Chris Smalling has made a great start to the season in an unfamiliar right back role, which has lead to his call up to the England squad. Having started both of England’s Euro 2012 qualifiers over the past week, it looks as though he may have made the position his own, nudging Micah Richards out of the first XI.
Having gone from strength to strength in his short time at United, Smalling claims he wants to spend the rest of his career at the club.
“I don’t look too far ahead but I hope I can really get an established career and hopefully stay here for the rest of my life,” he said. “I want to get more and more games as it goes on because I really feel part of this club. I’m really enjoying my football at the minute. The manager’s got full faith in me and I want to reward that in the years to come. It’s about kicking on when you get chances, like I managed to last year. I’m starting to feel like I really belong here and, the more games I get, the better player I’ll be.”
Man Utd News 24/7
Sign the contract dude, 20 more years!
Can see him and Jones becoming one the legendary defensive combinations SAF is so famous for.
*fzzt*
What a player he turned out to be and still improving……….Sir Alex does it again
He has superb temperament and nothing fazes him. That’s why, he has never failed to grab his opportunities. The competition between Chris and Rafa for that RB slot is going to be very interesting !
It’s gonna be hard work trying to keep Rafael out the team! It’s a nice problem to have though.
It’s extra special seeing the kids come through and develop in to proper football players.
The only problem is with all these kids coming through they will eventually play for Ingurlund and be at the mercy of the expectations of the media in this country. However they’ll probably wonder what all the fuss is about since Ingurlund are shite.
And too think he was getting slated when we first signed him and left him on loan at Fulham!! Like I said at the time he might not perform for them but when SAF gets him to OT and he is working with Vida and Rio he will come good!!
LOL looking back come good is maybe a slight understatement as to what he has already achieved!! Fantastic attitude and hunger to play and still a baby, what a future this lad has!! Legend in the making!!
“The manager’s got full faith in me and I want to reward that in the years to come.”
You do that son! Great kid, great attitude.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - –
Ms Smalling, a single mum, didn’t have a car and, although Millwall offered to help with the costs, she didn’t want her teenage son travelling on his own.
“We just couldn’t get up there,’ she said. ‘He would have been perfectly capable of going on his own, but I wouldn’t let him. I had to take him out. He didn’t play football for nearly a year. I was more upset than Chris, I think. He just carried on and worked his way up, playing for school and then Kent. He really put himself out there.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1246885/Chris-Smallings-giant-leap-A-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-journey-Maidstone-United-Manchester-United–Fulham–complete.html
‘And he had a wonderful Afro, didn’t he?’ interrupts Williams. ‘We used to call him Shaft, from the TV programme in the 1970s.’
My world, he has settled faster than ever Sir Alex’s vision on him..
this lad is going places and he is the future, calm, composed and goes about his business to perfection..
Smalling you beauty..
#########
Eric cantona’s fav moment..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_uzU85htH4&feature=related
I m Cantonnnnnnnnnnnna…class act
God will decide his future before eventually he signs for Real Madrid.
Seriously, top player. Not a right-back though.
Oh oh. I hope his ambitions won’t get out of control a year from now. We’ve seen it happen after comments like this.
@Alpha
That’s ok mate. Chris prefers playing centrally anyway.
Ex-Red Viv Anderson, who was Fergie’s first United signing in 1986:
“Going from Fulham to Manchester United so soon after being a non-League player is a big step, a lot of players say they want to play for United and would relish the challenge but when you actually get there Old Trafford can wreck players. I think one of the key moments came last year at West Ham in the Carling Cup. The Reds didn’t play well that night. They were hammered 4-0 and Chris didn’t have a good game. Things had been going well for him up to that moment but things like that can really damage you.”
“That kind of experience can see some players fold and you’ll never see them again. He got flak for his role at Upton Park but he took it on the chin and proved it wasn’t going to affect him. He rose to the challenge and got better. That takes real character.”
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1458111_manchester-united-starlet-chris-smalling-gets-seal-of-approval
Scorp – smalling will end up a centre back, you can see that by his style of play, yes he is versatile but the man knows his main strength is centre back, i think rafael (if he can a lot more stronger and quit these strange injuries then he’ll nail down that position.
As for smalling, he has improved significantly since joining united, his potential is immense and has all the attributes to be world class at centre half while possibly doing an effective job at right back.
he and jones will be partners while evans will give them a fight, its all good.g united, his potential is immense and has all the attributes to be world class at centre half while possibly doing an effective job at right back.
he and jones will be partners while evans will give them a fight, its all good.
Saying he wants to stay for life is a risky ploy because the future is unknown but if he keeps improving and doesn’t change attitude in future then he undoubtedly can have a long career at united.
Not only can he play a good game, he can talk the talk as well!
I bet even Evra doesn’t get a word in!
Samuel – united WE stand
As Smalling has made it this far despite being rejected and ignored by all the scouts and coaches is a testament to his determination and resilience. He won’t fall away, he’s going to be a top player for as long as he is fit. Even a bad patch will not stop him. He’s here to stay!
