Jul 12
What purpose does United’s youth system serve?
Fraizer Campbell is the latest in line of the more prominent youngsters deemed not good enough to make the grade at United. He was sold at £3.5m (which could potentially rise to £6m). Financially, I think we sold him a bit on the cheap when Hull were prepared to offer up to £7m as a one time fee. But the fact is, here we had a player we got for free through our academy, and made a healthy sum on him.
But he clearly wasn’t the first of his kind.
More prominent among the players that left include the likes of Giuseppe Rossi, Gerard Pique, Kieran Richardson — each of whom left for fees in excess of £5m. Other lesser names such as Dave Jones, Lee Martin etc have left for smaller fees which still add up to a significant sum — or as our owners would like to say, profits.
Not accounting for members of our class of ‘94, the folks who have come through our youth system and over the age of 24 are:
1. Wes Brown
2. Darren Fletcher
3. John O’Shea
Of course, I am talking about players who’ve enrolled as trainees at our club, or come through the academy. But modern youth systems in England don’t necessarily function in a way to find enough talented local lads that grew up within a 90km radius of the club. Which is why clubs like United look elsewhere in their efforts to stock up on promising kids. Last season we added Davide Petrucci from Roma; prior to him we got Frederico Macheda from Lazio. Giuseppe Rossi was lifted from Parma’s academy. Rafael and Fabio da Silva caught the eye in a few games for Fluminense and were bought immediately. And Rodrigo Possebon was signed even before he made a first team appearance for Brazilian side Internacional. Each of these players were signed on for little more than a song, whilst the occasional flashes of young British talent like Welbeck, and Jonny Evans continue to rise up the ranks.
This season we signed a 15 year old kid, Scott McGinty, from Charlton and 16 year old Empoli product, Albert Massacci. We were briefly linked to Brazilian centre half Dodo, whilst striking a deal with a Brazilian youth football factory, aptly titled Traffic Football Management (specifically Desportivo Brasil football club).
With United’s current squad depth, it is obviously quite hard for players to come through to our first team unless they are exceptional. Those that do, like when Rafael broke through, they pay off the faith the scouts and coaches have in them, and are hence useful additions to our squad.
Loosely speaking, Ronaldo at 17 could be classed as a youth acquisition and at £12m, was really a steal. However, Wayne Rooney at £27m was quite pricey for a teenager, but financially speaking, his value is likely to be way higher than we bought him for, for quite some years to come. [Not that I'm saying we are going to sell him, mind.]
However, tie all these in with our policy on buying players under 26, and we can see a business plan right before us. Now, a rigid policy of not buying over 26 is not always ideal, but more often than not, it wouldn’t make financial sense either, but I digress.
It seems rather clear from all these recent acquisitions that United have stocked up on enough highly promising youngsters not necessarily in the hope that everyone breaks through; it would be nice if most of them indeed do break through, but that would be naive.
With the way the Glazers have run the club, with a now clear mandate on transfers, there is sure to be a clear cut policy on young players. We don’t see Ferguson trying to be sentimental with young players, hoping they would come good at some point of time. If a player seems to be static he will, more likely than not, be culled. Gerard Pique was a promising player whose departure disappointed a lot of United fans. But the manager saw selling him a good piece of business, and he rated Evans over the Spaniard. Barcelona would be happy with Pique, but they would obviously be disappointed to be buying back a player they ‘produced’ from their academy.
This may not appear anything out of the ordinary for many readers; after all, clubs do bring players through the ranks, and some of those players have to be eventually sold. But there seems to be a purpose with the way United seem to be stocking up talent. Arsenal have made this a major part of their business strategy, but United’s first team squad is a blend of experience and youth that’s geared towards winning trophies and not necessarily to ideals that Wenger’s sides profess.
So what purpose does our youth system serve?
If it’s not already obvious from the rambling above, here it is again: United clearly have a buy-small-sell-big strategy (if the player isn’t good enough). And that is the modern youth system for you in a country that restricts player movement under a certain age. So far the results have been a mixed bag in terms of players that make the first team transition. But it almost always seems to be making good business sense. Sending players out on loan to decent leagues, like Rodrigo Possebon’s loan spell to Braga for the upcoming season, are ways to increase the value of the club’s assets. Doubtless, if Possebon has a good season for Braga — which, by the way, will be playing in the Europa League this year — it will immensely help him make strides on his game as well as, from the United executive hierarchy viewpoint, increase his resale value.
Foreign talent are more likely to be coveted by clubs abroad, than English players coming through. Which increases the saleability of our Italian and Brazilian kids.
Win-win situation it could be, but we must also be sure not to be sucked into a Wengeresque stubbornness where we begin to reject obvious, mouthwatering talents just because they are beyond a certain age. It might be sad for a fan to see kids coming through our system only to be sold, but it is a part of reality in modern football and is bound to only increase in significance, especially for our club.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Fergie Ensures United’s Kids Get Knocked Out
- The Red Exodus | Rio Sure of Ron | Neville v Brown and Other Tales
- Is Manchester United’s Youth System Redundant?
- United to overpay for Valencia this week?
- The Hargreaves Situation
Tags: Opinions/Columns
July 12th, 2009 at 11:26
Hope welbeck is different…though.Evans is definately going to make it though
July 12th, 2009 at 11:35
Well its all about Money and Success brings Money, Arsenal are proving that relying soley on young talent coming through the Youth system doesn’t quite get you there. The initial Utd batch made it because everything was new and Utd’s journey to regular success under SAF was just beginning. It may change in the future, more for political reasons than the money. It won’t change for a while yet!
July 12th, 2009 at 11:45
Evans will make it, he will be ferdinands successor.
Welbeck will make it, when berba turns 29 and owens in his 30s, welbeck will be first choice i reckon.
Gut feeling that macheda will be a rossi and leave…
Might be that welbeck plays on the wing, rooney and macheda upfront. This could happen, you never know.
Overall, welbeck and evans are certs. Macheda maybe not.
Also, i believe that morrison will be breaking through, not this season, but next. I have high hopes for him.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:50
Of the ones we have sold I think that Rossi was one of the few mistakes together with, may be, Pique. All the other ones were not Utd material. Of the current crop Evan is almost certain to become an established first team player and there are hopes but not more than that for Wellbeck.
We seem to be good at producing squad players decent lower tier EPL players and Championship players but we haven’t produced any oustanding player since the class of 94.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:52
GR8 ARTICLE MAN.Atleast some good article are here to read.
yeah u are right money is made out of these youth player. but to be frank whichever players man u sold were never good enough to play for man u(yeah apart from pique).
But now i think there are some gr8 players coming through who will be representing man u for a long time eg macheda petrucci welbeck gibson evans to name a few.
July 12th, 2009 at 12:11
You are quite right RR. That is unfortunately the reality of the modern day youth system. They are just factories which produce talent that is to be sold off. None moreso than the South American ones; Douglas Costs for £20m?? I wonder how much net profit those South American Teams/Academies have made so far, it must be a ridiculous amount.
Like you said, we are handicapped by the fact that we can only pick up local English talent within a 90km radius as there is only so many worthy of a place in our academy. Luckily, we’ve found some and even if they didn’t make the grade, most have gone on to have somewhat successful careers. This is the main reason I have no qualms with the way we sell off our youth products, Fergie always tries to place them in the right stead (or right club) in which to continue their careers; Pique, Rossi, Campbell, Bardsley etc
Also, the foreign influx is partly a result of the handicap placed on us by the FA. Although, we have managed to stumble on a way to benefit from this handicap, which is getting these young players, developing them, selecting those who make the grade and selling the rest off for tidy profits. A bit harsh one might think but this kids are given a fair chance of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. If they make it, they stay, if they don’t, they are sold to the right club which would further their careers, while being able to have Manchester United on their resume. A win-win situation for both club and player.
Finally, I don’t believe Fergie would fall into Wenger’s trap of bringing in just young talent and forgetting the rest. Valencia was a prime example; Berbatov also. We invest in youth and when Fergie sees a spot in the team youth cannot fill, I’m sure he’ll still go out and buy the experienced star who can fill that spot. (No one mention, ‘why not Aguero then?’ he might not be what Fergie wants or United need, ok!!
)
July 12th, 2009 at 12:18
@frankie: But that’s because it’s been a long long time since we threw a kid in at the deep end and made him step up, like we did with ‘94. Those players had to turn it on week in and week out and they did. They were a tight unit who knew how to play together.
We don’t give the kids a chance anymore. Campbell was never given a chance at OT. Welbeck is getting pushed out to the wings for no reason, and he isn’t being given a chance. Macheda probably won’t be given a chance despite his knack of important goalscoring. Gibson and Possebon will never be given a chance as long as Giggs and Scholes are around which is why Possebon is off on loan all season.
Foster’s 26 and still hasn’t really had his chance!
July 12th, 2009 at 12:19
is costa any much better than welbeck at the moment I do not think so
July 12th, 2009 at 12:20
@Gabriel:
There is definitely a “business” element to our youth policy which is allied to strategic planning. The “homegrown rule” is a major factor.
Ferguson has gone on record as saying we cannot just rely on our traditional youth system hence the targetting of young talented foreign players aged between 16 and 21.
Also he has criticised the 60 minute and 90 minute rule which in this era of globalisation is archaic. This rule also benefits more the clubs based in the Midlands and South.
July 12th, 2009 at 12:56
The only young player I regret offloading was Rossi. If Fergie had got wise to the merits of squad rotation, he could have kept Rossi happy and there would have been no need to buy Tevez.
The others were surplus to requirements and as ambitious youngsters not willing to sit on the bench all season. But we should have got double or triple the transfer fee we got. You would think there would be an auction for players the quality of Rossi, Pique, Campbell……which should push up prices to the right level.
Ive got nothing against our buying foreign youth policy. English youth is overpriced and if we can poach foreign youngsters for nothing it is a win-win.
But we need a rational development strategy. What would be ideal is if the English league was like the Spanish league where we could have a B team that we could enter into a lower league.
Loaning is a bad strategy because there is no guarantee the club will play them. Even Rossi rotted at Newcastle before he got his big break in Serie A. Same with Campbell at Tottenham.
July 12th, 2009 at 12:59
By the way what do people think about the Et’oo rumours. Barca are buying Villa. City are out of the running. He’d be available for £18 million. For that you’d get a player (albeit a mercenary) who will score a lot of goals and have the pace to fit nicely into the 4-3-3 system Fergie likes to play in Europe. Yes he is over 26 but we’d get a couple of good years out of him then we could sell him to make room for Welbeck or Macheda. Yes he is a whiny bitch, but Fergie is better at man management than the Barca staff.
July 12th, 2009 at 12:59
I think macheda has a better chance of making it to the first-team than welbeck. We have loads of players with potential in our academy side too.
July 12th, 2009 at 13:18
@Faizan: but hes not the better player
July 12th, 2009 at 13:23
@Dan.
i dont agree with u man macheda is better than welbeck.
July 12th, 2009 at 13:25
Crikey, I’ve just had a look at our net transfer spend since 2004/05.It currently stands at approx. £27m which is almost £5m a year… positively Wenger-esque. Of course this is grossly distorted due to the Ronaldo sale.
July 12th, 2009 at 13:31
Right, changing the subject a bit, i just wanted to know something.
To all those who will be buying fifa10, with the manager mode revamp, transfers are now harder to pull off according to EA, you wont sign the likes of torres for £25mil, and sell players like ronaldo for £100mil anymore. Its realistic.
So my question is this,who will be your first, and second signing?
My first will either McGeady or young, my second being a Goalkeeper(they always rate foster mid 70s)
How bout you?
July 12th, 2009 at 13:32
Those fuckers at Goal.com are writing a piece on the United team of the decade or some crap like that. Anybody here wanna have a go at it? ‘It’ being naming our team of the decade…
July 12th, 2009 at 13:43
@Andrei:
Van der sar
Neville ferdinand Vidic Evra
Ronaldo scholes carrick giggs
Rooney RVN.
July 12th, 2009 at 13:47
My england team of the Decade
Foster
Neville ferdinand terry cole
beckham Hargreaves Gerrard cole
Rooney Owen
July 12th, 2009 at 13:54
@Dan: Have to
completelyalmost agree with that.Van der Sar
Neville Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Beckham* Scholes Keane Giggs
Rooney RvN
*I guess Becks over Ronaldo takes some explaining: Beckham is my favourite player. Apart from Inzaghi and Fabregas, Ronaldo is my least favourite player.
Also, how could you forget Keane?
July 12th, 2009 at 14:02
@Andrei: because although he is a good player, we have won much more this decade with carrick in the side then with keane.
Saying ronaldo is your least faviourte player is silly.
I like Roy Keane the player, but if i met him in a pub, id punch his lights out. You can like a player, but not like the person.
July 12th, 2009 at 14:05
I’ve been concerned about the way we handle young players for some time now. While I understand why people think we haven’t produced any really outstanding kids since the class of ‘94, I think we have let go of far too many kids without giving them a fair chance.
Playing in the Carling Cup is one thing – but kids will only get the experience they need and we’ll only truly be able to judge their potential once they’ve had a few league games.
I’m convinced Rossi would have been a major success in the first team, while I think we should have kept Campbell instead of signing Owen. Likewise, I think Gibson and Possebon deserve a chance to show what they can do. Its time to remember our roots and give the youngsters a chance in the first team.
July 12th, 2009 at 14:17
@Dan: You mean you’d try and fail…
I used to work with someone whose mate is a bouncer at a a posh Cheshire club that Keane was at. On his own, drinking. Someone was winding him up, and he had a go at them and was asked to leave. He told the 3 big 6ft2 30 stone bouncers where to go. One of them punched Keane, and he hit the ground, only to bounce back up like it was a bouncy castle and dive at the guy, fists flailing at all three of these massive bouncers.
They eventually removed him, and 5 minutes later he came back to apologise to the bouncers, signed a couple of autographs and went on his way.
Bottom line is, Keane aint scared of shit, and you probably couldn’t beat him in a fight
July 12th, 2009 at 14:50
when I read the german legend Beckenbauer comments I went straight onto facebook and became a fan of his. Beckenbauer you said a mouth full florentina perez is a nutcase. who perez himself has gridlocked the transfer market, we should call the transfer market now the real madrid tranfer market because all the other clubs cannot buy the quality players. only hope we have is we get the future world player of the year sergio aguero.
July 12th, 2009 at 14:54
I find it impossible to disagree with Dan’s team of the decade.
Keane would have made the team of the 90s but by the 00s Keane was on the wane whereas Carrick despite his modest abilities has been a great fit in our team.
Funny how there is so much criticism of Evra yet he makes peoples’ teams of the decade. OK Heinze is more solid defensively, but United has always been renowned for its full backs who overlap and Evra is great at doing this and getting forward so he’d just make my team ahead of Heinze. Fact is there aren’t that many good full backs in the world (which is why Johnson goes for £18 million. Evra is in the top ten.)
I feel sorry for Ruud. The guy is the best out-and-out striker United have had under Fergie. A total goal machine. But his supporting cast just wasn’t up to scratch so we didn’t win anything much with him and ultimately Ronaldo was able to take over his mantle as the team’s main goalscorer.
July 12th, 2009 at 15:02
colver well van nistlerooy had that supporting cast between aug 2001 to may 2003. the difference was the defence and goalie were never up to scratch. Fitting in veron during van nistlerooys golden 2 years was the main reasons why united did not make history.
midfield of keane butt veron beckham giggs
and solkjaer upfront and scholes who was used in that position saw Ruud score tons of goals. van nistlerooy had the team but that team was coming to an end.
