Aug 13
United are on the ‘Brink of a Signing’
It’s a quiet day if you ignore the words Dimitar Berbatov. But you can’t ignore it today, because otherwise, there wouldn’t be much to write about here. So let’s not ignore it and decide to talk about it. Er, okay…
Dimitar Berbatov is on the brink of joining Manchester United according to most sports outlets. There has been all sorts of crazy speculation. But there is little, by way of quotes, to suggest anything. However, such has been the mood in the press, with some papers having proclaimed that Berbatov is already in Carrington and will sign ahead of the Friday pre-season photo shoot, that it is safe to say that Berba will be a United player soon.
The transfer fee reportedly anything between £25 to £28 million has also sparked debate on the value of the player. I personally think £25m is a good deal but think the final fee to be closer to the £28m mark.
Anyway, I think we can start thinking up Berba chants.
Elsewhere, John Terry decides to chime in with his contribution to the pre-season trash talk. “I don’t think United have another level to go to, he suggests. “They had a lot of players in their team who have been at the peak of their form for the last two years.” Fair enough. But we also don’t have players who slip when all they’re supposed to do is to kick the fucking ball from the spot.
And Ryan Giggs has admitted that, whilst he’s played the past two seasons like they were his last, there is a good chance this could be his last. There is a piece on the Telegraph that also talks about his desire to get into coaching.
And finally, ahead of the new season I thought I could get RR a bit of a facelift. It’s the same theme with some minor tweaks. Initially I flirted with the idea of a radically different theme, but I had already fallen in love with my existing theme that I thought a few minor tweaks to be handy. Now there is a rotating header that will change upon page load, randomly. Hopefully we’ll get to add more headers and also iron out minor bugs in design in due course. Of course, thanks are in order to Ahmed of Soccerlens for getting the right designer to do the job and generally bearing with my nitpicking.
And since there is a big time gap between when this post was drafted and when it went to publish mode, here’s hoping Berbatov has signed as you read these lines.
Till tomorrow.
Related items from Red Rants:- Hargreaves Stirs Up Some Debate | Saha Could Start (Wow!) | Some New Signing
- What Tevez’s Signing Means For Man Utd
- United On The Brink Of Greatness, Again
- Should Dong Go on Loan?
- What happened To Djemba-Djemba?
Tags: Daily Roundup
August 13th, 2008 at 10:13
Hey RR
I don’t like the new look at all. Red Rants had a distinctive feel with the earlier theme. Now it reminds of any other United Blog.
-1 for the new look.
Recently came across an interesting blog: In the end the Germans Win
Hope the Berba deal goes through
August 13th, 2008 at 10:18
I dont want Berba. And I cant think of a player I despise more than John Terry.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:22
Hey, I do a +1 for the new look. Like RR said, it’s almost 98% the same with some basic changes. Looks fresh definitely!
Yeah, and here’s hoping the Berba deal goes through before we reach 100 comments today!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:22
John Terry is a cock.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:29
I once heard that john terry fellow could have won the cup. Instead of doing so he decided to fuck it up. Spiffing!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:41
Berbatov + United = Treble ??
August 13th, 2008 at 10:55
OOHHH I FEEL IT LADS, WE ARE GONNA MAKE A SIGNING TODAY!! touch wood.
the improvements kick ass lol.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:06
@stephen
you got that right. even though the world and his wife knows that john terry is a dumb mother fuck3r.
Bring in da berba!
August 13th, 2008 at 11:06
Anybody remember just before we won the double, Terry and Ballack coming out in the press, to the effect that they were “gonna do us” ripping both trophies from our grasp. I saw at Blackburn our response to that. United players played like men possessed. So more shit stirring from Terry & Co. will have same effect. However Fergie did start all this with his needless jibes. Fergie’s comments put more pressure on our players. And I hope that Ronnie stops that dithering about, run, pause, then shoot - he has cost us a few times with that. Wish United would make Berba declaration, but won’t because of the whole sue case thing.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:06
Just made up Berbatov chant - to the tune of ‘They’ve got the biggest floodlights in the football league’ (He’s got the whole world in his hands)
He’s got the best first touch in the Premier League,
He’s got the best first touch in the Premier League,
He’s got the best first touch in the Premier League,
Dimitar’s the new Cantona.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:09
Neways guys.. atlast something in transfer season, we must be happy.. i would like if fergie has something up his sleeves..
