“Are you Norwich in disguise?” is how we were greeted by cheerful Aston Villa fans as we walked towards the ground. Their excitement was infectious, all clad in their ‘Carling Cup 2010′ embroidered shirts and dopey grins on their faces. It was great to be at Wembley and I of course wanted to see us leave with the trophy, but I did feel a bit of a fraud in knowing I was nowhere near as excited as their lot.
In we went and up the escalators we followed, green and gold dripping from people all around us, in the form of scarves, flags, hats and t-shirts. After developing this protest in Old Trafford, we have taken it up and down the country, and now here we were inside the national stadium. I therefore found it bizarre that when the cameras of the world were on us ahead of kick off, the mosaic spelling ‘BELIEVE’ was created, all out of coloured plastic bags. Enough of us held up our scarves for it not to be in vain but it’s disappointing that this was an opportunity missed. It’s also irritating that something which really did mean a lot to us for that semi-final against Barcelona has now become a catchphrase ready to be carted out for any old occasion. Ok, so it was a cup final, but playing Aston Villa in the League Cup is no Barca in the European Cup.
Regardless, before even having time to finish the grumble and move on we were 1-0 down. I still haven’t seen any footage of the game other than our goals, so you’ll have to be wary that my memory may be pretty sketchy, but it looked like a clear enough penalty from the stands and all that I’ve read since confirms this. I wondered why referee Phil Dowd was allowing James Milner to take the penalty before sending Nemanja Vidic off, but gritted my teeth anyway and hoped for a repeat of Tomasz Kuszczak’s penalty heroics of a couple of years ago against Arsenal. The heroics never came but then neither did the red card so we had to be happy enough with that!
Graham Poll has argued yesterday that the referee made the right decision, given that Gabriel Agbonlahor had his back to goal. Let’s be honest, you can look at it however you like, but if that had been our forward in their box you would want a red card. The final would have been totally ruined as a spectacle so in that respect it was sensible for Dowd to keep Vidic on, but I still think it was pretty shady. To not even show him a yellow card was mental. You have to happily take those decisions though because more often than not they go against you. We all remember how Jamie Carragher cynically brought down Michael Owen earlier this season and he wasn’t given his marching orders, so I’m not going to lose too much sleep on the Villa fans’ behalf.
Whilst there was still plenty of time to play, United played some pretty scary football at 1-0 down and couldn’t get in to their rhythm at all. We were giving the ball away and giving our opponents far too much room as they attacked. I wondered if Park Ji-Sung and Patrice Evra were playing a different game at times, with them leaving Villa’s right flank totally exposed time and again. Here you go Milner, come and have a nice run at us down here. Crikey, it was unnerving.
Fortunately, we got on level terms quickly enough to make you believe we were going to be alright. Dimitar Berbatov pinched the ball off Richard Dunne just inside their half and ran in to the box. Dunne finally caught up with our forward and made a great challenge. Unfortunately for him, his challenge set up Michael Owen perfectly, who didn’t need any second invitations to score. It was a lovely finish which had to be in the corner to beat Brad YSB Friedel. The tongue in cheek chants of “You scouse bastard!” began as Owen wheeled away in celebration.
Owen was on the pitch for just two minutes before scoring against West Ham five days earlier and in the League Cup final it took him just twelve minutes. We were told that with a chance or two and he would score. Well he’s now on two goals attempts and two goals from last week, so it’s a shame he’ll be out for a few weeks with the hamstring injury which saw him come off before half time. But nine goals so far isn’t a bad return for a freebie, particularly when you consider his late winner against City and now a crucial goal in a cup final. To give it some perspective, Craig Bellamy has also scored nine goals in all competitions this season, as has Carlton Cole.
As far as substitutions go, bringing on Rooney with over a half of football to go is pretty damn good. If Carlsberg did substitutions… He didn’t have an impact immediately, with him giving the ball away with a few poor first touches and misplaced passes, but he grew in to the game and was taking control as the match neared the final whistle, after scoring the winner.
Berbatov again played a part in the goal, in what was a good performance from the Bulgarian until the final fifteen minutes or so, when his limping became more visable and his requests to be subbed off ignored. As Antonio Valencia played the ball in to him, he flicked it on nicely for Valencia to cross it. At the moment, there seems like there can only be one goalscorer, and even more specifically, only one part of his body he will score with. Rooney’s met the ball with his head to see it reach just the right height to elude Friedel, with just the right power for it to loop down in to the back of the net. 2-1 Manchester United and you had to think Villa were really going to struggle to get back in it.
