By January of last season, Dimitar Berbatov had scored more hattricks for Manchester United than Wayne Rooney had goals, as we chased down that historic 19th title. Berbatov ended the season the league’s top scorer with 20 goals and United knocked the scousers off their perch.
After failing to fully justify his massive price tag in the first two seasons it was great to see our Bulgarian play such a vital role in such a massive season for the club. The hattrick against Liverpool, five goals against Blackburn, and the two goals against Blackpool after we had gone 2-0 down, were the highlights of his best season with the club.
“I will go nowhere,” he said on the day we won the league. “Now I am part of United’s 19th title and I want to be part of the 20th, that’s my plan. I am the happiest man in the team.”
There was no bitterness from him, no sense of trying to prove people wrong, or being smug about turning things around after being written off. His attitude was second to none, the kind of behaviour you would expect from one of our homegrown players, not a foreigner who had only been at the club for a few years.
“I have said before the people of Manchester United are the judges and that is the way it should be,” he said. “It is their team. I am a guest. A privileged guest. I am so lucky to play here. For these people. For this manager. For this club. With these players. I can’t describe it.”
However, after lifting our 19th title, his situation took a turn for the worst, when the manager bizarrely didn’t include him in the squad for the Champions League final. Michael Owen, who had scored just 5 goals that season, was preferred to our top scorer, who was left in the dressing room crying.
The obvious assumption was that he was going to leave the club. Clearly he wasn’t in the manager’s plans and there was no way the league’s top scorer could or should tolerate being left out of the squad for such a big game. However, true to form, Berba was a class act in his dealing with the situation, so determined was he to stay at United.
“Smaller clubs might be able to match Manchester United with the way they play, with their organisation, everything. But Manchester United are at the top,” he said. “Where can you go from there? Maybe Barcelona. At the moment, I don’t see anything else. If you go somewhere else it is a big step down. I have the good fortune to play for Manchester United. For the time I am here I try to do my best and win everything there is to win. There is no other way I can play.”
Then, after losing his starting place in the team towards the end of last season, he started this season fourth choice, behind Danny Welbeck as well as Chicharito and Rooney. He has played 100 minutes in the league out of a possible 540 and has had just 8 minutes in the Champions League, coming on against FC Basle last week when we were 3-2 down.
On the same night, Manchester City were getting a battering in Germany and Roberto Mancini wanted to change things up. Edin Dzeko had a strop about being replaced before Carlos Tevez, who has already had two transfer requests rejected in his two years at the club, refused to replace Samir Nasri. Tevez, who is reportedly earning £250k a week, was begged to come on for the last 20 minutes, only for him to remain seated on the bench. Mancini claimed if he had things his way he would never play the Argentinian again.
Whilst I don’t think we should be celebrating the fact that Berbatov isn’t behaving like the strikers at City, I think the comparison should serve to remind us how lucky we are to have players like Berba who think too much of the club to show disrespect towards it or the manager. If anyone was entitled to have a bit of a sulk it is him, going from the league’s top scorer one season to the club’s fourth choice the next, but we haven’t seen any petulance when being subbed off and nothing but positivity in the press.
According to the manager, it isn’t just a public front from Berba, with him grafting in training too.
“Dimitar has been training terrific,” the manager said last week. “His attitude is spot on. He will get his game time as the season wears on.”
Whilst Tevez couldn’t care less who he played for, or even if he played at all apparently, playing for United actually means something to Berba.
“My mind was always set on joining Manchester United,” he told Crerand this week. “How can you not go to United? I don’t play for money.”
Before joining United, despite City agreeing a fee with Spurs, which allowed Berbatov to come to Manchester, the Bulgarian didn’t even bother meeting with Mark Hughes’ team, despite knowing that it would certainly put pressure on United to pay him more. He has reflected on the conversation he had with his agent back then.
“He called me to say we have interest from Manchester United. I said: ‘Don’t joke with me’ but he said he was serious. So I was speechless. When the biggest club contact you, it’s a big deal.”
Tevez slagged off the city massively, claiming once he leaves he will never return, and bizarrely, that we only have two restaurants.
“I’m happy here,” said Berbatov, in contrast. “I hear people complain about the weather, there’s nothing to do and the food. But, for me, it’s not like that. I play for a club I love, the biggest club, and everything else doesn’t matter.”
Over the past few years I have written several articles on these players, comparing their attitudes and contribution to the team. Chances are, this is the last one I’ll get to write, as both players should leave in January.
Tevez should go under a cloud of shame, with both blues and reds happy to see the back of him, another mercenary exposed. In contrast, the disappointment that surrounds Berba’s exit should be massive. One of the most talented players I’ve seen at United, who never quite clicked fully, but whose attitude towards the club is exemplary.
Of course, there is the possibility of Berba staying until summer, or even beyond if the club choose to activate the one year extension clause in his contract, but it seems ridiculous prolonging this. He isn’t an impact player like Chicharito or Solskjaer, ready to come off the bench for the last ten minutes after not playing for a fortnight. Aside from that, he is so much better and deserves so much better than that. So if the club can’t offer that to him, he should leave.
Berbatov won’t be remembered by all the way I would like him to, that classy Bulgarian fella who won us our 19th title, but I do hope our fans can respect him for the contribution he has made and way he behaves. When you look at how players like Carlos Tevez, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mark Hughes left our club, or the things they went on to do and say, we should be thankful for a player who genuinely seems to get United. We got rid of that horrible Argie troll and replaced him with a proper gent who loves playing for this club. Whatever happens next, whether at United or elsewhere, I genuinely hope he gets all he deserves. Top player, top bloke.
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STATS: Berba’s goal distribution compared with PL top scorers
STATS: Berba’s goal distribution compared with ALL United’s PL top scorers
Does it matter that he’s lazy now?
Man Utd News 24/7
berbatop
Berbaclass
I was going to say this is one of ROM’s best articles, but you already categorized it as such STR! Well said. Especially your last 3 paragraphs.
Sadly there are ingrates that will still have a go at him, but at the end of the day, what me and some others have been saying for 3 years has been proved correct:
Berbatov > Tevez
Scott you should have mentioned that beautiful hat trick against poolscum
One of the best attitudes from a player who’s not from the Academy. Absolutely the best there is, he and Rooney should always start the game, with Hernandez coming on if things don’t turn out well. Hernandez is only 22/23 and has plenty of time to watch and learn the game. He seems to have more room for growth with regards to his link-up play outside the box.
Great post Scott.
I expect that fucking mug CROoney any minute now.
Like you say Scott. Top man.
Top Piece Scott
Still think he’ll play a vital role this season, despite what anyone else says. Berbatov’s committed to us? Well I’m committed to him until the gaffer decides otherwise. Don’t see him sold in January either to be honest. If we’re still in on 4 fronts come January the Berba goes no where. Extend his contract than sell him in the summer if we must.
Hattrick versus the Dippers? Legendary shit right there.
Well said STR, a great player for some reason has not clicked with Man Utd, has gifts of skill like few others.
I absolutely love Berbatov. Such class on and off the pitch. He and Michael are clearly fighting it out for 3-4 choice which is shocking, but they both prefer this as a personal choice then getting spat on by the Newcastle fans of this world. Hope that everything comes their way in the end. Even after they retire, I will look fondly on them as class acts. The role on the team is a bit like a long term Henrick Larson at the moment. But injuries to Rooney/Danny/Javier could change it all in a flash. Over the course of the season I could see all the strikers playing in significant games. Hope Berba continues to be the class act he is now.
A genuine question to all you guys…..(posted this on the other thread) would you rather have a team of dick heads that won things or a team of pure class gentlemen that just came close?
No middle ground in the question fellas, its A or B
Berba=Class!
Willie said it perfect before Welbecks emergence, If he is happy to be Man Utd 3rd stiker I’m happy to have him. But 4th choice is a sad state for him to endure. I’m greedy though as Fletch just said 1 or 2 injuries and then Man Utd has the 4th best striker in the history of the game?
A great guy and top professional. A big chunk of that 19th trophy belongs to Berba. His contribution last season while Rooney was ‘out of sorts’ can’t be praised enough.
Tevez can bugger off. The Bitters deserve him though I hate how they’re getting sympathy and support from the media over it, as if the ‘world’s richest club’ are some kind of underdog struggling to cope without a disloyal player. A plague on their council house!
And another thing that gets me. The growth and development of our beloved trio of budding youngsters, Jones/Smalling/Evans, doesn’t come from them man marking traffic cones in training. Berbatov can make any CB look a complete goat, don’t think these lad’s progress isn’t a function of training against top players like The Berb and Mickey Owen everyday.
No, I’m not saying, on his wages, he’s a practical practice squad player, but let’s step back for a second and think what’s it’s like to have to go up against these guys at Carrington. Trial by Fire isn’t always a result of injuries at the back.
@CedarsDevil
of course B
@ cedars
If you’re asking whether I would rather support United of 2009-2010 or Chelsea of 2009-2010, my vote goes for A.
Otherway around as per your question, but you get my drift
Players like Berbatov are what United are all about, its another reason to love this great club even more… Its the United attitude, the right attitude…
The Greenhoff brothers, Pearson, Hill, Mcllroy, Albiston, Robson, Scholes, Neville and so many more to mention are what true United players are all about. We are never about winning things, that is a bonus but we are about a football club made up by genuine gentlemen and true heroes
ididnotzeeit
I got your drift my good friend…..
A post coming from your heart Scott. Amazingly written.
BerbaGod
Best thing you’ve put on here in ages Scott, well played. The story of Berbatov leaves me tinged with sadness, he’s a genius of a player and a top class guy by all accounts but for some reason it just hasn’t worked out for him and despite coming off his best season where him and Nani basically dragged us for six months it seems his United career is at an end and I can’t see a way back for him.
I don’t usually disagree with Fergie but the way he’s treated Berb since May is shocking. Leaving him out of the CL squad was nothing more than a kick in the balls – Michael Owen was never going to play a major role that night.
@Cedars – I’m choosing Option C. I think we should have a team of mass-prouced robots that all function equally and with a hive-mind. That way nobody will be able to blame Carrick and Gibson as there will only be Droid 1, Droid 2 etc.
That said, people will just argue over which Droid gets to wear the number 7 shirt and complain about that the Sony-powered Chelsea robots have more RAM than our Microsoft Windows robots…
“that classy Bulgarian fella who won us our 19th title”
Big statement given that he scored 13 of his 20 league goals in 4 games… 4 GAMES! Nobody else was much better, fair enough, but if ever it was the team being greater than the sum of its parts, that was it.
The only players I can remember that has won us the title singlehandedly are Cantona, Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo, and Rooney (I’m only 25, I’m sure there are more, but Berba isnt one of them)
Cyril
North Stand Tier 2
Not to worry mate, you are old enough to remember every title United won in the modern era…Well almost!
