Manchester United have been missing a special player in the centre of the park for sometime. Gennaro Gattuso, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Mesut Özil are amongst some of the top class players we’ve missed out whilst our midfield has gradually deteriorated.
Gone are the days when we could afford to have players of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes’ quality in the team, then still splash £28m on someone like Juan Sebastián Verón. Michael Carrick had a solid first three years but hasn’t been consistently useful for a while, Darren Fletcher has been our engine on plenty of occasions, despite diminishing impact over the past couple of season, Ryan Giggs has done a job in plenty of big games and Paul Scholes could still play a pass like no one else, even if he struggled to keep a top performance for 90 minutes. Yet there isn’t the magic required to be the all-dominating force we would like to be.
In the Champions League final in 2009 our midfield didn’t stand a chance against Barcelona’s. Some excuses could be made, thanks to Carrick’s broken toe and Fletch’s unjust suspension, so we just bumbled along.
We missed out on a record breaking fourth title by a point last season and then this season won the league by 9 points and reached the Champions League final. Whilst the fans patience had all but run out, on paper the team looked to be in a great position.
Four titles in five years, three Champions League finals in that time, another couple of League Cups. Are we entitled to whinge?
Well, in a word, yes. We’re fully entitled. Whilst clubs around us are splashing the cash, United haven’t bought to improve the midfield since Anderson and Hargreaves in 2007. Chelsea spent £20m on Ramires and City have bought Yaya Toure for £24m, David Silva for £24m and Nigel de Jong for £18m.
We’ve finally admitted defeat where Hargreaves is concerned, Scholes has retired, Darron Gibson will likely be sold, so it’s time to get our arses in to the gear.
Tottenham Hotspurs’ Luka Modric appears to be the missing piece of the jigsaw. We’re strong in all other areas of the pitch, so bringing a player of his quality in to the mix would all but guarantee us a few more league titles. Wesley Sneijder has been linked and keeps changing his mind over whether his “love” for Inter will be enough to keep him at the club or not. Modric is the man though.
When Chelsea put a derisory offer of £22m, I was just waiting for United to up it. It would be nice to get Modric for £30m but I believed £35m would be a more likely price. The player’s head had been turned and now it was just a matter of getting a bid accepted.
Then, late last night, The Daily Mail published an interview with the player and it looked as though things were in motion.
“I want to leave Tottenham as friends. I have enjoyed my time there, but now it is right for me to look at another club,” he said. “I have an arrangement with the chairman. When I signed my new contract, he said that, if another club came to sign me, they would consider the offer.”
Great stuff. But then…
“Chelsea are a big club with an ambitious owner. They have great players and they have ambitions to fight for the title and win the Champions League. I want to stay in London. I am very happy here and so are my family. I like the city.”
Nightmare. Now, I am trying to console myself with the fact Chelsea are the only club who have put a bid in, so it makes sense that they are the only club he talks about. He went on to mention his desire to join a bigger club and play in the Champions League, something United obviously can offer. The most important thing here is that he wants out. Players come out with all sorts when looking for a move away from the club. Lest we forget that a month before signing for City, David Silva was talking about what an honour it would be to play for a United. A fortnight before signing for City, he spoke of his desire to play for Chelsea.
So, we need to move for him now. Before the seed planted by Chelsea starts to develop too much, United need to show their intent. We need to give him a choice to make, rather than just leaving him with no choice but to sing the praises of Chelsea. However, following the reaction of Spurs’ chairman, Daniel Levy, to Chelsea’s bid, we might end up being happy that our club has bided its time.
“We made our stance on this issue abundantly clear in writing to Chelsea. They chose to ignore it and then subsequently made the offer public.”
The rent boys have pissed them off now, so if it comes to a point where they have to sell to us or them, they might view us more favourably, having not insulted them by offering to pay a price comparable to the amount Liverpool have just spent on Jordan Henderson.
However, Levy’s statement is very stern, and you’re wrong if you think he took the same tone with Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane before selling them. Despite not wanting to sell Berba and Keane, he was almost resigned to the fact it was going to happen. Where Modric is concerned, Levy makes out that the possibility isn’t even on the cards.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, let me reiterate that we shall not enter into any negotiations whatsoever, with any Club, regarding Luka. We now consider this matter closed.”
What happens next then? Well, I guess we will have to sit tight. Chelsea made their bid public, maybe United will try and talk to the club on the quiet. Whilst Levy’s statement could be entirely genuine, it could also be for the purpose of bumping up the transfer fee.
Modric has claimed he will not put in a transfer request and that may well be the case. However, as the deadline day approaches and his desperation increases, who knows what will happen. Will Levy be prepared to entertain offers after Modric stamps his feet? We’ll see. Thanks to Chelsea’s conduct, we may well be in a favourable position should the opportunity to sign the player this summer arise.
Or Chelsea may bid £10m more than we’re prepared to spend and Modric really is certain that he wants to stay in London. Hmm.
Let’s hope my optimistic/desperate version of events is the more accurate one. Watch this space.
Man Utd News 24/7
So e must get sanchez
Please make this happen… Or someone like Goetze/Kagawa
35 million is way too much if you ask me, why not stick a bid in for Nasri for 15-20m?
Scholes have saved us alot of money by being our playmaker for so long. Think we should take that in to consideration and be prepared to spend a bit extra to get a proper replacement.
United says:
Please make this happen… Or someone like Goetze/Kagawa
What instead of Modric ARF!
Triffic lad that Modric…..
Fergie sign him up
He wants to go to Chelsea because they are a big club
Between Arab billions and Russian Billions lies the biggest club in world football
Of course still on the hunt of the Barca Protocol
Nasri!
We’ll see if Fergie is interested in him and really wants him.
Till now there was no bid from us.
I agree Scott. That will be a long long story.
I just want the engine room strengthened.Jones and young are good squad options but they wont make us stronger i really hope fergie is looking for someone in the middle of the park or else we should forget about the champions league for another year
Finally people will actually be on topic…
Topic – what a delicious chocolate
Only way he is leaving Spurs (If he leaves, I think he may back down) will be for an offer approaching 40million. Far too much. I have a feeling that if he goes anywhere this summer, it will be to Chelsea.
We don’t want your money. You’ve got Berbatov.
I agree, it’d look stupid for Modric to mention our name when we haven’t even made a bid. So that’s some hope for us. But I just wonder if the reason we haven’t made a bid is because we know he wants to stay in London.
He’s a class player- in my eyes he’s been the best central midfielder in the league for the last 2 seasons. When you consider his age and the fact that he’s got 5 years left on his contract- £30-35m seems reasonable. I wouldn’t also be surprised if we offered £22-25m plus Berba, as they do need a striker. Not sure if he’d wanna go though, especially as they ain’t even in the Champions League. All of that is assuming we make a bid of course!
Great Player however if He does’nt come, no problem…there are other options too
What part of Levys statement isn’t sinking in. Reading this stuff is like believing horoscopes, pointless unless you’re sadly deluded.
Though all of us are craving for a midfielder, I won’t be too surprised if sir alex didn’t sign any. Anderson has been given enough time and now that scholes has retired, he’ll play even more. And atleast a couple of reserve players getting to play in the first team. Our luck hasn’t been great with BIG money signing recently. Berb, though he’s done everything right, luck has evaded him drasticly. Veron found it tough in the league. Hargreaves is a story not to be told.
To substantiate it further, do you think sir alex will get into a bidding war with the likes of city and barca?. Until the player himself wants to be at United, i don’t see us getting a top midfielder in.
We’ll interesting times ahead!
God, you’re so f*****g entitled. He’s said that he doesn’t want to move outside of London – what part of that needs further explanation. Be grateful if we keep him or sell him abroad.
Defour,ninis there are other good CMs out there.i hope young isnt being considered there and i hope saf is going to be relied on there because we’ve been waiting for 4 yrs for him and nothing has happened
levy seems determined to keep luka.What forced his hand concerning berba was that berba sulked and moaned and forced the move.Unless modric plays a ronaldo or fabregas then he will stay there.Thtat statement in the daily mail is not enough.Spurs want to build something big so keeping modric is integral.
A month ago nobody talk about Phil Jones going to United, at least me. My bet is there will another surprise transfer this summer. Hopefully, ‘Chicharito’ surprise and not ‘Bebe’ surprise.
Levy is a dickhead concerning his players and very absent minded. Stop being so fucking precious. The likes of Carrick, Berbatov and Modric are always gonna seek a fresh challenge, to win trophies. Spurs are the Andy Murray of football, get over it. Just a stepping stone lads. Also, with Redknapps murky history in signing players down the years, Levy must have a brass neck, to get all insulted when BIGGER clubs come calling for his precious players.
The only thing I know is that I trust in Fergie to do the right thing.
Modric’s statement is GREAT NEWS because he’s not the right player for UTD.
No matter how excellent he has been for Spurs – and, I dispute that claim of “excellence” – from what I’ve seen the little guy has great ball control and a very calm demeanour but he is lightweight and not especially powerful in the tackle (don’t we already have Michael Carrick to fit that description ?). AND for a “creative midfielder” he is NOT a great provider as exemplified by his incredibly low number of assists and the very low total number of goals that Spurs were able to score this past season.
Why did SAF big-up Modric ? remember the world of “Smiley’s People” ? a world of disinformation and mis-direction ? Well, the OldFootieKnight still can finesse his hand with dummy bids. He’s a crafty bugger and he has a quarter-century of confounding his critics and those simpletons who take him at this word.
From my vantage-point here in Toronto – in front of the computer with nothing to watch on telly for a couple of hours – it seems to me that Vishal S (@ 16:22) is on the right track in writing “Though all of us are craving for a midfielder, I won’t be too surprised if sir alex didn’t sign any. Anderson has been given enough time and now that scholes has retired, he’ll play even more.” I would add that WayneBoy needs to be factored into any discussion of how UTD will be organized next year – he’s an absolutely perfect “ScholesReplacement” and has a much stronger engine than the GingerNinja.
Those who dispute this logic need to answer another question – why is there interest in Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young when the “front four” of Chicharito, WayneBoy, Nani, and Valencia is considered really strong ? What would Ashley Young add if he was considered ahead of any one of these four ? Wouldn’t Alexis Sanchez and WayneBoy play the same role – the support striker ?
If you allow for SAF’s willingness to chop-and-change and his enormous faith in WayneRooney’s importance to his team, then it seems obvious (to me !) that (to quote the legendary Buffalo Springfield) “something’s happening here but what it is ain’t exactly clear”.
hey scott i m with u 100%
Let’s hope my optimistic/desperate version of events is the more accurate one. Watch this space.
We should just go for Nasri. He’s a mixture of both Modric and Sneijder, he would also be cheaper because he’s only got a year left.
If Arsenal don’t agree then Pastore from Palermo or Gamso from Santos.
I don’t care where he goes, I don’t think he’s as good as everyone makes out and certainly not worth 30-35 million. If we consider that Sneijder is valued in the 35-40 million bracket, how is Modric at the same level? I personally rate Van Der Vaart higher than Modric and don’t think Spurs will miss him that much.
If we’re going to ‘splash the cash’ then we should aim higher than Modric. If not then we could try to get someone who has good skills but we can improve like Ninis, Douglas Costa, DeFour, Young etc.
That’s just my opinion.
This rumour is dead in the water. He won’t be coming to Manchester United and I think we’ve donated Spurs enough money in the past with Carrick and Berbatov who have been relative success’s but never really reached the heights many expected. Modric is a good player but I won’t be sad to miss out on him. Not sure he would pull up any trees at United, he hardly shone for Spurs in the last 3 months of the season when it counted.
Spurs want to build something big… lol too bad all they’ve got is a foundation of crap, hasbeens and wannabes. Modric will put in a request at some point IMO as his head has been turned but the saga will probably drag out all summer. Spurs aren’t hopeful of bringing in any other top quality either so I don’t see how they progress, 09/10 was their high water mark.
I also still fail to see how a player with 3 goals and 2 assists in a full year without injury can be hailed as a 35m+ savior for anyone but maybe he’s the best of the pile of dust and detritus that is the void of available CMs this year.
Excellent piece Scott. I was delighted when United went for Phil Jones, a young defender who looks like a top player for the future, and, with somewhat less enthusiasm I was reasonably happy at the idea of getting Ashley Young. But there still seem to be yawning gaps all over United’s squad. I’d like Modric, even if it takes at least £35 M to get him, but that’s not enough. We not only need to replace the irreplaceable Paul Scholes we also need a new Owen Hargreaves. And then , when you think that we have also lost Ronaldo and Tevez in the last couple of years without ever really replacing them (whatever you think of Tevez as player and as a man) the current team squad is way under strength. And that’s without the probable loss of Gibson, O’Shea and Wes Brown. We also need to factor in the retirement of Gary Neville , Scholes and Van der Sar, not to mention Ryan Giggs’ age. That means we need somewhere between 8 and ten players just to stand still, unlesss it’s assumed Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck are going to instantly deliver, which I rather doubt. It’ll be an even longer term for Pogba, Morrison et al to make the breakthrough.
In 1995 when we lost Ince , Hughes and Kanchelskis in the off-season I was desperately worried, despite the obvious promise of the famous kids. But right now we face a much more worrying situation. There seems a very strange reluctance on Fergie’s part to renew his midfield, despite the clear weaknesses exposed by Barca, not just once but twice. He did miracles last season in winning that 19th title, but , given that he desperately wants another Champions League trophy, to cement his place in history, it seems very odd how he’s allowed the current situation to arise. In the past he’s remained too loyal too long to players past their best (McClair, Keane) and I think he’s done the same with Scholes and Giggs. It’s not that they weren’t both capable of doing the business, but it’s been clear for several years that they will need replacing sooner rather than later, preferably with a smooth transition (as with Robson to Keane c.1993-94). I’d be amazed if Giggs gets more than about 15 matches next season, and that’s not taking into account the possible knock-on effects of his personal problems. We haven’t had a genuine ball-playing playmaker for some time now and, at the higher levels it’s not enough to have a lot of huff-and-puff, as with the in-many-ways-admirable Park, or the declining figure of Fletcher.
So, nice to see some early activity in the market, but a lot more is needed, that’s for sure.
Are you watching Glazer family?
WillieRedNut @ 16:35: “Levy is a dickhead concerning his players…Spurs are the Andy Murray of football, get over it. Just a stepping stone lads.”
I’m not sure that “dickhead” is a good descriptor – he’s playing with against a loaded deck. And, now his revenue streams have taken a bit hit and he’s left with a huge amount of dross – Defoe, Crouch, Pav, Keane, Hutton, Ledley, Gomes, and so on. Maybe – maybe ! – they could re-challenge for a CL spot next year with that crew but I don’t think so.
They need to do some major surgery and re-load. He and ‘arry aren’t fools, they know that. What Levy says for public/red-top consumption is just hot air and he knows it. He lost out on a new stadium which would have massively-increased revenues, he’s missed out on the CL which lost revenues and ‘stardust’ and he’s stuck with a bloated wage-bill with a lot of yesterday’s nearly-men. He’s stuck – between a rock and a hard place.
Levy has three sale-able assets – Modric, Bale, and Sandro. Modric would fetch the most in terms of money and player-exchange so he’s going to have to fight a very good fight in order to make the most of his asset. I’m on his side – whatever he can screw out of the RentBoyz is a good thing. My own take on the Modric -> CSKALondon is that he will have about as much impact as TheLadyBoy did last spring; but that’s a different story, eh ?
Modric is not coming to United
People need to get over it and the concept of Marquee signings…we have Ando, Carrick, Fletcher and Cleverly in midfield, Park and Giggs can do a role there as well…..Plus we have tunnicliffe, Morrison and Pogba all central midefielders for the cup games….If we do buy, it will be someone completely against conventional wisdom….Like Defour or something….A bolt from the blue…
So Far De Gea is the only identified target…Jones was not a target, it was just a question of Liverppol upping the ante and Sir Alex didn’t want to miss out on a good young player just like the situation with Rooney and Newcastle forcing his hand…There are still three signings to come, De Gea + two more…keep faith..
Have to disagree with you on this one….He wants to stay in London and our main targets should be Sneijder or Nasri.
Red Devil – You know that Young will sign?
@JC
You hit the nail on the head. 3 goals and 2 assists in a full season and a valuation of 35 million plus? Just laughable! He reminds me of Alexander Hleb, neat passing little one two’s in the middle of the park and very rarely a threat. Would much rather Sanchez if the rumours are true. That’s what fans want to see going to Old Trafford isn’t it? A player he’s capable of the extraordinary and is direct and runs at players to get fans on the edge of their seats. His 4 goals against Palermo were devestating no wonder Europe’s finest (apart from City) are queing up for his signature.
@denton, I agree with you.
I have been a fan of Rooney taking over from Scholes for a long time now. Ever since I saw his cross field balls to Valencia and Nani over the course of the past season, I have been screaming that he is the perfect replacement for Scholesy. Most people think Rooney cannot make the shift at this stage of his career. But Scholesy made a similar shift, albeit a bit earlier, and look where that landed him.
Also, Rooney moving to a more central role might also be the answer to the Berbatov conundrum. That would mean Berbatov will be free to play the role he plays best just off the striker and releasing everything that is ahead of him. This is the role in which he shined in the early part of last season.
Another thing that Sir Alex values is flexibility and Rooney moving back will make us really flexible as a unit and will confuse the shit out of opposition managers. This was the same tactic Sir Alex employed when Ronaldo and Tevez were here. Nobody knew how we would be lining up and even if they did, we could shift easily and that made it really hard of other managers to work us out.
The way I see it, with the signing of Young, we’ve got two players, who are capable for playing across the front 3 in Nani and Young. The only players you can say have fixed roles are Valencia on the right and Hernandez up front. Berbatov can play as lone striker, albeit he will be ineffective, or play off the striker in the role he enjoys.
More importantly, not being linked with a mid-fielder might mean Sir Alex thinks it is time for the F.A Youth Cup boys to step up. I don’t think they are going to go right into playing games against Arsenal or Chelsea, but I have a sneaky feeling they are going to be bedded into the squad rotation policy. Given all their ages, we’re also not going to be using any of our squad quota since they’re all U-21. I certainly feel we might start seeing Pobga, Tunnicliffe, Morrison, Cleverley and Welbeck against the bottom half of the league against whom we do play 20 games per season.
That might be good news for Morrison especially. If he starts seeing more first-team games and really getting under the tutelage of Sir Alex, then his off-field problems might disappear. This is because Sir Alex wouldn’t take too kindly to it and also he might just be distracted by playing for the first-team to cause too much trouble outside.
I think me and Willie are the biggest Modric fanboys on ROM. But if he doesn’t have the balls to leave London, then screw him. I would still be glad if we got him, but for the reasons mentioned above, I won’t sweat even if we didn’t.
We really need to show some seriousness in our attempts at purchases. I remember we indicated interest in Modric 1st, but Chelsea made the bid, even when their mid-field appears tight as it were. We saw how clueless our mid-field was in the past season. A situation that made Rooney play from the mid-field most of the time. We need a mid-fielder that’s enterprising and creative. Sneijder or Modric will just do.
Giles Oakley @16:48: ” That means we need somewhere between 8 and ten players just to stand still”
I think you’re being overly pessimistic.
Anderson, Rafael, Fabio, Nani, Valencia, Chicharito, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and (probably) David De Gea should be on the other side of your balance-sheet in terms of “replacements”. The much-acclaimed Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck also are possibilities in the short-medium term while the glowing previews of Paul Pogba, Ravel Morrison, Ryan Tunnicliffe, and a few other kids suggest that there has been serious planning about squad-evolution. (Notice that I haven’t even mentioned Dimmy – in reply to your mention of Carlitos and Cristiano.)
You’re quite right that standing still is not an option but I think that forward planning has been going on for quite a while behind the scenes.
AND, let’s not pass any kind of final judgement until the dust has settled after this transfer window closes – or even before the international window opens !
http://www.redforcerising.net/2011/06/18/videos-chalkboards-midfield-maestro-luka-modric/
denton davey,modric will reguvenate that chelsea midfield.Chelsea would be getting a special player on there to challenge for the league trust me.United must intervene.
I’m with Sir Alex,if he gets it right or not.Yes,l support who he brings or trusts with the current crop.Like it or not competition in the league is increasing each year so abit of appreciating that is good.Unlike what they say that Arsene knows,l trust and believe Fergie knows.
denton davey – Sorry, but he is a dickhead. Getting all high and mighty, when some club reveals an interest in any player from spuds. He was strangely silent, when the Bostock deal was queried. Spurs will always lose their better players. Just the way it is…
Ever since Chelski has targeted Man Utd prospects hard since Roman the Invader came. Follwed by Real, Barca now Chity all targeting Man Utd great scouting. Like Burger King saving 100′s of millions in marketing over the years by putting stores with in 1500 meters of McDonald’s As well Real and Barca know with 1 or 2 top players Man Utd is their biggest threat to the CL the next few years. Like we cock blocked the Gomers for Smalling and Jones. And Young from the Fool’s.
Modern recruitment of players takes as much misdirection of a Vegas magic act.
40 million for Modric? Bollocks. I bought him for just 25 on Football Manager.
The main reason why United have still not put a bid on Modric is coz we have already tabled an offer for Sanchez for 30 plus million. I feel Fergie may bring in either Sanchez or Modric but not both. If Sanchez comes i dont think Fergie will go for Modric even though Sanchez is not a regular midfielder. He might probably change the formation to 4-1-3-2 with Carrick as the holding midfielder. But if Sanchez rejects us i am sure Fergie will battle it out for Modric and may even go for more than 40 million. It will be one epic transfer saga. If Modric decides to stay in London, he will be forced to look at other options preferably Sneider.
Balaji @ 16:56: I agree with some of what you’ve written but I think you’re over-estimating Dimmy’s likely future. I might be wrong but I think that Dimmy seriously blotted his copy-book when he missed two sitters @ Wembley and then couldn’t score one from about six chances against Blackburn.
Like I said, I might be wrong but to convince me I’d like to see you answer this question: why hasn’t Dimmy been offerred a renewal on his contract which expires at the end of next season ?
@Sir Giles
Great post as usual…..The midfield definitely needs strengthening, no doubts about that, but I was just wondering that if we bought too many people in midfield, we might struggle to give playing time to the ones we already have in our youth set up….
Lets see what we can muster….The Glazers better step up to the plate this year or else they’ll be completely exposed for what their true intentions are…
@cyrilsneer
mate , sneijder is worth more than 35 million
inter sold ibrahamovic for 40 million plus etoo plus hleb
so thats probabaly 60 million or more
ibra was 27 like wesley
so dont expect inter to sell weSley for less than 50 milion atleast
Disagree with the people saying Modric isn’t good enough, that’s absolute rubbish. Lightweight? Would you have said the same for Scholesy?
Let’s not forget that Modric regularly plays in a 2 man centre midfield pairing for Spurs, and he copes easily.
That’s another reason I’d take him over Sneijder and Nasri. Unlike the other 2, we KNOW that Modric can play in a 2 man midfield in the Premier League. Sneijder- as classy as he is, appears to play in the hole, with 2 midfielders behind him- essentially the same position as Rooney. Nasri has been playing in this country for 3 years and 95% of his games have been on the wing! As much potential as he may have- do we know how he can cope playing CENTRAL MIDFIELD in the Premier League? No.
Centre mid is the one area where I don’t think we can afford to go for someone young and developing- we need someone who’s pretty much developed and the finished article. Why? Coz with Scholesy retiring and Giggsy about to be 38, we’re losing PROVEN players. So unless we bring in an established player like Modric…we’ll be going into next season with Fletcher & Carrick as our only proven, established midfielders who are capable of playing week in week out. We’ve already got Anderson & Cleverley as our developing midfielders, (and maybe one out of Morrison and Pogba will be gradually introduced) -no point in getting another. We need someone with ability, and who’s proven they can play in a Premier League centre mid- Modric fits that bill.
I’m getting a bit bored of the Modric saga now. We should put in a £30m bid with the possibilty of reaching £35m if criteria are met. If Tottenham reject it move on to the next midfielder. It would be great to have every player reporting for pre-season and no late arrivals!
WillieRedNut @ 16:56: “dickhead” ? I don’t think so – he’s just doing his job in the glare of publicity. It’s inevitable that Levy (or whoever) is going to talk out of both sides of his mouth – it’s a big part of the job-description.
