Jul 09
Thursday links and some pre-almost-weekend mumbling
This will be very short because I am not currently disposed to do a long one right now. So I’ll share some links with you, mumble a few words under my breath and leave the stage to you.
The well respected Andy Brassell, the European expert on BBC’s excellent World Football Phone-in, gives a favourable review of Gabriel Obertan on the official site. He was also on World Soccer Daily yesterday as guest and considered him to be physically suited to the demands of the Premiership. Considering Brassell spent a good part of his life following Ligue 1, I would feel a little encouraged by his assessment.
The man of the moment, Obertan, meanwhile completed possibly the slowest medical and signature in transfer history, as his reported medical took about two days. Allegedly, of course.
Since the fee seems to be in the region of £3m, I think it’s not a bad bit of business.
The Huntelaar stories seem to have gone a bit cold at the moment, although Arnold Muhren gives a ringing endorsement of his compatriot.
The Mirror reports we’re sending Richard Eckersley out on loan to QPR for the rest of the season.
And shockingly, we’re linked today with a move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I am wondering how to say the world’s biggest “No!” to that flat track bully.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Short Thursday Roundup
- New Links Feature
- United gravy train chugs back after Asian jaunt
- Some Links for the Day
- United related links
Tags: Daily Roundup
July 9th, 2009 at 10:36
All we need now is klaas and we are ready to go. We will asses in January if anymore signings are needed. PLS no Ibra!!!
July 9th, 2009 at 10:50
God No!!! I would rather have us sign Heskey than that arrogant tit! He’s a flat track bully with an ego worse than Ronnie!
July 9th, 2009 at 10:56
i really can’t see us signing Ibrah. this kind of speculation must mean that the press has no idea about who we’ll sign next. I think we might have to wait a bit for the next signing, but i hope its a midfielder.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:04
I just don’t think you buy Owen and Huntelaar. As with many posters on here, would have loved to have gotten the Dutchman a few years back, but now I think at £20m he’s well overpriced. Plus he’s not guaranteed to start. Doesn’t look realistic to me.
I think Fergie will take the squad he’s got over to Asia now, and see how they look. Obviously we should expect straight forward victories against the opposition we’re playing against, but he can get a feel for team cohesion, understanding of runs and general build up play. Also give everyone a chance to relax and enjoy themselves together.
I’d imagine we’ll soon find out what the squad is that is travelling, but it appears that a good few of the ‘potential’ players will be missing, such as Foster (surgery, Welbeck (knee), Hargo (death), Obertan (ankle) and I’m not sure if Valencia and Campbell will be back from their delayed holidays. Still, I’m looking forward to seeing Rooney and Berbatov in an actual front pairing, as the two of them have such great vision and ability, they’ve gotta click. right?
July 9th, 2009 at 11:10
Mirror is now a worse tabloid than The Sun. No way Fergie will be considering Ibrahimovic. A midfielder is what we need. As I said before, bringing in Essien would be ideal. I think he would want to play for United. After all, he was a United fan as a kid.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:18
@Faizan: There is no point talking about Essien, Chelsea will not sell him and will never sell him to us. and he doesn’t want to leave.
Ibrahimobitch is also a non starter, he is an over-rated big game bottler we have no need for him as we have Berba, he is moody and is his own biggest fan, it will never happen thank God.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:20
I don’t see us making any other signings up front. The only area left is DM but Fergie may wait to see if Hargreaves comes back so may wait until January before deciding to buy in this area.I expect Foster to move to no.1 this season so I hope he comes through.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:29
Also referring back to the time out medicals are taking with regards to Obertan and Owen, surely this is a good thing wish we did the same with Owen Hargreaves.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:30
@Stephen: Chelsea’s squad is regressing. If they fail yet again to win a major trophy this season, maybe he will want to leave chelsea next summer. But really there is no harm in bidding 35-40 million for him this summer too, just to unsettle him at Chelsea. City are doing the same thing to Terry.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:32
@Faizan: It would be pointless, they won’t sell him he doesn’t want to leave and most importantly they will not sell him to us regardless of money.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:45
Not huntelaar…we should not pay 20 million for a real madrid reject.I reserved my judgement on him because of the poor dutch league which has produced great goalscorers recently such as kezman,kuyt and alves but after right now we cant pay for a striker that would not accept a bench role..Macheda so far has shown the potential to turn into a real top striker and we shouldnt ruin both his welbecks chances by buying huntelaar.Hes a tremendous finisher no doubt but we need a striker that does everything..pace,power,finishing like torres..unfortunately no one like this is available currently(that im aware of).Why dont united use their scouts and pick up a cheap unknown south american that would be ideal.Like they way kaka came out of nowhere.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:47
Ibrahimovitch has an awesome Champions League goals record of.. Erm.. 0 I think.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:53
united can not sign zlatan Ibrahamovic as he is 27 now and break the so called “only sign under 26 year old” rule and I do not think zlatan would perfectly fit in our side.As you guys would know for sure as zlatan is known for his certain whining on and off the field and we surely do not want another charlie.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:56
Stephen…with hargreaves we didnt need a miracle to tell us he was injury prone.Just by his appearance stats we should have known.But anyhow who knows what would have happened we didnt have him to score that freekick against arsenal or put in that performance on the right against.I really hope he makes it because he is too good when hes fit
July 9th, 2009 at 11:58
We need someone in MF, so my tips:
Raul Garcia (Atletico) great all-round MF, he is young and strong, not as talented as Xavi or Iniesta but hard worker. Would be great in EPL.
Moutinho – great playmaker, everyone knows
Alex Witsel (standar Liege) – also great all-round MF, he can play as a DM, AM, LW, he was superb against Everton and Liverpool.
I think the price of these players could be ok for us. I will take one of these.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:58
@Stephen: Did you mean like Milan didn’t want to sell Kaka, Kaka didn’t want to leave Milan, and Milan swore never to sell to Real? OR, did you perhaps mean like Barca didn’t want to sell Figo, Figo didn’t want to leave Barca, and Barca swore nevew to sell to Real, regardless of the money? OR maybe you meant like United didn’t want to sell slave, slave promised he was happy at United, and United swore never to sell him to Real?
I’m not quite sure. Can you please explain which one you meant?
I think for the right amount, ANY player is available. I’d say, give it a chance. Put in a massive bid and start unsettling him. He’s worth it.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:02
Why go for second best? We should take a leave out of Madrid’s books and ONLY go for top choice. We want Essien, we go get Essien! Screw the rest.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:03
This Obertan kid is the real deal. I can feel it. He looks like a both footed stronger and more aggressive version of Hleb. Great dribbling with both feet and watching him for the U21’s he has the potential to score goals this that explosivity he so obviously posesses. I love the way the squad is shaping up, none of our wingers have any right to call themselves certified starters and that makes it great for competition. Park has the most games from last season and he is the most technically deficient winger we have right now.
Imagine the pace of Valencia and this kid Obertan running onto Berba’s lazy through balls. I am very happy with the business so far. Owen will score at least 10 goals if he gets anywhere near enough minutes. We’re lookin good.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:40
Guys I need your help in this. Since i live in the middle east, i get to watch every single man utd game live, the premier league through showtime, the champions league through ART, and the fa cup and carling cup through Al jazeera. Out of the 66 games man utd played last year, i wathced 65 of them, the one i missed was the one between QPR and Manutd carling cup game because that wasnt even broadcasted. I am moving to england next year, specifically manchester, and i was wondering will I get to watch every man utd game live on tv, if i get all the channels possible? Or at least every live premier league game?
July 9th, 2009 at 12:49
Mike…get mutv ul watch everygame
July 9th, 2009 at 12:56
One thing that has happen with the way united have dealt in there transfers it has cooled of the prices a bit not only at agents and club level but also at media level. Remember there were quotes like Ibra is worth 70 million if Ribery is worth n million. I mean today they are talking about 30 million. Why do you thing this has happened because of a simple fact that Fergi is pulling out signings which in nobodies dreams so everyone is kinda unsure about what he is gonna do.
I mean this time Fergi has acted very smart by signings of OWEN and Orbetan he made sure that world will feel that the 80 million which could have inflated the market is not coming in it. So, due to lesser anticipated liquidity prices are cooling of.
Now, i don’t be surprise one high value signing coming but that will come in a sudden fashion i feel because he wont allow market to get over heated and over Priced.
I mean i hope that someone big is coming specially at CM. BTW i agree with whoever is saying that we should try and BID fior Essien the Beast. Just try and unsettled him and Chelsea and then see how they react.
I mean no harm in trying. I would be happy if we getting him for 45-50 million.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:56
hell no to Ibra. we jus need a box to box midfielder then cross fingers for hargo to recover fully. The squad is still thea and that is what will win us the league again. if we buy essien, i personally promise to chauffer him from london.
July 9th, 2009 at 13:03
@mike:
No, you will not get all matches live.If you subscribed to all channels last season I think you would have seen about 40 matches and would have cost about £50 a month. MuTV shows all matches in full but these are not “live”
July 9th, 2009 at 13:04
andy brasells interview gives us hope bout ober but until I have seen him on the pitch and doing it for United, i will not judge
July 9th, 2009 at 13:06
Papa Boupa Diop anyone? I think he could be a good signing…
July 9th, 2009 at 13:21
Ibra won’t be coming to Utd. Before Ronaldo and Kaka left for Madrid he was the highest paid player in the world. He wouldn’t come anyway for a 60% reduction in wages.He’d be better off at Man City… after all they are short of strikers
July 9th, 2009 at 13:21
To all who live near Manchester and to those who go to Old Trafford for our home games, I currently live in Saudi Arabia and Im planning a UK visit around November/December and I would really love to go to United match at Old Trafford but I have no clue how, please help a fellow Red Devil fanatic.
It would be a dream come true to see my reds in action, please help me.
July 9th, 2009 at 13:25
@RedDevilEddy: Ha papa boupa the wardrobe as he was known by the fulham fans, not a bad player tbh, remember when we were linked with him 05/06 i think was probs worth a punt then but probably not now, i dunno whats happended to the guy now though tbh, is he still at pompey?
July 9th, 2009 at 13:26
so does fergy read this blog, I think he should coz he’ll see how we all think the missing piece of our puzzle to win the championz league is a box to box midfielder, the league am comfortable with squad but in Europe, we need a strong starting 11
July 9th, 2009 at 13:28
@Cyclops-Red: wow
Then where can I catch the rest,, will they be shown on the net?
July 9th, 2009 at 13:30
@Hannoodi: Best way to get tickets for a game at old trafford is to become a member which i think you can become on the united website. I did it a while ago, basically how it was then you paid a £30 fee and if for whatever reason a couple of tickets became available for a game you would be told and notified as to whether you wanted to take up the option of getting the tickets. Thing is when i did it bout 3 years ago i only got the tickets about 3 times at OT so it is pretty hard but for like £30 its probably worth it.
But if you just want to see united play and your not bothered about it actually being at OT grounds which are particularly easy to get tickets for in London if your there are fulham, spurs i found pretty easy and believe it or not stamford bridge. A mate of mine got tickets at those grounds pretty easy so if u end up in london, fulham especially u will find very easy to get tickets for.
July 9th, 2009 at 13:33
@Matt: Yes, thats exactly what they told me when I sent an email to the United website, thanks anyway and I will probably do that I will be staying in London for the most part and I think there is a Westham game at that time.
July 9th, 2009 at 13:38
@Hannoodi: getting tickets at OT is hard if you don’t mind going away i go to villa park every year only costs £15 and and i always get a ticket
July 9th, 2009 at 13:52
@Karl: Real expolted a buy out clause in Figo’s contract, Kaka lost faith in Milan after they accepted the offer from Citeh in Jan, Ronaldo was already promised his dream move last summer we were just getting the price as high as posible.
Essien is happy at Chelsea and said only Barca and Real would tempted him away, Chelsea are run by a billionaire who’s ego and financial situation mean he would not need of want to sell the player, if you really think he is gettable then you are deluding yourself, this is not Championship manager mate.
Be realistic Chelsea do not want to sell, he does not want to leave, Chelsea don’t have to sell, so there is no deal to be done mate, they are not run as a business but as a play thing, sorry to disapoint, I would rather we spent our time trying to get players who are available, not ones which are not.
July 9th, 2009 at 14:24
@mike:
Basically, yes if you can put up with rubbish quality.
Welcome back to rip off Britain!
July 9th, 2009 at 14:36
@Hannoodi: Mate you will possibly get a ticket for Carling Cup game or an early group game for the Champions league as those games don’t always get sold out.
You could always go to ticketmaster or Ticket Solutions and pay over the odds ect and pay over the top maybe £100 or so.
Being from Saudi with all that oil money mate you are not should of a few quid
July 9th, 2009 at 14:49
Talksport (who were way ahead of everyone else on Tevez’s Citeh move, and had the Owen news before anyone else) are reporting that Chelsea have made a bid for Aguero, and that if it gets accepted United are going to match it. As he is a United fan, we should get the nod over Chelsea…. but we all know how that worked out with Essien
July 9th, 2009 at 15:14
Also, in a move I would much prefere… Villa are signing Downing and Tuncay and looking at Bentley, which would suggest Ashley Young is off. I might go and ask him actually, he lives just down the road from me… As Eric Cantona is is favourite player, offer him the 7 shirt and then it’s cocks out time.
VDS
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Hargreaves Young
Rooney Berbatov
S: Foster, Brown, Evans, Anderson, Park, Nani, Owen
A man can dream……
July 9th, 2009 at 15:20
Aguero isn’t worth the money. And we shouldn’t try to compete financially with Chelsea, they’ll always be able to one up us. Should get players that want to come.
July 9th, 2009 at 15:21
@Traverse: We never really got it in for Essien – at the time we could not match the 27 million asking price (because we spent that money on Rooney the previous summer). Anyway that bit of news is quite promising…
July 9th, 2009 at 15:22
@Beachryan: We don’t have to compete with them, we have to match the 45 million asking price then we are in talks with the player…
July 9th, 2009 at 15:23
is modric so bad that there is no fuss abt him in the market??
i really like that player
July 9th, 2009 at 15:27
aguero deserves the demand..he can easily replace the goals of ronaldo or evan of both ronaldo and tevez
July 9th, 2009 at 15:30
@Stephen: I’ve learnt in life…EVERYONE has a price! and secondly, EVERYTHING is negotiable.
Abramovich wants to make Chelsea profitable. For this, their first aim is to break-even asap. Trust me, if the right price came along, he would defo consider it. After all, its just business.
One possible – although very unlikely – scenario, we take the 80m from Ronaldo and bid it on Essien. They would be stupid not to take it. They can then take that 80m and add their current 50m bid and REALLY tempt Ribery from Bayern. I know this is FM stuff, but just to show, that everyone has his price. Even Abramovich.
July 9th, 2009 at 15:33
Hopefully he makes this move (sorry Grog)
http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2009/07/09/1373032/real-madrid-striker-klaas-jan-huntelaar-ponders-stuttgart
July 9th, 2009 at 15:35
@Karl: Paying £80m on a defensive midfield player would simply be stupid regardless of how good he is.
July 9th, 2009 at 15:38
July 9th, 2009 at 15:40
@Stephen: Essien is one of the best players in the world – at least as valuable as Kaka if not worth the 80 mil Ronaldo claimed…
July 9th, 2009 at 15:42
@andrei
how much u guess fergie will be ready to pay for aguero
July 9th, 2009 at 15:44
@owen: whatever Chelsea pay. I’d imagine less than his buyout clause that we could have activated at any point in the last 3 weeks…
July 9th, 2009 at 15:49
@Andrei: Essien is worth £80m are you sure for a box to box midfield palyer who scored 3 goals last season?
This is not saying he isn’t a goog player because he is, but he is no way worth £80m, that’s almost laughable.
July 9th, 2009 at 15:51
is aguero really for sale or its just a rumour
July 9th, 2009 at 15:56
@Stephen: Forget the goals, he is a midielder (and he was injured for most of last season). I was suggesting we pay 80 mil for a player that can marshal the midfield in the same old Keane-like-manner but who adds a bit of flair, more versatility and is the exact missing piece from our puzzle. So maybe he is not worth 80 million himself, but given that a player like that would be priceless in our team (we all agree he would have made some sort of difference in the game against Barca) I think he would be worth anything Ferguson might decide to pay for him.
Then again, that is just me with my crazy ideas… much like this one:
Rooney, better than Ronaldo.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:00
@owen: He’s not for sale per se, clubs are just interested in him and willing to but him out. Talksports is one place in the media that has some intact reputation, so given that they have broken this story, I would be more likely to believe it than if it came from the Mirror or the Mail.
That said, I don’t think that Abramovich or (especially) Glazer would want to go over the top and pay more than the kid is worth (which is about 30 million + United/Chelsea tax 30% + ‘he’s related to Maradona and we love him’ tax 20%). So overall, I think that is anything goes through, it will be the third biggest transfer of the summer…
July 9th, 2009 at 16:02
@Andrei:
Thereis nothing crazy about that mate.
