When United are your local team, whilst you’re obviously always aware of the size of it globally, it takes weekends like this to remind you of just how massive this club is.
Watching the reaction of the Crawley fans seeing their team get drawn against United was great viewing. It makes you realise that as a United fan, there are certain things you’ll never get to experience. I’m not regretful of that. I much prefer the feeling that winning the European Cup or league brings, but there is a part of me that’s a bit jealous.
See, the stronger the opposition we’re drawn against, the more disappointed I am, because I want us to win it and the easier the draw, the better the chance there is of this happening (in theory). Obviously we can get excited about drawing Liverpool, Leeds or City, but that’s to do with the rivalry, not the size of the club. We’ll never get to experience that buzz they got when they were drawn against us.
Of course, being drawn against a non-league side means Sir Alex will rest a lot of key players. Whilst you’d like to think our fringe and youth players were still far superior to a non-league side, in terms of ability, there is always the chance they’ll be in for an upset. This is the biggest day of those Crawley players’ lives, they play together as a team week in week out and they will be up for this. In contrast, whilst our younger players will relish the opportunity to show the manager what they’re capable of, the more experienced players are hardly going to be pumped up, and as a unit will never have played together.
The manager has lead us to believe we can expect a back four of Rafael, Brown, O’Shea and Fabio, likely with Anders Lindegaard between the sticks. Michael Owen would have been an obvious choice up front with Javier Hernandez but his recent injury rules him out, meaning we’ll probably just have the one striker on the field. Bebe and Obertan to support him with Gibson, Carrick and Anderson in midfield? Our home form has been brilliant but with this dodgy line-up and formation, could today resemble an away performance? Hopefully not.
We should also hopefully see Ravel Morrison get a game (although maybe the hype from the ill-timed MEN article throws that in the balance), with Paul Pogba, Joshua King and Ryan Tunnicliffe also possibilities. Let’s hope we get a comfortable lead early enough to give our youngsters a good run out.
Come on reds!
————–
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haha! chelski
i hope they lose after 120 minutes
no way! i got first!
Anyways, I hope we score at least five today and hopefully Ravel and Pobga get some game time, Josh King too
Penalty starting…
Lampard to take the first one and he scores…
2-1 Chelsea
My money on Tiny tears to miss the final one and making the score 4-4
and then Chelshits going on to loose in the sudden death..
yay Timmay! nice save!
Anelka misses so my previous prediction is out of the window…
2-2 Now…
Now Mr. Tiny Tears our own CLLC to miss the final one and Chelshit to loose the game there and then….
I hope he takes the final one.
3-3 Now.. After 4 penalties
Yeah Cashley cole is coming to take the final one and he MIsssssseeeeeesssssssssss………………
Phil to win it for Everton now…
And he does …….
Fuck off Chelshits….
Come on Everton!
GET IN PHIL!!!!
and its a Red that ends chelsea’s FA cup hopesss…… priceless……
Cole was pissing his pants after getting the nudge from Heitinga….. priceless…..
When it rains, It pours!
Bye bye Chelski
Bwahahaha. Chelsea knocked out by Phil Neville at the Bridge!!
tiny tears from all of the CSKA London squad
When do we play Chelsea away ?
Bad blow that wanted Chelsea through as it would have been in our favour.now we will be stuck with playing them 1st March ie 3 concecutive away games Agh.
People…
Check out this article about Ravel Morrison.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1358611/United-starlet-intimidated-victim-knifepoint-mugging-spared-jail.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Hopefully, he’ll get his life straightened up after this and focus on his football.
4 concecutive away games.
after chelsea we play against the dippers afaik.
Zelph.
I was talking about EPL games on the bounce.
EVERTON U ABSOLUTE LEGENDS!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I LOVE IT!!!!! AND I LOVE IT HOW ANELKA WENT THE SAME WAY HE WENT IN IN CHAMPS LEAGUE FINAL AND MISSED…AND I LOVE IT HOW HEITINGA SHOULDER BARGED CASHLEY AND HE MISSED!!!!! OH YES RENTBOYS OUT THE CUP!!!!!
NO SILVERWARE FOR THEM THIS SEASON AND WHO KNOWS…MAYBE EVEN NO CHAMPS LEAGUE NEXT SEASON AS WELL HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH OH DO I HATE CHELSEA SCUM FUKIN JOHN TERRY THE SOLDIER, HERO AND LEADER COULDNT EVEN STEP UP TO TAKE A KICK AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHH…
CMON MUFC AS RIO ALWAYS SAYS LETS AAAAAAAAAAAAAVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fuck off Chelsea…… Torres .’ joining Chelsea to win things’ hahahahahahah
oh and i almost forgot……..phil neville is a red is a red….
Chelski losing to Copenhagen is really going to piss on their chips
and torres joining chelsea scum for trophies…LMFAO
and was that a tear i just saw in John terrys eye??? hahahahahh
OOh Max…. I do believe you are repeating what I have already said…..
never saw your but who cares man chelsea r out of the cup!!!!!!1
GETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT IIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Good on Everton knocking them cunts out. I don’t want any of our rivals, winning anything, not even a, who’s the bigger set of cunts contest. Yes, we’ve got tough away games to come now, but this is what, being a big club is all about IMO. Lets go for the fucking lot!
Chelsea may win something next season – most games played on a Thursday night.
Piss on the Chaves, Don’t care when we meet em, March 1 bring it on.
Tell you what, guess who is scared for that game. Well pissing themselves.
Hope we can do Crawley. Give them their day in the sun and send them down the road. Just hoping for a good showing and no injuries. Posted the Guardian team sheet yesterday, does anyone have an update?
Lindegaard, Rafael, OShea, Brown, Fabio, Carrick, Anderson, Gibson,’Hernandez, Bebe, Obertan.
BENCH Kuz, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs, Berbs, WR10, Tunnicliffe, Morrison, Pogba.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/18/squad-sheets-manchester-united-crawley-town?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29
lol @ TIMMAAAAAAAAYY!!
QUADRUPLE RUPLE WANKERS
FletchTHEMAN – line-up is confirmed. I think bench will be correct too.
max might have already said this, but Chelsea are out of the cup.
Sadly, and as it was already mentioned, that means we will play them on March 1st. Not the ideal time for us.
Costas.
#mufc bench: PIG, Smalling, Fletch, Rooney, KING, POGBA, TUNNICLIFFE
FletchtheMan’s line up is confirmed.
United: Lindegaard-Rafael O’Shea Brown Fabio-Gibson Carrick Anderson-Bebe Hernandez Obertan.
Can’t believe it. I got 11 out of 11.
@willie
Still playing with your new toy I see,lol.
I agree with Costas, March 2nd would have been better
Go jump in a lake Costas u muppet!!!
@Cedars
Lol. Nah, December would have been ideal. After that, it became a clusterfuck. We won’t have Park ready for the game on March 1st and it will be 4 days before the Liverpool game. Maybe we would have been better off if we played the game at some point in May.
There’s nowt we can do about it now. I’m confident of beating Chelsea.
I want a fiver from united.CMONNN CHICHO GET A HATTRICK
I see pat rice has a thing for Costas!
@pat rice
I love you too.
You attract the headers Costas lol.
I am not really good at math guys, but I am pretty sure that max = pat rice…
@Willie
Yeah, I have the nutjob magnet it seems, lol.
Thought as much Costas, was obvious from yesterday…..
Willie
Could be worse Costas you could be accused of being a cit-eh fan lol
I got 9 on 11, as I almost always do. I still hope Morrison/King get a run-in, especially if we kill the game by halftime.
This is for Goat.
@Cedars
Like I said. I am slow at math.
Glad to hear someone else figured it out too.
@Notorious
Ha! That’s happened to you? Give me “jump in a lake” wishes (and whatever the hell they mean, lol) anyday!
For Willie….
3 gold stars for Costas to stick on his forehead for the correct line up……. dela, you only get a silver one to…. well stick anywhere you like
no Ravel but Pogba ,King and Tunnicliffe on the bench.Hope they get a run in at some point.
Please Dear Gibson Don’t fuck this opportunity .
@dela
Well, 9/11 in a game where Fergie makes wholesale changes is still very good. To be honest, if he didn’t reveal most of the team in yesterday’s press conference, I wouldn’t have got it right. I thought Carrick or Ando would be saved for Marseille.
@Cedars
Cheers mate. But why only 3 stars?
Where would you stick the rest Costas? These are quite big stars you know
It is a tad disappointing that Ravel is not featuring today.Can’t wait to see him.
Hey…
Does anybody know an Internet radio station that broadcasts the game, preferably one that is not limited to any kind of rights restrictions? I can’t get the BBC radio here.
It’s a shame Pogba or Tunnicliffe weren’t given a start over Gibson. Gibson has had his chance and personally this kind of game seems perfect to give these 2 experience as that’s going to be something that is hard for youngsters to get
anyone noticed our back four are all right backs? or l’m l the latest to figure that out
@Cedars
There’s plenty of me to go around.
costas …. you fucking muppet/////oops had some body already said that….
Where the hell is smartalex?
Looks like boss is going for the tried and tested and failed 4-3-3.
getting all jittery now ….like an addict before a fix……
COME ON YOU FUCKING REDS
TonyBee
Had your toast yet?
Smartalex is singing his heart out…over the rainbow, way up high….. tra-la-la
Jittery TonyBee? Come on.
Yeah where is smartalex. Haven’t seen him here in the last few days. Hope he is ok.
@TonyBee
Late as usual.
no toast…. Bacon butties this morning …with the crusts cut off …..and Earl Grey tea….
Roses are red, Chelsea is Blue. My grandma can take better spotkicks than you! #Cashley
up yours Costas…was on here before you today defending your honour…..
EVERYONE WHO CANT WATCH ON ITV, GO AND REGISTER HERE: http://tvcatchup.com/watch.html?c=3
you can get ITV live stream.
@RedBlood
For the long term future Ravel missing out is probally a good thing. He needs to get his attitude sorted and if he was on the bench today then it perhaps would be the wrong message to send him. He needs the encouragement but at the same time he needs managed so he doesn’t start to think he has made it and feed his personality problems he has been having.
not jittery worried,,,, just jittery about not seeing game for a week….
anyway you cunts stop picking on me or my mate Maxine will get on to you, wont you Max….
lol berbatunday.. well, technically you’re wrong mate. Brown’s a natural centre half turned right back.. O’Shea can do a job in the middle I suppose.
Nice looking team out today.. looking forward to seeing what Bebe and Obertan can offer
Lots of people say we would beat Crowley with ease, I disagree. It will be a tough game but good game nonetheless.
@TonyBee
I know mate. I always appreciate the support.
TonyBee – Stop coveting my Maxine.
Earl Grey? You snobbish b@stard
It is Evans’ fault already….and he is not even on the bench!
Redscot …you here yet mate…
Hi anyone could u please provide me any live streaming link
Earl Grey and I stuck my pinkie finger out….
Maxine is mine.
@united.george
Haha. Oh no. It will be 100% pure Gibson haterizing going on today.
Wakey.I know mate.Its just that his problems have more to do with the kind of surroundings he grew up in and his background.As he gets older he will have the maturity to do the right thing more often.People who have watched the reserve games appreciate his attitude this season and since this incident of threatening took place a while ago maybe this game would have been the right one to give him that encouragement he needs to take the next step.Here’s hoping both Pogba and Tunnicliffe do come on at some point.Cheers!
http://www.soccertvlive.net/watch/51089/1/watch-manchester-united-vs-crawley-town-fc.html
try that spenlunc
@berbatunday
Fabio is a left back. He is a right footed left back but he is a left back.
Not sure O’Shea would say he was rightback either. He just gets used there as his preferred cb and lb positions are better covered while at times due to injury, inexperience and falling outs rb cover has been light
What I want more than anything is the performance of these guys, I really hope this is not a horror show no fight, these kids have to give there all especially obertan* I know he can make it here. This is the best place to show the world what we’re made of.
