When Roman Abramovich came on the scene, Manchester United fans were very touchy. Here we were, with a vast history, with wealth we’d amassed from our massive fan base, a massive fan base we’d amassed because of our vast history, and in walks Abramovich to attempt to buy it all. We were outraged. Probably not as outraged as Liverpool, whose impressive history really was a distant memory, but nevertheless, we weren’t impressed.
If only someone had told us then that over the next seven years, Chelsea would only win three league titles and still wouldn’t win the European Cup, we probably would have been very surprised, yet relieved. We probably wouldn’t have believed we were going to win another three titles in a row and win another European Cup in that time too.
Whilst Chelsea’s money and success is still irritating, it is something we’re used to. Yes, the club would be bankrupt and obsolete if not for Abramovich, yes it’s irritating we’ve had to share our title with them over recent years, but it’s been going on for a few years now and the scaremongering that took place over Chelsea dominating world football for decades has been exposed as bollocks.
Throughout this time, with United and Chelsea spending money, and United and Chelsea winning titles, our blue neighbours were not at all happy. Despite us drawing in larger crowds than City for every single season since the 1940′s, they insisted on perpetuating their lie that ‘proper Mancs’ were blue, with the idea that United fans were all glory supporters from Kent. They mocked us for our glory fans, they accused us of buying our success and found our whole existence to be fairly abhorrent.
Fast forward a couple of years and they are striving to be everything they criticised United for. Only Chelsea have spent more money than them in the Premiership years as they start their mission to buy success, and with that success would come the glory supporters they take such issue with. We’ve seen the money come in to Chelsea, and despite already having Champions League football to offer and a top quality manager, it didn’t make them invincible, far from it, with success seemingly a lot more difficult to buy that one imagined. Whilst City fans will get giddy, in their scouse-like, delusional, money induced state of mind, United fans have seen it all before. We watched Blackburn try to buy dominance, and fail, we’ve watched Chelsea try to buy dominance, and fail, and now it is City’s turn, with the only constant throughout this period being United’s title challenges, regardless of the fact our decline supposedly started in 1995, then again in 1998 and then again in 2005. But how does our ‘bought success’ compare?
United
Won as many titles as… Liverpool.
Won fewer titles than… No team. Record 18.
Won fewer FA Cups than… No team. Record 11.
Won as many European Cups as… Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Won fewer European Cups than… Real Madrid, AC Milan and Bayern Munich.
Years since last trophy won… 0
Money spent since the Premiership began… £419,350,000 (3rd)
Fans most likely to say… “Not arrogant, just better” and “Have you ever won the Treble, have you fuck.”
Blackburn
Won as many titles as… Leeds United and Huddersfield Town.
Won fewer titles than… Newcastle United and Sheffield Wednesday.
Won as many FA Cups as.. Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Won fewer FA Cups than… Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Won as many European Cups as… Chesterfield, Bury and Aldershot Town.
Won fewer Europeapn Cups than… PSV Eindhoven, Hamburg and Olympique de Marseille.
Years since last trophy won… 8
Money spent since the Premiership began… £182,662,000 (10th)
Fans most likely to say… “I’m going home to shag my sister”
Chelsea
Won as many titles as… Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle United.
Won fewer titles than… Sunderland and Aston Villa.
Won as many FA Cups as.. Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
Won fewer FA Cups than… Spurs and Aston Villa.
Won as many European Cups as… Torquay United, Darlington and Burton Albion.
Won fewer Europeapn Cups than… Feyenoord, Celtic and Nottingham Forest.
Years since last trophy won… 0
Money spent since the Premiership began… £563,340,000 (1st)
Fans most likely to say… “John Terry is a fine specimen of a man. He could get off with my wife and I’d still think he was a legend.”
Manchester City
Won as many titles as… Preston North End and Derby County.
Won fewer titles than… Huddersfield Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Won as many FA Cups as.. Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Won fewer FA Cups than… Wanderers F.C and West Brom.
Won as many European Cups as… Barnet, Grimsby Town and Macclesfield Town.
Won fewer Europeapn Cups than… Red Star Belgrade, Steaua Bucureşti and Aston Villa.
