As far as I was concerned, there couldn’t have been a better draw in the FA Cup for United than Leeds. I have stronger feelings of hatred towards Liverpool but we get to play them twice a season already. To come up against Leeds, a side we haven’t played since their relegations began in 2004, was almost too good to be true.
I therefore couldn’t let the occasion pass us by without having a word with one of them. Despite my best attempts to have a row, David from the popular Leeds blog, The Scratching Shed, is a decent sort and didn’t take the bait. It still was interesting to have a chat about about a variety of topics though, from Alan Smith to Eric Cantona, and tickets prices to Munich.
Scott the Red: I am buzzing over this game. Was there a more perfect draw for you than us versus you?
David: For your average Leeds United fan, probably not. Personally, I wanted Chelsea as that’s the team my Dad supports. As a Leeds United fan these days, you’re brought up to hate Manchester United though, so it was still an excellent draw.
STR: And the hatred is returned. However, it was Leeds who were voted the most hated club in the country last year. Given that United and Chelsea have won the majority of trophies on offer over recent years, that is pretty impressive going. How do you think you managed it?
D: Finchy from the Office, who says “the jealousy stems from how devilishly attractive Leeds fans are” may have a point, but I think it’s just fashionable to hate Leeds.
Quite clearly, it started back it the late sixties, early seventies when Don Revie was running the show. Since then, the title of ‘Dirty Leeds’ has stuck and it seems almost fashionable for other teams to have a hatred of us. It’s quite bizarre really, because since we’ve been travelling around these new grounds and playing teams we’ve never considered ourselves to have any kind of rivalry with, we’ve found they all hold grudges against us for no particular reason.
To be completely honest with you, I think we kind of enjoy being hated. It’s the kind of backs to the wall, us against the world mentality we’ve been built on, so you just learn to accept it’s part of being a Leeds fan and laugh at the clubs who hate you for no particular reason.
STR: I think that is something we have in common, given that United actually came second in that poll. But before we start sounding like Millwall fans (no one likes us, we don’t care), I’d just like to ask you about the Munich chants we can expect to hear at the weekend. What do you make of them?
D: It’s obviously inexcusable, but every club has such minorities including you. There’s a Facebook group setup for this game (god knows why) which has descended into a tireless exchange of Munich and Istanbul comments.
On our last trip to Millwall there were people with Turkish flags and one idiot that had gone out of his way to find a Galatasaray shirt for the game. Millwall’s an extreme case as they’re renowned for being idiots, but my point is that this is an unfortunate part of the game wherever you go and Leeds and Manchester are no exception.
Whilst the racism in the game seems to have pretty much been eliminated and the hooligan element reduced massively, there’s still certain things that need to be addressed and this is clearly one of them. One man can’t control the actions of such supporters though and it’s the clubs and governing bodies that need to take action.
STR: I definitely agree with that. A big fuss has been made recently of our Arsene Wenger paedo chants, but City and Liverpool singing about Munich every time they come to Old Trafford is completely ignored. They made a big song and dance about City remaining quiet during the minutes silence in 2008, but there was no comment made about the fact a few months later they were at it again. If the FA were serious about getting rid of the sicks chants, they would do something about it. As it is, they’re too busy punishing players for celebrating goals! Anyway, I’ll keep it rolling with the hatred theme. The last goal a Leeds player scored against us was Alan Smith’s equaliser in 2004. How have your feelings for him changed since then?
D: I remember it well; it was a great moment and a good goal too. At the time of Alan Smith’s departure, people burnt shirts, his parent’s house was attacked and no one could believe he’d committed what many Leeds fans consider to be the ultimate sin. I have to admit, I hated him back then.
In the years since his departure however, it’s been revealed that Smith had very little choice in the matter. He was under the impression that Leeds were facing certain doom if they didn’t get some transfer money quickly, and Manchester United were the only team able to pay the asking price upfront. In leaving, he thought he’d saved Leeds United, even though he knew he’d be hated as a consequence. There’s no escaping his love for this club, but I think there’s still a few Leeds fan who will never forgive him – even though I think the majority would have done the same in that situation.
STR: If not Smithy, which player do you regret selling to us the most? Eric Cantona, Joe Jordan, Rio Ferdinand, Gordon McQueen..?
D: Well, you can rule Rio out instantly. I thought Leeds were crazy to pay £18m for him, but when you came in and offered £30m, I was willing to help him pack. I always thought Lucas Radebe was a much better defender – a player both you and AC Milan tried to sign – and although Rio was good, he was never £30m good, even by the ridiculous standards of today’s transfer market. Besides, he’s never been as good since he left Leeds! (although I’m sure you’ll disagree)
The one I still can’t get my head around is Eric Cantona. The reaction of the Leeds fans at the time says it all. We knew he was the kind of player who could spearhead another great era for the club, and expected nothing less as we were champions at the time. The ridiculously small transfer fee coupled with the fact he brought so much success to Old Trafford still infuriates me. Sergeant Wilko’s biggest mistake by a mile.