Thanks Tony.Lemme try that
Won’t be as easy as it looks, but hope we can establish a comfortable lead and bring on some of the youngsters.
Crawleys manager looks like he’s wearing guy liner for the cameras. Ha. Hopefully it’s a good spirited match.
anyone hearing that twat Southgate spouting off on ITV….what an absolute cunt
ohh well here we go….
COME ON YOU FUCKING REDS
COME ON UNITED!!!
I can easily this match turn into a scrap for us. As other said, many changes in the side, plus, Crawley will be hard to break down like this. I hope we make things easy in ourselves.
@RedBlood
I know it’s largely due to his background but off the field issues are as often the cause of players failing as on the field. And his background does make him more inclined for the attitude to spread if he is brought in too soon. Usually I like to see the young players given the experience but in his case I think the club need to be a bit harder on him and make him earn every chance s little more over the next year as he does have the potential to be world class if we het his head/attitude right
For those who doubt Gibson. He is so good that he is named on both teams midfield.
: B
@Costas,
You muppet! Couldn’t give a flier if it’s been said before ! Ha ha ha
Come on you Reds!
who else feels the jersey colours is clashing??
Just watched the lowlights of the Everton Chavs game.
AT THE BRIDGE !
PHIL FOOOOKIN NEVILLE (GETTTTT INNNNN)
PHIL NEVILLE WEARS BLUE, BUT HIS JOCK IS RED.
STONES OF TRUE RED AS WELL. GET THE FOOOOOCK IN!
Ash cHOLE. YOU ARE A JOKE!
Well done Everton. Ha Ha ha ha ha
Oppps sorry lads, should be on the other thread!
What’s with Ando, hope nothing’s wrong and why the hell is he playing anyway, I thought he’s one of our key midfielders now….?……..I think Gibson’s deal is that he is really really slow….thinker – time and time again proves it on the pitch. My inner feeling screams he’s shite despite having RPG for a right foot, I realllyyyy hope I’m wrong
Andy Townsend
It was a free kick for Herandez… But
What the fuck is he on about the idiot
It will take a while for the team to gel together.
Good to see brown playing again. Love the guy.
They shut down atdhe.net . Anyone wanna help me with a stream?
myp2p.eu.
players like bebe and obertan looks non league players as well..
@theboogeyman
Myp2p.eu ?
Well, so far our wingers haven’t exactly washed themselves in glory. Both Bebe and Obertan not doing the job.
4-4-3 still doesn’t work.
What’s wrong with a conventional 442 at home to a non league side?
Keyser Soze- Can’t find one that’s smooth on my sad internet.
we either play 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 and why do we play 4-4-3 in the cup?
players don’t look comfortable in this formation.
so far nothing happening, we have created few oppurtunities, carrick need to step it up as the leader of the team.
Great ball from…. GIBSON. Hernandez should have shot.
OUR BOY WES. That’s a captain’s goal!
MOre quality from… GIBSON!?!
WES!
Wes BROWN, GETTTTT INNNNN!!!!!!!
Darren Gibson can pass and cross
Hallelujah
I think the biggest problem with our 4-3-3 is we still use the wide 2 forwards as wingers crossing the ball to Chicharito. Doesn’t anyone have a problem with that, especially after no one is bombing from midfield to support him…
GOOOOOO WESLEEEEYYYYY!!
HE’S BIG HE’S BAD HE’S WESLEY BROWN!!!!
Gooooaaaaal! Brown!
Out manchester boy scored!
*our
I think we are playing 4-3-3 because Owen got injured and Rooney and Berb are rested.
Two quality balls from Gibbo by the way…
Get in!!!
Gibson surely can pass and cross!!
Two great balls from Gibson.
Still 0 – 0 must be Evans or Gibbo’s fault
@theboogeyman
mypremuim.tv
vip tv on veetle (can’t find url in my bookmarks)
trying to think of more will let you know
First FA Cup goal. What a player!
Fine fine play from Gibbo.
Chicho should have got one the second before.
What a great ball from Gibbo. Great ball, then a great corner.
Get in Wes, Get in Gibbo. GET IN UNITED.
Come on you Reds.
Come On United.
Lindergaard certainly looked happy, lol.
@MG, I think most of our young players lack the most important factor that experience gives: consistency. Whether they are allowed to wear the Red of United till the time they get that factor is the most important question?
Wes Brown’s back BTW. If him and SAF can settle their differences, then that provides a great boost with the lack of self-confidence Evans has shown recently.
Got one, keyser. Cheers. It’s still lagging though, Switched it off.
Get in Wes!
Sell Gibson.
Another brilliant pass, Fabio should have buried that.
This is more like Gibson.
why is hernandez pulling to the left wing when he is the only striker on the pitch… obertan in the middle!?
How did Fabio miss that. Gibbo pulling the stings in midfield!
wtf’s up to gibson?
can’t be our gibson!
Andy Townsend
Rafael went down easily he was looking for a penalty
Clive Tildsley
I think it was a foul
Andy Townsend
Shuts the fuck up
Gibson works as an attacking midfielder
Playing defensive does not work for him – it’s pretty much apparent that the boy does know how to play football
Let’s have him playing attacking football then and find out how good he is.
Bebe seems to have had his spinach by the way
Andy Townsend should always shut the fuck up……….. Glad I do not have the game with him commentating what a prick
CedarsDevil
Lucky you mate I’m having to digest Andy Townsend speaking shit
Obertans shite as a winger. I like to see him right up front.
Rafael looking better and better every time he touches the ball.
@MG
That was hilarious It’s even more annoying the way he’s mixing up names of the players. I don’t think he’s got Lindegaard’s name right even once all night. What a pitiful excuse for a pundit.
Is bebe a machine?wtf
Fuck sake Morrison, you’re chucking your career away:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/19/ravel-morrison-manchester-united
HT. Just need to keep the pressure on them, keep it tight at the back, and wait for them to tire. Hope to see some of the young uns later on #MUFC
Gibbo laying off some nice passes, must say i was impressed
carrick should learn from gibbo easily our best player along with brown.
How strong is Ando? fucking hell
MG
Not that lucky mate, I do not have the game on tele at all! Just following it via live text, internet connection too slow for an online stream…. But that is still better than having to listen to that dumb fuck Townsend whom I have to hear with every league game on PLTV
Fabio has looked better (gotten more involved) than Rafael
On balance of first half, Gibson is run in for MOTM, some sublime passing and crosses so far. Good for you. When you are being doubted, there’s no better way to answer criticism. Hope he keeps it up for second half.
Andy Townsend…. what the hell is wrong with him?? Always seems to be watching a different game to me when United are involved.
The only thing townsend said positive was browns goal, and even then you can feel/hear the hate in his tone.
Never knew that Fabio is married.
would like to see Bebe not rush his crosses so much…try and take on the player first.
Some wonderful passes from Gibbo and I can’t help but get a little excited when Bebe gets the ball, I just find him an exciting player.
Andy Townsend should have a testimonial, on the opposing side Roy Keane should be playing…. During the said game Keano would do both the cunt’s legs and then clear his big nose right off his ugly face…………. Now THAT would be worth watching
Gibson and Evans are hit…..sell them …..LOL
Back again boys missed most of first half…had to listen on the car radio…aint the fucking same is it….
Rooney on? Hmm, surprised by that.
Darron Gibson. That is all.
COME ON UNITED!!
if wazza does come on …he will give their no 5 a harder time than chico
Rooney on, bit surprised. Fergie means business.
So they dismiss the song? I heard Glory Glory Man Utd
I hope Ando didn’t pick up a serious knock.
by the way Pat Rice is a cunt
Good run from Obertan.
TONYBEE – Is Pat Rice the fat curly haired bloke on Setanta?
I think Fergie wants to keep Rooney going in term of goal scoring. Plus he is still short in form anyway, not fitness wise
obertan and bebe have had such an up and down game so far. P.s. how do all the gibbo haters like this game eh…
While we are at it, throw in John Champion in that match too and let Keano have his way with him as well
our wingers are not there at all
Why on earth is Rooney playing so deep?
Dela
I wish I could fire Andy Townsend – I wish could fire a lot more of them idiots
CedarsDevil
Oh man that’s bad – I wonder if you could listen to it on BBC world service or something?
The Boogeyman
Try http://www.myp2p.eu if you haven’t got the match
TRYDER91 – not that I’m a “hater,” per se, but this *is* non-league competition. Not a game for anyone to prove they belong in our shirt, TBH.
cause he’s playing this deep almost the whole season in 442.
I’m so happy for Wesley Captain, goal – and a brilliant performance too so far
Boy have we missed you Wes Brown
doesnt matter if they are non-league. theres plenty of players out there that people rate that are playing poorly (against a non league team as you argue).
we should kill them off before they think they can take something from this game.
Bebe and Obertan have been fucking dreadful
Bebe and Obertan have been fucking dreadful
thats modest The Fly
Obertan had an up and down performance, but bébé doesn’t look really good so far.
bebe obertan not united class just give the ball away so much all pace and nothing else.
This game is so dull! Come on United, a couple more goals please.
fabio injured again.
oh boy..
Obertan and Bebe should really work on their crossing
Great to see the usual trolls coming on here to slag off United players…………
Funny, we never see them pricks during the week!!
bebe n obertan WTF??? ravel morrison should get chances in place of this two!
Bebe just ISN’T a United player. Obertan neither. Time to cast this driftwood out in the summer.
Wake up… what a thoroughly flat second-half display. Disappointing.
I was looking forward to seeing some of the younger players play. . . PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY.
guys wake up this is non-league.
Well, I hope the Crawley Town supporters are enjoying this.
our forrmer assistant has got half of the 7.5m we paid for bebe..an absolut waste of money there..also obertan..even his former manager said he is not good enough..
@ CedarsDevil
It is starting to feel like an England friendly though.
wow if they score i hope we wake up
No service to hernandez. All those people were right after all, just what the fuck is this Bebe??! 7 million squid??!!
we make them look like title contenders.
evans fault!
is it me or are crawley playing better than most premiership teams at old trafford. fair fucking play to them! they should chuck west brom out of the premiership and put crawley in.
smalling is great. fact.
cedars devil no need to call people pricks we are plaing a non league side and they are looking better than us at the min that is not good enough! people have the right to voice there opinion thts what this site is for and you cant tell me you would be confident seeing the like of bebe and obertan against a good side!
@ kev e
Or Wigan, they’ve got more fans.
Inception
We are making Crawley Town believe they are Barcelona
Tyldesley is beginning to surpass Townsend on the cunt scale.
even with his first half gibson doesn’t do himself a favor.
Rooney is still evidently lacking touches as they have been poor
What a shit game and what a shit 2nd string do we have. One of the most boring games I have ever watched. It’s laughable. There is no need to even blame any of the players. I am feeling the same way as many of you. Someone needs to get me out of my misery.
smalling has done well since he come on hes going to be a top player. brown has done ok good to see him playing.
just wrap this game up and forget it,not worth to mention it again
I think bring on Rooney was not a great idea. Don’t get me wrong Rooney is great. But maybe it sends the wrong message to the fringe players that there were not playing well enough. They have not been good since half time from what looked like a game that was going to be put to bed with the 3 in the middle. now they are getting a bit of the ball and United are playing nervous which is never good, no matter who you are playing. also I was hoping to see one of the younger boys on tonight which is the main reason I am a bit annoyed too! Dee what happens now.
Crawley by far the better team this half, very poor from most of the United team. I’d take 1-0 now!
Guys what relli pisses me off about this lacklustre crap that united seem so prone to is. That it dusn allow the manager to give the young lads a game cos the. Starting players are playing like fat pricks.
