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LIVE BLOG: United 2-2 Benfica

November 22, 2011 657 Comments






Author: Scott   Filed Under Europe, Live blog, Match Day
 

657 Comments

  1. November 22, 2011 at 19:19
    RED KNIGHTES says:

    Come on lads lets seal it.

  2. November 22, 2011 at 19:22
    portugueseprincess says:

    Come on Reds!!! ;) May the best team win….I’m off to bed now hahahahhaha

  3. November 22, 2011 at 19:27
    3Generations says:

    Cant be doing with negative nancies before the kickoff (see last thread)
    fuck off and support citeh you glory hunting wannabes
    get stuck in lads this match is HUGE!
    night portuguese princess (torn emotions tonight?)
    COME ON YOU REDS!!!

  4. November 22, 2011 at 19:27
    CedarsDevil says:

    Wank fest for Berba lovers, me included! Come on UNITED

  5. November 22, 2011 at 19:29
    CedarsDevil says:

    portugueseprincess – Sweet dreams darling

    3Generations – Well said

  6. November 22, 2011 at 19:33
    portugueseprincess says:

    @3generations, yes. I will be hiding under the duvet covers lol. My other half is going to watch it with his Benfica top and Man United scarf on :)

  7. November 22, 2011 at 19:33
    3Generations says:

    cant wait to see Berbs play tonight…
    Big fan of the man and his skills, been waiting for him to really turn it on in a BIG European match…
    COME ON!!!

  8. November 22, 2011 at 19:34
    3Generations says:

    lolz @princess

  9. November 22, 2011 at 19:35
    portugueseprincess says:

    I am so happy for Berba :) hopefully he will score a goal or two tonight. I miss my berbagasms ;)

  10. November 22, 2011 at 19:36
    CedarsDevil says:

    Get stuck in you fucking REDS

    Win lose or draw I love UNITED

  11. November 22, 2011 at 19:36
    MG says:

    Only one real red team

    All the others are fake

    :lol:

  12. November 22, 2011 at 19:38
    booandman says:

    Come on super Nani 1st goal scorer 11/2 get on

  13. November 22, 2011 at 19:38
    redrider says:

    :D an over dosage of berbagasm is long over due.

  14. November 22, 2011 at 19:39
    portugueseprincess says:

    I just wish Benfica had won their last game then today wouldn’t be so nerve wracking :(

  15. November 22, 2011 at 19:40
    Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh says:

    Hope we play 4-2-3-1…. Nani will in all likelihood flop tonight as he usually does when he is played on the left.. A change from our usual 4-4-2 might do him some good… Alternately we could try playing Valencia on the left as an inverted winger. He won’t be able to put any crosses while running at pace during a counter-attack but Berba is unlikely to make it into the box to reach the end of any such cross in the first place.. Young has had success in the Left wing position despite being right footed, who’s to say Valencia won’t? We won’t know unless we give it a try though…

  16. November 22, 2011 at 19:41
    JC says:

    What’s the over/under on missed open goals by Berba on BetFred? LoL just kidding guys.

    Interesting lineup, hope we get after it and don’t just strand Dimmy up top picking his nose.

  17. November 22, 2011 at 19:44
    CedarsDevil says:

    As ever I will neither post or read the blog during a match….. catch you guys later

    Come ON UNITED

  18. November 22, 2011 at 19:44
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    CMON UNITED, ITS GONNA BE A TOUGHIE :D
    ———————-
    ON MY HTC SORRY LADS

  19. November 22, 2011 at 19:45
    Colbert says:

    Could get interesting this. 4-3 to United.

  20. November 22, 2011 at 19:45
    Blogger says:

    C’mon Red Devils, make this whatchamacallit shit))))))))

  21. November 22, 2011 at 19:45
    Red Neville says:

    Another sneaked 1-0?

    A goal from a set piece, a deflected shot, an own goal – lets not get carried away though.

  22. November 22, 2011 at 19:45
    Moloantov says:

    Get in Red Devils!! Hear people around me speculating a “comfortable” game, since both teams have one foot inside the round of 16 with a draw. Who the hell do they think is playing?? It is none other than Manchester United. If we had the low class and ambition to aim for comfortable games, we wouldn’t be the one and only team worth supporting in the world!! Love you Reds!! Let’s do this!!

  23. November 22, 2011 at 19:47
    Redslevin says:

    Why is Evra captain when Rio is fit?
    Anyway how old is Luisao(sp?) ?

  24. November 22, 2011 at 19:49
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    GREAT START, GET IN JONES WHAT A STRIKE :P

  25. November 22, 2011 at 19:49
    thedonmassawe says:

    Good day REDS!

  26. November 22, 2011 at 19:51
    MG says:

    Wrong side son

    Bloody hell chin up Reds let’s get a move on!

  27. November 22, 2011 at 19:54
    utd_fc says:

    Wrong side indeed. Must win this one boys!! Let’s go United!!!!

  28. November 22, 2011 at 19:54
    keano99 says:

    Fucking joke

  29. November 22, 2011 at 19:56
    LoneStarRed says:

    Well if this doesn’t light a fire under us I don’t know what will.

  30. November 22, 2011 at 19:56
    portugueseprincess says:

    @Redslevin, Luisao is 30years old.

  31. November 22, 2011 at 19:57
    Anand says:

    Ouch! C’mon you Reds! Kick their balls in! United For Life.

  32. November 22, 2011 at 19:57
    TonyBee says:

    anyone got any links …all mine are fucked

  33. November 22, 2011 at 19:59
    LoneStarRed says:

    Steel must be first be tempered and this team is well and truly in the midst of that process.

    COME ON YOU REDS !!!!

  34. November 22, 2011 at 20:06
    thedonmassawe says:

    I call for a Super Nani day!

  35. November 22, 2011 at 20:09
    Fred says:

    Basel 2-0 up against Otelulz. As things stand, we’re joining City in the Europa League.

  36. November 22, 2011 at 20:09
    thedonmassawe says:

    http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=130909&part=sports

  37. November 22, 2011 at 20:09
    TonyBee says:

    fuck you lot…found one that works…… cunts…. :lol:

  38. November 22, 2011 at 20:10
    16Legend says:

    Any one else wants to punch that lil cunt nico Gaitan in the face

  39. November 22, 2011 at 20:14
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    SOMEONE CALL SAF, I JUST FOUND YOUNG & BERBATOV AT THE BAR I’M AT !
    GET ON THE PITCH & KICK BALL !!!

  40. November 22, 2011 at 20:15
    portugueseprincess says:

    berbagaaaaaaaaasmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

  41. November 22, 2011 at 20:15
    TonyBee says:

    i just came in my pants…..whata goal

  42. November 22, 2011 at 20:15
    Fred says:

    BERRRRBAAAATOVVVVVVVV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  43. November 22, 2011 at 20:15
    keano99 says:

    Europa league here we come ha ha

  44. November 22, 2011 at 20:15
    JC says:

    I never doubted him…

  45. November 22, 2011 at 20:16
    ryan7 says:

    Berba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  46. November 22, 2011 at 20:16
    Fred says:

    Portuguese Princess :lol:

  47. November 22, 2011 at 20:17
    william says:

    BERBAGASM

  48. November 22, 2011 at 20:18
    Dandivine7 says:

    Berba time!

  49. November 22, 2011 at 20:18
    Fred says:

    23rd time lucky, as the saying goes.

  50. November 22, 2011 at 20:21
    soren says:

    Berba :)

  51. November 22, 2011 at 20:23
    Anand says:

    Class always shows. And btw, young is the biggest pile of shit today…. C’mon you reds!

  52. November 22, 2011 at 20:24
    TonyBee says:

    Benfica players seem to dropping like flies anytime a Utd player comes near them….are they a team of fucking pansies or what…..

  53. November 22, 2011 at 20:25
    TonyBee says:

    fucking hell that Berba has so much class…..sell him? …you must be fucking joking….

  54. November 22, 2011 at 20:25
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    IM HAPPY NOW CMON 2-1 LADS

  55. November 22, 2011 at 20:26
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    I MEANT MAKE IT 2-1 …..

  56. November 22, 2011 at 20:29
    TonyBee says:

    Nani …you cunt

  57. November 22, 2011 at 20:30
    TonyBee says:

    and that blonde steward next to SAF IS right babe.,,,,,,,

  58. November 22, 2011 at 20:32
    Costas says:

    Berba must have watched Jim Carrey’s 23 recently. ;)

    Sell the flop.

  59. November 22, 2011 at 20:34
    Fred says:

    Wow, the Sky TV commentator Alan Parry never fails to amaze me with his stupidity. He just patronised Sir Alex by asking Steve McClaren if Fergie addresses tactical issues with the players at half time or just rants and raves. :roll: What a thing to say about one of the greatest football managers of all time.

  60. November 22, 2011 at 20:34
    curtis says:

    I know we not in the lead(yet) but am I the only one that thinks this is the best football we’ve played since that black day.. I’m actually enjoying it:) and fuck me but carrick is having a game, dictating the play well. I think all the lads are having a decent game we could spread it wide quicker though.
    How was youngs ball over the top to berbs? Awesom pass pitty it never got the finishing touch it deserved.. But good 1st half we should win this look the better side and benfica will tire.
    3-1 or 3-2 if we sloppy..
    Come on united!!!
    Hope I didn’t jinx it

  61. November 22, 2011 at 20:34
    Redslevin says:

    @portugueseprincess fuck me he looks 40 ,kinda reminds me of Emerson

  62. November 22, 2011 at 20:35
    Costas says:

    His pass that set up Young wasn’t too bad either.

    Anyway, very encouraging end to the half after the disastrous first 20-25 minutes. Imo the last 15 minutes was the best defence-attack balance we’ve had in the last few weeks.

    Jones was quite unlucky with the ball getting a deflection of Evra. But he’s responded well.

  63. November 22, 2011 at 20:35
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    i don’t get why some get their skirt in a twist when people question berbatov’s future at united, it’s up for debate and that’s what football is about, DEBATING.

  64. November 22, 2011 at 20:35
    youCANTbuyTHISfeeling says:

    @ TonyBee – good thing you got the link to work in time eh :) as long as you don’t miss the good bits…
    Come on boys, wrap this up. As soon as Carrick got going we did as well, why is he so frustratingly good.

  65. November 22, 2011 at 20:35
    Fred says:

    Costas – the haters can say whatever they want about Berba. One thing you can’t deny is that he is a striker who GUARANTEES you a goal every 24 games. 8)

  66. November 22, 2011 at 20:36
    TonyBee says:

    fuck selling Berba Costas ……just give him to Portuguese Princess

  67. November 22, 2011 at 20:36
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    Had a major Berbagasm tonight. Costas tweeted that it should be 23rd time lucky. Looks like it was. Usually Costas’ luck goes the other way, doesn’t it? :lol:

    Agree with TonyBee. Nani has been his typically frustrating self today. He had those two brilliant runs where he left the Benfica players behind but the final product is still missing. He has given away the ball frustratingly when the final pass should’ve been perfect. He still has got loads of quality, but boy does he make it difficult for fans to like him.

    To be fair to Young, the Benfica players have been like a pack of dogs tonight. He has been closed down by 2 or 3 players each time the ball has gone to him. Still had that one brilliant ball to Berba though which surprisingly the man mis-controlled.

    We’re having the same problem again. When our wingers are ineffective, we have little else going for us. Valencia has been largely anonymous and it seems the wingers have been asked to support less. Although this could have a lot to do with Benfica playing like terriers which they shouldn’t be able to keep up for 90 minutes.

    Agree that Benfica players are doing their best imitation of Barcelona. Fuckers are dropping dead at every touch.

  68. November 22, 2011 at 20:36
    Costas says:

    @Fred

    QUite frankly, McClaren shocked me even more with his constant references to the “Europeans” and how they know how to win fouls. Borderline racist there. I guess Stevie G is European too then?

  69. November 22, 2011 at 20:38
    TonyBee says:

    samuel – united WE stand…or in Shitty’s case mass – debating. :lol:

  70. November 22, 2011 at 20:41
    Costas says:

    @TonyBee

    Hi pal. I am not selling him to anyone. He’s mine. :P

    @Balaji

    Well I’ve been saying Berba should score in each of his last 22 Ch.League games, so I was bound to get it right once. :lol:

    As for our play, maybe it would work better with Nani on the right and Young on the left. Or maybe Nani in the middle. Young has combined well with Berba once or twice, but he also looked out of place at times.

  71. November 22, 2011 at 20:41
    TonyBee says:

    quick half time gag…..

    For the whole 5 years I’ve been with my girlfriend, I’ve been begging her to try anal.

    Until one day recently she gave in and said “Right! We can either do anal and spend the rainy day fund on those curtains I want, or, we don’t do anal and we buy the 3D TV you want. Which is it to be?”

    At this point I remembered something my Dad told me once. He said “Son, if you just can’t decide, listen to your heart”

    Taking his advice, I found my stethoscope and held it to my chest.

    My heart’s answer was a resounding ” BumBum BumBum BumBum BumBum… “

  72. November 22, 2011 at 20:43
    Costas says:

    @Fred

    1 out of 24 isn’t bad. When you compare him to Andy Carroll anyway. :lol:

  73. November 22, 2011 at 20:43
    TonyBee says:

    NOW COME ON YOU FUCKING REDS

  74. November 22, 2011 at 20:43
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    WE ARE A ONE MAN TEAM !
    CARRICK CONTROLS OUR FORM :lol:

  75. November 22, 2011 at 20:43
    NBI Red Onion says:

    Fletch and Carick are a bit like Lampard and Gerard playing together, it’s not quite working for us in MF. Carrick is definately a starter on this form, would like to see Hernandez on I think his movement could cause some problems with Valencia and Nani whipping in crosses and Carrick having time on the ball.. Berba scoring is good, hopefully we can kick on, great cross from Nani.

    Jones seems nervous, not great to start with an OG but the lad is young and will make a few mistakes. He has played a lot of games.

    We are too easy to penetrate the game is end to end reminds me of Chelsea game.

  76. November 22, 2011 at 20:44
    redrider says:

    hahaha… funny posts all round… :D We need to sell the Berb in Jan. Guy gives me a big heart ache. :P

    Benfica there for the taking. And those idiots ought to stop diving all over the ground. That club does not deserve that from their players.

  77. November 22, 2011 at 20:44
    TonyBee says:

    If Andy Carroll is worth 35 mill…..how much for Berba Costas ?

  78. November 22, 2011 at 20:45
    portugueseprincess says:

    Regarding the shameless diving and all around play acting; this is the reason I get so frustrated watching the Portuguese and Spanish leagues. I get so pissed off because the players spend more time rolling on the pitch than actually playing football. Its even worse when they get a referree that is ‘wistle happy’.

    And it is only getting worse…unfortunately :(

  79. November 22, 2011 at 20:45
    utd_fc says:

    @TonyBee

    Hahahahhaha toooo good.

    it’s always sex>toys

  80. November 22, 2011 at 20:48
    Costas says:

    @TonyBee

    I guess the real question is if Torres is worth 50 mil how much is Berb worth. ;) :lol:

    Come on you reds!

  81. November 22, 2011 at 20:48
    James21 says:

    Nani’s on fire. Come on Reds.

  82. November 22, 2011 at 20:49
    NBI Red Onion says:

    On McClaren’s take on the lacking skill of the United midfield. Is it that they can’t do that? Or that they can do it well enough to be successful only at a lower level of play? I hope the latter.” I suppose he means the latter, though neither are box-to-box midfielders in any meaningful sense. Fletcher harries and scarries and is underrated but better as a short-passer. Carrick doesn’t have the engine or the lack of discipline to burst forward, or a trick to get past a central midfielder on the run.

  83. November 22, 2011 at 20:51
    LoneStarRed says:

    OK who kidnapped Carrick and replaced him with an alien?

  84. November 22, 2011 at 20:51
    TonyBee says:

    Mikey Carrick…having a storming game….

  85. November 22, 2011 at 20:56
    Tomo1982 says:

    Why not give Young a go from free kicks. Both Nani & Giggs have awful conversion rate yet always take them

  86. November 22, 2011 at 20:56
    thedonmassawe says:

    smashing game

  87. November 22, 2011 at 20:56
    NBI Red Onion says:

    Fletcher is providing very little in MF, he is not a box to box player and defensively he is just not doing it, too slow, not reading game well enough. His good form of a few years ago is not showing itself, tempted to say would like to see Gibson given a chance. In a less good team Fletch’s present flaws would really show up they are being papered over here by the good players around him. I like the guy but he is not doin it in MF.

  88. November 22, 2011 at 20:58
    dogonya says:

    Chicharito instead if young and we could lead 4-1 by now the boy is made for these minutes

  89. November 22, 2011 at 21:00
    keano99 says:

    Well done lads great response

  90. November 22, 2011 at 21:01
    Fred says:

    YYYYEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    What a ball from Evra!! :)

  91. November 22, 2011 at 21:01
    thedonmassawe says:

    Fletcher (to NBI Red Onion): Fuck Off!

  92. November 22, 2011 at 21:01
    aimanunited says:

    now this is what i’m talking about, feels like manchester united again in the 2nd half…

  93. November 22, 2011 at 21:02
    aimanunited says:

    WTF our defenders do???

  94. November 22, 2011 at 21:02
    Fred says:

    8O

  95. November 22, 2011 at 21:02
    utd_fc says:

    FLETCHERRRRRRRRR!!!

    Nani reminding me a little of a young Cristiano today. Cristiani?

  96. November 22, 2011 at 21:02
    keano99 says:

    I fucking give up what are we doing

  97. November 22, 2011 at 21:03
    Fred says:

    WTF was Jones doing? I’d say he was in the RB position but he was practically in the stands… WTF? :?

  98. November 22, 2011 at 21:04
    planetx6 says:

    any good links people?

  99. November 22, 2011 at 21:04
    aimanunited says:

    we worked very hard to get one goal but give away a very easy shit one…
    wake the fuck up lads…

  100. November 22, 2011 at 21:06
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    WTF RELIVING THE BASIL GAME

  101. November 22, 2011 at 21:07
    NBI Red Onion says:

    I think Jones is too used to playing at right back, his positioning is all over the place and he is not really focusing on where the rest of the back four are. Good goal by Fletch but we are leaking attacks through the middle which is disappointing after our clean sheets, need Rio and Vida in defence for games like this, love Jones but he is not at this level yet.

  102. November 22, 2011 at 21:08
    Fred says:

    Basil game = the game when most of our team played like Basil Fawlty.

  103. November 22, 2011 at 21:08
    NBI Red Onion says:

    Come on Jones, at fault for 2 goals, please focus lad.

  104. November 22, 2011 at 21:11
    NBI Red Onion says:

    We are making Benfica look good.

  105. November 22, 2011 at 21:11
    Fred says:

    NBI – watch it, that’s Duncan Edwards/Franco Baresi II you’re talking about. :roll:

  106. November 22, 2011 at 21:12
    Hans says:

    Our midfield is fucking shite!!!

  107. November 22, 2011 at 21:13
    aimanunited says:

    Jones makes some bad mistakes tonight, he needs to stay in his position and not getting involved too much with the attack.
    Nani plays through the middle looks really dangerous to me, he can dribble anybody easily…

  108. November 22, 2011 at 21:13
    TonyBee says:

    Fletcher is losing steam… Carrick needs some help in midfield

  109. November 22, 2011 at 21:17
    keano99 says:

    We have lost momentum that second goal killed us were playing for second place next game. Something need to be done

  110. November 22, 2011 at 21:17
    Fred says:

    Madrid 6-0 up against Dinamo Zagreb tonight. They have a strong chance of winning number 10 this year.

  111. November 22, 2011 at 21:19
    TonyBee says:

    bye bye Berba

  112. November 22, 2011 at 21:19
    Fred says:

    LOL who was it who asked for odds of Berbatov blazing a good chance over? :oops:

  113. November 22, 2011 at 21:19
    aimanunited says:

    almost berbagasm…

  114. November 22, 2011 at 21:20
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    BYE BYE BERBA….ONE STEP FOWARD & NOW DROPPED FOR CHICO

  115. November 22, 2011 at 21:21
    Fred says:

    Soren’s dream team up front now.

  116. November 22, 2011 at 21:21
    Fred says:

    Don’t worry guys, I have a feeling we’ll score again.

  117. November 22, 2011 at 21:22
    Fred says:

    Young always looking for the opportunity to go down. #stayonyourfeet

  118. November 22, 2011 at 21:24
    Fred says:

    1 goal conceded all season with Vidic on the pitch. Vidic suspended tonight and we concede 2 goals…

  119. November 22, 2011 at 21:25
    Anand says:

    What the fuck is young doing? Send him back to the reserves. Asshole!

  120. November 22, 2011 at 21:26
    Fred says:

    Otelulz fighting back, now 2-3 down against Basil. One more goal and they send both us and Benfica through. :)

  121. November 22, 2011 at 21:29
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    FUCKING HELL WE’RE 2ND IN THE TABLE

  122. November 22, 2011 at 21:30
    Fred says:

    8O Oh dear God that was close…

  123. November 22, 2011 at 21:31
    Fred says:

    Papii – looking forward to our Last 16 game against Barca, Madrid or Bayern? :lol:

  124. November 22, 2011 at 21:31
    Fred says:

    Smalling :lol:

  125. November 22, 2011 at 21:32
    soren says:

    Fred Nop, the first is Chicha-Rooney

  126. November 22, 2011 at 21:32
    Fred says:

    Zagreb pull one back at the Bernabeu. Could get interesting…

  127. November 22, 2011 at 21:34
    Jermezo says:

    I don’t know what to say… so fucking slobby goals again, how in the hell

  128. November 22, 2011 at 21:35
    Fred says:

    Fucking hell we’re mediocre these days. We couldn’t have asked for an easier group and we’re making very hard work of it.

  129. November 22, 2011 at 21:35
    Toms says:

    Not disappointing. It’s… dunno this result. Jones lost his confidence at the end. Midfield was looking very lacking at the end as well. Once again creative CM becomes an issue.

    Berba looked good. Nani As well. Young alright. Evra did a big job being our creative force forward on occasion.

  130. November 22, 2011 at 21:36
    aimanunited says:

    we’re always making things difficult for ourselves…
    how is it sir alex? any chance buying a good CM now?

  131. November 22, 2011 at 21:36
    Red Neville says:

    Benfica are decent, but they would not seriously trouble the team that wins this tournament this season.

  132. November 22, 2011 at 21:37
    Hans says:

    With this midfield and schoolboy errors at the back, we are going to win fuck all!!!!

  133. November 22, 2011 at 21:37
    TheCANTONA says:

    FUCK! Amateur defending cost us 2 points today. Urggh… FUCK!!

  134. November 22, 2011 at 21:37
    Fred says:

    City are out, barring a miracle. Good luck beating Bayern and hoping Napoli can’t beat those fucking chumps Villarreal at home. :lol:

  135. November 22, 2011 at 21:38
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    JONES DESERVES A SLAP, BUYS AN ASTON MARTIN AND REPAYS US WITH THAT !
    ONLY JOKING,BUT PISSED OFF…..BERBA DID A FANTASTIC JOB THEN RETIRED MIDWAY.

    OH WELL….NO VIDA ….NO DEFENCE…..BASIL NEED A BATTERING FOR US TO GO TOP.

    IM OFF,HTC IS THE BEST PHONE FOR NET BUT STILL ANNOYING TO USE FOR ROM.

    YOU’LL NOTICE IM ON THE LAPTOP WHEN YOU SEE LOWER-CASE ;)

  136. November 22, 2011 at 21:39
    keano99 says:

    Fucking joke what bullshite will we get from fergie after this crap this is not good enough for Manchester united even if we do beat basil we could get barca or Madrid and we wouldn’t even beat their reserves.

  137. November 22, 2011 at 21:40
    soren says:

    Oops City :P

  138. November 22, 2011 at 21:40
    rat1p says:

    no i absolutely agree jones needs a HUGE slap

  139. November 22, 2011 at 21:40
    planetx6 says:

    disappointing stuff in the midfield yet again. step up the young guns and/or a reinforcement in Jan if we want to win the CL. Clev and Ando are good but need a couple of good backups too

  140. November 22, 2011 at 21:40
    NIgerianRed says:

    Some of the lads i wasn’t expecting much from did well tonight, Carrick in particular. Was disappointed with the school boy errors from Jones and Fabio, they need to grow up quickly. Berbatov scored a good goal but his conversion rate is not impressive, he actually disappeared late on in the game.
    What happened to Young tonight, were the Benfica players being too tight on him or he was just not up for it tonight?
    Now we have to play our last game hoping we can win and also score more goals than Benfica who are playing the whipping boys in the group else its a 2nd place finish which seems like bad news right now or even Europa.

    Now i’m really scarred

  141. November 22, 2011 at 21:40
    RedFury says:

    are we not playing like United or are the other teams getting better than they were? Tragedy for Jones, but he’ll improve. We weren’t playing against an European club though, with most of the players born in South America. -.-

  142. November 22, 2011 at 21:40
    Fred says:

    LOL Papii. See you later, pal.

  143. November 22, 2011 at 21:40
    TheCANTONA says:

    I think midfield & striker gave better performance today, Evra was immense too. But really dissapointing perfomance from Ferdinand & Jones, both cost us 2 points today.

  144. November 22, 2011 at 21:41
    utd_fc says:

    We missed Vidic sorely.

  145. November 22, 2011 at 21:42
    Costas says:

    It wasn’t a bad performance going forward and the defending all around (stress the words all around) was good. But once again, 2 mistakes at the heart of defence have cost us.

    Now we won’t win this group and lets be honest. We didn’t deserve it. We’ve approached this group on autopilot. At least the team looked dominating at times today. That’s encouraging for the games to come.

