Jun 21
United’s Transfer Strategy — Is There More to Their Denial?
[Warning: Highly speculative article involving yours' truly thinking out loud for most part. Kindly bear and do add your 2 pennies' worth at the end.]
Yesterday, following Ronaldo’s interview with Guillem Balague Manchester United Football Club, issued a statement on its official site reaffirming what it’s been saying all along: that Ronaldo is not for sale.
This is the rare occasion where United are being put in a position where they don’t want to sell a player who seemingly wants away. [I personally think he does want away, but for the sake of those who think we should wait till he comes out and says it definitively, I've added the word 'seemingly']
But despite all this, and the possibility of getting big money from Madrid, United have been firm on their stance on Ronaldo.
So here’s a theory…
So often in the past we’ve seen United fall out with players and hence driven to desperation to sell their players. As a result the price of the player would eventually go down thus selling the player at a bargain. RvN’s price, for instance, was laughable. Whilst the club seem firm on Ronaldo, there is a distinct possibility that the club may be doing this consciously in order to ensure that Ronaldo’s price stays high. Thus with Madrid being desperate to buy, there can be only on way of that happening: selling the player on United’s terms.
So does anyone else think this may be a plausible strategy from the United camp?
The second part of his hypothesis is more of a suggestion than anything. Suppose, United decide to sell Ronaldo (but not decide publicly) they would ideally want to make purchase of players before selling Ronaldo. So buying a winger, perhaps, and a striker before selling would make sound business sense.
The reason? Well, selling Ronaldo would net us a lot of cash, but attempting to make purchases after that would come with pitfalls: clubs will charge exorbitant amounts for their players looking for a bite of the Ronaldo pie. So Ajax might say, “You want Huntelaar? Hmm, let’s have £40 million, thank you. You must have a lot of money now, mustn’t you?” And we couldn’t say, “No we don’t” because what we’ll sell Ronaldo for — even if the amount was undisclosed — would be huge. And that’s where the sales of our star winger would burn holes in our pocket.
So wait till the Euros are over and swoop in soon after. As the bloke from crystal maze would say, “Let the games begin.”
Related items from Red Rants:
- FIFA shed light on United’s recent transfer activity
- Ronaldo transfer money harder to spend in reality
- Nani dazzles | Kieran in Denial | Manutd.com Wins.
- United’s debt situation explained
- Glazers defend Ferguson, and United’s Asian Invasion
Tags: Opinions/Columns
June 21st, 2008 at 19:12
Yeah nice theory. I also think the plan is to sell Ronaldo at the END of the summer, once we’ve lined up replacements.
We’ll refuse to sell, Ronaldo will make it clear he wants to leave, Real Madrid will think a deal is on the cards, so offer higher and higher amounts. Eventually when our target figure is reached we sell.
In fact it is becoming very much like the Hargreaves situation and Bayern ended up making us pay a pretty high price.
June 21st, 2008 at 19:13
Great article RR! I agree on both of your points. It’s obvious to me that Ronaldo wants to leave and in my opinion I hope he leaves soon. The guy has become an arrogant asshole.
June 21st, 2008 at 19:35
For me ,I think CR has fallen in love with his image.I think he should be kicked whenever United get their targets.For me I think they should sign Wesley Sneijder if Madrid makes an offer to swap.And if they can ,get a stiker like Fabiano or Huntelaar b4 selling CR.
June 21st, 2008 at 19:45
RR, you’ve let the cat out of the bag. Let’s hope Real Madrid and the other clubs don’t read this site and find out what United are doing. haha
June 21st, 2008 at 19:58
Nice one, lads. Let’s leave Cristiano and that wanker Calderon twisting in the wind until the night the transfer wind closes. That way, buying Stefan Radu from Dynamo Bucharest, Miguel Veloso fromSporting/or Jermaine Jones from Schalke, Andrei Arshavin from Zenit and Samuel Eto’o from Barca is not going to cost us Chelski/Real dosh. Then again, as Calderon’s job as president is on the line, why not bend him over a barrel till his aristocratic Spaniard’s arsehole gapes and demand 50M quid AND Sergio Ramos, Wesley Sneijder and Mohammed Diarra. Robinho is a bigger diva than Cristiano, so Chelsea deserve him!
June 21st, 2008 at 20:37
RR; Totally agree with you especially in regards to buying other players. All the more reason why I don’t like their procrastination regarding this. Go out and buy two players before anything is done about Ronaldo. Don’t cause a problem where there is one price for us and a different price for others.
June 21st, 2008 at 20:41
Watching the Russian’s totally outplay the Dutch is making me very happy. I like the way they play and Hiddink’s attacking approach. The Dutch don’t look terrible but they are a shadow of the team that has played the past three games. Andy Gray was correct. Lets see how well the Dutch play when they run up to a tough game where everything isn’t turning over for them. Can they win ugly? I say they can’t. Hopefully Guus and the boys can prove me right. Russia has been my dark horse from the beginning. And you know, I love the way they play so much that I would love to see Hiddink be Ferguson’s successor. He would ensure that United play with style, pace and passion while always attacking.
June 21st, 2008 at 20:46
crystal maze woah u just brought back my childhood memories RR
i just think the club is just doing what any other club will be doing standing by their decision and yeah if we think deep i think the second option u said makes the most logic as most of the clubs do exploit us in the transfer market and why the hell we still havent sold saha and silvestre
get some action people
June 21st, 2008 at 20:51
Most of our targets are in the Euros.
June 21st, 2008 at 21:00
grog
hiddink is a gypsy!!!
what do u think of pavlyuchencho as 3rd choice striker! Him or Santa Cruz?
VDV has sent in some high quality crosses!!! How RVN didnt score is a mystery! Our next No. 7 ???
June 21st, 2008 at 21:18
I’ve thought about this for a while and so I am going to offer this to all of you for the sake of debate and to hear some of your suggestions. The following is my official 10 player shopping list for Fergie to use in my fantasy. I of course don’t expect him to sign all 10 players but I would be happy with signing even 2 or 3 of them with or without Ronaldo on the team. The order is from my 10th choice down to my number one choice. The rating is out of 5 (1 being very unlikely that Fergie will buy to 5 highly likely to buy).
10. GK Manuel Neuer Germany – A tremendous shot stopper and exceptional reflexes and ability to distribute the ball. Despite the furor over Adler, this is Germany’s best goalkeeper. (1)
9. GK Artur Boruc Poland – All the skills that Neuer has and a Schmeichel like presence in the box. An intimidating and physical keeper
who reminds me more of the great keepers Germany had in the past like Maier, Schumacher and Kahn (2)
8. ST David Villa Spain – Who wouldn’t love this lad on his side. Pace, skill , exceptional first touch and a flair for the dramatic, not to mention a nose for goal. His only knock, he’s short and he doesn’t seem interested in playing for us. (1)
7. ST Roman Pavlychenko Russia – I really love this kid. He has pace, can play up front by himself and has great goal scoring instinct. Scores crackers for goals but needs to work on his finishing as he misses a lot of chances. Great thing is that he can be taught to have more patience and composure in front of goal and the fact that he gets a lot of chances due to his hard work. (2)
6. Wesley Sneijder Holland – A super midfield talent who has flexibility and can hit the ball well with both feet. He is a good passer but a very decent goal scorer from an attacking midfield position. A solid replacement for Ronaldo and a heir to Scholes too. (4)
5. Rafael van der Vaart Holland – A classy play maker who can score goals and be a strong taker of set pieces and corners. The total package and very much similar to Sneijder. Wants a change and I think he can be had at an affordable price. Wants to play for us too. Only problem is Chelsea want him too and they have unlimited funds. (3)
4. Lukas Podolski Germany – Very overrated on our blog because people simply haven’t seen him as much as I have. This kid is super talent with a lethal left foot and a very decent right one too. Improving in the air and has great dribbling skills with great pace. Is also a very good passer and has been known to also take free kicks and corners. His finishing is still a work in progress but it is constantly improving. Can play alone up front or in tandem as a second striker. He can also play on the wing or as a LFM. He has been improperly used at Bayern and he has a right to want out. The kid is world class and deserves more respect. (1)
3. Philip Lahm Germany – The best fullback in the world hands down. A great attacker with a great right foot. His defense is very underrated as very few players ever get around him and he is surprisingly strong in the air too. A great dribbler with great pace and strong crossing and passing ability. His greatest asset is his ability to play either RWB or LWB at the same world class level. The chances of us getting him this year seem slim to none as he did agree to a new 3 year contract extension with Bayern thanks tot his talk with manager Klinsmann. (1)
2. Andrei Arshvin Russia – A tremendous world class talent with incredible pace, imagination and sublime passing skills. Plays a second striker role for Russia while playing an attacking midfield or LMF role for Zenit. He can play anywhere on the field and can use either leg efficiently to take shots or thread incredible see and eye passes that dissect the best of defenses and makes them look silly. A very strong finisher and an ideal replacement for either Ronaldo and especially Scholes. I love this Russki to death. He is Russia’s engine room and is worth twice what he is being valued. If Wenger buys him too United will really regret it much more than losing Ramsey to him.
This boy is all we really need to be honest. (3)
1. Klaas Jan Huntelaar Holland – This is my boy. I absolutely love him to death. He is awesome. Natural goal scorer extraordinaire. He can do it all. Lethal right and left foot, scores from distance, tremendous in the air, bicycle kicks like it’s nobody’s business, and is a pretty decent short passer as well. He is also good at holding up the ball. His pace is underrated. Not fast but certainly wouldn’t slow United down. commands the box and wants the ball. Lethal in tight areas and a master of scoring on the half chance or half volley.
If we don’t get this player I will be gutted beyond belief. (4)
There you have it. I have left out other players I like but these are the 10 I most would like to wear United red. Fergie please buy Huntelaar and one or two more of them and make me a very happy camper.
June 21st, 2008 at 21:37
The Ruud boy shows exactly why I miss him so much. Clutch goal from a great striker. Russia is very unlucky and really missed a few sitters to go up 2-0 and win this. If Holland go to win this they should count themselves very lucky. Russia have outclassed them tonight. And my boys Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko have shown what they are all about. Boy Kolodin got off very lucky at the end of th 90 minutes. A yellow there might have been curtains for Russia.
June 21st, 2008 at 21:37
Grog
Guardian ran a list of possible utd targets and the young russian keeper Akinfeev (they labeled him the best young keeper in the world!) was in there too! He is playing today for Russia.
About VDV it depends on whether or not Lampard stays! If Lampard leaves then only there is a vacancy (in fact then also there is no vacancy in chelsea midfield) They already have 2 world class talents in that position in Ballack and Lampard. If Ronaldo leaves then we do have a big hole in our midfield. Then we will need to change our style of play and he can slot in a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation
Schnider has already declared he is not interested in a move to Utd so he is not coming for sure!