August 13th, 2008 at 11:10
I guess we need Berbatov for now. He will add a new dimension to our attacking style. I guess Rooney should take a rest on Sunday so he can come back 2 weeks from now.
I was worried about us signing Berbatov cos he is 28 and a price of 28 million is just too much. But come to think of it, we can still get another striker next season like Benzema or Aguero who could be ready for new challenges then.
Dont be down United fans, this a step forward and u will all see the benefit of the money paid soon.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:10
Errr sorry folks, the Ronnie dithering I mentioned, I was talking about his approach to penalties.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:17
One thing will be intersting is the fee, if the fee is circa £30m, why oh why has this dragged on for so long. But if the fee is circa £25m then all this waiting will be worth it, will be interesting.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:37
so am i the only one here who thinks that Berba is a bad signing? Dont get me wrong, I want a striker. But I feel like we are buying him just cos we need a striker and he wants to come. His laziness on the pitch and his childishness off it are my main concerns. what happens when SAF decides not to play him for whatever reason? he will throw the toys outta the pram and sulk around like a child. Or what will happen when we are 2-0 down in an important match with 20 mins to go? When Rooney and Tevez are busting their collective balls to not only score but win the match, are we gonna see Berba doing the same?
August 13th, 2008 at 11:38
Ya dats for sure.. i think it might be below 30, otherwise the delay is not justifying.. Neways is there any other news of transfer??
August 13th, 2008 at 11:39
ok, so its 99% certain that berba is on his way… if thats the case, why (if true) we’re bids put in for Silva? yes he is a forward but more so a winger (correct me if im wrong) so perhaps if thats failed as it looks to have done… we may even have two signings by the end of the transfer window.
berba to get no.9 shirt saha to get the “im too sick to play” shirt.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:40
Ya the attitude might be a problem.. I hope SAF will Handle that..
August 13th, 2008 at 11:41
Ya SAF might be looking for replacement of Giggs..
August 13th, 2008 at 11:43
@jstar7: He is languid not lazy because he does not have pace ofr taclke back does not mean he is lazy, would you say Cantona was lazy?
I also do not agree he is childish off the pitch, what is your example of this?
@Will: He should get the 9 dog!!
August 13th, 2008 at 11:50
RedRanter: The rotating banner isn’t working here. You may want to try disabling caching in your rotation script. http://uk2.php.net/header
August 13th, 2008 at 11:54
@Stephen: I agree with Harry 100%…. article in times
and “languid not lazy”..are you kidding me? yes he is tall and to some extent languid….but he is still lazy!
and most importantly…in no way can you compare a player like berba who has never even played for united to the legend of eric. i can see what you are getting at…but i dont agree.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:58
Ya i too feel that he will come good.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:59
Jstar7, ask most Spurs fans about Berba. When Spurs refused his move to United the last time we went in for him, Martin Jol said he knuckled down and gave his all for the team that season, but his heart was always with United. Then this season coming, United in again, and Spurs knew he wanted to come to us unreservedly. Yet Levy having a spat and trying to bring down Sir Alex, held back and back and back the transfer. Berba then saw Keane allowed to go to L’Pool at first time of asking. No wonder Berba was moody and pissed off with Spurs. He had toed the line, keeping quiet, not like Keane who openly spoke out about leaving for L’Pool, and they being the team of his boyhood dreams. Berba wanted United desperately but didn’t go spouting to the press. Just like Ronaldo, everybody else has spoken out about Berba in the press, doing him down, but he hasn’t hit back. I respect that. And if he is a brooder, he is a brooder so what, it takes all kinds to make a world. The day will come like Ronnie, when Berba will speak out, and then we will all know the truth and can agree or disagree.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:03
@jstar7: I am firstly not camparing Berbatov to Eric at all and to say I was is completely wrong mate, I was comparing their styles. We are not in need of a worker up front we have two already we needa player with guile which Berbatov has in abundance.
