1. Manchester City
Pros
- There would be scope for improvement even if the existing staff was unaltered.
- It would be a mistake to view the squad as mercenaries whose true allegiance is to the pay cheque. There had, for instance, to be admiration of the persistence as well as the sheer composure shown by Agüero in his winner against QPR.
Cons
- A close inspection of City reveals that, for all their strengths, they are not entirely flawless. Roberto Mancini’s squad lacks strong cover beyond their central defensive partnership of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott (hence the bid for Liverpool’s Daniel Agger), whereas United have five players for that position.
- Ferguson also has two capable goalkeepers in David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard whereas City would not like to think what might happen if Joe Hart missed any lengthy period of time, bringing Costel Pantilimon into the team. It would be unnerving for the champions, to say the least.
- Given that worrisome reliance on Kompany, it was not surprising this summer to see City linked with defenders such as Liverpool’s Daniel Agger as they attempt to assemble a more daunting back four. All the same, the days when City were ready to meet any price in the transfer market are drawing to a close. The financial fair play rules ought to have an impact in the near future, but the proprietor of a club would wish to have a sustainable business sooner or later in any case.
- The broader priority for City now is to be seen as a formidable, well-integrated unit. That eluded them in the Champions League, where they came third in the group phase.
2. Manchester United
Pros
- By all accounts, the Arsenal striker seems to favour United ahead of City when it comes to the next phase of his career in Manchester. Shinji Kagawa, a probing, clever player who will operate behind the attack, could be an astute piece of business and United have enough know-how and depth to believe they have genuine hopes of title number 20.
- Van Persie’s arrival would be a real coup though. United have been making extensive efforts behind the scenes, with Ferguson prominently involved, to try to coax the Dutchman to Old Trafford. If it comes off, United would then have a front two of Van Persie and Wayne Rooney – the Footballer of the Year and his runner-up – with a combined 72 club goals between them last season. Add the vastly improved Daniel Welbeck into the equation and then consider Javier Hernández’s potential sharpness after Ferguson, citing fatigue, wangled a deal with Mexico to excuse him Olympics duty. It would be a formidable quartet, particularly with the quality United have on the wings, primarily from Nani and Antonio Valencia and, to a slightly lesser extent, Ashley Young.
- It would be unwise to believe City will find it any easier this time when, for starters, Nemanja Vidic is available again after missing the majority of last season with ruptured knee ligaments. That in itself should make a significant difference given the vulnerability of United’s defence last season, epitomised by the 4-4 home draw against Everton when they surrendered a 4-2 lead in the final seven minutes. The team’s defence went to pieces that day, without the considerable presence and competitive courage of their captain.
- United’s supporters are also entitled to think they would be extremely unfortunate to suffer the same catalogue of injuries again – at one stage Ferguson was missing 14 players.
Cons
- It is the centre of midfield, by Ferguson’s own admission, and the absence of a truly dynamic player that continues to be the bigger problem, certainly in context with City’s options in this area.
- Patrice Evra‘s form has waned and it is surprising, perhaps, that United have not done more to bring in another left-back now Fábio da Silva has gone to QPR on loan.
- Lucas Moura looks more likely to go to Paris St-Germain and, if so, the Brazilian will join, among others, Wesley Sneijder, Samir Nasri, Eden Hazard, David Villa and Karim Benzema on the list of category-A targets United have tried, and failed, to sign in the Glazer era.
3. Chelsea, 4. Arsenal, 5. Spurs, 6. Liverpool, 7. Newcastle, 8. Everton.
The start of the new season is only just around the corner, but for most fans this is too far away. So pass some time over at www.betfaircasino.com on the Deal or No Deal slots game. Or to keep the focus on football, try out the ‘Football Rules’ slot game, or ‘Penalty Shootout’ arcade game.
Man Utd News 24/7
Shame:-
Lucas Moura looks more likely to go to Paris St-Germain and, if so, the Brazilian will join, among others, Wesley Sneijder, Samir Nasri, Eden Hazard, David Villa and Karim Benzema on the list of category-A targets United have tried, and failed, to sign in the Glazer era.
The good old days when everyone WANTED to come to OT!
Predicted not to win the league by the Guardian? Best news we’ve had all summer!
Got a lot of time for the G, but for the last few years they’ve consistently predicted United’s position (always 1 or 2) incorrectly.
At the start of last season when they said we’d win it, deep down I knew we were fucked!
Bravo to the Guardian, a paper I never ever read
Citeh can expect the same as we do, every club will be looking to put one over them . Injuries will trouble them . They face a united who will bring our Trophy home . I expect Chelsea to provide the greater challenge .
Jeez Scott
My second comment on the Blog and you got a new thread.
‘haters gonna hate, potatoes gonna potate’
LOL
But nothing better than being dismissed by the world. will make it a lot sweeter to Lift the trophy
Keep Calm. Keep United
My prediction #20
UNITED!
Hopefully next year Scott can do an article comparing the predictions of the journos to our actual Standing.
One article which left me grinning like a idiot!
markynorbs
I like your prediction mate!
@ kanchelskis
“Deep down, I knew we were fucked….”
Really mate? In August? So are we fucked this season? Or is Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell all we needed last year?
If Vidic doesn’t miss the vast moajority of the season we win the league hands down imo. I fail to see how were fucked last August, just saying.
ididnotzeeit
Mate, I think what he meant is that its always the opposite of what the Guardian predict!
@ Cedars
Got ya mate. My bad.
I like our odds this year. As much as it pains me to say it, I think Chelsea will be right there as well. 3 horse race come January. Just a gut feeling.
Not enough can be said about the return of our captain and best defender. The Serb’s return is massive.
Ustava, Scott usually feed them humble pie. He always does that and he specifies each prediction by the respective journalist
Just another ABU cunt reeling off names Utd missed on without putting anything into perspective,fucking joke
These cunts never write an article about clubs ruining football by overpaying,PSG,City,Chelsea are ruining football these teams don’t have the revenue or fanbase to even be considered a elite team.Just lose millions every year,its a fucking farce and any Utd fan that thinks the club should compete against this madness needs to give his head a shake
FYI , IPO price hanging in at the offered $14. Long way to go but interesting with all the doom and gloom.
Manchester United is now listed on the NYSE under the ticker ‘MANU’ & opened at $14.05 today
MAN U ?? really ??
Chelsea’s a funny one. Could go either way.
Don’t forget the only way they got anything out of last season was
a) 180 minutes of obscene luck against Barca followed by 120 minutes of obscene luck against Bayern
and
b) the only decent team they faced in the cup (Spurs) bending over for them. All the other decent teams were taken care of by someone else
Let’s not forget they were a good 25 points off the league pace
Looking to this season …
On the one hand they seem to have enhanced their squad really well and have some exciting young players now (Oscar, Hazard, Marin), plus I think Ramires will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
On the other hand, this is the first chance for Di Matteo to be properly evaluated. For most of last season he was riding the wave of post-AVB euphoria and the aforementioned good luck. How will he cope with forming what is still quite an unfamiliar bunch of players into a good squad, cope with losing the Drog (that God!), and keep his head above water in terms of the continuing Chelsea challenges (owner, fans, JT etc).
Think this season way come too soon for them. Could be back to their scary old selves next season though if this one goes well.
Manchester 1 and 2 again come May.
David Gill: “Sir Alex was clear on Van Persie interest. We would not make up a story. We are aiming to bring a few players in soon.”
“We’ll spend proceeds on talent, but would never be so arrogant as to guarantee a championship.”
@Mrad_leb
Yeh, not too sure about that. Why couldn’t they do MUFC?
Who are Man U???
