1. So, there we have it. Just like Manchester City, we’ve managed to throw away an eight point lead. To pick up four points from four games at this stage of the season is so un-United that I don’t really know what to say about it. What are we playing at? Last weekend’s game was probably more painful than last night’s but that doesn’t change the fact it’s bitterly disappointing losing to that lot, particularly now it means we’ve surrendered our position at the top of the table.
2. When the line-up was announced people were rightly surprised. Park hadn’t played any football in the league since coming on for the last ten minutes against Spurs at the beginning of March. Antonio Valencia is in the running for our player of the season. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes often struggle when in the same midfield. Still, you wondered if the manager had a trick up his sleeve because he has pulled off great results with players no one would have picked before kick-off in the past. However, as badly as we did play, Ferguson was so close to getting away with it. Essentially, we were one set piece away from getting the point we needed. David de Gea didn’t have to pull off any good saves, just like Joe Hart didn’t, and in the second half we actually had 55% possession. But it is small details that make all the difference in these games and City got their small detail right, with Vincent Kompany rising higher than Chris Smalling to score. That of course isn’t to say that City weren’t the much better team on the night, because they were, and they thoroughly deserved their result, but if Smalling had got his head to that ball first we were looking at an excellent 0-0 and when we were lifting the trophy in a couple of weeks we wouldn’t care less we were 2nd best on that Monday night.
3. That aside, it was so disappointing to see that line-up and it was so disappointing to watch that performance. Whilst I completely understand the need to pad out the midfield and the problems that poses thanks to a lack of investment and injuries to Tom Cleverley, Anderson and Darren Fletcher, we had to start Valencia. It’s not as if he doesn’t contribute to his fair share of defensive duties as well as having the ability to take on a few players single-handedly when on the attack. Rooney was isolated up front, barely getting on the ball, and when he did, his first touch let him down too often. There was no urgency from the players, we didn’t know what we were doing and we paid the price. We needed one goal to more or less win the league and we didn’t come close. Before the game Ferguson claimed we hadn’t gone there for a draw but that simply isn’t true. We were not set up to win that game, not at all, despite all that strength on the bench. Roberto Mancini said we paid the price for being cautious and he was right.
4. It’s not over until it’s over but for the first time all season I will now concede I don’t fancy us to win the title. That doesn’t mean I won’t rule it out or would be too surprised if somehow we managed to pull this off, but the momentum has swung in their favour now. We have to make up their eight goals over the next two games, obviously winning both matches, and we can hope that Newcastle take points off them. If the game was at the Etihad I’d think it was more or less over but City could struggle away from home, particularly if they’ve allowed themselves to get carried away after their result against us. As it stands, Newcastle are on the same points as Spurs and just one clear of Chelsea. They need those points for Champions League football and I’d just LOVE it if they beat them…
5. Short and not so sweet. I can’t really bear to think about it any more.
Man Utd News 24/7
I don’t even know what to say about last night …. I woke up to that feeling ‘did that really happen’ and I go to sleep this evening still feeling just as bad. Even if we somehow fluked our way to the title now it wouldn’t feel like we deserved it
Wohoo, got this thread all to my self whilst everyone is stuck on that 1000+ thread that takes ages to load….
Cedars play ground right here….Fuck ya
Piss off city
UNITED
Thank fuck for that. My finger is fucked from scrolling down over 1000 coments.
Is Brendan on here?
I feel like a fight.
No2 spells it all out, Park has been a decent servant to the club but his time is past it but the fact he’s still at the club never mind get a trot out in the most important Derby of my life (I’m 45 if anyone can think of a bigger Manc Derby tell me) speaks volumes for our future.
mancdub
Fuck that cunt mate, its party time, RED style…..
I raise a glass for Robbo!
Thanks for the tip off Cedars
I’d love it if we beat them to it
When you do that with footballers like he said about Leeds, and when you do things like that about a man like Stuart Pearce – I’ve kept really quiet, but I’ll tell you something, he went down in my estimation when he said that – we have not resorted to that. But I’ll tell ya – you can tell him now if you’re watching it – we’re still fighting for this title, and he’s got to go to Middlesbrough and get something, and… and I tell you honestly, I will love it if we beat them, love it!
Boys.
Believe.
Papis Cisse’s message 2 UTD :”Chill I got this”. Lol he better
Excellent attitude evident in your reactions StR, bravo.
Hmmmm. Scott, it’s great to read your comments, but there are over 1000 comments on the other thread. Not sure how much juice is left in every ones engine to re-engage.
I think however, the point you make re un-like United to get 4 points from 4 games especially from lower ranked teams is the key. Despite there being no CL game or FA cup, the players looked lethargic for Wigan and did not close the game off at Everton.
But it is not over, and it’s not like City had tons of shots at our goal. Valencia, we missed u.
I’ll drink to that.
To Robbo
Poor performance, need to pick it up for the last 2 games of the season. Lets at least make them work for the title.
In the summer we need some proper investment in the right areas. No point in just buying young players with potential, we need 3 or 4 players with experience in the right areas, RB, Central Midfield and a striker.
We will be victorios city will slip at newcastle MARK MY WORDS
PJBS – Excellent quote mate, got the video on youtube saved, always cracks me up….
Moving on……
Oooh Frankie Frankie………….
I think it did not help the fact Evans was injured, I think Smalling at right back would have been preferable.
Jones is not a RB,he cant cross or pass. Also Valencia should of started instead of park. At the end of the day injuries to midfield and lack of top class investment in the last two years,this is the end result.Lets hope next season the right investment is made and come on united
,
4 points from 4 games. *smh*. All that has to be said has been said in the previous thread. Let’s just finish the season on a high by winning the last 2 matches and begin preparing for the next season.
Right, so after all this I am supposed to do the following:
Show respect to city for fighting all the way to the title….Ya right, fuck off
Openly say that Fergie should go and has lost it…..Ya right, fuck off
Slate our players and call them shitheads……..ya right, fuck off
Name at least one scapegoat for every defeat…….ya right, fuck off
Pretend to me better at tactics than the boss…….ya right, fuck off
Capiche mon ami? Feel free to add your own lines
Gary Neville was one hell of a RB.
It’s only 24 hours since the match. I for one appreciate the Reactions thread, and I look forward to hearing StR’s views after the game. No amount of prior debate renders them unnecessary or late. They are the RoM Reactions, and they appear when they do.
Thanks for your haven Scott.
The rest of you: have you clicked on an advert lately?
This place doesn’t pay for itself.
The Everton result was just as hard to take and sort of invited that result last night. It was dreadful in the pub watching their fans celebrating under our noses. Its not over till its over and maybe they celebrate too soon. Could be one final twist still to come. If City are to win it on goal difference lets at least make sure they have to do that by collecting our final 6 points. Gutted, but we wont fold due to this setback. UNITED !
Sorry, I meant – Gary Neville was not one hell of a RB…………..ya right, fuck off
Oh shut up Albie
Fergie’s assistants are yes men and he’s happy with that…..ya right, fuck off
I have to disagree with point 2. The way the game was going, City were always going to score first. There was no way we were going to keep a clean sheet with that team out there. So it’s not like Smalling’s error made the difference. One of these days, I’d love to see a stat about how many headed goals we’ve conceded this season. No Vidic, no safety hey?
Completely agree about Antonio. We could have even used him as a 3rd CM if we wanted to play 4-5-1. We desperately lacked his energy out there.
Costas never makes a decent post……….ya right, fuck off
MG is never funny……….ya right, fuck off
Poor Park, he was knocking in useful goals a while back then he was dropped plays this game after ages and gets slated, but it was an odd choice in combination w Giggs LW.
I have to say 2nd half was a boring game.
NBI Red Onion
The last time that you moaned about the reactions thread being late, it was discontinued.
We asked Scott the Red to continue with this series.
Despite the fact that he specifically told you that he will not continue the Reactions, he has very amenably continued them. We are pleased that he has.
Why are you again being rude to him in the exact same way?
We want the series, don’t fuck it up again.
Forgy out….Arry in !
If Glacier want a yes man instead look no further than Bobby Martinez.
@Cedars
I think I am missing something, but I won’t disagree.
Costas
Ha ha, you must have missed my first related post……….Times like these we’re supposed to say things we should not, but some idiots actually do……..Hence the ‘ya right, fuck off’
scott, i think your last point was the one i can associate with most. i cant tell you how depressed i was at uni and work yesterday.
Costas – A couple of examples
Keane was a crap captain………….ya right, fuck off
Ole was a bad finisher……….ya right, fuck off
The entire match was boring TBH, save the last moments when Valencia and Welbeck came on. Carrick played out of his mind and I’m very proud of how he’s upped his game with proper fitness and an understanding of what his role is now.
So disappointing at how passive the team played when going…sorry, tried to go forward.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/01/manchester-city-manchester-united-glazers?CMP=twt_gu
At the end of the day…. Michael MacIntyre joke in there somewhere.
It could be that come the end of the season we lose the title on goal difference. That’s going to be tough to take but think it puts this season in to perspective. We’ll be joint top. So I hardly think that some of the reactions on the other thread are justified. The team have played really well at times, and we’ve also been shit at times. Same as City have when Kompany and Toure were out. (Still can’t believe how high Kompany got off the ground for that header!) They outplayed us last night, our midfield needs some reinforcements but that’s about it really. Some of our players have really stepped up to the mark.
2 more games… fingers crossed. That’s all it comes down to now…
Utd players are very quiet on Twitter today… no comments at all I don’t think?
NBI – Park isn’t the most talented but he made up for it with his energy and tactical awareness/Discipline but i think that famed energy has deserted him and he isn’t performing as well as he used to due to all the demands on his physic. I can’t see him returning into the player we once saw closing players down while also covering every blade of grass. Experience can aid you but that also needs to be matched with performance.
@Cedars
Aha, got it.
I don’t know why england fans are giving roy hodgson flak, he is actually more tactically adept than redknapp and gets his teams organised. He won’t be the media’s “buddy” and is there to get the job done efficiently. England don’t need flashy speaking managers like harry and perhaps for once, michael carrick might get a chance.
Fergie still a legend but WTF!!!!! That line up had no chance. Painful viewing with the result never in doubt once City scored. City were handed the initiative once the teams were announced. They’re good but hardly Barcelona.
How to begin?I was gutted after the everton result.That was to me the worst feeling of the season.The loss last night was hurtful because of the possible end to this season.Nothing is yet decided and we still need to keep the pressure on.We do not turn on our club because of bad results! We keep the faith! We stay UNITED!
Sammy – Because they’re delusional wankers. Liverpool fans are jumping on the bandwagon too. Hodgson is a top coach. Much better record at that level, than the overrated Redknapp. He’ll do a good job for England. Well, the best he can do, with that set of players.
This is what it feels like to be Arsenal,
poor bastards been like this for years.
at least with United, Fergie at the helm and Rooney, Tony, Vidic on the pitch we won’t have this shit again. next season, please.
I love how people start a moan with I …..but…! It so easy to come out and make judgements after a result is known.So easy to sit on your arse and then manage a team.So easy where there is NO pressure to achieve anything.If these people had any integrity they might post the starting line up and predict the structure,tatics and outcome before the match.To say our team never had a chance is stupidity.WTF?
the only thing better than how awful this feels is winning it back next year.
There are two ways that things to looking at things. 1. City have momentum and having fucked up before, they won’t want it happening again or 2. They’ll get carried away, turn up at newcastle and get turned over (hopefully the magpies will turn up as wel). The title isn’t over but it is also over in some ways, we are clinging on here.
SAF fucked up. Plain and simple.
We need a bit of good fortune. And work our socks off. That’s all we can hope for here on in
The amount of typos in that comment, flippin heck.
Willie – i agree. He was never going to please the pool fans, they never gave him a chance or the time to succeed. It’s funny that he’s actually done better with less money than dalglish has. Roy will galvanise england, get the team playing tournament football (which is more about tactics, discipline, organisation and momentsof brilliance if possible) and perhaps scrape some quality from an england team which is obviously lacking in certain areas, who knows?. Hodgson won’t be all flashy but he has the substance, more so than the over-hyped harry as you pointed out.
I just did not understand the logic behind Ferguson’s team selection. You put five in midfield to give more defensive power and control in the middle of the game, yes? SO why play five midfielders with virtually no defensive ability whatsoever? I know our defensive midfielding options are limited at present, but was Phil Jones never considered? He hasn’t played there in a while, but at the beginning of the season he was effective as a defensive midfielder in some fairly big games. Both flanks were a mistake in my view; if e were ever going to score it was going to be with a pacey counter attack; so why choose a guy pressing forty on the left? Valencia’s recent form should also have made him being picked a given.
Do I see Newcastle taking a point? The league’s as weird and, ah-hem, wonderful as ever, so no one really knows. But to be honest with you , Newcastle look tired and nervy, with limited experience at the top end of the league. They might fancy their chances more at Stamford Bridge and so invest more energy in that fixture. Not getting hopes up, but will travel up to Old Trafford on Sunday still hopeful.
The most disappointing thing is that you took a look at our starting lineup and for the first time ever you admitted to yourself- We are afraid of City.
It was not the United way of losing a match to our bitter rivals, there is more honor in trying to win by being positive than running and retreating backwards…and losing like cowards.
We had a title to defend and we ran off like chickens, and the team that wanted it more siezed the day.
Let this day never repeat itself. UNITED for life.
For me the worst bit is seeing and hearing other fellow reds still hoping that we stand a chance in what is left of the title race. I bet City go to Newcastle and win in the same style as they did at Norwich.
Sometimes you just have to let go of hope and realise the facts. What makes it hard to let go is that after a long season some fans already celebrated the 20th title and some bookies paid out.
I hope most people have learned a lesson to not mock the football gods.
Depressing but I’m hoping there’s a silver lining and the team grows a pair and wakes up.We’re begging for a good summer transfer window
I’d like to think its a lesson learnt for the Gaffer. I said it on the other thread – I highly doubt we’ll see Scholes, Giggs or Park starting big games ever again….certainly not together.
Hopefully this will end up with us finally buying the midfielder we need. A Darren Fletcher from a couple years ago would have been perfect last night. He’s got the engine to cover lots of ground….so him alongside Carrick would have been more than adequate (basically the same partnership as Toure + Barry have for them). Then we wouldn’t have needed to play an extra midfielder – could’ve had Rooney in the hole, and Welbeck leading the line up top. That suits us, and we look a far better team that way.
Now that the regulars have their say, I need to add mine. I think the team was selected to contain City with the 6-1 thrashing at OT in mind and City’s home form. But on hindsight, a wonderful gift, TonyV and Young should have been in the startup. Giggsy should have been on the bench. That’s my 2pence of opinion.
As for Newcastle, their catastrophic game at Wigan have me worried they will fall apart again. Their confidence depends on the Stamford Bridge game tonight. A win should give them the momentum and they’re at home at Sports Direct next Sunday. I’ve enlisted in the Toon Army, how about you?
I don’t see why Park is getting slated more than Giggs. If anything, Giggs had an even worse game. The fact that everyone even noticed Park getting barged off the ball at least shows he was around. Can anyone even remember what Giggs did? He wasn’t even taking our set pieces
Morning reds around the world,
Cant see why this Park bashing..
believe it or not, he was awesome against Yaya in the first half..he was there for defensive duty and he did that..
Lets move on..
Cheers
Well, that didn’t go as hoped. Saturday is still plenty of time for one more twist.
SB
Have the media cunts heard of a phrase called “One swallow does not make a summer”?? How the fuck does the showdown between the Gaffer and that Italian cunt on the touchlines indicate a shift in power??How?? I am sure SAF would have KO’ed that cunt if it wasn’t for the 4th official. Mancini looking all calm and confident in his interview saying Manchester City are no longer afraid of UTD. Duh, when you are funded by sheikhy baby who can jerk off billions just so that little shitty can compete with us then you are bound to end up with a trophy sooner or later. One title does not indicate anything. Win a couple of titles more and then we will talk about shift in power. Oh, and that Liam Gallagher making an impromptu appearance in mancini’s interview was saying how Mancini is cooler than him. Jesus Christ, he is another pathetic wanker. City might have a better team than us but they sure know how to be classless and pathetic. Lets see where these blue bitter bastards are next season.
A touch unfair scott because you usually lead us so well with your pep talks and post match reactions but I think you should discuss your comments a few weeks ago about all the doubters and the quality of the squad.
Maybe it is beating a deadhorse but there’s an obvious area of the pitch that has consistently let us down over the past 5 years and if we want to beat city let alone Barca…
That said. I like how we’re generally being pretty levelheaded. It’s a young defense this year and it has bedded in quite nicely. It’s just that this team has played some of the least attractive football united has played in years and the problem area is just so painfully obvious.
surprise surprise at #3 for highest paid salaries….
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7850531/espn-magazine-sportingintelligence-global-salary-survey-espn-magazine
I will no longer point out negative as they are pretty glaring. but let’s look on the bright side.
A title loss will expose our pretty GLARING frailties to Sir Alex who will do his best to deal with them in the summer so we can expect an injection of some serious talent FINALLY this summer.
Secondly, this will serve as a lesson to all our youngsters who have never experienced something like this before. You can be rest assured that the next time we get a chance like this, we will take it without thinking twice.
Third, we now know that the only way to beat city is to attack them and I expect much better performances next year against City.
This takes ALL the pressure off us and puts it on City. You can be sure that we will now go out in our next two games and play with nothing much to lose because we are second now.
