Aug 11
United Take First ‘Trophy’ of Season
It was a penalty shootout again, like last season’s community shield. But at least last season saw two goals in open play. This was a 0-0 draw where United dominated possession throughout the game only to find it extremely hard to put the ball into the net.
It’s emblematic of United’s troubles, if any. They do seem a striker short. Their strikers spend more time outside the box than inside. But it could be argued that with a defence like that of Portsmouth a Rooney-Tevez combination could have finished the game in normal time.
The general team play however, was good. Despite a patched up midfield consisting of Scholes, O’Shea and Fletcher they ran over the physically imposing Pompey midfield. The passing was crisp and the build up play very good. All in all a very good day’s work out and it should hold the team in good stead ahead of Newcastle next week.
The defence was imperious, as usual, and Gary Neville, whilst not the overlapping right back we’ve grown used to, showed he meant business by putting in a few crunching tackles — which was a good sight.
But separate space needs to be reserved for our star performer of the day. Carlos Tevez showed what a good summer’s rest can do for a player. And he’s been impressive in pre-season, running and beating a couple of players, and yesterday was no different. He, like most United players yesterday, played like he really cared about the occasion and when he was robbed of a cast-iron penalty, he lashed out at Herman Hreidarsson (I think I butchered his name, but fuck him!) The summer would have done a world of good for Rooney and Tevez and I mentioned this a few days before that Tevez will be the man to fear for opposition defences this season. If he get’s a good target man in front of him we will get the best out of him. But it will be a tough ask for Fergie to make the call on whom to pick if we do get the striker we’ve been talking about all summer.
Speaking of strikers, Fergie’s talking about ‘looking elsewhere’ when asked about Berbatov. Maybe he is, maybe he’s just bluffing his way into asking Spurs to agree on a reasonable fee. Maybe they’ve just inquired about Henry’s availability instead of actually having put in a bid. (Oh my God! I hope we don’t get him.) Henry can’t head, so I don’t get why we might be interested in him. Names like Huntelaar keep popping up, but I am not really sure to be honest.
In any which way, the player would have to slot in straight away as time is short.
It’s exciting either way, as the season’s not too far away now. I hope you’ve got yourselves registered for the fantasy football league. If not click here.
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Tags: Match Reports
August 11th, 2008 at 11:37
I could make a comeback if that would appeal to you. It has always been a dream to wear the red shirt and spearhead the attack. Don’t worry about my fitness level, I feel strong and would only take a week to get back to world beating level again. Personally I would love this and to get the chance to show that my Leeds adventure was just a slump in form or unlucky!
August 11th, 2008 at 11:43
You just gotta love Tevez, don’t you.
When every other player strained themselves to smile, when we won the penalty shoot out, Tevez started to run towards VDS smiling and celebrating. Unfortunately, the others didn’t follow, and so Tevez was made to look a little foolish, when in fact the others were the fools. It may have only been the Community Shield, but Tevez is a winner, and it showed. He doesn’t care, what he wins, as long as he wins.
His mentality is extraordinary. I know, he isn’t English and all and therefore probably thinks more of this trophy than the regulars, but I love him for wanting to win so badly.
This season has now been ignited, and it could be legendary. In fact, we have a shot at having the best possible season. 7 trophies… how much would it pain our fiends of Liverpool and other useless teams? Some of the trophies may be Mickey Mouse-like, but I don’t care. I want them all just as bad as Tevez, and I think, no other squad has ever been as eqipped to actually do it as we are now.
It may not happen, but the thought of it is breathtaking.
Tevez, I love you for spurring the others on. And once Rooney is back in it, we have 2 players up front that can guide us all the way.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15
Tomas, I admire your spirit mate, good on you. But the DIS-spirited mood (apart from Tev) of our players after the penalty shoot out, reflected the mood of the game, and the damp squid-ness of it all. Maybe our lot are becoming blaise about the amount of trophies they are winning lately. Did anyone else think that Distin and Heireidersson were like raging rhino’s trying to physically bulldoze our players off the ball, and with some great success, because the ref was wanting too much respect, yet not worthy of it with his ridiculous decision making.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17
@Tomas Brolin: I would rather you than Henry!!
@Tomas: I agree mate re Tevez, he was superb yesterday, worked so hard! But we do need another striker it ig glaringly obvious. Nani also was a real threat, and next season could be a massive season for him to shine. G Nev lookes er rusty to say the least! but I love him, and hopefully will get back to his old self, but Wes must start against the barcodes.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:35
Nikos, Tevez, Giggs and Carrick scored ours. Only Defoe scored for Portsmouth. United won 3-1 on pens.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:46
I thought Nani is beginning to look like a very classy winger - not a Ronaldo part deux. Nani plays as though the most important thing he can do is deliver a cross into the box, and he does tend to succeed at a decent rate. Of course, this is negated completely by the fact that unless Fletcher is on walkabout there’s no one in the box to meet the cross, but still Nani is just doin his job.
Tevez was just awesome as a supporting striker. Which makes me question exactly what Giggs was doing out there
Assuming Rooney doesn’t recover, I’d be very tempted to play Campbell up top, with Tevez, Nani and Giggs forming a 3 behind him, rather than Giggs and Tevez. We just didn’t stretch the defense at all yesterday, allowing Portsmouth to keep their shape throughout. Need someone on the last man…
1 week to find a striker. I think it’s a weird one, Fergie has more or less come out and said whoever we end up wtih won’t have been hsi first choice (Berba) so that has to be at least slightly condecending, particularly for someone as talented as say, Huntelaar. Personally I think Fergie was over-confident that he could bully Spurs into selling, and now that he can’t his cards are on the table for all to see.
I’ll refuse to cheer Henry if he comes. Well, I’ll try to. Okay I probabyl will, but I won’t like it!
August 11th, 2008 at 12:47
Hey guys.. This is girish from India, I missed the game yesterday, and giving this comment from work.. so can you people tell me about some sites to look for transfer details apart from BBC ,Sun and ESPN which are blocked here,
August 11th, 2008 at 13:00
I would!!the man is class!!
August 11th, 2008 at 13:06
Henry? your having a larrrf.
i reckon that Fergie knows who he wants and mr. Gill is having a quiet chat in some hotel in london, i reckon we’ll have our man before our second game of the season, tbh jugdeing from last season we could put out our second string and still thrast the toons.
but it will nice to get another striker in, it is the final piece of the puzzle, and when our midfield (which i think has suffered the most from the olympics and injuries is back, we will be brilliant)
August 11th, 2008 at 13:07
@Beachryan: I agree he is a has been poser, would never sing his name. I agree in all your points matey.
August 11th, 2008 at 13:11
@Tomas Brolin: Totaly agree with Stephen, read that at the height of your career you were in the top 4 best players in the world.
But just one question, with the case of Ben Collett in the news today, injury ended your career but what did that injury stem from?
August 11th, 2008 at 13:12
IMPOSSEBON!!! He played very Welbeck and Cleverly scored the winner!
sorry, i just felt the need to post this, saw it on 606.
it was a good win for the lads, and to be honest, right now tevez is better then rooney(something i said would happen months ago) and he should start the season next to our target man(if we get him).
im backing tevez for 20-25 goals this season, and rooney for 18-22.
August 11th, 2008 at 13:25
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the new striker is unveiled as close to the Newcastle match as possible. Maybe SAF is doing this to hinder Newcastle, so they don’t know whats coming!!!
August 11th, 2008 at 13:29
@OllieY: he double-fractured his leg (worse that the Eduardo injury).
Fans are fickle. If Henry comes to United we will all cheer him and than claim at the local pub that we always admired his skill and only hated him because he played for Arsenal (something which is not true - at the moment the guy in insufferable).
August 11th, 2008 at 13:29
Regarding the “Henry can’t head” comment, (I agree but…) do you remember what happened a couple of seasons ago when we were 1-0 up at arsenal? It still haunts me now.
