Apr 16
United’s Champions’ League Unbeaten Run Continues
It’s an outstanding feat. United are unbeaten since that forgettable night at the San Siro in 2007. Going 23 games unbeaten in Europe is quite a feat, it must be said. The fact that we whine despite all this is a measure of the standards, we as United fans, tend to expect; which is often a euphemism for spoilt fans.
But what a strike that was from Ronaldo!
Long range strikes are becoming a matter of habit for this side, in the advanced stages of this competition. Scholesy’s strike vs Barca, in the semis last year, is still fresh in memory, but Ronaldo’s strike today was in an entirely different plane. The goal was fantastic in technique, execution and, more importantly, you had a feeling that when Ronaldo struck the ball, he knew it was going in. You couldn’t fault the ‘keeper for failing to stop it; dismemberment of his limb would have been the only option had he got his hand on to the ball.
The first half of the first half (alternatively, I could have said, the first quarter, but play along now, will you) was what we’ve been thirsting for the team to show for the past many weeks. The team showed urgency from kick off, in an away game, in Europe, which was very encouraging. In midfield we hassled, and ensured we seized the early initiative; Ronaldo’s strike giving the team the reward for going for it. Anderson started off well, and injected urgency early on. It was another matter that he seemed to slip away as the match wore on. I have been of the opinion for quite sometime this season that he seems to function best when given a shorter period of time to have an impact on the game. If he starts, he would probably give a good hour. Or, as an impact sub, after the hour mark. Last night was another illustration of how he could be simultaneously excellent as well as infuriating.
The second half however was a bit more tentative. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always wanted a United away performance in the knockout stages where we show a little more ambition than sitting back on a lead. Now it could be argued that it’s hindsight talking here, but for all our so called defensive control yesterday, we were always one good long range shot / booming header away from getting knocked out.
But we’ll count our blessings on this and hope Rio’s return has given our defence something resembling the glorious clean sheet days. It wasn’t a perfect defensive display though, and the last 10 minutes were nerve jangling to me. O’Shea, Vidic and Rio emerged with credit, but Patrice Evra continues his downward spiral and now appears the weakest link in our defence. Most of Porto’s attacks came as a result of a winger skinning the Frenchman. A few months ago, it would have been almost unthinkable of us to be saying this about our left back, but he seems confused and way off the pace.
On the other midfielders, Carrick flitted in and out of the game, while Giggs had a good outing. Rooney was once again played wide out on the right, but it was another outstanding display from Rooney. If we look beyond the cliches of selflessness attached to his style of play, his temperament was encouraging. Both, he and Ronaldo, have benefited from what Fergie apparently had to say to them. Ronaldo was once again trying to track back, and actually played like he wanted to prove something. Both Rooney and Ronaldo’s desire are about the biggest positives to take out of yesterday. If they keep this level up for the next 10 or so games left in our campaign, we could return to be the side that was feared not too long ago.
Which brings us to Dimitar Berbatov. He had his flicks and touches, but if he needs to justify his price tag, he would have to do a little more than that. I don’t question his link up play, and to some extent it was good yesterday. But if supporters of the Bulgarian think he shouldn’t be busting a gut and running like a headless chicken, ala Tevez, then he should at least be in or about the box when the ball comes in. Especially in counter attacks. Much of yesterday’s counters broke down because of the lack of someone forward. If Berbatov is not meant to help out in defence, then why isn’t he further up the pitch? Despite all that I’ll excuse him still because I think he hasn’t completely recovered from his ankle injury. But I can’t always be giving him the benefit of the doubt if this carries on.
Apparently we are the first side to beat Porto since November, which makes this win something. The clean sheet is also something that should encourage the players to build from there. There are still a lingering doubts over how our midfield will cope with the fixture cramp, but for now let’s enjoy the moment: we’re in the semis of the league for the third successive season, we have an FA Cup semi coming up this weekend and we are still top of the table. I would still play down the quintuple claims though. But it is a nice feeling when you are in the hunt for all trophies and yet, you know your team is capable of much better football.
Here’s hoping yesterday was the day we turned a corner as we inch towards the finishing line.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United: The Defence Wins Through
- Manchester United’s 08/09 Champions’ League Opponents
- Four League Wins in a Row for United?
