Manchester United Banter Archive January 17 2013

17 Jan 2013 20:40:13
AJH

The problem with Kloot is if somebody doesn't agree with his view on the Glazers then they are a "Glazer puppet"

He lives in this fantasy world where everything fits in with Kloot's point of view and if it doesn't he wants to insult everyone into thinking like him.

If you wear a replica kit to the match then you are a fool because all you are doing is putting money into the devils pocket!

If you live outside of Kloots front door then you have no right to support Manchester United!

Do I need to go on?

If you question something he has posted 9 times out of 10 he hasn't even got the courtesy to reply.

Marky Mark

Agreed mark,

His little outbursts against me are quite frankly embarrassing at times and I think he is about 12, when he goes on about being older. Maybe should start acting it.

I haven't had one discussion about the glazers on this website for at least 6 months and he called me a glazer puppet yesterday for a post that was nothing to do with them. I guess it means he can come on the site and see people are talking about him, so well done klooty baby you got your action again, well done, love you x

GDS

Fair point Mark. I just don't like the references we see on here to muppets, clowns, pathetic, and so on. Banter is great and I love the different views. I just don't want us to descend to the levels we see on the scousers page where they tear strips off each other. It's a fine line between banter and abuse and 6 months ago I think that line got very blurred. As I said, perhaps I am a bit over sensitive to this stuff.

AJH

I think he's one of those guys, that likes to have something to hate, something to be annoyed at and something to moan about. Never truly satisfied.

Andy S

I don't agree with some of the stuff KLOOT comes out with and he may live in a fantasy world. But then again so may I and everyone else on here. I think Cleverley is a fantastic player but perhaps that's because I live in my own little deluded bubble as not too many others agree with me (including KLOOT). Maybe not though. I don't think you can argue with KLOOT's passion for the club and I think some of his posts are classic and bring a big smile to my face. The jester's hat one for example. KLOOT - Keep the banter coming.
PerthDave

AJH,

Our site has been much more enjoyable since the pathetic name calling stopped you are correct, I didn't post for a month at that point, would hate to get to that point again.

GDS

Good to see I am still getting under the skin of the Glazer puppets like GDS and Marky Mark. Well here's some good news for you boys. As long as those leaches are bleeding our club dry and taking money that should be spent on improving the playing staff or going to bringing down ticket prices I will keep the spotlight on them (which is what they hate) They would much rather we all listen to their puppets who tell us everything is fine. Don't worry they will love Ronaldo being linked with the club as it encourages people to believe we are looking at big players as we are linked with loads in the summer. But ask yourself this question on a net spend have we even spent all the Ronaldo money yet. I AM KLOOT

No-one worse than Pete Boyle!! He lead marches against the Glazers telling people not to go to matches and now he works for MUTV!!! daleman55

18 Jan 2013 11:24:50
Kloot is an old school fan, very passionate about the club, very informed on the history of the club. So when he see's the Glazers plonking half a billion in debt on the clubs books it cheesed him off. As it did with the rest of us. Whereas some of us can look at the record amount of money coming into the club and acknowledge the work gone into the reducing the debt kloot can't forgive or forget. And hits out at the fans that in his eyes seem to support the glazers. Whereas in reality we know there's very little we can do to affect the situation. Then there's the inconsistancies as well. How dare rooney have the temerity to blackmail the club into a better contract by citing lack of ambition in the transfer market and the clubs wage cap. Both of which incidentally paved the way for the van persie transfer. But when roy keane did the very same he's a hero. And when pogba tried the same last season in an attempt to blackmail the club over playing time assurances amongst other things its the clubs fault he left and not the player or his agent. I don't really want to get into the where do you come from argument that's been done to death. I think kloot does like to kick off an argument and he's effective. I also think he's a glass is half empty type of personality. But there's no faulting his love for the club. Mort

KLOOT, would you not class RVP as a 'big signing'?

Gav

KLOOT how dare you! Everyone knows its leeches, not leaches ;-)

AJH

I agree Kloot is a big fan, no doubting that. He actually thinks I am working for the Glazers, that's what makes me laugh, despite the only person mentioning the Glazers being himself.

GDS

17 Jan 2013 20:56:03
with fletcher injured and anderson injury prone and the likes of giggs schoels nearing the end I really think we will buy a midfielder or to in the summer and if so what would be your choice
paddy the irish man

17 Jan 2013 23:12:07
strootman, bender, modric. Mort.

Not only have we lost Fletch but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that we could get an injury crisis as well as a fixture pile up if we stay in both Cups. How about Sneijder loan until the end of the season with permanent option of things go well but only if the salary problem can be resolved ....
PerthDave

Are you making yourself forth choice Mort?!

Stranger things have happened... We signed Buttner from well down the scouting lists if the press is to be believed.

Wait by the post box... It could be you!

DodgyBanter

Quality banter from Dodgy Banter

AJH

18 Jan 2013 11:54:18
good one dodgy I have passed my details on, two footed, over thirty, cheap wages so I think I have a chance. mort

I've got two feet also, maybe I stand a chance? Perhaps if I can get anyone in Portugal to vouch for me...

