Feb 08
West Ham v Man Utd: Live
Sorry for the delay, there was some extremely important errand that I had to attend to. But here’s the second half:
Related items from Red Rants:
- Tevez Update: Is a Solution Finally In Sight?
- Derby Man Utd: Live!
- Man Utd v West Ham: Preview
- Man Utd Blog 2007/2008 Home Kit
- West Ham v Man Utd: Preview
Tags: Live Blog
February 8th, 2009 at 18:59
Anyone going to commment on here?
February 8th, 2009 at 19:01
if only pompey had held out yesterday!
February 8th, 2009 at 19:04
Another 1-0, but hey its also another 3 points, so I’m happy.
February 8th, 2009 at 19:05
What a fucking goal from Giggs. Brilliant.
Thats all from me, Evening all!
February 8th, 2009 at 19:09
Today was a great example of what a bizarre sport football can be. The deciding moment of the match–Giggs’ brilliant effort–had almost nothing to do with the rest of the match. A corner placed Giggs on the left side of the pitch for one of the only times in the entire match. The ball found him almost accidentally, and he was able to piece together a wonderful goal. His impact on the game up to that point had been almost nil. West Ham had done marvelously to neutralize Ronaldo’s impact from very similar positions on the pitch. It was truly a moment of individual skill plucked out of a stalemate. The only other sport where something like that is possible is baseball, where a pitcher can make one mistake and have it hit for a home run, rendering what he had done previous to that moot. A strange game with a strange and fortunate result.
February 8th, 2009 at 19:26
I was unfortunate to not catch the match live so I will get back to it now. But I am mighty pleased with the result. Anyways, happy for the boys.
February 8th, 2009 at 20:05
Its very amazing to see how Carlos Tevez gets under the skin of supporters (in a positive way) wherever he plays…West Ham still reveres him!!.
About the game, not a bad result but not a game to be excited about…United still running in second gear!!!
February 8th, 2009 at 20:19
@Shyam: Its because Tevez is a man of the people. Most fans can relate to him cause he puts in a shift every time he is on the field. It is refreshing to see a player with a lot of talent, but also has the work rate of a talentless hack. I find it hilarious that he got his car impounded this week for “riding dirty”. When I saw that headline I ust laughed because I couldnt imagine Tevez driving any other way. Tevez is the true peoples champ, Fergie needs to sign him already.
February 8th, 2009 at 20:24
Giggs Will TEAR you apart again!
February 8th, 2009 at 20:27
Just in case some of you never went back to the old thread, heres my review.
I’m just over the moon over the performance level, organization and work ethic that this team distributes. Todays performance was a complete professional job of control that should be used in classrooms to show teams how to play under pressure. A real clinic in brilliance.
Ratings;
EVDS 6/10 Yet another afternoon where he was hardly if ever tested and yet was sharp and alert when he needed to be. Sets another record for shutouts and the beat goes on. Van’t give him more than the default 6 because he really wasn’t severely tested. No fault of his.
RAFAEL 8/10 This boy amazes me with his composure, intelligence and ability to make a big play when called upon. Made some outstanding high pressure tackles and his runs up field gave us the necessary width and options needed to cause West Ham problems.
RIO 7/10 A shaky first 20 minutes but then he settled down and got on the same page with the rest of his back four. Was lucky not only not to get burned by Cole for a goal, but to not get a yellow or even a harsh red. Seems a bit slower and needs to regain his full fitness.
VIDIC 9/10 Yet another master class by the ROCK in defense. Never got a thing wrong and when he was threatened, he took care of business. Deserved his yellow but that was also the time to earn it. The man is head over heels above everybody playing that position in the world.
O’SHEA 7/10 Steady and unspectacular. Just did his job and never really got much wrong other than letting a few good crosses into the box. I only wished he had more pace and imagination going forward as he really hurts Ronaldo’s option with few overlaps.
RONALDO 8.5/10 Say what you like Ronny bashers but today was as close as we have seen all season of the Ronaldo of old. Was in the mood from the start and his dribbles and runs were causing great concern and stress to the Hammers. With a little luck and some better finishing, he might have had a goal and he earned a penalty in the last few minutes of the game that wasn’t called. How often have we seen him not get the call from the refs this season for a penalty or how many times has he been called for a wrongful offside? I was glad he never got a yellow near the end for a foul because he didn’t deserve one. You go the whole game without fouling somebody, you shouldn’t get one for a little hack like that. The color commentator should shut the fuck up regarding his rant about Ronaldo deserving a yellow on that.
CARRICK 7/10 Unspectacular but very steady and defensively tracked back well. Whenever he plays with Scholes he goes into a defensive shell but he still played well enough although we could have used a few runs and through balls today to help us break down West Ham.
SCHOLES 8/10 Never got much going offensively but he was brilliant defensively and especially tracking back and clearing many loose balls in our own box. His distribution was sublime as usual and very composed.
GIGGS 8/10 It would have been a 6/10 if it were not for the best individual goal of the season. He wasn’t horrible but he was hampered playing on his wrong wing. His stamina was great and he was much better in the second half and that goal, well I could write a book on that so I’ll just spare all of you.
BERBATOV 8.5/10 Fantastic performance for a player who hardly had a shot at goal. He worked hard ran at defenders and distributed the ball with great skill. His play near the end line in the 90th that turned out to be nothing was just fantastic and he was caught tracking back a few times today which was nice to see.
TEVEZ 6/10 This may seem harsh but Carlito really never got into the right spaces today. As usual he worked his ass off and you have to love him for that but he needs to get into better position for crosses and 1.2’s. Still, I love watching him when he is hungry.
FERGIE 9/10 He got it right even with Giggs on his wrong wing, it’s better than having Park play. Motivated and prepared the team for a fully commited 90 minutes. Way to go Gaffer.
February 8th, 2009 at 20:34
@Patrick: I don’t know Patrick, I can recall a helmet catch by that prick David Tyree in last year’s Super Bowl that is proof positive that those things can happen in American football too. How about the Emaculate Reception or Staubach’s famous Hail Mary in 75? And being Canadian, I can give you hours of examples of that thing happening in hockey. But I do believe that US football is full of these types of moments. Oh yes, the infamous lateral play Tennessee used to beat Buffalo that has now been coined the Music City Miracle. Soccer is not alone in this respect, but it sure does have a style of it’s own in the way it goes about creating it’s moments of brilliance and wonder.
February 8th, 2009 at 20:36
@Shyam: West Ham owe their survival and ability to still be playing in the Prem to him. They better bloody revere him or else Zola wouldn’t be there and they would now be fighting for their Coca Cola lives.
February 8th, 2009 at 20:51
Well the team was great today, they played with heart and passion and thats one of the reasons United are the best, Tonights game was a hard one for the lads because of the pressure put upon them from the clean sheet record and the fact that its away at WestHam where we failed to get even a point the last couple of times, so well done Giggs showed everyone today that Zidane is nothing and Giggs at 35 is better simply compare their trophies (except WorldCup).
February 8th, 2009 at 21:09
@Grognard: they are pretty interesting ratings. Can’t say I agree with the majority of them. I didn’t think it was a very good performance tbh. Berbatov and Tevez had bad games imo. they didn’t really give us any outlets up front but rather stepped on the toes of the CMs. Giggs was great in the 2nd half. Tracking back, hustle and that goal were all top notch. Ronaldo was inneffective for the most part and Carrick looked off the pace. Rafael was good but not as great as you have rated him.