STR: If you think about it, Cantona brought in the whole era of success for United. After winning the league in his first season with us, our first in 26 years, it was him that lead the team of “kids” to the Double success in ‘96. Can you imagine if Becks, Scholes, Butt etc. failed miserably in that first season? What consequences that could have had on the next decade or more? Wow. All because Leeds sold us Cantona. Anyway, when do you envisage us playing each other more regularly again – when will Leeds be back in the Premiership?
D: Even when we first got relegated I didn’t expect an immediate recovery. I knew Leeds had to hit rock bottom before we had any chance of recovery and that meant escaping the burden of our debts. It does seem we’re now on the road back to where we belong. We’re free of debt, probably the most profitable club outside the Prem and have a manager I believe can take this club forward. The only remaining problem is the ground ownership and glorified fund manager we have acting as chairman. The less said about him, the better.
I said it could take a decade back in 2004. Things are looking good at the minute, but you have to take things one step at a time and concentrate on getting out of League One before we can start thinking about our route back to the Premier League.
STR: Well, you’re already one step closer with your Premier League ticket prices, with yours comparable to Blackburn’s! Not that the Glazers are treating us any better.
D: I guess we’re going to have to mention Ken Bates after all! The man is simply unbelievable. Whether he’s brought stability to Leeds United or not, he’s done it by robbing the supporters and with a succession of failures along the way i.e. relegation, point’s deductions, administration, failure to repurchase Thorp Arch etc.
I simply cannot stand the man. He’s continually tried to justify the ridiculous pricing policies by insisting it would help our future. For example he’s claimed that it would help fund the transfer of new players (we’ve barely spent a penny) and help us regain ownership of Thorp Arch (another disastrous failure). I am not naïve enough to think Leeds United operates on a similar expense scale as the rest of the clubs in the third tier. I know our overheads will be monumental in comparison, but it just seems as though the supporters are being robbed under this regime and I can’t handle anymore false promises without some amount of success. The sooner he sells up and moves on, the better.
STR: Here, here! So, what are your expectations for the match?
D: Leeds are a third tier team at the moment. Back then, we competed with you on an equal level, so it was a different game entirely. Realistically, I don’t think many Leeds United fans will be expecting to win, but it’ll be nice to remind you we’re here and if the FA Cup does throw up another shock, we’ll never let you live it down.
But as much as it pains me to say it, I can’t see us winning. I’m hoping your injury crisis worsens and your defence is still all over the place, then there’s a chance our attacking players could cause you a threat. Robert Snodgrass, Jermaine Beckford, Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson can always score goals, but I feel there’ll be more danger in our half than yours.
STR: Beckford has a bloody brilliant scoring record since joining Leeds, but his attitude seems pretty shit. We’ve been there with Ronaldo. Are you of the thought that no one player is bigger than the club and he should be sold, or you need his goals for promotion so you should try to cling on to him regardless?
D: Jermaine Beckford’s a funny one, because he’s always had the attitude but Leeds fans didn’t really care whilst he was under contract and banging goals in for fun. This season has been a bit different though with his contract due to expire in the summer, the fans have been over-critical of mistakes at times and are probably more annoyed at him not signing, than they are of his performances.
You can’t excuse the strop he threw at Southampton, because he was totally out of order. Even if he has been getting a lot of stick lately and was frustrated at how the game had gone, there was no need for the antics that followed and the fans were right to back the manager over the player.
He’s a massive part of Leeds United’s promotion push and losing him would not be a good thing. We simply don’t have another striker capable of 30+ goals a season – or even 20 in my opinion. That said, if he doesn’t want to play for Leeds United then you have to let him go. We have the luxury of being able to attract players of a higher quality than the rest of the teams in this league, so I’m sure we could find a suitable replacement.
STR: Plenty more fish in the sea… Enjoy the match, hope you lose, thanks for talking to us!
Hmm….he does seem a decent sort….nah, sod it, WE ALL HATE LEEDS SCUM, WE ALL HATE LEEDS SCUM…..
A rarity to find a decent sort.
Finchy from The Office. Comedy Genius.
My New Year`s resolutions –
Hate Leeds more than last year.
Hate Liverpool every day, all day and with commitment and passion.
Never trust a Cockney rentboy.
Love Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson all our players and my Brothers and Sisters in the wonderful Republik of Mancunia.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU AND GOOD HEALTH AND LOTS OF SILVERWARE IN 2010.
fair comments from our yorkshire scribe .however there can be no doubt that leeds united and ken bates deserve each other. we must send them back over the pennines with their tails between their legs.
NOW BACK TO BED……
we all hate leeds scum!