June 21st, 2008 at 21:42
jos; Akinfeev is a good shot stopper but he is very week on high balls and crosses into the box. And never was that more proven than today, especially with RVN’s goal. He should have had another in the first half that Akinfeev refused to come out for and RVN fanned on it. He’s good but I actually think their backup keeper from Zenit is a better keeper. Just my opinion. As for Sneijder, he may have no choice if Real makes him a part of the deal for Ronaldo. Beside, he would be almost losing his position to Ronaldo if he were to stay. He should be careful about burning his bridges.
June 21st, 2008 at 21:58
grog
well its not me but the guardian who said that! I havent seen much of Adler or Nueur (didnt Schalke lose to chelsea coz of his gaffes?)
Anyway we were at one time linked with Mexican keeper Ochoa who was labeled as the 3rd best keeper in the world (behind Buffon and Casillas and ahead of the likes of Cech, VDS etc according to FIFA!) what do you think of him.
June 21st, 2008 at 22:02
heres a link about the Ochoa thing…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/11/08/ufnochoa108.xml&CMP=ILC-mostviewedbox
June 21st, 2008 at 22:03
Andrei Arshavin is a bloody God. FERGIE. Please sign this Russki.
OOPS! As I write this Arshavin scores the third Russian goal. Goodbye Holland. They choke again. Russia are just awesome to watch. Look for a Russia vs Germany final and I think the Russian’s pace will hurt Germany but Russia’s weakness on set pieces might hurt them. Can Spain or Italy beat the Russians with Arshavin? I honestly don’t think so. And that Pavlyuchneko is just so impressive.
June 21st, 2008 at 22:06
jos, Much like my list, that’s the view of one person who sees things differently. Just because he works for the Guardian doesn’t make him right or more informed. Then again, my opinion is based on having seen the lad play goal half a dozen times or so.
June 21st, 2008 at 22:06
I feel for Netherlands…but Arshavin man!!….i dont know why this kid was never spotted when he was 22 or 23…He is untouchable now!!!
And as i type…he scores!!!…..
June 21st, 2008 at 22:11
This is great news for United. More rest for EVDS and now we can seriously go after Huntelaar, and Rafael van der Vaart. Nothing holding us back from going after those targets now. Even Sneijder is free to discuss now.
June 21st, 2008 at 22:12
that man arshavin.. makes holland look shite…
the next no.7 anyone?
Ronaldo who.
June 21st, 2008 at 22:15
Pity, because I thought we could go after the entire Russian team
June 21st, 2008 at 22:18
LB: Zhirkov.
Palvyuchenko
Arshavin
Afinkeev
All caught my eye
June 21st, 2008 at 22:19
i think chelsea would have first refusal on Ashravin given Abrahimovic’s links… he might just buy him to stop others from having him or maybe they will shunt out SWP and buy him as replacement.
June 21st, 2008 at 22:23
Could vidic play a role in tempting him to utd? i know that he used to play in Russia?
not to mention the greatest ever Russian player played for Manchester United Andrei Kanchelskis!
June 21st, 2008 at 22:24
Utsav; Dead on mate. I don’t know about Akinfeev but Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko were in one word AWESOME! I also am a big Yuri Zhirkov fan but I doubt we would go after him as he is pretty old. Still he is a great attacking LWB/LMF/LW with great skills, passing and dribbling ability. He also is a good set piece taker.
I know I am being fickle here but Pavyluchenko just leapfrogged my list above Huntelaar and behind Arshavin. Pav reminds me of a Wayne Rooney from 4 years ago that was more aggressive and likes to take shots from anywhere. He is also much better than Rooney as a lone striker up front always getting to long balls that aren’t even directed for him. Arshavin and Pavyluchenko is all we need and 75 mil for Ronaldo. Make it happen Fergie. Neither of these guys will cost as much as some of the more ghlamor names out there. Although there stock just skyrocket this evening. And as for Arshavin. This kid amazes me not only wioth his skills but the way he always comes through big time in big games. Can Ronaldo say this? Where was he on Friday?
June 21st, 2008 at 22:27
jos; Is that a Abrahimovic a cross between Abramovich and Ibrahimovich?
Just messing with you mate!
June 21st, 2008 at 22:27
I was not very impressed by van der Vaart. A few good crosses and free kicks, but I was much more impressed with Sneijder who had a bad game compared to usual! I don’t watch van der Vaart much, but Sneijder worked harder and was more creative for me tonight. Also, he took a lot of threatening shots from far.
June 21st, 2008 at 22:29
kurt; Neither Sneijder nor van der Vaart had good games but they are bot world class players, trust me. Manchester United don’t play one game, they play 60 or so over a year so no player is outstanding every game. Either one would be a tremendous signing for us.
June 21st, 2008 at 22:32
Oh yeah Arshavin would be perfect. What about Srna? I think he is a useful player
June 21st, 2008 at 22:34
Jos: Abramovic does not own Moscow. He has pumped alot of money into CSKA Moscow and not Zenith. Also, Zenith pays this guy big bucks. Add to that he has just become the hottest property around after Villa. I expect all clubs to come sniffing.
Im not going to base my judgement on oone match. I wouldn’t thus call Van Der Vaart poor. More than anything else, the Dutch could not cope up with the flexibility of the Russian system and formation. Guus has really trained them well
Grognard. Arshavin would be top of my list too. Ever since UEFA Cup Finals. But I wouldnt go for Pavyluchenko over Huntelaar. We need someone lethal. Pavyluchenko tends to be very inconsistent and can miss a host of chances. But he does play that lone striker role very well.
Now the only thing thats left for Fergie to ponder is whether the players are good or the system and the way they play as a unit make them look good. I wouldn’t discount either
June 21st, 2008 at 22:35
guys the answer to all our striker problems has finally been found , Pavyluchenko!!! are u kidding me the kid is insane!
June 21st, 2008 at 22:52
i liked the number, 8, 9 and 10 in the german side, we all know who the number 10 is, but i really cant remember the names of the number 8 and 9.
to be honest, i just want the number 8s right foot, unbelievealbe it was, and the number 9 looks like he could be the winger i want(granted the traitor stays) but he did look a bit on the chubby side
and well arshavin, the only thing wrong with him is his name.
Gosh, it just hit me, we look at all these countries, with all these young talents that could play for any team they wanted to, then we have england who gloat the likes of barry, crouch and the slipper. Heartbreaking.
June 21st, 2008 at 22:54
colver; I for one don’t want useful, I want awesome. Srna for me is Tottenham class, not United.
Mike; I agree, this kid is very good, very young, tall, and full of pace and has the willingness and courage to attack and take shots. Unlike our current crop of strikers who are a little gun shy. Arshavin as our attacking midfilder from the right side, Nani on the left and Rooney and Pavyluchenko up front would be an awesome site.
June 21st, 2008 at 23:01
grognard- every word in which you have described him is true and accurate except his age, one may argue that 26 is not very young
June 21st, 2008 at 23:07
Also Jos, what Utsev is right and Arshavin plays for Zenit while Pavyluchenko plays for Spartak. Neither have strong ties to Abramovich. Many people may not be aware of this but Abramovich is not a liked man in Russia. He is blamed for a lot of things and rumors of how he made his billions has really made him unpopular. During the CL final, it was clear from what the press were reporting and from what was being shown on tv that Man Utd is a very popular team in Russia. Who knows? If Fergie wakes up to the fact that beautiful football exists in other places outside of Portugal and Brazil we may be fortunate to sign either or both of these super lads. One can dream.
With that said I find it incomprehensible how van Basten was unwilling to change his defensive minded 4-2-3-1 formation and go with an attacking 4-4-2 by bringing in Huntelaar to try to at least tie the game in extra time. No strategic finesse or genius by the man. Like AV Grant, all he did was exchange a player for a player and keep the same formation which was not working. Stupid and arrogant beyond belief. Hiddink has said he will coach Russia into the next World Cup. That will be until 2010. That may be the time Fergie finally hangs it up. I know Hiddink is a friend of Roman Moneybags but I think he would be a perfect replacement for Fergie because of his vast experience and his propensity to like attacking fast and innovative football. Russia today looked like United on a great day. I don’t think I am lost in the wilderness with this thought.
June 21st, 2008 at 23:08
I havent posted for a while lately, the Ronaldo soap opera was going round in circles and was doing my head in so heres my take on things after a couple of weeks reflection.
Over the last 12 months or so Ronaldos ego and arrogance has grown to dangerous proportions and although he has become a major weapon in our armoury I think it is in the best intereste of United if SAF wakes up and smells the cofee coz for him to be fighting so hard to keep a player who so has so blatantly disrespected the club, the fans and SAF himself to me smacks of desperation and sends out the messge that without Ronaldo we are doomed. To much has went on this summer and Ronaldos flirting with Madrid and constant fawning over them without even mentioning how great a club United are has burnt all his bridges with me and I will never see him in the same light again.
Deep down inside most of us we probably suspected he was shallow, self obsessed and put himself before the team but we aleays defended him because he was our player but its time for us all to wake and realise that to keep a player who so clearly loves himself more than anything is going to have long term repurcussions and it is better to get rid of him now and move swiftly for proper team players who will improve us as a unit rather than indulging the ever growing ego of someone who thinks he is bigger than the club.
SAF must act swiftly and sound out the possibility of bringing good team players like Lahm, Huntelaar and tonights man of the match Arshavin to OT coz to try and hold on to Ronaldo makes us look weak and frightened and I for one hope that SAF will realise that losing him now might not have been part of the plan but in the long run could actually take us to the next level as a team.
Cmon SAF, dont let Ronaldo hold us to ransome, United are bigger than that.
June 21st, 2008 at 23:13
Mike, 26 is fine. He would give us 5 good years at least. In this day and age, 5 years is about all we can expect from players who seem to all have a mercenary frame of mind. Giggs, Neville and Scholes excluded of course.
Utsav; I love Huntelaar and truth be known, he’s my guy but if I’m honest, Pavyluchenko is more suited to our style of play which is the same style used by Russia. He is very young and has lots to learn so grant him his occasional misses. He will get better and at least he creates chances and has the courage to take his chances. Two years with Fergie and Pav would be the most feared striker in Europe, I guarantee it.
June 21st, 2008 at 23:22
Dan; I’m sorry mate but what the Heck are you watching? #8 is Torsten Frings who missed the last game and who has been horrible up to that point. #9 is Mario Gomez who is reinventing the word awful in this tournament. and #10 is Oliver Neuville who used to be pretty good in the 80’s and who is close to 40 years old now and has played less than 5 minutes. Now had you mentioned Podolski, Schweinsteiger or Lahm I might agree with you. Besides, making an accurate appraisal of a player when all you know about them is their number makes me wonder if how you are watching this game? Are you watching alone or in a distracting crowded environment like a pub? Sorry but your observations are really confusing me greatly. Is it possible you meant the Russian side and not the GERMAN side?
June 21st, 2008 at 23:23
Blame the coach for the Holland loss. He had Robben and Huntelaar parked on the bench, when they needed speed and trickers, and heading ability up front. Hollands substitutes were abysmal. I will never understand why Robben and Huntelaar were not on the pitch. Holland didn’t deserve to win. It would have been a Russian cricket score but for the magnificent EVDS. So sad for you Edwin.