Overall it was a slightly lackluster side that was out there imo and it took a moment of brilliance from Giggs to get the 3 points
February 8th, 2009 at 21:10
This is a brilliant result for us. Not only was it a chance for us to go top of the table, but we also got a win in London for the first time since March 2008. It will be a moral boost for our lads, and a new record as well. I wonder when I am gonna stop saying that…
Giggs goal was incredible, the turned back the years to Villa Park 1999. It was the break we needed, and what a goal by 35 year old Giggsy! He is now the only player to have scored in every Premier League season. Gary Speed left for Shef United, soooooooo. Congrats Giggsy, and well done.
I can take many interesting points out of the game, but I feel to tired and beat up to do so right now. I will just say that Carlton Cole seemed abosutely brilliant, possibly like an english Didier “Donkey” Drogba. If we decide to let go of Tevez, I think that mr. Cole could be the real deal. Ive seen some of his games the last weeks, and he seems to be playing well. He has a high aggresion level, he is really fast and his strenght is great. Oh well! And Vidic is monster, absolutely unhuman performances from the big Serb. He is not playing as a human, more as an alien or a God!
February 8th, 2009 at 21:49
Thought the team were set up cleverly but was bemused by Giggs and Ronnie being on the ‘wrong’ wings. The supreme confidence of the team was there for all to see. This shut-out run gives them an incredible aura and I think teams are psyched out big time before the game even starts – then they see the wall that is Vidic ……and then that wall moves!
Marvellous goal from Giggs – I’m currently feeling bloated with all the humble pie I’m having to gorge on.
February 8th, 2009 at 22:06
@Grognard: I’d concede the point about hockey–truthfully, I don’t watch enough hockey to even think of it. The difference between soccer and football, in the aforementioned respect, is that Giggs play is the only thing that shows up on the scoreboard. The Giants-Patriots featured other plays that contributed to the scoreline, as did the immaculate reception. I agree that they are singular remarkable plays that seperated the teams in question, but other plays contributed to the final scoreline. Giggs goal was five seconds out of a 90 minute game and the scoreline only represents those five seconds. Nothing else anyone did offensively mattered. I’m sure the same thing can happen in hockey, in 1-0 matches. Or perhaps some football game ended 7-0 as a result of a breakout run or a glorious reception, but not nearly as often as instances like Giggs’ goal happen in soccer. One player can truly win a match, I don’t know that that is the case in football.
February 8th, 2009 at 22:22
@Liam: You have to look at things closer mate. Yes we didn’t score a lot of goals or even create a lot of chances but we played well nonetheless. Our ball retention, focus, work ethic and desire was top notch. It’s not all about just scoring goals. We have played games where we have won by 4 goals and I would say we played like shit.
West Ham is a decent club and they played with heart and soul and are currently in form. Nobody else has been able to beat them for a long time and so I feel we earned a lot of respect for our performance. Ronaldo may not have scored but he worked hard and it was the first game all season where I have seen him drive and run right at opponents. He had a good game. Sometimes you play well like he did and they way Berbatov did and nothing comes of it from a goal perspective. That should not diminish the effort. It was there.
The only other thing I can say is that you don’t have to agree with my ratings but take this with you as food for thought. When I give great reviews, 99% of the time the team and individual players deserve it because I am known for being the Prince of Fucking Darkness. I don’t just go all jolly and happy without a reason. These players must have earned it if a miserable old Grognard gives them credit.
February 8th, 2009 at 22:24
@Patrick: The US football games I gave examples of were all reasonably low scoring affairs for that game. Both teams scoring under 20 points in football is like 1-0 in soccer in my books. But I see your point.
February 8th, 2009 at 22:27
@Patrick: Also, there is more about a game of soccer than just the score. Quite often a goal comes from twenty minutes of setting up a team doing one thing and then surprising them with something else. Ball retention is so vital in this game and so all game I really wasn’t worried that we would ever lose the game. My concern was whether we would make that one breakthrough. Which reminds me about one more thing that United possess that no other team has. Patience. They never panic and they just play their game and wait until their time comes.
February 8th, 2009 at 22:49
Players get sent off on purpose
Who have seen this?
Bennet talking about how proffesional Premier League players get sent off on purpose so they can have a rest. Hidden camera by the way, and I honour the man who did this. Tells us a lot about how immature some players can be. Fuck them!
February 8th, 2009 at 22:56
Nemanja Vidic’s tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
Nemanja Vidic counted to infinity – twice.
Nemanja Vidic does not hunt because the word hunting infers the possibility of failure. Nemanja Vidic goes killing.
If you can see Nemanja Vidic, he can see you. If you can’t see Nemanja Vidic, you may be only seconds away from death.
Nemanja Vidic sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled defending ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Nemanja Vidic kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn’t stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
Nemanja Vidic built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, Nemanja Vidic met all three bullets with his stubble, deflecting them. JFK’s head exploded out of sheer amazement.
Nemanja Vidic has already been to Mars; that’s why there are no signs of life there.
In fine print on the last page of the Guinness Book of World Records it notes that all world records are held by Nemanja Vidic, and those listed in the book are simply the closest anyone else has ever gotten.
The chief export of Nemanja Vidic is pain.
Nemanja Vidic is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
The Great Wall of China was originally created to keep Nemanja Vidic out. It failed misserably.
Crop circles are Nemanja Vidic’s way of telling the world that sometimes corn needs to lie down.
Nemanja Vidic talks about Fight Club.
Nemanja Vidic once ate an entire ream of rice paper and squeezed out origami swans and Mister Miyagi from Karate Kid.
Nemanja Vidic is ten feet tall, weighs two-tons, breathes fire, and could eat a hammer and take a shotgun blast standing.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse actually live in Nemanja Vidic’s nut sack.
Nemanja Vidic put humpty dumpty back together again, only to kick him in the face. Later Nemanja Vidic dined on scrambled eggs with all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. The king himself could not attend for unspecified reasons. Coincidentally, the autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a kick to the face. There is only one King.
Nemanja Vidic is what Willis was talking about
If you have five dollars and Nemanja Vidic has five dollars, Nemanja Vidic has more money than you.
Nemanja Vidic sent JC a birthday card on December 25th and it wasn’t JC’s birthday. JC was too scared to correct Nemanja Vidic and to this day December 25th is known as JC’s birthday.
When Nemanja Vidic had surgery, the anesthetic was given to the doctors.
Nemanja Vidic once broke the land speed record on a bicycle that was missing its chain and the back tyre.
Nemanja Vidic once kicked a baby elephant into puberty
Multiple people have died from Nemanja Vidic giving them the finger.
Nemanja Vidic once tried to wear glasses. The result was him seeing around the world to the point where he was looking at the back of his own head.
Nemanja Vidic ordered a Big Mac at Burger King, and got one.
Nemanja Vidic can touch MC Hammer.
Nemanja Vidic always has sex on the first date. Always.
A Disabled parking sign does not signify that this spot is for disabled people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Nemanja Vidic and that you will be disabled if you park there.
Nemanja Vidic frequently donates blood to the Red Cross. Just never his own.
There is no such thing as tornados. Nemanja Vidic just hates trailer parks.
Nemanja Vidic doesn’t worry about changing his clock twice a year for daylight savings time. The sun rises and sets when Nemanja tells it to.
If paper beats rock, rock beats scissors, and scissors beats paper, what beats all 3 at the same time? Answer:Nemanja Vidic.
Although it is not common knowledge, there are actually three sides to the Force: the light side, the dark side, and Nemanja Vidic
When Nemanja Vidic was denied a Bacon McMuffin at McDonalds because it was 10:35, he kicked the store so hard it became a KFC.
Nemanja Vidic drinks napalm to quell his heartburn.
