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Legends

VIDEO: Paul Scholes Tribute

May 31, 2011

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.

PICTURE: Paul Scholes’ Career

Berba: I Am Staying

220 Comments

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Costas June 1, 2011

That's why Berb is at United and Tevez is at Shitty...

As great as his intentions are, the situations is still complicated due to his contract status. So still not sure if he will be with the club when the season kicks of...

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Balaji Sivaraman June 1, 2011

I love Berbatov and I think he is probably the most technically gifted player at United now that Scholes isn't here.

But as I mentioned in a detailed post before, he is the kind of player who needs a team to play to his strengths and to utilize him properly. Given the way we will set up, our talisman and key will be Wayne Rooney and the play will move through somebody like Modric (or whoever it is we get). They both will be the key.

I find it hard to see where Berbatov will fit in to the set up next season. I think he will be OK with a bench role sometimes but United will not be OK with having a 30 million pound player on the bench.

I really, really want him to stay and if he does, I want to see how we adapt to utilize both Berbatov and Rooney. But I find it hard to see either of them happening. He may stay yet because of his attitude, but I don't think it will be to his or United's benefit.

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CedarsDevil June 1, 2011

Balaji

Morning buddy.... How about Lille, they just won the French league? :-)

Jeet

How are you mate? Berba is already a top United player my friend..... I do get your point though

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CedarsDevil June 1, 2011

Morning Costas (RoM Legend)

Did you get some last night?

'Kebabs' that is :-)

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Costas June 1, 2011

@Balaji

I don't think it's so much about the 30 million mate. That's a non factor for me. He's repaid that. And if we look around elsewhere (ahem Torres and Carrol ahem) we could wasted a lot more money in a more stupid fashion.

The problem with Berb is that he is no Sheringham or Ole. He can't play as an impact sub imo. He needs to play games and do well because that's how he builds his confidence. So if he is going to be reduced to a bench role, I don't think we will get the best of him. So I agree with your last line that maybe a transfer will be the best thing for both parties right now. Unless Berbatov really feels that he can get his spot back from Hernandez. I can't see that happening though. Fergie loves Rooney and Javier's partnership.

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Costas June 1, 2011

@Cedars

Morning mate. How are you? No kebabs (of any kind, lol) yesterday. I am trying to get through this damn exam period without many distractions. :P

Has King Eric been around a lot? I noticed he was quite pissed off after the final (not with the team of course). Anyone who's in contact with him tell him to get the hell back here!

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dimiTAR June 1, 2011

Im on this blog everyday but i dont ever comment in fear of my boss catching me. He's just wallked out for a smoke so heres my chance. Does anyone have a link to a video of the five barca players wanting to swap shirts with Scholes. He's my all time favorite player and i'd love to see it.

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Notey90 June 1, 2011

@CedarsDevil...Top post.

What else can I say than thank God for allowing me to watch The Ginger Prince in action.

No matter what.....United will never die. Bel19ve!

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CedarsDevil June 1, 2011

Costas

Good luck with those exams my friend.... King Eric did pop in after the final with a single post, sure do miss him and Kings as well, have not seen him in ages

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rooneyworldsbest June 1, 2011

Anyone read what Berbatov had to say regardibg being dropped for final and him leaving united. The guy is a living legend, what a class act.

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Hasan June 1, 2011

http://www.allvoices.com/s/event-9265737/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5ub3Zpbml0ZS5jb20vdmlld19uZXdzLnBocD9pZD0xMjg4MjA=

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Balaji Sivaraman June 1, 2011

@Costas, Yep, that is what I was getting at. I will be really gutted to see Berbatov leave but there seems to be an air of inevitability surrounding it at the moment.

@Cedars, I think both the Kings are waiting for the eventual trolls and plastic fans to get bored and move on to better things. We know how it is like after a loss (especially one as big as CL final), nearly everybody and their mom becomes a United supporter and suddenly have an opinion.

While I would've loved them to be here to bash the cunts, I think they might have thought it would be better for their health to stay away. ;)

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Costas June 1, 2011

Breaking news. Owen signs a new contract:

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Jun/Michael-Owen-extends-OT-stay.aspx

If it's a choice between him and Berb, now we know...

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Costas June 1, 2011

@Cedars

Thanks mate. It's been a rough last 5 months. Can't wait for June 10th. I'll hit the Greek beaches after that, lol.

@Balaji

I think so too. Plus, we don't know what Fergie has in mind for Welbeck, Kiko and Diouf. And with Owen staying, something's got to give.