I am hoping one game this season (even if it is just Carling Cup) we get to see the following Lineup:
De Gea
Rafael Jones Smalling Fabio
Nani Cleverly Anderson Young
Rooney Welbeck
The best thing is the fact that we have already seen the majority of them play the first Prem games. That is a team that could grow together for the next 7-12 years. It is frightening, really.
U’ R more than welcome anytime Chris and by the way, I’ m very sorry for doubting your ability when you first signed for us !!
Jesus Christ. Sir Alex ALWAYS make me eat my words !!
Mind you, I’m very,very, very HAPPY that I was prooved wrong.
ONE LIFE,ONE LOVE= MANCHESTER UNITED !!!!
‘The ex-United man is believed to have signed a deal worth around £20,000 a week, with bonus payments for every game played.’
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/07/2654725/owen-hargreaves-a-risk-well-worth-taking-manchester-city
Who said Hargreaves went to City for the money?
I don’t think anyone said it was for the money did they? The way i see it, if that’s the only decent offer he had then we can’t really blame him. But as for Shitty, well class is just something that happens to other people for them.
Thx Smart Alex for that link, I can always identify with stories like these back here in Jamaica. Really happy for the guy, he’s humble, graceful and classy. No disrespect to anyone, but u usually see this type of class portrayed with people who didn’t have anything and worked their way to the top, they are usually well mannered….take Hernandez for example.
God I love this kid. So bright and articulate as well. A lovely lad and top player.
Great player Now and in the Future at Centre back.By the way Rafael is not injury prone but he is brave and doesn’t step aside from the tackle when big brutes like Drogba are in full flow and more power to him.
Jamaican Red Devil
Smalling is ‘humble, graceful and classy’ and I totally get the connection to Hernandez.
Rio Ferdinand 2.0
Some interesting points to note from the early season:
* We currently have three defenders whose best positions is in the centre of defense. But all of them are equally adept at playing their respective fullback positions almost as good as regular wide men. They all have similar styles when playing with the ball at their feet and have great positioning and awareness. In fact, I think beyond physically different playstyles, technically all of them are the same. Which begs the question who will make way for the eventual centreback pairing?
Jones/Smalling looks the obvious bet because it is an enticing partnership when you look at them as regular England starters as well. However, Jones/Evans has been working wonders in the absence of Rio/Vidic. By the same account, we can confirm that Smalling/Evans will be equally fruitful if needed to be played.
Obviously, if we can get the twins injury free and fully fit, then the future has them nailed them for the fullback positions. But it will be interesting to see how the centreback conundrum unfolds. Since it is one of those positions that requires understanding with each other and with the goalkeeper as well. We have been lucky in this regard with Pallister/Bruce/Schmeichel, Stam/Johnsen (others)/Schmiechel and Rio/Vidic/Van Der Sar. In an ideal world, we will see two of them becoming the ideal partnership with one going the way of John O’Shea. It will be interesting to see who ends up where.
As for Smalling, I absolutely love the lad. You can see each time he talks that he has an absolutely level head on his shoulders. He seems like an absolutely well-educated bloke, is really articulate in his usage of words as King Eric already said and rarely speaks something wrong about anyone. In fact, if we did not already have Jones/Rooney and a bazillion other leaders, Smalling is also one of those potential future captains. How lucky are we?
Another interesting thought that passes my head each time someone pledges their life to us is this. Now, not even for one second do I actually doubt their honest when they say those words. Whatever their reasons maybe, when they speak those words, they are speaking from their heart. But what happens in the future is anyone’s guess. My worry is how many will remain if, and when, Sir Alex calls it quits. It is something that has me worried at nights. Of course, it all depends on the future manager as well. However, players came here for United and Sir Alex as well. It has become a point where both – Sir Alex and Manchester United – are almost one and the same. That will be the greatest challenge for Sir Alex’s successor in my opinion.
Said it before, will say it again, Smalling is a smart guy. Remember these days well, because he’s got such a future ahead of him. This United squad is on the cusp of a new golden generation, and unlike England, our golden generations pay out.
It will be intresting to see the Utd line up for carling cup games. Dont think we will see Rooney, Young and even Ando in it more of Pogba, Morrison & crew.
De Gea
Rafael Smalling Jones Fabio
Valencia Cleverely Pogba Morrison
Macheda Mame Diouf
Not a United youth product but spent so few games with Fulham you have to consider him as a discovery.
OFF TOPIC: Fantastic write up on United Financials. Bit dry, but lays it all out.
http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2011/09/manchester-united-introducing-brand.html
Hope the Glazers pay off the debt so that United can start putting money currently paid out to debt service to better use.
It looks to me that jones and smalling will be the main starters, and Evans will play a Wes Brown-ish sort of role. Superb quality all round.
Smartalex – and thats what separates those that make huge impacts at the highest level and the nearly men is the added determination and level headedness, i agree that smalling has that in abundance and he can stay at united for a very long time.
Chris Smalling needs to bring back the Afro, or better yet An Half-ro.
