Manchester United Banter Archive August 18 2013

18 Aug 2013 23:25:57
This is just my opinion but with Manchester United being unusually slow and quite in the transfer market and spurs seem to have bought several players could they be replacements for bale? let's be honest ronnys not coming bale makes more sence? Player plus deal? We've got extra money from sponcerships could it be possible? He's a united player he's class?

Or more like we are waiting for Bale to go to Madrid, so then we can go for Ronaldo?

I think of the two, Ronny is much more likely. Add his known love for united to his unhappy demeanor last night, the new c7r being released & our very quiet transfer activity & I think a case could be made for the best player on the planet to come home!

Wet dreams commence!

18 Aug 2013 22:35:56
"Constantine saying we should be dominating these games
because we are Manchester United is unfair IMO"

Sydney bigger picture it was fair. Making my points simplistic. i'm not known for being tunnel visioned. we should be dominating these games more. good result or not. that Midfield could and should be dominating more. the defence was under far too much pressure. at points they had more shots then we did. and we saw too many of those games last season. its near painful seeing the same comment creeping into our fanbase that we got the result at a difficult place ect.

what the other teams yet to play us see, what Mourino sees Matters. the phsycology of it Matters. Chelsea look strong Syd. its too early to say but forgive a man for envisiging another season like the ones before.

and careful with the people like Him comment. I find that insulting. I know full well we had frustrating games back in the day. but they were certainly fewer than what we've had the last few seasons

ConstaNtine is A Red

I am aware we need midfielders, but even the best midfields in the league have trouble at Swansea, ask City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

None of Giggs, Carrick or Cleverley are defensive midfielders so it's hard to blame them for not picking up Michu.

If you look at City they have Toure, Fernandinho, Barry, Rodwell and Garcia, we have no battler other than Jones and he was at RB.

Sydney!

God! We won 4-1! Does it really matter? Syd ain't sayimg we dnt need improving in cm, just be happy!

18 Aug 2013 21:57:33
First time posting a comment, although have been a regular visitor to the site for a while. Appreciate everything the Edds do, great stuff! I think every Utd fan can see what's needed, and the most frustrating thing is fix this problem with perhaps 2 midfielders, and this could be a scary team! I'm sure a few of us saw the Norwich v Everton game. Feillani wasn't bad, Baines was his solid usual self, but of course Ross Barkley stole the show. He has always been a huge talent, but that has to be one of the complete, dominant and mature performances by a 19 year old. I would love for Moyes to snap him up. I just hope for the sake of Utd, and all the fans we sign someone of quality, to take us to the next level {Ed007's Note - Welcome to the site.}

18 Aug 2013 21:20:38
I have to laugh at some people on this. Yeah Chelsea won 2-0 at home to hull who are just up. We beat Swansea 4-1 away from home, a team we only drew again last season. Also we lost our first game last season. Some people really don't understand football.
On the transfer issue I'd really like to see us get a really experienced midfield player maybe a Rossi type player. Feel a bit sorry for Rooney. Really think fergie done moyes no favours stirring up all this. Rooney has been a great player for this club and has been well paid for doing it, so he should knuckle down and do what he does best.

You genuinly feel sorry for a person who is on over 150k a week, a wife like coleen and his job is playing football for manchester united, please man up.

18 Aug 2013 21:11:33
No need for negativity. A 4-1 win and we're top of the league. Signings will come, be patient. The futures bright, the futures Moyesy. Champions and never forget, believe!

18 Aug 2013 19:22:25
Having just watched Barca and the way Fabregas has played I think its safe to say we can put this rumour to bed (for this window at least).
He was superb such a shame as I believe he would have been the missing link so to speak.

Indeed his class was there for all to see, in a different league to Modric.

The only point is how will they accommodate Cesc, Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi, Neymar and Messi in the same team. Will he still get in the team? If he is first choice then he will certainly stay there.

Fabergas was superb today you really have to wonder why anyone though barce would let him go certainly not for 25, 30 mill.
Red man
For me barce have looked tired at the end of the last few seasons I think to many of there top players play every game, which is why imo they haven't won as many CL as they maybe should of
But there bench today was excellent inestia, neymar, alba to name a few even messi got subbed
Jred

Wonder if he will be back on the bench after the window shuts

A tired Barcelona was the only reason Jose won a La Liga title. Couldn't agree more Jred.

Sydney!

They do look very strong Jred I honestly think that Fab may get a lot of starts ahead of Xavi I know it sounds insane but maybe a new coach a new direction.I believe Fab would have joined us had he not been given assurances of playing time by the new coach and I see Xavi as the obvious fall guy? I may be completely wrong but I think they will be there or there abouts in the champions league.

Jred

I questioned why our bidding stopped at £30m at the time a few weeks ago almost as if £30m was our glass ceiling that our owners would not go above.

Fabregas showed his real quality tonight but he wants to be first choice and will he be that?

Red Man, for the last time my friend, that is a very childlike way of looking at things. a) the bid was £30m plus add ons, which is more than £30m for starters. The transfer fee is just one cost of a transfer, there are agent fees, signing on fees, tax on agent fees, relocation costs etc etc like the editor has explained. £30m would quickly become £40m. Also you do not know where the bidding stopped. You are guessing that it stopped at £30m based on the fact another bid was not made public. Also Lucas' agent Ribeiro has confirmed that MU had agreed to pay £35m for his client. That is £5m more than £30m is it not?

The owners in theory could put a £40m glass ceiling on a transfer, but that would be all costs, not just a transfer fee which is only part of the total cost. Your £30m theory is nonsense and makes no sense whatsoever.

Sydney!

Also Red Man, would we be discussing Ronaldo with RM if we were only prepared to pay £30m for him? Come on.

Sydney!

