Aug 05
United beat Posh + Media Froth As Ronaldo Returns (Apparently)
Fergie faced off with Fergie junior, in what looks like an annual affair of family reunions, as United’s boys beat Peterborough 2-0. I must first say a big, big sorry for not being here when the club paid its tribute to one of United’s — and the modern era’s — greatest professionals in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. I have never hidden my love for players of his kind. And we all know it’s not just the injury time winner against Bayern that makes us love him so much.
But back to yesterday’s game United eased past Peterborough, but not before being given a good workout by the opposition.
I really don’t think I should go into too much detail on pre-season friendlies, but my interest was piqued when I heard the da Silva twins were expected to feature. And it must be said, they didn’t disappoint. Rafael more so.
The right back stormed up and down the wing and threw himself about quite well showing that he wasn’t shy to shirk from challenges. His ambition, moving forward did leave spaces at the back, but then we forget that he’s just 18 and he’ll have lot to learn before making it to the first team. Of course, to gain some perspective, it’s just one pre-season game and whilst he did make a good first impression, we mustn’t be creaming over him.
I have been impressed with Carlos Tevez though. He has been a man on a mission throughout pre-season and I think we will see the real Carlos Tevez this season because he’s had a good rest in the summer. He admitted once that he has been playing continuously for the past two years without much break. And so we think this summer might have done him a world of good.
Rio and Brown were solid while they were there, Possebon showed some good touches, Gibson scored a cracker, and Campbell disappointed.
And that’s all I want to read into yesterday’s friendly.
* * *
Tomorrow we face Juventus at home. It should be a tasty encounter. Also there will be a presentation of the trophies, but such has been the hurt in the summer that all of this will seem like a Pyrrhic victory. The man who helped cause, both, said hurt and ecstasy, Mr. Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly returns to Old Trafford. Now I don’t know if the Guardian took ideas from this post, but I see, at the end of the story a possible dialogue between Ronaldo and Ferguson. It must be said that the “conversation” wasn’t nearly as funny as the one penned by yours truly, but one must concede that hacks from the mainstream media can also have a little fun.
But my concern is not about this alleged idea-stealing — it’s about how they make it sound so dramatic; like Calderon, Ronaldo and Ferguson were going to have some sort of a Mexican standoff. I don’t know how the Telegraph and the Guardian (as examples) infer that there is still a major major doubt about Ronaldo staying, but I suggest everyone to read the piece by Tim Stannard (of the La Liga Loca column in Four Four Two) to get a good (and humorous) perspective on the happenings in the Iberian peninsula.
Yes, I am not having another rant against the evil that’s Madrid.
I am that tired, and I am off for now.
Meanwhile, in my travels around the world wide web, I found something worth sharing with you all. I think it is rather thought provoking in the context of people spending time proving a point on internet chatrooms — i.e., blokes like us. I will leave the image speak for itself.
[source xkcd.com]
Related items from Red Rants:- All Quiet on the Berba Front and Nothing Else…
- Rants Returns to Regular Service
- Raging Rooney, Real ‘Defeated’ [for Now] and the Holy Trinity
- So How Good Is Manchester United?
- Lull After the Storm
Tags: Daily Roundup
August 5th, 2008 at 10:38
Does anyone think that him staying one more year is a terrible option? I know the argument is that it gives a whole year to find a replacement, and might get us some success today, but it seems to spit in the face of team spirit and respect for the club. For me it’s not even about whether or not he’ll put in good performances (for the record I think he will) it’s more about a shadow hanging over the team, and avoiding a feeling like this summer. We are the best team on the planet at this point in time, but can’t enjoy it because the best player on the planet is being a c*ck. I just can’t help but think, as a fan, I’d be happier if we offload him, bring in some talent and get on with the season. Even if that means we don’t win as much this year.
Is that strange?
August 5th, 2008 at 11:06
I agree. I think the reason he hasn’t been sold is that Utd don’t want it to look like Madrid have bullied them into selling. I think Ronaldo should be sold. Maybe a compromise will be that he is sold at Christmas.
Personally I think he’s made a big mistake. At Madrid, he will be expected to deliver every game. His childish sulks will not be tolerated there. Take the £70M and let him go.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:19
I Don’t think it would be strange beachryan. I feel the same. For the past 2 or so years, every summer break or January transfer window, this painstakingly annoying Ronaldo saga just goes on and on and I’m sick of the whole thing already. I personally feel that it would be better to just let him go and bring in maybe 1 or 2 players. Will we win less trophies without him? Who knows? But I firmly believe that whether he stays or goes we will still be successful. After Beckham left, people said we would not be successful, they said the same thing after Ruud left, and they’ll say the same thing after Ronaldo leaves (Be sure that he WILL leave). But I believe in this club and and I firmly believe that we will prosper without him.
On a side note, I’m not sure about everyone else here but I feel that players like Scholes, Giggs, Solskjaer, just don’t exist amongst the younger generation of footballers in the modern game. You can’t tell the future but, I feel as though young players like Nani, Anderson even Tevez will not stay at United for a very long period of time. Maybe 4-5 years for Nani and Anderson and maybe 4 years for Tevez. I just feel that today players don’t seem to believe in the club they play for, they believe in the club that pays the most.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:50
Also, with their Keane money being spent on Bentley, Spurs are bidding on Arshavin, Corluka, Some 50 year old goal keeper and another young strker. Sounds like they need some money. How does £28 million sound?
get on with it!
August 5th, 2008 at 11:52
@Beachryan: I absolutely share your concern, I think Ruud was a problem in the dressing room towards the end but perhaps Utd just need Real to understand that they cannot have free reign when it comes to signing Utd’s best players.
