1. As you would expect, the Stretford End were showering Edwin Van der Sar with attention in the first half. On one particularly occasion, with his name being sung louder and louder as he went to collect the ball for a goal kick, he looked up to the crowd and grabbed his badge. We love you too, big guy!
2. In the second half, the fans showed off our large and varied song book again, singing for players past and present. One chorus of “Ooh ahh Cantona” was the loudest I can remember hearing it for years. He started it all off for us, the catalyst for our success in 92-93 when we claimed our first title in 26 years, so it was spine tingling to hear him remembered so passionately today.
3. Towards the end of the game, Van der Sar made a great save. In response, Patrice Evra got down on his knees and bowed down to the keeper, in a ‘we are not worthy’ gesture. Edwin grabbed him and pulled him back up on to his feet, embarrassed, before telling him to get on his post for the corner.
4. Who would have thought back in 1997, when Michael Owen was a teenager making a name for himself at Liverpool, that a few years later we’d be overtaking their title record and Owen would be scoring for us on the day the league was won? As if it wasn’t funny enough that their one time hero got to win the league with us anyway, after going 21 years without it themselves, but for Owen to actually score was the icing on the cake.
5. I don’t think there were many inside Old Trafford who actually wanted to see Blackpool relegated. Of course you want to win the last game of the season, whether you’ve won the title or not, but I know I wasn’t alone in hope results elsewhere helped them out. After our players had been given the guard of honour by Blackpool’s ahead of kick-off, I was proud to see our fans applaud the Blackpool players off the pitch. They responded by clapping our fans. Ian Holloway made his way off a minute or so later and even got a song from the Stretford End, whilst he turned and applauded all four stands. Classy stuff from both sides.
6. Whilst waiting for the players to come out, one of the streamer cannons randomly exploded, leaving the organisers running around like blue arsed flies to try and clear up the mess. After the trophy was awarded and the rest of the streamers went off, it took the players’ kids all of two seconds to be running around in and trying to collect the ball of shiney stuff. Mini Fletch #1 and #2 were particularly cute.
7. Evra was handed a French flag with a picture of Cantona on it. He proudly waved this around and posed for photos, before wrapping his son up in it. He then spent about ten minutes chasing him around on the pitch.
8. Rafael and Fabio lifting the trophy together was a lovely moment. The pair of them will be pleased with their contribution this season and it was nice getting to see them celebrating today together. Definitely one for the Da Silva mantelpiece.
9. Van der Sar’s goodbye speech was nice, with him admitting he wishes he had joined the club earlier. It ended with a rousing claim that we were going to get that trophy on Saturday.
10. Nineteen. We did it. Now for twenty…
———–
19 times
Man Utd News 24/7
it was a great day
is it true that berba told bulgarian tv he is staying and going for 20 th
Apologies in advance for the length of this piece, but you’re always welcome to skip it, especially those who have no time for statistics. These are overall stats from the PL era and they clearly illustrate not only that United have been by far the best club (which we all knew anyway), but just how dominant we have been. I expected that we had won more games, scored more goals and earned more points. What I didn’t totally expect was that we have actually been better in every single area of measurement — and not just better, but completely and utterly dominant. The scope and scale of our dominance is truly staggering, and illustrates the genius of one man: Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest football manager who ever lived, a man we will always be so deeply indebted to.
I restricted the analysis to just seven clubs: us, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Villa, Spurs and Everton, since these are the only clubs to have played in every PL season. All of these clubs have played 734 PL matches. I have ranked the seven clubs in their winning order for each category.
Matches won:
• United is the only club to have won more than 400 matches, with 472. That’s 78 more than the next best, Arsenal, with 394 — equivalent to more than two whole seasons’ worth of wins. Only United, Arsenal and Chelsea have won more than half their matches.
#. Club: Wins
1. United: 472
2. Arsenal: 394
3. Chelsea: 383
4. Liverpool: 366
5. Aston Villa: 276
6. Tottenham: 274
7. Everton: 257
Goals For, Against, Difference
• United have scored nearly 200 more goals than next best, Arsenal. At the same time, we have conceded 41 goals fewer than Arsenal, and 68 fewer than Chelsea, the only two other clubs to have let in under 700. Our GD is more than 222 better than Arsenal’s, and 303 better than the third most successful club in this category, Chelsea. We have been the best attacking club by a long stretch; but we have also been the best defensively by a significant margin.
#. Club: GF | GA | GD
1. United: 1452 | 627 | 825
2. Arsenal: 1271 | 668 | 603
3. Chelsea: 1217 | 695 | 522
4. Liverpool: 1189 | 713 | 476
5. Tottenham: 1006 | 979 | 27
6. Aston Villa: 936 | 870 | 66
7. Everton: 924 | 939 | -15
Points
• United is the only club to have earned more than 1,500 pts, with 1,574, almost 200 better than Arsenal (next best with 1,379).