Valencia had been named man of the match, although he fought off stiff competition from Park Ji-Sung, who was cheered off the pitch with five minutes to play. He had run himself in to the ground for us and more often than not it had paid off.
Berbatov set him up for a good scoring chance just after we equalised, but he pulled his shot wide of the target. Not long later, he saw his shot come back off the woodwork after Valencia played him in, after Park took on and beat two players by himself. He always works hard but Sunday was an occasion where he really pulled it off. He clearly wanted to take advantage of the improved Nani’s absence from the team, with the Portuguese winger available to play again after his suspension at the weekend against Wolves.
We weren’t in shortage of good players though and, after a dodgy beginning, put in a good shift that was worthy of a cup win. Villa’s woodwork was hit for a second time after Valencia provided Rooney with another opportunity to score a header and we always looked more likely to score a third than Villa did a second. Let’s not forget, this is the team we bossed off the park a few weeks earlier after going down to ten men with more than an hour to play away from home! This Villa performance was certainly better but they were always second best.
The final whistle was celebrated and our fans were in a jovial mood. We had travelled all that way because we had wanted to see our team win a trophy, but there was nothing like the emotion Villa fans would have felt. It’s not that I felt guilty, but I quite like Aston Villa, their manager is good, I don’t have a bad word to say about their players (Dunne may get booed for his blue past but if we admit it we know he’s a good bloke), they generally play pretty good football and their American owner is by all accounts a bloody nice bloke (who forfeits a lucrative shirt sponsor deal to instead sponsor a local children’s hospice.) They’re a likeable club and there are plenty of other teams I would have enjoyed beating more. If Villa were playing any other club in the final, I would have wanted them to win. The last few cup finals I’ve attended were against Arsenal and Chelsea where the feelings of hatred added spice to the occasion (and massive heart ache) so to beat Villa in our last priority cup didn’t exactly inspire a carnival atmosphere.
Still, it was great to see the dot I presumed to be Paddy Evra shaking the cup in the air, after our players made the long and winding journey up to receive it, and even better to see the players enjoying the moment on the pitch. They applauded our end and showed off the cup, before disappearing off for some dressing room celebrations.
It was great to win our first piece of silverware of the season and hopefully it will give our lads the needed desire and thirst to claim the Premiership title in a few months time!
Man Utd News 24/7
Great one Scott. Winning a cup is always a cause for celebration, although I do feel a tad sorry for the villa fans.
Seeing their team walk up for their losers medal wasn’t a pretty sight, but we were worthy winners and we deserve it.
Two more to go!
C’MON 4 IN A ROW!!!
Good one scott.glad you mentioned park because when we play badly he and berbatov are first ones to be slagged.
Valencia is improving every game.his crossing is getting better and he knows where rooney is.good understanding developing between berba valencia and rooney. Ber-va-roo have been involved in 3 of our last 5 goals
I felt this general emotion throughout the United fans there. Still great to see us beat arguably the fourth best team in the league. Always nice to see Rooney, Berba and Tony V link up. And also nice for the kids to get some glory experience!!
@aig i agree those 3 are beginning to gel pretty to watch and i’m a park fan think he brings alot when he plays and is one of our underrated players.i live in canada so get fox football report,they have a scot going over the top games in detail he’s a big berbatov fan,talking about fans getting on his back for lack of work rate and suggested if sir alex had wanted a striker to run all day he would have signed hesky and saved a ton of money. that berba is one of the most highly skilled players in the prem and his play maybe too subtle for the averege fan to appreciate.thought it was a interesting point
The ‘believe’ mosaic was actually used in moscow for the final first. Not barca last season. But have to agree i did feel a little bored of it this time round. 20,000 green and yellow scarfs wouldve been far more striking. Or even better the words ‘out now’.
Actually loftyhouse it was used in the semi against barca before Moscow. But don’t worry about it.
I also thinK there is a general thought that we had some kind of say in the mosaic. The club did it behind our backs to distract the green and gold. SEF knew nothing about it.
Loftyhouse – I saw the believe mosaic against Barca with my own eyes I’m afraid.
@wayne
absolutely mate.berba has the vision to unlock defences and spot runs made by rooney and valencia.the passes he made to valencia against west ham and on sunday were sublime.valencia gets the assist.rooney gets the goal.people forget berbas contribution which is equally important.