Fletcher or Hargreaves would have made a difference against Barca, for £20m we could get De Rossi who isn’t as good as Essien but we could spend £40m on Augero and a further £20m on sneijder or Van Der Vaart which would benefit the team more in my view.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:04
hope we get him
wat u think
July 9th, 2009 at 16:05
Lets just slap a 50 mill bid on essien and see how abramovich reacts to it. TBH i dont think we need aguero cause where would he play??? He would defeat the object of signing owen and he wld shut out berba to play upfront with rooney and then we wld have wasted money on berbatov cause he wldnt be playing. We need a central mid and also a wide left to replace giggs. No doubt either silva or young. Think bout the speculation of lorik cana like this.. what is the bigger risk, against you he will either kill you or give your team a lot of injuries, or with you, you might often be playing with a 10 man squad!! I think we need de rossi because he is very composed in tough situations, scores amazing goals and he is a leader.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:07
@Anthony Los: Aguero is a full time SS but a part-time winger – much like Rooney. He would do well on our left flank in the Ronaldinho-like poision.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:09
@Stephen: Nah, De Rossi is Roma through and through – he will not leave his childhood club for anything (plus, even if he does, Real Madrid will be quick to show an interest).
July 9th, 2009 at 16:09
@Andrei: yea but do we really need that?
July 9th, 2009 at 16:11
WTF – can anybody tell me why if SAF wanted a really good french youngster with REAL TALENT and prospect, he didn’t go for Sofiane Faghouli? You tube reveals he seems to have GOALS and bags of potential in him. He wants to come to the PL this summer, and says the PL is the best league there is to play in. And guess what??? A french player who doesn’t have aspirations for Real M or Barca. He said “Manchester United are the best team in the world, and I love English football, but I am not on Man United’s radar.” All I got to say is WTF isn’t he on our radar. All the top clubs are after him, Arsenal, L’Poo and Chelsea, Real M, Barca, Inter & AC Milan. The lad looks class and he wants to play for Man UNited. Sure as hell he wont be on our radar, because SAF seems to avoid the ones who can really play football and want to come to Man United – BUMMER!
July 9th, 2009 at 16:12
@Andrei: Won’t hold if some big club comes in showing the bling. Roma are facing some financial hardships, so I would never rule that out.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:12
any new happening regarding ibrahimobitch rumor
July 9th, 2009 at 16:13
@Andrei: Maybe you are right but Roma have no money and they are not even in Europe next season, but I have heard Real are interested, but I hope you get the point, you never know Hargreaves could be running around OT like a new born lamb in a few weeks and Anderson could devlop into a hybrid of Roy Keane and Bryan Robson next season, and I might have sex with Megan Fox this evening, oh and England could get a wicket soon.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:15
@Andrei: That is Man UNited thru and thru mate, Chelsea, City and other Major clubs all putting bids in, and what are Man United doing – monitoring the situation. This is why Chelski got the players we wanted, they dive in while we monitor – sorry guys but that is bloody typical! Aguero better than Messi, and a real replacement to help fill the Ronaldo void.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:17
@stephen:enjoy the evening
July 9th, 2009 at 16:17
@Stephen: I can see the pigs flying over OT as we speak
.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:18
@Craig Mc: But craig we wld have to bench berba to play aguero, im not saying thats a bad thng but he might pull a tevez
July 9th, 2009 at 16:19
@Craig Mc: Hmmm… ‘Aguero better than Messi’ is just slightly pretentious.
Anyway, I get the feeling that Manchester United want to take Aguero next year rather than this year, so they will not put a bid in just in case nothing happens this year and they can pounce the next. Thus they are monitoring the situation so they can be alert if somebody does have a bid accepted.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:20
@ craig Mc
really getting excited abt this aguero
July 9th, 2009 at 16:27
@owen: @Craig Mc:
July 9th, 2009 at 16:30
I thought De Rossi would be non-transferable but if there is an opportunity to buy him we should be in there like a rat up a drainpipe.
I hope the rumours about Aguero aren’t true (not another 2nd striker).
July 9th, 2009 at 16:31
@Stephen: I agree, people need to stop bringing up essien. It will never happen, it’s pure fantasy.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:33
:
July 9th, 2009 at 16:35
@Johnsom33: I totally agree mate it is pointless going on about it
July 9th, 2009 at 16:36
@Andrei: You ask any Argentinian if you doubt my point that Aguero is better than Messi. In Argentina he is a peoples favourite, and they believe he is better than Messi. They say he plays better than Messi in the International team, and they should know I feel
.
Also, if SAF is waiting for next year to sign Aguero, United will miss the boat as per usual! I am more than a tad disappointed we haven’t bought a big name Andrei – aren’t you?
Anyway, I hope SAF wakes up to Sofiane Faghouli
. Before Loserpool, Man Pity, Arse-nel or Chelski snap him up 
.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:36
no need for essien..
vida is strong strong enough to destroy any attack…..
July 9th, 2009 at 16:37
These rumours about IbrahimoBitch are physically making me ill. There are only five or six player on the planet who so turn me of, who so make me hate them that I would cringe if I ever saw them wearing the united kit. IbramioBitch is one of them. So similar in style to Berbatov except hhe can’t hide behind the excuse of being languid or conserving his energy like Berba does. No, Zlatan is just a lazy unmotivated slug of a man who has never ever worked hard a day in his footballing career.
Why would Fergie even consider bringing in a player that so resembles Berbatov in style but with a far worse attitude and disposition? Are we not slow enough that we need that sloth around? God help Fergie if he buys this player because should he do so, the wrath I plan to present at his feet will be epic to be sure. And while he is at it, might as well at Thierry Henry, Patrick Fucking Vieira, Didier Drogba and John Terry to the mix and make me want to jump of a bridge.
I am not a happy Man Utd fan these days folks. The team is not being run the way I like to see it being run. Many things about them have me constantly shaking my head and asking the question why? What exactly is Fergie thinking with his moves? I have not like one of his moves so far this summer. Fine, Valencia I can live with and even Owen is not a terrible move but Obertan is a slug, and I will be proven right. And that’s it. Nothing else except we are linked to everyone. Now we are linked to the anti-footballer himself. Can it get worse than this? I watch my beloved Cristiano Ronaldo go to the team I most hate in the football universe (yes I hate them more than Liverpool because of what they represent) only to see one of the players I hate the most, IbramoBitch come to United? That would be more than I could stomach, believe me. I would go on such a tirade and spew so much venom directed at that senile old Scotsmen if he does buy him. And senile is what he will officially be in my books if he actually buys that lazy bum.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:40
@Craig Mc: I watch every Argentina match that is actually on tv, and over here most of them are on. And Aguero does play better than Messi most of the time. But to be honest, both have sucked under Maradona and both have sucked since Riquelme has been dropped from the team. And as Rafa would say, that is FACT. Riquelme is a GOD.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:40
i watched barcelona vs ath. madrid match..
he single handedly won it
July 9th, 2009 at 16:42
@Grognard:
He ain’t coming. End of.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:44
@Craig Mc: It could be quite clever actually. If chelsea get a bid accepted we offer the same amount and then it comes down to the player to decide who to join, and everyone seems confident he’s a united fan. It means we don’t get dragged into a bidding war and the price doesn’t go up and up.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:46
@Grognard: We won’t buy Ibrahimovic mate don’t worry a classic example typical lazy journo’s in this country.
Give Fergie time this summer, you never know he might surprise us all yet, as he knows or should know the natives are getting restless.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:49
@tevez: I have never seen a quote or link stating he is a United fan, also wasn’t your name sake? If he were a fan I am sorry but that means fuck all these days, the players of today are fans of only one thing, their wallet.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:50
@Anthony Los: I don’t think we will be seeing one striker playing every single game EVER again at OT like Ronaldo did Anthony. I think they will be switched around they all will get plenty of games between them, and alternate the big games. So I don’t think a class striker added to the ones we have got will make anyone want to leave, especially if SAF lays it on the line to them at the very start of the season. That’s my thought anyway mate!
July 9th, 2009 at 16:52
@tevez: Maybe – Mmmmmm we’ll see!
.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:54
Sofiane Faghouli,
. Any of you who watch the French league – tell us what you think of this lad who has caught my eye 
.
July 9th, 2009 at 16:55
@Andrei: First off, this is just another bad and irresponsible rumor but the statement that came out has really spoken volumes to me about the Manchester United of post Cristiano Ronaldo. All we seem to ever really do is buy players nobody else wants and when it comes to players that are great we always seem to be competing with others where they will place a bid and we “MONITOR THE SITUATION” What the fuck does that mean?
What it means is we have no intention of buying any player we do not jump in full boar. We wanted Owen, we went in full boar and got him. We wanted Obertan, we just went and got him. And although the Valencia deal took a long time, apparently, it was agreed upon in principle last January and it was just the negotiations of the deal that dragged out because Fergie was so sure he was coming that he never felt the urgency to move in an expedient manner.
Bottom line is we are becoming the greatest procrastinators and cheapest skinflints in football. We are afraid to take a chance or pay for a proven player these days. After losing Ronaldo the team and the fans deserve a large signing. Instead we have gotten mediocrity piled over with more mediocrity. And I for one am fucking sick and tired of it. This is not the Manchester United I know and love. Fergie has become the greatest skin flint I have ever seen. How fucking scared and cheap can one get. Just open the God damned wallet and spend the cash to get Sergio Aguero or Franck Ribery and lets get on with the season. Instead he signs a mediocre French kid who will not amount to a hill of beans.
And Fergie, if you so want to win the Champions League again before you retire, buying projects that are 4 or 5 years away from being any good will not help you out much. Unless you plan on managing until you are 75. I would think that alone would cause him to spend with more urgency and go after more proven stars. Honestly, I am sick of the whole thing. Once again we embark on a pres season tour having accomplished in my opinion sweet fuck all. Owen, Valencia and Obertan doesn’t make up for the loss of Ronaldo and Tevez by 15%. It’s a fucking joke and a disgrace. We have pushed the chicken switch so much this off season and chased unattainable players and for what? There comes a time when we the fans have to set our allegiance and loyalty aside and start asking some serious questions of this team and it’s manager. Fergie,just what the fuck is going on here?
July 9th, 2009 at 16:56
owen will definately start against looserpools
July 9th, 2009 at 16:57
@Stephen: I’ve never seen anything to suggest he’s a united fan other than what people here have said. Can’t remember who it was or what exactly they said but i’m inclined to believe them. Tevez would have been happy at united but he wasn’t getting a regular game, just because he’s a fan doesn’t mean he’s going to be happy just being here and not playing. Anyone who is is a fucking muppet.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:00
@tevez: Tevez had a personality clash with SAF, whereas Ronaldo didn’t – simple as! Also, whatever he and his team tell you – they followed the MONEY! What I don’t understand, is he was supposed to be signing for his new club tuesday of this week, what happened. I swear his head is disturbed by his sadness at United, or assumed sadness
July 9th, 2009 at 17:01
@Craig Mc: If what you’re saying is correct (which it probs is), That is a time bomb going to self destruct soon because some1 is going to get so pissed off that he isnt a regular and is going to give united two fingers and walk right thru out doors. So i think this season shld be a make or break season. As much as i love every1 at united, this is a vital season to get out all the dead wood and bring in some new faces. We had a team built around ronny and now that he is gone we neeeeeed to find a way to make every1 as important as one another again. Berba did alright for us last year, he did amazing in the assisting but not the scoring. He needs to get his goals as high as his assits this season. Rooney needs to find his golden touch once again, but he should be taken out of the make or break category because he is wayne rooney (enough said). Ando needs to shine as well as nani ect.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:02
@tevez: We all know he had his fair share of games mate but I don’t want to open that age old debate again.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:05
@Grognard: I fucking agree with you 100%. He should stop being a selfish shit and fucking spend the money on players who are not fucking mediocre
July 9th, 2009 at 17:09
@Onkar: There is nothing smart about anything Fergie has done this summer. He has just allowed the best player in the world along with the best baby with a soother in the world to leave the club and what have we really done to replace both? How do you replace a Ronaldo and 25 to 30 goals a season? With Valencia’s 2 goals a season and mobile hospital bed called Owen. Then for good measure you a player nobody has rated highly who has no end game or finish in him whatsoever.
Bollocks! Just total bollocks! I am so fucking fed up waking up every morning and checking the news with the hope that Fergie has taken his head out of his own ass long enough to actually make a decent and needed player purchase of true and powerful significance.
Last year our team scored a low 68 goals in the EPL. Subtract 23 of those goals as Ronaldo and Tevez are now gone. And lets face it, barring injury and politics, both players are good for way more than a total of 23 goals. So what have we done to replace these goals? It’s bad enough we never scored well over 70 and even over 80 like we should, but now we have lost 1/3 of our total. So is Valencia going to make up that loss? Is Owen going to be the comeback player of the century and even accumulate over 10 goals?
Where are we going to get those missing goals from and how doe we even improve on that total? We need either an out and out goal scorer or an out and out play maker. Meanwhile as we speak, Madrid have spend a king’s ransom to better their team and other teams have moved more aggressively to fill their needs. For Christ’s sake, Chelsea didn’t need Yuri Zhirkov, we did. We need the Huntelaar’s, Aguero’s, Melo’s, Toure’s, Sneijder’s, Young’s etc etc. But we are asleep at the wheel constantly having our thumbs on the chicken switch. I am at a total loss to understand how this team has gone from greatness into running itself like a minnow and Mickey Mouse organization. We need bravery and risk takers in this business. Being cautious while Real Madrid and Barcelona create juggernauts is not my idea of competing. I’m to the point of totally embarrassed.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:09
@Anthony Los: Fergie is a selfish shit for not spending the clubs money how?
Any manager wants to spend other peoples money and add to the squad, we have brought in three players already, give him time if he doesn’t bring in more faces then on his head be it but it is hardly selfish.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:10
@owen: No, he will probably be unavailable due to injury.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:10
@Anthony Los: If we have four very good strikers, and they play alternate games, I see nothing wrong with that, in whatever combination partnership they gel in. Nobody should be wanting to walk out the door then!
July 9th, 2009 at 17:11
@Stephen: My point is that if a player is unhappy with his situation, for whatever reason, he is not going to stay at the club just because it is his favourite club. Once again, anyone who does is a fucking muppet.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:13
@Anthony Los: Fergie is not selfish, he’s cowardly and cheap. Big difference. Selfish would be pocketing the money for himself, which of course he hasn’t. But why he is so fiscally responsible with the Glazer’s cash is beyond me? Fuck the Glazer’s and spend enough to buy yourself a Champions League or two before you retire you old fart. Fergie is impossible to understand, except when it comes to chicken shit tactics against big opponents.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:14
@tevez: No one is going to stay at a club if he is unhappy regardless of their muppet status, but signing for a club which has no chance of winning trophies and with an equal chance of being on the bench due to the amount of forwards already at the club, then who really is the muppet?
July 9th, 2009 at 17:18
@Stephen: because his aim nowadays is to make the club richer and have a more financial basis (if thats possible). We are in debt and he is being cautious to not blow any of the money like real are doing. But what he needs to realize is that he is permitted to spending that money in any shape or form he likes but he is the typical scottish negotiator which in a way is selfish
July 9th, 2009 at 17:21
@Grognard: The time when it will hit home to Man United FC, is when we are HIT commercially and we start making financial losses. This will only happen though Grog, IF our players become Mr Average’s of the PL, or play the damp squib football of the CL final in Rome with any frequency. A drop in wealth will make United owners PANIC. I am not sure as none of us are, whether the level of our football will drop to unacceptable levels. So we have to wait and see who we eventually start the season with player pool wise, and more importantly how they play, and with how much hunger and passion. Finish out the top 4 and there will be full scale panic at OT, and I can say that with certainty. So we shall see, is it the end of an era, as people are predicting, or is it upwards and onwards eh?
July 9th, 2009 at 17:21
fergie is in dream and hoping that nani will score 20 this season haha
July 9th, 2009 at 17:22
@Anthony Los: I don’t think he is the clubs accountant mate, he spends what is available and Gill negotiates.
Last summer we spent £30m on Berba and Tosic and Ljajic for about £15m.
The year before that we spent £17m on Nani, £18m on Anderson and £18m on Hargo, I don’t get your point?
July 9th, 2009 at 17:22
@Stephen: It is not a stupid move if he believes he will play more often. The other strikers at man city are not as good as tevez, rooney or berbatov. They have a lot of money and ambition and they will chllenge the top four sooner or later, so it is an attractive club to go to.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:23
but if given full season , nani will really score 12-15 goals
July 9th, 2009 at 17:27
@tevez: I suppose time will tell mate, still think you should change your name mate!