B
If not when I became EPL fan, the Invincible’s were doing their thing and then the next year JM and oil money came in I would be a Chelski fan.I fell in love with Keane and a strong SAF. People wanted to sack SAF they were in 3rd missed CL, RIO was suspended he was letting Keane and Becks go then Ruud . He let my favorite player go, and I respected him even more that he could do what he thought best for the club and told the press to FUCK OFF!
Great article Scott.Special player, we’re lucky to have him. I’m still hoping the time when he proves all his detractors wrong once and for all comes soon. Tbh, he’s got nothing to prove wrong, but nonetheless i hope his critics get to eat their tasty humble pie asap. His attitude and behavior epitomizes the United attitude, and its just fantastic. I don’t support just one player ( yes, i know I’m a Berba lover but still) but i’ve got a feeling that there could be something this season where in the end we’ll end up saying “If not for Berba, we wouldn’t have…” (in a positive result way). Honestly Scott, Berba’s name should be in the same sentence as that Argentine creature. He doesn’t even match Berba’s toenails.
A class act both on and off the pitch. Shame on the fucking cunts who slate this guy.
Needs a run of games, please give him a chance fergie, we have let go of a few top players before we got the best out of them eg forlan, pique. Give him the cup matches and some PL action please
Where is smartalex? I miss him here
Every time I go to OT he’s the player I want to watch the most. There’s no other player at the club who’s so effortless and clean. While it’s nice to watch a striker buzzing around like Tevez or Smith, it’s even better to watch a player with pure and simple class and skill, playing the game as it’s meant to be played.
I’ll be sad if he goes but you’re right, he deserves more game time than we’re giving him.
Kings – Few words that mean a lot my good friend …. As you put it, you cannot educate those who cannot be educated…
Berba could be a revelation playing in that Rooney position. I’d like to see him play there with Danny or Hernandez ahead of him and Tom C and Ando/Fletcher Midfield combo flanked by Young and Nani. As a ball player he’s miles ahead of Rooney and if his form dip, Berbs could slot in really well. You tend to think that if our CM’s improve we’ll see less dropping deep from Rooney and Berb -
On topic, i will always have respect for the Berbanator . Class on and off the pitch
Guy Is pure class these players let our youngsters know how privileged they are by acting this way if I was wearing a hat I would take it off for you c
off topic. Was reading about O’Shea being fit for internationals, and inside i was “dammit”. And then i forgot he’s not a United lad anymore. Sigh. Nostalgia.
Northstand. But take away those 20 goals and we wouldn’t have one it. 4 games or 40, they all are required and recall how tenuous it was in January. Wayne Rooney was naught until late in the season and Berba was freaking massive in some very key games Liverpool for one. Agree that he has not single handedly dragged us to a title, but that is not going to be his role.
Can’t we just agree with Scott that Berbatov is a massive tallent and respect him for his successes, and ours. This is a team sport and a team is not 11 guys. Rather have Berba as part of my squad then the likes of Vandervartt and Tevez who wear it on their sleeve but are now where to be seen when a goal line clearance is needed.
For me Berba is a proper Red who gets the squad and gets Fergie. Bit like Solskjaer in the way he is overlooked, but also like Ole, a class act. Berbatov really truly and honestly does not deserve the crap he gets from fans.
You ask me, it is all down to his transfer fee. Too much hype, we wanted Cantona, we got the Berb! For me, as long as he fits in Fergies side and continues to be such a class act in his views, he is most welcome. He is not wasting space and can contribute when needed.
Scott – If Tevez had been dropped from the FA Cup Final squad (not even making the bench) and then declined to sit with the rest of the squad during the game, you’d be all over him.
Berbatov’s all class though. He’d never behave like Tevez. Except for the time when he refused to play for Spurs in order to force through a move to United.
BerbaKing!!
Great article.
Cedars – I’d rather win fuck all and keep dignity than support a team full of cunts.
“Mancini claimed if he had things his way he would never play the Argentinian again.”
Wow. This is truly How It Feels To Be City. When your eunuch manager can’t even make the decision to dump a player who refuses a direct order.
In Berba’s case… the long goodbye. It’s funny about these 2 players. I remember the Berb setting Tevez up for late winner at Stoke. Tevez repaid the gesture at Bolton. Ones a good lad, but not liked by a section of our fans.The other is still revered by a small minority of United fans, but a snake in the grass. Chalk and cheese….
CedarsDevil – Berba empitomises all that is good about United my friend. Watched some United classics last night: Chelsea 1 United 3 (1985) – Robbo and Moses smashing people in the middle of the park. Great stuff. United 2 West Ham 1 (1992) – Giggs at his majestic best.
I will shout out for Mr. Smartalex as well. OUT!
Ofcourse we can agree with Scott, I posted on the other thread, yes he is an excellent player, and yes, he is a top man, every quote you hear from him is always the right noise, he genuinely does care – he just doesnt fit the style of play. It’s unfortunate, but he’s never going to be an important player for Utd, he never really has been.
When Welbeck, Chicho or Rooney are available, he’s never going to make it into the team. His style isnt going to bring much out of Young or Nani either, who are far more important players to utd than he is.
Good luck to him, but surely his days are numbered.
I’m glade I was not here when the Teves thing went down. I saw that SAF knew somthing of the lad we did not see. Trouble in the clubhouse. I was not for keeping Teves early on.
Cedars, for the greater good of mankind, it’d have to be A. Can you imagine the hordes of ABUs committing suicide in the rare instance when it dawns upon them that they have fallen in love with United by then? Mankind would be halved.
Then again, if that happens, then yes, B would be a better option because we’d be “inbreeding” with those female United fans left.
If these pictures are representative of 80% of the female United fans (I know I’m dreaming and those probably aren’t real United female fans anyway, but who cares), that’s not a bad state to be in no?
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107700765936031&v=photos
I’m getting sick of this Tevez saga, who the fuck cares? Specially in the media, “he said that” “we got lipreaders!”. Yeah he is a troublemaker and might be an idiot, but i couldn’t care less. And its so blown out of proportion just because he is a “big” star. Everyone already forgot about how Paul Scholes didnt wanna play? He didnt even go with the team. Yeah that’s right our legend.
I’m not defending Tevez,, but its just silly. Big headlines for Tevez when there are other players suspicions of rape and druguse. But hey Tevez saying the didnt wanna play is probably way more important!
@willie
Actually they made a good strike partnership together didn’t they? That January/February was one of the few times we didn’t miss Rooney while he was out with an injury. Funny how similar yet different their paths have been in the last 2 seasons.
Form is temporary, class is permanent. Berba is our most skilful player and should be getting much more game time, not the odd Cameo 10 or 15 mins appearance here and there. In this regard I’m not entirely happy that he seems to accept sitting on the bench as I expect players to show fight provided this doesn’t spill over into disrepect to the club.
As for a supposed pecking order of strikers, this is dangerous nonsense. Form and tactical need should be the order of the day. We won’t be playing the likes of WBA or Bolton every week, and recent matches show that we cannot turn up, game after game, and just expect to blow the opposition away or run their legs off, particularly as some have clearly resorted to rough house tactics to take our players out of the game. Some teams will park the bus, others will need guile to break down. Therefore it helps to have players – the likes of Berba, Giggs, Park come to mind – who do not give the ball away cheaply, can routinely find others wearing the same shirt and, in Berba’s case can hold the ball up upfront to bring others into the play. The goals will come anyway.
Hope berba get some playtime and confidence, he isnt the player he can be sometimes.
Rai – Well said, new daddy on the block!
Kings – Great stuff there, good old Remi, underrated by most yet always did the job… Bloody loved the guy
NorthStand … Berbatov scored 7 match-winning goals last season in the PL. That’s 21 points right there. Specifically:
Aug 16: first goal in 3-0 win over Newcastle.
Sep 19: all 3 goals in 3-2 win over Liverpool
Dec 26: first goal in 2-0 win over Sunderland
Jan 22: first goal in 5-0 win over Birmingham
Jan 25: third goal in 3-2 win over Blackpool
Mar 19: only scoer in 1-0 win over Bolton
Apr 9: first goal in 2-0 over Fulham
Strangely enough, Berbatov did not score the “winning” goal in the 7-1 demolition of Blackburn in Nov, depsite scoring 5 of the 7. The winning goal, our second, was scored by Park.
YorYor
Worthy of a discussion over a drink buddy….. My treat
Cedars if all goes well I will be at Old Trafford come spring and will get my tickets and stuff in Feb., with the help from RoM. I would like suggestions on pubs hotels as well as seating and many other things as getting together for a pint or 10 and learning from them how to be a proper fan. Cedars if you ever make it back to the UK maybe a spring game could happen. My back and neck have done well since the surgery and if it stays that way I can travel.
Off topic, but while we are talking about class acts.
This little vid of Jones just popped up on twitter:
Reminds me of Steve Bruce to be honest.
http://h5.abload.de/img/jones8kns.gif
@CedarsDevil 16:45 – Superb post, well said!
I would also add to your excellent comment that United has always traditionally found a home for supremely talented individuals over wannabees – the Bests, Laws, Charltons and Ronaldos. I won’t name Berba in the same breath as the first three, as that would be sacrilege, but the point holds about United providing skill and entertainment vs huff and puff.
This is why our support is world wide and grounds are full whenever and wherever we play. A United game is an event. In contrast a City, Liverpool or Chelsea game is just that – a game – unless they are playing United. We are everyone elses Cup Final…
Let’s meet somewhere in between then. Pakistan or India? Whichever’s more convenient for both of us I guess.
Well, brucie before he got he nose done in about 1000 times……
Berbatov is the man….a man’s man…the guy is a true, his actions at Spurs was one of a true fan and not motivated by the money,the cars, the trophies, its evident he is a Devil regardless of whether he plays or not, he quite similar to Scholes,Nev, Giggs,Owen etc who have all said in the last 18 months…”Why would you want to leave Manchester United, its a privilege just to be apart of United, the players,the manager, the staff, the facilities are the 2nd to none”
Berba was our saviour when Mr Ambition wanted a raise for 2010. He’ll always be remembered for his hat trick vs Scouse Shit and the 2 goals vs Blackpool, Love him, he is the origin of the word Cool.
Yor Yor. I have traveled all over my own hemisphere, I need to see the others. If it is written I want to see all the continents.
Great article STR:
Agree completely.
@CedarsDevil
Your question high up this thread is fundamentally wrong.
A team of no-gooders would never win the league.
The closest you can come to a team liek that is of course City. But even they have some classy players. Silva for one. Kompany.
@Papii so well put, “Mr Ambition”…. I hope as time goes on and Mr Ambition does not make more miss steps the wounds can heal.
Mark my words The Berbanator WILL BE BACK!!