July 12th, 2009 at 15:12
I think fergie might be trying to do that now…evans played a lot of games last season…so did rafael and by not signing a striker this summer,we might give macheda a chance…btw i rate macheda higher than danny..danny has more skills and all but i think macheda has strikers mentality…both could be massive if given a chance…no need for any eto’ o or whoever
July 12th, 2009 at 15:19
If we don’t spend a lot yhis window I won’t be surprised.
We’ve got a lot of lads breaking through. Like the twins, Kiko, Welbeck, Evans and also Possebon going on loan. Also it is a huge year for the likes of Ando, Nani and Berba. This is their year to make it or perhaps get choppeed.
Then we have the old guard such as VDS, Neville and Scholes who could all be having their final year.
How I see it is there is a major transition going through.
Yeah we got a lota cash to spend, but that doesn’t mean we have to just blow it and be senseless. United isn’t a team geared up on short term success. There’s a much bigger picture.
Even if Fergie retires soon, he loves this club and is certainly looking long term. He isn’t going to spend crazy just so he can go out on a bang. I certainly respect him for that, for viewing United in such a way. There are many managers who just focus on their own tenure.
I can see us bringing in perhaps one more player. Our squad is huge and we certainly can’t accomodate a host of players coming in. That would stunt the growth of youngsters making a breakthrough as well as “The Big Year” for many of our players including Rooney.
I can see a lot of movement happening next summer with players retiring and the ones who just can’t make it being shipped off. United always get overcharged, but in this market it’s an extra 20-30M on a palyer. Real have absolutely fucked things for this transfer market, but they won’t spend like this every year.
Normally 30M is a huge tranfer fee and thaught to be crazy, yet today 50M is seen as understandable. It’s ludicrous!
Perhaps our major deals will be done next year as we will have a smaller squad and less crazy market.
We might not have the greatest of seasons… But fuck we just won three leagu titles back to back. We aren’t glory hunters are we??!
We in this for the Long Haul!
July 12th, 2009 at 15:25
Yeah just because evra had a very poor second half of last season doesnt mean we should forget hes a fantastic left back…he may not cross the ball that well but he stretches teams well and he Is the best left back in our team
July 12th, 2009 at 15:27
Taehr the one thing I like about welbeck is he can play more than one position. He can play right left and through the middle and is a more powerful forward, what I would love is united do a swap deal involving berbatov and aguero. I think aguero is far more reliable to partner Rooney and united can risk by being light upfront, because aguero is not only an impact player he is involved in the game. He can set up a shit load of assists and he has this ability to slice glide and rip into defences and he is such a brave player plus he can score 20 goals a season. Not to mention he does something that the UK love he works hard. Oh yea aguero is supposed to be a united fan and he is 21 add Rooney is 23 they can be a partnership for over a decade both are so gifted it is not even funny.
July 12th, 2009 at 15:28
@Dan: He’s not my least favourite player – he’s my third least favourite player and I’ve been saying that for a good year now.
July 12th, 2009 at 15:32
@Andrei: Thats not the point. My point went right over your head didnt it…
Wanted to use the eye roll there
July 12th, 2009 at 15:52
@colver: yes i agree with u, 18mill for eto is good value, as he is top class, and to be honest missing out on benzema and signing berba last year was a double whammy, utd havent got a proper striker (besides owen) as of yet! although aguero should be pursed at all costs!
July 12th, 2009 at 16:00
@Andrei: van dar sar
brown ferdinand vidic evra
beckham scholes hargreevs ronaldo
rooney
rvd
i left keano out cause he simply lost his Best form after 001
and with scoles in the team hargo would just have to clean up and sit back
July 12th, 2009 at 16:04
@jamie lee: MAte, hargreaves has only played a season with us, brown only started at right back for the last 1 and half seasons.
this is the WHOLE decade, not the last couple of years.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:06
We should pay 35 mil max if we were to buy aguero no more…anymore would be a rip off
July 12th, 2009 at 16:08
Dan…morrison is a striker or winger? Iv only seen him a bit on youtube
July 12th, 2009 at 16:10
@Dan: Oh okay, now I get your point. Yea, I hate the player (because of dives and his general attitude) and I hate the highly effeminate, I-am-the-best attitude that characterizes him as a person.
Let’s make a grid:
————————- Ronaldo ——— Beckham
Great Player ————- o ——————- o
Cult Icon —————— o ——————- o
Wears a Flower ——— o ——————- x
Dives ———————- o ——————- x
Tracks Back ————- x ——————- o
Greedy ——————– o ——————- x
Fighting Spirit ———– x ——————- o
So, you can probably tell why I hate him as a player as well as a person
July 12th, 2009 at 16:11
jamie lee it is worth just splashing the cash on aguero he is far younger than etoo and etoo is playing in african nations cup every 2 years.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:13
Yay!! Somebody other than me likes Rooney most
Link!
July 12th, 2009 at 16:15
@Dan: ya i see where ur coming from but in the last decade keano hasnt been at it, and he has been gone a few years now, so surely he couldnt be in the decade bracket on those points, and from his replacement hargo has been the best, and if fit will continue, so even tho it has only been one season i stll would rate him high enough, and brown has been here for a decade and has been better than neivelle for past few years, so i think im right with my decisons, IMO
July 12th, 2009 at 16:15
@Andrei: Mate, those things have nothing to do with players. Tevez has fighting spirit, hes not a good player is he.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:17
@steve: i totally agree, im just not sure, with utd being utd, will they pursuse aguero considering his price! BUT he is a must buy!!
July 12th, 2009 at 16:17
My Team Of The Decade:
van der Sar
Neville Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Scholes Keane Giggs
Rooney/Solskjaer RVN
I think Ronaldo accomplished more in his 6 years here than Beckham did in his last 4 years. Ronaldo is the main reason why we bounced back from our titleless spell from 2003-2006.
I can’t decide between Roo and Ole: Ole had been a constant provider of crucial goals from 1999-2008, (excluding his injury spells) and he had to be in for nostalgia’s sake. Rooney is a more recent addition, and on merit, would deserve to be in the team of the decade more than Ole.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:18
@Taehr: Hes one of those players that can play in multiple posistions. Like Ljajic, he can play on the wing, upfront off the striker or even in midfield.
I Reckon his best positions will be off the striker, as he would b central and have a free role really, roaming around.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:20
@Andrei: I think Ronaldo has a fighting spirit, albeit an extremely arrogant one. I don’t think Ronaldo has ever once shown that he has given up on his football. He is desperate to improve constantly, to prove people wrong, and to become the world’s best. Just because he doesn’t chase back 60 yards doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the drive and determination to overcome his obstacles.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:20
@Jon: why keane instead of carrick? we’ve won more with carrick then with keane…
July 12th, 2009 at 16:23
jamie lee etoo goes to african nations cup every 2 years. may is well just splash the cash on a player that can play every season for years and years to come, not waste it another forward who is in his late 20s. berbatov should never have been bought in the first place anyway.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:30
Andrei, Frank was questioned on the best player he’d played with. He hasn’t played with Ronaldo or else im sure he’d name Ronaldo. Whether you like the boy or not, he is the best player in the world.
Beckham was a good player but nowhere near as complete as Ronaldo. He couldn’t beat a man, was very slow, couldn’t head the ball, couldn’t tackle, wasn’t very creative, was just a world class passer and crosser.
Ronaldo can dribble, score from anywhere, is a damn good header, very strong, very fast, a much better passer and crosser than people give him credit for, and can win matches on his own.
Ronaldo carried our team for the last two years. Beckham was just a good player in a good team.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:38
@steve: Franz Beckenbauer is my second favorite player of all time and a man I have always had a great deal of love and respect for. One of the great ambassadors of the game and a man who sees the common sense approach to the game that so many others don’t amongst his closest friends is Sir Bobby Charlton and trust me when I say it was this friendship that finally led to us getting Owen Hargreaves.
He is so right in everything he says about Perez and Madrid but here is the thing that frustrates me about Beckenbauer. He puts down Perez and Madrid and calls them bad for the game yet one of his closest friends and a man he supports 100% is none other than Sepp Blatter FIFA’s top ass clown. This I will never understand because Blatter is fully on the side of Real Madrid and Perez. So please Franz, what’s with that? How can you support a man that supports the actions of an evil entity like Real Madrid? I am often confused by these forms of politics in the world game.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:41
@Dan: Where’s Djemba Djemba and Kleberson mate? I would have thought Massimo Taibi would get some consideration as well as Diego Forlan and Kieren Richardson.
Good selection mate. My exact choices as well although I really don’t think it was to hard a team to figure out. Pretty obvious choices really.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:47
Grognard I went on the rom site and many say that united should keep berbatov and not buy aguero. we are talking about such a special player we will be kicking ourselves if we miss out on him. has for the madrid thing well know the deal with that, what ever madrid do it is alright with them. madrids players can fail drug tests and they can get away with it. if madrid spent 200 million for a player its ok with them.
July 12th, 2009 at 16:54
@Andrei: I think the problem with adding Beckham and Keane mate is they played very few seasons during the decade. I dare say they would be on Dan’s team and mine for the 90’s without a doubt but for the past decade, Beckham has spent 6 seasons elsewhere and Kean has been retired now for 5. Scholes has been hear all along although I would think twice about adding Carrick over Keane because in theory, Carrick has spent less time this decade than Keano has but most of this decade Keane played with many injuries and missed a lot of time.
My team would be
EVDS
Brown Rio Vidic Irwin
Ronaldo Keane Scholes Giggs
RVN Rooney
Honorable mention goes to Beckham, Stam who just missed out because they never spent enough years with the team during the new millennium. As for Neville, Evra and some other overrated ass clowns, not on your life.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:00
@Dan: Good point mate. I’m a huge fan of Carrick, and I rate him extremely highly.
But Keano’s legacy as captain and how he played his part in the first half of the decade (I’m counting from 1999-2009) made my mind up for me. But yes, Carrick would definately be there had Keane left earlier.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:00
@colver: We lacked elements in our game that made us a complete team during van Nistelrooy’s era. We never lacked the quality to get him the ball. We had Beckham and Giggs int heir prime delivering ball after ball to him from the wide sides and Scholes and Keane delivering from the middle so in theory RVN benefited from far superior service than any of our current forwards. Where we lacked was on defense and in goal during his stay. Rio was solid but it was before Vidic and Irwin was getting up there as well, I have never ever considered Gary Neville a strong defensive RB. That was why we struggled to win as much back then. Still, we were pretty good team despite being beaten out by Arsenal a few times and then later by Chelsea. Memories of RVN and his poaching ability is the single greatest reason why I have fought so long for a Huntelaar to be signed by us. We so need a goal poacher.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:05
@Taehr: I like Macheda a lot but do not underestimate Danny Welbeck. I see a lot of a young Thierry Henry in Welbeck and his ability to dribble with the ball is a rare skill for a striker. I personally think Welbeck has great potential and although I think Macheda does too, I think many jumped ion his bandwagon because of a very memorable goal. One goal does not define a player. I have seen enough of Welbeck however, to make the leap and say that I think he is better than Macheda overall. Only time will tell and whether Fergie has it in him to give these kids a chance or will he go and buy proven players. It’s a hard hard decision to make.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:07
my team of the decade would be
vds
neville ferdinand vidic evra
ronaldo keane scholes giggs
rooney van nistlerooy
sorry grognard but evra is awesome at LB. he as been a great part of unitds succes.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:08
@Taehr: I picked Irwin as my LB because I think he was very solid right up to his retirement. When I think back though if I was really honest, I think the best LB we had during this decade was none other than the traitor Gabby Heinze. He only had one great and healthy year with us but in that year he was the team MVP above RVN, Ronaldo and others. Problem was he was unable to find his form again after the lengthy layoff due to his injury and the Skinned Sausage got a chance to take over and win Fergie’s fickle and often blind heart. Heinze was and still is twice the player Evra is in my mind.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:11
@Grognard: i dont get you. We are talking 00-10, not 99-09
If it was for the 90s, yea keane would be in it.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:11
@steve: Sorry Steve but Evra is a Skinned Sausage who is perfect for the barbecue and some good hot sauce. He’s useless and incredibly overrated as he cannot do anything right on defense and on offense. And fortunately I am not the only one that can see this. Before last season he was tolerable but I still could not see how Fergie could prefer him over Gabby Heinze and apparently Heinze couldn’t either.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:12
@Dan: Keane would still be there mate because he played more seasons and more game in this Millennium than Carrick has. And if you think I would pick Michael Carrick over Roy Keane, you’ve got another thing coming mate.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:22
@steve: ya i no, but if we dont get aguero, eto is the only good forward available, but so no one gets me wrong, aguero is my number on choice. would anyone of thougt about defoe? i mean hes quick, and can lead the line, i mean might he of been better than owen? and he would compliment rooney! all i no anyone but berba, good player, wrong team!
July 12th, 2009 at 17:22
@steve: I don’t care what a bunch of muppets think mate. Who cares what they think because most of them are borderline illiterate with learning deficiencies and are inebriated half the time anyway.
Seriously, I doubt many of them have ever watched more than 90 minutes of Aguero to make the judgment. I’ve seen enough of Berbatov to say that I don’t think he is a proper fit for our club. I still like him a lot as a player and i think he has a touch of class to him but he is too slow and to languid for our needs and he just hasn’t conformed to our style like I was hoping he would. To be completely honest, we have changed our way of play so much the past few years that I seriously doubt if Eric Cantona could have fit in to our style of play these days. WTF
What am I saying, of course he woudl, he’s the King.
But seriously, Berbatov offers a lot of positives but right now his negatives outweigh his positives. Having lost the two players that most stood in his way for success will help him though, should he stay to prove us wrong. Ronaldo and him did not blend well on the pitch and Tevez and him were obviously not on good terms and this caused problems for him I believe. If United do not sign another player that would be seen as direct competition for his job, I think there is a chance Berba will settle in and play better provided he gets far better service than he did last season and that Fergie lets him be more adventurous and aggressive. Big ifs but you never know. I for one would still prefer swapping him and money for Aguero and then still buying a Huntelaar or Eto’o to give us a front line that would be truly awesome.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:23
@Grognard: But that just makes my point all the more better. Carrick has played less seasons for us then keane, but we have been much more successful in those seasons then with keane.
I picked my team on 3 main criteria, how good the player is, how successful hes been with us, and how he has fitted in and helped thte club.
Carrick has been with us for 3 seasons, about to go into his 4th. He wont be sold this season, thats for sure.
Keane played for 4 seasons this decade with us, i wouldnt count the 05/06 season, as he played like 5 games and left in early november.
This point about keane playing longer then carrick this decade doesnt have much weight, even if we won nothing next season, our most successful period this decade was the past 3 years, with carrick in the middle, not keane.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:27
@Andrei: You can hate Ronaldo all you like mate, it doesn’t take away from the fact he is the best player on the planet and light years better than one David Beckham who I personally love and adore but who isn’t fit to kiss Ronaldo’s ass when it comes to ability. The only skill that Beckham has over Ronaldo is the ability to cross the ball and the ability to continually support ugly tattoos and awful haircuts.