If you want a list of Nemanja Vidic’s enemies, just check the extinct species list.
Nemanja Vidic has never blinked in his entire life. Never.
If Superman and The Flash were to race to the edge of space you know who would win? Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidic can slam a revolving door
Nemanja Vidic owns the greatest poker face of all-time. It helped him win the 1993 world series of poker despite him holding just a joker, a 2 of clubs, a 7 of spades, and a green number 4 from Uno and a monopoly ‘get out of jail free’ card.
February 8th, 2009 at 22:58
If you woke up this morning it is because Nemanja Vidic spared your life.
In an average room there are 1243 objects that Nemanja Vidic could use to kill you. Including the room itself.
Nemanja Vidic crossed the road. No one dared question his motives.
February 8th, 2009 at 23:01
Re: The defensive record
It’s a widely known fact that we’ve played the top half league rivals already. Taking a quick look at the fixture list, i do wonder whether we can continue keeping vlean sheets right up until the Inter Milan game?
The fixtures we have are Derby Fulham H Blackburn H Newcastle A Inter. Then after w’eve got a nice few games. I actually think, barring INter MIlan, we could continue to keep clean sheets until the Tottenham H game..
February 8th, 2009 at 23:02
@Dan: I hope to god you copy and pasted that from somewhere. If you’ve gone so far as to individually convert Chuck Norris jokes I’d have to question your sanity.
February 8th, 2009 at 23:04
@Dan: LOL! Holy shit Dan, that must be the funniest thing Ive read for decades! Im still pissing my fucking pants. Its a long time since Ive laughed so much, last time was when FSW lost his head. Thanks Dan, that really made my week. Ill never forget those. Truly amazing!
February 8th, 2009 at 23:05
@Patrick: copied and past from 606, certainly made me laugh!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A47205245
February 8th, 2009 at 23:06
@Dan: Honestly Dan, if you made those jokes up yourself you are the smartest guy on earth. EVER! Please tell me you found that somewere else, because if you didnt I will have to come and steal your brain.
February 8th, 2009 at 23:28
@Patrick: yeah you could tell they were Chuck Norris from the start, still funny regardless
February 8th, 2009 at 23:33
@RedDevilEddy: look at any list of Chuck Norris jokes and you’ll find all those jokes
February 8th, 2009 at 23:58
on bbc:
Nemanja Vidic wipes his ass with a Liverpool Shirt!…FACT!
February 9th, 2009 at 2:22
@RedDevilEddy: a buddy of mine’s a ‘Pool fan and he’s part of a group on facebook about Skrtel….
exact same jokes mate..
February 9th, 2009 at 7:57
For me this was the most impressive showing this season. A very tough game historically, I expected this to be a draw and I also expected the clean sheet record to go away too.
The entire team played together in a professional and work-like manner. They not only shut down the Hammers potential but managed a wonderful ball control effort that was reminiscent of the dominating team of the late 90’s.
Rafael was the big stand out for me. Solid on the ball, dangerous in attack and now showing surprising poise and vision for someone so young in years. I really cannot speak any higher than of his performance, a break-out game for him and sadly, probably the the final nail for Gary Neville.
Giggs’s goal was magnificent and provided more evidence that his selection can always be justified, Scholes and Carrick made for a solid if conservative midfield and Vidic and Ferdinand were as tight as the credit-crunch.
Congratulations to EVDS with the 13th consecutive shut-out, but as he was quick to point out in post match interviews, it was the result of the whole team working hard to achieve this end.
Well I haven’t felt this optimistic all season, but the engine is firing on all cylinders and I don’t think we’ve tried 3rd gear yet!!
February 9th, 2009 at 8:11
@Sidharth: The real joke is that they are using that stuff for a clown like Skrtel. The guy is useless and is only qualified to sniff Nemanja’s jockstrap.
February 9th, 2009 at 13:35
@Dan: This was fuckin funny. I don’t care if it was Chick Norris (or Skrtl), it just makes so much more sense being Nemanja Vidic. Thanks.
February 9th, 2009 at 13:46
The game was not very impressive, but that was expected, and in this game particularly, kinda acceptable. The clean sheet was always going to take precedence.
A lot of positives like team defended well, good ball retension, not too many silly passes, nice to see Berbatov pulling his sleeves up, Ronaldo starting to hit top form again, the mutual respect for Tevez and WestHam players/fans (I particularly liked the pre-match hugging), Rafeal really impresses…
To me, the only negatives was that Giggs’ showing was nothing to write home about (for the exclusion of his very well taken goal of course), and both Berba and Tevez had bad games, and also that Fabio was not given a run-out. Even though I understand why not for yesterdays game, I still had this desire to see both him and Rafael on the pitch.
And then the last negative is that I truly and utterly miss Anderson. I’m not sure I can go another week without seeing him play. (strange that I don’t miss Rooney that much).
February 9th, 2009 at 14:14
Im not getting that excited about our defensive record. Our defence has got us out of jail during a period where we’ve been missing some big names, had disruptions to our squad due to injuries, and our main goal threat (Ronaldo) has been struggling for form.
Nothing lasts forever and we’ll concede sooner rather than later. But my hope is that by then Ronaldo will rediscover his scoring touch, Rooney will ensure we create a lot more chances and Evra will give us more penetration on the wings.
These 1-0 games are bad for my nerves. Tense as hell. They remind me a bit of the European games…they are decided by a bit of magic that only we are capable of producing…with our magicians such as Giggs, Berbatov, Ronaldo and Tevez
February 9th, 2009 at 16:04
@Grognard: Its just not West Ham alone. He is one of few Argentines who are loved and adored in Brazil…He have this something about him that make him attached to the supporters!!!
February 9th, 2009 at 16:07
@Aleksandar Macedonia: Correction there – Nemanja Vidic wipes his ass with a No.9 Liverpool Shirt!…FACT!
February 9th, 2009 at 16:13
@Karl: “… I truly and utterly miss Anderson. I’m not sure I can go another week without seeing him play.”
February 9th, 2009 at 16:16
@Dan: Two more you can add…
Nemanja Vidic once played Tennis versus a wall… and won.
Superman wears Nemanja Vidic pyjamas when he goes to bed
February 9th, 2009 at 16:20
Anderson’s offensive force????? He is terrible on offense hahaha look at his record…@RedDevilEddy:
February 9th, 2009 at 16:30
@xWAYNExROONEYx: Depends on what you call an offensive force. I call someone an offensive force if he has the ability to make a team attack. Chances he can create for us. Attacking style we can play. You and others may not consider him an “offensive force” because of his goalscoring. But Ive checked some stats. From the season start in 2007 to when Anderson got injured against Derby, Anderson had participated in many goals. He had been second or third last man on the ball on a goal a total of 29 times. Carrick had 31, Scholes 11, Fletcher 8 and Giggs 23. That means he creates the most chances per game if you consider the amount of games he has played compared to Carrick or Giggs. Is that bad? No, I think it is a wonderful stat. People seem to look past the creator of chances, and instead only look on assists and goals. If there was a thing called assist to assist, Anderson might have ended in first place if he had gotten more games. you think about that
February 9th, 2009 at 16:35
I see your point. This season has been a bit different though. He doesn’t attack much. Always is playing it backwards and generally loses the ball when he has the chance to make a good pass forwards. He works very hardthough. He just doesn’t keep the ball enough for me. @RedDevilEddy:
February 9th, 2009 at 16:53
@ RDE – Who publishes those stats? That’s some serious number crunching
!