August 11th, 2008 at 13:38
i dont want henry simply because he’s 31, yep age discrimination right there, im an ageist when it comes to football. to tell the truth, i was a bit skeptical on berbatov really. i dont want a 31 year old in the starting line as our main striker. not because he use to play for arsenal, not because he’s french but because he’s 31.
August 11th, 2008 at 13:47
I don’t think we’ll get Henry. I don’t think he’ll play for anyone other than Arsenal in England.
But have you all gone completely loopy? This guy was the best player in the Premiership by a long chalk for two seasons, and amongst the best for three or four more. He is still faster than most people, and he can be lethal in front of goal. He can play skilful passing football of the type we like to play.
He was also the only Frenchie at Arsenal not to behave like a twat. He was smug fucker at times, but wouldn’t you be if you were that good? He doesn’t dive, he doesn’t whinge and he doesn’t badger refs - unlike Pires and Vieira in their days.
If we could get him for a decent price on a one-year rolling deal, he would be a superb signing to fill the hole whilst we find someone for the future.
And Fergie refused to deny in a press conference yesterday that he was a possibility.
August 11th, 2008 at 13:57
Fergie forgot to tell tevez that he was our only forward on yesterday. Instead, we had tevez playing his usual, floating around, support striker role and giggs assumed the role of centre forward. Tevez was the best player on the park but surely with the players we had out tevez should have been looking to play more as a striker than all over the shop. LOL. We have enquired for david villa, seeing if they would be interested in a player-plus-cash deal involving saha.
August 11th, 2008 at 14:01
I think Giggs is getting too harsh a deal here.
He played well yesterday, involved in link-up player between the Pompey defence and midfield and also making a few effective runs off the shoulder of the last defender.
No, he isn’t the player he used to be, but he did a good stint yesterday and was an important influence on the game. He will be very valuable whilst Ronaldo is out of action, and we’re damn lucky to have a squad player like him.
So cut him some slack.
August 11th, 2008 at 14:24
When is it likely anderson will be back from the olympics? While ronaldo is out, i think it may be worth playing him in ronaldo’s position. He knows how to play there, and he has ronaldo’s directness and penetration. He is a better option there than giggs, fletcher or hargreaves.
August 11th, 2008 at 14:30
@Andrei: No way mate I could never cheer him, I can’t stand the arrogant poser.@Penguin: He WAS the one of the best players, not anymore, for the same money we could acquire Huntelaar, surely a no brainer.
August 11th, 2008 at 14:56
Tevez was a beast yesterday. Cannot understand why SAF did not play Cambell up top with Tev behind him. Would have made more sense to me. Maybe he was worried that Pompey would overrun us in MF dept.
lads did well. Fletcher’s ability to ghost into the box unnoticed kind of reminds me of the Scholes of old. Pity he could not put a couple of those chances away.
August 11th, 2008 at 15:01
What’s the odds on Fergie bringing in somebody that nobody ever even thought of or mentioned. He is a devious buggar like that???. I do think he wanted Berba though.
August 11th, 2008 at 15:02
Can’t understand why he played O’Shea in midfield, surely he should have given Possebon a run out against decent opposition. It was a meaningless game (don’t tell Carlito that) but you could gage whether he could do a job for us, as we are a little light in that position? The same could be said for Campbell, start the lad to see what really he could do.
August 11th, 2008 at 15:07
@Stephen: Well, we don’t know how much money we’re talking about. If we picked Henry up for £10m, it would be a great deal. Wouldn’t want to pay that much more for him, though.
Ultimately, it will never happen because Henry will want a similar wage to what he gets at Barca, which we would never pay him.
August 11th, 2008 at 15:13
@Penguin: I have seen quotes of circa £20m, which would be a complete waste of money. I agree it will never happen, he is in his heart an Arsenal player and would never sign for us. But for us it would be the wrong move considering his age and baggage, but his play is not right for us, we need a number 9, and Henry drifts out wide. We need a player who can put the ball in the onion bag. But he and Ronaldo could have an ego off, mmm who would win, that would be a close one!
August 11th, 2008 at 15:19
@Penguin: i agree with you on the giggs front. he is a quality squad player and his experience is invaluable. he may not have the pace of old or the scoring threat but i’d still happily put him on for the last 20 mins af a game to cause a problem or do a job for us.
on the striker front…well im just not happy. Im not happy because we havent signed anyone yet, and im also not happy because of the proposed signings. I dont want Berba because he is lazy and will throw the toys out of the pram like a little girl when the first thing doesnt go his way. I dont want Huntelaar beacause he simply isnt good enough. And I dont want Henry…too old, ex gooner, hateful smug grin etc…(but that entire thing is utter nonsense). So there looks like there is no pleasing me..unless SAF has something up his sleeve that he is gonna reveal in the next 6 days!??
August 11th, 2008 at 15:42
@Stephen: I think yesterday was also a fairly clear indication that Fergie intends to rely on his trusted lieutenants rather than untried young blood when get down to the real business…
August 11th, 2008 at 15:42
we beat a good team like portsmouth without rooney or ronaldo we didnt even play anderson or carrick nani played brilliant.
is the henry speculation true if it is bad move he is old,ex rival and he wouldnt get 15 goals we are ok for midfeilders just need to replace scholes and giggs in a few years. fraizer campbell hot prospect so we just need one more tall,young attacking striker who does not pull back(huntelaar) then think about the future defence r+f da silva vidic ferdinand
August 11th, 2008 at 15:43
i dont know why, but i have a feeling in me that fergie will sign benzema….
August 11th, 2008 at 15:43
SAF will sign someone along the Sheringham, Blanc, Larsson. Old player who can do the job. That is if we cannot get his 1st choice.
August 11th, 2008 at 15:43
@Stephen: I agree, for £20m it would be a really bad piece of business…and I think the arrogance of youth would swing the ego battle Ronaldo’s way!
August 11th, 2008 at 15:52
http://soccerlens.com/studs-up/
lol look at the cartoon at the bottom.
August 11th, 2008 at 16:06
@penguin
I agree. no way henry. i dont want him. hes too old, and he cant head a ball. Fergie says hes looking into a signing, hopefully huntelaar, this week so sumthins round da corner……
August 11th, 2008 at 16:39
@Penguin: “This guy was the best player in the Premiership by a long chalk for two seasons,” you said it yourself… was… not anymore, if he carn’t get first place week in week out at barca, a team we beat last year.. then i definatly don’t want him, regardless of if he played for the arse or not… he is 31 now.. at least with berba we get 3 decent years.. plus signing henry just wouldnt sit right with SAF policy of youth..
i really hope its not henry we get.
August 11th, 2008 at 16:41
@edi: If you read further you, you’d see that I actually quite like the idea of signing him, if we can do it at cut price.
Why is everyone so worried about having someone who can head the ball? Emile Heskey and Dirk Kuyt can head the ball, but that doesn’t mean I want them in my team.
What a United player needs to have is the ability to play intricate football on the ground - he’ll be involved in a enough of it. That was why Saha was so awesome for that half-season he way fit. He could play the skilful interchanges, had the pace to play on the shoulder of the last defender and could also head the ball. Ditto Dwight Yorke in his pomp.
Also arguably one of the reasons RVN had to go - when you gave him the ball, all he was going to do was try to score. Which is great and all, but not when you have two world-class players making intelligent runs into better positions than you…then you need to be able to play a difficult pass too.
August 11th, 2008 at 16:49
Umm….where is Hargreaves?
Hopefully he can return for the newcastle game
August 11th, 2008 at 16:49
@Will: Yes, “was” - he couldn’t exactly have played well in the Premiership when he was in Spain!
I don’t know why Henry couldn’t nail down a place last year, but it was probably something to do with being played on the wing instead of a striker. When Wenger bought him, he was an underachieving winger - it’s not his best position.