Plus no disrespect to Redknapp but he talks a lot of rubbish, and that article comes from a guy who signed Milan Barros, Glen Johnson, Jermaine Defoe, Sol Campbell, Sylvain Distin all whose attitude has been questioned over the years. I believe in Fergie, and he obviously can get the best out of players as he did with Eric and numerous others.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:08
@Craig Mc: yeah ok you make a good point. he hasnt said anything in the press and that is indeed somethinig to respect him for. and i can undertstand his frustrations what with keane going to liverpool etc. there is just something about his attitude that doesnt sit right with me. and i know you say if he is a brooder so what? but i think that a brooder can be temperamental…ie if things dont go their way they dont put the effort in and their form drops because of it. are we going to tip toe around him at united, play him in every game, in the position he wants to play in, and try our best to keep him happy incase he goes into a strop and his form drops and our goals dry up?
August 13th, 2008 at 12:08
By the way folks, I am not saying that Ronnie shouldn’t have made the statement he did earlier than he did, or that Berba should have done the same. What I said I respected, was that they didn’t attack back when they were being attacked and misrepresented by every Tom, Dick and Harry who had an opinion. Imagine having to come back against all the lies and wrong info coming out about them, they would have had no bloody time to do anything else.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:10
Re Berba’s attitude - Fergie has a pretty damn good record of being able to motivate guys who can come across as prima donnas. Cantona is the obvious example - which is why I don’t mind the comparison. Dwight Yorke as well.
I’m not worried about his attitude for that reason. In fact, for this first time this summer, I’m damn excited about the whole thing. He is the missing piece of the puzzle, for me!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:13
Ha Terry doesn’t learn does he. You should do your talking AFTER you have done the business. He’s just gonna end up with even more egg on his ugly mug.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:14
@Stephen: yeah stephen…sorry for coming down a harsh on you…i read it again and i prob got your meaning a bit wrong the first time..apologies. and i do agree with you on not needing another worker striker to some extent…but he does need to put effort in..if not as much work…if that makes sense?? and i believe in SAF too, he can def get the best outta players…but sometimes he doesnt get it right. i also slightly disagree bout your chosen players from pompey…aside from baros i think the rest of those players have done great under harry and will prob have another great year!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:22
jstar7, I just got through saying mate, the testimony that was coming out of White Hart Lane, was that once Berba knew that his desire to come to United was refused, that Jol says he knuckled down and GAVE HIS ALL that season, even though he was bitterly disappointed. So that isn’t somebody who is letting broodiness interfere with his game. This pre season however he has looked depressed in photos, I admit. But I think there is a concerted effort by Spurs to discredit him by attacking his SUPPOSED moodiness and general behaviour. It’s club politics so that they can pacify spurs fans incensed by Berba’s sale otherwise.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:25
@jstar7: I agree mate re you point on what he has got out of his players and I also agree that they will have another great season under Redknapp, but all I was saying was the players I mentioned their attitude has been questioned.
I do agree that Berbatov does need to put his shift in with regards to effort, but I think he will. I even saw Ronaldo track back last season!! and if Fergie can make that happen then I don’t think we have too many worries regards to Berba (can we call hin Berba yet?!)
August 13th, 2008 at 12:25
well i do hope the deal goes through…and about John Terry not to worry mates..as when last time any player did this to United we made them look all foolish..remember wat Arsenal said before a match against us and We beat them 4-1 i think…we gonna thrash Chelski…
August 13th, 2008 at 12:30
@Craig Mc: so spurs would deliberatly try to discredit their own striker that they are trying to claim is worth more money than we think he is worth? its not really a good sales tactic.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:31
Penguin, good point mate about Fergie, and his cool record on dealing with player temperaments. He is renowned as a great man manager. Hahaha though, we are all into this, and we don’t even know if we have Berba yet?. Talk about counting your chickens etc, I need to calm down a bit, way too excited.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:33
@Stephen: hahah good point…if SAF can get Ronaldo to track back then there is hope for Berba(tov) yet!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:48
@Craig Mc: Counting them, fuck me mate I have even named them!!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:53
Come on people, yes Berba has his flaws but have faith in SAF. He comes with his arrogance but so did a certain man called Cantona when he came. SAF will be able to sort Berba out and get the best out of him, that is why he is the best manager in history! Now lets all rejoice over a fantastic signing
(fingers crossed)
August 13th, 2008 at 12:58
I was just looking @ Goal, and came across this gem of an article wrtten by the football genius brain of Alan Hanson, what a football mind he has and he has such insite into the season to come.
