Earlier today that was a meeting of Premier League chairman in London who voted to adopt spending controls and a form of restraint on salary increases.
The new rules state that clubs can only lose £105m between 2013-2016 and that wages bills over £52m can only rise £4m per season if funded through TV cash. Clubs that breach the Premier League’s new wage increase controls and loss limits will face point deductions. Whilst some clubs may complain, these rules are much more lenient than the €45m allowed by Uefa FFP.
The rules are designed to prevent a repeat of the financial meltdown at Portsmouth, which became the first Premier League club to enter bankruptcy protection in 2010. Portsmouth are currently set to be relegated from League One this season, 11 points away from safety as it stands, when three seasons ago they were playing in the Premier League, reaching the FA Cup final that season and winning it two seasons prior.
If these rules were brought in three years ago, City and Chelsea would be in breach and facing a point deduction. City made losses of £97.9m, £197m and £121m (£311m over according to the new rules). Chelsea made their first profit in the Roman Abramovich era last year, at £1.4m, but made losses of £67.7m and £70.9m the two years before (£32m over according to the new rules).
In contrast, United’s net profit was £23.3m last year, £29.7m the year before, but recording losses of £83.6m the season before (despite making a record turnover of £286.4m) thanks to the Glazers’ interest repayments and one-off financial charges relating to the bond issue.
“The majority of the clubs supported change and now it will be up to the board to put into play. It was overwhelming the support,” said David Gold, co-chairman of West Ham. “Not all 20 clubs (voted in favor), some are a little concerned, but broadly, the vast majority of the clubs voted in favour.”
Man Utd News 24/7
Very interesting to see how chelsea and city will cope. Particularly with their wage bills. We’ve already seen City manipulate the sale of naming rights for the Etihad stadium, but one assumes they cant do that repeatedly. This way they might have to build organic, sustainable revenue streams to fund future expenditure. And frankly their support base is nowhere near big enough to allow it. Hope andersred does a write up soon.
With Chelsea and City not making it out of the group stages of UCL this season, I’ll be surprised if they don’t post bigger loses at the end of this financial year.
I guess its safe to say either of them will not be able to afford CR7 next season and if and when we win the league, we will obviously have more cash to throw around and always be favorites to sign big name players without being held to ransom to pay ridiculous wages.
My understanding is that the royal family is prepared to purchase all the empty seats at the Emptiad, so the stadium income issue might be manipulated as well.
Watch this space
This is a welcome development in English premier league, so their isn’t any one with the so called sugar-daddy, throwing their money and spoiling the market by signing players without means..we are waiting to see how the abu darbys and romans will run their club..lets us see who can cobe.
what does points deduction actually means ,if it `s a few points like 3 ,4,or 5,they could still do it and calculate with it
A good accountant can make a loss turn into a profit. The key problem for both ManShitty and CSKALondon is going to be how their books are audited by the SweetFA.
The problems of football should not be sorted out by the clubs – they are the problem.
The PL is owned by the FA. They should impose their ideas on the clubs and if the clubs don’t like it them tough titties, there’s no place for them in the PL.
So what should the FA do to improve the game?
Firstly they should ban English football clubs from being owned by foreigners. And the foreigners owning clubs at present should be given a period of time, say 3 years, to dispose of the clubs. Failure to do so would see the club kicked out of the PL.
Secondly the best way to stop clubs from over spending is to have a limit on how much of a clubs income can be spent on players wages. Start off with 65% and reduce it every year or so until the final figure is 50% of income.
The game is being ruined by the amounts of money being paid to players and their agents. The FA needs to do something quick – the answer is not to let the clubs fix the problem.
Sounds good in theory, but you can be sure that city and chelsea won’t be affected.
Brisbanefan – they can’t ban English football clubs from being owned by foreigners. European Community won’t be at all enamoured.
Kid: “Are you Sir Bobby Charlton?”
Sir Bobby Charlton: “I am.”
Kid: “You were amazing.”
Sir Bobby Charlton: “I was alright. I was alright.” (at 1:16)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RVA2Xpgk5Mg
Expect manipulation by City owners to beat this. Someone here have already mentioned their suspicious stadium naming rights issue and buying up of empty seats at their home matches. Expect to see homeless non-fans taking up the empty seats and these people will be coached to sing the Blue Moon song as well! Obviously free City shirts & will be scarves will be handed out to further cheapen the ‘brand’.