Redman
I found the whole thing strange, why would barce want to sell fabergas, and at present prices he must be a 40 mill player yet we bid 25

Syd
You really have no idea at times, very poor effort
Jred

Sydney

The proof is in the pudding as they say, let's see what we have spent by the close of the window.

"childlike", there you go again insulting people, which you do with regularity, often when your assertions are proved wrong or there is a suggestion that the owners might not be as wonderful as you believe they are. You also treat people like fools at times.

Lastly how many times have we supposedly been in for someone at vast cost, this year it is Ronaldo. I would love to see him back but wait, I recall you basically telling me I was a fantasist for suggesting Ronaldo this summer yet now you are using potential interest in him to try and prove your point that our owners are willing to spend big. Double standards!

Red Man, it wasn't meant to be an insult, but you surely realise how ridiculous that sounds? The Glazers may have a limit on the total cost of a transfer, but not on the transfer fee alone. The transfer fee is just one part of the total cost of a transfer.

I don't believe we will sign Ronaldo, but Ramon Calderon has confirmed there has been talks recently.

Sydney!

Jred, is it strange that Chelsea went in with a £25m bid for Rooney too? And not straight in with a £40m bid?

Sydney!

Sydney

"The Glazers don't have a limit on the transfer fee alone"

Unbelievable

Like I said we shall see what arrives this window or whether it is another "we were in for x at £lots but just couldn't make it happen" window. You protect and support the owners in these situations but as I said the proof is in the pudding, we will see what arrives and whether it is the "best" or what is available on our likely meagre budget. I so want to be wrong but unlike you I will not defend the owners given what they have done to the club

Syd
It will be strange if Chelsea don't make an improved offer as they where never going to get Rooney for 25 .
Unless Jose is just causing trouble but I expect them to come back with a third bid.
I said at the time I found the fabergas bid a bit strange and I predicted that after a frustrating summer moyes would get fellaini baines and Rooney would stay and most fans would be happy, fellaini wasn't most people's first choice but fans will be happy that at least we got someone. All quite clever
Jred

Interesting, I have real winning the league. They have bought very well this summer and it will be a cracker of a game when they meet, especially if all players are available. Barcas defense will cost them on many fronts this year.

Shahram

You are again acting like a child. I am not defending the owners and have said it's possible that they could have a maximum amount to spend on one player, all I'm saying is it would be an amount for the total cost of a transfer, not just the fee. The fee is just one part of the total cost of a transfer. You know what I am saying is correct.

Sydney!

Jred, so you think the MU board purposely wasted weeks on Cesc to fool MU fans. Token bids eh?

So after replacing our manager of 27 years you do not think the club are willing to back the new manager?

At least you are finally being honest.

Sydney!

18 Aug 2013 18:43:54
Aug 2013 17:26:35
"Don't get me wrong I think we can put it up to anyone this year, but
having watched a bit of chelsea in pre-season and today it really
reminds me of the time when united used to win and win with style.
Playing with FORWARD passes, taking on a man, plenty of flicks,
lightning quick counters and hard work. I realise winning is everything,
but the atmosphere at OT is sadly fading in recent years. (remember
one game where U.N.I.T.E.D chant last entire 90 mins)Blame is Partly
through over expectant newbies who know nothing but good times but
surely our style of play is also to blame. We need to buy quality and
work rate. CURRENT team has some very average players by UNITED
standards and looks very very predicatable in Europe especially. Come
on Moyes and give us something to get exicted about and tell
woodward that not going the extra mile to sign the players this great
club expects is not acceptable."

one hundred percent agree

ConstaNtine is a Red

18 Aug 2013 18:25:23
I don't know about anybody else, but having watched Chelsea play this afternoon, they seem much improved on last season. Debruyne (spelling?) looks an amazing talent. If they get a striker they will be a genuine threat. I am looking forward to see how city play tomorrow.

I know it's the first weekend of the season, but I still believe we need two cm and a winger. In an ideal world any two from Vidal, witzel, fabergas, ozil, modric. The winger is a tougher issue. I don't think we need another left back. Evra, buttner and fabio seems like enough cover.

As for Wayne, I hope he stays, but with an attitude adjustment, if not sell/ swap to Chelsea. I would take mata & luiz for Wayne or £45-50m.

Huggy76

I would swap Rooney for Mata alone.

Sydney!

Hard to judge Chelsea today, they were always going to win it was a matter of how many they won by. Wait until they play us next week before we judge them on last season.

Same old Chelsea, Same old Jose! the first half they were outstanding got there goals and I expected them to put Hull to the sword but second half they sort of just settled for what they had and became predictably hard to break down.
I think they will run us very close this year looking forward to watching Sh**ty tomorrow see how they look with thier new gaffer.

Never going to happen lads the Special Juan is going nowhere

Cf1905

Rooney is not worth 45 mill. i would take hazzard and give them rooney and cash.

God created united, how can you say Rooney is not worth £45m? He is up there with the cavanni's, fabergas's of this world. He sells bucket loads of shirts and when he is not sulking he plays with commitment, effort and passion. He creates nd scores goals. £45m is the minimum he is worth.

We will miss him if he leaves. Albeit not the same position this reminds me of when we got rid of stam. Fergie thought blanc would be an adequate replacement. Well he was wrong and we missed stam when he was gone.

I believe for his all round play Rooney is one of a kind.

Huggy76

I think an offer of £35mil+ would secure Rooney for anyone inc Chelsea and he would probably be amazing for them until things don't go his way then they will see the same thing we are seeing at the moment. I believe he is behaving like a petulant child at the minute and hopefully Moyes will sit him on the naughty step and make him think about what he has done:)Im pretty sick of the whole thing tbh I have seen much better players leave and have survived(I almost cried when Becks left ;P).

We should be demanding a fee of 40 to 50 million, remember what Torres and Carroll went for and we're talking about a player better than both.

Although I wouldn't want Luiz.

