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LIVE BLOG: Sir Alex Ferguson's press conference - England job, Keane on MUTV, Rooney's request, Ozil

  • October 22, 2013

Scott Patterson

Scott is the editor of RoM and has a season ticket at Old Trafford. He started The Republik of Mancunia in March 2006. Follow @R_o_M on Twitter or @R_o_M7 on Instagram.

Ferguson’s book press conference – Beckham, Keane, Benitez, Hargreaves and England job
Ferguson: They say it was former Arsenal skipper Fabregas who threw pizza at me

121 Comments

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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
If there is one player SAF loves more than Giggs its Ronnie. The manager clearly adores him.
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
Mjc - the days of keane are long gone.. If he played these days, he would be twiddling his thumbs after red cards... Move on, this is a new age for different type of central midfielders. It's all about intercepting and reading the game.
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slim October 22, 2013
biggest thing i've taken from the juicy bits coming out is SAF thought Rooney would turn out to play in the midfield position. Also what he said about Roo not taking new ideas on board adds weight to the argument we play the flat two up top because he wont do anything else. sure he can do it, hell even showd it before but doesn't look like he is willing to do it now Revert to type is how hedescribed it of Rooney when new methods were brought up.
links on goal. sure str puts it up soon. some revealing stuff.
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
For all Moyes distancing himself from transfers, it's pretty clear that a United manager he was fully involved. OK the budget was set but within that what he bought and how he priced players was up to him. Look at ho SAF handled transfers, it's not like Gill was on the phone. Also with Cantona. SAF picked up the phone and did the deal.

Wenger was "incredulous" at United refusing to pay £25m for Robin Van Persie: "I told him again: I wouldn't go to £25m. Arsene asked what my best offer would be. Answer: £22m. The reply was that Arsenal would take £22.5m and a further £1.5m if we won the Champions League or Premier Leaguer during the period of his contract. Deal done."
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
GFS - it is that stale and rigid tactical system moyes keeps playing. There's not enough movement, the sharpness is missing, the tempo is no where to be found, the players also are not confident as of now.. It all adds up. If moyes plays more fluidly, the possession would improve. United are never going to be barca in terms of ball retention but you could say the central midfield lacks that all round midfielder to dictate the tempo. Carrick can do it but he needs more support
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
The only way we can play Rooney and RVP if Rooney is a prick and won't play elsewhere and can't be dropped is on the left of an attacking 3. Rooney better keep his fat ass up high and lead the line then.

RVP - Rooney - Nani

Januzaj - Kagawa

Carrick

Evra, Vida, Smalling Rafa

De Gea
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
The only way we can play Rooney and RVP if Rooney is a prick and won't play elsewhere and can't be dropped is on the left of an attacking 3. Rooney better keep his fat ass up high and lead the line then.

RVP - Rooney - Nani

Januzaj - Kagawa

Carrick

Evra, Vida, Smalling Rafa

De Gea
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
Rooney passing game is not good enough but the other 4 can pass well. And with Carrick behind them some one can lump in onto Rooney's head or shin where it would bounce off into a goal.
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
I wanted Ozil after his first Germany world cup. You could see he was class.

I have to say I also wanted Suarez!!!
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
Criticise Tevez as we must, one thing has become apparent. At United Tevez and Rooney seemed similar players. After Tevez left and Roo became the main man it became obvious that Tevez was actually the better player of the two. His passing game, dribbling, one touch passing, positioning, ball control and vision are in a different league to Roo and half the time he is not even bothered to try. He makes assists, creates chances, scores and keeps possession well. Rooney has this long ball ability which is not needed by a centre forward, whereas good ball control and short passing game are. His crossing is actually not that good. Nor are his free kicks. Over time Tevez has become a better player than Rooney. I think Pea is also a better CF than Rooney, he controls the ball better, played more the offsides would stop.
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
Slim - isn't willing? Is that not up to moyes to instruct him as the manager? Rooney is a big character and has ego like all top level players but the top managers tend to get them playing to their beat. I'm not sure if wayne wants to go round ploughing up and down as you will admit, he has done more "jobs for the team" more than most but if moyes adapted his methods and lay down his methods, ideally a tactical system which involves switching of positions and tells players that their contributions will not be any less then it would work. Easier said than done but up to moyes to show authority. People say rooney is a thick cunt, perhaps his decision making off the pitch is due to that but then again who is perfect?.. Rooney on the pitch has knowledge of the game, maybe he takes a while to learn as fergie says but he understands the concept eventually.. It is up to the manager to express the ideas that enhances the team.
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
Also defensively, Tevez is far better at defending from the front as he is quicker and reads the game better.
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
In what way is hernandez a better centreforward? The mexican is a pure goal poacher, an 18yard box player. Rooney is an all round footballer, he can do what hernandez does which is to score goals and he adds more of an all round element... The mexican isn't in the same league.