@Brisbanefan
Why should foreigners be prevented from owning clubs? Being English doesn’t instantly make you a better owner of an English team and there have been plenty of English owners who have caused serious problems for the clubs they have owned (Due to a variety of reasons including simply being too much of a fan and acting like a fan rather than owner)
For example I used to live in Farnborough and they were bought by Graham Westley (Current Preston NE manager) who instantly appointed himself as Manager. He did fairly well and invested in the club and in 2002/03 they went on a cup run where they got Arsenal in the 4th Round. He decided to switch the game to Highbury as it would bring in £600k rather than £50k.
After they lost 5-1 he resigned and withdrew his financial backing meaning the money the cup run raised ended up in his pocket. He then took the Managers job at Stevenage and with him took almost all of Farnboroughs Backroom staff and Seven Players.
His actions left the club with a a thin squad, a transfer embargo due to Westleys actions (As he was still Owner he sacked Jim Rodwell and refused to pay the £22k still left on his contract so the club were banned from registering any player both senior or youth until the end of the season) and massively in debt.
This sent the club into a downward spiral like Portsmouth are now having and after in 2006/07 just 4 seasons after reacing the FA Cup 4th round they went into administration and were wound up.
And there are hundreds of similar cases out there of English Owners (Look at Michael Knighton at Carlisle, another who promised so much, at one point sacked the manager and put himself in charge for 68 games where he won 28% of his games and got the club relegated before deciding to stop funding the club. And to think he was within days of buying United until he lost some financing which killed the deal) destroying English clubs and its the same in every country.
The problem isn’t with Foreign owners but owners mentality, they don’t generally want to create a long term sustainable business when buying a Football Club but either see it as a quick way to make lots of money or want it as a personal play thing until they either get bored or a more attractive play thing comes along. As much as many United fans hate the Glazers atleast in them we have owners who realise that they key is to ensure the clubs sustainable long term, yes its almost certainly for selfish reasons as they realise thats how they can make the most money for themselves BUT atleast them making money doesn’t lead to a situation where the club can’t survive without them.
Hopefully these new FFP rules as well as the UEFA ones will mean that if the Glazers do ever sell up that these rules along with the purchase price will guarantee United never ends up in a situation of being driven into the ground
Don’t hear anyone ranting and raving about the Glazers’ practices now…
I know, the debt is somewhat unrelated, but aside from that they are running this club extremely well.
Mario Balloteli..: This month my new team ac milan will play barca in CL while man.cty will be @ home playing ps3..”
Lol..
@ Passmaster 16 says: Did he really said that? Yes, maybe playing ps3 and losing too!
Only way this can work. Is if, the FA can make a sack full of cash from it.
One word “corruption”
Before you praise the long term sustainability, I have 4 comments
1. Losses of hundreds of millions to service the debt, money that isn’t going to squad or even
to pay the Glazers or bond holders for their investment. That will be taken out in other way. I’ve heard that we could have bought a Ronaldo and a Messi per year on that alone. Not saying other owners would have been better, but its something to ponder.
2. Sir Alex’s impending retirement.
3. Rio, Giggs, Scholes contracts up this summer.
4. June 30, 2016 (It’s like the Mayan calendar)
George Best, Bryan Robson, Dennis Law & Bobby Charlton immortalized in a new Royal Mail Stamp Collection.
Not to shabby when 4 United lads make a National 11! You could argue, but this is a fair home countries 11 given what must have been enormous pressure for diversity and coverage.
http://tinyurl.com/ar8ky45
The biggest, and best, difference between us and Chelsea/City, is that we are much better off should the Glazers run off, while Chelsea/City are royally F….. should Roman/Abu decide to call it quits! Either way we win should FFP come into play! Alongside Arsenal and other wellrun clubs:)
Brisbanefan says:
U are such a twat. Ban foreign involvement and see what happens to your beloved epl. That tv money you are talking about, do you know where its earned before being splashed on the clubs?Do you think any foreigner would continue to watch the epl if it consists of andy carrol,barry, terry and company? Do you think ticket sales only can even run a club for half a season. Go get surgery and load up some matter that’s normally found between the ears coz evidently you are lacking in those quarters.