Maybe he is past it, and I still think the debate is entirely hypothetical, but Fergie has a good record in getting Indian summers out of players. Sheringham was superb for a couple of seasons for us - not just for his goal in the CL final, either. EVDS was at a dead end at Fulham, making mistakes and looking like his best days were gone - now he’s been an integral part of 2 PL wins and 1 CL win.
If Henry arrived for £10m I’d break out the champagne, and the rest of you can mutter into your pints about heading ability.
August 11th, 2008 at 16:59
@Penguin: I understand what you are saying but we need a number 9 and Henry would not fit the bill. He tends to drift wide and wants the ball at his feet. Exactly what Rooney and Tevez are doing at the moment. We need someone who could complement the current style of play. Henry can’t do that. Even for 10 million it’s not good business.
August 11th, 2008 at 17:07
@Stephen:
Its the last pre season game and our first team squad needed to get the minutes under their belt to be ready for the upcoming season. The likes of Possebon will get plenty of minutes in the reserves where as O’Shea wont have the same opportunities to get match sharpness and is more likly to be needed to be used this season than Possebon
August 11th, 2008 at 17:12
Henry would kill the team imho. He is too bothered about style over substance and does seem to bring out the worst in managers about playing in that way. It might not be as much of an issue with us as it was at the Arse as Fergie doesnt seem to hold the belief of pretty football as much as Wenger does but when you see how much more effective they were last season without theres a real problem that could crop up if we sign him
August 11th, 2008 at 17:21
Henry is a class player. Anything under 10 million would sit well with me.
August 11th, 2008 at 17:22
@Krishnan: @wakey: Well, I accept I’m in the minority here!
August 11th, 2008 at 17:27
@wakey: Henry was very productive actually, he wasn’t style over substance. Arsenal’s style of play was the same last year as it was the year before and i see nothing wrong with how they play the game. They play the best football in the premiership, football the way it is meant to be played, and henry was not detrimental to that.
August 11th, 2008 at 17:42
yeah where is hargreaves?
August 11th, 2008 at 17:44
*huntelaar*
*huntelaar*
*huntelaar*
sorry for the spam, just praying
*huntelaar*
*huntelaar*
*huntelaar*
August 11th, 2008 at 17:52
@Wink: Sounds like you’ve made up your mind
August 11th, 2008 at 18:13
@Penguin:
What many people are forgetting is how well Henry can lead the line even though he is not good with his head.
Definately one of the few strikers who can play as a lone striker.
Henry can do everything and nobody can doubt his finishing.
I doubt we’ll get him, but would absolutely relish it if we did!!
August 11th, 2008 at 18:23
@Wink:
*huntelaar*
*huntelaar*
*huntelaar*
August 11th, 2008 at 18:31
@Wink: @MUFC Fan in America:
*striker*
*striker*
*striker*
August 11th, 2008 at 19:01
Henry didn’t play a lot for Barca last season, but he still SCORED 19 goals. That would be fine with me if he came and gave us 19 to 20 goals for the next 2 seasons. That would be equal with Tev and 1 more than Rooney gave us last season. Henry will always score goals if he plays, you don’t lose that skill when you are a great striker like Henry has been. I would Balk at 20 million though!.
August 11th, 2008 at 19:12
@OllieY: Why would they worry about Newcastle. Last year we outscored them 11-0. They are shite. Our reserves could beat them handily. We could beat them if we player 4-6-0. If we lose to Newcastle at home, the sea will turn red and Chelsea will play attractive football and England will actually win an important cricket match. An impossibility I feel.
August 11th, 2008 at 19:18
@Grognard: first of, newcastle arnt as bad as you say they are, their ok, just that they cant beat us, its called a bogey team. second, it was 11-1, and thirdly you probably just jinxed us.
August 11th, 2008 at 19:20
@Andrei: Well here’s one fan who won’t be cheering him. I can honestly say that if Fergie pulled this deal off he would be betraying the loyal and long standing players and fans of this team that have suffered and endured many years of dealing with the hated Gooners and especially their incredibly unlikable talisman Mr Alien Head. You can’t just turn a switch on and cheer and love a man who you viewed as scum and the enemy for a decade. I’m sorry but I’m not that fickle and I refuse to betray the team’s heritage and the players who played and suffered at the hands of Henry and his bouts of greatness, and poor sportsmanship against us. Not to mention the dozens of hateful and jealous quotes he made putting down the team and Fergie. I for one believe this is just a decoy because for once, Henry has a clear cut role with Barc and they are not in the market it seems to buy anyone to replace him. It’s Fergie working his bluff on Spurs hoping they will quickly get over themselves and make this deal. God I pray I am right because Henry on this team would make things very difficult for me and many many others. God how I hate that prick.
August 11th, 2008 at 19:24
@Grognard: HAHA! Good one! I dont care about the barcodes!
I just want that damn striker!
@MUFC Fan in America: Who cares about huntelaar?
*Berbatov*
*Berbatov*
*Berbatov*
*Berbatov*
August 11th, 2008 at 19:30
YES A SIGNING
August 11th, 2008 at 19:34
Lads WE’ve made a signing lets celebrate the klass that is huntelaar!!
August 11th, 2008 at 19:45
Why is it only reported on the BBC? Where is the infomation? Why does a signing feel like such a anti-climax?
August 11th, 2008 at 19:53
Ah nooo, it’s fake…it looks to be. If so, that’s mean..super mean
August 11th, 2008 at 19:58
i dont know why they havent followed up yet, its not like them, BUT YEA A SIGNING.
August 11th, 2008 at 20:01
Its fake. The address bar says it all… wtf is kineticnorth got to do with bbc????
August 11th, 2008 at 20:07
Thank God!
ITS A FAKE!!
I hope!
NO BODY EXCEPT BERBATOV!!!!
August 11th, 2008 at 20:08
FFfake
August 11th, 2008 at 20:10
@60 You are so ganna be skinned by phishing sites.
August 11th, 2008 at 20:13
@Craig Mc: My comment (no. 2) in this thread wasn’t really about the spirit of the team, but that of Tevez. I know, why the others acted as they did, but that doesn’t change the fact that Tevez wants to win no matter what.
So I was simply celebrating Tevez in stead of commenting on the other players.
August 11th, 2008 at 20:15
August 11th, 2008 at 20:17
@dan(u-ol): EVIL!!!!
August 11th, 2008 at 20:18
WE HAVE BIDDED 18 MILL FOR DAVID SILVA?
IS THAT GUD OR BAD NEWS
August 11th, 2008 at 20:19
@dan(u-ol): Dont ever do that again! I thank God that it was not huntelaar and i hope it isnt!
GO BERBA!
August 11th, 2008 at 20:20
@RedAllTheWay: LINK?
August 11th, 2008 at 20:22
@dan(u-ol): You must be a borred little pissant
August 11th, 2008 at 20:23
Actually i was watching berbatov compilation on mirror… suddenly its, what the fuck were they thinking/have they done?
for a second.
August 11th, 2008 at 20:26
@dan(u-ol): Dan, mate, buddy , pal. You have made my millennium but the problem I’m having is nobody is reporting this except this BBC new link of one sentence. Even BBC Sports is not reporting this. I need to step out for an hour and hopefully by the time I return to my computer, the news will be out and official. And if it is, the blog better be prepared for a Grognard in absolute rapture and ecstasy. I’ll keep my finger crossed that this link was not an evil little tease to dishearten me even more.
August 11th, 2008 at 20:28
@dan(u-ol): Ah shit! It’s not real. FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! That was bloody cruel.
August 11th, 2008 at 20:33
@Grognard: Youve been Danified!
August 11th, 2008 at 20:37
@dan(u-ol): laaaaaame
August 11th, 2008 at 20:50
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAH gosh im having a laugh right now, please forgive me grognard and the rest, its something i wanted to do for a while lol.
August 11th, 2008 at 20:54
asshole
hahaha 
August 11th, 2008 at 20:58
how about this ‘Trustable’ ya ’sure’.