Tevez is good but don't think he outshone rooney in the premier league.
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slim October 22, 2013
samuel

you can instruct all you want. but if he is not taking it onboard there is fuck all you can do about it. execpt maybe play in the way he knows how.
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slim October 22, 2013
i'd really like scott to post the story. some of the points make for interesting exchanges. gonna see if i can find it
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
@ samuel - Rooney is not an all round footballer. Pea is a better centre forward. His conversion ratio is better. Goals per minute are better. And the ball does not bounce of his shins. He also stretches the defensive line which Rooney never. He is also better at defending from the front. His short passing game is now very good. People just don't see how good he is. He would walk into RM ahead of Benzema and he could be a great poacher for Barca. Chelsea bid for the wrong player.
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
Slim - you cannot say rooney does not understand tactical iniatives... We've watched him to do this as ronaldo took the limelight.. It is not impossible, it is up to the manager, doesn't moyes get paid to instruct players? Like I said, we all learn in different ways, maybe wayne doesn't grasp it as fast as some, he still has that street footballer element in him, that instincts that can't be taught, maybe that's one of his strenghths and maybe it should be utilised more but he's fairly experienced now, calmer and more controlled even.. Moyes can pass on his instructions, the instructions aren't being passed on...
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
@ slim - here you go http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2471395/Alex-Ferguson-book-Wayne-Rooney-did-ask-leave-Manchester-United-summer.html
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
Also Rooney cannot play a pressing game, he runs around like a chicken. People are talking about how easily Fellani was beaten by a man but the players ran past Rooney like he was the lollipop lady.
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King Cantona October 22, 2013
SAF - "Benitez is lucky and his teams are dulls". "He does not try to win he the game he is defensive and tries to destroy the game."

Replace Benitez with Moyes and you have a summary of how we have played so far. I don't see how SAF can be so critical of Benitez style yet appoint Moyes. They have the same style except Benitez is the better version and actually did a great job at Chelsea.
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martin the Nairobian October 22, 2013
A fluid system is all good in attack.Players interchanging positions might even confuse the opposition when it comes to who should mark who.I'm all in for that. Januzaj kagawa nani zaha Rooney and rvp have the ability to do that.
But when the game starts people have to be told their defensive roles.Who of the forward four is going to track the opposition fullbacks??I.e in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
nani can do it. so can zaha Rooney and januzaj. One who is very susceptible in that defensive role is kagawa.We all know asking him to run the length of the field every time we have to defend from the wings is asking for trouble.Its not his strength.
That's why even if its an interchanging fluid system when it comes to defending kagawa and rvp should defend through the middle whereas the two from nani januzaj Rooney and maybe welbeck can track the opposition fullback ably.
When the transition into attacks happens then there is no need one playing sticking to one position. They can switch when they deem necessary.
The big question is, will self-centered Wayne Rooney accept the extra defensive duties or will he start sulking he's being played out of position?
We had what he had to say during England duty.He apparently wants to play CF.
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
NBI - just because you highlight errors, it does not deem the fact rooney is.. An all round footballer is one capable of many things on the pitch, rooney could play anywhere. Bobbling touches etc are errors and most players have them. The ball doesn't bounce off hernandez? Have you not seen how erratic the mexican can be outside the box? His limitation has been his issues and although he has improved it, it still not top notch. He can poach goals alright, he is brilliant at that and rooney doesn't have that but whatever else as a footballer, he is no match. I'm just being realistic, I can't see him starting for the big side because he won't be a platform for the attack, he has better and sharper movement in terms of getting behind, he is better than rooney in terms of the spring and sharpness but we know this isn't rooney game, I think they are different strikers and they probably compliment each other...