Hansen Tips Chelsea Or United For Title
Former Liverpool captain turned TV pundit Alan Hansen is tipping each of the Premier League’s ‘Big Four’ to win their opening games of the season - but expects the title itself to stray at Old Trafford or go back to Stamford Bridge.
Now BBC must be so proud of the money spent on this clever footballing mind, I would have never thought that, thank God for pundits. I am now off the Paddy Power with my £10 clutched tightly in my hand, I suggest you all follow suit, but don’t tell anyone as the odds will dicrease.
August 13th, 2008 at 13:01
http://www.manutd.com/publish.sps?pagegid={FE60904B-C2A8-4E60-9B05-700DBBC29BBC}&teamid=459§ion=playerProfile&bioid=2110
look at all the other names in the dropdown box?! wtf
August 13th, 2008 at 13:07
Jstar mate, they are not discrediting his game are they?. I believe Spurs were preparing the fans for any eventual sale, by discrediting his ATTITUDE. That is, that he was depressed and moody because of wanting the transfer to united, and that this was affecting his games pre season and his attitude around the camp. I mean think about it Jstar, what games pre season?. Spurs have hardly played him. Whyy is that?. Not because his mood, but they intended to flog him and not want him injured.
August 13th, 2008 at 13:08
FUCK FUCK FUCK this is bad, please tell saf didnt sign windass…
August 13th, 2008 at 13:12
I’m really excited to see Berba in a United shirt but were’nt we looking for a target man? I confess, I didnt watch to many Spurs games last season but… he doesnt seem to be in that role… so where do we see him playing and how will the team set out this season if we do indeed sign him… please someone answer me this question, I realise I dont post much and for the most part my posts get ignored
August 13th, 2008 at 13:19
@sig: We put Berba up top and play Rooney off him
August 13th, 2008 at 13:26
Stephen - hahaha, at your naming of the chickens mate!.
Sig, Berba does play more forward for Spurs, and he can hold the ball up while other players move forward and run into positions. His distribution is magnificent too, his ability to play players in. He is a good header of the ball in the box too. I think he will be our most forward player, but then Fergie may surprise us, we don’t know what system he will play with Berba in the team. No doubt other posters will give you their thoughts. We have to get him to sign for us 1st though, no confirmation yet!.
August 13th, 2008 at 13:36
@dan(u-ol): Dean Windass would net 30 a season upfront for Real Madrid…. no worries.
August 13th, 2008 at 13:43
I hear ya sig-after a lot of consideration i dont think berba is the right man for us either. He has the leagues 3rd highest assist percentage. Whilst this is a big possitive it shows he tends to drop deep quite often. We def dont need a striker who is gonna do that coz Both rooney and tevez do it excessively!
To sum it up id much prefer huntelaar…….im praying to fuck fergie pulls it out the bag!
August 13th, 2008 at 13:47
my only doubt about Huntelaar is that for someone that is apparently quiet a prolific goalscorer no-one seems to step up there interest in him… personally Id rather have a Munucho with work permits then take a step back and go the Nistelroy (Huntelaar) route… Is there any news on progress with the work permit?
August 13th, 2008 at 13:48
@realred: its good to hear i am not the only one who thinks berba is not the right man!
August 13th, 2008 at 13:51
@sig: You would rather Manucho over Huntelaar why?, and what sort of player do you think Manucho is?