Isn’t Ando fit again? Pretty sure he was supposed to be back by now. Will be wondrous to ahve Rooney, Evra and Ando available and fit. Scary thing about Rooeny is that he’ll probably take a month to get going again. Sigh…
February 9th, 2009 at 17:17
@Beachryan: Im home from school and I havent got a lot to do because of my illness. I was just lying in my bed and watching the season review from 2007/08. I counted the times we scored a goal when Anderson was 2nd or 3rd last on the ball. When I was finished I went the MUTV online on manutd.com, and went through the highlights of this season. I know its weird facts, cause I people are often bashing the creative force of Anderson sometimes. I may write all the times he was 2nd or 3rd last on the ball later, Im just a little tired now.
February 9th, 2009 at 17:22
Scolari’s been fired
hahahahahahahahaha
February 9th, 2009 at 17:36
Scolari fired… Chelski really are stupid! Couldnt care less though, Ive heard they just waited for Adams to get the sack so they could hire him.
February 9th, 2009 at 17:43
@Beachryan: As opposed to Ronaldo who is still trying to regain his form. People always say that he takes ages to get back into form. What do you class as form for Rooney? It it goals, assists or general play? Tbh anything’s better than the rubbish Berba and Tevez produced yesterday. We need somebody to get into the box in games like that and Rooney does it more than both Tevez and Berba who yesterday spent about 20 seconds in the box between them
February 9th, 2009 at 17:44
@Traverse: @RedDevilEddy: and Avram Grant is one of the favourites to take over
February 9th, 2009 at 17:51
SCOLARI is gone!
Poor chap
February 9th, 2009 at 18:14
Okey, Ive got the stats for Ando assists/pass to assist. Here goes…
Assists:
Wigan- 4-0. Through ball to Tevez who rounds keeper and scores.
Sporting- 2-1. Wins free-kick for Ronaldo winner in last minute.
Derby- 4-1. Passes to Tevez who shoots in the air on first attempt, but scores on second.
Arsenal- 4-0. Wins header vs Fabregas to Rooney who heads over Lehmann.
Lyon- 1-0. Miss-hit shot falls to the feet of Ronaldo, who scores winner.
Bolton- 2-0. Fouled for Ronaldo free-kick.
Blackburn- 5-3. Plays one-two with Giggs and Tevez before serving Tevez with an open net.
Blackburn- 5-3. Plays threaded pass over Rovers defense to Tevez who hammers home.
Aalborg- 2-2. Through ball to Rooney who scores between keepers legs.
Derby- 4-2. Plays pass to Nani who cuts inside and scores from 25 yards.
10 assists
3rd last:
Wigan- 4-0. Wins ball in midfield and passes to Rooney, who passes to Ronaldo.
Dynamo Kiev- 4-2. Passes to Tevez who wins penalty kick. Ronaldo scores.
Boro- 4-1. Passes to Rooney who passes to Tevez. Apache scores
Fulham- 2-0. Passes to Oshea on left wing who crosses for Ronaldo header.
Derby- 4-1. Passes to Brown, who passes to Tevez. He hammers it in.
Villa- 2-0. Gives the ball to Giggs on left wing. He crosses for Ronaldo who scores.
Arsenal- 4-0. Plays the ball out to Nani on the left who crosses for Fletcher goal.
Arsenal- 4-0. Flicks the ball to Carrick. Carrick plays a brilliant ball to Nani, and he scores.
Roma- 1-0. Gives the ball to Hargo on the right hand side, he crosses for diving Tevez.
Pompey- 1-0. Gives the ball to Evra on the left who crosses it for a goalscoring Fletcher.
Liverpool- 1-2. Magnificent pass over Liverpool defense to a running Berba. He cuts it back for Tevez, who gives United the lead.
Boro- 3-1. Passes to Manucho, who passes to Nani.
West Ham- 2-0. Passes to Nani on the left, he passes to Ronaldo and goal.
West Ham- 2-0. Through pass to Berbatov, and he flicks it over the defenders leg and puts it on a plate for Ronaldo.
Hull- 4-3. Pass to Berbatov who passes to Carrick. He runs to the Hull box and scores off the post.
Aalborg- 2-2. Gives ball to Giggs, who chips it over Aalborg defense for Tevez goal.
3rd last: 16.
Sorry for saying 29 goals, it was actually only 26. When I saw through it again, there was 1 assist that he hadnt got and 2 third last that he didnt have. Cheers, and I hope this may open peoples eyes.
February 9th, 2009 at 18:50
@RedDevilEddy: Did he say offensive farce?
Just messing with you mate. Anderson has a lot of things going for him but offensive football is not his overall strength yet because he lacks finesse and finishing. You cannot be an offensive force with just a power game. Breaking down EPL defenses needs finesse and imagination as well as good old fashioned finishing. Andy does not possess these needed skills at high enough a grade. However, he may one day improve to a point where he is known for his offense. Take away his long through balls and really can you say he does have great offensive skills? Just being with my own assessment. 
February 9th, 2009 at 18:57
@RedDevilEddy: Eddy Eddy Eddy. You are honestly calling a miss hit shot and a winning a free kick an assist or offensive strength? Your pushing it a bit. And some of those passes he gave that led to goals were just ordinary safe passes that Nani and Ronald then used skill to turn into goals. It’s not like the pass made the goal.
I know you love Anderson mate but you can’tt keep building him up to be something he isn’t. You’re just going to have to sit back, be patient and wait to see if he improves the next couple of seasons enough to prove his doubters wrong. I’m optimistic, I think he will. He has pace, strength, aggressiveness and the great ability to shield the ball with his body. He has a lot going for him. Time will tell. But right now he is streaky, inconsistent and certainly not the offensive threat he was unfairly billed as at the time we signed him.
February 9th, 2009 at 19:22
Poor Gene Hackman (aka Big Phil). No respect and no patience on that club. That team is run by a clown and owned by a rich gypsy. If any manager is to have any success there, he has to have complete autonomy from the owner and must be allowed to gut the team and start over. There are at least six players right now who are a cancer to the team’s future and who still play Mourinho’s system which under other coaches has not worked. The players lack the motivation, the professionalism and the fewlxibility to change. Therefore, sell them all. But Roman will not do that because he now has more financial problems than he ever dreamed were possible and I would not be surprised to see Chelsea under new and much more meager ownership within 18 months.
Big Phil never got a fair chance and he stepped into a viper pit. Like Real Madrid, he stepped into a team that is run by Frank Lampard and John Terry and that is very cliquey. No team unity or team togetherness. A team made up entirely of mercenaries of which most had complete loyalty and allegiance to Mourinho. As long as you have cancers like Drogba, Anelka, Deco, Ashley Cole, and even Ballack, you will not win. Ballack was massive last year because Lampard was mostly injured and because Grant made him the leader of the team. Ballack is the captain of Germany and a great player who has been treated terribly by Mourinho and made to feel like a sideshow ever since he arrived. He is not part of the Terry Lampard Clique and things get even worse when you have Drogba there. A very destabilizing force. A whiner, a baby and very unprofessional player who has never been the same since his daddy Mourinho left. Manyplayers have never been the same since the departure of the Special One. Joe Cole is a shadow of himself, Malouda was playing great until Mourinho left. Now he is shit. Ashley Cole is a shitbag who just smells now that Mourinho is no longer around to stroke his fragile ego. Carvalho is half the player that he used to be. Cech is a shadow of the keeper he was before his injury. Anelka may be leading the EPL in goals but 11 of his 14 goals have been easy tap in in my opinion and can be credited to breakdowns of the opponents defense or nice plays by teammates. I give Anelka no credit because I personally think he is a lazy big stiff who along with Drogba have been a nightmare and have turned Chelsea into a “Zone of Separation”.