Until UEFA and the English authorities DEFINE what subsidies are, City and Chelsea will get away with whatever they want. City’s biggest cash sources are its sponsors, several of whom (including Etihad) are controlled by Mansour’s family members… that’s a SUBSIDY… Mansour is funneling his own money to Man City through his family to make it look like City’s turnover is higher than it actually is. This is a club, after all, that can only fill its stadium when playing United. If it happened in the UK… if it was a british billionaire whose brother signed a huge stadium naming rights deal with a club who were not long before in the third tier of english football…. the football authorities wouldn’t need to look into because there’s a chance it would be seen as anti-competitive behavior by regulators anyway. It distorts the business pace, muddies the free market with monopoly. Until City, and Chelsea’s entire revenue is FREE MARKET-SOURCED.. and that is the same for EVERY club… then the rules are still bullshit.
@Jorgen –> You don’t know that. I wasn’t a fan of the Glazer ownership and I’m still skeptical of them… but at the same time, United’a revenue has skyrocketed under their ownership and a lot of that comes not just down to the pitch, but that we have ridiculous amounts of sponsorship partners… we have “office supply” partners ffs
we’re raking in cash from all corners of the globe that we weren’t before.
@Brisbanefan –> Some issues with your ideas…
Firstly, the English FA can’t just ban clubs from having foreign owners. Clubs are defined as business entities (and they are.. and staying that way is the only way they will be able to operate as they do with tv rights and so in…) and a move by the FA to attempt to stop foreign owners would be seen as anti-competitive. Even if it did happen, rest assured the premier league teams would be banned from European competitions.
The second objection I have is that you seem to just assume that foreigners are BAD and English owners are GOOD. That’s not the case, any rich English owner will strive to make the same profits as the foreign owners. It’s just bullshit to think of it any other way.
Third objection is you want foreign owners out but don’t mention anything about foreign players. If you truly want an All English league then go for it, but the EPL would decline so badly in quality.
In terms of spending limits, I have no problem with authorities reigning in wages and particularly agent’s fees and so on.
Anyone know how much Monsour takeover has padded the Crown and Greater Manchester coffers. That’s about as far as you need to look to see how much anyone cares about large investors coming in from overseas. It’s new money and so a boon.
Good this will bring fair chance to everyone ,,,,they can not issue extra cash or salary or commision to the agents to skrew up other clubs i.e eden hazard roman gave his agent some extra cash to get him i.e lucas moura went to filthy cunts psg now its great that the player gets to decide on on field purpose rather than other reason GGMU !!!!!
Personal thoughts about what FFP is all about.
FFP is about
. . . reducing risk to Football (the FA and to the EPL) “Brand”, and this relates to financial health and the impact on the global business.
. . . reducing the risk to local governments and tax base when large businesses fail
FFP is not about
. . . returning clubs to british or fan ownership. There will be no rules which subvert European free trade regulations.
. . . stopping or slowing foreign investment
. . . stopping any investor from lavishing funds on his favorite race horse ( erm club) but may eventually start to impact amounts of debt put on clubs. (Portsmouth and United)
. . . stopping any club from paying whatever it can for any player, or any owner paying whatever he/she wants for any club (at least for now)
. . . stopping any club from paying any player an outlandish salary ( we will see how the salary cap affects this)
. . . stopping any investor using leveraged buyouts (at least for now)
. . . stopping any club from charging it’s fans what it sees fit for tickets.
The only thing FFP is about is risk avoidance. In this case, the only risk that seems worth considering relates to the damage when parts of “THE BUSINESS” fail.
Simply put, FFP seeks to have an impact on financial melt downs with the impact of Portsmouth/Leeds/Forrest in EPL, and of Rangers on SPL.
The new EPL rules show this in 2 ways.
Slowing debt growth (something FA, EPL and governments are worried about)
. . . imposition of NEW limits on debt to 105m over the next 3 years. This amount will change in future years and will not look back at current debt. (Chelsea City and surprisingly Fulham all voted against this)
Slowing salary growth (something most owners are very worried about)
. . . essentially imposing a form of Salary cap. This is actually more of a mechanism to slow the rate of growth in player salaries than a firm cap.
