Phil Jones, who joined the club this summer from Blackburn, has claimed that he has already improved as a player in the short amount of time it’s been since his transfer.
Following injuries at the back, teenage Jones has made his way in to the starting line-up, playing in the centre of defence or at right back.
After picking up two assists in our 5-0 win over Bolton, Jones has reflected on how he has improved.
“I didn’t expect to be playing so often quite so quickly but that is football,” said Jones. “When you get your chance you have to take it. Hopefully I have shown the manager what I can do. I definitely feel I have improved since joining United. How quickly they move the ball is different class. Having the opportunity to play with this kind of team-mate is bound to make me better.”
Man Utd News 24/7
Future England Captain!
oooh…first!
Great lad!
Jones is an absolute beast.
Jones is IMMENSE. I loved the way he just smiled at that cunt Davies as if to say ‘look at you, you MUG’.
He is looking like a great signing and I think he has more than earnt a starting place for the forseeable future.
Id love to see him naked.
Likewise Jones. You’ve improved us by being here. What a breathtaking display – cant believe he’s only just 19!
SAF at it again rabbit out of the hat!
HAHAHAHA @ James, what a guy!
Phil Jones is quality, but i am not a fan of his Highlights, its 2011 son, sort your napper out!!!
Some people said he was another Terry in the making. Looks a lot better to me.
Keep working hard Phil Jones, you’ve a long way to go yet!
A tremendous player that seems certain to achieve greatness. Thank you Sir Alex!
Has got it all. A future club captain for sure .
He is a young teenage boy,we have to forgive him on getting highlights on his hair because when I was 19, I too had highlights done..those were the days….gosh I feel old!
Wish I could have seen Doglieshes face and all the Scousers when he effectively told them to do one as soon as he found United were calling for him.
Brilliant player, imagine when he is in his mid twenties! A potential Old Trafford legend.
Deftones – So we have to accept Phil’s just because you also had highlights?
Dream on, sunshine!
The only thing better than the fact that we have such a good player is the fact that we beat the dippers to him!
Manc_sam – sort him out seeing as you’re a hair dresser LOL i never noticed it but then again i only focus on his ability.
Talking of abilities, jones really has come on leaps and bounds, a fantastic young player with great potential at the very top level, he has composure to match his technical skills and that only comes with experience but he has it all.
Rio and vida better step it up because this boy is here to take their place, of course not yet as their experience will be useful as the team progresses.
everyone can see the style united play now, the one touch passing with devastating pace on the counter attack, you need youthful exuberance for this and jones, smalling, young (not a youth anymore) anderson & welbeck, cleverly, rafael (the 3 hopefully recovering very soon) are all playing and will play a huge part in this, united also have the likes of pogba, morrison e.t.c who clearly see that it is possible to break in to the first team if you’re good enough and that will encourage them.
The future is bright.
Jones is a pussy! He should of went the whole way and died his hair Blonde. Not a bad player, though.
Off topic…
Apparently Davies wife has tweeted that Kevin contacted Tom Cleverley.
If she watches the rest of the replay she’ll see that he “made contact” with Evra and a few others as well.
MotM Phil Jones.
@Keano16, What makes it even better is that it was the player’s choice to reject the dippers. They must feel completely fucked at the moment looking at his performances.
On-topic, if this is the kind of “improvement” he can display in less than 10 games, what happens after a complete season or two.
Off topic. Does anyone here know when our shirt deal with Nike expires?
Just dont get the obsession about his highlights…ffs, kid’s 19 – give him a break! And it’s not like he’s wearing a snood or something, right?!
@willie: died blonde pussy…hmmmm
Off-topic, This whole news about United fans sending abusive messages on Twitter to Davies’ wife – if it is true – is completely disgusting. It ranks as worse than the abuse that Gibson got – probably the same set of dicks as well. At least, he was a United player. Abusing a player’s wife on Twitter for a foul committed by him on the field of play is a new low for some of the dickhead, immature, spoilt ass, next-gen fans we have at United.
@NRD, It gets over in 2013 if I’m not mistaken.
I could see him playing in the center of midfiled rampaging forward like Robbo.Paddy Crerand likeded him to Dunan Edwards some statement that is but you can see what he means,he has the lot power skill and he is brave .
@ Balaji- Cheers mate.
Jones is just superb, I truly believe he will be a world class player in no time.
Jeet – Yes mate. Pure Blonde…
Hi guys. this dude is turning out to be a real gem. his performance made him look better than Smalling in that position imo. Keep it up Jonesy. UTD FOREVER…………
Terrific performance from the lad on Saturday, a joy to watch and apparently has absolutely no qualms over playing at RB. The run he made for Rooney’s 2nd was breathtaking. Made 3 defenders look like local pub players. Fantastic Phil, you fucking beauty.
Oh, and the cross for Rooney’s 1st was about a 9.9/10. Looked like a former number 2 and United legend out there on the right, wonder if he hates Scousers as well? Wait…
‘Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, on loan from Manchester United, will retain his place for Scunthorpe’s visit to Rochdale after making his debut on Saturday.’
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/12092011/63/dagnall-iron.html
He’s a God sent 2 us lad 4 united,future England nd United captainHe’s a God sent 2 us lad 4 united,future England nd United captain
‘SL Benfica coach Jorge Jesus and Manchester United FC’s Sir Alex Ferguson both shared their thoughts with UEFA.com ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener in Lisbon on Wednesday.’