The only consistent thing that Chelsea have had going for them is that John Tery is still a cunt and gets under the skin of opponents and Frank Lampard is still a goal poacher and offensive center piece of their limited attack. Ballack when motivated and when used correctly can help but his form has been indifferent this season. The team’s bench is a joke. They have not been able to replace Makelele and Essien who was by far the most important and most valuable players during their successful run. Obi Mikel is a dirty slug with zero talent and Kalou is a joke in my books. Honestly, the pride of a few and their home crowd has kept them competitive the past two years. But things began to unravel badly when United kicked their asses 3-0. Their pride and sense of accomplishment was shattered fro good on that day. Their two home losses were not the beginning of the end. That was inevitable. It was going to to both OT and Anfield with high expectations and coming out of there with crushing losses that have demoralized the team.
It’s not Scolari’s fault. There are players who have continued to rebel ever since Mourinho was let go. The attitude on the pitch and in the dressing room is not condusive to success and no manager could have turned things around because the inmates have taken over the asylum. What team would have kept Drogba after his CL final fiasco of last year? Had he played for United that day, Fergie wouldn’t even have allowed him back on the same flight home. Yet the season started with that lingering cancer poisoning the well once again. In my not so humble opinion and speaking as one who is relishing this moment, the time has come for Roman to gut the nucleus of this squad come this summer and rebuild with a new core of players. Fresh from past biases and coming to the team with new loyalty. But I seriously doubt that will happen. Like I said earlier, his finances are severely stretched already. New ownership is what this team needs, than a fire sale. Get rid of the style of play this team is too tied into and get rid of the players who are malcontents, and disruptive forces.
It’s great watching this Muppet Show in full glory. 
February 9th, 2009 at 19:28
@Grognard:
Loving this! The scum just get shitter and shitter!
February 9th, 2009 at 19:40
@edwin: Couldn’t happen to a more deserving Rogues Gallery of misfits. Although nothing and I mean nothing would give me greater joy than to see the day Rafa gets the sack at Scouserville. I live for that day. I so hate that overrated fat waiter that I want his sacking more than our success. And trust me, I want are success a lot. But revenge and hate are powerful emotions to control. Christ, compared to Chelsea and Liverpool, my relationship with Wenger and Arsenal these days is virtually a love in. I respect and almost admire the Voyeur and the kind of football he has brought to the EPL. But Benitez and Chelsea are just scum of the Earth. I am happy for Big Phil. He’s a good man and was too nice a guy to be connected to such a sorry bunch of assholes. He ‘ll land back on his feet soon because he needs a more stable arena in which to do his thing. A national team out there will hire him within a month. Today, Roman did him a big favor. He probably feels relieved. What could be worse than managing Chelsea? Perhaps Pompey, Man City and Liverpool.
February 9th, 2009 at 19:45
@Grognard: totally agree mate!!….Skrtel’s not good enough to be mentioned in the same breath as Vida…
Also this season seems to be getting better and better Scolari sacked!!!. Chelski have lost it…fucking brilliant!!!!
Now all we need is City to get dragged into the relegation zone and Pool to fall by the way side and I think my season will be made…
February 9th, 2009 at 19:57
@Sidharth: The Skrtel thing has just got me laughing so hard because comparing him to a superior Vidic is like saying that Manucho is the equal of Gerd Mueller up front or Roy Carroll is as good a Iker Casillas. It’s ludicrous and yet it just goes to show how rampant mental illness has affected Liverpool fans and how badly they suffer from delusions of grandeur. I mean for God sakes, what have they accomplished since 1990. A fluky Champions League win which is entirely on AC Milan falling asleep at the wheel and an FA Cup they needed penalties and god-like performance by Gerrard in order to survive a humiliating defeat to the Hammers. Other than that it’s been a big goose egg for 20 years. They need to wake up and smell the scouse. Get a dose of reality and realize that at the end of the day they are and only will be a complete and utter mediocrity similar to what Salieri was in comparison to Mozart. And I don’t need to say who Mozart is in the footballing world. We are all so lucky to be United supporters. Can you imagine going through life supporting Chelsea or Liverpool or God forbid, Real Madrid? My stomach turns at the thought of such things. UNITED FOR LIFE!
February 9th, 2009 at 20:05
Right now a lot of people will be thinking that after half a season of Scolari, Chelsea were probably better off with AV Grant. Let me say right now NOT SO. Grant took over a great team and kept them together and semi-focused only because of one man. That man was Steve Clarke. Clarke gave Chelsea the familiarity and stability they needed to survive Mourinho’s sacking last year and his understanding of the players, their fragile ego’s and attitudes and the team’s system went a long way to securing their success and preventing a total collapse. Well, when he jumped ship and went to West Ham, many players just lost it and bottled it.
So who should take over at Chelsea. Hiddink is a good choice and if they really want to go radiacally in a different direction style wise, then Riijkaard is their man. But if they want stability, respect and would like to have the support of the fans and the players, I would shock the world and hire Zola and Steve Clarke from West Ham at the end of this season. Zola has really impressed me and he is loved by the Stamford Bridge faithful as is Clarke. His attitude and optimism and his general respect around the game as a good man and and an up and coming manager makes him a good risk. What’s the worst that can happen? It can’t get much worse for the blues than it did under the highly respected and successful Scolari. I like Zola a lot and so I hope he doesn’t take the job. But stranger things have happened. Who do you guys think should take over at one of our most hated rivals?
February 9th, 2009 at 20:19
@Grognard: We’re sure as hell lucky that as United supporters the club doesn’t take the fans for a ride with regards to unnecessary destabalsing bull shit that fans of Pool, the Chavs and the poor old folk from Madrid (god how i hate those bastards. Was watching Goal 2 the other day on the telly and every time I saw those fags win made my stomach sick) have to deal with.
With regards to ‘Pool I can’t believe all those idiots do is chime on about the 2 things they have over us i.e 18 leagues (which we should equal this year) and 5 European Cups. I feel so sorry that, that is all they can hold onto these days. Those idiots think Carragher is better than Vidic heck they think Carragher’s the best defender in the League…I mean c’mon!! give me a fucking break!!
I honestly hope that the fat waiter gets sacked which would be an absolute dream come true. His footballing philosophy makes me want to puke, and yet those deluded fans actually stick by him and think that Liverpool’s style of football is actually entertaining.
In any case lets rejoice that we are lucky to be fans of the best club in the world…and that Mr. Benitez is a fact!!!!!
February 9th, 2009 at 20:32
@Grognard: YEAH!!!!! And by the way……. I got a new mobile. Nokia 5320 Xpress Music!
RED ONE!
February 9th, 2009 at 20:53
@Grognard: Hey, I just wanted to prove that Anderson has a lot to do in our attacking play. Maybe some of them passes were side passes or support passes, but he also had some throughies. I never said he was anything like Ronaldinho, Kaka or Beckham, getting assist carving defenses open, I just said that he has been very much involved in our attacking play. Carrick is the only other centre midfielder with an involvement over 20 goals. And of cource, I always seize the opportunity if I can talk good about Andy.
February 9th, 2009 at 21:01
I just wonder, who else here on this site has started to like the white away kit? I think it looks great now, especially with the blue shorts. Is it just I who have started to like it, or have you too?
