After scoring two goals in our 3-0 win over Leeds United in the League Cup last night, Michael Owen has insisted he will only be happy if he’s playing more regularly and isn’t here for the money.
“I’m not content if I’m not playing,” he said. “I get criticised a lot with things like ‘you don’t play, you pick your money up’ and all the rest of it but I’m not proud of that fact. I want to play all the time.”
Owen has reflected on his first season, when he scored a last minute winner against City, a hattrick against the German champions and a goal in our 2-1 victory over Villa in the League Cup.
“If the season was going to be like the first season I was here then I’d be delighted,” added Owen. “That was fantastic and I felt involved. I was always either on the bench or playing. Obviously I want to be involved again but I appreciate that there’s some top players in the team and in the squad and it’s a challenge to get on the bench let alone into the first team.”
Man Utd News 24/7
WE got too many strikers don’t we
I am really really impressed with Owen. Very professional, rarely complains and does a job when required. I was as surprised as any when we signed him but it has turned out great as far as we are concerned. Mr Owen, i dop my cap to yer fella!
We really have competition upfront this year.Strikers,keep your scoring boots on!Rooney is the only untouchable striker we have.Have we had depth upfront like this since ’99?Each of our striker have something different to offer.
Well pity we also have 5 other strikers fighting out for one spot. Looks like some of them will get more games as wingers, or in Berba’s case, defenders.
I think we’ll be looking to shift Berbatov in January. Constantly overlooked – and could still command a decent fee.
He’s a top lad for a scouse bastard !
I feel he should play with Rooney, his finishing is probably the best we have and with Wazza’s new play where you like role, cheeky through balls etc, i reckon it would be ideal for Owen as he loves to play off the defenders….
Ohhh we have too many great players………….. shame!
i just read the match report on bbc and it pissed me right off !
they made reference to utd fans singing about istanbul.
The only black spot of the night from Manchester United, in fact, was the chanting by their supporters of songs referencing the night in Istanbul when two Leeds fans were killed in violent scenes – chants that did neither themselves nor their club any credit whatsoever.
although this is true i imagine the leeds fans were singing about munich, with no mension of that as per usual. i had to work last night and missed the game. can someone tell me if they were chanting about munich?
@gazzor72
Great post mate. I like Owen alot despite his Kop past. To me, he always gives 100% percent when given a chance. Hopefully we can maintain a great run in all competitions so that he may get more chances. Also a great professional. All the best chap
Those chanting about Instanbul were idiots even if they were provoked with Munich chants. But certainly I am not the only one that remembers the countless times we’ve seen airplane impersonations by City and Liverpool fans? Or what happened during a certain Spirit of Shankly event back in 2009? It’s a good thing some of us have a good memory because the media have a very selective one. Maybe Scott could make a topic about this.
I think Diouf and Berba should be sold, and Kiko should go out on loan to a PL club.
Yesterday on Talksport Adrian Durham slaughtered Mickey Owen for an hour claiming that he should have gone to a Stoke or West Brom. Owen is doing what is best in his view for his career whatever media tossers say.
@Costas
Mate I am not condoning it but have you ever been to Elland Road? it is vile and the constant Munich chants is hurrendous so as much as I personally odnt sing the Istanbul song, or the other one about knives but sometimes opposing teams need to know the affect disasters have. Teams think it is fair game singing Munich like City, Pool, Bolton and Leeds the main culprits, yet we never sing about Hillsborough so fuck em all the derserve what they get in return from United fans.
I was watching some old United games on youtube and saw something really funny, actaully funnier than Torres’s miss. In the game between United and the scousers in 1980 Alan Hansen breaks the offside trap and goes in on goal before passing to “king” Kenny who MISSES FROM INSIDE THE SIX YARD BOX. Here’s the link:
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/virals/2011-09-20/video-incredible-kenny-dalglish-open-goal-miss-v-man-united-1980
The reason it goes to a Talksport link is because on monday l emailed Keyes and Gray about it. Andy Gray had not even heard of this and didn’t believe it had happened but they were still talking about it the next day. It’s always fun to have something to stick to the scousers.
fitz’em’good’n'tight says
Mate they were definately singing Munich it pisses me off why it is never in the media when all you see if opposing fans making plan gestures non stop.
@Israel
Mate I have been showing that link for a while I love it and no one ever talks about it, Im glad you have you saw it pal. It is the worst miss in the history. I also love how poor the defending is when Hansen breaks through.
@giggs12gerrard0
Sorry pal, gotta disagree on the comment about our fans singing about Hillsborough. We was at a reserve game against the vermin, when they played at Warringtons RLFC stadium, and there were plenty singing that shit, me and my mate let it be known we thought they shouldn’t, but it didn’t make any difference. Also Hillsborough 89 was spray painted on one of the bridges over the M602 for the scousers to see.
I don’t like this kind of banter, some mates were at Hillsborough that afternoon, but part of me thinks, what goes around comes around.
Lets Fergie be givining him 15 minutes in every game and see wonders
@giggs12gerrard0
Hi pal. No, I haven’t been to Elland Road. And although I go to games quite often over here, I tend to avoid derby games due to their hostile nature around the stands. So you could say that I’ve never been in any environment where someone has provoked me by insulting the memory of those that died. It’s just that my philosophy on this is that you don’t allow yourself to drop to somebody else’s level. I completely understand the position that United fans found themselves in last night, but at the end of the day what hurts a Leeds fan more? A chant about Instanbul or a reminder of their plight 20 years after their last trophy?
feedemscraps says:
I completetly agree with what you are saying and I know small pockets sing about Hillsborough but on the whole we respectfully dont sing it. I have been to Anfield away last three seasons and not heard it once or even at Old Trafford and I am a season ticket in K Stand. I dont like any of the songs and I dont sing them but my point is as you make what goes around comes around and I have no sympathy. At Elland Road last night they were singing “Who’s that lying in the run way” so I just dont think its fair our fans being singled out by the BBC or by posts on here.
Bolton have become my most hated team in which I hope they get relegated due to their fergie dying and Munich songs.
@Cosata
Again mate I agree with your stance and like yourself I personally dont sing them but I also wont have a pop at the lads that do retaliate. In an environment like Elland in the away end when you will have as you would call your main lads then it will happen and they wont stand there listening to to the runway chant. It is sick and and other teams get what they deserve is all I am saying.
I dont want to make an issue of this as I agree with you and feedmescraps, the songs are vile and I dont sing them. My point is and in refernce to the BBC report it is a joke and symptamatic of how it rules for United and different rules for United.
Best ball playing Centre Back in all of Europe — Dimitar Berbatov
Interesting to see Owen claim he wants to play more.
I had always thought it was a kind of unspoken understanding, that we need a top quality back-up striker, that he wants to carry on playing a a high level, and that his body cannot stand up to the rigours of starting 30 games a season, and therefore his current role is ideal for all parties.
I still think this is the case. I think he’s just going through the motions a bit by saying this.
In fact… anyone reckon there’s a chance of Berbatov and Owen starting together on Saturday?
We know Hernandez won’t be ready. Also, Rooney’s played a lot of football this season, and it would be good to have him fresh for our first European home game. Plus Stoke played 120 minutes of football last night, without putting out a reserve team, so we may not have to dig too deep against them.
It’s a long shot, but might just happen?
A plus note however was BOTH sets of fans singing “Ooh Ah Cantona”
Any one got a Youtube link to a Utd fans view, ta.
@Kanchelskis
No mate i cant see him doing that at Stoke as Wellbeck is back and ready now as well so he will play Rooney and Wellbeck and maybe rest Roo in Europe.
@kanchelskis, In fact, I see it happening the other way round as giggs12 pointed out. I imagined Rooney and Welbeck/Berbatov will play this one because it is a difficult and very physical away fixture in the league. Whereas the CL game is only at home against Basel, so we can afford to rest the big guns for that one without worrying about the end result. I can definitely see Berbatov and maybe Owen even starting against Basel at home.
My only concern about the Basel game is that we need to start putting points on the board in Europe. Yes, I know a draw was a decent result at Benfica, and Basel aren’t the strongest opposition we’ll face, but I think we need to make sure of winning that game. 4-team groups can start to slip away from you very quickly, and failing to win that game would leave us with no margin for error.