#. Club: Pts
1. United: 1574
2. Arsenal: 1379
3. Chelsea: 1338
4. Liverpool: 1282
5. Aston Villa: 1051
6. Tottenham: 1017
7. Everton: 978
Average Points per Season
• United have averaged over 10 points per season more than our next nearest rivals, Arsenal. Interestingly, our points average would have been enough to have won the PL in 10 out of its 19 seasons.
#. Club: Pts-av
1. United: 82.84
2. Arsenal: 72.58
3. Chelsea: 70.42
4. Liverpool: 67.47
5. Aston Villa: 55.32
6. Tottenham: 53.53
7. Everton: 51.47
Winning Percent
• United is the only club whose winning percent tops 60%, with 64.31%, more than 10% better than next best, Arsenal.
• United is the only club whose losing percentage is less than 15%, with 14.17%, more than 5% better than Arsenal’s, who are the only other club with a losing percentage under 20%.
#. Club: W% | L% | D%
1. United: 64.31% | 21.53% | 14.17%
2. Arsenal: 53.68% | 26.84% | 19.48%
3. Chelsea: 52.18% | 25.75% | 22.07%
4. Liverpool: 49.86% | 25.07% | 25.07%
5. Aston Villa: 37.60% | 30.38% | 32.02%
6. Tottenham: 37.33% | 26.57% | 36.10%
7. Everton: 35.01% | 28.20% | 36.78%
Average Goals and Points per Game
• United is the only club to average more than 1.75 goals per match, with 1.98. Arsenal have 1.73.
• United’s average GD per game is the only one higher than 1, at 1.12. Next-best Arsenal have 0.82. That, by the way, is a difference of 36%.
• United is the only club to average more than 2pts per match, with 2.14. Arsenal, again second best overall, have 1.88. That’s a difference of 14%.
#. Club: GF-av | GA-av | GD-av | Points-av
1. United: 1.98 | 0.85 | 1.12 | 2.14
2. Arsenal: 1.73 | 0.91 | 0.82 | 1.88
3. Chelsea: 1.66 | 0.95 | 0.71 | 1.82
4. Liverpool: 1.62 | 0.97 | 0.65 | 1.75
5. Tottenham: 1.37 | 1.33 | 0.04 | 1.39
6. Aston Villa: 1.28 | 1.19 | 0.09 | 1.43
7. Everton: 1.26 | 1.28 | -0.02 | 1.33
Cheers lads! Now let’s put the icing on the cake next week!
Bring On Barca
MAY 28TH
THEY DINE IN HELL WITH THE RED DEVILS
sachu … it could be. The club always had a one-year option to extend his contract, so the absence of any new negotiations was never a sign that he would be leaving this year.
19!!!!!!!!!!!!
@sachu
http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n250359 dont know how trustable that is
Stateside Aussie
I tip my hat to you Sir – enjoy the celebrations down under
PS – I hope it is pissing it down!!!!
@rat1p … well, unless they are completely inventing quotes, there’s no reason to doubt it. It’s different when sites “report” gossip and rumor without ever telling you who is supposed to have said what.
Red Simmo … thanks mate. Actually, I’m over in California, and the sun is shining. Visiting Down Under soon though.
Fucking get in.
Are you watching Ronaldo?…Bring on Barca! UNITED!!!!
i hope so
would love to see berba next season
time to celebrate
One thing to say, 19.
StateSideAussie – we ALL knew that, we ALL knew that SAF is the best, and thank you providing us with statistical proof to back up our opinions. However – with my tongue firmly in cheek:
what about the “OldTraffordish decisions” ?
Surely, all those ABU’s can’t be wrong that this kind of dominance is only because SAF has the refs and the FA and the royal family and MI-5 in his pocket ?
And, of course, what about “FergyTime” – is it a coincidence that a Seiss watchmaker is one of UTD’s sponsors ?
And, while we’re at it, what about 7million for Bebe ?
Conspiracy theorists – those who live in an alternative reality – have different answers to those questions. Surely, you’ll have to work hard to find some statistics to refute them, eh ?
Stateside Yankee
well, whatever the weather – a fantastic stats report, and as you say quite revealing.
What will we do when the great Wizzard calls it a day?
(Fergie I mean, not Berbs)
Top class, we did it. Was a sweet moment seeing the Da Silva twins lift the trophy together.
We will all miss VDS, hope he’ll be rewarded with another trophy on Saturday
19, sounds great, feels great
StatesideAussie
Keep them posts coming my friend, always love reading them…. No intelligent replies from me though, I am fucking wasted as I would assume Costas is, or at least should be… hahahaha
UNITED
loved Evra with the flag and him repeatedly saying “the King” into the camera!
Great stats, Stateside Aussie, the icing on a cake of a day. Thanks for putting that together. I wish I could remember all the figures to pull out of the air when arguing with ABUs.