As for park he has this habit of timing his good form to the end of the season and we are currently seeing ht.
@Loftyhouse, it was actually first used when we played Barcelona in 2008 for the semi-final at OT…Scott wasn’t talking about last season’s final.
O’neil and the villa fans can protest all they like about the red card vidic could have had, but they couldn’t beat us with a man advantage a few weeks ago.
lol willie, its 11 v 11 unless the ref says so
theres a difference between getting an advantage and being at a disadvantage,and villa were definantly not at a disadvantage because of a refs decision
I’d like to see the rules change regarding the last defender and I’m sure they will sooner or later. I feel a penalty is harsh enough punishment.
Wouldn’t it be more sensible when the last defender fouls inside the box he gets a yellow card and the opposing team gets a penalty. But if the last defender fouls outside the box he gets a red card and the opposing team get a free kick….?
I still feel we need to have a harsh punishment for the last defender if he’s not inside the box. They would just intentionally foul as the last defender if they always knew they would just get a yellow and stop the attacker from getting in a goal scoring position.
Anyway, good victory and even though the Carling Cup is not a massive trophy it is admirable that in the last 4 years United have always won some silverware (of course I’m still hoping for the League and CL this season).
lol wayne not really, you lot are amusing, and i rarely see bitter disagreementshere where as in arsenal land if you disagree you get moderated, if you say i dont think wenger should be sacked you get moderated, its funny but now we have a chance of winning again its all changed but if we lose saturday it will change to sack wenger again, i refuse to get involved in the wengers a cunt business whether i think that or not, i prefer to banter with the enemy
gudjonson, the rules are the same for everyone, should it have been a redcard?? yes, but its the refs decision, the problem isnt with the decision he made, its the decsion he makes next time he is put in that situation, will it be red? if its my team and he pulls out a red for denying a goalscoring oportunity with a shirt tug il like an explanation
I wonder if anyone else witnessed the anti Glazer banners being forcibly removed by stewards at Wembley?
It’s something i’ve heard many friends who attended the game comment on, and also someone asked the same on here on another post.
Scott, any thoughts or insights on that?
I thought Mancs were hard, streetwise a little bit ooo a little bit aaaah. So if I come to manchester and pull someone down, who wants to stay up, by their shirt you’ll roll on your bellies and show me your underside like a scabby dog.
Get real people you cant pull a man over by his shirt, cant be done. Anyone who says it can be done eat a fucking sandwich.
Do you think Valencia will ever learn how to use his left foot…? Another thing…he has some serious power when he shoots, any time i see him shooting for goal its like a fuckin cannonball just got shot
@arsene wenger – I know how the rules are at the moment. I was describing how I would like to change them…perhaps it got a little bit lost in translation. I wasn’t really talking about the Vidic/Agbonlahor incident…but that incident probably did deserve a red card on Vidic, but for the sake of the game I’m glad the ref didn’t have the balls to do it. If this incident would have occurred like for instance in the beginning of second half, I’m sure Vidic would have been off.
We saw a similar incident with Carragher/Owen against Liverpool, but that wasn’t inside the box. Carragher got yellow, Vidic didn’t even get yellow for what he did. Graham Poll talks about the posture of the attacker and where he’s facing, towards the goal or not. But I’m sure I would be pissed if this had been the other way around and our attacker fouled by the last defender in the box.
I just think the rules and the refs need to be more resolute in these situations. That’s why I want to change the rules a bit so the ref doesn’t just decide on his own whether he should give a red card as well as the penalty.
i hear what your saying gudjohnson mate, i agree, the game really lacks consistency though because some refs referee differently. unless referees follow the rules exactly by the book there will never be anything but questions over decisions, be it the first minute or the last minute, between the linesman and the ref they knew the vidic incident was a red card but they chose to not give it, i think thats their choice but its wont be a decision consistent with the laws of the game, i do think they need to change certain rules or have someone else calling decisions especially last man decisions or handball decisions
aig – hello mate. “Ber-va-roo”. ha nice one.
great post Scott. I actually don’t particularly like Villa. They are a very over rated team who have done fuck all really to deserve the hype. Not keen on O’Neill and never have been. The fact that Stan Collymore is a big fan just adds to it for me. United were worthy winners.
Loftyhouse – The Barca “semi final ” in 2008 NOT last years final.
