I owned that grey shirt and I loved it. Looking back now, I’m not entirely sure why, because it’s pretty ugly, but I thought I looked the business in it. I can’t imagine my parents were too pleased when I refused to wear it a few months after buying it. I wasn’t a brat, I swear, but when the team stopped wearing it, I thought I should too.
United went to The Dell with four games left to play in 1995-1996 season to face a Southampton side that were in the thick of a relegation battle. Having overcome the 12 point lead Newcastle had amassed by December, surely a game against Southampton would be a walk in the park. Earlier in the season, we had gone 3-0 up against them with less than ten minutes played at Old Trafford and beaten them 2-0 in the FA just the month before. It was April 13th and we hadn’t seen our team lose since January 1st. We were ready to reclaim our title from Blackburn Rovers.
However, donning that grey kit, we went in 3-0 down at half time. We were facing our fourth defeat in the fifth outing of us wearing that shirt. “Get that kit off, you’re getting changed,” were the first words uttered by our manager to our shame faced team in the dressing room. They wore blue shirts in the second half, didn’t concede again and Ryan Giggs made the scoreline slightly more respectable.
“The players don’t like the grey strip,” Ferguson said after the game. “They find it difficult to pick each other out. We had to change the strip.” The Evening News later published a study which supported this claim, that grey was a difficult colour to see on the pitch, but that didn’t stop us being a laughing stock for a little while or make us feel any better about the defeat. We were three points clear still but Newcastle had a game in hand. Two days later the kit was officially retired and never wore again. United went on to win all their remaining games and beat Newcastle to the title by four points. (Incidentally, Southampton avoided relegation on goal difference alone that season, so probably rate that kit more than anyone else.)
Today we play Southampton again and despite their poor start to the season, there is definitely the potential for things to click for the newly promoted side. They’ve just signed Gastón Ramírez, who was wanted by Tottenham and Liverpool, and they have aspirations higher than just staying in the division.
Whilst we are without Rooney, which is a “blessing” according to the manager, because now our highest paid player has the opportunity to get himself fit, we should be welcoming Jonny Evans back in to the starting XI. Whilst this should hopefully improve our defensive shape, it will also free up Michael Carrick to play in midfield again. Paul Scholes, who was left out of the Fulham game, would be a great addition to the starting XI too, with Tom Cleverley ready to give him a rest towards the end of the game. Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie, who both scored on their home débuts last weekend, should start up front. Maybe Chicharito, who scored against Southampton in the Cup a couple of years ago in our 2-1 win down there, will get his first appearance of the season from the bench too, although hopefully just to give him minutes on the pitch, rather than out of desperation for him to be a Super Sub.
Ashley Young is missing though, as revealed by the FA (much to Ferguson’s annoyance, for whatever reason. I can’t imagine Southampton have changed their tactics since learning that Young won’t be playing) which means Nani should be brought back in to the team. After Ferguson’s programme notes for Fulham talking about selling people who had fallen out of love with the club, followed by Nani’s omission from the squad, rumours started that the Portuguese winger would be heading for the exit. Fortunately, regardless of how frustrating he can be, Nani has stayed at the club. He is hugely talented, and whilst he doesn’t regularly shine on the left wing and repeatedly hits his crosses/corners straight at the first defender, he is one of our most creative players, so I hope he does a job for us today.
We just want a good performance from the lads today and the three points to keep ourselves there or there abouts. This is Ferguson’s 1,000th league match as our manager, having won 598, drawn 233 and lost 168. It’s a long season but we don’t want this to be one of those games we have to look back on with regret. Let’s get the job done.
Man Utd News 24/7
Think we will get the points today allright.
I wonder how many times the grey kit will be mentioned by the pundits today
I hope we can build on the great first half against Fulham and keep our focus for the entire game this time. RvP to score and Kagawa to dance around the Southampton defence!
What was the FA supposed to do? Call up an injured Ashley Young just so the cat wasn’t out of the bag?
Seriously, this is 2012. You can’t expect to keep a player’s injury a secret. And why would you in the first place?
Anyway, the Dell wasn’t the easiest place in the world to visit. We usually struggled over there. However, the fact that we haven’t had another grey kit since then says it all.
