Arsenal and Chelsea were both interested in signing Craig Cathcart but instead he chose to join the ranks at Manchester United. He made his way up through the ranks and was named captain.
However, after not progressing as much as the club hoped, he was allowed to leave for Blackpool at a bargain price at the start of this season.
“In the old days, they always claimed that if you left United the only way was down,” he said. “Some people even looked on it as the end of the world. The end of the dream, especially for a young guy like me. But loads of players leave United and go on to have great careers. I’m not an emotional or sentimental person anyway. I didn’t feel hurt in the slightest. Even though United had Vidic, Ferdinand, O’Shea and my old Northern Ireland mate Jonny Evans, I still thought there might be a chance. But when they signed Chris Smalling from Fulham, I realised the writing was on the wall. So when Ian Holloway said he was giving me the opportunity to play first-team football in the Premier League, I didn’t think twice.”
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke captain), Frazier Campbell (Sunderland) and Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96 – currently 3rd in Bundesliga) are examples of players who have gone on to make a success of their careers in the top flight after leaving United, whilst Darron Gibson is still at the club.
Man Utd News 24/7
not sentimental? you’ll never play with passion playing for yourself
@friveluss
if you have pride in yourself, you damn sure will
the best are always motivated by the desire to push their own abilities further
Harsh but fair… We have to understand that not everyone who plays for the club will love it like the fans do. Cathcart tried but when he realised it wasn’t going to happen, he left without any snide Ben Foster like remarks. Hopefully like many ex-United youths he’ll make a decent career (e.g. Shawcross) and though its not at United I’d still love to see him do well!
@friveluss: bout right but me thinks he is trying to play down his exit.
Maybe he needs time but he is not doing as well to be playing in a top side right now.
Just a note, when he played for Manutd in the youth tournament here in Malaysia,he was brilliant.
we won that tournament playing against the best club sides from south america and europe.
After he gotinjured and came back he has not reached the heights as hoped for.Then got released.
Ryan Schawcross is million mile better than Cathcart.That’s way Fergie has first option on him.
The talk about Evra, hope he stays,everything we know of him says he stays. But the sale of his home and his so called affair, u just wonder. Well I for one hope its part of the usual contract negotiations to have some of this stories goin on about.
Berba is finally doin it,brilliant. If the recent performances say anything, it says Berba/Rooney are starting to combine well ,may the goals flow for Manutd from now on.
Hope Hargo is back this month.
Manchester United winning the battle tonight uk time,Wednesday Malaysia time.
“In the old days, they always claimed that if you left United the only way was down,”
Moving to Blackpool is hardly moving up, is it, sunshine?
Can’t blame the lad, best of luck to him.
I have seen him play and he defended well. Not sure why they let him go. Some decision makes me think twice for recent sales.
A legend
In his dreams
Rene Meulensteen on Berbatov
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2011/Jan/Berbas-artistic-merit.aspx?pageNo=1
Good morning Costas. Happy match day!
hahaha.. “whilst darron gibson is still at the club” how come u didn’t mention anyone else?? i truly believe he doesn’t deserve to be in the first team while the likes of Cleverley is on loan. I think SAF should seriously give the Cleverley the chance to prove himself over a number of consecutive games next season!!
off topic
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/chelsea-skipper-terry-warns-man-utd-your-luck-will-run-out-1407911
what a C.U.N.T
why the “whilst darron Gibson is stil at the club” comment? dont get it
smartalex – Ah nice one mate. I was talking about this yesterday.
Stateside – There is the link about Mulensteen and Berba right there mate.
@smartalex
Morning mate. Good thing you reminded me about the game. I have an exam today and I better post my prediction before I forget about it:
VDS – Rafael, Rio, Vidic, Evra – Nani, Fletch, Ando, Giggs – Rooney, Berbatov
I went back and forth about whether Scholes or Giggs would play today, but I went with Giggs. Of course, both of them could play leaving Fletch on the bench. I don’t see Carrick recovering in time.
@nhred: I thought the Gibson comment was odd also
Happy matchday King Eric! No mercy tonight. Blackpool always score, but I can see 3 nil to United.
Good and right thots about our family today guys!
The whole damm league is against us.
Lets win this today!
Cmon Manchester United.
Apparently Sir Alex has said that Giggs will start against Blackpool, I had Obertan, not Giggs:
My guess for Blackpool on Tuesday.
VDS – Rafael Smalling Vidic Evra – Fletcher Gibson Scholes Anderson Giggs – Rooney
Subs: Kuszczak Fabio, Evans, O’Shea, Obertan, Chicharito, Owen
I’d like to start with Chicharito, but then I’d want Berbatov, and after the Berbattrick he’s dropped.