@WillieRedNut
.The other is still revered by a small minority of United fans, but a snake in the grass. Chalk and cheese….
Really???? Tevez is still reverd by some United fans!!!
I find that impossible to believe.
I am quite sure there are NO United fans who revere that TROLL. Unless they have been living under a large rock for the last 2 years.
Way Fucking Off Topic;
Does Anybody Know Where I Can Watch – Warrior (2011) – ?
- I have spent days looking for it on the web, can’t find any good torrents or links. I tried Putlocker,Megavideo,Videoweed,Novamov etc NOTHING.
- If anybody knows where I can watch a working link or has a good torrent, Please Share, I hear its awesome.
@AnomanderRake, I was not on RoM when the Teves thing went down. On the regulars and Fox the 2 sites I was on. Many many Teves fans who thought it was stupid to get rid of him. Then after his good 1st year on the pitch they were like I told you so. I would think it was similar here. I would wager some brought it up a year after he left. IMO.
Zibbie – When I hated rooney this time last year, I was calling him lots of names, silly ones too
Mr Ambition
That Ambitious Cunt
Assurance seeking Ogre
good to see morrison being included in mufc foundation he visited a charity recently with jones and smalling..u can see pics from manchester united foundation page on facebook
Another off topic link:
Class tribute to the Green Giants of Old Trafford. Even Rio and John O’Shea deserve a mention! Interesting that Barthez, Carroll and Howard never wore Green. Still feel that Umbro made better shirts than we have ever seen from the Nike years. Schmikes were such class.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2011/Oct/Gallery-Green-goalkeepers.aspx#
Costas – Yeah, they gelled for a while. And between them, scored some important goals for United. I think we forget they played well together.
@AnomanderRake
You’d be surprised. Maybe not revered, but still well thought of, for the goals he scored for United. A tiny minority I would think.
northstand
in which season did rooney win us the title? He might in the future, but of the 4 titles we have won since his arrival, he has never been amongst our most important players.
statesideaussie
berbatov also scored important goals away at birmingham and everton,thats 2 more points
I will comment on both these players and what they done for united, not their attitude
It is apples and oranges with these 2, at the end of the day both these players hindered rooney’s game. Has both of them played in rooney’s position the no 10 role
on both tevez and berbatov I am not a huge fan of either one of them as players. Tevez when he was at united scored some big goals, but had very little pace and was always the less gifted version of rooney, and his only real talent at united was running around like a headless chicken, good player but not good enough for united.
Berbatov struggled even more at united, he could never fit into the flued united system, he always seemed to be in rooney’s shadow. Very good player but he always seemed a few yards short of full fitness it seems. And his mental state always held him back
Like I said, if they could not dove tail with rooney then their place in the team is in danger, welbeck and hernandez bring out the best in rooney. Tevez and berbatov may have been more gifted than welbeck and hernandez, but the latter 2 fit the no 9 role like a glove
Anomander, some have said that Hargreaves’ move to City was done in a manner far worse than Tevez’s. That to me is pure nonsense.
Papii we have talked about this, at 48 I thought I was pass the time a sporing star could crush my heart and he did, my bad I guess in the bigger picture. A year passed now, cool. He keeps his mouth shout and head down and does the right thing, good for Man Utd the lad is a winner. You could take the 25 best footballers in the world, drop them in the Amazon and they are taught there local tribes games, Rooney’s team wins.
fitb, Berbatov was playing splendidly with Ronaldo in THAT season. Perhaps it’s our forwards who do not know how to make best use of Berbatov…
chicharito has been great as a sub,but when he starts ,its like united are playing with 10 men.outside the box he adds absolutely nothing.Barca in the final,chelsea away in the champions league,arsenal away ,he contributed close to nothing.
i am surprised sir alex does not start rooney and berbatov together,in the handful of games they played together last season ,they did pretty well.
Another Tevez v Berbatov post. Yaaaawn, we get it, you like Berbatov. But Tevez is a miles better player and had we not got Berbatov, Tevez would’ve been a happy chappy and we’d've been a better side for it, in my opinion. Berba doesn’t fit in our style (oh but he got 20+ goals – Fergie doesn’t play him in big games for a reason and nor does he start anymore). Get over it.
Roooney Roooney Rooooneh Rooooneh Rooneh – Love when that spreads round OT
YorYorc – berbatov and ronaldo both had poor seasons, not really rooney is by far united’s most important player. And if berbatov cannot dove tail well with rooney he is not going to get much gaming time. Despite the talent on display in the 2008/09 season, berbatov still seemed to struggle with the counter attacking style united were playing that season. You look at the last 2 or 3 months of the season, both tevez and berbatov became bench players
YorYor … you’ll enjoy this, from a match aginst west ham in 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxJ9wdXXbwY indeed, it’s one that everyone should enjoy.
I remember Ronnie being pissed off at Berbatov in the famous 5 2 spuds game at OT. A pass, or some shit that went astray. Of course, Ronaldo never misplaced a pass.
WillieRedNut – ronaldo seemed pissed he scored his first goal in a united shirt that season, he was thinking that should have been in a white shirt of madrid at the bernabeu
Class act, shame he doesnt mesh well with the team.
In terms of his attitude, he’s far superior to Tevez. Top gent.
“He isn’t an impact player like Chicharito or Solskjaer, ready to come off the bench for the last ten minutes after not playing for a fortnight.”- this is something I was saying through the summer, when he was being linked with a move away. After he lost his place last season, whenever Fergie did call upon him, he wasn’t at his best (only scored 2 goals after January).
Saying that, Fergie still believes he has a role to play in the squad, and I trust his opinion. Which brings me onto my next point..
I understand there’s some BIG fans of Berba on here. But when people start questioning our MANAGER, and accusing him of being spiteful or having a hidden agenda…to me, that’s just wrong.
People say he’s been treated “disgustingly” by the boss…no he hasn’t, let’s not exaggerate. A combination of other players’ quality/form + his lack of consistency has led to him being a squad player. When he lost his place to Chicharito last season, he’d only scored 4 goals since the turn of the year, and they were only spread over 2 games.
As for the Champions League final..it’s been done to death. It wasn’t a bizarre decision, it was a strategic move. Fergie felt there was only room for one striker, and Owen is a better bet to chase the game with (I know he didn’t come on but that’s coz the game was long gone).
I don’t get why people make a big deal out of that. Berba didn’t play much in our run to the final (only started 2 knockout games). Someone like O Shea (who started 4 knockout games) was more unfortunate if you ask me. And yes,I know Berba was our top scorer…all his goals were in the League though. He hadn’t scored a European goal since 08,and Fergie seems to have lost his trust in him for big games, so him missing out wasn’t such a bizarre move.
The point I’m tryna make is, I’m not impressed with some of the stuff people say about Fergie just because their favourite player isn’t playing, its disrespectful IMO.
Mic
that a pretty bold leap. “Tevez would’ve been happy chappy”.
Going ons at the wasetlands suggest otherwise. Berbatov fits all playing sides. Classy player he is, get over it
Mic – tevez by his logic now realises it rains in machester
Speaking of class acts not getting a break. Darren Fletcher is out of Scotland fixtures with tonsillitis.
Poor lad doesn’t get a break.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/oct/04/scotland-darren-fletcher-tonsillitis-euro-2012?
#WillieRedNut, Zibbie, YorYor
I was a huge fan of Tevez while he was at the club.
However, looking back, what I hate the most about Tevez, more than the fact that he joined City, was how he played us. All the chants “Fergie sign him up” Him cupping his year and pointing to the crowd in front of Fergie etc. And for him to go join City after all that and LIE to us about the situation and call Fergie a LIAR was the last straw.
I remember STR had an awesome pic of a #32 shirt wihich said “LYING ****” . sums it up perfectly.
Thats why I am shocked that some Utd fans think highly of Tevez. He played us for heaven’s sake. Insulted our club, Insulted our Fergie, Insulted our intelligence.
I agree with @fergie is the boss, Tevez was really slow. I dont mean that he coudlnt run fast, he was just slow to react to situations. Slow to read the game. Basically you could always see that he had very little footballing intelligence. He would always hold the ball for too long in counterattacks because he couldnt read runs/ situatiosn fast enoguht.
I see Rodwell got his Red card chalked off. No thanks to Cilla Dodd! Goofy looking cretin. Also, it was really refreshing listening to Danny getting interviewed. He sounds like the cat that got the cream! You can tell he’s excited to be playing a major role for United. I just hope Don Fabio gives him a fair crack of the whip. He’s young, hungry, and willing to work his backside off to be where’s he’s at now. Go on Danny lad, do us proud son!
AnomanderRake – I think the counter attacking football was better when it was ronaldo rooney and tevez, but how many games could you name in one hand that tevez was any good very few, without rooney the balance in the united team that year was very poor. Berbatov has had more better games than tevez because he has as been here longer, but at the end of the day both these players never did enough in united shirts
Tevez wasn’t always a starter in his first season either. He was mainly an impact player at United. Albeit, a very good one. His, and Ronaldo’s last seasons, were hit and miss. Both couldn’t wait to leave, so you got mixed performances.
Sparkz
The champions league final should have had him on the bench, call it arguing the statement after the fact, anything you wish, but at a tactical and strategic level, Hernandez was that kind of player and he started. Didnt get a sniff and Owen would ? Maybe, but Berbatov should have been. The boss is human. He might have missed a beat on that one. Only SAF probably can do the things he does and get away with it as a manager its fucking, fans see things going on and react. No one came out insulting the gaffer after he nearly knocked beckham out at half time with the flying boot incident. Fans are just calling what they see
Jones > Berba
irrelevant But has anyone mentioned how good jones is today? I feel like he is not praised enough, just submitted an email to united to see when they are comission a statue for him alongside best law and charlton the golden quartet!
huge fan of the tevez when he was at United though, The combo with Rooney and Ronaldo was devastating.
Class is an understatement when we talk about Berba’s behaviour, attitude and skills
Good evening Red Devils..
Tom jones? Mos def.
If Berba’s attitude is genuine (and I have no reason to think otherwise) then dont you worry, Berbafans. Berba will get his time and his moment of glory on the field this season. Such good sportsmanship and character NEVER goes unrewarded.
Never!
slim – for some reason I do not think the 3 were that devastating, ronaldo was sensational while rooney and tevez besides a purple patch in october, they seemed way to much of an individual’s than a great CF partnership, it never helped ronaldo’s delivery is always frustrating for strikers. All was saw was one player score nearly every game, while the other 2 struggled to score 18 goals each. Heck between both rooney and tevez they barley got past 30 goals between them both
Im guessing nobody knows where to find a link of the film – Warrior – (2011) – The only film I have never found on the web…..cinema it is now.
Meanwhile, What are the odds that 1 goal scorer Andy Pandy Carol gets picked ahead Of Super Danny who’s scored How Many Goals In How Many Appearances ?