Is Ángelo Henríquez registered to play with us?
Vidic will have a massive job to mark ricky lambert, Llana is a threat through the middle, southampton as a team will put up a fight, united will have to match that and hopefully, they do.
This is the highlight of their season, so they will be up for it. The best they can hope for is set pieces. , Surely we can score one more then them? The only worry for us is complacency. We tend to stop once ahead.
I’m predicting a 4-1 win for us, but a slow start means a 1-1 in the first half. Scorers: RVPx2, Valencia & Cleverly!
Since Rooney is out for a few weeks while recovering…We have lots of cover but who wouldn’t want a sneaky move made for Drogba?! Imagine Rooney, RVP and Drogba up front…he is a bit older now, but since his game never relied on pace I think Drogba can still cut it. Not the worst impact substitute one could get,,,
Am taking Mrs CBT to her first away day today- leaving Waterloo about midday with the other cockney Reds- sing up!
Let’s go to work Gentlemen.
Grey certainly seems to be the colour for today. Overcast and drizzle here in Southampton. Fortunately the south coast is not far to travel for most United followers, being just down the M3 from London, those that bother to leave their TV sets behind. A sell out crowd is expected, although a few hundred short of Southampton’s record set against Coventry at the end of last season due to increased security restrictions.
Fortunately for United, none of Southampton’s deadline day signings, Uraguayan super kid Gaston Ramirez (Winger), Japan’s London2012 captain Maya Yoshida (Defender) and American Cody Cropper (Goalkeeper) are not elegable to play due to international duty. This may offer some reprieve for United who are without several key players including Wayne Rooney, Meanwhile Japanese international striker Tadanari Lee is expected to return from injury after scoring in the League Cup last week to partner 4 times golden boot winner Ricky Lambert up front. Team captain Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez, Brazilian Guilherme Do Prado, and Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis will pack out the midfield, while Danny Fox, Nathanial Clyne, Jose Fonte and Jos Hooiveldt in defence, and Kelvin Davis in goal.
However, United fans travelling to St Mary’s Stadium today, should not expect a warm welcome. New parking restrictions around the stadium will mean heavy fines for any vehicles parked outside designated carparks (which are very expensive). I recomend taking the club coaches, and it’s a very long walk from the nearest train station.
My final two cents: Look out for an appearence from Zambian international Emmanuel Mayuka making his debut today. He could just send United fans home looking grey in the face!
Thought it was a legitmate claim with that grey strip that the players could’nt see each other, we won the 2nd half 1-0:-)
OK I just lol’ed at the “Southampton avoided relegation and probably rated the shirt more than anyone else” line.
I remember the kit very well and the match being an older guy ive always stuck to polo shirts with the club badge on . My mates however insisted on wearing this grey kit in medium when they were large to XL!!Thought they were the dogs !
Today although i have nothing against Southampton I hope we stick loads past them get into our stride These are the goal differance matches . Im not playing them down but its time to remind ourselves we are United .
I don’t know why we seem to lose mostimes Fergie has a milestone
RoM is dead on matchday? What the hell happened?
been a bit of a falling out between everyone…some have left due to too many knowall numpties now posting…. some have been banned …but ROM will evolve
What we really need is one of those flowing performances to stamp our authority. Honestly though as much i would like that to happen, its still early going, there are new players, players returning form injury, its an away match to a potentially tricky team and its the time of the year for bizarre results. Having said that this is Manchester United. Would be happy with three points, but feel a visceral need for four nil.
100% from the guys! And the three points is ours, but if for whatever reason we approach the game with any kind of lukewarm attitude…. We will get beat…. That said
Come On United
Some thought they were ROM and were responsible for a lot of the bother in the first place.Well ta ta to them let them pollute some other site.
TonyBee
Oh dear. This feels a bit odd.
But yes, RoM will evolve indeed.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4160/extra-time/2012/09/02/3348295/-
kagawa will score today i am sure
Happy match day Reds! Come on United!
RoM and it’s evolution.
????????????
1-3 to us
welbeck kagawa rvp
Hey TonyBee. I see sara has rejected you, how punishing.