Stock price shot up to 14.20 and then fell back sharply to 14.00. Currently being heavily defended at the level and a break through could lead to quite a sharp move to the downside. Lots of market participants do not see any value in the stock given the restrictions and its more of just a novelty to own the stock. IMO, fans should buy up the stock as they are less likely to short the stock and that way it would be less volatile during trade.
thank God*
I don’t worship the Drog, just to be clear!
Stick your predictions up your jam roll! It’s coming home….. 19
kanchelskis
Your true colours have well and truly been shown mate, you’re a renty in disguise! ha ha ha
@kk
Hello mate!
Yeah you are right!One of the few blogs which isnt afraid of laying to these dicks!
Btw if we sign Bolt why dont we have him and hernandez playing at the last defender shoulders. Rooney , Rio and Scholsey can then do the long balls. Bloody hell, the thought of Terry slipping against bolt!
Just made my fucking day!
@Cedars
Haha. It’s only cos City have taken my ‘chronic hatred’ spot for the time being and edged Chelsea out. Also, being a cockney red, I have the misfortune of having close friends who are Chelsea fans. Have had to get used to talking about them without swearing, shouting, or coughing up bile.
my prediction
we will win the league and the fa cup.
and european semifinal
i think we will win in europe if we sign van persie and a left back
I think we will be signing atleast one more player before the window closes.
Something is puzzling to me,the way Rent boys and PSG have spent money not taking FFP seriously yet City seem to be after spending a billion to win the title are not spending anything to defend it,very confusing
Hell with the pros, cons, statistics, rumors and IPO’s!!!
Bring on the Season!!!
RVP has arrived? How do I miss the news?
kanchelskis
I have three dear friends, all oldies like me self two are renties and the other is a bitter….Life long may I add, not those who jumped on the bandwagon. Some of the banter we share is funny as fuck
@ wayne:
Yeah, with arsenal spending and city being quiet looks like the world is going nuts!
But did you see mankini crying about spending a few hundred million wasn’t enough? Bloody hell, to think the number of countries who cant spend that money on basic stuff like Education and food!
Puts things into perspective.
I think they are trying their best to try bringing down their wages but who the fuck is going by a player like Santa Cruz who is earning 110K for nothing?
And at the same time it quite obvious staying still is going backwards this season!
They are quite rightly in a mess and are going to be punished for it!
@Cedars
Of my close rentie mates, one’s an oldie and one’s an Abramabummer.
I don’t distinguish – I dish out the shit equally!
They know how to give it back too. It’s been pretty hellish since May!
Sigh… Glazer must go.
@wayne
mate its difficult for city to sell players
how can they sign van persie wen they have tevez aguero balotelli dzeko adebayor and santa cruz
adebayor and santa cruz are on crazy wages.
i think they will sign a defender.if kompany had got injured last season they would not have even finished 2nd.
if we have the same luck with injuries like city had last season i think we will win atleast 2 trophies
Abramabummer? Ha ha ha Loved it, will make sure to use it frequently!
wayne – Chelski probably haven’t overspent this year after winning the CL and to a lesser extent the FA Cup. It is still £70 million odd and with the exception of Hazard I’m not sure Marin, Oscar and whoever else are on the same money Drogba, Anelka and Bosingwa are on. Add to that they released Kalou so probably haven’t overspent as much as people think.
Have to laugh at cit-eh. Looks like Mark Hughes signings are fucking them up now, as nobody wants Santa Cruz and Adebayor is a mercenary cunt. Looks like they are trying to be sensible, don’t want to type anymore than that about them as I’m in a good mood and don’t want to spoil it.
Agree about PSG, there is no way they can satisfy the FPP rules with the way have spent the last 18 months, but I don’t believe the rules will work anyway. Certainly not for the top clubs, but I can guarantee you if a team like Bilbao, Twente, Hearts or Valencia don’t meet it. UEFA will come crashing down on them.
david gill has said we will sign a few players.time is running out mr gill go fast
@NRD
At the same time, one of Hughes’s signings was one of their key players last year and is perhaps in the top 3 in his position in the whole league.
@ kancheskis – Who’s that? cit-eh have made so many signings for stupid money its hard to keep track who signed who, when? Is it one of Kompany, Toure or Silva?
@NRD
Toure and Silva were both Mankini signings.
It was Kompany I was talking about. £6m as well – bargain.
Plus just signed new 6-year deal.
Well if we don’t strengthen in the remaining short time of the window City definately don’t need to worry about us imo we are streets behind a couple of teams this year.
I‘ve actually observe the fact that ManU are just fooling us about bringing new faces to Old Tfd, such is quite obvious from the delay they always exude in reaching agreement to sign player. To go on haggling of signing an expensive player whose position is not in need off, where at the end every one will see it as being expensive. Always go on player whome they believe him and his club are not ready to depart. Some time they go for rival club player whom they know that the club preffer to sell the player to another club even at lower price than to sell to them. They some time put pressure in signing an irrelevant player(looking at it from all respect) which they believe no fan is going to support them in buying the player, with a view to exhaust the significant swing period of the transfer window. I hope things will change in ManU transfer policy.
Darn, I thought kanchelskis was talking about Barry.
kancheskis – Was that all £6 million! That is a bargain. He’ll be the foundation of their back four for a while then.
I know he’s injured at the moment but this season we really need Smalling to stay injury free, out of him Jones and Evans. He’s the best one for me. After his layoff if we can keep him fit then we are sorted at the back for the future.
@parryheid
What’s the logic behind that?
Bearing in mind that City beat us only on goal difference, we dealt with ridiculous injuries, and the fact we’ve already strengthened the squad?
@NRD
Smalling’s the most natural centre-back of those 3, and in two years’ time he’ll be a great player if he can stay fit.
Still displays naivety compared with Evans tho.
If it was a straight choice, I’d feel happier with Evans in our back pairing than Smalling.
I have just bought some manchester united shares. Feels good to help my beloved team in whatever way i can. I am far away to attend any matches but this is my contribution.
Not surprised that City seem to be the favorites. I know we have Vidic coming back and we bought Kagawa while City bought no one, but they have a good enough squad, no Africa cup of nations this season and more importantly, they are a team that’s really gelling together now. But can they take as many points as they did last season? That’s the question. Imo it should be close again.
kanchelskis,
You think I’m wrong? So you think we are good to go with the personel that is in place,well I totally disagree i’ve tried the blind faith bit it didnt work. I know we lost on goal difference and that is one of the main reasons I think we have been left behind but we’ll see.
“We are streets behind a couple of teams…”
Hahaha, that’s fucking laughable. That’s the spirit there perry.
Well there you have it lads. If we don’t buy anyone else we’re right and truly fucked. Let’s just fast forward to next May when we can all clamor for 3 months over who the saviour should be, how the Glazers have bent us over and what is SAF thinking.
Pessimism at it’s finest
@parryheid:
That doesnt make sense.. If anything City will be even more scared because the fact remains they were 30 seconds from losing the title despite us having insane amount of injuries?
I mean do you honestly see City getting 89 points without kompany for so Long? what Toure is for them, Fletcher in a way was for us. So yes they are strong but if anything we are equally if not stronger
One bad injury to kompany, Toure or Silva and they are fucked!
@parryheid
Assuming all PL squads start and finish the league as they are now, and barring injury disasters for us on the scale of last season, I think we’ll win the league.
Still don’t fancy us against Europe’s better teams.
Smalling(not Smallen) is Rio’s heir apparent. Talked with King Eric on this, I think Smalling is a better defender than Rio was at his age. Rio’s a better ball playing CH, but Chris looks a more accomplished defender. They also share the cursed injury problems, though. That’s the only concern I have with Smalling. Seems to pick up rotten injuries. The curse has to relent some day….
kanchelskis – That naivety creeps in with lack of game time, Evans had the same problem and there’s still a huge number of United fans that give him shit from 2 years ago when he was doing that. He played well last year because he played a run of games and was first choice alongside Rio after Vidic’s injury.