I also suspect that having him at Utd when he is officially declared the best player in the world is important to Utd’s status as otherwise Calderon could try to claim that the move to Real was what made him the best player in the world.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:01
please get ronaldo out of old trafford as soon as possible. he did a lot for us but i now c what mourinho meant when he called him an immature lad with no respect. i’m so amazed by real-madrid thinking signing ronaldo is a guarentee to winning the ucl, believe me ronaldo can only play best when he is wearing red. He will regret his decision, believe me!
August 5th, 2008 at 12:30
@ DMC - fair enough, and I’d love to think we were f*cking over the Madrid crowd somehow, but I just think it will put a real sour note on the upcoming season. I guess you can’t win really.
Saha to Sunderland…if you were Fergie would you sell or loan til January, with a view to sell then?
Oh and where is Ben Foster?
August 5th, 2008 at 12:55
@Beachryan: I’d certainly sell him straight away, if we can get 8-9 mil for him. It’ll ease the extra expenses for getting Berbetov, and with Berbatov we’ll actually have 3 strikers able to play (plus maybe Campbell as 4th). I think that selling Saha is the clearest sign SAF can give that we’re getting Berbatov, plus the money is decent enough for a player, who’ll most likely be injured at Sunderland as well. Keane’s taking a major risk with this one, but he probably knows.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:56
bens on the sidelines awaiting an appearance. i think he will get another one against juventus
August 5th, 2008 at 12:59
well said thomas. we should get rid of saha. but berbatov, huntelaar or aguero? aguero doesnt seem to wanna come, the tottenham horse s**t board seem determined to keep berbatov, leaving huntelaar who wants to come. my preference is aguero but a would welcome any of them. what do u guys think?
August 5th, 2008 at 13:00
i think what man utd are going 2 do is going to be brill!! Put in a clause in his contract saying he can leave but not until next year and for an agreed price. So if ronaldo f*cks up this season (which he might do) then we can tell him to f*ck off for an obscene amount of money but if he continues to be an immortal di*khead then we can tell r.madrid to f*ck.
August 5th, 2008 at 13:37
I am fearful re: wpoty; we all know that individual honours mean a great deal to our Portugese #7 as it is for any pro. player.
I’m fearful because there could be a cartel going on in which Ronaldo doesn’t get the highest FIFA accolade after his 42 club goals + pre + tournament goals.. this could be the spur for the Portugeezer to move try and wrangle out of Old Trafford.. If Ronaldo doesn’t win then something must be done..
August 5th, 2008 at 13:57
@Beachryan:
TBH I doubt United would say to him he can leave next season if he stays this season as that’s pretty much giving into Real which just defeats the whole point of making the stand.
Also despite what the Spanish Papers want to claim I don’t personally believe Ronaldo needs bribed like that. He isnt going to walk out of the club or refuse to play to be sold. If United choose to sell him he will go, else he will buckle down and play and I am sure Fergie and Gill know that as well
August 5th, 2008 at 14:49
The papers say Rooney may miss the start of the season…WTF?? Due to a virus??!!
Oh Berbatov, where art thou?!
August 5th, 2008 at 15:06
man,just offload the 120k earning slave. He is haunting united’s cohesivness as a team. Get berba or develop/polish frazier into the second Dwight Yorke.
August 5th, 2008 at 15:07
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3936685,00.html
Great.
August 5th, 2008 at 15:09
we’re looking like we’re gonna be a few men down come the start of the season -
nani suspended, rooney/carrick virus, anderson olympics, park/manucho knee/metertasel, hargreaves tendonitis, ronny ankle, looks like opening weekend is gonna be
vds,
brown, ferdinand, vidic, evra,
fletcher, oshea, scholes, giggs,
campbell, tevez
and some young players on the bench… worst possible start with injuries after winning the double
August 5th, 2008 at 15:29
Players NOT available for the start of season 08/09:
Wayne Rooney
Owen Hargreaves
Michael Carrick
Cristiano Ronaldo
Anderson
Ji-Sung Park
Louis Saha
Out of this list, there are 5 players who started or played a vital role in the Champions League Final, not to mention over the entire last season. Not to mention, the players we will be relying on in the opening stages of this season includes EVDS, Neville, Giggsy and Scholes, all of whom are supposed to be gradually phased out over this season. To top it off,
the 1st 4 games of this season are going to be:
Portsmouth (Community Shield)
Newcastle (BPL)
Portsmouth (BPL)
Zenit St. Petersburg (UEFA Super Cup)
2 cup games, and 2 important BPL games. Do we have enough manpower to win these ties? With all due respect Sir Alex, kindly open your goddamn eyes !!!
August 5th, 2008 at 15:32
@Viresh: Yeah it’s not the best of signs, but let’s see how things develop. Perhaps it’ll speed up the process of getting Berbatov. We certainly need him more than ever now.
We can probably still beat Newcastle, so that leaves only the Portsmouth game in jeopardy. They’re a strong team, and right now a draw looks appealing. After that we have Nani coming back, and then only the Super Cup against Zenit, before a 2 weeks international break. After that, it’s Liverpool and Chelsea, and we have to have a lot of players ready for that one.
Luckily our defense will be fit and ready, and Tevez looks razor sharp, so we might pull off a couple of wins after all.
It’s weird that noone has asked SAF about possible transfers… he’s always asked that. It seems that this is the right time for that sort of question compared to other times it’s been asked.
August 5th, 2008 at 15:36
@Mihir: I couldn’t care less about the Community Shield and the Super Cup… they’re insignificant matches compared to other tasks of the season. The Super Cup would be nice to win, but if we don’t, it wouldn’t matter.
I’m sure, SAF’s eyes are open, but what can he do? Yes, he can buy Berbatov, but he might not be the one deciding, when that happens.
