RoM has a copy of the excellent Sons of United eBook to give away. Tony Park, one of the authors of the book, has given some background to how the book came about.
“I met my friend Steve Hobin ten years ago at an Academy match and he was already working on a version of the book. We were both passionate about the youth team and so decided to pool resources and work together on something that has never been covered before by any other club or author. It really is a unique piece of history.
Sons of United is a chronicle of the Manchester United Youth Team. United were one of the first teams to develop a true youth policy before WW2 and it was continued by Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy through the 1940’s and 1950’s leading to the birth of the Busby Babes. Even though we had poor results in the 1970’s and 1980’s, Alex Ferguson reintroduced the focus on youth leading to the development of the ‘Class Of ‘92’. The book is more like an encyclopaedia, as it covers the whole history of the youth team from 1932 to 2011 and uses the FA Youth Cup as its central theme. Every match has a dedicated page and every player is mentioned. The book explains why the youth culture is so prevalent at the club and why it is so important to our future.
We have focused more on the winning seasons as there is more to say so in that context the 1950’s, 1990’s and late 2000’s all have strong coverage. However, it all depended on what visual material we had at our disposal. So some seasons when we didn’t do that well are covered in some detail as we have some amazing photos, player quotes or historical context. In terms of players, we have included a biography on every player who played in the first five seasons, every captain, and then a handful of others which we think are interesting.
I think the book is unique in many ways. Firstly no-one has ever written in such detail about a clubs youth team. The book has 576 pages, it has colour throughout, with over 500 photos most of which have never been seen before. There are over 100 original match reports from the time, player quotes, 115 player biographies as well as the statistical history. It covers the development of players like Edwards, Charlton, Stiles, Giles, Best, Albiston, Whiteside, Hughes, Giggs, Beckham, Neville, O’Shea, Fletcher, Welbeck and Cleverley in a period before they became international stars.
The visual content really is outstanding and even on that alone would make the book worthwhile buying…
I think United has always been renowned for developing young talent…this book gives you the background on how all that happened and shaped the clubs culture into what it is today.”
The book can be downloaded for £19.99 via our website SonsOfUnited.com
To be in with a chance of winning a copy, simply retweet this on Twitter.
Man Utd News 24/7
E
The only thing stopping me from buying this is price. I know its justified price but simply the case of not having 20 pound (1600 rs).
I don¡t have a twitter account and I refuse to sign up so that’s me ruled out.
It looks like I could be shelling out 20 sobs + p&p.
It sounds a very interesting read.
They’re not good enough! Ex-Red slates ‘unconvincing’ Man Utd duo. Harsh..?
Manchester United players Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley are on their way to becoming England regulars under Roy Hodgson, and although both players obviously have their qualities, former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore is not convinced they are good enough to make it at the highest level.
In an interview yesterday, Collymore – who formed a formidable striker partnership with Robbie Fowler in the mid-1990s – admitted that he is ‘still not convinced’ that Welbeck and Cleverley ‘have what it takes to make it at the highest level’, adding:
“Welbeck might have scored four goals in 12 games for England…but he still has to be a bit better when it comes to holding the ball up when it’s played into him.
“As for Cleverley, his passing was a bit off against San Marino on Friday and I’m not certain he has the guile and imagination to be a real star of international football”
I’d rather chew off my arm than endure the torture of watching England ‘play’ football, so I can’t really comment on how Welbeck and Cleverley perform for the national team, but the fact they’re both regulars for Man United seems to be persuasive evidence that they have what it takes to ‘make it’ at the highest level.
Having watched them play for Man United though, neither players seems to particularly stand out. To me, Welbeck and Cleverley are bog-standard English players: lots of huff and puff, passable technique, but no real individual, game-changing skill that sets them apart from anyone else.
Collymore is not completely biased against United though; he may be an ex-Red, but a few months ago, he argued that Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel are inferior to United’s defenders:
“When you look at [Rio] Ferdinand and people like Phil Jones who has come into Manchester United, I don’t think Dan Agger or Martin Skrtel compare. They are a level below”.
Given the decline in Ferdinand’s overall performance over the last year, I don’t see how either Agger or Skrtel are a ‘level below’ him. Having said that, Liverpool’s defensive stats don’t make for great reading so far this season: 19 goals conceded in 12 games, compared to United’s 11 in 10.
Perhaps Collymore has a point after all…?
Jaimie Kanwar
Has anyone noticed a deluded bin dipper claiming united have “bog standard” players. Ah!
http://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=439995759370399&id=109207675782544&refid=7&m_sess=soBy9rrU-TrZBszOT&ref=stream&_ft_=qid.5799913804748039974%3Amf_story_key.-8784631913376005892. Bitters fans at it again
Hiya proverb
Just happen to download man city ebook page 1 of 1…youth players micah richards (wikipedia link)
Did I just say bitters?