El DodgyBantero

17 Jan 2013 20:32:42
Everyone is slating Valencia for being off form etc, but lets think about this, the man should be called captain one trick. Teams have learnt how to play against him, has nobody else noticed that everytime he gets the ball two players are blocking his path so he can't get in a ball behind them? Maybe fergie should start young and nani, mix it up for a while, or just constantly chop and change? It seems every team is expecting for toni to start

Fagan

Valencia is off form due to suffering from servre back pain, this is caused by one leg being shorter than the other since his serious ankle break.

The back pain can be so bad sometimes that he can't get outta bed. The problem is that nothing can be done to solve the shortness of one leg without several major operations with years of recuperation thus effectively putting an end to his career.

We have tried short term solutions like the insoles and other exercises and procedures, but it is only having a minimal effect.

There is a very real question of whether he'll ever be able to get back to his best. The problem has robbed him of his expolsiveness, which was his key weapon in getting past players, meaning he is often under more pressure and has to rush his crosses.

I think the he'll either have to learn to adapt or move on. Could he move in field and play more centrally? If not then I fear for his future at our club.

Shappy

Shapps

I don't know if you read previously when I said I have the same thing but its natural with me.

Having thought about it and looked at what's going wrong in Toni's current game I don't think its down to the pain mate. You are right it can be that bad is a struggle to get out of bed but that takes a long time. In fact every human has one leg longer than the other it just about 1cm difference or above starts to cause problems. If I remember rightly I have about a 1.6cm difference all in my shin bone. that's why swimming was my sport of choice as the condition had no effect other than giving me an excuse to get out of weight training when I couldn't be bothered ;-).

But in all honesty the stiffness and soreness tied in with this injury it normally occurs after or the day after the activity. This is why I am not so sure if the pain from it is the main reason.

I think if it is indeed the injury that has effected his game it will be from the now un-natural difference between the legs that his brain is not used to. his touch, control, passing, crossing in fact everythin really will be effected. Think of it like this, he has learned to naturally lean a specific way and hit the ball on a sweet spot to cross perfectly so add a difference even as samll as a cm to either foot and that natural swing is out to the tune of a cross, pass etc not reaching the intended target. That kind of explains his less risky and sure back passes and cutting in rather than trusting his touch at fast speed and first time crossing.

I think that is the biggest cause of it and maybe SAF asking them to try and keep possesion better aswell.

Jono

Shappy

So then why is the man playing, if he's in so much pain - surely this is just going to get worse?

Very, very poor man management by SAF, this. He could potentially be ruining a man's career by playing him when he's not fit at all.

Seriously, our squad is far, far thinner than a lot of you on here will accept.

If we lose Carrick, we're left with a CM option of Scholes, Giggs (combined age of almost EIGHTY YEARS OLD), Cleverly and Anderson who let's face it, will be injured again by March and out for the season.

How has SAF allowed our squad to stagnate like this? And why is nobody questioning him?

RED_SKY

Jono, I completely agree that it will totally effect his balance and swing. I think the other thing we have to consider is although the pain will mostly effect him in the days that follow, this will restrict his training and his preperation for coming games. Its unlikely he wil be able to play sat-wed-sat if he needs a day or two between to get over the pain. Also if he is training the day before the match how will that effect him during the game.

Red sky, the problem with his problem is it needs several operations over several years to sort it which would surely put an end to his career. The only way to save his career now is to find some way of managing the condition. This means he will have to play through the pain barrier while we work out how to do that as it will be trial and error.

Shappy

17 Jan 2013 20:09:25
with the attacking threat spurs pose I can see SAF going with a pretty defensive line up (Despite the fact our best performances tend to come when we go with the opposite)

I therefore think he may opt for a 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (When attacking) system with valencia and young on the wings tracking back to help protect our full backs, although I would like to see young on the right (Probably our most consistant winger at the mo) and buttner on the left, with evra as lb.

17 Jan 2013 21:52:02
I wonder what meak punishment Liverpool will give Suarez, maybe they'll fine him 5k - which basically means that he won't be paid for a tuesday morning training session.

Fresh!

17 Jan 2013 22:45:11
Did you fine Nani, Rooney or Young. No I didn't think so, did we fine Cazorla, no, typical stupid comment. Antipathy.

Stoner

How predictable that its Stoner who replied to this. The clear difference is that none of the above admitted to trying to cheat. You cannot fine someone unless you can prove they deliberately went down, something Suarez has admitted to. Anyone with half a brain knows that.

TK-Red

It's also the fact the Suarez has gone public with an admission of guilt. Thus he has dragged the name of his club down with him and brought bad press to Brendan Rodgers' door. He had to say something to show he isn't making the same mistakes Danglish made.

I highly doubt Suarez will actually be fined at all, I expect he'll be pulled to one side and spoken to and told not to go saying things like that to the press.

Shappy

17 Jan 2013 21:22:04
Firstly let me wish Darren Fletcher all the very best. There are things more important than work or football and your health is one of them. Sadly I have to say that this must cast doubt on his long term career.