For the record I am not placing ANY hopes on Newcastle. they lost to Wigan by conceding FOUR first half goals… says it all really. We should just win our two games to ensure we finish off the season on a high note and get ready for the offseason. The lads have done us proud this season. We were written off at the beginning of the season. We lost our best defender and an important midfielder for the entire season and we took the billionaires the whole way. We should be proud of that. If a team in transition can give billionaires problems ALL THE WAY then imagine how our team will be when we have a set eleven once again. We saw players like Evans, Welbeck, Chris Smalling FINALLY come to the fore. It shows that we are growing. I’m ready for some BIG midfield buys. GGMU!!! FOREVER RED!!!
so i guess the talk now is about who will SAF bring in and throw out for next season?
i know we are getting atleast 2 midfielders and a left full back. We may just get a striker too.. so that is 4 players
i think SAF has 40 million to spend this summer..
40 millions plus any money we get selling park, berba and ando.. bebe might go too..
We need goals to get the title…
I’d say play Berba… he’ll score 10 goals in 2 games!
I think SAF should read this blog. Poor team selection, bad tactics, very late substitutions. To me it seems that he did everything for us to lose this game. It is so painful, I feel sorry for our supporters living in Manchester. Lets win our last two games and see what happens. SAF should go to the market this time and buy MFs. Yes, being a United fan is a life style not a trend. We’ll come back stronger next year. Glory glory Man United!
STR im with you on this..especially point no. 5…i m lost for words….sigh
what if this is SAF plan…just to put pressure on Glazers…
win nothing = less income…
less income = no money to take out from club.
no money = glazer might need to consider selling
lol…just my stupid theory…no need to bash…
Good Morning ROM!
The problem with the Park scapegoating is that he isn’t the one to blame here. Take any sports professional and they would find it difficult to produce a performance after having not played regularly for more than 2 months. Asking Park to produce the kind of lung-bursting performance he is capable of in the most important derby ever under those circumstances is too much to ask of any player. Maybe the Park of 3 years earlier might’ve pulled it off but the Park right now is getting old and doesn’t have the 3 lungs he used to. It was a managerial mistake more than the player’s mistake IMO.
Costas was highlighting this point during the Champions League games as well. That there was too much “tinkering”. The first thought that came to my head when I saw the team sheet was, “Oh boy, Costas is not going to like this.”
And that is true on a lot of levels. We’ve made a lot of fun about Benitez tinkering with the Liverpool side in his time. I think there have been times this season when Sir Alex has also fallen prey to that same mistake. The City game was another example of that. Especially after having seen the team perform so splendidly from an attacking perspective against Everton which he himself admitted as much.
The one thing that I still cannot take is not playing Valencia. I’ve thought about it from a lot of different angles and none of it makes a lot of sense to me. He has been in better form than Nani. He’s better in possession than Nani. He tracks back a lot better than Nani. He’s more accurate and timely with his crosses than Nani. And he shares better synergy with our fullbacks than Nani. I know I am a simpleton, so I maybe missing something obvious here. But I cannot understand how Nani gets to start over Valencia after having been out with injury and out of form for so long.
Denton made a nice point on United Rant which he would always love to make. Just how much has Darren Fletcher been missed. Denton, of course, has always highlighted this aspect after our two CL losses as well. And it is no different that he would do the same right now. But I cannot deny that this particular point has more than a ring of truth to it. He also said that the priority this summer has to be in finding a replacement for Fletcher if he is set to retire. Some people would say that a replacement for his “type” of player is a must even if he doesn’t choose to retire. Maybe that player would come from within a la Pogba or Tunnicliffe or maybe from outside, I don’t know.
Of course, the title is far from over. But you know what, I hate thinking that Newcastle should do us a favor. That doesn’t mean I won’t celebrate if they fuck City in the arse while City get it into their heads. But I hate “hoping” for that to happen. If it does, it does. If it doesn’t, we look forward to next season.
You know what was the most damning sight on that night apart from the cunt Mancini’s gesture towards Sir Alex, Toure sharing a laugh with Balotelli on the touchline towards the end of the game. That is a sight I’ve found hard to remove from my head. The sight of those two cunts of the highest order laughing is something I am finding harder to digest than the loss itself. Fuck me, I just want to put a bullet through both their heads. Where Cyril Sneer when you need him, eh?
Getting beat I can take but not putting up a fight against that lot with a title up for grabs is unacceptable. We paid them far to much respect by the team selection ,plenty on here have slagged other teams off for going there &doing exactly the same as we did .they were there to be got at look what Sunderland did to them! . Not only did we gift them the title we wrapped it up &personally delivered it as well .
Contrasting fortunes
£525m Borrowed by the Glazers to fund their 2005 takeover of Manchester United in 2005
£497.5m Interest, fees and bank charges paid out by United to service the Glazers’ takeover since then, to 31 December 2011
£440m Gross debt still owed by Manchester United, who were debt free before the Glazers took over
£800m Invested by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan into Manchester City from 2008 to 31 May 2011
£1bn Committed to Manchester City by Mansour, including investment since and planned new training ‘campus’
the problem isnt the quality we dont have but rather the quality we left on the bench.was anybody paid to play ‘no balls’
It’s become apparent to me now, just how much we’ve missed Darren Fletcher. He would have been the ideal solution to all of our midfield worries, especially against better opposition where we need to close down playmakers, win back the ball etc. Sadly, because of the nature of his condition, I don’t think we’ll be seeing the old Fletcher back with us any time soon.
I don’t know. Just massively depressed and how we’re panting to the end line. Actually no not panting. Just walking.
Really disgusted with the passing at city. I could see the desire to play with the rest, but Rooney and Nani in particular was just off. Dear Nani, love you loads, but you really don’t need to try fancy things when the game’s of this nature.
Those 3 goals that we conceded in the last 5 minutes or so against City in the derby are really silly now
Like some of the others here, I hate hoping on other teams. It’s emotionally draining and you simply can’t expect any team to do us a favour. Case in point, Everton only managed a 1-1 draw against Stoke, after their supposedly stellar performance last week against us. What gives? Teams only turn up their game against United; I won’t expect Newcastle to do us any favours.
Still, I am hopeful, and I would really be gutted if city won the title because we basically handed them the initiative and capitulated during squeaky bum time this season – very unlike Fergie and very unlike United.
I remember discussing this after that weekend in 2010 when we won at the Etihad and Chelsea lost at WHL. “As unlikely as it seems, we have to win our remainding games. We will be kicking ourselves if Chelsea slip up and we don’t capitalize”. I know most of us just about conceded the title on Monday, but I really hope the team isn’t thinking like that. Because as horrible as this result was, it will be even worse if City drop points and we don’t take advantage.
@Balaji
Hi mate. The tinkering was definitely an issue. I am not a fan of playing the same 11 every week, but just when Fergie found a formula with his selections (and truth be told, it’s a LOT easier when you’re playing once a week), he makes 4 changes ahead of our biggest game of the season. And the only justifiable one was Evans.
To be hones, I’ve seen a number of people blame Park, but things aren’t as bad as they were a year or two ago. Most logical fans feel that he wasn’t the right choice for this game after what’s transpired. If I could sum up Park’s season in one phrase, it would be “wasted energy”. The poor guy has been asked time and time again to cover our ineficiencies in midfield when he really is a winger. Yeah, he had a couple of good games there (Milan and Liverpool in 2010) but the trick hasn’t worked on every other occasion. Just because someone works their butt off, it doesn’t mean they know how to play at CM. Plus, at 31 and being on the fringes for most of the season, it wasn’t shocking to see him run out of breath after a while. We often talk about Wenger not learning his lessons. Well Fergie used Park in this exact role against City in last year’s FA cup semi, it didn’t worked and he used him again there on Monday…
I haven’t seen it mentioned a lot here, but I thought Carrick did a great job all things considering. Once again, our most reliable midfielder out there. His contribution since November has been invaluable. And sadly, there’s big chance he won’t be rewarded for it now.
why are people not giving city any credit? they were the better team in the league and they were the better team in both games against us. fair play to them. they are in control and we will just have to hope they slip up and we take advantage of it. hopefully we will get some players next season.
Sir Fergie shagged Mankini’s wife………ya right, fuck off (Oh wait! It could be true judging Mankini’s reaction when the boss told him a thing or two
)
Utd has a slim chance to win the title, provided we don’t lose the remaining 2, and score about 6 in each one without conceding…
@Balaji
Exactly mate, I mentioned before. The image of Mancini gesturing to Sir Alex was utter disgusting. Even when Wenger had more respect for our boss during our period of animosity.
The part about Yaya joking with Mario even before taking the throw-in, with time still left, should be shown to our players for every team talk until the day we beat them again. It was like they are thinking it was easy beating us
Good morning RoM.
I’ve had my day of mourning (well, I’m still dying inside), but then I decided that I was being a right fucking disgrace to all that’s United, so here I am. Many thanks to Sandeep, Balaji, MG and Cedars for trying to cheer me.
I don’t have anything to say that I, or others haven’t said before. I honestly don’t mind going trophyless, but the manner in which we lost, when it was there for the taking, and persistence of the same problems for years (midfield, wierd team selection and tactical naivety, poor performance against any team with an iota of technique) is very, very worrying, because it seems we aren’t even close to acknowledging these as problems.
Suhayl said it better than I could ever could on the previous thread. The horribly depressing thing is that I’m not sure I can reasonably expect Fergie to learn anything from these events. Evidence over the last 3 years doesn’t exactly give cause for optimism. Well, we’ll probably buy Gaitan and expect him to play a DMF role, or buy five more wingers and ask Smalling to play right wing against Bayern or something like that. Sorry if I’m sounding bitter, but I’m well and truly exasperated, and I don’t know where else to vent. Or we probably won’t do anything at all, given that we are unlikely to get any prize money to invest in the squad.
Anyway, fuck it all. Congratulations to shitty (stake through the heart) if they win it. Have to say that every piece of tripe i’ve ever said is coming back to haunt us – mockery of Le Arse’s bottlejobs, shitty being full of merecenary players who don’t really want it, and all the silly talk about guard of honour. Well, I’ve learnt my lesson. How about you?
“Fergie needs to learn from this” – the guy is 70 if he does not now that selection is utter bollocks before he made it then its too late …. I watched with 6 Reds we saw the team and predicted what would happen with utter certainty. Very similar to game against Chelsea at end of 2009/10 where he went with an ageing team and paid for it. Fergie has embarrased himself with his tactics and selections in the last few weeks and I do genuinely feel that age is catching up with him. Mentally every 70 year old is significantly slower than they were in their 40s 50s and early 60s and I would like to think he can see the likes of Guardiola on the market and think there is a man to hand my legacy over too rather than think its down to him and he is theonly man for the job. Do I want a declining 71-72 year old Fergie for anothercouple of years or a 40 year old Guardiola for next 5 (if we could get him). Not a difficultquestion He has been too stubborn over the midfield when its been beyond obvious for three yearsthat it needed major reinforcement and there are too many errors of judgement. How expensive does theRooney disciplinary look now against Blackburn when we were already weakened. He has become too loyal to playere and the ruthlessness has gone Giggs, Scholes, Hargreaves, Fletcher given almost indefinite ;leave to remain regardless of the need to move on. Dont forget VDS and GaryNeville would probablystill behere if they had not made the decision for him. I do think there is an element of looking after hisfriends in the backroom all of whom will be out with a new manager – Phelan Rene his brother. They won’t tell him times up because theres will be too
@Balaji and @Marq:
Sorry, but really don’t understand why mancini’s gesture to Fergie makes him a cunt. If I were a city fan (heaven forbid), I would love it. Somebody who’s not scared of The Godfather, and gives it right back. They are adversaries, this is war, and all’s fair. Why should we expect mancini to be deferent towards Fergie? The fact that he’s won what he has and has a knighthood means nothing for our enemies. In fact, to be honest, if i was in the rival camp, I would hate him even more for all his success. Nothing succeeds like success and nothing fails like failure – if we had won, we would have rubbed it right in. So tha gallaghers can behave in a classless manner, but only because we gave them the reason and justification for it. Shut it and focus on winning trophies would be my advice.
I Don’t get it. Every player has a cycle of great performances and park’s ended. Like i’ve said previously, he isn’t the most technically proficient player but he made up for it with relentless energy, covering every part of the pitch, being tactically aware and disciplined. It was bound to catch up with him physically which we’ve witnessed this season. It’s not “Bashing” pointing out the fact he won’t put in performances he used to, he just can’t do it anymore. Park hasn’t got any other style or is able to adapt now that his body can’t take it anymore, he was going to be less efficient eventually regardless of him being on the pitch for the months he missed or not even though it’s understandable to be rusty. The derby was not a game he should have started in but FERGIE counted on experience but experience can only be worthy when applied with a performance. He’s done well at the club in the role he gets given but we have to roll on now and say it how it is. The poor performance against city falls on all the players that Played, not one individual is to blame but on park as a player, that’s my view.
The squad needs continued growth and development, we need to continue adding quality and bringing youths that will make an impact through, can’t afford to stay still or we’ll get washed off the sea.
The key regardless of formation is the attitude. Appears they showed city too much respect. City flourish when teams do this , look at re early season . It’s not in uniteds. Psyche to fear opposition and is something we need to address. The complacency with everton was far more worrying to me . The boys do not need to fear city.
Actually, I think going 4-5-1 was the right thing to do, but the team selection sucked big time. Think Cleverly instead of Giggs (invisible), TonyV instead of Park (thrust into derbyday) and Rafael instead of Jones (wrong posiition), and I promise you we would have carried way more attacking threat, without really sacrificing on defensive rigidity. and for what it’s worth I thought Carrick and Scholes were very, very good.
Talked to a avoided this morning . About yet another defeat his response was we have win mire in Europe from you. As usual in the past. He really was offended at the comments they are no longer our rivals but mid table opposition . Reality plus delusion equals scouser.
I believe city and their fans wil mock by treating us with an air of indifference. Very dangerous indeed
.
Mario the court jester in the sidelines hahaha
Scouser not avoided. Doing my bit for Scott linking onto the adverts
If you wanna play the 4-5-1 formation then you better have midfielders that are prepared to work defensively and also burst an absolute gut to support the lone man, the midfielders also have to be creative and pro possession keeping. Against city, we had no one capable of that hence rooney’s isolation.
FERGIE went with a counter-attacking formation because we haven’t got the midfield to match city’s, it was always going to happen.
Is it me are has nobody actually wrote about just how sh!te Nani was and has been ?
he stunk, the quicker we get rid of this notion that he will be better than Ronaldo the quicker we can get back to not relying on his pace and skill.
he was bloody awful, he is awful.
there is no doubt sometimes he can wow us with some of his stuff, but for god’s sake its so infrequent.
Can we stop talking of transfers now?
We were afraid of city on Monday, giggs park scholes are finished, yous can say I don’t support utd , but I do … We need 2 world class central midfield players like (essien before he got injured ) we’ve no drive since keane left, our best player was so isolated last night it was sad to see, our line up was shocking , why didn’t we go there like we dud in the fa cup match when we ripped them apart ?? I wish we went there on Monday night level on points and try to go all out and win the game… No shots on goal , that says it all , the old guard are ledgends but time moves on , get new guys in starting with pep of Barcelona …
If you can’t be arsed to read the whole article from the Guardian, don’t worry the last paragraph sums it up rather well.
http://m.guardian.co.uk/ms/p/gnm/op/sf8fmuhokh32CN7UW24NA7A/view.m?id=15&gid=football/2012/may/01/manchester-city-manchester-united-glazers&cat=sport
The price of success is a bitch eh? The fact that United have won so much in the last 20 years or so has spoiled us rotten has it not? The level of expectations is so high every season that even if we get so close to winning thing but do not its considered a failure of huge proportions…..
Some, if not most fans probably need a reality check and also need to remember that we do not have a divine right to win every match or tournament we play in…. Some I feel get sunk way too much in over analysis, tactics, player transfers etc….Others look for excuses, blame the boss or certain players. That is all fine, we all have a right to an opinion, as fans we want the best for our club and each and every one of us thinks that he/she has the solution(s)..
In the midst of all this however I feel at times that some of us lose sight of what is really important here, i.e. supporting the team. Such support should peak and be at its best not when we win, not when we lift a trophy but more so when we lose, when we miss out.
Looking only at the Premier League, what do you think fans of clubs like Villa, Everton, Fulham etc expect every season? Not much I would suspect, yet their true and loyal supporters turn out week in week out and give their all to their team…. We are no different and should not be any different, yes we are a big club, the biggest in fact and we get joy in winning and we have been used to winning but we should not really despair so much in times of adversity, we should dust ourselves off and move forward, spilling blood and guts for the team we love in the process…
If you only support or are associated with United because they win things then you are no supporter at all……If you bow your head in shame when United lose or miss out then you are not a true supporter. Be critical, give an opinion but if you come out and slate the boss using sickening language, doing the same with players then you should not be anywhere near our club….
True and proper supporters are those that stand by their team through thick and thin and sadly one of the prices of success that we have seen at United is that we have carried a large amount of fake and plastic ‘fans’ who will jump ship the minute they feel United won’t win anything anymore.
Love United like you love your loved ones, if God forbid your mum, dad or any close family member fell ill what do you do? do you ditch them or in fact show them more love than ever?
United are my life and I live for them
Its not over yet, we have two games to win. Reality checks are sometimes the best thing that can happen …! We can slate and blame, but lets pray we learned lessons and look to the future. After all we love Manchester United. Its not too brocken , it can be fixed and the club know how!
20! Whenever it comes!
concerning the gaitan news, it it a solid deal being done or just words flying around? I believe we do need to start get some stars, which could also help the young lads present currently to develop and give their best in every game
This isn’t the first time Fergie’s fucked up in a big game recently. Last week he should’ve shut up shop instead of trying to hammer the goal difference.
The more upsetting one was last season though. Playing teams who play 3 ball playing central midfielders, it’s important we match up against them.
We went 4-4-2 at the Emirates last year and they outplayed us for 90 minutes. Our midfield was outnumbered and for some reason we abandoned our successful formula off 4-3-3 away to Arsenal.