February 9th, 2009 at 21:27
@RedDevilEddy: What I would like to see is away kits that are consistent with the team colors. Today it’s seems like the away kit is used as nothing more than a cheap marketing ploy to sell shirts and make money. The away kit should be red, white and black. I would like to see a white shirt, black shorts and red socks. That would look very cool to me. At least we aren’t wearing those god awful green and yellow kits from the early 90’s. When I remember that kit my stomach starts to rumble. I thought I was a West Brom fan during away games. United need to stop experimenting with colors and styles and just go back to basics and stick to the team color code. Simple as that. There is fewer color groupings that are superior to red, black and white.
February 9th, 2009 at 21:50
@Grognard: NO! Rafa has to stay at Liverpool for as long as possible. God forbid they sack him and hire a competent manager. I mean if I had the resources that he’s had I could have built a PL team from the ground up. He has made something like 30-40 signings since he’s got there and what, 3 or 4 have been a success? KRAP – Keep Rafa At Pool
February 9th, 2009 at 22:54
It keeps getting better!!..Mijatovic to be sacked …Think this is gonna end Ronaldo saga!!…
What next…Liverpool signing Bramble and Djemba-Djemba (for injured Gerrard).. lol
as if they dont have enough crap already…!!
February 9th, 2009 at 22:59
Grognard comment 65, i gotta say the best home kit easily is the 1998/99 red home kit. I was too young to get it when it was the current kit but i got it off ebay a while ago for like a tenner just for show cos i really loved how that kit looked. I liked the collar on it and the umbro sign all the way up the sleeves. Just absolute class really, they dont design them like that anymore. As for the away kit, i liked the black and yellow kit from 95 i think. Shame i was too young to really be around them days cos the shirts then seemed to boss any shirt design now. Its true what u say about the colours tho, some shirts just pick any random colour and then thats their kit. I mean chelsea, when the hell did they ever have the greeny highlighter colour as their kit ever. They are just totally a club that will play in anything for money, i mean atleast we keep our colour tradition usually with the red, white and black and this year blue which we used in the 1968 final of europe. To be fair i think our black kit last year was quality. Thats 1 of the reasons why i started to like barcelona they are just so classy even from how their kit looks with not getting a sponsor and some of their nice kits from down the years. But really, nike needs to get some new designs, maybe bring the collar back i dunno, but for a billionaire company they sure are short of ideas, still better than adidas kits tho.
February 9th, 2009 at 23:10
@Liam: Rafa couldn’t manage an ant farm nor could he even have success playing Football Manager 09 or FIFA 09. I think he missed a career sitting with old Rusian men and playing chess all day over in Red Square. The man is too dispicable for words and I’m willing to risk Liverpool’s improvement just to see the end of him in the EPL. He has ruined and brought down the overall standard of play and class by managing in the EPL. I can’t wait until I say “good riddance to bad rubbish” Belivome, dats a fact.
February 9th, 2009 at 23:12
@Shyam: If one turd leaves Madrid, another takes over. They are in the business of electing total losers who promise insane things and rarely or ever deliver on their promises. Sounds like many politicians I know.
February 9th, 2009 at 23:16
@Matthew: I like their Champions League kit from 1999. I like the rich red color and I have always preferred the white socks over the black ones when they wear the home kit. I hate the present home kit because of the AIG on it but I also hate the white stripe on the back. Fortunately it’s not a yellow stripe because that signifies a coward. Get rid of that noise and also, bring back a collar. I’m in agreement with the 98/99 kit. My favorite away kit actually goes back to 1976. White shirt with black collar, black shorts and red socks. Now thats Manchester United.
February 9th, 2009 at 23:20
@Matthew: My all time favorite kits are Inter Milan (the black and white stripes with black socks and shorts is just class, AC Milan (same as Inter except you trade blue for red), Borussia Dortmund (because they make industrial colors like yellow and black were well together and Germany’s home kit. So simple but just so classy. My all time favorite kit is Ajax hone with that white kit and beautiful thick red stripe down the front and back. Just gorgeous in it’s simplicity.
February 9th, 2009 at 23:22
Latest rumours are that Steve McClaren will be the next Chelski boss.
February 9th, 2009 at 23:32
I miss watching Rio score…
I miss watching United play a game at Old Trafford in sunlight…
I miss watching United play 3 or 4 games in a row winning by more than one goal…
February 9th, 2009 at 23:40
I really liked the 2002-2004 kit. I really like combination and different variaties and forms for style. I really liked the strong red with the black side, and the black shape around the neck.
My favorite away kit is the blue of this season. I love tradition, and the kit means a lot to me. Probably my favorite kit Nike has produced these last years.
I also think the Barca home kit of this season is nice, along with the English away kit(red one), the Brasil home kit(yellow) and Chelsea home kit. i dont like Chelski, but the collar and colour combination on it is great. Had it been a United away kit, with the United mark instead of the Chelsea emblem, it would have been my favorite kit of all time.
But to be honest, I like every kit that has the Manchester United emblem on it. This seasons red, white and blue, last seasons black, and so on.
February 9th, 2009 at 23:50
RedDevilEddy, chelsea really are in a mess with sacking mangers, all down to abromovich, i reckon hiddink is the dead cert if not maybe sven. I remember thinking all along scolari was the wrong decision, i was actually thinking they should have paired up zola with say didier deschamps. Just goes to show you really have to research b4 you just appoint some1, even if they have achieved success elsewhere, i just hope when the days comes with us we take our time, and most importantly give the new man some time too. I would hate to see us turning out like chelsea and appointing some1 every year, pathetic really.
When it comes to us we really need to explore many things. I was 1 of those people a few months ago saying mourinho for next boss, but a few things thinking about it later put me off him. He wastes huge sums of money, plays negative footie (imagine us now all season every season), doesnt promote youth, and rarely buys young player for the future. I hear martin o’neills name banded around alot but he is nearly 60 dont forget, has little to no european experience and will he get the respect of say a mourinho, i dont know. I honestly see no stand out candidate if im honest, unless we take a chance on some1 unproven i dont know who we will appoint. I like spaletti of roma, hes not as defensive as other italians, indeed apparently the formations from last year were apparently taken from some of spalettis tactics, he is young, has good experience but you have to wonder how he will perform in this country. Unexperienced but maybe solskjaer should be considered. In his career no1 had a bad word to say about him, so taking control of the dressing room i dont see as a problem. It is also no coincidence he scored so many goals coming off the bench in his days he could read the game and see where he could exploit it, thats a managers brain. No experience would mean he would be a risk but if paired with a highly rated assistant like a quieroz he could be a big success. Barca took a chance with pepe guardialo (mis spelt) so he could be an option. Only other candidates i can see, maybe lesser standing would be pellegrini (villareal), steve bruce has done a great job at wigan, maybe the current barca boss if he ever left barca (unlikely tho), and maybe even some1 not even on the football radar at the minute.
Sorry didnt want to really turn this into some next manager thread but i guess i kind of have, so sorry but my main point was when the day comes and we have to replace ferguson we need to take our time and get the right man and give him time so we never end up like chelsea.
February 9th, 2009 at 23:57
I have a silly American question: do managers have final say in personnel matters in football, or is there a General Manager type that handles personnel?
February 10th, 2009 at 0:06
@Matthew: I feel that when Fergie retires(God forbid!), we will go for some former heroes. Somebody who can keep the legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson burning. We have Steve Bruce, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Roy Keane and possibly Ryan Giggs or Bryan Robson too. I think if we go for former players, we will not choose one but two. Weird as it may sound, I think Ferguson(who is said to be the one who chooses the next manager) will pair two different personalities. Maybe a combo of Keanos motivasional tecniques and Oles tactical eye. But my favorite is possibly David Moyes. I dunno how old he is, but I doubt he is more than 55. He has a good mentality, and he can make unknown players heroes. Just look at Cahill, Fellaini or Arteta. He also invests in youth and is not afraid to give them a chance(Rodwell and such). He may be a good choice.