August 13th, 2008 at 13:57
@Stephen I think Manucho is a player that has a lot of promise and afterall he is already on our books… to me it’s worth a crack before rummaging in there for a striker that no-one seems to want and most probably at a hefty price afterall we are United arent we?
If we offload Saha to Roma like its being reported and only then would I be interested in taking a risk on Hunt… I’m just extremley dubious as to why no-one seems to be to interested in him
August 13th, 2008 at 14:08
@sig: Fair point with regards to Manucho, but playing someone with no top league experience and who has had only a handful of games in the Greek league is surley a risk.
With regards to Huntelaar there are no sure fire gaurentees in football but his goal scoring record is superb, and his international record is also very good. He has scored 70 goals in 82 games for Ajax and 8 in 13 for Holland, that would be good enough for me.
August 13th, 2008 at 14:18
@Traverse:
The website seems to have a list of names that have played for any team thats played in the prem. Change the team id and you get a whole new list of players connected to another team. Your link for example points to the Boro one, increase it by 1 and you get Newcastle, 1 again and you get spurs and so on.
@realred:
I think Huntelaar may end up being signed, if not now in either the jan or next summers window. Fergie seems to be after 2 new strikers and if we get Berba a risk on a player thats ultimately unproven in both the premiership and at the top level is lessened.
August 13th, 2008 at 14:27
seems as though Chelsea are calling a press conference at 5.30pm… did they pip us to Berba? lol only kidding. prolly John Terry wanting to retract his statments…
August 13th, 2008 at 14:32
My instinct tells me and has been telling for a long time that he is the wrong signing. Paying over double what Spurs paid for him 2 seasons ago doesn’t seem like good value especially when you think his only CL experience was as a bit part player for Leverkusen. We need somebody who will suit our system immediately i.e. Somebody with pace and finishing skill-aerial ability has become overrated in our search for a striker to the point that we would probably take a worse player because he is good in the air.
August 13th, 2008 at 14:33
@sig: Ashley Cole and John Terry are going to announce their civil partnership.
August 13th, 2008 at 14:37
kaka or rob have signed for them i reckon.
August 13th, 2008 at 14:39
@sig: where did you read this?
August 13th, 2008 at 14:45
@benjd: all over the news mate
August 13th, 2008 at 14:47
@dan(u-ol): Didn’t see it on any newspapers sites…Anyway, I see it on Chelsea’s site now.
August 13th, 2008 at 14:53
edi easy on the caps mate.
August 13th, 2008 at 14:55
just had 2 get a point across RR
August 13th, 2008 at 14:59
You could use bold. I’ve mentioned this time and time again. A few words are ok, not entire sentences.
August 13th, 2008 at 15:07
sir yes sir!
August 13th, 2008 at 15:09
@benjd: Try now, the headers should rotate properly.
If they don’t, lemme know.
August 13th, 2008 at 15:10
Im not worried about their upcoming statement, because I think it will be the absolute opposite to what everyone is expecting. I may be wrong, but im not arsed about chelsea
August 13th, 2008 at 15:13
@Ahmed Bilal: Yeah spot on. I got a picture of Scholesy this time instead of Rooney over and over again.
August 13th, 2008 at 15:24
I reckon Lampard has signed a new contract haha
August 13th, 2008 at 15:31
John Terry is an idiot! Saying that our team has peaked is a bunch of rubbish. Yeah, Nani and Anderson won’t improve!? Rooney will miss tons of sitters and we will lose at Fratton Park and Upton Park again…right? John Terry can suck my balls. He should be practicing penatly kicks at the training ground instead of running his shite mouth off! Ok, I’m done.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:03
bbc reporting the berbatov deal.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:06
@dan(u-ol): Not funny the second time.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:07
@dan(u-ol): you are a fool
August 13th, 2008 at 16:09
@dan(u-ol): dan ,thats another fake article, just look at the URL,, haha are you up to one of your tricks again.. fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me
August 13th, 2008 at 16:10
@jstar7: who the hell are you?