No name, using Torres and carrol is basically confirming my point lol, both those clubs feel like monkeys now when looking back. Rooney is not worth 45 million and he is nowhere in cavani or falcao league.

All this 40 mill Chelsea talk is also bs, he is not worth that kind of money. 28 and 550 to 600 games have taken their toll on the player.


Shahram

18 Aug 2013 18:22:53
"Midfield is clearly not the strongest but a 4-1 win away to anyone in
the EPL is a great result especially after all that's been going on.
give the lads some credit it was a good away performance against a
side that probably won't be that badly beaten again at home all season"


Baby Face Assassin. I appreciate what your saying. last season we had those kinda wins. but dare I say I have never felt so indifferent to a title as I did last year. we have a shakey midfield. and the whole footballing world knows it. and our defense was looking vunerable. play looked overall stale. Pelligrini and Mourino Will capitilise on it.

Carrick is effective knicking balls but wheres the Power? against a team like swansea cleverly looked like a boy amongst men. when I look in the faces of our players sometimes I see stoners on the beach in california rather than the keane or Neville Hughes Robson Cantona Stam intense focus. Can you imagine Pizza gate with our lot?

We have good good players and i'm sure we will see some great games like the madrid games last year but if ever there was a time we needed an inspiration to link all those players and lift them to their best its now. I really wish Rooney had that character.

anyway iLl stop harping on. we all know it. Swansea should be dominated for nothing less than we have gruelling fixtures coming up and we should using it to set a standard and gain an edge. The big teams will be thinking we are there for the taking.

ConstaNtine is a Red

I agree with you totally about the midfield and tbh most on here do.
iv said many times that IMO cleverly is not good enough and never will be because most of the time you wouldn't even know he was there but he's a good squad player but tbh not one of our midfielders dominate teams and haven't for a while.
Moyes will know better than most(SAF included) what our weaknesses are because he spent 10yrs preparing players to play against us so iv no doubt he'l fix it eventually.
I just think that regardless of who dominated who yesterday the important thing was a good start and nobody wouldv had us down to win 4-1 so credit has to be given to moyes and the team for that

18 Aug 2013 18:00:53
Was it only yesterday that a disruptive force in the dressing room was oiked out.The drinking brigade of the 80s Mcgrath whiteside etc .Kanchelskis and his enterage in the 90s.Big jaap the book and the Nevilles.Van nistleroy Beckham and the hassle with his missus.All these were great players that we could not afford to lose.But hey no one player is bigger than the club.With this policy we won cups championships and won in Europe
So what has changed, we saw yesterday a little fat scouser come on the pitch and yes he made a difference.But this nonsense not celebrating with the rest of the team because he wants away. Sorry guys he's not bigger than United and yes we could do with him staying but that would not happen when Fergie was here and should not happen now.Sell him get the best offer we can and either bring someone else in or blood a kid.
So come on moysey Show the rest of the premier league clubs we are the biggest and childish little strops by so called superstars are not tolerated at our great club
I washed david peggs car

Here, here!

18 Aug 2013 17:49:36
Does anyone think we are going to get any players in?.
I think we really need 2 new players just to give the squad a bit of a lift. I don't think Moyes wants Fellani or why didn't he buy him before now.

18 Aug 2013 17:35:31
All those complaining about our style of play or lack of possession against Swansea, go and ask an Arsenal fan if they'd like to swap our 8 years worth of trophies for their 'exciting' football, I'd say 90 percent of them would swap it for just 1 trophy. Look at what Mourinho did at Chelsea first time round, they were the one of most solid, uninspiring teams I can remember seeing but they hold the record for most points in a PL season.

Pretty, tiki-taka style football is all well and good until you realise that it's not doing anything for your team.

18 Aug 2013 17:20:41
"Another MU fan who thinks Keane and Scholes always dominated
possession."

true to form Sydney. that undercurrent of true colours. Havent missed a game in fifteen years. no we didn't dominate all the time. but we certainly entertained and put the fear into teams. so your telling me if we had keane and scoles it be just the same. The footballs poor in the middle and you know it.

get off that pedestal you put yourself on and be fair to those who disagree with you.

. constaNtine is a red.

No they never always entertained. It will seem that way looking back in hindsight though as people forget the poor performances. Now the negative Nellie's only remember the poor performances and conveniently miss the good bits. At home we entertained, but tough away games it was often a slog and they often never dominated games.

Sydney!

Syd, your argument against them not dominating in tough away games is kind of flawed in a sense that how often in a 'tough' away game does the away team actually dominate?

Locky,

That is exactly syds argument! People complain we don't dominate away games like we used to, syd is saying that we didn't always used to dominate games at all.

Locky, that was my point my friend.

Sydney!

GDS2 and Sydney, it's not a case of we don't dominate away games, there was plenty of times at home last season we didn't dominate . Our midfield will get run over but the like of Chelsea, city, even spurs have a better midfield! Not to mention when we play top European teams! We've been crying out for a cm for 3-4 years now so give it a rest your arguments getting boring!

Just re read that and it comes across quite arsey haha, what I mean is we've had the keane and scholes debate and the CM, we all know we need to strengthen in CM there's no doubt about that! Anyone who posts otherwise is blind! So let's all CROSS fingers and pray to god we make a signing this week!

18 Aug 2013 17:18:58
After being spotted at theorist and at Manchester airport whilst also seen in London whilst all the while in the algae be. am I really to believe what seems to be the most obvious conclusion. having cloned himself he has proven he really does want to play for united. That can be the only explanation surely.

18 Aug 2013 15:53:46
"Have you seen Swansea play in the last 2 or 3 years? They are a very
good footballing side and last season most teams were conceding
possession to them especially at The Liberty Stadium. It was a very tidy
and clinical performance from us yesterday, just look at last seasons
game at their place it was nothing like that."