August 11th, 2008 at 21:03
yea any of the big 3 hunt benz berb would be sweet.
i kindof dont want berba now cuz f spurs. would be sweet to leave them and fake madrid holding the bag this summer.
August 11th, 2008 at 21:06
@Tomas: Tomas I agree with you. He’s got a winning mentality and I think his reaction was because he was not part of the Community Shield winning team last season. Most of the others had already won it. Last season the others were quite ecstatic as well.
August 11th, 2008 at 21:36
@dan(u-ol): Honest to God man, I have a sense of humor but that was cruel. Fortunately I was somewhat reserved because I also questioned the authenticity because the page had a BBC letterhead but but you could not find any mention of it at he BBC’s sports page. Still, I so wanted to believe that and then I read our blog further down to find out that you were playing a belated April Fools joke on me. Just consider this Dan. THE GROGNARD OWES YOU ONE!
Prepare to be Grognified. You won’t know when or where or what it will be but it will come mate. Unless I of course forget, which is not out of the realm of possibility. What were we talking about again????
August 11th, 2008 at 21:43
@R…:
i’d just like to get this over with
August 11th, 2008 at 21:43
@wakey: Oh yes and Arsenal never had any success before last year when Henry was playing with them right? I seem to recall at least three EPL titles and a few FA Cups and one CL final that featured Henry not to mention one undefeated season and how many player of they year awards. They may be cuter without him but they are far from better without him. With that said, I hope he stays and rots in Spain because I sure don’t want him.
August 11th, 2008 at 21:50
@Craig Mc: Craig, I can forgive Ronaldo because he came out and humbled himself and professed his love for our team and the manager, and because he was our player. Henry however has always been the enemy and he has never had a kind word to say about the team, Fergie and has insulted us the fans having once called us a pack of wild animals. Now I and the entire Mancunian Army are to let him into our ranks, embrace him and show him TLC? I’m sorry mate, I just can’t do it. As you can see with my turnaround regarding Ronaldo, I can and will be fair when it is warranted. Henry would have to make a Herculean effort and show his extreme pride and satisfaction for being a Red Devil before I could ever forgive, forget or even learn to appreciate. No matter what, I can never love old Alien Head.
August 11th, 2008 at 21:54
@Grognard: Hehehe, i’ll be waiting.
August 11th, 2008 at 22:00
@Penguin: There is no denying Henry’s ability. Nobody who has a brain or eyes can but that’s not the point. He is the enemy and to some of us, Hell to many of us that means far more than the few goals he will score for us. Club tradition and history and bitter rivalries are the engine room of this sport. For that reason we don’t cross the line and break those rules and traditions for a quick fix. Especially when there are others out here who are better, just as good and younger than Henry. Sorry mate, you miss the point and you just don’t get it. That doesn’t make you less of a fan, but it doesn’t make you one of those who take passionate pride in our history and above all in our bitter rivalries. If you can forget and basically laugh off our history vs the bloody Gooners, well fine for you. I personally cannot and I wouldn’t have even welcomed my favorite keeper Lehmann to United as he was a Gooner. Nor would I welcome Gerrard, Terry, Drogba or any other rival parasite. It’s crossing the line of good taste and tolerance. I can respect those players for their abilities but one is a Scouser bastard, the other two Chelski scum and excrement and Henry is and always will be a Gooner cunt. He’s just oil to our water. The two don’t mix and that’s a bridge our beloved Fergie should never cross.
August 11th, 2008 at 22:02
There is one word to describe the possibility of Henry to United. BLASPHEMY!
To those of you who don’t get that it’s because United is not a religion to you but just your favorite football club. There is a big difference.
August 11th, 2008 at 22:16
@Grognard
Spot on! I wouldnt have a former Gooner come and wreck our team, just like i wouldnt have a scouser or a s****y player (all except micah)
Plus HES PAST IT. THATS WHY WENGER SOLD HIM!
August 11th, 2008 at 22:16
@Grognard: This is the first time I’ve crossed swords with you on a personal basis. But you’re basically accusing me of being a lesser type of supporter, one who doesn’t care about our history and doesn’t live our rivalries.
I have passionately lived every United season since 1988, which was when I was old enough to follow football. Not in conjunction with any other team, I don’t care about any other team in any other country. Just United. That’s all I’m going to say, but you’re way out of line.
But before you talk about bridges not to be crossed, did you cheer for Cantona? Do you cheer for Rio? Did you cheer for Alan Smith?
August 11th, 2008 at 22:27
@Grognard: Wow! I never expected you to pass judgement on another’s passion based on his choice of a player for united. Your comment makes no sense at all. Explain all you want from this, but just because we don’t like Henry how can you say someone does not get it?
And I am pretty sure you said earlier that you’d welcome Gerrard. Let me fish out that comment and put it up in case you have doubts.
August 11th, 2008 at 22:34
@Grognard:
There is one word to describe the possibility of Henry to United. BLASPHEMY!
To those of you who don’t get that it’s because United is not a religion to you but just your favorite football club.
So that means you became less of a supporter when you asked everyone to boo Ronaldo a few weeks ago. According to many United season ticket holders it’s blasphemy to boo a United player. You are supposed to be open minded. Yet you bring up words like blasphemy which basically treads on the realms of dogma which again you accused many commenters on here earlier. Sorry mate, the blasphemy thing doesn’t fly.
For the record, I don’t want Henry to United. I’d find it hard to reconcile my loyalties but I won’t call someone else less of a supporter for desiring that player. If you want to talk actual blasphemy (since you brought it up) and how the core United support see it, it’s players from Liverpool and Leeds. Chelsea and Arsenal are secondary and are not actual rivals in terms of hatred.
Talk about blasphemy all you want but the moment you start judging supporters your argument loses credibility. You were wrong. Accept it and move on.
August 11th, 2008 at 22:43
@Red Ranter: Thanks. Pleased not to be the only one making the Leeds point, too.
August 11th, 2008 at 22:49
I personally don’t have a problem with Arsenal. I have been an avid Utd fanatic since ‘85 and to me Livershite, Leeds and Shitty were always my main enemies. I got no problem with Henry signing for Man Utd. Like i said before it will be similar to Sheringham, Laarson, Blanc type of signing imo.
August 11th, 2008 at 22:55
LOL Grog mate, surely if there is anything we have learnt in modern football, it’s that we have to take everything with a pinch of salt. In these days of badge kissing hypocricy, declarations of undying love for ones club by players, and then pissing off to the highest bidder, well, I just take everything that’s said in the heat of passion as tongue in cheek. Fans of every club, expect their players to hate who they hate, and to fervently speak out for their cause no matter feckin what. We fans want players to be absolute loyalists, well the fanatic amongst us do, and we balk at players like Henry if they’re not loyal to their clubs cause whilst they are at the club. All players are going to say what they have to as it is par for the course. If Fergie brings Henry in, in spite of all the aggro between the two clubs, it says one thing to me, that clubs and opposing players don’t take seriously what is said in anger or agitation. I don’t think clubs take it as seriously as the fans do. If Fergie brings Henry in, it will be very odd, but if he wears a red shirt I might not like it, but I will accept it, because he is wearing our club colours. Can you imagine how hard it will be for Henry to wear our shirt, the ABUse, but if he has the courage then I will not disrespect him, because he left the enemy and came to us. Let’s face it Grog, if Henry has the bloody nerve to come to us, then he must really want to play for us, because he will be aware of the abuse he will get at grounds everywhere, and especially Arsenal.
August 11th, 2008 at 23:06
It would be worth Henry signing just to see the press conference. Henry holding up a United shirt and smiling. Ferguson standing next to him, mouthing the words ’suck on that wenger’, and Arsenal fans filling the emirates to the brim with tears
August 11th, 2008 at 23:35
I think Henry could do a job for us still - good pace, good movement, good finisher, can create, good experience in prem and champions league BUT i hate the fella, his ego is bigger than Ronaldo’s(well almost), he would demand a huge pay packet, he wouldnt like sitting on the bench playing second fiddle to Rooney and Tevez and anything over 10m is a waste and Barca wouldnt let him go for less.