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/matches/round=2000263/match=2007582/prematch/preview/
Of topic, just got text message about this programme tonight on drugs in football. Liverpool and City mentioned. Have to watch it now, to see what unfolds…
@Notoriour redevil,it expires in 2014…..i remember watching like 10 of jones match last season(my dad own a viewing center,and i watch atleast 5matches weekly)and telling my brother’if we get this guy,we got a gem’…super player and my buy of the season
dazbomber – Hello mate. A fair few legends have made the Duncan Edwards comparisons including Paddy, Sir Bobby and Alex Stepney. Who are we to argue. Similar to John Terry? Fuck off this lad is in a different league to that horrible cunt. Jones is a right fucking player and imagine what he will be like at 22-23. Fuck me. Best signing in years IMO with what he will bring to the club, along with Hernandez obviously. Christ at times he even swaps positions with Rio and so on. Love watching him. To think that some on here questioned the purchase early doors!
The thing I love about Jones is that he’s too young to have learned all there is to know about how to do his role on the pitch, but he’s such a natural that he doesn’t need to- he’s going on his instincts out there and the results are amazing. It’s a step beyond just being a by-the-book player and typically you need to have built up that ground work first before you can start doing you own thing on top. For him to just take off and run as he has, at this level, with the performances United have had, it’s incredible.
It’s easy to get excited, but we’ve yet to see him really tested at United. However if these early indications play out then he’s going to be one of the best defenders of all time. He’s that good.
Quality player definately our best signing in months.
@Willie
what time is the whole drugs thing being shown?
The English Beckenbauer. And he’s ours, all ours.
I’d love to have seen the look on the face of that little troll from Anfield when he found out Jones had gone to Utd.
Vish – 8pm on channel 4.
@WillieRedNut Agree 100% about the hair.
Jones is a beast of a player but I’d prefer if he lost the blond highlights. It’ just ain’t manly. What’s next I wonder – Vidic with a curly perm?
skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_7172041,00.html?skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_7172041,00.html?
lol@ jobless FSW
@Costas – Even now Jones is already a better player than Terry ever was. Jones is a proper footballer with many facets to his game and can only get even better. Terry on the other hand is a one dimensional lump. That much is already obvious to anyone but Chelsea fans and Capello.
Cheers Willie, and I hope none of ours are involved. That would be a shame
Some really good comments on here. Let’s just hope we still talking like this when his form drops and what he Is like when if only gets odd game that’s what will make him. I will admit I was sceptical when we bought him I was not I huge admirer but he is looking the part and great to have him here. And I don’t think the scouces will be that gutted it will be the gooners. I can it the back five of De Gea Rafeal Jones Smalling and Fabio I back four that has power pace excellent attacking and defending ability. Roll on the good years (as much as I like Vidic and Ferdinand I think that Jones and Smalling are ready not maybe some of you people think its too earlly I said same about Cleverly and the experience factor Jones was got that last season and smalling looks ready to me)
Pretty obvious why 5 or 6 teams were after him,everything else has been said
It’s good to know Smalling and Jones can step in but when Rio and Vidic are fully fit rate as the best tandem in the world and Sir Alex won’t change that pairing for the big games.
Agreed with Wayne. For all that Smalling is a beast, he’s not yet at par with the Serbian Monster – he’ll get there, not just yet though.
Or Jones for that matter…
@Kurt
That’s why Fergie’s the expert here, and we’re not. He knows a player, when he’s sees one. I stick by what I said at the time. The fee we paid for him, will prove to be peanuts in a few years time.
Jones is great, and United are flying. Lots of fine words being said. Hope you lads stay as positive when he makes a blunder, which is sure to come. Lots of sunny weather fans. Just saying.
Can anyone tell me if Jones will start up against Benfica?
jones is the best young player in the PL!! i loved his reaction to setting up Rooneys goal it was like fuck ya did ya like that lads did ya?? there is lots more to come!
Sod it, let’s start the ball rolling with some team speculation for Wednesday…
Anyone fancy Berba coming back in for this one? He’s got to start a game some time soon, and I shouldn’t think it will be on Sunday. The only problem is, if Fergie is rotating for Europe, that Berba really struggles in Europe, especially goalscoring wise.
Having said that, I’m pretty sure he’ll start against Benfica.
DDG
Smalling
Ferdinand
Evans
Evra (fitness permitting)
Nani
Fletcher
Anderson
Valencia
Rooney
Berba
Thoughts?…
Dalglish after learning that Phil Jones turned Liverpool down (who?) to go to Manchester United.
He puts up five fingers.
I bet he can’t count to 19 though
19 titles
5 Euro cups
jonesy boy – what does ur momma feed you? Ur a beast – I cant believe ur 19.. are u really 19? No way..
U look great in the colours of Man utd. Other red teams wanted you but u know we are the ones that are really red.
Glory Glory Man Utd. Viva Man Utd. Forza Man Utd. Joy Man Utd!!!
@WRN
Could not agree more my Freind. He sure knows a gem when if sees one and this time at united is the perfect time to come its a more or less a fresh start instead of them trying to break into a an already awesome team. We have support in every postion and a lot of players who can play another role it really does look exciting. And to boot its fantastic football the one thing I haven’t seen since ronaldo really fast counter and always looking like we are going to score
kanchelskis:
Are you shure that evans will play instead of jones?
http://www.surrealfootball.com/2011/09/12/five-reasons-to-suspect-that-phil-jones-is-god/
Quite a good one that. @James, did you write that first point by any chance?
His highlights are more accurately called PJ Tips.
Utds scouting is top quality,Jones doesn’t really count as a find,plenty of clubs had him pegged.
The key to Utds spending never panic,look at chelsea spend 75 mill on tranny boy and luiz both on the bench saturday.Wenger panicked after the Utd hammering bought a bunch of shit for over 50mill.
Targeting the right players and not overpaying has been Utds edge for years
I am no fan of Davies, but it now is coming out that he did apologize to Tom Cleverley.
Twitter:
AndyMitten
Just interviewed Tom Cleverley. Davies called to apologise Sat night. And TC didn’t make those quotes attributed to him on Facebook.