Missing the point George. Even in Ronaldos time I thought our Midfield was Lacking we got humiliated by Barce. with all respects. Swansea are a good side but once again we glossed a win with excellent strikes. we did not send a message saying fear us. how many transfer windows going to come and go to a point where all of us are fortune tellers and can see exactly how its going to play out if we don't get in.

make no mistake. Pellegrini was my choice for us. Mourinho will whip chelsea into shape. winning titles on others mistakes will be gone very soon.

. constaNtine is a red.

Another MU fan who thinks Keane and Scholes always dominated possession.

Sydney!

Actually Syd more often than not they did, especially against mid table teams.

Syd

Maybe it's another united fan who realises we need new CM, top quality one! No one can deny that. It's clear as day

Hughesy

To be fair kean and scholes prob did dominate most midfields 9 times out of 10 but more importantly they could dominate the best midfields in the world.
Also teams would change the way they played and approached a game back then because our midfield was that good I always get the feeling that teams now feel it's worth having a go against us these days
Jred

Midfield is clearly not the strongest but a 4-1 win away to anyone in the EPL is a great result especially after all that's been going on.
give the lads some credit it was a good away performance against a side that probably won't be that badly beaten again at home all season

Maybe just maybe the fact of the matter is since the 90's every year the class between the bottom teams and the top teams has got smaller. Swansea are a very good side and at their home ground most teams struggle, they were going to have a lot of possession as we played on the counter a lot of the time. Last season we struggled against them and people were happy scraping by against them yet a fairly convincing 4-1 win with some decent individual performances and a good team performance on the first day of the season isn't good enough.

Hughesy, I am all for signing a new midfielder, always have been.

Sydney!

18 Aug 2013 14:29:02
Great result yesterday guys! Really hope we sign someone before the Chelsea game, think it would give the whole club a lift as I feel we look a bit flat, although it needs to be someone that is going to be a first choice and not a squad player . That's prob why we have not bought yet! One star player can make the difference just look at RVP Tony v

18 Aug 2013 14:00:54
Sydney conceeding to Swanseas possession Normals?

Have you forgotten what club we are. this is not good enough.

I like cleverly more than Kloot obviously does. But no way is he the heartbeat or the inspiration. I can understand his frustration. we should be blowing Swansea out of the water and Jose Mourihno is 100% correct. Average titles lately. but Kloot is wrong of Rooney. our shape looked better instantly. what I saw was a disillusioned player lost at sea.

Breaks my heart to know our club dawdling on a midfielder of stature for how long? four years has contributed to the frustrations of easily our best player. if we had sorted that, its my opinion we woudnt have the strife we have with Rooney now. The club have been weak in the Market. for years. if you had the pratical possibility of watching every game He ever played in youd see him youd see heart and plenty of won games. I don't expect your reply. expect mimimul possesion with Swansea? what a joke.

. constaNtine is a Red.

Have you seen Swansea play in the last 2 or 3 years? They are a very good footballing side and last season most teams were conceding possession to them especially at The Liberty Stadium. It was a very tidy and clinical performance from us yesterday, just look at last seasons game at their place it was nothing like that.

Totally agree on that one.
Nomidfield

No midfield could dominate every game in the EPL. It's utter nonsense.

Sydney!

Yeah I have to say I totalyl agreed with what Mourinho said about the premiership sides the last couple of seasons, which has pretty much been evident based upon the results in Europe in this period as well. Since 2010 you could argue all the top 5/6 sides bar Spurs have actually got weaker. One of Mourinhios great barbed comments as it is actually true
Invisible STuey

18 Aug 2013 13:24:00
To KLOOT:
Kloot, you are so unreasonable.
From the posts that I have read from you, it appears that you are almost impossible to make happy.
If you are that unimpressed by our players/style of play etc maybe you should stop watching altogether.
Seriously what do you want?
Cleverley was negative? do you see something in him that SAF, DAVID MOYES AND ROY HODGSON dont?
3 top footballing minds that have spent their lives devoted to football but they must all be wrong then yes?
You know more than they do and your opinion of him is right and theirs is wrong.
People like you really grate on my nerves, grass is always greener state of mind.We won the league last year with this squad but you prob think it was luck? needs improving . blah blah .Rooney is useles blah blah.
Joke mate,

Kloot exaggerate most of the time! But Cleverly is average!

No name your blind if you think Cleverly is good enough, regardless of what AF, DM and RH think! Your happy going into a European semi final against Bayern with Cleverly in CM are you? He is negative, and only passes back and sideways. Seriously you need to wake up! I fully agree with KLOOT on "The Brand"

Hughesy

Cleverley is a good squad player no more no less and presently occupies a position we must strengthen in. Being a member of a very poor England team is nothing to shout about. I wouldn't sell him because he is a squad player but who knows how he would feel if a real quality player arrives and takes his spot. If he was playing for someone else would we pay £15M for him? Not for me!

Red Man, exactly, a valuable squad player at that. Can people imagine how well we would have done without Cleverley last season? Who else could have partnered Carrick for all those months? People may not spend £15m on Cleverley or Welbeck if they were at another club including myself, but would anyone have paid £15m for O'Shea? Brown? Evans? Butt? Phil Neville? People need to appreciate how important squad players are and what they bring to the team.

Sydney!

Red Man, exactly, a valuable squad player at that. Can people imagine how well we would have done without Cleverley last season? Who else could have partnered Carrick for all those months? People may not spend £15m on Cleverley or Welbeck if they were at another club including myself, but would anyone have paid £15m for O'Shea? Brown? Evans? Butt? Phil Neville? People need to appreciate how important squad players are and what they bring to the team.

Sydney!

Sydney

A good squad player he may be not sure that valuable but why have Manchester United been using a squad player or an ageing left winger as first choice central midfield players. We need to buy quality so Cleverley is a squad player and Giggs becomes a full time coach.