There is no way I can see this happening but I guess i’d rather Henry than no one, actually scrap that I’d rather stick big John O’Shea up front!!
August 11th, 2008 at 23:41
@Andrei: Count me out as one of the fickle fans. I never liked him as a player and not because he played for the Arse. I’d NEVER cheer him if he comes to OT, but its all media BS anyway
@dan(u-ol): Close to impossible cus of the price tag, but Fergie would be a master of secret transfers if he pulls that off without the media having a wiff of it…
@dan(u-ol): I feel soo ashamed for falling for that, i actually clicked the link, and i almost fell off my chair when i saw read breaking news…then i saw the url….
August 11th, 2008 at 23:57
@Red Ranter: I was going to e-mail you this but my e-mail is down temporarily for some reason. Therefore you will have to bare my pissed off attitude for all to read. RR, sorry but I’m feeling a little persecuted here. You have been as silent as mouse for week now but whenever I say a something you disagree with you are quick to jump down my neck and bring up every possible contradiction you can come up with to strengthen your point and to shit on me. I don’t appreciate it and I won’t and refuse to “accept it and move on.” My beliefs and my moods may be hard for you to understand but all I can say is deal with them and move on. I never accused anyone of not being a fan or a loyal supporter. I just expressed that there is a group of us who feel passionate about certain aspects of the team’s history and traditions and there are bridges we won’t cross. That doesn’t make us right but in our eyes, a player like Henry wearing the kit of Man Utd is blasphemy. Yes I do have a certain respect for Gerrard and I probably wouldn’t argue too much if he was the one we were talking about because to be truly frank with you, he doesn’t piss me off nor do I despise him as much as Henry, Vieira, Gallas, Pires, and some others from Chelsea like Terry, Drogba, A. Cole and Makelele etc. Because I am not from Manchester, the Liverpool vs Manchester rivalry doesn’t resonate as badly for me as rivals who challenge us for the league title. Chelsea and Arsenal are the rivals I personally hate the most and for me, signing there players who have had a long tenure with them is blasphemy. Yes signing Liverpool players is too I guess but i find them more sad and pathetic. I honestly don’t hate them as much as I laugh at them.
You’ve made it your mission of late to find fault with only me and I don’t appreciate it nor do I understand it. This is especially noticed when you have very little to say in regards to anything else or anybody else of late. Then out of the blue you come down on me when I made a statement of personal allegiance while not actually insulting another member. I just called him different to myself and some others. But it’s clear here that because we are dealing with Penguin, that I crossed the line with you. After all, he is one of the privileged here isn’t he? I don’t think I did anything wrong and I refuse to take responsibility for expressing my feelings and views without directly insulting or calling somebody names. There is nothing wrong with challenging a person’s stand and belief. You certainly are guilty of that alluding numerous times that my change of heart regarding Ronaldo was fickle and hypocritical. I never questioned Penguins or any other’s loyalty, just their acceptance of what I and many others consider to be taboo. That is called debate and argument (the friendly kind) and friendly disagreement. I called blasphemy the idea of Henry coming to United. I never said that anyone on this blog was committing blasphemy. So kindly stop jumping down my throat about every fucking controversial thing I say and cut me some bloody slack.
I have been more than behaving myself of late and I have not tried to piss anybody off intentionally. I’ve even managed unintentionally to change many people’s negative view of myself into something positive because of my fairness and honesty. Yet you come down on me for my turn on Ronaldo and now this. I just can’t win with you and to be honest, I don’t honestly get it. I thought we were honestly passed this stage. I am not an idiot and I don’t need you to talk down to me and tell me that when I know exactly what I am saying and doing. I am probably twice your age and yet you have quite often both on the blog and off tried to advise me like I’m some high schooler who needs guidance. I think I am a lot wiser and a lot more experienced about life and people than you give me credit for. I am not perfect and I don’t claim to be, but please, stop highlighting every little blip in my personality by choking the passion and life out of me with your public scoldings. And you tend to use one little saying of your to me far too often. I’m sorry but I will not and i refuse to Move on and deal with it. I don’t deserve that kind of disrespect from you. Especially when I don’t feel I did anything to deserve it. How many rude or questionable comments by other meant for anybody on this blog do you want me to quote you, where you did nothing about it? Somebody last week questioned my entire life and the way my family and friends tolerance of me and you said nothing to that individual. That was crossing the line, not what I did. NOT GUILTY on all counts.
August 12th, 2008 at 0:02
Grogs said it a long time ago, and now I am on board. Pay spurs the 30 million and get on with it. We offer 25, levy wants 30. Whan an extra 5 million to a club like United?
Please fergie, Get us Berbatov!
August 12th, 2008 at 0:06
@Penguin: Nothing I said was a direct insult or indictment on you mate. I just hold a different way of thinking and methodology to my madness. If you like Red Ranter took exception to what I say, I apologize to you because that was not my intent. I will not apologize for the theme of what I said because I believe in what I am talking about. And nobody questioned your love of the team or allegiance. I have reread my post numerous times and I personally don’t see it so hopefully you understand where I’m coming from.
August 12th, 2008 at 0:10
@Just1n: Larsson, Blanc nor Sheringham ever played for Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool so I don’t see the comparison, sorry. Yes Cantona played for Leeds but as I mentioned in one of my posts, I believe the length of a player’s tenure with a club means a lot. I certainly would have no problem with Torres coming to United as he may be a Liverpool player but he has not been wioth the team over 6 or 7 years.
August 12th, 2008 at 0:10
@johnsom33: How do you know we offered 25 and levy wants 30? How do you know we haven’t offered 20 and levy is demanding 38? Is a difference of 18 million no big deal too?
August 12th, 2008 at 0:29
@Craig Mc: Well said mate. If fans are going to be put down for their undying loyalty and standards while most players show nothing in comparison to loyalty or devotion but continue to show that the sport is diseased with mercenaries. Players who will go to the highest bidder in the shale of a leg. Therefore, it is left for us the loyal and devoted fans to hold up a moralistic code of conduct that we expect our team’s and players to uphold. It’s not religious doctrine, law or canon nor does it have to be adhered to that closely, but without it we are all just a bunch of fickle bastards who change with the weather. Every team has rivalries and these rivalries are heated and often bitter. Yet they are good for the sport as long as there isn’t violence connected to them. Living by a code and and military like allegiance is not the only way to support a team, but it’s those fans who feel the great pain and feeling of betrayal when a bitter rival enters the confines of our dressing room. This especially hurts knowing that this person cares nothing about United and who has insulted them, their manager and their supporters numerous times. And now he is a willing mercenary. I’m sorry, but there are just some things I can’t stomach. If others can deal with it, fine, they have a stronger constitution than me. I for one am just not going on record as a supporter of Thierry fucking Henry ever setting foot on the sacred OT pitch in anything other than the opponent’s kit. Once again my stubborn streak is exposed Craig.
If by chance he does end up as a United player, I will continue to love and support the team while silently biting my lip every time that bastard touches the ball. Am I the only one who hates him enough to feel this way? Oh well, whatever happens, life will go on and Fergie still doesn’t give a damn what I think. Him and I have to have a serious heart to heart.
August 12th, 2008 at 0:31
@Traverse: I don’t think it would be only Arsenal fans who would be crying. I think others like myself might want to shed a tear or two also.