Do we just suggest what or how we feel?
I felt nothing as a 19 year old… zipo. lol
I saw Sir Alex smiling like it was his 1st title not his 12th.
The players and their families together enjoying the experience.
The fans at the beginning that make the effort, with a marvelous image of 19th with pieces of card.
I saw a team with guts and brawn, made to be winners in Sir Alexs mould.
I saw Sir Bobby in a funny hat , smiling like a north Humbrian cat.
I saw a support that were merciless quiet till the team proved they are winners.
I did not see the ‘Owners’ of the club at Old Trafford.
I felt this team through no support of the parasites can win this Champions league trophy.
I felt…..as proven through pricing policy of United, this support will dwindle, est to reduce bye some 20% next season.
I felt for all everything I have read and digested i will fight for my club and ensure its survival.
@Stateside, Mate, send them over to them cunts at all the British papers. Let’s see them use their head once in a while. Empty as it seems though.
Also, does anyone else find it funny that two championship teams are going to be playing in the Europa League – Birmingham (courtesy the League Cup) and Blackpool (apparently courtesy the Fair Play system). A Big LOL to that.
Also, always had a feeling Berba would stay. He loves it here. Not much more clubs he can go if he wants to be at the top. He also knows football is a bipolar game. Chicha’s form could slump as could Rooney’s and we want Berbatov. I don’t see him going anywhere.
Good read as always Scott.
Hope Cedars and Costas are wasted. My lungs and heart almost exploded at the joy I felt when Vidic lifted that trophy. I am still chuffed as hell. Have listened to We Are the Champions a million times already today.
Good Night Lads. 19 Dreams.
Have you heard the rumors the prem player who had the affair is rumored to b are own giggsy brings a new meaning to the song we do wot we like but don’t blame the lad I would
Red Scot – Fucking brilliant
By the way did anyone else notice that poor Townsend almost had a heart attack as Vidic lifted the trophy? I do hope his employers took good care of him
Must admit though I was somewhat left wondering why the cameraman never picked out our new keeper in the crowd. Surely he would have been invited to share in the experience, to show him what great fans and a great team hes joining. And did leave me wondering whether we have actually seen the end of VDS. Of course Im drunk and rambling but non the less somewhat confused. How better to convince a keeper to sign than have him part of the experience today.
As normal you have a dangerous competitor in your midst! You just dont know it.I acheive what i want.. trust that.
All this Giggs Affair Talk is Non Sense – Would You Like It if Someone gave an Input into your affair & tried to stir further crap while your trying to rebuild a marriage?? No So Leave The Man be & let him concentrate on his own personal life & Football. FFS its sad to see people to have such an interest in matters where it does not concern them.
However, I will say this
Imogen Thomas Hubba Bubba Bahama Mama O_o If I was Single Yeh I would Tap That Like the bottom of a ketchup bottle
@RedScot, I saw Owners who were not at the game.
TBH, the less-intrusive the owners, the more the success. Glazers have proved they’re good businessmen. Whether we agree with them or not is different and most of us certainly don’t, but their brain is in the right place which is the best thing you would want in your owner.
Which is not what you could say about a certain Roman Abramovich. It will remain the greatest mystery as to how he became one of the world’s top 20 richest people if he can’t even make simple business decisions properly.
Balaji – I am almost there my friend…. Getting to a stage when all the letters on the key board look the same!1 hahaha
Pity you are not from Manchester though! hahahaha (I know you will remember that one!)
@Clint-IamYourPapii im not saying..giggs is doing this…giggs should be doing that im simply stating that the media will rip this apart and i dont want it to have an impact on the barca final
Love VDS to bits.
Love the fact that United is a family club for the players also.
However, re game, with Barca up ahead I was worried that Blackpool got two goals past 4/5 of our first choice defensive line, Barca will sweep past the mid field and put us under more pressure and defend better, so we need to play way way better and tighter.
@ Cedars , you underestimate me i think. i know you are a fabulous Red 43 yrs old…I have time on my hands to achieve my aim, there is the difference?
Anyways I am being asked to write some drivvel elsewhere for the masses, for a judas shilling
One thing you missed from the 10 moments i’m sure you were all touched by the soldier who brought our trophy onto the pitch……we love our club through and through but win lose and draw it does’nt affect our lives like what happened to him….Total respect.
The lack of acknowledgement, regarding Utds historic landmark today is telling on the bbc football website. Funny how avoiding relegation is seen as a success, and worthy of more coverage. ABU?
Does anyone know what colour Utd will be playing in next sat? Does it alternate depending on what was worn last time?
19
@Cedars, Yeah mate, I will remember that. Pity the idiot disappeared so soon. MG was just getting into the mood.
Reg Giggs, Let it be already. Most of us on here have known it for about 3 weeks now ever since the stories started coming out. The less we talk about it, the better. Why are we so bothered anyways?