Agree with you about CL, don’t think we have a chance be happy to get past 2nd Round.
Costas – Hello mate. Agree with you about the bit of African Cup of Nations. They have an abundance and variety of talent in midfield, Whereas we may have the numbers, but most still have to prove themselves and we certainly don’t have the variety in midfield. There’s still 3 weeks of the window so I’m optimistic we’ll address that.
Those throwing Powell in there with the other midfielders need to wind it in a bit, Jones started off superbly last season but after December but was poor after it. It’s not a criticsim as such as moving from Blackburn to United is a HUGE step up. So imagine what it could be like for Powell. He’s one for the future rather than the present.
The Leprechaun and his spawn have just pocketed £75 million from their IPO. So it looks like our World class midfielder is in a Florida bank account. Fucking hell, I HATE the bastards more with each passing day.
The problem willie is that at 23 Rio didn’t already have 10 injuries in his track record. He’s similar to Rio in that respect, unfortunately though, Smalling is getting more injuries at 23 than Rio does at 33…
In fairness to Smalling I might be wrong here but last season he got loads of injuries, did he the season before? It is unfortunate that he’s picked up where he left off last season but I wouldn’t call him injury prone yet.
@Notorious
Afternoon mate. I mentioned the ACON because that’s when they lost Toure and we started making ground on them. That area is where City have the obvious advantage imo. Both in terms of options and quality. And personally speaking, I doubt anything else will be done to stregthen it. That’s why Anderson is still around, the way I look at it.
As for Powell, if he’s fearless, he could make an immediate impact, but we can’t discount the fact that the boy has no Premier League or Champions League experience. He will feel the heat eventually.
Costas
Injuries at a young age is not neccesarily a precursor to injuries at a later age. Its very common for tall bulky athletes to pick up niggling injuries whilst they’re still growing and a short period afterwards. Only when a player gets to about 25/26 and he still gets injuries to you panic. I get my idea from the fact Ive seen many a footballer and ice hockey player go throught the same process at the same age.
Anyone see Gill on SKY News, worth a watch for anyone who thinks certain individuals aren’t going to be “rewarded” soon.
NRD hi mate thing is Roman has lost millions every year since owning Chelsea think the revenue/wage percentage runs around 85.The only way for Chelsea to apply to FFP rules is to unload and not sign,otherwise its just a vicious cycle of losses that doesn’t come close to FFP requirements
With all the money that MUST has raised from its questionable ventures in missleading the general public selling shirts, badges, scarfs and the like, can someone tell me how much of Manchester United they bought back for us the fans?
Would be interesting to know.
goatinaunitedshirt says:
With all the money that MUST has raised from its questionable ventures in missleading the general public selling shirts, badges, scarfs and the like, can someone tell me how much of Manchester United they bought back for us the fans?
Would be interesting to know.
Assuming this is a piss take or WUM and is one of the reasons why my visits here are much reduced, the level of fuckwittery is tragic.
FOFYFC.
matt …. so fucking what…..would you begrudge SAF a bit of a bonus then…. Jesus you do keep harking on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on…we all know your feelings fella …
mattbw7
Agreed maybe my questioning was with a shovel full of dig aimed at MUST but could you please answer the question rewritten below.
MUST have sold merchandise (scarves, badges, shirts and other sporting items) in the view to garner support for their cause to rid Manchester United of the Glazers. Could someone please tell me in the know how much of that money actually went today in “buying back” Manchester United from the Glazers.
If non would they be willing to offer disillusioned fans their money back should they return the merchandise in unused condition as it was sold under false pretences.
wayne – Can’t disagree with that statement. It’s just this year this summer for the first time in 20 years their spending matches that of their income or its close. So it appears they are trying to do something about it unlike PSG who’s financial model is straight out of championship manager. If PSG’s owners want to turn the French club into a plaything they are certainly late to the game.
I think you’re allowed operating losses under a certain extent, with stuff linked to how much revenue you make and wages being a percentage of that. It’s complex which is why I think it doesn’t stand a chance and there’s far too many loopholes to exploit.
CedarsDevil says:
Oh dear God………..I would chop my left arm off if that was the original TonyBee
chop it off then you sad fucker …it was me just a little bit pissed off at missing my beloved Utd playing regularly….and at some cunts on here as well …….that think they know it all…..
never been hacked…sorry….j just called you buudy or buddy in the fucking iphone not got used to it…now do one Cedars you dopey old fucker…xxxx
Faker!
Manchester United will always be regarded as top club but the problem arises when we have to compete with a Rich club. We already had city and chelsea and also Real madrid but now clubs like PSG And malaga has also entered. Its a shame that we were outbid by PSG. With the qataries aNd arabs coming to ruin the football,its only matter of time where many mediocre clubs will also be a force to reckon with because of these sugar daddies. Who knows some arab buys club like Wigan or a west ham then they would also be a top club or atleast in top 6 in the league. The club who are most affected by this is are clubs like MaNCHESTER united,Liverpool,Arsenal, Milans etc.
I hope ffp comes into play.
Matt
Just for you. MUST=cunts. Sorry if anyone support them but they are worst than glazers. Matt you are also one of that fuckers.
I phoned a Manchester radio station today. The presenter answered and said, “Congratulations on being our first caller, all you have to do is answer the following question correctly, to win our grand prize.”
“That’s fantastic!” I shouted in delight.
“Feel confident?” he asked. “It’s a simple maths question.”
“Well, I can certainly have a go,” I proudly replied.
“Ok then….. to win our grand prize of 2 front row seats in the directors box at Manchester City……..
please answer …..What is……. 2+2?”
“7″ I replied.
Reading somewhere that some Arabs were looking to invest in Leeds or Charlton. More oil than sense some of these camel fuckers.
hope its not me being called a faker wille ;lol:
cunting smilies….
faking fucker >fucking faker…. same difference
I MUST have an answer!
Costas – lets look through the list of midfielders
carrick scholes cleverly andrson fletcher powell giggs
scholes and giggs may not have a year left in them, cleverly and anderson’s injury record speaks for itself, Powell is unproven. and fletcher is still trying to get over a horrible infection which has stripped him of his many weapons, that has made him a success at united in the first place. So for me it is suicidal going into this season with the same problems has last, and it could cost us again.
In defence we have?
ferdinand vidic evans jones smallen
vidic is our only one available and he has been out all season long, we no longer have guys like oshea who are versatile, so really our best midfielder carrick is going to play CB at goodison. Now I question the boss’s judgement going into this season with a backbone infested with injury’s.I do not see our luck changing with injury’s, because its been the same story since 2009. These are not simple injury’s
Shity may not have improved much, but they have a strong spine which rarely picks up many injury’s, with some good forwards in the process, they seem to have the balance right
Fred @ Matt, well said pal.
I detest MUST and everyone associated with It as much as I do the Glazers!!
@Goat
I hope you are right about Smalling. Keep in mind that not all of them are growth injuries, so to speak. He’s also had head injuries and tonsilitis. I certainly hope he’s getting everything out of his system now. Because he and Evans should make a solid defensive duo if they manage to stay fit on a regular basis.
So how soon can or will they organize another IPO?
Mr Bee
You old cunting fart, you got me all in a twist……..Just glad I was wrong and you were not hacked
Cedars – pmsl @ you mate. You big girls blouse! Much ado about nothing in the end.
Any news on the IPO? Heard they were selling at $14 a share instead of between $16-$20. Which means less money for the glazers to pocket but conversely less to repay the debt.
All that bluster over fuck all. Cedric’s losing it.