I find it laughable that people are saying that this game is boring and that we have a shit second string. What did you expect? A 10-0 drubbing. Believe me, had our first team played this game, the outcome would’ve been no different and probably the way the contest has been played out.
This is one of those games where the top team (United in this case) is on auto-pilot and the unknown team is playing at 200%. We just want to get it over without any injuries or upset for the most important fortnight of the season (Marseille, Wigan, Chelsea, Liverpool) and they want to return with their dignity and spirit.
The game has played out like pretty much any contest like this over the past bazillion years has played out. So, STFU, and let us get on to our most important 2 weeks of the season.
off topic but worth a read http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/19/ravel-morrison-manchester-united
Fucking hell, should NEVER be this close in stoppage time against a non-league club. Pfft.
Balaji
Excellent post mate, hope the idiots here learn from you
fergie looks disgusted with this performance…i know i do
just a pitty that none of the young lads got a chance.
The anti-United crap-venting by the media shall be postponed until tomorrow morning. Tonight, they’re going to load up on Indian food from a street-side hawker!!!
Woeful second-half, glad that is over. To go through the motions is one thing, to allow a non-league side to dictate play and create chances at Old Trafford is another.
FT. Meh. We’re through.
Well thank fuck that’s over and we’re in the hat for the next round!
i think crawley have been brilliant. united were always going to struggle with 9 men against 11. I am sure Obertan and Bebe will improve but they were really missing tonight. No width, no penetration and no service to the strikers. Onwards and upwards though eh!
Gazza turned out to not be a bad manager eh!!! lol.
Good, lets just forget that this game ever happened, lol.
Some players didn’t impress on their big chance, but I wasn’t expecting them to to be honest. Can’t just put 11 players together and expect them to perform to the best of their capabilities. For players like Bebe and Obertan, a better indication will be when they team up with our big guns. At least Gibson played well at times.
we are through and thats all that matters but its been a poor performance some of these players need to give more if they are going to make it at man united! shame did not get to see some of the younger lads like pogba!
Bebe has been crap today. Looks short on confidence. Other are okay nothing spectacular. I hate it when we play with no swagger.
Obertan and Bebe need a lot of improving to do! They are just not up to it! Even against a non-league team…
And I blame Jonny Evans for this!
Some of our players were just laughable. No more comments required.
Two things: 1. We are in the quarter-finals. 2. Fuck off Townsend you sad bitter cunt.
As for the rest of the season, I doubt we will play such a weak side again. We have a big squad, but we don’t have 2 equal First XI.
I just hope Ando and Fabio are ok because we can’t afford anymore injuries.
REPORT | United 1 Crawley 0: Reds Avoid FA Cup Hiccup
http://www.theunitedreligion.com/2011/02/united-1-crawley-0-reds-avoid-fa-cup.html
Things to take away from the game:
* Darren Gibson CAN play football when he is utilized properly. Definitely our best player of the match and hope that improves his confidence level and he can go on to better things.
* Looks like we’ve got the perfect replacement for Rio in Smalling. Now, all we need to do is find a replacement for Vidic (or turn Evans into one
) and we can breathe easy about the Vida to Madrid rumours.
* Crawley played better than most of the PL sides as someone has pointed out. Good for them but as I said, it is also because this is their most important game of the season. So, they would be disappointed at not giving anything less than 200%.
* Did anyone else find it amazingly funny that the PL leaders were time-wasting against a League One side. I know I did.
And, now, onto the two most important weeks of the season. We get 4 out of 4 in the next 2 weeks and I am sure we will be able to smell the title. Come on United!
The whole team and how it exists is laughable ……………
Now fuck off and do something wise with your life
i think this might be the last time obertan and bebe wearing our shirt..the best players to rival djemba djemba as the worst player to play for united.
I really don’t like playing this just doing enough game that United seem to be doing for the majority of the games this season. Some of those performances were extremely poor and that is putting it politely. While we were on one nil up anything could have happened. A flukey deflection a la Dzeko for City.
I mean why did United allow Crawley Town to have the ball in midfield? Our midfield was outplayed second half against a non league football team. What is going on there?
On the other hand we are in the quarter finals of the FA Cup. But there is more to this story than just the scoreline. United were terrible.
Bebe still needs a lot of work, no mystery there. And he’s been at the club for only 8 months. Obertan should have been pushing for a starting place with more convinction though. Don’t know. Lets play Obertan at Wigan with the rest of the first team and see how he performs there.
some should calm down.
this is not FM, but reality.
you can’t just pick eleven men and hope they play like a team with week-in week-out football.
sad that we didn’t see any of the young lads.
Today is the reason why when we’re short in midfield Gibson plays and not Obertan or Bebe. I can cut Bebe some slack but Obertan was dreadful, at home, non-league side a bit pathetic. Can’t really complain with the rest of the team but our wing play was terrible.
move on boys quarter finals next
MG @ 17.52. Yeah what a fucking cunt Townsend is. If that was the other way, he would have been up in arms shouting for a penalty to Crawley. Can you imagine the grief our Paddy would get if he was showing bias toawards us commentating on ITV?! Unbelievable how these scum bastards get away with it.
we are still in
wohoo
I usually don’t give a crap what Ladyman says, but I thought this tweet of his summed it up well:
“If bebe, obertan etc are gonna take stick for this, worth noting that Rooney has been rubbish since he came on”
I dont blame the commentator in this type of match. They have to be on the weaker side especially when Crawnley is a non league side vs us. Plus we have nothing to be praised of.
poor second half performance . and i keep saying it that Gibson is shit. even the commentator was pissed with his performance. refused to defend whenever he lost the ball. we are thru though and that’s all that matters.
anyway, we are in the quarter finals now, Crawley back where you came from…
hope the twins are ok….
Fair play to Crawley, not many premiership sides come to Old Trafford and play football, but this non-league side showed guts
I thought the Da Silvas had a good game, future is looking bright with them as full-backs.
Gibson had a very decent game, some perfect passes in behind the defence. Well played
Well I know we are through and they were playing out of their skin etc etc but for me that has to be the most souless and saddening performance from a Man Utd team I have seen for some time.
No passion, Obertan – forget it, Bebe – really ????
Carrick still will not move anything other than backwards or sideways and to see our boys wasting time in such a fashion is disgraceful. Sad thing is that some of the young players couldn’t get a chance to come on as the first 11 out there simply failed to do their jobs. Tonight I am totally gutted – this shower of shite are a sad excuse for the team that I have supported my whole life….
@Balaji.
We expected our team to win it comfortably. We are at Old Trafford, you know. If our first team had played this game and the outcome had been the same, we would be in shit load of trouble, wouldn’t we.
Really, really poor performance. What was Rooney’s role in this game anyone?
balaji and cedars devil, I think u guys lack perspective as to who these lads are playing for. Its united ffs. We are playing a team 93 places below us. U truly believe its ok that a person oblivious to football wudn have known who the premiership side was today is disgraceful. This match was played at the theatre. Question. Do u believe fergie is pleased or indifferent about this performance? No. He will he furious. And if he can do so, as uniteds most decorated fan I think we too can vent and show frustration at what most will see as respect for the badge. Stop calling ppl idiots weu they’re criticism is founded. Misplaced optimism is more indicative of foolishness than justified criticism
I was impressed by Torres and Mills. I thought they are Premiership-ish level. Overall they moved the ball well and made it difficult for us. After all, I’m glad we did not have rematch because next few games are going to be tough enough already
I think the lads did okay. We won.
People talk about a lack of commitment, I say fuck commitment when you’re 1 – 0 up against a team from the Blue Square Premier League and you’ve got four away games in eleven days on your plate. The lads did just enough to get through, and that’s all they needed to do.
I would have been absolutely gutted to see United give their all in this game, because we have bigger fish to fry. The lads held back, and yeah, they looked a bit off, but that’s what you get when you throw a team together around squad players.
Job done, now begins two weeks of real work.
friveluss i second your comment. FUCKING HOPELESS PERFORMANCE!!! and Gibson was our best player? THE FUCK WERE YOU WATCHING??
Hopefully now Park has retired from internationals and Valencia is coming back, that will be the last we ever see of Obertan, fuck me that boy is garbage, just complete and utter tripe.
If Bebe is supposed to be a deep lying forward let’s give him games there, instead of out wide where his game is “run with head down, kick ball in direction of box, regardless of whether any players are there or not.”
Yeah Rooney did fuck all when he came on, was he supposed to turn the game single handed like? The other 5 players around him had disappeared, there is no way Fergie can be happy with what he has at his disposal, reminds me so much of the Exeter game, and it wasn’t long after that Djemba, Kleberson, Bellion, and Miller were shown the door as every realised just how fucking woeful they were, take heed again boss
this is the worst game i ever watched from our boys.
i almost doozed off twice watching them play (considering the kickoff time zone here is 130am)
United play lousy against a non-league side…AT HOME —>
Sir Alex unleashes the hairdryer in hyperdrive —>
United players wake up —>
United go on a rampage and blow Marseille, Wigan, Chelsea and Liverpool out of the water.
Yup, I’d like that very much.
I know all about the argument that we have bigger games coming up etc etc but surely then it would have been better to get this won by half time then bring on players like Pogba etc – instead we had to use our first teamer’s to bail out the fuckwits playing in the first place. This was not about doing just enough it was about being fucking rubbish and the best way to save energy etc against this lot would have been to have buried them first half, instead we kept them believing that they had a chance and right at the end we were up against it….
No way was this about us doing enough and performing minimally – that is crap. It is about a lack of passion and hard work and some of those boys acted like they didnt give a shit – Keano would have been furious !
@Balaji Sivaraman
“* Crawley played better than most of the PL sides as someone has pointed out. Good for them but as I said, it is also because this is their most important game of the season. So, they would be disappointed at not giving anything less than 200%.”
Sorry mate. I’m not having that. This is United we’re talking about. They let Crawley play better than most PL sides. Realistically is it acceptable for their to be a one goal difference between United and Cralwey? A team 93 places below United and we were only one goal better?! That is a proper disgrace.
@friveluss
No denying that it was a crap performance mate, but Ferguson should know by now that just putting 11 players together isn’t cutting it in these games. He’s seen it happen over and over with York, Exeter, Burton and even Leeds. I don’t know what sort of judgment he can make from this game. Rooney didn’t look any better than the rest when he came on either. If we want to see what these guys are really made off, he should try mixing them with the first team more often. I as more worried with Carrick’s less than stellar performance than Obertan or Bebe’s. I expect more from Carrick at this stage of his career.
How can our 60 000 home fans be that quiet. You have paid your tickets to watch football not to read books in a library. Yeah, let’s go watch football and do fuck all when we are watching it. Our away fans are great (why is it that way???) but it seems that our away fans never attend home matches. For real, somebody get a megaphone and get the crowd to sing because that was absolutely shocking support. And please, don’t play the glory glory man united tune because no one wants to sing it (it seems). It’s just stupid when you only hear the playback.
When someone gets it could they please post Fergies post match reaction? Be interesting to say the least. What is with our twins always getting injured hopefully not too serious. Thought Wes Brown played well god only knows when we’ll see him on the pitch again?
@Monster
The majority of the time the United home support doesn’t make as much noise as it should do.
Today I just don’t think they could be asked because it was only Crawley and the theam on the pitch in red were hardly entertaining.
Remember the game at the hammers in the CC. our second team is not good enough..
@Notorious
With our injury problems in defence and after today’s game, I really hope that Wes enters the fray again. He is too talented to be wasted like he has been.
@UNITED4life
True that. The squad is big, but just to chop and change. Not to make 9-11 changes from game to game.
we won that is all that matters although our perfomance left me thinking about how we are going to beat O.M if we can be that poor.
Costas – absolutely right. that’s not football manager.
Is the draw tomorrow?
@chicharito14
Different occasion. 3-4 players tops from today will play that game.