After freezing last night to watch a dour uninspiring game this is my first chance to comment. We have had many games like that where we have won when not playing well, the difference in the past was the quality was there or in reserve. It showed how much we rely on Carrick when he came on and showed that bit of quality. Anderson just ran out of steam and doesn't seem able to carry the midfield for anywhere near long enough. West Ham kindly gave Giggs as much room as he liked and didn't make him work until the second half but that space helped him to look good, still a decent game. Rooney looked thinner but still out of sorts. Valencia is still struggling but did look marginally better than previously. Scholes late tackling is embarrassing.
Rafael, Smalling, Jones and particularly Buttner had decent games.
I know there are some who pined for Nani's return but frankly he was absolutely hopeless, he couldn't do the simplest things. The manager seemed to leave him on as long as he could, perhaps to try and keep his value up but that is difficult given the content of his performance.
Quality, that relates to RVP and Carrick and we better hope they don't get injured.

Red Man

It was Nani's first game back to be fair and his position is no longer left midfield. Valencia is looking as much of a liability at present so, with Kagawa playing on the left against Liverpool, I would put Nani on the right. Atleast with Nani you might get one moment of magic where as Valencia is in a serious rut. Of course I can only see Valencia playing on sunday to help Rafael counter the threat of Bale but beyond that Nani needs to be played out right.

TK-Red

Red Man, we did fine without RvP last season so we could easily cope without him. I think Cleverley, Carrick & Anderson will be fine as long as we can avoid more injuries, but you have highlighted that point about Carrick and we need that player like him in the squad, someone like him. Lars Bender or Strootman are players we need in by next summer. We need two midfields IMO. Cleverley & Carrick and Anderson & Strootman for example. But what really worries me at this moment in time isn't the midfield or the attack, it's the wingers. If we are without RvP we need a winger that will find Rooney or Hernandez.

Sydney!

About your comment on Scholes and his tackling, I need to confess that Scholes coming on on the 60th minute and guetting booked on the 60th always cracks me up. I have no idea why, but I look forward to his customary booking.

Mick

I'm sure we could cope without RVP, but I'm also sure that he is the difference between coping and winning the league. Carrick, on the other hand, we could not cope without.

In the summer we need to buy two centre mids, and have done for a few years now. We can't rely on Anderson because of his constant injuries and major fitness problems. Anderson works as an option to have in reserve, provided he's actually fit, and let's face it selling him would be difficult. What we need is a top class midfielder to partner Carrick and a younger midfielder who can replace him in a few years.

As for wingers, our problems are all down to Fergie's dealings in the transfer market. Nani hasn't worked out, Valencia needs to be in top form to be effective against the best, and Young lacks consistency. Not sure that Zaha is the solution to this either, certainly not in the short term.

Danny Pughnited

17 Jan 2013 19:48:13
Fletchers out for the season after undergoing surgery on his bowl condition

Hope he comes through this okay, but think his footballing days at the highest level is over. There will always be a place at United for him though if that is the case. Fingers crossed he plays again though, even if its for Rangers or someone.

Sydney!

Get well soon fletcher, shame for him

bazzacs

Seems like an intelligent guy - good addition to any future Utd bootroom.

Hope he gets well soon.

StevieK

I can't see him getting back to the player he once was after this setback.
Massive shame because he was a fantastic player for us 3 or 4 years ago.
Really hope he gets back to full health and plays football again though.
Get well soon Fletch

Will Red

Hear hear Fletch get well soon

Pardoe

Surely this means we have to dip into the market even if it is a loan signing, I know people will shoot me down but surely Kaka may be worth a look or someone like that just for 6 months or we could actually buy Strootman now.

My brother in law had the same condition (Chrones), had surgery and now is healthier then he's ever been. Wouldn't rule him out just yet.

Red Joe

17 Jan 2013 19:32:40
Fletcher out for the season, was wondering why he didn't play in any of the games during the last 2 weeks. I feel real bad for the man, the last 2 years have been hell, football aside I hope he has a healthy life.

17 Jan 2013 19:19:36
Just heard club statement regarding Darren Fletcher, he's having an operation to cure his ulcerative colitis and will be out for rest of season, the operation was planned and hopefully he will make a full recovery and he will be back playing next season .
Raffa

17 Jan 2013 19:04:17
Bad news about Fletcher. we've missed him. hopefully he doesn't end up another hargreaves. Gutted for the lad.

nozzla

17 Jan 2013 18:57:35
I'm really dissapointed that Fletcher will miss the rest of the season. All the best Darren, get well soon.

17 Jan 2013 18:12:33
after watching last nites game again we are to inconsistant poor passing(maybe pitch) poor crossing we looked slow all over the park apart from when rafael was on ball.west ham were there for the taking last night and we struggled to put them away.when carrick entered the game he looked different class just need another top quality cm with him rotating with cleverly.buttner not a defender, good sub to come on left side, hernandez and rooneyto sloppy with ball struggled, anderson and nani maybe rusty after layoffs, but poor, smalling and jones i thought did very well and will only get better playing together more.giggs had good game but to me now final 20 min player.we need game time to kagawa he's gonna be top player, valencia needs to learn a few tricks and step overs get a bit of confidence to beat men again.pair up rvp with lewandowski, pull the strings to get ronaldo and baines in and we are some way to getting on par with barca.lets start smashing teams againand stop taking foot of gas

17 Jan 2013 18:32:14
Gala say the bid accepted WesleySneijder is £6.2 mil. Did we not pay more than that for Bebe? Colin W

OMG, wages, wages people!

Gav

Bebe was gettin payed 90k a YEAR, sneijder wages would be 10mil a year
Sulei

But calculate the potential wages. One runs on chip fat the other runs on Cristal champagne, it's like comparing a tired old porsche to a nearly new ford focus......completely different running costs.