Feel bad for Fletch
@willierednut
You mentioned Tom over Sir Phillip? It’s like I don’t even know you anymore! One minute you have me stitches with cilla dodd then this betrayal on Phillip Jones!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gehzhS6Vzo&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL37390A91864DC5ED
Full speed ahead barcelona..
RedNev reckons this is the most memorable game he has played..
New iPhone (4s) has been announced….looks pretty sweet!
We need an RoM app for that mofo
You are comparing one of their players with poor attitude to one of ours with a very good one. If anything, you should compare Tevez to Rooney or, before him, Ronaldo.
Slim @19:28: “The champions league final should have had him on the bench, call it arguing the statement after the fact, anything you wish, but at a tactical and strategic level, Hernandez was that kind of player and he started. Didnt get a sniff and Owen would ?”
You’re right – SAF made a mistake. Chicharito was lost adn Dimmy would have offered something different. Similarly, he made another tactical mistake when he kept Nani out of the game until the 75th minute and had ThreeLungPark and SirRyanGiggs on the field in the second half.
Both players – Dimmy and Nani – are “tricky” and since the high-speed counter-attack wasn’t working it would have been good to have a working PlanB. This makes me wonder whether Antonio Valencia’s games at right back haven’t been part of PlanB for the next time ? Without a doubt, Barcelona had Valencia’s right wing game totally sussed whereas Nani proved to be much more dangerous in his 15-minute cameo when it was essentially all over.
Comparing Dimmy with Carlitos in terms of attitude is rather pointless – only a dim-wit would be impressed with Tevez’ shenanigans whereas Berbatov has been a model of professional decorum.
I fucking loathe that cunt John Terry.
Devil310
same old same old or should i say android apps much.
Berba is simply a gem worth emulating whether on & off d pitch.United 9ja fans really appropriate ur contribution to our success.pls add more swagger and leave SAF with no option than to pick U.
North Stand Tier 2 – Read the articles on goal distribution linked at the bottom of the article. Berba’s distribution is no issue. Bizarre that fans like you make it in to one though.
fergie is the boss
oh i have my reservations about that system we played, but still it was good to watch and i think it part of an overall education for the squad. Rooney’s game developed (slower that i hoped) by playing with all sorts of forwards in his time here. It no doubt helped and all the negativity surrounding the ex players its been a joy to watch. When they were here they had United at heart – most of the time anyway. Despite my calls for stepping up, this squad has grown and the funny thing is their relatively young
Giggs12Gerrard0
Sorry mate lol. You can’t beat old Green Green grass of home!
slim – I still loved how we played that season, it had a bit of everything. I do think rooney is allot more happier overall that the type of players in welbeck and hernandez suit rooneys game overall, and the team is better off is well
fergie is the boss says:
“It is apples and oranges with these 2, at the end of the day both these players hindered rooney’s game. Has both of them played in rooney’s position the no 10 role”
Maybe it’s Rooney’s game that has hindered Rooney’s game. Attacking the ball (or with the ball) Wayne’s a beast, and yes, I’d have him on my team sheet every time. Probably. But Wayne as a point man doesn’t hold up the ball that well, drifts out of position when he’s not getting service, tends to play badly when he’s not getting service, and cannot handle man marking at the highest level. Wayne’s got the game to be possibly the best attacking MF / deep lying striker in Europe but at the moment he thinks he’s an out and out ,lead the line striker. Quite frankly, Wayne’s seriously overrated in that capacity. In any event it is folly to build a team around one player, much less one who’s already had his head turned by money regardless of whether he really thought we were on the slide.
It’s a squad game these days – horses for courses.
You’re a stuck up elitist cunt of a fan, but I can’t disagree – It’s an issue that transcends maturity. Berbatov comes out on top here in spades.
Sidhant. Rooney has never been one of our most important players? Really ? He has from day one pal. Just check out his goal scoring record nevermind his all round contribution. None more so than when Ronnie was here. Odd statement that pal.
Mic. Tevez would never have been a happy chappy. The fucking cunt is poisonous.
Eviso. Please don’t compare that cunt tevez to paul scholes.
Oh berba scored all his goals in four games. So fucking what? As stateside said he secured us TWENTY ONE points last season with his match winning goals.
I aren’t saying he should start right up the pecking order in view of Hernandez and danny but the lack of respect he gets from some fans is a fucking disgrace. Short memories.
Willie. Alright pal. Yeah great hearing Dannys interview.
Berba definitley has a better attidute, thats for sure. But as a player i’ve still gotta give it to Tevez.. 2nd top scorer in the club’s second best season ever. I’d say he brings a little more to the table than berbatov.
Please give a prayer for Thomas Bender, Accrington Stanley player suffered spinal fracture today in match with Tranmere Rovers.
Looks bad.
My opinion for what it’s worth is that Demitar Berbatov is the sort of class act that would fit into any United team going back to and including the “Babes”and there is also a kid from last years Youth Cup winning team by the name of Will Keane who looks like he could be one for the future of a similar type of player.
Sidhant. Hernandez last season contributed plenty when he started. I must watch a different game. Marseille and rentboys in europe. Stoke away. Wigan away. Rentboys at home in league. Everton at home. West brom home and away. To name but a few he started.
king eric
in the three seasons 06-07,07-08,08-09, rooney averaged around 12 goals in the premier league per season .would you really rate his contribution as being more important than ronaldo,van der sar, rio,vidic,evra,hargreaves(07-08),scholes(06-07).
Last year his contribution was close to zero for half the season and again was not really our star performer.I am not saying that he is a bad player , but his contibutions to our title winning campaigns have not been decisive.Did he really do anything significant in our champions league triumph?No.
He has worked well for the team and football is a team sport,but so has every other member of our squad.
I wonder how many of Berba’s detractors would actually relish the prospect of facing him lining up against us rather than playing for us. Sad to think that it might take this before he gets the respect he deserves.
STR good to see you post and put your twitter down for a minute.
@sidhant
mate surely you are not being serious? I still can’t forgive him and I have continually said he will never be a cantona or Brian Robson status but he is by a country mile our best player. Of course I’m not including phil jones in this as we know he is better than messi Si not fair to compare!
In all serious with everyone I’m gonna sum this argument up! Berba is a class guy with great ability which it just hasn’t worked out for him at OT. He generally is a football genius as was juan sebastian veron! Roo and hernandez are a better dove tail and when hernandez is out the next option is now Wellbeck! Red neck got it right he deserve more respect and I wouldn’t want to face him but love or loathe him we have to agree he is a class act that just isn’t 1st choice line up.
Only thing to take from this discussion is that fans are fixated on the starting 11 and don’t get the squad game that United play. United ‘require’ what amounts to 2+ starting 11s. Why is it? We are the best equipped team that to survive the christmas fixture list, Jan-Feb-Mar-April trips in snow to Stoke etc still have lads ready for 3 games a week due to EPL, CL, FA, CC. We need depth and we need classy guys who understand the system. Says it all that one of our “second choice” strikers won the golden boot last year.
Come on Dimitar! You are one classy player.
King Eric @ 21:22 “I aren’t saying he should start right up the pecking order in view of Hernandez and danny but the lack of respect he gets from some fans is a fucking disgrace. Short memories.” Top comment, that.
Denton @ 20:19, while you and I are poles apart on this one subject, that’s not a bad post. I can’t argue with its tone or content. Not that it’s down to me to approve or disapprove. Just saying.
Rooney has like 152 goals right? I have always thought his best position would be in a AMF role but I have never played the game. The in the hole role is cool. In an story lately he plays different with each player depending on there skill set. 152 divided by 7=21.7 goals a year.
Giggs12Gerrard0
I agree that this season he is our most important player and i believe this is the season where he can take his place amongst the elite of world football.But his contributions to our previous triumphs have not really been decisive.He has always been a good team player but has not really stood out in any of our major triumphs(4titles,1 champions league)
Rooney is a WINNER.
You could take the 25 best footballers in the world, drop them in the Amazon and they are taught there local tribes games, Rooney’s team wins.
sidhant – Rooney’s penalty clinched our 19th title! Hows that for effecting a title race? Rooney, by his own admission, hasn’t always been a consistent goal scorer. That has improved, as we seen in the 09/10 season. He didn’t do too badly either, the second half of last season. Winner in the Manchester derby. Another winner against the rentboys in Europe. He scored against Schalke and Barcelona. His hat trick at West Ham, when we were 2 goals down. Apart from all that though, he doesn’t done much! The Berb had his hot streak when Rooney played with him. I’m quite sure too, if you asked Ronaldo and Berbatov about Rooney, they would confirm his effectiveness on the pitch.
I think everyone needs to recognize that Berbatov’s says are obviously numbered, not only by his own age but by SAF’s drive to make the squad more youthful. It may be that this causes the club and Berbatov to part ways soon, because either the club no longer wants him or because he’s no longer satisfied with the level of his involvement. Or it may be that, like Owen, he stays because he’d rather play a bit part here than a starring role at some lesser club and is prepared to negotiate a lower pay deal. Who knows? They’ll sort it between them.
But there’s no need to go slagging him off. He played a key role in winning us #19. It is undeniable and I for one believe we would have struggled to achieve that without him. That doesn’t mean no one else was important. But his contribution does not deserve to be devalued by cheap shots.
sidhant, have you ever played ant type of group game? Anything at all? Ultimate Frisbee counts?
oops, I meant “everyone needs to recognize that Berbatov’s **days** are obviously numbered…”. Anyway, off to watch my lad’s high school game. His coach has been teaching them how to park the bus. Last week they lost 1-0 to a team that thumped them 10-0 last year, now that’s what I call progress
Berbatov at Blackpool away for me put us right on track fir the title
GO STATESIDE JR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Teves has played with Rooney, CR7 and Messi. He calls Rooney the best footballer her has ever played with.
So has Lamps and like almost every one who has played with him. He covers FB, drifts left tracks back, assists in goal to a point he needs to shot more ect. ect.
If CR7 could have one player at Real to beat Barca he would pick Rooney. Wow you can think he is a cunt for last year, but to denying his greatness as a player is lunacy.
Good article Scott.
Oh well at least when Berbatov does go NBI Red Onion will give us all a party with free alcohol and herbal medication. Every cloud has a silver lining. When God closes a door he opens a window etc etc.
WillieRedNut
thank god rooney was there to take the penalty against blackburn or we would not have won the title last year.
was rooneys contributions greater than berbatov,nani,vidic,van der sar or even hernandez?
john o shea probably scored one of the most imp goals of the 06-07 season against liverpool? Hows that for effecting a title race?does it mean that o shea was one of our most important players in that season?
rooney was good in the second half of last season and we seem to have built a team around rooney,his performances this season could put him up with the very best.
sid-hant? Cid have? Acid is a fun drug. Try it while riding roller coasters.