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CedarsDevil June 1, 2011

The voice of Sir Bobby in this video gets my heart pumping......

Costas - Again good luck my friend and enjoy the kebabs... Oh I mean the beach!

Balaji - Worry not my friend, I am always here to bash them trolls and plastics.. Mind you, MG does a good job as well!

Notey90 - Pleasure buddy

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mikekelly12 June 1, 2011

I seriously don't understand the thinking behind keeping Owen and getting rid of Berba. From an on field point of view it would make zero sense so for that reason I can't see that scenario panning out. The only benefit it would have would be financial in terms of saved wages and recouping a transfer fee, but this is so minimal, again, would make no sense?

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lawman10 June 1, 2011

Scholes is up there with Best,Law & Charlton for me!
he will missed.

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mikekelly12 June 1, 2011

Confirmation - Owen has just signed a one year extension on his United contract, so ignore my previous post. My timing is impeccable!!

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Dimitar Berbatov is King! June 1, 2011

I hope we keep this strike force together, intact. Rooney's our best player, Hernandez still has some way to go in maturing as the complete player, Owen can provide us as a very strong squad player, and Berbatov is a class act on and off the field.

I do think that Diouf's leaving for regular football, IMO. Kiko's a hard case to analyze, but Welbeck's case depends on how Steve Bruce makes his case.

And we still have guys like Will Keane and co...we might be second best in Europe, but I hardly think we are staying still.

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rat1p June 1, 2011

it makes no sense to keep owen and get rid of berba,on the other hand we have got a lot of strikers right now
let see how this story unfolds

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bchilds June 1, 2011

Michael Owen signs one year extension? You are joking! What is the point!

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Jeet June 1, 2011

@cedars - good, mate - lazy day at work. thanks for asking!
@Costas: I wouldnt be suprised if both Owen and Berba stay. Its interesting that we assume Rooney staying at 100%. I still have doubt (a tiny one, I'll admit) about that one.

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Costas June 1, 2011

@Jeet

I think the fuss was all about the new deal mate. Wayne got what he wanted, so it's all good. Plus, it seems like he's really enjoyed his new role over the last 4 months. Can't see him leaving this summer or the next one, unless something major happens.

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kanchelskis June 1, 2011

@bchilds

As long as he is happy with his peripheral role, I maintain that there is hardly anyone better to bring off the bench when trailing or drawing to snatch a late goal.

This is the full extent of his role. He knows it, we know it, the club knows it, and all parties are happy with it.

I support the contract extension fully.

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CedarsDevil June 1, 2011

Something major? Someone's joking? Whats the point?

Someone please fill me in..... This old head is losing the plot

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max June 1, 2011

amazing

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Clint-IamYourPapii June 1, 2011

Our Strikers situations is quite wierd.

-When Berbs & Rooney play, they both drop back to collect balls & its up to rooney to make the runs.
-When Rooney & Chico play, chico makes all the runs, is more likely to score But rooney assists
Everything, negative is that when our midfield underperforms rooney drops back and isolates
Chico.
- Berba & Chico looked like a promising Duo While Rooney was out But that faded out, was great
during the Blackpool game away But would have collapsed against the bigger teams.
- Owen hasn't even developed a partnership with anyone yet & has scored 14 goals in 2 seasons,
but did get a important goal against Bolton, his best chances is to form a partnership with Rooney
whenever fit, I liked his partnership with Welbeck in the Carling Cup in the 2009-10 season where
they both linked up well against Wolves & Barnsley. So Maybe thats the way forward for both Danny
Boy & Mickey Owen to Improve for United.

If Berba does get moved on :( The positive is a home grown manchester Lad in Danny Welbeck will step in with a good Contribution. And a more attacking minded Midfielder may be bought to strengthen the lack of creativity in midfield (But i expect Ando to step up).

I dont Know if anyone agrees with me, But I believe if Nani cant perform well on the left, perhaps He should get moved into the middle as a support striker, he did well there in his 1st season at United, has the pace and movement, can finish & also hit those SnapShots Like Ronnie did.

Cant Wait for the 2011-12 Season :D

20th Awaits & Maybe 4th :)

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CedarsDevil June 1, 2011

Hi Papii .... Great post buddy

See I remembered and did not call you Clint !! :-)

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90+Until we Score June 1, 2011

Respect. If CL final was upsetting this is tragic. Thought he was good enough to carry on one more season.