This essentially was a small scale dress rehearsal of what to expect in the Champions league final. The sad thing is the lessons weren’t learnt. Yes, Barca’s weakness is their defence and you should attack it. But Fergie went in with a 4-4-2 formation with Ryan Giggs, a then 37 year old in the centre of the park as part of a midfield duo against the best central midfield ever. Classy ball playing slick passers.
Not only were we outnumbered against Iniesta, Xavi and Busquests. Messi was also allowed to operate in this area meaning that Carrick and Giggs really had no chance from the outset. Giggs had a poor game, not surprisingly, he was chasing shadows all game.
The bare minimum you do when you play Barca is to match up in midfield. This is where all their play stems from. We gave them the advantage straight away. We just couldn’t get the ball, meaning essentially we were playing with 10 men as Hernandez hardly touched the ball.
I doubt whether Fergie was swayed by the press with their constant “play Rooney and Hernandez, attack them from the start and you’ll hurt them”. It was incredibly naive for Fergie to think with a 37 year old in central midfield, with one man less was going to be a success, no matter how good that 37 year old is, he was never going to have the energy to chase the ball for 90 minutes. I know the options were limited in midfield with Fletch not being fit, but there were others who could’ve supplimented Giggs, even Scholes, but to leave him with only Carrick was suicide.
Rather depressed Red
to be honest the midfield for the first time wasnt as bad as our attack.for fucks sake rooney, get your head out of your ass.i mean park was terrible but rooney,nani and giggs have to get a lot of the flak.fucking worldclass players playing like school children.also where has our fighting spirit gone.before we could walk the talk but now all we do is shout with no end product.
fucking pisses me off when people disrespect united and sir alex.a whole summer of bullshit media is just going to be to painful.but we are united and we do what we want.
The truth of the matter is i wouldnt change this for the world
My love for this club is so strong and im united till i die
We might not have won the game and we might not win the league but we believe we will come back stronger
The truth of the matter is i wouldnt change being a manchester united fan/supporter/family member for the world or 10 league titles
Good to see some sane voices still remaining after the madness over the last couple of weeks…
Costas, my good man has hit the nail on the head. Maybe City will get lost in the euphoria and get carried away…a battling QPR is going to be a tough task on the last day especially if its goalless at half time, then the nerves will be well and truly jangling.
We need to win our next two games comfortably and hope for the best…the time for shedding tears will come in the close season.
I really hope we can still pull it off somehow because it tore me to bits seeing that two-bob cunt mancini disrespecting Sir Alex like that…the players let Fergie down big time with that kind of performance. Although its good to see Sir Alex still with that fire in the belly….perhaps he will now drop the ” No Value” crap act and really go for it hammer and tongs with a couple of big names next season to get the fear factor back..
Think about it…a few seasons back teams would face United with Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov with Nani as back up….now two of those four are gone and Berbatov’s United career has fizzled out, Take Rooney out of it and it really doesnt inspire awe and fear in opposing teams does it…we need to get that back
Jeet,
welcome on board again
Cedars
Mate…hats off to a quite brilliant speech my friend….
Take heed all true Reds…that was quite outstanding
Hope you’re well as can be…I know its a difficult moment we all go through now…we need to stay strong and your words help no end in that regard.
Cheers mate
Heard Eden Hazard was spotted in Manchester?
anybody got any news?
Red Devil
Great seeing you here my friend….. I am as well as can be, hope you are too.
Cheers for the comment, my post was from the heart and a true reflection of my thoughts when it comes to United.
Cedars, Oh no, now you’ve angered all the cynics and realists. Nobody wants a positive speech on ROM. Nobody wants sentimental bullshit on here. What have you done?
Jeet, Ah, but then again, that is what I call tunnel-vision. I cannot think straight when it comes to Sir Alex Ferguson. The sight of the cunt gesturing towards the master and a Knight just pisses me off each time I play it in my head. Is that reaction right or wrong? I don’t know. Did I want to put a bullet through Mancini at that point of time? Hell yes!
Wrong team. Does Fergie and the coaching staff not see that it was the wrong team?
I’d say 100% of Utd fans who know their arse from their elbow saw the starting eleven and
thought that it was the wrong team.
Ohh of course, I wanted to kill that bastard too. It was a dagger through all Red hearts. But it makes him a cunt only in our eyes, but a champ for the guys in his camp.
I said to my Dad, “I would rather lose as Manchester United than win as Manchester City.”
Of course, winning as Manchester United would be awesome. But hey, that is how we apply medicine to our wounded souls at this point of time.
we need massive investment in the summer, two world class midfielders are demanded, they need to be proven and not some kid who can become the next big thing, a striker also Hernandez has been shocking this season, second season syndrome or is it epilepsy like the Mexican press have suggested, a left back is required too, Evra is on the wane in my honest opinion, the injuries have been a massive factor this season, but they happen at other clubs too…
Young, Cleverley, Park, Anderson (the annually injured) are not good enough, and the legends Scholes and Giggs have come to the end, their contribution to our happiness over the years massive and something I’ll be eternally grateful for.
United screwed it up before Monday though. Wigan, Blackburn, Newcastle and Everton equate to 11 points dropped stupidly, tactics have been quite laughable too, Phelan and Muelensteen need to be accountable for their obvious failure to train properly and teach the tactics necessary to win games at a crucial stage of the season..
I think a summer of frustration for us fans and Sir. Alex awaits in the transfer market, like I said earlier in this comment nothing less than Major investment will do in the middle of the park, will the friends of debt over in Florida back Fergie for what I think would be £100 million I honestly think not….
And lastly on Fergie he won’t leave and who can replace him, Pep has obvious mental issues, Jose maybe a future candidate, no manager in the Premier League is fit enough to replace him, it fills me with fear to think that Dave of Everton is deemed capable, I’ve said this for years I think our great and wise manager will die in the Job, I blame him for nothing he has operated marvellously in the debt cuffs, my choice of manager next is Jose with the legend Ole working with him to further enhance his claim to the managers job in the future……
Do I think United are in the decline the nations press are writing about, nah not for one minute, but I do expect us to not just rise to this new challenge from Citeh but to surpass it and keep moving forward excelling and respecting the heritage of our great club….
and a message to all my fellow United fans it ain’t over till Adele sings lol….. GGMU…..
I am not sure what really happen this year. SAF who is one of the great football manager has made quite a number of mistake in his strategy this year. I am sure it hurts him more than anything else now. But he will need to rethink of new strategies and game plan, other teams are reading our game with ease nowadays.
Not only that, I will be quite frank on this one – We need quite a number of players to replace those who under-perform, those who are injured and those who lack of fitness and sharpness. And this will likely cost us tonnes of cash in the transfer market this year. I am not very convince with the qualities of the players that are in SAF’s disposal. Don’t get me wrong here, I like most of the United players but just their consistency in game is really saddening. They are talented compared to many and may be better but if they could not perform properly in at least 80% of the matches, it is as if we are paying them too much in wages. We could cut down the wages and get some players who can perform above a certain standard.
We can no longer rely on home-grown talent at this period of time. They need time to mature and grow. Besides that, a talented player is hard to come by and what we could get at most is just players who are a bit more talented than most average players. If we want to retain our title and reign, new talents, qualities, leadership, teamwork and consistency must be brought in to change the game play and suit many different strategy. If United could not retain our dominance in many years to come, we might be in some position like Liverpool. A relic of the past.
I apologize if there are any mistake or I offend someone, but this is what I am currently thinking. And I do wish to see United back to their old winning self and to see the day where the other teams tremble at the sight of the ToD. As of now, whether the title is our or not is no so important, what that is important is to prepare for the rainy days ahead and beyond.
Lack of skill/ability,lack of backbone,lack of tactical nous to enable the right changes to be made that were so obvious man are United in shit creek.
Cedars
From the heart – To the heart
All of us United supporters are spoilt brats indeed…
The most amazing feeling is to be involved in it, to have your gut wrenched out in anticipation of the big games and title deciders/champions league games we are involved in…There is no god-damned rule in football that we have to win every time..
Of course to throw it away like we have this year is hard to swallow, but I have no doubt Sir Alex will be back with a bang.
I think that finger pointing cunt Mancini has lit a fire in Sir Alex’s belly that was probably beginning to wane after all our success in the last 5 years, even the knight after all is only human. He has given Sir Alex a target, a challenge like Abramovich did and although its going to be harder than last time (we already had world class talent on our books before Abramovich could snap them all up) I am quite sure we will respond.
I am sure that cunt Mancini will pay for that finger wagging incident, the bastard will regret the day he disrespected Sir Alex and United.
We have a core group of young players who will only get better, and with a few signings here and there, say one at left back, one in midfield and one in attack (and maybe a new number two might I add to give us a continental flavour tactically), we should be ready for the challenges that lie ahead
Don’t kill me for this,but I really would not like us to win the title thanks to Newcastle,if they win it.I mean,the proper way was to come to Etihad and win the game and shut everyone’s mouth.In fact,we should’ve come to Etihad with 8 points advantage.We fucked up to many games this season ,just to many.In fact, I can not remember whwn was the last time we were outplayed so many times- Athletic,Basel,Newcastle,City,Wigan etc. It is obvious that we need a reconstruction.But real supporters are by the Club in bad times also,so heads up.
One more thing: for fuck sake people stop moaning ! All of you who think “sack SAF,sell 15 players and by 20 new ones for 150 milions” go and support City.I mean,yes we need reinforcments and yes /we should change our tactics but get some perspective.
Can Fergie hear our noise here..?
Bashing our players is not the right thing to do
Hernandez did have a very poor season by the standards he set for himself last season
Welbeck have been inconsistent
Park hasnt played much all season and that was why i thought it wasnt right for him to play against city
Our injuries have been awful this season it happened sporadically and in every position possible and some of them long term or season ending
But to say we have to buy a player in every postition is crazy
I believe we only need 2 or 3 new players max
First we need new midfielders because i think and so do a lot of united fans that this position is where we are lacking at thr moment
One new midfielder is enough to be honest and yes he should be an already established player
Then another position i thought was generally poor this season was right back
Ferguson clearly isnt trusting rafael in the big games and jones has very little imagination to be a right back
I dont want to name the players i would like to get in those positions but the sooner the better
Lastly its not over yet its has been a see saw season for both manchester clubs and lets hope there will be another twist
So. Bitters not happy about red Howard officiating at Newcastle . May I request the guy with the20 sign not to burn it just yet.
Woy already has the look of a condemned man
yes, what happened to Utd’s “been there done that” nonsense? Let’s face some stark facts: SAF’s tactics and selections were just crazy as was in many an occasion this season. Without naming any names ( that would actually be 9 out 10 outfild players except Rooney ) , all these were just plain rubbish. Why we played Park and PS+RG 100-year combo? Why wasn’t Valencia playing? As a Utd fan of many years, I knew from the outset this season, Utd’s squad was really weak and frankly, didn’t expect title prospect. However, given City’s late season charity mood, Utd suddenly found themselves with a huge chance, almost incredulously. But guess what? Mancini has thoroughly outplayed and outsmarted Utd and SAF in mind game as well as on the pitch. Title is now gone. So what now? IMO, only 1 thing: thorough overhaul of the squad as well as, yes, manager and coaching team. I hope SAF will do a Pep Guardiola and Utd will go on bended knees to get him. It is not SAF’s personal agenda to rescue Utd. The Club is bigger than any individual. Period.
Good luck to Roy but personally , I only care about united.
Red Devil
Wankini is the perfect fit for the bitters……Over the past few weeks he has shown his true colors and made a right tool of himself. I really hope he stays on and not be replaced with someone we may just respect God forbid. Just like KKK at Klanfield, we need these morons to stay on, they add to the entertainment and laughter
I fully understand with the selection of Phil Jones ahead of Raphael as Raph has shown in big Euro games that he is a red card waiting to happen. Its not a criticism, just an observation.
What I can’t understand is why our best player over the last 2 or 3 months since returning from injury was left on the bench until the 82nd minute when Nani was back to his frustrating worst all game with the “no end product” tag being demonstrated to its fullest effect.
When Tony V came on for those last 8 minutes of normal time, he produced more than Nani had done all game.
I even understand what SAF was doing with Park playing and for me, that worked for at least the first half.
Had to listen to that Ginger cnut on Shoutsport yesterday badmouthing Scholes and Giggs.
He only has a job because they he makes people angry, me included. Utter tw@.
BIt of a scatter gun post but I just dont understand how it all went so horribly wrong, even with the Everton game which is where it was really lost. 2 up with less than 10 to go and we chuck it away.
Hope this turns out to be a blessing in disguise and we end up investing in the summer cos I wont be watching England and I need something to take me through to next season.
Going to take quite some time to get over this bitterly disappointing end to the season.
UTD > England every time !!
Cedars- hope you have recovered emotionally from the loss and physiologically from excessive alcohol consumption and beach orgies.
It’s over City have won it we fucked it up it’s all down hill from here……….Yeah right…fuck off
It’s not over yet my fellow Reds. Them cocky cunts WILL drop points on Sunday i am convinced of it. They knew they’d got away with it on Monday that’s why they celebrated like they did. We were fucking shite on Monday and they weren’t much better. We have been written off……………….. United will win the title this year. If they don’t i will run bollock naked through town ( again ) with my mams shoes on.
Tring
Might be wiser if YOU do a Pep as it were, you’re such a negative cunt that its beyond comprehension. Not only that, you’re also thick as fuck and by no means a United fan as you claim. You fool no one, certainly not me
Chin up boys, the shit deserved it and we didn’t turn up – simple as. I am more disappointed in dropping those points then losing. If we don’t win the league I rek we will invest in summer and be a much better squad for next year. Fergie will learn, just like when Chelsea came on the scene with their big dollar. There is no way Fergie is guna just sit back in the summer n give us the same “no value in the market” bullshit. Especially as I have a feeling mankini will have another 100mill to play with.
Keep the faith and believe!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/01/manchester-city-manchester-united-glazers
Cedars
Talking of entertainment and laughter, here comes John Tring with his caboodle.
Fuck off you WUM
Even if we take your points to be true, in fact even i was taken aback when Park started instead of Valencia does that mean that a few tactical mistakes should lead to firing of the manager that has brought the club untold success….People like you are an embarrassment to the club and its supporters… Why dont you go and start supporting City you fucking idiot
Glad that the ‘yeah right, fuck off’ theme caught on!! On that note I could say this…
John Tring is a knowledgeable and true United supporter……….. yeah right, fuck off!
Redbilly
Ha ha ha, how can one recover from beach orgies mate? They are sort of addictive!
And do you think our team of crappers will get full points from their two games?
I think that SAF played on draw, because we lost 6-1 from them last time. Whatever he say…it leave some shit in you head.
when Rooney wanted to leave United, i think the reason was investment. he can score far more goals than he is doing, but he needs good midfield, playmaker and other who can put him in chance. He is great striker, and im sure he is gonna score when he has a chance like i m sure that Michael Jordan gonna score and won t miss it.
Just managed to bring myself to post after the complete Disappointment that was the other night. I am not going to sugar coat it as it was fucking pathetic, you all know my love for United and relentless support so here goes:
1 – SAF just got it wrong, Valencia and Wellbeck should have started no questions asked they have been brilliant this season. What changed from our line up against them in the cup.
2- Game plan was far too dangerous as anyone can score a goal in aany given moment anf to lose the title on a corner is a joke.
3- The defending on the goal was shambloic, I know DDG has had a great season and is developing but fuck me kettle face was stronger than him and holding him off?
4 – Not a shot on a target is teh first time in 3 years that has happened
5- Chris Smalling and Michael Carrick played unreal and I feel sorry for them.
6- At Half time we may as well got beat 10-1 why the fuck did we not change it? We should have brought Valencia and wellbeck on and gone for it.
7- Ryan Giggs is no longer a starter in a game of this magnitude, he has been the greatest thing to happen to United but he is 38 and should be used to calm games when we are up not to win them from the off against against the strongest midfield in the premiership.
8- We can have no argumnet city winning the league they took 6 points from thier rivals.
9 – Its time Fergie up’d it and brought in some reinforcements and add real quality to the sqaud, you dont get by on development and youth alone.
10 – i HAVE NO TIME FOR PEOPLE SAYING SAF HAS LOST IT YOU UNGRATEFUL CUNTS, IF IT WASNT FOR HIM WE WOULDNT EVEN BE IN THIS POSITION.
Oh great, Tring is back. The negativity meter just hit an all time high. Here we go!
I really can’t bring myself to agree with those saying we should’ve played 4-4-2. City swarmed all over our midfield when they had 3 in there. If we’d only had TWO, it would’ve been carnage.
Kanchelskis
I agree mate, but at HT at 1-0 why stay so negative what abuot a 4-5-1 that would have included Valencia and Yuong? Both work-a-holics and attack I just dont get why we were so negative.
The thing is City were not even that great or penatatrive so that is why i am so disappointed we didnt even test them.
We played 4-4-2 in the FA cup and they couldnt handle us at times.
@Giggs12Gerrard0: Hello mate. Like you, I could barely drag myself back. First time in 4 yrs of marriage that I told the wife, “not in the mood”. what have we got now, except each other? As sad as I am, a part of me wants to climb on every fucking rooftop in every fucking town and shout “UNITED!!!”. We’ll be back. We’ll be stronger. And, what you can never ever take away from us, is the fact that we will be UNITED. Till we die and fucking beyond.
@kanchelskis: Am I the only one who thinks we DID NOT get slaughtered in midfield, (defo not as much as, say, against Bilbao)? We got slaughtered in the wings – can you believe it? From what I saw, nasri and zabaleta had a field day.