@Scott Very nice sum up
wonderfully jelous that you where there
“
on a personal note
@ catotraa
manutd4eve
fred
king eric
oneunited
Mame looks just like 50c
Gudjohnsen
Jandsdad
sppibsihmkcrkg and
DebRed
“
thank you all so much Ill never forget what you’s did or said
Gudjohnsen – Hello mate. The “last defender” is a myth anyway. It is a red card if the defender prevents a goalscoring opportunity or summat like that. Saw Paul Wagg on Channel M or some such shit last night on about it. I ain’t a ref!!
Gotta hate – Not at all mate , there was no need for that cunt’s remarks. Everyone on here like to see how your daughter is getting on. Fuck him mate.
Hey, I came up with Ber-Va-Roo!
Anyway, I heard that Evans pulled out of the Nor. Ireland squad. Hope it’s not anything serious.
ghtt
sorry to be nosy but what happened? sounds bad anyways…did anyone have a bit of 7/2 that wazza would score with his head on sunday?? i ballsed out of it, should never have doubted him
Good summary Scott, although, from my seat in the Sofa Stand, I was pretty ecstatic to win the Cup. I know it’s not the priority and yes, I agree with all you say about Villa, O’Neill and Dunne, but I really wanted us to win, preferably in a blaze of Green and Gold glory. You see I’m one of those slightly pathetic anoraky characters who want United to hold the record in every competition they enter, the most league titles, the most European Cups, the most FA Cups and – not forgetting – the most Lge Cups (oh and the most Club World Cups, or Intercontinental Ballistic Cup, or whatever it may be called from season to season). To show the scale of my personal problem it really annoys me when Fergie doesn’t bother too much with the Community Shield or the European Super Cup and lets useful trophy opportunities slip. How could he let Sven’s Lazio win in ’99, for instance?? I’m in the Giggsy camp on this, the more you win the more you want to win, the more you DO win. It’s a habit, an addiction I never want withdrawl symptoms from. So I was happy to mainline the Carling Cup on Sunday. It’s just that now I want more, and more…
costas
yea read that today, think its just precaution as its only a friendly, even though nigel worthigton wont be happy with the amount of our players pulling out this week
@Ulster Red
Probably, but it’s a meaningless friendly in the middle of a hectic period. All clubs could have done without it. I hope our lads return safe and sound on Thursday.
The good news is that Cory got called up in his place.
costas
this is a direct quote fromm BBC NI and i found it quite funny
agree totaly regarding the fixture period especially as NI arnt going to the world cup
“Northern Ireland’s training session in Tirana was delayed for over an hour on Monday by the lack of any footballs.
At one stage, the Northern Ireland players kept themselves busy by playing a game of tag.”
Oops.. I thought you were referring to the final last year. Iphone speed readings a hazard… Cheers
@costas
sorry mate.it was you who came up with ber-va-roo,not me.should have mentioned it.
@AIG
Lol, don’t worry. I was just messing. It’s the combination that will lead us to glory!
@ Wayne Said – due you quote that Berbatovs play is “too subtle for the average fan” – yes its soooo subtle it does not even register on the game most of this time.
Let’s get real – if Rooney got injured we would be up shit creek and all of you would be screaming for Berba to be sole. He was not bought as PASSER but a STRIKER – he scored 20 goals a season for Spurs, if he scored 5 goals a seans for Spurs do you really think we would have boughy him? There are better mid-field passers for 30mn.
Also he misses alot of scoring shots, never runs into the box, is slow as hellm whenever he dribbles into the corner he gets dispossessed or kicks the ball out – WASTE OF MONEY AS A STRIKER – anyone who thinks we could rely on Berba if Rooney gets injured is really pushing it out there. Subtle my ass – Berba being such a poor finisher adds serious pressure to the game and loads of weight to Rooney. That is the unsubtle reality.
The League Cup final victory has started one heck of a week. Lads it seems like we’re close:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23811340-how-super-rich-manchester-united-fans-could-power-a-pound-1billion-revolution.do
LUHG!
PS) Park was wicked Sunday weren’t he?
PPS) Valencia is class
ppps) Aint it great to have a goalscoring sub like Owen who wont moan about having to play the Solksjaer role…koff, koff…Tevez…koff!
PPPPS) Van Niselrooy #10 02/03=44 Goals Rooney #10 09/10=45 goals?
Onlu 507 millions of debt? Great!