Lexxy – you think diouf and macheda should be sold? thank fuck your decision making won’t be implemented at the club, sell our best young player, goodness me.
@Samuel, As many people have pointed out over the last few weeks, Diouf is probably the most different striker we have in our ranks right now. Welbeck and Macheda are both technically great players and may be able to gel better with the style of football Sir Alex has us playing right now. I was terribly disappointed with Macheda yesterday, but he was played out of position, and I expect him to come good. We’ve already seen what Welbeck can do with our new style. The other 4 of Rooney, Chicha, Berba and Owen are already established and we know what they’re capable of.
Diouf offers something different from any of these. He has great upper body strength and is able to hold off defenders like he showed many times yesterday. As I posted on another thread, he definitely reminds me of Louis Saha in regards to being able to play as a target man up top – something none of the other strikers can do right now. And he also has great finishing ability whenever I’ve seen him play.
Think about it this way – Berbatov and Owen are on their last legs – I am no one to say how long they will last for us, but it won’t be forever, that’s for sure. Diouf will get his chances. The only thing against him is his age. At 24, he may soon start looking for first-team football elsewhere. But I feel we definitely need to keep hold of him even though it is really crowded up there.
Lexxy – Sell Berbatov? Yeah great idea. The man is fucking class in everyway.
Owen is the best natural finisher at United.
Fuck those dirty Leeds scum cunts. Calling me a Munich for fucking years round my end. No sympathy at all. Not right to sing about Speights death but as I say what goes around.
Outplayed and outsang.
What the fuck was Smith the big nosed gooner on about last night? ” The home fans have been excellent”. Fuck off they were silent.
@King Eric
re Smith I think he thought the songs were from the home crowd as we were that loud. 12 Cantona’s was unreal.
Balaji – i agree, for a team to be successful you need variety and diouf is a plan b due to his style, i think his chance will eventually come seeing as he is actually 22 or 23 i think? the manager obviously rates him or he wouldn’t be at the club, plus he can do a decent job if needed on the wings, berba and owen despite their undoubted quality won’t be here for very long so the likes of diouf will step up.
As for macheda, i’m still worried about him. i’m not sure he has made significant improvements since his wonder goal against villa, his goal scoring ability can’t be questioned but his work rate and all round may need extra work, i don’t think sticking him out in the wings helped but for now, that may be the only position he’ll get games in cup matches, he needs to step up but he has time.Balaji – i agree, for a team to be successful you need variety and diouf is a plan b due to his style, i think his chance will eventually come seeing as he is actually 22 or 23 i think? the manager obviously rates him or he wouldn’t be at the club, plus he can do a decent job if needed on the wings, berba and owen despite their undoubted quality won’t be here for very long so the likes of diouf will step u
I don’t agree with Macheda being played out wide. I know Fergie wanted to give all 4 strikers game time, but I don’t think that’s his position at all. Didn’t like it when Welbeck played there either, not everybody is as comfortable out there as Rooney.
The way I see it is, Berba and Owen both have contracts until the end of this season, and I’ve a feeling that they might not get it renewed. That’s where the vacancy opens up for Macheda and Diouf- 2 out, 2 in.
The best thing for them this season would be to go on loan and prove that they’re good enough to replace the 2 veterans, coz I can’t see them getting any games outside of Cup matches.
Obviously, if one or both of them doesn’t develop as well as Fergie likes, then he might keep one of Berba/Owen on, sort of as an insurance policy.
As for Owen- it amuses me when people say he’s a mercenary etc…..and even some people on THIS blog have accused him of “milking the coffers” in the past. You do realise that he could’ve easily gone to an Aston Villa etc….and picked up higher wages?
Torres learns from King Kenny……
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/virals/2011-09-20/video-incredible-kenny-dalglish-open-goal-miss-v-man-united-1980
Diouf has already been out on loan, he needs to bedded into the united style of play, i think he potentially can be good enough to replace owen at least, macheda may be needs a year loan at a premier league club that he has a big chance of being a starter at, wigan? maybe bolton or even west brom, all these team’s play good football to benefit him.Diouf has already been out on loan, he needs to bedded into the united style of play, i think he potentially can be good enough to replace owen at least, macheda may be needs a year loan at a premier league club that he has a big chance of being a starter at, wigan? maybe bolton or even west brom, all these team’s play good football to benefit him.
I might get Sir Alex Ferguson’s Autograph!! Yaaayyy!! On cloud 9!! buhahahahahahaha
Fuck me let’s sell Berba because he’ll still fetch a good price,just love the loyalty we show to last years top scorer and one of the main reasons Utd won 19.
Well done Berba showed everyone how good you are not to fight for a first team place although you should be playing but to jack up the price so Utd can move you in January,what cunts some people are,Berba is one of the few players that still shows loyalty maybe we should do the same.Some fans just make me fucking sick
I know the flavour of the moment is Danny and Hernandez and maybe in a few years they’ll be as good as Berba but right now their not and Berba should be getting picked
Said at the time, Owen had the choice between United and Hull. That’s called a no – brainer. Natural finisher. Great experience, to have on the bench. If Rooney was to get injured at any stage this season. We have 2 top forwards to call on. Both have scored over 40 goals for their respective countries. Not bad, eh?
I like Owen from a purely homosexual point of view, otherwise I don’t think he will be relied upon in big games.
That doesn’t surprise me James.
We all know Owen is into horse racing think this situation suits him gets to devoted time to both football and his horses.
He’s already said doesn’t want to play 40 or 50 games a year for a 2nd rate club and i doubt his body would hold up for a full season.The ABUS need to get off his back and let him get on with his life.
supposing berbatov scores a goal in the cl final… would majority want him to be sold still? how old was sheringham when he last played for us?
berbatov offers us something else… same as with owen. old heads give us experience in the long run and it’s to our advantage that we got two of great ability in our ranks. apart from roo we don’t have that experience and know how in diouf,kiko,chicha and welbeck despite their burgeoning talent.
and to hear people say ithat he’s bound to go and doesn’t fit in this new look team is sad to see.
You can’t have any complaints about our style of play this season. It’s productive and fun to watch. However, Berba’s cameos on Sunday and yesterday reminded me that he’s a class player in his own right even if supposedly doesn’t fit in our current system. I think it was Balaji that mentioned it recently that Berba brings something different to the table. No other of our strikers can glue the ball to his feet like him.
@Giggs12
We agree more than we disagree on the matter mate. One explanation that crossed that mind was that some of those Instanbul chants were a product of our fans’ frustration that nothing is ever done about Munich chants. None of the rags condemn them as well as the clubs in question. At least Fergie asked United fans not to chant the paedo chants when Arsenal came to OT.
@James
I hear he’s been in love with the same girl since school. These things don’t last forever, so you’ll get your shot soon I feel.
@redrider
Sheringham was 35 the last time he played for us and he scored 21 goals that year. Teddy was another player that was never the fastest player out there, yet he was part of a team that played high octane football at the time. That’s why I never bought the theory that Berbatov slows us down. Unfortunately, Berbatov never (in some people’s eyes anyway) shook off his price tag and he’s still judged based on that.
Nothing to do with Owen, but the other “world class forward” that we missed out on.
http://www.youtube.com/v/KT5xNOUzcJk
@scott the red
STOP WITH THE POP-UPS AND ADVERTISEMENTS!!!!!!
@Costas hi mate the ‘Berba doesn’t fit’ is all bollocks invented by the Berba haters,Berba is world class and can fit into any system.I’ve been pounding this point for a while i know Hernandez is a top goal poacher but outside of the box his overall game is ltd and at this stage of his career would be better suited as a sub not a starter.No way Hernandez and Danny at this point of their careers should be starting over Berba.
@Costas
No other club can buy another player for any amount of money and have that player beautifully pirouette the defender marking him while at the byline, and then going on to make a simple pass for a teammate to tap in.
This justifies his transfer fee many times over. I don’t think I will ever ever forget this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxJ9wdXXbwY
costas
yes that’s true… it didn’t help that spuds made a big issue out of it and raise the fee involved… but players like don’t come often and that too at a time when our forwards were on fire. i don’t regret the fact that we paid 30 mil for him… in my eyes he’s worth more.
he’s got enough in him to effectively link up play and unlock a defence in pace. that 7-1 is text book stuff.