What a big fat yawn that was. Only positive, the result. If the likes of Bebe and Obertan, want to break into the first team, which is what It’s all about at the end of the day, then they have to produce better performances than that. Just happy we avoided the draw and the media onslaught. Rooney was just as bad, when he came on, poor showing overall. Fair play to Crawley, It was their day in the lime light.
why can the most of you just see gloom or doom?
as if that team would play against marseilles?!
Nani, Scholes, Giggs and Berbatov missing.
And if both your wingers have a bad day there’s nothing you can do about it.
@Zelh
It really isn’t. These games can turn into banana skins. Thnakfully we avoided it today.
Anyone agree that Lindegaard looked sound and the da Silva boys before they went off?
Smalling looks good, Carrick terrible as usual, Gibson disappeared second half, Rooney awful and midfield lacking any sort of general.
ITV commentary abysmal. Townsend is a total ABU joke who just makes things up to satisfy his ego and bias and Tyldesley is just one of the world’s biggest wankers but we all have known that for years.
Did Crawley ever really threaten? Not really. I thought they were quite a niggly team used to getting away with bodychecking and off the ball foot ins. In the non league world they are pretty well universally detested so let’s forget about them and get on with the games that matter.
We won end of story – I really don’t quite understand why so serious
Though before everyone starts on em this is my opinion and likewise everyone is entitled to theirs
We do have 4 away games coming up so to put it into context this was the right thing to do and it worked
When the first team does enough to win a game 1-0 that’s the end of that – some games you have to do enough in to win – we did that here – I can’t see the problem – I thought Gibson was brilliant
FUCK ME ….That wasn’t very good …defence was okay…got better when Smalling came on….Midfield was okay first half but tired…… injuries to both Da Silvas fucked up any decent substitutions and but hey-ho we are through and thats that
Crowd was piss poor though
Utter tripe
Hope to God they actually show up versus Marseille
Yeah lets play our 1st team against Crawley..smash them 10-0 and then get knackered for the next 2 weeks which could ultimately put us out of CL and PL..No fucking thank you..I will take the 1-0 even though it was a very sloppy performance from Utd..
Very rare Tony Bee for the crowd to be anything but piss poor when away support has anything more than 5000. What can one do? Even the cit-eh game last week for every person making noise there was 10 who looked like they were watching Carmen at the opera house.
Rafa got injured too? I thought it was a tactical change. So right now we have O’Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra and Brown? Pray to God it doesn’t get any worse.
Gabby has got a long way to go if he has to break into the 1st team..A loan spell might do a bit of good for him..Gibbo, when played as an attacking mid, is actually good and the da silvas have all but got those full back positions reserved for themselves..Bebe also needs time but he put in some good crosses..Will need another season to realise his potential..these are work in progress so the fans have to be patient with them..just gutted that i couldn’t see pogba in action..have heard so much about him so really wanted to see the lad..hopefully he will feature prominently in next season’s carling cup..
Thank fuck none of the young lads were brought on. They wouldn’t benefited from that type of performance. Introduce the younger lads, when we have stronger teams out on the pitch.
i am mega pissed but i am convinced that they will show up against marseille. they have no choice. they know how important the game is and besides the team will be totally different from today. that game in france is not a joke. we must put up a good performance. our midfield just has to improve. and Rooney looked hopeless.
@costas. Your posts are not without reason and insight I can’t fault a thing u say. I jst got a bit pissed at some other ppl calling others idiots for carrying very reasonable expectations playing at home against a side 93places below them.optimism has its place, but were it not for criticism how wud players know to improve?
when their supporters were giving the Ole Ole passing chant i was really pissed….the crowd just did not respond ffs
willie…i was the opposite … I wanted the younger players brought on but the injuries put paid to that
So disappointed ….waited all week for that…..
@Costas
I don’t think it was tactical Costas as he went straight down the tunnel.
@TonyBee
Got some massive games coming up pal, they will soon wipe out any disappointment from today!
SAF’s face was a picture….fucking hell….. if looks could kill…… couple of players out should be worried…
bchilds’….funny how we always raise our game against better class of opposition aint it….when we play shit teams we play shit if you know what I mean..
I am sorry guys. I am having none of this WE are Untied shit. I am not saying I am happy with the performance or in letting Crawley play in the second half. Yes, it was not a good performance and Yes, I am not happy with the way the game played. All I am saying is had the team that had got the same kind of result looked like:
VDS, Neville, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Scholes. Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov.
99% of the people would’ve been pissed off at the performance but we definitely would not see the mass hysteria that we are seeing now. And we have seen results like that countless times over the years, most recently last year against Leeds and even in some PL games this season.
This is the FA Cup for FFS, team like Crawley are going to play at 200% and teams like United will always be on auto-pilot until at least the quarter finals.
Again, not saying that Bebe or Obertan were upto the mark or that this is the level of performance I expect from United. But there is no need for the hysteria or for calling some of these players shit after this sort of a game (And this has happened after almost all of these types of games, not just this one). Put the same players when Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov and Nani are playing and in a game where they have to play out of their skin and if we still get the same kind of performance, then start talking as if they’re not good enough to wear our colours.
As it is, I am not judging any of these players after this sort of a game as I would not judge our first-choice XI.
Crawley had 53% of the ball, to our 47%. That’s really poor from our midfield.
Fair fucks to Gibbson, he did aright in the 1st half. after Ando went off for Rooney the midfield was shocking. having said that. Crawley were great. they could give the lesser teams in spain or italy a shock! but it was not the game i wanted to see. just as well I was drinking other wise i would have to after that.
@willierednut
United in poor possession shocker with Carrick / Gibbo / Ando in midfield!
Gibbo was the pick of the midfield. Anderson and Carrick looked like they’d been on the piss, the night before. We have to put this to bed now and move on to the Marsellie game. The team will be interesting on Wednesday. 451 formation, me thinks.
this is a game that needs to be forgotten as soon as possible. we won, bring on the next round. but lets not talk about this performance.
Generally in the FA Cup we have been poor this season, let us see who the next round brings whoever it is will fancy their chances.
@willierednut
I agree, some of Gibbo’s passing was superb in the 1st half but he too disappeared during in the 2nd.
Sir Alex’s reaction… http://bit.ly/dVm3C2
Thanks arijc
all is not lost….we just need arsenal to lose tomorrow and we will feel better.
BTW, Gignac and Remy were injured for Marseille today and might be doubtful for the United match…
wow.. did bebe even beat his man in the whole 90 minutes? no drop of the shoulder, no quick movement, no skill or even desire to get past his opponent… seriously? WTFFFFF
only plus side to this game that i can see for us is:
the da silvas twin shows us their class but also show us that they are injury prone which isnt good but their performance was good.
smalling is a beast and a monster.. what a player he will be
lindegaard didnt have much to do but dealt with everything he had comfortably
gibson can actually pass… our best player by miles
so disappointed by the result and the performance.. was hoping to see king and pogba but injuries and a shite performance stopped that from happening
p.s might need to change my username because obertan definetly does NOT look like a new star… way to clumbsy and frustrating.. much like nani but last couple of games.. frustation and clumbsiness… no brilliance at all
REVIEW | Playing Down To The Competition – Again
http://www.theunitedreligion.com/2011/02/playing-down-to-competition-again.html
Fergie looked relieved lol. The injuries are a concern. The two twins seem fragile, maybe why the boss has took his time bringing them into the first team. Hopefully Ando was just precaution, but you never know with hamstring injuries.
Couldn’t really give a fig about the final score. Sorry mates, but a win is a win. Good may only be found in the fact that the entire first string back 4 was rested. Lots of young lads bloodied. Maybe other positives are hard to find. There was little beauty to the game, but that was expected. Crowley were always going to play negative and we often have difficulty solving 9 behind the ball teams. We have problems with 9 defenders even when we field our strongest 11.
POSITIVES:
A win, job done.
Defense was solid.
Smalling and Brown did the job,
CAPTAIN BROWN YOU BEAUTY!!!!! DID THE DEED WITH THE GOAL.
Twins good but battered.
Lindegaard very sensible performance.
Negatives: Midfield was mostly ineffective and forwards seemed mostly ineffective. Moments of quality, but not a convincing performance. Probably due to lack of cohesion and understanding. Not to concerned actually.
The modified 4-3-3 didn’t impress……..again.
I don’t think Crawley were negative. They played with vigour, especially second half. The formation didn’t work out again, but the players have rarely looked comfortable in a 433. As SAF said, that was their cup final. I just hope we get a home tie, in the next round. Notts County?
FletchTHEMAN well said lets move on , next round please
The fact that our midfield was so frustrating against a none league side is quite alarming. The pressure is certainly going to be high on Cleverley. Best not to say anything about our wingers today…
Gibson once again nothing special he only looked like a decent midfielder in the first half when anderson was in the midfield keeping position and playing wall passes to give him a free reign to be only left to play a final pass or to do the only thing he does ok kick a shot, bebe and obertan are not utd class, bebe look like a youngster still learning to run with the ball and not fall over. obertan has a little bit of quality but too inconsistent and to be non existent in the second half against non league opposition says it all. (i said this a year and a half or two years ago the Sir Alex bought the wrong player from france because even laurent blanc was shocked the we wanted a player who couldnt even breakthrough in the bordeaux squad, while i was watching the french league an saw a kid named hazard and i said this was the guy we should have bought, now fast forward two years he is the hottest prospect in the french league). Once again am really disappointing non of the youngsters got a run out and at the expense of gibson, obertan and bebe, i would have rather seen morrison, pogba and (Eirkrem) sorry my bad already sold because he not good enough and gibson is world class what a fucking joke.
I guess it’s time for the youngsters to really show us what they have.
I don’t want United to let go of players they have invested so much in, unless they are consistently pathetic over a few years. I’d give them some more time.
Gibson was pretty good in the first half and his usual positioning issues werent on show. The second half was completly different story, his positioning issues came to the fore again and he found himself out of position and bypassed most of the half which then drags others out of position as they have to cover him. It happens way too often with him and really annoys me.
Obertan was awful. You can see he could do well but I think mentally he isn’t strong enough and isn’t the player he was as when he made his name on the youth stage.
I can forgive Bebe as it’s too early to expect too much from him yet. Moving country can be hard enough but from the level he was playing at there is alot for him to develop. And while he wasn’t good he was more threatening than obertan and put a few decent crosses in that if they had been attacked better could have got some end product
Rooney was a bit poor when he came on, after his goal against city I was hoping it would bring last season Rooney out but his use of the ball and passing especially were poor. And his booking was silly and I feared he was going to get a red either there or a few mins later as he seemed to have lost his head
“Man Utd 6:1 Man City”
Give me some more of that!
Well, only an U18s match, but definitely must’ve been more interesting that today’s “Reserves” match.
For those interested, http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/The-Academy/Academy-News/2011/Feb/U18s-United-v-City.aspx
Well done Crawley!!! Most people on here are so fuckin big headed they won’t give you the credit you deserve
To be honest, much of the missed passes (Gibbo, WR10) seem to be lack of understanding.
Chicho could have scored at least two if he hadn’t given a second touch. Interesting that many of Chichos goals have been headers. Might need to work on a quicker shot when in the box.
The other point is the commentary was dross.
Continual complaints about our inability to control balls, when in fact the problem was a resolute and
packed crawley defense.
At anyrate, let’s all laugh at Chelskie.
We did the job, they didn’t.
They must be feeling quit useless when the game turns to penalties.
Ha ha ha ha
That’s odd. My comments aren’t getting posted. But I’m sure if I try to post something pointless like this, it will work.
Marching Red,
.
Cheers, Are you trying to post links? If so, some links, especially posts with double links, get sent to moderation and will be posted once Scott gets back from the game. If no links, maybe you just pissed STR off mate
Stay positive,
Always stay red.