August 12th, 2008 at 0:37
@Ryan: In war when we grab on of the hated soldiers of the enemy, do we have a nice chat with him and then have him put on our uniform and ask him to go out and fight for us? Sure sports many not be quite so serious but I just find funny and a little baffling how many of you would welcome that cunt to our team knowing how many times he has burned us and said terrible and controversial things about the fans and Fergie. Your welcome to your feelings and wishes but I for one think there are more important things that our short term fixes. The team’s heritage and pride should count for more. Simply put, he is the BITTER enemy. I’m sorry mate, but I just don’t get why fans can be just as mercenary as many of the players. Will we cheer for anything that wears United red? If or one have higher standards. Perhaps it’s just pig headed stubbornness but it’s how I feel.
August 12th, 2008 at 0:39
@Grognard: I am hundred percent sure I am right in this regard. You made this whole thing public so I won’t even bother replying to all that you wrote.
You clearly are not aware of the comments targeted at you over the past week that I outrightly deleted. Not to mention spending some of my time justifying why I deleted them, and I also was accused by one for showing preferential treatment to you. Those who are on this board know who they are and I don’t want to name names.
I also don’t want to be drawn into a public bitch fight even though you’ve made it so. It’s not worth it. Don’t move on. Fine. Be happy with that. If I find something wrong I will continue to call people out on that. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I called you when you were wrong so it does not excuse your act. I can still allow some comments and disallow others at my discretion.
PS: If your mail server is down you could wait until it’s up. Anyway, you’ve made it public so the damage is already done…
August 12th, 2008 at 0:44
@Grognard: I hear what you are saying re Henry and he’s Arse connection, but that is not a big deal for me. I will always hate Pool more. With Arse it is a dislike, hell I would not mind them winning the league if we ever slip up but there is no way I can accept Pool winning the league. Never. Not after what I went through during the 80’s.
That’s why it’s easier for me accepting the signing of a Arsenal player.
August 12th, 2008 at 0:47
I need to back up Grog a bit here. We in North America have come to love United in way that is culturally different than you Mancs. When football first started being broadcast we only got 1 or 2 games a week and they were more often than not Utd games. Given that, I started to love United b/c they played a thrilling and beautiful game relative to the other teams that we saw. Moreover, this broadcasting started to occur in the midst of the Arsenal-United rivalry. So, since we weren’t raised to hate, City, Scousers, et al. it is natural for us Canadian fans to hate Arsenal far more than either Liverpool or Leeds, etc. (that, plus my brother is a gooner fan). Anyhow, the point simply is that cultural differences dictate that UK Reds hate Liverpool, City, etc., while we North American Reds are far more likely to despise anything Arsenal. p.s. Although I have a scouse friend who’s hatred of Utd is really starting to make me hate ‘pool as much as the Gunners.
August 12th, 2008 at 0:50
@tevez: sorry buddy, Let me re-word my comment…
Assuming various reports are vaguely accurate about United offering 20-25 are true. And assuming the reports are true of Spurs not willing to take anything less than 30 are true. Wouldnt it make sense for fergie to swallow his pride and chuck in an extra fiver?
Like I said earlier, what is 5 million in the grand scheme of things? Now if Spurs were really demanding 38 million, that would slightly change my argument wouldnt it?
August 12th, 2008 at 0:52
@Eric the Red: Agreed mate. I see nothing wrong with that. But the problem comes when someone becomes a fan of just a football club rather than it being a religion (as if one automatically had lesser love for the club) if he accepted Henry into United that I disapprove of. That judgement seemed wrong to me.
August 12th, 2008 at 0:59
@Eric the Red: I agree about N. Americans hatting the gooners more. Liverpool havent been a threat in years, I enjoy beating them but I am not horrifed of possibly losing to them. Arsenal on the other hand are a different story. Like you, I also have a gooner loving brother and the thought of his Wenger worshipping ass celebrating a Arsenal victory is enough to make me lose sleep.
I get the regional rivalry with liverpool, But I would be lying if I said I truly hated them.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:00
@Red Ranter: Only trying to explain how it is that some of us, particulary those of us in N.A, who haven’t had certain hatreds passed on culturally through parents, going to OT, etc., might have a far harder time dealing with a Gunner in the squad than other historical rival players. The Rant is yours to adjudicate as you see fit, which by the way I think you do afantastic job on (I’ve been reading for almost a year though I’ve just started commenting). Cheers.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:09
@johnsom33: Fortunately for us our brothers have had nowt to cheer about for a few years. I’m actually starting to feel sorry for the little bastard
In fact, I think I’m actually starting to hate the Chavs more - at least Arsene has his teams play joga bonito.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:14
@johnsom33: I get the impression that we have offered about 20 million but the reports are erratic. Sory, reading over my comment it looked quite rude and brash - it wasn’t intended that way. I was just trying to highlight that we really have no idea what the figures are and although it may seem fergie is being stubborn and unreasonable, i feel that perhaps the difference is actually quite great and spurs have the hard neck to demand a ridiculous fee. If there was only a 5 million difference i get the impression that negotiations would have went alot smoother, and i would still wouldn’t just pay the 5 million, i would try and bring it down slightly. If an extra 5 million is nothing to us then missing out on a couple of million shouldn’t be much for spurs lol
August 12th, 2008 at 1:20
I see nothing wrong with signing an ex-player of any of our rivals. Hmmm…guess i’m more of a ’supporter’ than a ‘fan’ lol
August 12th, 2008 at 1:21
@Red Ranter: I honestly don’t care if you receive hate mail targeted at me. That’s not my problem nor am I going to feel guilty over the pettiness and unfairness of others. You say you are 100% right. That just shows your stubbornness and unwillingness to admit wrong doing in this and thus I won’t argue with you on that. Whats the point, really? I feel 100% right and I don’t appreciate the the fact that you throw shit like other’s negative e-mails about me in my face. Is that designed to make me feel ashamed as if I did something wrong? I did nothing wrong and when I have been wrong, I have been more than man enough to admit to you in private or even on the blog.
I am guilty of one thing. I should have been patient and waited until my mail server was back up. I erred in that and for that I do apologize. I didn’t want to make it public but I was pissed off and mad as Hell and it was hard to contain my feelings and emotions when I get like that. Unlike my father, I don’t like to hold things in and get an ulcer from it.
Don’t get me wrong RR, I like you and I do respect you a great deal. I think you know that and believe it from our numerous private conversations. But there are times you defy my expectations and thinking. Sometimes you just sound like somebody from a different generation that I just cannot relate to, as hard as I try. So even though I am pissed off with all this and you disappointed me greatly, I still hold a very high opinion of you. I doubt that will give you and solace or make you feel any better about me, but I thought I should offer that. We definitely disagree on this matter and nothing either one of us says will change the other’s mindset. So I’m willing to let it die and say no hard feelings, even though both our sets of feather seem to have been ruffled a bit. And in the future you don’t have to defend me to anyone. What’s there to defend? I’m perfect and I’m always correct like you. (joke) (honest)
August 12th, 2008 at 1:34
@tevez: It depends on the player really. Gerrard, Carragher, Drogba, Gallas, Lampard, and Terry can go suck it. I’d take Torres in a heartbeat….
August 12th, 2008 at 1:35
@Grognard: haha, yeah I don’t want it to happen, but I’d take much enjoyment from winding up the french u21’s fans.
I fully expect Berbatov to start upfront at Newcastle
August 12th, 2008 at 1:35
@Grognard: As I said, the fact that you think I dole out preferential treatment is something I always get from you and plenty of others. My point is that I don’t hate anyone nor do I intend to play one over the other. I know I will continue to get it throughout my time running this site.
Whereas I didn’t allude you to being a hypocrite/fickle, yet I was accused of calling you that. I talked about sending you an email (about the Ronaldo thing) but just because I didn’t find the time because of the million things I have going on right now, doesn’t mean you can jump to such conclusions about me can you?
As I said again, I never hold grudges despite what I am continuously being accused of and it stays that way.
I don’t want to say anything more in public on this. I still maintain what you said is wrong and I have valid reasons for it. But those will not be done in… you guessed it… public.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:38
@Grognard: Mate, red ranter talked about negative comments that have been on the thread which he deleted because you accused him of only jumping down your throat and not bothering about anything inappropriate anyone else has said. He was just letting you know that he has been taking action over other commenters too, and not just picking on you.