July 9th, 2009 at 17:29
@Stephen: youre right mate he isnt selfish, he is greedy
July 9th, 2009 at 17:31
@Grognard: Maybe SAF is just being extra cautious Grog, because he has spent big money on players before (Veron?) and it just didn’t work out. My only complaint in truth, is that he knew the whole of last year Ronnie was going, and he had not got the replacements in place to bring right in, before anybody else jumped in. Otherwise, I am not too unhappy any more about Michael Owen, because he had played most of the games the last couple of years that I didn’t know he had played, and he is a regular goalscorer when fit! I think Valencia will do ok for us too, so no regrets about that. I bet poor Michael Owen is shitting himself, petrified with all the reviling, and bad press and fan comments he has had. I hope he keeps fit and PROVES all the shisters wrong.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:31
tevez will be the top pl scorer next season
July 9th, 2009 at 17:32
@Anthony Los: He doesn’t pocket the money himself I am sure the Glaziers need the money for themslves, saying they are greedy then Ok but not the manager regardless of what he believe in his transfer policies also what benefit is it to him if he doesn’t spend the cash, none.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:34
@Stephen: i though he pockets some of the transfer money which i now know he doesnt
July 9th, 2009 at 17:35
@owen: Hey don’t knock Nani mate, if he doesn’t score 20, he will certainly assist with many of the goals scored. I just wonder what he could do for us if SAF gave him the same amount of time and support of his game, that he gave to Ronaldo
.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:36
@owen: Absolutely NO CHANCE OF THAT Bro!
July 9th, 2009 at 17:42
If these rumours bout aguero are true and we end up getting him i would go as far to say the league is won already, seriously hes that good. We have over £80million just sitting in our bank doing nothing, why the hell arent we spending it on class players.
When i heard about ronaldo leaving i was having mixed feelings, on the one hand i was feeling sad ronaldo our best player was leaving but on the other hand i was excited and looking forward to the world stars i was expecting to come in. Names like ashley young, aguero, ribery, huntelaar were all going through my head and tbh looking at it i was under the impression as a team we would be stronger without ronaldo than we were with him.
A few times last year i was watching our team and was getting frustrated with certain aspects of us and what i wanted changing. I remember speaking with grognard a few times bout how our team reminded me so much of the barca team of the previous 07/08 year. Barca looked past their best that year, had ronaldinho who looked disinterested and in truth they were a mess. So what did they do, they sold their former talisman and reinvested the entire amount (strangely about the same as us, about £80m) in their squad and look what they did, they won the treble in their first year.
I have so much respect for barca they are just class all over. It will be intersting to see how we cope this season when we have sold our talisman and need to reinvest in the squad, but the way our signings have been so far we are no where near achieving a treble, not even close.
Aguero would be a step in the right direction at least, lets think formations later, if hes being descibed as better than messi then lets go out and get him. Sneijder is just sitting there for the taking, potential world class but hes still a great player and would cost about £20m which is just a joke for a player of his class.
Why are we so stupid with our signings, an average winger like valencia or the best in the league in young, aguero or owen. Man no wonder the rest of the elite clubs consider us small time and madrid think they can come in and click their fingers over our players, we dont help ourselves at all.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:47
@Craig Mc: Wouldn’t be suprised if it does happen – they guy has massive skills and if he will be the team’s number one striker wherever he goes, he will do well and score the 20-odd required to be PL top scorer.
@Craig Mc: Yep, really disappointed about the lack of urgency, but I cannot really think of good available players. It would be great if we got Aguero, but he would come at a huge price and everybody else is less value for more money. Honestly, I cannot see a good value-for-money player out there (accounting for the United-tax).
July 9th, 2009 at 17:50
@Matt: surely if the rumours are true it makes sense to wait to see what chelsea bid and then match it. it means we won’t get totally done, and the price won’t keep rising because they agreed a price. the only worry is if chelsea will be able to offer obseen wages and the fact that Tevez is no longer at Utd. that said Aguero praised Fergie as a great manager so its always a plus.. and the whole never wanting to play for Real is even better.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:53
@Grognard: Or maybe Fergie has already brought in the players he targeted?? Valencia?? Obertan?? Maybe he has decided to trust in the youth, we all say are going to be stars, to stake a claim next season?? Welbeck?? Maybe he has faith in some of the players who took a backseat on the ‘Ronnie show’ the last two seasons?? Nani, Berba, Rooney??
We all know Fergie wanted Benzema and like was reported, made a wholehearted attempt to get him but the boy chose Madrid, fair enough. That doesn’t mean we should just go for another established name who doesn’t fit into our planned system of play or just because we have to replace the big name we lost. That would be just reckless!! I have said this before, Fergie already knew who he wanted, he’s got two(Valencia, Obertan), missed out on one(Benzema) and got a reliable stop-gap(Owen) to see us thru while the youth(Welbeck) develop.
Believe it or not, our squad is still very strong despite Ronnie’s departure. The guy was a superman, but he had everyone in the team working for him. Fergie is trying to create a more balanced team that can allow for various members to equally contribute and share the goal-scoring responsibility. The media would have you believe we are going for every big name out there and are being shot down when the reality of the situation is we are not. The media would also love for a big name signing to be made so they can tear him down when he doesn’t produce anything close to the level Ronaldo was producing in his last two seasons. Fergie knows all this and I’m sure he’s not just sitting in his arse, drinking and lazying about as we all like to think. You don’t get to be that successful over a sustained period of time without being smart and aggressive.
July 9th, 2009 at 17:58
@Grognard: I agree. We do not know what we want or we want nothing. If Ferguson is pleased with the squad as it is then he should come out, say that he likes it as it is and finish the endless and painful (see Zlatan above) speculation. If he does want some players then he would do well to fucking go out and get them.
I mean we are joking about Essien here and maybe Torres but we would not be able to get these player and we would not be able to get Aguero or Ribery or Sanchez or anybody else once they move to a bigger club.
I think that United need to learn from mistakes of the past. We had the opportunity to battle Liverpool for Torres and Chelsea for Essien and our squad would have been better off with those players than without them (because I think both would have chosen United had they been given the opportunity). But we did not go for it and now the same thing is happening again. We need to go out and get the good players now.
Being beaten to the signature of anybody is not acceptable given the position that we are in with the money and with the attraction of the club (still big though not as big as Real Madrid’s).
So we need to avoid three embarrassing situations:
1. where Ferguson admits that Eduardo is a wonderful player and he would have gone for him had he known about the lad (that was pathetic).
2. where Ferguson is outbid for a player when he has 80 mil in his pocket.
3. where we drag a deal for so long that Manchester City come in at the last minute and offer more money and we are left empty handed and looking like idiots (this nearly happened with Berbatov).
If any of this happens then something has to change because it would be unacceptable.
July 9th, 2009 at 18:04
@Will: Yeah i would agree with waiting before matching their price but from what ive heard he has a £45m release clause in his contract which im guessing means if you match that £45m then you just need to discuss terms with the player. Im sure weve known that for a long time and its not like waiting will put the price down cos as i say thats a contract release clause which will not go down, so the fact we havent made a bid before this to me says we either dont want him or weve decided to buy elsewhere.
Honestly if he goes to chelsea i think they will win the league cos zhirkov and aguero are brilliant signings. Tbh thats how weve been different to them, we got orgetan or whatever hes called, owen and valencia and looking at them a week ago i have to say i was thinking their buys were terrible after getting sturridge and turnbull. But look how they counter that, they go out and get a world class player like zhirkov and possibly aguero man this is just pissing me off.
July 9th, 2009 at 18:08
Huntelaar has played 23 international games for Holland, and scored 13 goals, so the lad can do it on the big stage. Surely he is a better bet than Ibrahimovic?????
July 9th, 2009 at 18:10
@Andrei: I am somewhat surprised with the lack of dialogue the club have had with us, the fans this summer, Fergie hasn’t explained his change of stance with regards to Ronaldo, although we all know why, and what the plans are with the recruitment drive.
This means either they are working hard behind the scenes and trying to bring in players without alerting Real Madrid, City or even Chelsea to our plans so they cannot hijack any potential move or they are happy with the squad as is, or they simply don’t care about how the fans feel about this.
We as supporters are always get somewhat in the dark, this is true with most clubs, but for the first time ever bar Valencia which was always a done deal I have no idea what the clubs plans are this summer, which is a little worrying to say the least.
July 9th, 2009 at 18:19
@Gabriel: Gabriel, thing is though Bro, SAF IS interested in Aguero, otherwise Man United would not be monitoring the situation. To be honest, if this news report had come from anywhere but Talk Sport, I would have not taken it seriously, but they have a good rep for the knowledge they put out. That’s because they are nearly all ex football pro’s as you know, and have many INSIDE reliable and proven contacts at the clubs – sooooooooooo! They stated their contacts are reliable, and that Aguero is now available for transfer, and Chelsea have made a large offer, and Man United will match the offer. So we wait and see.
July 9th, 2009 at 18:23
I never quite understand the term “monitoring the situation”
If Chelscum have made an offer then maybe a little less monitoring and a little more bidding is in order.
July 9th, 2009 at 18:24
@Taehr: “Why dont united use their scouts and pick up a cheap unknown south american that would be ideal.Like they way kaka came out of nowhere.”
yea but now teams in south america want 20m for unknown/unproven talent see costa
July 9th, 2009 at 18:37
@Craig Mc: If that is indeed the case and not media speculation then it is good news. Let’s not forget, pre-season hasn’t even begun yet and we still have ample time to sign any players we ‘might’ still be interested in. Personally, I feel we should see what Chelski bid, then put in a counter offer and see who the boy chooses. If he chooses us, then we know all the talk about him being a fan was indeed true and not all bollocks like Tevez, just to attract the big clubs. I know I don’t want another mercenary on our books or to be fleeced by another team.
Truth is, there are few teams that have even had as much transfer activity as us so far. We can’t compare ourselves to Madrid ( they have the government/bank of madrid funding them) or Chelsea (billionaire owner with nothing to lose). We have to be prudent with our cash; teams know we have all this megabucks to spend and if we went in gung-ho for one of these ‘established’ stars, there will be a £15 mil RAT(Ronaldo added tax
) on the player concerned. Look at Costa for pete’s sake; £20mil for a relative unknown who doesn’t even play regularly for his first team!!! Ridiculous 
July 9th, 2009 at 18:37
@Stephen: I posted earlier but everyone seems to have missed it. We are waiting to see if Chelsea have a bid accepted. If they do, we will match it. There’s no point us activating his release clause if we could have saved £15mil. There is also no point us bidding unitl Chelsea have a bid accepted, because it will cause a bidding war if we do.
July 9th, 2009 at 18:41
@Onkar: i think you are right, now if fergi could do something similar about the world economy he really would be the president of england
July 9th, 2009 at 19:04
if we get aguero then in which position he will be used by fergie???
in midfield or as ss??
July 9th, 2009 at 19:09
if maradona has some role to play with aguero,then be sure he will be going to chelsea
July 9th, 2009 at 19:27
Some one on here said something the other day that made me think… Maybe fergies new transer strategy is to wait until a team other than United makes a bid so that he can see the clubs trua valuation of the club. In essence he is trying to circumvent the “United tax”
I dont know, that is one theory…
July 9th, 2009 at 19:32
… Back to reality, I think what we are seeing now is Fergie turning into Wenger. I was starting to suspect this because Like Wenger, Fergie is starting to turn a blind eye to his squads obvious holes and is buying players that he doesnt need. The signing of Obertan is even more Wenger like, because he is picking up a relatively unkown French attacker.
The longer this offseason drags on, the more worried I become about the upcoming season. I think fergie is resigned to rebuilding the squad and is prepared to use this season to blood the youngsters. I sincerely hope Im completely wrong about this, but lets just say I am not full of hope right now.
July 9th, 2009 at 19:43
@Matt: i thought the ‘release clause’ in spanish players contracts was only applicable to other spanish teams.. to stop barca and real coming in for young talent. that and im pretty sure that its a contractual obligation for all the players in spain to have a minimum release clause.
July 9th, 2009 at 20:01
@Traverse: I think we will adopt this strategy throughout the TW on big signings. We seem set on not overpaying too much, this time around!
July 9th, 2009 at 20:08
Well Andy Bassell is obviously an idiot as he deemed that “Obertan was a success at Lorient” whereas, by most accounts, he was a failure. Gourcuff senior (daddy of Yoann and manager of Lorient) reckons Gaby Obi-Wan has to grow up.
But one thing for sure is that he’s a real talent. Let’s hope the United way of things will make him grow up.
July 9th, 2009 at 20:17
@NicoQB: He clarified his stance on WSD. He said that at Lorient he was forced to play a more defensive role where he was asked to get stuck in than express himself because they had to scrap their way through Ligue 1. I listen to Vickery and Brassell every saturday on BBC World Football Phone in, and I quite respect what he has to say on European football at large. He’s also lived in France for very many years, and has followed the French league more closely.
His suggestion was that he saw potential but he feels he wasn’t used well.
July 9th, 2009 at 20:25
Wow, things are going slow today arent they?
July 9th, 2009 at 20:25
@johnsom33: Your reaction is but natural. Fergie typically comes under the most fire when he’s just sold his big assets and sets about rebuilding the squad. It was in evidence in summer following the 05/06 season, when he sold RVN and had only Carrick to show for. It also happened when he ditched Ince, Hughes et al.
I am not advocating blind faith. I also see some obvious flaws in our side. But I also see the importance he is currently placing in gettting as many signings as possible before the pre-season, unlike waiting till august like he did for Berbatov, or Rooney, or Carrick, or Tevez.
A good pre-season can do a world of good to squad chemistry. It’s something we clearly lacked last season when we literally tried to blend our squad through the season. It’s also a big reason why Spurs always eff it up, and Everton continue to cut it.
I think we won’t have the ability to be in contention for all prizes, but I still think we can challenge for the Premiership. I only wished we had Zhirkov.
July 9th, 2009 at 21:33
@RedDevilEddy: Nothing new to talk about. Everything else we have talked to death about…
July 9th, 2009 at 21:48
its too tough to wait for 15 august
July 9th, 2009 at 21:53
9 days, 9 days left…
July 9th, 2009 at 21:58
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/07/09/1373605/leading-bookmaker-slashes-odds-on-franck-ribery-joining
July 9th, 2009 at 22:00
Alot of people on here are saying we have no need for Aguero as he is a SS but dont forget Fergie wanted Tevez to sign and he is a less able SS so Fergie obviously has that type of player in mind. It could work and this could be a very versitile line up with Rooney/Aguero pushing wide or tucking in allowing Anderson/Valencia to go wider – Even the full backs we have can exploit the space out wide. It proves how good our squad is when you think there is no Owen, Welbeck, Macheda, Nani, Park, Oberton, Tosic,Fletcher, Hargreaves, Scholes, Giggs, Gibson, Evans, Brown, Fabio, Neville, Foster….. 17 players who can all contribute – thats a huge squad which means we can compete on all fronts.
I’ve been feeling worried about life after Ronaldo but suddenly im feeling a lot more optomistic…
——————–VDS———————-
RAFAEL—–RIO—VIDIC——–EVRA
————–CARRICK—————
—–VALENCIA——-ANDERSON——
–AGUERO—————— ROONEY–
—————BERBATOV—————–
All we need to do now is actually sign Aguero….! I think Fergie will hold off from buying a central midfield player this summer depending on how Hargreaves goes we may see someone come in January. Next summer we will more than likely lose Gigs and Scholes to retirement so that is when I can see us bringing in a top midfielder.
July 9th, 2009 at 22:04
This is my life right now…
http://www.studs-up.com/2009/07/guess-again/
July 9th, 2009 at 22:05
@Gabriel:
Haha no chance, thats worse than the Ibrahimovic rumour!!
July 9th, 2009 at 22:34
@Ryan:
Interesting line up.I don’t like Carrick in that main holding midfield role. You could play a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield, like Brazil play, but this would mean no room for either Carrick or Valencia.
July 9th, 2009 at 22:45
@Cyclops-Red: Of course formation and players choosen is gonna depend on who we play – that line up is ideal for the lower sides at home…. no real need for a defensive midfield player just have Carrick playmaking from his deeper position. Take out Aguero and put in Fletcher/Hargreaves then we will have our Barca away 4-5-1 formation. Such a big squad and so many options. Also with Owen we have a goalscorer and we can play the traditional 4-4-2. Really really interesting to see how we play and line up this year – im just intreagued who is gonna make the biggest impact this season – Berbs? Anderson? Nani? Big seasons for those 3….
July 9th, 2009 at 22:55
@Ryan:
I agree. We still have one of the best defences in the world and one of the strongest squads. Obviously Ronaldo gave us that extra edge and the ability to win tight games…. it will be really interesting to see.