NRD
What on earth is an IPO mate? If its a measure of Kagawa’s skills then I am on board! ha ha
IPO – International Pussy Order.
I’ll have 1 Japanese
2 Latina
1 Indian (to make Mum and Dad happy)
1 Black Girl.
and I’ll keep Sunday free for the girlfriend.
Costas
You have in your mind that the CD combo will be Smalling and Evans, possitionally it makes sense Smalling to the right and Evans left CD. Out of those two Im just wondering which one is going to take the lead. Neither seems to be the Steve Bruce rather both the Gary Pallister and with a Goal Keeper in DeGea who is also quiet there could be a few problems.
I had always thought that Jones would be partnering Smalling in central defence and he would lead the line being the vocal one. I would like to see if Evra gets injured or Sir Alex plays Rafael on the right whether Jones could fill in at left back to see if he could play left of defence as he did for the England U21 set up. When it comes to Evans Im starting to wonder especially with Vidic’s return whether he wont be underused and become the next Wes Brown or John Oshea. Very good players who get under used, proved themselves but never really become No1′s only to get some regular football at a lesser club.
Glazers next plan is to float United in the IPL.
Oi Willie, do not let me unleash me Linda on you
NRD
Cheers mate, but I count that as 6 days of the week………Leaving a free day for the right hand?
what the heck is this?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/9467568/Manchester-United-IPO-in-pictures.html?frame=2306653
damn!
A United 11 are in action tonight vs Peterborough and guess who’s there, fucking guess who’s there?
Me Jimmy James……..Bet he’d be thrown out after 10 minutes
Maybe you should be asking your self do you think United will get 89 points this year,and do you really think City and others are whiteying it from United as the squad stands at the moment.In fact how many points do you think we will have after the first 6 games.
18.
there is African Cup next year. They revised the structure.
I bet Parry’s a closet optimist bursting to come out haha.
@RoM
Our Squad isn’t trailing behind anyone cos If Vidic alone escaped injury last season we would’ve retained our title. I wouldn’t even call that optimistic thinking, as Captain Serb isn’t just a brilliant defender, his partnership with Rio is second to none and their reading of the game has been the lynchpin to our recent success. Passing the ball back to keep possession was bloody hazardous at certain points last season so I’d rather see Nemanja return for the new season than another new signing. Our existing midfield will benefit from better use of the ball and even when both can’t start at least we’ll (hopefully) have one world class CB on the pitch any given time. Vidic back, De Gea gaining more experience and signing Kagawa makes us much stronger than last year never mind the other players, so I really don’t see much to be pessimistic about Squad-wise? We look bloody solid without spending another penny, if anything im concerned about us suffering another 10+ injures! If the lads stay fit I think Alec will surprise quite a few with what we achieve.
As for CIty, I used to bang on about Toure but now I don’t have to as its now clear to all he can read the game, tackle, head, pass, RUN with the ball and score inside or outside the box – he is a class midfielder but he’s not made of hyperalloy covered by living human tissue, so lets see how good Kompany and Hart really are without an Ivorian brick wall in front of them. Even Silva’s form is reliant on Toure as he’s the player who holds up the ball while the Spaniard cuts inside off the wing. Bottom line City are completely reliant on Toure and unlike our Squad they lack the versatility to play another way should he suffer an inevitable dip in form or be sidelined. Thats why Mancini is crying about lack of players, he knows damn well United are the only side who can suffer shedloads of injuries and still win. Add the fact others will be gunning for City as the team to beat and they’ve got a tough season ahead. Their Squad certainly isn’t as strong as ours, not a chance, they barely beat us to the Crown even though they had their best 11 available nearly every game don’t forget. Meanwhile we never played our best 11 at any stage of the season. Says it all.
mig78
Thanks for the link. Makes me feel pride knowing we have such appeal.
@ goatinaunitedshirt, glad u liked it.
Its in US..the land of opportunity…what can i say..
watch the price here: the lower it goes the sooner those vampire leeches have to sell……
http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=manu
Just seeing ManU on the shirt makes me sick. Won’t go on a rant but they could have chosen something else.
Cedars responded to your last post but hasn’t come through not sure why?
Can anyone tell me why isn’t danny selected for the friendly match against italy,
Seems a fair assessment from the guardian
NRD
I have the same problem mate, some of my posts do not come through……..Bizarre really
well no surprises the shares sold for less. they were pushing the envelope with anything above 10 bucks to begin with so its a minor miracle it sold for more than 13 bucks each. The Glazers might not have gotten the valuation they wanted but they ended up with a higher valuation than forbes estimate. 2.3 billion dollars.
United Till I Die.
Closet optimist try petrified cunt and you’d be nearer the mark and if our problems aren’t rectified I know I will be justified.But don’t worry your pretty little head about it the window is not yet closed.
mig78
Thats right my friend. We have arseholes on here claiming this and that about failed attempts to launch in Singapore and then London and then complain that we made it in the worlds LARGEST stock exchange in New York. Some people seem to take success over here as failure.
Maybe I’m daft and blind and always get behind the club regardless but if Utd kick off the season with present squad I’m ok with it,would like to see a LB and a midfieder but overall think the squad is strong
wayne
Makes two of us mate
I keep reading on how we only lost the league on goal difference. Okay thats true, but for me Manchester United is more than that. It’s being successful whilst simultaneously playing gorgeous football.
Ask yourself this did the football on display at OT last season reach the same standard of 94, 99 or 2008? For me the answer is a big fat NO,
Those 3 teams were the best three in my lifetime. Thats what we should be aiming for.
If we go in with the same squad as we currently have, for me I will approach the season with some trepidation because its painful to see our midfield get bypassed so easily. Obviously with essentially 2 new signings in Kagawa and Scholes it remains to be seen if we’re any different from last year in that department.
I’ll probably read stuff about TC23 and Anderson being the ones to step up. Fair enough for TC23, victim of bad luck/being targeted by Davies last year.
As for Anderson, defended him on here for years against abuse. However the game vs chelski at OT September last year was the breaking point. I swear he was on a one man mission to make sure we lost that game, and I’ll be surprised if he produces anything other than 4 or 5 good performances early on in the season before going his “talent” and “potential” going into remission like it has done every year for 4 years now.
Whilst twitter is not always right. There is a rumour that we made 19.5mil plus welbeck on loan for a year for RVP. Welbeck is not in the travelling party to germany…does anyone know why he hasnt travelled?
NRD, the teams in those years also weren’t as good. The quality of the PL is becoming better top to bottom. United’s not going to thrash every team unless they have multiple world class players in their prime years such as those years you referred to.
United still play well. Teams tactically play United with nine or ten behind the ball and counter attack through the middle and have players running the channels to get behind the defense.
Anderson just needs to stay fit and get a proper run of games and he’ll do a job. That’s all he needs to do; contribute when called upon and have an influence in the game.
homerdante
Thats a horrible rumour.
1 Wellbeck in my opinion is better than RvP
2.19,5million fora player who is essentially a free agent next year is utterly incomprehensible.
3.Twitter is for twats
4. Wellbeck has a year left and allow him to go out on loan for 1 year so he reaches free agency is complete suicide.
5.Wellbeck will learn how to play football with OT’s finest and learn to be a squabling french prick at Arsenal.
6. Van Persie is one footed
7. Van Persie will be on the physios table more than on the pitch, time for the physio to ask for a pay rise.
8. Cant think of anything else but as with the pricks who wrote an “open letter” to Sir Alex lets fill this top 10 out with shit statements to get to a nice round 10.
9. How much of MUSTs money collected by selling green and yellow garbage to concerned fans was actually used today to buy a stake in the club and slowly but in the right direction (their opinion) rid the club of the Glazers
10. Where my prawn sandwich
I blame Sir Alex
goatinaunitedshirt, i know i dont want it to be true. So wondering whether anyone knows the reason why he didnt go to germany
Can i start a rumour….how about Berba going in a swap + cash for RVP…
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST…..