Most of us would smash it without thinking twice. Except MG though, I think it would take a lot more than Imogen and a couple of pints of Vodka to take his mind of Hayley McQueen.
Clint-IamYourPapii
Loved the Hubba Mama part! hahaha……… As for me make it a Meg Ryan any day of the week, now she could be my Mama! LOL
@Red Scot
The Glazer sons were at OT today, not Malcom.
This is for the lads and Sir Alex. Well done!
http://tinyurl.com/3l38w3g
Was disappointed with Sky’s coverage of the celebrations. They cut half way through Fergie’s speech and didn’t show Edwin’s. There were no pictures of the changing room celebrations either. I know they had to report on the relegation outcome but would have liked more focus on Utd this was a record breaking 19th title after all.
@ Cantonas collar
I understand United will be wearing their “away kit” – which colours exactly I do not know, Barca will be in their home kit.
What is all this about a Hayley McQueen and a hubba bubba imogen and Meg Ryan. I havent been able to look a woman in the eye for years not even the missus. Not since I cut a hand print out of a Viz comic and told to glue it to my palm in the promise of getting a handjob from Kylie Minogue. Only to read later on after a marathon 3 day wank that there was a printing error and the photographed pal was Russel Grants. Im a ruined man.
@ Cantonas collar
I understand United are playing in thei r”away kit” – whatever colour that will be – and Barca in home kit.
Just when I thought I had stat day to myself
StatesideAussie shows up
Fixated on the fix, but looking for a twix.
Red Scot
I would never dare underestimate you buddy, you are a fucking worrier….. By the way its 44 now… Been that long since we have chatted…
Balaji
True that, the last one you would want to confront here is MG, just like Vidic, he will fucking murder you!!
For Hayley McQueen
19
I wish she reads ROM – she’ll be chuffed to bits
Caramel center, yum yum.
Redscot. The owners were at the game actually mate. Tickets have only gone up a quid a game. Me and my old man renewed today. After winning the league the attendances will be to capacity next year. Seriously pal you get way too bogged down with the ownership but keep fighting the fighting if that’s what ya want.
Great day. Great to see blackpool and holloway applauded off. Good goal by ando and great through ball to owen. Vintage owen. That lad does know how to score.
Anyway gotta a lot to do. Cannot wait for my trip to wembley now.
Well done lads.
Oh and Charlie Adam looks one fat lazy cunt BUT he has got a sweet fucking left foot on him.
Ha HA You have been framed! lol
Love to see the reactions. its in my nature to wind up.. innit! lol
Keep it Red lads, daz ize bomb, wif bling dz osum fz deffo
King Eric to roar United to victory on behalf of all of us
No mean feat that
willierednut
Have a break have a kit kat
Or have a bounty
The taste of paradise
RedScot. You barstard!! Bet you bloody knew I would bite you sod. Nice one mate.
@ King Eric thanks, that helps. lol fuck of back to leeds. Jokin Neil, the sponge for detail speaks!
With out calling every one in the whole wide world a Roger hunt. toodles Dear.
willierednut
Point is would you give your laat rolo away?
You know I’d like to congratulate:
Scott the Red for doing this and keeping the red machine burning
Thanks Scott
Does anyone have a video of Van Der Sar’s speech?
N B I. Hello mate. Yeah but Rio IS the difference. He is so composed and brings out the best in Vidic. One thing to me is glaringly obvious. For all the stick Carrick has got when he plays the opposition do not breach the back four anywhere like they do when he sint playing. Teams run through us with Scholsey in there. We seem to drop off them. I aint slagging Scholsesy as once again some of his passing today was just outrageous but Carrick reads the game perfectly in that role and sniffs out danger immediately. Massively undervalued by some.
A finger of fudge is just enough to give the kids a treat?
@King Eric
Echo your sentiments regarding Rio and Carrick.
By the way My final team is
VDS
Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra
Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs
Park
Rooney.
Thanks to those who read and appreciated the stats report.
@Denton … yes, I guess that in the hands of an ABU, my stats could actually be used as proof of corruption and bias! I mean, there’s no other reasonable explanation, right? Hahaha!
Another interesting fact, which I didn’t discover until just now, is that despite the massive number of goals we’ve scored — not just for a few years, but over the entire 19 seasons — our players have only won the PL Golden Boot four times (including The Berb’s shared award this year). I am not sure what inference to draw from that. One possibility is that having a great individual striker doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll win the PL (indeed, the Golden Boot has usually been won by someone not on the title team); that is, team performances, and having multiple ‘average’ scorers, may be a more effective strategy. It’s something to remember when fantasizing about buying this player or that player because he “always bangs them in” … it’s just the sort of thing a football genius like Sir Alex would understand, and an over-rich asshole playboy like Roman would not understand.