July 9th, 2009 at 23:09
@Cyclops-Red:
Thats what we will miss the most, that extra edge. Im not sure anyone in our squad has got that little bit of magic about them which is why Fergie may look at Aguero as that player. As good as Rooney and Berbatov are, I still dont think they quite have what it takes to create that one special moment that Ronaldo could. Saying that if Rooney gets to play consistantly in his favoured position then who knows what his potential form could bring….
July 9th, 2009 at 23:22
@Ryan: I think Berba is going to be the man this season. I think 2 attacking wingers will suit him. The amount of times he got into great goalscoring spaces in the box last season only for Ronaldo to cut inside and shoot himself, or Tevez to fall over himself/bounce it off his shins…. he just stopped bothering! He’ll rack up the goals with cutbacks etc.
Also, I see him being pivotal for Rooney next season, providing the tight link up play and flicks he’s world renowned for to give Rooney space. I see them going all Cole/Yorke on us. And that’s not even accounting for Owen’s poaching ability.
Obviously it’s going to be all different against the ‘Liverpools and Chelseas of this world’ (copyright Jamie Redknapp
) who’ll be playing 3 across the midfield, but if Hargreaves is fit I’m not worried about them.
July 9th, 2009 at 23:26
@Ryan: Mate, that is fucking absurd. If we do buy the guy, we will never line up like that. More like:
VDS, Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra
Valencia — Carrick — Fletcher
——————————-Aguero
———Rooney—–Berbs
July 9th, 2009 at 23:33
@Traverse: Even if Hargreaves isnt fit I still have faith in Flatcher and Anderson to add the bite and energy to the midfield and that is the reason, along with Carrick, Giggs and Scholes that we wont buy a central midfield player this summer. Like I said earlier when Giggs and Scholes retire next season then we will need to add – whether its defensive or attacking that will depend on how Hargreaves gets through this season.
July 9th, 2009 at 23:36
I hate transfer season, the press actually have exhausted all possible scenarios. They even started getting desperate talking about Ribery to Liverpool and Ibra to United. yawn… wake me up when its over.
July 9th, 2009 at 23:39
@Andrei: Fergie likes to suprise us but VDS right back?!
There is a big difference to what is a line up to the way a team actually plays and operates…
As I said, we she see whats in store soon enough.
July 9th, 2009 at 23:58
@Red Ranter: Oh, ok. But the united website I believe stated that he had a successful spell at Lorient which was far from the case. Anyway I never trust the United website for objectivity!
Also one thing about the French league, wingers don’t get to express themselves as naturally as in england. While the french are undoubtedly superior tactically and arguably technically, they tend to add up layer upon layers of tactics, overcomplicating the game and which can really be detrimental to a player having a very direct approach to playing. I hope that Obertan’s natural game is that which he sjhowed against England’s under 21!
July 10th, 2009 at 0:49
@NicoQB: Andy also went on to make the following observations:
1. Obertan is a graduate from the famous Clairefontaine academy, where most French players come from. It’s renowned for producing technically very good players. And he made a case for England to establish a similar academy on a national scale and scrap the nonsensical 90km radius rule.
2. The French league is far more physical than the Spanish and Portuguese leagues, so the good players from the French league would acquit themselves better to the physical play in England than say, those from Portugal or Spain. Examples are the likes of Essien, Viera, Henry, Diarra, Ribery, Evra and even Bassong, who despite having a good season personally was unfortunate that he was in a shit club at Newcastle.
3. And, this follows from point 2: Obertan is a direct player, does the occasional step overs but does not elaborate like Ronaldo, because he would get absolutely clattered by French defenders.
All this is an assessment of his technical/physical attributes from someone whose followed him closer than us. But he doesn’t comment on his mental attributes which has been a cause for concern because of the way Blanc and Gourcuff (Obertan’s coach) spoke about his ability to overcome those attributes.
Time will tell as the cliche goes. And I’m always willing to give a new signing a fair run before jumping to judgments.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:05
So Hunterlaar goes to Stuttgart:
link
and looks like goal.com has also said that Villa is going to Barca.
well they’ve made an offer for 40mill
so we miss out on perhaps on a good out n out striker, and barca, strengthen their squad even further.
in a way, it’s good as it takes some of the pressure of expectation of us this season, and we can develop a new chemistry without having to focus/rely on ronaldo and hopefully see some new stars develop in our current crop.
but alas always for a good laugh is our old friend Rafa having a cry how all the “big” clubs and city have more money than him to spend
rafa’s latest rant 
July 10th, 2009 at 1:16
@Natzca: Real have accepted the offer. It doesn’t mean the player will move. There are other reports that say he will wait it in the hope that some other club comes calling.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:26
rafa rant link
here’s the rafa link btw, for a laugh
July 10th, 2009 at 1:27
@Natzca: Yes, and then Rafa proves his point by spending 17 bloody million pounds on a Right Back!
Now everybody knows Right Back is the most importat position on the pitch! You win games, nay, cups and titles with Right Backs!
July 10th, 2009 at 1:36
@NicoQB: he is a genius ain’t he?
July 10th, 2009 at 1:39
@Red Ranter: guess the door isn’t totally closed yet.
would hate to see Real recoup all the money they spent on him in the first place, it’s as if they can make mistakes and don’t feel any of the consequences.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:39
united last season might had the best squad in europe, even though we had not the best eleven nor we could not be rank in the top 5 in europe.
we lost Ronaldo and Tevez, is Rooney up to lead the team for winning.
we signed three players with all respect none of them will resolve our problems.
Obertan simply is nothing he is the replacement for Lee Martin not Ronaldo nor Valencia is a replacement for Ronaldo he is good to play along side with ronaldo so we definitely need a world class winger (how about Aguero although he is not a natural winger but ronaldo wasn’t neither they are both SS [ronaldo can play any attacking role and wil be considered the best in the world in that position]).
I don’t know why you all concerned about getting DMF, all our MFs are defensive or have been employed in that position we need AMF a creative playmaker to dictate games, can any body tell me which MF of ours can control the game and assist or scores frequently, and don’t tell me Carrick he is a deep-lying playmaker which is good to have one but not enough (how about sneijder)
within the next week (I hope): Aguero + Sneijder
and enough with another strijer parade Huntelaar was at the top of my list but getting him now will ruin the future of Welbeck and Macheda.
now i’m going to sleep and tomorrow i’ll post the squad that i want for the next season. peace
July 10th, 2009 at 1:56
@Natzca:
Do you mean comedy genius?
July 10th, 2009 at 3:00
I’m so far very unsatisfied with the progress we have made in the transfer market, and even though we have been active, i’d have to say that the overwhelming impression is that its all been a case of “safety first”.
Valencia has been a good soldier for Wigan for a few years now and will almost certainly be a good soldier for us too. His price was probably too high, but he must be considered a first choice starter, and so we paid it!!
Owens’ signing is something completely out of left field! A guy that has struggled with form and injuries for the past 3 seasons, it made no sense to me at all. However if I walked down the street and saw a large bank-note laying in the gutter, I’d probably pick it up and stuff in my pocket too!!
Obertan is another no risk option. At a meager 3m, he will not be talked about too much if he spends a year or so on the reserves, or on the bench, or even out on loan! A good prospect and a fairly prudent gamble, but certainly not a bona fide starter yet!!
So I say to to SAF, “don’t stop now”, we have an aching need to replace the main “go to guy” for the last 2-3 years and the waning skills of 2 of our main stalwarts in MF, and not to mention the imminent decline of our fine GK.
So with all said and done, I’d like to put forth a top-ten list of reasons why SAF really, really needs to keep spending!!
Here goes, and the most pressing reason will be reserved for last. I look forward, with baited breath, to your comments.
#10 – 2010 is a World Cup year and players will try to avoid over exertion and injury.
#9 – Our over investment in youth, has left us with a need for experienced starters.
#8 – SAF has always wanted to win the CL more than he has. Without expanding with more starters, this will be a pipe dream for next season.
#7 – Hargo’s involvement is very much up in the air for this season. The club will take a cautious approach with him, and so his playing time will be at best, muted.
#6 – The club’s business model is based on yearly participation of the CL. There must be a concern that such a depleted starting team, may struggle in the PL this year.
#5 – The injury risk to a fragile MO, has to play a part in the overall planning of the squad. To sign him thinking that he could perform, even in a consistent “back-up” role, would be very optimistic.
#4 – Rooney and Berbatov do not work well together, and to think that we would try again to make this chemistry work, goes against all the rules of science!
#3 – Giggs and Scholes are not “go-to” players anymore and their involvement in the starting lineup can only be as support and backup. They have been wonderful players for us, but it’s time to move on.
The problem with this is that it leaves us a very small, quality CMF. This has to expand, seriously!!
#2 – We have lost out best goal scorer over the last 3 seasons. The 3 seasons that, incidentally, we have dominated our domestic competition, and, not to mention winning the CL for a 3rd time.
Without scoring goals, our ambitions in all competitions will have to take on a very low proiority!
So the very best reason SAF has to expand his squad with a big player or two is:-
#1 – We have 60m plus to spend and that aint happening again any time soon. Use it, or loose it. Its up to you SAF!!!
July 10th, 2009 at 4:23
@Craig Mc: It’s sad that it has to come to that. It amazes me that from a business sense and a marketing sense we have not gone for a big name. Fergie’s argument to this would of course be we do not buy players for that purpose but he misses the point entirely. Despite what we do on the pitch, it is after everything is considered, a business. Obertan will sell three jersey’s in the Jewish sector. Owe n will sell a half dozen jersey’s in Liverpool’s Everton sector so that Everton fans can wear them to taunt Liverpool supporters and I seriously doubting more than a handful of Valencia jersey’s sold by bitter Wigan supporters with delusions of grandeur.
It’s about winning but I seriously wonder how we plan on winning having just lost about 30 goals a season while having recovered a total of ten from those three players. Oh sure Owen in theory should do much better than that but that is of course if he stays healthy and gets the proper service which I have doubts about. This team is in serious need of a superstar offensive threat besides Wayne Rooney. It is indeed dark times and for all of you who think I am full of shite, I’ll let the season speak for me if the squad stays the same as it is today. Honestly, even Huntelaar won’t make the difference. Only Kun Aguero and Ribery have the power and ability to make the impact I am talking about. David Villa is gone as of today and there is nobody else who carries the marketing clout to make that statement.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:29
@Craig Mc: Oh Boo Hoo mate. It’s not like it’s his own money. This is a game and in every game there are risks if you want to win. Some risks take money while others take time and patience. What Fergie doesn’t have is the luxury of time and patience. His window is quickly running out and he will miss any glory if he continues on this quest for crap. He needs to take a chance and buy a big name and fuck the money. In football and for team’s like Manchester United money DOES grow on trees. We just sold the best player in the world and with that money we have bought three players who wouldn’t make it in the top 300 players in the world. It diabolical, it’s unbelievable it’s a colossal waste of money on garbage.
And I have to say bro, it makes me so God damned angry. Nothing I hate more in this world than frugal people and lack of ambition and bollocks. Fergie right now is starting to look like a king sized chump. I hope he proves me wrong in the next week or so. 
July 10th, 2009 at 4:33
@Grognard: This is one of Groggy’s “Phases” People! Don’t worry. It’ll pass very soon! Especially when Fergie buys Ribery after the Audi Cup!
July 10th, 2009 at 4:37
@Grognard: I’m in harmony here, mate!!
July 10th, 2009 at 4:41
@Grognard: I sure hopes he proves you wrong also, not for his sake, but for United’s.
The biggest worry in this transfer season is not knowing what the hell is happening, everything we hear about United’s transfers have been predominantly rumours, so it’s difficult to tell the real opportunities we have versus the headline attracting bull$%$#.
we’ve invested in the future so far, now lets invest for this coming season or 2 a little at least.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:41
@Gabriel: He has failed to get every major target he has gone for because he was naive and idiotic enough to believe he could beat out Madrid or any other Spanish team in getting them. Ribery and Benzema were his top targets and he has failed because they simply never wanted to play for us. So why pursue them and waste valuable time pursuing them? He’s so fucking naive mate, I cannot believe how dense he is after all these years. The hubris that is flowing through his veins that has him believing that he has enough clout with a couple of French fags to get them to want to play for him over their dream team Madrid.
Amazing. really.
People talk about him not wanting to take a risk on players like that has ever stopped him before. He’s made as many bad signings in his career as he has made good ones and we have survived. But I give him credit for trying to get a Veron. A great player that was unfortunately used improperly the way Anderson and Carrick are these days.
He should have the bollocks to take the chance and not only go after a big name like Kun Aguerio but appease the fans for once inhis life. For Christ’s sakes we have lost the best player in the world. That has never happened to us before. At no time in our history have we ever lost what was considered the best player in the world to a rival team. This year was a first and losing Ronaldo means we should have delved into the transfer market with some real gusto and a master Plan A, B , C and D. Instead we had Plan A and that was the useless and highly overrated Benzema. And what was Plan B, C, D, Valencia, Owen and Oberfuckingtan?
Ferguson and Man Utd have a lot of explaining to do and have a lot to answer for how they have so disappointed their legions of supporters with this anemic, lethargic and completely uninspired attack on the transfer season. TOTAL FUCKING BULLSHIT!
July 10th, 2009 at 4:48
@Andrei: Now we look ready to lose Huntelaar to Stuttgart of all teams. Fucking Stuttgart?
Fergie isn’t just a procrastinator and coward, his evaluation of players has gone to his ass. He has no idea what he is passing up in Huntelaar and will rue the day he has passed on the great Aguero. Amazing that he has not gone after Aguero who is a United fan to boot.
I am presently dealing with my mother who is 92 and who is being prepared to be moved to a retirement home because she is suffering from Dementia. There are days when she is so out of it and so mean to me her son, that I don’t even believe this person is my mother. I know that Fergie is not suffering from dementia and that his health is fine thank God, but some of his moves or lack of, have me often doubting his sanity. I mean he is boring us all to death with the style of football that is anti United and now he has let the best player in the world leave when he had three years left on his contract and he has done sweet fuck all to replace him with a truly impressive talent. Seriously, Fergie needs to cut out the wine.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:50
@Craig Mc: Dave Kitson and Dave Nugent are better bets than IbrahimoBitch.
Hell, Ted Nugent is better than him.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:52
@Stephen: The club as a whole are ignorant assholes towards us all. They take our money and show us no appreciation or respect. I’m not asking to have a say in who manages and who plays like a ridiculously idiotic Newcastle fan but please, this many of us cannot be wrong and to completely dis us after losing Ronaldo has been more than I can take.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:55
@Craig Mc: Oh please mate, never ever bring up that “Monitoring the situation” crap to me again. What is there to frakken monitor? They have fucking money, spend it and lets be finished with it. Monitoring the situation is code for I am to bloody scared to buy a player worth more than 3 pounds because I am a cowardly shit who has his thumb firmly pressed down on the chicken switch. Procrastinating has never ever worked for us. It just forces us to have to play more because we procrastinate and allow others to enter the bidding war. Buy him now like they bought Obertan and get it over with. Look at how cleanly and efficiently Barcelona bought Villa. Why? Because Villa wanted to play for them. Well Aguero wants to play for us. What the frak is he waiting for? Absolutely mind numbing!
July 10th, 2009 at 4:56
@Stephen: You beat me to it mate. I just hate the term with a passion.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:00
@Grognard: Grog, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. My Father’s demise was much the same way and, so, I know a little of what you’re going through.
Hang tough, my friend, eventually sanity will reign.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:02
@Red Ranter: Not going after Zhirkov was a major mistake. He was the total answer to our needs on the left side. He could even have forced Fergie to do us all a favor and bench the Skinned Sausage because he’s as good at playing LB as he is playing LW. A king sized blunder of epic proportions.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:03
@owen: I have no problem waiting because I am bored to death with our present squad. Bored to death.
It will be a happy day when I never have to see Neville, Scholes and even Giggsy again. And I am bored to death and fed up with the Skinned sausage and the EVDS and Foster and the whole works.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:06
@Gabriel: If Ribery comes to England, let alone United I will be amazed beyond belief. He only wants Madrid or Barca and coming to England would mean there was no reason for him to leave Munich.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:11
@Natzca: That doesn’t mean he is going there mate. That just means they have accepted the offer and now they will wait for other offers to accept until the one they like the most and until Huntelaar also agrees to any move.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:12
@Natzca: Yes Rafa is a true genius because of all the right backs he could have gone for, he chose an overrated bum like Johnson.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:14
@Devilinho: Welbeck’s and Macheda’s future is a concern but the only future that concerns me mate is winning the Champions League and the EPL again. Send them on loan for all I care if we were to get Huntelaar.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:19
@Natzca: It’s really very easy mate. Look at all the players we are linked to, now pick the ones we know we can never get, and those are the ones Fergie is after. Secondly, look for ones that aren’t even on the radar. The bargain basement variety. Ant great player we are linked to that we all are in agreement with, you can be assured they are not on Fergie’s list.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:22
@Grognard: Amen, brother!!