June 21st, 2008 at 23:25
Fred the Red; Beautifully said mate. Welcome back.
June 21st, 2008 at 23:27
It’s kinda funny for me watching how everyone is ranting and raving about Arshavin now. I knew about him this time last year, and what an excellent player he was, but I feared people on here would laugh at me and dismiss him if I were to suggest him as a transfer target for United, as he was a relative unknown back then.
He first came to my attention when I was watching a Euro 2008 qualifying game between Russia and Croatia. The match finished goalless, but Arshavin pulled all the strings for Russia that night and I remember thinking to myself ‘this dude can play quite a bit!’. Then I saw him again playing against England, and then for Zenit during their UEFA Cup run, and he reminded me a lot of Paul Scholes, with his sound technique, passing, vision and goals from midfield. Still, I was too scared to suggest him on here as a lot of people at the time were obsessed with getting Huntelaar, Benzema, Gomez etc. They say the best players do it in the big tournaments, and I would like to ask, what have those three done in the Euros? Gomez missed an open goal, Benzema was nowhere to be seen in any of France’s three group games and Huntelaar has hardly set the place on fire has he?
Arshavin, on the other hand, is now showcasing his awesome talent on the biggest stage and I am glad that everyone is now realising what a class player he is. I wouldn’t bet against him finishing up as the Player of the Tournament, and if Mr Voldemort decides the grass is greener elsewhere, this guy is one of the few players out there who can definitely go a long way to plugging the gap. The only thing going against Arshavin, however, is the fact that he is already 27, which means we’ll probably only get 4-5 years out of him at his best. Not a sound long term investment in a financial sense, especially as he won’t come cheap; if Modric (a similar player) can be bought for £16m, I’m guessing Arshavin will come with a hefty price tag in the £15-20m bracket also. But hey, we’ll have the cash to splurge like there’s no tomorrow, so I wait with bated breath to see what Fergie thinks…
June 21st, 2008 at 23:27
A defence comprising of Ooijer and Bouhlarouz will always be suspect but not taking anything away from the Russian team. And Ashavin, what a player! Simply world-class. Zhirkov is eye-catching too. Amazing how the group leaders all fell by the wayside. Spain next?
June 21st, 2008 at 23:33
Akinfeev is a pretty decent goalkeeper, similar to Kuszcak though. I don’t know about Pavyluchenko though, he doesn’t seem to be a particularly great finisher to me, which is what we need. Rooney can play the lone striker role just as well in my opinion. Anyukov is an excellent full-back though; replacement for Gary Neville anyone?
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:04
really like the idea of nani and arshvin switching wings.
Its so fluent……would be immence actually.
With Rons imminent departure im warming to the idea of
Berbatov comin’ in this summer.
Very cantona esqu’ he’d relish coming to the ultimate stage that is OT.
FUCK RONALDO. TASTELESS CUNT
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:07
Aye, dead on Freddy boy.
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:29
Nino; You weren’t the only one ranting about Arshavin. I began my campaign months ago. I began my crusade after Russia played England. The boy is just class personified and like relared said, I would love to see he switching wings Nani to create loads of confusion for the opposition. Pavylucheno is decent enough of a finisher now but he could become lethal with some coaching and seasoning. He is very young but he has all the tools to be very dynamic. I just salivate watching him play the lone striker role because he just gets to every ball and makes things happen that are positive. He also creates chances for himself which we cannot say about our present crop of forwards barring Ronaldo. This kid isn’t afraid to hit it from 30 metres or to take 15 shots in a game. That kind of aggressiveness and courage is what we need. Fergie would fine tune him and make him the best in Europe guaranteed. And Nino I so disagree with your point where you say Rooney can play the lone striker role as well. Not only can’t he play it as well but he can’t play it at all well period. He’s useless as a lone striker. Come on! Everybody has been crying about not using Rooney as a lone striker now for two years. Yes he works hard but he doesn’t score goals and he’s not great at holding the ball and waiting for help.
realred; Yes Berbatov is very Cantona like in his playing ability but he is not as quick and his attitude is not the same either at least when it comes to United. Cantona was a problem at Leeds and maybe Berbatov would be the same here but I’m not sure. No doubting his skills but he does come across as lazy and a fair weather player who never wins the big one.
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:33
To the people worried that United aren’t going for Asharvin, an attacking midfielder(though he can play as a second striker but at 5ft7 per wikipedia, he’s still another midget) wasn’t one of the positions Fergie said he’d like to strengthen this transfer season maybe thats the reason for the lack of interest, but anyway that was before Ronaldo said he wanted to leave, so maybe he’ll be interested now.
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:36
Craig; Very good point. Not playing Huntelaar and Robben when they need a different look and more emphasis offensively showed just how outclassed van Basten was in this game. van Basten isn’t a coach. He’s a star player with a rep. Unfortunately that is a big trend now a days. Some of them like Beckenbauer, Cruyff and Klinsmann are decent and they surround themselves with tacticians who know what they are doing. van Basten was out in left field. He’s no better than his former teammates Gullitt and Rijkaard as tactically challenged.
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:51
Wasn’t Robben injured? I thought Arshavin had yet another good game and would love to see him in our red shirt next year. Their front man Pavlychenko also had a decent game but wasn’t exactly clinical in front of goal
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:51
Grog, Tactically challenged, what a good way of putting it. Van Basten looked out of it tonight.
Robben scored one and made ? 1 or 2 last match, and then he goes and leaves him on the bench. They needed Huntelaar for aerial possession, but he sent more midgets on, couldn’t make it out. Grog that guy Denis ?Kosdovin was something else with his 40 yard kicking. Only for Edwin, he would have scored at least two. Is he the Russian centre half?. I though he was good man.
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:55
[craig]
Yeah he’s a centre half — Kolodin was his name.
And considering the harsh Russian weather, I don’t think the likes of Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko will be complaining in Manchester.
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:56
Hey, we play Zenit in the Super Cup don’t we? I’m pretty sure Fergie can take Arshavin to one side before the match, tap him up and work his magic on the lad. Hopefully, he’ll be a United player within a couple of days. Failing that, we could pay a couple of Russian Mafia heavies to ‘convince’ Arshavin to join us no?
Seriously, the point I’m trying to make is that, with the Super Cup match coming up, it would be an excellent opportunity for United to foster a good working relationship with Zenit and perhaps put ourselves in a pole position, above other clubs, to sign Arshavin, and other promising players in future, from them, and United should seek to take full advantage of that opportunity.
Russia seems to be an uncharted territory in footballing terms, but it is probably a goldmine of undiscovered talent. Who knows how many other Arshavins are plying their trade in the Russian league. Remember we also bought the then unknown Nemanja Vidic from a Russian club. Also, with the sub-zero climate over there, Russian players would have no trouble whatsoever adapting to the dreary Manchester weather! Grognard you are right; Fergie should cast his net wider to include places like Russia, rather than limiting himself to Portugal & Brazil.
June 22nd, 2008 at 0:57
Ah RR you beat me to that point about Russians and cold weather!
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:05
United and Ferguson’s intended lineup(if Ronaldo wasn’t a prat and stayed):
Target Man (whoever is purchased)
Nani(LW) Rooney (FW/AM) Tevez (FW/AM) Ronaldo(RW)
Carrick/Ando (box to box or DM)
Evra (LB) Vidic (DF) Ferdinand (DF) Hargo (RB)
EVS (GK)
Subs:
Manucho (target man)
David Petrucci(FW/AM)
Scholes (AM)
Giggs (LW)
Park (L/RW)
Fletch (all across midfield as cover)
Brown (RB/CB)
Sheazy (all across DF as cover)
Kuczaks and Foster (GK cover)
Bring in Sergio Aguero or Guy Assulin for Ronaldo if he leaves, and Trezuguet and a young guy (huntelaar) as cover for target man.
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:06
According to The Independent “Real are reportedly set to offer United a world-record €100 million (£79m) for the player or €80m (£63.2m) plus the Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/real-size-up-16380m-ronaldo-bid-851961.html
Even though I take these figures with a grain of salt IF either of these offers were on the table from Real (especially the latter) AND Ronaldo really wants to go then I would snap Real’s fcuking fingers off and take it. United would be mad not to and if Real were silly enough to offer we should not look a gift horse in the face.
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:45
What does Kanchelskis do these days?
He could be employed by United as a scout on Russian territory!
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:48
according to some reports AC Milan are preparing to move for Arshavin and Hiddink himself said that the boy would like to play abroad so its time to move, weve wasted enough time on Ronaldo we have to be pro active and think long term coz I know SAF had the notion of building his squad around Rooney and Ronaldo but he has to realise now that this aint gonna happen, so sweet talking or forcing Ronaldo to stay even for one more season is just delaying the inevetible and to be honest with you, the thought of Ronaldo staying does not sit well with me so if Real offer anything in and around 70 million, let him go as quickly as possible and waste no more time in the transfer market, its time to bring in recruits with Ronaldos exit in mind.
I know selling Ronaldo would hurt SAF after all that has went on during the summer but he has to think clearly about this coz bottom line is Ronaldo is just not worth it anymore and to plan our future success around someone so clearly self obsessed is potentially catastrophic, but is not something SAF has been guilty of in the past so please dont start now.
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:49
I’d take £80mil for the preening gasbag. Do we need Sneijder? at £16 million, i’d say no. The same money could get Arshavin, who could replace Ronaldo. Hand him the number 7 shirt.
Also, Russia is a fairly untapped marketing opportunity, we’d sell a soviet tankfull of shirts. And, hes bloody good!
I’d be really excited about the new season if we were to buy Arshavin and Berbatov.
ARSHAVIN HARGO CARRICK NANI in midfield and any 2 from ROONEY BERBATOV TEVEZ upfront. Scary thought…
June 22nd, 2008 at 2:08
A Dog, the jury is still out on Petrucci, I hope he doesn’t end up like a Pique or Rossi.
June 22nd, 2008 at 2:45
ya, but on the positive, from what I’ve read Roma were going to give him 1st team playtime next year, which means he gotta be prety good.
June 22nd, 2008 at 2:59
I’m really happy that a lot of you are coming around to the Grognard’s kind of thinking. I know! I know, a scary thought but I have been the lone advocate for as Nico put casting our net wider and going into countries like Russia, Croatia, Serbia, the Czech Republic etc. Russia is going through a Russian Renaissance and now is the time to check out their talent and make a dent in that market. It also has incredible potential for marketing the the team brand. Imagine how many Arshavin jersey’s would be sold in Eastern Europe if he signed with us?