@Wayne
I agree about Berba being class and keeping him but I completely disagree on Hernandez he dove tails Rooney so well that for me they are out 1st choice strike force. Given the fact that Roo likes to drop deep and play the Sneijder role everyone was so deperate for Hernandez gives us out and out pace. I love the fact we have an abundance of choice and quallity but for me Hernandez is above Berba in the pecking order.
Wayne
i agree with that but there is also a matter of pressuring the defenders.
with chicha’s pressing and pace a centre half always got to think twice but with berba they can take their time. the season before last with berba and roo in tandem… a noy of beautiful play but will be forgotten due to the circumstances we ended the year with.
yoryor
great moment that…
Nice to see that whatever team is picked by Sir Alex can still pick apart the scum on their own patch.
Off topic – Inter have sacked their new coach after just three games in charge, makes us all feel lucky that Sir Alex is still here after all these years.
@giggs12 fair enough mate but he’s only effective in the box his overall skill set needs alot of improvement.Has a problem with his back to the goal loses the ball alot,my point is Berba can get you 20+goals but gives you so much more than goals,Hernandez doesn’t,listen i rate Berba as one of the best overall strikers in the world Hernandez just isn’t at his level imo i know i’m in the minority.
exactly… he was found out big time in the final against barca. we tried to keep playing balls over their defence and they were well prepared for it. might have been a different case with Berbatov linking up with Rooney… drawing their defenders out and making space with his ability to keep the ball under pressure and release it into space.
Why can’t all you strikers live in peace with each other and play when called upon? Wait, that’s what Owen, Berba, Macheda, Wellback & Diouf are doing…
Hernandez is this good now, how good will he be in 3/4 years time? He’s only gonna get better. Other parts of his game will improve in time. One thing about the lad, defenders hate playing against pace. He stretches opposition back lines. So, even if he’s not particularly having a good game. His speed will always been in the thoughts of defenders. We really are spoiled for choice up front. I don’t envy Fergie’s job. He’s got so many options in that area.
@Wayne
Indeed mate I feel for Berba as his ability doesnt deserve to be on the bench, but I feel even with Wellbeck now SAF prefers an ‘on the shoulder of the defenders’ centre forward rather than the mercurial talent of Berba.
I think Hernandez is already one of the best in the world at playing off the shoulder his record both domestically and internationally is ridiculous. Berba should be playing a lot more games though and give Rooney a break as well.
The lad Fryers pulled up with cramp. Nothing serious. Looked accomplished last night.
i do understand the reasons and Hernandez,Danny are great talents but at the moment not as accomplished as Berba i love watching Berba play just feel he’s getting a raw deal.Nothing i can do about that.
@Willie, Exactly mate. I sometimes find it funny and irritating that some people say he can “only” score goals, tap-ins by being in the right place at the right time. He has nothing more to his game blah, blah… Well, for starters, the “more” – which includes passing, holding up the ball, linking up with partners etc. – can be taught easily anywhere in the world. But the one thing that cannot be taught even in the best academies is “instinctively being in the right place at the right time” and putting the ball in the back of the net (Just ask Fernando Torres). Hernandez still has to learn a lot about his all-around game, but imagine the kind of player he will be once he learns all that. It’ll be like having RVN on steroids, but much, much better.
@wayne 13:12 – I agree with you there 100% about Berba and Chico and their relative merits, although both are world class at what they do. I would also add that there has to be an element of horses for courses – special teams if you like- in our choice of striker depending on the nature of the opposition we face and the state of each game. To this end all this talk of X or Y player being ‘ranked’ as our 1st – 5th striker seems a bit silly. The different players have different skill sets. For my part, Rooney, Berba and Chico would be my starting preference for most games with Rooney playing behind the other as front two, or vice versa with Berba. If the MF is firing Berba doesnt need to start but should always be an option from the bench. However I don’t think Rooney as lone striker works as he does not hold up the ball effectively at top level and does not prosper without decent service from MF. But he’s a beast going forward – shame he seems to think of himself as an out and out striker – I’m sure there’s a great deep lying striker / attacking MF player in Wayne bursting to get out.
Mikey O? Credit where’s credit due. I thought he was past in but he certainly played well against Leeds – the finishing ability is still there and he’s made me eat my words. Not sure he’s in the Chico level – our closest player in style -right now though.
berba needs to be learn how to be playmaker in the midfield
Berba is a playmaker. Set up Owen last night for the first. But we all know these lads are talented. We just have to marvel that the team just can’t seem to do wrong at the moment. Always a crisis for some of you lot. Now it is a crisis of riches?!
As to the anti fan chanting, it was going both ways from all accounts. United fans won the lottery and got singled out for it on BBC because they were louder inside the stand and some idiot was waving a Galactasery flag. United section also set off flairs. Outside there was a video (now removed) of leeds fans singing Munich songs to the united supports coming in to the stands. All in all a pretty testy affair from the fans point of view. THere is a decent account. most of the fists seem to be Leeds. Seems well documented that United support were singing about Istambul and leeds were having a go at Munich. Pretty sad for a football match in 2011.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/two_police_injured_and_21_held_at_leeds_man_utd_clash_1_3794847?
The Galatasary flag makes me fucking sick.
Being drunk, getting caught up in the moment, and joining in with a vile chant is one thing, and is still utterly deplorable… having the calculated foresight to bring a flag like that to the game, is entirely another. In an ideal world, such fans would never attend a football match again.
Mr C’s point about the ranking of players strikes a chord with me.
The players are NOT ranked. The players are selected for matches based on a variety of parameters applicable at the time. Only fans and the media then turn selection statistics into presumed ‘facts’. Of course, it is obvious that the data is manipulated and selected to ‘prove’ their own biased agenda.
According to Mark Ogden, our fans unfurled a banner, which said Istanbul. Shame, really. We didn’t need to sink to their level.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smKcRDi3e3w&feature=player_embedded
Here is video proof of the disgusting banner. Shame is, these despicable human beings will claim to be the more genuine united supporters than the likes of us that condemn such behaviour. Unforgivable, and sad and takes away the real joy i felt from the football itself..
Inter coach sacked after 5 games. Wonder how wee Wes is feeling? I’m sure he’s caught some of our games lol.
Willie if it was over money deserves the misery
They show video footage of our games in most of the Italian banks. Wes is probably too focussed on the money-counting machines to notice. Idiot.
FletchTheMan @ 14:35: “Berba is a playmaker. Set up Owen last night for the first. But we all know these lads are talented.”
Actually, it was ThreeLungPark who provided the assist on LittleMikey’s first goal.
Dimmy’s most significant contribution to the match last night was his defensive work in the early going when he thwarted two very good chances for the LeedsCum.
What cunts some people are blah blah, you can’t deny younger player’s are bound to shift off those approaching the twilight of their careers, its inevitable and the sentimentality is getting out of hand.
@SmartAlex
You cant blame Wes for holding out for money, we could have signed him in 2009 when we sold Ronnie to Madrid. Inter really wanted him and paid top wages to get him. If a rival compamy offer me top dollar then I wouldnt decrease my salary no matter how good the company who wanted me were!
giggs12gerrard0
Fallacious argument I’m afraid.
I’m guessing, at your professional level, that a higher wage will represent an appreciable difference in disposable income and therefore lifestyle, or even standard of living.
Anyone claiming there will be an actual difference in the way you live between a salary of £200k a week and £170k a week, needs to get a grip.
@Samuel not sure who you are calling a cunt and I’m assuming you’re referring to Berba.Nothing to do with sentimentality in my case I think Berba is a better player and brings more to the team than Danny and Hernandez.If I’m the cunt you are referring to use my name so I know
Samuel – united WE stand
Are you suggesting that we should not show loyalty to our oft-proven heroes the moment a youngster plays a few good games?
It is simply stupid to shift out top players the moment a young cheap lad shows promise.
For starters, we won’t be able to attract good players unless they know the club has depth to the affection, and that we are not going to sell them off as soon as it looks like a good move for the club. That is not how United operates, nor should it be.
giggs12gerrard0 – I don’t blame Wes for holding out for more money. He’s a mercenary. He plays for the money. That is his way, and good luck to him. Fortunately, we aim to attract a different breed. I like it this way, as I feel safer falling in love with players that are not only ruled by their bank balance.