Great news about Phil Jones! Sky reporting that Jones is available for Everton!
Sir Alex gives the FA and Pearce a piece of his mind. Criticizes national teams talking about his players!
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8479115
Rightly so!
Young also returning and apparently Carrick os good to play against Everton as well. All round a good international week for the lads.
Also creates interesting permutations for the Real match. Assuming that the squad, hopefully, remains injury free, gives us a lot of options especially with Jones. Maybe allow us to beef up that defensive midfield position.
“It’s a tough game on Sunday,” Sir Alex said at his pre-match press conference. “We were 4-2 up with seven or eight minutes to go. It was unexpected and we have to anticipate the unexpected in the run-in. That was a bad blow for us and it cost us the league.
“Everton are very experienced and, if you look at their record, they’ve only lost three games this season [the same number as United]. They’re obviously hard to beat.
“But the team is playing well, I’m pleased with their form and I’m pleased that the players we’re changing around, when I’m making different team selections, are buying into it well.
“They’re all contributing in their own way and that gives us a better chance in terms of dealing with the various competitions we’re in now.”
… cont.
“[There's also] players like Pienaar, who’s been really good since he came back from Spurs. He’s actually improved since he came back from his short spell at Tottenham.
“Nikica Jelavic had a great season last season and is in a bit of a lull at the moment in terms of his goals. Now they’ve brought the big lad on, Victor Anichebe, and he’s a different player to Jelavic.
“You also look at the experience and consistency they’ve got at the back with Silvain Distin, Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka and Phil Neville. They play every week so they’ve got a good unit there.
“David Moyes has made gradual progress because when he first took over I don’t think he had any money to spend, I don’t think he had a squad anything like what he has now. Given time you can do these things and I think that’s a great value that Everton have got out of David – each year he has progressed to good levels.
“They’re challenging for a top-four place now. I think they have a genuine chance of being in the top four.”
… further …
“So far everyone has come back fit from their excursions into the rest of the world. The only one we’re waiting on is Chicharito. I’ve not had anything back that says he’s not fit so I expect everyone to be fit from their games.
“On our own front, Ashley Young is fit again, Michael Carrick should be okay and Phil Jones will hopefully be okay, irrespective of Stuart Pearce coming out and declaring he had shingles – which we thought was doctor confidence. We’re disappointed in that, but it’s not anything serious for the boy. It’s a mild condition that has surfaced but he should be okay.”
Everton are a good side. They don’t have the quality or strength in depth to challenge for the title but they are none the less a strong side and have a good manager who has the support of the club and respect of his players. We won’t have it easy but unlike in other games when I think we made things diffucult for ourselves Everton will bring it to us as they have the confidence and ability to do it.
I think we’ll get the win, maybe 1-0 and it’ll need a strong defensive performance to get it.
Everton will be a great game. They always come ready to play. Luckily, they usually bottle it when then come down here. Haven’t beaten us at home since 1992. But that is not saying they don’t have potential, they have been doing very well v us at their yard over the last few years.
Luckily? for us, Fellani is questionable for the game after being held out of his international friendly.
But if he plays he will be a handful. He always seems to have a great game vs United.
Still think we should win if the Ref doesn’t ruin the match. Mark Halsey again, so no particular worries, other than blind and useless ofcourse
Sir Alex criticised the FA for breach of confidentiality after Stuart Pearce revealed that Phil Jones had shingles (remember last September Hodgson revealed Ashley Young had a knee problem.)
“Phil Jones should be OK, irrespective of Stuart Pearce coming out and declaring he had shingles which was thought was in doctor’s confidence. We’re disappointed in that but it (shingles) is nothing serious – a mild condition that has surfaced but he should be OK, hopefully.”
SAF said such statements about players was “something we have to address.”
“In this case it was the confidence of our doctor and their doctor and it shouldn’t have gone any further. There’s no need for me to speak to Stuart Pearce,” he added.