@Red Ranter: ahh fine, that article is copied and pasted anyway. though i beileve its the same as the guardians and the times articles today, which is quite reliable, as reliable as the bbc in many ways.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:10
@Mike: HeHe, shame on me twice hehe.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:12
@dan(u-ol): dont get arsey with me mate. if you are gonna post fake stories expect to be called a fool.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:14
@jstar7: He was taking the piss mate.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:15
@Red Ranter: I must have missed the comedic tone in his post. sorry.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:21
Could anybody please tell me, why the Feck United’s transfer dealings are always long drawn out feckin laborious saga’s?. Why are we so feckin slow of the blocks, and leaving it almost to the last minute (apart from last year) to get things sorted. Bet we have lost many a good player through such dilitary dawdling. They probably got pissed off with all the messing around of United. Other clubs don’t seem to have the same problems, or is that just me being pessimistic?. Craig Mc - Rant over.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:25
@Craig Mc: Yeah Craig tell me about it, ‘feckin transfers’!
August 13th, 2008 at 16:26
@Craig Mc: What do you mean? Last summer’s transfers were done before we got home from the pub on the last day of the season. It has only recently been Hargreaves and now Berba.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:33
@Craig Mc: I would say it’s for a couple of reasons:
a) we seem to put every effort into not getting screwed over on price - as has been mentioned on the blog more than a few times, we could have had Berba a month ago if we’d been willing to pay £32m.
b) our targets are often agitating for a move to us as much as the other way round - certainly true of Berba, Hargreaves and Tevez - and they do this publicly.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:37
Tin Man mate, you didn’t read my post properly, I said in it APART from last seasons dealings lol. But think back, Rooney, Carrick were last days of transfer windows, and the other two you mentioned. I am afraid that United have always been notoriously slow in getting things done. Even big man Fergie himself said, there’s no rush, we want to take things slowly. Well how feckin slowly I ask, we have patently bloody obviously needed another decent striker for over 18 months now, maybe longer. Aaaaaagh, so frustrating mate!.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:41
@Craig Mc: Beautifully said about Berbatov. First off he was never tapped up. He made a request to be transferred last year to Jol. Then when Ramos took over he told him he would honor his request at the end of the year. The season ends and who comes out crying Beatles tunes and wanting a move to the shit hole of England but Robbie (there’s no account for bad taste) Keane. Fine, Keane wants out but Berbatov was first to ask and unlike Keane he patiently waited an entire year and acted like a professional by playing and doing well in the process (albeit with a moody frown on his face).
Where does Levy and Spurs get off holding back on their word to him while selling Keane at the first sign of trouble? Just total garbage. Berbatov has been labeled a sulking baby, a malcontent and lazy and it’s all because of this back stabbing he’s received from Spurs. Levy’s lack of class in this whole saga has been astonishing. Yes I understand they value him highly, they should, he’s fantastic. But to play these kinds of games with United, Fergie and Berbatov exposes Levy as a no class ass. Honor your agreement to move him. Forget the contract because in essence, it was torn up in spirit last season when Jol said he could go at season’s end.
Berbatov is a great player with incredibly fine and unique skills for a Striker. He is very Cantonesque in style, if not in substance. Frankly, he is too good a player to be playing for Spurs. A player like this needs to be on a team that plays up to his capabilities and ambition. He admits to having made a big mistake by not coming here in the first place. I for one believe he will be a big success but don’t expect too much too soon. If he indeed will be a United player at some point this week, he will need two maybe three weeks to get adjusted to our style and to get familiar with the players both on and off the pitch. But once he does, he will be dynamite.
Berbatov adds class and finesse to our team that we have not seen since the King. He brings a style of football that I best compare to fine cuisine. It’s not for everybody but for those with very strong and refined pallets, they will be in heaven.