I think we shuld solve our debt problem so dat we wont go down like leeds
I think the comments from you Manchester Disunited lot, to what after all was a piece designed to be read by genuine supporters from both clubs, shows-in your own language-whom the scum is!
WE ALL HATE LEEDS SCUM. Roll on sunday!
In other news, Andy Gray said the rentboys will win the title because they are unflappable.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1239741/Chelseas-cool-Carlo-Ancelotti-unflappable-Andy-Gray-delivers-verdict-Premier-League-season-far-.html
Nice to see Leeds are still held in such high esteem by the mancs. We got nothing to lose so if there is a shock prepare for some serious payback! It was not the fans who wasted the millions that nearly closed the club down. To be fair i admire the way you play,fast one touch stuff always attacking. So there you go,another fair minded fan! LOL. See you on Jan 4th.
Bates isn’t going anywhere. The guy is egomaniacal. As long as Leeds are on the up, no matter the cost to the fans, it will be constantly feeding his high opinion of himself. He will portray himself as the man who saved Leeds, even if the reality was that any competent chairman could have introduced stability over time.
I can’t wait for this one. It will take a lot more than feeling like crap to stop me going.
Andy Gray is an ABU.
I can’t wait for Sunday, I’m half hoping to have the first team and rape them totally, and half hoping for the young guns to come and play, and HOPEFULLY rape the sheepshaggers.
racist inbred bastards
when are we playing then. Saturday, Sunday, Monday? Who’s playing today then. There’s always games on the 1st.
I’m shit with Christmas and New Year fixture dates. Surely United vs The Dingles is on TV.
thanks mr.Sergeant Wilko:)
The only experience I have had with a Leeds fans on the web was when a 16 year old was cheering on Chelsea like crazy in the Community Shield last August. They are truly raised to hate us. I couldn’t give a crap what they do in League one, but they always cheer our opponents on.
This Leeds fan seems quite reasonable, but you know that he is bitter about Rio. The Ferdinand of the 06-08 era was the best defender in the world. There is no way he was this good for Leeds.
Anyway, I had an epiphany today about our next two games. 4-1 win over Leeds and a 0-0 draw at the Wastelands.
Red Army
Our game is on Sunday at 13:00 British time.
happy new year everybody!
good interview, thought he’d take some of the bait and lose it with scott, but he seemed pretty sensible for a leeds fan to be fair. quoting chris finch from ‘the office’ didn’t help him any!
trying to think of a good leeds insult but my head is still a bit wobbly!
i’d call them our feeder club, but talent wise these days they’ve got fuck all!
@costas
happy new year mate!
0-0 at wastelands? i actually think it might be a repeat of the owen game, with many goals. the only difference is that i see our youngsters beating them this time. you could be right, but as always i’m always extremely optimistic about united. permanently got the red tinted glasses fixed to my head!
i like your leeds score!
Just heard on the grapevine that both sides are going to field reserves on Sunday. It seems our next game in ‘division three’ is a tad more important than the cup-tie against the team from Weatherfield. We’ve got bigger fish to fry as it were. Toodle-oo chaps!
fze123 – Gray is a mug mate. He put fucking Zola as one of the strikers in the “team of the decade”. Zola? Great player but the best of the decade I think not.
As for the dirty scum. They ain’t hated because its “fashionable” they are hated because they are the filthiest most raceist, small minded, bitter horrible cunts you will ever meet, behind the dippers. I live 12 miles from Leeds and believe me they are fucking scum.I have had to put up with 28 years of Munich songs starting back at School. Hope we hammer the bastards. As for Rio playing his best football at Leeds that is just a lie. He was good at Leeds but has been great at United. Old Trafford will be rocking on Sunday.
Fergie said yesterday he will be playing the usual team against the bitter but our strongest for Leeds!
Guys, it’s january. I still can’t imagine Hargo in our shirt at the end of the month. Please tell me it is going to happen.
We all hate leeds scum, 6 0 to the champions i can feel in my water or maybe thats my hangover.
Mighty Leeds – Please don’t take the moral high ground.
I read somewhere corea that hargo’s comeback has been put back till the end of january.
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/392679678?-11193
Looks like no signings in january.
willierednut – Alright mate. That is “defensive signings”.
Alrite king eric, didn’t read it properly mate.
BBC – BBC Sport: Phil McNulty: Premier League “Team of the Noughties”. United have 3, TheArse 2, rentboys 2 & scousers have Stevie me.how in hell does Wayne miss from the mix?
I meant :http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2009/12/ever_had_a_hospital_pass.html
@rooninho:
Hey, happy new year! I just don’t see the semi final tie being as open. I think Fergie will play a more conservative system since the return leg is at Old Trafford. Something like a 4-5-1. If Sunday’s was a league game, then I would predict the line up from now, but since we have 2 cup games next, it’s tough to say. We only know that Schole and Neville will start on Sunday.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/leeds-turn-down-newcastle-offer-beckford-544771
@costas
fair enough! i’d just like to embarrass them at wastelands and put them in their rightful place beneath us. their fans are even more unbearable since the new manager. like a crack addict being given a brand new rock to smoke!