You said it, thank God! Didn’t know you were saved? Praise his name!! Big John was a squad player. A very good one at that. Rooney has always been a big player for United. One of many, I might add.
AMEN!
Can I get a witness. Can I get a witness.
You can get a witness!
Is there anything in these stories that we are in for Ross Barkley? Never a Fly when ya need one?
Fly??
Sheesh, these international breaks are murder!
I am not a big fan of his footballing ability, but I respect him as a professional and I would really like him to achieve whatever he wants. He might not have been a perfect fit to our club football wise like we all hoped, but he was a great fit character wise. Great guy Berba without need of comparison to other people. I hope he contributes a lot to our season and hopefully finds a permanent role in our squad.
St Roon!
At least the club is doing it’s part to keep some interest going during the break.
Just released Nani as Player of the month:
Nani – 36 per cent
Wayne Rooney – 26 per cent
David De Gea – 19 per cent
Also nominated: Phil Jones, Ryan Giggs
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Oct/nani-wins-september-player-of-the-month-award.aspx
Lord Berba!
Sir Carrick!
FletchTHEMAN – Close call between Nani and Rooney. Nice to see DDG getting on the shortlist.
@Denton & Slim- Maybe Berba would’ve been an effective Plan B vs Barca….I have my doubts though. Its been said many times that Berba gives us a different option,there’s no doubt about that.
Against sides that defend deep and park the bus, that’s where he comes in handy. But could he have been a good Plan B vs Barca? A side that defends with a high line and presses intensely. That’s not his type of game at all IMO, and that’s probably one of the reasons why Fergie thought he wouldn’t be a good Plan B. On top of that, he’s not known for being an impact player (as Scott said) and he hasn’t always produced in big games, particularly in Europe. All of this probably influenced Fergie’s decision.
zibbie
If CR7 could have one player at Real to beat Barca he would pick Rooney
i would pick messi
I’d pick Charlie Adam.
willie lol!!!!!!!!!!
Lord Alex.
If I were Berbatov I’d rething my stance towards the Bulgarian national team. If he quit the team so that he can forcus entirely on his United commitments, that hasn’t worked out too well for him. Returning to the side could be a big psychological boost. It’s not like he’s too old.
@WillieRedNut Cheers mate. I agree, I voted for DeGea myself, as I feel that kid has kept us in a couple of games that we would have been out of. And did so on personal skill alone, since the system and language are still works in progress. Will be a monster in goal if he settles for the club. Must be something for a 20 year old to be looked up to by captains of England, France, Korea, Wales and Scotland (Rio, Evra, Park, Giggs, Fletch) for saving the day on a couple of occasions!
I’d pick Charlie Adam.
i think his game is more suited to barcelona,he is the left footed xavi
Cid so you have never play a team game have you. I can tell, you have no clue what a winner is let alone a champion like Rooney is all about.
Stateside. Cheers mate.
Sidhant. Rooney in every season has been very important. Shifted all over the shop for Ronnie. He is top drawer and consistently been superb since we bought him. Yes his goals come in streaks but his all round game has been key to Uniteds success. Just look at his goal record for United. Hargreaves was important in that ONEseason so aint even gonna compare. All those you mentioned are all important players as has been fletch and carrick in his first few seasons but I cannot agree that Rooney hasn’t been one of our most important players. Of course he has.
WillieRedNut
I bet pep is shiting himself.
Costas – Heard he’s rethinking that decision?
Now then Tony Adams that’s more like it.
@Fletch quit a list is it not, then there is Vida and Giggs as well Jones Cap of Under 21′s.
Leaders, leaders everywhere.
PS, Not saying Nani wasn’t a hands down shoo in for POM. Been absolutely on fire.
On the subject of Tevez, I understand from press reports today that Mankini’s already starting to back track on his ‘he’ll never play for City again’ utterances. No surprise there then. Maybe the Sheik or whatever the despot who owns City calls himself has had a word with Mankini. Mark my words – we’ll see Carlos and Balotelli playing together in the City line up before the month is out.
At least SAF had the good sense to give himself wiggle room when Wayne played up last year. But then again SAF’s not being dictated to on playing matters by some Sheikh or Mafioski oligarch who regards the club as a toy. Mankini is fast becoming the ‘Arry of the North.
Red Neck – Don’t hate on the Adam! Lol.
@Willie
I’ve heard that he’s been asked to do so by some. Stilian petrov for example. Don’t know where he stands. I think he had some problems with their FA too.
Say what you want about the Glazers, they let SAF and Gill run the Footballing side as they have doubled revenue and the value of the club.
Berba is class and deserves more playing time if he isn’t going to get it needs to move on at the moment wasted talent at Utd
Another I phone what a fucking joke Apple playing people for mugs
Costas, not a bad Idea, Berba and Bulgaria. Is that on or just a whimsical suggestion. I think he said he did it because the travel a bit much and wanted to make room for the young lads. Sure they would love it. He is a god over there…..
No hate just pure jealousy. Wish we had him instead of that ineffective lad Rooney. Adams is god.
If that is true Shity will need a new gaffer.
Sidhant. I assume you were taking the piss about Adam! Rooney after his injury in 06 was excellent. 07 08 season he was superb. Top scorer two seasons later he scored 34 goals. Even in 05 he was key with his two goals in the league cup final to get us back to winning ways. I simply don’t see how you can say he hasn’t been important to Uniteds success. He has.
Zibbie Cheers as well. Think Berbatov used to Captain Bulgaria and Vidic has captained Serbia from time to time but don’t think its a permanent appointment. Valencia was named captain for Ecuador recently but don’t know if the injury changed that. I agree, very impressive list.
Fletch that is awesome.
Mankini will be gone in the summer.
With a Mankini you would have to wax! A 40 year old virgin of the undercarriage!!!!!!!
king eric
i am not saying he has not been important to our success,every player has played his part,but rooney was never our most important player in our triumphs,nowhere close.would you really put him above ronaldo,vidic.rio or van der sar?i personaly felt he was pretty poor in 07-08 and the second half of 08-09
09-10 i have specifically talked about his contributions in our victories.he was great in this season but due to no fault of his,we won nothing
i thought that the adam joke was implied .xavi on a wheelchair is better than a fit adam
Apparently Tevez’s ‘I’m not playing’ has morphed into ‘I’ve already warmed up, so don’t need to do so again’ and some of the subs on the City bench are supporting Tevez’s version of events….whoops!
Am I bovvered? Nah, no really, but City are good entertainment and anything that causes disruption in their camp can only be good for our campaign.
Wow, Great news on Thomas Bender, the Accrington player hauled to hospital with suspected spinal rupture. Tufty reports the hospital has released him! I call that lucky break for the lad! Lucky lucky boy.
Tevez has fucked off to Argentina. Hope the horrible little cunt never returns but like Mr C says it won’t surprise me if he is playing for City in a couple of weeks again. The sheiks dictate who does and doesn’t play.
See that greedy cunt nasri chose the cash just to sit on the fucking bench on saturday. I absolutely love Paddy Crerand but I wish he wouls stop reiterating how gutted he is that Nasri didn’t join United. Fucking paper chasing big game bottler. Frankly I would have hated him in a United shirt as I still can’t get over the fact he pulled the legend that is Paul Scholes` hair. What a snide bastard. Cannot wait for Jones or Vida to fucking smash him in a couple of weeks. That’s if he plays considering OT has always proved too big a venue for him.
wayne
No such thing as wasted talent at United.
SAF and Berabatov will attest to that this season. I’m convinced of it
What kind of stupid fuck is going to risk their reputation by going to shitty. It would need to be one seriously deluded crazy prick. Just can’t think of any one. Oh but wait of course FSW.
Sidhant. Ha. Thank fuck you were joking about Adam mate!
Fletch. Hello mate. Yeah great news about that player.
I see those piss ant cunts at sky are using young Dannys comments about no ingerlund divide to discredit what scholes said.
Rooney wasn’t poor in 07/08. That was Ronnie’s season, so I can understand why some would think that to be the case. He played in Ronaldo’s shadow, but still was an important cog in the wheel for us.
King Eric – the one thing about rooney that makes him stand out to the rest, even when he is having a bad day he still wants to try and put it right, he never goes walk about he knuckles down and sacrifices himself for the team. Even on his worst day he still can be united’s best player, and from complete nothing he can score goals in a blink of an eye, and that is what makes rooney one of the top 3 players in the world
FITB awesome!
Growing in the US
http://www.epltalk.com/fox-draws-audience-of-2-1-million-for-spurs-against-arsenal-tv-broadcast-35909?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EPLTalk+%28EPL+Talk%29
WillieRedNut – rooney before the his injury in the 07/08 season, he was perhaps united’s most devastating attacking player, his link up play with tevez was sensational. Overall I would not say it was rooneys best season. But what we learnt from that season was, ronaldo may have scored 42 goals, but rooney set the balance in the team, even though we had ronaldo and tevez united still looked poor without rooney
Exactly. Even when he was poor against Chelsea, he still scored. That’s the difference between him and Berba. Rooney can still impact a game, when playing poorly. The Berb needs to be playing and full of confidence to impact any game. He gets frustrated. Starts waving knickers around in the air like an old whore. Rooney just sleeps with whores.
I’m joking!
fergie is the boss
rooney before the his injury in the 07/08 season, he was perhaps united’s most devastating attacking player
rooney was injured on the first day of the season
Rooney IS our most important player.
Replaceable, sure. All players are replaceable. But there is no doubt that Rooney puts more fear in the opposition and completely dominates the attack. Only Nani comes close.
7 years, 156 goals (within 5-10 of both Giggs and Mark Hughes)
Rooney is only player likely to overtake Carltons goals (256 or sommat)
He is a massive talent that I really hope we can keep happy.
Dip in form in 07-08? A couple goals less but not out of the average for united career.
If he keeps up averaging 20ish per year Rooney is only player likely to overtake Carltons goals (256 or sommat). If he starts banging in a couple more 35 goal seasons, he will be there or there abouts.
Still smarting over his efforts to leave, but getting back to his scoring ways and fans singing his name are starting to ease the pain.
Who knew the lad was vain, a bit of cosmetic surgery was all we needed! Right, back on track!
Rooney’s importance to United can’t surely just be judged on how many goals he has scored per season or indeed how important each of the goals were. Obviously goals make headlines but like King Eric has already said it’s his all round contribution that is so special. Sparky was similar in the way he put himself about, often battling in midfield or tracking back. No coincidence then that sparky and now Rooney were are are huge crowd favourites. A great pass or great run never make the stats but over a season can make all the difference to any side.
*** Charlton ****
I remember a stat from the 07/08 season, that United lost games in which Rooney wasn’t playing? He missed both Manchester derbies. We lost both. Away at Bolton as well? He played at Chelsea. Scored, but lost the game.