When I think of the stupidity coming out of John (missed it by that much) Terry’s comments today, I laugh. We are the champions, we are younger, faster, better and now, we probably will have Berbatov and that will make us even more multi-dimensional and tougher to beat. And all Chelsea have to show us is Art Deco, Bosingwa (whose not in the same class as R Da Silva) and a slow plodding group that is one year older and with a manager who has no experience managing a club team of that size in Europe. God give me strength, but I just don’t see it. Perhaps it’s possible with Ronaldo out another month or so and our tough early schedule, but I still don’t see it. Not with Berbatov in tow also. You see, we have something on top of age advantage that Chelsea simply don’t have. We have class and we have Fergie.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:41
Sorry Im not contributing anything substantial to this post Im in work and don’t have time for a rant
Unlike Jstar7 the lazy bollox in the office above me 
All I will say is I don’t want Berb or Huntelaar but if I had the choice between the two it would be Berb. Huntelaar is a poor mans RVN. At the end of the day we don’t have much of a choice. Berb always seemed the most likely striker to be signed and we had to get someone in as we couldnt start the season with what we have considering our goal scoring predicament. So I hope Berb proves me wrong and he’s a goal machine for us this season.
Anyway I found this article by of all people Piers Morgan the Gooner scumbag on SAF which I thought was excellent so here it is for anyone who wants a wee read….
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1043193/Piers-Morgan-I-hate-Sir-Alex-good-reason-.html
….and just on another completely random point in the off chance but does anyone know where I might still be able to buy the away strip from last season. Had all year to buy it and now the new one is out I want the old one and can’t find it anywhere, D’oh!
August 13th, 2008 at 16:47
Penguin mate, but the point is, we still get screwed in the end anyway, because we leave it until the very last nano second, and then we have no more time to negotiate. That’s how we lost Ronaldinho a few season ago, because of price haggling. Ronaldinho said publically, that he was ready to come to United before Barca, but the clubs couldn’t agree the fee. Fergie himself was raging, and blamed it on Peter Kenyon’s mess up - but it was all down to money and United’s dawdling.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:49
@Craig Mc: Yah I know Craig, lol. I was lightheartedly pointing out how great it was last season. The press don’t make it any easier, we get the most coverage over any other team. I bet the actual process or deal is only as long as anyother transfer.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:50
@Craig Mc: If I was Chelsea I’d shut the fuck up and prove my point on the pitch instead of in front of a microphone. They don’t say those things to stir us up, they say it to motivate themselves because deep inside their evil black hearts, they have serious doubts and as long as that nucleus of players is at Chelsea the team will never play the style that Abramovich wants. Therefore, look for Scolari to get the axe by season’s end. What he has there is a good but very old and very rigid team that is set in it’s way and cannot unlearn what Mourinho put in place. Abramovich will have to get prepared for more ugly football and more 1-0 and 1-1 drudge matches. Nobody at Stamford Bridge gets it. The players as a whole are to old and they cannot adapt to this hybrid philosophy of Brazilian up tempo football. If they can, I’ll stand corrected but I don’t see it. I see them having success but not the kind they are hoping for. There only chance is to jump out like gangbusters, get a sizable lead while United deals without Ronaldo, and other early season concerns as well as a schedule that is so unfairly stacked against us, that I wonder why United didn’t cry bloody murder to the League. The nine teams directly below last year are away games in this first half. Unheard of and certainly unprecedented. You think the London based EPL has had it with United’s 22 year dominance of English football?
August 13th, 2008 at 16:51
@jstar7: its fine mate, but you wont make to many friends on this blog, if you throw insults at people like that around, this is a serious blog that knows how and when to have a laugh, not to throw insults at some one because you find their joke unfunny. but anyway its done and dusted, lets move on
August 13th, 2008 at 16:53
Is it official? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/index.html
August 13th, 2008 at 16:56
@jstar7: The door at Old Trafford swings both ways. If Berbatov doesn’t work out, he’ll be shown the door. But have no worries, he will be fine. He’s with Fergie now and he’s with a team that will help him reach his ambitions as a player. He was really bought for one major purpose and he also wanted to come here for that same purpose. That being the Champions League. He’ll accept sitting down every so often in the EPL and especially in Cup games, but in the CL, he will be the number one guy up front. Bank on it. And he’s not going to be lazy on Ferguson run team. If he is, the bench is a great place to relax.