Also, the thing which red ranter felt was inappropriate was:
‘To those of you who don’t get that it’s because United is not a religion to you but just your favorite football club. There is a big difference.’
Can you not see why red ranter and penguin both felt this was out of line? This gives the impression that you feel you love the club more.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:40
@Just1n: I totally understand that mate. We are all different and we all have different levels of hatred for the various rivals that United play. I’m not sure where you are from but you sound like someone who lives in or around Manchester. It makes much more sense for a Mancunian for example to hate Liverpool and Leeds more than Arsenal. As a Canadian, I do not have those same territorial biases. My biases are based on what happens on the pitch and not between two cities. And over the past 15 years I have come to despise Arsenal and Chelsea more. Although the likes of Mascherano and some of those other annoying Scouser rats do have their moments, don’t they?
I have to share one thing though. The day I learned to hate and despise Arsenal over any other team was that fateful 1979 FA Cup when Liam Brady and his troop of washouts beat United 3-2 with that last second heart breaker by Alan Sunderland. After we miraculously came back from 2-0 down to tie, that loss was hard to take. So my hatred goes back 29 years. Hatred for Liverpool goes back a century. I concede defeat in that matter.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:40
@Traverse: See, for me it only depends on how good the player is. Carragher - no thanks. Gerrard - yes please.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:41
@Grognard: When you look at the fixture list what is the one game that you immediately look for? For me it always is and always will be Liverpool. I work weekends and can live with only seeing bits, pieces and highlights of games against Arsenal and Chelsea as long as i can check the score frequently on my phone. I never miss Liverpool vs United though. Liverpool are our biggest rival and it is the games that evokes more passion from fans, players and the manager than any other. Liverpool are a team that I would never accept a player off in any shape or form. How can you ever respect a diving cheat scumbag like Gerrard? he is just the Antichrist as far as I’m concerned.
As for players off Arsenal, I would accept Fabregas, Adebayor, Van Persie and if we didn’t already have Rio and Vida I would accept Toure. Why? because these are good players who would improve the overall quality of the team. As for Chelsea I think it would only be Essien and maybe Ballack although he is a bit of a prick
August 12th, 2008 at 1:41
@Traverse: I agree with you. Fergie would never do that to us……I think. Berbatov it is.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:42
@Red Ranter: Fine e-mail it to me and vent your spleen.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:50
@tevez: I’m sorry Tevez, call me stupid but I don’t see it that way. I see it as me being a different kind of fan, not better not worse. It’s just that some things matter to my kind of fan more than theres. Hooligans have other criteria that’s even more hardcore and difficult to define. We all think they are wrong because they bring violence and mindlessness into it. I was just pointing out that not every fan gets bogged down by the team, territorial differences, colors, heritage and rivalries like other fans do. Some only care about the football and they don’t care who plays for our team as long as he plays well for us. Fine, I have no issue with that mindset and they are not inferior fans to me and my bent on tradition loyalists. I was just expressing the viewpoint from my seat in the stands and considering Henry a possible signing that is blasphemous to my way of thinking as well as others who agree with me. This has really gotten way out of hand because RR misunderstood my intentions no matter how right he thinks he is. In my opinion and in my heart he isn’t. And nothing I said should have made Penguin feel bad. If it did, I apologized for it. Even though that was never my intention. I am far from illiterate and I consider myself highly educated and was once a speech maker yet it amazes me how some can’t seem to understand my meaning. I chalk it up to generational differences and the fucking Internet. It truly frustrates the Hell out of me mate.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:57
@Liam: Liam, for me it is and always will be Arsenal, although Chelsea in recent years has gotten the most of my temper tantrums. It’s more the 12 year rivalry of Wenger and Fergie and there often very heated words against each other. The epic matches and races with them are fresh in my mind and I will never ever forget the 199 FA Cup replay. For me the most dramatic, emotional and fantastic club match I have ever watched. I know Liverpool vs United has longer history but again I make the comment that being from Canada, I have not been as caught up with the territorial rivalry as much. I am more than aware of it and it does matter to me, but a bitter rival is one you fear on the pitch. I just don’t fear Liverpool adn I haven’t feared them since the days of Keegan, Dlaglish and then Ian Rush. For 20 years they have been shite and so I prefer to mock them and ridicule them. I certainly don’t fear them like I do Chelsea or Arsenal. Hell, I hate Real Madrid, the two Milan’s and Juventus more than them. At least those teams are to be respected over the past 20 years. Liverpool have been a joke, even if they lucked out once in the CL.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:01
@Traverse: Agree completely about Torres, though that might only be because he’s only had one year at ‘pool and he’s who I really wanted us to sign last year. As much as I appreciate what Tevez brings, can you imagine an attacking 4 of Torres, Roon, Ron, and Nani - that would be sick.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:04
What’s all this ‘lesser fan/more of a fan’ mumbo jumbo? has everyone forgotten we need a striker?
On a seperate note, G Neville has really come back to the limelight and has been recently making complimentary and morale-boosting comments about the team:
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=814921
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=814579
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=813119
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=813457
he’s also endorsing Rio for England captaincy. It’s good to know we have a team of leaders out there who respect each other. The weird thing is, I don’t know who I’d prefer to be our captain this season, Rio or Neville? Who do you guys reckon?
August 12th, 2008 at 4:16
It is worth remembering Ferguson admitted to bidding for Viera on a couple of occasions when Arsenal were at their peak and there were even rumours of a bid last season or the season before I forget. If anyone stood for Arsenal during the years of our intense rivalry it was Viera. So I doubt Henry’s Arsenal past would be a factor.
I think he could do a very good job for us. But there is something that stinks about a player changing allegiance.
Tbh the players that piss me off the most are those who had the option to join United but didn’t. Players like Shearer and Torres.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:27
@Grognard: Mate if you hated Arsenal so much then how can you not be able to imagine the possibility of Henry (As they call him King Henry, voted their number 1 player of all time!) scoring a last minute winner against them! I could see it now, Arsenal fans distraught, dead silence from their fans, the thought is just too good to be true! I mean it would be like Cantona playing for pool, in which that thought makes me sick to my stomach, but he would be a good player for any team. Let me just say, I hate Arsenal, I mean I really really hate them with a passion. But when it comes to players, football isn’t about loyalty anymore, that barrier of players staying at one club when they are foreign is long gone. Henry is not Arsenal through and through anymore, and sure he has made me want to kill him throughout his stay there, but I wanted to kill Ballack and you love him don’t you? And he turned us down and then pretty much was the biggest c*** I have ever seen in the champions league final.
My second point is about us signing players from our biggest rivals, and I’m coming from the sense that I hate for us to sign only the British players of that team. For someone who said previously that they wouldn’t mind us signing Gerrard, and I got to say Gerrard, John Terry, Carragher and Frank Lampard are players that I wouldn’t cheer or support in no circumstances at all. For England I even feel dodgy that I can’t support them and thats the truth.
Back to our transfers, If we don’t sign anyone before the game on Sunday I would give up looking, I mean, officially stop waking up to the same old crap that the sun etc. and just wait until I see them on the pitch.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:39
@Hakieran: iI want to beat them in games, not play childish little games of oneupmanship with them. Teasing them and embarrassing them by showing off their king in United red is shallow in my books. I wouldn’t even cheer Henry if he scored goals against Arsenal.
