Jul 02
Time to move on after Benzema snub
United signed Valencia, but their intent to go blitzkrieg on the transfer market suffered a blow when Benzema opted to go to Real Madrid. Reports say they were willing to pay £6m more than us. This can mean either of two things: one, we were trying to play hardball with them while staying firm in our [new found] commitment towards not getting fleeced. Two, we didn’t really expect Madrid to act so quickly so as to have gazumped us to this bid.
If it was the second it’s a shame. If it was the former, I’m not sure how to react to it; I am torn between lauding them for not paying £32m for a largely unproven, albeit talented, 21 year old and expressing bafflement over their refusal to budge on £6m when we have £90m lying around. [Correct me if I'm wrong, but Fraizer Campbell's this close towards completing a £6m move to Hull.]
Personally, whilst I liked Benzema, the player, I never really found his general demeanour endearing. For one, he seemed to favour a move to Spain more than England. He was known to be moody, although I wouldn’t rate that quite as important as the first reason.
It’s obvious Ferguson loves the player, and what Ferguson likes he tries his level best to get. Predictably, a good performance against us — in particular, his blinder of a goal in the 07/08 Champions’ League encounter when surrounded by gazillion red shirts — nailed it for the manager. Only on this occasion, Ferguson didn’t get what he wanted. It’s also unlikely waiting a year for his target is bound to work this time; unlike RvN, Berbatov et al.
Our current situation resembles that line from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner: ‘water water everywhere, not a drop to drink‘ (More like money, money everywhere, not a player in sight.) Of course, there is still enough time to bring in two players to get us going before things actually escalate towards desperation but it would be a stretch to expect to bring in everyone by the cut off pre-season training date that is July 13th.
We have been linked with the likes of Aguero and AS, the Spanish newspaper, have us linked with Huntelaar. Bringing in Huntelaar should be easier, provided Ferguson really wants him. Hell, if he really wanted him, he would have come in long before Madrid even had a sniff. Aguero gives us star power, real creative energy around the box, although, if Rooney is to be played in his preferred role, the Argentinian would have to be played out wide.
Despite all this transfer talk, I really have two major concerns that need to be addressed. Which is what I want to end this post with.
1. Rooney needs a full season where he can play in a central role. I think Ferguson has little excuse to sacrifice Rooney this time round. There’s no Ronaldo to ‘accommodate’ in this team anymore. Rooney plays in the role he plays for England. No dicking about sticking him in the wing. Most of Ferguson’s rebuilding exercises have revolved around switching focus and building the side around that focus. It could be based on a good strike partnership, like the side of ’99; or relying on the interchangeable play of the front attackers, [the 2008 side with Ronaldo as a focal point]. This time attention obviously shifts to Rooney, and he needs to be played as a number ten. So why am I talking about Rooney in the midst of discussing transfer targets? In order to ensure Rooney does not get played out wide, we need to ensure there is enough credible depth on our wings. We have Valencia and Nani (and a rookie in Tosic) as attacking wingers (Park is a defensive midfielder, and Giggs is not a left winger anymore). We clearly need reinforcement there. Aguero might help, but his talent could be wasted out wide. So one more decent winger should fix that worry.
2. A box to box midfielder, or an attacking midfielder who’s capable of scoring from midfield.
The first one ties into the lesson learned from our defeat against Barcelona. Despite our success, we haven’t really got a midfielder who can grab the game by the cliched scruff of the neck. We have Hargreaves, but he’s not back until January. And I really won’t believe his fitness reports until I see him on the pitch. True Fletcher had his moments, but doubts still linger over his consistency.
The second part, regarding the need for a creative attacking midfielder, sort of ties in to our need to spread the goals around this season instead of relying on a couple of players. But this is an either-or requirement. I wouldn’t want both to be signed simultaneously. This would mean Carrick would be marginalised, or if we were to go for a 4-3-3, Rooney would be forced to plough a lone furrow on his own — again, not something I’d want.
Anyway, that should be enough tactical analysis from my side for the day. for general transfer stories, half baked thoughts during the day, you could either find me here, or in the comments section of this post.
* * *
In other interesting tidbits, Scott sheds more light on the scouse delusion.
And 101 Great Goals has a three part video link to MUTV’s Ronaldo tribute video. To be honest, despite my strong opinions over the deterioration of his attitude over the past year, there are still enough clips in the video to make me relive some of those special moments with fondness; especially the parts where he was a scrawny, little teenager.
Related items from Red Rants:
- The Karim of the Crop?
- Transfer Talk: Lahm and Benzema | Evra’s Contract
- Teams Start Talking Big As Champions’ League Clash Looms
- Benzema, Benzema and more Benzema. But it’s only talk.
- Breaking News: United accept 80m Ronaldo bid
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (485)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (347)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Dan: I do agree Berba is better than the winging prick but they are different players so difficult to compare pal, with Owen on his game (touch wood) you will see the best from Berbatov.