Red Devil – They did step up mate. Jones cost 20 million. I’ve been critical of the Glazers in the past, but I’m sure they know this summer is a key one for the club.
@denton, Yeah, I had the same conversation with Costas a long time ago and we both agreed that there was an air of inevitability with Berbatov and United parting ways.
My hopefulness mostly stems from the love for the man’s character and ability. I “want” him to stay more than I “know” he is going to say. I still think he might figure in Sir Alex’s plans but I won’t be surprised if he does make way.
@Zelh
I dont know whether young will sign or not, which is why I didn’t mention him in my original post….
My feeling is it might be a back up plan for Sanchez coz otherwise, it should have been signed, sealed and delivered by now….
@Sparkz
3 goals and 2 assists for a player in his prime and arguably his best ever season for Spurs doesn’t inspire. Didn’t shine in any big games last season. Didn’t even notice him on the pitch in our 2 games with Spurs. He’s just the flavour of the month. I think Modric is a good player and would get in United’s first current 11 but would he improve us that much? I severely doubt it and certainly not for 30 million plus. I think it’s clear Fergie’s pinpointed Sanchez has his number one target.
@T4M
mate , chelsea could get modric
he is a fab player but not 45 million .
spurs wont sell him. they didnt sell berba initially. they sold him only after 1 year
ronaldo didnt go wen fergie said no.
i think spurs will keep there best players and look for CL again
i cant see them finishing top 4.
then modric and bale will leave . possibly VDV as well.
out of the 3 big players modric sanchez and sneijder , i think only sanchez is value for money and hopefully we can get him
if we dont get him
then fergie could make a massive bid for modric or sneijder.
fergie will probably want atleast 1 big signing. we will know in a couple of days abt sanchez
i am hearing sanchez is going to barca to sign on monday. he is a prick for that. and ur absolutely right the last time we invested in our midfield was 2007. four years ago. thats not good enough. if nothing happens we will just gue to the cl final to be embarrassed by barca again.
Sparkz @ 17:04: “Disagree with the people saying Modric isn’t good enough, that’s absolute rubbish. Lightweight? Would you have said the same for Scholesy?”
I think you’re comparing apples with oranges – look at Modric’s physique and then compare it with the Ginger Ninja.
Next, consider their willingness to tackle – sure Scholes’ timing wasn’t always perfect but he did get stuck-in; Modric doesn’t offer that, either – like I wrote earlier, Modric is another Carrick-type relying on guile and positioning as opposed to grit.
Let me be clear, I’m not bad-mouthing Modric – he’s a fine player but he’s just not what UTD need/require in midfield. In fact, if he goes to CSKALondon he might do well – but he might not. How will Lampard take to being demoted ? How would Drogba accept being offered as part-exchange ? That’s one snake-pit of a dressing-room with a huge amount of ego-conflict.
Really getting tired of all the Glazer talk now. Yes, the Glazers can be really considered evil by all circles of United fans, but our lack of transfer activity over the past few seasons is not due to the Glazers. They may be many things, but bad businessmen, they are not.
If Sir Alex thinks some player will make us better and lead us to more trophies, then the Glazers will make sure the funds are available for that. This is what we clearly see happening this summer. They are not stupid.
They know that their income depends on our performances on the field. Which in turn depends on how we rebuild after losing many of our top players. Which depends on Sir Alex’s transfer activity and their continued funding for them. So, to put it simply, Glazers will not reject Sir Alex because that is the key to their continued income.
I am not talking the Glazers up but that is a really simple inference anyone with a business mind can make. The Glazers will make the funds availbale if Sir Alex needs them.
Red Devil – Imo I think Young will defo sign. Furthermore I think Sanchez will go to Barca. Just my gut feeling.
But what I agree with is that Fergie will wait on Sanchez decision and then move on to modric.
We need to at least try to get Modric. If both Chelsea and United get a bid in and he chooses Chelsea, then fine good luck to him, but we should at least give him the choice to choose between the most successful club in English football or a club who continually sacks managers even two brilliant ones in Mourinho and Ancelotti.
Theres no more fucking about with out midfield. A clear decision has to be made. Like Scott said Hargreaves is gone, Scholes is gone and Gibson looks set to leave. Fletcher was average at best last year before his virus. Michael Carrick was average up until April. Anderson was fantastic playing in Old Trafford but couldn’t replicate his form away from home. I have good hopes for Cleverley, but I’m not expecting him to set the world alight in his first proper season playing at United. Pogba, Tunnicliffe and Morrison should get a chance in cup games and maybe the odd league game if they impress. There still all under 20.
We need a creative midfielder, someone to link defense to attack and is consistent. Paul Scholes did it occasionally in the last few seasons as he got older and when he played well United played well. We need to replace him, this is one of the greatest players to ever play for United and imo the best midfielder to ever play in the Premiership. Barcelona destroyed our midfield, in 2009 we didn’t really show up, last month we did show but Barcelona proved that there on another level to us, to everyone. Signing Modric would be a step to not only retaining our crown but having a better chance of beat Barcelona.
No more excuses, no more Barcelona are overrated or there cheats or there luck, where going to get nowhere doing that. Luka Modric would be a perfect fit, he was Spurs most consistent player last season and probably up with Vidic the most consistent player in the league. People say he doesn’t create or score enough goals, but does Xavi? No he doesn’t but he’s the heart of the Spanish and Barcelona teams that have dominated over the last few years. He’s the hub of those two teams and that is something we don’t have. We have a fantastic defense, fantastic attack, two and soon to be three fantastic wingers, why can’t we just add a Top class midfielder in there to put the cherry on the top?
If we don’t sign Modric, then I’ll be gutted, if we don’t sign any central midfielders this summer then I’ll be distraught. I’ll trust SAF judgement in any case, but it’s putting a ton of pressure on the midfielders and the youngsters we have to up there game.
Mancs:
Those of you saying Luka isn’t worth 30m plus are missing the point. He’s on a long contract and we don’t need the money. Therefore it would take a huge bid to to get him.
@red devil
mate , sky said we had talks with him and agreed terms
even if we do get sanchez, we will sign young.
if we sign sanchez and then tell young get lost thats quite awful
@denton davey
Anyone who cites the low number of assists as proof of a lack of creative ability knows absolutely nothing about football, I’m sorry to say. Xavi had 7 assists in La Liga, while Iniesta had 3. Barcelona scored an incredible 95 goals… does that mean Xavi and Iniesta lack creativity too? What a load of bollocks the Modric assist stat is, people trotting it out like it simply represents his creative ability.
Furthermore, to bolster that ridiculous statement by using Spurs low goal total again shows a complete lack of understanding of how football works. It is not simply 1+1=2. Perhaps the fact that Defoe and Crouch can’t hit the broad side of a barn is the main reason for Spurs’ low goal totals and partially responsible for Modric’s “low assist” total. Modric often played as a deep lying playmaker, who often started all of Tottenham’s moves forward- why would he have a high assist total? He may be small in stature, but he is FAR from “lightweight.” He has proved that time and time again when he is able to maintain possession despite being haggled from all angles. He attempted over 2,000 passes, and I believe his pass completion rate was close to 80%. He is often cited as the logical successor to Paul Scholes for a reason. He is a fantastic midfielder and arguably the best overall midfielder in England.
I also like how you attempt to say Sir Alex complemented Modric’s ability not because it’s simply true, but to be deceptive. Again, you spew more bollocks as if you have any semblance of what Sir Alex thinks.
Your statements in regards to Modric scream of someone who has never watched him play and if any of your reasoning was actually sensical, he might not “be the right player for UTD.” However, your logic is extremely flawed and you do not seem to have the knowledge or background to make such a sweeping statement. If I were a United fan, I’d trust Sir Alex’s opinion of Modric over yours.
Modric ain’t lightweight, but his goals and assists outlet should be a lot better, than what it is.
Players-OUT______________Players- IN
1) VDS _______________1) Jones
2) G. Nev. ________________Probables-IN
3) Scholes _______________1) de Gea
4) Hargo _______________2) Young
5) Gibbo _______________Possibles IN
Probables-OUT __________????????????
1) PIG
2) Brown
Possibles-OUT
???????????
@Willie
Hi mate….how are you…
I dont know the figure for the Jones transfer mate…may be its 16.5, maybe its 20….but thats not the point. The Club has been earning 50-60 mn pounds in cash flow every year mate for the last 4 years…We won 4 leagues and reached two champions league finals since we last signed big (hargreaves + Ando + Nani) for about 50 mn combined….we have 120 mn in EPL prize money and another 150 odd million (estimated) for our journeys in the champions league and the Ronaldo money remains unspent….I think Scott pointed out in the article that the net spend ever since the Glazers have arrived has only been 3-5 mn pounds every year….! So not enough money has been spent as far as I can see….We’ve been winning in the meanwhile is down to Sir Alex and his genius…
I’m not one for signing players for the sake of signing them…I dont want big marquee signings every year…thats not what I’m saying…All i’m saying is a lot of money needs to be spent on a lot of areas this summer and I just hope that the Glazers provide the funds and we dont have to listen to the “No value” statement once again…
@ balaji,
excellent post about rooney shift..
anyday i would love that to happen..
he is strong, he holds the ball, the hold posession, he splits defences, he shoots hollywood passes, he has an eye to involve wing players in the game (like my scholesy used to do), he has got the agression and attitude for a midfielder, he can be box to box, hez got shooting ability (not in the calibre of my scholesy, no one can be for that matter), THE only thing i havent seen him do is the side way pass from the outside the right foot to wingers..
HE GOT THE SIMILAR HEIGHT TO SCHOLESY AS WELL
if rooney has committed his future to us by agreein it was a mistake on asking our ambition and SAF gave him a new contract because he knows he is the most important player for the long run at OT..
thats the best player tobuild our team around, you will always build a team around a midfielder..
thats our history..
to make this all work, all we need is signing of a striker to partner berb and chicha..welbeck should be brought in this picture as well..
give chance to clevelry and ando and hope one of them will step up..
COME ON SAF..SIGN HIM UP FOR MIDFIELD..
hello all reds, hope u guys doin great..
UNITED
Gary
He was outstanding against us back in January, won the MOTM award in all. He’s by no means the flavor of the month. I’ve wanted him for the last couple of years.. and I’m sure many people here are the same.
Utd have been bumbling Joneses in the transfer dealings over the last few years. We failed to spot/buy Sneijder when he went for a song. We didn’t see Van dar Vaart, Modric earlier on. Now we are supposedly offering fortunes for the same players. We also let go world-class palyers like Rossi,Pique for pittance, for Christ’s sake. Hesitation and IMO, downright incompetence may be the cause. For how long? We don’t have a decent right back since GN added 50 kgs to his already-considerable bulk a few years ago. And why are apparently buying more wingers? God knows who decides all these stuff…And yes, I agree with the writer here. Winning the title, purely by default IMO, does only paper over the deep cracks…Pls wake up. SAF & Co., Gill included.
The player that comes to Man Utd, if they have the mental strength to handle big club pressure. Then SAF and gang will make anyone a better player.
@THE KAIZER
YOUR SOURCE
@RYANDUNNY
mate , modric is a fantastic player. he will definetely improve us .
i think it depends whether we get sanchez or not.
if we dont get him i think fergie will break the bank for modric or sneijder .
but sanchez is younger, and thats where i think fergie might break the bank
dont worry abt modric , there is a lot of time .
even if we sign him it will be on september 1
Balaji- Disagree about Berba. He’s shown that his best position is actually further UP the pitch. First 2 years he was played in the hole and wasn’t a success. The reason why he did well this season is coz he played more up the pitch, hence his increased goal tally. He had Rooney dropping deep and doing the fetching and carrying job (despite his poor form early on, he still created a lot of chances for Berba).
That’s why when Rooney got injured and sent to America- Berba’s performances and goal tally dropped. Coz Hernandez came in and took the role as the poacher high up the pitch, and Berba had to drop back in the hole. Rooney comes back and Berba picked up again.
As for Rooney- him in centre mid wouldn’t work, not yet anyway. Playing him in midfield requires him to be more disciplined and use less energy. He won’t be able to go roaming around. Why on earth would you wanna restrict his freedom when he’s shown how well he can play in the hole. To put him in centre mid, just so you can play Berba in a position which isn’t his best? In any case, changing things around to fit in a 30 year old who doesn’t neccessarily suit our style of play, AND has a tendency to shrink on the big occasions- doesn’t seem wise.
speaking on the topic,
i firmly believe modric would go to chelsea..
i m also against the fact that we wont sign him for 40 Mil something because it is chelsea and they are known to buy a vegetable of 10 pounds at 20 pounds..
@Zelh
I would welcome Ashley young if he comes mate….But I think Sanchez is a better player…just my opinion of course!
But I guess if we can only sign players who want to play for us, so as I say, Young may be a good signing in that regard
just wanted to say if anyone thinks pogba or the youth team boys will get anywhere near a prem game next season you are off your rocker! good players but nowhere near ready to play in the prem. the likes of cleverly will find it hard to get a game let alone pogba!
@ Sachu
I’m not implying that its either or…it may be both…we might be getting both of them…who knows??
May be Sir Ale is thinking of swtching to a 4-6-0 in europe, the Roma kind of formation with fluidity and interchanging of personnel….which is why we seem to be stocking up players who can play across the front 4 or 5
@John Tring
Oh yes we have been a complete joke in the transfer market haven’t we? 10 million combined for those clowns Vidic and Evra. A further wasted 6 million on an unknown Mexican kid Hernandez and selling Ronaldo for 80 million pounds 5 years after signing him for 12 million in a period that he won every trophy possible. What a laughing stock we must be? Wake up Fergie and Gill!
No decent right back?
When did you watch your last match?
I like…. little rubber ducks, and pick up trucks……
Stupid keyboard….the x doesnt seem to register sometimes…its Sir Alex*
Red Devil – Money will be spent mate. We just need to be patient. On the Jones deal, I think it’s 16.5 million, with add ons taking it to 20 million. That’s big money for a 19 year old. My gripe with the glazers, was always the money for Fergie to spend in the transfer market. Lets wait and see what the club do with signings, before we pass judgement on the owners. I’m only interested in players, that want to play for United. If they don’t, fuck em.
@john tring
mate wes did fantastic at RB wen we won in moscow
rafael and fabio are outatanding and are the future . NO NEED FOR A RB
Gary- Flavour of the month? Do me a favour- he’s been quality for 2 seasons now! And yes he does shine in most of the big games- I remember when Spurs beat Arsenal and Chelsea in the space of 4 days last year- he was superb in both. And the stats are misleading- if he was a winger then they’d look poor. But he’s not. He’s the one who contols the tempo for Spurs, plays those probing balls foward for the wingers to run onto. A lot of the time, he plays the pass before the pass that sets up the goal
Denton- I think you’re underrating Modric’s defensive qualities. As I said- playing in a 2 man midfield at Spurs, especially when he’s had Huddlestone ( a Carrick like player) as his partner sometimes- that’s a test and he’s done fine. And with the likes of Fletcher and Anderson- I don’t think it’s ball winners and grit we need to be looking at. Creativity is the issue.
willierednut – Nobody knows if modric won’t come to OT if we don’t throw in a bid.
Off topic…. what do you guy’s use for hemeroidal relief?
TSO at toxic levels… Danger Will Robertson Danger !!!!!
Get the irony here… zibbie not talking transfer stuff.
I love the long explanations of the wild world or RoM.
From dumb cunt to future Red legend……….It’s a great day to be at sea Captain.
I would take Wesley Sneijder over 10 Luka Modirics
@red devil
yes mate , i agree.
sir alex might be thinking of change in formation.
we have broken the bank for rio rooney and berba and veron
so we need do it for sanchez or luka or wesley.
i think sir alex wants sanchez because he is quality and also younger
Fucking Barca !!!!
Gary – Spot on mate. As Keano said a few years ago, modern footballers are more interested in their pay packets, than playing football. That’s not Fergie, or Gills fault. We haven’t done too bad for missing out on all these stellar names?
i hope this season transfer deadline ends on JUNE 30
Have we sold anyone yet?
Balaji Sivaraman excellent point regards Rooney.
We might not need to replace Scholes because lets not forget, Scholes used to play centre forward eary doors. Rooney isn’t getting any quicker and his deep role is a hinderance with playing with Berba, that’s why the little Pea was so effective, he stretched the play and stopped opposition from squeezing us between attack and midfield.
Rooney is going to replace Scholes, he has the energy and passing to do it. With Berba staying and Welbeck returning, plus the youth products coming through, it makes no sense to buy a creative midfielder for 30m.
Young and Jones are both great signings. Jones as a Hargreaves type player who can play various roles. Young as another fast attacker, playinbg deep or on the wings. All we need is a GK and maybe another signing we will be set. I think the next signing will be another player maybe Varane, who can also replace the likes of O’Shea, Brown and Gibson who aren’t first teamers, but squad players and Gibson is not good enough and the other two are old and on biggish wages.
@Sparkz
When did Spurs beat Chelsea last year then? Must have missed this? They drew at home in a game they should have lost and then lost a game at Stamford bridge they shouldn’t have lost. You obviously vlaue him more than me. I think he’s a good player but I just don’t think he spectacular and for 30 million plus you expect someone spectacular. Harry Redknapp saying that players are going for 20 mill plus that aren’t fit to lace Modric’s boots sugests it would take a ridiculous figure to sign him. He isn’t worth it. Modric isn’t fit to lace Scholesy’s boots, but saying that what players could you put along side scholes in the last 10/12 years? Zidane, Nedved….I’m strugling after that.
I love the term Pound for money. My friends who live in California tell me at the dispensary a pound can go for $2500 to $4200, nice exchange rate. I will retire next to a dispensary. And get a nursing referral from Cedars.
@zelh
mate , dont worry abt luka.
even if spurs do sell him it will take till september 1
fergie is waiting for sanchez news and depending on that he will move on.
@Willie
I don’t care about the owners per se…like you said, its more about players who want to play for the club and strengthening our set up…
My only gripe with the Glazers is the kind of risk that they have loaded on a previously debt free club. Its more to do with my profession in the financial industry…but thats another debate….lets forget about that for the moment….
At least they let Sir Alex get on with the football side…and that is what I’m more concerned about…lets hope the club is strengthened in the areas required and we are sitting here talking about many more trophies in the years to come….
Put a £15m bid in for Thiago at Barca or Marvin Martin.
Theres also Goetze whod prob be available for £20m or
Hazzard.
And then theres Sneijder.
Plenty of quality out there if he stays at Spurs or goes to the Chavs!
@Sparkz, My post was more intended to be an idea of what we would do if we are not going for a mid-fielder this summer. Currently, all the players we’ve been linked to are wingers. Of course, Sir Alex will pull something out of the hat but, if that doesn’t happen, I still feel moving Rooney to a more central role will be good. He has shown he has the temperament to handle the intensity of playing a more central role. Sure, his best role is off the striker which is what I wanted Berbatov to play, I was more hopeful of this than anything as I said.
Also the lack of any rumoured defensive MF signing might mean that Sir Alex intends to use Phil Jones in that role. Sure, Jones’ best role will always be centre of defense but he has shown he does not shy away from a challenge and he does have a lot of Roy Keane about him. So, if we don’t end up signing any DM to replace Hargreaves, then we could possibly see Jones in that role.
@zibbie
mate , why fucking barca
Who would want to be the manager of Chelsea when their this active on the transfer market without a manager making the decisions? It’s clear that there is only one man in charge at Chelsea, with or without a manager, Abromovich. That’s the reason why Mourinho left them.
I personally would prefer Sneijder over Modric, but that’s just my opinion. Sneijder said that if he was to leave Italy the only option in England would be United.
Quality not quantity, was typed by wiser people then me. What did a loaf of bread cost 10 years ago, things go up.
Again i don’t get the hype with modric, good player but slightly overrated to be honest, i don’t think united are even interested in him as i’m not sure how he’ll fit into the team but damn shows the lack of great midfielders out there if modric is the best out there.
something about my Scholesyz new life..
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Jun/Scholes-relishing-coaching-role.aspx
i hope he produces many more Scholesys..
the man’s service, dedication, selflessness, generosity, contribution, loyalty, love for UTD us unmatched, unparalleled, irreplaceable.
the man who never had a football agent in the YEAR 2010 is hard to replace and cant be replaced..
Long live legend, i hope i wud get to meet my idol one fine day
be it my fucking last day..
PS18 u are a Mr. Footballer,
Love you always, hold you in high regards and respect..
UNITED
sachu – Personally I don’t think Sanchez will join United. will take the easy way to spain and sit on the bench.
Götze only played his first season and is nowhere near to help us immediatly.
Red Devil – The Glazers are called a lot of things on here, but they’ve never been called stupid. I’m sure they’re comfortable on the numbers. We all would like United to be debt free, but that’s where we’re at currently. At least those dreaded piks have been paid. The over all debt has been reduced as well. It’s certainly looking better, than it was last year?
@balaji
mate , jones as DM ?
i dont hink fergie bought him for that , he had an eye on him and probably wanted to sign him after 1or2 years and wen other clubs started bidding he had to step in.
Sign Bastian Schweni from Muenchen!!!
How can anyone say that Modric isnt good enough.He’s well worth 35m quoted.He has a lot of paul scholes in him.Fantastic footballing brain and passing ability.If he comes itll feel like scholes never left i assure you of that.WE MUST NOT LET THIS PASS!
I’m glad we didn’t sign Ballack, Toure and I’ll be glad if we don’t get Modric. The little cunt has publically declared he’s interested in going to Chelsea and therefore we’re entitled to publically say we don’t want te bastard. Fuck him. He can go and play for Terry and his mob we don’t want him. He’s happy in London so he can stay there…he’s a good footballers but he’s made his choice by the sounds of it.
As for Levy – Willie I agree with Denton. He’s not a dickhead…..
He’s a cunt.
@zelh
mate , currently barca is the best club .
so if he chooses barca, cant realy fault him and i think he will get in ahead of villa .
but if we can meet the asking price , i think fergie can convince him to join us.
Sir Giles Oakley – A marvellous post as per usual. Always look forward to seeing your write ups. I consider them to be articulate, concise and very much to the point. I have never seen any flaws in your arguments in the 5 years that I have been posting here. Hope you are keeping well sir.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6995517,00.html
Wes Brown being linked with Aston Villa now? Big Eck knows his defenders.
Don’t believe everything the biased media said. If Man Utd wants a player, they will get the player
@John Tring
Lets get a few things clear. Its widely reported that we enquired about Sneijder but just like all clubs at that time we were quoted a figure over £20milll. Inter’s first offer around then of around 16-18mill was rejected.
Real went cap in hand as the transfer window was closing to sell him to Inter at a knock down price. There is no evidence he was offered at that price to anyone else.
VdV was the same, there was penty of talk we enquired and Real were telling all those who were interested that the fee was over 20mill (including spurs). On the last day they went to spurs with the deal, it was almost certainly not offered to anyone else as it was so late in the day.
Rossi and Pique both wanted to leave. They had NO pedigree to fall back on so the fees we got were great. Pique was never going to make it in the English game anyway. He would have done OK for us in Europe maybe but he is a continetal defender not an English one.
And seriously to complain about our transfers is ridiciouse. Look at the deals that have been pulled off and how mnay of those did we really know much about before hand. Perhaps some deals we have’t heard about (and some of those we did) haven’t come through but its not like they are just sitting on their hands
@T4M
“If he comes itll feel like scholes never left i assure you of that.”
I’m sorry but you’re clearly mad. Paul Scholes is one of the footballing greats. Scored 15 plus goals a season in his prime socring every type of goal imaginable. His passing was freakishly good, he droped on a players foot with ease and every manager or player who has ever worked with him most value him as the greatest they have played with or against. Modric is a good player, but please do not mention him alongside Paul Scholes it is just laguhable.
@t4m
mate dont expect spurs to sell for 35 million
@rai
mate , we are a bigger , better club than chelshit.
but luka has a family in london.
family is certainly more important than football.
so realy thats not a bad decision if he went there
Everyone with half a brain knew that scholes and hargreaves would retire yet no replacements lined up. sneijder should have been part of the ronaldo deal we wait for other clubs to make their move be 4 us like ozil silva and now modric then we end up with fucking bebe and obertan .we seem to be trying to sign wingers and defenders when the midfield is complete shit
Rai – A cunt of the highest order lol.