TonyBee
What something like
Berbatov for van Persie + 7million
Id do it just because we could spend the money wisely on a few youngsters but I would miss Berba
@edcunited1878 – You telling me the standard of the PL between 2008 and now has dramatically improved? Its virtually the same, its not about thrashing teams its the style of football. I’ll give you 1999 and 1994 there’s some truth in that. But instead of pointing the finger at the opposition it’s about time we all just looked at ourselves and we do need to improve and it isn’t just down to injuries.
Got hold of last season’s seasons review and you can tell the difference in quality. I know I’m not the only one on that, we were getting the fundamentals wrong. Too many limp dick performances for me, I have no problem going out with a fight but Basle home and away, vermin in the cup, cit-eh at emptihad. We simply didn’t look bothered and I’ll stand by that comment.
As for Anderson what you’ve typed I remember typing that myself this time last season and the year before so I’m trying something different this year. I’m giving up on him that way if he proves me wrong, I’ll be happy because we’ll have a player doing what he’s supposed to, and everyone can have a pop at me and say “I told you so” which I will be more than happy to take the flak for,
homerdante
No idea fellah, maybe Sir Alex is pissed off with him and his agent for dragging their heels on a deal. I know if I was manager I wouldnt waste anytime with a player during pre season if he wasnt signed up for the coming campaigns. If he’s not serious about United then theres no need to be too serious in regards him.
Of course I want him to stay but its time the manager puts a stop to this long drawn out transfer sagas that seem to ruin every bloody summer for us fans, atleast it does for me. I cant stand Rooney and my feelings for Wellbeck are starting to turn now.
He may have burned his bridges at Spurs to a degree but there’s a snowball’s chance in hell that Dimitar Berbatov will play for l’arse.
@NotoriousRedDevil
the football wasn’t great for most of last season but I remember the excitement of those first few games, with Anderson and Cleverly linking up brilliantly in midfield, Young looking really dangerous, Welbeck suddenly a top player, Jones rampaging forwards. All the talk was about how we would learn from our defeat to Barcelona and set our sights on matching them. Best I’ve seen us play for years and with the youngest team in the league it briefly seemed like a new dawn.
With hindsight everyone says it couldn’t have lasted, that we were far too open, that we got lucky playing poor teams like an Arsenal side that was in pieces. But it was injuries that killed the experiment. Maybe we can give it another go (with Kagawa to add to the mix)?
In 2008, nobody got injury it seemed like and fringe players had good to overachieving years (Wes Brown, Nani, Anderson, Hargreaves when he played, Carrick, Tevez, etc.). Losing Ronaldo, you should appreciate how great he is and the type of squad United was.
The standard last year wasn’t the best, but my goodness make up your mind. Squeaky bum time is squeaky bum time, three points is three points. Manchester United haven’t had the best team in years when you compare individual players. But collectively, they win and the spirit of “We’ll Never Die” is always apparent even if they’re knackered from midweek matches.
Well I for one was pleased as punch with last years play and it really showed that a good footballing ethos and team togetherness is as valuable or more so than a squad full of mercenary fuckwits.
The Welbeck rumour is bollox. He’s injured, and that’s why he hasn’t travelled to Germany. Don’t believe it’s serious. Maybe Fergie doesn’t want him to play for England.
How do I go about getting some of these MANU shares ??
@edcunited1878 – What do you mean make up my mind? Think I’ve been quite clear, I’m afraid you’re missing my point. I said those are the standard we should try and achieve and last season we didn’t do that injuries or otherwise. We didn’t have 14 players out all season from start to finish. For me the never say die attitude was missing from both fans and players. Loads of people on ROM were satisfied of being out of all the cup competitions so we could focus on the league and then we get that performance at cit-eh. Then all summer I’ve read the whole goal difference stuff. We still lost the title. We’re making too many excuses because of who we lost the title to.
I don’t want to get into an argument but you’re putting words in my mouth when I didn’t even mention individual players. As a team we just weren’t good enough last season what ever the reasons/excuses.
Standard of football isn’t the same as thrashing teams. We got simple things wrong throughout the season.
I know how good Ronaldo was. 2008 was the last year I had a season ticket and it was a privilege to watch him become the best footballer in the world. The last time we saw one of those in a United shirt was the 1960s. Ronaldo made me want to go out and play football again and that year I did but have since stopped. However our success wasn’t all down to ronaldo that year, he scored most the goals but in a lot of games it was very much a team/squad effort. vermin away and Barca at home are the two that instantly spring to mind.
@ goat – Like the togetherness we showed in the title run in vs Wigan, cit-eh the last 7 minutes vs Everton. If you’re going to make comments make some sense instead of stirring yea.
NotoriousRedDevil
What are you on about. The season is made up of more than 3 games. Yes we made a hash of it at the end but at one point in the season United had 14 players injured. I think we did bloody well. How the hell that is not making sense Id never know. It might not agree with your spend big attitude but I prefer feeling part of a team than a group of mercenaries.
I’m actually surprised the IPO was only $14 a share as that is only valuing the club a Forbes level. Forbes valuation is done based on current activities using the previous years financials without any speculation so you would have thought the Chevy deal plus what that likely means for the Nike deal that’s due soon would have made $16 achievable.
I do wonder if MUST are a factor with their boycotting commercial partners threat and all the automated emails they have had people send. Investors are jumpy especially in this climate so it may have had an impact. After all stated range wouldn’t have been plucked out of the air, they would have had indications that there was demand at that price so you would imagine something’s happened.
@Costas
The intention doesn’t seem to have been to make money. They could have sold enough to cover the debt against the club and the equal investment they made themselves without losing power if they really wanted. They imho wanted to buy back a small amount of the bonds like they had been doing the last couple of years with more floated later when the price is right
@goat
MUST won’t have bought any as they want the club to fail as they have it in their minds that them or someone who will give then a significant stake will buy the club. That won’t happen though as if the worst did happen it would either be another business person which they will bicth about or an opertunistic group like Red Knights who will buy MUST with a meaningless stake such as the Golden Share they were offering for MUST backing which MUST are either too naive in believing RK members could afford a selfless investment or to Stupid to realise a golden share is like getting an honorary degree. It sounds good but largely useless.
Hello all 3 nipple dudes, I predict 1000+ posts on ties and losses.
Tony bee is hee, good to here.
19 love you dude.
Wolfie Friday night me and my mates to howl at the moon tonight. A home boy back in town have not seen him for 5 years. Out door music, hot weather women in next to nothing.
Kagawa was the key for the summer, all else is nicotine and gravy.
GO ROONEY!!!!!!!
Me 3
AUGUST 10, 2012 AT 19:24
wayne says:
Maybe I’m daft and blind and always get behind the club regardless but if Utd kick off the season with present squad I’m ok with it,would like to see a LB and a midfieder but overall think the squad is strong
AUGUST 10, 2012 AT 19:25
CedarsDevil says:
wayne
Makes two of us mate
@United Till I die at 18:42
Very good post! Thank you. Enjoyed it. You write whit ease and insight what many and myself think. Only one tend to not believe the thruth because all the ABU papers tell us lies all the time. You say:
“Bottom line City are completely reliant on Toure and unlike our Squad they lack the versatility to play another way should he suffer an inevitable dip in form or be sidelined. Thats why Mancini is crying about lack of players, he knows damn well United are the only side who can suffer shedloads of injuries and still win.”
Remember after Xmas when Toure was off to Africa? Well, it’s the same this season. I don’t see Barry or Milner doing what he’s doing.