July 10th, 2009 at 5:25
@Redrich: Thanks a lot mate. It’s a major struggle and at the same time I am preparing for a move to smaller accommodations and having to downsize because of all the things both of us have accumulated over the years. I brought my mom over to Vancouver in 93 after my father passed away and she literally brought everything including the kitchen sink with her. I suffer from a bad back and get winded easily these days and I have to pack up all our things, throw many things out and handle all the chores involved with relocating. And on top of all that i visit my mother every day at the hospital and she is completely angry and indifferent towards me and is blaming me for her plight. I feel for her but she has found a nastiness that I never believed she had in her. So if I am being extra nasty to Fergie, one must understand that I ma stressed out beyond belief and i so crave some really great news from my other great loved one, Manchester United. Instead Fergie is treating me about as bad as my mother.
Thanks again for the kind words of encouragement. To be honest, despite everything, I really am looking forward to moving to my new place and being close to the beach. 
July 10th, 2009 at 5:42
@Grognard: I’m no health care pro, but I would say your mom just can’t help herself now. It’s hard, but don’t take it personally. You really are doing the best you can, and you probably feel that it’s not enough, but you are doing all you can!!
Take a breath mate, this is a hard time for you. A health care councilor helped me to understand what was going on with my dad, have you tried to talk to someone in Vancouver??
July 10th, 2009 at 7:03
@Grognard: Hey man I hope that all goes more easily for you. It really puts things in perspective for me as I have no real problems to speak of right now. Hang in there.
I REALLY wish that Fergie would get someone great soon to put our minds to rest (partially at least). It almost gives me a headache thinking about looking up the news every day… Since when was tracking a team over the summer (or any time of the year for that matter) THIS tough of a thing to do?
I mean Fergie should just forget about the United tax and pay it if need be, especially with all of the cash on hand… I’m tempted to say that we should just spend nearly all of it on the right star player.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:54
@Stephen: You’re missing my point completely (on purpose I might add).
I’ve just adopted this philosophy in life…”I don’t go for second best”.
I know what I want, and I go for it whole-heartedly.
In this case, I’m trying to project that on my beloved club. If I was Fergie, I want Essien, I would go out and get him. No compromise.
If I wanted Benzema, I would have gone out and gotten him. I would have made him and the club an offer that they could not refuse. I would not fuck around monitoring a situation. That’s why I said, we should learn from Real Madrid.
—-
@Johnsom33: All these comments and threads are just pure fantasy and are all pointless. None of us seems to be twisted enough to be able to accurately predict our manager’s next move. We’re all just speculating. None of our opinions really matter to the management of our club, so we might as well enjoy our ‘pointless’ speculations.
—-
@Andrei: “3. where we drag a deal for so long that Manchester City come in at the last minute and offer more money and we are left empty handed and looking like idiots (this nearly happened with Berbatov).”
- Urm…it DID happen with Berbatov. We WERE left to look like idiots on the Berbatov deal.
Spurs wanted £25m, United wanted to pay £20m, we ‘negotiated’ and concluded the deal at £35m + a player swop.
—
I’m also sick of this transfer season and its activities. If we did nothing, it would have been fine, instead, we seem to be getting these lame-ass signings. I mean, what does Orbetan have that Nani does not?
If we were to go for Ibra’bitch, it will not only show that there is NO plan in place, but also that management are clue-less.
While I’m on the topic, why the hell did we pay so much for Tosic in the first place? Why do we need more wingers when we originally bought him to compliment Nani? Can we conclude his transfer was a mistake?
‘Transfers’ was incidently the one area I had originally hoped the Glazers would actually step into personally as our club’s management have proven over the years to be incompetent in this area.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:15
@Grognard: Im sick of you. I follow this blog cca 2 years, but im not writenig a lot becouse my english is not that good. Bud i know a lot of regular guest here and no one is so negative on our United like you. You are always unhappy about how we play, buying players, selling players, compete with other clubs. You unlike half of our team, so why you support this club???? Your comments are all about what we shall do or what we are doing wrong. My question is in which place in Vancouver Canucks structure do you works, becouse of your neverending experience in managing of sport club.
thats funny. no way!!! So no room for aguero in our team.
I love United even i follow them only 15 years, im not from England, i was never in England. Sometimes i dont understand what SAF is doing but he is THE MANAGER of United so i trust him, he is the best of the best of the best.
To the players. Im not happy that we have lost Ronaldo but in other side im happy im not hearing: “i want go to madrid” anymore. Valencia is great player, very fast and i like fast players. Speed could make a big difference in every small battle, that the reason. Obertan is the same. I watch only 2 matches with him this year a he catch my eye. I think he could do it, but it will take some time. Im ready to wait.
About Huntelaar – yes, great striker but he is 25, and we know him 5 years, so how long SAF know him??? When he really want him i think he is wearing our shirt for a long time already. SAF like to buy strikers from PL, but RvN was from Nederland and has great goal scoring record a SAF bring him to OT. So why he havent brought Huntelaar when he has almost equal record. Maybe SAF thinks, he doesnt fit to our team. And thats the most important thing, he have to decide, he is responsible, not you. Please try to be a little bit more patient, if you are a true United fan you have to respect the options, which we have.
The same with Aguero, i like him very very much, i like atletico, the way they play, i dont watch every match but i like this team, Raul Garcia, Maxi and Aguero particular. But where he would play??? We have Rooney in his position, and thats mean Aguero or Rooney have to play on the wing. For me this isnt a solution. I hate it when Roo was winger. And Aguero in PL on the wing.
For me it was only one striker for United and it was Benzema. He is going to Madrid. The next possibility are Welbeck and Macheda and Owen till they are ready. Im satisfied with this solution. Lets hope it will be good solution.
One thing. We need a CMF. But everyone here want one more, we will see. i hope and believe.
Sorry for long comment and my mistakes.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:18
@Karl: On Purpose?
No you you should read my post Chelsea do not want, have or will sell, end of.
Why spend stupid money like your idea for £80m on a player when we can concentrate on other options like De Rossi, Sneijder, Huntelaar or Van der Vaart and Drenthe all those players we could get for combined fee £80m and would benefit the team more, you keep saying the club is run poorly, if we spend £80m on a defensive midfield player you will be right.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:30
this is my first post and and had nice evenings with a cuppa reading all the comments. our defence is solid could be sronger sure but we have a world class lot. what we need is a governer….so that all the troops who have talent one way or another be it skill or workethic can work around but we do need that hard kean like character who takes no prisoners and be a physical and pychological leader.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:42
@Redrich: I am aware of what is going on mate thanks. I also know that with Alzheimer’s patients, they often exhibit hostile and aggressive sides of themselves when they are moved out of familiar settings. She was fine at home but has reacted very badly to the hospital. This means that it will only get worse as she goes tot he retirement home. What worries me is her unwillingness to take her medication as well as he lack of appetite. I am very aware of what is happening with her and that it isn’t really her but it’s just so hard. She’s all I have left and she’s been a great mother. I hate the fact that she now feels her son has betrayed her. She’s acting as if I just signed with Real Madrid. Sad thing is I have been very supportive of her and I am more like Scholes or Giggs rather than Ronaldo. Sometimes life is just tough and football often echoes our live’s difficulties. I really do need some good news from Fergie.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:43
@TurkishRED: Thanks mate. Patience and strength is the key.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:44
@Rysho: OOOOHHHHH Chill man…. I mean just chillax… and put your comment in a calm manner… No matter if you have problem with his comment but just take a chill pill bro…
July 10th, 2009 at 9:51
@Rysho: You’re sick of me? Christ man, you don’t even know me. Pretty strong words coming from somebody towards another person over a football team don’t you think? You can agree with me or disagree with me mate but to be sick of me, well that’s just cold and very mean spirited and it says a lot about you. I feel sorry for you that you could get so angry with someone over their feelings about a football team. Take an aspirin, calm down and grow up.
Also, insulting people and getting personal is not something we like or tolerate on this blog. I’ve never heard of you yet I find it amusing that you are sick of me. Do you like to force other people to think just like you? A little fascist I think. You must be a real fan of George Bush and other right wingers who have no tolerance for freedom of speech and thought. Like I said before, grow up. As for your preferences in players, I really couldn’t give a fuck what you think as I find wiping my ass more entertaining than reading your thoughts.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:52
@Grognard: Bro just keep patient like TurkishRED metioned. I mean that will help you to lessen your irritation towards things on and off the field as well
. I hope we will soon hear some big news from gaffer which will give you some peace of mind. I hope everything will end fine for you sooner rather than latter. 
July 10th, 2009 at 10:03
@Grognard: Bro… Just calm down and relax… Like I said him just take a chill pill… I hope he will realize his mistake… And if he wish to continue on this blog he will check his language… or else our Big Daddy Mr. RR will take care of him.. Whats say???
So, just don’t boil your blood further as it is already hot due to actions or lack of by Fergi in the transfer market… Just Chill..
July 10th, 2009 at 10:06
@Onkar: I hope you are right mate and thanks for the advice. I do need to calm down as this thing with my mother and the stress of this massive move has my temper and emotions all out of whack. I get mad as Heck with Fergie but deep down I think everyone needs to know that I truly love the man and trust him……95% of the time.
I haven’t been to impressed with him this summer but I’m sure he will do the right thing for the team. I do hope they make a big signing though because we the fans really need a big event to help us forget Ronaldo and Rome.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:17
An interesting list of the Top 50 United players of all time. The author has placed Ronaldo at #50. And some call me angry and bitter.
Good list but Ronaldo would be #2 on my list behind George Best. My favorite is Cantona but even I realize he is not as great as Best or Ronaldo. And as great as Sir Bobby was, I just do not think he is in the top 3.
My top 10 for the sake of debate;
1. George Best (His last name says it all)
2. Ronaldo (Had he played a few more years for us, he’d be #1)
3. Eric Cantona (For me he will always be the King)
4. Sir Bobby Charlton (A class act with such grace)
5. Roy Keane (Man how I miss this player’s influence in midfield)
6. Peter Schmeichel (Simply the second best keeper I have ever seen)
7. Ryan Giggs (Class, skill and longevity. The consummate loyal pro)
8. Duncan Edwards (Might have been the best if not for the tragedy)
9. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Never underestimate this man’s greatness)
10. Bryan Robson (Leadership, grit and skill)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6415819.ece
July 10th, 2009 at 10:20
@Onkar: You are right mate but he needed to be put in his place because I could not let him get away with that. I have no problem with his not agreeing with me at all. He just didn’t need to get personal and rude.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:21
@Grognard: I totally agree with you bro.. We do need big signing may not be from footballing point of view as much as from psychological point of view. As it will help us come out of the shadow of Ronaldo…
And no one on this blog who is regular will doubt you loyalty towards Man UTD and gaffer. But, the problem is the person who might have started following this blog very recently will feel that way because the hard way you have came in last few days. We can totally understand that there are many tings happening in your life which are getting reflected in your emotions. But, the newbie may not understand that.
So, just ignore and move and take care of your mother bro…
Have a happy time…
July 10th, 2009 at 10:26
@Onkar:
6. Peter Schmeichel (Simply the second best keeper I have ever seen)
So, whos the best??
Can we say that given the list of your favourites the Van the Man is the best ever Out n out poacher/ striker Man UTD had… (I don’t know much about Duncon Edwards)???
July 10th, 2009 at 10:32
@Onkar: I see what you are saying but that bloke claimed to have followed the blog for two years. Now I know I can be a little hard core at times and negative but i have many many examples over two years where I have been positive and funny as well.
And to be honest, as much as my personal life is affecting me, I honestly feel I would be spewing the same venom on the site because my personality and nature is that of a person who is very impatient and who likes to see aggressive approaches made in the transfer market. I was this mad last summer as we did nothing until a day before the transfer window closed when we got Berbatov. Fergie has a way of bringing out my worst with his procrastination, stubbornness and patience. Plus, I like to get my way. I want Aguero and Huntelaar.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:35
I am reading rumours of United in talks with Atletico about Aguero. Apparently they offered 40 million and Nani but were turned down and so now they are offering 20 million and Berbatov. More BS I’m sure but we can only hope.
I like Berbatov a lot but I would prefer Aguero over him any day and to be honest, letting Berbatov go to Atletico and bring in both Aguero and Huntelaar would be a fantasy for me. I’ll settle for Aguero though. Man I would love for this rumour to actually come true.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:40
@Onkar: I’m old enough to have watched the great Sepp Maier play quite a bit for both West Germany and Bayern. He was awesome, especially in big games. One of the greatest goalkeeping performances I have ever seen was his performance in a torrential downpour in the 1974 World Cup semi vs Poland. The conditions and the field were awful but some of his saves that night defied belief and physics. He was always just so clutch. Interestingly, Maier is also Schmeichel’s idol and hero as was another one of my favorites, Harold Schumacher. I like physical no nonsense keepers who command their box and who have a meanness to their game. Also, they love to scream at their defenders.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:40
ronaldo used to win around 4- 5 matches with his tremendous freekicks..
this time we r going to miss those goals or even the matches
July 10th, 2009 at 10:44
getting aguero will seal the trophy now only
July 10th, 2009 at 10:44
@Grognard: You are saying that Fergi is pretty Stubborn.. But I think you are not less stubborn them him… Isn’t it???
I mean still sticking to The Hunter..
I mean even i love Hunter a lot. I never watched Van Basten Play but definitely watched Van the Man a lot and literally worshiped him. I see same player playing when i see Hunter.. So i madly followed him with what ever limited coverage we have of him since his Dutch league days here in India…
But we both know what the fact.. He won’t be an United Player
July 10th, 2009 at 10:50
@Onkar: van Nistelrooy is the greatest natural goal scorer we ever had with all due respect to Dennis Law. Is he one of the all time greats world wide? Well, to be honest I wouldn’t place him in my all time top 10 strikers of the world. Pele is obviously right up there but again my German bias may be showing here but for me the greatest natural goal scorer of all time is Der Bomber Gerd Mueller. A career of 1 goal a game says it all about his greatness. 68 goals in 62 internationals says it all and he retired from international duty a good eight years before he should have.
Other strikers I love are Pele, Cruyff, Rummenigge, van Basten, Ronaldo (Brazil, Hate him but he was great), Inzaghi, Klinsmann, Lineker and I really liked both of the Laudrup brothers. Of course I don’t add any United players in that list because one should normally assume that I loved Cantona, Sparky and most of the rest except for Saha who I just hated.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:52
@owen: That’s a good point. We shouldn’t be worrying just about the goal we are going to miss but who is capable of taking over in the free kicks department and do as good a job. Hargreaves if ever healthy would be my choice but of course he is a question mark
July 10th, 2009 at 10:53
@Grognard: But, if i want to keep choices restricted to the united players then who would be your choices???
I mean for me nether i am that old nor i have privileged of watching bundesliga so even today my knowledge about the league and players in Germany is pretty limited.
Thats the reason i never passed any comment about Ribery as well on this blog cause i have seen him on very limited occasions and mostly in highlights reel.
Anyway, I am happy that the most important thing that happened to me is i privileged to see very best of Roy Keane.. As i could learn a lot from the man.. I mean determination, courage, loyalty, leadership, performance, influence and many more…
I really worshiped him in his days at MAN UTD… Not only for the Football but all the other things that i mentioned..
I mean the man was a Real Daemon absolutely suited for the Red Devils isn’t it???
July 10th, 2009 at 10:54
@Grognard: oooppps bit late in questioning???
July 10th, 2009 at 10:57
@Onkar: No I am probably more stubborn but I am not in charge over at Man Utd and so my stubbornness doesn’t count.
If I was in charge though, I would be much more willing to take a chance on players than he seems to be. He seems a little gun shy these days. I mean look at his tactics. All this caution and we have such a great team. Why? Also, he just isn’t being aggressive in the transfer market. I may be as stubborn but I am far more aggressive and progressive as well, I detest procrastination and especially what he is now becoming famous for, that being his need “to monitor the situation”. Christ he treats buying players with the same care and carefulness as a brain surgeon removing a tumor. I would treat it more like clipping a toenail.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:59
@Onkar: I can’t include Huntelaar in the group because he hasn’t yet done it with a big club in a big league and his international career hasn’t taken off yet. But when it’s all said and done, he could end up like RVN.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:03
ronaldo freekicks,goals from nowhere are irreplacable in the planet and due to his diving and other silly thins you can’t place him at no. 50 in that list..keen to hear his comments on this
July 10th, 2009 at 11:06
if ribery is going to liverpool,then it will be a serious season for them..
all free scoring midfielders like ribery,gerrard and kuyt + fit torres…
great threat for all defences
July 10th, 2009 at 11:09
@Onkar: We have been so lucky as United supporters to have been blessed with so many great players. I mean it doesn’t get better than my top five United players of all time.
