Mar 06
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United: Preview
After picking up the first trophy of the season in last weekends Carling Cup final, in the process retaining the trophy and becoming the first side ever to do so. The week has since been littered with talk of the Glazers and a possible takeover from ‘the Red Knights’. Whether this will emerge as a reality remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, Wolves will be looking to take full advantage of any post-trophy winning complacency and financial speculation surrounding the club.
After midweek international duty many of the players will now have to focus on the game at Molineux against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Many would expect Edwin van der Sar to return to the Manchester United line up, though Tomasz Kuszczak will have something to say about that. A good display in the Carling Cup final and more over the same in midweek for Poland, the PIG will be looking to a prolonged run in the team.
Rio Ferdinand is available for selection and should partner Nemanja Vidic in central defence. Patrice Evra will be at left-back as ever, and Gary Neville may get the nod over Rafael on the right side against weaker opposition and due to the Brazilian carrying a slight knock. Jonny Evans will miss the game with a knee injury.
Some semi-exciting news, Owen Hargreaves looks likely to play for the reserves in midweek, so he may be in for a first team call-up very soon indeed, but Wolves have came maybe a week too soon. Anderson is out for the season and Giggs is still sidelined with a broken arm. It would not be surprising if United lined up with five across the middle, Antonio Valencia on the right, making his 100th Premier League start. Nani is back from suspension, so could be on the left, but Ji-Sung Park will probably get the nod. Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick should be the central midfield trio.
We have all heard the news that Michael Owen is out of the remainder of the season with a hamstring problem, so it seems we have an issue with our strikers. Wayne Rooney is also a doubt with a knee problem and Federico Macheda is only just returning from long-term absence. So the responsibility to lead the United front line should fall to Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian still has doubters and a good performance leading the line on his own will do nothing but help his case.
Sir Alex Ferguson though expects a battle, he said, “It’s a real dogfight down there. Wolves are fighting for their lives so we expect a difficult match. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re in a situation now where we need to win all of our games. They have to gather points to stay in the league, and it’s the same for all the other teams down there. It’s not easy, but knowing Mick, he’s never been one to shirk a challenge. There is no doubt that they will have a go at us. We’ll just have to make sure we’re prepared for a battle.”
All the talk after the reverse fixture in December was about Mick McCarthy’s decision to field a weakened team, a suspended £25,000 fine will put a stop to any likelihood of a repeat as the Yorkshireman is likely to field an unchanged side from the one that was beaten by Bolton last weekend.
The main dangerman for Wolves this season has been Kevin Doyle, the clubs top scorer with six goals thus far. Jody Craddock is having something of an Indian summer in the gold and black, whilst also contributing four strikes to aid the anti-relegation cause. One player of interest to United fans will be Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, a goal machine in the Championship, has struggled with the step up scoring a paltry goal in the Premier League this season.
Doyle does seem optimistic, stating “United have so many games and, no matter how good a player you are, with that amount of matches, it is difficult to do it week in and week out. I think that is why you have seen some of the results this season, with the top teams beaten. We have less games to play all season, so that is an advantage and hopefully that will show on Saturday.”
Wolves’ only victory in 14 Premier League matches against Big Four opposition was at home to Manchester United in January 2004. A 1-0 win, though last time the side met at Molineux United were 3-0 victors, in the FA Cup four years ago. As well as being the Premier Leagues lowest scorers with 21 goals, Wolves have failed to score in 12 of their 27 league matches this season.
United on the other hand have only won two of their last six away matches in the league and failed to win in both previous Premier League visits to promoted clubs this season.
A battle will ensue, that is certain. Wolves are fighting for their lives and may feel they have something to prove with a full strength side on show, but United are beginning to move into top gear and the Carling Cup may well act as a catalyst for a rousing performance.
Prediction: 3-0 United
Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Neville; Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher, Park; Berbatov
***
Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register.
Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted).
Related items from Red Rants:- Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Manchester United 2006/2007 Season Review
- Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester United: Preview
- The Manchester United Pledge
Tags: Game Preview
March 6th, 2010 at 12:32
Im back after a little holiday.
Hope you guys like it
cheers
March 6th, 2010 at 14:01
I’m going to predict a team…
VDS
Brown Vidic Rio Evra
Valencia Carrick Scholes Park
Berbatov Diouf
Wouldn’t be surprised if Obertan got on at some point. When is Nani available again?
March 6th, 2010 at 14:26
@Traverse: I think Nani is available for this match.
March 6th, 2010 at 14:37
Nani is out till this match
March 6th, 2010 at 14:52
Ah then he’ll probably start instead of Valencia then.
March 6th, 2010 at 16:04
@Traverse: I join you predictions:
EVDS
Rafael Vidic Rio Fabio
Nani Scholes Fletcher Obertan
Berba Diouf
Bench: PIG, Evra, Evans, Brown, Carrick, Rooney, Macheda
March 6th, 2010 at 16:05
Score: 4-1 united! Nani, Vidic, Berba, Rooney (sub)
March 6th, 2010 at 16:18
Well if we’re going to make a run towards this title, it has to start here. On paper this is actually one of our easiest games in the run in, so 3 points is a minimum.
No Roon or Owen so leaves Fergie with a big decision. Even bigger when you factor in the big Milan match. Scholes probably can’t play both, but with Carrick suspended (idiot) I expect him to start. Gibson has been getting some appearances, so I expect him out there too. Nani will play, but Fergie must be tempted to rest Valencia and Park. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see a bit of a second string, with the view to bring on big guns if needed. Obertan and Diouf maybe?
March 6th, 2010 at 18:09
Team:
Van der Sar, Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Gibson, Scholes, Carrick, Nani, Berbatov.
Subs: Foster, Neville, Park, Rafael Da Silva, Fletcher, Obertan, Diouf.
March 6th, 2010 at 18:19
4-0 United. A brace by Rooney would be nice but I’m not sure Fergie will even start him considering it’s Wolves and because he pissed him off by playing for England this week. And Berba will score and have an assist or two. Lets not just hope for victories the rest of the way. Lets pray no major injuries occur. Enough with the bloody injuries already
March 6th, 2010 at 18:21
any links to web vids of this match – im stuck in work here and i wanna sneeky look at the match lol
March 6th, 2010 at 18:23
@Grognard: rooney is not in the squad
March 6th, 2010 at 18:23
@David Schiavone: Welcome back mate. Hope you had a good break from it all. Now I only wished I knew what has become of our beloved leader Red Ranter. He made it sound that he was going to be away for a short period last week and yet he still hasn’t returned. I’m hoping all is well with him and that he isn’t in jail because he beat up some Texan who is a Liverpool fan.
March 6th, 2010 at 18:25
@owen: Good to know. I’m actually applauding Fergie for this one. Teach the lad that United comes first and risking himself with an injury for a meaningless game for England was selfish. Also, the lad needs a rest and he never got it last week when Owen got injured and he had to come on. So here’s hoping Berba rises to the occasion and that Diouf and others also offer a positive contribution.
Without Rooney my prediction will change to a 2-0 win.
March 6th, 2010 at 18:26
Wow, when was the last time we didn’t have Rooney in the squad even??? Seems like forever. Today is a BIG test of this squad…huge!!! and for Berba as well…I think Diouf should come on in the second half (with our winner perhaps). We should be seeing Obi too today.
March 6th, 2010 at 18:28
@redpenguin:
http://www.iraqgoals.net/6669-wolverhampton-vs-manchester-united-.html
try this fella…hope it works for you.
March 6th, 2010 at 18:40
@m34ch thanks mate! tryin it now
March 6th, 2010 at 18:43
Man Utd
01 Van der Sar
03 Evra
05 Ferdinand
06 Brown
15 Vidic
16 Carrick
17 Nani
18 Scholes
25 Valencia
28 Gibson
09 Berbatov
thought diouf or obertan would start given that they’ll pro not be on next week
March 6th, 2010 at 18:48
@redpenguin:
Or this maybe, hope this helps ya.
http://www.vipcanal.com/ch1.html
March 6th, 2010 at 19:06
Every time we have first place in our sights we always seem to serve of a turkey of a performance. A poor squad selection for a road game of great importance and chicken shit patient tactics against a team that is not parking the bus. Our wingers need to get more aggressive and Carrick and Gibson both need to wake up. Did I predict 2-0 United. After 25 minutes I am starting to think that Wolves may win this game.
March 6th, 2010 at 19:07
We are twice the side they are class wise but we are loosing the physical battle. hope we sort it out by the half
March 6th, 2010 at 19:08
Christ!
That’s two great chances that Wolves have squandered. Will United please wake the fuck up. Fergie needs to take off Gibson and Nani and replace them with Fletcher and Diouf.
March 6th, 2010 at 19:17
Today is proof positive that we are truly a one man team in attack. How in God’s name can Fergie continue to mask the reality that this team needs a serious injection of creative talent? Gill comes out this week and says the money is available for Fergie to spend on players but that his Scottish side of him demands value. Did he demand value when he bought Kleberson, Djemba Djemba, Cruyff, Poborsky, Anderson, Nani and all the other players that cost the club a lot of money but have not panned out? Why all of a sudden has Fergie become the Scottish miser with other people’s money and why has value become such a concern at a time when this club desperately needed an injection of talent in two or three positions?
One thing that really disturbs me is that without Ronaldo or Giggs, this club hasn’t got a good free kick taker. That’s a major weakness for a club of this caliber. We need an attacking midfielder but we need one who can also take a dangerous free kick. This club really has no punch or ideas when Rooney is not on the pitch.
March 6th, 2010 at 19:18
Prediction for halftime…………………….Hair dryer time.
March 6th, 2010 at 19:21
@Grognard: agree nani is making poor decisions but i could see him coming good by the end of the match. fletch for gibbo is a must we are being pushed around like a stepbrother in mid field.
March 6th, 2010 at 19:24
In case anyone is still in doubt. We are a one man team. Without Rooney in the team we never look like scoring. Berbatov has his uses as a support striker but he is not up to leading the line. Id have preferred us to take a chance on Diouf. 4-5-1 against Wolves is just ridiculous.
Really we need another striker. Owen was an interesting gamble but he is not the solution. Rooney will not keep this form up forever and when he doesn’t play we never look like scoring so we need someone to share the goalscoring burden.
Still it is great to see we have the famous defence that won us the Champions League back. If they get through this game without any injuries Id hope we’d be able to play the same defence against Milan and get through to the next round.
March 6th, 2010 at 19:25
@Grognard: I still think all the value talk was to see if some of the kids would produce by the end of the season and it aint happening. were still in it plenty on all fronts though thanks to roon. i expect new faces this summer as fergi needs it and the glazers will want to squash some of the momentum of the red knights. i just hope that means class on the pitch. silva and di maria please
March 6th, 2010 at 19:26
@colver: Nah, not at all. Remove Gibson and put in Diouf then make Carrick join attack while scholes sits back and passes from deep.
That will change everything.
March 6th, 2010 at 19:26
Diouf…diouf… tha diouf is on fire we dont need tevez let the mufukr burn…….
March 6th, 2010 at 19:29
Disgusting.
Nani – at his worst. Park on his average day is better.
Gibson – has never heard of what a typical central midfielder is supposed to be doing.
Scholes – invisible.
Carrick – one twos not coming off, and
Valencia – really his inabilty to pass to anyone but Rooney is starting to worrying me.
This midfield is simply dire.
But we also lack a true strong presence upfront. If Gibson persists in deserting his midfield, then why don’t we just stick Mame Diouf upfront.
On a plus note, its clear to all that Brown (who can’t cross for the life of him) is a much better defensive Right Back than Rafael.
March 6th, 2010 at 19:33
From BBC: “1830: Gary Neville on for Wes Brown for Manchester United. Does that count as the cavalry?”
Kidding…?
March 6th, 2010 at 19:34
@NicoQB: Agree! Except I think Nani will improve if Gibson goes off and Diouf comes on. Berba is never in box and needs diouf to take a man away from Berba-Vally-Nani attacks.
March 6th, 2010 at 19:35
this is a game that i would put oshey and fletch together as they are simply out muscling us.
come on boys stop waiting on the ball and attack it like wolves are.
apparently they are pissed about getting in trouble over our last fixture with them
March 6th, 2010 at 19:46
gibbo off for diouf please berba needs help
March 6th, 2010 at 19:48
bullshit no call on one end to get a card on our end
March 6th, 2010 at 19:57
Nani is not a left winger, simple as that. Id be interested to see what happens if we switch him to the right wing. Valencia has been great this season, but when there is no-one in the box there is not much he can do. Nani on the other hand can cut inside and take some shots at goal.
I have no idea why Fergie didn’t sell Gibson. A few wonder goals does not disguise the fact the rest of his game is useless. Put on Fletcher, take off Scholes, put on Diouf and let’s try to win this game!
And yeah Nico, we need an experienced striker who can lead the line as an alternative to Rooney. Berbatov is a good support striker but ineffective on his own upfront.