Stats show we were the most unlucky of all teams in the PL with injuries. Stats also show City were most lucky here. Well. Imagine when that evens out. Imagine when everybody wants to beat City. Imagine United with Vidic, Cleverley and many more beeing available all season!
We have weak spots. We are not as good as Barca. But who are? I believe that we are a better side now that we have Kagawa, Vidic and Cleverley in form. Ciy are a very good team. They are just as good as last season. Signs say they will stay excactly that good. Balotelli is better and maybe an ace. And Yaya may be on the same level as Viere/Keane. But unlike the ABUs of the world, we know a normal season of injuries would have given us no. 20 last season.
Ok, lets get it now!
Great teams who play gorgeous football require great players in a proper system. In addition to that, football requires a fair bit of great fortune. 2008, 1999 and 1994 had those qualities.
Injuries to your great players expose your team and if you’re trying to achieve greatness, every little thing counts. We lose Vida in December, Rio’s back acts up, we’re integrating GKs, we’re replacing O’Shea/Brown/Neville/VDS not only on the pitch but off of it, Valencia is hurt and unfit for early parts of the season, Young is being integrated then gets injured, Cleverley and Ando injured, Evra’s brother passes away/gets racially abused, Welbeck gets injured.
The fact that United finished first and lost out by GD is a testament to Sir Alex’s greatness and the squad as a whole for playing the best they can with what they have after a devastating run of significant injuries when matches are coming thick and fast. Massive credit to Evans, Carrick and Valencia. Not to mention Wazza.
Liverpool used to be the best club in the world. Look at where they are now. Scary. And fantastic!
Brendanboy about Allen:
“This boy, when you see him play you’d think he was a Spanish player, a real European player – I would have paid many more millions for this kid,” the Kop boss enthused.
Even if the comment itself is hillarious. It’s also disrespectfull. He’s sucking his old “beloved” Swansey and saying “haha!” after (according to himself) screwing them!
IMHO Swansey got a good deal. But to Brendanboys defence you can say that he got him £5m cheaper than Henderson.
United til I die @ 18:42: ” they barely beat us to the Crown even though they had their best 11 available nearly every game don’t forget. Meanwhile we never played our best 11 at any stage of the season. Says it all.”
Well said; a point well-taken that seems to be absolutely lost on most “neutral” commentators.
I’m a glass half-full kinda guy; i’m not bothered about “losing out” on Lucas Moura and I don’t think that paying so much money for RVP is a matter of urgency. Getting CaptainVidic back is HUGE; getting DarrenFletcherinho back would be HUGER (or whatever word one wants to use). NoFletchNoWin – if not for those absences, UTD would have won # 20.
Wayne likes to remind me that I wrote last summer that a deal for Luka Modric – in exchange for Dimmy and a bag of ca$h – seemed like a win/win for both sides. It still does. RM’s inflexibility in dealing with a hard-ass like Daniel Levy will scupper that transfer; Spurs NEED another striker – Dimmy fits-the-bill. Sure, it’s a conspiracy theory scenario but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. I’m no fan of Modric but he’d go a long way to making the midfield more stable – limiting game-time for both TheGingerNinja and SirRyanGiggs which SAF seems reluctant to do unless forced by circumstances.
edcunited1878 I have said that 137 different ways myself, you are so, so spot on. And wonderfully said.
Way way off topic,av just been listing to a load of americans slag British boxing off,how meny di they av in olyimpic finals,sorry just winds me up,god a miss football
See the thing is, almost all make way to much of it. ABU’s stupids filled with shit rags and bad news. Panicked just how they want it. Then most not all, long term fans that i consider bright, smart and fun. Are so spoiled by success, fail to see SAF had his greatest year last year! Tied for !st in the PL league, his team score more then in and the PL winning season prior, increase their points from a PL title wining side. all this with A RECORD GAMES LOST TO INJURY, THE CAPO, THE HEART THAT BEAT, FLETCH GONE! NO VDS!!!!!! NO vds!!!!!! MY ME HEAD SPINS TO SEE THE IMO THE DISRESPECT TO SAF , HIS FACE DRAWN, ALL BY STUPID PEOPLE. Oh so I can not have a say, sure but mostly dribble. My the spoiled, on the spoils have soiled, so many soiuls ….. wow bite the hand the feeds, BELIEVE!
Way way way off topic,av been reading these post for a long time an most of u make me giggle,an make sence,but wot the fuck is 911 about,is some one paying him to be cunt,wow a really miss football lol
I think the UK Boxing is on the rise. For pros.
Zibbie
Pipe down will you
Funny tappy should mention911….
sure I smoke some pipe.
The rise up his ass, 911 likes it rough!.
Slim 37 trophies not enough? SAF is awesome,
Blind whiny and spoiled fucks……. wow…….
Tippy tappy reveals his true self.
So in peoples eyes, when does Rooney become MUFC legend?
In 3 years if he avg what he has done the last 3 years, 29 goals 44 games.
He will be 10th all time in games played in 1st in scoring??? Then???
Why is it funny,does it make u laugh,a admit a don’t post just because a get to worked up with me being right all the time lol,an 911 is a utter twat
Willie I only saw his one post, to many long post, I past many tonight.
Willie I’m stoked for the season, Kagawa the key! Roll the dice let the kids play!
You’re tapped out.
WTF,wow 50 shades ya need to get out more mate,ya think am 911 ha,a just read a lot pall
Me too Zibster! Kagawa and Rooney to rape shit.
Ready wrestle . Stick em. Rendered a bitch, Wolf i stuck over 140 dudes, not up the ass either. Big strong lads, rendered helpless, on their backs, for the count, folk wrestling is what schools do here, different then Olympic style, had to hold them for a 3 count not a 1 count.
An in fact a bleed united,am from fucking Trafford,a just like to see wot you lot post,tap out,did ya make that up you self, ya massive knob head
Zibbie,a fucking love the mad shit you throw out,am a big a fan lol,A met cantona once,he was just as mad lol… You keep typing al keep reading,
Kagawa will help all, and reward their runs.
Reading most peoples comments we may as well throw in the towel every time we have injuries then?
Injuries don’t stop the fundamentals of football. Instead of working off your memories go back and watch last season and then say something.
People putting words in my mouth that I haven’t even alluded to and the snide attacks that go along with it. No original thoughts and yes men comments, waiting like a vulture to have a pop every time.
It’s because of cunts like these I take hiatuses away from this blog.
Keep it, fight each other, kill each other, more attention seeking hostility than debate.
Goodbye.
An kagawa a truly believe he will make a massive diffrence,in fact al fucking put a 100 quid on him being a major part on united’s charge,a truly believe that type of player was wot missed last year,the spark
Knob head. Cheers!
NRD – know the feeling.
50 a only reply to wot a read bud,if a av got wrong end of stick am sorry,a thought you was avin a go
wtf Tappy calm the fuck down, Willie was just having a laugh you hostile motherfucker haha
Tom c,that’s why a read an don’t post mate am as subtle as 12 bore dont mean harm,am fucking need football,lol
lol 911 is fucking riot,begiining to grow on me
Zibbie
You shouldn’t defend Wazza all the time
When history looks backs on United and Rooney….he will be considered a legend, despite everything, the bad shit won’t be remembered. Only in a in depth analysis
What will be remembered is his appearances, goals, trophies, his time here 8 years+ & the memories (Newcastle goal wonder goal, his debut, AC Milan, 30+ goal seasons, his one man team effort in 09/10, his hate for liverpool + Arsenal, destroying Chelsea in 2010….so many legendary moments, that portsmouth FA Cup Chip).
When Rooney leaves or retires, all the little stuff will be forgotten. Truth is, the team has been built around him since he joined and he’s given 100% for us always.