It’s not fair that you should be made to pay. A case of Foreskins of the Father, hey?
p.s.
sara = sachu = RedScot
Dr Dread!!!
OK Kebab, this will be Man Utd 3rd game and I will ask after the game your thoughts on Kagawa. As we talked. You did not see him in pre-season.
RVP should almost be up to game speed as well!!!!!!!!!!
TonyBee – which previously local posters were banned? I’m not aware of that…
InZibinho!!!
1000 for SAF!!!!!!!!!
Evans is back, Carrick will play MF!!!
Rafa my man crush is a Tiger!!!!
Clevs looking ready to take his place in the 1st team plans!!!!!!!!!!
Southampton full-back Nathaniel Clyne:
“I had run out of contract at Palace and there were talks with a few clubs who were looking at me like United. I knew if I came to Southampton I would get a lot of game time. It is an up-and-coming club and they have a project here.”
Another Patsy, just like his mom.
Just read the CLyne quotes. What the fuck is it with clubs being ‘projects’?
:Sir Alex on 999 games as United Manager
“There have been so many wonderful players at the club and it has been a pleasure and an honour working with them. There’s nothing I like better than to pull my car into the training ground of a morning and look forward to another few hours working with them and my staff. Any manager would be thankful to remember one great squad; I’ve had five or six. ”
“I never tried to model myself on anyone. I’ve never read any books written by managers. I have always tried to be my own man and do it my way. If I was to give any advice to young managers, it would be not just to learn by your mistakes but also heed the reasons why you made them. I don’t just mean why your team may have lost a game, but all the other things that you have to attend to every day – your judgement of players, tactics, team selection, player welfare – everything.”
“I could never imagine how long I would be at the club or that I would be looking forward to my thousandth game. It may be a special occasion but it’s just another game that I want to win.”
Great man that Alex is.
@Zibbie
I don’t think I will need the Southampton game mate. I’m already impressed with Kagawa’s talent. And with his choice in women as well.
I had a grey kit myself, I even had the blue GK kit that went with the grey kit, loved both. Many seem to think it’s hilarious just because it’s united, if it was soton they would have believed it, but fergie was right I feel, the sun was out in all it’s glory, we add the crowd the grey kit did blend in with the crowd, making it awful to find players, and the passing was a big problem for united that day. Look at giggs that day, even he looks like he was blending in with the crowd, but what did make it embarrassing about the grey kit excuse was? how we lost 6 3 the next season
Ian Holloway on SAF’s 999:
“The more I think about it, the more it occurs to me that the most amazing part of his story isn’t that he’ll pass that milestone when Manchester United kick off against Southampton this afternoon.”
“No, the most incredible thing is that, the moment the final whistle goes, he’ll already be far more concerned about how he will prepare for the one thousand and first.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ian-holloway-column-why-sir-alex-1295780
Really looking forward to this one after last weeks performance. Hopefully same team except Nani for the injured Young, although Nani never seems to play well when on the left, but surely that has to change eventually and today can be that day.
Prediction 4-1 to us. Kagawa and Ando (I hope he isn’t dropped) to shine.
DreadedRed – great quotes from Sir Alex there, “just another game that I want to win” . That’s why he’s lasted 1000 games, he has an eternal burning desire for our club to be successful and stay at the top. Gotta love the man.
Shebangsthedrums – exactly, Fergie has an eternal burning desire.
Sir Alex – millennium manager of Manchester United. Our man in a million.
Sir Alex said:
“It’s not easy picking the team. The players know that. I made reference to that last week. I’ve got a difficult job. The important thing is the end. If the end is right, we’re all satisfied and they’ve all contributed.”
“Robin is flexible and can play different positions. He can play from the right side or in behind the strikers. There are great options with van Persie because he’s such a mobile player and Wayne can play in behind or play up. Chicharito is the only one-position player we have and that’s through the middle.”
“Van Persie and Wayne can absolutely play together. No doubt. Welbeck can play with him. We’ve got good options which is why it’s so difficult.”
Sir Alex also said:
“Why should we let anyone know what the team is? It’s straightforward and why I never name the team until Saturday now. I used to name it on Friday when I first came down but it didn’t work. It was always in the papers.”