As far as going after him, AC Milan may be interested in him but I’m hearing serious things from Arsenal. He could end up being the replacement for Adebayour. Is Fergie going to let Wenger get one up on him again? Lets put it this way, when it came to signing Ramsey he got a call from Fergie and a tour of OT from Gary Neville. From Wenger the lad and his parents were flown to Switzerland as Wenger’s guests, wined and dined and guests in a deluxe box for one of the games. Am I missing something here? Is there a lack of effort or an old school mentality that is causing us to lose out on players because Fergie and management can’t be bothered to invest some time and effort and get their noses dirty? I applaud Wenger for playing the douche bag and seducing the Hell out of the lad and his parents. It looked and probably seemed very professional and big time to them unlike the amateur hour exhibited by United. Is Fergie getting to old to make the extra effort. I’m serious here. Is he at the stage in his career and life where he isn’t willing to try hard anymore and instead he is willing to hold a player hostage and let him rot in the stands because he doesn’t want to give the effort that is needed to win over new players? Look, I’m just playing Devil’s Advocate here so please, no jumping down my throat. I’d honestly like to know what some of you think? If I’m honest I don’t think I will get any of the ten players on my list and I find it hard to stomach that Fergie isn’t seeing the obvious. If he is, and he’s planning a big coup, then forget what I just wrote, but honestly……..I DON’T THINK SO. I think by the time our season starts we will have a Fabiano or Santa Cruz and few scraps and we will be crying all the way down to 4th place. Fergie; Come on BOSS prove me wrong. Show me the money?
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:36
[Grognard]
Sorry to disappoint you but you weren’t the lone advocate when it comes to spreading out net far and wide. Germany I can agree, but not otherwise.
And I think Wenger won’t spend that much cash on Arshavin now that a few million quid will be added to Arshavin’s stock. If it’s a bidding war between us and Arsenal, then we will win. And if Fergie really wants a player then it’s a different thing entirely. Perhaps he didn’t want Ramsey as badly as Wenger wanted. But going by that to make presumptions on a manager who’s really got nothing to prove over someone like Wenger, who hasn’t won anything for what now seems like almost forever is unfair. We are still good enough to win the title at present — considering the other teams right now. But I’m sure there will be a transfer by mid july.
Fourth place? I hope that was a hyperbole meant in jest.
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:51
Grog,
You seem to forget the simpler reason to why Ramsey signed for Arsenal – because they weren’t sending him back to Cardiff on loan like United were.
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:53
RR; I probably wasn’t the lone advocate. My point was clearly just to point out that quite often I felt like I was. I want to see a little urgency in Fergie. He comes across as a guy who sits back in his lounger and waits for phone calls and has never even heard of a computer or the internet for that matter. He needs to get with it and get aggressive. And if he didn’t want Ramsey he was making a big mistake. The UK isn’t exactly a farm for world class players anymore. When one comes along that has the potential, you need to grab it. But then again he’s gone in two years so he figures what the Hell, Ramsey won’t be my project anyway. I’m sorry RR but I feel he and Gill have been royally dragging their asses this off season and if we end up with crap to show for it I and a lot of other die hard supporters will be very let down. And sorry but but that wasn’t hyperbole. If we can’t adequately replace Ronaldo as well as add a goal scorer, this team is going to drop in the standings. Scholes, Neville, Giggs, EVDS are all a year older and we are missing the straw that stirred the drink in Ronaldo. Trust me when I say that Fabiano or Santa Cruz will not make a lick of difference to our outcome. Without Ronaldo our roster is a 4th place team. I’m sorry but that’s the truth and it’s an honest and fair assessment. Replace Ronaldo with an Arshavin and buy a goal scorer and I don’t think we skip a beat. We might even improve because the selfishness will be gone and Rooney for one will improve without the darkness around to bring him down.
Ahmed; If Fergie took the time to sit down the boy and tell him what his plans were face to face I don’t think a year at Cardiff would have turned the lad off. But imagine what the lads parents thought when nobody but Neville showed up to talk to them and give them a tour. At least get the kid’s idol Giggs to make an appearance. This was royally botched up.
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:09
I love all the links at NEWSNOW.COM under Arshavin. All these sites with headlines like “Arshavin – A star is born”. This is the kind of bandwagon BS that really gets my goat. Where were all these media giants last year when the Russian was tearing England and other apart? Now watch, all of a sudden Real, Barca, Chelsea and the two Milan’s will start stoking the fire and putting their hat in to get him because none of them have a clue what’s going on outside of Argentina and Brazil neither. They wait for a tournament like this to raise their awareness. I cried and pleaded into the wind with he hope Fergie would go after this kid even before the UEFA Cup final. Nobody was looking then. Now everybody is going to get in the act and I’m noticing Fergie doesn’t like to go after players where there are competitor about. Mark my word, within the next 10 days every major team is going to be linked with him and Pavyluchenko. FRAK!
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:26
I don’t know how I missed this but I just read that Arshavin got a yellow card in the game today. That was his second in two games which means he misses the semi final. What a blow for Russia. That means they are history I think. This yellow card stuff is just bull shit. I’m sorry but I’m Canadian and where I’m from fans want to see the best players in the big spectacles and they don’t tolerate crap like this for misdemeanors.. Not have them miss big games for a bad tackle here and there. Just total tosh! A red card, fine I understand but accumulating two yellows in such a short tournament is too severe a penalty to force on a player. Some of these lads may never get another chance to be in such a tourney. Piss on fair play. Depriving fans and their nations of their best players because of stupid fouls is just horseshit. Number 1 reason why the sport will never ever really take off in North America. Hockey has a penalty box where players sit for two minutes for worse stuff than a lot of these yellows are being given for. The penalty far outweighs the crime I feel. Just rubbish that he won’t play against either Spain or Italy. Those big clubs always get the breaks. Not to mention all the yellows and suspensions Turkey have to deal with when they face Germany. What happened to cancelling out all cards after the first three matches?
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:42
I am sure Fergie has seen Ramsey play plenty of times. I think at the end of the day fergie just didnt rate him. He would have prolly loved to have him, but he wouldnt go out of his way. This petrucci kid sounds more promising to me anyway.
If madrid are offering 65 million plus sneijder I would tell them to throw in Ramos also and ronaldo is theirs. He wants to leave so let him and we end up getting 2 world class players in positions we need. I also have a funny feeling that Ronaldo going there is going to be bad for Madrid. I can see him and Raul clashing alot.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:24
I’m sorry, but i must have missed something. I was under the impression that Pavyluchenko was older, more around 26 or something. I know this isnt exactly old, but when I hear ‘young kid’ i tend to think closer to 20 or 21. I sometimes forget that that fag ronaldo is already 23. Again, not old, but with players being bought younger and younger and prices going up and up, it just seems more sensible to buy young. I dont want to end up like Le’Arse, but certainly there’s a equally or even better striker out there that will cost the same and will be 6 years younger? Why do we have to go after the ‘hottest thing under the sun’ right now? I would much rather prefer someone like a Solskjær, realtively unknown and pretty inexpensive compared to other strikers of lesser quality but bigger names.
I know thats unlikely, but a boy can dream.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:57
Has it struck anyone how much this whole Ronaldo mess must be pissing off players in not only the United camp but also the on other side? Imagine being Robben and having to hear that the club management are getting desperate to sign some disloyal jerk who says things like ‘I didn’t do anything wrong, my team were shite’ and ‘If I score a few goals, fans (not unlike dogs thrown tidbits) will be happy’. And they are willing to pay him some 3 times my salary and buy him for 5 times my worth.
Mates, Madrid have no idea what they’re getting into. Neither has Ronaldo. But the milk is spilled and spoiled. Oh well…
June 22nd, 2008 at 7:08
k9 and others
what prob ronaldo meant when he said ‘i dint do anything wrong but team was poor’ was taking collective resposibility rather than blaming just an individual. Portugal were bad as a whole unit that night. Defense was piss poor, simao was shooting all the time instead of passing as soon as he used to get the ball, so was petit and ronaldo as well! the only players who were trying to do anything creative were deco and gomes! germany were equally poor at defense but their attack was good and they took advantage of thier prowess from set pieces that night (aided by some shoddy defending). Its useless to blame ronaldo for portugal’s exit.
anyway lets leave him. he has been a very good investment from Fergie (we all knew he wouldnt stay forever for a long time now) and he will prob make us good 50-60m while also delivered lot of success (whether u acknowledge it or not, he was catalyst for our success of the last 2 years). we still have an outstanding team and players come and go all the time. theres nothing in it that should unsettle others. we still have most of the important players tied to long deals (vidic, rio, evra, brown, carrick, OH, andy, rooney) even if ronaldo leaves we will be fine. even without all of ronaldo’s goals we would still have finished above everton and qualified for europe! shows how strong a squad we have!
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:32
I wouldn’t rate Pavlyuchenko that highly. He’s having a good Euro, but not what United need. Overall his goal scoring record is poor.
If anyone has seen Pogrebnyak… Thats Russia’s main striker. He’s unfortunately missing the Euros cause of injury just before.
He’s way better than Pavlyuchenko.
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:57
[Grognard]
If the Premier League were to start now, we are still bloody good. We’re better than Arsenal and Liverpoop. Chelsea have a manager who needs to come to terms with English football, but we’ll be either 1 or 2. My point is, right now the other teams haven’t been any better off, or have regressed, in the case of Arsenal, — which means there is real reason why no significant activity has happened on the transfer front.
In jest though, I thought you decided never to question Fergie after the Champions’ League semis
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:20
[Grognard]
Don’t worry mate, Arshavin didn’t get a yellow-card and therefore won’t miss the next match. Kolodin, Torbinski and Zhirkov are the ones who got YCs and the first two will miss the semis. Missing Kolodin will be a bit of a blow though.
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:47
Whooooo….I’ve just finished watching the 07-08 Season Review DVD and I’m choked with emotion…I know a few others on this site have said it before, and I repeat – It’s a must see!! Go get it!
PS: Makes me even more pissed though that Ron ruined what could have been a brilliant off-season so far.
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:53
Ron is a pig! n pigs fly away remember….so be it!
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:02
arn’t u guyz sick of tryin to defend him?for me’i dint anything rong but the team was poor’,simply means…”I AM AN OBNOXIOUSLY SPOILT BRAT”
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:40
I just gotta say to those in here critizising van Basten for not using Robben after his tremendous display in the group stages. Robben was injured last night, and it surprises me that none of you thought of that before critizising the coach.
Why people in here are so terrified about us not having signed anyone yet, is beyond me. SAF and Gill have both said that we won’t be buying anyone until after the Euros, and to me that’s very positive, because it means that we won’t end up with players not involved… players like Santa Cruz. Usually when teams enter this summer transfer window, they have a very clear cut plan of what to go for. It’s a plan that has come up during the season, when the few shortcomings of the squad show themselves.
Having a plan doesn’t alway mean, it’ll be fullfilled, and therefore SAF has a few backups that he could go for, if his main targets won’t materialize. Santa Cruz could be such an option, but if SAF really wanted to buy him, it would have been the easiest thing in the world.
It’s for the same reason that no other club has bought any major name involved in the Euros. Bosingwa was traded before the tournament, and he isn’t even a major name… not yet anyway. He was a typical Chelsea purchase in a very confusing time for them. They though we wanted him, and they got him. Let’s see how he fills out the £15 mil pricetag.
Only major name I can think of as traded is Alves, and he obviously isn’t involved in the Euros.
I certainly see our inaction as a good sign, because it means, we’re after real talent. SAF has said, he didn’t need to buy anyone, but that he will… quite a solid statement I’d say.