I still haven’t completely forgiven Wayne, but I don’t hold a grudge with the bloke, he’s star we need in this Era.
These anti of anti glazers comments are fucking hillarious, especially from wayne or wakey? Its clear that you don’t have any idea about IPO (and now MUST).
Dude, u should follow Cedar. Cedar is a good example here, he just want to enjoy the football only. Never pros & never cons about glazers.
Clint that’s spot on mate,up to all that shit happening i loved him and as far as i can remember the only time he mailed it in was through that period.He will go down as a legend but because of what happened he’ll never be a true legend in the hearts of many.No one can knock what he’s meant to the club on the field or his ablility
if we dont sign any1 else man city will win the league again =( chelsea will also compete this year also if arsenal keep hold of van persie i think they will compete as well.
I agree Wayne.
True Legend is reserved for the incredible. The spectacular.
Charlton,Best,Law, Giggs, Scholes….I’d put Neville there imo.
Duncan Edwards,Bill Foulkes, Harry Gregg etc.
Pappi cool, just trying to wake people up how good this guy has been for the team, and how good the team is ans was last year,
Wayne nice answer.
A fucking wicked good team, attackers, Rooney, Welbeck, Lil Pea, Nani, Young, TV7, Kagawa, Clevs Giggs, Powell,
Capo back, Rio played more games last year then a while. Evans growth. DDG looks good….
Bring on the world.
Pappi, Wayne at least some type of Legend?
So Papii in 3 years he could be #1 in goals 10th in games. So not just numbers for the top 5 guys. But still a legend?
Like me mate Wayne never mean to mess with you, He broke my 48 year old heart as well, never thought at that age it could happen, the bam he Fredoed my ass.
In the whole thing, the next day G Nev says what the fuck you doing here, oh I fucked up way sorry, I liked that , humble pie from the Captain.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/picturegalleries/9449610/John-Terrys-Golden-Games.html?frame=2304602
“You’ve got to stay down for a long time to convince the ref you’re injured … Didier taught me that.” – JT the Cunt
Telegraph with one of the rare moments of journalistic gold.
Some of these are god damn funny
Why, good morning all!
Right its just after 6 AM here, why am I up so early? Mosquitoes, fucking mosquitoes!
Any hoo, I have to partially agree with Papii’s list of legends, I would certainly add Robbo, Cantona and Keane to the list. As for Rooney? We will wait and see
NRD
If you read this, don’t you dare leave for good, I hope your goodbye was just for last night. We are losing great posters here by the bucket loads and we cannot afford to lose you as well
Those of you old enough will surely remember Andrei Kanchelskis, great player he was, although at times selfish….Anyway that’s not the point…….Before he left us and joined Everton he caused quite a stir, I will never forget Fergie’s words on the issue….
‘We only want players here that want to play for Manchester United’ EPIC
Oh and why the fuck am I posting at this hour? The place is dead! Best I go and hunt down that mosquito and go back to bed
NRD- Why are you leaving this blog. We have already lost MG. I request you to stay in this blog.
With real madrid trying to sign witsel ( Spelling) We could sign Modric. He would be a great addition to the midfield. I hope we do sign him.
harish
levy is a stubborn asshole. he didnt budge when chelsea offered 40 mill and he didn’t budge when madrid offered 30. he’s not going to come to us.
Cedars can i recommend using a bug spray
utd_fc
If we have to buy a quality midfielder then we have to spend more than 35 million pounds. We have other good options also loke sahin,Dembele, Fellani,Moutinho etc who could be available for 20 millions or even less. I truly believe we need to sign one midfielder. BUt looking at things I think Sir alex is happy with the midfield and will try to buy a Defender.
wouldn’t go for either dembele or fellaini. they’re good but not great. if that’s our option than i’d rather stick w ando and clevs.
Sahin isn’t really interested in us, or we’re not interested in him it’s either of the two cus we’d be linked with him otherwise. don’t think we need another defender, although our injury record kinda states other wise
What could work is maybe getting a strong ball playing defensive mid but like you said sir alex doesn’t see much ‘value in the market’ as they call it these days
honestly though if we end up signing baines im gonna bust a nut. not even kidding. why the hell should we sign an oldish leftback who’s barely gonna give us any time before he starts aging as well.
I was just looking at the premier league review and I notices many are under rating tottenham. I am not saying they will win the league but they have a good squad and they have a young and hungry coach. With new players like Jan Vertonghen and Gylfi Sigurðsson they are looking good. Sandro has become a better player. I was very surprised that we didn’t try to sign vertonghen. He looked great against us when he played for ajax. He is left footed and could have been a cover for evra. He was sold by ajax for 9 million pounds. Great piece of business by Spurs. If they play well they could again finish in top 4
Utd_fc
Like I said if you want a quality player we have to spend money. I agree with fellani but dembele could be great. I think we won’t sign any midfielder in this window. Maybe if something serious bad happens with our midfield then maybe saf will buy in january window. I think we have to live with this midfield for one more season. Still gutted we didn’t sign Lucas moura. I rate him because Sir alex rated him.
@NRD
i have only came across this site a year ago. Since then i am daily reader of this blog. Your posts are always good to read. Please don’t leave.
this off season is a killer, this floatation and the transfer sagas(first Hazard then muora now van persie) business probably makes this the most frustating transfer season of all time.
Imran
It would have been good a preseason had we signed few more players. June was looking good when we were after many players and we signed Kagawa and powell. July was very dull. Even our preseason games has been very boring. Just bring on everton. I won’t be surprised if we struggle to score goals in first few games.
Harish
Well said about spurs. It was shame they are not competing in champions league after finishing in top 4. They should be given the opportunity. They have a good young squad. AVB has a point to prove and he will do well if the board gives enough time for him and be patient with him.
Good morning you thrill seekers!!
How’s it panning out on here…
I’m fucking chuffed to see bebe not being left behind
@Squire
I know nothing do I? Yet there you are seemingly defending MUST, a group who every day seems to spread a new lie which get disproved relatively quickly but that doesn’t stop them, a group who wants the fans to destroy the club by boycotting which could put us in a Rangers position, a group who tried to sell the fans out to the Red Knights for a meaningless golden share (The Red Knights who were going to keep the debt and who the required share each needed to put up, they wouldn’t let anyone donate more than the others, was in some cases all their wealth and most a significant percentage so would have required a return)
The simple fact is anyone who is anti Glazer but still supports MUST and takes their word as gospel are the ones who are clueless. Not those of us who have taken our time to understand the situation and have come down on either side of the fence with reasoning and reasonable conclusions.
Tippy tappy – We cool.
papii – You twat! Where’s Keano?
Zibbie – If you still think Rooney’s a legend, that’s okay mate. Fuck what anyone else says on here. I don’t think he is, but you have every right to believe chubby wazza is still a legend!
Does anyone else agree that out transfer strategy seems to be in total disarray – other than signing Kagawa and Powell we have failed in the transfer market – not sure whether this is just being outbid by PSG and Chelsea or a cynical ploy on the part of the club to keep fans happy while the Glazers rip-off another £100m spends as part of the IPO.
What I cannot understand is where is Plan B. Other than this disastrous fucking coalition government any business strategy requires a Plan B in case Plan A does not work. We failed to get Hazard and Moura so what alternative players (if any?) had the club in mind to sign.
That puppet Gill says funds will continue to be available for transfers after the IPO but thats “pie in the sky” unless we see something more concrete before the end of this month.
The summer spending table in todays Guardian says it all:
Chelsea 4 signings £64.8m spent
Arsenal 3 signings £39m spent
Liverpool 2 signings £25.5m spent
Tottenham 2 signings ££18.8m spent
UTD 2 signings £15m spent
QPR have spent £11.5m and Southampton £9m!!!