But as we do not have any money, lets at least give Diouf a chance.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:03
Finally. Nice goal from Scholes. What really gets me is that Nani has done nothing in the game but my good buddy Craig is going to go on about how Nani set that goal up.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:04
We have got to be the best team in Europe at scoring the most goals with the fewest chances created.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:04
We are pretty mediocre without Rooney and Giggs and somewhat Fletch! Finally a goal. Hold on now for a fucking win !!! and yea…Diouf will one on the 90th minute
March 6th, 2010 at 20:08
Phew. Hopefully that will be game over and we can raise our game significantly for the matches to come.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:09
Wanted a useless tit. My mother would have scored on that lame header by Diouf or should we call him DUH! like Homer Simpson? Poor mechanics on that header. Doesn’t look like a great scorer in my books. Still, nerves and inexperience on the big stage can make anyone look bad I suppose. Not impressed with that terrible miss however.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:14
AHH DUH! That miss was the final straw. This Diouf is completely useless. Where the Hell do we find some of these clowns? Honestly, you’d swear he never played the game a day in his life with the lack of skill and composure he is showing. I’m sorry but I am not merciful. United deserves a better quality of player and we should have spent the money for that kind of player, not bargain basement crap who have dreams of becoming the latest slumdog millionaires. Diouf is pants.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:14
Interesting that Nani’s assist came from the right. Confirms the gaping need for a left winger as a long term replacement for Giggs. Let Nani and Valencia fight it out for the right wing spot.
Diouf, Manucho….just because we plucked Solkjaer from obscurity does not mean it will work again. Players just do not go from playing in mickey mouse leagues to making it at the biggest clubs. There is a progression, a series of stepping stones. As top of the food chain we should be buying established strikers and ideally have three or four of them (and I do not count Owen because he was an injury waiting to happen).
Best thing for Diouf is for him to go out on loan for a year or two, then come back and try and make it here.
Ridiculous really because in Rossi we had a perfectly good striker who we could have easily afforded to give games to. Instead we sell him on the cheap and spend £50 million on the services of Tevez and Berbatov.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:23
Add Michael Carrick to the Git Club for poor clearances and giveaways. Thank God we played Wolves today as opposed to a real football club with an ounce of talent because we would have lost as badly as we did at Everton. Shameful performance. No talent, no desire, no composure, no skill, and no clue. TOTAL RUBBISH!
March 6th, 2010 at 20:25
@colver: I am sick of us buying useless gits and then loaning them off for a year or two simply because they aren’t good enough. I’d rather spend more money and buy players that will contribute to our cause immediately.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:29
@Grognard: Add disgusting to that list.
Diouf got 3 chances to finish the game. Walks like Manucho, looks like Manucho, plays like Manucho – it’s Manucho.
At least we won and realized how much we need to up our game for Milan and Liverpool. This was disgusting. Only Park and Scholes gets my empathy – the rest: Go back to training and beg Rooney to carry you for the remainder of the season.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:31
Anybody else think Diouf thinks he’s a fucking Duke? I mean he seldom fights for a 50-50 ball, does not chase back when he loses the ball, and definately doesn’t have a clue how to get stuck in when the chips are down. He’s a powder puff footballer.
Having said that – all our players, except our overworked defence were PISS POOR, and that is putting it politely. Our MF, especially Carrick and Gibson were very powderpuff today, and Carrick could have cost us BIG TIME – but I have to say that we were so bloody lucky to come out with the points
March 6th, 2010 at 20:32
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I think that is an insult to Manucho. One of the worst performances for a substitute striker I have ever seen. I’m to believe this guy is supposed to be as good as Eddy and Ole claim he is? Me thinks Norway’s football league is such crap that a total git like Diouf would be a star there. Unfuckingbelievable!
March 6th, 2010 at 20:34
Giving Wolves a sniff of our goals is a failure.
Not scoring more than 1 goal against Wolves is a failure.
Berbatov cost as much as all of Wolves’ starting 11 (and possible entire club) yet was unable to fetch a shot on goal.
Of all the chances we had, Diouf got most of them – and fluffed them.
I am actually not that angry, just disappointed that we cannot perform unless there is glitter and big-name opponents.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:35
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Mate they won’t play like that at home though, they fucking daren’t. Every time they play away games, they make a total meal of it. No wonder we lost 5 away games, and fortune was on our side today!
March 6th, 2010 at 20:36
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Berbatov 9 PL goals, and not looking like getting another on todays form!
March 6th, 2010 at 20:41
What a terrible game of football….I cant stand watching berbatov, no pace, no drive, no finishing just a flick here and there….Id rather have diouf missing chances than someone who doesnt even get in a position to score…
That said what was diouf doing? My gosh that was shite
March 6th, 2010 at 20:41
@CraigMc: Against Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan (all fancy away games) we played very well. Against Birgmingham, Hull, Burnley and today (all crap away games) we play like the s**t!
I think there is a correllation between stadium we play in and performance we put in.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:46
And Nani looks to be back to his normal self, absolute shit….why cant he keep his form or even be just average rather than fuck up every single time…
March 6th, 2010 at 20:48
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Berba was never in the box I agree, and disappointing from him, but he was doing double tracking back to do the midfield’s job.
THe midfield was absolutely dire in the first half and he used much of his energy tracking back. He was hands down the most active of our offensive players (so much for the claims of laziness) but by 65 min it was clear he was a bit tired.
@Grognard: Diouf’s finishing was poor, but he showed that he has good positioning instincts. If he can get a bit of confidence the goals might start flowing ion. Harsh to diss him after a cameo of 25 min in a poor game.
And some food for thought for all of us (yes, me included) Park bashers. He did more in 5 min after he came on than Nani in 60 min. Yes, his final ball is still dismal, but if that means more dynamism and grit to our attack, why not?
March 6th, 2010 at 20:49
I think that Gibson has a much better game than Carrick, who has his worst game for a long,long time. He could/should have cost us the game. Paul Scholes, one of the few true great players in this Utd team, or for that matter in England, saved the day but our away form is dire.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:51
@Taehr: Clearly you didn’t watch tonight’s game then.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:54
its appaling when park is the number one starter on the left at a top tier team like ours..i sincerely hope fergie starts nani once more..he needs confidence-building as usual and thats the only way to up his game..we are short in midfield and up front…hopefully rooney gets fit for milan
March 6th, 2010 at 20:55
@frankie: Paul Scholes saved the day, as you say, but for the goal he was still quite poor.
I’m surprised by the lack of recognition the impact of Diouf and Park made. Diouf looks a bit like Andy Cole – great positioning for the sniff of goal, but questionable finisihing. Park clearly brought impetus to our game, while Carrick, Gibson and Scholes were busy treading on each other’s shoes.
March 6th, 2010 at 20:56
I had a gut feeling we would copy Chelsea’s performance a few weeks back and play ugly but win, but this performance was even worse than I feared.
Carrick and Gibson were abysmal in midfield, and the Wolves fans must have been wondering how a player who failed to impress on loan there a few years back is still playing for United. Of course all United fans are wondering the same. Just_not_good_enough.
A thing about Berbatov. When Diouf got the ball from Van der Sar and ran down half the pitch only to fluff his shot badly wide, Berbatov was already the player furthest forward. By the time the ball rolled across the box, he was still way outside the penalty box…
March 6th, 2010 at 21:16
For all the Park bashing he is a big game player and his contributions in Europe are incredibly underappreciated. I’d still rate him above Nani on the left though. The truth is that Nani is a right winger. Fergie has ruined enough players by playing them out of position. We need a left footed midfielder to bring some balance to the team. It is no surprise that when Nani did finally provide an assist it came from the right.
NicoQB, I understand Berbatov’s desire to see some of the ball. But the job is a lone striker is to stay up front and wait all day if necessary so that when they do get a chance they are actually in the box. Rooney has learnt to do that this season, and so must Berbatov if he is going to be Rooney’s understudy in the lone striker role.
Our tactics were all wrong from the start. You play 4-4-2 against Wolves. Of course it was unfortunate that we only have three recognised strikers and two of them were out injured.
But the real explanation for the dire performance is the absence of Fletcher and Rooney. Without them our midfield and attack is average at best. Giggs is also so often an ace in the pack for us and this was a game where Giggs could have made it a lot easier to get the points.
March 6th, 2010 at 21:20
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Mate I just had a terrible thought – we are supposedly the team who doesn’t get nervous because of our experience of winning PL’s. Yet playing the minnow teams you mentioned – we looked like our nerves are shredded. Maybe the whole we don’t get nervous under pressure is a MTYH eh? Most of our players seem to shit themselves under pressure of oncoming traffic, and lose all composure. Sad, Sad, Sad.
March 6th, 2010 at 21:37
@NicoQB: Based on what???
March 6th, 2010 at 21:38
Im starting to worry about the AC Milan game. There is a possibility Rooney may be out, and that will give Milan the confidence to really have a go at us because with Rooney out, we have no counter attacking game. And with only Scholes and Fletcher available in midfield we could get overrun. Thank God we have a fit defence.
March 6th, 2010 at 21:42
CraigMc, the problem with this team is we’ve gotten used to saviours. A few seasons ago that saviour was Ronaldo. Now the saviour is Rooney. The rest of the team (barring defence on a good day) isn’t used to pulling their weight, so when they are forced to step up they cannot handle it.
March 6th, 2010 at 21:45
Lay off diouf, he missed a few sitters but you act like he is the worst player ever.
March 6th, 2010 at 21:54
@colver: I guess somebody forgot to tell Michael Owen then, because he could do a fair old job of stepping into the breech. Pity he is out now!
March 6th, 2010 at 21:57
@colver: Also I think we need to question Fergie about that surely, because he seems to like to set his team to focus all play around what you say is his appointed saviour. No plan B eh?
March 6th, 2010 at 22:29
Craig I agree Mickey Owen is a better like for like replacement for Rooney than Berbatov, but although Im also a fan, he does seem to get injured every season.
And I agree Fergie has no Plan B. Everything seems to go through our main man and when our main man is missing or playing badly we struggle.
But then so many teams in the world are like us, compensating for an overall lack of quality by relying on a single star player.
The problem is Fergie has bought badly when he had money to burn, and now we have no money left and are lacking in quality.
March 6th, 2010 at 22:44
@colver: Yeah I see where your coming from Colver, and I agree about the poor Fergie buys! I still think Berbatov ia a major clanger for us, I am always amazed when he actually scores, and I shouldn’t be as he was bought as a very expensive striker. He has the skill, he just doesn’t really do it for us, although the Berba fans would disagree
March 6th, 2010 at 22:59
@Grognard: Okey
March 6th, 2010 at 23:06
@Grognard: i give him a bit… a bit of a pass on the second miss cause it looks to have just took a flick off a defender just before his first touch but he was poor today. Hope it was a one off because i dont want to see benzema come to united great player but would rather have others.
sad to see diouf do so bad today.
March 6th, 2010 at 23:11
@colver: rossi wanted to go
and so he did.
March 6th, 2010 at 23:21
@NicoQB: Yes Nani did sweet fuck all and then Park came on and was an improvement because he only did fuck all.
Nani had a poor game but never ever think that Park is a better option to Nani. Park is useless beyond belief. No skill, no composure, no class. Who cares if he works hard. That’s like a cook at a restaurant that runs around like chicken on crack but who burns all the meals.
March 6th, 2010 at 23:23
@colver: Rooney will be back for Milan guaranteed. He wasn’t hurt that bad. Hell, Fergie kept him out today to teach him a lesson that club comes before country.
March 6th, 2010 at 23:26
@colver: Every team with a superstar is like that. Barca would be like that without Messi, Madrid have shown to be that without Ronaldo, Chelsea struggle without Drogba and liverpool are positively shite without Torres. We are no different.
March 6th, 2010 at 23:27
@Johnsom33: OK, he was the second worst player ever. He’s still better than Anderson.
March 6th, 2010 at 23:28
@EduardoDaVinci4: Sorry mate, but the truth hurts. Diouf is crap on a stick.
March 6th, 2010 at 23:30
@gator: My God man we are Man Utd, not Bolton. Why would you not want a great player like Benzema or Villa or whoever to come here? Instead you want United to continually spend money on unproven youth who rarely if ever turn out to be United class. Enough already. I want star players bought, not gits like Diouf
March 6th, 2010 at 23:52
@Grognard: i didnt mention villa but hes too old for the $ they want. i do want silva still.
Benz seems to be an asshat and crapped out at madrid because he cant get pecking order threw his thick french mellon. if he came here he would hate being second to roony, and he would better than berba but he would still ride the pine in favor of roon in 451 433 he would complain and sulk. if we sold roony yes get benz but we aint sellin roon. so he needs to go to a team where he would be the main focus.
I just think the $ could be better spent on a real left winger and some class in mf but if we end up with him i wont booo
March 7th, 2010 at 0:02
@Grognard: Okey
Funny you base him on a 25 min cameo, while I judge him by watching him for a few years. I’ll admit, his finishing was shite, dunno what the fuck he was doing on that header, but he did really well to get into that position. He is a clever footballer who will find space and, when confident, he will take them. Confidence in himself had a lot to say in those finishes, because I’ve seen him hit goals like that countless times in the past. It’s a mental thing more than a technical fault, he is a great player mate, he just needs some confidence that is all.
For fucks sake mate, go back to after the Brum game when you were all bashing Mame. I told you all he wouldn’t deliver until he had gotten a few games under his belt, he would fuck up some chances for us, I knew that. But I told you to try taking notice of his movement. Did you do that? No fucking eh you did, you only talked about his finish. Like I didn’t know he would fuck some chances like that up this early into his United career. Give the lad some fucking time mate, I tell you he is gold…
March 7th, 2010 at 0:06
@Grognard: I’m really looking forward to when Diouf starts hittin em goals hard, because you will look like a class A fool then.
Not that I want anything bad to happen to you, but when you speak without knowledge conserning a case, it will come back and bite you in the ass. Hehe 
March 7th, 2010 at 0:10
Grognard, I agree every team has a #1 player. But most teams have more than one matchwinner.
Liverpool have Gerrard and Torres. Chelsea have Lampard and Drogba. Barcelona have Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta. Arsenal have Arshavin and Fabregas. Real Madrid have a host of potential matchwinners when they all click.