- United’s debt situation explained
- United’s £100k+ Christmas party, useless Shorey, Arsenal will stumble and of course, Rooney is better than Kaka
Tags: Match Reports
Opti (541)
Stephen (487)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (348)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Grognard: If that’s the case, then all our players must be SEX addicted greedy buggars, the way they have been playing this season
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@Grognard: Grog I would not be so sure mate! I saw Fergie and Ronaldo being interviewed together on MUTV, and a reporter asked if the rumours on Ronnie and Madrid were true. Fergie got all uptight, and denounced the man for asking, saying that question is always asked. But I can tell you it was very shifty, and there was NO denial from Fergie, just shuffling in his seat, and Ronnie gushing forth on I am happy at Manchester etc – YEAH RIGHT, I still believe he will leave and Nani will go with him, just like I have said all along. But hey we will see
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@RedDevilEddy: Give yourself a round of applause for that post Eddie mi man
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@RedDevilEddy: You have an Anderson poster above your bed Eddy
. I have or had the delicious and utterly edible Miss Kimberley Walsh over mine, until the GF got NASTY and tore it to shreds one night 
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@Dan: Errrr Dan mi man, you were the one who said Berba was our 4th best striker last night, not me mate
. Also the GF wants to talk to you, because she really believes my birth certificate which clearly says I am all of 24 years of age, and that means my so called love child Nani as you call him, must have been birthed by me when I was 2 years of age. Some feat for a 2yr old I would say 
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@Craig Mc:
My my craig, you develop fast dont you!
Maybe nani was your son is a different life
You tell your GF to buy you a new poster, then we’ll speak
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Just of been of fun(well not really, im just bored
)
Team for the carling cup next season:
Heaton/amos
rafael
De leat
brown
Fabio
Nani
Drinkwater/cleverly/hewson
Possebon/cleverly/hewson
Tosic
Petrucci
Macheda
I reckon thats a good mid-table side, i think it would finish somewhere between 11-15th
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@Grognard: “They only echo what any truly objective fan can see for themselves, that Anderson did nothing for the whole game and that he was totally useless. If that constitutes the best midfield performance the team has had for a while, then you might as well stick a fork in us because we are done like dinner”
I find it funny that you slated everyone yesterday who said Anderson had a good game, and when it was pointed out that your were the ONLY one saying other wise. You shot back with your typical “you are all blind followers, and that I dont need anyone to agree with me” attitude, and yet you go out and use the Sun to validate your stance. Wether your right or not is beside the point, it just bugs me when you totally dismiss others opinions as the rantings of a foolish fan, and then you regard your own opinion as fact.
Lets put all our cards on the table here, football is the most difficult sport to guage a players performance. The fact thats one person could argue that Berba was MOTM, and then another can say he was one of the worst of the match, just shows how objective it is. Your own beloved Sun
even said he was one of the worst on the pitch yet the Guardian was creaming over his performance. so who is right? I really dont know, and that is whats makes this sport so fascinating and it is what keeps us all coming back to this sight to discuss our favorite club.
In regards to the latter part of the quote I took from your post. Andersons first half performance was the best we had seen from a United midfielder in months, and in case you have forgotten, our midfield has been midtable at best. and that is one of the man reasons that people such as you and I have questioned our teams ability to finish the season, cause at the moment our midfield is being over run by whoever we play against.
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@antsBoy: Ronaldos “body language” is so over scrutinized its not even funny. He could dance around like an idiot 9 times out of 10 after scoring a goal, but the one time he doesnt do the expected response people jump all over him and show it as proff that he wants to go to madrid.
Every goal is different and every celebration is different, just let the man play. soon he will all get your wish and he will be off to madrid. I for one will not be happy, because the man is special and can not be replaced.
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With regards to Berbatov. A lot of fans are moaning that he should be in the box more as a target man for Rooney, Ronaldo, or wide players. But just stop and think about it, his positional play is not down to him, his positioning is down to the tactics of the manager. If Sir Alex wanted him further up the pitch he would have changed the teams tactics. But he hasn’t, so dont put all the blame of not being in the box on Berbatov most of it should be directed at Sir Alex.