Gary- I was talking about last year mate. April 2010 it was I think, or early May. Spurs won 2-1 I seem to remember. I agree- who is fit to lace Scholesy’s boots. We just have to adapt as best we can. I think 30-35 mill is reasonable as he has a contract until 2016, is only 25 or 26, and plays in a position where we’re actively looking to strengthen. Its simple business! Alternatively- £20+ mill plus Berba would suit both clubs. Spurs get a striker they need, and we get a quality mid and part with only £20 mill or so in cash. Berba’s wages are quite high for a back up player- those wages would probably go on a midfielder who will play more regularly I.e Modric
Balaji- I see your point but I don’t think Rooney has the positional discipline to play there- YET. And if he does- it would hinder us as a team IMO- you’d lose a lot of his energy , it seems a bit of a waste. As for Berba- I suppose that’s a whole other topic, but I have doubts over his future. And if he does stay, as I said, I believe his best position has been further up the pitch rather than ‘in the hole’
Absolute desperation… F*ck this shit…
Gary. Spot on pal.
@sparkz
mate , spurs got 30 million for berba who was 27
do u think they wiill sell for 30 – 35 millon
i dont hink they will sell for less than 45 million
berba could be used. spurs are looking for a striker.
but i would take 30 millon plus berba. he is contracted till 2016 . so spurs have the advantage . no doubt
Fuck Barca was said just to refresh the site so I do not get bounced off hitting refresh, as well I hope they do not get Sanchez, I like that kid.
@Sparkz: Yes you’re right. 1-0 they won and Modric scored the goal. Berbatov definitely won’t go back to Spurs, the fans won’t want him back there and he won’t want to go back. I’m just warey of buying of Spurs again for mega money. The last 2 signings never really worked as well as we’d like and I’m sure deep down as well as Fergie would like. There was a reason why Berbatov didn’t make the bench for the European cup final, he hasn’t scored in the European cup since 2008. I did feel sorry for Bertbatov though must have really hurt him after finishing our top goal scorer last season. As much as you like Modric I think this deal is out of the question mate. Fergie and United would surely have moved now if they really wanted him after Chelsea’s public interest. I just don’t see a deal happening.
The problem we have is Manchester. I live and work around the place, but the foriegners always are attracted to London life and what it brings. It’s one of the top cities of the world, if the money and standard of team mates are the same, then that can be the decider. Plus the weather is shit up here.
With the Beeb moving to Salford, I hope the City will grow and become even more attractive.
@T4M AND ALL OTHERS
mate, modric is not anywhere near as good as scholes.
NOBODY CAN REPLACE PAUL SCHOLES . THATS CLEAR.
THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER SCHOLES OR KEANE.
BUT THIS IS MANCHESTER UNITED AND SOMEBODY WILL ALWAYS STEP UP.
sachu,i never said he’ll be as good as scholes,i said i see lots of scholes’features
@GARY
mate , i agree .
modric is not paul scholes noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
but if we get a no from sanchez , i wont be surprised if fergie goes for him or sneijder.
modric to chelsea is not adeal thats going to happen soon .
it will go tthe last day.
Chinese left overs for lunch… uuuhhmmmmmm……
for what reason should we pounce 30m on modric? He’s a good player but never a great player… He hardly change games! Sir alex never step in cos he’s considering options of sneijer who is a complete opposite of luka, sneijer play wit the team, set up attack, score goals, Great tackles and also ready to come to manchester… I’m sure fergie will ask of luka only if he can get sneijer… EVEN if we fail on sneijer i think we should go for defour. He will our play our defensive mid-field successfully and any of our ando, flether and carrick wil be at climax if some can mark for them. MOST OF ALL, FERGIE KNOW BEST…
Great post! If we don´t get Modric/ Sanchez/Nasri/Sneijder, who to sign?
I´m a fan of Rooney taking over from Scholes, bit will it happen?
@t4m
yes mate , i get your point.
he is aplayer that will improve us. he is a fab player.
it depends on the sanchez situation i think .
i dont think fergie wants both.
@RedLife 18:08 The London factor…….
@yustaq
mate , everyone is overpriced.
do u think berba was worth 30 milion .
rio was only 22 yrs old we paid 29 millon . well it looks a bargain now.
even 80 million for ronaldo looks a bargain.
so forget about the quoted prices .
i dont think spurs will sell him for less than 45 million
@sachu
I can honestly say Scholesy’s retirement saddened me more than losing the Champions league final. He represented everything that was good about our club and it was a sad day in the clubs history to say goodbye to a legend. The word legend is thrown about to easily but definitely Scholesy is and will always be a United great. Like you said you just can’t replace him. It’s impossible.
Great article STR
Ahm, can’t say I agree that he is the missing piece to the puzzle. There’s always someone better out there. Not convinced that Modric could cut it at United. Plus, I don’t want us putting one more pound in Levy’s pockets. Let alone 30-35 million. Fuck them.
Second Costas
Zibbie – Chinese left overs? Cream of sum yum guy?
RedLife – The weather is shit only for 300 days, the other 65 day are awful but it has United
I know I am new to this world of Footy. Going on 9 years this is my favorite sport to watch and follow outside of my tribal feelings toward the University Of Iowa American Football. Since I have followed and had to learn some of the past of such a great club. It seems like SAF and Man Utd. spend big every 3 to 5 years. And spending big 10 years ago meant 40- 50 million, now it is more like 60- 120 million with all the Billionaire owners. Shit the family that owns Man Chity is worth 600,000,000,000 billion and ran by a family member personally worth 20 billion. wow fucking Monopoly $$$$$$$$$$$
@Willie
I didn’t want to discuss the debt here…but since you’ve asked I will share a few insights
The PIK’s being paid are a good thing definitely….There were people here earlier defending the PIK’s saying that the debt being rolled up is a tax-deduction and all that…maybe those people would believe that its a bad thing they’ve been paid off…!! But in all seriousness, the murderous loans are off the books and thats a good thing…but there’s very little clarity on HOW they’ve been paid off…Has there been a re-financing, or have other United Assets been pledged, we’ll never know….lets hope for the best
As for debt coming down, its been re-purchased using idle cash from the club…So NET DEBT remains the same as earlier although maybe the interest cost is saved a bit which is a good thing
So things seem to be better…
As for being good not stupid…I’m not implying they are…..But even good businessmen falter…perfectly good businesses get ruined because of some mistakes, due to competitors doing better than them or due to market environment going against them…Did you think the people at Lehman brothers were stupid? There were Ivy Leaguers and Harvard Graduates and all sorts of smart money-men running it, still they went bust didn’t they…??
For all the business prowess of the Glazers, their property business has been running up huge losses in the last few years and thats a fact…
Also, the Tampa Bay Bucs have gone from title winning team to also rans and thats a fact…All their business prowess couldn’t prevent those losses could it?
Similarly, can you imagine what the debt levels would have been if we hadn’t been so successful in the last few years….all the prize money that we have been raking in, all the transfer money we have saved/earned and our debt has come down from what 520 odd million to 480 odd mn thats it?? Its just too risky from my point of view..
I dont have anything personal against them, but they have posed unnecessary gambit with my club, OUR club.
They maybe good businessmen with the best intentions, I have no doubt, but my club’s future is at stake here…a few barren years in the last few years and we may have been staring down the barrel.
Anyways…too much depressing stuff all this…lets bring on the football…Pre-season is too far away methinks!!
As Cedars would say, Have we signed anyone yet?
Jello willierednut !!!!!
19 !
Im a spurs man however i hope he guys to you guys not Chavski ! remember Alex and Harry are good mates and apparently Alex wants modders but didnt want to fall out with harry and i remember reading somewhere fergie hinted ‘if it was anyone else but harry he would have bid for him’ now its all out in the open fergie may as well tell his mate harry he’s joining in, as modders is going to go somewhere it may as well be old trafford and as chelski have upset harry and levy im sure spurs would rather seel to you lot !! p.s. he’s a cracking little player and do well for you – believe me !
The Sanchez situation is an interesting one. Assuming none of our wingers leave (fingers crossed)- I think the person most under threat, from a first team point of view- could be Chicharito.
We could possibly see a fluid front 4 of Nani-Sanchez-Rooney-Young. Obv we rotate regularly so Valencia and Hernandez (who are the least fluid, they can basically only play in 1 position) will still get games.
Sparks @ 17:59 –
Why would selling Berbatov suit us? His wages are high for a back up player? Would you like to rephrase that for “His wages are justified as he was our leading goalscorer, the player who scored more winners than anyone during the season”. You’re having a laugh mate i’ll smoke some of whatever you’re on. Who’s going to replace Berbatov? Or are we going to go through the season relying on Rooney and Chico. What happens when we’re playing to keep possession, who would you prefer up front out of our strikers, Owen, Berbatov or Chico?
Sorry for all the questions mate but statements like that I just don’t understand.
As for Berbatov not scoring enough in Europe, i’ll be happy with another 20 goals from him in the League. I couldn’t give two shits about Barca, I’ll take the League over the CL next season without a doubt.
At The moment we have;
Carrick, Fletcher,
Giggs, Anderson, Cleverley
Which means that hargo,scholes,gibson are gone. In total those lads played approx 55 games.
With Anderson Hopefully fit next season, fletcher also hopefully fully fit & Cleverley getting more games.
Statisically We only Actually Need 1 more midfielder to play around 20-40 games for us. However Their has to be an experienced midfielder brought in.
Their is alot of criticism on fletch & Carrick saying they are basically in decline. How? Carrick started to shine the 2nd half of the season. Fletch has a really bad illness which hes recovered from which won’t destroy his career in the long term.
Instead of Modric, why don’t we make a bid for Fattlestone? It’s been mentioned time and time again that there’s a whole in our midfield. Who better to fill it?
@Rai
Spot on about Berbatov.
@pritch the red
Sneijder we weren’t intrested in at over £20mill based on his form at Real. Simply no-one was interested at the £20mill they were demanding which is why having rejected offers from Inter they had to go back to Inter and offer him to them at about millions less than Inter bid a few weeks earlier.
Ozil we seemed to be chasing and it seems clear SAF spoke to him. Why it didnt go through only Ozil or SAF knows (maybe SAF felt he wouldn’t fit, which tbh I now think he was right. Ozil did struggle in La Liga, he would be great for 60mins in most games and then ran out of steam. In the English leagues he would have been like VdV and struggled to get to half time)
Silva we bid for and had it accepted in 2008. Valencia however backed out of it demanding millions more. Back then he was a player of immense promise but over the next 2 years he took a number of steps backwards which is no doubt why our interest cooled
@Sparkz
The thing is people are talking about a player to replace Scholes BUT they aren’t replacing Scholes of his prime but the Scholes who while still amazing was a shadow of the player he was.
Scholes at his peak had the ability to hit those amazing passes and dictate the pace of the game BUT could also get forward with energy and score goals by being in the right position. Rooney playing like Scholes of the last few years would be wasting many of his skills BUT Rooney playing like Scholes of his peak then he could be immense.
*hole*
Berba bla bla bla bla bla bla…………………………. Good man in a weird spot. bla, bla, bla,
Fuck willie about to lose my lunch, time TO SMOKE SOME SHIT, masturbate then nap.
Scott the Red unleashes his inner transfer muppet again. Modric is shit, pal. Trust Sir Alex, for God’s sake.
Gary- agreed. Scholesy is my favourite player of all time, and that won’t ever change. I’m always reluctant to say ‘replace’- coz IMO, that ain’t possible. Its just a case of adapting, as we did when Keano left.
@Rai
You may apparently not give 2 shits about catching Barca but Fergie does. I find it hard to seperate the league and European cup in terms of if you could have one which would it be. I must admit though my greatest memories at Old Trafford have largely been the European nights that have been most memorable. Barcelona have laid down the gauntlet and United as a club should be excited about the challenge of catching them as Fergie said. It is this what keeps Fergie going! He his 3rd and our clubs 4th European cup so badly.
Kababes for dinner. beef tenderloin and Lamb with killer vegetables for all my family. Diiner will be ready at 6.
Personally I’d Like to see Fergie splash the cash But if you into another teams field the choice available is crap outta the big name and big potential namers. Also the smaller names are being deemed Unacceptable this season.
Sneijder – £30m & £220K wages …..:lol: No way he’s 27!
No Fuck off
He’s decent but Blackpool to league winners is not a step up its more like switching from Shtting in a hole in the floor to a Toilet that washed your own arse and sprays perfume up the bumhole. He will have to learn & improve immensely.
modric – £40M – Cunt Levy Will rip off any teams balls to maximise profits on this rat.
Nasri – £15-20M – Wenger wont sell, he’d rather lose for free & Naseri
Goetze- £18m – his team has just sold Nuri Sahin, Very Unlikely When they have CL football.
Adam – £8m – Teletubby man
I am sure SAF will find someone for our midfield thats is not one of the Cunts above.
I would like Lord Fergie to go out & Find a diamond around 20-25 years old that is perfect for us & worth under £15m. Otherwise I’d rather see Our Youth Come through.
@rai
mate , i want berba to stay as i love him.
but welbeck looks like he is staying because if he was available on loan then bruce would have already got him.
and machedas agent said we want to keep him.
so how can berba stay.
one thing is certain .
nobody needs six strikers.
Fergie may be looking to re-invent some existing established positions for our established players ?
A player who, to my mind would replace Scholes is Wayne Rooney – I think the role of attacking Midfielder is absolutely made for him – Wellbeck and Chicharito and Berba could happily form the necessary partnerships up front with Owen providing the relief for Chaicharito when necessary. Berba would make a great player to play behind Chicharito, amazing touch and vision at close quarters to feed balls to the Little Pea.
Phil Jones may well be moved forward and re-invented as a holding midfielder which he could do very very well at as could Varane if necessary should we buy him.
I can see Fergie going about business in this way rather than entering a bidding war for players that are worth having, like Modric,Sanchez,Schneider but only at a realistic valuation.
Personally I would offer whatever it takes to get Sneijder (Probably 45million = 200k week)
He ahs proved himself to be a World Class player in the same way that Xavi, Iniesta, Ronaldo, Rooney are proven – So why on earth would he be sold cheaply by Inter and why should he expect less than Rooney as a salary?
We need to look at our midfield next year and think “That stands a chance against Barcelona” if we dont do that we are accepting defeat before we even start.
Zibbie – Wang one in?
@Rai 18:29
Sorry for all the questions mate but statements like that I just don’t understand.
Your not sorry, you do mean to be a prick, you dick.
@ Costas – hello mate. Totally agree about what you said in regards to the ‘missing piece is the jigsaw’……
No offence Scott but talk about over the top…
@clint i am your pappi
mate , great post .
but sneijder 30 millon . i think its 50 million.
BBL for Rai not to understand me and drop snarky ass cunt insults my way as well as others.
Oh boy another 500 plus blog going around in circles
In circles
In circles
Have we signed anyone yet?
opps TMI? I meant to say massage my groin after my lady pulled it last night. Young blog my bad.
19
Antonio Valencia could easily play in central midfield, certainly as part of a three. He did play half an hour there in the league last season (can’t remember who against) and was unbelievable. I’m not usually one for sending players out of their normal positions but Antonio certainly has all the attributes to play an ‘enforcing’ role should we need him to.
Regarding transfer rumours it’s the same every year. The top clubs are always linked with what seems like a small list of the top players, so when Utd miss out, we hear the usual ‘who are we going to sign?’ Would we swap Hernandez and Smalling for anyone for what they did last season? With De Gea and Young almost certainly arriving and Jones in the bag already, who can argue that we haven’t done some bloody good business already this summer? Let’s sit tight and let otherclubs conduct their business through the media.
I still think we need a midfielder who doesnt believe it to be modric. Yes he is a good player but if he does not want to come united then so be it. I do hope we get a class midfielder!
Young blog a Freudian type-o meant wrong blog hehe.. need a nap……..
Rai- I’ll tell you why mate. His wages could be justified last season, coz for 80% of the season- he was a first teamer! It was only in March that he lost his place.
Next season, all the signs are that he’ll start the season like he finished this one- as a back up. It is ridiculous to have those wages to a back up- we ain’t Madrid who can pay Kaka God knows how much a week for being a back up.
Nobody’s denying what he did last season, but he was a week in week out player for most of that time. Not likely to be the case this time round. A decade ago, if Teddy or Ole were our 3rd highest earners at the club, it would have looked crazy (and SAF used to rotate the strikers back then more than he does now)
As for replacements- Wellbeck is coming back, and there is no way he’d turn down regular football at Sunderland….unless he knows he’ll be at least next in line after Rooney and Chicharito
I agree that Berba adds a different dimension, and gives variety to our attack…and I’d keep him for that reason…if he was on 50/60 k a week. But he’s not, and his wages cannot be justified when he’s unlikely to be a regular.
Zibbie –
I don’t want this thread to go stupid so i’ll keep it short and sweet. I won’t waste too much time on you. Why don’t you stick to your wrestling that you were blabbing on about the other week. You’re the best at wearing tight clothes and play fighting with other men – stick to that you fucking idiot.
Sparkz – I don’t know how much Berba is on but i’m guessing Rio earns more and plays just as many games?
Brooka – Interesting point on Tony v playing centrally. He played there for his country.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/738192-why-dimitar-berbatov-is-the-most-undervalued-player-in-england
dont know how u guys voice ur opinion on this..
@Willie
hello mate
@rai
mate , rooney chicharito and owenwill be there
if welbeck was available on loan , then bruce would have got him already.
if macheda stays as his agent said then how can berba stay.
NOBODY NEEDS SIX STRIKERS
@Rai
I was just about to mention Rio. He’s played fewer games than Berbatov in the last 2 seasons. Plus, a club with our revenue shouldn’t worry whether a non regular player is overpayed ffs.
@WILLIE
mate , does tony v play for ecuador regularly at centre mid or occasionaly like giggs
i’m bored of all this rumor transfer shit,don’t care who utd sign or if they sign anyone at all,don’t get why STR has such a hard on for this guy,hasn’t won fuck all and seems to disappear in big games.if utd are going to splash 35mill should sign W.S. over this guy every day of the week
@costas
mate , how can berba stay if as expected kiko and danny stay.
i hope he stays but just cant see it happening.
Sachu – Are Welbeck or Macheda good enough or ready to replace Berbatov at this present time? Welbeck is the better of the two and he is not a good as Berba.
Rio’s situation is different for a couple of reasons
1) His appearance tally is down to injury I.e when he’s fit, he will generally be a first team regular. Berba is usually fit as a fiddle, but SAF still doesn’t see him as a regular. Its all down to how the Boss views you- one is still seen as a first teamer, generally plays when fit. One doesn’t. Its quite simple.
2) Rio is gonna be 33 next season, he doesn’t have a resale value. Berba does, we can still get £10m or so for him.
sachu – Not sure mate. Could be an option, if we don’t sign another midfielder.
@sandeep1878
Hello mate.
@sachu
You forgot about Mame Diouf.
With the number of strikers we’ve got, it can only point towards one thing. Rooney is goin to drop behind to play a more central role in the way scholes did.
And Berbatov and Chicharito/Welbeck leading the line, with owen and kiko as back up.
@ rai
welbeck and macheda are not as good as berba . i agree . no doubt.
but its wat fergie thinks that matters. i think steve bruce would have got danny if he wasavailable on loan alredy.
plus as i said machedas agent said we want to keep him.
iam sure you will agree we dont need six strikers.
its aguess but i think it will be rooney hernandez welbeck macheda and owen
michael was agreat striker and kiko and danny can learn a lot.
i think owen will go after 1 year then kiko and danny will take over .
if fergie wants to keep why did his agent say talks havent started.
i love berba for his skill and technique and his goals and his attitude but realistically cant see him staying
@vishal
if rooney is centre mid
and we keep berba , then why are bidding for sanchez ?
@Costas
Hey mate…..fully agree with you when you said that players who dont wanna play for us can fuck off…
Really, I dont want another….”Oh madrid have great weather, they make me dream, God only knows….” saga
I’d rather have people who have the quality as well as want to play for this shirt with the right attitude….
Modric has seriously pissed me off with the My missus likes it in London statement…what the fuck is wrong with people…? He can give up the chance to work with the best manager ever and win trophies because his missus likes london? I think its more the wages that Chelsea have offered him more than anything…if its money he’s after he can go and get fucked…
I’d rather buy someone like Defour, etc who would give an arm and a leg to play for us or give a chance to our youth…People keep taking about Tunnicliffe and Morrison and Pogba and rightly so…But we also have people like Oliver Norwood in our reserves who can pass a ball and take a mean free kick and he is already an Irish International…
Give him a chance I say…
Wellbeck might not be as good as Berba yet, but every player only improves with experience. Do you think Wellbeck will come back if he knows he’s got Rooney, Chicha and Berba ahead of him. Especially when he’s had a taste of regular football at Sunderland.
If your argument for not promoting Wellbeck is coz he’s not experienced and developed yet, then it’s a chicken and egg argument. He’ll only develop if given enough playing time.
Another point about Rio btw- he’s still needed to guide the younger defenders like Smalling and Evans etc along. If he goes, we’re down to Vidic as our only experienced CB- that is playing an extremely risky game. Strikers is a different situation- its far easier to blood an inexperienced striker than a defender.
Would I be confident if Vidic was our only experienced CB next season ? No. Would I be confident with a strikeforce of Rooney, Chicha, Wellbeck, Owen plus maybe Macheda. Bearing in mind that the likes of Giggs and Nani can play as second strikers with no damage at all to our shape….yes.
@Red Devil
I was the one who has generally been posting that “PIK’s saying that the debt being rolled up is a tax-deduction” so let me just answer this point.
I don’t think that them actually paying them off is bad. As I have said in the past the PIK’s aren’t the problem that they were made out to be but getting them paid off is also not a bad thing especially with the change in the economy.
Now on how these were paid off, I believe its due to the reasons I have been saying the PIK’s weren’t as bad as people felt. They had a business plan for paying them off, they were not paying them off though but rolling it up which allowed tax savings to be made and allowed the money that would have been used to pay them off (or the interest atleast) was able to be invested elsewhere. We also need to remember that they were smart and took the chance to purchase 40mill of the 180mill of PIK’s off the Hedge fund for just 10mill. This saved interest and could be wiped out saving over £30mill
On their property business, its not a fact that they have been running huge losses. Infact the parent companies been turning a small profit. Some of the Malls have been struggling and as they have very little liability in them they have let a number goto the wall rather than have to pump money into them (these were malls who were borderline before the crash anyway). However the structure meant that even making a loss these malls never touched the cash of the highly profitable ones, the only place the full losses were deducted were paper losses on the companies accounts. On the whole they may only show a paper profit of £10mill but the cash profits in the business are immense (like the way that United Parent company posts a loss but the clubs been making a profit thats seen it cash reserves increase significantly year on year)
And using the Buccs as proof of anything is just pointless. American Sports but American Football especially isn’t setup for clubs to dominate like in European sports. They share it around and investment to win the Super Bowl usually sees a team struggling for years to come. Its not been all doom and gloom since the superbowl mind you, they have won their division since, have made the playoffs and last year had the same record as the Superbowl winners. They missed out on the Playoffs to the Packers on the tie break critera. However anyone who says the Glazers have weakened the Bucc’s simply doesn’t understand American sport or the Buccs before the Superbowl win. They are basically at the same level they were between the Glazer takeover and the Superbowl win which in itself is alot better than they had been for about the 20 years prior to the Glazer takeover.
As for the clubs future being at Stake. It would have taken a massive drop in fortunes, one that would have made the last 2 seasons at Liverpool look pretty good for that to have been the cases. Especially with the growing of the commericial side of the business and the cutting out of many of the shady practices the PLC was known for (like paying agents between 2 and 3 times the market rate)
On the debt reduction, sure its only 24mill (although there was alot of speculation that the next results will show further bonds purchased back) but thats around 100mill taken off the debt figure since the takeover. As I have said in the past the debt figures are in the acceptable range to be covered with easy, a little towards the top end but still acceptable and the Glazers (or any other owner) are unlikely to even try and pay them off. They may reduce them closer to the middle of the acceptable range but in 2017 when they need paid off whoever owns the club will almost certainly just refinance the loans
@reddevil
mate , i dont think we have made a bid for modric
if we did levy would have said that in his statement as he hates us.
love for london thing could change if we make a bid.
chelsea also need midfielder like us . fat frank is getting fatter and older
@sachu
If what i saw in the world cup wasn’t right, sanchez is more of a winger than a central midfielder. And it is a BIG IF that will sir alex will play an untested player(in the league) in the centre of the park? There is no way on earth sir alex would do that.