Think enough can be said about the type of player Davies is without building news stories based on lies or bad information. Who ever broke that story should be ashamed of themselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J6zlJ7G2Fo&feature=related
Great analysis/comment on Anderson’s role/development:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/sep/11/manchester-united-bolton-anderson
FletchTHEMAN
Fair enough that he apologised. I suppose. But then I’d say it’s pretty much cancelled out by the fact that be unabashedly stated his intention, before the game, to rough up pretty much the entire team. Well you tried, and all you managed was to crock one of the country’s best young players. Well done.
Also hilarious that he said he’d give Phil Jones ‘a going over’, when in fact Phil gave their entire defence a ‘going over’, showing more skill in a 5-second run than I think Davies has in his entire career.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjOMWY4ZdF8&feature=related
The apology means nothing imo,that wasn’t a one off Davis does it every week he’s a dirty bastard and has been for years.The way he plays says it all as does the apology he’s a cunt
King Eric @ 13:31: ” Jones is a right fucking player and imagine what he will be like at 22-23. Fuck me. Best signing in years IMO with what he will bring to the club, along with Hernandez obviously.”
Just to take the piss: you’re forgetting Smalling, Anderson, Nani and the Da Silva twins !
Phil Jones seems to be so talented that I wonder if he won’t be “wasted” as a central defender ?
Wayne @ 14:56: “It’s good to know Smalling and Jones can step in but when Rio and Vidic are fully fit rate as the best tandem in the world and Sir Alex won’t change that pairing for the big games.”
What a quandry ? Imagine having a pair of kids challenging the “best tandem in the world” – with Vidic being club captain and not yet 30 !
Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have already displayed wonderful versatility and that probably makes SAF’s team-decisions all-the-more unpredictable.
kanchelskis @ 15:07:”Anyone fancy Berba coming back in for this one? He’s got to start a game some time soon, and I shouldn’t think it will be on Sunday.”
I do – plus ThreeLungPark, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, DarrenFletcherinho, SirRyanGiggs, Fabio and, perhaps, LittleMikey, too. Given the weakness of the CL group, and the fact that this is an away match, a draw would be a fine result and provide some added game-experience to the squaddies and a bit of rest for the main-men who will be picked against the RentBoyz on Sunday.
Wayne @ 15:16: “Targeting the right players and not overpaying has been Utds edge for years”
Agreed. Clearly, there’s a medium-term strategy in place. Unless the man-in-question is the proverbial last-piece-of-the-puzzle, UTD’s plan is based on the continual replenishment/renewal or evolution of the first-team squad. So, the scouting team is probably hard at work right now looking at players who will be signed next spring AND the year after that. I doubt that they get their information from reading the papers !
@denton
Interesting that you think the changes will be so wholesale. I think it’s crucial to maintain the momentum and fluidity which we’ve maintained so wonderfully well so far. I think some of the player’s who’ve been important to that (Rooney, Nani or Young, Smalling) will at least start, to provide a continuity of that playing style, then hopefully get half an hour off if we’ve got the game wrapped up (see what we expect from United away in Europe now!). Would be surprised and alarmed if all the players you mentioned get a start… we don’t want to break the momentum.
DDG
Fabio
Rio
Smalling
Jones
Carrick
Fletch
Young
Giggs
Rooney
Chico
Would be my picks!
Jones has got it all in front of him. It’s almost scary to think how high his star might fly. Seems level-headed too, and let’s hope he stays that way. In fact, all of our young guys seem clued-up and, well, mature. Even Rooney seems to have wised up, and just in time too, for he’s rapidly becoming the old man of the show.
It will be interesting to see if & how our style of play changes with TC out of the picture over the next few weeks. I’ll also be curious to see if this has any impact on the way Anderson’s been playing. He’s been a revelation this year, but is this because he’s suddenly “found his feet”, or is there just “better chemistry” with his new partner? I’ve been puzzling over that since the start of the season — in fact, since the pre-season. It hasn’t been clear to me. I suspect the answer may be a bit of both. But if chemistry is playing a significant role in this, that could get interesting when there’s rotation in the midfield.
Sir Alex has already said he’s going with experience Weds night,so probably going to play a much tighter game.The young lads for the prem,the vets for the CL
GAZ
I think Young’s arrival spells the end for Giggs on the wing – and I’m sure he’s quite grateful of it! We have 4 younger wingers now in Nani, Young, Tony V and Park.
Giggs is probably a good shout to start on Wednesday though, maybe partnering Carrick in the centre in the combo that was so effective towards the end of last season. Plenty of CL experience in that pairing too.
Sept 12 1956 50 years ago today.
2-0 away win v Anderlecht. First English team in Europe.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2011/Sep/united-v-anderlecht-first-european-match.aspx
The 20-year-old Scunthorpe United midfielder Oliver Norwood has started three games since signing on loan from Manchester United. “I’m playing regular first-team football against some big clubs and it’s been a great move for me,”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/scunthorpe_utd/9588682.stm
@Kanchelskis: My preferred (not predicted) team would be:
DDG
Fabio Rio Jones Smalling
Park Carrick Ando Nani
Berba Hernandez
I think the real big question is who is given the fun task of raping Ashley Cole next Sunday – Nani, or after their leather and chains encounter last time around, TonyV?
Scracth that. Make it Evans instead of Rio and Giggs instead of Ando.
While playing with Tom has been good for Anderson, I don’t think it’s the main reason, but just a part of it. I think for Anderson, playing regularly is the biggest reason for his consistent form. I hope Fergie keeps playing Ando. He could be the one to fill the void left by Scholes. Not be being a similar player, but by being our main man in CM. He’s got the talent, that’s for sure.
Perhaps wholesale changes for a midweek game does less to break the momentum than a a few tweaks does. Replace all 11 players for the game, and it’s less disruptive than a normal week wity no Wednesday game. Then bring back our Juggernaut of Youth for sunday.