@Giggs12Gerrard0
Yep – should’ve changed sooner. The more attacking our subs got, the more defensive Mancini’s did. If that process had started at half time, we surely would’ve created more opportunities.
Thing is, even with a more defensive lineup in the last half hour, they were still getting forward at will and really should’ve put it to bed. How Nasri didn’t wrap it up when he had the ball at his feet in the 6-yard box is beyond me.
it’s harsh to point much blame at Park, he hasn’t played for ages, in any of the last 4 seasons he has always been our big game player for these matches, to expect him to walk in after no match practice is ridiculous. SAF got that one wrong for sure. And Tony out too, couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the team sheet. Getting beat is one thing, the manner in which it happened though was pathetic. Now we are (temporarily!) the laughing stock and it feels fucking shit.
CedarsDevil at 08:48 with splendidly expressed views.
That is the best comment I have read on RoM.
Thank you sir, for the truth well spoken.
@Jeet
Kinda. I think the reason Nasri and Zabaleta ended up with lots of space down the right was that Evra was constantly drifting in to help subdue the threat of Yaya pushing on or Tevez / Aguero dropping back. Then when the ball got worked wide, they were in acres of space.
Albert Ross
Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.
I know this blog is very pro glazers but could everybody please read the article on the guardian website as posted by mattbw7 this morning it explains what’s happened this season better than any one of us can. Red army.
Comme on NEWCASTLE …. And QPR….
@kanchelskis: true that. Come to think of it, that’s the full-back’s perpetual dilemna isn’t it? Whether to let the winger run behind you, or let the midfielder drive forward. Lesson 101 is let them have it wide, so can’t say I blame Evra for tucking in all the time.
Cedars – 08:48 post is excellent . Thanks for that .
@Jeet
Thing is, with 3 in the middle, we should’ve had enough personnel to allow the FBs to hold their position. We shouldn’t have been outnumbered in our own final third so much that Evra had to drift in.
Giggs12
Thought you might have topped yourself! Good to have you back and pretty much have posted every point you just made in various posts over the past couple of days. Totally agree. Why did our FA Cup performance not inspire us to do the same?! We were miles better than them even before Kompany was sent off! Lesser teams have gone at city and got results. They were there for the taking and we bottled it basically. Teams should change their game to face us, counter our strengths not vice versa! Tevez and Aguerro were kept out the game and we lose to a corner!! It was just asking to put the nervy fuckers under pressure, Valencia running at them in the box, Valencia firing his tornado crosses. They could not afford to concede and we never asked the question or put them on the back foot which would have made them nervy as hell, that’s the disappointment!
4-4-2 might have actually given City something to think about. Valencia and Nani (or Young) could have been instructed to come infield and that could have shifted the midfield battle in our favour. At least they can intercept and then launch the counter. Something that Park or Giggs can’t do for different reasons. Also, Rooney could always drop deep and turn it into a 4-5-1. Playing 4-5-1 on paper gives you control of the midfield. But it can backfire if you don’t have the right personel. Oh, how we miss Darren Fletcher. Also, you need a centre forward that will carry the load. Recent history has shown that Rooney prefers not leading the line.
@Red Devil
Hey buddy. Nice to see you here. It would be funny if we still won the title after all this, hey? I won’t put a lot of faith in Newcastle (sadly they have a tough game tonight), but you never know. City’s away record at the top 10 hasn’t been the best. Lets just hope our lads do their job from now on.
Milesplatyingred- hahaha if we win , how about a team of us walk into the city shop in the arndale centre bollock naked ,painted red and ask for a fergie v mankini rematch
Omg has SAF gone senile?? Just sell rooney and use the funds to buy back ruud van nistelrooy, beckham and get keane out of retirement. Get Kasper Schmeichel and inject him with Peter’s mojo and lastly play me at right back. Dream team.
RvN Owen
Giggs Scholes Keane Beckham
Evra Vidic Rio Koolburn
Schmeichel
Fergie you had a full week to prépare for The derby, why o why did we not go all out attack at half Time , ill Never understand it was The title décider for god sakés …
The Glazers policy of debt reduction and debt interest payments are now coming home to roost is an amazing feat by Fergie that he carried this team so far but the difference in quality on Monday (and against Barce the last year) was all too evidently clear.
If we win nothing this season maybe if the Glazers sanction it Fergie will go out and buy a couple of top notch midfielders not ones with potential but established. You never know if the Glazers see that we can’t compete with the Bitters they may finally accept a bid from the Qataris (wishful thinking).
Costas
Exactly mate….we still have a chance albeit a miniscule one. The least we can do is do our jobs properly… in 2010, it was drawing at blackburn which lost us the title..
Similarly, if we do go on to lose it this year, its the collapse against Everton from 4-2. Just do our jobs properly and hope for the best. And I agree, I think QPR have a better chance of doing something than Newcastle, because they’ll be completely switched on against Newcastle expecting a tough game whereas QPR will hopefully play to stay up and city might just think that the job is done at home to QPR and become complacent.
I’m I crazy but I can wait for our next fixture with city .
Gorse hill – if they accept a bid by the quatari’s. Maybe we will become like the bitters. A truly mercenary club. Win everything but at what cost to traditions. Just a thought .
Mike
Hows it going mate, I have not been been suicidal as a mattaer of fact I have been quite appathetic. We lost it against Everton as you said ealrier in the week. w shold not have lost the ability to win the league this Sunday regardless of the city result..
Cedars
That post is immense at 8.48 just gone back to read it, yuo know me mate I have been saying that all season that we are spoilt bastards.
My old man laughs at me compared to what he had to endure in the 70′s and 80′s.
Redbilly if the Qataris buy us they know United make enough profit to fund themselves and wont need any handouts. £40mill a year goes on interest paymets then you have capital repayment of the debt on top of that. Is any wonder we can’t afford the best players now.
Giggs12
Cheers mate, the post was just a reflection of how I feel in general. Being in my mid 40′s I too endured the dry years of the late 70′s and 80′s. That by no means makes me a better supporter, far from it. It just perhaps makes me more appreciative
@ Redbilly
Im game for it if you are son.
Giggs12Gerrard0
Good day sir! By and large I agree with your reactions expressed at 10:42.
Without taking an opposing stance, I wish to add some perspective to them.
1 – SAF got it wrong, Valencia and Wellbeck should have started.
This goes to formation, and available personnel. It was not a cut-and-dried decision.
I agree we got it wrong, but not even RoM reached any consensus on how best to approach the game.
2- To lose the title on a corner is a joke.
Agreed (again!) Of course, losing the title to referee error is possibly worse.
3- The defending on the goal was shambolic.
Had those few seconds been different, how different would the views on RoM be today!
6- At Half time we may as well got beat 10-1 why the fuck did we not change it?
Perhaps because we subconsciously feared a repeat of OT, where the game became out of reach once additional goals were conceded. We over-reacted, and were still trying to stay in the game at 1:0. Very disappointing, really.
Oh well, we did concede, and didn’t reply. In itself it was a failure.
The season has been another great chapter in our life.
We can still win the title, and as always must focus on winning our games.
We are a great Club with an excellent team and wonderful support and the best Manager
Every year we contend the Title. We are the Premiership.
Pretenders come and go, while we take on all-comers.
United!
As long as we continue to get top four in the league and Champions League every season,the Glazers are happy with that,coz thats where the money is. Thats the sad state of reality
Alberto Rossi
Yeah mate agree, I am just disappointed with the team selection in Park and Giggs. I dont think a single fan would have selected either for this game. SAF gets it wrong from time to time and no doubt he is fuming with himself as they were there for the taking!
Can`t believe how easily some Utd supporters have gone in favor of a SAF retirement. What do you really think that Guardiola could do with our team now, teach our British players how to implement Barcelona tactics during the summer? This is ridiculous. SAF has a clear plan for his last seasons at the club and that is to build a team of youngsters with huge potential future. He almost managed to win the league this year with a squad of inexperienced players plus a few veterans who have lost their spark plus rooney and carrick, not to mention the injuries. He probably made some serious mistakes but it`s so easy to judge him after the game.
Im sure we could easily find some reason behind his choices. Starting both Giggs and Scholes he hoped for better control of the midfield when having possession of the ball while Carrick and Park would manage to block City`s midfield defensively. Choosing Park over someone else (..Jones?) was probably due to his stamina and endless running abilities. Yes it didnt work out but who could be sure of that before the game. I also think that he picked Nani for his counter-attacking, remember CS final.
Overall it was a huge dissapointment but we`re supposed to be the ones who never lose FAITH. With all our problems and by being in an obviously transitional situation we`re still losing this tile on goal difference against a team of endless, abnormal spending. With a few good transfers and financial fair play coming i honestly believe we can only get better next year.
Oh, as for the CUNTS speaking of “an end of an era” —> DREAM ON AND FUCK OFF.
Hello friends, just a short post to wish you all well. I don’t really have anything useful to add to the various comments on what’s gone wrong, many of which I agree with regarding team selection, formation and tactics, and – hanging like a shroud over everything – the role of the Glazers taking half a billion pounds out of the club while City have had one billion injected into their’s. Against that background we should all be incredibly proud of our achievement in an injury-ravaged season to remain level on points with the Bilionnaires with 2 games to go. Now is not really the time for recriminations (something to avoid most of the time anyway when talking of something you love) as it really is NOT OVER yet.
Again I would put out a plea to all match-going Reds, get behind the team v Swansea and Sunderland. No sullen, resigned quietness, even if City thrash Newcastle. Let’s at least go down with heads held high, remembering that in one of the toughest, most demanding leagues in the world United are still better than all the other heavily-touted teams, including especially Arsenal (the critics favourite team), Spurs (who’ve again won nothing), Chelsea (Champ Lge Finalists), Newcastle , and , most pleasing of all, Liverpool. It’s easy to remember all the games where things went wrong, but – again remembering all those long term injuries (Vidic, Fletcher, Cleverley, Valencia, Anderson, etc, etc) let’s remember that we have out-scored everyone except City, who’ve hardly had a groin-strain between them. All they can point to in terms of missing key players is warty-features Tevez.
It’s a theme for another time, but I do think this season has shown how deep the culture of complacency has got into United, players, manager and, crucially supporters, including , sadly, too many RoM regulars. If there is one factor that has undermined us this season, it’s that. Complacency cost us dearly in Europe, and woefully in such matches as Wigan and Everton. The triumphalism when we’d got an 8-point lead with 6 matches to go was shocking, and had me screaming, don’t some of you fans already celebrating ’20′ have ANY sense of history? I don’t think I’ll ever quite get over throwing away an 8 point lead so limply. And to City of all teams, football, eh, fucking hell!
Giggs12Gerrard0 – I wouldn’t have started either Giggs or Park.
If it was to be a 4:5:1, I expected they might start, especially together. Once Park’s industry was chosen over Young’s creativity, Giggs was required to balance the loss of penetration. Also, he brings out the best in Park, who he combines well on attack with. The short one touch quick passes they tend to play together being the main case in point.
I think that that Tony’s absence was due to Rafael’s absence, and due to Nani’s versatility. Rafael’s absence was perhaps due to a combination of his recent lapses, and the fact that Evans was unavailable, so Jones and Smalling was seen as best. No Rafael definitely blunts Valencia. Nani is also a devastating weapon, and crucially offers a left-sided variety, which was lost by playing Park not Young.
I wish we had started Danny and Tony and Ashley.
Before the game I wasn’t as sure as I am now.
Milesplatting – haha. Maybe the guy with the 20. Banner would let us borrow it, maintain our modesty .
Brilliant post from Sir Giles as always.
“It’s a theme for another time, but I do think this season has shown how deep the culture of complacency has got into United, players, manager and, crucially supporters, including , sadly, too many RoM regulars”
Truer words were never spoken. Hopefully, we’ll all be stronger and wiser from this “bitter” experience.
I can understand the massive disappointment on here but what’s done is done now.
4 points out of a possible 12 simply isn’t good enough to win the league at this stage of the season.
Had Uniteds tactics worked out against The Massive then we’d all be hailing SAF a Genius.
I hate relying on other results but we have to hope The Barcodes get a result against The Massive.
If not then we simply go out all guns blazing trying to make up the 8 goal deficit in goal difference.
It’s as simple as that really.
If United do not win the league this season them everybody at the club needs to collectively take the blame.
well said giles , i’ve had this feeling theres been something not quite right with certain players attitudes for at least 2 seasons, like they’ve started to believe their own hype.
And all this talk about how we need a major overhaul is just plain bollox, we need a couple of signing’s in a couple of positions but thats it (LB & CM).
For me a few of the youngsters who’ve came in this season look the real deal, cleverly started on fire but injury ruined his season, Rafa has come on leaps & bounds now he just needs to learn to concentrate for the full game, Johnny Evans nuff said and finally Welbz whos been fucking class for most of the season except for a little dip which is to be expected from a 19yr old in his first full season, i gotta lot of man love for young danny i reckon he’ll be 1 of the best we’ve ever produced!!
like giles said maybe justy a bit of an attitude problem but if losing the title to city dosn’t fire a rocket up everyone’s arse’s there really is no hope. Fergie will respond like he always does & he’ll make the players respond as well, ffs we were on course for our best points tally until a couple of weeks ago with the apparently worst team fergies ever had (if you believe the fucking hacks)
Keep the Red Flag Flying High
Cos Man United will Never Die
How boring would football be without the debate?. I think it’s safe to say most of us over-analyse the team, we think we know the strategies to conquer both europe and home. If all these was stop then football will just be like any average sport.
Just like Manchester City, we’ve managed to throw away an eight point lead.
Just like United to claw it back. Come on United!
Do we want Newcastle to beat Chelsea tonight? How will it affect their chances against city?
we need a decent attacking left back and a natural defensive midfielder. i like the look of kagawa too at that price. this way, we can have some safe hands in the middle if we employ our typical wide play and 4-4-2 with valencia, nani or young but also we can have a decent defensive midfielder in the middle linking up well with nani in the middle and give more experience and chances to Cleverley, Pogba etc too.
With 4-4-2, we dont have enough safe hands in the middle to handle the ball well enough, with the 4-5-1 kind of tactic, we dont have enough of an attacking threat from our full backs, although Valencia could play as a right wing back. An attacking left back would be needed. so again, its the same.
We NEEEED a natural defensive midfielder and an attacking left back to cater for both of these formations. I think Eden Hazard is gonna be too expensive now that City have got involved, but i think Kagawa looks decent and with Scholesy sharing his experience with Cleverley and Pogba for another season with Kagawa, i think we’ll be fine.
So yeah, defensive mid and left back are NEEDED and we should snap up Kagawa too at that price.
I honestly think thats all we need to be back to our best. all this talk of starting over is absolute bollocks. we still joint top of the league for fuck sake.
@Jeet
You got me wrong bro. I am not blaming Mancini for standing up against Sir Alex. I hold our players to blame for their disaplay against Wigan & Everton, that resulted in our great manager to be in position and be subjected to such insult. Thats why I said our players should be made to watch the scene over & over again to know they have let Sir Alex down badly
@Albert Ross
Whatever the result, they still have something to play for on Sunday. If they win tonight, then they can push Arsenal for 3rd place.
I think we all understand the injury ravaged season, the misfortunes on the pitch, the below par performances but what i think troubles vast majority of fans is the fact we were very close to finishing line, all we needed to do was to grind our teeth and battle on and for those 8points to wither away like a rusty nissan micra, it’s really hard to take. However, hope is all there even though it’s minimal. personally, i wouldn’t place my hopes on newcastle turning up, we did it with pool and look how that turned out? (gerrard you cunt, i know you passed that back on purpose) but we gotta keep fighting and if all the effort becomes fruitless and city win (i can’t stand that image) then we have to take it on the chin, accept we choked, learn valuable lessons (hopefully) and build again by promoting quality and buying quality especially in areas we’ve all debated.
But this season isn’t over even though it has reached its closing stages, city have got the baton and are about to cross the line. We’ll be behind them hoping to capitalise on them potentially messing up but the fact remains, the chances of that happening is more slim than a starving greyhound.
@Marq: Totally agree with you then. One part of me made me feel like jumping into the tv and murdering the bastard. The other part instantly told me that, for the moment, he was entitled to do what he was, simply because they were winning. That realization was probably more sickening to me than the gesture itself.
Thanks Costas. Then I definitely want them to beat chelsea.
Chelsea losing is always good, and the barcodes could use a return to form and confidence.
Three things I won’t be saying on my deathbed
1. I wish I’d had less pussy
2. I wish fergie had achieved a 20 th title ( he will)
3. I wish I’d been a blue not a red
4. I wish I’d been a scouser
Cedars, MG
Cedars, read your post from 8:48 about an hour ago and now I’ve stopped being all emotional I thought I would comment!
I thought you summed it up brilliantly as several others, including MG, have noted.
I’m 53 years old, started supporting United when I was about 7 and wouldn’t have missed it for the world. The best club, the best traditions, the best fans (most of the time), fucking ace!
My mate asked me the other day at the Everton game, “you having it again next season?”.
I replied, “Fucking Hell, I’ve got my eldest Son’s 21st to pay for, my daughters wedding in Mauritius to pay for, my eldest son is also getting married in 2014…………………………….. go on then!”
Some things just have to be done.
………… and it’s still not over!
Ok 4
@samuel: Nail on the head. Far from being a spoilt bastard (which I probably am, following United only since the late 90s), I have absolutely no qualms going trophyless for a season or two. The thing is, we always pride ourselves on our steel and ability to finish off a job. There’s a reason why the bookies paid out. How, oh how, are we now any different from those fancy north london fuckers? 8 ahead with 5 mid-table teams or worse and one derby to play . I wouldnt have been so gutted if we were 8 points behind at this stage and went down in a blaze of glory, scoring goals for fun. But not this, not this from a Manchester United side. Anyway, enough moaning from me (I know I keep saying that, but the images keep coming back) – time to put our chins up and look to the future.