Exactly Sydney, people always underestimate our squad players influence, people talk about cleverly as if we would be better off playing with ten men! Yes he's never going to be a world class individual, but that doesn't mean we can't be a world class team with him in it.
Jase

Red Man, I think it's a case of some players not working out (Young, Nani & Anderson) and a case of MU wanting the best players, not more squad players. But you have to admit without Cleverley last season we would have been f**ked. Especially had Carrick got injured.

Sydney! {Ed007's Note - *facepalm* and *shakes head*}

I agree Red Man and Sydney that Cleverly is a good and also invluable squad player. However he shouldn't be a United first eleven player as he probably is currently, that for me is the problem not his ability or anything else as I think he is actually a good player not an average one but a club of our size should have a much better player than him starting for su all the same
Invisible STuey

18 Aug 2013 18:39:59
@Red Man

Hence the chase for Cesc and the enquiry for Ozil. I don't think there are any great left sided midfielders out there. Perhaps Di Maria or Willian if we want someone who will cut in?

Should be interesting to see what happens in the next two weeks.

"But you have to admit without Cleverley last season we would have been f**ked."

Sydney do you live in a alternative reality, your man love of Cleverley is worrying.

Carloto

Carloto, ahhhh someone posting under an alternative name. Sad.

I purely mean numbers wise. Without him we would have had no one at times to partner Carrick.

Sydney!

18 Aug 2013 12:37:44
Sorry if sharply has already mentioned this, but against Wigan and Swansea I have realised a huge improvement in Evra's form. I think this is because moyes is using him the same as he did with Baines, which is the player who starts on the left is allowed to tuck in and allow evra to push forward and swing in crosses to rvp and so far it's working a great, I also think kagawa would revel in that wide left role as he'd be allowed to come inside more. Your thoughts guys?

*shappy stupid autocorrect!

Evra can't track a player and gets skinned easiely. His problem is that he is a defensive catastrophy waiting to happen, it has nothing to do with offensive play

Yes stupid shappy :P

Caolan, I think this is a fair point actually. I think Kagawa could do well in place of Giggs in yesterday's lineup. He and Welbeck could rotate between playing as a narrow LAM or more centrally, as Giggs/Welbeck did at times.

Mick, I agree with your point. Which is why I think if we keep with Evra we need a quality all round CM who can track back and tackle to partner Carrick. That way he can cover Evra/Raf when they bomb forward.

18 Aug 2013 11:57:13
Perhaps Rooney was a little peed off due to the seat he was sitting on? Swansea are sponsored by regaine ;)

Sydney!

Pity there not sponsored by syrup of figs:)

18 Aug 2013 10:27:19
Did anyone else feel like it was as if someone had just walked into the United dressing room and said Sir Alex isn't here today but you know how to play so just get out there and do it. For periods of the game we couldn't get the ball off Swansea and if it wasn't for RVP it might have all been so different but if you buy world class that is what you get. Cleverley was as negative and uncreative as always but I was impressed with Wellbeck and this should help his confidence he reminds me so much of Andy Cole in the way he prefers to play off instinct rather than have time to think about it. Who was that fat lad who came on in the second half and seemed to sulk around the pitch? no not that fat lad that was Anderson the other one.

All sides who visit Swansea have spells like that. Spells where you are chasing. To get 50% possession at Swansea is very good going. Luckily for us Moyes went with three in the middle as opposed to SAF's two and it paid off. What I find funny is how people like yourself think that Keane and Scholes were perfect in every game. They were exceptional players don't get me wrong, but they were dominated from time to time, especially in away games. Games used to be scrappy and we struggled even with them at times. People forget that though.

Sydney!

The way Swansea play it is going to be hard for any team to get the ball off them, the main thing is, is that we were creating chances and defended well.

You're very hard boy to please.

We all want to sign the best players but moaning about it 24/7 isn't going to change anything. if you don't like it go support City.

So you are implying that Moyes had no input in the win? Bit harsh IMO. To be fair we did play similarly to that last season, but last season we would more likely have gone a goal or 2 down then have to come back to win. It was good to see us soak up the pressure, not concede early on, then be clinical at the other end. Swansea are a top footballing team and they were always going to dominate periods of possession in their first home game. I admire the way we dealt with them to be honest.

Rooney looked disinterested and lacking sharpness but his contribution was there for all to see. We looked to have more cutting edge when he came on. His body language was not great though so let's just see what happens.

I thought we were poor first 20 and it was good to see DM on the touchline barking at the team after 25mins. That's what we need passion and determination.

Do u mean the player who came on for the last 25 mins, unfit due to injuries, and still made two assists? That was Rooney! So maybe u should take off your blinkers and actually see what he's doing on the pitch instead of what is happening off the pitch!
Nomidfield

Two assists they were simple balls any reasonable player would of picked out not like they were pin point 30 yard passes he is acting like a spoiled brat let him go we will survive we always do the man threw his toys out saying we had no ambition we signed a true class act who keeps him out of the team and then he can't be arsed to fight for his place all for 250 k a week WTF

18 Aug 2013 09:54:50
Great result, but we were pretty poor a lot of long balls, some great performances a lot of mediocre from our guys though they all worked hard. De gea flawless, Evra worked hard but was average, Ferdinand slow and sloppy clearances, Vidic a rock played well, Jones ( who I thought was becoming our best defender last year) got out of position too often, kept drifting to the middle and the odd time he got forward looked completely lost.
Dyer and Routledge were cutting through our midfield so easily especially in the first half. on the plus side Wellbeck was brilliant, even without his goals. RVP what can you say? Rooney looked pretty sharp made some decent runs and the pass to Wellbeck was inch perfect. The rest of the team, were pretty average, breaks my heart to class Giggsy average :(.

I must be in a whining mood (bit hungover)why the hell are we playing Chelsea on a Monday? only day I definitely can't make, hope we play better give em a cheer for me lads and lasses.