    Vidic back for Basel will be a very welcome change. But we will miss Carrick.

  146. November 22, 2011 at 21:42
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    Overall, much better performance than recent weeks. We created a shitload more chances and should’ve put the game to bed. I thought some of our general play was really good inspite of everyone underperforming. Fucking mistake in defense cost us again. We do look shaky in defense whenever Vidic doesn’t play. Rio just doesn’t take command of the youngsters in the same way Vida does. He more often than not just gives them a blasting and moans like the 2nd goal today but does little to organize what is a relatively young team. Vidic does that and takes command of the penalty which is why he is sorely missed.

    Carrick was MOTM again. The one thing that surprised me though is why didn’t Sir Alex try switching Nani and Young. The latter was clearly having a rough day in the center in his comeback game. Nani wasn’t setting the world alight from the left and created some problems the few times he came in. That really, really surprised me. Young overall was well below-par but this was his comeback game, so I am willing to cut him some slack. Fletch was his usual hustle-bustle self but really needs to find his feet as far his overall game is concerned.

    Yes, Berba missed that sitter in what could’ve potentially been the match-winner, but I thought some of his overall play was still good though he never likes that isolated role. Berba-haters are going to focus on his miss for obvious reasons which wouldn’t surprise me. What frustrates me is how little is spoken about every other players’ miss. Oh well, it is what it is.

    We need to not lose against Basel to guarantee qualification and win to have a shot at top spot. Not that we deserve it after our performances in the Group stages so far. Proves that what was the easiest group on paper is not so much on the football pitch, largely of our own doing of course.

  147. November 22, 2011 at 21:42
    Moses says:

    Just wanna ask you United fans here if there is anyone among you that like me believe that for United to stand a chance of retaining the league title we need to get knocked out of the champions league?

    Should City not go through or get knocked out in the last 16 in spring then I cannot see them failing in getting that league title. It must be a huge advantage in the league to not have to play in Europe.

    Carrick was great tonight but lost a bit of his magic towards the end and the defence is a shambles and Rio is not up to it as he has proved whenever Vidic is not beside him cause Rio cannot guide another central defender in the way Vidic can.

    Nani breaking up the flow as usual and he just frustrates the living hell out of me game after game. All we need now is Rooney out for a couple of weeks and we will really struggle because whenever the club says nothing about a players health then we know that means bad news.

  148. November 22, 2011 at 21:43
    Costas says:

    Where was Evans anyway? He’s more experienced in Ch.League games than Jones and maybe he should have got the nod tonight.

  149. November 22, 2011 at 21:43
    Troy says:

    Another sloppy performance, which is the norm for us nowadays.
    Midfield rubbish again, which has been the norm for years.
    Damn it, Sir Alex Ferguson needs to face up to the fact that this Wenger like refusal to fix our midfield is now really starting to bite.

  150. November 22, 2011 at 21:45
    Fibes says:

    Thought Fletcher and Carrick were great tonight, both playing themselves right into form. Great to see Berba back in and having a good go, Fabio was excellent first half too. But for Berba, Fabio and Young wasting chances (and Young being caught offside far too easily) we could have won that one at a canter. The result had nothing to do with needing a creative midfielder – Benfica had dug their trench in front of the back four, there was largely no joy to be had in those areas tonight. The best passes came from wide and from deep.

    Far more plusses to take out of that game than minuses.

  151. November 22, 2011 at 21:46
    dannysoya says:

    CHRIST. Now we must win the game in Basel to qualify. Why oh fucking why do we have make things all hard for ourselves? FUCKS SAKE!!!! Honestly brothers. I am genuinely pissed tonight.

  152. November 22, 2011 at 21:46
    The truth says:

    The most annoying thing about this result wasnt even the performance of the team which I personally don’t think was even bad. The lack of drive at the end was just pathetic. This is UNITED, the team that always scores. I was waiting for that kick in the arse, and the usual panic towards the end which usually results in a goal. Didn’t happen, not even towards the end.

    Fletcher and Carrick werent particularly bad, but seeing Evra busting a hip attacking forward like that makes me wonder… Wtf? Lost count of the number of times those two have put the responsibility of providing on our wing players. There was this incident when Hernandez, and Berbatov could have both been put through on goal by a simple foward pass, but Fletcher just passed it to Evra/sideways.

  153. November 22, 2011 at 21:46
    REDial says:

    There!! Settles it. We go on the attack, and pronto! Our defence starts fucking up. Good game for berb! All ‘em boys put in a good shift though.
    We are getting there!

  154. November 22, 2011 at 21:46
    TheCANTONA says:

    @red fury:
    We’re not playing like United recently, but We’ll improve (hopefully).
    @moses
    no one will agree with Leeds’ fan.

  155. November 22, 2011 at 21:47
    Passe says:

    Whisper it, but Europa league is an alarmingly realistic possibility now. We play like shit and half our team gets injured in every game. It will be a very pumped up Basel side with nothing to lose in the last round. Well, at least Vidic will be back. Thank fuck for that.

  156. November 22, 2011 at 21:48
    The team that wouldn't die says:

    Vidic.
    You lost us the game.
    Don’t get another red card.
    WE NEED YOU!!

  157. November 22, 2011 at 21:48
    AlphaRS says:

    Benfica players technically better than United. Particularly in midfield.
    Not a fan of Berba but his technique and ball retention can not be matched by anyone at United.
    Not the end of the world. Just need to smash FC Basel to finish top.

  158. November 22, 2011 at 21:48
    wayne says:

    Fred we all know you don’t like Berba snide remarks aren’t needed give them a rest ffs,all the Berba haters looks like Berba will be here for another year time to stop with the Berba shit

  159. November 22, 2011 at 21:48
    MG says:

    Again United show defensive errors which cost us winning the game

    The first was instinctive so that can be excused – the second goal they scored was a joke – get rid of that fucking ball and let it be – but it wasn’t to be.

    At the end we haven’t done ourselves any favours so now we’ll have to beat Basel

    Yep okay – only we’ll have to be on our game big time to beat them

    I couldn’t care less about the city result them lot don’t bother me at all – I’m only bothered about United and very angry at the way they’ve performed defensively – absolutely out of order and they know it.

    I sound like SAF hairdryer all of a sudden!

    :lol:

    But Seriously Basel game isn’t going to be easy at all – United have let in five goals against Basel and Benfica that should never have been – I trust the team to go through also not bothered who we get if we finish second but thats the point – if we finish in the top two at all.

    Much to think about especially after we all thought they’ve got themselves covered defensively – today wasn’t the day to throw that out of the window – all be it having no Vidic.

    19

  160. November 22, 2011 at 21:48
    Costas says:

    It’s really weird, Carrick has produced some top class performances in Europe this season, yet our performances have been pretty mediocre. It’s not just about our midfield issue. Imo we switch things around too much in these games.

    @danny

    A draw is also enough.

  161. November 22, 2011 at 21:50
    DP says:

    We are gonna miss Carrick against Basel

  162. November 22, 2011 at 21:51
    Costas says:

    @AlphaRS

    Hi mate. I think 1st place is gone. Galati have to get a draw at Benfica for that to happen. Can’t see it. We’ll finish 2nd at best. Which isn’t the end of the world mind you. We might not get Real or Barca necessarily.

  163. November 22, 2011 at 21:51
    MG says:

    Also all the doomies and the gloomies saying it was the midfields fault need to get their fucking heads checked

    TWO DEFENSIVE ERRORS COST US

    NOT MIDFIELD

    AM I SHOUTING LOUD ENOUGH?

  164. November 22, 2011 at 21:52
    James21 says:

    We always do it the hard way. SAF said so.
    Not good for my ticker tho.

  165. November 22, 2011 at 21:53
    WillieRedNut says:

    Very good in parts, average in others. Jones looked shaky all night. Scoring an OG does that to you. Even though De gea’s kick wasn’t the best, Jones should be putting that ball out for a throw in. Two slack moments cost us the win. Away to Basel now. that should be interesting. We can’t underestimate them. Vidic back should be crucial. We going through one of those patches atm. Carrick was my motm. Played his best game in a while. Squeaky bum time lads! ;)

  166. November 22, 2011 at 21:53
    Red Neville says:

    I might have misheard him, but did McClaren say five seconds before Benfica got their second equalizer that he couldn’t see them getting back in the game?

  167. November 22, 2011 at 21:54
    3Generations says:

    OK 2 points dropped for switching off twice (damn we miss Vidic)…
    still ok for progressing…
    best news all night Napoli 2 – 1 CIty
    citeh out of europe after them bigging themselves all up about how they are up there with Barca Real and ourselves… and banging on about winning it in their first season in europe,,,, can you believe how deluded those fuckers are…
    Fuck off back to stockport…
    Anyway
    Carrick was fucking IMMENSE tonight. best player on the pitch by a mile… even saw him breaking forward once…
    Unlucky to concede so soon after scoring… SAF will not be happy with those lapses
    Bring on the Geordies….
    Get stuck in lads

  168. November 22, 2011 at 21:54
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    @Costas, Again, not switching Nani and Young really surprised me. IMO, Nani is much better inside where he can take on players at will and Young much better outside where he is the better crosser of the ball. That is one thing I would’ve done around 60 minutes to just see how it went.

    Nice to see many people take in the overall positives. Overall, it wasn’t as bad a performance as the draw suggested. We did play some of the best football we’ve played in weeks after the City game. Given how much they closed us down and played like rabid wolves, I think we played our most improved game in a long time. Berba did bring a touch of class to the proceedings and I think if we persist with him, he can produce some great performances. Not likely to happen though with Rooney, Chicha and Welbz around.

    Vidic coming back against Basel will be a Godsend. That game is not going to be fucking easy but Vida will bring that defensive stability that should allow us the breath easily. We still should have enough to come away with a draw at least and IF – and that is a big fucking IF considering how the lads have “turned up” recently – the lads are up for it, we can get the win as well.

  169. November 22, 2011 at 21:54
    Moses says:

    Really awful crowd and why name the north stand in honour of Fergie when that stand is asleep all game and never makes any noise whatsoever.

    I hope they honour Paddy Crerand before the end of his time and if they do then it should be the K Stand that gets named The Paddy Crerand Stand because that may be the only stand that houses the diehards that sing and actually care.

    I really feel City are out now cause Bayern love knocking english sides out and will go for it and then it is up to Napoli to do the business in Spain.

    I worry how he fact that Basel away is a big game now affects the plans for the league games at Villa and home to Wolves.

  170. November 22, 2011 at 21:54
    aimanunited says:

    we’re really lacking something special today, in the last five games, the fixtures are swansea, sunderland, galati, everton and aldershot where we did won all of them but with luck and not with impressive display (bar aldershot but they’re different case).

    Benfica is a team that a bit better than those five teams and already gave us a hard time, I’m just wondering how would this squad play if they were to meet a big european clubs or Shitty again at this moment… A trashing is likely for me…

  171. November 22, 2011 at 21:55
    kanchelskis says:

    Perspective needed. Benfica were incredibly lucky. Benefited from an own goal and scored with their only real chance, while watching us mess up two one-on-ones. I don’t think there was a great deal to worry about in terms of the performance, given we were without Vidic and Rooney. Was good to see Carrick back, in my opinion, to his best.

    However, we are left in a bit of a situation in the group. While I’m sure we can get a point in Basel, it’s not ideal (and not what we’re used to) to go through in second, and by the looks of Madrid tonight, it’s not just Barca who would cause us problems from the group-winners’ pot.

    It was the capitulation against Basel at OT that did for us. As I’ve said, I was fairly pleased with our performance tonight.

  172. November 22, 2011 at 21:55
    AlphaRS says:

    @Costas

    Hello mate. Is it not based on goal difference or is it head to head that decides first place it both teams finish on level points? Sorry if thats a stupid question. Ha :SS

  173. November 22, 2011 at 21:55
    Red Neville says:

    Good teams wouldn’t underestimate Basel – they would just go out and beat them. Like a good team should.

  174. November 22, 2011 at 21:55
    dannysoya says:

    Hey costas. No way in hell Benfica loses to otelul. And basel are now One point ahead of us. If we draw that game we are fucked. I think it’s benfica who are the ones assured of Qualification now.

  175. November 22, 2011 at 21:55
    3Generations says:

    and here was me wondering who that prick co-commentator was… Fucking McClaren and his delusions of being a manager…

  176. November 22, 2011 at 21:56
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    @AlphaRS, I had the same doubt earlier in the day as well. Because if it is GD that decides it then we still could get first place if we beat Basel. We scored 1 at Benfica and they scored 2, so they have the upper hand there. Too many fucking rules for me to keep up with.

  177. November 22, 2011 at 21:57
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    @danny, You’ve got it wrong mate. United and Benfica are on 9 points with us having a GD of 0 and them -1. Basel are on 8 points. A draw guarantees qualification and a victory keeps us in running for 1st.

  178. November 22, 2011 at 21:57
    Costas says:

    Mistakes at the back are bound to happen. DDG is 21, Jones is 19 and they’ve only been at the club for a few months. Too much expectation from these two on a game of this caliber. Vidic’s absence in Europe has been noticeable. Hopefully he will make up for it in Switzerland.

    We might go through in 2nd place and having only beaten the minnows of the group, but we did that once before. In 98-99. ;)

  179. November 22, 2011 at 21:58
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    Who thinks a win at basel is a formality? that will be a lot more difficult as now they know there is a chance for them qualify, and if benfica thump otelul galati then its 2nd place for united, qualification ain’t a foregone conclusion at all and even if we do, we could end up in 2nd place and potentially facing a class team with the first leg at home, that’s a disadvantage to me, im frustrated to be honest.

    The midfield issue has been highlighted, we’re lacking in that position both in depth and class.

  180. November 22, 2011 at 21:59
    dannysoya says:

    OOPS my bad balaji and costas. I am sorry I read the group thing wrong. I’m sorry. Ok so it doesn’t look that bad afterall. My anger has subsided a bit.

  181. November 22, 2011 at 21:59
    WillieRedNut says:

    Like we beat Basel at OT? It’s that attitude, that has us in this position. Still confident, but sick of all the talking. Lets go out and fucking do it!

  182. November 22, 2011 at 22:00
    AlphaRS says:

    @Balaji

    So a win or a draw means United finish second? That’s weird.

    @ 3Generations

    Fuckin Love McClaren. Helped United win the Treble in 1999 and fcuked up Ingurlund too.

  183. November 22, 2011 at 22:00
    Moses says:

    Agree with earlier comment that Benfica were better technically in midfield and all over the park. United usually compensate for that with a drive and will but the smile and passion in our game is just gone now.

    Berba is a great target player and did well and we have missed someone like that and he could be an important player now in the coming games and we can just pray that he will bag goals like he did a year ago this coming weekend when he got 5 at home to Rovers.

    We can forget winning the group and if we end up second we will get a really tough draw.

  184. November 22, 2011 at 22:02
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    SIGH! Even when mistakes elsewhere cost us, it always comes back to our mid-field, doesn’t it?

    Listen folks, nearly everybody in the world and even people who don’t follow football know that maybe a new mid-fielder is necessary. It isn’t going to happen until January or maybe even next summer. Until then, this is the mid-field we have – for good, for bad or for worst. I understand your frustrations to a certain extent but bleating on about it after every game isn’t going to make it any different, God isn’t going to make a cutting edge mid-fielder materialize out of thin-air.

    The frustrating thing is that the mid-field played one of the best post-City games so far and you still knock them off. You want a scapegoat, how about the costly mistakes made in defense or how about the decisions of our wingers and strikers – both of which are the reasons we ended up with only one point to show from the game.

  185. November 22, 2011 at 22:02
    Costas says:

    @danny

    LIke Balaji said, Basel are one point behind. They were on 5 going into tonight’s games.

    @Alpha

    It’s away goals that matter in this case mate. We got similar results against each other, but they scored 1 more away goal than we did. GD comes into play if the results and the away goals are identical. Like I said, I don;t think we can avoid 2nd place.

  186. November 22, 2011 at 22:03
    MG says:

    Anyway it’s over we move on we’ll wait for Basle and see what happens – all the best to the lads as always

    They’ll have to attack us to win which might be good for us – however they already did that though we should have killed them off in our first game – nevertheless we’ll go again

    More importantly we have Newcastle to deal with firstly so let’s do that

    19

  187. November 22, 2011 at 22:03
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    Ummm, Costas my first post in the series was intended for you mate. How does the rules work? If we beat Basel and have better GD than Benfica, does that mean we still end up second on account of them scoring more goals at OT???? You are the stat-man for a reason you know. ;)

  188. November 22, 2011 at 22:03
    Passe says:

    It is NOT GD that decides first and second. If Benfica win against Otelul, they win the group. End of. Realistically, we can only get second place now. Time to book your flights to Madrid, Munich or Barcelona guys.

  189. November 22, 2011 at 22:05
    Moses says:

    MG//

    I agree there and we have been waiting for United to click into gear again and have a really great game with loads of goals and this weekend the lads really have to be up for it.

  190. November 22, 2011 at 22:05
    Costas says:

    Just to clarify. On paper, we can finish first. But that requires Galati getting something in Lisbon. Lets just get out of Switzerland with the result and get into the last 16. We won’t get an easy opponent, but maybe that’s what we needed after we underestimated this group… On current standings, our opponents in the last 16 could be: Bayern, Inter, Real, APOEL and Barca…

  191. November 22, 2011 at 22:06
    AlphaRS says:

    @Moses
    I’m not a Berbatov fan (which may make me a hater in some eyes) but I think his game is more suited to Europe. His technique and ball control was second to none today. Great display. It’s a shame we are having to sacrafice Rooney in midfield because of poor midfield options. If our midfield had half the technique Berbatov has United wouldn’t have the problems they do today.

  192. November 22, 2011 at 22:07
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    Troy
    “Damn it, Sir Alex Ferguson needs to face up to the fact that this Wenger like refusal to fix our midfield is now really starting to bite.”

    ——- I would agree with this to some extent, SAF is waiting for the right player. We don’t need a unnoticeable modric, or a “can’t play midfield Sneijder” nor can we afford a Schwein, its a tough ask trying to replace Scholes….its going to take time to find Cleverley the perfect partner for the future whilst also buying a player for the present.

    Meanwhile we should support the magnificent Carrick, persistant Fletch, Bungee jumping Andoo and hope Parky and Giggsy can do their part too. Clevs is a young lad,he’s one for the future (2 months time).

    - Got home in 15mins 8) Record timing -

  193. November 22, 2011 at 22:07
    Andooo says:

    1000% better tonight IMO. Even though we drew it was the first time since the City game I havnt nearly nodded off during the game!
    But for the 2 errors we were back to our old selves and if we play like this every game (without the errors) I’m a happy fan and happiness would turn into ecstasy if Ando was playing for fletcher at the weekend.
    Night guys

  194. November 22, 2011 at 22:07
    Moses says:

    Must agree with Tom from Wigan calling into MUTV and Mandy Henry agrees with him. Prawn sandwiches and asleep all game and any true United fan must feel ashamed of our fans at OT tonight.
    The socalled 12th player seems to be out injured or not turning up.

  195. November 22, 2011 at 22:07
    Colbert says:

    As we have no chance against the likes of Real or Barca in the later rounds anyways in some way it could be benefitial for us to stumble out of the CL a la 05/06. Fergie needs to clear out 2 or 3 players that are holding us back and bring in some new blood in central midfield. We’re stagnating FFS. Though I hope it doesn’t have to come to that.

  196. November 22, 2011 at 22:08
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    It really is fucking frustrating I am telling you.

    United don’t get the result everyone expects. And everybody – whether they know football or not – goes onto every United and football forum and starts talking about our mid-field situation. It has become one of those things. Whether you know football or not doesn’t matter (and I am not knocking on the people who “actually” have legit complaints against our MF), it just makes you look cool to complain that the United mid-field isn’t good enough. Fucking sickening to be honest.

    I can’t believe others haven’t spoken about this so far. But Michael Carrick is gonna be a huge fucking loss against Basel. Huge, huge loss. Thank fucking God that we’re going to have Vida for that game.

  197. November 22, 2011 at 22:08
    Costas says:

    @Balaji

    Look at it like a knock out tie mate. If we played a double header against Benfica, they would go through to the next round after these 2 results. That’s the first criteria when there’s a tie between two teams. GD comes after that if the results are the same. (If for example tonight ended 1-1)

  198. November 22, 2011 at 22:08
    WillieRedNut says:

    Cavani is class! 8)

    First place is gone. Second for us.

  199. November 22, 2011 at 22:10
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    @Costas, Thanks for clearing that up mate! UEFA and their fucking rules, I am going crazy at all the permutations and combinations and I am supposed to be an engineer. :roll:

  200. November 22, 2011 at 22:10
    Moses says:

    @AlphaRS

    Yes the technique Berba’s got is very much needed now to inspire the others to start performing and get that classic United flow going again.

    In the coming weeks freshness will be important and that the players can cope because it is going to be tough.

  201. November 22, 2011 at 22:11
    Costas says:

    @Balaji

    And speaking of the game, I agree with your earlier point towards me about Nani and Young. While we played good stuff for 40 minutes or so, they just didn’t look in place. Young was taking an extra second to decide what to do when the ball came to him and Nani (imo) can’t play well on the left. Can you remember the last time he did? Because I don’t. We could have gone with him down the center supporting Berbatov. He’s more influential there.

  202. November 22, 2011 at 22:11
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    Jones has been moved around a fair bit. midfield for england games, right back against swansea and now centre half against benfica, how is that not supposed to affect his development.

    He is not the next fucking baresi or beckenbeur, he is a young talented player coming through in the game, he needs to settle in one position and develop his game, he is not o’shea that admittedly is a solid player was never a top notch talent so he could understand being shifted around. jones is a CENTRE HALF, people want him to be jack of all trade.

  203. November 22, 2011 at 22:13
    Moses says:

    Usually I would have laughed at City and loved their failure but them not going through and just concentrating on PL and a half hearted Europa League effort must mean they will have an easy ride in the league.

  204. November 22, 2011 at 22:14
    WillieRedNut says:

    Carrick getting the Yellow is a fucking blow. On this occasion, I’d settle for that, because Vidic is back. Not sure how we’ll set up for the Basel game? Park will come in. Anderson will as well. Could see Rooney being the lone man up front. Anyway, we’ve got important games before that game.

  205. November 22, 2011 at 22:14
    kanchelskis says:

    It’s head-to-head, not GD that would separate us and Benfica, were we both to win our last games. I think it’s Benfica’s two away goals that mean they would go through on top.

  206. November 22, 2011 at 22:15
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    Costats -

    Inter are terrible recently, dunno much about That AOL team, but I;d take them over Ruthless Barca, Team Ronnie & Uefalona.

  207. November 22, 2011 at 22:15
    kanchelskis says:

    In fact, to add to my earlier comment, I wouldn’t fancy Bayern either.

    Hmm…

  208. November 22, 2011 at 22:16
    Legolas says:

    Young n Valencia decision-makin were terrible. Berba is too-ahead of the other players technically. Carrick n Fletcher need 2play togeda more often, they impressed a lot with Carrick at some point just unreal. Jones is a stud though his perfectionist style cost us tonight. Nani is frightenely good on de ball…nice performance on de whole, @least not our usual drab outings, huh

  209. November 22, 2011 at 22:17
    Moses says:

    Fook the CL anyway I am a PL man and always will be. All we do in Europe is pump up the ego of these foreign bastards that run football and come out with stupid comments that they have to apologise for the day after,

    Maybe we and Barca should break away and form our own league and give the finger to those french cunts and what not sat there in EU-land plotting the downfall for english football.

  210. November 22, 2011 at 22:18
    AlphaRS says:

    @Costas
    Thanks for clearing that up mate.
    Bayern, Inter, Real, and Barcelona….
    Those are some big teams in Europe there. It’s a concern.
    First thing is first though and get a result against Basel. Can see what you’re saying about the possibility of United finishing top but realistically I think 2nd is what we can expect if we get a result.

    @Balaji
    Carrick is a very good player and alot of United fans slate him. He is one of the better tecnical players in midfield. See what you’re saying about slating the midfield without improving it I can’t see United winning the Champions League.I reckon SAF is gonna put Rooney in midfield against Basel.

  211. November 22, 2011 at 22:19
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    On the bright side, just read this tweet which should cheer you up: “With that draw tonight,United are still replicating the same result patten as 98/99 -DDWWD…anyone believe in omens?” :D :D

    That’s it lads. Have a good one, I am hitting the sack.

  212. November 22, 2011 at 22:20
    Moses says:

    We need a draw against the group winner of group G now.

  213. November 22, 2011 at 22:21
    Dave Mack says:

    Willierednut … I tend to view things very similarly to you. Your 21:53 matches my summation of the match perfectly! .

    Jones and Fabio have great ability but you can’t put old heads on young shoulders. Their inexpericed showed tonight as they were frequently caught out of position and /or played the wrong ball.

    An older head would have known to just break up Benifica’s first attck after we took the lead by “getting rid”.

    Young also had a poor game.

  214. November 22, 2011 at 22:22
    JC says:

    Why are people saying we’re in 2nd currently? We’re tied on points and have a +4 vs a +3 goals differential which is the 1st tiebreaker unless I’ve been living under a rock.

  215. November 22, 2011 at 22:23
    NBI Red Onion says:

    This is s HUGE result for Benfica.

    Despite some grea individual plays, Nani, Carrick, we just did not flow and link up like we can. Most worrying is how open we were to attack. Smalling will be a better counterfoil for Rio / Vida, he looked solid there last season. Jones actually looks good to me as a maurauding RB in fact I think he is better in that position that CB from what I have seen, though it could be lack of games, he does not seem to have the same understanding that Smalling intiuitively had with both Rio and Vida. I think he could develop into a really good RB for us with his crossing and dribbling attacking ability. Looking fwd to all our defenders back fit and un-banned.