My goodness my top 30 is loaded with players I think are totally world class and that are amongst the best i have ever seen. In fact Rio, Vidic, Stam and even Brucey and Pallister are among the top ten or so CB’s I have ever seen anywhere. And as for Keano, well the man has my temperament and attitude towards the game. What I dislike the most about our team over the past four years is the lack of an enforcer and a loud leader that teams as well as our own players respected and feared. Keane was such a presence. I honestly felt that with him starting a game, we automatically had a goal lead before the kickoff because his presence and leadership almost always made us dominate.
Cantona was also very much a major advantage for us by just starting the game. His presence scared the heck out of defenders because he was so incredibly creative. Cantona was one of those great player who could be having a terrible game and be mostly invisible and then all of a sudden he conjures up a moment of sheer magic and we win the match. And I cannot recall ever seeing him ever miss a penalty. He was so automatic in that. The goal I remember most was the brilliant one that he just stood like Superman after scoring with his hands digging into his hips and looking around the stadium with his collar up. I mean how can you not love that man?
July 10th, 2009 at 11:11
@owen: What would make you think Ribery would end up with Liverpool?
They can’t even afford his shoes.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:11
@Grognard: Aguero is one of those players whom you would rather have in your team than play against. Aguero to the rent boys will just light up Stamford Bridge and it is the last thing we want to see.
Having said that, to me the transfer, with regards to the skill of the player, is not a priority. We need to identify other areas such as the mid-field. Aguero is a top player and will get goals but how will Fergie balnce the team out. Aguero and Rooney are sure starters, they need to play week in and week out.
Berba too, inspite of a mediocre season, belongs to that category. He has way too much skill to be a fringe player. Berba’s game revolved around getting Ronaldo to goal scoring positions. Stick up Rooney and Berba up front and I think he can recreate the magic that made people compare him with the King. Fergie will not sell Berba after a season, will not let Berba be on the fringes. He has openly expressed the admiration for the player.
So, where does that leave Aguero? either him or Rooney will be pushed out wide and that will take away some cutting edge from them.If fergie indeed gets Aguero, we’ll have to seriously question the signings of so many attacking players in the squad and not to forget the youth players coming up such as Welbeck,Kiko,Petrucci and Ljajic.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:12
@grognard:last season a lot of matches were goal less till 70-80 mins but i used to be confident knowing ronaldo is on the pitch…
if this happens this time on whom we will trust..
at that nani will also not be on the pitch
July 10th, 2009 at 11:13
@owen: I don’t know about the list bro… But, yeah his few freakish goals which were match winners like one in porto match in CL are definitely irreplaceable.
But, then the simple answer to this worry is don’t worry. Because, if something is irreplaceable like you i agree then worry about replacing it or ranking it.. We enjoyed it and cherished it. Thats all.
I mean he was like a storm which came in England took destroyed evry team which came in his way and then left by taking all the accolades.
We were fortunate to him in our side… So just cherish that…
I mean don’t indulged in the exercise of ranking of such greats cause they are beyond that….
What ya say???
July 10th, 2009 at 11:22
@Grognard: Grog, infact the qualities that you mentioned about Keano and Cantona were the qualities that Ronaldo had,didn’t he ? The ability to conjure up some magic out of nowhere and calming down the nerves of the fans and the team-mates knowing that with him in the team ,we are already a goal up.
We’ll miss him big time, we might not even get a ‘marquee signing’ but for some reason, I’m excited for the new season. I would love to see how the team reacts to this. Get in the players and if we get a big victory against Birmingham, then I think the belief will come back.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:27
they r offering dossena (5-7 mill) ,veronon (5 mill),babel (10-12 mill) + 25 mill = tatal 40 mill.impossibe to get with this amt
July 10th, 2009 at 11:31
i dont even imagine to think but somehow it seems that our winning the season is going to take hault this time..may be 3Rd place (if aguero is not coming)
July 10th, 2009 at 11:39
@Scorp: About the accommodating all three of them i always felt that if we are ready to do some adjustments in the formation we can and believe me if this can be worked out then it will be the most fascinating season we would witness…
Like I mentioned before in some post why not play all three of them in a narrow triangle with Berba as focal point and Rooney and Kun playing of him parallel to each other and very tight so not drifting towards wings and creating a very tight triangle.
Then they are backed up by strong and preferably narrow midfield which will include one solid DM enforcer and two Cazza types players..
Solid back 4 and the width will be provided by the full backs who i would prefer them playing more as a wing back with the DM covering for them when they are roaming up the field….
I mean imagine the amount of creativity the front three will bring to the table as well know the level of imagination all of them has…
I don’t know how it will work in PL but i am damn sure that i will work well in CL as will allow us play the possessional football that we are playing lately with more attacking intent….
What ya say bro?? Can you just visualize what i am saying here???
July 10th, 2009 at 11:43
@Scorp: I don’t agree on this bro…Cause when Eric ‘The King’ Cantona or Roy ‘Daemon’ Keane use show those qualities i always felt that they are doing it for the Team the MAN UTD. But, i never had that feeling while watching Ronaldo. I mean i am not questioning his abilities but i always felt he is playing for himself more than team which was very unlike for both The King and Daemon himself….
Thats what at least i always felt dont know about other!!!
July 10th, 2009 at 11:49
@ onkar : ronaldo while playing for himself also was contributing to the team success only and fergie knew this..
so he was breaking all defences apart
you give rooney all the freedoms and see
it will not provide the same result
July 10th, 2009 at 11:58
@Grognard:
Im not trying to insult you or launch personal attack on you, let alone angry, maybe bad chosen words. You are right, we are talking about football club not World War. Why so being so negative. I think we should give SAF a little bit more time and not writing the worst scenarios already. He has almost 2 months for new players. Last year we have bought Berbatov in final day, previous year we brought Tevez in late August. So he has plenty of time.
And in the other side, he is only human, what can he doing when his long time target chooses an unnamed organisation before us like ronaldo. This time isnt a plenty of other players, who could fit into our style of play and at the same time fill the gap we need to be filled. He has other possibilities but its up to him how he decide. And i trust him. And we will see next may, where is the truth.
We have not playing a lot of games without ronaldo, so its not easy to imagine how we could play. I could be like first games this year but it could be like previous year, match against Arsenal. Im trying to be positive. I hope, believe that we are able to get 40 goals and more next season.
PS: This is only my opinion to current situation of our beloved club, i dont try other people persuade to follow this opinion under threat of their health. This is only my view.
George Bush is for me something like falling population of penguins in Antarctica.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:02
@Onkar: I’ve never been a kind of fan of such a formation. It would lack width and it doesnt stretch the teams. The only width would comes from the full backs and teams can easily figure out what it takes to stop them. Scolari tried such a formation with width coming from Bosingwa and Cole and once you negate their threat , you are narrowing the playing width and defending against that becomes easier.Even with the amount of talent we have, i think teams which park the bus will find it easier. Also with the full backs we have , Rafael and Evra especially, we’ll need two solid mid-fielders covering up for them.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:02
with ronaldo we lost almost all the matches against big 3…so it is going to better only now ..we can struggle against minnows where to win you have to score and where we lack seriously without ronaldo
July 10th, 2009 at 12:02
@owen: Thats why i wrote in the end that this is what i feel… I mean i am not denying that he contributed to the team while playing for himself but my objection was on the comparing the similarities in the qualities of the King and the Daemon along with Ronaldo. As he might be more gifted player than former two nut the commitment level and other qualities can’t be compared in my view again i am saying it just my view and i don’t wanna debate on this..
Cause, just like grog I am also very stubborn on my on points specially involving Roy Keane….
July 10th, 2009 at 12:07
@Onkar: Ronaldo, if was playing for himself alone would have no business to come with late goals , he could have as well let them pass. I dont believe the theory he didnt want to play for the team. Yes, he did want all the attention, and he is no Rooney, but he did care for the team, atleast that is what he wants us to believe now
He was a winner and he hated ending up on the losing side.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:07
@Scorp: I agree that it will narrow the park totally but that why i precisely said that I am not sure if it will work in the PL or not but i have feeling that it will definitely work well in CL.
Any which way if we are trying to sign Kun (which i am 99% sure we are not) this is only way i can see of accommodating them without pushing them wide towards wing as i would hate to see Rooney going to wing again… And would definitely not like the most natural talent like KUN is also wasted playing wide….
July 10th, 2009 at 12:13
if ronaldo would have cared more to pass the ball,then our CL hopes would have ended in porto only.no english team had won there and still no bcoz ronaldo won there that day ,not man u ( with no disrespect to our beloved club)
July 10th, 2009 at 12:45
@owen: @Scorp:
Bros… Can we just stop about Ronaldo.. He left.. The story is over… I think its time to look forward to the life after Ronaldo and not the back ward like what were those when Ronaldo was a part…
See we have seen many great players come and grace this club.. Its the club and the fans which stands and continue till infinity and not those players…
I am not denying anything about what Ronaldo was but just move on you all….
Think about the 80 million think about KUN its better then singing the Ronaldo tune as its not going to help us….
July 10th, 2009 at 12:58
I’m quite happy with what we’ve got really. One powerhouse midfielder and I’d be very happy. That or Hargreaves to be declared fit.
July 10th, 2009 at 13:00
untill and unless we eill next season,ronaldo ghost is not going to leave us mate…eveythinf thing will be compared with his era
July 10th, 2009 at 13:05
@Traverse: I agree but even if he is declared fit he will need cover.
@owen: Only by the media and who gives a fuck what they think?
July 10th, 2009 at 13:18
@Stephen: That’s what Fletchinio is for
July 10th, 2009 at 13:29
@Traverse:
I’d go with ‘Fletcherlele’ 
seeing as he’s gonna be our defensive midfield dynamo this season!! 
July 10th, 2009 at 13:36
@Traverse: I like Fletch but he is Mr Inconsistant, he plays a couple of great hames then he turns back into Mr Average, with Hargo my faith in his long term fitness had somewhat dwindled.
July 10th, 2009 at 13:38
@Stephen: If Hargo is declared fit or if is expected to make a come back, then I don’t think we need another mid-fielder. Except for the matches against the other big 3 , I don’t think we’ll be in a spot of bother, against the big teams , definitely we need him. Other than those big matches , i believe Fletcher can do the job and if he progresses this season at the rate he did last season, then we would be well covered. But all this comes with a big IF. I,personally, feel we missed out on Palacios and Diarra.
July 10th, 2009 at 13:38
@Stephen: That’s why he is back up. Over 10 / 15 games a season I’ve got no problem with him. If Hargreaves is fit, Fletcher doesn’t play.
July 10th, 2009 at 13:40
@Stephen:
I think fergie sees Hargreaves, fletcher and Anderson as our midfield battle field men…. That’s 3 players plus carrick, scholes, giggs and Gibson we have 7 CM and I believe fergie has faith in them. I honestly believe it will be next summer we sign a big midfield player to cover the loss of giggs and scholes. Right or wrong we will find out and only the club know just what condition Hargreaves is in.
July 10th, 2009 at 13:46
@Stephen: Fletch is the man. He has developed tremendously now that Fergie has decided to give him a settled role. Remember when he used to play on the right?? Then next game in the middle?? A bit of positional consistency is good for player development and we have seen that with Fletch. The lad is just 25 and there is definite room for more improvement. He was solid in 80% of the games he played in last season, especially against the big boys (chelsea 3-0, inter both games, arsenal both CL games). He can only improve this season and deserves the faith the manager is putting in him. Plus, with hargo coming back, he can have a bit of a breather here and there.
July 10th, 2009 at 13:46
@Traverse: I agree but we can’t guarantee Hargo to be fit, if he gets injured and out for lets say 6 months or worse then we are in trouble, Carrick is arguably first choice, Anderson needs to sort him self out and quick because time is running out, Gibbo the jury is still out in my view, Giggs is 36 in November and isn’t really a centre mid, Scholes is struggling as time hasn’t been kind.
We do not have a World Class centrel midfield player, that is the issue with this current squad in my view.
July 10th, 2009 at 13:53
@Ryan: Plus, don’t forget Fergie has sent Possebon out on loan to Sporting Braga, who came 5th last season in the Portuguese league and are playing in the Europa leauge nxt season. That is valuable experience for the lad and if he does shine there, he would be a shoe-in for a spot in our team. We actually have a very decent set of midfielders; let’s not forget most of them are relatively young and are well capable of becoming outstanding players if given playing time.
July 10th, 2009 at 13:54
@Gabriel: De Rossi, Melo and Toulalan are also 25 or there abouts, mate and I know who I would prefer.
This is no slight on Fletch I would love him to be a squad player but for me he simply should not be considered a starter.
July 10th, 2009 at 14:01
@Stephen: And if Hargreaves is fit, neither would Toulalan or Melo be.
July 10th, 2009 at 14:05
@Traverse: I would pick Hargo over both of them fit matey no doubt, but personally I have a bad feeling about Hargo but lets hope I am wrong.
July 10th, 2009 at 14:05
@Stephen: Mate, these are players who have developed because they have been given regular playing time. Fletcher began getting his last season and see how he has come on in leaps and bounds. It’s not like he even had many bad games. The fact that people were saying we missed Fletcher in Rome is testament to his improvement. I’m not saying Fletch is world class, but he has the capability to become of the same calibre of the Essien’s of this world, if he is continued to be played. I see no reason why a player who has shown incredible improvement the previous season be relegated back to the bench the next season, that’s all.
July 10th, 2009 at 14:09
Some pics of the lads back in training : http://community.manutd.com/forums/t/61643.aspx
Owen couldn’t look happier!
July 10th, 2009 at 14:13
@Gabriel: I personally would not have him anywhere near the same class as Essien mate.
People keep harping back to Rome and yes but Anderson was awful and Carrick was not much better and Giggs did little when he came on, how do we know Fletch who is inconsistant would have been any better? It would be difficult to be any worse than Anderson who completly missed the ball at one point.
I would personally and this may just be me not be too pleased to see Carrick and Fletch start as our first choice midfield, Giggs, Anderson and Scholes as back up and pos Gibbo for me is not good enough.
Chelsea have Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel and Deco in there, Liverpool have Alonso, Gerrard Mascherano ect.
I am old fashioned and believe the midfield is the most important part of any side, we need a leader on men in there, a Keane, Robson I would even take an Ince for me Fletch good lad he is simply is not in their class.
July 10th, 2009 at 14:53
@Stephen: I never said he was. I said he has the capability if given playing time. The midfielders you mentioned, how did they reach the level they are at now?? By playing regularly. Fletch has begun playing regularly and showing improvement and what do we do, replace him with another player, who will not have the experience of playing for United Fletch has and will probably take another year to settle in.
Look at Mikel, everyone said he was shite, but as soon as he began playing regularly for Chelsea, he has improved just as much as Fletch has. You can’t underestimate the value of continuity and confidence in a player. Fletch might just become that leader of men we speak about if given that vote of confidene by the manager. He is just 25. Also, he has recently been captaining the Scotland team, so maybe he does possess the qualities which a midfield general is supposed to.
Also, based on his performances against other ‘big’ teams both in Europe and in the PL, I would say he would have made a big difference to our midfield in Rome. You talk about inconsistency as if he has one good game, then the next he is horrible when that’s not the case. Every player is inconsistent at some point, so please stop using that as a stick to beat him with, it’s unfair.
July 10th, 2009 at 15:07
after watching this video, it says that we offered berbatov + cash for the Kun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHYPSQtrah0
July 10th, 2009 at 15:08
http://www.guillembalague.com/rumores_desp.php?titulo=Paper%20Talk:%20United,%20Aguero%20plus%20the%20usual%20suspects…&id=211
July 10th, 2009 at 15:31
@Traverse: The pic of Giggs alongside Owen shows Giggs quite thinner, especially taking in consideration his height.
Me thinks Giggs should take Owen under his helm and make him follow his diets and special exercises which in his later career prevented him from having those injuries which blighted his mid-twenties.
July 10th, 2009 at 15:31
i think fergie is confident about hargo early return…
thats why he is not in such hurry for replacement
July 10th, 2009 at 15:41
@Gabriel: I am not mate all I am trying to do is say things as I see them.
Fletch is a decent player, he has a tremendous attitude which is great but Fergie who absolutly loves the boy really does not see that he has the quailty to play as an automatic first choice, he is 25 is so not a kid but I really do not believe he has the quailty as a shoe in starter for one if not the biggest club in the world, he is quite good at most things but not great at anything.
July 10th, 2009 at 16:32
@Grognard: ronaldo will never be better than best or cantona. if only for the fact that best and King were warrior poets and ronaldo is neither. he is a diving whiner.
the quote that ronaldo will be remembered for: “no one knows the future”
Best:I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.ect
Cantona:When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.
end of discussion the boy has no culture or imagination he is a muppet that was able to do tricks, albeit alot of tricks but the only one that was his was his free kick, but Ive heard that there was someone else that did it first also, cant remember who.
so i don’t know where he would fall but for me defiantly behind those two.