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Dan you always defend berbatov with assists. what about his goals record, he cost 32 million pounds thats right. when united spend that kind of cash on a player I expect in access of 27 goals season. rooney as lived up to his price tag berbatov as not on goals for. also is berbatov in the top 10 of the worlds best players not a chance. also didnt everyone complain on van nistlerooys last season yet he got still over 20 goals that season.
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@steve: And Tevez fit United like a size 6 shoe on a size 11 foot. He was slow, awkward, uncoordinated, lacked forward discipline, roved around like a chicken with his head cut off, had a terrible first touch, no burst of speed to get around defenders and was terrible at finishing the majority of his chances, which weren’t that many to begin with. Berbatov on the other hand showed many times how much class and skill he has. Sure he wasn’t a resounding success either but his style needs time to adjust tot hat of United’s. His ability to hold the ball up and bring other players into the play is far more valuable to the new United style of play than the old school style of Tevez. Berbatov may not show up in your eyes but he makes all around him better with his efforts and sacrifice. And believe me, last year he had to sacrifice quite a bit in order to appease Fergie. He had to play higher up and had fewer chances to score himself. It affected his form and his confidence but now that he knows what is expected of him, lets give him a second year to see if he bombs the way Tevez did. And if he does, trust me, he will be gone like Tevez.
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@Traverse: Amen bro.
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@steve: Right, 27 goals a season, right
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@steve: Do you even know what an assist is?
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@steve: Tevez was more important that year because we never had an option off the bench that could force Tevez to sit. Once Berba showed up, it was inevitable that Tevez would be the one selected for the bench not just because of the money spent. The money was spent because Fergie did not think Tevez good enough. It’s that simple really.
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Grognard I said both players are not good enough I said he was slow but still had this kind of effectiveness on the team. but back to owen what a disaster and who next hey lets sign robbie fowler. now he as no game to him what so ever it is a joke
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@steve: Mate Rio cost nearly that amount, it is what they add to the side mate, money is stupid is a stupid gage to talk about with us, if Owen scores 5 goals then will he be the best signing in the clubs history?
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@steve: You just dont know shit do you?
We spent £30mil on rooney, shouldnt he score 27 goals? according to your stupid logic yes, but somehow hes lived up to his price tag…
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@Stephen: Tevez is nothing like Rooney. Rooney has more natural skill and ability than Tevez has scars on his face. Tevez only has the work ethic of Rooney but that does not make them similar at all.
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Dan strikers role is goals assists a secondary. we have the playmaking striker in rooney united needed a central striker with pace power and a theat in the air.
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@steve: No Ferguson slows United’s game down. Neither Tevez or Berbatov played in the Champions League final and we were playing a slow lethargic style of Italian football. Also, Cantona was not known for his pace and energy either and he never hurt us much now did he? And Berba is often compared to him in style if not substance. Don’t throe the pace card at Berba because we as a team do not play a fast game anymore.
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Michael Owen has signed for Manchester United. It is now official.
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6635648
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its official, owen signs.
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@Grognard: I was maybe somewhat crude in my analogy but I am sure you get my point, you know my feelings towards Tevez mate.
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MICHAEL OWEN HAS SIGNED. TWO-YEAR DEAL.
Go on, let the circus begin!!!
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Dan rooney is class he is perhaps the best in the hole striker in europe. love berbatov but he is just not good enough. rooney came here at 18 berbatov comes here and is supposed to be the finished article also rooney as been fatastic out of position. stephan I said for a striker I expect overall top performences no average performences, and if he was on top of his game why was he benched in the final yes we know tevez was benched.
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@steve: The most goals Cantona scores was 25 in his first season he scored 9 he then scored 14, 19 and 15 he was quite popular I believe.
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Grognard yea same ferguson who thinks ji sung crap anderson nani hargreaves are good enough.
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@steve: Actually Berbatov is just what United needed. Again you seem to ignore the obvious. United play a different style these days. Gone is the fast and furious days of 4-42. Now we play a 4-3-3 with a slower ball control style and it is necessary in this style to have a striker who can hold on to the ball and not give it away. Possession is 9/10 of the rule. Are you watching the games mate or do you just read about them. Long gone is the style you seem to be obsessed with which I agree, does not suit Berbatov. But here is the thing, no style suited Tevez because he frankly lacked the skill and finishing ability to be good enough for United. Berbatov on the other hand will make Rooney and the other forward player better by his ball control, holding ability and vision and passing ability. He sacrifices to make others better and it’s a thankless job. I don’t care for forwards who spend more time in our end hassling and tracking back. I want forwards who are concerned with the opponents goal, not ours.
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I have a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad feeling about this……
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Berbatov deserves another season to show his worth. With Ronaldo gone I am sure he will become much more of a focal point for the side. The question is whether he will be able to step up and have the same sort of influence that Cantona used to his heyday. Last season for all the touches of class, assists and occasional goals for large stretches of the season he was practically invisible especially in the big games.
I agree with Grognard that Berbatov will become an integral part of a new United side focused on keeping possession. But to achieve that we need to add a couple of midfield signings. Firstly a defensive midfielder who can win the ball in midfield and secondly a creative midfielder who can keep possession, pull the strings and run the midfield. Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson and co are just not good enough.