SAF on topic: “Uefa’s financial fair play starts this year and it’s all good in theory but the application will always be difficult. If people have money to burn they can place it anywhere in the world. I’ll be interested to see how they think they can operate it. It would be good if it was applicable but I have my doubts. It will always be a problem trying to enforce it.”
Mancini (& city) supports United in the Champions League:
“If Manchester United draw or lose, the title race is re-opened. It is clear we need to do better than in the last two games. It is normal when you play in the Champions League against Real Madrid that you can lose your strength in this game.”
“We support Manchester United to go through in the Champions League. At the end of the day, if United win all the games from now to the end in the Premier League they deserve to win. This is football. But I am sure we have another chance.”
“We are a strong team. We were unlucky because we lost two or three players in January for the African Cup. Also, if we believe in our job, we can do this. But I don’t think in these two years there is a team that has played better than us. Manchester United is a strong team, Chelsea is a strong team but I think in the last two years Manchester City is the team that played better in the Premier League.”
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - –
- If we draw or lose, the title race is only re-opened if city win.
- It’s not “unlucky” to lose players for the African Cup. It’s poor planning.
- Played better for the last 2 years in the Prem? Bullshit. The results indicate otherwise.
On Topic:
http://andersred.blogspot.com/2013/02/500m-of-costs-later-could-we-see-debt.html
Andersreds latest blog about the changing financial paradigm. After a long time definite optimism. We really could relegate all talk of the debt as part of history once and for all.
Also will be interesting to see how City deal with the Saints. That lot can be hard to beat. Kompany or no, they do seem to have lost some of that swagger from last season. Less hunger? or Mancinis tinkering? They Do miss De Jong, and with Balotelli gone as well its a weaker squad. Dont want to underestimate them but its astounding how so many in the in the media forget we lost to them on Goal difference. Just got to make sure we keep getting points, should break them sooner or later. Frankly Mourinhos Chelsea was more impressive, in the league and Europe, and Sir Alex managed to chase them down as well.
@fletch- of course Faillani will play. He will have the same miraculous recovery that dozen other players have this week, including Xarrick and Jones ;u. But seriously, I consider this much will be as hard as city home so hopefully the boys go all out. Everton will be told to go for a win no doubt and attack from the get go.
@TheRadLegion
Amazing clip! A humble legend.
Off topic:
Must watch Schmeichel Documentary. TOP DRAWER.
http://thepremierleagueowl.com/short-documentary-on-manchester-uniteds-peter-schmeichel/
Can someone send David a copy?
Love UNITED, Love Glazer
Brett You must be joking! The family that will take a cool 1 Billion pounds out of our club in the first 10 years? Not from me.
Best you can hope for is a state of détente. That only IF they balance the sheets, pay off the debt AND start winning again. Last year is almost unforgivable for me based on what it did for the bitters.
Telegraph: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been fined £12,000 after being found guilty of misconduct
DreadedRed – the problem with shitty is? they are not much better than last season, they were inconcsistant with some god awful performances, and were lucky tevez had the hunger in the final few games that helped shitty, along with united having some poor games, and bizarre selections.
The difference this season is? shitty have come up against a challenger, that have raised the levels of intensity, consistancy, and standards of what it takes at the highest level, to adopt to high pressure situations. So shitty are not much better than last season, united have just got better, with DDG in form, rafeal ferdinand evans evra at times vidic, jones smallen playing more games,carrick cleverly rooney RVP hernandez have all stepped up to the plate. Because half these players were only half the players they were last season, or not even that.
Guys… I am trying to buy tickets for the shitty game…. on a third party website.. However most sites seem to have extremely bad reviews .. I will be travelling from India for this match and just cannot risk ending up with no tickets at the last minute. Can anyone recommend any trusted 3rd party website which guarantees the tickets are delivered? Please help …
GGMU
@nirvanutdketki
Stop right there. Don’t even try and get tickets for this game yet – they haven’t been released. Any third-party websites claiming they have tickets now should not be trusted, unless they’re syndicated season tickets, which I believe it’s nigh-on impossible to pull off at OT.
Honestly, if I were you I would just register properly through the club website and apply through the officla ballot. You should still have time to do all this before the game.