July 10th, 2009 at 16:46
what the hell did Nani do to make SAF hate him so much. The only thing I can think of is the headbutt his first season where he got sent off after “feinting” and acting like he was hurt. It seems like after that, fergie chained him up in the yard out back and forgot about him.
Either that or He walked in on nani banging his daughter.
All jokes aside, It baffles me that people are even talking about obertan or giggs playing left wing next summer(I dont even consider Tosic part of the equation… RUBBISH!) Nani has the potential to light up the league now, not 2 or 3 years from now. Ill adit he didnt have the greatest season this year, but fergie hardly gave him a chance.
July 10th, 2009 at 17:12
@johnsom33: Personally I don’t believe the sending off had anything to do with Nani’s lack of games last season.
For me Fergie went very cautious with his tactics last season and with Ronaldo in the side he felt there was only one place for that kind of player, and Nani was the fall guy.
Nani I hope and believe will get more opportunities next season, then it will be up to him to take the bull by the horns becuase he is a United player, he is a superb crosser and is skillful to boot, so he incorparates a hybrid of Beckham and Ronaldo which surely can only be a good thing for us.
July 10th, 2009 at 17:49
@Scorp: Sorry mate but I have to disagree with you. We do need a talent like Aguero on the pitch because he is the next best thing to what we just lost in Ronaldo. A player that can play striker, second striker or either wing position and play them all well is a rare commodity indeed. We need a superstar like him on the pitch. And I disagree about Berbatov. Although I think he is a fine player, his style and lack of energy reached a boiling point at the end of last season when Fergie simply had had enough and benched him. That terrible penalty didn’t help either. Atletico apparently are big fans of his and if they are truly interested in his services and that will help us get Aguero, I say go for it right now.
Aguero is a special player and could conceivably be looked at as the world’s best player in two to three years. Messi and Ronaldo have had their turn and Aguero is younger and ready to shine but he needs a bigger and better team than Atletico to shine and to match his ambitions. He’s so perfect a fit for us I can’t say enough about it.
Yes we do have other holes in the team but the number one problem on this team is filling the vacancy of Ronaldo the player, not Ronaldo the position. Aguero would help all of us quickly forget Ronny. Berbatov staying and us going after far inferior players will not. Yes we could use one or two central midfielders but Fergie doesn’t agree with us on that. So as I see it, Aguero is really a no brainer. We must make this move happen.
July 10th, 2009 at 17:53
@owen: I don’t know mate. We just lost 30 goals a season and although we should assume that Rooney and Berbatov will score more than last season, we need to make up Ronaldo’s goals big time. Owen will make up for the loss of Tevez should he stay healthy but Ronaldo’s goals and I put them at 25 league goals (averaging out the last two seasons) need to come from somewhere. I believe Aguero would be good for around 15 to 17 goals but his play making (assist) skill alone which is far superior to Ronny’s and he should offer about 12 to 15 assists a season as well which would elevate Rooney’s total of goals as well as other players too. Aguero has no similarities to Cantona but he can have the same kind of impact in a game as well, he can accumulate the same amount of goals and assists on average.
July 10th, 2009 at 17:58
@Scorp: Replacing Ronaldo sufficently is impossible. You just cannot replace the world’s best player. Cantona and Keane were never concerned by others outside of OT as the best in the world but we thought they were. There was no doubt in regards to Ronaldo although their may be those who are in Messi’s camp. And with all due respect to Messi who is an awesome player, Ronaldo is better, stronger and more dynamic. Aguero comes close but even he cannot ever match the influence and impact of the greasy one on a game.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:01
@johnsom33: I couldn’t agree with you more mate. You would be a genious football manager, and I am being serious
.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:05
@Stephen: ‘Quite good at most things, but not great at anything’ – what a beaut expression Bro, I love that one
July 10th, 2009 at 18:13
@Rysho: Well sorry mate but it looked and smelled like a personal attack not on my views but on my personality. The bottom line is that we agree to disagree. If i am too negative for you that is something you will have to live with because it’s how I feel and I am not going to change my thought process or my personality just because somebody millions of miles away on a blog is sick of me. I am who I am and I am honest about it.
Faith is a strong word and I like to say I have faith in my God but to say I have total faith in Fergie is not my style because frankly, I have little faith in human beings in general. I make my own way and try to survive without too much faith placed on others because people often disappoint. Fergie is only human and he makes mistakes too. In football terms he makes fewer than other managers but he is also nearing 70 years old and his desire and hunger for the fight may be diminishing a bit without him even realizing it. He clearly is missing the point when it comes to some of our needs like central midfield, a great young goalkeeper (not Foster) a goal scorer and a great player to replace Ronaldo.
Everybody who knows something about football and most everyone who follow this club agree that these are needs the team has that have not been addressed despite the fact we had 80- million from Ronaldo’s sale plus and additional 20 million from our regular transfer kitty. That’s 100 million and all we have to show for that is Michael Owen, Valencia and some stiff named Obertan. Sorry but that is just not good enough for me and so I feel I have a right to feel negative and to feel impatient especially since it looks like we are also going to lose out on Huntelaar as well. Why? Because the old man is asleep at the wheel. Does he even know what he wants anymore and does he have the courage to say to hell with the money just buy him? I guess we will find out in time. Should he sign Aguero he will get a nice thank you and apology from me for ever doubting him. But I wouldn’t bank on him buying Aguero because he has shown me no ambition and aggressiveness now for two seasons.
In the future I have no problem debating with you as long as you keep away from the personal insults and accusations. Keep it civil and friendly and we can disagree or agree as much as you like.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:14
@Grognard: This is my take on the Aguero-Berbatov situation. I’m not ready to give up on Berbatov after just a season, he has the qualities to excel in this team. I agree he is too slow for some of the counter attacks that we carry but there is no doubt that Berba can have the chemistry with quick players. He reveled at Spurs with Lennon on the right, they had a great partnership. He played far too deep last season and his orders were to hold the ball up and get other players into play. I believe he has an astute game sense and can do the job if he is asked to stay upfront.
I would really like to hear your take on how well Rooney – Aguero partnership would do. Both players like to drop deep and run with the ball, I think that could work out superbly with wingers who offer a goal scoring threat or wingers who can cut in and foray near the box. Valencia is not that kind of a player and neither is Nani ( who i actually believe has enough talent to be our go-to guy).
July 10th, 2009 at 18:15
@Stephen: I agree with you about the MF being the MOST important part of a team! To me MF is the engine room, and I’m afraid our United engine room, is lacking for want of premium petrol!
July 10th, 2009 at 18:17
@Gabriel: Fletcher is a good player and a good role player. He is not a world class midfielder and he should not be thought of as such. A great player to have in your squad but for me, he is not a starter game in and game out.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:18
@Craig Mc: Because the Arab side of Manchester has raised the price of petrol
July 10th, 2009 at 18:32
Grognard you and many should ask yourself why is the team not running has you would like and united squads getting pulled apart at a quicker rate, go look at the success united had up until 2003. Go look at the personality the mentality of the type that was brought through then and the type of player that is being brought through these days compared to years ago.
Man utd are suffering from players not coming through the academy and some of the top players united relied on wanted to move elsewhere. Start bringing in players like Rooney in that he could stay for years and years not Latin players who will be gone in a phew years.
Ferguson has this obsession that he can turn Latin players into united fans and say going to Spain Italy is not the way to go and it will never work, if Anderson become world class he will be gone within 3 years like ronaldo. We all must realise united are nowhere near the biggest club in the world MUTV and blind former united players and some fans need to wake up and stop saying that, real Madrid blow united out of the water for the size and prestige, I looked at the bernabeu compared to old Trafford and it is miles better than old Trafford.
The bernabeu for me is the ultimate club stadium in world football that loads of footballers dream to playing at and it’s the best stadium I have ever seen. Man Utd has a club needs to start acting like a giant club give party atmospheres make the place explode when we win a major title, when we bring in a massive signings start making the player feel welcome like what Madrid have done.
johnsom33 you should ask yourself the attitude and the performances nani has put in.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:33
@Scorp: Tevez and Rooney worked well together two years ago despite them both being similar and dropping deep. Well Aguero is 100 times better than Tevez with skill on the ball Carlito could only dream of. Great instinct and the ability to improvise is the key and until recently with the idiot Maradona taking over for Argentina, he has played alongside a very well with the similar Messi. Bot Kun and Rooney are highly mobile and incredibly intelligent players. They would be a dream together up front as well as being interchangeable.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:41
@steve:
In what way is the Bernabeu better than OT? I’ve never been there so I’m interested to know.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:43
@steve: You are bringing up an argument that I brought up many times last year. I have always stated that going for Latin players is a huge risk and the chances of them bolting to either Spain or Italy is great. I suggested that United look more at home as well as to North Western Europe and Eastern Europe where the players are more suited to the English culture and weather and where they haven’t grown up dreaming of the day when they would put on Madrid or Barca colors. I hear you mate, honest I do, and i agree.
But I’m not in charge or we would have at least four German players on United and at least 3 or 4 Dutchmen. I like the Russians ans Swedes and I think other countries in the Balkans or Eastern Europe produce excellent technical footballers. But Fergie is obsessed with hot talented but highly volatile and mixed up Latin players who are only using United as a stepping stone. If it was up to me I would stay away from South America, Portugal, Spain and even Italy as these players require far too much pampering and they seem to have great difficulty in settling into life in Northern England. Some have done so but most have it hard. Rafa gets a lot of loyalty out of his Spanish contingent due to the fact he too is a Spaniard. Hell, English speaking people have a hard time understanding Fergie on the best of days.
But the reality is Fergie loves his Portuguese, Brazilians and even Argentines because he frankly loves the way they play the game. I’d also stay away from most French footballers as many of them love Spain and Italy and if they do want to play in England, it’s usually for Arsene Wenger. So we have no control over his policies so we might as well buy into what he’s doing and change our way of thinking as well. That is why I am strongly for Aguero, Hernanes and other Latin players. Worrying about them leaving is not going to get us anywhere.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:47
Grognard yea your right there, for me aguero is the tevez upgrade. he is faster quicker teqnically better and is at times a deadly finisher and he has all the other weapons tevez has and more. anyone want united to sign messi aguero is the closest you will get. aguero is the slithery player he will get in the box and he will play has a team. anyone who likes players to work hard aguero does this and he does all the good things berbatov has the assists record to go with it. aguero is rooney tevez and berbatov all roled into one and thats an under statement, cut our loses with berbatov and get aguero he is worth it.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:49
@Grognard: I think the Rooney-Tevez partnership worked becasue of the goal scoring prowess of Ronaldo, both players had the luxury to drop deep and wander around the flanks becasue Ronaldo could move to the center. Without such wide players now both Aguero and Rooney would be asked to push further up, so I have my reservations regarding that. But yeah as you said both are extremely talented and intelligent players so could work out as well.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:51
@steve: If the Bernabeau is the best stadium you have ever seen mate, then you are clearly not getting out much or seeing many stadiums. It’s a dump compared to two dozen American stadiums and state of the art buildings like Munich’s Allianz Arena. America has at least a dozen baseball parks as well as a half dozen new football stadiums that put it to shame. The new facility for the Dallas Cowboys and the Allianz are for me the best i have ever seen. Bernabeau is too old and is situated right in the middle of everything which makes it an albatross to everyone who has to live around it. Sure it may have atmosphere but that has more to do with the fans than the stadium. Go online to the Allianz Arena site and have a look at that stadium inside and out as well as the new Dallas Cowboys stadium which has so many state of the art additions. And to Hell with all things to do with Real Fucking Madrid. One thing I will say though, Madrid does have a great state of the art training facility.
July 10th, 2009 at 18:53
Cyclops-Red the bernabeu is far more balanced stadium. it is a more glamerous version of the camp nou go look at it. The stadium is so high it has 6 tears and unlike old trafford there is no smaller stand. Old Trafford at times could have been planned better in the way the corners were badly filled in and some of the angles make old trafford a badly designed ground. I love old trafford but the bernabeu when you come towards it and you are inside it does take your breath away.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:04
@Grognard:
Mate,I have to disagree with you about latin players being more volatile or being more likely to want to move to Spain or Italy. There is no evidence that is the case. Players move for many reasons least of all for lifestyle/cultural reasons.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:07
Grognard are you mad. I love stadiums with tradition the Bayern stadium those American stadiums have no soul there is nothing new about them. Old Trafford bernabeu camp nou the beauty of those stadiums is they are unique no other stadium looks like them and they are far more interesting. To call the bernabeu a dump is an insult to what football is about.
I hate the modern day stadiums they are so dull and uninspired that we are so blessed that our stadium is a traditional stadium. Football stadiums are clubs identity and unlike those overrated modern day stadiums the bernabeu old Trafford camp nou has seen so many world class players, that is something those stadiums you have mentioned will never get they have no history they are soulless.
to even put the bayern stadium in the same league has the bernabeu is just a joke sorry.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:11
Cyclops-Red it is true that every single latin player will like spain and italy. even vidic has had cold feet, manchester will always be uniteds enemy when you look at great citys like madrid and barcelona.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:15
@steve:
I disagree. You are making stereotypical assumptions based on no evidence.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:30
Cyclops-Red did cristiano ronaldo like the city no and that was one of the reasons why he left. manchester is one of the reasons why a lot of latin players do not want to play here. plus clubs like real madrid are a bigger club.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:30
@steve: You mean make Manchester become a circus? Thanks, but no thanks.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:34
all this talk about Aguero. I think he’d be brilliant to have (hell i’d probably even get rid of berba if it would swing it, for many reasons.. including the age difference) but whats everyone basing the increased likelyhood of him joining us on? that rumour from TalkSport? i know they have ‘insider information’ but whats sets it appart from all the other media outlets?
July 10th, 2009 at 19:37
plus. i still can’t get over seeing Ronaldo in the blanco of Franco. it just looks wrong. but perhaps not quite as idiotic as Benzema did last night.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:37
Will why dont united do a swap deal with atletico like what liverpool did with torres and garcia. we offer atletico 23 million and ofer them berbatov in return.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:42
@steve:
Ronaldo didn’t leave Utd because of lifestyle reasons…he left because he will earn £100m net of tax and because Madrid can match his footballing ambitions i.e. win silverware.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:45
@Cyclops-Red: Yes… winning silverware… something that United have sucked at over the past two decades and especially over the past three years.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:51
Cyclops-Red ronaldo left for 3 reasons.
1 the lifestyle and the city
2 he said it was his boy hood dream to play for madrid
3 he needed a new challenge and he got bored with united
yes money is part of it, but madrid are a club who are bigger than united. do not always use money reasons ahs the soul reason. Maybe ronaldo thinks this madrid project and the blub he always wanted to join is a better option. maybe like it or not uniteds cycle is over 3 titles in a row maybe our turn is over.
July 10th, 2009 at 19:54
@Andrei:
My point is he left to go to club where he perceives he can win silverware AND earn a shedload of cash. The two are intrinsically linked otherwise he would have walked to Eastlands if it was merely a question of dosh.
July 10th, 2009 at 20:01
hey guys I got some transfer news dailymail are reporting man utd are going to do a swap deal with atletico madrid for sergio aguero come man utds way but they offer berbatov in exchange here is the story. I said this will be a smart move if united do this and lets hope its true.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1198799/Football-Manchester-United-plan-Dimitar-Berbatov-exchange-bid-land-55m-Atletico-Madrid-ace-Sergio-Aguero.html
in other news bad news for grognard Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart have agreed a £19m deal with Real Madrid for striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who is now deciding whether to leave The Bernabeu
July 10th, 2009 at 20:14
@steve:
Parts 1&2 completely disagree
Part3 partially agree but not the main reason.
Wke up and smell the coffee
July 10th, 2009 at 20:19
i read an article that were considering a cash bid for aguero with berbatov included in the deal if we can pull this off it would be good as we would still be able to afford to grab a target man huntelaar or ibrahimovic! i think rooney owen aguero and huntelaar/ibrahimovic would be the perfect mix of strikers! we should then attemt to sign david silva or sneijder as we are lacking creative midfielders as scholes is ageing rapidly and anderson isn’t progressing as thought! i personally couldn’t choose between the two as they are both capable of playing across the midfield, which would help with sqad depth! we should also try an invest in some young talent i would look at douglas costa or axel witsel from standard liege! we should also consider daniele de rossi to add some steel if hargreaves doesnt solve his injury problems! this would complete a great squad!
valencia= 15.2m
owen=0m
aguero= 18m + berbatov
snjeder/david silva= 17m/ 23m
douglas costa/ witsel= 18m/14m
de rossi= 20m
obertan= 3m
huntelar =17m
========== that would cost between 104.2 m – 119.2m out of a balance of 121m from the sales of ronaldo, campbell and kuszack, and are annual 30m transfer kitty! with the money left over we should look at the young mexican keeper ochoa 23 who has been impressive! as competition for foster an evds!
the odds have also bin slashed on ribery ending up at liverpool, lets hope this transfer does not happen!!!!!!!!! haha!
let me no what you think!
