Dec 18
United get Milan, Giggs gets new deal
The Champions League draw results have been out, and as most of you know, United get AC Milan in the round of 16. The papers’ analysis of the draw is Beckham’s return to Old Trafford and Jose’s return to Chelsea. It begs the question: is a draw, which is presumably a glorified roll of the dice to determine which sides face each other, really something worth analysing? Thoughts?
Of course, the talking point for United fans is Beckham’s return to Old Trafford as a player. Before Ronaldo he was our biggest marketable star, and like Ronaldo, his departure has split opinion amongst supporters. His reception will intrigue me. So, thoughts on Beckham’s arrival, welcome.
And finally Ryan Giggs has agreed another one-year contract extension. At this rate it’s quite possible I will be reporting a new deal for Giggs in 2065 to my grandchildren. The extension is unsurprising, which is why it’s incredible.
“Ryan deserves a new contract and I am sure he will play for another two years,” said the manager. “His form is fantastic at the moment and he is playing some of his best football.”
Giggs on his extension: “I am enjoying my football more than ever and I am looking forward to hopefully winning more trophies with United.”
Right, so there’s your lot. And, once again, thoughts?
Related items from Red Rants:
- Wayne Rooney to Score, Manchester United to win
- It’s Owen Hargreaves…again
- AC Milan vs Manchester United: Preview
- Perez would ‘welcome’ Ronaldo — that’ll be £70m, thank you.
- Manchester United vs AC Milan:Preview
Tags: Daily Roundup
December 18th, 2009 at 17:55
Giggs: “I am enjoying my football more than ever and I am looking forward to hopefully winning more trophies with United.”
We are enjoying it too, Sir!
December 18th, 2009 at 18:08
Hopefully Milan won’t knock us out this year; we haven’t played well against them in past years, but it will be very interesting to see Becks back at Old Trafford.
There are also some other interesting games, too, including the return of Mourinho at Stamford Bridge and Lyon v Real Madrid
December 18th, 2009 at 18:20
What will happen if Milan win 1-0 thanx to a free kick strike by Becks
December 18th, 2009 at 18:26
@Lars: Madrid will beat Lyon by buying all their players in January – ‘Tis the season…
Per usual, Arsenal and Barca get easy rides – it was no draw, it was planned!
We should be able to beat an old Milan team.
December 18th, 2009 at 18:28
@[OPTI]Madschester United:
And Lyon will still find a way to field a competitive team.
December 18th, 2009 at 18:31
@Lars: Becks back at OT will be great. I hope he puts the boots to Fergie because I am still bitter of the way he got rid of him. Sure I want United to win the tie but I so want to see Becks play well enough to keep Fergie as nervous as Hell.
I am actually looking forward to seeing the Inter vs Chelsea matchup. TITANIC. Mourinho vs his former team and Ancelotti vs his. That is going to be epic stuff, believe me.
December 18th, 2009 at 18:41
@Grognard: I could not agree with you more Grog. I would like to see Becks play well but have United win the draw of course. It is a bit of a testimonial for Becks, but with something to play for.
Oh, when you said “Ancelotti vs his” I assume you know Ancelotti coached AC Milan and not Inter
December 18th, 2009 at 18:49
According to latest tweet from Special1TV/IOSS, it seems the show will be back next friday…
December 18th, 2009 at 19:01
@Grognard: United > Beckham … don’t foget who we are! Beckham is a media whore, just like his posh wife… there is NO place for that at Utd.
December 18th, 2009 at 19:07
Tosic in the squad for Fulham
December 18th, 2009 at 19:29
@RichmondRed: Yes I do. I just put it down wrong. I really meant to say that Ancelotti would also be going home in a way as he would be facing Inter at the San Siro. Kind of a home coming too but not totally. I would love to see Mourinho get his revenge on Chelsea. I like Mourinho and I think his sacking at Chelsea was a disgrace.