Money spent since the Premiership began… £486,110,000 (2nd)
Years since last trophy won… 34
Fans most likely to say… “I’m going to get a tattoo celebrating a trophy we haven’t won yet/a player who wants to leave us for a big club!”
Man Utd News 24/7
Interesting read.
Conclusion to take from this is..
Fuck CITEH
you need alot more than money to win titles year after year,continuity,team spirit,pride in the badge .city don’t have any of them, if things don’t start well the wheels could come of quickly
Forget about emulating United. They have to try and catch up to Wolves first. Assclowns.
I fucking hate Citeh now even more than ever before. Club full of mercenaries.
cant wait for this seasons derby!!!!
This is bound to bring the blue hordes on to ROM lol.
Great post. That City fan looks a total cunt.
@willierednut
Bring them on, lol. I could use a good laugh.
@ wayne
That’s the one thing I’m worried about with or lack of strengthening with proven quality for the past 2 seasons …CONTINUITY. Once you lose that momentum, the wheels also come off quickly and it’s much harder to stay in front of the rabble.
As of now the biggest danger to United is not the Rent Boyz, the Bitters or Blackeye Rovers — it’s the fecking Glazers.
What makes even funnier reading is the money spent per Premiership titles:
Utd: £38 million
Chelsea: £188 million
City: Cannot divide by zero.
Whoops.
Scott
I’m sorry I am confused
Who is this Manchester City you keep on talking about?
Never heard of them
: )
@bruce thomas i always associate continuity with keeping the nucleus of a squad together something sir alex has done very well over the years.having the same players year after year and just adding small parts is much better than bringing in four or five new faces every year.even if you look at chelsea last year they pretty well had the same squad of players since the mourinho era
top post Scott! even spending 486million won’t get u good sized turd polished.
Man City players can be a tremendous hit or utter flops this season . I din’t use to care about them as we had a team capable of winning put out there . But I can’t see any visible improvements in the team . We still don’t have an able backup for rooney , no creativity in the midfield , engine room is too weak . All these tales of youngsters coming through and no value in transfer market seems shite . The only youngster coming through CM area is Gibson who at best is a headless shooting chicken . Comparing with CMF of other top teams like chelsea , inter , barca we seem to be very very weak . We should have invested atleast 30-40 mill .
United got money from success.
Chelsea got success from money.
Has anybody got information on what the average wage is of each team in the premiership. It would be interesting to see whether teams like City are getting there moneys worth. I know that Mancini is getting paid more than SAF, and I think that is a disgrace and needs to be addressed.
@bruce thomas i think with the troubles of hargreaves and anderson he has to address the midfield problem bookies have slashed utds odds on signing ozil to evens so something looks like its in the works there.don’t know much about him but alot of the lads seem pretty high on him apart from that the squad looks strong
wait a minute Barnet, Grimsby Town and Macclesfield Town,Torquay United, Darlington and Burton Albion never one a european cup- they are lower league teams who have done nothing to scratch the history of football
@peter sir alex has alot of other interests outside of football and is a very weathly man hes not doing this anymore for the money i’m sure he could’ve moved on years ago to a different club if that was the case
@ghtt hey lay off grimsby thats were i was born and raised.lol
@wayne no disrespect to your hometown man it was more of a disrespectful shot at chelsea and city
@ghtt i know and although we have cleethorpes its not exactly the french riviera.lol
@wayne Im not saying Fergie wants more money, I just think its a disgrace how money is thrown around as if its nothing, considering the global situation. Mancini is getting paid a lot of money and he has not achieved a thing. He has not developed a player from the youth team and saved the team money. Instead he is looking at offloading players like Ireland to make room for a benchwarmer from Barcelona, who is getting paid more money than any other player on the planet. If Mancini was worth the money he is earning then he should be able develop a team within reason. But then again we are talking about City and the only way they can succeed was to prostitute themselves.
The day Shaikh abandons Citeh, they will be back to where they belong. That is, Championship.
@ bruce thomas, out of interest, why do you ALWAYS mention the Glazers? You do it in every single time you post.
Cheslea
“Won as many European Cups as… Torquay United, Darlington and Burton Albion.”
ha ha ha haha ha – fucking classic, get the t – shirt done. love it made my fucking day.