@Kanchelskis
Correct in ratio it does represent a fallacious argumnet but the point being when Madrid wanted to move him on, no one came in for him other than Inter and they paid him his current salary for a contractual period. United have not committed to making an offer its all suggestive so for us to have a go at Wes is also a fallacious argument as we have not even tested a resolved. Fair play to anyone in any walk of live for getting the best from thier own personal agenda / situation..
denton davey
I think that Berbatov played the biggest role in Owen’s first goal. It was Dimi with the defense splitting pass, although he doesn’t get the ‘assist’ description for it.
SmartAlex @ 15:21: “I don’t blame Wes for holding out for more money. He’s a mercenary. He plays for the money.”
They’re ALL “mercenaries” and they ALL “play for the money”.
It’s been more than forty years since Celtic won the European Cup with a group of Glaswegians, not one of whom was born more than 25 miles from Parkhead. UTD’s 1968 European Cup Winners were led by a Geordie, a Scotsman and an Ulsterman.
The great thing about the FergyFledglings was that they were all Mancs – with the exception of Beckham.
Wesley Brown was the only one of the next generation of UTD players who is Manchester born-and-bred unlike the collection of scousers, cockneys, Brazilians, Portuguese, Frenchmen, Serbs and so on who make up the first team. Did these guys choose to play in Manchester for the weather ?
Denton Cheers for that, Agree about the defensive footery from Berbatov. Really saved us from going 1 down early. He also had some lay off balls that released lads. But overall, very impressed with the youngsters, especially Fryers and the hold up play of Diouf. Is it true that it has been over a year since Michaels last EPL start? Bit of a shocker that. We surely are rich in the striker departement. Think the competition for places has alot to do with our outstanding form of late. Everyone is hitting the heights to show the boss what they can offer.
I see Owen making an apperance from the bench this weekend. At least he deserve that much for his effort last nite…as i’ll like to believe the matchday squad picks itself so far this season.
Better still can’t seem to make up my mind up on the prospect of Berba starting or Welbeck. My heart says Berba, but my head says Welbeck…ruminating on the buzz he brougth to the team before his ham gave in against the Arse.
giggs12gerrard0
Wesley Sneijder priced himself out of a move to Manchester United in the summer break.
Sir Alex stated that to be the case, during the US tour.
SmartAlex @ 15:24: “Berbatov played the biggest role in Owen’s first goal. It was Dimi with the defense splitting pass, although he doesn’t get the ‘assist’ description for it.”
OK, he gets a “secondary assist” for that pass but it was hardly “defence-splitting” Dimmy’s pass to ThreeLungPark was part of a sequence of team-play linking defence to attack.
“defence-splitting” – would be a good way of describing Mame Biram Diouf’s pass to LittleMikey for the second goal. One touch in space and then boom !
However I still think Dimmy’s two terrific blocks in the early stages were a key moment in the match. they sucked the momentum out of the LeedsCum.
denton davey, you are mistaken when you say:
“They’re ALL “mercenaries” and they ALL “play for the money”
Simply and absolutely not true.
Many players chose lower wages to play for the team of their choice.
Dimitar Berbatov is a proven example.
SmartAlex. Haa, I did see it right then! Denton was saying it was Park. As I recalled it, the let out pass was from the Berb. Cheers.
Smartalex – I admire your faith mate, but call me a cynic but I really do not believe that we have a team of players who play for us from some deep love for the club. Lets assume we see a dip in a form for a few seasons – how many of these players do see sticking on? Mr. Ambition is the first one out obviously, but beyond that which one of our lovable players do you see persisting with the club. I guess our youth products, and the older players are the only ones I see sticking on for long, but beyond that I don’t see how Wes Sneijder is any more of a ‘mercenary’ than many of the players we have in our squad. I seriously don’t see why any of these foreign players are expected to somehow love United before getting here and spending time here, and are expected to take deep pay cuts to come join us. Simple things is our wage structure doesn’t allow for many top European players joining us, and thats the end of the story. Beyond that everyone’s a mercenary, only we can afford the cheaper ones, and turn them into world class players…
And by the way, you can be a ‘mercernary’ for trophy and honours as much as you can be a ‘mercenary’ for money. It just depends on what stage of their career players are in, and what priorities they have developed along the way. Now take away our success for a bit, and our still above average pay structure, and then I’d like to see how many stick around or how many chose to join us. It is a different matter than AFTER having spent time at the club players develop loyalties – that is perfectly natural. But PRIOR to getting here, I don’t see how its some love of the club which pulls players in.
Wayne – if i was to call you a cunt, i’d have directed the message at you so clearly it wasn’t and
secondly fair enough if you feel berba is a better player than both combined, i’ve always regarded berbatov a supreme technically gifted player but the manager picks the player’s, if he feels welbeck and hernandez (who may NOT have the great all round game as good) as berbatov are performing better in training e.t.c then im okay with it.
United were over-ran in the champions league final due to lack of enough mobility in the team, he has decided to change the style and bring in energy, perhaps berbatov who is a quality player isn’t part of the system yet.
Now its up to him to prove the manager wrong, i hate reiterated several times that experience counts, the season is long and berba will be needed eventually but he has to work to get in, i personally just don’t agree with this view that he is been mistreated, perhaps he should have been on the bench in the C.L final but that’s the past now, he’ll move on.Wayne – if i was to call you a cunt, i’d have directed the message at you so clearly it wasn’t and
secondly fair enough if you feel berba is a better player than both combined, i’ve always regarded berbatov a supreme technically gifted player but the manager picks the player’s, if he feels welbeck and hernandez (who may NOT have the great all round game as good) as berbatov are performing better in training e.t.c then im okay with it.
United were over-ran in the champions league final due to lack of enough mobility in the team, he has decided to change the style and bring in energy, perhaps berbatov who is a quality player isn’t part of the system yet.
Now its up to him to prove the manager wrong, i hate reiterated several times that experience counts, the season is long and berba will be needed eventually but he has to work to get in, i personally just don’t agree with this view that he is been mistreated, perhaps he should have been on the bench in the C.L final but that’s the past now, he’ll move on.
denton davey – I’m glad that you consider “Dimmy’s two terrific blocks in the early stages a key moment in the match” He was an inspired selection, and clearly the best player on the field. In attack, on defense, in build-up play, and in support. S many wonderful contributions from one player that we can all have our favourite moments!
I am loving writing this comment! Ha Ha Ha ! ! !
denton davey and smartalex loving Dimi!
Yay!
They are mercenaries, but they are are mercenaries. It will always be about success and ability to pay wages. Even Denis Law was off a couple years after the pinnacle of success. Look at the dismantling of the 68 side and you will see the future of any club that dosent rebuild from youth. But I think United do have a invaluable tradition/asset in bring kids (whereever they may be from) through the youth teams. A core of lads who will be playing for the shirt is part of what we are. Anderson is of this model but maybe the least strident, fletcher is a key at the moment. Thank gods for the new lads comming on (Cleverley, Danny, etc). Jones will be another since he is so young.
Well, obviously it’s not love of the club. It’s prestige, and a clubs standing in world football, that drags a player to a club. The Rooney debacle proved it for certain, that most players, bar a select few, see their careers as a business. A sad reality, but a fact. Sorry for quoting the bloated FSW! We, the fans, just have to accept this. Unless a wage cap of sort comes in, I don’t see the landscape changing much.
giggs12 – Hello mate. Yes the “12 Cantona’s” was top drawer as was “we all live in a Georgie Best world”.
Smartalex – its all well and good to show loyalty towards player’s and i for one haven’t claimed that berba should be kicked out instantly because experience matters in the team, at some berbatov will be needed but you can’t deny the fact that in the future, young quality hungry player’s will threaten his position in the team, its bound to happen as you and i know that if the manager notices a good young player, then he is old enough.
Berba should stay and keep fighting, he may even get a chance against stoke on saturday, that will be an opportunity for him to show his quality, i’m all for loyalty but for progress, sentiments must be put aside and fergie epitomises this ruthless mentality for success.
Mahesh
Our players seem very different to those at most clubs.
Obviously money comes into it, and not all of our players are identical in the manner of their love for United, however it is absolutely true to say that we breed a special affection and desire in our players. They play for United, not for a bank balance.
When you consider our wage structure, and compare it to other clubs at the top of football it is clear that money alone does not drive our players, or our success.