August 5th, 2008 at 15:37
oh yeah and I forgot Nani in that list who is suspended for the stupid red card he got against West Ham. Berbatov, we couldnt need you more!
August 5th, 2008 at 15:38
well just realised that we’ll be missing nani for the 2 premiership games not the community shield so if hargreaves is fit and giggs is good then i think we’ll be fine and i just read on a website carrick came into training today so i think we should be ok, we just need that striker to ease those doubts…. on a side note we could be on for a 7 trophy haul now that would cement us as footballing gods!!
August 5th, 2008 at 15:39
Yeah, somehow we’ve managed to look pretty threadbare at the start of the year - not ideal! That said, Newcastle are likely to be without both Owen and Viduka, and Portsmouth wihtout Diarra and obvioulsy Muntari left - so we should have some hope! For me as long as the back 4 are fit we have a shot.
In theory we could field a team at Newcastle of:
———vds———-
-Brown-Rio-Vidic-Evra—
—Hargo—-Fletcher—
——-Scholes——-
-Tevez———Giggs–
——-Campbell——–
Which really isn’t terrible. Replace Campbell with a signing and you see what I mean. My big worry is that right after the aformentioned first couple weeks, we have Pool and Chelsea away, and Rooney may not have had time to gel yet, not to mention if Ronaldo has even played by that point. Argh.
August 5th, 2008 at 16:01
I have always been excited about the start of every new season. Now I am not saying that i am not feeling that way this summer, but I cannot for the life of me remember a time when I have felt such an uneasiness about a moment that usually brings the biggest thrill in my life: the start of a new English Premeir League Season! Saying that, I am sure that once things get started all will be fine. Hell, even last year started off not so hot and look what we did. All I am saying is that with the double I should still be riding on the tails of a cloud right now, but I feel as if I have been dragged through a sewer of shit! If it is not Ronaldo, it is injuries, not injuries, then it silence in the transfer market, now viruses and suspensions. Bloody hell, we shouldn’t be loaning anyone out to Darren-he should be loaning out to us. Oh, Frazier Campbell is not United material! Please Fergie, what is the story on Berbs?
August 5th, 2008 at 16:02
If this sudden development is not a sign from the gods saying we should bolster our squad with a striker and a young winger, I don’t know what is!!! Fergie seems to think it’s ok, but it doesn’t look good to almost evryone else; i’m guessing that’s why every manager needs a second, so they can point out things the managers don’t see or miss.
I mean, look at our squad for the opening few, 1 or 2 games,
VDS
Brown——Rio—–Vida——Evra
————-O’shea————–
Fletcher——-Scholes——–Giggs
———-Tevez—————–
————–Campbel———–
with the rest of the bench comprised mainly of youngsters and no striker!!
August 5th, 2008 at 16:03
Mihir
Add to that list Nani, who is suspended for the first two PL games. However, I’m not sure that Hargreaves is definitely out, nor Michael Carrick. This leaves us with a team looking like this for the opener against Newcastle:
VDS - Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra - Scholes, Hargreaves (Possebon if injured), Carrick (Fletcher if injured) - Giggs, Campbell - Tevez
Subs: Foster, O’Shea, R da Silva, errrrrr……….
Remember our 1-0 month last year? Going to have to be like that again for a while, I reckon….
August 5th, 2008 at 16:20
Possebon does look very comfortable on the ball doesnt he? There is something about Brazilians at United and curly hair and awesome ball control. Rafael and Fabio Da Silva are pretty damn good even at their tender age, and will mature into great players.
Sir Alex himself hinted that Rafael has shown enough quality to merit a first team place.
Maybe we can use him as a winger
during the opening matches since we are more or less empty on the right unless you count Fletcher. The lad certainly showed enough attacking instincts last night.
August 5th, 2008 at 16:40
@Mihir: I had that thought too.
August 5th, 2008 at 16:48
Shows that maybe offloading Eagles was a bit hasty, IMO. He’s not a world beater, but in our time of need could have done a job, and despite teh twins impressiev debut, I’d still choose him over either. And Fletcher on the wing, tbh.
August 5th, 2008 at 16:57
@Beachryan: I disagree with that - I never saw Eagles put in a worthwhile performance in a competitive game (yes, I do remember that goal against Everton, it doesn’t count as worthwhile).
I reckon there are three or four youngsters who are capable of doing at least as good a job as Eagles.
August 5th, 2008 at 16:57
@Beachryan: I don’t agree mate, it shows our lack of movement in the market a big mistake. I said that a while back we needed more flesh on the bones, and we look a little short of depth.
August 5th, 2008 at 17:01
To everyone complaining about the preseason and using reserves all the time, this is why!! Players like Possebon, Campbell or Gibson may need to step into the first team early doors, and then we’ll be glad they’ve had games with Rio, Tevez, Scholes and the like to prepare them.
Nani can play in the Community Shield and the Super Cup. If Zenit loose Arshavin to Spurs then I think we still have a team available who can beat them, and thats without signing Berbatov, who now more than ever is a must. Or Huntelaar, whoever just someone!
Having to sit out those first 2 prem games is going to be tough for Nani, lets hope its the making of him.
August 5th, 2008 at 17:03
A lot of us have sort of assumed that Ronaldo was going to Madrid at the end of this season for at least a year now so in one sense nothing’s new … EXCEPT … You can’t formalize that sort of thing. Once you do it’s ‘dead man walking’ time. Remember what happened when Fergie announced his retirement a few years ago…
August 5th, 2008 at 17:31
The Tim Stannard article on Marca and the Spanish media was just classic. I’m so glad Fergie and United made them feel so unwelcome and like the total scumbag outsiders they are. After all, they do let journalists into OT and their training grounds. But seeing as Marca and others from Spain cannot really be seen as TRUE journalists, then piss on them.