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Jeet June 1, 2011

@Costas: Ohh I have no doubts about rooney wanting to stay! The tiny question in my mind is whether SAF has truly forgiven him for dragging the club's name through the dirt. And in spite of the public face that he maintains I cant imagine the gaffer being too happy with some of his antics like the twitter thingy

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Wakey June 1, 2011

I actually think Owen makes more sense than Berba if Berba is only going to be backup. He seems to be a confidence player and needs to be playing week in week our and scoring regular. When he isn't playing regularly and isn't scoring he snatches his shots. Just look at the FA Cup final and some of the chances he passed up against Blackpool

Owen on the other hand has the ability to be brought on and score goals no matter how little time he gets.

It

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Clint-IamYourPapii June 1, 2011

I cant imagine how we could squeeze money out of some of our Sippy cup drinking, beanie hat wearing, ipod & beats headphones wearing wasters. One of them only turns to go clubbing & the other looks like the ugliest duckling plucked from batch of ugly ducks. :lol: I love them really :P

Obertan - we paid £3 mill for a guy Wycombe Wanderers wouldn't even want :lol:
Bebe- £7 million - If i coached Crawley Town I would say "25 grand, take it or Leave it " :P

On the other hand we got Ok youngsters in

Diouf - since 2009, 35 appearances, 7 goals, so 1 goal every 5 games....should be sold
to blackburn for around £2-3 million or sold Norwich or something.

Macheda- 16 apps, 1 goals...Could be sold for around £5 -8 million depending on stupidity of
the club buying im.

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RedManWalking June 1, 2011

Owen signs new Man Utd deal :) Happy for him..I wanted him to stay for 1 more season..

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Clint-IamYourPapii June 1, 2011

Morning Cedars :D

Thanks for remembering :D

Throwing a Cyber strop today about our Bebe , apparently I've taken too many Sick days on Wednesdays to watch CL football so I have my Official Warning :lol: Because Bebe's started one CL game I thought I'd Scapegoat the loveable oaf :p

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Giles Oakley June 1, 2011

Brilliant video - so many memories, so many magic moments, so much to be grateful for. I guess now Scholsey's retired maybe he'll like praise more rather than the criticism he says he preferred.

The video really brought home how much we're going to miss him and how much we have depended on him for so long. I thought it hard to replace Eric Cantona, but we went on to greater things; I thought it would be impossible to replace Keane, but we've actually won a No 19 bus-load of trophies; I thought we'd find it hard to win much when Ronaldo left without an obvious replacement, but we've not done badly; I fear the moment when Giggsy goes, as that'll be the end of the Class of '92 , but let's not despair, let's indulge the moment and give thanks that we've been so fucking lucky to see these fantabulous players over so many years.

Oh , and good luck with the exams Costas my friend. I once read about research on the Class of '42 at Harvard which showed that a high proportion of those who got good degrees continued to have exam nightmares for decades afterwards. Those who did badly didn't have the bad dreams later. Strange, but anyway, may all your exam dreams be nightmares!

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Mahesh June 1, 2011

I think whats happened is pretty simple - SAF doesn't see a role for Berba with Chicharito's emergence. Rooney-Chicharito is his preferred partnership, so what he's looking for now is an impact sub for which role he would much rather have Owen than Berba. Now the question is what happens if either Chicharito or Rooney get injured over the season. I THINK Berba might stay given that particular possibility, but if SAF thinks keeping Berba for that emergency role is worth it or if he'd rather cash in on him and stick with one of the youngsters coming back from loan (Welbeck, Macheda, Diouf) or one of the reserve lads, I don't know. I guess if he's decided that one of the young lads needs a serious run out this coming season, then somone has to make way, and that just might be Berba. However if SAF does want that insurance of 4 quality/experienced guys backed up by the young ones, then Berba is likely to stay. Because I don't see us replacing Berba for sure. There is no way a top quality striker is moving to United given the obvious preference for the Rooney-Chicharito partnership.

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Mahesh June 1, 2011

And really can people stop having a go at Bebe - the lad has been picked out of obscurity, is raw as hell both in how he plays and thinks about the game, and you expect him to deliver in his first season here. Let the coaching staff work on him, and judge him in another season or two will you?! Obertan on the other hand, needs to step up next season or its game over for him here.

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Balaji Sivaraman June 1, 2011

There is no point in comparing Owen to the other three IMO. Owen is more like what Costas was mentioning when he was talking about the Ole/Teddy roles. Someone who is pretty content to be an impact sub.

Owen signing a deal is perfect for the following reasons:

1) Very few top/mid-level clubs will take him anyways and he doesn't want to go lower than that because of the gulf in difference of class. So, staying here is exactly what he wants. He gets to win trophies, earn more money than he would with Stoke and be part of one of the best squads in the League currently.