March 7th, 2010 at 1:46
Love United! Hate Glazers! BASTARDS! BASTARDS! BASTARDS!
March 7th, 2010 at 3:21
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Now you’re talking!!
March 7th, 2010 at 3:40
@EduardoDaVinci4: I don’t care mate. What I saw I didn’t like one bit and I’m going to need to see a lot better from him in order for my opinion to change. He looked uncoordinated and completely foreign to a football pitch. Like a hockey player in a swimming pool. Perhaps I am being unfair but it;’s just that I am tired of United teasing us with all these young players of which none have panned out. I want stars and I want them right fucking now.
March 7th, 2010 at 3:43
@EduardoDaVinci4: Yah well, lets wait and see. Lets put this way, prepare yourself for a major bollocking if I indeed am right because right now I am looking every bit the genius with my feelings over this knobby kneed pillock. He was pants today and I for one am tired of young useless gits wasting my time.
March 7th, 2010 at 3:44
@colver: Well we have Anderson, Diouf and JS Park. If they aren’t superstars, I don’t know what they are?
March 7th, 2010 at 3:49
Lucky, lucky United. Berbatov and Co. looked beyond their league against the Wolves!!
And why do I say Berbatov and company? Well he was charged as our striker today, the leader of the pack! But wait, he can’t lead very well and as the last two years have proved, he can’t be part of the pack either.
I heard from a source, close to the Wolverhampton dressing room, that gamesmanship came into play – Dimitar didn’t have his favorite toilet paper, and so played the whole game constipated and gaseous!!
Well I could be wrong, but he sure looked that way to me!!
In all fairness to the man, he was playing on his own, and the little flicks and deft touches were always gonna go toward the goal keeper. But his lack of desire in the box was ominous and proved my eternal point, – he has no fight or desire to make the grade.
The difference between him and Rooney, to display courage, work rate, and desire, is monumental. I could say a lot more, but honestly, this is the wide chasm that seperates Berbatov from his destiny.
I wish him all the best for his future!
March 7th, 2010 at 3:52
@Grognard: I agree with you today that Mame was lame. However, had he scored on one of his big chances, we would be saying something quite different…
I will give him 6 months (until beginning of next season) to begin playing well/better.
Ronaldo scores again… I still think that given the fact that we lost Ronaldo and Tevez, Arsenal lost Toure and Adebayore, and Liverpool lost Alonso — seeing chelsea lead with only 1 pt, says a lot about how little they have progressed since Mourinho left and how much better we will be next season.
This season ain’t pretty — but we are still up there in most competitions.
March 7th, 2010 at 6:00
Wow, once again people have no appreciation for how hard a game football is. It’s like some people believe United should win every match 5-0, with 25 shots on goal and world class performances in every position. For those that don’t actually follow non-United matches, going to Wolves is not an easy match. They’ve had good results against Liverpool and Tottenham at home, and should really have got something off Chelsea. They’re incredibly dull, negative and boring, but that makes them robust and hard to break down. Their possession often consisted of literally 5 minutes of passing backwards to the keeper via the midfield, making it virtually impossible to get any momentum. It was Italian style…even when they were behind. If not for one lucky deflection they wouldn’t have had a shot in the second half.
It frustrates me how fickle United fans are. This kind of win is essential in a title fight, and we should acknowledge how tough it is, rather than chastise our players. Yes Nani was poor but do we expect him to beat 3 men at a time? Yes Berbatov wasn’t far enough forward, but he was linking play well and also displayed real effort. Gibbo and Carrick were wasteful but they were generally outnumbered and had little options ahead of them.
I’d of taken 1-0 before the match and I’m delighted. Top of the league in March. Yes please. No Tevez, no Ronaldo no chance. Except…
March 7th, 2010 at 7:06
@Beachryan: Good post, wasn’t our best game but we got the vital 3 points.
March 7th, 2010 at 10:08
Eddy mate ur 100% correct on Diouf. yea fair enough he fucked up infront of goal last night but it was plain to see for anyone with a football brain that his pace on and off the ball in amazing. his movement in the box is also very encouraging. if park could have passed earlier diouf had put himself in the perfect position to score. (kind of thing berba finds imposible to do) no other striker in our squad offers what diouf can. All those bashing him , writing him off after his second appearamce in the first team are mugs..no offence!
give the lad a few more chances on the big stage and i know he will be a major player for us!
Chin up Mame- ur the man
March 7th, 2010 at 11:40
@united4life: Exactly rather someone missing chances(mame) than someone doing sweet fuck all in attacking areas like berbatov, a striker that plays in midfield, give me a fucking break, he needs to be shipped sharpish
March 7th, 2010 at 12:21
@Beachryan: Give this man a round of applause.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:52
@Grognard: I thought Diouf was alright, he got himself into 3 good positions so that he at least had the chance to miss! He’s shown composure in front of goal in the reserves matches that I’ve watched so hopefully that will be a part of his game that we will see emerge over time.
March 7th, 2010 at 13:19
@Beachryan: Spot bloody on. I’m amazed how many people expected Berbatov to score a hat-trick or something! Have you not watched him play before? That’s not what he does. Having never played as the 1 up top before I thought he did remarkably well holding the ball up and then bringing others into it, and based on todays papers the neutrals agree. Rooney wasn’t too hot up top on his own when he started doing it either, and he held the ball up a whole lot worse too!
That being said, I think Nani and Fletcher are the conundrum. Nani was just terrible yesterday, looked like he didn’t know what a football is. I think we can’t play a 4-5-1 without Fletcher either, as he breaks forward more than Scholes or Carrick and is a better tackler…. helps us win the midfield battle against teams who pack the midfield against us.
March 7th, 2010 at 13:22
@RM: Yeah, Diouf is a rough diamond. He has 2 things that practice can’t improve… a powerful shot and pace to burn and for someone of his height and build is a potent combo. Yeah the Prem is tougher than playing for Molde, and playing with our players will improve his vision, passing, touch and all round game. He is quite the prospect for the future I reckon.
March 7th, 2010 at 13:28
“After picking up the first trophy of the season in last weekends Carling Cup final, in the process retaining the trophy and becoming the first side ever to do so”
Didn´t Liverpool win it 4 times on the trot in the 80s?
March 7th, 2010 at 14:05
I think they meant it’s the first time United have retained a cup, which it is to my knowledge. Both Forest and Liverpool did it in the 70’s.
March 7th, 2010 at 14:21
@RM: Clapclapclap
March 7th, 2010 at 16:05
@Taehr: You, my son, are a genious! You think like me, which must mean you are as smart as me, which means you are a genious. Well done mate!
Ouf, Ouf, Diouf!
March 7th, 2010 at 16:06
NIGGAHPOWAH!!!
March 7th, 2010 at 16:42
As a supporter am happy that we gathered 3 points but as a fan, am disappointed with the lads performances. This was time and a game for the likes of Carrick, Nani, Gibson, Valencia, Berbatov et la to stamp their mark.
But when you look to Park the aging Scholes to settle the game for you, i mean, it shows that the direction the club is heading isn’t the right one. For fuck’s sake, the attacking front comprised of players not more than 3 years old at the club ,but all they did was bull shit. Where are we headed then?
Come this summer, SAF should open up his pocket, and stop this nonsense of value for money in the market. Otherwise, if Rooney starts getting the injuries we know he normally gets or if he runs out of form, then we’ll be out of all trophies as early as December.
March 7th, 2010 at 17:28
Manchester United have signed 18-year-old defender Marnick Vermijl from Standard Liege, with the versatile defender expected to join Old Trafford in time for next season.
March 7th, 2010 at 17:38
@owen: source?
March 7th, 2010 at 17:53
@RM: Do you settle for ugly girls too mate?
March 7th, 2010 at 17:55
@Traverse: Yeah, Douf is still at that stage a diamond is in when it’s really rough. It’s called coal.
March 7th, 2010 at 17:56
@EduardoDaVinci4: Poor assed motherfuckers.
March 7th, 2010 at 18:09
I’m about ready to barf my breakfast after reading all the positive glass half full feelings many of you have about this useless prat by the name of Diouf woof woof. Seriously fellas, there comes a time when optimism overtakes common sense and when delusions and fantasy rule the day. Here’s the thing, Diouf may indeed have talent but on yesterday’s display, I question not only his talent (or lack of), but also his mental state. I don’t think he has the bottle to play at this level. I think his knees went noodle-like and he was ready to vomit all over the OT pitch. He like myself realized he was out of his league and out of his element which is more like the Norwegian League or the English 3rd Division.
What really gets me is how some of you found positives in his game. You remind me of the kid who at Christmas watched his friends get really great Christmas presents while you had to settle for a crappy gift that you had to share with your brother or sister. But you made the best of the situation and walked around proudly with the crappy gift despite the fact it wasn’t worth shite. So you all love your little Diouf toy. I for one am waiting for my XMas gift which will hopefully be a Di Maria or Krasic, a Neuer and a Benzema. As for Diouf, that’s the sound my crap makes when it splashes in the toilet. Sorry for the graphic description but I know crap when I see it.
Lets just say I crave steak whereas you guys settle for Kraft Dinner.
March 7th, 2010 at 18:11
@owen: Yet another world class savior. WOW! Who can stop us now? Partner him up with Dioufbag and Smelling and we are unbeatable.
March 7th, 2010 at 18:15
@[OPTI]Madschester United: bbc gossip.Belgiun media have confirmed it.
March 7th, 2010 at 18:20
@Grognard: I dont know really who is incharge of buying players at our club now.Why so much youngsters???This is Man Utd F.C ,not a higher secondary school club.And why so much defenders???Why there is not even a single mention of any midfielders which must be the priority.
March 7th, 2010 at 18:28
I’m reading a lot of rumors regarding United’s supposed interest in signing Joe Cole this summer. I have very mixed feelings about this. I have always been an admirer of Joe Cole as a player and the fact he reminds me of Robin Hood’s Jonas Armstrong (which is a show I loved), but I am wondering if he is a good move for United?
Cole has the ability and he is far from over the hill but have we not learned a lesson from Michael Owen this season that buying free agents comes with a heavier price than we need. Bottom line is Joe Cole is almost as injury prone as Owen and I for one cannot recall the last season Cole played injury free. Sure he can contribute if he is healthy and as a free agent, we wouldn’t have to come up with 12 to 15 million pounds that it would take to buy him, but still, Michael Owen’s recent injury has made me gun shy when it comes to buying players who have injuryitis running through their veins.
Fergie is all about getting value these days yet I ask the question is getting a player who cannot play very often for you due to injury good value, even if there isn’t a price tag on him? Personally I think United have to stop digging in other team’s trash bins for a good bargain. It makes us look sad and desperate and I for one am getting a little embarrassed by the direction this team is taking when it comes to acquiring talent.
If indeed Fergie has the Ronaldo money to spend, then stop with all this Scottish cheap assed bullshit and go out and buy three or four great players as opposed to these thrift shop reclamation project that seems to look good on paper but usually backfires on the pitch. Fergie seems to be looking to the past and to the far future with his signings and has forgotten the present. And personally, that is really starting to piss me off royally.
March 7th, 2010 at 18:32
@owen: It’s not just youngsters. The plan it seems is to buy kids and hold on to the old goats for as long as possible as well as look to buy every good home grown free agent that is spotted regardless of their injury prone history. Joe Cole looks set to follow Michael Owen to OT and then get injured for us and miss most of the season as opposed to doing it regularly for Chelsea. Buying young and keeping old is cheaper than buying present day superstars. Good value? I think not. Where is the good value now that Rooney and Owen are injured and we have no quality strikers other than Berba to count on? The smart thing would have been to spend 30 million in January and bought Krasic and another quality striker.
March 7th, 2010 at 18:36
Some recent signings:
1>Tosic : As Huntelaar is for bench,he was for Reserves.
2>Obertan:Supposed to be a player but turned to be a gardener.
3>Smalling: Not a first team Fulham player yet but will replace VIDA.
4>Anderson: To add one poster to REDRANTS.
5>Nani: Same as 4.
6>Park : As salesman
7>Hargo: Fergie had some issues with Physio and took revenge.
8> Owen : To decrease one enemy of RED NEV.
9>Foster : To increase the blood presure of Grog and took away one poster(Dan) away from REDRANTS.
10>Berba: To prove how easily money can we wasted.
11> Diouf: To make Drogba look smart than someone in the League.
12> Llajic: To make a joke of this club.
So we have a team with one substitute
March 7th, 2010 at 18:59
@Owen,
Wow, that’s some pretty strong feelings mate. But yes, Diouf was majorly disappointing yesterday, especially his dolphin-like flap at that header!
My thoughts on yesterday’s game – http://bigfourza.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/ton-up-scholes-puts-us-on-top/
March 7th, 2010 at 19:51
@owen: Fergie’s brother Martin Ferguson is one of if not our chief talent spotters – so that says it all really, because I cannot think what Martin actually knows about football, but maybe he has a history in football I don’t know about. Can any of you enlighten me please? Otherwise I will just be thinking again – jobs for the boys???
March 7th, 2010 at 19:52
@Grognard: Goodness. Is this based on last night’s game or a general assessment.
March 7th, 2010 at 20:04
D@Grognard: Watching Diouf up front for us yesterday was embarrasing the guy is a clown, Nani was awful and the overrated too old has been who should retire, who has been holding back the amazing talented Anderson was our best player, simply we are doomed.
Ps clasy goal celebration from Terry today can that guys lack of class become any lower?