  216. November 22, 2011 at 22:26
    byron1970 says:

    This is not a scapegoat session but the bottom line is we don’t deserve to go through top of this group. We have drawn 3 all and 2 all against two average sides, in games we could have won at a canter. We’ve been too sloppy and gifted sides goals they didn’t even have to work at to score. If we avoid defeat (win or draw it won’t matter) to Basle we’ll finish second and that’s exacly where we should be based on our casualness in defence. Lose to Basle then we’ll be justifiably playing Europa league football for the rest of the season. This is very poor considering the standard of the group.

    Just want to mention that Carrick was outstanding tonight while Fletcher had one of his worst ever games in a United side. Overall I thought we played well and could have and should have won this game 3 nil. We really need to sort out the defensive blunders cause Vidic is fast becoming our most important player. When he’s missing I worry.

  217. November 22, 2011 at 22:26
    Rishav says:

    JC, I think they’re talking about the away goals column. We’ve conceded more away goals than the thugs from Benfica.

  218. November 22, 2011 at 22:28
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    balaji – i don’t get why you’re upset that people are highlighting the problems of the central midfield area, tonight’s game had nothing to do with the area but for the overall season i think in the central position. i think we will be exposed, its as simple as that.

    You can keep getting wound up that people are bringing it up and admittedly i have spoken about the midfield but it needs to be solved, united needs technical players in there and tonight benfica exposed that at times, it is an issue that needs to be solved.

  219. November 22, 2011 at 22:28
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    Welbeck,Berba,Valencia,Park,Carrick,Fletch,Giggs,Fabio & Vida should play every game to christmas, no excuses for those guys not to be fit, they’ve barely paid.

    SAF should tone down the rotation to bring some stability but these injuries are fucking us over. I’ll take Barca or Real actually, no point being the CL without playing the best.

    #BBC1 news reporter just said “Berbatov barely figured this game”
    “Darren Ferguson scored ”
    “City’s chances fading as fast as their manager’s hairline” ( Why insult a man witha full head of hair ?)

    :lol: Great work BBC – Big Black Cocks you certainly are !

  220. November 22, 2011 at 22:28
    Costas says:

    @Pappi

    AOL. :lol: APOEL would obviously be our preferable draw. And I’d love to see United face a Cypriot side. Also keep in mind that Barca haven’t won their group yet. Plus, since Arsenal and Chelsea haven’t won theirs either, Marseille and Leverkuzen could become potential opponents. We will know more about it tomorrow.

    @Balaji

    Heh, I was thinking the same. The pattern is the same, even if the football is miles worse. :(

  221. November 22, 2011 at 22:30
    Moses says:

    What was sad was that when we finally got that 2-1 goal after having had a great little spell we concede straight away. I thought we were about to go on and kill the game at 2-1 and finally see some flowing football again.

    Maybe it could have been a turning point for us to start playing well again but now we are back at square one.

  222. November 22, 2011 at 22:31
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    played*

    no point being in the CL*

    Fucking in Type-hoes !

  223. November 22, 2011 at 22:32
    WillieRedNut says:

    The 3 wide men struggled at times. Nani was frustrating as always, but still made the first goal. Valencia looks out of sorts. He seems to threaten to take players on. Young kept falling over for some reason. the passing was very good. Then we seemed to hit a lull. That fluid football we were playing early doors, seems a distant memory. It will come back, though.

  224. November 22, 2011 at 22:32
    Moses says:

    Clint//

    Burkah Broadcasting Corporation you mean….

  225. November 22, 2011 at 22:34
    Colbert says:

    The mistakes didn’t come from the midfield tonight, but our lack of drive and quality from midfield certainly cost us when we were chasing that third goal. Where’s the through balls, the shots from distance, the one-two’s, the presence? The best United sides always have a strong central midfield. Though Nani and Young were pretty shit tonight too. Worrying.

  226. November 22, 2011 at 22:35
    kanchelskis says:

    @JC what you on about? We have 9 points. Basel have 8

  227. November 22, 2011 at 22:38
    Moses says:

    If SAF does not get the lads up for it on Saturday then something has really changed for the worst at the club.

  228. November 22, 2011 at 22:38
    slim says:

    Well so the match ended all square. Haven’t read the comments and missed the last 10-15 mins but gotta say the boys were good tonight. Costly mistake by DDG gifted them the equaliser when we were really turning the screw. Disappointed with the result but pleased with the way we went about our business. Carrick was immense tonight, along with Fletch who got the goal. Weird sort of feeling really, those mugs didn’t quite deserve anything from the game and the boys must feel a bit down. I hope no one starts slagging off the defenders- switched off a bit to allow the ball get to that area of the pitch that forced the back pass and led to the not so good clearance by the GK.

  229. November 22, 2011 at 22:38
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    Samuel, I have no fucking problem with people talking about once in a while. But moaning about it after every fucking game is annoying to read. I have to sift through the drivel about our mid-field in each blog post and that makes it annoying for a reader. Yes, we have a problem. That is clear for everyone to see. Heck, even an infant will probably know that right now because it has been all over the news. Anyone with passing interest in football will know that Manchester United = Mid-field issues. What is the fucking use of bringing it up after every game and that too after a game where they played generally well? What is the FUCKING use? Yes, I am wound up because the whole fucking process is counter-productive. Just because somebody moans about our mid-field isn’t going to result in God making a cutting-edge mid-fielder materialize in January or the summer. THIS mid-field of Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Anderson, Cleverley and Park is what we have right now and what we will mostly have for the rest of the year. This is the same mid-field that was driving shit through Arsenal, City in the Shield and early part of the season. Neither you nor me nor even the greatest of them all SIR ALEX FERGUSON can change that these are the players who have to get us through for the rest of the season. That is a fucking fact. Either you can live with it or you cannot. But moaning about it after every fucking game is fucking annoying. YES, I am fucking wound up because it “I” who has to read through all those posts from people not actually contributing anything of value.

    Over and out. I am fucking pissed off. This is one of those few times even I have been riled up but it is with fucking reason. Good night ROM!

  230. November 22, 2011 at 22:39
    WillieRedNut says:

    Amir rolled back the years. :lol: Little cunt.

  231. November 22, 2011 at 22:39
    wayne says:

    I don’t give a fuck who Utd get next round this group was a joke and look what happened
    What kind of Utd fan says we have no chance against Real or Barca fuck off I’d rather play any team over 2 legs

  232. November 22, 2011 at 22:40
    Moses says:

    SAF says he is pleased with the performance tonight and especially with Berba.

  233. November 22, 2011 at 22:40
    King Eric says:

    I am with Balaji. How the fuck can the middle of the park be blamed for tonight? Carrick was excellent and fletch popped up with a goal. They did fuck all wrong. Its pathetic. Laziness. Just blame the midfield every fucking game. For the most part we dominated it. Talk about jumping on bandwagons. Do some even wach the game. One question. What exactly did our midfiield do wrong g tonight ? Oh but folk like Gaitan are the answer. He did fuck all. I aint saying we couldn’t do with a midfielder but who? It just seems the fashion now despite anything to blame the midfield. Can’t some think for them fucking selves? Talk about sheep. Comments like “our midfield were shit again“ grind my gears when in truth they did fuck all wrong and controlled most of the game. It was sloppiness at the back which cost us.

    Anyway we could draw Marseille, nicosia, inter and so on. Aint definitey gonna be barca or madrid. We will qualify. Just made it more difficult as usuall. Some good play overall tonight.

    Moses. Oh yeah city out of europe will make it real easy to win league for them. Playing on a fucking thursday. Mind you we might be yet!

  234. November 22, 2011 at 22:41
    FletchTHEMAN says:

    Chips are down but we are not out. Look at the bright side lads. You could be a Cittay fan.

    But really, on the bright side we gave away 2 very soft goals. While scoring 2 nice efforts ourselves. Benfica are a good side make no mistake. Really need to make sure that we don’t make scapegoats out of DeGea and Jones. Don’t need to recreate the crapp that dished out to Evans.

    They are all young and will make young player mistakes. Lucky us that we don’t have to watch as much of that as most teams in this league. Chelsea anyone? Right, we are grown lads/ladies. We can pick ourselves up and win at Basel. Only need a point actually. Happy enough to see noisy neighbors bounced into Europa. We will prevail.

  235. November 22, 2011 at 22:41
    WillieRedNut says:

    Balaji – Have a wank mate. Lol. Get the porn collection out! :lol:

  236. November 22, 2011 at 22:43
    Costas says:

    I’d love to get revenge on the German twats for 2010.

  237. November 22, 2011 at 22:46
    Colbert says:

    @King Eric

    Yes, I agree, we could do with a midfielder. Apology accepted.

  238. November 22, 2011 at 22:47
    WillieRedNut says:

    The problem is, some fans think we should walk over everyone. We haven’t been playing well. We did, tonight imo. Two times we lost concentration…..and we payed dearly for it.

  239. November 22, 2011 at 22:47
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    Off topic, i think this defeat against napoli for city can potentially make an impact, they’re off to anfield and if the scouse stereo robbers put on their cup final performance against city (hopefully but don’t rule out them collapsing like the twats they are) then the 5 points will be slashed, that’s if we beat newcastle though, which i’m not confident about at all.

  240. November 22, 2011 at 22:48
    byron1970 says:

    JC – It goes down to head-to-head first then down to goal difference. Benfica are top cause they have two away goals against us verus our one away goal against them.

  241. November 22, 2011 at 22:49
    slim says:

    Okay quick skim through and a shit lot are talking bollox, i may have missed the last 10 min but bear with me. The defense was okay, and OG can happen to the very best and the second goal was well a good old fuck up, DDG should be clearing that better and the back pass in the first place was shite. Result wise it wasn’t so good but damn it was good to see the team look like a unit. Defense-Midfield and attack.
    Not one of Carrick and Fletcher biggest admirers but goodness me they were immense today and even though young had an off night his presence in there as a midfield 3 worked wonders, suddenly they couldn’t get close to Carrick and he was class tonight. Benfica’s equalizer was unfortunate and the young lads Fabio and DDG mucked up a bit there. Fuck all Vidic could have done to prevent the second goal, bar handling the ball

  242. November 22, 2011 at 22:50
    Colbert says:

    We’ll beat Newcastle. I fucking guarantee it.

    And people say I’m negative.

  243. November 22, 2011 at 22:50
    Costas says:

    It was a bit frustrating that on the first game in months where we played good football 2 defensive mistakes robbed us of a win. Because that’s basically what happened. Basel played better at OT than Benfica did for me.

  244. November 22, 2011 at 22:54
    Cantona7 says:

    Really disappointed tonight. We just never got going. It’s gonna be a close one in Basel. Also, have to agree with Fred. Alan Parry is a cunt. Can’t help himself from mentioning the derby every fucking time and then goes and takes the piss out of Fergie by asking stupid questions / trying to be clever. Wonder who he supports ? Wanker.

  245. November 22, 2011 at 22:54
    WillieRedNut says:

    We’ll beat Newcastle Colbert? I fucking hope so! My bro in law is a toon fan lol.

  246. November 22, 2011 at 22:54
    James21 says:

    I actually thought we played well tonight, the usual silly mistakes but it was a good game.
    Some comments about Phill Jones on here are totally unjust. Give him chance he’s been good for us so far, 1 bloody game and he gets slated.

  247. November 22, 2011 at 22:58
    Colbert says:

    @Willie

    Now there’s TWO reasons I want to beat them! ;)

    Seriously, bet your fucking house and kids on it.

  248. November 22, 2011 at 23:01
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    King eric – usually would agree with you but i’m disagreeing. i’ll repeat again, tonight’s disappointing result had nothing to do with the midfield but on the long run, united will get exposed.

    i’ve said it time and time again and although bleating on about it won’t make much of a difference but the team lacks class in there, a match winning creativity or goal scoring. none of the midfielders united currently possess can do this.

    I rate carrick highly, he is my ideal deep midfielder that isn’t flashy but is very effective, his passing is good and he intercepts with intelligence but creativity was and never will be carrick’s main asset, same with fletcher but i think the injured tom cleverly is capable of doing so but we can’t rely on one talented rookie.

    Anderson is out of his depth right now lets be honest but look around the midfield and i cant see anyone taking the mantle, taking the game by the scruff of the neck in that central position.

    I watch the games regularly, i analyse and even over analyse at times but this is my view, i understand you or anyone not agreeing but it ain’t changing, i respect your opinions and everyone else’s but i won’t necessarily agree, this is why football is the world’s best sport.

  249. November 22, 2011 at 23:04
    Costas says:

    Newcastle have nicked a few draws at OT in the EPL. 6 to be exact. It won’t be easy. At least Vidic and Rooney will be back. And since it’s almost been a year since the 5 Berbagasms against Blackburn, maybe we could give the Rooney-Berba partnership a try again. ;)

  250. November 22, 2011 at 23:04
    Sparkz says:

    We played well despite what that muppet Collins thought in the studio. I was impressed with the 2 midfield boys for the most part, and Nani was magical. For some reason, when we bought Hernandez on and shifted Nani to the right, we ignored him a bit and kept going down Young’s side (whose delivery was pretty poor)

    However, what really frustrates me is the fact that, all through this group stage………SHODDY FRIGGIN DEFENDING has cost us top spot (let’s face it, Benfica aren’t dropping anything vs Galati)…and it might even cost us qualification outright. Basle have something to play for, its on their turf, and we’ll be missing our best midfielder in Europe….its gonna be a tough fuckin game.

    Benfica away….poor defending by Evans led to their first goal. Basle at home….we were shoddy all the way through. And now this game……..2-1 up, De Gea fluffed that goal kick. I admire the sentiment of tryna play his way out….but just put your bloody foot through it. That is one big cock up.

    I didn’t think Fabio or Jones really covered themselves in glory tonight tbh, particularly Fabio. But he is lacking in game time, and he didn’t look all that sharp.

    As I said, we played pretty well for the most part, but its silly schoolboy defending that’s cost us in this group, and I really hope we don’t pay for this.

  251. November 22, 2011 at 23:05
    Warwick says:

    I was at the game and silly mistakes aside, I saw some flair again tonight. Can someone tell me were all the offsides really offside?

  252. November 22, 2011 at 23:06
    slim says:

    I’ve been one of the most outspoken critics of our midfield today but let me tell you they were fantastic tonight and they played really well. Benfica had no business getting a point today, we handed it to them and i’d like to sound a word of caution to the doomsday Prophets. Yes we’re not happy with that center of the pitch but in all honesty this was one of the best stuff we’ve played this season. shame we gifted them a goal. I just hope SAF sees it for what it is and doesn’t ask them to go ultra defensive . I read someone say we finally they passed our midfield with ease. Well i disagree. We played with intelligence and were moving about making it difficult for them to mark our players. The only downer was the erratic display from the wingers. Had this match ended 2-1 we’d be getting the lube out wanking over the game. Not fussed about topping the group. If we finish 2nd , then we finish second, no drama. I really hope SAF props the lads up after the game no reason to tear into them. It wasn’t that kind of game, Not sure what some on here watched but i felt good about the way our MF’s went about their business today.

    Quick question for the tacticians, was it a midfield 3 tonight? Certanily looked like it. I felt Young was the 3rd man and he did that side of things well but not so much when moving forward. Looks to me he’s better as a left sided player. It would have been interesting to see Roo play the role i think Young had today,

  253. November 22, 2011 at 23:08
    WillieRedNut says:

    Berba’s career was summed up tonight. Lovely finish, for his goal. He then misses a sitter, from inside the box. Encouraging performance though. Looked up for it, from the start. I wonder if we could’ve partnered him with Hernandez? Hindsight, I guess. ;)

  254. November 22, 2011 at 23:09
    Sparkz says:

    On another note…..THAT’S what I wanna see from Berba on a more consistent basis. That’s the type of stuff which got me excited when Fergie went out of his way to sign him back in 2008.

    He was anonymous for the first 30 minutes, but after the goal he was a transformed player. The touches, the flicks, the passes, the dribbles….they were all coming off. He was friggin excellent. I was disappointed at the chance he wasted near the end, he should’ve buried that….but an in form Berba could be of real use during December. Coz the games come thick and fast, and Fergie will be more comfortable rotating his forwards if Berba’s form and confidence is up.

  255. November 22, 2011 at 23:12
    Rob Marrs says:

    Berba is a class act. He could be a great player for MUFC.

    Anyway, if any of you want some cheery news about United’s chances in the league: http://leftbackinthechangingroom.blogspot.com/2011/11/ominous-tale-of-hare-and-tortoise.html

    Cheers, as ever,

    Rob

  256. November 22, 2011 at 23:14
    slim says:

    samuel – united WE stand

    Normally i’d agree with you, but i tell you what, if that midfield that played tonight continues to improve on what i saw on the pitch then i’d have no worry – at least till Fergie sorts it out. Carrick was in there today, we got the ball of them, he played the wingers in masterfully and was running the game from the 10th minute. Add to the hope that he does continue to improve , Tom C coming back as well. I can only see good things. I noticed a slight change 2 games back but restrained from declaring its all changed but tonight’s shift from the lads showed they notice they have to raise it up and they did and while still early they’ve given me a reason to be optimistic. They’ve shown that they have an idea of what they need to do and for me that shows some positives

  257. November 22, 2011 at 23:14
    Costas says:

    @willie

    Don’t forget his pass that set up Young right after he equalized. Quality. 8) We really were unlucky tonight.

  258. November 22, 2011 at 23:18
    WillieRedNut says:

    Costas – I forgot about that. If that goes in, I don’t see Benfica coming back. Two goals like that, in a few minutes, would’ve rocked them. Thought Young should have chipped the keeper. It wasn’t to be though.

  259. November 22, 2011 at 23:18
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    i don’t think the draw is the problem here, it is the repercussion of it that i think most people worried about, potentially getting madrid, barca or bayern is definitely what you don’t want especially playing first at home. secondly, having to go switzerland to get a win against a tricky team isn’t what i want, that basel draw has hit us significantly but we had chances to rectify it and never took it. it is frustrating but what is done is done and we moveon.

  260. November 22, 2011 at 23:18
    slim says:

    Warwick

    spot on, The young one when he was played through by Carrick or Fletcher wasn’t and that would have been an easy tap in for Berba, anyway i thought it was a good game tonight and the equalizing goal was unfortunate. The very best of the best knock it past their own goal keepers, not gonna blame Jones for that one. Really shocked by peoples post on the game i have to say. And here i was before the game saying i would rip into the team if we didn’t win. I thought they were in there tonight. I jut hope heads don’t drop and start to over analyse the issue

  261. November 22, 2011 at 23:21
    wayne says:

    Costas just curious since you had a go at me noticed other regular posters calling other posters cunts etc.Didn’t see you go after them,wondering what the criteria is for the ROM Police

  262. November 22, 2011 at 23:22
    kanchelskis says:

    @slim

    It’s a weird one, cos recently we’ve been used to poor(ish) performances, but good results.

    Tonight we had a good performance, but a poor result.

    If we can play anything like we did tonight on the weekend (and Vidic is back), we’ll comfortably beat Newcastle.

  263. November 22, 2011 at 23:24
    Devil310 says:

    2 mistakes cost us the tie. Not much to it. We played well. The best we have in recent games really

    The first one took a deflection going in, Jones was unlucky there. The second one was a mistake by De Gea. He usually is great with his feet, but gave the ball away.

    Attacking-wise, Young should have done better. Playing behind the striker isn’t his forte, but his crossing was bad today. Needs a game or too I guess

  264. November 22, 2011 at 23:29
    slim says:

    Haven’t seen eye to eye with the gaffer for a month or so but i agree with him tonight the goals were freakish. at least it looks like he’s not overreacting to it. A word in the youngster’s ears will do just fine. I have to retierate again i thought our midfield duo was good tonight, showed signs of starting to understand they needed of them. None of the passed were rushed , comfortable on the ball- with or without player bearing down on them, doubled even tripled up when trying to get the ball back which they did. I asked but no one’s answered (may sound like a coach myself when i go on and on about tactic but i guess i know fuck all) did young act as a third MF today. It didn’t look like a strict 4-4-2 to me

  265. November 22, 2011 at 23:29
    Costas says:

    @wayne

    Just one really. That I should give words of friendly advice to those I expect better from.

  266. November 22, 2011 at 23:32
    slim says:

    http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Nov/Sir-Alex-confident-of-progress.aspx

    The boss echoing what i was saying earlier, not forcing opinions down anyone throat but this is one game that needs a bit of perspective from the fans

  267. November 22, 2011 at 23:34
    slim says:

    Oh and for those who give a fuck, Keane scored another brace tonight for the reserves

  268. November 22, 2011 at 23:35
    slim says:

    A bolton reserve with Tuncay and Petrov i might add

  269. November 22, 2011 at 23:35
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    Slim – i’m not disagreeing with you on the fact that united’s midfield tonight played well, naive mistakes at the back definitely cost the team a good result tonight and it’s not all doom & gloom but it ain’t great either, we’re stuck in the middle somewhere but things can and will get better in time.

    carrick played well and fletch was ok but i’m just saying that team could do with some creativity and depth, that’s all i’m saying mate.

  270. November 22, 2011 at 23:39
    slim says:

    wayne

    sorry you got called a cunt. i take the view of every man for himself on ROM. Tough but hopefully you can get past that. A cunt retort on your part would probably do nicely, Unless you’re against using the Queens English finest word

  271. November 22, 2011 at 23:41
    Mcalex says:

    Makosa ni nyuma. (defence messed us)

  272. November 22, 2011 at 23:42
    WillieRedNut says:

    No shit?

  273. November 22, 2011 at 23:47
    Colbert says:

    @samuel

    How dare you offer a different point of view?? You bastard!! ;)

  274. November 22, 2011 at 23:49
    slim says:

    samuel – united WE stand

    Yeah we all know that, shame there nothing we can do about it., and thats a fact. except of course players we have pick up the challenge. I tell you if and i know its a big if, they continue on the back of tonight’s performance they really could do some damage. That area of the pitch had only positives today – for the whole 90(i missed the last 10, so i could be wrong) and i haven’t seen that in ages. Carrick today left me speechless. Not going over the top as if the so so out of this world but the way he set the tone. He looked a real senior player and i hope he continues in the same way. Patience is very hard virtue and i’ve criticized this MF to no end but no way can i moan about it tonight, in my eyes at least for today they were good enough. I know its tough but these are the cards we’ve been dealt. Nothing we can do about the personnel in there other than try to get them playing

  275. November 22, 2011 at 23:51
    slim says:

    samuel – united WE stand

    Oh and i’m not trying to sugar coat anything or be overly optimistic. I hate shades so i don’t have any red tinted glasses on. Ask around i’m the resident Cynical Bastard – Cheer Balaji but i have to call it as i see it, the MF and team as a whole had a different approach to the game tonight and it almost payed off. Almost

  276. November 22, 2011 at 23:57
    slim says:

    where the fucks everybody gone. pissed of eh ? ah well. Someone did mention having a wank to calm down, no wonder the internet connection gone kinda slow. Take it easy fellas. and wash your hands you bloody pervs

  277. November 23, 2011 at 00:02
    WillieRedNut says:

    Samuel – I think you mistook Balaji’s point? He agrees, we could do with another CM. what he was saying though, why does it have to be brought into every discussion on here? There’s fuck all that can be done about it now. What we have, we go with. Hopefully, Cleverley’s return at Christmas, will be the boast for the squad. Then in the summer, I’m sure the boss will address that issue.

  278. November 23, 2011 at 00:04
    FletchTHEMAN says:

    I know you lot are miserable. So here are some bitters tweets to pick ya up…..
    Enjoy:

    PLEKSTER PLEKE
    IN TEARS HERE, MY DREAMS OF WINNING THE CHAMPION LEAGUE HAVE BEEN RUINED BECAUSE OF IDIOT MANSINNI, WONT BE TWEETING UNTIL CALM DOWN BYE
    1 hour ago

    PLEKSTER PLEKE
    #MANSINNIOUT GET IT TRENDING HAD ENOUGH OF HIS BRAINLESS MANAGING AND UTTER DRIVEL IN PRESS CONFRANCES HIS FAULT TEVEZ LEAVING @FourFourTom
    1 hour ago

    PLEKSTER PLEKE
    #MANSINNIOUT GET IT TRENDING, CITY FANS HERE GOING BALLISTIC, WINDOWS SMASHED AND NAPOLI ULTRAS RUNNING FOR COVER.. #MCFC
    1 hour ago
    »

    PLEKSTER PLEKE
    YU UTTER CRETIN MANSINNI!!!!!!!!!! MANSINNI OUT, I WILL BE HOLDING SIGNS AT NEXT HOME GAME FACT AND ORGAIZING PROTESTS #MCFC

  279. November 23, 2011 at 00:08
    slim says:

    FletchTHEMAN

    uhm, WTF is PLEKSTER PLEKE

  280. November 23, 2011 at 00:08
    Sparkz says:

    @Slim- Definitely wasn’t a 4-4-2 mate. Young was dropping into midfield when we didn’t have the ball.

    Played the same way against Basle, only with Giggsy playing in the hole instead. And likewise in some of the big games last season, with Rooney playing that position.

  281. November 23, 2011 at 00:11
    wayne says:

    slim no mate a poster told Berba to fuck off and good riddance I had a go back and Costas defended him bit since then some of the more famous posters have gone on attack and not a word from Costas just trying to figure out the difference

  282. November 23, 2011 at 00:11
    Dave Mack says:

    Thanks FletchTHEman…. that did cheer me up!!!!