RedKeighley – United aren’t done in the transfer market yet. Hold off judging the business we’ve done until the end of August. Then we can properly access it.
@The Team That Wouldn’t Die – Cheers mate! Didn’t know the stats about who had what injuries but thats certainly what it felt like (bitters having least and us having most). Agreed on Barca they’re still the real club to beat and Paddy was right in commentary saying the gap is closing. City now have it all to prove but im not impressed by their squad tbh and neither is Mancini haha. As for United we’ve got options in every position fired up to prove their worth, although if we take ABU reports as gospel our lads don’t stand a chance – what a load of rubbish! If City are “the greatest” how did a “piss poor” Squad like ours manage to push them right to the last day? Sure we gave crap performances on one too many occasions (literally) but other than that we epitomised Strength in Depth. We showed the spirit of our Clubs on loads of occasions last year, so although I understand last minute nerves from our supporters the wind up ABU’s can all sod off!
@Denton – Cheers mate and your right, every neutral I’ve spoken to was baffled by the triumphalism greeted by “all conquering” City considering our piss poor squad only lost on bloody GD! Last season was officially the closest fought in the modern era so all this talk about a “gulf” IS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU WRITE IN FKIN CAPS!!!!! Jokes aside we do look stronger, not only because we signed the best midfielder in Germany but because this squad full of young players who will get better every season. Parry seems quietly confident we could sign another player, and if that happens it will be like a windfall for me as im genuinely happy with the Squad as is. RVP as an option on the bench isn’t exactly a bad idea and Rooney/Hernandez/Welbeck should never be sheltered from competition. Modric? Rednut has been talking him up for years (lol) and although I don’t quite see it myself he must be doing something right to have so any admirers. Berba returning to Spurs crossed my mind after last season and I had Bale in mind, but I think Fabio will be back at Christmas. Eitherway can’t see Dimmy getting minutes which is a shame as he’s class, perhaps a swap deal or a quick sale would be best for all involved? Whatever happens he was still worth it the punt for 19 imo, don’t care how many games he scored in as he added to our momentum. All will be revealed.
Not long to wait now lads! And rest in peace to that poor girl.
@RedKeighly
Moura was our Plan B with Hazard Plan A.
The problem is how far do you go with the plans. Do we really want Plan C or D players who Probally don’t enhance the squad in the way that we would want and certainly not at a level that would justify the fee that’s likely to be needed.
It’s simple for us to go ‘let’s get player x, y and z’ but we don’t really really know what is needed. We judge players on their performance for other clubs alone but Fergie has more to consider about a player that we can’t or don’t take into consideration so if he doesn’t go for a player we think he should then we have to trust his judgement (Yes he sometimes gets it wrong and buys a dud but how many of us really wanted Valencia. On here we were all shouting for Ribery and the likes)
VIDIC – the cure for constipation
50 Shades and Cedars -
How the fuck did I forget Robbo, Keano + Cantona
Must of been the time of night
Thanks willie, I believe he is on his way to legend status. He is just Lege right now.
Zibbie – No probs partner.
papii –
What has surprised me this transfer window is that we have not been linked with any Bilbao players.
They were brilliant against us.
I think everyone agrees that CM is one of our major areas of concern. We are good there but not world class – which we need should be.
I have expressed my views on our current CMs already a few times.
Ando & Clevs – injury record is shit over last few seasons (Clevs played 10 prem gamers last season including subs at end of the season)
Scholes & Giggs Legends great great players – but their legs will not carry them through a full season.
Fletcher – His condition can n ot be cured by a operations/pills/injection it will have to be managed but he in my opinion will never get to the heights required for a sustained period of time (maybe a couple of games/weeks months but not a full season)
The younger player Powell, Tunners, Petrucci, etc are not ready yet
That leaves us with Carrick to base our CM on for the season.
We are UNITED we shopuld not be “just getting by, we should be challenging for all the top honours, EPL, CL.” Yes we came close last season but we do need to improve that CM area.
Martinez, M’villa anyone?
Does anybody know what Channel I can catch the Community Shield on? (UK)
It kicks off at 1;30.
WTF
Clint..
Aren’t watching it.
Have fun buddy!!!
You can catch it live
On eurosport UK
my bad….its tomorrow
Yeah I know..
Thanks TonyBee
Brazil vs mexico
Anyone???
Like I said at the beginning of the tournament that brazil gonna win the gold
I’m still betting for them to win it
Rafael with a blinder mistake
Which led to the goal
I’m really gutted for him, he had time and space to put it out of play.
Mexico 1-0 barazil
Fastest goal in olympic history
Red Keighley @ 11:22: “Does anyone else agree that out transfer strategy seems to be in total disarray”
Yes – and no.
UTD have “lost out” on the two top targets – Hazard and Moura – because financially-doped competitors have been willing to pay these kids AS IF they are now galactic; they’re not, they’re just very talented kids with high ceilings but not much more – even Hazard has only shown well in Ligue I – not internationally. So, in that sense, yeah, UTD’s transfer strategy has been in “total disarray”.
BUT is that all there is to the transfer business, as an adjunct to team-building ? I don’t think so. The key problem/issue for MUFC is “Manchester” – my birthplace but a pretty awful place compared to, say, London or Paris or Barcelona or Madrid or MIlan or Rome. For kids like Moura and Hazard, bling matters and – be honest – M/C ain’t got that bling. So, for a kid to sign for “Manchester” – snubbing London or Paris or Barcelona or Madrid, etc. – is a very high hurdle to overcome in signing marquee talent.
Of course, a kid of 19 or 21 with bags of talent is just that – a kid of 19 or 21 with bags of talent. “Many are called but few are chosen” is relevant here since many – MOST ? – of the so-called “next ones” seem to flare out or under-perform. The step from potential to proven performer is very, very big, demanding not just talent but also professionalism – not all kids have that maturity. Ravel Morrison is a kind of poster-boy for this kind of wasted potential but there have been many others – in most other sports.
So, in answer to your question, I’d argue that the “high hurdle” facing MUFC in signing foreign kids with loads of talent is, in a very real way, something of a acid-test. The “mini-me galactico” who opts for “Manchester” clearly values his professional career more highly than just bling – you can say that for Sergio Aguero as much as for Shinji Kagawa. Of course, Aguero/KagawaBunga receive huge weekly pay packets but they do so in “Manchester” and not London or Paris or Barcelona or Madrid. These two kids – both 22/23 – are clearly professional in their attitudes to their work and don’t seem to be motivated by bling.
IF – and no one knows the answer yet – Lucas Moura and Eden Hazard live up to their potential then they’ll do so in spite of signing for PSG and/or CSKALondon. Having made those choices, their “character” is going to be put to a very stern test whereas if they had signed for MUFC then only their ability would be challenged to reach for the top.
Finally, like SAF said about Kanchelskis almost twenty years ago, “MUFC want players who want to play for United”. For both Lucas Moura and Eden Hazard (and lots of other “mini-me galacticos”, playing for United isn’t the summit of their bling-encrusted ambitions. Recognizing that “high hurdle” is why I think that your negative judgement is harsh and somewhat beside-the-point. In that sense, I’d rather have one DarrenFletcherinho than two Lucas Mouras.
There’s an “i” in bling but there’s no “i” in team.
The Guardian is ok on a saturday with the guide supplement. Other than that who gives a fuck what they think!? We will win the league this year, I just have a feeling. We were pretty gash at times last year, whereas citeh had a blinder for most of it. They played at about 85%+ for most of the season, we on the other hand didnt get above 70% (except for the first 4-5 weeks of the season). Be afraid citeh, be very afraid!
Redkeighley,you ever been to brathwaite lol
1. MUFC 2. Chelski 3. City 4. Arsenal