March 7th, 2010 at 20:05
@Taehr: I agree – but we need somebody who knows what a decent striker is, and can go out and buy him
. No team can get by with only one potent striker, because most great teams have at least two great strike partners who scored regularly – which UNited used to have. So I don’t understand the Fergie mentality of one lone striker up front, because we then don’t play as he himself has always advocated – football played the United way. The United way for most of this season has been a proper SHITE bore! Rooney is being played like Ronnie, and sadly Rooney has not got the physique of Ronnie, who could play and play and play – and not get innjured all that often. Ronnie was viciously tackled far more than Rooney too, so he had lots of knocks but quick recovery. I despair to think what would happen if Rooney took the hammering tackle wise that Ronnie did, because Rooney isn’t built the same. Course Rooney has a better ability than Ronnie at avoiding the bruisers 
March 7th, 2010 at 20:11
@owen: Who may that number 4 be mate?
March 7th, 2010 at 20:11
@EduardoDaVinci4: What?
March 7th, 2010 at 20:11
@CraigMc: What Ronaldo is a tougher player than Rooney? Ronaldo spent most of his time on his arse waving his hands in the air, Rooney just gets on with playing tracks back and makes tackles, Ronaldo did not.
March 7th, 2010 at 20:11
@Grognard:
March 7th, 2010 at 20:14
Is it just me or David James was really wearing unmatching pair of shoes in yesterday’s FA Cup tie against Birmingham?
March 7th, 2010 at 20:34
We have had one really bad performance for 2010. Does anyone know how many of those we had between August and December last year? At least 3 every month. How Diouf can be ultimately judged on a 25 min cameo and deemed talentless is clearly ridiculously illogical. Note the combo of ridiculous and illogical. At times we need to consider certain things before passing judgment. Does this actually make any sense? Am I in a good position to pass accurate judgment? If the answers are in the negative then there’s no need to actually pass judgment. Sorry for being rude but I have tbh,some of the stuff we say is just too ridiculous. He seems to be exhibiting some great finishing skills in the Reserves which tells me that it’s a matter of composure when it comes to the first team. He is not talentless. He has displayed better positioning than my 2nd fav player (Berba) inside and around the box. Scoring goals or finishing is based on the factor of confidence. Confidence is gained from repetitive success. Repetitive success is achieved by successive attempts. In English. For a striker to score regularly he needs confidence. For him to gain confidence he needs to succeed regularly in his attempts. For that to happen he needs to play consistently. It’s called a process. It’s like when everyone was on Rafael’s back after the Milan game.
March 7th, 2010 at 20:36
@Jay wire: Diouf
March 7th, 2010 at 20:39
@Jay wire: I think you are a very smart commenter mate, but Diouf looks totally out of his depth and if he makes it I will be amazed.
To say judge a player on 25mins is wrong, well he was awful mate and to suguest any different is ridiculous and illogical.
March 7th, 2010 at 20:52
One thing I’m glad about is the imminent return of Kiko. That’s one player I like to see. He is really aggressive
March 7th, 2010 at 21:06
@Stephen: Evra was shocking in his first few games.
Now he’s a legend.
I’m not saying Diouf will be a legend, just that he should be given more time.
As a striker if he carries on getting in good positions he will eventually score.
March 7th, 2010 at 21:25
@NicoQB: Eweehsåå, Mah Man!
That’s NicoBarbeQue for y’all! Luv ya bro, luv ya! 
March 7th, 2010 at 22:43
Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Eric Cantona to buy United?!
March 7th, 2010 at 22:54
@Jay wire: Both.
March 7th, 2010 at 23:05
@Grognard: calm down mate and put more fiber in you diet and your shits wont make such noises in the toilet. you will fell lighter and happier and not so… groggy
March 7th, 2010 at 23:09
@Jay wire: Mate, at the highest level it’s all about composure. It doesn’t matter how talented you are, it’s how you show that talent under pressure. That is why Anderson always excels with the Reserves and not with the big club, COMPOSURE. Sure the quality of the opposition isn’t as hard but that also allows him to feel more relaxed and to express himself better. A lot of talented players never make that step to the top simply because they cannot overcome the composure and nervousness part. Perhaps in time Diouf will overcome it but based on what I saw, I am not betting on it because his composure was so lacking, I’m surprised he never pissed himself.
Everyone is saying just be patient but here’s the thing. I’m sick and tired of being patient. I never became a United supporter so that I could imitate being a West Ham supporter and just be patient for the kids to grow up and mature. I am a United supporter because I demand excellence and top class talent all the time. I’ don’t mind waiting on a few kids but this club is over saturated with young talent of which most doesn’t look United class and old men who are well past their prime. We haven’t got enough mid range talent to hold the club up to the standard of the Barca’s and Madrid’s. At times I feel like a baseball fan who has to watch the big club’s AAA minor league club play more than the big club. It’s damned well time for this club and this cheap manager to wake the fuck up and start spending serious money on serious and proven talent and not in a few years but right fucking now.
I’m sick and bloody tired of this stand pat shite with the excuse that there is no value out there. Newsflash Fergie. The reason it’s hard to find value out there is because you have caused the prices to skew upwards by the way you overpriced Ronaldo and by over paying for players like Berbatov, Anderson and others. The person to blame for high prices is staring you in the mirror old man. So get over your Scottish cheapskate bullshit and go out and buy some stars if indeed you have the money because at this point you are looking like a ripe idiot for not having filled some of the glaring weaknesses on the team. Why do I feel that the big signing this off season will nothing more than the free Joe Cole?
March 7th, 2010 at 23:12
@gator: I’m fine just the way I am mate. At least I’m not as full of bullshit as a lot of others on this blog who sing the same old constipated song and dance. Having the runs frees me up to express myself.
March 8th, 2010 at 1:59
@Grognard: Man City thought they’d signed him, and Chelsea have been scouting him. He’s a full back who can play either side, and he’s reportedly costing us £200,000 which is fuck all. If he’s as good enough to have us and Chelsea sniffing around then I’m glad we went and signed him now, rather than him going to someone in Italy or France and paying £12million for him in 2 or 3 years!
March 8th, 2010 at 2:03
@NicoQB: Like the time we gave Anderson, Foster, Berbatov, Nani, etc, etc??
We need to acknowledge that some players are not going to work for us, move on and allow others to move into their space!!
Diouf’s performance yesterday should be enough to give him another 3 months in the reserves!!
March 8th, 2010 at 3:36
@Traverse: If the 200,000 represents fuck all to you in terms of money, why would a player of that value represent anything more??
You seem to think that all these deals, on the cheap, are wise and wonderful, – side stepping the huge amounts paid by most top clubs, and making the ultimate coup that makes us a step ahead in the transfer market!
Fact is we are desperately, and without prejudice, trying to make the both ends of our budget and team needs make sense!
Buying all these youngsters is, at best, United doing player farming, but I don’t see a lot of thought or judgment in most of these moves.
I do conclude that most of this is purely fluff, for our own amusement and benefit. Good idea but we will only to be ultimately disappointed by its results.
March 8th, 2010 at 5:44
@Redrich: REdrich, who have we bought for 200,000?? Did i miss any news item?? talking of defenders, Wes Brown seems out for the season with a broken metatarsal!!
Injuries are killing us this season. its amazing we are top of the table given the departure of Ron and Tev and the weird injury-driven season we seem to be having. Just shows how pathetic the other teams around us have been as well!
March 8th, 2010 at 6:19
@Redrich: I couldn’t agree with you more mate. As far as I’m concerned United is just scraping the bottom of the barrel hoping to find a gem for the price of a bowl of Borscht. It’s rather sad really.
March 8th, 2010 at 6:21
@godzilla: It’s not about 200,000, it’s about the attitude of scraping the bottom of the barrel or looking down the end of the food chain for talent rather than spending serious money for serious talent. It’s all speculative and reminds me a little of buying a lottery ticket and hoping you win.
March 8th, 2010 at 7:52
@Grognard: Grognard totally agree. just read its the Liege defender we bought. Not sure why when we still have Brown a couple of years and Rafael and De Laet at RB! But yea, not sure why we are scrapping the bottom so much when we should really be buying big. I agree with Grog that our highlights for the summer will be one MF/Striker and Joe cole on the free! Fergie will again say that he does not ’see’ value and is happy with his team. Although no CL/PL cups might just open his eyes to ’see’ things differently!
btw, Real are top of table over the weekend. ROnnie would love a league title in his first season there! fucking mob.
March 8th, 2010 at 7:55
Question to the complainers: if we win the PL and CL, what will you say then?
March 8th, 2010 at 8:52
@RM: That the team still sucks and that changes need to be made. Don’t fool yourself mate, this team is broken in many places. The good thing is that thanks to Real Madrid and some other Spanish teams, the rest of the league’s top teams have taken a hit in their talent pool and thus have allowed us to still be in the running despite our poor season. The League is weaker up top and stronger in the middle. That does not take away from the fact this club needs a a new top line CB if Vidic leaves, a couple of central midfielders, a LW and a prolific striker to partner Rooney. I’d also try to get that top goalkeeper to replace EVDS now before it’s too late and an other team gets him.
We are so easily blinded by the fact we are temporarily in first yet we seem to forget how many games we have already lost, how many poor games we have played and been lucky to win or draw and just how shaky the club has looked for the most part of the season. You want a reality check? Let Rooney get a long term injury and just watch how quickly this club plummets from first to fourth. We are completely dependent on him and Fletcher in the lineup. Without them we are bordering south of mediocrity. You can choose to believe it or not, that’s entirely up to you.
March 8th, 2010 at 8:58
Unbelievable. Wes Brown now has a broken foot and looks to be out for the year. Just exactly what the hell are they feeding these boys as they are as brittle as pretzels? I’m sorry but there is something seriously wrong with United’s fitness program and instructors. Far too many leg related injuries and a sign that players are not physically fit enough to handle tackles and bad turf. Either that or our boys are just soft tossers who blow over at the sign of a stiff wind. FUCKING PATHETIC.
March 8th, 2010 at 10:48
@Grognard:
I’m sure I recall you saying around August that we’d struggle to even finish in the top 4 this season because we sold Ronaldo and Tevez.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:45
@Redrich: What I’m saying is, we are not signing young players who’ve just wandered past the ground kicking a can. In the last 2 years we have signed young players that Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Milan, Inter, Barcelona and Madrid are interested in.
The people complaining are the same lot that will start shouting about ‘not signing them on the cheap when we had the chance’. Players who end up going to Italy or France and then we end up paying £15mil to £20mil for, or they go to somewhere like Real, we hear nothing from them for 3 years and then BOOM they are in the first team and everyone is raving about them.
Ronaldinho, Ribery and Essien are three recent examples of this sort of thing. Also, lets not forget, we have no fucking money so this is how we will have to operate until the Glazers do one.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:48
Rooney apparantely is going to be fit for the Milan game which is good news!
I don’t really have a problem with us poaching 16-18 year olds for next to nothing. But it is ridiculous to use this as a substitute for buying experienced, proven players. For every twenty “wonderkids” only one will develop into a player worthy of a first team place.
The thing that really annoys me is when we spend millions on unproven 18-21 year olds who inevitably flop. Players like Tosic, Anderson, Obertan etc.
The United way always used to be to buy players in the 21-25 age range who have proven themselves at a midsize club and had a decent amount of European experience and are ready to step up to the next level.
Signings like Ruud Van Nistrelooy, Yorke, Keane, Rio, Evra etc.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:55
@Redrich:
Marnick Vermijl, £200,000
Rafael, £2.6mil
Fabio, £2.6mil
De Laet, £100,000
Possebon, Nothing (that I can find)
Obertan, £3mil
That’s 6 players for £5.5mil. 3 of them definitely good enough to play for us(raf,fab,richie), one possible (obertan), one probably not (poss on a free), and one we are yet to find out about (Vermijl).
Let’s compare that with the class of 2003….
Kleberson, £6.5mil
Eric Djemba-Djemba, £3.5mil
David Bellion, £3mil
Liam Miller, Free.
Diego Forlan, £7mil.
Tim Howard – £4mil.
That’s 6 players for £24mil on players who we’re totally rubbish, and mostly already established players. I know which list I’d rather have for both financial and playing reasons..
March 8th, 2010 at 12:59
I meant £8.5mil first total……
March 8th, 2010 at 14:17
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2171/premier-league/2010/03/08/1822883/france-and-real-madrid-legend-zinedine-zidane-manchester
March 8th, 2010 at 14:18
@godzilla: The worst part is this is a world cup year, players like di maria, depending on how they fair in the competiotion, there worth will inflate then add the united tax, dude we are officially screwed.
I have no hope with the glazers, nothing good can come from them. Yes we,ve won 3 EPLs in a row, but lets rem most of this players were there even before glazers came on board.
What they have done, is cont raping us, taking all the profits and selling good players replacing them with would be future stars. I just hate there business model.
All this crap about value for money is just but an excuse. We could have gone for arshavin, ribery, benzema, and all those players we missed out on as fergy is still looking for his value for money. Then goes and wast 30m+ on berbatov. Am I missing something here
LUHG
March 8th, 2010 at 14:32
@Grognard: It shocks me how people can see any positives from the game versus wolves, we lacked grit and teeth, wolves were all over us like we were kindergaten kids and they were in 5th grade.
We came second in every department, and if wolves had taken there 2 clear chances, then this would have been a different discusion. The highest i’d rate any player, especially our attacking players is 4. No desire at all.
Am willing to give diouf some time, from what i’ve seen in the reserves, he has promise though saturday he was pants. Lets hope he is not another andy
We need to buy complete players, when did wacthing a man utd game become this boring..Watching that mediocre perfomance from our players was not only annoying but also plain boring.
Valencia needs to be able to pass to other players, not jus rooneys head.