How bout we look at it from a different angle. Instead of teams and colors and loyalties, how about I just say that I hate Thierry Henry and I couldn’t care what team he played for, I just don’t want him playing for us. He is definitely in my 5 least favorite payers of all time. The slight chance of him being signed by Fergie is just putting me into an unnecessary panic. It’s like having your heart set on a beautiful super model but relatives are forcing you to marry a real hag. There are just some things that one must not have to stomach or settle for.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:44
@Hakieran: Also, I should have kept my trap shut when I leaked my guilty pleasure for Gerrard. I don’t love the player but I do admire those lovely long blasts of his. Having said that I would really only welcome one player from and of those teams openly and passionately. Michael Ballack. He’s my favorite player and that’s just that. I wouldn’t turn Gerrard down but I wouldn’t be up dancing about it either. I’d be organizing a party for signing Ballack. And I’d fly to Manchester and bend down and kiss Fergie’s feet if he signed Riquelme who is my second favorite player but who I still believe in my heart of hearts is the worlds best player and most under appreciated. Yes I know, he has earned a lot of that with his attitude.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:52
I would take Henry only if he was a couple of years younger and a few mill cheaper,
but I still feel that we shouldnt take players from the enemy unless they were really really good, having been born and raised half way around the globe from Manchester and being only 21 years old I dont have a specific rivalry that I believe in most, so I cant understand the way others here think, I mean I just enjoy watching Arsenal play I dont love them but I dont hate them and Liverpool are just pathetic and I enjoy watching Torres.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:18
I dont want henry, although I would be over the moon if he scored a last minute goal to seal the title against arsnal, but id judge his success on the basis of his performances with us.
As i have stated, he is too old, plus, we cant afford flops. not now.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:36
Hakieran - Woo mate, way to go, I couldn’t agree with you more about bollocks Ballack (sorry Grog). Ballack was indeed the biggest prick in the CL final, but then he is the biggest prick full stop in my mind. He started that whole fracas by shoving Tev around, when Tev and Terry had it sorted. I can’t see any redeeming points in Ballack, and I cannot tell you how glad I am he didn’t come to United. Never was I more satisfied, than seeing Ballack sobbing his eyes out when Chelsea lost the CL final. Ballack was maximum distressed, and that made me maximum elated. I didn’t feel that about any other Chelsea player apart from ‘looking up to heaven’ Lampard. Those two players to me are the absolute PITS. So you see, we all have our vengeances regarding particular players. Grog may hate Henry and other Arsenal or Chelsea players, and others of you will have your own PET HATE players. I will not judge anybody though for liking who I hate, because that’s life.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:46
Hey! Has anyone seen Wanted? I just returned from the cinema!
Good Movie!
But I seriously prefer Scarlett Johannson than Angelina Jolie!
Oh and did anyone realize that both R’s were at Wembley!
And can anyone please tell me if anyone at wembley sung Ronaldo hate songs?
August 12th, 2008 at 10:06
RR - your doing a good job. Just to let you know your effort and work on this blog are appreciated. It’s a great blog mate, and you deserve credit. Red Rants and Republik of Mancunia, to me are at present the best United blogs on the net.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:12
whats all the doom and gloom about, i thought this was meant to be a happy blog
August 12th, 2008 at 10:42
@dan(u-ol) good point. Im happy, but a new striker would be like having two christmases
August 12th, 2008 at 10:46
not henry though.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:55
@Grognard: Read back I didnt actually welcome him, there is a difference to thinking he could do a job here and actually wanting him to wear the red of Manchester United: hence I”d rather we stuck John O’Shea up top!
August 12th, 2008 at 10:56
@Craig Mc: I second that view on Ballack and Lampard mate.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:43
@Stephen: OH come on! Anyone on WANTED here?
Come on Grognard!
Did yo see it on your 50 inch rear projection???
August 12th, 2008 at 15:37
@tevez:
Last year they had a bit more ‘edge’ to them and were willing to score ’scrappier’ goals. When Henry was in the team and its often the same with France too they look not to score a goal but to score the perfect goal. We already have a few players who at times go for the elobrate rather than the simple (Rooney for one) without an influence like Henry who demands that it looks nice at the expense of being productive
August 12th, 2008 at 16:51
@Craig Mc: Not a problem mate. I’m probably the only Manchester Utd fan alive that likes Ballack so I’m certainly not expecting people to wrap their arms around him in a love embrace. And we all have our hated and beloved players. That’s all fair to. As long as we all love United, that’s the main thing.
August 12th, 2008 at 17:06
@Grognard:
I didnt say anything about them not winning with him. He is a great player but when Henry is in a team they just arent as efficient with the conversion of their good football. Its not all his doing as Wenger obviously has to take some of the blame as even now its still present but he does add to it. In many ways its as if he wants to be in Footballs versions of the Harlem Globetrotters and I think it would hinder Rooney especially as Rooney needs to improve the simple stuff not be encouraged to play ‘fancy’
August 12th, 2008 at 17:17
@johnsom33:
I want berba and I have a feeling that when push comes to shove we will no doubt be willing to pay 30mill but it seems pretty obvious now that we are after 2 Strikers and every million you spend more than you really need to is a million you cant spend on another player now or in January or Next season. Its like being at an auction you don’t just exceed your valuation immediately, if you do you just get held for ransom later (we are still paying for the prices paid for the likes of Carrick and Veron)
August 12th, 2008 at 17:24
Grog, I think your love for Ballack co-incides with your love for German football doesn’t it?. I hear from my German friends that Ballack was a perfectly behaved player in the German League. They reckon that England has changed him into the unhealthy , unsportsmanlike, prick he is now. I told them that it must have been in there, to come out. Whenever I see him, especially in games that have edge, he’s always spoiling for a scrap with someone. He picked on the wrong person with Vidic, because if Terry hadn’t have held vidic back, Vid would have taken out Dogba and Ballack. Nemanga would have seen Red then, as he had steam coming out of his ears. Well, I would too, if DOGba had bitch slapped me.
Everybody can dislike who they like, but HATE on Little Man Nani, and I’m coming to get you. Oh yes, I know where you all live lol!.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:12
I tried to follow the Grognard/ Red Ranter dialogue, but became too frustrated by the fact that the content was completely unrelated to the subject of the initial post, and in opposition to the spirit of this cite. The rants are about football. All members of this cite should feel a basic comaradaree based on he fact that we have varying levels of respect for the world’s greatest club.
I also think that this favorite club vs. religion argument is off the mark. This club is completely globalized, and as an inevitable consequence has people of varying levels of attatchment to it. But I think any resentment toward people who don’t wake up, kiss the badge, and pray to lord Alex is stupid. If you can’t wake up one day and be a united supporter, thn its impossible for the club to sustain a fanbase. aLL fans start somewhere. (personally, I’m south African, so for me, its either Pool or United: obvious choice really)
I think what Grognard said, and things of the sort, are from a place of anger that others shouldn’t be allowed to claim to support a club that you support more ardently.
I think everyone here thinks they are the nuber one manchester utd supporter. And inside, we all have a little resentment toward others who claim the same.
But at the end of the day, this sport is supposed to be a game, whose spectators enjoy the spectacle of watching it played on such a grand stage. It is supposed to bring people together, not factionalise them into rival supporters, or stratas of supporters within the club (with supposedly grater levels of loyalty). And looking at it from a positive light, conflict between clubs should be of less concern than the club’s success, which means if one of the best players to grace the Englsh stage (yes, Henry) where to join utd, than I’m all for benefitting from his talent. He should’ve won the ballon d’or insted of cannavaro. Wat a f*cked decision.
Thats my say. A little verbose but reading the above posts is really quite unsetteling. Hopefully this can add a glimmer of positivity.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:16
Oh, and I’ll bet my left nut Henry won’t come.
August 13th, 2008 at 16:06
@Craig Mc: It’s not England that changed him, it’s Chelsea that’s poisoned him. Still, he is great for Germany but as a Chelsea player he is difficult for me to tolerate. Yes my German leanings are definitely challenged while he’s with those wankers. Until then Riquleme is more in my heart than Ballack is. At least he doesn’t play for someone I despise.
August 30th, 2008 at 2:47
language timothy. Ballack is improving all the time now he understands the english game. Not a chelsea fan but they will win the prem this year !