He did fantastically for United at RB, for England, great but limited due to the disabled traffic cones next to him in Lumpard & Garry Barry, Downing neglected Chris all night.
De Gea Smalling & Jones,Fabio,Evans,Rafael have around 10-15 years in them to contribute to United. Hopefully they keep on the straight & Narrow personally and career wise to improve and become great players for United. Mistakes will happen over the next decade but the biggest enjoyment in football is seeing lads like former young kids like Scholes & Giggs go on to break records and still dismantle teams at 35+ years. Their contributions to the United History is unrivalled and hopefully the young lads of today includinf Welbeck,Clevs etc can make their own history and record at United like many before them.
Smalling’s mum supports Arsenal and Chris used to when he was a kid.
I wonder what did his mom said after Chris help United trashing her fave team…
Yuck Imagine England Under Arry….It will be a laugh and the performances will be all poops and giggles.
Just Imagine the Starting XI for all the WC qualifiers:
Hart
Walker, Terry, Dawson, Cole
Walcott Gerrard Huddlestone (Nephew) Frank Lumps
Rooney, Crouch
He’ll probably even name Bale & Modric on the bench based on sentiment and not passport colour.
@Papi – No place for Ledley King?
Incidentally, Wales had Ledley + King in their squad last night. Spooky coincidence….
The thing with Christopher Lloyd Smalling (which i believe is his full name), is that there is no way you can tell he’s that young when you watch him play. He reads the game suprinsingly well to be only 20 (going on 21?) and always stands up to the challenge. Remember seeing him against City at OT last season (I fucking where there!!), and he was my personal MOTM. Bossed Tevez around as if was nothing. Yes, Tevez is a fucking idiot and a shit head, but he was also one of the lead scorers that season. But not in that game.
Wonderfull! His story can be compared to Bebe’s, playing non-league football and a year later shining bright at Old Trafford (although Bebe still has to come on good, like Chris have done.)
As many other said before me, he’s just another one of those signings that shows us why we should always, and I mean always, trust SAF. Not blindly, but because he shows that 99% of the time, he is fucking spot on.
Cyril,
Ledley King broke on the way to wembley
He just smashed into a million pieces.
…
@ Chaka
Don’t think you’re going to have to wait to see that line up in a carling cup game mate. Rafa and Welbeck recover, Patrice picks up a knock and that there is my starting XI as stands. Johnny Evans just doesn’t do much for me as a LB, good cover but would prefer to see Fabio in that role. Smalling and Jones get my nod as the CB pairing and the front 6 you mentioned started our 1st two PL games. C’mon you Danny Welbeck, get healthy mate, you were in shit hot form and it was an absolute joy to watch the home grown talent flourishing.
Love Smalling, proper lad, proper footballer. Seems he’s got his head on right and regardless of rubbish that gets published by the media, could care less if the lad likes to have drink or two and enjoy himself. Some of our very own legends liked to enjoy their time away from the pitch. Finding the balance is the key and he, like all of our budding youngsters, has got SAF to keep him in check.
Let’s get back to football shall we? Watching 180 minutes of Fabio Capello’s England is like watching an Italian side that just needs a draw. Horrid, horrid football to watch. Anyone notice Wales put Bale out on the right flank all night? Rumor has it, Gary Speed was feverishly searching high and low all over Wembley yesterday for his prized elf, only to find him still peacefully resting in the comfort of Smalling’s back pocket.
This isn’t football related, but an airplane with a whole icehockey team came down.
almost nobody survived.
so fucking gutted. reminds me of our own history.
Yeah just heard about that in Russia.
So Sad…. Only one person survived.
catotraa – Yes I too was at that game and in my opinion was Chris’s best performance in a United shirt. He was outstanding all game. Love it when he makes his forays forward with his long strides.
T4M – What is this shit? Fuck all to say just 3 dots?
Top lad.
Which team lost its players to this tragic accident? Does anyone know?
The team is Lokomotive Jaroslawl.
Big Chris is awesome a 10 million pound steal.
Balaji Sivaraman 14:04 just one of your many great post’s.
The kissing of the badge, pledging future, great thoughts. Big business now? Left in the JOS role is the question, CB positions tend not to rotate them like the other positions.
Fletch thanks great update on the bottom line! FFP looking good for Man Utd. Record breaking rev.!!!!
DHL $ next year and more to come.
the … thing might be just to be an ass? Or to refresh the screen to read new post. If you keep hitting refresh it just does not always work. I think part of both. A refreshing ass.
The modern footballer is a Inc. of self. In the US in the 50′s and 60′s the guys who played pro sports sold cars in the off season to make more money. Now they are a franchise. I see it written here as is was debated 25 years ago here in the US. What is the difference between 110 k a week and 150 k a week in the long run it is so much $? My simple response is $40K a week times 50 weeks times the length of the contract.
Really Aweful news about Lokomotive Jaroslawl.
I read several articles, kinda shocked everytime by disasters like this that take the lives of many people.