August 5th, 2008 at 17:38
RR; Your take on the conversation between Fergie and Ronaldo was not just far superior to that hack job in the Guardian, it was far funnier and it actually sounded like the two individuals. I could actually picture those words coming out of Fergie’s mouth. The Guardian’s take was just a boring and as unreadable as their Rumours page where that ass clown always wastes 75% of the time talking unfunny jibberish rather than getting down to the job of giving us some good good rumours. My how journalistic integrity and quality has slipped over the past few years. It’s bad enough hat it has lost all sense of integrity when it comes to covering hard news and politics, but SPORTS? Bloody Hell!
Thank God we have someone like you RR, to help some of us get a better sense of the truths of European sports journalism. 
August 5th, 2008 at 17:42
@edi: Right now I’d accept a skinny kid walking in to OT with a sign on his t-shirt that says STRIKER. That’s how desperate I am and how desperate United should be too.
August 5th, 2008 at 17:47
@antsBoy: Trust me, if you are unfortunate enough to get one of these African or Asian viruses, they can take you for a loop. They are killers (if not literally). You can’t keep anything down, and your best friend becomes the toilet. Living in Vancouver with the high influx of people from Asia coming in and out of the city one occasionally falls prey to one of these bastards and trust me, they can knock you off your feet for three to four weeks. I imagine African strains can be just as potent. Yet another reason to not waste the time and energy of players by having them cross the world to play meaningless fixtures. It’s all about money and licensing. And now we don’t have Rooney yet again for the start of the season. BOLLOCKS!
August 5th, 2008 at 17:48
@Viresh: Too true mate, too true.
August 5th, 2008 at 17:51
em… I don’t see how Ronaldo is a cancer to the team. Not many of the players seem to be paying him much attention and if its a case of his on field talents then there is definately nothing wrong.
August 5th, 2008 at 17:52
@Grognard: The only positive out of this Rooney saga could be we have to step up our interest in Berbatov, or someone else.
We were sitting on our hands or in Fergie and Gill’s case sun lounges thinking what a great season we had while other clubs around us were making their moves, looks a bit concerning to me.
August 5th, 2008 at 18:07
@Mihir: Man, what’s with all the negative energy? If I didn’t know better, I’d say some of you……heck many of you are starting to sound an awful lot like this paranoid bloke who participates on this blog known as the Grognard. Although none of you are coming out and saying things like “Grognard was right”, or “You know I have to admit Grognard was correct” etc etc. But that’s OK. It just makes me feel good to know that some of you are actually coming around to thinking a little bit like me and actually having the balls to challenge the decision making of the Boss and his loyal legion of blind sheep.
No Fergie’s not perfect no matter how much we all love him. He’s either getting a little to lazy in his old age or he’s lost a little bit of that fighting spirit this close to his retirement. NAH! Fergie still has the fire and desire. What he doesn’t have is the money. Blame this calamity and lack of buying players on one entity. THE GLAZER’S. Their debt load is finally starting to kill this team and it starts by reducing our transfer kitty to hardly nothing worth mentioning. We don’t have the money to overpay for a player anymore. And if we get Berbatov it will be because Spurs finally dropped their price a bit and we sold Saha for 80% more money than he’s worth.
I have a funny feeling this is going to be a really dry season when it comes to silverware. In today’s EPL, you cannot afford to drop early season points and expect to catch up. That early schedule, our injury woes and our lack of depth up front and on the wing is going to hurt us big time. And to all you optimists I say, save your wrath for when you can actually prove me wrong. Because from where I’m sitting, things are looking mighty gloomy indeed. Thank God we have a tosser side like Newcastle first up. Maybe that will help us to get off to a positive start before all those killer road games against our top opponents wear us out completely.
I’m currently accepting members to my Club Nagatosis. It sounds like some of you would like to become members. Music to my ears. I love boat rockers and non conformists. We already have enough sheep that will follow the club’s hierarchy blindly and find no fault in anything they do or don’t do for that matter. Let the revolution begin.
I want to be Berbatized. Sooner rather than later or never.
August 5th, 2008 at 18:12
Why do people assume that Fergie and Gill are just sitting on their hands. One of the best things that has come out of the Glazers ownership is no longer does our transfer activity have to be so transparent. As we saw with Vidic, Evra, Nani and Anderson they just happened and the knowledge of them was pretty much on a need to know basis. I’m sure they arent just sitting there doing nothing on the transfer front, but at the same time there’s not that many areas we need to actually improve in, and you don’t want a situation like Chelsea where we have so many players of quality in each position that you cant keep them happy and you also lock out any chance of youth players breaking through so they are looking for the right players for the squad
August 5th, 2008 at 18:17
Can anyone post the link for the Juve match????
August 5th, 2008 at 18:21
@wakey: I think the Ramsey situation sayes something towards that view mate.
August 5th, 2008 at 18:41
@Grognard:
Of course I disagree with the goings on sometimes, and when I do get frustrated about it, this is how it comes out. However, in case I am inducted into your Club Nagatosis, I guess we would have a rather love-hate relationship 
August 5th, 2008 at 18:50
@Stephen: I hope we do step up our interst in berba, cuz I thought we would have signed him in time to debut in the Juve match. Maybe SAF wants his first match to be a cup-winning one against Portsmouth, who knows, but he definitely needs to be here sooner rather than later…
August 5th, 2008 at 18:50
@Stephen: The sun lounger part was funny, but oh so true. I’m talking about a lot of examples of our boss and his minnins being asleep at the wheel or lacking the motivation and money to get things done.
1. Why was Ronaldo not examined by team doctors immediately after the Euros? Infact why wasn’t he examined after the season before the EUROS? The injury to his ankle was picked up late in the season. Why then did it take almost three weeks after the tournament to finally have him get his surgery?