  283. November 23, 2011 at 00:12
    Sparkz says:

    Loooooool @Fletch, that’s got me in tears, tell me they’re actually real and not made up?

  284. November 23, 2011 at 00:13
    WillieRedNut says:

    That poster is a well known Berbatov hater.

  285. November 23, 2011 at 00:14
    Fred says:

    Benfica are guaranteed to finish top of the group. They will beat Otelulz handsomely. Let’s hope we can at least get the draw we need in Switzerland, because in the form we’re in that’s by no means certain.

    Then it’s on to the next round and some top team like Madrid tearing us to shreds – although we could get the easiest possible draw (like we did in the group stage) and still make a meal of it. If these Benfica games had been in the last 16, we’d be out now. Some people need to get their heads out of the sand. Willie is spot on about some us expecting games to be walkovers for us. Let’s look how we did in our group games – couldn’t beat Basel, couldn’t beat Benfica, struggled to beat Olelul Galati. Not good.

  286. November 23, 2011 at 00:21
    Costas says:

    Now Mancini isn’t good enough? Idiots.

  287. November 23, 2011 at 00:26
    FletchTHEMAN says:

    Glad that bitter’s posts got some of you laughing. Absolutely real from this guys twitter feed.

    https://api.twitter.com/#!/PLEKSTER

    If you want to read more. Enjoy.

  288. November 23, 2011 at 00:29
    Dave Mack says:

    On reflection …. I belive we’ve got more out of the last 10 games than our overall performance deserved. But tonight bar one or two defensive errors from our less experinced defenders (Fabio, Jones, De Gea) we created enough good chances to win the game comfortably but didn’t. As long as we get to the last 16 it won’t matter. Things always tend to even themselves out in football.

  289. November 23, 2011 at 00:29
    Costas says:

    Cheers Fletch.

    Don’t know what City fans have to complain about. In our first season in the Ch.League we also ended up in a tough group and finished 3rd. Of course we didn’t spend over a billion for that team…

  290. November 23, 2011 at 00:33
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    :lol: mansini !
    Fuck the CL , we gotta bigger fish to fry up….FA CUP MOTHERLOVERS! & The league of Course.

    My mood swings during games is insane, one minute I call for the head of Jones,love berba, then llove Jones and want to pull De Gea’s nose off, then Im loving Berba and instantly hating Carrick for being soo awesome that he’s been banned from the next game.

    Carrick is the fucking man, bossed it whenever the ball came near him.

  291. November 23, 2011 at 00:34
    Costas says:

    “He’s always been involved,” said the manager. “He’s not had the starts but that’s all to do with the partnerships we’ve had this season.

    “He’s done very well tonight and could’ve scored a hat-trick. It was a bad decision when he was flagged offside in the first half – it was never offside. And he missed an opportunity near the end, he was a bit unlucky but maybe he could’ve taken it down.

    “Nonetheless, he played very well and there’s always a goal in Dimi, always the ability to turn a game. That’s why I played him. He’s always in my thoughts.”

    http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Nov/sir-alex-ferguson-berbatov-always-in-my-thoughts.aspx?

  292. November 23, 2011 at 00:35
    FletchTHEMAN says:

    Postmatch from the boss:
    “It makes it a bit harder, of course, but if you look at it in a different way, it may be that the bigger game would suit us anyway.”

    Hope we have Vidic back. Is Carrick out of the Basel trip? Some posts suggesting he is out?

    @Costas. Funny thing about Cittay, the fans think a billion ought to buy a bit of respect :lol:

  293. November 23, 2011 at 00:45
    slim says:

    Sparkz

    Well if thats the case, they got it spot on. getting the ball back was so much better and the the midfield combo seemed to thrive on it, not sure why it doesn’t look that way with Roo. Maybe they just stepped it up, either way i was quite impressed. i hope they continue in the same vain, Onward and upwards

  294. November 23, 2011 at 00:46
    slim says:

    wayne

    oh i see

  295. November 23, 2011 at 01:02
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    “It makes it a bit harder, of course, but if you look at it in a different way, it may be that the bigger…..”

    That what she said….who? Natalie Portman, then she carried my bastard child and ran off with that other fella.

    8)

  296. November 23, 2011 at 01:16
    TheCANTONA says:

    @fletch:
    that was hillarious mate! Fickle fan, you couldnt make it up! HAHAHAHAHA..!

  297. November 23, 2011 at 01:29
    orez says:

    I haven’t see the game, was working and couldn’t get out. Will be able to watch it in 30 min on FSC, but it’s very disapointing. I can’t believe we messed up in such a an easy group. I don’t even care about CL that much, but it says a lot that so many “small” teams gave us so much trouble. We have been very hectic this year.3 months in and no set defense or mid or attack for that matter. I was hoping that after so many mess ups we will correct it like we usually do, but it wasn’t happening. This year seems really strange.

  298. November 23, 2011 at 02:09
    StatesideAussie says:

    I agree with Balaji and Costas … Young should have played wide, and Nani through the middle, with Berba.

  299. November 23, 2011 at 02:54
    Nasko 1 says:

    good game but no luck guys :(

  300. November 23, 2011 at 02:57
    Doghouse says:

    All that matters with the Champions League is get the result you need against whatever bunch of bastards we’re drawn against and that’s it. Not the result we want, the one we need. We could have done better, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, better to fluff our lines in Europe than the league. Win the next game, then just play whoever. It’s what it’s all about.

    Frankly as far as I am concerned us finishing second in the group just ruins the party for whatever team topped their group and then gets us in their business. The only team I fear in Europe is Barca, and I would far rather have them in the knock out stages than the final. Everybody else is doable, and capable of doing us, that’s what the big competitions are all about.

  301. November 23, 2011 at 03:01
    sandeep1878 says:

    Good morning Red Devils around the world,

    i dont like to go on with the match day syndrome ranters..

    Hello Costas,

    how are you buddy,

    we can still finish the group on top if we beat Basel by any score but +1 of Benfica..

    i think, in a long long time we have such a massive game at this stage of season in Europe, Basel game will be buzzing and its gonna be a tough one..

    plus the result is what matters for Basel as well, at home, they will play the confidence of wining and knocking us out..

    one thing is sure,

    we need 90 minutes of best defensive concentration and display at Basel..

    dropping 2 points last was noty what we deserved,espepially playing good..

  302. November 23, 2011 at 03:22
    Utd4life says:

    @Doghouse.. Well said Sir. I love reading your posts. If we don’t qualify for the knockout stages then so be it. It will be a fuck up like the City result but I believe that we will go to Basel and get a good result.

  303. November 23, 2011 at 03:54
    orez says:

    Just finihsed the game and it wasn’t a bad TBH. We should have won, we played some good football and created some great chances, but it wasn’t to be. Overall I am happy with the performances but our defense should really get it together.

  304. November 23, 2011 at 04:05
    robbo says:

    Overall a good performance but not a good result.

    Felt for Jones, i think that ball took a bit of Evra’s inside thigh and then Rio’s knee and Jonesy had no chance. Also the lad has been moved pillar to post in recent weeks filling in gaps at the back and midfield. Need him to settle at RB at this stage.

    I’ve said it many times before, Carrick is the glue that holds everything together. Fletcher is not his ideal partner though. A more creative player like Cleverly would be the ideal pairing. But i also think we need to get another creative player in to cover/ give Clev time to settle in. Thats why I was on the Snjieder bandwagon.

    Berbatov IS the most skillful player at the club. His miss from the volley could be attributed to not being match fit/ conditioned. He needs to play regularly with Rooney playing in the hole between Berbs Carrick and Cleverley. The Pea needs to be a super sub for a while until his approah play and holding up of the ball inproves.

    Unfortunately Young was our worst player today IMO, but again he like Fabio, Carrick, Berbatov and Valencia have missed many games recently and need match time. It will always be difficult to play well when making so many changes every game.

  305. November 23, 2011 at 04:21
    KR says:

    Can we please just admit this midfield is a load of shit and one of the worst in United history. How the fuck do you expect to compete with the elite in europe when your midfield has no technique, can’t pass, has no flair and most importantly has no creativity?

    It’s almost embarrassing how bad our central midfield situation is. So bad we’re relying on a kid who was on loan at Wigan last year to carry the load. Pathetic Fergie, absolutely pathetic.

    Please don’t say there are no midfielders available because every single player in the world has a price and 30-40 million is not unreasonable for a top top player so cough up Fergie or tell the truth about the Glazers.

  306. November 23, 2011 at 04:37
    KR says:

    I’m telling you now that if we face Barca or Madrid in a 2 leg match we are going to get destroyed, absolutely destroyed and probably by a 5 goal aggregate margin.

    We don’t have midfielders who can tackle and none that do anything going forward or with possession and that is where the best (aka David Silva) pick you off goal by goal.

    In fact any top team is going to make us look stupid. For the love of god Fergie listen to the fans on this one and buy some central midfielders and we’re not asking for Scholesy’s but players of that sort of calibre that do exist.

    Lou Macari is an absolute retard he actually thinks this team is fine in the midfield and that we can waltz on like all is well at least Quinton Fortune admits the truth.

    Nothing i’ve said above is pessimistic it’s just me being REALISTIC and saying what everyone deep down really thinks.

  307. November 23, 2011 at 04:44
    RedHound says:

    hold up, i thought City were supposed to win the quadruple? Perfect result and puts the Liverpool game in the right setting.

    Now, about that game, what can i say, one of those days eh? Good to see Berba score, but then that chance…, Nani was having a great game, chances were created and for me overall a good performance that the final score didn’t reflect due to that error for their second goal. Where does this leave us i wonder, i know for a fact that its now hard to top the group but could someone lay out for me precisely what needs to happen for us to top the group?

  308. November 23, 2011 at 04:45
    friveluss says:

    I won’t lie. That was shit. Well the result at least. BUT I saw what IV been bitching about not seeing from this side, I saw a zest, I felt the energy n yje effort. They wanted to win there n then n left their “we’ll play harder next tym” attitude @home. Midfield played remarkably well for me. We had two defensively orientated mids that managed to control the game for most of those 93 minutes. We did after all have 64% ball possesion. They also created many more chances than they do and were both looking noticeably sharper. I am extremely pleased with this performance. Not the result, but to watch a game and enjoy it, be excited about it is something I thought I had lost from this team.

    For me its not always the result. If it were then I would be left to say I support united because they win. Which isn the case, as much as I love my team, football is my first love n when its played well there are few things more pleasing to the eye. I feel markedly more alive having watched that game than some of our dreary soulless 1-0 endevours. But that’s just me :-)

  309. November 23, 2011 at 04:49
    RedHound says:

    KR i agree with you fully and i couldnt have put it better myself, we probably have the best wingers in the world but our midfield is average. Newcastle have a better midfield and thats a fact.

  310. November 23, 2011 at 04:52
    KR says:

    I really really admire Arsene Wenger you know he may not have had unparalleled success these past few years but he sticks to his gun and has a philosophy of attractive football no matter what. Truth is if Arsenal had centre backs like Vidic and kept Fabregas and Nasri then they’d be better than us because the mentality of there players is please the people and they’re technically better.

    This United side apart from Nani and Rooney bores me to death at times, i go to all games and i go to be entertained and get value for money and not just see us getting a goal and sitting back like Everton away. Arsenal lost 8-2 to us but they lost to us the right way and that was having a go no matter what.

  311. November 23, 2011 at 04:58
    KR says:

    RedHound, our wingers are incredible and i truly truly mean that. Nani is probably the best winger in Europe currently and then you have Young who is outstanding and Valencia who is solid and versatile but admittedly the worst of the three due to him being predictable but his strength, power and determination helps him overcome that predictability about him.

    We are blessed in the winger department and that’s where EVERY goal from the midfield comes from. 0% of our goals and even that’s being generous comes from midfield creativity and it’s a HUGE HUGE problem when you consider what the best midfields in Europe produce.

  312. November 23, 2011 at 04:58
    RedHound says:

    watching that error is just killing. the Twin puts in the perfect tackle, the Ball goes to Ferdy’s midrif and somehow fails to get controlled and then…………… shot ourselves in the foot we did. But on current form if you asked me i’d say Bayern or Real will win the Champs league. but then, on Manchester United form, especially 1999, doing it the hard, stuff of legend, movie script, against all odds way, we still have a chance of course. we need to play Basle like its a cup final. put out the most dangerous squad and get set to score a truckful

  313. November 23, 2011 at 05:08
    KR says:

    RedHound, its sad because the champions of England and champions league runner ups should be cake walking these teams but every midfield we’ve faced in Europe so far and that’s including Galati’s has looked better than ours and it’s very concerning because we’re going to get thrashed by a top European side and made to look very bad infront of huge audiences (like City) who have enough to reason to laugh at our expense since Wembley in May.

    The sooner we get Barca, Madrid etc. the better because at least we don’t have to kid ourselves in thinking we’re good because we beat Nicosia to advance or something.

  314. November 23, 2011 at 05:10
    friveluss says:

    @KR I don’t deny that on individual ability alone uniteds mid isn avg. However, they Shud always be judged on the basis of their contribution to the team and its general chemistry. Last night we created far more opportunities than was necessary to win the game. They also kept the ball very well, intercepted often, and pinned benfica in their own half for large periods of the game. They showed more attacking prowess than usual and played with sustained energy bar 10or so mins towards the end.

    Its always about the composition of the team and how they play as a unit. Look at inter, they suck as a united and not even sneijder will same them from mediocrity. Then u have someone like cleverly, who wudn make the barca reserve team but wud put any midfield to the sword wen immersed in our team and style of play etc…. Last night I don’t see how carrick n Fletcher can be blamed?

    I’m not attacking u, I’m certainly not one of those that throws a tantrum whe. People care think independently:-) but I just want to know based on last nights performance what caRrick and Fletcher did wrong?

    The way I see it, bar defensive errors that wernt of their doing it Shud have been 2-0 victory at home after having had 64% of the ball. Would that not have reflected on their efforts?

  315. November 23, 2011 at 05:18
    KR says:

    friveluss, I admire you loyalty and believe me i am like you and i stick through the team no matter what situation arises but all i’m saying is that your praising a performance that was against Benfica. I’m sorry but any of the top teams that face Benfica would beat them very comfortably because they are not that good.

    I just don’t want good loyal supporters like you to get your hopes up thinking Carrick and Fletcher are brilliant based on a performance against a not great Benfica side. Fact is mate that when we face a good team we’re going to get walloped simply because decent players like Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson and Giggs at his age can’t even compare to some of the insane talent that other teams have in midfield.

    Basically all i’m saying to you mate is don’t get your hopes up because crap average players like Rodwell have made our midfield look weak.

  316. November 23, 2011 at 05:19
    RedHound says:

    Frivellous

    thats why in my first post i said that barring the error for the 2nd goal, it was a great game all round. just one of those days. But what if that had been Barca, or Madrid? For a team that makes the biggest commercial turnovers in the world, its not fair that you cant use that money to stock up the squad.

  317. November 23, 2011 at 05:23
    RedHound says:

    Carick’s performances are improving i’ll give him that

  318. November 23, 2011 at 05:25
    KR says:

    RedHound, i really can’t take those money grabbing cunts anymore. Don’t mean to be racist but they are jewish so it doesn’t surprise me that they are so sneaky with the money they are taking out of the club.

    80 million of that Ronaldo money should’ve gone 40-40 on 2 incredible midfield players that would have bagged us 2 more CL titles for sure.

    I know deep deep inside of me that we are just a Sneijder or Silva type player away from beating Barcelona because they can be exposed badly when a team stands up to them (Arsenal at the emirates a prime example).

  319. November 23, 2011 at 05:37
    PrashantRed says:

    Here are my 2 cents. I believe all this rotation is not helping our case in any way . And also Sir Alex should play our best players in their best positions and should only shift fringe players at different positions . Look at the dip in performance of young when he played out of position.

    Anyway, i believe we will qualify and if barca/real are going to beat us better in round of 16 rather than in semi or final as it will allow us focus on pl .

    overall today’s game was very entertaining.

  320. November 23, 2011 at 05:43
    RedHound says:

    i’ve given this a lot of thought and when you balance the whole “they dont interfere with Fergie’s supremacy at the club” thing, with their Leech-like tendencies, i’ve figured any owner in the world , even if it was Bill Gates would of course have the sense to know that Fergie represents like 50% of the entire Manchester United brand so he cant be sacked or interfered with. Thats means the Glazers are only doing what anyone else would do. Ronaldo leaves, and we still make it to the final. Imagine if a worldclass player had replaced him. My god even Fergie knows this team should have won more UCL trophies especially in the last 6 years or so. Its a brilliant team we have, and yeah we are just one or tow players from being the best. Think about how one player like Cleverley can change the team, or how Vidic comes in and you get 5 clean sheets in a row. This is a team that can clearly be tinkered with to produce a monster. But right now its a suit of armour without Breastplates, and thats where the heart is, the heart of the midfield.

  321. November 23, 2011 at 05:45
    Jeet says:

    Good morning all you Reds – rise and shine!!! Ahh, ok where do I start?
    First, @friveluss: Nail on the fucking head, mate! I was very happy with the performance, if not the result. Anyday better entertainment than watching us grind out a 1-0 over some Stoke prototype. I realized I am torn between what I want from United as a fan – entertainment and the rest can hang itself, or results and fuck style. I am really one confused soul, but woild it be too much asking for both? :)
    Huge positives – Carrick bossing it like we havent seen him do in 2.5 yrs, Nani showing off his mojo and Berba showing that he still has it.
    Negatives – just inexperience and poor finishing. The first goal was something that could have happened to anybody, but I must fault DDG for the second. His clerance needed to be way stronger in that sort of situation.
    Also, I can’t believe nobody isn’t pointing out that there 2 separate occasions when players other than Berba (Young and Fabio, to be precise) were one on one with the GK and bottled it. I mean, against a quality European side, and make no mistake, that Benfica side has quality, you get 3 one-on-ones, you blow them and expect to win? To my mind, those were absolutely critical.
    Speaking of Berba, yesterday’s match showed exactly what he could do, and what is failings are. I’ve never believed in all the Berba myths like he can’t play alone on top (Everton away last year, anyone?), he slows the team down (lazy cretinish football analysis) and he can’t play with Rooney (I see no reason why he can’t). The only beef I’ve ever had with Berba is that his finishing is not what I would want it to be. Simply speaking, he misses a tad more than what United can afford, competing at the level that we are. That’s all.

  322. November 23, 2011 at 06:00
    bayoRed says:

    Carrick was awesome, the team played better football and dominated this Benfica side. We would have won comfortably if it were not for the two mistakes which are unavoidable the way we constantly have to shuffle players in the back four.
    Carrick should always start!

  323. November 23, 2011 at 06:02
    Jeet says:

    @King Eric, MG, Balaji: I can’t believe that some posters say that the MF was a problem yesterday. Beggars belief. Like everybody else, I also believe that we need to strengthen that area, but yesterday was not one of thosoe days that offered evidence to support that belief. You don’t get 60% plus possession against that Benfica team with a shit midfield. Makes you ask did they ever bother to watch the game in the first place? I’m sure they never bothered to learn it as kids.

  324. November 23, 2011 at 06:06
    Utd4life says:

    @KR.. Mate, everyone knows that Utd could do with another midfielder. But we have to utilize the resources that we have got at the moment. Lets see what SAF does in the transfer window. I like to believe that he’s got an ace up his sleeve because he, just like us, realises that the MF needs some fine tuning. So, given the resources/players that we have at the moment, what do you think is the solution to our midfield woes apart from buying a player?

    Just to clarify, Carrick and Fletcher were outstanding in the game. IMO, 2 silly mistakes cost us the game because apart from that we were brilliant. I believe the team will win against Basel because we have always done the business when the stakes are high (Read Chelsea game last year).

  325. November 23, 2011 at 06:10
    Jeet says:

    @Redhound: Spot on at 5:43. That’s what I’ve been banging on about for ages. This squad is on the verge of greatness. Just needs a little bit of magic dust in the form of 1-2 proven worldclass talent in midfield (and in defence :) ?). When I cry for signings people get me all wrong thinking I am a doom&gloom-er. I’m hardly pessimistic – instead I see infinite potential, crying out to be realized.

  326. November 23, 2011 at 06:13
    friveluss says:

    @KR,
    I hear what ur saying trust me. However I think there are two things ur ignoring. Firstly, from a MIDFIELD perspective we COMPREHESIVELY won that game. 2ndly, we will ALWAYS adapt our tactics wen the tym calls for it. This is something fergie is well known for. It dusn always work but the tactics are always in the best interests of the team n getting a result.

    Having our midfield is not the best I agree but of players find form with respects to our teams composition and they gel as a unit we can still compete. Individually speaking last season there were 4 perhaps 5 teams with a better mid than united but they came away with the title by quite some margin, this could be indicative of the importance of the unit over the individual.

    I agree that for uniteds standards our midfield is way way below what we have come to expect but I think let’s maybe crap on them when they play badly. Last night was certainly no such night.

  327. November 23, 2011 at 06:14
    RedHound says:

    Jeet

    This current team is Popeye.
    And Popeye needs his spinach

  328. November 23, 2011 at 06:14
    Corea says:

    @King Eric – yeah, but we must rely heavily on the wings when we attack the opposition these days. And it is pretty obvious. I am not a guru in football matters just a guy who follows the sport for years but after drawing against Basel we should have won yesterday and SAF saying we just weren’t fortunate enough isn’t a good enough excuse. Of course i am confident we will qualify at Basel but we made it difficult for ourselves.
    Fergie knows best i believe. So i will give him the benefit of the doubt. We are not inside the team and we don’t know what exactly happens there and what are the long term tactics with player’s physical condition creeping in as well.
    The good sign is that all of the guys get plenty of minutes. We will be there in terms of getting to another level after the turn of new year i believe. Hope nothing of the cautious 3-point football in the second part of the season. Of course with some exceptions with trophies on the cards.

  329. November 23, 2011 at 06:24
    dannysoya says:

    The issue is not midfield at all but it was the defence we have been prasing all thee days we had 645 possession FFS against a solid Benfica midfield. You have no idea how good it felt to dominate a game again. I was SUPER happy with our midfield. Disappointed with the petty mistakes at the back though.
    Now I think we are ready for the geordies. I was having my reservations but today they showed they are ready for the geordies.

  330. November 23, 2011 at 06:25
    dannysoya says:

    64% sorry stupid typo. LOL.

  331. November 23, 2011 at 06:26
    sandeep1878 says:

    @ KR

    on what basis u think we get hammered by 5 goal margin? over two legs..

    i doubt,

    agreed we were defensively shit against Basel..

    but yesterday’s goals were due to errors that are rare from UNITED…

    we have had 6 cleans sheets on the trot prior to this game,

    we are regaining our defensive concentration and confidence..

    so i fail to understand your commenet regarding 5 goal aggregate hammering..

  332. November 23, 2011 at 06:30
    sandeep1878 says:

    Corea,

    right,

    most of the times, our attacks come from the wings, thats our trademark..

    we stepping it up, though the scoreline doesnt convey the message, we are gradually coming to grip..

    and yeah,

    The Carrick ranters continue, right after he pulled his best performance of the season,

    thank god Berba scored, otherwise the players are the usual scapegoats..

  333. November 23, 2011 at 06:31
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    Good Morning ROM!

    @Jeet, On the other hand, look at it this way. Maybe Sir Alex doesn’t want to buy a new player because he knows it will only hinder the progress of the outstanding youth talent we have coming through. Make no mistake about it, from what I’ve been reading from King Eric and the web – and seeing a little here and there – this is arguably the best set of youth players United have rounded up since the Class of 92. Tunnicliffe, Morrsion (if he exorcizes his demons), Pogba (if he stays), Keane brothers, Fryers and a lot more names I can’t remember – That is one amazing bunch of talent.

    The way I see it Sir Alex knows any incoming buy will have to be in-place of one of those guys and I feel he doesn’t want that. His plan is to make sure we remain competitive everywhere until one of those guys makes the cut. We already saw that at the beginning of the season, everybody was bleating on about a Scholes replacement, but Sir Alex had probably earmarked Cleverely in that role and Tom really did step up to the plate until that injury knocked his progress.

    The same way everybody wants a box-to-box mid-fielder and Tunnicliffe has probably been earmarked for that. When Ole is raving about a player, then you know the man does have some talent in them. And Ryan is United through and through as well, one just has to follow him on Twitter to realize that.

    Some people talk about that creative spark and that magical, exciting talent. I feel Morrison has probably been earmarked for that role. He is one of those players who everytime I watch him play, he just brings that spark, that something magical that we’ve been missing in many games. I don’t think he has fully understood what he has here and if Sir Alex can work his magic on him, then we’ve got a truly exciting talent on our hands.

    And, of course, people talk about that hard man in mid-field and everyone thinks Pogba will be the person in that role. There have been lots of rumors surrounding his departure and I have no idea how it is going to work out. But he is our player for now and that is good enough.

    Did anyone else notice that all of these players come from the same position? MID-FIELD. I thought so. Does anyone else realize that a pattern is developing here? Hell fucking yeah!

    Let’s face it, any new mid-fielder will probably have to be around the 27 age mark if brought from outside to truly make a difference. And if we buy such a player, then we’ll have to keep him around for quite some time and that means when the above players are ready, they don’t get the requisite game time and go elsewhere. Now, we all don’t want that to happen, do we?

    That, ladies and gentleman, is the simple reason why we haven’t bought a mid-fielder and why I feel we won’t be buying anyone soon. Sir Alex is working his magic. He knows the current squad is perfectly capable but lacking something. But he is the master at what he does. He can get enough out of this squad to lead them to PL glory (fuck the CL for now) as he showed last year. And this squad certainly has enough talent to win the PL by pipping City.