Supasub

Other costs to consider other than transfer fees:

Agent fees, usually more than one agents.

Taxes on agent fees that are not reclaimable.

Signing on fees.

relocation costs.

Tax on transfer fee that is reclaimable.

Salary, tax on salary.

Insurances.

You have to look at signings as a package, not just the transfer fee. I'm sure there are many other relevant costs.

Sydney!

17 Jan 2013 18:03:56
Suarez admits to diving in a game, that is classic. He wonders why fans hate him and how will the Liverpool fans react to this. He is the biggest cheat we have in football today.

17 Jan 2013 17:27:44
I used to think Blair Muppet was the biggest plonker who posted on this site-i have changed my mind ! without a doubt the title of the biggest plonker on the site has to go to I AM KLOOT

All he ever does is spout the same rubbish over and over again.

Marky Mark

Mark, what's your point. KLOOT is passionate about our club, you may not agree with him but at least he's prepared to state his view clearly and consistently.

Feel free to disagree with him but there's no reason to insult him.

AJH

Well said. Plus get well soon big Daz.

Joe.a

The same old rubbish I spout is about the Glazers and the damage they are doing and also about players who are disloyal to the club and try and blackmail us for more money then when they have the contract they don't perform. I AM KLOOT

RFT is partial to throwing the odd insult around too from what ive seen.

ms85

He is hardly insulting him, AJH you seem to take banter far too personally.

Isn't KLOOTs sole purpose of visiting the site to insult anybody who doesn't agree with his aggressive anti-Glazer stance?

I'm a sensitive soul..

AJH

17 Jan 2013 17:16:20
I was thinking about these Ronaldo rumours that have been going around the past few months. Firstly, he will not be signing for United this summer. There's no way we are paying £70-80m plus 250k a week for him. That's madness for any club who is self sufficient.

However, our chance to sign him, no matter how slim the possibility is the following summer when he has 1 year left on his contract, but more likely, if he still hasn't signed a new deal at Real, the summer after that when he is on a free. Summer 2014, his value will obviously drop with 1 year left and Madrid will probably do all they can to get him sold. He will be 29 years old and will not fetch anywhere near the £80m they paid for him.

But, if we're ever going to see him back here, it's going to be a free transfer in 2015. That, in my eyes, is our only realistic chance of ever seeing Ronaldo back at OT. We would also need to rely on the belief that he would only want to join United and no one else. It's unlikely, but certainly not as impossible as some would think.

G.A.G.U.S

Well i'm glad that one has been put to bed by someone in the glazer family or high up at united, not. Lets face it neither you or anyone else knows what is happening. If ronaldo is to return it will probably be while fergie is here and in 2015 he may not be. If he is coming it would be this summer or 2014 at the very latest i would think but no one knows for certain. We can only hope.

Brendan

I would guess there is less than 1% chance of Real letting Ronaldo leave for free. Would be happy to be proved wrong though!

Gav

17 Jan 2013 16:46:35
JakeW - pleased to see you have missed me. Been tied up for a week or two, only just getting back into the swing of things. Since your post was Sunday your comment was made with your tremendous victory in mind?
Well - you are top of the table, you are playing at home.You are playing against a team which you clowns on here describe as mediocre. Was 2 - 1 good enough for you?
Especially when you were totally outplayed in the second half. McMoan sending on a couple of subs to
shore up what is laughingly described as a defence.
But best of all, easily the best of all, was Angus McBluster stood on the touchline at 90 minutes constantly looking at has watch. Yes - I know he normally does that, but usually he is insisting the referee adds MORE time to the game - NOT ON THIS OCCASION

Puzzled

Nice name.......suits you.

MUMBAI_BOY

Is that it?? It's taken you this long to think of that. Very sad.

Boyley

Remind me who won the game? Getting the 3 points is all that matters and the first half you were absolute crap and we should have had 3. Fair play to you, in the 2h you picked it up but still lost. This is professional football and there are no moral victories but you lot are acting like you won the game. Playing good for 20 minutes is what Liverpool is all about now?

You lost me at 2-1!

Well you can be proud of the valiant attempt from your mid-table side. Well done.

You didn't get a single point from the match, but a good performance was good enough for you? Must be part of the reason why Liverpool have gone so far down these past few years. Winning doesn't matter to you any more? 5-0 or 2-1 we still beat you, and lets face it your goal was a bit of a gift anyway.

Your lying to yourself if you think you did anything else, and besides, your beloved Rogers had to throw on another striker to shore up what is laughably described as an attack.. Our defence on the other hand kept Suarez (according to many Liverpool fans, one of the best strikers around) extremely quiet and ineffectual. We won you lost, at home and away, Liverpool are not in the CL not going to be in the CL no where near a title of any kind. Your legend screwed you. From where I'm sitting 2 - 1 looked good enough for me, the gulf in class was easily visible to anyone without Liverpool-tinted spectacles.

Honestly, you are a joke.

Covey

Yes Puzzled I have missed your atrocious banter on this site, haven't laughed in a while.

Well if you watched the game you should have surely noticed we were dominating the first half and should have put away at least 4 away but due to occasion maybe the finishing of some players was a little rusty.