2. I am all for Fergie and Gill getting a much deserved holiday but not at the same time. They have two months in which they can stagger their holidays so that somebody is minding the shop at all times. Their lack of energy, motivation and interest in going after Aaron Ramsey is just unbelievable. Especially if any of you have watched how awesome this kid looks playing for Arsenal. Talk about being lazy and dropping the ball. Fergie sicks Gary Neville on the boy and has him give him a tour of OT. He could have done that with the regular tour package that goes through there on a daily basis. Wenger on the other hand flies the boy and his parents to Switzerland and meets with him and wines and dines them into submission and a contractual agreement. SMART, STYLISH and AGGRESSIVE. United on the other hand acted arrogant, disinterested, old school and bush league.
3. Stop your vacation and nip this Ronaldo thing in the bud before it became out of hand. This soap opera has been a terrible annoyance and heart break to the millions of supporters and above all, it has been a major distraction to the team and opened up many questions about the teams direction and financial stability.
4. Not buying a few very needed players quickly and efficiently instead of dragging your ass to the point of annoyance and incredible frustration . We obviously need help at striker and on the wing, yet the club has been linked with a million players this off season only to see the fact that we are only interested in one player despite the fact that we have three extremely long in the tooth players all playing on their last legs. Who replaces Giggs? Is it Nani? OK, then who backs up Nani? Who replaces Scholes? Is it Anderson? OK, then who backs him up? Neville is back but seriously, why is he bothering? I would never play him over Brown and I certainly would consider Hargo or even Rafael Da Silva over him right now. Let him go and do him as well as all of us a favor. Ronaldo is gone for up to two months. Nani for two vital games and where is Park? Giggs is on his last legs and yet we have not seen fit to buy another WMF/Winger to back up our starters and intern until he is ready to step up. I personally do not think that Sanchez was overpriced based on his skills and overall ability. But do we go after him? NO. Why did we not seriously consider the goal machine Huntelaar? Fine, Fergie prefers Berbatov, but he is playing a dangerous game in pursuing him this way. We can ill afford to be playing games with our ranks so weakened by injury and lack of depth in certain positions?
5. I find the team’s lack of forward thinking and lack of aggressiveness very disturbing. Above all, I am noticing a big change in Fergie’s demeanor. He’s tolerating garbage from players like Ronaldo and he’s standing pat with a team that clearly needs some new blood. This team has never stood on it’s past achievements before. We would win title after title and Fergie would always buy new players and get rid of ones who no longer fit his plans. Now he’s standing back reclining on his sun lounger and acting like the old man who just gorged himself at the Christmas dinner table. He’s acting like somebody that wants to go for his nap time due to too much turkey consumption. Sure I could be wrong, but this team is not being run in the same manner as in the past.
In closing, the loss of Queiroz is going to hurt the team and Fergie is 68 years old. I think finding a solid #2 now better than later is important. I also think we all need to be shown something very positive so that we can dismiss these concerns we have about the team’s debt load. Why not buy some players if you have the money. You never buy players for the sake of buying players but come on, it’s not like we aren’t in need of any. Right now the team lacks the passion on the field and off the field that many of it’s supporters have. I’m not calling for wholesale changes like what’s happening at Spurs. But lets not blind ourselves into believing that we are as good as we think we are and that Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will once again be our bitches. An now we also have to contend with Spurs too. Honestly, United are making it very difficult for me to feel optimistic. Perhaps Scholes and Giggs have dipped themselves in the fountain of youth and their resurgence will carry us through until Ronaldo returns. And what about Ronaldo’s return? What can we expect? Will we get the same old Ronny or an out of shape, out of focus lazy Ronaldo whose spirit and passion is gone? Probably the same Ronny who is not match fit and who scores half the goals he did last season. But I won’t be like the fickle Gooners fans who welcomed back Adebayor with cheers after he scored a penalty. They booed him soundly before he scored by the way. I’m not that fickle and hopefully other United fans will not soon forget or forgive his treachery and lack of loyalty. Man it’s going to be the season from Hell. And we weren’t even allowed to celebrate our Double in style. NUTS!
August 5th, 2008 at 19:00
@wakey: Who the Hell were Nani, Vidic, Evra and Anderson before we bought them? They were under everybody’s radar because that’s where they belong. You cannot go after a blue chip proven player and be silent about it. It’s impossible. We are only interested in one and guess what, the whole world knows about it. So sorry Wakey but Fergie and Gill have been sitting, no lounging on their backs doing dick, while Rome burns. They are acting powerless and unmotivated because frankly, they only have money for one player, and the price for him has to go down because they can’t afford to pay what Spurs want for him right now. What I don’t want is a team that has so many players of quality injured and only scrubs backing them up. I’m not saying go out and by proven world class players to backup our starters. I’m saying buy a top striker because we desperately need on and buy a few very young but talented wingers like a Sanchez or Ninis or Marin who can sit and learn and wait for their chance to challenge for a starting position but who are more than capable like Nani and Anderson of playing vital roles as subs and spot starters. Instead we are give an overdose of Gray’s, Cleverley’s, Gibson’s and Campbell’s who are not United caliber. It’s time to call Fergie and United on their deception and force them to come straight on the team’s lack of financial flexibility and ambition. Sorry, but I call it as I see it and I’m not wearing blinders. We’re broke and we are acting like it. At least Rafa scrambles and has a major fire sale in order to buy Barry and Keane. I’ll give him credit for that.
August 5th, 2008 at 19:02
@Mihir: Hey listen mate, there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with each other as long as we are friendly and respectful about it. I see your side and I think you see mine. The fact that we can disagree and laugh about is the key.
August 5th, 2008 at 19:04
@Gabriel: In the mean time he is not playing for Spurs so he is more and more unfit for a match. It’s total madness.