December 18th, 2009 at 19:35
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Sorry mate, I have no problem with Beckham and his lifestyle and i’ll tell you why. Despite all the glitz and glamor, Becks has always stayed close to the game he loves and has always played with desire and professionalism. He loves the game mate and his attitude on the field shows it. Sure he has slowed down a lot but he still plays the game well and there is still nobody alive that can match his crossing ability. As a media whore i think he lives a pretty clean life and is an ambassador to the sport and to his country. He doesn’t get involved in scandals like drugs, prostitution or has uncompromising photos taken of him in weird situations like Rooney, Rio and Ronaldo. His only sin and it seems like it’s a sin to fans as well as Fergie was marrying a Spice Girl. So what? She hasn’t exactly come across as a whore or a two timer and has given birth to his children while staying faithful to him. So why is this family always being slagged and criticized? I think it’s incredibly unjust and unfair. I love David Beckham and I miss him wearing United red.
December 18th, 2009 at 20:20
@owen: Fergie will sign him up again!
December 18th, 2009 at 20:21
@AndyCR7: YIIIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
December 18th, 2009 at 20:24
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I have absolutely no doubt that we’re a much better team than Milan. What I’m worried about is Ferguson using negative tactics.
It would be tempting the devil as the Italians are much better at tactical games.
December 18th, 2009 at 20:31
@NicoQB: Actually, I think playing an attacking game against Milan could backfire. A classic counter attacking team who will beat you when you commit to attack. That is what did us in 4 years ago. Negative tactics and patience wins you games vs Italian competition. It worked last year against Inter who are superior to Milan. Last thing we need to do is gift them even one goal due to trying to attack too much. Cut off their supply lanes and just wait it out. Boring and unattractive but that is how you beat Milan.
December 18th, 2009 at 20:44
@Grognard:
Big it up for Becks!!!
December 18th, 2009 at 20:51
@Grognard: Maybe, but with us having the first leg away, I can clearly see us going there playing for the draw.
I personally think that while our track record in europe has been good recently, we could have performed even better, as clearly, our defense (and especially squad depth) nowadays is better than in the days of Dortmund and the late nineties.
And anyways I much prefer us winning in style than grinding out results. The Barcelona win was not a pleasant memory for me.
December 18th, 2009 at 22:18
Goal of the decade on manutd.com.
Strangely, while I rate Scholes vs Bradford and the Rooney dribbling-Van Nistelrooy pivot finishing as great, none give me the great adrenline rush that is Kiko Macheda vs Villa…
December 18th, 2009 at 22:31
@Grognard: All fair points. Of course, Beckham did however two-time while married to Posh but they still did patch up. Guess you can’t blame him for desiring someone better.
December 18th, 2009 at 23:26
I reckon Milan was the most exciting ‘alright’ draw we could’ve hoped for. Milan are beatable, but if we’re looking for (on paper) the cleanest passage through to the Semi’s, obviously Porto and Olympiakos would’ve provided less threat; however also less enjoyment value, anticipation and general excitement. Milan is the one we want!
Forget Becks: revenge, revenge, revenge for the WORST performance/thrashing I have ever witnessed is all that matters. Never have I seen us so intimidated and humiliated than that night at the San Siro in ‘07. Now we’re better equipped and more experienced in Europe, we’ll see how well Gatusso and co. slot us in their pockets this time.
@NicoQB. As for goal of the decade – seeing as all the talks is about Becks – how about his goal in the Madrid CL Quarter’s part 1 (2000, not the free-kick in 2003). It was pretty much Beckham’s only dribble goal and by far one of my favourite ever United goals.
December 19th, 2009 at 0:20
Told ya`all we`d face Milan!