March 8th, 2010 at 14:38
This is what @Traverse: For your list to be complete, you need to add ando, berba and nani on that list then tell me which one you prefer
March 8th, 2010 at 14:49
the man utd i knew Beckham, keane, Scholes Giggs frightening to any opposition
The Man Utd we have Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Park/Nani.
While the above midfileders would have walked into any team during their prime year, i’d really struggle to fit any of the current midfielders in any top team of this era.
Hope we all see that we are being taken for a ride, Man Utd should not be scrapping in other peoples dustbin as pointed above but we should be competing with the top teams for top talents in the market.
Am sure people like craig who go to watch the games live will agree with me that there is no value for money in what is being dished out to us nowadays. With ticket eva increasing ticket prices.
March 8th, 2010 at 14:55
More good news from the press, Rooney may play in the Milan game.
March 8th, 2010 at 15:11
@RM: What a rubbish season we have had
The last few games most of us woke up from our snooze football induced comas
March 8th, 2010 at 15:14
@godzilla: We should be buying a DECENT left back, so Evra can have a deserved rest now and again. He will be the next to get injured, too many bloody games for the lad!
March 8th, 2010 at 15:22
@Redrich: Rich mi man, play Nani in his natural position on the right wing, and he is a different player. Yet again Fergie failed to buy a NATURAL left winger didn’t he
. So hopefully he will look at that in the summer – Fergie buy what we need, a natural left winger (Joe Cole isn’t left sided player naturally), and left full back, another really decent striker who is a box player and can actually get us at least 20 a season, a couple of very good midfielders, and really good replacement for Rio. We have so many needs it is pathetic for a club that used to have stature where buying top players was concerned!
March 8th, 2010 at 15:25
@Man Utd Jaluo: I’m talking about the ones we’ve signed for the future in the last year or two, which is what people have a problem with.
It’s good business sense to buy these sorts of players whether you are the Glazers or Red Knights. The difference being, under the Glazers that looks like the only option, rather than a supplementary course to to world class players.
That being said, we never in our history have signed stars. Veron? He may be the only one. That didn’t work out too well.
March 8th, 2010 at 15:33
@Stephen: Stephen you misunderstood me! I said Ronaldo has the type of physique that is better adapted to top class sports, and thats why he gets less injuries than Rooney. I didn’t say he was stronger than Rooney, but that he took more HARD and malicious tackles from the prem bruisers than Rooney endures, and that is why as you so aptly put it, Ronaldo finished up on the deck so often. And yet he still would come back and play game after game. Rooney is not used to jumping for headers mate, and persistent competing for headers and then LANDING on those knees, well bound to result in Rooneys knees taking a hammering. Ronnie was able to just soar for those headers, and seemed to land lightly. That’s what I was saying mate
.
March 8th, 2010 at 15:37
@CraigMc: For next season, I would say we need a left winger, a striker, and a CM.
We have no left wingers. Park isn’t, Giggs isn’t anymore. That leaves us with Obertan only. I would spend the majority of our summer budget here on either Di Maria or Silva, as well as Joe Cole on a free. The rest we could get away with, but far too often we have had only one route of attack… long ball to Valencia. Luckily that has worked pretty damn well.
Scholes will not continue past next season. Giggs might. We need to start looking for someone who can step up to the challenge.
Carrick and Fletcher have had really good seasons, Anderson has regressed (but we’ll still have him next season to prove himself), Gibson hasn’t come on at all really, and with his age and lack of first team opportunity I expect him to leave.
Chances are someone like Behrami or Veloso will take his place.
Up top we could get away with having Rooney, Berba, Owen if our left wing and midfield are sorted, as better service = more chances = more goals. Fergie will still try and buy Benzema regardless
.
So to recap the players I think we will be most heavily linked with are:
Silva
Di Maria
Behrami
Veloso
Rodwell
Benzema
I expect the Glazers to make money available to try and shut up the fans, and claim it is the Ronaldo money. If they can muster £55mil then Benzema and Silva are possibilities. I know, BIG IF!
VDS
Brown Rio Vida Evra
Valencia Fletcher Carrick Silva
Rooney Benzema
I’d pay to watch that team….
March 8th, 2010 at 15:48
@Traverse: I’d like us to buy Fellaini – if we are going to buy from Everton at all. He is a very entertaining, charismatic and BULLISH tackler and ball winner of AMF. He is an excellent player in the air too. Wouldn’t mind him at all. How do you see Veloso fitting into the team then Trav? Valencia and Nani can do the right wing job, and I would just LOVE De Maria on our left wing – SKILFUL! I really don’t want Benzema, but we do need a goalscoring striker who is always in the BOX.
March 8th, 2010 at 15:52
@Traverse: Comical isn’t it Trav, that the players we bought that our first team players pushed Fergie to sign, all turned out good for us – Ruud, Rooney, and Ronnie to name but a few. Our first teamers pushed the boss to buy, after these three gave out team a hellish nightmare in games played AGAINST us
.
March 8th, 2010 at 16:18
Few thoughts:
1. If we all agree that Fergie and co have been adopting a policy of buying 18-21 year olds with a view to grow them into United players, can we really be upset that after 1 or 2 years they’re not there yet? Ando and Nani still haven’t been given regular stints in the first team, and they just won’t get better until they do. What annoys me is seeing Gary Neville rather than Rafael playing in matches. There is no point in this. Similarly bringing on Park instead of Obertan. Which leads me to point 2…
2. We need a transition year. A year when people don’t expect us to be top of the table in March, still in the CL and already with silverware in the cabinet. We need a year of finishing 3rd or 4th, but, giving the young players the opportunity to gel together, to learn what it’s like being a full time regular and to see if they’re good enough. Problem is, our finances don’t allow for this transition year. So Fergie has to go with reliable players, who at the moment are just the old fellas.
3. I think we’re beginning (finally!) to see the formation that Fergie has in mind with his current team, which is a 4411 with berbatov connecting a front three of Rooney and two wingers. At least in the non-defensive games. In the big matches it still appears that Berba will be sacrificed for another traditional midfielder. The nice thing about this setup, is that in theory it means we can swap out wingers (if only we had a left sided one) strikers (if only we had another who could lead the line) and this pivot position (Rooney can play there too) making us a bit more flexible. But we do need a left footed winger and another lead striker.
4. I don’t know what to make of our midfield. In my humble opinion when Scholes hangs up his boots we won’t have a single class midfielder in the team. They’re okay, but not Keano level good. Fletcher has become ridiculously overhyped, and I really think it’s just relative to some of the competition. Yes he tries harder than Carrick and yes he runs more than Anderson but he’s not actually that great. His first touch is nothing like Scholes’ his passing is nothing like Becks, his dribbling is nothing like Giggs – all he has is great spirit. Which is nice, but we shouldn’t be building a team around him. It’s a real problem, and not one I see easily addressed as I honestly don’t think there are great options out there. Essien aside
(can we call him injury prone yet?)
5. Won’t pass judgement on Diouf yet, but he was utterly, utterly rubbish. Then again, Forlan looked abit like that occassionally, and he’s been one of the 10 best strikesr in the world since we sold him.
March 8th, 2010 at 16:18
@RM: I predicted third place and yes I was all doom and gloom. For the most part the team has played exactly the way I expected them to, except for managing to save points in numerous games where they deserved to drop them. They still have lost six games so far and their form has been less than stellar. The up side is that nobody else in this league seems to want to win it all either. Chelsea and Arsenal have done their very best to help keep us in the running and Liverpool of course completely collapsed. I don’t think anyone predicted that before the season started. The reality has been that if not for Rooney and the revelation of Darren Fletcher, this club would truly be in a world of hurt. So lets be thankful for small miracles.
March 8th, 2010 at 16:22
@colver: That was the United way. Buying kids still diapers who are a long shot is now known as the Glazer way.
March 8th, 2010 at 16:31
@Traverse: The difference that you so conveniently seem to be forgetting is that while we were buying players who eventually failed around 2003, we were also buying players like Ronaldo, RVN, Vidic, Evra, EVDS, and other useful players simply because at that time, we had the resources to both fail and succeed. Today we have limited resources and we are using them unwisely by centering on kids who have an 80% chance of failure overall. United used to have the kind of transfer capacity to buy big, medium and small and the small purchases were never talked about because the big names were all the headlines.. Now the only headlines we have are the signing of some obscure and probably useless Belgian kid. Who cares if all the other teams were interested in him. The fact is none of them were so interested in him to outbid a financially strapped club like ours. Whenever a team shows interest in a prospect other clubs come knocking to just so they can create panic, increase the price of the player and dupe that team that is interested into paying more to get him. We basically got sucked in. I mean really, when was the last time a legitimate talent came out of Belgium? Please!
I think they were looking to find a roommate for poor Richie De Laet.
March 8th, 2010 at 16:38
Watching the Everton game, Rodwell looks like a new english Ballack-type midfielder. I am impressed with him.
March 8th, 2010 at 16:44
@Man Utd Jaluo: The reason we come across as so boring is because we never make the most of our opportunities. Had Diouf scored on his two efforts and had we stuck in the other couple of good chances we had, we would be talking a very positive tune right now. But you see that is the difference between this club and past clubs. We lack the skill to finish at the highest level and to put away inferior opponents most of the time. So without Rooney we look awful simply because….WE ARE. Our lack of finishing ability is a major problem with this team despite the goals we have scored. Without Rooney we are chopped liver. With him we are better but far too reliant on him. We are streaky and inconsistent yet we are good enough in a watered down league to be presently in first place simply because the other teams challenging us also have their problems. Gone are the days when Chelsea were a truly unbeatable opponent and when arsenal could be counted on to be consistently good. So from my point of view, the team that wins the league this year will have backed into the championship because from where I am standing, nobody wants it badly enough and nobody is really good enough to take it by proxy.
I have used this analogy before but I feel it is relevant to what has been an absolutely awful Premier League season from my perspective. This season reminds me of those dreary and dull US Open golf tournaments where nobody looks to want it on the final day and the champion usually wins the thing by just having fewer bogies than the rest of the pack. He wins with a 4 over par score and shoots 74 and basically bores the millions who have watched the golf course beat the entire field into submission. Not very attractive and not very exciting, unless you are a team like Spurs, Villa and Everton and you see light at the end of the tunnel and are fighting for 4th. For them it’s a great season but for the prestige of the league and for it’s reputation across Europe, it makes me sad to think that none of our teams are in the same league as Madrid or Barca quality wise. How can we? These teams keep raping us and stealing all the great players the Prem used to have on show.
March 8th, 2010 at 16:46
@Man Utd Jaluo: And as for Valencia, perhaps you are right but if all the other players would actually get open in the box or be in a good position for a cross, perhaps then, Valencia would find them. It’s no secret that Rooney is getting the majority of crosses because he is in the right spot directly in front of the keeper. Perhaps Berba and the rest could learn from this.
March 8th, 2010 at 16:51
@Traverse: I agree with your requirement list except I would add yet one more LW. Not a big name but a naturally left sided winger who is young and who can grow into the position as well as be an adequate backup to the first team player we sign. We are completely bald on the left side and so one player doesn’t cut it. Nani is not a LW, Park isn’t even a footballer and Obertan is a right footed RW trying to masquerade as a LW. So two LW’ers is vital in my opinion.
March 8th, 2010 at 16:54
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Yet if he got under the control of Fergie, he’d probably be wasted as a CB. I agree, a DMF who has that kind of attacking and finishing skill must never be wasted as a defender. I’d like us to get him but I’m afraid Fergie will ruin the lad by playing him at CB or at LB simply because he can.
March 8th, 2010 at 19:10
@CraigMc: I don’t really see Veloso walking into the first team.
Assuming Scholes and Giggs are dead or something, I would imagine Veloso/Anderson/Hargreaves being back up for Carrick and Fletcher as on both form and contribution this season they have been by far our best CM’s. Maybe the Veloso talk is a red herring, we all know how much Fergie wants Rodwell… and to be honest I’d prefer him.
Di Maria, J.Cole, Obertan would be enough depth for the left, considering that’d be up from where we are now by 2!
Nani and Valencia can fight it out on the right.
Rooney, Benzema, Berbatov, Owen has alot of versatility in it.
I didn’t really touch on the defence before, but that’s because if we can keep everyone fit then we’ll be fine!
RB: Brown, Rafael, Vermijl
CB: Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans, Smalling
LB: Evra, Fabio, De Laet
Not forgetting John figO’shea who can play all of those positions. That’s more depth than Chelsea, or Liverpool and definitely Arsenal. We had 8 injuries and we didn’t take Sol Campbell, Arsenal get 1 and he’s playign in the Champions League!
Goalkeeping is an interesting caveat. Kuszczak is pissed that VDS has signed a new contract and wants out, and we’ve been linked to good keepers all season. Foster has to be thinking the same way.
March 8th, 2010 at 19:57
@ Traverse – I agree with the overall squad strength point, but there are some big acquisitions in there – Benzema, Di Maria alone would cost c. £50m! Plus a Rodwell at least another £25m…
That said I really rate the lad. Real pity we didn’t set something up last summer when we were linked, first option or the like. Moyes will be a tight bastard to deal with, and Jack doesn’t seem like one to throw a hissy fit and demand a transfer (another reason I rate him, tbh) Realistically we might not be able to tempt him next summer, may have to wait another year. Which in some ways would be good, as it would give Hargo and Anderson time to show if they’ll ever be realistic first team options.
Am also slightly worried City will buy Rodwell for a new English transfer record, just because they can.
March 8th, 2010 at 20:01
Traverse you seem a bit optimistic about our transfer dealings this summer. Di Maria, Benzema, Veloso/Rodwell would cost the best part of £80 million.