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@Craig Mc: For all you know that might be another Anderson. Starts with Pam…
Nah, I would have had a poster with a chick on it not for:
1) Living with my parents.
2) Girlfriend doesnt want me to.
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@Grognard: O’Shea had a 100% pass completion rate yesterday, got forward well and defended very well. I’m using facts to back up my argument, not opinions.
@Darth Red Diablo: I didn’t really understand what you were saying there about tracking back. He’s a defender, he plays at the back. Tracking back should be taken for granted. And no O’Shea is not or has ever been ‘shite’. He always plays well at RB or LB, not world class, but you don’t need world class full backs for them to be great for the team. Look at Neville and Denis Irwin. Neither of them would win the 100m sprint, but they know/knew when to overlap and link up with the winger and get the ball into the box. Also in the case of Irwin was one hell of a free kick taker
Also don’t call me ‘young one’. I’m older than you
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Heres proof that Lebron isnt happy in Cleveland and that he is moving to New York in the Summer…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYa5u-lPS8c
watch his reaction after the play, he doesnt even smile or celebrate with his teammates. He actually looks angry!
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@johnsom33: Everyone knows that it’s 2010 he’s off to NY
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@Liam: yeah, but I actually have the proof
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@Grognard: I thought the opposite was true. Infact I think I read it here.
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@DVI3345: To you and anybody else who are confused about Berbatov.
I suggest you use those 2 round things that sit on top of your face, and see for yourselves if he is a contribution to the team or not. Don’t just read the papers, or listen to the BS about he’s “languidness” of his “deft touches” or his “link-up play”.
To me, he is offering nothing at all right now, and hasn’t for several months. His style seems to be of one that has always done the least, to achieve the best, and quite frankly none of that is in our users manual, and because of that he’s not fitting in!!
I would love our big signing to turn a corner, and make the effort to stamp his authority on a game or two, but he doesn’t and I’m beginning to feel he won’t.
If you start to watch his movement and his presence in attacking situations, you’ll see, plainly, why he’s not getting assists or goals!!
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@Liam: I love John O’Shea. He’s one of those players who’ll do anything for the team and won’t complain if he’s not comfortable about it. He’s playing a lot right now because of injuries, and he knows that. He’ll play out of position in situations that his natural abilities are not familiar with, and he hacks out the best of performances anyway.
No one could say he’s at the very top of the heap when it comes to skill players, but he brings an awful lot stability, heart and determination to the table. He’s filled in admirably, all over the pitch, for years now and I really hope he can do it for years to come!!
By the way, he can score a few too!!
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@johnsom33: I think you’re posting to the wrong site!!
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@Craig Mc: And they call me negative?
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@Craig Mc: I was just going to say the GF puts up with that, and then i read on and found out she tore it to bits. What a big surprise. As for me I have a big autographed 24×36 framed glossy photo of my idol and hero Bobby Orr. The greatest hockey player that ever played and the Beckenbauer of hockey.
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@johnsom33: I’m not interested in getting into a spitting contest mate. I said what I said, just deal with it. You should know by now that I say what I want. I never insulted anyone. The blinders comment is no big deal. It’s only a big deal if you make it that.
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@johnsom33: It’s called intensity mate. Have you played sports at a fairly high level? You are not always happy go lucky . Sometimes you get psyched out and can be in a piss poor mood. That means nothing other than you are focused on the game. Hell I slapped a teammate and a close friend in the face before a basketball game because I was focused and psyched about the game. He crossed my space at the wrong time and paid for it. You are making a mountain out of a molehill.
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@Liam: He’s be an idiot to go to that Mickey Mouse organization. The Knocks are a joke. If he really wanted to win, he would choose LA or Boston.
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@Red Ranter: That’s new. I am going by decades of talk and evidence. No medical research by it. I will say this though. When I was playing college football (US/Canadian version) I was also getting laid nearly every weekend and the night before games. What can I say, I was sexually active in college. Anyway, I have to admit that it did affect me. Quite often my legs just never had the get up and go in them and I just felt lethargic. On those occasions when I never got lucky the night before, my legs felt fine, even if I had been on a binger. So who knows? All I can say is I felt it personally and I heard and read of many occasions where it hurt athletes performance. I don’t know, I do know that that many people and myself can’t be wrong.