Wakey and Red devil
Yous probably know more about the numbers than I do. I’ll leave ya’s to it.
fuck modric!!! get cleverly into that creative midfield role!!!=D
vishal:
sanchez can play anywhere across the front, for udinese this year he played as a second striker and tore the shit out of that league. he’s not a midfielder he’s an out and out attacking sort of player.
doesn’t matter he’s probably going to barca anyway.
modric would be fantastic for us but i still think we need a destroyer type of cm whether we get him or not. fletch isn’t around enough and carrick is a wuss. a full season of andy would be nice but still need cover unless some of the kids are ready.
would you guys part w/ welbeck (or macheda if they;d want him) as part of the modric deal??
Now all you numb nuts out there when Levy said we will not negotiate then that means we will not negotiate. As much as you lot like to think you can have any player ou want you can’t and we will not do business. Do you think Levy said what he said because he wanted a laugh? You will see him at Old Trafford during the second game of the season – in a Spurs shirt!
The numbers are talking
3 never became four
But 18 became 19
It seems obvious to me that Levy really doesnt want to sell, at least not this year. So if he goes it will be for more than he is worth, whatever that may be.
That is not the situation with Nasri or Sneijder. Although they dont want to sell especially not to us, Arsenal may need to sell, so if we offer more than others we may get our man. As regards Sneijeder, we all know that despite all the sounds coming out of Milan, they will sell as long as they maximize their gain. This leads one to conclude that those two will offer much better value this summer. We may need to play a waiting game though, while keeping tabs of whats happening with Modric who’s asking price I genuinely think no club will want to pay [apart from headless-chicken-like-money-spraying City].
What you guys think?
I’m so glad he wants to stay in London and doesn’t want to come to United.
I usually agree with StR but I feel completely the opposite about his stance on Modric. As I was reading the article it is very clear he prefers Modric over Sneijder by a long shot, why? I don’t know, and I would love to hear his opinion. But I don’t think it is because Wesley loves Inter or his salary or because Modric is a better player or better option for United.
The truth is that these 2 players “want” to move but feel unsure for different reasons. Sneijder is in a TOP club, getting payed really good money, and Modric is in a medium size club with no chance of winning much…
SO…if we are make an 30-35mil offer to attract a player, it should be the best one of those 2: SNEIJDER
Even though, I believe he is a good player, 25 Mil would be WAY too much money for his service.
You gotta tell
Have we signed anyone yet?
:glasses:
@sachu
Kiko maybe. But surely not welbeck. Its time he takes the next step and gets his shot at first team. Until he plays we’ll never know how good he is.
Kiko looks like another Rossi in the making. Truck loads of talent but no playing time.
No ways i’d want a money grabber like modric. He wants to stay in london, let him. Just recall the situation three years back. Berba never spoke of ANY other club and even snubbed city. That’s the attitude and behaviour i’d expect from a United player.
Dam smiley didn’t work
Smiley test commencing 321
B-)
Vishal- Sanchez started last season playing on the wing for Udinese. He was poor, got moved into a more central position and started blowing the place up.
Matt- disagree. Fletch has had this one disrupted season- next season he should be fine, with a good pre season behind him. Him and Ando are our rock hard bastards in there, a ball winner is not what we need. Carrick also does a ridiculously underrated job in there, the amount of interceptions he makes is superb, all through great positioning and reading. Intercepting is the new tackling, the way the game is getting quicker (and refs are getting stricter!). Also, Jones can play there.
So this stuff about a ball winner is cack. A creative player, that’s it IMO
@matt
Not just across the front but can play all across the midfield too. Sanchez even if we get Young and a CM would still be a great signing due to this
@Wakey
As I said, I am not saying Glazers are bad businessmen…I didn’t even want to discuss debt on this thread and therefore I will not be posting too much about it here…
Its a question of opinions….
Just one simple question to leave you to ponder over…
Just deduct the Prize money we’ve had from being so tremendously successful the last few years….I’d take that at a conservative 250 million pounds (it should be a lot more considering just qualifying for the Champions league alone is worth 40 mn…) Our club would have been quite dangerously close to bankruptcy by now…Is that sort ok risk acceptable in a cyclical business such as football?
Leeds United comes to mind….and dont say that United is too big a brand to go down…
Lehman did go down and AIG nearly did….And they were the one of the biggest invesment bank and THE biggest private insurer in the world
Rai dont forgot the gimp mask that boys a goon personally dont think modric will come our way as already mentioned even if he does move on spurs will milk every penny reckon 35-40 mill easy if it starts to go down that road only roman and citeh will get involved
shame i think as theres no doubt SAF is a big admirer of the lad and despite signings confirmed and on there way theres still that nagging feeling were waiting for that midfield buy sure SAF will bring someone in to add to what we have as we definatley need more quality regardless of the price time to step up glazers we wont keep getting by with that midfield
19
Smiley Defcon 3
I give up
@ Wakey.
The reason Ozil didnt come last season is the same reason he rejected us last week. He just doesnt want to come to man united. Do you remember that at the end of last years transfer window, SAF said there was no value and that we were in for one player but he didnt want to come. That was Ozil.
@vishal
mate , you need to get this money grabbing thing out of your head.
rooney is ona bumper contract . 250000 aweek.
i love rio but even he asked for more money early on in his career.
suppose if we want sneijder and he agrees to come for 200000 a week , then i think he is right in asking for wages similar to rooney
sneijder is among the top players in the world.
my conclusion .
there greedy people at every club. i dont mind players being greedy if they are playiing well nd deserve the money.
@Devil310- Sneijder is a better player than Modric, but would he fit into our team? We’re looking for a guy to play middle of the park….Sneijder plays off the front man (Rooney’s position). Modric we know can play in a Premier League midfield, he’s proven in that position.
Can Sneijder play in a 2 man midfield, especially in this league? Its a punt, and one that’d probably cost us more in wages..
@ red devil
Alot of the quoted money that championships and champions league qualification is worth is not in cash but rather other things like brand value and player worth. That is very hard to translate into a bottom line [especially for us as we dont sell our players] and I dont think we can deduct anything near 250 mil to simulate a possible bankruptcy.
@louis
mate , i think those those reports of us showing intrest in ozil last week are rubbish.
why wouldwe look to sign someone who joined real just last year . thats rubbish.
we realy are living in disneyland if we are bidding for ozil.
then bid for mesi xavi iniesta
I still have a gut feeling that there will be a surprise that none of us expected.
Dont know who it will be but I wouldnt be that shocked if maybe Schweinsteiger came or even Kaka.
The Papers and The agents are feeding the pricing frenzy and you really cannot believe any of it.
This time of the year drives you absolutely fucking mental LOL
Diarra would be another possible “shock” signing
Berbatov stays. Jones starts several EPL games at right back. Modric never a target.
Send 10% of your winning trifecta to stretfordendflags.com
Wayne Rooney – 9th highest earnings for an athlete in the world for year end June 2011.
In all, this year’s list features eight soccer players, four motor-sports stars, three NBA players, two tennis players, two baseball players and one boxer.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/specials/fortunate50-2011/index.html
Not being funny like, but United won’t ever go bankrupt. Just my opinion. We heard the doom merchants, saying the dippers would go out of business, didn’t happen. You look at a club like United, we’ve got all tools in place. Our brand is as strong as it’s ever been. I do agree with Red Devil, about the Glazers stepping up to the plate this summer. I think they’ve shown that, with the signing of Jones. Not a stellar name, but still big money, none the less.
Don’t get the fascination with Modric. We need an attacking creative midfielder. Attacking creative midfielders score and create goals. Modric does neither. Give me Sneijder any day of the week.
@ Sachu
Good point but… Ozil and his agent did say that he isnt leaving which means that there was a bid. It had to have been someone and whoever it was bidded despite his having moved just last year and found a first team spot at his club of choice. I think its possible that it was us. I agree with you that it was a hopeless cause though.
Carsick had a solid first three years but hasn’t been consistently useful for a while
@ Louis
You’re confusing bottom line and Cash flow…..
I’m including the league title successes as well…..
The amount of 40 million just for entering the Champions league is well documented…I’m not even including the extra gate receipts, the knock on effects on sponsorship for reaching the finals continuously etc….
We have a lot to thank Sir Alex for…. I think Arsene Wenger gets praise for guiding the club through difficult financial times….Sir Alex has done an even better job, a tremendous job in fact while keeping the trophies coming….
How good is that kid Eriksen! Problem is that the less youve seen of someone the more exciting he is. Take M. Martin as a perfect example.
Evening all true REDS
Damn those medications earlier left me knocked out, made a tool of myself with some posts on the other thread…..
I see Carrick being bashed again, surprise surprise
Since my nap, have we signed anyone yet?
@sachu
i know mate. Every club is filled with greedy players. Would be better if don’t try to match city with it and loss the team spirit which has been the biggest strength of United for years. One rotten apple is all it takes to spoil the bunch. I don’t like reading what modric said. “Chelsea are a big club with a rich owner” or something like that. They don’t even have a manager right now for lord sake.
@MG
Get your act together. Poor Smiley’s
Someone needs to tell Wenger, he’s a coach, not a bank manager.
Sir Giles
Top post as always my friend, always love reading them
@carBANGrick
Absolutely right mate – He is very ineffectual 90% of the time – passing side to side to side.
I would watch Macheda on the few runs out that he got and feel enormously sorry for the fact that he was getting next to zero service despite finding gaps,spaces and opportunities.
Carrick is just not good enough – He IS Premier League standard but he is not Manchester United standard as he does not control games and maybe has 2 killer passes all year (if that).
Time for min to make way for Pogba providing we DO buy some proven quality like Sneijder
@ red devil
Quote from wikipedia with Uefa as a source:
As of 2010–11, UEFA awards €2.1 million to each team in the play-offs round. For reaching the group stage, UEFA awards €3.9 million, plus €550,000 per group match played. A win in the group is awarded €800,000 and a draw is worth €400,000. In addition, UEFA pays teams reaching the first knockout round €3 million, each quarter finalist €3.3 million, €4.2 million for each semi-finalist, €5.6 million for the runners-up and €9 million for the winners.
A large part of the distributed revenue from the UEFA Champions League is linked to the “market pool”, the distribution of which is determined by the value of the television market in each country. For the 2008-09 season, both Manchester United and Bayern Munich, who reached the final and quarter-final respectively, earned more than Barcelona, who won the tournament.
@louis
mate agents talk a lot of nonsense
if we made a bid for ozil then we should make all sorts of impossible bids
messi xavi iniesta fabregas gerrard lampard pele maradona
@ Willie
I know its too depressing to even contemplate mate…
Even I know we wouldn’t go bankrupt as someone would definitely come in and buy us out like the dippers…we’re a strong brand and we’ve Sir Alex and all his success to thank for that
But even in the dippers case, they were dangerously close to “technical bankruptcy” as the deal with John Henry was signed days before RBS called in the loans and declared a default….They almost had a meltdown mate…
Ah…fuck it….Forget this shit…its just because this is close season..no football action and we’ve way too much idle time to talk about these things..Lets hope we get the players we need and take it forward from there….
20th here we come! And don’t forget the Barca Protocol (right MG? lol)
MG facing smiley breakdown
Smiley Defcon 2
Why do people keep banging on about youth players who haven’t even played a first team game??? Like Pogba is just going to walk into the team that just became champions to replace Michael Carrick! What planet do these people live on. Do they have a clue about top class football!
Barca Protocol
Written by ROM orchestrated by SAF delivered by Manchester United
Inspired by MG
Of course
@ Louis..
Exactly the point my friend….even more of our revenue is dependent on the “market pool” dependent TV money which wouldn’t be there if we dont qualify for europe….and all those a mounts you mentioned add up to around 26-30 mn euros for reaching the final…without the TV money, without the extra crowds and gates and the sponsorship it brings…
Only muppets here think he’s untouchable, thinking they live on sesame street
Sir Shaggsy – Don’t encourage that lad mate. He has a major hard on for Carrick. He’ll come on here to have a go at Carrick, but never offers any solution. I like constructive criticism, when it’s needed, but he never provides any.
For the sake of everyone’s (in)sanity I’m going to distract you all with a shocking revelation.
Like many Reds, Fergie has always suspected that there is a secret society doing all they can to ruin United’s reputation and obstruct our road to glory. Last night we got proof and I have permission to share it with you. Fellow Reds, today we expose the ABUnati…
*somewhere in London, midnight*
Cyril: Nineteen to Carnival, Nineteen to Carnival, do you read? *fzzt*
Rio: Nineteen, this is Carnival, I read you. The rat has entered the sewer. You are clear to proceed. *fzzt*
Cyril: Copy that Carnival, proceeding with infiltration. *fzzt*
*10 minutes later*
Cyril: Nineteen to Carnival, infiltration successful. I am in the main hall and I have visual. *fzzt*
Rio: Good work Nineteen, proceed with audio. *fzzt*
Cyril: Copy that Carnival, audio is ready. Uploading now. *fzzt*
*beep beep*
Scudamore: Gentlemen! Welcome to this month’s meeting of the ABUnati! Please be upstanding for the High ABU, Kaiser Bernstein!
*Applause*
Bernstein: Zank you mein freunds! Tonight ve hav much to dizcuss! But firzt, let us sing ze ABUnati anthem!
All: Da da da daaaaaaa!
Scudamore: Who controls the referees?
Jamie: Who badmouths ‘em on TV?
Lineker: We do! Weee do!
Townsend: Who controls the fixtures list?
Kenny: Who ge’s all’a linesmen pished?
Hansen: We do! Weee do!
Mansoor: Who taking bribes from the Man City?
Abramovich: Who vantz big house een Chelzea?
Bernstein: Ve do! Veee do!
Piers: Who hands out the pointless fines?
Atkinson: Who looks away when Barca dive?
Platini: Oui do! Ouiiii do!
Keys: Who screws all the United fans?
Gray: Who hands oot tha touchline bans?
All: WE DO! WE DOOOOOOOOOOO!
*Applause*
Gray: Tek a boo lads, tha was awesome!
Bernstein: Exzellent mein freunds! Now to bizness. Dezpite our bezt effortz lazt seazon, ze enemy haz once again triumphed in ze Premiership. Zis muzt not be allowed to happen again!
Kenny: Tha’s all yuir faults ya cunts! Ah did mah fuckin’ bit! Ah fuckin’ came back from mah wee brek ta help youse cunts get rid’a fuckin’ Fergie.
Jamie: Yeah! ‘N my ol’man did ee’s bit innit? Iss someone else’s fault innit? The uvver clubs weren’t no good innit?
Mansoor: What the ratboy is talking? The Man City is already buying every player in the world and is pushing all the way for the victory! Is winning the F.A. Cup!
Hansen: Steady on there, we all fixted it fer you to win tha’. If it weren’t fer us, that bannar would still be tickin’.
Abramovich: Oh yez?! What about my fucking Chempions Lig trophy? I pay good money!
Platini: Oui but ze Barzelona muzt ween thiz time. Zey make uz look good, non? We muzt cover up ze
corruption firzt, zen buizinezz az uzual.
Abramovich: Vhat?! I pay good money for Chempions Lig, I vant Chempions Lig! You no give me Chempions Lig, you take holiday in Siberia and never coming bek!
Townsend: Yeah tell ‘im boss, tell ‘im! You’ll take a holidee in Siberia and never come back!
Bernstein: SILENZ! Ve muzt not argue! Next seazon ve vill stop zem!
Kenny: See here ya cunt, youse jus’ mek shoore King Kenny wins tha fuckin’ league, it’s oor year.
Piers: Erm, no, this is erm, shiggidy briggidy, Arsenal’s year.
Kenny: Fuck ya right in yuir Arsenal! They cunts had they chance n’they fucked it! Noo it’s King Kenny’s time!
Hansen: Aye, ahm’ wi’ the King. It’s time foor Liverpool ta win again!
Jamie: Nah man, what abaht my ol’man? Ee’s bin waitin’ years innit?
Mansoor: No! The Man City is be winning! I buy trophy!
Lineker: Look, I dunno, why don’t we all just have some crisps eh? I’ve got, I dunno, a few of bags here with me.
Bernstein: I said SILENZ! I am the High ABU! Zis is vhat ve vill do! Firzt, ze Man City vill vin ze Premier
League. Chelsea vill be secund and vin ze Championz League. King Kenny, you vill hav ze F.A. Cup and 3rd place. Ratboy, tell your fahzer ze Spurz vill hev 4th and League cup.
Piers: Erm, yes but erm, shiggidy briggidy, what about Arsenal?
Keys: You love the Arsenal don’t you Piers? There’s nothing you like better than taking Simon Cowell up the Arsenal every week!
Gray: Ha ha, tek a boo Richard tha was right on the money!
Key: Don’t you mean the money shot? Ha ha!
Bernstein: SILENZ! Ze Arzenal can hav fifth place but ve must get rid of Wenger. He iz becoming too friendly wiz ze enemy, ezpezially zat baztard Cyril Zneer!
Cyril: Cunts!
Lineker: Err, look, I dunno, but I thought I heard something in the shadows over there.
Atkinson: He’s right, there’s someone there!
Cyril: Nineteen to Carnival, I have been detected. *fzzt*
Rio: Copy that Nineteen, proceed to extraction point. *fzzt*
Kenny: Iss tha wee cunt Sneer! Get him!
Cyril: Deploying smoke grenade. On my way Carnival. *fzzt*
*click* *Fizzzzzzzz*
Cyril: See ya losers! 19!
Kenny: Ah fuckin’ fuck! Ah cannae fuckin’ breathe!
*cough cough cough cough cough*
Beware the ABUnati my friends, they are everywhere.
@ red devil
As I understood it, the amounts mentioned arent stacked. That would work ut to be about 15 mil before pooled money. Just checking that now.
@vishal
mate , modric wants chelsea move .
well only chelsea want him.
that situation could change if we make a bid.
i remember sanchez saying he was aunited fan.
well now i am hearing he prefers barca . i dont know they are true . i hope we get him
he prefers barca because barca are the best now.
so probably on hearing the barca intrest a self proclaimed united fan became a barca fan
thats football . we just have to get on with it . by the way any news on sanchez on twitter or elsewhere
Sorry if this appears twice, apparently I can’t spell my own name right now…
For the sake of everyone’s (in)sanity I’m going to distract you all with a shocking revelation.
Like many Reds, Fergie has always suspected that there is a secret society doing all they can to ruin United’s reputation and obstruct our road to glory. Last night we got proof and I have permission to share it with you. Fellow Reds, today we expose the ABUnati…
*somewhere in London, midnight*
Cyril: Nineteen to Carnival, Nineteen to Carnival, do you read? *fzzt*
Rio: Nineteen, this is Carnival, I read you. The rat has entered the sewer. You are clear to proceed. *fzzt*
Cyril: Copy that Carnival, proceeding with infiltration. *fzzt*
*10 minutes later*
Cyril: Nineteen to Carnival, infiltration successful. I am in the main hall and I have visual. *fzzt*
Rio: Good work Nineteen, proceed with audio. *fzzt*
Cyril: Copy that Carnival, audio is ready. Uploading now. *fzzt*
*beep beep*
Scudamore: Gentlemen! Welcome to this month’s meeting of the ABUnati! Please be upstanding for the High ABU, Kaiser Bernstein!
*Applause*
Bernstein: Zank you mein freunds! Tonight ve hav much to dizcuss! But firzt, let us sing ze ABUnati anthem!
All: Da da da daaaaaaa!
Scudamore: Who controls the referees?
Jamie: Who badmouths ‘em on TV?
Lineker: We do! Weee do!
Townsend: Who controls the fixtures list?
Kenny: Who ge’s all’a linesmen pished?
Hansen: We do! Weee do!
Mansoor: Who taking bribes from the Man City?
Abramovich: Who vantz big house een Chelzea?
Bernstein: Ve do! Veee do!
Piers: Who hands out the pointless fines?
Atkinson: Who looks away when Barca dive?
Platini: Oui do! Ouiiii do!
Keys: Who screws all the United fans?
Gray: Who hands oot tha touchline bans?
All: WE DO! WE DOOOOOOOOOOO!
*Applause*
Gray: Tek a boo lads, tha was awesome!
Bernstein: Exzellent mein freunds! Now to bizness. Dezpite our bezt effortz lazt seazon, ze enemy haz once again triumphed in ze Premiership. Zis muzt not be allowed to happen again!
Kenny: Tha’s all yuir faults ya cunts! Ah did mah fuckin’ bit! Ah fuckin’ came back from mah wee brek ta help youse cunts get rid’a fuckin’ Fergie.
Jamie: Yeah! ‘N my ol’man did ee’s bit innit? Iss someone else’s fault innit? The uvver clubs weren’t no good innit?
Mansoor: What the ratboy is talking? The Man City is already buying every player in the world and is pushing all the way for the victory! Is winning the F.A. Cup!
Hansen: Steady on there, we all fixted it fer you to win tha’. If it weren’t fer us, that bannar would still be tickin’.
Abramovich: Oh yez?! What about my fucking Chempions Lig trophy? I pay good money!
Platini: Oui but ze Barzelona muzt ween thiz time. Zey make uz look good, non? We muzt cover up ze
corruption firzt, zen buizinezz az uzual.
Abramovich: Vhat?! I pay good money for Chempions Lig, I vant Chempions Lig! You no give me Chempions Lig, you take holiday in Siberia and never coming bek!
Townsend: Yeah tell ‘im boss, tell ‘im! You’ll take a holidee in Siberia and never come back!
Bernstein: SILENZ! Ve muzt not argue! Next seazon ve vill stop zem!
Kenny: See here ya cunt, youse jus’ mek shoore King Kenny wins tha fuckin’ league, it’s oor year.
Piers: Erm, no, this is erm, shiggidy briggidy, Arsenal’s year.
Kenny: Fuck ya right in yuir Arsenal! They cunts had they chance n’they fucked it! Noo it’s King Kenny’s time!
Hansen: Aye, ahm’ wi’ the King. It’s time foor Liverpool ta win again!
Jamie: Nah man, what abaht my ol’man? Ee’s bin waitin’ years innit?
Mansoor: No! The Man City is be winning! I buy trophy!
Lineker: Look, I dunno, why don’t we all just have some crisps eh? I’ve got, I dunno, a few of bags here with me.
Bernstein: I said SILENZ! I am the High ABU! Zis is vhat ve vill do! Firzt, ze Man City vill vin ze Premier
League. Chelsea vill be secund and vin ze Championz League. King Kenny, you vill hav ze F.A. Cup and 3rd place. Ratboy, tell your fahzer ze Spurz vill hev 4th and League cup.
Piers: Erm, yes but erm, shiggidy briggidy, what about Arsenal?
Keys: You love the Arsenal don’t you Piers? There’s nothing you like better than taking Simon Cowell up the Arsenal every week!
Gray: Ha ha, tek a boo Richard tha was right on the money!
Key: Don’t you mean the money shot? Ha ha!
Bernstein: SILENZ! Ze Arzenal can hav fifth place but ve must get rid of Wenger. He iz becoming too friendly wiz ze enemy, ezpezially zat baztard Cyril Zneer!
Cyril: Cunts!
Lineker: Err, look, I dunno, but I thought I heard something in the shadows over there.
Atkinson: He’s right, there’s someone there!
Cyril: Nineteen to Carnival, I have been detected. *fzzt*
Rio: Copy that Nineteen, proceed to extraction point. *fzzt*
Kenny: Iss tha wee cunt Sneer! Get him!
Cyril: Deploying smoke grenade. On my way Carnival. *fzzt*
*click* *Fizzzzzzzz*
Cyril: See ya losers! 19!
Kenny: Ah fuckin’ fuck! Ah cannae fuckin’ breathe!
*cough cough cough cough cough*
Beware the ABUnati my friends, they are everywhere.
Sir Shaggsy- You’re a fool. Do you not know the requirements of someone who plays in front of the back four? Mop everything up,screen the defence, win the ball, keep things ticking over. If he’s got the time and space to play more expansive passes then he will….if not, he’ll keep it moving. Keeping possession is the most important thing.