The Glazers’ will give us money for one signing in the £20-25 million range. That is it. I am sure of it. We might also buy another unproven youngster in the £5-10 million range. But I see us spending £30 million tops this summer, especially as we do not really have anyone to sell assuming Vidic is staying.
I don’t think Real will sell Benzema. Di Maria is out of our price range as is Ribery. So I think it is more likely we buy either Rodwell or Veloso, and that is it.
March 8th, 2010 at 20:48
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=752463&sec=england&cc=4716
March 8th, 2010 at 20:58
@colver: This is based on my assumptions that the Glazers, as their way of fending off the fan protests, is to spend £80mil this summer (take only £90mil a year out of our kitty for the next 8 years instead of £100mil) and claim it is the Ronaldo money and it was there all along like they said. This would keep many fans quiet and stop the protest from growing further.
So based on Benzema £30mil (Fergie is desperate for him), Di Maria £25mil (we’ve watched both him and Silva many many times this season), Rodwell £20mil (Fergie loves him) I think it is a possibility.
March 8th, 2010 at 21:00
@Ashray: “The likelihood is that they would borrow heavily in any case – so what is the difference?”
Why are they bothered if it’s not the ‘road to ruin’?
But as I posted above, they will make money available that wasn’t previously, and this seems to point toward that with Fergie talking of signing a forward.
March 8th, 2010 at 21:35
@Traverse: |o /-\ UU /V € cl
March 8th, 2010 at 21:44
@CraigMc: Plus it would be like having Screech from saved by the bell ruling your midfield.
March 8th, 2010 at 21:49
@Beachryan: I still think he looks more likely to end up like Jermaine Jenas than Michael Ballack.
Come to think of it, recently even Ballack looked like Jenas.
March 8th, 2010 at 21:59
I’d stick my neck out and wager that Miguel Veloso’s good looks makes him better than he really is (a.k.a the Sergio Ramos syndrome)
We should go for Toulouse’s Sissoko.
Unless Pogba makes it sooner than expected.
March 8th, 2010 at 22:02
One player who, I think, is massively underrated is Steed Malbranque.
The closest player in activity who looks a bit like a vintage Scholes. Shame he doesn’t score more often though.
March 8th, 2010 at 22:29
Traverse, the Glazers’ lie all the time. The worst thing is Fergie goes along with it. They’ll say we have a transfer budget of £80 million and the Ronaldo money is there. But you can guarantee Fergie will say “there is no value in the market” and we will end up buying one or two players at most, spending no more than £30 million.
And is that what we really want? I do not see the point of going into more debt just to pull the wool over the supporters’ eyes. Yes we may have a bit of short term success. But we will be playing with borrowed time and a few seasons later we will have to sell all our stars.
March 8th, 2010 at 23:26
@colver: Fergie will not be able to get away with another summer of making excuses about lack of value. You can’t pay the same song over and over before people start to tune out. He will have to buy big or admit the truth. There is no escape this summer for the frugal Scotsman. This club needs a major infusion of talent at certain positions and he cannot get away with a summer where he signs Joe Cole and two kids from Transylvania and Iraq and pushes them as the next big thing. To quote the WHO, “We won’t get fooled again”.
March 9th, 2010 at 0:16
@Traverse: I agree with you except for Benzema… I hate his guts and he is an opportunist. Give me a super-sub youngster over this rat unless he costs 15 million or less.
Also, Angel Di Maria > Joe Cole. We don’t need Cole on the bench let alone his wage demands. Let Obertan/Giggs/Maria battle it for ML and Nani/Vally do the right side of midfield.
For goalkeepers, I think EVDS only signed a one-year extension to act as a tutor/transition sub for Neuer/Adler/Akinfeev/(whoever Fergie signs in Goal). He does not want to repeat the Schmeichel fiasco of having no GK ready when he left.
Why does Fergie always focus on goalkeepers and strikers when we need a ML more badly?
Ciao!
March 9th, 2010 at 0:21
I’d like to set aside a couple of minutes to have a heart laugh at Liverpool. They might not even qualify for the Europa league this season!
March 9th, 2010 at 0:24
Not one shot on target versus a Wigan side that has conceded 10 against United this season!
March 9th, 2010 at 2:56
@[OPTI]Madschester United: The reason I say Benzema is that Fergie has a big ‘ol hardon for the lad.
I also think we are probably odds on to sign Joe Cole. Fergie tried to sign him when he left West Ham, and Joe Cole wants to play under Fergie. Chelsea are willing to let him go. Name one player from a top 4 club who they’ve let run down their contract to 10 weeks and still actually wanted! I think we will get him on much lower wages than he wants from Cheslea because we can give him a big signing on fee, and add some sort of injury stipulation a la Owen because nobody else good will probably be interested. It’s this or Hull! (or worse Citeh!)
March 9th, 2010 at 2:58
@RM: Villa are like 1 point behind them with 2 games in hand. Citeh are ahead of them with a game in hand. Spurs are well ahead of them.
ALL HAIL THE RAFALOUTION!
Also, can we beat this shower of shite this season please?
March 9th, 2010 at 4:43
@RM:
March 9th, 2010 at 4:46
@Traverse: Actually City are two games behind Lpool and one point ahead. Tottenham is actually the team potentially closest to Liverpool – if Villa, Tottenham, and City win all games in hand.
Tottenham would be 4 pts ahead
Villa would be 6 pts ahead and
City would be 7 pts ahead.
March 9th, 2010 at 4:53
Theorem:
If there are N games left and Team X leads Team Y by N or more pts, Team X will finish above Team Y.
6 or 7 pts with 10 or 9 games left is perilously close to game/pts line…
March 9th, 2010 at 5:08
Bellamy is a prick, but this surprised and may have changed my 1D view of him:
http://www.tribalfootball.com/man-city-ace-bellamy-delighted-first-year-sierra-leone-football-investment-690491
March 9th, 2010 at 7:55
@Traverse: I think this would work well if actually we bought really good talents out there. Most of the youngsters we buy end up being average, only good for the sunderlands,stokes and burnleys of this world.
Makes me wonder what our scouts are paid for?
March 9th, 2010 at 8:03
@CraigMc: I think fabio should be cover for evra. Only if fergy trusted him as much as his twin on the right
March 9th, 2010 at 8:12
@Grognard: Diouf has showed some good sense of positioning, hope with time his confidence and finishing will grow.
Valencia is not that bad when against average left backs, so him and nani should be left to battle it out for RW and we get a good LW, j cole is being mentioned, but i’d really preffer di maria as he is a natural LW. Then with obertan and giggz. We are pretter much covered there.
March 9th, 2010 at 9:38
@CraigMc</ I think we will be fine with Fabio as Evras backup. But i do agree that Evra needs to be rested at least a few games! Fabio can easily start against the likes of wolves hull etc. giving him the much needed confidence that rafael has acquired. PLUS we have DeLaet and Oshea if reqd.
I would also prefer Di maria to joe cole (with his wage demands). J Cole has not looked sharp since return. maybe he will be much better next year but remember he is 28 already! so might not be a good bet. would be better to have Di maria with Park/Obertan as backup and also Giggs will be there next year for sure as fit as ever. Nani and Valencia can fight out right as many folks have mentioned. So all in Di Maria + Benzema should be good buys. Midfield, would prefer Rodwell or at least Sissoko for sure. BUT we wont get money to buy all these players unless we sell Ando, Carrick (am still not a fan) and maybe couple of fringe players. Icing on the cake would be Hargo returning fit!!
March 9th, 2010 at 9:50
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2292/editorials/2010/03/09/1824442/top-10-most-overrated-players Interesting link. Rio is on the list
and also Veloso!
March 9th, 2010 at 12:17
@godzilla: Pfff I’d take anything written on Goal.com with a pinch of salt. What defender wouldn’t suffer without another CB to partner them??
Also his troubles this year mostly concern being injured 99% of the time and he’s always been considered error-prone by just about everyone. Still a class act when fit.
March 9th, 2010 at 13:17
I still think we are all playing football manager. We are not Manchester City or Real Madrid. With debts as big of ours, where an earth are we going to find £80 million? The Ronaldo money went into meeting our interest payments. If you look at our financial accounts last year we only just broke even, which means without the Ronaldo money we would have had losses of around £50 million.
The most I can imagine us getting is around £50 million. And you can guarantee with Chelsea, City, Real Madrid all active in the transfer market, player prices are going to go through the roof.
Di Maria will cost at least £30 million. If Benzema is available Madrid will not sell him to us and if they do they will make us pay £30 million to recover their money. Goalkeepers such as Akinfeev and Neuer will cost at least £20 million. And Rodwell will cost £20 million despite only having a handful of games for Everton.
March 9th, 2010 at 13:46
@colver: That’s what I DISRESPECT about Fergie – always lying to the fans to save either his own face, Gill’s face or the Glazers. What’s their to respect about Management lying to the supporters, and especially to the most loyal supporters in the world?
March 9th, 2010 at 15:03
@[OPTI]Madschester United: You have got a new Game Theory mate
March 9th, 2010 at 15:12
BN : Brown is out for 4 to 6 weeks with a broken Metatarsal
GN : Rooney is fit, and trained with the squad this morning
March 9th, 2010 at 15:15
@colver: Like I said above, we were talking about fixing our problems, and who those players where after considering the factors. I strongly believe the Glazers will dig £80mil from somewhere for Fergie to spend, claiming it is the Ronaldo money that was ‘there all along’ as an attempt to quell the fans protest (as many fans would accept this line). Who have we been scouting, and who does Fergie love… and those were the names.
Obviously without that assumption, we’ll probably sign Joe Cole (and I think we will anyway) and Valon Behrami.
March 9th, 2010 at 16:13
Rooney’s fit, which gives SAF a big balls test – does he play Berbatov? As one who believes his presence is underrated, I hope so, particularly as we have a lack of quality in midfield, and a Berba-outlet will be a welcome relief valve. That said, I’d find it hard to scrap Nani or Park, just due to their speed and ability on the counter. If he’s feeling reckless, I hope to see:
————-VDS————
-Rafa—-Rio—Vida–Evra—
——Scholes-Fletch——–
-Nani——-Berba—-Park—
————Roon————
With a view to bring on Valencia at 60 mins to exploit space.
March 9th, 2010 at 16:26
Traverse, well I hope for the sake of our club you are right. I just have no idea where the money would come from, other than by borrowing MORE money….and that surely isn’t going to be good for the club. As I mentioned earlier, without the Ronaldo sale we were loss making last season and all the Ronaldo sale did was cover our losses so we broke even. Do we really want to mortgage our future any more?
But if £80 million does magically materialise:
Behrami and Joe Cole are both injury prone and although more realistic deals as they would come on the cheap (or in Cole’s case for free) Id prefer someone more reliable. We do not want another Hargreaves or Owen.
I’d like to try for David Silva and David Villa. Silva would add some creativity and Villa is a goal machine. If we bid £50 million for the pair, Valencia may be tempted.
Benzema seems to have attitude problems and I do not see him enjoying being part of a squad rotation system at United. As for Di Maria, everyone in Europe seems to want him and figures of £30 million are ridiculous for a player who isn’t proven at the highest level and plays in an inferior league. There is too much risk involved.
March 9th, 2010 at 17:29
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Obertan is not a naturally left sided player. I don’t know if you have noticed but like Nani, he avoids using his left foot and cannot cross with the left which makes his game predictable and slow on that side. As for Giggs, forget about it. Giggsy has long been removed from being a left winger except for maybe as a sub. His pace is gone and so Fergie wisely moved him into a more central role. Didn’t you get the memo?
Also, focussing on a goalkeeper is the most important position for this team over the next few seasons.
March 9th, 2010 at 17:32
@RM: I hate them mate but I do not like to laugh at the misfortune of any other team because one day that team could be us. Remember, this team will not be managed by Fergie forever. And the cracks have started to show this season thanks to the Glazer’s lack of care. So be careful who you make fun of, you could be somebody else’s target in the not to distant future.
March 9th, 2010 at 17:34
@RM: You mean that same United side that has lost three straight to LIVERPOOL?
March 9th, 2010 at 17:39
@Man Utd Jaluo: Yes indeed, Diouf is another Gerd Mueller when it comes to positioning. The boy has a great radar for finding the right spot. And then he becomes Professor Stephen Hawking when it comes to finishing.
Enough already with this glass 1/10 full crap that some of you spout like poverty stricken children who are content with the wooden toy in the sandbox while everybody else gets Transformers to play with. 
March 9th, 2010 at 17:49
@Man Utd Jaluo: Fabio seems to be made of glass. The twins came to the club and Fabio was the more more highly rated of the two, but he cannot seem to stay on the pitch without picking up an injury. Injuries and competing at LB with Evra has meant he hasn’t progressed like Rafa on the right. He hasn’t been able to take his opportunities like Rafael because he always has to subbed when he has been given time on the pitch.
March 9th, 2010 at 17:54
We have a real selection problem on Wednesday. With Carrick and Anderson out, Scholes and Fletcher are the only experienced midfielders we have. There is no way I want us playing Gibson, who is Championship standard at best.
But then the problem with playing Berbatov is that our best chances against AC Milan are going to come on the counter attack and Berbatov will slow us down.
I’d go for a 4-4-2 with Berbatov simply because if Berbatov plays deep we will do better at keeping possession and that will go a long way towards keeping Milan from hurting us.
The other interesting option is to play Park in the middle to mark Pirlo like in the first leg and play Nani and Valencia on either wing and go for a 4-5-1.