I hope they do what United did & make the spirits of their departed proud. Sad News.
52 weeks hehe. oopps
Lokomotive Jaroslawl. just googled it how sad.
Hey Papii.
Back to Smalling don’t use this to gut him if he is the JOS of the mix and wants to move on 5 years from now is all I’m trying to say, so I said it. BBL lunch with Mom. Call your moms if living and let them know of your love for them.
Chris Smalling is pure fucking class.
End of.
Actually, just the beginning, so, start of- something beautiful.
Also, isn’t it nice to see a footballer articulate himself properly in an interview for a change- no it doesn’t matter on the pitch but it does matter to the kids across parks every Saturday and Sunday morning that their role model isn’t a chav’d up mercenary for a change.
I fucking love you Chris Smalling- especially your strange camp as Christmas T-Rex left arm when you run. Brilliant. Bring yo’ fro back anytime you like.
Now allwe need is a song- when my girlfriend and I watched Digweed @ Space in Ibiza this summer there was a proper dirty bass heavy tune that stopped every thirty seconds or so and I could’ve sworn (though maybe the disco biscuits helped a bit) that this bloke doing the vocal was saying “Chrisssss Smaaaallllll-llllliiinnngggg-ah!”
Either way, that’s what you’ll hear from my gorgeous missus at our local in Brixton every time he touches the ball.
Go on Chris lad!
Chrisssss Smalllllll-lllliiinnnggggg-AH!
Jello there, Xibbie
Welbeck,Smalling, Jones, Clevs, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Bertrand,Mc’echron Henderson look like grounded good kids with the right mentality.
Dicks like Drunk Carrol, Big mouth – Wilshere, the arsenal clothes model & backstreet boy – Aaaron Ramsey, “Im an Emo” Bale, “Im a star” Daniel Sturridge & “Im injury prone but im the next A.Cole” Kieron Gibbs piss me off.
What happened to proving yourself the quiet, performance based way. Now the majority claim to be the greatest of all time in order to persuade their coach their good enough, which is a pathetic attitude.
Fletch – A bit dry? Ghandi’s flip flop had more perspiration! lol. Good article mate and shows we’re in a stronger position financially than people might have thought.
The good thing about players like Smalling and Jones is they’re unlikely to have their heads turned as easily as some of the younger kids brought in from overseas.
Thoughts with the team from Russia.
A bit of talk here about the possible team for the carling cup this season, historicaly SAF has used the carling cup as an opertunity to break in young players whilst also giving squad players some gametime. This season is going to be a bit different i think because of the fact that many players whom one might have thought would be squad players are in the first team and other established players need some game time.
my carling cup team preseason would have been something like this
de gea
raphael smalling jones fabio
cleverly pogba morrison anderson
machaeda wellback
but with so many of those players getting first team football and other established stars needing some gametime i would not be surprised to see something like this
lindagaard
smalling ferdinand evans fabio
park carrick fletcher giggs
berbatov owen
most of these players have not played too much this season so far and the way the young guns are playing it might be a while before they get their chance.
Will SAF stick to his principals and blood newbies like morrison into first team football or will he give players like owen a game? It will be interesting to find out.
What a team, competition at every spot.
Youth, talent and mindset of a United player has so many excited. I missed the class of 92′s emergence. I am here for these young ones coming through. With so much more in the pipeline on young talent. If SAF should step aside in 3-5 years the new gaffer only needs to have 2 or so come in to stamp his image on a glorious club. And keep this great club going. As so many here have informed me of this Clubs past. Sir Matt. I know even as I type this it is a trip. Man Utd bigger then anyone man even SAF. That said I bow to his greatness and wish he last for years to come. And will develop hemeroidal flair ups when it happens.
Christiano Smallinho
Him and Jones have us sorted at the back for the next ten years, minimum. Jonny Evans as well, if he can get over his poor form last year then there is another outstanding young player. The twins causing havoc up and down the wings at full-back. Can’t wait to see this team develop over the next few years. I don’t want to lose Vida or Rio at all, but I’m not concerned about their replacements at all. Top players who want to play here.
I know he Jones and Evans are “un” CB’S. As others here as well as myself over the time I have been here, they all can play multiple positions. A team totality of total football. Rooney covering on defense for a FB, Jones rampaging forward tilting the field. Wellbeck dropping in MF ect. ect.
A winning mentality, a Man Utd mindset. Preparing yourself for success.
Rooney helping the young ones.
SAF can produce a middle class work ethic in million pound players.
TITO, 8.5 out of 10 on Christiano Smallinho. Nice.
This is the One – Jonny Evans is over his poor form. This isnt a go at you mate but I am fucking sick of the stick this kid gets. He is United through and through and was marshalling Sunderlands back 4 at 19. He had Drogba and top strikers in Europe in places like the san siro in his arse pocket at 20 and 21 years old. He had a blip. He will be a United great. People say he needs to bulk up. Bollocks he does is a big lad. Hence Rio’s name on the tour for him was “big Jonny”. Some cunt called the Paddy show 2 nights ago and was positively seething that Fergie had the temerity to give Jonny the number 6 shirt as he was in no way a United player. Some of our “fans” are plain fucking idiotic. Opinions are like arse holes but some of them are just a piss take. Evans is top drawer.