All the same things were said about Cantona too, but all he wanted were the same things Berbatov is seeking. As well, the club culture and feeling he will get from being apart of this great organization will seduce him. Have no worries mate.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:57
@Craig Mc: I agree that we’ve made some false economies over the years - Ronaldinho is probably the worst - but it is certainly one of the reasons why our transfers often drag out, which was the question.
August 13th, 2008 at 17:01
@sig: Trust me, he’s a target man. He’s not a goal poacher per say but he is a target man. He is exceptional at holding up the ball and waiting for the others to join in and his first touch and his passing is absolutely breathtaking. He also scores wonderful goals with great skills and imagination. His aerial ability is also quite good so yes, he is a target man.
August 13th, 2008 at 17:05
@Craig Mc:
It will be due to who the club are. We are seen as a bottomless pit for funds in the same way Chelsea are. Clubs ask for stupid amounts due to that and while Chelsea will just pay it as Roman doesn’t care we have to make sure its as cost effective as possible
August 13th, 2008 at 17:05
@sig: Tell me mate, what do you know about Manucho? Manucho could very well be manure for all we know. He comes from bloody Angola for crying out loud. Not exactly known for being a football hotbed now is it. Huntelaar is over priced and frankly all thew teams that would be interested in him, already have a striker for that position. Even Real Madrid who have shown interest as well as Arsenal have a similar player. His day will come. As for Manucho, the jury is out on him until he actually shows up. When I think of him, I think Djemba Djemba or Kleberson. Hopefully I’m wrong and he won’t be a bust but I’m not expecting much. He’s also not a kid.
August 13th, 2008 at 17:08
hardley big news, lampards signs a 5 year deal, how old is he again?
August 13th, 2008 at 17:10
@realred: I watch a lot of Spurs games and many of his assists are in the box with deft little touches and even flicks and chips. Unlike Rooney and Tevez who fear the box like a dog fears a bath, Berbatov doesn’t. He is very adept and very comfortable there but he does roam out once in a while two. But that’s fine too as it is interchangeable in our style of play.
August 13th, 2008 at 17:12
@Grognard: i hope you are right…i really do! the jury is still out for me but if he loses the attitude and bags a load of goals for us then im sure he can change my opinion!
@dan(u-ol): its grand and indeed we will move on. (i should say tho…i had no way of knowing it was a joke, and “fool” isnt exactly that bad an insult)
August 13th, 2008 at 17:15
@jstar7: yes, but it is still an insult nonetheless, but please, lets just move on.
August 13th, 2008 at 17:15
@wakey: Fergie is not going to have four world class strikers and have the unenviable task of having to constantly sit two down. We already have that 4th striker. Manucho, Campbell or even Welbeck should emerge in that position. And if they don’t, Fergie will go buy a very young player that can be broken in slowly. And there is no way Huntelaar is going to accept a role as 4th striker. That’s just not going to happen. With three strikers of equal value you can rotate and keep all three happy. A fourth makes it very difficult indeed. Sheringham was our fourth back in 99,2000 etc but he was old and welcomed the role. He was also flexible because he could play and AMF role as well. Solksjaer would have accepted the role of water boy if it allowed him to be with the club. Lads like him are truly one in a million.
August 13th, 2008 at 17:18
Looks like Berbatov is well on his way. Fine. Im just wondering who will be benching most times in our forward line up. One or two of Tevez,Rooney and Nani. And if we resort to 4-3-3 then Rooney should be on the bench because i think Tevez is proving 2 be the better player. If we play two up front, Tevez should be on the bench. Thing is we need a season formation rather than changing all the time like they do in Italia. So all im saying is someone is going 2 be disappointed due to lack of playing time if Berba comes. So who do u guys feel should be ultimately sacrificed between the trio?
August 13th, 2008 at 17:19
For me the best bit about signing Berba is that he is simply a joy to watch. I used to tune into all the spurs games I could just to see him play. I was watching against Charlton when he spun the defender with a ridiculous touch around half way and then went in himself to score - just magic. He’s just the classiest player I’ve seen since Ruud in his pomp, but with better passing and less box awareness. Even if we win nothing this season, watching Berba, Rooney, Tevez, Nani, Anderson an