I was reading Sir Alex’s interview. It really pisses me off on days like this when we make 3 substitutions due to injuries. And our Brazilian contingent suffered a hat trick of them. We can cope with Fabio’s absence, but I really hope the other two are back for Wigan, if not Marseille.
@Dazbomber
Some just don’t like to move on. They prefer to have goes at certain players all the time.
I have been thinking about the lack of decent chants for Evra.
So there was this singer from the 40s named Woody Guthrie.
Had this nice rolling song about the rivers of the western US/canada border.
Role on Columbia role on. Feel the chorus could be nabbed for either a United or Evra
chant.
Rooooole on Erva Role on
Rooooole on Patty Evra Role on
Red is your color and we are you mates.
Role on United Role on
http://www.laputan.org/mp3/Woody%20Guthrie%20-%20Roll%20On%20Columbia.mp3
And, there’s me thinking smartalex wasn’t here.
It’s been couple of hours and I wanted to put some thoughts. Today’s display was a disgrace and there is nothing positive to take. Nothing. I know we won, but after a display like that we should have lost so that the feeling of humiliation stayed with the players. They got away with murder as far as I am concerned. I know this might seem extreme, but this was a soulless display a pathetic team display in front of 64,000 United supporters who paid for this shit. I never had a chance to go to Old Trafford, so how would I have felt if this was my first game or how would I have felt for any game? Betrayed and devastated I think?
The twins and Smalling were good but the opposition was mediocre (their league level, not their heart) so this should be expected. Chicharito, Brown AND O’Shea will also avoid any criticism. They did ok job, but the complete midfield and Rooney?Laughable is the word. The central midfield has been a joke the whole season, but today they outdid themselves. Add to that the two clowns as wingers I think we had the worst midfield in memory that played for UTD. And Rooney? One of our stars comes in and doesn’t do anything worthy against that shit team…huh…they should have lost. I honestly think we should have lost, then again I might be wrong, it’s not like the lose against Leeds made much difference today.
I know I am going to be slaughtered by the positive guys on the blog, but this is my honest opinion.
I thought Gibson did okay actually. We really looked fucked without the twins though, because our passing was off, but they didn’t care, they just got it to feet and took off. In fact let’s be honest, our first half performance was pretty good. So we’ve got a really shit second half performance, and a game we won. Why are people giving themselves a hernia worrying about it?
There has to be restraint in any match this season. You don’t run yourself ragged unless you have to, and United didn’t have to. I don’t think Fergie would ever send a team out there with instructions to play badly, but certainly he will have told the lads to bear in mind that they have a crazy schedule of critical games ahead. We’ve got four away games in eleven days, and one of them in Europe. We win them, we’re sorted. And that matters more than the FA Cup and putting on a good show for some lower league serfs.
Orez – everyone is entitled to their opinion but this is Crawleys day. We should be beating these teams easily but like it was posted previously, we were in auto pilot (I’m not condoning it) but Crawley played the game of their lives. Fair play to them I say
Another thing to say about this performance is, we shouldn’t be surprised by It. We’ve rarely hit top gear this season. Then add to that, the changes made to the team, equals a scrappy win.
At least were through… but after getting up a 5 getting on a early flight and waiting till 5 again to see such rubbish display has left me a bit bitter… especially since I had to leg it to the tram then to a train then to the gate and just made it….
I official lost any confidence in Gibson…. Carrick didn’t do anything stupid but we were playing Crawley town ffs he should be dictating the game more we all know he is capable of that… Anderson did fine battled well….
Obertan and Bebe…. I think Obertan needs to go on loan…. I won’t jump on the Bebe bandwagon he has all the physical abilities to be a good player for us but he still has to find his feet at the club.
I personally believe we need some freshness in the squad. Carrick seems to have lost his confidence and maybe even his hunger. Gibson can’t make it in the Ireland squad. Scholes might retire. Hargreaves..who knows?
VDS and Neville are gone. Tomasz will probably join them with Brown even though I do believe we should keep Brown. I think Diouf will leave because we have far too many good young strikers. Michael Owen also likely to depart with Welbeck and Macheda coming back.
Personally I would sign Adams – Rodwell/Henderson and bring back Cleverley to replace Gibson, Hargo, Scholes and Carrick
I think SAF could turn them into big players and we would have a good young team. Ya we might take some time to gel it altogether but I won’t mind a transition season if it means we have a great team to look forward too.
Maybe I feel differently tomorrow after a well needed sleep and some more reflection.
@Doghouse
Spot on mate.
If you don’t feel warm and fuzzy about watching the Crowley highlights, then I suggest you turn the channel and watch Everton do CSKA Landan. Phil Neville brought the meaning of stealth United into fine view. Ha ha ha ha . 100% RED, even with a blue shirt. Ha ha ha
Also noticed our old school boy Ryan Shawcross did the business scoring for Stoke. But then who cares about Stoke v BH Albion.
@orez..I completely agree with you mate..we were okay in the 1st half but we disappeared in the 2nd half..Even SAF said that Crawley deserved a draw and that we were fortunate to win..So even the great man acknowledges the fact that we were dire in the 2nd half..But what else do you expect when you just throw in 11 players who have never played together??Bebe, obertan,wes brown,fabio..these guys have not played consistently..So you expect them to be rusty..But we got some belting fixtures ahead..The next 2 weeks could make or break our title aspirations..I’m more concerned about that..lets just forget this performance..There is nothing you or I can do about it..We gotta live with such performances some times..I have seen worse Utd performances than this..Lets just hope that the twins and Ando are alright and fit for the most gruelling 2 weeks ahead..GGMU!!!
Warm and fuzzy? Sounds like a cop show. I prefer Starsky and Hutch.
@orez: I suppose ur feeling angry and dissapointed but when u say no positves ,u have a problem.
Firstly ,everyone can agree it wasnt a good performance from us,no doubting that.
Anders did his job well,wasnt really tested but whatever he had to do he did it well.
Wes is back ,did well captained the team ,hopefully he will be back in the first team at right back.
John the usual standard reliable performance.
The twins were ok ,good going foward but no end product.
Anderson ,wondering why he does not take charge of that midfeild,standard performance from him,Carrick did ok as well as Gibson and the rest of the team.
No cohesion ,lacking the coordination upfront to score.
Fergie has to take some blame for this,if u keeping making wholesale changes like this ,huge gamble expecting them to gel immediately and win with a huge margin.
The most important thing is we won ,we were the better team overall,in the next round.
Lets focus on the difficult run of games we have now,we can check this potential banana skin game as done,now the next.
Wes,Chris,John have shown we have 3 guys in defence playing well,we need them now.
Just worried about our brazilian trio who came off due to injuries.Cant afford them and Rio/Park/Valencia out now.
Was dissapointed no Hargo,will remain hopeful,lets see if he does make it or retires.
Nani4ever. Anderson was far worse than gibson pal. Again like the ffirst twenty minutes last week he was sauntering about. Gibson had a good first half and played two or three eye of the needle passes. Ando and carrick let him down. Smalling when he came on looked a right player again. Wes and sheasy were solid as was lindergaard. Get over it lads. This is the fa cup. I fully expected a one nil this shit happens you know. That’s why its always the magic of the cup. Our main problem today was the wingers. Absolutely awful again. I fear they won’t get many more chances as they have failed almost every audition. Those worried about marseille it will be a completely different team. Nine changes probably. A poor day but at least we are in the last eight. Nrd. Hello mate. I disagree about the atmosphere at last weeks derby. I thought it was electric mate and the best for a while.
Well well well. What a crap performance and very rarely do I fall asleep during a match and have to watch the reruns to see what I missed. P.S I fell asleep BECAUSE there wasnt any excitement NOT because I was unduly tired. Dutiful at the screen and would never dream of turning it off.
Lindegaard to be fair had nothing as such to do and Crawley werent really a massive threat untill the dying stages but the keeper wasnt troubled. The crossbar incident was more going out than in if anything.
Rafael played ok and I suppose the super defencive 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 we started with did allow him to go forward as Carrick covered.
Fabio much the same and weve seen him put those chances away for the reserves.
I am getting a bit concerned over the continuing injuries suffered by the twins. Great Brazillian skill but Im starting to question the flesh and bones that they are composed of.
Brown ok, lucky header for the goal but i guess you make your own luck. Looked out of place at times at the back but that can be rust. O’shea was ok and thats about it but showed his versatility, without him being able to cover in every possition then maybe things would have been worse.
Carrick sound as a pound for the mop up role but very little communication with the other midfielders. Hes a great player in his possition but he needs to be the vocal one. Anderson looked ok but the formation just bunged up the midfield rather than allow him to run and make space and stretch the game that I think he does so well. Gibson played a beautiful pass that Chico ran in on other than that was a bit naff, again maybe he is better as the midfielder just behind a lone striker a bit like Liverpool have used Gerrard, mainly because what the fek do you do with him. He has no defined role and hes not superb at anything. Just a long shot. Obertan showed he had blistering pace and a little bit more confidence came out today, he just needs to raise his game to better opposition then he may fit in. Bebe is a year behind Obertan and its not clear either will make the grade. Chico was ok but up against organisation which is all the lower skilled teams have going for them he has to be more aware of the off side trap and negative football. Rooney when he came on gave a new dimension to the game and we flowed better for the first 10-15 minutes of the second half but his distribution was poor as usual and for all the seeking of the ball and desire to run the show would prefer the ball distribution skills of Johny Evans up there because atleast he would get 1 of 10 on fucking target. Garbage. Fletcher came on and continued his uneventful play his usual uneventful way. Smalling came on and showed us some muscle and he for one wasnt intimidated with the lower league barging and kicking. He is looking good.
Overall a lack lustre performance.
Uniteds best player ?
Should ask the question why not get rid of some of the hangers on and replace them with the spirited Crawley lads, it should save us about 3 million in monthly salaries, we keep the squad numbers up and they would love the chance just to sit on Uniteds bench and play the odd Carling cup match. Atleast we would get a spirited performance.
Goat makes an excellent point about O’Shea. He’s got a lot of stick this season, but today was a perfect example of why Fergie sticks with him. Provided cover for every defensive position there is. If one of those CMs had gotten injured, we would have seen him in midfield. If Lidegaard was injured after all 3 substitutions, you get the drift…
Anyway, seeing guys like Brown and O’Shea give it there all even on games like today is what this club is about imo. I hope Ferguson and Wes solve their differences, because it would be a real shame to lose this lad.
At GoatinaUnitedShirt thats a very in depth analysis 4 someone who fell asleep?
I think, from an analysis point of view, it doesn’t take a genius to spot how it went wrong. Once we lost Raf and Fab on the wings we lacked their directness down the flanks. When we lost Gibson we lost the player who was doing the best passing and when we lost Ando we lost the punch in our midfield. Rooney, of course, is always a good player to bring on, but we were in trouble and he wasn’t able to make anything out of it despite a couple of good chances.
In short, it was an improvised team we put out there, and when a couple of players picked up knocks we were simply lacking in some areas.
I mean look at it this way, no Fletcher and Carrick on, our flying wingers gone, how are we attacking? Through the middle, mostly. Now somebody please enlighten me, since when have Carrick and Fletcher been the sort of midfielders who can cut through a spirited midfield? Neither of them runs the fecking ball for a start, that’s what Ando does. So we’ve got isolated wingers in Obertan and Bebe and nothing working through the middle. That, my friends, is a worst case scenario.
Frankly, that situation would put us in trouble if we were on the training pitch playing against traffic cones, let alone a bunch of guys enjoying their ninety minutes in the sun.
I look at the United display and I don’t see players lacking, in skill or passion or anything else specifically, sure some a little out of practice, but whatever. Mostly what I see is a team of guys in the wrong places, doing the wrong things. People talk about how United players ought to just be universally better than guys like the Crawley team, but if you try to take United players and make them do what they don’t do, they’re going to struggle. Carrick is not going to look like Messi just because the guy he’s trying to go around used to work at Boots.