March 9th, 2010 at 18:30
@[OPTI]Madschester United: The idea of VDS getting a season contract extension to tutor a high profile future GK signing isn’t logical. Any GK signing we make will have to take full control of the position without VDS’s shadow lurking over them. Kuszczak’s rumblings to the media after VDS signed on for another year should give you an indication how well it will work out if we sign either Adler/Neuer/Akinfeev and VDS stays on the books. GK is too much of a fixed position to sign a new keeper for £15-25m and still have a veteran but highly capable keeper like VDS around. If and when VDS wants to stay on to mentor the young keepers at United he needs to retire and join the coaching staff to allow them to have their chance. It wouldn’t work out like the Owen/Larsson signings to partner/mentor Rooney because I doubt VDS would accept a bit part role. Think of Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann or Lehmann and Almunia.
March 9th, 2010 at 18:40
@Traverse: What makes you think we’re looking at Behrami. There’s no talk in the media and he has never been singled out or mentioned by Fergie or any of the players.
March 9th, 2010 at 18:47
@rsg:
PIG has also commented on MUTV that VDS has never offered any words of advice or encouragement to him or foster – now this mite be just his focus to stay the top keeper at utd, but it could also be that he doesnt see himself as (or want to be) a coach. or maybe he just doesnt like his understudies very much lol
March 9th, 2010 at 19:05
@Beachryan: I doubt we will play Berba and Rooney with two wide men leaving only Fletcher and Scholes in midfield. Fergie doesn’t have the faith in our midfield to only play 2 CMs and he’s probably right. Especially in a Champions League game, against Milan with their midfield and considering how the 1st half went against them the last time around. In the Eveton game at 1-1 Fergie showed his cautious approach and lack of confidence in our midfield by taking off Berba and replacing him with Scholes. Expect more of the same.
Berba and Rooney could both start if Park is given a free role with Pirlo marking duties, Valencia or Nani on the RW and 2 out of Fletcher/Carrick/Scholes in midfield. But that will mean there’s no threat on the LW, as usual.
March 9th, 2010 at 19:14
@colver: I forgot about Carrick’s red card.
March 9th, 2010 at 19:16
@rsg: Fabio is no more injury prone than his brother. The real reason you don’t see him as much is because he has not grasped the defensive part of the game as well as Rafael and because he has a world class LB in front of him by the name of Evra. Rafael only has Neville, and a couple of CB’s who masquerade as RB’s in his way.
March 9th, 2010 at 19:20
@rsg: The bottom line is EVDS will be a our starter next season which means Fergie is going to hold of for one more year before buying his true replacement. This means a year of Foster as the backup and United will search for a cheap #3 guy to replace Pig who is smart to leave because after his great play this season, he still has received no bloody respect or appreciation.
I see Neuer being out of the picture because I feel Bayern will pounce and buy him because they want a sure fire star keeper for years to come and because Neuer’s steady girlfriend lives in Munich. Adler is a possibility in two years as his contract is not up at Leverkusen and Akinfeev in my books is not good enough.
March 9th, 2010 at 19:22
@Grognard: Have we made the step to calling him ‘World Class’ from ‘Skinned Sausage’ ?
March 9th, 2010 at 19:23
@rsg: I’ve seen it in the papers that Fergie has had him watched, and he isn’t signing an improved contract with West Ham.
March 9th, 2010 at 19:30
@rsg: Milan has to attack so a team that is built for the counter for me is the best matchup. I sit Berba down and play the lineup Fergie used vs Arsenal with Rooney all alone up front and hoping to get support from either Nani or Valencia on the right and hope that a stacked midfield will lessen the quality and quantity of distribution into the Milan forwards.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the game. I heard yesterday that no team in the history of the Champions League has ever come back after losing the first leg at home to capture the tie. This historical note speaks volumes for me and tells all of us how uphill Milan’s task is. If I had to predict an outcome tomorrow, it would be 1-1. United should be cautious but be willing to counter with pace. An early goal by us will open the floodgates, but I think it will be a tight game with little room in the center of midfield and United playing a patient ball control game. No Carrick will make it hard as we are also missing Anderson as a backup. This is why I think Fergie has no choice but to go with a 4-3-3 as he doesn’t have enough central midfielders.
March 9th, 2010 at 19:39
@Grognard: I agree that Rafael doesn’t have the same competition on the right so he has an easier time getting games under his belt, although I don’t understand him being favored over Wes when fit at RB. I seriously reckon Fabio is made of glass, whenever I think back to him getting playing time for the first team I always remember him getting sent off or substituted as well from some injury. If anyone has his official game stats to confirm or disprove this, it would help. I don’t know if this is also true for reserve games. Maybe the kid is just unlucky, when fit he will never get his chance because of Evra and when given a chance to play he can’t seem to stay on the pitch.
March 9th, 2010 at 19:46
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I agree on benzema and I think its still too early to know how fergi will spend this summer.
If one of Kiko or Diouf can impress enough before the market opens they may just keep benz away. And if it turns out we need him so bad we can trade vida for him summer after this as he will be a year older and we may have some backup ready.
Hargo has a chance to postpone a new midfield purchase.
That said Dimarea looks to be a real target as the david silva rumors have slowed down. ether would be great.
that leaves a keeper to buy and ill leave that speculation to the keeper watchers on here.
but i would expect PIG to leave if we bring someone else in. so there is a little $$ comming back. maybe 3-4m and
gibson can probably go as well he seems to have been an experiment that didnt come off too well. We needed goals from mf and he has that cannon. too bad.
I see no reason we cant get a lw, keeper, and young cm this summer but well prolly shoot our wad on benz only to have him pissed off and on the bench.
March 9th, 2010 at 20:09
If we go with a 4-5-1 who do we play in midfield? I like the idea of playing Park in a free role marking Pirlo, but I am not comfortable starting Gibson. For me he is next to useless.
Milan have an uphill battle but with players like Ronaldinho, Inzaghi and Pato they have players who can win matches. They managed three goals at Real’s home ground and while our defence is better than Real’s our midfield can be sieve like at times and Vidic and Rio are a bit short of match fitness.
As Fergie often says, records are there to be broken and a team as experienced as Milan will not be overawed by Old Trafford.
March 9th, 2010 at 20:11
@ rsg – Yeah exactly what I meant, Park and Berba always dropping in to make it a 3 when we don’t have the ball, and moving back up when we do. Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve played asymmetrically. It would be more of a 433, or a 4411 then 442. Fergie will rightly be a bit cautious. But with only Scholes being able to pick a counter attacking pass I think we might need Berba to give us some relief from a constant barrage.
Dunno. Guess we’ll find out!
Hope Arsenal win tonight. Still bitter about Porto loss a few years back. For so many reasons.
March 9th, 2010 at 20:13
@rsg: rafael was like that too but off late you can see that he has buffed up a bit which if Fabio can emulate would be a welcome addition even if he is a right footed left back…
March 9th, 2010 at 20:19
This summer our priority should be a couple of midfielders as replacements for Giggs and Scholes both of whom should be slowly phased out next season. That means a creative midfielder and a left winger. In Fletcher and Carrick we have two defensive midfielders and even if Hargreaves does not come back we have a reasonable amount of cover for that position.
We should be wary about spending a lot of money on a striker. 4-5-1 is our formation of choice with Rooney establishing himself as a superb lone striker, and in the run of the mill league games Berbatov provides ok support and is not that injury prone. What we really need is an experienced striker who is capable of leading the line and does not mind only getting a dozen games a season. That is NOT Benzema.
I’ve heard things about a player called Zidan. He is coming up to thirty and as he plays for Dortmund he would see Manchester United as a step up. Perhaps Grognard could offer an opinion on him.
Ireland would be an interesting option for midfield. Proven in the Premiership, a goalscoring midfielder and City do not really need him. The problem is getting them to sell for us.
March 9th, 2010 at 20:22
I also like Hulk as a player! He and Rooney as a strike pairing would batter any defence!
March 9th, 2010 at 20:44
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/359591-gary-neville-a-true-manchester-united-legend
March 9th, 2010 at 21:10
@ Colver – I’m sorry mate but from the half dozen times or so I’ve seen Hulk play – he’s rubbish. Even more one footed then Valencia, has no football brain whatsoever and his only great feature is his ability to go in straight lines and pummel the ball. Definitely not United quality*
*If we sign him and he becomes a 30 goals a season player, I apologise in advance.
March 9th, 2010 at 21:14
4411 val fletch scho nani
berb
roo
March 9th, 2010 at 23:22
@rsg: I love Wes Brown to but the reason Wes is not favored over him has been a combination of injuries but mostly, Rafael is the club’s future at that position and it is important for him to get as much opportunity to play so that when he is fully counted in on in a year or two, he’ll be up for the task
March 9th, 2010 at 23:24
@gator: Mate, I’ll be amazed if Park does not start in a game where United are protecting a lead. Expect Nani to sit and Park to start on the left side to pester Beckham or even in the middle in order to pester Pirlo.
March 9th, 2010 at 23:28
I am amazed nobody seems to be asking where our beloved Red Ranter has been for a couple of weeks now? About ten days ago he dropped us a quick note of apology but I for one still expected him to be back soon after that. But it’s been ten days now and there isn’t any any sign of him.
If you read this RR, here’s me hoping you are alright mate and that you will be back very very soon. All the best.
March 9th, 2010 at 23:32
Well Rafael will get another baptism by fire from Ronaldinho. If Milan have any sense they will play two men up front so Ronaldinho can get one on one with Rafael without Rio or Vidic available to cover.
By the way Grognard, seems you are right about Bendtner. A well taken hat trick.
You have to admire Arsenal for managing five goals against Porto, who as we saw last year are no pushovers.
Lets hope tomorrow night we beat Milan comprehensively to finally lay rest the humiliation of 2007.
March 10th, 2010 at 0:51
VDS
Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
Valencia Fletcher Scholes Park Nani
Rooney
I’d expect Park to start over Gibson as he and Fletcher are more defensive and will do lot of legwork, which will be needed against a skilful Milan midfield.
Nani and Valencia will operate from wide and Scholes will pick out the passes.
I hope we score early, meaning Milan will need 3 to win.
March 10th, 2010 at 1:50
@Grognard: I think he’s still tweeting, but it is unusual for this length of absence.
March 10th, 2010 at 1:59
@Grognard: We can start rumors about him:
I think he is on the board of Red Knights and will use our discussions to lead United Takeover
March 10th, 2010 at 2:00
@Traverse: Mostly agree with that although I do think that Park will play on the left and Valencia edging out Nani on the the right.
If Fergie doesn’t want to risk playing Gibson, he’ll probably go with Berbatov in a 4-4-1-1 (which is how we usually play if both Rooney and him start) and then switch out Berbatov for Nani if we start getting pressed – basically reverting to what you’ve just said.
March 10th, 2010 at 2:13
@colver: I watched the Arsenal game against Porto and I find the 5-0 scoreline extremely flattering to an average Arsenal side. Arsenal gave up way too many shots and allowed Porto to get close on goal on many occasions — add to this that Almunia was as pathetic as usual. If Porto had been a decent side, Arsenal would have been lucky to get away with a draw.
Porto were extremely wasteful in possession and their defense was horrible — tripling up on any arsenal player in the box with the ball led to all their goals. The way Arshevin and Nasri walked through their defense are excellent examples of this. Allowing Bendtner to continuously win all headers did not help either.
Up front, Hulk was a shadow of what we thought he can do. Selfish and wasteful with what he had. Add into this an utterly pathetic midfield who passed the ball away constantly and you have a 5-0 beating on your hands.
Arsenal are still pants. Bring them on!
@Grognard: If no team has ever overcome a home loss in CL, I feel better. I cannot see Milan outscoring us by 2 goals at home. I have an inkling suspicion that we can win a la Roma 2007.
BELIEVE!
March 10th, 2010 at 3:19
@[OPTI]Madschester United: They’re not just pants, they’re girls pants – the ones with elastic waist bands, that allow for their bloated expectations!!
March 10th, 2010 at 5:43
@Redrich: My single greatest wish in life is for abominations like Twitter to cease and desist. The most inane and asinine invention of the new millennium. I just hate it when I hear people are “tweeting”. I love technology but not this.
March 10th, 2010 at 5:45
@[OPTI]Madschester United:
March 10th, 2010 at 5:52
@[OPTI]Madschester United: We aren’t the kind of team that can blow them out like we did Roma four years ago. I think we will play it tight. If we are lucky to get an early goal, that will open the game up and allow us to overtake them with the counter attack. Milan would be smart to not start Beckham as he was useless in the first leg. That lineup and formation Milan used did not work for them and so I expect them to make changes. If Milan’s manager wants to make a name for himself, he would best be advised to not select his team by sentimental means. I love Becks but he is not what they need in this game. Bring him in late if all they need is a goal and he may deliver the telling cross or free kick. His lack of pace hurt them in the first leg.
As for United, I expect them to come out like a ball of fire in the first 10 to 15 minutes and try to put the tie away. If it fails expect them to fall into a more patient defensive posture unless of course catastrophe happens and we fall behind 0-2. Again I will repeat my prediction is 1-1 and a bad week for Italian teams.
March 10th, 2010 at 5:56
@Grognard: To me it makes no sense at all. If you go on there, it’s impossible to follow what the heck people are talking about!
When I read your comment, I thought I’d go and see if his nibs is still alive – apparently he is!
March 10th, 2010 at 6:11
@Grognard: The game tomorrow all depends on Rooney!
In the first leg, he was the one player that couldn’t be neutralized, and he was, therefore, the one player that excelled.