@king eric
saw the gray list. zola over ruud at striker? i just don’t understand it. he must owe zola some money or something! zola only played at chelsea until 2002-3 and he still picks him, amazing. he must have had a man united limit on his list.
Happy new year mates. I hope we gona play strong team against shitty.
if anyone does not know why leeds are called dirty leeds check out the damned united which shows reeves and leeds never play the great game but a horrible style that makes boltons football seem like samba fotball
Good evening everyone
Hope you had a great night yesterday
Lets batter Leeds on Sunday. Think Fergie will rest a lot of players but we should still be too strong for them.
As for this team of the decade thing we cant blame anyone because everyone is impressed by a different players.we will tend to include United players for obvious reasons and keeping our success in mind but many pundits will keep a limit of 3-4 United players and rest from other of the big 4. The zola inclusion seems to be a puzzle though. Didnt win anything much to merit a place with Rooney,Rudd there they should have got the nod.would have gone with
As for the shitty game i am want all the young lads to play. Hope we we win but i want the young lads to be given a chance to gain experience and test their abilities in these kind of games
i would go with
Foster
Rafael Da Laet Brown Fabio
Obertan Anderson Gibson Obertan
Welbeck kiko(if fit)
@ aig. Please have alook at this.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/mobile/football/teams/l/leeds_united/8437196.stm
@kenyan redvill: good to have you back mate.it’s been a while.good evening guys & happy new year.our happiness will be compounded when we thrash them fascists leeds on Sunday & rape the bitters at the wasteland.as much as we all hate them fascists & the bitters especially & have the strong desire to suffocate them i suspect Fergie will field a weakened side with lots of youngsters therein for them to gain experience.i do endorse AIG’s team selection.However, i’m more than convinced that we’ll emerge tops. Our lads will crush them maggots 3-0 each.our team spirit is high & our momentum is back.just ask Wigan!
@ aig
thats a very strong second string team i would also go with the same especially two obertans in each wing
@rooninho
It will depend on the team we put out. If a mix of first team and reserve players is good enough to embarass City at the Wastelands then I will be ecstatic. But at the moment, the main thing is getting 3 points at St Andrews, which won’t be easy given their recent form. 0-0 can be tricky. We got it at the Bridge in 2005, but then lost 2-1 in the return leg at Old Trafford. I wonder if Mancini will play his strongest team.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/8433901.stm
We cloned Obertan? Awesome.
Seriously AIG, I think that might be the team with Owen instead of Kiko and Park instead of Obertan 2.
Now we have the full kenyan contigent at RoM
bring on the scum !! Im in the mood today
Nice to see we’re still well loved. Hated all of you with an absolute passion since you bricked the bus I was on in 1973 on the way to see Bremner’s goal beat Wolves at Maine Road. Lets face it, given a choice between your lot and Al Qaeda, any Leeds fan would pick the latter. ABU til I die.
mancini will play his strong squad. unfortunately, man city’s next game is not until monday jan 9th at home against blackburn. while we play on saturday against birmingham away. so he has nothing to lose with his main players starting.
still I agree with costas about a mix of first team and reserves. I dont know about an all reserve team. Just no allowing tevez to score and make his retarded dance.
Am sorry brio the kenyan i might change my username i think its too identical with yours
OBERTAN FOLD EM my new username till am over moderation have a good night
The Kenyan Redvill
He does not fear us? i cant believe that. They will just be nothing more than lambs to be slaughtered. there is no comparision now between the 2 teams. I know they did well against Liverpool in the carling cup but that was at home and against a 2nd string dippers side. Dippers reserves are not as good as ours
Ooh i hate the ugly white kits of the scum come on reds fold em
Costas
think owen will start on Sunday so dont think he will start again in 3 days. Park may get a start but i want to see Obertan start and make an impact in such a game. will be intresting to see the team though.
For CIty this is like a final, for us there are other priorities we have to look at and the game against Birmingham is just 3 days later
Bunch of racist bastards. Fucking cunts. @ king eric, we might be neighbours, grew up same sort of distance away and those stupid cunts from c18 n NF chasing us thru the town. I challenge anyone of those motherfuckers to try it now, I ain’t no twelve year old kid now.
U sheep shagginv motherfuckers are gonna get it on the pitch n the MIB n the red army take care of u cunts before n after the game. U bunch of fucking cunts
AIG
It’s one of the few times I can’t even think of putting together a first XI for these games. It’s so hard to call and I wouldn’t be surprised by anything at this stage. When I saw that Owen didn’t play against Wigan, I thought that Fergie might be saving him for the next two. Obertan will definitely start one of the two and you have to think that Nani should be in contention by the City game? The 2 weeks for his ankle rehab have gone by.