Honestly, some people on here seem to think that if you’re not sliding around, or if you’re not launching killer through balls, you’re not a midfielder. Morons.
Sunny Day
Sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street
I do believe the distinguished gentleman Cyril Sneer has out posted me
Cyril
How on earth do you keep coming up with these, absolutely fantastic mate!
Red Devil
The word clue less springs to mind my friend
Evening Cedars
@ red devil
Just checked. It is stacked. So most you could win is about 50 million euro. On that basis [and our earning 60 mil pound from the league this year to blackpools 40 mil], your estimate of about 250 mil pounds in prize money sounds about right.
Sparkz
I would raise my glass to you, but since I am on medication I raise my injection to you…
Well said
Evening MG.how are you my fellow RED?
Sir Shaggsy – Your views on Giggs and Carrick
are laughable.
so morons include StR? “Michael Carrick had a solid first three years but hasn’t been consistently useful for a while”
@Sparkz – Youre right mate – Im a fool – thank God you are here to point that out. Carrick is absolutely the very best player there is for that position. I dont know what possessed me to think that there are better holding midfielders.
Get a grip fella – Carrick is ineffectual at winning the ball, distributing the ball or reading the opponents attack for that matter.
You are very quick to jump in with insults mate and I am inclined to say that people with your aggresive style are making this blog less and less appealing.
You could make your point better without resorting to calling people a fool.
@cedars devil
sell carrick and buy lucas
@sachu
that’s true mate. Can’t understand why players can’t make up their minds once n for all.
Night fellow reds!!
!
May the sunshine bring upon us a few more twitter rumors and newspaper gossips
to me carrick is a quality player and still most definatly has a part to play
but saying that i dont feel he has produced that quality as consistently certaintly not last season doesnt seem to boss games and has’nt for me reached the levels of his first couple of years
deffo still a good player but needs someone more creative alongside him been said a thousand times but midfield needs beefing up dont think the youth team boys despite there quality can be asked to that just yet
It would appear that agents are using United as a bargaining chip in negotiations with their clients’ existing clubs or others regardless of whether the player himself has any intention of signing for United.
Part of me hopes that SAF sticks two fingers up to the lot of them and either reconfigures the team slightly, is able to bring through one or two the youngsters, unearths another mexican wunderkind (does Chico have any mates who play midfield!) and has a fit and ready again Fletcher to call upon. At the risk of sounding complacent, I really don’t think there’s anything out there in the EPL to worry about that much. Chelski are ageing and in constant flux, the cracks are showing at gutless Arsenal and Liverpool have bought overpriced journeymen. United has the measure of most of the competition in Europe too, albeit that Barca’s style of play gives everyone a tactical problem – at the moment. I say at the moment as the tippy tappy midgets are well drilled but seriously overhyped player wise. I’m pretty sure one or two coaches will suss them out next season. I had thought it would be us a few weeks ago but….
@Cedars
Dont fret yourself with the numbers mate….you might require another dose of injection prematurely
@ Louis
Glad we have some common ground mate…but lets forget about the numbers for today shall we
Its sunday here already and I wanna be as far away from numbers as possible!
@Rai you go way to personal dude, you keep taking swipes at me I strike back. Your a hate filled fuck who does not admit your a hate filled fuck, get it. Every one has views, Zelh and I as well as others have had civil discourse after personal attacks or strong differences of opinion. You call people stupid or cunts and think your cute. Your an ugly man full of bile and hate with no wit or talent for the turn of a phrase.
I had a disagreement or a misunderstanding with King Eric he had it out with me like John fucking Wayne, had much respect for that. You Rai I have offered the Olive branch to and you wiped you ass with it so for an asshole who does not know he is one, is worse the an asshole who admits he is an asshole. I admit, my lack of typing skill, the way I butcher a great language and miss spell shit. And use punctuation is madding for some. And I can be an ass. You Rai are 120 lbs close minded judgmental, clueless little bitch IMHO.
Cedars
Could be Superman Cedars but Red will do just fine my good Red friend
Or could be an agent for Modric Nasri Sneijder et al
@sir shaggsy
mate , if carrick is shit then why does the worlds best manger play him in every european game
so do u think air alex is shit as well
since carrick has come we have won 4 titles in 5 years
1 CL and 3 finals in 4yrs
how can he be shit.
well then everyone is shit.
Well evening all REDS !! well I feel better dumping shit here, my bad I will use the toilet more often.
Secret Agent man, secret agent man doing all he can………
19
well 150 posts to go through !!
have we sold anyone yet?
sachu,they say carrick is shit because he doesnt produce youtube material.thank God these numpties arent our manager.If SAF knows carricks value,its a pity that “fans”dont.
Absolutely genius! Hysterically funny events somewhere in london with the ABUnati!
A brilliant post Cyril Sneer! Thanks!
Red Devil – lol
To everyone
I asked this question on the other thread to no avail…… I have a fantastic photo that I want to share with all of you but when I try to paste it here it does not work…. Can anyone tell me how I can post it? Its on my desk top… I have already emailed it to STR to see whether he will post it or not
Cheers
@RAI – I may be deluded mate but I would like to be very clear.
Giggs has been a world class player for longer than dogs live – Loved his style ability, goals and the way he played. I think it is not laughable to say that his best is behind him, he brought some very bad publicity to the club and it is better to quit when you are still at the top than when you need to be told.
Keano and Cantona are both examples of knowing when to stop. Scholesy is another example.
Gary Neville left it too long and I am concerned that Ryan Giggs will play next year and let himself down.
He looked old in the CL final and that made me feel a bit sad to be honest.
Carrick – Not good enough for our expectations – That is not really laughable.
Carrick is the very best in the world, a vital player for us, a dominant force like Keano or Cantona, the premier league`s master tactician and playmaker – TRUE gamechanger. Now any of those statements ARE laughable.
@t4m
mate, wat happened to your source saying we bid 35 million for sanchez
any thing else . i dont think you were bluffing
*Pokes head in*
*Sees Carrick Bashing*
*Sees Cedars shouting at his nurse*
*Sees Cyril’s phone calls*
*Knows that all is well in ROM land*
*Retreats back to his home*
Well wild world of RoM some breaking news for some, they will be extracted to here. Back surgery was a success, therapy has been great. Belly got bigger. And signed a new marketing agreement today so in the near future I will be working 50-60 hours a week again and have one less daff cunt to be mad at. And for those who get a laugh of two from the wild mind that is Zibbie. I will be like herpes simplex 9 and show up at the worse of times.
@Cedars – It takes longer for me to type than ‘transcribe the events from memory’. I’ve never written anything creative in my life.
Really hope everyone enjoys a laugh. Obviously I’ll stop when they are no longer funny. Again, apologies if my post appears twice, I know it’s a pain trying to read long threads on phones etc. I made a typo on my name
Rai & Zibbie
Let it go fellas, I enjoy talking to both of you and I hate it when true REDS start arguing over things that at times are merely lost in translation…..
Just an honest plea guys
What is it on here lately…..so many fellow reds arguing with each other for having differences of opinion. Surely this difference of opinion is what we love about football so why all this angst lately??
Anyway, if papers are to be believed (and that is a HUGE If) Sanchez will go to City, Modric will go to Chelsea (after a long drawn out dispute and Adam will move to us!!! Lets be thankful the English press is full of shit!!
No boys…..can we all just get along?!
Carrick is shit. What does fergie know? Lets get rid of both of them and get in a FM2011 player. We’ll win everything next season.
@Cedars – go to a free image host like imageshack.us and upload your pic. it will then give you a link to your photo. Just copy that and paste it on a comment here.
@sachu – The reason Fergie played him was because he was all we had. If we had a better player we would play a better player.
You could argue that Owen is great, has the pedigree will always grab a winner etc but Fergie scarcely played him because we had someone better – Chicharito.
However average Carrick has been, he was still a much better option than Gibson.
sachu,its a done deal.Sanchez is off to barca.Press will report this on monday.Cant wait for this saga to end.Sanchez will become messi’s supporting cast,he would have become messi’s class at utd but he wont because messi wont give him chance to shine.ah well, his loss.for every ronaldinho theres a ronaldo.
so scott the red thinks carsick isnt particular useful because he didnt see any more youtube material on him after first 3 years yeah?
Cyril Sneer
Keep em coming mate, they are hilarious and I for one look forward to them buddy….
Again, can anyone help me with my query at 20:30? Do not ignore me you buggers
@sir shaggsy
mate , carrick signed a new contract and he deserved it.
he cant go , he wont go. he will play amajor part next year.
i think a lot of people are bashing carrick because he got outclassed by barca
just abt veryone is outclassed by barca.
well we beat barca in 2008 with carrick in the team.
its not because of carrick that we lost to barca.
we have to collectively play better to beat them
In the last 3 days I have eaten 5 lbs of pulled pork and I’m going for another fucking sammy!!
Sir Shaggsy- I’m sure I could get my point across better without calling people fools- but if the cap fits….
Carrick is ineffectual at winning the ball back or reading opposition attacks? That’ll explain why he has such a high amount of interceptions then.
If you’re looking for someone to dominate a midfield and spray killer balls about, you’re looking at the wrong guy. The guy we sign this summer needs to have that skill set, but its about having a balance. If you’ve been watching Utd carefully over the last couple of years, you’ll see his role has changed and he’s actually moved to play a bit deeper than he was back in 08 for example.
I do wonder whether there’s a Barca blog somewhere where you have people criticising Busquets for the exact same things some of our lot criticise Carrick for? Just a thought.
@sir shaggsy
mate, iif fergie thought carrick was not good enough then he would got someone else
Cyril Sneer
Thanks for the tip buddy, I will give it a try….
Did I smell a breath of fresh air here? Is smartalex around?
carBANGrick – Speak then? Stop going on about StR and tell us all, your thoughts?
@t4m
mate , any source ?
for every ronaldinho there is a ronaldo .
i like that .
@Cedars OK I had let it go, he comes back with more , way to direct personal attacks. You notice echoing comments from others? Done with him If I see more personal attack I will respond.
Sparkz – I think a lot of people hold a grudge against Carrick for two high profile errors he made in high profile games (City this year and Bayern Munich last year). Like a lot of things in life, people will quickly remember the bad and forget the good.
@t4m
mate , i cant blame him if he chooses barca ahead of us.
eventhough i am a united fan i have to admit barca are the best now and he will get into the starting line up ahead of villa
i think he will be a mega hit there like ronaldinho and messi
sachu,he could very well be a hit there but its very likely he wont.i understand barca are the cream of the crop now.Like i say football nature and utd history will find a way to have us compensated.Our answer might be right in our doorstep we never know.Going to barca is better than city.If he goes to city and doesnt make it first time they’ll put him in the bin like santa cruz,robinho.
CedarsDevil – Cyril Sneer has advised you at 20:35.
We wait with bated breath.
@Sparkz, I commend you for the war you are waging my friend, but I think you are fighting a losing cause. Trying to convince people who hold a grudge against certain players is like trying to convince a Liverpool supporter next year is not going to be their year. It is impossible, so why even bother.
@Cyril, I would say that was your best one yet. You made me cough up coffee all over my table. Keep em coming.
Willie
I hope you will not hold your breath, not good for you buddy
Zibbie
Thanks my friend
@t4m
mate , is it done wat is your source?
i have no concerns of united.
fergie willn have a lot of players in mind.
Anyone can call my opinion stupid but not me. Simple as that. The last guy to call me a cunt in the real world got spit on in the face, he made a pathetic karate attack at me. Side stepped him took him to the ground and bitch slapped him until he bleed from 2 orifices. You can’t do that here. I do not street fight for many reasons, but have stood up to bully’s and asshole my entire life. Here is the world of RoM and with all respect to others: I pledge I am done with Rai as long as his personal attacks at me are done. He or anyone can criticize my opinion, Signed and dated.
Let it be written, let it be said, no one is ever to mention the name of Mosses again.
Interesting stuff today RoM, bang on point, almost enough to convince me Modric is the man for the middle! He is a decent player, and the point about the assists stat not telling the full picture is a fair point, because when we’ve seen Bale and Lennon doing the business and getting the assists for the Yids (can I still say that?) its usually Modric that found them, and/or followed up to link play with them. Been saying for AGES thats the role we need at United to get the most out of Nani. Giggs and Scholes, bless their cotton socks, have put in unsurpassable shifts, but right now we need an energetic midfielder who can bring Nani off the Left Wing and into the game more so he has an outlet to pass and go. Why do you think Messi performs so well? He’s a fantastic player who will always score by himself, but it does help that whenever he looks up he’s got more than one midfield outlet to pass and go. Nani is often left on his own on the Left, with NO outlet, and only Evra or Giggs occasionally overlapping so he can cut in field. People are frustrated with Nani but THAT frustrates the shit out of me because we are wasting his talent, even though he had a brilliant season last year. But if Nani had the right playmaker to partner his runs that boy will shine on the Left or the Right. The same is true for Tony on the right wing but to a lesser extent, his game plan of driving to the byline means he doesn’t rely on linking up play as much as the more technically gifted Nani.
BUT, whether Modric is that player or not is up to the manager, but reading this page just now does give you plenty of food for thought flipping hell. Im not so 100% sure he’s not for us now, maybe 90% now. Thank fuck August will soon be here. Easy.
@King Eric – Last of the Mo-Ricans, classic film mate
sachu,i have a journo friend who works for a spanish paper
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2005290/Blackburn-owners-We-let-Jones-feared-harming-career-fighting-legal-battle.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Our one good egg.
Cedar I’m thankful for you and all on RoM. I mean that from the marrow of my REDbones.
Cedars – What the fuck is this picture? Hope it’s Megan?
Foxy thing.
I’m not even sure if its that Mike, although its probably part of the reason. I just think people were so used to Keano’s style of play and personality- forceful- that they forget there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
For the record- I’m not gonna pretend Carrick has never had a bad game/season. He was great in his first 3 seasons. Then in 09/10 he had a very poor season, no doubt. This season, particularly after Xmas, he picked it up again.
Think of all the success we’ve had from 2006 onwards. Carrick has been the ONLY midfielder who’s consistently been in the side during that time. His partners have changed- first it was Scholesy- then Fletcher, recently its been Giggsy. Not to mention that Ando has played a fair bit during that time. Yet the one constant in our midfield all the way through….has been Carrick.
If somebody’s gonna try and tell me that we’ve won 4 Premier Leagues and reached 3 Champions League finals, plus a couple of Carling Cups….and we’ve managed all that by having an average player in the heart of our midfield that whole time….then sorry, but the word ‘fool’ may actually be an understatement.
The incredible eatable egg.
3 followed by 2 goose eggs = 300th post
Lads
The picture I want to share is of my daughter when she was just a month old. I had her wrapped in a United scarf and wearing a United woolly hat…. It was one of the first pictures I sent out to family and friends and of course friends who support rival clubs announcing to the world that a new RED was born…
I will try the tip given with thanks by Cyril and hopefully give all of you a view
Sparkz,no one has said the success was all about carrick but carrick played a very vital role by keeping that balance in midfield.If Xavi wasnt a star you’d say he was shit but his role is similar to carrick’s.xavi does a lot of passing sideways himself
How cool Cedars….. Well time to go and do food prep for dinner, till then RoM.
@Sparks, The major problem is people doesn’t realize the type of player Carrick is. He is not a Keane or Fletcher. He will not get into opponent’s faces and go hard in on tackles to stop them from passing. He depends more on his positioning and being in the right place in the right time to make those interceptions. There were many games where he single-handedly stopped many good moves with his interceptions alone. I can tell you here and now that a lot of people will not notice that because sometimes it is even missed by the camera. That is the kind of player he is. He is very effective at what he does but don’t expect him to get a lot of accolades because he goes about it silently rather than like Keano who was more forceful.
It is the same issue with Berbatov. He was played out of position for the first two years and the only time he got to play his best position was during the first half of 2010. Many people will not notice that he was played out of position because he never moaned about it or spoke a word. He just went on about his business like a proper pro.
That is why they are also easier scapegoats. They are perfect pros and go about their business perfectly which makes it easier for fans to have a go at them when they don’t do what is expected of them.
All this rumour mill stuff is really stupidity. How do we know that any of these reports are even true, how do you know that the person in question will not backtrack and sign for someone else in the end? Its pointless to curse a player before he has even made a comment.
Anyway lifes boring without football, so goodnight fellas hope to read your fine comments in the morning. Keep the good work up.
To say Carrick can’t read the game or make interceptions is a fucking piss take. That is what he is good at. A superb abilty to read the game.
Can I also say there will be considerably more midfielders out there than modric nasri sneijder and de rossi. That is why we have scouts all over the world. Some seem to think the aforementioned are all there is.
Some of you should be ashamed that despite this girly cunt whoring himself to the rentboys and saying he wants to live in the smoke still want him at this club.
Costas. Well said my friend. Fuck them indeed.
Rai. Hello mate. Spot on pal. For some reason Zibbie really has it in for you. Suppose its because you are part of the clique.
@ United till i die and Steins….
I iagree…we didnt buy playmaker for a long time becuase we has Scholes, but now we can t think about price to much. He is worth 35 mils, but i would take and Nasri and Sanchez. I red that SAF has 160 mils…he spent about 60 until now. So he has 100 more to buy those 3 players. I would offer 25 mills and Berba for Modric.
My opinion is that we have a chance to buy a good players. They offer themselfs through newspapers, but SAF is not reacting. Than we buy those players for 2 or 3 years for 2 or 3 times price. i dont understand that.
@Sparks
Hi mate – most people use the “he plays the same position as Rooney” as an argument for us not to buy him. But a player of his caliber can play anywhere especially in a 2-3 man midfield. He does so at inter when paired with Eto’o and Milito, as well Netherlands with kuyt and RvP
King Eric
How are you my friend?
Miss them ABU rants buddy….. Nothing new on that front?
T4m- Bang on fella. I was gonna allude to that earlier on actually, when Sir Shaggsy spoke about sideways passing And as I said- Hargreaves aside (who’s been injured)- none of our other midfielders have the discipline/intelligence to screen the back four IMO. Fletcher and Anderson are great ball winners but their style of play is more all action, they need to be firefighting in different places rather than sitting. People mention the likes of Diarra- he might be more of a ‘bonecruncher’ than Carrick- but as I’ve said- intercepting is the new tackling these days. And Carrick’s use of the ball is superior to a Diarra like player.
And Balaji, I suppose you’re right, its not really much use trying to change someone’s opinion, I can only give my opinions I suppose!
King Eric
On another note buddy, Zibbie is alright mate…. As I said in a previous post st times words get lost in translation
Rooney > Sneijder > Modric
How the fluck, does that grab, ya’all?
truth is it aint carricks fault like a few lads on here have pointed out hes good at what he does cant ask him to suddenly be something he aint personally i feel we havent got the right mix in the middle of park
now the ginger prince has departed cant keep asking Giggsy to step up despite his brilliance the clocks ticking sadly nothing wrong with Ando Fletch carrick but the creative side is poor at the moment needs new blood in my humble opinion!
Devils- At Inter didn’t he have Cambiasso and Motta behind him, whilst he played just off Milito (with Eto out wide) ?
And likewise for the Dutch national side- he had De Jong and Van Bommel behind him whilst he played off RVP.
He may or may not be able to play in a 2 man midfield, in this league…but we don’t know that. It’d still be somewhat of a risk, a step into the unknown. Playing in a 2 man midfield when you normally play in the hole is a challenge anyway…in a league like the Premier League, its even harder!
@ United till i die and Steins….
I iagree…we didnt buy playmaker for a long time becuase we has Scholes, but now we can t think about price to much. He is worth 35 mils, but i would take and Nasri and Sanchez. I red that SAF has 160 mils…he spent about 60 until now. So he has 100 more to buy those 3 players. I would offer 25 mills and Berba for Modric.
My opinion is that we have a chance to buy a good players. They offer themselfs through newspapers, but SAF is not reacting. Than we buy those players for 2 or 3 years for 2 or 3 times price. i dont understand that.
We have to wait, but ii hate to wait. Actually, i dont care who we gonna buy, but i hope we gonna buy players that can really help us to win Barca next year CL Final. SAF can win whoever he can.
….SAF can buy whoever he wants….
Willie
It grabs we very well buddy
As annoying as Modric’s ‘come-get-me’ plea to the Rentboys is, I still think he is a fantastic player and perhaps the best passer in the League after the Ginger Prince.
As much as I would like to see him in a United jersey, I just can’t see it happening. Not with Levy still around.
Oops, meant me not we! Stupid key board
Cedars – Thank you mate, ya far too kind.
@Red Devil
You are acting like Prize money would just dry up if we weren’t winning things which isn’t the case. You obviously lose some of it but it doesn’t dry up.
And the commercial revenues alone cover the cost of the debts, hence why it’s manageable. Also even just paying in the premier league brings in enough prize money, tv money, sponsorship and gates to cover the debt also.
You mention Leeds and Liverpool but the difference with them is they were mismanaged. Their owners bought clubs that didn’t have a strong commercial business and they spent all the money they thought they would earn from prize money in future. When they didn’t have instant success they then panicked and spent even more money. I actually think we got lucky with the Glazers because IMHO a lot of these owners who have got into trouble have been because they bought the clubs for the ‘glory’ rather than business where the Glazers seem to always have business first (just compare them and hicks and gillette, the Glazers refinanced loans, bought up debt when they could get it cheap and pushed hard to increase commercial revenues further, hicks and gillette sat back, spent money and only worried when things came crashing down)
Oh and your prize money is totally off. In 2008/09 we got 38million Euros for being runners up (Barca won and only got about 30 mill)
http://www.uefa.com/multimediafiles/download/publications/uefa/uefamedia/83/97/47/839747_download.pdf
@willierednut
Personally I think they have stepped unto the plate every season, SAF just has chosen not to use the cash. As I keep saying there is just one reason they would be sitting in such a large cash surplus when it would make better business sense to either buy more of the bonds back or take the money out and invest it (the bank interest rate is only 0.5% while the bond Interest rate is 8.5%).
fucking hell have we signed anyone yet
Modric ain’t good enough for United.
yes you fuckers its TonyBee the smiley man….(and yes it was me Cedars)….
Modric is too lightweight…. might pass a good ball but aint got the tackleor grit of Scholesy
TonyBee
Was about to pose the same question for the first time mate! Have we signed anyone yet, for fucks sake, I think Sir Alex has lost the plot….
Willie
Any time buddy and do not call me kind, the name is Cedars
Genius at 20:10
Hansen: Steady on there, we all fixted it fer you to win tha’. If it weren’t fer us, that bannar would still be tickin’.
Cyril Sneer inside HQ London is well worth another read!
Couldn’t agree more. Why haven’t we signed Sanchez/Sneijder/Heskey/Big Bird from Sesame Street yet? SAF is getting senile.
Is the Fat Spanish Waiter still available?
MG Cedars willie Smartalex ….only on here for a little while….. will only post sporadically till the season gets underway ….getting pissed off with all the hype and bollocks
TonyBee
I know it was you mate, I was so bloody sedated with kidney medications that I could not spell my own name !
you on dialysis Cedars me old mate?
@mara
I doubt he has 160mill to spend as that’s more than is in the bank. He won’t be allowed to spend all the money in the bank as some money is needed to tide the club over and to cover unexpected events. Also some money will no doubt be kept back for January (SAF doesn’t usually spend in Jan but he will want to be able to if he needs so)
I think we might see 2 more players taking the spend to around 100mill (if the Young deal is real, so far we have no confirmation or even hint outside paper talk unlike De Gea)
TonyBee
No thankfully my friend, I was infected with a rare virus that affected my kidneys, been taking injections and pills for the past three months… Getting better now, should all be ok in a couple of weeks….
Hence my nurse jokes, they were not far from the truth!
I dare trollBANGrick to come here just once and comment about something other than Carrick.
@Red Devil
Hey mate. Yeah, it’s a matter of principle in my opinion too. Modric either really wants to Chelsea or he will use the interest of other clubs in order to get the best deal for him. Either way, it won’t be beneficial to us. Let him go to Chelsea. Imo it will be a good opportunity for many neutrals to realize that he is overrated. And please, no more deals with Tottenham.
TonyBee – Pre season, all you can expect is hype and bollox. Have a smiley on me!
off to bed now for a cuddle with MrsBee …..see yazz layter….