It’s funny how you never added skills like dribbling, heading, scoring, shooting, speed, finesse and others that clearly make him superior to Becks.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:28
Grognard like you are a massive hunteleer fan I am a gigantic aguero fan. he is just a phenam of a player the guy has got the lot. on the republic of mancunian site they say berbatov is better. but I checked agueros stats beween aug 07 to may 09 and it is amazing for a guy at 21 years old. yes berbatov has a lot of possitives but when aguero can be bought you go right ahead and snap they guy up, especially when he says he is a united fan.
aguero 07/08 season goals 24 assists 9
aguero 08/09 season goals 24 assists 10
people believe the hype if he cant make it at old trafford has one of the the best in europe we may as well give up on football.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:34
sorry my keyboard is broke. stats for aguero
20 goals 9 assists 07/08
24 goals 10 assists 08/09
which ever way we miss out on aguero it will be ronaldinho all over again.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:35
@Dan: WHAT? You base the entire success of a team, a squad of twenty player on the quality of one midfielder and you are prepared to say the reason we have been so good the past two years is because of Michael Carrick? Come on mate, get your head out of your you know what. Carrick couldn’t shine Keano’s cleats and Keano never benefited from an experienced and truly outstanding Ronaldo and Rooney. He played with them when they were still babies and trust me, our trophy haul over the last two seasons has everything to do with Ronaldo and Rooney, not Michael Carrick. If Keane was playing for us right now and was the same age as Carrick we would probably be unbeatable. Keane for me is the greatest two way midfielder of all time. Carrick is good but not in the same class.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:39
@steve: I too am a giant Aguero fan and believe me when I say that now without Ronaldo I would prefer Aguero over Huntelaar on United. If Ronaldo was still here, then I would prefer the Hunter but Aguero is the closest thing other than Messi to help us forget Ronaldo and to properly replace him. Kun is a phenom and it’s too bad United lack the ambition and the bollocks to take the plunge and sign him. Instead they will open the door for a team like Chelsea to get him and truly end our dominance at the top of the EPL.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:41
@steve: And lets not forget that those stats are with Atletico. A good side but not as good as United. I see Aguero adding more goals but way more assists to his haul as a United player.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:41
Grognard go on the site and check these comments I am called manutdchampions2008 I am trying to out arguements accross that aguero will be ronaldinho all over again. they even had the nerve to comapare berbatovs international record with agueros.
here is the site look at these comments
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/fergie-now-owen-comes-to-work-with-a-smile-on-his-face/#comment-73868
July 12th, 2009 at 17:42
@Grognard: Fuck Grog… Irwin??? I fucking love the guy but he left in 2001 (or was it 2002) and he was at the very very end of his creer at that point which means that he was pointless for most of this decade. If you want to downgrade Evra choose Silly or Heinze instead.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:47
Grognard sorry for miss doing the stats I had to re do them. there is this saying I have for aguero he is better than berbatov now and he will be in the future, if you have not signed up for the sit sign upe and down these pro berbetov fans, because I am getting sick of them especially when they think aguero is not up to scratch. 21 years old and his goals record in 3 seasons stands at 50 that is the tally not much of rooney in 3 seasons. And for aguero that was not in a united shirt. God knows how great aguero will be in 5 years time he will be a beast in 5 years time and unlike messi he is not injury prone.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:47
What exactly is the difference between our current youth development approach (sign up youngsters, increase their values and sell them at a profit) and that of human trafficking (apart from the fact that human trafficking is deemed to be illegal)?
I have serious concerns with our current youth policy. For starters, since ‘94 (Scholes, Giggs, Beckham, Butt and the Nevilles), when last did someone from our academy break through as a senior starter?
The only ones close to making the grade were O’Shea, Brown and Fletcher, and NONE of them are considered to have their places cemented in the first 11.
1. Why can we not produce better youngsters? (ala Barca)
2. Why are our youngsters not given a proper runout in the first team?
3. Will we ever produce our own youngsters again, or are they all destined to be sold?
4. Why has Fabio not been given a contract extension like Rafeal? Surely if we can see his worth, then Fergie should too? If you say that he has not played enough games, then I can only interpret it as “we are unsure of his ability”. I think it would be a travesty to lose him to another club.
5. I really think Evans and Wellbeck have a chance, and would like to see them blooded in properly, by showing them the confidence that was shown to Rooney and Ronaldo.
On a side note, now that Ronaldo has left the building, is it now safe to admit, agree and proclaim he is a Prima-donna, Diving Cheat?
July 12th, 2009 at 17:50
Guys are upset with Maradonna for giving Tevez advice NOT to stay at United. What do you guys think the Argentine national coach and local football god will advise his son-in-law?
July 12th, 2009 at 17:55
Karl if united signed tevez perminently instead of buying berbatov that may not have come up. kuno has gone on record by saying he is a big united fan so that wont come into question. fabio has had a lot of injurys that is why.
July 12th, 2009 at 17:57
@steve: I believe they always consult the football gods before making a decision.
Btw, Tevez was allegedly advised NOT to sign a contract to make him permanent.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:01
@Stephen – I just read that Terry is demanding that he would like to hear what City has to say. This is the captain we’re talking about. If this is true, then why would Essien be such a big no-no?
IF Terry actually move to City (highly unlikely, but indeed a possibility), then I will be furious. Not because of him, but because we could have done the same with Essien…ie. trouble the water.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:03
Karl I think maradona would say go to united, tevez was saying to maradona how unhappy he was so marradona would have just gone along with it and told him to leave. the tevez situation for me is a total one off.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:04
@Grognard: No, carrick isnt thte sole reason for our success obviously.
But the fact remains, since we bought carrick, weve won back to back league titles, a CL and the CWC.
thats not a coincidence.
man utd with carrick>man utd with keane, based on success.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:12
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A54337412?s_redirectto=A54337412
July 12th, 2009 at 18:12
@steve: I would like to believe you because even though I have not seen much of Kun, I’m falling for this hype. Things is however, I think there is more to it than Tevez’ unhappiness.
Why is it that no latino player (Ronaldo exception) have never made it at United? More importantly, we’ve had 3 exceptional Argentines, all three left unhappy?
July 12th, 2009 at 18:14
@Karl: ya for fuck sake why doesnt fergie grow a pair and ut 40 mill bid for essien and the rest on aguero, then we will be sorted! but i cant ever rember fergie going in for a rivals player, leeds do not count, chelsea tried it on stevie g and almost got there man, so no excuse for essien! and if its true hes a united fan then wtf is the problem! maybe fergie is to stubborn because we were supposed to sign him before chelsea, but wait that was our fault, we stalled on 30million, AGAIN!
July 12th, 2009 at 18:17
@Dan: Why we’re gloating about Real Madrid players? (Interesting comparison though).
July 12th, 2009 at 18:18
For those who care, my FIFA 09 video about Ryan Giggs is finished!
I bet Grog will enjoy these news, as this means I can begin on a video of his choice… 
Please take a look, and tell me what you think! 
July 12th, 2009 at 18:18
jamie lee despite how good essien is I would stay away from african based players. They are in the african nations cup every 2 years so we are not getting the true value out of them.
dan sorry but carrick has been good but not in keanes league between 2000 and 2002. it was the back four and a blend of ronaldo rooney scholes giggs and tevez to a lesser extent that saw united rise again carrick was part of it but not the main reason.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:20
@Dan: Ashley Young(unnless we buy him for real
) and De Rossi/Eddy. 
July 12th, 2009 at 18:29
@Dan: Dan, Keane won more title with United than Carrick did in his career. Also be advised that Keane did not have:
a) a good defensive line at his disposition.
b) Rooney and Ronaldo at top form.
c) a worthwhile goalkeeper since PS left.
On top of that, they are very different players. So there is no reason to compare their achievements but really we just have to pick one of them.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:30
@RedDevilEddy: interesting.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:33
United are a world class club that needs world class players. We have youth training facilities that rival the best in the world and have produced many first team players in the past. No matter how hard you train the vast majority of young players, they will not become world class. We need world class to compete, the youth policy is fine. Campbell = good but not world class, but 3.5 mill for training costs is good business. If a player is british and good enough to do the job a portuguese player can, fergie will select the former.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:36
@Andrei: how many times do i have to say this.
it is THIS DECADE
bloody hell.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:36
@Dan: I tend to create myself at United, although its annoying that I become a much worse player than I really am…
What did you think of my vid mate?
July 12th, 2009 at 18:38
My United team of the decade.
VDS
Neville Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Keane Scholes Giggs
Rooney Van Nistelrooy
Carrick or Keane, dont care. Keano was GOD!!!
July 12th, 2009 at 18:40
I made no secret of my love for Ashley Young. We owe it to him not be sold to Spurs!
July 12th, 2009 at 18:42
@RedDevilEddy: class vid mate. I particularly liked the giggs Vs arsenal later in the vid with the fans reaction
July 12th, 2009 at 18:43
When it comes to strikers, and most of his recent big money buys, fergie tends to stick to proven premier league performers. If he buys abroad he tends to stick to young talent. But for big money moves he buys within the league ala berbatov, rooney, and valencia. Aguero is a possibility… but big money moves will not happen for players who are above a certain age in different leagues.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:43
@Dan: My fave part too.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:44
@Traverse:
July 12th, 2009 at 18:45
@Traverse: I think Im Ashley Youngs biggest fan on this blog, and if he leaves for Spurs I will a) Be terrible sad that Fergie is stupid enough to not buy the best winger in the land, possibly Europe soon! and b) That he has to play for, eww, Tottenham…
July 12th, 2009 at 18:50
RedDevilEddy I would move berbatov and nani on and bring in young and aguero if our front four was valencia young rooney aguero our attacking football would be dyamite, forget ronaldo kaka benzama, the front 3 of young rooney aguero would be awesome and could last for years. that people the front 3 of young rooney aguero would be the true holy trinity.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:54
@steve: this is fifa 10, berbatov is probably better then aguero in fifa10.
Hes certainly better then him in fifa09.
Fifa is game, it doesnt represent life in terms of player ability.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:58
The main problem with Keane in the 00s was his legs had gone. That made him a lot less effective and held the team back as we had to accomodate him.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:58
@Karl: I think the issue with Terry simply is that Accelotti may want to sell due to the influence he has with the owner, and Terry is 29 in December and his back has gone, he will never be the player he was and will never be able to play 40+ games a season anymore, also if the player wants to leave and for silly money Chelsea might want to cash in there is little the club can do if the captian wants out.
Essein is wanted by the club and is 26 and physically fit, it is a totally different senario mate, ps sorry if I pissed you off with my views about Anderson mate.
July 12th, 2009 at 18:59
Dan LOL but in real life we all know who is the better player and it definitely is not berbatov.
July 12th, 2009 at 19:01
@steve: whats your point? we are talking about fifa
Berba bashing every opportunity i guess.
July 12th, 2009 at 19:07
Dan when a forward like aguero comes on the market it is worth moving berbatov on to get a player that could be future world player of the year. look at his age he is 21 he is only going to get better, where I do not see much improvement in berbatov who is close to 29 years old.
July 12th, 2009 at 19:08
@steve: is A young actually good enough for the level required at utd? like hes been overlooked for stewart downing on the england when the oportunity has arisen! and downing is mid club level.
July 12th, 2009 at 19:10
@steve: again, this is a VIDEO GAME
July 12th, 2009 at 19:12
jamie lee well like many pro berbatov fans use to defend him youngs assist record is one of the highest and he scores double figures. in valencia and young you get bags of pace work rate on the wings, and unlike park they do what wingers are supposed to do deliver service to the strikers, well young does and they they make things happen.
July 12th, 2009 at 19:14
Dan what are you talking about, I have followed kunos progress and he has blown me away he is such a great great player. he will make united a far better attacking team than what berbatov offers.
July 12th, 2009 at 19:16
bloody hell, dont know why im speaking to you anyway.
You really are here just to annoy aren’t you.
July 12th, 2009 at 19:19
@steve: well im all for good wingers, as long as rooney isnt out there its all good
but is fergie going to play 442? he is obessed with counter at the moment 
July 12th, 2009 at 19:35
Chelsea should sell Terry. £30 million for an ageing defender with back problems is a great deal and would provide funds to help Chelsea rebuild. I do get the impression he interferes way too much in the politics of the club and Ancelotti would have way more of a chance if he gets rid of Terry.
I have no doubt that Terry got Mourinho and Scolari sacked. He is trouble.
Get rid of Terry and Drogba and Ashley Cole and Chelsea would become a lot more likeable. So we can concentrate our energies on hating Liverpool!
July 12th, 2009 at 19:38
@colver: hes 28, hardly ageing
You wouldnt sell ferdinand who is older and more injury prone, so why terry?
July 12th, 2009 at 19:45
@Dan: Because Terry is a cunt, and there wouldnt be many things much sweeter than watching Terry ditching “the club in his heart” for money and 10th place finishing for years to come!
July 12th, 2009 at 19:57
I’d be surprised if Terry is a Chelsea player come this time next week. It makes sense to Ancelotti. Get rid of the biggest voice in the dressing room, stamp your authority on it, and get rid of the ridiculous player power nonsense they have going on. Carvahlo would be a bigger loss than Terry.
July 12th, 2009 at 20:01
Outstanding article!!!!! It was refreshing to read about united from a new point of view.
@RedDevilEddy: Excellent video. Especially when you mixed the real video clip with FIFA. You are amazing at FIFA – - – your timing of trick and free kick skills are outstanding!
July 12th, 2009 at 20:03
@Madschester United: Thanks mate! Glad you liked it.
July 12th, 2009 at 20:05
@RedDevilEddy: Do you play with manual shooting, passing, crossing, etc… or are they all automatic?
July 12th, 2009 at 20:14
Dan grognard agrees with me that berbatov should be moved on. I said buy aguero hardly a player that is average and if you cant see that aguero is the better player then you have not been watching much football.
July 12th, 2009 at 20:29
@steve: Im bloody talking about a fucking video game you £$%*/
Fifa10, its a bloody video game and you know this. Stop acting like you dont know because you do, you are just trying to piss me off so i get banned.
Just fuck off if your going to be an idiot. I dont know why prats like you are allowed on here.
Ill take my ban then RR, side with the prat and ban me.
July 12th, 2009 at 20:40
I personally like our youth system policy. Although we are selling on a lot of youngsters generally we’re making a tidy profit and providing a quality set of youth players who go on to varying levels of success at different clubs.
The reason why United are selling so many youth players though is pretty simple. The standard of the players in the first team is so high that for a player to break through like Evans has done is really difficult and takes not just quality, but luck. I doubt many people would think that Pique or Rossi were bad players just because they were sold, they were just unlucky. Pique was breaking through into our first team at a time when Rio and Vida were playing every single week. Pique leaves and suddenly Evans fills his spot and Rio suffers a recurring back problem giving Evans a lot of first team opportunities.
You could say that with the case of Rossi it was a case of too many quality players leading the line. But again a little bit of luck and maybe he would have made it. Remember though, we have a Buy-Back Clause on Rossi’s contract with Villareal.
I hope more English players like Welbeck can make it through, but when United sell players on I always look out for them when they’re playing in other teams. Best of luck to Campbell, he was much like Pique, unlucky. Clearly more developed than Welbeck he was subjected to a poor loan spell at a time when we were needing an out and out striker to stick it in the back of the net. Whilst he was away Macheda and Welbeck graduated into the First Team and he was left out in the cold. It’s unfortunate, but I imagine he’ll go on to do great things with Sunderland.
July 12th, 2009 at 20:50
Dan your the prat idiot. you remind me of a big baby who I would take u out in a second go cry to your mother u ape when someone disagrees with you. why dnt you go fck yourself you piece of shit and if I get bannd so be it monkey head.