Sorry, its a pool fan that said carrol is a better than welbz.
Crazy dippers fans
Player*
Samuel @ 15:18: “Given the decline in Ferdinand’s overall performance over the last year, I don’t see how either Agger or Skrtel are a ‘level below’ him.”
Simple. Agger/Skrtel were two/three levels below Rio and they ain’t getting any better whereas Rio’s “decline” is mostly physical – not mental – so he can compensate for his declining physicality (most of the time) by his huge experience of playing at the very top level (not playing for a team that was extremely fortunate to get into the EuropeLeague because of its lucky League Cup win [on penalties against a second-division opponent; not to forget the crucial penalty-miss by Anthony Gerrard], not its EPL form).
Well said Denton hahaha good reminder of that penalty “miss”. Not surprising it happened Gerard’s have a real knack or “missing” penalties when it counts eh..
Anyway screw talking Liverpool their well on their way to bottom of the league.
This book certainly sounds interesting! Must be a true united fan to have out this much work into it!
Super off topic but according to Yaya’s agent, he wants to leave city. My Lord. Fergie should do everything he can to get Yaya. the absolutely PERFECT fit at United would be Yaya.
Fuck that no way we can afford to pay the guys salary it’s like 270 or some shit. Way too much money
Proverb= sushi.I know for a fact.Wum
Just mentioned this book to this missus. Top of the list, sounds a fantastic read. Oddly enough, my teachers used to tell me I was more scholastically inclined when pictures were involved
Who e fuck is collymore?
United has 3 starters for tonights tie v Poland
Carrick Rooney and Cleverley
England XI v Poland:
Hart Johnson Cole Gerrard Jagielka Lescott Milner Carrick Defoe Rooney Cleverley
Welbz TomC > henderson, kelly, caroll downing in England shirt. Don’t u agree jamie?
Interesting line up Fletch
4-3-3? 4-5-1? Curious to see who’s playing wide left in that set up. I actually rate Jagielka, always thought he’s more “lion-hearted” than CCLC for what it’s worth.
What are you insinuating phal gay, you attention seeker twat snide multiple usernames impostor, fucking cockroach, imbecile, vermin, parasite…..
Post away dude instead of trying to cause bickering.
You know for a fact that you’re never welcome on here, you’re hurting the blog you pleb
Hodgson copying Ferguson, after Man United’s win at Cluj, and playing no wingers. A trending tactic now.
is this true? Haha! Uncle loy
dannysoya @ 18:20: “according to Yaya’s agent, he wants to leave city. My Lord. Fergie should do everything he can to get Yaya. the absolutely PERFECT fit at United would be Yaya.”
I don’t think so – first of all, GreatBigHugeYaYa makes too much money (and this would be a mercenary move, par excellence); secondly, he’s not as good this year as last and has probably peaked; third, it would be better for UTD for the guy to leave the EPL because that would cost ManShitty lots for a replacement, not that the Sheikh would have ca$h-flow problems to afford anyone who would be willing to take his money regardless of price.
Interesting that they refer to United as ‘Man U’. This was 1955, mind you.
? Wtf u mean pal ghai? Wht leads you to that conclusion?
WOW Maybe we should give Joshua King a first team spot? He has absolutely turned this game around for Norway. Wins a penalty and then goes on to score his first international goal.
twitter report that Cliff Richards spotted boading the warsaw plane.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/283509_473323412707714_1272585721_n.jpg?dl=1
The match at warsaw was finally called off, rescheduled for tomorrow
Goat demands another way of winning the book as he doesnt have a twitter account because hes not a fucking twat.
Thanks signed the bloody goat.
Yaya wants to move to a bigger better club ( = PSG )
PS: who wouldnt want to go to Paris , UK’s weather is really bad
Proverb @ 21:08: “The match at warsaw was finally called off, rescheduled for tomorrow”
Since I don’t give a tup-penny damn about Ingerland, my only thought about this is that it isn’t the best of news for UTD. Our players get one day less of recuperation time before the home match v. Stoke on Saturday. I guess that this will mean that “marginal guys” like Anderson, Buttner, and maybe Ashley Young will get a kick, alongside the two “old stagers”.
Lots of United lads involved for Northern Ireland v Portugal.
Portugal 1 Northern Ireland 1
Jonny Evans was immense and a credit to us, leading from the back. Other United lads involved included Nani for the hosts and a smattering of former players. Ronaldo, Corry Evans, Oliver Norwood, Craig Cathcart, Healy. Good game.
YS
Yeah but Paris is full of the fucking French
Yeah so is Quebec one of the few negatives of Canada
Negatives of Canada (in no particular order):
1) The Weather
2) The taxes
3) The Weather
4) The taxes
5) The French
6) Last and certainly not least…..Old Trafford is a fucking hike
I seriously hope our boys don’t get injured in that poland pitch. It was the rain pored very badly and the pitch was totally spoiled. I fear for cleverly as he is still not that strong. I hope United guys have a good outing without screwing themselves.