This is the One – By the way loved your name for Chris Smalling.
@ Kind eric..
Hello mate,
i agree to each fucking word u said about Evans..
everyone has blips, it is more so damaging to confidence, if it happens when you are young..
i can see that bias thing towards this lad..
fucking, rooney went for almost 9 months spell of goal drought in open play, but the criticism what Evans gets is way more than Roo..
call it a defenders bad luck or fate, they are always more criticized…
Its so strange that such statements from united players have become par for the course… Every player that joins wants to stay here.. forever.. I dont know what it is that captures their attention… but in a quick span, players become loyal and committed to united.. and barring a few exceptions, they all keep to their words.. its just strangely wonderful…
earth quake here in delhi…….. hope everyone is fine……….
btw wont trade smalling for any other under-25 defender
how about
Christenja smallville
odd one but 
some stats if you guys like, others please ignore..
20. Stoke City: 28.42
19. Fulham: 28.04
18. QPR: 27.85
17. CHELSEA: 27.58
16. Bolton: 26.89
15. West Brom: 26.84
14. Tottenham: 26.81
13. Aston Villa: 26.54
12. Wigan: 26.50
11. Everton: 26.41
10. Blackburn: 25.79
9. Wolves: 25.76
8. Swansea: 25.75
7. MANCHESTER CITY: 25.73
6. Newcastle: 25.54
5. Sunderland: 25.50
4. LIVERPOOL: 25.42
3. ARSENAL: 25.33
2. MANCHESTER UNITED: 25.31
1. Norwich City: 25.08
HERE”S JONNY!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m bias I’m 1/2 Irish American. As my love of Keane came before my love of Man Utd. When my cable company got Fox Soccer and the PL wow there he was Captain of Man Utd and bossing the game the same way he did with the Rep. of Ireland! And then a man as much or more man then him. SAF on the side line, I was hooked for life.
GO EVANS, he was leading and making defensive calls. And looking good doing IT!
King Eric – Hello mate. Top post. What the fuck is this slating of our players all about? I thought United fans were better than that. There are lesser clubs with fans who know their players would never reach the heights of our lads, but they still back them to the hilt and would never say a bad word against them. Here we are with players who were part of a historical season last season and yet some of them are still getting slaughtered. I was at the Charity Shield and the abuse Carrick was getting was fucking awful, even when he wasn’t on the pitch he was still getting slaughtered from a couple of lads sitting behind me. They were soon put in their place. Fucking ignorant ungrateful cunts. Whoever plays for United will always get my full support.
sorry forgot to write,
that is the average of current EPL teams..
not surprised to see us at the bottom…though surprised to see the last bottom..
off topic: anyone hear of the tragic news concering locomotive jaroslawl, russian ice hockey team? apparently their whole squad perished in an air crash today. horrendous! busby babes all over. RIP!!
@ Kings… hey mate..
” Whoever plays for United will always get my full support.”
top one liner of the day
Kings – Hello mate. Cheers pal. Top post but cant comment as just leaving work.
sandeep – Cheers mate. Hope you are well.
in the other news..
we Indians are hit by terrorist bomb blasts outside delhi High Court…
and one more sad story like Munich crash
At least forty three (43) people were killed in Russia after a plane carrying one of the country’s top ice hockey teams crashed just after take-off.
MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE
King Eric,
i m well mate, hope the same with you.
safe journey back home..Good night
Wow the Carrick slamming is beyond me. I write it off as those people who slam a player on a team they say they back . Would be pissed off to win the Lotto and have to pay taxes.
Carrick, Gibbo, Nani, Evans, Berba, Rooney all subject to attack by people. Just beyond me, why slam a guy for starting ahead of your favorite player? You can not win all 38 games 4-0.
Believe is a belief.
rest in peace.
Have a blessed day all and 1878
sandeep1878 – Hello mate. Thanks. Hope you are well my friend.
King Eric – Cheers pal.
If I was Carrick maybe I would not have taken the #16.
thanks busbyway..
look into this video interview of YOUNG..you will enjoy it..
sorry if posted earlier..
http://thebusbyway.com/2011/09/07/video-rio-ferdinands-5-mag-interviews-ashley-young/
@ Kings, i m well mate, thanks, just waiting for our game!!!!
What are those stats Sandeep
Wayne..
that stat is the average age of PL clubs this season.. club by club breakdown
1878 nice interview,
Zibbie..
blessed day to you as well mate,
good night pal and good night ROM
OK mate thanks,Rent boys old and slow gotta love it,take
Giggs out of Utd the age would be well down
Cheers Wayne
Good night
top player has been fantastic since day 1 for us has looked excellent at full back as well this season
I just heard Steve Young ( Hall of fame QB) use a term for an American football team in the locker room. A self policing locker room. Cool term, Man Utd has a self policing looker room as well, Vida, Rio, Evra, Giggs, Rooney, Fletcher ect.