July 12th, 2009 at 20:52
wow cool it
July 12th, 2009 at 20:53
@steve: You racist piece of shit, you are scum, go back to your hole.
July 12th, 2009 at 20:55
Dan the ape head he is great to wind up dnt u live in a shit hole
July 12th, 2009 at 20:57
@steve: Thanks for confirming you are a racist wum, now piss off.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:02
Dan your a baby who cant take it. no piss off u baby so easy 2 wind up
July 12th, 2009 at 21:05
@steve: You cant even spell, let alone use punctuation and your calling me a baby.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:07
@Madschester United: Passing is manual. Through pass is manual. Shooting is assisted. Crossing is assisted. Lob pass is manual.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:11
@steve: @Dan: Wow, dudes!
Fucking chill. Stop acting like some fucking dickheads. Show yourselves as grownups here, not some fucking neaderthals. 
July 12th, 2009 at 21:14
Dan what you bored me. hahaha using sentences I do not care for using caps locks now go back in your little shit hole where u came from dickhead.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:14
@RedDevilEddy: im sorry eddy, i naturally take offence when someone is admittedly trying to whine me up and is being racist towards me.
Maybe i should be more like RedRanter and just let these things happen while i sit on my ass and just watch this happen
July 12th, 2009 at 21:15
this is revolting i just met adebayor on the street.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:18
@Dan: You know just as well as me when somebody acts like a dickhead and annoys you, you should just ignore it and make him look like an idiot with no social life who spends time calling another guy names on a fucking blog! Come on mate, you know better.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:23
RedDevilEddy dan u both have each others back do I care no. and you have not met me I have a real social life idiot just my time tonight and I do not spend half my time on here as u lot do. dan is a whinny little crybaby thats all he is.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:24
dan is like adebayor revolting and thats a fact
July 12th, 2009 at 21:26
@steve: Listen man, you are way off the scale with your comments, they are abusive mate, and you are heading for a thoroughly deserved ban from the blog, and it is such a shame, because this is a good blog for those who enjoy talking football. Red Ranter threatened to ban Dan for a month last time you got into it with him Steve, but checking back I can’t see Dan started it this time. You are OTT Steve, and I don’t apologise for calling you on it mate!
July 12th, 2009 at 21:28
@steve: It doesnt really sound like you have a very interesting life when you spend time calling another guy names on the a blog… Doesnt make you sound cool mate, just pathetic.
Right now Im actually amused by your comments that you have a real social life! 
July 12th, 2009 at 21:30
@steve: You are the coolest person on earth and that is a fact…
July 12th, 2009 at 21:30
@steve: Errr its not a question of anybody covering anybody’s back, but there is a BLOG policy on here that applies to every one of us Steve, NO PERSONAL ABUSE. If any of us defy blog administrative policy, then we are indeed banned, and it doesn’t matter who we are.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:34
Craig why dnt redranter ban dan for good he should be the stupid idiot. Hey it is worth getting band to say abusive comments towards that ape. because I will put abusive comments towards him when he flaps rubbish, who also put abusive comments on here way before I started on a well good subject I brought up. hey great comments dan carrick ahead of keane you know your stuff yea rite what a douche.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:37
RedDevilEddy go 2 comment 121 and you will see who started it
July 12th, 2009 at 21:39
@steve: you really, dot have a lot of friends do you?
I would normally say you were the bullied one at school, but thats past tense, meaning that you have now completed school, but judging by your grammar, insults, and overall personalty, you havent yet have you? what are you? 10? 11?
Have your balls even dropped yet?
July 12th, 2009 at 21:40
@steve: That means nothing, you’ve already come out and said you are a WUM.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:42
@steve: Dan gets easily frustarted, and Ive read what happend. Dan was talking about a video game, you kept talking about real life. You had some valid points, but you shouldnt have directed them towards Dan as he was beginning his own discussion and you kept intervering with reality football. I can see why he got frustrated, but he shouldnt have reated like that, I will agree. Altough, your replies were nothing more than pathetic and worthy enough of you getting a life ban from this blog. Sorry dude, being racist and calling people the stuff you did have no excuse, cause Dan said “If you are gonna be an idiot”, which I can understand because your statements were kinda stupid of what Dans points was. It like saying Pizza tastes good with cheese, when he is actualy talking about saving the earth.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:42
@steve: Mate this blog is about opinions, and all our opinions differ WIDELY. If Dan thinks Carrick is better than Keane, then that’s just his opinion. We are not here to call names and abuse each other for the sake of differing opinions. Just state your case for the players you like and support, but allow others to do the same Bro. As one who has been warned myself by Red Ranter for OTT responses to other peoples opinions, you will understand I am not just picking on you. If you want to stay on here and talk football, that’s fine, but you will have to learn like the rest of us, like I have, how to state your case without getting OTT personal. Ok mate –
.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:43
Dan what was that you lost me. I have got in your mind because you could not take it. such a little baby and that is all you are your comments say that. by the way first time using this for over a week only been on here for a phew days. it is called chilling after finishing my college work and I do not care for sentances.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:47
@steve: I think Anderson can become on of the worlds best midfielders in a few years. Does that mean my brain is the size of a peanut?
No it doesnt, its about opinion. I Dan thinks Carrick is more succesful than Keane this decade, then thats his opinion. Doesnt mean he is wrong, doesnt mean he is correct, but he knows what he thinks. Which is an important factor at this blog…
July 12th, 2009 at 21:48
@Dan: Leave it Bro, and lets just get back on topic of this thread. It is not nice for others come to read this blog, to see this arguement continued. Hard as it is, just try and ignore mate!
July 12th, 2009 at 21:52
OK back to the topic! I think that it can go both ways for our youth players. On one hand they can be told to seek another club, and we get a reasonable fee for them, sad as it is to those who really wanted to make it at UNited. Then there is the other side, players like Rossi who would have made it, but they wanted to move on, rather than wait for their chance of first team football, which can be a long time at a club like United. Either way though, our young players are very highly sought after, and they will usually find good employment at other clubs at the end of their youth programme time
.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:55
@steve: If your gonna be abusive and hurl insults, at least try and make some sense. You sound like a teenage girl texting on her mobile. I’m assuming you have a full qwerty keyboard, maybe it’s time you start using it.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:55
@Craig Mc: Oh im leaving it, to an extent that im not going to comment as long as hes here.
Ill continue to read the blog and look at the comments, but i refuse to carry on commenting with a racist prat like him allowed to post.
So, thats it steve, you win, hope your happy.
July 12th, 2009 at 21:57
Good writing there, RR.
@Dan: I also agree that Welbeck is probably the better all-round footballer, but Macheda’s potential to develop is greater. If he can fine tune some aspects of his game (passing for one), he may end up world class. Welbeck I don’t know. He’s very good, but sometimes looks like Kanu with both the pros and cons of the Nigerian.
I also think there’s a great little midfield in our youths – Matthew James. Remeber Macheda’s ahat trick against newcastle? Just look at those through balls. Just like Carrick. And the lad scores a few too!
He’s going to make a small name for himself next season, just like Danny and Kiko did last year.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:03
Johnsom33 yea I am using text talk I cant be arsed to even post it in full.
dan racist u have no idea what racist is, and I have black emo asian spanish friends it is you who annoy me. I am just happy I have managed too get rid of a prat and thats my 2 cents no more on him back onto the football debate now.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:04
@ASHWIN: Man u …
July 12th, 2009 at 22:06
@Dan: Im usually not one to take sides, but I gotta tell you(and RedRanter) that is he bans you and does nothing to Steve Im gonna abandon this blog until things have been set straight.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:17
@RedDevilEddy: Mate Red Ranter is away this weekend I think, so we will leave it now for him to deal with when he gets back
.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:19
@steve: The words shit, hitting and fan comes to mind here.
Ok, you say Grognard agrees with you like his word is the ultimate proof of being right? Grog is a friend of us all here, and yet we all love a good, well-thought of banter, and yet very often we agree to disagree and move on to other matters while remaining on good speaking terms.
Also when you write you could also do with starting a few of your sentences with : “I think that”
For example, “I think that Berbatov is crap” (We all know that you do); instead of “Berbatov is crap.”
Just shows that it is YOUR opinion, rather than stating a confirmed fact.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:21
@NicoQB: Just leave it mate, its over. Its not worth it, lets go on to happpier thoughts!
Like United beating Real Madrid in the CL final… 
July 12th, 2009 at 22:22
Oh yeah, forgot about what I was on about in the first place. Was about to post this: Check those assists by Matty James!
Carrick I tell you.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:23
@Craig Mc: Will do mate.
What`dya think about me vid matey?! 
July 12th, 2009 at 22:24
@RedDevilEddy: You’re right but somehow I felt that some thing like this was brewing!
July 12th, 2009 at 22:25
@steve: is emo a race? Eskimo maybe?
July 12th, 2009 at 22:33
@NicoQB: BRAVO
.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:36
how people look yes. havent people been racist on how they look, not only countries. even religious people there is racist involved
July 12th, 2009 at 22:42
@frankie: Chris Eagles deserved a chance IMHO. Versatile, skillful, and a better finisher than anyone in our present midfield. His preseason performances were for the most part good, and always produced in the few appearances he had for the club.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:45
@RedDevilEddy: Do you mean the Nani vid Eddi, because I think I said how great it was in another thread. Or have you done another vid of another player?
July 12th, 2009 at 22:47
@steve: Republik of Moronville is what I think and even though it’s the number one blog and managed well, many of their members are muppets and that is why I choose to converse with a finer class of Mancunians.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:49
@steve: First of all you come here and make no effort to make your comments intelligible for most people. Then you hurl insults at people. I’m sorry mate, but while I don’t mind people posting the way they want, if you don’t make any effort at being arsed to posting full sentences and if you don’t avoid text talk when you know you can improve on it, I am not letting you post comments here.
Secondly, you seem to be getting on people’s nerves here a lot, so if I don’t see an improvement in the standard of your comments, I’ll consider it a waste of everyone’s time and just chuck those comments off. I don’t normally do this, but this is in the greater interest of people who want to actually read comments that they can understand. You can consider this an invitation to visit a myriad of other United blogs in this thing called the internet and satisfy your fetish for typing in text messaging talk.
Cheerio.
@Dan: You made a very ‘good effort’ at ignoring him didn’t you? You know quite well what to do when you are being attacked by someone on this blog. You do know what to do then right?
July 12th, 2009 at 22:49
@Andrei: You know why I picked him? Because Heinze played even less than him in this decade and because I think Evra is a useless bag of shite. Is that clear enough for you mate? I would have picked John O’shea before Evra.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:51
@steve: Lets also not forget Aguero’s play making ability. He gets assists in double figures and his speed, dribbling ability and versatility spread defense wide open to allow other players opportunities. His value is infinite.
July 12th, 2009 at 22:54
@Karl: The difference is we do not prostitute them, exploit them and mistreat them. They get paid well, housed, fed and clothed and they get to develop their talents for teams in countries that can offer them the potential to better their and their families lives. It’s like young men leaving India and other countries to do IT jobs in Canada and the States. It’s for money and future financial well being. Trust me, they aren’t leaving Utopia behind. The Da Silva twins are thanking the day United picked them out of poverty and squalor to give them a chance to build and establish their dream. I see nothing wrong with it compared to the real horrors that are happening in the world.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:05
@Craig Mc: Giggsy video mate! Probably my best, considering the importance of re-createing goals.
Here: @RedDevilEddy
July 12th, 2009 at 23:11
Karl; To answer some of your valid questions;
1. Why can we not produce better youngsters? (ala Barca) Because the English game and the FA have put territorial restrictions on every English team and make it impossible for teams to utilize their scouting to it’s fullest. Therefore, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the rest of the world is the best option for United.
2. Why are our youngsters not given a proper runout in the first team? Because they are usually not good enough to compete with proven starters and because we usually have to much on the line to risk giving them a chance. That is why Fergie likes to use them for the Carling Cup and only if we have clinched the league or during severe periods with multiple injuries to the main squad.
3. Will we ever produce our own youngsters again, or are they all destined to be sold? We do produce our own youngsters but up until recently we haven’t had enough of them that were good enough to make the grade. By going to other countries and bringing in lads like Possebon, the twins, Macheda etc, we are giving ourselves a better and more refined crop of prospects. This new policy is going to prove good unless FIFA shuts it down to protect Brazil and Italy especially who have openly complained about it.
4. Why has Fabio not been given a contract extension like Rafeal? Injuries have slowed down his progress and frankly, Fergie has a woody for Evra who it seems can do no wrong despite the fact he is completely useless to those who have better vision and common sense. Fabio needs to prove himself this year and then I think he will get his chance. Also, Fergie may think that in order for the twins to truly progress and reach their potential, the best thing may be for them to be split up. I personally think having the Sedin twins playing together in hockey for Vancouver has kept them from reaching their full potential. Others might disagree. To me it’s like working with your wife. Sorry, but for me, that’s not a good thing.
5. I really think Evans and Wellbeck have a chance, and would like to see them blooded in properly, by showing them the confidence that was shown to Rooney and Ronaldo. Sorry mate, I know what you mean but why on Earth would I want to sit down Rio or Vidic in big games when I know they are the best in the business? Evans only mistake is being on Man Utd or he would be a star in this league. Depending on Rio’s age, I fully expect Evans to get very little time other than cup games and injuries because frankly, we cannot afford to not have the twin towers playing as much as possible. As for Welbeck, he’s very good but too much is at stake for United to give him a fair shot and a long run. Again, massive injuries would have to occur or he would have to really impress in a game or two to really grab the Gaffer’s attention and confidence.
Thats the best way I can answer those questions. They are not definitive answers but i personally think they make a lot of sense.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:13
@Karl: Truthfully, I would have been shocked enought o piss my pants if Maradona had done the opposite. He’s such a stupid git and a prick that his advice was just what I expected from him. Also, the only thing that Maradona is concerned with is that one of his players is a regular starter so that the extra playing time will benefit the player’s form and thus Argentina. It’s really a no brainer, but make no mistake, Maradona was a great player but even a greater prick and fucking cunt.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:15
@Karl: Terry isn’t going anywhere. This is a standard negotiations ploy to get more money out of Chelsea. I hate Terry’s guts but he Chelsea blue thru and thru.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:17
@Dan: And Carrick is not the reason we have won those trophies mate. The four reasons we have won that silverware go by the names of Ronaldo, Rooney, Vidic and Rio. Nuff said. The rest just came along for the ride. If we don’t have Ronaldo, we win nothing. If we don’t have Carrick we still win all that silverware.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:18
@Dan: It’s been deleted mate. What was it?
July 12th, 2009 at 23:21
@Karl: Personally I think it’s because Latin players are poorly educated, ignorant little bastards who have no ability or willingness to blend into a news culture, to learn the language and to assimilate. Ronaldo being Latin but Portuguese made him and exception up to a point but his special relationship (father/son) with Fergie helped him find comfort and a voice in his foreign surroundings. South Americans especially are generally very stubborn and ignorant and are unwilling to assimilate. That is why Spain is alluring to them. Blame Spanish expansionism and Conquistadors raping natives for the present problem.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:25
Is anyone on here from Ireland? Im just wondering cos apparently in the paper over there today (sorry i cant give the name of the paper) apparently dennis irwin who has his own column there reckoned we would end up signing aguero.
Now i dont know if he just meant this as in he was a player he would like to see come or what but he is a well informed person and works for the club channel so im guessing he still has people from inside who he can get info from. As i say im not sure he meant anyhting by this statement and im sure im looking into this too much but i just wondered if any1 had read his column and as i say i dont know the name of the paper so i apologise, i really havent narrowed this down have i.