Doesnt it strange to you that the article on morrison was published on the day he was supposed to be involved with the first team. I mean they said that they had to wait until he was 18 to release the story. Funny thing is that he turned 18 couple of weeks ago. It was pathetic shit from the media which has caused him a good chance to break out. Abu cunts…
Defense was good, but our midfield and attacking force have much to learn and improve upon.
SWIFT ADDITION TO MY EARLIER POST
My mistake, they substituted a Gibson, ours was apparently still on the field. I literally did not notice him on the pitch. So maybe some criticism his way is called for, whatever role he was shifted into by the substitutions made him as broken as the rest.
The Bebe and Obertan projects are over. This is United. We do what we want. Bebe and Obertan are taking the piss!
Bebe was a fuckin joke today, i always try and stand up for every youth we have but damn he was disappointing today, couldn’t control the ball, his crossing hit and miss, couldn’t pass the ball 5yard, he needs to drastically to improve to stay at this club.
Obertan was only slightly better, capable of brilliance at time’s but really inconsistent and needs to improve on end product, was certainly than bebe in the game though.
Gibson is ok but he’ll never be a starter at this club, he can pass some defence splitting passes at times which if hernandez and fabio had done better may have resulted in assists but he is incredibly immobile, so slow on the ball he ruins the attack, if he is prepared to be a squad player at this club then so be it but as a starter, i don’t think so
chris smalling, well what more can i say. looked outstanding when he came on, powerful in the tackle, pacey, determined, athletic, good in the air, brings the ball out well which shows the technical side of his game, he definitely will be a starter in the future, he just gotta keep improving, great prospect and lets heap too much pressure on him.
Lets not heap pressure is what i mean lol
Man I just can’t get enough of watching the Da Silvas play footy. Fucking right proper full backs, the pair of them. My only concern is that they will not be able to sustain careers in the premier league with the reckless abandon they employ. They seem a hair fragile as is. Maybe it’s that they’re still young and body’s haven’t fully developed. Maybe Fergie (or his successor) will curb their enthusiasm. One thing I know is for sure, I will enjoy every minute of watching them patrol the flanks for United!
pants!
While Bebe and Obertan were far from good I still think its worth being patient. It takes time to get use to the speed of English football and further the FA cup is a different type of competition then these type of lads are use to. I do think the writing is on the wall if Obertan and Bebe don’t start producing some more consistent performances this year and todays game was the type of game you would have hoped they would put in a more commanding performance.
I think I’m the only one who thought Bebe did better than Obertan… towards the end, he was switched with Hernandez who shifted to the right wing and Bebe tried to play off the last man. SAF was obviously trying out the players to see what might work better and also to see whether the players can be shunted to other positions for emergency purposes.
Carrick did his fair share of trying to run up, if you have a rerun, watch it again. I will be fair to Gibson, he did alright in the first and then maybe got praised/reassured during half time, and then disappeared in the second.
Both wingers were frustrating to watch, but I’m still quietly confident we’ll see them come good in 1-2 years time. Nani had the time, so I don’t see why they shouldn’t be given the same time to grow. Bebe definitely learnt a bit more about how physical the game can be, and he should learn to use his body strength better. He still needs to get in touch with the strength in his feet, and definitely needs to speed up learning English.
Crawley deserves their share of credits – they were organised and playing out of their skins.
My only disappointment was not seeing Pogba or Tunnicliffe or King on the pitch. Hernandez might have been much better as a sub than the superstar who scored the winner against City. Someone tell me how many passes he made successfully. 3 times his name came out of my mouth in total, all behind certain expletive prefixes. He’s either disinterested, or he really thinks his own feet will go on auto-pilot and all his passes/shots will just come off.
Our crowd was real shit, no noise whatsoever
our crowd was pretty bad today. especially in the second half very little encouragement. we need to pick it up. they need our support and the fans who are fortunate to go to every game should learn to crank up the noise even when we aren’t doing too well. maybe they should introduce drums or trumpets or something at the stadium to make sure that the tempo is always high ( like the korean fans contingent at the world cup). Old Trafford should always be rocking. we gotta intimidate the other team. how does Crawley come to Old Trafford and dominate manchester united in possession in a VERY QUIET Old Trafford? as far as i am concerned that is fucking embarrassing and it only buttresses the point that our midfield is horrendous and needs a makeover.
That was a poor performance, no effort to get a second. Rooney’s stupid pass that gave the ball away said it all, gosh that reminded me of Rio’s pass against City last season.
But i absolutely love the twins to bits.
I can’t accept a team that represents Manchester United delivering such rubbish.
Oh, it was Crawleys day in the sun.
Oh, they played at 200%.
Oh, our team were not used to each other. Crap, we have matches for reserves and training matches.
I am getting fucked off with this ‘a win is a win’ attitude. We are MANCHESTER UNITED, not George Grahams Arsenal.
I am also getting fucked off with this sycophantic support of players who are just not good enough.
Save your fucking charity for poor people.
Yet again I sat at the local cringing as I watched our midfield getting bossed around…this time by non-league opposition.
I fell in love with a club that played beautiful football.
We may be on top of the league but way too often this season this club has played UGLY football.
@troy….wtf…..one game mate we’ve played that poorly…i’ll take win ugly and get our 19th no problem!
Remember when Keano joined us he played much higher up the pitch and looked comfortable there. But then, Robbo and Ince used lay to constantly drill into him that its important to fall deep, collect the ball in tight situations and dictate terms. Ando could do with a lesson or two on that.
The lad doesn’t show any hunger for the ball whatsoever, he keeps casually jogging around sometimes. With the kind of talent he has he should be dictating games already. People lay into Gibbo but he was much better than Ando yesterday.
its sad that our club, United, still has places for gibson and ando. Mediocrity at its best!! our mid-field sucks big big time and its a miracle we are still at the top.
Ok first of all we should be happy we won and progress to the next round.
Now speaking of performance it was pathetic like it has been whole season.
I think fergie must have decided to sell some players this summer as they are not good.
Bebe,oberton didnt perform great but i am not going to bitch about them,the player i find most irritating has been carrick.Cmonn you guys say bebe is shit oberton should be sold,ando should do better etc but can some one tell me what the f*ck has carrick been doing.He was a great midfielder 2 years ago but now you must be joking if you say he is great.I hope he is sold.I know many guys will say he shields the defence he has experience europe he is this he is that i say he is f*ck.I know our opinion doesnt matter but to criticize a player who has been here just for 8 months(bebe)isnt correct.
Carrick has been piss poor for the last 2 years and he himself knows it.I just hope he does his job properly for the rest of the season and then leaves united.
Gibson was only better than Ando because Ando wasn’t fit and was a passenger for most of the first half.
4 3 3 didn’t work – no matter which squad is picked they should realise who they are representing and fight to show that. Any reserve player at United should be better than any non league player. Yes Crawley would come and play their hearts out but so should our players.
They let 75 000 people down yesterday with lack of effort – how many teams would get that kind of support for a fixture like that. There would be 000′s of empty seats at Wastelands or Shitfield for a fixture vs. Crawley
If you don’t understand what it means to be a Manchester United player then fuck off
dannysoya says:
our crowd was pretty bad today. especially in the second half very little encouragement. we need to pick it up. they need our support and the fans who are fortunate to go to every game should learn to crank up the noise even when we aren’t doing too well. maybe they should introduce drums or trumpets or something at the stadium to make sure that the tempo is always high ( like the korean fans contingent at the world cup).
Why do you think it would have made any difference or how about being charged £36 in the automatic cup scheme, we where watching rubbish and that how it goes you can stick your trumpets where the sun don’t shine.
I know one thing, and I`m always one for giving players a chance, but, Obertan and Bebe are never professional footballers. Absolute bobbins….
Bebe I hope to fuck he’s an ugly duckling
obertan has all the tools to be a good player but he needs work, especially on decision making, and end product. his pace is enough to steam roast a defender and he does have technical ability, but needs to stop losing the ball cheaply and pass accurately, the talent is there and we can’t give up just yet even though the media have being piling up the criticism, like that clueless CUNT MARK SAGGY FACE ON TALKSPORT, AN A.B.U WHO ALWAYS HAS TO OVER REACT TO EVERY UNITED DISMAL PERFORMANCE, A SECRET GOONER. Right rant over lol.
Bebe needs even more extra work, i’m not sure he is actually a winger? could be a striker i’m not sure but if he wants to be a winger then he needs to work, we’ve seen him for reserves, albeit a lower level but he has scored some sublime goals, the technical ability is there, power is there but needs to adapt to the pace of the english game, i refuse to give up as i think the talent is there and clearly must have impressed in training, he may need a full pre season to settle in and we shall see, we forget he came from a 3rd division of portugal.
@Ash – problem is you don’t praise carrick for what he can do, more what he can’t do, he is never steam past players with pace, he is not energetic but players like him who are intelligent and circulate the ball well to keep possession would excel in a more technical league. he is a good passer, reads and intercepts the ball well and gets forward when he can but its no suprise our defence is less exposed when he plays becomes he intercepts most of the danger by the opposition, maybe he makes more of an impact in the champions league more than premier league.
I can accept critisism for Obertan, but for Bebe? Really? Lets give him a year or two.
Ok, the performance was crap. Lets take our medicine and get over it ffs. It’s not like the Ronaldos and Messis of this world are begging to come to OT and we are prefering to give Obertan and Bebe a go. Like it or not, such is our financial situation at the moment, that we might as well try to make United players out of those two. We lucked out at buying Valencia, but what other winger can we afford bring in now? Bale? Aguero?
Well, the Ronaldo money is in the bank, just waiting to be spent. And if my granny had balls…
@Passe
No value mate, remember. Which is half true by the way, but there has to be a young Nani or Ronaldo out there that’s worth 18-20 million.
@Costas
really? bebe is playing for manchester united.. ok its his first year but does that mean we cant expect him to be able to control a ball or make a simple pass?
i guess we should give him a break because even wayne rooney cant even do that.. he was shocking when he came on.. should have brought king on, he would have done better.. rooney still shinning the ball to opposition i see
@obertanthenewstar
The proverbial phrase “still finding his feet” comes to mind when I think of Bebe. I didn’t see him waste every control or misplace every pass yesterday. Did you? If so, then we can only say that he can’t control or make a simple pass. He had his good moments too. Crossing isn’t one of them by the way…
Yes Bebe plays for United, but everyone knew at the time that we bought someone that was far from the complete article. I don’t know if he can make it at United. But I do know that it’s too early to judge that. Same goes for Obertan.
Yeah, but value or not, we can’t afford to buy players without even seeing them play (allegedly). Having watched the reserves play, I’m quite sure that Pogba and co. would have put in a better shift against Crawley than the lot yesterday.
Btw, I was reffering to the midfield. Our back 4 was good and one can’t blame Javier either.
Anderson got injured and I can cut him some slack. Gibson did ok playing higher up the pitch, like I feel he should be doing at this stage of his career. Out of the 3 midfielders, imo Carrick looked the more uninspired. So yeah, maybe someone like Pogba should have played in his place.
As for the wingers, who do we have playing as wingers for the Reserves? Are they ready to be given a go instead of Bebe and Obertan? Haven’t seen any Reserves games, so I don’t know who we have there.
When fletcher ,Evra ,Berbatov, Pallester, Gibson,Jap Stam. on and on on the all got slaughtered . the best forward of the day Gray Birtles ,Alan Brasil all struggled give them a chance . Its totally different play for United than any one else.
morning Costas…..