United4eva , koff koff Tevez?
He’s a cunt I’ll admit. But he’s been lighting up the net too this season. He’s bagging a pile of goals. He is not a player that should be used as an impact sub.
No we are not close to be taken over by the Red Knights. As posted two above you, United is financially stronger than in 2008. That with a recession and all. I don’t know many companies that can increase revenues, reduce debt, and be in a healthier position after a recession year other than United.
*Only* Damn keyboard.
“After developing this protest in Old Trafford, we have taken it up and down the country, and now here we were inside the national stadium. I therefore found it bizarre that when the cameras of the world were on us ahead of kick off, the mosaic spelling ‘BELIEVE’ was created, all out of coloured plastic bags.”
A big congratulations must go to Tufty AKA Wakey for SEF’s cringeworthy “BELIEVE” mosaic making an unwelcome return. “Believe” FFS. “Believe” we can beat Aston fucking Villa…
Thankfully Tufty’s attempts to derail the anti-Glazer protests was ultimately unsuccessful, as the TV images of the team celebrating in front of a sea of green & gold have been beamed around the world and replayed again and again in the past few days. The Glazer gimps will also have got the message loud and clear from the relentless repertoire of anti-Glazer songs booming from the United end. Oddly enough, I don’t think I heard Tufty’s Mancini song at all. Strange that.
I saw perhaps the most awful article in quiet a while, for anyone to question paul scholes has a great p;ayer knows nothing of football, yea shepard you idiot enjoy your beloved overated gerrard and lampard and the rest of us can see what a truly great player is like scholes you tool.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/741321/EVEN-more-than-Glenn-Hoddle-Paul-Scholes-is-the-best-player-England-never-really-had.html
Fred – dont forget they are called parasites dont use their real name
The BELIEVE mosaic was designed by SEF and first used against Barcelona at home for the semi final. It was then used in Moscow, converting the letter “I” into a European Cup. That design was then used against Arsenal last season and BELIEVE was also used at last years Carling Cup final.
SEF did make some suggestions to UTD about other ideas, following on from our successul image of Busby and FOR SIR MATT in Rome.
Utd were keen to use the Believe idea again.
SEF are seeking ideas for future Mosaics, should Utd reach other finals or European Cup semi finals.
SEF have some plans in place for the Milan home game and will be encouraging supporters to bring along their own flags to that game.
More info on the SEF site (In the SEF members area) over the next few days.
PS – Fred, dont talk such rubbish. Check out some facts first.
anyone who is a member of the SEF forum could they Suggest the “GET STUCK IN LADS” banner with maybe a pic of Duncan Edwards at the end of it.
GHTT – sign up on the SEF site and suggest it on the flag forum.
Its a good idea.
it was good to watch evra pick up the trophy as a captain.sice his arrival he has been nothing but awesome both on and off the pitch,has a high club identification,always talks the right and positive stuff about the club,is a very popular guy amongst other players.i think with rio’s long term fitness battle he should be handed the captaincy permanently.how many fans think the same???
Costas – My apologies fella!
NBI – You sound like the fuckers on the Beeb mate. We would get by without Rooney as Berba and Owen would step up. Owen has scored 9 and has hardly played. Did you think we would be fucked without Ron and Tevez? I bet ya did. All this “we would be fucked without Wayne” shit is getting boring. We HAVE got Rooney and at the moment thats all that matters.
rtnk – hello mate. That NOTW article about the Ginger Prince is fucking farcical. Never bossed a game? That isn’t what Paul is about. What a clueless cunt. You only have to read the comments. Even West Ham fans are slating Shepperd and saying he is the best midfielder of a generation. Good to see Xyth make a comment!
i dont know abt the others but i think villa is a sensible team…plays with not too many best players..when i first started to watch epl i remember that time villa was in top position..
so i thnk villa desrves some of the credit thought we got the trophy……
Good read Scotty me lad….liked the line about ‘ If Carlsberg did football substitutions…….
GHTT…. can STILL remember my first time at OT…..
Bobby Charltons Testimonial…… and yes I am that fucking old…lol
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/741321/EVEN-more-than-Glenn-Hoddle-Paul-Scholes-is-the-best-player-England-never-really-had.html?postingId=746930
Wow…Doesnt know what the fuck he is taking about, Where do the papers find these fuckin journalists?
The Scholes article made me laugh.Who is that shep writer?.Never heard of him before.