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/435321120?-11193
Great interview with the boss.
Germany has the best business model. No one can own more than 49% of club. That gives you chance to have the same possibilitys on the market. This what is happening in Premiership is big shit. They in Citeh and Blues, dumping prices of players. You can t buy a player without 30 mill euros. WTF????? Salary cap it is not need it is MUST.
Scott
I hate to inform you that there are a few more teams that have won more European Cups/Champions league than us
It sticks in my throat but obviously Liverpoo have as have Ajax (4)
MUFC the only club we love and care about
fuck city and chelsea oh and liverpool
now bring on the 19th and please stop talking about those arab cock suckers remember 34 years
i love that number
super John O Shea – Yeh obviously. I would still be writing this if for every single section for every club I named every single team that had won more trophies. For example, it’s not just Villa and Spurs who have won more FA Cups than Chelsea.
great post again Scott. And when you look at the net spend since the premiership began the statastics look even better.
@mara
It’s a ‘grass is always greener’ situation when you look at foreign ownership styles. Barca has always been held up as perfect method but we have seen this summer their issue and that’s with a country setup to hand them ‘free money’
In Germany the sports teams are often critical if it as it prevents them competing on an international stage as they don’t have the finances.
On salary cap it just won’t work. You would need a world wide cap to make it work. Even then tax systems could be a problem. It would even be hard to impose it world wide due to laws. Even this finacial fair play propsals are a problem (as are the epl squad rules) as it’s not world wide thus allowing clubs in other countries to spend big and stockpile players
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/435327938?-11193
For all you Ozil lovers, he’s apparently been spotted at the airport.
@ wayne
I take on board your point about squad nucleus. It’s true. Just 2 or 3 players would make a world of difference. Ozil and Benzema and possibly Akinfeev and things would look a lot healthier. If Anderson and Carrick could follow the examples of Nani and Fletcher and show some aspiration then I’d be just as delighted.
@ Fze123
– glad you noticed! — I always mention the Glazers because I want to keep redirecting peoples’ attention to the realtiy of the biggest and ONLY problem that United have to solve. Any other problems flow from the Glazers — and will equally begin to be swiftly resolved once they’re gone. I will only be attending away games this season, and not buying the new shirts. That’s my choice.
@willierednut
It doesn’t open for me, but I am guessing that it’s some kind of joke?
Costas – No mate, someone from the Red cafe forum said he’s at the airport, if you believe it that is.
@willierednut
Really? Oh ok. We’ll wait and see then.
Skybet has suspended betting on ozils next club.united were favourites this morning
AIG – It’s pointing that way, i’ll only believe it when he’s sitting next to Gill and SAF.
@willi
Fingers crossed he will be a united player soon
Let’s hope he’s not in Manchester to see the blue half.
redcafe is takin the pis out of everyone…i went through all the posts…they’re having fun…nothing more to it.:((
It’s a fucking WUM, unfortunately. Everything, from him being spotted at the airport, to Gill having flown back to Manchester, to Skybet suspending betting on him joining United, is bullshit rumours started on RedCafe.
Gill is still in America, as confirmed on Twitter by Mark Ogden of the Telegraph.
Accept it, we are not signing Ozil.
Bad news lads, Heskey has been spotted with Ozil.
ha ha… Willie did you see that GIF. of Heskey / Ozil / Gill in the car… funny!
Linvoy – Seen it mate lol.
@ Aig and Willierednut If You’re wrong I’m coming for both of you!!!! LOL
I just went through the threads on Redcafe… and the guy who is going with it… reckons his daughter saw him @ Manc Airport as she was flying out to Greece…. and now can’t get hold of her till she lands at 7.30… its all over the place now… some funny guy reckons he’s just served Ozil and 3 German guys in suits in the Hilton…. Everyone was then arguing whether Gill is back in UK or not… ha ha… some people have too much time on their hands!
David Gill is pulling off a double whammy with Ozil and Heskey, lol. Those of us that said sell Berba and buy Heskey will get our wish.
Won’t be long before Talkshite start with it!
I hope the daugher opens her cell phone as soon as she lands in Greece and sees her father’s 1000 texts about Ozil. Or I could go to the airport and ask myself, lol.