@jeet
The more I think about it, the more I think Giggs is nailed-on for Wednesday. He’s barely played, he’s got shedloads of CL experience. Oh and he’s a decent footballer apparently.
Physical and energetic midfield needed against Chelsea, so Ando to be rested in Wednesday and start alongside Fletcher on Sunday maybe?
@Kanchelskis Giggsy is a shoe in for Wednesday night id say a very similar line up to what played in the knockout stages last season and then at home we will UNLEASH HELL with our young players!! i cant wait!!
I not fussed who what teams Fergie selects for Wednesday and then the rentboys. The reality is, we’ve got a great squad now. Sir Alex has proved himself best, at utilizing the squad. Yes, even better than the self proclaimed special one.
Sky sports need to introduce Ando-Cam. The guys got skills we all need to see for the full 90 minutes.
4 – Anderson – 2.
On the scouting network, it was fascinating to hear Arsene Whinger moaning, as the transfer window started to close, that he had 20 staff working fulltime on finding suitable players and they were struggling to some up with anyone. It seems incredible, really.
As for our own scouting over the next few years, i suspect the network will continue to monitor players around the world and that any stand-outs they identify (like Hernandez) will be snapped up. But I also think the pressure is off a little bit, given how many high-quality young players we already have in the first squad, and the fact that there’s another wave of youngsters (just a few years younger) about to come through. Indeed, maintaining the scouting network itself may be one of our biggest challenges if, as I suspect, we go quiet in the transfer market again.
Here’s the basic outline of what I think will happen over the next few years: Giggs will retire, as expected, at the end of this year. Rio will be 33 in November and we all know the injury situation. He may continue into next season but if the injuries continue, then I’m sad to say his days are numbered. So I think those are definitely two established players who will retire (with honor!) over the next 2 years. There are a few others who, too, whose departure is not necessarily imminent now, but may become so over the 2-3 years. Carrick, Park and Berbatov aren’t getting any younger.
Meanwhile, the existing youngsters in the first team will complete their transition from apprentices to masters, and we’ll see the introduction of the next wave of academy players as the new first team apprentices.
The evolution of the team won’t ever stop, at least not while SAF has anything to do with it. What we’ve got going here is a lifecycle of continuing birth, development, maturity and regeneration.
With the current youth in the first squad ready to take over the reins, and with the next wave of academy players already standing in the wings, there’s enough talent in the “pipeline” to keep this lifecycle of regeneration going for many years yet. Naturally, some of these guys will leave, and there may be occasional purchases. But for the most part, I don’t see any major transfer activity over the next few years and even beyond. I think we’ll continue to feed good teenage talent into the academy, though, to keep the pipeline stocked.
Big shout out for Carrick btw. Had the opportunity to show on Saturday that he can try and win his place back off Cleverly, and I thought he was very tidy. A 90% pass completion rate speaks for itself. Doesn’t have Cleverly’s youthful buzz, but still a great player to have around.
I thought Carrick done his job well, when he came on for TC. Then I read some of the comments, after the game, that left me somewhat bemused. He was getting grief for some bizarre reason. If he has a stinker, then fair enough. But, he actually played well. Some fans, eh?
Yeah Fergie said he is bringing back experience for Benfica. Crarick will play as will Giggs no doubt and possibly Owen and or Berba. Fletch to get some minutes as we need him for the rentboys. That will be an interesting line up on Sunday. Will he stick to say Ando and Fletch /Carrick or play a three man midfield? He seemed to favour Giggs and Carrick last season but Anderson was injured/off form and Fletch was fucked. So many decisons its great.
Willie and Kanchelskis – Alright lads. They aint fans , they are fucking mugs who will pick on Carrick for no reason whatsoever. I cant say this sentence enough but if you look back over the last 5 seasons I bet Carrick has been in the starting line up in the midfield more than anyone else. But then what does Fergie know?
Its strange regarding Gibbo. When MUTV run their adverts for September it says summat like “catch up with all the reserve games” and guess whose face is featured? Yes Darrons. He’ll be gone in January. Aint seen much of this Ross Barclay but to say he is the new Robbo is a fucking pisstake. He has played two games or summat.
Talking of reserves we play Fulham tonight.
Youth vs Experience.
Two bulls at the top of a hill looking over a field of cows,younger bull ‘lets run down the hill and fuck a cow’,older bull ‘no lets walk down the hill and fuck them all’.
Fans who slag players like Carrick and Berba don’t see the whole picture,as i’ve said before this squad is interchangable swapping 5 players around will make no difference to performance,style of play may be different that’s all.
A blend, I’d say. That’s something Wenger has never quite grasped.
Look when it comes to Carrick I just do not believe he is united quality I do believe Berbatov is. And I believe it is every uniteds fan right to have a opinion on the team and that is mine. I respect over peoples opinion on here On players and like I said previous I hope one day I see what other fans but at the moment I do not. For me he gives the ball away way to easy in our own half. Fletcher is a ton better in that role for me.
haven’t read the post to this topic but i i gotta say right of the bat. A Rio-Vida partnership will be seen a whole lot less this season. He was marvelous at RB and unless SAF is considering pushing the twins up the wing, he’ll be at the CB spot. Then again there’s also smalling; surprisingly a mirror image in terms of effectiveness in the alternate position. And to think they both want to play CB . A lot has been made of midfield pairings but having these two lads could reveal another sweet spot. Add Evans to the mix and that back line looks solid and stylish.
Who knows other teams around the world could start banging on about Jones and Smalling like the Xavi-Iniesta worldwide forum that we’re experiencing today.
@Kurt
That’s one weakness. Yes, it’s one that’s hurt us at times, and the high-profile errors stick in the mind.
But is it as bad as, say, Vidic’s vulnerability to the ball over the top against a pacy forward? Nani’s tendency to delay to long or shoot when he should pass? Rooney’s tendency to drop too deep? Three players unquestionably of ‘United quality’, but – believe it or not – not perfect.