@Albert Ross
No problem. I want them to aim for 3rd place because 4th place isn’t too big a motive at the time. If Chelsea win the Ch.League, 4th place means nothing. 3rd place won’t be easy for Newcastle. They lost at Wigan, they are facing Chelsea tonight and Arsenal have an easy game against Norwich before Newcastle host City. On the other hand, 2 more defeats and they will start to lose their grip on the 4th spot too. Either way, they’ll definitely have something to play for on Sunday. I just hope they don’t wear themselves out tonight.
Mansour’s personal wealth is estimated at 20 billion, and is going up all the time. For him, spending 1 billion on Shitty is equivalent to man who has 2 grand in the bank (and no debt, and a steady stream of income), spending $100 on a night at the casino. If he wins, he’ll have had some fun, he’ll have something to brag about to his mates and he will generally feel better about himself. And if he loses, so what? He can well afford it and, what the hell, it was an interesting diversion anyway. Financially, it is irrelevant to him. With a flick of his pen, he could, if he wished, spend another $100, or even another $200 or $300, without any losing any sleep. After that, he might think about it a little more. It is, after all, just a diversion. Though of course, if it became more than a diversion — if, for example, he really wanted to prove a point — he could certainly spend even more.
So whatever some of us might think about the Glazers, their debt, or Sir Alex and his reluctance to go into the transfer market, I will say this: it makes absolutely no sense to get into a financial pissing contest with an opponent like this. None at all. Because every time you want to spend $40 or $50 or $100 million on a player, he can outbid you. For fun. For kicks. Just for the fuck-offness of it. He has more money, and he will always have more money. Money is his game, and he likes to win.
Honestly, I am dismayed at the way we have blown what should have been a safe lead ovet the last few weeks. The points dropped against Wigan and Everton — and the way we played in those matches — really hurt. If it wasn’t for those games — and earlier games in the season — this week’s result would still have been disappointing, but it wouldn’t have been quite so painful.
And honestly, coming second in the PL doesn’t cut me up. SAF has, on average, delivered us a PL title once every two years. That record is considered outrageously fucking successful by anyone with a half a brain, and so it should be. No, it’s not coming second that cuts so deep; it’s the fact that it’s Shitty who will beat us to it.
And 99% of the reason they are able to do that, has nothing to do with Sir Alex, or the Glazers, or team selections, or tactics, or anything else at Old Trafford. It is down to a man who has the means and the desire to spend a billion, or two billion, or 3 or 4 billion if necessary, to buy a team and an infrastructure that is capable of winning the PL.
So I go back to what I said earlier: there is no way to compete against that using financial means. Any attempt to do so would be an exercise in utter futility. It would also, no doubt, lead to our financial ruin.
Which means the only way it can be done is by using players that fall under the radar of someone like that. That means we have to make the most of the players we’ve already got, and it means that the players we buy will have to be those that he’s not interested in. If we go for a headline player, he can gazump us any time. With a phone call. If we bid 50 million, he can bid 60. If we match 60, he can go to 80. Or 100. Or whatever.
That is how it has been since Sheikh Manure bought Shitty. And, unless the FFP rules kick in and actually have some teeth, or Manure gets bored, that is how it will continue to be.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/What-The-Papers-Say/2012/May/papers-100m-spending-spree-for-sir-alex-ferguson.aspx
If this is the truth…Thanks GOD!
Costas, so a Terry red card in the opening stages would work nicely then?
Save energy for the barcodes, burn out the rent-boys, and end JTcunt’s season.
It works.
…………….. and another thing………………
I think it will make for an exiting last couple of games as we go hunting down that goal difference!
My team for Sunday………….
De Gea
Raphael, Evra, Rooney, Berbatov, Hernandez, Welbeck, Will Keane, Valencia, Nani, Young!
Sorted
*might even be “exciting” rather than “exiting”
So SAF’s Presser is on Thursay again – tomorrow instead of the usual friday. Does this mean the players are going away on a break again to escape the ‘pressure’ of the title race etc?? What’s next up…first they went to Scotland, then to Wales…is Ireland next?? What a fucking joke! Just stay in Manchester for fuck sakes! I’m not a fan of these small bonding trips one bit! No other team is doing this! What’s the fucking point!?!?!?!?!?
well, i just posted a long comment that for some reason is showing “awaiting moderation”. So I have no idea if it has appeared or not, and I have no idea what needs to be moderated, and I really fucking tired, so I am going to bed. Cheers lads!
StatesideAussie
I think you may have posted it on the other thread? Else perhaps you accidentally mis-spelled StatesideAusse? Or, you included a link, and some text that appears to be a link, resulting in the multi-link moderation loop starting.
Good night!
Albert … I dd post a long comment on the other thread, but this was a separate one on here. Nope, didn’t misspell StatesideAussie, because it is permanently “remembered” by my browser (along with my email address and “, so I never have to type it in. And no, I didn’t include anything that looks remotely link a link. Anyway, can’t be fucked re-typing it. Cheers and goodnight!
Oops, I meant “(along with my email address and “website” name)”
Collyhurst
Ha ha, if I saw that line up I sure will not be exiting the boozer in anticipation of the excitement that may lay ahead!!
He who laughs last laughs longest. The game Monday night was very hard to take but the season didn’t end with the final whistle. If nothing else, then this season more so than many others before it, should tell us that there is every reason to believe that it is far from over. As for those who would cast aside sir Alex,then I can only assume that you have grown up during the years of his management and do not appreciate just how much he Has changed this club so completely. Sir Alex makes mistakes, he is not perfect as he would be the first to admit, but is there a more near perfect manager in world football as him, I some how doubt it. Understandably many fans lash out in frustration after a particuarly disappointing result, but to contemplate sacking Fergie is way over the top. CedarsDevil summed it up brilliantly how it is, 08:48 with one of the best posts I have read on here for a long time. If it is not to be a happy ending this season, then have no doubt that we will come back stronger next season with a renewed determination to be champions again. Never die.
@Albert Ross
That’s always a bonus. Plus, it would keep him away from the FA cup final, so here’s hoping.
Cedars
I forgot the subs…………… I’m sure Robbo would be up for a cameo role, goals from midfield and all that!
Alright lads.
Is that mattbw on the previous thread THE one that used to be a great poster on here and a decent lad? Odd one.
Afternoon reds. Good post Giles, as always. Looks like Zeki Fryers and Petrucci have signed new deals which is good news, I like the look of them both and especially as Spurs were sniffing around Fryers.
If we do not win this title it will be down to complacency and attitude of our players and mamager.
I would love if we win it, but after all that has gonne on in the last 10 days or so, it will feel like we have fluked it.
We should have gonne full steam after Shitty lost to Arsenal, and beat them by at least 5 points! It really an opportunity missed to show that money does not buy you titles. It is sad that from a powerfull position we now need favours from otherwise we would neet to win both our remaining matches with really heavy scores.
Tring is a fucking idiot that is a wum and pops up all over the shop.
King Eric – it is the same mattbw7, and yes, it is odd.
A couple of brilliant posts in this thread from the old guard is serving as great medicine for me. Cedars and Sir Giles, thank you very much!
Sir Giles, I must apologize as being one of those who thought the title was then. I had a sense of history and knew things could go wrong. However, sadly I was overconfident of Manchester United’s ability to finish this off. I felt United, of all clubs, could never fuck up. Sadly, that has happened. And it was the first time in my life of supporting United that it has happened. So, I will be sure to not make the same mistake again.
I have let go of the “We were 8 pts ahead.” deal altogether. It is simply what they say. What’s done is done. We cannot go back in time and change the fact that we threw away an 8 pt lead. I have forbidden my Dad to speak of that fact. I have realized that the more you think about it, the more it is going to piss you off.
Better not think about it. Better think about what we’ve achieved after what we’ve been through this season. Better think of how much De Gea has improved over the course of the season. Better think of the kind of player Jones could be if groomed properly. Better think of how much Welbeck has improved this season. Better think of how good Cleverley looked at the start of the season. Better think of Evans form during the latter part of the season. Better think of how amazing a partnership Smalling/Evans is going to be for us in the future. Better think about the fact that Vidic is going to be driving us forward next season. Better think of a certain Liverpool side who are miles behind us.
I try to imagine what this United team could do next season with the right couple of additions and without injuries. I try to imagine what this United team would do if Costas was in-charge of our Medical team (
).
It is better to think of any of the above things and look towards the future than to kill yourself by thinking what could’ve been. That is what I always try to do.
@Balaji
You were right about one thing 3 weeks ago. It’s the worst choking since Newcastle in 96. You were just talking about the wrong Manchester club.
Those who thought we had the title won, are as guilty as those who now think it is lost.
Counting chickens that have not yet returned home to roost.
I’ve read a lot of the comments on here and agree with some. If I do repeat whats already been said it simply because great minds think alike!
I wasn’t that shocked to see Tony V on the bench, he was brilliant from Wolves up until Blackburn but something was missing from him since then. I didn’t agree with the decision especially as Park and Giggs were playing ahead of him. If he wanted to start Park fine by me, but 4-5-1 could have been played with Tony V, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Nani. More importantly that midfield 5 has operated with Ronney up top a few times albeit 2 years ago.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I take no satisfaction in saying I called it. Once that team sheet was out, you would have to be wearing 2 sets of red tinted specs alongside the contact lenses to say we were trying to win the game from the start. Make no mistake we weren’t trying to win that game at any point. It was a limp dick performance in a game where we HAD to get a result. Hardly the first time thats happened this season. Basle anyone?
Like Sir Giles said. Theres been complacency throughout the team and everyone associated with the club.
You can understand supporters being complacent, its football after all, but no excuses for our squad. The experienced players outnumber the young players 2:1, they should have seen it through. 8 points clear and to give up that advantage to your neighbours without a shot on target. Its inexcusable. You can dress it up however you want the tactics we used on the day didn’t take into account on what we would do if we went 1-0. Furthermore I don’t think we’ve won a single game after going behind this season. With all the meticulous planning that goes into games I’m sure one member of the coaching staff should be aware of that, if they aren’t they ought to be sacked.
@ Keano99 11:07 – Agree this blog is very pro Glazer. Some time ago I wrote a long ass post on why success is vitally important to the future of Manchester United at least for the next 5-10 years because of the debt. Bring that up and most people want to ignore that issue. Until the debt is £100 million-ish (that isn’t too bad for a club of our size) we need to keep being successful. Some of my happiest memories at OT were the years we didn’t win the league between 04-06. Atmosphere was better. However our debt could have us doing a potential leads united. That happened to them because they spent what they didn’t have. If it happens to us its because of those fucking cunting owners of ours.
Which leads me onto how well we’ve done in spite of them, we have no right to be where we are in the table with the injuries we had, however our injuries aren’t that bad that it wasn’t enough to see us over the finish line especially as we’re only playing a game a week.
Vidic was injured in December, Fletcher ruled out before X-Mas and we were fully aware of his condition last season. The rules in football gives English clubs 2 windows in which to do transfers and Fergie doesn’t want to use the January one. Probably why we had so many bogus return dates for Cleverly, so we could falsely lure the fans into thinking he’ll be back soon just like we had with Hargreaves. Granted Scholes did return and as good as he is with the ball he needs somebody with a lot of energy alongside him, especially when he starts the big games. If we refuse to use the January transfer window when we have an injury crisis, we can’t use injuries as a reason for our failures. The manager says its about value in the market. I simply don’t believe him, I honestly do believe its because of our owners and Fergies trying to put a positive spin on things. £7.5 million for Bebe or £7 million for Parker. Enough said. And yes I do like Scott Parker despite the vendetta against him on here. Although the time to sign him has passed due to his age. He would have been perfect to fill in for Fletcher.
Finally with a heavy heart I have to say Fergie won’t see off cit-eh. He is 70!!! He’ll manage for 1-2 years tops. cit-eh won’t be going away in 2 years. We have to realise as supporters we’re asking a 70 year old to work miracles. Obviously I want Fergie to stay as long as possible but I don’t want him doing a Clough either. A good as manager as Brian Clough was he kind of fucked up his legacy by taking Forest down. I’m positive we won’t end up the same way, but we want Fergie to go out on top.
Finally and I mentioned this a few weeks ago as well. This has been one anti-climatic season for me. The youngsters we raved about last summer have done fuck all. Welbeck has been outstanding (although his finishing inside the box needs a lot of work) but I didn’t class him as one to break through because I thought our striking options were excellent to begin with and he for me he broke through 3 seasons ago.
Cleverly, Morrison, Pogba, Tunnicliffe. These were the 4 names I read on a constant basis on ROM last summer to sort the midfield out.
Cleverly has been unluck with injury.
Morrison is a cunt who’s plays for Bobby Moore FC Reserves.
Tunnicliffe is out on loan so he can’t do nothing.
Whether Pogba signs or not he’s still a cunt and barely played any way.
Jones started of brightly but he’s petered out, and his ineffective partnership with Rio in defence has done him no favours. One for the future definitely and we only signed him last summer so nobody else could have him.
De Gea – Brilliant. No qualms about him.
So I’ve gone through all the young players, the others have had title winning and title losing experiences. So personally I don’t see any advantage of how dropping 8 points with 6 games to go will hold them in good stead in the future.
Anyway roll on Sunday, I’ll be there in full voice. I just want to know What the fuck motivates this team because I didn’t see any on Monday.
I’m fairly sure the universe won’t implode if United go a season without a trophy. I’m also fairly sure that United will come back better next season as a result of not winning a trophy.
Bottom line is we can see what happens and, if need be, miss out on the silverware with grace or we can act like little kids who don’t get their own way. Seriously, it’s alright to lose sometimes.
I want a team that are capable of taking a beating and getting back up, not some jumped-up prima donnas that cry when everyone else doesn’t bend over for them.
Another time peeps…
Don’t know guys. Obviously I haven’t done a poll, but I don’t believe this is a pro Glazer blog. From what I’ve seen, there’s a fair amount of supporters on both sides and we know where Scott stands about them. And there’s also a group of fans that don’t like them but realize that nothing can change now. So they just skip the conversation. I fall into latter category.
Notorious’ post summed things up perfectly. The fact that City aren’t going anywhere soon (unless their owners decide to abandon ship) was why losing this title hurts. Because it was our one of our last chances to get one over them. And we blew it all by ourselves.
Top posts by Cedars, Giles and NRD.
@NotoriousRedDevil
I beg to differ about your suggestion of Sir Alex not having enough time to see off City. It took Sir Alex exactly 2 years to see off the challange of a certain Jose & his sugar daddy. The Chelsea team under Jose was a beast of a team, grinding out result after result, yet we manage to do it within 2 years. So no reason we cannot see off City. Besides, they havent even arrived yet, still 2 games to go
@Costas
Spot on. Since Mansour arrived on the scene, there’s been a sense in which our (or Chelsea’s) league wins have been delaying the inevitable. Putting off the ghastly reality that some faceless money man can come in, pluck a team from utter obscurity, and flat-out buy the league. Of course, you have to spend nowadays. But we have generated our own money, and even Chelsea were a CL team before Abramovich arrived.
This year would have represented one more year where we could kid ourselves that something intangible, something deep-seated, something entwined with our class and tradition, was keeping us at the top and keeping City away from the big prizes.
But the grim reality of the monetisation of football will be drilled home when Kompany lifts the big’un aloft next weekend. And the cries against the Glazers will resurface once again.
StretfordEndOle @ 23:10: “No point in just buying young players with potential, we need 3 or 4 players with experience in the right areas, RB, Central Midfield and a striker.”
I can see this team being much, much better with one new player – a “replacement” for the box-to-box dynamo that was DarrenFletcherinho (in his “football genius” mode – and before that, Owen Hargreaves).
I sure hope that CaptainVidic can come back to his BeastlyBest.
Next on my wish list would be some guarantee of “health” or fitness for YoungTom and Fat Andy – I still believe in that pairing.
Lastly – and no doubt most controversially – I think it’s time to do some Addition-By-Subtraction and bid farewell to SirRyanGiggs, TheGingerNinja and ThreeLungPark. It’s getting to the point that these guys are yesterday’s men and they are blocking the introduction of new blood. I understand that each one of Giggs/Scholes/Park offers something – and in Scholes’ case, a lot – but all of them are becoming shadows of their former selves. In Scholes’ case, in particular, he just can’t run – he reminds me of me !
Playing these veterans is all-well-and-good when the opposition is DeadMenWalking but when the tempo gets raised they tend to be submerged. Additionally, Michael Carrick is a key component of this UTD team but he can’t do the running/harrying by himself and when he’s paired with Giggs/Scholes/Park in a high-energy contest then his role/influence is diminished. Interestingly, Michael Carrick’s best games this season have come when he has been paired with MrJones – Carrick is, essentially, a passive player whose great value is his vision and ability to stop situations from becoming dangerous; he’s a “heady player” and benefits enormously from having a partner who can do the dirty work. AND that’s why the double-subtraction of, first, Owen Hargreaves and then, second, DarrenFletcherinho has had such a damaging impact on the team’s play.
It’s always said that “midfield is where games are won – or lost” and this has seemed especially true of UTD this season. So, not unexpectedly, this is a long-winded way of saying that I’d rather see SAF spend the bundle on one top=quality 24 year old than investing in more youth/quantity. I strongly believe that this squad is again on the cusp of doing great things but unless the hollow core is properly filled with a major improvement then we’re going to be competitive but not necessarily favourites to dominate – again (and “as usual”)
@ Marq – Fergie saw off Jose but he didn’t see off Chelski. Yes we won the league 4 times between 07-11. Chelski were always there and won it in 2010. Also when you look at chelski under the Ambramovich era they have practically owned the FA Cup. We certainly have won more trophies than them but they’ve hardly disappeared. Fergie saw off Blackburn, l’arse and vermin. Even if we were to win the league in Fergies last year, cit-eh will be back the following season. They ain’t going away and Fergies age is a factor of that.