And to eddy, nice video mate, very nice indeed.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:26
@RedDevilEddy: If ONLY Giggs was that good in games for us mate, and scored that quality of goals, you make him look far too good
. V good video Eddi, but not as good vid as Mi Man Nani, but then you all knew I would say that didn’t you 
.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:28
@RedDevilEddy: Outstanding mate but just a few minor criticisms. The first goal which was of course a modern recreation of the epic 1999 classic should have been at the very last because lets face it, it was the COUP DE GRACE. Secondly as well as you did to recreate that goal, he was a little wider left for the entire play. You had him a little bit to much in the middle. But still mate, truly dazzling stuff. Well done. Now where is my Hunter?
July 12th, 2009 at 23:30
@steve: Essien would be the one exception to that rule mate. He’s worth sacrificing a month every two years to have him. Have we not lost five times that amount of time with Hargo?
July 12th, 2009 at 23:31
@Craig Mc: Haha
Thanks mate, Giggsy is immense with me! Still, he doesnt get ahead over Nani in the pecking order for me. 
July 12th, 2009 at 23:31
@RedDevilEddy: Great video that!
July 12th, 2009 at 23:32
@Dan: And Keane played five years in this decade mate. Carrick has been with us for three. What is your argument against Keane. He’s clearly more worthy.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:33
@RedDevilEddy: I’d like to see a video of you as a Man Utd player mate. You should make one so we get a feeling of what you are all about. Truly, madly, deeply.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:33
@Grognard: I know I maybe should have picked that Giggs goal until the end, but I wanted the game-real life-game-real life part to be somehow epid, and you should already have seen the goal.
As for how the goal was scored, I know it was more to the left. But it was just so fucking hard, and when I scored the kind of goal I did I didnt hesitate to use it. Im not really that much of a patient guy you see, when it comes to gaming.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:34
@RedDevilEddy:
July 12th, 2009 at 23:34
@Traverse: Ashley Young can rot at Spurs if it means we get Aguero. Otherwise yes I agree.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:35
@Dan: you mean 99 to 09, because we’re still not in 2010. I would still put Keane in mine over Carrick. Whatever floats our boats though.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:36
Looks like we’re back in for Costa.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jul/12/manchester-united-chase-gremio-douglas-costa
£7mil and future incentives……. Lets see where this goes.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:36
@Red Ranter: Thanks, glad you liked it!
July 12th, 2009 at 23:37
@colver: The problem is Terry and Lampard are like Keegan and Shearer are to Newcastle fans. They are Gods and if it was up to the fans, they would allow them to both be player managers. Supporters are the problem with this scenario otherwise, I totally agree with you.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:38
@Grognard: I would make a video of myself, but unfortunately the game hides my awsomeness on the pitch.
If I was able to make myself truly real in the game, like slide tackilng up to 90 while shot power and long shots are 85, it would be fucking immense and it would be the first on my list of vids to make! 
July 12th, 2009 at 23:39
@Traverse: Actually, it would make more sense for Ancelotti to build a relationship and feeling of confidence with Terry and get him on his side by showing respect and confidence in him. But I do see your point.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:41
@Anthony Los: Heh. Sorry about that.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:44
@Dan: Quit it guys, seriously, this is really juvenile. If you need to argue, be a little less adolescent about it and stop the racial and insulting slurs. Get it out of your systems and lets move on and home you caught RR in a good mood because you both seriously crossed the line today. I hate this because I like debating with both of you. SO QUIT IT YOU PILLOCKS! All this shite over a fucking video game.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:45
@Dan: Relax mate and calm down. I don’t want to see you banned. Seriously.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:45
@Anthony Los: Did you spit at him?
July 12th, 2009 at 23:46
@steve: Steve, stop the fucking crap alright. Come on mate.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:50
For the record. I’ve banned steve, and as drastic as it may sound, he was clearly asking for it. And if people think I may have been harsh, trust me on this. I have some very valid reasons for it more than apparent here.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:51
@steve: Because mate Dan is not a stupid idiot. He is one of many on this blog that has been here for over two years and in that time he has developed a following and loyalty by many of us who like him….even if we sometimes disagree with him. I for one have had many arguments with him but he has always offered an apologetic hand as I have myself and moved on because we may get hot under the collar but we don’t call each other names and make racial remarks. Frankly mate, Dan has tenure here. He’s been on this blog for a long time while you are a newbie. And although I and others welcome you with open arms, we will most often take the side of one of our regular members who has been here a long time and has paid his dues. And my friend Dan has paid his dues. Now shut the fuck up mate (and I mean that in a friendly way) so that we can call you our friend in a year’s time or you will get banned. And IA don’t want to see you get banned or to take Dan down with you.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:52
@Red Ranter: Well done mate, well done. You did the right thing.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:52
@Dan:
Stop mate.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:54
@Red Ranter: I had a strong feeling that would be the outcome, and from today’s comments, it was inevitable RR.
. Sadly warnings weren’t heeded!
July 12th, 2009 at 23:54
@RedDevilEddy: Yes that does mean your brain is the size of a peanut.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:55
@Red Ranter: You’ll hear no complaints from me. Racism shouldn’t be tolerated. on any level.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:55
@Dan: Don’t let somebody bully you off mate because then you are acting defeated. Just continue to comment and RR will protect you.
July 12th, 2009 at 23:59
@RedDevilEddy: Not before you make my Huntelaar video.
Seriously, leave it with RR. He knows how to handle things and be fair to everyone. I have run across few people that I respect more than RR when it comes to being fair. I have had many brush ins with him but I can never complain about his lack of justice and fair play. Just trust him OK.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:00
@Grognard:
July 13th, 2009 at 0:01
@NicoQB: But mate, my word is the ultimate word because I am always right. All should follow the Gospel according to Grognard (aka GAG).
July 13th, 2009 at 0:03
I agree it would be just like Terry to use the City interest to get more money. But if I was Ancelotti Id take the money! In doing so you get rid of the ringleader of that mob and he can use the money to help build his own team. Terry is overrated. Carvalho has always been the best central defender in the Chelsea squad.
The thing people do not tend to remember about Ronaldo is a lot of his value came from his ability to distract defences. If teams put two men on Ronaldo that creates so much space for everyone else. We need a player like that in our team. Aguero would fit the bill perfectly.
The only reason people complain about us poaching youngsters is that the countries and clubs concerned lose talent overseas and with it profits.
As a rule we let the families come over, help them integrate and keep them out of trouble. They’d much more likely to go off the rails staying in their home country and fall victim to the temptations of drugs, women, drink, crime etc. Yes it must be tough living in a strange country away from friends and family. But when you consider the potential rewards it is a no-brainer. Kids like Rafael who are very likely to make the grade can set up their family for life, enjoy a standard of living most people in the world would dream of and get to play a game they love for a living in a team that wins the highest prizes in football.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:05
@RedDevilEddy: Very good but your Ronaldo one was truly the best by far. My opinion anyway.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:07
@Matt: Thanks for that mate. Dennis Irwin does have contacts and pull within the club and I seriously doubt he would make a comment like that unless he had heard something rather substantial. It can only make me dream.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:10
@RedDevilEddy: I totally understand and once again I compliment you because I don’t know how the heck you do it? Brilliant mate, just brilliant. Just remember I want bicycle kicks and diving headers for the Hunter. And he has a habit of just killing the ball and placing it high in the old onion bag. Just a few tips to get him right.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:12
@RedDevilEddy:
That’s classic mate, truly classic. I haven’t laughed so hard in my life. And that is not me insulting you as much as me admiring your self confidence and hubris. Truly epic mate. 
July 13th, 2009 at 0:13
@Red Ranter: If anyone understands RR, it is I. Well done.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:18
@RedDevilEddy: Well thank you. Although your little strop there about abandoning if I didn’t do the right thing wasn’t appreciated. I think over the past 2 years or more of running blogs with a reasonable amounts of success I’d like to think that I have a fair idea of whom to boot and who not to for the greater good, so when I get stuff like “I’ll abandon this if RR doesn’t do things my way” is not something I’d appreciate from regulars on here. A little trust is always welcome.
That said I’ve never chained you on this blog in the first place, nor do I charge you a monthly fee for reading this thing. You come here out of your own free will.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:18
@Grognard: Ive got a question for you. Would you rather like me to do a Hunter vid or an Aguero vid? Cause I kinda have a policy of not playing with teams I despice…
July 13th, 2009 at 0:23
@Red Ranter: Sorry mate, but I think you may have misunderstood that statement/I explained it badly. You see, I have total faith in you.
I was sure you would do the right thing, and I was just trying to prove that Dan had dont nothing compared to Steve. It may have come out in a brutal way, but maybe I was just caught in the heat of the action! 
Sorry mate, didnt come out the way it meant to. Let me rephrase it:
RedRanter, I think you will understand that Dan has done nothing compared to what Steve did and in my mind Steve deserves a harsher punsihment than Dan.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:30
@Grognard: I just thought i would mention it cos i know dennis isnt the type to make up bull like that so if he seems to think he knows something then i trust him. Like you say though we can dream, but its a dream i hope comes true cos aguero im positive would be a legend for us.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:32
@Grognard:
Haha! 
This would be my stats if FIFA could let players that actually are good and not in the game make them real.
Crossing: 65
Shooting: 80.
Heading accuracy: 25.
Short pass: 65.
Volleys: 85
Weak foot: 99. Prabably eaqually as good in my opinion.
Marking: 85
Standing tackling: 80
Slide tackling: 93
Dribbling: 65
)
Curve: 80
Free Kick Accuracy: 90
Long passing: 80
Ball control: 65-75 (improving
Shot Power: 90
Jumping: 50
Stamina: 75
Strength: 87
Long shots: 90
Acceleration: 85
Sprint speed: 85
Agility: 60
Reactions: 70
Balance: 70
Aggression: 90
)
Tactical awareness: 81
Positioning: 89
Vision: 75
Penalties: 99, 999, 999 (never missed one
Consistency: 60
Instead I am stuck with an average of 61…
Only shit thing about FIFA.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:36
@Grognard: “Because mate Dan is not a stupid idiot”
No offence to Dan or yourself, but that sentance just made me chuckle!
July 13th, 2009 at 0:45
@Red Ranter: I think you show good judgement on these issues, mate. This time was no exception!!
July 13th, 2009 at 0:49
@RedDevilEddy: I love the Hunter but you know something, people need to know the greatness of Aguero in a stylized manner. Go for Sergio mate. Perhaps Fergie’s grandchildren will see it and say
“Hey Grandpa, wake the fuck up already.”
July 13th, 2009 at 0:50
@RedDevilEddy: Too bad you can’t get him in a United kit at the very end of the video standing and looking directly at the camera and kissing the United crest. That would be awesome.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:52
@Matt: You are singing to the choir mate.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:56
@RedDevilEddy: Philip Lahm ready to burst out but with freekick ability to boot. My biggest argument about FIFA from EA has always been the limited editing tools. Give us complete freedom to create gods if we want to. They let us do that in the NFL, college and NHL games, why not footy? The only reason why I ever played PES was because of the editing tool which used to be great but that sucks over the past 3 years. Man I dream of the day FIFA becomes much more like Football Manager but with the editing tool. When that happens, I may never ever leave my house again.
July 13th, 2009 at 0:57
@Grognard:
July 13th, 2009 at 0:59
@Grognard: I can do everything!!!
You just watch me…
July 13th, 2009 at 1:03
@Grognard: I realy wish they could make some bonuses in the editing tool. Like, if you score 500 goals you get X amount of exp. points to improve a created player. Or win X amount of trophies, win X amount of games and such. But noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Im stuck with a fucking manager mode when the furthest I get is September 2010, cause I get bored winning 10-0 every time. I want my own player to be a major asset right away, cause guess what EA?! Some unknown players just are fucking immense!!!
Im a Michael Essien, Roy Keane and Philip Lahm all in one!
Power, pace and mental balance enough to handle everything thrown at me.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:05
As it stands right now, the Guardian, the Independent and the Times are carrying the Douglas Costa story.
Of course it doesn’t mean much, because they just say we’ve offered a new package starting at £7m
July 13th, 2009 at 1:05
@Grognard: What do you call a guy who takes Ronaldo esque free-kicks, but actually manages to score on 2 out of 3 free kicks? RedDevilEddy.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:06
@Red Ranter: Hopefullt we will get him, Im all for young attacking players.
Just hope we dont pay over the odds right away…
July 13th, 2009 at 1:16
@RedDevilEddy: Yeah £7m + addons is fair sum for a player in only his debut season at the club. He more a close control player and less of tricks. He has a fantastic left foot, if only he could improve his right foot. That said it’s all youtube videos I’ve seen him on. Tim Vickery said it’s still too early to comment on him but other followers of Brazilian footy like Muhozi can help us. This is a long video on Costa, if anyone’s interested.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:30
I had wondered a little, prior to Ronaldo’s departure, whether we could continue building with such a heavy emphasis on youth. My thinking was that if we were to lose Ronlado the team could not afford to break in the younger players with any real commitment.
Could it be now, that what we’re seeing with the diminishing of our young prospects, is the result of, shall we say, their “diminishing prospects”.
With such a gap to fill, the pendulum will swing back to filling a need and away from the un-greening of our reserves!
There will always be exceptions, and Rafael and Evans are two. They got very, very lucky – in the right place and at the wrong time for the counterparts in their starting roles – but these opportunities do not arise that often!
We have the Carling Cup, and perhaps now, the earlier rounds of the FA Cup, to blood our youngsters. The PL and CL are way too competive to risk in this manner and would also be an aweful trial by fire for those with so little experience.
With the odds of breaking into the starting 11 almost as long as winning the lottery, the club and the players themselves are now anxious to move along!!
July 13th, 2009 at 1:47
@Matt: Didn’t DI used to do stuff on MUTV as well. I think he’s pretty well connected to the club, so this could be something he knows.
On the other hand, it may just be his opinion. No way to tell!
July 13th, 2009 at 1:49
@RedDevilEddy: I look forward to it.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:52
@RedDevilEddy: Fuck bonuses. I may be one the more mature players of the game out there being a 50 year old kid but I believe in total freedom to do anything I please with a game simply because I paid for the right. I want unlimited levels in editing and a cheat code and everything that my heart commands and I am willing to pay the price for that privilege. I don’t like being spoon fed or treated like Pavlov’s dog. I find game companies to be very condescending and very insulting to gamers because they treat us all like we are 12.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:54
@Red Ranter: Oh trust me, if it means us paying less than 10 million for a player the stories are probably true. It’s when the asking price is significant that we can assume they are lies because lets face it, a cheap Scotsman is running th show.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:56
@Red Ranter: Speaking of my fellow NY Yankees buddy Mr Muhozi, he’s been awfully silent for a while now. Mr Muhozi, calling Mr. Muhozi!
July 13th, 2009 at 2:05
@Red Ranter: It also doesn’t mean much, because a young, Brasilian, prospect is not what we need right now!
July 13th, 2009 at 5:58
@Redrich: I don’t mind Douglas Costa if he can be got for under £10m. But I think we really need a dominant central midfielder who can also chip in with 8-10 goals per season. Creative attacking players, and dominant central midfielders who can move forward enough to link up with Berbatov. If we get that, I think we’ll do alright this season.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:21
@RedDevilEddy: Ahhh, i Have it flipped… on World Class and scoring is soo hard when you never hit the target
July 13th, 2009 at 7:12
Palacios for 20 million? I heard that Tottenham only buy players for fun and sell them as part of Tottenopoly, Daniel Levy’s favorite game. He currently has 3 green houses on Robbie Keane
July 13th, 2009 at 7:31
Does anyone on here NOT play either FIFA, PES, or FM?