Hernandez is a top class poacher, I think if united rotated more, he would play but his limitations hold him back. People mock danny welbeck bht why? Danny's all round ability means he is able to play at least four positions in the attack, javier can only play one to his maximum best and you'd argue he is a better super-sub than a starter, he tends to fade out of games because he relies on others but with a better rotation, anyone of rooney or van persie can be dropped to accomodate him.
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King Cantona October 22, 2013
SAF - Benitez was a "control freak" - "his most scathing words are reserved for Benitez, whom he says would rather destroy a game than win it and claims his own players could not understand what he was saying from the touchline" - He describes Benitez’s team as the ‘most unimaginative Liverpool side I ever went up against’

SAF - "‘Benitez had more regard for defending and destroying a game than winning it’"

Then why appoint Moyes if you don't like Benitez style. Its the same approach.
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Maltamanc October 22, 2013
King Cantona.... And at Loserpool in 05, and at Valencia the year before and currently at Napoli
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
@ samuel - mate - I like alot of what you say and appreciate you have your point of view, but imo, in relation to Rooney and also to Kagawa you really are so far off the mark it is astounding.
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
Anyway my 2p is that RVP will have to accomodate Rooney and Moyes will need to play him on the left of an attacking 3 if he is fixated on playing the fat scouse as a striker.
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mjcRED October 22, 2013
@ samuel - united WE stand

"the days of keane are long gone.. If he played these days, he would be twiddling his thumbs after red cards… Move on, this is a new age for different type of central midfielders. It’s all about intercepting and reading the game."

Explain how any part of interception and reading of the game applies to any part of our midfield with the exception of Carrick's involvement!
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King Cantona October 22, 2013
@ Maltamanc - If Benitez was "lucky" what is Moyes? Moyes went from midtable winning nothing boring his own fans to the point most wanted him out with his football to United manager ! LOL :) Moyes is the one who is fucking lucky.

I love SAF but sometimes he talks shit. He has appointed a manager nowhere near the calibre of Benitez and he talks Benitez down. Benitez is a good but not great manager though I think he is doing even better since Chelsea. SAF should just say he hates the guys fucking guts because Benitez was as ASS first time round in the EPL though I did end up admiring him at Chelsea he dealt well with some insane shit from Chelsea fans. Also I doubt Benitez would have pulled that shirt shit Suarez did, he would not have liked teh distraction from football. His name is also still sung by scousers.
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Maltamanc October 22, 2013
Samuel.... What's a striker's job ? SCORE..... Does Javier Score ? Every time he plays.... Does Welbeck score ? LOL Welbeck and score should never be in the same sentence...... Please enlighten me . What the fuck do you see in Welbeck ? He can't shoot, can't score, can't dribble, can't run with the ball... He'll he doesn't even know where the pitch finishes... And if some crazy manager from the Uzbek Second Division (cause no team in Europe would want him) comes knocking for him I'll drive him myself, not to the airport, to Uzbekistan.
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
One of rooney's attributes is his work rate, if united played a pressing game which they rarely ever do as again the team hasn't got enough dynamic central midfielders. I think rooney can do his fair share of defensive work, through out his career, whether having a,dip in standards or not, he puts a shift in but ina,fluid system, every player right from de gea up to the centreforward have to work hard off the ball but again, united don't have the right players in central midfield and until that is solved, the team will keep dropping deeper. The defence also needs pace, so smalling and evans or jones if he can improve his composure would be ideal.
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Maltamanc October 22, 2013
King Cantona... I didn't say he was lucky, I actually said he did do well at Liverpool, Valencia and Napoli. I was adding to your earlier post where you said he did well at Chelsea.
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
Maltamanc - you criticise welbeck, you don't accept him as a player I get it and he has improvements needed to make but how often does he play as a centreforward? In your thoughts, immediately danny ventures onto the pitch, you assume he is a threat to hernandez's place but welbeck DOES NOT play as a centre forward, he has barely played there since van persie's arrival so how can you blame him? He is not keeping hernandez out, van persie is... Point hand at vanpersie's form.
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King Cantona October 22, 2013
People fail to appreciate how fucking good Keane was. His passing and vision was excellent, he could run with the ball, score, create chances, defend, it's only because he was next to Scholes that his passing is so underrated. He was one of the best in his position. He made Maklele look like a sweet potato pie. Keane could do it all and did that is why his legs went early. Roy Keane was fucking world class.