@Red Neck. 23:50 Spot on mate. (was worried about ye back at 22:57) j)
FletchTheMan
I’m ok now. It’s amazing what two bottles of vodka can make you say some times.
Berba is class and as I’ve always maintained, He’ll get to play games over the next 8 months, no doubt about that. Cheers AllBerba is class and as I’ve always maintained, He’ll get to play games over the next 8 months, no doubt about that. Cheers All
WillieRedNut – PPL go on about berbatovs confidence is knocked, well rooney brought it on himself, when the shit rooney pulled last season. But can you imagine the pressure cooker rooney was under after he forced a transfer request. When he felt like a complete jackass, from forcing to say sorry to all the dressing room, the scrutiny he was under that he felt like he was losing friends in the dressing room, the fans wanted his head on a silver plate, his marriage on the verge of collapse, and he came through all that to now the player he is now. And that is what you call the ultimate united player when the chips are at an all time low, he can rise like aphoenix rises from the ashes and reclaim his place at united is some strong mentality.
sidhant – when he returned in october he went on a devastating few months, scoring all sorts of goals putting ronaldo in the shade
FITB – Spot on mate. Rooneygate should be tucked away for good. He had a moment of weakness, but now has a second chance at United. He’s a lucky boy. You don’t usually get second chances off the boss. Time to repay the fans, but more importantly, the manager.
Red neck and FITB. Spot on lads. I loved Sparky. What a tough cunt he was and always scored hugely important goals. Since he left the bitters,well sacked I am pleased as I cam start liking him again. Disliked him at city but will always respect and appreciate Mark Hughes the United player.
King Eric
good valid posts mate.
Rooney has been a big player for us. While Ronaldo banged the goals and dazzled, it was Rooney ‘s game and work ethic that made it possible.
and talking about that sharkfaced cunt naseri… i have never ever hoped more for anyone to not sign for us. He’s clearly had issues over authority, regarding some of the tales out from the French camp. Plus the Scholes incident when him and that other gooner cunt wilshere decided to try to have a row with him. No sense of respect for the man who has done more than what they’ll ever achieve even if they play for a hundred years. Would’ve stuck out like a sore thumb in our dressing room. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I read Evra wanted him to sign for us. King Eric
good valid posts mate.
Rooney has been a big player for us. While Ronaldo banged the goals and dazzled, it was Rooney ‘s game and work ethic that made it possible.
and talking about that sharkfaced cunt naseri… i have never ever hoped more for anyone to not sign for us. He’s clearly had issues over authority, regarding some of the tales out from the French camp. Plus the Scholes incident when him and that other gooner cunt wilshere decided to try to have a row with him. No sense of respect for the man who has done more than what they’ll ever achieve even if they play for a hundred years. Would’ve stuck out like a sore thumb in our dressing room. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I read Evra wanted him to sign for us.
WillieRedNut- Yeah that stat is actually true. I remember the Manchester Derby that we lost on the Munich anniversary, and we looked toothless without him up front. Richards & Dunne played at centre half for City, and they just physically overpowered Tevez who was fighting a lone battle (Saha was also injured for that game)
And in that Chelsea game- he scored to make it 1-1 but then he pulled up with an injury immediately after and got subbed. And we went on to lose 2-1.
He got 17 goals that season, and if he hadn’t broken his foot on the opening day, plus the injury I referred to earlier which made him miss a bit of the run in…he would’ve crossed the 20 goal mark.
FITB. Spot on mate about Rooney. He also looks happier than ever now and is clearly enjoying his football again and playing with the young lads.
DDG – ” A few of my team mates gave me some doughnuts as a joke.”
LOL!!
Sparkz – We Battered the cunts at wastelands. Must of had 5/6 clear cut chances. Vidic hit the bar. The rebound comes out to Scholesy, he fluffs it. Tevez missed a header from about 2 yards! Not our day. The other game, I was at. We just didn’t turn up. Occasion got to the lads. City defended like demons.
Yes I agree but Mike Phelan has lifted the lid on the BBC Boycott, I just found this and its a very good insight into the mechanics of Mikey’s brain.
http://newsthump.com/2011/08/25/mike-phelan-announces-bbc-interview-boycott/
Now Rooney is a key player but when has he won us a major trophy EVER. Oh wait he won us the Carling Cup 2006 & 2010 Yuck. Ronaldo won the CL in 2008 and the league treble in 07,08 & 09. Vida won the league in 2011. Berba even won us the league. Rooney may have scored 150+ plus but they was all against Small team and not in a any finals. Wait Rooney is not influential, remember when he was for sale? Nobody even made a bid for him. Mourinho said No, Pep Ignored it, Carlo raised his eyebrow and rejected the idea, and Shiity refused to acknowledge the link as a rumour.
The truth is we got ripped off for rooney because its been a year and still no one has bought. Everton must be spinning in their financial grave. Manchester United don’t need Rooney, as long as we have Ronnie & Tevez we’ll bring the league home every time angelina jolie gives birth to orphans from africa called London,Sahara & Cairo.
King Eric
It was a shame sparky went to City.One of my all-time heroes of at United. Will let him of with that mistake. Never what you could call a prolific goal scorer like Rudd but like Rooney ever bit as important.
Wayne got his pay rise and the opportunity to play his way back into form, largey as Berbatov’s expense. A very good deal on Wayne’s part I reckon. Lucky boy? Perhaps.
Wayne is a fine player, albeit over-hyped (white Pele FFS!) and yes, he’d be on my team sheet any day of the week. As others have pointed out, when Ronaldo was taking the scoring plaudits, Rooney was working his butt off, setting up the plays and putting in the hard yards. However you cannot go into a dressing room, knowing what the likes of Neville, Scholes, Giggs, SAF in particular have achieved for the club and see the likes of Vidic, Rio, Berba and say, in effect, that these guys aren’t good enough to be your teamates. That’s crossing the Rubicon as well as taking the piss. Just plain wrong, a real hero to zero event as for me. If I had my way Wayne would never have pulled on a United jersey again. But it’s not up to the likes of me, tapping away in the ether on my laptop, that’s SAF job, his call and he made it. SAF had his reasons and the real world responsibility. So Wayne stayed and I’ll support the jersey and his contribution to the team. And as we are paying so handsomely for his services Wayne better stay on song. But forget Rooneygate? Nope.
Stateside, that goal will forever be etched in my memory. Never again will we see another footballer be able to pull something like that off, and even if one does, he will forever pale in comparison to what Berbatov did. Notice how Ronaldo didn’t wait nearer to the penalty spot in expectation of a cut-back (unlike the headless chicken), but charged forward expecting Berbatov to see red movement from the corner of his eye and square the ball instead.
I feel that in a lot of times, Rooney and Nani are guilty of “hanging around” near the ball when Berba has it, rather than charge into space and trust that Berba will find them. Kinda similar to how Hernandez reacted for that wicked cross from Nani against Bolton I think, earlier this season. Nani has been doing that for years, but people have been saying it was poor delivery… do we think Rooney/Berba/Tevez would be able to get to that ball, or even anticipate it? They’d just throw their arms and hiss at Nani, blaming him for not finding them.
Fuck Rooneygate already! If Fergie has forgiven, then so will I. I understand fans are still annoyed at Rooney’s actions last year. We’re all were. Me, being a huge Rooney fan, I couldn’t comprehend what he was thinking about, by putting the club through this nonsense. It all happened so quickly. He was leaving one minute. Then he ends up signing a new deal. Crazy time. This blog went bonkers for a whole week. No one really knowing what the hell was going on. Was it ruse by Fergie and Rooney to get the Glazers to spend some money? not likely, but that was one of the theories. I just put it down to Rooney being at a weak stage in his life. That was on and off the pitch. Stretford no doubt, in the background pulling the strings. Can’t blame him for all of it though. Rooney employs the guy. Near a year on, I think we should try and leave that madness behind us. United under Fergie are heading into a new era. Rooney will be a massive part of it. Whether some of us like it, or not. Wayne will spearhead the new United. I’m looking forward to another few years of success under Sir Alex Ferguson. So, bury the hatchet you few, just not in Rooney’s head!
Sparkz @ 22:35: “could he [Dimitar Berbatov] have been a good Plan B vs Barca? A side that defends with a high line and presses intensely.”
Maybe not – BUT it was a strategic, managerial mistake not to have Dimmy available.
One thing is for sure – Plan A didn’t work at all against Barcelona in May. It wasn’t just that Chicharito was played off-sides but the delivery to him was not all that great and Pique is about a foot taller, too.
SO, if PlanA wasn’t working – for whatever reason – then something different was called for. As matters shook out, SAF essentially gave up by not even calling on his third substitute – I guess that he thought bringing on LittleMikey was pointless. Which brings us back to the PlanB that wasn’t attempted.
Barcelona were on a terrific roll but I’m not convinced that they are “up a level” from UTD although they played that way in May.
A fit DarrenFletcherinho (in his “football genius” mode) would have made a difference and if Patrice Evra didn’t go walkabout in-field instead of covering his flank …… Maybe next time, eh ?
Great Read! Berba’s a class act and as hard it would be to see him leave I think he should as he has another 2-3 years in him. He shouldn’t waste them playing a bit part role for United where anyway most of the fans don’t seem to appreciate his ability.
@Willie spot on mate.
Anyone trained in or who has studied the human mind. Knows there are levels of anger and the ones who can not move on.
From just the bitter.
To the bitter ones who knock others.
All the above and recruits others to keep ranting on.
All the above and want to force it down your face and impose there view on you.
The latter borders on criminal madness, a fine blurry line.
Willie you can not fix stupid and crazy is as crazy does.
Some just like to cause shit.
I for the most part except for a few, I was impressed with how many expressed thanks for his good work on the field. And see some of his greatness as a player and at the least be thankful for his contribution to Man Utd.
Rooney’s hair has helped as well. Confidence is sexy.
He is still just 25, 5 more years at 20 goals a season club records start to fall, what then oh the ones with hate filled hearts? Can one be a true believer if not believing in who the boss believes in most?
How can one wish the best for Man Utd? And hope their best or most effective player, the one most important for club success to fail? Answer yourself that?
Sparkz … no one can say what would have happened if Berbatov had been available in the CL final. No one can say he would have made a difference. No one can say he wouldn’t have. All we can say is what Denton said: plan A obviously wasn’t working, and without Berbatov on the bench, we did not have a real plan B. My own view is that nothing would have made a difference because Barca (who had a poor Champions League overall) played out of their skins that day. Still, it would have been nice to see us try something else in the last 20 or 25 minutes. It seems somewhat ironic to me that having shown an astonishing variety of formations, strategies and approaches throughout all of last season, we went into the final and most important match with all our eggs in one basket.