July 13th, 2009 at 8:03
@Madschester United: aye
July 13th, 2009 at 8:23
I just want to put this behind me and carry on as usual, thank you RR and the rest, so…
@Red Ranter: When more then 2 papers report this, there is normally some truth to it. These 3 are reporting it, and i believe the mail is.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:34
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8147146.stm
they must have been scouse
July 13th, 2009 at 8:44
@Madschester United: NO…
July 13th, 2009 at 8:47
@RedDevilEddy: Gr8 video dear.. i can only think of using such tricks as i am using pc version so usually play direct fottball, and being very poor defencively means i have to score many…
Also Anderson and Nani have rejected the contract extension in my 3rd season, so have no option but to sell them… Still doing well with youngsters… Gave Adler no 7 after selling ronaldo…
July 13th, 2009 at 11:27
@Dan: Fuck me mate, those scousers are doing everything they can to screw us up! If its not buying a girl they use as striker just so she can flirt with Vidic and make him feel ill on the pitch, they literalle hurt our players.
Well guess what, soon, its payback time!!! 
July 13th, 2009 at 11:34
QUESTION FOR GROGNARD!
Im starting to work on my Aguero video today, a littel earlier than first thought because, well, its raining.
Just wanna know what tune you think I should use in the background, as you have requested a few in the past. 
Remember, the vid is gonna be energetic, epic and very “movementally”(tricks, happy stuff, like Samba!).
July 13th, 2009 at 12:02
Anyone have a good stream for MUTV? The one on redlog.pl hasn’t worked for months. Missed a few academy games and reserve games which sucks, and I’d be very interested in watching the press conference.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:07
The Robbers must have been scouse. It is pretty stupid to try and rob a 17 year old who at this stage in his career is probably no richer than the average guy.
The Costa news means nothing. We are still well short of their valuation and Gremio are in no rush to sell because if they hold on to him for another year or two his value will double and they may actually be able to get £20 million for him.
Goal.com team of the decade is up. It is exactly as we all predicted with the exception that Keane not Carrick is in the middle with Scholes.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:14
Reddevileddy…question…I dont play fifa, i play pro evolution but i was wondering what level of difficulty you play on because that looks all so easy…! class vids esp giggs goal
July 13th, 2009 at 12:34
any new update on aguero
July 13th, 2009 at 12:35
@Taehr: Legendary difficulty. I find it easier to play on harder difficulties, because it opens up space and gives me more freedom and less time with the ball. Which suits my style of play well!
The Giggs goal agaisnt Arsenal was actually scored on world class, since I was getting inpatient after failing to score it after a couple of attempts on legedary. Im not realy that much of a patient guy when it comes to gaming… 
July 13th, 2009 at 12:37
@owen: We won’t sign him, simple.
July 13th, 2009 at 13:14
Agreed Stephen. We’ve never had much luck signing from the Spanish League and Aguero isn’t going to be an exception.
July 13th, 2009 at 13:25
DID YOU JUST HEAR FERGIE SAID HE IS SPENDING NO MORE MONEY!!!!!!
July 13th, 2009 at 13:27
For fuck sake, sky sports are saying fergie said that he aint gona be spending anymore money this summer. I can understand that he doesnt want to be held to ransom over players prices at the moment thanks to madrid but we def need cover for hargreaves. Hopefully its bull!
July 13th, 2009 at 13:36
He did say there are still two months left on the transfer window so anything is possible.I think slight misreporting by Sky.
July 13th, 2009 at 13:41
@DutchMatrix: Fergie was ambiguous. He talked about not wanting to spend too much money but also mentioned there’s plenty of time left of the transfer window. He did not confirm that there would be no more signings.
July 13th, 2009 at 13:41
Tbh, i expected the news we werent gonna sign anyone else i really did. For me this season should be used solely for blooding the youngsters and looking at the long term. Im sorry but neville, giggs, scholes and edwin are not good enough anymore and this season their replacements should be blooded in or played regularly to allow them to get better.
Foster imo should be getting over 30 games this season, rafael should be moved to first choice, fabio as well should be getting upwards of 20 odd games. Nani and anderson this season should be put in first choice from day 1, for me this is the season where we see what they are all about. If they dont do a job then fine they are off next summer, but defo this summer for me the likes of nani, ando and valencia should be starting week in week out and we ease out the oldies for the new generation.
Bit pissed off about owen getting the number 7 though, my understanding was he would be more of a super sub and i dont think a sub player should be given the number 7 shirt which is probably our most iconic and legendary number, surely valencia or nani would have been better options.
But as i have said for weeks i had a feeling fergie wouldnt spend the money, i do hope the glazers have saved it for next season and not used it on the debts cos for me next season may be even more crucial than this one.
Alot of our oldies will leave next summer and along with as i stated ando and nani who i would say are in the last chance saloon would also be berba and hargreaves who also will be on their final chance. That could be about 7 players out next season so for me this season would be about easing out the oldies bringing through the potential players, and next season when we get rid of the players that are too old or aint good enough and spend the dough then, thats the only thing i can think of, but this is quite disappoitning.
July 13th, 2009 at 13:42
Owen is to wear the no.7 shirt this season though.
July 13th, 2009 at 13:50
@Matt: Wes Brown should be first choice left back mate, also Anderson has to justify his place, Fletcher played well last season and deserves his place ahead of the Brazialian.
July 13th, 2009 at 14:02
@Stephen: Yeah damn forgot about brown, think you mean right back but yes thanks for reminding me brown yes should start at RB.
As for fletcher, yes he did a good job but for me after xmas he was average in a number of games which was disappointing and this season he could return to his old self. Anderson maybe does not deserve to be picked staright away but he has undoubted potential and maybe now ronaldo has gone much like how the players were in 06/07 season they will realise their potential and kick on. But nani for me is a must.
July 13th, 2009 at 14:03
@Stephen: er. you meant right back (for brown).
Owen getting No. 7 cud be(come) a masterstroke! Typical Fergie moment! True heir to No. 7 will arise next year. Its on loan at the moment. I dont think Valencia or Nani are really No. 7 contenders.
July 13th, 2009 at 14:06
@jos: and Matt, Er yes sorry, hangover I am a dickhead.
July 13th, 2009 at 14:06
HOLY SHIT, OWEN IS WEARING THE NUMBER 7 SHIRT!!!
What! The! FUCK!!!???
July 13th, 2009 at 14:07
@Matt: maybe 1 or 2 more young signings like sanchez, costa, hernanes would ease the transition next year
July 13th, 2009 at 14:11
@Matt: I agree, to be honest most fans and I certainly felt that our spending was over a while ago, we have a big squad as is and the Glaziers simply need the money so no surprise, I hope Anderson and Nani really kick on this season as it is make or break for them.
July 13th, 2009 at 14:21
Step up KIKO AND DANNY..this is fergie telling them lads he has faith in them
July 13th, 2009 at 14:38
I have a feeling Fergie has one more signing up his sleeve. Every year he gives this “Im not planning any more signings” talk. It is designed to cool the media attention so United can do their business discreetly.
I feel sure we will be buying a central midfielder. Fergie must realise that we have no real cover for Fletcher.
July 13th, 2009 at 14:43
@RedDevilEddy: FUCK ME SILLY!!!!
July 13th, 2009 at 14:50
@Stephen: We do have a big squad but we are lacking in top quality. Berbatov and rooney can provide imagination and flair and can really make a difference but i reckon we need one other player with that kind of ability. Rooney, berbatov, tevez and especially ronaldo could conjure up a little bit of magic regularly and the current squad just doesn’t have enough of that.
Well, that’s unless owen is prolific and obertan plays like he’s the next ribery this season.
July 13th, 2009 at 14:55
@tevez: I completly agree mate, we have a big squad but it is lacking in top class quality especially in my eyes in the centre of the park, for me Fergie simply hasn’t been given the money to spend, hence Owen and Obertan
July 13th, 2009 at 14:56
Fergie has really lost his marbles. Not only does he decide not to sign anymore players, he adds further insult to injury by giving the number 7 shirt to a former LIVERPOOL player. Enough is enough. This is a massive two finger salute to all the great players in the club’s history who have worn this shirt. Beckham, Ronaldo, Cantona and co will be sitting back and laughing at this, that’s how big a joke it is. Let me put it this way, once Owen is finished playing with us, the number 7 shirt will become the least prestigious at the club. I’m sorry if anyone finds these comments offensive, but it’s how I honestly feel. Now everyone get ready for a massive Grognard rant.
July 13th, 2009 at 14:57
FERGIE
THERE’S THE DOOR!!
what is the gaffer thinking?? if there isn’t a replacement right now then the numnber should be held until a rightful heir is found!! Macheda anyone??
July 13th, 2009 at 15:01
He’s keeping the prices down. If there is anyone out there we want it’s very likely someone else wants them too. We’ll match any accepted bids from other clubs if we want to.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:03
@Aymen: Cantona played for Leeds before we signed him and he turned out quite well, at least give Owen a chance.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:04
i cant fucking believe this!! PLZZZZZZ SIGN A CENTRE MIDD!!!!!!!!!!
July 13th, 2009 at 15:05
I do definitely think despite what he says we will see another signing coming in. It may be douglas costa who is bought but kept on loan to gremio so maybe thats what he means i dont know.
Also if he was a real fan of aguero and chelsea for instance came in and bid for him, im sure if fergie really wanted him and maybe preferred to go for him the next season, he would match the bid and get him in now to avoid missing out on him altogether like what happened with rooney.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:06
@Stephen: Good point mate. But Leeds are no Liverpool.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:11
@Aymen: I agree but giving Owen the 7 shirt could be a decent idea firstly who else really should get it? There are no serious candidates out there and I would be more annoyed if Valencia got it in some ways.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:16
@Stephen: ROONEY?! Carrick?! Or saving it for a future signing?
July 13th, 2009 at 15:18
@Stephen: If you’re not going to sign anyone else then give it to Rooney and give Owen the number 10. Simple. Rooney is the only one in the squad who deserves that shirt.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:18
@Aymen: If you have a short memory. For many people Leeds will always be worse than Liverpool.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:20
@Jon: @Aymen: Carrick certainly not, Rooney maybe but I remember him saying he wanted to keep the nimber 10.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:21
@Traverse: We all hate Leeds but Liverpool are by far the most despised club.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:26
@Stephen: I’m sure he would jump at the chance to wear the number 7.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:30
@Aymen: That is posible but I can recall him saying that, with Owen I suppose it will boost his confidence and make him feel part of the United fabric it will be interesting to see how he turns out but he was free and his wages are low so even if he chips in with a few goals he will be good value.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:31
some r reporting that we r going to sign costa 4 around 18 mill
July 13th, 2009 at 15:34
@owen: who said that??
July 13th, 2009 at 15:35
@Stephen: Okay maybe I was a bit personally sentimental on a ‘Carrick 7′ there.
Actually, I really wanted Fergie to preserve that number and not give it away simply because the only numbers left were 27 and 30. We’re not like other clubs, whose 7 and 10 is simply thrown to whoever that comes. (like Gallas 10, Keane 7, Rosicky 7) The 7 should only go to someone with a special ability and extraordinary creativity (all the 7s had the mind of a footballing genius, even Becks to some extent) Even Ronaldo at age 17 was bamboozling defenders.
Unless Fergie has some belief in him that Owen will become a legend at United (I personally think he’s going to be another Saha/Smith/Forlan), then we might as well hand the 7 to Fletcher or Park or Gibson, or any other mediocre player. I suppose Ronaldo grew into that number, but the end product was the same: a legendary holder of the sacred seven. I doubt Owen will ever become that.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:39
@owen: Personally i do think we will make another signing before the end of august but i dont think it will be any time soon, maybe last day of the window. It could all be a ploy to make a club like gremio panic and lower their price. Of course they would prfer to keep a talent like costa with them but even upwards of £10m would be a fair bit of money for them, so if we waited they would maybe lower this valuation of £18m to a more modest £10m.
Alternatively though they may just rather not sell which is the risk but if you think about now alot of clubs think we are done and as deadline day gets closer and closer they may feel lowering their prices and still getting a good fee is good business and i think its good we have gone this way cos im sick of seeing us get ripped off for players all the time.
July 13th, 2009 at 15:58
Could easily be a smokescreen. Some muppet reactions to this news is funny.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:08
@RedDevilEddy: Nothing would suit Aguero better than this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO0R_QTnKzA&feature=related
Samba style and the lyrics speak volumes for Aguero and the way I feel about him. Although from Fergie’s comments, looks like we won’t ever be getting him.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:14
@colver: I just woke up and checked the footy newswire and what do I read? Fergie isn’t making anymore signings. Initially I went into rage and said out loud WTF, but then I thought about it and I have to agree with you. Fergie does this every year. I think this a strategy to basically call off the dogs from the media and go about their business. If he honestly is not going to do anything more this season, well all I can say is prepare yourselves folks because it’s a a 3rd or 4th place finish and I bloody well guarantee it. Fergie likes his team as it is, good luck to him. I personally feel stabbed in the bank with that kind of bank roll in his pocket and sweet fuck all to show for it. Truly betrayed because it’s clear to me now the Glazer’s got the cash.
And to add insult to injury he gives the #7 to Michael Owen. That’s got everyone in Merseyside laughing their heads off and it is a confirmation that we will never see Sergio Aguero wear Man Utd red. FUCK!
July 13th, 2009 at 16:22
is this reality, did i wake up somewhere else why would you give the number 7 to michael owen someone pinch me please.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:24
@Stephen: I’d give it to Rooney before I gave it to Owen. My god it’s not that Owen is a bad player or even washed up, it’s that he used to be a Liverpool star. It’s just not right. But when you think of it, it was just as insulting in hindsight to give the #7 to a player who would walk on it and escape for Madrid. At least Owen looks happy and proud to be a United player.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:26
@Grognard: I think you have hit the nail on the head mate.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:26
@ anthony: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2009/07/13/manchester-united-set-to-complete-19m-midfielder-signing/
this tell about the costa deal
July 13th, 2009 at 16:28
@ROOOOONEY: We all woke up in a mirror universe and we are supporters of a bottom dwelling feeder club that is struggling to survive relegation. OK, thats a bit harsh I know, but today I feel so betrayed and let down. There’s no more signings but there should be one more sacking. And we all know who that should be. Enough already, Fergie’s going the way of my mom. Totally loony and banking on blind faith and wishful thinking. I’m disgusted. I honestly hope the season never starts.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:28
i really hope owen gets a long term injury in pre-season so we can be forced to buy someone else.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:30
@owen: Well based on Fergie’s words this morning I believe that proposed deal has hit the skids as we apparently are finished our summer business.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:32
@grognard:
i m going to wear no 7
July 13th, 2009 at 16:33
@owen: cheers
July 13th, 2009 at 16:34
@ROOOOONEY: That’s nice mate.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:36
@Grognard: How do we know he has the money to spend, the Glaziers have probably put the money in their back bin, as they need the cash.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:36
@Grognard: like that 3rd/4th place finish you were predicting before last season. Talk about overreacting. We haven’t even seen this new look team kick a ball yet and you are writing them off.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:37
i already told few days before that this is going to be the final squad
July 13th, 2009 at 16:40
@Grognard: Seriously that is just stupid. I would hate to see you when we sold Ince, Hughes and Kanchelskis and let Scholes and Beckham take their place
Betrayed? Last I checked you ’support’ the second best team in Europe.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:41
its hard to imagine 3rd-4th finish but plz everyone get ur heart strong
as this is going to happen ( exception : nani becomes ronaldo and anderson becomes scholes of past ,berba becomes berba of tottenham,owen becomes owen of liverpool)
July 13th, 2009 at 16:42
Owen has’t definitely been given the no.7 yet. Fergie was laughing when he made that comment. Personally I would like him to be given Welbecks’ no.19.