Hi everyone.If we can successfully clone Obertan,then I’d strongly advocate for a FERGUSON cloning! HE should be younger though; with the same grit,wit, aptitude,zeal,valour,humour & of course the HAIR DRIER! May i also humbly reccomend that he be instated as the current fergie’s deputy so that he takes over when the Original SAF retires. Your thoughts please.
Scholes and Nev WILL start. A game against dirty Leeds is made for them.
Costas
i thought too owen would start against Wigan but inspite of getting extended rest 2 games in 3 days seems impossible for Owen.so i think he will start on Sunday and be on the bench on wed
cant find anywhere whether nani is fit or not will play any of those 2 games but if he is fit and dosent play we can saftely assume that he will no longer be at United in feb and may have played his last game
Nice to see some unity in the community(!)
Our reserves will dick Leeds on Sunday, absolutely muller them. I’m more concerned about the derby at Middle Eastlands. I’d like to see a strong team or else we could get some of what Arsenal’s reserves got in the previous round.
King Eric:
I wouldn’t be surprised if Fletch also started this one. Here’s the lineup I am predicting:
Foster-Neville,Brown,Vidic,Fabio-Valencia,Fletcher,Scholes,Obertan-Rooney,Owen.
Brio, how about the next best thing – his son Darren?
King eric
they should start given they didnt play on wed. my team for Sunday
foster
Neville Vidic Brown Fabio
park Anderson Scholes Welbeck
Owen kiko(if fit)
@sam the kenyan red. Why change your username, shame on you. Ushidwe kabisa.
AIG
Good point. I guess the worrying thing is that apart from that comment a few days ago, Fergie hasn’t given an update on Nani’s condition since. We don’t know anything about him. Whether he is injured or not. If he is fit, he could help out with the rotation(last season he did well in cup games). But as you said, if he is fit and we don’t see him at all, that’s it for him.
Big Bad Wesley Brown
The Arsenal-Tottenham experiences from a few years ago is something I have thought about too. That’s why I think that Fergie will at least play with his first choice defenders. At least most of them. Other than that, I will be surprised if we see Rooney, Evra or Giggs in that one.
Can someone please tell me whats up with nani and kiko
@ kenyan redvill
its not that i wanted to, the problemo is i have difficulties differenciating similar words or names and better still i like obertan a lot i think you know that.
PS its not sam the kenyan red its OBERTAN FOLD EM for christ sake
They are supposedly injured, my Kenyan friend. Some of us suspect Nani’s “injury” is a smokescreen and he will be sold soon.
Look at this one, fellas. It’s Victor Moses, the young English startlet at Crystal Palace who is wanted by Barcelona and others. Apparently Palace risk losing him for nothing in the summer. Could be a no-brainer for us?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1239863/Victor-Moses-quit-threat-pay-dispute-puts-Premier-League-giants-red-alert-Crystal-Palace-star.html
Big Bad Wesley Brown – Fergie has said that he will be fielding a strong side against the sheep shaggers and the usual mix of youth/ experience for the bitters on Tuesday. Don’t forget Arsenal played a full reserve 11 against them. Ours will be a mix. Mancini has said that the FA cup is his priority so he may field a weaker side against us. Certainly weaker than Hughesie would have put out.
Costas and aig – I think it will be a mix of both your predicted 11. Ando and Scholes in the middle . Reckon Valencia may get a rest but Fergie may well go with him after his display on Wed.
my 11
TK
Nev Vida Wes Fabio/Evra
Valencia Ando Scholes Park/Obertan
Rooney Berbatov
Owen I think will be rested for Tuesday to partner Danny.
Big Bad Wes – Yeah I said exactly the same thing last week. It is indeed a smoke screen. I know Fergie has mentioned injuries but I really do think Nani will go and Kiko will go on loan. Also Foster wasn’t even in the squad on Wednesday. It was Amos. Of course we could be wrong and Nani may well not be sold but I think he will. Since his words in the press he has only featured in the team or squad once away in Germany.
@sam the kenyan red oh no obartan ….. whatever u call yourself, how can you just think and change it the second minute? u should’ve said it first ok?
@sam the kenyan red oh no obertan ….. whatever u call yourself, how can you just think and change it the second minute? u should’ve said it first ok?
King Eric, a “strong side” could mean anything knowing Fergie. TBH it would be hilarious if we played our best players and won 7 or 8 nil, but there is a danger of these Leeds twats kicking our players and our lads picking up costly injuries.
On the subject of free transfers, here are some more
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1239839/The-free-XI-Joe-Cole-Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-Martin-Petrov-head-list-contract-stars.html
Mind you, we probably won’t be shopping in the bargain bins this year, after all we have that 100m war chest…
well this weekend is a pressure free weekend. .