Kurt – I respect your opinion fully. I just don’t understand it.
Have we been that good consistently over the last 5 years that we can get the biggest trophy haul in England while nearly every game picking a player that’s not good enough for United?
Is Sir Alex likely to deliberately chose a player that is not of United quality and stick with him for nearly every game for 5 years? Would we still win 4 in 5 Prems?
I think it’s far more likely that you are mistaken.
Carrick has played 474 games for Utd in 6 seasons how can he not be Utd quality
“My team in Lisbon might be different on an issue of experience,” Ferguson said today. “We’ve also got Darren Fletcher back fit. He’s looking good and did well with Scotland last week. I think we’ll need to have more experience in the game. The important thing is to qualify. Benfica away from home is the kind of the game you have to respect. I think the hardest part for us will be picking the midfield in that particular game. That area will be the biggest challenge. They operate with three midfield players in there. They don’t play anyone off the front. They play three actual midfield players so we’ll have to have a look at that. The opening game is the toughest for us, Benfica are always a handful and we always expect a difficult game. I watched a couple of their games away from home last season and they were absolutely brilliant.”
I know what you saying and I am not questioning SAF. But its just what I see I don’t see any real intent from him as am attaking sense and I foot see him as someone who he we was 1 0 up him saving the day at a holding mid. As a say I understand this is my opinion. And the difference for of with Rooney is that when he ends drop deep he still creates goals the difference between vidic and Carrick is that carricks are mistakes not weaknesses they for me are the differences. Where as Rooneys are for me strengths not mistakes. I think the one thing we all can agree on is that this is why we are the best fans go the world we all love united and all see things differently.with the same goal to continue to dominate football.
wayne – at 79 games a season that’s quite a stat! He must be worth 2 players!
@smartalex that was on his wiki page figure must include friendlies etc
Benfica made it to the Europa League semi-finals last season, and their fourth successive win extended their unbeaten start to this season to eight games in all competitions. They brought in 12 new players in the window, released 6 and loaned out 6.
my error thats his total games UTD its 232
thats 5 seasons just starting the 6th still over 46 games a season
WOW!!! I love this breakdown. So well said.
Old Guard
Masters
Apprentice
Reserves
Academy
SAF to buy young talent 2-3 A year
Every 3 to 5 years he buys big to fill in where he needs. (Anderson, Nani, Hargo) (Young, Jones, DDG)
SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 AT 16:05
StatesideAussie says:
On the scouting network, it was fascinating to hear Arsene Whinger moaning, as the transfer window started to close, that he had 20 staff working fulltime on finding suitable players and they were struggling to some up with anyone. It seems incredible, really.
As for our own scouting over the next few years, i suspect the network will continue to monitor players around the world and that any stand-outs they identify (like Hernandez) will be snapped up. But I also think the pressure is off a little bit, given how many high-quality young players we already have in the first squad, and the fact that there’s another wave of youngsters (just a few years younger) about to come through. Indeed, maintaining the scouting network itself may be one of our biggest challenges if, as I suspect, we go quiet in the transfer market again.
Here’s the basic outline of what I think will happen over the next few years: Giggs will retire, as expected, at the end of this year. Rio will be 33 in November and we all know the injury situation. He may continue into next season but if the injuries continue, then I’m sad to say his days are numbered. So I think those are definitely two established players who will retire (with honor!) over the next 2 years. There are a few others who, too, whose departure is not necessarily imminent now, but may become so over the 2-3 years. Carrick, Park and Berbatov aren’t getting any younger.
Meanwhile, the existing youngsters in the first team will complete their transition from apprentices to masters, and we’ll see the introduction of the next wave of academy players as the new first team apprentices.
The evolution of the team won’t ever stop, at least not while SAF has anything to do with it. What we’ve got going here is a lifecycle of continuing birth, development, maturity and regeneration.
With the current youth in the first squad ready to take over the reins, and with the next wave of academy players already standing in the wings, there’s enough talent in the “pipeline” to keep this lifecycle of regeneration going for many years yet. Naturally, some of these guys will leave, and there may be occasional purchases. But for the most part, I don’t see any major transfer activity over the next few years and even beyond. I think we’ll continue to feed good teenage talent into the academy, though, to keep the pipeline stocked.
wayne – He’s played 150 games in 5 years, and has been selected when available for something like 75% of the games. Wayne Rooney with 220 in 7 years has a very similar selection percentage.
I”M JONES”EN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the CL coming this week and the match against Chelsea soon, I wonder if SAF might opt for our second team to prevent our players from getting over fatigue by those tight features and those traveling. Probably, we will be seeing most of our first team players resting. Likely Berba and perhaps Owen will be going together, not wanting to see our team injury lists go longer. With the form Utd have, I am pretty worried about our players getting tackled by players from other teams who are desperate to keep us out. I hope all the players will be well and those who injured have a speedy recover and will gain their form again.
You might like to vote for United over on TalkSSH#*T
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/kickoff/blog/2011-09-12/poll-who-has-impressed-you-more-man-united-or-man-city
New keeper and second choice back 4 yet not dropped a point.
Average age of the back 4 over 4 games is about 22??
4 wins out of 4
Top of the league,
Top goal scorer and tops in total goals scored.
3-0 v Spurs
8-2 v Arsenal
Go on then, vote for your team!
Jones can play anywhere. So saith the BOSS!!
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2011/09/10/2659949/sir-alex-ferguson-lauds-tremendous-wayne-rooney-hat-trick
Competition at every spot!
Playing for places!
Training field battles to be noticed!
Players picking themselves!
Over a similar period, Evra has 170 caps, Vidic 160 and Carrick 150.
3 stalwarts of the 4 Prems in 5 years.
Carrick losing the ball easily in our own half? Wow, what have I been watching for the past few seasons.