Let's be honest moyes wanted playmaker fabergas or thiago but we will prob have to make do with fellaini.
We were out footballed in the middle of the park again yesterday not out battled
Jred

I didn't see MU being out footballed in the middle yesterday. Not in the slightest. I also do not see how Thiago/Cesc is related to Fellaini. Completely different players and the club would want both types if they can make it happen.

Sydney!

Jesus syd must of watched a different game tSwansea played some nice stuff in the middle yesterday .
Moyes imo wanted a player like fabergas or thiago but there aren't that many of them around I think he may have make do with a player like fellaini
Jred

Swansea will do well this season our attacking and defending were superior the midfield again is where we are light

Ours boys did a good professional job and well done to DM even got a goal in Moysie Time

I think both sides played some nice stuff in the middle yesterday and for it to be so even at Swansea is some feat. It's a difficult place to go these days. Three players in the middle helped us so much, imagine if we could add two top midfielders to Carrick. There is every chance we will end up with just Fellaini in midfield, but I think the idea was for a Fellaini/Strootman type player and a Cesc/Thiago/Modric type player. I do not see Fellaini as an alternative. That's like wanting a CB and settling for a fullback. We may get only Fellaini, but I do not think that was the plan. It's clear we need a battler and a creative midfielder.

Sydney! {Ed007's Note - Hey Syd. Glad you see you got your tech problem sorted.}

We were in control of that game even though swansea had the ball a lot there always going to have a lot of the ball btw that's how they play moyes knew that he allowed for it Iiked how quick we were on the break welbeck was very good rvp and valencia aswell. What I liked was how solid at the back we were vidic is amazing. Moyes got tactics spot on let them play in front of you when on the ball break quickly and that is the best way to play swansea away imo at home it's different but Swansea away is probably the 7th hardest away fixture of the season and a very tough place to go so well done so far big test monday to come hopefully a few signings in the middle of the park this week and we will be very hard to stop this season. One more thing are back four and goalie are the best in the league by a distance even with evra the weak link miles better than chelsea and city. Going to be a good season I predict two trophies this year league being one of them.
Browred

As I've said many times I don't think we need a battler we need a modric thiago fabergas type imo.
I think moyes has tried to sign that type of player but like I have said above there are not that many of them about so I think moyes will now have to go to plan b and sign a fellaini type unless he can get modric of course
Jred

I tend to agree with jred and also think we need a creative midfielder. People are using too many labels for players now a days and being creative midfielder does not mean you can't tackle or break up play.

Possession is so important ow a days and creative guys just seem to have that extra time on the ball and keep the ball away from the opposition.

BTW I don't believe we are after Fellaini either as I did not think we were after Strootman or Garay and our signings if any will be different to what most of us expect.

A name no one mentions that I rate highly is Ever Banega who might be a little old but he is great player and would add a lot to our setup.

18 Aug 2013 15:09:37
I agree with Sydney the plan was for fellaini and fabregas. You don't go from fabregas or thiago to fellaini as a back up, their totally different styles. It makes no sense. Jred as you noticed Swansea played some good stuff. This was largely due to michu constantly finding space. He wouldn't have done do with fellaini or strootman on the pitch. A fellaini, carrick, fabregas midfield would work perfect. MrE

Jred, sorry but that doesn't make sense mate. If we NEED a creative midfielder, we will still be missing the creativity if we signed Fellaini. DM is not going to change the way we play due to missing out on a creative midfielder.

If we need a creative midfielder, then we will still need one if we buy Fellaini.

Sydney!

I agree we will need a creative midfielder but I'm not sure we are going to get one so moyes May have to go with a plan B.
I wouldn't go for fellaini or that type of player but if I couldn't get fab thiago modric I would maybe change tact and get fellaini and use kags in cm for example .

If moyes was always planning to go for defensive cm why haven't we made a move for one yet .
I honestly don't think we need a dm as in modern football I think Carrick can play the role but if moyes can't get the players he wants he might have to try something else, as I think doing nothing isn't an option
Jred

If we got fab for example, I think his good enough and got enough in his game to be able to play alongside Carrick in a 2 or in a 3 with clevs and Carrick but I think with kags in there we would be light so would prob have to go and get a dm.
Plan A would be thiago or fabergas plan B use kags but beef up midfield the midfield to accommodate him
More than one way to skin a cat
Jred

Some fair points Jred. But look at this from another point of view. Carrick cannot play in every game and he is not getting any younger. We also need more than one midfielder for the squad. We are lacking in that area not just on quality, but quantity too. Personally I think you would agree with me that Fellaini and Modric would be a good summer and would give us plenty of options for all comps. I would be a happy bunny if we signed Modric, Fellaini, Coentrao/Baines without any outgoings. If Nani is sold I would happily go for Di Maria. It would be a big raid on RM, but I get the feeling we are in heavy talks with RM. That's just a feeling I get mind, I have not idea.

Sydney!

Syd
If it was up to me I would of signed thiago and fabergas play them with Carrick as a 3 and I think we would dominate the possession and control games.
But it's not up to me, it looks to me moyes wanted a creative cm if he doesn't get one he might try some thing else, but who knows
Jred

That would have been a dream. Cesc in the hole, Carrick & Thiago in the midfield two.

Sydney!

18 Aug 2013 09:30:21
Morning lads. I was at the game yesterday & for 30 minutes We did not stop singing Rooney's name, he got a great reception, one which deserved acknowledgement. Acknowledgement that never came, I watched Rooney specifically for a good 25 minutes & his movement was excellent as was is hunger to get forward. That's where the good stops, his body language was shocking, each time a goal was scored Rooney instantly walked back to the center of the park & didn't join in with celebrations, at the end of the game he walked off alone & didn't thank us for our support. I find all this very disappointing, we gave him a massive reception & showed him he's wanted & received nothing in return. My point is, I've always hoped & wanted Rooney to stay, my stance is changing, he was like a child yesterday & I know talking to other fans he won't get that reception again. Sell him, get Ozil in if possible. Ozil, James Mcarthy & Fellaini would be excellent in my opinion.