I have not classed Liverpool as a mediocre team, but you are surely on the way due to the pathetic amount of millions spent on those 'world class' British players you seem to like buying.

Angues McBluster as you call him is the man who has buried Liverpool and has literally stopped them from being the top English club for the last 15 years.

I am rather happy about doing the double over you scouse, nothing like a little bit of bitterness shining around your post.

Have a nice weekend Puzzle, hope you enjoy the mid table clash between you and Norwich this weekend, should be a toughie!

-JakeW

Puzzled, I have watched the game, no idea where the myth that you outplayed us in the second half came from. However, let's put Sunday to one side for a moment. 23 years my friend, and no end in sight. I've been there and it's not pleasant but what I didn't do was try and annoy the Liverpool fans whose team were winning everything. You ally need to give up as yu silly can't win these arguments.

AJH

Yeah we're happy with 2-1 Puzzled. A win is a win. Lets skip over the bit where you mock our defence, you know, the same defence that the "best player in the league" couldn't score past?

TK-Red

Well said AJH
Chris the REDman

To the second unnamed poster - I think I lost you the second I started using English.

AJH - you obviously left at half time (as did most of your 'team')

Puzzled

Puzzled, we outplayed you full stop. It's just you put up more of an effort in the last 25 minutes compared to the poor first 65 minutes.

We got a little cumbersome towards the end, we do that against the weaker teams sometimes. Saying that did DDG touch the ball at all? I bet the kit man put his kit straight back on the hanger for the next game. Didn't have a mark on it.

What happened to Suarez anyway? Was he injured? Family problems? suspended? Perhaps if he was playing you may have done a little better?

Sydney!

Been tied up for a week or two SULKING!

Sydney!

Hi Disney! - I think DDG DID touch the ball - he lined it up for Daniel

Puzzled

17 Jan 2013 14:39:51
Not as long as the English media still keep up the hype and myth. I AM KLOOT


Oh yes the famous English Media who are well renowned for supporting, backing and praising English players and definately don't try and knock, criticise and dig out stories on them!

That comment pretty much sums up KLOOT, joker.

Ports

I've got to agree, this whole 'media building him up' thing hasn't really been the case for years.

And anyway aren't we all old enough and mature enough to make up our own minds on a player's ability?

Gav

17 Jan 2013 14:15:50
I have been on here numerous times regarding ronaldo, some agree with me but a lot don't and i'll no doubt get people coming on to shoot me down with this post.

For a while now i have had a very strong feeling that ronaldo will be coming back to us in the summer. Nothing i have seen, hearn or read recently has done anything to make me think otherwise. Not even the 'experts' (not the eds as they do a great job) who come on here intent on telling everyone how it is and what will happen when they have no more info or insight than the rest of us.

From fergie saying he would love ronaldo back and then saying he would be impossible to get, to ronaldo saying he is unhappy and it isnt money related, to ronaldo coming out praising united and fergie for everything he had when he was with us. To Gill seeming somewhat nervous when questioned about ronaldo and now even guardiola going to bayern seems to say that fergie really is going nowhere for a little while at least as i believe he knows that the best player he has ever managed is coming back. I don't think that the people in power want Mourinho as he causes too many problems and leaves after a few years and that isnt what is best for united. Fergie knows that with ronaldo he really has a chance to win a couple more champions leagues and really cement his place as the best manager ever and then i think he will hand over to guardiola if he has been successful at bayern.

Now i expect the usual people to come on saying we can't afford him, we could spend the money elsewhere etc but lets face it we have no say in united and have no idea what we really can or can't do. If fergie really wants him, and i think he does, then he will find a way of getting him back. Maybe that is part of the reason we never really spent the money from his sale other than the usual yearly transfer budget and money from sales. Maybe there is money and an agreement from the glazers to use it if 'certain' players ever become available either from ronaldo's sale or the flotation. Maybe i'm wrong and it was just paid off debt never to return who knows. Its just a feeling i get and as this is a site to air views and rumours i thought i would share it.

If ronaldo comes out and signs a new mega deal at real i will come on here and admit i was wrong but i honestly don't think he will and i don't think everything for him revolves around money. I think the love and loyalty of united is what he wants/needs and he has realised that. The person he see's as his father figure since his dad passed away is fergie and i think he wants to come back and work with him again before he calls it a day. I for one am hoping so anyway and i would welcome him back with open arms and would happily carry him back from madrid if needed and drop nani, young, welbeck and some of the other deadwood off somewhere enroute.

Brendan

Brendan,

I'm with you, I think there is every chance he could come back, some times you shouldn't listen to the 'experts' and actually listen to the player and people who are involved. I posted a while back that I don't think people give Ronaldo enough credit and there is nothing to suggest that Ronaldo has only ever chased money, it was his dream to play for Madrid and the only thing I believe Ronaldo desperately wants is to be known as the best player in the world.

I don't know the in's and out's of contracts and financial proceedings for transfers but I'm sure we could come up with a package that wouldn't cripple us. With Ronaldo's comments that he'll see his contract out, Real are now in a difficult position, him big money to stay, sell him in the summer, or risk losing him for free?