I’ve noticed that Citeh fans haven’t graced this thread with their delusions. Scott’s title disguised the topic really well!
If its turns out to be true i think you should meet he at the airport and buy that girl a large one!
i meant large drink… btw
I will pay for all her travel expenses!
Right im off for some 5-a-side…. who knows where this Ozil rumour will be in an hour or 2.
Laters gents
NRD – I’m just the messenger mate lol.
@Linvoy
Hopefully it will still be alive. Bye.
How good do I feel right now – I’ve just ordered the shirt for me and Jnr
: )
And for all you out there – I got it from Kitbag who are doing 10% off – just got another 10 % by going to kitbag as http://www.kitbag.com/natwest – the discount worked with my halifax mastercard : ) Plus free delivery!
Plus for all you quidco nuts out there – 12% cashback too : )
Yep you can thank me later : )
Hey I spotted the actor Clive Owen a few weeks ago in London
Yeah he didn’t stop for my autograph
Day in my life eh : )
nice article Scott. i hope they read it. haha.
The ozil rumor seems to be just take I sent that link to Ben hibbs and asked Jim his opinion he replied to say gill has not left to return to Manchester he is still in Texas
Dam, Heskeys not coming then.
I hate chelsea and city and i believe in the long run the will fail and go back to the championship where they belong but united will last to eternity
@Notorious
It dosent look as if it is true that we are close to signing him but at the moment i wont say the fact that we are interested isnt true at all. It is a known fact that SAF tried to sign him as a teenager. Since then he has matured and proved himself at the top level so it is difficult to believe that we arent interested in him especially as he is available on the cheap.
How desperate are we for a signing?
- Some random person “sees” Ozil at the airport.
- Skybet freezes the “where will Ozil be at next season” object.
1 + 1 = 3
Ozil is joining United!!
id love ozil
There’s always one lol.
Hang on – shall we start an inner betting ring if we will or will not sign someone before 31 August?
This could be fun : )
MG – Some wouldn’t see the fun in that lol, buzz killingtons.
@willierednut
True – but some of us have to get a kick out of it – : )
Mind that we have had a few newbies around for the last couple of days angry and bitter about our so called situation
I don’t know what that is – nothing has kicked off – if a loss in pre-season creates chaos and mayhem – wonder what a loss will do in the actual season : )
United for life – whatever happens : )
gr8 read scott! thx for the information once again and looking forward to reading the blog for the upcoming match against ms all stars.. city and chelsea can suck it
MG – So true mate, i thought we’d lost the europen cup final, instead of a pre – season friendly, the way some fans got on.
ozil won’t sign a new contract so i think he’s moving on all depends on what club he wants to join i guess
Nice one scott. But we also have to look forward. The history is nice but we have to build on our success for the future. I know i might be pessimistic but i do hope we will be happy when seeing this article in the next decade.
Wakey – well u were right about barca I got it wrong there. But still I will never change my stance on this ownership, that our ownership is built like a castle of sand the model is a disaster waiting too happen
willierednut – I never bothered listen too the callers who clearly think united should win every game. But who gives a shit about some frendly, if we won 4 0 those fans would moan we are playing an easy tea, if we just about won fans would moan we should win this frendly, and what some fans supposed too have said, they think we went back to the 70s relagation year
@willierednut
I thought we lost the world cup mate
wait – we weren’t in it…
: )
anyone knows the timing for the chivas game????
@AIG
1.30 Wednesday night or Thursday morning
Depending on how you see it : )
@MG
No mate. The match against MLS all starts is there on thursday at 1:30. We play Chivas on Friday to inagurate their new stadium which was agreed when we signed chicharito. Nothing about that game is mentioned on manutd.com
chivas game will be at 4:45am uk time on saturday morning
@ AIG its 3.15amBST Saturday 31 July
ps U really do need a new user name now dont you?
Got it. They have updated it on the website. The game is at 3:15 AM UK time on Saturday. doubt whether Scott will do a live blog although it will no doubt be a special occasion for Young Chicharito
@RedevilzAdvocate
Maybe. The fact though is SAF will remain God for all of us but i am thinking of one.