February 10th, 2009 at 0:29
@Patrick: It depends on the team and the manager. If you hire a Redknapp or a Ferguson, you better be willing to let them have full control and to then delegate duties to others like the GM. There is no doubt that Redknapp is now running his own ship at Spurs and has demanded that Levy stay out of the day to day affairs. Just give him his yearly transfer kitty and leave him alone. Fergie is God and creator at United. On the other hand Rafa is constantly in turmoil of Rick Parry and his meddling and such. Wenger runs his own ship at Arsenal and has the blessings of the board but few others have that kind of control. It’s mostly about the reputation of the manager and the tenure he has had. It also has a lot to do with the owners and their ego’s and need to meddle. We are lucky at United because the glazer’s leave Fergie alone and let him run the club. Sure we might not have the transfer funds available that we once had due to the debt, but for the most part, Fergie has autonomy. And it shows on the pitch doesn’t it? We are continually successful and there is no lack of discipline, control or mutiny on this club. No Drogba’s allowed to sit on the bench and poison the team. PLayers like that (Beckham, Stam, Keane and especially RVN) are shipped off as soon as there is trouble. Nobody crosses the Boss, right or wrong. Fergie’s word is the law and even the GM abides by his rules. Yet another reason to be a content and satisfied United supporter. Hopefully his successor will be chosen and allowed to have the same amount of control and maintain discipline without meddling owners and GM’s making things difficult.
February 10th, 2009 at 0:38
@RedDevilEddy: We need a tough as nails disciplinarian who spits on egos and who knows how to handle players delicately enough yet, keep things loose and fun. Amazingly, Fergie does all these things despite running a tight ship and demanding a strong sense of dedication, loyalty and professionalism from his players and staff.
There are many managers I like but few that have the tactical, technical side of the game, are friendly and outgoing but who also know how to wield the hammer. I honestly like Zola but he is too inexperienced and to be honest, he comes across as too nice a guy and far too respectful to the opposition. Part of Fergie’s greatness is knowing how to play head games with opponents managers, players as well as his own. Nobody in the history of the game has ever done that better. Mourinho is pretty good at it but he lacks two must have traits to manage United. Loyalty and offensive attacking football philosophy. He is too cautious and lacks the confidence and the courage to let his teams play the way United have played historically. A must have trait.
How do we replace Fergie? it’s impossible to do. There isn’t a man on the planet that has the chops or the resume that compares with SAF. So we must prepare ourselves for the inevitable. A team that will struggle for a time in transition until the right man at the right time takes over United for all the right reason and with the right stuff. I hear Tony Adams is available.
February 10th, 2009 at 0:44
@RedDevilEddy: Moyes is only 45!
February 10th, 2009 at 0:48
@RedDevilEddy: Combos don’t work for a big club mate. Egos get in the way. You need to have a head man and a guy who knows his damned role and accepts the role of assistant. Queiroz was great at this because he never let his ego get out of hand. You cannot knock him for accepting two dream jobs as no promises were ever made to him from united for the future.
If I was to choose a man right now with everyone out there that is qualified to manage the team, I would rather stick my head in the sand. Honestly, who comes close to Fergie? I love Steve Bruce but i don’t know if he has the offensive tactical or technical knowledge and savvy to keep this team functioning in an attack oriented manner and still make them succeed in Europe. My favorite managers are successful taking poor sides and improving them and having them play way above their payroll. That does not make them qualified to manage a super club with a big payroll, multiple egos, depth and an attacking philosophy.
Bruce, Moyes, O’Neill, are my main guys. Mourinho wouldn’t be terrible choice but we would have to get used to winning in uglier ways than we have for a good part of this season. I like the work Juergen Klinsmann does but his methods are to new wave and radical for an old school team like United. I think Klinsmann could have done wonders with Chelsea or Spurs though. I give Bayern credit for deciding to venture into Klinsy New World Order with their old school and highly successful team. He’s done well but I think the best is yet to come. His changes and philosophy in tactics, training and motivation take time to start really paying off. United doesn’t have that kind of time. We demand success and awesomeness immediately.
February 10th, 2009 at 0:49
@Traverse: Youth is a great advantage. United are used to considering their manager as one who will take the job and stay for a long time. You can’t go selecting a guy who is 55 or older.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:04
@Grognard: maybe Fergie’s just let Queiroz out on unofficial “loan” for a few years to prep him for the TOP job?
February 10th, 2009 at 1:09
well, i finally got the privilege of watching my first united/english football game on sunday,
all i can say is it lived up to what i expected it to be.
the atmosphere is crazy! although it wasn’t at old trafford, I have to pay respect to the west ham fans, they sure make it hard for visiting teams.
but 2 things made the day special, giggsy’s goal and hearing the united away section singing away from the opposite side of the stadium loud and clear.
friggin brilliant,
and doesn’t compare to the footy games here in sydney
February 10th, 2009 at 1:54
The real problem with Chelsea is Sclerosis. Ferguson has always known the right time to break up a team and been successful in building a new team. Chelsea have had more or less the same personnel for six or seven years now and many of them are past their prime, have lost their ambition and are more interested in feuding and trying to get back together with Jose.
Fergie sells when a player is past his prime, unless he knows that player has the sort of character and quality to make a continued contribution and keep the United tradition alive. Guys like Giggs, Neville and Scholes who never lose their hunger or desire. But the core of our team has always been young players who want to achieve great things.
We sometimes forget how lucky we are to have a young squad that is so full of quality and for the most part is full of great characters who love United and love each other (in a non-gay way).
Of course we do have a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. But the guy is so good that it is difficult to let him go and this appeasement strategy is the worst of two evils. If we keep him till Fergie retires that will give Tosic/Nani the chance to develop so we at least have a threat on one of the flanks, and hopefully a young talented right winger will emerge in a couple of years and we’ll snap him up.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:31
@phoenix red: Well based on the way Portugal has played, he’s officially losing any chance of getting the job. He would have been better off staying put, don’t you think?
February 10th, 2009 at 2:35
@colver: It works for United because the management, GM, players, staff and local media respect and in some ways fear Fergie and understand the fact that it’s his way or the highway. It’s taken many years of hard work and success to get to that point in one’s career where you will get that from everyone around you. It’s unfair to others to even compare them with Fergie. He is one of a kind and they broke the mold when he was created. Hwe truly has what is called the midas touch.
February 10th, 2009 at 4:11
its been a while lads, how goes it? Everyone enjoying life in their respective corners of the world I hope.
February 10th, 2009 at 4:13
@Grognard: After hearing about Big Phil getting the sack, from Sportscenter no less, the second thought that popped into my head (the first being HAHAHAHA) was, Wow players are going to hit the door running this summer!! And, to that end, I would like to get your opinion on this. I just posted this over on ROM so I will copy and paste…
And, I’m being dead serious when I ask you lads this, what do you think about going in and saving Essien from that sinking ship?? I know he probably doesn’t deserve it because he followed the cash instead of signing for United, the team who he previously went out of his way to tell anyone who would listen that he was a huge fan of, and how Keano was hero growing up and how the Champs League game at OT with Lyon was so special to him etc etc, but I say we could forgive him for that. I mean hell, he was a 22 year old kid who I imagine came from poverty, maybe even poverty of the worst kind in Ghana, so it might be hard to turn it down when that kind of money is thrown at you. I just think he is an f’ing monster of a center midfielder that would add a strong center to any side in the world. And maybe he would feel like he needs to endure himself to the United fans for his past indiscretions so he would play even harder for us. And in my opinion he has never really done anything abhorrent at Chelski like the rest of his teammates. He is strong as an ox in the tackle, but he doesn’t come in late like Mikel. He doesn’t dive like Ballack. He doesn’t really bitch and moan to the ref like Tiny Tears, he just gets on the game.