    Just imagine if Sir Alex goes out having done something magical like he did with his first big team. His class of 92 were truly special and we still talk about them and the fact that one of them is still playing is huge. If he does something similar with what will be his last team, that will be truly amazing. He has the resources to do it. Most of the aforementioned players are Mancunican lads and have been playing together in the youth setup for a long time. Now, we just need to patient for everything to fall into place.

    P.S. : Does anyone else notice another pattern? That this final set of players will have been tutored by Ole at youth level. That means that if and when they make the cut to the senior team and Sir Alex decides to call it a day, everything perfectly lines up for Ole to take over. Yes, a man “can” dream. ;)

  334. November 23, 2011 at 06:34
    lordrt says:

    Too much defensive lapses cost us again, and leaves us a big task to win in Switzerland. I think the lads deserve a wakeup kick, they are going too soft in their approach, and SAF needs to invest in some quality players yet again, or bring up the impressive lads from the reserves to fit them for good in the first team… One satisfaction thou, the bitters lost in Italy

  335. November 23, 2011 at 06:38
    RedHound says:

    @lordrt, mighty napoli burst their bubble big time. You know what that means of course, they’re going to buy Cavani in the summer for 100 million pounds

  336. November 23, 2011 at 06:40
    RedHound says:

    That sounds like a good script for a Solksjaer movie

  337. November 23, 2011 at 06:44
    Balaji Sivaraman says:

    P.S. The above is also the reason why Sir Alex Ferguson is where he is right now and we are sat here fucking moaning about every United performance. You and me – we only look at the right now. We want United to win trophies right now. We want United to play pretty football right now. We want United to beat all and sundry by 10 goal margins right now. Everything a majority of the fans are concerned with is how United perform at the present.

    Sir Alex, on the other hand, wants United to dominate for the next two decade. He wants the class of 92 all over again. He wants to make sure that – even after he has retired – United be challenging for all the trophies. And he wants to do it how we have always done it. By placing our faith on the vigor of youth. By grooming our own players and bringing up through the ranks so that they are steeped in the history and ethos of what makes Manchester United who we are. So that when they make the top, they know the kind of players they are replacing and what their achievements are and they know that they should never let the former greats down. Cleverley, Welbeck, Tunnicliffe, Morrison and even newcomers like Jones, Smalling, Hernandez seem to “GET” this.

    That is the reason why we are here. And Sir Alex has been around for 25 years winning trophy after trophy and making sure we do it the right way as well. That is the fucking reason why Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson is the greatest of them all.

  338. November 23, 2011 at 06:50
    RedHound says:

    and that probably means he’s prepared to sacrifice a few trophies here and there, blood a few youngsters here and there. He’s a visionary that he is

  339. November 23, 2011 at 06:55
    lordrt says:

    @RedHound : Lol and he’ll do a Tevez on them afterwards :D

    But on a darker side, Utd have been struggling lately, and its either fresh blood needed or a change in tactics to get the team clicking again

  340. November 23, 2011 at 07:01
    RedHound says:

    lordt , yep he most def will and then milk them like the whore cow they are.
    Balaji’s post has a ring of truth to it, there is a whole lot of talent coming through and they’ve been getting rave reviews from those who witnessed the blooding of the 92 class

  341. November 23, 2011 at 07:10
    lordrt says:

    Appreciated Balaji’s post, but I think NOW is the time to test these young players, as currently the team is hitting a low note, and may be they could give our football a new dimension and put the challenge higher for those slacking behind, and if any player does not meet the standards, sell them and bring in better ones to keep the “engine” purring…

  342. November 23, 2011 at 07:11
    Utd4life says:

    @Balaji.. Good post mate. I also feel that his dependence on the youth coming through is one of the reasons why he isn’t buying anyone. If the plan comes through then screw the CL for a couple of years till these lads step up. I never witnessed the genesis of class of 92 but I sure don’t want to miss out on the class of 2012/13.

  343. November 23, 2011 at 07:20
    Giggs12Gerrard0 says:

    I thought we played really well and just two stupid errors cost us. First 25 we were flat but from then on we were looking back to our attacking force again. Berba, Fabio both should have won it for us.

  344. November 23, 2011 at 07:27
    Costas says:

    Morning all.

    Another thing. 14 goals conceded in 9 OT games this season is utterly pathetic. That’s a negative record for us as far as I can tell. The previous one was 11 goals in 09-10. Heck, there are some instances where we conceded less over the course of a season! Fergie has focused a lot on our away form (7 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses and just 4 goals conceded!), but I feel that we’ve lost our way at home. I should also add that yesterday the team seemed to get going once the crowd did the same. It wasn’t a coincidence imo.

    @Sandeep

    Hey mate. Doesn’t matter how much we score. If Benfica win, they top the group. Since we got 2 score draws against each other, away goals is what counts first.

  345. November 23, 2011 at 07:44
    sandeep1878 says:

    Costas,

    mate, 14 goals in 9 games at OT..that is awful..

    we need to sort that out because the very fear of us on opposition comes from our usually strong defense..

    well i cant imagine how poor we have played in Europe this season bar yesterday’s game..

    we were unlucky indeed with an Own goal and a back pass..

    Was Berba off side? he looked off side..

  346. November 23, 2011 at 07:49
    sandeep1878 says:

    Can anyone post extended highlights link to our last night game?

    it will be much appreciated,

    thanks in advance..

    and i think City will buy Cavani :P

  347. November 23, 2011 at 07:53
    Jeet says:

    @balaji: I understand all of that, and fergie’s thinking is bleeding obvious to me…you and I have been through this debate before. However, I am not convinced that 1-2 mature midfield signings would block the way for Pogba and Co. It’s a squad game, we play a lot of matches, and half of our mf is anyway in the treatment room. If the kids are good enough, they will get their chances – with or without the added competition. Berba isnt stopping Welbz, is he now?

  348. November 23, 2011 at 07:54
    RedHound says:

    make no mistake about it. Berbatov was truly offside. so things coulda been worse

  349. November 23, 2011 at 07:54
    Jeet says:

    By the way, don’t you think there’s a fair chance of us meeting Chelsea/Aresenal (assuming we qualify :) )? Wouldnt be the worst draw

  350. November 23, 2011 at 08:04
    Costas says:

    Berba was offside for their goal. But there were 2 other instances where our players were wrongly flagged offside. Not the best night for the ref and his assistants. I just hope that that harsh yellow for Fletch doesn’t come back to haunt him later in the competition.

  351. November 23, 2011 at 08:13
    Anand says:

    What was wrong with Young yesterday? He was screwing things up left right and centre! Not only tripping and falling all over the ball, but misplacing passes, and being offside by such huge margins even a blind linesman would have called it. And don’t even get me started on that awesome pass by Berba which was surely a goal had he not so royally screwed it up. Oh and before I forget, he had that attitude that ‘I won’t move. You’ll have to pass the ball right at my feet’. Utterly ridiculous!

    Berbatov was amazing. Yes he didn’t latch on to a chance that should have been a sure and easy goal. But it was a volley and it’s always dicey in such cases. But what was so beautiful was his control on the ball, and his minimalistic approach to the game, where he didn’t linger on the ball and just tried to push it into open spaces forward. He snatched balls away, he created chances, he scored. And he’s not even a regular starter. SAF needs to use him as much as possible. And he’ll only get better with more match practice.

    The second goal we conceded deserved capital punishment. It was a LAMEASS clearance from De Gea. After that, it was just a question of controlling the ball in the acres of open space that presented it and score. And they did just that. We were caught napping so hard it was unbelievable. We could have held them at 2 – 1, if it wasn’t for that stupid mistake from the keeper.

  352. November 23, 2011 at 08:45
    sandeep1878 says:

    The link to highlights, sky sports, 18 mins video..

    http://www.soccerclips.net/videos/benfica-v-man-united-sky-highlights

    Hello Jeet,

    you make a good point,

    I think buying a new player wont hinder the growth of the young, but it Sir Alex who doesnt want to pay over the odds for the players who are linked to UNITED by media.

    i wont be suprised if we uearth a young midfielder who has potential and then pair him up with Cleverly,

    from inside, Ravel is one option, but at the moment i feel that we might sign someone who is young enough and who has enough expereince to get the job done..

    that is if at all we sign..

  353. November 23, 2011 at 08:47
    sandeep1878 says:

    i m sorry guys, dont click the above link, it was our away game highlights…:(

  354. November 23, 2011 at 08:54
    Sam Smith says:

    Jeet – normally you can’t draw a side from the same country as you in the last 16, so if Chelsea and Arsenal top their groups we won’t be able to draw them. Unfortunately this obviously raises the odds of us drawing Real or Barca…

    On another note, judging by Sir Alex’s comments after the game about us needing to ‘win in style’ against Basle, I don’t think he knew at the time that goal difference is effectively irrelevant – if Benfica win we cannot top the group, it goes down to the head-to-head between us, and Benfica have 2 ‘away’ goals. I wonder if he feels that a draw was such a good result now…

  355. November 23, 2011 at 09:01
    sandeep1878 says:

    The correct link to highlights (10 mins)..

    http://www.101greatgoals.com/plus-tags/pagenum/1/tag/manchester-united-video-clips-highlights-feed/video/15726541/

  356. November 23, 2011 at 09:11
    kanchelskis says:

    @Anand

    I’d be inclined to go easy on Young. He was back after injury, and playing in a position he hasn’t played for Utd before. He played a few great balls (his Scholes-esque scoop over the top for Berbatov being the best), and lasted 90 mins. Yes, he overcooked a few passes and crosses, and strayed offside once or twice, but that isn’t always the fault of the player who’s offside. Sharper forward passes from the midfield would’ve had him on the shoulder, rather than two yards off.

    @Sam Smith

    Yes – if Arsenal and Chelsea top their groups, it doesn’t look great for us. It basically leaves us with either Bayern, Inter, Real, Apoel/Zenit or Barca(/AC?).

    Only one of those looks at all inviting!

    I said it last night and I’ll say it again. We shouldn’t look to last night’s performance – or even result – as the reason we’re messing this group up. It was that capitulation against Basel that screwed us.

  357. November 23, 2011 at 09:16
    Zelh says:

    absolute disgrace.
    now we have to fear that we get kicked out in the fucking group stages against teams like fucking basel and benfica!
    At some stage we just get a draw against Basel cause we didn’t fucking deserve anything from it!

  358. November 23, 2011 at 09:23
    Sam Smith says:

    @ kanchelskis

    That doesn’t look good. I’d fancy us against Inter, they have had an easy group and have been poor in Serie A this year. Apoel/Zenit would be fine too. However I don’t think we could have too much optimism about getting a result against Real, Barca or even Bayern (there’s just something horrible about playing Bayern, they are such a tough team to beat in the CL).

  359. November 23, 2011 at 09:24
    Sam Smith says:

    Of course I’m assuming here that we go through, but on the evidence of last night and the home game against Basle I don’t think I should be so sure!

  360. November 23, 2011 at 09:27
    Zelh says:

    I couldn’t care less.
    In this kind of form any team of barca, bayern, real will give us a beating.

  361. November 23, 2011 at 09:30
    tray86 says:

    Yesterday result was a true disappointment really…

    As we saw last year at Arsenal’s case, it is not very promising when you get a draw at the first knockout stage against the like of Barca, Real Madrid or Bayern. And this is certainly the situation now (a loss at Basel is not even worth to think about, be it only in a scenario of a nightmare!)

    To concede 5 goals in 2 matches at home against Benfica & Basel is completely unacceptable, regardless Vidic is playing or not. If your team’s performance depends on one man, you don’t have a good squad in top club football.

    IMO, I think the amount of goals we concede is clearly because of the goalkeeper change. Don’t misunderstand it, I have become a true fan of De Gea, but we need a little more extra years for him to get the same quality like Edwin had.

    As for yesterday match, Berbatov’s goal was offside, but yeah, it was difficult to realize for the linesman, I accept it. Defending was very sloppy, you can not get results with this kind of defending in the CL…

    Well… BRING ON the Catalans, the Blancos, or the Fritzes! This United is absolutely capable to beat them, if they are in TOP-TOP (!!!) form.

  362. November 23, 2011 at 09:38
    kanchelskis says:

    Zelh says:

    I couldn’t care less.
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    That’s the spirit.

  363. November 23, 2011 at 09:44
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    If united get real madrid, barca or bayern then expect us to get knocked tumbling out, these team are way ahead of us both in form and confidence. it is a realistic view not necessarily pessimistic.

    We still have to go basel to win and believe it they’ll up for it even more than they were at old trafford, football can throw a sucker punch and i hope we don’t get hit badly.

  364. November 23, 2011 at 09:48
    ClaytonBlackmoresTan says:

    I didn’t think we’d win it this season. I still don’t think we will. New signings coming in, some established legends leaving. The team needs time to adjust. We’re nowhere near the best team in Europe are we at present? That being said, with some tweaking and gelling this season, next year will be a different scenario entirely. I believe that utterly.

    I really enjoyed the game last night despite the defence leaking goals for fun, reminded me of our early nineties European soirees.

    Let’s not get too aggravated by it and hope that the experience gained will stand us in better contention next year.

    Thought Carrick had a blinder.

  365. November 23, 2011 at 09:55
    Jeet says:

    We will win the Cl this year. You heard it here first :)

  366. November 23, 2011 at 09:56
    kanchelskis says:

    @ClaytonBlackmoresTan

    Glad someone else noticed Carrick’s brilliance. If he can play like that until May, we WILL win the title.

  367. November 23, 2011 at 10:02
    itsfergietime says:

    This article is a must read. Brilliant! http://bigfourza.com/blog/2011/11/have-united-inverted-the-pyramid/

  368. November 23, 2011 at 10:03
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    I honestly don’t know why fergie keeps pairing jones with rio, they aren’t a great partnership in my view even though individually they’re both quality (rio has been suspect lately).

    they both played against basel and we were sloppy at the back, same against benfica why? because jones lacks experience and possibly tired after playing so many games, he needs a rest.

  369. November 23, 2011 at 10:08
    GAZ says:

    Carrick had a outstanding game last night actually our defence had a stinker all except Rio and up front Young had a stinker as did Tony V, Once Berba scored he looked dangerous but Chicho should have came on earlier!

  370. November 23, 2011 at 10:16
    RedHound says:

    So what everyone on here is saying is that Benfica is definitely going to finish top even though we outscore them vs Basel?

  371. November 23, 2011 at 10:20
    kanchelskis says:

    @RedHound

    Yes. It’s not goal difference, it’s head-to-head record that would separate us. Their 2 away goals trump our 1 away goal, unfortunately.

  372. November 23, 2011 at 10:23
    tray86 says:

    Anyway, I don’t really understand why SAF is afraid to use a 4-3-3/4-5-1 tactic. He used to choose that when we had Ronaldo, but the wingers still United has, I think we are capable of playing in that.

    The only time this season SAF used that was against Liverpool at Anfield.

    Benfica has no wingers (ofc SAF knows that too) so they pack the midfield area. Against such a team, it does make a sense to use such a tactic.

    De Gea
    Fabio Evans (Smalling) Ferdinand Evra
    Jones
    Fletcher Carrick
    Valencia Young (Nani)
    Hernandez

    We have very good wingers for such a tactic, and yeah, I think Berbatov would be too slow in this system…

  373. November 23, 2011 at 10:25
    RedHound says:

    get ready for Barca then, as am sure UEFA will want to cash in

  374. November 23, 2011 at 10:29
    tray86 says:

    RedHound

    Question is definitely spot on mate!!

    I don’t understand that. United is now level on points with Benfica, though we have better goal difference by 1 goal. So if that is the case what you are predicting, we should be first as it stands NOW.

    I think when the points are the same, the places decided by the results against each other firstly. And that is why Benfica is first now as it stands, because they score more away goals in the two encounter…

    Am I correct?

  375. November 23, 2011 at 10:41
    YS says:

    @ tray86……….the line up has 12 players

  376. November 23, 2011 at 10:43
    RedHound says:

    How super would it be to knock out Barca. God i’d give my wealth to the poor if that happened

  377. November 23, 2011 at 10:43
    kanchelskis says:

    @tray86

    Yes, correct.

  378. November 23, 2011 at 10:44
    mara says:

    We neeed Middlefield….2 players..world class…and if anyone think you cant buy success with money, look at RM, Barca…you can…and that idiot Glazer have to give more money. We invested the smallest amount of money when you account all big clubs in Europe, thanks to SAF. But he cant make something from nothing. Actually, he is already doing that. We need more money. If we could buy players from out year profit, we would buy all best players in europe. But we cant, we have to pay debts, Galzers asses..

  379. November 23, 2011 at 10:45
    RedHound says:

    on second thought i probably wouldnt

  380. November 23, 2011 at 10:46
    sandeep1878 says:

    tray86,

    You are right pal

  381. November 23, 2011 at 10:52
    jay says:

    We better fix up because Basel now have a chance to progress and if we do progress and finish second, if we meet Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Inter Milan we will get our asses handed to us. If we had won against Basel then we would have been top. The group is relatively easy and we should of walked it, now we have a mountain to climb. Benfica will definitely win against Oteli.

  382. November 23, 2011 at 10:52
    lordrt says:

    Guys before starting to find out who the opposition will be in the last 16, lets hope we do reach there, Basel caused a major upset at OT when they visited, and now we’ll be moving to their homeground, where they may be more dangerous, and I can bizarrely sense that SAF will send the team to get a draw there, so more like a defensive 4-5-1 option, but if we get surprised there and lose, then its the europa waiting

  383. November 23, 2011 at 11:04
    sandeep1878 says:

    Sir Alex Ferguson walks out of the BBC press conf..

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15853955.stm

  384. November 23, 2011 at 11:14
    GoatinaUnitedShirt says:

    sandeep nice video mate cheers. didnt look like the boss went in there full of expectations of a good interview and his reactions are spot on, and his prophecy confirmed. lol
    I for one thought we played a great game and I think that was probably our best performance of the season even if it wasnt reflected in the result. But thats due to chance, fate, luck etc rather than lack of effort or bad game tactics.

  385. November 23, 2011 at 11:15
    CedarsDevil says:

    Morning all

    Have not yet read the posts but will do in a minute. I actually enjoyed the match, thought it was a decent game of football. For me Carrick was superb.

    kanchelskis

    Looks like you got your wish, we can only finish second! hahaha (Barring a miracle in Portugal) Worst still we may even not qualify!

  386. November 23, 2011 at 11:16
    RedHound says:

    whats the point of fearing an early draw with Barcelona, Bayern or Real, its almost as if you’re saying lets put off defeat for as long as we can and then later(moreover at the most important match e.g a final or semi) we can embrace it and accept it. If you cant beat them after the groups, then you dont deserve to beat them in a final

  387. November 23, 2011 at 11:21
    kanchelskis says:

    @CedarsDevil

    Haha. Hoped I wouldn’t get called up on that! It wasn’t a ‘wish’ as such… more that I didn’t think it would be such a bad thing.

    Safe to say I’ve had a bit of a rethink. Assuming Chelsea and Arsenal win their group (and we get through!), it looks like Real, Barca, Bayern, Inter or – if we’re lucky – Nicosia/Zenit.

    Inter wouldn’t be disastrous. On current form. Real, Barca or Bayern would be disastrous.

  388. November 23, 2011 at 11:22
    kanchelskis says:

    …but then again, you have to beat the best to be the best. As RedHound points out, better to lose to a good team in R16, rather than delaying the heartbreak til later and draining your resources in the process.

  389. November 23, 2011 at 11:32
    ClaytonBlackmoresTan says:

    @Kan-Kan,

    Spot on- look when we won it in ’99- Barca twice, drew but didn’t lose, Inter, Bayern, Juve…. these boys were the best in Yerp at the time and we took them all on and beat them.

    I still don’t think we’ll win it this time as conceding dodge goals seems to be very in vogue for us this year in Yerp, but to be the best you have to beat the best. Factual actual.

    I think we’ll do Basel without any Fawlty though, 3-1, no problem.

  390. November 23, 2011 at 11:39
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    Even if you’re at your best there are no guarantee’s you’d go through, it’s a cup game shit happens and you could get dumped out at any time.

    united should focus on 2nd place as benfica will absolutely smash a hapless otelul galati and even if they don’t, they’d win or maybe galati would wanna play for pride and put their lifes in the game, you never know but the chances of that happening are zero.

    united have to beat basel or draw, the swiss side will bomb forward at will and that might leave them exposed but anything can happen now, it’s a roll of the dice.

  391. November 23, 2011 at 11:40
    CedarsDevil says:

    Just whipped through the posts, TonyBee – Cracking joke you old fool!

    I am with most here who suggested that last night had NOTHING to do with our midfield, again I will say that Carrick was superb, we conceded 2 very freakish goals, Rio slipped on his ass, Jones with a couple of mistakes….

    kanchelskis

    Hahaha, ok not wish but more of of a preference!

  392. November 23, 2011 at 11:41
    Jeet says:

    @Cedars: Where have you been? Totally agree – was a cracking game, and at the end of it, I felt more “alive” if you will, than what I have been feeling at the end of the 1-0 wins. Very happy with the performance, if not the result.
    Basel is gonna be tough – their strikers are good and from what I know, their crowd really gets behind the team. I just hope we play high tempo with Vida back at his beasty best. Carricks gonna be a big miss though :(
    Can’t wait for it. But honestly, I am already beginning to believe we will qualify and beat whoever we face in the second round. If we don’t – ohh well, it’ all about cycles. You can’t expect to reach the Cl final every fucking year (that’s how spoilt we’ve got).

  393. November 23, 2011 at 11:43
    kanchelskis says:

    I’d rather be in the situation we were in when we went out in ’05, where it’s CL or nothing. I couldn’t bare the ignominy of Thursday nights on Channel 5.

  394. November 23, 2011 at 11:46
    CedarsDevil says:

    Jeet

    I never post or read the blog during or straight after matches, gets my blood boiling and I avoid the trouble my friend…

    I believe you summed it up perfectly, United fans have become spoiled

  395. November 23, 2011 at 12:00
    bayoRed says:

    Where are the ”Slow reactions to our draw with Benfica”?

  396. November 23, 2011 at 12:06
    RedHound says:

    Slugish and lethargic reactions to Draw with Benfica

  397. November 23, 2011 at 12:06
    Jeet says:

    @cedars: yeah, we got some right daft cunts coming here, particularly after any match where we don’t win by 5 goals. My stance is always to be analytical, critical if you must be, but never abusive towards players or over the top negative. And hopefully not downright stupid :)

  398. November 23, 2011 at 12:07
    CedarsDevil says:

    Just watched highlights of the Blues of Naples beating the Blues of Stockport, cracking match….Pissed my self watching Balotelli having a fit like a 4 year old after missing a chance….. This Cavani fella is one hell of a player, do not watch the Italian league at all so perhaps my friend Willie could give me an insight on him

  399. November 23, 2011 at 12:08
    kanchelskis says:

    Yeh, where the fuck is Scott’s blogpost? I demand a new post. I pay good money for th…

    oh wait.

  400. November 23, 2011 at 12:13
    rohan19 says:

    @balaji : i can see what you mean. it obviously makes sense.. but for that our ‘matchday fans’ will have to accept a couple of transition years.. which im not sure they are ready to.
    i actually loved last nights game.. add vidic to that defense and we qualify..
    do not go on that freak result against basel at home… it happens.. im actually glad we’ll not be winning the group..
    the CL is about playing and beating the toughest teams.. which we can.
    its not about hoping for easy draws and then gloating.. hell i’d take madrid in round of 16
    on our day we can beat anyone. tactically we can beat any team over 2 legs..

    we actually showed some attacking instinct yday. which has been missing since ‘the match that shall not be mentioned’ and thats a good sign… young centrally works well..
    and carrick had a cracker of a game.
    i’d take
    madrid in round of 16
    inter milan / napoli in quarters
    barca in semis
    bayern in finals..

  401. November 23, 2011 at 12:16
    kanchelskis says:

    @rohan19

    I’m sorry to say I really wouldn’t fancy us against Madrid.

    Mourinho’s approach to that match will be simple… identify the soft spot in our defence (there’s always been at least one this season) after about 10 minutes, then stick Ronaldo there. Whether it’s wide left, wide right or through the middle, he will destroy us.

    Just being realistic.

  402. November 23, 2011 at 12:17
    RedHound says:

    i think Ferguson’s view is the best way to react to the possibility of drawing Barca, Real or Madrid;

    “It makes it a bit harder, of course, but maybe the bigger game would suit us anyway. The opportunities are there to play Inter, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

    “You have to judge that this way – if you played them in the semi-final or the final, you would be only too delighted, knowing the possibility is to win the trophy. This way, we can do it in the next round, although the clubs we will face will know that too.”

  403. November 23, 2011 at 12:18
    CedarsDevil says:

    Jeet

    Its the stupid ones that annoy me the most…. I do not mind constructive criticism, I also love a decent debate, but some daft fucks who only post shit during matches get under my skin and so for the sake of my health I tend to stay away!

    kanchelskis

    Hahahahahaha

  404. November 23, 2011 at 12:19
    SirK says:

    we are doomed! I smell another humiliation !

  405. November 23, 2011 at 12:23
    rohan19 says:

    i think fergie knows a thing or two about stopping ronaldo?
    just a thought.
    he also knows a thing or two about playing mourinho’s teams..
    we might get knocked out but hell if we do beat such a side in last 16 our players will get a tremendous confidence boost..
    also david beat golaith not the neighborhood sheep.. we play best when we’re underestimated..