Costas @ 23:26: “The way the game was going, City were always going to score first. There was no way we were going to keep a clean sheet with that team out there. So it’s not like Smalling’s error made the difference.”
I’m not sure that “City were always going to score” or that “There was no way we were going to keep a clean sheet”.
Goals change games – and the revisionism after the result often tends to overshadow the actual run-of-play. Sure, ManShitty had lots of opportunities but they never really forced DDG to make a save of any difficulty with all those half-chances.
Smalling’s “error” is an interesting example of revisionism. If you look closely at that sequence leading up to Kompany’s header, it seems to me that the real error was due to Rio blocking BigManSmalling and “picking” him so that Kompany had a clear run with a great leap and forward momentum whereas Smalling was forced to go around Rio. If you run the tape a bit further then what’s so “striking” about the goal is the absolute-perfection of David Sliva’s cross which just skims above BigManSmalling – whose leap was lower than might have been the case if he had had a clear run at the target – and hits Kompany on the side of the head (NOT his forehead) but the cross was so sweetly-struck that Kompany re-directed it rather than powering it. I think that if BigManSmalling’s run hadn’t been obstructed then he would have been able to rise up and head the cross away from danger. But, of course, that’s not so much a case of “revisionism” as conjecture.
In top-flight team-sports, the difference between success and failure is often down to a tiny “error” which, on review, isn’t so much an “error” as an unfortunate concatenation of circumstances. Like they say, shit happens.
United will not panic.
If we snatch the League back, city will panic.
The self-doubt will set them back a great deal. Not so for us. We have so much of our infrastructure and methods well proven. Adjustments, and even overhauls of various sections, can be accomplished with minimal knock-on effect. This has been repeatedly proven as Fergie and co have reinvented the side and adapted to the changing world of football.
Even if city win the league (at any stage) they will deteriorate as soon as they lose it.
NRD, Marq – I wouldn’t worry too much about the future, I think Utd will always be competitive, so what if it’s city challenging us, someone has to. They may well struggle when the FFP comes in proper, plus, there’ll be trouble ahead. Look at Chelsea, yeh they’re still around but they’ve struggled to find a replacement for Mourinho. I can’t see Mancini at city in 5 years time, can you? Once they’ve hit the top, the pressure is very different, they won’t be able to get away with failure anymore. Also, Fergie is coming to the end but I think Mourinho is waiting in the wings. I know he’s not everyone’s choice and I’m not that keen on him myself, but his record is excellent and his ego is what will be required to replace Sir Alex. I think he’s the only one out there who can stand upto the comparison. I’m not convinced of Guardiola, he’s done fantastically at Barca, but can he transfer that to another club, another team? Mourinho is only
a short term replacement, it will give enough time for Ole to gain more experience and if he shows he’s upto the challenge, he could well be the future for us.
@kanchelskis
A few days ago I was thinking that very same thing. That no matter how much they spend, we are always one step ahead. Guess I was wrong. But looking at the glass half full, it took City 1.1 billion just to be on level points with us.
I don’t believe any one team can dominate as long as Fergie’s United have, but as long as Mansour is interested, City will be the team to beat now. Even if he stopped spending heavily this summer, they’ve already built a stong team.
@denton
We will have to disagree on that. In my opinion, some people look at the 2nd half (when City took the foot off the gas because that’s usually their strategy at 1-0 against us) and falsely believe that if Kompany hadn’t scored, the game would have ended 0-0. I don’t think we had enough to hold on for a draw. Ferdinand and Smalling isn’t our best defensive combination and our midfield on the day wasn’t going to fend them off forever.
As for who’s to blame for the goal, you could be right. I’ve heard people blame everyone. From Smalling, to Rio to DDG. Don’t know who it was, but lack of communication at set pieces can always happen. And without Vidic, it’s an area we’ve suffered at in 2012.
Balaji @ 06:57: “The one thing that I still cannot take is not playing Valencia. I’ve thought about it from a lot of different angles and none of it makes a lot of sense to me. He has been in better form than Nani. He’s better in possession than Nani. He tracks back a lot better than Nani. He’s more accurate and timely with his crosses than Nani. And he shares better synergy with our fullbacks than Nani. I know I am a simpleton, so I maybe missing something obvious here. But I cannot understand how Nani gets to start over Valencia after having been out with injury and out of form for so long.”
Sorta right but sorta wrong – Antonio Valencia AND Nani should both have started. One of Giggs/Park/Scholes (in that order) should not have started.
What you say about the Valencia/Nani comparison is, to me, beside the point – what Nani offers is unpredictability and an ability to interchange that Valencia doesn’t.
What made the situation with the wingers even more confounding was SAF’s decision to start with MrJones – who might be a really good footballer “in the making” but has little attacking nous – and the shackles put on CaptainEvra’s go-walkabout forward running. Essentially, SAF instructed his full-backs to sit deep which gave the attacking initiative to Zabaleta and Clichy. That might have been an understandable decision but it was also one that didn’t work and could have been changed – but wasn’t.
ps thanks for the kind words about my rant in UnitedRant. You’re right, I’m predictable about boosting DarrenFletcherinho. UTD are a lesser team without his presence.
Wait one bloody minute, I mean one frigging minute……….. Did I see Cyril Sneer make an appearance???
Fuck me I have missed the bugger…….. Great to see you here pal…
Special mention to NRD too
@Denton: Spot on about Smalling. I don’t really have a problem with the goal – that sort of shit happens. What is a problem for me the lack of attacking vim, and the lack of response we showed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hokzVtnP_lM
Believe! (in Demba Ba’s magical strawberry syrup!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVjIH5-slwc
I think suhayl summed it up best yesterday. Notorious expanded on it a little further. Anyone that doesn’t think this squad of players are running on empty, is clearly not been watching the team of late. As I said on a different thread, it ain’t a slight on our lads. They have performed miracles along with Fergie since the Glazers took over. 4 league titles and a CL is testament to that. We should thank them, not hurl personal insults. Fergie needs to reinvent this squad again. We’ve become too pedestrian. Easy for the opposition to work out. If you go back to 2008, and the games against Barcelona, the opposite was the case. They couldn’t work us out over the 2 games. They had no answer. Barely created any clear cut chances. Nothing to do with luck either. Tactical masterclass by Fergie and CQ. The other point about city not going away is a valid one. They won’t be disappearing, but we won’t be going anywhere either. NRD is right to mention the bosses age. It’s a factor, no doubt. I still have 100% faith in the man from Govan. I’ve got used to outside forces writing him off. What annoys me and other people, is United fans joining that crusade. Don’t jump on that bandwagon. We haven’t got long before he does finally hangs up trench coat. Lets get behind him and the lads for the last few seasons they have together. We’re supports after all. It’s like being married. For better or worse, we’re United till we die! 19
ps I feel physically sick at Kompany lifting the premiership trophy? Then I realised how fucking lucky I’ve been supporting this great club, and loving every minute of it. Sir Alex Ferguson has given me and you the best of times. This isn’t over just yet. When everything seems lost, keep thinking the best, because you never know the outcome of said events. 19
Red Devil @ 10:08: “I think that finger pointing cunt Mancini has lit a fire in Sir Alex’s belly that was probably beginning to wane after all our success in the last 5 years, even the knight after all is only human. He has given Sir Alex a target, a challenge like Abramovich did and although its going to be harder than last time (we already had world class talent on our books before Abramovich could snap them all up) I am quite sure we will respond.”
Good point. SAF always seems to like a challenge. I think he gets the most satisfaction from rising to a challenge and then smugly telling the naysayers to kick his royal purple butt.
Costas, are you suggesting that city were always likely to score no matter how defensively we set up, and therefore that we needed to maximise (or at least vastly increase) our offensive threat (ie Valencia starting) ?
If so, it could be argued that a team who is going to score, will score many more if not met with a defensively-minded team. Perhaps our chances of scoring 1 set up as we were, was more likely than scoring the 4 required to win had they scored 3 against our 4:4:2.
FFP won’t affect City, The Sheiks will probably offer Platini a glorious 1 month stay in their six-star hotels complete with a king’s treatment, then offer to finance him for another run to be UEFA president, and UEFA will just bow down and accept their stadium deal to put them above red. I will bet my last dollar on that.
@shebangsthedrums. Hows it going? Hope you’re well. It could well be Mourinho which would piss off a lot on here. Regarding chelski their problem is their owner. They found a great replacement in Ancelotti but Roman fucked him off by signing ladyboy. Regarding Mancini I can see him at cit-eh in 5 years time but only if they keep winning things. Domestically he’s a good manager. Europe is a problem for him which is why Inter sacked him. That could prove his undoing. Regarding the FPP rules, I don’t see fuck all happening regarding that. 2014 they come into play, gives the club more than enough time to find loopholes. Hell give me a link to the entire rules I’ll find you a loophole.
@denton – Before the corner everyone had their man. Smalling left Kompany to try to win the ball in front of Rio. As a result Kompany was unmarked. Smalling stays in front of of his man then Kompany doesn’t have a free header. End of story. Why people are trying to drag Rio and DDG into it I’ll never know. Smalling made a mistake unfortunately it could prove to be fatal.
The idea that we were the few inches by which Smalling missed the ball away from getting a point is a pretty simplistic one.
At 0-0 on 65/70 minutes, City would’ve thrown on the likes of Balotelli, Johnson, Dzeko, not sat back. A win was the only decent result for them so they would’ve gone for it. And given the number of chances they still managed to create with their more ‘defensive’ lineup, they certainly would’ve scored eventually.
Not that it matters now, but I do believe City would score eventually. Before their goal they were getting behind us time & time again, and it all came from Evra’s side. But its not to say its Evra’s fault, because he was always in a 1v2 situation. Only when Young came on did we see someone on the left side
Was a gloomy, cloudy and rainy day in Manchester, fuck you could say it was just another day in Manchester! The odds were heavily stacked against the boys in RED, after all it was Barca we were up against, not only that we had lost the first leg 2 nil. This was no ordinary Barca side with the likes of Maradona, Schuster etc….They were exceptional..
No one in their right mind including most United fans gave us a sniff, yet we turned out in our thousands to OT that gloomy evening to sing our hearts out for the lads in what later turned out to be one of the best atmospheres OT has ever seen.
United players were talking about simply wanting to enjoy the occasion and go out with a bang… Well most players except one……..Our captain and leader, Robbo knew he had it in him to single handedly dismantle Barca and do the impossible…
You could tell when he led the team out to the pitch that he meant business, the look in his eyes was that of a warrior going to battle, knowing he was the main man, the hero that would write the scripts.
From the off he took charge, he charged forward, he broke up play, he put together passes that would make players like Xavi seem like school boys. He rallied the lads around him, he showed them the way and he was certainly not going out without a fight. Not only that, he went on and scored the opening goal in the first half which sent OT into raptures…..
He came out in the second half knowing that he had wounded Barca and now he was going for the kill and that he did……….Got the second goal and was involved for the third seconds later scored by Stapleton. The job was almost done and it was a case of holding on, he organized the defense, made Maradona look average and stuck his foot into everything, laid his body on the line for the cause and came out victorious…….He showed the world what a leader of men he is, what a fighter, what a player and what a human being….
We will never forget that night in Manchester March of 1984…….The night Captain Marvel was carried by the OT faithful and forever put his name in the club’s history books as one of the greatest to ever don the shirt
@Albert Ross
To be honest, I am not sure we would have conceded a goal, no matter the formation. Lets see if I can explain this properly. Not renowned for my eloquence.
My problem with our set up on Monday was that it invited pressure from City. If we played in a attacking minded manner (could have still been 4-5-1, only with Valencia and Rooney playing in the 5 man midfield instead of Park and Giggs and Danny leading the line), there’s a good opportunity that we would have had more of the possession. Hence, City’s threat on goal would decrease and ours would increase. There’s nothing wrong with your logic. However, certain teams are built for a certain style of play. One could argue that United’s best defence, especially in the absence of a ball winner like Fletcher, is to attack. Not all guns blazing obviously, but take the game to City. They don’t strike me as a team that will hit you hard on the counter.
Believe.
Shola Ameobi is going to get out his text books and read about his favourite wars – including the Falklands ahead of Tevez and co’s visit to Newcastle.
http://youtu.be/biOcrpzcdSU
Another thing that I don’t understand is why people are saying Sir Alex will be off in a year or two. Come on, the man is football. He’ll probably give his life away on the touchlines as United score a title-deciding 95th minute winner to beat City. More seriously though, what I am trying to say is that unless the fire in his belly is waning or unless his health is giving up, putting a time frame on it doesn’t sound right by me. He can continue for more than 5 years for all I care if his health holds up.
Yes, I get it that people are saying his health might deteriorate so badly in the next couple of years that he might eventually have to retire. But unless I see that he can no longer continue or I see that he has completely lost the fire in his belly, I won’t be personally putting a time frame on it.
Albert, You make a brilliant point about self-sustenance. I think no club can do that with the exception of United at this point of time. Arsenal have shown themselves a financially self-sustaining club but without the trophy cabinet to show for it. We’ve shown ourselves capable of riding out the financial storm while being successful on the pitch as well. Of course, we have Sir Alex to thank for that but still…
Although Real Madrid have already shown that the out-buy everyone model – which City are imitating – can also be successful, they certainly haven’t been able to dominate their league quite like United have in the past 20 years.
@Albert Ross
Forgot to add something. Our formation on Monday might have also been more effective if Vidic was out there. If anyone can soak up pressure, it’s him. Don’t know, but the way this season has gone in terms of goals conceded, I have trouble trusting our defence to hold onto a scoreline.
Day latter than I want to talk about this. Don’t beat up Smalling. He will come good.
Not enough energy. Credit to Carrick and DeGea or the score would have been silly. The fight needs to come from within and one can only hope we have the quality to see out the season on both accounts. If we had scored in the first 20 minutes when we were effective it might have been different, but that team didn’t look likely in the second half.
My predictions about city playing to injure for the first 20 minutes were spot on again. Fergie had every right to complain.
We need some magic, this year the injuries have not been kind………. again.
Interesting rumors about Hazard being seen in Manchester. This years Wee Wes? I hope not.
@ Cedars – Hello mate very inspiring post that. If only we had Robbo now!!!
@ Albert Ross. Prior to Mondays game city hadn’t scored vs us 2 games out of 11. This season including Charity Shield they’ve scored first in 3/4 games. Costas is right in suggesting they were always going to score and I’m sure the coaching staff were aware of it too. It was probably why we set up defensively but after the way we played in the FA cup we should have stuck with that plan.
It was blatantly obvious to me we were trying to play out a 0-0 draw similar to when we drew with l’arse in 09 to win the title. Ironic that that was the last time we failed to hit the target in a PL match. The management had faith to get a 0-0 draw away from home. Why they did I’ll never know not one single clean sheet against any of the top 8 sides bar Everton away from home this season. The team is incapable of shutting teams out away from home this season, so why start now?
NRD – I’m good thanks, other than what happened Monday, still keep going from dispondency to hope that there’s still one more twist to come. How about you?
I don’t know why, but I have some faith that the FFP will have an effect, unless Real Madrid or Barcelona get a billionaire benefactor. City’s stadium deal will clear their debts for the next two years, what were their loses last year, £198 million, the deal is worth £400 mil. That’s if it goes through, which it probably will in this instance. FFP needs to happen to protect the majority of clubs and I think what’s happening at Rangers emphasizes that. It’s probable quite a timely reminder to UEFA that it needs to be followed through and not just lip service. Anyway, must dash, got a school run to do.
Costas – I reject your view, it was poorly stated! Just kidding!
The best form of defense is attack, one might say. I agree. Especially in hindsight.
Had Park been more influential (like days gone by) it would be easier to take his selection.
Another factor perhaps, is that I was caught on the hop by the selection of Tevez and Aguero.
Had we known they would both start, perhaps we would have started 4:4:2 with Danny and Tony.
First of all a lot of credit has to go to the staff and Sir Alex for getting ut this far in the first place.
They have done an amazing job with our longest injury-list for a long time.
However, they also need to shoulder some of the blame for how the game panned out against
Man City.
I agree with Costas and the lot that we would have lost the game even though Kompany hadn’t scored before half-time. The formation and personnel simply wasn’t good enough for this match.
What Sir Alex has failed to notice is that the personnel that played against City couldn’t give us what is required to make that formation work. Resullts in Champions League and Europa League confirm this, regardless of the experience some of these players bring to the side.
Our best football this season has been in a 4-4-2 with Welbeck and Rooney leading the front. Nani actually did a decent job defensive-wise and looking at the analysis and stats from the match, they didn’t trouble us too much on our right side. With Valencia in there I’m confident we could have defended well enough, especially if (as some of you have noted) Rooney had dropped down to a midfield five in defence.
The most annoying thing is that Sir Alex made matters worse with his pre-match comments. “We will go there to win”, “We go there to attack” etc. We did neither.
Football, bloody hell.
WillieRedNut @ 14:43: “Fergie needs to reinvent this squad again. We’ve become too pedestrian. Easy for the opposition to work out. If you go back to 2008, and the games against Barcelona, the opposite was the case.”
Another way of looking at your 2008/2012 comparison is to take note that in almost every position the current first-choice, first-team is not as good. In particular,
Edwin > DDG
Wesley Brown > Raphael/MrJones
Rio2008 > Rio2012
Vidic > Evans/Smalling
Evra2008 > Evra2012
Scholes2008 > Scholes2012
Ronaldo/Tevez > Valencia/Nani
In some cases – TheWayneBoy – it’s a wash but overall there’s a noticeable decline from SAF’s last-best team and his current crop of players.