It was great to see Van persie an dJoshua king both scoring goals for their country. Josh king is a talented striker but the prooblem is we are filled with strikers. There is a rumour going that kiko macheda will eventually leave united this january. A Loan move would be great rather than selling. I have always been Fan of macheda’s talent. And italians generally are slow developers. It would be a mistake to sell kiko without giving him proper chance. A loan move would be the best for pLAYERS LIKE kiko, Josh King and Brady.
Javier hernandez again scores for mexico. Thats why mexico people love him. We have four star strikers with us who will score goals for fun. We have to be just patient and then we can see our success.
Rooney
Hernandez
Welbeck
Robin Van persie
This looks great.
Ash
I know. The kid is scoring for fun. People keep talking about Rooney becoming England’s record goalscorer. I would put my money on Chicharito becoming Mexico’s. 28 goals for his country and he’s barely 24. Fucking hell.
And it was a nice goal, too. The kind that requires cat-like reflexes. Chico could’ve scored more had he played the whole game. He came on as a second half sub last night.
@Denton davey
Proverb @ 21:08: “The match at warsaw was
finally called off, rescheduled for tomorrow”
“Since I don’t give a tup-penny damn about
Ingerland, my only thought about this is that
it isn’t the best of news for UTD. Our players
get one day less of recuperation time before
the home match v. Stoke on Saturday. I
guess that this will mean that “marginal
guys” like Anderson, Buttner, and maybe
Ashley Young will get a kick, alongside the
two “old stagers”
Yeah mate absolutely, there will not be enough time for the ingerland lads to recuperate for the game at old trafford
Then again, like many have said, the pitch will be sleepy after the heavy rain and possible injuries are to happen, we can only hope non of our guys gets it cause it would be a blow, they were starting to build an understanding, everything looked good only a little aspect we needed to improve on…
Our system doesn’t accommodate ash young anymore
for all his amazing crossing ability, I don’t think he’ll be a regular this season or maybe if he gets played in a new role, rooneys? We play no wingers this days and obviously we have played brilliantly so far in the new system, one thing is, if he’s willing to play rooneys new role will have to put a shift on his overall game, kagawa is the better player between the two and I would rather palay kags than playing ash.
Its a tough one, since I don’t rate young as much and our new system doesn’t suites him I think he should rather adopt or gets shipped, there’s no room for errors anymore and playing 4-1-3-1-1 means less crossing, and in this sort of systems technically good players gets the nod which again doesn’t favour ash.
In that case despite his hot and cold performances nani is again a better option in the AM role, than ash. Its the state of todays game, you either adopt or gets benched
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2VPmksHzbwc
Chicharito goal vs El Salvador
Chicharito moves to within one goal of Hugo Sanchez with his 28th strike for Mexico. http://t.co/wbJ41uFr
Daymn, this engurland shite is gonna screw up fergie’s selection.. ‘D rest clev and evra for this one. We need them to be firing on all cylinders for the next two weeks. Its chelsea, chelsea and arsenal..
My team would be
Ddg
Rafa rio evans buttener
Valencia carrick ando
Kagawa
Rooney rvp,,
Or rest rooney and play chicha
Good thing we are not playing a tough away game this Saturday. Nonetheless, Carrick, Tom and Rooney won’t get much rest ahead of Stoke and I bet Fergie won’t be pleased.
Costas, Problem for Fergie is the rotation as we face 7 game in 21 days with no more than 4 days rest between them. Next 21 will need some fit lads.
Stoke(h) this Saturday Oct 20,
Braga(h) Tuesday
Chelsea(a) Sun,
Chelsea(a) Wed,
Arsenal(a) Sat,
Braga(a) Wed,
Villa(a) Saturday Nov 10.
We then get 7 days till we are away to Norwich on the 17th but that is followed by 3 aways and another tight set of fixtures.
That said, Last year was a rest year because we got bounced early.
This is feeling a bit more like it!
Fergie will be pissed about the delay in getting the England lads back.
Lets pray for no ill effects of the delayed game in Poland tonight.
One good thing about last nights games is that Darren Fletcher will get some good run outs but not be overtaxed by Scotland duties.
Back on topic;
Nice interview w/ Scholes: “You know lads from Manchester are tough people”
http://www.manutd.com/en/madeofmanchester
@Fletch
Hi mate. Personally speaking, I look at the Carling Cup game at Chelsea as an opportunity to rest some players. So I wouldn’t expect the likes of Carrick, Rio, Evra, Rooney and Valencia to play in that one. Other than that, it’s shaping up to be a tough month. Lest hope Smalling is back for good.