King Eric
I wasn’t having a go at Evans at all. I think he’s fantastic. Just that last season some of his performances were really below what we know he’s capable of. This season he’s started fantastic, his only ‘mistake’ has been breathing on Walcott and conceding that nonsense penalty. He’s great on the ball. That run he went on in the Community Shield, running with pace at full control, very Rio like.
Sorry if this is a repost, but the boss has some interesting views on Mr Rafulation and on “the special one”
RE:BENITEZ. Sir Alex “He is jobless and he is not my friend.” Ha ha ha
Ya, that’s about right!
http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/269708/Alex-Ferguson-blast-for-Benitez?
And when you look back on it with G. Nev, Scholes and VDS influence on ‘
Rooney since he was 18. 7 years
Nani and Anderson, 5 years
Fletcher his whole career
Evans same
TC same
Tony V 2 years
Park, 5 years
ect.
ect.
Giggs at least one more year to steer these lads the correct way.
@Fletch LOL!!!!!!!!!
He and JM are drinking buddies.
Fletch, your name sake has played 2 games for Country, way cool. What an addition to a club, and I like the beard.
Fletchernator, Anderson and TC for some games wow with the Tony V., Nani and Young flying down the wings and Park for big games? They are all big games!!!!!!!!
What team last one the CL with a 4-4-2?
Zibbie – I do think young has replaced park has the big game player if all of nani young valencia and park are all fit. Has I do still think valencia and young are united’s first choice wide boys when everyone is fit and on form
Utds defensive squad is fucking scary Sir Alex main problem will be selection
@Zibbie. Cheers mate. Just keep Fletcherinho away from the penalty spot! Sending him for pens would be considered aiding and abetting the enemy at UNITED!
anyone else see the sky special report thing with ronaldo. what a player. unbelievable.
LOL Fletch!
Selection headache is what SAF hopes for. I have seen Anderson’s best play before this year almost always coincided with Fletch being on the field as well
@FITB great breakdown and thanks for your insight. Tony V. and Fletch returning how cool is that!
Young is picking himself with his play, pushing Nani to play defense to get his games!!!
TITO no we do not have Sky in Dubuque Iowa. What a talent he is and thanks for his memories.
SAF wants to play a version of a 4-4-2 with pressing the ball in the top 3rd! You must play defense 1st then run with the Dobermans going forward!
I think all the players will get their share of games this season and especially Park…. In my opinion he is the most tactically aware player in the squad and always seems do execute whatever he is asked for to perfection. Just ask Pirlo
Hey Cedars! What tactical options for SAF, Park just signed a new deal and has played great when given a chance! Park can Go. Park is never parked on the pitch constant movement in a positive way.
Hey Zibbie
We are blessed with so many talented and skillful players at United and Park is certainly no exception. Its not just his ability to play in different positions or his fantastic work rate but also his usually unnoticed work at nullifying the threat from the opposition……. That is one of his stand out attributes for me
Denis Law exclusive interview – part 1 – Fergie is the same as Busby and United will have hard time when he quits:
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-United-Denis-Law-Alex-Ferguson-Matt-Busby-article795941.html
Denis Law exclusive interview – part 2 – Rooney is the best goalscorer I’ve seen since Greaves:
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-United-Denis-Law-Wayne-Rooney-best-goalscore-since-Jimmy-Greaves-article795942.html
Denis Law exclusive interview – part 3 – This is the first real Manchester rivalry since the ’60s:
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-United-Manchester-City-Denis-Law-interview-first-real-rivalry-since-60s-article795940.html
I mentioned on a thread a few days ago the players are so interchangeable its hard to determine the 1st team
Rooney and Vidic are the only guaranteed spots imo and everyone will get plenty of games
Agree on Park playing a lot of games. I don’t think many would pick him in their ideal starting line-up, but he is incredible. How long was he on the pitch before his annual Arsenal goal? five minutes? Superb positional sense and awareness. Either wing, defensive midfielder, playmaker, he’s just a great player to have. After the group stages in Europe he is first choice, with Fletch probably. Big game player. And some say he’s only here to sell shirts in Asia…
Anyone know when Rios contract is up,high percentage this will be his final season at Utd
This year there is an African Cup? This will effect Shity and the Rentboyzs.
10/10 Posts by King Eric on Big Jonny Evans and Zibbie ! Keep it pal, your posts are getting daily.
Possibly Rio and Evans set to battle with Kevin Davies Ooooh Juicy Affair
Bolton’s new signing David Eggnog could be a handful on his debut.
Difficult game this one.
My Team to start:
De Gea
Smalling Rio Evans Evra
Nani(park/giggs) Anderson (Clevs) Fletcher(Carrick) Young
Rooney Chico-Chico
Subs in brackets. Can’t wait
*better daily
Clint I’m not convinced Rio is guaranteed to get his place back
“Only God knows” & Mostly SAF.