Anderson mispasses more often in a single game than Carrick does lose the ball in a whole season, or at least half, I reckon.
Im scared for the day Fergie retires – may that never happen.
Someone plz find the fountain of youth and give a swig to fergie.
Zibbie, Like it! I make only one suggestion then you should patent it!
THE JONESen ONE
Hahahaha.. … be a good handle for someone on ROM!
Top marks!
Fletch I have voted!
Carrick is a decisive player, Some think Man Utd payed to much for him a British player tax of sorts.
He takes Keane’s 16
I remember people bitching that if you put Hargo and Carrick together then you have what is needed.
A team is a mesh of talents, personalities, tactics, and philosophies working towards a common purpose.
Some like blonds, some like red heads, some like brunets, some like it raven black, some like Latinos, some like Africans, some like Asians, some like a mix and we all like Italians.
AND HERE ON ROM WE ALL LOVE MAN UTD!!!!!!!!!!!
I meant to say divisive
Good evening pals,
@ Jonesy,
wonderful lad, got great character and courage, he will shine..
with the versatility of Smalling and Joney, we have kind of filled void left by JOS but JOS is JOS..
if only either of smalling or jonesy gets trained in goal post then we will come close to fill the void
and OREZ…
if you had any sense you would have out one of the true red in the shoes of munich chanting cunts..
you could have gone a more better way at Cedars,
its not that we are ass lickers of each other here, but one amongst us comparing one of us to be a munich chanter is utter disgust my friend,
thats totally unacceptable..
OK Fletch let trademark it. See if MG is OK with that.
I’m JONESen for 20!
@1878 good evening!
Hey there Zibbie the boxer
Zibbie the prancer, more like.
1878 when it was clear JOS was leaving for playing time. As we all had wish lists for the transfer market. I had written I wished for a younger, more talented British JOS. hehe It was Jones!
Some said no shit dip stick!!!
Jello Jones !!!
I do love to dance.
Dance with the Wolves!
Phil TheJONESenONE. Hope he raises a temple of perfection for Reds to admire!
1878, I’m a 17th century man, stuck in a 21st century land.
I have a Galahad complex, my body type is better suited for MMA or what I grew up doing, wrestling.
I have saved a damsel or 3 in my day I must say.
Zibbie the wrassler!
I love to run with the wolf pack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And howl at the moon………
Good one that Zibbie..
ha ha ha..
btw, is it just me or everyone feel that, we have neough carrick bashers yet?
i have come to a conclusion, even sir alex wont convince them..
Not just you Sandeep, not just you.
1878 in your part of the world, what time is it?
Zibbie,
its 10:30 PM now, Bangalore, India.
you in morning?
@smartalex, I watch the game for the 3rd time now. After Jones rampaging run and shot that Rooney put in the rebound. At 19 he is such a stud, (LEADER OF MEN, A MANS MAN) he opens his arms for a come to Papa hug of admiration and recognition of greatness is well received.
11:56 am
I live in Dubuque Iowa, on the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Where Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin meet. I saw you respond to my Western Michigan reference. I go there with my 5th wheel for fishing and water sunsets.
iv been tweeting Jonesy for days – hoping 1 day he responds to me. I will be so proud that day.
Just heard that,
Auguero wants to be the Maradona of City..
wow, i dint knew City also would have a Maradona..
i would like to know what would be real maradona’s reaction to it
a good 20 minutes video of TC..from boy to man..
enjoy it fellas..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeVimsIfc-8
everyone from argy wants be a maradona.
heard so many argies called Maradona be4 – from Lopez to Angel to Aimar to De’allasandro to Tevez to Messi and Aguero now. LOL.
There can only be 1 maradona.
Aguero though is a fantastic talent and definately the cog in shittys armoury that was needed to help them challenge for the title.
okay Zibbie,
i was responding indeed..
have you ever been to 8 Mile?
IBM has come to Dubuque and my beloved home town of German and Irish mixed people are having their 1st experience with Indian people. My first experience with the Indian people and culture was in San Diego, I fell hard for a girl named Padma, I should leave my descriptive thought of her physical and spiritual beauty to my minds eye. OOHHHH so lovely was she, but I was not an Indian man so, no making babies with me.
Smashing result. When I voted it was
46% United 54% Bitters
Just checked and it is turning, now
51% United!
COme on you reds. Vote Early, vote often! Ha ha ha
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/kickoff/blog/2011-09-12/poll-who-has-impressed-you-more-man-united-or-man-city?
No I have not. My bad I saw the movie long ago and forget what 8 mile is, help out and old hard rocker.
Zibbie – I’ve also watched that run of Phil Jones a few times! Incredible, especially as it’s from
a centre-half.
Sandeep1878 – Diego Maradona is Agüero’s father-in-law, so he’s sucking up!
I’d like to see him in a midfield ‘destroyer’ role now Cleverley is out, doubt it will happen though with Carrick and Fletcher waiting in the wings.
My cousing lives in Detroit, Michigan.
he was telling 8 mile is full of rap brotherhood and pubs, – music heaven..
My cousins a rapper. He wraps Christmas presents every year.
Good to see Matty James back to the reserve.
still no sign of Ravel though.
Fletch how the hell does 1 vote in that poll? (is it for UK residents only?)
Fulham Reserves vs Manchester United reserves tonight.
The music mile, OK, I have lived in the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and the have a great music scene and had friends that worked for Price at Paisley Park and meet prince a few times.
My granny is a rapper. My knuckles are all swollen and blue.
Good one willie
our 3 young centerbacks should be called as wing backs
they are fucking ferocious when they are on attack..
with the latest dribbling of Smalling, i cant forget to recall LUCIO
Thanks for the heads up on the game smartalex.
My cellphone is a wapper.
Cheers Zibbie! I hope someone will link a stream!
Where Wallace at? Where’s Wallace, Stringer? Where the fuck is he?