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@Grognard: Well no problem. I don’t buy into these stories anyway because, you will always find one news article contradicting another by bringing medical evidence for either.
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@Redrich: @Grognard: Sorry if Im in my own little world, but I was trying to convey the ridiculousness of people reading into Ronaldos celebration. I was reading antboys comment about how Ronaldo looked angry after he scored and I was searching my brains trying to think of a way to explain in words how sometimes smiling or dancing isnt fitting for a celebration. I was thinking that when that commercial came on and it all just clicked for me. I think Lebrons reaction after that incredible play and Ronaldos reaction were so natural and refreshing.
And in case im still not making sense, I was being incredibly sarcastic, and basically poking fun at all the people who are convinced Ronaldo is off to madrid because he doesnt act like a jack ass after he scores.
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Wow… thanks for the details Grognard.
Anyhooo… I found this on BBC and had never heard about this:
“[Before going to Lyon, Essien's] Work permit complications prevented a move to Manchester United – the team Essien supported as a child – and where he might have become the long-term successor to his role model Roy Keane, the Ghanaian ended up at Lyon.”
Does anyone know when this was and who was in charge of denying him a work permit?
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@Grognard: Yes I have, I played basketball at Oregon State so I know what you mean. I was the kind of player that never smiled when I played. I had fun playing and I enjoyed every second on the court, but you would never know it from my expression because Im just an intense competitor.
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@Madschester United: Ive read that before. I dunno who was in charge or such, but I believe it must be the work of one Peter Kenyon.
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If I were Ronaldo, I most probably would have reacted exactly the same way as he did after the goal. That was a tremendous goal, one of true class and arrogance. I think the goal shocked the living daylights out of him, just as much as it did us. I won’t read too much into that.
I did notice however and commented – though the comment never appeared on the site – that I noticed a difference in Ronaldo’s play since Saturday. I’m not sure if it was due to Ferige having a talk with him or not? But, he seemed more commited during the past 2 games. He actually puts in a defensive shift as well. What impressed me most was that on Saturday – and Wednesday to a major degree – he actually got up after being tackled and got on with it. No bitching around for free-kicks and flapping his hands in the air, or crap like that. I think to some degree that new determination culminated during that goal (therefore his ‘celebrationary reaction’).
If Fergie and Ronaldo had words, there’s no way that he would have let Ronaldo play the role he did on Wednesday (free-roaming and then main striker). Fergie’s ego is way too big for that.
All I can say on Anderson is that he played a very good game. I personally would have given him a 9/10 IF Berbs actually ran onto the beautiful pass that he gave him instead of lazily walking onto it and messing it up, AND Evra actually followed up on his other quick-pass instead of deciding to just look at the ball and turn around (for those who watched the game many times). I think the same excuse applies to Anderson that applies to Berbatov…that is, the team is not on the same wave-length as him. Anderson seems to play a bit ‘too fast’ for the team. The fact that he’s in-and-out of the side does not help his case at all. That incidently is also where I see a potential future problem. Anderson has the tendency to speed the game up, Berbatov has the tendency to slow the game down.
@Grognard: I rather like the dreadlocks. I’ve been a fan of it ever since Ruud Gullit had them. I hope Anderson grows them longer.
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@Redrich: Everyone wants Berba to play in the box more and we all would like to see more goals and assists from him. However, to say that “he is offering nothing at all right now” is utter bollocks. His first touch and reception of the ball is excellent, he keeps possession, holds the ball up, and usually draws 2 or 3 defenders with him to open up space for others or at the very least buys time to bring others into play. Again, I’d like to see more attackwise (though arguably this is the fault of SAF’s tactics), but it is no coincidence that our midfield possession and composure (in particular) have vastly improved the last 2 games. So saying he offers nothing is a little over the top.