June 22nd, 2008 at 13:08
what is really annoying me is how Scolari is sticking his nose in the ronaldo/real saga. Looks like he is getting into the chelski spirit already!
June 22nd, 2008 at 13:56
@Grog and Co. (The Arshavin/Pavlyuchenko bandwagon)
Both are not kids. They are playing at their peak. Both are 27. On the other hand, that kid Pavel Pobrygnyak or whatever his name is is 25. He is still worth the goods if his goal record this season is anything to go by.
But agree with Grogger on this: Arshavin will be an immediate replacement for Ronaldo and will come good in that he has 5 seasons to go at the top and fits in well with a fluid system of attack. Should see us break from the ‘one man’ mold, yet again.
How about Bastian Schweinsteigger? Could be a good replacement for you know who. Groggy, you’re the Bayern scout on the forum. What’s your take on that?
June 22nd, 2008 at 14:30
Schweinsteiger has come out and said he’s keen on England. Definitely the second name on the list for me to replace CR, after Ribery. But I don’t think Ribery would leave Bayern.
I don’t think we’ll get Arshavin. To be honest I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t end up at chelsea given the relationships involved. heard him linked to l’arse a while back too. I agree with Gronard, he’s been quality for more than this tournament, it’s typical he’d have a blinder and get his price doubled. Fair play to him!
I don’t think there’s any reason to worry too much about the lack of activity. Very few signings have happened yet, and while I do feel we dropped the ball on Ramsey, it’s far from the end of the world. Also it’s worth remembering we do have a pretty strong squad to start with. All this talk of Van der Vaart and Schneider – I think they’re great players but don’t get who we’d replace them with. For better or worse Scholes will continue to play next season, and with Carrick, Anderson, Hargo and Fletcher (plus Rooney/Tevez if we get a real striker) we’re not short of midfield options. I think we should have faith in what we’ve got.
The only things we need are a striker/winger to replace grease lightning and some defensive cover.
I wonder if having him leave will actually improve team morale?
June 22nd, 2008 at 15:42
If he Ronaldo doesn’t have his head nor heart in United (anymore) then we’d be best off letting him go. I think we could see the team develop even further without him as I can see tendences of what Arsenal experienced the last season with Henry.
As goes for reinforcements there’s no doubt that there’ll be one set-up if we sell CR, and one if we don’t. I thin we’ll end up selling and here’s how I think we should spend the kitty:
Striker(s)
Berbatov would be my first choice striker because he’s class and he’s established. Huntelaar, Podolski, Pavlyuchenko or even Klose as the next lads to consider. All five fit the bill according to pace, understanding and height/ability in the air.
Midfielder
Here we’re talking CR replacement. Sneijder is class and I was gutted when we seemingly didn’t even have a sniff at him when he went from Ajax to Real. I’d see him or Arshavin as perfect replacements. Both can play wide in free similar roles to Ronaldo at United, and both also holds the qualities of replacing Scholes. And Scweinsteiger is also a very, very classy player.
But there are others worth considering if we’d look to a more classick winger. Aaron Lennon, Quaresma, Wright-Phillips and that Aston Villa-bloke Abgon-something. And who knows; maybe we could be the right club to breathe life into Joaquin?
Right back:
Do we need a new one? We’ve bought two brazilians and I find Danny Simpson looking like i bright prospect. We could even play with the thought using Hargreaves at right back permanently, demanding Diarra and Sneijder plus cash for Ronaldo?
If we’d buy then there’s a few decent one’s to consider, including Micah Richards and Lahm as the best (and probably most expencive). The right back at Russia, tough, might be an option that’ll cost a bit less and he’s been brilliant this tournament.
By the way; we tend to let players we’re seemingly monitoring go to a bigger clubs and then get serious. We did it with Tevez, Rio, Carrick, to mention a few. Now it’s the same story with Berbatov who’ll cost us £10-15 mill. more than Spurs got him for. I read we’re looking at Van der Vaart for £15 mills. – the lad moved to HSV for £6 mill. a fortnight ago.
June 22nd, 2008 at 16:03
Grog – ummm, if Ramsey’s head is big enough that he expects the whole club to give him the red carpet treatment, he needs his head examined. I don’t care how talented he is, but if he’s going to let flattery and ego rule his career decisions then he’s making the wrong choices.
My view – London and playing in the Premier League were his main reasons for choosing Arsenal.
June 22nd, 2008 at 16:10
Hey, you are revealing our transfer strategy to the opponents! Shhhh!
June 22nd, 2008 at 16:33
Really a club is saying they are not selling a player to raise his market value. I don’t understand why you have presented this as a theory. The problem is you have a player who doesn’t have an loyalty and doesn’t actually care about the club. He will leave and UTD will gain a record transfer fee for him. The reason why Manchester United players do not feel loyalty towards the club is because they it is so detached from the fan base. The players never talk of the fans. If you look at Torres at Liverpool hes constantly stating his love of the fans (the Club). Whereas at United they have paid mercenaries such as Ronaldo and Ferdinand.
June 22nd, 2008 at 16:42
right that bastard scolari is really taking the piss now… ok fair dues he had the rights has portugal coach to talk about the futures of his players, but right now he is the chelsea manager and all his uneeded two cents worth being chucked in is just plain dirty, i hope he dives as a chelski boss and gets the sack quicker than grant what a c*nt.
come next sunday it will be the start of the major transfers with the end of a really good euro tournament. i was amazed by the match last night for two main reasons, firstly that Holland who had been a team so intune with each other seemed to just deflate and inplode, and secondly Russia, who against Spain looked really shoddy are like a different team, i don’t think they wil win the tournment, unless they can sort out there set piece defending but who knows. im hoping for Spain to dump Italy out tonight with Pirlo and Gattuso missing it should be Villa and Torres night.
as has been said many times, i think we’re gonna be signing an out and out striker… unless saha has a brain and leg transplant. and a both footed winger, an important tactic of ours is the ability of the wide players to continually switch wings.
June 22nd, 2008 at 16:49
well said Ahmed.
At just 17 if he has that big an ego than he needs a reality check! his career is not going to be made on VIP treatment but on his own hard work and of those around him. utd is as good a place for development as any in the world (just look at Giggs, Scholes, Becks, Ronaldo etc) Anyway lets respect his choice. its useless to have grudges against him. he has a right to do whatever he feels is best for him.
June 22nd, 2008 at 17:03
Have you guys seen this kid Diogo frm Portuguesa seems like a gr8 goalscorer Arse hav been trying 2 get him fr 2 yrs now check him out : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE1VzJg4ej0&feature=related
June 22nd, 2008 at 17:05
please please please stop going on about schweinstiger(sp?)!!, he is not united quality at all, he had one good game, and thats it, he will never perform at that level consistently and so would have no use to us, a mid table player at best.
June 22nd, 2008 at 17:25
Grognard, the way you’ve spoken about Fergie as if you’re insight is better than his, like he’s a geriatric plaing crosswords instead of doing his job is just disgusting. he’s devoted every day of the last 20 years to preparing the club tha you’ve watched from a distance and critiqued with incredibly limited knowledge. An impassioned fan is a good thing. A fan that doesn’t know his place in the scheme of things is as good as CR7. And if Fergie’s head was up his arse about Ramsey, why then did we sign Petrucci, who plays a similiar position and is more promising, soon after Ramsey bailed. Get a lfe Grog.
Fergie is King.
F*** fourth place. Treble next season. We don’t even need a new winger. Rooney Tevez and a new striker with the goals, and more from midfield. Park can even take the wing.
June 22nd, 2008 at 17:33
nice, ah, grammar a dog/rambo, nice. You do ,cough, talk the truth, fergie has been the united manager longer then younger brother has been alive, to me, that says a lot about his personalty and his commitment to the united cause.
June 22nd, 2008 at 17:37
Red Ranter; I don’t question Fergie when it comes to his on field decisions and his tactical squad decisions. As far as what goes on or doesn’t go on in the transfer market he will get my abuse if it looks like he is doing nothing or if other teams beat him out for players he wants or if he totally ignores players like Arshavin and goes out and signs some muppet instead.
As for your optimistic look at the team I honestly have to laugh a bit. Arsenal will be much better than last year even without Hleb or Adebayour. Why? Because I am confident that Wenger will buy quality replacements for them. He manages to steal Arshavin I’ll give him the title right now. Hleb is no big deal. Wenger is not going to stand pat, he has many he has to answer to for last year’s collapse. Chelsea may have a few problems but come on, Scolari is so superior to AV Grant that they will be a force, especially with some new players. If Grant could come within a game of winning the double, I have to consider Chelsea with Scolari a shoe in for second place at least. Liverpool, are an enigma. If they get Barry they will be better. If they also get Villa they could be scary. Now United. We lose the player dubbed the world’s best and a man who scored 42 goals for us last year and you think without him we will be in the top two? Come on RR, that is wishful thinking and very naive. And coming from you somebody who is intelligent and versed in the game and it’s history that comes as a bit of a shock. My comment was based on if the team were to stand pat and maybe only get either Fabiano or Santa Cruz and a few insignificant players instead of top line players that we all crave. How could anything but 4th place be staring us in the face? Lets be realistic here. Fergie has done nothing so far and what is he waiting for? He’s waiting to go for players at the same time all the other big clubs will want to go for players. And I for one personally do not believe he has the transfer kitty to make a serious challenge for players wanted by the big teams. I don’t believe the majority of the money from a Ronaldo sale will go towards any purchases. I am paranoid and scared as Hell the Glazer’s are selling this team down the creek and they are going to want to pay of their debt first. Yes I could be wrong about that but I still have to see the Glazer’s show me the money. And lets see them get aggressive and beat out Real, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter and a few others for two to three of the players on most peoples “A” List. We just won the double but if we didn’t shake ourselves and pinch ourselves we would think we were in a nightmare of epic proportions. A nightmare where nobody seems interested in coming to OT. A nightmare where CQ will leaves us for Portugal, where Sneijder will not want to be part of a deal for Ronaldo, where Huntelaar will sign with Madrid, where Arshavin will sign with Arsenal and where we start getting the reputation around the game that OT is not a fun or attractive place to play at. And all thanks to a few ex players, Ronaldo, RVN, cunts like Scolari and others who are spreading a word around that United is scum. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I believe Real Madrid is working a campaign of disinformation around the footballing community attempting to poison people against us. I think they are doing it because we have strongly challenged their position at the top of the pedestal. They want blood and they will get with Ronaldo and some tactical skulduggery designed to leave us in ruins.
OK RR, maybe this is a paranoid as Hell rant but you know something, I’m feeling a bit desperate. Something needs to give and soon. I need very positive news and I need it yesterday. Sign one player before all this shit with Ronaldo ends poorly. Show me that the ship isn’t directly headed for an ice berg. I’m just a very frustrated and impatient supporter that is demanding positive action now. I can’t take it anymore. I care too much and I hate being toyed with. United’s inaction as well as Ronaldo’s action have made this the summer from Hell. I’ll never forget Ronaldo for ruining what should have been 2 months of total euphoria. Instead I feel like my heart is being stabbed. It just hurts and the silence and inactivity is killing me. Truly, I’m losing faith. There are some players I want so badly to play for us and I am almost certain we won’t get any of them.