Slightly off topic, I quite like the look of this kid, though whether or not he is ‘United material’, to use that annoyingly overused phrase, is a big, big if.
http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/thefrenchconnection/archive/2011/03/10/marvellous-marvin-martin.aspx
To your health CedarsDevil! May it flourish!
Keep the nurse though, she’s an integral member of RoM now.
TonyBee – The repetitive rehashing of rhubarb is mind-numbing.
Stop in regular like, eh?
Costas
Do not waste your time……
Now I want to ask this for the first time…….. Have we signed anyone yet?
smartalex
Cheers for the wishes my true RED friend…. To be honest I will miss them medications, sort of takes me to another world! I will try to keep the nurse mind you, she did not only fill me with drugs she was also kind and sweet! Blimey I think I am in love again!
Hmmm…. Marvin Martin? He has two first names like John Terry and Joe Cole. Does this pre-dispose him to be ‘unsuitable’ for United?
On the other hand, there is Rio Ferdinand and my personal favourite Ricky Bobby….
Neville Neville.
@smartalex – thank you for the nice comments, they are greatly appreciated.
Now…
I must away to-day, before night come:
Make it no wonder; if you knew my business,
You would entreat me rather go than stay.
And, honest company, I thank you all,
Hmm, sounds like a Manchester club is interested in De Rossi. But not the one some here would hope for.
http://www.football-italia.net/jun18w.html?
Fools in love
Well, are there any other kind of lovers?
Fools in love
Is there any other kind of pain?
Fools in love they think they’re heroes
Cause they get to feel more pain
I say fools in love are zeros
I should know
I should know because this fool’s in love again
Fools in love
Gently hold each other hands forever
Fools in love
Gently tear each other limb from limb
Everything you do, everywhere you go now
Everything you touch, everything you feel
Everything you do, even your rock’n'roll now
Nothing mean a thing except you and your Lady Love
Your Lady Love, your Lady Love, your Lady Love
In my opinion I think we need to sign a center half…. I mean how long can we depend on Rio and Vidic? And in my exclusive view its our weakest point, no cover up what so ever
And according to Berba’s agent, we haven’t made any offer to him for a new contract or even an extension to his current deal. I guess that only means one thing…
http://www.sportsvibe.co.uk/news/football/berbatov-nears-exit-as-agent-admits-no-new-deal-in-place/?
Thanks smartalex. love the song my friend
And now for the interview of the sentury:
Hello?
-Who goes there! Friend, or Foe?
I’m a reporter ..
-Wrong Answer! BANG!
Guys you are still talking about the possibility of 30-35m? Firstly he aint moving, Levy will keep Modric on his six year deal at least until Jan. Secondly, it would take at least 40-45 – SIX YEAR DEAL GUYS, Spurs dont need the money and don’t need to sell. You all mention Chelsea piss*ing us off, but Levy will not have forgotten Berba or Carrick.. By Jan / next close season, If we are not in Champ league, Modric will be open to more than just Chelski and Levy will sell abroad – still for 40-45m !!
Fuck De Rossi!
Fuck the Diaz brothers!
Fuck em all!
Costas
Have we signed anyone yet? Do not pull my leg with that Sinclair crap, you had me fooled!
Willie
You ok buddy? I am the one on medication here but I will go along mate, fuck them all!
@Cedars
It has come to my attention mate that you are a spoilt United fan. Look at some of Sinclair’s highlights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbjMfBgSJiY
You mean to tell me he isn’t United quality?
Transfer window guidelines by the previously scarred:
Lesson number one: Don’t underestimate the other guy’s greed!
Watson
What do you mean?
I need you man – cant function Holmes without you
Go hug Mrs Bee and keep calm dear and we’ll carry on
Costas
Hahahahahaha Nice one my friend! The lad has what it takes to make it at United ….. Sorry for doubting you, with him at the club do you think we could beat Barca?
Sign sign sign !!!
Have we signed anyone yet?
The United Midfield Protocol – coming sometime this summer 11
SAF should try and 3 players.1.midfielder that is sneijder because we have problem with carrick because when he’s making a player and the player get in front of him then he will stand and watch the player to get to and that’s not good.and the last one is sachez he can bring a lot of change in our team.
smartalex
Have we signed anyone yet? Or has Sir Alex lost the plot?
Please answer quickly as I am due an injection and therefore will lose my mind
I’m back?
Have I missed anything?
Did we sign anyone yet? :E
I wonder how good Sir Alex is at FM2011.
A lot of signatures, mostly autographs though!
If I may suggest … sign your nurse as she cries out your name.
The release in pressure should ease your kidneys.
@Cedars
Sure! If Frank played for Barca, we would have won 3-0.
Transfer window guidelines by the previously scarred:
Lesson number two: Don’t get high on your own supply.
Thanks smartalex………… I guess!
no and no. Zelh.
Cedars be well, and prays from RoM land.
Fucking 2 nd ass rule.That’s why I quit selling to others.
The boss has a master plan and for sure we will beat Wolves away next season!
Time to grill mammal flesh.
No Parker and no Heskey?
C’mon Fergie! Transfer deadline is tomorrow! I’ll be so mad if we don’t sign heskey!
Beat Wolves…. the key…. to…..20………Leaving the rest locked out.
Are you the Key Master?
The next time someone asks you if your a god? Say yes !!!!!
Zibbie
Thanks buddy
smartlaex – just slipped in a Pink Floyd cd into the thingy bob, care for a sing along? Got Hey You playing now, just took my injection and pills…………. Do excuse the stupidity that follows my friends
@Cyril Sneer
Lovin the ABUnati post,
and looking fwd to hearing about their next meeting!!
Cedars. Hello mate. Hope you are well pal. I will save my rants till the season starts.
Bad news Venkman, I think your girlfriend is possessed.
Who you gonna call?
@ King Eric this sounds at odds to my posts, please rant all you want to. Different prospective is the spice of life. And you are one spicy RED!
No more Sollozzo tricks.
@Cyril Sneer, people with 2 first names, Jim George ect. ect. wow piss myself over some of your post.
time to go to the mattresses…..
Coals are ready, buy for now… hehe buy, buy.
Simply the best
Manchester United!
Fuck all the best, we’re the best!
We got no string vest, or vested interest in tikki taki bollox.
Willie
You ok buddy? Got me some strong stuff here my friend
Let me insert a comment from the “appreciate what we got” school of thinking.
Yes, Scholes Legend is gone, can not be directly replaced of course.
But Cleverley is back, and with Jones, 3Lung Park, Fletcher back from virus and Young/Valencia backtracking we have plenty of fight in the mid. Rooney in the hole and all.
So it already looks allright. But here is the icing on the cake, and why we will claim nr. 20 (CL – whatever) is the advent of the Brazilians.
First, Anderson has learned about life and about football from the Ginger Ninja. He is not supposed to peak until 25, but this season we will see him back to bossing centre mid.
Second and third: The twins are some of the most awesome footballing packages around. Not only are the great defenders, but also going forward they offer a different dimension. Add to the fact that there are two of them – reduntant footballer, what a concept. They are a RAID0 (IT nerds will get it), but still each have an affinity for opposite sides on the pitch.
So now things look even more rosy.
Then the icing on the cake: 3 of the best youth centre mids since Scholes will have to start getting broken in this season. Pogba, Tunni and van Morrison will come in for heroic cameos several times this season.
PL20 this season: Very befitting, and in honor of the great 20legend and the new 20 AND 21, Fabio and Rafa.
That’s why they call me Sunny
Cedars – Peachy mate.
@ STR : Agree with your article but modric is not the only fish in the market.
I dont like levy of spurs much ,when a couple of years ago he threw a tantrum and falsely accused us and when he accepted a bribe from liverpool to keep quiet and not report them to the FA.
But he and his management team, board of directors and investors deserve respect for what they have started and achieved at spurs.Its damm risky when clubs embark on such projects, easy to spiral into debt. Enough football clubs in the gutter as examples.
They have learnt from the european structure mistake,reverted back to the british way or else harry wud not have joined them.
Harry has dealt with whatever cliques that ruined previous managers before him. The team they are building is stronger than arse and winning regularly now against thier london rivals. Once they complete safely the new stadium project they will probaly surpass those pesky rivals.
Its not perfect of course,why harry leaves defoe on the bench and drops hutton thier best right back ,formations that look sucidal. But he is making his mark,this club is going thru growing up pains to become a top club . A growing resilience ,financial muscle and good organization ,this club is doing better than the other 2.
Our games against them are growing trickier, hopefully with reinforcements Fergie will neutralise harry and spurs in battle.
This summer and the new season is crucial for spurs. If they do not win anything ,they will not be able to hold on to key players. So step one let modric rant and rave ,dont sell,build instead and give it a go. Do it well and they will finish above livers,city and arse.
As for us,Fergie has learntfrom past transfer mistakes(djemba for example),one of his brilliant attributes and our club have become more meticulus in signing players.
The other clubs know this so like Cantona wud say , seagulls after the trawlers, they watch, fly past and try thier best to swoop away with out targets.
If Fergie wants him we will find out soon enough. But Fergie has spent the last few years educating the market that we Manutd will not pay crazy money for players.
Anyway , I beleive Fergie as usual wud have his targets ready by May,Gill takes over and goes to get them.
The media do not know who, thousand guesses they might get one right or at least until the club concern lets them know.
Me thinks Fergie may have inquired and moved on.
I feel better for knowing that Willie.
Off to bed before I make a fool of my self again, just been injected with one of only three to go thank God…. Love you all my fellow REDS
Good night my friends, Good night all true REDS
I think some United supporters are suffering from a valuation vacuum. Since we are the top club we don’t sell our main performers like smaller ones have to. That is why we don’t see silly values branded about for our homegrown, and we get complacent and look at them as “free” and therefore less worthy.
For instance, If Morrison was up for transfer now all the clubs would come rushing in and the press would have their new Rooney… Morrison has issues but Sir Alex is the best man for him. Imagine Ravel at Shitty, Chel$ki or other headcase clubs, it would be the end of him.
Getting Modric now would upset the regrowth that is happening. The only good addition in my opinion is Sneijder adding some experience to centre mid, an accomplished winner with the treble. He can pull back a bit as centre mid and doesn’t necessarily have to play in the hole/advanced midfield. Then he can move on in 3 years time (still with significant value) as our own aces are coming into full flower. So paying 40M for him is OK since we will get 20 back in 3 years. Plus all the shirts he will sell in Holland
With Fergie it is all about
Red_Scare @ 17:17 – sorry for the late reply but there are actually other things in life. Leave this site for five hours and there are 275 new messages – I guess that the weather elsewhere isn’t as good as it was today in Toronto.
It would appear that your assessment of Luka Modric and mine are diametrically opposed – such is life. I’m not bothered by the fact that you have a different opinion from mine – in fact, I welcome that difference since it’s by hashing out such differences that we can move forward and learn something along the way. In point of fact, I’ve watched Modric play a dozen times this season but not “seen” those special qualities you describe.
I’m not saying he’s crap but what I am saying is that he’s not all that he’s cracked up to be by some people.
AND I am saying that I’d take SAF’s public statement about Modric with a grain of salt since the OldFootieKnight is a master of mis-direction.
IF – and it’s a big “IF” – SAF had decided that Luka Modric was TheOneToReplaceScholes then you’d have to think that he would have already made a move; if he hasn’t made a move then I’d think that it stands to reason that SAF does not think Luka Modric is TheOne.
I don’t think that money – not the first 25 million but the next 20 million – would be a factor. That extra money wasn’t a factor in August of 2008 when SAF spent an extra ten million to acquire Dimmy and it wouldn’t be this time even if he now has to spend, say, 45 million to acquire Modric.
What is crucial is this answer to this question: is Luka Modric TheOneToReplaceScholes ? I don’t think so.
I made my reasons for a negative answer to this question clear five/six hours earlier – @ 16:38. Nothing you’ve said changes my mind; not because I’m pig-headed but because I just don’t agree with the explanations you’ve advanced. He ain’t TheGuy.
Cedars – Just make sure you don’t get injected in the ass.
I feel we are looking at to many overrated and overpaid players that are hyped up by promoters and usually never end up being worth their salt. There is a lot of talent that people are overlooking.
Manchester United does not need mercenaries, didn’t we learn our lesson with Tevez.
Modric is all about the money.
“Chelsea are a big club with an ambitious owner. They have great players and they have ambitions to fight for the title and win the Champions League. I want to stay in London”.
Let’s not get desperate. If somebody does not want to come here and prefers to be somewhere else forget about him. I just hope some spineless cunt does not start a Manchester City inspired Begging plea for this guy. Gutless!!
More words about Alexis Sanchez:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/serie-a/8583998/Udinese-forward-Alexis-Sanchez-on-the-road-to-greatness.html
Lets just not play SAF here,with or without modric,he’ll make sure we are ready for the new season.anybody with an idea of Davide petrucci’s progress?at 20,he shud really start pushing for a place in the first team.
He’s on the road to Barcelona.
Afore ye go, CedarsDevil …
Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar.
You’re gonna go far, fly high,
You’re never gonna die,
You’re gonna make it if you try;
They’re gonna love you.
Well I’ve always had a deep respect,
And I mean that most sincerely.
The band is just fantastic,
that is really what I think.
Oh by the way, which one’s Pink?
And did we tell you the name of the game, boy,
We call it Riding the Gravy Train.
We’re just knocked out.
We heard about the sell out.
You gotta get an album out.
You owe it to the people.
We’re so happy we can hardly count.
Everybody else is just green,
Have you seen the chart?
It’s a helluva start,
It could be made into a monster
If we all pull together as a team.
And did we tell you the name of the game, boy,
We call it Riding the Gravy Train.
These pre-season tangos are driving me nuts. We started off well with Phil Jones & Young & then now are at an impasse with Modric, Sneijder & Sanchez. I’m going to watch Wimbledon & forget abt the transfer window till good news for Utd comes out. Cheers!
They used to say, Cedars was pretty fly for a White guy…
I have been keeping an eye out for this guy for a while Harry Redknapp has been wasting this guy on loan spells.
Giovani dos Santos Ramírez can handle his business in the midfield just ask Chico who is moving everyone forward in his national team
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O54_SqxWPak&feature=related
Delusional and demented Stevie Me:
“But we will be setting out to win the league – because that’s what you do year in and year out at Liverpool.”
.. and the boy was powerless to stop the United train:
” The way that United were playing you knew the 19th was going to come. It did hurt because they are our biggest rivals.”
willierednut – sanchez off to barca? what’s that twitter bollox?
If we dont get modric, kagawa should be our second choice, an we should hurry before he signs a new deal, that we dont have to pay excorbitant fee’s in the cases of sniejder and modric. Believe me kagawa is class he is abit like nasri.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3275/bundesliga/2011/06/18/2537934/borussia-dortmund-open-talks-over-new-contract-with?
The dark side is rising
Another day and still no sight of our new midfield
Goodnight MUFC
19
T4m. No offence mate but your so called journal pal inside info is wearing thin. Only this aft you stated that your mate had said sanchez will choose United. Only a couple of hours ago you posted the same source has confirmed its barca. Give it a rest please mate as you are clearly making it up.
I know T4M source. It’s, …
Cedars – Sorry if my posts caused you any indirect annoyance mate…..wasn’t meant to…..also good luck getting that picture up – you said a few weeks ago that was the first photo you took you must be a very proud Dad…..the kid is lucky being BORN a United fan!
King Eric – Hello mate. Hopefully the greedy cunt will sign for Barca or City asap – it’s dragging out. His pimp will make a killing though….
Dave malaysia. Hello mate. Hope you are well. I enjoy your posts. I have to disagree abit about Spurs and that wideboy cunt Harry. Spurs have always been a decet sized club and were great under nicholson and then keith burkinshaw. Its just the redknapp loving media like to make out he has put spurs up there. Make no mistake twelve months from now that beetroot cunt big joweled car salesman will have done a number on Spurs and taken the Ingerlund job.
Call me a cynic or a miserable cunt but can I ask summat? For all those calling for players like Goetze, Kagawa, marvin Martin etc how many times have you REALLY seen them play? I aint singling anyone out and I know people watch footy from leagues all iver the world bit hand on heart how many times?its just someone the other day was crying out for a certain player despite admitting they had never seen him play. Are these players the next best thing on footy manager?
Willie – You’ll be waiting a while mate for Car Bang Rick to come up with any argument…..he’s a parrot!
twitter is shit and i’m sick of all the whiney pricks,fuck modric let him go suck off tranny boy at rentboys, sign him,we need him blah,blah fucking blah
That’s fucking weird? King Eric posts to T4M on this thread and T4M responds on the thread below? Gremlins invading this site…?
Rai. Hello mate. How’s things? Yeah it is dragging on abit isn’t it.
Utd will never die. Great post.
King Eric – All good mate, looking forward to next month to see the pre season games. I imagine the lads on International duty will be given a few extra weeks off but it would be good to see the others like Tunni and co given a few games in the first team…….interesting times ahead with the younger players some of them have a real good chance of breaking through..
Marvin Martin
Sounds Exotic Belly Dancing Half Nerd Half Man-bear-pig Ricky Martin
Rai – I’ll converse with anyone, but that clown hasn’t got much to say. Hence, his silence.
Willie – I don’t even think we can take him seriously, as he doesn’t comment on anything apart from the same crap…wouldn’t surprise me if he’s a Spurs fan with a vendetta!!
A Danny Welbeck interview from the Euro’s
“The manager said I’ll get decent opportunities and hopefully I’ll take them and progress from there,” said Welbeck,
http://www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league/news/detail/item632966/Welbeck-wants-to-shine-at-Man-United/
You conversing with me? Huh! You conversing with me?
It sure looks like you’re conversing with me!
This Modric talk is another example of lazy fans wanting it all and thinking they know everything when all they’ve been doing is listening to the press. Modric is no way worth the kind of money being discussed. I wouldn’t even have him in the team. I know Premiership experience is considered a big positive when looking at new players….but please we don’t need to jump on these press led bandwagons.
I think what we are all saying is we want a strong ‘general’ type player to marshal our mid field. A Socrates type character. Does Modric look like this guy? Give me a break. Lets trust our scouts who found the likes of Chico. Talk of trading Berba for Modric is frankly insulting. Long live our great team. Fans should trust a management team that has done so much….forget the press!!!
woohoo!!! chicharito just scored again for mexico vs guatemala in gold cup.=D super flick. here’s the link to the match: http://www.goal.com/en/match/60145/mexico-vs-guatemala/play-by-play
guys, what about carrick for the playmaker role. he did that superbly in his first 3 seasons.its just that fergie put him in def-midfield position last season as we were missing a ‘destroyer’ like hargreaves. now we have got phil jones to play def-midfield n carrick can be the playmaker. guys, what about ur thoughts???
Great to see chicharito score again for mexico…..6 goals in this tournament, and what a great backheel flick.
@King Eric
Seen Kagawa close to double digits, sometimes players just impress you, Goetze less so, maybe four or five.
Sir Alex saw Ronaldo play once…
Contrary to popular thought i still think Modric would be a great addition to the United squad. other options are defour, kagawa, sneijder , sanchez.
@King Eric
I’ve seen Marvin Martin play 4 times, which is still one more than the number of times I’ve seen Sanchez play. That’s why I have stayed away from the ‘is-Sanchezs-worth-40-million’ debate, simply because I have no idea.
As far as martin goes, I’m not saying we should sign him at all. He is the best player in a crap team in a crap league, so he’d be aq huge gamble. I just posted the link because I liked the lad’s modesty, which has become something of a rarity in an age of Stevie-Me’s and Argie cunts.
I would prefer we sign Snieder/Sanchez before Modric, not because he isnt a good enough but I think the other two offer more. Snieder just as good as Modric in creativity and passing range, but offers more in regards to free kicks and corners. Sanchez is more diverse and can play anywhere across the midfield.
Ideally signing both would be the ultimate but i cant see it happening.
The only thing I would like to see if Berbatov staying and getting a decent run. He is more skillful than Modric, Sneider and Sanchez and also has more vision than the 3. Unfortunately he dosent run around like a headless chook and snap players in two when he tackles therefore not good enough for some United supporters.
I cant see why SAF couldnt play Hernandez, Rooney and Berbatov in the same team!
Hernandez
Rooney Berbatov
Nani Carrick Valencia
I am sure Berbatov can play the same role as Giggs did towards the end of the season, with Rooney playing a free role behind the striker and Berbatov the creator.
Just want the Berb to play.
I still would’ve liked Modric at the start of the summer, but by the looks of it, he won’t be coming. He looks more interested in starting a bidding war than stamping his foot down and saying he wants to come here. There are a lot of differences between the Berbatov situation and Modric. Berba had only a few years left on his contract and was pretty much interested in moving only to us. This made the price and negotiations easier even though we had to pay over the odds to get our man. Modric is on a 6-year contract and is not interested in moving out of London. The only way Modric will ever become a United player is we offer more than Chelsea which is impossible.
For very different reasons, I cannot see Sneijder becoming a United player. He signed a contract extension last year if I believe and his value is pretty high. The only reason we spent over the odds for Berbatov was because he was our main target that summer and it was deadline day and we were in a helpless position at the hands of Spurs. You could say we were almost held to ransom by Levy and forced to cough up the 30 mil.
Although I would love to believe United will splash the cash for the right player, I cannot see us spending insane amount of money for one player. We are never going to spend 35 to 40 million for one player even if that player is someone as good as Sneijder. That is just not Sir Alex’s modus operandi. He looks for youngsters with the experience needed and then transforms them into something much more fearful. This has been the case with Ronaldo, Rooney and Nani.
By that measure, one of the least mentioned names in this window but someone who could likely come to us is Steven Defour. I must admit I’ve only seen him play a few times but the rest of my knowledge is limited to Youtube videos (And I’ve been scarred for life after having high hopes watching Obertan’s videos). I cannot comment on his quality as a player but Sir Alex has shown keen interest in him over the past few years. He even sent him a “Get Well Soon” message when he got injured earlier this year.
He fits the bill for Sir Alex’s signings in recent years. Like Ronaldo and Nani, he’s well established in a lower league and has put in belting performances. He’s young enough and experienced enough to be able to fit into any system and for Sir Alex to mould him into the kind of player he wants. He’s already captain of Standard Liege which shows he’s capable of handling responsibility. Added to that is the fact that our scouts have visited Belgium again this summer and could be cooking something up.
Again, I don’t have any personal opinion on the lad but Sir Alex is said to be keenly interested in him and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the rabbit out of the hat as far as the MF is concerrned.
is there no one else apart from modric for our midfield? just asking
@Balaji
Isn’t Defour on his way to Russia? Or was that another instance of goal.com pulling a transfer story out of thin air?
is there no one else apart from modric for our midfield?what about iniesta, just asking.
@dela, The Defour situation is really interesting and confusing at the same time. Sir Alex is publicly interested in the player, what with his letters and all that. He has said that he is interested to test his mettle in the Premier League and knew that we were monitoring him. But having said that, he has signed a new deal until 2015 apparently. My thought is that Standard would’ve not had any hopes of having him longer than this summer and he probably had no choice but to sign the new deal. I would venture a guess that this is to increase his value and nothing else because a player of his quality will not play in the Belgian league for a long time.
As for the deal to Russia, I’ve been following his stories for quite some time now and that Russia deal does not have a lot of truth in it if I am to suspect correctly. Both United and Liverpool have shown interest in him this summer and if he agrees a deal to Russia after that, then he would be beyond mad.
As I said, I think he could be the rabbit out of the hat. Sir Alex is intersted in him and he is at the right age. One more year and he becomes too old and would probably attract increased interest from other clubs. If Sir Alex is in it for him, then he has to come this summer. My only hope is that our scouts were in Belgium in the past month but nobody knows why they were there, so we can’t be sure.
@ wakey , thanks for the debit insight it is clear and concise .
Great posts therefore a good read throughout the thread . Personally i think we will expect Ando to step up . There will be a signing but as one contributor said it will be a bolt out of the blue , ive no idea who but SAF will have him on the radar now . Interesting times ahead Citeh pushing on to buy a title , CSKA/London in the hunt . Dippers Rallying to the cries of King Kenny / Stevie Me . Lord Levy /Arry at each others Flies …. It rolls on
I have every confidence the loss to Barca has hit home we will not fudge .
welbeck has intense competition for places with hernandez.