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Pondering on my previous statement, I think I have figured out what’s happening to our team and why we get so frustrated with the performances and individual players. Grognard got it right in previous posts, it’s just things just clicked big-time for me… (correct me where I’m wrong)
I think our team is in transition (what we’ve been saying, but inadvertently been denying all along). We are abondoning the fast pacy ‘Brittish’ 442 with emphasis on ‘Arsenalesque attack’ and blistering counter-attack. Fergie’s constant mumblings of “when you lose the ball in Europe it takes a long time to get it back” seems to affirm this. He is opting for possesional ‘Milanese’ style of play. This was the main reason he got Berbatov. This is why players like Tevez and Nani (and Anderson to a great degree) does not seem to make the grade. Players like Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes and Giggs who can keep posession are now more favoured. This is also why a Wes Brown or O’Shea is prefered over the twins. Why Gibson is preferred over Possenbon, etc.
Rooney is lucky in that he is not only Fergie’s favourite, but also very versatile to fit into this system. He seems to make the grade just about.
Berbatov seems to struggle because the team is still trying to adapt to this new philosphy. I think next season we’ll see a much improved Berbatov because the team will be more accustomed to this style. Gone is the traditional ‘United way’. Park is a first-teamer because of his ability to hussle in defence.
I have a feeling we will see a semi-clearuout this summer with Tevez leading the way. Anderson will be given another season to adapt (simply because we paid a shit-load of money for him and doubt we will recover it). Same goes for Nani, but I think he has already indicated that he will not adapt, therefore he will follow Tevez. Personally I think Fergie is admiring Chelsea’s success under Mourinho and is trying to emulate that style. This also explains the ‘rumoured’ interest in a Drogba’ish player like Hulk. Also explains why Fergie took it so very hard when Hargreaves (‘Essien-type enforcer’) got booked out for the entire season. I also think that in Fergie’s view, Ronaldo’s future is up to himself, but if he decides this summer to move on, he wont stop the lad.
One things for sure… he’s been toying with this formula for some time now, and has finally decided to have a go at it in a ‘all-or-nothing’ style. The fact that we’ve been so ‘successfull’ thus far this season has proved to him that he made ‘the right decision’, therefore his reluctance to change when we hit a mini-slump. Pity though, but I think the sooner we can accept that, the sooner we can move on and ‘enjoy’ our successes. Personally I don’t think its worth it, but then again, I’m not the one in billion punds of debt needing silverware to reduce the debt.
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@Redrich: Except he has 8 of each in the premier league alone.
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I think a lot of us are biased sub-consciously towards a certain degree/style of play/player. Probably as we should be! But that is the sole reason why some hate Berba but love Tevez, some love Ando but hate Carrick. The fact is that we need all these different flavours to make up a good squad. They problem Fergie has been trying to deal with for some time now is a mix-match strategy where he chooses the right team for the right game.
It’s very easy to say – keep playing your best team throughout the season and we’ll win trophies. What will happen is this – We’ll play beautiful football, we’ll score a lot of goals, but come Apr-May we’ll see the same players burn out and we’ll get dumped in the CL semi by a Milan or Barca. The beauty of Fergie’s present approach is that it keeps us in the running (just barely sometimes) for all trophies possible, at the cost of not having sparkling football throughout the year.
I’m not saying we’re gonna get the quintuple this season. No. But look at it this way, have we ever come this close to winning all five trophies possible in a season? Also, this is the first year we’ve seen Fergie experiment so much for the team and hence all our problems. There are some very crucial ties ahead and it all depends on 3 basic factors -> a) Fergie not fucking up team selection. b) No injuries to key players. c) We need “certain” players to stand up and be counted in each game. I think whatever happens this year, we’ll look much better next season.
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@johnsom33: Mate, I am the last person who wants to cook up something out of nothing…I hate the papers/sites that do that for a living! My question arose not cos of the fact that Ronaldo looked angry..I felt his anger was directed at someone, probably why he was heading towards the bench. There is less than a 1% chance of him doing something as stupid I know, but I just thought I’ll find out what you guys think too – I don’t even believe it myself. But it’s not just me you know, the SkySports guys felt the same way too, so did some guys over at RoM.
Doesn’t matter anyway, we’ll leave it aside, what matters is Ronaldo has been a better player the last two matches!
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@antsBoy: You’re right. We’re all biased in some way towards a certain player. That’s why we get so pissed off when someone criticise that player. I make no secret. I’m biased towards Anderson and Tevez. After that, Rooney and Ronaldo. In the beginning of the season, this was the main reason I suppose for disliking Berba and Scholes because they fought for the same spots. I suppose any person can also always find justification for his players’ performance. Therefore, our opinions actually means jack in the end. At least we’re all biased to the same team – Manchester United!