This is the one. Oh I know you weren’t having a pop at Jonny. I said in my post I didn’t mean you pal.
I’m probably wrong,Rio not retiring from England when he’s so injury prone bugs me,imo he puts England before Utd and he’s always had a lot of outside interests.Think Sir Alex will phase him out,Jones and Smalling are too good
I know that he’s TheHatedOne but I’m kinda surprised that SAF’s very, very positive comments on Maureen haven’t been mentioned. Just saying, like……
Sorry, I should have added this link to my earlier comment:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/alex-ferguson-defends-touchline-antics-of-jose-mourinho-2350605.html
Rio’s performances have never dipped in his last 5 years with us, so I don’t see why he won’t play on another 2-3 years for us.
He’s no Ledley King – He ain’t injured 8 months of 9 month season.
He’s no Nesta – To lose complete strength and speed.
He has been unbreakable for us in all of his games. Rio is one of the best centre back in the world currently. He makes Vida better in his presence and is a leader.
In Ranking the best now are;
1-Vida
Puyol
Rio, Lucio, Pique
Thiago Silva, Carvalho, Kompany
I agree that Rio is not at all guaranteed to get his place back. However, I also believe that he still has far too much to offer United to be sidelined by the youngsters for long. He will still play a big part for a couple of years yet.
Some fans consider Young to now be ‘first choice’ for United. I don’t think it works that way. He is certainly unlikely to be dropped at this very early stage as he is playing very well, but he is just one more member of our excellent squad. There will be games, and runs of games, for all our top players.
Re: Johny Evans…
I dont think he has been given enough credit for his performances in the first few games.
In contrast, Phil Jones has been greatly lauded for his displays. In my opinion Evans’ presence and reading of the game played a big part in helping Jones fit into this side.
Phil Jones is a lot like Vidic. He is very aggressive, tries to get in front of his forwards and defend before they get a touch. He basically charges around a lot. However, he doesnt have Vidic’s experience to tell him when to do it and when not to.
This has created a few holes in our back line quite a few times… And Johny Evans has read the situation each and every time.
The guy has trememdous vision, and can read the game really well. Also some of Evans passing is top class. ( Check out his ball to Evra that got Jenkinson and Walcott arguing just before the 1st goal against Arsenal).
What he has to improve is aerial presence. I find Johny Evans inadequate in the air. I think this of Ferdinand too, sometimes. Maybe Im benchmarking everyone to Vidic and no one measures up..
Also Johny Evans has to cut out stupid fouls he makes when too close to attackers. This leads to penalties and dangerous freekicks.
Clint-iamyourpapii – a fresh and fit cleverly I cannot seen being a sub, especially fletcher has just had a big game for scotland, and cleverly’s hold and passing of the ball has given anderson the freedom to drive forward without having to do so much of the passing and creativity. I could see fletcher starting with tom and anderson, has hernandez and berbatov have not hit the ground running yet
Not a chance Rio will lose his place. His experience, organisational skills and influence are far too important to waste on the bench, especially in big games. Yeah he’ll make way in due course but he still has a lot to offer. Fergie learned his lesson with Jaap Stam.
Smalling and Jones are very good but they’re not at Rio and Vida’s level yet. They’ll get there but it won’t happen in one season.
Clint not disputing his ability but he’s only played 31 league games in 2 seasons.That is moving towards Ledley King territory no way he’ll still be at the club in 3 yrs
I see you point FITB
But Chico is yet to even hit the ground, he’s barely played , I just reckon SAF would like to bring Fletch back into the routine of playing week in week out as it will do wonders for his fitness. I see us going with a 4-4-2.
Think you lads are missing my point Rio cannot be relied on his body is breaking down,that will effect his place and future.Hasn’t got more than one season left unless he’s prepared to take a secondary role
Clint-iamyourpapii – that is true, but I do not see the boss risking fletcher in an away game like bolton, at OT yes that is the time to start fletcher but not an away game. He would want his form players all playing especially after ripping arsenal apart. I either seeing hernandez or berbatov starting, or fletcher playing in a 3 man midfield. But breaking up the anderson cleverly partnership for fletcher who has played hardly any football for nearly a year could be a blunder by the boss
I’d agree that Rio needs to be managed carefully, as we have done with Giggsy, Scholes, Neville, and even as Spurs have done with King. No consecutive weekend/midweek games.
It’s certainly about time Rio jacked in the England gig, but he’s probably got his eye on a place at the Euro finals.
Poor bitters run out of money:
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-City-transfers-signed-Owen-Hargreaves-because-ran-out-of-money-article795926.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Platt’s final line is easily the stupidest one I’ve heard of in 2011.
@Cyril of course he does and there lies the problem,he’s risking his Utd career to continue playing for England. When he’s ave less than 1/2 the league games a year and won’t quit England,just don’t see Sir Alex being too impressed
@ Costas – That’s brilliant!
“If we are talking about Owen Hargreaves as was, he is one of the best midfield players in the world.”