Fergie gets the team right we win and formation right we win comfortably.
Like one wise man said, they can huff and puff but if they dont have the ball they cant hurt you.
Lets keep the ball well,pass well and score well.
I reckon…
VDS
Rafael
Rio (hopefully – if not, Smalling)
Vida
Evra
Giggs
Scholes
Anderson
Nani
Rooney
Chicharito
for Blackpool
VDS
Rafa Rio Vidic Evra
Nani Ando Scholes Giggs
Rooney Berbs
for Soton
PIG
O Shea Smalling Evans Fabio
Nani Gibson Ando Obertan
Chicho Rooney
VDS – Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
– Fletcher Scholes Anderson Giggs Nani
— Rooney
or
VDS – Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
– Fletcher Scholes Giggs Nani
— Rooney Berba
or
VDS – Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
– Fletcher Anderson Giggs Nani
— Rooney Berba
@vikram
Does Terry not realise that Arsenal and City have to drop points as well for them to win the title
What a deluded scum
Chelsea next 5 prem games
Sunderland v Chelsea
Chelsea v Liverpool
Fulham v Chelsea
Chelsea v Birmingham
Blackpool v Chelsea
@Dave
Come on mate. Only one first XI is alowed, lol.
SmartAlex, thanks for the article on Berbatov. It’s pretty interesting. I see the article mentions Berba being left on the bench for bigger matches due to SAF’s “penchant” for playing Rooney as a lone striker in front of a packed midfield. It doesn’t make any suggestion that this may change, but I am hopeful that it will. Now that SAF has Rooney playing in a supporting role, away from the penalty box, I am wondering if we will start to see a tactical variation where Rooney will play out wider, but with license to come in, or perhaps even deeper — dropping back into a 451 when the ball is not forward, then moving up behind Berbatov to make a 442/4411 or even 433 (with Nani or Giggs coming inside) when we go forward. The second goal on the weekend shows how that might work: Rooney collecting the ball centrally and then running at the defense, with Giggs (in this case) coming up from behind on one side and Berba fanning out slightly to the right and ahead on the other side. When the ball went to Berba, he held it up in the box and actually had three options: both Rooney and Giggs were wide open for a pass in front of the goal, though in the end Berba scored himself. Smalling said something yesterday about dangerous Berba is when he has players like Rooney Nani (or Giggs) running off him, and how difficult that is for the defense to deal with. This might be one way to achieve what Sir Alex wants in those matches, by using Rooney’s energy to bolster the midfield (either centrally or wide), but still come up in support so that we have two strikers in the box. Don’t know if it will pan out that way, but if that’s what they intend to do, could be interesting. Gotta run…
costas
I also presume that it is too soon for Carrick. Knowing that Blackpool will attack, and always score, I think that SAF will play 5 in the middle, and hit them hard on the counter. I had left Giggs out, as Scholes surely plays, but apparently SAF said Giggs plays. I think Obi should start rather. Fletch should play, so I dropped Nani, put Scholes in front of VidaSmalling and GibsonAndo in front of Scholes. Rooney alone up front. Berbatov scored 3, so he can have a day off.
Of course, I could have followed Dave Malaysia selection method and named the squad! I’m kidding Dave!
On this subject fair play to kieran Richardson for his performance at the weekend. Used to be a left winger, then a full time left back and now playing as a striker and grabbing two goals! Always was a bit of a pleb and never quite looked like making it at United, but I’ll always have a soft spot for most players that came through our youth team.
As he said himself, he was never going to break into first team so the move away will do him good and help him make a good career for himself.
Really hope we get a good performance as well as result tonight – lets make a statement and steamroller them. They are low on confidence and should be there for the taking. No more timid away performances please
Read a preview on my blow.
I put together a part 1 of players who have left United and done well a few days ago. This guy was on my list for installment 2.
http://www.fivecantonas.com/all-downhill-after-leaving-united-part-1/
I think leaving United reserves for first team Premiership (Bundesliga, La Liga) football is always a step up.
@ Costas: ok but was trying to show the variants. Depends on the midfeild,if Fergie is cautious it will be 5 across our midfield.
@StatesideAussie: The reson for the 5 man midfeild is cos we don have 2 central midfeilder to control the centre with wingers to back it.
If Giggs plays , they need to cover him defensively.
A hard working Nani/Park/Valencia have the discipline to back the centre. The key is then the centre needs to be in charge. Example if Fletcher at his best does that,leaving his partner to carry more of the creative work . Then 4-4-2 can be used ie. Rooney/Berba.