Maybe we are just hopeless romantics Brendan but I can see him returning one day to, lots of developments that give me that feeling as well. Or maybe it was something I've eaten :)

Ports

Young and welbeck deadwood? Take it you didn't watch the first half of united vs Liverpool on Sunday? Young was great till he went off injured at half time and welbeck was a constant threat all game.
Djay

Nani is most likely going anyway.

Young who knows, i don't think he's helped by having Evra behind him most games, and also he seems to have developed Anderson's annoying habit of getting fit, getting into the side and having a couple of decent games, looks promising then injured again, out for a month and having to start again. I'd like to see him have a proper injury free run with a more defensive minded/ defensively responsible left back behind him. But if someone were to phone up enquire about availibilty and price i would sell for the right money.

Welbeck deserves more time and could benefit from having Ronaldo around.

Just to add to my post, a possible formation could be....

De Gea

Raphael Evans Vidic Baines(£12m)

Strootman(£12m) Carrick

Zaha(£10) Rooney Ronaldo(£70m)

Van Persie

Squad

Lindegaard
Smalling
Jones
Fabio/Buttner
Cleverley
Powell
Kagawa (interchange with rooney)
Lampard (on a free for a year or 2)
Giggs (if he doesnt retire)
Valencia
Hernandez
Henriquez

Ins
Ronaldo £70m
Baines £12m
Strootman £12m
Zaha £10m
Lampard £0
Total £104m

Outs
Nani £18m
Welbeck £12m
Young £14m
Evra £3m
Total £47m


Total spend after sales £57m.


Brendan

Are you seriuos about Young & Welbeck.If you are then you no nothing about football.They are average at best & simply arent united quality.As to the Ronaldo debate, i can't see him coming back but would walk over hot coals to have the maestro back.For me personally i would ship out Anderson, Young, Nani, Welbeck & a few of the youth players who have no chance of making it
Blackpool Red

Yeah i watched the game along with all others and they were both poor. All young did was little flicks and things that didn't work, he has no real quality in his game and isnt goid enough to play for united. Welbeck has huge energy but again no quality, his man of the match was ridiculous given his lack of quality in the final third. If it goes on effort fair enough but lets face it effort alone wins you nothing and that is what welbeck is.

Brendan

Djay, Young is nowhere near united standard. Welbeck has slight potential, if any, for united. Ports, Brendan said THIS SUMMER, we all now that 'one day he may return'. This won't be for ages, if at all. I find the whole thing a real drag. Normally I don't reply to these posts, but I feel it's time to stop and hope people wake up from these dreams..

Patzi

Agree with blackpool red 100%, anyone who doesnt see it really needs to watch them carefully and think if they we were facing welbeck or young playing for another club would we be worried? The answer is no as they arent very good and arent very likely to cause any problems.

Brendan {Ed007's Note - I have been saying the same for a few years Brendan, if Welbeck was at Bolton or Stoke how many people's wishlists would he be on?}

I would definitely keep young and welbeck
Z

I agree with everything that you said Brendan apart from Welbeck and Young being deadwood. Hopefully we might see next years wing options be Ronaldo, Kagawa, Young and Zaha. I don't think Nani will be missed and I am positive that Valencia will be available if his form doesn't pick up for whatever reason.

Fresh!

Exactly ed007, when we played villa with young in the team were we really that bothered? I'd have to say no and so his transfer was a bit strange. Welbeck just isnt a man united striker and for all his running never will be.

Brendan {Ed007's Note - I fear that Cleverley could go the same way.}

Ed007 I thought the same kind of thing a while back but I do think he has a bit more ability than Welbeck, he is far from the finished player but I think he will do ok for us. Welbeck for all his effort and love of playing wont. I keep hearing people say that he is a great 4th choice striker who doesn't moan. Is he though? Shouldnt we want someone who will come on and change a game rather than sit quietly and not moan? Welbeck is pretty inaffective when started or brought on. City have four quality strikers (well they would if balotelli wasnt such an person), if we sold welbeck then we could get lewandowski or use the money to part fund an offer for ronaldo either of which would give us the best strikeforce anywhere.

Brendan {Ed007's Note - I just think Cleverley should be further down the line in progress for his age, he turns 24 this year after all. Academy players are cut a lot more slack than a player bought in, it is frowned upon to question the ability of 'one of our own'. Would Cleverley be high on people's wanted list if he was at another club, if anyone even suggested signing him on here they would get shot down in flames. It is glaringly obvious the Utd MF needs strengthening, do you think it is someone to play alongside, or to replace, Cleverly in the team?}

17 Jan 2013 12:30:01
Ok. so after last night's performance, it is a little timely biased, but Nani looks to have lost his form a lot. He isn't creating chances for the team, looked a bit like Robben(just want to be the hero himself), but far less effective. Even if he were to leave, I fear if we would receive decent amount of fees for transfer. I wouldn't pay maybe 12m for the guy if I were running a club, but many thinks so positively that we would get 20 - 25m...
Just to add on top, I think Valencia might have lost a little bit of his pace too..
JS

17 Jan 2013 11:44:15
hey everyone, its my 1st post.... have been reading for months and tried to post few times but never worked.... if this one works will start posting more;;;
cheers....
nice site eds

Agree 100% ;) Welcome to the site!