Any Suggestions are most welcome
Hehe well someone did suggest ‘Americans Out Now’ a while back, guess it depends on what side of the glazer fence you sit my friend
@AIG
Apologies mate – wasn’t concentrating at all
: )
AIG
Alex Or Nobody
: )
But AIG is still cool – so I wouldn’t wish you to change it : )
@MG
thanks mate. I am thinking of keeping the way it is. the ‘AIG’ isnt important in my name its what it means because we know Fergie is God for all the United fans.
Also I hope your son is doing well now. I remember reading he wasnt well some time back.
AIG
Screaming along is that young boy
: )
Thanks for asking mate – fit as a fiddle – let’s hope it stays that way…
Trophies are won sometimes by luck and sometimes by money – dynasties are built by players wanting to wear the shirt. Manchester United (SAF) demand the belief in the shirt – first and foremost. Ask Giggs, Scholes and Evra – our trophy room is living proof of that philosphy. We may lose sometimes but we do not lose easily and we do not lose often.
Unfortunately football is now as much about global branding as it is about the team on the park – we still have both for now, but have to worry that our competition may just buy the planet. Not so much worried about Madrid and Chelsea but the arabs who have bought “bitterville” do appear to have more money than all others put together and will spend as much as they need to on “success” as phyricc a victory as it may be when they do win something. Much like Chelsea their success wil be deemed to have been purchased and not earned – problem is if they keep on winning and brand it successfully long term.
Just hope we as ManchesterUnited maintain our integrity and history, and as epitomized by Edwards/Charlton/Law/Best/Giggs/Scholes etc, the house built by Sir Matt and resurrected by Sir Alex remains what it is.
God Bless Manchester United.
“It’s a fucking WUM, unfortunately. Everything, from him being spotted at the airport, to Gill having flown back to Manchester, to Skybet suspending betting on him joining United, is bullshit rumours started on RedCafe.”
confirming this
It’s not gonna happen.
@MG
Good to hear that mate. Dont worry, he will be perfectly fine.
I don’t think anyone took it serious Steve.
AIG
Cheers mate – I said it back then I’ll say it again
We may not know each other but because of this bond we have with our team it has bought some of us together in a way which is truly remarkable.
If for anything then for Manchester United
It is but a privilege and for what it’s worth it is ours.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7912818/Javier-Hernandezs-Manchester-United-debut-is-headline-material-in-Texas.html?
Off topic but Hernandez should play tomorrow
As per normal a great read and reading the hilarity from the lads.
Won as many titles as Liverpool.
Won fewer titles than…..No team, Record 18……..? Equal……Till this season coming………Right!
I like the Blackburn fans idea.”I am gonna go home to shag my sister” Full of charm and sophistication and leads you absoloutly to being a Wanker.
Rai – Hope so mate, not that i’ll see it, bloody work.
Good points Scott, but that’s a bit harsh comparing City and Preston North End. They get the piss taken out of them for obvious reasons but we have to recognise they are a big club with real history and they’ve been going for a long time. Their fans are loyal through all the ups and downs and they should be applauded and respected. City, on the other hand deserve all the abuse we can throw their way
For any pessimists out there, now would be a good time to pop a bet on Ozil going to Madrid – 8/1 thanks to that rumour earlier!
I am delighted City are signing such egotistical mercenaries. Are they stupid or what? Adebayor, Balotelli, Tevez? Their dressing room is going to be carnage next year. Very unlikely that Mancini will last the season I’d say. He will struggle to contain that group of players
Right I’ve got one
Question one
How long Mancini stays?
Question two
Who takes over?
: )
4 months and Kevin Keegan.
@willierednut
Nice one : )
I would love it just love it if City were 12 points ahead with KK and lightning struck twice
I think it would damage the man and forever curse the club – : )
question off topic for people on here whod id like to hear from
ive to table name the 10 tables from my wedding and my top table- so ive 11 tables one of them been the top table and i want to name them after Manchester united players or moments- anybody wanna say there top 10- the top table will be something to do with Giggs I think
anyone wanna be part of the wedding day preparations
GHTT
What are you saying buddy – that you’re sending me a wedding invite : )
GHTT – The obvious one, the treble table?