Ha ha ha ha, good one Platty. By the same logic Pele ‘as he was’ was one of the best players ever so why not sign him up too?
Costas- LOL technically the money should have dried up last year LOL. AWWW poor mancini spend 77M this year and moan when there was no more money, maybe if shitty started getting real negotiating PPL who can get the club ways of making sure wage demands are not handed out like confetti. which is one reason why united are brilliantly run, the club will give u a great wage but not overpaying because the clubs attraction is nothing to write home about
I am sorry but i might have a different opinion on the centre back pairing issue. Right now i think we should go for Jones and Rio and then when vida returns we will go with vida and JONES. like someone above said rio is getting old and we all know that his body does not hold up for too long. so i think he would be best coming off the bench and playing in just certain big games like Giggsy does nowadays. Phil Jones was a 19 yr old bought for nearly 20 million. we have gotta start using him right now. Rio’s time is not yet up but i don’t think that trying to get a spot in England is helping either. he should quit england all together and just concentrate on getting games for United.
That City link won’t load on my blackberry
dannysoya – I would love to see rio back, but only if he is fit to play, if not the boss will continue with the young 3 amigo’s at the back
wayne – Here’s this morning’s link to the Platt interview.
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1458096_owen-hargreaves-a-calculated-risk-for-manchester-city
@Smartalex thanks mate
@Cyril
Or Rivaldo for that matter. He’s still an active player. I’ve said this before, but what the hell is everyone drinking up there? Some pretty strong shit.
@FITB
Well I never thought I’d see the day when they’d reach a wage glass ceiling. Mind you, this could be a pathetic attempt by them to deny that they just signed Hargreaves to wind us up. They are that stupid.
@ Wayne – it’s the temptation of ‘one more try’ with England. It might be a different story if it was two years away. Anyway, by that time the younger lads will be more experienced and prepared to step in, but at the moment it’s just too soon for them to take over permanently. We’re going to face far sterner opposition than that weakened Arsenal team and we still conceded two goals.
A lot of the time it’s easy for us to look back at Becks, Scholesy and Giggsy etc and say ‘we won with kids’ but those guys were playing together since they were 13 years old. It’s not the same for Smalling and Jones who have only just linked up. Clevs and Wellbeck on the other hand…
@ Costas – They drink this!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=350476627944
In case the last link doesn’t work:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/msrp.jpg/
@Cyril
Ah, that makes sense mate.
That cheapskate owner doesn’t even buy regular beers. He just provides the team with his piss. No wonder Platt, Gary Cook and co have reached the level of delusion they have. 
Sir Alex as usual will make the right call whether or not fletch starts or comes on as a sub.
As previous games have proven against Bolton, you cannot rest, you cannot take a breather, pricks fly at you like a swarm of moths.
Unless your Current Copa Libertadores winners + Joint World Club Champions Man Sweaty, you have no chance of taking it easy against these annoying strong hard bastards.
What was it 2-2 last year with Owen saving our foreskin?
Hopefully we turn em over .
“Something MG would say ” – (The mans got siamese twins’s brains as brains, fucking triffic)
UNITED 19
@Cyril I agree mate I rate Rio one of the best centre halfs in the world,just think his England obsession when he’s injured all the time is selfish and just can’t seeing Sir Alex being to impressed
shitty sign hargreaves on a free, the media call it a possible great signing.
United sign micheal owen, the media call it a club becoming desperate
see how the double standards stink by the gutters
Can we follow the example of Spanish Clubs and slap 100 million release clause on Smalling, Jones, Twins, De Gea, …
200 million on Chicharito, Rooney, Young, Nani, Vidic, ….
My thoughts go out to the families of the 43 members in that horrible crash. And their supporters.
Hope they’ll pick themselves up well within 40 years time, like United did.
Clint @ 22:12
Well said when fit Rio will walk right back in.
Seems this will be an eagerly awaited starting line up!
Rio or Jones to partner Evans???
Hernandez or Berbatov to partner Ronney??
Cleverly, Giggs or Fletch to partner Anderson???
Young, Nani, Park, Valencia?????
Very nice headache!!
@bayobuya, As has been stated often here, we could field two individual teams with the right amount of youth and experience both of which can equally compete for the league title and could go a long way in the cup competionsl; and we will still have enough players to field decent substitutes in either team.
DDG
Rafael-Smalling-Vidic-Evra
Valencia-Carrick-Fletcher-Park
Berbatov-Hernandez
Lindegaard
Fabio-Rio-Jones-Evans
Nani-Cleverley-Anderson-Young
Rooney-Welbeck
Unused Players: Giggs, Owen, Gibson, Kuszcak, Amos and a few others I am surely missing.
Scary for other teams really!
FletchTheMan @ 14:26, Thanks for the amazing link. True to its name, it is a ramble, but if you are really interested in club financials, then there could not be a better link to gather a wealth of knowledge from.
my line-up against Bolt dem on. De gea, Chris, Jones, Rio, Evra,
Valencia, Clev, Anderson, Young,
Wazza, Chicho.