What’s really problematic for nut-bars like us is whether (or not) the current crop can grow. I’m hopeful but, hey, “ya never know and that’s why they play the games”.
Balaji Sivaraman, we remain the team to beat in the Premiership.
Finish ahead of United, win the League. Under Sir Alex, that remains the gist of the League.
Costas, I wanted to point out one thing regarding your statistic about our defense with Carlos Quieroz and without him in our management.
The thing is that statistic is slightly skewed because of how badly we’ve been screwed from a defensive perspective over the past few years.
As Denton pointed out, we had both Hargreaves and Fletcher during that period. And we had a lot less injuries to our defense. Hell that was the period when the Rio/Vidic partnership was at its best. No doubt we were going to be the most miserly team in all of England.
Since his departure, all the bad things have happened. Fletcher and Hargreaves have been out injured. We’ve got intermittent periods of injuries to Rio, Vidic, Neville (earlier). Van Der Sar has retired. We’ve got a new young Spanish goalkeeper. Vidic has been out for an entire season.
I am not really saying that CQ might not have made a difference these past few years. However, to point out that his absence has been detrimental from a defensive perspective (if this is not what you were pointing out, then I have mis-read) is slightly skewed. The last few years hasn’t really been a question of our tactics being poor from a defensive standpoint. It is more like we haven’t had the personnel to marshal our defenses properly. That is the major issue apart from, of course, our long-standing injuries.
denton, Rio2008 > Rio2012. Evra2008 > Evra2012. Scholes2008 > Scholes2012.
That made me really laugh out loud for some reason.
@Shebangsthedrums – I’m okay now was feeling a lot of apathy towards a number of things last few weeks so the loss hasn’t hurt me as much as it should. Looking forward to Sunday though.
@ Balaji – “Another thing that I don’t understand is why people are saying Sir Alex will be off in a year or two”
Hello mate. Reason being he’s said so himself this time I think he means it. 70 is old and it doesn’t take long for health to deteriorate. I’ve seen it myself and just look at the late Sir Bobby Robson, his health deterioated in dramtic fashion. RIP. Trappatoni to. He has to take time off for procedure and gets away with it because its international football. The only other guy is Craig Brown but have you seen him these days, he looks in such a bad shape. I don’t want Fergie dying on the touchline I care for the man as well as the manager. He said he would knock the vermin off their perch and he fucking did.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17925203
Tommy Docherty on who will be next United manager. How old is OT famous womaniser of the 70s?
Not reading all the comments on this or the previous post, just on here to say before asking Newcastle or QPR to do us a favour, we need to win both our games, which isn’t really a guarantee.
Denton, Agree with your assessment. But we are also seeing the team mentality take a step back.
We need some of the lads to develop a pair. I am talking real cajones mates. Not saying these lads don’t have it. But without Valencia on the pitch, there is little evidence of from our forwards and midfield is lost at sea when the opposition is playing in our end for major parts of the match.
Thanks Shebangsthedrums. Also that is really brilliant news about Zeki Fryers and Petrucci signing. If confirmed that would really cheer me up more than anything since Monday night. It has puzzled me Fryers hasn’t had more pitch time, to give him experience and to give the toiling Evra a break, even if it’s only 10 mins when we’re winning 5-0.
No need to apologise Balaji, it’s a collective issue. We win together, we lose together, we stay United!
NotoriousRedDevil – Yours is a rational view, that we should have stuck with the FA Cup plan. We have been incapable of shutting teams out away from home this season, so why start now?
This is no defense, but had we stuck to that formula and lost, many would cry out that we were predictable, played into their hands, and that a dinosaur would know that you play 4:5:1 when a draw probably wins the league.
Those are not my views, I’m just saying that only good results vindicates selection.
Bad results are easy to criticise, but it’s hard to know what the 4:4:2 might have served up.
Something more attractive and in keeping with our ideals? Yes.
A more likely recipe to win us the league? I’m not so sure.
Anyway, we are still in with a very real shout. Win our games, and we have a good chance.
When I saw Park in the line-up and welbeck, Valencia on the bench, i thought “game over.” Every fan in the country thought the same and its decisons like this which you just cannot comprehehend.
On top of this, i cant remember a more useless captain than Evra in the last 20 years. An insult to Uniteds black arm band. Not a motivator, doesnt lead by example, no bottle, terrible form and it doesnt matter coz we dont have anyone to take his place (we miss you Sheasy!) All he does is cause trouble and make life easy for opposing right wingers.
@keegan4england
Let’s see you and ‘every fan in the country’ take charge of United for 20 years and see if you make as many good calls as Fergie has, yeh?
Ungrateful sod.
@ Albert Ross – It was either play the same way we did in the cup or play 4-5-1 with Tony V and Nani as wingers. I’d much rather we lost 2-1 and give it a go then lose 1-0 and do nothing in the final 3rd of the pitch. Losing gung ho is the United way. It happened in 02 when l’arse won the league we gave it a go but they just picked us off with one attack. Similar in 2006 gave it a go but chelski were just too good.
I know you’re not offering a defence but for weeks I’ve had a feeling we would try and get a point at
cit-eh. Perhaps it would have been better going in a point behind into the game.Not sure if you’re into boxing but the game on Monday was like the David Haye/Klitschko fight. Haye never fought back and unfortunately on Monday night we were Haye.
Anyway we have scored 8 goals in last 2 games at OT. If we can keep a clean sheet and score 8 vs Swansea its game on. Its up to the crowd to lift the players.
Now wouldn’t that be awesome. United beat Swansea 8-0. Wouldn’t be the first time it has happened. And if anything can make up for how the lads have let the Gaffer down in the past few weeks, that most definitely would.
Anyways, I heard that Gary Neville has said that losing the league on GD is Sir Alex Ferguson’s worst nightmare. I concur Red Nev!
The reason Fergie played it differently to the FA Cup match was Yaya Toure. He wasn’t available for the FA Cup match remember? With him, City are a totally different side. That’s why the Gaffer felt he needed an extra set of legs in the middle.
Tactics were right IMO, the personnel wasn’t. No reason whatsoever for Giggs to have been playing instead of Valencia. And as I said yesterday – if Park was deemed fit enough to start, surely Cleverley should have been? He offers energy, and far more of an “on the ball” threat. Yet he wasn’t even on the bench.
NotoriousRedDevil – again I agree. I wish we had given it a go, United style!
I wonder if we should play a 4:5:1 with Giggs and Park starting against the Swans.
Yeah, right!
@ keegan4england – Are you a United fan? You do realise Evra is Captain by default don’t you? Do you even know who the club Captain is? Evra is not as good as he was 2 years ago but rather have him than O Shea. In Evras time he’s seen off Heinze, Silvestre and O Shea as left backs. O Shea broke through in 2002 properly and in 9 years had more than enough time to make the centre half or full back position his own but quite frankly didn’t which is why he’s at Sunderland.
O’Shea we miss you. Give me a break, probably the same sort who gave him shit not too long ago,
I’m not expecting Newcastle to do us any favours. They lost their momentum at the wrong time when they lost to Wigan. Plus they’ve got a tough away trip just a few days before they play City.
City fans complaining about Howard Webb as referee, lmao. Saying he is a United fan and will help Newcastle. Didn’t anyone tell them we have gotten less points from games by Webb than they do?
They have the advantage and they are still afraid of us! Haha
@kanchelskis
Im not ungrateful and it doesnt change the fact that Fergie is my all time hero.
But certain aspects of our squad have not been addressed since 09 and Monday nights game, our CL campaign, Europa league etc have revealed too many unaddressed weaknesses…..and the sad thing is that those weaknesses were on the pitch on Monday night, instead of the bright, attacking players who found themselevs on the bench.
Scott the Red has constantly pointed out that Rooney cant play alone up front, that Giggs shouldnt start games, that we needed to sign top class midfielders and Evra has been poor since the world cup. Well, all this played a part on Monday night and we didnt even have a shot on goal. How much more evidence?
Not ungrateful, just shocked at how the club has not addressed such blatant problems.
Fuck this shit. noone is blame for the goal conceded. Time to wake up and realize that once in a while there will be situations from opposing team (series of events) thats happens that create goals. This time it was a perfect cornerkick from Silva and a perfect timing and leap from Kompany. Almost impossible to defend against such horrific accident.
We don´t deserve the title, we didn´t deserved it last year, but we took it then and we will take it now. Befuckinlieve!!!!!
all this is so damn gloomy …
brendan mate : go support city. thats the only thing i can tell you
albert ross : you sir, are a true red devil ! i salute you
im finally back from the cave i went in after we lost
don’t think there’s much point discussing the game.
here’s what i’d play vs swansea
DDG
rafael evans rio evra
valencia cleverly carrick nani
rooney berba !
please give dear berba a perfect send off ! !
Cedars….fuck me pal. That post at 8.48 was a bit long winded. You could have summed it up simply by saying……..act like a United fan, not like a city fan!!!!! Just joking pal, inspired and I agree with every word and sentiment. Knowing United as I do, I’m pretty sure most of the fair weather fans will have sold their Swanea tickets because we’ve lost the league and have become shit. So there will probably be a lot of fans there who love United, not silverware so I guarantee you the place will be rocking regardless of what city do.
Players in in the summer for me include, Clyne (RB) Alba (LB) Martinez (CM/CB) Llorente (CF) Kagawa (CM)…GEt them for under £100m.
This blog is decent, but I preferred it in the swinging 60s. Two posters stood out for me. Mike(bitter blue)Bumblebee and Mick(rubber lips)Jagger.
@ Sparkz – Good point about Yaya, forgot about that, he was a thorn when we played Barca and the cup semi last year too. If it was Giggs out and Tony V in from the start I wouldn’t have had any complaints even if we had lost.
Not sure if anyone else has seen it but earlier in the season on sky G Nev was talking about how Fergie plans for the big games. He tells some of his players that they won’t be playing the next “x” number of games but they will start vs “so & so”. I had no real issue with Park starting but the fact he’s made no cameo appearances in the last month worried me a bit and I was right he looked beat when he came off. It suggests to me that maybe he wasn’t supposed to start and if he was he certainly wasn’t ready for it.
Thanks, Cedars. That helped
We look to the future for results, but we also look to our past for insiration. In times like this, it’s important (particularly for utterly heartbroken weaklings like me) to know and acknowledge once again the roots of our love. The love for something undefinable, the will to laugh at insurmountable odds. In Fergie I trust, but in United, I BELIEVE. Till I die.
Kagawa is a done deal. Why the fuck do you think I was in Japan!
i think this team have done extremely well to push city to the hilt in the face of crippling injuries. i mean seriously if we had fletch and vidic, the results at wigan and everton would have been avoided.
however, the positives from this season are :
1) fergie realizing 4-4-2 is not the way to go in europe
2) smalling and jones maturing by a year.
3) DDG getting properly bedded in. i think once vidic returns we’ll see a real solid back 5.
4) welbeck coming on as a player ( he still has quite a way to go)
5) fergie realizing we finally need to buy 1 maybe 2 CM’s
6) Rooney’s impeccable behaviour.
this season might end up giving us no trophies to celebrate about. but this will be only the 5th time in 23 bloody years that this has happened. cheer up. we are spoilt supporters of a great great club! Lets stand behind this team in transition.
@NRD : re kagwa, do you rate him? have never seen the guy play ! !
Kagawa reminds me of Nakamura, decent player, but not exactly the type of player who would give us the energy we are looking for in the middle
@NRD – I think that’s the reason we haven’t seen Park play much though? Maybe Fergie had him pencilled in for this game weeks in advance. Maybe that’s why neither him or Giggs came on vs Everton, when we needed to close out/chase the game respectively. Coz Fergie wanted them 100% ready for Monday night. I remember he did that in 09 with Fletcher and Giggs…..they didn’t play for 2 weeks before the Chelsea game, then they both put in top performances in our 3-0 win.
The again, maybe he was planning to play Jones in midfield for some muscle, but Evans’ injury put paid to that? So he had to turn to Park. Guess we’ll never know….
Agree with Costas22? This blog certainly isn’t pro Glazer. Absolute nonsense. I’m like Costas though, don’t like the club being in huge debt, but they’re fully instilled now. What can we do? Fergie is always gonna be caught between a rock and a hard place sadly.
@ eric keane – I’ve seen him play on TV 3-4 times. Saw something on him when I was in Japan also on TV. He’s a good tidy little player. Has energy but isn’t a pussy either. You can’t be a pussy and be good in the Bundesliga (unless you play for Bayern), as far as leagues go Bundesliga is as close to the PL you’re going to get on the continent, so the transition would be fairly simple.
The only issue I have is he’s an attacking midfielder by trade, likes to score goals. Anderson played in the same position Kagawa does for Dortmund and we converted him to a DM. If we are to sign him we none of this square peg round hole nonsense that we’ve been doing with players.
If we were to sign him, another midfielder (like a younger version of Scott Parker), kept Berba (and rotate him more) and signed a full back we’ll be absolutely fine next season.
I’m coming around to the idea that, if Cleverley stays fit, we don’t need a creative ball player in the middle of the park. With him, Carrick, and Scholes in a squad role next season….we may have enough of a creative threat from the middle of the park tbh. Especially when you consider Rooney plays as an attacking midfielder at times. And our strength is on the wings anyway.
What we do need, as Denton regularly points out, is a box to box. A new Fletcher. Our version of Toure. Someone who’s got a bit of energy, can get about the pitch and put their foot in…..and has a decent passing range. City have Barry and Toure. Madrid have Alonso and Khedira. We’ve got Carrick and ???.
Pogba ticks all the attributes I described above, but I doubt he’ll stay. So instead of going for a Hazard, Gaitan or Kagawa….maybe go for a different type of player.
@Sparkz
Think you might be right. We don’t know what knock-on effect Evans’s injury may have had on our lineup.
For better or for worse, Fergie has favoured Jones for energy in a 3-man midfield. I think Smalling would probably have been favoured over Rafa for his height, with the usual CB pairing and Jones in CM, who couldn’t have been any worse than Park.
Who would’ve thought about a year ago that we’d be lamenting how an injury to Jonny Evans may have cost us the league?
i think one of the reasons fergie tried and failed to convert anderson into a complete midfielder was his physique.
don’t think kagwa has that upper body strength. and i do think fergie’s planning a shift from the traditional 4-4-2 to maybe a more flexible 4-2-3-1.
that is the only reason i think he won’t buy a striker ever if berba leaves.
i think if we buy one of kagwa gaitan modric (all three seem frankly ridiculous stories though)
and jordi alba we’ll be okay. but i still think we need a player of the javi martinex mould. ‘d go with fellaini
he’s a proper player with prior epl experience ! ! might just work out really well
also where is tom cleverly? is he injured again?
Heard a German jurno on Talksport talking about Kagawa. He says the lad is the real deal.
@Balaji
Ha, I wondered if anyone was going to call me on those stats for that reason. It’s a valid point. Rio and Vidic had their best season together when CQ was here. And it was also the season Hargreaves was around. At the same time, Fletcher had his 2 best seasons for us after Quieroz left, in 08-09 and 09-10. Also, lets not forget that we didn’t have Vidic in CQ’s first 2 seasons. And those were also the same 2 seasons where we were struggling in CM due to Keane winding down (and then leaving). So there were problems during that period too. We just hit our stride defensively in 06-07 and 07-08.
Of course personel has been an issue, but I still feel that our whole defensive structure (not just the back 5) was more organized when he was around. For example, from 04 to 08 we conceded more than 2 goals at OT in only 1 game: against Mourinho’s Chelsea in 05. From 08 to 12 we’ve conceded more than 2 goals in 10 different games at OT.
@Sparkz
Agree again. I shudder at the prospect of money wasted on a Mata/Sneijder/Silva-type player.
If Cleverley can continue his development and Anderson play even half the PL games in a season, and you add that to the creativity through the centre that you get by Nani and Young coming off the wings, AND Rooney dropping deep, then a trequartista is NOT needed.
It’s patently obvious that those creative talents need to be given the ability to do their thing by operating in front of some sinister motherfucker who will slap teams down if they think they can counterattack and put the boot in when they’re stringing passes together. Martinez. Fellaini. Khedira. Schweinsteigher (in our dreams!). Just anyone who can bloody impose themselves.
@ Sparkz I think the Evans injury definitely fucked things up. Like you said we’ll never know. Jones looked lost at RB which was a shame to see because thats where I think he’s played his best this season. I appreciate your comments on IF Cleverly stays fit but honestly I’m fed up of reading and typing
“If so & so stays fit we don’t NEED to sign anyone” It simply hasn’t worked for 4 years now. We’ve been putting off the midfield situation for so long now that other areas of the team need strengthening too. We used to bring players through and sign players in the same position as well and whoever was the better played stayed. Sign someone play him When Cleverly gets fit again bring him back in. We wasted £7 million on Tosic and didn’t play him, why can’t we try it with someone who will play?
Why blame the manager, the 11 players on the pitch didn’t want it as badly as the 11 of city did.
There is no need for hope, even if city slip at N’Castle it makes no difference as this team, this year has shown that the never say die United spirit which SAF speaks of is no longer there. I cant understand why even in the 80 minute the players showed no urgency. Nothing at all. Very Very Disappointing.
I stupidly thought when SAF clashed with Mancini, our players will feel and go all out at least for their managers pride. But no, they just did not care at all.
PS : The ref was good, it was touch match to officiate, we need to appreciate when they don’t mess up.
@willie
Dude, don’t give away the twitter handle.
* tough match
@NRD
Yes, there’s only so long you can say ‘if Fletcher/Ando/Hargreaves had stayed fit, etc etc’, which I am guilty of myself.