Big Bad Wesley Brown – Joe Cole would be worth a punt for UNited on our left side. Reckon he would leave the rentboys in a flash mate. He seems to praise United quite often.
P.S. King Eric, I was chuffed when I saw Foster didn’t even make the bench on Wednesday. I took it as a sign that he would be offloaded this month and that suits me fine. I honestly can’t stand the clown. That said, with Edwin gone indefinitely, we might need Bumbling Ben just in case.
I must confess I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ben Amos play. Can anyone tell me a bit about him?
King Eric
The Sunday team that you have given looks very strong. Wont be surprised if we batter them really badly if both Rooney and berba start again. and if that is the side
Leeds should be very very afraid.They will be anyways but with Rooney in such form any defence would not want to play against him
Perfect start to 2010 beating you manc wankers on your own patch – could it get any better…marching on together!!! Happy new year by the way lol
@BIG BAD WESLEY BROWN~Darren is a good option,why not?though i fancied him taking the Reebok job.it would have been a first one: for Darren to come up against his own dad twice a season standing by the touchline; side by side; screaming out instructions to their players.i bet nothing of the sort has ever occured before in the PL or in any other league.Any insights on that?
King Eric, I’ve always liked Cole (except for when he scored against us once and did that “easy, easy” seal clap thing to the rentboys fans.) I think Fergie is an admirer too.
Don’t forget Fergie seems to be wrapping Berbatov in cotton wool due to his injury. He probably won’t be risked in these cup games.
That list of free players looks very tempting
Joe Cole is the best player but he is very injury prone and i feel he will stay at Chelsea .Adam Johnson is another good player and has done well for middlesbrough in the championship,but can he make the mark at United especially with stiff competition and possibly Di maria waiting in the wings.Also maroune Chamakh is a good striker,has done well in France but there is a difference between England and France, whether he is good enough for United, dont know. But Chamakh is certain to leave in the summer so it wont be a bad bet to tie up a deal for him
@Big Bad Wesley Brown:
Amos has only played once for the first team, in a League cup game against Middlesbrough. We don’t know much about him, but I remember in the post gamne interview that he had a swagger about him.
I think Ben might have been injured or given the night off. With Edwin out of the picture, I doubt Fergie would let him go in January.
Big Bad Wesley Brown – Bad news. Foster is in Sunday’s squad.
As for Amos , yeah he is a pretty decent keeper from what I have seen.
aig – Yeah it may not be such a strong team on Sunday but its just Fergie said there won’t be many changes from Wednesday’s team. Berba had a decent game the other night so I want him to play whenever possible now because I honestly do think he could be a huge player for UNited still.
Right off to watch Countdown to kickoff. Back in an hour or three.
Costas – have you seen the damned united if not check it out that movie it shows how disgraceful leeeds were has a club.
but why are ppl worried about what team fergie plays, it is no like 4 or 5 years ago he so much qualityy with the likes of welbeck rafeal fabio gibson de laat etc its a strong squad and it is at old trafford.
@ king eric
i had the same thoughts about nani and kiko going but we should consider the circumstances when letting them do it. Imo i thought we should loan kiko out in the prem or the championship so as to gain the much needed experience. The boy bust onto the scene too early and that has already its toll on him maybe thats why saf doesn’t want to rush the likes of norwood , eikrem , king , keane and morrison ?
Nani case is different altogether saf should cash in on him if a good offer comes in which i doubt will…. the best alternative choice is to use him as a make weight for other appropriate targets di maria , aguero springs to mind .
At the end of january i would like to have….
MAN UNITED IN – angle di maria(benfica £15) eden harzard (lille £10) rafael van der vaart (real madrid £7) giorgio chiellini (juventus £8) TOTAL= £40 M
MAN UNITED OUT – louis nani (benfica £10) zoran tosic (everton – loan) kiko macheda (wolves – loan)
Let’s play second string team against leeds utd and strong team against city, what you people think.
@obertan fold em. Kiko should be sold not loaned,
I singled out tosic for everton cause i think moyes is well known to giving players chances to prove themselves and bambi might benefit there the lad really needs some games to catch up with the league, also the world cup is comming up and lets not forget he is a fixture in that serbian team.
@ kenyan redvill
why ?? Kiko is only 18 and still developing he has the potential to be one of the great finnishers for us and i mean a real porcher.
I know many people expected a lot from him after the cameos last season that they forgot he ain’t no wayne rooney,show me prem strickers his age oozing such class and i bet you cant find any.
Am surprised you guys havent learned from pique/rossi.
Our player of the month. http://www.redcafe.net/f6/man-month-december-2009-a-280740/
obertan fold em – Hi mate. I don’t rate Van der Vaart at all. Don’t think he can improve United. Agree though about Kiko. Why would we want to sell him? He will be a superb player once he matures.
King eric – hi , am surprised you dont rate van der vaart or haven’t you watched enough of his games ?