Ex scouser + no.19
July 13th, 2009 at 16:43
@Stephen: And theres some Scottish pillock’s head I’d love to hit a nail on, believe me. I am thoroughly disgusted with the Gaffer this morning. I mean WTF???? What is he thinking? We have lost the best player in the world and we have replaced him with scraps. Diabolical, inconceivable, unbelievable and in my mind completely unethical. Unethical towards the millions of supporters who contribute their hard earned cash towards this enterprise with the hope and belief that the brain trust in charge will spend it wisely.
This year we were handed even more money through a world record transfer fee, and in my view we have not spend one quarter of it. What are we poor fans supposed to think? Are we led to believe the Glazer’s haven’t got their grubby little paws on that cash to help them pay off their debt? And if that’s not the case, then why is Fergie treating the money like it’s coming out of his own frugal pockets? Why not go after the many world class and quality players who have were or are available this summer? Why is he not going after arguably one of the top five players in the world and only 21 in Sergio Aguero, a noted Man Utd supporter? I cannot and will not believe that it has come to this, because this is completely unacceptable.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:45
@Grognard: Sorry mate, but it says that that video is not allowed in my country. What is the name of the tune? Or I would need another one.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:48
stephen its the only way we can strengthen our team. selling nani would be harsh, but hoping for an injured owen is not.
July 13th, 2009 at 16:53
@ROOOOONEY: You want one of our players seriously injured?
How about wishing he turns out to be a success?
July 13th, 2009 at 17:01
@Grognard: grogy go back to sleep mate it’l be ok welly can do it and so can macheda. plus i think fergi has something up his sleeve(costa or sanches). he just doesn’t want to spend it all in one place. january or next yr we will see a big signing if we need it and hopefully the prices will be normal not double like they are now. give the kids a chance
July 13th, 2009 at 17:04
@Liam: I am with you on this one. We cannot write off our team because of signings. As if you cannot win anything with kids or without Ronaldo. I have faith in Fergie and in the team and think that getting a player in January (Midfielder) would be cheaper and allow younger stars to be given a chance – hear Anderson, Nani, Wellbeck and maybe even Macheda. Anderson and Hargo will be fit (knock on wood) and Fletcher and Carrick will all last at least until Xmas. Then if need be we can sign a midfielder… we are fine, we are United.
Who says we will win the 19th league title this year? I think we at least have a good chance of winning. Look at Chelsea and Arsenal.
Neither of them have purchased any player worth my 2 cents. Liverpool are just one year older – older and uglier.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:09
stephen, owen came here to prove people like me wrong if he does i will be happy about it and i will cheer him on until that time comes, but can you seriously believe we can go on win trophies with our current team? and do you really think that owen is the solution? to me he looks like the problem and the main cause for us not buying anyone.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:10
@Madschester United: I am also with you guys on this, it will give people a chance to show that they can cut it for us, Anderson, Nani, Welbeck, Macheda and Gisbson will get their opportunities a I hope they take it the manager has shown he has faith in them which will give them a huge lift in confidence.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:12
@Grognard: Pretty much. I feel like I just got Punk’d by United and I’m livid right now.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:12
Im with grog on this one. 3rd is best we could hope for next season. Last year we barely beat chelsea and liverpool, chelsea were handicapped because they had Gene Hackman coaching them early on. Liverpool had a blip until FSW found his balls and went all guns blazing. Liverpool might not have added much to their squad but they certainly didnt lose anything, we on the other hand lost the best player in the world… Chelsea strengthend and already formidable side with the aquisition of Zhrikov.
The only thing that gives me hope about chelsea is the fact that Ancelotti is in his first season at chelsea, and he may have a hard time struggling with the fast frenetic pace of the Premier league.
My only hope is that if fergie is resigned to making this a transition season, then he doesn it right. Get rid of the old guard, they have absolutely zero value to us on the pitch if we are competing for silverware. Keep them around the team, but for the love of God dont let them on the pitch.
Give Anderson and Nani all the games there wee legs can handle. We need to know if they are good enough, and consistent run outs this year will allow us to see that.
getting rid of park wouldnt be a bad thing either. I dont want to see him take any valuable minutes from any of our promising youngsters. (noticed how I said “promising”? A word that can never be associated with Park.)
July 13th, 2009 at 17:13
@ROOOOONEY: Can I see us winning trophies with the current squad simple answer, yes.
For Owen to be the solution we need a problem, I personally I don’t think we have one Rooney, Berba, Owen ect will all contribute with goals we will need the midfield to chip in also, we havn’t become a bad side simply because we sold Ronaldo.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:13
@Grognard: Grog lighten up Bro
. Did you watch the press conference, because SAF was taking the piss out of the journalists for linking United with every avaiable player (without foundation) every single day since the last game of last season. He was being sarcastic with them, saying SO YOU CAN ALL STOP your linking us with every player, everywhere, so to speak. He told them that Michael Owen was going to get the No7 shirt, but did so with a good laugh in the process, so United fans don’t buy your Owen7 shirt yet 
. My mate was down the United store at OT, and he said loads of bloodyminded United fans were asking about Michael Owen shirts, just to get back at all those knocking the lad, that a shirt with his name on the back wouldnt sell. UNited fans are the most FAITHFUL in the world – I love em 
. Every year SAF has told the press to stop fabricating link stories of United and players, that he was not buying. When in the background he was already in the process of sealing some big deal or other. Anyway, whether he buys or not – WE ARE MANCHESTER UNITED, so Viva, Viva, Man Utd ALWAYS!.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:17
@Stephen: I agree mate
.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:18
@Craig Mc: On the website Owen’s name has the number 7 with it so I will take it he is the new holder of the shirt bro.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:18
come on guys we didnt loose that much; a diver who sat on his ass if he didnt get the call and a terrier who was given a chance to win the champions league for us and seemed to bottle it on purpose.
with those two wankers out of the way our other talent can flourish.
Owen is a more accomplished striker than ungreatvez and the kids nani,valy,obi,andy, and kiko will shine this year. hargraves will be fit and the skinny scott will become a serious goal threat and crunching tackler in midfield.
Positivity boys we support the greatest club in the world and they are champions of the world as we speak.
We are not here to support players but THE TEAM, a team of very talented guys with alot to prove this season. If we support them threw it and they achieve the 4th for saf in a row we will all be able to say that we didnt need ronvez. This is what i am looking for next season and expect.
I do not see any fun/value in thinking that we will be in 5th and out of europe just so i can say at the end of the season “i told you guys we would suck”
July 13th, 2009 at 17:19
I really wish that you are right stephen and i am wrong. there is nothing i want more than to see our young players become world class.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:21
@MUFC Fan in America: O ye of little faith!
July 13th, 2009 at 17:23
@johnsom33: O ye of little faith
. See you next year when we pick up the PL trophy!
July 13th, 2009 at 17:23
@ROOOOONEY: At least they will get the chance to prove themselves, and don’t forget Owen has come to us to prove people wrong, he has not signed for the money he has signed becuase he wants to be a be a success which will give him that little bit more.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:24
@johnsom33: yeah and Scolari was meant to be the worlds best manager and look what happened. Ancellotti isn’t a great manager by any stretch of the imagination, he only has one league title to his name. What happens if we come out on the first day of the season and win 5-0 and Liverpool draw, will your opinion be different? If Torres gets injured for ‘Pool their only backup is N’Gog and Kuyt. If Rooney gets injured for us we have Owen, Berba, Macheda and Welbeck as forwards. If Gerrard gets injured they have to play either 3 CMs, one of them being Lucas or 2 strikers, one of them being N’Gog. I hate people making predictions this early but if the media (and OUR OWN fans) want to write us off then so be it. I’m sure we’ll make the UEFA cup anyway
July 13th, 2009 at 17:28
@Stephen: Maybe the website didn’t see the laughter that SAF announced that Michael was getting the number 7 eh Bro. Anyway, if Owen finishes up with No 7 shirt, SAF must have a hell of a lot of faith in him. Or maybe he feels that Owen might be needed to carry the pressure of expectation that goes with that shirt.
WE ARE MAN UNITED – Viva, Viva, Man United always!
July 13th, 2009 at 17:28
@Craig Mc: YES!
tell ‘em craig dont be a NO man! NO man NO man NO man NO!
do you want to throw this brick threw that scouse trophy case with evryone telling you you can’t, and do it without the “wpotheyr” and with their own aging legend?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 13th, 2009 at 17:30
I think the problem with Owen of late is that he’s never had a good and proper pre-season training.
2005-2006: Thigh injury during pre-season. Returned on 18 Sep 2005.
2006-2007: Knee injury during World Cup in June 2006. Returned 10 April 2007.
2007-2008: Thigh injury in pre-season training on 17 July 2007. Returned 13 August 2007.
2008-2009: Missed all pre-season matches due to mumps. Returned 23 August 2008.
From those lenghty stats, I think if Owen actually stayed injury-free till Septmeber, we might actually have him back at his best for the entire season. A good pre-season and a solid start to the season can do wonders. Ronaldo did not reach his best in 08-09 due to his late start to the season, as compared to his blinding form in 06-08 when he had a good World Cup and came back for lengthy training.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:34
UNITED > any one player.
and if saf goes on this season and wins with this squad, everyone will know that UNITED made ronny and not the other way around.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:38
So it’s on official website. Owen gets the number 7. No big deal I say…
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={91EA3BE2-963A-4BAB-802C-F46A0EF3FCA3}&page=1
July 13th, 2009 at 17:38
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-Z_CUYh2Sk
July 13th, 2009 at 17:46
From Fergie about Tevez:
“I half expected Tevez would be going a long time back,” said the Scot
“I spoke to him and gave him an offer on the night we played Inter Milan (in March) and he never came back to me.
“I phoned him on holiday and he never got back to me and I texted him twice and he never got back to me then either, so obviously he had made his mind up a long time ago.
“He was a good player and did well for us. But he obviously assessed the situation and wanted to go somewhere else.”
Thus, Tevez is a pillar of Garbage. I hope he rots at City or Chelsea and can’t wait to boo him upon his return. What an Ass-act.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:51
@AndyCR7: I agree. If Cantona got it and we were fine, Owen can get. In addition, his last competitive game for liverpool was in May 2004. Plus, us getting Liverpool’s star-players and making him ours is so sweet… schadenfreude, perhaps.
July 13th, 2009 at 17:58
@Madschester United: saf should pull a dummy out and put it in his mouth when we beat what ever fuck team he plays with next season. Kia had his hand up tevez ass the whole time and had no intention of taking our money when he could get more somewhere else.
July 13th, 2009 at 18:08
An open letter to Sir Alex Ferguson from an angry supporter;
Dir Sir Alex:
I am writing this letter to you on the slim 0.000001% chance you will read it. I have been a thirty three year supporter of the club living in Canada and have been a big supporter and fan of your efforts and deeds during your fine 25 year tenure as United manager.
I am writing today as a very upset and disgruntled fan of our fine club and to voice my official complaint and dissatisfaction with you sir, over your lack of vision and courage when it comes to rebuilding our esteemed club after it’s terrible defections of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
Please understand that before I continue, I must say that I have admired and respected the incredible work you have done and the legacy you have left. This alone is why I am writing this letter now and pleading with you to wake up and smell the roses and grab the cat before it sneaks out of the house.
You have build a dynasty here at Old Trafford and we fans have simply become accustomed to not only winning but winning with style. You have offered us champagne football for 25 years and for that I am eternally grateful. So please tell me then Gaffer, what the Hell has happened to you over the past 18 months? From being a highly aggressive attack oriented manager who was also far more aggressive in both his on field and off field duties, you have gone in reverse and crawled on the side of caution and even dare I say it, cowardice.
You have gone from an attack minded manager to a manager who has adopted every negative trick and tactic from the Italian football play book. You have turned some of your best players into role players who are spending too much of their time playing positions that are foreign to them and asked to perform duties that are unnatural to them. You have inserted players into your starting eleven who wouldn’t make the bench on some of the mid level teams in Belgium (ie; JS Park, John O’Shea) and you continue to misuse your forwards in ways that one cannot comprehend. Meanwhile, have you continued to ignore our glaring weakness in central midfield and our need for a goal scoring forward. Did the Rome massacre not teach you anything about how wrong you were or are you so blinded by your Scottish loyalty that you believe missing Darren Fletcher meant that much to us?
In Rome we were humiliated by Barcelona. Absolutely 100% humiliated. A humbling where the final score actually pitied us. four years ago you were humiliated by an aging and over performing AC Milan side and you took from that game and learned that in order for United to win in Europe, we would have to change our style to a more continental approach. Well you have done that over the past three seasons you have slowly but surely taken the team’s style of play that we all have loved for 50 years and basically thrown it in the trash bin for an approach which I like if it had come from the Spanish, Dutch or the Germans. Instead however, you decided to borrow from the negative and boring Anti-Christ’s of football, Italy. Well done sir. You have in the last two years systematically destroyed the aura and style of our team and have turned them into a utilitarian, ball control and highly boring outfit that should make your friend Jose Mourinho very proud.
Where did it all go wrong for you Mr. Ferguson? Was it that AC Milan defeat at the San Siro in 2006/07? What was it? You took a team famous for their pace, width and daring and have turned them into just another boring and and sluggish Italian outfit. So disgusted have I been by this transformation that I record all your games and I even stopped labeling them because I figured I’d never waste my time to ever want to watch them again. I mean why bother? I have plenty of bread I’d rather watch go dry and stale instead.
My God man, have you got any idea what the Hell you have done here? You have taken the legacy you worked your ass off to build and are systematically destroying it because in your old age you have acquired fear and too much respect for your opponent. Your fear of losing now far out weighs your desire to win. Instead of sending an attacking lineup that would have included either Berbatov or Tevez up against Barcelona, you decided to stay on the side of caution and play JS Park and the inept Anderson instead. Players I am amazed you have even bothered to keep on your team because they have no skill or value at all and are players that are simply not United class. Yet you love those lads and you force them upon us poor bastards nearly every week.
Over the past few years I have begun to wonder what your mindset is when it comes to buying or should I say, NOT BUYING players? What exactly is your thinking when you see our central midfield get totally annihilated and you sit back and do nothing about improving it better? Hernanes, Melo, Essien, Toure, Flamini are all out there and they are all available for the right price, but you stand pat as if nothing here is broken. Unbelievable! Do you honestly expect Hargreaves to return and solve all your problems? I’m Canadian and Hargo is my favorite United player but even I know the answer and reality in that hope. Slim and none.
You go last year through the whole summer and do not buy anyone until the season starts and then you overpay for Dimitar Berbatov. Instead of buying him earlier and giving him a chance to get used to his surroundings and training with the team, you buy him late and throw into the fire and expected him to assimilate like he had been with us for three seasons. Secondly, you were naive enough to believe that this classy player would change his style, be more aggressive and less languid and that he would be the second coming of Cantona. You were wrong.