“Everything we do in training is mixed with a variety of different players playing in different positions because they tell the agents who tell the press. It gets so dead easy nowadays – too easy. Twitter is one thing but they tell agents and they tell other people. Maybe they’re even representing a player in the team you’re playing against too.”
Good problems,
By the time when the big run in games happen. The lads will decide by their play who will get the minutes. Along with the match ups.
Rooney has always found a way to fit in and make the team stronger.
Dr. Dread here in the US because of bookies and Vegas, the injury list is big. With legal gaming in the UK, and bets being made? I always wondered about this?
Rueknee will have some catching up to do if he plans on forging a golden boot this season.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4160/extra-time/2012/09/02/3348295/kagawa-stuns-manchester-united-with-bleep-test-performance?source=breakingnews
This is great but what does it say for our fitness training..
Dreaded …..yes i had gathered who they all are…shame cos i used to have fun with Redscot….. still too much booze can addle your brain….
as for the one that got permanently banned…. you know who that is as for the others many are taking a rest….
and am i the only one here to keep his own original username or derivatives of it…. apart from Giles,Costas.etc…. anyone else feel free to post your original names….
Dreaded ….you can also add a few more to that poster as well…still never mind …wont stop me following UTD on ROM (still the best Scott) and sticking in my two’pennorth
COME ON YOU FUCKING REDS
Zibbie – there is bound to be gambling-related fraud afoot. That said, I’d guess that that most players would need considerable coercion to knowingly work against their team. I think that Sir Alex is sensible and right to recognise the blabbermouthability of the majority of footballers and other humans.
I thought a ‘bleep’ test was how many fucking swearwords used per minute….
The dick is STD free for now.
Tony Bee I love RoM with all it’s dick warts as well.
Sara sent me her picture…
http://media.photobucket.com/image/fat women/clintd211985/fat-women_04.jpg?o=46
Dr I was just thinking of the average guy who bets, sure will always be some fixing going on. Not to much at the highest level.
Speaking of highest, A Sunday morning game buzz!?
KRAP.
Keep Rodgers At Pool.
good for you Zibbie… i do too …shame some others don’t…isnt it
http://media.photobucket.com/video/fat/RoshanPerera/The_Fat_Lady.mp4?o=12
and a vid
Fuck Bee, I should know better. You can’t un-see things …..
TonyBee – I sincerely hope that their absence is but a brief hiatus. They are certainly missed.
RoM is tremendous. I expect that if I’m on the net, I have a RoM page open.
All should stick an oar in at any stage of the rapids, else we’d become creeky sans paddle.
You may remember that I once roamed the skies? An albatross in disguise.
Match day! Come on United!
I agree Bee, you see where Goat and I shared and Olive branch. He as a goat would , ate his half. I, shoved my half between my ass and had a good hemeroidal scratch.
A real share and expression of selves we had.
A rare bird, who’s shadow was cast over us all.
I agree Zibbie, not too much betting-fraud at the highest level. Hardly any perhaps.
Soon to know who starts today.
The Squad is Man Utd!!!
Lindegaard – Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra – Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Welbeck – Kagawa – Van Persie
United’s win ratio with Wayne Rooney in the team is 71%, compared to 55% without him
My team.
DDG
Rafeal Evans Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes Cleverly
Valencia RVP Kagawa
starting lineup Lindegaard, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Valencia, Kagawa, Welbeck, Van Persie I think lol
Rio and Vidic start their first game together since last December. Welbeck on the left was predictable sadly. Just when I said I never wanted to see him there again.
Costas
Is that official?
Kebab is that the team for today!!???
LoserPool tis is going to be our season ha ha…rodger u should hav stayed in swansea
Lindergaard starts what,?
Lindegaard? Wow. Unless de Gea is injured, Fergie is back to his tinkering worst.
Its official it was on SkySports
Hey you all – has the team line up been announced yet?
great line up
as i said before 1-3 to us welbeck kagawa rvp
i think rodgers will be fired by racistpool very soon they are 2 down to arsenal
Yeah guys. It’s the official line up. Powell on the bench.