I think you’re right also in your assessment of Fergie choosing the right team according to whom we play. I just feel now with greater certainty that it is much more than that. I think we’re actually adopting a new style of play altogether. For example, there were many games where I feel (regardless of bias) that Berbatov was not the right person to play for a certain match, yet if fit, he is ALWAYS a sure starter. There are games tailor-made for Nani, yet he never starts. There are even games where we don’t need Park at all, yet he is a starter. There are games where Fabio/Rafael can really get experience and be utilised for their attacking forrays, yet that does not happen. I really believe there’s more to it than merely the right team for the right occasion.
Please note that this is not a complain, just an observation.
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@antsBoy: Personally, I would write Ronaldo’s response down to a ‘normal’ response to a monumentous goal. I think he overwhelmed and surprised himself with that strike going in.
Perhaps I’m wrong, but that’s my 5 pence worth.
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Fergie is winding up the scousers again. They’ve all bitten. Hilarity ensues…..
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@Karl: 5 pence, where did the extra 3 come from
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@Karl: what your saying does make a lot of sense and it helps explain the team selection. The only thing it doesn’t explain is why fergie would bring those players in if they didn’t match his new philosophy. It just sucks that we have to see so much young attacking talent wasted on the bench.
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@Johnsom33: I don’t claim to know the answers, just commenting on what seems logical, so I would speculate that CQ had a lot of say in the acquisition of recent players (incl. the twins). Now that he’s gone, their development took a backseat to implementing the philosophy.
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does anyone know Fabios status? is he fit right now?
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Rafa, Neville and Park are all fit and in the squad. Macheda is in the squad too. Tevez, Scholes and Park all expected to start.
VDS
Rafa Rio Vida Evra
Park Anderson Scholes Nani
Tevez Rooney
Is how I imagine we’d line up.
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Go here for a Rooney interview:
http://www.zootoday.com/sport/archive/2009/04/17/wayne-ooney.htm
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i think macheda will get his first start on sunday.
Foster
Rafael ferdinand vidic fabio
welbeck gibson/anderson fletcher nani
rooney macheda
Thats the team i hope for.
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I think it’s all a dastardly ploy this month to fool the entire world into thinking we’re there for the taking, and then Whamoosh! Boom! Boom!
Berbatov scores a hat-trick.. Carrick also scores a hat-trick.. As does Nani, and Anderson.. twice. Evra pick-pockets Walcott, and then Messi.. They won’t know what hit em!
*Is that really wishful thinking on my part?*
*Yes, I’m afraid it is..*
*..but it feels good.. so good*
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@Karl: You are right mate. But here is the problem I have with that change in philosophy. Liverpool before Benitez had won 4 European Cups, United before last season had one 2, Aston Villa had one one and Nottingham Forest had won two as well. In the late 70′s and early 80′s before English teams got banned because of the Heysel disaster, English clubs ruled Europe by playing their traditional 4-4-2 and by throwing a lot of low possession direct football with crossing galore at the shocked Europeans. From 1977 right up to 1988 Europe was ruled by the English Seven European Cup wins in eight finals I believe. They couldn’t beat them and couldn’t figure out a way to defeat very pragmatic, old school philosophies of play because what English teams had that Europeans could not adapt to was hustle, determination and heart.
So in the last 10 years we have had an influx of European managers come into England and totally ruin or should I say flush down the toilet the values, concepts, tactics and traditions of the English game. Wenger was the first and after that we have had the Mourinho’s, Benitez’s, Houllier, Ranieri etc. All competent and quality managers (OK I’ll take it back when it comes to Rafa) but all came with a different, slower, more methodical continental approach to the game. Unfortunately, England didn’t benefit from the more positive continental approaches to football by bringing in more aggressive style managers from Germany and Holland. Yes we got Jol and Gullett but the real trailblazers of Dutch and German football never ever showed up in England. As many know, I am a big fan of theirs and the older and more attractive styles of attacking football they believed in.