Written in the stars wasn`t it? Either that or faith has a perverted twist on life.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:06
@Red Ranter: Hang on mate, that was never determined. That was just media rumors. Beckham never came out and admitted to infidelity as far as I remember. Still, I never judge any athlete on things that are none of our business. The way they are raking Tiger Woods over the coals right now is disgusting. Whatever he did is nobody’s business but his and his family’s. Becks has been a pretty solid citizen as far as I can see. My only bitch with him is his friendship with that space cadet Tom Cruise. Honestly Dave, wake the fuck up, that boy is seriously fucked in the head.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:07
Where the Hell is everyone? I am out fo the house for six hours and come back and there are only three new posts. Man I hate the holidays.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:29
i’m more worried about Fulham away at the moment!! than a game in Feb. Having said that, we should beat AC over 2 legs
December 19th, 2009 at 3:08
Regarding this rubbish about fergie going after Lennon. It got me thinking, would Lennon be able to lock down a first XI place in our squad?
December 19th, 2009 at 4:51
@Johnsom33: I think he would, but he’s a mouse of a man and can be bullied off the ball.
What I like is his willingness to take on a defender and his amazing speed.
Overall Lennon is a great player but have a spare bed available in the training room!!
December 19th, 2009 at 5:09
@Grognard: Well I’ve been watching all my Beckham videos.
Seriously it’s an intriguing match-up in my mind. The return of Beckham to OT is something I will look forward to, and I’m sure something SAF will relish too.
Frankly I don’t think there’s any love lost between these two and they would both like the opportunity to rub salt in the, already, open wounds.
Just hope David doesn’t come up with a calf strain or something right before the tie!
Also of note here is Huntelaar. He hasn’t been able to break into the first team since his move from RM and I do wonder whether SAF would rather buy him or face him??
But when all is said and done this should be a straight forward path into the quarter finals – barring no further injuries!
December 19th, 2009 at 5:16
@phoenix red: You should be worried, mate, this was a nightmare for us last season, losing 2-0.
I don’t think we have the option to play with 2 strikers (given our injury issues) and so if Fulham manage to get a goal up on us, it will be a struggle for us to get a result!
December 19th, 2009 at 5:40
@Redrich: My ultimate dream matchup is a 0-0 draw at the San Siro and United winning the return match 4-3 but Beckham scores on a free kick and assists on two headers from from Huntelaar from laser like crosses. I’d love for the Hunter to stick a couple in to spite the Boss for snubbing him twice and forcing him to go play for teams that didn’t suit his style. One has to have his fantasies.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:00
@Grognard: You really want them to score against us??
December 19th, 2009 at 6:55
@Redrich: Yes I do. I want us to win but I really want Beckham to stick it to Fergie. I love the Boss but there have been times where I feel he has let his personal feelings take over and getting rid of Beckham was one of those moments. Becks deserves a certain measure of revenge. Let him have a few moments of glory but disappointment at the end. As for Huntelaar. I have been this player’s number one advocate for over two years now. At one point there was no other player in world football I wanted more on United than him. I still do despite his bad luck with both Madrid and Milan. I’d like to see him pot a goal or two to show Fergie that yet again, he fucked up and never listened to the Grognard.
But make no mistake, I do not want them scoring against us if that means we get knocked out. Lets just say I want my cake and be able to eat it too.
December 19th, 2009 at 7:19
@Grognard: I brought up two timing because you mentioned it.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:17
@Grognard: Beckham leaving United was six and half a dozen, he wanted out and Fergie wanted him out so simply blaming the manager simply isn’t right.
He turned down numerous contract offers, was promoting brand Beckham his wife wante to move from United to blame Fergie for that simply wrong.
December 19th, 2009 at 20:52
@Stephen: Actually Beckham has come out many times and said that the last thing he wanted was to leave United. His relationship with Fergie was suffering but he so loved the team and his very best friends, Neville and Scholes were there and he just couldn’t envision leaving. The show incident brought everything to the boil but even then Becks didn’t want to leave, he just wanted Fergie to get off his back.
Although Beckham is no saint, I do feel he is completely sincere about his feelings and over the years he continues to say great things about United as well as Fergie and shows up to support the club at big games.
I may not be a fan of his wife’s or his lifestyle and I absolutely hate his tattoos and haircuts but despite a poor education and terrible articulation, I think Beckham is a fine person and a true ambassador to the sport.