And all because the lady loves Milk Tray.
The trophy has returned to it’s rightful home. Roll on next Saturday, I cannot wait.
MG – Creme Egg?
I need a boast.
Or a timeout.
StatesideAussie – Hello mate. How are you? Great posts as always mate.
willierednut – You need Megan Fox mate.
Maybe some Turkish delight.
willierednt
What about a Mars?
Work rest and play
“Life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get.”
willierednut
Any chance of catching that double decker?
Or are you having a Yorkie with me?
I’m hearing that hiddink is going to chelsea with van basten as a coach-Twitter I heard it from.plus 5 signings.
19 has probably done a lot of things to a lot of people but seldom did I think we’d be doing chocolates
Fucking motd2 hardly showed any of the celebrations.
By the way
The 11th great moment today was Beckfords goal against the chavs – eat your heart out Messi!
@ King Eric
Hope u r well u handsome devil in Red but not wearing Prada (I trust, but will leave it to your best judgement).
I take your point re Rio and Carrick, especially re Carrick, I think I need to give him an even higher weighting @ Stateside Aussie would probably be able no doubt to rustle up some stats re the difference Carrick make.
I think Carrick, Park and Valencia are going to be massively key to how Barca is stopped in attack and Giggs, Rooney and Valencia are going to be key to how they are penetrated (of couse, i do not mean in the Imogen way…).
willierednut
You mean Linekar didn’t shower us with his Barca love in?
Don Carlo sacked and Drogba left out of the squad as well. Classy club. Don’t think Chelsea will challenge us next season. They’ll be around the top 4, but big changes will be needed to keep them up there IMO.
Kings … G’day mate. things have been a bit tough recently, to be honest. The US economy just stuck its big flabby foot up my arse, so now it’s like I’m living in the relegation zone every fucking day hahaha (except that what’s below me isn’t called the fucking championship!). But it’ll get sorted. Keeping me off this blog a bit, though, never been so bloody busy. Cheers!
MG … yeah, Beckford’s goal was just like one of messi’s, which, because it was the smug-faced twerp messi, everyone was jacking off over.
willie … yeah, they are totally and utterly without class. It’ll probably be good for Don Carlo though. Can go to a real club and do something constructive.
a couple of funny moments during the players celebrations was rooney put a ball on the goal line and put his son behind it to kick it into the goal. The boy turned away from the ball and kept smiling and waving at the camera:) I guess he takes after his mom instead of his dad.
Also, at one point rooney took his son over to say hello to Raphael’s daugher. Smart thinking there Wayne, working on creating the future united star….:)
@CedarsDevil – meg ryan is now taken by john mellencamp the singer….he left his hot model wife for her, but his ex is now available:)
Late afternoon or Evening StatesideAussie
One out of the two
Ah well let’s hope United are all tuned in next Saturday – I do not fear for United I do believe that we will win the CL – I just believe that Hernandez will rip the defence apart and basically well – Barca won’t know what hit them…
MG, I would not be surprised at that, mate, and I certainly hope that’s how it goes down. I’m expecting the boss will send the lads out to hit Barca all-guns blazing from the get-go, speed and width being the key in attack, and Rooney dropping back and Park & TonyV pulling in to put the squeeze on Barca big time whenever they get the ball. With WR10, Three-Lunk Park and Tony The Man nipping at their heels, stealing their space, getting in their face, and running around like Energizer bunnies with cattle-prods stuck up their backsides, the Barca midfield and defense won’t know what’s fucking them. And with those three plus the Red Hot Mexican Chili Pepper burning them with width and blistering speed into the space behind their high defensive line, their defense will be left high, dry and gutted. While at the other end, that smug-faced little prick and his over-rated pretty boy cohorts in attack will find themselves banging their heads against a brick fucking wall, aka Vidic and Rio, aka the best central defense in Europe. Cheers!
oops, Three-Lung Park, I meant …
StatesideAussie
Great minds think alike
Goodnight Manchester United
One down one to go
19
Quality piexe Scott. It’s the kind of day you live for as a United fan. What more needs to be said about Edwin Van Der Saar? One in a million. We will miss you big guy.
All of us that started supporting United in the 90s will be pleased of course. But in my opinion, the fans that deserve to savor this moment more than anyone, are the ones that were there when we were relegated and were there when Liverpool were the top dogs. It’s been a long road, but if I am proud for anything today, it’s that our older fans are finally rewarded. Enjoy it lads.
A couple of strange things today.
Fabregas watching F1, instead of watching his team. Club captain?
Some West Fans cheering when Sunderland scored their third goal.
Oh aye, Liverpool and king Kenny ended the season well, not!