Forget Scholes not even the great Zidane would have clicked in an overhyped midfield consisting of Fat Frank and Stevie me. Scholes hasnt dominated games?. Then why does he have so many winners medals and why dont stevie me and the rest even half 1/3rd of those many medals.In a team managed by SAF you dont get starts if you arent up to the task.Why did mclaren and even Capello want him to come out of retirement if he cant dominate a game?.The reason is because he is still a class act
Lampard and Gerrard are good players but sorry, cant mention them in the same breath as Scholes. Dosent beat up people in bars, is a perfect role model for the young lads.
for me ‘Paul Scholes is the best player England could never really take advantage of in the way United did’
eamon dunphy just said on live tv that he sounds like steven ireland and dunphy says “IM NOT BITTER” even old cranky irish panelists know city are bitter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84fyakE3k9g
The fucking thug and Fat Frank ain’t fit to lace Butty’s boots never mind Scholes’s.
aig – Great last line mate. It’s not one of Costas’s though is it? Only joking .
@aig
He writes for the notw, dont think any1 will take any notice of what he has to say.
King Eric – hey king how have you been, I was sickened by the article it was a disgrace its worser than anything bad said about united and their title chances in all the years especially the past phew. I rate paul scholes higher than wayne rooney roy keane eric cantona lionel messi iniesta xavi even ryan giggs at times. For anyone to say this about PAUL SCHOLES really ahs lost the entire plot.
This is why I will be cheering on spain brazil protugal argentina and germany because I cant stand who representes england in matches and the media in general, well except for our players.
Also here are some of the things he said which pissed me off royal about what this idiot said which I will pick apart.
(The reason? For all his great technical attributes Scholes, while running the occasional game, could never boss a team for club or country over a SEASON).
well am I in the looney bin but did I see paul scholes 06/07 season completly run the show or did that season even exist, he was the driven force behind that title winning season, and if it was not for scholes that year we would not have won the league that season. I call that season perhaps the greatest masterclass season from any player, better than rooney’s this season, ronaldo’s in 2008 messi’s in 2009, cantona’s in 93 94 and 96, ronaldinho’s in 2006. Scholes was simply a genius that season end of and roy keane david beckham has never had a season like that, no has gerrard or lampard FACT.
(He could never transport his ability out of the comfort zone of being a platinum-plated cog in the United machine).
is he completly nuts, paul scholes had so many great players played around him and in his prime the team has never had a team where it was built around him, he was never the main man but he still scored 15 to 20 goals a season did he think of that.
(Or, put another way, he was a flat-track bully who has picked up loads of medals. But how good would he have been playing for a lesser team)
oh yes yea like the goals he scored against inter liverpool arsenal and many more, like how he chipped a sensational pass over the milan defence in 2007 to rooney to get uniteds second. Lesser teams my god sheperd went full retard, a lesser side lets see ronaldo, messi, cantona, rooney, beckham oh yes he did how did golden balls do almost washed up, henry, to say how scholes would do in a lesser side is when he comes to a point where sheperd goes full retard. If scholes wanted to do a shearer he would have played for his home town club, but scholes like his off the field behavior has commen sence look at his medal collection.
(And how many games has Scholes pulled out of the fire over the last decade or so in the the manner of Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs or David Beckham? Not many).
now when he brings up david beckham and roy keane has better players than paul scholes in how they were more important than scholes then he has lost all credibility. Scholes was just has good as best charlton cantona and giggs. and scholes has scored just has many winners has some of those players barcelona comes to my mind.
(Yet I don’t put Scholes up there with the GREAT English players of his era. Scholes does not get close to my best United XI of Schmeichel, G. Neville, Ferdinand, Bruce, Irwin, Best, Keane, Charlton, Giggs, Cantona, Law)
now when he says scholes does not get anywhere near the united first 11 yet neville and keane does then he should be out of a job, scholes will get into my team some how and I would have robson ahead of roy keane. Keane would be further away from the first 11 than scholes who is well ahead or roy keane, so all the english players like beckham gerrard lampard ince shearer etc are better than paul scholes that is just complete football blaspheme.
(Instead of battling it out Scholes simply gave up and quit England six years ago).
yea it made sence we put englands most teqnically gifted player out of position on the left in scholes, and replace him and build the team around infurior players for talent ball control and football brain like lampard and gerrard. scholes has more of a football talent in his 1 little finger than Lampard and gerrard have in their whole body. And when scholes was in his prime for england he was sensational, but retarded managers loved infurior players like lampard and gerrard.