“All right, you stupid m’ucker. You made your decision.”
“Where the fuck is Wallace? Huh? String! STRING! LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME! WHERE THE FUCK IS WALLACE?!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIkLtFS5gMM
I’ll like to make it clear to @NBI that I am my own man as @smartalex is very much his own man…so stop spewing nonsense please.
HOLD THE FREA#%&CKIN PRESSES!!!!!!!!!
HaleyMcMcQueen Just tweeted that ChrisSkudderSky says United weren’t the first in Europe.
Checking the “facts?” one will find that Birmingham City list a match in the Fairs Cup 15 May 1956.
Maybe one of your stewards of united history could help me with this. Here is what I have put together.
1. United became the first English club to play in European Cup Competition when they traveled and beat FC Anderlecht 2-0, 12 Sept 1956.
2. Birmingham City played ? in a competition meant as a friendly between cities that hosted “Trade” Fairs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-Cities_Fairs_Cup they eventually played in the final of that competition 3 years later losing to FC Barcelona
Questions on who was first. Was the hosting of a trade fair really the same as European competition. Seems a bit of a pissing contest to me. But the few facts I have suggest that Birmingham City would be stretching a bit to describe the first year of the FairsCup competition as comparable with open European competition.
Your thoughts?
The latest exciting adventure of Agent of Fergie featuring some special guest stars!
http://agentoffergie.blogspot.com/2011/09/origin-part-2.html
I need more Twitter followers so help a fellow Red out @AgentOfFergie
Go on!
I think Zibbie and smartalex are one in the same. Oh shit I’m Zibbie.
Well I was wrong. One of my 4 confirmed personalities has a name that begins with an S.
Sneer if I was a twit I would follow you.
Love the bolg.
I’m CedarsDevil alter ego.
@smartalex
Good video lol.
Zibbie some day I will reclaim 300
@Zibbie – Thanks man I really appreciate the support even if you can’t follow.
Must go for now!
Perhaps we are all Scott the Red!
‘Get the fuck back down Souf!’
I’m just so chuffed that is was us and not Liverpool or Arsenal who signed this boy. He is an outstanding player, not just a defender. He’s as strong as an ox, he is quick, he is very good on the ball, very good tackler and plays the game like he was a experienced defender.
Seriously think by the end of the season he’ll be our first choice CB to partner Vidic.
Sneer another great read!! Nob biting. Not allowed.
Bolton captain Kevin Davies explains the call he made to Tom Cleverley was the “respectful thing to do for a fellow professional” after his challenge injured the Manchester United midfielder. Includes 1 minute video:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14890648.stm
Bloody hell, most United “fans” that call talksport make a complete ares of themselves. Surely someones can give those 2 muppets the time of day. This guy called in drawled his way though to “i want to talk about this city barcelona thing”gave a shit account of himself and the club with his first point. turned the dam thing off when i could feel durham scoffing at him
This from the pre-Bayer Leverkusen v Chelsea:
It was the penalty shootout heartache in Moscow that was the most difficult defeat to take, with Ballack today saying: “It will haunt all of us for ever.”
Fucking YAY!
Welcome home Ryandunny!
fletchTHEMAN – WOW talkshitty really are trying to promote shitty’s greatness aren’t they, just like they done with chelsea liverpool and arsenal
Reseves v Fulham
Amos, MKeane, McGinty, James, Brown, Fryers(captain), Pogba, Petrucci, Diouf, Macheda, Cole
ComeOnUnited
Fletch – 53% United now!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14886771.stm
Ladyboy in trouble.
FITB Its actually quite hysterical from TalkSh*te. But it is everywhere. I was watching a sky news feed of the Chittay lowlights and the announcer (don’t know who) actually referred to the Bitters as “Champions Elect”. “Champions Elect” is it, in bleedin September. Jaysus wept………..again!!!!!!
meekly asking if anyone has a link to the res game. line up looks pretty good. McGinty i think is in the European squad, so is Diouf and keane i think. pretty please anyone?
I knew Ashely Young would be a good signing for us but I didn’t really no that much about Jones. I’ve been amazed by him, all the natural ability in the world and still so young. What an absolute cracking signing.
Gary Nev on Sky at the moment. What a class act as a commentator!
improved fuck me the lad has been immense so far long may it continue looks a top player
slim – Spot on pal. Those fucking clown United fans that call Talkshit are wind up merchants I reckon. They always paint us in a bad light. And just what the fuck is this City are the new Barca bollocks? Its fucking laughable. Wait till they have to play someone half decent.
fitb – Hello mate. How are you? Yeah why do talkshite insist on City being Barca? They are fuck all like them.
Where the fuck is Ravel Morrison again. Aint seen him play for reserves for a while.
RedNev will talk about Rooney and scoring after the break! Great show so far. After this, the reserves.
King Eric and FletchTHEMAN – . I think they are the one’s on the redcafe, you look at some of the fans and half of them phoning on there, and when has there been a decent united fan ringing in on both dippers BBC and shittytalk. I guarantee if shitty beat bolton 5 0 everyone would be wanking over shitty. I think losing tom is a huge blow, but the side can get by. The only side playing like barca is united, strange united’s coverage on MOTD and hardly any applaudits for united, all they said was the manchester clubs are blowing sides away. I wonder if shitty won 8 2 OMG can you imagine the coverage they would get
If united won 12 – 0, and shitty won 3 0 who would get the better coverage hmmm
King Eric W@ 16:16: “Aint seen much of this Ross Barclay but to say he is the new Robbo is a fucking pisstake. He has played two games or summat.”
Well, look at it another way – he’s 16 (?) and already in Everton’s first-team squad. That ain’t half-bad. But, of course, you’re right that it’s a rather HUGE step to being a squaddie at a mediocre EPL club to being “world class” and a UTDlegend. On the other hand, he might just be like Jack Rodwell – looking good as a kid but not much improvement.