The only people in football are the fans. We love the club and love to think players want to play for the same love of us, a lot of players would love to play for Manchester United but that is not because of the way we love them its because we are successful and win trophies so in the same respect they are mercenaries hence Alan Smith, Micahel Owen etc signing for us. Wayne Rooney was a boyhood Evertonian left in a heart beat to play for us so that is the same way a mercenary. Players play for City for cash other players leave thier teams to play for our success.
@Samuel fair enough mate,didn’t know who was referring to.Utd were overrun in the CL because they were lacking a player like Berba who can keep hold of the ball and bring others into play
Off topic here but what kit will united be wearing away to basel this year? any suggestions of a new 3rd kit?
WillieRedNut@15.52: You speak the truth. Ronaldo is the perfect example. He has been harping on about how he might go here and there when he’s signed a massive contract with Mdrid. Some players out there really are genuine though, like Joey Barton!
I do honestly think Rooney has now turned a corner and dare I say it, become a man. I hope Rooney appreciates what United have done for him, he would not get the same sort of treatment at any other club in England, let alone the same amount of success. Now he says he wants to ‘stay for lfe’ I believe him.
I better go home to the wife and kids now.
Samuel – united WE stand
Perhaps sentiments have their place, but they should not be ‘put aside’
Loyalty breeds loyalty, in the receiver and in those who see it, and want it.
Of course, blind loyalty is not a trait of Sir Alex, neither should it be. There comes a time when changes must be made, and perhaps SAF’s greatest quality is doing what has to be done, fearlessly. He has courage and belief in his convictions. Whether they be to release a player, or to retain him.
The question is, the devastating, pacey, one touch, energetic, high tempo game that united are playing, where does berbatov who is technically brilliant fit into this? it’s a dilemma, his slow style is an issue, we can all deny this or face the truth, people will think i have an agenda against him but its the honest truth.The question is, the devastating, pacey, one touch, energetic, high tempo game that united are playing, where does berbatov who is technically brilliant fit into this? it’s a dilemma, his slow style is an issue, we can all deny this or face the truth, people will think i have an agenda against him but its the honest truth.
gerkeo – The lads are going out in their bare chests!
Smartalex – I do agree that to an extent we do BREED this affection for the club. I stress however ‘to an extent’ and ‘BREED’. But I do wonder if this is any different for any other big club in Europe – Its the history, legacy, success and also the financial strength of these clubs that allows them to hold on to the truly great players. I don’t think United is any different from a Barca, or a Bayern, or an AC Milan in that respect. And, I don’t think players join us with such love for the club at heart. It gets instilled over time. I was making the case with Wes Sneijder in particular but it applies to any other player. From an objective point of view, I don’t see how Wes or any other major player in Europe is expected to love the club before they get here, and love it enough to take a pay cut in order to facilitate a transfer. I think that was my point primarily, but even beyond that I would only conditionally accept this whole loyalty business for very few players.
As people know I have always have loved and defended Berbatov but to say Hernandez should only come on as a sub is daft. Bolton away. 5 minutes in. Goal. Rentboys last season at home. ONE minute in. Goal.
Its funny as fuck to think the stick Berba and Carrick get yet they go and play at centre back without so much as a moan. Could just imagine Nasri or fucking Sanchez doing that. Thats why we are different. Any player can play in literally any position. The opposition must be shitting it as we have a non stop conveyor belt of talent coming through. Nevermind your Cleverleys and Wellbecks. Never even mind the FA youth winning team. There are even players under that like Blackett and Dahli and Rudge and Barmby. The future is fucking frightening.
@willierednuts: Ha ha, i’m picturing the braveheart battle scene, kilts and nothing else but green & gold paint on their faces.
King Eric – Do you know much about this lad Fryers? Seems a good prospect. Not that Leeds were much of a test, but still. He impressed me.
Wayne – united would need to actually have to get the ball off barcelona first before we can give it to berba to hold it up and lay it off, he is a quality player and definitely brings individual brilliance to the team, he is quality and if things go to plan, he’ll sign a new deal but the younger players will push him to the max, they will threaten his status in the team, he knows exactly what he needs to do to be a starter. its simple, impress the manager in training.
Mate, we did lack mobility in midfield, i think the manager has decided to rectify the style of play, the energy is getting back and that is needed to compete.
Bollocks to that greedy cunt Sneijder. I wanted him here but now? Couldnt give a fuck with the wealth of talent who WANT to play for the shirt. Seen his last three games for Inter and fully understand why considering the manager but he was fucking gash. Slow, one paced , lazy and contributed fuck all. More than happy with the lads we have now.
Best thing I read at weekend was in Red Issue and was a supposed ad verbatim conversation between Fergie and Nasri. Nasri had signed a pre agreement in June with United but City paid 4 million to his agent to ensure he joined City. Fergie called him and said ” You signed a pre agreement with United and are going back on it. You will never kick a ball for this football club. We win trophies they pay the wages. Enjoy your wages you cunt”. Hope thats true as that is fucking priceless!
Smartalex – to be honest, loyalty is long dead in football, you’ll get a rare few but the game is full of mercenaries, man city prove this even wayne has shown that side of him (perhaps he has changed and perhaps not).
However i’m not saying all older players should be ditched, it would be to the detriment of the club but these senior players should be prepared for a battle for their future at the club, its inevitable.
United DO have a different breed of players. Just ask Harry Redknapp. Who said that every player even those not in the squad celebrate a goal like it was a cup final. Dont see that at many other clubs. United is different. Simple as.
@King Eric I might be daft mate but your argument doesn’t really hold water.I’m sure you can go through most strikers in world football and all have scored early goals
The reverse side is Hernandez came on as sub and scored late goals,its easy to cherry pick to make a point but using 2 examples in a whole season to prove a point doesn’t work with me
King Eric
Apparently, when City were stalling on their deal, Nasri tried to approach Utd (haven broken said pre-agreement), saying he’d changed his mind. That was when Fergie told him to do one (probably the phonecall you mentioned).
willie – Hello mate. No mate he blind sided me. Seen a bit of him but didnt think he was THIS good. Well chuffed for the kid. Elland Road is unforgiving and none of our kids hid last night.
kanchelskis – Yes mate. Think that is spot on. Fucking quality.
wayne – Hello mate. I know what you mean but what I am trying to say is no matter at what time Hernandez plays in the game he will score goals.
wayne – I wasnt cherry picking mate. Stoke away. Blackpool away. West Brom away. West Brom home. Wigan home. Wigan away. etc etc there was loads of games where he started and scored.
If a soldier is unemployed and decides to work/fight for a wage for a foreign people, he would likely be considered mercenary. Should that land’s cause be just, and that soldiers desire for victory be true, he will earn the love and respect that he will receive. The blood that he sheds will be his own.
Of course, if his way is to ‘down tools’ at the first sign of trouble, or the offer of a better wage elsewhere, then he will have nowhere to call home.
Nani has had plenty of offers to leave United, and has only recently received love from the general fan, yet he chose to stay. He fights for his place. He fights for United. He does NOT deserve to be considered in the same light as Sneijder, Tevez, Nasri, Cashley, etc.
We don’t despise Silvestre for leaving us and joining Arsenal. We do despise Tevez for dropping us and joining city.
Nice goals, Sammy I agree people using the youngster thing for TC to start and the reverse for Berba to start?
Some here have no consistency in their train of thinking.
glad im not SAF, too many tough choices with this lineup cause of all the quality…would like to see more of owen bc he bags goals everytime hes on the pitch but so does rooney and chicha
i would really like to see more of giggsy, his masterclass on the pitch is astonishing and i think he could really give a boost to the central midfield where he likes playing
and how bout berba? should we stick him into centre defense? looks like a natural! haha
The one I despised the most? Heinze for suing the club to want to go to Liverpool. Now, that has to be money driven. I don’t care if he’s apologised.They all do eventually, as will Blanka when he gets old and has won f’all with City.
Sammy ha ha. Nice one Zibbie!
Loyalty is NOT dead in football.
Wes Brown was loyal to United and Sir Alex. So was O’Shea, Solskjaer and many others.
Kuszczak is not loyal. Neither was Tevez, Hargreaves and many others.