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Geez, is this steve guy a wind-up merchant or what???
What is your exact point/purpose here mate? Because you don’t seem to have any apart from slating everything United have or are doing at the moment. I know this a rant site and all, but overly slating the team and everyone connected to it without justifiable reason is just ludicrous. You even continue after being proved wrong by almost everyone patient enough to indulge your gibberish. Give it a break mate. 
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@antsBoy: Great! Owen for free as a super-sub (30 minute man) is a great asset. Especially as he can teach Macheda and Wellbeck a lot of things.
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I never thought in 1000 years that we will sign owen, and i cant say that i am happy about it, but he is a manchester united player now, so welcome and i hope you do well.
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Stephen I said this it is about performences. you can come up with stat after stat it is about what you see on the pitch and what I have seen is underwhelming performences. to put berbatov in the same league has cantona is like comparing city and united and the only thing those 2 clubs have in commen is they both have the same first name.
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”I DIDNT GIVE IT A MOMENTS THOUGHT”-Michael owen.
Michael Owen is a red
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Welcome Owen. I never believed you could cut it at this stage of your career but I am waiting patiently to be proved wrong.
(I still dont feel right about this whole shebang though)
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@edwin: Really? Im actually quite happy about this, who wouldnt like a fit Michael Owen in their squad? This may prove a masterstroke, for the club, the youngsters and Michael Owen himself! So… Hihi, cant wait to see my scouse friend tomorrow!
He will be devestated! 
Now Owen, just kiss the badge when you net at Anfield and you are already a fan favorite at Old Trafford!!!
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@steve: I actually thought of Fowler too.
Anyway, Owen can actually be a help if he stays healthy and of course that is a big IF. The timing for his signing was all wrong though. Fergie needs to appease the fans first. We are not in charge of business at OT like the fans are at Newcastle and we are better of for that, but please, they must do something to make us forget what we have just lost. And of course I am not talking about Tevez. 
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@steve: You were judging strikers on goals mate, what do you want effort and no quality with class and guile, with Berba’s touch you do not need to run around like a 14 year old on acid.
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@Dan: – He hates Scousers!
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@Dan: Dan, you can disagree but don’t be abusive. You are just setting yourself up for a wrath session from RR. Come on mate, you know better than that. The lad has his opinion and even if we disagree with it, he is entitled to it and we must respect it.
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@Grognard: ….and with Ronaldo and Tevez out, and Valencia and Owen in, it aint gonna get any faster!!
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@steve: Yes I agree. And Berba may not be that player but he is a much closer match to those requirements than Carlos Tevez ever was or ever will be. Seriously, if you ask me, Tevez has exchanged one bench for another.
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@Grognard: You know your right but this guy is obviously a troll, and i really dont care if im feeding it tbh.
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this makes me think, why didnt we keep saha lol
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Gabriel LOL park or I like to call him crap anderson nani hargreaves berbatov are just not up 2 scratch. lets look at the whole over all package of this united squad.
in goal and defence is fine
midfield is the worse area of the team. not one of these midfield players are world class, none of them can score in double figures and the wide areas are the worst united have ever had in the ferguson era.
strikers
is desperatly lacking a top central striker. ronaldo helped that loss but the current squad is maybe the worst set of players in the ferguson era. if this was a great squad why is everyone pissing in their pants of getting players to replace ronaldo.
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@Traverse: I’d like to say good luck to him and break a leg, but then again he may just go out and do exactly that.
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@Stephen: Yes I do mate.
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@RedDevilEddy
espite the fact that I am genuinely scared that he could prove to be a flop, I am actually starting to appreciate the manager’s decision TBH.
NOTHING (sorry about the caps RR) would be better than him kissing the badge after scoring against the scouse.
(Mind you, they’d put him on a five match ban. With evra)
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Dan its simple shut the hell up you cannot handle the truth that this current united squad is maybe the worse in fergusons time at old trafford
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@Redrich:
Valencia>Ronaldo
Owen>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Tevez.
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@steve: Anderson is shit we will certainly agree on that, Hargo if fit is quility though, Park well is a squad player and his effort is and loyalty as a squad player is worth keeping him.
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@ROOOOONEY: i think we got money for saha and owen is free. plus he will come in as a sub vs liverfool and finish them off for us.
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@steve: Nani and Hargreaves are good enough. I will concede you the Park and Anderson examples though. Berba is also a classy player. Lets give him this year before we start throwing dirt over him.
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@steve: dude get back to work your boss is coming. hahaha
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@steve: Are you on drugs pal? Ok having a pop a Dan is one thing not something which will be popular, but saying things like that is simply embarrassing mate.
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@steve: Right first it was berbatosh now its the entire squad
Who you to tell me to shut the hell up, you’ve come on this blog for one reason only, to annoy the hell out of people, get a couple of them banned and bugger off to your next site.
You need to get out more if this is your fun…
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