@dela i still think we still have a chance with defour.If liverpool get adam then they won’t need defour.i hope we get him we’ve kept him waiting
WTF BARCA?
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2011/06/19/2538371/barcelona-to-offer-david-villa-to-manchester-city-and
Morning all true REDS
Here a thought for you guys, just a thought although I may get shot on here for it…
Do we really need to buy a midfielder? With Fletch to surely find his form, Ando to come good ala Nani, we have Carrick and Giggs still there and of course Park, how can we forget his pivotal central role against Chelsea? Now I know people are talking about the retirement of Scholes but to be fair we won the league and reached the CL final last season, the Ginger Prince did not play that many games… Lastly do not forget we have signed a beast of a player in Jones who can also play in the middle
Any thoughts fellas?
I think the problem with filling the midfield berth at United is that very few players have the balls for it.
The big names are all too chickenshit – they don’t want to take on a massive challenge and fall flat on their arses. I strongly suspect that the next legendary Manchester United will be a relatively untested player who has the massive cojones required for the challenge. Given our relative financial weakness in the transfer market he will prob. have to be a United fan too.
@cedars
Spot on mate. All the players rumored to be coming in, seem like luxuries which we don’t need.
And to add to that list, rooney too can play in their. And we’ve good a real good bunch of young players in the reserves. And Tom Cleverly as well.
@Cedars, Hope you are well my friend and firmly on the road to complete recovery.
The biggest problem United faced last season in away games is the inability to hold possession and spread it to wider players for them to torment our opposition. The few games Scholesy played and performed well in only serve to highlight this. Fletcher is good at winning balls of opposition players and passing it to the alpha do. Carrick was a good passer of the ball, but in Sir Alex’s plan he is featured as a player ahead of the defense and is key to making those interceptions. Again these two players always will look for Scholes whenever No. 18 is on the pitch.
Last season, missing out on Scholesy was not felt that much with the new role Rooney played so wonderfully. He was essentially doing Scholesy’s job not by playing as a central MF but by playing just behind the striker. He was still expected to do a lot of running that Scholesy would do and mark players like Song which is just too taxing on a player of his ability. He couldn’t handle the dual role that perfectly all the time and this showed in the game against Arsenal and, to an extent, in the Champions League final as well.
We need a central creative mid-fielder more importantly to ease the work load on Rooney. If Rooney is moved to a more central role and is not expected to score goals, then it would be fine without a MF signing. But if Rooney is expected to play the same role he did last season along with his legged running for a 60 game season in all competitions, then you are looking at a quick burn out and none of us would want that.
Vishal S
Hi buddy, well said. In Fletch, Ando, Giggs, Carrick, Park and possibly Jones, sir Alex has 6 players of which he will only need 2 or possibly 3 at any given match as we always play with wide players in Tony V and/or Nani…. We are also looking at probably Young coming in and he can play just off the front man…
Why on earth do we need another midfielder is beyond me…… I would like to debate this if someone disagrees and has other points of view
Hi Balaji, thanks for the wishes my friend…. Today I will get my final injection and thereafter just two more weeks of medications and God willing I will be fine….
You make a good point regarding Scholes, none of the other players I mentioned have the ability to spring a screaming 40 yard pass like him but how many players in world football today can? For example we know how brilliant Xavi and Iniesta are but how many times have you seen them strike a Scholes type pass? Hardly as they play quick short passes….
Point is Scholes cannot be replaced.period. Our game plan will be changed I am sure after his departure, perhaps play more direct with quick short passes and penetration and that is where Ando, if on form will be vital
i think the difference is the way other clubs go about their transfers.
Some clubs in United’s situation would decide they need a central midfielder and work down a list of prospective targets til they sign one. this could mean they end up with choice number 9.
I am sure Ferguson has a very short list and if , for whatever reason, he cannot get any of them then he will not sign anyone. There will not be a signing for signing sake.
I think we do need to buy a midfielder player. Everyone knons it’s a squad game now so with Scholes Hargreaves and Gibson out of the picture logic would dictate that one will be coming in before the deadline closes. Even with Cleverly returning (an improvement already on Gibson), unless we’re planning on throwing someone like Pogba into the mix, there’ll be a midfielder coming in. That’s my feeling on it anyways. I don’t think it’s going to be Sneijder, Modric, or Nasri for that matter, it’ll probably be someone like Rodwell or a player no one has ever really heard of.
The facts are Fletcher was having a well below par season before he got injured/sick, Anderson just can’t seem to get his act together, Carrick is just Carrick he’s decent, and Giggs is another year older. The midfield needs freshing up and whether that be a new signing or promoting a youngster or two well then I’ve got one hundred per cent faith in Sir Alex to the right thing.
Cedars, first of all, glad to hear that mate.
Agreed regarding replacing Scholes. He simply is irreplaceable. It would be wise to make a brief assessment of our options till now for 2011-21.
GK: De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos in that order. We are clearly set here for the future.
DF: Vidic, Rio, Smalling, Jones, Evra, Fabio, Rafael, Evan (The new O’Shea), O’Shea (if he is not sold)
FW: Rooney, Hernandez, Berbatov (looks a slim hope but nonetheless), Valencia, Nani, Young (I think this is a done deal)
MF: Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Park and Jones (I still believe SAF will use him as a Keane when needed)
Out of that set of MF, Carrick, Fletcher and Jones are defensive MF, we can agree that they are not going to be key going forward. Park has been used as a winger more often and cannot be used to take the team forward. He is a great utility player nonetheless. Giggs will be used less often. Sir Alex will start thinking about phasing him out and I don’t think Giggs can handle the stress completely no matter how good his fitness is.
So, we are left with Anderson. I completely agree with you in that 2011-12 will be the make or break season for Anderson. The few times he has been used in an attacking role, he has shined. He has shown the ability to exchange quick passes with players like Berbatov and Nani and create opportunities for us going forward. His shooting foot is also improving constantly. However, like Nani, he needs a major attitude overhaul to be effective. He has shown to have a petulant attitude and is not completely focused on the game. Sir Alex has worked his magic with Rooney, Ronaldo and, to a smaller extent, Nani. If he can work it on Anderson, then I can see Anderson being one of our key players in the future.
However, that still leaves us with one main option going forward. This is offset by Rooney’s new role just off the striker. But as I highlighted in the other post, that is putting a lot of work on his feet. If Sir Alex moves No. 10 to a completely central role which is unlikely, then it is fine. If he doesn’t, then you are asking a lot of Rooney – He is expected to track back against players like Xavi, Song who play those roles; he is expected to bang on cross field balls to Nani and Valencia; and you still have his role as a striker where he is expected to score goals. He cannot handle it I am afraid.
Nani, Valencia and Young are going to be the key creative forces in the team. Nani needs to let go of some of his remaining attitude problems to be truly a beast of a player. Valencia will continue to whip those crosses in from the right side. Young will be the key to our left side because I cannot see anyone else playing there – Valencia can’t and Nani won’t. But they still need someone to provide them the balls to play there. Nani was constantly frustrating on the left last season but as What?? pointed out, he himself was frustrated by the lack of service. Too often, our strikers and wingers were left without supply because there was nothing coming through our mid-field. This was especially highlighted in much of our away performances last season.
I also agree with you in that Sir Alex will evolve our tactics. Papii wonderfully highlighted how we went from 4-3-3 in 2007/08, to 4-5-1 in 2009, to 4-4-2 in early 2010 and 4-4-1-1 in 2011. Sir Alex will certainly evolve United as a team going forward. How Sir Alex is going to do that is anybody’s guess but I am sure he will.
There are two keys here: Either we sign a creative mid-fielder or we move Rooney to a more central role (which seems unlikely) or Anderson comes of age (a huge risk in putting our future on someone so bipolar). And even if the latter two happens, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have more options in the squad by strengthening through the signing of one creative player is what I feel personally.
byron1970
You raise some valid points mate and if we do buy a midfield player then I totally agree with you, it will not be some flashy name that most drool over….. I still believe that Ando will finally fulfill his potential..
Either way and like you say Sir Alex will get it right regardless….. If only I can get into his head right now!
We do need added strength in midfield. Yes we won the league as we were – but that was due to us hangin on in there, and Chelsea and Arsenal chickening out. They won’t oblige us with that next season
Scott The Red, you can learn to manage your “disappointment” by accepting that not every good player wants to come to United. Some will prefer London over Manchester and others will prefer excessive wages over realistic. What a boring and predictable farce if we got everyone we wanted by the power of the chequebook.
On the question of whether we are allowed to whinge? Come on. Re-read the article and tell me honestly if you don’t come across as being even a little bit ungrateful. That was my first impression.
As for Levy and Redknapp. I’m certain that they’d prefer to keep Modric and build their plans to requalify for the CL around him. But realistically he’s going and all the posturing now is about getting the £most for him, whilst making potential bidders sweat it out till the end of the window and therefore putting at risk their plans by not landing “their” man.
Balaji
Absolutely fantastic post buddy, top marks. Like you I cannot see Wazza being moved to a central role. I also agree that simply relying on Ando to come of age is of course a risk
Thank God for Sir Alex…….If I was managing the club I would have a heart attack with in a few hours just thinking about these things!
On a lighter note, have we signed anyone yet?
Wait a minute, something doesn’t seem right here…
We finally have a thread of discussion instead of nonsensical rumors.
@Cedars, Cheers buddy.
I heard we were in for someone named Cyril Sneer as the club’s own version of Jason Bourne. This is a strong rumor that has been heard around Old Trafford in the past two days.
What do you think of that? That would make us nigh unstoppable I think.
Balaji
Most regulars here enjoy a good debate but once we got those who just drool over names and rumors I for one just start posting comical nonsense!
As regards to Cyril, yep he seems on board alright, just hope he gets his memory back! hahahaha
CedarsDevil – I’m just not sure if Anderson is ever going to fulfill his potential. I’ve mentioned on a previous occasion that when it comes to the Brazilian, it’s not his ability it’s his attitude. He just doesn’t strike me as the type of player that has the necessary dedication. He frustrates me more than any United player that I can ever remember. Bad players come and go and that’s fine because they gave it their best shot and just weren’t good enough. Good players like Carrick are fine, you know what you’re going to get from them and all the top teams in the world are full of some great players and a lot of good players.
But I can never seem to make up my mind on Anderson and he annoys the fuck out of me because we all know just how good this kid could really be if he would just get his fucking act together. I’ve been shot down on many occasions by my many footballing friends (some United fans some not), by telling them to be patient and watch how good this lad will be. But I’m beginning to doubt myself now as after 4 years at the club he is still only turning in one good display in every five. I hope that this season, just when I’m beginning to seriously lose faith, that he shows the whole footballing world what we all know, and that is that Anderson has got the abitlity to be not just a good but a great.
byron1970 – I cannot disagree with that my friend. Just like you Ando frustrates the hell out of me too. Last season he showed us glimpses of what he can do but that is not good enough. I am sure Sir Alex sees something in the kid otherwise he would surely have been loaned out or even sold him… I think next season will be his final chance to fulfill his potential and I for one hope he does
byron1970 & Balaji
I just want to quickly say its been and is great having those debates with the both of you before those coming on drooling over star names that we should sign
Cheers fellas
@byron1970 – well said mate – about Anderson! And that is why I feel we need a midfielder. We need one quality midfielder to ease the load on Rooney and let him roam free behind chicharito!
By the way, morning/afternoon/evening Reds – wherever you are!
@Cedars – good to see you alive mate! Didnt jump off the building after all, eh?
And did we get Scott Parker?
Could we play Velencia attacking right back, Nani wide right, defending mid field Jones, attacking minfield Rooney, wide left Young, and up front Hernandez berbatov/ Sanchez or who ever we get. the rest pick them selves
CedarsDevil – Anytime friend, here’s hoping for a big season from Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira. At 23 it’s time for him to step up and make his mark.
Changing topic here…. I know Sir Alex is adamant in getting the club more European Cups and rightly so, I can never forget the emotion of 99 or the nail biting penalty shoot out in 08 but to me personally its all about the league….. Having endured all those years living in the shadows of Liverpool nothing is sweeter to me than being crowned champions of England… Europe is just a bonus
RedManWalking
LOL, thanks I guess! Those injections and medications make want to do and say things that are very strange indeed! hahaha
i think Sir Alex feels that Rooney could be more creative/effective in his current role behind the striker. He would make one hell of a central midfielder too. But, maybe, SAF likes him playing in his current position. Rooney is the kind of player that can cut in from the right or left or go directly through the middle and easily create chances for Chicharito! Maybe, pushing him down to midfield would stiffle that out of him because he would be too preoccupied with getting the ball from the opposition and keeping it. Like Balaji mentioned, I dont think he can do both together.
Europe – a bonus? I think not, my friend. Manchester United is supposed to be the best club in the world. We are supposed to be one of the elites of Europe now. But our trophy haul as compared to other elites in Europe hasn’t been that great even though our performances have been one of the best.
Sir Alex is as hungry for success as ever. And I feel that after conquering England, he will be after Europe. I am sure he has his eyes set on Barcelona for the simple reason that they got the better of his team not once but twice! And I dont think he would be happy leaving it at that. The man’s a fighter!
Morning folks – Anderson is a source of irritation. He has an abundance of class and as yet untapped potential (other than shooting, I’m sure his goal v Blackpool was a ball into the box!) However, only shows it in fits and starts before picking up an injury and so the cycle continues. SAF MUST see him as the man to steer United in the right direction otherwise I don’t think he’d have had the patience he had with him after the late night partying and car crash during his recovery. Am I barking up the wrong tree or did SAF and Gill not say there will be 3 signings this summer? So far we have Jones, De Gae and Young (granted, not signed sealed and delivered) but pretty much nailed on. So why are we expecting any more? Just a question?
I distinctly remember an interview a few years back where a reporter asked Sir Alex if he ever considered playing Rooney in central midfield. And Ferguson’s response was something along the lines of, yes I did consider it for about half a second. I seriously doubt the boss has changed his mind on that one, especially as Rooney now looks as snug as a bug in a rug in the position that he was born to play in.
@mikekelly12 – That is because, Jones was not one of the planned signings. He was signed because of major interest from rival clubs. I feel there will be one more signing.
byron1970
Here is to hoping buddy
“…especially as Rooney now looks as snug as a bug in a rug in the position that he was born to play in.”
- byron1970
Couldn’t have said it better!
mikekelly12 – I think we are all expecting another signing because I believe it is well known now that Jones was supposed to be a signing for next summer. The thing is that Liverpool bid for him so it sort of forced our hand and we made the move a year early.
@byron
Considering we’ve just lost Scholes, gibson and hargo it isn’t a necessity for us to get in a mid fielder. Past couple of seasons the amount of game time all three had doesn’t require us to get in some one worth 40 or 35 millions.
And if Sir Alex is looking to get a “replacement” for scholes, we’ll he’ll known better than us. Nobody comes close to matching him.
As Cedars pointed out, we have six or seven quality midfielders and since chicho’s form allows us to play the 4-4-2 formation, we’d require two of the six or seven to play in the centre of the park.
And what we forget is a player worth that much, will obviously demand to be playing in the big games. So that leaves us with either carrick or fletcher taking the other position. So that leaves ando and tom very less chances to play. Especially for cleverly, he would need chances to prove his worth!!
RedMan – Fair point. I for one would go for Sneijder. As many others as I seem to remember on here, I posted that we should have gone for him when he was going for peanuts from Real!! In response to King Eric, I’ve had the good fortune of watching Sneijder on many occasions and in the flesh, including for Holland in the Euros. The man is WORLD CLASS!
Byron – As I said to RedMan, fair point with the Jones comment. I agree with you on the Rooney point too. In his interview on Talkshite recently he said he enjoyed playing the Scholes role in training from time to time, but as far as first team goes, “I’m as far back as I’d ever like to be!”
RedManWalking
I am not arguing the fact that United should get more CL wins in their cabinet and as I mentioned Sir Alex is adamant in doing that and rightly so….
All I was trying to say is that to me personally winning the league will always feel sweeter….
When is Sir soon to be Lord AF due to return from holiday,is it some time this week or what?
RedManWalking says:
@mikekelly12 – That is because, Jones was not one of the planned signings. He was signed because of major interest from rival clubs. I feel there will be one more signing.
Do not agree with that buddy…. That is the sort of thing Chelsea or City would do…. I hardly think Sir Alex would sign a player simply because others wanted him
morning fellow reds!
Cedars – anyone signed yet?
@mikekelly12 – I don’t care who it is as long as he bolsters our midfield. And am sure Sir Alex has someone in mind. Aaarghh! Can’t wait for the season to start! I was hoping for Modric more than Sjneider because I felt Sjneider and Rooney are similar type of players [don't know if this is because Rooney was playing like a midfielder last season]. But now that Modric prefers Chelsea, I guess Fergie would be concentrating on Sjneider.
I also want to see the young ones from the reserve given a chance – Ryan Tunnicliffe especially!
Vishal S – I didn’t actually mean we should spend 35/40 million pounds on a player. In fact I was stating that my expectations were quite the opposite in that I don’t think it will be a Sneijder or a Modric. I do think we need an extra body in central midfield however, whether that be promoting from the youth or signing some little gem that we’ve never heard of, ala Hernandez. I’m just not sure about the quality we have in there at the moment. A lot of goods but no greats as Scholes truely was.
So has Ekolobi signed yet?
CedarsDevil,Jones was being watched with a plan to be signed 1-2 yrs later.We was taken this summer because we didn’t want to lose out on him.
@Cedars, I think you misunderstood whaat mikekelly meant. We were interested in Jones more than Chelsea or Liverpool. The problem was Sir Alex intended to buy him next year after giving him one more year at Blackburn to hone his skills. But with increased interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, we had no choice but to initiate the release clause and get him. It think that is what he meant when he said that.
I agree with you that the League will always be more sweeter than the CL, but the latter will always be more romantic for me. There is something great about hearing that Champions League anthem play as your lads lift the trophy aloft. I think Europe will always hold more romantic value for me, but being Master of your Domain comes first.
@Cedars – Guess I misunderstood your point there, mate. Thought you said that it doesn’t matter if United win the Champions League as long as they won the League. As for me, Both are equally special. Though I enjoy the Premier League more than the Champions League!
And with regard to the signings, what I meant was, I dont think Jones was one of the three “planned signings”. I think Ferguson was planning to buy him maybe next season or something, but because of major interest from rival teams, he didn’t want to take a chance!
Tinnicliffe, Pogba and Morrisdon and Keane are undoubtedly potential but a little way off first team right now IMO. I also think Tom Thorpe is extremely talented and shows maturity beyond his years! However, like I said IMO, a way off the first team.
2 WORDS PAUL POGBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@mikekelly – I have seen very little of them to be honest. So, I can’t argue with that! But from what I have seen, I was really impressed! And also reading about the player – he said to be a keano-type of player – which adds to the excitement of seeing him play with the first team. Wonder if he will play in the early rounds of the Carling Cup/FA Cup next season…
@mikekelly, As I said in an earlier post on this topic, I think they are some of the best prospects we’ve had since the class of 92. We’re not going to see them immediately against Chelsea or Arsenal. They most certainly will make constant appearances in the Carling Cup and maybe in the F.A. Cup also. And Sir Alex is always of the philosophy that you won’t know how good they are unless you play them. So, we may see them in games against the bottom half also if need be. For example, against the likes of Swansea, Norwich etc. when it becomes necessary with our schedule to use the rotation policy.
I have high hopes for them and I have a feeling they may come good.
Balaji
Its all about United buddy, what we enjoy winning more as supporters does not bother me to be honest, heck even if we win nothing my love for this great club will only grow… By the way my response on the Jones issue was to RedManWalking and not mikekelly12…..
RedManWalking
Cheers for seeing through that my friend, as I said in my first related post, having followed the club for so long and having watched Liverpool win title after title for me nothing gives me more joy than being champions….. I will not be sad if we win us a few more European cups mind you!
Zelh
Morning buddy, was just about to ask the same question!
@Balaji – Any idea on which of these players we will be seeing next season?
Parryheid – Think it’s next week – I’m sure it was a 4 week holiday.
Cedars – Hope your health is well my friend. You, Bilaji and others have raised some good points. I think ideally Sir Alex would like another midfielder, but I can’t see him being held to random or enter a bidding war. It wouldn’t surprise me if he went for someone who we don’t expect – like he did with Jones. Our midfield will miss Paul Scholes, although he didn’t play as many games last season, if you needed a player in the middle of the park to keep possession – he’s been the best we’ve had. One or two injuries in the middle of the park we’ll be struggling….
Paul H – I agree mate. No right to whinge. We’re a spoiled bunch.
Heard Parker is on his way to Spurs. Again a disappointing summer.
I agree with Balaji. Give the 3 the chance to show up in some games for the first team. We’ll never know how good they really are. maybe they can cope with the pressure, maybe it’s to early.
We are only goint to know that if we let them play.
@Cedars I understand that, mate! As for me, I would like to watch the current crop of youngsters just come on and take the world by storm. I was never able to enjoy the evolution of the Class of ’92 or be amazed by the Majestic Eric Cantona. I have watched the season reviews and cursed at my bad luck of not being born a little more earlier
. So, I feel I missed out on a very important part of Manchester United’s history.
Rai, the soon to be parent…. Thanks for your wishes my good friend, I am well buddy….
It has been an excellent morning on RoM with some fantastic debates and none of that we should buy every star on the planet crap
@Zelh – Parker to Spurs? You sure mate? Why God? Why?? Why us?? Why does this always happen to Manchester United?? First the “Kenny boots” and now THIS?? *sigh* Oh well…
as leaked likes like this is our new away shirt – i like it~!
http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/manchester-united-nike-away-shirt-201112_12055
RedManWalking – Same here. I was too young to enjoy the evolution of the crop of 92. Feel the same way you do. That’s why I have extremly high hopes in Morrison, Tunnicliffe and Pogba.
@Cedars – Your medication include sedatives, buddy? I might need ‘em
haha too many likes in that last post!!
jakeboi – have you already seen the 3rd kit? I love it. reminds me of the away kit in 07/08. the black one.
@Zelh – I read about that comment about Alan Hansen “You can never win anything with kids” and how we won it and I really wish I was there then supporting my club, believing in the players, and in the end laugh at Alan Hansen. But, it’s not like I am missing out on this part though. The idiots write us off every year after all.
RedManWalking
Worry not my friend, United will always make history and you will have a lot to enjoy and remember over the nest few years. My late father was at Wembley in 68, he met the great Duncan Edwards in the 50′s… I was lucky enough to watch Bryan Robson and co at OT for many years and therefore I have built my own memories… I am sure you will build great memories too
@Zelh – I was just going to say that! I wish the third kit was our away kit!
RedManWalking – Yeah, they’ll never learn. Still have to laugh about Pierce Morron and his prediction we’ll fall out of the top4
Wherever this club will go, I’m gonna be on his side.
sorry next and not nest of course!
@Cedars – I missed the Class of ’92 by a few years, mate! I was too young to be a ‘fan’! The only sport I watched then was cricket – because everyone at home watched it! I guess you can’t have it all. At least I was able to watch Tendulkar bat and Federer play and watch United play under Ferguson! And as you said, United will always make history! Cheers! By the way, did you here? Parker is going to Spurs mate!! SPURS!!!
500 bloody comments on yet another blog and still no signings!!!
I request a judicial enquiry into this – this is out of hand!
I demand strike action – I demand to be overseen by a union making my voice heard
I demand the European Union to bail us out and make some signings
Damn I’ve just woken up
Have we signed anyone yet?
Ah, nice to see the end of the Bolton away shirt.
MG – we missed out on Parker. so effin gutted..
hear* – not here!
What about playing Fabio on the middle of the park? I can see him playing in a few positions. He could be used in a similar role to Park, a terror either on the flanks or in the middle of the park….
RedMan – I think the most likely lads you will see first are Tunni, Pogba and Morrisson. The rumours were that Morrisson was set to make his debut against Crawley Town before getting in trouble with the law again so missed out.
RedManWalking – The rumours were that Morrisson was set to make his debut against Crawley Town before getting in trouble with the law again so missed out so wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him first.
Always remember this guys, supporting United is not about winning trophies or success… Supporting United is a life style and is a love affair
Right, now back to serious business, have we signed anyone yet?
