I agree. Neither of them deserved to be compared with that walking talking septic tank.
August 27th, 2009 at 5:08
@Grognard: I agree mate that we need a CM. But, what i am also trying to see that even though he is a winger we a additional winger as well. I mean look at the burnley game we did not have our regular wingers and due to lack of quality in back ups we struggle. So i think thats why i wanted him to be bought by us.
August 27th, 2009 at 6:24
Oh for God’s sakes.. He’s 21 so give him a break.. Where was Ronaldinho when he was 21..? Will he have played a monster game in a champions league final, especially if you put him in midfield.. think about it guys..
21 years old.. my word!
August 27th, 2009 at 6:53
@Merlinus: Where was Ronaldinho when he was 21
When Ronaldinho was 19 he won the best player award for the Brazil senior team (not U19 or U21) in the 1999 Confed Cup. In 2000, when he was 20, he scored 9 goals in 7 games with the Brazil team – winning the Olympic gold.
He was 22 in the World Cup, and it was obvious to everyone that he was special. Even in PSG he was tearing defenders apart but fell out with his coach. With Ronaldinho it was obvious to everyone at the time that he was special — and he proved it with Barcelona. I don’t see that spark with Anderson. If he turns out fantastic this season, then great. But I have my doubts about him. I am all for keeping faith in our players, but for Anderson to prove me wrong, he will need to drastically improve on several aspects of his game.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:18
@Red Ranter: PSG… My point exactly.. He was in a team where he was considered as ‘the’ star.. There was no one around him who forced him into a Central midfielder role and asked him to take on a fabregas or a gerrard!.. Anderson is not a player to be kept on a leash or having defensive duties dictated out to him.. It sucks.. And RR, champions league final for a 20 yr old with a physically weak 35 yr old on one side and a slow carrick attempting hollywood passes on the other side is not exactly the kind of midfield partnership which will give him freedom and make him stand out.. omg.. Go get Sneijder and robben.. Pair anderson up with Sneijder.. you’ll see..
August 27th, 2009 at 7:47
@Merlinus: Basically what you’re saying is Anderson does not fit the current United setup — which begs the question, why play him? Also, Sneijder’s agreed a 5 year deal with Inter – so that’s not happening.
When you’re good enough you are good enough. Despite constraints enforced upon him I haven’t seen the dynamism with the ball at his feet on a consistent basis. I feel he doesn’t seem to have the technique to strike the ball. It cannot be bad luck, if he hasn’t managed to score a goal from open play till now. So much for attacking prowess.
My concern over him is not necessarily his talent — I think he is (or was) talented when he came over. He doesn’t seem to have the work ethic in training that Ronaldo had. From many accounts he seems to be a party boy, which explains a lot of inconsistency. I can’t fault a player for trying, what I would is a lack of focus. There are far too many reports/accounts I’ve read and heard to be worried about his attitude. I will support him, but if you honestly ask me what I think of him, I feel United is not the club for him, and he seems to have regressed. And you can’t pin all the blame on the manager either.
August 27th, 2009 at 9:20
@Merlinus: Errrr Merlinus, it was taking on the Gerrards, Fabregas, and Lampards that brought Fan popularity to Anderson, and the Anderson, son, son, United song chant. I would agree that Anderson is like Ronaldinho in one respect – night life and women etc etc etc. Andi is ruining his own career, because he is a LAZY GIT in training, and you cannot be the best and get into the United team if you don’t put in the hard graft required to be the best! Your point about SAF doesn’t hold true, because Anderson played CM and mastered Gerrard, Lamps etc in his first season. Nobody was saying that SAF was asking him to do other than he could then – were they? The problem with Andi is that he lacks the personal motivation and work ethic to be among the best, and yet he feels that he should be IN anyway – rubbish. Players who have the graft and motivation should be in before him. Live and learn Andi, live and learn!
August 27th, 2009 at 10:20
sneijder is now a nerrazzuri
October 22nd, 2009 at 21:27
[...] value judgments and assumptions. If I feel like cleverly hiding my deontological proclivities, I reach for the graphing calculator. Brian Phillips at the runofplay has a philosophical aversion to such [...]