With all the big names that are on show, they are mostly just “has-been’s” and “might-be’s” and “could-do’s”. Our man Rooney is the only one that is at his prime and on his game!
It could just be another Ali v Foreman rematch – heavyweights that just don’t ever go punch to punch!
March 10th, 2010 at 6:32
It is our history to do things the hard way. I can see Milan scoring two goals simply because players like Ronaldinho, Pato and Inzaghi are very dangerous.and in Seedorf, Ambrosini and Pirlo they have a midfield that could overrun ours. So it really depends on whether we can score. Really it should not be a problem because they cannot handle Rooney, and Valencia and Nani are capable of causing problems on the flanks.
The key is going to be how well we counter attack and for that reason Id not start with Berbatov. Milan will have to push men forward, and they do not have the legs to get back. If we catch them out on the counter a few times they will be too scared to get forward and we can hold them.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:31
@Redrich: Guys, guys… Twitter is the invention of this century!! Seriously, once you get hooked – there’s no looking back!!
March 10th, 2010 at 7:33
@colver: I wont call it playing football manager, Man Utd needs to buy quality players or else we wave bye bye to success. This should not mean buying success, rather than strengthening our weak areas.
Do i think we need a good keeper to replace vds, yes i do? Do we have any in our ranks who can fill his boots flawleslly no. So only option is we need to buy.
Same goes for a replacement for giggs and scholes, how many times do we need to rely on them to winn matches. They wont be able to run forever.
Rooney needs someone to comliment him up top, we cant cont relying on him as we have done this season, and it shows our weakness when his game is down, rem when we played everton at goodison last month.
So it does not really matter whether glazers will fund or not, whether fergy will have to sell to get quality players, all i know and am sure many here will agree with me, is we need to purchse quality players in the summer.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:40
@Beachryan: Considering Carrick and Andy are out, and gibson not up to it. I’d also very much go with your squad but with valencia rather than naini. Put in mind the latest winning combo of berba – valencia – rooneys head
March 10th, 2010 at 7:50
@Grognard: Am not content with a lot thats going on in our club, but for dioufs case, i am willing to give him time to develop into that position and if he proves otherwise, we ship him out. Strikers dont become lethal until into there late twenties, and at 21 showing all that promise and talent i think we should not be judging him after only a 25 min cameo. Maybe after end of next season, we shall know if we have a real gem with us or as u put it a rough gem which = coal.
March 10th, 2010 at 8:25
@Beachryan: I agree with you mate, apart from his body build, nothing much to offer.
Last night i watched him play vs arsenil, and he could not beat grand dad sol campbel, so waht hope do we have of him coming bagaisnt some of the finest defence in the Epl.
Diff btwn arsenil and porto last night was arshavin. How painful it is for me as a man utd fan, knowing we could have bought him if we really wanted quality on the left of our pitch. He showed how easy it is to beat your man, man you have skill, technic and pace. What we so lack at the moment. Esp that creative bit, which will supply our stikers with easy tap ins.
Butas our beloved coach puts it, there is no quality/value for money out there
March 10th, 2010 at 8:33
@Traverse: I know this will sound stupid, but when did united start forming teams to stop the opposition, i think it should be the other way round. But reality is diff, this shows how low we have fallen, that even teams like wolves and sunderland think they can have a go at us.
March 10th, 2010 at 8:45
@Grognard: Thats what i expect from any utd side, to come out with alll guns blazing, forcin milna read any time to be defending on their on half, rather than have majority of the possesion in our half.
It will be Milans mis doing if they expect we will come to defend the league rather than try finish the game in the fisrt 20 30 mins, We should start this match the way we played arsenil in the second leg of last years semis, catch them off gurad and score early goals.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:11
@Man Utd Jaluo: Totally. Arsenal were impressive contrary to what some folks here are saying. i saw the whole game and just as Porto had chances, Arsenal too had chances to put in a couple of more goals.
And just like you, every time i see Arshavin play i rue the fact that Arsenal got that talent for 15MM !!!! Thats a fucking steal when we are tlaking about 30MM for the likes of De Maria and what 7MM we paid for Tosic?? We could have easily bought Arshavin. Imagine a front of Arshavin, Rooney, Berba, Valencia….orgasmic.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:25
@godzilla: We missed a good deal there, but unlike other areas of the field, getting a good LW is not that hard, D silva, di maria are still good players who can be purchased to enhance our attack.
With a few good purchases, we can have that attack line to die for again.
March 10th, 2010 at 14:36
@Redrich: What bugs me is the arrogance and conceit people have on there that they think others out there could give a damn about what they are doing up to the minute. Dumbass is walking down the street. Dumbass stopped at a traffic light. It’s a nice day today. Dumbass is texting at Starbucks. Dumbass got an upset stomach at Starbucks and is reading bathroom graffiti while taking a crap etc etc etc. It’s just so boring and mundane and to think that people are so full of themselves that they think others give a shit about what they are doing up to the minute. Jeez, it’s just so infuriating that we waste technological advancements on such garbage. No wonder the third world hates us so much for our self centered decadence.
March 10th, 2010 at 14:44
@Redrich: Milan has a lot of has beens but some of them can still deliver the knockout punch. Perhaps not against a team like Barca but certainly against a team like us which has been decimated by injuries and defections, not to mention the often questionable squad selection and tactics of our manager. Leonardo in my opinion is a manager that is way behind in terms of tactics and motivation. He hasn’t yet won over his players and certainly not the Milan fans. He is a work in progress and I do not feel he is a threat to us the way Mourinho would be had this been Inter Milan instead. United could end up winning this 3-1 today but Fergie will find a way for us to shoot ourselves in the foot because he will start inept players like Park which should keep Milan in the game. The good news however is that we usually play a much better game after we have played a poor game and that Wolves fiasco was a poor game even though we won. Still, I think we will draw 1-1 or 2-2. Thank the lord for away goals.
March 10th, 2010 at 14:50
@colver: I agree, the counter attack is the key. My feelings are we are more susceptible defensively if we start both Valencia and Nani on the wings but that we can score a goal or two if they play, as opposed to Park starting. If Park and Berba start I do not have as much confidence in our ability to counter or score. In that scenario I see us controlling the ball more but creating very little. It will give Milan a chance if they are lucky enough to get a goal. Still, I feel Milan are a shadow of their former selves and are not as difficult to beat as their previous teams led by Ancelotti. Then again, our club is not as good either but we still have Fergie and best of all, we have Rooney and Fletcher. If Rio and Vidic are steady at the back, it will be a long day for Milan.
March 10th, 2010 at 14:55
@antsBoy: They said the same thing about Cocaine mate. Twitter is for twits and inane individuals who have too much time on their hands and who lack the proper social graces and interpersonal skills to communicate the old fashioned way. It’s yet another virus of the technological age that has turned humanity into a pack of programmed monkeys who use tools like that in a Pavlovian fashion not realizing just how ridiculous they are. You want to speak to somebody badly enough mate, try a phone call, or e-mail or better yet, pay them a visit. And if they are too far away, they aren’t that concerned with what you are doing this very minute anyway. People need to get over themselves. Twitter is nothing more than a ridiculous invention designed to turn the masses into programmed zombies. Sorry but Homey don’t play day.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:05
@Man Utd Jaluo: That’s just too logical mate. Too many on here will argue that we need to play Anderson and Diouf more.
I agree, unfortunately the reality is that the Glazer’s have taken from Fergie and from the team the ability to compete with the Barca’s, Chelsea’s and Madrid’s, which of course is the cash to make that happen. Of course quality players is what we are in need of. That’s a no brainer but the cheap Fergie and the Glazer’s lack of caring for this club will allow us to buy perhaps one player in the 15 to 20 million range and Joe Cole as well as another summer in which Fergie tells the Republic of Mancunia that their is no value in the transfer market. And he is actually half right because the World Cup will have spiked up the price of many stars. That is why he was a class “A” idiot for not buying a couple of key players in January for a change to avoid the post World Cup price hike.
I believe that with the WC being this summer, the atmosphere post tournament will be such that if he does not buy and spend a lot of money, that the patience and loyalty of the fans will be such that many will finally turn on the Gaffer. We can only take so much of this royal bullshit that both he and the Glazer’s have been feeding us. However, if he spends at least 60 million, then all is forgiven for him at least. Nothing the Glazer’s do will ever make me or others forgive or accept them.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:15
@Man Utd Jaluo: I couldn’t disagree with you more mate. I am not even going to offer up the list of at least 100 top strikers over the past 15 years who were able to score a lot in their early twenties. 29 is old and over the hill for most players in the game period. Infact 75% of the greatest strikers in the game’s history were declining greatly in their goal scoring ability when they reach the age of 28 or 29. Where you get this idea that they are in their peak during this time is beyond me? This is and always will be a young players game. Don’t let the Scholes and Giggs of the world fool you and trust me when I tell you that the Mueller’s, Shearer’s and Pele’s of the world were not as great at 29+ as the were between 21-28. The peak for most strikers today is between 23-27. Just look around and see Villa, Torres, Rooney and Aguero play as opposed to the offerings of RVN, Owen, Inzaghi, Klose, and other 29+ players. Drogba is about the only one still doing the job consistently, and even so, he is not the Drogba of the Mourinho era.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:29
@Man Utd Jaluo: The other thing to take account of when it comes to Diouf is who the Hell is he really? Occasionally soem backwater republic will spawn a great footballer like Weah, Drogba, Adebayor etc but most of the time, I do not trust players who come from countries that are not strong in football success and tradition. Great players become greater because of great competition in their development. What kind of competition did Manucho and now Diouf really have when they came to us? Crap competition.
At the risk of insulting my friend Eddy’s homeland, Norway is a growing football power because of the number of teams and players it is spawning these days but the nation is hardly known for international success or pedigree. I for one have more faith in players who come from proven football factories like Germany, Brazil, Argentina, England, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Holland, France, Spain and several others. These countries are famous for success internationally but they also train and develop the best players in the world.
A club like ours has a better chance of finding a great talent in one of those nations than it does in some Johnny come lately country that has a lower grade of football by which to teach their talent with.
Diouf had it easy and pressure free in the Norwegian league. I doubt he would have been as successful had he started in Serie A or in the Bundesliga. So although he may pan out, I am less sure of him as I would be of a Pato, Aguero or Messi when they were young and unproven. For me pedigree means everything. Hopefully Eddy himslef will be one of those players who comes out of Norway like Solksjaer and makes it big. Then again he is a defender/ defensive midfielder which I think is an easier position to develop then that of an offensive player that requires extreme skill, touch and imagination. I have yet to see any of this in Diouf who’s name sounds an awful lot like what Homer Simpson says every time he fucks up.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:42
@Man Utd Jaluo: And who was the biggest voice for us signing Arshavin over two and one half years ago but me? I was ranting every day about him and yet Fergie did nothing. He beat us in the Super Cup, came to OT and beat the Hell out of Rangers in the UEFA final, did great things in the World Cup and still, Fergie was blind to the lad’s skill, but yet he pounced on a no talent like Karel Poborsky in 1996 for one fluke goal he scored. And need I mention Djemba Djemba, Manucho, Kleberson, Anderson and numerous other human stumps that he has raved about and signed and who amount to a pile of festering shit on the OT pitch.
Meanwhile he procrastinated over Torres, Silva, Aguero, Huntelaar, Arshavin, Krasic, Gourcuff, Ribery (when he was cheap), Neuer, Adler and numerous other great players that we could have had. Fergie is a numb nuts when it comes to signing players. Even our greatest players came here with no help from him. Cantona was a gift, Keane was a gift, RVN, Ronaldo and even Rooney were all handed to us on a silver platter without Fergie literally having to lift a finger to get them.
None of these players were wiley, calculated and smart signings by the manager. Fergie as great as he is has also got to go down as one of the luckiest managers of all time. You have to be good to be lucky but even he has had more luck in his career than he deserves. This year’s results are a perfect example of that. How many terrible games have we played where we managed to steal points? Too many to name.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:44
@Man Utd Jaluo: It’s when Fergie decided to turn his club into the Italian Job. After the 2006 loss to Milan he slowly began to turn the club into a more defensive minded ball control team. It didn’t always seem that way because we had the outstanding offensive skills of Rooney and especially Ronaldo, but now that style is firmly embedded in the team’s character.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:48
@colver: I don’t like seeing Park in the squad tbh,but there is one thing he shouldn’t be reduced to. An attacking defender. He has weaknesses but I’ve noticed he does know how to pick a pass. His movement is also quite good. He can also win freekicks in good areas due to his inability to keep standing and his ability to fall convincingly. He also links up well and his awareness is severely under-appreciated.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:48
@godzilla: I saw the game mate and Porto were just horrible. A division 3 team could defend better one on one than they di. Arsenal are NOT, and I repeat NOT as good as they looked because no other team worth their weight in gold would have allowed Arshavin and especially the useless Nasri to look as good as he did last night. And although I like Bendtner, he wouldn’t score three goals against any other of the final 16 teams, that’s for sure. Porto were an embarrassment to their fans and country and they should hang their heads in shame as they royally choked.
March 10th, 2010 at 15:53
@Jay wire: Awareness means nothing if you cannot control the ball at your feet mate. And I disagree with your assessment of his passing ability. It’s average at best. He lacks skill mate and therefore is nothing more than an offensive liability. I also think his defensive skills are overrated but at least he can pester opponents. The only use I would have for him if I was managing is as a late sub when we are one goal up and as the water boy who fetches the Gatorade and sponges for players on the sidelines. Then again, he’s probably end up on his ass doing those chores as well.
March 10th, 2010 at 19:46
Grognard, sounds like you had a bad day…