@King Eric no argument the lad is a world class goal scorer.I thought you were referring to early goals
His speed makes him very dangerous when he comes on fresh and defenders are tiring
Just think Berba should get more playing time at this moment in time think he’s the better player but like I said before I know I’m in the minority,just the way I feel
smartalex, strange that you considered Kuszczak not loyal. I really can not understand why you think so. Other than expressing his frustration, even if it may be inappropriate to us, he hasn’t really shown any disloyalty in my opinion.
lol at the blanka comment!
Had to tag and run, as normal RoM so fun!!!
BBL.
SAF has selection nightmares and he loves it!
Tevez is loyal, to his bank balance. Anyone listening to talksport? Haven’t heard it myself, but I hear they’re talking about last nights game. And, the aftermath. No doubt United fans will be getting it in the neck.
ok ..this is way of topic,but what does everyone make of this?
Glazers pay out record bonus to United staff at Old Trafford
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2039369/Manchester-United-staff-receive-record-bonus.html#ixzz1YbPmIp8E
Money saved from not signing Nasri or Modric or Sneijder. The staff deserve it. I believe in reasonable wages and huge bonuses when the company does well.
YorYor
I guess I feel that way because he gave the club and Sir Alex an ultimatum.
” If Sir Alex Ferguson decides at the end of the season I am not good enough then I will look for another club.”
He also said on other occasions:
- “I will definitely leave the club. My time in Manchester is coming to an end.”
- “It’s a shame the coach never gave me a serious opportunity.”
- “I haven’t spoken with Alex Ferguson, he has told me nothing. He never tells me anything. I don’t know if I can stick it any more. I have some offers and we will see what happens with them.”
- “I am angry and disappointed with the way I am treated,” said Kuszczak. “I had a few good offers. The problem was the club who wanted to sell me for £4 million.”
It seems to me that he is not loyal. Do you not agree?
Hello All- I am a supporter from the Lone Star State (that’s Texas to you). I have read this blog for almost a year now and it has become required reading. So let this be an introduction to you all. Or as we say in Texas :Howdy (It means hello and how are you doing today all in one).
Regarding Owen’s comments and Owen himself: He is obviously caught up in the excitement. He is a natural and born striker and gets a real buzz from scoring. Maybe as much as he gets from horse racing. So I think his mouth was way ahead of his brain as he basked in the attention of the fickle press. I consider him a pure scorer and not much else. His defense might be slightly better than Juan Mata’s and that’s not saying much. He is only useful around or near the opposing goal. And he is not very durable. I find it hard to see him putting in a full 90 or even 60 minutes in a top flight contest. Correction, I find it impossible to see him do it. I liken him to a gunpowder fuse. He burns very hot and bright, but for a short time. SAF knows this obviously and deploys him accordingly. He will let Owen run his mouth to an extent but as far as playing every day…..it will never happen.
Good to see Sky show the leads fans acting like cunts outside the ground before and after the game. Its all been one way traffic in terms of the vile chanting. Classy act by our club to condemn our fans who caused trouble. leads however, haven’t even made a statement when it was their lot fucking things up. I’m with giggs21 gerrard 0 on this one. I made my point on previous thread.
@ wayne – Agree with your views on Berba mate, where were you yesterday when I was making those points!!!
@ King Eric- You were spot on about Pogba and Cleverly too. Any more gems we should be keeping an eye on. Thought Cole did well when he came on. Reminds me of Danny Wallace a bit.
Our bench was nostalgic last night, Brown, Keane and Cole on the bench. Shame no Solskjaer!!!!
PS I fucking hate leads scum.
These Kuszczak quotes (above) are not similar to Wes Brown’s attitude.
Wes was a proven player at United, yet sidelined for no apparent reason. He kept on training hard, kept his head down, and has been rewarded with a top wage at Sunderland, due mainly to Sir Alex’ letting him go on a (almost) Free.
NotoriousRedDevil
giggs21 gerrard 0
The future is written!
smartalex, I don’t agree though. It became obvious to Kuszczak that he wasn’t even a 2nd choice when Lindegaard came in. At least in the case of Brown and O’Shea, they knew they’d get games due to the number of games United plays in a season.
It’s not quite the same as United offering him a contract, but him turning it down.
He may not have very high EQ by expressing his displeasure, but I think he has a right to. Just like Berbatov has every right to whine about it but doesn’t, and that’s why we consider him a top professional. Kuszczak may not be a professional like Berbatov is, but it’s not quite the same as not being loyal.
willie – Nah mate. They are having at pop at Munich chants, Leeds, Hillsboro, Spurs and all clubs to be fair.
Wayne – Oh don’t get me wrong mate. I think Berba should get more games. I am a staunch supporter of him as you know.
As people have pointed out- Berba gives us a really good Plan B. He showed that against Chelsea, he was just what we needed. Kept the ball and helped us establish control again, he was excellent (100% pass completion).
Does he fit into our Plan A though? I don’t think so. He can certainly get involved with the one-two touch passing. But a big part of our Plan A is pace, mobility, fluidity…and what a lot of people overlook…PRESSING FROM THE FRONT.
So to answer Wayne- yeah, Berba is a better player than Hernandez or Danny. But as England have discovered over the last decade….it’s not just about putting your most talented players on the pitch. It’s about what suits the team best. Hernandez and Danny fit our way of playing far better. Nobody’s denying what Berba can do, and that’s why the Gaffer has him in the squad, he’s another option.
In any case- this club has been built on giving young players a chance. It’s how we’ve always done things. So to say Berba should be starting ahead of someone like Welbeck, purely coz he’s a better player is rubbish. If you don’t give Danny a chance to prove himself, how is he gonna develop?
YorYor
Brown didn’t get the games you say he “knew he’d get” yet he did not issue ultimatums.
I’m considering ‘loyal’ to mean:
loyal : giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.
Anyway, Tomasz was a decent member of the squad. A bit disruptive, with comments like
“I must say this, Edwin doesn’t help me. Maybe he doesn’t like me”
I don’t dislike him, but he’s not loyal.
Plan B(erbatov)!
Good evening ROM,
how ya doing,
Hello King Eric, how ya mate
yup we all know how much you love berbaTop..
YorYor,
yup nice to see out staff getting the bonus…they truly deserve it..
yesterday was a glimpse of our future,
what passing and slick game, even when the scums tried to take our players..
was impressed with Pogba,s couple of hollywood balls, especially the one to valencia..
the lad thinks quick and takes a rapid decision in attack minded..
he made some excellent tackles as well..
cole’s got tremendous pace and he will get better..
Diuof was superb, the way he held the ball and posession and the way he moved and passes the ball was impressive..
and that was cracking game by our young centerback fryers..
and a special mention to our goalie, the lad was confident and has good feet as well..
plus he was looking to assist in counters with loooong throws…
can anybody gimme a review on our goalie? thanks…
@ Mahesh
I take your points but disagree with the underlying premise that because professional footballers (including ours) play for huge rewards or come from overseas that necessarily makes them mercenaries.
Regardless of the Manchester weather, United is different. Or rather used to be. That’s why the ambitiongate stuff was a shocker to us. United is a bit like the Foreign Legion – espirt de corps and all that forged out of a common ethos (sorry bout the spelling, my French is crap)That’s why I never wanted the money driven Sneijder at the club, good player or no. It’s also why players who leave United usually regret doing so.
studs-up.com/2011/09/lyclownthropy-part-2/
never gets boring!
sandeep, there were plenty writing off MBDiouf earlier in the season, how we had so many strikers and promising ones coming through and how he didn’t look United quality.
Just like they can’t wait to say “I told you so” in wanting players out of United, I am one of those who can’t wait to say “Eat your socks” when these very players turn out more than decent and definitely capable of improving to become United quality.
Imo Kiko is under real pressure now.
Welbeck is miles ahead and even Diouf developed over the year.
He could be the one who could face the same destiny as Rossi.
@Sparks Spot On!
1878 graces the page.
Diuof I like as well. He keeps getting better. When he first came SAF saw him 5 years down the road as a player. He is on pace for this. Not all develop at the same speed. Like Fletch, over the years he has earned playing time then the fans hearts and heads.
PRESSING FROM THE FRONT.
It is the perfect summary to Man Utd quote un quote style of play.
Berba is awesome, as a pressing force he is not, I saw him stand still with his hands on his hips in the game, why the rest were pressing. If Rooney had done that he would be skinned alive here by the Rooney haters.