June 22nd, 2008 at 17:41
Ahmed; It’s a competitive business and when one group is willing to fly you to Switzerland, wine you and dine you will the other one wastes your time with a museum tour, you have to be completely naive to believe that his head and that of his parents wouldn’t be turned. Come on, be serious. United dropped the ball on Ramsey big time.
June 22nd, 2008 at 17:44
I love Schweinsteiger as he is a good passer of the ball, can do great things on set pieces and can cross with the best of them but he is too slow to play with United. His lack of pace would have been fine in the Beckham era but I just don’t think the English game suits him. He was built for continental football.
As far as Pogrebnyak is concerned, yes he is quality but he is behind Pavlyuchenko in Russia’s pecking order. Either of them could give United 4 or 5 excellent seasons as a striker of high quality. Also, both of them are ideally suited for the English game.
June 22nd, 2008 at 17:47
Rambo; No need to be rude mate. Just my opinion. If you don’t like it you know what to do with it. This is a rant site and I like you have a right to rant. Not all rants are bright positive and designed for your virgin ears so grow up and get a grip.
June 22nd, 2008 at 17:50
dan; Perhaps you watch every Bayern game and every Germany game like I do HUH? You know nothing about Schweinsteiger and you are basing your dislike on a few games. Others like myself have seen him play over a hundred games and may actually have a more informed opinion. With that said, I will repeat myself and say he is a quality player but is too slow for our team.
June 22nd, 2008 at 18:05
To Grognard and Redrants at large,
Yes, but at the end of the day this is a rant devoted to he greatest club in the world, man U. And judgng by you’re posts for a while now, I can confidently label you as a supporter. Having established this it is my place not to censor you but to respond to wht you hve said.
United would be nothing, nothing, like i is today without Fergie’s genius. It would benothing if people going on paranoid rants about the future of the club had had any infuence in 1990 at Nottingham Forest, or when Fergie played kids, or when we didn’t win in a while, or now when we are losing one player that could conceivably have missed a season in the future through injury rather than transfer.
It is my place as a fan and a ranter to tell you how you sound to others.
It is my place to defend Ferguson and sy that even if Arshavan is good, where was he 3 years ago a lot of players have had inspired Euro performances. I’m not denyng his quality, but he plays a blinder against a subpar dutch defense and an old swedish team, and you think e’s the second coming.
Beyond anything I trust Feguson. Beyond anything you too, or else you are delusional.
Where are these mega tranfers at our compititors. Where is this limite checkbook you confidently speak of without any proof. We are one of the only big squads not rebuilding or in the proces of building. We already have a good squad-With or without Ronaldo. Every year people like you put their foot in their mouths. Thats why I would just like to give you some healthy perspective and recomend you chill a little. Its June, the window is open, we have the bet ever manager and a great team.
I apologise if you were ofended, but you seem a little high strung. Chill pill grog.
And don’t be such a sudo-football elitist with dan. He has an opinion too.
June 22nd, 2008 at 18:12
Dan, Apologise for the grammar, ot a bung keyboard on a pentium 0.2. Just out of curiosity, how did u know my alter ego?
June 22nd, 2008 at 18:16
Rambo, you’re obviously new to this site
Nobody in United is exempt from criticism, just be careful about criticising fellow posters.
My two cents about Fergie:
Yes, he is the greatest ever man-manager in the history of football
But, hey when it comes to attracting players, making transfers, especially big names (Battistuta, Gascoigne, Ronaldinho, Ballack) he always got bypassed by some other team, and sometimes later regretted it himself! So…
Its just that he’s able to get the best out of most of his players that make him so good. But that does not mean he’s flawless as a manager…
June 22nd, 2008 at 18:33
Grog, your gonna look like a bit of a prat if we go and sign Arshavin now arn’t you.
tbh i don’t care that we haven’t signed anyone except.. you know.. only the most promising young italian.. and thats what the team we nicked him off thought.
just chillax.. Fergie will be pulling all the appropriate strings and come august 16th Newcastle arn’t gonna know what hit them.
June 22nd, 2008 at 18:38
so grognard, you going to have a rant at me, then at the end, confirm what i have said, hehe,
whatever you say, or i say, wait….
Rambo, i have a deep dark secret, im physic.
June 22nd, 2008 at 18:58
@Rambo— Right on mate. The pre- season doom and gloom although a regular thing, is annoying as hell and dumb. Where were you hiding all this time anyway?
No real offence to others…but a united suporter at last!!
June 22nd, 2008 at 19:22
er, grognard, didnt think i’ll every say this, but, you just got owned, and, it was by logical thinking to, good on you rambo, welcome.
June 22nd, 2008 at 19:43
Was just scouting Soccerlens transfers page, and was quite shocked to see that a player who was linked to us has moved elsewhere, a striker nonetheless.
Stevan Jovetic (€8 million, Partizan Belgrade) to Fiorentina.
I thought this guy was one of the wonderkids but apparently he’s not United’s type.
Too bad though.
June 22nd, 2008 at 19:54
[Grognard]
Read my post again mate. Why do you ignore the main point of my post? I said right now, if the league were to start we will still be 1 or 2. Rignt now we still have Ronaldo — whethere he’ll go or stay is not certain whatever we say. Right now Arsenal lost Flamini. Right now liverpool haven’t added to their squad. Only Chelsea have added Bosingwa. Ramsey won’t play this season for Arsenal, tbh. [Note: I am not even talking about Hleb and Adebayor leaving. Just taking all squads as they are right now.] So I think right now, we will be either 1 or 2. Which is why our feelings right now does not necessarily expect us to be paranoid.
Now assume the players that will move will move, we lose Ronaldo, Arsenal will lose Hleb and Adebayor added to their loss of Flamini — did you just realize that their midfield and forward line has been gutted by those departures. Any new players will take a while to settle down. Yet you seem more confident about Wenger than Fergie.
Ok I am a tad optimistic, but my faith is not due to naivety it’s experience watching transfers at United over the years. To give you some perspective, I thought United would do well even after we sold RvN and only bought Carrick — when everyone was baying for Fergie’s blood. It’s because of what I saw when Ruud didn’t play in the 05/06 season.
If I strike you as naive, then allow me to tell you what your comment strikes me as: it strikes me of paranoia — certainly not of realism, not even justified negativity; something I wouldn’t expect from someone as intelligent as yourself. It’s not in anyway better or worse than my opinion, because in essence we’re talking about stuff that hasn’t happened.
I may be optimistic and forgiving right now, but I will worry only when transfers don’t happen and there are not many days left for the season to start.
If I wanted to find fault with everything, then it’s not a difficult job. I like to see things based on how I’ve seen Ferguson do his transfers in the past. And it hasn’t been much different considering the Euros and such this summer.
We agree to disagree here, because there’s no way we are going to agree to each other’s point.
June 22nd, 2008 at 20:01
RR
poor old grog is the biggest pessimist we have over here! In a way it is good to have a person like him! He gives a very different perspective to things.
By any chance Grog are you a Hollywood (or soap opera) script writer by profession
June 22nd, 2008 at 20:09
sell ronaldo for 280 million pounds and have ramos schneider and robinho, if real madrid think they can make more money out of ronaldo they are going to have to pay such an insane price people will almost die, you people will say lets get real that price is just stupid and it is, but here is the reality it is crazy to sell ronaldo so it is crazy for madrid to pay that price. if real madrid want ronaldo and weaken our side they are going to have to drastically weaken their side break the bank to take ronaldo.
June 22nd, 2008 at 20:32
Boring, boring game, as expected the Italians play dirty and get away.
June 22nd, 2008 at 20:39
Dan and R…thanks for the welcome. Love the blog, always read it. Hope to write more too.
June 22nd, 2008 at 20:54
[Rambo]
I apologise if you were ofended, but you seem a little high strung. Chill pill grog.
And don’t be such a sudo-football elitist with dan. He has an opinion too.
This is your first time here, so I won’t be too harsh on you. But apologizing and then calling someone high strung is not on. Or for that matter calling someone pseudo-elitist. See you may think of that about a certain poster, in this case Grognard, but there are better ways of putting things without attempting to rub someone the wrong way.
Keep this in mind.
June 22nd, 2008 at 20:55
Waah waah waah!!! Doom, doom, doom!!! The transfer window is closed, we’ve signed no one, lost our best player, our major competitors (domestically and continently) have all improved, SAF’s lost the plot!!
Oh wait, its not even July yet, none of our major competitors have strengthened significantly, we still haven’t sold our best player and SAF has just won a PL/CL double! Honest to God, get a grip. I think SAF has a better appreciation of how to build a team than most of us half wits, who make our transfer lists up like we are playing FM. But then some of us seem to be better judges of players that a manager who has won 10 league titles and 2 CL’s
Rambo: Well said. BTW I’m sure Grognard prefers ’student of the game’ to ’sudo-football elitist’
June 22nd, 2008 at 21:05
Personally I wouldn’t sell Cristiano Ronaldo yet.
I would put remove the number 7 shirt from his back and stick him in the stands till Christmas to teach him a lesson.
If then he still wants to leave he can do. For £100 million and no less.
Firstly Ronaldo does not deserve to wear the number 7 shirt which so many legends have worn on their backs with pride.
Secondly Ronaldo decided where he wanted his future when he signed a 5 year contract last year.
Thirdly Ronaldo needs to come back down to earth. He wants to play hardball then Fergie can stick him in the stand.
In the end it seems he doesn’t want to play for United and he has detracted from one of the most successful seasons since 1999 to feed his own ego.
I hate you Ronnie. You DEAD for me.
June 22nd, 2008 at 21:53
evryone back off grogy
the glazers also own my us football team tampa bay and after they won the super bowl sold off our stars to buy ManUnited.
AS a fan of united i had a fear they would do the same if we won the cl after seeing them spend so much for players last yr.
so there is merrit to his fears i just hope they are wrong.
June 22nd, 2008 at 22:22
Thank fuck spain won. It would be a travesty of justice had Italy won.
June 22nd, 2008 at 22:42
JB – LOL at your post mate. You sounded just like Fergie addressing panicking and negative reporters in his weekly press meetings on MUTV. I think if United are trying to do business, they are not going to talk about it publically. It will be SAS type undercover operation type manouevre, no one will know until the player is signed and presented to the press on MUTV.
How many players have been reported as being on United’s shopping list or radar?. I think every player on the planet is supposed to be wanted by us. Feckin ridiculous really!. Whoever Fergie has in mind, you can be sure he will not be making it public anytime soon.