cantonas goal against liverpool 1996 fa cup final
20le winner against bayern
number 18
paul sholes v barca 2008
diego double at anfield
united 7-1 roma
cantonas kung fu kick
ronnie screamer v porto
rooney kissing badge at everton
redvev going beserk after late united winner agaisnt liverpool
and for the giggs table – has to be named “what a wonderfull run by giggs”
10 – The first premiership – Sir Matt watches on
9 – The great Dane and that save in the s/f of the FA cup (yep not the Giggs goal)
8 – Roy Keane and Juventus – enough said
7 – Ronaldo 07-08 – that player was incredible – all his other versions were forgettable
6 – Winning the premiership when Mourinho was in charge 06-07
5 – The double winning team of 08
4 – The Treble winning team of 99
3 – Macheda scoring against Aston Villa – to this date I still scream like he’s just scored it : )
2 – Van Der Sar saving the penalty kick for the CL win
1 – Sir Alex not retiring – without him United would never have come back – never have defied those that do not believe in us – never continue to do so.
We accept our challenged and will raise to each and every one of them
This shirt is a symbol of defiance and it belongs to the greatest manager of all time
Oh boy it’s a list – but one where I saw it as of now : )
ulster red
My brother says “the wonderful run 11″ for the top table but i was looking for manchester united dnot just the last 10 years like John Henry Davies , Ernest Mangnall from James W. Gibson to Darron Gibson and stuff in the middle-
@Ulster Red – I like it!
@GHTT… What about instead of naming the actual event u put quotes about a player or game that make it famous… E.g “and solskaer’s won it” obviously referring to Utd beating Bayern in 99 final!
Then put piece of paper on every table and the guests have to write what player or match the famous quote refers to?
Extra points for who said it and maybe if it’s a game who the opposition was & final score?
Winning table gets bottle champers?
Just a thought!
read challenges instead of challenged : )
As for Giggs – no words can describe what he has done for this club
He is Manchester United – when he retires they should just retire the shirt and put it in the dressing room for every future United player to see
And proclaim:
The shirt is a symbol of defiance. Ryan Giggs was the outstanding leader of this shirt. Here lies your destiny.
ghtt
ok mate i was giving you my personel favs from 1987 – the year i was born lol..
you have a lot of history to cover and only 11 tables lol
linvoy
cheers my man!!
whats yours?
@ulster red sorry mate i never said fantastic list
and mg you too mate
GHTT
Got it
Still was something worthwhile despite the lines getting crossed : )
It’s all good : )
@Ulster all those u put down are rly good!
I was born in 79…
Certain memories of games that give me that tingle still when I watch them have gotta be!
Brucey getting 2 against Wednesday! Kiddo running on then pitch! I was listening on the radio!
Eric’s goal against palace… Volley into top corner!
Becks from halfway line!
The epic game against arsenal in Fa Cup Semi was probably the best game! Had everything! Climaxing in one of the greatest goals by one of the greatest players!
Teddy & Ole send shivers!
The 3-2 against City! Keano with the winner!
God there are so many! I could go on! These are ones that stick with u where u can almost remember that feeling at the time!
God I love this club! It means everything to me!
linvoy
well said, you could type for ever and a day about united lol..
You really could! We’ve been spoilt over the years!!
Right I’m off to bed to dream of lifting a 19th Title!
Maybe throw in Megan Fox for some post match celebrations for good measure! Hey it’s my dream!
Scousers not invited!
Night all
haha change the sheets in the morning lol
looks like Torres will not be leaving liverpool after all….actually he wanted to leave but got very attached to his hairdresser, and decided to stay.
when you tattoo your name on your arm in the language of Lord of the Rings, then you belong at Liverpool!
Just a thought. With Mascerano off to Inter does that mean Cambiasso will be up for grabs and I think on the cheap afterall he cost Inter naff all in the first place. Maybe a two year deal to see whats going on with Hargreaves, provide cover and allow the search for the ultimate replacement without needing to rush PLUS experience.
Plus Cambiasso wasn’t used as much as previous years last year and because of that lost his place in the Argentinian set up. May fancy a change.
FACT – These are the reasons why I’m proud to be a Manchester United Fan!