He was in the FIFA X1 as one of the greatest defensive-midfielders in the world EVER. His passing and strength on the ball (which Carrick lacks) are off the scale.

Anyone underrating Keano as a player is fucking stupid. Sorry everyone is entitled to their opinion but people have no bloody clue how good this guy was. He would walk into United's starting X1 today and fucking SCHOOL Yaya Toure. He would shit on ever opponent in this league.

http://www.givemesport.com/342884-fifa-xi-the-greatest-team-ever
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King Cantona October 22, 2013
@Maltamanc - I was agreeing with you, my post was sarcastic, ironic is you will, with a flavour of incredulity.
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CTRED October 22, 2013
Can't be bothered to read this book. Maybe in 5 or 10 years time I'll care to have a look back but for now am much more concerned about the present and future of United.
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
Mjc - well there you go, none of the players apart from carrick possess exceptional qualities as central midfielders, they are not all round CM. Cleverley is probably the only closest one to a central mid but he is not dominant, anderson is an attacking midfielder who united have tried to convert into an all round one. Giggs isn't one, fletch is recovering.. Fellaini hasn't got the required attributes, so major investment is needed but my point on keane is, he would be sent off more often by the likes of cakir, his style does not suit these days and we may reminisce but we can't revert back, it won't work.
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King Cantona October 22, 2013
My God, do you think Southampton would have strolled through our MF with Keane in it? He would have bloody battered them. He would have read the game like a fucking shark and eaten them alive, when he had broken their will to live he would have ground their MF into the ground and buried then under the turf at OT. He was that fucking good. Carrick passes as well as Keane but he is nowhere near as strong or quick as Keane.
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slim October 22, 2013
samuel


yeah its up to the manager. yet SAF had issues wih it and couldn't get him to commit else we wont have got the play me as a striker cos thats what i want press conference he gave month or so back and DM sticking with a flat front two
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
Beckham on Keano: ""People always ask me what Roy Keane was like and was he horrible and yes, he was horrible at times but that was the reason we won so much - because of his mentality and his passion for the team."

Scholes on Keano: "Roy was unbelievable to play alongside and someone you could always trust. I soon learned that if you weren’t on your game he would be on top of you to make sure you were playing your part for the team. I had a few bollockings from him, but that made you work harder to avoid them. He was a great leader and captain: he drove us on and he was our manager on the pitch."

GNev on Keano: "I know that if I had been a young lad in the last decade, I would have idolised Roy Keane. These are the heroes who inspire young Reds, and other kids far and wide, to want to become footballers and it would be wrong to do a column without speaking about Roy, the most influential player I have come across. The manager summed it up when he described Roy as the greatest midfield player of his generation. There have probably been more talented footballers in his position, but no one could match him for overall effect. He was a great presence at United, a man who could lift everyone around him. Even when you thought you were giving 100 per cent, he would somehow squeeze another 10 out of you.

You might believe that you were playing well, but then you would drop a throw-in a couple of yards short instead of to feet. Roy would be on to you in an instant and that ability to drive others to produce their very best was probably his greatest attribute. People compare him to Patrick Vieira, but they were a world apart in terms of the influence they exerted on their teams.

There are hundreds of memories of Keano, but one stands out from recent weeks when I sent around a text message saying “this is Gary Neville’s new mobile number”. A few minutes later, my phone beeped with a reply saying “so what?” That was Roy’s sense of humour."