But it’s done now. History. Forget it.
Please respect Dimitar Berbatov for loving MU and his world class football skill….
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15175325.stm
Dan the Man.
Stateside how was your sons game?
after read this article i realize i already forgot what Berba already done and contribute to our club. How loyalty he is. How genuine he want to join the club and how sincere he is. Of course he deserve the best even not from United. Maybe somewhere else.
Snoopy there was much love here today for him. And well deserved.
Mr C – who overhyped rooney? the fucking press or his manager? rooney is world class, technically he is superior to anything england can offer (not much really) he’d have been appreciated more at other countries, its the same with scholes.
Good morning ROM..
Berbatov and class!!
Good day 1878!
Capo Vida
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2045345/Nemanja-Vidic-sets-sights-Liverpool-Manchester-City-recovering-calf-injury.html?ITO=1490
fergie is the boss
when he returned in october he went on a devastating few months, scoring all sorts of goals putting ronaldo in the shade
to be honest i dont remember that happening
as far his ‘devastating’ partnership with tevez is concerned ,i only remember 1 good game,aston villa away
had they been so good sir alex wouldnt have played ronaldo in the middle or been so desperate for a new striker
zibbie … they lost again, 2-zip. His high school team is shit. His weekend team is better. Still, it’s just a bunch of kids running around. Cheers!
Zibbie
Good luck with your planned trip in the spring. Last time I was there I stayed at the Radisson Edwardian right in the heart of the city and at the time it was the hotel that the team met in on Fridays pre match day weekends….Very nice hotel slightly on the expensive side but really worth it. As for match day tickets you can get them on line via purchasing a full package i.e. with accommodation and they are usually in the East stand, however if any of the regulars here can help you I would recommend that you try and get your ticket at the Stretford End (West stand) that is the end that the team likes to attack in the second half and were most if not all the singing comes from….Either way I am sure it will be an experience you will never forget, good luck
Dear Reads,
Cant miss this. Paddy interviews Berba
http://7cantonas.com/2011/10/berbatov-meets-paddy-video/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=berbatov-meets-paddy-video
i like you rooney
andre
This could be interesting
http://m.givemefootball.com/view.aspx?edid=158655&path=/premier-league/united-chelsea-chase-usa-strike-star—reports
King Eric
Spain play Scotland on the 11th mate…. Not sure if this has been answered yet!
Devil310
Dear Reads? Hahaha
Thanks for the link my friend and fellow read!
What a bloody decent guy, how can anyone not love him? That link by Devil310 is a must watch
@Cedars – LOL I fuckin hate typos!
How you been mate? Got Fifa12 already? Or are you too busy with Gears3?
Denton Davey
October 5, 2011 – 2:39…Well said, boss.
Don’t know if wishing for a testimonial for the Berbs too much but I swear I would love that. Stay and retire in United, Berb. I don’t want to see you anywhere else.
Devil310
Non of the above my friend! Not into games at all, last game of sorts I had was Space Invaders back in the early 80′s! Hahaha
@Cedars – Space Invaders is a classic, mate! I remember that…
I confused you with someone else who was asking me about Fifa a few months back. Didnt mean to come off as random. Sorry about that. Good to know you dont waste your time on those darn things….a vice they are!
Cedars at his usual humor best
Hey Zibbie, thanks, good luck with your trip, lemme know if you are coming to Bangalore
Good day buds,
Devil310,
thanks for the lovely link..
tevez is only a mercenary, while berbatov has shown loyalty to the club, even if he ends up watching 90 mins from the bench, but he knows the manager will call him in for another game, and he’s mentally ready to accept it.
btw, anyone tried the new FIFA 12 or PES?? Need to get a review before i buy either one
it is my wish that he stays and when he retires to be given a job in united coz he deserves more than any one out there
lordrt
I am playing Fifa now… good buy. you might want to check out the forums first before buying because there are a lot of issues regarding online play surfacing by the hour. The career mode and game play with the new engine makes it as good as PES in my opinion. Yet to check out PES first hand. Dunno what’s new from Konami.
Good read, top guy but not quite right for us.
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Krista
Berba is one of the true gents of the game just like Ole was. Chewing gum neck is nothing but a dirty petulant mercenary cunt. He needs to fuck off away from our wonderful Premier league. He’s a thorn in footballs side.
Great post Scott, well said. Some belting comments on here as well…
Berbatov strikes me as a smart man, so he knows full well that even if fans of today don’t appreciate him fully, history will. Bottom line, when we all look back on our 19th title in years to come it will be impossible to call Berbatov anything other than a class act. He personally won us 21 points, not including his assists, and not forgetting that hugely important hat trick against Liverpool early in the season. That showed we meant business with or without Rooney.
We (should) all know Berbatov is so class he deserves a team built around him, and he’s still got years at the top left in him, so maybe our agreement is he leaves in January instead? There was no guarantee Danny would start so brilliantly, and Hernandez was always a potential doubt for the start of this season, so keeping our previous top scorer was an obvious move. But now that we’ve started so well, now what? Even Diouf is forcing the issue in the reserves, and he looked sharp against Leeds. Then theres Owen.
One thing we know for sure, we play with one eye on tomorrow, and Alex will always lean on the side of youth. That means as long as Chica and Danny perform alongside Rooney its nearly impossible for Dimmy to get a look in. But whatever happens, its been a pleasure having him at United. Once you ignore the price tag we were forced to pay, he has been a top quality signing. Its unfortunate he hasn’t been the first name on the team sheet but thats football, and it shows that when our Manager says the best performers play, he really really means it.
Right now I wouldn’t swap seeing Danny stake his claim for anything, but the season is long, and we may yet need to call on the Bulgarian. Its not often im completely and utterly baffled by the moves our Manager makes, but I have no idea what our next move will be with our Golden Boot winner. All part of the experience I guess. Eitherway, the man is pure class, he’s cool as fuck, and he has his head screwed on tightly at all times. What is there not to like about the man?
milesplatting – Spot on pal.
Willie – Good post mate about Rooney in the early hours.
Cedars – Thank you my friend.
What ??? Morning pal. Hope you are well.
WillieRedNut and King Eric – I do hate when PPL bring up mr ambitious, he fucked up but everyone as moved on his performances show that. The rooney gate seems to me the tool that drives rooney to success now, he will not be satisfied until he is in his 30s when he looks back and says how much he as won. and how much the fans appreciate what work he as done.
sidhant – well you cannot have watched united much that season. From september to november he was united’s form player. Lets not forget the link up play with rooney and tevez goal against boro, that is how well rooney was playing, he was linking up the play controlling and dictating how united were moving
What?
How u mate, greap post on berba..well summed up..
Hello King Eric,
wasup mate,
boring next 10 days..
I do follow this blog everyday but I rarely comment..but this article brought tears to my eyes. I agree we should let go off Berbs in Jan just to be fair to him. but am sure as long as I live I will remember the lad as a top top player, talent wise and attitude.
fergie is the boss
i know you love rooney but you are just making up stuff.It seems you didnt watch much football that season.rooney was injured in the first game and came back only in october.he then missed a few games again that month due to injury.How was he our form player fom sep to nov then?
WillieRedNut it is tough to forgive rooney for his actions last year.he made us lok as vulnerable as any other club.But the worst part was when he lied that he had not been injured when he clearly was,he was trying to create prolems with sir alex and just showed how selfish he could be.He created a rift with moyes before he left everton and it seems was trying to do the same here
@King Eric, Easy mate, all good. Hows tricks? Just having a glance/quick rant at RoM reads.
@Sandeep, cheers mate. Aye, at least we’ve got Welbeck and other United lads to watch for Ingerlund. Funny thing is im not even sure if him, Young and Jones are certs to start the match, thats how incompetent Capello is. Still, something to watch while we wait for Anfield I suppose….
Berbatov is Just a role model to me and everyone. He is the PERFECT example of patience and virtue. If not for this man we pro ably might not have won that title last yr. You cannot tell me that someone who banged in 21 goals for us last yr was not pivotal to our success. It’s just not possible. Hopefully he gets some games in the cup tourneys.
WHAT?? Yeah good thanks mate. Top post about Berba and the strikers earlier.
Hello Sandeep mate.
sidhant – Get over it. The boss has. A lot of people on here are good at casting up shit. Rooney made a mistake. Scholes refused to play in 2001. I never held that against Scholesy. Players are human. They’re just like you and me. They fuck up now and again. Rooney is a big part of our future success. If you want to keep on bringing up shit from the past, so be it. I won’t be a part of it. He’s been bashed for his indiscretions. Sorry, time to move to on….
King Eric – Cheers mate.
What ??? @ 11:25: “Once you ignore the price tag we were forced to pay, he has been a top quality signing.”
WHAT ????????? Are you serious ? How can you “ignore the price tag” of UTD’s most expensive transfer ? A top quality signing justifies that kind of price tag by doing more than playing one half-season in three-plus years at the expected level. AND now he’s fourth-choice – or maybe even fifth choice if he’s behind LittleMikey.
While I completely disagree with the highlighted point, I am not so critical of your statement “the season is long, and we may yet need to call on the Bulgarian” BUT that”s a pretty slim reed on which to pin your hopes
fitb @ 11:32: ” I do hate when PPL bring up mr ambitious”
Why ? He acted like a complete and utter prat. He dis-respected the manager, the club, AND his team-mates after it was revealed that he had done the same to his wife and family. Yeah, he “apologized” and it’s OK to allow TheWayneBoy some penitence but to forget what he did – not by me ! AND, for sure, not if he ever “kisses the badge” again !
Mr C- Rooney was allowed to play himself back into form at Berba’s expense? Erm, how exactly? When Rooney came back, more often than not, he played WITH Berba, rather than instead of him. I dunno why people keep peddling this myth. Same goes for the one where they say Berba was dropped when he was in great form.
If he lost his place in Jan/Feb….then that’d be true. But he lost his place in mid March, at which point he’d dipped a bit and Hernandez was making an excellent case for himself whenever he played.
And as for your point about Rooney being overrated as a “lead the line, point man” type striker- I’d have to respectfully disagree. I think he’s showed (especially in 09/10), that when on form, he can play that role brilliantly. His hold up play is really good (miles better than when he first joined)…he has the pace and workrate to work the channels….and he can stick the ball in the back of the net.
Yes, when he’s not getting service then he’ll be poor…but that’s the same for ANYBODY who plays lone striker! That’s why he’s far better playing in the hole, so he can actually influence things himself, rather than just relying on service.
WillieRedNut @ 13:15: “Rooney made a mistake. Scholes refused to play in 2001.”
Apples-and-oranges, mate. Rooney’s “mistake” was a public issue; Scholes at least had the good grace to keep the matter in-house by refusing to travel to London for a Carling Cup match. It’s not like Scholes did what Carlitos did last week – travelled with the team and then refused to come on as a substitute. These are very, very different matters and it’s not sensible to lump them all together – the only common thread is that in each instance there was an element of “insubordination” but there were massive degrees of difference in those actions.