Congratulations Moyes, excellent start.

I'm his biggest defender and even I was pis. d off at the way he acted.
United have done all their transfer dealings, or lack of it, publicaly, so why don't they just arrange a meeting at ot and Rooney and the management can either sort it out or we can agree to part ways.
He has never come out and said he wants to leave, and I think saf saying (untruthfully) that he had asked for a transfer, obviously rankles with Rooney, and yes right.
So why can't the club have a press conference with him there and retract Ferguson's stupid comments and I'm sure all will be well.
Nomidfield

18 Aug 2013 09:13:34
It looks as though Rooney has now accepted that a move this window to Chelsea isn't possible, however in 12 months time with only 12 months of his contract remaining I would expect a move to happen.
With Rooney staying this season I feel that this will impact on Kagawa regarding game time and looking 12 months down the line with the emergence of Januzai is Kagawa a player we don't really need . I like Kagawa who played in his correct position, just off the striker, is a very talented player.Would it therefore make sense to sell Kagawa back to Dormund bringing one of their other midfield players ( Gundogan or Bender ) the other way.
Raffa

No, you don't sell your best players and we're already short in midfield.
How about selling young and Valencia?
Nomidfield

18 Aug 2013 08:09:14
I am in agreement with an earlier post made by "NoMidfield". I think Rooney wanted the club to come out and say that he had not requested a transfer and that Fergie had distorted facts. It was a non-starter, never going to happen. That has peeved him off, whether that is justified or not depends on your outlook. The same way if there are lies that are fabricated in your office, do you go ahead and act all cock-a-hoop? I know this might not be what has actually transpired, just my opinion.

In an ideal world, he should have got on with things and not act peeved. I think that's down to the kind of individual you are.

Anyways, the support/backing he got from our away support was heartening. Speaks volumes about how good our away support is. As KLOOT likes to call them "the real support" with regards to "tourists" that sit at Old Trafford. May be, just may be, our loyal away support brigade realize that this entire cock up is not only Wayne Rooney's doing?

Deeps.

Deeps, u are right. I'm sure this is the crux of the problem. And Ferguson is no longer there. So the club should be big enough and come out and retract the statement made by Ferguson.
Rooney will be happy, and it will all be forgotten in two weeks, is that so hard to do?
Most people we know would not like it if an injustice had been done against them, and they will want to clear their name. So is Rooney expected to be different?
It is such a petty argument and one that could threaten our season, so please united, do the right thing, as we always do.
Nomidfield

18 Aug 2013 06:46:00
So, the latest reports have us bidding 'low' for Fellaini and also say Modric fancies a move to United. Firstly Fellaini - Moyes is in a difficult position here as he was Everton Manager when the release clause was put in. If he now bids a lot less than the release clause then he looks cheap. If he thought he was worth £24M before, does he now think he is only worth £18M? If he wants to buy players from his old club, like it or not he has to pay the required fees.

Now Modric - if we are being quoted £35M or more I think we should pass. We do need a little more creativity along with some steel but surely Cabaye is a better and cheaper option.

The press also say (made up?) that we have turned down the chance to sign Ozil for £40M. I know many will be disappointed but my question would be where would we play him? Bear in mind SAF signed Kagawa and seemed not to know what to do with him - just because a class player is available doesn't mean we should pile in and sign him. However, if Rooney were to leave for a big fee, then perhaps the flair players would be good investments.


Given what we saw yesterday, we can add in Kagawa, Rafael, Zaha, Januzaj and if we're to sign Fellaini and Cabaye I think we are good to go. Left back will remain a concern but with that team I think we would out score everyone.

AJH i'd take Ozil in a heartbeat! If Rooney goes RVP up top with Kagawa Ozil Welbeck the 3 behind

As soon as u mentioned the 'C' word I nearly cr.pped myself.
Modric is in a different league to 'C'.
'C' is not much better than cleverly or Anderson and would be a disaster.
If we are going to buy, then let's buy to improve the first team and buy world class talent.
'C' does not even come anywhere near premiership talent never mind world class talent.
Nomidfield

18 Aug 2013 00:29:35
Sorry lads, but I can't find it anywhere.what is the code for the Barclays Premier league fantasy league? Thanks!

WizardOzmand

18 Aug 2013 00:30:45
Decent performance and a very good result.

A special mention to Welbeck who had a great game with the exception of once dalling on the edge of his own box. I've always supported him and said he just needs experiance. Hopefully he'll prove me right this year.

Now onto the elephant in the room. A mr Wayne Rooney.

Yes he got two assists, but in fairness i'd say only the one for Welbecks counts. His assist for RvP second goal was a sideways pass 15 yards in Swanseas half, the kind of pass that Cleverley gets lamblasted on this site for. RvPs second goal came from his 25 yard run with the ball then dinking outside two players and unleashing an unstopable shot into the top corner. For me that was a pretty much self made goal.

But regardless of whether you consider Rooney got one or two assists his bidy language was a very telling sign that all is not right in his head atm. Rooney is renown for his love of the game, and he clearly wasn't enjoying himself out there.

Now whether Rooney didn't celebrate with the rest of the team is because he isn't happy at the club or whether its because the team aren't happy with him is a more important question.

But either way this isn't a situation that can be allowed to continue. Man Citys title challenge was ruined last season not by a lack of talent or a lack of know how, it was ruined by the bad feeling in the team caused by one or two individuals. Bad feeling in the camp starts off with one player but has a habit of infecting those around him like a cancer. Sometimes cancer treatment means removing something vital inorder to save the life of the patient.

Wayne Rooney has been a key part of a very successful side in recent years, and you can't marginalise his contribution to that team. But if harbours bad feelings toward the club or anyone at the club then maybe its time he leaves before that bad feeling spreads and infects everyone else.