Very sad to hear Tevez agent saying that he is unsure of his future, and if it isn’t settled soon, he will have to move on. Don’t you think the agent is trying to use the present CR7 situation to Tevez advantage, and push United into a corner yet again. These agents are getting worse by the day, in trying to unsettle and move players on. This will show whether Tev is truly a Red though won’t it?. Agents – the worse thing that’s happened to football. CR7’s agent will make 10 million if he moves to Madrid. I just wish the whole unsavoury saga was over, and CR7 was away. I do not believe he will help Madrid to win the Champions league as they think. After all, they have not got Edwin in goal to save CR7’s arse when he does his dilly dallying and misses from the spot.
June 22nd, 2008 at 22:47
[Craig]
Tevez didn’t say that. Some “inside source” according to News of the World.
June 22nd, 2008 at 22:52
Oops, I thought it came from his agent though RR. I know I read it in other newspapers in recent weeks too. So I wonder if it is without some foundation. We will soon find out I guess.
June 22nd, 2008 at 22:54
[Craig]
All those papers refer to NOTW in their reports.
June 22nd, 2008 at 23:11
huntelar is not even the first choice for nederlands… Very slow to the point that can ruin our Attacking foodbal strategy which is based on pace, changing position and playing out of box with more than one option…RVN was departed to increse our speed in oponent`s half od the pitch….and look at the result… we are the best team in world now…We have the best players for our type of foodbal but he is injury prone… so…. nani tevez rooney , ronie -maybe and this slowmotion giant cannot be in the same sentence…Just look what other nederlands legends said about him…cannot compete on important matches at all, slow, invisible during the matches and non-creative at all… buy berba … and stop craing for this player
June 22nd, 2008 at 23:13
RR – I’ve read it though in weekly newspapers, that haven’t referred to NOTW. But guess we’ll find out soon enough RR!.
Johnsom, what you trying to relate about the Rooney rants, because I’m not getting it mate.
June 22nd, 2008 at 23:55
where is the optimism folks? We were dubbed to finish fourth when we only bought carrick two summers ago and look what we did…..last year no one knew what was happening with our transfers (except hargo) but in the end they weren’t that bad right? So now is the time when each and every red devil thats out there is a bit anxious(which seems fair)…but that does not mean that we doubt a man who has led this team through thick and thin(mostly thick
)….if ronaldo is acting like a spoilt SOB then be it….I would rather have a players who loves the badge rather than ‘dream’ of something else…..we have had a knack for surviving and this too shall pass….its only the end of june!!!
June 23rd, 2008 at 0:02
Did anyone else Spot Ramon Calderon at the match tonight, Im telling you lads the more I see him and the more i read his quotes Im convinced that he is the Emporer from Star Wars.
He was quoted today in one one of the papers as saying [ everything is going according to to my design] which the Return of the Jedi fans amongst you will realise was the line that the Dark Lord of the Sith used when he was trying to turn young Luke Skywalker [or should I say Puke Skywalker in Ronaldos case] over to the dark side. Seriously lads, picture him in a hooded cloak, I think Im on to something here.
I dont normally get caught up in the whole sci fi make believe nonsense but Im hoping Fergie Wan Kenobi will come to the rescue.
May The Force Be with You
June 23rd, 2008 at 0:05
lol @fred the red’s comment
June 23rd, 2008 at 0:27
Hahaha – Fred The Red, I swear this blog is getting feckin wierder and wierder, we are now into Jedi Territory. Trouble is, I think Luke Skywalker is already as bad as the bad guy, he doesn’t need to be perverted, he’s already there – hahahahahahah – as bad as the badies already – no kidding!. You hope that Fergie can save Ronnie the Luke, but problem is, some people are just un-saveable – haha!.
I am just hoping that Luke Ronaldo Skywalker is off to doomed planet Real Madrid sooner rather than later. Because the enemy within, is the worst kind of enemy, and so is CR7 to the army of the reds. I am glad that he tried to be one of us for a while Fred, but he was found out as not one of us in the end. However I don’t want to hate CR7, but I don’t wish him all the best when Real Madrid is playing us. United forever.
June 23rd, 2008 at 0:55
Thought you might like the wee Star Wars joke craig, but in all seriousness I think SAF has to realise that this has went to far and it would be in our best interests to let him go so we can plan for the future. Our squad is fine and will be competitive with or without him but would be greatly helped by a couple of quality signings, particulary up front. If Ronaldo was staying then I think someone like Santa Cruz could have done a job for us, but if he goes to Madrid then I think we will have to set our sights at the top end of the market and although I still feel positive about things it would definately please me if we brought in 2 or 3 proven top quality players or even a few top class young players like last year.
Arshavin, Huntelaar, Berbatov, Villa or Benzema are the more obvious candidates but there are also a couple of young players that I am keen on that dont get spoken of very much, one is Villas Ashley Young and the other is Rakitic of Croatia who is only 20 and showed some lovely touches whenever I watched them play, I think he plays for Schalke in Germany so maybe Grognard could enlighten us about him.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:27
You know what I am getting sick and fucking tired of on this site? It’s clowns that won’t let people rant whether they are right or wrong or whether what they have to say is popular or not. Fine, if some of you want to call me a pessimist do so, if some of you want to tell me a to take a chill pill do so, if some of you want to refer to my posts as “Waah waah waah!!! Doom, doom, doom!!!” do so. I won’t say that sticks and stones won’t hurt my bones. Far from it. Many of you seem to relish and have field day not so much attacking my beliefs, but attacking me along with it. Am I pseudo football elitist or am I a student of the game? Does it really matter. All I know is I am not the one throwing the snide remarks or the personal insults to anything I am responding to unless I am provoked. Earlier today I defended Schweinsteiger to Dan by claiming that I have seen him play more than 100 times and i feel qualified because of all those hors to make an accurate rating of the player. Dan on the other hand hasn’t seen him play as much. I wasn’t putting him down. I was just letting him know that a few games is not a fair way to evaluate a players’s ability. Was I wrong? That my friends is not being an ELITIST. I was speaking from experience, not superiority.
Some of you are on personal crusades to stifle people’s way of thinking so that it does not offend your sensibilities or pin headed, narrow minded perspectives on how people should view the game or the business behind the game. I’m not giving names so nobody can claim I just threw insults or snide remarks at them. If they think I did, then they already know they are guilty as charged. OOPS! How dare any of you tell me I cannot question Fergie if I damn well feel like it. Whether I am qualified to say squat about United is beside the point. This is a rant site and freedom to speak one’s mind without being personally attacked or vilified is essential. None of us know shit about the game compared to Fergie. Hell, none of us no 1/10 of what a muppet like Steve McClaren knows, but as United fans and as supporters who spend their hard earned cash whether it be game tickets, merchandise etc, we have a right to express ourselves to our heart’s content.
Many times I am just playing the Devil’s advocate to see what others think. It’s based not so much on what I believe but what my inner most paranoid and insecure feelings will conjure up in my mind. Is it possible Fergie is dropping the ball? Honestly, I don’t thinks so but other examples like the ones Nico brought up, Ballack, Ronaldinho, Gasgoigne, and Batistuta are examples where he wasn’t aggressive enough. I am honest when I really don’t trust the Glazer’s and what our true money situation is like. Once Fergie starts buying quality players I will gladly shut up. But as Al put it, I should feel like a pratt if he ends up buying Arshavin. I say that’s not true and it’s certainly unfair. What I should feel like is relieved, overjoyed and justified for my good taste, not my fears and insecurities as a devoted and concerned fan. None of you a bigger or better fans than me. Whether you live across the street at OT or whether you are in China. We are all a brotherhood and we should respect and appreciate each other whether we are always in agreement or not. Our goals and dreams are the same. So what the Hell is the problem here and why can’t some of you find some civility and class when it comes to discussing or debating things with me? It’s always got to come with a snide remark, an insult or a rude sarcastic comment referring to my personality, loyalty, intelligence or temperament. Why do some of you continually continually lower yourselves to the lowest common denominator when it comes to talking with me? By all means disagree with me but can’t you try to do so without having to insult me or my views? are some of you so limited that that kind of polite and respectful behavior is beyond you? Honestly, I’m getting a little fed up with all the crap and what really gets me pissed off is that poor Red Ranter has to deal with this shit and just two days ago he published a major policies post on how we should all act and respond to each other. Not 5 minutes after it was posted did it take an ass clown to come and start insulting and calling me names for absolutely nothing. Unbloodybelievable! I just want to discuss footy. To quote Rodney King, “Can’t we all just get along?”
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:33
RR; Sorry but I read your comment rather quickly this morning and the “right now” part just flew by me because I was in a hurry to go out. You are right. Right now we are OK because the rest seem like they are all in the same boat as we are in. But once we lose Ronaldo, not if, things will decline big time. I have more confidence that Arsenal and Chelsea will improve their squads and not so much for Liverpool. I think Liverpool are in worse financial shape than we are. Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal will buy and improve in my opinion. It is essential that we keep up with them as we are a year older and less the best player on the planet. So perhaps you can see why I am thinking 4th if we do little to change what looks to happen within the week. What everyone fails to see with me though is that I AM THE FIRST to pop if I am wrong and the first to say I am relieved when I am proven wrong. I am not in this to stroke my ego and prove myself wrong. In fact, whenever I play the Devil’s advocate, I am hoping the team or Fergie prove me wrong.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:38
gator; Thanks for the support. Really, it’s much appreciated because t least you get the number one reason for my angst. Many forget that we NFL, MLB or even NHL fans know a lot about the Glazer’s, Gillette’s and Hick’s of the world and how they operate and destroy what they touch often. As you know a lot about the Tampa Bay Bucs and your call name is Gator, I take it you are from Florida and you are a Florida Gators fan, correct?
If so, join the club. Love the Gators.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:45
Fred the Red; I’d like to offer you my take on Rakitic but some on this site would refer to me as a “pseudo football elitist” if I did. After all, what the Hell do I know. You can thank them for my silence. Sorry mate, not your fault! And I appreciate the fact you appreciate my contributions. Perhaps when I cool off a bit.
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:36
Grog – agreed that United could have done more, but I hope you also agree that I think the clincher was Ramsey staying at Arsenal and not going back to Cardiff plus the London life. Agree to disagree, eh?
And for the record – Grog’s knowledge of the game surpasses most others on this site. He can be a biased cunt at times (who isn’t?) but he’s still one of the good guys, so before you go rip him a new one just remember that he’s probably got a very good point, and you’re probably wrong. So try thinking for a change, mmmkk?
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:29
my friend actually pointed this out to me recently. other clubs will not sell their players to United until the Ronaldo debacle comes to a conclusion because of what you said above. so until this whole drama is over, United can’t bite the carrots dangling in front of them. maybe this is also why Tevez is still only on loan? in short, Ronaldo is fucking up our transfer plans, big time.
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:30
Ahmed; Thanks for the support…….I think.
Seriously though, I do appreciate the support. And I’m a biased vagina. Now lets be more PC, OK 
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:57
[Grognard]
Trust me, he’s all support.
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:06
RR; I realize that and like I said to Ahmed, I really appreciate his support as well as others because there are a few on this site, that if given the rope would schedule a lynching party with me as guest of honor.
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:02
Grognard – I think Zhirkov is only 24, so he’s actually younger than both Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko. To me, he could be a very interesting signing, because he’d certainly push Evra. But I doubt, we’re in for a left back.