What a special day, we’re so lucky to see title after title come to our magnificent club but it still feels brilliant each and every time. Thrilled with Edwin and I miss him already, hasn’t even played his last game but what a class act on and off the pitch. Sir Alex Ferguson. What can you say. He is one of a kind, we will never ever see his level of success again, I actually love him, seeing him smile in that excited childish way makes me smile and laugh. Chuffed to bit for all the lads, especially Mickey and Fabio. And as for Wembley, let’s send Edwin off in real style, lets see off Barca and end this “best team ever” bollocks in real style, let’s send out a real warning of intent to those bastards down the East Lancs Road that we are going to overhaul their European record and soon they will be forever in our shadow, here and abroad. Let’s win it at Wembley where we first won it, first English club to win it, let’s do it again. Let’s really show those who doubted us that they were wrong. As MG says, this shirt is a symbol of defiance, lets show them all how wrong they are, lets show them that we will NEVER die, let’s show them that we are the greatest club in the world, that we have the most class, we have the best determination and will to live and that we never ever give up. We will never die. We are Manchester United, the greatest football club, the biggest football club, the club that instills a special bond from the staff and players to the fans, the bond that keeps us together, that was forged by Sir Matt Busby and has been reborn by Sir Alex Ferguson, we are the phoenix risen from the ashes of Munich and time and again we show everyone who doubts us, slanders us, insults us, writes us off, does not believe in us, that we will never die. Manchester United – the pride of us all.
Anyone see Match Of The Day’s Pathetic Coverage of Our Title Celebration, Tributes and No Interviews ?
You Can See How Much The 19th Hurt Them
Good Fuck Them All Like An Orgy
20th C’MON !!!
4TH CL
that was a day !
RedScot you had me fooled with that first post, too. I was going to write a response but thankfully I read a bit further down the page first:)
What a great fucking day! Hello, all! 6 more days to go, excruciating wait until we do those Catalan cunts. But such a great feeling to carry us through the week.
Stateside, great post at the top of the thread. And try not to get too discouraged by the California economy. Might be my red tinted perspective but I think things will start picking up soon. Best of luck to you, mate!
What a wonderful, generous comment Costas! This is from someone who experienced the success of the middle fifties, the devastation of Munich, the patient rebuilding of the early sixties, the euphoria of winning the European Cup in 1968, the embarrassment of relegation in 1974 and the frustration of the years that followed until…Sir Alex came along.
I have to frankly admit that the possibility of anyone ever surpassing what Sir Matt did for Manchester United never, ever seemed remotely possible. I even spent 15 years waiting for a son to be born so that I could name him after the great man. As luck would have it however, I had four daughters instead!
But the course of the last 25 years have now forced me to reassess my views. As great as Busby was, nobody, anywhere, can even begin to compare with Ferguson. Long may you reign over Old Trafford Sir.
STATESIDE HIGH,DRY AND GUTTED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
great stats for us all as well.
willie how about a York Peppermint Paddy? cool and refreshing.
Time to smoke a lot of dope and watch the blue-ray…. what a day…. 19 and all of you…..one last thing to say…. peace out to, all that are Red !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw the mascot in the celebrations, I want that job.
My highlight of the season is, uniteds monstrous OT record. We have been unstoppable at OT. 4 PTS in all compitions dropped at OT fantastic
CedarsDevil – the irony from shitty fans, they have foregn owners keeping that sorry ass of a club alive, yet they have problems with fans of united who are outside of manchester. Talk bout living in glass houses, they are everything they hate now
From Antonio Valencia’s twitter:
THANK YOU TO MY GOD AND MANCHESTER fOR GIVE ME THIS HAPPINESS.
thank you Antonio for the 19th!!
NBI Red Onion … I’m not sure how to illustrate Carrick’s contribution using stats, because the way he plays, it isn’t just about tackles and passes. I think it’s more of a stealth thing — using position and anticipation to create a shield. I think he’s been a revelation in recent weeks, and like the team overall, seems to be building up a head of steam at exactly the right moment. I strongly suspect Carrick will start against Barca, as I am not convinced Fletcher has fully recovered his fitness.
The midfield pairing is going to be critical — partly because I am certain it will be a pairing, not a trio. Giggs and Carrick, at least to start. I think SAF will use the strategy he employed against Chelsea: Park and TonyV wide in attack, but coming inside to pinch Barca’s midfield when they have the ball; while Rooney will do the same thing from the front, dropping back to squeeze them there, with Carrick pushing up from behind. That way, SAF can achieve his Holy Grail of having two strikers, two wide men and a packed midfield all in the same game. If Park comes inside like that, then Giggs will switch to the outside, so we might see those two playing very fluidly, allowing us to take advantage of Park’s boundless energy while still maintaining a wide option.