Costas – funny that? Rio instead of evans and evra fit, which I guess is good news. Nani being frozen out? Lindegaard deserves some games. Fergie showing exactly why he was pissed off with the FA
– always a surprise or two in the lineup!
In other news, the dippers losing by 2 zip against a pretty shit looking le arse. Every time I catch the dippers on tv they look shittier than the last time…heartwarming to say the least:)
Costas
———Lindy——–
Rafa–Rio–Vida—Evra
—Carrick–Clevs—
Tony V–Kagawa–Webeck
———RVP———-
AWESOME!!!!! Rio is a fit man, trains 1 week and he is ready to go!
Costas this Left side set up for Dan has less space to cover back in the deep 3rd. He will shine.
NO KEEPER ON THE BENCH is that right
There was a 4 year stretch of Rio, Vida and Evra backed by VDS wow they fought off the world!!
No DDG, if he isn’t injured it’s just plain stupid. Rotating GKs is not done by any other team in world football, fuck sake.
Not to mention he’s been one of our best players so far this season!
Jeet – it’s all about Nani buckling up his ideas and playing better next time he gets a chance. Great to see united have quartet of proper defenders. Difficult game awaits us.
i think rotating gks is a bad idea but i think sir alex try to protect de gea
Is Ando injured??
any news about the bench as well, guys? What’s this talk I hear about no gk on the bench? ouch!
Subs: De Gea, Evans, Giggs, Hernandez, Nani, Scholes,
Subs:De Gea, Evans, Giggs, Hernandez, Nani, Scholes, Powell
WTF pool hahahahaha
anderson injured again??
Awesome that Rio starts and that we have Evans on the bench. Nice to see Powell on the bench too, he must have impressed Fergie already. Skeptical about rotating goalkeepers.
Come on United!
Andoo.
No surprise DeGea dropped after his Fulham fuck up and why would you expect any different.
Good line up. Hope we win comfortably and there is no injury.
Great to see defenders in defense.
zibbie …thatll teach you for looking
dreaded….. yeah i know all your names… wanna sing me one as well….??
My biggest concern wrt changing/ rotating goal keeper’s is that it becomes difficult for a set of defenders+GK to establish that rapport and communication ease. Similar to needless tinkering with the back 4. However, my argument/ concern is invalidated if all our back 4+GK combinations/ options are at complete ease. Now the question is, Is that the case?
Wolfie HOWL!!!!!!!!!!
Any predictions on which Southampton player will spend the next week on RoM as United’s missing piece? Who did we foolishly miss? Surely someone was glaringly obvious.
DDG is growing as a man and a keeper , Lindy got paid to push whom ever for 1st team squad. His good play and DDG bobble SAF gives him a start!
HAHAHA no Dr. I do not.
New thread
WOW what an idiot redknapp is, oh never been a fan of his, did that idiot see the save’s DDG was pulling off at everton, if it was hart he would be creaming over him. Many forget hart was sent on loan, when you have 2 quality GK’s, why not give lindergaard a go
TonyBee, I don’t mind if I do … here we go then:
I see Theatre of Dreams, reds rising too
I see them win, for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I see losers in blue, or failure so white
An empty Etihad, or crazed sheep in flight
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of United, so lovely flying high
Are also on the faces, of people going by
I see Reds shaking hands, sayin’, “How do you do?”
They’re really sayin’, “I love you”
I hear blues cryin’, I watch them groan
They’ll cry much more, than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Oh yeah
Zibbie – Jello!
Hello WillieRedNut! I’m very confident about today’s game. We’re looking good.
Parry
Yes he made a mistake but Vidic also made the mistake and he hasnt been dropped.
The problem with dropping a GK is his confidence will be down even though IMO he’s been playing very well not just in our opening fixtures but also in the Olympics, he was Spain’s best player.
Fergie should of shown more faith and his confidence would of been boosted. IMO his dropping is harsh and the wrong decision.
Andoo.
Doesn’t work that way fuck up and you get dropped simple,you can’t go looking too put half the blame on Vidic he’s not the keeper.And how he performed for Spain is of no importance,his confidence fuck his confidence just do his job or someone else will.
The squad worries me