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:10
[Tomas]
He plays as a left winger. Dubbed the Russian Ronaldinho — so that’s some big expectations of him.
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:15
RR – I don’t know, what I was thinking
I’ve watched all their matches and been very impressed by his performances as left winger lol. Anyways, still think he could be a good signing, but I doubt, we’re in for a left winger 
.
If we were, I’d like Silva just as much.
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:42
Grog, tell us what you know about the croatian player that Fred the Red asked about – PLEASE!.
RR says – Trust me he’s all support. Somebody pass the sick bucket please LOL!. I find all this ‘back slapping’, love trumpeting appreciation society thing a bit girl-ish to be honest. But hey, each to his own. I thought you had decided to stick to talk about United matters only RR.
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:26
[craig]
I never stopped you all from talking about anything as long as no snide remarks/personal abuse are being thrown around. Talk about your girlfried, talk about frogs, hell, not too long ago there was a mini-Irish-Scottish love-in for which I had nothing against. Be my guest.
Tbh I don’t care one bit as long as you don’t get personally offensive. Capiche?
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:29
grognard-can you also tell me about hamit altintop.how many games did he play for bayern?
PS.i find your posts really interesting. I completely agree with your view that suspensions in big tournaments are very harsh and they must go.
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:51
About the unfairness of the suspension rule in big tournaments: Imo it’s an absolutely necessary rule. If you allowed players to get booked in each match without consequence, things could get out of hand. Some players would certainly take advantage of such a rule, and the idea of us missing out on the so-called big players holds no water. Most of the time, these big players don’t get booked. In stead you’d allow free reign for those hard-tackling midfielders and defenders, who put fear in every creative and skillful players out there. Erasing such a rule would not allow us to see more good players, it would eventually erase the type of players, we all want to see. And if it comes at the price of one or two of these big players getting suspended, because they dive or make clumpsy challenges, then so be it.
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:01
RR – tbh, if you go over the GF and the Irish/Scottish convo, it was football related, and I was accused of national bias because I loved the banter in pubs and on the terraces of the Irish/Scots fans, because I have Irish/Scots ancestral roots, and its normal to love ones ancestral inheritance. Well for me it is anyway. But fair point if you saw it as a love in, I can live with that.
As for the Capiche bit, got it loud and clear, and since your article on the Comments policy on this blog, I have tried to do my best to adhere to it. Yet I see that it is being broken day after day, and people who are offended are bringing it onto the blog, when you clearly said that was not to be the case anymore, but to be done thru emails to you. So yeah Capiche, what I’ve got loud and clear that things of policy are not really carried through are they?. Anyway all this oversensitivity and self righteous proclamations of some on this board is pathetic, and schoolma’am-ish reprimanding and rapping knuckles of those of us who are supposed offenders is also pathetic. So I am off to join Connor, and others who have left this blog for pastures where the debating is not mainly monopolised by one hypersensitive person. RB, Fred the Red, Tomas, RealRed, Wakey so enjoyed your posts and debating. See you at the greatest ground in the world, where we’ll probably meet on the terraces sometime, and scream, shout and debate to our hearts content, whether we agree or not.
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:13
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3726049,00.html – Arshavin wants to play in Spain, what a surprise -.- Funny picture though!
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:48
[grog]
Check out the United Rant forum. RR knows what i’m talking about.
June 23rd, 2008 at 14:05
RR – sorry I meant to include you in my end of post people I have enjoyed chatting with on this board. You enjoy the new season and the continued romance with the best club in the world – See you around. Keep up the good blogging.
June 23rd, 2008 at 16:31
Craig – don’t know if you read this, but I can only say likewise. It’s been a thrill blogging with you in here. Sad to see you leave.
June 23rd, 2008 at 16:35
I’ll second Tomas comments Craig, it’s a shame to see another regular leave.
June 23rd, 2008 at 16:42
[Craig]
Cheers. As I said, it’s your own choice that you come here, and your own choice that you leave. It’s a pity you see it that way, but to set the record straight I’ve never discouraged people from discussing about just anything as long as it doesn’t get personal.
Oh well, thanks for visiting. Always welcome.
June 23rd, 2008 at 17:13
Tomas; The problem with yellow cards is the way they are given out and who they are given out too. In a 6 or 7 game tournament where the world is watching, the most vital thing FIFA and UEFA can do to showcase their spectacle is to ensure that the stars are there to play. In my humble opinion, more stars miss big tournament games because of an accumulation of yellow cards than they ever miss due to injury. I’ll never forget the fact that Germany had to play the final in 2002 without Ballack because he got his second yellow against S Korea in the Semi. If you are going to suspend players then modify the rules at least so that players don’t have to miss the final.
I have no issues with a straight red card. If it’s red the player usually deserves it and he should be suspended, but for no more than one game unless FIFA feel his crime is so severe that specific sanctions must be imposed. But to just basically get a second yellow over 3 games in the knockout stage and therefore miss the final is just grievously unfair. 75% of all yellow card fouls are not justified anyway. Most referees are idiots and many wear blinders or have hair trigger tempers and reactions. I have watched hundreds and hundreds of games from the 70’s and early 80’s where yellow cards were given very sparingly. Players did less diving and theatrical crap as well, referees would warn players more before issuing yellows.
I propose a few rule changes that would make it a lot better for the fans and the countries involved. Two yellows in the group stage and you miss a game, thats fine. Once you make it to the knockout stage however, any yellow card you got earlier is of course null and void and then you need to get three more yellows before you are suspended. In the World Cup a player would have to get a yellow in all three games leading up to a final in that stage, and in the Euros, the player would have to get three yellows in only two games therefore, he would receive a red card in the semi before he missed the final.
The game needs it’s stars to be showcased. The game is about marketing and allowing countries a fair chance despite the rules. The rules are often too rigid and leave no flexibility in situations like this. Not having Paul Scholes in the 99 final was a shame but The Champions League is a longer more drawn out tournament as well as a club competition. In the two big international Euro tourney’s the maximum games a team can play is 6 or 7 games. Players need to be showcased and nations need to be given a chance to compete. Suspending key players for aggressive but non lethal fouls or poor behavior should be tolerated a little more for the good of the game instead of catering to the clubs who insist their players are protected because of their financial investment. Fair play is nice but not when it stifles the game and reduces a spectacle due to the absence of great players. Far more players have missed big games in the final of a tourney due to poor behavior than have missed it due to injuries that came from a yellow card offense.
It’s really typical of gasbags running FIFA and UEFA as well as some fans to overreact and in a sense yellow card the entire competition with their bloated fair play ethics and moralistic BS that strangle and punish the game. I’m sorry but this kind of girly crap does not wash with me or many people in the world especially in North America where the game has problems taking root because of nonsense like that. My father who played the sport in Greece and actually apprenticed with Panathinaikos used to call referees “malakas” or jerk offs in his later years for brandishing yellow or even red cards during games. He said they were reducing a game made for men into a dance recital or children being punished by the school master. I couldn’t agree more. You need to have rules and laws to control the game but not to the point of smothering it. And if a player is injured by a poor tackle that should be a yellow. Punish the crime according to the effect it has on the player who was fouled. If that player cannot continue due to his injuries, then maybe a player needs to be suspended. But when you see these blatant play actors cry bloody murder to induce a yellow or red and then get up 30 seconds later with nothing wrong, then why isn’t the yellow rescinded? Obviously no harm was done. Why punish an entire team and an entire nation for a little misdemeanor or the actions of a cheating actor? Just rubbish and the game is poorer for it.
Last week Bastian Schweinsteiger received a straight red card for overreacting to a tackle and pushing the Croation player in the chest. OH MY GOD! Did he hurt him, kill him put him in hospital? NO. Go back and watch the 1968 European Cup Final where our own and beloved George Best was fouled on several occasions and in each occasion he overreacted and pushed th player. Did he get sent off for that? NO!
The game used to be a game for real men. Now the game has become a showcase for little girls like Ronaldo and a bunch of sissy’s at a Gay Pride parade. At least in North America we play the sport like men and don’t require rules that demean us or that ruin the game for the millions who watch it. After all, lets not forget the fact that it is first and foremost, a business, and finally, the game has nationalistic pride and worship attached to it. Lets take the game away from drama critics and give it back to real men. To those of you who don’t agree, go back and watch some games in the 70’s to see how the game should be played and how real men not spoilt little girls played the game. With, pride, poise and dignity and self respect. Booking offenses were few and far between and I never saw the number of injuries to players that are occurring these days. Some people in the game need to wake up and smell the coffee.
June 23rd, 2008 at 17:26
Craig; Sorry to see you leave mate and I’m sorry that you feel I am the main reason for it. I’d have to be stupid not to read between the lines and not realize you were talking about me. I think you misunderstand my intentions and for that again, I’m sorry and it is a shame your contributions will not be around to stir up debate. I am hoping you rethink this through and come back. After all, it’s not like an Irishman or a Scot to cut and run when the fight gets a little dirty. I for one hope you reconsider. I just wished you and some other on this site could see things my way. All I want to do is talk footy and voice my views without getting personally attacked all the time. Really, is that to much to ask for? It’s certainly not worth losing your contributions over. Think about it and cheers.
June 23rd, 2008 at 17:33
Red Ranter; I am very concerned over the intolerance and apparent dislike a number of members have towards me on this blog. If it would please you and others for me to sacrifice my future contributions to the site in order to have others stick around and create a more harmonious environment, then please let me know?
What is happening here is just not right and it has never been my intention to have people quit the site because I defended myself over some unfair and rude attacks. I may be oversensitive at times but I have always tried to consider other people’s feelings above my own except when attacked. If I quit will it be better for the blog? It would be awful for me but if it would prevent folks like Craig and others from leaving, then it might be for the best. If so, let me know.
The welfare and growing popularity of this blog is important and if losing one controversial member like me for the good of the blog’s health is necessary, I’ll do it because I’ve never seen myself as more important or more vital than others and all I ever wanted to do was talk about football and debate ideas, theories and feelings about the club I love and the game in general. Losing members because they cannot tolerate me is not good. Let me know how I should proceed. I fell my contribution to the blog has been a large one and for the most part positive but there have been numerous incidents (and you know what I mean) that have caused friction, problems and strained relations between me and a few other who participate. I’m sure those individuals would love nothing more than to see me leave this site but I for one, would hate to do so. I enjoy it and I especially love conversing with the many who don’t have a problem with me. Still, if it is better for peace and harmony to exist by treating me like a cancer and cutting me out, then I’ll respect and honor your decision?
June 24th, 2008 at 8:57
Grog why don’t you just draw a line under all this and get on with talking about the football, lets be honest it’s what you do best, cos i for one am a bit tired of trying to read what is a brilliant blog with plenty of good contributors only to come across yet another long winded apology/winge about how people cannot agree to disagree or take comments with a pinch of salt. i’m not wanting a reply from this. im just wanting some decent football related banter.. such as what formation we’re gonna be playing next year… who will where the the number 7 shirt.. and which numpty team will take saha off our hands… cheers.