August 5th, 2008 at 19:20
@Grognard: dude, don’t get me started on the madness involved with eveything Manchester United this summer; we couldn’t celeberate our double, our star player wants out, we’re accused of tapping up, half our 1st team is injured/absent, we can’t acquire our targets anymore.. the list goes on. I just hope it’s Fergie putting up his poker face and behind the scenes, he’s doing something drastic to address these issues.
I’ve never been this pessimistic in last seasons, maybe it’s cuz we won the double and my expectations have been raised
August 5th, 2008 at 19:38
@Grognard: of course grognard, thats how healthy debate works! wheres the fun if everyone keeps agreeing with you?!
August 5th, 2008 at 19:42
hey juve match is today or tomorrow?
August 5th, 2008 at 19:53
@Gabriel: Gee, I forgot all about the tapping up accusations from Levy, good point. It’s been absolute misery which makes me ask one major question in all this mess. Why has United done nothing to put our minds at ease or show a statement of intent instead of going all stealth on us and letting us swim in our pool of self pity? Does a team that makes millions off it’s legions of supporters not owe those supporters something for their patronage and loyalty? Why put us through the ringer like this. Why not clean up a lot of the misconceptions and rumors that have been flying and put our fans at ease instead of always giving news conferences where you either avoid the question or give vague answers. Like today. “Ronaldo will be with us this season for sure” or something very similar to that. Does that mean he will be sold next season? I can understand the quietness regarding Berbatov because that needs to be handled with care but come on, please let us know why you seem to be content on starting the season with no new blood and half the team on the trainers table? Inquiring minds want to know…..
August 5th, 2008 at 19:54
@Mihir: True but then again, I could get used to everyone agreeing with ME. Yes, I’d rather like that I think.
August 5th, 2008 at 20:25
You guys hear about the new rule regarding referees? Apparently, the FA is takin a page from Rugby’s books; They are instating a rule which requires only team captains eligible to speak/complain to the referee during games!! That’s not bad news for United, as our players (bar rooney
) are not aggressivee towards refs. Can’t say the same for chelsea and mascherano though, hopefully they’ll get enough players booked to decrease their chances of a title challenge 
August 5th, 2008 at 20:33
@Grognard: since when are you as good as Alex Ferguson at judging talent. When Scholes and Beckham were breaking through they weren’t the world beaters that they became after gaining lower league experience and a year in the reserves. I hate to think what you would have been like when SAF put all of his faith in kids. You yourself said that you have to watch a player over a period of time to judge them and have had many disputes with people over them prematurely judging players. I respect your opinion but how many times have you actually seen Campbell play a competitive game at the height of fitness? You can have your opinions but the one thing that I can’t stand is a hypocrite.
August 5th, 2008 at 21:23
@Grognard: Hey dude! You mind wanna being a little optimistic?
I got the answers!
1. Do you really think that Ronaldo was going to have an operation before the EUROS? In the season when he was Iron HOT? And by the way after the Euros, his ego was too much! You forget that he really needed that break! He was one of the top starters in United’s season! And also in the Portugal matches!
2. What on earth was Aaron Ramsey going to do after coming to United! Sure he would have been a bright one for the future! But do you really think that he would have broken into United’s first team of Anderson, Hargreaves, Scholes, Carrick and EVEN Fletcher? He went to Arsenal because he saw a chance of first team Football! And if you think about it, Possebon isnt so bad either? So would he have tolerated being NO.6 in the midfield?
3. You forget that whether Fergie or Gill were at vacation or not! They did every thing to stop this Saga! THAT IS that they complained to FIFA and then to UEFA as well! What more could they do? If these organizations werent hell bent to be predujuced against English Football then Madrid may have gotten a hefty Ban. Even if Fergie had said that Ronaldo is staying, which he has by the way, do you really think that that would stop Madrid from using Marca and AS to publish everyday that ronaldo is coming?
4. & 5. TOMAS HELP ME OUT! LETS FINISH THIS GROGNOFICATION! By the way! I got no anwers to this!
August 5th, 2008 at 21:37
If something is not broken, don’t fix it. We just had a great season and I can read lot of complaints about the management over the summer. We boasted a great attacking football and showed the meaning to the beautiful game. Last season we spent millions on 4 players, why do we need to spend big again? The boss promised us a player and he is on his way and why do we need all the best talents in the world.
We sit in some corner of the world and can type anything we want and who knows exactly what is happening in the meeting between SAF, Gill and the owners. I am sure SAF has a limited budget and he has identified his target and he will get it.
At some point in a season every team will have injury crisis – for us it is too soon. We can’t replace all the injured players with super stars.
How much silverware we won’t last season - oh, is SAF really old and lazy? - I don’t think so.
August 5th, 2008 at 21:56
Calm down, Chicken Littles….The side might be a bit light, might be, for the first two games of the season max. But Carrick could potentially be back, and i know the report said wayne might be out for two weeks, but wayne has always made quick recoveries from injury. And i dont know, I just wouldnt be surprised if he is determined enough to make himself fit for the first game of the season, he wont want to miss out and let carlos have all the fun. In that span its newcastle and pompey, and i think the lads available have more than enough quality to grab at the very minimum 3 points there, which would be higher than was gained in the first two games last year.
Then Nani comes back, Andersonsonson will be closer to returning, Park’s knee might feel a little better, ditto for Hargo…things then start to look a lot brighter.