Passe@ If we had played Pogba and co against battling Crawley i think upon reflection they might well have found them a little bit too physical….remember these lads are still learning their trade and the Crawley players were really psyched up for this game and getting stuck in for all their worth….just feel that the baptism of fire might have been a tad too much…. be different if we had 4-5 goals past them and were coasting
dazbomber …your last post needs clarifying
Another depressing performance from united second string. I accept that the first team would’ve returned a different result, but some of this second strin has some good experience now. Carrick and anderson should be able to dominate that midfield, gibson isn’t taking the next step up. Felt sorry for hernandez, no service to him. Bebe n obertan couldn’t even beat a man at this level. Don’t buy the argument if you put them in wi first team they’d be better. Today was a day for them to shine and they bottled it. I always like a united team to develop players, but don’t see that in obertan or gibson. Overall disappointing, but we’re in hat for next round.
Tony, Quite right. Maybe I’m just pissed that those who should have shown hunger and determination on the pitch yesterday just didn’t appear to be bothered.
@TonyBee
Morning mate. Well said.
TonyBee says. What i am saying is that no matter how good the player is ,when they come to United they sometimes struggle. Not every one but alot do . How many times do you hear i didnt know how big United is.My point is if good experinced players struggle so will younger players.
How much did we pay for Juan Sebastian Veron £30,000,0000? he never got to grips with United. It was a piss poor performance but this has happened right through the years ,We are in the next round lets move on and win the twat
Samuel – united WE stand
Dude carrick is no longer the same player he was two years ago.The work he does can be done be done better by many players.Carrick is trying to play like hargreaves but to be frank hargo was better because he is more physically stronger than carrick.I would have kept carrick if he was 26 or 27 but no he will be 30 this year and wont improve.
Now i dont like to slate any united player but carrick being experienced should be performing better.I am not saying carrick is not united quality.But for last 2 odd years he has been poor and thats a fact.
Firstly, I knew what to expect when I was forced to attend the game yesterday through our wonderful automatic cup scheme (praying for an away draw in the quarters!). I actually quite enjoyed the first half but the second summed up the season as a whole..and that goes for our regular starters too! Fergie messing with the formation, midfielders sitting way too deep and seemingly holding out for a narrow win and hoping to hit on the break.
Fergie has to take a portion of the blame for the club’s transfer policy. If, as he claims himself, David Villa was the only big name summer target, then quite what his plans were for the rest of the forward lads, god only knows? Fergie is the master and without him we would not be where we are with this current squad. Yet, surely he has to stop buying potential now and concentrate on two or three major buys? Whether that means trimming the squad right down (not to the extent of Chelsea) and replacing players like Owen, Obertan and Gibson with Welbeck, Cleverly and Pogba, then who here would really argue with that? T
Just to add, it’s always been the case in the reign of Fergie where a more senior player appears to be blocking the progress of a younger player. Talk of a squad overhaul is fanciful I think as Fergie will want to prove the doubters wrong. And that means sticking with Gibson etc: Oh, and personally abusing our own players like I heard one guy do in the Stretford End yesterday to Obertan? When did Utd start attracting such tools as fans? Think and say what you like about one of our own own but there is a worrying trend of scapegoating certain players that goes on just as much at games as on here! Please leave booing your own to the Chavs and the rest.
I think what fergie is trying to do is give gibson,obbie as many chance this season.He still has hopes on those two.I think gibson would be off united coming summer and obbie would be given one more year to prove.
BELIEVE IN SIR ALEX
Relieved to be in the next round, thats the important thing really. Yesterday again proved that there is no such thing as an easy game these days. I remember we struggles against the likes of Exeter and Burton Albion not so long ago. 10 or 15 years ago we might have easily put 6 or 7 past a team like Crawley but not these days. Huddersfield gave Arsenal a game at the Emirates as did Notts County v the bitters.
The footballing gulf between the so called top teams and the rest is getting smaller by the season. This year’s PL is proof of that and in my opinion that is a very healthy thing for the game. Last thing we need in to become like La Liga where you get a striker who gets to 40 goals by Jan, league is decided by just the head to head scores by only two teams….. No thanks
#struggled#
mattbw7 you do not believe that a more vocal fan support would have pushed the team no matter how shitty it was? what is the point of going to a game when you aren’t going to open your mouth and sing your ass off? it’s like wasting 36 pounds. SMH.
and i cannot believe Gibson was getting good reviews by some websites yesterday. he made a few good passes but anytime he lost the ball he refused to defend. instead he raises his hands like a duck calling for a foul. PLAY ON FFS!!!! watch the extended highlights and see my point. How Gibson keeps playing is beyond me. Maybe he should listen to Trappatoni and get the fuck out of this club. and i agree with Troy. i am tired of this nonsense “a win is a win” rubbish. we are manchester united. We are known for playing at a certain level. the slightest drop will lead to complaints it is just the way it is. we are a big club and we should not be dominated by a non – lge team. if we were truly playing at pedestrian pace just to get thru the game without injuries we should at least have been able to keep the fucking ball for long periods. stroke it around rather than give the ball back to crawley and let them rip you to shreds. and we as fans should be expecting a level of performance from them week in week out. that is not too much to ask from them.
dannysoya says.
All season ticket holders as you are aware are obliged to attend all Cup games,
thanks to Malcolms ingenius Automatic Cup Scheme !!!
It is easy for non attending fans to fault the atomsphere at OT,in a perfect 1970′s
world Uniteds home games would rock every week, but people who pay their hard earned
money are entitled to watch the game in what every way they please.
I sit/stand on the Stretford End every week where at least we try to make some noise, but
i would never knock match attending supporters, who as you say are ‘lucky’ to go to OT.
Here is the thing, and it is by no means a criticism of any sorts but more of a fact in my opinion….
United supporters who were only young enough to start following the club in the 90′s and those who joined the support at that time are spoiled with success and rightly so. Since the early 90′s United have been the dominant team in England by a country mile and they did raise the bar. They also raised the level of expectation, only a convincing win is acceptable by our fans these days and that is regardless of the opposition.
On the other side of the coin you will find the slightly older generation of supporters who were around to follow the club in the 70′s and 80′s, a time when all things were Liverpool, be it in the league or Europe… The best we would cheer for at the time was the occasional win against the dippers or a decent run in the FA cup… We treasured every win at the time and sung our hearts off to the team regardless….
Point is lads, do not take things for granted… YES we are United BUT we do not have a divine right to win every game we play nor should we expect our team to simply batter anyone in front of us… Simply enjoy every win and also move on when we lose or draw.. What we have achieved as a club over the past 18 years or so will never be matched and looking back and enjoying that gives me personally immense pleasure… Whether the team wins, draws or loses my affection to them will never change nor will I ever have the strength to be critical of the club I love
CedarsDevil.
Damm right mate – having followed United home and away for 40 years, i agree with everything
you say. !!!!
DAVE RED
Cheers mate, I still remember having a fantastic summer in 77 after we had beaten Liverpool in the FA cup final… Only to wait another 6 years to win another one against Brighton in 83and after a replay! (Won’t mention the disappointed of 79 of course!)
Those were good days, always are to be a Red
Here endeth the lesson…. cedars…… well said my friend
These youngster have a lot to learn from the harsh realities of our history….
I was there gutted when we were, gulp, relegated….
I was there, rejoicing, when we came straight back up again as champs
I was there when Leeds was the team to be feared…..
I was there when Liverpool was once a force…..
through managers such as Frank O’Farrell, Tommy Doc, Big Ron……..right up to the genius that is SAF
God I love this fucking team
TonyBee
Next beer is on me mate, blimey we would have so much to talk about… Big Ron was a real laugh was he not? Bloody ridiculous hair do and his cigars!
Love this fucking team too, never forget being crushed at every home game at the Stretty every time we had a chance to score….
‘ Nice one Robbo nice one son, nice one Robbo lets have another one’ Great song for our captain fantastic at the time….
@cedarsdevil while i agree with everything you have said i would also like to point out the three trophyless seasons last decade where couldn’t win anything. I’m sure most of the fans who are here right now were there but they didn’t leave the club. most of them were here when United finished dead last of their champions lge group in the 05/06 season after losing to Benfica. most were here in ’02 when Arsenal won the lge title by beating united at Old Trafford. i can remember losing a 12 point lead at the top of the lge in ’98 to arsenal. so i think we know what pain might feel like.
all I am saying is that most of the veterans on here always seem to slate the 90s fans just because that is arguably united’s most successful era. it’s not our fault some of us were born in the 90s. you just have to accept that. Football is evolving everyday. Nowadays we cannot afford to keep scraping victories against small teams. Nowadays every team wants to give united a go simply because we are united. If we do not voice our opinions , they will think we are happy with such drab performances like that of yesterday.
also Dave Red i do respect your point of view and i understand you. besides you’re in the stretford end. You guys make the most noise in the stadium so no problems with you. but there are some sections that are dead quiet. anyways I am not a season ticket holder so who am i to question you guys and yes it would be my dream to be a season ticket holder unfortunately i don’t have too much money.
hey gibson is good. His passing and vision are good. i dont understand why some people dont like him. I’d prefer him than one certain player who’s so selfish with his long shot goal.
i have been with united for little less than 8 years…i am not very old fan like you lads…but no matter what happens…i will stick with united..
not to mention our inability to bring home the title in 95 on the last day despite blackburn drawing. We’ve had to clap for chelsea at they came to our own stadium in ’05 already crowned champions and then beat us 3-1 that same night.
You asking me on a date CEDARS………..!!
that was painful to watch as TonyBee pointed out crawley were well pumped and getting stuck in,alot of utd players didn’t want to know.obertan and bebe don’t look good enough in bebe’s defense, its been quite a year going from being homeless to playing for utd,think he’ll be given another year to see if he can develop,have to think obertan will be gone in the summer always over running the ball and his final ball poor
LOL……empty COMS again……..Manchester is RED!
dannysoya
I was in no way slaying anyone my friend, read my post please and whether you are a new fan, old fan or whatever I have full respect for you… I stated my opinion with no criticism whatsoever…… I love my club and anyone who does as well……….. Whether you personally started supporting the club in the 80′s, 90′ or yesterday makes no difference to me mate
TonyBee
Why not babe! hahahahaha
Seriously though if we only follow a team based on their success then only 4 or 5 teams in the PL would have support! Hear WBA fans calling their team the best in Europe, same with Villa, Blackpool and other fans……. A love affair with a football club is the strongest and best you will ever feel and if that is based on success than you know shit about true love
@dannysoya its a fact the younger fans have been spoiled and obviously when a team is that successful it attracts plastics.i’d bet any money if you broke the age groups down the fans who whine the most after a bad performance and the ones that are always looking to sign a 40mill rentboy will be mostly the younger fans
I see in the future that city want to have a bigger stadium than us when we are apparently out of business
I wonder where the real fans in city are at today’s match in the wastelands as it’s apparently half empty or do I need to go to specsavers?
Where is tonyp Mr. Mancini et al
Shittyyy score.
Oh my God guys you couldn’t make it up….. my girlfriend doesn’t know much about football but even she has just asked me “why is the Citeh stadium half empty?” quality, top girl!
fuck me watching those fucking idiots turn thier backs when city score is just retarded,what makes it sadder it was stolen.they have to be the saddest bunch of losers ever
@dannysoya
Even though I started following United in the 90s too, trust me, we don’t know what hard times are all about. Seeing United finish 2nd or 3rd for 3 seasons in a row, is nothing compared to following them in Division 2. So yeah, when you look at it like that, complaining about a scrappy win against Crawley or because the 10-11 team is not playing good football comes off as being spoiled. Football works in cycles and we’ve been truly blessed to see United dominate as much as they have in the last 20 years. But it won’t last forever.
I think some of the expectations are really over-the-top. Not every signing is a Hernandez, who is an international and already a very good player. And not every second stringer is like Scholes or Beckham when they first got promoted into the first team. To be honest, I remember Scholes going through a “positional crisis” when he was tried as a striker, then a in-the-hole forward, then a midfielder.