Thoughts?
February 10th, 2009 at 4:32
@Patrick: And to add to what Grognard said, this whole concept of having a General Manager/Sporting Director/Director of Footballing bollocks is more a trend in continental Europe. The purpose of that, as in American sport, is to have a guy that oversees and implements the vision of the club. He’ll get the players and the coach brings the best out of them. While it’s been successful in clubs like Barcelona and Madrid, more often than not, it’s always ended in tears. I’m personally not in favour of having someone to overrule what the coach wants. In football, like life, we always have our favourites and when disagreements and egos come into play the whole structure crumbles. Jose didn’t like the meddling of Arnesen and Grant (and Roman) at Chelsea. Juande Ramos had countless falling outs with del Nido (of Sevilla). Valencia are a joke as far as power struggles between managers and sporting directors go. And you are seeing it in Tottenham more recently.
Anyway, giving managers freedom to do their thing has essentially been a British thing historically. Most English managers have an aversion to the continental system and like to do their thing. Most successful managers in England were given free reign — be it Matt Busby or Bob Paisley. The problem right now is there is a lack of patience in most clubs because so much is at stake.
February 10th, 2009 at 4:34
@Drew Vader: If I got Essien, I’d sell Hargreaves and anyone else vying for that spot in a heart beat. He’s everything I need from a box to box central midfielder and is truly one of the most likable characters in the odious Chelsea dressing room.
February 10th, 2009 at 4:42
@Red Ranter: Hell yeah RR I’m glad you agree with me on it. I mean, he is 25 and could give us 6 to 7 years of an absolute rock in the middle of the pitch. I mean, CraigMC has been begging for some steel in CM this year and Essien could be perfect!!!!
I probably should have thought before asking Grognard however due to his loyalty to Hargo. Which, just to be clear, is a awesome that he will go to great lengths to defend a player he obviously holds in the highest regard. But, and again, just to be clear this isn’t meant as an insult to Hargo, I just think a fully fit Essien could be the fucking MAN for our Center Mid. We might even be able to get him on the cheap relatively speaking if he demands an exit. Although, to be honest I don’t really see that in his character. Just another reason to like him!
February 10th, 2009 at 4:54
@Drew Vader: Interesting perspective Drew. Personally I don’t see it happening for a couple of reasons. First off, Essien would cost more than what United would be willing to pay for that kind of player. If they have plans of buying Valencia from Wigan and possibly buying Tevez contract completely or getting totally delusional and going after Benzema, I just don’t see them going after Essien. Especially if they get a Healthy Hargreaves coming back. I also don’t think it will happen because I do not see a team like Chelsea ever selling to a major rival like United. It’s just not done unless it’s for a small fringe player like Silvestre. So although Essien would be a great pickup, I see a less than 5% chance of that ever happening. Sorry to burst your bubble.
It’s going to cost them 20 million to buy Valencia and then who knows what happens with Tevez? Those have to be the two main priorities for Fergie this off season as well as preventing Real Madrid from poisoning Ronaldo once again.
February 10th, 2009 at 5:04
@Drew Vader: Yes it’s true that I love Hargo but Hargo also comes with a big question mark.
Will he be fully recovered and will he regain his full ability and pace? If so, I will stick by him. Is he as good as Essien? Not even close. Michael Essien is the best two way midfielder in the world. I hate the fact he plays for Chelsea but the man scares me with his ability. I love Hargo and Hargo brings an awful lot to the table himself that’s positive, but he is no Essien. Essien is Makelele in his prime defensively and a young Scholes offensively. No better box to box player int eh game and a real world class talent. But as United, do you buy him when you already have a great DMF albeit not as great coming back? I don’t think you do. Fergie needs to figure out who his #3 striker is going to be, Tevez or somebody. Then he seems bent on getting Valencia. Knowing how we have struggled in the past two years to come up with mon ey to buy players like Berbatov and then Tosic and Ljajic, I wonder if we have a transfer kitty of over 60 million to allow us to also buy Essien. I don’t think we do. But like I said earlier, It’s all pointless because I do not see Chelsea ever selling him. If he was to become a free agent then possible, but unless I’m wrong, that isn’t the case.
February 10th, 2009 at 5:35
@Grognard: Yeah you’re probably spot on Grog. It was just wishful thinking on my part.
February 10th, 2009 at 5:55
@Drew Vader: Honestly, it’s one of those situations when I’d love to be proven wrong. Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope things unravel enough at Stanford Bridge where certain players will demand out. I see Italian clubs and Real or Madrid going after him too though. They are relentless and have more spending money.
February 10th, 2009 at 13:11
@Grognard: I wasn’t been too serious there
February 10th, 2009 at 13:17
Michael Essien is pure class, no doubt, there will be big demand for his services should he leave the rentboys, although any manager taking over would definitely want to keep him
February 10th, 2009 at 13:31
Chelsea won’t sell Essien. Besides amazing as he is, he does seem to be injury prone and the modern game is so perilous I prefer to avoid players with a track record of injuries. Drogba and Malouda will be first out of the door.
You make a good point though. Hargreaves may well never recover full fitness and will probably have to be limited to a game a fortnight or something. Giggs will run out of steam. Fletcher is mediocre at best. Anderson just isn’t developing and while a run in the first team will help I think he is a year or two away from being a fixture in the first team. So I think our priority is a quality central midfielder.
We should be grateful for the Glazer’s. Abramovitch may have outspent us during his early years but he’s pulled the plug on Chelsea and their squad has rotted without injections of fresh blood. The Glazer’s have given us more than any of our chairmans in the past and seem to be in it for the long term. I also take a certain pride that we buy hot young talent and develop it rather than just snapping up whichever big name is flavour of the month. We also rarely make a bad signing anymore (although the jury is still out on Anderson and Nani). Compare that to all the flops at Real Madriid.
February 10th, 2009 at 16:24
@Grognard: IMO Once Fergie retires I would like to see the following management team at United
Manager : Moyes
Assistant : Solksjaer
We have a good tactical manager and a good AM who knows the legacy of the club and have the experience of working with the players the United way!!
February 10th, 2009 at 20:06
@colver: I think Drogba, Malouda, Ballack, Anelka and possibly even Carvalho will all be gone. I also think Joe Cole may go if it ends up that they want Quaresma more.
February 10th, 2009 at 20:14
@Shyam: Yes but how would Moyes do with a super club full of talent and offensive options? How would he do playing against the elite of Europe? One of the risks with taking on a successful smaller club manager is his smaller way of doing things. This guy knows how to get the most out of nothing. PLaying defensive tactics and managing a team to possess patience and discipline and try to scrape out a 1-0 win or a draw. That’s not good enough for United. I would want a man with an International track record, an ability to communicate, lead with discipline and confidence and know how to manipulate the media and the opposition with his well thought out responses and comments. A man who is a good judge of talent but who has the ultimate of ambition.
I’m afraid that Moyes, O’Neill and Bruce are great managers but are all small potatoes when considered for Fergie’s job. Until the right man does show himself or becomes available, then I think we need to keep our fingers crossed that Fergie sticks around. In two or three years the managerial landscape may look completely different when it comes to candidates. So I think we need to drop the thought of a replacement until we get closer to Judgment Day. Right now, there is nobody who is good enough to replace Fergie. We need to wait and see.