Costas, Agree the League cup might be an opportunity for some youngsters but it will still be a challenging run. Smalling and Young are said to be available for Stoke so that is a start. Jones is said to be ahead of schedule but still 2 weeks out so will likely miss that Cup tie. Luckily Evans and Rio seem to be doing well again this year.
Wonder if Young will have a tough time breaking back in to the line up. Diamonds may not be a wingers best friend
From the Guardian Online “Rumours”:
“Roberto Mancini’s team are preparing to spend more money on more central midfielders, with today’s newspapers reporting that City want to sign Daniele De Rossi and Sergio Busquets.
The Premier League champions have long been linked with De Rossi and, having come close to signing him during the last transfer window, are apparently ready to offer Roma £30m for the 29-year-old Italy international in January.
And if you thought that was a lot of money then check out how much City are prepared to spend on Busquets – £60m. That’s right, £60m, for Sergio Busquets. I’m struggling to believe it, too, but City want the 24-year-old Barcelona player and are prepared to go all out to get him, with Busquets apparently having a £121m release clause in his contract with the Spanish club.”
Good bye to GreatBigHugeYaYa ? or just space-filler ??
@Fletch
I agree about the diamond, but in my opinion, 2 out of our 3 wingers can adapt to that system. Namely Young and Valencia. They can play infield and they track back a lot. For example, Young’s role during Euro 2012 often reminded me of a left sided midfielder in a diamond system. Not sure about Nani though. He might be better off as a striker in that formation.
Nobody cryin about them calling United Man U..?! That’s a first.
Stand up, if you love Man U…! A song I have heard sung at OT on many occasions.
i hear you AlphaRS!
@Costas
Yeah Nani is better suited in the attacking role, is it’s for example
Rooney RVP Nani
Kagawa Anderson
Cleverley (Anderson and Cleverley could swap during the game)
Evra Vidic Ferdinand Rafael
This is if we want to play our strongest field, And if something then, Anderson off and Carrick to his place, but Carrick to be a DM and Cleverley up.
BTW Chicharito scored another goal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IInjlgn6q3c
Unless Nani gets his shit together and turns his game around he’s best suited for the bench
think if nani knuckles down, he can still turn it around.
talent is not a problem.
Rohan_19 agreed mate talent’s never been a problem decision making and attitude is what needs to be sorted.I’m really under the belief he might have shot his load,when a player ends up on Sir Alex’s bad side it normally means curtains
One thing though Utd shouldn’t sell him cheap,read today AC Milan want him for 15 mill euros which is a fucking joke
I think nani is too good to be sidelined. He’s a confidence player, he needs encouragement. If he has to leave united to become even better then i wouldn’t hold him back. He’s one of those players some will later regret seeing leave because i feel he still has more to offer and will.
i’ve always said players of skill aren’t appreciated in the english league. They’ll chant for a player that makes a square pass or fly into a bad tackle, they’ll praise those that boot the ball down the wind and chase after it, they’d applaud the “big fella in the box” and mock those with imagination, guile and ability, they’ll accuse them of showboating. english game rolled into one.
After what happened to Vidic, and Hargreaves, and Saha, and more, the last thing we want is to rush back Smalling. Let him take his time to recover fully from whatever is keeping him out
rooney scores for england. He is in good form. Just come back fully fit.
Both Carrick and Rooney are giving the ball away like it’s no man’s business. Geez. Keep it for five minutes at least.
Well said Samuel I totally agree I really think at the core Nani is an exceptional player and needs confidence and encouragement to bring that extra value to the team. He has imagination and that’s not something that should be punished. Yes he can be frustrating but in the end it’s worth it I see no reason to dump him. That achieves nothing who would we replace him with? I can’t think of any wingers that we could get at a reasonable price that would acclimate to the EPL as Nani has even its been a somewhat bumpy road. He has put all this work in as have united
In developing him.
Often a criticism levelled at Nani is he doesn’t track back as much as say Valencia but they are different players. Nani has been developed as an attacking player that should have the same freedom that Ronaldo enjoyed who often didn’t track either. I think if
Fergie realizes that Nani isn’t really that great at defending and won’t be anytime and gives him more freedom in an attacking set up then he can really shine. In the end it comes down to our defence we need to shore it up with midfield doing the trackback .
dannysoya @ 16:39: “Both Carrick and Rooney are giving the ball away like it’s no man’s business.”
Young Tom wasn’t much better.
On the other hand, taking off TheWayneBoy and bringing on Oxlade-Chamberlain ? No doubt, there were “football reasons” for Woy’s decision.
Keeping DannyTheLad on the bench while playing Jermaine Defoe – more “footballing reasons” ?
I’ve got a criticism of Nani,he is a quality player who’m I expect to do something special every game he plays.I don’t expect it all the game but I do expect it at some point in every game and he is not doing it so fuck im