All I know is, I won’t slag a second stringer off, even if he gets sold. I only slag players who obviously have plenty of talent, but seem to have no interest in playing for THE club. Some have no respect even, bringing up legal proceedings against the club! But that’s off topic.
All in all, the performance was bad, but I really don’t think anyone can seriously point a finger at any one player and say he was definitely not interested (though I think WR really comes close with his fantastic display).
I was even thinking whether having Pogba and/or Tunnicliffe on the pitch might have made a difference, simply because Obertan and Bebe might be more used to playing with them, knowing their styles and movements.
Please give the youngsters some time. You can go “see I told you he wasn’t good enough” when they get sold, but while they’re still here, do give them a chance. Squad depth is one of our greatest strengths, even if you may think the depth is of insufficient quality.
My weekend just got a lot fucking worse. I can’t do a sad face. I’m content to be the sad clown, today.
@Scott the red
I was wondering if you could provide the passing stats of our midfielders for the season. It would be interesting to compare gibson,ando,carrick,scholes & fletcher.. Please try….
Regarding bebe: the kid hasnt had any footballing teaching. Now he is playing for man utd. Give him 3 years, then judge him. I am not saying that he will be like nani but he can be a decent player…
In saf i believe…
Cheese and rice. Some of the comments today remind of the days when we were rubbish.
Watching Liverpool winning trophies all the frigging time. Used to fantasize about blowing up Anfield (I still do but not obsessively).
I remember when Crystal Palace beat Liverpool 4-3 AET in the 1990 FA Cup semi and how I felt that it would be my most enjoyable day as a Manchester United supporter (remember that the dippers had hammered Palace 9-0 at Anfield in the league).
I reckon if you had told a Liverpool supporter that day that the glory years were coming to an end they would have split their sides with laughter. They didn’t see the famine coming, and to tell the truth no-one did.
Manchester United under Sir Fergie has become synonymous with excellence and success. We can take nothing for granted though as there are signs that our young players are not going to be able to full the shoes of the players that went before them.
Look I believe that our current squad has enough quality right now to pick up NUMBER 19. This summer though I will be pissed if I hear that Sir Fergie refrain ‘value for money’. I’m a believer in bringing young players through but sometimes you have to put your hands deep into that wallet to splash that cash.
Hey everyone we are all United supporters, be proud, at least we fill the fucking
ground.
Look at the COM stadium today – what a joke our blue friends are !!!!!
As the song goes 20,000 empty seats……………
@Troy, SAF did want to splash the cash, but the player he wanted didn’t want United. That’s not his fault is it? Does he then simply go out to buy another player just to appease the supporters? The way I see it, SAF now buys pieces to fit the puzzle, not buy any piece out there to try to form a puzzle (read City). I suspect he knows that he doesn’t have that much time left to keep trying to develop both young players and reshaping the system to bring out the best in time. While also keeping an eye on the regulations that will be in place in a few years time… it’s almost like back to the days of foreigner restrictions where we simply can’t have that many non UK players even though we could well afford them.
Troy. I am pretty certain fergie will be spending in the summer.
Anyway results like yesterday have ALWAYS happened under fergie. Its one of those things. Last eight of cup and sitting pretty at top of league with some right ganes coming up.
I cannot fucking belive those millionaire scum have been given hot water bottles. What the fuck. Perhaps if they get more people in that shithole it may provide more heat. I truly despise that club. Fucking half empty.
All those sanctimonious people moaning about the support. It works both ways. Forty two quid plus twenty quid for coach plus drinks etc. To watch that awful second half display. Sometimes the players have to give us summat to shout about. The people slating the crowd have probably not even set foot in ot. Also the frankly ludicrous comments that they hope we aren’t like that at matseille. Will we fuck. There will be ten changes. That wasn’t even our second string more our third. Nani and giggs or park on flanks yesterday we would have pissed it. At the minute obertan looks like s sulky french cunt. A funny one though. Too good for reserves but not good enough for the first team. No fucking heart. Anyway games done and dusted and it could be much worse. We could be scouse or a rentboy.
CedarsDevil.
You are right again – following United in the 70′s was a riot – in more ways than one,
the Red Army etc,etc, cheap tickets, no restrictions on away matches, what a blast it was.
I am going all misty eyed thinking about it.
DannySoya
No worrys mate – It is difficult affording to go to games.
@King Eric
Or *gasp* a Blue that’s not in COM!
Come on KE, It’s cold in Manchester.
Or indeed we could be citeh and just spunked sixty fucking million on a poor mans peter crouch in dzeko and that horrible sulky cunt balotelli. He reallly is a piece of work. Also sick of hearing abu drury and ysb beglin bamging on about the bitters squad. They are practically playing a full strength team. Where is THEIR youth. Oh that’s right reeling over gettingh hammered byu our boys yesterday
It sounds like a worn out tired cliche but for fuck sake trust in fergie. He very very rarely gets it wrong.
We were bloody dire yesterday. But yet again, some of the criticism here is over the top. Even though most of our guys played poorly, there were still some positives to take away. Obertan, for example, may have had a poor game overall–but boy, has he got some speed.
I struggle with comments like “our second string team isn’t good enough”. Er, isn’t that why they’re our second-string team? If they were good enough, they’d be in the first team, right? Thing is, if they really that shit hot right now, they wouldn’t put up with playing in our second team. Sooner or later, they would want first team places, or they’d leave.
As for which of these guys will or will not make it, that’s hard to say. The problem with some fans is that they’re just not used to dealing with the ups and downs of a young player developing. Most fans are used to seeing new players who are already established professionals that we bought, or young players who are so gifted they pretty much walk straight into PL team and immediately fire on all cylinders (as Giggs/Scholes did when they were younger, and Rooney too). But those are very rare examples.
But for the most part, it takes years and years of polishing and fine-tuning every aspect of a good young player, before they can “make it”. And some, in fact, don’t make it — but there’s no formula for knowing that in advance. Nor is their progress a smooth, gentle slope uphill. It’s more like a road that twists and turns and dips and rises. Sometimes you take a steep section up for a while, then you drop back down again. Sometimes you make good progress, then you hit a hairpin bend which slows you down and sends you back in the other direction. This road has a “finish line”, but you don’t know where it is. Some players never find it — they take a wrong turn somewhere along the way and that’s it. And sometimes, players seem to be dawdling along and you think they’ll never make it, then all of a sudden, they’re there!
I guess it’s too much to expect most fans to have the patience that’s required. Most people just want a quick fix: go buy someone! But SAF doesn’t work that way. He doesn’t go out and buy someone just because he’s good. What he does, is he looks for players who can fill a predetermined roles in the team. The upside of that policy is that it gives him much more control over what sort of team we become. The downside is that it narrows the field of available players, because he simply isn’t interested in most of the names that others throw around. The sort of player he’s looking for might not be available.
But this policy also has consequences for the up and coming players too. It means they have to develop, not only as players and people, but specifically into the type of player that SAF wants. This is much more demanding than the normal process they would go through at any other club. On the other hand, it is this policy that’s the foundation of all the fantastic success that SAF has had. It is the underlying root that explains the one thing that amazes people most about SAF’s success over 25 years: the fact that players may come and go, but ultimately, nearly all of SAF’s teams are cut from the same mould and have the same “character”.
Rant over…
Cedars. Hello mate. Belting post at 13.13. Could not agree more. But then people thinl we are being snobby. Its not that. Its just SOME not all of our younger fans are so spoiled it makes me ill. Always bitching and moaning.
Stateside. Great post as well mate.
Fucking get in. Gooners maybe at home.
Arsenal or Orient at OT.
King Eric … cheers mate!
costas , wayne , stateside , king eric. yes it is true , we have been spoiled by winning soo much. i mean you guys were there during the relegation era doesn’t get any worse than that. I give all pre – 90s era fans serious respect especially the 70s fans cuz they’ve had to go through soo much. I cannot imagine how bad it would have been then to be relegated.
anyways you have addressed the point i wanted to bring by saying that it is only SOME 90s fans who might not really love the club unless they spend 80 million every summer. not all 90s fans. Thanks for listening to me.
@dannysoya
Yeah man, of course not anyone’s like that. Like I said, I started watching United around the time where they were at the top (the 4-0 cup final win over Chelsea). Lets face it, it’s easy to get spoiled if you start watching United aroud that time period. But I try to think about the truly dark years and hearing some comments from older fans than me has helped towards that.
The spending is not so much the main issue for me. Would I like the club to spend a lot and strengthen itself? Yes of course. And maybe in another time and age, games like the Crawley one would have kicked off a summer clearout and a subsequent big spending on new players. But it’s a different era now sadly and the club appears to be very careful for every pound it spends. That’s why i said that we may not like Gibson, Obertan or Bebe, but that sad truth is that we might have to depend on them to come good. Our other option is to find bargains like Hernandez and Smalling, but how often can that happen?
Glory hunter Costas.
And my secret is finally out.
still think sir alex is telling the truth about having money to spend,triple swoop for modric,rodwell and henderson at a cost of 88mill that was on newsnow this morning
@Costas … I think most of us would like to see the club go out and buy a couple of top players. Of course, we have no way of knowing whether SAF really has the funds or not. But whether he’s got the money or not, I do seriously believe that when he looks around the football world for prospects, he genuinely doesn’t see what he’s looking for. Not just in terms of price or value, but in every way. Like any manager, he only has two choices: he can either buy the players he wants, or he can build them. Most clubs will buy players that are available, and then try to mould them into a team. But SAF (according to something I read once) doesn’t do this. What he does is he decides the sort of player he wants, then he goes looking for someone who matches that profile — and who is available. This is a different way of thinking.
So his “ability” to buy players isn’t just about having enough money (though that is obviously essential), it’s also about being able to find the “right” players. And SAF is very picky — and he’s got every right to be, because that’s the cornerstone of his success. And if they’re not available, then the only other option is to build the players he wants. To do that, he has to take young players who have not yet proven themselves, because most of the proven players are older and therefore are past the stage where he can mold them into the players he really wants.
I think what’s happening is several things all at once. First, prices have gone through the roof, and whether he’s got money or not, there’s obviously no way we can compete the Russian or Arabian oil money (i also think that at a personal level, he really does believe prices have gotten out of hand, and it offends him on principle).
Second, he knows (and has known for some time) that the backbone of this great team is nearing its use-by date — I’m talking about Giggs, Scholes, GNev, VDS, and even others who are no longer spring chickens, like Rio and Brown. But where in the world do you find ready-made replacements for players like Scholes? Short answer: you don’t, because they either don’t exist, or they’re not available. Or they would cost a fortune, would probably not be quite what he wants anyway, and in many cases, they may already have their best years behind them.
Third, I have no way to know this, but I think the old goat knows his own time won’t go on forever either, and he sees this as one last opportunity to build yet another great team out of players he has personally molded and developed and kicked into shape. What a legacy that would be! But it’s more than that too, because I also think that when he does call it a day, he really does want to make sure that the next manager can walk in the door and find a great team already there, waiting for him.
So for all those reasons, he has decided to build the team he wants by buying them young and building them up. Meaning: I don’t think it’s just about the money, though that is definitely a part of it.
The Daily Star reckon Fergie has had enough with Obertan and Bebe.
http://www.fivecantonas.com/obertan-and-bebe-has-fergie-had-enough/
Now, whilst this is the Star and obviously bollocks, and it’s too soon to judge on Bebe, has Obertan had enough chances already?
well, it was a below average performance considering the opposition we are playing, our second string side should have dominated the game and killed up but rather was been overshdowed by a non league outfit, Bebe, Obertan had litlle to offer from the chance been given them in the cup competitions and i dont think we can rely on them anymore, Gibbo played his best match so far and i expect him to feature in the champions league on wednesday. Overall a win is awin but we should step up our game for the most challenging 2 weeks of the season.