And even if all of the worst is to believed and if the sky really is falling, this meaning the first two games are without rooney and carrick and we have to start with cambell up front with tevez….we still have fucking nemanja in the back. Right next to him is Rio. Evra is the best left back in the league. Van der Sar is a wall. And Wesly is hitting his peak. How can you worry when you have that foundation? Things will be ok….In Vidic I Trust
August 5th, 2008 at 22:17
@samphraim: i stopped reading after your first sentence. cast your mind back to our treble winning season, our greatest season ever, in that summer, fergie made 4 low key signings, 3 of them turned out to be flops and 1 became an egg headed squad player, so we didnt really add to the team. the team did winn the league that season, but flopped at everything else. what im getting at is that we need to build on our laurels by signing or bringing in players from our youth/reserves.
August 5th, 2008 at 22:19
@Liam: I’m not a hypocrite and I don’t judge players better than Fergie. I’m just offering my opinion. If you can’t handle that without jumping down my neck that’s your problem. I find it funny though that I’m not the only voice spouting doom and gloom lately but it’s still me who receives all the hate mail. Some people are just so nice and a bove all, so incredibly fair.
August 5th, 2008 at 22:39
@Grognard: HAHA! Good one! Actually I only try to show that I am optimistic! But dont worry maybe this virus to Rooney would be a blessing in disguise and maybe an eye opener for Fergie to really go after Berbatov! But do you know I think that we wont sign anyone! Because Berbatov is going to Barca! Lets hope that God is seriously with us!
August 5th, 2008 at 22:41
@Red Diablo: What a load of horse swoggle. First off read my post again. I never claimed that they should have operated on Ronaldo before the EUROS. I claimed that they knew of his injury before the EUROS. BIG FUCKING DIFFERENCE. Secondly, because of that knowledge, the operation on his ankle should have been scheduled a day or two after his exit out of the tournament. So clean your reading glasses next time you incorrectly read my posts. STRIKE ONE
Secondly, you have no fucking idea what Aaron Ramsey and his family would have chosen had they met first hand with the boss and allowed Fergie to convince the boy that he has a long and bright future playing for the best team in the world and a team that sees an opening for him as a starter in a couple of years. He would have stresses patience and a chance to learn and mature under the tutelage of greats like Giggs and Scholes instead of playing in the wilderness at the Emirates with nobody to look up to and to emulate and learn from but Wenger alone. It’s all about salesmanship and giving a damn as well as the old fashioned effort. Ramsey is only 16. his parents and him would have made a more informed opinion rather than allowing themselves to be seduced by the Voyeur in Switzerland. It was a bush league attempt and a half hearted effort to sign the one golden boy in British football and Fergie blew big time. If you can’t wrap your head around that then that’s not my problem nor is it my fault. STRIKE TWO
Fergie and Gill both deserve their time off and I have no problem with that but they do have a responsibility to the club and it’s millions of supporters to rush back in the case of an emergency. Fair enough, it was tough to have any kind of conversation with Ronaldo while he was at the EUROS but the moment the tourney ended he should have forced the prick into his office and laid down the law. He eventually flew very covertly to Portugal to meet with him and it seems he made his case but we fans are still the ones mystified by all this because we are being kept in the black. Couldn’t he do a better job of explaining the situation and easing our anxiety over this instead of letting all of us all stir in our sweat? The whole mess has been handled poorly and has ruined what should have been a two month long party. And now he continues to be vague when it comes to exactly what went on with Ronaldo today. You know why? Because Ronaldo was not even in England. Ronaldo snubbed the Boss yet one more time. It’s just Fergie’s stubborness that was quoted today. He’s awfully sure of himself because he is hiding behind that useless contract but what if Ronaldo decides he’s not reporting to the team at all? What then? Perhaps that won’t happen but what if it does? The whole affair has been handled poorly and disgracefully because both parties forget who the fuck really pays their wages. So as I see it, it’s your case that’s weak and I’m sorry to inform you but you’ve been GROGNIFIED. Go beg Tomas for some help. Pretty sad I think!
August 5th, 2008 at 22:43
@samphraim: How on Earth can you say nothing is broken? 50% of our starters are injured and we are as thin as a sheet of ice at striker and on the wing and optimistic, naive individuals like you continue to play the positive vibes card. And nobody is saying to replace all those players with superstars. Read the posts we write more carefully. Christ, give me strength.
August 5th, 2008 at 22:46
@Red Diablo: I thought God was Fergie to people like yourself? After all, in your books he can do no wrong. That sounds awfully godlike to me.
August 5th, 2008 at 22:50
@Drew Vader: Honestly mate, how many table spoons of sugar do you put in your tea or coffee,12? That sweet as hell optimism is making my Type two Diabetes jump to Type one from just reading it. Awfully optimistic and incredibly unrealistic. To be honest, I am a glass half empty type of bloke. I can see you are the opposite side of that coin.
August 5th, 2008 at 23:23
Despite our shortages in attack, we can thank our lucky stars that our defence remains intact. An injury to Rio (God forbid) would really fuck us up right about now. If we can continue to keep clean sheets and keep goals out, I think we’ll still have enough to grab one or two goals down the other end. It might be a bit like the start of last season until we get some players back, but we’ll have to live with that. A Berbatov tonic would help though.
August 5th, 2008 at 23:26
@Grognard: LoL GROG!!! that was a roast
!!! seriously though, there is some need for concern considering our defeciencies in the squad. Fergie did promise us something, and I hope he delivers, but at the mo, it’s looking dim.
To all those overly optimistic sheep, if we don’t voice our concerns, who will? If we do not call the manager and players up, do you think they’ll have that motivation to succeed? If we are not clear about our expectations, will the manager/club/players strive to achieve them and more?
Great clubs are built on continued success, and that continued success is brought upon by the continous escalating expectations of the fans/board!! If you can’t see that the squad is light of quality players in the striking/wing positions, then maybe you need to take off those red-tinted glasses we all love to wear and take a good hard look!!!