Also if I am a student of the game trying to get advice off players who have played the game who rate scholes like Socrates, the scholes fan club includes Zidane,Platini,Cruyff,Zico. Or do I take advice off some media hack like shepard I know who knows best, bot some idiot who says writes and eats crap.
this article in general is an insult on PPL’S football intelligence.
That was from AIG’s treasure chest.
Is there anything to say about this article? It’s quite simple really. No manager other than Sir Alex could utilise a talent like Paul Scholes to maximum effect. That’s where the secret lies.
Talking about Scholes not performing just as well for England. Who has? Lampard? Gerrard? Joe Cole? Even Michael Owen on his best days? No one did. Why is only Scholesy critisized for that?
@King Eric
Hi mate.Hope you are doing good
I was not fortunate enough to see Cantona, law,irwin and the other legends who came before 2000 but i have been extremely fortunate to see Scholes and Giggs even though i missed some of their best years. It has been a real joy to watch them and their unending appetite for success.We have said it many times before ‘Scholes, Giggs and nev are a dying breed’. Not many such players will come across in the future. As long as they continue to play we must savour every moment because when they retire we will really miss them big time
@willierednut
Hi mate. Thanks
Sometimes i wonder whether these writers really want to write such things or they are paid to write such meaningless trash
like I say rob shepard went full retard, this article should be said about gerrard and lampard because what have they done in an england shirt you idiot.When he rates david beckham and most england players of scholes generation higher than scholes it is football blaspheme.
He also used to be on the sunday supplement but he hasn’t been on that show for a long time and with articles like that its not surprising.
aig – Yeah I am fine mate, hope you are. They certainly will be missed but Fergie has the next lot in line. Fletch, Rooney , O’Shea, Gibbo, Evans etc. Like we said last night United will always have British players in their squads to carry on the traditions.
rtnk – Whooa chill man! Good post though. Hope you are ok.
King Eric – well the article pissed me off royaly its more offensive also.
best part of sunday was seeing berba doin all the things we all said he could never do!
@King Eric
I am good too.I think that is one of the reasons why SAF is signing more young players of late because he dosent want the new manager to struggle when he comes in and hopes that he likes of rafael, Fabio, Evans, Nani, Anderson, Diouf, Cleverley, Welbeck will become good enough by then so that the new manager dosent have to make major changes in the team.SAF always has one eye on the future hence we have managed to build so many competitive teams over the years
Off to sleep. Good Night everyone. See you tomorrow
King Eric
I could even read it all it was shit drippings on my laptop screen. But as I say I couldn’t be bothered reading the full thing any chance the columnists last 2 words were “0nly joking”
has for the villa game that gabriel abonglahor was so looking for that penalty and sending vidic off. he was going away from goal and did anyone else notice gabriel abonglahor stop when he got away from vidic he stopped he was so looking for vidic to be sent off. typicl of soccer special all they talked about was the sending off and has a phew moments where they said united were the best side pethetic.
i’ll tell you whats niggling at me folks, although you might not care. Fergie in the post match interview mentioned that he might be too old to do it again after next year. Now i know this has been long time coming but i’m still filled with dread at the thought of like after sir alex.
i’ll tell you whats niggling at me folks, although you might not care. Fergie in the post match interview mentioned that he might be too old to do it again after next year. Now i know this has been long time coming but i’m still filled with dread at the thought of like after sir alex. But then i always try to remember the old maxim of no one is bigger than the club. And i’m still filled wi dread
Night AIG
@sppibsihmkcrkg
I think that has been the plan for quite some time now. Fergie will bow out just before he turns 70. Everyone dreads life after he leaves. The only thing we can hope for, is that they will work towards finding the best replacement over the next 18 months.
completely of topic guys, but shouldn’t Tony Pilus and the whole Stoke city team be lined up, and shoot for crimes against football? …this has nothing to do with Ryan Shawcross/Ramsey tackle over the weekend…
As far as ‘not being put at a disadvantage by the ref’s decision’ is concerned the writer has clearly forgotten that due to the fact that neither a re nor even a yellow card was shown to Vidic he stayed on the pitch yet again when yellow carded early in the second half !!
Sorry I think we were very very lucky on Sunday and Phil Dowd botled it!!