2) His experience is invaluable in the training ground. Just imagine how much Chicharito, Welbeck and Kiko will be able to learn from him. His positiong has always been impeccable and his natural predatory instincts are second to none. So, he will be able to pass on a wealth of knowledge to our youngsters.

3) His ability as an impact sub is pretty good. He doesn't need time to bed in unlike Berbatov. He can come on in the 90th minute and get you the goal in the 95th mintue (Ahem, derby anyone). His sharpness is very good for someone who can be used as a substitute.

None of this means I am saying Owen is a better player than Berbatov. Comparing them is wrong as they are both very different players. But for our current requirements and in our current situation with the way our squad is shaping up for the future, Owen is the better option is what I feel. Unless we find some way to fit our system around Berbatov which for reasons mentioned before is not going to happen.

All in all, I am very glad to have Owen sign that extension. Top professional and quite a role-model for youngsters coming through.

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MG June 1, 2011

Costas

Remember when you are doing your kebab papers don't mention any other foods - :lol:

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Robbinhood Savage June 1, 2011

@Balaji

Rightly said. Owen has a lot of experience and he can be useful in big games. I think thats why he was in the bench for the CL final. He scored a very good goal against Blackpool which showed that he still got the pace and clinical finishing. Good signing for Fergie atleast for the next one year or so.

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kel June 1, 2011

You know what? We wont be seeing him wear the red united jersey anymore.....................

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Ash June 1, 2011

I am happy owen is signed for one more year.He still has something in him and who knows like sheringham he may shine .I remember teddy wasnt scoring that much goals in his first few seasons but then in his last season for us he scored more than 20 goals.
Berba will also stay.Why should he be sold?
Next season our attack will be like this
rooney chicho berba owen and welbeck
Macheda and diouf will be send to loan again .
Josh king is already sent to loan to a german club.
So we will have 5 strikers which is not bad.Berba and owen both are in their early 30's only and can easily score 20 + goals next season.
Its our mid field that needs renovation

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Costas June 1, 2011

@Giles

Thanks a lot my friend. I appreciate it. I hope you are well. That research actually makes sense, because those that get good grades usually study endless hours and their subconscious tends to remember for a while. It happened to me during school. I've become more lazy in college, so I don't feel the effects anymore. :)

@MG

Lol, kebabs are the food for me. 8)

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Fred June 1, 2011

Owen? Fucking hell, I'm gutted. He looked fucking useless even in Gary Neville's testimonial. What's the point of keeping this useless sack of shit? To coach the younger strikers? God almighty.

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kanchelskis June 1, 2011

@Fred

How about you at least scan the above posts for some thoughts - all more interesting, articulate and considered than yours - on the value of Owen's contract extension, before running your mouth like some 11-year old plastic who doesn't know the first thing about football.

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Costas June 1, 2011

MOre than Berbatov, my biggest worry is what Owen's extension could mean for Macheda. Sadly, I feel that he's only gone backwards this season and Fergie might be running out of patience with him. I hope not.

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BerbaGod June 1, 2011

Happy that Mickey Owen is staying for another season, think he gives us great options, always will score goals if given chances and his knowledge and understanding will be great for the likes of Chicha, Welbeck, Macheda etc. Still think BerbaGod is going to play for us next season and have a massive part to play just like this season, if Chicha suffers from any second season syndrome, I know Berba will be there to take up the mantle. I know everyone says it but the guy just oozes class. He loves Manchester United and we (the TRUE reds) absolutely love and adore him!

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Fred June 1, 2011

@Costas - spot on. Thanks for the goal against Villa, Federico. Hope you have a great career a la Giuseppe Rossi, but we'll stick with a fucking useless, immobile Scouse twat who is more interested in horse racing than football if it's all the same to you.

He'll probably be ahead of Welbeck in the pecking order too. Unbelievable.

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slim June 1, 2011

i don't get this, just saw news about owen signing a 1 year contract. and not berbs.............. okay the machinery is clowly kicking in, Owen free transfer, if he leaves no problem, Berbs far far far from a free transfer, i guess the boss looks at it as accept our current deal or move on. Shit shit shit

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Fred June 1, 2011

@kanchelskis - you're right, I apologise. His two league goals (against Bolton and Blackpool) showed that he is still one of the deadliest strikers around. Had he not scored that vital equaliser at Bolton, we might only have finished 8 points clear of Chelsea :-O

I agree that his appearance on the bench against Barcelona proves that he is still a player for the biggest of matches. If only Fergie had put him on the pitch, the outcome of the game might have been very different. :(