August 5th, 2008 at 23:35
@Grognard: By the same strength we don’t know for sure who is or isn’t going to be ready for the start of the season, and you’re a bloody fear mongerer! Our defence is strong! Too strong for Newcastle or Portsmouth or Zenit. A side featuring Gibson and Campbell and a whole bunch of other youngsters played a full strength Portsmouth off the park for most of the Nigeria game….
Half full my friend, Half full
Even if we sign Berba or Huntelaar is their really enough time to get to know our way of playing before the big kick off?!
August 5th, 2008 at 23:43
@Grognard:
Why do you pick an issue and go after it without any evidence. First you did it with Ronaldo, now its with the debt. As you have had it explained to you OVER AND OVER again the debt isnt an issue because in reality there is no debt. Its a debt on paper but the money is there to pay it off. Yes the downturn in world markets will mean that the return on investing this money elsewhere rather than pay off the debt wont be making the same level of return it was but the margins in the first place wouldnt have been so tight so that a downturn would instantly make the return less than the intrest payments otherwise it wouldnt have been worth the risk
August 5th, 2008 at 23:53
@Grognard: You write as if you know how Ramsey’s parents would’ve decided. How the hell would you know for sure that they would’ve chosen Utd instead of Arsenal. Reports claimed that he was to be loaned to Cardiff for a season. Maybe thats the reason why he chose Arsenal. Fergie would never have been able to promise him first team football.Had he promised that would’ve been an outright lie.Everyone would’ve known that.Utd would’ve groomed him better but he wanted first team action straight away. At this point we can never give him that.What did the trick for Wenger was that he can promise him first team football, even though Ramsey is not going to be regular starter. I of course agree that SAF should’ve treated the matter better. But it wouldn’t have made any difference.
You get really pissed even when someone questions your opinion. I’ve read so many times with you saying that many people her cannot stand proper arguments and they get bloody pissed. But you are no exception. Whatever you’ve ranted here is not fact. Its only your point of view. So when someone questions your view on something, you get bloody pissed. Now I’m not here supporting Red Diablo or someone else. So don’t go ahead asking me to mind my business.
I’m here to argue so if you want lets argue.
August 5th, 2008 at 23:54
@Grognard:
1) Maybe if they could do it again they would have scheduled him for the op immediately but you don’t rush into operations. They probably wanted to see how it reacted to rest to get a clear picture of the situation
2) He didn’t snub Fergie as he wasn’t due back today. He is due to see the Doctor at the end of the week and his return date decided then
August 6th, 2008 at 0:00
@Grognard:
We need a new striker yes and Fergies said that himself and has said its something he is working on. But the midfield issue is not a real issue, its one that due to circumstances has become one but its temporary. People like Rossi and Pique have failed to break through due to the starting line up being too strong and now you are calling on United to make signings for what would be temp cover that will end up just restricting others chances of getting on the bench or even in the reserves. You are calling on united to basically panic buy which would just be idiotic
August 6th, 2008 at 0:23
@Gabriel: So well said mate. You are right, wee need some voices who don’t bend over and take it like willing sheep. It’s also heart warming to find another lad on this blog who will occasionally agree with me and back me up against some of the hate Grognard mongers I attract. Like I said earlier, I’m not the only one who has these views but I seem to be the only one who has been targeted for criticism. People need to know there has to be a little balance when it comes to views. Perhaps I am the loudest of the critics but still, it’s good to have an ally once in a while. Cheers!
Also, I cook a mean roast don’t I?
August 6th, 2008 at 0:26
@Mihir: Carrick is available and i haven’t seen anything to the contrary that says Hargreaves won’t be available either…@Stephen: Fergie was on vacation and if i remember when he was asked after he got back why he didn’t talk to Ronaldo earlier, he said he wasn’t gonna interrupt his vacation for anything, so i didn’t expect him to do the same over Ramsey
God, you guys on here are soo depressing, its just appalling.
@Red Diablo: Thank you, finally a light in the midst of all the depressing postings that is going on here. I really wonder what all these doom and gloomers were saying when we sold Ruud and brought in only Carrick? Probably relegation beckons and all that rubbish.@dan(u-ol): The difference is that the 08 squad is a lot more complete than the ‘99 squad…@Gabriel: So you really think Fergie or someone from the club is reading this? Grog can’t shout as much as he wants, Fergie or Gill can’t hear you, they’ll make a move whenever they feel its right, we fans will just have to wait.
@Grognard: Its his opinion, just like you like you and your other depressants like to see only whats broken, he can still see the positives, so its very rude to call his post horsewoggle
August 6th, 2008 at 0:29
@Traverse: What a load of rubbish. What’s your mouth pal when you start calling a person a fear mongerer. You may it sound like I’m some cyber troll who invades a blog just to upset the balance. Your comment is extremely rude and insensitive towards my freedom of speech. What am I to do lie and be dishonest about my feelings in order to not corrupt you virgin ears? Grow a pair and stop beings such a wallflower. Just call me a ying to your yang and leave it at that. I’m just a concerned fan who is voicing his opinion. If you can’t deal with my thoughts, ignore them and move on. I think that’s valid and friendly adivice.
August 6th, 2008 at 0:29
We only have a lack of depth at striker. We have four wingers who are capable of playing in the first team, so we certainly do not lack depth there. You do not buy a player just to cover injuries for a month. That is a waste. We had a very strong squad last year so when it comes to strengthening now fergie has to be careful about who and how many he brings in. I believe we will sign berbatov. After that, no-one else should come in, as it would mean too many players. To anyone who is worried about VDS, neville, scholes and giggs not being able to cope at the start of the season - How??? It’s the start of the season, you talk as if these players are frail old men. They will be nice and sharp for the season opening. I expect giggs to be able to do a job early on. Sure, his quality has most de