He could be an exceptional addition to our squad ,he is the playmaker we desperately need to link the gap btn the midfield and the forward.
Scholes and giggs has done a wornderful job over the years but they are not getting any younger so to find someone who can countiue the good job
Before i go to bed i just wanted to raise my worries about anderson.
Dont you guys think we are spoiling the boys carrer ? I mean we have taken away the joy of attack from his game by forcing him to play deep
@rooney the new king:
I think I might watch that movie at some point. Honestly, I didn’t know how much this fixture meant to United fans until we got this draw. The last time we played them, I don’t think the term “blog” even existed, so I wasn’t part of a fan community. As long as I have followed United, the team I despised the most was Liverpool. I just found Leeds as an annoying pimple up our backside.
I think people just want a strong first XI because it’s been a long time since we have beat them. As long as I can remember, the most thrilling game was a 4-3 victory at Elland Road in 2002 where we were fantastic.
I still remember Keane injuring himself trying to foul Haaland. All this bile towards Leeds from you mancs makes me sick. Half of the M1 is blocked every Sat with the crowd on way back home to London! At least most of us are local and notjust glory hunters. And all the crap about sheep is laugaable. We all live in cities not a farm! LOL.
I hope Fergie puts out a weak team cos we will match you no walkovers like you seem to think.WE ARE LEED! And proud. Dirty? That’s horsecrap. Revie’s side destroyed teams with skill more than playing a man’s game. It’s not netball!
I hate leeds scum with a passion, equal to the red scouse shite. I’m 50 in february, so i well remember the scum from the late 60’s onwards. Yes i remember at school in Yorkshire a few Munich taunts and a few fights with them – good job i had a hard punch, lol. Oh its not just the team i can’t stand, its the city as well, pile of shitheads!
No matter what team Fergie puts out, it will be a comfortable win.
Screw the typos! Ha ha.
Van der vaart is a good player but real have wasted him.he scored a hat trick in a game last season but then had to wait 5 games before he got a start again.wont mind having him.but he wont be my first choice.would go for di maria.great little player.only problem is he is an argie.
I always knew Liverpool were your no1 target and i can’t stand the scouse twats either. My son has to deliver there sometimes and dreads it they will steal anything! May the best team win! *Gulp*. I predict a 1-1 draw and a full strength Man U at ER.
hi guys it my first post i been a lurker for a couple of years now i just wish u guys a happy new year and lets hope united clean up the trophies,on leed i feel we beat them 5-0 i hope beckford gets injured during the match because he going to sign 4 newcastle after which will triple his pay but if he gets injured no deal he insisted on playing this ….. vidic u now wat to do lool
As a Leeds fan I found this article to be a pleasant surprise and a great read.
Great to see the old rivalry is still there and that not all Manchester fans are imbeciles.
I also have to admit to having had a chuckle at the Manchester United website referring to us as ‘minnows’ after the FA Cup draw.
Don’t you worry, we’ll be back in good time to renew hostilities.
Loyallufc
1-1 draw? .let me remind you that you are playing the champions of england and not havant and waterlooville.even our kids will kick your backsides.
@ fabioandrafael
Why the hatred for Jermaine Beckford?
Mhihrh i feel the lads will put up a fight not roll over but sure it’s gonna be hard. Everyone in football knows no-one gets things like penalties at the theatre of screams LOL. What do we have to lose? You are all bragging it will be a walkover. I’m not so sure. As for Beckford he will move on i am sure he already refused an improved contract. To wish him injured is rather childish though. Vidic is the hatchet man?
loyallufc
Yes, i seem to remember Haaland standing gloating over Keano telling him he was faking it, then later spending years making out he had to quit football ‘cos of THAT tackle from Keane whilst he was with the bitters. Complete bollocks of course!
As for the M1 being blocked etc…yawn…we get 70+thousand every week pal. We’d get that if they only made tickets available to those living in Manchester! Whats your average gate nowadays? So much for loyal fans eh?
You guys are bringing 8,000 to OT, though you’re only coming to see United.
And anyway, theres ONLY ONE UNITED!
@The Kenyan Redvill – just as well you don’t make any of the decisions then! Kiko to be sold is absolutely ridiculous, considering his age and the crucial part he played at the end of last season and how sharp he looks.
The question to scum fans here is, do you guys have any defender who can match gabby obertan ??
I doubt it so wait to folded my friends
Happy New Year to one and all……
Just hope Fergie doesn’t put out the lads as i REALLY want to bury the scumbags again
Sorry Leeds weeds…
You still can’t have Cantona back.
1.2 mill LOL.
I stopped reading after the section about Rio! Like Scott said I was made up with drawing Leeds and I hope we put a decent team as this along with the dippers and bitters is one I used to love!
EVERYONE WHO IS THERE TOMORROW LETS NOT LET THE SHEEP BE HEARD! WE ALL HATE LEEDS SCUM!