I personally haven’t missed out on a ballot ticket the last six times I’ve applied (Bolton, Everton, Wolves, Liverpool, Spurs, Liverpool). I think it’s actually easier than the club would have you believe.
There’s a card system in place this season, so they’ll send you a card once you’ve registered. If you then get through on the ballot, the ticket will be automatically added to your card, so you wouldn’t need to wait for ticket delivery,
@kanchelskis thanks a ton for such a detailed response. When is it that u think that the tickets will be officially released by the club? I have already bought my flight tickets to Manchester from Mumbai and also made the hotel reservations.. So I am all set except dont have the match tickets
I dont mind taking ur advice to wait for the ballot and apply .. however we are 3 friends travelling.. Any idea if we all can get tickets if I apply for 3? What are the chances of that happening..
Also assuming that worst case I dont make the ballot then what are the trusted sites where I can be assured of the valid tickets ? Honestly buying tickets from 3rd party sites after reading reviews is making me extremely nervous!
fletchtheman
Short of a utopia I will put up with the downside of their ownership. Campaigns against them are a dead duck. Whilst they do extract a pretty penny for themselves they ran the club sensibly. A smart person would realise that common sense is what most of the new wave of foreigner owners/investors lack.
They haven’t assert stripped, they haven’t treated it as a plaything, they’ve generated new revenue opportunities and they have gotten behind the manager to his satisfaction. Whilst our team may not be as expensive as some- this has given an opportunity for young players to develop. This requires a degree of patience but ultimately I think it increases our enjoyment of the team in the long run.
@nirvanutdketki
Hmm, if there’s three of you it might make it a bit more tricky. You’d all have to register individually, then when you apply, you do one application for three seats next to each other (three membership numbers needed). I can only assume this reduces your chances of success in the ballot.
In this instance, maybe third-party makes more sense, but I honestly can’t offer any advice in this area. I’ve only ever got tickets through the club. I’d still recommend going down the official route, for peace of mind.
Good luck though! Hope you get the tickets and have a good day.
@kanchelskis Thanks a ton mate.. really valuable information. I will certainly take ur advice and hope for the best. Cheers!
Brett, I guess we will just disagree. You should read the link to the post by Andy Green.
Unless you completely daft, you would have to say their management has been nothing short of lunacy and luck, more than skill, have started us on a road to recovery. They are hard workers. But if your banker had treated you thus, you would have sued him years ago for negligence.
Here it is again,
http://andersred.blogspot.ch/2013/02/500m-of-costs-later-could-we-see-debt.html
While Andy seems to cut the Glazers much slack, there is at least 4-5 years to go, and then only IF they actually choose to pay down the debt.
@Fletch
You make a very good point about luck. There is a strong possibility that history will treat the Glazers very kindly, if they sell up with enhanced revenue streams and no debt. But the truth is they’ve played fast and loose with the club, with no regard for stability or security, and not a shit given about the fans.
Truth is, without some things falling kindly for them, and without Fergie’s enduring brilliance, they could well have run this club into the ground.
If you want another conspiracy to warm your late nights,
There is a very strange thing going on with regards our player contracts. There is only one contract that actually runs longer than June 30, 2016.
A huge amount number of contracts run till exactly that date, while some Rio, Vidic, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick run out sooner.
If you look at the list, it has all the appearances of the Mayan Calendar debate of last month.
Probably with as much of an out come as well
Contracts all end on June 30 2016
Shinji Kagawa
Nick Powell
Robin van Persie
Rafael
Fábio
Antonio Valencia
Chris Smalling
Javier Hernandez
Danny Welbeck
Phil Jones
Ashley Young
Jonny Evans
Only one senior player has a contract that runs longer. Can you name him?
Cleverley and Ando run out on June 30 2015, all others in the next year or 2.
I love a good conspiracy as much as the next guy, but given how well we did with Pogba and Rooney’s contracts. I not all that enamored with the club policy of not renegotiating until the final year of the contract.
@Fletch
Rooney?
@Fletch – I’m stumped mate, unless the one player is Wilfred Zaha?
Not Rooney, June 30 2014 (next summer actually) oooooo that will be fun won’t it
Same day as Fletcher, Anderson, Valencia and Cleverley.