So all these foreigners come in and rather than adapt to the English game by advocating and supporting it, they came with their own arrogance and agenda and systematically changed the look and feel of the English game. Hell, most of these teams actually stopped being English in spirit. Gone were most of the English players, replaced by Frenchmen, Swedes, Spaniards, South Americans etc. Arsenal stopped being a English team dominated by English, Irish and other UK based talent. Instead they became an English, French, African hybrid. Eventually they just became a Dutch, French, African hybrid with very few if any English players left on the team. Liverpool has become the Spanish B Side and Chelsea has become the World All Stars.
United themselves started to get into the routine of buy foreign players in the early 90′s but then got really aggressive after the 1996 European Championships. And since 2000 they too have over done the foreign purchasing to the point where the team has changed their style of play and adopted a more continental, dare I say Italian approach to the game. Fergie had won a European Cup playing traditional United football but he also had suffered far too many disappointments along the way in his long career. He finally has adopted the infamous if you can’t beat them join them club. Therefore we are now saddled with a team that plays a slow plodding game centered around ball possession and limiting the chances other teams get…..even if it limits our own chances in the process. For English football and for Manchester United, this is the ultimate sellout.
Fergie, the last beacon of light in the game and the greatest manager the game has ever seen has seen it fit to alter 50 years of tradition and adapt our game to a system that may succeed but that has no beauty or style to it and that is boring and unattractive to the eye and especially to the sole. I often cringe at the way we play and why it all came to this. The English had been overrun by a brigade of fat waiters and chartered accountants whose contribution to the great game was figuring out a method for success that sucked out the pace, individual skill and improvisational beauty from the game.
The English game before the arrival of football’s version of the Black Death was not perfect by no means, but it was fast, passionate and fun to watch. And based on those European success stories in the 70′ and 80′s, it was successful too. Were Paisley, Clough and Busby lucky? I don’t think so. They had teams with players who had heart and passion as well as skill and they also had something very few European teams of the time had, and that was grit. So why allow a bunch of foreigners to change the tactical and historical dynamic and style of play of English football?
I am sticking up for the old school of English football because I personally think there is nothing wrong with it and because 4-4-2 has been proven to succeed in European competition. European clubs have always had problems playing English clubs with talent because they never could keep up with their pace and they were often nullified by their grit and determination. Those qualities won championships, not playing slow, and keeping possession of the ball. So what if United kept possession for 56% of the game vs Porto. Porto still had more quality chances than us and with a little luck could have beaten us. It’s not like that system totally nullified them and made them disappear while we had enough quality chances to win the game. Possession is a very misleading statistic. In fact past United teams have dominated the game in the past while losing out on that possession statistic. It’s not the length of the possession, it’s the quality of the possession and how much ambition and skill is used when you have the ball that counts.
I refuse to believe that changing our game to a more Milanese style of play is a guarantee of anything more than sheer boredom and sloth like efficiency. It’s sad that Fergie has sold his soul to the devil that is known as Italian football. It’s sad that in his old age all that consumes him is his legacy of having won everything but not enough European trophies. So he couldn’t care less now about how pretty or entertaining the team is, as long as he ads to his legacy with the silverware. Because in the end, he can claim that he won3 or 4 or 5 European Cups. Nobody will ever say yes Fergie, you won four or five but only two were won playing football the way it should be played. Today it’s all about the result. It doesn’t have to be pretty, it’s all on paper. It’s a calculated chess match between cerebral waiters and accountants and it stopped being about the player s and for the supporters. After all, we are all addicts and we will eat up anything those bastards feed us. Even if its a boring pile of shite. Personally I’m disgusted with the whole thing and I hate…..I HATE the current state and style of play of my beloved Manchester United. BOLLOCKS!!
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Btw, new post up.
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I hear you.
I also love the Dutch Total Football system and were delighted when United seemed to move in that direction. Now, I’m totally pissed.
The problem is now not so much Fergie selling out. I think the bigger problem is…will the next manager follow suit? I can ‘perhaps’ endure another season (and put my true United allegiance to the test thereafter for another season – if it guarantees trophies) of this unattractive football. But what if we don’t return to the United way after Fergie retires? I shudder to think that I will become another ‘newspaper fan’, checking on team results after checking share prices…
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