Going back to the Topic. I was behind the goal and all the fans were singing throughout the game so i’m not sure if all Utd fans spirit wasn’t there. I fully enjoyed the day standing with Reds Fans who I don’t normally sit stand and sing with and a nice change to have stewards who let you get on with it not like the Dick heads at OT. Outside the ground as well fans were singing well the MET Police (IN THEIR WISDOM) held us up like cattle, I heard and joined in with lots of Utd Chants so I think the general majority did enjoy the Day. I was guilty of holding up my part of the ‘BELIEVE’ mosaic. Even though Utd fans had used the ‘BELIEVE’ Mosaic before, Stupid me thought it was Carlings advertising slogun and this being The Carling cup, well there you go. I neither thought it was tacky or should have been replaced by Green and Gold scarves. The Points for me were Manchester United Won another piece of silverwear and it meant something to the players.
got a bit of stick from the villa fans outside their pub across from the wembley car park…
The better team won
I thought all the lads played the Match to plan, as we all know and England will be aware tommorow nite, it’s a slow pitch.If anybody think’s Villa are not a Club team on the assent, are clearly not seeing progress there.I am not stupid,I always thought this was a tough nut to crack and therefore clearly chuffed as fuck we achieved the Aim, which was to lift the Cup.Saf did his majik mind games beforehand on the Referee it’s called forward planning and that’s why Nemanja was not sent off! Simple as. Milner crashed the ball past OUR clearly second choice keeper and imo getting better and more able each time he plays.
After that we were rattled and failed to find our composure but that should not be a surprise we, regrouped brilliantly I thought and started finding our Men apart from Micheal Carrick he really needs to start to get a pass forward on target and maybe a shot on target would be cool.
For a few Minutes we were under pressure Villa were too compact, typical Oneil the only real threat was on Rafael by Gabby and in all fairness he was isolated because of Heskey’s inept ability.
Step up one pure class proven striker and loving his time and our majic club, nobody but nobody can describe Micheal, and let’s not ignore Dimatar’s involvement in this , jammy yes a glance of Dunne’s leg but majestically swept away by a pure Onion bag lover for me I love him to bit’s and must anger Liverpuddle which carries many many smiles.When I saw him pull up I thought ohhhh no fuck me pink, not again( all is not as bad though).
I wont rewrite the Second half or the Arrival on field of our Saviour( apart and that’s another mute point our decimated defence) this season it’s been well documented elsewhere.Opps I forget the performance of 3lung’s Park and his contribution, just spectacular and of the post. Man does he have fuckin energy or what, am sure he must have been made in China/Korea.
Anyways the second Half was a done deal, postion stat’s and witnesses there tell you so, Villa had lost it and were going for Pen’s or extra time.
Antonio M8 you are turning my world right now, fucking pure style and now delivery , right on the Bonce of our mean killin Machine twice pure Class take a Bow Antonio.
For all this I think we are in a growing stage, but this was not a easy game, it’s brilliant Saf is bleeding youngsters like Rafael Gibbo Evan’s. Thats what our Club is about growth and you get a chance.
4in A row Believe On On On
@ GHTT
no bother, you will always get haters in life, i say fuck em.It seemed like the boy was just jealous that no one was giving him any attention
@ RTNK
I read that article, that guy is a ballbag, has he ever watched the ginger prince play or is he too busy rimming stevie gbh.
Nice article. Sums up everything nicely. I do feel Villa is a nice side and wanted them to win however, since they are playing against us, if we were to lose, it will spoil the season for us. If Villa were to play other sides like Chelsea or Pool, definitely i will want Villa to win. Lets look to this weekend to catch up with Chelsea. Things looking good again.
Any predictions for this weekend’s game against wolves? Hopefully some of the other squad members get to contribute – ie – gibson, diouf, etc.
wonder if robinho felt weird last night wearing a shirt that had stars that fucking meant something!
i’ve got a feeling wolves will field a full strength team this time round. Berba to score opener
I will make my predo once the internationals are out of the way. Hopefully they will all report back fit.
Hope everyone comes unscathed after these friendlies(Heard Evans pulled out of NI’s friendly due to a knock) but to be fair if we cant beat Wolves we dont deserve to win the title. Our Champions league opponents Milan have a tough game at Roma so we possibly have an advantage for the return leag 4 days later
yeah thats the hope costas. Just can’t put my finger on anyone i believe would be good enough to emulate sir alex. Look how long it took to replace sir matt.