Not Zaha (although the site I am looking didn’t include his), I also I didn’t include any players on loan, So not Machada, or Bebe.
The fact that Shinji Kagawa, Nick Powell, and Robin van Persie all have less than 5 year contracts fits with the conspiracy.
Buttner?
Sparkz…. Good man. It will warm your heart I’m sure that our future is secure with Buttner
Also Sir Alex Ferguson’s contract runs ’til June 30, 2013. Roughly 142 days. Also up are Giggs, Scholes and Rio up the same day
“Preventing financial meltdown” sounds like honorable intention for sure, but seriously: They are only creating room for corruption here. More rules you have, more people will try to avoid it – and this is exactly what “sport mafia” needs.
Why would any player want to play at OT past 2013-2016 anyways, they would make more money on the continent.
Fletch I dont think Rooney expires in 2014, he signed a 5 year extension when he renegotiated in Oct of 2010 that would make it summer of 2015.
Also the manager has already said Giggs will be back next season (though he of the hairy chest has yet to confirm he wants to keep playing) but I expect Scholes to hang up the boots. Rio is probably 50/50 to stay, I’d guess it’ll be his choice to take the year to year contract which will most likely be offered. He could decide to take a big payday from MLS or one of the big money continental/arab/asian teams though but I doubt he wants to leave United as long as he gets a respectful offer.
Oh fuck off Mancini you greasy snide cunt with your pathetic mind games. They bought dogshit players last summer in Maicon, Rodwell, Sinclair and Garcia hence their struggles to keep up this season. Thought he could rest on his laurels. I can see Saints getting summat tomorrow I really can. I loved our Everton game 2 seasons back when Hernandez scored that late winner. We had banged at the door but it looked like we wouldn’t score. OT was electric that day. Always like the Everton games, a bloody good side.
Great news on Jonesy. Some say he may be deployed against Madrid in midfield to stifle them. I think he should be with Carrick and Clevs. Anderson will probably start tomorrow. BIG week ahead lads.
Starting with Palace game tonight. Zaha watch!
A real positive vibe around the club again on and OFF the field which is great to see after the last few seasons and the green and gold campaign etc.
JC Correct, That was a typo on my part. Rooney’s contract does run til June 30, 2015 (sorry for that)
Goat, Why you saying the continent is better? I would agree about things in the past, but my understanding is that Spain and France are instituting super taxes for the wealthy. They have been talking about this alot in Spain where Real and Barca are expected to have to cover the differnences.
Think super contracts in Spain are going to be cut back considerably.
In David We Trust – Spot on pal. City thought they could just rock up and turn teams over. As you say United have moved their hunger and desire and level up a notch or 3 this season.
Stick this up your arse Barca and Arsenal:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2275551/David-Beckham-Duncan-Edwards-George-Best–Manchester-United-youth-team-graduate-EVERY-SQUAD-1937.html#axzz2K9DERIhQ
Just thought you guys should know that Crystal Palace are on the prime time Championship game tonight. Chance to see Zaha in a full game if you haven’t.
Brisbanefan – they can’t ban English football clubs from being owned by foreigners. European Community won’t be at all enamoured.
The FA can ban owners from countries that don’t have a ‘football culture’. ie non-EC countries.
However owners from EC countries cannot be banned.
Dela says:
@Brisbanefan –> Some issues with your ideas…
Even if it did happen, rest assured the premier league teams would be banned from European competitions.
Nonsense. Foreigners cannot own Bundesliga teams.
Wakey – Why should foreigners be prevented from owning clubs?
Football is part of the ‘ English culture’ as is the Albert Hall and The Tate Gallery’. Selling either of them would be unthinkable.
I won’t reply to the immature rantings of Theredderdevil. I’m talking about OWNERS, not players.
Love the bitter comments on the Daily Mail article
Brisbanefan
Your “The FA can ban owners from countries that don’t have a ‘football culture’. ie non-EC countries.” – is confusing me. Are you saying that only EC countries have a ‘football culture’ ?
There are a lot of South American, Asian and African countries that do have a ‘football culture’
In fact, some even have a greater ‘football culture’ than England.
Some might even argue that owners who are football fans are not ideal. Too interfering.
Great stat KE,
Long may it continue!