The keys will be speed, width, energy, positional interchange, and intelligence. If we can deny them space by squeezing them in the middle, with constant movement from Park, TonyV and Rooney, then switch the ball wide very quickly and use Hernandez to get in behind them, then I really do believe we’ve an excellent chance. It’s a plan that SAF has already foreshadowed in some games recently, it takes advantage of all our strengths, it hurts Barca where they least like it (width and pace), robs them of the space they need in the middle, and forces them to do the one thing they’re least equipped for — a high-energy, fast game, where they are constant attack. Crowd the bastards out, put them under constant pressure, never give an inch, then run the bastards into the ground. They’ll be on their knees begging us to slow down, stop the onslaught, give them a breather, the sons of bitches! Yeah!
“Towards the end of the game, Van der Sar made a great save. In response, Patrice Evra got down on his knees and bowed down to the keeper, in a ‘we are not worthy’ gesture.”
i saw the match but not evra’s gesture, please someone can find it? i’m still looking for it.
19 that’s a fact, 20 the next…
keep watching merseyside.
now for 20……..and for 4
Hello My Dear Reds
I would proudly admit that my eyes teared up when Van Der Sar was giving his speech. It would find someone special to replace him, but we could always count on Sir Alex in finding the right person to do so. This is why this club is so special….WE NEVER DIE!!
To all you FUCKING DOUBTERS…where are you NOW? 9 POINTS ahead of Chesky….fock us you cunts. We’re the BEST in ENGLAND and we will prove next saturday that we are the BEST IN EUROPE as well
LOVE YOU MANCHESTER UNITED….THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN!
stateside lol!!!!!
I know this was posted in a previous thread, but you gotta see these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/adityareds#p/a/u/1/dFc8vm_x070
Watch “BEL19VE” and “Manchester United Champions League”
Awesome videos!
Truly a great season. I got to see nearly all of the matches this year – living in Arizona it’s kind of difficult at times to catch them all.
This was a tremendous job by Sir Alex this year, possibly his best ever(?). It seems like SAF had to work with an unusually large amount of injuries, at times a shaky midfield, managing the older guys time constraints, all of the stupid FA bans/drama/BS, not having Russian/Arab billionaires dumping cash into the team (the Glazers aren’t exactly regarded as big spenders here in the US), some “questionable” refereeing decisions – yet still managed to win the league – by 9 points!
Also I felt kind of bad about Blackpool getting relegated. At least they play up-tempo run-&-gun style of offense. Absolutely no defense though. Sort of like our Phoenix Suns.
I’m so pumped/nervous/anxious/excited for next weekend’s Champions League finale. It seems a little bit ridiculous to pray to win a football match, but I’ll admit to it!
Also, I hope we go for the win next week against Farce-alona. Bring your snorkels and goggles because there’s gonna be some good diving going on.
StateSideAussie @ 1:44: “The keys will be speed, width, energy, positional interchange, and intelligence. If we can deny them space by squeezing them in the middle,
Well, yeah, of course. We all know that pressing Xavi and Iniesta keeps them away from the “D” and pushes them back towards the mid-field line from where they are much less dangerous. BUT I think that there’s more to it than that – what is Barca’s greatest strength ? Their right-sided combination of Alves and Messi, who starts on the left and always tries to cut inside. So, for me, the key is going to be forcing these two guys to play along the touch-line because crossing/heading really isn’t part of their game-plan.
Their play – Plan A – is very much pivoted around getting the ball to Messi when he cuts inside, plays a wall pass and then gets himself into shooting position. He’s much, much less dangerous when he’s forced to play like a winger than a “false 9″ or a “withdrawn striker”. In terms of UTD’s preparation, this means that the left-sided combination of ThreeLungPark and Patrice Evra (aided by SIrRyanGiggs) will have to play a smart, controlled and disciplined game – with no walkabout from Evra !
Barca’s left-sided attack – with Abidal (?) and David Villa is much less important in their style of play which is odd since David Villa is such a terrific attaacker. They are a team lthat likes to play according to Plan A – and that tends to marginalize Villa. In thinking about Barca’s right-sidedness – and relative neglect of their left-sided attack, I’ve also wondered about playing Antonio Valencia our nominal right back with Nani on the right wing, instructed to pay primary attention to his defensive duties. Doing that would further press back Abidal and, hopefully, push Villa into his own defensive duties and thereby minimize his attacking threat. I think that this might work because of the need to move the ball quickly up-field and try to let WayneBoy and Chicharito get at their central defenders. It’s probably too much of a radical-reach but, I think that it’s a tactical plan that’s worth considering – especially because neither of the Da Silva twins is a better defender than Valencia and John O’Shea’s slowness could be a big issue.
The other element in Barca’s style which is very dangerous is their ability to play fast wall-passes in and around the “D” so it’s important to congest that zone and force them wide. Barcelona present a fascinating challenge to UTD – they have superb ball control and very fast passing, when they sense an opening. Otherwise they play a kind of attacking rope-a-dope in which they play keep-ball and wait for the smell of blood. But we’ve seen on sevaral occasions – UTD in 2008, RentBoyz in 2009, InterMilan in 2010, and RM a few weeks ago in the first leg at the Bernabeu before Pepe got sent off – that a cohernet defence can keep them at arm’s length. The defensive triangle of Rio, Vidic, and Michael Carrick are going to be severely tested. Let’s hope that those three have great games.