The GREATEST United Captain.
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kagawabungabunga October 22, 2013
I respect SAF but the man has to let it go about Benitez,,there is no way you can say his teams are dull...no way.
And about Roy Keane,,the man was the best on the pitch for us..no one is perfect but atleast to respect his contribution its better to ignore commenting about him.
However Giggs is the Finest Man united lenged..though he shagged his brother's wife for 8 years..
The world is biased and unfair sometimes....
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NBI Red Moyesy October 22, 2013
@ kagawabungabunga - Exactly. Keano had a sort of breakdown when he knew he was finished at top level for United and he handled it badly. But people need to move on. He has done much much more good in all his years at United and a few hot tempered but also not dishonest from his point of view words at the end of his career is not going to change that. Keano will never come to terms with being out of football, he lived for United. I wish him well and hope he finds his peace. I will never forget the joy and passion he gave us.

Guess there's no chance of seeing him back at OT watching a game then is there?
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
Kagawabunga - really? No way? Are you sure about that?... This is fergie's autobiography and as we know, fergie does not hold back, he will give everyone that came across him a rollicking. Keane is a bitter man and if anyone needs to move on then it is him.
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
Slim - if you think the manager has no part to play in the issues then fair enough, what more can I add?
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samuel - united WE stand October 22, 2013
King cantona - who exactly is underrating keane? Give him credit but don't add more than he deserves. He was a tough tackling box to box to player, he wasn't the most technically gifted but his other qualities deemed it irrelevant. He had good leadership skills and was a dynamic driving force but my point to Mjc was, his style isn't suited to the game these days and hence, another keane type isn't the answer. No one has underrated him.
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Tommy October 22, 2013
@thetruth

Come on Keane was a better player than the bartons, bvinny jones etc, by your claims of him just being a psycho, you wouldnt take a 1999 keane, sure when he left he was finished but dont say he wasnt important to the clubs success in the 90s/early part of the century
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Tommy October 22, 2013
@samuel

Do you not think Keano would not be smart enough to change his ways in the modern era so he does not recieve red card after red card. I cant believe the emount of stick on here regarding our greatest ever captain.

Newsflash guys they would of been no treble in 99 without him so stop bitching about him!
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dragon_beast_false prophet (PROONEY) October 22, 2013
Roy Keane made me a utd die hard. I previously was one of the prawn sandwich brigade if you will. There was somethingabout the way he stares at you that makes you concious of the unseriousness you are embracing. He made me sit up and want to literally fight every abu that came my way. No kidding.
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dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT October 22, 2013
Absolutely LOVING the excerpts from the fergie book so far. You can tell that he held absolutely NOTHING back Telling the pure truth. Rooney did ask to leave the club regardless of what he wants to say thru his reps. Keano was a legend but was also widely reputed to be a cunt as well. No harm no foul. The truth was told and if they don't like it, well shit. I think I might have to get the book.
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Tommy October 22, 2013
NBI

I seen keane before many games last season and he was also at the league cup game a few weeks back and speaks to fans,People act like keano is the fucking yorkshire ripper, get real he just wanted to win and showed his passion, United were playing crap at the time of his departure so he let a few know how bad they were playing even if he did overstep the mark!
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matty October 22, 2013
SAMUEL you are a very intelligent man, and virtually every point you make is spot on(to me), except the rooney/kagawa dilemma.
Rooney's selfishness and david moyes cowardly butt-licking of his antics is costing the team. Forget kagawa, hell God knows i will stick danny welbeck, adnan januzaj or even bloody ryan giggs should play behind rvp if it gets us off playing solely from the wings. Moyes is an old imp addicted to the 4-4-2 and its a shame rooney's antics is his excuse for indulging in the said formation even further.
As i was watching BVB put up a masterclass on how to handle big games, i culdnt help but chuckle at the percieved notion about our squad being so bad.
SMALLING and PHIL JONES will stroll into 90% of the big clubs in europe and thats a fact. The problem is that they have not yet been trusted to do so. Argue all you want but, those too if given game time for (2-3yrs) non stop will be like poetry in motion. Their physical attributes complement eachother so well.
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