==========
July 10th, 2009 at 20:28
Wilson say it came true and you got all these players.
this is the wingers/attack you are coming up with.
Wingers valencia park nani giggs schneider costa obertain
Forwards rooney aguero owen hunteleer welbeck marcheda
Yes we love attacking players but Christ that is way too many, and to get 18 million for aguero you will have to be the world’s greatest negotiator to get that sort of fee.
united will have too offload nani park and send marcheda on loan.
July 10th, 2009 at 20:36
@wilson: Football Manager 2010 is not out yet mate.
July 10th, 2009 at 20:41
Selling workmanlike yet capable players and buying a truckload of glittering, sexy attacking minded players does not equal to instant success on the pitch.
A few commentators here are forgetting that a TEAM needs to gel and get to know each other from playing games for things to work out on the pitch.
July 10th, 2009 at 20:42
man city pull out of the race for etoo looks like tevez will be heading to city
July 10th, 2009 at 20:54
@steve: ahh, the irony!!
even when it came to joining a club, he is still second choice!! 
What a big time Charlie !! 
July 10th, 2009 at 20:55
@NicoQB:
July 10th, 2009 at 20:58
getting aguero will be exciting but i am little annoyed over giving berbatov..
July 10th, 2009 at 21:01
@owen: don’t get annoyed mate, cuz it’s not gonna happen!! This is the same paper that said we were chasing Ibrahimovic!!
Utter Bollocks!! 
July 10th, 2009 at 21:01
@Grognard: Grog im so sorry to hear bout ure mum, my grandad just passed away from cancer bro. We were really close and i know how tough it is buddy.
hang in there!! i hope fergie will start making some good signings to cheers u up!
July 10th, 2009 at 21:07
owen it is simple berbatov has not done the buisness. Maybe fergie is thinking giving berbatovs age and you look at agueros age fergie feels this is a good option. Believe me aguero is special he is close to the levels of messi. Like I said any of you really want messi in your dream team aguero is the closest thing to a messi. aguero is a miles better player than berbatov and berbatov is not worth waiting another year for when you look at his age. Plus aguero is miles better than benzama and I rate aguero higher than Rooney, aguero is the best second striker in world football he has almost got the lot.
July 10th, 2009 at 21:13
hen in full flow,aguero can match even ronaldo..only doubt whether he will survive the physical game here…
July 10th, 2009 at 21:15
a serious question: is messi going to retire with barca only????
he has 10-12 years of game left
July 10th, 2009 at 21:30
owen what about torres people said he could not survive the physical side look at him now
July 10th, 2009 at 21:38
hope so if he really comes here..wat u think steve…will this happen..
July 10th, 2009 at 21:48
owen if united want aguero so much this is my gut feeling but I maybe wrong.
if aguero is uniteds top target and fergie wants him so badly I really think knowing uniteds way they will offer berbatov in exchange. because of agueros age the potiental to get better and fergie who has really gone off playing berbatov the chances are higher.
also do not forget aguero fits the profile he can be now and the future, owen forget grognards view that hunteleer would be awesome when you have seen aguero you will know he is an awesome player along with raul garcia or moatinho.
July 10th, 2009 at 21:56
i have seen a lot of aguero…actyally last season he with forlan were the most threatening pair even more than messi,eto…
July 10th, 2009 at 21:58
@ stevie: fergie wanted benzema also desparately but wat happened??
July 10th, 2009 at 21:59
@stevie: any rumor of getting raul garcia or moutinho???
July 10th, 2009 at 22:01
@steve: Actually, Kleberson ‘revealed’ recently that Ronaldo was more into Barcelona when he came to United than Real Madrid. I seriously doubt that that is his boyhood club. I think it has more to do with his desire to be ‘the most expensive of all time’.
July 10th, 2009 at 22:11
apart from our match,i will have to watch real match also to see our OWN ronaldo
July 10th, 2009 at 22:25
I am a United fan. Ive never been anything else, and United are probably the thing closest to my heart now. But I gotta admit, especially since Im “kinda” bored, I laughed my ass off at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvw60KlNE8g
If you think its ABU, maybe. But you gotta agree its funny.
July 10th, 2009 at 22:29
owen because benzama wanted madrid more
July 10th, 2009 at 22:35
@RedDevilEddy:
Does this mean he’s finished with Paris 
July 10th, 2009 at 22:40
@Cyclops-Red: Why, you interested?
July 10th, 2009 at 22:50
@RedDevilEddy:
Only Paris…. if she grows a pair
July 10th, 2009 at 22:52
@RedDevilEddy:
Shit I meant pair of knockers.
July 10th, 2009 at 23:01
@Cyclops-Red:
Really? Paris?
Dude, I could easily set you up with a hotter chick… Ive seen prettier things in the toilet! 
July 10th, 2009 at 23:13
@RedDevilEddy:
A famous Scottish football manager once said;
“Expect the worse, hope for the best”
July 10th, 2009 at 23:40
Fergie will not get rid of Berba in any kind of swap because:-
1. He would be totally redfaced with embarassment that he has made such an expensive transfer bloomer. Especially so, with all the pats on the backs he is getting from OT hierarchy that he will spend the 80 million well.
2. Berba in my opinion isn’t a transfer bloomer until he gets this 2nd season now to prove his quality, and that he can cut it at United.
3. It will further prove that SAF is a right bastard in the way he treats players when it suits his own purpose. Because Berba could have gone to City and earned twice the money, but HE CHOSE United and less money and he left Spurs under a cloud, fighting to come to us. So SAF letting him go in any exchange would be a somewhat nasty betrayal.
July 10th, 2009 at 23:48
@Craig Mc:
I hope Berba proves all the doubters wrong.
July 10th, 2009 at 23:52
@Scorp:
, only problem is, the Arab side of Mcr don’t need petrol, because Man Pity fans arrive TRYING TO BE ARABS, with tea towels tied with sting around their heads, and arriving on Camels instead of cars 
.
July 11th, 2009 at 0:18
First Post here. I just wanted to add that a good thing about Ronaldo leaving is that Anderson can take the penalties and finally get a goal to himself!
July 11th, 2009 at 0:44
@Craig Mc: please man a little respect is needed.. if any body speak any thing about your crush Michael Jackson lookalike you will turn upside down.
I can ensure you there are no ARABS supporting Man Shitty, and I think they have no supporters outside Manchester let alone the Arabic countries.
July 11th, 2009 at 0:57
Craig Mc let’s get this straight then Man Utd should carry some ageing striker who has very little potential his attitude stinks to high heaven. Also Ferguson should be loyal just because berbatov turned down city we should give him another year and miss out on one of the greatest young talents in the game. Sergio Aguero is miles better than berbatov, to be honest even tevez has impressed me more than berbatov and at times he was more crucial than berbatov, and I am not getting back into that debate again.
Also berbatov has let Ferguson down who was so lazy he missed a bread and butter penalty in the FA cup who took it like he did not give a damn. Berbatov is just not a reliable player he is slow goes missing in 60% of games and that is without taking into context the big games. Rooney and aguero partnership is a mouth watering partnership. Both have fantastic technique, both create bags of chances and it is worth doing the swap deal, oh yea they work for the team.
Ferguson can’t put himself in front of the club, the club come first not Ferguson worrying about his pride. If that was the case we would not have got Rooney. Why should fergie keep hold of a player who has flopped you keep saying WOW his assists record his great, aguero not only does he score goals he is fast can go past players and his assists record is better than berbatov. Berbatov is 28 aguero is 21 it is a smart move for Ferguson to do a swap deal involving berbatov and aguero, it is the only way to get aguero for 20 million less and believe me he is worth every penny.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:24
@Craig Mc: Seriously mate, I think that they are a hybrid of camels and cars… I mean, with all the money they have, they must have put some engines on the poor camels to make them go faster…
Just fecking around. Anyway, screw Shitty. Not as bad a Losepool, but not far behind.
–
Aguero, just as good as Berbs
July 11th, 2009 at 1:40
First of all the story is rubbish, but if it were true… I would drive Berba to Madrid myself if it meant bringing aguero back to OT. I agree it is harsh to judge Berba on one season, but at the end of the day he will never be better than Aguero. El Kun is gonna be a top 3 player in the world in the next few years, and I would do everything in my power to get him. People said Rooney and Tevez couldnt play together, but they proved alot of people wrong. Aguero is night and day better than Tevez so imagine him partnering Rooney? Trust me, it would be breathtaking.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:42
Andrei berbatov not in agueros league. aguero is a potiental european and world player of the year and a future top 3 player. I think it is worth doing a swap deal involving berbatov. its like saying we should never have sold beckham and let the ronaldo transfer not happen. in 5 years time aguero is still going to be in his prime while berbatov will be past it if he is not already.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:53
@steve: True though that may be, today they are on par with each other.
Now that is a lot of ‘t’s in one sentence.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:56
@johnsom33: The only thing with Aguero is that he’s small, really small for a striker in the PL. I agree about his potential for now and the future. Whether he’s a good fit for United, I’m not sure.
Him and Eto’o would make sense to me, as long as Berbatov left!!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:00
@Andrei: If Terry was ever to join City, I would throw darts at their Team-Photo on a daily basis!!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:03
@Redrich: That would not be very fair darts would it? I mean if you hit the picture (any part of the picture), it would be bull’s-eye.
That said we should show Terry some respect… he was very helpful in our winning the CL last year
July 11th, 2009 at 2:13
Redrich so they have to be tall is it to be a great striker. aguero is stardust and he would fit perfectly has our new no 7
July 11th, 2009 at 2:24
@steve: We would have Rooney, Owen and Aguero. One of them would have sit on the others shoulders for corner kicks!!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:26
@Andrei: Yeah, nice guy that he is??!!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:26
@Redrich: His size doesnt worry me in the slightest. At the end of the day he is an amazing footballer, and last time I checked football is played on the carpet. Its a game ruled by footwork, and he has bags of it.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:27
@steve: Stadiums don’t make tradition mate, players do. That’s just silly sentimentality. I wasn’t even talking about the stadiums from that point of view. I was speaking strictly from an architectural point of view. If you want historical greatness, certainly the Bernabeau is great but not any greater than Old Trafford, the Old Munich Olympic Stadium, the Maracana in Brazil and both Yankees Stadium and Fenway Park in America as well as the greatness historically of Lambeau Field in Green Bay Wisconsin. The world does not revolve around footy alone mate. And lets never forget old Wembley
July 11th, 2009 at 2:33
@johnsom33: Well, I agree with all of that, but it would take away a complete dimension of our attack by being so little. Like I said, if we got Eto’o too, this would make massive sense!
A target guy with 2 highly proficient set up men and Owen to back things up!!
I’m just drooling all over my keyboard just thinking about!!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:34
@Gabriel: I want Aguero more than anyone, even Huntelaar but I have long given up the belief that Fergie will ever actually buy a player I fancy. It’s not going to happen because he can’t get him for a bag of hammers.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:36
@Anthony Los: Sorry to hear about your grandfather mate. It’s tough to deal with but hopefully we all become stronger with all the difficulties we deal with in life. Thanks for your concern and wishes mate.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:37
@steve: Actually, he missed quite a bit of time due to injury this past season.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:44
@RedDevilEddy: Paris Hilton is a fucking waste product. She’s fucking hideous. A real troll. YUK!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:46
@Craig Mc: Totally disagree mate. This is the best opportunity he will ever have to get rid of Berba and save face. After all, in order to get one of the top five players in the world he had to sacrifice Berbatov. It makes him look good. Letting him go for much less would make him look bad mate, this is perfect for him.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:47
@Cyclops-Red: Yes I agree, and I hope he does very well for Atletico Madrid.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:49
Redrich aguero is better than etoo and berbatov combined, we are talking about future world player of the year. he cannot be missed out on get rid of berbatov and sign aguero
July 11th, 2009 at 2:49
@johnsom33: AMEN BRO.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:51
@Grognard: Yep, questions would be asked more, if at the end of next season, Berbatov’s arse was still on the bench.
It’s time to cut and run!!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:51
@Redrich: Does that mean that if Messi were available you would turn him down because of his size? Size doesn’t matter in the continental game mate. Forget 4-4-2, it is dead. Move on. Long gone are the days of the long cross into the box. Height is not vital when the ball never leaves the ground. Pace and ability is much more important.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:54
@steve: Alrighty then, I agree, but we still need a big target guy – don’t you concur??
July 11th, 2009 at 2:58
Grognard united are always shapped 442 or 424. its still 2 wingers 2 strikers 2 midfielders. and what is some of these people on about one said we should keep with berbatov not to hurt his feelings. yea lets keep djemba to not hurt his feelings. its about what is best for man utd not the player. berbatov is ageing he needs to be moved on and aguero would be the best player out there. hey if gerrard and messi became available and they wanted to come here lets keep giggs and scholes not to hurt their feelings.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:01
@Grognard: NO, NO, NO, what I’m saying is without a large, strong target up front, it takes away a huge element of attacking football.
It’s what’s been missing from United’s team since Ruud left. Saha was a great header of the ball, but was injured so much he never made the impact that SAF saw in him.
Aguero for Berbatov, are you kidding me, it’s like swapping my Honda for a Ferrari!!
July 11th, 2009 at 3:05
Redrich nope heres the reason why.
06/07 season rooney saha, saha only lasted 7 months
07/08 season rooney tevez all season no target man
08/09 season rooney tevez berbatov still no target man.
we survived these years without a target man why go back. and if rooney tevez could work rooney aguero will guarentee 2 work. we are talking about one of the best in the buisness, aguero is the best second striker in world football. he is rooney berbatov and tevez all roled into one and the stardust of ronaldo.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:08
oh yea a cherry on top of the icecream mountain aguero supports united so they say sao he could be our messi stay here for years. well atletico will be getting something in return 25 million and berbatov atletico surely cant complain there. atletico will be getting their cake and eating it too.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:09
@Grognard: Hey Grog, just got to read your comment…
First off, sorry about your mother – life can be pretty tough at times .
Second off, it might not be a bad thing that we would miss out on Hunt if the kind of teams that are running for his signature are Stuttgart and Marseilles. I mean football managers know best and if Hunt is the kind of player that Stuttgart believe they can buy then we should not be bothered with him.
That said we did buy Owen buy hey: he’s free and English…
As for Aguero I hope that United get him. I mean, I first saw the guy when he was 16 (in a Turneo de Verano). If I remember correctly, he was playing for Independiente (too lazy to check up on that) and scored the most magnificent goal. He also had a pretty decent performance. I remember wanting to send Ferguson a message that night urging him to buy the lad, but unfortunately, I did not have his email address
Anyway, that summer the lad moved for 17 million pounds to Atletico and now, if there will be a transfer, it will be worth about 45-50 million. I sometimes wish that Fergie would hire some real scouts (not his brother) because anybody who watched that Turneo de Verano would have gone for the lad in the blink on an eye. Now look where we are…
July 11th, 2009 at 3:14
@Grognard: Also, height and strength have nothing to do with your formation. Even Barca, a small team overall have Eto’o and Henri to add impact to the threats of Messi and Iniesto.
The 4-4-2 is not played conventionally any more anycase. With the outside backs pushing forward and wingers expected to defend more than ever, a formation can change at will during the course of a game. We think about these things from a team sheet perspective. If we have 4 defenders, and 4 midfielders, and 2 strikers for our starting eleven, we call it 4-4-2.
Those players are much more adaptable than their designated position and will play in any formation that gains an advantage!!
July 11th, 2009 at 3:14
Andrei he didnt do bad with vidic evra de silva twins that dutch full back from stock and foster.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:15
@Redrich: Mate, we’ve played some amazing football since Ruud left. In fact, he hindered the team’s playing style when he was with the team. Remember the season right after? The one where Saha and Rooney tore just about every team apart? That season United played some magnificent attacking football.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:15
@Andrei:
That really warms my heart!!
July 11th, 2009 at 3:19
@Andrei: We no longer have Saha or, …. Ronaldo, do I really need to say any more, mate??
July 11th, 2009 at 3:21
@steve: de Laet is Belgian
and he’s a centre-back…
As for Vidic, I knew a Spartak Moscow fan who’s been shouting about the guy for a good year before Ferguson bought him. As for Evra, I knew about him since 2004 (Champions League).
That said, he did pull some pretty good and unexpected deals…
July 11th, 2009 at 3:21
@Redrich: That was supposed to be sarcastic
July 11th, 2009 at 3:23
@Redrich: Yea, but we have Nani (ain’t that right Craig) and Owen… like-for-like in both positions. By that I mean to say that Owen will be injured most of the time and Nani is Portuguese and arrogant
July 11th, 2009 at 3:25
Hoping he means United! Hoping he means United! Hoping he means United!
Link!
July 11th, 2009 at 3:26
@Andrei: OK, didn’t pick that up. Good sarcasm, mate.