Sparkz @ 13:26: Really excellent comment.
denton – Way to miss the point! Deary me. The point I was trying to convey, is people make the wrong decisions on occasions. I wasn’t comparing Rooney and Scholes situations. They’re different obviously.
@King Eric – exciting times ahead mate, can’t wait for next week.
@Denton – Alright mate? I know some put a lot of emphasis on transfer amounts when judging players, I guess we all do to an extent, but my expectations of Berbatov were based on what I’d seen at Spurs, not the fact he was gonna cost us 30 odd million. Of course transfer fees are a big part of football, but United will nearly always be forced to pay over the odds because Clubs know we have the money. Many things effect the cost of a player, so money alone clearly ISN’T a good gauge to judge anything by.
Look at Hernandez, he cost precisely naught point fuck all but he still performed like a “30 mill striker” in his first season. On the other end of the spectrum, Ronaldo was worth well over 100 million in my mind, so the 80 million price tag didn’t do his talent justice when the likes of Torres were sold for 50 million and Carrol for 30. Can you honestly say those two together would be a fair swap for Ronnie? Of course not, and thats my point, transfer fees make great headlines and talking points but the cost of a player doesn’t necessarily mean FA on the pitch. Hernandez has already proved that.
Its not easy, given the constant hype in the media, but imagine we got Berbatov for 22 million. SUDDENLY the mouth stops frothing, the eyes and veins stop bulging, and people begin to appreciate the impact he had in his third year with us… Its all well and good pointing out he was our record signing, but United didn’t set out to break the record, and Alex never intended on building a team around him either. Thats important, because if Berbatov had our entire squad built around him, and he still had the same three years with us, I’d understand the criticism he gets from supporters. But he wasn’t signed to re-shape our team around him, he was signed to simply fit in somewhere, and in his third season he carried the team and became an EPL golden boot winner. With that being said, its clearly (imo) best not to judge his years here based on Levy’s hiked fee alone.
sidhant – I am afraid you are wrong, he returned in september, his first game back it was the CL game against sporting away which the date was september 19th. He went on a run of games from the sporting game all the way up to november 11th when his last game was dynamo kiev game when he got injured in training for a month.
Ha. Denton and your “half seasons”!!!
Sidhant – I wouldnt try and argue about games and dates with fitb. He is pretty clued up when it comes to that , unlike me who has the memory of a goldfish.
King Eric – hahahahahaha yea I know dates and games like the back of my hand, especially seasons where united were winners in special seasons
King Eric i agree, i should not argue with fergie,next thing you know he is flinging his boots at me
Just ask Becks!
@King Eric
I wouldn’t worry about that mate. We’re all forgetful! My memory ain’t the best either lol.
Agree Scott, after 2 poor years he did do better last season but as you put it it has not quite clicked. I also agree he should go in January, I think Rooney, Pea, Welbeck, Owen and occassionally Diouf and Macaeda are enough.
Also, this is a blog full of berbafiles (me and a few others excluded) who are going crazy over thir key boards at your berba articles. I also disagree that Beba won us the title last year – you cannot write off Pea, Nani and the defence all of which were excellent last season and Rooney got better towards the end pulling off some key goals. I would say Berba contributed positively to the title, but he was not the reason we won it, that was a team effort and for me last season was more about Nani coming of age and Pea’s emergence, both as potential world class players.
On a bloke level, I give berba full marks for his stated respect for United, which is what all United players should have and I think most do, nice to hear and I hope he always feels that way. I would wish him well if he is sold in Jan but I would not miss him. There is no question that he is a more sophisticated man than Tevez, who would strggle to qualify as an intelligent lifeform.
NBI – Hello mate. Berbatov won’t be going in January. For starters he is cup tied in Europe. Also IF Wayne , Hernandez and Danny were to get injured, which is unlikely all at the same time, I don;’t think Diouf and Macheda are ready enough or good enough just yet. There are certain games where we need the genius of Berbatov to unlock defences. Reckon he will go in the summer though as its pretty clear for whatever reason Fergie sadly just doesn’t fancy him.
sidhant – Ha. Nice one mate.
WHAT ??? @ 14:11: “imagine we got Berbatov for 22 million. SUDDENLY the mouth stops frothing, the eyes and veins stop bulging, and people begin to appreciate the impact he had in his third year with us… Its all well and good pointing out he was our record signing, but United didn’t set out to break the record, and Alex never intended on building a team around him either.”
OK, SAF didn’t intend to build the team around Dimmy – he bought Dimmy in the summer before CR7 skeee-daddled off to TheVirus with the intention of having Berbatov bring out the best in TheWayneBoy. By and large – with the exception of August 2010 to January/February 2011 – that hasn’t happened.
I’d grant you that there was a mis-calculation on SAF’s part in that BOTH Dimmy and TheWayneBoy are better/more comfortable “playing off” the lead-the-line guy. Chicharito exploded on the scene and SAF had to choose between Dimmy and TheWayneBoy – it was really no contest. AND NOW, DannyTheLad has shoved Dimmy further back in the pecking order. Of course, this wasn’t how things were supposed to work out and I’d even argue that the very large fee paid for Dimmy has kept him in the squad as “insurance”.
I’ve tried to be even-handed in commenting on comments made about Dimmy’s role/contribution but, really, the blindness-to-reality of the BerbaLovers is breath-taking. You write that if UTD had paid 22 million in 2008 – or maybe 10 million in 2005 – then there wouldn’t be the same level of BerbaScepticism but I disagree with that argument, too. You are right that money has something to do with it but, in reality, what’s more significant is that the guy was four times as expensive as Chicharito and Chicharito has eaten his lunch !
Will Dimmy continue to flatter-to-deceive ? Who knows. Maybe KingEric is right @ 18:51 – he has lots of company – that “There are certain games where we need the genius of Berbatov to unlock defences.” bu
Dammit – I pressed the wrong key again !
I meant the final sentence to read as follows:
Maybe KingEric is right @ 18:51 – he has lots of company – that “There are certain games where we need the genius of Berbatov to unlock defences.” but if he doesn’t get picked for “certain games” (like the CL final or the matches this season against TheArse, RentBoyz, and Spurs) then that reminds me of the old “tree falling in the forest” argument.
My common sense tells not to look at transfer fees that players go for. The clubs dictate that side of it. That might sound simple logic? Probably, but it’s the right logic. If players had their way, they’d leave clubs for no fee. Or, a restricted fee at least.
denton davey – that is an interesting point you make about ronaldo, (OK, SAF didn’t intend to build the team around Dimmy – he bought Dimmy in the summer before CR7 skeee-daddled off to TheVirus with the intention of having Berbatov bring out the best in TheWayneBoy). Would the boss gone out and signed berbatov if ronaldo’s plans were to stay at united for maybe 2 or 3 more seasons? who knows, but as soon has ronaldo’s mind was made up the club started looking to sign another striker, as united were about to lose 1 in the next season or 2. I have said all that needs to be said on berbs, it is a shame he did not do more, but oh well that’s football for you, we always get suprises
@Denton – Wouldn’t call myself a “Berba lover” per se, im just an objective bloke who genuinely rates Berb’s contribution to Manchester United. Im not rating him for the sake of it. Take him out of last seasons equation and we would’ve been beaten to the title, its as simple as that. One golden boot in three years ain’t bad is it? And I couldn’t care if he scored all his goals in one game either! Regarding Hernandez, the fact he cost us less than 10 mill was down to our scouts and the deal to play his old Club, so even though Little Pea is preferred to 30 million pound Berbatov, the cost we paid for them isn’t really that relevant imo. Like Willie suggested, player fees don’t tell the full story. Hernandez simply fits our current style of play better, and the thing is, if it was Berba who hit the ground running instead, people would all be saying what a waste of money Hernandez was!! Thats the truth, and thats why fees ain’t really relevant to what happens on the pitch.
@King Eric – Spot on at 18:51. So busy trying to work out whats going on with Berbatov im ignoring the obvious. Goldfish aye? Playing him in Europe shows the intention of our Manager. After last season I did think Dimmy deserved at least a fourth season, thats a just reward for his heroics, even if Alex has decided to go with Roo Chica and Danny. All this speculation is just that, speculation. As long as the manager and players are happy, can’t ask for much more.
@ King Eric
How’s it going mate? – I reckon you may be right, the way Fergie talks about him you can tell he also likes him as a person, injuries will come so I think he will definately get chances. He just needs a bit of Michael Owen bloody minded coolness when he does and to forget he is playing for United and just focus on his game, I do sometimes wonder whether the price and pressure to perform and the fact he was at United resulted in him sometimes being tenser than he should be in front of goal – especially first 2 seasons – in the Leeds game it was more relaxed and he was more relaxed and you could then see what he could do. So there is always that doubt for me about whether we see him in his fullest or whether he plays with too much pressure at United, if so hopefully he can shrug that off and make the most of the time he has left. Hey if he scores against the Scousers again I will be first to top my hat!!!
NBI @ 22;42: ” Hey if he scores against the Scousers again I will be first to top my hat!!!”
I’d be second ! BUT, to do that SAF would have to play him ahead of both Chicharito and DannyTheLad.
JUST BOUGHT THE NEW TEVEZ DVD BUT THE BASTARD WON’T PLAY!
thx redrider for the info, will have a good look around before I buy either, currently am with PES 11, but the FIFA trailers looked very good this time, and may be I could switch back to FIFA after not playing for a couple of yrs
Watched the making of that bowling alley advert last night and the sports choreogrophaer said that Berba had “unbelievable tekkers”. The best by a distance.
Top, top article, Scott.
Couldn’t have put it better myself.
@Sparks – the timing of our defeats and the profiling and ‘results’ impact of the goals scored respectively by Berba, Hernandez and Rooney tell a different tale. I don’t really go for stats as they can mislead as to a player’s all round game, but the facts are that Berba was top scorer last year and scored the most ‘winning’ goals too. Hernandez more or less scored consistently throughout. During our unbeaten streak Wayne wasn’t playing that well or scoring that much – Berba, Nani and Chico were the ones making the impact. Suppose I were to accept your contention that Berba lost his place in mid March, meaning that his form had dropped before. Then it has to be the case that the ending of United’s unbeaten streak and few losses coincided with a dip in Berba’s form or Rooney’s re-emergence or both – either way that would suggest that Berba was our most important player last season.
As for Wayne’s skillset, we’ll have to agree to disagree on that.
when is the season really going to kick in to action, with league, CL,Carling and FA cup matches crowding the calendar?? I can’t wait till that happens. These international breaks are killing me, and players like berbs/owen!
Up the ‘Tov!!!