And in Europe ,its a way of neutralising the opponents and counter attacking to score.
It works Brilliantly for Manutd.
Fergie said after 1999 ,we must change the way we play in Europe or we become predictable.
He has succeeded in making us unpredictable but right now its finding the right combo to win.
@smartalex smartalec lol ; Dude its all about the centre isint it? Manutd control the centre ,shut the wings and Rooney/Berba/Owen/Chicarito, who plays need to score. Hopefully Rooney explodes tonight and scores a hattrick.
@Dave
I know mate. I was in dilemma between the two formations too. Plus, Fletch’s form has been enigmatic so no one knows if he is a certain starter anymore. It takes a lot of thiking to predict just one line up…
@smartalex
It’s funny, but I also feel that 4-5-1 works best. Yet I have us playing 4-4-2, lol. It’s just that Giggs will start according to SAF, Nani is crucial to the team even when he is not playing well and we might as well capitalise on Berb’s momentum…But I don’t expect to get 11 out of 11.
bigphil2003
I always look for ex academy (and ex Senior) United players in the write ups. In fact I can hardly be bothered to read an article on a team without a United connection. Fortunately we have been so good for so long that any team worth it’s salt tries to tap-in to that winning feeling.
Richardson was always painful to watch. I always wanted him to do well for United, but he rarely failed to disappoint. It’s great to see him playing well for Bruce. He has started for them at LB, RB, LW, RW, DM and this weekend replaced Welbeck/Bent by playing off Gyan. He has become their O’Shea.
hey he moved to blackpool, is doing well and im glad another academy graduate made it. and at least he didnt make any poor comments after leaving (ie foster)
mattos000; true that
mattos000 when ru upgrading to mattos007?
Good luck with the exam Costas. 9 out of 11 is 82%. We believe in you!
Fair enough. At least he’s damn straight about how he feels. You’d look straight out like a loser if you did a Ben Flopster and err, to a certain extend Roo roo.
And ah Benny, how we’ve missed you NOT!
Where is CedarsDevil?
Yo dude,me go now have bath
then me no worry cos battle is in the bloody morning
so no need ‘operation grab tv remote’
can sit anywhere and just not too loud
but if we score me hoop around like native american
then me come here rant
get jiggy with it huh uhh huu huh
hope me see the mycowisbest dude he countryman
now go ,bubye
before go : COSTAS,dun know what exam u doing mate, good luck ,get an A+
@ sayyidhashim
well, he’s a cunt..
what else could u expect from him…?
Dave, Stateside Aussie and all the other strategists on RoM:
Here’s a question – what do you think is the best team/formation if we had to play Barca tomorrow?
Before I get classified as a Barcalover, let me admit openly that I AM obsessed with them. Have been so since Rome – I see another fucking perch and I want us to beat them so very badly.
Dave – Me and MG have got the songs locked down on RoM. If you want to part take, you have to pay me and MG a finders fee.
John Terry_ CUNT
Red Ben
Thanks for that link, I enjoyed the article. Let us know when part 2 is ready, thanks.
@Dave Malaysia, smartalex
Thanks a lot guys. It’s an exam on business management. I hope to do as well as Berb does when he sees Foster.
lads dont take blackpool lightly.
they have built a fortress at their home stadium and this game will be “one of those defining games of the season”. Hopefully SAF has foreseen this and takes it seriously. because if he and the boys dont we ‘ll drop more points plus we are AWAY (DOOOMEEED)
line ups:
Vds, Rafa, Rio, evans, evra,fletcher , scholes , gibson, nani, giggs , the crap rooney.
reckon vida will be rested for his immense performances this year, gibbo will get a shot because ando played 90 mins…also we play 4-5-1 away from home.
Woy Hodson – A fortress mate? Sunderland won there on Sat.
Ji earns his 100th cap in today’s semi. Good luck Ji!
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Jan/Park-poised-for-landmark.aspx
I am 90 per cent certain Paul Scholes will start tonight to show Adam what a midfielder is. If not tonight then when? He aint gonna play in FA Cup I wouldnt have thought. He will be chomping at the bit to play.
Yep, in no way is today’s game going to be easy. I’m starting to meditate now.-desperate for the 3 points.
@ Jeet
If we get the opportunity to play them in the Champions league, i think Sir Alex will do no mistakes this time. We’ll be entirely psyched up for them. Yes, they play great football, but truly and honestly i definitely think we can beat them. I really get peeved with the La Liga tbh, and so i don’t really rate spanish football that well. Seriously the games are shocking at times, the lower in the table teams STROLL to their defending positions. And comparing how they head the ball away when the ball’s been put into the box, to how Vida does it, you’d probably think that Vida’s battling war. But of course, this isn’t dissing Barca, they are a good side. I’m really not saying this cos i’m a United fan, but i don’t really understand all the rave over them all the time, really ALL the time.