Protecting the life of the club is more important than anything else.

Vidic and Rvp have both said in the last week they hope he stays .
Haven't seen the match on the tv yet but I will say Rooney got dropped just before the 4 goal he was still picking himself up after welbeck scored.
Honestly didn't see that much wrong with his body language although you could tell he needs games.

Shappy what exactly happened
Jred

Shappy, I agree that Rooney looked somewhat moody out there, but for RVP's 2nd goal he made a hard run across the face of the defenders which RVP took full advantage of. He did have that look of a four year getting coaxed out of his sulking after a little discipline. I hope he stays and his hunger returns.

Zidaniel

Jred

He basically walked back alone to while the rest of the team were celebrating for both goals and seemed completely not interested.

Shappy

I give it to you that Rooney was not his usual boisterous self(goal celebration), but he did applaud RVPs first goal? I saw him clapping behind Moyes.

As usual with regards to Rooney, you miss a legitimate fact and fail to give him credit. Watch Persie's second goal again, it was not a sideways Cleverlyesque pass, it was a forward pass. It was made out of a somewhat tight space. Then he sprinted to the right of RVP which turned the defender marking Persie. RVP got the space he needed and bolted home(superb finish mind you). You watch so much football and your normally very well informed. I suspect how you missed it?

Welbeck did well with the goals, but his general play on a lot of occasions is tosh. Wriggles out of tight spots and then his touch let's the ball run away. Tried to be cute in our penalty box and gets caught out. He has a long way to go to prove me and other doubters wrong. Fair play to him, he had a good game. But does not deserve any gushing praise. If he can do it match after match, I will put my hands up and say I got it wrong.

I am sure you failed to notice how our attacking impetus just went up a few notches when Rooney and RVP combined.

Deeps.

18 Aug 2013 08:11:22
Jred, every time you saw him either on the bench or on the pitch he had a face like thunder. He didn't smile once, not even when he had a hand in two of the goals.

I'll admit he took a kick just after releasing the ball for Welbecks second goal, but when he got up the team were still celebrating and he didn't even look over at them, he just trudged off back to the half way line.

But when he made the run across the Swansea defence after passing the ball to RvP, he did have a detirmined look about him. But when RvP shuffled back across goal making space for himself to shoot and score his second goal. Rooney neither smiled or celebrated with the team.

Wayne seemed detirmined to play well but from his reaction to the goals I would say he was more detirmined to prove a point about himself rather than prove his worth to the team.

But the thing I think is most damning isn't Rooneys reaction but Weobecks and RvPs. Normally when any of our players score they go and thank the player who made the pass. RvP went to Giggs after Giggs made the pass for RvPs first goal. And Welbeck went to Valencia when after scoring his first goal. But neither of them gave Wayne a second glance after he helped them get their second goals.

This to me says the players have a problem with Rooney. It looks like Wayne may have burned his bridges this time.

I think people are reading into this far to much Wayne Rooney is paid to play football not to smile or celebrate once he stops playing football then we have a problem as far as I'm concerned I couldn't care less if he celebrates or not as long as he is helping the team he is still an assets to us

Calvin

18 Aug 2013 11:37:31
Deeps, I do give Rooney the credit he deserves. But that pass to RvP was one i've seen Cleverley make 6/7 times a match. I agree that Wayne certainly played his part with his driving run across Swanseas defence to help make RvPs goal.

When he came on we did look more dangerous, but bare in mind Swansea had also made more attacking changes as they were chasing the game. That would have left them more open than before. But you can't deny Waynes ability, he is a top player and on his day world class.

But this is totally irrelivant if he doesn't want to play for us anymore. And if he has burned his bridges with his team mates then it will be hard for him to come back from that.

Last season City thought Tevez and Balotelli were too important to ship out, and the disharmony they caused in the camp directly lead to them not winning the league.

Its hard to accept but sometimes we have to let great players go for the good of the dressing room. We did the same with RvN after he fell out with Ronaldo and caused a rift in the dressing room.

Shappy, if your boss spread a lie about you and you were clearly aggrieved by this, do you carry on being lightness and day, or do you go around trying to clear your name?
Now let's criticise players like Berbatov for giving 30% effort, but please, let's not lay into Rooney when we would all have acted in the same way.
If we want him gone then that's fine, but let's not make out that it is all his making and that Ferguson is sweetness personified. Ferguson made a massive error when he lied about Rooney wanting a transfer.
Its time for the club to come out and clear this matter and then put the ball into Rooney's court.
Nomidfield

18 Aug 2013 16:27:22
Nomidfield, how do you KNOW that Sir Alex lied? Were you privvy to the conversation? Or are you close to either Wayne or Sir Alex and they've told you?

Wayne may be sulking because it was a lie, or he maybe sulking because he feels that Sir Alex betrayed him by revealing what he said in a private conversation.

If it was a lie then I would have thought Wayne would have wanted to clear his name, there are two ways of doing that.

One to come out say it was a lie and he is fully commited to the club.

Or two by showing how much you love the club by playing in a commited way and with a smile on your face to show how happy you are to be playing for the club.

But Wayne hasn't done either, he hasn't said anything to clear his name. And he played yesterday like he didn't want to be there.

Make of that what you will.

17 Aug 2013 15:39:30
Ed is it true DM yesterday turned down the chance to sign Ozil and Willan because he doesn't want a winger but midfield general such as Fellaini. , and then a rumour from a reliable source is we have decided to sell Buttner and then go for Coentrao who has just handed in a transfer request . , Beskitas have already made contact abt Buttner

17 Aug 2013 23:58:35
Interesting that NBC are saying Rooney told RVP to f*ck off on his second goal I think that's the picture tv posted of Rooney on his jack while his team mates were celebrating.

Now this is probably wrong but if he did he needs a smack in the kisser