  406. November 23, 2011 at 12:23
    Jason says:

    I think the biggest problem is not the squad, it’s because there’s no understanding, we keep changing players each match, especially in defense and midfield. I think what we need is consistency, and I think we need to get Rafael back to his best ASAP, because we miss his aggression. Sir Alex need to find the best CB pairing and ASAP and stick to it for every match. For me I think Jones-Vidic or Vidic-Evans are our best CB pairing for this season and we need to stick to it so that it be a stable partnership.

  407. November 23, 2011 at 12:24
    tray86 says:

    @ YS

    The player names between round brackets mean the alternative solution for that position :> without the bracketed players it is 11 :)

  408. November 23, 2011 at 12:26
    wayne says:

    Fuck me now some posters think Utd would lose to Inter and Bayern,what the fuck is the point of advancing everyone left will kill us.
    I can understand it Inter are such a force and Bayern are just about unbeatable oh wait didn’t they get outplayed and beat at home last weekend
    Honestly some of the negativity and stupidity of shit on here that gets written just wears me down.

  409. November 23, 2011 at 12:28
    CedarsDevil says:

    wayne

    Hi mate, and hence why for me this blog can be unbearable during and straight after matches!

  410. November 23, 2011 at 12:30
    RedHound says:

    “neighbourhood sheep” haha!

    actually David beating Goliath was like Aldershot beating Barcelona

  411. November 23, 2011 at 12:31
    wayne says:

    @Cedars yes mate you can only head butt a wall long enough before you pass out

  412. November 23, 2011 at 12:31
    tray86 says:

    @ rohan19

    At his best, I am confident that Evra alone could stop that boy Ronaldo…

  413. November 23, 2011 at 12:33
    CedarsDevil says:

    Debating with fools means you’re a bigger one yourself!

  414. November 23, 2011 at 12:34
    NBI Red Onion says:

    I don’t understand why Carrick always starts the season slowly, we may need to send him to the US for pre season so he is in form at the start of the EPL.

  415. November 23, 2011 at 12:37
    RedHound says:

    Wonder whats up with HIM? It was all going so well, then…..

  416. November 23, 2011 at 12:41
    WillieRedNut says:

    Cedars – Cavani? First thing that pops into my head about him…..clinical. I heard a few things about him last season. So, I watched him a few times. One of the times I seen him play, was against Lazio. I think he scored twice. A 30 yard screamer. The other goal, he chipped the keeper. This was a must win game for Napoli. 4 3, it ended. He turned it around for them. I don’t hand out platitudes to anyone. But, I would put this guy in the world class bracket. He’s got the lot. Big game for Napoli last night. He didn’t disappoint again. ;)

  417. November 23, 2011 at 12:43
    NBI Red Onion says:

    For me Rio Vida is clearly still our best defensive pairing look at the stats for this season. After that either of them with Smalling.

    Let me also say kudos to Evra for his cross for second goal- he is a one of our best crossers.

  418. November 23, 2011 at 12:48
    CedarsDevil says:

    Said this before and I will say it again…. United are not just a football club, they are a love affair and a life style. Loving United should never be about winning things it should merely come from the heart… Its about passion, excitement and the mere pleasure of watching 11 men wearing our shirt….

    The BABES are in my heart, Sir Matt is in my heart, Best and the rest of his generation are in my heart, Robbo is in my heart, Sir Alex is in my heart and every player that has worn the shirt is in my heart…

    Love UNITED

  419. November 23, 2011 at 12:50
    voice of reason says:

    Not the one to miss United games but had to last night. Exam in the morning, cold and headache and the game 45 mins past midnight. Compelled to go to bed, lying down thinking about the game and the lineup. will never get it right.

    Woke up early for results…2-2 shocked at first but read carrick, berba had a gud game and was an exciting one.

    Luking at the standing though we are a goal gud than Benfica we are at second. So it comes down to head to head and we will probably end up there.

    This year was not about winning CL, I wish we did year after year. We are practically a new team and for a season or two we’ll continue to c new faces wearing that red shirt on the pitch. Yes I m talking abt youths not payroll collectors.

    I am not an expert but what ever happens, who ever we face I’ll enjoy it. Cause for me missing a game is disappointing. Enjoy it when u still have it. The world might just end in 13 months time.

  420. November 23, 2011 at 12:51
    CedarsDevil says:

    Willie

    Cheers for the insight my friend, posters like yourself and King Eric I tend to take your words blindly about players, among other things of course! Wonder where he’ll end up then?

  421. November 23, 2011 at 12:54
    voice of reason says:

    Real Madrid you’re (next after) next. Manchester United vs R.madrid. Now that is the game for all ages. Barca are boring passing cheaters

  422. November 23, 2011 at 12:56
    voice of reason says:

    @cedars
    I hear you my fellow red. United till I die.

  423. November 23, 2011 at 12:58
    torontored says:

    Last night thought I had woke up from a bad dream – realized when watching the replay it was nightmare. Shpuld have bagged at least 4 goals. Can’t knock the effort but ffs why did our two errors lead to goals for them.

    No point in saying we should play this formation or that formation and we need this player or that – we have the talent but just not clicking right anywhere on the field.

    Fuck me -SAF says we always play better after XMAS – well Santa would be welcome right now.

    OK game over – let’s do it the hard way.

    UNITED 20/4/12 (and maybe the Carling Cup)

  424. November 23, 2011 at 13:03
    WillieRedNut says:

    Cedars – Not sure where he’ll go mate. I don’t think he’ll move to another club in Italy. All the reports I’ve heard is, he’s happy playing for Napoli. Now, that could change, especially if a big offer comes in for him. I know City have been sniffing around. That won’t surprise anyone though lol. All the top clubs in Europe will be monitoring the situation. When he does go, it will be for huge money. 30 million pus, I would say.

  425. November 23, 2011 at 13:06
    Costas says:

    Like someone said, lets wait until we are through and then we can pick opponents. Depending on what Chelsea and Arsenal do in their groups, Leverkuzen and/or Marseille could be added as potential opponents. Or we could draw APOEL. No one knows for sure. Even if the draw is fixed, if Uefa want a Barca-Real final, they won’t jeopardize it by pairing one of those two against us in the last 16.

  426. November 23, 2011 at 13:09
    wayne says:

    What makes me laugh Utd have had alot of injuries to deal with,anyone who is a Utd fan knows the team gets better 2nd half of the season,last time i checked the team has lost one game all year yet bozos have written us off couldn’t make it up.
    I got shit a while ago comparing some posters living in fifa 12 world or whatever the fuck it is now, but its true,this isn’t a computer game it’s reality

  427. November 23, 2011 at 13:15
    WillieRedNut says:

    KR – Is Lou not entitled to his opinion? To call him a retard, is uncalled for.

  428. November 23, 2011 at 13:15
    CedarsDevil says:

    Willie – City sniffing hahahaha loved it! Thanks for the insight again buddy

    wayne – You crack me up mate! brilliant stuff

  429. November 23, 2011 at 13:22
    CedarsDevil says:

    voice of reason

    Cheers, yes loving United is all about the love my friend

  430. November 23, 2011 at 13:40
    Booch says:

    Young played well last nite Berberov palyed very well first goal in 3 years brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  431. November 23, 2011 at 13:48
    Gizmoj says:

    With no irony at all I have realised today that I know nothing about football. too many people on here are applauding Carricks performance yesterday for me to think its them…it must be me but I still don’t get it.

    He was slow in possession, I saw a number of occasions when he was taken off the ball or played passes into very risky situations and I still don’t see him tackling, scoring or making chances often enough. He always takes up positions near opposing players so receiving the ball is a risk and he, for me, is still a complete luxury player..Okay so he keeps possession (by playing rubbish sideways nothing passes) and that is only until he punts in into noone in particular…This guy for me is not good enough to play in our midfield (well not if we had a half decent one anyway) and I just don’t get it at all….HELP ME PLEASE !!!!!!!

  432. November 23, 2011 at 13:56
    slim says:

    Oh lawd of mercy, KR if you’re reading this please watch the game closely. Its hardly surprising the MF get the blame again, even thought they did a mighty good job against a solid midfield of Benfica. This talk of Barca is bollox. They are the Kings of wing play, all their attacks and goals come from the wings, what the hell does anyone think messi does . They stretch their opponents to death. Sure they have Xavi and others in the centre to control possession of the ball but more than half of their good fortune in front of goal comes from the play either side of the the striker and full backs. They mix it up with their MF’s threading balls through the middle but the focus is coming in from the wings. Fuck me you would think all this wanking over the Spanish giants would at least give some an insight into how they play. You guys need to get your self in check before coming out gobbing off because honestly it makes your arguments sound pathetic.
    Whats the big fuss anyway, Madrid couldn’t get out of the group and knockout stages for years until a couple of years back. I can understand frustration but this is taking the piss on a massive scale

  433. November 23, 2011 at 13:57
    slim says:

    Gizmoj

    Spot on, bravo buddy you are so right. You know nothing about football. Its not an Irony, its just a fact

  434. November 23, 2011 at 14:04
    Costas says:

    Looking at the Basle, Galati and Benfica games, Carrick has been one of our best (if not our best) performers in Europe this season. So this time, it’s not just a case of the big bad midfield leading to our downfall. Weird team selections, arrogance and poor defending led us to our worst performances in Europe since 05-06. In my opinion of course.

  435. November 23, 2011 at 14:05
    slim says:

    GoatinaUnitedShirt

    Indeed. i wanted to go as far as saying it was one of the best – if not the best performance this season, but stopped short simply because of the result. Last night looked like 11 players in sync, albeit the costly second goal. That was the only fuck up. That said we looked way better than i’ve seen in a while

  436. November 23, 2011 at 14:10
    slim says:

    @mara

    Sure we won’t see you till you have another match to moan about but please do tell, what success has money given to Real Madrid or even Barcelona for that matter, considering more than half of their first 11 stems from heir youth system. Please please please do tell, enlighten us clueless ones. Like i said take your time, i’ll patiently wait a month or tow for you to come out with your answer

  437. November 23, 2011 at 14:13
    Sandeep1878 says:

    Good evening lovely Red Devils around the world,

    @

    ovember 23, 2011 at 11:14
    GoatinaUnitedShirt says:

    well said buddy..

    I think Sir Alex will start preparing these players mentally now, that cutting edge and spirit can be enhnaced by the great man..

    i m not talking about other games, but yesterday we were unlucky..

    Make no mistake, we have faced many games like this make or break Basel game and we will come victorious..

    its not just the dignity and status that is in question, it will also be the amount of money we lose if we cant make it beyond group stages..

    hell, in a way, i would love this game, because now the players will be serious after they were put in such a crap group..

    dont worry fella reds..

    the Red machine will go on on and on..

    BTW,

    Lebanese King, how is your Empire’s demolition on scouseland going? :P

  438. November 23, 2011 at 14:18
    WillieRedNut says:

    Fair to say, both their goals rocked us. Apart from that, we played well in stages. Just 2 silly mistakes, that’s all.

  439. November 23, 2011 at 14:20
    Imran says:

    People who say carrick was shit, did you’ll watch the match? He played some great balls out to the wings, intercepted well and got a few tackles in. He was Our best player yesterday, the defence cost us the match not the midfield, and mind you we had 64 percent possession against a very Good side, and we played some very Good football….

  440. November 23, 2011 at 14:29
    moscow JT says:

    i can bet my last character(to post a comment on RoM) that most of the top teams will be shitting their pants about the possibility of united placing 2nd. barca and milan will be playing to avoid top spot tonight!

  441. November 23, 2011 at 14:39
    Sandeep1878 says:

    Imran,

    hello buddy,

    there is no point in debating with carrick ranters,

    no matter what, he gets the stick :)

  442. November 23, 2011 at 14:42
    wayne says:

    I don’t think any team will throw games to avoid Utd but i don’t think Utd players are worried about who they play.Most top players thrive on big games and if they don’t shouldn’t be putting the shirt.So although some fans have no faith think the players don’t really give a fuck,can’t see them shaking in their boots waiting for the draw.

  443. November 23, 2011 at 14:45
    rohan19 says:

    @redhound : neighborhood sheep was intended towards the team thats now destined for europa league after spending money worth a country’s GDP

  444. November 23, 2011 at 14:47
    rohan19 says:

    @imran : carrick’s certainly turned a corner.. that one pass where he sliced benfica defense and found berba was amazing.. sadly berba was offside..

  445. November 23, 2011 at 15:37
    Ancha says:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqo4L2dSQPE&feature=player_embedded

    for those who missed, Paddy nailed that guy!

  446. November 23, 2011 at 15:47
    JC says:

    It’s really hard to piss and moan too much about this game (though its easy to complain that we were very very unlucky). Both Fabio and Young should have had goals and were denied by great saves and Berba should have had 3 along with a number of other players that could have got a luckier bounce in the box on one of the many scrambles we had in front of their goal. Our defense gave up a total of 2 bad plays in our end all night and we were made to pay for both of them. I think it’s easy to argue that if Vida hadn’t been screwed by the 2 game ban we’d have defended both of those times much much better and probably would have won this match going away.

    All in all, though disappointing that we failed to get all 3 pts, we should a much more energetic and optomistic game all around last night. If we keep that up we’ll have no problems going forward when we get our best lineup back in on a regular basis.

  447. November 23, 2011 at 15:50
    t4m says:

    Berba’s 1st CL goal in 3 yrs.what a donkey

  448. November 23, 2011 at 16:14
    denton davey says:

    Gaz @ 10:08: “Carrick had a outstanding game last night actually our defence had a stinker all except Rio and up front Young had a stinker as did Tony V”

    Not sure I agree with your comments – actually, I “half-agree” with them.

    Carrick AND DarrenFletcherinho were very, very good after the 20th minute (or thereabouts);

    De Gea made a howler that led to the second goal but why was the ball played back to him ?

    Patrice Evra went walkabout before the first goal but he was assigned to stick with Gaitan and he was able to get back in position before the ball ricocheted off his leg and into Jones’ knee;

    Fabio had a good game and the only blemish was his uncertainty when he was through on the keeper; his scoop-pass to Dimmy was exceptional and should have resulted in – at least – a shot on the goal;

    Rio had a good calm game;

    Phil Jones is naive and his immaturity gets shown up too often; last night, however, the own-goal was just an accident and that happens;

    Now about the forwards:

    Nani was mostly-terrific – he’s never completely-terrific, is he ? – and his cross that led to Dimmy’s goal was perfect; did you notice that he was triple-teamed and still was able to get the ball into the danger zone on one occasion ?

    Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia were dire;

    Dimmy was – well – Dimmy; inconsistent, fluctuating from brilliant to frustrating. Invisible for thirty minutes, he scored on his first touch and damned-near got an assist from his defence-splitting pass to Ashley Young which was wasted by Young. Also, he could get back from off-sides positions with some sense of urgency.

    Obviously, CaptainVidic and TheWayneBoy were missed but the play from Valencia and Young was the real low-light of the evening. They were embarrassingly bad.

  449. November 23, 2011 at 16:20
    CedarsDevil says:

    Ancha

    How on earth are you my good friend? Cheers for the link, brilliant stuff…

    t4m – donkey? hmmm

  450. November 23, 2011 at 16:24
    RedHound says:

    @rohan, Neighbourhood sheep indeed. Lets put it this way, Napoli’s owner made a proposal to Manchester United to let his team play United in an exhibition match for a million pounds. Ferguson probably politely declined. Man City? they had to invest half a billion so they could have the right to be knocked out by Napoli. #Neighbourhood houseflies

  451. November 23, 2011 at 16:25
    WillieRedNut says:

    Park should always play in Europe. 8)

  452. November 23, 2011 at 16:27
    CedarsDevil says:

    I agree with the above Nut

  453. November 23, 2011 at 16:28
    StatesideAussie says:

    Been reading some of the comments. Like KE, Balaji, Willie and some others, I am a little mystified about some of the responses re the midfield. Actually, I thought we played pretty well overall, against a Benfica who have some real quality and who came out and had a real go. We fucked up in defence a couple of times and got punished for it, but you have to expect that at this level. But there were some sensational surges of attacking play from both teams — even though I natually wanted us to win, I reckon most neutrals would have said that was a good advertisement for European football.

    I said to my son during the match (actually, before it started, when I saw the team sheet) that I thought Young and Nani were the wrong way around. Young should have been wide, Nani through the middle with Berba. I see some on here also picked that up.

    In defence, Jones was unlucky for the own goal — instinctively stuck out a leg and the football gods conspired against him. For the second goal, I don’t think he should have back-passed, but when he did, de Gea messed up. I have commented on here before (this season and last season) that our defensive passing and interplay with the goalie (even with VDS) was risky sometimes and one day we would pay for it. Yesterday was that day. But hey, they’re young and they’ll learn from it.

    In the middle, I think we were a little overwhelmed early on, but that was largely a question of numbers (resulting from the formation) and the boys rallied and did well.

    In attack, I thought we looked more fluent and creative (and cohesive) than we have for some time. Given that some of these players haven’t seen much action for a while, I’d give them an A+. When you can put rusty players into an unusual combination and come away with a performance like that, that’s pretty good. Some of the decisions were bizarre — what was up with the offside calls? But then again, Berba got away with a dodgy offside call for his goal, so I guess we can’t complain too much.

    As for criticisms, our crosses and corners were ordinary at best, and that has been a trend. It needs attention. Nani blew hot and cold — made some great runs and absolutely terrorized their defence on occasion, but also made some howlers. I thought Young was ineffective. Most of our guys had at least one forgettable moment, but I can’t say anybody had a shit match.

    Overall, I thought that was our best performance for some time. If we can tighten up at the back, iron out some of the kinks (which would take care of itself if these guys played together more often) and reduce the errror rate, I’d say that was a pretty set-up out there.

    And let’s not forget: the situation we’re in with qualifying isn’t down to that match, it’s got a lot more to do with some of the earlier matches where we really were pants.

  454. November 23, 2011 at 16:29
    Costas says:

    @denton

    The whole team’s attacking menace was invinsible in the first 30 minutes. Don’t know what more Berbatov was expected to do until then, instead of huff and puff and wait for some decent service to come his way. As for the offsides, they’ve been an issue with another one of our strikers this season. It’s more about timing than urgency.

  455. November 23, 2011 at 16:30
    WillieRedNut says:

    Cedars – Lol. Nuts indeed.

  456. November 23, 2011 at 16:36
    CedarsDevil says:

    Willie – Makes two of us buddy :-)

  457. November 23, 2011 at 16:38
    WillieRedNut says:

    StatesideAussie – Young looked lost at times. Nani was Nani. Sublime in parts, but frustrating in others. The midfield will always be a bone of contention. My views on that issue are well known. I couldn’t fault Carrick, or Fletch last night. But for 2 errors, I doubt the midfield question would’ve come up for discussion.

  458. November 23, 2011 at 16:46
    denton davey says:

    jay @ 10:52: ” if we meet Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Inter Milan we will get our asses handed to us.”

    “O ye of little faith”.

  459. November 23, 2011 at 16:49
    CedarsDevil says:

    denton

    More like ‘O ye of no faith whatsoever’

  460. November 23, 2011 at 16:59
    denton davey says:

    Costas @ 16:29: “The whole team’s attacking menace was invinsible in the first 30 minutes. Don’t know what more Berbatov was expected to do until then”

    I’m not “blaming” him for being invisible – it was just a statement of fact. (In the next two minutes he scored and should have had an assist, if not for Ashley Young’s fuck-up.)

    My comment about getting back on-sides related to several incidents in the latter stages when he just didn’t show any urgency/desperation which, given the circumstances, you’d expect to see.

    Dimmy’s miss on the scooped-pass from Fabio was truly dire – you’d expect (hell, I’d expect) – that a player of his skill would do better. I know that it was a difficult chance but he’s supposed to be the man with the skills yet he didn’t even put in a shot-on-goal or make the keeper work. It was a moment to salvage the game – and, most probably, some confidence in SAF’s estimation. He flubbed it.

  461. November 23, 2011 at 17:00
    JC says:

    I dont think you can slate Young too much for his performance yesterday as he was coming off a foot injury, hadn’t played for 3 weeks and got thrust into a big euro match in the wrong position at the last minute due to Rooneys knock on Sat. All in all we had great energy and attacks after the 1st 15-20 mins of pedestrian knocking it back and forth it took to recover from that unlucky bounce off Jones. I really hope we see that kind of effort this weekend, if we do we’ll have a good result and the moaning can cease.

  462. November 23, 2011 at 17:02
    Ancha says:

    Cedars

    I’m fine sir, was busy with my post Grad prep but i read most of the comments from the regulars and along with your posts i always look out for the posts from “Slim” as his views are very sensible and almost near to mine.

    How are you doing?

    Slim
    your posts are quality! keep em coming

  463. November 23, 2011 at 17:07
    Ancha says:

    Willie

    On current form, Park should start most of our games not just Champs League.

  464. November 23, 2011 at 17:12
    Sandeep1878 says:

    Chill out folks,

    Basel will see the best of UNITED, hope they give a free ticket for Fedex since hez a long time Basel fan :P

  465. November 23, 2011 at 17:13
    James21 says:

    I can hear the Geordies rolling down from newcastle. Get the chips and Pies on Utd.
    Wondering if I’ll need my Long Johns or not, bloody freezing here. Hmmm. Have to miss mid week games, work is a curse for the Football fan. Can’t wait to get stuck in to em on Sat.
    U.N.I T.E.D.

    was very optomistic with the perfomance last night, play like that and with Vidic and hopefully Rooney back and we’ll be fine. Had the Shitty fans moaning about the prospect of going into the Europa all saying Mankini should play reserves cos it’ll fuck their Premier league prospects up. Who the hell do they think they are, Overconfident Posnan Pricks.

  466. November 23, 2011 at 17:17
    StatesideAussie says:

    Costas … you and Denton both a have a point on the offside. There were definitely times yesterday when the timing of the run versus the timing of the through-call or pass, were out of sync. I put that down to rustiness of the individuals, as well as unfamiliar combinations. On the other hand, Denton has a point — much as I love Berbatov, there are times I could tear my hair out when he’s obviously offside and seems in no hurry to get back on. But having said that, I’m not sure it actually cost us any opportunities, and I don’t think that had much to do with the calls against him. It’s just frustrating when you can see that he’s offside, and appears totally unconcerned about it.

    I have heard some strikers say that loitering offside, when you’re not about to get the ball anyway, can unsettle the defenders. Defenders like to know whether you are on or off at any given moment. A striker who is obviously offside represents a lower threat. When he moves back onside, he becomes a bigger threat. The timing of that transition is something defenders care about a lot. If the striker delays his return to an onside position, it can annoy them.

    But like you said, he isn’t the only one who’s been having offside issues this season, is he?

  467. November 23, 2011 at 17:20
    denton davey says:

    JC @ 17:00: “I dont think you can slate Young too much for his performance yesterday as he was coming off a foot injury, hadn’t played for 3 weeks and got thrust into a big euro match in the wrong position at the last minute due to Rooneys knock on Sat.”

    Totally disagree – he was assessed in training and pronounced “fit”; SAF kept Chicharito on the bench in order to play Ashley Young as the withdrawn striker. I know it’s hindsight but “if you’re fit enough then you’re expected to perform”. He’s not at Aston Villa any longer !

  468. November 23, 2011 at 17:22
    denton davey says:

    StateSideAussie @ 17:17: ” If the striker delays his return to an onside position, it can annoy them.”

    THAT sure sounds like special-pleading to me.

    The match was in the balance, get back on-side, and play for the team !

  469. November 23, 2011 at 17:31
    StatesideAussie says:

    Denton … thanks for acknowledging that Berbatov’s blown chance was a difficult one. I agree he should have done better. I believe Steve McClaren commented that if there is a striker in the PL or even Europe that you’d expect to deal with a ball like that, it’s Berbatov. But while it’s OK to criricize him for that, I think it is fair to acknowledge it was a difficult chance. I do not agree with those who describe it as a “sitter”, because to me, a sitter is something easy that you would expect any professional striker to bag. In yesterday’s case, his position on goal and relative to the defenders and goalie was great (so it was a “sitter” from that aspect), but what made it difficult was the way the ball came to him.

    Willie … absolutely — scrub out those two errors, and people would have been over the moon at the rest of it. On another night, without those errors and if Berbatov and Young had done better with the chances they got, it could easily have been 4-0. I’m not one who is given to arguing could-woulda-shoulda in terms of results: the fact is that we messed up and we paid for that. So I’m not going to say the result was unjust in any way. But in terms of overall performance, I’m not balling my eyes out. It was a vast improvement over what we’ve seen for some time.

  470. November 23, 2011 at 17:33
    Sandeep1878 says:

    i wonder how differnce a score of 3-2 than 2-2 brings..especially in ROM..

    its time we accepted our current set up is NOT THE PEAK OF MANCHESTER UNITED- falls short by miles..

    plenty of experince lost, plenty of new and inexperinced faces, fucking injuries, bloody suspensions,

    Believe nothing is going our way at the moment,

    but like all of you i have faith in the team that it will fire on all cylinders, very soon, dont know at what cost it will come, but just wait for the full strength team…

    we are winning ugly as our fellow StatesideAussie will put it,

    we are gaining the confidence in defense, bar yesterday’s game..

    Midfield was superb,

    and by the way, when was the last time rooney scored? and all i see here is Berba bashing..

    and Carrick, no matter what you do lad, you end up as a scapegoat, bit hang on, we always support you..

  471. November 23, 2011 at 17:36
    Costas says:

    @denton

    It was a good chance for him there in the end. Personally I can’t blame him because I’ve gone for the first time volley too in that situation. But like Fergie said, maybe he should have brought the ball down instead.