Gav

17 Jan 2013 10:27:07
I'm beginning to feel a little worried over the future of Darren Fletcher. We have just come through a very busy December & early January and Darren hasn't featured once in the 10 fixtures we have played during this period . It would be a massive blow to both Darren and the club if his valiant efforts to return were to prove fruitless. Lets hope their is a simple explanation and his carreer is back on track soon.
Raffa

It was a brave attempt and should be aplauded, and its good that the club gave him the time and chance to try to comeback, when other clubs would have tossed him on the scrapheap.

But i do feel that a decsion must be made this summer on his future. Our midfield needs a lot of work. And sadly i think that signing a replacement for Fletch is part of it.

I think you're correct, he would surely have featured against West Ham (at least one of the games) if his recovery was going to plan.

I don't expect to see him back now, unfortunately. Good luck to him and I hope I'm wrong.

Gav

17 Jan 2013 09:41:31
General observation on our current play. What has happened to the days where we used to kill teams and why is ever game such a labored exercise. This teams fighting spirit is what is getting us results and our play is so average for long spells in so many games.

I am quite worried as it seems like we are always on a knives edge and a couple of bad results will see the council boys on our doorstep.

Frankly it is quite depressing how the manager does not see it as a problem and continues with not doing anything about it. Another winger who can juggle the ball and provide some harlem trotters moment is not the most urgent thing needed.

Shahram

Excellent post. Cue responses like "Thank God you are not manager", "You think you know better than SAF"....

We have beat Chelsea, city, arsenal and Liverpool (twice) this season and won 18 games out of 22 in the league. Yes we are missing a few players but it has been one of the most compelling exciting seasons for a long time. Carrick has been amazing in midfield and cleverley is looking better by the game, Anderson is just coming back and played an amazing pass last night. We need a midfielder, but our wingers have been the most disappointing this season so we do need another one, or maybe 2.

Everybody at the start of the season said sell evra and carrick and get new players in. Both of them have upped their games and have not let us down on many occasions this season. The wingers have.

GDS

Agreed GDS, I think Evra got the nudge he needed. he still looks iffy at times though. Carrick has been immense, Cleverley is improving, just be good if Anderson could stay fit. We do need 2 signings to replace Scholes & Fletcher and i hear Giggs is staying on. Wingers have been an issue this season.

GDS

Evra is still terrible in defense. He has contributed to conceding more than any other. He has only shone out this season due to the fact he has scored a couple and that's only seen as a great feat as he was useless at that previously. He has played a few good games which is already more than the last 2 years but he is nowhere near what we should be expecting from our first choice LB especially defensively.

Carrick shines when given loads of space. If he doesnt have that space or the oppo's have a third man in CM he struggles. His performance v Liverpool sums him up perfectly. YET he has been our best this season in the middle. As I have said previously I think we need 2 CM's of the quality to walk toe to toe with the best not band a pairing together and hope we can compete which is what it seems like at the minute.

I still think Carrrick has a role to play and Clevs aswell but Scholes, Giggs, Ando and sadly Fletch shouldn't be taking games away from playing young hungry promising players or blocking the path for any top signings.

Jono

I do see where you are coming from, I really do. We used to kill off teams once we were 2 or more goals up, whereas now we more often allow the opposition to come back at us.

But instead of seeing it as simply a 'problem' I'm starting to think it's just a natural side effect of the way we play. One thing I have definitely noticed is we play in a very 'composed' manner these days. Patience seems to be our main attribute and we're not afraid to cut back from the wings to retain possession (see Valencia).

So you may see this as a 'problem' but who's to say that we haven't just evolved our game a little, and that although we do struggle to put teams to bed our new style may be what's helping us to win more games than ever, and to come back from behind in games more than ever?

Whereas we used to get the ball to Giggs/Beckham and the ball would be heading towards the 18 yard box within seconds, the manager seems to have instilled a real calmness in our play. IMO this is a reaction to 'possession' becoming so important in the modern game. We used to throw cross after cross into the box - some we'd score from, most we wouldn't. But these days you can't afford to give up possession so lightly. A lot of the teams we play against have become better in possession themselves.

I do think we will end up smashing one or 2 teams this season, it's almost inevitable with the firepwer we have. But I'm beginning to think doing it regularly is a thing of the past as we're a lot more careful with possession and patient in our build up play.

Gav

Oh my god anderson played an amazing pass last night are some people for real.Get a grip you clown

No name

I heard the watering hole for Donkeys is down the road, what doe Andersons ass have anything to do with what is being discussed you Scmuck.

Shahram

17 Jan 2013 08:15:57
After what I saw on here I was hoping to see a fit sharp Rooney but he looked like a player that had been out injured made my mind up on the was he wasn't injured prob on the bench Sunday
Z

A lot of people on here where claiming Rooney had been training for 10 or more days, but in reality he only started training on Friday evening according to SAF. He did look lighter, but it take a while for him to regain match sharpness.

RedDub

He has clearly been doing a lot of work in the gym, but did only start training Friday so yesterday's game would have done him the world of good. In a couple games we should see a better Rooney.

Sydney!

I felt he done really well, shrugged off a few challenges and played a few killer balls..

Patzi

His been injured 3week and only started training again on Friday it will take a few week for him to get fully fit l think he might start on the bench sunday

No name, debatable whether or not he was injured, but I have no doubts he will start on the weekend.

Sydney!