We are the best team in the world. You don’t get this kind of team spirit anywhere else. VDS is a Legend. And he’ll missed sorely, I cried after his speech.
Gosh, and Evra seriously loves Park. He was warning Nani not to get into the picture with him and Park and the trophy! lol!
Tony V on twitter “THANK YOU TO MY GOD AND MANCHESTER fOR GIVE ME THIS HAPPINESS.”
Oh what a honour and privilege it is to support this great club. Oh UNITED, we love you!
Looking forward to the FA Youth Cup, then the GNev testimonial.
This week might well feel like a year’s wait.
Hope the players psyche themselves up properly.
Costas, you are class man. I am one of the old ones, been supporting United 51 years.
I remember my first King the lawman, I remember Geoge Best. I can remember listening to my little radio the day we got relegated ( not on tv in those days). The radio hit the wall at the end of the game and smashed into pieces. I remember us rocketing back up the next season.I remember 26 years without a championship title. I remember Martin Buchan, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane – all total class. I remember Brucies extra time goal, I remember Cantona, my god for ever. I remember Denis Irwin the greatest fullback that ever lived. I remember Beckham, Scholes, Giggs, Ruud, Ronaldo. Class players every one of them.
And the last 20 years have been the greatest time of my life. United have been my life and have given me so much pleasure. Long may it go on. Long may SAF go on.
@DohaRed
51 years! It’ll take me 3 more decades to come close to that.
They say the fruits of patience sweeten the taste buds of those who waited.
Long have you waited, and long may these sweet fruits continue to grow.
I have every faith that the successor handpicked by SAF will continue to keep faith in the club’s policy of a good mix of experience and youth. We sowed the seeds in the 1990s, and we’re reaped the returns for more than a decade.
I hope we’re not in the market for some tabloid-hyped one-season wonder.
I think the big story is how this team won this year. After Valencia’s injury, things looked bleak.
Berbatov gave up World Cup to train for this year. Nani became a weekly warrior. Smalling and Evans played better than Evans did last year.
Ji played so well at the end of last year. Then gave up international play for the team.
Michale Carrick played better and better each week.
The twins got more and more experience.
Hernandez Hernandez Hernandez.
Rooney comes through in 2011 in a big way.
There are a lot of great stories here.
I just happened to be at Wimbledon in 1968 for the great match. Never experienced anything like it. Looking forward to next week.
I was at OT for this yesterday and it was honestly one of the THE moments of my life. The whole atmosphere was electric. I’ve never heard us sing like that before!
I cant even describe the feeling i had, with 75000 other fans all enjoying the moment. The celebrations, the chants, the whole experience was brilliant.
I also have to say Im proud of the way everyone rallied behind Blackpool and applauded them at the final whistle. I wouldve loved them to stay up, they play good football and have given us a fright or 2 this season. Respect to their players and Manager! I hope they have the #BounceBackAbility to be back in the prem next year.
Im still buzzing now looking over all these pictures of the day…..
Bring on #20!
St Scholes @ 9:00: “Bring on #20!”
If SAF gets it right with replacing Edwin then I don’t see why you only want the next one – how about 21, 22, 23, and 24 ?
Wembley, Camp Nou, Luzhniki stadium…a look back at Man United’s European past, can Fergie’s men burry the ghost of Rome?
Guys here’s an article that looks back at our 3 European triumphs:
http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/man-uniteds-corner-spirit-of-united%e2%80%99s-european-past/
VDS top man a class act
god luck to the youth team boys lets hope they kick off a week of cup final wins!
Stats are correct and let me figure out what are the main drivers moving United so strong along these years. You may say Sir Alex Fergunson – He is the manager. Another could say the Academy, with these players vinttage after vinttage. Some “wall street” could say the owners, because They were able to keep S.A.F along the years and were able to manage the football and the club business. Well, as a Brazilian who has some hints on what football tradition is, I would say: The Supporters. You, Manchester United supporters, You from Manchester and England that keep going rto Old Trafford – even paying more and more for the season ticket – are the chains that keep together the Club history,the manager, the players. I’m quite sure that if were not for You,some American businessman, or a petroleum sheik would have took United away from Its fair tale. In fact, when I say that I’m Manchester United,and some Brazilian friend tells me “You are a glory hunter”, I replicate: “That’s the supporters what make me follow United, theirs passion, love and dedication to United what make me so to look up to”.
Jooa Jose Oliverra – yep; that’s why Manchester United is the world’s number one team. Passion, history, romance, AND success wrapped up in a very, very entertaining style of play.