Sir Alex on what if Hernandez scores against man Utd when he plays for Chivas on Friday “he will be fined and transferred back”. hahahaha. Got to love Fergie’s sense of humour
@GoatinaUnitedShirt: Yeah…thats an exciting proposition
Big European night line-up
VDS
Rafa-Vida-Rio-Evra
Fletch-Cambiaso
Valencia-Ozil/Scholes-Nani
Rooney
Subs:
PIG
O’Shea
Evans
Giggs
Gibson/Carrick
Park
Berba
Chicharito
Bloody exciting…what? But it wont happen…sigh
@GHTT – I like Linvoy’s idea of quotes (commentary or otherwise) but it may be tougher to get some for the older years.
The easiest idea may just to give the tables players’ surnames, with the top table being Ferguson or Busby. And name the toilets Glazer.
An interesting and quite straight forward article about the squad limit:
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1311848_premier_league_rules_united_squad_break_down
Seems like we won’t have anu problem registering all of our squad since the players aged over 21 are exactly 25. So Fergie can include Hargo and Ando in the squad, unless we sign another player.
Next summer, Welbeck and the Da Silvas will still fall into the category of Under 21s which is good news because you can name as many as you want from that category. Smalling, Obertan, Cathcart and Cleverley on the other hand will be considered as seniors next summer.
@Costas. just read the article, it looks like the only dilemma is Hargreaves/Anderson for SAF.will be interesting to see if any transfer activity or loans out of MF.City are gonna need NASA and Rainman to work theirs out!:)
@bettathedevilsweknow
I think that, it won’t be much of a dilemma if we don’t sign anyone else. We can include both of them in there and make changes in January. So that’s the only question with our squad. I just saw City’s mate. They have 32 senior players. So they have to get rid of 7 players. And that’s providing that they don’t buy anyone else, which probably isn’t the case, lol.
@Costas On the upside thats 7 more seats they can fill in the stands.On the downside thats 7 more scarfs they have to hand out! aawww youv’e gotta love ‘em……er sorry no you dont! haha
@ Costas… hello pal….
I read that this morning too… simplifies it a lot actually. Seems that we are in a far better position than our rivals however from SAF’s comments about what to do about Hargo & Ando is intriguing because if he’s happy with the squad now… then he would just include them wouldn’t he!
However i read from this that perhaps he has some signings in mind then… as bringing in a player over 21 or foreign would be the only reason not to include them?
Is that right?
Btw… building on the rumours yesterday….
Ozil was born 15 October 1988 – so he def would take up one of the 25… and would cause a problem for Ando & Hargo.
All pie in the sky though of course!
Actually looking at the list….. guess if needs be there’s always an option to loan out Diouf or De Laet…. but i hope they stay at OT this season and get a chance…
Will Kiko and the Da Silvas be considered “homegrown” when they’re 21?
@Linvoy
I suspect its a case that SAF is happy with the squad and wouldn’t be concerned going into the season with this squad BUT as Gill said the club are always on the lookout for players 365 days a year and as such have some players on their radar who they feel may enhance the squad and who if they feel they can do the right deal may still be signed.
On the Ozil front I don’t think we will see him sign in the next few weeks. He is a player who won’t sign a new contract and each week waited is more money that comes off his fee. I don’t personally believe that he is available at 12mill yet, I just think its too early to be that desperate but I think he could be if we wait till mid august. Anyone who is going to bid for him is going to bid when we do anyway so why start from a higher price when he could be this seasons Sneijder style late bargin signing
@bigphil2003
Yes.
I have to say the rules a bit silly when both of them will be but Hargreaves isn’t. You would think the rules should include anyone who has a English Passport though birth or parentage as HG (But obvuiously not those who get their passport via residency)
@Linvoy
Yes mate. That would be the only reason. And you are right about De Laet and Diouf. That will be the other route for us to make space in the squad. In my opinion a striker or two have to go on loan anyway. And I rate De Laet, but he won’t get many starts this season, unless we come down with another injury crisis.
Blackburn didn’t try and buy dominance, they tried to buy themselves an establishment at the top table.
If cantona hadn’t have kicked that palace fan, we would have done the double that year.
You can’t compare Blackburns spending to that of city and Chelseas. United could compete with Blackburn we can’t compete with city and Chelseas now.