17 Jan 2013 06:51:54
Not united related directly..
Totanham have entered bidding for m'villa close source from levy's office says. They want a protection for back for so dembele cn run up. They see dembele as their version of yaya toure. And nw whn sandro is on long off..they see 8m as bargain.and obviously will ask for 28 whn we or chelsea come knocking.

Rodio17

17 Jan 2013 06:12:33
Any update about Will Kean.

Red Devil

Yes he is pretty close to having the E added back to the end of his name, it's been a slow process but will hopefully be back and ready for a loan move next season.

GDS

17 Jan 2013 03:34:19
I see that a few of you were commenting that Rooney looked a lot fitter in tonight's game. Personally I didn't see too much difference but, regardless, he can be as fit and slim as he likes but he still has a first touch of an elephant in wellies. He has his moments but on the whole he just doesn't seem as mentally sharp as he used to and not nearly as much natural instinct infront of goal.

TK-Red

Or can it be the case that he is still same but after arrival of rvp his touch and technich comes under megnifying glass?

Rodio17

TK

I think that something that may have been overlooked as a big influence on him as a person is fatherhood.

His form since 2010 has not been great and anyone with kids can hold their hands up and say it is life changing. He would have went from doing whatever he wanted for 60% of the day to having a child and a big responsibility off the field. I have seen friends that hsve found it hard never mind with the added pressure of being Man Utd and Englands shining light.

Im not making excuses for him but I think it could be an aspect that has maybe taken some of the zest for football out of him and Rooney without his passion is no more than a good player.

Jono

He just suffered a bereavement on the family, give him time

Cs93

16 Jan 2013 21:36:03
001, you are probably the best to ask about youth players.

Is there any interest, from any teams, in Hachim Mastour of AC Milan?

The boy is unbelievably talented, and although nothing can be done until he is 16, but surely some teams are sniffing around?

MPez {Ed001's Note - actually yes, Inter were desperate to tempt him over to them. But the main interest is coming from Barca, who wanted to get him and his family to move over there a while back. I remember him because of a joke being made about him being the Moroccan Messi to join the Argentine one and having to google for hours to find any reference to him back then. That might have been a couple of years back now, if I remember rightly, though it is difficult to be sure. After 12 years doing these sites, time seems to have got all confused since I stopped keeping proper notes.}

Insane talent.

Percy

I watched a YT clip and wondered if it was a case of 'all the best bits' but then watched a full game and he pretty much was involved in everything the team did. I know its easier to do at that level but he looks like he was head and shoulders above the rest. Will be interesting to see him develop.

Jono

I should have thought of Barca.

Seems like a player which would suit them to the tee, and would almost be reminiscent of the Ronaldinho years.

MPez

17 Jan 2013 00:08:13
Well i'm slowly coming to the realisation that we probably need two new wingers/forwards. Valencia and Nani don't look like they will ever be the players they once were for us again. I may be being harsh on Nani as it's his first game back, but he's been poor for months and it looks like he's heading for the exit door any way. But it's Valencia who i'm most saddened about, this issue with his legs/back seems to be really limiting him as a player. And unfortunately it's an issue which we are unlikely to be able to fix.

I don't think Young is good enough for the first team but he can be a very useful squad player.

So it looks like Zaha is one of the players coming in to fill the void. He's a player who i like but atm he isn't gonna be a real regular first teamer. He has a lot of talent and skill but he is very raw. But he definately has the key qualities to build on(fast, strong, skillful).

So who else could we bring in?

Shappy

I would love to see us bring in James Rodriguez And I'm Also sure Isco and gotze can both play out wide

17 Jan 2013 11:18:44
bale, rodriguez, isco, gotze, ozil are use usual names but i can see us only going for one off that list and all would be pricey when we need to work on midfield and possibly the back line as well.

Shappy what happened to that Ukrainian guy you were plugging before the Euro's? Was it Yarmolenko?

Shappy used to talk about Yarmolenko. A good talent with a sweet left foot from what I've seen, but doesn't have the natural pace to play on the wing for United IMO.

Gav

Ed02 will know, but I have a sneaky feeling isco may be on his way to chelsea.... :(

Oxred. {Ed002's Note - Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Juventus and Spurs had previously shown an interest in Isco and he came close to a move to Dortmund, who may still follow up the matter .There were some unsubstantiated rumours of interest from Manchester United and Arsenal. Chelsea had someone watch Isco in a recent game against Granada and again very recently. AC Milan might also look to the player if he does not move before the summer. If Malaga are forced to sell even though they don't want to right now, they have discussed future options on the player with a couple of clubs and I would suspect Chelsea, Juventus and Real Madrid are best placed right now to push a deal through - although Manchester City could well make a bid. A move in January is by no means certain and Malaga are looking to have Isco sign a new long-term contract because they do fear a move for the player this month. Malaga wanted 21M euros and are now negotiating an increase in a termination clause to 42M euros, using a pay rise to tempt the player to agree.}

16 Jan 2013 23:53:07
I think the manager's central midfield selection and tactics are miss-understood by many of us, tonight for example the plan was never to press and win he ball high up. Anderson and Giggs are great counter attacking midfielders, it seems The manager values using the ball well more than chasing it down in the midfield areas and would rather have options across the width of the final third. Maybe if our midfield personnel was more athletic we would set up differently (like when we had hargreaves) but at the moment the system is successful.

Bren,