They picked apart his game with Chelski, If scoring a goal and leading the line to a 3-1 win against the biggest rival to the PL title the last 7 years is a bad gaame OK. If that is a Rooney bad game I will take it.
Zelh Kiko a Rossi could very well become that.
anyone know what happened to ravel morrison? had expected he be included in the squad at least for the leeds game..
Hahahahah, Studs Up with another gem!
“Clownfoot” Love it
@NRD hi mate think I was on the thread before you and I come in and out because I’m working and its blackberry time.
@sparkz don’t get your England point mate,England just not good enough.To say play Berba because he’s the better player is rubbish again mate,I like to see the best players playing.
Not saying don’t play Danny or Hernandez just saying Berba should be more involved because he’s world class
Zelh – I’d wait calling Kiko a Rossi situation. He needs to playing up front, for a start, before we judge the lad. I don’t know if he’ll get enough time on the pitch. So many players, vying for 1, or 2 positions.
Off Topic: Just read this…
Villas-Boas said on Tuesday: “Very, very unhappy with a poor performance from the referees, which in the end had a decisive role in the result, and I don’t take it very, very lightly.
“You expect the linesman to do his job.
“I already went further ahead with the situation by speaking to the correct people.
“We all feel very, very down when the referee had such an impact on the result.”
Any chance we can expect the FA to take action? No less then a 3 game touchline ban I’m sure.
Fucking mugs
@lonestarred
how’s it going mate good to see new blood on here! I lived in Texas for a year after uni coaching football (your not allowed to call it soccer
) I was in Mansfield south of Texas where abouts are you! I used to watch all the united games in down town Dallas!
@LoneStarRed HOWDY!
Giggs12, UNI?
Rooney-gate is a distant memory now as almost an year has elapsed, United fans have forgiven their hero as Wayne Rooney is at his absolute best. Nani too has emerged from the shadows of his compatriot and looks to be on the edge of greatness. A THT special on the awesome twosome Red Devil duo Rooney and Nani!
http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/man-united%E2%80%99s-corner-rooney-and-nani-redeemed-and-rejuvenated
evening king eric say your comment rgds Leeds and calling you a munich 4 years they really are the most unpleasent fuckers far more bitter then any blue
i agree istanbul songs aint clever but them fuckers fall short on sympathy been the biggest bastards going 4 years rgds 58
2 wrong dont make a right blah blah but if you get shit for 20 years some are going to see the chance of giving it back is fair game
hopefully wont see the cunts 4 ages so the episode wont be repeated
rgds that nasri SAF story that would be fucking cracking if its true mate
all the best
19
Wayne- I know, but the point I was making was that the team and the system that suits them best is more important than individuals. With England, as Gary said in his autobiography….it seemed like a fudge, just to get Beckham, Gerrard and Lampard in the team.
England probably weren’t good enough, but they would’ve done a whole lot better if the managers had done what suited the team. If that meant one or two talented players missing out, so be it.
As talented as Berba is- it looks like Chicha and Welbeck suit the system and way of playing better than he does. Obviously you’d like Berba to be involved more…..but the form that the other 3 strikers have shown makes it difficult.
He’s not alone in this situation- you’d like to see Owen more involved, but again, Rooney, Chicha and Welbeck have been in top form. Same goes for Fabio…..you’d love to see him playing more, but Smalling and Jones have been quality this season.
@ Lonestar
Love Texas mate, right proper state. Many condemn them for their justice system, but I for one, am all for a place where the dispicable cunts also know as the Terry family would surely be behind bars and keys thrown away by now!
indiandevil, nice read. For some it will never be over. I get that and most who still harbor dark feelings for Rooney have used restraint in there comments for that thank you. And others even when and if he passes Sir Booby in goals scored, he still will be a cunt.
For I had a bad 2 months with it and have moved on, as most have by now.
Death Row for Terry?
Texas? That Bush country.
Texas has great Bush.
Rick Perry country now the guy is a fucking psycho makes Bush look like a liberal
scan74 – Hello mate. Hope you are well.
Sandeep – Ditto pal.
Class war fare all over the world.
@sparkz we could go around in circles all day mate Berba was Utds best player last year when he got dropped.I’m not a big believer in systems,good teams adapt to opponents tactics just like world class players adapt to what’s asked of them.I consider Berba world class.Its one of these things that can never be agreed on.I think Berba should be getting major playing time,you don’t
The point in all this though, it don’t matter a jot, what we think. It’s the big man up stairs. He picks the team and formations. While I don’t always agree with his decisions, I trust him to make that call. Even if I think it’s the wrong call. Then again, what the fuck do I know? I’m just a RedNut, with an opinion.
@wayne- I never said he shouldn’t be getting major playing time. I was just tryna explain why he’s not getting major playing time at the moment, i.e Fergie sees him as the “other option”, rather than the Plan A.
As for last season, as far as I remember….he got dropped around middle of March. He’d only scored 4 goals since the turn of the year. And they were spread over 2 games (the equaliser vs Blackpool and the hat-trick vs Birmingham- both in January.)
Chicharito on the other hand kept coming in and scoring regularly. On top of that, his way of playing seemed to suit us better and bring the best out of people like Rooney, Carrick etc (coz his pace forced defences to sit deep, so they had more room to operate in). Not just my opinion, but Fergie’s as well.
Willie your spot on mate, SAF picks the team and who he believes gives Man Utd the best chance to win.
Nani was the teams choice of best player last year.
Arguing for arguments sake, is a fun sport.
@Sparkz I’m driving right now so can’t check but think your time frame is way off,I could be wrong but he scored 5 against Blackburn and was dropped that was before xmas.Then in January scored his 3rd hat trick of the season don’t remember who against but was dropped the game after.So Berba was getting left out of the team way before March although he was scoring for fun
@Sparkz: I can never fathom the logic of people who argue that our top scorer last year season -Berba- doesn’t fit ‘our system of play’. It’s all a bit of a red herring.
Like Wayne said, belief in fixed systems of play is all a bit of a nonsense anyway. Yes, SAF will have preferences as to his ‘strongest’ side, but I’m sure he appreciates better than any of us that different line ups will have different strengths and weakness, opposition teams will pose different problems, injuries and suspensions will occur, and situations will change within games. Good teams are those that adapt best to the particular challenges they face, and not fix themselves to rigid game plan regardless. I’m sure SAF has considered all this hence the variety of options he’s kept open in his squad – Berba, Rooney, Owen, Welbeck, Chico, Carrick – the lot.
@Mr C- that’s exactly what i was getting at- options! You need flexibility and variety.
It’s been said many times that Berba gives us a different option, I’ve said that about 3 or 4 times already. There’ll be certain games/situations within a game where we’ll need his type of option………case in point being the last 20 minutes vs Chelsea.
All I was saying was that Fergie has a certain way of playing, and therefore certain options, as his Plan A. Berba doesn’t appear to be part of that.
@Giggs12Gerrard0
Howdy. I live in Mesquite now. I definitely know Mansfield. I was born in Wandsworth , grew up many places. So, depending on who I talk to here, it’s football or soccer. Lots of EPL,La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, etc football is broadcast here via television in HD now. I mostly watch the Reds at home . Texans are American football (throwball) crazy here. High School games on Friday nights draw thousands.
College games draw tens of thousands. Texas is awesome!!! I’ve lived in many countries and here the men are mostly Effing MEN, not Oprah Winfrey watching weenies. For the most part we don’t coddle criminals here. Look up the “Texas Seven” . They escaped from prison killed a cop and KNEW to get the eff out of Texas because they were NOT going to be brought back in alive. Lots of places here you can still do business with a firm handshake. Someone breaks into your house here, they are fair game! No discussions or questions. Very few questions asked. My daughters shot their first deer at 12. And yes we had it processed and ate it. It was a lot better when we mixed it with the wild hog we shot (texture and fat content). And no I don’t drive a pick up truck. But one is always close if I need it.
@wayne
We can get into a long discussion re Bush or Perry. Somethings I like some I don’t. Bottom line , low crime, low taxes, booming economy, envy of the rest of the country. Companies are flocking here. Wages are higher. Unemployment much lower. I know many of you “across the pond” love Obama. I don’t like ANYONE who tramples our Constitution.You can have him. I know I’m a racist cause I don’t like him. I judge on RESULTS not rhetoric. Read Bastiat’s “The Law” or Hazlett’s “Economics in One Lesson”.