@Costas
All the berbabest for your Exam mate!
He is decent but Smalling has far more potential in my opinion, I think it was the best move for us and him to let him go. I think what Scott means with the Gibson comment is that he is a player on a similar level as Cathcart, Shawcross and others that we have decided aren’t good enough. In fact there have been players that showed more promise than him in the reserves which we decided weren’t good enough to make it but SAF has kept the faith with Gibson. Perhaps only because of our frailties in centre mid, perhaps because he believes Gibson is good enough to be a United player.
@KingOfStretfordEnd
Haha, thanks man. It’s Berbappreciated.
King Eric – I think you’re right, would be v surprised if Scholes doesn’t start tonight. The hype for Adam is ridiculous, he is decent, like lots of premiership footballers surprisingly enough, and he’s having a good spell of form at a club where he is comfortable playing (i.e. not a big club) simple as that.
read the 1st comment, = friveluss is a tool
2-1 tonite. I beg actually. Pool is tough, no not that Pool, Blackpool!
2-1 to us of course.
Scholesy to definitely start today, Rafael should be back aswell.
VDS
Rafa Rio Vida Evra
Nani Scholesy Fletch Giggsy
Roo Berba/Chica
@kingeric –
lol true but united cannot afford to take teams lightly anymore with our up and down form, we are terrible away. once we start winning away games we can then talk about beat the likes of chelsea,liverpool away from home.
I Pray To God We Lift The 19TH title at Anfield with 5 games to spare.
Gonna give this a try…. Think Smalling is going to start
VDS
Rafael Vidic Smalling Evra
Nani Scholes Fletcher Giggs
Chicarito Rooney
Anderson might play instead of Fletcher.. Berbatov for Hernandez…. If Fergie is in a crazy rotation mood, Fabio and O Shea in for Evra and Rafael respectively, but I don’t expect it… So im guessing a 9/11 is achievable.. Haha..
Why the reference to Gibson?
I think a certain Gerard Pique should also be mentioned – he’s been pretty successful after United!
nwra – Yeah he has mate but probably due to the fact he has NO pressure in barely any games. I saw them raped by Real Betis the other week and Pique was all over the shop. Keeping Evans was the right choice, mark my words.
I don’t blame the boy for leaving, he had to weigh up his pros and cons. The fact that we have many talented players above him in the pecking order would have hindered his chances of ever holding down a first team place. Good luck son……..and I like the fact that Fergie got another first refusal!
nwra – I agree. Pique was immense and is rated as one of the best central defenders in the world. I couldn’t believe we let him go on the cheap but he was a Barca boy from the start and we knew that. He had a great relationship with the gaffer and I wish him all the very best. I also read last week that the lucky git is shacking up with Shakira? Pics anyone?
Cathcart it didnt hurt leaving United, yeah tell me about it mate I didnt realise you were gone.
I thought when I watched him a few times that he had some decent parts to his game and thought there was a chance that he was the new Evans (or I should say the next after Evans to go through the youth policy and maybe make a claim for a squad chance) but if he left because he says he wasnt given a chance then unfortunately I feel your acting like a CUNT. Your too young to be a regular center back at a club of Manchester Uniteds status. Strikers and Wingers have qualities that are beneficial to being young but not defenders except attacking full backs. Strikers are naive, they themselves cant tell you what they are doing next so a defender hasnt got a fucking clue either. They are young fit and can run the fastest they ever will run in their lives because they are exciting and live wires. They fuck about and have multiple girlfriends because once they get married then insecure Mary-Ann cant stand the thought of their darlings leaving them so they try and fatten them up. The newly wedded player gets porky and then does his act of learning to pass because his legs cant carry the bulk as much anymore and then try to get a job in the centre of the park where kicking a player to the ground is fucking easier than chasing the cunt all over the park.
A defender has to have knowledge of the game and realise all thats going on. A decent defender doesnt excist untill hes atleast 26. So cathcart come back when youve grown up and then we’ll tell you if your missed or not.
Didn’t hurt us anyway.
how about a 4-5-1 in Europe??
VDS
Evra, Rio, Vida, Rafel
Valencia, Ando, Scholes, Rooney, Nani
Berbaaaaaaaaaa.
Honestly, they should’ve let Evans go instead of Cathcart. He’s much better technically, and younger too.