We don’t need to shout from the rooftops. Our record is there, for all to see. Let the media bleat on about City. We’ll just do our job, with poise and class, as usual.
good point king eric rgds ravel all very quiet that boys a worry to me mate seem to have improved behaviour wise of late
hope he comes good surely he can see the fuckin opportunity he has especially with the age of the sides and lads like danny & tom featuring and not to mention Pogba looking like he will be next in line
step it up Ravel
listened to the caller again, wasn’t so bad i have to admit. must have jumped the gun a bit. The nouveau riche is the new media darling. And that just the way it is. Not one to compare to deeply teams especially when they’re in different countries, but if anythings its United who are the barcelona-esque side while Shitty are the Madrids.
Our emphais on attacking play, young players has shone brightly for years and years. This stuff can’t be bought. Gon shitty go win that title you’ll just be on the same long ass queue chelsea are on
well thank you Cyril…… fame at last ….bit his fucking nob off….
KingEric @ 19:11: “Where the fuck is Ravel Morrison again”
It’s part of SAF’s school of hard knocks. The kid is getting tough love in order to improve his self-discipline and respect for what the shirt represents. Besides, good as he is, he’s not yet good enough to displace TheWayneBoy, Nani, Ashley Young, or Chicharito so time spent in “purgatory” can only do him a world of good.
Hello King Eric..
how are you mate..
we had some wankers comparing us to Munich chanters..
its a sick world we live in…innit?
Shitty Aint on Barca first gear let alone level, when Barca kick off and feeling the ball by doing simple back passes, that shit is more intricate than City has ever produced.
We are not even on Barca’s level, we’ll get there or they’ll drop down to ours and when either happens we will take them out.
Great teams come in cycle, we’ve had our cycles, so have milan, Barca, ajax & Muncih.
————————————————————————————————
Teamsheet for Benjamin-fica;
De Gea
Jones Smalling Rio Fabio
Park Carrick Fletch Giggs
Young ……
Berba/ Chicha
Bench;Lindegaard, Evra, Ando, Rooney, Valencia Nani, Chicha/ Berba
“This guy called in drawled his way though to “i want to talk about this city barcelona thing”gave a shit account of himself ”
Jeez, the only sane response would have been to do a Van Gogh but go all the way and cut off both your ears. Not phone up and make a (however small) contribution to that. City are the new Chelsea and Chelsea are a piss-poor imitation of a proper football club.
I guess they’re sick of calling Arsenal the new Barcelona so have moved to City. Both clubs are a piss poor imitation of a proper club like Barca. But remember it’s because Arsenal and especially City don’t have their own identity, a compliment to them is a comparison to a proper club. United are incomparible.
TonyBee in da house, cover you nob!
So some footballers are going to be outed for partaking in some coca? Cocaine (Eric Clapton cue), devils dandruff? A TV show that is on tonight?
Diouf!!!!!!! 1-0 Reservs v Fulham!
Reactions To United Victory Over Bolton are up!
King Eric
mind bogglng. If you the question is is it possible? my answer may surprise you. The noise made however is a bit of a joke. there’s nothing there we haven’t seen before, anyone remember how ruthless and near perfect chelsea looked when the special tit took over? Or how fucking silky smooth were Arsenal when they had Viera,Henry and Co. I haven’t even mentioned United in there. No fucking point, the football we’ve played over the years and the way we’ve progressed and will always look to continue that progression is unrivaled. The media these days tend to sensationalism attitude. They want one of their own to be the talk of town and with all the money pumped in there, its only to be expected
Said it yesterday when i was talking about Ando and i quoted Scholes, its better the forced,stone in throat praise or outright criticisms than unnecessary high praise. Hell it keeps proving a point for SAF and thats all he’ll need to keep the boys doing the impossible. People just don’t understand United anymore and must be sick of it- hell i’d be. Felt the same way when chelsea and Le’arse were doing it. Difference is there’s a ton, a fucking ton more to come. SAF said football’s all about cycles, he’s done all right by me in the “period”. I say down because i think he and the players just wanted to get the last league title out the way. If feels like we’re gunning for the trophy not defending it. We could be on the Up here, youth players coming through, revelations left right and center it looks like even SAF is overwhelmed by whats going on. A couple of players could move on again next year and he’ll no doubt be looking at that all ready. Berba and owen are prime examples, love those 2 fella – Owen maybe not so much
but we’ve seen it may times at OT to know its coming. More controversial could be one of Carrick or Gibson. Its just going to happen. Youth players SAF is keen to bring in are waiting in the wings and he’ll want to challenge them.
Yikes what were we talking about again
Hey people I don’t have a dog in this fight, but people don’t seem willing to let the matter drop………
If you read what Orez said, he said that some of the comments he heard were as bad as some of the Munich chanters that he heard at OTHER clubs.
I don’t want to get into an argument over who is the nastiest but I don’t believe that all liverpool fans are bin-dippers. I also don’t believe that there is not ONE SINGLE nasty cunt out of the 75,000 at Old Trafford.
You want nastiness – look at the “raping of Ashley Cole” comment earlier in this thread. I know it’s just an expression, but I guess so are racist comments, and we don’t like those either.
Let’s try to stick to football topics. Pretty please, with sugar on it?
Kudos to Stan Collymore – Proper fighting United’s corner last night. Makes a change.
that is the difference betwen united and others.
Its nice to see u at United. Just as the club as you keep improving at the Club, I hope the club will as well be winning trophies with your presence. It was nice one you displayed on Saturday at the Reebok. Keep it up guy
@wayne, 16:46 … think you misread Carrick’s wikipedia stats, mate. The figure of 474 matches is his career total. His United total is on the line above: 233 matches (all comps), or 231 to the end of last season, an average of 38.5 a year. United don’t even play 79 matches a year, even if you include friendlies.