@zibbic
The lesbians didn’t like Bush either…..
http://www.rikthib.com/Humor/lesbush.jpg.
Anyone who thinks Berbatov doesn’t fit the system doesn’t understand football and have probably been no more than 2 games in their life. The whole system theory looks good on paper but its a bullshit way to back up a point. How can he not fit a system when he scored 20 goals in it last season?
@ wayne. Got the stats right my friend, his 2nd hat trick came vs Birmingham was there with me old man for the only time we’ve been to a game. So remember it well. He was left out the team shortly after. Hernandez didn’t go mad scoring until after Blackpool.
Na, good old Jimmy Carter for me.
@WillieRedNut
True that!! He is the second coming of Jimmy the peanut farmer.
Bullshit way to back up what point? He scored 20 goals LAST SEASON. The way we’re playing this season is totally different. He has a role to play as a different option to what others give us. But right now we’re playing with pace and high tempo/pressing…it’s pretty clear that’s not Berba’s style. Doesn’t make him a bad player.
I’ll tell you what is a bullshit way to back up a point- “he scored 20 goals so he must fit the system”. That’s just lazy, if it was that simple then surely Fergie would see things the same way. Unless of course you think he’s just being spiteful or had a bust up with Berba?….
LoneStarRed I live in Canada and follow American politics closely but just by your comments its best we leave politics out of it we are at opposite spectrums
@ Sparkz – Thats the exact same shit people were saying back end of last season as well. I’m talking generally. This season barely started so what happened in the last few months of last season still counts for a lot of people. At least until we’ve played 10 league games this season anyway. Just because we’ve started great doesn’t mean we’ll play like that all season. My feet are firmly on the ground. We played with the exact same tempo up front last season difference is this year we’re doing it away from home as well and also we’re seeing it through. People forget that. Go back and watch out home games last season.
2 other things- he got a bucketload of goals last season coz he was essentially playing a Hernandez type role. Less time linking the play up (left that to Rooney), more time in and around the box to hold the ball up, and to stick it in the onion bag.
He lost his place because Hernandez was doing the same thing- being a goalscorer- but also offered us pace & energy on top of that. It comes down to what Fergie wanted, and in the end he plumped for Hernandez. Clearly he believed that Hernandez was better suited to how he wanted the team to play. You couldn’t separate the 2 in terms of goals, it just came down to who was a better fit for the style of play.
And I’m pretty certain he didn’t lose his place as early as January. Yeah, he missed out a few games where he was either rested, or it was a big game where he normally doesn’t play…….but after his hat trick vs Brum, he played ( and scored) vs Blackpool. Played again vs Villa. And carried on playing most of the games until the Arsenal FA Cup tie, which is where Hernandez took over. That FA Cup tie was in March.
Regarding Berba: the pace and tempo of this year’s team is MUCH faster. Berba is usually stop and go instead of go ,go ,go. We have seen him play faster but for limited periods. He is usually described as languid. That is the opposite of the Reds style this year. Here we say he needs to “show some hustle” .
@NRI- I’d disagree. We were brilliant at OT last season, but it certainly wasn’t as high tempo as it has been this season. The main thing is- we weren’t pressing anywhere near as much as we are now. We defended quite deep, it was something a lot of people picked up on.
Also, there wasn’t as much flexibility in terms of the players’ movements.
LSR I have some property in NE Iowa, I have a friend who is deer crazy. He has food plots and cameras up with 8 different stands up. We have 4, 5 year old,s on the hit list. I have to refill my freezer and give some management meat to the H.U.S.H program here in Iowa, Help Us Stop Hunger. The deer have corn, soy beans and wild acorns. They are so tasty and we mix hog with the sausage as well. My best is 187 a monster.
@wayne
My comments obviously betray a bias and yours do not ?((hug))
You think.
Let’s get back to football and our mutual affinity.
Sparkz mate Berba got fucked over because Sir Alex continued to play a out of form Rooney Berba got very little playing time from january onwards although he carried the team for the 1st 5 to 6 months of the year
@Zibbie
Nice!!! Re NE Iowa, not real familiar but it looks like some beautiful wide open spaces up there. Do you all have a wild hog problem up there ….yet?
Because Rooney found his form he was the main reason for the push to win 19, and a CL final. Berba a great team player helped put Man Utd in a position to make the push. Then got pushed out by Lil Pea and his own play. Now Welbeck has stepped up. In a 60 game season Berba will get his chance to make SAF pick him by his play as he does for everyone.
LSR no not yet. I have been to LA the last 2 years and got a bunch of hogs. It might sound means I love the little suckling pigs. A 22 to the ear and wow what a tasty little thing. My friend is a Creole and wow the food we make up!!!!!
Each has their skills and talents (Rooney, Danny, Hernandez, Berba, Owen) and I guess they all give their best to play what is important.
And Fergie leads the team so we can only observe
LoneStarRed lol mate I’m a born and bred socialist/liberal plus I’m passionate/bull headed about things I believe in so I’m sure my biased shows through in most things
Don’t look now. Hargreaves scores a “screamer” for citeh according to Goal.com. Bibatelli also scored. That means the very predictable press will now be heralding Hargreaves’ comeback.
LSR Dubuque Iowa on the Upper Mississippi where Iowa IL. and WI meet. Hilly bluffs and hard wood forest blanket the River and farms, farms every where. On the TV deer shows Iowa, Kansas WI, MN and IL are up there with Sac. Canada for big deer.
Wayne your honesty and ability to know yourself speaks highly of you. There’s hope for you yet.
Zibble, the younger one are MUCH much better eating. And your harsher winters probably do a lot to keep them farther south.
Zibbie That is BEAUTIFUL country this time of year when the leaves turn. But you can have the winter. That’s when it’s best to curl up and watch the recorded games.
@ Sparkz. Give you the flexibility thing. Down to Ando getting his thumb out his backside, Tom Cleverly and Ashley Young. We probably would have defended deeper this season too had Rio and Vidic not got injured. I’m positive we’ll revert back to that when one or both are fit.
What @Wayne said about Berba carrying the team when Rooney was playing poor is 100% true. Berbatov was dropped at the beginning of Feb and once Rooney scored that overhead kick never got a look in. I hope he can do something that will have his name etched in stone at United forever, because apparently 2 hat tricks including one vs the vermin, a 5 goal haul and being only the 6th player in the clubs history to win the golden boot in a season isn’t enough.
It’s great that this year we can debate/argue about the qualities of our forwards rather than how poor they are like people did in 09/10.
That’s what comprises a good team. When all can contribute over the course of a season. As previously stated, Rooney will eventually cool off. And SAF knows this, so he is prepared for that. Rooney’s play right now is absolutely superlative. And it’s also a bonus. We CAN win if he just plays average because the team is built for that. With so many top notch strikers available, they will peak at different times and SAF is adept at knowing who and when.
We should loan out Macheda and Diouf and keep five strikers in the squad.
@Sparkz 20:19: I think the difference in emphasis between us is narrow, but I still don’t think we are saying exactly the same thing. Specifically, I don’t consider SAF has a certain way of playing, or a Plan A as you put it, save for United’s preference for playing attacking football. Rather, I think SAF has preferences as to who he considers to be the core of his ‘strongest’ side, player wise, the selection of whom will likely to beat most of the opposition we are likely to face in the EPL. However, SAF does change and will change personnel and tactics as necessary according to the opposition and the circumstances. WBA at home and Roma away will likely pose entirely different problems and require different options, player wise.
@Zibbie
Sorry for the late reply mate Uni is short for University
@manc_sam says:
As I know Michael Owen is not scouser
Sparkz – Hello mate. Not being pedantic but Berba got winner at Blackpool as well.
NRD – First game you have been to at Brum home? Thought you went alot mate.
Ah. Did you mean first time you and old man been together?
@LoneStar Red 20:26 Great post – it had me rolling around in stitches!
‘here the men are mostly Effing MEN, not Oprah Winfrey watching weenies.’
‘The lesbians didn’t like Bush either…..’
Classic..
King Eric- Hiya mate. I’m sure he got the equaliser? Didn’t Chicha come off the bench and score the first and third goals?
Berba did get the winner vs Bolton though if that’s what you were referring to.
Sparkz – No mate. Berba was put through I think by Giggs over the top and rifled it into the near corner.