The point is, if that injury situation was inflicted on Chelsea or City, they wouldn’t think twice about splashing the cash all over again for a direct replacement. THAT is what the Glazers are stopping us from doing.
@Kanchelskis – Spot on. That’s what I think anyway. A year ago, I was all for a Modric type of player but I’m not in favour of that any more.
Saying all of that though – what with us being linked to all this creative, attacking types….I can’t help but think Fergie is gonna change the way we play next season. Maybe focus more on ball retention.
Or, it wouldn’t surprise me if we saw Rooney heading for the exit door actually. I said yesterday that he’s reminded me a lot of Ronaldo in his last season….plenty of goals but poor overall performances, and at times a poor workrate. So a Hazard type player could be a direct replacement.
Would never consider using any one other than Rafael for right back,height didn’t come into it with Cities midget front line and unfortunately no way would action be taken to rectify our left back problem or static goalie.Speaking of which can any one tell me how a Six plus feet keeper can stand behind the tiny Tevez while still of course stay on the goal line.Baffling.
Costas – That was a slip mate.
@parryheid
Your obsession with De Gea’s “staticness” is as baffling as your undying love for Rafael. He’s been largely great this season, but I could pick out countless instances where his lack of concentration and/or positional sense has cost us dearly.
@ eric keane – I think everyone is reading too much into body strength. German league is just as if not more physical than the PL. Kagawa does fine there. If by strength you mean him being pushed off the ball, that isn’t going to happen. However if you mean getting in the opposition’s face that won’t happen either.
Look at Modric, I think he’s overrated personally but his small frame does him no harm. Not all your players in midfield need to be strong as long as they are protected. When Kagawa signs it will be cheaper than Modric, we’ll make a truckload in shirt sales and he’s a good player. Cleverly got injured and then Scholes returned. What if cleverly is injured again and Scholes doesn’t resign? Who do we play then Park and Giggs? We need 2 midfielders irrespective of Cleverly and Anderson returning. As for Pogba he can fuck off, even if he stays the first big money offer we get, just sell him
Evans not starting is a Red herring. He was part of a defense that leaked 4 goals against Everton. Smalling was at fault for the goal, but it could’ve been Jonny in that position. We’ll never know now, though.
we need a player, attacking midfielder possibly or someone who plays off the striker — central– who can control and doesn’t loose the ball in close spaces. that’s missing from our squad. We lose the ball a lot outside the box against good defenders
@ kanchelskis 16.18 – Totally agree there. Hargreaves wasn’t going to make it at cit-eh so they go and get Pizzaro as well. Our manager cripples himself by ruling out January as a time to do business. His reasons may well be valid but when there are only two transfer windows a season why handicap yourself by not using one? I honestly think he wanted to sign somebody in Jan, and had we still been in the CL we may well have done. When Scholes came back (his wages probably only being a fraction of what they were last season) glazers and the manager couldn’t thank their lucky stars enough.
@NRD : you are right. but by body strength i meant getting in people’s faces. that i am sure won’t happen with kagwa. i think we really should go get him. we have about 4 players to buy and im sure we ain’t spending more than 40mil.
kagwa at 5 mil would be a great bargain. add to that gaitan at 20mil, say fellaini at 15mil and a full back and we’re all set ! i think thats just a bit over 40 mil
@ eric keane – We won’t be signing Kagawa for £5 million. Dortmund want nearer £25 million. Official fee will probably be undisclosed but will be somewhere in the region of £15-£25 million. Similar figure to what we paid for Anderson, Nani, Tony V or Young.
kanchelskis.,
Really?Granted I am a huge fan of Rafael and feel he is the glue that binds our right hand side.And as for DeGea even with a season’s experience I see an average static keeper notice no answer re standing behind Tevez but there again yourve probably still got my blood on your boots from my pre season comments regarding DeGea.Sorry but I still haven’t changed my view.
We’ll get a good idea how city will fare at Newcastle after tonights game at Chelsea. A point would do the toon. Chelsea need a win. The bitters will be fresher too for Sunday.
Hardly baffling kanchelskis, I love De Gea as a keeper and he’s been an integral part of getting us to this point but he still needs to learn to come out on crosses/corners more often to boss the box (not a criticism just a critique). To be honest the difference in the game may have been down to 2 instances of the same event. In the 1st case De Gea doesn’t move off the line and a line drive corner comes directly to Kompany’s head and is redirected right off of Mr. Peanut’s monocle into the net. In the 2nd case we had a beautiful corner on a colision course with a perfectly set up Wayne Rooney near the far post and Joe Hart comes flashing out and makes a finger tip deflection to deny what would have been a clear goal as Rooney was in front of his man and you could see in the slo-mo replay how his eyes lit up big as saucers awaiting that ball. Not that De Gea’s to blame for the final score obviously but it’s just another example of how he needs to develop his defense of the crossing game in a league that’s different from the one he came from.
eric keane – i return your salute with gusto. To Arms!
Fell the formidable foe, fellow Reds. I’m going on the razzle!
Hope one of the journos has the balls to ask Fergie why did he pick Park given his appalling form and record this season – no other person I can conceive of would have gone with that line up
Kagawa’s current deal runs out next year? 2013, June July, I would presume. Next January, he is allowed to talk to other clubs. Dortmund will have a decision to make then. 25 million is a stretch. I’d think between 10 and 15 million might seal the deal. I do believe they’ve offered him a very good deal. He could yet sign for Dortmund. I suppose it depends how interested United are in him. The lad said he wanted to play England, but more importantly, for United.
@ WRN – That is correct his deal does run out next year. He wants to play in England rumours of a clause as well if someone from England comes in. I can see us paying over £20 million for him. After all we paid £18 million for a £12 million player last season and he only had a year left. I’m sure Dortmund will be aware of that when we go in for him.
Clyne, Alba, Martinez, Kagawa and Llorente. Should give us a squad that will be able to go to Wigan on a Wednesday night while 8 points clear and get a win.
Great debate on here today with lads like NRD coming back. Should be like this more often. Just a quick one as time is money and all that.
Nah United will never do a Leeds. Leeds are a two bob shithouse racist club whereas United are a phenomenon and always will be. Yes some cunts may fuck off but United will always be the biggest club about.
Anyway fuck it . If United NEVER won another trophy I can say I have witnessed magic the last 25 years under Fergies tenure and sustained dominace . I can show my son dvd’s of the magical nights and moments. Nobody can ever take that away. How many other club’s fans can say that?
United.
King Eric
Too true pal, too true! Gonna get there early Sunday and sink a few more beers than normal. On a stag do saturday so hair of the dog! I’ll be as pissed as James!!!
Mike – Told you about Llorente last night pal. Too old!!! Ha.
parry – Hey I bet you are glad to see Gordon back in Sunderlands sticks!!!
It is a box to boxer we NEED primarily.
Mike – See you Sunday pal.
King Eric
Shit, yeah. Keep forgetting about the old cunt. Ok, Cavanni then! That fucker can’t stop scoring!!
NRD – On his size? Agree with you. The premiership isn’t the land of the giants. Sure, it would take him a few games to get the pace of the English game. Kagawa is a creative player, with an eye for a goal. Why wouldn’t we want a player with those abilities? He would fit the CL easily enough. He’s played in that competition with Dortmund. He’s a quality player. Hope we can get him.
Willie
People said the same about Silva and look how well he adapted.
Kagawa has one year left on his contract, Dortmund knows that he wants to play in England. Compare the situation with Ozil two summers ago. One year left, wanted by many clubs, player wanted to leave. Boom, 8 million to Madrid. I’d say Kagawa is around the same prize, perhaps a little higher given that he has been so important in their last two league wins, but certainly not much above 10 million. The difference with the Young deal is that he is bloody English and we all know the ridiculous premiums that comes with that. Had Young been of another nationality the price would have been halved.
@ mikekelly12 & King Eric – Hows it going lads.
The only people who said that about Silva was on here. Also said the same thing about Aguero when we sold Ronaldo. People need to open their eyes a bit more regarding players that play for other clubs. I’m not sure if people castigate potential transfer targets because they know that glazers wont splash so they justify it in their minds that so & so is a mercenary or rubbish.
Just because Scholes is back doesn’t mean we don’t need someone to replace him. Cleverly hasn’t done it in a United shirt you need more than 6 brilliant games to prove yourself as a United players. Kevin Davies did a real number on him, he’ll miss the Euros but go to the Olympics.
In terms of transfer dealings we have to take into account the Euros and the Olympics. Some of these young players people are looking forward to next season will be involved in one of the major tournaments. That fucked us in 04/05. We needed Heinze but he was with Argentina, all our forwards bar Smith were injured and Ronaldo was off with Portugal.
If we keep the current squad as it is who knows what shape we’ll be in at the start of next season. Throw in the annual injury crisis United seem to have every season our season could be fucked before a ball is even kicked. With Bernstein at the FA, Cleverly and Jones will both be at the Olympics. He’ll probably try for Giggs and Scholes as well.
King Eric
I never knew he was but I dont like it as it means we will be coming against him in a nunber of days and may have to win as the league is up for grabs.Get that pudding Mingolet in
We’re missing a player who can drag the team by the boot straps and bring much needed energy.
I hope Fergie is brave. Whoever said Rooney might leave, great point. I think it’s a brave move and good for both. Rooney should play abroad, it will do the English national team some good. I also think we should try and build a team around two special central midfielders and leave the creativity to them. If we brought in another quick striker with pace and power. We could have renewed energy. With a their threat and creating space for others, Tony V and Nani will have more space, which brings more space for others.
I also hope Giggs retires, he deserves it. He’s make a great addition to the backroom. Park goes, Evra has a challenger for LB. He’s shite. Berba sold, Owen leaves and we replace them with younger players with energy and pace.
I like Garcia at Benfica. A midfielder, but can play in defense as well. Impressed me more than Gaitan did against Chelsea.
@ WRN – My last post was to you as well mate. Hope you’re well.
One final thing to add, I think we should be cautious about summer spending. David Gill has said that he expects a busy summer but Gill says the same shite every year. I’d be surprised if we make more than 1 big signing next summer. We’ll sign 3 players but I’ll bet 2 of them will be unknown-ish players.
Everyone be good, lets make OT a party atmosphere next weekend.
I’ll never leave ROM. Just went away for a while
Catch up with all of you at the end of the season.
NRD – I’m hoping for the right players to be signed. Doesn’t have to be stellar names, or flavour of the months. I never get over excited now. Just hope for the best! Nice to see some of the regulars posting again. Have a good one on Sunday! mate!
I honestly don’t think City played that well,it’s just how bad United played,if we had gone out with a decent sense of attacking surely we could have murdered them.
By the way,how pathetic were the fans at City and at home against Everton,sounded like a funeral at some stages
the worst feeling will be the magpies blanking city but we end up screwing ourselves yet again!:@
Fuck me sideways, some excellent posts and debates going on here…… Really enjoyed reading it..
Another proof if one was needed in the first place on how as United supporters we conduct ourselves in times of adversity……
Fuck the bitters, scousers and leeds of course, we ARE UNITED
Me funny?
I don’t know what to say.
Let me think.
Hmmmm
Thanks Cedars.
Cedars 8:48
Brilliant post. We are indeed spoilt. Even the older ones amongst us that remember the scouse domination of the 70′s and 80′s. We have all been spoilt rotten by 20 odd years of success. This success is down to one man. That’s why I reacted angrily to the ridiculous criticism aimed at our manager. (that and the red wine).
Success isn’t our divine right.
We have had a great season against the odds. With our injuries and lack of investment we shouldn’t be level on points with city. We should give credit to the players and manager.
Like I said yesterday I never give up till the maths don’t work and I’m not giving this one up just yet.
Extremely unlikely but still possible.
UNITED
Nice to see you Cyril, nice!
Collyhurst
Just send me an invitation to Mauritius, wait, send us all one what a lovely place it will be to meet!
And appropriate to do the Godfather speech on the day of your daughters wedding
I love it when a plan comes together.
Sitting in a bar with Cedars, all of us sharing a drink watching the girls go by amidst the backdrop of a Mauritius ocean
Bloody hell I need a holiday!
Willie
You’re welcome mate!! Guess we should thank Costas as well….
MG
Sounds like a plan, I am a beach bum by nature so any related holiday suits me just fine!!
Cedars
It’s a date then
The ROM in Mauritius
New threads beach bums!
Was already there but thanks for the heads up Willie!
MG – I take it the trip will be sponsored by StR?
Cedars, MG. WRN, Costas………….
Much as I’d enjoy a ROM holiday in Mauritius, I’m not made of money you know!
2 season tickets is probably going to cost me 2 grand anyway!
At least she is getting married in the close season, good girl.
Good shit on here today boys! Enjoyable to read and pretty level headed.
No disrespect to Ando but I think it’s time to say goodbye. He’s looked awesome at times but he just never seems to play enough. It’s always the same story, with a proper pre-season under his belt he’ll be brilliant. Well that was this year and it hasn’t happened. I just don’t think we can afford so many injury prone players in the team, rarely available to play and being paid a fortune. I’m just hoping Clevz doesn’t end up the same, but we certainly can’t handle them both out at the same time. This is why we end up with random players in CM, because there’s no cover. And it costs a fortune.
If Scholes / Giggs are seen as a back up option next year, Fletcherinho is still fighting for fitness, Ando never quite fit and maybe Clevz, and Pogba off to Juventus… I reckon you could buy every CM in the rumours and just about have enough strength in depth…!
Looks like Carrick needs to keep performing!!!
@ Albert Ross
aka – Smartalex using multiple identities and personalities. You talk a load of complete shi. Lots of people have noted that reactions are slow and that there are not a lot of articles by Scot on the site anymore – including people you like to suck up to like Costas and KE etc. Your comment that my saying Scots reactions are late stopped him writing reaction is bullshit. You say he stopped until “we” – mut be you and your multiple identies (as there is no fake smartalex as this site does not allow people to register with an existing use name) wrote to him. What a load of bullshit.
NBI Red Onion
You are the poster with a proven track record on RoM of using multiple identities to attack others, not me. You have posted simultaneously as several users, agreeing with your own vile attacks on Berbatov and Sir Alex, including death wishes and hate speech. That is your history on RoM.
You now say “Your comment that my saying Scots reactions are late stopped him writing reaction is bullshit.”
Yet, on the 17th April at 20:04 you said:
“@ Scott – there is no point posting your reactions to a game at a point when the topic has already been dry humped to death and the entire group of commentators on your blog are blearly eyed, irritable and exhausted. Fresh reactions please, before we have already reacted all by ourselves.”
to which Scott replied ” NBI Red Onion – I just won’t bother with them in future then. Leave the reaction down to you guys.”
to which Jc replied “NOOOooooo, Scott keep em coming!”
and I wrote “I really enjoy reading the Reaction articles. Whenever they appear. Each new thread is taken as a blessing by most of your humble guests, Scott the Red. That you keep your cool through each and every day’s barrel of moans, is unfathomably commendable to me. Know that for each moaner, there are many more who are happy with our lot. You will no doubt do as you wish, and that is how it should be.”
‘We’ wrote these comments. you now claim they don’t exist.
NBI Red Onion, you are a liar.
Today you again ungratefully blurt your requirements.
NBI Red Onion, you are an ingrate.
You are a liar and an ingrate.
Actually NBI, you are a fucking cunt.
Ah – now you have fully outed yourself – 2 identities so far : @smartalex and @ Albert Ross – what a fucking idiot you are.
In defence of JS Park . Ive given emotions time to settle . JS looked to me like a headless chicken on the night . But , he was on to man mark toure , That he did although managing to waste his own chances on the ball.I have to say it was when he was taken off that yaya really got into the game and caused us problems with his physical presence. Jee himself has said he knows his time at this level is coming to an end . But in his defence i feel he did what SAF asked of him . Our two main men on the night Carrick and Rio .
Somebody earlier said they are 45 well im 61 and two things i know !
1. United never make anything easy
2. Citeh will find a way to feck up gilt edge opportunies !
Its always been the way and will stay so . here is to the Fat Lady ……
Title is over lads………NAAAAAT!!!!! Come on U FUCKING GEORDIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do those BITER CUNTS!!!!!! NUFC4THEWIN
I’d just LOVE it if they beat them… ((this time around.. sweet thing to hear that line again..I’d put the tone when I read it out in mind..))
Statesideaussie 13:00 Great post spot on.
We need to focus on next year. I hope saf becomes director of football and we get a young hungry manager! We need new players…we can’t have city running the show for the next 5 years!
United4life
I said I wasn’t gonna comment, but I can’t resist replying to that. NO MANAGER IN THE WORLD is as hungry as Sir Alex. Who would you have liked, Guardiola? Ha. 4 years and he needs a break. He can fuck off. Sir Alex has been consistently brilliant for 20 years. He’s seen off many great teams and managers, and he still wants to win more. You can slate his tactics, his style, his attitude, whatever, but not his hunger. This is not just aimed at you, but I’m sick of hearing people say he should leave and we should get a new manager, I can guarantee they will never be as great as him. And nowhere near as hungry. Always hear about how he’s first in and last out Carrington. The man lives, eats and breathes Manchester United. He probably thinks more about Manchester United in a day than all of us put together. He is the fucking man and a true legend, we should all feel blessed to have him. Some cunts say we need to get rid of him so we can tie Mourinho up. Sure, he’s good, but he’s no Sir Alex. We’ll only realise how much he’s worth when he leaves, which I hope he doesn’t for a long damn time, because it’s quite obvious there’s no one on the face of the planet who can fill his boots.
Sir Alex IS Manchester United. We owe him more than anything for all the success he’s given us.
Sorry for the long rant.
tl;dr Sir Alex is awesome.
theboogeyman – excellent post, and absolutely true. Well said!