For three years I have waited patiently for you to wake up and see the light about one player and one player only, Klaas Jan Huntelaar. And for three years you bloody well teased me like a cheap hooker with stiletto’s making me feel you were on par with my thinking and that you were about to sign the Hunter and make me a happy man. Instead, you ignore the obvious fact that you do not have a forward that scores goals in the Ruud van Nistelrooy manner. A striker who is a true goal poacher and a prolific scorer. Instead you waste money and time buying youngster after youngster who will all not be ready before you retire. And how many wingers does a team need?
Two years ago you bought two players, Anderson and Nani. You show far too much faith and give far too much time playing one, who has very little skill and absolutely no finesse or finishing and you have literally benched the more talented one and have let his ass go cold at the end of the bench because you still hold a grudge about a late season red card that he took. I know that is the reason because since that day, poor Nani has not gotten a fair break from you or a fair run starting for the team. A player who has more skill in his baby fingernail than Park has in his entire family tree, yet you continue to inflict the South Korean water slide artist on us over the immensely talented and highly capable Nani. Why? Inquiring minds want to know.
More questions I’m afraid. Why is Patrice Evra still a starter on your team? The now infamous Skinned Sausage has done nothing this past year to warrant a starting position for Hull City yet alone Manchester United. In fact, since he has returned from his four game ban due to the Chelsea post game debacle, he has been the worst LB in European football, bar none. Yet he plays, continues to get skinned, make poor decisions and offers nothing to the team from an attacking point of view. The player is a poor defender, a terrible passer and has no end product. Why have you not replaced him with the far superior Fabio or just played O’Shea there until you find a proper replacement?
Edwin van der Sar is nearing 40 (which I know is young to you) and yet he is still our starting keeper. A great keeper he has been too, but do you not think it’s time to replace him with a world class keeper under 30 like Adler, Neuer, Akinfeev, Buffon, Boruc etc? Instead you offer us the overrated and highly injury prone Ben Foster? Again….WHY?
Now a few words about Scholes, Neville and Giggs. ENOUGH ALREADY! It’s time to send them out to pasture to stud. Their expiry date has long passed and in Scholes and Neville’s case, great warriors who are dead on the battlefield and have long since begun decomposing. And you and I both know that the long deserved PFA award that Giggs got was nothing more than a career achievement award because he is nothing more than a bench player these days. Yet you continue to start him. Why?
I could go on and on about things I see and things that make me scratch my head but I have disrespected you long enough. Believe it or not I rather like you Sir Alex. In fact I love you. You remind me of my departed dad who I loved, respected but had fight after fight with because he was not on the same wave length with me and because he was blinded by stubbornness.
Am I right all the time, well, not really but I do believe that I bring up valid points and concerns regarding your last couple of years in charge. And why do I bring it up now? Because of you inaction and lack of aggressiveness in the transfer market this summer. Frankly you have signed players who are not overly impressive and you have done nothing to replace the best player in the world. Somebody you should have never sold in the first place and somebody you should have been far more severe and strict with in regards to honoring a contract and in behaving properly. You became a bit of a hypocrite in my eyes and to many others with your willingness to let him go. But you got 80 million quid for him and what bothers me is that you haven’t spend a quarter of it and already you are claiming that is it. Well that is not it.
I for one, will not tolerate it. I am one lone voice in the wilderness but I feel I speak for millions of loyal and trusting United supporters who believed in you to do the right thing and replace a star with a star. We deserve it and we have earned it. Instead you snub us and spit in our face by naming a former Liverpool star and washout as our next #7. Diabolical Gaffer, diabolical.
Today I finish this letter very upset and incredibly disenchanted with you and the team I have supported for most of my life. Today I feel no better than a Newcastle supporter. And it’s all because you refuse to do the right thing and spend money to make money and win. You owed it to ever poor bastard that spends his money on game tickets and merchandise or just television pay per view to use the Ronaldo money fully and buy superstar player or players who could keep up the status quo and help the team sail into a new era with pride and little turbulence. Instead you now threaten to have us lose our position in the Champions League and possibly the top four of the Premier League. I wonder exactly, where you feel you will make up up the 25 to 30 goals a season you used to get from Ronaldo? And even though I am not a Tevez fan, his contributions will also be missed thanks to your poor treatment of him. Like none of us with an IQ didn’t see that coming once Berbatov was signed and quickly inserted into the starting eleven.
You slogged and blundered your way through bore fest after bore fest for over a year now and we are sick of it. We want answers and we want the old ways and we want Sergio Aguero damn it. We want quality players signed with that money and we won’t take no for an answer. You have a lot of explaining to do and you owe it to all of us to explain yourself and then go out and do the right thing. What a sad state of affairs you and your owners have brought to this fine team in the past twelve months. Shame on you sir, I expected and demanded better from you. Today I feel nothing more than disappointment and betrayal. Excuse me now while leave to go an vomit my total disapproval of this state of affairs.
Yours truly’
GROGNARD
July 13th, 2009 at 18:10
To all of you who were expecting a wrath filled reply to Fergie’s actions, how do you like them apples?
July 13th, 2009 at 18:10
@Madschester United: Where did he say that mate? Would like to see a link.
July 13th, 2009 at 18:12
@RedDevilEddy: “I like it like that” by Tito Fuentes.
July 13th, 2009 at 18:14
@Grognard: good song for him
July 13th, 2009 at 18:16
Quite ironical that in the post that addresses the issues that we let good young players like Rossi and Pique go and questioning the purpose of our academy, some of our fans don’t want to give a chance to the kids.
The squad that we have doesn’t make me buoyant or make me overjoyed but i won’t say I’m unhappy with it. We definitely have the squad to challenge for the titles. Is this a team in transition ? Fergie knows how many years are left for him, he would have made a decision as to how he wants to leave the squad to the next gaffer. If he believes the team has the potential to win a Champions league with a few more additions in the next transfer window, I’ll trust him with that.
The team that we have is good enough to win all the matches and we have promising kids coming up.
We were briefly linked to Ronaldo in 96, we didn’t get him, he went on to become the World player of the year and two years later we won the treble. We missed out on Ronaldinho, potential World player of the year then, and got Ronaldo and the rest is history. We might miss out on Aguero who is a top talent and he may or may not reach the heights of Ronaldo, who knows? The fees that were being demanded in this transfer window were as delusional as the Pool fans.
Lets give the team and the young players a chance, we might not win the title but atleast we’ll know where we stand with respect to the young players. Let’s give them a chance and support them
July 13th, 2009 at 18:17
@gator: He better have something up his sleeve because today I feel massive betrayal and disgust with Fergie and with Manchester United. Had we not had the money from Ronaldo and this was just a normal season with our regular 30 million transfer kitty, I’d say we did well and lets get on with things, but really, all Fergie has done is spend 2/3 of the normal transfer kitty. He hasn’t touched the 80 million. What does that tell you? I’ll tell you what it tells me. It tells me those fucking bastards in charge of the team got the money to pay off their debt. And it’s what I feared from the very beginning. Christ I am too pissed off for words.
July 13th, 2009 at 18:22
@Madschester United: I honestly cannot wait for all you with faith to see how you all feel by mid season? I will fucking laugh my head off at all of you who feel we are fine and that we will go on as if nothing has changed. I absolutely despise blind faith and naivetee. People so wrapped up in trust and faith that they allow themselves to get suckered in just because they can’t see the reality of things for what they are. And the George Bush administration was totally ethical and efficient but only had a few elements of bad luck derail it too, right?
Unfuckingbelievable. We lose the best player in the world and a good work horse as well in Tevez and we replace them with garbage and more garbage and still we have the faith. Perhaps a bundle 0-0 0-1 games this season will wake the lot of you up. Simply pathetic!
July 13th, 2009 at 18:25
@MUFC Fan in America: I feel your pain mate. Punk’d is a trendy new term that quite doesn’t describe my feelings however. I have had a wooden stake thrust through my heart. And I was stabbed through the back too.
July 13th, 2009 at 18:30
@Craig Mc: Well tell me mate, do you like getting bullshited like that year after year? If he is still looking to buy, why not be honest about it or why say something like we are no longer buying? All it does is deflate the fans because the media is smarter and too unscrupulous to alter their MO. It achieves nothing but to hurt us fans who dare dream. I fucking hate this shite and I am fucking sick of it. It’s disrespectful to all of us and it’s a shame many of us can’t see it.
July 13th, 2009 at 18:33
@Craig Mc: Oh ye of blind faith, wait until you see us in 4th or 5th place and then I look forward to all the crying and bitching and you can all look forward to me saying “I TOLD YOU SO”. I have watched this game for too many decades and I have followed this team for too long to not know that this present group is going to win sweet fuck all, and you can bank on it. And the Carling Cup competition falls into the category of sweet fuck all, so if they win that, who really gives a frak?
July 13th, 2009 at 18:35
Cocks in i guess
July 13th, 2009 at 18:37
@Craig Mc: He has to be super impressed with Owen because he hasn’t ended up in the hospital yet. Also, how on Earth do you give the #7 shirt to a bench player? Sounds like he has big plans for Owen and it might be Berba who ends up on the bench or he plans on a front line of Berba with Rooney and Owen on the sides in a 4-3-3.
July 13th, 2009 at 18:38
@gator: Dream away mate.
July 13th, 2009 at 18:40
@gator: I should care why? This is a footy rant site mate, not a movie blog.
July 13th, 2009 at 18:48
@Grognard: Dude, that was… Wow, it was just… DUDE!!! Thats fucking immense!!!
Amazing, its just like you took everything in my brain and wrote them to perfection. Im actually speechless, cause that was fucking amazingly written. Bravo my friend! 
Oh, and you should know that Im working on dat Aguero vid. And his skills in the game should be reason enough for Fergie to buy him!
July 13th, 2009 at 18:50
@Grognard: Once again. You said the same last season after our stumbling at Liverpool and Fulham – that we would end up with nothing and deserved nothing. Then we smash Arsenal in the Semi’s of CL and get outplayed by Barca (despite having Ronaldo and Tevez). Please, separate the irrational anger you carry around for a realistic look at our competition (in the EPL, esp).
Chelsea – get Zhirkov (whooptie-doo, a poor man’s Arjen Robben) and Sturridge (City slush), +1 age
Liverpool – get Glen Johnson – recycled garbage is still garbage, +1 age
Arsenal – get Vermaelen (now they only need 3 more defenders!), have Adebayor troubles again
City – get Tevez but will still Suck because they cannot win away nor defend
Real Madrid – Frankenstein team with a major ego problem managed by a small-time manager = melt-down
Barca – still class, need no new players – a true challenger to us
Milan – no worries
Juve – still not there yet
…
We might have gotten rid of Ronaldo, but now we have no ego problems and will be able to focus on the pitch while giving Nani, Tosic, Iljac, Obertan, Wellbeck and Macheda a chance. Tevez is a tosser and spent most of the season on the bench, where he belonged. Only the loss of Ronaldo should be discussed and he has no replacement… but:
All we’re saying, is give kids a chance!
July 13th, 2009 at 18:53
For all who find American coverage of football scant and poorly covered here is a prime example of poor understanding of soccer/football. Take a quick look at article and then read comments – quite funny how little they know but how much they think they know.
Chelsea comes to Seattle
July 13th, 2009 at 18:57
@Grognard: 4th or 5th… you are playing too much FM 09. No team in the EPL besides maybe Chelsea can move us to 2nd
July 13th, 2009 at 18:59
@Sir Red: quote from BBC’s article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8148073.stm
July 13th, 2009 at 19:20
jeez some comments on here lead me to believe people have lost the faith.. just because you start the comment with something along the lines of ” i think fergie is a fantastic manager.. but” surely doesn’t give anyone the right to down right insult him. i mean people are reacting as if this season is going to be an epic fail just because they deem a certain position to be weak. THERES 2 MONTHS of the transfer window still to go. the bloody league doesn’t start till August. people to take a step back take a deep breath and stop their own amazing football manager skills from taking over. ( theres a reason why fergie doesn’t read this blog… its cos he’s got better things to do like… being a footie manager) the team we have has been strengthened in positions where players have left. plus we have several promising youngsters signed who will come through in the next few years if good enough. Fergie is smart. if he doesn’t spend any more money this season then he will be saving it for next season which will be the most important season of his premiership his core players of the last 14 years will retire… no Giggs, no Scholes, no Neville. to mention the most senior players. it is next year when he will need the cash most. but that is not to say he is sitting around doing Fuck all. he’ll be doing what is best for the club and i for one cannot fault him for doing so…. who scored in the champions league semi final against arsenal anyway… oh yea.. O’shea and Park.
Rant over.
July 13th, 2009 at 19:21
@Grognard: Thats a bit of an OTT reaction…
We wont finish 4th or 5th and you know that.
July 13th, 2009 at 19:27
@Will: hear, hear
July 13th, 2009 at 19:34
So the treacherous Argentine has finally put pen to paper and walked the plank to oblivion.
July 13th, 2009 at 19:45
@Grognard: why the fuck would you be happy if we are playing like shit mid season dude thats fucking retarded.
July 13th, 2009 at 19:48
@Grognard: your off it grog i usually like and understand where your coming from but this is ridiculous mate you actually want us to fail next season so that you can be proved right that is mental.
July 13th, 2009 at 19:53
@Grognard: because your negativity is misguided and blinding you. its not about blind faith its about being positive and enjoying life. as we all know life is short and too short to be pissed at the team we support before the season starts we still have a great squad and i will just be different
we dont need those wankers to win.
July 13th, 2009 at 19:58
@Will: I agree. Fergie’s comments sure will bring out the doom merchants out in all their glory. Those who try to keep a balanced perspective on things will be branded people with blind faith etc.
I’ve seen this before. And it will continue to happen.
@Dan: You must expand on the use of some of your abbreviations.
OTT = Over the top. To those not aware. I just met three people today who didn’t know what OTT stood for, which is why I wanted to get it out of my system. 
July 13th, 2009 at 20:08
for you grogy cheer up mate 19th is on the way!
July 13th, 2009 at 20:11
@RedDevilEddy: Thanks mate, that came from the heart and from the mind because emotionally, I am incredibly pissed off and I do feel betrayed. There is nothing Ferguson can say to justify his stance or position. All this bullshit about Madrid forcing the price of players up is just that, bullshit. If Madrid is willing to pay that kind of money out, then so should United. Instead we are playing minnow ball and are placing ourselves in a sure fire position to fail because I have seen little from Fergie in the last year that makes me believe that he has some magic potion that will bring youth to Neville, Giggs, Scholes and EVDS and I see nothing in his strategy and tactics that will make Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson and others master the best team’s midfield or how he is going to wake up Berbatov from his slumber and make Owen play like he was 19 and stay healthy. Above all, I don’t see how he expects us to improve on last year when we have just lost 30 goals after a pretty ineffective attacking season to begin with, and how he expects two wingers who don’t score and an old scouser to make that up just to keep pace last season. His diluting himself and millions of fans who have bought into his royal con job. The bottom line is that there is a massive conspiracy in place and that is the money has gone to pay off the big debt. And I firmly believe this until they can prove to me otherwise. So many fall for that old man’s smoke and mirrors but the bottom line is he is lying to our faces. We never had 80 million to spend on players anyway and that is a fact as Rafa would say. Prepare yourself for a very rough and very humbling season.
July 13th, 2009 at 20:14
@Madschester United: Whatever I said last season and it was not even clo