Good day MG and Costas
Parker? Zelh
No Marlon King we missed
@mikekelly12 Fantastic! I can’t wait for the season to start!
@RedManWalking
Exactly what you said, Europe isn’t a bonus anymore. It should be given equal (not greater) priority than the league.
@Cedars – Aye!
Joey Barton is available!!!!!!!
Cedars
No Cedars we need players! We need trophies! We need success!!!
Oh look sleep writing again
Good Afternoon Cedars – sunny in your part of the world? – if it is throw some over here at good ol Blighty – the sun seems to have got lost much like our midfield signings
Barry Ferguson?
Hi MG and Cedars.
Wes Brown to Everton for 3m? that is it?
League >> Europe
The CL is a competition full of cheating bastards with referees and the big fucking cunt Platini running the show in favour of the Spanish teams.
ABU in England, ABE in Europe.
Afternoon Costas
Patrick Viera?
MG
It is sunny indeed my friend, 26 degrees and a wonderful breeze… The babes have cut down on the amount of clothes they wear which makes my daily trip to the supermarket the more enjoyable… Last injection today so no more sedation for me!
With out going into names I again want to thank all those who contributed to a wonderful debate this morning with out going into the crap of who we should sign………Thanks guys
RedManWalking
Sad news if true
Passe – Agreed mate – The League should always take priority..
Rai.
Obliged buddy ,many thanks
@Cedars – Doomed, mate! Doomed!!
@All – Gotta go guys! Got some pending work that I need finishing. Be back a little later!
Looks like Brown is really leaving.
Now I’m feeling gutted..
I hope at least O’shea is staying.
Rai & Passe
Consider me on board with that sentiment
Nice one Cyril!
A prequel. A year earlier, location unknown. Abunati keynote address.
Bernstein: Velcome mein powerful freunds. I hope you have all recovered from our last meeting, when as you know, our intimacy was invaded by an unvelcome and uninvited guest. I’m sure my powerful freunds accept zat ze vearing of robes is now a necessity iin order to retain secrecy. Ve have a very niize treat in store for you all toniight. Ven you think about ze vorld ov Foootball, there are many biig clubs vith illustrious histories. This year, ve velcome, as alvays, 3 clubs into our brotherhood and it gives me great pleasure toniight, to introduce a representative from one of those 3 clubs, who of course shall remain anonymous.
The ‘Eyes wide shut’ piano theme plays as a hooded guest takes the stage to applause and chinking of champagne glasses.
Guest Speaker: “Thanks chairman not-sure-how-to-say-your-name-so-I-won’t-try”
(Laughs from the audience.)
Guest Speaker: “You know, it was quite a surprise when I was awoken in the middle the night – in my bedroom – in my secured house – by a couple of F.A goons talking through some sort of modulator box telling me I had been chosen to speak to the most powerful group of people in the world. I joked and said “Will I be talking into a mirror?”
(Big laugh.)
Guest Speaker : “The goons didn’t get the joke, so I listened to them. They told me about this ABUnati Conference in London which basically controls which way the Trophies go. I had no idea people controlled that – especially a bunch of old white men in Clan suits.”
(Silence)
Guest Speaker: “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m very familiar with shadowy, creepy cults. I have to do business with Sky for fuck’s sake! Am I right?”
(Uncomfortable shuffling and a lone ‘gasp’.)
Guest Speaker: “I know you didn’t ask me here to call you a bunch of ‘creeps’. So I’ll just get on to my prepared remarks. As I was flying over here from my local airport. (in a blacked out jet, I might add), I was given the guest list of the conference attendees. Frankly, I don’t know who the fuck any of you are – but you must be powerful – and you must be influential or you wouldn’t be sitting in a hotel bomb shelter figuring out which way the trophies will go… literally.”
(There are a few ‘boos’ and much chattering in the audience.)
Guest Speaker: “: I spoke at a LMA function last year, maybe I met a few of you then, but we were all so drunk it’s hard to remember anything, right? The only person I know here is Kenny Dalgliesh, he of Blackburn’s 1 league trophy fame. So I guess that makes you powerful, eh, Kenny? Kenny has a new foundation that encourages scousers to drop out of school and get an apprenticeship. I didn’t need a foundation like that, Kenny. I dropped out on my own – so I could focus more on pot smoking and playing bongos on the beach. Am I right?”
Announcer’s voice cuts the guest speaker short, ” Oasis coming up straight after this speech!”
2 hooded Goons make for the stage.
Guest Speaker, “I don’t want some bloody Stone Roses imitation band cutting me off again! Alright?
A solid wall of boos
Guest Speaker, “YOU WILL NOT DRAG ME OFF! You assholes don’t know anything about how the world of football works! You drink, you chase chambermaids – THAT’S RIGHT, I SAID IT! All of this bullshit – these conferences with caviar and champagne – and the grass roots football world isn’t getting any better–!”
(More Boos)
Guest Speaker, “Apart from my Blackpool, of course. I’m going to speak to Sir Alex about all this. The man’s a genius. He’ll know what to do. Get your bloody hands off me. Hey, there’s Arry – Arry what you doin ere, you’re not powerful! Help me Arry!”
(The lights go out – the piano theme “Eyes Wide Shut” plays – there is a scuffle – a couple of shouts. The lights come back up. Oasis are on stage and the Guest Speaker has been ejected).
Lil’ Pea scored again for Mexico. A cheeky winner in a 2-1 victory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3Mmkn2Tjoo&feature=related
Well Brown was always going to leave unfortunately. Guys like him should be hanging their boots at Old Trafford. Like Zelh says, lets hope O’Shea doesn’t follow him.
Cedars – Don’t get me wrong mate of course winning the Champions League is a fantastic achievement and is the most prestigious cup competition in the world. However if we were to finish anything but first in the League and win the Champions League – I would feel it was a hollow victory (how Liverpool fans should have felt in 2005). However, winning the League and missing out on the CL – as we have just done – I feel it was a brilliant season and wouldn’t swap 19 for anything. That is why I don’t feel the need for a major reconstruction of the squad. Of course continuous improvement is needed and we are not a club that will stand still, but all the talk of changing our club ethos and new formations etc etc I cannot see happening. As you pointed out earlier, at United it’s not just about winning trophies….we’ve got a tradition and history to follow.
sanchez going to barca for 39m€. Now I’m glad we didn’t sign him.
and we never bid for him aswell.
Costas – A shame about Big Bad Wesley. As the Boss says one of the best natural defenders we have had. I would be very surprised if O’Shea follows – with the amount of injuries we’ve had over the past 3 seasons we need a big squad.
Rai, you seem like a sensible guy. Cheers!
Cedars 26?
13 here in summer England
It’s not only the United midfield that needs help
Costas
It will be sad indeed to see Wes leave, a true United through and through lad…. We have seen this in the past with Butt…… I hope its for footballing reasons if he does leave and not for the fact that he pissed off the boss, mind you if I was a player the last man I would want to piss off would be Sir Alex
@Rai
Exactly mate. If O’Shea was to leave, that would leave us with the twins and Evra as our only full natural backs. It’s not enough. Smalling and Evans could do a job their too, but I don’t know how comfortable they would be there. In Brown’s case, the biggest shame imo is that he could still play a role at United. It’s reasons outside the pitch that brought us here.
Rai
In no way did I get you wrong my friend, in fact I agreed with you buddy…… To me winning the league comes first
@Costas, The spat between Wes and Sir Alex was never public enough wasn’t it. Not much is known except that Wes told SAF to Fuck Off. Of course, I agree that is what has eventually caused Brown to be on his way out. But a little more insider info might be nice, like whether they ever made up or does Sir Alex still cannot find his way to forgive Wes.
Either way, it is sad to see Wes Brown go. As I said on another thread, anytime they leave, it feels like part of the United family is gone. The same was the case with Butt and Neville also.
I also agree that I would be very surprised if we saw O’Shea go. Although Evans has played as a fullback in the reserves and also in some games in the PL, letting go of John could be a risky move considering how much our defense has been prone to injuries in the past two years.
@xol, LOL! Nice One.
@mikekelly and RedMan, I personally think Welbeck and Cleverley will get their chances ahead of Pogba, Tunnicliffe and Morrison. They have been knocking on the doors for a much longer period of time and have been waiting for their chance patiently. So, while the latter 3 look like much better younger prospects, I think the former two should get their chances first.
I also think giving Morrison a go in the first-team would be an ideal way to counterbalance his off-field personality. The more he gets bedded in to the first team with players of such high caliber, the less off-field problems he might have is my feeling.
@Cedars, Balaji
Personally, I haven’t seen enough evidence that Wes lost a step or anything. And the truth is that Smalling was prefered to him from the start of the season. So I do feel that whatever happened in pre season had an effect. I will never defend what Wes did (or allegedly did), but imo if Fergie could find it in him to forgive Rooney, he could have done the same with Wes. But I guess it depends on how expendable each player..
*how expendable each player is*
Good Morning / Afternoon – Fellow Reds,
I would rather win the League every year than win CL. Just because the League is Domestic & winning it makes us best team in england & will earn us bragging rights to being the most sucessful club in the history of english football. I’d say winning the CL is added bonus, but the league has always been priority for me because its 38 games, 19 teams played home & away, title race etc Their is too much drama in our league for it to be prioritised 2nd. It requires consistancy, determination & excellent management to win the PL.
CL has proven that lucky team can go all the way & then simply fade away the next season or even fail to qualify. I enjoy CL football because its against the best, but nothing beats winning the english league against english opposition in the most entertaining unpredictable league in the world.
19 !
CedarsDevil – Get well soon my friend.
@Cedars, Rai, Passe – No disrespect intended, but I feel that winning the Champions League is just as important as winning the League. Wouldn’t put one over the other because they are both Premier competitions. One – we compete against the best in England and the Other – we compete against the best in Europe.
Manchester United – 19 times Champions of England, the most successful club in English history. Manchester United – 3 times Champions of Europe. Now there is something wrong in that! Like STR mentioned in a blog before the Wembley final, I feel we were unlucky not to win it more number of times. And, as champions of one of the best leagues (if not the best) in the world, we should have won it more no. of times. Passe mentioned how UEFA is ABE – they always want the Spanish teams to win it! Its the same in England, isn’t it? It’s ABU – Bernstein and his no-balls FA want Chelsea, Liverpool and Shitty to get one over United. We face the same situation in both leagues! But, we still fight! We prove them wrong – we show them that you never write off this wonderful club!
Rai mentioned about how we have to keep our traditions and its not all about trophies! True! We stick to our traditions. We never give up, we give it our all. We always do our best with the resources in hand. If our team is good enough to win only an FA Cup. We fight for that FA Cup. But, if our team can win more than that, we try to do well in all those other competitions. United were, after all, the first English team to win the European Cup. I didn’t care about the Champions League final this year. Did I want us to win it? Hell Yeah! And I felt which other club to do it better than United – because we never give in! But still, I wasn’t disappointed. Here is the team that was not even predicted to make the top 4.
- Champions of England. Won the League by 9 points.
- Runners up of the Champions League.
Not bad for team that wouldn’t make the top 4, eh?
I am not saying that the Champions League is MORE important than the Premier League – NO! I am saying both are equally important. If we win the Champions League, and we finish a close second in the League, I wouldn’t be that disappointed! Maybe we got unlucky in the League! But we win the Champions League and finished a 4th or 5th in the League – ya! I will be pissed! Its like we threw away the league for the champions league! At the same time I would feel disappointed if we got knocked out of the champions league in the group stages and won the league! Don’t sacrifice one for the other! if we can, we should try! That’s all I am saying. They are both Premier trophies – both equally important! Else, how are we different from the Rangers?
I don’t know if I made my point clear. I had an entire speech prepared in my head. Think I forgot half the points.
Anyways, hope you all understood what I am trying to say.
Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!
Great conversation this morning, very happily read by me! Thanks to the reasonable participants.
I had hoped that Wes had paid his penalty for his slip-of-the-tongue. Perhaps he will stay…
… it doesn’t seem likely. I will miss him as he has been my favourite for years.
I haven’t given up yet, although the signing of Jones seemed to be the final nail.
CedarsDevil, you are positively lucid this morning!
Kings, you are always lucid, and earnestly missed.
xol, great to read more leaked transcripts of ABUnati meetings, well done and thanks!
MG, Rai, Costas, Balaji, Papii, Passe, Zehl, and all present but unaccounted for, salute!
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/steve-stammers/Steve-Stammers-column-Why-Chelsea-and-their-superb-squad-will-stroll-to-the-Premier-League-title-this-season-article562811.html
off topic but saved this when i first read it! i knew it would be funny someday
the people is reporting that ferguson is contemplating to bring morrison to the USA Tour.
That would be amazing.
@Zelh – when does the US Tour start?
RedManWalking – the first game is on July 13. Dunno when the team is heading to USA.
Is that the people of the Republik, or the news paper Zelh?
Good day sports fans!
Just to add slightly to the debate. I believe we will sign a CM. It doesn’t have to be a marquee name lads. I would write off the bosses abiltiy to pull a name out of nowhere. Watch this space… This boss will have some…
**wouldn’t**
willierednut – The newspaper
I know they aren’t really reliable, but I would like the idea of morrison in the first team.
@Zelh So, there is a chance of watching Morrison play alongside the first team on July 13? I know there is a match against Barca on July 30th. That ought to be fun.
I am MG-800 and I shall be back
Must save Sarah Connor
World is in peril
Next Assignment to save Manchester United midfield
Hasta La Vista smartalex
RedManWalking – If he’s joining the team there will definitly a chance of seeing him during the 5 game trip.
like me Groundskeeper Willy is also in love with the use of smileys & emoticons
We have some great names in our reserve team. poggy, Tunni, Gravel Morrison, Drinkwater, Keano,
Best of “Cleverley Done By Cleverley ”
Ritchie Rich De Laet, Oliver Gill
Cant wait for the USA tour, We should have DavidDeGay, Tom Jones, YoungChez & Charlton Cole by then.
*COUGH *best of all* COUGH *
Any player who doesnt wanna be here, shouldnt come. Firstly this obsession with a big name sigining is beyond me, how did Veron work out again? On the other hand despite getting all the stick Michael Carrick has helped us win 4 league titles in 5 years! We will sign what’s needed, the name might not please the muppets but sure after some time they too will come around. Plus there’s a plethora of talent breaking through our reserves!!
Life’s good!
Do read this piece, fascinating stuff!
http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/man-uniteds-corner-why-so-serious/
Wesley Brown will be replaced by Wesley Sneijder?
Also, heard on the wire, we’re close to signing Tommy Carcetti.
Dimitar Berbatov is now 6/4 at SkyBet to join Newcastle.This could only mean…
Danny Welbeck has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson has promised he will be given the chance to prove he can become a Manchester United regular next season.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/06/18/SOCCER_England_Under-21_Welbeck.html&TEAMHD=soccer&BID=165
What about Berba now?
Wellbeck will only be a squad player and has a very long road to travel before he becomes officer material,if indeed he ever does but at least he is being given the chance.
It has taken 57 minutes for me to submit my comment at 13:05 and reload this thread.
Today I have no bandwidth.
57 minutes 1 comment. That’s worse than city’s success rate.
Later Reds! Enjoy!
brown going to everton,maybe park in the de gea deal
*sigh* My first speech and everyone turns a blind eye – absolutely gutted!
looks like we have lost out on Sanchez……… hope we miss out on Modric too………. 25 mln for him at max……. rest let him go anywhere……… talks of him being 35+ mln is a piss take…….. would rather have nasri for 15 mln and Goetze for 15-18 mln………
nasri is a good one for that price…….. nice quick feet, plays in the attacking mid role, can be used as a winger too(if needed), good pass completion rate( stated by scott that he completed 85% of his passes of over 8 yards, pretty impressive that)……… tho lacks winning mentality and attitude but can be sorted out with SAF, Giggs, Scholes, and Neville around…….. not a problem……. worth a look in he is……… contributes his fair share of goals too……….. assists lacked bcoz arsenal didnt have good strikers to finish the move off…….. chamakh, vela, bendtner, eh? van persie blasted way too late on in the season……. think with clinical finishers like rooney, chicho, owen he can rack up the assists too……..
goetze is one of the brightest midfield prospect in whole of europe……. plays also in the attacking creating mid place……. brilliant vision, passing, control, ability, maturity, attitude, age……… he’s got everything……….. would be a bargain at that price……….. fergie sign him up……….
defensive mid can be played by carrick, fletcher, jones, varane(looks sure to be bought, not sure would be retained here or loaned out)……… anderson hasnt set the world on fire barring two three promising patches of brilliance in 3-4 continuous games………. not to forget park and giggs who can play mid as well…….. rooney is better off playing a free roaming role instead of forcing him to be an out and out midfielder………. young and cleverly arriving too…………. would only strengthen the squad……… prospects are bright too……….. as a result of that the future looks shiny as well………….
breba wants a new contract at utd,very least going to let old one run out.he isn’t going to newcastle that i do know,isn’t much utd can do about it,its up to the player not the club
smartalex – Dialogue with you is always an absolute pleasure my friend. Hope you are well buddy?
Smartalex – You should be happy fella, taking that long to come… Don’t want to shoot your boat, too early…
Or he’s Bebe.
Barca get Sanchez? If so Arsenal get to keep Fabregas yet still have to raise fund to finance incoming players.That leaves Sir soon to be a Lord AF in pole position to nab his quoted by Wenger target Nasri.Central mid problem sorted.
devil without a cause – it is not the end of the world we lost out on sanchez, we still have plenty of talent on the wide positions. With the dynamic young signed who I think could be the signing of the season, along with nani even though he still frustrates me, valencia park we have now a complete set of wingers who will give us so many different quality’s. Let us not forget cleverly and welbeck who will give us youth energy and more goals, in attack we have it all. Now it looks like we aint gonna get sanchez it will be interesting who we will sign in the engine room. If united sort the engine room out, no one will stop united retaining title no20.
Balaji – Totally agree, Welbeck and Cleverly have already been given opportunities and will continue to do so. The lads I mentioned were in a response to who I thought would figure first from the current youth team. Like I said, they are a few years off a first team yet but they are the players likely to make it through if any.
parryheid – nasri does not sort the problem out, he is not a CM. Fabrigas would be there is not a chance united will sign him, heck wenger will not allow any arsenal player to be sold to united
mikekelly12 – if cleverly and welbeck are in the boss’s first team plans for sure, what places do these players take.
Positions welbeck takes – right wing, left wing, attack.
players in front of welbeck – young park nani valencia rooney berbatov hernandez owen
Positions cleverly takes – central, right wing, left wing
players in front of cleverly – carrick fletcher anderson nani valencia young park
so who would be moved on? has the boss has promised they will get their chance, a real chance to become first team players
Oh yes I forgot about giggs, how could I forget LOL
Fergie is the boss.
Are you then saying Nasri would not improve United?Because that would mean Sir soon to be a Lord AF really doesn’t know what he is doing.You may well be right,I just thought he was a bit more competent than that either that or Wenger doesn’t know what he is talking about and what would he know it’s only his player when he brought United into the frame.
FIB – I don’t think they’ll take anybody’s place as such, however, will be used more in the rotation than previously including cup games. He will probably also use them more when we suffer inevitable injuries.
modric is a good player but 40m is to much.is he half the best of cr7? i think not. sometimes it’s feel annoying when ur favourite club is chasing a player who doesn’t want to play 4 ur club. just like raphael varane said, he want to play regularly so if man utd can promise that then he will come. in the past year, rumours been circulating that we are chasing defour n ninis but now not even a news came out.
what man utd needed is the real successor of paul scholes not just in physically but also from the heart to love man utd
Zalee – I don’t think you will EVER a player who has Manchester United in their heart like Scholesy. Those players dont exist anymore mate!
I still cant believe we have still got Anderson, I think he signed a new contract last season?the lad would never play for Barca,Real,AC, etc,hes is the most overated player Ive seen at OT, most UTD fans love him because he had 1 good game against Gerrard, and 1 against Fabregas.I doubt wether he is Brazilian because I just dont get him,Modric, yes I do get him,who would you rather see in a UTD shirt? Anderson or Modric?even Mr Sneijder,Id never heard of Ando before he came,I wish Id never seen him too!
@ Fergie is the boss
I’m not a fan of Welbeck out wide, think he’s wasted there tbh. Up front it’s a different story, he’s got real potential.
All the signs are that Berba may be sold- I fully expect Welbeck to be third choice behind Rooney and Chicharito. No way would he have given up regular football at Sunderland unless SAF assured him that he’d be next in line after Rooney and Hernandez.
Sparkz – Also young can play upfront, so we have versatility in the attacking positions. Owen I still see has a strange player to renew his contract, when berbatov welbeck and young are better alternatives upfront than owen, also chico is the upgraded version of owen, so strange we have kept him
We’ve got versatility, but Young is more likely to be cover for Rooney, he can also play in the hole.
As I said, I expect Rooney and Chicha to be first choice, with Welbeck next in the pecking order. Owen getting a contract made perfect sense to me tbh.
At the end of the day, with Welbeck getting his chance- somebody had to be 4th choice. Berbatov will NOT accept being that low in the pecking order IMO, and his wages are way too high for somebody who’s a back up player anyway. Owen on the other hand, seems more than happy to play a limited role, and he’s far cheaper (and IMO, more likely to perform on the big occasions). I’m sure he’s also gonna be useful for Hernandez and Welbeck to learn from on the training ground as well.
In summary, Welbeck has to get his chance at some point- he’s had a season of top flight football at Sunderland now, so it makes sense that he should be our 3rd choice. From an economic point of view- having a 4th choice striker earning 90k a week makes no sense, you’d rather have that spot going to Owen who’s cheaper and happy to be used sparingly.
@FITB
mate , fergie has a lot of belief in welbeck and kiko.
i have been saying for a while that if welbeck is available on loan then bruce would have got him by now
also kikos agent said we want to keep him.
as much as i love berba i have to say we dont need 6 strikers.. no team needs that.
rooney hernandez welbeck macheda and owen.
berba will be sold .
and kiko and danny can learn a lot watching owen
and owen will leave after 1 season with other 4 taking over.
he probably intends to make a big signing and selling berba kuscak obertan diouf will earn us more than 20 million and balnce the books.
so it makes sense.
he will never go to newcastle.
top european teams like milan , bayern will come for him.
mikekelly12 – yeah ur right. it’s hard to find someone like scholesy but now is there any player would like to play for man utd except having a big payday? hope man utd got their midfield
JUNE 19, 2011 AT 9:32
@Balaji Sivaraman says:
Wait a minute, something doesn’t seem right here…
We finally have a thread of discussion instead of nonsensical rumors.
This is why I Read all the posts looking for insight of lifelong fans, Who understand and know more then I. Thanks Cedars, Balaji, Byron and more
Cedars God be with you and prayers from me.
@Byron – Easy Mate? Ando only good for 1 in 5 performances Come on Pal!!! He put together at leas 5 brilliant performances on the trot in his last games of the season. Obviously Hernandez deserved to the start the Final but in hindsight we would have been MUCH better off with an inform Ando throwing his weight around the midfield and trying to put Rooney through one on one with an average Defence. Ando tackles just as well as he passes, and towards the very end of the Season fresh back from injury he was top, top class. In the four years you mentioned mate, he’s never had a pre-season. Look at Evra and Rooney last season for an example of what a poor preparation can do to your performances. Then add the fact Ando has spent those four years trying to get INTO the first team. Just gotta look at Nani to see what regular starts can do. This will be the first time Ando has 1) played alot of first team football 2) scored a few goals 3) and most importantly stayed injury free for the pre-season.
Im expecting big things off the lad next season, and if Alex gave full support to Ando and said he wasn’t signing anybody else for the middle except Young I’d be delighted. Can’t remember how old Ando is but he ain’t no where near his prime yet. The red shirt makes us expect more some times but like Ronaldo showed (and I remember defending him for years as well) when these young talents we sign are given time they shine. Anderson will be no different. We all sit here and say our midfield has been ‘understrength’ and then expect a young Brazilian to pull it all together like he has Sneijders experience. He does’t, he’s on the wrong side of 25 for that, but give him time mate, and he will. I reckon this year is Anderson’s season. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!.
http://tribalfootball.com/articles/villa-boss-eck-sell-15m-young-man-utd-week-1704381