    @Stateside

    Onside runs are complex at times. It’s an issue for Berba, especially when he’s playing up top on his own. But there also has to be a good understabding with the provider. It’s not always easy to pull off. I think Berbatov cares. He just shows it in his own way, lol.

  472. November 23, 2011 at 17:39
    StatesideAussie says:

    Denton … it wasn’t meant to be special-pleading, but if it was, so what? After all, it’s hardly unusual for a fan to engage in special-pleading for a particular player, is it? And there’s plenty of special-pleading against Berbatov. And I did agree that I saw your point and that I find it equally frustrating even if, in the end, I struggle to recall any (or not many) incidents where that behavior has actually cost us.

  473. November 23, 2011 at 17:48
    FletchTHEMAN says:

    Couple odd posts early on about Nico Gaitan. Lot of reports linking him with a move to OT. Can’t see it really and 40M?! Any of you lads a fan. Nico and Nani would likely have it out behind the stands as well ;)

  474. November 23, 2011 at 17:51
    CobhamHood says:

    Watching United play Benfica at OT – £50.
    Watching Sir Alex walk out of the press conference – Priceless !!

  475. November 23, 2011 at 17:51
    slim says:

    Ancha

    cheers bud., good luck with your preparations. those were one of my most stressful moments in school. Post grad is no joke

  476. November 23, 2011 at 17:54
    Sandeep1878 says:

    FletchTHEMAN..

    40M?

    wow, i doubt if we pay that much even in fantasy league for him :P

  477. November 23, 2011 at 18:03
    FletchTHEMAN says:

    Sandeep, Yeah mate 40M is what they are all claiming. The Mail and the Telegraph have the same number?! I kind of doubt we would lay down 40M even to get Ronaldo back. God I hate transfer window time. Entire press corps seems to take the piss on our fans but linking us with
    i. every player that does well against us.
    ii. every out of contract play from here to siberia,
    iii. every academy lad out of nappies.

    But was more interested in what you lads thought about Gaitan, I didn’t really see that much over the 2 legs. Decent enough, but not sure what the hype is about.

  478. November 23, 2011 at 18:11
    slim says:

    FletchTHEMAN

    Gaitan is a good enough player but i’ll leave those decisions to Fergie. And word of caution we are going to have to pay these kind of fees. 2-3 years ago we got Berbatov for 30 million, its just the way it is. Young was never more than decent against us, never stopped SAF going for him or even with Jones. He’s got quality, just up to the gaffer if he wants him

  479. November 23, 2011 at 18:28
    Sandeep1878 says:

    Slim,

    you are right pal,

    Sir Alex will rarely sign a player in space of weeks or months, few exceptions such as Ronaldo..

    He will always keep a tab on the progress of the player over 2 years, thats how the great man works and thats how the scounts want to work…

    and i believe in it…

  480. November 23, 2011 at 18:35
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    Paddy Crerand is an absolute LEGEND !

  481. November 23, 2011 at 18:41
    united.george says:

    we need a new thread….need the quick reactions already! or the not so quick reactions would do as well.

    despite the errors the game was enjoyable to watch…everytime we attacked it looked like we could score and the entire team was part of the buildup….much better lads, lets take that same drive against newcastle on saturday.

    on another front, is rooney out for the newcastle game? wil never forget “the volley” against the geordies!

  482. November 23, 2011 at 18:48
    Sandeep1878 says:

    Ancha,

    that was a classic video of Paddy the legend..

    indeed ha nailed him..

  483. November 23, 2011 at 19:14
    CedarsDevil says:

    James21

    ‘Overconfident Posnan Pricks’ Never tire of reading that comment, brilliant stuff

  484. November 23, 2011 at 19:14
    frankie says:

    here are my (not so quick) reactions to yesterday’s game:

    1) Phil Jones is a great player but not yet the finished product. Everybody thinks that CB is his best position but he looked nervy as CB and has played better as RB and defensive CM (for England against Sweden)
    2) Our defence is not the same without Vida
    3) Carrick is our best MF player at the moment. Fletch also had a good game. After the first 20 minutes our midfield dominated the game against a numerically superior opposition
    4) Nani is a mixture of the sublime and the infurariating (usually the last ball)
    5) De Gea was let down by what is one of his strongest attributes (kicking the ball)
    6) Valencia is not yet the same player that he was before his injury. He appears to have lost confidence and the ability to pass a defender that stands in front of him
    7) It is easy to distinguish Fabio and Rafael. Rafael is a far better player.

  485. November 23, 2011 at 19:16
    King Eric says:

    Gizmoj – Obviously you are entitled to your opinion but you can’t see what Carrick did? Sideways passes all night? Err did you see the two 60 yarders to the left flank?, the numerous snappy passes into the strikers feet? His blocking, interceptions, postioning. Carrick was excellent last night as he was against Swansea and I can actually seeing him becoming a great player as he gets into his thirties and dictate play in a Scholes way. Not comparing him but he can control the tempo of a game. This myth he only passes back or to the side is exactly that. A myth. If there is movement infront of him he will play it forward. A great holding midfielder. Just ask Xavi Alonso.

  486. November 23, 2011 at 19:18
    King Eric says:

    Slim – Hey up pal. Fuck me. You are being positive!!! Nice one mate. Only messing.

  487. November 23, 2011 at 19:18
    CedarsDevil says:

    Anyone in the UK remember these lines from an ad in the 80′s

    ‘If you like cheese you’ll love these’ hahahaha

    Not sure what brought it on, just bored I guess!

  488. November 23, 2011 at 19:21
    CedarsDevil says:

    Was it Smiths crisps? Not sure to be honest

  489. November 23, 2011 at 19:25
    King Eric says:

    Ha ha ha. Anyone hear Paddy having a pop at Phil from Prestwich the other night? Comedy fucking gold.

  490. November 23, 2011 at 19:25
    torontored says:

    Two errors (Yes I know – two goals) and the sky is falling in for half the writers on this site.

    FFS we are way better off than last year in general terms – issue as always is key injuries and the belief of several that we are not good enough.

    Well we are good enough / aways have been / always will be.

    Stop moaning and get behind the team – do not slag

    United 20/4/12 – (and maybe the Carling Cup)

  491. November 23, 2011 at 19:28
    James21 says:

    Hi cedars yes I’ll have to copyright it. :D
    It just rolled out before the Derby game (You commented on it that day) and now they always get reffered to as Posnan Pricks.
    Was very supprised you didn’t pull any of comments that were made last night even with your old friend Moses commenting. I still can’t work him out, no red I know would say the things he says solely to wind up fellow Reds. So I think you’re right about him.

  492. November 23, 2011 at 19:28
    CedarsDevil says:

    King Eric

    Our buddy Ancha posted a link to that chat, bloody hilarious

  493. November 23, 2011 at 19:31
    James21 says:

    Cedars. Was it advertising a Bucks Fizz album ?

  494. November 23, 2011 at 19:34
    CedarsDevil says:

    James21

    Hahaha,

    Regarding cunts like Moses, it all depends on the mood my good friend. At times I cannot be arsed to be honest….. He’s already been sussed out as a non Red, more likely a sheep shagging Leeds fan.and if only I can dig out old posts I would prove it..

    By the way, congrats to all Greek Cypriots, some bloody achievement by APOEL

  495. November 23, 2011 at 19:37
    slim says:

    King Eric

    :-) yeah well what can i say i was impressed with the lads last night. Especially the Central midfield duo. Carrick hit a ball to the left to Nani on the 39th minute absolutely sublime. And it wasn’t just that. I saw something different in there last night and it was good to see him controlling proceedings. A lot to be positive about mate. Just hope the players heads don’t drop. they were fantastic if you ask me. One mistake cost us the 3 points and that’s it. I don’ even count the OG because it happens to the best of the best. Why only a season or so ago we goofed around on here about how OG was one of our best players. Chuffed for jones too because while you could see he was disappointed it didn’t affect his game, well until the backpass anyway. Fletcher coming up with the goal and running to the crowd had me in goose bumps. Really good stuff. Like i said i hope their heads don’t drop they did good

  496. November 23, 2011 at 19:39
    denton davey says:

    FletchTheMan @ 17:48: “Couple odd posts early on about Nico Gaitan. Lot of reports linking him with a move to OT. Can’t see it really and 40M?”

    Less there than met the eye.

  497. November 23, 2011 at 19:39
    CedarsDevil says:

    James21

    Not sure about that ad, I am sure it used to appear on tele….

    Bucks Fizz??? Hahaha, just opened up a new can of memories!

  498. November 23, 2011 at 19:40
    slim says:

    King Eric

    just read your reply to Gizmoj or something. Mate i’m not even bothered with his sideways pasing. IF you do that to retain possession then i’m okay with that and i feel you discredit Carrick by pointing out “two” instances. He was mobile, found the extra yard to pick out players, sucking players in and feeding his team mates. The way they went about their business was top notch. Onward and upwards i hope, they should use last nights game as a yard stick and they’ll do just fine

  499. November 23, 2011 at 19:42
    slim says:

    KE- sorry about that replied in haste after reading the first paragraph. Summed it up nicely

  500. November 23, 2011 at 19:43
    CedarsDevil says:

    RVP starts for the Gunners, yours truly in drooling mode! hahahaha

  501. November 23, 2011 at 19:52
    slim says:

    Just watched Paddy’s tear into “phil”. it was epic. Priceless

  502. November 23, 2011 at 19:54
    slim says:

    Just like Cedars to come on ROM the minute he see’s RVP on the telly :-) . keep a hanky nearby to wipe the drool buddy

  503. November 23, 2011 at 19:57
    CedarsDevil says:

    Hardly ever watch games outside of the Premiership, I have to admire this Kagawa fella though, some player…..

    slim – Hahaha cracked me up buddy

  504. November 23, 2011 at 19:59
    WillieRedNut says:

    There’s me hoping to see Vidal and Augusto for Bayer? Vidal was sold……and Augusto is injured! This shit isn’t fair. I blame the economy.

  505. November 23, 2011 at 20:01
    James21 says:

    Your word is good Cedars, I’ve spotted 1 or 2 things that reminds me of my Uncle, a true wind up merchant and not some rival fan whose a WUMWANNABE.

  506. November 23, 2011 at 20:09
    CedarsDevil says:

    Hats off to the Dortmund fans, making all the noise at the airline stadium…. Why on earth is my beloved taking corners? Get stuck in and fire them home you beauty

    James21 – Hahaha…. An uncle as a WUM! tough life buddy :-)

  507. November 23, 2011 at 20:11
    slim says:

    501st comment – sorry bored as hell.

  508. November 23, 2011 at 20:35
    WillieRedNut says:

    Ballack and Chech have exchanged masks, instead of shirts.

  509. November 23, 2011 at 20:38
    Sandeep1878 says:

    half time..
    Milan 1 2 Barca

    che and arse game nil nil..

    good night my lovely Red Devils…

  510. November 23, 2011 at 20:50
    WillieRedNut says:

    The drog fires Chelsea into the lead! Fantastic strike.

  511. November 23, 2011 at 21:04
    MG says:

    RVP scores for Arsenal!

    Cue the Cedars love in anytime soon

    :lol:

    Evening United ;)

  512. November 23, 2011 at 21:14
    WillieRedNut says:

    Leverkusen score!

  513. November 23, 2011 at 21:17
    MG says:

    Have we scored that third goal yet this live blog is still stuck at 2-2

    Come on United get a move on!

    :lol:

  514. November 23, 2011 at 21:20
    WillieRedNut says:

    We never lose…..we just run out of time. ;)

  515. November 23, 2011 at 21:23
    MG says:

    Willie

    Words of great faith

    19

  516. November 23, 2011 at 21:30
    slim says:

    coor Cedars must be in beside himself

  517. November 23, 2011 at 21:31
    MG says:

    RVP scores again!!!

    Cue the Cedars blushes :lol:

  518. November 23, 2011 at 21:33
    WillieRedNut says:

    Leverkusen score again!!! AVB could be gone……..

  519. November 23, 2011 at 21:35
    MG says:

    Breaking News:

    AVB to be sacked within 24 hours!

    Disclaimer – this is a report based on the calculations of the man city future calculator borrowed from the wastelands

    :lol:

  520. November 23, 2011 at 21:35
    WillieRedNut says:

    Chelsea beat. Not looking good for the rentboys.

  521. November 23, 2011 at 21:36
    MG says:

    Their you go Willie we’re thinking the same lines again!

    :lol:

  522. November 23, 2011 at 21:38
    FletchTHEMAN says:

    Bayer Leverkusen score injury-time winner! beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Champions League.

    AVB is looking cooked!

  523. November 23, 2011 at 21:39
    WillieRedNut says:

    Fair play to the gooners. After the bashing we give them at OT, they’ve responded well. First English club to progress, to the knock out stages.

  524. November 23, 2011 at 21:39
    Fred says:

    OMFG! 8O

  525. November 23, 2011 at 21:41
    Paul Parker says:

    The managers comment about it being “a cruel game sometimes” was spot on. Conceding a European O.G was bad enough but the rare mis-kick from De Gea after we equalised and pulled ahead was really unlucky. Still, we can take positives from the game and tbf we don’t have a divine right to top the group every year. As long as we don’t lose the next one, Alex will get the lads ready to face WHOEVER in the next round. There were positives last night – for starters Fletcher and Berbatov got their second goals of the season and Nani had a much better game than Swansea. Also, even though Young and Tony are not 100% yet it was promising to see all 3 wingers used on the same pitch. Next up, the Toon Army.

    Laters RoM

  526. November 23, 2011 at 21:41
    WillieRedNut says:

    MG – I was thinking, what you were thinking. ;)

  527. November 23, 2011 at 21:43
    Fred says:

    Wow, that final game between Chelsea and Valencia at Stamford Bridge could be tasty. My money’s on Valencia! 8O

  528. November 23, 2011 at 21:48
    MG says:

    Hey Willie

    I was thinking what you were thinking!

    :lol:

  529. November 23, 2011 at 21:49
    Costas says:

    So Leverkuzen could be potential opponents for us now.

  530. November 23, 2011 at 21:52
    Eric Cantona Told Me To Tweet says:

    What the heck was Cech thinking? He was hessitated he could hav prevented it. Not that I care :)

  531. November 23, 2011 at 21:54
    Fred says:

    Costas – homecoming for Berba! :)

  532. November 23, 2011 at 21:56
    WillieRedNut says:

    AVB is currently listening to Bowie and Freddie’s classic…..under pressure.

  533. November 23, 2011 at 21:56
    Sparkz says:

    I’m surprised there hasn’t been more praise of Nani tbh. I thought he was sensational, arguably one of his best performances of his season. Constantly beating the 2 or 3 players who were surrounding him….and his final ball was generally very good. Set up the goal, and off the top of my head, set up chances for Young and Hernandez in the second half. What was most impressive was the way he kept taking the ball 20-30 yards forward single handedly, dragging us up the pitch, and dragging a couple of Benfica players with him, before passing it to a team mate.

    I’ve always said that Nani’s biggest weakness is when he delays beating his man. He slows down, tries to do a trick, or just feint, and it delays everything. That’s the frustrating thing. But when he decides to just take his marker on, or even just put the ball into the box without hesitating….he’s terrific.

  534. November 23, 2011 at 22:01
    Costas says:

    Can’t believe the mess Chelsea made of their group due to those late equalizers at Valencia and Genk. Now watch AVB park the bus against Valencia and go for the draw. :D Recent history has shown us that if they open up, they’re fucked.

    Credit to Arsenal though. Their group is easy, but 3 months ago no one could imagine that on matchday 5 they’d be the only English club to secure their qualification to the last 16. And they’ll be the only English club to top their group too.

    @Fred

    More important than that, revenge for 2002!

  535. November 23, 2011 at 22:06
    Fred says:

    Costas – I never want to see that team again. Horrible memories. That curly-haired muppet manager, Klaus Toppmoller or something? Deary me. And those horrible players they had – Ballack, Neuville, Berbatov. Stuff of nightmares.

  536. November 23, 2011 at 22:13
    WillieRedNut says:

    I blame the Russian. He appointed AVB. Don Carlo is a top quality manager. Won the champions league twice. Shocking decision imo.

  537. November 23, 2011 at 22:21
    Fred says:

    Anyone could see that it was a terrible decision back when it happened. Abramovich is a twat who knows nothing about football.

  538. November 23, 2011 at 22:27
    Costas says:

    I don’t believe AVB is useless. But maybe he should have come in under Hiddink’s wing or something. He obviously wasn’t ready for such a big step.

    @Fred

    Come on now. Ballack wasn’t that bad. :lol: We got some revenge the following season by beating them twice (and Berba scoring against us, lol) but that semi final tie was so disappointing. Only time I’ve cried after a United game. For Keane more than anyone else. I knew it was his last chance.

  539. November 23, 2011 at 22:32
    TheCANTONA says:

    The Renties lose AGAIN. Bye-Bye AVB….

  540. November 23, 2011 at 22:33
    Fred says:

    I don’t believe AVB is a bad manager either. The bad decision was firing Ancelotti, not hiring AVB. The young man’s record at Porto was highly impressive. He should have stayed there and had a crack at the Chumps League with his all-conquering team, not jumped ship as soon as the Russian gangster and his plastic football club came calling.

  541. November 23, 2011 at 22:33
    CedarsDevil says:

    Robin van fucking Persie

  542. November 23, 2011 at 22:33
    denton davey says:

    somewhat off-topic – but, honestly, how good was the winner for Barcelona ? Messi’s through ball cut a laser-line between four defenders; football at its finest. A suitable winner for a great game of footie.

  543. November 23, 2011 at 22:35
    Fred says:

    The final round of games could very well see Chelsea and City demoted to the Europa League. I can’t wait!! :D

  544. November 23, 2011 at 22:36
    FletchTHEMAN says:

    AVB is trying to play a style that his players can’t or won’t play well at the moment.
    Feel he has to get more speed at CF. Used to have a good partnership but now they have
    very similar players in central defense. Chelsea have to win or not conceed. 1-1 and they are out v Valencia. To bad. Always good for us in the league when other teams are focused on CL.

    Think Chelsea might make Europa?

  545. November 23, 2011 at 22:37
    WillieRedNut says:

    Fred – True. The premiership isn’t a place for the faint hearted. Be interesting to see what Chelsea do now. Do they stick or twist? Especially with golden Gus in the background.

  546. November 23, 2011 at 22:38
    CedarsDevil says:

    RVP best player in world football at present, Messi can piss off….

    Robin, I think I love you! hahahaha

  547. November 23, 2011 at 22:40
    CedarsDevil says:

    A front three of Little Pea, Rooney and RVP? FUCK, no I mean FUCK

  548. November 23, 2011 at 22:42
    Fred says:

    denton – and Xavi bursting into the penalty area to apply the coup de grace. When was the last time one of our central midfielders did that…? :(

    Cedars – RvP has scored 33 goals in his last 30 games. He cost Arsenal 3 million pounds in 2004. :| Phenomenal.

  549. November 23, 2011 at 22:43
    Costas says:

    I think Scolari tried to do something similar with Chelsea’s style of play and we all know how that ended. This squad just can’t bend that way. And Abramovich is clueless about building a new squad that plays a different way.

    Imagine Chelsea, City and (God forbid) United ending up in the Europa League. :eek:

  550. November 23, 2011 at 22:45
    CedarsDevil says:

    Fred – More like astronomical, what a fucking player…… Fucking brilliant he is

  551. November 23, 2011 at 22:47
    Fred says:

    Fletch – what’s great about Chelsea and City being on the verge of elimination from the CL is that they cannot finish bottom of their groups and so will go into that Europa shite instead; so they’ll have their hands full with that crap for the rest of the season. :D

    Then again, we could yet end up there too… :oops:

  552. November 23, 2011 at 22:49
    Collyhurst Red says:

    @Costas

    You’ve only cried once? You must be well ‘ard!

    I’ve cried a few times….

    Wembley 1977 was my first memory……

    FA cup semi against Arsenal……….

    I was doing OK in the CL final in 99 until I looked at my 8 year old son crying and that set me off!

    I look forward to a few more hopefully! :-)

  553. November 23, 2011 at 22:49
    CedarsDevil says:

    May 2012 Europa cup final…… United vs City! hahahahaha

  554. November 23, 2011 at 22:50
    Fred says:

    Then again, I think the likes of Chelsea, City and ourselves (please God no) would use our Carling Cup squads in the Europa League.

  555. November 23, 2011 at 22:51
    CedarsDevil says:

    Collyhurst Red

    Wembley 1977? Bloody one of my best United memories

  556. November 23, 2011 at 22:51
    Collyhurst Red says:

    I forgot CL final in 2008………..

    …….. but they were tears of laughter :-)

  557. November 23, 2011 at 22:52
    Fred says:

    Cedars – LOL is that Birmingham City? They’re one of the “big guns” in this season’s Europa League. :oops: Such glamour and prestige…

  558. November 23, 2011 at 22:53
    FletchTHEMAN says:

    Might be about Europa league level ATM. :(

    Too many injuries etc. THink we will pull trough though.

    Night Night you REDs. Wishing pleasant dreams for all.

  559. November 23, 2011 at 22:53
    WillieRedNut says:

    United won’t be dropping into the useless cup. No chance! 8) City could win it though?

  560. November 23, 2011 at 22:53
    CedarsDevil says:

    Pearson, one of my all time favorites

  561. November 23, 2011 at 22:55
    Collyhurst Red says:

    @Cedars

    It was brilliant, 18 years old, couple of mates, stopped the scousers doing a treble (which I don’t remember at the time), hours and hours on the coach….

    Happy Days!

  562. November 23, 2011 at 22:56
    CedarsDevil says:

    Fred – course I meant Birmingham! Them blues from Stockport would not make to the quarters!

    hahaha

  563. November 23, 2011 at 22:58
    parryheid says:

    Gu Brah a Shiuir.Sunshine on Leith.

  564. November 23, 2011 at 22:59
    Fred says:

    Wow, the Europa League Final takes place at the national stadium of Romania – where we’ve already played Galati this season. Anyone believe in omens? :lol:

  565. November 23, 2011 at 22:59
    CedarsDevil says:

    Collyhurst Red

    Mentioned this before, I had a ticket for the game but I could not afford the trip down to London…. sigh

    We did stop the dippers doing the treble though….. Pearson you beauty

  566. November 23, 2011 at 23:00
    MG says:

    A letter to God

    Dearest God

    Please please please save us United fans of Live Thursday Football on Channel Five

    We would be grateful for your divine intervention in a few weeks time and look forward to your reply.

    With Love

    MG and the ROM

    :lol:

  567. November 23, 2011 at 23:03
    CedarsDevil says:

    MG – I second that! hahaha

    Mind you, Europa, CL, the Wild West or the darkest jungles of Africa I do not give a rat’s ass…. I just love United

  568. November 23, 2011 at 23:04
    denton davey says:

    Fred @ 22:42: ” Xavi bursting into the penalty area to apply the coup de grace. When was the last time one of our central midfielders did that…?”

    Didn’t DarrenFletcherinho (in his “football genius mode”) do that last night ? (and he did almost the same for UTD’s only goal against ManShitty)

  569. November 23, 2011 at 23:04
    Fred says:

    MG :lol: Are we allowed to decline entrance into the Europa League? Just a thought…

  570. November 23, 2011 at 23:05
    Costas says:

    @Collyhurst Red

    I made a mistake that year mate. I thought like a scouser and I convinced myself that it was our year. The final was in Fergie’s back yard, Veron and Ruud would give us that something extra, real were waiting for a dream final, it was Keane’s last chance, etc etc. So when the game in Germany actually finished, that’s when it sank in for me even though we reaaly struggled against that lot in both games. That’s when I learned not to expect too much. That’s why I haven’t cried about a United result since.

    Apart from that occasion in Moscow you brought up. :lol:

  571. November 23, 2011 at 23:05
    WillieRedNut says:

    I third that.

  572. November 23, 2011 at 23:05
    Fred says:

    denton – no flies on you! ;)

  573. November 23, 2011 at 23:06
    MG says:

    Yeah Cedars lets go to the darkest jungles of Africa we might find our resident Protocol who’s been M I A for a bloody while! – damn I’ve travelled to and back the other side of the world and their still isn’t any sign of him!

  574. November 23, 2011 at 23:07
    CedarsDevil says:

    I actually fourth that

    MG – Where on earth is the bugger?

  575. November 23, 2011 at 23:08
    MG says:

    Fred

    I hope so :lol:

    MInd could be a good excuse for letting the reserves loose for a while

    :lol:

    You know Pogba Morrison Keane Fryers etc etc :lol:

  576. November 23, 2011 at 23:09
    WillieRedNut says:

    Cry babies! :lol:

  577. November 23, 2011 at 23:09
    King Eric says:

    Slim. Cheers mate.

    Did anyone watch the full arsenal game? I was having a laugh at the rentboys. Although I suppose we are in no position to laugh. Having said that we aint losing every fucking game! Soldado will rip the Chavs a new one in two weeks. Anyway I watched twenty min of arsenal game and I honestly didn’t hear Goetze mentioned once. How good is he or is he just another over rated lad vastly over priced? Much like Gaitan who is valued at forty million but did nish last night after first fifteen min and was subbed. I keep hearing how all these supposed world class players will be our saviour but every fucking time I watch a flavour of month they do fuck all to convince me. Aimar on the other hand was his usual class self last night.

    What the fuck has happened to petr cech? He is awful.

    Any chance of a new thread please Scott seeng as though we played last night?

    Ha. Funny this morning mick quinn mocking both Manchester clubs. Err how are the dippers doing in Europe Mick? Even funnier was Saggers asking if city had been over hyped. No shit sherlock.