Yeah that was Wilko’s biggest error. He may have been a great player but he was up his own ass. “I don’t know why i love you but i do”. I’m sure we returned that after he went to you lol. His arrogance matched his skill. As for Keane he was trying to hack him down but injured himself,which was funny. I shouldn’t laugh. I’d have loved to see him play for us.
“Its in my blood” no club can match your fanbase it’s the genuine fans us others respect not the glory hunters guaranteed a trophy a season! Try watching a club that matched yours playing Luton! Anyway,i’ll not hide whatever the result. Be back to gloat or get whacked! LOL.
Hey moderator you are supposed to be fair! I’ve read all sorts of hateful crap about Leeds but one of us returns it you ban the post or them!
@loyallufc:
That’s the problem with how Man. United fans are regarded these days. If you are 25 or below, you are called a glory hunter because you started following United in their glory years. It’s a sad reality that successful teams draw new fans. That doesn’t make them less loyal. If God forbid, Man United suffer the same fate that Leeds did, I think about 90% of us worldwide would still feel passionate about the team. For the record I am 26 and Greek, but I started following United while I lived in England and after they lost a game to IFK Gothenburg.
Anyway, I am buzzing about tomorrow because I see how much it means to both sets of fans. And even though I would love to go back to Elland Road one more time, given our schedule in January I will prefer it if the tie is settled tomorrow.
@LoyalLufc – All this bollocks you say about supporting your local team is ridiculous! We dont play in local leagues, we are the biggest team in the world mate, like it or not that is just fact!
I am from Manchester and go all the games but that doesnt make me more of a fan that a lad travelling from elsewhere to watch the team.
Chants like we support are local team are embarrassing, That just meens you think you are shit and clutching at straws- United are an easy target for opposite teams to cast aspurtions as to our support but you want to see us away we are the best away support in the country by a mile!
We may not all be local but neither is Leeds you clown as a result of your past success. Anyway dont feel like Royston Vase, your not sat in the ” Lurpak Stand” Your in the theartre of dreams!
even Leeds fans hate Ken Bates haha.. the worst owner you could have, worse than Newcastle’s..
Fair comments Costas i have two good mates who support Man U. It never came between us i don’t have the intense hatred some feel it’s only a game lol. Wasn’t it in early 70s you relegated Man City? Denis Law? If it had been your team gone down the loyal fans would still have flocked like we do to ours.
Giggs it’s not bollocks. I know a lad in Canada who was born in Leeds. He’s still a mad fan and would give anything to be at ER. That’s a true fan! You cannot deny a huge part of your fanbase travels up from the south. Are you really bigger than Real or Barcelona? That’s open to debate. That said if ER held 70000 i know we’d not fill it so yes you have massive support.
Bates is a con man and i wish he’d **** off! And that oaf Ridsdale i met him what a tosspot! One of reasons O’Leary is so well liked here is he respected the fans. I remember him ordering Hasselbaink off the coach after the misery did not bother signing anything when asked. If Beckham wanted a swansong would you take him back?
@loyallufc:
I honestly don’t know how things work in England every weekend. How many of our fans could be travelling from other cities or even other countries. Last August I went to Old Trafford for a friendly(I am like your friend, I can’t be there more often) and I didn’t realise how big the area was. So if I had to guess, I would say that Mancunians on their own fill it.
But I think it’s something that happens in other countries too you know? People living in Rome and suppoting Juve or Milan, Spaniards living outside Madrid and supporting Real and others. I don’t know if we are bigger than Real or Barca. It depends on how you measure it I guess? Global support? Local suppot?
As for Beckham, I liked him a lot as a player, but I don’t think he could be of any use to United anymore. Times move forward. If we were talking about Ronaldo and while he was still at the top of his game, that would be a different story. Many “ifs” for that one though…
No-one expects us to win. If we do egg on faces boys! And Ronaldo is a greasy ****! You are well rid. He should have been an olympic diver.
Yeah, he is probably a greasy ****, but he is(or was) our greasy ****, lol. The team is doing ok without him, but it’s hard to get over his special qualities as a player.
Fair enough Costas that was harsh! What a result! I’m in LUFC heaven! Who’d have thought we could match you and no fair minded fan can deny we deserved to win. With decent finishing it could have been 3 at least. People slag Beckford but he knows where net is and is always taking slack for Becchio,who flatters t we did it!o deceive. Brilliant match and welll we did it! I shouldn’t gloat but all you ****s who said rape the sheepshaggers can kiss my backside! LOLOL.
Told you i’d show up win or lose huh? Best moment(besides the sublime finish) was our ironic chants of “We’re not famous anymore!”. Classic! Warned you lot didn’t i? We ain’t mugs no more we had today what you lacked,real hunger to win.
I have the Beckford goal on my iphone and can’t get through the day without watching it at least several hundred times. Beautiful.
Thankyou