  578. November 23, 2011 at 23:10
    Deepest Red says:

    @ perryheid

    Your heart is broken?
    It wasn’t that bad, surely

  579. November 23, 2011 at 23:11
    CedarsDevil says:

    King Eric

    I watched the Arse game, still drooling all over my self at the sight of RVP mate

  580. November 23, 2011 at 23:12
    Collyhurst Red says:

    @Cedars

    Can’t remember how much it cost to get there, we went Yelloway from Middleton so it wouldn’t have been much!

    I know Yelloway and Middleton won’t mean much to a lot of people on here but proper Mancs will. :-)

    I know this might seem like heresy, but I sold my 1977 FA Cup Final program (cost 50p) last year on Ebay for £6.50 to a guy in Liverpool and it had a big coffee cup stain on it as well!

  581. November 23, 2011 at 23:13
    MG says:

    I fifth that fourth that third-ed the second that came after the first

    :lol:

  582. November 23, 2011 at 23:14
    Collyhurst Red says:

    @Willie

    Come on, own up to your tears :-)

  583. November 23, 2011 at 23:15
    MG says:

    If Gaitan is 40 million then cleverly is at least 80 million

    That’s how much we’ve missed the lad

    ;)

  584. November 23, 2011 at 23:18
    CedarsDevil says:

    Collyhurst Red

    Had a stash of match day programs stacked up in a box, countless actually, When I left the UK in the late 80′s my sis in law threw them out! Fuck me, wonder how much they would have brought these days!!

  585. November 23, 2011 at 23:18
    Costas says:

    Come on now. I only cried once. When he was 19, Ronaldo was crying after every defeat. :lol:

  586. November 23, 2011 at 23:20
    WillieRedNut says:

    Collyhurst Red – Ok mate. When Bambi got shot. :P Seriously, I think I shed a few, when Anelka missed his penalty. I was somewhat drunk, by that stage lol.

  587. November 23, 2011 at 23:22
    WillieRedNut says:

    Cedars – Stash? Where you in Strangeways prison? Lol.

  588. November 23, 2011 at 23:23
    CedarsDevil says:

    Collyhurst Red

    Forgot to mention, I was only 11 at the time so I would have needed an escort of sorts, therefore double the money! hahahaha

  589. November 23, 2011 at 23:24
    MG says:

    On the 50th Anniversary of Munich I practically cried all day – I couldn’t believe that I would be that wrapped up in the emotion – I remember I was in Hull then and even tried so many things to get my mind off it, but nothing worked.

    Cedars s right – what matters is that we stay United and behind our team.

  590. November 23, 2011 at 23:26
    CedarsDevil says:

    Enough with this crying crap! No shame in shedding a few tears, fuck me emotional movies make me weep. Does that make me less of man? piss off

  591. November 23, 2011 at 23:30
    MG says:

    Cedars cries after watching Die Hard

    It’s Bruce Willis running in a vest and bare naked feet

    :lol:

  592. November 23, 2011 at 23:32
    MG says:

    Cedars also cries watching Toy Story 2 too

    When the Emperor Zurg declars to Buzz that he is his father.

    :lol:

  593. November 23, 2011 at 23:32
    WillieRedNut says:

    Ronnie cries, every time he doesn’t get a decision. ;)

  594. November 23, 2011 at 23:33
    MG says:

    Cedars – you’re not crying are you?

    :lol:

  595. November 23, 2011 at 23:34
    WillieRedNut says:

    The prince’s goal for Milan was tasty?

  596. November 23, 2011 at 23:35
    Fred says:

    Paddy Crerand sticking it to that “Phil from Prestwich” guy who I’ve seen mentioned on here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqo4L2dSQPE

  597. November 23, 2011 at 23:35
    King Eric says:

    Now THIS is amusing lads. Just had a text off Kings. The commentator on the Barca game said Busquets is a streetfighter! He is a fucking diving soft fag. What is wrong with these fucking idiotic cunts?

  598. November 23, 2011 at 23:40
    CedarsDevil says:

    MG – hahaha no not crying at the moment

    King Eric – Do send my regards to Kings and tell the bugger we miss him here

  599. November 23, 2011 at 23:42
    WillieRedNut says:

    Go on Paddy lol. You’re thick Phil! :lol:

  600. November 23, 2011 at 23:45
    CedarsDevil says:

    Paddy Crerard is a legend

  601. November 23, 2011 at 23:50
    CedarsDevil says:

    oops another fucking typo! Crerand of course

  602. November 23, 2011 at 23:51
    WillieRedNut says:

    I am legend.

  603. November 23, 2011 at 23:53
    Costas says:

    Phil from prickwich is really Moses. :lol:

  604. November 23, 2011 at 23:57
    CedarsDevil says:

    I cannot believe how thick you are, what planet do you come from?

    Hahahahaha, how can you not love Paddy?

  605. November 23, 2011 at 23:57
    Costas says:

    I get people getting absent about our squad’s weaknesses, but who the fuck does he think he is talking to Paddy like that?

    Imagine someone telling Keane that he was living on another planet. :lol:

  606. November 23, 2011 at 23:58
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    It’s all nice and sweet laughing at city and chelsea but we have our very own hurdle to get over against basel, all these talk about who we will get next, we don’t even know if united will qualify, i hope they can get the job done at switzerland, won’t be easy.

  607. November 24, 2011 at 00:00
    CedarsDevil says:

    Costas – Spot on! hahahaha

    God I wish I was sat in that studio, i would have raped the guy

  608. November 24, 2011 at 00:01
    MG says:

    Calm down calm down

    We the supporters demand a new midfield player from the management at OT

    :lol:

    Cough cough Pogba on top of cough cough Cleverly cough cough Ahem!

    :lol:

    Goodnight you lovely lot!

    19

  609. November 24, 2011 at 00:01
    WillieRedNut says:

    I know we’ll qualify. Then we’ll get Inter. YHIHF

    Goodnight Reds. 19

  610. November 24, 2011 at 00:11
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    I’m still purring over that prince boateng brilliant goal, he seems to have improved since joining milan, quality player that spurs didn’t treat right..

  611. November 24, 2011 at 00:17
    Fred says:

    Prince’s goal was fit for a king. Fucking class. 8)

  612. November 24, 2011 at 00:45
    Clint-iamyourpapii says:

    King Eric -
    I don’t rate that Soldado fella one bit. Aweful player, reminds me of Darren “barndoor -banjo” Bent. Everytime I see this guy he’s aweful, fluffs it at crucial times but has a decent average, so its easily masked. Just thought I’d share my opinion ;)

    Goetze is good,more experienced than our Clever-kid but in time Clevs will rival him for worldwide recognition in terms of most promising youths. Im comfident Goetze will be the next Kaka,Fabregas type for Madrid or Bayern.Dortmund have underperfomed this year losing Nuri Sahin to the Virus Bench.
    I like that Shinji Kagawa,gives me some kind of feeling that he could do more at a team like United,perhaps Park Ji Sung’s commercial replacement. :lol:

    This United team is inbetween the old team and a transition period, We’ve lost the great Edwin,Nev,Scholes,Big John,Big Bad Wes,injuries to Rio,Vida,Giggs,Owen….Evra losing Form,Rooney becoming a centre mid, Fletch recovering from something, Park & Carrick missing from action for 2 months. Whilst all this is going on, a bunch of babies have been in charge and have done well with the odd expected mistakes.

    I think we;ve done rather well under the circumstances,could have been a lot worse, without struggle there can be no progress, judge our season in June, nothing is concrete or won now.

    Our defence will improve with Vida’s presence, we have no continuity at the moment, Not SAF’s fault, the Da Silva’s & Evra need to up their game. Smalling is a huge boost.

    Young needs to win some of us over, im not a fan yet of him, not grown to him despite his great performances, maybe by end of season I’ll love him like Valencia who I instantly fell in love with.

    Nani – This is your time to shine lad, fuck those bitches.I believe in you !

    :) Finally the Papii has comeback to RoM , havent had a rant in hages !

  613. November 24, 2011 at 01:15
    SAFrican says:

    Papii is back!!! Lol…sum good games tonight, i really enjoyed the barca milan match, was good, altho i wanted milan to win… :/

  614. November 24, 2011 at 02:52
    Utd4life says:

    Paddy Crerand is a LEGEND. How thick can some fans be? Isn’t Paddy agreeing with him that Utd tried to sign a MF player. If SAF won’t get Sneijder or Nasri then he won’t sign some tom, dick and harry just for the sake of it unless they bring some quality to the table.

  615. November 24, 2011 at 03:14
    wayne says:

    Wonder what the time frame was on Nasri,the way Paddy was talking it was a done deal then City came in and turned the players head.I’m thinking now maybe the reason Utd didn’t sign a midfielder was the club thought they had Nasri and who knows how close WS was in signing,tried to sign both just turned out to be the wrong targets over money issues.

  616. November 24, 2011 at 03:17
    wayne says:

    Good thing about this means Utd were prepared to splash close to a 100mill in summer signings which means Sir Alex has money to use if he wants to.

  617. November 24, 2011 at 03:23
    rohan19 says:

    new thread please.. this one’s ridiculously long now.
    atleast set a filter for moaners..
    such comments should come under one common username : moses

  618. November 24, 2011 at 04:08
    dannysoya says:

    NEW THREAD TIME!!! Rooney might not play against Newcastle maybe a post assessing our options and assessing the opposition?

  619. November 24, 2011 at 04:22
    sandeep1878 says:

    Good morning Red Devils around the world,

    King Eric- Busquetes can never be a street fighter, he is a diving queen and yeah fuck those commentators..

    btw, send our regards to Kings,

    anybody in touch with Smarty?

    Hello Cedars,

    Your boyfriend scored yet another brace for Arsenal..

    Arse is the only English club qualified, they said funny things happen in football, how true :)

    Enough is enough, bring on the geordies, time for backlash..

  620. November 24, 2011 at 05:58
    BlackBorneo says:

    Why SAF not give Chance to Ravel ..?

  621. November 24, 2011 at 07:34
    Manuminati says:

    @slim

    but you do know that barca are 1 of the top spenders in the whole of Europe?
    averaging around 60million each season since Pep took charge.
    And according to research,they pay the highest wages in any sport on planet Earth,and probably the whole solar system.

  622. November 24, 2011 at 09:00
    samuel - united WE stand says:

    Fergie was never interested in nasri, just another media driven rumour as his contract seems to be running out and every tom, dick and harry gets linked with united, how many of them actually join though?

  623. November 24, 2011 at 09:30
    sandeep1878 says:

    $amir Na$ri on twitter – “It’s just a shame that @Persie_Official is not on the list for the Ballon d’or.”

    One follower replied – “@SamNasri19 it’s a shame you’re not on the list for the starting 11.”

  624. November 24, 2011 at 10:06
    Costas says:

    I still don’t get how Nasri would have solved our midfield problem. Can he play as a CM in a 4-4-2?

  625. November 24, 2011 at 10:48
    slim says:

    Costas

    who’s to say ? its a matter of ifs and buts at this point

  626. November 24, 2011 at 10:58
    slim says:

    Manuminati

    i assume your referring to my my earlier comments challenging the “spend money or die ” notion someone posted the other day, or was it you? I’ll bite. Barcelona’s spending is significant, i’ll give you that. But can you honestly spay they’ve spent their way to glory. Half the team come from their academy and Real Madrid the other team that was put forward as evidence haven’t won fuck all. You could put thier spending on par with United – Major transfers in the last few seasons – The swede fella, Us – berbatov, Sanchez, 22-26 million we got Young last season and Valencia – combine is more than sanchez. Fabregas? They harldy broke sweat, money from winning the league ,Champions league sorted that out. We did the same with Phil Jones and DDG .
    So what gives?

  627. November 24, 2011 at 11:23
    King Eric says:

    Haven’t read any comments since mine last night about Goetze so may repeat things. Anyway turns out he got injured after 20 minutes. No wonder I didnt see him!!!!

  628. November 24, 2011 at 11:27
    Jeet says:

    Frankly, the “we don’t have money” falls on it’s face given this summer’s spending. If anything, I think the real constraint seems to be paying big wages (england’s tax structure plus our own self-imposed fiscal discipline, the latter being something that I take as a long term positive). So if we feel that we should have bought for certain positions, or specific individual players then its just a matter of Fergie thinking differently. Number of possibilities, most likely reality being a combination of these:
    1. Fergie doesnt want to buy MFs or fullbacks as he feels it will hold back Pogbas and DaSilvas.
    2. Fergie wanted certain players and were put off by their absurd wage demands, or their attitude. In other words, not United fit.
    3. Given 1. , Fergie wants only the best, and those guys werent available, e.g. Schweinsteiger or Lahm.

    Frankly, I am not at particularly excited about the likes of Goetze, never been about Pastore etc. I did feel Modric would have been ideal, and Sneidjer would have been good, but might have required tactical adjustments on our part. Of the young players I have seen, Hazard seems truly amazing to me, but he wouldnt fit in a 4-4-2 either. This Christian Erickson lad seems to be the real deal, but havent seen too much of him. Again, he’s more like a winger or a no. 10 – not what we need. But, there’s a possibility that he might be too good to miss. Not impressed at all by this Gaitan fellow. From all accounts, Javi Martinez seems to be more like our cup of tea – the complete midfielder, but I haven’t seen him play, so can’t comment. Would love Modric to be honest, but can’t see it happening.

  629. November 24, 2011 at 11:29
    Jeet says:

    @King Eric: Goetze, IMO is very good, but not the next Zidane as some seem to be making out. Might do a job for us, but to say he’s going to be a future Balloon d’Or is an absurdity.

  630. November 24, 2011 at 11:29
    King Eric says:

    Fred – Hello mate. When wa sthe last time one of our central midfielders ran into the box to score? Err two nights ago mate. Fletcher!!!

  631. November 24, 2011 at 11:32
    WillieRedNut says:

    There’s no doubt United were interested in Nasri. We all know the story. He agreed to sign for us, then city bunged his agent a few million quid. As for where he would’ve played? I suggested in the summer, we might have changed our formation, to a 433/4231. Nasri is suited to a 3 man midfield. It’s all history now, though.

  632. November 24, 2011 at 11:36
    WillieRedNut says:

    Where’s my manners, good morning Reds!

  633. November 24, 2011 at 11:37
    King Eric says:

    samuel – Its not bollocks about Nasri mate. Thank fuck he didnt sign like. Anyway the story goes and this is pretty much spot on according to many behind the scenes folks including Paddy C. Nasri was a done deal. City bunged his agent 3 or million and the rest is history. Fergie spoke to the cunt on the phone and said “You will never disrespect this club or play for it. You enjoy the money, we will enjoy the trophies you cunt”. Bored of this tale now but its true supposedly. Don’t you remember his comments at a press conf when asked about him ? Disgruntled he said “Oh he is going somewhere else”.

    The Phil and Paddy argument was top class. Paddy was fucking fuming.

  634. November 24, 2011 at 11:39
    Vilhelm28 says:

    What gets me the most is that “we the fans” are starting to accept mediocracy, even hail it. I agree that you have to support the players wearing the shirt, but come on – look at who is wearing the shirt….

    Players having an ok game are hailed as “great players”. I’m not going to slate any players, but come on…. this aint no vintage United team – it’s clear to everyone – just look back at 25 years…. you’d be baffled.

  635. November 24, 2011 at 11:41
    King Eric says:

    Willie – Beat me to it you bastard!!

    Jeet – Cheers mate. Javi Martinez looks a top player. Played for under 21′s and was top class. Seen him for Bilbao a few times but he has played at centre back. Marked Barca out the game the other week. Erickson is a decent little player but more out wide.

    Clint – Top post as usual last night my man.

  636. November 24, 2011 at 11:53
    wayne says:

    Vilhelm28 Utds lost one game all year,thats mediocracy? fuck me mate thank god the team hasn’t lost 2 or 3 games

  637. November 24, 2011 at 12:01
    Jeet says:

    @Wayne: yeah, that’s some perspective, thank God! Loved your comment the other day (yesterday?) about how we might as well shut shop if we are gonna “get slaughtered by Madrid”. I always say that we shouldn’t get overconfident before facing the likes of Basel or Stoke for that matter, and the same applies the other way around. For fucks sake, at the end of the day it’s 90 fucking minutes. . If “getting slaughtered by Madrid” is such a fucking foregone conclusion, we might as well attempt to put ourselves out of our misery and line up to put the ball in our own nets at basel. Thank fuck the players and fergie dont think that way. Seriously got to wonder if some of these guys ever seen a half-full glass.

  638. November 24, 2011 at 12:26
    wayne says:

    @Jeet hi mate problem is seems alot of fans expect Utd to show up and win 4-0 every game,getting back to my comment about real football isn’t fifa 12.These fans don’t take into account injuries,it’s obvious Sir Alex has tightened the formation up which will lead to duller games but if i remember Utd won alot of 1-0 games Ronnies last year,just the way it is the Prem is a grind and a results driven business

  639. November 24, 2011 at 12:29
    WillieRedNut says:

    I’ll take a few years of mediocrity, if it means we lose some of the glory hunters, that have attached themselves to our club.

  640. November 24, 2011 at 12:32
    Costas says:

    Jeet is right. It’s becoming more of a wage issue. Heck, we could have sold Berba, PIG and Diouf and raised around 15-20 mil if we needed cash. However, the club doesn’t want to start paying over the odds for players and that will start becoming an issue. Imo you can’t expect to work with the same wage structure forever. Just like ticket prices get higher over the years so do wages…

    @slim

    Of course we don’t know for sure, but until this point, he hasn’t proved that he could do the job as a CM in a 4-4-2. Imo this signing would have complicated matters and possibly forced us to play 4-2-3-1 at a time where all of our strikers work better with a partner next to them.

  641. November 24, 2011 at 12:38
    jay says:

    How good is Van Persie at the moment and yes although he does play for Arsenal, you can’t deny this man has been sensational in front of goal, he has been the most prolific goal scorer in 2011 behind Cristiano Ronaldo, so he has scored more goals than Lionel Messi in 2011. There are rumours that SAF might go for him if he decides to leave Arsenal, that would be very interesting.

  642. November 24, 2011 at 12:38
    Manuminati says:

    @slim

    No mate,it wasnt me.

    but saying say the amount Barca spend on transfer is similar to ours is incorrect.

    Just check thier trasfer record since,at least from 2007

    07/08

    Yaya Toure= €12m
    Henry= €24m
    Abidal= €15m
    Millito= €20m

    Total=€71m

    08/09

    Alvez= €32m
    Kieta= €14m
    Pique= €5m
    Ceceres=€17m
    Hleb=€16m

    Total=€84m

    09/10

    Maxwell=€5m
    Ibrahimovic= €72m
    Kerrison=€14m

    Total=€91m

    10/11

    Villa=€40m
    Adriano=€10m
    Mascherano=€22m
    Affallay=€4m
    Chygrynskiy=€25m

    Total=€101m

    11/12

    Fabrigas=€29m
    Sanchez=€26m
    Femenía=€2m
    Rodri=€2m

    Total=€59m

    If we are spending this kind of funds every year,with SAF in charge,our squad be as strong or even stronger than Barca.

  643. November 24, 2011 at 12:46
    wayne says:

    @Costas hi mate the wages are a % of revenue so the wages are going up it’s just some teams pay over the odds to get the player.If it’s true WS is on 250k a week,Nasri is getting 180k a week,City lost 195mill,Barca have problems paying wages,god knows how much Real have borrowed over the years and Roman has lost millions just not good business plans.
    That’s a point most fans don’t take into account,want the 40mill rentboys then bitch about ticket prices can’t have both and obviously are connected

  644. November 24, 2011 at 13:05
    Costas says:

    @wayne

    Hi pal. Well obviously we wouldn’t spend as much as City do on wages, but we could still raise our offers and keep our house in order. Unlike the clubs you mentioned. Taking into account this summer’s departures and arrivals, we are paying even less on wages this season than we did in 10-11. Imo the club should get a bit more adventurous in that department, as long as they can maintain a good morale in the dressing room. Because unless there’s a salary cap, things will get more and more inflated.

  645. November 24, 2011 at 13:21
    wayne says:

    @Costas problem is if Utd pay one player 250k a week then it opens the door for everyone.Taking into account what Paddy said no question Utd had budgeted for Nasri,WS or both so unless one of the young lads step up think Utd will be in the market for a top player.Not sure if it’ll be January or Summer.To be fair to the club they are getting all the young lads signed to bigger contracts.

  646. November 24, 2011 at 15:32
    dannysoya says:

    On the guy praising Van Persie. I agree with you. the man is tearing up football at the moment with his stunning performances. This is good for us too because Arsenal play city VERY soon and with a fit and firing RVP and an on form arsenal, they just might help us out in this race.

  647. November 24, 2011 at 15:52
    parryheid says:

    We definately wont be buying any top notch midfielder no matter how badly we are in need but boy what a pile of cash the club will have,sickening.

  648. November 24, 2011 at 16:28
    Fred says:

    For the record, I had Fletcher’s goal in mind when I made that comment about Xavi’s goal. Just my offbeat sense of humour I suppose. ;)

  649. November 24, 2011 at 18:49
    denton davey says:

    Jeet @ 11:27: ” If anything, I think the real constraint seems to be paying big wages (england’s tax structure plus our own self-imposed fiscal discipline, the latter being something that I take as a long term positive).”

    Exactly – that’s why WeeWesley was too expensive; the transfer fee would have been OK but his (NET) wage demands were simply excessive. And, besides, why pay for a player’s Indian Summer ?

    What you really want is to buy a guy who has already shown himself to be top-notch but is still in his late teens or early twenties, that way you get the prime years of his career. Much as it pains me to say this, that seems to be TheVirus’ new transfer strategy – after forking out a ton on money on Kaka, they came to the realization that for that amount they could get Ozil, De Maria, and Coentrao – and pay their combined wages.

    If the RM transfer “strategy/policy” is any indication, then it looks like the big money is going to go for relative youngsters – under 24/25 – and that a late bloomer like Robin van Persie might have missed his chance to cash in. The RVP saga is going to be interesting.

  650. November 24, 2011 at 18:57
    King Eric says:

    Fred – Yeah yeah. Course you did mate!! No in all honestly I thought you were being tongue in cheek.

  651. November 24, 2011 at 19:02
    denton davey says:

    manuminati @ 12:38: “saying say the amount Barca spend on transfer is similar to ours is incorrect. Just check thier trasfer record since,at least from 2007″

    Good intervention. I’m not sure that all your figures are exactly correct – what’s your source ? – but the overall tendency for them to spend big AND pay very, very big wages still comes through clearly.

    There’s another point to be mentioned in this context: both Barcelona and RM get a “stardust discount” as players like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil and Fibreglas and Pique and, of course, CR7 all made it clear that they would only go to one of those clubs. In a supply/demand equation, that demand undercuts the seller’s bargaining power and give the buyer much more “flexibility” in meeting the player’s outrageous wage-demands.

    In this regard, the example of CR7 is a great one to ponder: sure UTD got 80 million but this is a true world-class difference-maker who was just entering his prime years; he’s done even better than anyone reasonably expected AND he’s paid so much that I wouldn’t be surprised that part of the Spanish economy’s problems can be related to his weekly wage ! In a real “free market” CR7 was worth at least twice what TheVirus paid for him – and he’s been the one who pocketed the difference. Not bad if you can get it, eh ?

  652. November 24, 2011 at 19:04
    denton davey says:

    Wayne @ 12:46: “That’s a point most fans don’t take into account,want the 40mill rentboys then bitch about ticket prices can’t have both and obviously are connected.”

    EXACTLY !

  653. November 24, 2011 at 19:11
    denton davey says:

    Costas @ 13:05: “unless there’s a salary cap, things will get more and more inflated.”

    Maybe; maybe not.

    I’m not expecting the FIFA “fair play rules” to have much impact since the “re=branding” of The Wastelands showed how feeble these rules are BUT what I am expecting is going to have a very big impact is the global financial crunch. Only those clubs – ManShitty and CSKALondon – with sugar-daddies who have virtually bottomless pockets are going to be immune from the meltdown. UTD’s relative “prudence” in keeping a tight rein on wages will surely play in our favour; same goes for Bayern Munich and TheArse, both of which are pretty-tightly run business operations. Those clubs which are over-extended are living in a fool’s paradise.

    BOTH TheVirus and Barcelona are heavily indebted AND pay outrageous salaries, with very low tax rates, in a country that has lost its credibility among bankers/lenders. It would seem impossible that these larger forces – and their zero-interest bank loans – won’t come into play and when they do it won’t just be ChickenLittle who shouts that the sky is falling in.

  654. November 24, 2011 at 21:40
    Manuminati says:

    @denton davey
    I got most of them from this link=> https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0Ajm7FLwxa9txdFJpcS1pWXVPRTNTdWpkcUVXck9PTGc&gid=0
    it contains their transfer from 1973-2011.

    Your point about the Ronaldo and other of the Spanish giants transfer deal=spot on..

  655. November 24, 2011 at 22:22
    Mr C says:

    I for one was glad that we didn’t sign Wes. If players want to join primarily for money reasons then they can fuck off. We’ve always been better than that and most players are paid far too much already…TV money and foreign billionaires have skewed the market and ticket prices way beyond that which is reasonable to ask of ordinary punters.

    Football club finances defy the laws of gravity and the sooner the or later the whole nonsense will come crashing taking one or two few big clubs down on the way. Let’s just hope its not us. Only then, perhaps, will sanity prevail. I mean, just how many oil rich despots or dodgy mafio-ski types are out there to keep the bubble afloat…

  656. November 25, 2011 at 22:25
    Fred says:

    Evra’s reaction to Obertan’s comments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va-dPnbfDY0

  657. November 25, 2011 at 22:25
    Fred says:

    LOL oh snap, wrong thread! :lol:

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